Team Bios

Get to know each member of the 6-Bit Drill Sergeants team!

Ethan Barbour – Coach

I am the coach for the 6-Bit Drill Sergeants. I love sharing science and engineering concepts with kids – if I weren’t an engineer, I’d be a teacher! I work at The Aerospace Corporation where I focus on rockets. I was raised in Canada, then lived in California where I got my PhD in engineering from Stanford. Aside from engineering, I enjoy hiking and music (you might see me playing doublebass with my son at the Huntsville Youth Orchestra.)

Ben Hayes – Assistant Coach

I am the assistant coach for the 6-Bit Drill Sergeants and I think it is awesome watching the kids put together a robot that can drive around and manipulate it’s environment. I have a PhD in mechanical engineering from UCLA and I am an engineering director at The Aerospace Corporation. In my free time I like to spend time outdoors hiking, backpacking, camping,… whatever. I also referee youth hockey on the weekends.

Maddox Acker

My name is Maddox Acker. I am a 2nd year member on the 6BDS. I am a part of the software team. I really enjoy coding and learning new things about that sort of stuff. I am a 9th grader at ASCTE. Outside of robotics, I also play soccer for a club and school team. I am on Madison blaze and ASCTE’s JV team. I also swim for MSA and ASCTE as well.

Leland Barbour

My name is Leland and I am a student at Liberty Middle School. I am on the Software team and I also drive the robot. I enjoy sports including swimming and football. I was born in California but now call Alabama home.

Laya Gowder

My name is Laya, and I am an 8th grader at Liberty Middle School. I am a part of the Program Management team. I love dancing and music.

Alex Hayes

My name is Alexander Hayes, and I am a member of the Program Management sub-team. I am a senior at Bob Jones High School where I play French horn in concert ensembles, I am an officer in the Latin Club, and I am part of the scholar’s bowl team.

Lincoln Hayes

Hi my name is Lincoln. I am on the Program Management subteam and what I like is scouting. One thing I like is to play my tuba. I also like to play hockey.

Jacob Kuang

My name is Jacob, and I am on the CAD subteam. I am a seventh-grader at Discovery Middle School. I enjoy eating and playing video games.

Kayden Barbour

Hi, my name is Kayden, and I am on the CAD subteam. I am in eighth grade at Liberty Middle School. I like swimming and gaming.

Sherman Bucher

Hi my name is Sherman, and I am on the CAD subteam. I am a seventh-grader at Discovery Middle School. I enjoy playing basketball and sleeping.

Will He

Hi, my name is Will, and I am on the CAD subteam. I am an eighth grader at Liberty Middle School. I like fishing and playing video games.

Trenton Holcombe

My name is Trenton, and I am on the Hardware and CAD subteam. I am currently a sophomore at ASCTE. I enjoy swimming and CyberPatriot, and I am part of the Youth Advisory Council for FIRST in Alabama.