BOARD CHAIR

Jennifer Jackson is the K-12 STEM program manager at Idaho National Laboratory. Jackson has nearly 20 years of experience as a teacher and educational leader in Idaho, including as the director of Curriculum and Professional Learning for Idaho Falls School District 91, where her duties included designing and implementing multidisciplinary K-12 curriculum, developing strategic partnerships with state and national educational organizations, and a variety of other policy and management responsibilities. INL’s K-12 STEM program focuses on student outreach, teacher professional development, family engagement and more. Jackson also interfaces with Idaho tribes, community colleges and technical schools on behalf of INL. These partnerships with STEM-focused organizations allow INL to help eastern Idaho foster an integrated STEM program that will enable the best possible opportunities for Idaho students.

BOARD VICE CHAIR

Ed Atienza is a Research and Development Engineering Manager at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) based in Boise, Idaho. He received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Idaho in Electrical Engineering in 2001 and has over 20 years of experience in electric power systems. At SEL, Ed’s current focus involves protective relays, power line sensors, voltage regulation, and communications for medium voltage distribution lines. As an industry leader, Ed guides engineers to find the best solutions to ensure personnel safety, extend the life of critical assets, improve power system reliability, and simplify operations.

Ed’s passion for mentoring and education comes through a history in instructing SEL University courses, authoring technical papers, presenting at conferences, mentoring senior design students from Boise State University, and participating in technical advisory committees for Energy Systems Technology & Education Center (ESTEC) at Idaho State University. Influenced by participation in STEM competitions such as MATHCOUNTS in middle school and advanced STEM courses such as physics at Idaho Falls High School, Ed understands firsthand how impactful early STEM engagement is for our students and Idaho’s future.

As Executive Director of the Micron Foundation since 2006, Dee Mooney drives the Micron Foundation’s programs aimed at advancing science and technology education and enhancing the quality of life in Micron’s manufacturing site communities. Dee collaborates with internal and external partners to develop, maintain, and improve programs as well as develop strong partnerships with community and educational organizations. The Foundation provides more than $5 million in grants annually around the world. Prior to Micron, Mooney worked for Albertsons Inc., serving as its director of charitable contributions and community relations. In this role, she also served as vice president of Albertsons Stores Charitable Foundation and president of Albertsons Assist Foundation. Mooney spent more than eight years with Albertsons, where she held a variety of other positions, including investor relations manager, special projects manager to the CEO, and integration analyst. Prior to Albertsons, she worked for Andersen Consulting as a change management consultant. Mooney holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in industrial psychology from University of New Haven. Mooney serves or has served on the following non-profit boards and committees: Power Engineers Foundation Board, Treasure Valley Educational Partnership, Women and Children’s Alliance, The Leonardo – Center for Arts and Science, Special Olympics World Winter Games 2009, St. Luke’s Health Foundation Board, and St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital Advisory Board. She enjoys spending time with her two young daughters and her husband.

Dr. David J. Hill is a technology and management consultant in Boise, Idaho. An internationally acknowledged expert on nuclear technology and policy issues, Dr. Hill has extensive experience in the area of international nuclear cooperation, working with the countries of both Western Europe and the former Soviet Union. From 2005 to 2012 Dr. Hill was deputy laboratory director for Science & Technology at the Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory, responsible for the science and technology strategy for the lab and for about 1B dollars of R&D programs pertaining to nuclear energy, national and homeland security, and clean energy. In the State of Idaho, Dr. Hill was appointed to the IGEM council in 2012, where he is now the chair, and the State Board of Education in 2014. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a doctorate in mathematical physics from Imperial College, London University, and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Jad is a recruiter at Saint Alphonsus. Jad recruits in the IT space, Risk and compliance, Clinical non-nursing positions like Echo, imaging modalities, Respiratory care, Certified surgical technologist and other front line health care positions. In addition to recruiting he also oversees work U internships with BSU and other community relationship programs that will allow engagement with students and Saint Alphonsus as an Employer. Jad received his Bachelor Degree from the College of Idaho in Politics, Economics and History.

Jake Reynolds is the Business Development and Operations Administrator at the Idaho Department of Commerce, overseeing economic development efforts in international trade, business attraction, community development, and business retention and expansion. Jake received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Idaho in Marketing, and has held positions in sales management, manufacturing and agriculture. An Idaho native, Jake joined Idaho Commerce in 2013.

Wendi Secrist is the Executive Director of the Idaho Workforce Development Council overseeing implementation of an industry-led statewide strategic workforce development plan. Governor Brad Little appointed Wendi to continue the transition of the Council to an independent agency under the Office of the Governor which began in November 2017. The Council also serves as the State Workforce Investment Board and oversees the Idaho Workforce Development Training Fund.

Ms. Secrist came to the Council with a wealth of experience in workforce development, economic development and education. Immediately prior to joining in 2017, Ms. Secrist built bridges to industry to inform Idaho’s career and technical education system through its secondary, post-secondary and workforce training programs as the Director of Business Outreach for Idaho Career & Technical Education. She also oversaw development of a statewide micro-certification/badging platform, Idaho SkillStack® to improve communication around the skills and competencies Idaho’s citizens’ possess.

Ms. Secrist served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Workforce Boards and was secretary from 2013-2015. Ms. Secrist is a past-president of the Idaho Economic Development Association. She was the vice president of the 2007-2009 Leadership Boise class and also served as the 2009 chair of the Boise Young Professionals. In 2008, Idaho Business Review recognized her as one of Idaho’s “Accomplished Under 40.”

Steve Christiansen is the Vice President of Human Resources & Organizational Development at Idaho Milk Products. He received a bachelor’s degree in Management and Human Resources from Utah State University and an MBA from Westminster College in Utah and has lectured for Boise State University as an Adjunct Professor. Prior to Idaho Milk Products he worked at Glanbia Nutritionals where he served in several senior HR and continuous improvement roles. Prior to his work at Glanbia, Steve held similar positions with The Dannon Company in West Jordan, Utah, Astaris (formerly FMC) in Pocatello, Idaho and Kennecott Utah Copper.

Steve has over 20 years in the dairy industry and is a passionate advocate for the dairy and agriculture. He has recruited on campus and developed new graduate programs at multiple organizations. He joined the STEM board to help drive an increase in home grown STEM talent to fill the state’s needs both now and in the future.