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.

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Mr. Ivan Aron

COO & CTO

SEMIX Tech&Consulting

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Dr. Robert H. Bishop

Dean of Engineering, College of Engineering

University of South Florida

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Dr. Jose Bohorquez

Founder/President

Bold Type

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Ms. Elizabeth Burch
President/CEO
Dignitas Technologies

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Ms. Lydia Chicles

CEO

Bold! Technologies

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Mr. George Cheros

President and CEO

The National Simulation Center

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Ms. Sheena Fowler

Vice President, Innovation

Orlando Economoic Partnership

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Dr. Michael Georgiopoulos

Dean

College of Engineering & Computer Science

University of Central Florida

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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

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Mr. Chester (Chet) Kennedy

CEO
CK Tec Solutions

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Dr. Maj Mirmirani

Dean, College of Engineering

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

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Mr. Shawn Quinn

Director of Engineering

NASA’s Kennedy Space Center

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Dr. Daniel P. Rini

President
RINI Technologies, Inc.

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Mr. Erik Sander

Executive Director

Florida Engineering Experiment Station

University of Florida

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Mr. Ed Schons

Former President 
The Corridor

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Ms. Beverly Seay

Chair, Board of Trustees

University of Central Florida

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Rear Adm. Paul Sohl, (USN Ret)

CEO

Florida High Tech Corridor Council

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Ms. Nicole Stott

Astronaut  (NASA Ret)

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.