FabNewport Announces Leadership Changes

FabNewport, Aquidneck Island’s first “Maker Space,” has a new executive director, new board chairman and new board members as the organization is poised to embark on a new growth phase.

Steve Heath, founder of the organization, is taking the reins as executive director, moving from the position of volunteer chairman.

Stephen Licht has been appointed as chairman of the Board of Directors, and two new board members have joined: Christopher Semonelli, a textile business owner and director of the Newport Mentor & Co-Op Group; and Kerry Clarke, who works with Newport Public Schools on career exploration, job readiness and partnership development at Rogers High School and the Newport Area Career & Technical Center.

FabNewport, as the name implies, employs fabrication of all sorts to help put science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics into tangible learning experiences.

They provide mentoring, classes, after-school events and workshops to people looking for an alternative pathway to a so-called STEAM education.

“This is an exciting time for FabNewport and I am extremely proud of our accomplishments over the past 2 years,” Heath said.

Heath is an educator with 25 year of experience working in public and private schools in Boston, Chicago and Rhode Island.

“I have full confidence handing the reigns over to Stephen and believe his experience and vision will help bring FabNewport into an exciting new chapter.”

Licht, a Professor of Ocean Engineering at the University of Rhode Island, with a Doctorate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and worked for iRobot prior moving his family to Rhode Island and entering academia.

Semonelli was also notably a former MIddletown Town Council President and has been a tireless advocate for STEAM education in Newport County for years.

Clarke, a certified teacher with a background in corporate marketing, “will focus on public relations and fundraising efforts,” according to a release.

Daniel Bryand, an existing board member and electrical engineer at the Naval Underwater Warfare Center (NUWC), will serve as Vice Chair of FabNewport. These changes will complement the work of existing board members Eric Cimino, Chris Gross, Alex Joseph and Mary Vieira.

For more information visit fabnewport.org or email fabnewport@gmail.com.