About Our Leadership
Executive Advisory Board
EAB members represent industry and academia that actively support and advocate FIRST programs. The EAB provides constructive advice and strategies to advance the mission of Florida FIRST Robotics Education Foundation (FFREF). The members of the Orlando Regional Executive Advisory Board, to whom we are very grateful, are:
Ms. Angela Alban
President & CEO
SIMETRI, Inc.
Mr. Ivan Aron
Vice President & General Manager
Albiero Energy
Simone Babb
Head of Innovation and Strategic Development
Metric Engineering
Dr. Jose Bohorquez
Founder/President
Bold Type
Mr. George Cheros
President & CEO
The National Center for Simulation
Justin E. Cloud
Executive Director
THE CLOUD FAMILY FOUNDATION, INC.
Senior Scientist, Systems Engineering
L3Harris Technologies
Ms. Sheena Fowler
Vice President Strategic Engagements & Business Development
RED 6
Dr. Michael Georgiopoulos
Dean, College of Engineering & Computer Science
University of Central Florida
Dr. Jim Gregory
Dean, College of Engineering
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Mr. Greg Hale
VP, Chief Safety Officer
Walt Disney Parks & Resorts
Mr. George Kaniamos
Director, Advanced Manufacturing Technologies
Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control
Mr. Chester (Chet) Kennedy
President, Research & Security Solutions
ColdQuanta
Mr. Paul Podolak
Mobile Launcher 2 Project Manager
Bechtel National Inc.
Dr. Laine Powell
Executive Director
Tech Sassy Girlz
Mr. Shawn Quinn
Manager, Exploration Ground Systems Program
Kennedy Space Center
Dr. Daniel P. Rini
President
RINI Technologies, Inc.
Mr. Erik Sander
The Michael Durham Executive Director
UF Engineering Innovation Institute
Herbert Wertheim Laboratory for Engineering
Mr. Ed Schons
Former President
Florida High Tech Corridor
The Honorable Beverly Seay
Southeast Regional Director
Department of Defense
National Security Innovation Network
Rear Adm. Paul Sohl, (USN Ret)
CEO
Florida High Tech Corridor
Nicole Stott (NASA Ret)
Astronaut
Founder/Director Space for Art Foundation
Ms. Andrea Wesser-Brawner
Chief Strategy Officer
Florida High Tech Corridor
The Florida FIRST Robotics Education Foundation (FFREF)
The Florida FIRST Robotics Education Foundation (FFREF) is a 501(C)3, non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the education of Florida’s youth by motivating and inspiring young people to have an appreciation of science, technology, robotics, mathematics and engineering and to pursue career opportunities in these fields, for the benefit of the technology and scientific community.
The Foundation supports Florida’s economic development by encouraging and promoting participation in science, technology, robotics, mathematics and engineering for the benefit of Florida’s technology and scientific community. Design accessible, innovative mentor-based programs to help young people build science, engineering, robotics and technology skills, inspire innovation, and foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication and leadership.
J Stephen Kowski
SlashNext - Chair
Jonell Radabaugh,
Walt Disney World - Vice Chair
Laurel Lichtenberger,
NASA (retired) - Treasurer
Elise Cronin-Hurley,
liseydreams - Secretary
Bethany Petri,
P119 LLC - X Team Chair
Sarah Plemmons,
Lockheed Martin - Competition Chair
Nathan Pell,
Sun Nuclear Corporation - Fundraising Chair
Wendy Austin
Central Florida FIRST Regional Director
Orlando Regional Planning Committee
The Orlando Regional Planning Committee works year round to plan the Orlando Regional. All committee members are volunteers with a passion for FIRST Robotics and the Orlando Regional. Interested in joining the committee? Fill out our interest form!
J Stephen Kowski
SlashNext - Chair
Jonell Radabaugh
Vice Chair
Sarah Plemmons
Competition Chair
Robert Cobaich
Competition Co-Chair
David Volz and Brendan Radabaugh
Volunteer Coordinators
Elise Cronin-Hurley &
Andrea Wesser-Brawner
Judge Advisors
Bethany Petri
X-Team Chair
Nathan Pell &
Andrea Wesser-Brawner
Fundraising Chairs
Barry Bonsack
Alumni Program
Yvette Pate
Ambassador Program
Bethany Petri
VIP Reception
Dan Swando
Thursday Workshops
Elise Cronin-Hurley
Alex DiCairano
Communications Co-Chairs
Alex DiCairano
Social Media
Libby Kamen
Wayne Weinberg, Katie Mahoney,
Jillian Bryant, Jenn Pease
Kim Walters, and Stacey Jones
Committee Members
Laurel Lichtenberger
Merchandise
JoAnn Michalsky
RPC Database Mgr.
Wendy Austin
Central Florida FIRST Regional Director
Contact
Please visit our Contact page to get in touch with any of the individuals in the
Planning Committee or Florida FIRST Robotics Education Foundation.
Thank you!