User:Tckma

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About Me

My name's Tom. I'm a 27-year old software engineer, living in Northborough, MA. I work for Raytheon Network Centric Systems in Marlborough, MA, primarily on software for domestic and international air traffic control systems. Since 2005, I have been a programming mentor on FIRST Team 1100. Additionally, I was a programming mentor on Team 811 in 2002, 2004, and 2005, and on Team 246 in 2003.

I grew up on Long Island, and moved to New England for my job with Raytheon after I graduated from college in 2000.

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Academics

I have a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Boston University, earned in September 2003. I also have a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Cornell University, earned in May 2000.

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Non-FIRST Hobbies

What do you mean, "Non-FIRST Hobbies?" Those exist?

I collect license plates. Yes, this is 100% legal. I am a member of the Automobile License Plate Collectors' Association. I love taking random road trips, and anything to do with roads, maps, and signs.

I also play trombone in the Interboro Band.

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FIRST and FLL Competitions I've Attended

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2002 (Zone Zeal)

(with Team 811)

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2003 (Stack Attack)

(with Team 246)

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2004 (FIRST Frenzy: Raising the Bar)

(with Team 811)

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2005 (Triple Play)

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2006 (Aim High)

(with Team 1100)

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My FIRST History

I became involved in FIRST in 2002 (Zone Zeal), shortly after breaking my leg in a skiing accident. At the time, I lived in Nashua, NH and worked in Tewksbury, MA. A co-worker of mine who was driving me to work had a son on Team 811 and was discussing the FIRST program on the way to work one day. I had heard of FIRST before that time, and I had been interested, but I did not know how to get involved. I asked if 811 needed new mentors. The next day I hobbled into what we on 811 called "FIRST Base" on crutches, and I have been a FIRST addict ever since. I wish they had had FIRST when I was a high school student (1992-1996) -- later, I found out that they did. FIRST at the time was just in its infancy and my high school did not have a team, nor did I know of any in the area which did.

In late 2002, I received a scholarship from my company to go to graduate school at Boston University. This required me to move to Boston Proper, and so I left 811 temporarily in favor of the BU-sponsored team, Team 246, for 2003 (Stack Attack).

When I graduated that September, my job was transferred to the Marlborough plant, but I'd had some roots in Nashua -- namely a girlfriend who lived there. I compromised with her and moved to Chelmsford, MA. I asked to return to Team 811 in 2004 (First Frenzy:Raising the Bar), since Nashua was a reasonable distance from Chelmsford.

Over the next year, the relationship ended and I was quickly becoming fed up with what was a 45-minute commute to work each way. I bought a house here in Northborough, which, while an hour's drive from Nashua, shortened my commute to 15 minutes each way, mostly along back roads. I knew to stay with 811 would wreak havoc on my car, especially in New England winters, so I searched for a new team closer to my new place. I joined a local community wind band, which rehearses at the local high school. I asked the band director if he knew of any robotics teams in the area, and he pointed me to the faculty advisor for Team 1100. For the 2005 (Triple Play) season, I worked with both Team 811 and Team 1100, moving exclusively to 1100 shortly after the BAE Systems Granite State Regional that year.

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