Meet The STEM Team

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Tami Goetz

Director

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.

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Sue Redington

Deputy Director

[email protected]

801-652-2990

Ms. Redington is the Deputy 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

[email protected]

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.

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Clarence Ames

Research and Implementation Manager

[email protected]

509-760-8715

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.

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Kellie Yates

Collaboration and Program Development Manager

[email protected]

435-757-9595

Kellie Yates attended Utah State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in the area of Technology and Industrial Education. After graduation, she worked as a teacher in the public school system, teaching both high school and middle school Technology and Engineering, for 11 years before joining the STEM team. During this time she was also an adjunct faculty member at Utah State University. Ms. Yates is a passionate advocate of STEM education and training, and uses her interests and skills to help advance STEM training in Utah.

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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.

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Emilee King

Program Manager

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Emilee King joins the Utah STEM Action Center as a Program Manager, bringing experience in informal science education and a passion for creating opportunities for curiosity, exploration, and discovery. Prior to joining the STEM Action Center, she served as Senior Manager of Education at The Leonardo Museum and Education Manager at Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum. Emilee holds a background in International Studies and Political Science. She especially enjoys exploring the connections between STEM subjects and fields such as history, anthropology, sociology, and the arts. In her free time, she enjoys reading, gardening, foraging, cooking, being outdoors, and playing the piano.

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Shelby Averett

Communications Manager

[email protected]

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.

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Sarah Broadbent

STEM Curriculum and Engagement Project Specialist

[email protected]

801-680-8787

Sarah Broadbent is the STEM Curriculum and Engagement Project Specialist at the Utah STEM Action Center. She graduated from BYU where she studied Visual Arts and Graphic Design and worked for 4 years as a web designer. She spent the last 6 years teaching STEM rotations to grades K-6 at an elementary school in the Jordan School District and 3 years teaching and developing programming at the Innovation Hub makerspace. Sarah loves seeing kids inspired by STEM activities and showing them their true potential. She enjoys reading, playing board games, camping and hiking with her kids, doing house projects with her husband.

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Jana Alexander

program coordinator, Math mentors

[email protected]

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.

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Becca Robison

innovation hub manager

[email protected]

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.

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Gina Powell

Innovation Hub Operations manager

[email protected]

801-535-3970 (Main Office Line)

Gina Powell is the Innovation Hub Operations Mananger 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, software engineering, and learning how to use all of the equipment in the Innovation Hub.

In her spare time Gina likes to spend time with her wife and dogs, craft, and watch horror movies.

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Viena Zeitler

office manager

[email protected]

801-535-3970

Viena is the Office Manager. She has been an executive assistant in academia and nonprofit healthcare and is passionate about creating access for all in education. She has enjoyed working with and supporting leaders who have shared her passion and is looking to parlay her experience into this stimulating educational environment. In her downtime, she enjoys reading, crafting, attending live events, and spending time with her family and fur babies.