Board of Directors
Jonathan Childress, MBA
Jonathan is the Community Engagement Manager for Microsoft Techspark in El Paso. Prior to this position, Jonathan has been a business founder and financial advisor at Per Stirling and Raymond James. He holds a Master of Business Administration from University of Texas at El Paso and an Entrepreneurship Certificate from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
Idaly Rios, J.D.
Idaly Rios is an associate attorney in ScottHulse’s transactional section. Her practice focuses on tax, real estate, corporate and securities, and banking, lending, and financial institutions. She earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of North Carolina School of Law, where she was a research assistant, a Volunteer Income Tax Assistant, and a clinician in the University’s Community Development Law Clinic.
Ersela Kripa, M. Arch.
Ersela is a registered architect who holds a Masters of Science in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University. She is a founding principal at AGENCY, Acting Director of Architecture Program at Texas Tech University and Assistant Professor at Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation.
Gustavo Arriaga, Jr., Ph.D.
Dr. Arriaga is currently the South Central Regional Manager for Microsoft TEALS and is the co-founder of Fab Lab. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Neuroscience from Duke University.
Catherine Söderberg-Esper, M. Arch
Catherine is the Director of Research and Technology at Root Architecture. She is also the co-founder of Working Capitol. She received her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and Master of Architecture degree from Harvard University Graduate School of Design. She is currently a Lecturer in the Architecture Program at Texas Tech University.
Barbara Walker
Barbara is a Territory Accounts Manager for Cisco. She graduated with a Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Texas at El Paso. She has facilitated and overseen multiple big local projects on business systems migrations and broadband connectivity in the region.
Team Members
Cathy Chen-Arriaga
Cathy is the Executive Director and co-founder of Fab Lab. She holds a Bachelors of Art in Literature from Duke University, Masters of Design in New Media from Keio University and Executive Education certifications from Harvard Business School. Cathy is passionate about traveling, science fiction, modern art, and mid-century design.
Michael Nelson
Michael is the Director of Operations at Fab Lab. He graduated from University of Texas at El Paso with a degree in Social Studies and Secondary Education, and has ten years of experience in extracurricular STEM instruction and creative maker education. Michael is passionate about the arts, and humanities, and is a percussionist in the local Latin music scene.
Elizabeth Artalejo
Elizabeth is a STEM Instructor at Fab Lab. She graduated from The University of Texas at El Paso with a Master of Science in Manufacturing Engineering and graduate certificates in Additive Manufacturing and Systems Engineering. Elizabeth likes to spend her free time listening to music, playing amateur darts, and hanging out with her two adorable cats.
Adam Boyea
Adam is the Fabrication Manager at Fab Lab. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at El Paso. He enjoys working on his personal projects, ranging from short films to knife making, listening to and playing music, and rock climbing.
Laura Martinez
Laura is a STEM Instructor at Fab Lab. She has a Bachelors of Science in Biology and a Minor in Biomedical Engineering from The University of Texas at El Paso. Laura has teaching experience in charter schools and is interested in promoting multidisciplinary learning in informal ed.
Analaura Fuentes
Analaura is a graphic designer for Fab Lab. She has a Bachelors of Arts from the University of Texas at El Paso in Media Advertising and Communication and a minor in Graphic Design.
Truman Anderson
Truman is a fabrication contractor.
Devon Cosio
Devon is a fabrication contractor.