Meet the Team
Meet the people whose hard work brings engaging science to children in Yolo County and beyond!
Explorit is governed by a volunteer board of trustees and operated by a professional staff with the assistance of many loyal volunteers.
GIDEON ALSTON
Educator
Gideon is a Naturalist, who has spent years working with kids of all ages, in the deep wilderness, in the classroom setting, and everywhere in between. He loves helping people appreciate the natural world by teaching them how to interpret animal signs, while coexisting with nature. Gideon’s educational background is in Anthropology, Sustainable Development, and Biology, and he uses these disciplines to help increase kids’ interest in Nature. With his farming background, Gideon enjoys helping people learn how to grow their own food in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.
ANNA FANTASIA
Office Manager
Anna’s educational background is in English Literature and Cultural Anthropology, with an emphasis in Archaeology and the Humanities. She has worked exclusively in the Museum industry for over 25 years in visitor services, gift shop, administrative and office management positions. At Explorit, you can often find her scheduling educational programs, corresponding with teachers, families, and local businesses, and handling the day to day finances. She is excited to offer support to the education staff so they can continue to provide the best science programming in the region.
SARA THOMPSON
Educator, Volunteer Coordinator
Sara Thompson was born and raised in Montana and has always enjoyed science and nature. She attended Montana State University where she studied Paleontology and Museum Studies. She came to California in 2012 and began volunteering at Explorit Science Center. She accepted a part-time paid position at Explorit in 2015 working the Public Hours and weekend science themed Birthday Parties. Over the years her experience and responsibilities grew, and she is now a Program Educator and the Volunteer Coordinator. Sara wants to continue working in museums and advocating the importance scientific learning. Her career goals are to be a Collections Manager of a Paleontology or Earth Science collection at a Natural History Museum.
Explorit Staff
Board of Trustees
Explorit Board Mission:
Through proper and effective governance and stewardship to enable Explorit to carry out its programmatic mission throughout the area.
Our trustees (members of the Board of Directors) are elected to two year terms. They represent a geographical area that roughly represents our service area and they represent a variety of areas within science, business, and professional expertise. Each trustee is required to make an annual monetary contribution. Officers of the board are elected at the Annual Meeting to one-year terms.
" I am proud to be a part of Explorit's important role of supporting and creating tomorrow's scientists. We ensure access to hands-on, fun learning experiences for families throughout the region."
" I am proud to be a part of Explorit's important role of supporting and creating tomorrow's scientists. We ensure access to hands-on, fun learning experiences for families throughout the region."
SHEILA ALLEN
President
Sheila Allen has been a board member since 2013 and president of the board since 2017. Dr. Allen is the Executive Director of Yolo Healthy Aging Alliance, a local non-profit, and serves on many community boards including City of Davis Human Relations Commission and Unitrans Advisory Boards, Yolo County In Home Supportive Services Advisory Board and is staff to Yolo County Commission on Aging. She served on the Davis School Board for 9 years. Dr. Allen has a PhD in Nursing and has a research and clinical background in public health and public policy.
" I think it is so very important for kids of all ages to have fun with science as they learn about this complex world around us."
PHYLLIS T. HIMMEL
Vice President
Since earning her Ph.D. in Plant Pathology in 1988, Phyllis's primary research focus has been the discovery and development of disease resistance in vegetable crops. She has 29 years of experience in plant-disease research, research leadership, product discovery, and development in the vegetable seed industry. For the past five years, Phyllis has been based at the UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Center to lead the vegetable seed industry funded Collaboration for the Identification of Plant Pathogen Strains (CPPSI).
"As a former Explorit educator as well as current Board member, one of the most exciting and rewarding things I know is watching a kid’s face when they use science to discover something for themselves about the world around them."
ROBERY TYZZER
Secretary
Bob Tyzzer grew up in San Diego, has a PhD in Anthropology, and enjoys science-fiction, sailing, and working on (and driving!) his two 1960s vintage MG automobiles. In addition to being the Explorit Board secretary, he is also secretary of the board of CONTACT – Cultures of the Imagination, a California non-profit educational corporation that deals with cultural futures and the “active anticipation of the future” through anthropology and other social sciences, science-fiction, and art.
" Explorit provides a wonderful opportunity for hands-on science and exploration for the whole family."
JULIA LANGSTON
Treasurer
Julia Langston is excited to be a new board member with Explorit. As Treasurer, she works with the board and staff to ensure Explorit remains solvent in order to continue providing educational opportunities to our community. She also enjoys maintaining Explorit's outdoor areas to be both visually appealing and educational, working on projects such as our new pollinator garden with both hands-on and remote learning. Julia works in the healthcare field and is looking forward to our programs that connect individual health with our plant’s health.
" Explorit provides a wonderful opportunity for hands-on science and exploration for the whole family."
" As a former park ranger, I can attest to the value of Explorit's hands-on learning and am excited to be a part of it all."
RICK LEFLORE
Board Member
Rick LeFlore has a breadth of experience working for national and state parks, including working as a YCC Crew Leader, Chief Ranger, firefighter, and Environmental Program Manager. Rick enjoys retirement with his wife, Claire, paddling Hawaiian outrigger canoes, building and paddling wooden kayaks, playing ukulele, hiking and camping, traveling, and spending time with his three daughters and two grandchildren. Rick is looking forward to a reopening of cultural, fine arts, and live entertainment venues post-COVID.
" As a former park ranger, I can attest to the value of Explorit's hands-on learning and am excited to be a part of it all."
" I am excited to be on the board to help further science education to the youth of our community."
"I am excited to be on the board to help further science education to the youth of our community."
JOHN HORN
Board Member
John Horn is an electrical engineering manager, working for Intel Corp for the past 35 years. In addition to creating world-changing technology, John enjoys teaching & enabling STEM-related growth to people of all ages. He has been particularly involved in school-related nonprofits for 20+ years and has been a member of Explorit Science Center's Board of Trustees for the past 2 years.
VINITA DOMIER
Board Member
Since moving to Davis in 1993, I have volunteered for local youth, cultural, educational, and charitable organizations. I have been the coordinator and presenter of the Davis Astronomy Club at the Explorit Science Center for about two decades, where I have shared my love of science in general and astronomy in particular with local enthusiasts of all ages.
"I have organized numerous science-based camps for children to spark and sustain the same passion for science that I have always had. Serving on Explorit's board is both a privilege and honor."
Board Info
The overall Board responsibilities are Fund Development, Ambassadorship, Fiscal Oversight, Policy Making, Board Development, and Planning. The board meets at least quarterly and may meet monthly as needed. Board members are elected or re-elected to two-year terms at the Annual meeting in October. Officers are elected or re-elected to one-year terms at the same meeting.
We are currently looking for board members! To apply, please fill out the application below and send to us via email at explorit@explorit.org.
More information...