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Science Works

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  1500 E Main St
  Ashland, OR 97520
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Board of Directors

Piper von Chamier President	Piper von Chamier is a landscape architect, mother of two, runner, skier, and gardener. She is a principal at Terrain Landscape Architecture in Ashland, where she and her family have been living since 2016. Piper is an active member in the Rogue Valley community and has served on the Ashland Historic Commission, on the Mount Ashland Racing Association Board, and also participates in Architects in Schools. When not at her studio, skiing with her family, or at the museum, Piper can be found in the garden experimenting with soils and new plant varieties. She's also a lover of the regional biodiversity and can often be found on a trail observing the flora and fauna of the valley.
Kenny Taylor Vice President	Kenny Taylor likes to say he was farm-raised and locally grown. After graduating South Medford High, he left the Rogue Valley to pursue an entertainment career in California. As a writer/performer in San Francisco and LA (ask to see his Baywatch cameo), Kenny began investing in real estate to balance the ups and downs of a life in the arts. He returned to Southern Oregon in 2013 to raise his kids and made the leap from real estate investor to Realtor. Kenny is currently a principal real estate broker with the Millen Property Group in Ashland. When not with his children or helping clients, Kenny plays basketball, explores outdoors, and creates local theater and film.
Richard LeVitt Treasurer	Richard LeVitt is a retired executive from Hewlett-Packard Corp. He began his career as an R&D engineer and project manager before moving up to an executive position, overseeing a global organization. He is also a photographer and digital artist who studied under Ansel Adams, Olivia Parker, and others. He currently serves as Treasurer on the ScienceWorks Board. In addition, he serves on the museum's Science Advisory Board. Richard designs exhibits and has contributed five to ScienceWorks.
Kirk Drake Secretary	Kirk Drake is a serial entrepreneur and fintech collaborator. Currently, he is President of Painted Hills CUSO, Chief Revenue of Founder of CU 2.0 and Resistance Wine Company. In addition, Kirk serves on the board of NACUSO business services, Doublecheck CUSO, Painted Hills CUSO and Quilo. Kirk specializes in building collaborative business models, launching new fintech companies, and helping entrepreneurs develop, launch, fund, and build their companies within the community financial institution industry. When he isn’t talking about fintech, Kirk spends time with his beautiful wife Kimberly and their three amazing kids. Occasionally he performs stand-up comedy, travels the world, and jointly runs Resistance Wine Company with his wife in their beautiful hometown of Ashland, Oregon.
Nicolle Aleman	Nicolle Aleman is a seasoned marketing professional with two decades of experience, currently serving as a Board Director for ScienceWorks. Her diverse passions encompass education, the great outdoors, and restorative justice, reflecting her commitment to creating positive change in her community. Originally hailing from the Bay Area, Nicolle completed her high school and college education in the picturesque Rogue Valley. In 2015, she and her family eagerly returned to Southern Oregon, where they continue to revel in the region's stunning landscapes and vibrant artistic spirit. Nicolle's family has cherished countless moments at ScienceWorks since her son, now a tween, was just a little tyke. She eagerly looks forward to leveraging her expertise to help the organization flourish and reach new heights.
Sheila Foster	Sheila Foster has worked across the spectrum of the environmental and food system movement for more than two decades, serving in leadership positions for such organizations as Marin Organic, the Regenerative Design Institute, Lomakatsi Restoration Project, ScienceWorks Hands-on Museum, and Rogue Valley Farm to School. Most recently she served as the first executive director of the Biodynamic Demeter Alliance, the national biodynamic organization in the US. She currently works as a strategic development consultant, advising and supporting organizations, farmers, businesses, and communities worldwide to implement more restorative, regenerative practices that will help them to thrive and build a more resilient, healthy world. Her work has focused on the belief that hope for the world lies in the intricate web that ties us all together and our ability to nurture and care for each other, the soil, and our fellow living beings. A mother and concerned citizen, Sheila has dedicated her life to advocating for environmental and social justice and working actively to address biodiversity loss, climate change, and the range of environmental challenges our world faces today.
Cassandra Dexter	Cassandra Dexter, CPA, CFP® is an advisor at Nagel & Padilla, LLC in Ashland Oregon. Cassandra graduated in June 2015 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Accounting along with a Certificate in Accounting Information Systems and a minor in Criminology from Southern Oregon University. When not working, Cassandra enjoys the lovely Rogue Valley outdoors through hiking, kayaking, and camping.
Leslie Gore	Leslie Gore, General Manager of Parhelia Sciences Works, has been a dedicated resident of Ashland, Oregon, for over 20 years. Passionate about community involvement, Leslie has actively volunteered in the community and in Ashland's schools, supporting both students and educators, including her teacher husband and two children.
Peter Jensen-Haxel	Peter Jensen-Haxel is a patent attorney and founder of JHL, a law firm protecting cutting-edge technologies developed by clients ranging from local startups to global enterprise. Peter is co-founder of Teralcyon Inc., an environmental remediation company empowering government contractors to clean up unexploded bombs and landmines with greater efficiency. Peter grew up on a working ranch outside Ashland, Oregon. He holds a B.S. in Physical Biochemistry, and is a space enthusiast, Carl Sagan fan, and optimistic futurist.
Andrew Owen	Andrew Owen is a husband, father, and architect. He was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and is a proud graduate of Washington State University, Go Cougs! Andrew moved to the Rogue Valley in 2013 to work at ORW Architecture where he is now one of three partners of the firm. When not practicing architecture and running the business, he spends his time with his wife Megan working their horse farm located just outside of Ashland. In addition to his passion for his wife, architecture and horses, Andrew believes strongly in the power of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) and connecting with the communities within our region.
Steve Utt	Steve Utt is a designer and visual storyteller, passionate about sharing the wonders of science and creativity. With a background in engineering, biology, and the visual arts, he has been a dedicated volunteer at ScienceWorks for over 12 years, following a successful entrepreneurial career in Silicon Valley. At Stanford University, Steve contributed to the development of the world’s first programmable implanted insulin delivery system and went on to found companies focused on computer interfaces, portable devices, 3D graphics, and interactive displays. In the early 2000s, inspired by a childhood fascination with museums and the iconic 1968 photo of Earth from the Moon, he created the "Magic Planet," an interactive projected globe. His company, Global Imagination, provided educational tools that brought stories about Earth and space to museums and schools worldwide for over 20 years. Currently, Steve chairs the ScienceWorks Science Advisory Board, where he continues to create innovative exhibits that bring science to life in Southern Oregon.