
Executive Director
Debbie Nelson has been a member of CACTE since 1982, during her senior year at Colorado State University. She believes passionately in the power of professional association involvement! Benefits such as networking, leadership development, sharing/learning, and personal growth are myriad. When she’s not doing CACTE work, she likes to swim, hike, scrapbook, travel the globe, read and spend time with her nieces/nephews.
Debbie has been CACTE ED since 2017. You may contact Debbie at cacte@cacte.org.
Summit Assistant
Janet Brophy is a High School of Business teacher from Idalia High School in Idalia, CO. Janet earned her BA from the University of Wyoming and her MBA from University of Phoenix. Prior to teaching high school, Janet worked in human resources and then support staff for an education consortium before completing the alternative licensure program. Janet has taught in a high school classroom for eight years as well as 10 years as an adjunct professor for a community college. Janet is also the Idalia FBLA Adviser, active CBAM/CACTE member, chairperson of the HSB Teacher Advisory Committee, member of the MBA Research Teacher Advisory Network, a trainer for High School of Business, CBE treasurer, and the membership director for Colorado for M-PBEA.
Janet started as CACTE Summit Assistant in February 2022. You can contact Janet at summit@cacte.org.


Membership Assistant
Kate Wagner is the Assistant Director of CTE and Postsecondary Readiness for Adams 12 Five Star Schools. She is an active CACTA/CACTE member. Kate is passionate about creating opportunities for all students to find fulfillment on their career and college path. In her spare time, Kate enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with her family, friends and pets.
Kate started as CACTE Membership Assistant in February 2023. You may contact Kate at membership@cacte.org.
CACTE Staff - All Part Time!
As a non-profit professional association, the Colorado Association for Career and Technical Education (CACTE) relies on a few paid staff members and a whole lot of volunteers to make things happen. Meet our hard-working staff! The Executive Director has a contract with the CACTE Executive Committee. Note that the Assistants are paid a small stipend - it's a glorified volunteer job! :-)

Administrative Assistant
Jay Moore “retired” in 2020 with more than 30 years of experience in mathematics, computer science, and Career & Technical Education. For many years, he served as CTE Director in the Cherry Creek School District. With his CTE experience, a longtime background in construction, and now continued work with his business, he values career pathways and relevant opportunities for all students. Jay regularly attended CACTE, CACTA, ACTE Region V, and ACTE VISION conferences and served on the CACTE Board as President-Elect, President, and Past President from 2016 – 2019. Family hiking, rock climbing, skiing and doing his own stunts fill his spare time.
Jay started as CACTE Administrative Assistant in March 2023. You may contact Jay at admin@cacte.org.