Name: Ron Goertz
Position: Program Director
Call Sign: "Blast Off"
Email: ronald.goertz(at)alaska.gov
Ron was born at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Seattle University and a Master of Science in Systems Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson AFB. He became a Husky fan while attending the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Washington, but never could bring himself to root for the Cougars despite obtaining his teaching certification and working toward Master of Education degree at Washington State University. He spent 12 years in the Air Force in acquisition management, separating as a Captain. Since that time he has either been teaching marine science at public aquariums (the Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut and the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska) or science at public schools in Washington, Connecticut, and Maine. His life as an Air Force brat, his own time in the Air Force, and other opportunities has allowed Blast Off to visit every state in our union, driving at least 3/4 of the way across the country eight times! His background in chemistry and physics and his love of teaching make STARBASE Alaska a perfect fit.

Name: Deborah Jones
Position: Instructor
Call Sign: "Orion"
Email: deborah.jones(at)alaska.gov
Deborah was born on Ft. Richardson, Alaska.  Later, her family homesteaded in Eagle River, where she grew up and graduated from Chugiak High School. Her dad, Sgt. Paul Jones, enjoyed flying all over in a Cessna airplane, and her love of flying was born. Her mom, Carol Jones, was a librarian, and her love of learning was born. While skiing in Colorado, Deborah Jones earned a Bachelor's Degree at CU in Boulder. Go Broncos! The "call of the wild" from Alaska lured her back north to raise her two kids. They both graduated from Chugiak High School. Go Mustangs! Later, she returned to school, getting an Alaskan Teacher's Certificate, and a Masters in Education at UAA. Go Seawolves! Deborah has two children. Her son Christian "Serellan" Allen has achieved his dream of being a professional game designer with Bungie Studios, who made the "Halo" series. Go Master Chief! Her daughter Tonya has completed her Bachelors Degree at UAA, and plans to teach. Before joining STARBASE, Deborah taught at Alaska Junior College, CompUSA, University of Alaska's Adult Learning Center, and most recently, as a Team Leader with Fourth Platoon at the Alaska Military Youth Academy at Camp Carroll. Go Ravens!

Name: Joan Bee
Position: Instructor
Call Sign: "Polaris"
Email: joan.bee(at)alaska.gov
Joan spent her formative years in New Jersey, where she acquired her love of science, especially astronomy and marine biology. She attended college at the Florida Institute of Technology, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences. Departing from college to head to the Far North with her husband, she has been an Alaska resident ever since. Her first professional job was with the Alaska Department of Fish & Game in Kodiak. Working as a Fisheries Biologist, she conducted shipboard shrimp population surveys, and research in salmon and herring management. After Kodiak, Joan worked as a hatchery employee at the Clear AFS experimental fish hatchery in Alaska’s Interior, and just recently at the William J. Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery in Anchorage. Joan was a stay-at-home mom raising her 3 children to school age, after which time she began working as a librarian. In the library environment, Joan realized that she had an aptitude for technology, so she went to school to become a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. This education led to her becoming an elementary school technology specialist and a certified teacher in Florida, where Joan’s family spent a few years taking care of Grandma Bee. While living on Florida’s Space Coast, Joan wrote and received a grant to start an astronomy club for students in grades 4 -6, which she happily ran for several years. Now back in Alaska again, Joan is excited to have the opportunity to inspire others with her love of science and technology. She likes to say, “Ad astra per scientia!” which means, “to the stars through knowledge!”