Gracious Professionalism

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Coopertition

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Inclusion

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Gracious Professionalism * Coopertition * Inclusion *

Our mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.

Our vision is to see kids excited about science and technology, have them attend one of our prestigious institutes of higher learning, and upon graduation, stay in Georgia for their careers. By doing this, we can ‘put Georgia first.’ Our best resource, our youth, contribute to the growth and sustainability of our innovative workforce.

1999 - NOW

Our Beginning

We began with the mission to inspire students in the areas of STEM and Leadership in the state of Georgia. Since our beginning in 1999 with the launch of FIRST Lego League, we have served over a half million youth in the state of Georgia through the FIRST Robotics platform of programs. FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and FIRST Lego League (FLL) make up the pipeline of programs that allow our youth to continue or enter their journey with FIRST at any age.

Get involved

2023 - 2024 Board of Directors

Brian Cooksey

President of the Board
Director, Workforce Development, Shaw Industries Group
Wassel Lewis

Vice-President of the Board
Director of Strategic Sourcing, Aflac
Adam Thompson

Treasurer of the Board
Patent Attorney, Morris, Manning and Martin, LLP
Dr. Bryan Haynes

Secretary of the Board
Senior Technical Director, Global NonWovens, Kimberly Clark Corporation
Connie Haynes

Chief Executive Officer of GeorgiaFIRST Robotics
Justin Eggart

General Manager Fleet Management, GE Energy
Dr. Ian Ferguson

Dean, Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Kennesaw State University
Levent Gokcen

Initiatives Delivery Engineering - Charmin Hubsit at Procter & Gamble
Dr. Lonnie Johnson

President & CEO, Johnson Research & Development, Inventor of SuperSoaker
Denise James

Energy Efficiency Education Coordinator, Georgia Power
Chip McDaniel

Technical Marketing, Focused Image Team, Automation Direct
Sue Miller

GeorgiaFIRST Robotics
Matt Nelson

Executive Director, Finance, Cox Communications

CTSO

CTSOs (Career Technical Student Organization) are intercurricular organizations with leadership programs and competitive events helping students see the real-world value of their academic studies.

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) are a vital part of Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE). CTSOs play an integral role in preparing students to become college and career ready members of society who hold productive leadership roles in their communities. CTSOs are committed to the growth of students in all CTAE career pathways.

These organizations provide motivation, leadership training, and career development opportunities for students enrolled in Career, Technical and Agricultural Education programs in middle and high schools and enhance their occupational, employability and leadership skills through various activities such as conferences, award programs, service projects, and competitive events. These organizations conduct activities and events at the local, state and national levels in which students can participate and compete.

For the 2023-24 school year, GeorgiaFIRST is proud to announce our slate of officers. These four officers will represent GeorgiaFIRST Robotics at leadership events, before the state legislature and Georgia Department of Education.

President: Sophia Caiello

Vice-President of Logistics: Eshan Jaffar

Vice-President of Sustainability: Atman Singh

Vice-President of Innovation: David Feingold

2023 - 2024 Leadership Team