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Debbie is the CEO of GenTech and started the company in 2016 with a group of 22 tech-savvy, high school students. “It was truly their idea after attempting to start a tech business in our high school media center for so many years.” Deb has always been an advocate of sharing technical expertise to others and she’s always been a geek.
Technology students today have remarkable and intuitive tech skills and are consistently sought out to fix tech things and answer tech questions. It seemed like a perfect idea to connect these kids with a world that needs tech help.
Early in her teaching career, Debbie became part of the international GenYes tech leadership program and with an enthusiastic recruitment of amazing students they developed a rockstar technology program.
This technology program inspired GenYES students to be crazy creative. They built interactive walls, 6th sense digital devices, microcomputers, pi vehicles, robotic machines, blender images and CAD design for 3D printing, solar powered cars and more.
Kids managed large hardware repair projects and assisted with professional development to hundreds of educators in technology forums, tech fairs and conference workshops.
It wasn’t uncommon during class time to see interactions with personnel from MIT, ASU and Stanford Universities on the telepresence monitor in the computer lab or see her students presenting in Apple, HP, Cisco and CTE conferences and EdTech projects across the nation.
Over the years, the Shadow GenYes program gained national attention, industry recognition and dozens of visits from educators worldwide.
In 2015, Shadow kids won gold medals at SkillsUSA Nationals for their Entrepreneurship idea: Generation Tech Support.
Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Debbie came to Arizona to attend college. Instead, she learned to fly, traveled, lived in Italy, married, had two kids, sold real estate and didn’t come back to academia for about 20 years.
Today when not teaching, geeking out on a new technology, developing curriculum or promoting GenTech, Debbie loves spending time with her family; Son John, and Stephanie, daughter Kristen and Josh and five awesome grandkids.
Debbie currently lives in Moon Valley, survived by husband Frank of 37 years, with a rescue pup named Ozzy who can often be found frequenting GenTech.
1999 Arizona State University
Bachelor of Arts Education Degree
Special Education K-12, EH, BD, Cross Categorical
Career & Technology Education CTE
Educational Technology Endorsement, HQ
2010 Maricopa Community College System
Adjunct Professor Certification, IT Essentials Computer Information Systems Certification
2016 – Present: GenTech CEO
Enterprise designed to champion high school and college technology students who co-manage a tech hub that serves the community in tech support for all computing and digital devices, programs, apps and operating systems. Outreach projects to schools include after school and curricular STEM program development and technical professional development.
2008 – 2016: Shadow Mountain High School, Paradise Valley Schools
Grades 9-12 Media Specialist, CTE Technology Instructor, Department Chair, GenYES Advisor, Computer Science, Innovative Technologies, Hardware, Sustainability, Microprocessors, Web Design, 3D Printing, Lasers, Coding, Kinect Hacks, CAD, Mac, Windows, Linux, Internationally recognized GenYES Program. Developed a ‘State of the Art’ technology lab. Distinguished Educator.
1999 – 2008: Roadrunner School, Paradise Valley Schools
Grades K-12 Instructor of Technology, English, Workplace Skills to self-contained emotionally handicapped, severe behavior disorder students.
2010 – 2016: Rio Salado College
Adjunct Technology Instructor for dual enrollment college degree programs: CIS105, CIS114, CIS120, CIS 230
1999 – 2016: PV Schools Committees & Positions
• PV Technology Advisory Board
3G committee discerned policymaking, tech spending and deployment throughout PV School District.
• PV Technology Curriculum Chair
Design and development of PV Elementary, Middle and High School technology curriculums in collaboration with PV administrators, teachers, CTE and ADE
• Rio Salado College IT Program
Development of Maricopa College dual enrollment curriculum for Information Technology students. Alignment with GenYES high school program. Signature PV Program
• PV Professional Development
Professional development Instructor to over 3000 educators in digital teaching methods, Mac iOS, Microsoft/Windows, Google apps, web design, digital media, and many educational software and application programs.
• PV IT Support:
Responsible for troubleshooting technology issues after hours inclusive of: IFAS, Mascot, AVID, Cisco Systems, pOSE, Infinite Campus SIS systems, and all staff tech questions through districtwide support line. Set up labs, networks and servers.
1981 – 1999: John Hall & Associates Inc.
Commercial and residential real estate sales agent responsible for over $22.4 million in sales, leasing, franchising and relocation services. Trainer for MLS, CAD Systems. Presidents Round Table, Top 10% Sales Producer
1977 – 1980: Cleveland Police Department
Juvenile Support Officer tasked with creating alternative programs for first time juvenile offenders and incarcerated youth. Chaired the “Ohio Support Initiative” grant of $2.5 million designed to bridge the business community with schools in opportunities and support services.
1975 – 1977 Pietra Santa, Italy, Europe
Travel, study. Croce Verde programs with youth
1972 – 1974 Anderson Aviation
Fixed base operation receptionist, flight club officer and flight instruction scheduler.
