Mentors:
Mentors are the cornerstone of FRC and are a huge part of the program's success. Mentors are adults that help and guide our team and its members. Some mentors are teachers, parents, university students and student alumni of our team. They help and teach us by sharing their knowledge and experience. We owe much of our success to the selfless contributions of these awesome people!
Roger Balech is 3161's founding, and lead mentor. Roger is a Senior Physics and Math teacher at Holy Trinity High School. He obtained his undergraduate from the University of Toronto, and his Masters in Education from Niagara University. Prior to founding 3161, he was a mentor for the Oakville Trafalgar Red Devils (1334) which at the time contained many students from Holy Trinity. He is always at the front of new ideas, specifically in new community involvement ideas and opportunities, always working to further develop and evolve the team. He spends much of his time in room 311, working on all aspects of the team, from FLL, school board relations, to sponsorship. Whether or not he actually ever leaves the building is still a debated topic over team dinners.
Daniel Giles is a former Holy Trinity High School student and a founding mentor of team 3161. Dan is currently studying Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Waterloo, and is due to graduate from his program in 2013. He became involved in FIRST in 2007 with team 1334 and has been actively involved with both team 1334 and team 3161 since then. His work experience includes programming for Mining systems, and mechanical design of Mining systems, Naval systems, and Marine Surveying equipment. He is knowledgeable in a variety of programming languages, a number of CAD programs, and basic electrical work. On team 3161, he primarily contributes to the strategy, mechanical design, and fabrication areas of the team.
Steven Lao is a former Holy Trinity High School student and founding mentor of team 3161. Steven was previously a member of 1334 in 2008, where he experienced a season of FRC and decided to get more involved in robotics. Steven is currently studying at the University of Waterloo (Mechatronics Engineering, 2013). Some of his recent work experience include Software Quality Assurance at RIM and Christie Digital, and Program Coordinator at a Toronto high school. On the team, he participates on the mechanical design and fabrication, but also advises on other aspects of the team.
Michael Richardson is a former Holy Trinity student and founding mentor of team 3161. He started with FRC in 2007 on team 843 which, that year, became the first Canadian team to win the Virginia Regional. In his second year on 843 he, along with Dan Giles, started to contact board members and got the ball rolling in what would later become team 3161. He has studied Mechanical Drafting and Design at Sheridan College. His work experience includes CNC machining, CNC and NC programming, a number of CAD programs and manufacturing fuel injectors for the Candu Reactors. On team 3161, he primarily contributes to the mechanical, design, and shop equipment instruction and safety.
Andrew Azores is a former Holy Trinity student, and 3161 member during the 2010 season. Andrew was one of our team captains in our rookie year, as well as a driver and build team member. His main specialization on our team was as our lead programmer. He is currently in his second year of the Computer Science program at McMaster University.
Melissa Lynett is a former Holy Trinity Student and was a 3161 member during the 2011 season. She was a member of the build and manufacturing teams, and acted as safety captain and pit chief at our regional competitions. Melissa is currently studying Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo and continues to work as 3161 as a mentor.
Paul Fossenier started with FIRST on team 1334 in 2009. Paul is a former Holy Trinity student and founding 3161 member who was a student member of our team during the 2010 and 2011 seasons. He has acted as electrical team captain, build and design team member, Driver, and Drive Coach. Paul was a recipient of the Dean's List Award at the 2011 Waterloo Regional. He is currently in his first year of Engineering at McMaster University and continues to work with 3161 as a mentor.
Craig Hoo is a former Holy Trinity student, and 3161 member during the 2010 season. Craig was the human player, as well as a member of the build team. His role on our team was as electronics team leader. He is currently in the Engineering level II program at McMaster University.
Roberto DiDiodato is a senior science teacher at Holy Trinity High School. He obtained an Honours degree in Biological Science with a Minor in Biochemistry from the University of Guelph. Roberto attended the FIRST Championship where he caught the "FIRST bug", and he has been greatly involved with the team since. He will be assisting the team through the upcoming season and will be organizing and involved with numerous fundraising events.
Sandra Moretta is a Senior English teacher at Holy Trinity High School. She joined team 3161 mid-way through the 2010 build season and has been getting acquainted with the FIRST community. She had traveled with the team to the 2010 FIRST Championships in Atlanta, and has been hooked since. Having a Honours Humanities degree from McMaster University, she is not overly active on the mechanical and technical side of the team but lends a hand to the organization. She plays an active role on the fundraising, business and portfolio aspects of the team.