Announcement and Thank You
 

(I had the opportunity to make this announcement at IRI, and am happy to go into some more detail here on ChiefDelphi.com.)

Dear FIRST community,

With much gratitude and respect to you all, I am very happy to announce that I am leaving my job as Sr. Mechanical Engineer at Delphi Electronics and Safety on September 1st. Mark Koors and I have grown our AndyMark company to the point where I can work full time at AndyMark. We started this company 3 years ago, with our intent of leaving our day jobs at Delphi. Now, that dream is being realized. Mark's departure from Delphi will take place over the next year or two.

We owe a great thanks to you all for this success and my transition. You have been good friends and customers as you have watched us grow as a company. We have debated issues on this website, discussed how our products can be improved, and many of you have tirelessly supported what we are doing. I can’t thank you enough.

Up to this point, we have worked hard to support FRC teams, while being distracted with my responsibilities at Delphi. From this point on, my focus will now be 100% on AndyMark, and that will mean better support and service for FIRST Robotics teams.

AndyMark is also moving into a new home, as we will be tenants at Inventrek Technology Park in Kokomo. Inventrek is a high-tech incubator focused on helping new technology-driven companies realize their potential in developing technology-based initiatives. We move in next week.

Although I will be leaving Delphi, I will continue to be a mentor on the TechnoKats Robotics Team. However, I will not be the lead mentor as I have for the past 8 seasons. We are working on a transition now and my limited responsibilities for team 45 have not been redefined. I would like to thank my TechnoKat teammates, as they have supported us through this whole process. Specifically, I want to thank Mark Koors for being a wonderful teammate and business partner, venturing down this path with me.

Finally, I would like to thank my wife, Mary, for supporting me unconditionally through this process. Without this support, none of this would happen and I would not be in FIRST. My role as husband and father is more important than my role as FIRST mentor and teammate, and I appreciate that she has let me “play with the robots” for so long.

If you are familiar with communicating with me through my Delphi email, you will need to use one of these two addresses to contact me in the future: andybaker45(at)gmail.com or andyb(at)andymark.biz. Also, our mailing address will change to this:

AndyMark, Inc.
700 E. Firmin St.
Suite 114
Kokomo, IN 46902
765-455-1376

Thank you very much,
Andy Baker

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

Good luck on your endevour, Andy!

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

Good luck! Having had a parent move from a big company to their own endeavor, I wish you the best of luck!

Also, I'm guessing we're going to see the AndyMark line expand, and improve a bit, due to the full time commitment now?

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

I'm really excited for you, Andy. When I first read about the announcement you'd made regarding this at IRI, I had a big smile on my face.

It's not only amazing that both you and Mark have been able to build a successful business in AndyMark, but that you've done so while continuing to be exemplary mentors and members of the FIRST community. Where we typically think of business ventures -- especially startups -- as being competitive and secretive, the two of you have offered your help and have been honest with all of us at every turn. It's really amazing and noteworthy.

AndyMark's service and products have all been simply amazing -- especially when compared to some of the larger companies we've dealt with -- and all of us on team xbot are looking forward to doing our part to keep you employed in 2008 and in the future :)

Way to go :)

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

Congratulations Andy, and best of luck to you.:)

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

I got a literal tear in my eye (2 really) when I heard this at the IRI. I'm happy to see you following your dreams and succeeding. Congratulations!

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

Best of luck! This is in my opinion, great news for the robotics community. I look forward to seeing AndyMark grow in the coming years.

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

Aww, yay!! Congratulations, Andy! :)

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

All the best. You deserve this.

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

Congrats Andy on your new direction. May you and Mark continue to be successful by providing something that saves the proverbial kiesters of those of us who don't know a lick about designing a gearbox!

I would proudly put an AM sticker on our robot any day!

Keep it up!

-Andy Grady

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

I can't say I know you as well as some of the other guys on here but I know all about how much work and dedication you have put into your team and into FIRST as a whole. I also know of the high quality parts you put out for the benefit of all teams as we've used plenty. I wish you all the best of luck in continuing AM and look forward to all the goodies you'll be able to make :D

You say thank you to us, but I say thank you to you for putting out such amazing products and for, more importantly, adding so much to FIRST.

Good luck.

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

Andy,

I want to formally thank you for impacting my life in the past 4 years that can never be beat. You took me from a freshman who knew nothing, at all, to a confident senior who wasn't afraid to describe the robot to anyone. In the time in between, you (with some other adults also) taught me how to use a mill, lathe, how to run pneumatics, how to design with actually using math that we learned in school and many many many many more things.

At first, I was very intimidated by FIRST, but you have taught all TechnoKats that there is nothing to be afraid of. I can never say thank you enough. It will feel odd this next season going to a new shop and not seeing you there. Even though you are leaving the team lead position, you will still impact ALL future freshman on TechnoKats. You are, and always will be, a legend in the realm of FIRST and you will be rightfully so.

If there is anything you need, ever, do NOT be afraid to ask me for help. You are one of my best friends now, as I said earlier in this note, I can NEVER say thank you enough. Good luck with AndyMark and I hope you and Mark become very successful.

Thank you for all of the great times!

Your friend,
Kyle Love

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

Andy,

Your products saved our butts on multiple occasions during Palmetto, but your service saved our butts even more during build. Whether it was combining two separate orders into one box in a hurry or sticking the CAD files on the website, AndyMark kept the Capitals rolling except when our own silly mistakes stopped us. (memo to self: locknuts.) I've got nothing but the best of hopes for y'all.

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

Andy,

Way above and beyond "FIRST" or "Robotics" you are perhaps the most community-oriented individual I have ever met in my life. You step up, you get involved, you provide solutions, you help others - even when it makes things more difficult for you and your team. You handle difficult situations with style, you live a life that shows everyone you come into contact with that you have a sincere desire to help create a better world. You are the most humble team player I have ever seen.

The funny thing is, the more you've given, the more you've received. I believe all the way through my shoes, that there are a few rare gems we get to see a glimpse of in our lives. You, without a doubt are one of those rare individuals. It's impossible to know when you are at work or at play and the size of your "family" seems to have no boundaries.

The example that you set is one we can all learn from and should emulate. Not that we all should start our own business making gearboxes for some silly robot competition; that would be a mistake for most of us. More like following our hearts with conviction, displaying passion in the face of adversity, and having the courage to step up in an otherwise greedy world and show how important it is to help others - always.

Personally, you have done way more favors for me than I can ever repay. I'm a better person because I know you. Thank you and congratulations.

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

I think I can safely say that a lot of teams wouldn't be where they are today if it wasn't for AndyMark. Thanks for everything that you do Andy; Indiana and FIRST would not be where they are today without your involvement.

Also, I just wanted to note that this is SO cool. I wonder if we'll start seeing any other FIRST related start up's? A few of us have an idea... but that's all it is right now, an idea :]

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

Congratulations Andy.
As a customer and a friend I wish nothing but good luck for AndyMark’s future. Letting go of the corporate security blanket and going full time has to be an exciting and scary time for you. If there is anything I can do for you guys just let me know.

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

Congratulations, Andy! Welcome to the ranks of the poor, starving, self-employed.

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

Andy, I wish you and Mark the best of luck. It looks like your dreams are starting to come true!


To all the students on FIRST teams: learn from what Andy and Mark (and so many other mentors) are doing! They had a dream, put a plan together and with hard work and dedication, slowly but surely made that dream come true! It may not happen overnight, but in time if you keep focused and keep working hard, it will become a reality.


-mike

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

Rich said about what I wanted to. (Funny how often that happens...) Andy, I'm glad you have created the opportunity to become self employed, and here's hoping that Mark can join you soon.

Good luck and have fun!

Wetzel

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

Congratulations Andy! You are an inspiration, and I hope to follow in your foot-steps one day. I wish the best of luck to your company to keep growing and growing. Just wondering, would you be willing to consult on custom jobs? ;)

edit:

Oh, just read your website. I might be shooting you an email within the next few months.

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

I don't even know what to say but Congrats! I will defiantly miss you on the team! I totally ditto what Kyle said with if you need anything, you know how to contact me. Good Luck! See you at the shop! ;)

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

Eric,

Thanks... but I will still be around as a technical mentor on TechnoKats. I just won't do all of that "lead mentor" stuff.

You'll still see me around the shop, for sure.

Andy

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

Be sure to put a lot of Dilbert cartoons on the walls, to ward off the corporate babble :)

Seriously, Congrats, I'm sure you'll do well, because you know what's important!

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

One advantage of being self employed is much better communication with your boss. So while there may be babble at AndyMark, it certainly won't be corporate babble.:)

Congratulations, Andy. This is a great move. If all suppliers could be like AndyMark, my job would be a lot easier.

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

I started to type some of my thoughts of what Andy has done for the community, what type of person and role model he has been and is to so many (including myself), and so on. Then I realized that someone already expressed much of what I think of Andy previously, and did so more eloquently than I can. So in the interest of saving time, and not committing plagiarism, I'm just going to say:

yeah, exactly what Kressly said, that's 100% spot on

Congratulations Andy - I wish you, your family and Mark the utmost success and happiness.

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

This is amazing news. I'm excited to break my semi-retirement from CD / FIRST to congratulate you on this terrific accomplishment. I wish you guys all the best of luck in the coming years. This is so great to hear, Andy!

-Bill

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

I never had any doubt; good people who do good quality work will always prosper. You are both top notch. Your plug and play wheels and gearboxes gave our kids a chance to see and learn about all the benefits and features of your stuff, which made it much easier for Tytus and me to spend time with the new team teaching other stuff. I'm looking forward to doing future business with you.

So, when are you going to add an "employment opportunities" link to the andymark.biz website? Surely since you have grown from 2 part time employees to 2 full time employees you'll soon need to add additional staff. I see you're attending Mission Mayhem; does that mean you are considering setting up a southeastern regional office? Where do I send a resume?

Re: Announcement and Thank You
 

Now, I don't mean to insult Gary, but I've got a lot more years left in me ;) . And I'll work for less too!

Also, keep it up Mr. Baker. What impressed me the most was the amount of rookie teams that were able to spend more time on effective manipulators, than on a working drive (that was still competitive with the custom stuff some teams put out).