The DRI Foundation Welcomes New Trustees for 2024

Pictured are the five new trustees in a graphic banner with their headshots.

The DRI Foundation is pleased to welcome the following new members to its Board of Trustees, each serving a four-year term beginning January 1, 2024:

Marybel Batjer, Partner, California Strategies, LLC
Betsy Fretwell, Principal Consultant, C4WARD Strategies
Yolanda King, President, Nevada Taxpayers Association
Zane Marshall, Director of Water Resources, Southern Nevada Water Authority
John Zimmerman, General Manager, Truckee Meadows Water Authority

New Trustee Zimmerman, who is interested in water resource management, wildfire reduction & mitigation, and water quality, stated “Although DRI’s research and reputation of excellence is known worldwide, a focus for me is on making sure people living in the Truckee Meadows know about the high-quality research going on at DRI and how it benefits this community. I was very excited to join the DRI Foundation Board to further support DRI’s work.”

These board members were formally approved at the December NSHE Board of Regents meeting and will serve alongside existing DRI Foundation Board Members.



February 27, 2024



Subscribe via RSS



Board of Trustees | DRI Foundation

← Prev: Support DRI with a Tax-Deductible Contribution DRI Celebrates World Environment Day →

Legacy of Education and Community Support Lives On Through Gallifent Endowment at DRI

May 11, 2026

The DRI Foundation is honored to announce that DRI recently received a generous donation from the estate of Elizabeth “Betty” Gallifent for the Betty & John Gallifent endowment. The Gallifent Endowment provides essential unrestricted support to advance DRI strategic priorities, such as the Innovation Research Program (IRP). The IRP provides essential seed funding for early-stage research projects at DRI, allowing DRI scientists to test promising ideas and build the initial data needed to secure larger state and federal grants. We are grateful to Betty and John, as well as Betty’s family, for the Gallifent’s continued generosity to DRI. The Gallifent Endowment will provide essential support to DRI for generations to come.

With Help from Nevada Foundations and Community Partners, DRI is Bringing High-Quality, Hands-On STEM Learning to Nevada’s Schools

Apr 14, 2026

This April, we are celebrating STEAM – science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics – at DRI. Both the STEM Education Program and Nevada Robotics are dedicated to ensuring that Nevada educators are empowered to bring high-quality, hands-on STEM learning to their classrooms and that every Nevada student has the confidence and skills to thrive in our technology driven world. Community support plays a critical role in helping both programs fulfill their missions.

Remembering the Legacy of Sue Wagner, Long-Time DRI Supporter and Pioneering Woman in Nevada Politics

Mar 18, 2026

Sue Wagner built the foundation for state support for DRI. She joined the staff of DRI in 1981 and served as Special Assistant for Government and Legislative Affairs for nine years, and ending when she was elected Lieutenant Governor. One of her major achievements at DRI was shepherding of special legislation through the U.S. Congress to establish the DRI Dandini Research Park. Sue remained active in local and state politics and continued to play a role in supporting promising scientists from DRI and beyond.