Akron Makerspace | Board of Directors

Bob Hasenyager - President

Bob Hasenyager has been a member for 7 years and have been on the board in some capacity for about the past 5 years, most recently as Treasurer and Executive Director. I’m a retired public health professional and I enjoy woodworking and learning other crafts. I value the vast variety of skill, knowledge and creativity that the members bring to the Makerspace and generously share with others! I believe the activity of making, learning and creating are empowering and essential to our well being.

Perry Cain - Vice President

Perry was first a member in the very early days of the Makerspace. Perry was first a member in the very early days of the Makerspace. During that time he chipped in where needed between work and family. Notably during the pandemic, Perry 3D printed thousands of visors for medical face shields at home and fixed the Space’s 3D printers and kept them in production back at the Space. He dedicates a huge amount of time to assist members in pottery, craft lab, 3d printing, and more.

Peter Griffiths - Treasurer

Peter Griffiths retired from working in the Semiconductor Electrical Test area. He enjoys various making endeavors in the winter and backpacking around the US in the warmer months. He joined the AMS in 2023, to gain access to woodworking equipment he did not have, and to learn new skills. Since joining AMS he has learnt 3D Printing, Wood Turning, Wood CNC, Welding, Powder Coating, Laser Etching/Cutting. Peter is currently the CNC maintainer. In 2025 he joined the Board of the AMS as VP to support and contribute to the team that is running the organization. He is now the Treasurer.

Jo Sugiura - CIO/CTO

A long time tinkerer with interests in art, design, photography, electronics, and snowboarding. I was introduced to the space after being interested in working with metals and laser engraving, and decided to come on board to help with the technology needs of AMS.

Jamie Newhall - Secretary

Jamie has a lifelong passion for woodworking and other creative pursuits, including video production and photography. He also enjoys working with electronics and metal fabrication, and more recently has expanded his skills into laser engraving and 3D printing. In addition to creating, Jamie takes pride in teaching classes and maintaining equipment.

Jared Barnett - Membership Coordinator

Jared is a nature enthusiast, musician, potter, and all around lover of the strange and wonderful. After joining AMS in 2023, he quickly found that the best thing about the Akron Makerspace is not the tools, it’s the community. The members truly make the Makerspace. As Membership Coordinator, Jared has the opportunity to experience the excitement of seeing the Space for the first time with each public tour. He believes in the AMS community and tries to inspire that spirit in new members as they are guided through the onboarding process. And he loves to hear about the crazy and fantastic things people plan to make. The makers make the Space extraordinary.

Lauren Carley - Communications and Marketing

I joined Akron Makerspace in January and primarily create in the ceramics studio. I’ve enjoyed becoming part of this community where members openly share ideas, skills, and encouragement. The collaborative spirit and willingness to learn from one another are what make the space so meaningful to me. Professionally, I work in arts administration and music education and performance. I’ve held leadership roles in arts organizations focused on outreach, storytelling, and strengthening community connections. As Communications and Marketing Chair, I’m excited to help share our members’ stories and highlight the creative, collaborative energy that makes Akron Makerspace such a special place.

Matthew Albright - Member Engagement (previously: Cruise Director)

By day, I work as a paralegal. When I am able I run a Handyman side hustle fixing just about anything I can find to do and landscaping. I grew up learning skills from the men in my family, carpenters and otherwise handy guys. I enjoy working with my hands to create things both esthetically creative as well as functional. I use the Woodshop and have done a little 3D printing and really enjoy the laser engraver.

When I am not at the Makerspace on random weeknights, you can find me tinkering in my favorite pastime, model trains and railroad history.
I have experience in non profit management as well and look forward to contributing to the board in the area of Member Engagement.

Ori& Nofsinger - At Large

Orion (they/he&) is a materials engineer by trade, and a maker at heart, with a passion for community building, and an avid desire to learn every possible tool they can get their hands on. They came to Akron Makerspace in 2023 upon moving to the area for work. Having spent the previous 5 years running the metal shop at his college’s makerspace, he knew they would quickly go insane without somewhere to get their hands dirty— ideally amongst others equally driven by an intense need to play with power tools.

Warren Provencal - At Large

With over 30 years in sign and display manufacturing, Warren has worked with many materials in design and fabrication. From welding a sign to the end of a 50 foot pole; to the fine detail that goes into applying gold leaf there little he has not done in the industry. Using the skills he learned from those years in signs and displays he also became a very competent woodworker leather craft, foam craft and continues to hone those skills and applies them to such projects as fine crafted boxes to furniture, wallets and cosplay. He is also the crew leader for the Power Racing team.

Marcie Shorter - At Large

I have been a member of Akron Makerspace for two years, focusing primarily on woodworking and laser projects but always eager to explore new areas of the space. I love learning how to make “all the things” and always have multiple projects in the works. I especially appreciate members’ willingness to share knowledge and collaborate, creating an environment where learning and creativity flourish. I am excited to help support and strengthen that culture.

Erin Sebert - At Large

I’m Erin Sebert, but some of you know me as Rainbow :), and I’ve been a member of the Makerspace since January 2024. I got into woodturning through a day program held at the library through this I met Bob Hasenyager, and he introduced me to the space because I didn’t have room for a lathe at my place. I haven’t looked back since!

I’ve done everything here from woodturning to 3D printing to ceramics, all with varying degrees of success. But what I love most that this is a place that I can go that offers a community of artists that I feel I can either talk to or just sit with and enjoy. It’s a place I feel at peace and would love to help do as much as I can to foster that kind of space for others too.