Board of Directors Biographies
Prepared by Ricky Nahorniak – Hope Springs Resident
Doug Brewer, CFP – President
Serving as a trusted advisor in the areas of finance and wealth management, Doug has dedicated much of his professional life guiding clients in managing personal and business finances, leveraging access to lending services, and estate planning. He is currently the Senior Resident Director of the Reno office of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.
A valued member of the HOPES community, Doug is also a passionate supporter of local youth music programs. He also serves on the board of trustees of the Nevada Art Museum.
Trudy Larson, M.D. – Vice President
Trudy Larson, M.D., is the co-founder of Northern Nevada HOPES, Professor and Dean Emeritus at the School of Public Health at UNR, and a member of the Nevada State Board of Health. Dr. Larson is an expert in the field of infectious diseases.
A retired physician, Dr. Larson is a prominent voice for protecting the rights of women, public health, and immunizations. In addition to her role as vice-chair of HOPES board of directors, Dr. Larson is also a member of the board of directors at Nevada Donor Network.
Cliff Scheffel – Secretary
A leader in the field of acquiring executive-level talent, Cliff has recruited and placed a diverse group of financial professionals in technology-related industries, including software, e-commerce, and media. Over twenty of his executive placements have led their companies through successful initial public offerings. During his career as a CPA, Cliff was employed by PricewaterhouseCoopers in San Jose, California before founding Scheffel Associates in 1999.
Presently, Cliff devotes a great deal of his time to philanthropic pursuits. In addition to his work with HOPES, he helped raise more than one million dollars for the Nevada Cares Campus as a key member of the Montreux Cares philanthropic community. Cliff also serves on the dean’s advisory council at the University of Nevada, Reno’s School of Business.
Chris Bosse – Treasurer
A leader in the healthcare field for more than 20 years, Chris currently serves as Chief Government Relations Officer for Renown Health. Her work entails creating and leading government relations planning for Renown Health. In addition, she is responsible for educating legislators about the ever-changing world of healthcare. Chris has worked for Renown for more than 15 years in a number of financial roles, including Vice President of Finance for Renown Regional, and Vice President of Financial Operations for Renown Health.
Chris also serves our community as a member of the board of directors for the United Way, Northern Sierra Dialysis Center, and Access to Healthcare Network.
Scott Brenneke
A graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in business administration, Scott served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. Since 1975, Scott has been involved in all aspects of residential and community association management and sales.
Before becoming a member of the HOPES board, Scott dedicated considerable time to the Nevada AIDS Foundation and raising funds for its rental assistance program.
A.G. Burnett
A Partner in the Gaming and Administrative Law Group with McDonald Carano, A.G. served as Chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board from 2012 to 2017. In his role as Chairman of the NGCB, A.G. was the State’s representative before the Nevada Legislature in all matters related to the gaming industry.
In addition to serving as the Nevada Gaming Counsel for gaming-related activities, A.G. works to improve health care accessibility for all by participating on the HOPES board.
Tom Durante, LCSW
Tom has been a clinical social worker in the community for more than 30 years. His experience has been chiefly in the area of forensic mental health where he served as the director of Lake’s Crossing Center, Northern Nevada’s forensic hospital, before retiring from state service in 2019. Tom is in private practice providing mental health and competency evaluations for the courts among other activities. In addition to his service for HOPES, Tom is on the Board of NAMI Nevada.
Todd Felts, Ed.D
A leader in the ever-changing world of online communications and digital media
content, Todd has the breadth of knowledge and experience essential to his work as an associate professor of public relations and advertising at the Reynolds School of Journalism at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Todd previously served as director of community relations for the Special Olympics World Summer Games, and advised Fortune 50 companies in how to communicate during a crisis as director of litigation communications at Levick Strategic Communications.
In 2021, In 2021, Todd was awarded Board Member of the Year from the Human Services Network for his work with HOPES. He is also a certified professional with the Public Relations Society of America.
Jane E. Fox
A graduate of the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, Jane has dedicated over 30 years of her career striving to improve the lives of individuals living with HIV/AIDS and other specialized needs. In addition to her HIV-related research at Boston University, Jane was the executive director of a non-profit AIDS service organization managing nationally-recognized HIV prevention funding. She is a principal associate at Abt Associates and senior advisor for its health resources and service administration portfolio.
Patricia Gallimore
A tireless advocate for social justice and protecting the rights of others, Patricia is the First president of the Reno/Sparks branch of the NAACP and serves as its
environmental climate justice chair. She is also the former vice chair of the Black Caucus of Washoe County Democrats and is a graduate of the EMERGE Nevada class of 2013.
In addition to serving on the HOPES board, Patricia is a successful business woman; owning and operating a fitness and nutrition company.
Heidi Loeb
Now retired as the Director of Special Projects for the Nevada Museum of Art, Heidi began her career owning and operating her own photography studio in Greenwich, Connecticut. Prior to her work with the Nevada Museum of Art, Heidi spent considerable time as the CEO and Managing Director of the Wingfield Springs Group.
In addition to her role on the HOPES board, Heidi volunteers her time and energy to several groups dedicated to improving the lives of women in northern Nevada.
Amy McCombs
A healthcare executive with 20 years of service in the field of medicine, Amy is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno’s Orvis School of Nursing. She served as Vice President of Quality for Acute Care and various other leadership positions at Renown Health.
In addition to her work on the HOPES board, Amy is currently the COO of the Renown Regional Medical Center.
Teresa Navarro
A longtime Community Activist in northern Nevada, Theresa spends a great deal of her time dedicated to securing health care benefits for all Nevadans. She has worked in the Northern Nevada area helping the underserved, by serving on several Boards and committees. Presently serves; on The ACLU Board, the State of Nevada Committee on Civil Rights, WCSD Community Outreach and the RPD Chief Impact Committee. She is a strong supporter for Immigration issues and rights on a National level.
In addition to her work on the HOPES board, Theresa was the State Director at HCAN-Health Care for America and has worked on Presidential and local Campaigns for over 30 years. In 2010 Voted as one of the most influential people in Nevada.
Par Tolles
The founder and CEO of Tolles Development Company (TDC). Par has been involved in commercial real estate development for almost three decades serving as president for two national development companies and the Nevada partner for Trammell Crow Company prior to starting TDC.
In addition to his service with HOPES, Par was the co-founder of the Village at Sage Street and the Board Chairman for the Downtown Reno Partnership.
