Our Board of Directors
NEA State Director
Denise Lake
Denise was elected to represent Utah members of UEA and the Utah School Employees Association on the NEA Board of Directors. She began a three-year term on September 1, 2023. Denise teaches at Mountain Green Elementary in Morgan School District.
Ethnic Minority Director
Michelle D. Smith, Interim Director
Michelle was appointed by the UEA Board of Directors through July 14, 2026 and then elected to a three-year term beginning July 15, 2026.
The UEA Ethnic Minority Director serves on the UEA Board of Directors representing the interests of ethnic minority members throughout the state and serves as chair of the Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee. Michelle is an educator at Viewmont High School.
Alpine Director
Brandon Engles
Brandon was appointed in July 2023 to an interim term representing Alpine UniServ on the UEA Board of Directors. He was elected to a three-year term beginning July 15, 2024.
The Alpine UniServ serves educators in Alpine School District. Brandon teaches at River Rock Elementary.
Color Country Director
Britt Stull
Britt was elected to a three-year term effective July 15, 2023, to represent the Color Country UniServ on the UEA Board of Directors. She was reelected to a second term beginning July 15, 2026.
The Color Country UniServ serves educators in Beaver, Garfield, Iron Co., Kane, Piute and Washington Co. School Districts. Britt teaches at Lava Ridge Elementary School in Washington County.
Davis Director
Brenda Halton
Brenda Halton was elected to a three-year term representing the Davis UniServ on the UEA Board of Directors beginning July 15, 2026.
The Davis UniServ serves educators in Davis School District. Brenda is a classroom teacher at Hill Field Elementary.
Eastern Utah Director
Mary Morgan
Mary was elected for a three-year term beginning July 15, 2024. The Eastern Utah UniServ serves educators in Daggett, Duchesne, Morgan, North Summit, Park City, South Summit, Uintah, Wasatch School Districts, and the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind. Mary teaches at Trailside Elementary in the Park City School District.
Granite Director
Caren Burns
Caren was elected to an unexpired term in 2022, representing the Granite UniServ on the UEA Board of Directors through July 14, 2023. She was elected to a three-year term in 2023 and again beginning July 15, 2026.
The Granite UniServ supports educators in Granite School District. Caren teaches at Beehive Elementary.
High Desert Director
Hank Postma
Hank was elected to a two-year term on the UEA Board of Directors to represent High Desert UniServ beginning in July 15, 2024. Hank was reelected to a three-year term beginning July 15, 2026.
The UniServ is a sparsely populated area and is the largest geographical unit in the state. Hank teaches Vocational and Tech Ed at Grand County High School.
Jordan Director
Katie Nelson
Katie was elected to a three-year term beginning July 15, 2026, to represent the Jordan Canyons UniServ on the UEA Board of Directors.
Jordan Canyons UniServ serves educators in Jordan and Canyons School Districts. Katie teaches math at Eastmont Middle School in Canyons School District.
Northern Utah Director
Mike Mudrow
Mike was elected in 2022 to represent the Northern Utah UniServ on the UEA Board of Directors. He was reelected to another three-year term beginning July 15, 2025.
The Northern Utah UniServ serves educators in Box Elder, Cache, Logan, and Rich School Districts. Mike teaches at Logan High School in Logan School District.
Ogden-Weber Director
Jana Duersch
Jana was elected to a three-year term representing Ogden-Weber UniServ on the UEA Board of Directors beginning July 15, 2025.
The Ogden-Weber UniServ serves educators in Ogden and Weber School Districts. Jana is an educator in the Ogden School District Adult Transition Program.
UEA-Retired Director
Trudy Henderson
Trudy Henderson was appointed to the UEA Board of Directors to represent UEA-Retired members for an interim period beginning May 12, 2023. She was duly elected for a three-year term beginning July 15, 2024.
This director position was created through changes to the UEA Constitution at the House of Delegates in 2022, and a vote of the general membership in 2023, as well as Bylaw changes during the 2023 House of Delegates.
Wasatch Director
Brett Rydalch
Brett was elected to a two-year term representing the Wasatch UniServ on the UEA Board of Directors beginning July 15, 2025.
Wasatch UniServ serves educators in Murray, Salt Lake, and Tooele School Districts. Brett is an educator at Highland High School in Salt Lake City School District.
Woodland Peaks Director
Stephanie Cha
Stephanie was appointed by the UEA Board of Directors to fill an unexpired term in November 2025. She was then elected to a two-year term beginning July 15, 2026.
Woodland Peaks UniServ serves educators in Carbon, Nebo, and Provo School districts. Stephanie is an educator at Creek View Elementary.
