Reinstatement of FIRST Senior Mentor Program

Dear FIRST in Texas Community,  

We are beyond excited to share that we have officially reinstated the FIRST Senior Mentor (FSM) program here at FIRST in Texas, starting with the well-known and passionate leaders: Joe Varnell and Mike Henry!  

What Is a FIRST Senior Mentor? 

A FIRST Senior Mentor is a highly experienced mentor selected to support and grow FIRST programs in their local community. FSMs are often long-time FIRST volunteers who bring deep knowledge, enthusiasm, and a drive to serve.  

Joe and Mike will collaborate directly with both FIRST Headquarters and FIRST in Texas, aligning their efforts to community needs and national goals. FSMs support all FIRST programs, and their work is critical to building strong, sustainable teams and events throughout Texas. 

What Do FSMs Do? 

FSMs wear many hats, including: 

• Supporting coaches, mentors, and volunteers through training and ongoing guidance 

• Helping recruit new teams, mentors, and volunteers, while also supporting the retention of current teams by connecting them with the resources they need to continue thriving 

• Conducting outreach, and events to grow awareness of FIRST programs 

• Building relationships with schools, districts, nonprofits, and corporate partners 

Acting as a key connection between local efforts and national strategies 

Why This Matters 

The FSM program is a game-changer for our teams, volunteers, coaches, and partners. As we continue growing and scaling our impact across Texas, having dedicated, experienced mentors embedded in our communities helps ensure that no one ever feels unsupported. FSMs serve as connectors, problem-solvers, and champions for all things FIRST, bridging the gap between national support and local execution. 

What This Means for You 

Whether you’re a coach needing advice and insight, a team facing a technical or non-technical challenge, or a new volunteer figuring out where to start—your FSM will be there. This re-launch means increased access to local expertise and more hands-on support in the field. 

Next Steps: 
We encourage you to reach out if you’re interested in learning more or want to connect with the nearest FSM to your region. 

Joe Varnell (North) – jvarnell@vol.firstintexas.org  

Mike Henry (Central) – mhenry@firstinspires.org  

A Note About Our Texas Mentors 

This is not a goodbye to our Texas Mentor program. Our long-term vision is to have FSMs embedded in every Texas region but building that infrastructure will take time. In the meantime, we are refocusing our Texas Mentors to provide continuous support through the FSM model. As we grow this structure with the support of FIRST Headquarters, our Texas Mentors will gradually transition into FSM roles. 

We are deeply grateful for our current Texas Mentors: Brad Maulden, Kati Duran, and Carlos Hernandez. Their dedication has been instrumental in building and supporting our community, and they will continue to be valued voices in how we grow and strengthen FIRST in Texas.  

Brad Maulden (Central) – brad.maulden@firstintexas.org 

Kati Duran (Central) – kati.duran@firstintexas.org  

Let’s give a warm welcome back to Joe and Mike and get ready for even stronger support across Texas!