Our volunteer mentors include teachers, alumni, parents, and friends. Many have been with Team 1403 since our start in 2004. We would like to recognize and express our most sincere thanks to our mentors for their dedication through the years.
Mr. Timothy Leicht
![](https://cougarrobotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_9050PHOTOSHOPPED-1024x683.jpg)
Previously a mentor of Team 303 from 2000 to 2005; Advisor to Team 1403 since 2006.
Mrs. Patricia Leicht
![](https://cougarrobotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/P.-Leicht-copy.png)
Previously a mentor of Team 303 from 2000 to 2006; Mentor of the Business/Communications and Strategy Subeams since 2007.
“Both my sons joined robotics in high school and it became their passion.”
Mr. Michael Leicht
![](https://cougarrobotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Mike-New-1024x683.jpg)
Previously a mentor of Team 42 from 2008-2009 and Team 2342 from 2009-2011; Mentor of the Mechanical, Electrical, Design, and Business/Communications Subteams since 2009.
“I went through the natural progression of being a student to becoming a mentor.”
Mr. Nick Trohalides
![Trohalides](https://www.cougarrobotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Trohalides.png)
Mentor of the Design Subteam since 2007.
“I started mentoring because I enjoy the program, the people, and teaching others. “
Mr. Paresh Patel
![](https://cougarrobotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/paresh-273x300.jpg)
Mentor of the Programming Subteam since 2017.
Mr. Jeff Bernardis
![](https://cougarrobotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Mr-Bernardis-1024x683.jpg)
Mentor of the Programming and Electrical Subteams since 2012.
“I’m really interested in technology. I love the ability to spread my knowledge to the kids on the team.”
Ms. Annie Yip
![](https://cougarrobotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/image-1024x683.jpeg)
Mentor of Outreach, A/V, and Business/Communications Subteam since 2017.
Mr. Warren Venema
![](https://cougarrobotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_9054-1024x683.jpg)
Mentor of Design and Mechanical Subteam since 2016.
“Cougar Robotics is the reason why I am doing mechanical engineering. I started mentoring because I wanted to help students pursue their passions in the STEM field.”
Dr. Siva Murthy
![](https://cougarrobotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_9151-1024x683.jpg)
Mentor of Strategy since 2016
Mrs. Carla Kopp
![](https://cougarrobotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Carla-Kopp-Robotics-Mentor-Picture.jpg)
Mentor of Business and Communications since 2017
“Robotics involves my two favorite passions – working with people and technology. With my background in computer science and having worked in the industry, I have a special interest in mentoring girls to pursue STEM careers.”
Mr. Erik Kopp
![](https://cougarrobotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_9144-1024x683.jpg)
Mentor of Business and Communications since 2017
“It’s amazing to see how much applied science, technology, and problem-solving skills these students learn in such a short time. This will go a long way in preparing them to be valuable contributors in whatever field they choose to pursue. It’s great to be able to be a part of their journey.”
Mr. William Davey
![](https://cougarrobotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_9061-1024x683.jpg)
Mentor of Programming since 2017
Mrs. Caitlin Davey
![](https://cougarrobotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_9060-1024x683.jpg)
Mentor of Mechanical since 2017
Mrs. Reena Singh
![](https://cougarrobotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/9064-New-300x200.jpg)
Mentor of Strategy since 2017
Ms. Rachael Werner
![](https://cougarrobotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_9055-1024x674.jpg)
Mentor of Mechanical since 2018