Lisa Porat
Board Chair
Lisa Marquette Porat is a licensed clinical social worker and U.S. Lead, Patient Advocacy for BeiGene Global Oncology. She holds a B.S. from DePauw University in Sociology/Psychology/Communications and a M.S.W. from Indiana University Graduate School of Social Work. She also holds several licensures and certifications in clinical social work and oncology.
Lisa began her involvement with FIRST over 10 years ago as a proud parent and mentor/coach when her daughter was in FLL and continued as a mentor/coach throughout FTC and continues to mentor FRC Team 1741, Red Alert Robotics, where she is the Past-President and current Leadership Mentor. Lisa has served in various roles throughout FIRST over the years including event volunteering, judging, and helping to host/run numerous events at all levels of FIRST. Lisa also has served on numerous national, state and local boards and consults on board development and strategic planning.
Amy Liimatta
Vice Chair
Amy Liimata is the Director of Engineering Services at Bill Austin and Associates (BAA), an engineering consulting firm located in Columbus, IN. Previous to BAA, Amy spent 26 years with Cummins in various project management and engineering roles within the Service Engineering function.Amy graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor and Masters of Mechanical Engineering..
Brad Thompson
Secretary
Brad Thompson is the owner & lead engineer at Sledgehammer Infosystems, where he provides software, communications, and process automation services to small businesses and non-profits.
Brad graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Computer Science in 2013. While at Purdue, Brad was introduced to FIRST through Purdue FIRST Programs, where he served as an FLL mentor, Director of Junior Robotics, and Vice President.
Brad is now the program coordinator & co-lead mentor of FRC Team 461, Westside Boiler Invasion, and it’s several feeder FTC & FLL teams. He is also a frequent volunteer for events at all levels of the FIRST pipeline, primarily as a judge or in AV/Event Production roles. Brad also helps take care of FIN’s website and other IT needs.
Phil Rowland
Treasurer
Monica Bravo Hochstein
Chair, Competition Committee
Monica Bravo Hochstein is an elementary school teacher in the Lafayette School Corporation. She graduated with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from The Ohio State University in 2019 & a masters degree in Educational Leadership and Policy in 2022.
Monica formally began her involvement in FIRST in high school as a member of FRC 461. After graduating high school, she began volunteering in off-season events as an FTAA and as an event manager throughout the midwest. She currently volunteers as a judge, referee, event manager, and as a co-chair of an event planning committee.
Dimple Shah
Chair, Diversity / Equity / Inclusion Committee
Dimple Shah takes pride in having a home in two different countries. Originally from India, she’s currently living in Carmel, Indiana with her family – her husband of 19 years and her 13-year-old son. With over two decades of work experience in the IT industry, she has held various roles, demonstrating a strong commitment to agility and diversity.
Dimple was first introduced to FIRST only 3 years back when her son became a part of a First Lego League (FLL) team. Almost immediately, she recognized the profound impact these programs have on youth development and their future prospects. Her dedication to FIRST Indiana Robotics has grown significantly over the years. Dimple will serve as the Chair for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) committee in the FIN board. Her passion for fostering an inclusive environment is a tremendous asset to the FIN community.
Rachel Burke
Chair, Education Committee
Mary Baker
Chair, Development Committee
Mary Baker is the Director of Customer Service & Marketing for AndyMark, Inc,. Prior to AndyMark she had a brief stint as a stay-at-home mom, and was the Director of Marketing and Community Relations for St. Joseph Hospital in Kokomo for 10 years. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University Bloomington in Journalism and Political Science.
Mary began her involvement with FIRST as a supportive spouse in 1997 for her husband, Andy, who was a mentor on FRC 45 TechnoKats. In 2004 she took a more active role when Andy started AndyMark with Mark Koors to provide robotics parts for educational robotics, primarily FRC teams. Mary was a mentor for her three amazing daughters’ FIRST Lego League team before helping start FRC Team 3940 CyberTooth where she was a mentor until 2023. She has volunteered in various roles in all of the FIRST programs including Judge, Volunteer Coordinator, Pit Admin Supervisor as well as serving on district planning committees. Mary is an active community volunteer, serving on several local boards.
Grant Carlile
Chair, Marketing & Communication Committee
Grant Carlile is the Managing Director at Mountains. Over the past 25 years Grant has facilitated teams and events for impact by pouring into three buckets: running, startups, and robotics. Grant believes in leveraging diversity as a place to start, and working shoulder-to-shoulder with passionate people on projects they believe in.
Since starting with FIRST Robotics in 2004, Grant has held most roles related to the FIRST Robotics program including: Volunteer, Coach, and Organizer. Grant is an alumni of FIRST Robotics – he credits the trajectory of his life in part to his time as a FIRST Robotics participant. Grant joined the FIRST Indiana board of directors in his crusade to advocate for, and increase access to, impactful educational and life experiences.
Jack Doherty
Chair, Volunteer Committee
Sean Dewey
Member at Large
Karla Tugan
Member at Large
Bill Dyer
Member at Large
Bill Dyer is the General Manager of Human Resources at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana Inc.(TMMI) located in Princeton, Indiana. TMMI established in 1996, manufactures the Toyota Highlander, Grand Highlander, Sienna and Lexus TX. Bill is responsible for all human resources functions at TMMI and is the Diversity Champion for TMMI as well as the Corporate Compliance and Ethics Executive Champion. During Bill’s 23 year career, he has held leadership positions in many areas of manufacturing including Human Resources, Assembly, Production Control and Plastics. He started his career at TMMI in 2001 in human resources. In addition to many varied roles at TMMI, Bill has also recently returned from a 2-yr assignment at Toyota’s largest manufacturing facility in Georgetown Kentucky where he led the Human Resources function. Bill received his associates degree in criminology from Vincennes University and a bachelors in human resources management from Oakland City University. Bill has a passion for developing our youth and preparing them to be tomorrows leaders in advanced manufacturing.