National Committees
National Executive Board
Dr. Gerard Putz, Board Immediate Past Chair & Treasurer, Science Olympiad President and Co-Founder
James Woodland, Board Chair, Former Nebraska Science Olympiad State Director & 2015 National Tournament Committee
Steve Betza, Board Vice Chair, Lockheed Martin
Sharon Putz, Board Secretary, Science Olympiad Executive Administrator
Jennifer Kopach, Science Olympiad Executive Director, SVP Marketing Communications - Announcement 3/8/16
Peggy Vavalla, DuPont Corporation (ret.)
Dr. Jon Pedersen, Dean, School of Education, University of South Carolina
Angela Davis, STEM Outreach Director, Ohio State University
National Executive Board Bios (March 2018)
Jack Cairns, Science Olympiad Co-Founder, Emeritus
Annual Affirmation of Non-Discrimination by Science Olympiad Board (3/29/17)
Advisory Committee
CeAnn Chalker, Wright State University, 2013 & 2017 National Tournament Co-Director
Dr. Ralph Cordell, Centers for Disease Control
Jamie Cucinotta, New York State Director, 2019 National Tournament Co-Director
Dr. Peter Hung, Southern California Science Olympiad State Director, Alumni Rep
Steve Lovaas, Colorado Science Olympiad State Director, 2018 Science Olympiad National Tournament Director
Dr. Elizabeth Mulkerrin, Henry Doorly Omaha Zoo & Aquarium, Director of Education
Kelly Nissan, ArcelorMittal, Community Engagement, East Chicago, Indiana
Dr. Kelly Price, Forsyth County Schools
Fred Siegel, Washington, DC Science Olympiad State Director
Joe Simmons, Illinois Science Olympiad State Director, Ward's Science
Donna Young, NASA Educator
National Rules Committee Chairs
Karen Lancour - Life, Personal & Social Science
Dusty Schroeder - Earth & Space Science
Dr. Alan Chalker - Physical Science
Linda Wozniewski - Chemistry
CeAnn Chalker - Technology & Engineering
Dan Nichols - Inquiry & Nature of Science
In Memoriam
On April 5, 2017, Science Olympiad lost a 33-year veteran, Mark Van Hecke, to a long and valiant battle with cancer. Mark's connection to Science Olympiad goes back to the days of founding the national organization; he was involved with Science Olympiad as a middle and high school teacher in Anchor Bay Schools and took that experience to lead Michigan Science Olympiad as a State Director and Board Member. Eventually, Mark became one of the most prolific National Event Supervisors in the program, presenting at workshops across the US, preparing new resources and taking on the role of Earth/Space Rules Committee Chair in 2008. In 2001, Mark was awarded the Science Olympiad Distinguished Service Award. Outside of Mark's many professional accomplishments, he was an incredible friend, husband, teacher, brother, father and grandfather; legions of friends and former students have mourned his passing. We are all blessed to have been in his circle. His family has asked for donations to be sent to his school system or to Science Olympiad, Inc., which will be setting up a new Mark Van Hecke Memorial Scholarship for the 2017 Division C winners of the Rocks and Minerals Event at the National Tournament.
