A former colleague once called Theresa Benson “corporate spackle” because she comes in and fills in the gaps quickly, diagnosing issues and moving people forward in the face of ambiguity. As a product storyteller and strategist with over 20 years of experience in high tech, Thersa is currently helping her clients understands what makes something valuable and then helps them tell their story in the way that their market needs to hear. Hear more about her journey in this episode of the podcast. Th...
Feb 28, 2023•22 min
A former colleague once called Theresa Benson “corporate spackle” because she comes in and fills in the gaps quickly, diagnosing issues and moving people forward in the face of ambiguity. As a product storyteller and strategist with over 20 years of experience in high tech, Thersa is currently helping her clients understands what makes something valuable and then helps them tell their story in the way that their market needs to hear. Hear more about her journey in this episode of the podcast. Th...
Feb 02, 2023•25 min•Ep. 80
As hosts of Automation Ladies -- the only podcast -- that we know of -- where women (mostly) talk about Industrial Automation, Alicia Gilpin (Ali G.) and Nikki Gonzales provide a unique perspective on the industrial automation industry. For their day jobs, Ali G. is owner of Process and Controls Engineering LLC. while Nikki is is building an online marketplace and workflow automation platform for industrial automation distributors and their customers to collaborate and bring some sanity to the p...
Jan 15, 2023•28 min
As hosts of Automation Ladies -- the only podcast -- that we know of -- where women (mostly) talk about Industrial Automation, Alicia Gilpin (Ali G.) and Nikki Gonzales provide a unique perspective on the industrial automation industry. For their day jobs, Ali G. is owner of Process and Controls Engineering LLC. while Nikki is is building an online marketplace and workflow automation platform for industrial automation distributors and their customers to collaborate and bring some sanity to the p...
Dec 15, 2022•31 min•Ep. 78
In this episode, we’re talking industrial automation as usual but instead of hearing from one or two guests, you’re going to get to hear from a lot of them – hot mike style-ish because I grabbed random 2022 Rockwell Automation Fair attendees as they stopped by the CSIA booth and hit record. So what you are about to listen to is a series of micro-interviews from people in all kinds of roles from around the world who were brave enough to step up and talk into the Yeti microphone I set up in a DIY ...
Nov 30, 2022•28 min
Daren Dieleman parlayed a background in accounting and finance into a 10-year career with a worldwide system integration firm, Interstates. He spent most of that time leading the automation delivery teams, but recently he transitioned to a senior leadership role driving company strategy and strategic partnerships. Hear more about Daren -- including his dream job -- in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Nov 13, 2022•28 min
Fresh out of college, Dan Barrera had three offers -- including his dream job. But he turned it down for one with an automation company. And he's never looked back. Today is is a product manager at Bosch Rexroth where he is product manager for one of the company's latest controls platform: ctrlX AUTOMATION. Hear about his journey and why he is so passionate about the industry in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Nov 01, 2022•46 min•Ep. 75
Technology enthusiast and entrepreneur Shawn Tierney took two decades of experience as an automation specialist and turned it into content development and training business with more than 75,000 followers across his blog, podcast and YouTube platforms. Hear how and why he built this whole new career in industrial automation in this episode.
Oct 01, 2022•26 min•Ep. 74
After moving their family out of state to start Huffman Engineering based on a PO, Wendy and Howard Huffman were handed a piece of paper that said the project they left everythy for was cancelled. But despite that setback -- and early Hot Stove Lession -- the Huffmans went on to spend the next three decades building a business they can feel proud of. Hear about their journey, core values and success stories in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Sep 15, 2022•29 min
Did you know NASA uses WIN-911 software to test the rockets for the new Artemis program? Hear about other examples -- such as how Dubai keeps aquatic species alive in the middle of the desert, New Zealand monitors seismic activity and UK company in its environmental remediation across Europe from Cody Bann, WIN-911 Software's director of engineering. Plus, find out the Win-911 origin story and more in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Aug 29, 2022•28 min•Ep. 72
System integrators are in a unique position to impact billions of peoples' lives, which makes it imperative that the industry take DE&I seriously exlains Cassy Garner in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation. She also believes its just plain good for business -- which is backed d up with data -- and solving other challenges like recruitment and retention. Cassy also provides other persepctives about life at Banks Integration -- the West Coast branch of E Tech Group doing work in life...
Aug 01, 2022•29 min
The concept of business value can be used like GPS to help businesses find the best route. In this encore presentation moderated by Bryan Powrozek of Clayton & McKervey, panelists Jane Tereba (Capital Valuation Group), Ben Smith (Clayton & McKervey) and Clint Bundy (The Bundy Group) as they discuss the key factors in determining a business's value -- and how to manipulate those levers strategically to position it for growth, and, ultimately, develop a succession plan. Even if your day-to...
Jul 15, 2022•56 min•Ep. 70
With more than 20 years experience in sales and marketing, Xavier Mesrobian has witnessed first-hand how industrial automation has evolved. Cybersecurity, remote monitoring, predictive analytics and artifical intelligence are just a few topics he covers in this epsiode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Jun 13, 2022•31 min•Ep. 69
The Future of Work, the importance of benchmarking and even a bad pun or two make an appearance during this special crossover episode with the host of The Sound of Automation, Bryan Powrozek of Clayton & McKervey. Plus, you'll also get a sneak peak into the agenda for the upcoming CSIA Executive Conference.
Jun 01, 2022•28 min•Ep. 68
To emphasize its unique business model as an employee-owned organization, PRemier System Integration re-branded to EOSYS in 2021. What does that mean exactly? Tony Valasek breaks it all down and more in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
May 15, 2022•31 min•Ep. 67
Meet Walker Mattox, who self-identifies as a recovering serial entrepreneur who finally found home as the founder of Gray Solutions, a Gray company in 2018, and hasn't looked back. Hear how, as founder, he led the exponential growth of Gray Solutions from two solutioneers to the 12th largest system integrator as recognized by Control Engineering in this episode.
Apr 15, 2022•33 min•Ep. 66
With an interest in the intersection between people, software and the physical world, Tor-Inge Eriksen started as a consultant, where he worked on projects in agriculture, health care, aquaculture, shipping and manufacturing. He soon realized that the knowledge of people in the field was underused, and decided to commit to building a software as a service product with his co-founders. In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, you;ll discover how Tor and his company, Clarify, combine huma...
Mar 15, 2022•40 min•Ep. 65
Sportswriter, radio host, emcee, trade publisher – and even a Jeopardy contestant, Bob Vavra’s seen it all. But at the heart of everything he is – and always will be – a storyteller. These days, he is senior content director for Machine Design and Power & Motion where he uses his 18 years covering manufacturing to find smart people and give them a forum. Hear how he has ridden the wave of digital transformation in publishing and what trends he sees in his unique position as a conduit for the...
Feb 15, 2022•42 min•Ep. 64
Kerry Grimes leads AVEVA’s worldwide sales go-to-market strategy for all AVEVA partners, which consists of more than 5,000 distributors, solution providers, global and regional system integrators, and technology providers selling, servicing, and supporting AVEVA’s entire product portfolio. Hear how he got there -- and where he's going -- in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.
Jan 14, 2022•31 min•Ep. 63
Leading a team of more than 500 people over two continents and four different brands, SAGE Group Managing Director and CEO Adrian Fahey built a resilient company that offers a comprehensive suite of industrial digitalization solutions. In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, you'll hear how Adrian and the company founder, Andrew Dunst, built this Australian powerhouse and where he thinks the company is headed next.
Dec 13, 2021•18 min•Ep. 62
A passionate controls system integrator with more than 25 years of industrial automation experience, Sam Cafferata has specific experience in recycling, food processing, bulk material handling, wood products, aerospace and plastics. In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, you'll hear why Sam's favorite part of his job is helping his team at Concept Systems and partnering with his customers to have fun and succeed. This episode is sponsored by Xometry.
Nov 11, 2021•15 min•Ep. 61
Hear how Steve March leveraged his 15 years managing marketing, sales and business development efforts for engineering design and system integration firms, to manage Schneider Electrics program and strategy in the U.S. for partnering with companies like those he used to work for in this episode. Steve also dives into the trends and challenges facing the industry right now -- and what opportunities are cropping up in industrial automation.
Oct 13, 2021•30 min•Ep. 60
Having worked in various capacities within the industrial automation market for nearly 25 years, Brandon Ellis, founder and president of elliTek, funnels his experience into developing elliTek’s data commander MES Gateway Appliance and Industrial Internet of Things Appliance, which are designed to simplify secure data movement between plant floor machines at enterprise level databases. Brandon also founded elliTek University’s Training Center where he builds workforce development programs becaus...
Aug 27, 2021•47 min
Find a need and fill it, goes the old saw, and that's exactly what John Weber did more than 25 years ago when he booted up Software Toolbox. Hear how he did it -- and a little bit of history -- in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation. Plus, you'll get his advice for selecting vendors and building a career in industrial automation.
Aug 16, 2021•34 min
You don't often think of unicorns when it comes to industrial automation, but Enterprise Automation just might be the one to change that. With two top-tier, invitation-only certification partnerships -- Aveva and Schneider Electric -- EA is the only integrator in the world that has earned this unique, combo endorsement. In this bonus episode, EA's Principal Joshua Riley and Business Manager Luke Stephenson recount their origin story as well as what they forecast for the next 24 months. This epis...
Aug 02, 2021•34 min•Ep. 57
After starting Thermo Systems in New Jersey in 1998, CEO and President David Musto and his co-founder Gregory Smith have grown the full-service control systems integration firm into a team of 180 plus engineers and controls professionals based in more than 16 locations globally. In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, he shares his growth story -- as well as his philosophies about customer service, team building and keeping the talent pipeline flowing.
Jul 21, 2021•24 min•Ep. 56
Digital transformation is not just happening on the plant floor. All areas of a business are getting a digital makeover. Bryan Powrozek of Clayton & McKervey reveals some of the ways the back office can achieve efficiencies -- and even increase revenues -- in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation. Plus, you'll hear how, after 12 years in the auto industry doing product development and systems engineering for a supplier and then in 2011, he changed careers, and is now a manager in the...
Jun 15, 2021•34 min•Ep. 55
Former SI and seasoned estimation pro Barry Anderson of Latsa Consulting offers his tips for winning the right business in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation. Plus, he reveals why he thinks the future of automation is so bright.
May 14, 2021•24 min•Ep. 54
With decades of experience under his belt, Chair and Founder of Engineered Energy Solutions Pat Miller is once again re-iterating his business to meet the challenges of the current work environment. In addition, Pat reveals how his lifelong passion for energy efficiency has not only fueled his business model but come full circle, as organizations of all types are re-thinking how they can meet the demands of a changing climate and deepening their interest in energy efficient solutions in this epi...
Apr 15, 2021•42 min•Ep. 53
First-time CEO Kirk Byles reveals how he overhauled a 25-year-old company -- Freewave Technologies -- to meet the demands of the future in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation. Plus, he candidly recounts the bumps along the way, lessons learned and why he is optimistic about the future of industrial automation.
Mar 14, 2021•44 min•Ep. 52
