

About Mark Breadner
Mark started out his career as a systems engineer and marketing representative with IBM Canada. Thankfully, for the benefit of the FIRST community, Mark transitioned over to teaching and school administration, and he then discovered FIRST. Mark Breadner co-founded the first ever FIRST Robotics team from Canada in 1998 at Woburn Collegiate in Toronto. He was awarded the Championship Woodie Flowers Award in 2008. Since that year, Mark has been a pivotal figure and tremendous leader in the FIRST community. He was the FIRST Robotics Administrator for the Toronto School Board in 2002 and 2003. Then, Mark served as Director of Canadian Association for Student Robotics (now FIRST Robotics Canada). From 2010 to 2021, Mark served as the President of FIRST Robotics Canada. Robotics education runs in Mark’s family, as his wife Rhona shared Mark’s vision and passion for inspiring students through the use of robotics and STEM. Rhona and their three kids have all volunteered extensively with FIRST Canada for many years. Upon retiring in June 2021 as the President, a special fund was created in honour of FIRST Robotics Canada co-founder Mark Breadner and Rhona Breadner who shared a passion for FIRST and have contributed countless volunteer hours to the organization. The Fund will support projects identified by Mark that will advance FIRST’s strategic plan initiatives that specifically focus on students. Click here to learn more about the Mark and Rhona Breadner FIRST Canada Fund and/or to contribute.

About Gord Homer
Gord Homer served as Chair of the Board from 2001-2010 and has been a director and member of the Executive Advisory Board ever since. He also served on the worldwide Board of FIRST from 2006-2013, was on the Board's Steering Committee and was the Chair of the worldwide Audit Committee. Gord is also currently on the HBS Club of Toronto Board and was on the HBS World Alumni Board and HBS Canadian Fellowship Committee in the past.