Meet Our Team! – Mentors
Joel Yaccano
Employer/Occupation: Retired
Years involved in FIRST: 25
Role/Area of expertise of the team: Logistic, Design and build
Favorite Part About Robotics: Going to the my 1st FIRST Championship event. I found out it was a much BIGGER event than I imagined.
If You Were a Flavor of Ice Cream Which Would You Be And Why: Raspberry Swirl – simple but sudden surprises every once in a while
Alexander Kappan
Employer/Occupation: Senior CAD Designer
Years involved in FIRST: 18
Role/Area of expertise of the team: CAD Mentor
Favorite Part About Robotics: It’s a bittersweet memory, but I have to say my favorite memory comes from our Rookie year at the inaugural Fingerlakes Regional at RIT. We were doing better than I ever believed a rookie team possible. Everywhere we were getting high fives from students, mentors, even some of the audience members. We were the darling of that regional. It so happened that we were beaten in the third and final match of the finals and took home the silver, but it was just such an incredible experience, through all the incredible highs and the final low. It’s an experience I won’t soon forget.
If You Were a Flavor of Ice Cream Which Would You Be And Why: Strawberry Cheesecake
Jeremy Stoddard
Employer/Occupation: Engineering Intern at MAHLE/EE Student at UB
Years involved in FIRST: 8
Role/Area of expertise of the team: Build
Favorite Part About Robotics: Getting the opportunity to be in the division quarterfinals at Worlds in 2018!
If You Were a Flavor of Ice Cream Which Would You Be And Why: Ben and Jerry’s “Change is Brewing” – I enjoy being experimental with ideas!
Steve Barnes
Employer/Occupation: Retired
Years involved in FIRST: 17
Role/Area of expertise of the team: Build
Favorite Part About Robotics: I enjoy being able to spend time working with bright and motivated students and mentors accomplishing something incredible together year after year.
If You Were a Flavor of Ice Cream Which Would You Be And Why: Beautiful Drugs – Zac Brown
Sue Vasko
Employer/Occupation: Mahle Engineer
Years involved in FIRST: 18
Role/Area of expertise of the team: Build
Favorite Part About Robotics: Working with a wonderful team of mentors and parents dedicated to helping and supporting enthusiastic students. I love witnessing the kids progress over their time on the team and become amazing young adults. I am always so proud of them!
If You Were a Flavor of Ice Cream Which Would You Be And Why: Roar – Katy Perry
Jeffrey P. Rogowski
Employer/Occupation: Secondary Technology Educator
Years involved in FIRST: 22
Role/Area of expertise of the team: President
Favorite Part About Robotics: Watching students grow into intelligent individuals, graduate and make something of there life’s. It never gets old. 22 years of doing this and every year I get to witness this progression. I love it!
If You Were a Flavor of Ice Cream Which Would You Be And Why: Dulce de leche because it’s takes time to make this master piece! It also uses a wide variety of ingredients to make it the master piece it is to many people. Love is shared with every bite!
Tim Brounscheidel
Employer/Occupation: Retired
Years involved in FIRST: 12
Role/Area of expertise of the team: Electrical/Programming
Favorite Memory From Robotics : 2014 FRL Finals. 1507/ 20 / 378 Against 340/3015/3044.First match 20 got Knocked Over And We Lost. We Tied In the Second Match , In The Third
If You Were a Flavor of Ice Cream Which Would You Be And Why: Rocky Road , I think That The Goonies” Is The Best Little Boy Movie Ever Made
Kris Sielski
Employer/Occupation: Embedded Engineer
Years involved in FIRST: 10
Role/Area of expertise of the team: Electrical/Programming
Favorite memory about Robotics: That one glorious Saturday during build season when we had a taco bar spread for lunch.
If You Were a Flavor of Ice Cream Which Would You Be And Why: Strawberry, because that’s my favorite flavor.
Adam Stockton
Employer/Occupation: KeyBank / Software Developer
Years involved in FIRST: 16
Role/Area of expertise of the team: Imagery
Favorite memory about Robotics: Being able to help give students the same experience that I had during the program, and see them graduate our team and head off into successful careers using the skills and knowledge they learned on our team.
If You Were a Flavor of Ice Cream Which Would You Be And Why: Whatever the DJ picks
Noah Raymond
Employer/Occupation: North Park Junior High/ Secondary Technology Educator
Years involved in FIRST: 17
Role/Area of expertise of the team: Build
Favorite memory about Robotics: My favorite robotic memory was getting redemption for canceling an FTC NY championship trip to Pace University due to an ice storm in 2014. This group of students never let me forget this and worked hard to win the Finger Lakes region FRC event in 2018. This win earned them a trip to the World Championships in Detroit.
If You Were a Flavor of Ice Cream Which Would You Be And Why: Raspberry Swirl – simple but sudden surprises every once in a while
Michael Root
Employer/Occupation: Welder – Root’s Quality Welding
Years involved in FIRST: 10
Role/Area of expertise of the team: Build
Favorite memory about Robotics: Crashing the robot at least once every year.
If You Were a Flavor of Ice Cream Which Would You Be And Why: Raspberry Swirl – simple but sudden surprises every once in a while
Mike Stutz
Years involved in FIRST: 14
Role/Area of expertise of the team: Build
Favorite memory about Robotics: Going to Nationals with my son his senior year as part of the pit crew
If You Were a Flavor of Ice Cream Which Would You Be And Why: Death by chocolate
Michael Lieber
Employer/Occupation: Teacher Lockport City School District
Years involved in FIRST: 19
Role/Area of expertise of the team: Team Support / Student Support
Favorite memory about Robotics: Winning the FLL Champions Award, attending Worlds and earning Robot Dependability at Worlds
If You Were a Flavor of Ice Cream Which Would You Be And Why: Cherry Garcia – Because I’m mainly boring plain Vanilla, but every once in a while I’m fun and exciting. Plus Ben and Jerry and the Grateful Dead are Awesome!
Katie Miner
Employer/Occupation: Student at MIT
Years involved in FIRST: 11
Role/Area of expertise of the team: CAD
Favorite memory about Robotics: Any moment with my friends. Robotics gave me connections that I hope will last through my lifetime.
If You Were a Flavor of Ice Cream Which Would You Be And Why: Mint chocolate chip
Rachel Bucci
Employer/Occupation: Great Lakes Medical Imaging/Director of Billing
Years involved in FIRST: 6
Role/Area of expertise of the team: Outreach and Media
Favorite memory about Robotics: It’s all so amazing but my favorite thing each year is watching each component of the robot come to life and the excitement and sense of accomplishment you see on everyone’s face when they watch their creation in action!
If You Were a Flavor of Ice Cream Which Would You Be And Why: Vanilla – why mess with something that is already so good?!
Bruce McCarthy
Employer/Occupation: Student @ Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Years involved in FIRST: 10
Role/Area of expertise of the team: CAD
Favorite memory about Robotics: Helping our students. Robotics is a place for learning, and growing, and all we can do as mentors is help our students blossom in these ways.
If You Were a Flavor of Ice Cream Which Would You Be And Why: Stronger – Kelly Clarkson – it’s all about building yourself back up 🙂
Jessica McCarthy
Employer/Occupation: A&A Beauty Supply ~ Executive Assistant
Years involved in FIRST: 2
Role/Area of expertise of the team: Outreach/Media
Favorite memory about Robotics: Orchestrating 2 parade floats this year and watching the kids bond and have fun!
If You Were a Flavor of Ice Cream Which Would You Be And Why: Vanilla – because I can be dressed up or down and be happy either way!