Board
Rich Csenge, President
Rich founded Stellar Vista Observatory in 2019, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Kanab, dedicated to creating a public educational astronomical observatory in Kane County. A longtime advocate for public lands and community enrichment, he also founded Amazing Earthfest in 2009, an annual festival celebrating the National and State Parks, Forests, Monuments, and Public Lands of the American West.
Originally from the New York City area, Rich attended the University of Vermont and the University of California before studying home construction and wiring in Maine. A professional furniture craftsman and owner of Joy in Wood Furniture Makers since 1979, he has balanced his career with extensive community service. He served nine years as a trustee for Grand Staircase Escalante Partners and was the longest-serving member of the Kanab City Beautification Board until 2021. Rich and his wife, Debra, moved to Kanab in 2007 to embrace the region’s outdoor lifestyle and contribute to its evolving culture.
Natalie Brannon, Vice President
Natalie and her husband Phil moved to Kanab in 2021. She holds degrees in both engineering and education. Having lived a number of years in large cities such as Seattle and Houston, she knows the dark skies in Kanab are a precious resource. From owning a telescope as a teen and exploring astronomy courses in college, to visiting observatories and attending star parties with her husband and son, Natalie’s passion for astronomy and the night sky has been life long. She believes a public educational observatory would elevate the view of area students, residents and visitors up towards the night skies, embodying the Utah slogan Life Elevated.
Sylvia Timothy-Sims, Treasurer
Sylvia Sims holds an MBA from North Carolina State University and a bachelor’s degree from Southern Utah University. She has worked as an Executive Assistant for companies including Lenovo, Cisco, Rio Tinto, and Best Friends Animal Society. Passionate about sustainability and dark-sky preservation, Sylvia helped develop the Kane County Friends of the Night Sky program. She is the chair of SVO’s admin committee, serves on the preservation committee, and manages the organization’s bookkeeping. She is also assisting Coral Pink Sand Dunes in becoming a certified International Dark Sky Park.
Now based in Kanab with her husband, Eric, she loves her found family and community. She stays active by walking and biking for errands, exploring the local area, and visiting national parks. A lifelong reader, she makes good use of her library card and enjoys experimenting with home fermentation, including sourdough and sauerkraut. She also continues to learn and practice Lindy Hop whenever she can.
Eric Sims, Secretary
Eric completed his BA in Biology from Utah State University and MS in Analytics from North Carolina State University. In his work with SVO, Eric hosts public and private star parties in Kanab, gives talks in schools, and chairs both the Development and Outreach committees. He also manages SVO’s design work.
Professionally, Eric is a data scientist who enjoys coding and building machine learning projects. When he’s not doing work with SVO, he also loves gardening, hiking, and playing music. He lives in Kanab, UT, with his wife, Sylvia.
David Lane, Director
David Lane, an unabashed astro-nut, has operated two automated remote observatories and recently built a third one at his new home in Kanab, Utah. Originally a deep space astrophotographer, his work has evolved to blend deep space processing techniques with wide field Milky Way landscape images to create an art form he calls “Milky Way Fusion”.
David’s many recognitions include NASA’s Astronomy Picture Of the Day 11 times, a full feature appearance in Time Magazine, eleven appearances plus the highest rated image of 2014 by the US Department of the Interior, regular columnist and associate editor for Amateur Astronomy Magazine, 1st and 2nd place winner in the astrophotography contest of the Astronomical League, 5th place among the top ten best astrophotographers in the world, and numerous others.
Von Del Chamberlain, Director
Von Del Chamberlain holds an undergraduate degree in physics from the University of Utah and a master’s in astronomy from the University of Michigan. He has taught courses for the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Utah and Utah Valley State College (now Utah Valley University).
During the initial lunar exploration years he was director of Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University and experienced the commencement of planetary exploration by spacecraft at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum. As the Hubble Space Telescope began revealing stunning images of the grand cosmos he was director of Hansen Planetarium in Salt Lake City, a post he held until he retired in 1996.
Mr. Chamberlain was the founding member of both the Great Lakes Planetarium Association and the International Planetarium Society. In addition to developing education programs in classrooms and planetariums, he has encouraged “sky interpretation” in national parks and other outdoor visitation areas, lectured widely in outdoor settings, on cruise ships and elsewhere. He is known for his research on Native American ethno-astronomy, is the author of many papers and a book titled, “When Stars Came Down to Earth: Cosmology of the Skidi Pawnee Indians of North America.” He is trained as a scientist, has the experience of an educator and administrator, thinks of himself as an interpreter of the sky, and has the heart of a naturalist. The more he learns about the vast universe, the more deeply he loves the Earth, this vanishingly small speck we ride upon as we explore the cosmos while each day unfolds the wonders of our lives.
Steve Medrano, Director
Steve Medrano is a retired engineering and education professional who consults in engineering management, project and program management, and technical investigations. Steve holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Secondary Education (Physical Science Composite) and a Master’s of Science Degree in Engineering (Mechanical). He has worked in Nuclear Power Plant Design, Composite Structures, Rocket Motor Design, Advanced Systems Concepts (for Ordnance systems), Space Shuttle Booster Motors, Biotech, and was the Vice President of Engineering for an Ordnance Company when he retired. Steve designed the igniters for the Trident II and has managed programs with annual budgets as large as $26M. He has consulted for a variety of companies with many different product types. He has taught at the high school and university levels, has been a guest lecturer, and is an excellent presenter and communicator.
Working Group
Robert (Bob) Kaczowka, Architect – AIA
Robert Kaczowka, founding Principal of MESA Design, LLC, has over 30 years of experience in architectural design, construction, and planning. A New York Institute of Technology graduate, he began his career in Connecticut and New York before moving west, where he developed a deep appreciation for the region’s natural beauty. His design philosophy—rooted in client collaboration, environmental sensitivity, and cultural context—blends vernacular traditions with a natural modern aesthetic. Licensed in five states, Robert continues to create thoughtful, timeless architecture that harmonizes vision, scale, and material honesty.
Rose Molina, Professional Engineer (PE)
Rose is a nerd; always has been, always will be. Growing up, she spent more time in space with her friends Heinlein, Robinson, Brin and Bujold than socializing with kids her own age. Of course she’s a Trekkie.
Rose has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and has served as design engineer, project manager, or owner’s rep for real estate development for almost 20 years on projects ranging from commercial to institutional to cultural and theatrical. She shifted her focus to the non-profit sector and moved to Utah in 2018 to work with Best Friends Animal Society on several large capital projects.
Kyle Slaton
Kyle holds an Associate’s Degree in Astronomy from the College of Southern Nevada and is currently employed at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, UT, where he lives with with his partner, Stephanie. His passions include astronomy, mathematics, physics, and science education. Kyle interned at the CSN Planetarium from 2017-2019, became intern coordinator in 2020, and continues to be a strong supporter of public access to science education.
Ron Sharpless
Ron graduated from Pasadena City College in Machine Science and worked for Boller & Chivens Co. in South Pasadena CA. as a machinist building satellite tracking cameras and control systems for telescopes up to 40 inches, including an instrument for the US Navy measuring 61 inches. Ron also worked for the California Institute of Technology’s Owens Valley Observatory on a 130ft. diameter radio telescope and the power and control wiring for two 90ft antennas. Later self- employed, Ron owned three businesses dealing with office equipment and computers, was treasurer for the High Plateau Humane Society from 2004 to 2015 and treasurer for the Modoc Fire Safe Council from 2002 to 2017.
Josh Klina, Website design
Josh brings his expertise in technology and digital infrastructure to Stellar Vista Observatory, optimizing resources and expanding the organization’s online capabilities. With a background in bootstrapping small tech organizations, he leverages open-source software to enhance efficiency while keeping costs low. When he’s not working with technology, Josh enjoys exploring Pennsylvania’s forests, observing deep space through his telescope, and contemplating the mysteries of the universe—all while spending time with his lovely wife, Laura.
Megan Smith
Megan Smith, a Kanab High School alumna, earned her Master’s of Education in Instruction and Curriculum from Utah State University. She is a lifelong science enthusiast and enjoys teaching and learning with her students at Valley High School. She and her husband, Latimer, are raising two adventurous kids, a clutch of chickens, two Guinea pigs and their pup Waylon. An avid trail runner and lover of poetry and books, Megan thrives on curiosity and lifelong learning.
Ella Elman
Ella moved to Kanab with her husband, Max, in 2022 after living in the Seattle area for more than 25 years. Stars were a revelation not to be taken for granted. A native of New York City, Ella holds a B.S in Natural Resources from Cornell University and an M.S. in Forest Ecosystem Analysis from the University of Washington. After graduation, Ella spent many years working for environmental non-profits as an ecologist and was involved in writing grants for community organizations and in fundraising. She then had a complete career change and started a successful personal chef business specializing in therapeutic cooking in the Seattle area. An avid outdoor enthusiast and canyoneer, Ella moved to Kanab to enjoy all the wonders of nature. She blogs about her outdoor adventures at: https://girlonarope.com/.
Charlee Alred, Social Media
Jordan Steed
Art & Marie Cloutier
J. C. Stimson
Advisory Committee
Colin Littlefield
Colin Littlefield is an astronomer at the Bay Area Environmental Research Institute and is a member of a speckle interferometry research group based at the NASA Ames Research Center. Previously, he worked as an observational astronomer at the University of Notre Dame. In addition to his current work in speckle interferometry, he has a longstanding research interest in cataclysmic variable stars, and he has published his research in a variety of peer-reviewed journals. A resident of southern Utah, he enjoys hiking through the area’s otherworldly landscapes during his free time.
Nicole Bonham Colby, Attorney
A Kanab native, Nicole migrated far North and South but was eventually drawn back home to southern Utah to practice law focusing on natural resources and trust and estates. A former newspaper and magazine editor, she transitioned to technical writing and the marriage of technology and science in the high latitudes, living and working in Alaska and Antarctica. She later led projects designing and deploying technology solutions linking continents, vessels and global operations hubs. Along the way, she pursued graduate and law studies (University of Denver, M.A.S., J.D.) and – most enjoyable of all – spent countless nights stargazing in the high latitudes with her late husband, Kent L. Colby. Nicole now tends bees, ducks, geese and chickens in her backyard farm in Kanab.
Paul Ricketts
Paul Ricketts is Director of the South Physics Observatory and Interpretive Specialist in Astronomy for the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Utah. Paul earned a bachelors degree in Physics and Astronomy with a minor in Astronomy at the University of Utah. He has worked in the Department of Physics since 2005 doing public outreach and research, runs the university’s observatory, and has also helped with the building of a new observatory in southern Utah. Paul has a huge interest in photography and astrophotography and helps teach classes for students interested in astronomy and/or physics as well as spreading the word about the magic of dark skies!
Jonathan Stone, CPA
Ben Beckstead, CPA
Ben Beckstead is a Certified Public Accountant and co-founder of Precise Tax & Accounting, LLC, where he manages operations in the Kanab office. With a Master of Accountancy from Southern Utah University, he has extensive experience in business and individual tax planning, and financial consulting. An active member of the community, Ben serves on the Board for Kane County Hospital and has contributed to various local government, nonprofit, and civic organizations.
