TTI Family of Companies Increases Donation to ECIA Foundation 
Generous donations will support FIRST Robotics and the PACE training program.

Atlanta — ECIA Foundation is pleased to announce that the total donation from the TTI Family of Companies, specifically Sager and Mouser, to support FIRST Robotics will be $250,000. In addition, ECIA will receive $75,000 in the name of Sager, designated for the PACE training program.

The mission of FIRST is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based competitions that build science, engineering, and technology skills, inspire innovation, and foster well-rounded life skills including self-confidence, communication, and leadership. 

The PACE training program is an e-learning online set of modules available to all ECIA members that explains the basics of the electronic components industry to new employees. 

“Our companies remain committed to advancing the education of school-age children through STEM initiatives as well as those in our industry through the PACE program," commented Mike Morton, CEO of TTI, Inc.

“This generous donation is a great testament to the far-sighted leadership and positive people-first culture at the TTI Family of Companies,” responded David Loftus, ECIA Foundation President. “These gifts will be used to ensure the next generation of creative and innovative problem-solvers, and we are very grateful to the TTI team! We hope other members follow this example,” he added. 

“ECIA and many of our members have long supported First Robotics and have seen the impact it has on young people who will be our industry’s future,” Loftus continued. “With our 2023 campaign we are encouraging members to donate directly through the Foundation to increase awareness of electronic components industry careers among FIRST participants. Dean Kamen, the founder of FIRST, was again our keynote speaker at our annual October Executive Conference in Chicago. He shared some of the financial challenges from two years without competitions, but also inspired the audience with a strong positive vision of FIRST’s impact on motivating kids toward STEM education. Dean moved the crowd with his captivating stories of how these competitions are benefiting our industry, our country, and our planet.”

Please see the following for more information and inspiration about FIRST:

• More information about FIRST
• About FIRST Robotics Competition (2021)
• I am FIRST: Inspiring Dreamer
• Excerpts from Dean Kamen’s Keynote at Executive Conference