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OUR MENTORS
DOUGLAS CHAPPELLE
Head Mentor since 2011
Doug is a technical fellow at Boeing, where he's worked for 30 years as a complex systems integrator on programs like AWACS and the USAF Tanker. He started his career in robotics 35 years ago while at MIT. In his free time Doug likes to hike, bike, pilot small aircraft, and scuba dive. Doug is a founding mentor of the Iron Patriots.
KEN WILHELM
Electronics Mentor since 2021
Ken worked for 40 years in Boeing Commercial Flight. He designed data systems and has experience with 3D design and mechanical design.
Head Hardware Mentor since 2015
ROBERT WENZEL
Rob started his mentoring career in the summer of 2011 when his daughter, Natalie, joined team 399. When she graduated, he and his family moved to Washington, where Rob found a place mentoring the Iron Patriots. Rob is an Air Force veteran; he worked as an electronics technician during his time in the military. He also has a Bachelor’s in English as well as extensive training in mechanical and electrical engineering.
DAVE DUNCAN
Software Mentor (FTC & FRC) since 2021
Dave began mentoring for FTC in 2021 and soon began to mentor team 4131 as well. He is an electrical engineer who does research and development at a local biomedical company. When he's not working on robotics, Dave loves running and spending time with his family.
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Photo coming soon!
Hardware Mentor since 2021
NATHAN WILHELM
Nathan graduated from Liberty High School in 2011 and now works as a test engineer at Amazon. During his time at liberty, he helped construct many of the machines we use today. His motivation for mentoring the team is to give back to the community by using his knowledge of the machinery our robotics team uses.
JONATHAN KUNKEE
Software Mentor
Jon started with FIRST Robotics Team 1288, Raven Robotics in 2004, when he did software and website work for them. He now helps mentor the Iron Patriots' software team, leveraging his professional systems software development experience and hobbyist electronics tinkering work.
Thank you, mentors, for all you do!
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