009 Boosting Engineering Science and Technology (BEST)

The volunteer work of this next guest has impacted thousands of lives, including ours. Janne Ackerman is a longtime philanthropist with BEST Robotics, the competition in which we established a team to participate beginning in 2005. In 2008, we met Janne at a Regional Championship and have admired her and her husband Garry since as they have led TX BEST and mentored thousands of students over the years. What is amazing about Janne is that she just keeps giving… having "failed" retirement, she is enjoying the farm life, flying planes, and grandkids. Our listeners will love her energy and the smile that you can hear through the entire interview with this very successful engineer and pilot who has much wisdom to share. She is our first guest from Texas and a STEM Rockstar! Show Notes A current resident of Plano, Texas and long-time Raytheon employee (now retired), Janne Ackerman has had a varied career, including assignments in quality assurance, software and systems engineering, and program management. Other highlights include marrying her high school sweetheart, Garry, getting her pilot's license, wildlife photography, and collecting aircraft projects for restoration. When she is not busy with work, airplanes, travel, or BEST Robotics, Janne crochets afghans for her family and friends. She also contemplates unusual phenomena, like why all the stray neighborhood cats adopt her or why the cucumbers in her garden stay hidden until they are the size of her left arm. Texas Instruments Raytheon BEST Robotics Book Recommendation: Along Came a Spider, by James Patterson Favorite quote: "No! Try not! Do or do not. There is no try." - by Yoda STEM Rockstar: Richard Feynman Contact Information: [email protected]