Innosphere team
Leadership
Mike Freeman
CEO
Mike has 35 years of executive experience in the public, private, and non-profit sectors focused on technology economic development, management consulting, entrepreneurship, and finance.
Rachel Gallegos
Finance Director
Rachael Gallegos brings nearly a decade of expertise in accounting and finance, with specialized knowledge in grant management and compliance. From managing multi-million-dollar FEMA and state grants during the City of Evans’ flood recovery to streamlining in-house accounting operations for the ASCEND Engine, Rachael has a proven track record of precision and impact. A dedicated professional, she is passionate about leveraging her expertise to support communities, foster resilience, and ensure financial excellence.
Tim Jones
COO/Translation Director
Tim Jones serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Innosphere and ASCEND Engine Translation Director leading operational execution, new program implementation and deployment of capital for early-stage venture capital funds. As COO of Innosphere and a partner in multiple venture capital funds since 2019, he has spearheaded the execution of incubator services, winning and managing programs in Climate resilience, Life Sciences, and Smart Cities.
Sam Malloy
R&D Director
Dr. Sam Malloy is the Director of Research and Development for the ASCEND Engine. With a background as a data scientist working across the domains of environmental science, public health, and policy, he brings an integrative approach to technical leadership and portfolio management.
Kevin Noble
Program Manager
Kevin serves as Director of the Innosphere Life Sciences Incubator, a pioneering initiative in the Mountain Plains region focused on accelerating the commercialization of breakthrough life science innovations. Backed by a strong network spanning eight states, eleven universities, and three state bioscience associations, he helps advance a collaborative ecosystem that is shaping the future of healthcare innovation and sustainability.
Amber Rahn
Workforce and Regional Engagement Director
Dr. Amber Rahn serves as the Chief of Workforce for the ASCEND Engine, where she leads regional strategies to build a robust, future-ready talent pipeline aligned with community resilience and emerging technologies. With a background in leadership development and cross-sector collaboration, Amber drives workforce initiatives that connect K–12, higher education, and industry to ensure equitable access to training, career pathways, and high-quality jobs across Colorado and Wyoming.
Team
Kyla Bazlen, NOAA/NREL Fellow
Lucas A. Gauthier, Research & Evaluation Supervisor
Jack Hemmelgarn, Program Analyst
Bridger Huhn, Technical Fellow
Jake Johnson, Events Coordinator
Brian Johnston, Workforce Program Manager
Steven LeBlanc, Workforce Program Manager
Betty Maisenbach, Digital Strategist & Events Manager
Bud Michael, Earth and Space Program Director
Erik Mikysa, Corporate Development
Joanna Money, Life Sciences Client Director
Daniel Moyers, Earth and Space Client Manager
Lucas North, NOAA/NREL Fellow
Mikkel Quam, Senior Technical Fellow
David Raymes, Life Science Client Director
Robert Simon, Senior Regional Innovation Fellow
Ravi J. Smith, Administrative Assistant
Ben Walker, Life Sciences Client Director
Emily Wilson, Strategic Partnership Director
Erin Zimmerman, Science Communications Manager