I joined FRC 281 GreenVillains as a Mentor in 2015. I learned about the FRC 281 GreenVillains robotics team while I was a Boy Scout Leader, and my son's Troop wanted to earn the BSA Robotics Merit Badge in 2012/2013 season. My son joined the team when he was a Freshman at Woodmont High School in 2013. As a BSA Assistant Scoutmaster, I became the Robotics Merit Badge Counselor for the Blue Ridge Council.  I have taught the BSA Robotics Merit Badge with FRC 281 GreenVillains students as assistants.  I have a bachelor's degree in Information Technology Business Management from the University of Phoenix. I am a Network Engineer II at Windstream Communications. I have worked in Information Technology since 1988.   

Graduated from Tufts University in 1966 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Joined the duPont company at the world’s first nylon plant in Seaford, DE after graduation. On the team that developed Antron yarn for carpeting. Installed the first six industrial robotics in the entire duPont company in 1973. Transferred to the Savannah River National Lab (SRNL) in Aiken, SC, in 1977. SRNL and the Savannah River Plant (SRP) are a nuclear weapons site run by duPont for the Department of Energy (DOE). After working on the safe disposal of nuclear waste, I was moved to help start a robotics group in SRNL to reduce the radiation level dose for any employee from 5R to less than 2.5R. This was accomplished in five years, mostly by the robotics group. Because of this local success, the DOE started a national robotics program to reduce employee radiation exposure in sites with high dose rates. It was called the Robotics Technology Development Program (RTDP). I was one of five National Coordinators for the RTDP for nine years, responsible for the RTDP work at five national labs and three universities. My last five years I was a robotics consultant for SRNL, SRL, and DOE nationally and in several European countries. I retired at the end of 2005. I helped start a FRC team in Aiken, SC, Team 1102, and M’Aiken Magic, in 2001. I was a mentor for them for 16 years. Due to my wife’s health problems, I dropped out of FRC until after her death in 2001. In 2023, I joined Team 281 for a terrific year. Since I was out of FRC for so long and am now 79 years old. I don’t contribute much to the technical level, so I concentrate on video and outreach that complement each other.

I joined Team 281 in 2017 as a programming mentor, and have been with the team since then. Both of my sons participated in First Lego League (FLL), and I coached FLL for several years. My sons wanted to continue to FRC, and I joined the team to help.

At my day job, I lead a software development team in the Logistics industry.  I don't get to build things much at work, so I find FRC super fun.  

FRC produces students who are many years ahead of their non-FRC peers in technology, communication, and teamwork skills. It's very rewarding to see students achieve superpowers so early, compared to when I grew up in the stone ages.  I'm very happy to be just a tiny part of FIRST, producing our future technology leaders.

I joined the FRC 281 GreenVillains team as a Mechanical Engineering Technology student at Greenville Technical College for the 2012 season, participating in the FIRST Robotics Challenge - Rebound Rumble as part of my senior design project. Since then, I have served as a mechanical mentor for the team. 

Originally from Germany, I obtained a Master Craftsman certificate before coming to the U.S. to work for Mercedes and later for BMW. My most recent position was as a Manufacturing Engineer at Alfmeier Friedrichs & Rath. I am proud to have had the opportunity to become a U.S. citizen. 

I joined Team 281 in 2010 as a Mechanical and CAD mentor. I truly enjoy the experience that FIRST Robotics offers to students. I showed up at Kickoff in 2010 and have been involved ever since. The most rewarding aspect of being on the team is watching our students grow. 

In my day job, I am a Senior Tire Design Engineer. Additionally, I collaborate with experts in other regions, such as Europe and Asia, to develop CAD tools (CAITA) that help our tire designers worldwide work more efficiently. I have been working in various CAD roles for Michelin for the past 18 years.