Any questions ?

Phone 702-423-2120

$
Personal Info

Donation Total: $100.00

Meet the Team

Lisa Ortega

Executive Director

Lisa is the only woman ISA board certified master arborist in the State of Nevada, and also holds the American Society of Consulting Arborists Registered Consulting Arborist #675. She is an ISA municipal specialist, Tree Risk Assessment Qualified,  and started the City of Henderson Urban Forestry Program. She was previously the Nevada Urban and Community  Forestry Coordinator and is currently adjunct faculty at UNLV in the Landscape Architecture Program. Lisa created Nevada Plants to assist communities with trees, tree care and tree education, and to develop a cadre of dedicated professionals to serve Nevada. She has 2 AA’s in Horticulture, a BLA and Masters in Environmental Science, Law and Policy. She wrote AB131 Urban and Community Forestry which was accepted into Nevada Revised Statutes May 31, 2023.  Oversees all employees and projects

Gerald Miller

President, Elko

Gerald (Gerry) Miller is currently employed with the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources stationed out of Elko, Nevada. After serving a hitch as a combat medic and graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Plants, Soil and Water Sciences from University of Nevada he started his natural resources career with the U.S. Forest Service Ruby Mountain Ranger District in 1980 and has worked for NRCS and BLM and retiring as a project manager (Watershed) and came out of retirement to work for the State of Nevada as a Conservation Specialist. It has been a pleasure to give back to the Battle Born State of which I am fourth generation and raised the fifth generation. He also has served as the Chairman of the Nevada Shade Tree Council from 2003 – 2008, Served as ISA Western Chapter Secretary/Treasurer 2011 – 2013 and has held various other Chairmanship roles on various non-profits starting as the Commander of the White Pine Search and Rescue and Currently the Chairman of the Humboldt Watershed Cooperative Weed Management Area. Volunteer technical and lead, NE Nevada

Lisa Tilzey

Treasurer, Reno

Upon receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Western Washington University Lisa started her career working for a large local accounting firm, where she audited local nonprofits, banks and governmental entities along with other clients.  She worked for City of Reno, for fourteen years, first as Assistant Finance Director and then Director.  After working in finance for over 21 years, Lisa put her CPA certification on inactive status and changed careers, to become a primary school teacher.  After teaching for 15 years, Lisa retired and volunteers with four other nonprofits besides Nevada Plants.  This includes being the treasurer and volunteer coordinator team member for the Toiyabe Chapter of the Sierra Club.  Oversight of all things financial, policy creator. 

Susan Stead

Secretary, Carson City

Susan brings to the board her experience of over 50 years in the green industry. Her work experience includes retail nursery management, Horticulture Assistant with Washoe County Cooperative Extension, and more than 20 years with Nevada Division of Forestry serving first as the Forest Stewardship Coordinator and the last 17 years as the Urban Forestry Program Coordinator. Though retired, Susan maintains the ISA Arborist certification she has held since 1992 and continues to promote healthy trees through a part-time seasonal position at the nursery that she managed for 10 years.  Reviewer, Secretary, Administrative

Neil Cheeney

Board Member, Lincoln County

Neil has held a position with the Nevada Division of Forestry as a second generation employee. He has many contacts and plants trees in remote Lincoln County, and serves his area through his volunteerism and work with Nevada Plants building successful projects and collaborations with governmental and other nonprofits in his area.  Project and volunteer coordinator, Mid east Nevada. (Lincoln Cty)

Susan Ritter

Board Member, Las Vegas

Master of Education, University Nevada Las Vegas

University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Master Gardener – 23 Years providing public outreach for UNR College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources. Susan is currently the President of Project GREEN: Friends of Pittman Wash- 20 Years preserving and protecting Pittman Wash, one of the last remaining urban riparian habitats in the Las Vegas Valley.  She retired in May as Clark County School Teacher- 20 Years teaching youth, including School Garden Coordinator and Science Outdoor Adventure Coordinator Programs. Project review, volunteer coordination and project support. Southern NV

William Wolf

Board Member, Ely, White Pine County

BS Utah State University, Outdoor Recreation, Ski Area Mgt.  Minor in Marketing.  Bill was the Regional Forester for the Nevada Division of Forestry, retired. He was also the Eastern Area Director, Great Basin Institute, Retired. His tree activism in North East Nevada has been longstanding, and is currently the Ely Tree Board, Chairman; Board of Directors, Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition and on the Board of Directors, Nevada Plants Founding Director. Project creator, volunteer and project lead and support. NE Nevada