Leadership

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Tony brings a wealth of knowledge and talent to MCEA, leveraging a 30 year career focused on education, program development, and management within the science museum industry. His vast experience includes numerous leadership roles with notable institutions including Boston’s Museum of Science and Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry, where he served for nearly 20 years leading initiatives in education, STEAM programs, exhibits & exhibitions, and fundraising.

Contact Tony at anthony@meteorcratereducation.org or on LinkedIn

Chairmain of the Board / MCEA

Drew Barringer retired in June 2024 as the Chairman and CEO of The Barringer Crater Company after 43 years as both a shareholder and an executive for the family company. The company owns the Barringer Meteorite Crater, more commonly known as Meteor Crater.  During his 32-year tenure as CEO, he helped develop and maintain relationships with universities, research institutions, and scientists worldwide interested in impact cratering. Under his leadership, The Barringer Crater Company established a grants program to support field research by graduate and postgraduate students from universities around the globe.

When he retired, over 100 students had received grants from The Barringer Family Fund for Meteorite Impact Research. In addition to this fund, he oversaw the company’s support of numerous research projects at known or suspected impact sites worldwide. He was an active member of the Meteoritical Society, serving for many years on the Society’s Endowment and Finance Committee. His interest in the Meteor Crater Education Alliance stems from The Barringer Crater Company’s purpose statement: To preserve and protect the crater and to support scientific research, education, and the inspiration of the public.

BOARD MEMBER, METEOR CRATER

In 2019, Matthew Kent assumed the position of President & CEO of Meteor Crater Enterprises, Inc. and CEO of the Bar T Bar Ranch Company. Since that time, he has set a new vision and path for Meteor Crater and has developed the already popular attraction into a world-class science facility. Kent oversees all aspects of the company business including operations, marketing, and financial strategy. He successfully launched Planet Science, a new science-based store in downtown Flagstaff, and the Meteor Crater Education Alliance which is a non-profit educational charity where he serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Matthew Kent makes his home in Flagstaff, Arizona, and enjoys cooking, the arts, playing golf, and fishing.

Contact Matthew Kent on LinkedIn

MANAGER, GARRATT-CALLAHAN COMPANY

Mr. Grede graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology. He went on to work at the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, specializing in evaluating groundwater impacts, evaluating surface water discharge and chemistry with the US Geological Survey, and managing the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program - enrolling citizen scientists throughout Illinois. After working in Illinois, Mr. Grede worked as an environmental consultant in central California, performing soil and groundwater evaluations from underground fuel tanks, and landfills, and conducting numerous environmental site assessments.

Relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area, Mr. Grede became the Technical Manager for Waste Management, evaluating incoming waste streams for compliance with landfill permits, operating conditions, and California rules and regulations. Mr. Grede presented multiple training sessions on environmental, health and safety, and transportation of hazardous materials while at Waste Management and subsequently at a medical waste incinerator, and Republic Services. Kaiser Permanente provided additional opportunities for training and program implementation in the medical field, followed by leading environmental, health, and safety, and hazardous materials transportation programs at a private water treatment chemical manufacturing company.

Mr. Grede serves on the Board of Directors for the Flagstaff Arboretum, Meteor Crater Education Alliance, as a program evaluator for the Arizona Community Foundation, and works on special projects at Lowell Observatory.

VP OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION, METEOR CRATER

Lea Clifton serves as the Vice President of Finance & Administration for Meteor Crater Enterprises, providing financial leadership across company divisions. Before joining MCE, she was an executive for private businesses, planning and implementing performance transformations. 

 During her board tenure at the Flagstaff Family Food Center from 2018-2024, Lea served as Treasurer and Secretary. She is currently a Trustee for a private foundation.

 Lea has a graduate degree in Accounting (University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School, MAC, 2022) and is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma. This international business honor society recognizes high-performing students.  She is a Prosci® certified change practitioner and a former business and technical writing instructor with degrees in English (Texas A&M University, B.A., 1995, M.A., 1997). She enjoys fishing, skiing, hiking, and spending time with her husband and her three daughters.

Jonathan Nez is the former President and Vice President of the Navajo Nation. His career in public service began at the grassroots level as Vice President of the Shonto Chapter, eventually expanding to positions on the Navajo Nation Council and the Navajo County Board of Supervisors.

 In 2024, Nez made history as the first Indigenous candidate in Arizona to secure a major party nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives, earning the Democratic nomination for Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District.

Alongside his wife, Phefelia, he co-founded Nez Consulting, LLC, a leadership and consulting firm based in Flagstaff, Arizona, where the couple resides.

Mr. Deren has spent 44 years helping companies optimize product and process development, evolving his focus toward workforce development through academic enablement. Over the past seven years, he has applied his industry expertise to advancing STEM education in the K–Gray market, inspiring younger generations by connecting academic learning to real-world career opportunities.

Specializing in building bridges between academia and industry, Mr. Deren develops skills that make students “relevant” to manufacturers facing workforce and innovation challenges. He retired from Siemens in January 2024 as an executive leading Academic Enablement across the Americas, later working with the U.S. Department of Energy to prepare students (K–12 through higher ed) for roles in reducing carbon-emitting industries.

The creator of numerous Siemens STEM programs, Mr. Deren continues to serve on multiple industry, academic, and STEM advisory boards. Based in the greater Phoenix, AZ area, he volunteers with STEM competitions such as Future Cities and GCSP, is an active member of INCOSE (Central AZ Chapter), and is a sought-after speaker on Industry 4.0, systems engineering, and model-based topics.

Jon Hansen is the President of Loven Contracting, where he provides leadership and strategic oversight on technically demanding projects throughout Northern Arizona, specializing in healthcare and energy infrastructure. With more than two decades of professional experience and a strong background in civil engineering, Jon has spent over 11 years driving operational excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth at Loven Contracting.

A lifelong Arizona resident, Jon chose Flagstaff as his home following his graduation from Northern Arizona University, where he earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering. Committed to enhancing the quality of life in the greater Flagstaff area, he actively engages in community service and leadership roles. In his spare time, Jon enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters.

Jon’s philanthropic endeavors include significant leadership with the Boys and Girls Club of Flagstaff, where he has served multiple terms on the Board of Directors, including as Chair. 

Jon Hansen is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Arizona and an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Society for Healthcare Engineering and the Arizona Council of Engineering Companies.