We bring learning to life.

Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer - Adam Brand, an Indianapolis native and resident maker, started a web design business immediately out of high school and went on to design websites and web applications for hundreds of Indiana companies. From there, he has participated in founding multiple companies from marketing to manufacturing.As an avid DIYer and skilled craftsman, Adam has never shied away from taking on the most ambitious of maker challenges. He now designs and manufactures most of our maker furniture in the 1st Maker Space shop as Vice President of Operations.

Founder & President - Kim Brand is an Indianapolis-born entrepreneur who has started and grown many technology companies since graduating from IUPUI in 1975 with a degree in mechanical engineering technology. In 2013 he co-founded an industrial 3D printing company named 3D Parts Mfg. He aims to bring shop class back to schools and enthusiasm for learning back to classrooms.

He is on the board of EmployIndy and chairs their Youth Committee. He is a member of the Indianapolis Rotary Club and an adjunct professor of Informatics at IUPUI’s School of Informatics and Computing. In the past, Kim served as the technical editor for two maker-relevant "For Dummies" books: 3D Printing for Dummies, 2nd Edition, and Fabrication for Dummies which is soon to be published.

VP of Educational Services - Amber leads the curriculum development and professional development for 1st Maker Space. Amber spent over twenty years teaching upper elementary in Hamilton Southeastern Schools. During her tenure, she taught a variety of subjects, but fell in love with STEM. She created a classroom makerspace, at the cusp of the maker movement, that was collaborative, problem-based and student driven. Her classroom maker projects gained the attention of Mayor Scott Fadness of Fishers, IN, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and Congresswoman Susan Brooks. Amber has an M. Ed. in Curriculum Development and has a passion for developing curriculum and designing lessons that engage students with hands-on learning.

VP of Business Development - Chad works directly with organizational leaders, school leaders, administrators, and STEM instructors. After leading schools from pre-K to high school and earning a National Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education, Chad can relate to school improvement needs and new initiatives with growing organizations. As a former non-profit CEO, he often works with museum leaders, afterschool programs, and unique partners to define programmatical impact through STEM and STEAM initiatives. As a former alternative school administrator, he knows how to meet the diverse needs of students nationwide through hands-on education influence. Chad leads the Business Development for 1st Maker Space, Inc. by coming alongside our partners to help match their goals for impacting youth.

Ballew Moving LLC has been a trusted partner of 1st Maker Space for years, providing reliable and professional delivery services for our makerspaces, equipment, and furniture. With over 27 years of experience in the moving industry, Ballew Moving LLC has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction. Their team of skilled professionals takes great care in handling our valuable resources, ensuring that every item arrives at its destination in perfect condition. As a company that designs and provides makerspaces, high-quality furniture, and STEM curriculum, we at 1st Maker Space understand the importance of having a dependable delivery partner. Ballew Moving LLC's dedication to careful handling and timely deliveries has been instrumental in our mission to create dynamic, interactive learning environments for students.

Marketing Director - Collin leads the marketing efforts of 1st Maker Space with a passion for web and new media marketing. He’s been a tinkerer and tech enthusiast since childhood and is excited about the mission of the maker movement. Collin has a background in digital and print marketing, collegiate instruction, music production, and youth ministry. He’s a “wearer of many hats” and enjoys the challenges of being part of a company at the forefront of technology in educational instruction.

Collin holds a BA in New Media Communication and a BA in Communications from Indiana University with a Writing Minor. Collin’s hobbies include enjoying the great outdoors, watching movies, electric vehicles, and pretty much all things tech.

Logistics Coordinator - Cara keeps an eagle eye on all the moving parts involved with the delivery and setup of a makerspace for our clients. With a BA in Fashion Design and time spent as a local chalk artist, she understands the innate desire in all of us to create. She’s a maker of the “old school” variety who enjoys any endeavor that tests one’s precision and challenges fine motor skills, such as sewing, hand-written typography, and cake decorating. Cara is excited to be a part of the 1st Maker Space team, where she’ll learn new technological tricks to enhance her future creative projects. More importantly, she can be a part of cultivating the maker spirit in the next generation.

Chairman of the Board - A business development and sales executive with more than 25 years’ experience in selling branded audio coupled with engineered products and services, Gary as COO, leads The Audio of Things global sales and operations. Since 2002, he led the global sales effort at MWM Acoustics, a microphone and audio transducer component design and supply company, where he forged profitable relationships with world class leaders in telecommunications, automotive, industrial, computing and mobile markets. Gary supports the 1st Maker Space Team by supporting community makerspace projects and logistics.

Technology Specialist - Nikolas Mahaffey is an electronics genius that recently graduated from Ivy Tech with an Associate’s Degree. Now attending IUPUI, he is in pursuit of a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology. Nik specializes in 3D printing, computer science, electronics, and laser cutting and does the training and support for all makerspace equipment.

Shop Technician - James is a woodworker, and metalworker and currently manufactures and fabricates the furniture for 1st Maker Space. James is a lifelong maker and self starter and will take on any skill through the help of the internet. They received a BA in Studio Art from Cornell College in 2018 and started transitioning into a career in making. Their interests outside of work include playing bass in their band, supporting the local music scene, food justice activism and dreaming about new projects to take on.

Professional Development Specialist - Megan helps support educators in their efforts to bring maker spaces to their learning environments. Megan spent 14 years as a public school teacher in a high school classroom. During that time, she incorporated the use of a drone in Meteorology, coding in Astronomy, and problem-based learning techniques in Earth/Space Science. Through grants, Megan also installed a 3D printer in her classroom and incorporated board games into her curriculum. Megan has an MS in Engineering Technology Education and believes engaging learners in meaningful ways is the key to a successful education.

STEM Specialist - Lisa's unique blend of a BA in Communications/Advertising from Purdue University, entrepreneurial experience, and education experience enriches our offerings in designing makerspaces and providing a comprehensive STEM curriculum and resources. Lisa taught for 15 years, utilizing an innovative approach to integrating STEM in the classroom.

Lisa's passion for merging creativity with practicality, nurtured from her upbringing in an engineer's household, makes her a key player in our mission by helping us equip schools and organizations with the tools to foster innovation in STEM education.

Makerspace Success Coordinator - With 18 years of teaching experience, a BS in Business Administration, and a MS in Elementary Education, Rachel helps bridge the gap between operations and sales at 1st Maker Space. Rachel understands the value of student engagement in their learning and is excited to join a company that brings hands-on learning nationwide.