Forgotten Coast Robotics Alliance
Meet the Founders
The vision behind bringing world-class robotics education, engineering opportunities, and life-changing STEM experiences to the Forgotten Coast.
Quiet beaches. Incredible sunsets. Amazing people. A slower pace of life that allows families to reconnect with what matters most. And speaking for our family, we can honestly say:
“We love living in the Forgotten Coast!”
Like many families in the area, we homeschool our children and we are deeply invested in giving them meaningful educational opportunities that go far beyond textbooks and worksheets.
Why Robotics?
One challenge families often face in smaller rural communities is access to advanced educational programs — especially programs focused on engineering, technology, leadership, and real-world career skills.
When the family discovered the FIRST Tech Challenge robotics program, they immediately recognized something special. This was not just another extracurricular activity. It was a complete educational ecosystem that teaches students how to:
- Design and build real robots
- Program advanced software systems
- Use CAD and 3D printing tools
- Lead teams and manage projects
- Speak confidently with judges and sponsors
- Document engineering processes like professional engineers
- Collaborate with teammates in a competitive environment
The more they learned about FIRST, the more convinced they became that students in the Forgotten Coast area deserved access to these same opportunities. This program is open to all … Homeschoolers, Private, Public, No School and Dropouts ages 6 to 106.
That vision eventually became the Forgotten Coast Robotics Alliance — a nonprofit organization focused on bringing high-level STEM education and robotics opportunities to local students regardless of background or financial situation.
Meet Byron
Byron brings a unique combination of engineering knowledge, software experience, and entrepreneurial problem-solving to the organization.
He earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arizona and later spent more than 20 years working professionally as a software engineer, focusing primarily on C++ and C# software development.
Over the years, Byron worked on large-scale technical systems that required analytical thinking, precision, troubleshooting, and project management — many of the same skills students develop through competitive robotics.
His background gives the organization a strong technical foundation in:
- Mechanical engineering principles
- Robot design and fabrication
- Software architecture and programming
- CAD and technical problem solving
- Systems thinking and project organization
- Technical mentoring and curriculum development
More importantly, Byron believes students are capable of far more than most people realize when they are given the right tools, mentorship, and encouragement.
Meet Mindy
Mindy has been a driving force behind the vision, organization, and family-centered culture of Forgotten Coast Robotics Alliance. As a homeschooling parent and graduate with a degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, she brings valuable expertise in communication, branding, outreach, marketing psychology, and group dynamics to the organization.
Industrial-Organizational Psychology focuses on understanding how people think, communicate, collaborate, and respond to messaging and team culture. It also emphasizes group dynamics — how teams interact, solve problems, motivate one another, and work effectively together. These principles are especially valuable in robotics, where success depends not only on technical ability, but also on strong teamwork, leadership, sponsor relationships, and community engagement.
She helps shape the supportive and welcoming atmosphere the organization wants every family to experience. From communication and planning to outreach and team support, her role is critical in helping transform a technical robotics program into a strong community.
Together, Byron and Mindy are committed to creating opportunities that allow local students to compete, learn, and thrive at a level rarely available in small rural communities.