Board of Directors - FIRST Indiana Robotics

Logan Byers

Chairman

Logan Byers is a Principal Site Automation Engineer for Eli Lilly and Company, in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2012, he graduated with a B.S. in Electrical and Controls Engineering Technology from Purdue University – West Lafayette.

Logan began his involvement in FIRST as a high school student at West Lafayette High School with FRC team 461 in 2002. After graduating high school in 2006, he continued to stay involved by volunteering as a referee and robot inspector until 2010. In 2010, Logan joined Purdue FIRST Programs (PFP) and became a mentor and drive coach for FRC team 1747, Harrison Boiler Robotics. In 2011, Logan was appointed as the team’s Director of Robotics and helped lead the PFP mentors for the team. After the 2011 season, Logan then returned to volunteering and refereeing and has been a Head Referee in the state since 2014.

Amy Liimatta

Vice Chairman

Amy Liimatta is a Senior Engineering Manager at BAA, an engineering consulting firm located in Columbus, Indiana. Previous to BAA, Amy spent 26 years with Cummins in various project management and engineering roles within the Service function. She is also certified Six Sigma Blackbelt.

Amy graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor and Masters of Mechanical Engineering..

Amy began her involvement with FIRST when her son joined FRC Team 4926, GalacTech, in 2014 and was instantly captivated by the program. She is now the Treasurer on the Board of Columbus Robotics and a Lead Mentor for Team 4926.

Brad Thompson

Secretary

Brad Thompson is the owner & lead engineer at Sledgehammer Infosystems, where he provides software, communications, and process automation services to small businesses and non-profits.

Brad graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Computer Science in 2013. While at Purdue, Brad was introduced to FIRST through Purdue FIRST Programs, where he served as an FLL mentor, Director of Junior Robotics, and Vice President.

Brad is now the program coordinator & co-lead mentor of FRC Team 461, Westside Boiler Invasion, and it’s several feeder FTC & FLL teams. He is also a frequent volunteer for events at all levels of the FIRST pipeline, primarily as a judge or in AV/Event Production roles. Brad also helps take care of FIN’s website and other IT needs.

Phil Rowland

Treasurer

Monica Bravo Hochstein

Chair, Competition Committee

Monica Bravo Hochstein is an elementary school teacher in the Lafayette School Corporation. She graduated with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from The Ohio State University in 2019 & a masters degree in Educational Leadership and Policy in 2022.

Monica formally began her involvement in FIRST in high school as a member of FRC 461. After graduating high school, she began volunteering in off-season events as an FTAA and as an event manager throughout the midwest. She currently volunteers as a judge, referee, event manager, and as a co-chair of an event planning committee.

Rachel Burke

Chair, Education Committee

Nathan Petrie

Chair, Finance & Audit Committee

Nathan Petrie has been involved with FIRST since 2013 when he joined FTC 4601. Since then he has been on FTC 4600 for one year and FRC 135: Penn Robotics for two years. He attended IUPUI and graduated in December of 2020 with a BS in Electrical Engineering. He works as a Controls Engineer for material handling integrator Bastian Solutions in Indianapolis, IN and stays involved in FIRST as the Lead Robot Inspector for northern Indiana.

Mitchell Beard

Chair, Marketing & Communication Committee

Mitchell A. Beard is a Project Manager with UKG’s Northeast Healthcare Team, where he leads implements of work force management software. Mitchell also is the Director of Marketing at 1st Maker Space, a company devoted to STEM education thought the creation of makerspaces for hands on learning. Additionally, Mitchell works with a congregation in Rushville, Indiana as a Minister in the Disciples of Christ Tradition named Big Flatrock Christian Church.

Mitchell holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wabash College in Philosophy and Religion with a focus in youth spiritual development.

Mitchell has been involved with FIRST since 2008 when he started in the FLL program with Edison Elementary. In High School Mitchell was a part of Team 71, based out of Hammond, Indiana. On the team he participated as a chairmen’s presenter, media crew lead, and as part of the build team.

Amrita Khurana

Chair, Networking Committee

Caitlin Sheesley-Brown

Chair, Volunteer Committee

Caitlin Sheesley-Brown is the Vice President of Client Development & Success at Ascend Indiana, the workforce and talent initiative of Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). In her role, she leads the strategic and operational activities related to the Ascend Network, Ascend’s job matching platform that connects individuals to internships, jobs, and work-based learning opportunities across the state. In addition, Caitlin is an Associate Faculty member for the IUPUI School of Engineering and Technology and earned her Master’s of Public Administration in Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management.

Caitlin has been involved in robotics since managing the City of Indianapolis VEX Robotics Championship alongside the Mayor’s Office of Education Innovation. She went on to support the initial launch of the State Robotics Championship in partnership with TechPoint Foundation for Youth. Caitlin then went on to join the board of First Indiana Robotics in late-2020.