MEET THE TEAM | Chill Out 1778

Meet Our Student Officer Team

Captain - Apollo Graves

My favorite thing about FRC is collaboration. The process of building a robot is very complicated and without working together and utilizing our specialties we wouldn't be able to complete this great project.

vice CAPTAIN - Lilia Pearson Maas

I love how welcoming everyone is while also being empowering. No matter your experience level, the team encourages you to learn more and push yourself. That, and through FRC I’ve improved my leadership skills and met so many amazing people!

Secretary - Raien Elliston

My favorite part of being in FRC are the competitions. Seeing all the hard work put into the robot by the teams throughout build season being shown off and the spirit of all the teams there makes those competitions the highlights of the year.

Treasurer - Maria Gaviola

What I love the most about robotics is the way that it really becomes a family. Even though I've only been on the team for one year, I have made tons of great memories with the friends that I have made and I wouldn't trade that for anything.

Sergeant at arms - Aidan Webb

I love being in a group where everybody is into the same things and working on the same goal. I have always loved anything to do with robots or taking stuff apart and doing it with others is fun!

Meet Our Mentors

Steve Winckler

Coach

Steve leads large scale technology transformations as an executive at AT&T for software development, technical architecture, and new product launches. As lead mentor, he helps the team with leadership development and overall team organization and execution.

Patti Rodgers

Coach

An educator with Edmonds School District, Patti has 20+ years of experience working with students of all ages. Patti leads team logistics inclding the many deadlines of FIRST, competition planning, and District processes. She supports the students with follow-up and can't wait to become a robot engineer.

Andrew Hay (FIRST Alumni)

Andrew is a Chill Out alumni and graduate of University of Washington who assists the team in game analysis, strategic design, scouting, logistics, and competition readiness. Andrew's experience with 1778 includes two trips to World Championships.

Brie Nakamura

Brie devises creative but functional solutions through hardware, materials and design as a high end residential architect. Her strong project management & exensive CAD experience help the team with design and problem solving under strict time pressures. Additionally, Brie helps lead the team with fundraising and sponsorship execution.

Cameron Graves

As a union carpenter, he loves to build. As a mentor, he hopes to foster creativity in the students, encourage them with a growth mindset, and literally build things that add to team effectiveness.

Christopher Kelly (FIRST Alumni)

An alumni of 1778 with FRC experience in leadership, CAD, electrical systems, and graphic design, Kelly guides the team in these disciplines. He combines practical experience, his library of resources, and active engagement in the FIRST online community to share a wealth of knowledge with the team.

Derek Hay

As a video production and engineering professional, Derek executes design and assembly of large event video systems and studios. He combines a background in electronics with 9 years of FIRST experience to help the students with electrical aspects of the robot as well as competition mindset.

Jeff Rodgers

Jeff collaborates with amputees to design and build prosthetic limbs, involving project management, design, fabrication and assembly. Jeff helps students with task planning as well as aiding in design, fabrication and assembly.

John Elder (FIRST Alumni)

John has nearly 10 years of robotics experience and a degree in computer science from the University of British Columbia. With knowledge of many FRC topics and experience as a Chill Out alumni, including two trips to World Championships, he will primarily focus on programming support and electrical design

Maura McDougall (FIRST Alumni)

As FIRST alum and senior at University of Washington Tacoma, her FRC experiences helped her grow and she wants to share that with students. Maura helps students execute aspects such as documentation for awards qualification while encouraging them to have fun in one of the most exciting experiences out there.

Sachi Webb

With over 25 years experience working and volunteering in schools, fundraising, enrichment programs and swim lessons, Sachi’s background in child education and development helps her work closely with students and families to organize our competition and events as well as additional team logistics.

Tim Leach

Tim Leach is the Director of Engineering for a marine consulting firm. He leads projects for new ship design, as well as existing vessel modifications. For Chill Out, Tim works with the design and build teams to help develop the robot.