Single-Day Event Plans, Digital Animation Award, and Safety Animation Reminder

Nov 23, 2021 Written by Frank Merrick, Director FIRST Robotics Competition

As mentioned in this blog, some areas are hosting Single-Day Events due to local conditions. 

FIRST Scholarship Provider: National Fluid Power Association

Nov 17, 2021 Written by FIRST Scholarship Provider: National Fluid Power Association

With the 2022 RAPID REACTSM Kickoff on January 8th, consider using pneumatics in your robot! If you do, not only can you apply for National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) $40,000 scholarship, but we can help you find a mentor to help your team learn more about the benefits of pneumatics.

Let the Kit of Parts Roll

Nov 17, 2021 Written by Kate Pilotte, Sr. Kit of Parts Manager

‘Tis the season for the Kit of Parts Team. In addition to the warehouse prepping Kickoff Kits, FIRST Choice product pages are being reviewed, and voucher codes are being uploaded. What does that mean to you? Here’s the breakdown…

FIRST Championship News

Nov 15, 2021 Written by Frank Merrick, Director FIRST Robotics Competition

 

Chris Moore

Chris Moore
Chief Executive Officer, FIRST®
Secretary, FIRST Board of Directors

Chris Moore is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the global nonprofit FIRST®, a robotics community that prepares young people for the future through hands-on, PreK-12 classroom and afterschool STEM programs. He joined FIRST in 2021, bringing extensive executive leadership, advocacy and field engagement experience, as well as a passion for building programs that serve youth, families and communities.

For the past 25 years, Chris has driven considerable growth in both corporate and nonprofit organizations, serving in executive leadership roles, most recently as CEO of Positive Coaching Alliance, a youth sports training and content development organization. Chris was a leading voice and advocate for positive youth development and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills and opportunities made available to kids through sports.

Prior to that, he served as CEO of United States Youth Soccer Association, the largest youth sport organization in the country. In this role, Chris increased youth participation in recreational and competitive soccer programs nationwide, while helping to transform the lives of 3 million youth, high school and collegiate athletes annually.

Before that, Chris was President and Chief Operating Officer of GENYOUTH, a youth empowerment organization dedicated to creating healthier school communities nationwide. While at GENYOUTH, Chris partnered with the National Football League (NFL) and National Dairy Council (NDC) to inspire a generation of kids to exercise for 60 minutes per day and consume nutrient-dense meals through GENYOUTH’s flagship program, Fuel Up to Play 60, the largest in-school health and wellness program in the U.S. To carry out the mission of GENYOUTH, Chris convened leaders in government, corporate, nonprofits, schools and health organizations, resulting in a nationwide movement to improve the health and well-being of America’s youth. While there, Chris led GENYOUTH’s partnership with the former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, to promote her signature initiative, “Let’s Move,” aimed at achieving healthier kids and active school environments.

As the leader of two prominent youth sport organizations, Chris served as an Aspen Institute “Project Play” Champion and was recognized by the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition, as a National Youth Sports Strategy (NYSS) Champion, along with other thought-leading organizations, to develop a federal roadmap with actionable strategies to increase participation in youth sports.

Chris is a native Chicagoan, but currently resides in North Dallas, Texas, with his wife of 21 years, and two teenage sons. He earned a B.A. in International Relations from Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Ill., and earned an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

 

Chuck Harris

Chuck Harris
Senior Director, IT and Software Development, FIRST®

Chuck Harris joined the FIRST Executive Leadership Team in 2021 as Senior Director IT and Software Development. After nearly a decade volunteering the FIRST community, Chuck joined the FIRST staff in 2012 as Senior Software Engineer, FIRST Robotics Competition, and was promoted to Principal Software Engineer in 2017 before transitioning to the IT department in 2019.

Chuck has been involved with the FIRST program since 2003, serving as a mentor with FIRST teams at Oakton High School in Vienna, Virginia, for 10+ years and advocating for the formation of a science and engineering booster club to sustain its programs. In 2005, he received the NASA/VCU Regional Woodie Flower’s finalist award. He also served on the D.C. Regional planning committee for four years and helped to mentor Washington, DC high school teams for several seasons.

In addition to his direct FIRST experience, Chuck brings 30+ years of diverse work experience having served as a development engineer, management information systems (MIS) manager, product manager, marketing manager, sales and marketing manager, general manager, and consultant. He has an MBA degree from Harvard University School of Business and a B.E.E. degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

 

Brooke Blew

Brooke Blew
Vice President, Marketing and Communications, FIRST®

Brooke Blew joined FIRST in 2014, bringing a passion for the power of storytelling to drive awareness, reputation, and growth. After holding various marketing leadership positions, she became Vice President of Marketing and Communications in 2022. In her role, Brooke is responsible for all aspects of marketing and communications, organization wide – including broad awareness, brand identity, digital engagement, and lead generation.

Brooke’s work has helped build the reputation of FIRST as a world-class brand and increase engagement on key social issues such as STEM education; youth, skills, and workforce development; and equity, diversity & inclusion. The most visible evidence of this was the collaboration with Disney and Lucasfilm, led by Brooke and her team, resulting in the acclaimed documentary, “More than Robots.” Under her leadership, the FIRST marketing team has been recognized for numerous strategic communications campaigns, including: Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas; Bulldog PR Award for Best Nonprofit Campaign; and the Shorty Award for Best Social Good Campaign of the Year.

Brooke holds a B.S. in Journalism and Public Relations from State University of New York College at Brockport and has held various roles in journalism, public relations, and marketing over her career – including at The New York Times Company and Boston Globe Media.

 

Dr. Janell N. Catlin

Dr. Janell N. Catlin
Vice President, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, FIRST®

Dr. Janell N. Catlin is the Vice President of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at FIRST. She joined FIRST in October 2020 and brings nearly 20 years of experience as a global STEM education researcher, teacher educator, and advocate of access to STEM education for all learners.

Janell has led fundraising campaigns to lay the foundation for building out equitable global STEM and Girls’ Education programs, and she has led STEM and Girls' Education Initiatives throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia, and Southeast Asia. In this capacity, she has structured the vision, design, and implementation for teacher and school leader professional development and leveraged partnerships to deepen the impact of equitable STEM and Girls' Education teaching and learning. Furthermore, she has led international STEM consultancies with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for a funded project in Indonesia, private schools in China and Vietnam, and for the New York City Department of Education.

Janell received her Ph.D. and M.A. in Science Education, and Masters in Pharmacology from Columbia University. She received her Bachelors in Biology from Bennett College (North Carolina, USA). Janell is extremely passionate about increasing access and inclusion for all learners in global STEM Education and Girls' Education. In 2019, she co-authored the National Science Teaching Association position statement on Gender Equity in Science Education. Janell has been awarded for her scholarship by the National Association for Research in Science Teaching and her alma mater, Bennett College.

 

Ron Falcone

Ron Falcone
Chief Sourcing Officer, FIRST®

Ron Falcone joined the FIRST Executive Leadership Team in 2020 as Chief Sourcing Officer with primary responsibilities in Strategic Planning and Leadership. Ron joined FIRST in 2007 and has served in varying leadership positions throughout the years. Ron’s team overseas all Supply Chain, Vendor / Contract Management and Sourcing for the organization.

Prior to joining FIRST, Ron spent his career in Global Supply Chain management with various global manufacturing companies.

Ron attended Boston College and then graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a (summa cum laude) Finance degree.

FIRST Board of Directors Welcomes Chris Moore as CEO

MANCHESTER, N.H., November 15, 2021 – FIRST®, an international not-for-profit organization with the mission to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators, announced today the appointment of Chris Moore as chief executive officer. Moore brings visionary leadership, extensive advocacy and field-engagement experience, as well as a passion for building programs that serve youth, families and communities.