Our Team

Aidan Hall joined the Argonaut team in the spring of 2022 as the Lead Captain for the Flotsam and Jetsam debris harvester vessels. With over five years of experience in the maritime industry, ranging from kayaks and canoes up to the thousand-footers that ply the Great Lakes water, Aidan brings a unique perspective on the Cuyahoga River.

He graduated from the Great Lakes Maritime Academy (GLMA) with a bachelor’s degree in Maritime Transportation along with the following licenses: a USCG Third Mate Unlimited license upon the ocean and a First Class Pilots license for the Great Lakes. After graduating from GLMA, Aidan went to work on the Great Lakes getting experience in every form of working vessel from small 60’ tugs to the 1004’ American Spirit.

In January 2021, Aidan and his fiancé purchased and renovated an old motorhome and traveled the country while living in it full-time with their cat and two dogs. After a year on the road, they decided to move back to Northeast Ohio where they were both born and raised.

Coming back to Cleveland to serve as Lead Captain with Argonaut was an easy decision for Aidan and he is greatly looking forward to the challenge of helping to build an on-water program to help continue the cleanup of the Cuyahoga River.

Dr. Annemarie Grassi Amefia is the founder of Open Doors Academy (ODA) and the Center for Out-of-School Time Advancement. At 23 years old, she started the non-profit ODA and grew it from 20 kids to over 600, focusing on one targeted goal of breaking the cycle of multi-generational poverty.  Through her 17-year tenure with the organization, she built a vision and model that was both proven and acknowledged state-wide and nationally for its strong results and powerful impact.  She has extensive experience in entrepreneurial leadership, child and adolescent development, program development, evaluation and performance management, fundraising, and strategic visioning.  Today, she serves as the President & Chief Operations Officer for Argonaut, a nonprofit enterprise designed to serve as an integrated education system for urban youth seeking to pursue careers in aerospace and maritime.

Dr. Amefia holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Psychology from Ohio University and a Master of Science in Education in Child and Adolescent Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania.  She also holds a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Case Western Reserve University and a Ph.D. in Urban Education from Cleveland State University, where she currently serves as a part-time instructor in the College of Education.

Dr. Amefia demonstrates a strong commitment to the Cleveland community, currently serving as the president of the board of Daily Dose of Reading, and board chair of I2C Lab.  She served in multiple leadership roles with the Junior League of Cleveland for over 15 years, including president for two years.  She has served as the Funding and Policy Chair for the Ohio Afterschool Network for 3 years, served on the governance committee of the Slavic Village P-16 Council, is class president of the Leadership Cleveland Class of 2016, a Treumart Fellow, and is a trained facilitator in the Youth Resiliency Model. In addition, she is an alumna of the Cleveland Bridge Builders Flagship Program and a member of Vistage International.

Dr. Amefia was named to the 2023 Notable Leaders in Education by Crain’s Cleveland Business and was a recipient of the 2018 50 Smart Business Awards and the Junior League of Cleveland’s Frances Payne Bolton Award.  She was also a 2016 Finalist for the Ernst and Young Northeast Ohio Entrepreneur of the Year, was the recipient of the 2015 Reminger Women’s Initiative Vanguard Award, the 2015 Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio Women of Distinction recipient, 2014 Crain’s Cleveland 40 under 40, the 2012 Athena Young Professional Leadership Award, and a two-time recipient of the Cleveland Young Professionals 20/30 Club Movers and Shakers Award. Dr. Grassi speaks locally, regionally, and nationally on the importance of creating a safe culture for our youth, promoting education, and building strong nonprofits. As stated by Deborah Vesy, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Deaconess Foundation, “Annemarie is one of Cleveland’s strongest visionary leaders”.

Brandon Snyder started with Argonaut in November of 2022. He has joined the team to become the office administrator for the organization. Brandon recently graduated from the University of Akron in 2021. While at the university he received his bachelor’s degree in political science along with a minor in public relations. Brandon was also a part of and is now an alumni of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity at Akron where he and his brothers dedicated a lot of time and energy towards giving back to their community around them. Snyder has already gained some experience working with non-profit organizations like the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce where he interned during his last semester at the University of Akron. He was also the Director of Field Operations for the Committee to Elect Greg Wheeler for Congress in Summit County. Brandon really enjoys helping the community that he lives in and he looks forward to continuing to do so while working for Argonaut.

Devon Sheehy has always been interested in cutting-edge technology and understanding its impact within new frontiers. This interest led him to acquire his FAA UAS Part 107 certification in 2021. Devon’s first experience with Argonaut was as leader of the Drone Club at Davis A&M during SY 2021/22, where he encouraged and helped students gain hands-on experience with this technology. He joined the Argonaut team on a full-time basis in July 2022 as our Career-Based Learning Coordinator and UAS Operator-in-Residence.

A native New Yorker, he decided to experience the southern part of the country to obtain his Bachelor’s Degree in Communications at Spring Hill College. During his undergraduate time, Devon produced multiple documentaries and short films, while participating in extracurricular activities such as collegiate rugby and volunteering at the Mobile Boys & Girls Club. After receiving his Bachelor’s, he returned to New York and entered the commercial film industry, working on commercial sets, such as Izod, Netflix, and Showtime (specifically for the acclaimed show “Billions”).

Devon continued his career pursuing an interest in UAV technology, which led him here in Cleveland. He has since acquired his FAA license and has been working with local Drone Service Providers since 2021.

Devon is a sports enthusiast – whether it be the NY Jets, the Cleveland Guardians or the Cleveland Monsters — he roots for them all. When he’s not flying drones, you can find him on the golf course.

D. Andrew Ferguson and partner Douglas McConnell founded Argonaut (formerly known as PHASTAR) in the Fall of 2010.  In 2011 he was appointed as the organization’s first President and CEO.  In this role, he has been responsible for the overall direction and operations of the organization.  His vision and direction lead to the opening of the Davis Aerospace and Maritime High School in 2017.

Argonaut, a non-profit 501c3 organization, seeks to break the cycle of poverty and increase equity in the workforce by providing hands-on experiential learning opportunities and work experience for youth interested in exploring aerospace and maritime.

Ferguson grew up in Northeast Ohio, has served as a firefighter for more than twenty-five years, and is a certified firefighter/EMT and Rescue Technician.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle, and a Master of Public Health degree with a graduate certificate in emergency & disaster management.  Ferguson is an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) in helicopters and holds a USCG Captain of 100 tons license.  He spends his free time outdoors with his wife and two sons, camping, sailing, fishing, and biking.

Frank Madison joined the Argonaut team in July 2022. He is a product of CMSD, graduating from MC2 STEM High School in 2014 where he found his passion for design and fabrication. Since then he has been immersed in the life of fabrication and the maker movement. Frank started working professionally in fabrication with TIES as a Fab Fellow. At TIES, he assisted with lesson planning in STEM fields for elementary and middle school students and also helped manage the MC2 STEM High School Fab Lab. While doing so, he was also attending Cleveland State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. Frank completed that goal by graduating Cum Laude in 2018 with his degree in design.

After college Frank focused on design but also stayed attached to the Fab Lab at MC2 STEM. In 2017 while becoming the lead designer for a start-up tech company, Technology in Color, he landed an internship at Hawken Schools. As an intern, he helped formulate lesson plans, assisted projects at local events, and oversaw open lab hours. After that Frank continued with his design work starting at Blackbird Digital in 2020. While working there, he headlined his first art show “Black Art Matters” in Cleveland, OH creating a series of art depicting the stereotypes of a black man.

Ioannis Giagtzoglou joined Argonaut in February 2023 as our Aviation Instructor.  A graduate of Northrup Rice Aviation Institute, he brings 28 years of experience in aviation in the corporate, airline and general aviation sectors. He holds an Airframe and Powerplant License, Inspection Authorization License, Private Pilot License and a FAA UAS Part 107 License. Prior to joining Argonaut, Ioannis was the aircraft maintenance manager for PACE Aviation and volunteered his time to restore the Piper Cherokee now used in the aviation program. When not busy with work, you can find him out flying planes, drones or designing on his metalworking lathe, milling machine and 3D printer.

Jim Weisbarth joined the Argonaut team in early 2022 and serves as the organization’s Finance Manager. Prior to working for Argonaut, his nonprofit experience included time at Open Doors Academy, The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. In addition, he has spent his entire career in the accounting field with extensive experience with SEC reporting, financial reporting, and analysis, general ledger account analysis, month-end closing, budgeting, forecasting, and benefits accounting, within the insurance, retail, property management, and manufacturing industries.

Weisbarth obtained a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Akron, where he was a member of the Sigma Pi fraternity. He received a Master of Business Administration degree from Baldwin Wallace University. In 1987 he earned the designation of Fellow of the Life Management Institute.

Weisbarth is a member of the Olmsted Falls City Schools Board of Education (in his 18th year) and the Polaris Career Center Board of Education (in his 6th year) and currently serves as the President of both. He is active in the Cleveland Football Officials Association and is a member of the Cleveland Browns chain crew since they returned in 1999.

Married to Debbie, he is a proud father of three children and five grandchildren. He lives in Olmsted Falls and grew up in Fairview Park. With the time Weisbarth has spent outside his regular jobs, public education has become a second career, and feels fortunate for the opportunity to further and expand Argonaut.

Laura Gambrell joined Argonaut in December of 2022 as the Director of Development and Marketing. For more than 16 years, she has supported the Greater Cleveland community working with several non-profit organizations raising millions of dollars to support education, access, and equity while fostering a culture of philanthropy and elevating the experiences of the clients, donors, and volunteers she served. Most recently Laura worked as the Manager of Foundation Relations and Leadership Giving at the Achievement Centers for Children where she met increasing fundraising goals of over $2.2 million in operating support. She has extensive experience creating diverse fundraising programs and innovative marketing strategies. In both her prior professional and volunteer experiences, she has been able to witness the power of education and access to transform lives and is excited to join Argonaut and help engage the young people of Cleveland in this life-changing opportunity.

Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Barat College in Illinois and has completed multiple continuing education and professional development courses. Her resume includes experience partnering with donors, board members, program directors, and community leaders to create impactful change. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Grants Professionals Association, and the Rotary Club of Cleveland where she is a board member, the liaison to Mayor Justin Bibb’s office as well as a member of the community service committee.

A native Clevelander, Laura loves the Metro Parks, Lake Erie, and the Guardians and spends as much time as possible exploring the cultural and dining scene in the area. She and her husband Brad have five grown children, and five grandchildren, and are happiest when they are hosting the whole gang for holidays, barbecues, and pool days. As empty nesters, they have been able to travel more, including a recent mission trip to El Salvador with their parish, St. Dominic. The couple also volunteers whenever and wherever they are called.

As Senior Director of Partnerships & Community Engagement, Rusty creates and strengthens partnerships both locally and nationally, with the singular focus of working to ensure every young person has access to career and educational experiences in maritime and aviation.

Rusty comes to this role naturally, as it ties his vocation – as a sales and operations director with a background in a range of business types including small business, large enterprise, and nonprofit organizations, as well as an event planner in a range of event types from local sailing regattas to International Olympics – with his avocations of sailing and working with young people.

Committed to relationship-building, Rusty is eager to mobilize the volunteer community to support all of the Argonaut initiatives and programs. As an avid sailor, active member of the Cleveland lakefront community and committed volunteer, Rusty can speak to all sides of any given partnership from a position of first-person experience.

As a former board member and Executive Director of Sailing at the Foundry Rowing and Sailing Center, Rusty was instrumental in building the sailing programs there and continues to actively support junior sailing both locally and nationally.  Presently, Rusty serves on the Board of Directors of More Kids on Sailboats (morekidsonsailboats.org) and the Club 420 Class Association (club420.org) and volunteers and supports other local junior sailing programs.

Rusty grew up on the water in Maryland, and graduated from Boston University where he competed as a member of the sailing team.

Timothy Hatfield joined the Argonaut team in Fall 2021 and is reaching almost eight years in the individual and family services and out-of-school time industry. He started his career serving four years in the AmeriCorps Corps for Rural and Urban Success and Health program, facilitating over ten high school and middle school Health Profession Affinity Community (HPAC) sites. During his time in AmeriCorps, he assisted students in identifying a health disparity in their communities and developing community action plans that would either raise awareness of the disparity or build a program that contributes to the prevention of the disparity. At the same time, he was the Director of the subprogram of AmeriCorps called, HealthSuccess. His role was to develop internship and shadowing opportunities for underrepresented rural and urban high school students in the Northeast Ohio region who expressed interest in entering a career in health science. His experience with AmeriCorps inspired Tim to continue serving in the non-profit industry. He redirected his degree and completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Health and Sociology from Hiram College in 2018.

After his journey with AmeriCorps, Tim sought out an opportunity with Open Doors Academy (ODA) and landed a position as Site Coordinator for Euclid City Schools. In his role at ODA, Tim was responsible for creating a safe learning environment for his program. His role included implementing a programming curriculum, tracking student success, fostering partnerships with school personnel, and overall making sure the students had an enjoyable experience with learning. At ODA, Tim was the President of the Culture Council where he and a team of fellow staff members developed and implemented initiatives that would boost inclusion, motivation, and productivity in the workplace. Inspired by the work he was doing; Tim continued his education by attending South University and obtained his Masters’s in Public Administration in November 2021 He was recently inducted into the Delta Mu Delta Honor Society for his achievements in October 2021.

Tim Sisson is an experienced educational leader committed to bringing access and equity to students who lack exposure to and use of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). He has diverse educational and career experiences as a microbiologist, a school district and higher education educator and administrator, and a community advocate.

Sisson is currently the Director of Programming for Argonaut – a position that allows him to continue his efforts as a servant leader dedicated to expanding STEM learning and careers, providing the necessary supports and professional experiences to teachers, all to prepare students for careers and life in the 21^st Century global society.  Argonaut is the vehicle through which he works for the advancement of STEM learning opportunities that promotes a more prosperous and sustainable community. He joined the Argonaut team in September 2021.

Prior to entering his career in education, Sisson’s professional experiences included investigation of disease factors and potential vaccine candidates associated with otitis media (ear infections) as well as positions in biological manufacturing, research and development, and quality control. Throughout his academic and professional experiences, he found himself engaged in promoting the development of others. It was his strong interest in science and passion for life-long learning that led him to education where he has championed STEM education in northeast Ohio for the more than a fifteen-years.

Sisson’s previous collaborations included working with CMSD’s Orchard STEM School and John Marshall School of Information Technology to earn designation as a recognized State of Ohio STEM school in 2018 and 2019 respectively, vice president of the governing board for the Bio-Med Science Academy, and contributor to the development of the National Inventors Hall of Fame Middle School for STEM. He has contributed to the implementation of approximately more than $8 million of grant funding to increase access and equity of STEM education through diverse partnerships among higher education, K-12 school districts, industry and non-profit organizations. Working with the Ohio Department of Education he has also led statewide efforts through the Computer Science Advisory Committee focused upon the adoption of new state standards for K-12 computer science and teacher professional development and credentialing. He has presented at numerous professional conferences and workshops sponsored by the STEM Learning Ecosystems, Ohio Department of Education (ODE), Ohio Board of Regents (OBR), Ohio Learning Network (OLN), Computer Science for All (CSforALL), Infosystems Foundation, STEM Learning Ecosystems, and Counterpart International.

Sisson began his post-secondary education at Ohio University, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology with a minor in Chemistry in 2000, and a Master’s of Science in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Akron in 2007. In 2017-18, he was part of the inaugural cohort of the LEAD STEM Fellowship through the STEM Learning Ecosystems.