Leader Under 40: Keith Mandachit

Electrical Engineer, Huffman Engineering Inc. - BS Electrical Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology

Control Engineering

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Mr. Keith Mandachit, 37
Electrical Engineer, Huffman Engineering Inc.
Lincoln, Neb.

Academics

BS Electrical Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology

Achievements

In February of this year, Mandachit received the Outstanding Volunteer Award for Nebraska FIRST LEGO League (FLL) 2011-2012. This award honors the dedication of an extraordinary volunteer whose assistance and devotion has helped change the lives of children for the future. FIRST LEGO League is a global robotics program for 9 to 14-year-olds. The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) organization motivates young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering. Mandachit have been involved with the Nebraska FLL since its inception by serving on the planning committee and as the volunteer coordinator since 2009.

Non-work-related activity

Mandachit is a certified barbeque judge with the Kansas City BBQ Society. Mandachit has also been a volunteer for middle school and senior high school youth groups since 2000 because he enjoys being around kids and being a role-model for them. He and his wife Mandy are co-presidents of the Fredstrom Elementary PTO. Mandachit has been a volunteer soccer coach for many of his sons’ soccer teams over the years because he loves the game of soccer. He also helps his wife supervise high school exchange students while they are here in the U.S.

Engineering-related activity

Mandachit started the HuskerBots, which is a Nebraska FIRST LEGO League (FLL) team for 9 to 14 year-old children, in order to provide an engineering-related activity to kids, including his son TJ. He is also the volunteer coordinator for the Nebraska FLL. He is responsible for coordinating 100+ volunteers for most of the Nebraska FLL tournaments.

Interesting details

Mandachit loves to travel internationally. He has been to most of the Caribbean, Aruba, Curacao, Belize, Honduras, Czech Republic, Italy, and Panama. His last name is actually Mandachitra, but his dad shortened it when he came to the U.S. because he felt it was too long. Their last name was given to them by the King of Thailand years ago.

Began interest

Mandachit has always enjoyed programming and making things work, which is what controls and automation are all about.