The MN Robotics Competition Program is led by a passionate State Coordinator at St. Cloud Technical & Community College with guidance from an advisory group made up of local business leaders.
OUR STATE COORDINATOR
I'M KATIE FRANK
Title: VEX Robotics & STEAM Outreach Coordinator, St. Cloud Technical & Community College
Katie got her start in VEX Robotics by competing on a team throughout High School. It was during this time Katie met Aaron Barker and learned about St. Cloud Technical & Community College's Energy & Electronics program (now Robotics & Industrial Controls).
After graduating from High School, Katie double majored in Robotics & Automation Technology and Mechatronics at SCTCC. She competed on SCTCC's VEX U team and was an assistant coach for seven local robotics teams. Also, during college, Katie began volunteering at various VEX Robotics events as a Judge and Judge Advisor.
After graduating from college, Katie worked at Park Industries - a company she had learned about from her time in VEX Robotics. Katie decided to go back to SCTCC to earn a third degree in Instrumentation & Process Control.
Katie now works as the VEX Robotics & STEAM Outreach Coordinator at SCTCC. Within her role, Katie coordinates the Minnesota VEX Robotics State Championship, trailer support for local tournaments, and runs camps for youth. Katie is actively involved in STEAM outreach initiatives where she helps start new robotics teams and talks with students and community members about post secondary STEAM/STEM college and career opportunities, especially for girls and BIPOC.
OUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
I'M JOE FRANCIS
Title: CEO & Third Generation Owner (Visionary)
Joe Francis is 3rd generation owner of Central McGowan--founded in 1947 and purchased in 1954 by his Grandfather, Leo Henkemeyer. He is passionate about, an advocate for, and a supporter of automation and robotics. Under his leadership, Central McGowan has been Platinum sponsor of the MN Robotics Competition Program for three years. Joe believes its mission is instrumental in building the next generation of STEM workers, empowering STEM educators, and filling the skilled workforce gap that exists today and in the future. In addition to supporting MN Robotics Competition Program & First Robotics, the company's automation team also actively seeks out ways to be a resource for youth interested in learning more about careers in automation and robotics.
I'M GREG FLINT
Title: President/COO
Greg Flint is the President/Chief Operating Officer at Coldspring. He currently serves as an active member of the MN Robotics Competition Program Executive Committee, having been engaged in the program since its inception. Greg’s passion and involvement are driven by an awareness of the shortage of STEM fields. Under his leadership, Coldspring is a Platinum sponsor of the MN Robotics Competition Program. He believes the VEX platform gives companies like his the opportunity to engage with students as potential future employees, their parents, and their schools. By doing this Coldspring has opened doors at local schools to pursue the various ways to collaborate together in developing future talent. Greg also serves as a board member for a variety of non-profit and for-profit organizations.
I'M JOAN SCHATZ
Title: CEO
Joan Schatz is CEO of Park Industries and a passionate supporter of the MN Robotics Competition Program both professionally and personally. Joan sees VEX Robotics as key to building the workforce her business, this region, and our nation needs. Through Joan’s leadership, Park Industries is a Platinum Sponsor of the MN Robotics Competition Program and, through her work as Vice Chair of the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation and Co-Chair of its Talent Strategy Imperative, she is also a member of the program's Executive Committee. Joan’s son was a VEX team member for five years, and her husband still coaches three VEX teams. Joan also boasts about the full-sized VEX competition field she has in her basement! .
VEX MN FOUNDERS
I'M AARON BARKER
Title: Energy & Electronics Instructor, St. Cloud Technical & Community College
Colleagues know Aaron as a dedicated and enthusiastic individual with a passion for teaching and the ability to think outside the box. When Aaron became the head of the electronics program at St. Cloud Technical & Community College in 2009, the program's existence was being threatened by very low enrollment. Since then, he has been the driving force for the success of the program and has played a major role in the development of other new programs at SCTCC.
Aaron was instrumental in helping SCTCC partner with Xcel Energy in 2010 to develop the Nuclear Technician Program. The program is designed to prepare graduates for work as Nuclear Plant Maintenance Technicians. The nuclear track is the newest addition to SCTCC's current catalog of energy tracks: wind power, ethanol, bio-diesel, solar power, and fossil fuel energy production.
In 2020, Aaron was named the 2020 CMMA Collaborator of the Year by the Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association.
When not teaching, he is also actively involved in volunteering his time to students outside of SCTCC.
I'M ANDREW DAHLEN
Title: Mechanical Enginnering Lecturer / STEM Outreach Coordinator, University of North Dakota
Before entering higher education, Andrew worked as a manufacturing engineer designing automated machinery for the manufacturing of composite window and door components. He also developed and improved processes for the manufacturing of computer hard-drive components and medical devices.
Andrew promotes STEM education throughout North Dakota and leads robotics camps and robotics workshops for area youth.