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 - Mechanical, Marketing, TravelChristine 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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Fred ChenCoach - ControlsFred has a B.S. in Electrical Enginering from Cornell University with an emphasis in digital signal processing. He started his career at a large company in San Diego, gloriously pulling cables out of cellular telecom equipment, before he realized software and Legos were his calling. He worked at several enterprise software company startups in the Bay Area before moving back to San Diego to pursue his ultimate passion in mobile application software. Incubating mobile application products on a fledgling “Android 1.0” mobile platform, he was unsuccessful in convincing executives to invest in this game changing mobile platform because it was “unproven with limited market potential”, and investments were better made in “tried and true mobile platforms that would stand the test of time” - Symbian, Windows Mobile, and Blackberry O/S... Fred spent the remainder of his career managing large mobile software engineering teams developing Android and iOS connectivity application products. In his spare time, he enjoys racing and breaking his Miatas at autocrosses and track day events or adding to his growing tool collection. |
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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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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 SaamLiaison, BusinessPaul 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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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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Ningze SunControlsNingze has a mechanical engineering training background and a lot of project management experience. He really enjoys sharing his learning with the young adults in the team. He is quite amazed by the CCA FRC team talent and organization and is excited to be part of community! |
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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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Jessica XiangMentorJessica works for a defense startup as a instrumentation software engineer. She is an alumni of 3128 (‘16-‘19) and has a BS in Computer Science from Rose-Hulman. While in the Midwest, she worked with FRC 5188 as a non-technical mentor and volunteered at FIN events. She’s excited to be back and assist with marketing and travel planning. In her limited free time, she enjoys baking, beach volleyball, pottery, and exploring LA, where she is now based out of. |
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Jessie BeldenMechanicalJessie recently graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) with her Bachelor's and Master's in Mechanical Engineering. She now works as an engineer with ATA Engineering, primarily focused on assisting with the design and analysis of theme park rides and attractions. Originally from New Jersey, Jessie is an alumnus of FRC team 1676 the Pascack Pi-oneers and is excited to be on the mentor side of a team. In her free time, Jessie spends as much time as she can at local theme parks, going to concerts, and volunteering at a local animal shelter. |
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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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Sam KleinbergBusinessSam is a graduate of Arizona State University with a BS in Supply Chain Management. He currently serves as an Area Manager at Amazon and is a proud alum of FRC Team 980. In addition to his professional duties, Sam is an active business mentor for FRC 3128, the Aluminum Narwhals, and FRC 9432, Team 8-bit.In his spare time, Sam volunteers as a robot inspector for FRC and relishes spending time outdoors, exploring nature and participating in outdoor activities. His dedication to nurturing young engineers and his enthusiasm for outdoor pursuits reflect his deep commitment to both professional and personal growth. |
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Dave SnodgrassLiasonDave 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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Cole ReinerMentorTBD |
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Chad SweetMentorTBD |