Ray and Carmela Mellado have been dedicated to STEM education since 1977, when Ray founded HAPA. Shortly thereafter, Carmela founded Hispanic Engineer, and served as it’s editor-in-chief for over a decade, before launching Technica in 1999.

Ray Mellado is the founder and Chairman of the Board of Great Minds in STEM™, formerly HENAAC (Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Corporation), a national 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to “keeping America technologically strong by promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math careers. Carmela founded Hispanic Engineer, and served as it’s editor-in-chief for over a decade, before launching Technica in 1999.