WHO WE ARE
Vidette Makes is a community-driven organization founded to connect and empower makers of all backgrounds across Northwest Indiana. What began nearly eight years ago as a small gathering of developers, engineers, artists, and entrepreneurs in a local brewery has grown into a dynamic collective of professionals, creatives, and enthusiasts. Our members come together to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and collaborate on projects that spark innovation and creativity. In 2020, we formalized our efforts by establishing Vidette Makes as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with the goal of providing accessible opportunities for learning, creating, and building meaningful projects. Today, we are proud to be a resource for the region, fostering a culture of collaboration, education, and sustainability, where makers of all kinds, whether through their hands, computers, or minds, can thrive and make an impact.
BOARD MEMBERS & TOP VOLUNTEERS
Adam Johnson, President
Adam is a software engineer with a multidisciplinary background who is always looking for opportunities to learn. His degree in electrical engineering, along with experience in firmware design, software, manufacturing automation, quality systems, and validation testing, lets him design products that are easy to manufacture while meeting or exceeding design specifications. In his current role, Adam leads a team, manages product quality and regulatory compliance, develops .NET software, and mentors several younger engineers. In his spare time, he manages a distributed makerspace and oversees student projects at a university.
Laura Krepp, Marketing and Communications
Laura Krepp is an Assistant Professor of Communication and Visual Arts at Valparaiso University, where she teaches graphic design, advanced design, and web design. A self-described designer-scholar, she believes research, making, and teaching are inseparable, and a passion for making things runs through all of her work.
That passion is most visible in her work as Director of the Sirko Makerspace on campus, which invites students to bring their imagination to life with tools that let them work with more than 300 types of materials on equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters, and more. She is also Director of Valpo's Center for Games and Interactive Entertainment, where Laura extends that hands-on approach into play and digital experiences. Across both spaces, she creates environments that encourage experimentation and learning by doing.
Outside the classroom, Laura runs the freelance graphic design studio Free As A Bird Designs, bringing the same maker's mindset to client work in branding, layout design, and website design.
Dillon, Secretary
Dillon is a designer dedicated to making technology as accessible and user-friendly as possible, while also infusing it with artistic elements. Outside of his role as a software designer in Valparaiso, Dillon has channeled that same passion into Vidette Makes since its inception.
As Secretary, he applies his detail-oriented mindset and systems thinking to ensure that the “business” side of Vidette Makes operates smoothly, allowing for more time dedicated to community engagement and creativity. This also frees up time for him to enjoy 3D printing, drawing, and tabletop role-playing games.
Nick, Treasurer
Nick has been a dedicated teacher involved with Vidette Makes and its founding group since 2016. When he's not working with computer science and engineering students at VU to explore innovative solutions, he often assists others in navigating systems and addressing challenges. A passionate advocate for cybersecurity, Nick frequently engages with pressing questions in the digital realm, presenting on both breaking news and longstanding issues. Additionally, he has a deep-rooted enthusiasm for open source projects, serving as a fan, supporter, and occasional contributor.
In his role as treasurer, Nick manages the financial aspects of Vidette Makes, ensuring the group has the resources needed to participate in a variety of initiatives. He also oversees the official paperwork necessary for the group's continued success and growth in the region.
Cameron Banga, Volunteer
Cameron Banga is a software developer and product manager from Valparaiso, Indiana, and a 2010 graduate of Valparaiso University with a bachelor's degree in economics. Shortly after graduating, he co-founded 9magnets, LLC, where, over about seven years, he helped design and ship more than 150 apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android, with clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to pro sports teams to local startups. During that time, he also wrote two books on mobile interface and interaction design.
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In 2017, Cameron joined a local Valparaiso company modernizing industrial equipment, which Continental AG soon acquired. Today he leads product development for industrial equipment at ContiTech / Continental. His work spans software engineering, component sourcing, and collaboration with colleagues across Germany, Canada, Mexico, China, Brazil, and beyond, and he credits his economics background with helping him navigate global supply chain challenges. He also holds several patents on hose-assembly equipment.
By night, Cameron is a recovering mobile developer, occasional book author, and lifelong tinkerer.
