Our Story
About MakerCraft
An educator, technologist, and maker building the platform he was trained to create.
Why MakerCraft Exists
MakerCraft was born from a simple observation: millions of adults have untapped creative potential but no access to the tools, training, or mentorship to turn that potential into income. Traditional workforce programs teach skills in isolation. They don't teach people how to build a business around what they make.
Founder Damon Abruzere didn't stumble into this problem. He was formally trained to solve it. With a B.S. in Technology Education from Virginia Tech and an M.S. in Architectural Studies from the University of Florida, Damon's academic foundation is rooted in how people learn to build things and how physical spaces and systems are designed. He has taught as an adjunct professor at James Madison University and spent 28 years in network security engineering and IT leadership across defense, federal, and public sector organizations. In his personal time, he became a skilled maker: CNC routing, laser engraving, woodworking, 3D printing, and digital fabrication.
MakerCraft is the convergence of everything in that journey: formal education in technology and design, enterprise-scale systems architecture, community leadership, and a deep personal practice as a maker. It's not just a workshop or an app. It's a complete ecosystem that takes someone from "I've never used a power tool" to "I run a maker business" through structured education, hands-on production, digital tools, and mentorship.
Founder & Director
Damon Abruzere
Damon holds a B.S. in Technology Education from Virginia Tech and an M.S. in Architectural Studies from the University of Florida, giving him a formal foundation in how people learn technical skills and how physical spaces and systems are designed. He has served as an adjunct professor at James Madison University, teaching the next generation of technology educators.
Professionally, Damon has spent 28 years in network security engineering and IT leadership. His career spans security architecture for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, managing network operations for U.S. Combatant Commands in Germany and Africa, leading security teams across federal agencies, and currently serving as a Solution Development Architect at Cisco, driving CX service sales for federal and national security customers.
Beyond his professional career, Damon has served as a boys' varsity golf coach at Timber Creek High School, an Assistant Scoutmaster with BSA Troop 33, president of the Virginia Tech Alumni Chapter for Central Florida, and a member of Rotary Club International. As a hands-on maker, he is skilled in CNC routing, laser cutting and engraving, woodworking, 3D printing, and digital fabrication.
MakerCraft is the natural culmination of this entire journey: a trained educator, an enterprise technologist, a community leader, and an experienced maker building the ecosystem that connects all of it. His vision: a world where anyone with drive can learn to build, sell, and grow.
The MakerCraft Ecosystem
A nonprofit-anchored conglomerate. The Foundation is the center of gravity. All other entities enable, scale, or sustain the mission.
The Foundation (Nonprofit)
The center of gravity. Owns the mission, controls education through The School, and generates skilled makers. Funded by grants, donations, sponsors, and program revenue.
The Shop (For-Profit)
Commerce and production. Sells goods created by makers through physical and online storefronts. Handles logistics, fulfillment, and brand partnerships.
Media
The amplification layer. Storytelling, content distribution, maker success stories, competition shows, sponsorships, and creator partnerships.
The App (Platform)
The digital hub connecting everything. Maker profiles, project system, social features, marketplace, learning integration, and AI-powered discovery.
Legal Information
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