The CNS board is comprised of the following parent volunteers.
Tim Wells
President
My son, Louis, will be moving to the Roost this year. I grew up in Ithaca, graduated from Ithaca High School in 2000, and stayed local to attend & graduate from Cornell University. For the past decade I have lived at the base of the Teton mountain range in Victor, Idaho, where I owned a ski manufacturing business, and where I met my wife, Anna. Last summer we moved back to Ithaca to be closer to family. In March, we welcomed Margot Sloane Wells to the family. Along with our two dogs, Lenny and Poppy, our favorite family activity is going for a mountain bike ride. I have enjoyed getting to know and work with the CNS community the past couple of years on the fundraising committee as well as board co-president and look forward to increasing my involvement in the coming year.
Samantha Goodenough
Secretary
My son Redford (aka Red) joined CNS last year as a Nooker and absolutely loved it. He will be joining the Roost and I am excited to contribute to the CNS community as Board Secretary this year. My husband Cory and I also have a first grader at South Hill Elementary this year - his name is Hudson. I have a fur-baby named Llewellyn, she is my 7.5 year old shih-tzu poodle mix. We love going camping as a family and playing various sports. We are active in the Ithaca Youth Hockey Association community and the Ithaca Youth Bureau. I grew up close by in the Binghamton area, and Cory grew up even closer in the town of Dryden. We lived in NYC before moving to Ithaca to be closer to family and to enjoy the beautiful finger lakes region. I am an Optometrist and I work on The Commons at Ithaca Cayuga Optical. I look forward to another great year at CNS!
Rich Hernandez
Treasurer
I’m the dad of Baker, who is attending his second year at CNS and will be in the Nook this year, and Olive, who spent three years at CNS and is starting kindergarten this fall. This will be our family’s fourth year as part of the CNS community, and we’re incredibly grateful for it. My wife, Candice, and I grew up near New York City and spent seven years living there before moving to Ithaca in 2019. I graduated from SUNY Buffalo in 2010 and have worked at Lawline since 2012, where I’m currently the COO. I oversee company operations, strategic execution, and our efforts to sustain profitable growth. I’ve spent much of my career working with financial models and helping organizations improve and adapt as they grow. I’m excited to bring that experience to my role as Treasurer and to contribute to a community that has meant so much to our family.
Casey Ward
VP of the Nest
I’m the mom of Wren (second time Rooster) and Colt (Nest). My husband, Wade, and I are Cincinnati natives who moved to Ithaca two years ago when he became the Assistant Women’s Tennis Coach at Cornell. The move happened quickly, and we were so grateful to find CNS, where we immediately felt welcomed by the incredible staff and community.
Before moving, I owned a spinning studio with my mom for 10 years while also earning my Executive MBA from Xavier University. I now stay home with our children and enjoy serving on the CNS Board, being involved in my kids’ education, and getting to know the wonderful families in our community.
Kaille Grey
VP of the Nook
I am mom to Declan (former Roost), Delaney (Nook), and Abel. My husband, Mike, and I originally hail from the great state of New Jersey, but have since made Ithaca our home. Mike attended Cornell University and is currently the Head Wrestling Coach, and I have a background in law enforcement after receiving a bachelors in Criminal Justice from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. When I’m not chauffeuring between activities, and depending on the time of year, I can be found cooking for my 40 adopted college age wrestlers, cheering VERY loudly at the Friedman Center, or very happy on a beach in NJ. We love CNS and are so grateful for the opportunity to transition into a different role in the community this year!
Kirsten Williams
VP of the Roost
Hi there! My husband and I are Ithaca natives and feel grateful to live close to family. I earned both my undergraduate and MBA degree from Ithaca College and now work in the pallet and packaging industry. I also stay involved in local family businesses that my parents built over the years—it’s been a meaningful way to stay connected to our roots. Our son had a wonderful year in the Nest, and we’re excited for him to join the Nook this year—CNS is truly filled with such caring and dedicated teachers and staff. I’m looking forward to becoming more involved with the CNS community via the Board!