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Joanna Cooper is Daimler Truck North America's General Manager, Mount Holly. Named to the Women in Manufacturing board, she continues to bridge competence and confidence to transform executive leadership and business culture to drive results.
Featured speaker in Reuters Automotive Retail 2023, giving a keynote and moderating a panel at FABx at Fabtech 2023, Forbes, Chief, Authority Magazine, Adam Mendler’s Leadership blog, SHRM, and other globally recognized leadership publications and podcasts, Cooper reduces the learning curve by sharing how leaders can systemize their results.
Leading an amazing team of nearly 2,000 staff to produce Freightliner M2 and SD Plus medium-duty trucks. Workforce development and digital transformation have never been more relevant than now as leaders seek to transition product and service portfolios to more sustainable solutions.
To learn more about Joanna Cooper's innovative management tips, follow her on Linkedin or get a free coaching call at joannacooper.com
Erin Chase is the Director of Operational Excellence, Digital Manufacturing Transformation, and Continuous Improvement at Johnson Controls Inc. Erin has worked across business teams including EHS, employee relations, operations, digital manufacturing, supplier quality, supply management, and new product integration. Her strength is crossing functional boundaries and bringing diverse teams together to drive change.
Throughout her career Erin has leveraged servant leadership principles to create a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within her teams. She believes that digital manufacturing is critical to long term competitiveness, and should be employed to make jobs easier, better or faster for every employee that interacts with the technology.
Prior to joining Johnson Controls, Erin spent two years with Corning, Inc, and 14 years with John Deere.
Amit is the Director of Data Science & Insights at Novelis leading a global team focusing on AI, Optimization & Simulation and various other Industry 4.0 technologies. At Novelis, Amit and his team has built over 40 use cases leveraging advanced analytics techniques such as Machine Learning, Constrained Optimization and Simulation in operations, Supply Chain, Finance and Commercial. Before joining Novelis, Amit led Data Science portfolio in various industries including Healthcare, Digital Advertising, Retail and Consulting (pre-merger valuations) in a career spanning 13+ years. Amit holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and an MBA from Cornell University.
As Vice President of Supply Chain at Proterra, Regina is responsible for 8 specific departments: Strategic sourcing, operative purchasing, logistics, materials, SIOP, Product Costing, Supplier Development, and Supply Chain Sustainability. Regina’s success is driven by working cross-functionally to lead business transformation throughout the broader organization. Regina serves as a strategic partner for the Supply Chain team, and strives to ensure that Proterra’s values, culture and engagement allows the company to continue to provide clean, quiet energy for all.
Regina is a key member of Proterra’s leadership and brings with her 20+ years of multi-national expertise in the areas of P&L Ownership and Improvement, Business Transformation, Turnarounds, Electrification, Strategic Partnership, Supply Chain and Logistics. Prior to joining Proterra as Vice President of Supply Chain, Regina served as Division Vice President of Terminal Tractors for Kalmar a part of Cargotec. Regina built an extensive career with Kalmar and served in many roles within the company including: Senior Strategic Buyer, Purchasing Manager Indirect Sourcing, Global Program Manager, and Head of Terminal Tractor Global Sourcing prior to leading the Terminal Tractor Business Division.
Regina has a Master of Business Administration from Florida State University, and a Bachelor of Science in International Business from Emporia State University. Regina also holds a C.P.M certification from the Institute for Supply Management. She resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
In her current role as US Head of Technology at BSH, Bosch’s Home Appliances division, Meg Lanza is a change agent responsible for shaping the strategy for the future of advanced manufacturing to ensure competitiveness. Ms. Lanza recently transitioned into the Home Appliances division after over 25 years in the automotive industry. She became interested in the automotive industry after completing an internship for a Tier One Automotive Supplier the summer after graduating from the State University of New York at Buffalo with an Industrial Engineering Degree. The following year, while at Virginia Tech pursuing a Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering (Human Factors and System Design), her Industrial Ergonomics research was sponsored in part by Ford and had direct applicability to automotive assembly work. After graduating, Lanza worked in a corporate ergonomics role at Honda of America Manufacturing in Marysville, OH before she accepted a position at Robert Bosch, LLC in Charleston, SC.
Lanza has held multiple roles with Bosch with responsibilities including development of technical training, SAP implementation, classical industrial engineering, implementation of lean manufacturing tools and principles, facility master planning, value stream leadership, product ramp ups, connected industry and digital transformation implementation, and a product transfer which received a global business excellence award from the Bosch Executive Board in recognition of extraordinary quality performance and cross-cultural collaboration and teamwork. Lanza has also earned her MBA from the University of South Carolina and completed a two year international assignment at a production facility in Nuremberg, Germany during her career with Bosch.
In April 2017, Lanza was a recipient of the Automotive News Rising Star Award, which recognizes dynamic young leaders in the automotive industry.
Lanza currently resides in Simpsonville, SC, with her husband and their three children.
Stefan Plotz is a technology and innovation enthusiast and passionate about people development.
He currently serves as Global Director Assembly of the Future at Magna International. Over the last eight years he was the General Director of Magna CIMS in Saltillo and President of the Innovation and Industry 4.0 Committee of the Automotive Industry Cluster of Coahuila (CIAC).
He acquired his academic training by graduating in 2008 as Master of Science mechanical engineering from the Technical University of Graz in Austria. Through the Erasmus program he had the opportunity to study part of his master's degree at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain.
From his initial positions as a mechanical designer, he added specific knowledge in advanced simulation of mechanical components, casting processes and heat treatment of high-performance aluminum engine heads.
Since arriving in Mexico in 2009, he has participated in multiple robotic automation projects for the automotive industry. Building on the base of product knowledge, we managed to specialize in advanced manufacturing technologies applied in world-class plants.
As part of the CIAC council, he has contributed significantly to different state initiatives such as the Technology Park 4.0.
His interest in technology that benefits humans today will talk about the role that the Digirati will play in the next 10 years in the construction of society 5.0.
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.
Karthikk has over 20 years experience guiding businesses and technology transformations in manufacturing, retail and insurance sectors. He is currently leading digitalization efforts in the Americas to drive business growth and excellence by implementing innovative solutions across the business value chain. Karthikk is passionte about the positive impact technology can have on people and businesses. He enjoys startups and students to empower the next generation.
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.
Larry Megan, Head of Digital at Baldwin Richardson Foods (BRF), is the proud husband of Amanda and father of four teenagers – Hannah, Tim, Emily, and Joshua. At BRF I serve as both Chief Information Officer and Chief Digital Officer and am responsible for driving a digital transformation at BRF that supports our business growth and is worthy of World Economic Forum Lighthouse status, as well as managing the IT ecosystem for the organization.
Prior to joining BRF, I spent the previous two years as a principal starting a DoD funded non-profit called Advanced Manufacturing International, chartered with enabling Industry 4.0 capability for Small and Medium Manufacturers. Before AMI, I had a lengthy career at Praxair/Linde, a Fortune 100 chemical manufacturer. Roles included Corporate Fellow, Director of Productivity for R&D, and Global Head of Digital Innovation.
I am currently serving as a charter member of the Smart Manufacturing Executive Council, a national Industry 4.0 policy and advocacy organization sponsored by SME and CESMII. I also serve on the Board of Governors for the Manufacturing Leadership Council. I’m also on the advisory boards for the University at Buffalo (UB) Industrial Engineering Department and the UB Graduate School of Education Teacher Residency Program.
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.
Maurie Lawrence currently serves as VP Sustainability, Associate General Counsel of Milliken & Company, headquartered in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Maurie works with cross-functional teams to enable sustainability in Milliken’s business strategy. Milliken is one of only sevencompanies to earn World’s Most Ethical Companies® designation every year since the honor’s inception, one of the companies recognized on the 2023 America’s Most Innovative Companies list and one of the first 50 companies in the world to obtain validated science-based net-zero targets. Discover more on Milliken’s sustainability efforts at www.milliken.com/en-us/sustainability
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.
Sarah Morgan is currently Director Digital Supply Chain Kellogg North America, driving strategy and execution of digital transformation across manufacturing. She has over 25 years of experience with roles in IT, engineering and operations leading teams to develop and deploy technology solutions supporting operations and coaching the work systems to support adoption. Prior to Kellogg, she worked in the healthcare industry digitally transforming patient records.
Sarah is passionate about championing women in tech and has served as a mentor for NextUp, judge for Society of Women Engineers scholarships, and is an active BERG community partner for Women of Kellanova+.
Sarah studied Business Management at Concordia University and holds certification in Design Thinking from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, and in Health Informatics from ASHIM.
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.
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.
Dr. Cynthia Davis took the helm of the Existing Industry program for the South Carolina Department of Commerce in 2017 after serving 10 years in workforce development and 15 years in education. Her responsibilities have since expanded to include accountability of the Rural Infrastructure and Economic Development Grants programs and the management of South Carolina’s Electric Vehicle Coordinator.
The Existing Industry program is specifically designed to elevate the production, quality and profitability of SC manufacturing companies. Cynthia supervises a team of 7 industry professionals that work collaboratively with local economic development resources and allied partners to cover all regions of SC.
Dr. Davis is a graduate of Wofford College (1989), and Converse College in 1991 with a Masters in Education and 1996 with an Education Specialist degree. Cynthia earned a Ph.D. in Education Leadership from Clemson University in 2003. Dr. Davis’s dissertation focuses on implementing transformational leadership to reverse the course of failing schools.
Cynthia is a graduate of the SC Economic Development Institute, holds a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt and serves on the SC Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Board of Directors and the SC Chamber Manufacturing Committee. She lives in Ridgeway, SC a small town in rural Fairfield county with her husband and is a mother to 2 children in college ages 22 and 19.
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.
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.
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.
Mrs. Annette Funderburk, MPA,currently serves as President of J.F. Ingram State Technical College. The College serves the citizens of Alabama by offering accessible, responsive, and quality postsecondary career and technical education to incarcerated adults and eligible parolees. Ingram State also assists graduates with job placement and community resources to better assist post-incarcerated individuals reenter society. Ingram is the only 100 percent institutionalized educational provider in the State of Alabama.
Ms. Funderburk was appointed as the college President in 2018 after serving a year as the interim. Prior to her current position, Ms. Funderburk worked with the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) for nine (9) years serving in various capacities to include the Director of External Affairs.
In addition to her experience at ACCS, Funderburk served ten (10) years in county administration for Tallapoosa and Talladega counties where her was responsible for the oversight of the county commission office administration including budgets, accounting, economic development, policy, criminal justice departments, and public information. She earned a Master of Public Administration from Troy University, has a certificate in governmental accounting and was a 2017 Community College Fellow, which was comprised of community college system leaders from Alabama and Mississippi. Ms. Funderburk also holds an Intensive Economic Development certificate from theGovernment and Economic Development Institute.
President Funderburk is an active member of her community. She is currently a member of Leadership Alabama Class of XXXII. President Funderburk serves as the treasurer of the Millbrook/Prattville Sunrise Rotary Club. She is a member of various professional associations to include the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce, Correctional Education Association, Economic Development Association of Alabama, and the West Elmore County Lion’s Club. In 2022 President Funderburk accepted the role to serve as the President of the ACCSPresidents’ Association in conjunction with the first Vice President position for the Alabama Community College Association.
President Funderburk is a strong advocate for correctional education. She was appointed by Governor Kay Ivey to serve on the Alabama Prison Repurposing Commission. She also serves on the Commission on Reentry with other state officials and cabinet members.
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.
Bryan is an Adjunct Professor of Engineering Economics at UNA, COO of a MES Software company, Advisor to multiple Deep Tech Startups, and Manufacturing Coach. With nearly two decades of experience leading advanced manufacturing teams and developing breakthrough products and technologies, his passion is supporting high growth businesses at each phase of their journey.
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.
Kelvin Byrd is the Academic Dean for the School of Advanced Manufacturing & Transportation Technology programs at Greenville Technical College in Greenville, S. C., where he is making significant contributions to educating individuals and preparing them for the global industry.
After graduating high school, he joined the military and attended Greenville Technical College. He pursued a career in welding and machine tools, earning an Associate’s Degree in Industrial Technology. He worked in the industry for several years as a welder, fabricator, and machine tool operator. Kelvin graduated from Clemson University and earned a Bachelor’s in Technology and Human Resource Development. After graduating from Clemson University, he worked as an Industrial Arts teacher in the Greenville County School District for several years. Later, Kelvin attended Jones University and obtained a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration.
With over 20 + years in education, his teaching philosophy is to provide education in cooperation with the local community, which prepares students for life learning and productive participation in society and the community.
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.
Robert Stucky is a Lead Product Engineer at GE Aerospace in Asheville, North Carolina, overseeing the manufacturing of Inner and Outer Combustor Liners for the GE9X engine. He is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and is actively working on his Black Belt certification; he has a passion for increasing efficiency and reducing waste. Before working for GE Aerospace, Robert gained manufacturing engineering experience in the turbomachinery, recreational vehicle, and semiconductor industries.
Robert holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Baylor University with minors in Business Administration and Mathematics. He is currently an MBA candidate at Western Carolina University. He resides with his wife in the Asheville, North Carolina area, and in his free time he enjoys traveling and playing sports such as disc golf, soccer, and volleyball.
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.
Nicholaus Hughes is the Digital Experience Designer, Innovation Mentor, and leader of the Digital Transformation Panel at Amsted Rail. Nick has partnered across business units and functions including operations, quality, technology, and supply chain, to infuse innovative and transformative solutions into our organization. Nick’s ability to supercharge challenging projects and connect key resources across the enterprise make him a key asset to digital transformation.
Prior to his service at Amsted Rail, Nick spent six years with BestTransport in the transportation software industry.
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.
Liv Gamble currently serves as a Sustainability Data Analyst at Milliken & Company, headquartered in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Liv holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Finance as well as a Master's in Data Science and Analytics, both from Clemson University. In this role, Liv works cross-functionally to lead data systems and enhance analytics to advance Milliken’s sustainability initiatives. Discover more on Milliken’s sustainability efforts at www.milliken.com/en-us/sustainability.
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.
David Clayton serves Clemson University as Assistant Vice President for Corporate Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives and Executive Director of the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR). Based in Greenville, David works closely corporate partners to establish and execute cooperative research projects and broader strategic programs for the mutual benefit of industry and the university. Prior to joining Clemson, David was the inaugural Executive Director of the Center for Manufacturing Innovation, a collaboration between Greenville Technical College and Clemson University that offers research and workforce development solutions for regional manufacturers. David previously served as the Director of the Research Division at the South Carolina Department of Commerce, a senior director at Resurgent Capital Services, a marketing strategy analyst at PTV Loxane in Paris, France, and a senior design engineer at General Electric Gas Turbines and Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel. David earned a BS in mechanical engineering from Clemson University and an International MBA from the University of South Carolina.
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.
Raymond James is the Assistant Dean for the School of Advanced Manufacturing & Transportation Technology at Greenville Technical College. He was previously the Department Head of the Advanced Manufacturing programs which included Mechatronics and Machine Tool/CNC technology.
Raymond attended Tri-County Technical College, where he received his Associate’s Degree in General Engineering Technology. Raymond then broadened his education and earned a bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at Kaplan University, and a Master of Science in Higher Education from Purdue University Global. He is also a proud veteran of the United States Army and served under Operation Noble Eagle after the events of September 11th.
Raymond has over fifteen years of experience in technical & engineering. And eight years experience in Higher Education. He stated “It is widely documented that the number one issue facing manufacturers today is the lack of ability to find, recruit, and train a qualified workforce. Now, more than ever, Greenville Technical College is working with employers throughout the community and region to Help fill the pipeline with skilled workers”.
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.
Josh Riggs is the Senior Manage of Global Sustainability at South Carolina based Milliken & Company, where he drives sustainability and net-zero strategies. Josh has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Tech University.
Josh's career began as an engineer in Milliken textile manufacturing and has held several roles supporting energy, environmental sustainability, and ESG reporting programs.
In his free time, Josh focuses on his young family and volunteering in his community and faith organizations. While his roots are in Kingston, Tennessee, he resides in Spartanburg as a proud South Carolinian.
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.
Mike Yost is driven to get help to every manufacturer looking for results under the banner of I4.0, IIoT, Digital Transformation, or Smart Manufacturing. A seasoned industry veteran, Mike brings over 35 years of industrial, nonprofit, and leadership experience to his role as industrial guide and connector. He’s spent most of his career engaging and educating manufacturers on the role and value of modern information and internet technologies in transforming their operations.
Mike is a proven thought leader and domain expert on a national and global level, as evidenced by his leadership roles at MESA International, CESMII - the Smart Manufacturing Institute, Manufacturing Works, and the Industry 4.0 Club. He was also a contributing expert for the World Manufacturing Forum Report in 2017 & 2019, is the creator of “project IGBYS” and the “6 Degrees of Smart Manufacturing” YouTube series, and is the host of two current LinkedIn Live series: Industry 4.0 Club’s “Fireside Chat” and CESMII’s “Smart Manufacturing Mindset” series.
Mike has specialized in the Smart Manufacturing, Manufacturing Execution (MES), Manufacturing Intelligence (EMI) and Operations Management software arenas since 1999. He has strong startup experience and has held various leadership roles in automation and industrial software businesses, including GE’s Proficy Software business, Activplant Corporation and Rockwell Automation, and as founder/advisor to Bennit.ai. He holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University and lives in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. with his wife and five children.
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.
Tim Israel is the Director of Business and Industry Services at Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute where he is responsible for a $12M+ Budget and more than 70 professionals which includes the following 3 Units - the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP), Safety, Health, and Environmental Services (SHES) and the Southeastern Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (SETAAC). He also serves as the Center Director for the GaMEP. Previously, he served in various roles within the GaMEP including Associate Director and Group Manager of the Process Improvement team (Lean and Quality services). Tim serves on the CLT (Center Leadership Team) for MEP and convener of the SE MEP Centers. Additionally, he is on the ASMC FORME Board and active participant of the GAM – Georgia Association of Manufacturers.
Israel has more than 30 years of experience in technical and engineering assistance to industry. Tim has BIE (Industrial Engineering) and MSIE degrees from Georgia Tech. He is a past RABQSA certified Quality Systems Lead Auditor, past RABQSA certified Environmental Systems Lead Auditor, former Georgia Oglethorpe Award Examiner (state Malcolm Baldrige Award), and has been trained as a Shingo Examiner. He resides in Dacula, GA with his wife and son.
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.
Joseph Etris is the Vice President of Industrial Internet of Things for Gemba Systems Inc, which offers guidance, tools, and hands-on support in the selection and implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies.
Previously, Joseph served as an engineering manager for the Powertrain Division of Continental. Joseph led a team to digitize the plant, capturing energy consumption and production data at the machine level. The initiative led to significant energy savings, emission reductions, and the facility became the second plant in North America to be awarded with the Continental “Green Plant Label.”
Joseph has an MBA and is certified in Business Analytics from the Darla Moore School of Business. He is married with three boys.
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.
If you are interested in sharing your experience with other manufacturers please contact us.
Erin Chase is the Director of Operational Excellence, Digital Manufacturing Transformation, and Continuous Improvement at Johnson Controls Inc. Erin has worked across business teams including EHS, employee relations, operations, digital manufacturing, supplier quality, supply management, and new product integration. Her strength is crossing functional boundaries and bringing diverse teams together to drive change.
Throughout her career Erin has leveraged servant leadership principles to create a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within her teams. She believes that digital manufacturing is critical to long term competitiveness, and should be employed to make jobs easier, better or faster for every employee that interacts with the technology.
Prior to joining Johnson Controls, Erin spent two years with Corning, Inc, and 14 years with John Deere.
Tim Vibbert currently serves as an Executive Director of Manufacturing Operations at GE Appliances in Louisville, KY. He leads the AP3 Dishwasher Manufacturing plant focused on improving safety, quality, manufacturing efficiency, product cost, and commercial availability. Prior to this role, he served as the Executive Director & Plant Manager of AP1, Laundry Operations, AP5, Refrigeration Operations, and the Executive Director of the Plastics Injection Molding COE. Before his time as a manufacturing operation leader, Tim held positions of increasing responsibility in Sourcing and Procurement including Plastics & Packaging Commodity Business Team leader, Controls and Electromechanical Devices Team leader, Metals Team leader and Global Commodity manager. In all his Sourcing roles, Tim delivered global purchasing strategies for his commodities and negotiated on behalf of the company to ensure product lines achieved the best cost, quality, and service for supplied material components.
Tim is also a US Army Veteran. He served in the Army for 26 years as an Army Aviator, flying the AH-64 Apache Longbow. Throughout his 14 years on active duty and 12 years as a reservist, he successfully executed missions in multiple stateside postings and overseas deployments. He’s a proud veteran of the 101st AASLT Division, 6th and 16th Cavalry, 11th Aviation Regiment and the Army Reserve Aviation Command (ARAC). He continues to voluntarily serve all US veterans as a Board member for USA Cares and as the GE Appliances Executive Sponsor of the GEA Veterans Alliance employee resource group. He currently resides in Louisville, KY with his wife Margaret and their two children, Jack and Sarah.
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Virginie Collin-Banerji is the Head of IM NA (Information Management North America) Regional & Digital Initiatives at Airbus Americas, Inc. In this capacity, she leads the Airbus Americas' Digital Transformation Program, whose purpose is to solve business issues and create value with Digital Solutions.
Virginie has more than 20 years of experience in leading the deployment and end-to-end management of Digital Solutions; with a deep expertise in Domain, Program, Product, Project, and Team Management; and a strong focus on strategic transformation and transversal initiates at the Global Enterprise level.
Prior to joining Airbus in 2018, Virginie had a 15+ years career at IBM Global Business Services, centered on management of large projects and IBM's Delivery Excellence program.
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.
Karthikk has over 20 years experience guiding businesses and technology transformations in manufacturing, retail and insurance sectors. He is currently leading digitalization efforts in the Americas to drive business growth and excellence by implementing innovative solutions across the business value chain. Karthikk is passionte about the positive impact technology can have on people and businesses. He enjoys startups and students to empower the next generation.
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.
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.
Dr. Cynthia Davis took the helm of the Existing Industry program for the South Carolina Department of Commerce in 2017 after serving 10 years in workforce development and 15 years in education. Her responsibilities have since expanded to include accountability of the Rural Infrastructure and Economic Development Grants programs and the management of South Carolina’s Electric Vehicle Coordinator.
The Existing Industry program is specifically designed to elevate the production, quality and profitability of SC manufacturing companies. Cynthia supervises a team of 7 industry professionals that work collaboratively with local economic development resources and allied partners to cover all regions of SC.
Dr. Davis is a graduate of Wofford College (1989), and Converse College in 1991 with a Masters in Education and 1996 with an Education Specialist degree. Cynthia earned a Ph.D. in Education Leadership from Clemson University in 2003. Dr. Davis’s dissertation focuses on implementing transformational leadership to reverse the course of failing schools.
Cynthia is a graduate of the SC Economic Development Institute, holds a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt and serves on the SC Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Board of Directors and the SC Chamber Manufacturing Committee. She lives in Ridgeway, SC a small town in rural Fairfield county with her husband and is a mother to 2 children in college ages 22 and 19.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Nicholaus Hughes is the Digital Experience Designer, Innovation Mentor, and leader of the Digital Transformation Panel at Amsted Rail. Nick has partnered across business units and functions including operations, quality, technology, and supply chain, to infuse innovative and transformative solutions into our organization. Nick’s ability to supercharge challenging projects and connect key resources across the enterprise make him a key asset to digital transformation.
Prior to his service at Amsted Rail, Nick spent six years with BestTransport in the transportation software industry.
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.
Catherine Briley is the Director of M4.0 Integration for Cooley Group, a global manufacturer of high-performance polymeric solutions. Catherine has spent 25 years in the manufacturing sector and is currently dedicated to developing digitalization strategies across Cooley Group’s operations so that critical datasets can be leveraged with the purpose of exceeding business objectives. Catherine’s path began with a Textile Engineering degree from NCSU, then job progressions from Quality Engineering to Quality Management & ISO 9001 compliance, all the while championing cross functional teams focusing on product and process Continuous Improvements. More recently, after receiving ASQ’s CMQ/OE and Cornell’s Python & Machine Learning in R certifications, Catherine’s passion is empowering all levels of Cooley Group’s associates with digital information and tools in order to help establish an enjoyable, sustainable and profitable organization.
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!
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.
