Who We Are & What We Do

CreateIT Labs is registered non-profit (501c3). We are a community, educational center and product development lab for all levels of makers, inventors and companies. We can assist in the development of the most simple to highly complex solutions. Most importantly, we accept all people (some dogs) and aim to make education truly fun by combining technology and "making" in an inclusive environment that opens your mind to new possibilities.

Whatever you want to create, you can learn how to make it here. CreateIT Labs offers our community high tech digital and traditional fabrication equipment and training to increase your skills and expand your capabilities.

Team

Friendly. Dedicated. Expertise. Passionate.

Our staff is seriously awesome! They're super dedicated, friendly and experts in their field. They will make sure you have the best experience possible. The dogs are also great but will be replaced by people shortly.

Laser & 3D printing

Jakob Coughlan

Jakob built his own guitar that helps you learn quickly but sending a small shock to your fingers if you play a cord incorrectly (really)! He lends tremendous support to all members with anything 3D or Laser related.

Metal Expert - Welding

Chris Harley

Chris is amazing human and builds and races speed boats in his spare time! He holds a world record!

Metal - Machining

Joseph Kaczynski

Joe is king of the Bridgeport (huge metal machine) and you may also find him printing parts for his car that he is restoring and racing.

Metal/Wood - Welding/Wood Art

Rich Mejia

It's not too often you find someone that is an expert at wood and metal! Rich is a true artist and craftsman.

Electronics & computer controlled equipment

Jonathan Whalen

Jon is an expert in everything tech related but is focused on electronics and all computer controlled equipment at CreateIT Labs.

Textiles

Sandee Potter

Sandee’s 25+ years as an apparel designer and product developer, coupled with her entrepreneurial spirit and extensive technical skills makes her well-equipped to assist others in bringing their creative ideas to life. She has set up the textile department to enhance sewing skills no matter skill level or project type; anything from apparel, home goods, upcycling projects, or fiber art projects. See you in the studio!

Ceramics

John Reinking

John's work is an honest confrontation of uncomplicated form. It is rustic and straight forward. John established our ceramics area and provides ongoing instruction.

EDUCATION

2005 MFA Marywood University, Scranton, PA
2001 BFA Rutgers, Mason Gross School of the Arts, New Brunswick, NJ

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

2011 - present NCECA (National Conference for the Education of the Ceramic Arts)
2001 - present College Art Association

Ceramics

Tyler Moore

Tyler is a huge help in our ceramics studio and forms a tight team with John.

Textiles

Julia Dresser

Another great sewing expert and has done work for broadway and local events.

Painting / Fine Arts / Marketing

Frank May

Frank May (frankmay.net) is an artist, gallerist, and educator. He considers all media his province. Frank works in sculpture, painting, ceramics, drawing, photography, installation, performance, design, video, film, sound, writing, poetry, digital, and conceptual art. He is a graduate of Mason Gross School of the Arts - Rutgers, New Brunswick, NJ (masongross.rutgers.edu).

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Board of Director member / Executive Director

Dan Hoffman

Dan had the idea for CreateIT Labs many years ago when visiting a maker fair in Queens and was blown away but the maker community. He wanted to create a world class space that combined tech and traditional making thereby appealing to a broad audience. Three years later and it came true!

Board of Director member / Process Design and Development

Nick Whalen

Nick was one of the first to join the CreateIT Labs team and quickly became a key member of the board of directors.

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Board of Director member / Operations

Ian Jones

Ian was the second person to jump into building CreateIT Labs and could not have done it without him! He has deep experience in process industries and digital. "I'm somewhat like a Swiss Army knife. Self-taught in Python, matplotlib, numpy, pandas, NLTK and image processing."

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Board of Director member / Growth

Rick Greenberg

Rick over 15 years of experience in the consumer products and services industry. He developed a passion and expertise for creating and scaling innovative and impactful businesses that bring joy to customers and stakeholders. He is currently CEO of Moonlite toys.

Board of Director member / Program Management

Rachel Aponte

Rachel Aponte is the Director of Education at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey in Summit and serves as a consultant to the board. Previously, Rachel worked at the Center for Contemporary Art as Education Programs Manager since 2020. She serves on several state-wide committees, most notably as a co-leader of ArtPrides' DEAI Advisory Committee.