Brown County First Robotics

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BCFR Board of Directors

Melissa Samuels

President

Melissa is an occupational therapist who works in ergonomics with business and industry across the world. Through this professional work, and her son’s love of building/coding and LEGOS, she discovered FIRST and became passionate about developing a STEM Program in Brown County. Melissa has been a coach and a mentor within the league for 5 years, has supported the growth of the K-3 program as well as the organization as a whole and is now the acting Vice President for the organization. Melissa’s goals for Brown County FIRST Robotics are to continue to offer STEM learning to all children in our community without barrier.

Arrow Guetschow

Arrow Guetschow​

Vice President

Stay tuned… more to come

Eric Christenson

Eric Christenson

IT Director

Eric is a software engineering manager at Schneider National and a founder of BAM Data Science. He has many years of experience in data science, software engineering, and technology leadership, primarily in the transportation and logistics industry. His involvement in FIRST Robotics helps him share his love of robotics with his daughter.

Jake Wavrunek

Jake Wavrunek

Board Member

Jake Wavrunek is an enthusiast for both technology and the great outdoors, dedicated to creating memorable experiences with his family through camping and fishing adventures with his wife and kids. He has a passion for restoring vintage video game and arcade machines, reviving the charm of classic technology. This blend of outdoor exploration and technical skill highlights his diverse interests. Jake embraces life with passion and a commitment to fostering creativity and connection.
Emily Tietyen

Emily Tietyen

Marketing Director

Emily Tietyen, the HR Manager for NEW Water, was elected as the Director of Marketing for the Brown County FIRST Robotics Board in 2024. Her passion for FIRST is fueled by her two children who actively participate in FIRST programs – one at the FIRST LEGO League level and the other at the FIRST Robotics Competition level. With a background in a STEM-related field, Emily truly understands the value of the skills FIRST provides, preparing young people not just for future careers, but for all of life’s challenges.
Jim Shimek

Jim Shimek

Finance Director

Stay tuned… more to come

Mark Finn

Mark Finn

Board Member

Stay tuned… more to come

Nic Kaufmann

Nic Kaufmann

FIRST Lego League Challenge Director

Nic is a project coordinator with an Architectural/ Engineering firm in Green Bay. His autistic son helped bring him to the world of Lego robotics, trying to find a program where he could excel in using his love of building Legos and electronic interactions while helping him build his social skills. Nic started mentoring his immediate FLL Challenge team in 2021 and stepped into the FLL Challenge director position for Brown County in 2023. He wishes to extend the program to all areas of Brown County, in a sustainable nurturing environment where all students are welcome, and mentoring parents feel the ease at which STEM concepts can be introduced to their children.

Swati Ringwala

Board Member

Stay tuned… more to come