Stryke Force

Mentors

  • Jerry Culp

    Team Leader

    Jerry has been mentoring for 11 years. He graduated from Purdue University with a degree in electrical engineering. He retired from Stryker one year ago following a career there in R&D leadership. Jerry started mentoring because "someone has to help the next generation get good at STEM."

  • Paul Hoekstra

    Programming

    Paul started mentoring in 2023.  He graduated from GVSU with a degree in electrical engineering and has since become a Chief Engineer at Stryker.  Paul watched closely when one of his children joined the team and decided to join as a mentor after seeing all the great interactions.  He enjoys working with the other mentors to pass STEM on to the next generation.

  • Jeff Hutchison

    Programming

    Jeff has been mentoring FRC since 2016. He attended the University of Colorado-Boulder as a Naval ROTC midshipman. He received a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer science and a commission as an Ensign in the Navy. He was subsequently trained in the Navy’s nuclear power program and served as a submarine officer. He wanted to help get students excited about college and challenging themselves in a STEM field, he also enjoys rolling up his sleeves and diving into creating a robot with students. He worked at Stryker in various engineering. IT, and leadership roles.

  • Wendy Hutchison

    Business

    Wendy has been mentoring the Stryke Force business team since 2017. She earned her graduate degree in manufacturing engineering from WMU. After retiring from Fabri-Kal Corp., Wendy became a full time volunteer with Meals On Wheels, Girls On the Run, and Special Olympics. Wendy wanted to be a part of Stryke Force to help with recruiting and fundraising and to help students prepare for their future.

  • Emily L

    Build

    Emily started mentoring Stryke Force in 2025. She is a FIRST Alum and previously mentored an FRC team while pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering at Rose-Hulman. After graduating, she started working as a Design Engineer at Stryker. She would not be where she is today without the amazing mentors on her high school robotics team and continues to mentor to help other students learn important career skills.

  • Ross Malackowski

    Build

    Ross returned as an alumni mentor with Stryke Force in 2025. He graduated from Western Michigan University with a Degree in Industrial Design & Innovation, and has since been working as a Machine Design Engineer for MVB Improvements within the manufacturing and automation space. Ross joined as a mentor to help teach 3D modelling, Graphic Design, Industrial design practices, and give back to the program and team that gave so much to him.

  • Sarina McDougal

    Business

    Sarina has been mentoring since 2019. She went to Grand Valley State University and graduated from Cornerstone University with a bachelor's degree in business. Her two kids were on the middle school team and there was a need for new coaches; she wanted to support them and she started helping out. She now helps with the Business team for FRC. She is the Lead master data specialist, managing master data at Stryker.

  • Fred Ouding

    Build

    Fred has been mentoring since 2025. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 2022, where he mentored FRC teams that were part of the Michigan Engineering Zone, and also captained the school’s Formula Electric team. After graduating, he worked at Zeiss Meditec as a mechanical engineer. Fred greatly enjoyed his experience as a student on Stryke Force and is excited to be a part of the program again as a mentor. 

  • Doug Staunton

    Build

    Doug has been mentoring the Stryke Force teams since 2011. He went to the United States Naval Academy for mechanical engineering and was a Naval Officer before becoming a Chief Engineer at Stryker. Doug became a mentor to help the other mentors as our team grew, and when his children joined the program he decided to stay a mentor and become a permanent part of the team.

  • Justin Tseng

    Build

    Justin has been mentoring since 2025. He graduated from Case Western Reserve University with degrees in mechanical engineering. Justin has been involved with FIRST since high school, when he was a member of his high school’s team, and became a mentor to help support and teach the next generation of FIRST students. He is now a mechanical engineer at Stryker.

  • Cory Walter

    Drive Coach

    Cory Walter has been mentoring Stryke Force since 2013. He graduated from Northern Michigan University with a leadership and management degree. Cory was on a FIRST team as a student and has been involved in FIRST since 2002.

  • Tammy Wasserman

    Business

    Tammy Wasserman has been mentoring since 2012.  Tammy has a bachelor’s degree in management and organizational development from Spring Arbor University.  She spent most of her career at Stryker in Human Resources and is now retired.  She has been the Secretary for the Stryke Force Executive Board since 2012 and the Treasurer since 2017.  Mark introduced Tammy to the team, and she decided to help as well.

  • Mark Wasserman

    Build

    Mark Wasserman has been mentoring since 2012. Following his service in the military, Mark began a career at Stryker as an electrical engineer and is now retired. He became a mentor to help the students and his fellow mentors. "I know things and like to build stuff." he said.

  • Marisa Witcpalek

    Programming

    Marisa has been mentoring since 2017. She graduated from the University of Michigan with an electrical engineering degree. Marisa was on a robotics team as a high school student and that is what helped her pick her major. She wanted to help students as her mentors helped her, so she started mentoring. She is now an electrical engineer at Stryker.