There are many ways to get involved with The Solace Tree by volunteering your time and talents.
Board of Directors
The board supports the established policies of The Solace Tree, and serves as a fiduciary partner to further the mission. The Solace Tree is governed by the elected board of directors and led by an elected executive committee.
Current Board Members
David Wertzberger, CHAIRMAN
CEO, Sierra Professional Insurance
dwertzberger@sierraprofessional.com
Dave Wertzberger has over 30 year’s sales, product marketing and CEO start-up experience in the hi-tech field in Silicon Valley. In 2001, he joined Mike Menath Insurance in Reno focusing on commercial insurance sales. In 2004, he founded Sierra Professional Insurance with Mike Menath to focus on commercial insurance services for Assisted Living facilities in NV, Utah, CA and Idaho. Dave has also served on the Board of Directors for Loras College in Dubuque, IA and Mitty High School in Cupertino, CA. He is a Graduate of the University of Iowa with a BBA in Marketing with post graduate studies in management systems at the University of Minnesota.
Mark Wimbush, TREASURER
Chief Financial Officer, Ebarra International
mwimbush@ebaraintl.com
Mark Wimbush is Chief Financial Officer of EBARA INTERNATIONAL Sparks, Nevada a manufacturing company with HQ for international operations in Sparks. Mark has over 25 years of financial management and operations experience at the corporate controller, VP or CFO level. He has in-depth experience in managing and best practices for budgeting, profitability analysis, tax matters, and financial operations. In addition, he supports his wife’s business, Right At Home which is an in-home care and assistance agency, providing personal services to seniors and disabled persons.
Mark is also an officer/founder of the St. Rose of Lima Knights of Columbus and chairs the Knights Golf Tournament that has contributed over $3,500 to The Solace Tree.
Karen Smith, M.Ed.S, Vice President
Counselor, Private Practice
ksmith@powernet.net
Karen has worked as an educator, School Counselor and Counselor Psychologist for more than thirty years at the elementary, middle and high school levels. She has served as the Area Chair for The School Counseling and Marriage Family and Child Therapy programs at the University of Phoenix. In addition, she was the School Counseling Practicum and Internship UOP supervisor for seven years. Employment experiences include: instructor in the CEP Department at the University of Nevada; working as a school counselor in Charter schools; working as an assistant at Lake Ridge Golf Course with the Director of Instruction; Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with veterans, pre-school counselor, and private practice. She has been selected as a state and national leader in the professional counseling association and has been published in the American School Counseling Journal. Degrees: M.Ed. School Counseling and Personnel Services; Ed. S. School Psychologist. National Certifications: Professional Counselor and Professional School Counselor. State of Nevada license: School Counselor, School Psychologist.
Emilio Parga, M.A., Founder/Executive Director
The Solace Tree for Grieving Children, Teens and Families
775.324.7723
775.250.0601, emilio@solacetree.org
Matt Francis, Attorney, Watson Rounds Partner
Mfrancis@watsonrounds.com
Mr. Francis, practices primarily in the areas of intellectual property and corporate litigation, and is an assiduous advocate in the disciplines of intellectual property prosecution, licensing, counseling, and entertainment law in Nevada and Utah.
He distinguished himself as a dual-major (political science and English) honors graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, and he earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence at the University of Montana School of Law. He also a member of the Board of Directors – Kingston Management Association.
