Our Team

Dr. Tom Waters

Dr. Tom Waters is the host of the Nye County TV Show and a Pahrump resident. He is a member of the Community Outreach Committee, the Pahrump Valley Rotary Club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), and the American Legion. He is the Chairman of the Veterans Finance Committee and also the Chairman of the Pahrump Prostate Cancer Support Group. Additionally, Tom is the leader of a local church. Dr. Waters is locally known as a highly respected father figure in Pahrump.

Tom was the first Pahrump resident to officially lend his name and with it his support to Team PVA.

Dr. Maria Jerinic

Dr. Maria Jerinic has worked in higher education for over thirty years. She earned her BA from Wellesley College, her MA from Boston College, and her PhD from Stony Brook University. She is currently the Associate Dean and Professor in Residence of the UNLV Honors College.

In 2018, when a Pahrump resident with an idea for an academically driven charter school in Pahrump reached out to the UNLV Honors College and asked if a professor from the college would join her efforts, Maria volunteered. She has since worked tirelessly to help bring PVA to Pahrump and to pave the way for the Pahrump students' journeys to higher education.

Ms. Michelle Caird

Ms. Michelle Caird is known in Pahrump for her leadership and dedication; she is actively engaged in a variety of professional and community organizations in Pahrump. She is a member and treasurer of Soroptimist International of Pahrump Valley, Sleep In Heavenly Peace, and Pahrump Holiday Task Force. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management.

Ms. Tynia Dickson

Ms. Tynia Dickson is a military veteran known for her creative contributions to literacy and mental health through her work with therapy dogs in Pahrump. She is a beacon of compassion and innovation who has translated her passion for animals and her education in economics into a highly successful business enterprise in Pahrump. Tynia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.

Tim Burke

Tim Burke is a local entrepreneur and civic-minded community member. Tim has helped put Pahrump on the map with its newest wine label and remains deeply committed to the town's future. Tim has a history of aiding start-ups establish themselves in their target territories; he has led numerous marketing campaigns for start-ups in Nevada, including marketing campaigns for New Horizons Computer Learning Center in Las Vegas, and for Data Engines in Reno.

Jonathan K. Nelson, Esq.

Jonathan K. Nelson, Esq. is a well-known name in the legal field in Pahrump. Jonathan brings a deep understanding of law, governance, and the importance of education to our team.

Ms. Kay LaPointe

Ms. Kay LaPointe, the proposed PVA Office Manager, is a tireless public servant, who is deeply involved in both education and the nonprofit sector in Pahrump.

Dr. Julie Williams

Dr. Julie Williams, the proposed PVA Principal, holds a doctorate in curriculum and instruction.

Dr. Sable Marandi

Dr. Sable Marandi, the proposed PVA Executive Director, holds a BA in English literature, a master's in educational leadership, and a doctorate in cognition and instruction. Her experience in the field of education includes classroom teaching, school site counseling, and school site principalship, as well as district-level specialties in leading assessments and district-wide data management. Sable is also an educational researcher with research backgrounds and credits in building academic resilience and accelerating literacy levels in high-needs populations.