Meet our Board of Directors
Cody Wagner, Chair
Cody was raised in Fernley, graduating from Fernley High School in 2003. He also graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Chemical Engineering. His passion for the Foundation was developed through his childhood educational, athletic, and social experiences and desire to see Fernley grow into a desirable, family-friendly community. He is employed by the Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey Counties as a Community Health Worker Trainer. He also runs a small business, The Tap Wagon, and serves on the City of Fernley Planning Commission, Lyon County Regional Transportation Commission, Boys & Girls Club Board in Fernley and the Lyon County CASA Board of Directors. Cody enjoys coaching high school football and basketball, as well as spending time with his wife, Valerie, and two sons, Reese and Jett.
Jake VanderHeiden, Vice Chair
Jake was born and raised in Minnesota. Attended and graduated from South Dakota State University with a bachelors degree in Operations Management, and then an MBA from the University of Southern Indiana. He has lived and worked in Fernley the past three years and wants to help continue to drive development of community spaces and events. With years of manufacturing and distribution operations experience, he is looking forward to leveraging those skills to help advance the Fernley community Foundation projects.
Karry Vesik, Director of Communications
Karry is a long time resident of Fernley, graduating from Fernley High School and going on to study at the University of Nevada, Reno. She has raised her 2 children in Fernley and enjoyed watching them grow and develop with their sports and extracurricular activities. She has been in the financial industry for 30 years, starting her career as a part time teller for Wells Fargo Bank while going to college then joining the credit union movement in 2008. Karry is now employed by Greater Nevada Credit Union and opened the Fernley Branch in 2019 where she is the Branch Manager. Karry’s passion for community involvement began when Fernley was only a township. She quickly saw the need for community services and actively sought out volunteer activities that would support service expansion. She is committed to building greater relationships with community members and supporting efforts toward quality improvements for Fernley. She enjoys cooking, hiking and spending time with her family.
Morgan Finken, Treasurer
Originally from Sioux City, Morgan made Fernley her home in 2021 following a work transfer. She holds a BBA in Human Resources from the University of South Dakota, where her journey into community engagement began. During her college years, Morgan worked at Polaris Industries, sparking her passion for giving back.
At Polaris, Morgan spearheaded annual team donation campaigns for the United Way of Vermillion, raising over $75,000. Her secret? Crafting personalized donation letters and orchestrating creative events, from pet supply drives for local humane societies to rallying $20,000 in just two weeks for a colleague facing a family health crisis.
Eager to continue her community impact in Fernley, Morgan joined the Fernley Community Foundation in 2021. Drawing on her campaign expertise, she initiated a fundraising drive that has since generated over $12,000 in support of #BuildingFernley.
Currently serving as HR Operations Specialist at Sierra Nevada Company, Morgan brings her knack for process automation and content design to the Foundation. She's leading the charge on our Brick Fundraiser, a cornerstone project for the Polaris Plaza community outdoor area.
Tina Kostrzeski, Director
Tina is originally from Chicago. She and her husband, Ron, moved to Las Vegas in 1994. Tina started working for IGT and in 2003 she was transferred to Reno. Tina and Ron moved to Fernley in 2005. Tina is a recent widow, as Ron passed in 2021. Tina is a Business Analyst at IGT and through her years of work there she has become involved with a number of causes, such as Helping Hands, Christmas caroling (I can't sing!) at the VA, Renown, and nursing homes throughout Reno. Tina is a member of the Alzheimer's Walk Committee. She is also a member of the local Moose 2468. Tina is quite involved in her church, St. Robert Bellarmine. When Tina attended the first Fernstock event she knew then that she wanted to be a part of the FCF.
Oscar Aguilar, Director
Oscar was born in Carson City and raised in Northern Nevada. He is a graduate from Sparks High School and earned his Bachelor's Degree in Business Management through the University of Phoenix. Oscar has a strong passion for community involvement, which started when he was a member of the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows and now serves as the Fernley Area Director for the Boys & Girls Club in Fernley. When he is not at the Boys & Girls Club or helping in the community, he spends his time running his small business called Aguilar Huaraches or creating new cocktails for friends and family to enjoy! Oscar enjoys coaching basketball, connecting with our local Teens, and traveling all over the world!
Edrie LaVoie, Director
Edrie and her family are long-time residents of Fernley. Her husband, Alan, four children and five grandchildren have been raised in Fernley and participated in sports and other extra curricular activities in the community. Edrie served as the Lyon County Human Services Administrator for 33 years. She is a founding board member of the Lyon County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and the Fernley Community Foundation. Throughout her public service career, Edrie has served extensively in regional planning efforts and on state and local commissions and committees. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, holds a Certified Public Official Certificate and the Providers’ Certificate of Specialization in Aging through the University of Nevada Reno, and is a Master Graduate of Rapport Leadership International.
Sharon Holley, Director
Sharon moved to Fernley in 1970 to accept a teaching job, which she served in for 30 years. After retirement from education, she worked in several part-time jobs before fully retiring in 2021. She became interested in the Fernley Community Foundation as a volunteer, met lots of new people, and now hopes to help the Foundation move toward its vision as a Director.
Wendy Fagundes, Director
Tessa Rudy, Director
Originally from Santa Cruz, Tessa moved to Northern Nevada in 2011 to attend University of Nevada Reno. Tessa is driven by a deep commitment to community service and a passion for ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities for all residents. With a lifelong dedication to giving back, Tessa has been actively engaged in community service from a young age, progressively taking on leadership roles within various nonprofit organizations in Northern Nevada. Currently employed at Mark IV Capital, Tessa leverages her role to enrich and support the communities she serves. Outside of her professional and community service endeavors, Tessa finds joy in spending time with her three children, whether it’s coaching their sports teams or volunteering at their school. They cherish moments at the lake, camping under the stars, and hosting gatherings that bring together friends and families in celebration of community bonds. Tessa also enjoys the tranquility and challenges of the golf course finding it a perfect complement to her active lifestyle.
Juliana Tardif, Director
Juliana, a native of Maine, spent her early years surrounded by rocky coastlines and charming small towns. She earned her B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University, where she also played on the Women’s Field Hockey team. After graduation, she relocated to Minnesota to join Polaris Inc.’s HR team, immersing herself in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.” Juliana furthered her education by obtaining an MBA from St. Cloud State University. In 2024, an exciting work opportunity led her westward to the Fernley area. Juliana sits on the HR team for Polaris in the Fernley location. She is eager to get involved in local community events and offer new perspective on the development of the community. In her free time, she enjoys running, exploring scenic hiking trails, and diving into a good book