Talking Industrial Automation: Recent Episodes
Lisa Richter
The Talking Industrial Automation Podcast is a show to help you get to know the people that make modern manufacturing and processing possible. Along the way we will touch on integration technology, trends and challenges. If you are a manufacturer, end user/client, supplier or system integrator interested in industrial automation, I hope you will enjoy the insights CSIA Members will bring to this podcast. CSIA is the Control System Integrators Association, and exists to improve the professionalism of system integrator businesses.
What does it take to turn decades of industrial automation expertise into a modern, AI-ready manufacturing business? In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, Lisa Richter sits down with Sam Zungri, President and CEO of Polaris Automation, to discuss how automation, operational data, and employee ownership are transforming the future of manufacturing.
Sam shares his journey from electrical engineer to business leader, explains how Polaris evolved from a traditional controls system integrator into a digital transformation partner, and reveals how their proprietary Core Data platform helps manufacturers convert overwhelming amounts of plant-floor data into actionable business intelligence.
The conversation explores today's biggest challenges—including workforce shortages, retiring experts, AI adoption, and the growing importance of trusted partnerships over transactional vendor relationships. Sam also offers practical advice for manufacturers preparing for the next wave of industrial innovation and explains why relationships, transparency, and continuous learning remain the foundation of long-term success.
🎧 Listen now to discover how connected data, AI, and a people-first culture are driving the next generation of industrial automation.
What happens when AI stops acting as a productivity tool and starts becoming the decision layer of engineering? In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, Lisa Richter sits down with Dr. Axel Zein, CEO and President of WSCAD, to explore the rise of AI-native engineering and what it means for the future of industrial automation.
Axel explains why simply adding AI to existing workflows isn't enough, how engineering processes are poised for a fundamental transformation, and why the companies that embrace AI today will gain a significant advantage tomorrow. From reducing complexity and accelerating documentation to reshaping the role of engineers themselves, this conversation offers a practical look at where AI is delivering real value—and where the hype falls short.
n this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, Lisa Richter sits down with Rob Goldsmith, Director of Industrial Systems at Matrix, to explore his unexpected journey from bioengineering student to automation leader overseeing one of North America's largest independent integration teams.
Rob shares how Matrix "brings processes to life" through factory automation, network infrastructure, and industrial systems integration — from small retrofit projects to massive greenfield installations. He also explains automation in everyday terms using a simple "making soup" analogy, discusses the growing role of AI in manufacturing, and highlights why CSIA best practices and strong client relationships remain essential in a rapidly evolving industry.
Tune in for insights on leadership, automation strategy, AI adoption, and the human side of industrial systems integration.
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter sits down with Jeremy Anderson, President of Process and Data Automation at the Krones Group, to explore what it really takes to modernize manufacturing in today's rapidly evolving landscape.
Jeremy shares his journey from taking things apart as a kid to leading automation and data-driven transformation across complex production environments. He dives into how organizations can scale automation intelligently, balance people and technology, and build systems that deliver long-term value—not just quick wins.
You'll also hear insights on what sets great system integrators apart, why CSIA certification matters, and how a collaborative industry mindset continues to drive innovation and shared success.
🎧 Listen to the full episode to learn how to scale automation the right way, build resilient teams, and stay competitive in a constantly changing manufacturing environment.
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter speaks with Clint Bundy, Managing Director at Bundy Group, a boutique investment bank that has spent more than three decades advising companies in automation, control systems integration, industrial technology, IoT, and cybersecurity.
Clint shares how growing up in a family business shaped his career in mergers and acquisitions and explains how Bundy Group helps founders and management teams navigate some of the biggest decisions they'll ever make—selling a company, raising capital, or finding the right strategic partner.
The conversation explores the rapid growth of M&A activity in the system integration market, the difference between strategic buyers and private equity investors, and what makes automation companies attractive acquisition targets. Clint also breaks down the four key drivers of company value—stability, profitability, growth, and scale—and offers practical advice for owners who want to build stronger businesses, whether they plan to sell or not.
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter sits down with Guru Thakkar, Director of Engineering at Inflexion Point in Neptune, New Jersey.
With more than 20 years of experience across pharmaceutical, life sciences, food & beverage, utilities, and building automation, Guru shares how disciplined front-end engineering, standardization, and strong technical fundamentals set the stage for long-term success. From scaling Inflection Point organically from 40 to over 100 employees, to supporting Operation Warp Speed during COVID, Guru explains why early design decisions, rigorous testing, and lifecycle thinking matter more than ever.
The conversation explores:
- What it really means to "put the brain" into industrial systems
- Why turnkey integration across all layers (from sensors to enterprise systems) is becoming essential
- How system integrators are navigating AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation
- The growing complexity of pharma manufacturing and single-use equipment
- Why trust, repeat business, and sound non-technical business practices drive sustainable growth
Whether you're an end user, engineer, or integrator, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how intelligent systems are shaping the future of process automation—and why fundamentals still matter in a rapidly evolving landscape.
As we kick off the new year, Talking Industrial Automation revisits a listener-favorite conversation with Matt Wise, CEO of E-Tech Group—one of Control Engineering and Plant Engineering's 2025 System Integrator of the Year award winners.
Matt shares how he explains automation as "the brains of the factory," why marketing and business strategy matter just as much as engineering, and how E-Tech Group scaled into one of North America's largest system integrators through acquisition, talent, and long-term vision. The conversation explores today's biggest industry challenges—from labor shortages and rising complexity to AI, multi-site automation, tariffs, and uncertainty—and what it takes to guide clients through them as a true automation partner.
Whether you're a system integrator, manufacturer, or industry leader looking to start the year with fresh perspective, this encore episode delivers practical insights on growth, leadership, and the future of industrial automation.
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter welcomes Adrienne Meyer, the newly appointed CEO of the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA). With 20+ years of experience managing global trade associations and technical organizations, Adrienne shares her journey—from being fascinated by encyclopedias as a kid to shaping the future of industrial automation through community-building and strategic leadership.
Tune in to hear how Adrienne's early roles prepared her for leading CSIA, why listening is her leadership superpower, and what she sees on the horizon for system integrators—from certification insights to new engagement strategies and untapped member benefits.
If you're curious about the role of associations, the power of professional networks, or the evolution of industrial automation, this episode offers actionable insights and a fresh perspective from the top.
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter sits down with Stephen Beck, Senior Chemical Engineer at Huffman Engineering, to explore his journey from building control panels at age 10 to shaping automation systems across utilities, life sciences, and manufacturing.
Stephen shares insights from his early experiences at a nuclear power plant, his transition into systems integration, and how Huffman Engineering's "making ideas work" philosophy continues to drive quality and customer trust. Along the way, he unpacks challenges like balancing modernization with cost constraints, navigating project politics, and managing the growing impact of AI and cybersecurity on the automation industry.
Whether you're an engineer, integrator, or industry leader, this conversation offers thoughtful takeaways on resilience, ethics, and innovation in industrial automation.
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter is joined by Marcos Carlotto, Director of Software-Defined Automation at Schneider Electric, for a deep dive into how open systems, artificial intelligence, and workforce transformation are reshaping the industrial automation landscape.
From Schneider's bold stance against proprietary platforms to real-world examples of scalable innovation—like retrofitting 60 pump stations in just 6 months—Marcos reveals how flexibility, speed, and partner ecosystems are key to future-proofing automation.
If you're curious about what's next for automation—or how to thrive in it—this episode delivers strategic insight with global perspective.
P.S. The Show is always looking for guests! You do need to be part of a company that is a CSIA member with a Gold profile or higher on the CSIA Industrial Exchange but other than that, you are welcome to join this show. Contact Lisa Richter if you are interested. (Linkedin here)
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter welcomes Bud Weightman—President of Qualified Specialists International (QSI) and a seasoned expert with over 35 years in quality management, auditing, and standards consulting.
Bud takes us inside his journey from launching QSI in 1989 to auditing high-stakes offshore drilling operations around the globe. He explains the importance of risk-based auditing, why cookie-cutter systems fall short, and how custom, standards-driven solutions help companies improve performance, safety, and compliance.
You'll also learn about the value of CSIA certification, the connection between intuition and successful audits, and what sets Bud's approach apart in an industry built on trust, evidence, and continuous improvement.
P.S. The Show is always looking for guests! You do need to be part of a company that is a CSIA member with a Gold profile or higher on the CSIA Industrial Exchange but other than that, you are welcome to join this show. Contact Lisa Richter if you are interested. (Linkedin here)
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter sits down with Paul Adams, Senior Director of Partner Ecosystems at GE Vernova, to explore how his nearly three-decade journey with GE has shaped a deep understanding of software, systems, and integrator partnerships. From building global relationships to embracing cloud transformation and tackling cybersecurity challenges, Paul shares real-world insights into what it takes to scale, support, and modernize industrial automation today. Tune in to hear his thoughts on workforce evolution, strategic acquisitions, and the power of curiosity and connection in career growth.
P.S. The Show is always looking for guests! You do need to be part of a company that is a CSIA member with a Gold profile or higher on the CSIA Industrial Exchange but other than that, you are welcome to join this show. Contact Lisa Richter if you are interested. (Linkedin here)
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter sits down with Joe Mazzola, General Manager of McEnery Automation, to unpack his journey from co-op student to company leader. Joe shares how McHenry has grown from a two-person startup to a 30-person team, fueled by long-term customer relationships, CSIA certification, and a culture of engineering excellence.
From process automation innovations in brewing and consumer goods to navigating workforce transitions and integrating ERP systems, Joe offers grounded insights on scaling with integrity, embracing flexibility, and building solutions that last.
P.S. The Show is always looking for guests! You do need to be part of a company that is a CSIA member with a Gold profile or higher on the CSIA Industrial Exchange but other than that, you are welcome to join this show. Contact Lisa Richter if you are interested. (Linkedin here)
In this special crossover episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter shares a conversation from Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, featuring outgoing CSIA CEO Jose Rivera. As he prepares to step down after 10 transformative years, Jose looks back on the challenges and triumphs that shaped the Control System Integrators Association—from navigating the pandemic and launching remote certifications to championing emerging leaders and expanding globally.
Listeners will gain insights into how CSIA evolved to meet the needs of a new generation of system integrators and why the upcoming Learning Hub could redefine professional development in automation. If you're interested in leadership transitions, association strategy, or the future of industrial integration, this episode delivers thoughtful reflections and a hopeful look ahead.
P.S. The Show is always looking for guests! You do need to be part of a company that is a CSIA member with a Gold profile or higher on the CSIA Industrial Exchange but other than that, you are welcome to join this show. Contact Lisa Richter if you are interested. (Linkedin here)
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter sits down with Brian Doyle, CEO of Holden Advisors, to explore how B2B companies—especially in manufacturing and industrial sectors—can unlock growth through value-based pricing. Brian shares insights on navigating market uncertainty, communicating across generational teams, and tackling challenges like tariffs and inflation with pricing strategies that stick.
Key Takeaways:
- Why value-based pricing outperforms cost-plus models
- How to assess your company’s pricing power
- Common pricing pitfalls during market disruptions
- The importance of segmenting customers by price sensitivity
- Tips for sales teams to defend pricing and reduce unnecessary discounting
Tune in to learn how pricing can become your company's most powerful growth lever.
P.S. The Show is always looking for guests! You do need to be part of a company that is a CSIA member with a Gold profile or higher on the CSIA Industrial Exchange but other than that, you are welcome to join this show. Contact Lisa Richter if you are interested. (Linkedin here)
In today's episode, we're talking industrial automation with Matt Wise, CEO of E Tech Group as we explore how E Tech Group became a powerhouse in system integration, earning accolades like the 2025 System Integrator of the Year award.
Discover Matt's unique journey from marketing to leading over 600 employees across North America and how his diverse background shapes innovative strategies for tackling industry challenges.
Key Takeaways:
- Learn about E Tech Group's evolution through strategic acquisitions and its impact on scaling operations. - Understand the complexities faced by clients in automation and how E Tech Group provides tailored solutions. - Gain insights into industry trends, including labor shortages and technological advancements like AI.
P.S. The Show is always looking for guests! You do need to be part of a company that is a CSIA member with a Gold profile or higher on the CSIA Industrial Exchange but other than that, you are welcome to join this show. Contact Lisa Richter if you are interested. (You can finder on on Linkedin here)
In this encore presentation of one of the most listened episodes of Talking Industrial Automation, Jim Biehl reveals why some businesses thrive and others flame out, based on his decades of experience. Plus, he discusses the No. 1 inhibitor to business growth. Hint: It's not what you think.
Register for the CSIA 2025 Conference HERE
In today’s episode, we’re talking industrial automation with Cole Wangsness, who is a Solution Architect at OnLogic.
Since joining the team in 2018, Cole has focused on empowering companies to solve complex technology challenges at the edge -- encompassing both software and hardware -- by leveraging OnLogic's industrial computing solutions and its robust partner ecosystem.
Through his work with customers, partners, vendors and the team at OnLogic, Cole gets to feed his passion for making complex technologies -- such as AI at the Edge & Device Orchestration -- easier to understand and deploy.
Hear all about it in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
P.S. The show is always looking for guests! You do need to be part of a company that is a CSIA member with a Gold profile or higher on the CSIA Industrial Exchange but other than that, you are welcome to join ths show. Contact Lisa Richter if you are interested. (You can find her on LinkedIn.)
In today’s episode, we’re talking industrial automation with Kyle Carreau, who is an Enablement Manager for the Kepware team at PTC.
Kyle is the “go-to” technical and commercial resource For Kepware’s technology partners, international distributors, and North American resellers, Kyle Carreau is a go-to technical and commerical resource.
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, you'll hear how he uses his decades of experience in Industrial automation -- a heavy focus on Industrial Networking and communications, SCADA/HMI software, and PLCs -- to excel in his role as enablement manager.
P.S. The show is always looking for guests! You do need to be part of a company that is a CSIA member with a Gold profile or higher on the CSIA Industrial Exchange but other than that, you are welcome to join ths show. Contact Lisa Richter if you are interested. (You can find her on LinkedIn.)
In this episode, you'll hear from Jim Gillespie, who is the co-founder and chief growth officer of GrayMatter, a leading OT-focused company that provides consulting, services, and curated technology to transform operations and empower people.
Since its inception, GrayMatter has grown to over 290 team members and over $80M in revenue.
Along the way, it also completed 5 acquisitions and achieved national and international recognition.
Listen to find how how and why Jim has grown this company to the size it is today.
This episode is a special one – content from a recent CSIA members-only presentation – a Virtual Keynote Address by Alex Chaukosky, who is director of analytics and consulting for the Bundy Group.
But that title really does not give you the full picture because he is also a super whiz when it comes to taking economic and labor data and making it understandable, non-partisan, fact based – and more importantly, actionable.
The catch is that this is only a portion of his full presentation and only audio – CSIA members can access the full presentiaotn, including video and slides, at www.controlsys.org/virtual-keynotes.
But, it still includes plenty of interesting insights that will help you make good personal and business decisions.
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, Kacie Chitwood, an account executive at Miller Resource Group, shares her insights into the job market for controls engineers.
Some tidbits:
- The surprising salary jumps controls engineers can expect in their first five years
- Creative perks companies are using to attract top talent beyond just salary
- Why the "skills gap" is a major challenge and how companies are addressing it
- Tips for candidates on standing out in the job market and negotiating offers
- The future outlook for industrial automation careers and why it's so promising
Whether you're a job seeker looking to advance your career, an employer trying to attract and retain talent, or simply curious about the state of the industry, this episode is packed with actionable advice and insider knowledge.
Andrew Harris shares his journey from participating in a high school robotics program to leading business development and engineering initiatives at ACS.
You'll also hear about ACS's evolution from a spinoff architectural firm to a leader in industrial automation across various industries, as well as the company's holistic approach to project integration, the importance of customer satisfaction, and the challenges and trends in the automation industry.
The airwaves are blowing up with the potential of AI in industrial automation -- but is it all talk? Not at all, says Bryan DeBois, DIrector of AI at RoviSys, a system integration founded in 1989.
In fact, Autonomous AI is solving unsolvable problems right now -- including the brain drain and labor shortage -- that are plaquing manufacturing throughout the US.
FInd out how in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
From an entry-level job at a sewage plant (spoiler, it's as bad as you think) to writing a science fiction novel to earning four degrees+, Jeromy Peterson has accumulated an unusual mix of experiences over the course of his 25-year career. Hear all about it -- including the 17 years he's spent as CEO and president of Ripple Industries, an automation and control systems integration company -- in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
After 30 years of experience in industrial solution leadership -- ranging from greenfield design and engineering to custom specialized solutions -- Alex Pool launched Masked Owl Technologies.
As President of this SI startup, he uses his decades of experience in a diverse technology and automation landscape -- from the destruction of WWII-era chemical weapons to sequencing paper into NYC’s local print shops – to inform this latest venture.
Alex’s true passion is in problem-solving and building integrated systems that are unmatched elsewhere.
Hear all about it in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Can we be solving hard problems that make the economy work better? That make the world a more efficient place? Those are the questions that inspired Adam Gluck to leave his engineering job at Uber and found Copia Automation, which brings modern DevOps tooling to industrial automation, standardizing processes to drive quality, efficency, and uptime at scale.
Hear all about the past, present and future of this up and coming start up -- as well as its founder -- in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
It's not often that an industrial autlomation podcast features a rockstar as a guest -- but it's happening today. Sandy Gennaro -- former drummer for bands as diverse as The Monkees to Joan Jett to Cyndi Lauper -- is here to tell you about his lessons learned from life on the road and other musings.
Full disclosure: He is also a keynote speaker for the upcoming CSIA Conference, where he will parlay his experience as a drummer in rock band to leading successful teams.
You also migh be surprised with how much you have in common with Sandy -- all glamour aside.
Meet Ken Hackett, who is Director of Business Development for General Control Systems. In this role, he uses his 30 years of expertise in engineering design, sales, service, and installation of process controls, instrumentation, and electrical systems to partner with clients in the life sciences, industrial, and food beverage sectors.
In addition, for the past three years, he has served as President of the ISA Eastern Chapter. Finally, full disclosure, Ken will be a speaker at the upcoming CSIA Marketing Workshop held in conjunction with the 2024 CSIA Conference in Dallas this April.
Hear how he has moved through the industry and what he's learned along the way in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
We are doing something a little different with this episode of Talking Industrial Automation because TIA host Lisa Richter was invited to be a guest on the Rivergate Marketing Podcast, produced by Rivergate Marketing, a full-service digital marketing company and CSIA member. This episode touches on a little bit about a lot of things – from marketing to the CSIA Conference to the upcoming CSIA Makreting workshop.
Even if you don’t plan to attend the conference, this crossover episode still offers some insights you might be interested in and maybe even a spicy take or two. (RIP Koozie). If this doesn’t sound like something you’d be into, that’s okay. IIA will be back with the regular programming with the next episode.
For more information about Rivergate Marketing, including the podcast, visit www.rivergatemarketing.com.
For more information about the 2024 CSIA Confernece, inlcuding the marketing workshop, visit www.controlsys.org/conference2024.
Over the course of three decades, Dave Bader, who is Vice President of Business Development at Eurotech, has been involved in several automation revolutions including the evangelism of artificial intelligence at the edge, industrial IoT, and autonomous mobile robotics for industrial and warehouse applications.
Serving as the Head of Sales, National Business Develop Manager, National Sales Manager, and Global Channel Manager for a variety of automation and robotics companies, Dave brings a unique ability to convey very highly technical solutions to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Get to know him in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Finding a role that allowed her to advance her technical skills while also progessing her career was exactly what Karen Griffin was looking for when she landed at Hargrove Controls and Automations.
She went on to serve in various automation roles over the next 10 years such as engineering leader, main automation contractor program sponsor, senior program manager and controls and automation engineer for the refining, oil and gas, chemicals and pulp and paper industry.
Today, Karen is vice-president and managing member representative of Tormod, an asset life cycle company. There she leads a team of 150 professionals including automation engineers and specialists.
Finally, full disclosure, Karen is the Chair of the CSIA Board of Directors.
Hear about her career journey -- and advice -- in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
With more than 18 years of experience in industrial automation with a focus on Open Control, IIoT Industry 4.0, Networking and Cybersecurity, Ira Sharp, director of product marketing automation at Phoenix Contact USA, has seen a few things.
Based on this experience -- and his active digital presence as a LinkedIn Content creator focused on automation -- Ira share's his thoughhts on where the industry is headed and how system integrators and others can make the most of it in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Joining the company just one year after inception, Ben Durbin has climbed through the Cybertrol Engineering ranks to the top spot: CEO. Along the way he's gained on-the-job experience in every corner of the business -- from programming to sales.
Hear about his career journey -- and his advice for newer folks -- in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
After decades of living in the same ecosystem, WIN-911 and SyTech merged to form SmartSights, blending the best of both and triggering a fresh look, brand and approach. Hear all about it in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation from SmartSights CEO Greg Jackson.
Greg also reveals what he has learned from his experience as a strategic leader with a unique blend of 30 plus years’ experience and achievements in international sales, business development, operations and product solution development.
Frustrated with the lack of tools to reliably communicate among different process areas, Andrew Thomas decided to do something about it. So in 1995, he and a partner developed real, real-time communication software that resulted in a program called Cogent Real Time Systems.
Over the following two-plus decades, he continued to reiterate eventually resulting in what is now called Skkynet -- a platform that enables real-time data connectivity for industrial, embedded, and financial systems, with no programming required.
Hear about his journey -- and his predictions -- in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
For many CSIA members, the Best Practices Manual is THE reason they joined the associaition -- and for good reason. The BP Manual Best Practices Manual is the most comprehensive collection of best practices within a system integrators industry. This crowdsourced, comprehensive document -- written by integrators for integrators -- represented hundreds of hours of collective wisdom going back to the early 1990s.
The latest version -- 6.0 -- was released just last month. The BP Committee Chair, Tony Valasek of EOSYS, reveals what's new in this release. Plus a little bit about how the sausage gets made.
Prepare to be impressed.
"People are like an unstable PID loop," jokes Keith Mandachit of Huffman Engineering in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation. Hear what else he and his fellow panelists Andrew Palmberg (Technical Systems Inc) and Becca Johnson (Gray Solutions) have to share about growing into a leadership role during the encore presentation of a CSIA Emerging Leaders SIG virtual event from 2021.Â
The discussion is led by John Sullivan of DMC, who is chair of the CSIA Emerging Leaders SIG.Â
You can sign up for future Emerging Leader SIG events at www.controlsys.org/events.Â
This content was originally published on the CSIA website.
Drawing on her experience as a certified speaking professional and best selling author, Lisa Ryan offers some advice for companies that want to retain talent and build a company culture that makes employees want to stay. Along the way, she also gives some tips on public speaking, networking and navigating social awkwardness.
If you want to hear more from Lisa, she will be one of the CSIA Executive Conference’s keynote speakers.
Since April 2019, Stratus has completely revamped its partner ecosystem and the programs that support it, providing greater benefits to the partners while driving double digit growth for Stratus reports Mike Bradshaw, Senior Director - Global Channels and Partner Ecosystem.
He explains why in this episode as well as revealing why his kids think he is a spy!
A former colleague once called Theresa Benson “corporate spackle” because she comes in and fills in the gaps quickly, diagnosing issues and moving people forward in the face of ambiguity.
As a product storyteller and strategist with over 20 years of experience in high tech, Thersa is currently helping her clients understands what makes something valuable and then helps them tell their story in the way that their market needs to hear.
Hear more about her journey in this episode of the podcast. This is Part 2 of a two-parter.Â
As hosts of Automation Ladies -- the only podcast -- that we know of -- where women (mostly) talk about Industrial Automation, Alicia Gilpin (Ali G.) and Nikki Gonzales provide a unique perspective on the industrial automation industry. For their day jobs, Ali G. is owner of Process and Controls Engineering LLC. while Nikki is is building an online marketplace and workflow automation platform for industrial automation distributors and their customers to collaborate and bring some sanity to the procurement process at Quotebeam.
Hear all about it in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Note: This episode is Part 2 of a two parter. Part 1 dropped in December 2022 (Episode 78).
As hosts of Automation Ladies -- the only podcast -- that we know of -- where women (mostly) talk about Industrial Automation, Alicia Gilpin (Ali G.) and Nikki Gonzales provide a unique perspective on the industrial automation industry. For their day jobs, Ali G. is owner of Process and Controls Engineering LLC. while Nikki is is building an online marketplace and workflow automation platform for industrial automation distributors and their customers to collaborate and bring some sanity to the procurement process at Quotebeam.
Hear all about it in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Note: This episode is Part 1 of a two parter. Part 2 will be availble in January 2023.
In this episode, we’re talking industrial automation as usual but instead of hearing from one or two guests, you’re going to get to hear from a lot of them – hot mike style-ish because I grabbed random 2022 Rockwell Automation Fair attendees as they stopped by the CSIA booth and hit record.
So what you are about to listen to is a series of micro-interviews from people in all kinds of roles from around the world who were brave enough to step up and talk into the Yeti microphone I set up in a DIY recording studio – which was literally … a cardboard box.
I’ll let the results speak for themselves.
Daren Dieleman parlayed a background in accounting and finance into a 10-year career with a worldwide system integration firm, Interstates. He spent most of that time leading the automation delivery teams, but recently he transitioned to a senior leadership role driving company strategy and strategic partnerships.Â
Hear more about Daren -- including his dream job -- in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Fresh out of college, Dan Barrera had three offers -- including his dream job. But he turned it down for one with an automation company. And he's never looked back.
Today is is a product manager at Bosch Rexroth where he is product manager for one of the company's latest controls platform: ctrlX AUTOMATION.
Hear about his journey and why he is so passionate about the industry in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Technology enthusiast and entrepreneur Shawn Tierney took two decades of experience as an automation specialist and turned it into content development and training business with more than 75,000 followers across his blog, podcast and YouTube platforms.
Hear how and why he built this whole new career in industrial automation in this episode.
After moving their family out of state to start Huffman Engineering based on a PO, Wendy and Howard Huffman were handed a piece of paper that said the project they left everythy for was cancelled.
But despite that setback -- and early Hot Stove Lession -- the Huffmans went on to spend the next three decades building a business they can feel proud of.Â
Hear about their journey, core values and success stories in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
After moving their family out of state to start Huffman Engineering based on a PO, Wendy and Howard Huffman were handed a piece of paper that said the project they left everythy for was cancelled.
But despite that setback -- and early Hot Stove Lession -- the Huffmans went on to spend the next three decades building a business they can feel proud of.Â
Hear about their journey, core values and success stories in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Did you know NASA uses WIN-911 software to test the rockets for the new Artemis program? Hear about other examples -- such as how Dubai keeps aquatic species alive in the middle of the desert, New Zealand monitors seismic activity and UK company in its environmental remediation across Europe from Cody Bann, Win-911 Software's director of engineering.
Plus, find out the Win-911 origin story and more in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Did you know NASA uses WIN-911 software to test the rockets for the new Artemis program? Hear about other examples -- such as how Dubai keeps aquatic species alive in the middle of the desert, New Zealand monitors seismic activity and UK company in its environmental remediation across Europe from Cody Bann, Win-911 Software's director of engineering.
Plus, find out the Win-911 origin story and more in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
System integrators are in a unique position to impact billions of peoples' lives, which makes it imperative that the industry take DE&I seriously exlains Cassy Garner in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
She also believes its just plain good for business -- which is backed d up with data -- and solving other challenges like recruitment and retention.
Cassy also provides other persepctives about life at Banks Integration -- the West Coast branch of E Tech Group doing work in life sciences, pharmaceuticals and emerging technologies such as cellular agriculture and cultivated meat.
Show Notes:
If you are interested in learning more about DE&I or volunteering for Y'allomation Office Hours checkout these resources:
- Contact Cassy https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassy-gardner/
- Checkout https://www.yallomation.org/
- Follow folks on LinkedIn:
- https://www.cultureamp.com/blog/diversity-and-inclusion-workplace-influencers
- Melinda Epler founder & CEO of Change Catalyst https://www.linkedin.com/in/melindaepler/
- Lily Zheng DE&I strategist, https://www.linkedin.com/in/lilyzheng308/
- Subscribe to Feminuity’s email newsletter https://www.feminuity.org/
- Read: How to be an Antiracist by Ibram Kendi
Citations:
- Crash test bias – Consumer Reports Article
- McKinsey: Diversity Wins: How Inclusion Matters
The concept of business value can be used like GPS to help businesses find the best route.
In this encore presentation moderated by Bryan Powrozek of Clayton & McKervey, panelists Jane Tereba (Capital Valuation Group), Ben Smith (Clayton & McKervey) and Clint Bundy (The Bundy Group) as they discuss the key factors in determining a business's value -- and how to manipulate those levers strategically to position it for growth, and, ultimately, develop a succession plan.
Even if your day-to-day responsibilites have nothing to do with the overall business strategy, understanding these concepts offers you a glimpse into what the C-suite cares about -- and helps you leverage that knowledge to further your career.
With more than 20 years experience in sales and marketing, Xavier Mesrobian has witnessed first-hand how industrial automation has evolved. Cybersecurity, remote monitoring, predictive analytics and artifical intelligence are just a few topics he covers in this epsiode of Talking Industrial Automation.
The Future of Work, the importance of benchmarking and even a bad pun or two make an appearance during this special crossover episode with the host of The Sound of Automation, Bryan Powrozek of Clayton & McKervey. Plus, you'll also get a sneak peak into the agenda for the upcoming CSIA Executive Conference.
To emphasize its unique business model as an employee-owned organization, PRemier System Integration re-branded to EOSYS in 2021. What does that mean exactly? Tony Valasek breaks it all down and more in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Meet Walker Mattox, who self-identifies as a recovering serial entrepreneur who finally found home as the founder of Gray Solutions, a Gray company in 2018, and hasn't looked back. Hear how, as founder, he led the exponential growth of Gray Solutions from two solutioneers to the 12th largest system integrator as recognized by Control Engineering in this episode.
With an interest in the intersection between people, software and the physical world, Tor-Inge Eriksen started as a consultant, where he worked on projects in agriculture, health care, aquaculture, shipping and manufacturing.
He soon realized that the knowledge of people in the field was underused, and decided to commit to building a software as a service product with his co-founders.
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, you;ll discover how Tor and his company, Clarify, combine human context and industrial data for daily decisions.
Plus, you'll hear his thoughts on industry pain points and trends.
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Sportswriter, radio host, emcee, trade publisher – and even a Jeopardy contestant, Bob Vavra’s seen it all. But at the heart of everything he is – and always will be – a storyteller. These days, he is senior content director for Machine Design and Power & Motion where he uses his 18 years covering manufacturing to find smart people and give them a forum. Hear how he has ridden the wave of digital transformation in publishing and what trends he sees in his unique position as a conduit for the industry in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Kerry Grimes leads AVEVA’s worldwide sales go-to-market strategy for all AVEVA partners, which consists of more than 5,000 distributors, solution providers, global and regional system integrators, and technology providers selling, servicing, and supporting AVEVA’s entire product portfolio.
Hear how he got there -- and where he's going -- in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Leading a team of more than 500 people over two continents and four different brands, SAGE Group Managing Director and CEO Adrian Fahey built a resilient company that offers a comprehensive suite of industrial digitalization solutions.
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, you'll hear how Adrian and the company founder, Andrew Dunst, built this Australian powerhouse and where he thinks the company is headed next. Â
A passionate controls system integrator with more than 25 years of industrial automation experience, Sam Cafferata has specific experience in recycling, food processing, bulk material handling, wood products, aerospace and plastics. In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, you'll hear why Sam's  favorite part of his job is helping his team at Concept Systems and partnering with his customers to have fun and succeed.
This episode is sponsored by Xometry.
Hear how Steve March leveraged his 15 years managing marketing, sales and business development efforts for engineering design and system integration firms, to manage Schneider Electrics program and strategy in the U.S. for partnering with companies like those he used to work for in this episode.
Steve also dives into the trends and challenges facing the industry right now -- and what opportunities are cropping up in industrial automation.
Having worked in various capacities within the industrial automation market for nearly 25 years, Brandon Ellis, founder and president of elliTek, funnels his experience into developing elliTek’s data commander MES Gateway Appliance and Industrial Internet of Things Appliance, which are designed to simplify secure data movement between plant floor machines at enterprise level databases.
Brandon also founded elliTek University’s Training Center where he builds workforce development programs because he is passionate about both teaching and learning from others. And if that’s not enough, Brandon is also co-host of elliTek’s podcast, Industrial Automation – It Doesn’t Have To…
Hear all about it in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Find a need and fill it, goes the old saw, and that's exactly what John Weber did more than 25 years ago when he booted up Software Toolbox.
Hear how he did it -- and a little bit of history -- in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation. Plus, you'll get his advice for selecting vendors and building a career in industrial automation.Â
You don't often think of unicorns when it comes to industrial automation, but Enterprise Automation just might be the one to change that. With two top-tier, invitation-only certification partnerships -- Aveva and Schneider Electric -- EA is the only integrator in the world that has earned this unique, combo endorsement.
In this bonus episode, EA's Principal Joshua Riley and Business Manager Luke Stephenson recount their origin story as well as what they forecast for the next 24 months.
This episode is brought to you by Aveva.
After starting Thermo Systems in New Jersey in 1998, CEO and President David Musto and his co-founder Gregory Smith have grown the full-service control systems integration firm into a team of 180 plus engineers and controls professionals based in more than 16 locations globally.Â
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, he shares his growth story -- as well as his philosophies about customer service, team building and keeping the talent pipeline flowing.
Digital transformation is not just happening on the plant floor. All areas of a business are getting a digital makeover. Bryan Powrozek of Clayton & McKervey reveals some of the ways the back office can achieve efficiencies -- and even increase revenues -- in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Plus, you'll hear how, after 12 years in the auto industry doing product development and systems engineering for a supplier and then in 2011, he changed careers, and is now a manager in the firm's system integrators practice.
Former SI and seasoned estimation pro Barry Anderson of Latsa Consulting offers his tips for winning the right business in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Plus, he reveals why he thinks the future of automation is so bright.
With decades of experience under his belt, Chair and Founder of Engineered Energy Solutions Pat Miller is once again re-iterating his business to meet the challenges of the current work environment.
In addition, Pat reveals how his lifelong passion for energy efficiency has not only fueled his business model but come full circle, as organizations of all types are re-thinking how they can meet the demands of a changing climate and deepening their interest in energy efficient solutions in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.Â
First-time CEO Kirk Byles reveals how he overhauled a 25-year-old company -- Freewave Technologies -- to meet the demands of the future in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Plus, he candidly recounts the bumps along the way, lessons learned and why he is optimistic about the future of industrial automation.
For more than 30 years, Senior Manager Jim Mansfield of Matrix Technologies Inc. has led manufacturing and operational transformation teams within the food and beverage, discrete manufacturing, metals and mining and consumer products industries.
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, Jim reveals how he draws on his decades of experience to helps clients navigate the operational excellence journey by enabling the connected plant and enterprise.
Delving into more than 30 years in the industry, GE Digital's Steve Pavlosky discusses how GE Digital creates value from data across a wide variety of industries in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Plus, he offers his advice on the historians vs relational databases -- and how to future proof your business.
With so much that happened in 2020 that impacted businesses like the CARES Act and Paycheck Protection Program, it's more important than ever for business owners to understand the implications, obligations and opportunities as they approach year end.Â
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, Tim Finerty, a shareholder with Clayton and McKervey, a tax and advisory firm in Southfield, Michigan, offers his best advice for the industrial automation sector as they work with their financial team to close out 2020.
Note: This episode was recorded December 10, 2020.
Building on the success in Asia and Europe, CIMON Automation is making a play to penetrate the North American and Latin American markets.
Leading the charge is Ken Mroz, national business development manager. He explains how his years of industrial distribution and system integration solutions sales experience are up to the challenge in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Meet Barry Brian, who, along with his co-owners, built DRM from a two-man system integration shop to an 80-person team in southern middle Tennessee.
His special sauce: delivery a quality solution no matter what.
Listen to his unique journey in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
You'd be hard-pressed to pigeon-hole Opto 22, says the company's Director of Technical Marketing Josh Eastburn. "The way we tend to identify our niche is rather psychographic than demographic: we work with people who are looking for something different---cool stuff that just works," he explains.
Learn more about this California-based company, as well as Eastburn himself, in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Using a technology-driven approach, Oregon-based Concept Systems has grown from a one-man shop in 1999 into a national presence with regional offices in Seattle, Washington, Kennewick, Washington and Charlotte, North Carolina.
Learn how during this episode of Talking Industrial Automation with serial entrepreneur Michael Gurney.
When self-taught engineer Cullen Raichart channelled his inner innovator to solve challenges inherent in cannabis processing, GreenBroz was born. Hear how this pioneering entrepreneur took a kief tumbler and grew it into a $13 million business in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Panduit is perpetually in a state of change, and that's a good thing, reveals Lindsey Parker, manager of business development for the Industrial Network Infrastructure Market at Panduit Corp., in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation. Case in point: The Illinois-based company recently merged its industrial and enterprise businesses -- and now people who are experts in both the IT and the OT space are working together day in and day out on the problems that exist between those two types of organizations.
A series of strategic acquisitions, leadership hires and customer diversification fueled the growth and success of Applied Manufacturing Technologies says Craig Salvalaggio in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.Â
Plus, he reveals how his passion for robotics and machine vision led to his current position as COO, where he builds the business case for automation, as well as mentors up and coming industry professionals.
For any business, cashflow is life. And never has that been more true than during the current economic disruption. In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, Andy Parrish of Diligentiam reveals some strategies to free up much-needed cash -- and they may surprise you.
Think air heaters and hot air blowers are for packaging applications only? Think again. In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, Jason Sanders of Leister Technologies explains why.
Plus he reveals how is company -- and his customers -- are adapting during the pandemic.
Hear from Rising Star Chris Schleich as he reveals how the pandemic has impacted Enterprise Automation in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.Â
Plus, learn how this California system integrator powered through and grew 20% during the last recession.
An insurance broker, lawyer and accountant answer your the frequently asked questions about the pandemic and what it means for the system integrator and manufacturing business.
A transcript of this episode is available here.
A programming note: This episode of the podcast was recorded on March 19, 2020, while the global pandemic situation was still very fluid. To help CSIA members stay up to date, the association has set up a Forum on controlsys.org for members to share resources, advice and tools to cope in this rapidly changing environment. If you are a CSIA member, you cab join the group at www.controlsys.org
Rick Brookshire, director of product development for Epson Robots, reveals how, as the entry price drops, the applications and use of robotics has exploded.Â
Plus he weighs in on the dystopian take of robots taking all the jobs and other trends and misconceptions.
Julie Gaier, a content marketing specialist with TRG Marketing, reveals how her skills as an Emmy-award winning television reporter educate the industrial automation industry in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Plus, you'll learn how media opportunities can turn into profits, as well as tips for how even companies with small budgets can leverage trade press to generate growth.
Chris Tury Jr., a partner and general manager of Outbound Technologies Inc., reveals how the company strategically diversified from the automotive industry into other vertical markets to promote resiliency and grow Outbound into a $15 million company, in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Plus, you'll hear how Outbound achieves an 80%-plus customer retention rate and innovates with enterprise systems to maximize resources -- all while building a company culture that cultivates employee retention.
Based on his decades of experience, Jim Biehl of Clayton & McKervey reveals why some businesses thrive and others flame out. Plus, he discusses the No. 1 inhibitor to business growth. Hint: It's not what you think.
Pete Atkin, vice president and general manager of Samsara Industrial, reveals why he thinks the industrial automation market is on the cusp of a major change. Plus, he discusses how customer demand for connected operations has fueled Samara's growth to a 1,500-person company in just 4 years.
Ranbir Saini, Senior Director of Digital Product Management for GE Digital, where he is the business leader for automation software. Drawing on his 15 years of experience delivering industrial automation, operations management and media content creation software to OEM municipal and enterprise customers, Ranbir reveals his predictions for the digital transformation of the automation industry. Plus, he breaks down how broadcast media is more similar to the industrial space than you'd think.
Bruno Wilson is a regional sales manager and business development engineer for Encoder Products, a 50-year-old designer and worldwide manufacturer of motion sensing devices based in Sagle, Idaho. Bruno’s experience includes business processes, human resources and administration, research and development, manufacturing engineering, market analysis, sales and business development. In this episode, Bruno shares his insights as an up-and-coming leader.
Tom Sulda is director of Latsa Learning Services, where he leads a national team of instructors in Australia. Latsa’s instructors are also part-time consultants who help clients implement new best practice process methodologies, such as Prince2, Managing Successful Programs, AgilePM and AgileBA. Additionally Sulda’s company IPX Check is a newly certified CSIA Best Practices and Benchmarks auditor where Tom is the lead auditor.
In this episode, Sulda offers a brief primer on agile project management vs the waterfall approach and the pros and cons of each. Plus he reveals who should give it a try and who should sit this one out.
Programming note: This episode was recorded during the 2019 CSIA Executive Conference in Asheville, North Carolina, in May 2019.
Credit Bensound and Wistia's Music Collection for the music in this episode.
Marc Taccolini is founder and CTO of Tatsoft, a platform developer for real-time factory-floor data monitoring, SCADA and HMI Systems, distributed data aggregation and advanced visualization tools.
In this episode, Taccolini recounts his journey as an innovator, including lessons learned, as well as his pivot to meet the demands of a disrupted industry.
Enjoy getting to know Marc Taccolini of Tatsoft.
Programming note: This episode was recorded during the 2019 CSIA Executive Conference in Asheville, North Carolina, in May 2019.
Credit Bensound and Wistia's Music Collection for the music in this episode.
Jeff Burnstein is president of the Association of Advancing Automation, the umbrella organization for the Robotic Industries Association, Advancing Vision and Imaging, and Motion Control and Motor Association.
In this episode, Burnstein predicts the role of robotics in manufacturing, the impact they will have on businesses, as well as what the industry needs to do to prepare for the future.
Plus, he answers the grand-daddy of all questions: Will robots take our jobs?
Enjoy getting to know Jeff Burnstein of the Association of Advancing Automation.
Programming note: This episode was recorded during the 2019 CSIA Executive Conference in Asheville, North Carolina, in May 2019.
Credit Bensound and Wistia's Music Collection for the music in this episode.
Mike Howard is vice president, system integration for George T. Hall Co., which got its start in California but has since expanded into Nevada.
He shares his experiences with CSIA certification and how it helped GTH manage a recent growth spurt. Plus he reveals his lessons learned from scaling up quickly to meet customer demand and the challenges his clients are facing.
Mike also describes how he became involved with the manufacturing and integration fields, as well as how George T. Hall went from being in the airstream business in 1932 to today's system integration expertise in a variety of industries, including waste water, mining, aerospace and manufacturing to name a few.
Enjoy getting to know Mike Howard of George T. Hall Co.
Credit Bensound and Wistia's Music Collection for the music in this episode.
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, Zack Scriven, founder and lead content creator of Zack Scriven Media, shares his journey from industrial automation engineer to video marketing entrepreneur.
Along the way, you'll hear his tips on how to work with millennials, attract and retain talent, the role of marketing in today's marketplace and the secret to getting started on using video to tell your story.
Production note: This episode was recorded on-site during the 2019 CSIA Executive Conference so the audio includes some background noises, though the main content is audible.
Credit Bensound and Wistia's Music Collection for the music in this episode.
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, Joe LaRussa, director of industrial engineering for the North American Seat Business at Brose Group, provides his take on the global war on talent, as well as reveal his successful strategy for priming the talent pipeline. Plus, you'll hear his advice on how system integrators can prepare for the future to meet customer demand.
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, Rick Kaun, VP of solutions for Verve Industrial Protection, shares his take on the unique role cybersecurity plays in a control system or operational environment.
He also breaks down the current guidelines and standards surrounding cybersecurity, including the pros and cons of several of the most popular and how to choose between them.
Finally, he reveals real-life examples of what to do, and more importantly, what not to do. And recaps some of the industry events where you can learn more.
Links to the events he mentions are below.
Technical Tradeshows:
S4 https://s4xevents.com/
SANS https://www.sans.org/cyber-security-summit/events
Free conferences:
ICSJWG (DHS): https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/Industrial-Control-Systems-Joint-Working-Group-ICSJWG
Public Safety Canada: https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cbr-scrt/ndstrl-cntrl-sstms/vnts-en.aspx#smpsm
Thinking about attending the 2019 CSIA Executive Conference? In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, CSIA CEO Jose Rivera reveals what's new at this year's event, schedule highlights, as well as what's back by popular demand.
Programming note: Industry Director Lisa Richter debuts as TIA's host in this episode, replacing the Tony Veroeven. CSIA and its members are extremely grateful to Veroeven for his work creating, launching and then doubling the audience of the podcast.
Steve Newcomer is the Strategic Channel Manager Phoenix Contact USA which is located near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Steve shares his thoughts on cybersecurity within the industrial automation industry, and he shares a few best practices consumers can take to better protect themselves from external threats.
Steve also describes how he became involved with the manufacturing and integration fields. He also shares his journey of how he came to work at Phoenix Contact.
Enjoy getting to know Steve Newcomer of Phoenix Contact.
Rick Vanden Boom is the Automated System's Group Director of Applied Manufacturing Technologies (AMT), which is North America’s largest independent automation engineering company headquartered in Orion, Michigan.
Rick describes how the robotics industry, specifically collaborative robotics, is reducing the amount of floor space required to complete automation projects. Â
Rick also shares his thoughts on the IIoT, Industry 4.0, and Big Data and how AMT is working to capitalize on these industry trends.Â
Enjoy getting to know Rick Vanden Boom of Applied Manufacturing Technologies.Â
At the most popular session at the CSIA Executive Conference, "Lessons from Touching a Hot Stove", system integrators have learned how their peers’ businesses have been burned by accidents, injuries and losses. This is especially true when the threat of a lawsuit, or an actual lawsuit itself, arises – what could have been done to avoid this dispute in the first place?
In this episode, I’m releasing a recent webinar titled, "Lessons from Touching a Hot Stove: Legal Edition." This installment is a great conversation between the CSIA Legal Plan attorneys, Mark Voigtmann and Brian Clifford. Mark and Brian’s webinar was largely a conversation and doesn’t rely on slides so don’t worry about missing anything visual.
You’ll hear from about some of the “hot stove” experiences they have seen and how you can best mitigate your risk using legal services. Do not miss this episode!
Enjoy getting to know more about legal issues in industrial automation.
Matt Wells is the Vice President of Digital Products of GE Digital, a leading software and advisory service company headquartered in San Ramon, California.
Matt describes GE Digital’s role as a subsidiary of General Electric (GE), how automation is changing the labor force, and the incentive for companies to increase flexibility in order to meet changing demands.
Matt also shares his perspective on the rapidly growing IIoT network and how he believes GE Digital can leverage this emerging network using Cloud technology.
Enjoy getting to know Matt Wells of GE Digital.
Tom Burke is the President of the OPC Foundation.
Tom shares why it is essential for the industry to consider the interoperability demands of end-users, what the OPC Foundation is doing to solve the software development challenges they face, and how the problems system integrators face today are different than they were before Industry 4.0.
Enjoy getting to know Tom Burke from OPC Foundation.
This week my guest is Chris Luecke (Lou—Key), host of Manufacturing Happy Hour; a bi-monthly YouTube series. Manufacturing Happy Hour covers latest in automation trends and technology over a cold one. Chris started the show in 2016 and has done over 30 episodes. Chris is an OEM specialist Account Manager with Rockwell Automation and likes to record his show to help clients get to know him and make automation more approachable.
Chris shares some of his favorite subject matter discussed for his show, why he decided to become an engineer and he recommends a podcast that focuses on manufacturing. Check out The Art of Manufacturing podcast by Z Holly and subscribe to Chris’ YouTube Show, “Manufacturing Happy Hour”
Now, enjoy getting to know Chris Luecke.
CSIA recently released the Fifth Version of the Best Practices and Benchmarks Manual. The Best Practices are nearly 400 items that CSIA Members have developed over 24 years relating to better run system integration business.
In this brief episode, Remco Kappert of EKB and Eric Schaefer of Stone Technologies help you understand what changes were made since version 4!
This was an in-person interview at our 2018 Executive Conference in San Francisco. Please bear with a bit of a noisy background. Thanks for listening!
Ashley Dawson is the General Manager of Crossmuller, a full-service system integrator located in Sydney, Australia.
Ashley describes how he approaches a project with a customer, and why he thinks their Certification feels different for the customer, and new engineers.
He also shares with us three things he looks for in new employees, and how a prospective customer can be a "good customer."
Enjoy getting to know Ashley Dawson of Crossmuller.
Arun Sinha of Opto 22 is our guest this week. Arun and I spoke online just before the CSIA Executive Conference in San Francisco.
Arun thinks the future looks bright for the industrial internet of things and that there some exciting things happening, beyond collecting sensor data.
Arun describes where he sees Opto 22 and its role in the industry, and how it relates to other companies in industrial automation, and we have a great conversation about the impact of the convergence of OT and IT.
Enjoy getting to know Arun Sinha of Opto 22, CSIA Partner Member.
Jeff Knepper is the Executive Director of Business Development at Canary Labs, a historian company near State College, Pennsylvania.
Jeff shares why data collection is so important to improving manufacturing and processing and discovering things that may not have been known as a problem.
We discover that even Jeff's coffee mug is an IOT device collecting data!
This week you get to know Georgia Whalen, president, and owner of Rivergate Marketing, a firm specializing in industrial automation companies. Georgia started her company and reentered the workforce in 2008 after raising her three children. We can all imagine how challenging that must have been given the economic forces at the time.
Perseverance and tenacity won out as they often do and now Georgia and her staff perform marketing services for many CSIA system integrators including setting a strategy, blogging and social media management.
Georgia discusses how engineers and technical people shop and research. She warns against the “old fashioned” viewpoint that business will always just walk in the door through referrals and repeat customers, something established system integrators have enjoyed in the past.
Finally, Georgia helps us understand how to start marketing if you’re at ground zero. Visit Georgia’s company on our buyers guide.
Enjoy getting to know Georgia Whalen.
Jason Andersen and I spoke about industrial automation computing at the edge, 24/7 reliability, and predictive analytics and maintenance.
Jason also discusses how analytics are the "sensory stimuli" for AI (Artifical Intelligence) and machine learning and how he approaches a client's project by simultaneously simplifying the installation and future-proofing it.
Jason is the VP of Business Line Management and drives the product development of Stratus' products.
Enjoy getting to know Jason Andersen.
In my conversation with Tim Matheny of ECS Solutions (a system integrator based in Evansville, IN) I learned about how he helps companies make more bread, (figuratively and literally) how buying a controls system solutions is like buying a vacation, and what made Tim successful in his career over 36+years.
Enjoy getting to know Tim Matheny of ECS Solutions.
Sam Hoff of Patti Engineering spoke with Tony Veroeven during the Manufacturing in America conference in Detroit in March 2018.
Sam discusses how he named his company, on what he spends the first 90 minutes of his day, and what the first couple years was like when he started Patti Engineering.
Enjoy getting to know Sam Hoff of Patti Engineering.
Rivergate Marketing's Meghan Pavasaris teaches us content is key in digital marketing, but where do you find content when engineers claim they “don’t write”? We discussed tactics and strategies that work to gather the technical information and create compelling content that customers need and expect.
Even though this was a webinar, you can still glean some valuable information from our discussion. If there is something you want to see, all of our tools, tips, and tricks are listed in the show notes below.
Watch the webinar on our YouTube Channel.
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, I spoke with PC Romano of Avid Solutions.
You're going to learn the unique things he's doing to develop skilled engineers for his company; How he approaches a project and the unique things he does to ensure a project goes well; what are some of the things prospective clients can do to ensure a good relationship with their system integrator.
Enjoy getting to know PC Romano.
In this episode I spoke with Rick Caldwell, President of SCADAware, a system integrator based in Bloomington, IL.
Rick grew up plumbing with his dad but realized 10 years into his career that he had penchant for electricity instead of water.
After changing his focus to computer science and electrical engineering, he had a serendipitous moment in meeting Dick Morley, the father of the programmable logic controller, otherwise known as the PLC.
Enjoy getting to know Rick Caldwell.
Luigi DeBernardini, CEO of Autoware, a system integrator in Vicenza, Italy. explains how IIOT (the industrial internet of things) can help manufacturers understand what’s happening real-time in their plant, and explains it with a very understandable and practical analogy.
Learn what type of help Luigi’s customers ask of him, and that sometimes what a customer asks for is not always the proper solution.
Enjoy getting to know Luigi.
Visit our podcast page at: https://www.csiaexchange.com/podcast
In this episode, you get to know Jeff Miller, Director of Project Management at Interstates Control Systems, a system integrator based in Sioux Center, Iowa.
Jeff is based out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and is the current Chairman of the Board of the Control System Integrators Association.
You'll learn that Jeff always had an affinity for engineering, why hackers are attacking industrial sites, and what traits successful system integrators have.
Enjoy getting to know Jeff Miller of Interstates Control Systems.
You’ll learn how Matt was able to grow his business from 4 to over 100 people in just five years, how Hargrove was able to protect its processes and institutional knowledge from being lost by turnover or being owned by just a few linchpins, and what they do to develop new incoming engineering talent.
And a fun fact: you’ll learn that Mardi Gras did not originate in New Orleans. Don’t google it, listen to the episode.
Enjoy getting to know Matt Burton of Hargrove Controls and Automation.
Episode One of the Talking Industrial Automation Podcast.
Tony Veroeven of the Control System Integrators Association has a conversation with Eric Schaefer of Stone Technologies, a CSIA Certified system integrator, about his involvement in CSIA, how important Certification is to his clients and his business.
Eric is the chair of the Best Practices committee and a big proponent of CSIA's Best Practices. He describes how the Best Practices Manual helps guide system integrators to run better businesses, which ultimately is a service to clients and the manufacturing and processing industries.
Eric and I recorded this podcast at the 2017 Rockwell Automation Fair in Houston in mid-November.
Thanks for listening. Enjoy getting to know Eric Schaefer of Stone Technologies.
Subscribe to the podcast for interviews with CSIA system integrators and industry partners.
Visit: https://www.csiaexchange.com/podcast
In this episode, you get to know Steve Malyszko, owner of Malisko Engineering, a system integrator based in St. Louis.
We had a conversation about the importance of hiring a system integrator to bolster cybersecurity, how to do nine months of work in three months, and why Steve’s last name is spelled differently than the company’s. You’ll learn how he started in this industry, and much more.
Subscribe to the podcast for interviews with CSIA system integrators and industry partners.
Visit: https://www.csiaexchange.com/podcast