Auburn University
Department of Consumer & Design Sciences
Get in touch with us at kwonwis@auburn.edu
iRACE Hackathon©
During the iRACE Hackathon©, students learn about a selected retail technology, build experiences with it using technology kits provided by industry sponsors, and enjoy a hands-on workshop of creating their own technology solution to address an industry challenge.
Sponsored by
Contributors to 2026 iRACE Hackathon©
Mr. Nick Testanero
President,
Cellotape Smart Products,
Resource Label Group
Hackathon Session 2 Speaker &
Tag Kit Coordinator
Mr. Kevin Frydryk
Vice President, Markets & Products,
Resource Label Group
Hackathon Program and Award Coordinator
Mr. Larry Ino
Director of Operations,
Cellotape Smart Products,
Resource Label Group
Hackathon Session 2 Facility Tour Coordinator
Ms. Jade Bruce
Lab Operations Manager
Auburn University RFID Lab
Hackathon Session 1 RFID Lab Tour Coordinator & Speaker
Meet the Judges
Marc Wendt
Founder & Creative Director
BrandFuel Co.
With over 30 years of experience in the design industry, Marc Wendt founded BrandFuel Co. in 2013. Based in Covington, Kentucky, BrandFuel is serving national brands including Cheez-It®, Pringles®, Pure Organic®, Nissin®, Maker’s Mark®, Kroger®, Fifth Third Bank®, Resource Label Group®, Nutri-Grain®, and Beam Suntory.
Marc studied business and graphic design at Northern Kentucky University, graduating with honors in 1996. His passion for design was sparked by a love of skateboarding and music.
In 2005, Marc worked in Germany on the European expansion of Pringles®, followed by branding work for Schneider Weisse, one of the country’s oldest wheat beers. Upon returning to the US, he joined Maker’s Mark®, a brand he admired.
Today, Marc continues to find creative inspiration through travel—seeking out new perspectives, cultures, and ideas wherever he goes.
Simon Kirk
Senior Product Portfolio Manager
Pragmatic Semiconductor
Simon Kirk is Senior Product Portfolio Manager at Pragmatic Semiconductor and a product leader with nearly 20 years of experience in product management and product marketing. He has led product strategy, roadmap development, and go-to-market initiatives across sectors including semiconductors, RFID, healthcare, defense, industrial sensors, and digital printing.
With a background in Applied Biomedical Science, R&D, and engineering experience gained through service in the British Army, Simon combines technical expertise with strong commercial insight. He is known for bridging technical and commercial teams to develop customer-focused, market-driven product strategies that drive growth and innovation.
Simon is also passionate about mentoring emerging Product Managers and regularly shares his expertise through industry events and webinars. Outside of work, he enjoys Formula 1, astronomy, yoga, live music, and spending time with his children.
Justin Patton
Director
Auburn University RFID Lab
Justin Patton is the Director of the Auburn University RFID Lab, a research institute focusing on the business case and technical implementation of emerging technologies in retail, supply chain, aerospace, and manufacturing. The RFID Lab is a unique private-academic partnership between users, technology vendors, standards organizations, and faculty. Justin has participated in business case research for advanced technology with Walmart, Target, Amazon, FedEx, Dillard’s, Macy’s, Delta Air Lines, and Boeing among others, and is currently supporting projects including multiple technologies supporting serialized supply chain.
He is one of the primary developers of the ARC program, the first and most widely utilized international performance validation system for RFID, and is currently working to help standardize serialized inventory in all aspects of the supply chain.
