Leadership

Ryan first became involved with the Montana Learning Center in 2013 as a member of the summer camp staff. Eventually he joined the board of directors. Ryan has been Montana Learning Center’s executive director since the fall of 2016. Ryan worked as a science teacher in Clancy, Montana until 2019 went he went full time with the Center. Teaching science has been his profession for the past seven years.

Getting students and teachers excited about science is something Ryan enjoys. He feels lucky to have had several mentors throughout his career and now wants to share the knowledge and expertise he has with others. According to Ryan, “it is vitally important to inspire and mentor the next generation to become critical thinkers and learn about the natural world around them.”

Ryan has served on the advisory board of the Montana Space Grant Consortium, as well as the education committee of the International Society for Optics & Photonics in Engineering.

While attending Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman, Ryan worked for NASA for four years. For two summers, he worked at the NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center on the James Webb Space Telescope mission, the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope. In addition to collaborating with the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and Bill Nye the “Science Guy”, he supported the James Webb Space Telescope mission in the fields of education, public outreach and public affairs.

Before attending MSU, Ryan studied at New Mexico State University-Alamogordo. While there he worked for New Mexico Skies Observatories in Mayhill, NM as a telescope technician, teaching astronomers how to acquire and manipulate astronomical data. He also provided technical support on telescope projects for NASA, the National Optical Astronomy Observatory, Caltech and PBS.

While growing up in Leesport, PA, Ryan enjoyed astronomy. He was first exposed to it as a Boy Scout and has been “hooked ever since.” He designed and built a telescope while in middle school and in high school he played a key part in putting the first fully remote controlled telescope on the Internet for students and teachers to use.

Ryan has lived in Helena, MT for since 2016. He is married to Melissa Stiles, a physical therapist. They have one dog, a black lab named Tucker, who is the baby of the family.

Walt thinks it’s important that teachers and students have high quality experiences at the Montana Learning Center. As an author for science journals, a seventh and eighth-grade science teacher, and an adjunct professor in Montana State University’s Masters of Science Program, he knows firsthand what excellence in education means. He applies this to the classes he teaches at the Montana Learning Center.

For thirty-five years Walt and his wife Bridget have lived in Manhattan, Montana. They have two children and five grandchildren. He grew up in Pennsylvania and always enjoyed science. Through work with the Boy Scouts of America, he became interested in nature too.

Alex is a certified public account with accounting firm JCCS in Helena, Montana. He works with businesses, non-profits and individuals. He enjoys helping non-profits ensure they’re maintaining effective internal controls while carrying out their missions. Alex grew up in Circle, Montana, where he enjoyed playing sports and working on the family farm. Typically he was involved in local science fairs and was also active in Mathletes and MATHCounts competitions. He and his wife have two cats. He describes them as being “a handful and serve as our kids until we decide to have a few of our own.”

Dennis believes advances in science and technology are essential to the future of the U.S. economy, environment, and way of life and that these areas will be important for decades to come. He serves on the Montana Learning Center board because he knows “it is critical to develop the science, technology and mathematics workforce of the future that can continue to drive innovations that will make our world a better place.”

Dennis manages a portfolio of research programs that include energy efficiency, renewable energy production, advanced manufacturing, and transportation at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PPNL). PPNL’s research supports the missions of the U.S. Department of Energy. Dennis has spent his 32-year professional career at the laboratory and has held a number of management positions. He launched PNNL’s biofuels and renewable chemicals research program which resulted in a number of commercial products and national awards.

In addition to volunteering for the MLC board of directors, Dennis has served as an officer for his local chapter of the Institute of Industrial Engineers and on several university advisory boards.

While growing up in Belgrade, Montana, Dennis developed an interest in science and math. In elementary school he always looked forward to the annual science fair. He also enjoyed hiking and hunting in the Bridger and Spanish Peak mountain ranges. These experiences gave him a strong appreciation for nature and the environment. Hoping to pursue a career focused on developing technology that would address challenges to the environment, he majored in engineering at Montana State University. Dennis also has a master’s degree in Engineering Management from Washington State University.

Dennis has lived in Richland, Washington, since 1986. He is a widower and has two step-grandchildren who live in California.

Sharon is a Vice President and Systems Analyst for Opportunity Bank of Montana in Helena. She enjoys working with staff to advance their knowledge of the bank’s software and help them improve efficiencies with their daily interaction with it. Her department is always looking for effective new technology.

Sharon is excited to be a member of the Montana Learning Center board and is “looking forward to working with other board members to create new methods to engage our youth. They need opportunities to further the future of space travel through scientific advancements in all areas of space and science.” In the past Sharon has been a volunteer for underprivileged youth, cancer awareness and support groups, as well as, animal rights.

Before moving for her current position, Sharon worked with a company for 20 years that does data processing for financial institutions. While working there, she was selected to serve on the board of directors for Western States User Group which involves all banks in the west that utilize the same software for processing. She continues to help lead that organization.

Sharon was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska and, as a child, “enjoyed anything outdoors, especially camping, hiking and water activities. Unfortunately, there were no science activities that were part of the curriculum at any of the schools that I attended.”

Sharon has been happily married for almost 25 years. They have no children but many god-children along with 23 nieces and nephews that have kept both of them busy for many years. They also have “one beautiful calico cat that drives both my husband and I crazy with needing so much attention.” They have lived in Jefferson City, MT since July 2017.

Ken is a retired educator who has devoted his entire professional life to his students and their education and welfare. Ken says, “I always tried to instill in my students a love of science and to instill in them a quest for lifetime learning.” He taught Physics, Chemistry and Earth Science at Helena High and also served as an Assistant Principal there. Over the years, Ken has been named Helena Teacher of the Year and Montana Teacher of the Year. He also has been honored with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching.

Upon retiring from education, Ken became a tour guide for adult groups going all over the western part of the United States. He also frequently volunteers at student events in multiple disciplines. During the last ten years, he has served on the Board of Directors of Exploration Works and has worked with East Helena Public Schools to begin the process of establishing a new high school.

Growing up in Arizona, Ken spent a great deal of time exploring Indian Ruins and was fascinated by geology, fishing, hunting and most other outdoor activities. His interest in science was fostered by a family interest in the natural world. In junior high school, he helped his aunt find Phonolite slabs (a fine-grained volcanic rock composed of alkali feldspars and nepheline) to create a rock-based xylophone. His aunt traveled the nation playing her rock xylophone at rock concerts and other events.

After graduating from Northern Arizona University, Ken taught in Long Beach, California and Seattle, Washington before moving to Helena. He received a Master’s degree from the University of Montana.

Ken recently moved to the west shore of Canyon Ferry Lake from Helena with his wife of 51 years, Brenda, and their dog. According to Ken, “We are blessed with a son and daughter and four amazing grandchildren. We’ve also almost always had a pet or pets, and our dogs and cats always have been considered a part of our family. Our current dog goes everywhere with us.”

Jon recently retired from his position as Chief of the Public Water Supply Bureau at the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). From an early age, Jon was interested in the sciences and translated that into a career in environmental protection and public health. Despite his retirement, he remains registered with the State of Montana as a Sanitarian.

 According to Jon, “serving on the Board of MLC provides me with the opportunity to be a part of an organization that promotes and feeds the curiosity of children and adults about the sciences. Additionally, as an amateur astronomer, I believe the astronomical resources available at MLC provide a tremendous opportunity to encourage interest in the wonders of the universe. Being on the Board allows me to do what I can to assure those resources continue to be available to Montana’s students and teachers.”  

Jon is a member and officer in the Helena Astronomical Society and has served on the boards of state and national nonprofit organizations such as the Montana Environmental Health Association and the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators.

He grew up in Southcentral Ohio and always has had in interest in astronomy. He also enjoys fishing, baseball, football, nature walks, gardening and bee keeping and hopes that retirement will allow more time to pursue those interests. He and his wife Kathie have lived in Helena, Montana for 32 years. They currently share their home with their two cats and one dog.