SAN JOSE, CA–(Marketwired – Jul 18, 2016) – TechShop, Inc., the first and largest network of open-access makerspaces in the world, announced today that Mark Hatch has resigned his position as TechShop’s CEO in order to pursue undisclosed opportunities outside of the company.
According to Jim Newton, TechShop’s Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board, “Mark joined TechShop seven years ago at a time when our company was sorely in need of his executive level of experience in business development and brand building, so we could grow beyond our original Menlo Park location.”
Over the years, Mark built enduring partnerships and new sources of funding that enabled TechShop to grow from that single location in Menlo Park, California, to 12 locations across four continents.
Hatch said in his resignation statement, “After considerable thought and consultation, I’ve reached one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make. I’ve decided that I can help TechShop and the Maker Movement the most by stepping down from the day-to-day demands of being TechShop’s CEO. I’ve come to the conclusion that I can help grow the movement faster and better by opening up my calendar to more policy, educational, corporate speaking, writing and consulting engagements.”
Dan Woods, TechShop’s COO and co-founder of Make: Magazine, Maker Faire and the original Maker Shed store, has been named TechShop’s CEO. After joining TechShop as COO in 2012, Woods worked with the team to establish a cadence to new market development and building an operations organization that successfully designed, built, and launched nine new TechShop locations on four continents.
“Dan and I are united in our passion for the Maker Movement, and steadfast in our commitment to TechShop’s mission, employees, and members,” Newton said. “We are exceptionally bullish about what the future holds for the maker movement, our thousands of innovative members, and the communities we serve.”
About TechShop, Inc.
Founded in October 2006, TechShop is a membership-based, do-it-yourself (DIY) workshop and fabrication studio that provides access to a vibrant community of creative makers, millions of dollars’ worth of facilities, equipment, tools and software in each location. Based in San Jose, Calif., with locations globally, TechShop offers classes, workshops, instruction and training for people of all ages and skill levels to build whatever they can dream. For information on memberships and course listings, visit www.techshop.com, email info@techshop.com or call 855-TECHSHOP. You can follow TechShop on Twitter at @TechShop and on Facebook as TechShop Incorporated.