Dr. Freda Deskin- Chief Executive Officer/Founder
Dr. Freda Deskin is the Chief Executive Officer/Founder of the award-winning Advanced Science and Technology Education Center (ASTEC) of Oklahoma which boast the first start-up charter school in the state. ASTEC has more than 1,000 students in grades 6-12.
Dr. Deskin earned a B.A. in Elementary Education, an M.A. in Secondary Education and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Oklahoma where she was a National Collegiate Scholastic All-American. She holds a certificate in Strategic Management from Harvard University.
As a leader in education for more than thirty-five years, Dr. Deskin taught for fifteen years at the pre-collegiate level and nine years at the university level. She served for six years as a university dean until founding ASTEC in 2000. Dr. Deskin has been honored numerous times at every level for her teaching skills and for her community commitment.
In 1978, Dr. Deskin established the "Oklahoma Odyssey of the Mind," an international program which teaches and rewards creative problem solving. In 1985, she was selected as a finalist in NASA's "Teacher in Space" project, becoming one of only 100 individuals in the world with the official title of "U.S. Space Ambassador." In 1986 Dr. Deskin began the states’ first aerospace summer camps. Under Dr. Deskin's leadership, the program has grown to include outreach programs and teacher training programs throughout the state and nation. Over the past 22 years these programs have reached tens of thousands of participants.
A host of education and business leaders have recognized Dr. Deskin with awards and citations for her outstanding contributions. Dr. Deskin is listed in Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who in the World, Outstanding Women in American and 2000 Notable Women in the US, and the 2002 International Who’s Who of Professional Educators. She was named "Woman of the Year" for Oklahoma by the Girl Scouts and named as one of the “50 Women Making a Difference” in Oklahoma. She received Frank G. Brewer Award for the Southwest Region for outstanding contributions in aerospace education and the prestigious "By-liner” award by Women in Communication. She has been honored by more organizations than can be mentioned, including the Boy Scouts of America, the Girl Scouts of America, the American Institute of Architects. She has developed programs, curriculum guides and books for national educational organizations such as the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, NASA, Disney’s EPCOT Center and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Dr. Deskin has been featured in a number of national publications including Education Week and published, educational videos.
Dr. Deskin is a member of the National and State “Women President’s Organization” (WPO) and the International Women’s Forum. Dr. Deskin serves on the State Individual’s with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Advisory Panel. She is a graduate of Leadership Norman and Leadership Oklahoma. Recently, Deskin was inducted into the Women in Aerospace Hall of Fame in Washington, D.C.
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Mr. Leo Espinoza- Procurement Officer
Leo Espinoza is a native of Southern California. He was an independent business owner in Seattle, WA for more than 25 years before moving to Oklahoma City.
Technology, music and electronics have been hobbies Leo for more than 40 years. In 1998 Mr. Espinoza, began working with ASTEC on a voluntary basis, eventually resulting in the savings of many tens of thousands of dollars through his abilities in procurement and technology.
In the summer of 2003, Mr. Espinoza was hired by ASTEC, Inc. as a network administrator and procurement officer.
He has three grown children and a 15 year old granddaughter.
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Mrs. Lenita Parson- Financial Coordinator
Lenita Parson joined ASTEC, Inc. in July 2005. She earned her B.S. in Business Administration from St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City, Kansas. Prior to coming to ASTEC, Inc. she resided in San Diego, California and worked for CB Richard Ellis, a commercial real estate brokerage firm.
Ms. Parson has 30 years experience in the business field from word processing and marketing to accounts payable. She previously worked for the Seward County Commission as their assistant and as Office Manager for the Special Education Department of Unified School District 480 in Liberal, Kansas. In her free time she enjoys needlework, crafts and spoiling her grandchildren.
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Ms. Shelby Schluchter- Executive Assistant
Shelby Schluchter was born in Dodge City, Kansas before her family moved to Edmond, Oklahoma when she was a year old. She attended Edmond Santa Fe High School where she participated in school productions, Competitive Drama, and played the cello for the school orchestra.
After high school Ms. Schluchter studied English Education at the University of Central Oklahoma and worked for the Edmond Public Schools as a substitute teacher. Ms. Schluchter has also worked at a veterinary clinic as an office assistant and veterinary technician.
In 2004 she went back to real estate school and received her real estate license. She worked for CENTURY 21 Goodyear Green as a Realtor for three years and received the Oklahoma Broker's Council Million Dollar Producer Award First Year in Real Estate and a Million Dollar Producer Award for 2005. She is also a Certified New Homes Sales Specialist for CENTURY 21.
She loves animals and has a Shih Tzu named Fozzie who is her pride and joy. In her spare time she likes to paint pictures, decoupage, repaint old furniture, and listens to music.
Her Mission: "I shall pass this way but once; any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being; let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." -Etienne de Grollet
Her Motto: "Whatever you are, be a good one." - Abe Lincoln
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Ms. Carolyn Parker- Receptionist
Carolyn Parker grew up in Calumet, OK and currently resides in South Oklahoma City. She was previously employed at ASTEC as Middle School Secretary and is enjoying re-connecting with old friends and making new ones. Carolyn has four sons, including an ASTEC Middle School graduate now at the University of Tulsa, and five grandchildren. She enjoys shopping, reading, traveling and movies.
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Mr. Patrick Blake- Maintenance
Patrick Black was born and raised in San Francisco, California, the 6th of 8 children. At age 19 he was drafted into the Army and served for a total of 10 years in Viet Nam, Germany, and Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. After being honorably discharged from the service, Pat and his family decided to settle in Oklahoma, and Pat eventually opened his own nail and staple business, which he operated for many years until he sold out and went into semi-retirement. During his retirement years, he kept busy with home improvement projects and farming activities, as well as some part-time work as a reset manager for various retail stores.
Pat is married and has four children and four grandchildren.
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