[BB] August 18, 2010: Vacation, what vacation?

[buildmaster5000]

http://frcdirector.blogspot.com/2010...-vacation.html

Good Afternoon Teams,

I’m back in the office after a week at the lake and am ready to go. Our busy season has begun. We are finalizing contracts for Regional Events (cross your fingers, I’d like to have all the contracts in place earlier this year than last because I know it makes it easier for teams to plan their schedules). Kate is encouraging suppliers to fill the kit (Colin will join her September 13th, not a moment too soon.) And Game Design is now weighing the pros and cons of purchasing game elements (no one seems to have exactly what we want) vs. having them made (pricey and there are the issues of lead time and inventory to consider). We’re also working out the details of expanding the bag & tag program, improving the online registration systems and, like I’ve said before, everything having to do with the FRC season is under review as we look for ways to make FRC bigger and better every year.

We’ve hired Ryan Foley as the new FRC software engineer. He will be working with Matt Pilotte on the field management and scoring systems. Ryan was a student member of FRC team 350 Timberland and a mentor for team 1995 Fatal Error. He has been an inspector and referee at the Granite State, Connecticut and WPI regionals and is actively involved in off season events. He’ll be joining the FRC team next week.

We’ve promoted Derek Foster to FRC Project Engineering Manager. Derek has been a member of the FRC staff since October 2007. You may know him. He’s been the FTA at the Oregon and Colorado Regionals the last few years.

We’re looking for teams to Beta test the 2011 software. A few teams will also be invited to try out some new hardware. An email blast will probably go out today with more details, but if you’re interested, you can find the application online here.

While I was out last Tuesday, NH Senator Jeanne Shaheen & Dean unveiled new legislation to enhance STEM education through the creation of the innovation inspiration school grant program. The press conference was held in FIRST place. My thanks to Casey & Kyle from Team 238 the Cruisin Crusaders and Michael, Emily & Steven from Team 131 C.H.A.O.S. who brought in their robots on short notice to wow the senator and the press. We had International coverage (press crews from Austria, China and Japan were visiting FIRST that day to learn more about our mission), and representatives from JC Penney were in the house. It was quite the busy day. I’ve posted some pictures taken by my staff here.

There is one week left to vote for FIRST in the AMEX Members Project.

143 days to Kickoff
See you then!