David M. Schnepp is the founder and executive director of MakerSquad ℠, a newly launched CA 501 (c)(3) based out of Los Angeles. David was most recently the co-founder and COO of 3D Veterans, a leading provider of emerging technology boot camps and job placement services for Military Veterans, with a focus on additive manufacturing/3D Printing. Prior to 3D Veterans, David was the Director of Business Development/New Ventures for 3D Systems Corporation, the worlds largest provider of 3D Printing Equipment and Services. He was responsible for the development and execution of key strategic partnerships, including development of financial models, distribution relationships and marketing plans. Before 3D Systems, David was the co-founder and COO of Digital PlaySpace, a leading social gaming company that was purchased by 3D Systems in February of 2014. David also was the co-founder of a social enterprise, Impact Trader, which was an online platform focused on helping financial advisors make Impact Investments on behalf of their wealth management clients. Mr. Schnepp has also spent over 15 years advising numerous local, state and federal government agencies on low-income asset development policies, social enterprise development, small business financing, electronic commerce and technology transfer from, university research centers. David received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and a Masters of Management (MBA) from Northwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management.
Christopher Wentworth is the Additive Manufacturing Technology Lead for CMTC, which is a NIST-funded non-profit corporation which is the lead organization for delivering services to small and medium-sized manufacturers in California with support of partners throughout the state. Through its collaboration with these partners, CMTC enhances operational performance, new product development, market expansion and technology adoption for manufacturers in both urban and rural centers.
Christopher Higgins is a partner at Orrick, a leading US law firm, where he is the co-leader of the 3D Printing Group at Orrick. Chris has developed a global reputation as an authoritative source on legal issues in 3D printing, and has been a featured speaker at 3D printing events around the world. His 3D printing practice includes advising startups and established 3D printing companies on all aspects of intellectual property law, cybersecurity, and technology transactions. Chris helps 3D printing clients grow their businesses and capitalize on market opportunities and represents them in court to defend or enforce IP rights.
Michael Moncada is the Co-Founder of 3D Veterans, Inc.(3DV), whose primary purpose is to provide training and job placement assistance to transitioning service members and veterans in technology and emerging technology careers. Over the past 3 years 3DV has partnered with Google.org., the US Veteran Administrations Center of Innovation, the White House Joining Forces program, and America Makes to develop customized training boot camps centered on the needs of employers in advanced/AM industries, e.g. the White House announced a partnership between the VA and 3DV to train Veterans on 21st century skills, such as Human-Centered Design and AM, to help them obtain future job opportunities and reintegrate into their community; 3DV launched a customized additive technologies training program with St. Philips College (San Antonio, TX) and the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Hospital (San Antonio, TX) to train Veterans to utilize 3D Printing technologies to create assistive devices for disabled Veterans.
Mitch has a highly regarded record of accomplishment in technology-based economic development, where he has worked as a principal economic development consultant, high ranking state development official and executive in a fast growing technology company. Whether working as a senior consultant for industry consortium, universities, national associations, state governments, or international clients, Mitch brings a wealth of proven experience in economic analysis, strategic planning, program and policy design and implementation services. Mitch’s leadership experience includes fifteen years of management and project responsibility with the Battelle Technology Partnership Practice (TPP). He was instrumental in the evolution of TPP into TEConomy Partners.
Mitch has more than 25 years of experience working in economic development. In the early 1990s, he developed Maryland’s widely acclaimed biotechnology strategy, and then joined the Maryland Department of Economic and Employment Development as Technology Advisor to the Secretary with responsibility for implementing the strategy as well as other technology initiatives. Additional development experience includes positions for the Governor’s Office in New York, the City of New York, and Corporation for Enterprise Development, as well as serving as President for a mezzanine financing company.