Board of Directors

JENNIFER NICHOLS

BOARD CHAIR

Loan Officer at Movement Mortgage

Jennifer is passionate about the city she lives in and as a Native Nevadan. She grew up in this region and has a deep understanding of what Reno offers to its community members. Throughout her life Jennifer has been active in showing horses and participating in 4-H and the Future Farmers of America where she developed a strong respect for the bond that being around horses can offer to the soul. In her middle & high school years she was given the opportunity to work with individuals with disabilities around horses and other farm responsibilities; it was then she realized how much those services called to her heart. As she grew her career as a Loan Officer with Movement Mortgage she made it a priority to continue to give back to the community and joined the Center for Adaptive Riding where she volunteers and holds a Board Position.

LORA TEDESCO

BOARD TREASURER

Owner of Tedesco Pacific Construction, Inc.

Lora and her husband Greg have owned and operated their Construction Company in Reno Tahoe since 1984. She grew up in Rural N Cal riding mostly neighbor’s horses before school.
Her Sister Linda, recently passed, was mentally and physically disabled, so she understand how a program outside of the home interacting with animals can enhance the lives of these students and veterans. She joined the board to help maintain this important program and give support to an organization facing many challenges.
She enjoy gardening, hiking with her dogs, reading and exploring our country with her husband.

REANA FERENCIK

BOARD SECRETARY

CPA at Evans Nelson & Company

Reana is a native Nevadan and has been involved with small businesses her whole life. Her parents own a small family operated business and she was raised learning hard work as well as that personal touch. Since having graduated Honors, Cum Laude from the College of Business at UNR, she has worked in private accounting.
Reana received her CPA license in 2019 and loves using her knowledge of accounting and private industry to help bridge the gap between business and tax.

SHELLY CURT

MEMBER AT LARGE

Food & Beverage Development Manager at the Atlantis

Shelly has worked as a Food and Beverage Development Manager for the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa for nine years. She serves as a member of their volunteer committee where she coordinates and leads such projects as preparing monthly dinner for the families at the Reno Ronald McDonald House. She holds a B.A. degree in Linguistics from UNR and spent 10 years working as a Communication Therapy Aide in the Physical Rehab Unit at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, working primarily with stroke and head injury patients. A lifelong horse lover, Shelly volunteers as one of CAR’s trained horse handlers in addition to her duties as Board Member at Large.

Other Members at Large:

Nick Heathman
Scott Fairchild