Meet the Team

Growing FIRST Programs and STEM Opportunities for Students

Michele D. Lamkin

President/Chair

As an Instructor and Administrator with over 25 years of teaching and leadership experience with business, education, and charitable organizations, Michele Lamkin is passionate about making a difference in the lives of others. Finding limited STEM options for students in her rural region of Pennsylvania, Michele utilized her “can do” skills to start a FIRST robotics team for local students in 2012. After seeing its tremendous impact, Michele launched Laurel Highlands Education and Robotics, Inc. in 2014 to simultaneously provide greater STEM opportunities for students and bridge gaps with businesses needing a skilled technology workforce. Michele thrives on helping students achieve success and develop skills while discovering careers that fit what they love.

Michael J. Ream

Vice President/Vice-Chair

mike.ream@lherobotics.org

814-233-5234

Mike Ream is an Electrical and Systems Engineer with 26 years of experience working in academic, military and commercial industries. As a native of Pennsylvania, Mike is passionate about giving back to the community and helping young students explore the wonders of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Helping students learn and explore technology while having fun is one of his primary commitments. In addition to full-time employment as Chief Engineer at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Mike serves as Vice-President of Laurel Highlands Education and Robotics that focuses on international robotics competitions for middle and high school students.

Branden Millard

Engineer

814-341-0999

Branden Millard possesses a BS in Mechanical Engineering and an MS in Engineering Management with 20 years of experience working as a Design Engineer and Manufacturing Engineer in industrial, commercial and military industries. Branden has always had a desire to work with students and give back to communities in the Johnstown area where he was raised. He has realized this passion over the last few years by mentoring young men through a Goodwill Industries program and volunteering his time to provide hope, healing and honor to abused and underprivileged boys in a locally run church-based summer camp. In addition to his volunteer work in the community, Branden is entering his third year of providing mentorship to local students through LHER.

Ellen Doyle

Secretary/Board Member

814-248-0300

Ellen Doyle is an elementary school teacher with over 25 years of experience working with children. Ellen has taught in public and private schools and served in children’s ministry. She is excited to give students opportunities to learn through a “hands-on” approach and has used this approach to learning when teaching STEM lessons through the Intermediate Unit’s ATOMS program. This excitement of learning through doing led her to become involved with the Robotic Doges and LHER in 2014.

Roxanne Jenner

Director of CODE Programs, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown

"LHER is impacting lives through their constant involvement in the community to educate businesses, schools, parents, and students on the value of robotics as part of a K-12 education to develop STEM skills. I have witnessed the excitement of younger students when they get to “play” with one of their working robots and of parents who see their child’s progression in skill development. Without LHER, this growth of a STEM-rich environment would not be happening in our region."

Shawn Cerully

Special Projects Coordinator, Appalachia IU8

“LHER, Inc. and their team FTC Team 8645 Robotic Doges have been a great asset to our FIRST LEGO League Workshops. They have consistently worked with the students in our region to not only help them learn important coding skills, but they also show the students the importance of collaboration and hard work through their success. The practical tips, inspiration, and programming help they offer to our students are both relevant and necessary for 21st-century careers.”

Dale Messenger

Coach of FTC Team 13535 Brain Botz

“LHER offered far more help starting a new team than I initially thought. They answered any questions I had. As a new coach, I want to return the favor. FTC gets in your blood!”

Tabatha Fletcher

Coach of FLL Team 27681—Zap Squad

“LHER’s workshops provided an opportunity for our FIRST LEGO League students to get answers to their programming questions and to learn strategy tips for our competition. Our team enjoyed speaking with older kids who had “been there, done that” and it gave them the confidence and know-how to continue our season. The workshops became an invaluable asset and something we looked forward to doing.”

Jessica Alexander

Parent of Robotic Doges Team Member

“Our son has grown so much as a young man in his first year as a member of a LHER robotics team. I can only imagine what future years will bring. This group is full of so much knowledge, support, encouragement, opportunities, and wonderful role models. It has been a blessing to watch Walker grow. He has come out of his shell. This truly has not only allowed him to learn and experience so much, but to grow as a person.”

Brady Doyle

LHER Program Graduate and Robotic Doges Alumni

“Participating in one of LHER’s robotics teams has allowed me to experience high school life beyond the classroom setting. It furthered my interest in computer science and the field of engineering. More importantly, I have had the honor to know so many young extraordinary “Doges”, and to have the chance to learn from/with our coaches along the journey. The “Robotic Doges” is not just team; it is more like a family that you can just fit right into, especially for a programmer.”

831 Soap Hollow Road | Hollsopple, PA 15935-8416 | 814-288-5785