2015 Woodie Flower Nominee
David Bolinger
Dave Bolinger first started mentoring a FIRST Team when his son,
Clinton who was a High School Senior approached him about
Mentoring his Rookie Robotic's Team. Fast forward a few years, Dave
was approached by Clinton about mentoring a high school
robotics team, Brandi. David is one of the founding Mentors of the
EngiNERDs and enjoys volunteering alongside his son, daughter-in-law,
Brandi and grandson, Lucas. Dave is like the Grandpa in the EngiFAMILY. Everyone likes his hands on and inclusive mentoring style.In the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Team Handbook describes the Transferring Ownership as “ The Learning and Doing” progresses in our steps. The mentor starts out as “I do” and in certain areas, can finish as a sustaining “I watch”.
I Do                      You Watch...I Do               You Help
You Do                 I Help...You Do                  I Watch
This describes Dave and his mentoring style. 
 2014 Woodie Flowers Nominee
​Clinton Bolinger
Clinton is one of our Head Mentors. He was a High School Senior when
he was approached by his Physics teacher about starting a Rookie 
Robotic Team. Fast forward a few years, Clinton asked his wife "If she 
liked robots?" and she would like to mentor a high school robotics team. 
Clinton enjoys mentoring alongside his wife, Brandi, his parents, his 
mother-in-law and father-in-law plus his son, Lucas. The EngiNERDs are
much more than a High School Robotics Team but a family...the 
EngiFAMILY. Students like the mentoring style that Clinton provides to 
the Team. He is great at transferring the responsibility to the 
students as they grow in knowledge and understanding.  
 2013 Woodie Flowers Nominee

Jody Nickola
Jodi is our Mentor and School Liason who was voted by the EngiNERDs as this Woodie Flowers Nominee. Students were quoted as saying: “She’s always encouraging us to find out what we are best at and then excel in it.” “She is always telling us how capable and how important we are to the team and to her.” Jody will lend a listening ear and words of encouraging plus a joke when stress levels are high and things do not go according to plan. EngiNERDs would like to thank Jody for all her time and dedication.  

2012 Woodie Flowers Nominee

Brandi Bolinger

Brandi works with us to round out our skills beyond design and engineering. She’s

created a team structure that gives as many students as possible the opportunity

to take on lead roles.  She encourages everyone to try something new each year,

not just to stay with one area of the team.  “Reach Out, Step Out” is Brandi’s

mantra.  She challenges each student to reach out beyond themselves, the robot,

and the team.  She always networks with other teams and brings back a lot of new

ideas and encourages us to do the same. Brandi manages our team. helps others

team and she is a true inspiration. She is the reason our team is even a team. She

helped start this team from nothing to the successful team we have now. 

2011 Woodie Flowers Nominee

Clinton Bolinger

Clint's life revolves around our team and FIRST. He has been the head mentor of

the team since the team started.  Clint has put in countless hours of his time to

help support our team and the FIRST community. He helps anyone on team no

matter who they are or how much they know. Clint inspires us all to reach for our

​goals and to succeed. 

2010 Woodie Flowers Nominee

Dave Bolinger

When Clinton Bolinger started the team at Grand Blanc High School, his father

Dave Bolinger also came to the team. To this day, Dave has been an inspiration

to all of us. With many years of experience in the field of mechanical engineering,

he has shared his knowledge to everyone on the team no matter what section

​they belong to. Without him, the team wouldn't be where it is at today.