Staff

Michele Laverty

Director

Michele oversees all aspects of this $24 million project including design, fund development, marketing, and volunteer and staff management. Michele has been involved in the National Ag Science Center project, both as a staff person and volunteer for over 11 years. She is active in the public advocacy arena making regular trips to Washington DC for the project. She is also a member of the California Association of Museums Advocacy Committee.

Michele Laverty is a graduate of San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and a minor in chemistry. Since her arrival in Stanislaus County 16 years ago Michele has been active in many areas of the agricultural community as a member of Farm Bureau and California Women for Agriculture. She also served as editor of the weekly Stanislaus Farm News for two years.

An active community member, Michele is involved in many health and human service and education organizations in Stanislaus County. She is a member of Omega Nu and is a founding board member of the Stanislaus Union School District Foundation which is working to support arts and literacy education for the Stanislaus Union School District. Michele is also active in her church, a regular volunteer for her children’s school and a Cub Scout leader. She is also a graduate of the California Agricultural Leadership Program.

Michele and her husband, Philip, live in Modesto with their two sons, Kenneth and Matthew.

Jenny Stolle

Mobile Lab Coordinator

Jenny is the newest member to the NASC family. Starting August 2011, she became the Mobile Lab Coordinator for our latest project, Ag In Motion, where she coordinates with teachers and administration for all Stanislaus County middle schools, teaches the lab activities during visits, and helps with the development of lab curriculum. Since coming to work for the National Ag Science Center, she has reached over 7,000 students and over 45 schools with in Stanislaus County and some Merced County with the lab.

Jenny is a graduate of California Baptist University with a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology and is now in the process of completing a teaching credential with National University. She has plans to continue her education and involvement with in the agricultural community.

Jenny is involved with and participates in many events to raise funds and awareness for organizations like the American Cancer Society, the Wounded Warrior Project and the California Peace Officers Memorial Foundation.

Andrea Covolo

Special Events Manager

Andrea manages our special events department. Her 25 years of experience in sales management, marketing and non-profit development has prepared her well for the many facets of event planning. Andrea oversees our fundraising events from beginning to end; including logistics, marketing, volunteer management, strategic planning and post event analysis.

A native of Minnesota, Andrea holds a Bachelors Degree in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations from the University of South Dakota.

Andrea lives in Modesto with her husband Chuck and her two daughters Emily and Courtney.

Trisa Parker

Administrative Coordinator

Trisa, our Administrative Coordinator, works closely with all other staff to develop this one of a kind Ag Science museum. She started out in August 2008 and has continued to be a rewarding employee. She helped with the launch of Ag In Motion, which continues to visit 7th & 8th graders in Stanislaus county. Most recently, Trisa started assisting our accounting department in the upkeep of our Quick Books database.  She also works on our networking, website and databases ensuring that all records are accurate and the website is always updated.

Trisa volunteers her time to various agricultural organizations in addition to managing contract assignments with various individuals & companies.  She and her husband, Ernest, live in Modesto with their son, Ezekiel.