WildStang Robotics Program Mentors, Coaches & Teachers

WSRP Mentors

Billy Doherty

Strategy Mentor

Billy is a system design engineer at ATS. His company specializes in factory automation and manufacturing for the medical industry. His efforts with the team have led to a dynamic new approach to event strategy and game theory.

  • Company: ATS Life Sciences
  • WSRP Mentor Since: 2020
  • Alma Mater: University of Illinois
  • FRC History:
    • Team 111 WildStang (2013-2016)
    • Team 4096 CTRL-Z (2017-2020)

Harrison Drake

Lead Technical Mentor

Harrison Drake is the chief technical mentor for both WildStang and Plus One. Under his mentorship, WSRP has achieved numerous event wins, received several technical awards, and been recognized as a world-class FRC Program. He was also instrumental in both the 2009 and 2011 world championship seasons during his time as a student.

  • Company: Stern Pinball
  • WSRP Mentor Since: 2016
  • Alma Mater: Purdue University
  • FRC History:
    • Team 111 WildStang (2009-2012)

Elliot Eismin

Mechanical Mentor

Elliot is an apprentice game designer at Stern Pinball who specializes in joining mechanical know-how with creative design. His long time commitment to WildStang has led him to become the go-to person for all things competition and pit management.

  • Company: Stern Pinball
  • WSRP Mentor Since: 2014
  • Alma Mater: Purdue University

Jeremy Feldstein

Electrical Mentor

Jeremy is a senior systems engineer at Northrop Grumman, designing advanced systems for [REDACTED] projects within [REDACTED]. He has dedicated significant time towards furthering FRC, both as a mentor and a competition Robot Inspector at numerous FRC events. 

  • Company: Northrop Grumman
  • WSRP Mentor Since: 2019
  • Alma Mater: Purdue University
  • FRC History:
    • Team 1646 Precision Guessworks (2012-2015)
    • Team 967 Iron Lions (2016)
    • Team 1747 Harrison Boiler Robotics (2017-2018)

Liam Fruzyna

Software & Strategy Mentor

Liam is a software engineer at Motorola Solutions specializing in innovative radio communications. He is the technical mastermind behind WildRank, WSRP’s award-winning strategy and data analytics tool, allowing students unprecedented insights into real-time robot performance and metrics.

  • Company: Motorola Solutions
  • WSRP Mentor Since: 2020
  • Alma Mater: Marquette University
  • FRC History:
    • Team 111 WildStang (2012-2015)

Nick Hasto

Mechanical Mentor

Nick is a lead mechanical engineer at DevLinks working on robotic factory automation for the plastics industry. His inspired design work and student mentorship has facilitated numerous successful component designs and ideas.

  • Company: DevLinks
  • WSRP Mentor Since: 2018
  • Alma Mater: Iowa State University
  • FRC History:
    • Team 2451 PWNAGE (2012-2013)
    • Team 3928 Neutrino (2014-2017)

Zach Hoegberg

Software & Strategy Mentor

Zach Hoegberg is the lead software mentor and drive coach of Team 112. He is currently finishing up his graduate degree at Northwestern University and has plans to attend medical school with a specialization in prosthetics. His continued mentorship across multiple FRC programs makes him an invaluable asset to WSRP. 

  • Company: Northwestern University
  • WSRP Mentor Since: 2021
  • Alma Mater: University of Illinois; Northwestern University
  • FRC History:
    • Team 3352 Flaming Monkeys (2013-2016)
    • Team 4096 CTRL-Z (2018-2020)
    • Team 648 QC Elite (2022)

EJ Levine

Communications Mentor

EJ is a rising doctoral student at the University of Montana, studying Occupational Therapy. She also works as a lead OT and as an adjunct professor at Elmhurst University. Her career in healthcare and therapy, with a background in engineering, gives her a unique perspective on FRC mentorship and competition. 

  • Company: Occupational Therapist/Doctoral Student
  • WSRP Mentor Since: 2014
  • Alma Mater: Purdue University; Washington University, St. Louis; University of Montana
  • FRC History:
    • Team 135 Penn Robotics (2001)
    • Team 461 Westside Boiler Invasion (2002-2007)

Stuart McCrorie

Software Mentor

Stuart is a long-time FRC mentor who guides software development and serves as the drive coach of Team 111. The team holds an extraordinary competitive record since Stuart took on drive coaching duties in 2020. During the day, he is an engineer at Northrop Grumman, where his work on multiple public sector projects informs his mentorship. 

  • Company: Northrop Grumman
  • WSRP Mentor Since: 2019
  • Alma Mater: Purdue University
  • FRC History:
    • Team 3501 Firebots (2011-2014)
    • Team 1646 Precision Guessworks (2015-2018)

Joe Palmer

Communications Mentor

Joe is a communications manager and freelance public affairs consultant. His professional work focuses on digital storytelling and brand management. Within WSRP, his time is spent focusing on team culture, social media, and award submissions. 

  • Company: Paylocity/Palmer Communications
  • WSRP Mentor Since: 2021
  • Alma Mater: Northern Illinois University
  • FRC History:
    • Team 111 WildStang (2007-2010)
  • Lifelong Lunacy Defender

Samir Shaikh

Electrical Mentor

Samir is a Certified Vision Professional and owner of Machine Vision Direct. He helps manufacturers see the unseeable through the utilization of machine vision and illumination principles. He is an FRC alum and a long-time partner of FIRST. 

  • Company: Machine Vision Direct
  • WSRP Mentor Since: 2023
  • Alma Mater: Purdue University
  • FRC History:
    • Team 4329 Lutheran Rooters (2016-2018)
    • Team 1501 Thrust (2008-2011)

Eric Tornabene

Mechanical Mentor

Eric “ET” Tornabene is a paraprofessional specializing in students with behavioral needs. His work with WildStang stretches back to two world championship wins with the team as a student in 2009 and 2011. ET is a primary mentor for Team 112, teaching students core mechanical concepts and systems. 

  • Company: Metro Prep and Laureate Day Schools
  • WSRP Mentor Since: 2021
  • Alma Mater: Harper College
  • FRC History:
    • Team 111 WildStang (2009-2012)
    • Team 1675 UPS (2013)

Al Skierkiewicz

Electrical Mentor

Al is a founding mentor of WildStang. He is a retired broadcast engineer for WTTW-11, a career he spent revolutionizing public broadcast methods and pioneering cutting-edge technologies. He is the Chief Robot Inspector for FIRST and a regional recipient of the Woodie Flowers Award.

  • Company: Retired – WTTW-11
  • WSRP Mentor Since: 1996
  • Alma Mater: Bradley University
  • Husband of 2023 IL Volunteer of the Year

Dottie Skierkiewicz

Mentor

Dottie Skierkiewicz is the 2023 Illinois FIRST Volunteer of the Year. Her decades-long commitment to FIRST and WSRP is a beacon of kindness, compassion, (and free candy) to all those students lucky enough to have worked alongside her through the years of tie-dye. She embodies our core values and is a true testament to the spirit of FIRST. 

  • Company: Retired – Legal Secretary
  • WSRP Mentor Since: 1996
  • Alma Mater: MacCormac Junior College 

WSRP Teachers & Coaches

Nick ‘Strez’ Strzelecki

Head Coach

Mr. Strzelecki is the head coach of WSRP, taking the reins in 2021. He has helped guide the team through the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Fuel Duel intramural season, the reintroduction of Team 112, and a total of 5 event blue banner wins. Strez is a champion of the competitive spirit, camaraderie, and teamwork.

  • Company: Teacher – High School District 214
  • WSRP Coach Since: 2021
  • Alma Mater: Valparaiso University; University of Missouri 

Mark Kosirog

Coach

Mr. Kosirog is a personal finance, business, and math teacher working with students across the educational spectrum at Vanguard School. He is an active coach of the WSRP and a vital part of the team structure, ensuring educational and program goals are met. He joins Mr. Strzelecki as the co-teachers of record for the Robotics 1-4 courses within D214.

 

  • Company: Teacher – High School District 214
  • WSRP Coach Since: 2021
  • Alma Mater: Northeastern University; Concordia University

Fil Dudic

Coach

Mr. Dudic is a CTE teacher at MacArthur Middle School, leading District 23’s cooperative agreement with District 214. He serves as an FLL team coach and works with WSRP in a coaching role to ensure student success and educational outcomes. 

  • Company: Teacher/FLL Coach – School District 23
  • WSRP Coach Since: 2021
  • Alma Mater: Elmhurst College; DePaul University

Jamie Beedy

Coach & Communications Mentor

Jamie Beedy is a video editor, production manager, and systems designer/integrator. His work with the WSRP spans multiple of his own children, and his involvement with FIRST reaches back to his days running the Lincoln Middle School FLL programs.

  • Company: bd post / High School District 214
  • WSRP Coach/Mentor Since: 2016
  • Alma Mater: College of DuPage

Mark Koch

District Liaison

Mark Koch is the founder of the WildStang Robotics Program. His career as a teacher and CTE department chair at Rolling Meadows High School included serving as the first head coach of WildStang, leading the team to 3 world championships and induction into the FIRST Hall of Fame. He is also the founder of the WildStang Support Association (WRSA) and currently serves as a program liaison between WSRP and D214. 

  • Company: Retired Teacher-High School District 214
  • WSRP Coach/Mentor Since: 1996
  • Alma Mater: University of Illinois; University of Northern Colorado; Northern Illinois University

Dan Green

Mentor

Dan “Mr. FIRST” Green is the Executive Director of FIRST Illinois and founding member of WSRP. As one of the first mentors of 111 during his tenure with Motorola, Dan oversaw the initial development of the Program and fell in love with FIRST Robotics as an institution. Since then, he has become a vital member of the global FIRST community and a stalwart of WSRP’s core values. He is a national Woodie Flowers Award recipient and the long-time play-by-play announcer of the Midwest Regional. 

  • Company: Executive Director – FIRST Illinois
  • WSRP Mentor Since: 1996
  • Alma Mater: University of Illinois
  • “All six robots are moving in autonomous!”