2013 Mentors

David Black

David Black

David joined Team 696 as a student at Clark in 2002. While earning his degree in Mechanical Engineering at Cal Poly Pomona, he returned to mentor Clark’s Team 696 as well as West Covina High School’s Team 968. With over eleven years of experience in FIRST, David now leads Team 696 as the primary faculty advisor, sharing his wealth of knowledge in mechanical design, CAD, electronics, and fabrication.

Martha Widholm

Martha Widholm

Martha, another long-time team parent, has been helping the team since 2005. Without her, we would have gone hungry, had no giveaways for competition, and never gotten a ride when we needed it in a pinch. Behind the scenes, she's always working tirelessly to keep our program running smoothly. And of course, her famous cookies keep us going during those late nights!

Hannah Goldberg

Hannah Goldberg (Mentor emerita)

Hannah mentored the team between 2004 and 2011. While working as a systems engineer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Hannah found time to mentor the electrical and programming students, serve as the team's ROP instructor, and serve as a Clark engineering instructor in 2010 and 2011. Hannah's dedication to Team 696 and FIRST earned her the Woody Flowers Award in 2010.

Kevin Hoard

Kevin Hoard

Kevin Hoard joined the team as a mentor last season. He will be helping the business and media team this season.

Roger Widholm

Roger Widholm

Roger, a parent of three current and former Team 696 students, has been mentoring the team since 2004. He guides part manufacturing at his family's machine shop, Tru-Cut, and assists the mechanical subsystems. Starting in 2013, he will support the CNC manufacturing with the new HAAS mill at the school.

Antonella Wilby

Antonella Wilby

Antonella is an alumna who has participated on Team 696 since 2006. She worked mainly with the drive train and mechanical subsystems while on the team, and as a mentor helps teach students about CAD, the use of tools, and design and construction.

Michael Hennessey

Michael Hennessey

Michael, our resident CAD whiz, has been with the team since 2005. As a team member, he was CAD Leader and a machinist, and led the mechanical subsystems. Now, he helps the younger team members learn CAD, machines parts when he can, and of course is always on hand to fix our computers when they break down!

Berj Najarian

Berj Najarian

Berj started mentoring the team this year. He mostly helps with building the field parts but he is never a hand short for helping others among the team with their problems. He has been building furniture since he was born and he finishes whatever task he’s given at lightning speed.