February 2025 Volume 7

INDUSTRY NEWS

Featured Keynote Presentations Wednesday, May 14, 2025 – 8:00 a.m. | Shayla Rivera

Thursday, May 15, 2025 – 9:30 a.m. | Panel Session

Ben Abbott: Ben Abbott is a two-time Forged in Fire champion who began making blades after seeing arms and armour in museums and castles around England when he was 13. Not being able to buy a sword at the time, he decided to make one for himself. After several spectacularly failed attempts, he decided to scale back his aspirations, and start smaller. He began making

Shayla Rivera is an Aerospace Engineer and former Rocket Scientist with NASA turned corporate trainer, Int’l Speaker, TEDx Speaker, TV & Radio Host, Emcee/Host, Comedian, Actor, Writer, Seminar Facilitator, Panel Moderator and Awareness Expert. As of 2017, Shayla is also Director of the ENGR[x] (pron. Engineering X) program and Professor of Practice for the College of

knives when he was about 17, and has been working on his under standing of their nuances ever since. He spent many years making knives, tools, ornamental ironwork, jewelry, furniture, and anything else that needed making, but still never made himself a sword. The first sword that Ben finally made was the winning khanda sword for Forged in Fire. Ben has firsthand experience with the pressure and challenges Forged in Fire contestants face, and knows the dedication it takes to walk away a champion.

Engineering at Texas A&M University. However, none of these labels tells you much about her. She best describes herself as a spiritually irreverent Mystic and Awareness Expert. What many would call a Renaissance Woman. Keynotes include subjects that span Inspiration, Motivation, Leadership, Inclusion & Diversity, Education, STEM & STEAM Education, Awareness, Stress Management, Communication, and Self Growth, always using the power of humor and her life story. Shayla was born and raised in Puerto Rico. After obtaining a degree in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Psychology at Texas A&M University, she spent 5 years working with NASA. From there she moved on to stress management corporate training and motivational speaking, where Shayla discovered her comedic talents. She applies her expertise as a speaker to help non-profit, charitable and educational programs. She has spoken to clients around the world, including corporations, organizations and schools from middle school to college for students, parents and faculty. As of 2020, Shayla has a 1/2 hour stand-up comedy special streaming on HBO Max. She hosted the 13 episode TV series “You’re Not The Man I Married” for the Lifetime Real Women Network. She has appeared on numerous television programs and networks, including Comedy Central & HBO Latino, was named "Funniest Latina Comedian" by the organization "Latin 2015" and serves as host/emcee for award shows, gala’s, fundraisers and festivals. Shayla is most proud of her tours to entertain U.S. troops in Iraq and around the world. A self-proclaimed Awareness Expert, Shayla has come to know one basic truth, “The best way to learn, grow and change, in other words be enlightened, is to lighten up.” Approaching very serious subjects with a very light heart, Shayla helps young and old alike become clear about the personal beliefs that might be getting in the way of their real desires.

David Baker: David Baker is a world renowned swordsmith who special izes in recreating some of world’s rarest edged weapons. David is constantly challenging his scholarship of weap onry, researching forgotten techniques and examining world-class collections to ensure his replicas are as close to and as functional as the originals. David has been called upon to make weapons

that haven’t been seen outside of museums in centuries. He is the go-to guy for accurate replicas from samurai swords to subma chine guns. No one can give more insight on the craft of weapon making and what it takes to forge a beautiful piece of historic weaponry. Phillip E. Harrison: Phillip E.

Harrison is an artist and designer who is producing fine art and architectural sculpture, a private consultant, an indus trial manufacturing designer, and a design/build architecture professional. Penumbra Design was established in 1988 as a Design/Build Studio. Our work ranges in media type and scale, from holographic artwork and holo

graphic optical elements to engineered cast metals and composites for aviation and ground transportation to decorative forgings and architectural installations.

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