PRESS ROOM & NEWS

FIRST Announces New Executive Advisory Board Members

Partner in Spirit Hockey, LLC and Founder of Clarkston High School Science, Mathematics, and Technology Academy Join the FIRST Executive Advisory Board

MANCHESTER, N.H., October 10, 2013― FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a not-for-profit organization founded by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology, today announced the appointment of two longtime FIRST supporters to the Executive Advisory Board (EAB) of FIRST.

The new board members include Susie Mathieu, Partner, Spirit Hockey, LLC; and Kyle Hughes, Founder and Teacher, Clarkston High School Science, Mathematics, and Technology Academy.

“Susie and Kyle have been actively supporting FIRST for years, and their collective experience and knowledge will be valuable to the EAB,” said Woodie Flowers, Chairman of the FIRST Executive Advisory Board and Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “Each has worn a variety of hats in both the FIRST Community and their own professional lives. They can offer expert council.”

The Executive Advisory Board of FIRST is made up of a cross-section of individuals from business, industry, academia, and the sciences whose role it is to provide advice, work on special projects, and interact directly with FIRST senior staff and the Board of Directors. EAB members meet regularly to assist FIRST in furthering its goals and present recommendations as well as issues to discuss with the FIRST Board of Directors.

 “FIRST is very privileged to have Susie and Kyle join our Executive Advisory Board,” said Don Bossi, FIRST President. “Susie’s proven leadership, extensive Marketing and logistics experience, and her personal commitment to FIRST adds substantial depth to our organization. And as a teacher and founder of the Clarkston High School Science, Mathematics, and Technology Academy, Kyle will be able to lend her expertise from an educator’s standpoint. Moreover, Kyle’s dedication as a FIRST Volunteer and Mentor will allow her to provide essential insight into the FIRST community.”

New appointments to the FIRST EAB include:

  • Susie Mathieu, Partner, Spirit Hockey, LLC

Susie Mathieu is a Partner in Spirit Hockey, LLC and former Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for the St. Louis Blues. Mathieu worked for the Blues for 20 years, and was the first woman to hold a leadership position at this level in professional sports. In her career, she has also served as Managing Director for the National Hockey League (NHL) and the NHL Players Association, the World Cup of Hockey Managing Director, and the Olympic Liaison for the Nagano Winter Olympics. Mathieu holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology/Business from St. Louis University.

Mathieu served three terms on the FIRST Board of Directors and was instrumental in making the FIRST 2011 and 2012 Championship events in St. Louis, Mo. stunning successes. Media coverage and donated services from all industries, worth millions of dollars, were realized thanks to her efforts. Mathieu continues to volunteer, promote FIRST, and support teams and events across all FIRST programs in the St. Louis region.

  • Kyle Hughes, Founder and Teacher, Clarkston High School Science, Mathematics, and Technology Academy, Clarkston, Mich.

Kyle Hughes is the founder of the Clarkston High School Science, Mathematics, and Technology Academy in Clarkston, Mich., where she teaches mathematics and technology. Hughes has been active in the FIRST community for nearly two decades; she was honored in 1998 with the FIRST UTC Teacher Pioneer Award, participated on the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®) Game Design Committee in 1994, and has volunteered as a Judge for FIRST® LEGO®  League (FLL®) in both Arkansas and Michigan. For the past 8 years, Kyle has also been a Coach of FLL and Junior FIRST® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL®) teams, and has run FRC, FIRST ®Tech Challenge (FTC®), and FLL Coaches camps/workshops for Rookie Coaches in Michigan, Maryland and Minnesota. Hughes was also the recipient of the Woodie Flowers Award in 2000, which celebrates effective communication in the art and science of engineering/design.

In 1999, Hughes received national recognition as the Presidential Award of Excellence of Mathematics Teacher of Michigan. In 2008, she was inducted into the Michigan Technological University Academy of Educators. Hughes also received recognition in 2008 as the winner of the Walter P. Chrysler Closing the Technology Gap Award.

About FIRST®  

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With support from over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies and more than $16 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC® ) for students in Grades 9-12; FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC® ) for Grades 7-12; FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL® ) for Grades 4-8; and Junior FIRST® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL®) for Grades K-3. Gracious Professionalism® is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.