Maker Pro: Models, Strategies, and Stories from the Frontlines of Commercial Making
A panel of professional makers will discuss the business model and strategies for launching successful maker-related businesses as well as personal stories of challenges and triumphs they experienced starting their own.
Justin Leto
MODERATOR: Justin Leto, P.E., is a founder of NOVA Labs, a makerspace in Reston, Virginia. As the first CFO, Justin grew the organization from a 1,600 sq. ft. facility to 10,000 sq. ft. in 2 years. In addition, Justin initiated NOVA Labs' incubator program and has championed the role of community makerspaces in supporting the creation and growth of maker-related businesses.
http://www.nova-labs.org
Callye Keen
Callye Keen has over 15 years of experience in precision manufacturing. He has spent the last 9 years collaboratively developing products with clients ranging from startups to Fortune 100 businesses. In 2016, Callye founded Red Blue Collective with the mission to help entrepreneurs develop great hardware products from concept to market.
http://redbluecollective.com
Bo Pollett Wernick
Bo Pollett Wernick is an aerospace engineer with 10 years experience in structures design, software development, and systems integration. He has worked with many prime suppliers to the US Military, including Northrup Grumman, Sikorsky, DARPA, and Aurora Flight Sciences. Theta Composites supports new business in the process of going from prototype to manufacturing.
http://www.thetacomposites.com
Kelli Kedis Ogborn
Kelli serves as President & CEO of H.S. Dracones LLC, a consulting firm specializing in innovation strategy and technology integration—creating and implementing outreach and commercialization strategies for advanced research and development. Kelli previously served as a Congressional Liaison for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
Mike Hoyer
Michael Hoyer is a professional maker, mechanical engineer and owner of Prototype Designs, LLC. Prototype Designs operates out of the NOVA Labs makerspace in Reston, VA. Michael specializes in creating functional mechanical prototypes.
http://protodesigns.com
Michael Hogarty
Master Mechanic Michael Hogarty has over 17 years servicing all vehicle makes and models, including Exotics and Motorcycles. Michael works with SOLIDWORKS to design custom parts and products. Michael is a member of NOVA Labs in Reston, VA. When not making, Michael loves skateboarding and inline skating with his 3 daughters and wife Kara.
http://www.hotrods2hybrids.com/
