Staff Updates
Things are always evolving at Phoenix Forge, and our team is no exception. From familiar faces returning to exciting new additions, here’s what’s new with the people who help keep the Makerspace running strong.
Welcome Back, Steven!
Steven is back! We are glad to announce that Steven Redondo has returned to the member services desk. Steven will be a familiar face for current members and an inviting smile for those just coming in for the first time!
Meet Michael in the Wood Shop
We are very excited to introduce Michael Smedley as the newest addition to the wood shop team. Michael brings with him a lifetime of interest and experience in woodworking stemming from working in his father’s woodshop during the Vermont summers. After taking a break from woodworking, Michael returned to the craft and honed his knowledge and skills through woodworking classes at the Southwest School of Woodworking. He then assembled his own shop and delved into furniture making and wood turning. He is looking forward to helping members develop their woodworking confidence and achieve their goals. Outside of the makerspace, Michael likes to travel, visit new places, experience different cultures, read, and beat the heat while floating in the pool with his dogs. Thank You, Michele
After being with the makerspace since just about the beginning, we are sad to see Michele go. She shared her knowledge of electronics and computer science with many of our members, helping them bring their ideas to life. For Michele, no idea was too humble or far-fetched, and she knew just how to get a project from a to b…or c, d, e, and f.
Percy Steps Into Electronics
But, as the saying goes, when one door closes another one opens! Percy will be transitioning from the member services team to the electronics position and is just the person to pick up where Michele left off. Percy is our rising electronics extraordinaire and has been interested in electronics since assembling his first soda can robot at an elementary school science fair. The simple project started the desire to learn how to design, build, and create new things. Percy’s experience with electronics blurs the lines between the physical and digital and has been applied to projects that capture physical data, abstract it through technology, and generate new creative works. His first love is being outdoors, balancing the influence of technology, while also drawing inspiration and finding ways that technology can be incorporated into experiences. Percy enjoys music of many types, exploring other cultures, and cooking. For Percy, the most exciting thing about this new role is the ability to give back and share the knowledge he has gained through his variety of experiences as a way to help others build their electronics knowledge and develop the confidence to tackle big projects!
Want to say hi? Next time you’re at the Forge, drop by and chat with one of our amazing team members. We’re here to support your ideas, build your confidence, and help you bring your vision to life.
