Founders
Founder & CEO
Carlos Maciñeira
Carlos founded Charlie Mac Industries while pursuing his Computer Science degree at Florida International University, where he joined the Panther Aerospace Design Group. The company began as a shared passion project among a close group of classmates who were fascinated by aviation and aerospace engineering. What started with a single 3D printer and a vision to create detailed aircraft models has evolved into a thriving business with multiple print farms and a dedicated team of those same friends who built it from the ground up.
As Founder and CEO, Carlos manages all aspects of the business, from CAD design and product development to manufacturing operations, website development, and sales strategy. His entrepreneurial foundation was built during COVID when he launched Charlie's Clothes, a successful Etsy business that taught him the fundamentals of e-commerce, digital marketing, and customer engagement. These skills proved invaluable as he scaled Charlie Mac Industries from a bedroom operation into a professional manufacturing business with streamlined processes for design, production, and fulfillment.
Carlos has continued to explore entrepreneurial opportunities through ventures like CartGirlCo, demonstrating his ability to identify market needs and build solutions. His career goal is to transition into the tech industry, where he can leverage his computer science background and entrepreneurial experience at a leading technology company. He's passionate about working on innovative software engineering projects and contributing to products that make a real impact. While pursuing opportunities in tech, Carlos plans to continue expanding Charlie Mac Industries, growing the product line and business reach while maintaining the quality and craftsmanship that define the brand.
With a strong foundation in programming, machine learning certifications from Stanford University, and hands-on experience building and scaling businesses, Carlos brings a unique combination of technical skills and entrepreneurial drive that positions him for success in both the tech industry and his ongoing ventures.
CO-FOUNDER & 3D MODELER
David Arias
David co-founded Charlie Mac Industries alongside his longtime friend Carlos while studying Mechanical Engineering at Florida International University. From the very beginning at FIU, David and a close group of aerospace enthusiasts worked together to build the company from a single 3D printer into a full-scale operation with multiple print farms. As one of the founding members, David has been instrumental in developing the technical capabilities that allow Charlie Mac Industries to produce precise, high-quality aircraft models.
As the lead Modeler and Maintenance Engineer, David handles the mechanical design process from concept to production. He creates and refines detailed CAD models using software like SolidWorks, NX, and Ansys, conducting structural analysis and simulations to ensure every model meets both aesthetic and engineering standards. His expertise in FEA and CFD analysis allows him to optimize designs for durability and accuracy, testing them under various conditions before they go into production. David also oversees the maintenance and calibration of all 3D printing equipment, troubleshooting mechanical issues and managing quality assurance processes to maintain the high standards customers expect.
Beyond Charlie Mac Industries, David is actively working on innovative engineering projects, including developing a spherical rolling drone with tracking capabilities as the sole mechanical engineer on a cross-disciplinary team. His senior design project at FIU focuses on optimizing toroidal propeller geometry for outboard motors, tackling complex hydrodynamics and manufacturing challenges. These projects demonstrate his passion for pushing the boundaries of mechanical design and his ability to solve complex engineering problems.
David is currently seeking opportunities as a Mechanical Engineer, Quality Engineer, or Test Engineer where he can apply his hands-on experience in product development, CAD design, prototyping, and testing. He's proficient in industry-standard tools including SolidWorks, Ansys, Python, and various measurement and testing equipment. With his unique combination of entrepreneurial experience and rigorous mechanical engineering training, David brings both practical manufacturing knowledge and advanced technical skills to any engineering challenge.
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CO-FOUNDER & IT PRINT FARM DIRECTOR
John Santana
John co-founded Charlie Mac Industries alongside Carlos and David while pursuing his Information Technology degree at Florida International University. As part of the original group of friends who turned a shared passion for aerospace into a real business, John has been essential in building the technical infrastructure that allows the company to scale from a single printer to a full network of print farms.
As IT Print Farm Director, John bridges the gap between customer orders and production, managing the entire digital workflow that keeps Charlie Mac Industries running smoothly. He oversees the assignment and monitoring of print jobs across multiple printers, ensuring efficient resource allocation and maintaining consistent production quality. His role involves troubleshooting hardware and software issues, integrating order management systems with 3D printing infrastructure, and implementing technological upgrades to meet growing customer demand.
John's commitment to expanding his technical expertise is evident through his continuous learning. He's completed certifications in database management, SQL, and data warehousing, and actively works on IT projects in his off time to sharpen his skills and explore new technologies. His passion for problem-solving and innovation extends beyond Charlie Mac Industries as he looks toward his career goal of joining an IT company where he can tackle larger-scale technical challenges and contribute to enterprise-level systems.
What drives John is his love for collaboration and finding elegant solutions to complex problems. He thrives in team environments where technology meets creativity, and he's always looking for ways to optimize processes and improve efficiency. His hands-on experience building and managing technical systems from the ground up, combined with his relentless curiosity for emerging technologies, positions him well for a future in the IT industry while continuing to support Charlie Mac Industries' growth.
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CO-FOUNDER & AUTOCAD DESIGNER
Nicholas Sambile
Nicholas co-founded Charlie Mac Industries alongside Carlos, David, and John while pursuing his Computer Science degree at Florida International University. As part of the founding team that started at FIU, Nicholas brought his expertise in CAD design and attention to detail to help transform the company from a small startup into a professional manufacturing operation producing high-quality aircraft models.
As AutoCAD Designer, Nicholas specializes in creating precise 3D-printed components for aviation models, focusing on lightweight structures and advanced geometries that accurately portray real-life designs. Using cutting-edge CAD tools, he collaborates closely with the team to ensure each model meets rigorous standards for both aesthetic accuracy and structural integrity. His design work is essential to maintaining the quality and authenticity that collectors expect from Charlie Mac Industries.
Beyond his technical skills, Nicholas brings exceptional dedication and perseverance to everything he does. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout, an achievement reached by only four percent of Boy Scouts after a lengthy and demanding process. As Senior Patrol Leader, he led his troop through planning and executing complex activities, training fellow scouts, and guiding them toward their own advancement. This experience taught him the value of long-term commitment, leadership under pressure, and seeing difficult projects through to completion.
Currently a junior at FIU, Nicholas is deeply passionate about AI and automation, actively working on projects that combine his interests in robotics, machine learning, and software development. He's focused on leveraging technology to solve real-world problems and is seeking opportunities in the tech industry where he can contribute to impact-driven teams. His hands-on experience in programming, CAD design, and AI-driven projects positions him well for a career in computer science while continuing to support Charlie Mac Industries' growth and innovation.
SOFTWARE ENGINEER
Benjamin DeBiase
Benjamin joined Charlie Mac Industries while studying Computer Science at Florida International University, bringing critical technical expertise as the company's Software Engineer. As a dedicated Linux enthusiast and software developer, Benjamin helps build and maintain the digital infrastructure that supports Charlie Mac Industries' operations and growth.
As Software Engineer, Benjamin focuses on developing automation solutions and optimizing backend systems that keep the business running efficiently. His passion for Linux and open-source technologies drives his approach to creating robust, scalable solutions for the company. Benjamin leverages his expertise in AI-assisted automation to streamline workflows, reduce manual processes, and improve overall operational efficiency. Whether he's building custom scripts, optimizing server performance, or integrating new technologies, his work ensures that Charlie Mac Industries' technical foundation can scale alongside the business.
Benjamin's deep knowledge of Linux systems allows him to architect reliable, secure infrastructure while his interest in AI and automation enables him to develop intelligent solutions that solve real problems. He's constantly experimenting with new tools and technologies, finding creative ways to apply automation to manufacturing processes, order management, and system monitoring. His ability to identify bottlenecks and build automated solutions has been invaluable as the company has grown from a startup to a full-scale operation.
As someone who thrives on technical challenges, Benjamin is passionate about pushing the boundaries of what's possible with automation and AI. His goal is to leverage his software engineering expertise in the tech industry, working on innovative projects that combine his interests in Linux systems, artificial intelligence, and automation while continuing to support Charlie Mac Industries' technical evolution and expansion.
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Software Engineer
Matthew Alexander
Matthew joined Charlie Mac Industries while pursuing his Computer Science degree at Florida International University, where he's earned Dean's List honors and maintains a strong academic record. As a Software Engineer with deep knowledge of Linux, Windows, and Mac systems, Matthew brings versatile technical expertise to support the company's growing infrastructure and development needs.
As Software Engineer, Matthew leverages his experience in systems programming, operating systems development, and web design to build and maintain critical software solutions for Charlie Mac Industries. His technical skills span multiple programming languages including C++, Python, JavaScript, Java, and web technologies like HTML, CSS, and Svelte. Whether he's developing internal tools, managing databases, or optimizing system performance across different platforms, Matthew's cross-platform expertise ensures the company's technology stack runs smoothly and efficiently.
Matthew's hands-on experience extends beyond traditional development. He's conducted extensive research on NixOS, setting up complex server networks that demonstrate his ability to architect and manage sophisticated technical infrastructure. At ShellHacks 2025, he built projects that showcase his skills in handling data pipelines and creating robust applications. His background includes web design, site maintenance, and light IT duties from previous administrative roles, giving him a well-rounded perspective on how technology serves business needs.
What sets Matthew apart is his ability to thrive in fast-paced team environments while bringing strong problem-solving skills and clear communication to technical challenges. He's passionate about systems programming, operating systems, and building reliable software solutions. Looking ahead, Matthew is eager to apply his diverse technical knowledge in the tech industry, contributing to innovative projects while continuing to support Charlie Mac Industries' technical growth and development.
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