Ridge Elected to NCET Board; McQuillen and Robertson Re-elected

Alana Ridge has been elected to the board of directors of NCET, a member-supported nonprofit that produces educational and networking events to help people explore businesses and technology.

Wes McQuillen and Kyle Robertson have been re-elected to the NCET board.

Ridge, elected as NCET’s vice president of public relations, is a public relations and strategic communications professional in Reno, with a background spanning several industries — from travel and tourism to the nonprofit sector.

She previously worked in public relations and grant-writing for the Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada.

Ridge earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in strategic communications from the University of Nevada, Reno. She plans to begin an online graduate program from Colorado State University this fall.

She also sings in a barbershop quartet women’s chorus and participates in community theater.

McQuillen, re-elected as NCET’s vice president of email services for Tech Wednesday, is a principal in ALTER Strategies, a firm that provides alternative marketing approaches for age-restricted and highly regulated industries.

He previously served as director of marketing for a vertically integrated cannabis company, worked as an award-winning creative director for a digital marketing company and developed digital and cross-channel marketing strategies for a college and two event venues in Virginia.

McQuillen earned a bachelor’s degree in music from James Madison University and is pursuing a master’s degree in business administration from Western Governor’s University.

Robertson, elected as vice president of speaker management, works as a mortgage consultant with New American Funding.

He is an experienced mortgage lender, originating home loans for purchases as well as refinances.

He attended the University of Nevada, Reno, on a football scholarship, where he met his wife. They have two young boys, Vincent and Thomas.

“The energy, skill and enthusiasm that Alana, Wes and Kyle bring to the NCET board helps create a strong, vibrant organization,” said Dave Archer, president and CEO of the nonprofit. “We are deeply appreciative of the time and hard work these successful professionals devote to NCET.”