About Our Leadership

Executive Advisory Board

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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 Eduction Foundation (FFREF). The members of the Orlando Regional Executive Advisory Board, to whom we are very grateful, are:

 

Dr. Cammy Abernathy
Dean
Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering 
University of Florida

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Ms. Angela Alban
President & CEO
SIMETRI, Inc.

 

Mr. Ivan Aron
Vice President & General Manager
Albiero Energy

 

Dr. Robert H. Bishop
Dean of Engineering
College of Engineering
University of South Florida

 

Dr. Jose Bohorquez
Founder/President
Bold Type

 

Mr. George Cheros
President & CEO
The National Center for Simulation

 

Ms. Sheena Fowler
Vice President Strategic Engagements & Business Development
RED 6 

 

Dr. Michael Georgiopoulos
Dean, College of Engineering & Computer Science
University of Central Florida

 

Mr. Greg Hale
VP, Chief Safety Officer
Walt Disney Parks & Resorts

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Mr. George Kaniamos
Director, Quality Operations
Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control

 

Mr. Chester (Chet) Kennedy
President, Research & Security Solutions
ColdQuanta

 

Mr. Shawn Quinn
Director of Engineering
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

 

Ms. Beverly Seay
Senior Advisor
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

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.

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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.

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DeAnn Davila, 
L3Harris Technologies, Inc. - Chair

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Jonell Radabaugh,
Walt Disney World - Vice Chair

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Laurel Lichtenberger,
NASA (retired) - Treasurer

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Jessie Poen,
The HOTH - Secretary

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Michelle Hawley, 
Collins Aerospace - X Team Chair

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Sarah Plemmons, 
Lockheed Martin - Competition Chair

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Ryan Leitch, 
Lockheed Martin - Fundraising Chair

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Wayne Weinberg, 
Rollins College - VIP Committee Chair

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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!

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DeAnna Davila
Chair

 

Jonell Radabaugh

Vice Chair 

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Sarah Plemmons
Competition Chair

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Robert Cobaich
Competition Co-Chair

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David Volz and Brendan Radabaugh

Volunteer Coordinators

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Jillian Bryant
Judge Advisor 

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Michelle Hawley
X-Team Chair

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Barry Bonsack, Derek Haas,
and Mike Geldcort

Alumni Program

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Bethany Petri and Courtney Roberts

Ambassador Program​

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Wayne Weinberg, Chris Fairey,  
and Michelle Hawley

VIP Reception​

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Dan Swando
Thursday Workshops

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Andrew Rudolph
RoboShow

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Phu Nguyen and Amaldo Putelli
RoboVision

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Wendy Austin
Internships   

                             

Jessie Poen
Communications Chair        

                               

Jonell Radabaugh and Jessie Poen
Social Media

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​Jessie Poen and Jonell Radabaugh

Website

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Ryan Leitch
Fundraising Chair​

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Wendy Austin, Laurel Lichtenberger, Wayne Weinberg
Committee Members:

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Laurel Lichtenberger
Merchandise

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JoAnn Michalsky
RPC Database Mgr.

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!