Our Team
Our staff strives to provide students with exciting and engaging space mission simulations and other STEM activities

Ron Bush, President and CEO

Becca Manis, Vice President of Education

Carrie Hill, Lead Flight Director

Katie Goodman, Flight Director and Registrar
Katie has always had a love for math and science, and found herself teaching those specialties in middle and elementary schools before finding her true passion: STEAM. She graduated from Pepperdine University with a bachelors in Liberal Arts, and then a masters in Education. She has taught in California, Washington, and Colorado. In Colorado she was introduced to the Challenger Learning Center. After testing out new programs with Challenger Colorado, and developing a STEAM program at Legacy Peak Elementary, she was awarded with the June Scobee Rodgers Innovative Educator Award in 2021. Now she works as a flight director, and curriculum developer, bringing her love of the STEM subjects, and adding an extra jolt of creativity. Along with her husband, and two kids, she enjoys living a STEAM life at home where they are always creating something new and enjoying the beautiful Colorado forest.

Hannah Armstrong, Flight Director
Growing up in a family of aerospace and astronomy enthusiasts, Hannah found a love for space at a young age. She graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a bachelor’s in Astrophysics with a focus on planetary science. During her time at the University, Hannah led astronomy labs and observation nights at the Sommers-Bausch Observatory. Since graduating, she has served as a substitute teacher and led after-school robotics programs for elementary students. Hannah hopes to share her passion with students, inspiring them to pursue careers in STEM and to diversify the space industry. Her favorite program to run is Expedition Mars as it gets students excited to work through a variety of situations and inspires them to look forward to the future of space travel. In the future, Hannah hopes to become more involved with science communication and outreach, with an emphasis on education and advocacy. When she is not at the Challenger Center, you can find her working on an art project, reading a good book, or watching a sci-fi/horror movie with her cat Suki.

Stephanie Carriere, Flight Director
Stephanie is passionate about encouraging the kids of today to be the scientists, astronauts, engineers, and health care professionals of tomorrow. Her background studying neurobiology and child development at UC Davis give her a strong foundation to effectively teach children how fun and interesting science can be. She loves working at Challenger Center for the opportunity to watch kids overcome obstacles, encourage them to work together and see their joy when they achieve something they didn’t think was possible for them. Her favorite parts of the missions are the emergencies that kids have to work together to resolve, as the looks of pride on their faces when they “save the day” are priceless. When she’s not at Challenger Center, Stephanie also works as a pediatric emergency department nurse, where she uses her knowledge and skills to help children get back to feeling like their best selves. In her free time, Stephanie loves running marathons, reading good books and spending time with her family and dogs.

Steve Flannery, Teacher on Special Assignment/Flight Director
Patrick Gaddis, Flight Director

Born and raised on Florida’s space coast, Patrick had a front row seat to the launches of the Space Shuttle program from his backyard. Ever since, he has been known as a self-ascribed space junkie. Patrick then moved to Colorado, where he completed a BS in Physics/Astrophysics with a minor in education in 2016. Patrick first started with Challenger as a summer camp instructor along with a teaching position at Vista Ridge High School in District 49. After 6 years as a Science/Math educator, he now works full time at the center. Patrick’s favorite program is the Mars Simulator Mission. In his free time, Patrick can be found watching a good movie or playing the latest games.

Mary Kincaid, Flight Director

Kendra Thompson, Flight Director
Born and raised in Colorado, Kendra always had her sights set on becoming a teacher. After finishing her B.A., she went on to earn her Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction, with an emphasis in secondary Social Studies. She joined Challenger Learning Center in 2019 and her love of teaching quickly broadened into the STEM field. Kendra’s favorite part of teaching is encouraging critical thought and this opportunity presents itself in every aspect of Challenger’s curriculum. She equally loves running simulated missions and expanding STEM knowledge in all the MakerSpace activities Challenger has to offer. When she’s not at work, you can find her spending time with her husband and kids enjoying all that Colorado outdoors has to offer or volunteering at her kids’ school.
Board of Directors 2022
Lt. Gen. Winfield W. Scott, Jr. | Chairman Emeritus
Superintendent, United States Air Force Academy (ret)
Gary R. Coulter, Ph.D. | Founder and Chairman Emeritus
Founder and Past President, CCESSE; Lt Col USAF (ret), NASA (ret), Academy District 20 Board of Education (ret)
Brad R. Barnes, CPA | Chair
CFO, Air Academy Federal Credit Union
Martin France, Ph.D. | Secretary/Treasurer
Brigadier General, USAF (ret), Permanent Professor and Head, Department of Astronautics, USAF Academy (ret)
Tom Gregory | Member
Superintendent, Academy School District Twenty
David Kohlman, Ph.D | Member
Professor of Aeronautical Engineering, University of Kansas (ret)
Jim Mikkelson | Member
President, The Mikkelson Foundation; Chief Technical Officer, Vitesse Semiconductor (ret)
Kay Sears | Member
Vice President & General Manager Military Space, Lockheed Martin Space
Steve Smith | Member
Attorney, Independent Arbitrator, Mediator and Consultant; former VP and General Counsel, Lockheed Martin Space
Board Members Emeritus:
General Lance W. Lord, Commander of Air Force Space Command, (USAF Ret)
Dr. Bruce L. Doyle, Past President, Board of Education, CO Springs School Dist 11; Past President, CO Assoc of School Boards
Mrs. Vivian Teets, retired systems engineer and tireless advocate for STEM education
Mr. Willie L. Daniels, II, President and CEO, Shades of Blue; 777 Captain, United Airlines
Mrs. Tracey L. Tomme, CEO, Dayton Natural History Society, past President and CEO, CCESSE
Mr. Robert G. Peterson, Colonel, United States Air Force (ret); Vice President, Lockheed Martin Corp. Business Development, Space Programs (ret)