The Sacramento Regional Science and Engineering Fair Foundation (dba NorCal STEM Education Foundation) was founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation in September 2001, after the California Association of Professional Scientists (CAPS) and Professional Engineers in California Government (PECG) advocated Blanning and Baker Associates, Inc to adopt and revive the event. The Foundation was originally created solely to operate and organize the Sacramento Regional Science and Engineering Fair, previously supported by the Sacramento Bee. The first annual Fair, run by the Foundation, was held in the Spring of 2002 where it was noted that there was minimal participation from the region. Through grassroots efforts, the Foundation conducted research that illustrated a need for STEM educational programs. The lack of STEM educational initiatives in the greater Sacramento region inspired the Foundation to expand from purely organizing the Fair to grow and become a now 12 county STEM educational foundation that provides programs and gathers resources for the entire region.
Board of Directors
David Miller
PRESIDENT
David Miller is a Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) for the Department of Toxic Substances Control in Sacramento. He has worked for the State of California as a state scientist for over 20 years. He’s been on the Foundation Board since it was chartered and continues to serve as the President and a member of the Judging Committee. David has also been on the Board of Directors of the California Association of Professional Scientists since 2001 and is currently serving as the President as well as serving on a plethora of other committees.
Matt Hanson
VICE PRESIDENT & TREASURER
Matt Hanson is a Transportation Engineer with the California Department of Transportation in Sacramento. He has worked for the State of California as a state scientist for over 20 years. He’s been on the Foundation Board since it was chartered and continues to serve as the Vice President and Treasurer as well as a member of the Awards Ceremony Committee. Matt has also been on the Board of Directors of the Professional Engineers in California Government and is currently serving on a plethora of other Committees.
Sue Bertram
BOARD MEMBER
Sue Bertram is a teacher at W.E. Mitchell Middle School for the Rancho Cordova School District. Sue has had a longstanding relationship with the Foundation as a volunteer as well as an involved teacher. She has ensured that W.E. Mitchell continues to participate and is always a Team Lead for Registration. Sue brings the perspective of an area 6th grade teacher to the Foundation board and will continue to assist in improving aspects of the Fair and Foundation Board for the good of the greater northern California region.
Malinda Holland
BOARD MEMBER
Malinda Holland works for the Intel Corporation as a Platform Application Engineer. She joined the Board of Directors for the NorCal STEM Education Foundation officially in the Spring of 2015. Malinda has a long-standing history of volunteering for the Foundation on a multitude of committees, the most notable being the Judging and Scoring Committee. Malinda has developed multiple improvements to the Foundation's Fair Judging System and continues to be deeply involved with the organization.
Vacant
SECRETARY
Contact the NorCal STEM Education Foundation Staff today to learn more about the opportunity to become a Board member! Contact us.
Terry Escarda
BOARD MEMBER
Terry Escarda is a Hazardous Substances Engineer at the Department of Toxic Substances Control in Sacramento. He has represented the State in hazardous waste and unexploded ordnance cleanup at two military bases - Beale AFB and Camp Parks RFTA for the last 10 years. Previously, he was the State Permitting Project Manager for the Kettleman Hills RCRA Class I Landfill for two years. Terry has served as a corporate board member for two organizations, the Professional Engineers in California Government and the Sacramento Regional Science and Engineering Fair Foundation for nearly two decades. He is interested in achieving environmental compliance and health and safety in a fair and cost-effective manner.
Valerie Chenoweth-Brown
BOARD MEMBER
Valerie Chenoweth-Brown is a Senior Health Physicist in the Human and Ecological Risk Office of the Department of Toxics Substances Control in Sacramento. She specializes in radiological risk assessment at contaminated sites and has worked for the State of CA for 24 years and as a state scientist since 1993. She’s been on the Foundation Board since it was chartered and continues to serve as Chair of the Scientific Review Committee and Member of the Special Awards and Judging Committees. Valerie has also been on the Board of Directors of the California Association of Professional Scientists since 2001 and is currently serving as the Supervisor Director and Chair of the Public Relations and Supervisors Committees.
Staff
Contacts
455 Capitol Mall, Suite 500 Sacramento, CA 95814
P: (916) 441.3150
F: (916) 442.4182
Our Mission
The mission of the NorCal STEM Education Foundation is to inspire and engage students to become interested in pursuing scientific, technological, engineering, and mathematical (STEM) degrees and careers.
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