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We are always looking for inspiring stories of tech-led innovation!
If you are interested in sharing your experience with other manufacturers please contact us.
Dr. Polina R. Ware is a visionary leader, connector, and integrator with a passion for aligning technology and business strategies to drive transformative growth. With deep expertise in R&D leadership, AI/ML applications in chemistry, and digital transformation, she delivers scalable solutions that fuel innovation, efficiency, and sustainability.
Polina began her career at 3M, advancing through global leadership roles at LANXESS, Rogers Corporation, and PPG. Her achievements include pioneering novel sustainable coating and adhesive technologies, leading multimillion-dollar M&A integrations, and spearheading AI-driven digital initiatives that optimize performance and accelerate material discovery.
A recognized thought leader, award-winning speaker, and author, Polina champions diversity, inclusion, and high-trust teams that drive industry-changing innovations. She holds a PhD in Polymer Science and Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an Executive MBA from Kellogg School of Management.
In her free time, Polina enjoys writing, reading leadership books, snowboarding, weightlifting, and creating memorable moments with her son.
Dan Drouin is an accomplished automotive leader from Canada, who currently serves as the Vice President of Industry 4.0 at Lear Corporation in Southfield, Michigan.
Dan's career in the automotive industry began in 2000 when he joined Ford Motor Company as an Ergonomic Engineer.
During his tenure at Ford, he successfully completed new model product launches focusing on assembly feasibility and operator safety. Additionally, Dan was a key member of Ford's emerging virtual manufacturing and assembly team, where he played an essential role in optimizing product designs and production processes.
In 2004, Dan joined Lear Corporation and quickly worked his way up the ranks, holding various positions in Ergonomics, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, MP&L, and Operations. His contributions to the company have resulted in significant improvements in operator safety, supply chain optimization, productivity and operational efficiency.
Dan's leadership skills, technical acumen, and goal-oriented approach to tackling challenges have made him a respected and influential figure in the automotive industry.
He holds both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Human Kinetics from the University of Windsor.
Halimah Cleveland’s current role supports GE Appliances $118M investment in their new freestanding range models at Roper Corp. in Lafayette, GA. She began in 2023 as the Materials Director and then was appointed as a staff lead to maintain production excellence in all areas, while overseeing the total value streams which includes assembly, fabrication, finishing, materials, quality, safety, and people initiatives, for the off shifts.
Before this, Halimah was the Senior Manager of Manufacturing Operations at the Camden, SC facility for GE Appliances, as a key leader in the transformation of the site into a state-of-the-art, high-volume water heater production facility. She joined GE Appliances in April 2020 from Bosch, where she served as the Value Stream Manager, overseeing and expanding the largest Value-Added Services area in the Building Technologies division worldwide, catering to all North and South American markets.
Halimah’s career is a testament to her ability to take on roles with increasing responsibility and deliver results. Over 25 years, she has led large projects with engineering teams and floor personnel, gaining extensive experience. Notable highlights include her leadership in operations at OEM automotive suppliers Kautex Textron and Faurecia, and her role at Honeywell Aerospace where she managed site flow projects in addition to operations.
Her mission is to create products that wow and delight the customer, through innovation and technology, while engaging and empowering the workforce. Her passion for lean principles, technology, and most importantly, people, is the driving force behind her work.
Halimah is from Greenville, South Carolina, where she earned her associate degree in Industrial Electronics from Tri-County Technical College, a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Anderson University, and an MBA with a focus on International Management from California Intercontinental University.
Bio coming soon...
Tyrone Ellis is a Technical Executive with more than 20 years of industry experience in global companies. He currently serves as Aftermarket Engineering Leader in one of the Business Units for Trane Technologies, a global climate innovator. He joined the company (Formerly Ingersoll Rand) in 2012. In this role, Ellis is responsible for developing and leading the deployment of technical solutions and operational excellence initiatives for the Aftermarket business operating system in the Americas. Before this role, Ellis held Executive positions in Corporate Engineering as well as Integrated Supply Chain and Quality in one of the Business units, winning the coveted Chairman’s Award as Global Leader of the year in 2016 for driving transformation in quality and customer performance leveraging digital applications.
Prior to his current organization, Ellis held technical leadership roles at two primary companies, Bose Corporation and Robert Bosch Automotive, both known for world-class quality, reliability, and service programs. The scope of his roles spanned across the customer value chain deploying digital solutions within various assignments in quality, operations, and engineering. Ellis won leadership and performance awards at each of these businesses for leading organizational change initiatives that yielded superior results in business performance.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
He has spent the past decade at Koch Inc., most recently joining Georgia-Pacific. Prior to that, he held leadership roles in Digital Transformation at Molex and Koch corporate, building on his extensive operations leadership experience at several other leading manufacturing companies.
Senior IT Director at Ferrara Candy who leads information technology's strategic and operational aspects for the manufacturing and engineering functions. Over 8 years of experience in the CPG industry with a proven track record of delivering innovative, cost-effective solutions that enhance business performance and customer satisfaction. Recent experience has included two global ERP transformations.
Core competencies include supply chain planning, manufacturing process improvement, operational efficiency, and analytical skills. I have an MBA from the Quinlan School of Business at Loyola University Chicago and hold PMP and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certifications. I aim to leverage my technical expertise and business acumen to drive IT transformation and enable growth and sustainability in the CPG industry.
Heitor Cauneto is a global operations leader with 20+ years of experience leading manufacturing excellence, centers of excellence and digital transformation. He holds a Doctorate and International MBA, and is passionate about leadership and developing teams.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Bio coming soon...
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Scott Burkey is a Technology Fellow at Westrock, a global manufacturing and consumer packaging company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. He takes a pragmatic approach to implementing new ways of making training more effective and supporting front-line workers. Having worked as a software developer for over 20 years for brands like CNN, TBS/TNT and Coca-Cola, Scott now champions new technologies in the manufacturing industry which he believes will be one of the biggest adopters of augmented and virtual reality.
Prior to WestRock Scott delivered VR products for the National Basketball Association. He serves in an advisory capacity to startups and non-profits. Scott is a United States Marine Veteran that enjoys running and backpacking with his wife and 4 children in Atlanta, Georgia.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
I work as a reliability and automation engineer for Michelin North America in Lexington, SC. One of my primary responsibilities is working with and deploying Boston Dynamics' Spot autonomous inspection robot within our passenger and light truck tire manufacturing facility. I have the privilege of collaborating with many diverse individuals and groups within Michelin to help improve reliability, increase safety, and protect the environment. I believe investment in, and application of, new technologies is crucial for driving manufacturing into the future.
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. I have experience in many different manufacturing environments and methods including 3D design, 3D printing, extrusion, textiles, and metal fabrication.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Amanda Clarida, CPTD manages the development of training solutions for Volvo and Mack brand dealer professionals as well as select internal audiences. She actively manages all projects from vendor engagement through project sourcing, to budgeting and timeline, through to the acceptance of final project deliverables. She is proud to be part of a team that strives to consistently create quality learning solutions by providing engaging learning experiences that drive business results. Amanda has worked exclusively in training and development for more than 20 years, in a variety of industries, and she enjoys all facets of the industry especially the value of interactions in the classroom environment. Amanda earned a BA in English/Pre-Law at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her MA in Human Resource Development at Clemson University and continues to actively pursue new trends and technology applications to enhance training and learning experiences.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Bio coming soon...
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Bio coming soon...
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Jolly is an astute professional with vast experience in manufacturing/industrial environments, with a comprehensive education and training that have afforded him an excellent Knowledge of Engineering/manufacturing processes.
A strong Knowledge of agile Project management, Traditional project management, implementing Lean Manufacturing processes, DOE, Six Sigma design, Industry 4.0, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. He is a certified Scrum Master and Project Manager (PMP).
With over 15 years of advanced experience in a fast-paced and automated environment.
Jolly Possesses a Master's in Industrial Engineering and is currently a candidate for a Doctor of Philosophy Degree with a concentration in Artificial intelligence.
He has authored 3 articles in the field of Artificial intelligence and Machine Learning.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Devin is the Founder and CEO of Squint, the leading platform for digitizing a factory's procedures using Augmented Reality (AR) on a mobile device. The Squint team is laser-focused on eliminating friction in training, operations, and maintenance on the shop floor.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Bio coming soon...
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Jeff Winter is one of the top Industry 4.0 thought leaders and influencers helping manufacturers digitally transform their business at scale. With over 17 years of experience working for different industrial automation product and solution providers, Jeff has a unique ability to simplify and communicate complex concepts to a wide range of audiences, educating and inspiring people from the shop floor up to the executive board room. As part of his experience, Jeff is also very active in the community of Industry 4.0. He currently is a part of the International Board of Directors for MESA (Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association), the leader of the Smart Manufacturing & IIoT Division of ISA (International Society of Automation), a U.S. registered expert for IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) as a member of TC 65, and is on the Smart Manufacturing Advisory Board for Purdue University.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Gaurav Suman, Director of Product Marketing at HiveMQ, is an electronics and communications engineer with a background in Solutions Architecture and Product Management. He has helped customers adopt enterprise middleware, storage, blockchain, and business collaboration solutions. Passionate about technology’s customer impact he has been at HiveMQ since 2021.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Linda Weber, MPH, CPEA is the Senior Global Sustainability Engagement Manager at Jabil, a leading provider of advanced manufacturing solutions with over 140,000 employees in over 100 strategic locations across more than 25 countries worldwide. Weber is a seasoned sustainability and EHS expert who provides strategic leadership for the company’s global sustainability efforts, maintains ESG (environmental, social, and governance) legal compliance and ongoing stakeholder engagements, publishes non-financial disclosures, directs environmental due diligence on billions of dollars’ worth of acquisition and divestiture projects, invests in employee talent development, and executes various governance initiatives within the Ethics and Compliance office.
With a strong background in environmental chemistry, public health, and a recent master's degree in Global Business Sustainability from the University of South Florida, Weber is dedicated to thedevelopment and implementation of innovative strategies aimed at addressing global sustainability challenges and meeting complex regulatory requirements.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Nick Haase is a co-founder and the GTM lead at MaintainX, a maintenance and frontline work execution platform. With a background in future technologies, innovation, and e-commerce, he has helped multiple startups and Fortune 500 companies develop strategy and innovation paths for smart factories, IoT, VR/AR, blockchain, AI, autonomous vehicles, robotics, and more.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Bio coming soon...
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Bio coming soon...
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Kevin is currently Chief Evangelist Officer at Nanoprecise Sci Corp and has more than 35 years of experience in global operations leadership focusing on advanced technologies in operations, engineering and asset management. Previously, he served as Vice President, Fortive Corporation (Fluke/Accruent), Falkonry AI (investment company), where his strategic roles drove growth in Enterprise Asset Management and AI/Predictive Technologies. He also spent much of his early leadership/engineering career at Caterpillar and held numerous leadership positions at Johnson & Johnson, including operations/maintenance management and Global Manufacturing Equipment Excellence (ME2) leadership. Kevin is a long-standing member of the Society of Maintenance & Reliability Professionals (SMRP), has held various positions at regional and national levels, and has been a Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) since 2004 and serves on various advisory boards in the industrial space. Kevin received a Bachelor of Science in Automation & Systems Engineering Technology from Purdue University and an MBA from Colorado State University.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Trent Randles has worked for Automotive Tier-1 suppliers for the last 10 years including Plastic Omnium, Magna Seating and BorgWarner. Holding various engineering positions in operations, design, program launch and engineering leadership has given him a unique perspective of the manufacturing industry. Throughout his career he’s led multiple digital transformation initiatives involving Digital Twins, Augmented Reality, and Cyber-Physical Production Systems.
In his current role as Manufacturing Engineering Manager at BorgWarner, he continues to promote digital technology advancement through educating others, coaching his team, and developing key partnerships.
Trent holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology Management from University of South Carolina – Upstate and a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Clemson University. He is passionate about advancing technology in manufacturing, learning from others in this area and being a mentor to those seeking knowledge about it.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Bio coming soon...
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Daniel has over a decade of experience spanning custom and prototype machine design through large scale OEM factory automation and software development. He has developed integrated IT/OT systems spanning multiple organizations and including customer facing web applications through ERP/MES down to shop floor work instructions. As a technology evangelist, he is adept at translating complex topics into a clear value proposition that connects solutions with the real problems they can solve. Daniel has applied this agile technologist approach to a diverse range of projects including whole-factory production line conveyance overhauls, physics-informed AI model development, and medical device digital twin innovation.
In his role at Baldwin Richardson Foods, Daniel owns the development and maturation of the overall digital transformation portfolio. He also leads programs and strategic architecture projects such as enterprise data mastery and workforce upskilling on new technologies. This work is informed by his practical solutionist approach to thought leadership and his passion for the potential of Industry 4.0 technologies to transform US/global manufacturing and the work of the future.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Tadas Jurgutis is the CCO of MangoGem S.A., a leader in advanced production planning and scheduling systems (APS) leveraging AI and computer science innovations. With extensive experience in international business development, sales, and technology-driven solutions, Tadas has co-founded ventures across industries, driving automation and efficiency in manufacturing operations.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Eric is a Distinguished Engineer at CommScope, where he leads the Industry 4.0 initiatives for the Cable and Connectivity Solutions division. His work focuses on integrating data, AI/Machine Learning, and other smart manufacturing solutions to enhance quality, improve production, reduce waste, and drive innovation.
Eric has 30 years of experience in automation and controls, product development, process engineering, and operations. This extensive experience has given him a unique understanding of the complexities and challenges of manufacturing.
Eric holds a Master of Computer Science degree with a concentration in Data Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a Master of Business Administration degree from UNC Charlotte, and Bachelor of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering from NC State University.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Conrad Leiva is VP of Ecosystem and Workforce Development at CESMII – the Smart Manufacturing Institute. He is accelerating Smart Manufacturing adoption through ecosystem partners and education programs. A recognized industry authority, he engages business leaders, educators and practitioners to share the How and Why of leveraging information technology in manufacturing. Conrad has over 30 years of experience in manufacturing as an industrial and systems engineer, and over 12 years working on Smart Manufacturing systems and practices with industry leaders at MESA International and CESMII.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Dawn currently lives in Greer, SC with her life partner Corey and their two boys, Danny, 7 and Bryce, 13. She is an avid hunter and fisher and enjoys anything to do with the outdoors.
Dawn currently works for Oshkosh Defense and leads the Logistics Strategy on the new USPS Next Generation Delivery Vehicle (NGDV). While Oshkosh Defense is traditionally a military vehicle manufacturer, they recently picked up a 10-year, 165,000 Postal vehicle contract that has already begun to hit the fleet. Prior to Oshkosh, she worked for Amazon as an Area Manager, helping to launch a Delivery Station, and developing processes to increase logistical efficiency at both the middle and last mile point of customer deliveries.
Dawn enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves in August of 2004, served 8 years with a deployment to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 06-07. After a six-year break in service, she decided to put her boots back on. She joined the Army Reserves in December 2018, earningher commission September 11, 2019. As an Army Officer, she has held multiple Operations OIC positions across the 377th Theatre Sustainment Command and Commanded the 378th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Company from August 2022 - March 2024. Her current position is as the Company Commander for the 421st Corps Aerial Delivery Company located in Fort Valley, Ga.
Dawn earned her Master's in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix in December of 2015 and will be working towards her certifications in Supply Chain Management and Logistics Transportation and Distribution.
Her military awards and decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal,Army Commendation Medal (2), Army Achievement Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal (Iraq), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (Iraq), Iraq Campaign Medal (1 Campaign Star).
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
John Vargo leads MES and DxOps Transformation at RoviSys, a global leader in manufacturing automation and information systems integration. With over 23 years of experience, John has dedicated his career to developing strategies that drive effective digital transformation in manufacturing operations. His work focuses on improving operational efficiency, enhancing data transparency, and advancing quality and traceability. John's approach not only addresses today's challenges but also anticipates future opportunities, ensuring continuous evolution in manufacturing processes.
John has consistently built high-performance teams capable of delivering top-tier process automation, analytics, and manufacturing solutions across various industries. His broad expertise spans multiple manufacturing styles and process types, including batch, continuous, discrete, and hybrid operating models. John's client-first approach enables him to understand organizational challenges and help drive transformative change. His successful projects demonstrate his ability to foster collaboration, enhance communication, and streamline change management across workstreams.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Nick Blum is a seasoned technical leader in manufacturing analytics with a strong background in engineering and data analytics and over 12 years of industry experience. He holds a B.S. in Materials Science Engineering from the University of Minnesota and an M.E. in Engineering Data Analytics from the University of Wisconsin. In his current role at 3M, he’s focused on defining and executing an analytics maturity roadmap across the global manufacturing enterprise. His teams work involves establishing foundational data, deploying standard tools and performance metrics, and developing innovative diagnostic and predictive solutions to improve operational efficiency. Nick is proficient in advanced analytics tools, Six Sigma certified, and experienced in Agile and DevOps methodologies.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Tolla Cherwenka, a technology industry veteran with over 25 years of experience, has held leadership roles at AWS, IBM, TSYS, and Lockheed Martin. As AWS's Global Technical Strategy Leader, she develops innovative strategies driving global objectives for automotive and manufacturing customers. Her groundbreaking work includes leading the development of humanoid AI robots for autonomous warehouse management, disaster response, and hazardous material handling.
As Principal Solution Architect, she created technical solutions for automotive giants like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. At IBM, Tolla was a Worldwide Thought Leader and Architect, spearheading the Smart Cities Challenge initiative, which included advancing autonomous vehicle capabilities in urban settings.
Throughout her career, Tolla has consistently demonstrated her ability to drive digital transformation. Her expertise spans software development, enterprise architecture, and technology strategy, positioning her as a key player in shaping the future of technology, particularly in the automotive and urban technology sectors.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Jeffrey Schroeder is an experienced technologist based out of Detroit, MI who brings more than a decade in technology leaderships roles in the automotive and discrete manufacturing industries to his role as Product Manager at HighByte. Jeffrey brings deep domain expertise and perspectives in information technology, operations, and management for industrial organizations.
Jeffrey is passionate about technology and manufacturing and is a proponent of HighByte’s mission and approach to enable digital transformation for manufacturers. He is responsible for evangelizing and continuously improving HighByte Intelligence Hub as the global standard for Industrial DataOps.
Jeffrey has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Economics from Oakland University in Rochester, MI.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Dr. Marcel Schäfer serves as Senior Research Scientist for the Fraunhofer USA Center Mid-Atlantic CMA in Maryland since January 2019. From 2009 to 2018 he was with Fraunhofer Institute for Secure Information Technologies SIT in Germany. He owns a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Wuppertal, Germany, and a PhD in computer science from the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany. As PI, Co-PI and researcher Dr. Schäfer has led and worked in various projects that discover new challenges and opportunities broadly spread over the fields of cybersecurity and software engineering in both the public and private sector.
Since March 2021 he is leading the Fraunhofer USA office in South Carolina as Senior Program Coordinator for Fraunhofer USA’s activities within the South Carolina Fraunhofer USA Alliance. Projects so far cover a broad spectrum ranging from smart manufacturing, IoT, Industry 4.0, digitization to predictive maintenance, predictive analytics and other data driven and machine learning featured technologies. Typically, those projects have a strong manufacturing focus.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Bio coming soon...
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Bio coming soon...
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Brian Armstrong serves as the Vice President of Advisory Services at Ashling Partners, specializing in manufacturing and distribution. With extensive expertise in intelligent automation and process optimization, Brian excels in mapping and redesigning process flows, working closely with Continuous Improvement teams to identify automation opportunities during client ideation sessions. His strategic approach ensures that each transformation initiative aligns with the broader organizational goals, driving enhanced operational efficiency.
A Six Sigma Black Belt certified professional, Brian has a proven track record of delivering process improvements across manufacturing, logistics, and service industries. His expertise in process optimization consistently results in significant productivity gains and cost efficiencies for clients.
In his role, Brian has successfully established and scaled numerous Intelligent Automation (IA) Centers of Excellence (COEs), integrating best practices and sustainable solutions. These COEs have become vital components of clients' automation strategies, empowering them to tackle complex challenges and achieve long-term success.
Beyond manufacturing, Brian has applied his process expertise across various sectors, including logistics, financial services, and defense. This diverse experience allows him to lead strategic transformations that drive measurable results, helping clients stay competitive in a rapidly changing market.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Manuele D’Aversa has been leading Zeltwanger Leaktesting & Automation and Zeltwanger CNC Manufacturing since 2025, driving the company's growth and expansion in North America. With a robust background in the automotive and engineering manufacturing sectors, Manuele previously served as CEO of an Automotive Tier 1 supplier, spearheading its US greenfield expansion from 2015. He also managed a significant M&A integration project in South Africa and served as a regional controller for Southern Europe and Africa, closely collaborating with German operations. Born and educated in Germany, Manuele holds a degree in International Economic and Business Administration (Diplom Betriebswirt).
ZELTWANGER
At ZELTWANGER, we empower companies to develop and scale sustainable innovations efficiently and economically. Our extensive portfolio includes advanced leak testing and automation, high-precision machine components, and comprehensive assembly services. We are a trusted partner in critical markets such as e-mobility, battery production, hydrogen technology, and semiconductor manufacturing. With nine locations worldwide and over 20 years in Charleston, SC, ZELTWANGER continues to grow and innovate.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Rainer Neufeld is the Head of Corporate Electronics at SEW-EURODRIVE USA, bringing over 25 years of experience in industrial automation and motion control. Throughout his career with SEW-EURODRIVE, Rainer has always been involved on all aspects of drives and automation solutions and is currently overseen the full spectrum of drives, controls, and automation technologies, playing a key role in shaping the company’s innovation and strategy in the U.S. market.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Marcelo Souccar led the Protheus ERP Development team at TOTVS from 2012 to 2017,
driving innovation and eBiciency in enterprise solutions. With over 20 years in technology
and business transformation, he has built and scaled global software teams, leading
operations with 500+ professionals. His expertise spans manufacturing, supply chain, and
digitalization, where he has played a key role in shaping industry-leading solutions. As a
former entrepreneur and C-level executive in tech and SaaS companies, Marcelo has a
deep understanding of what it takes to scale businesses and expand into new markets. His
journey includes securing major enterprise accounts, developing high-impact products,
and leading companies through rapid growth. With a Master’s in Administration from
Stanford GSB, he combines strategic vision with hands-on leadership to drive digital
transformation in manufacturing.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Dominic Toselli spent nearly a decade at Apple, where he led Worldwide Outbound Logistics Sourcing. In that role, every delivery to an Apple customer around the world was managed by one of his global teams. Prior to this position, he held leadership roles in Indirect Strategic Sourcing and Direct Supply Chain, playing a key role in building supply chains for products like the first version of Face ID, as well as new cameras and displays across Apple’s entire product line. Dominic is known for his expertise in simplifying complex supply chain and negotiation challenges, leveraging innovation to drive operational excellence. Before his work in procurement, he served as a product design engineer at Apple, where, at the age of 20, he earned a patent for an innovative camera lens design. In addition, Dominic is an entrepreneur, having founded and sold his first AI company in oil and gas pipeline leak detection. He holds a Master of Engineering from UC Berkeley and a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Waterloo and was recognized as a Top 25 Under 25 national leader. Originally from Canada, he now resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and daughter, where he is currently pursuing his next venture.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Jan Pingel joined Ingersoll Rand in late 2018 as the digital solutions leader, focused on its industrial and compressed air systems business. He is responsible for connectivity to the entire portfolio by delivering digitally enabled solutions and services for customers and distributors. Product strategy, innovation, design, IoT, Edge to Cloud and Machine Learning/Digital Twin are a combination of passion and job responsibility.
For more than 15 years, Mr. Pingel has been in the technology segment of the industrial manufacturing space, working on making manufacturing software enabling optimization, integration, and insights into the production and manufacturing supply chain. He has specifically been involved in product design for data collection, data visualization and data analysis for process and event data for manufacturing, and over the last couple of year specialized in new technologies for data management, such as IoT, IIoT, Cloud, Machine Learning, Digital Twin and Big Data. Mr. Pingel has held positions in global portfolio leadership, global product strategy and global business management over different periods of his career.
Outside his role at Ingersoll Rand, Jan is also a co-Founder of Industry 4.0 Club, a peer-leadorganization of manufacturing leaders and professionals, dedicated to engaging the power of diverse worldwide talent to accelerate the global evolution to Industry 4.0. Jan is co-hosting two weekly sessions on Industry 4.0 technology and culture, people and process, and he is also involved in the marketing and operations of the club.
He graduated from the Technical University of Denmark, with a master’s degree in electrical engineering and computer science. Mr. Pingel is a Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), as well as Scaled Agile Framework Certified Agilist and Product Manager/Product Owner (SAFe® CA and SPMPO), and experienced in User Experience (UX) design, Design Thinking, and Innovation, with certifications in Design Sprint and Workshopper Master from AJ&Smart/Jake Knapp. He is and has been an active member of IEEE, ISA, ISPE, AEE, ASHRAE, MESA and other industrial organizations.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
I’m a change agent with a focus on continuous improvement and quality. With 30+ years of experience in various industries and processes, I feel equipped to quickly see into the value stream and identify opportunities for improvement.
SCMEP allows me to transfer my knowledge and experience to assist clients in not only building the systems but sustaining them through improvements.
Specialties:
Operational Management | Continuous Improvement | Lean Six Sigma DMAIC Methodology | Green Belt/Black Belt training | Kaizen Leadership | Lean Manufacturing/Toyota Production Systems | ISO 9001 and TS16949 Lead Auditor | Quality Management System Implementation | Project Management | GD&T | P&L Responsibility | Strategic Planning | APQP Core Tools | Automotive | Plastics | Metal Fabricating | SPC | A3 Problem solving | Toyota Kata | New Product Development | Auto Cad | Plant Layouts | Change Management | High Performance Work Systems |Advanced Manufacturing Technologies
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Dr. Cynthia Davis is the Senior Vice President of Sustain SC, where she drives strategic partnerships, commerce initiatives, and workforce development to align sustainability with economic growth across South Carolina. With decades of experience in business, workforce, and education, she is a recognized leader in collaborative innovation, fostering public-private partnerships that strengthen South Carolina’s competitive edge in sustainable development.
Cynthia holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Wofford College, a Master’s in Education and an Education Specialist degree from Converse College, as well as a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Clemson University.
Before joining Sustain SC in October 2023, she led the Existing Industry program at the South Carolina Department of Commerce, where she spearheaded business retention and expansion strategies, ensuring industries had the workforce and resources needed to thrive. This role followed her 10-year leadership in workforce development, where she played a pivotal role in creating innovative workforce solutions, and a 15-year career in education, where she served as a STEM educator and assistant principal at the middle and high school levels.
A passionate advocate for conservation, land stewardship, and sustainable economic growth, Cynthia brings her expertise to organizations that shape the future of green innovation. She is an active member of the U.S. Green Building Council and the South Carolina Economic Developers Association. In 2025, she will complete the Riley Institute Diversity Leadership Initiative in the Midlands, further deepening her commitment to inclusive and forward-thinking leadership.
An avid hunter and angler, Cynthia believes in the power of responsible land and water management to drive long-term economic and environmental success.
There can be no success without a vision. Evolution vs revolution.
- Rethinking how we work Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch.
- Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement. When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money.
- Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce.
- Upskilling for factory of the future.
Daryl is ALL4’s Technical Director, Climate Change & Sustainability. He has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Clemson University and a Master’s in Project Management from Western Carolina University as well as being a licensed Professional Engineer and Certified Energy Manager. He is a Sustainability Leadership Initiative Fellow.
His experience spans 35 years in sustainability and environmental engineering, in both process manufacturing and the consulting industry. He provides expertise in developing greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, corporate carbon management strategy, carbon footprinting for products, and life cycle assessment. Mr. Whitt also provides expertise in energy efficiency and energy management for decarbonization and cost savings. Daryl supports clients reporting to the various sustainability and international ESG reporting frameworks. This includes strategic consulting, facilitating materiality assessment workshops, performance benchmarking, initial and annual report development, and verification.
Daryl has experience in a broad range of industries including aerospace component and industrial equipment manufacturing, packaging, breweries and distilleries, railroads, electric utilities, automotive and heavy truck original equipment manufacturing and Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, cement, chemical commodity and fertilizer manufacturing, mid-stream oil and gas, pulp and paper, and forest products manufacturing.
Dr. Marcel Schäfer serves as Senior Research Scientist for the Fraunhofer USA Center Mid-Atlantic CMA in Maryland since January 2019. From 2009 to 2018 he was with Fraunhofer Institute for Secure Information Technologies SIT in Germany. He owns a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Wuppertal, Germany, and a PhD in computer science from the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany. As PI, Co-PI and researcher Dr. Schäfer has led and worked in various projects that discover new challenges and opportunities broadly spread over the fields of cybersecurity and software engineering in both the public and private sector.
Since March 2021 he is leading the Fraunhofer USA office in South Carolina as Senior Program Coordinator for Fraunhofer USA’s activities within the South Carolina Fraunhofer USA Alliance. Projects so far cover a broad spectrum ranging from smart manufacturing, IoT, Industry 4.0, digitization to predictive maintenance, predictive analytics and other data driven and machine learning featured technologies. Typically, those projects have a strong manufacturing focus.
