Our Mentors

Mr. Scott Barton - Head MentorYears on the team : 20 yearsSpecialty : mechanical engineering & marketingCurrent Occupation : Teacher & AdvisorMr. Scott Barton teaches AP Physics at San Marino High School and has been mentoring the Titanium Robotics Team for years. His main job is making sure that “the students leave with the same amount of fingers they came in with”. During building sessions, he can be found at his desk in the robo room, supervising the kids and giving them advice when necessary, about both engineering and life in general. He is the cornerstone of the team and our head advisor, so he has his own spirit animal: the Sloth.

Mr. Wesley Su - Alumni MentorYears on the team : 4 yearsSpecialty : structural engineering & electricalCurrent Occupation : Structural EngineerAs an alumni of the team, Wesley has returned to the team as a mentor. His background is in Civil Engineering, and spent 3 years after college working as a structural engineer. He now works as a substitute teacher at SMUSD while working on obtaining his teaching credential. Wesley has been an active mentor since the 2024 season, Crescendo.

Shawn Thai - Alumni MentorYears on the team : 5 yearsSpecialty : electronics & designCurrent Occupation : Digital & Electronics Design EngineerShawn Thai has been with the team 5 years as a mentor, 4 years as a student, class of 2018. As a mentor, he primarily helps with the design and electronics aspect of robotics. Shawn is an Digital Electronics Engineer at Northrop Grumman in Redondo Beach, CA. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games, hiking, and mahjong.

Nathan Lee - Alumni MentorYears on the team : 2 yearsSpecialty : mechanical design & programmingCurrent Occupation : RnD Engineer & Software Developer

Teo Wilkening - Alumni MentorYears on the team : 2 yearsSpecialty : mechanical engineering & controlsCurrent Occupation : Senior Controls & Automation Engineer

Benson Khau - Alumni MentorYears on the team : 2 yearsSpecialty : programmingCurrent Occupation : Senior Software EngineerBenson is a San Marino High School alum from the class of 2008 and was a member of the robotics club during Scott Barton's first year as head mentor. He discovered his love of programming through FIRST, which was a fundamental first step on his current career path as a software engineer. As a mentor of Team 1160, Benson is excited to share his experience and help the team take their programming to the next level.

Tyler Hand - MentorYears on the team : 2 yearsSpecialty : mechanical design & programmingCurrent Occupation : RnD Engineer & Software Developer

Teri Bond - MentorYears on the team : 3 yearsSpecialty : public relations & marketingCurrent Occupation : Public Relations Consultant