Administration:

Todd Hackett: CEO

Todd Hackett is the owner of a successful construction company in Iowa who first became aware of PCS Edventures as an investment opportunity in 2007. Over the past five years, his involvement with PCS has grown from a casual investor to a strong advocate for bringing educational opportunities to both children and young adults to strengthen their knowledge in math and science. He has demonstrated his abilities in the building of his own company from a startup in 1981 to a major construction firm now handling multimillion-dollar projects. Many of his projects involve educational institutions such as community colleges, middle schools, libraries, and applied technology labs.

Mr. Hackett is actively involved in his community, is passionate about the potential of PCS Edventures and is actively engaged in helping to create a company with deep shareholder value which also actively works to improve STEM education around the world. He and his wife, Tricia, have been together for 26 years and have three children.


Mike Bledsoe: President

Michael Bledsoe joined PCS Edventures in July of 2016. As President and a member of the Board of Directors, he brings over 20 years of financial experience, executive leadership and strategic management to his position. Mike received a BBA in Quantitative Management with an emphasis in Finance, from Boise State University in 1989 and was honored as the top graduate in his major. In 1993, he earned his MBA from Boise State University.

Prior to joining PCS Edventures, Mike spent his career in the investment management field, most recently at D.A. Davidson, where he was a Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager for 18 years. He earned the CFA Charterholder designation in 1994 and was an adjunct faculty member at Boise State University, where he taught classes in Personal Investing, fostering his passion for education and the sculpting of tomorrow’s best thinkers. In his free time, Mike enjoys spending time with his wife, Karen, and their two children.


Stephanie Gitter

Stephanie Gitter: Corporate Controller

Stephanie joined PCS Edventures in April of 2021. She brings 25+ years of experience in accounting, from different industries ranging from non-profits, gaming manufacturing, sport/entertainment promotion, construction and retail. She is dedicated, trustworthy, strong in problem solving and meeting deadlines. Stephanie received her Bachelor of Science with an emphasis in Accounting from the University of Las Vegas Nevada.

Stephanie, her husband Tom, 2 dogs and 2 cats moved from Las Vegas to Kuna in late March of 2021. Together (with their 2 dogs) they enjoy discovering new lakes to fish and kayak.


Diane Hagwood: Purchasing Administrator

Diane has been the Purchasing Administrator at PCS Edventures since 2014. Diane brings her extensive procurement expertise from the floral industry. She became a Master Designer and later a purchasing agent and supply department manager at a wholesale florist. Her work took her on yearly purchasing trips to The World Trade Center. She continued to flourish as the General Manager at a local wholesale floral company while conducting purchasing affairs. After working many years in the industry and doing freelance work across Idaho, Diane found her home at PCS Edventures.

With over 21 years of experience in procurement, Diane is an essential member of the PCS team, as she oversees purchasing, enabling the company to grow. Diane loves her role at PCS Edventures and enjoys living in Meridian, Idaho with her husband and four dogs.



Product Development:

Michelle Victor: Director of STEM Development

Joining PCS in early 2015, Michelle and her unique skill set have thrived as Director of STEM Development, where she is responsible for curriculum evolution, product development coordination and professional lead acquisition. Earning her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Cornell University in 2011 and Master of Arts in Teaching from Willamette University in 2013, she started teaching high school biology and chemistry in Salem, Oregon. Later moving to math and science in Umatilla, Oregon, she brings a long list of achievements and experience to her position.

From coaching middle school robotics teams and working as program resource staff at summer camps, to tutoring elementary through adult math students at the Sylvan Learning Center, undergraduate chemistry students at Cornell Learning Strategies Center and Spanish-speaking farmworkers through Cornell Friends of Farmworkers, Michelle’s vast educational adventures solidify her as an expert in STEM education and as an integral part of the PCS Edventures team.


Tyler Downey: STEM Education Specialist & Training Coordinator

Tyler Downey joined PCS in the Spring of 2018, bringing a BA in Philosophy and MA in Education to his position as a STEM Education Specialist. Devoting himself to education for the last 20 years, Tyler has worked with students as an elementary classroom teacher, full-time gifted education instructor, librarian and he has even taught computer and information technology classes, as well as coding and hands-on science courses, in summer, after school and club classroom settings.

Throughout his career, Tyler has passionately devoted himself to promoting critical thinking and a love for learning. He is a lifelong learner who continually seeks to expand his knowledge in both his professional and personal life. Tyler is thrilled to join the PCS team, and can’t wait to share his love for STEM education with the students of today.


Emilia Ryan: Art Director

Emi joined PCS Edventures in 2016. A transplant from Poland, she brings over 20 years of experience to PCS Edventures. She has a Bachelor’s in Printing and Book Design from a Technical University in Warsaw, Poland. Emilia spent her early professional years as the Head of Production for a Polish company which created and distributed Yellow Pages for all major Polish cities.

In the mid 90’s, Emi worked as a Graphic Designer for the Legal Times, later for the Washington Hospital Center in Washington DC before transitioning to Boise, Idaho. She is the perfect addition to the PCS Edventures Team. In her spare time, Emilia enjoys painting, yoga, swimming, hiking and traveling with her husband and two daughters.


Jim Schmidt. Ed.D.: Educational Specialist

With over 20 years of experience in public school education and administration and a strong background in industry partnerships and workforce development, Dr. Schmidt is uniquely qualified to facilitate professional and program development initiatives in STEM areas. He has managed statewide training programs in the state of Idaho, including the creation of the Dehryl A. Dennis Professional Technical Center, one of the top high school technical educational facilities in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Schmidt joined the PCS education team in 2007 after retiring from the Boise School District.


Jan Zatloukal: Instructional Designer

Jan joined PCS Edventures in August 2022 as an instructional designer. He brings a BS in Education from the University of Idaho and whether it’s in a classroom or out in the field, Jan built a reputation for inspiring learners to explore the exciting possibilities of STEAM. Jan’s experience includes teaching and developing engaging lessons in elementary science and mathematics, engineering, robotics, programming, career exploration and computer aided design.

He currently lives in Boise, Idaho with his husband Benton and their three cats. In his spare time, Jan can be found playing video games, cooking and learning about the world through travel.


Beth Schadd

Beth Schadd: Instructional Designer

Hailing from Wisconsin, Beth Schadd moved to Idaho in 2008 in search of adventure. There she earned two Master’s degrees in Environmental Science and Education from the University of Idaho, as well as other outdoor education certifications. Beth has developed experiential curriculum for science centers, museums, day camps and outdoor programs both nationally and internationally.

Prior to becoming an educator, Beth spent countless hours in various labs as both a researcher and manager. Whether it is in the classroom, or the great outdoors, Beth is always looking for new and exciting ways to engage learners of all ages and backgrounds and build collaborative partnerships with local organizations. Though always a Cheesehead, she currently splits her time between Idaho and Florida and enjoys exploring the unique beauty of both states.


Sonia Galaviz: Trainer / Consultant

Sonia Galaviz is a 5th-grade elementary teacher in Boise, Idaho. She has taught in both the primary and intermediate grades and teaches as an adjunct faculty for University of Phoenix and Boise State University. In 2009 she received the honor of Idaho Woman of the Year from the Idaho Business Review. In 2011 Sonia was one of five educators in the nation chosen to receive an award in Excellence in Culturally Responsive Pedagogy from Teaching Tolerance. Sonia serves on the state board for the Idaho Education Association and works with PCS to test curriculum and share STEM education best practices with other educators.


Nikki Yates: Trainer / Former Director of STEM Lab Operations

Nikki is an Idaho native, receiving a BS in Environmental Policy and Planning from the University of Idaho before becoming an Environmental Education and Science Teacher in Colebrook, Connecticut. After a year of teaching, the world called her abroad so Nikki joined the Peace Corps as an Education Volunteer in a rural village in Tanzania where she taught biology and physics at an all-girls secondary school. After relocating to Boise, Nikki served as the PCS Edventures Lab Director for several years. She now has a Masters in STEM Education and teaches math and computer science at an alternative high school, where she continues to spread her passion for hands-on learning experiences.


Kellie Dean: Trainer / Former Director of Curriculum Development

Kellie Dean proudly holds a BA in Elementary Education and is certified with the State of Idaho as a K-8 educator. Kellie’s career began with the Meridian School District where she spent 12 years as a classroom teacher. In 2001, Kellie left the classroom to begin her second career in education. She began writing, promoting and implementing an education program for a history museum. After 7 years at the Warhawk Air Museum, Kellie opened another door within the education profession, training teachers and after-school facilitators for PCS Edventures. Today she works as an instructional coach for the Emmett School District and moonlights as a PCS trainer.



Sales:

Suzy Haislip: Director of Business Development & STEM Education Specialist

Suzy joined PCS Edventures in June of 2001. From a young age, Suzy was always team-oriented, a leader, a strong communicator and a hard worker who thrived in competitive sports like basketball and volleyball. She went on to play Volleyball at College of Idaho. She then transferred to Boise State University where she continued her studies in Business and Communications. She interned for the CEO of US West and Quest Corporation and became the project director for the WOW program, traveling throughout the state of Idaho training teachers and students how to use the internet.

Suzy is always eager for a good business opportunity. She has performed numerous hands-on workshops for K-12 STEM educators and currently works as a STEM program specialist promoting STEAM and drone education solutions to schools throughout the country.


Ryan Byard: Sales Coordinator & Channel Partner Development

As Channel Partner Developer, Ryan is responsible for fostering new relationships with the companies and individuals who share an interest in expanding and accelerating STEM education worldwide. Growing up in Southern California, he attended Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, CA. After school, he entered the hardwood lumber industry, building a name for himself in a thriving lumber business with locations throughout California.

In the summer of 2016, Ryan moved to Boise, Idaho to explore new opportunities outside of the lumber industry. With the tremendous growth of the STEM fields, he looks forward to seeing just how much he can change the educational landscape through his expansion of the PCS Edventures name, curriculum, products and vision.


Khloe Kyllonen: Sales Coordinator

Khloe joined PCS Edventures in 2022 as a Sales Coordinator and helps with processing orders, answering customer service calls and planning trade show events. Khloe is an Idaho native, originally from Sandpoint. In high school, she was Sandpoint’s first ever tennis state champion during her senior year in 2017. After high school, she went to Washington State University her freshman year. She then transferred to the University of Idaho where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Sciences and Psychology in 2021. Khloe took on many leadership roles in college including being a peer mentor, the treasurer of the Pre-Physical and Pre-Occupational Therapy Club, and has led many intramural sports. Following college, she took some time to save money and continued working in the food service industry before moving down to Boise in November 2021.

In Khloe’s free time she enjoys playing sports, skiing, swimming, hiking, and being outdoors. Since a young age Khloe was extremely interested in STEM education. She is excited to dedicate her work to helping other young students get involved with STEM education.



Marketing & Tech:

Cynthia Hernandez: Director of Marketing & Technology

After guiding PCS as an independent contractor for three years behind-the-scenes, Cynthia joined the Edventures team in early Spring 2018 as the Director of Sales and Marketing. As a tech-savvy digital media and marketing expert with over 20 years experience, Cynthia has put her goal-oriented and strategic thinking in motion as she works with the team to take the company to the next level.

Cynthia is always eager to delve into the next project and excels at identifying, fine-tuning and executing online strategies to garner positive results for both businesses and consumers alike. Having already jump-started the brand, we are beyond thrilled to see how Cynthia’s extensive set of skills will continue to foster the PCS Edventures curriculum, content and global pursuits.


Moira: Marketing and IT Manager

Moira is a Boise native with a bachelor's in IT and Programming. Here at PCS Edventures, she leads and assists with IT and marketing projects. She is well-versed in digital tools and has helped improve websites and databases, direct and edit videos, launch effective marketing campaigns and write both creative blog articles and technical documentation.

In her free time, Moira enjoys writing fiction, drawing, watching cartoons and playing RPGs. You may find her at local comic conventions or art fairs.


Jessica Ventre: Writer & Education Specialist

Jessica joined the PCS team as an independent contractor in Summer 2021 and is thrilled to be combining her love of STEM education with her passion for writing. A Jersey girl through and through, she graduated from Rider University, earning her Bachelor of Arts in both Elementary Education and English. While working as a fourth/fifth-grade teacher, Jessica designed and facilitated workshops for educators as her school district’s K-5 Science Instructional Coach. She has since continued to help reimagine education as a copywriter and instructional designer.

Committed to being a lifelong learner, Jessica enjoys exploring new topics in education whenever she can. In her free time, she can be found reading, watching food-based competition shows, and spending time with family.


Marissa Rosol: 4th Grade Teacher, Writer & Instructional Coach

Marissa is a 4th-Grade elementary teacher in New Jersey. She joined PCS Edventures as an independent contractor in August of 2022. Marissa holds a Bachelor’s degree in both Elementary Education and English from Rowan University. Marissa believes hands-on activities are key to inspiring learners and loves developing cross-curricular, student-led lessons. Along with teaching, Marissa serves as a Literacy Coach for her district. In this role, she leads professional development sessions for fellow educators. Her passion for literacy, STEAM and student collaboration guides both her classroom instruction and workshop facilitation.

In her free time, Marissa enjoys reading, spending time at the beach and trying new recipes. Her favorite days are those spent with family.



Warehouse:

Bob Floyd: Warehouse Manager

Bob Floyd has been with the PCS Edventures family since 2008, earning the title of The Fastest Shipper in the Northwest. With over 20 years of experience in warehouse management, Mr. Floyd runs the day-to-day operations of the Boise Warehouse with finesse and accuracy. He receives products, kits, orders and ships around the globe. Mr. Floyd received his AA from CSI in Twin Falls, Idaho where he graduated proudly as Student Body President and the Golden Eagle Mascot.