Our Mentors
Hogan Eng
Head Coach
Founder of FRC 2712
Hogan has been a FIRST Robotics Competition mentor more than two decades. He is an Electrical Engineer who mentors the team in mechanical design and fabrication, electrical, pneumatics, and welding. He has been a FIRST LEGO League mentor, an FRC Robot Inspector at competitions, and an FRC Championship head referee.
Justin St Jean
Treasurer, Mechanical and Project Management Mentor
Joined in 2022-2023
Justin mentors the team in a variety of administrative, design, and fabrication disciplines. He holds a Associate in Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Naugatuck Valley Community College.
He was an Eng. R&D Lab Tech and Safety Compliance Specialist for 25 years. Currently, he is a Property & Occupational Safety Manager.
In his spare time, Justin is a DIY enthusiast and avid golfer.
Kyle Krantz
Mechanical and CAD Mentor
Joined in 2022-2023
Meet Kyle Krantz, one of our dedicated manufacturing mentors. Kyle's journey into robotics began during his own high school years when he joined the previous team (Team BETA 2836 ) back in 2016. Now back to mentor Power Surge. With a natural curiosity for how things work and a hands-on approach, Kyle quickly found his niche in robotics, particularly drawn to mechanics and fabrication.
After high school, Kyle pursued his passion by studying Manufacturing at a local university. During his studies, he honed his skills in CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and became proficient in CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining. Kyle's fascination with precision and craftsmanship led him to explore various manufacturing techniques, including welding and assembly.
Kyle's return to mentor the robotics team stems from his desire to give back and inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators. He brings not only technical proficiency but also a deep understanding of the challenges and rewards of robotics competitions. Kyle thrives on the excitement of brainstorming sessions, problem-solving challenges, and witnessing the students' growth as they tackle complex engineering tasks.
Kyle's journey from student to mentor exemplifies the power of hands-on learning and the enduring impact of mentorship in fostering creativity, teamwork, and technical excellence among young aspiring engineers.
Jen Weston
Programming Mentor
Joined in 2023-2024
Jen brings more than three decades of programming experience, ranging from control systems to services to desktop applications to web programming. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
She has been mentoring FRC programming for over a decade and mentoring FIRST Tech Challenge and volunteering as an FRC judge since 2018. She is also co-coach of FTC 10820 (Cyber Dragons), a community team in Avon, CT.
In her spare time, she enjoys creating custom 3D prints and learning new tech."