Board of Directors
|
With diverse perspectives from multiple industries, the STEAM Engine's Board of Directors shapes the mission and vision for the organization. As a working board, each member uses his or her expertise to guide the work of the organization.
The Board draws on its non-profit, government, and corporate sector knowledge to provide best practices for planning, governance, and oversight. To learn more about a member of the Board of Directors, click on their name below. |
|
2022 Board of Directors
morgan jones, Founder & Executive Director, ex officio
Morgan Jones, a registered architect, knows first-hand about the importance of supportive role models and access to opportunities when it comes to being successful in STEM. She credits her pursuit of a challenging profession to the supportive voices of her parents, teachers, and other adult volunteers throughout her youth as well as the many educational enrichment opportunities in which she was able to participate—7th grade Math camp, 9th grade Forensics camp, and 11th grade Architecture camp, to name a few.
Prior to founding the STEAM Engine, Jones was the Director of Strategic Planning and Projects for the Metropolitan Library System, where she was responsible for Long-Range Planning, Capital Projects, and Organizational Assessment. In her time there, she oversaw construction projects valued at more than $25M at 5 of the 19 library locations. She was also instrumental in redesigning the organization’s website, completing a comprehensive Community Needs Assessment, developing a new strategic plan using an outcome-based planning and assessment methodology, launching a series of Tableau dashboards for internal decision-making, and implementing facility design standards.
Prior to joining the Library System, Jones worked for seven years in traditional architectural practice. The majority of her nearly 300,000 SF of design experience was in K-12 and Higher Education construction projects. The exposure to the pedagogical implications of the built environment has laid the foundation for much of her continued interest in the intersection of STEM, Education, Making, and Design.
In her commitment to mentoring the next generation, she serves as the state of Oklahoma’s AXP Coordinator. In this role, she guides recent architectural graduates (and others pursuing initial licensure) in their pursuit of their architectural license. She visits with students at both OU and OSU twice per year to emphasize the importance of taking the time to get their professional architect’s license.
Jones is an active member of Acts 2 United Methodist Church where she serves as Building Committee Chair. She has spent the last three years leading a campaign to add an 18,500 SF Children and Youth Building to the church campus located at N Pennsylvania Avenue and Covell.
Jones holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Business Administration from Oklahoma Christian University.
Prior to founding the STEAM Engine, Jones was the Director of Strategic Planning and Projects for the Metropolitan Library System, where she was responsible for Long-Range Planning, Capital Projects, and Organizational Assessment. In her time there, she oversaw construction projects valued at more than $25M at 5 of the 19 library locations. She was also instrumental in redesigning the organization’s website, completing a comprehensive Community Needs Assessment, developing a new strategic plan using an outcome-based planning and assessment methodology, launching a series of Tableau dashboards for internal decision-making, and implementing facility design standards.
Prior to joining the Library System, Jones worked for seven years in traditional architectural practice. The majority of her nearly 300,000 SF of design experience was in K-12 and Higher Education construction projects. The exposure to the pedagogical implications of the built environment has laid the foundation for much of her continued interest in the intersection of STEM, Education, Making, and Design.
In her commitment to mentoring the next generation, she serves as the state of Oklahoma’s AXP Coordinator. In this role, she guides recent architectural graduates (and others pursuing initial licensure) in their pursuit of their architectural license. She visits with students at both OU and OSU twice per year to emphasize the importance of taking the time to get their professional architect’s license.
Jones is an active member of Acts 2 United Methodist Church where she serves as Building Committee Chair. She has spent the last three years leading a campaign to add an 18,500 SF Children and Youth Building to the church campus located at N Pennsylvania Avenue and Covell.
Jones holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Business Administration from Oklahoma Christian University.
Julie Blatt, ADG | Blatt Architects, Chair
Ginger Barton, paycor, Vice-chair
Lucia frohling, Every kid counts oklahoma (EKCO), PAST Chair & founding board member
Lucia Frohling is a former public school teacher whose background also includes half a decade of non-profit development and fundraising experience, including starting a Gala and working on numerous successful capital campaigns. She has spent the last decade working for an oil & gas company in Human Resources and is a SHRM-CP certified HR Administrator. Currently, Lucia is the Scholarships and Opportunities Coordinator for a local non-profit, Every Kid Counts Oklahoma (EKCO). Her diverse background and experience, as well as her passion for empowering the next generation with critically needed skills, makes her uniquely qualified to serve on The STEAM Engine Board.
Lucia holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from the University of Texas at Arlington, where she received a partial academic scholarship, was a member of Delta Delta Delta, Order of Omega and served on the Panhellenic Council. She also worked in the Greek Life Office where she started a diversity and inclusion Greek Life initiative and started the Inter-Greek Council.
Lucia enjoys spending time with her husband, Chip, and their three children, Hayden, Dawson and Ansley. They keep busy with a variety of activities at their church, sports, school, theatre and dance. Lucia volunteers in her children’s schools PTOs, as a volunteer coach, as a Board member for several non-profits and helped start a parent dyslexia advocacy group in their local public school district. As a parent of children who learn differently, Lucia has a unique perspective and passion for empowering and building confidence in children. She loves exploring with her family and living out their family motto to Do Good.
Lucia holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from the University of Texas at Arlington, where she received a partial academic scholarship, was a member of Delta Delta Delta, Order of Omega and served on the Panhellenic Council. She also worked in the Greek Life Office where she started a diversity and inclusion Greek Life initiative and started the Inter-Greek Council.
Lucia enjoys spending time with her husband, Chip, and their three children, Hayden, Dawson and Ansley. They keep busy with a variety of activities at their church, sports, school, theatre and dance. Lucia volunteers in her children’s schools PTOs, as a volunteer coach, as a Board member for several non-profits and helped start a parent dyslexia advocacy group in their local public school district. As a parent of children who learn differently, Lucia has a unique perspective and passion for empowering and building confidence in children. She loves exploring with her family and living out their family motto to Do Good.
William Ramsey, Secretary
Lauren Garver, Treasurer
Lauren Garver has more than 3 years’ experience in public accounting and more than 5 years’ experience in nonprofit financial operations. Most recently, she was the Assistant Director of Finance at a local nonprofit. Lauren earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Minor in Photography from Oklahoma Christian University. She enjoys both business and art and the crossroads that both can have. As a nonprofit financial professional, Lauren has experience in stewarding donated funds, reviewing grant contracts and performing all accounting and tracking, as well as financial statement presentation and analysis.
Lauren was born and raised in a rural farming town in Nebraska and moved to Oklahoma for college and has remained since. As the daughter of a third-generation elementary educator and a home builder, she knows first-hand the value of having space to tinker, experiment, and make things. Lauren and her husband, Ricky, enjoy traveling, gardening, home-projects, and cooking.
Lauren was born and raised in a rural farming town in Nebraska and moved to Oklahoma for college and has remained since. As the daughter of a third-generation elementary educator and a home builder, she knows first-hand the value of having space to tinker, experiment, and make things. Lauren and her husband, Ricky, enjoy traveling, gardening, home-projects, and cooking.
suzette ellison jordan, greater OKC chamber, Director
kasha egan, PE, SE, CWI, PTI, ICCMSI, Guernsey, Director & Founding Board Member
Ms. Egan is a licensed structural engineer and is currently practicing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She received her Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from the University of Oklahoma and her Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Drexel University. After completing her education she began her career in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at a multidisciplinary firm where she gained the first 5 years of her experience working on projects for universities and research institutes ranging from $40M to $275M construction budgets. While working in Philadelphia, Kasha also acted as an adjunct profession at Philadelphia University where she taught structures courses to third and fourth year architecture students. Ms. Egan deeply values and respects the role of educators mentoring the younger generation and guiding them toward bright futures. In teaching, most of her practice involved encouraging students that they are in fact capable of understanding and mastering higher mathematics and mechanics.
Upon becoming a licensed professional Kasha and her husband, Sean, decided to return to Oklahoma for a more family-oriented lifestyle. Kasha started working in Oklahoma City in early 2014 and has enjoyed the many opportunities provided to her by AEC industry leadership, the profession, and the community. Kasha continues to manage projects for a variety of building types including educational facilities, laboratories and medical facilities, commercial, retail and hospitality buildings, and maintenance facilities - including federal government projects. She is a member of Oklahoma Structural Engineers Association, Urban Land Institute and American Welding Society.
Recently, Ms. Egan has been educating architects and building owners, while engaging with local municipalities, on the importance of special inspections and their effect on the construction process and the end product, the building. Kasha is an AWS Certified Welding Inspector, PTI Level 1 Unbonded PT Inspector, ACI Technician Grade I, and an ICC Certified Master Special Inspector for Steel and Bolting, Structural Welding, Pre-stressed Concrete, Reinforced Concrete and Structural Masonry. Kasha has been a licensed Professional Engineer since 2014.
Upon becoming a licensed professional Kasha and her husband, Sean, decided to return to Oklahoma for a more family-oriented lifestyle. Kasha started working in Oklahoma City in early 2014 and has enjoyed the many opportunities provided to her by AEC industry leadership, the profession, and the community. Kasha continues to manage projects for a variety of building types including educational facilities, laboratories and medical facilities, commercial, retail and hospitality buildings, and maintenance facilities - including federal government projects. She is a member of Oklahoma Structural Engineers Association, Urban Land Institute and American Welding Society.
Recently, Ms. Egan has been educating architects and building owners, while engaging with local municipalities, on the importance of special inspections and their effect on the construction process and the end product, the building. Kasha is an AWS Certified Welding Inspector, PTI Level 1 Unbonded PT Inspector, ACI Technician Grade I, and an ICC Certified Master Special Inspector for Steel and Bolting, Structural Welding, Pre-stressed Concrete, Reinforced Concrete and Structural Masonry. Kasha has been a licensed Professional Engineer since 2014.
Kristi Pempin, WhiteHawk Engineering, Director & STEAM CAREER FAIR CHAIR
Kristi Pempin, CPSM, is the Vice President of Marketing and Client Development for White Hawk Engineering & Design, LLC. A graduate from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science in Education General Studies, Kristi has spent more than 23 years serving architects, engineers, and construction professionals. Past board and volunteer experience include the Society for Marketing Professional Services, Society of American Military Engineers, American Council of Engineering Companies, American Institute of Architects, American Society of Civil Engineers, Dress for Success, and Positive Tomorrows.
Kristi enjoys traveling art, true crime, and new adventures with her retired husband Matthew, daughter Maggie, and dog Blue.
Kristi enjoys traveling art, true crime, and new adventures with her retired husband Matthew, daughter Maggie, and dog Blue.
Tom Robins, solid foundations consulting, Director
Michael Whitten, Tier 1 completions Solutions & canatex completions solutions, Director
Michael is from Sand Springs, Oklahoma where he graduated in 1999; he then attended Oklahoma State University where he earned a B.S. Degree in 2003 studying Electrical Engineering. During his time at OSU he served as the philanthropic Chairman for the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He is a current member of Gaillardia Country Club in Oklahoma City, and is active in the Society of Petroleum Engineers. He's married to Chrissy and has three lovely daughters Lilian (Angel), Piper & Daphne.
Mr. Whitten currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Sales for the US divisions of Tier 1 & Canatex. He's been in this position since March of 2020, having previously served in multiple roles with NexTier, C&J Energy & Casedhole Solutions.
Michael is a Native Oklahoman and is looking to further develop the technical abilities of the Oklahoma with his influence through the STEAM Engine. He enjoys archery & golf, and is looking to pickup a new hobby of fly-fishing in 2022.
Mr. Whitten currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Sales for the US divisions of Tier 1 & Canatex. He's been in this position since March of 2020, having previously served in multiple roles with NexTier, C&J Energy & Casedhole Solutions.
Michael is a Native Oklahoman and is looking to further develop the technical abilities of the Oklahoma with his influence through the STEAM Engine. He enjoys archery & golf, and is looking to pickup a new hobby of fly-fishing in 2022.
Marcus Jones, MHJ Consulting, Board Advisor, non-voting
Past Board of Directors
- Tim Dixon (2019)
- Melody Kellogg (2019-2020), Founding Board Member
- James Bygland (2020-2021)
- Sen. Carri Hicks (2020-2021)
- Todd Wauters (2019-2021), Founding Board Member
- Mandi Phelps (2020-2022), Founding Board Member
- Chad Stearns (2021-2022)
- Zena Cherian (2021-2022)
Transparency and Accountability
Governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available for public inspection. Please reach out to us with your request by filling out this form.
Governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available for public inspection. Please reach out to us with your request by filling out this form.
