Patrick Felty is the Executive Director and President at FIRST in Texas. He previously served as the FIRST in Texas Development Director, FIRST® Regional Director for the Alamo Region of Texas, and has supported FIRST programs as a volunteer for over eleven years.

Before joining FIRST in Texas, Felty served as the Chief Operations Officer at Prism Technologies Group and was the founder and Chief Operations Officer of Fintan Technologies. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Jess brings 17 years of FIRST® experience to the role of Program Director at FIRST in Texas. Jess started as an FLL and FRC team member in Pennsylvania, and has served across all FIRST programs as a key volunteer, events coordinator, team mentor, and FIRST Senior Mentor, and has served as the Alamo Assistant Regional Director and Volunteer Coordinator since 2010. She has a Masters degree in Developmental Psychology (with a Neuroscience focus) from the University of Texas at Austin.

Kayla specializes in Accounting and Finance and is responsible for accounting for FIRST in Texas activities. Kayla is also self-employed at Kayla J. Wallace, CPA, a CPA Firm located in Round Rock, TX. Originally from Coleman, TX, Kayla graduated from East Texas State University with a degree in Accounting. Outside of work, Kayla enjoys reading, eating out, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Megan got involved with FIRST^® while working at the New Braunfels Public Library, where she managed 13 teams in the FIRST LEGO League Junior, FIRST LEGO League, and FIRST Tech Challenge programs over the course of three years. In 2015 she became an Affiliate Partner for the Alamo Region, and in 2016 she also took on the role of Program Coordinator for FIRST in Texas. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology from Texas State University in San Marcos.

Kristi worked with FIRST^® from 2012-2016 as the FIRST LEGO League Operational Partner for the North Texas Region. She now serves as a FIRST in Texas Program Coordinator and the FLL Affiliate Partner for the Central Texas Region. Kristi has been working in informal science education for over 12 years, and has a Master’s degree in biological anthropology from New Mexico State University.

Jason Arms serves as the program coordinator for all four programs in south Texas; which includes the Rio Grande Valley. Arms served as a key volunteer in the Rio Grande Valley for three years before joining the FIRST in Texas team and as a volunteer, was one of the key coordinators that facilitated local widespread program adoption.

Before joining FIRST in Texas, Arms served as the Innovation and Technology Director for the City of Pharr for seven years and spent a great deal of time engaged in emerging technologies in the Rio Grande Valley. Arms has served as a Texas Peace Officer, Emergency Manager and holds various industry certifications in technology.

Jane Taylor is the East Program Coordinator for the Houston area. Jane’s passion for FIRST® began in in 2001 when she decided to coach her rookie after school team to compete in FIRST® LEGO^® League’s MISSION TO MARS^SM.  Jane taught middle school science in Houston Independent School District (HISD) after graduating from Lamar University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science. She earned her Master’s in Education and she has been instrumental in created professional robotics learning communities for FIRST LEGO^® League and FIRST Tech Challenge nationally since 2004.

Over the last seven years as a Master Trainer for LEGO^® Education Academy, Jane has traveled to over 33 states to instruct teachers on how to effectively use robots in the classrooms and competitions. Over the last 17 years she has served as a coach, mentor, host, and cheerleader for FIRST Robotics in Houston.