Meet The STEM Team
Tami Goetz
Executive Director
tgoetz@utah.gov
801-674-2405
Tami Goetz served as the Director of the Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) Biotechnology Program for six years and helped to create the 2-year Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Program at SLCC, the 4-year Biotechnology Program at UVU, and a one-year high school Biotechnology Program for juniors and seniors that is offered at numerous high schools across the state. Goetz has led the creation of innovative education programs that are nationally recognized such as the non-profit contract research organization InnovaBio and the training life science business incubator, BioInnovations Gateway.
Dr. Goetz was appointed by Governor Olene Walker to serve on the Governor’s State Advisory Council for Science and Technology in 2005. She was appointed by Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. to serve as State Science Advisor in August of 2007. During her tenure as the State Science Advisor, she was the lead on Utah’s U.S. Department of Labor Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) Initiative that promoted education and training for life sciences in Utah. Goetz helped to launch the State’s first Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education and workforce initiative, which resulted in the creation of the STEM Action Center. As State Science Advisor, Dr. Goetz also served as the Director for the Utah Life Science Economic Development Cluster for the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.
In 2012 she accepted a position at Utah Valley University in the College of Science and Health as Assistant Dean for External Relations. She is taking a leave of absence to serve as the Executive Director for the Utah STEM Action Center.
Dr. Goetz was recognized as “40 Under 40 Rising Stars” in 2004 and “30 Women to Watch” in 2007 by Utah Business magazine. She also received the Award of Merit by the National Association for Career and Technical Education for her work to support secondary science and math education programs. Tami received the 2008 Women Technology Council’s “Community Builder” award and was the recipient of the 2013 Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology.
Sue Redington
Program Director
sredington@utah.gov
801-652-2990
Ms. Redington is the Program Director for Utah’s STEM Action Center office. She is originally from San Luis Obispo, California. She attended Utah Valley University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and received her Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies in 2006. During her studies at UVU, she interned with the United States District Court Probation and Pretrial Services Office where she prepared complex reports relating to the federal adjudication process. Upon graduation, she spent three years working at the Utah Department of Corrections as a Supervisor and Court Liaison over the Court Services Unit. In 2009, Ms. Redington joined the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. She is a graduate of the University of Utah from which she holds a Master of Science in Public Administration degree.
She and her husband, Mike Redington, are the proud parents of three children. She enjoys watching and playing sports, reading, and going to movies with her small family.
Allison Spencer
STEM Foundation Director
aspencer@utah.gov
801-520-5235
Allison Spencer has a wealth of knowledge and experience as a non-profit professional and consultant that spans more than a decade. As the previous Foundation Director for the Canyons School District, she was responsible for the formation of a foundation board, and together they successfully raised awareness and funds for STEM-related programs. Allison welcomes the opportunity to develop relationships by working closely with community leaders and local businesses to achieve the goals and objectives of the STEM Action Center.
Clarence Ames
Research and Implementation Manager
cames@utah.gov
801-535-3974
Clarence Ames is a Research and Implementation Manager at the STEM Action Center. He has a Master of Science in Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences from Utah State University, and a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Central Washington University. He is passionate about helping people develop the skills they need to become independent and self-sufficient, and his life goal is to empower students and teachers to create a system of education in which the only limitations on breadth or depth of learning are one’s own desire, passion, and motivation. Before joining the STEM Action Center he worked as a researcher and project manager at USU evaluating the outcomes of STEM related education initiatives in the state of Utah.
He enjoys reading, rock climbing, painting, and visiting national parks with his family.
Kellie Yates
Collaboration and Program Development Manager
kellieyates@utah.gov
435-757-9595
Lynn Reichert
Community and Innovation Manager
lreichert.gov
801-390-4336
Lynn Reichert serves as a Community and Innovation Manager. She utilizes her over 30-year State of Utah career experience to provide guidance and facilitation in bringing STEM opportunities to the residents of Utah. Lynn was previously employed by the Department of Workforce Services and brings her understanding of statewide workforce development efforts to her current partnerships with educators, cultural and community organizations, and industry to leverage resources. Lynn received her Bachelor of Science in Sociology at Illinois State University and pursued master’s level coursework at Suffolk University in Boston, MA, with a focus on Public Administration. Lynn was designated a Utah Certified Public Manager in 2007 and is always ready to learn a new STEM skill.
Shelby Averett
Communications Manager
sdaverett@utah.gov
435-760-1549
Shelby Averett is the Communications Manager for the STEM Action Center. She was born and raised in Utah, growing up in the small town of Paradise. Shelby graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and a minor in Sociology from the University of Utah.
Before joining the STEM Action Center, Shelby worked at Fox 13 News in Salt Lake City as a producer, and then at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium as the Associate Director of Marketing and PR where she gained an appreciation for all animals and the ecosystems they call home.
Shelby is passionate about STEM education and providing opportunities for all children to learn and grow in STEM. She enjoys traveling and exploring nature with her family and her dog named Bear.
Emmett Speed
AmeriCorps Grant Specialist
espeed@utah.gov
801-535-3973
Emmett Speed (they/he) is an exiled Floridian who is determined to make math education a better experience for everyone in K-12. Emmett is a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Neuroscience at Utah State University. Their research focuses on numerical cognition in linguistically and culturally diverse communities (basically, how language and culture affect the way kids' brains learn math). For their dissertation, they're teaching people how to use the Mayan number system in order to look at the cognitive origins of new mathematical knowledge. In their free time, Emmett falls down Wikipedia rabbit holes, plays a lot of Dungeons & Dragons, cross-stitches, and spends as much time as possible on a snowboard.
Jana Alexander
AmeriCorps program coordinator
jmalexander@utah.gov
435-491-2188
Jana is the AmeriCorps Program Coordinator for the Math Mentoring program. Jana is originally from Oceanside, California and graduated from California State University San Marcos where she received a bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in Arts and Education. She recently worked for the State of Utah Library Bookmobile program in rural Utah and for Utah State University as a 4-H Program Coordinator. She has spent most of her career working with children in various settings and enjoys exploring and getting messy right along with them! Jana has three children that she adores spending time with. In her spare time you can find her reading a crisp new book, hiking beautiful trails in southern Utah, and finding a new plant to bring home.
Becca Robison
innovation hub manager
beccarobison@utah.gov
801-535-3970 (Main Office Line)
Becca Robison is a STEM-obsessed Utah native whose life has been dedicated to making STEM education accessible to all. At the age of 10, Becca founded AstroTots: Science Camp for Little Dippers, an international service venture that provided free STEM camps to girls ages 4 – 10. After studying Elementary Education, Becca focused on informal STEM education by managing STEM-focused afterschool and summer programming. Becca now serves as the Innovation Hub Manager.
In Becca’s free time they enjoy video games, hobby robotics, and spending time with their family and friends.
Julienne Bailey
stem project specialist
801-535-3970 (Main Office Line)
juliennebailey@utah.gov
Julienne is a STEM Project Specialist. Her education in entertainment technology combined with her experience working for young people creates a passion for STEM Education. She is always looking for new ways to help students and adults alike to engage creatively with STEM, to play, to innovate, and to change. She loves all things geeky, admiring the beautiful Utah mountains from the comfort of her home, and buying more books than she can reasonably read.
Gina Muhlestein
STEM PROJECT SPECIALIST/VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
gmuhlestein@utah.gov
801-535-3970 (Main Office Line)
Gina Muhlestein is a STEM Project Specialist and the Volunteer Coordinator at the STEM Action Center. She graduated with her MBA from Western Governors University (WGU) specializing in Business Management. As of 2022, Gina has decided that wasn't enough so she started up a bachelor's program in Software Engineering at WGU.
Gina's career has taken her many different places, but she has found a home in K-12 STEM education. She has always treasured learning new things and sharing the joy of learning with others, so working at the STEM Action Center is a dream come true. Her STEM passions include 3D printing, databases, hydroponics, and learning how to use all of the equipment in the Innovation Hub.
In her spare time Gina likes to spend time with her loved ones, play Dungeons & Dragons, and buy new plants.
Viena Zeitler
office manager
vzeitler@utah.gov
801-535-3970
Torin Agnelli
BioMADE Project and Outreach Coordinator
tagnelli@utah.gov
562-666-6671
