STEM in Action Board Members

STEM in Action’s Board of Directors reflects the broad reach and impact of our programs, uniting leaders from all areas of the STEM community. Our board includes flag officers, accomplished scientists, skilled engineers, dedicated educators, and public relations experts, each offering distinct perspectives and expertise. This wealth of knowledge shapes our strategy with real-world experience and a shared passion for advancing education, fueling our mission to empower the next generation of innovators and leaders.

  • Vice Admiral John “Jay” Donnelly, U.S. Navy, (Ret.) is formerly corporate vice president of advanced technologies for Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) where he was responsible for coordinating Independent Research and Development (IRAD) priorities and technology development.  He retired from this position in July 2020.

    Donnelly served 35 years in the United States Navy.  A submarine officer by training, his commanding officer assignments included USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 709) and USS McKee (AS 41).  Selected to flag rank in 2000, he served as Commander, Submarine Group SEVEN in Yokosuka, Japan and Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet.  His final assignment was as Commander, Submarine Forces, responsible for establishing force-wide strategies on core submarine issues such as force structure, budgetary requirements and manpower.  After retiring from the Navy, Donnelly initially served as vice president with the advanced technologies group of Oceaneering International, Inc. before moving to Huntington Ingalls Industries, the nation’s largest shipbuilder.

    A native of Groton, Connecticut and a second-generation submarine officer, he was a physics major and distinguished graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy class of 1975. He received a Master of Science degree in Engineering Acoustics from the Naval Postgraduate School and attended MIT Seminar XXI on Foreign Politics, International Relations, and National Interest.

    Donnelly lives in Annapolis, Maryland with his wife of 44 years.  They have three married children and a daughter-in-law who each became naval officers following college.  Jay and his wife are happily accumulating grandchildren.

  • Tanya Rankin, a resident of Brandon, Mississippi, serves as Vice President of the C Spire Foundation, where she champions initiatives in STEAM education, digital literacy, and workforce development, all aimed at improving lives through technology. With nearly three decades of expertise in public relations, brand strategy, and event planning for leading technology firms—including C Spire, Affiliated Computer Services, Dataplex, and SunRiver Corporation—Ms. Rankin is recognized for her leadership and commitment to community advancement. A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a B.S. in Marketing Management and international marketing studies at the London School of Economics, she is a member of the Public Relations Association of America and the Southern Public Relations Federation. Her professional excellence has been acknowledged through honors such as PRAM’s Outstanding Professional of the Year and Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 50 Businesswomen. Among her signature achievements are the Mississippi Science Fest, the C3 Jr. coding challenge, and the STEAMposium conference, each fostering innovation and inspiring the next generation of technologists.


    After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi with a B.S. in marketing management and an emphasis in advertising and attending a summer studying international marketing at the London School of Economics, Tanya’s experience includes nearly three decades of public relations, brand strategy, event planning and internal branding for leading technology companies such as C Spire, Affiliated Computer Services (ACS), Dataplex and SunRiver Corporation.

    Professional associations include the Public Relations Association of America, Mississippi Central Chapter, and the Southern Public Relations Federation. Tanya has been recognized as PRAM’s Outstanding Professional of the Year and as one of Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 50 Businesswomen.

    Signature events include the Mississippi Science Fest presented by the C Spire Foundation which includes a week of STEM activities throughout Mississippi such as C3 Jr., a fourth grade coding challenge, and STEAMposium, a tech conference focusing on new technologies including artificial intelligence and machine learning.

  • STEM in Action Board Secretary

    John Brenke is a strategic executive whose 27-year career has been defined by his ability to drive organizational growth, navigate complexity, and cultivate competitive advantage. Renowned for his mastery of statistical analysis, market assessment, and risk evaluation, Mr. Brenke possesses a unique talent for distilling actionable insights from data and connecting quantitative findings with broader historical and cultural contexts. His visualizations and narratives empower audiences to grasp complex technical issues, while his commitment to mentorship has accelerated the development of emerging leaders. Mr. Brenke’s expertise continues to shape organizations seeking clarity and direction in an ever-evolving landscape.

  • Co-Founder of the JROTC STEM Leadership Academy (est 2015)

    Lieutenant Colonel Barrow’s, U.S. Army (Ret.), distinguished career spans nearly five decades. Born in Wiesbaden, Germany, and raised in Mobile, Alabama, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of South Alabama, complemented by advanced degrees in administration, liberal arts, and education. A graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College and the Armed Forces Staff College, Colonel Barrow’s service included command and operational assignments in Germany, Fort Bragg, and NATO headquarters in Ramstein. Upon retiring from the Army, he dedicated himself to shaping future leaders as Senior Army Instructor and later Director of Army Instruction for Mobile County Public Schools. Now a consultant specializing in JROTC integration with STEM and workforce development, Colonel Barrow’s legacy is further distinguished by numerous decorations, including the Legion of Merit and the Master Parachutist Badge, and by his steadfast commitment to mentorship and service. Lieutenant Colonel Barrow is married to the former Cheryl K. Ellis of Daphne, Alabama. They have two daughters, Corey and Lauren.

  • Misty Shaw-Feder, APR, CDME, is a development professional at the R&B Feder Foundation, where she helps advance military history, cultural, and arts initiatives across Mississippi. With more than 20 years of experience as a marketing executive, Misty is skilled in digital strategy, nonprofit management, crisis communications, event planning, and media relations. She holds a Master of Business Administration in Economics from William Carey College and brings a strong business development perspective to her work.

  • Shalaya Morisette stands at the vanguard of the clean energy revolution as Vice President of Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives at Walker-Miller Energy Services. Her career encompasses pivotal leadership roles at the U.S. Department of Energy, where she advanced economic empowerment in the energy sector. Ms. Morisette’s expertise spans utility safety, compliance, higher education, and global transportation, and her service as the first African American board member of New England Women in Energy and Environment and as past president of the Greater Boston chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy. A passionate advocate for youth and clean technology, she holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Georgia Gwinnett College and a Master of Education from Cambridge College, and continues to inspire through her work with Girls Inc., Wr

  • Vice Admiral Fred Midgette retired from the Coast Guard in 2018 after 36 years of service. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Military Officers Association of America, the U.S. Naval Institute, and as a Senior Advisor with The Chertoff Group.

    Notable assignments included Commander of Coast Guard Pacific Area and Defense Forces West, Deputy Commandant for Operations, Commander of the 9 the Coast Guard District, and military advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security.

    A career Cutterman, he served afloat in seven cutters (commanding four) and a Spruance Class Destroyer earning designation as a Coast Guard Cutterman and a Navy Surface Warfare Officer. He was the 14th Gold Ancient Mariner of the Coast Guard. He is the father, son and grandson of Coast Guardsmen.

    He served in joint assignments at U.S. Northern Command, the legacy U.S. Customs Service, as Executive Director of The Interdiction Committee in Washington DC, and on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon.

    A native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, he holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, a M.S. in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.

  • Dr. Nashlie Sephus is a pioneering force in artificial intelligence and community empowerment, serving as Principal AI/ML Evangelist for Amazon AI, where she leads efforts to ensure fairness in machine learning systems. Previously, as Chief Technology Officer of the acclaimed startup Partpic—acquired by Amazon—Dr. Sephus spearheaded the development of visual search technology now integral to the Amazon Shopping app. A native of Jackson, Mississippi, she earned her Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Georgia Tech and her B.S. from Mississippi State University, with research spanning digital signal processing and machine learning. Dr. Sephus is the founder and CEO of The Bean Path, a nonprofit dedicated to bridging the digital divide through free technical consulting, youth coding workshops, and the ambitious Jackson Tech District project. Her influence extends across academic, entrepreneurial, and nonprofit spheres, where she is celebrated as a mentor, advisor, and advocate.

  • STEM in Action Board Counsel

    Mr. Flottman is an accomplished attorney with a 25-year career advising government contractors in the defense and healthcare sectors. Renowned for his expertise in federal contracts, compliance, investigations, and restructuring, he possesses a deep command of the Federal Acquisition Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards, and the operational nuances of both Navy and industrial environments. A graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School and licensed in Mississippi, Mr. Flottman has successfully led major contract appeals, national bankruptcy practices, and federal fraud prosecutions. Beyond his professional achievements, he serves as pro bono general counsel and board member for nonprofit organizations dedicated to international development and energy transition, reflecting his unwavering commitment to public service and ethical leadership.