ROBOTICS COACH & FOUNDER OF U.S ENGINEERING LEAGUE
NAPERVILLE–After losing his sister to cancer in 2011, William realized that he needed to do something he loved, so he took his passions for technology, kids, and teaching and founded the U.S. Engineering League (USEL) – Midwest, where he coaches students for robotics competitions leading them to national and international competitions.
“My mom and her mom were teachers, and my great-grandfather started a college in China,” he says. “I had pursued an engineering degree, worked 20 years in technology consulting, working my way up to vice president of technology and CIO roles in major corporations. I followed the corporate career path, only to fall back into what my family has always done.”
William pursues grants to get robotics programming into underserved schools; and currently runs programs in East Aurora, Barrington, and Bolingbrook. He enjoys seeing his students move on to engineering degrees and careers, and educating student teachers at Naperville Central College with STEM specialties.
Generous, genuine, and laid back, William serves as vice president of the Aurora Public Library Foundation Board of Directors and has aided in raising millions for the bookmobile program. The new children’s section of the library will be named in honor of his daughter, Madison (13).
-Kristen Kucharski, Photos by Mike Catuara
