About: Our Mentors
We would not be able to do everything that we do without the knowledge and dedication of our amazing mentors. They bring technical experience and invaluable advice that furthers our mission of providing a positive high school team experience through robotics while inspiring intellectual creativity, fostering a passion for science, technology, and engineering, and developing critical thinking, problem solving, and team building skills. Learn more about them here!
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Garrison PriceHead Coach - Mechanical, ControlsGarrison works for the Navy as a civilian researcher with a focus on augmented and virtual reality. He has a BS in Computer Science from San Diego State University and is currently working towards a MS in Computer Science at his alma mater. He is a founding member of Team 3128 and focuses primarily on mechanical design. He is currently too busy to have any other hobbies but when he is able to sneak away from the workshop, he enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and cooking. |
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Christine LowCoach - MechanicalChristine Low holds a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Rhode Island (go Rams!) and a Masters in Electro-Optical engineering from the University of South Carolina (Go Gamecocks!). Attempted life as a Yankee in the South with Westinghouse Nuclear Fuels, but was whisked back to the north by her (now) husband, where she spent 20 years at Northrop Grumman (Chicago) in IR and UV aircraft missile defense. When she is not in the robotics workshop, you can find her gardening, sewing, at Crossfit, racing sailboats and attempting to learn to surf (very, very badly). |
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Pat MaynardCoach - Strategy, ControlsPat is no stranger to FIRST. He has been mentoring FRC Team 3128 since 2018 and prior to that he was a coach for several FLL teams competing in the SD area. He has a BSEE and worked for many years doing embedded software development, but currently he works as a Cloud Security Architect. He brings a wide variety of skills to the team including: wood working, coding, wiring, networking, and agile program management. |
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Michael BrownCoach - Strategy, ControlsMichael Brown is a 25 year veteran of the software development industry. In that time he's helped develop time and attendance systems, semi-conductor manufacturing control systems and Laboratory Informatics systems for the pharmaceutical industry. For the last 5 years Michael has been a Director of Operations for both Cloud and Software Development. In that role he's been focused on tools and processes of R&D, making the teams more efficient and effective. Michael is committed to playing a role in developing the next generation of Software Developers who are going to be instrumental in solving some of the most important problems faced in the world today. |
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Sylvia ChanLiaison, TravelSylvia has a B.S. and M.S. in Nursing from UCLA. She has worked as RN and Nurse Practitioner in the past. Currently she is a charge nurse in Scripps Urgent Care Torrey Pines. Sylvia has been supporting Team 3128 since 2016. She is the team liaison. She helps in travel and meal planning during competition. She loves to travel, read and spending time with her family. Go Narwhals!! |
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Wendy DimmockMarketingWendy’s introduction to robotics was when her son joined as a freshman. Now her daughter is a member and her youngest can’t wait to join the team! She has no engineering or computer background but loves to support her kids. After traveling with the team as a chaperone in 2022 she was hooked and joined the Narwhals herself as a Marketing Mentor. Outside of robotics Wendy is a Lactation Consultant and loves to read, travel with her family and watch football (Go Pack Go!). |
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Christine Lau DizonMentorChristine graduated from the University of California, Riverside in 2007 and holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering with a concentration in manufacturing. She has eleven years in the oil and gas industry. Currently, she works at Solar Turbines where she has been a mechanical engineer, a process & instrumentation engineer, and now a controls engineer. In her free time, she enjoys being a member of Solar Turbines’ Solar Women Engineers (SWE), cycling, and spending time with her husband and two children. |
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Aaron DolginControls, Web AdminComing soon... |
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Sam KleinbergBusiness, FinanceSam Kleinberg is a dedicated mentor for FRC Team 3128, supporting students in financial literacy, logistics, operations, and leadership development. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management from Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business, where he focused on strategic operations and process improvement. Professionally, Sam works as an Operations Manager 1 at an Amazon Storage Distribution Site, where he leads daily logistics operations, manages frontline teams, and ensures efficient movement of inventory throughout the supply chain. He brings this real-world experience mentoring in the areas of operations and business finance, helping students connect classroom concepts to practical applications. In addition to his work with FRC 3128, Sam is an Eagle Scout and active adult leader in the Boy Scouts of America. He has been recognized with Congressional Merit Awards from both the City of Los Angeles and the State of California for his commitment to community service and youth leadership. Sam is passionate about mentoring the next generation of innovators through STEM education, hands-on experience, and values-based leadership. |
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Daniel RothfuszControlsDaniel works as a MAC Engineer for Trellisware Technologies, developing software for walkie-talkies. He graduated with a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a Certificate in Engineering Leadership from Rice University in 2022. Daniel grew attached to FRC during high school through his time on 5442 Mechanical Monarchy in Central Illinois, and is excited to find ways to give back to the FRC community. When not following technical pursuits, Daniel can be found singing in choir, playing piano, reading, hiking, or playing board games. |
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Lisa SaamMechanicalLisa is Vice President-Projects at ATA Engineering – an engineering services company – where she has worked for more than two decades doing analysis-driven mechanical design of structures ranging from satellites and launch vehicles to theme park attractions and aerospace ground support equipment. She received her M.S. in Structural Engineering from Cornell University, B.S. in Engineering from Harvey Mudd College, and B.A. in Management–Engineering from Claremont McKenna College. Lisa supports Team 3128 with parent communication, travel, and looks forward to working more with the mechanical department. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, camping, yoga, and beach picnics. |
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Paul SaamLiaisonPaul has a B.S. in Engineering from Harvey Mudd College. He worked as a medical device engineer for two startups, driving them both out of business, before deciding to obtain his MBA at Duke University. He has spent the last 17 years working in Business Development for Zimmer Biomet, a global orthopedics company. He works primarily with the Business team, supporting the Robotics Summer Camp and acts as a liaison with the Canyon Crest Academy Foundation. |
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Dave SnodgrassMentorDave works at DRS Daylight as VP/GM where they make quantum cascade lasers for use in Defense. He holds a BS and MS in Particle Physics, and and MS in Electro-Optics. He was dragged into Robotics as both of his kids and his wife were always in the Robotics workshop. He has volunteered with FIRST as a Judge and Queuer, but is most well known as the driver of the team trailer, the load-in and load-out guy, and travel chaperone. |
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Kenneth WahMentorComing soon... |