To my Nova Labs Family,

We have had and will continue to have leadership changes at Nova Labs. I wanted to use this opportunity to share some context, background, and reassurances. I want to promise you that Nova Labs is in a great place! We have survived the COVID-induced economic scare, we now stand at pre-pandemic membership numbers, and we are growing at 7-10 new faces per month. Additionally, we started the MakerSchool, an enterprise that is bringing in an additional $20,000 per year in net revenue by using our makerspace during underutilized times. Lastly, we expanded our footprint, capabilities, and ability to support our entrepreneurs. We are in a strong position and poised to grow further.

However, getting us through the 2020 storm and making progress on top of it has been personally draining for all of our board members. Any one director stepping away is hard, more than that becomes tougher. The last nine months have impacted all of us and our board is not immune to that fallout. In many instances, actually, these board members have acted as a shield for Nova Labs and its community.

We are pleased to announce Karen Shumway is taking the role of Executive Director (XD), effective October 1. She went through an extensive interview process along with other candidates in the spring and has contributed to the success of our robotics program and newsletter, and the Board feels this role is a natural extension of her current roles as robotics chair and makerschool director. Please join me in congratulating her and welcome her in her new role.

I regretfully announce the resignation of Jeff Spugnardi. Jeff has been key in a few strategic decisions for the long term good of Nova Labs. He has alway been a voice of reason in both business decisions and maker wisdom. He will be sorely missed.

In the near future, Mona Davis will be finishing her term as board member and Assistant Treasurer. Margaret Kositch, our current Treasurer, will remain on the board as an at-large director. Brian Jacoby has reluctantly agreed to remain on the board, taking on the duties of Vice President as Karen transitions. We are incredibly grateful for the blood, sweat, and tears Mona and Margaret have put into the Treasury role this year, transferring us to a bank with more flexible and modern capabilities, as well as creating better processes and financial credibility as we move toward Nova Labs 3.0.

As many of you already know, we began the process of recruiting new board members this summer as always. Because the treasurer role is transitioning again, we have chosen to accept new directors in a rolling fashion. Another process change is that all serving Board and Executive Directors have now passed a background and credit check. This will be part of the standard protocol moving forward. If you have put in a board application, you will hear from a Board member directly to schedule your interview.

I am pleased to announce we have invited one community member to join the Board already: our very own Bradley Matthews. Most of you know Bradley from his work on the 1916 renovation or have run into him in “production mode”, turning out furniture piece after piece. Beyond his presence here at Nova Labs, Bradley brings over 20 years of management experience that will directly benefit the makerspace as well as prepare our path toward Nova Labs 3.0.

I am going to continue the outgoing President’s tradition of fireside chats and invite you to join me Friday nights to ask any questions you may have, or just tell me about what you have made or are making. Keep enjoying what you learn and keep making. Look in Meetup for details.

Grateful regards,

Shane Smith
President
Nova Labs, Inc