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2026_election_nominees [2026/03/03 03:40]
John Benedetto 		2026_election_nominees [2026/04/03 20:25] (current)
John Benedetto
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 ====== Nominees for the 2026 Board of Directors Election ====== ====== Nominees for the 2026 Board of Directors Election ======
 +
 +<WRAP info round>The election has finished. Directors elected were Adam Ivie, Darrel Knutson, Mitchell Newberry, and Sherie Pennebaker.</WRAP>
  
 This page contains the final list of nominees with submitted bios and pictures for the 2026 Quelab Board of Directors' election. This page contains the final list of nominees with submitted bios and pictures for the 2026 Quelab Board of Directors' election.
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 ===== Adam ===== ===== Adam =====
  
-{{::adam.jpg?400 |}}Hey Quelab. I am Adam. I am a do-er of things. I have been a board member for 2 years. I work on the building's systems and I am the CNC area captain. I create many projects from bad art to terrible robots to LED signs. I follow a "Makers First" approach, I push for progress and love to see things getting done. My latest endeavor has been procuring, repairing, and putting into service a couple of large format printers in the Print lab so the area can be useful once again. +{{:adam.jpg?400  |adam.jpg}}Hey Quelab. I am Adam. I am a do-er of things. I have been a board member for 2 years. I work on the building's systems and I am the CNC area captain. I create many projects from bad art to terrible robots to LED signs. I follow a "Makers First" approach, I push for progress and love to see things getting done. My latest endeavor has been procuring, repairing, and putting into service a couple of large format printers in the Print lab so the area can be useful once again. Professionally I am a low voltage electrical contractor and the CEO of Line of Sight Services (www.lineofsightservices.net). I am also still currently working for an another low voltage contractor as a technician and have served in this capacity for 11 years. Current Fascinations include AI programming (this is a great time to be a computer nerd), microcontrollers, computer vision, and mapping technologies like lidar, TOF, slam, and RTK.
-Professionally I am a low voltage electrical contractor and the CEO of Line of Sight Services (www.lineofsightservices.net). I am also still currently working for an another low voltage contractor as a technician and have served in this capacity for 11 years. +
-Current Fascinations include AI programming (this is a great time to be a computer nerd), microcontrollers, computer vision, and mapping technologies like lidar, TOF, slam, and RTK.+
  
 ===== Bella ===== ===== Bella =====
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 ===== Bill ===== ===== Bill =====
  
-No statement/headshot submitted+{{:bill.jpg?400  |bill.jpg}}Hello – I’m Bill Kriegh and am currently a Quelab Executive Board member and running for re-election. 
 + 
 +My journey through various activities started with the Goodwill in Grand Junction, Co. My Grandpa and Grandma ran the place and watched me as a kid while my folks worked. The building was filled with all sorts of things I couldn’t keep my hands off of and included a room for Christmas putbacks, including model trains. Absolute Paradise! 
 + 
 +My 7 th grade art teacher was a was an HO scale model train fanatic. He frequented scrap yards and picked up old telephone equipment removed when touch tone came along. I taught myself how to control an entire basement full of trains by using a telephone dial and surplus equipment. 
 + 
 +While in high school I took up repairing antique radios I bought at auction. 
 + 
 +My first job out of high school was in a plant that manufactured precision resistors and capacitors for the phone company, among other customers. I was a set-up person for the equipment and completed an adult education course to get the skills to do tool and die making as well as general machine work to keep equipment running. 
 + 
 +I left the manufacturing job and bought an electric motor rewinding shop getting training from the previous owner who was retiring. 
 + 
 +I then went to Work for a local Caterpillar Dealer repairing electrical and electronic components in Caterpillar Equipment, certified by Cat as a power generator repair specialist. 
 + 
 +The State of Colorado hired me as an electronics technician and I spent 14 years repairing traffic signal controllers and to install and repair various electrical items for the state. While there I tested for and earned journeyman and master electrical licenses. 
 + 
 +I owned and operated my own electrical contracting business for about 16 years until I retired and moved to New Mexico. 
 + 
 +I joined Quelab in November 2018 and discovered a number of my skills might be helpful. Along the way I took on being donations steward and in 2020 took on the Secretary/Treasurer position. 
 + 
 +I’ve helped Quelab rebuild twice due to floods in the old building and helped with the move into our new building, and put considerable effort in helping keep us afloat in various ways when Covid crippled our income. 
 + 
 +What I am interested in doing is getting Quelab to a point where creative people can have a field day with their ideas and projects and have tried to bring in items to facilitate that objective. We have a lot of things up and running and still have a long way to go to be all we can be. I have helped in that effort and would like to continue to be a board member to keep us moving in the right direction and be financially stable while doing it.
  
 ===== Darrel ===== ===== Darrel =====
-{{::darrel.png?350 |}}I have been on the board for a few years now. During the last cycle I was the main “Cat Herder” to accomplish the selection and purchase of our new home. I was then also the overall manager of the move to the new location and the complete renovation of the building. The work is nearing completion, and I would like to finish it out. Plans for the future include seeking city funds to finish painting the building, obtaining the funds we were awarded for a new mural on the Central Avenue wall and working toward a city award for capital improvements to help the 1511 Central LLC replace the leaking roof. It has been an honor and pleasure to see Quelab 3.0 transition from a derelict old building to its new home. I would just like to finish the job. + 
 +{{:darrel.png?350  }}I have been on the board for a few years now. During the last cycle I was the main “Cat Herder” to accomplish the selection and purchase of our new home. I was then also the overall manager of the move to the new location and the complete renovation of the building. The work is nearing completion, and I would like to finish it out. Plans for the future include seeking city funds to finish painting the building, obtaining the funds we were awarded for a new mural on the Central Avenue wall and working toward a city award for capital improvements to help the 1511 Central LLC replace the leaking roof. It has been an honor and pleasure to see Quelab 3.0 transition from a derelict old building to its new home. I would just like to finish the job.
  
 ===== Ed ===== ===== Ed =====
-{{:ed_shestak_photo.jpg?400 |}} I’m Ed Shestak, a retired mechanical engineer. My wife, Chris, and I bought our house in ABQ February 2017 and moved into it May 2019. (Our son and daughter-in-law lived there during the interim.) I had read a little about makerspaces as the concept evolved, and after our move-in turmoil had largely subsided, started looking into options. I joined Quelab December 2019, being largely drawn to the 24/7 access to equipment I can’t justify owning, and to the member responsibility aspects of the organization.  
  
-Now that my consulting work with my former employer has completely and officially ended, I look forward to spending more time at Quelab. I very much enjoyed my engineering career, and I’m more drawn to using and hopefully helping to improve the areas like the woodshop and the CNC router. However, my 16 years as a member of the Wells County Public Library, https://wellscolibrary.org/library-history/, board of trustees has given me some exposure to policy/administrative roles. Some major events during my tenure on that board:+{{:ed_shestak_photo.jpg?400  |ed_shestak_photo.jpg}}I’m Ed Shestak, a retired mechanical engineer. My wife, Chris, and I bought our house in ABQ February 2017 and moved into it May 2019. (Our son and daughter-in-law lived there during the interim.) I had read a little about makerspaces as the concept evolved, and after our move-in turmoil had largely subsided, started looking into options. I joined Quelab December 2019, being largely drawn to the 24/7 access to equipment I can’t justify owning, and to the member responsibility aspects of the organization. 
 + 
 +Now that my consulting work with my former employer has completely and officially ended, I look forward to spending more time at Quelab. I very much enjoyed my engineering career, and I’m more drawn to using and hopefully helping to improve the areas like the woodshop and the CNC router. However, my 16 years as a member of the Wells County Public Library, [[https://wellscolibrary.org/library-history/|https://wellscolibrary.org/library-history/]], board of trustees has given me some exposure to policy/administrative roles. Some major events during my tenure on that board:
  
   * Early during my tenure, I supported the efforts of the senior board members to replace an under-performing Director with one of the senior staff members who had management talent and aspirations, but not the state-mandated credentials of a Library Director (Master of Library Science Degree). We petitioned the state and received limited term approval of a non-traditional organization structure, with co-directors consisting of an Administrative Director (the candidate while she completed her MLS degree) and a Technology Director (the staff information systems specialist, who had an MLS degree).   * Early during my tenure, I supported the efforts of the senior board members to replace an under-performing Director with one of the senior staff members who had management talent and aspirations, but not the state-mandated credentials of a Library Director (Master of Library Science Degree). We petitioned the state and received limited term approval of a non-traditional organization structure, with co-directors consisting of an Administrative Director (the candidate while she completed her MLS degree) and a Technology Director (the staff information systems specialist, who had an MLS degree).
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 I’m excited about the new location, even though it is a little bit longer drive from my house than the old location (10 minutes vs. 3 minutes). I’ve read the profiles submitted by Mitchell and Tetris; I am in 100% agreement with the thrust of their objectives for improved functionality, accessibility and organization, and would contribute what I can to realize these objectives. I’m excited about the new location, even though it is a little bit longer drive from my house than the old location (10 minutes vs. 3 minutes). I’ve read the profiles submitted by Mitchell and Tetris; I am in 100% agreement with the thrust of their objectives for improved functionality, accessibility and organization, and would contribute what I can to realize these objectives.
- 
  
 ===== Maria ===== ===== Maria =====
 +
 No statement/headshot submitted No statement/headshot submitted
  
 ===== Mitchell ===== ===== Mitchell =====
  
-{{:mitchell.jpg?400  }}Many members met me at orientation as I am one of the registration stewards. I have been a Quelab member for four years and a steward for two. I wrote a grant to PNM that funded the aviation area and served on committees for new building and finance during the move. I have volunteered over a hundred hours and have had lots of interaction with the board. I am certified in wood, welding, machine shop, laser, CNC, bike shop and fiber arts (though I could use a refresher). I have taught classes at universities and three different makerspaces. I have been involved in makerspaces since 2009 in five cities. I was a member of The Hacktory (Philadelphia), an advisory board member of The Department of Making and Doing (Philadelphia), member and laser steward at All Hands Active! (Ann Arbor) and member of Makerspace Leipzig (Germany).+{{:mitchell.jpg?400  |mitchell.jpg}}Many members met me at orientation as I am one of the registration stewards. I have been a Quelab member for four years and a steward for two. I wrote a grant to PNM that funded the aviation area and served on committees for new building and finance during the move. I have volunteered over a hundred hours and have had lots of interaction with the board. I am certified in wood, welding, machine shop, laser, CNC, bike shop and fiber arts (though I could use a refresher). I have taught classes at universities and three different makerspaces. I have been involved in makerspaces since 2009 in five cities. I was a member of The Hacktory (Philadelphia), an advisory board member of The Department of Making and Doing (Philadelphia), member and laser steward at All Hands Active! (Ann Arbor) and member of Makerspace Leipzig (Germany).
  
 The last several Quelab boards have done fantastic jobs of difficult situations and ambitious projects and I would be honored to join. Now in the new building, we still have a long road to being fully operational and financially sustainable. As a board member, I would contribute to accounting, transparency, scalability, IT infrastructure design and systems integration. I would support decentralizing Quelab's authority and initiative from "the board" to the stewards and members. I think the biggest issues facing Quelab in the next two years are getting building systems complete and online, scaling to increased usage and more members, and improving functionality and usability while preserving what we love about our unique culture and community. The last several Quelab boards have done fantastic jobs of difficult situations and ambitious projects and I would be honored to join. Now in the new building, we still have a long road to being fully operational and financially sustainable. As a board member, I would contribute to accounting, transparency, scalability, IT infrastructure design and systems integration. I would support decentralizing Quelab's authority and initiative from "the board" to the stewards and members. I think the biggest issues facing Quelab in the next two years are getting building systems complete and online, scaling to increased usage and more members, and improving functionality and usability while preserving what we love about our unique culture and community.
- 
  
 ===== Sherie ===== ===== Sherie =====
-{{::sherie.jpg?400 |}}Hello, I’m Sherie Pennebaker and I’ve been a Quelab member for about 15 years. I’m proud to be a part of the creative, enriching place that Quelab has grown into. 
  
-I’m currently the stained glass and game room steward and was instrumental in the creation and implementation of our new member orientation process. I’ve trained and worked in most of the Quelab areas and have served on both of the new move committees when we needed to find a new space. I love creating new spaces for people to work and am currently working on a future jewelry area for basic metal work and casting. This involves classes on metalsmithing, small metal constructing, and jewelry casting so I understand what’s involved in the jewelry process. +{{:sherie.jpg?400  |sherie.jpg}}Hello, I’m Sherie Pennebaker and I’ve been a Quelab member for about 15 years. I’m proud to be a part of the creative, enriching place that Quelab has grown into.
  
-I’m encouraged with the current board’s dedication to diversity in membership, commitment to funding work areas, and openness to member ideas and initiatives. I love the way the board, LLC, stewards, and members worked together to remake our MakerSpace at our new location. +I’m currently the stained glass and game room steward and was instrumental in the creation and implementation of our new member orientation process. I’ve trained and worked in most of the Quelab areas and have served on both of the new move committees when we needed to find a new space. I love creating new spaces for people to work and am currently working on a future jewelry area for basic metal work and casting. This involves classes on metalsmithing, small metal constructing, and jewelry casting so I understand what’s involved in the jewelry process. 
 + 
 +I’m encouraged with the current board’s dedication to diversity in membership, commitment to funding work areas, and openness to member ideas and initiatives. I love the way the board, LLC, stewards, and members worked together to remake our MakerSpace at our new location.
  
 This is the first time that I've accepted a board nomination, but after 20 years teaching middle school (and some high school) science, I have retired and can contribute to Quelab in a different capacity. My experience teaching includes many hours attending and leading meetings, implementing action items, listening to others, and facilitating discussion with members who had dissenting opinions. I love getting things done! I believe I would be a happy asset to the Quelab board. If elected, I would like to work on clarifying policies to assure understanding and implementation and collaborate with the board to support our members. This is the first time that I've accepted a board nomination, but after 20 years teaching middle school (and some high school) science, I have retired and can contribute to Quelab in a different capacity. My experience teaching includes many hours attending and leading meetings, implementing action items, listening to others, and facilitating discussion with members who had dissenting opinions. I love getting things done! I believe I would be a happy asset to the Quelab board. If elected, I would like to work on clarifying policies to assure understanding and implementation and collaborate with the board to support our members.
  
 ===== Tetris ===== ===== Tetris =====
 +
 Hello, my name is Tetris, and I’ve been a member of Quelab for over two years. During that time, I served on the committee that secured our new building, helped coordinate the move, and led the transformation of the Fiber Arts area into a growing, multifunctional creative space. Hello, my name is Tetris, and I’ve been a member of Quelab for over two years. During that time, I served on the committee that secured our new building, helped coordinate the move, and led the transformation of the Fiber Arts area into a growing, multifunctional creative space.
  
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 ===== Craig ===== ===== Craig =====
-{{::craig.jpg?400 |}}I've been a maker since 3.1415 days before I was born. My general focus has been traditional metal and wood techniques, electronics, coding, digital 3D and 2D fabrication, welding, and more. I first started lurking at Quelab during the 2011 March of the Robots at the old Second Street space. For nearly ten years I was a primary organizer and Board member of the Albuquerque Maker Faire. I have been an area steward (lasercutter) and on-and-off Board member of Quelab since about 2016.  
  
-As a Board member, I remain committed to two principles: +{{:craig.jpg?400  |craig.jpg}}I've been a maker since 3.1415 days before I was born. My general focus has been traditional metal and wood techniques, electronics, coding, digital 3D and 2D fabrication, welding, and more. I first started lurking at Quelab during the 2011 March of the Robots at the old Second Street space. For nearly ten years I was a primary organizer and Board member of the Albuquerque Maker Faire. I have been an area steward (lasercutter) and on-and-off Board member of Quelab since about 2016. 
 + 
 +As a Board member, I remain committed to two principles: 
   - maintaining Quelab as a space with equipment for members to build projects;   - maintaining Quelab as a space with equipment for members to build projects;
   - keeping Quelab utterly affordable.   - keeping Quelab utterly affordable.
  
 I concur with our President in having as few rules as possible, and have seen the need for some rules and policies. With that in mind, in the past, I have been a primary author of both our Grievance Policy and our Weapons Policy, and am currently chair of the Drug Policy Committee, which is working to codify our approach to substances and alcohol at the space. I concur with our President in having as few rules as possible, and have seen the need for some rules and policies. With that in mind, in the past, I have been a primary author of both our Grievance Policy and our Weapons Policy, and am currently chair of the Drug Policy Committee, which is working to codify our approach to substances and alcohol at the space.
 +
 +