Dr. Paul Post started in 1984 at The Ohio State University and served as an assistant professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning until retiring in 2021. He has been judging at the NRC since our event began and has been an active promoter of the NRC and robotics education throughout the nation. He has dedicated his life to increasing the technological literacy of all students. Over his career, he has worked with the Ohio Department of Education to develop Ohio's Technology Academic Content Standards and model lessons for Ohio educators. He has served as president of the Ohio Technology Education Association and currently serves on its government liaison committee and as executive director. He also chaired the accreditation committee of the Council of Technology Teacher Educators.

Dr. Post can usually be found helping throughout the entire NRC event. From setup to tear down, with multiple judging responsibilities in between, Dr. Post is always willing to lend a hand. The entire NRC team appreciates Dr. Paul Post's continued commitment to the NRC, our educator advisors, and the students we serve. We wish him many ongoing years of success and look forward to seeing him at the NRC for many years to come!

Brad Pottkotter joined the NRC team in 2006 and has increased his participation every year since. In 2013 he took over managing the fiscal operation for EduEverything. This move to a CFO position has allowed EduEverything to secure additional funding opportunities through grants and partnerships. His outstanding contribution of time and talent has also equipped EduEverything to launch our Drones in School program to further diversify our mission to promote the idea that students must still have the skills necessary to make real and tangible objects. In addition to his work as the chief financial officer, Brad also oversees the competition floor layout, assembly, and clean-up each year. This undertaking requires enormous time, logistics, and labor to pull off successfully.

Each year during the National Robotics Challenge, Brad Pottkotter is usually the first one in the building and the last one to leave once clean-up is wrapped up. When Brad is not spending time with his family or working on EduEverything financial records, he serves as the Integrated Production Technologies instructor at Marion Harding High School. He and his students have successfully built annual entries for the Manufacturing Workcell competition.

Mark Robinson joined the NRC team early in 2009. From that time forward, Mark has been instrumental in creating contests, competition fields, and assisting with event logistics. From assembly and painting to setting up brackets and rewiring electric cords, Mark does it all. In addition to his NRC work, Mark serves as the lead instructor at the Marion Robotics & Advanced Manufacturing Technology Education Collaborative (RAMTEC) on the Tri-Rivers Career Center Campus, where he continually shepherds and inspires the next generation of engineers and robotics technicians that will help our community to thrive in automation. Mark has also been instrumental in developing Vex robotics competitions in Ohio. He has coordinated and hosted numerous events, including the prestigious Kalahari signature event that draws young robotics technicians from throughout the nation for a one-of-a-kind competitive experience.

Ritch Ramey is one of the founding members of the NRC Committee. Ritch, Ed Goodwin, and Tad Douce started making plans to host the NRC in Marion, Ohio on the return trip from the SME Robotics Challenge in Rochester, NY. Ritch has been a visionary from the very beginning of this endeavor. Whenever things seemed impossible, Ritch has found ways to get judges, community members, and even corporations like Honda involved in the event. Ritch's experience with the NRC and his prowess as a pre-engineering educator, helped launch the Robotics & Advanced Manufacturing Technology Education Collaborative (RAMTEC) on the Tri-Rivers Career Center Campus. ​RAMTEC is the first training facility of its kind in the State of Ohio, ​partnering directly with business and industry to provide industrial robotics and advanced manufacturing skills and industrial certifications to high school and adult students. We are looking forward to his continued involvement in the NRC and robotics education.

When Brian first visited the NRC he immediately wanted to know how he and MTD could assist our efforts. The next year Brian hosted a booth for MTD at our event, but still he wanted to do more. Upon making additional inquiries about what was needed at the NRC, Brian suggested that in addition to becoming a sponsor, MTD could provide their own challenge that would assist teams with learning more about how real manufacturing facilities solve problems. So, in 2018, the MTD Challenge was born. Brian’s passion for manufacturing and helping students be their best is instantly apparent to anyone who meets him. The NRC Committee thanks Brian for sharing his love of automation and engineering with the participants of the NRC. With great partners like Brian and MTD, the NRC continues to grow and prosper.

Eli started with the NRC in 2004 when he built his first robot as a competitor. He didn't win with that first robot, but he stuck with the competition and in 2006 he won the Gold Award for his Lightweight Sumo Robot. (See his bot in action) Since leaving college, Eli has continued to come back year after year, not as a competitor, but as a volunteer and judge. He has judged numerous competitions for our elementary, middle school, high school, and post-secondary students. In 2017 Eli joined the NRC Committee as the Director of Contest Judging and we hope he will be around for a long time to continue inspiring our students to great things!

When the Tad Douce first met Jeff Branson at the 2009 TSA Conference in Denver, Colorado, he had no idea he had found such a great advocate for the National Robotics Challenge. In the years since, Jeff has been a tireless champion for our event. Promoting it to various partners throughout the US, showcasing the event at various conferences and workshops, and assisting with the development of new and innovative contests for the NRC (AVC, Internet of Things, and Crypto).

Jeff’s enthusiasm is contagious to anyone who meets him. That enthusiasm shines through each year at the NRC as he works with our students, educators and fellow judges to ensure that the NRC is truly a great experience. His continued commitment to creating an opportunity for students that is completely unique and open for all is inspirational. It is great partners like Jeff and SparkFun Electronics that will help the NRC see continued growth and success in the years to come.

When the National Robotics Challenge came to Marion in 2004, Larry Wood was there. Whenever the committee needed a judge, they knew they could call on Larry to help. Larry has been here every year and you’ll usually find him near the Sumo ring. His dedication to our event and commitment to the youth of Marion is evident to everyone that he interacts with at the NRC.

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Holly Ramey has been a staple at the NRC. For years Holly has worked tirelessly to make sure all of our judging happens smoothly. She organizes all of the judging equipment, sets up the judges’ meals and coordinates the collection of results. Her help has made the entire event run smoother and has kept our Director of Contest Judging from being completely overwhelmed.

When the National Robotics Challenge came to Marion in 2004, Everett Douce was there. Whenever the committee needed a job handled, they knew they could call on Everett to help. This has included hauling equipment, gathering supplies, picking up forklifts and even organizing our power cords. Everett has continued to inspire us with his servant attitude and commitment to his faith, family and community. We are looking forward to his continued involvement in the NRC.

In 2004, Ed Goodwin founded the National Robotics Challenge in cooperation with Ritch Ramey and Tad Douce. Since that first event Ed has continued to serve on the organizational committee while also coaching his high school team from River Valley Local Schools. We are looking forward to his continued involvement in the NRC.

Carol Bebout has been a supporter of the National Robotics Challenge since the beginning when the contest first came to Marion 10 years ago. Carol has been in education for over 35 years, she has spent the second half of her career working as a building administrator for different schools within the Marion community. In the beginning her support came in the form of judging different robotics events, for the past five years, Carol has helped coordinate the awards ceremony held at Harding High School. Carol not only has directly supported the National Robotics Challenge, but also has supported engineering and robotics teachers within the buildings she has worked, which has allowed the contest to become what it has over the past 10 years.

​In 2012, Mike and Rob worked tirelessly to support local, and state NRC teams and those involved in VEX robotics competitions. Mike and Rob spent many days supporting and assisting students with technical and software problems, as well as providing VEX competition arenas for local, promotional, and NRC competitions. Rob and Mike also have been long time partners of the NRC and have participated since the inception of the Marion event. In addition to financial support of the event, they have judged events each year and have even helped with the design and implementation of several events. 

The Associates of Honda have been a continual inspiration to the National Robotics Challenge and it’s development over the last four years. Since the N.R.C. committee first approached Honda about the event and a potential partnership Honda has continued to increase their participation in the event. From the beginning with just a few associates and a booth to their current presence, that includes financial sponsorship, a booth display, a team of associates to participate as judges and even public relations assistance, they have truly backed this event.
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Honda’s involvement in the National Robotics Challenge is one of the main reasons that this event has increased both in participation and quality. One of the most impressive aspects of Honda’s involvement has been their continued commitment to the event. When the automotive industry was suffering financially a Honda associate was asked at an event if they would still be able to assist with the N.R.C. they responded, “We plan to continue as an industry leader twenty years from now. If we are going to lead we need today’s students to be at their best. Investing in students is investing in our future success.” This type of attitude toward business is the reason Honda has had their success and the reason Dr. Hannemann started the N.R.C. in 1986.

As director of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation (SME-EF), Bart Aslin tirelessly works to support—and fund—innovation in technology education. In his travels throughout the nation, Mr. Aslin evaluates exemplary programs to support and expand.

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers and its Foundation have supported the National Robotics Challenge, beginning as the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Robotic Technology and Engineering Challenge, since its inception in1986. Over the past seven years, Bart has worked closely with the NRC committee to solidify the relationship between SME and the NRC and has strongly supported the Challenge through financial, marketing and public relations efforts.

Roger has served across the United States in various capacities as a leader in colleges, high schools, and also the U.S. Air Force. Roger has also authored various publications, technical reports, and professional presentations. In his current position in Marion, Mr. Johnson has been a strong supporter of the local tech prep and tech prep engineering programs throughout the Marion Area Consortium. He has consistently provided leadership, professional development opportunities, and other support to further the development of teachers and students in the Marion Consortium. Mr. Johnson was on the ground floor of the first challenge to be held in Marion with his personal support and the financial support of the consortium.

As a tribute to his unwavering support of the Industrial Technology programs at River Valley, and the support of the creation and continued development of the National Robotics Challenge, the directors of the National Robotics Challenge decided to honor principal David Gorenflo as the recipient of the first annual "Dr. James Hannemann Leadership and Service Award." This annual award has been created for individuals who have shown outstanding support for Engineering and Technology programs at the middle school, secondary, and post secondary level and who have supported the continued growth of the National Robotics Competition. After 35 years of service to the students across Marion county, Mr. Gorenflo retired at the end of the 2007-2008 school year. His leadership and support for students and teachers alike will be missed.