Gene Storz, Chief Learning Officer and Executive VP

Gene Storz is an expert in the development, implementation and support of virtual education programs. He is recognized for initiating and instituting progressive ideas and concepts in the delivery of education. As a co-founder of e2020, Gene directed the development and enrichment of all technology components to e2020’s programs, including conceptual design, database development, content and curriculum development, program design, quality control, implementation, and technical/curricular support. Gene received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Tech University in 1991 before moving on to North Carolina State University to pursue his graduate degree where he developed several theories for modeling complex manufacturing systems in a virtual environment. He received his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1994 and continued toward his PhD until 1996.

Kathie Driscoll, Director of Research and Evaluation

For more than 35 years, Kathie has worked inside and outside the classroom to develop and deliver quality instruction to K-16+ students. Prior to joining Education2020, her roles included instructional design, District Assessment Coordinator, Staff Development Coordinator, Director of Training and Development, Corporate Director of Philanthropy and Employee Volunteerism, curriculum consultant, organizational development consultant, training consultant, and online instructor. She is a certified Covey trainer and a certified 5-12 Reading Specialist with ELL credentials. Kathie also holds a lifetime Community College teaching certificate in English, Study Skills, Reading, and ELL. She has presented national and regional conference sessions related to assessment research, school innovations, school-business partnerships that work, and the development of training materials for business and industry with special attention to ELL and non-reader employees. She earned her B.A. in English Education and an M.S. in Secondary Reading and Educational Psychology from Western Illinois University. She completed her studies in the Higher and Adult Education Ed.D. program at Arizona State University and is currently completing a Doctor of Management in Organizational Development and Leadership from the University of Phoenix.

Fran DeWalt, Director of Professional Development and Implementations

Fran is a native Arizonan with a strong commitment to education. Before joining Education2020, Fran taught biology, chemistry, math and life science to middle and high school students in Idaho, Arizona and Virginia for 10 years. After teaching she took a science curriculum specialist position in Virginia for 8 years. Fran has been with Education2020 since 2007 has worked on the Technical and Customer Support team and is now the Director of Professional Development. She has a BS in Biology from the University of Arizona.

John Phaklides, Director of Information Technology

With 25 years of experience in IT, John has significant experience in public schools. Before joining Education2020 he spent 4 years as the Director of Technology for Santa Fe Public Schools. During his tenure there, Santa Fe PSD won 3 NMITSA (New Mexico Information Technology and Software Association) IT Excellence awards. In 2007, John was nominated and first runner up for NMITSA Technology Director of the Year. He brings both practical experience and understanding of a district’s needs and concerns for virtual programs as he led the implementation of 750 licenses in 8 schools within the Santa Fe PSD in 2006. Prior to working in the public sector, John worked in IT consulting, was founder and CEO of Aristotle Digital Archiving, and worked in IT in both the construction and pharmaceutical industries. With John’s experience, Education2020’s IT systems are second to none in the education industry and assure our customers a sound, safe and reliable system for educating students.

Tanya Keats, Director of Operational Excellence

Tanya joined Education2020 in 2009 to indentify and implement ways to reduce costs, increase revenue and improve organizational efficiency by understanding the needs of the client and empowering employees to optimize existing processes and projects. Tanya’s leadership skills promote teamwork and problem solving skills to evoke change and continuous improvement. Prior to Education2020, Tanya served 4 years as Vice President of Morpheus Brown, a business consulting firm that specializes in helping its clients improve the way they do business, from a process perspective. She also worked at Honeywell International for 8 years with the last 2 as an Information Technology Project Manager in their Aerospace division. Tanya was influential in helping her organization implement SEI CMM and reach Level 3 compliance. Tanya also has experience as a business analyst in manufacturing and in process improvement with Human Resources. Tanya has an MBA and Bachelors of Science in Management Information Systems and is certified as a Six Sigma Green Belt and in Design for Six Sigma.

Angie Williams-McMichael, Installation Coordinator / Project Manager

Angie Williams-McMichael currently serves Education 2020 in the capacity of installation coordination and professional development. Before joining Education2020 in 2007, she worked with the Department of Justice in Educational Opportunities as lead instructor for the 1st, 4th, 8th grades. Angie holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Millersville University, a Masters in Education Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University and is currently completing her dissertation to earn an EdD in Higher Education/Leadership from Argosy University.

Brenda Lenhardt, Director of Human Resources

Brenda Lenhardt joined Education2020 in 2003 and brings over 20 years of business management experience. Brenda started her management career at Hughes Tool Company in Houston, Texas before moving to Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company as Operations Manager in Columbus, Ohio. She is a graduate from the Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Christine Sellers, Director of Curriculum Development, English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Humanities

Christine Sellers joined Education2020 in 2004 as a member of the Technical and Curriculum Support team. Christine is responsible for writing and developing innovative Virtual Classroom core curriculum for Language Arts, Languages, and Humanities. She is also responsible for creating Virtual Tutor courses such as GED, ACT and SAT; state exit exam based; and End of Course based courses. Christine taught high school for six years and taught elementary for two years in both public and private schools. She also has experience as a project manager and consultant for a voice and data services company. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and has ELL and bilingual endorsements.

Lori Ventura, Director of Curriculum Development, Math, Science, and Application Electives

Lori Ventura is a curriculum and instructional designer involved in planning and implementing Education2020’s unique online educational programs. She holds a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instructional Design from University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science in Math Education from Southwest Missouri State University. Before joining Education2020, Lori worked for Dial Corporation as a training coordinator responsible for organizing and developing new business process procedures in SAP. Lori spent 10 years in the classroom teaching middle school math and algebra and was heavily involved in the district professional development and curriculum cadres.

Vivian Lemanowski, Director of Product Marketing

Vivian Lemanowski joined e2020 in 2010. Most recently, she was with Pearson Digital Learning for 6 years in marketing, product management and development. In addition to her most recent experience, Vivian is also a former middle and high school science educator and elementary school principal. Her graduate work involved how technology can help support second language learners understand the language of science as well as how student misconceptions of lunar phases and topographic maps can help reform science teaching. She has a B.S. in Secondary Science Education from Central Michigan University, an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and continued towards her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction until 2005.