We were excited to see so many great applicants pour in quickly for the new Facilities Coordinator position. Although there were several strong candidates, one in particular had a unique combination of experience that is the perfect fit for what Asmbly needs from this role. He will be starting next week on 9/25, but I’m thrilled to introduce him to you all now — meet our new Facilities Coordinator, @rolo!
Robert Szabo
Robert brings a wealth of experience and passion for woodworking, with a journey that started in 2018 when he built recessed shelves in his garage workshop. His woodworking adventure became a way to find peace and patience, especially after his time serving in the Marines and an escape in the evenings from the software development day job (as many of us in the community can relate to 
). During his 6 years of service in the USMC, Robert served as a Logistics Officer where he honed his skills in managing operations under high-stress conditions. He was responsible for equipment maintenance management, coordinating large events, and overseeing teams — a background that makes him especially well-suited for keeping our shops running smoothly and efficiently.
In 2023, Robert transitioned to woodworking full-time and dove head first into a fine woodworking program at Red Rocks Community College. During that 9 month program, Robert spent as much time as he could in the community shop practicing his skills and picking the brains of the facilities manager to learn how they maintained the shared workshop so well.
Robert’s love for furniture making is evident in his work which you can check out on his website here (he’s also got some great videos on his YouTube channel!). He’s done some pretty incredible pieces, but one of his favorite build projects to-date is a king size kigumi style bed held together by joinery — no glue or screws. With access to new tools he hasn’t learned yet, Robert is looking forward to exploring how leather, metal, and even Arduino can be integrated into his woodworking projects.
In addition to his craftsmanship, Robert brings a strong commitment to maintaining a clean, safe, and accessible workshop. He’s passionate about supporting the Asmbly community by ensuring the shop is well-maintained, equipment is in top shape, and tools are ready for everyone to use. During his interview, Robert stood out for his clear communication, compassion, and thoughtful approach to problem-solving. He’s already identified areas for improvement in the shop and shared some solid ideas for making it an even better space for all of us. I’m looking forward to working with Robert to implement new ideas and strategies in the shop!
Please join me in welcoming Robert to the Asmbly team! Just like the rest of our staff — @sid, @ewei, and @mkmiller6 — Robert will sometimes be at the shop working as Facilities Coordinator and other times as a member working on his own projects. You’re always welcome to say hi to him — just like any other member — regardless of what mode he is in, but if you need help on something membership related while he is at the shop as a member, ask when/how you can sync with him while he is on the clock. We want to be sure he has time at the space to pursue his own creative endeavors as well!