Our faculty is made up of passionate educators who are deeply committed to each student’s growth—both academically and personally. With specialized training and a student-centered approach, they create a supportive environment where learning and development go hand in hand.
Joette Hayden has been with Triumph Academy since 2000, and has a passion for working in non-public schools. She has taught special education K-12 and worked with at-risk students in a variety of educational settings, both public and private. She has also served as a child find specialist, special education coordinator, assistant principal, and high school administrator in Utah for over 26 years. Joette holds a B.A. in elementary education and special education and a M.Ed. in education from Southern Utah University with an endorsement in administrative leadership.
As a dedicated wife and mother, Joette loves spending time with her family first and foremost. She is also an avid reader and can always be found with a good book or working on her own personal journal writing and scrapbooking. Joette has been a part of the Triumph team for many years now and she believes that all students can learn. “The current challenges that our youth face each day can be over-whelming and negatively impact their ability to see their own potential. It is our job to help remove these obstacles, and give them the tools to succeed both academically and emotionally”. As a veteran employee/administrator of Triumph Youth Services, Joette says that Triumph works for her because the student’s needs are always put first. “I fully understand and admire the leadership and philosophy that guides the treatment of our youth. Our youth are our future, and Triumph is preparing youth to be examples and leaders of our towns and communities”.
Tom has been with Triumph since 2001 while he attended Southern Utah University on a football scholarship. Tom started as a part-time Direct Care Staff and now leads Triumph as the President, overseeing operations and Academy athletics. He is a great leader and example to our youth and the staff. Tom graduated with a double bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice and also received an Associate of Science Degree at Dixie College. He is a Certified Teaching Instructor for the American Red Cross and is formally trained in Substance Abuse, Aggression Management, Crisis Intervention, Interviewing Techniques, Gang Awareness, and Anger Management, to name a few. Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Tom now calls Taylorsville, Utah, home.
Tom believes that in order to create change we must first get to the root of the problem. Then it is up to us to replace that lifestyle with something positive and productive. “Triumph Youth Services is not a cookie cutter type program! Every youth that comes into our program is different, and we focus on a variety of different solutions that work for each individual. We take pride in what we do. We see the changes that each youth makes after coming into the program and that is what keeps us going. Triumph Youth Services is not only invested when a youth comes into the program, but we are here for them for the rest of their lives”. When asked why does Triumph Youth Services work for you? Tom said “simply put – I love what I do. I love coming to work every morning and look forward to new challenges each and every day”.
Tom has a beautiful and very understanding wife with 6 beautiful children. “I love being with my family and pull strength from them”. He enjoys playing the guitar, music and cooking. He also enjoys all sports, but he is currently most excited about Rugby, every kind of Football (indoor/ outdoor/ flag/ touch/ nerf/ mud/ backyard/ street/ pro), and of course the sports his children are playing. He also loves basketball, golf, volleyball, weight lifting, and all other sports.
“I feel like I’m making a difference and giving our youth a second chance on life.”
Jay has 33 years of public education experience with Weber School District in Ogden, Utah. He has worked with youth his whole life; whether coaching, teaching, or as an administrator, he has enjoyed his time working with young adults.
Having the opportunity to Work at Triumph has given Jay an opportunity to give back and to try to make a difference in the lives of young men.
Briant has been a dedicated educator since 1992, focusing on Special Education, Math, and Science. His teaching career began in Hawaii, where he developed a passion for making complex subjects accessible to all students. After a decade, he moved to Utah, bringing his experience and enthusiasm to a new community.
For 17 years, Briant has concentrated on working with at-risk youth, including eight years at Triumph Academy, offering the support and guidance necessary for their academic and personal success.
Outside the classroom, Briant enjoys reading, performing, and hiking with his dog. Cherishing family time, he values moments spent with loved ones.
Lindsay has a wealth of experience in business and office related areas. She has been the Office Manager and Office Assistant for Box Elder School District, State Farm Insurance and the Social Security Administration. Lindsay is very organized and her skills are a great asset to Triumph. She received the Academic Excellence Award and graduated with honors from Box Elder High School. Lindsay has completed and certified in many business courses at Bridgerland Applied Technology Center including Business and Business Office Occupations.
Lindsay lives in Brigham City and enjoys everything that Brigham City and the surrounding areas have to offer her kids. Lindsay and her family love camping, fishing and just being in the outdoors. She also enjoys yard work and finding new ways to decorate her home.
Lindsay believes that every youth deserves an opportunity for change, and to be able to make healthy choices so that they can succeed in life. “I believe you give youth new opportunities with a lot of support while also challenging them to take responsibility and gain independence.” Lindsay states that, “Triumph Academy is a program that truly devotes its resources and gives individualized attention to the youth.” “Personally, Triumph works for me because it has given me the chance to use my abilities to help others and to become a better person by doing so”.
Meet the dedicated Board of Trustees behind Triumph Academy—individuals who bring experience, insight, and a shared commitment to guiding our mission. Their leadership helps ensure that every decision supports the success and well-being of our students and their families.
Sterling Lyman is the founder of Triumph Youth Services which he founded in 1998. Sterling attended Southern Utah University where he played running back for the Thunderbird football team, studied Sociology, Special Education and Physical Education. Sterling began his career in 1992 while in college where he worked as a youth advocate and a foster parent for DCFS, a counselor for DYC (now DJJS) and as a law related education instructor for first time offenders in the Juvenile Court System. Sterling began working in the private sector in 1995 as a program director and three years later he opened Triumph Youth Services where he and a small group of caring professionals started by offering outpatient services and proctor/foster care. Sterling always had a strong desire to run a quality residential treatment program for troubled teens and in 1999 he and his partners opened their first residential treatment center located in Toquerville, Utah. After achieving great success and growth, Sterling elected to centralize all of the residential treatment programs and work with smaller groups in order to provide a greater system of quality care.
Sterling is passionate about his work and ability to serve. Along with helping troubled youth every day, he is actively involved in many charities and he gets the youth involved as much as possible as well. He has spent his life committed to the success and personal growth of youth and will do anything it takes to make a difference. In 2001 Sterling and his wife Char adopted one of the boy’s from the program completing their loving family. Sterling’s pride and joy are his kids, his dogs and his Triumph boy’s. Sterling married the love of his life in 1990 and they are still going strong today “the greatest accomplishment of my life is picking the right girl and convincing her to stick with me and my crazy life for the long haul”. Sterling’s greatest joy is family time, family adventures and watching his kids grow. He also enjoys hunting, fishing, training retrievers, coaching, all sports and being in the outdoors. Sterling’s favorite place on earth is Alaska and he makes every attempt to visit and share Alaska with new people every year.
Sterling contributes his success to his great staff and because he was able to surround himself with amazing people. “if you surround yourself with good people, amazing things will happen, I have been fortunate enough throughout my life to find the right people – good honest, loyal hard working people that inspire me and motivate me to do better everyday” Sterling’s motto is “WORK HARD PLAY HARD” nothing is more important that a great work ethic, but it means nothing if you cannot enjoy your hard work by playing as hard as you can every chance you get.
“Our youth learn just as much from good old fashion healthy play as they do from books, therapy, structure, etc.” After years and years in this tough industry Sterling continues his dedication to serving youth in every capacity possible. “The rewards far exceed the disappointments and when you see one of the boy’s 10 years later with a family of his own and loving life to the fullest it reminds you that all of the trials and hard work is all worth it no matter what”.
Bruce grew up in scenic Southern Utah. He graduated from Southern Utah University with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, and in 1994 he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology. He began his career as a house parent in a private program for teenage girls. It was here that he realized he wanted to build a career with troubled youth. Over the past 35 years he has gained a diversity of experience in many aspects of his field. He has been a Group Home Director, Program Administrator, Youth Counselor in a secure/detention facility and a Juvenile Probation Officer. Bruce has received training through the State of Utah in Alcohol & Drug Recognition, Aggression Management, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, Interviewing Technique, Gang Recognition, and Decision Making.
He has been part of the Triumph Team since 2001 and is now an owner in the company.
Bruce loves spending time with his wife and children. He is an avid hunter and enjoys being outdoors and in the mountains. Fishing in Alaska is one of his favorite places to be.
Tom has been with Triumph since 2001 while he attended Southern Utah University on a football scholarship. Tom started as a part time Direct Care Staff and now runs Triumph Operations and Academy athletics. He is a great leader and example to our youth and the staff. Tom graduated with a double bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice. Tom also received an Associate of Science Degree at Dixie College. He is a Certified Teaching Instructor for the American Red Cross, formally trained in Substance Abuse, Aggression Management, Crisis Intervention, Interviewing Techniques, Gang Awareness and Anger Management to name a few. Tom is from Salt Lake City Utah but now calls Taylorsville Utah home.
Tom believes that in order to create change we must first get to the root of the problem. Then it is up to us to replace that lifestyle with something positive and productive. “Triumph Youth Services is not a cookie cutter type program! Every youth that comes into our program is different, and we focus on a variety of different solutions that work for each individual. We take pride in what we do. We see the changes that each youth makes after coming into the program and that is what keeps us going. Triumph Youth Services is not only invested when a youth comes into the program, but we are here for them for the rest of their lives”. When asked why does Triumph Youth Services work for you? Tom said “simply put – I love what I do. I love coming to work every morning and look forward to new challenges each and every day”.
Tom has a beautiful and very understanding wife with 6 beautiful children. “I love being with my family and pull strength from them”. He enjoys playing the guitar, music and cooking. He also enjoys all sports, but he is currently most excited about Rugby, every kind of Football (indoor/outdoor/flag/touch/nerf/mud/backyard/street/pro), and of course the sports his children are playing. He also loves basketball, golf, volleyball, weight lifting, and all other sports.
“I feel like I’m making a difference and giving our youth a second chance on life.”
Lee is an entrepreneur in Northern Utah.
Donald J. Salazar is a lifelong resident of the Ogden Area. He is President and CEO of Creative Times, Inc. (CTI), a design-build construction company based in Ogden, Utah. Don is Responsible for the General Management and Administration of Creative Times. Oversees all management activities, including business planning, accounting, bonding, finance, marketing, resource allocation, contract negotiation, and on-site job performance. Don has successfully performed on both governmental and public sector contracts ranging from $200,000.00 to $34 million dollars.
Don earned a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management, and is a Business Transformation graduate from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth University.
Don is the past chair of the Ogden Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and serves on the board of the Utah Hispanic Chamber, past President of Northern Utah Public Employees Association, governor-appointed State Council on Workforce Services, Weber State University National Advisory Board, Weber State University Arts and Humanities Board Member. He serves on the IHC McKay Dee Hospital Board of Trustees, IHC McKay Dee Hospital Outreach Committee Board Member, a member of the Utah Hispanic Legislative Task Force, and a member of the Nature Conservancy Board of Trustees.
