Aaron is a Junior at NMU, majoring in Mechanical Engineering Technology with a Mechatronics concentration. He is a member of the SAE Baja racing team at NMU. He enjoys working with his hands as well as computer design.

Anthony is one of the Student Mechanical Engineering Technologists here at Invent@NMU. He is currently a Sophomore at NMU studying Mechanical Engineering Technology. Anthony grew up building various wooden things with his father that sparked his passion for hands-on work and exploring new innovations.

Aiyana is a Marquette native who is currently obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design. During her free time, she enjoys hiking, listening to music, and spending time with her family. Aiyana is also an avid traveler who loves to experience new places and cultures, a passion that was cultivated after a summer spent traveling Europe. After graduation, Aiyana hopes to move out west to pursue a career as a graphic artist.

Maddie is a Student Graphic Designer here at Invent@NMU, who enjoys spending her time hiking around Marquette or in the garden with her nieces and nephews. Maddie also enjoys sketching and writing out stories that teach people about different mythologies and histories. After graduation, Maddie wants to travel the world to study ancient cultures, and pursue a career that involves cultural and environmental preservation.

Tiffany is a non-traditional NMU student in the school of Art & Design with a concentration in Graphic Design. As a creative, she enjoys engaging in Marquette’s art scene and photographing the beauty of the area. As an adventurer, she enjoys swimming and hiking with her husband and pup. In addition to experience as a reporter, writer, and graphic designer, Tiffany runs an up-and-coming wedding + elopement photography/videography business based in Marquette, MI.

Ray Johnson has over 20 years of start-up industry experience, with a duel role as the CEO of Innovate Marquette SmartZone and Executive Director of Invent@NMU. Ray has been involved in his own start-ups and has also coached and mentored other entrepreneurs in helping to launch new startups and has secured over $100 million in financing for new businesses. His own businesses have generated almost 200 international patents and trademark filings. Before moving to Marquette, Ray was a faculty-lecturer at the University of Colorado’s Deming School for Entrepreneurship and Director of the CU-Cleantech Center. In his free time Ray enjoys golfing, biking, and traveling.

Cat is a non-traditional senior studying Marketing. In her spare time she indulges in the practice of yoga and exploring the great outdoors. She is very passionate about environmental sustainability and self-sustainability. Her plans after graduation are flexible and open to the growth and opportunities she will endure over her last year of undergrad.

Chad is a Math and Computer Science guy with a love for the arts and the outdoors. An NMU grad, Chad is hoping to work on his Masters and would love to one day be a college math professor. In his downtime, Chad explores Marquette and the surrounding wilderness with his fiancé and two guinea pigs, Ludo and Luna.

Nicole is a ’14 BBA Marketing graduate of Western Michigan University, Upper Peninsula Native, and outdoor enthusiast. After living away for 8 years on four different continents building a career in marketing focused on content creation and SEO strategy she happily found her way back home to this unique slice of paradise in October of 2019. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, photography, plant-based cooking, and reading a good book near a body of water.

Paulette is a Marquette-born NMU graduate who is the Operations and Finance Manager for Innovate Marquette SmartZone and Invent@NMU. She enjoys traveling and is looking forward to finding her roots while exploring the Finnish Arctic Circle. During summer free time, you can find her at her family’s cottage in Big Bay where she finds peace and serenity from beautiful Lake Superior. Long winter nights you will find her in front of the TV watching the train wreck that is Bravo TV with her bulldog, Marty the Meatball, and Charlie the cat.

Rachel was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula and is the Program Manager at Invent@NMU and Innovate Marquette SmartZone. She graduated from Northern Michigan University in 2016 with a degree in Entrepreneurship, prior to which she worked at Invent@NMU as a student Project Manager. Outside of work Rachel participates in competitive target archery, is learning Soo Bahk Do, acts as the awards secretary for the regional field archery association, and is on the board of Connect Marquette, Marquette’s young professionals network . She enjoys a good book and playing or listening to music, often with her two adorable cats curled up somewhere nearby.