About me

Hello! This is Jim Hart. During the 2019 Fab Academy cycle I was an Assistant Professor of Technology at Missouri State University - West Plains (MSU-WP)and the Technology Department Head as well as the GOCAT Fab Lab Manager. I am no longer employed at MSU-WP; I am self-employed and operating a Fab Lab at my residence.

My background

I was born in Pittsburg, Kansas, USA. My hometown is Columbus, Kansas but I only lived there the first 5 years of my life; my residence is in the country outside of Thayer, MO where I have lived since 1996.

Previous work

My college major was Computer Information Systems (Obtained a Master of Science degree through MSU-Springfield). My occupation: which millennium? I am a retired Navy submarine nuclear propulsion plant supervisor (specialized as an Electrical Operator). While in the Navy, I was an instructor for 3.5 years at the Naval Nuclear Power School when it was in Orlando, FL; I also instructed at the Naval Reactors Facility outside of Idaho Falls, ID. After retiring, I taught Industrial Electricity and Electronics for 2 years at the Vo-Tech School in West Plains, MO; now the South Central Career Center. I became involved with web development and internet service when working for a friend in a local ISP in Thayer, MO. In April 2001 I developed Pneumatek, Inc. which was operating as a dial-up and wireless ISP in Thayer, MO. I now develop and host websites and all of the services necessary to do so. While in the storefront, The Tek Shop, I used to sell and service computers and all related equipment. For excitement and necessity I did the entire tower climbing/work to deploy and operate the wireless infrastructure. I taught at Missouri State - West Plains for 14 years where I was the department head of the Computer Information Systems (CIS) and Technology departments. As the Technology department head, I was the program coordinator for technology courses conducted in the Greater Ozarks Center for Advanced Technology (GOCAT) where I provided hands-on labs for alternative energy and advanced industrial maintenance and manufacturing students. Most of my time was spent at the GOCAT. During the 2019 cycle I was an instructor-in-training for the GOCAT Fab Lab; I was the GOCAT Fab Lab Manager and required to go through the “Train the Trainer” program so I can teach others “how to make (almost) anything”.

My motivation

I have had the plans for a Glen-L 15’ wooden sailboat since I moved to my current residence in 1995. Life happened and the boat has not been built. The discovery of the Fab Academy and the ShopBot rekindled the motivation to build this boat. I intend to use my home Fab Lab to make this happen.