Robert Fredell, CEO

A former Air Force colonel and the first Chief Scientist at the US Air Force Academy, Rob taught engineering and built the research program at USAFA into the largest undergraduate program in the US.   Rob has a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from Delft University in the Netherlands. At an early age, Rob got his inspiration in STEM by watching his next-door-neighbor, the late Neil Anderson, fly fighter jets over his house in Fort Worth, Texas. Rob believes in the importance of STEM education and hopes to help inspire the next generation of young minds.

Ron Bush, Lead Flight Director

Inspired by a student teacher he had in elementary school, Ron was always interested in science. He spent the first 12 years of his career sharing that passion with his students as an elementary and middle school science teacher. Now, as the lead flight director at Challenger, he describes his job as “getting to teach the best science lessons every day.”  Ron’s favorite Challenger program to run is the Night Sky planetarium show. No matter what their age, learning about the night sky is a great way to spark a sense of wonder and curiosity in students. And just like it did for him, Ron hopes that spark leads his students to a lifelong fascination of the creation around them.  Ron spends as much time as possible enjoying the Colorado mountains with his wife, Stephanie, and their three boys.  As a native of Pittsburgh, PA, Ron bleeds “Black & Gold” for his beloved Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates.

Tanna George, Flight Director

Tanna George has degrees in Biology and Education.  In the past, she worked as a biologist for government agencies, and has worked at the Challenger Center since 2013.  One of her lifetime goals is to visit every National Park in America.  Her favorite mission is Space Station Alpha, because it is based on a real life event, and gives students a realistic view of working in NASA mission control. 

Joe Magie, Flight Director, D20 Teacher on Special Assignment

When asked about his job at Challenger Learning Center of CO(CLCC) Joe said, “Working at CLCC is a BLAST...pun intended!”  For the past ten orbits around the Sun, Joe has been a middle school science teacher and is currently the Academy School District #20 Teacher on Special Assignment. Joe thoroughly enjoys using the one and only space mission simulator in the entire state of Colorado!  His favorite simulated space mission is Voyage to Mars because participants get the opportunity to be astronauts who travel to Mars and mission control specialists who live and work on Mars.  As Joe continues to orbit the sun, he enjoys spending time with his family and hopes that someday his wife, two daughters and dog will be part of a real mission that goes to Mars!

Gina McCutcheon, Flight Director

Gina loves working at Challenger Learning Center because of the joy she gets to see reflected in students' faces every day when they realize they have succeeded in their mission!  The Moon and Comet missions tend to be her favorites because they are geared toward the younger crowd and these students are especially prone to show their enthusiasm and delight! Gina has taught middle school science, after-school science programs, and has been involved in many science competitions including the National Science Fair. She feels the teaching methods embedded in the missions at Challenger are the best for teaching science by far!  When she’s not trying to inspire kids to be excited about science, she likes to run, hike Colorado Fourteeners, race her Corvette, and spend time with her family and friends.

Carrie Ryden, Flight Director

Carrie wants to live in a world with plenty of sea-salt dark chocolate, warm sunshine (even on ski lifts) and Shel Silverstein poetry.  As a Challenger Flight Director, she’s been applauded for her creativity, innovation and inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning directly in classrooms for the past twenty years. Her favorite program — Moon, Mars & Beyond — offers ample opportunities for students to collaborate, communicate and apply math and science skills in a real-world distance-delivered simulation.  When she is not enhancing STEM education, you can find her at the local dog park, in the Colorado mountains, or hanging out at home with her family.  

Marty Grantz, Registrar/Mission Bookings

Marty Grantz spent 14 years with the City of Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation, serving as an Administrative Technician and Events Coordinator. He helped open Cottonwood Creek Recreation Center, establishing an award-winning customer service team.  A three-sport athlete in high school, Marty was a sports reporter at the Gazette newspaper for 10 years and is in his 29th season as Official Scorer for the Pacific Coast League of Professional Baseball, assigned to home games for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. The youngest in a family of 10 kids, many of them teachers and coaches, Marty studied mass communication at the University of Colorado. He is married to Danette, an elementary school teacher, and together they have two sons – Nick and Will.

Kristy Barnes, Assistant/Front Desk

Before joining the staff of the Challenger Center in 2014, Kristy taught conversational English and dubbed languages into a film during her travels throughout parts of the Middle East and Africa. Once she returned home, Kristy received her Master of Education degree from Regis University and worked in Lewis-Palmer School District 38 and Academy School District 20. Kristy enjoys watching the excitement of the kids when they've successfully completed their missions.