Mentors
We wouldn’t be 708 without our mentors! We are incredibly thankful to all our mentors that contribute to our team by being role models, teachers, and supporters in anything that we may need, robotics related or not. Our mentors have STEAM related fields, allowing students to work directly with professionals
Tim James
Tim is a graduate from Drexel University and has a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He participated with Team 708 as a student in 2006 and 2007 and become a mentor in 2008. He is currently employed at Micross Components as a Process Development Engineer.
Chris Landreth
Chris is a founding member of FRC 1218 and an EMT at many FIRST Mid-Atlantic district events. He joins us at Hatters Robotics helping transport our equipment, aiding with mechanical design, and helping with fundraising.
Ali Marinari
Ali brings over a decade of experience to our team in all areas of FIRST. She officially joined us in March of 2017 and leads our scouting and aids with award preparation. Ali volunteers within our region as the FIRST Mid-Atlantic Senior Volunteer Coordinator and is an Event Manager at local FRC district events. Ali is also on the FIRST Mid-Atlantic Board of Directors and was the FIRST Mid-Atlantic Volunteer of the Year in 2019.
Art Marlin
Working with the team since 2004, Art is one of the most senior mentors on Team 708. As a senior principle product development engineer at Unilife Corporation, Art provides helpful guidance for students working with electrical elements, mechanics, and pneumatics.
Jared Mayes
Jared began mentoring with Team 708 in 2003, and helps with both the design and construction process, as well as strategy discussion. His contributions are invaluable because of his long-time experience with the FIRST program.
Debbie Musselman
Debbie is an alumni of Ursinus College, majoring in Computer Science and Math. She was a student on our team and operator for two years. She is a do-it-all mentor helping in all areas of the team; mechanical, software, Chairman's, & media. She is the lead mentor of our FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) teams and is our Outreach Coordinator. Debbie is also a key volunteer at many FIRST Mid-Atlantic District events volunteering as Field Supervisor, Scorekeeper, and many other roles. She is an active member of the FIRST Mid-Atlantic Equipment Committee.
John Piergallini
Mr. Piergallini is our programming lead mentor and provides students interested in programming with expert advice based on his career at Lockheed Martin. Mr. P is our drive coach.
Susan Piergallini
Another employee of Lockheed Martin, Mrs. Piergallini assists students involved with Team 708's website, awards, and programming training. She is also the lead mentor of the Keith Valley Middle School's FLL teams.
Brian Sherman
Brian, a 2010 graduate of Drexel University with an MS in Structural Engineering, has been involved with FIRST since 2004 aiding multiple local teams. Brian is a Professional Engineer and project engineer at The Harman Group. He joined Team 708 in 2014 bringing experience in robot design, media, imagery, & awards. Additionally, he served on the Board of Directors for FIRST Mid-Atlantic from 2013-2021, is a member of numerous committees, and volunteers at many FIRST events throughout the year.
Ryan McCawley
Ryan is an engineering graduate from the University of Delaware and past driver on our team. He is a mechanical engineer at CHL Systems. He offers up his expertise with mechanical design.
Matthew Trageser
Mr. Trageser joined Hatters Robotics officially in the summer of 2015. He started his FIRST career with a neighboring team where his daughter introduced him to the program and became their resident drill sergeant for almost a decade. After a few years of retirement from FIRST, Mr. Trageser decided to jump back in where he left off wearing new colors and a new hat. To quote him, “I've done so much with so little for so long, I am now qualified to do everything with nothing.”
Eric Zygmont
Eric is the Lead Mentor for our team and is a technology integration specialist for Hatboro-Horsham School District. Eric began his FIRST career in the fall of 2007, after being recruited by our High School Principal's secretary. Eric is the event coordinator for the Hatboro-Horsham District Event, and volunteers at various other events throughout the season. Eric has also served on the board of directors for FIRST Mid-Atlantic and was the treasurer from 2013-2015. Eric was the FIRST Mid-Atlantic Volunteer of the Year in 2016.
Tim is a graduate from Drexel University and has a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He participated with Team 708 as a student in 2006 and 2007 and become a mentor in 2008. He is currently employed at Micross Components as a Process Development Engineer.
Chris Landreth
Chris is a founding member of FRC 1218 and an EMT at many FIRST Mid-Atlantic district events. He joins us at Hatters Robotics helping transport our equipment, aiding with mechanical design, and helping with fundraising.
Ali Marinari
Ali brings over a decade of experience to our team in all areas of FIRST. She officially joined us in March of 2017 and leads our scouting and aids with award preparation. Ali volunteers within our region as the FIRST Mid-Atlantic Senior Volunteer Coordinator and is an Event Manager at local FRC district events. Ali is also on the FIRST Mid-Atlantic Board of Directors and was the FIRST Mid-Atlantic Volunteer of the Year in 2019.
Art Marlin
Working with the team since 2004, Art is one of the most senior mentors on Team 708. As a senior principle product development engineer at Unilife Corporation, Art provides helpful guidance for students working with electrical elements, mechanics, and pneumatics.
Jared Mayes
Jared began mentoring with Team 708 in 2003, and helps with both the design and construction process, as well as strategy discussion. His contributions are invaluable because of his long-time experience with the FIRST program.
Debbie Musselman
Debbie is an alumni of Ursinus College, majoring in Computer Science and Math. She was a student on our team and operator for two years. She is a do-it-all mentor helping in all areas of the team; mechanical, software, Chairman's, & media. She is the lead mentor of our FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) teams and is our Outreach Coordinator. Debbie is also a key volunteer at many FIRST Mid-Atlantic District events volunteering as Field Supervisor, Scorekeeper, and many other roles. She is an active member of the FIRST Mid-Atlantic Equipment Committee.
John Piergallini
Mr. Piergallini is our programming lead mentor and provides students interested in programming with expert advice based on his career at Lockheed Martin. Mr. P is our drive coach.
Susan Piergallini
Another employee of Lockheed Martin, Mrs. Piergallini assists students involved with Team 708's website, awards, and programming training. She is also the lead mentor of the Keith Valley Middle School's FLL teams.
Brian Sherman
Brian, a 2010 graduate of Drexel University with an MS in Structural Engineering, has been involved with FIRST since 2004 aiding multiple local teams. Brian is a Professional Engineer and project engineer at The Harman Group. He joined Team 708 in 2014 bringing experience in robot design, media, imagery, & awards. Additionally, he served on the Board of Directors for FIRST Mid-Atlantic from 2013-2021, is a member of numerous committees, and volunteers at many FIRST events throughout the year.
Ryan McCawley
Ryan is an engineering graduate from the University of Delaware and past driver on our team. He is a mechanical engineer at CHL Systems. He offers up his expertise with mechanical design.
Matthew Trageser
Mr. Trageser joined Hatters Robotics officially in the summer of 2015. He started his FIRST career with a neighboring team where his daughter introduced him to the program and became their resident drill sergeant for almost a decade. After a few years of retirement from FIRST, Mr. Trageser decided to jump back in where he left off wearing new colors and a new hat. To quote him, “I've done so much with so little for so long, I am now qualified to do everything with nothing.”
Eric Zygmont
Eric is the Lead Mentor for our team and is a technology integration specialist for Hatboro-Horsham School District. Eric began his FIRST career in the fall of 2007, after being recruited by our High School Principal's secretary. Eric is the event coordinator for the Hatboro-Horsham District Event, and volunteers at various other events throughout the season. Eric has also served on the board of directors for FIRST Mid-Atlantic and was the treasurer from 2013-2015. Eric was the FIRST Mid-Atlantic Volunteer of the Year in 2016.
