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.