James R. Taggart has served as the president of Ogden-Weber Technical College (OTECH) since 2017. He has over twenty-eight years of experience as a technical educator and leader at the college. He began his career as a health sciences instructor and held subsequent positions in program development, institutional effectiveness, vice president for student services, and vice president for instructional services. President Taggart holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Training and Promotion from Weber State University and a Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology from Utah State University.
An active member of local, state, and national organizations, President Taggart sits on the boards for the Utah Defense Alliance, Northern Utah Chamber Coalition, and the Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce. He also serves as a commissioner for the Council on Occupational Education (COE). President Taggart can be reached at 801-627-8304 or president@otech.edu.
Vice President Burchell has been serving as the college’s vice president for instructional services since 2020. He grew up in Weber County and graduated from Roy High School. He attended and graduated from Weber State University with a Bachelor of Professional Sales, further completing a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, Utah Campus. For more than 21 years, Vice President Burchell has been working in higher education at all levels, from faculty to administration. He worked for the University of Phoenix, Utah Campus, as the director of enrollment for 12 years and as a program advisor for the Business program and vice president of student services at Ogden-Weber Tech College.
Vice President Call was hired as the vice president for college services and chief financial officer in March 2006. He is a certified public accountant and received both his Bachelor and Master of Accounting degrees from Weber State University. His responsibilities include oversight of all fiscal services for the college in addition to other college services such as Human Resources, Facilities, Information Technology, and the college Bookstore. Vice President Call also serves as treasurer for the college’s Foundation Board.
Before coming to the college in 2006, Vice President Call worked with Ogden City School District for eight years as the district accountant and spent two years prior to that with a public accounting firm in Ogden.
Vice President Howard has been with the college since 2016. She has served as the coordinator of the Dental Assisting program and most recently as the program director for health and culinary programs. In her time at the college, she has been a champion in developing innovation processes and policies to benefit student success. This has resulted in the implementation of the college’s first competency-based, hybrid apprenticeship program and increases in access, retention, and completion in health and culinary programs.
Vice President Howard is an alum of the college and advocate for the positive impact that technical training can have on an individual, their family, and their community. As a student, she was the gold medal SkillsUSA National Champion in Dental Assisting.
Prior to working at the college, Vice President Howard worked in the dental field and served on the college’s Dental Assisting Occupational Advisory Committee. She holds an Associate Degree in Art and Sciences with an emphasis in English; a Bachelor of Science in Business Management; and a Master of Education in Instructional Design.
Associate Vice President Milligan was hired in 2022 to oversee the college’s development efforts and serve as the public information officer and liaison to the OTECH Foundation board. Before taking on the advancement role, she worked as the college’s marketing manager. In her tenure at the college, Associate Vice President Milligan has prioritized access, especially among economically disadvantaged populations and first-generation college students. She is an advocate for technical education and an OTECH alum, having completed the college’s web and graphic design program.
Prior to joining the college, Associate Vice President Milligan taught writing and rhetoric courses at Brigham Young University and worked as the chief of staff and grant writer for the Utah National Parks Council, Boy Scouts of America. Her professional experience includes public relations, marketing, fund development, grant writing and operations management. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in English from Brigham Young University.
Ms. Ruiz is responsible for managing the Office of the President and providing direct support to the college’s president’s cabinet, Board of Trustees and the Foundation Board. Prior to her appointment as Chief of Staff, Ms. Ruiz served as the executive assistant for the instructional and student services divisions. In that role, she developed innovative ways to improve semi-annual occupational advisor committee meetings – coordinating over 200 different employer partners. Ms. Ruiz has also been instrumental in establishing documentation protocols for the college’s upcoming reaffirmation of accreditation with the Council on Occupational Education (COE).
Anita started her OTECH career in 1996 as an enrollment specialist, later working as an administrative assistant for the maintenance and facilities department, and as the college’s facilities and events coordinator. Over her 26-year career, Anita has worked closely with every program and department OTECH, known as a trusted leader who looks for every opportunity to better serve OTECH’s students and community.
The success and recognition the college has earned in the Ogden-Weber community is linked directly to the leadership, business involvement, and support from a broad base of community, education, civic, and business leaders. Employers, business executives, governmental agency staff, school district and university representatives, civic leaders, and local/state legislators work to further the mission of the tech college.
Three highly visible college organizations stand out in providing community executive leadership to college students, faculty, and staff. These dedicated men and women exemplify the highest standards of leadership, voluntarism, and commitment to the tech college and this community:
In addition to their invaluable experience and judgment in making sound business and financial decisions, these individuals serve as ambassadors for the college. There are many state and community leaders and educators currently serving in executive leadership positions for the college. They are: