As a fourth generation Nevadan, I am proud of my Nevada heritage.“Being able to trace my family tree to Piper’s Opera House in Virginia City has always given me a real sense of connection and history. Before Nevada was even a state, the people who made their homes here understood that arts and culture were at the heart of every community.”

I have four children, ages 8 to 19. I have always been passionately committed to protecting and improving the quality of life in Nevada for them and for generations to come.

Over the years, I’ve worked to make our community a better place. I hope you’ll join me!

Professionally:

Consultant: As a consultant, I have facilitated government planning projects with a focus on natural resources and human services planning. I have worked on my own and for Moore, Iacofano & Goltsman Inc. Recent projects include:

• Business, Residential and Environmental Partnership to implement the Truckee River Flood Management Project.
• United Way research.
• Truckee River Strategies: Coordinating River Health Initiatives.
• Truckee Meadows Tomorrow: Quality of Life Task Force. Involved the community in updating the Quality of Life Indicators.
• Truckee Meadows Flood Management Community Coalition as a member of the working group. Working to implement the “Living River Flood Management Plan.”
• Water Policy Development for the Regional Water Planning Commission.

Non-profit Manager: As an executive director in the nonprofit sector, I’ve handled all aspects of running a company including strategic planning, day-to-day operations and management, meeting a payroll, and balancing a budget. As a nonprofit board member, I’ve had ultimately responsible for the financial and legal obligations of an organization. Nonprofits I’ve worked for:

• Champions of the Truckee River, Executive Director and board member
• Truckee Meadows Tomorrow, Executive Director and board member
• Nevada Opera Association, Executive Director
• Washoe County Republican Party, Executive Director
• Republican Women’s Club of Reno, member
• Nevada State Education Association, Business Coalition member
• Whitewater Steering Committee, member
• Committee to Aid Abused Women, board member
• United Way, Community Impact Committee member

Regional Planning: As a management analyst, I handled several special projects at the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency.
Personally:

• Elisa Maser is married to Richard Maser, and they have four children: Kelley Maser, Brendan Erquiaga, Morgan Erquiaga, and Kenton Maser.
• Elisa is the daughter of Dr. Treat and Patty Cafferata (former Nevada State Treasurer; the first woman elected to a constitutional office in Nevada). She is the granddaughter of Barbara Vucanovich (former Nevada Member of Congress; the first woman elected to a federal office in Nevada).
• Elisa has helped to edit her grandmother’s memoirs, Barbara F. Vucanovich, From Nevada to Congress, and Back Again, published by the University of Nevada, Reno Press, 2005.
• Elisa is a fourth generation Nevadan. Her great-grandfather Emmanuel Cafferata worked in the Gould & Curry Mine in Virginia City. He was married to Matilda Piper, niece of John Piper (Piper’s Opera House).
• Elisa has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Mills College in Oakland, California. And a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Reno

Politically:

• Elisa is a lifelong Republican and has voted in every election since she turned 18.

• 1974: The first campaign Elisa worked on was Paul Laxalt’s bid for U.S. Senate and she has been involved in politics ever since. She interned for the Senator in 1983.