Brendan Metz
Killa Bees Robotics
Brendan Metz, a mechanical engineer who graduated from Northern Illinois University, founded Killa Bees Robotics at his first competition, AVC 2018, with a 12 lb robot named Kobayashi Maru. He initially participated exclusively in 12 lb events until CIRC 2019, where he entered his first antweight, Shenzhou, a pneumatic flipper, and has been passionate about antweights ever since. Brendan is one of the founding members of MRCA, established in late 2021 through a casual discussion in the WRC Discord (now the MRCA Discord). His major contributions to MRCA include heavy involvement in robot construction rule updates, the design competition, and serving as an idea man to the group, participating in any way he can to best serve the community.
Casey Jeremiason
Barcode Robotics
The un-official President of the MRCA board, Casey has been crucial to the growth of the MRCA while also being responsible for the creation and organizing of the Robot Smashing League. In the MRCA Casey wears many hats but perhaps the most noticeable of which is the implementation and updating of the official MRCA ELO rankings. As a father and event organizer directly involved in over 10 events in 2024 alone, he doesn't find as much time to compete recently but when he does bring his brutal beetle weight to an event he almost always ends up in the top 3.
Eric Lussky
Dead Batteries Robotics
Eric is a mechanical engineer based in the Twin Cities. He enjoys long walks on the beach, smooth jazz music, and smashing robots into tiny pieces. He initially got involved in robotics as a student and volunteer for FIRST. Today he runs the team Dead Batteries Robotics, and their star robot Stabitha. As a member of the MRCA board he organizes competitions in MN, works with sponsors, and does journalism for the website
Eric Roberts
TEAM VOKKO
Eric has always loved RC cars, trucks, planes, drones, and everything in between since he was about 10 years old. Being a fan of Battle Bots, he would often watch it with his kids. One day, when his son Logan was around 12, he asked his dad if they could build a battle bot. With his extensive background in RC stuff, he immediately agreed, although he had to quickly add, "Well, maybe a smaller one, because the ones we see on TV are quite expensive." Intrigued by the idea, he delved into the world of combat robots. Despite his limited knowledge, he managed to learn CAD and put his 3D printer to work. About 4-6 months later, they attended their first event. To his surprise, everyone there was incredibly welcoming and helpful. It was at that moment he realized he had found his new adopted family in the MRCA.
Jeremiah Ashbrook
TEAM MASHUP
Jeremiah Grew up in the mitten state working on the family farm. Having fallen in love with combat robotics from a young age when robot wars was on BBC he always hoped to one day do more than simply watch others compete.
Some of his other hobbies outside of the MRCA include scuba diving, rock climbing and board games.
As one of the MRCA founding members Jeremiah has been a part of the MRCA from the beginning with his primary contributions being in the form of organizing the Michigan Mashup event, community outreach and website updates.
Jeremy DeGuzman
y_0 Robotics
Remy deGuzman the man behind such successful designs as Mudskipper and wicked wedge. Remy works in automotive engineering based in Ann Arbor, MI. As a kid, he had a strong passion for Battlebots and believed that he would one day create a pneumatic ram with a triangular chassis and diamond armor. However, as the years went by, Battlebots faded from his interests, replaced by his focus on aerospace and automotive endeavors.
When Remy found himself in Michigan, he observed the revival of Battlebots from a distance, assuming that he couldn't be part of it due to his Midwest location. That was until he discovered MRCA and the insect weight events happening in the Midwest. Suddenly, he felt a surge of excitement as he realized he had stumbled upon something he could actively participate in and contribute to. Actively being a part of this has given him a sense of true fulfillment.
Michael Hall
Blackpony Productions
Mike is a VDC Manger specializing in coordination and layout of mechanical systems for complex buildings. Hailing from Elgin, IL Mike first got interested in combat robots from the comedy central era of BattleBots. His interest was renewed when Discovery picked up the show and found a link to the website on a Reddit thread. From there he learned about an event being held in Chicago but with not enough time to build a bot he Volunteered to run the Stream for it. Since then he has Built multiple bots, and help try to get the scene off the ground in the Chicago area with Assistance from the RSL by helping plan and organize events as well as running the stream for them.
Rachel deGuzman
y_0 Robotics
Rachel has been an automotive engineer for 12 years working mostly on vehicle interiors. The first time she saw combat robotics was during the Battlebots revival and airing on ABC. She loved seeing all the robots--sleek, silly, and of course the strange designs (Stinger/Sewer Snake). During the Covid lockdown her husband, Remy, decided he wanted to make robots to keep themselves busy, and her love of combat robotics has grown over the last few years. She has competed all across the country with Remy and met so many wonderful builders. The combat robotics community has been so welcoming and she is glad to now give back as a MRCA board member.
Trevor Jessee
Overkill Robotics
Trevor and his kids have been avid watchers of battlebots on TV. They first heard about robot combat at the end of 2021. Their first competition was June of 2022 in Chicago with Froggish and The Predators. The fleet of robots has since grown nine robots including Fred, a rubber chicken that plays music, and Steven Spielbot who captures in-arena video footage of robots and getting hit by the robots.
Trevor’s desire is to see robot combat continue to grow and be accessible to all ages. His background in mechanical engineering and work in creating and managing high performing teams allows him to provide critical input as a board member. He is also active on the discord server providing feedback and guidance to other builders.
FORMER BOARD MEMBERS:
Caleb ~ Kill more robotics
Richard Starks ~ Super bad
Anthony ~ AMP Robotics
Eric ~ Iowa Robot fighting
Joseph ~ Imminent Disaster
Ashley ~ Team Guac and Queso