Automate 2026 SPEAKERS

AMIR AFRASIABI

Associate Technical Fellow in Artificial Intelligence & Computer Vision
Boeing
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Amir Afrasiabi is an Associate Technical Fellow and Boeing Designated Expert at Boeing’s Artificial Intelligence Organization, specializing in Computer Vision and AI. With over 12 years at Boeing, Amir leads multidisciplinary teams developing intelligent solutions for manufacturing, production systems, supply chain, and aerospace applications. He leads enterprise AI Visual Inspection technologies and initiatives for manufacturing and production quality organizations. Amir is the inventor of core AI breakthroughs in manufacturing and production domains, with his inventions cited by global technology giants. He holds more than 70 patent publications and 6 trade secrets in AI and Computer Vision and has authored over 26 conference papers and presentations. Amir earned his M.S. in Industrial & Systems Engineering from the University of Washington and a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Oregon State University.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Self-Validating Augmented Reality Using Artificial Intelligence | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

SINA AFROOZE

CEO
Apera AI
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Sina Afrooze is a highly technical entrepreneur and the CEO of Apera AI, where he leads an elite team of visionaries helping manufacturers make their factories more flexible and productive. Robots enhanced with Apera’s software have 4D vision—the ability to see and handle objects with human-like capability—enabling fast, precise, and reliable automation in challenging applications such as bin-picking, racking, placing, and assembly.

Under Sina’s leadership, Apera has been recognized as one of Canada’s top 10 fastest-growing companies on Deloitte’s Fast 50 list and was named Growth Company of the Year at the BC Technology Impact Awards.

Sina also serves on the A3 Vision Board, where he helps guide the future of the vision and robotics industry. He brings over 20 years of experience spanning startups and large enterprises in machine learning, deep learning, software, and systems architecture, and holds ten utility patents in artificial intelligence, digital imaging, image processing, and media streaming.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Winning the Global Manufacturing Race: How Vision Can Unlock Performance Across Your Plant Today | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

ALI AGHA

Founder and CEO
FieldAI
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With nearly two decades of expertise in pioneering AI and autonomy algorithms across diverse robotic platforms, Dr. Ali Agha is leading FieldAI's strategic vision and product development. Prior to FieldAI, during his distinguished 7-year tenure at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Dr. Agha was Principal Investigator for some of the nation's most high-profile and cutting-edge projects in autonomy, including the DARPA Subterranean Challenge, DARPA RACER (Self-driving off-road cars), NASA’s Autonomous Mars Cave Exploration, and Coordinated Autonomy for Prototype Mars Helicopter-Rover. Dr. Agha led the CoSTAR team (JPL-MIT-Caltech-KAIST-LTU), which won the Urban phase of the 2020 DARPA Challenge focused on exploring unknown complex urban environments. Prior to JPL, Dr. Agha was a researcher at MIT and Qualcomm.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
The Automated Podcast: Live on Stage with Ali Agha of FieldAI | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 10:30 AM (CDT)

Humanoid Robot Forum
From Factory Floors to the Field: How Risk-Aware AI Enables Autonomy Anywhere | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 1:35 PM (CDT)

NUSHRAT AHMED

CEO
Sisterhood of Trades
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Nush is a machine operator-turned-community-builder whose career spans CNC machining, Swiss lathe setup, automotive tech, and aerospace quality inspection. Today she channels that hands-on background into her work at ProShop ERP, where she focuses on customer engagement and marketing, and into the community she helped build from the ground up.

She's one of the co-founders of Sisterhood of Trades, a global community of 1,200+ tradeswomen that started as a group chat and grew into a thriving Discord-based network connecting women across the skilled trades. She also hosts the Next Gen MFG podcast, which is just one of three, where she explores what it takes to build the next generation of manufacturing and STEM talent.

Nush speaks at the intersection of trades identity, community building, and what it actually looks like to grow a grassroots movement into something real.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Built in the Group Chat: How Community is Reshaping Manufacturing Culture | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 10:30 AM (CDT)

MOHAMMAD AKHLAGHI

Senior Product Manager
Teledyne
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Mohammad Akhlaghi is a Senior Product Manager at Teledyne, where he leads initiatives at the intersection of AI, automation, and machine vision. With a career spanning both big tech and startups, Mohammad brings a unique blend of hands-on technical expertise and entrepreneurial vision. At Intel’s New Devices Group, he contributed to pioneering AR glasses and led projects for global brands including Nike and Disney.

A founder with three successful exits, Mohammad was named one of BC Business’s Top 30 Under 30. He has raised millions in venture funding, scaled a company from $200 to multi-million dollar revenue, and pitched live on CBC’s Dragons’ Den. He holds degrees in engineering and business from Simon Fraser University and has personally developed AI applications that bridge the gap between complex technology and intuitive user experiences.

Outside of work, Mohammad is a new dad, a lifelong footballer (and proud Liverpool supporter), and a dedicated meditator who once spent a week in the Amazon rainforest in silent retreat. He also runs a Farsi-language communication channel with thousands of followers, sharing practical tools for personal and professional growth.

Mohammad’s mission is to make advanced technologies accessible and actionable—empowering teams to innovate faster and smarter.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Vibe Coding a Factory Line: From Zero to Automation in 30 Minutes | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

AADEEL AKHTAR

CEO
PSYONIC
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Dr. Aadeel Akhtar, CEO of PSYONIC, founded the company to create advanced, accessible bionic limbs after meeting a young girl missing a limb in Pakistan. PSYONIC's bionic Ability Hand is the fastest on the market, impact-resistant, and the first to provide a sense of touch. It is also covered by Medicare and is being used by humans and robotics companies globally, including NASA, Meta, Mercedes, and Google. Dr. Akhtar earned a Ph.D. in Neuroscience and an M.S. in Electrical & Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois, along with a B.S. in Biology and an M.S. in Computer Science from Loyola University Chicago. He’s been recognized by MIT Technology Review and Newsweek and secured a 3-shark deal on Shark Tank.

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
Real to Real Transfer: Closing the Loop Between Human Hands and Humanoid Robots | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 11:45 AM (CDT)

Humanoid Robot Forum
PANEL: Hands, Manipulation, and the State of Physical AI | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 4:00 PM (CDT)

CARLOS ALFARO FLORES

Mechatronics Application Engineer
Festo Corporation

Carlos Alfaro Flores is an accomplished automation and controls engineering professional with expertise in robotics, motion control, machine vision, PLC/HMI programming, and electro-mechanical systems integration. Originally from Juarez, Mexico, Carlos began his career as a tool maker and controls builder at Dimeyco before earning his degree in Mechatronic Engineering from UACJ. He went on to hold engineering and leadership roles at Dimeyco and Delphi, while also serving as a contractor supporting leading industrial companies including Continental, Bosch, Festo, and CMV Automation. Carlos later continued his career in the United States with Calvary Robotics, Rockwell Automation and currently serves as Mechatronics Application Engineer at Festo in Chicago, IL.

Throughout his career, Carlos has developed expertise across a wide range of industrial automation technologies, including robot programming for KUKA, ABB, Staubli, Epson, and Comau systems, as well as Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Bosch Rexroth, and Codesys PLC platforms.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Diversity and Emerging Leaders in Automation | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)

MARCEL ALMONTE

Mechatronics Applications Engineer
Harmonic Drive LLC

Marcel Almonte is a Mechatronics Applications Engineer and holds a bachelor’s degree in Electro-Mechanical engineering from Wentworth Institute of Technology. Marcel has experience in several motion control applications areas. At Harmonic Drive, his focus is on the Integrated Actuator product offering, including customer support, application engineering and software development.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Integrated Drive Actuator Design: Combining Gearheads, Motor, Drive, and Sensors for Smarter Motion | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 2:30 PM (CDT)

CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON

Senior Manager, Professional Development
SkillsUSA
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Christopher Anderson serves as the Senior Manager of Professional Development in the Office of Member and Chapter Development at SkillsUSA. In this role, Chris leads the development and delivery of professional learning experiences for educators across the country, with a focus on supporting advisors, improving instruction, and aligning with SkillsUSA’s mission.

Chris brings more than 15 years of experience with SkillsUSA, beginning as a student competitor and state officer. Since then, he has served as an engaged alumnus, officer trainer, chapter advisor, and state association leader. Before joining the national team, he was a tenured Career and Technical Education teacher and later took on several leadership roles at SkillsUSA Illinois, including Director of Education, Associate Executive Director, and Chief Operating Officer. In those roles, he oversaw statewide educator training, led major events like the state championships, and supported thousands of students and teachers.

He has also been deeply involved in workforce development, playing a central role in expanding work-based learning and Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship programs across Illinois and beyond. Based in Chicago, Chris brings a strategic mindset, deep commitment to educator support, and a passion for helping students access high-quality, career-connected learning.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Designing Talent Pipelines With High-Impact Through SkillsUSA Work-Based Learning | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 3:45 PM (CDT)

JAMES ANDERSON

Business Development
JRA Insights
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Jim’s Journey in Vision & AI My passion for computer vision began early. As a senior design student at Iowa State University, I led a team in the NASA Space Systems Observational Laboratory to build an image recognition system for identifying vegetation from aerial platforms. That experience laid the foundation for a career dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what machines can "see" and do.

Modernizing Automation with AI While Jim’s roots are in traditional automation, his focus is firmly on the future. He has been an A3 Certified Vision Professional actively leveraging modern AI tools to accelerate development and solve complex problems. His over 25 years of experience in 2D and 3D machine vision and knowledge gained from implementing hundreds of successful system installs in multiple industries give him a unique perspective on what it takes to create systems that are both profitable and create long term relationships with customers

Session(s):

Automate Conference
3D Vision System Development | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

KENCE ANDERSON

CEO & Founder
Amesa
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As the CEO and Founder of Amesa, Kence is a pioneering autonomous AI leveraging his deep expertise in the industrial sector. With a background in mechanical engineering and a passion for teaching, Kence has authored the book "Designing Autonomous AI" along with having developed courses for the University of Washington and the Association for Advancing Automation.

Previously the Director of Autonomous AI Adoption at Microsoft and the lead customer engineer for Bonsai (acquired by Microsoft), Anderson has spearheaded the creation of over 200 autonomous AI systems for commercial applications. Collaborating with industry giants such as PepsiCo, Bell Flight, BP, Shell, Bayer, Delta Airlines and others, Anderson’s impact is evident in projects across manufacturing.

Anderson’s unparalleled talent lies in integrating human expertise with AI principles, exemplified by the innovative Amesa platform. Motivated by the desire to empower the 100M industry machine engineers, Anderson and the Amesa team developed a groundbreaking no-code production-ready AI Agent Builder tool kit. This enables operators and engineers to build “Intelligent Agents” that the engineer can teach to solve nuanced and real-world problems that supersede the current capabilities of manufacturing floor automation.

Through Anderson’s Machine Teaching Methodology, detailed in his book, a new paradigm emerges, highlighting the abilities of AI to upskill workers and preserve legacy knowledge and expertise. #TheKingofMachineTeaching

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Introduction to Industrial AI Agents | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)
Designing Multi-Agent Systems for Industrial AI | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

SARAH ANDRZEJEWSKI

Product Manager
Yaskawa America, Inc.
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Sarah is the product manager for software solutions at Yaskawa Motoman. Earning her MBA in 2020, she brings her years of experience in project management, scrum, and lean six sigma to deliver innovative and user-friendly software solutions to industrial robotics.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Empowering Students with Motoman NEXT and Physical AI | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 10:30 AM (CDT)

Automate Conference
Unlocking Unstructured Environments Through AI Robotics | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 2:30 PM (CDT)

JEFF ANGUS

Vice President
Indicon, LLC

Jeff has been in the Controls Industry for almost 30 years. He has worked for Indicon for the last 20. As Vice President of Business Strategy and Development, he has helped Indicon become one of the largest Controls Integrators in the US. With 5 Offices in the States, and now one in Singapore, Indicon has over 450,000 sq ft of UL Certified Panel Build space to serve its customers worlwide

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
Tech-Powered, People-Driven: The New Industrial Advantage | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)

JUAN APARICIO

CEO
Reshape Automation
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Juan Aparicio is a robotics and automation enthusiast on a mission to scale and democratize access to robotics technology in manufacturing and beyond. During his career he has brought together the worlds of industrial automation, robotics, and AI with his work featured in the New York Times, MIT Tech Review, Wired, Forbes, The Robot Report, and other media outlets.

Aparicio is the founder and CEO of Reshape Automation, directly targeting the labor shortage in manufacturing with an innovative approach to diagnose, discover, design, deploy and support industrial automation and robotics cells. Before that, he was the VP of product at Rapid Robotics, a Robotics as a Service startup where Rapid Machine Operators (RMOs) could be hired by subscription. Prior to Rapid, he was the VP of Product at Ready Robotics, where he launched Forge/OS 5, an award-winning industrial platform for robots and automation. Before that, Aparicio was the Head of Advanced Manufacturing Automation for Siemens, where he led a top team of researchers and engineers in Berkeley, California, working elbow-to-elbow with renowned academic partners.

He is a Technical Advisor for the Advanced Robotic in Manufacturing (ARM), a member of A3’s AI Tech Strategy Board, and a Skydeck advisor.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
From Chatbots to Agents: How AI is Redefining Sales and Service in Industrial Automation | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

SCOTT ARMUL

Chief Product and Technology Officer
Vertiv

Scott Armul serves as Chief Product and Technology Officer at Vertiv, guiding the company’s product and technology strategy across power, thermal, IT, converged infrastructure, and global services. Over a career that includes leading global portfolios, business units, and strategic customer relationships, Scott brings a system-level view of how digital infrastructure must be designed, built, and operated for AI-driven growth. He began his Vertiv career in 2009 and holds an MBA from The Ohio State University and a mechanical engineering degree from Washington University in St. Louis.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Enabling the Data Center Boom: Intelligent Automation | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)

IGNACIO ARRANZ

CEO
GALIA Advisory

Ignacio is the CEO of GALIA Advisory, a boutique management consulting firm specializing in transformational supply chain strategies for mid- to large-scale enterprises. He brings over two decades of global leadership experience, including serving as Senior Vice President of North America Supply Chain & Global Logistics at Procter & Gamble (P&G).

Ignacio has led major enterprise-wide transformations across manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, planning, and customer service. At P&G, he directed a $1 billion supply network modernization program that accelerated fulfillment speed, improved efficiency through automation and digitization, and advanced sustainability initiatives. He also oversaw a $5 billion global logistics portfolio, shaping long-term strategy for cost optimization, supplier partnerships, and technology innovation.

He has served on advisory boards for organizations driving supply chain innovation and sustainability, including WattEV—the largest electric trucking carrier in the U.S.—and the Global Supply Chain Institute at the University of Tennessee. His work centers on leveraging technology, data, and talent development to build resilient, high-performing supply chain organizations.

Ignacio holds degrees in Industrial Engineering and Advanced Systems Engineering from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Spain) and CentraleSupélec (France).

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
From Manual to Automate: Real-World Lessons from the Front Lines | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:00 PM (CDT)

JAN BAJORAT

Senior Director, Software-Defined Automation
Siemens

Jan Bajorat is Senior Director of Software-Defined Automation (SDA) at Siemens. After positions within SIMATIC PLC product management, he headed the internal start-up that created SIMATIC AX and was head of STEP 7 TIA Portal. He now leads Siemens’ Software-Defined Automation initiative, focused on transforming the automation industry by bringing modern software development methods to the industrial automation space and decoupling automation capabilities from hardware.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Software-Defined Automation and the Future Factory | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

JOSEPH BALDIGA

National CNC Education Account Manager
FANUC America
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Joseph “Joe” Baldiga is a leader in advanced manufacturing education and workforce development, serving as National CNC Education Account Manager at FANUC America. Based in Rochester Hills, Michigan, he leads national strategies to expand technical training in CNC, robotics, and automation across educational institutions.

With more than 25 years at FANUC, Joe has held roles in customer service, sales, training, marketing, and business development. Joe credits his time in the training department and the launch of FANUC’s CERT Program for igniting his passion for education. As technology advanced at a rapid pace, there emerged a growing divide between the demand for skilled workers and the available talent pool. Determined to address this challenge head-on, the FANUC Certified Education Training (CERT) program was launched to develop the next generation of manufacturing talent. Joe is a great advocate for vocational education and apprenticeship programs, recognizing the importance of hands-on training to prepare individuals for careers in advanced manufacturing.

He currently drives growth of CNC education initiatives, developing go-to-market strategies for training equipment, simulation software, and curriculum. He works closely with a national network of partners, schools, instructors, and workforce organizations to implement industry-aligned programs, contributing to increased adoption of CNC systems, robotics automation, integrated training solutions, and student credentialing.

A recognized advocate for closing the manufacturing skills gap, Joe frequently speaks on automation, artificial intelligence, and workforce development. He is passionate about helping educators align programs with Industry 4.0 needs to prepare students with job-ready skills.

He serves as a National Coalition for Advanced Technical Centers board member, contributes to NSF-funded National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, and supports inclusive workforce programs through The Uniquely Abled Project and others. Outside of work, Joe is a husband and father who is active in Young Life youth mentorship, coaching soccer, and enjoys hiking and camping

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing for Educators | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)
Better Together: Integrating Robotics and CNC in the Modern Classroom | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 12:00 PM (CDT)

SUPRATEEK BANERJEE

Head of IIoT Standards, Robotics and Automation
VDMA e.V.
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Dr. Suprateek Banerjee is the Head of OPC UA and I 4.0 at VDMA’s Robotics and Automation (R+A) Sector Group. He is responsible for the development of OPC UA Companion Specifications for the Robotics and Automation industry sector which include OPC UA for Robotics, Machine Vision and Industrial Joining Technologies among others. He represents VDMA R+A in various Industry 4.0 harmonization activities, both within the VDMA and at the OPC Foundation level, developing standards and best practices for seamless interoperability between machines from different sectors of the automation industry. Prior to joining the VDMA, Dr. Banerjee completed his Masters in Embedded Systems from the University of Stuttgart in Germany and thereafter has been a Marie Curie Fellow and has completed his PhD in the field of Industry 4.0 at the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
From Interoperability to Intelligence: OPC UA for Robotics and the Road to Democratized Robot Skills | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)
Updates on Machine Vision Standards | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

JEANINE BANKS

Founder & CEO
Lovell AI
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Jeanine is co-founder and CEO of Lovell AI, a deep tech startup that is building the training academy for cognitive robots. She started in robotics as co-captain of her high school team and spent the past 2 decades building the entire stack that makes adaptive robotic intelligence possible today. During that time, Jeanine introduced many technologies at Google, Amazon Web Services, Axway and GE. Most recently she founded and led Google Developer X, expanding the company's developer ecosystem by 50% to many millions of students, startups, and enterprises. In this role, she supported open source projects like Go, Flutter, and Genkit and incubated new platforms, including developer tools for Gemini and Gemma. Jeanine is also a startup advisor, an AI ethics lecturer at Adelphi University, and an investment partner with Ntrypoint Ventures. She earned a bachelor's degree in computer science at Dowling College and a master's degree in general management at Adelphi University.

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
Cognitive Robots and the New Industrial Apprenticeship | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 2:00 PM (CDT)

JIMMY BARAGLIA

Senior Staff Robotics
Intrinsic

Jimmy Baraglia, Ph.D. is a Robotics Automation Lead at Intrinsic, dedicated to developing software and AI for industrial robots. His work at Intrinsic involves technical leadership for manufacturing automation projects, and collaborating with partners to build and deploy AI-enabled robotic solutions.

Previously, Dr. Baraglia served as Director of Robotics at Vicarious, where he led the development and deployment of AI-driven Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) solutions for the logistics and intra-logistics sectors.

His wide-ranging experience has positioned him into a lead role in Intrinsic's AI for Industry Challenge. An active, global robotics challenge focused on solving the high-value bottleneck that is dexterous cable management and insertion.

Dr. Baraglia earned his Ph.D. from Osaka University, under Professor Minoru Asada and Professor Yukie Nagai. His research centered on cognitive developmental robotics (CDR), human-robot collaboration, and the emergence of prosocial behavior in robots. He also holds a Master’s in Intelligent Systems, Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation from Université Paul Sabatier (Toulouse III), France.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
The AI For Industry Challenge: Solving the High-Value Bottleneck in Electronics Assembly | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

JON BATTLES

VP, Technology Strategy
Cobot
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A distinguished industry expert in autonomous supply chain and robotics, Jon has designed over 150 greenfield facilities, overseen multibillion-dollar capital improvement investments, contributed to over 80 robotics-related patents, and played a critical role in integrating Kiva Robotics Systems into Amazon's operation. Jon brings 40+ years of experience in enterprise systems, robotics and automation, including 17 years at Amazon and 25 years at Hallmark Cards. Jon has served on multiple Boards including Secretary RIA Robotics Industry Association, University of Washington ME Board and currently A3 Artificial Intelligence Industry Board. At Cobot, Jon leads technology strategy, applying decades of robotics and automation expertise to shape the next generation of collaborative, AI-powered systems for the physical world.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Building a U.S. National Strategy for Robotics and Automation | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 1:45 PM (CDT)

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
How to Buy a Robot in 2026: A Strategic Framework (Plus, What's New at Cobot) | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 1:15 PM (CDT)

Humanoid Robot Forum
The Hardest Part Isn't the Robot | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 2:30 PM (CDT)

EVAN BEARD

Co-founder and CEO
Standard Bots
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Evan is CEO and co-founder of Standard Bots, where he is working on building the world's preeminent robotics platform and robot foundation models, as well as American-made robots. Evan was previously YC W10, recognized on the Forbes "30 under 30" list and Business Insider's list of the "most inspiring and influential people in New York tech”. He graduated from Duke University where he studied Economics and Computer Science.

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Session(s):

Automate Conference
Show Your Robot How It's Done: How Physical AI Automates What Nothing Else Can | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 9:00 AM (CDT)

AMANDA BEATON

US Education Program Manager
Siemens
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Amanda Beaton has been with Siemens since 2003.

As the U.S. Program Manager for Siemens Automation Cooperates with Education (SCE), she bridges academia and industry by helping educators equip the next generation of workers with essential automation skills.

In earlier roles at Siemens, she developed an apprentice program for field service technicians and led a leadership development program for engineers and employees. She began her career in Siemens' Operations Leadership Development program, gaining hands-on experience in manufacturing operations in both Mexico and the U.S. She later served as a Project Manager and Product Manager for Low Voltage and Energy Management product lines.

Amanda holds a Bachelor's degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Georgia Tech and an MBA from Georgia State University.

She actively serves on several industry advisory boards for colleges, universities, and nonprofits across the United States.

Session(s):

Educator Day
Educator of the Year Award | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:45 PM (CDT)

MICHAEL BEISING

CEO
EVT - Eye Vision Technology GmbH
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Michael Beising is a computer scientist and entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience in the field of machine vision. As founder and managing director of EVT Eye Vision Technology GmbH, he has specialized in developing standard software for automatic image processing and industrial applications.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
From Hand Sketch to G-Code: How AI is Reinventing CNC Programming | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:30 PM (CDT)

DAVID BERNO

Senior Manager, Automation
DMC, Inc.

David is a senior manager on DMC’s automation team with a decade of experience managing successful automation projects across multiple industries including aerospace, consumer goods, industrial machinery and automotive. He leads DMC’s Cincinnati office and currently oversees automation business development across Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. David holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Ohio.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Beyond the Basics: Cultivating a Continuous Automation Mindset for Scalable Impact | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 2:30 PM (CDT)

SIDDHARTH BHAGRA

VP - Global Sales
Ati Robotics
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Siddharth Bhagra has over 15 years of expertise in Industrial IoT, Industry 4.0, and industrial automation. He leads the strategic expansion of Ati Robotics' advanced autonomous mobile robot solutions, aligning innovation with customer needs and driving growth in key markets. An alumnus of IIM Bangalore, Siddharth combines deep industry insight with a forward-thinking approach to position Ati Robotics as a leader in autonomous mobility. His efforts focus on delivering customer value and advancing the company's vision in the evolving industrial landscape.

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
Design Choices for Manufacturing Humanoids | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 11:45 AM (CDT)

ANDERS BILLESØ BECK

Vice President, AI Robotics Products
Universal Robots

Anders Billesø Beck is Vice President, AI Robotics Products, at Universal Robots, where he leads the global AI product strategy for the company’s collaborative robot platform with a focus on innovation, adaptability, and the AI ecosystem. He is widely recognized as a pioneer in flexible and collaborative automation, with more than 20 years of experience advancing product development, new applications, and smart manufacturing.

Previously at Universal Robots, Anders Billesø Beck has served as Vice President, Technology, guiding the development of cobot platforms, AI, safety, and the UR+ developer ecosystem, and as Vice President for Strategy & Innovation, shaping the future of human-robot collaboration and next-generation UR products.

Beyond his executive responsibilities, Anders Billesø Beck is an active voice in the robotics community. He serves on the board of Odense Robotics, Denmark’s national robotics cluster, and is a frequent speaker at global industry events, including Automatica, Digital Tech Summit, and multiple podcasts.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
The Next Era of Industrial Automation: AI, Robotics, and Flexible Manufacturing | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 12:15 PM (CDT)

BOB BOLLINGER

Owner
Dynamic Horizons Automation Solutions LLC

Bob has over 35 years of experience in the creative application of robotics, collaborative robotics, mobile robotics, and automation technology to solve challenging problems and create business opportunity. Prior to founding Dynamic Horizons, Bob was a Technical Director for Applied Robotics Innovation at Procter & Gamble. There he identified new and innovative robotic technologies to leverage throughout the company. He was also responsible for setting technical direction and deploying global standard approaches for robotics within P&G. Bob is also an active member of several safety standards committees, including industrial robot standards RIA R15.06 the industrial mobile robot standard RIA R15.08.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Getting Started with Mobile Robotics | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)
Introduction to Mobile Robot Risk Assessment | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 2:30 PM (CDT)

MIKE BOWERS

Chief Architect
FairCom
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Mike Bowers is a seasoned software architect and the Chief Architect at FairCom, where he blends his 35+ years of experience with a passion for innovation. He is the creative force steering FairCom's architecture, specializing in high-performance databases, IIoT platforms, and modern solutions for legacy systems. Beyond his day job, Mike brings a unique perspective shaped by his passion for music, which he applies to his work on complex database engine designs.

His engaging presentations and deep insights show manufacturing leaders and engineers how to unlock their factory data to reduce costs, increase agility, and bridge the communications divide between OT and IT. An accomplished author and industry standards contributor, Mike's expertise makes complex topics like IIoT and edge computing accessible and actionable for a wide range of professionals, from C-suite executives to controls engineers.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
PLC to Prediction: A Step-by-Step Guide to Data Value | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

TIM BRENNAN

Sr. Automation Engineer
KEBA

Tim Brennan is a Senior Automation Engineer at KEBA Industrial Automation, bringing over 30 years of experience in the Motion Control and Industrial Automation industry. Throughout his career, Tim has held key engineering roles at leading companies including Bosch Rexroth, Lenze, Wittenstein, and Omron, where he developed a deep technical foundation and broad application knowledge across a wide range of motion technologies.

Tim specializes in the integration, application support, and optimization of servo and stepper drive systems, motors, and motion controllers. His hands-on expertise spans a diverse set of industries, including packaging, CNC machine tools, semiconductor manufacturing, food processing, and automated assembly systems.

At KEBA, Tim plays a critical role in helping customers solve complex motion challenges, from system design to implementation, with a focus on precision, efficiency, and scalability. His passion for automation and decades of experience make him a trusted resource for OEMs, system integrators, and machine builders alike.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Digital Servo Amplifier Basics | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 9:00 AM (CDT)
CMCP Course Review and Exam Prep | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 1:15 PM (CDT)

ALAN BRENNEN

Product Market Manager, Position Sensors
Baumer

Alan Brennen is a Product Market Manager for Position Sensors at Baumer, where he leads object detection, precision distance measurement, and smart vision solutions across the East and West Coast regions of the United States. His work focuses on aligning sensing technologies with real-world industrial automation applications, supporting customers in robotics, intralogistics, and advanced manufacturing environments.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Common Sensing Technologies for Distance Measurement Applications | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 3:30 PM (CDT)

ANNEMARIE BREU

Senior Director – Automation Software Deployment & Incubation
Siemens Digital Industries
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Annemarie Breu leads Siemens New Portfolio Incubation program in the US. Annemarie is passionate about solving the most challenging customer problems at the intersection of OT and IT with innovative solutions. Throughout her 8 years with Siemens, she’s been shaping dynamic teams to address automation, Industrial Edge, Industrial AI, simulation, and data integration use cases and strategically shape the Siemens innovation roadmaps. She has a lot of energy to drive co-innovation partnerships and make things happen.

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Session(s):

Automate Conference
The Automation Impact: AI, Automation, and the Human Element | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 9:00 AM (CDT)

RICK BROOKSHIRE

Director, Product Development
Epson America, Inc.

Rick Brookshire is Director of Robotics and Automation Solutions at Epson, leading robotics strategy and sales across North and Latin America. With 40+ years in robotics, he helped pioneer PC-based robot controllers, integrated robot vision, and the foundational software behind Epson Robots’ RC+ platform—now used in thousands of factories worldwide.

Today, Rick focuses on practical automation that addresses labor constraints, quality, and customization while lowering barriers to adoption. For education audiences, he brings a clear, real-world view of how robotics is reshaping careers and the skills students need to succeed. He holds a B.S. in Computer Science and Marketing from Clemson University.

Session(s):

Educator Day
Building Scalable Robotics and Automation Pathways from K-12 to Industry | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:00 PM (CDT)

JUSTIN BROWN

Chief Commercial Officer
Teradyne

Justin Brown is Chief Commercial Officer at Teradyne Robotics, where he leads global Sales and Marketing for Universal Robots and Mobile Industrial Robots.

An engineer by training, Justin holds both a BSME and MBA from Purdue University. He began his career at Ford Motor Company, where he led the evaluation, selection, and deployment of automation systems on the factory floor, bringing a practical, hands-on perspective on how manufacturers adopt and scale automation.

With over 25 years in robotics, machine vision, and industrial automation, he has held leadership roles at Cognex and AI-driven robotics startups. He has also advised venture-backed companies and private equity firms on automation strategy, supporting investment and scaling decisions in emerging technologies.

Justin is recognized for driving profitable growth, scaling global sales organizations, and combining deep technical understanding with disciplined commercial execution.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
The Robotics Executive Roundtable: What’s Next in Automation: Market Forces, Technology, and Leadership Perspectives | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 10:30 AM (CDT)

MATTHEW BROWN

CEO
ThoughtForge AI

Matt Brown is Founder and CEO of ThoughtForge AI, with more than two decades of experience building artificial intelligence systems that run in the real world: on robots, in vehicles, and at the edge. He began his career developing real-time AI for landmark game franchises including Halo, Bioshock, and Splinter Cell, where he pioneered work in percept-based agency and spatial kinematics on tightly constrained compute budgets.

In 2015, Matt left gaming to join Bonsai AI as its first engineer and technical lead, where he architected the world's first production-grade deep reinforcement learning platform and shipped the earliest commercial applications of DRL to industrial control, robotics, and autonomous systems. Following Microsoft's acquisition of Bonsai in 2018, he served as Microsoft's liaison to the UC Berkeley RISE Lab, bridging cutting-edge academic research with applied embedded autonomy.

Today, in addition to leading ThoughtForge AI, Matt serves on the board of the Active Inference Institute, a global organization advancing the science and application of Active Inference across neuroscience and AI: a paradigm particularly suited to the power, latency, and reliability constraints of edge deployment. He holds a degrees from MIT and the University of Pennsylvania, and is the named inventor on numerous patents in reinforcement learning, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Robotics for Manufacturing: Trends, Best Practices, and What You Need to Know | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

DAVID BRUCE

Engineering Manager
FANUC America
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Dave Bruce joined FANUC America Corporation (FAC) in 1997 and is currently an engineering manager in the Product Application Segment for a group of engineers that support FANUC America’s Authorized System Integrators and end users with the application of FANUC’s embedded machine vision system called iRVision. Dave’s group also supports FANUC’s customers with the application of remote motion software options such as Remote Motion Interface or RMI. These tools are used in all industries from warehousing to automotive and allow advanced users to create new paths for each cycle and even change a robots path in real time. Dave has a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from Oakland University (Auburn Hills, MI) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Windsor (Windsor, Ontario).

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Advanced Vision Guided Robotics | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:00 PM (CDT)

Automate Innovation Stage
Physical AI at Production Scale: FANUC’s New Open Interfaces Enable Real Time AI-Driven Robot Motion | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 3:00 PM (CDT)

JOHN BUBNIKOVICH

President, US
ABB Robotics

John Bubnikovich has broad experience in industrial automation and currently the President of ABB Robotics in the United States. Focusing on driving transformational growth in its robotics and applications portfolio in the United States. Previously, he served as CEO and Board Member at Convergix Automation (Private equity); Chief Regional Officer, Board Chairman North America, KUKA Robotics; Vice President of Sales and Marketing at ABB Robotics along with commercial and business development leadership roles at BTM Company, and DE-STA-CO. John holds a BS Business Management, Oakland University and a Masters Science in Strategic Management, Walsh College.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Enabling the Data Center Boom: Intelligent Automation | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)

MARCELLUS BUCHHEIT

President & CEO
Wibu-Systems USA Inc.
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Marcellus Buchheit is co-founder and Chairman of the Board of WIBU-SYSTEMS AG in Karlsruhe, Germany. He currently serves as the President and CEO of Wibu-Systems USA, Inc., located in Edmonds, WA where he resides.

Marcellus earned his Master of Science degree in computing science at the University of Karlsruhe, Germany in 1989. In the same year, he co-founded Wibu-Systems together with Oliver Winzenried. As the original architect and first software developer of the company’s successful CodeMeter, WibuKey, and SmartShelter product lines, he is well known in his field for his expertise in designing innovative techniques to protect software against reverse-engineering, tampering, and debugging. The products he designed have never been cracked by hackers in multiple public global contests.

Marcellus was an active member of the international Industry IoT Consortium (IIC), where he was involved in security, trustworthiness, and monetization initiatives between 2015 and 2023. He is one of the editors and authors of the Industry IoT Security Framework (IISF) document – a foundational publication.

He is a frequently invited speaker at industry events and has accepted many industry awards on behalf of Wibu-Systems, including SIIA CODiE awards in 2017, 2014 and 2009 in recognition of CodeMeter as the Best Content Rights and Entitlement Solution.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Preparing Industrial Automation Software for the EU Cyber Resilience Act | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

SARA BURAKOFF

Area Sales Manager
Teradyne Robotics

Sara Burakoff is an Area Sales Manager at Teradyne Robotics with over a decade of experience in sales and team leadership, focused on accelerating the adoption of robotic automation across multiple industries. She brings deep expertise in working across cross-functional teams and within the Teradyne Robotics ecosystem of partners to deploy Universal Robots and Mobile Industrial Robot technologies in ways that drive efficiency, flexibility, and real operational impact.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Diversity and Emerging Leaders in Automation | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)

JEFF BURNSTEIN

President
Association for Advancing Automation (A3)

Jeff Burnstein is President of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), the world’s leading robotics & automation trade group,  representing over 1300 global companies involved in robotics, artificial intelligence, machine vision, motion control and related automation technologies. Burnstein joined the association in 1983 and has held a variety of senior positions, culminating in his promotion to President in 2007.  He is a frequent commentator in the media, often discusses automation issues with policy makers, and regularly speaks at global conferences on issues such as global automation trends, the impact of automation on jobs and the future of automation beyond the factory floor. Burnstein also serves on the Executive Board of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). In 2023 he received the Engelberger Award for Leadership, considered the “Nobel Prize of Robotics.”

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Building a U.S. National Strategy for Robotics and Automation | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 1:45 PM (CDT)

TIM BUSCHUR

Chief Strategy Officer
Invisible Ai
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Meet Tim Buschur, a self-proclaimed “factory nerd,” he’s hell-bent on sparking a new era of how stuff gets made. With over two decades of ambitious engineering projects under his belt, he blends scars from the floor with vision of a better future. When he’s not revolutionizing production lines, you’ll find him chasing birdies on the golf course or cheering (or groaning) for the Chicago Cubs. With a knack for turning complex tech into game-changing results, Tim brings wit, and a contagious passion to every stage, ready to inspire the future of industry.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
The Industrial AI Accelerator: Roadmap for Rapid, Real-World ROI | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

CHRISTINE BUSH

Robotics Center of Excellence Leader
Schneider Electric

Christine has worked for a large Systems Integrator as a programmer and has been with Schneider Electrics Industrial Automation division in many roles. Christine is an experienced leader specializing in machine solutions. Her broad range of product and application knowledge is impressive.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Making Automation ROI Practical and Achievable | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

KEVIN CABANISS

Channel Development - Education
Teradyne Robotics
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Kevin Cabaniss serves as Channel Development Manager for Education at Teradyne Robotics, where he bridges the gap between advanced automation technologies and modern education. With experience in technical education consulting, Kevin is passionate about bringing innovative robotic solutions into today's learning environment.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Cobots in the Classroom: Preparing Students for a Collaborative Robotics Future | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

Educator Day
Teaching AI-Enabled Robotics and Automation Without Chasing Technology Fads | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

SCOTT CAMPBELL

Asset Lifecycle Management Product Success Leader
IBM

Scott Campbell is an Asset Lifecycle Management Product Success Leader at IBM.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
From Reactive Maintenance to Continuously Optimized Manufacturing Operations | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 12:00 PM (CDT)

JEFF CARDENAS

Co-Founder, CEO
Apptronik
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Jeff is co-founder and CEO of Apptronik. He is a serial entrepreneur on a mission to bring the groundbreaking advancements in humanoid robotics into the real world.

He specializes in technology commercialization and new product development. He previously worked at the Global Commercialization Group at the IC2 Institute at UT Austin, working with innovators from around the globe to transform their ideas and inventions from the research lab into the market. Prior to that he worked in the technology practice at Deloitte Consulting. After starting several startups and a non-profit, Jeff co-founded Apptronik in 2016 alongside Dr. Nick Paine and Dr. Luis Sentis.

Under Jeff’s leadership, Apptronik has built some of the most advanced robots in the world, spanning from exoskeletons to humanoid torsos, biped mobility platforms, and unique robotic arms that lift more than they weigh. The experience and learning from all this work led to the development of Apollo, the world’s most advanced humanoid robot. He believes that it is not man vs. machine, but man AND machine that will take humanity into the next stage of evolution.

A native of Texas, Jeff holds a BS in Business and a MS in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas at Austin.

Jeff has spoken at numerous robotics and humanoid conferences worldwide and continues to be a dynamic advocate for the rapidly advancing technology realm of AI and humanoid robotics.

Session(s):

Humanoid Robot Forum
Embodied AI: Building Intelligence for the Real World | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 12:35 PM (CDT)

MARCOS CARLOTTO

Next Generation Industrial Automation
Schneider Electric

Marcos Carlotto is a seasoned business leader with years of experience in sales and sales management within the automation and electrical distribution sectors. Currently, as the Business Director for Next Generation Industrial Automation at Schneider Electric, Marcos leads teams focused on Ecostruxure Automation Expert in the USA, promoting innovative technology and strategic growth. Previously, Marcos held various roles, including Global Account Manager and OEM Segment Leader in Brazil at Schneider Electric, and Regional Sales Engineer at Klockner Moeller, among others. Marcos earned a Bachelor of Technology in Industrial Electrical Technology and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, followed by an MBA in Business Administration and Management.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Design Faster, Deploy Smarter: Engineering with Open, Software-Defined Automation | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 2:30 PM (CDT)

CORWIN CARSON

Chief Executive Officer
Acieta

Corwin Carson is a proven industrial automation executive known for building high-performing teams, scaling businesses, and driving transformational growth in complex, project-based environments. With a strong commercial foundation and a track record of operational turnaround, he brings a systems-driven approach to value creation across sales, engineering, and delivery.

Corwin currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Acieta, a leading robotics system integration company backed by Angeles Equity Partners. He initially joined the platform as a Board Member, helping shape strategy and direction, before being recruited into an operating role. Since then, he has led the transformation of a multi-site automation business, driving significant revenue growth, improving margins through pricing and execution discipline, and integrating multiple acquired companies into a unified commercial and operational model.

Prior to Acieta, Corwin served as CEO of United Robotics Group of America and as President of QComp Automation Technologies, where he accelerated growth and expanded capabilities in advanced automation. Earlier in his career, he held executive leadership roles at JR Automation, where he helped scale a major division during a period of rapid global expansion, and served as Chief Revenue Officer at inVia Robotics, contributing to the commercialization of next-generation e-commerce automation solutions.

Corwin also held senior leadership roles with Rethink Robotics and Keyence Corporation, where he spent over a decade developing a deep foundation in industrial automation, sales leadership, and market development. Across these roles, he built a reputation for turning underperforming regions and business units into high-growth, market-leading organizations.

He is widely recognized as a thought leader in industrial automation, frequently speaking on topics such as digital innovation, operational excellence, and the role of robotics in modern manufacturing.

Corwin holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Georgia and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega.

Outside of work, he is based in Los Angeles and enjoys sailing, golf, tennis, cycling, and real estate investing. He is also actively involved in ministry leadership and nonprofit work, serving his local community and broader causes.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Lessons from System Integrators | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 11:00 AM (CDT)

DYLAN CAUFRIER

CEO
LightStream
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Dylan Caufrier is the founder and CEO of LightStream BV, a Belgium-based engineering firm, and the creator of CabinetManager, software that digitizes and governs technical documentation for industrial assets. Blending electrical engineering practice with product innovation, he helps factories turn paper-bound schematics, manuals, and cable lists into searchable, governed “living” digital twins that technicians can trust on the shop floor.

Under Dylan’s leadership, LightStream delivers end-to-end electrical engineering (EPLAN, AutoCAD, Caneco) and “Digitalization-as-a-Service,” pairing CabinetManager with Egnyte cloud hosting to secure, version, and trace every change. His team’s work reduces downtime, accelerates as-built updates, and equips technicians with real-time context through QR codes, guided procedures (FieldLedger), thermal insights (HeatLedger), and augmented-reality remote assistance.

Dylan has partnered with leading industrials in steel, water, energy, automotive, and food manufacturing, and he regularly shares practical methods for tackling content sprawl and human-centric digital adoption. He has presented at Europe’s Asset Performance Conference (BEMAS) and has demonstrated immersive maintenance workflows at major trade shows, including Hannover Messe.

An International Executive MBA candidate at BMI Executive Institute (UCLouvain), Dylan studies negotiation, venture scaling, and operations to bridge strategy with frontline execution. Before founding LightStream in 2015, he built his career in electrical design and maintenance, experiences that continue to shape his no-nonsense, technician-first approach.

At Automate, Dylan illustrates how disciplined technical document management and AR-enabled support can shrink troubleshooting time, standardize quality, and make digital transformation measurable, one cabinet, one procedure, one technician at a time.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Experience Never Retires: How AR Turns Minutes into Momentum | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:30 PM (CDT)

AKSHAY CHALANA

CEO
Saphira AI
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Akshay Chalana is the CEO and co-founder of Saphira AI, where he works on functional safety, cybersecurity, and certification workflows for robotics and autonomous systems. His work focuses on helping humanoid and industrial robotics teams manage continuously evolving risk across hardware, software, AI models, and operational environments through dynamic traceability, scenario-aware hazard analysis, and continuous compliance infrastructure. Akshay collaborates with robotics manufacturers, OEMs, and standards organizations on operationalizing safety frameworks for real-world deployment of intelligent machines alongside humans.

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
Beyond the Cage: Navigating Humanoid Safety Standards, Field Realities, and the Road to Certification | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 2:15 PM (CDT)

BHAVANA CHANDRASHEKHAR

Sr Manager, Applied Science
Amazon Robotics

Bhavana Chandrashekhar is a Sr Manager of Applied Science at Amazon Robotics based in Seattle, Washington. She manages a team of Applied Scientists and Engineers building autonomous manipulation robots for Amazon warehouses. Her mission is to build AI powered robots that augment the workforce performing physically demanding tasks autonomously. Her research interests include robotic vision, machine learning, robotic software systems and task planning. Some flagship robots she has built include Robin that has picked over 9 Billion packages and Vulcan, RBR Robot of the year, that has stowed over million items across 100s of robots. Most recently, she was highlighted in IEEE Spectrum - “A day in the life of a Roboticist” series.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Navigating Your Digital Transformation | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:45 AM (CDT)

NATHAN CHANEY

Founder
Supply Chaney

Nathan Chaney earned his degree in logistics and supply chain management after a scholarship application centered on making solar panels more affordable pointed him toward a career of making a difference through logistics. He spent his first decade in the industry at companies including Texas Instruments, where he experienced Fortune 250 corporate life, and a Silicon Valley autonomous trucking company, where he ran field operations. About two and a half years ago, he made the entrepreneurial leap, starting with 3PL consulting and a freight brokerage before finding his calling in content and community. What began as YouTube videos grew into a podcast and then into Supply Chaney, a media business and supply chain marketing hub spanning a crowdsourced newsletter, the Supply Chain Social Club's virtual meetups, event coverage, and a brokerage focused on heavy haul and high-value freight.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Fast-Tracking the Future: Simplifying Trailer Loading and Unloading for Real-World ROI | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

CLINT CHAPMAN

Sr. Manager Strategic Partner Relations - EDU / WD
Yaskawa America Inc.
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Clint Chapman is the Senior Manager of Strategic Partner Relations for Education and Workforce Development at Yaskawa America. With more than 30 years in robotics, manufacturing, and automation, Clint has worked both on the plant floor and in supplier leadership roles supporting major manufacturers, including Toyota, Honda, and Hitachi. His early career at the NUMMI plant in California helped shape his perspective on the Toyota Production System (TPS), continuous improvement, and the critical connection between people, process, and technology.

Today, Clint focuses on helping bridge the gap between education and industry by working with school districts, career centers, universities, manufacturers, and workforce organizations to better align student pathways with the realities of modern manufacturing. He actively collaborates with organizations, including SkillsUSA and the ARM Institute, to support workforce awareness, robotics education, and emerging talent development initiatives across the country.

Known for his practical industry perspective and energetic presentation style, Clint is passionate about helping students, parents, educators, and industry leaders better understand the human side of manufacturing and the opportunities that exist within automation, skilled trades, and advanced technology careers. Outside of work, he is busy in December, an avid RC pilot, husband of 30 years, and proud father of three.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Robots, Role Models, and Reality | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

Educator Day
Robotic Safety, Risk Assessment, and Responsible AI in Education and Training | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

ROMIK CHATTERJEE

VP Business Development
Graftek Imaging

Romik Chatterjee has a Ph.D. from the University of Texas in Electrical Engineering. He has been involved in the development of new scientific imaging methods and technologies for over two decades. His research started with the visualization of density fluctuations that occur in magnetically confined fusion plasmas with an infrared laser based imaging system. He has experience developing imaging systems using microwaves, visible and infrared light, and x-rays. As the Vice President of Business Development at Graftek Imaging for the last 13 years, he has led a team of engineers in development of custom machine vision systems for Fortune 50 companies that have been deployed worldwide. Graftek has specialized in color measurements, metrology and automated inspection systems for semiconductor, electronic manufacturing and food industries.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Advanced Color Machine Vision and Applications | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 2:00 PM (CDT)

MICHAEL CHEE

Senior Manager, Vision Products
Cognex
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Michael Chee is a Senior Manager of Product Management at Cognex, where he leads next generation AI-powered vision platform initiatives that enable manufacturers to deploy and scale automation globally. With 20 years in the machine vision industry, leading product management across both vision hardware and software - he has worked closely with customers to turn vision technologies into practical solutions that solve production challenge and deliver measurable results. Today, his focus is on advancing AI capabilities to help manufacturers improve visibility, consistency and performance on the factory floor.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
From Smart Cameras to Scalable AI Vision: Unlocking the Future of Industrial Inspection | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:45 PM (CDT)

CHRIS CHEN

Co-CEO of FF AI-Robotics
FF AI-Robotics Inc.
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Chris Chen is Global Partner of Faraday Future?, serving as the Global Head of User Ecosystem and Co-CEO of FF AI-Robotics, while also acting as Co-Dean of the BIBS-FF AI Robotics Institute. Chris has nearly 20 years of extensive experience across the global automotive, technology, and embodied AI robotics industries. He possesses deep expertise and hands-on experience in public company governance, user ecosystem development, robotic commercial deployment, Robot as a Service (RaaS), robotic data training and collection, EAI brain & open-source open-developer ecosystems.

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
Build a Physical AI Infrastructure Platform Through a Three-in-One Robotics Ecosystem Strategy | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 12:30 PM (CDT)

NEO CHEN

North America Sales Director
Standard Robots

Head of Americas, Standard Robots — a seasoned automation industry veteran with extensive experience in establishing and scaling regional operations. Successfully built and led multiple regional teams from the ground up, achieving full market coverage and sustainable growth.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
From Individual Intelligence to Swarm Intelligence: Full-Scenario Implementation Solutions for Embodied Robots | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

ZHAOPENG CHEN

Founder, CEO & Executive Director
Agile Robots

Zhaopeng Chen is the Founder and CEO of Agile Robots. Under his leadership, Agile Robots has experienced rapid global growth by combining artificial intelligence and robotics to advance Physical AI for smart manufacturing. Headquartered in Munich, Agile Robots employs more than 2,500 people from 60 countries and has installed over 20,000 robotic solutions worldwide. Chen studied engineering in China and earned his PhD at the German Aerospace Center (DLR).

Session(s):

Humanoid Robot Forum
KEYNOTE PANEL: The Next Frontier of Physical AI: Humanoid Robots at Scale | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)

PETER CHIA

Director of Industrial Innovation
Unitree

Peter (Xie Yipeng) is Director of Industrial Innovation at Unitree, where he focuses on bridging the gap between humanoid robotics and real-world industrial deployment. Drawing on extensive experience in industrial automation—spanning product management, large-scale system integration, and global project delivery—he now leads Unitree's strategy for bringing Physical AI from simulation to factory floors. His current work centers on building the ecosystem, partnerships, and deployment models that enable humanoid robots to create measurable value in industrial environments without disrupting existing production systems.

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
Building Physical AI from Factories | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 1:15 PM (CDT)

POONAM CHITALE

Senior Manager, Ecosystem Development, Physical AI
NVIDIA
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As Senior Manager of Ecosystem Development and Physical AI at NVIDIA, Poonam works at the forefront of GPU acceleration and AI platform innovation, helping organizations and developers adopt accelerated computing for next-generation AI workloads.

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
Unlocking Productivity and Enhanced Safety for Autonomous Robots | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:00 AM (CDT)

CHANCEY CHRISTENSON

Director of the Blood Bank, Physician Head of Laboratory Robotics
Mayo Clinic Florida

Dr. Christenson is redefining how hospitals think about robots. A physician at Mayo Clinic Florida, he bridges medicine and technology as Director of the Blood Bank, leader of the Pathology Robotics and Automation Initiative, and a board-certified specialist in both Transfusion Medicine and Clinical Informatics.

While factories, farms, and airports hum with automation, hospitals still rely on human muscle for many of their most repetitive and injury-prone tasks. Dr. Christenson has made it his mission to change that by laying the groundwork for a new era of healthcare robotics through Mayo’s Center for Robotics, vendor collaborations, and multi-disciplinary research.

His vision is pragmatic and human-centered: robots should not replace clinicians but relieve them; lifting, transporting, and assisting so people can do what humans do best. From exoskeletons that prevent nurse injuries to mobile manipulators that move specimens autonomously, he champions solutions that make hospitals safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.

Dr. Christenson calls on innovators and startups alike to work hand-in-hand with healthcare systems to bring practical robotics into the hospital. His blueprint for the future blends science fiction imagination with clinical precision: a world where the hospital runs as intelligently as an automated factory, but with the compassion of a caregiver, viewing robots as partners, not replacements.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Advancing Robotics in Healthcare: Lessons from Early Adoption | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 3:15 PM (CDT)

MATT CHURCHILL

Director of Sales Engineering
OSARO
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Matt Churchill brings over a decade of expertise in solutions architecture, project management, and mechanical design to his role as Director of Sales Engineering at OSARO, where he turns customer challenges into practical automation.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Automation 101: The Pursuit of Impact | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)

MIKE CICCO

President and CEO
FANUC America
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Mike Cicco is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FANUC America Corporation. As President and CEO, Cicco has responsibility for all the company’s operations in North and South America. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of FANUC CORPORATION (Japan).

Cicco joined FANUC in 1999 and has held a variety of management positions over the years including software/controls manager and district sales manager at the company’s Southern California facility. In 2005, Cicco transferred to FANUC’s headquarters in Rochester Hills, MI to take on the role of national account manager of the company’s Authorized System Integrator sales group. As his career progressed, he was named general manager of several robot division groups including Material Handling Engineering, Authorized System Integrator sales, and Domestic Automotive/Michigan Regional sales. In 2015, Cicco was promoted to vice president of FANUC’s North and South American sales and execution. In April 2016, Cicco was named President and CEO.

Before joining FANUC, Cicco served as lead automation engineer for Northrop Grumman in the Automation and Information Systems group.

Cicco holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA. In addition, he is First Vice Chairman of the Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT).

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Session(s):

Automate Conference
The State of the Automation Industry: Leadership Roundtable | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 9:00 AM (CDT)

ALVIN CLARK

Sr. Developer Relations Manager - Manufacturing and Industrial
NVIDIA
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Alvin Clark serves as Global Developer Relations Manager – Manufacturing and Industrial at NVIDIA. Combining his expertise in AI engineering with a focus on ecosystem enablement, he helps partners design, deploy, and scale AI solutions built on NVIDIA’s vision, language, and multimodal models. His work centers on industrial automation, smart manufacturing, and AI-powered industrial agents that drive real-world factory transformation.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
The Interconnected Factory: How NVIDIA’s Partner Ecosystem Is Solving Manufacturing’s Hardest Vision AI Challenges | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

ALEX COLEMAN

Market Research Analyst
Association for Advancing Automation (A3)

Alex Coleman is A3’s Market Research Analyst. With a background in finance and data analytics, he is focused on providing A3’s members with useful, quantitative research.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
The Automation Market: The Statistics and Trends You Should Be Watching | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 1:45 PM (CDT)

JIMMY COOKE

Manager - Industrial Products
Dürr Systems LLC

Jimmy Cooke is a seasoned automation and manufacturing technology expert with over 20 years of experience driving innovation across diverse industrial sectors. With a career spanning automotive, aerospace, and general manufacturing, Jimmy has led cross-functional teams in deploying advanced automation solutions that improve operational efficiency, product quality, and sustainability.

Known for his collaborative approach, Jimmy specializes in working with system integrators to deliver customized automation strategies that align with complex production requirements. His expertise includes robotic systems, process optimization, and commissioning of large-scale industrial projects. He has played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between engineering and execution, ensuring seamless integration of automation technologies into real-world environments.

Jimmy is a passionate advocate for continuous improvement and knowledge sharing. He frequently speaks at industry events and workshops, offering practical insights into automation planning, risk management, and integrator partnerships. His presentations are grounded in real-world experience and focused on empowering manufacturers to make informed, strategic decisions.

Whether guiding new automation initiatives or optimizing legacy systems, Jimmy brings a wealth of technical knowledge, strategic vision, and hands-on experience to every engagement.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Sealing Rethought | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 3:30 PM (CDT)

BRENDA COURIM

Director, Sales & Marketing
Gudel Inc
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Brenda started her career designing connectors for the automotive industry and transitioned into factory automation components. She is currently Director, Sales & Marketing for Gudel Inc, the leading manufacturer of robot floor tracks, robot overhead tracks, and gantry systems. Brenda has a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering and a Master's in Engineering Management both from the University of Michigan. Brenda lives in the greater Chicago area with her 2 teenage sons.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
When Your Robot Won't Reach: Pros and Cons of Floor Tracks, Overhead Tracks, and Gantry Robots | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

RANDY COX

Vice President, AI and Incubation
Wind River

Randy serves as Vice President of Product Management at Wind River. He is responsible for envisioning next generation products, incubating new products and business impact as the portfolio evolves at Wind River & Aptiv. Current focus is EDGE AI bridging across the embedded device space and the cloud. Strong customer engagement and industry relationships around the world ensure the product portfolio meets our customer’s needs and enables our success in the market.

Prior to this, Randy was responsible for the Wind River Private Cloud suite of products with a 5x growth within 5 years. Bringing it to a leadership position in the telecom vertical and growing it into the enterprise.

Prior to Wind River, Randy held the role of Head of Product Management for Small Cells and 5G mmWave at Nokia. Responsibilities included the Small Cell and mmWave strategy, product portfolio and driving business development. Accomplishments include business unit formation and strategy, driving significant business growth for the small cell business within Nokia as a standalone business.

Randy has more than 30 years of experience in telecommunications and enterprise verticals. Throughout his career has held various leadership roles, including software development, system integration, program management, business development and product management.

Randy earned a BSEE from Marquette University.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
From Pilot Purgatory to Production: Scaling Edge AI in the Modern Enterprise | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 4:00 PM (CDT)

DANIEL CUMMINS

VP/Fellow
Dell Technologies

Daniel Cummins is a Dell Technologies Fellow, Vice President, and Chief Architect, where he leads technical strategy for the Dell Automation Platform and NativeEdge. In this role, he focuses on simplifying how organizations deploy and manage AI, private cloud, and edge computing solutions at scale—enabling faster, more efficient delivery of modern digital services. As an Edge Domain Leader, Daniel also drives the development of Dell’s Edge Technology Radar, guiding strategic investments and identifying emerging trends that shape the company’s innovation roadmap.

A seasoned technology leader, Daniel brings a proven track record of delivering market-defining platforms and products. He played a pivotal role in transforming Dell/EMC’s midrange storage portfolio, leading the development of both VNX2 and PowerStore from early concept through successful market launch. He was also instrumental in creating NativeEdge, which evolved into the broader Dell Automation Platform, helping customers operationalize distributed infrastructure with greater consistency and control.

Daniel’s expertise spans a wide range of domains, including embedded systems for defense applications, operating systems and distributed systems for mobile and consumer devices, and large-scale infrastructure for video-on-demand and content delivery networks. His work also includes innovations in digital video, edge caching, and enterprise storage system design—providing him with a deep, end-to-end understanding of modern computing architectures.

He holds a degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from Eastern Connecticut State University. Beyond Dell, Daniel contributes to the broader technology community as a member of the University of New Hampshire Computer Science Industry Advisory Board and serves as a Board Advisor to the Edge AI Foundation.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
From Pilot Purgatory to Production: Scaling Edge AI in the Modern Enterprise | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 4:00 PM (CDT)

JONATHAN DAGORNE

Global Product Manager
Regal Rexnord Warner Electric

Jonathan brings a globally diverse background supporting customers across multiple regions. He has spent time working on-site in China, Europe and NA partnering directly with local engineering and procurement teams to accelerate development cycles and ensure optimal brake and motor integrations for actuator development. His experience includes managing international customer relationships, navigating regional market dynamics, and providing exceptional support to successfully execute projects across geographies.

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
Beyond the Lab: Designing Scalable Motion Systems for Humanoid Robots | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 12:30 PM (CDT)

MANDY DALZIEL

Employee Development & Documentation Manager
Mission Design & Automation

Mandy Dalziel serves as the Employee Development and Documentation Manager at Mission Design & Automation. With a non-traditional path into the automation industry, Mandy began her career in higher education before transitioning into a training specialist role supporting customers and employees in food and beverage manufacturing. From there, she expanded into technical writing and documentation, eventually growing into leadership roles focused on employee development, recruiting, and organizational growth.

At Mission, Mandy leads the documentation team and is responsible for developing training and development programs that support employees at all stages of their careers. She has played a key role in building structured onboarding, leadership development initiatives, and scalable documentation processes that improve both employee experience and customer deliverables.

Mandy is passionate about bridging gaps between people, processes, and priorities, connecting leadership vision with day-to-day execution. She is committed to helping individuals navigate careers in automation and creating environments where people can grow and succeed.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Automation 101: What Careers Actually Look Like | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:45 PM (CDT)

AMOD DAMLE

Head of Product
FORT Robotics
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Amod Damle leads Product at FORT Robotics, owning the vision and execution of the FORT platform to help customers safely scale autonomy in the era of Physical AI.

Prior to FORT, Amod held product leadership roles across robotics, industrial IoT, and networking. At Reach Power, he worked at the intersection of wireless power, robots, and drones, partnering with U.S. defense and public safety programs to bring novel technologies to life. At Fetch Robotics, he helped deliver cloud-based robotics platforms used by large 3PLs and leading logistics providers across the U.S., improving pick rates while reducing repetitive and physically demanding warehouse labor.

Earlier in his career, Amod built and scaled platform products at Cisco, focused on observability and cybersecurity for Industrial OT environments, enabling customers to secure and operate mission-critical infrastructure. At Infinera, he led services and subscription products in optical networking, helping deliver high-speed internet connectivity to millions of homes worldwide.

Across his career, Amod has focused on turning customer pain points and technology into shippable products that are commercially successful and operate reliably at scale.

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
Unlocking Productivity and Enhanced Safety for Autonomous Robots | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:00 AM (CDT)

BEATRICE DANESE

Business & Marketing Strategist
Opto Engineering S.p.A.

Beatrice Danese is Business and Marketing Strategist at Opto Engineering® Headquarters. She holds degrees in linguistic mediation with a major in marketing, public relations, and advertising (2019), and in international communication for enterprises and organizations (2021). ). After joining Opto Engineering as an intern, she spent over four years as Product Manager, gaining hands-on experience in machine vision technologies, before transitioning to her current strategic role. Since 2022, she has participated as a speaker at international events in the field of machine vision.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Seeing is Solving: Advances in Smart Inspection | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

JOHN DETELLEM

Automation Product Portfolio Manager
Siemens

A seasoned authority with four decades of dedicated experience in the manufacturing industry, John DeTellem stands at the forefront of automation and controls. His extensive background spans the entire lifecycle of industrial operations, from hands-on production optimization and innovative system design to seamless integration of complex technologies and strategic standards management. John DeTellem's deep understanding of both the technical intricacies and the business imperatives of manufacturing allows him to deliver practical, impactful solutions. He is passionate about empowering industry clients and new prospects to harness the full potential of automation for enhanced efficiency and competitive advantage.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Beyond the Basics: Cultivating a Continuous Automation Mindset for Scalable Impact | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 2:30 PM (CDT)

PAUL DEWYS

Sales Engineer
Forerunner 3D Printing
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Paul DeWys is the founder of DeWys Engineering and Forerunner 3D Printing, two Michigan-based firms that help manufacturers innovate at the intersection of design, automation, and additive manufacturing. Since 2009, Paul has led DeWys Engineering in delivering mechanical design and reverse engineering solutions for industries ranging from automotive to aerospace. In 2016, he expanded into industrial 3D printing by launching Forerunner 3D Printing, specializing in production-ready additive solutions using technologies such as Multi Jet Fusion (MJF), Stereolithography (SLA), and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM).

Paul’s expertise lies in Design-for-Additive-Manufacturing (DfAM) and applying 3D printing beyond prototyping. His team leverages a wide range of engineering materials—including PA12 nylon, carbon-fiber composites, and elastomers like TPU 95A—to create functional parts for real-world use. These include POGO nests, blow/vacuum blocks, grit blasting masks, custom grippers, and end-of-arm tooling—components that are difficult or costly to produce with conventional methods.

Through these projects, Paul helps manufacturers reduce lead times, cut costs, and improve performance on the shop floor. By integrating additive into automation workflows, he demonstrates how companies can solve high-mix, low-volume production challenges while gaining new levels of flexibility.

As a speaker, Paul delivers real-world applications and lessons learned that attendees can apply immediately. His presentations introduce key design vocabulary, showcase shop-floor use cases, and highlight strategies for moving additive manufacturing into practical production environments.

With more than 15 years of hands-on experience, Paul bridges the gap between engineering design, additive technology, and manufacturing innovation.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Beyond Jigs and Fixtures: Bringing Additive to the Shop Floor | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

ERIC DEYOUNG

Sales Engineer
Mission Design & Automation

Eric DeYoung is a Sales Engineer with over 10 years of automation experience. Before joining the manufacturing world, Eric worked in direct-sales roles. He transitioned into manufacturing, starting in tool and die, where he began learning the ins and outs of a skilled trade. Although manufacturing wasn’t the fulfilling job he desired, it helped him learn many of the skills required to become a machine builder, and he would later earn his journeyman’s card as a Tool Maker. Throughout his journey at Mission Design and Automation, Eric transitioned from being a Lead Machine Builder to an Applications Engineer, and he now serves as a Sales Engineer. Although sales isn’t new for his career, the industry he now serves is drastically different, and the skills and knowledge he acquired through his various roles have been paramount to his success.

Eric has a passion for problem solving, teaching, and winning. Problem solving has been a constant throughout his career, but from the start of his automation journey to now, the problems have looked much different. It started with how to build an excellent machine that always works, and now it’s how to take care of the customers’ needs by developing a machine that has never been built before. He really enjoys the process of collaborating with customers and colleagues to develop concepts for custom-built automation solutions.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Automation 101: What Careers Actually Look Like | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:45 PM (CDT)

DAVID DECHOW

Arthur G. Russell Company
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David L. Dechow is an engineer, programmer, entrepreneur, and technologist widely recognized as an expert and thought leader in integration of machine vision, computer vision, and related automation technologies including robotics and motion control. He has personally provided machine vision integration, systems, solutions and support to a wide range of companies and currently serves as Vision/Industrial Automation Solutions Architect for Motion Automation Intelligence, located at their North Carolina office. He has had a decades-long career which included founding two notable vision systems integration companies and working for other key industry leaders like Fanuc America.

Mr. Dechow is a recipient of the AIA Automated Imaging Achievement Award recognizing career contributions to the vision industry, is a member of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) Vision & Imaging Technology Strategy Board, and is contributing editor for Vision Systems Design magazine.

As a key educator in the field of machine vision technologies, Mr. Dechow has participated in the training of hundreds of engineers as an instructor for multiple courses with the A3 Certified Vision Professional program since the program's origin. He also is well known for his frequent informative technical articles, papers, webinars, and conference sessions and classes covering a wide range of technical topics involving machine vision and associated enabling technologies in industrial automation.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
The Fundamentals of Machine Vision | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)
A Quick Start Guide to the Design and Integration of Reliable Automated Imaging Solutions | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)
Vision System Design | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 10:30 AM (CDT)
Advanced Vision System Integration | Friday, June 26, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

DALE DEERING

VP Product Marketing & Line-Scan Product Management
Teledyne
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Dale Deering is the Vice President of Product Marketing and LineScan Product Management at Teledyne, responsible for oversight of product and business development for machine vision camera products. Dale has worked in the field of machine vision for over 25 years in both development and business leadership roles, and has extensive experience with imaging for many high speed and novel imaging applications. He has had the opportunity to work with many global customers engaged in a wide variety of applications, helping them implement imaging solutions to improve quality and efficiency. His in-depth knowledge of application requirements and key performance factors combined with technical innovation have produced a succession of imaging products with industry leading performance and strong global demand. Dale has taught the line-scan segment of the A3 Advanced Certified Vision Professional course for the past several years, and currently serves on the A3 Vision & Imaging Technology Strategy Board.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Designing Linescan Vision Systems | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

ALBANE DERSY

Co-Founder and COO
Inbolt
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Albane Dersy is the co-founder and COO of Inbolt, the company building Physical AI for manufacturing. Inbolt develops the intelligent real-time execution layer for industrial robots to automate unstructured and dynamic environments. Today, more than 200 robots powered by Inbolt are deployed across 75+ factories worldwide, including at Stellantis, Ford, Toyota, Renault, Volkswagen, and Whirlpool. Based in Detroit, Albane leads Inbolt's global commercial strategy across offices in Paris, Detroit, and Tokyo. She is a regular voice on bringing AI to the factory floor and scaling robotics adoption in manufacturing.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
The Next Era of Industrial Automation: AI, Robotics, and Flexible Manufacturing | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 12:15 PM (CDT)

RAJ DESAI

Global Product Manger - Drives
Lapp

Raj Desai is a seasoned expert in industrial automation connectivity, currently serving as Global Product Manager Drives with Lapp. With over 10 years' experience in the field, Raj has led innovative product launches for connectivity between drives and motors. Raj holds a BSME in Mechanical engineering from Rutgers University and Product Management Certificate from Stevens Institute of Technology. At the Automat Innovation Stage, Raj is excited to share insights into the technology and guidance that goes into connecting drives to motors.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
Drive to Motor: Connectivity Guidance | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

JIM DEVAPRASAD

Professor and Director of Robotics Engineering
Lake Superior State University

Jim Devaprasad is a Professor in the School of Engineering and Technology and Director of the LSSU Robotics Center, which houses more than $3 million in robotics and automation equipment. He is the architect of LSSU’s robotics program, the first bachelor’s degree program in robotics in the United States, established in 1985.

Hundreds of LSSU robotics graduates have gone on to successful careers with robot manufacturers, system integrators, and end-user companies across North America and beyond. Many have risen to leadership positions, including CEO, Vice President, and Director roles, while others have founded their own successful automation companies.

Over his 40-year career at Lake Superior State University—one of Michigan’s 15 public universities—Prof. Devaprasad has earned numerous accolades, including A3’s Educator of the Year award, the Distinguished Professor Award from the Michigan Association of Governing Boards, and the Outstanding Manufacturing Engineer Award from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. He has presented at numerous conferences and events, including at NIST, IEEE’s IROS, and Automate.

Jim is actively engaged in fostering partnerships with industry and promoting STEM education through a variety of committees and service activities. He serves on multiple A3 committees, including the Membership, Advocacy, and Education Committees, and his dedication to robotics education and applied research continues to make a strong impact on both the academic and industrial sectors.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
AI-Proof Your Career in Robotics Engineering | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 3:45 PM (CDT)

PAUL DIDIER

Solutions Architect Manager
Cisco

Paul Didier is an Solutions Architect Manager for Cisco® System’s Industries Product Group (IPG). He is responsible for developing solutions for the Discrete and Process Manufacturing, Transportation and Utilities verticals including Automotive, Oil & Gas, Mining and other sub-verticals.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
The Industrial AI Accelerator: Roadmap for Rapid, Real-World ROI | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

JAN DIEKMANN

Head of Business Development, Enterprise 5G, Manufacturing
Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions
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Jan Diekmann is Head of Business Development, Enterprise 5G, Manufacturing in Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Technologies making the shift to 5G for industries happen. Jan’s current focus is on manufacturing and cargo ports. Jan has been working in various fields and positions over the last 25+ years in Ericsson, including services, portfolio management, media, open innovation, digital advertising and industry digitalization. Jan holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Dortmund Germany.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Real-Time Manufacturing Excellence: Private 5G and Edge Computing in Action | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 12:00 PM (CDT)

WEI DING

CEO, Co-founder
Noble Machines
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Wei Ding is the Co-Founder & CEO of Noble Machines, a company building general purpose robots designed for hazardous and physically demanding industrial tasks. Prior to Noble Machines, Wei was a Senior Software Engineer, Autonomous System at Apple. Wei holds a Master's Degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan, and a B.A. in Aircraft Design from Beihang University.

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
Industrial Autonomy Powered by Robots Learning at Scale | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 11:45 AM (CDT)

CLAUDE DINSMOOR

Vice President - Robotics Research & Development
FANUC America
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Claude Dinsmoor is Vice President of Robotics Research & Development at FANUC America, leading U.S. development of robotic controller software, simulation systems, and FANUC’s global paint robot platforms in collaboration with global engineering teams. He oversees electrical, mechanical, process, and software organizations, including robot software, simulation tools, and connected IoT monitoring systems that support industrial automation. Dinsmoor’s teams drive the integration of physical AI and advanced AI applications, enabling intelligent robotics for manufacturing, process optimization, and predictive maintenance. With over 40 years in the FANUC group, Dinsmoor previously led FANUC America’s Application Segment with focus on product planning, and new robotic applications for automotive and general industrial manufacturers.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
The Next Era of Industrial Automation: AI, Robotics, and Flexible Manufacturing | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 12:15 PM (CDT)

Educator Day
Teaching AI-Enabled Robotics and Automation Without Chasing Technology Fads | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

ED DORAN

Vice President
Edge AI Foundation
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Ed has spent twenty years as an executive for some of the world's leading technology companies. He began his career in academia, earning his doctoral degree before diving into industry, venture capital, and startups. Along the way, Ed led teams and organizations focused on creating, delivering, and scaling new technologies for Yahoo!, Microsoft, Microsoft Research, and Google. He has founded four products that he moved from zero to one, delivering value at global scale. He also led global organizations to advance, apply, and scale artificial intelligence across industries. He serves as the EDGE AI FOUNDATION's Vice President of Strategy, engaging with our academic partners, industry leaders, venture capital, and startup partners

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
From Pilot Purgatory to Production: Scaling Edge AI in the Modern Enterprise | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 4:00 PM (CDT)

TAD DOUCE

Executive Director
EduEverything / The National Robotics Challenge
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Tad Douce has served as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and school administrator since beginning his career in 1996. He started his career as a middle school pre-engineering instructor in central Ohio and has authored numerous books, tutorials, and curriculum packages in robotics, STEM, manufacturing, and making. In 2011, he was awarded the Professor George Schneider, Jr. Manufacturing Technology Education Faculty Award from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers -Education Foundation and the prestigious SME-EF “Building the Future” award in 2008. He is currently the Director of Educational Technology and Communication (a.k.a. Head Nerd) for River Valley Local Schools near Marion, Ohio. He also serves as the Executive Director for the 501c3 organization EduEverything, Inc., where he oversees operations for the National Robotics Challenge, Drones in School, and Advanced Vertical Robotics (AVR) STEM programs. His great purpose is to help people find their passions and unleash their full potential.

Session(s):

Educator Day
Robotic Safety, Risk Assessment, and Responsible AI in Education and Training | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

FABIEN DUBOIS

Product Technology Specialist
Exaktera

Fabien Dubois, Product Technology Specialist at Exaktera, completed his PhD in Photonics at the Tyndall National Institute in Cork, Ireland. After graduating, he worked for FoodMarble Digestive Health, developing medical devices. Following this, he joined Tomra Food, working in the R&D department to design and test automated food sorting machines. At Exaktera, Fabien uses his expertise in physics and machine vision to help customers find the best lighting solution for their application while also researching new applications for their products and technologies and performing case studies.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
The Three Essential Pillars of Hygienic Design for Automated Food & Beverage Manufacturing | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 2:30 PM (CDT)

AYA DURBIN

Director of Product
Boston Dynamics
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Aya Durbin is a product leader recognized for transforming complex robotic technologies into intuitive, high-impact products that solve real-world problems. With a career spanning the evolution of automation and humanoid systems, she has built a reputation for bridging the gap between cutting-edge engineering and customer value. At 6 River Systems, Aya led the product vision for warehouse automation solutions that redefined efficiency in the logistics industry. Following the company’s acquisition by Shopify, she designed and deliver scalable fulfillment products supporting over 100 warehouses across North America and Europe. Now at Boston Dynamics, Aya leads the Atlas application strategy, shaping how humanoid robots can seamlessly integrate into human environments and bring meaningful value to people’s everyday work.

Session(s):

Humanoid Robot Forum
Why Humanoids Are the Future of Manufacturing: The Unbound Factory | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

CALEB EASTMAN

Field CTO for the Americas
Siemens

Caleb works closely with manufacturers across the country to help translate emerging technologies into practical, scalable industrial solutions. In this role, Caleb serves as a trusted technical advisor to executives, engineers, and operations leaders navigating digital transformation, automation, and AI adoption in complex production environments. With a background spanning industrial automation, AI and product engineering, Caleb brings a systems-level perspective to solving real-world manufacturing challenges.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Bridging the Gap: A Multi-Perspective Reality for Modern Automation | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 1:00 PM (CDT)

HEIKO EISELE

President
MVTec, LLC

Heiko graduated from the University of Heidelberg/Germany in 2002. He started his career in machine vision in 1999 while working for Robert Bosch GmbH on the development of software algorithms for the automated analyisis of CT images. In 2003 Heiko joined MVTec as an application engineer. In 2007 Heiko established MVTec's North American subsidiary, which he has been running to this date.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Image Processing Fundamentals | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

MARTIN ELBS

VP of Global Sales
Lightwheel
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Martin Elbs is VP of Global Sales at Lightwheel. He is leading global sales strategy, with a focus on expanding Lightwheel’s presence across OEMs, automotive leaders, and industrial enterprises worldwide. Previously he was Chief Customer Officer at IPG Automotive in Karlsruhe, Germany since 2015. Before that he was Global Head of Commercial for Lotus Engineering in Hethel, United Kingdom, driving the market expansion of Lotus Engineering into Asian automotive markets. Martin has held a number of positions with ETAS, a subsidiary of Robert Bosch Corporation during his 15 years with the company, including Vice President Sales Germany and Director Strategic Marketing. For ETAS, he also worked 6 years in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
Scaling Robot Deployment: Simulation and Evaluation for Production Readiness | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 2:45 PM (CDT)

DIANNE ELDRIDGE

AI Go-to-Market Lead, Power & Energy
Google
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Most AI executives have never set foot on a plant floor. Dianne Eldridge spent 20 years on them.

That's the gap she bridges—the distance between an industrial control room and a hyperscale data center, between an operations manager's reality and a Silicon Valley pitch deck. After two decades at industrial giants Emerson and Schneider Electric, she crossed into Big Tech, spending five years leading Industrial AI go-to-market strategy at AWS before joining Google as AI Go-To-Market Lead for Power & Energy—helping the sector's biggest players figure out what AI actually means for their operations, their margins, and their workforce.

Her credibility is institutional: AI Technology Strategy Board member for A3 (Association for Advancing Automation), Advisory Board Chair for Women's Energy Network Houston, and "50 Women to Watch For Boards" finalist. Her perspective is global: bi-cultural, fluent in Mandarin, with operations experience spanning the U.S., China, Italy, Singapore, and Canada.

From TEDx to AWS re:Invent to the World Bank AI Roundtable, Dianne commands the stage with the energy and authority that comes from actually knowing how things work. She speaks fluent Industrial and fluent AI—and brings both to every conversation about where heavy industry and artificial intelligence collide.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
From "Trapped" Data to Agentic Operations: Solving the Industrial Knowledge Gap with Multimodal AI | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 2:30 PM (CDT)

TODD ELLIOTT

Chief Operating Officer
TECZZ Solutions

Todd Elliott is an operations and technology leader specializing in secure, scalable automation solutions for high-risk environments. At TECZZ Solutions, he oversees product design and management for hardware and software platforms that enable correctional, law enforcement, judicial, and forensic facilities to enhance security, reduce operational inefficiencies, and maintain full control over their systems.

Todd plays a key role in aligning customer requirements with TECZZ’s broader solution portfolio, ensuring each deployment is practical, compliant, and built to meet the unique demands of mission-critical environments. His work focuses on helping organizations modernize their infrastructure and futureproof their security operations through intelligent automation.

He also leads go-to-market sales operations, driving strategy, communication, and execution to deliver measurable results and long-term customer value. By fostering strong collaboration across teams and stakeholders, Todd ensures that solutions are not only innovative, but effectively implemented.

A strong advocate for partnership-driven innovation, Todd works closely with industry-leading technology providers to bring state-of-the-art automation and security capabilities to the corrections market. His leadership bridges the gap between advanced technology and real-world application, helping organizations confidently adapt to an evolving risk and operational landscape.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
Accelerate Everything: Open, Software-Defined Automation | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 2:15 PM (CDT)

NEIL FARROW

Applications Engineer
Datalogic
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Neil Farrow is a licensed Professional Engineer with a BSEE from Michigan Technological University. As an applications engineer, he gets to share how technology can improve the lives of others. He has presented at numerous trade shows on topics such as Machine Vision, IO-Link, Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE), Artificial Intelligence, and Vision Guided Robotics. He is responsible for basic Machine Vision Lighting training for A3’s Certified Vision Professional program.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Improve Your Manufacturing Process with IO-Link | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)
Beginning Lighting for Machine Vision | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

ALEX FINKELSTEIN

Sales Manager- Automated & Integrated Solutions
Teledyne FLIR

Alex Finkelstein is a sales and technology leader with years of experience in industrial thermal imaging and vision-based applications. As a leader for the Automated & Integrated Systems group at Teledyne FLIR, he works closely with OEMs, system integrators, and end users to deploy fixed-mount thermal cameras in industrial, automation, and safety-critical environments. Alex specializes in integrating thermal imaging into advanced vision systems for applications such as fire detection, condition monitoring, process monitoring, and AI-driven automation. His expertise includes system architecture, camera selection, analytics integration, and connectivity to PLC, SCADA, and machine vision platforms. Alex brings a strong understanding of how thermal data can be transformed into actionable insights for operational decision-making. His work focuses on aligning technology capabilities with real-world operational requirements. Known for bridging the gap between technical implementation and real-world operational needs, Alex brings a practical, application-focused perspective to thermal imaging and vision systems.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Non-Visible Imaging: Infrared Technology and Applications | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 10:30 AM (CDT)

BRADEN FIORESI

Simulation Engineer
ATC Automation
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Braden Fioresi is a Simulation Engineer at ATC Automation, based in Cookeville, Tennessee. He specializes in creating digital models of manufacturing equipment before physical fabrication begins. Braden's expertise includes simulations, emulations, and digital twins. These tools bring engineering designs to life virtually and allow teams to analyze, optimize, and communicate complex machine behavior before implementation. He is passionate about the transformative power of virtual commissioning, which leverages technologies such as Emulate3D to connect digital models with robot controllers, PLCs, and virtual reality platforms. Braden uses these models to identify design issues early, facilitate clear communication between project stakeholders, and streamline programming workflows at ATC. His demonstrations at customer events and trade shows highlight the practical benefits of virtual commissioning, including immersive experiences with VR. Braden remains committed to advancing manufacturing technologies and sharing his expertise to foster innovation in automation.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Virtual Commissioning for Real Communication | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

JACK FISHER

Business Development Manager
Acme Manufacturing

Jack Fisher, Strategic Business Development Manager at Acme Manufacturing, is a proven sales leader in robotics and automation with a robust technical background. Jack is focused on understanding the needs of manufacturers to develop turnkey robotic material removal solutions. With a history of top-ranking sales and adaptive market transitions, he brings a wealth of experience from roles at Genesis Systems Group and FANUC Robotics America. Jack holds a Bachelor's in Welding Engineering from Ohio State University and is a fitness enthusiast with a deep commitment to family and lifelong learning.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Master the Process, Then Automate It — Robotic Material Removal Process | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

CAROLE FRANKLIN

Director of Standards Development, Robotics
Association for Advancing Automation (A3)

Carole Franklin is the Director of Standards Development, Robotics, for the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). She leads A3’s standards development activities in developing the ANSI and ISO Robot Safety Standards. Before joining RIA, Carole spent over four years with management consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton, where she led projects on business process improvement, internal communications, and executive communications. Prior to Booz Allen, Carole worked for Ford Motor Company for ten years in the market research department, where she led consumer research projects and tracking studies. Carole holds BA and MBA degrees from the University of Michigan.

Session(s):

Humanoid Robot Forum
PANEL: Developing Safety Standards for Humanoid Robots | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 2:00 PM (CDT)

JON FREY

Head of Product Area New Business
Bosch Rexroth Corporation

Jon Frey is Head of Product Area New Business - NA, for the Bosch Rexroth Corporation. A graduate of Millersville University, with a Bachelors in Industrial-Arts Education, Jon has been employed with Bosch Rexroth for nearly 40 years. Throughout his tenure with Bosch Rexroth, Jon has held positions in Field Service, Instructor for the Rexroth Hydraulic training courses, Product Support, Product Management, Director of Industrial Hydraulic Products, Distribution Sales Manager – US, and is currently Head of Product Area New Business – North America. For more than a decade, Jon has been involved with the Robert Bosch North American Innovation Framework, an internal “shark-tank” like process for vetting innovations with potential toward being adopted into the Bosch / Bosch Rexroth portfolio. He was one of the pilot “ideators” within the Framework, and remains a member of the Innovation community as the Bosch Rexroth Champion, Coach, Moderator and Mentor. Throughout his tenure with Bosch Rexroth, he has remained a contributor to the NFPA, participating in various committees and task force opportunities.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
From Crankshaft to Electro-Hydraulic, Closed-Circuit Drive and Control Solutions in Cryogenics | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 2:30 PM (CDT)

JEFF FRYMAN

Consultant
Association for Advancing Automation (A3)

Jeff Fryman is a retired United States Air Force officer. His 21-year career included eleven years’ experience as a Program Manager overseeing technical training programs.

For a second career, Jeff joined the Robotic Industries Association as their Director of Standards Development until his retirement in 2013. His 17-years at the RIA saw him responsible for the development of both the 1999 and 2012 editions of the ANSI/RIA R15.06 American National Standard for Industrial Robot Safety. He was also responsible for organizing the annual National Robot Safety Conference and numerous smaller safety events. In his roll at RIA, Jeff developed curricula for robot safety training, and taught hundreds of classes featuring the R15.06 methodology for conducting Risk Assessment. He also assisted in consulting on Risk Assessment and Robot Safety, and continues in his training roll with the association.

Internationally, Jeff was the Convener for ISO TC184/SC2 WG3, the committee responsible for developing the ISO 10218-1 and -2 International Standards for Industrial Robot Safety. Domestically, Jeff was the Vice-chair for the ANSI/ASSE Z244.1 committee; the standard for Control of Hazardous Energy – Lockout/Tagout and Alternative Methods. He has also been involved in other standards development efforts including the Canadian Standards Association committees for Robot Safety and Hazardous Energy Control; the Underwriters’ Laboratories Standards Technical Panel for UL1740 (robot safety); AMT and B11 Inc. ANSI Accredited Standards Committee for Safety of Machines – B11; and an advisor to the American Welding Society’s D16 committee for robotic welding.

Outside interests include all aspects of railroad operations. His model railroading activities include standards development and participation in regional and national events. And finally, Jeff never denies “going around in circles”; particularly when he is doing volunteer work for a railway museum where he is a qualified antique trolley operator.

Jeff resides in Saline, Michigan; outside of Ann Arbor.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Introduction to Robot Risk Assessment | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 2:30 PM (CDT)

MARC FUENTES

VP of Commercial Growth
Eclipse Automation
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Marc Fuentes is a proven B2B leader with 15+ years of success driving growth across services, SaaS, industrial automation, and generative AI. He partners with CEOs at critical inflection points—unlocking stalled growth, entering new markets, or leading turnarounds. A master of market positioning and GTM execution, Marc aligns tech, narrative, revenue, and system design to deliver lasting impact. He’s launched 65+ products, built functions from scratch, and driven $75M+ in revenue. Known for strategic clarity, team leadership, and customer-centric thinking, Marc helps organizations turn insights into action—and capital into transformation.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
The Future of Digital Manufacturing in the Era of Physical AI | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 3:30 PM (CDT)

PAUL GALESKI

CEO
GrayMatter
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GrayMatter CEO Paul Galeski’s vision is to elevate GrayMatter to a new, higher category in the solution provider market, one that offers more implementation capabilities than a typical system integrator along with independent, best-in-class strategic consulting and 24/7 support.

Galeski joined GrayMatter, first as executive chairman and then as CEO, in May 2024. He has been in the industrial technology market for about 40 years.

In 1989, Galeski founded MAGNUM Technologies, a company that quickly gained recognition for its innovation and growth.

By 1995, Inc. Magazine named MAGNUM Technologies one of the nation’s fastest-growing companies. Just two years later, in 1997, General Electric acquired MAGNUM Technologies, integrating it as a subsidiary of GE Industrial Systems. Galeski remained at the helm as President until his departure in early 1999. Later that year, he founded MAVERICK Technologies, immediately making a bold move by acquiring Software Architects, another Inc. 500 company. MAVERICK Technologies expanded its global footprint by forming the Global System Integrators Alliance (GSIA) in partnership with MPE Industrial Automation Europe and MPE Industrial Automation Asia. This alliance connected over 30 locations and 700 professionals worldwide.

By 2011, MAVERICK Technologies employed more than 500 professionals who completed 10,000 projects in 45 countries. Rockwell Automation acquired MAVERICK in 2016.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
Digitizing the Floor: How Data Drives Better Dough Production | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 12:00 PM (CDT)

PATRICK GAO

VP of AGIBOT Europe and North America
AGIBOT

Dr. Patrick Gao is the General Manager, North America Territory of AGIBOT Innovation Technology, a world-leading general-purpose embodied robots manufacturer. Dr. Gao received his Ph.D degree in Power Electronics and Energy Systems from University of Alberta and holds P.ENG to perform engineering design and consultation. Dr. Gao served as an active member in IEEE PES and PELS, IAS societies and is a reviewer of multiple IEEE transactions.

Under his leadership, AGIBOT has extended its international integration of industry -leading full-stack robotics platform with ‘Embodiment + AI’ to assist American enterprises and consumers. Before joining AGIBOT, Dr. Gao’s professional career includes product management, regional director and GM roles in renewable energy and consumer electronics. His unique cross-disciplinary expertise, deep technical foundation, and proven ability to build technology ecosystems have consistently positioned him as a transformative leader in high-tech industries.

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
Deployment Year One: Accelerating a New Era of Productivity with Embodied AI | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 11:00 AM (CDT)

JOSEPH GARCIA

VP, Strategic Partnership
Daedalus Industrial

Joe Garcia currently serves as the VP of Strategic Partnership for Daedalus Industrial - Daedalus is an integrator and OEM focused on delivering bespoke and standard solutions to Data Center and General Industrial clients throughout North America. Prior to joining Daedalus, Joe held a variety of leadership positions with other custom automation integrators and served as a Combat Engineer Officer in the Marine Corps. He currently resides in coastal SC.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Millions Spent. Results Missed. Why Automation Projects Fail—and How to Fix Them | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 11:30 AM (CDT)

WESLEY GARRETT

Executive Director
FANUC America
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Wes Garrett serves as Executive Director of Global Accounts at FANUC, where he leads strategic engagement with food and beverage manufacturers and system integrators focused on packaging automation.

With over 20 years in the robotics industry—including nearly two decades at FANUC—Wes has held key roles in turnkey systems engineering, product management, and network sales.

As a product manager, he was instrumental in advancing FANUC’s palletizing robots and software, supporting high-speed picking and packing applications.

Today, Wes works closely with global manufacturers to guide their automation strategies, helping them deploy robotics to improve efficiency, scalability, and competitiveness.

Wes holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Tech University.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Automation Made Simple: Scalable Robotic Solutions for Food & Beverage | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

JOSEPH GEMMA

Engelberger Robotics Award Recipient; Advisory Board, Integrion Automation

Mr. Joe Gemma has 35 plus years of experience working in the automation industry. Early in his career, he spent 12 years working for a System Integrator and then 20+ years working for Robotics OEM’s. Strongly supporting the industry by participating on the RIA Board of Directors and as past Chair, as well as severing on several committees. He currently serves on the Technology Sector Board of the Association for Advancing Automation. He has served on the Board of the IFR and past President for International Federation of Robotics. At Wauseon Machine, Joe is responsible for the front end of the business as the (CRO) Chief Revenue Officer. Previously he spent 5 plus years as the CEO/Chief Regional Officer for KUKA Robotics Division - Americas. Spending 18 years at Stäubli, Mr. Gemma was CEO the Stäubli Group North America. Until 1997, he worked for the US enterprises, Advanced Technology Systems, Crellin Technologies and Corner & Lada, working in engineering, project management, business development and sales management.

Mr. Gemma received the recognition from Association for Advancing Automation (A3) as the 2024 Joseph F. Engelberger Award recipient for leadership and currently serves on various committees of the A3, which covers the North American automation industry. Joe is committed to working to get broader visibility of the automation industry in general.

Session(s):

Educator Day
Welcome | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 10:00 AM (CDT)

JOE GERSTL

Sr. Director of Product Management
Velotic
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Joe Gerstl is the Sr. Director of Proficy Product Management at Velotic. He has worked in the software industry and in manufacturing for over 30 years, spending time in various roles including engineering, sales and product management while working at leading companies such as Microsoft, GE Vernova, and now Velotic.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Leveraging Cloud to Accelerate Digital Transformation in Manufacturing | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

CARRIE GILES

ACTE Past-President
Association for Career and Technical Education
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Carrie Giles has 21 years of experience working in secondary and post-secondary career-technical education. She currently serves as the Regional Lead for Ohio's Central Region Career Pathway Support Network and as the National Board Past-President for ACTE. Carrie is a graduate of Ashland University, ACTE's National Leadership Fellowship and Post-Secondary Leadership Programs, Ohio's Shoemaker CTE Institute, and The National Career Pathway Network's (NCPN) Leadership Development Academy.

Giles previously served as ACTE's Region 1 VP and President for The Ohio's Career-Technical.

Administrator's Association. She also serves on ACTE's Region 1 Policy and Conference Planning Committees and a mentor for new ACTE Board Members and ACTE Leadership Fellows.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
From Classroom to Career: Scaling Work-Based Learning (WBL) for Automation Pathways | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)

Educator Day
Building Scalable Robotics and Automation Pathways from K-12 to Industry | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:00 PM (CDT)

AMIT GOEL

Director Product Management, Autonomous Machines
NVIDIA
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Amit Goel is Director of Product Management for Autonomous Machines at NVIDIA, where he leads the product development of NVIDIA Jetson, the most advanced platform for AI computing at the edge, and developer relations for the NVIDIA Isaac robotics platform.

Amit has more than 15 years of experience in the technology industry, working in both software and hardware design roles. Prior to joining NVIDIA in 2011, he worked as a senior software engineer at Synopsys, where he developed algorithms for statistical performance modeling of digital designs.

Amit holds a Bachelor of Engineering in electronics and communication from Delhi College of Engineering, a Master of Science in electrical engineering from Arizona State University, and an MBA from the University of California at Berkeley.

Session(s):

Humanoid Robot Forum
KEYNOTE PANEL: The Next Frontier of Physical AI: Humanoid Robots at Scale | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)

KEYURKUMAR GOHEL

Staff Mechanical Engineer - Electronics Test Automation
Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies
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Keyur Gohel is a Staff Mechanical Engineer – Electronics Test Automation at Rivian, where he leads the development of scalable automated testing systems for advanced vehicle electronics, including ADAS, infotainment, and energy management ECUs. With prior experience at Joby Aviation, Keyur has worked on next-generation eVTOL aircraft, bridging the worlds of electric mobility and aerospace innovation.

Throughout his career, Keyur has focused on transforming complex prototype processes into high-volume, reliable, and data-driven manufacturing systems. His expertise spans automated fixture design, electromechanical integration, smart IoT-enabled test systems, and Industry 4.0 implementation for intelligent scalability.

Keyur’s vision lies in connecting automation technology with sustainability and human ingenuity — enabling teams to accelerate production without sacrificing innovation or quality. His work emphasizes modularity, digital twins, and closed-loop feedback systems to drive continuous improvement across manufacturing ecosystems.

A passionate advocate for smart manufacturing, Keyur frequently mentors engineering teams on applying design-for-automation principles and adopting intelligent data analytics for predictive maintenance and throughput optimization. His cross-industry insights — drawn from both EV and eVTOL sectors — offer a unique roadmap for organizations aiming to move from hand-built prototypes to production-scale systems with agility and confidence.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
From Prototype to Production: Scalable Smart Automation for the EV and eVTOL Era | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 3:30 PM (CDT)

JOSH GOODMAN

Product Marketing Manager
Minitab
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Josh Goodman brings over 13 years of experience in engineering, product management, and strategy. He has worked across the automotive, aerospace & defense, and advanced manufacturing sectors. His expertise spans process engineering, data infrastructure, and industrial analytics. At Minitab, he leads Customer Insights within the Strategy & Business Development team, supporting global companies in building data-driven cultures. Josh helps organizations bridge the gap between engineering challenges and business outcomes through practical process improvement and analytics.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
OEE Meets SPC: Automating Data Collection for Real-Time Process Improvement | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 3:45 PM (CDT)

DAVE GRANT

CEO
PickNik Robotics
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Dave serves as CEO of PickNik Robotics, where he has transformed PickNik from a prestigious services organization into a high-growth robotics solutions and software company. At the core of this transformation is MoveIt Pro, PickNik’s software that enables customers to accelerate robotics development, reduce integration costs, and scale intelligent automation across industries. Dave brings proven experience scaling software companies, having served at two startups that achieved successful exits, including one that reached unicorn status with a $1.6 billion valuation. Outside of work, Dave is an avid skier who relishes the steep and deep runs at Arapahoe Basin.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Assembly: Manufacturing’s Last Great Automation Challenge | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 2:30 PM (CDT)

PATRICK GRASBOECK

Director Automotive America
FerRobotics Inc.
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Patrick Grasboeck combines a strong technical foundation in automotive engineering with profound leadership and business development expertise across the Americas. As Director Automotive at FerRobotics, Patrick is responsible for driving the company’s automotive strategy and operations throughout North and South America, including the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

With his extensive knowledge of automation and surface-finishing technologies, Patrick plays a key role in supporting FerRobotics’ customers and partners across the automotive industry in mastering the challenges of flexible and sensitive automation. His work focuses on integrating FerRobotics’ patented Active Compliant Technology (ACT) and advanced tooling systems — such as the Active Contact Flange (ACF), Active Orbital Kit (AOK), and Active Angular Kit (AAK) — into large-scale production environments to enhance quality, efficiency, and precision.

Patrick is instrumental in driving the adoption of FerRobotics’ latest advancements, including the Active Taping Kit (ATK). This revolutionary end-of-arm tool enables the automated masking, taping, and wrapping of free-form surfaces by robots, eliminating a crucial manual bottleneck in production. Furthermore, his expertise is key to fully automating complex processes like automotive paint repair, delivering consistent, high-quality finishes that were previously unattainable with conventional robotics.

Prior to his current role, Patrick held various leadership positions, where he successfully managed cross-functional teams and implemented strategic initiatives to expand market presence and strengthen customer engagement.

Based in the Americas, Patrick collaborates closely with OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and industry partners to develop innovative, process-optimized automation solutions that bring FerRobotics’ sensitive robotic technology to life on modern production lines. He actively contributes his expertise to industry discussions and customer-focused initiatives that advance automation efficiency and quality across the region.

With his forward-looking approach and commitment to excellence, Patrick Grasboeck continues to drive FerRobotics’ mission to redefine automation — combining human-like sensitivity with industrial precision.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Revolutionizing Paint Repair: A Fully Automated Process at Stellantis | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

EDWARD GREGORY

President
Gregory Packaging Inc.

Edward (Ned) Gregory is President of Gregory Packaging Inc. and a recognized leader in the food packaging industry with more than fifty years of hands-on experience. He studied Mechanical Engineering at Manhattan College and completed advanced executive training at Harvard Business School.

Over the course of his career, Mr. Gregory has been deeply involved in every aspect of manufacturing and operations, from concept through execution. His expertise includes the design and construction of factories and warehouses, cold storage and refrigerated systems, aseptic process design, automated warehousing, and advanced material-handling solutions. He has led the design and implementation of automated manufacturing lines, integrated business and factory-floor software systems, and developed robust quality assurance and fail-safe procedures.

Mr. Gregory has also played a central role in new product development, strategic planning, sales leadership, capital investment planning, and the application of artificial intelligence to manufacturing and warehousing challenges. Above all, he is known for his commitment to day-to-day operational excellence and practical problem solving.

He continuously seeks cost-effective, automated solutions to the complex challenges facing modern manufacturing and distribution operations, with a strong emphasis on affordability and real-world results.

Outside of his professional work, Mr. Gregory’s interests include art, aviation, antique automobiles, model railroads, and philanthropy focused on advancing pediatric health care.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
From Manual to Automate: Real-World Lessons from the Front Lines | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:00 PM (CDT)

BLAKE GRIFFIN

Research Manager - Industrial Automation
Interact Analysis

Blake Griffin is a Research Manager at Interact Analysis, specializing in industrial automation, motion control, motor drives, and intelligent manufacturing technologies. He leads both syndicated and custom research projects focused on helping technology suppliers, OEMs, and industrial end users better understand evolving market dynamics, competitive positioning, and emerging growth opportunities.

Blake regularly works with product management, strategy, sales, and marketing teams across the industrial automation ecosystem to help organizations better align their investments and go-to-market strategies with changing customer needs and technology adoption trends.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
The Automation Market: The Statistics and Trends You Should Be Watching | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 1:45 PM (CDT)

DAVE GRIFFITH

Host
Manufacturing Hub

David Griffith, well-known co-host of the Manufacturing Hub podcast, has a technical background in aerospace and aviation. He has over 17 years’ experience helping manufacturing and industrial organizations. After successfully growing a systems integration firm, Dave transitioned to consulting in 2019. He specializes in delivering AI-enabled solutions and emphasizes blending operational needs with technology. Dave has delivered hundreds of millions in savings to his clients while fostering organization-wide engagement. Manufacturing Hub is a weekly podcast exploring important and emerging industry topics from the practitioner's point of view.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Software-Defined Automation and the Future Factory | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

GIORGIO GRIMALDI

SVP & General Manager, AGV
JBT Automated Systems
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Giorgio Grimaldi is the Senior Vice President and General Manager of JBT Automated Systems, where he leads the company’s global Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) business and drives strategic growth across advanced automation technologies. With a deep background in international executive leadership, Giorgio has held major leadership roles across industrial manufacturing, medical technology, and automation, bringing a broad and global perspective to transforming complex technical organizations.

His career spans Europe and North America, where he has consistently led large, high performance teams, scaled operations, and guided businesses through periods of significant transformation and innovation.

Today, Giorgio is at the forefront of advancing next generation total facility automation solutions at JBT Automated Systems—strengthening the company’s global market presence and accelerating innovation across a wide range of industries and applications. His thought leadership centers on customer-centric innovation, operational excellence, and the convergence of artificial intelligence and advanced robotics in shaping the next era of industrial productivity.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
From Manual to Automate: Real-World Lessons from the Front Lines | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:00 PM (CDT)

RILEY GROVES

Pre-Sales Team Lead
AMDT
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Riley is the Pre-Sales Team Lead for the Americas region at AMDT. Joining the company in July 2023, he brings experience in SaaS sales, solutions engineering, and enterprise deployment and training project management to the organization. Before transitioning to the Americas Team Lead role, Riley led Pre-Sales activities for the Americas Channel Sales team, providing Octoplant demos, executing partner technical enablement sessions, attending partner roadshow events, and driving Octoplant adoption and expansion with some of AMDT’s largest global customers. Riley was raised in Ohio, but currently resides in Pittsburgh, PA with his family.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Not on Your Watch: Protecting OT From Rising Cyber Threats | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

ANNEMARIE GROßE FRIE

Senior Vice President Factory Automation
Siemens

Annemarie Große Frie (born 1983) studied Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge (USA), followed by a master's degree in Political Science at the University of Oxford (UK).

She initially worked as a management consultant at the Boston Consulting Group in Munich.

In January 2013, she joined Siemens AG, beginning in the Corporate Sustainability Office before moving into corporate strategy, where she took on a team leadership role.

Since 2020, she has been responsible for central research and pre-development at the corporate level, focusing on key technologies such as power electronics, digital energy systems, and additive manufacturing.

In October 2023, she became Senior Vice President for Factory Automation within Digital Industries. Together with her team, Annemarie shapes fundamental aspects of factory automation as part of the future of industrial operations.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Navigating Your Digital Transformation | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:45 AM (CDT)

ANDREAS GRÖGER

CTO Industrial Automation
Schneider Electric Operations Consulting GmbH

Andreas Groeger has served as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the Industrial Automation business at Schneider Electric since October 2025. Prior to this, he held several global leadership roles at Siemens and most recently, as Vice President at Digital Industries, was responsible for the global strategy, portfolio, and the establishment of the Battery Solutions/DPP business.

Groeger began his career as an electronics technician at Otto Bihler Maschinenfabrik in Halblech, where he gained extensive experience in mechanical engineering and maintenance. He later worked as a research associate at the Technische Hochschule Nuremberg in the field of power electronics and drive technology.

During his tenure at Siemens AG, Groeger held multiple development and leadership positions, including in Advanced Technologies & Standards and Motion Control, as well as heading the global research program for Software Defined Inverters. As Vice President, he additionally led the company-wide technology units for Power Electronics and Integrated Circuits & Electronics and also served as the regional head of Siemens Technology Portugal. His focus areas included the transformation from hardware to integrated hardware-software portfolios, the development of globally distributed R&D organizations, and innovation programs for battery, electronics, and IoT technologies as well as cloud software.

Groeger holds an Executive MBA from the Technical University of Munich and the University of St. Gallen, as well as a Master of Science and a Diploma in Electrical and Information Technology from the Technische Hochschule Nuremberg. He was a Visiting Scholar at Stanford University and is an alumnus of the Bavarian Elite Academy. He has also held teaching assignments at the Technische Hochschule Nuremberg and FAU Erlangen. His technical profile is complemented by a vocational qualification as an electronics technician and an advanced certification as an industrial technologist specializing in drive and automation technology.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
From Complexity to Autonomy: Your Competitive Advantage | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 4:15 PM (CDT)

GERMAN GUERRERO

Director of Business Development
Convergix Automation

German Guerrero is the Director of Business Development at Convergix Automation, where he leads strategic partnerships and enterprise customer initiatives across the manufacturing sector. He works closely with global manufacturers to adopt and scale advanced automation solutions that drive productivity, flexibility, and long-term operational resilience.

German brings broad experience across industrial automation, robotics, metrology, machine vision, and surface treatment technologies, giving him a practical, systems-level perspective on modern manufacturing challenges. His work spans everything from robotic automation and precision inspection to quality control, finishing processes, and digital manufacturing strategies.

In his role, German collaborates extensively with leading robotics, controls, vision, and automation technology providers, aligning partner ecosystems with customer needs and guiding solutions from early concept through full-scale deployment. His industry perspective has been shaped through hands-on engagement across automotive, consumer goods, life sciences, logistics, and other advanced manufacturing environments.

Known for his collaborative approach and trusted industry relationships, German is passionate about building partnerships that translate complex technologies into measurable business outcomes—helping manufacturers navigate increasingly global, competitive, and technology-driven operations.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Lessons from System Integrators | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 11:00 AM (CDT)

JORDAN GUHL

VP of Sales
JBT Automated Systems

Jordan Guhl is a seasoned automation and robotics executive with over 17 years of industry experience and more than a decade in the AGV market. He now serves as Vice President of Sales, where he leads global sales strategy and growth across all market segments served by the organization. His background spans mobile robotics, supply chain logistics, data analytics, and lean process improvement, enabling him to align technical capabilities with strategic business outcomes.

Prior to joining JBT Automated Systems, Jordan held engineering roles supporting leading medical device companies, including Philips Healthcare and B. Braun, gaining operational experience across more than 150 facilities nationwide. He holds a degree in Computer Science from Otterbein College and remains actively engaged with professional and industry organizations, including MGMA and Columbus Young Professionals.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Starting Your Automation Journey: What Engineers and Plant Managers Need to Know Before Deploying AGVs and AMRs | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

BILL GUIDERA

Deputy Undersecretary for Innovation and Engagement
International Trade Administration

Bill Guidera serves as the Deputy Undersecretary for Innovation and Engagement in the International Trade Administration, where he and his team drive the policy conditions for U.S. digital, financial, supply chain, and other services industries to innovate at home and around the world.

Previously, Mr. Guidera led government and public affairs programs within companies like PrizePicks, Netflix, 21st Century Fox, and Microsoft in federal, state and international arenas. His experience includes specializations in law, public policy, communications, entertainment and internet law.

Originally from Minnesota, Guidera was educated at Bates College and the George Mason University School of Law (now the Scalia Law School).

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Building a U.S. National Strategy for Robotics and Automation | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 1:45 PM (CDT)

ZAIN GULAMALI

Business Development and Strategic Partnerships
Microsoft

Zain is a Startup and Venture Capital Business Development leader for Microsoft for Startups and has 20+ years of experience across VC, BD and corporate development, strategy, and startup roles. Before Microsoft, he was GM of the Strategic Partnerships team (majority of Global Partnerships revenue) at Workday. Previously, he spent nearly a decade at Amazon, where he led early-stage venture investments as an Investment Partner at the Amazon Alexa Fund (AI, consumer, and deep tech focus), Amazon’s first corporate VC fund; and founded and led the emerging VC investment effort through Amazon Catalytic Capital. He also held operating roles at Pocket Gems (Sequoia-backed mobile games startup) in business operations and product strategy, business development, and strategic finance.

Before the world of startups and venture, Zain spent time in private equity (Warburg Pincus), investment banking (Goldman Sachs), and strategy consulting (Monitor Group). He studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, and he volunteers in education and youth development through the Aga Khan Development Network (global NGO).

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Navigating Your Digital Transformation | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:45 AM (CDT)

JAI GUPTA

Principal Product Manager
MathWorks

Jai Gupta is a principal product marketing manager at MathWorks, overseeing Image Processing, Computer Vision, and related products, including their deployment to edge devices. Prior to joining MathWorks he was a senior technical product manager in Amazon’s Alexa AI organization, and prior to that he was CEO of AI hardware accelerator startup Spero Devices. Jai has also served as a Principal Investigator on DARPA’s VIP and ACCESS programs related to Edge AI hardware accelerators and holds a BSEE degree from the University of Pennsylvania, an MSEE degree from the University of Southern California, and an MBA from Duke University.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
From Pilot Purgatory to Production: Scaling Edge AI in the Modern Enterprise | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 4:00 PM (CDT)

NITIN GUPTA

Vice President & Co-Founder
Dori AI
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Dr. Nitin Gupta is co-founder and Vice President of Dori AI, a industry-leading enterprise with the vision of enabling the applied AI market with a platform that accelerates the adoption of AI-based computer vision applications across manufacturing and logistic enterprises. He has 15+ years of experience leading product and architecture in AI, edge, mobile, and computer vision based systems. Prior to Dori, he commercialized various AI/ML products and computer vision efforts in Google's Daydream team where he led development and manufacturing operations for some of the company's bleeding edge AR/VR headsets.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Seeing is Solving: Advances in Smart Inspection | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

RYAN GUTHRIE

Executive Vice President
TM Robotics

Ryan is an accomplished automation professional with nearly two decades of hands-on experience in robotics, system integration, and global business development. Currently serving as Executive Vice President at TMRA, he leads new business initiatives across North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa, bringing a truly international perspective to the evolving automation landscape.

Since entering the industry in 2007, Ryan has worked extensively with industrial robotic systems, supporting integrators and end users across a wide range of applications. His expertise includes robot programming and training, vision systems, PLC and HMI design, end-of-arm tooling, and system optimization. He also spent seven years in Europe as a Service Manager, further strengthening his global experience and focus on building long-term customer relationships. Most recently, he joined Shibaura Machine’s Casting & Molding Division, helping drive its evolution into a full turnkey solutions provider.

Passionate about mentorship and knowledge sharing, Ryan is committed to developing the next generation of automation professionals. He believes that strong relationships, continuous learning, and hands-on experience are key to long-term success in this industry—making him a valuable voice in today’s conversation on mentoring in automation.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Mentors, Mistakes, and Momentum | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

MATTHIAS HAYNL

Bus. Unit Mgr, Func Safety & OT Cyber Sec
TÜV Rheinland of North America Inc.
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Matthias Haynl is a seasoned engineering leader and functional safety expert with over 24 years of experience in industrial systems, safety engineering, and cybersecurity. He currently serves as Business Unit Manager for Functional Safety and Cyber Security at TÜV Rheinland North America, where he oversees technical operations, business development, and cross-regional coordination of safety services.

Mr. Haynl began his career as a development engineer, specializing in hardware and software design for communication systems. Since joining TÜV Rheinland in 2003, he has built deep expertise in functional safety assessments in accordance with international standards such as IEC 61508, IEC 61511, and ISO frameworks. His work spans a wide range of industries, including industrial machinery, process automation, power generation, and safety-critical control systems.

Over the course of his career, he has led numerous safety evaluations of complex systems such as PLCs, turbine protection systems, and safety-related network components. In addition to his technical contributions, he is an experienced trainer, regularly delivering seminars on functional safety, machinery safety, and cybersecurity standards, including IEC 62443.

Mr. Haynl has also played an active role in international standardization efforts, contributing to committees such as ISO 19014 and ISO 22119. His combination of technical depth, leadership, and global experience positions him as a trusted authority in functional safety and industrial cybersecurity.

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
Future-Proofing Physical AI Systems for Certification Readiness | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:15 PM (CDT)

WILL HEALY III

Director of Product & Industry Marketing
Teradyne Robotics
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Will Healy III is enthusiastic about technology and workforce. A Purdue University engineer who loves to share his passion for automation, Will is a global leader at Teradyne Robotics who speaks about automation technology investments, and creating value through collaborative automation. With nearly 25 years of experience; Will is widely published and presents internationally at a variety of conferences.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
The Evolution of the Collaborative Application From Cobot to Advanced Robotics and Physical AI | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

BRIAN HEATER

Managing Editor
Association for Advancing Automation (A3)

Brian Heater is A3’s Managing Editor. During his 20+ year career in technology journalism, he has worked as Hardware Editor at TechCrunch, Managing Editor at Tech Times, and Director of Media at Engadget. He is the host of the RiYL podcast and lives in New York’s Hudson Valley with his two rabbits, June and Flash. 

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Navigating Your Digital Transformation | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:45 AM (CDT)
The Automated Podcast: Live on Stage with Ali Agha of FieldAI | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 10:30 AM (CDT)

Humanoid Robot Forum
PANEL: Developing Safety Standards for Humanoid Robots | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 2:00 PM (CDT)
PANEL: Hands, Manipulation, and the State of Physical AI | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 4:00 PM (CDT)
FIRESIDE CHAT: The Commercial Viability of Humanoids — Why the Home Is Last, Not First | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 1:05 PM (CDT)
PANEL: Scaling, Delivering, and Deploying: Humanoids in the Real World | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 3:00 PM (CDT)

JANE HEFFNER

VP Sales - Americas
MiR

Jane Heffner is the Vice President of Sales at Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR), responsible for all activities in the Americas including sales, application engineering, service & support and marketing in the US, Canada and LATAM. Jane is passionate about MiRs mission to extend industrial automation further into human scale operations as well as the technology behind it. Prior to joining MiR, Jane spent many years in various leadership roles in sales, marketing and product management across automation companies, industrial manufacturers and automotive Tier 1 suppliers.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
The Robotics Executive Roundtable: What’s Next in Automation: Market Forces, Technology, and Leadership Perspectives | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 10:30 AM (CDT)

JASON HENNING

Senior Key Expert — Solution Delivery
Siemens

Jason’s expertise lies in extracting meaningful insights from diverse industrial datasets to develop and refine intelligent, automated control applications. His journey began in astrophysics, where he analyzed cosmic microwave background data from the South Pole Telescope. This research honed his abilities in advanced data science techniques. At Siemens, Jason bridges the gap between IT and OT by designing scalable, reliable solutions from the factory floor to the cloud. He specializes in the robust integration of industrial AI, leveraging an extensive background in data engineering, modeling, and experimental design.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Bridging the Gap: A Multi-Perspective Reality for Modern Automation | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 1:00 PM (CDT)

ERIC HERSHBERGER

Principal Application Engineer
Cognex

Over 25 years of machine vision integration and application experience. I program robots, plc's and of course cameras. I know a few tips and tricks to make life easier for those difficult to solve vision projects that never have a good solution. I spend more time figuring how to simplify the solution to make the support of the application easier. I love a tough problem to challenge me and being able to come up with a neat solution always makes me happy.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Machine Vision Made Simple | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

MARTYN HILBERS

Manager EAE architects USA
Schneider Electric

With over 25 years of global experience in industrial automation and control systems, Martyn Hilbers is a seasoned engineer and leader in the field of industrial controls and digital transformation, currently leading a small team of engineers providing technical sales support for the next generation automation platform Ecostruxure Automation Expert at Schneider Electric. Renowned for pioneering advanced automation and predictive analytics across diverse industries—including food and beverage, dairy, mining, energy, and water treatment— Martyn combines deep technical expertise with visionary leadership.

Beginning his career in the Netherlands and progressing through key engineering and leadership roles in Australia, Canada, and the U.S., Martyn has successfully managed multimillion-dollar automation projects, led international teams, and contributed to Industry 4.0 innovations as a patent holder, trainer, and conference speaker. His approach emphasizes people-centric automation and digital transformation, continuous improvement, and total productive maintenance (TPM).

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Design Faster, Deploy Smarter: Engineering with Open, Software-Defined Automation | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 2:30 PM (CDT)

GARY HILL

Chief Innovation Officer
Future Technologies Venture, LLC

Gary Hill, Chief Innovation Officer at Future Technologies, brings more than 35 years of experience designing, integrating, and securing complex industrial networks. Having led transformative technology programs at Georgia-Pacific and now architecting Future Technologies’ advanced Living Lab environment, Gary understands both how modern connectivity strategies can unlock significant operational value—and how they can unintentionally introduce risk, cost, or performance bottlenecks if not rigorously validated.

A specialist in private 4G/5G, LAN/FAN/WAN integration, OT/IT convergence, cloud-edge architectures, cybersecurity, and edge AI, Gary helps customers de-risk decisions by recreating real-world network conditions through structured testing, proofs of concept, and field-ready validation. His technical depth and process-first approach empower industrial leaders to confidently navigate rapidly evolving connectivity technologies while protecting uptime and security.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Real-Time Manufacturing Excellence: Private 5G and Edge Computing in Action | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 12:00 PM (CDT)

CHRISTOPHER HOEMEKE

Global Account Manager
Rockwell Automation

From sensors to insights....Industry 4.0 and IoT executive with experience across several verticals including manufacturing, oil and gas, aerospace and smart spaces and agriculture. A true passion for Private 5G Network solutions.

A critical liaison between product, business, and engineering teams. And robust international experience across 50 countries.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
From Run to Break to Prescriptive Operations | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

MARK HOLCOMB

Director of Product Management for ALIO Industries
Allied Motion, an Allient company

Mark Holcomb is currently the Director of Product Management for ALIO Industries, part of Allied Motion, an Allient company. He studied at the University of Buffalo (MS 1994) and began his professional career at CSA Engineering (now Moog) in Palo Alto, California. In 1997 Mark started his own consulting company, focusing his work at KLA, a leading semiconductor equipment manufacturer. While at KLA, Mark conducted model testing and servo loop modeling, tuning, and testing. Joining Celera Motion in 2015, his early work focused on writing software for BLDC motor analysis and automated testing of motors and mechatronics products. In 2018 he became Applications Engineering Manager, helping customers solve their motion control needs. In September of 2022, Mark joined Genesis Motion Solutions as Director of Product Management and Application Engineering where he supported a team of product managers and applications engineers, setting product roadmaps and helping customers and internal sales with pre and post sales technical support. In December of 2023, Mark returned to work as a motion control consultant, focusing his talents towards helping people solve precision motion challenges, both technically and commercially. Mark joined Allied Motion in July of 2024, working predominantly in a product manager capacity for ALIO Industries, but also supporting two other Technical Units of Allied Motion, those being ThinGap and Sierramotion.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Introduction to Magnetism and Motor Basics | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 2:00 PM (CDT)
CMCP Course Review and Exam Prep | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 1:15 PM (CDT)

ULRICH HOMANN

Corporate VP & Distinguished Architect
Microsoft Corp.

Uli Homann is Corporate Vice President & Distinguished Architect at Microsoft, where he spearheads strategic innovation across the Cloud + AI portfolio. A pioneer in confidential computing and sovereign cloud architecture, he has played a pivotal role in shaping Microsoft’s infrastructure strategy for regulated industries and geopolitical alignment.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
From Complexity to Autonomy: Your Competitive Advantage | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 4:15 PM (CDT)

MATTHEW HORI

Field Application Engineer
Allied Vision Technologies

Matt Hori is a Field Application Engineer at Allied Vision with over 25 years of experience in the machine vision industry. He specializes in camera and image sensor technology, with a focus on sensor performance, image quality fundamentals, and practical system design considerations. His work centers on helping customers apply imaging technology to real-world automation applications using area scan, line scan, and advanced imaging solutions.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Advanced Camera and Image Sensor Technology | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

HOWARD HORN

Product Line Manager
Regal Rexnord
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Howard brings over 25 years of precision gearing experience and has partnered with humanoid robotics and broader automation OEMs to develop custom, co-engineered gearing solutions. He works closely with engineering teams to design application-specific systems that meet demanding requirements for torque density, precision, and compact form factors. His strength lies in collaborating directly with customers to solve complex motion challenges, helping enable next-generation robotic platforms through tailored solutions.

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
Beyond the Lab: Designing Scalable Motion Systems for Humanoid Robots | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 12:30 PM (CDT)

ALEX SHAO-FENG HSU

Senior Engineer
Techman Robot Inc.
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Alex is a seasoned robotics expert with over eight years of experience in robot development and application. At Techman Robot, he specializes in designing and developing innovative features for AI cobots, ensuring they meet the versatile demands of modern industrial environments.

Beyond feature innovation, Alex possesses deep expertise in virtual simulation development. By leveraging advanced simulation tools, he enables manufacturers to visualize, test, and optimize robotic workflows in a virtual space before physical implementation. This technical synergy allows for higher precision and significantly faster deployment, helping enterprises achieve seamless automation and high-efficiency production through cutting-edge AI-driven solutions.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Addressing U.S. Reshoring Challenges with Techman Robot’s Smart Vision and AI | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

BRANDON HUDSON

Director of Workforce Development
SkillsUSA
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Brandon Hudson is the Director of Workforce Development for SkillsUSA. As part of his role, Brandon is responsible for SkillsUSA’s experiential workforce development initiatives and oversees 115 different national competitions that serve as premier showcase of America’s most highly skilled career and technical education students and one of the largest hands-on workforce development events in the world. Prior to his arrival at SkillsUSA, Brandon served as the Senior Director of Workforce and Economic Development with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. At THEC, Brandon assisted with the administration of the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) grants and the Supporting Postsecondary Access in Rural Communities (SPARC) grants and worked to align postsecondary Career and Technical Education with workforce needs by facilitating partnerships and sharing best practices across the State of Tennessee. Prior to THEC, Brandon was the Vice President at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Shelbyville and was the Coordinator of Special Projects at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville.

Brandon and his wife, Julia, live in Englewood, CO, where they have two dogs: Olive and Otis.

Session(s):

Educator Day
Building Scalable Robotics and Automation Pathways from K-12 to Industry | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:00 PM (CDT)

BEN HULL

Director of Sales
item America

Ben Hull is Director of Sales at item America with 20+ years in the manufacturing industry. He champions empowerment through customers’ visions, leveraging innovative tools and products to remove friction, accelerate innovation, and deliver measurable value in an ever-adapting industry.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
Self-Serve Automation: How item Digitaltools Accelerate Design, Quoting, and Deployment | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

ROBERT HUSCHKA

Vice President of Education Strategies
Association for Advancing Automation (A3)

Robert Huschka is the Vice President of Education Strategies at the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), where he leads the development of educational programs and identifies emerging technology trends to integrate into A3's offerings. Before joining A3 in January 2018, Huschka spent 18 years at the Detroit Free Press, including serving as Executive Editor, where he was recognized for his expertise in audience growth, community building, and content strategy. He holds a degree from the University of North Dakota.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
The State of the Automation Industry: Leadership Roundtable | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 9:00 AM (CDT)

Automate Show Theater
The Robotics Executive Roundtable: What’s Next in Automation: Market Forces, Technology, and Leadership Perspectives | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 10:30 AM (CDT)

MARTIN HUSEK

Lead Applied AI Engineer
Ansys, part of Synopsys
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Martin is a Lead Applied AI Engineer at Ansys, part of Synopsys with 13 years of industry experience, including nine years focused on the development and deployment of AI- and ML-driven methods for engineering simulation and design. His work integrates data-driven models with physics-based simulation to enable next-generation computational design workflows.

He specializes in generative design, predictive engineering, and workflow automation, contributing to emerging AI-driven design methodologies. His work in this area has resulted in three patents.

Martin earned his PhD in Structural Dynamics, where his research focused on particle-based computational methods for modeling complex system behavior.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
Transforming Simulation at the Speed of AI: From Generative Design to Operations | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 10:30 AM (CDT)

BOB HYNES

Director of Sales
JR Automation
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Bob Hynes, Sales Director of Digital Solutions at JR Automation, brings over 30 years of experience in the automotive and industrial automation industries. With a strong background in product development, operations, strategic planning, automation, and business development, Bob is a seasoned global sales leader with expertise in sales management, manufacturing, and business planning. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Michigan. At JR Automation, Bob is dedicated to driving innovative digital solutions that empower manufacturers to optimize operations and embrace Industry 4.0.

• JR Automation – Hitachi since 2019 (6 years)
• Joined HIHA in 2023
• Director – Digital Solutions Business Unit starting 2020-Present
• Start-up company within JR Automation for OT / IT (with Hitachi)
• Director of Sales – JR Automation Hitachi 2019-2020
• Stevensville, MI and Holland, MI Business Units
• 25 Years at Johnson Controls / Prince Corp and 8 years at General Motors
• Engineering, Sales/Marketing, Strategic Planning, Operations, R+D
• Education: BS Mechanical Eng (Michigan State), MBA (University of Michigan)

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Harnessing AI for Scalable Automation: Real-World Solutions for Today that Adapt for Next-Gen Technology | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

JON JENSEN

Industry Projects Manager – Energy
SMC Corporation of America

Jon Jensen is SMC Corporation of America’s National Sales Manager for Energy Efficiency and Machinery Safety products. He is a Certified Machinery Safety Expert (TUV NORD), a past president of the International Fluid Power Society, an Accredited Instructor, and holds a Pneumatic Specialist certification. Prior to his current responsibilities, Jon served for ~10 years as SMC’s North American Training Manager and ~15 years managing SMC’s Energy Efficiency Team.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Smart and Sustainable Monitoring Solutions for Pneumatically Driven Machines | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 3:30 PM (CDT)

KYLE JOHNSON

Terramechanics Engineer
NASA Glenn Research Center

Kyle Johnson is a NASA engineer at NASA Glenn Research Center with 18 years of experience in robotic testing and terramechanics research. He specializes in the design and evaluation of non-pneumatic, shape memory alloy tires for next-generation lunar rovers, with expertise in both mobile and stationary test systems.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Rovers From the Classroom to the Moon | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 2:15 PM (CDT)

SARAH JONES

Sr. Program Manager, Workforce Development
Robotics Education & Competition Foundation

Sarah has been in education for 18 years. She started her career teaching secondary mathematics before transitioning to higher education as the Director of STEM Outreach at a local university. Throughout her career she has mentored new educators, worked with existing educators to create new and meaningful pedagogy for their classroom, promoted STEM education across the K-16 pathway, and worked with the AR Department of Education to expand the Computer Science initiative. She currently works with schools to provide students with the opportunity to earn Industry Certifications in Pre-Engineering and Robotics, and to expand their CTE pathways to be more industry relevant.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Inspiring Youth to Invigorate the Future STEM Pipeline | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

Educator Day
Robotic Safety, Risk Assessment, and Responsible AI in Education and Training | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

STEPHEN JONES

Sr Machine Vision Engineer
General Motors
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Steve Jones brings over 40 years of expertise in automation and controls, with a career spanning PLCs, robotics, laser safety, and machine vision. At GM, he has led transformative initiatives—developing global standards for robotics, lasers, and vision systems—and pioneered strategies that shaped GM’s automation platforms. A recognized thought leader, Steve has spoken at leading industry events including A3’s AIA, RIA, and Laser Photonics, influencing technology roadmaps and driving innovation across the supply base. As a Certified Vision Professional at the advanced level, he mentors engineers and leads the deployment of next-generation machine vision solutions for alternative energy programs. Passionate about preparing manufacturing for AI-driven automation, Steve shares his knowledge to inspire progress and ensure the future of intelligent systems is built on a strong foundation.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Requirements for Successful Machine Vision Applications: Past, Present, and Future | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:30 PM (CDT)

JEFF JONIAK

Play-by-Play Announcer
Chicago Bears

One of the energetic and exciting broadcast voices of the National Football League, Jeff Joniak enters his 26th season as the play-by-play announcer of the Chicago Bears, his 30th season involved in the game day radio broadcasts, and his 41st year of sports broadcasting in Chicago.

Entering his fourth season on the radio flagship home of the Bears, ESPN Chicago, Joniak is joined by Super Bowl winning Bear Tom Thayer, and former Bears fullback Jason McKie. Currently, Joniak hosts “The Bears ETC.” podcast for the Chicago Bears and the “Bears Weekly Radio” each week on ESPN Chicago.

On game days, Jeff co-hosts Bears-produced television shows, “Bears Game Day Live” and “Bears Game Night Live” on Fox, while also conducting post-game interviews on Marquee Sports Network Chicago Bears programming during the season. Since 2024, Joniak has been the play-by-play announcer of the Senior Bowl on Sirius XM’s NFL Radio.

From 1997-2022, Joniak hosted the Chicago Bears game day broadcasts on WMAQ and WBBM Radio, while serving as Director of Sports Operations, reporter, and sports anchor earning multiple awards over the years.

Throughout the year, Jeff emcees a number of charitable events, and special appearances for various companies. He is a board member for the Chicago Chapter of the National Football Foundation, and has emceed its Scholarship Awards ceremony for nearly 20 years. His work includes hosting the NFL’s Ed Block Courage Award ceremony for the Bears and the annual Chicago Bears Care Gala.

Joniak was selected by the NSMA as the 2022 Illinois Sportscaster of the Year and named to the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. A six-time winner of the Peter Lisagor Award, Joniak also was named the winner of the 2022 INBA Crystal Mic Award. Joniak earned multiple Associated Press “Best Sports Reporting” awards and earned the Silver Dome Award for “Best Play-by-Play” in 2006, and in 2013 and 2022 as “Best Sportscaster”. He was the winner of the RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Awards in 2007, 2009, and 2013. Jeff has also earned Chicago Midwest Emmy Awards for Bears television shows in 2009 and 2012.

Before joining the Chicago Bears media crew, Jeff co-hosted the game day broadcasts for the Chicago Bulls, during their championship years from 1991-1996. His first broadcasting job was at Sports Phone in Chicago, followed by stops at the Tribune Radio Network, Illinois News Network, CLTV, and Metro Networks where he started the sports department. It was at the old WMAQ Radio that Jeff became Sports Director, worked on Bulls broadcasts, anchored morning drive, and started with the Bears as the co-host of pre-game and post-game shows.

He is a 1980 graduate of Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, where he’s been named one of the school’s Distinguished Alumni and a 1984 Broadcast Journalism graduate of Iowa State University.

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Session(s):

Automate Conference
Built to Win: The Mindset Behind Championship Performance | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 9:00 AM (CDT)

SABRINA JOOS

Director, Program and Lifecycle Management for New Systems
Siemens

Sabrina leads the development and scaling of next generation industrial automation and AI driven manufacturing systems. She specializes in bridging customer discovery, forward deployment engineering, and lifecycle governance to turn complex, cutting edge technologies into repeatable, scalable solutions on the shop floor. She is highly passionate about making innovation executable and deeply believes that every great innovation starts by working side by side with users and ends with measurable impact on the shopfloor because the true test of innovation is whether users trust it enough to run production on it.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Bridging the Gap: A Multi-Perspective Reality for Modern Automation | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 1:00 PM (CDT)

JOSHUA JOSEPH

Manufacturing Engineer
Tesla, Inc
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Joshua Joseph is an AMR Launch Engineer at Tesla, leading the pilot deployment and scaling of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) to modernize material flow in legacy manufacturing environments. His work focuses on integrating AMRs with fleet management systems, warehouse management software, PLCs, and analytics platforms to deliver measurable efficiency gains, reduce logistics waste, and enhance human–robot collaboration on the factory floor.

Before his current role, Joshua worked as a Process Engineer at Tesla, driving process optimization and automation integration across high-volume production lines. He holds a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University, where he taught Smart Factory systems in FESTO’s Cyber-Physical Lab and conducted robotic process improvement research at the Kostas Research Institute for Homeland Security.

Blending practical factory experience with research-based automation insight, Joshua focuses on bridging legacy manufacturing with next-generation autonomous systems. His current work explores scalable AMR deployment strategies, interoperability standards, and quantifiable ROI for industrial automation.

Joshua is a Certified Automation Professional (CAP) Associate with ISA and an active contributor to the Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers (IISE) Young Professionals Division. Outside of engineering, he is a recognized LinkedIn voice, sharing lessons on technology innovation and career growth. His mission is to make automation accessible, measurable, and transformative for factories of every scale.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Scaling AMRs in Legacy Factories: Measurable Efficiency Gains and Real-World Deployment Strategies | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

CASEY JULIANO

Robotics Teacher & Program Developer
Tomorrow Tech Academy | Juliano Ventures
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Casey Juliano is an award-winning educator, robotics coach, and founder of Tomorrow Tech Academy, with more than 27 years of experience empowering students through hands-on, innovative learning. She has taught across every elementary and middle school grade level, building a career centered on creativity, problem-solving, and developing student confidence through real-world application.

Over the past decade, Casey has established herself as a recognized leader in K–12 robotics education, translating classroom instruction into high-impact competitive success. Under her leadership, her teams have achieved historic milestones on the global stage. In 2025, her students earned the VEX World Championship Excellence Award, followed by the 2026 CREATE U.S. Open Championship Excellence Award, making them the first teams from Nevada to achieve both honors. These accomplishments reflect not only technical excellence, but a deep commitment to the engineering design process, iteration, and student-driven innovation.

In addition to her work in the classroom and in competition, Casey collaborates with schools, organizations, and industry partners to provide consulting, program development, and event planning that expand access to high-quality STEM and robotics opportunities.

Casey’s contributions to STEM education have earned her national recognition. She was inducted into the VEX STEM Hall of Fame and named an Inspiration All-Star. She has also been recognized as the 2026 Secondary Teacher of the Year for Area 3 in the Clark County School District and as Nevada’s first K–12 Digital Day of Learning Teacher of the Year by the Nevada Department of Education.

As the founder of Tomorrow Tech Academy, Casey is focused on expanding access to high-quality robotics and engineering experiences through camps, enrichment programs, and competitive pathways, connecting education with industry-relevant skills and preparing students to become the next generation of innovators, engineers, and problem-solvers.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Student-Centered Engineering Design Notebooks: Teaching Students to Think, Document, and Iterate | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:00 PM (CDT)

DAN JUNKER

CEO
Automation Rangers, Inc.

Dan Junker participates on ISO, A3 and UL Standards committees and is a TuV Nord Certified Machine Safety Expert as well as a Dan owns Automation Rangers, a safety consulting firm specializing in robot,AMR, crane, material handling systems, Corporate Safety Strategy, writing Safety Programs and CE Mark ROI based applications.

Dan is part owner of Robot Safety Center endorsed by the A3 for their task-based risk assessment software addressing AI, 3D point cloud, robot, machine and material handling systems. Robot Safety Center is DOD security compliant.

Dan Junker is also well known for originating cableless safe control systems for robots, material handling, cranes and 3D point cloud personal safety around automation. Automation Rangers is assisting with risk assessments for major plant expansions and helping develop strategies for addressing the new Standards.

Dan is an accomplished author on cableless safe control, task-based risk assessment and general automation safety applications, with a book in the works to be released in early 2026.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Dynamic Risk Assessments for AI and 3D Point Cloud Technology | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

CHRISTELLE KEEFER

Director of Training and Certification
Association for Advancing Automation (A3)
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Christelle is passionate about advancing automation and creating opportunities that strengthen and prepare the workforce. She currently leads the strategy, development, and execution of training and certification programs at the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), supporting professionals across robotics, automation, machine vision, motion control, and AI. Her work focuses on building industry-relevant learning pathways, certifications, and curriculum that help individuals and organizations develop the skills needed to succeed in the rapidly evolving automation landscape.

Named one of the 10 Women Shaping the Future of Robotics by the International Federation of Robotics, and recognized with the Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce Tomorrow’s 20 Award and Oakland County’s 40 Under 40, Christelle is committed to driving progress across the industry. She is also a strong advocate for women, underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, and diverse communities to explore and thrive in automation.

Through advisory committees, industry collaboration, and mentorship initiatives, she works to connect industry, education, and community. Having partnered with professionals, educators, and students across more than 40 countries, Christelle continues to help shape the future of automation by expanding access to knowledge, opportunity, and innovation.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Building the Automation Workforce: From Early Education to Industry Skills | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 3:00 PM (CDT)

Automate Show Theater
Millions Spent. Results Missed. Why Automation Projects Fail—and How to Fix Them | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 11:30 AM (CDT)

Educator Day
Building Scalable Robotics and Automation Pathways from K-12 to Industry | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:00 PM (CDT)

MATT KEIL

Director of Sales - Automotive
SICK
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Matt Keil is the Director for Automotive Sales at SICK. He has been with SICK for over 8 years. With expertise in factory automation and OEM manufacturing, Matt works to provide customers with strategies to achieve operational excellence and sustained productivity.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Lights-Out Manufacturing: Powering Autonomous Production | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:30 PM (CDT)

ANI KELKAR

Partner and Global Leader, Robotics & Automation
McKinsey & Company
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Ani Kelkar, PhD, is a Partner at McKinsey & Company and the Global Leader of McKinsey’s Robotics & Automation practice. He advances Physical AI globally by shaping the firm’s research agenda and client service strategy and connecting stakeholders across the ecosystem.

Ani is a leading voice in the physical AI space, with publications in Harvard Business Review, The Atlantic, and multiple McKinsey platforms, and he frequently speaks at conferences such as CES, Humanoids Summit, and Ride AI. His recent contributions include “Transforming Industries with Physical AI” (CES, January 2026), “How to Successfully Automate in Manufacturing” (Harvard Business Review, September 2025), and “When Humanoid Robots Come to a Small-Town Factory” (Wall Street Journal, March 2026).

As a Partner at McKinsey & Company, he advises incumbents, investors, and disruptors across the robotics and automation landscape. His recent client work includes supporting a leading robotics disruptor on product strategy, business planning, and go-to-market execution, culminating in a multi-billion-dollar fundraising round and commitments for more than 10,000 units. He has also advised the Board of Directors of a major automotive technology company on the impact of humanoid robots on operations, contributing to the establishment of a “factory of the future.”

An engineer by training, Ani earned his PhD from Purdue University and his bachelor’s degree from the Institute of Chemical Technology in India.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Enabling the Data Center Boom: Intelligent Automation | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)

Humanoid Robot Forum
PANEL: Scaling, Delivering, and Deploying: Humanoids in the Real World | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 3:00 PM (CDT)

TOM KELLY

CEO and Executive Director
Automation Alley

Tom Kelly is a globally recognized expert on Industry 4.0 and its impact on business. As executive director and CEO of Automation Alley, a Michigan-based nonprofit Industry 4.0 knowledge center with a global outlook and a regional focus, Tom is often tapped to share his visionary leadership and expertise around digital transformation.

As executive director and CEO, Tom has been instrumental to the success of Automation Alley’s Industry 4.0 initiatives, designed to help businesses jumpstart or accelerate a digital path to strategic success, including Integr8, the global Industry 4.0 conference; the 3D printing network Project DIAMOnD; and the formation of the World Economic Forum’s U.S. Centre for Advanced Manufacturing.

Tom serves on the World Economic Forum’s Global Futures Council for Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains, is a member of the Additive Manufacturing Coalition Steering Committee, and is a board member of the Fraunhofer Technology Advisory Board, Global Future Council on Advanced Manufacturing and Value Chains and Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center Board.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
The Software-First Factory: How Automation and AI are Rewriting the Rules of Manufacturing | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

VISHWANATH KETKAR

Motion Controls Engineer
Beckhoff Automation LLC

Dr. Vishwanath Ketkar is a Motion Controls Engineer with Beckhoff USA. A PhD in Electrical Engineering, Dr. Ketkar is an emerging expert in the areas of motion control systems, drive technology, assistive robotics, motor rehabilitation, and haptics. As an engineer and scientist with more than four years of scholarly research experience, Dr. Ketkar has applied his deep academic knowledge to support Beckhoff customers in the implementation of next generation motion control and robotic systems. In addition to this expertise, Dr. Ketkar also has an extensive programming background for use in motion control systems, including IEC 61131-3 languages along with software platforms and standards such as TwinCAT, MATLAB®/Simulink®, Python, and C++.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Motion Controllers, Programming, and System Design Basics | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)
CMCP Course Review and Exam Prep | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 1:15 PM (CDT)

JUSTIN KING

Vice President, Product Management, Marketing, & Business Development
OMRON Robotics

Justin King is Vice President of Product Management, Marketing, and Business Development at OMRON Robotics, responsible for global product strategy, portfolio development, and growth initiatives.

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Justin focuses on driving innovation and delivering customer value through intelligent robotics solutions, including autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), collaborative robots, and software platforms.

Prior to joining OMRON, Justin held senior leadership roles at Emerson and Textron, where he led engineering, product management, and business development organizations, supporting global growth and technology innovation. He has significant international experience, including leadership roles in Asia, and a proven track record of aligning strategy, product development, and commercialization to accelerate business performance.

Justin holds an MBA from London Business School, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan, and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Brown University.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
The Robotics Executive Roundtable: What’s Next in Automation: Market Forces, Technology, and Leadership Perspectives | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 10:30 AM (CDT)

STEVE KINNEY

Director of Training
Smart Vision Lights

teve Kinney is a machine vision expert who joined Pulnix America and entered the machine vision industry in 1998. Going on to work for Basler, JAI, CCS, and now Smart Vision Lights, he has many years of machine vision imaging experience and has become an expert in industrial cameras and imagers. Since starting work in the lighting sector of Machine Vision in early 2015, he now combines camera expertise with machine vision lighting to bring an expanded knowledge base to the machine vision market.

Steve has additionally been an active A3 member and a current member of the A3 Board of Directors as Vice Chair of the Vision & Imaging Technology Strategy Board. He has been a past chairman of the AIA’s Camera Link Committee, beginning with its inception in 1999. As chair of one of the major standards committees, he has also been a participant the G3’s Future Standards Forum.

Steve has also been a major material contributor and instructor for the A3 Certified Vision Professional (CVP) program in both the Basic and Advanced CVP Camera + Image Sensor Technology courses. Steve currently is the Director of Training, Compliance and Technical Solutions for Smart Vision Lights in Muskegon, MI.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Advanced Vision Lighting | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 12:30 PM (CDT)

DEB KLING

VP Marketing
Association for Advancing Automation (A3)

Deb Kling is the Vice President of Marketing for the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) and a key member of the A3 Leadership Team. In this role, Kling leads a dynamic marketing team and advocates for the transformative benefits of automation across all industries. With a strong 1400-member foundation, they are committed to driving awareness and growth in the fields of robotics, vision, motion control and AI. Before joining A3, Deb spent her career in the motion control and robotics sectors with advancing technical and commercial roles at Parker Hannifin and Lenze. She holds an engineering degree from the University of Illinois and an MBA and executive credentials from Northern Illinois, Northwestern, and Harvard Business School.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Diversity and Emerging Leaders in Automation | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)

TOM KNAUER

Product Manager
Balluff
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Tom Knauer has extensive experience in industrial automation, with companies including Balluff, Omron STI, Parker Hannifin and GE Fanuc. His focus is on strategy, business development and product management for sensors, safety and networking. Tom works closely with customers, sales, product management and product development to create and execute Balluff’s solutions and strategies for robotics, intralogistics, assembly automation and condition monitoring.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Data-Driven Maintenance: Applying Smart Manufacturing Technologies To Foundational Approaches Developed In WW2 | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

KEITH KNIGHT

Director of Sales
Invio Automation, Inc.

Keith Knight is a commercial and technical leader in custom automation, supporting manufacturers across medical device, life science, and industrial markets. He works with Invio Automation to help customers evaluate automation opportunities, define technical approaches, and connect manufacturing challenges with practical, scalable solutions.

Keith’s experience spans motion control, precision assembly, automated equipment strategy, proposal development, and customer engagement. He brings a balanced perspective that combines technical understanding with business justification, helping organizations improve throughput, quality, and long-term manufacturing performance.

He has also contributed to industry education through speaking and training on motion control and automation topics, including practical considerations for system design, component selection, and implementation.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Mechanical Motion Control Components and Subsystems | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)
Understanding Inertia and Reflected Inertia | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:30 AM (CDT)
CMCP Course Review and Exam Prep | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 1:15 PM (CDT)

VISH KOLUR

Head of Business Development, Enterprise 5G - Emerging Markets
Ericsson
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Vish Kolur is Head of Business Development, Enterprise 5G - Emerging Markets, at Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions. In this role, Vish leads the development, co-creation and innovation of Industrial IoT solutions with strategic partners. He has 20+ years of experience in Information and Communication Technology industry; managing diverse IT, Telco and CIO functions including: cloud and IoT solutions, product management, business development and sales.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Brains and Brawn: Why Physical AI Needs Private 5G to Succeed in the Factory | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

DANIEL KUBIK

SVP
Rain Engineering
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Dan Kubik is Senior Vice President at Rain Engineering, headquartered in New Jersey. With deep expertise in enterprise SaaS and digital transformation for manufacturing, he has built a reputation as a trusted advisor and technology leader, guiding operational innovation at some of the world’s largest organizations.

Dan holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from NJIT and combines hands-on experience with strategic leadership across manufacturing execution systems, industrial automation, and enterprise platforms. He has successfully led technical and consulting engagements for Fortune 500 manufacturers, helping clients modernize operations and maximize business value through cloud-based solutions and actionable digital roadmaps.

Throughout his career, Dan has unified operations and IT infrastructure across global facilities, managed complex technology deployments, and enabled high-performing teams to deliver measurable results. He is recognized for building strong relationships, driving change through collaboration, and bridging the gap between plant-floor realities and long-term technology vision.

Dan remains committed to empowering manufacturers to accelerate innovation and build resilient, competitive digital operations. He brings a forward-thinking perspective to every engagement, focused on practical solutions and the transformative impact of technology.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Leveraging Cloud to Accelerate Digital Transformation in Manufacturing | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

THOMAS KUCKHOFF

Senior Product Manager
Omron Automation Americas
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Thomas Kuckhoff is a Licensed Professional Engineer and Senior Product Manager at Omron Automation Americas, where he leads strategic initiatives for industrial controllers, industrial PCs, and advanced automation platforms. With a Mechanical Engineering degree and an MBA from Clemson University, Thomas combines technical expertise with commercial insight to drive innovation and operational excellence across global manufacturing environments.

Throughout his career, Thomas has demonstrated leadership in shaping Industry 4.0 strategies, guiding organizations through digital transformation, and enabling scalable automation. He is the inventor of 13 U.S. patents and is consistently published on the topics of: IT/OT integration and advanced process control. His approach emphasizes building resilient, future-ready factories through data-first strategies that balance flexibility and cost efficiency.

Beyond his professional role, Thomas is deeply committed to leadership and community impact. He serves on nonprofit boards, including the Center for Developmental Services, and contributes to Clemson University’s MBA Alumni Council. Passionate about mentorship, he actively supports initiatives that prepare the next generation of engineers and business leaders. Thomas’s work reflects a vision of empowering teams, fostering innovation, and creating sustainable competitive advantages in an increasingly complex manufacturing landscape.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Being Data-First: A Practical Path to Agentic AI in Factory Automation | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

MATTHEW KULP

EVP, Managing Partner
St. Onge Company
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Matt Kulp is a degreed Industrial Engineer from the Rochester Institute of Technology and holds an MBA from Temple University. He began his career in the garment industry, gaining hands-on experience in both production and distribution before moving to an industrial manufacturer of roofing supplies.

In 1999, Matt joined St. Onge Company, a York, PA–based firm that provides supply chain engineering and consulting services worldwide. Over his tenure, he has led innovative material handling projects in roles ranging from engineer to project manager to director. Since 2017, he has served as Executive Vice President and Managing Partner.

Matt is an active member of the Material Handling Industry (MHI) organization and participates in several of its groups, including The Robotics Group and the Solutions Community. He is also a frequent speaker at MHI’s annual trade shows, ProMat and MODEX.

In his current role, Matt focuses on bringing cutting-edge industry insights back to the St. Onge team—ensuring their clients continue to benefit from leading-edge thinking and innovative solutions.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Last Mile Delivery Is at a Crossroads | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

UJJWAL KUMAR

President, DI Automation Americas
Siemens Industry, Inc.

Ujjwal Kumar serves as President of Automation for Siemens Digital Industries in the Americas, where he drives business growth, operational performance, and customer outcomes across the region. Siemens Digital Industries brings together a broad portfolio of automation, software, and services to help manufacturers advance their digital transformation.

With more than 25 years of experience across multiple industries and global organizations, Ujjwal has built, transformed, and scaled industrial businesses worldwide. His leadership background includes global P&L ownership, product portfolio evolution, and operational turnarounds, always guided by a consistent focus on applying the right technology to solve real, high-impact industrial challenges. At Siemens, this approach translates into delivering measurable customer outcomes by aligning innovation with practical, scalable execution.

Ujjwal believes the next era of manufacturing will be defined by human–machine collaboration, bringing people, automation, and data together to improve productivity, safety, and resilience. He is a strong advocate for physical AI and for building trusted partnerships that turn advanced technologies into real-world industrial solutions customers can deploy with confidence.

Ujjwal holds an MBA from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland, and a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. He is based in Boston, Massachusetts.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Enabling the Data Center Boom: Intelligent Automation | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)

LINCOLN LAGASI

Senior Offer Manager - Drive Solutions
Schneider Electric

Lincoln Lagasi is leading in efforts to advance industrial automation and digital transformation across the manufacturing sector. With experience in automation technologies and customer engagement, he works with OEMs, system integrators, and industrial end users to implement solutions that improve operational performance and efficiency.

In his current role, Lincoln is helping to shape organizational adoption of modern, software-driven approaches to automation, leveraging technologies such as connected devices, advanced control systems, and data analytics. He is focused on enabling more flexible and resilient operations while aligning with sustainability and energy efficiency goals.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Drives as a Performance Engine | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

BROOKE LAING

CSO, BDR, Growth + Visibility
Sisterhood of Trades, The MFG Connector, AeroGrowth

Brooke Laing is a steamfitter/welder turned manufacturing storyteller and business development specialist. Through podcasts, social media, and industry media, she shares real conversations from the shop floor to help connect the next generation of talent with modern manufacturing.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Built in the Group Chat: How Community is Reshaping Manufacturing Culture | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 10:30 AM (CDT)

FRANK LANGRO

Product Market Management, Pneumatic Automation
Festo Corporation

Frank Langro currently leads a multi-national team as the Director of Product Market Management for the Pneumatic Automation products at Festo. Frank has represented Festo in multiple areas in support of the advancement of automation, and in particular fluid power. He has participated in the development of national and global standards as a member of the National Fluid Power Association. He has represented Festo as an Industrial Advisory Board member for the CCEFP (Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power), a partnership between industry and several leading universities to steer the direction of fluid power research. Frank also holds four patents in the area of fluid power. In addition, Frank has been a volunteer for over 15 years with FIRST Long Island, a 501(c)(3) organization, that administers all four FIRST programs on Long Island. FIRST uses robotics as the platform to help the students develop an interest in science and technology, while developing the skills needed to excel in today’s environment. Since 2018 Frank has been a member of the Board of Directors of FIRST Long Island. Frank attained a BS degree in mechanical engineering from Hofstra University.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Choosing the Best Fit Motion Control Components and Systems | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

ERIC LANKE

President/CEO
National Fluid Power Association

Eric Lanke is the President and CEO of the National Fluid Power Association, a trade association of more than 300 organizations serving the hydraulic and pneumatic industries. He is responsible for setting NFPA’s strategic direction, and overseeing the programs and communications needed to achieve its objectives. He also serves as the President and CEO of the NFPA Education and Technology Foundation, an affiliated charitable organization that supports outreach, education and research programs in fluid power.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Choosing the Best Fit Motion Control Components and Systems | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)
From Crankshaft to Electro-Hydraulic, Closed-Circuit Drive and Control Solutions in Cryogenics | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 2:30 PM (CDT)
Smart and Sustainable Monitoring Solutions for Pneumatically Driven Machines | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 3:30 PM (CDT)

JONATHAN LANNAN

Director of Product Management
LMI Technologies
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Jonathan Lannan is an engineering leader with over 17 years of experience in designing and manufacturing advanced opto-electronic and sensing systems. As Director of Product Management at LMI Technologies, he leads the development of next-generation 2D and 3D smart inspection solutions used across industries such as semiconductor, electronics, automotive, and packaging. A McMaster University Engineering Physics graduate, Jonathan is passionate about turning complex sensing technologies into practical, high-impact tools that drive smarter automation and better manufacturing outcomes.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
3D Line Confocal Imaging in Action: Overview and Real-World Applications | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 2:30 PM (CDT)

DANIEL LAU

Professor and Director of Graduate Studies
University of Kentucky
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Dr. Daniel L. Lau received his B.Sc. degree (with highest distinction) in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, in 1995 and his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Delaware, Newark, in 1999. He is the Databeam Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Kentucky, Director of Graduate Studies, and a Certified Professional Engineer. Dr. Lau was elected to the A3 Vision Technology Strategy Board of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), where he provides strategic direction for the advancement of machine vision technology. Dr. Lau is widely published, including proceedings such as the IEEE and the book Modern Digital Halftoning (CRC Press, 2nd edition). His research spans 3D imaging, machine vision, digital halftoning, and optical engineering, and has appeared in Vision Systems Design, Photonics Spectra, Imaging Insight, and Inspect Magazine, with numerous patents granted in halftoning and structured light systems.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Understanding Time-of-Flight Cameras | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

Educator Day
Teaching AI-Enabled Robotics and Automation Without Chasing Technology Fads | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

JOSHUA LEATH

Senior Product Manager - Thermal Applications
Yaskawa Motoman
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Josh Leath is a Senior Product Manager at Yaskawa, specializing in welding robotics with previous careers in electronics, test equipment, and composites. Josh helps lead the development of innovative solutions tailored to the fabrication industry. He collaborates with engineers, industry partners, and customers to create systems that improve productivity, precision, and reliability. Passionate about driving progress automation, Josh is committed to helping businesses stay competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Beyond Collaborative Robots: How Smarter Automation Redefines Simplicity | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

STEPHEN LEVESQUE

Director, Artificially Intelligent Manufacturing System
The Ohio State University

Steve Levesque is the Director of Artificially Intelligent Manufacturing Systems (AIMS) at the Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence (CDME) and Associate Director at the Simulation and Innovative Modeling Center (SIMCenter). Steve joined OSU in 2024 with over 25 years of experience in the research and development of advanced manufacturing technologies. Steve currently directs the business activities, processes, and strategy for AIMS and SIMCenter. The AIMS and and SIMCenter teams provide cross-functional skills to deliver research solutions to industry and government while also providing meaningful hands-on opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Prior to joining OSU, Steve’s work experience included a variety of engineering and management roles with Caterpillar at their Tech Center, Framatome Inc. Repair and Replacement Division, and most recently EWI. Steve has held a wide range of roles including welding engineering, robotic programming, special projects engineering, commercial and government research engineering, project and program management, operations management, and patent and IP portfolio management. Steve has served customers across a variety of industry sectors including automotive, aerospace, chemical, consumer products, defense, energy, heavy manufacturing, transportation and technical training.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Robotics for Manufacturing: Trends, Best Practices, and What You Need to Know | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

RYAN LILLIBRIDGE

Vice President
Mission Design & Automation

Ryan Lillibridge is a Vice President at Mission Design & Automation with more than 20 years of hands-on experience in automation and advanced manufacturing. His career has spanned roles in engineering, business development, and organizational leadership, giving him both a ground-level and strategic view of what makes automation projects succeed or stall.

Throughout his career, Ryan has been instrumental in helping multiple leading industrial automation companies achieve record growth, as well as supporting his manufacturing customers to do the same. He works with manufacturers to navigate costly missteps and build strategic systems that support long-term success.

A solutions-oriented leader with a dual degree in Mechanical Engineering and Product Development and Manufacturing from Grand Valley State University, Ryan is passionate about cutting through complexity to drive results.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Millions Spent. Results Missed. Why Automation Projects Fail—and How to Fix Them | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 11:30 AM (CDT)

YJ LIM

Principal Technical Robotics Product Lead
MathWorks
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Dr. YJ Lim is the Principal Technical Product Lead at MathWorks, specializing in robotics and autonomous systems with over 25 years of experience. Previously, he was the Project Manager at Vecna Robotics, focusing on advanced robotics development. Before Vecna, Lim was the Chief Innovation Officer at Hstar Technologies, working on mobile robotics. He also led teams at Energid Technologies in robotic engineering services. Lim earned his Ph.D. from RPI and a Master's from KAIST.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Accelerating Industrial Robotics with AI and Generative Models | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

SCOT LINDEMANN

CEO
Mission Design & Automation

Scot Lindemann, CEO of Mission Design & Automation, has 30+ years of leadership in the Automation and Robotics industry. Throughout his career, Scot has served in various leadership roles, most recently as CEO for multiple automation system integration companies, and has been instrumental in leading all to achieve record growth.

Under Scot’s leadership, Mission Design & Automation has been named a Top Workplace in Michigan and the USA, received the 2025 Grand Valley State University Co-Op Employer of the Year Award, the 2024 West Coast Chamber Business Excellence Award, and has earned many other honorable achievements.

Scot is a former Director for the Robotics Industries Association and currently serves on the Association for Advancing Automation A3 Robotics Technology Strategy board. He is also one of a limited number of recipients of FANUC Robotics’ prestigious President’s Circle of Achievement award.

Scot is committed to helping manufacturers succeed through impactful automation integration, while building teams that grow alongside the solutions they deliver. Scot is also an advocate for mentoring and enabling the next generation of automation experts through partnerships with academia and programs like FIRST Robotics.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Lessons from System Integrators | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 11:00 AM (CDT)

JAN LIPHARDT

Founder
OpenMind
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Jan Liphardt is the founder & CEO of OpenMind, a San Francisco startup building OM1, an open-source, AI-native operating system for robots. A Stanford bioengineering professor, Jan has worked at the intersection of data, healthcare, and hardware, supported by the NIH, NSF, NCI, the US Department of Energy, and MITRE. His awards include a Sloan Research Fellowship, a Searle Scholarship, and a Mohr Davidow Ventures Innovator’s Award. Jan likes building things that are useful and helpful.

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
Social Intelligence for Homes and Workplaces | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 3:30 PM (CDT)

ROBERT LITTLE

Chief of Robotics Strategy
Robert Little Robotics Advisory, LLC

Robert Little is the co-founder and former President of ATI Industrial Automation, a global leader in robotic end-effector products. Following ATI’s acquisition by Novanta, he served as Chief of Robotics Strategy, where he shaped the future of automated technologies before transitioning to his current role at Robert Little Robotics Advisory, LLC.

With a career spanning 40 years, Robert is a seasoned veteran of the manufacturing and robotics sectors. His deep institutional knowledge allows him to identify and analyze critical industry trends, from the evolution of robotics to the integration of Physical AI. This extensive field experience is backed by a solid academic foundation; Robert holds a Master’s degree in Engineering, providing the technical proficiency required to navigate the complexities of advanced manufacturing and robotics design.

Throughout his tenure, Robert has been a pivotal figure in the robotics community, frequently serving on strategic boards and contributing to the growth of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). His unique combination of entrepreneurial leadership, strategic foresight, and technical expertise makes him a primary authority on the "manufacturing renaissance" and the global scaling of robotic solutions.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
The Robotics Executive Roundtable: What’s Next in Automation: Market Forces, Technology, and Leadership Perspectives | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 10:30 AM (CDT)

JIANJUN LIU

CEO
Apex Sensing LLC

Jianjun Liu is the CEO of Apex Sensing, where he spearheads the commercialization of next-generation tactile flexible sensor technologies for the robotics and automation industries in the USA market. A veteran strategy leader with more than two decades of experience in advanced electronic materials and sensors, Jianjun focuses on building enterprise partnerships with leading humanoid robotics developers to unlock advanced manipulation capabilities. He previously held executive marketing and corporate strategy roles at Rogers Corporation, TE Connectivity, and Dow Chemical, following his time as a McKinsey & Company consultant. He holds an MBA with honors from The Wharton School.

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
Next Generation Tactile Sensing for Robotics | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 3:30 PM (CDT)

EDITH LLONTOP

Technical Marketing Engineer
NVIDIA
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Edith Llontop is a Robotics Technical Marketing Engineer at NVIDIA. She has a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences from UC Berkeley and has experience doing robotics research both at Nvidia's Generalist Embodied Agent Research Lab and Berkeley's Artificial Intelligence Research Lab. She now works on projects that help support researchers, customers, and the broader robotics community leverage Nvidia's robotics technology.

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
How to Build End-to-End Physical AI Systems for Humanoid Robots | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 11:00 AM (CDT)

CHARLIE LONG

VP & GM Machine Vision and Fixed Industrial Scanning
Zebra Technologies
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Charlie Long is the VP & GM for Machine Vision and Fixed Industrial Scanning at Zebra. He joined Zebra in January 2025 with nearly 20 years of experience in factory automation and machine vision technology. Charlie leads Zebra’s global team in delivering innovative solutions that empower businesses to optimize their operations.

Before starting his career in factory automation, Charlie spent 10 years in the United States Air Force (USAF), where he developed a strong foundation in leadership, discipline, and technical expertise. Following his military service, Charlie held various leadership roles in the factory automation and machine vision sectors, gaining extensive experience in driving innovation and managing high-performing teams. Prior to joining Zebra, Charlie served as the National Sales Director for Keyence.

Charlie holds an MBA in Finance from Fayetteville State University, a Bachelor of Science in Management from Mount Olive University, and an Associate Degree in Aircraft Maintenance Technology. This diverse educational background, combined with his military and professional experience, has equipped him with a unique blend of technical, financial, and managerial skills that shape his leadership style.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
The Augmented Operator: Driving Productivity with Machine Vision and Mobile Intelligence | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 12:00 PM (CDT)

MARK LONGACRE

Sr. Strategist - Market Development
JBT Automated Systems
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Mark Longacre is the Sr. Strategist for Market Development at JBT Automated Systems where he leverages more than 25 years of experience in automation, engineering, and market strategy to guide the company’s growth in advanced industrial systems. His background includes roles as Application Engineering Manager and Marketing Manager at JBT, giving him deep technical insight into automated solutions, system requirements, and customer deployment challenges.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Starting Your Automation Journey: What Engineers and Plant Managers Need to Know Before Deploying AGVs and AMRs | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

Automate Show Theater
From Manual to Automate: Real-World Lessons from the Front Lines | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:00 PM (CDT)

VITOR LOPES PEREIRA

Manager - Digital Twins
Ansys, part of Synopsys

Vitor is responsible for all Ansys Digital Twin activities in Americas and has assisted companies across the various manufacturing segments to streamline their automation workflows by leveraging engineering simulation, sensor data and AI/ML.

Vitor joined Ansys after 10+ years in the industry, bringing together different perspectives on Digital Twin technologies from previous roles in R&D, Engineering, Operations, Business Development, Sales and Management.

He has had several patents issued and industry papers presented on the topic and is considered an SME in hybrid digital twins that combine physics modeling & simulation, AI/ML and telemetry data.

Vítor holds a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro – Brazil, both with emphasis in Computational Fluid Dynamics modeling and simulation for process optimization of multiphase and non-Newtonian flows.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
Enhanced Manufacturing Efficiency Powered by Hybrid Digital Twins | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

JUAN LOPEZ

Product Manager - Automation
SCHUNK
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Juan Lopez is a Product Manager for the Automation group at SCHUNK USA, where he oversees new product releases, market strategy, technical support, and broader product management responsibilities. He brings a deep understanding of automation systems, gained through years of hands-on design and project experience, to guide cross-functional teams in developing solutions that meet real-world customer needs.

Juan began his career at SCHUNK as a Design Engineer, where he developed products across the Automation, Toolholding, and Clamping Technology product lines. After several years in design, he transitioned to project management and project engineering within the Automation group, leading special custom solutions for complex applications. His work combines technical expertise with strategic insight, helping ensure that SCHUNK’s products deliver reliability, performance, and flexibility.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Staying Ahead with Flexible Automation: Unlocking Greater Value and Adaptability | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

JAN LOUWEN

Robotics Product Line Officer
Stäubli

Speaker biography coming soon

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
The Robotics Executive Roundtable: What’s Next in Automation: Market Forces, Technology, and Leadership Perspectives | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 10:30 AM (CDT)

AARON MAASSEN

Associate Publisher
Visions Systems Design/EndeavorB2B
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Aaron Maasen is associate publisher for Vision Systems Design and Laser Focus World in the Digital Infrastructure Group at EndeavorB2B. He is an accomplished, motivated and persuasive sales executive with extensive experience in diverse business environments. He has consistent achievements in driving sales, marketing, customer engagement strategies, programs, and initiatives that produce business results in B2B space and beyond.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
Vision System Design Innovators Awards | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 11:00 AM (CDT)

MIKE MACDONALD

Senior Manager, Product Management
Cognex
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Mike MacDonald is Senior Manager of Product Management at Cognex, where he manages a global team responsible for both the PC-based software product portfolio and the new software-embedded vision controller. A former computer vision scientist, he has spent his career at the intersection of AI, image analytics, and industrial inspection, applying machine vision to a wide range of applications in life sciences, medical imaging, and advanced manufacturing. He is passionate about translating advanced vision technology into scalable products that are used across multiple industries.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
Expanding the Limits of Embedded Machine Vision | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)

MEGAN MACNEIL

Director of Marketing
Basler Inc.
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Megan MacNeil is the Marketing Director at Basler, Inc., a global leader in computer vision technology with an extensive portfolio of innovative hardware and software solutions. With over 20 years of experience in the vision and photonics industry, Megan has held key marketing and leadership roles at global companies including ZEISS, Hamamatsu, and Novanta. She brings a deep understanding of imaging technologies and market strategy, driving growth and visibility for cutting-edge vision solutions.

Megan holds a Bachelor of Science in Photographic Sciences from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Seeing Before Building: A Digital Twin Focused on Vision Systems | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

GREG MAGDANZ

Vice President, OEM Sales
Schneider Electric

Greg Magdanz, Vice President for OEM Sales at Schneider Electric, is a leader in contributing to industrial automation and digital transformation initiatives. With a strong background in manufacturing and control systems, he focuses on helping customers modernize operations through open, software-defined automation and data-driven solutions.

In his role, Gregory works closely with OEMs to bridge the gap between traditional automation and next-generation technologies such as industrial IoT, edge control, and sustainable operations.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
Tech-Powered, People-Driven: The New Industrial Advantage | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)

MICHAEL MAHFET

President
GCG - AFS
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Michael Mahfet is President of GCG Automation & Factory Solutions, where he’s leading the company’s transformation into a high-growth, high-margin industrial automation leader. Since joining in 2024, he has unified six acquisitions, streamlined operations, and refocused the organization on premium automation solutions that deliver measurable ROI for manufacturers.

Under Michael’s leadership, GCG AFS has strengthened its position in the rapidly expanding North American collaborative robot (cobot) market. The company has built strategic partnerships with FANUC, Universal Robots, and Yaskawa Motoman, creating a model that combines distribution, value-added services, and complete turnkey system integration. Notably, GCG became the first authorized distributor of FANUC’s CRX cobot line, positioning the company at the forefront of advanced automation solutions.

With more than 25 years of experience spanning engineering, operations, and executive leadership at VulcanForms, Ascent Aerospace, ABB, and GE, Michael brings deep expertise across the full lifecycle of automation projects. As Vice President and General Manager of ABB Robotics North America, Michael led a major turnaround of the business, growing revenue from $120 million to over $350 million and establishing ABB as a market leader across industries including automotive, aerospace, food & beverage, and general manufacturing.

Michael is passionate about helping companies make smart automation investments by understanding where technology delivers real ROI. At Automate 2026, he will share real-world insights, covering how to evaluate cobot opportunities, compare them to conventional automation, and build business cases that drive measurable results.

He holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and a master's degree in mechanical engineering from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Why ROI is Not One of the Top Reasons Collaborative Robots are Justified by Businesses | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

LUCIANO MANCINI

World Wide DELMIA Industry Process Senior Expert
Dassault Systèmes
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Luciano Mancini is a seasoned professional in industrial automation and digital manufacturing, with nearly two decades of experience advancing innovation across the automotive and manufacturing sectors. As part of Dassault Systèmes’ worldwide team, he enables organizations to realize the Virtual Twin Experience, bridging the virtual and physical worlds to achieve greater efficiency and operational excellence. His expertise spans robotic simulation, assembly line design, and factory optimization. Luciano holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology, an Executive MBA, and is a Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.), combining technical depth with strategic insight to help industries embrace the future of manufacturing.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Digital Transformation in Body-in-White: Enabling End-to-End Efficiency Through the Virtual Twin | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 3:30 PM (CDT)

Automate Innovation Stage
AI-Enhanced Virtual Twins for Automotive Production Lines | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 3:45 PM (CDT)

DAN MANTZ

CEO
Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF)
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Dan Mantz is the Chief Executive Officer for the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation (RECF), where he is responsible for the strategy, organizational structure, and fiscal health of the organization. An executive leader with over 25 years of engineering experience, Dan has a proven track record of building high-performance teams and promoting financial growth across the software, electrical, and mechanical fields.

Dan was previously President of Rack Solutions for four years, helping increase sales and improve profitability. During his tenure, RackSolutions developed hundreds of new infrastructure products for the IT industry, including a patented universal rail system. Dan also oversaw product expansion into Europe, Canada, Mexico, and Asia, launched the “Lone Star Racks” line, and led the acquisition of H-Squared.

Prior to Rack Solutions, Dan spent 19 years at FANUC Robotics. As Director of Paint Robot Systems, he oversaw the global development of industrial painting robots and equipment. He also served as Electrical Engineering Manager and Senior Staff Engineer, developing cables, controllers, and circuit boards. Earlier, as a Senior Program Manager, he specialized in pneumatic and electrical products and was awarded two patents for the P-500 Paint robot. He began his career implementing control systems at manufacturing facilities across five continents.

Dan is a respected leader and innovator in the robotics industry who quickly recognized the value that robotics brings to students worldwide. He has embraced competitive robotics, mentoring teams and engaging in all aspects of the experience. He understands firsthand that the skills gained through robotics have a positive, lasting impact on a student’s education and lifetime.

A native of Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania, Dan is an alumnus of Kettering University and began his career at General Motors as part of the Kettering co-op program.

Session(s):

Educator Day
Teaching AI-Enabled Robotics and Automation Without Chasing Technology Fads | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

RICCARDO MARIANI

VP of Industry Safety
NVIDIA
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Riccardo Mariani is the vice president of industry safety at NVIDIA and leads the NVIDIA Halos initiative. He's responsible for developing cohesive safety strategies and cross-segment safety processes, architecture, and products that can be leveraged across NVIDIA’s artificial intelligence-based hardware and software platforms.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Building Safer Physical AI: Certification, Robotics, and Agentic Control | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

ANDRÉ MARINO

Senior Vice President Industrial Automation North America
Schneider Electric
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André Marino is Senior Vice President Industrial Automation North America, and a member of the Global Executive Leadership Team at Schneider Electric.

André leads the industrial automation business in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, leveraging his over two decades of industrial technology expertise to drive efficiency and productivity for Schneider Electric customers. His passion is driving industrial resilience and agility while reducing the environmental impact of the sector through digital and automation innovation.

Throughout his career with Schneider Electric, André has held several pivotal roles in software, industrial automation, and energy management. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President, Digital Buildings, where he led key business transformations and acquisitions, both globally and locally. Prior to that, Andréa was Global Vice President of Industrial Automation. In this role, he spearheaded end user and software go-to-market efforts worldwide. Earlier, André led the Schneider Electric Industrial Automation and Software Hub in Brazil.

Before joining Schneider Electric, André co-founded Lar Plásticos, a market leader in the circular economy in Brazil, where he continues to serve as a board member. His career in IoT (Internet of Things) began with SoftBrasil, and he later co-founded Envisia Gerenciamento de Ativos, an IoT asset management company. André is also a board member of Clockworks Analytics.

André holds a BS in Electronic Engineering, an MBA, and recently completed the Advanced Management Program (AMP) at MIT Sloan School of Management.

His extensive experience and leadership in the field make Andréa a prominent figure and sought after spokesperson in industrial technology.

André resides in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Session(s):

Automate Conference
The State of the Automation Industry: Leadership Roundtable | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 9:00 AM (CDT)

Automate Show Theater
From Complexity to Autonomy: Your Competitive Advantage | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 4:15 PM (CDT)

MATT MAROON

CEO
C-Motive Technologies
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Matt Maroon is the Chief Executive Officer C-Motive Technologies, a start-up commercializing the next generation of ultra-high efficiency electrostatic motors and generators for industrial and renewable generation applications. He joined the Company in March 2020 as the Chief Commercialization Officer and in his time in leadership raised more than $20M, doubled the team size, and brought the company from lab-bench technology to initial commercial sales. Throughout the course of his career, he has held product management and leadership roles at a number of startup companies – both venture capital as well as blue-chip company backed – developing next generation energy storage technologies (including Firefly Energy, GE Energy Storage, Aquion Energy, and Oriden). Since 2004, Matt has worked to bridge the gap between the laboratory and the market, developing technology, go-to-market strategies, and selling new products into the rapidly evolving cleantech marketplace. Matt holds multiple patents in energy storage and advanced materials and earned his BS in mechanical engineering from Bradley University.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
Introducing ZeroMag: Your First Electrostatic Motor | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:00 PM (CDT)

SCOTT MARSIC

Group Product Manager
Epson Robots
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Scott Marsic brings three decades of experience in transforming diagnostic, technical, and business intelligence products into innovative, market-leading solutions. As Group Product Manager at Epson, he drives strategic initiatives that enhance channel growth and increase end-user demand within the industrial robotics sector. Scott earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz, a Master’s from the University of Southern California, and an MBA from San Francisco State University.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Automation 401: Choosing the Right Automation Tools for the Job | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 2:30 PM (CDT)

CHRIS MATTHIEU

VP, Developer Ecosystem
RealSense, Inc.
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Chris Matthieu is the VP, Developer Ecosystem at RealSense, where he loves to engage with AI, robotics, and vision perception developers. Chris is a frequent speaker at robotics and emerging technology conferences.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Let’s Build an Embodied AI Robotics Demo Together | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)
The Industrial AI Accelerator: Roadmap for Rapid, Real-World ROI | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

RYAN MAUGHAN

Managing Director
Transense Technologies plc

Ryan Maughan is a seasoned engineer and business leader with over 25 years of experience in the advanced engineering and clean mobility technologies sectors. Since 2024 he has served as the Managing Director of Transense Technologies plc, a publicly traded company based in the United Kingdom and listed on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM. Transense is a pioneering company in the field of Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) sensor technology, which it employs to develop innovative torque, force, and temperature sensing solutions for automotive, aerospace, and robotics applications.

In addition Ryan is the founder of eTech49 Ltd, a technology development, business strategy, and commercialisation consultancy firm that supports a range of major corporations. Ryan’s professional journey commenced as a mechanical engineer within the motorsport industry. Subsequently, he embarked on a series of entrepreneurial endeavours, notably founding AVID Technology Group, a globally recognised developer of high-performance electric motors and power electronics for electric and hybrid vehicles. This role played a pivotal role in shaping the electrification strategies of prominent automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 suppliers. Beyond his executive responsibilities, Ryan hosts the eTech49 Learning podcast, where he shares valuable insights into electric powertrain and autonomous technology.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Advances in Sensing for Robotics | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

KEVIN MCCABE

Application Engineering Manager
IDS Imaging Development Systems Inc.

Kevin McCabe is Application Engineering Manager at IDS Imaging Development Systems Inc, where he helps other engineers across North America integrate IDS Area Scan, 3D, and AI Inference cameras. He provides in-depth product training to OEMs, distributors, and resellers to ensure their success using IDS cameras & software. Throughout his thirteen years at the company, Kevin has helped customers integrate machine vision into a broad range of applications including logistics automation, medical diagnostic devices, quality assurance, and ITS. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
The Fundamentals of Camera and Image Sensor Technology | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 2:00 PM (CDT)

ERIN MCCOLL

Director, Robotics Technology Adoption
Toyota Research Institute
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Erin McColl leads Robotics Technology Adoption at Toyota Research Institute (TRI), where she advances robotics and AI technologies toward real-world deployment and commercialization. She works across product, strategy, partnerships, and engineering to translate technical advances into viable products and business opportunities. Her background spans industrial and field robotics, manufacturing automation, and autonomous diving - leading complex cross-functional technology programs.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Bridging the Gap: Toyota Research Institute's Approach to Real-World Robotics in Manufacturing | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

Humanoid Robot Forum
PANEL: Scaling, Delivering, and Deploying: Humanoids in the Real World | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 3:00 PM (CDT)

BOB MCCURRACH

Director of Standards Development
Association for Advancing Automation (A3)

Bob McCurrach has over 25 years of experience in the manufacturing and product development sector, with a focus on global engineering management, strategic program and process management, primarily for the nuclear, defense and automotive industries. He holds a BS in mechanical engineering from Lehigh University as well as an MBA from Georgia Institute of Technology. Bob joined the Association For Advancing Automation (A3) in 2011 as their Director of Standards Development for Vision & Imaging. He has been a key leader in A3’s standards development and coordination of vision standard development globally. Standards play a key role in the Vision & Imaging industry by ensuring interoperability of components, increasing market size, and shortening the time it takes to get new products to market.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Updates on Machine Vision Standards | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

CRAIG MCDONNELL

Managing Director, Business Line Industries
ABB Robotics

Craig McDonnell leads ABB´s Business Line Industries, which encompasses ABB Robotics businesses in Electronics, Consumer Industries and General Industries segments. He has over 25 years of expertise and a proven track record of leading successful businesses at Eaton and TE Connectivity. He has worked across the value chain, in engineering, sales, product management, marketing as well as general management, with focus on technology, automation, customers and people. Craig is also an external Director of Amperesand, a technology business developing solid state transformers based in Singapore.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
The Next Era of Industrial Automation: AI, Robotics, and Flexible Manufacturing | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 12:15 PM (CDT)

TODD MCINTOSH

Service Robotics and Sr. Mechanical Engineer
Mission Design & Automation

Todd McIntosh is a Service Robotics and Sr. Mechanical Engineer at Mission Design & Automation. Todd graduated from Michigan Technological University with a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2010 and has built his career through various roles in automation since then. Todd’s initial focus in automation was primarily large, custom machine design, and has grown and shifted into designing and building high-volume and rapid prototype projects, research and development, and service and robotics work. Todd recently achieved his FANUC Service Engineer Master Certification. Todd thrives on variety and enjoys the multiple areas of focus in his work, which include not only conceptual design but also hands-on implementation and troubleshooting.

Todd is self-described as a gearhead, as he loves to tinker with and fabricate things. This also plays into his satisfaction in his role at Mission, since he gets to do those things both in and outside of work.

Outside of that, Todd enjoys rock crawling, off-roading, skiing, boating, and mountain biking.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Automation 101: What Careers Actually Look Like | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:45 PM (CDT)

STEPHEN MCLAREN

Business Development Manager / Strategic Account Manager
Creative Automation Inc.

Mr. McLaren has worked in the robotic and automation industry for more than 30+ years. He has specialized in Robotics, AMR and systems integration. As a Business development manager/strategic account manager, he has also been involved in new product marketing and corporate marketing. He is committed to customer satisfaction and the development of responsible integration channels within the automation industry. He is currently the Co- Chair of the A3 membership committee for the past 10+ years.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Millions Spent. Results Missed. Why Automation Projects Fail—and How to Fix Them | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 11:30 AM (CDT)

CHRISTOPHER MCQUIN

Co-Founder and VP Hardware
Noble Machines
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Christopher McQuin is a robotics expert with two decades of leadership in designing and operating systems in extreme environments. He is the Co-Founder and Hardware Lead at Noble Machines, where he directs the development of rugged robotic solutions for heavy industry.

Prior to Noble Machines, Christopher was a technical lead at NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) where he operated spacecraft on Mars and deployed robotic systems to the International Space Station. He contributed to or led the development of rovers, manipulators and other platforms, including Valkyrie, NASA’s first full humanoid robot.

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
Beyond the Cage: Navigating Humanoid Safety Standards, Field Realities, and the Road to Certification | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 2:15 PM (CDT)

ZEEBA MERCER

Technical Manager
TÜV Rheinland of North America Inc.

Zeeba is a Lead Auditor and Technical Manager at TÜV Rheinland with extensive executive experience in healthcare, manufacturing and information technology leadership, management, and consulting. She has over 25 years of experience delivering systems and transformation projects at a global level.

She is passionate about leveraging technology solutions, protecting, and maximizing the organization’s ROI for long term success, and using problems as opportunities to reach the next level of success.

Zeeba has a unique blend of clinical, business, R&D, and technology acumen which translates to the integration of operations, applications, and compliance alignment with the organization’s business strategies and requirements. Before joining TÜV Rheinland, Zeeba founded and served as CEO of Excelarise, a transformational consulting company, helping national automotive, manufacturing, healthcare, defense systems, and higher education industries leverage AI, data network (5G), big data, information exchange, and interconnectivity to achieve the organization’s strategic goals. In her spare time, she is an Adjunct Professor teaching Business and Healthcare courses for the College of Management Information System, Entrepreneurship, and Business at Kent State University.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Unlocking the Future of AI: ISO/IEC 42001 — The Standard for Ethical, Reliable, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence Management Systems | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

BRANDON MESSICK

Technical Engineer
Precision Drive Systems

Brandon and his wife Christina are the proud parents of 5 children. In addition to providing engineered solutions in the high-speed spindle industry for Precision Drive Systems, Brandon is also the Head Men's Basketball Coach at East Gaston High School in NC. Robert Turk, President of PDS said about Brandon: “He excels at customer engagement, recruiting new business, project management, and delivering engineered solutions our customers expect from PDS.”

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Letting Go: Tool Holding Consumables for Material Removable Operations | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

FABRICE MEUNIER

VP, Industrial End Users and System Integrators
Schneider Electric
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Fabrice joined Schneider Electric as an engineering co-op in 1996. After graduating in 2001, he was a product development engineer for 7 years. After engineering, Fabrice moved to business operations where he held various roles in business development, product management, product marketing, innovation marketing, product launch and business leadership. This diverse experience allowed him to understand how to solve clients' challenges by applying Schneider Electric's core technologies.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
Accelerate Everything: Open, Software-Defined Automation | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 2:15 PM (CDT)

GREG MEYNE

VP, Consulting
enVista
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Greg Meyne has 30 years of experience in the Material Handling Industry through Mechanical Engineering, Project Management, Site Management, Sales, Systems Design, and Implementation. Currently at enVista he is the coordinator of the Facility Design solutions team with the primary function of designing and implementing Material Handling Systems for our clients.

Over his career, Greg has been involved in a variety of projects ranging in size and scope with clients like: Williams Sonoma, AutoZone, Hanes, NOW Foods, Champion Labs, Lenox, Lifetime Brands, Anixter, Gerber / Intradeco, The Home Depot, Perry Ellis, Nestle, HEB, Kellogg’s, Milton CAT to name just a few.

Greg has well-rounded industry knowledge of the Material Handling Industry including designing systems with the following equipment: Autonomous Mobile Robots, Good-To-Persons Systems, Conveyor Systems, Storage Systems, Automatic Storage & Retrieval Systems, Automated Picking Systems (Pick To Light, Put To Light, Voice), Robotics, among many others.  

Prior to joining enVista 11+ years ago, Greg worked for 15 years as a Mechanical Engineer, Project Manager, and Sales / Account Manager for Automotion Conveyors, ASG, and Wynright. He has also worked for 4+ years as a Regional Sales / Account Manager for Dematic Corp.

Greg brings a vast knowledge of not only material handling system design and implementation, but also assisting clients with process improvement and Omni Channel transformation.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
The Risk/Reward Framework for Real-World Warehouse Automation | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

Automate Innovation Stage
To Automate or Not to Automate | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

TRAVIS MILLER

President
Miller Resource Group
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Travis Miller grew up in a recruiting family and sixteen years into his career, he's still convinced most hiring processes ask the wrong questions.

As President of Miller Resource Group, a 53-year-old executive search firm specializing in Industrial Technology, Travis leads a team that places sales, engineering, and operations talent from individual contributors through the C-suite. Since taking over the presidency two and a half years ago, he's helped grow MRG's revenue by more than 120%.

His approach is rooted in a simple but hard to execute belief that you can't find the right person until you truly understand what a company is building... not just what's in the job description.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Inside the Hiring Process: What Leading Automation Companies are Looking For | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 12:00 PM (CDT)

STEVE MINNIEAR

Director, Manufacturing Engineering
BorgWarner

With more than 39 years of experience in the Automotive Manufacturing industry with BorgWarner, Steve is a seasoned leader in operations, quality and global production strategies. Since 2019, he has been a Director of Manufacturing Engineering, currently supporting the industrialization and launch of a turbine generator at a greenfield site in North Carolina.

Previously, Steve held key leadership roles at BorgWarner, including Plant Manager and Director NA Operations, and Director NA Quality. His expertise in manufacturing efficiency, quality assurance, and team leadership has been instrumental in driving the success of diverse initiatives in global manufacturing environments.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Predict, Simulate, Act: GenAI-Assisted Operations and Maintenance with a Living Factory Twin | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

MASSIMILIANO MORUZZI

CEO & Founder
Xaba
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Massimiliano Moruzzi is the CEO of Xaba, a company developing AI-powered systems that enable machines to reason, adapt, and execute complex manufacturing tasks. With a background in aerospace engineering and decades of hands-on work in industrial R&D, Max brings a pragmatic approach to applying artificial intelligence in the physical world.

Earlier in his career, Max led engineering teams at Ingersoll Machine Tools, where he helped design the advanced composite fiber placement systems used to build the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. His work there bridged hardware and software at a time when most of the industry treated them as separate disciplines. Later, he joined Autodesk through its acquisition of Magestic Systems, where he helped develop digital manufacturing strategies for clients including Ferrari, Airbus, and Lockheed Martin.

Max has founded multiple companies at the intersection of AI, robotics, and sustainable manufacturing. His work is grounded in the belief that intelligence shouldn’t stop at the algorithm—it should extend all the way to the shop floor. At Xaba, his team is focused on building cognitive industrial machines that rethink how factories operate, making them not just automated, but adaptive.

He holds a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from Politecnico di Milano, a second in big data analytics from Northern Illinois University, and a third degree in Intelligent and Autonomous Systems from the University of Cincinnati.

Max speaks frequently about the convergence of AI and robotics in manufacturing—not from a theoretical perspective, but from years of building, testing, and deploying systems that have reshaped how physical products get made.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Built to Adapt: The Rise of Self-Optimizing Robots in Manufacturing | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

MATT MOSCHNER

President & CEO
Cognex

As President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Moschner oversees global engineering, products, sales and operations. Since joining Cognex in 2017, Mr. Moschner has held key positions of leadership across product and engineering teams, helping grow the Company’s barcode reading portfolio and leading the Company’s strategic technology and product innovation process. In addition to advancing organic innovation, Mr. Moschner has contributed significantly to the Company’s acquisitions, including leading the successful integration of Moritex, the largest acquisition in the Company’s history. Prior to joining Cognex, Mr. Moschner worked within the industrial technology practice of the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), gaining experience in strategic growth and operational efficiency. Between 2008 and 2011, Mr. Moschner also worked in a variety of business functions for Boeing’s commercial airplane group. Mr. Moschner holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering & Economics from Duke University and a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

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Session(s):

Automate Conference
The State of the Automation Industry: Leadership Roundtable | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 9:00 AM (CDT)

TIMOTHY MULLEN

Cybersecurity Manager
Applied Control Engineering
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Timothy Mullen is the Cybersecurity Manager at Applied Control Engineering, Inc. (ACE), leading projects that identify and remediate cyber vulnerabilities to design new systems that incorporate security as a fundamental principle. His diverse and multidisciplinary background has led to a strong track record bridging the IT/OT gap to achieve security best practices while fulfilling engineered system requirements. Prior to ACE, Tim worked in commercial nuclear power, performing cybersecurity assessments of lant control system upgrades. His industry experience spans chemical processing, nuclear energy, and building automation systems. Tim is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the state of Maryland, a Global Industrial Cyber Security Professional (GICSP), and holds a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and an M.S. in Computer Engineering from Villanova University. Tim’s insights on cybersecurity have been published in a variety of publications such as Control Engineering, Food Engineering, and Manufacturing Business Technology.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Cybersecure by Design: Turning OT Risk into Resilience | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

SRIVATSAV NAMBI

Founding AI Scientist
Elementary ML
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Srivatsav Nambi is the Founding AI Scientist at Elementary, with over a decade of experience in AI for industrial robotics, computer vision, and real-time machine learning. He has led the design and development of AI-driven solutions for Fortune 500 companies, with deployments spanning hundreds of production lines worldwide. His patents and publications have been cited by industry leaders including Amazon, GE, IBM, Hyundai, and Sony. Srivatsav brings deep expertise in industrial AI, computer vision, and scalable AI systems.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Self-Learning Vision Systems Get Smarter Over Time: The Next Frontier in Machine Perception | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

RAHUL NAMBIAR

Chief Executive Officer
Botsync
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Rahul Nambiar is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Botsync, where he leads strategy, product management, marketing, and finance. His journey into robotics entrepreneurship began at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore, where he met his co-founders during a robotics competition. Under Rahul’s leadership, Botsync has developed the MAG series of autonomous mobile robots and SyncOS™, a proprietary no-code platform that provides real-time data insights for enhanced supply chain control. Rahul holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics from Nanyang Technological University.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
From Robots to Results: Why the Future of Automation is Orchestration, Not More Machines | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

TONI NEARY

Director of Community Engagement & Workforce Innovation
SME
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As the Director of Community Engagement and Workforce Innovation, I focus on pipeline development through diversity, equity, inclusion, and access , with a heavy focus on the early talent pipeline. My goal is to increase awareness and excitement among students about careers in manufacturing and engineering at all age levels.

With nearly 20 years in the field, I stumbled into my career in manufacturing education, but it ultimately ignited my passion for our industry. I have the privilege of witnessing innovative programs and projects from across the country and sharing these insights. It’s inspiring to be in a room where someone poses the question, “How do we?” and we can respond with successful examples from other regions.

What drives me is the desire to find solutions to the challenges industry has faced for decades. I believe every student deserves access to a relevant and engaging curriculum that prepares them for the real world and helps them unlock their true potential. I am committed to ensuring that both rural and urban schools across the United States have equal access to STEM & technology education.

At SME we are actively working to change the conversation around manufacturing. Our recruitment efforts span from “K through Gray.” What excites me most about my work is the opportunity to engage daily with amazing leaders in both education and industry. Hearing about the changes that are being implemented and the results they achieve is incredibly compelling. I truly believe that by uniting our efforts, we can close the skills gap and create opportunities for pathways in prosperity for all individuals.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Beyond the Traditional Talent Pipeline | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 2:15 PM (CDT)

CRAIG NELSON

Portfolio Sales Enablement Manager, High-Performance Drive Systems
Siemens

Craig Nelson is a senior product marketing manager for high-performance drive systems in the Motion Control business of Siemens Industry, Inc. Craig has been with Siemens for over thirty years and, in previous roles, has held engineering positions in the field and in system design. He has expert knowledge motion control systems across various applications and is an avid promoter and presenter of new motor and drive technologies.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
Safety and Security Innovations for Drive Systems in Motion Control Applications | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

ROBERTA NELSON SHEA

Global Technical Compliance Officer
Universal Robots

Responsible for global UR product compliance, risk management, and reducing barriers to acceptance of UR robots for collaborative applications.  Over 45+ years’ experience in automation safety and standardization.

Honored as … 

• Recipient of the 2023 Joseph F. Engelberger “Nobel Prize of Robotics” award (safety).
• Recipient of the 2022 Goddard Alumni Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement by Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester MA USA.
• 1 of the “Twenty Women Making Their Mark in Robotics & Automation” by Smart Manufacturing (SME) in February 2021.
• 1 of the “100 Women in Safety in 100 years” by the American Society of Safety Professionals (known then as ASSE) in 2011. One of the 100 Women – Making a Difference in Safety
• Chair Emeritus of A3’s standardization activities, awarded in 2016. A3 was formerly known as RIA (Robotic Industries Association).
• Past member of the board of directors of ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and of RIA (now known as A3).

National robot safety standardization activities:

• Since 1982, the only consistently active robot safety standards expert.
• Chair for 23 years of the US Robot Safety Committee (R15.06).  
• Active for 45 years in various American National machinery safety standards.
• Expert member of the NIOSH/ OSHA/ RIA Alliance.

ISO and US national standardization in automation and safety:

• Convenor: TC299 WG3 Industrial robotics (ISO 10218 & TS15066).
• Convenor: TC299 SG1 Study group on TC299 Robotics structure.
• Expert member: TC199 Safety of machinery, TC110/SC2/WG3 Safety of industrial trucks & various IEC working groups.
• Expert member in various US and Canadian standards committees: safety, robotics, plastics machinery and IEEE.
• Certified Functional Safety Engineer (TÜV Rheinland).

BS Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) with a Masters degree in Advanced Safety Engineering and Management (ASEM) from the University of Alabama Birmingham. 

Before UR, lead Rockwell’s global safety component product management organization. Preceding Rockwell, held leadership positions at Symbotic, AMT and Pilz USA, with a career start at P&G.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Exploring the New ISO 10218 Standards and Revised R15.06 | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

HENRIKE NEULEN

Sr. Business Development Manager
Intrinsic

Henrike Neulen is a Senior Business Development Manager at Intrinsic, based in Munich/Germany. With a deep background in the European tech ecosystem, she previously led high-impact startup programs at UnternehmerTUM, Europe’s premier entrepreneurship hub. At Intrinsic, Henrike spearheads the European go-to-market strategy for AI-powered CNC machine tending and robotic inspection, collaborating with top-tier Solution Builders to scale intelligent automation. She holds an MBA from the University of Passau and Corvinus University of Budapest.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Diversity and Emerging Leaders in Automation | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)

ERNIE NEUMAYR

Director Business Development
ABB Robotics

Ernie Neumayr is a sales leader in robotics and industrial automation, focused on building teams, driving new business growth, and developing strong, long-term customer relationships.

He leads with a clear focus on execution and accountability; developing sales teams that consistently generate pipeline, win new customers, and deliver measurable results. My experience spans robotics and automation solutions across many industries.

Ernie's core focus areas include:

• New business development
• Building and leading high-performing sales teams
• Developing industry-focused go-to-market strategies
• Positioning full automation solutions across complex customer environments

Ernie is experienced in leading cross-functional efforts across sales, engineering, operations, and service, aligning teams to move opportunities from concept through first win and into long-term growth.

As a leader, he prioritizes:

• Clear direction and ownership
• Strong customer relationships at all levels
• Coaching and developing talent
• Driving results through disciplined execution

Ernie has built my career on the ability to combine strategic thinking with hands-on leadership, consistently delivering growth in competitive and complex markets.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Unlocking Flexible Automation with Collaborative Robots (Cobots) | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 2:30 PM (CDT)

RUSSELL NIBBLELINK

Head of Sales Engineering and Co-founder
Overview.ai
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Russell Nibbelink is a co-founder of Overview.ai, where he has spent seven years building and deploying AI-powered vision systems for industrial manufacturing. His teams deliver full-stack optical inspection—spanning imaging, illumination, edge inference, and factory integrations—to help customers catch defects, reduce scrap, and scale quality across automotive, electronics, and other complex production environments.

Before Overview, Russell was a software engineer at Salesforce, working on web-scale infrastructure and zero-downtime migrations for the company’s largest customers. He earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences from UC Berkeley, where he also served as Head Teaching Assistant for High-Performance Computing.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Seeing is Solving: Advances in Smart Inspection | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

DAVID NICHOLS

CEO, Co-founder, Loupe and SASE
Loupe and SASE

David Nichols is the co-founder and CEO of Loupe, an engineering and automation company based in Portland, Oregon. David’s leadership role includes business development and management of projects, accounts, and our engineering team. David also founded SASE, the Society of Software Automation Engineers, an eminent thought leadership organization in software-defined automation. Together, Loupe and SASE, are pioneering the integration of software in machines, driving innovation straight from the plant-floor.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Software-Defined Automation and the Future Factory | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

OLIVIA NORTON

Co-Founder & CTO
Sanctuary AI
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Olivia Norton is the Chief Technology Officer at Sanctuary AI, which she co-founded in 2018. Prior to Sanctuary, she led the Artificial General Intelligence group at Kindred AI in Vancouver and previously worked in energy industry consulting and in R&D at the Institute for Biomechanics at ETH Zurich.

Session(s):

Humanoid Robot Forum
PANEL: Hands, Manipulation, and the State of Physical AI | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 4:00 PM (CDT)

STEFAN NUSSER

Chief Product Officer
Intrinsic

Stefan Nusser is Chief Product Officer at Intrinsic, an AI robotics group at Google, where he leads teams building the company’s products and platform driving the next generation of intelligent robotics. Before joining Intrinsic, Stefan was Chief Product Officer at Fetch Robotics, which was acquired by Zebra Technologies. Prior to that Stefan was product lead for several robotics initiatives at Google, CEO at Redwood Robotics and Executive Director, Solutions at Willow Garage.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Enabling the Data Center Boom: Intelligent Automation | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)

PATRICK O'NEIL

Director of Sales Engineering
Acme Manufacturing
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Patrick O’Neil is the Director of Sales Engineering at Acme Manufacturing, specializing in robotic material removal solutions for complex finishing applications. He started his career as an automation technician, building a hands-on foundation that still shapes how he approaches material removal challenges today.

Patrick works closely with manufacturers facing demanding production environments, including large part volumes, long cycle times, high-value components, and inherently risky processes. His role is to help identify where robotic automation can deliver real value and guide customers through practical implementation.

With 10+ years of experience in finishing, Patrick is known for making complex automation concepts clear and actionable. He partners with customers to understand their challenges, recommend custom solutions, and improve process efficiency. His ability to optimize process workflows and troubleshoot complex material removal challenges has made him a trusted expert in the field of automation.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Master the Process, Then Automate It — Robotic Material Removal Process | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

DARREN O'REILLY

Senior Director of Software and Technology
JBT Automated Systems
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Darren O’Reilly is the Senior Director of Software and Technology at JBT Automated Systems, where he leads global teams advancing automation, robotics, and data-driven software solutions. With a background in Electrical Engineering specializing in digital systems and early experience developing autonomous robotics software, Darren has built a career centered on turning complex technical challenges into scalable, real-world applications. His work emphasizes data quality, AI-supported decision-making, and software architectures that enable reliable, high-performance automated operations.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
mot.OS® in Action: How an Intelligent Fleet Manager Transforms Mobile Automation Performance | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 2:15 PM (CDT)

REBEKAH OESTREICH

Regional Channel Manager - Americas
Teradyne Robotics

Rebekah currently assists robotics and automation companies grow through smarter partnerships, stronger distribution strategies, and customer-focused sales execution. With over 15 years in industrial technology and channel development, she thrives at the intersection of strategy, relationship-building, and business growth. Rebekah is especially passionate about helping emerging technologies scale into real-world commercial success.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Diversity and Emerging Leaders in Automation | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)

SAM PALMISANO

Vice President, Product, Robotics & Drones
Aptiv

Sam Palmisano is a product and technology leader working at the intersection of autonomy, robotics, and software-driven systems. At Aptiv, he has taken on a series of roles spanning product management, strategy, and autonomy, with a focus on bringing advanced AI and software platforms into real-world applications.

He has led teams across product management and autonomy, including roles as Vice President of Product Management and in leadership positions overseeing autonomy, AI, and machine learning. His work centers on turning complex technologies into scalable products, particularly in areas where software, sensing, and physical systems intersect.

Before joining Aptiv, Palmisano was a Project Leader at the Boston Consulting Group, where he advised companies on strategy and operations. Earlier in his career, he worked across analytics and financial markets, including roles at Jet.com and Citi. That mix of consulting, tech, and finance has given him a broad lens on how to build and scale products in fast-moving, high-stakes environments.

Palmisano holds a degree from Middlebury College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Today, his work is focused on how autonomy and AI move beyond the lab into practical deployment, shaping the next generation of intelligent systems across industries.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
Camera + Radar Sensor Fusion: A Practical Path to Robust, Scalable 3D Perception | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 10:30 AM (CDT)

SADIQ PANJWANI

Chief Operating Officer and Senior Executive Vice President
Teledyne Technologies
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Sadiq leads Teledyne’s industrial camera groups specializing in imaging and sensing technology. He is responsible for guiding the organization’s vision, business strategy, and operational excellence across all functions to bring remarkable innovations to the market and enhance customer experience. With a background in software engineering, he is passionate about technology and leading high-performance teams.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
How Machine Vision and Physical AI Facilitate Human Centric Manufacturing | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 4:30 PM (CDT)

MATT PANOSH

Stationary Workholding Group Manager
SCHUNK
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With 20 years of manufacturing expertise, including 16 years dedicated to SCHUNK, Matt Panosh, Group Manager for stationary workholding at SCHUNK Morrisville, NC, is a seasoned leader in optimizing workholding processes and providing high-precision solutions to the CNC manufacturing industry nationwide.

His comprehensive technical knowledge of CNC machines, spanning from spindle to machine table, enables him to serve a diverse range of sectors including automotive, aerospace, space exploration, technology, and medical. Matt has extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in leveraging automated machine tending solutions to drive efficiency and productivity, offering his customers actionable strategies to enhance processes and achieve success.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Maximizing Productivity Through Flexible Machine Tending Solutions | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

DEEPAK PATHAK

CEO & Co-Founder
Skild AI

Deepak Pathak is CEO & Co-Founder of Skild AI and Professor at Carnegie Mellon University. He is known for pioneering contributions to AI including self-supervised learning, artificial curiosity and adaptive robot learning. At Skild AI, he is focused on developing an AI foundation model for robotics. Deepak has received several prestigious honors including MIT TR 35under35, Okawa, IIT Kanpur Young Alumnus Award and multiple Best Paper Awards.

Session(s):

Humanoid Robot Forum
KEYNOTE PANEL: The Next Frontier of Physical AI: Humanoid Robots at Scale | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)

RUSHIRAJ PATWARDHAN

Safety Consultant
Pilz Automation Safety LP
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Strong engineering professional with a Master of Engineering - MEng focused on Electrical Power System. Being certified expert in machinery safety as well in functional safety with more than 10 years of experience in the field of machinery safety, control system design, CE marking with a demonstrated history of working in the industrial automation industry.

Skilled in Risk Assessment, Safety Validations, technical peer reviewer and electrical safety.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Alternative Methods of Hazardous Energy Control | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

MATT PEARSON

Lead Project Engineer
Quartus Engineering Incorporated

Matt Pearson is a Lead Project Engineer at Quartus Engineering with a decade of experience designing custom metrology systems. He specializes vision systems, robotics and optomechanical design. Matt holds master's and bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering with an emphasis on robotics and controls.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Demystifying Camera Calibration: Techniques and Applications in Modern Vision Systems | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

JAN PECH

EMVA member
EMVA – European Machine Vision Association

Member of the EMVA. Long-term active contributing member to the GenICam standard (generic programming interface for all kinds of cameras and devices). Also active member of the GigE Vision technical committee contributing to development of the GigE Vision transport layer standard.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Updates on Machine Vision Standards | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

JERRY PEREZ

Business Development Manager
FANUC America
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Jerry Perez is a Business Development Manager at FANUC America Corporation, consulting global corporations in topics such as automation roadmap development, workforce development, and successful automation implementation. Over the past 25 years, Jerry has been a leader in the expansion of robotics in multiple markets from defense and automotive to electronics and medical device manufacturing, deploying Pilot & Scale programs that helped companies large or small realize the benefits of automation.

He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Engineering and resides in Royal Oak, MI with his wife and two kids.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Collaborative Robotics in High-Mix Manufacturing Environments | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

Automate Innovation Stage
The Fast Automation Roadmap: Scaling with Standardized Cobot Solutions | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 10:30 AM (CDT)

MAIK PETERS

CEO
PITCO Engineering

He founded PITCO Engineering almost ten years ago, engineering automation for large manufacturers. Through that work, one thing became clear: SMBs were being left behind. With nearly three decades of experience from German biotech R&D to industrial robotics, he now drives product and R&D, applying AI to bring cost-effective, scalable automation to the manufacturers who need it most.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
Start with Standard | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 4:30 PM (CDT)

BREN PIERCE

CEO
KINISI
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Brennand Pierce is the founder and CEO of Kinisi Robotics, where he is leading the development of intelligent humanoid systems designed for real-world warehouse automation at scale.

He studied humanoid robotics at the Technical University of Munich, where his research focused on bipedal locomotion and machine learning. Prior to Kinisi, he co-founded Bear Robotics and helped scale its flagship product through multiple funding rounds. He also founded Robotise, an autonomous delivery robotics company based in Germany.

Bren’s technical range spans the entire robotics stack, from low-level firmware, PCB design, and embedded systems, through real-time motor control and high-level autonomy, to AI system integration and cloud infrastructure for large-scale deployment. He is recognized as a leading expert in the design of humanoid robots powered by foundation models, combining real-time control with high-level reasoning to bridge classical robotics and modern AI.

At Kinisi, he is building a multidisciplinary team and deploying intelligent robots into high-throughput environments, bringing the next generation of embodied intelligence out of research and into commercial reality.

Session(s):

Humanoid Robot Forum
PANEL: Hands, Manipulation, and the State of Physical AI | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 4:00 PM (CDT)

HARRY PIERSON

Senior Engineer
Air Force Research Laboratory

Harry Pierson is the Senior Technical Advisor for Automation, Robotics, and Mixed Reality in the Manufacturing and Industrial Technologies Division of the Air Force Research Laboratory. In this role he develops technology maturation strategy to enable the automation capabilities that the Department of the Air Force will need to support its near and far term manufacturing and sustainment needs. He also serves as the government Chief Technology Advisor for the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute, where he guides the development of dual use technology that is relevant to both US manufacturers and the Department of Defense. Prior to joining the government in 2020 he was a tenured Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering at the University of Arkansas, with research and teaching interests in robotics, automation, and manufacturing processes. His early career included time as a Process Automation Engineer and later Division Engineering Manger for a small manufacturing company. He holds a PhD from The Ohio State University and MS/BS degrees from Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Robotics for Manufacturing: Trends, Best Practices, and What You Need to Know | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

MATTHEW POWELSON

Senior Robotics Software Engineer
ARM Institute

Matthew Powelson is a robotics and machine learning engineer at the ARM Institute, where he is working to build a National AI Data Foundry for industry. Previously, he worked at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), contributing to ROS-Industrial (ROS-I) and creating robotic solutions for surface finishing applications. He then joined Tortuga AgTech, where he worked on building a fleet of autonomous strawberry-picking robots, with an emphasis on robotic perception and control. Matthew’s expertise includes integrating machine learning into automation systems to deliver practical, real-world solutions for complex environments.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Accelerating AI-Enabled Robotics for Manufacturing: Bridging R&D and Commercialization | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

ASHUTOSH PRASAD

Founder and CEO
KoiReader Technologies, Inc.
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Ashutosh is an accomplished professional with a proven track record of over 25 years in the Logistics and Supply Chain industry. During his years in the industry, he has held prominent senior executive and global consulting roles at Big 4 firms, delivering exceptional value to enterprise customers across various verticals.

A renowned thought leader, he frequently speaks at premier Logistics and Supply Chain conferences, sharing his visionary perspectives. His impactful white papers and presentations are a further testament to his status as an authority in the field.

Some of his notable industry accomplishments:

• Pioneered Applied AI in Logistics & Supply Chain and filed 20+ Patents to deliver Operational Efficiency and accuracy to Distributors, Manufacturers, Retailers, Service Providers, and Shippers
• Developed Logistics, Supply Chain, and Industrial Automation KoiVision platform that was publicly endorsed by NVIDIA and PepsiCo (March 2023)
• Innovation for Logistics and Supply Chain industry showcased at G20’s Business 20 conference, the alliance of 19 leading industrialized and emerging economies and the European Union
• Authored National Logistics Policy for World’s 5th Largest Economy with a special focus on AI-powered Logistics and Supply Chain Automation (October 2022)
• Delivered industry-first innovations and established Digital Supply Chain business units at organizations such as PricewaterhouseCoopers and Ernst & Young
• Served as Vice President at XPO Logistics and managed annual operating budget and digital innovation portfolio for the business unit
• Developed world’s most advanced Intelligent Label Scanning Technology (KoiScan™) that delivers over 99.4% accuracy even for damaged, faded, folded, overlapping, and distorted label conditions
• Created KoiReader Technologies that was named Gartner Cool Vendor 2020 in Supply Chain Execution and won awards across 4 continents
• Designed a 2D barcode standard for Supply Chain Asset and Inventory Visibility in partnership with GS1
• Panelist and Guest Speaker at MIT
• Past Roles: XPO, PwC, EY, Oracle, Blue Yonder / i2 Technologies

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Poka Yoke to Agentic Orchestration: The AI Shift in Supply Chain Operations | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

DUSTIN PYLES

CEO / Managing Consultant
VAZA Consulting
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Dr. Dustin A. Pyles is the CEO/Managing Consultant of VAZA Consulting, a firm specializing in strategic funding, public-private partnership development, and program alignment for amplifying education, workforce, and economic growth efforts. With nearly two decades of experience working across local and state governments, schools, higher education institutions, and non-profit organizations, Dr. Pyles has guided the development of impactful programs and secured more than $850 million in competitive local, state and federal grants and public-private investments to expand workforce training pipelines, strengthen industry partnerships, and foster economic resilience.

Related to robotics, automation and artificial intelligence, Dr. Pyles’s work explores and deploys actionable frameworks and plans for integration into education and workforce systems. He bridges innovation and implementation, helping communities align training, curriculum, and talent development strategies with the evolving demands of an automated and globally competitive economy.

Through VAZA Consulting, Dr. Pyles has partnered with the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) to advance national strategies connecting automation innovation, workforce readiness, and economic growth. His collaboration includes leveraging U.S. Department of Commerce funding to accelerate U.S. robotics and automation exports and supporting A3’s engagement with the U.S. Congressional Robotics Caucus to shape a National Robotics Strategy. He also champions the expansion of A3-supported, industry-recognized credentials, working with state and federal lawmakers to strengthen robotic safety, adoption, and technical competency nationwide for K-12 students and upskilling of the adult workforce, ensuring workforce readiness in robotics, AI, and machine learning.

Prior to VAZA, Dr. Pyles led the Ohio STEM Learning Network (OSLN), managed by the Battelle Memorial Institute, expanding Ohio’s STEM ecosystem from 10 to nearly 40 designated schools and hubs, while providing technical assistance for the establishment of other state networks. This was built upon numerous leadership, management and support roles within the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Ohio Auditor of State and other organizations. Across his roles, he has continued to advocate for policies that strengthen innovation, talent pipeline development, and opportunity in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Embracing Automation: Engaging Schools, Community Organizations, and Workforce Training Programs | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 2:15 PM (CDT)

YUZHE QIN

CTO / Co-founder
Dexmate
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Yuzhe Qin is the CTO and co-founder of Dexmate, a physical AI company building general-purpose robotic systems. At Dexmate, he leads the engineering efforts to develop dexterous robots that can be deployed in the real world, with an approach grounded in hardware-software co-design and full-stack robotics engineering.

His technical focus spans robot learning, dexterous manipulation, teleoperation, and large-scale simulation for embodied AI. He has authored widely-cited work on vision-based teleoperation, sim-to-real reinforcement learning, and large-scale robotics simulation infrastructure. 

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
Industrial Physical AI: What Matters for Your Robotic Deployment | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:45 AM (CDT)

KRISTEN QUASEY

Architecture & Portfolio Sales Manager
Siemens
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Kristen Quasey drives Siemens' next generation automation portfolio that helps manufacturers modernize engineering and production workflows. In her role as an Architecture and Portfolio Sales Manager, Kristen works closely with customers and partners across the Americas regions to introduce software-defined automation solutions, intelligent generative AI assistants, and AI vision-based tools that accelerate engineering development, increase operational efficiency, and future-proof production. She is passionate about helping customers bridge traditional automation with modern, software-centric approaches and showcasing how emerging technologies can drive real operational impact.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Software-Defined Automation and the Future Factory | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

NICOLAUS RADFORD

Co-Founder & CEO
Persona AI
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Nicolaus Radford is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Persona AI, where he leads the company’s mission to develop and deploy humanoid robots for industrial applications. He brings more than 25 years of experience designing, developing, and commercializing advanced robotics technologies across the space, defense, and industrial sectors. Prior to Persona AI, Mr. Radford founded Nauticus Robotics, a publicly traded maritime robotics company listed on NASDAQ. Under his leadership, the company developed and deployed autonomous underwater vehicles and autonomous surface ships designed to transform offshore operations. He also founded Jacobi Motors, an electric motor company focused on traction motor technologies for high-performance applications. In addition, he is the founder and Managing Partner of Rad Capital Ventures, a hedge fund with a focus on electricity market trading. Earlier in his career, Mr. Radford spent 15 years at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, where he led several of the agency’s robotics initiatives supporting future spaceflight missions and experiments aboard the International Space Station. His work included leadership roles on the Valkyrie and Robonaut humanoid robotics programs. During his tenure at NASA, Mr. Radford received numerous patents, design honors, and commendations, including NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal, one of the agency’s highest distinctions. In 2023, he was named one of Purdue University’s Outstanding Electrical Engineers, an honor awarded annually to only five alumni. Mr. Radford has authored multiple publications in robotics and contributed to Springer’s Handbook of Humanoid Robotics. He holds both B.S. and M.S. degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Purdue University and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration at the University of Houston.

Session(s):

Humanoid Robot Forum
FIRESIDE CHAT: The Commercial Viability of Humanoids — Why the Home Is Last, Not First | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 1:05 PM (CDT)

DON RAHRIG

CEO
Rain Engineering
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Don Rahrig is the founder and CEO of Rain Engineering, one of the most concentrated Proficy MES practices in the ecosystem, focused entirely on helping manufacturers get real outcomes from Proficy.

Under Don’s leadership, Rain Engineering has become a Platinum Certified Solution Provider for Velotic Software's Proficy Manufacturing Execution and Industrial Automation, known for stepping into complex plants and making Proficy work through integration, support, and education.

He also Co-Founded Rain Digital Factories, a dedicated Proficy channel partner that aligns software decisions with Rain Engineering’s delivery and support model.

Don speaks from decades on the plant floor about Proficy MES rescues, brownfield connectivity, and how manufacturers can turn a stalled MES into a competitive advantage.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Getting the Most from AI on the Factory Floor | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:15 PM (CDT)

RITCH RAMEY

Director of Education
Association for Advancing Automation (A3)

Ritch Ramey has more than 35 years of experience advancing robotics and automation workforce development. As Director of Education for the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), he supports national education initiatives serving more than 1,450 member companies and institutions. Ritch manages the growing Education Pavilion at the Automate Show, the largest robotics and automation event in the Americas, and works to expand industry training and workforce outreach programs.

His current work includes supporting the development of automation training curriculum, LMS-based credential pathways, and workforce partnerships with organizations such as ARM Institute, FIRST Robotics, the National Robotics Challenge, SkillsUSA, and the RECF VEX Robotics program. He also contributes to grant development and workforce pilot programs designed to expand robotics and automation training across the United States.

Before joining A3, Ritch served as State Coordinator and Founding Technical Lead of the RAMTEC Ohio initiative, one of the nation’s most successful advanced robotics workforce training models. At RAMTEC, he led curriculum development, grant implementation, and technical training across major industrial platforms including FANUC, Yaskawa, Universal Robots, and PLC systems from Siemens, Omron, Mitsubishi, and Allen-Bradley.

For more than two decades, Ritch has also coordinated VEX and SkillsUSA robotics competitions, promoting hands-on robotics education, safety awareness, and Industry 4.0 career pathways from middle school through adult workforce upskilling.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
A3 and Educational Partnerships | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 3:00 PM (CDT)

Educator Day
Welcome | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 10:00 AM (CDT)

KEVIN REESE

Distinguished Robotics Safety Engineer
Agility Robotics
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Kevin Reese is a Distinguished Robotics Safety Engineer at Agility Robotics and the Project Leader for ISO 25785-1 within ISO/TC 299/WG 12, the international working group developing the first safety standard dedicated to dynamically stable industrial mobile robots which includes legged, wheeled balancing, and humanoid systems.

With a background spanning robotics safety strategy, industrial standards development, and real-world deployment, Kevin has been instrumental in shaping the emerging safety landscape for next-generation mobile robots. At Agility Robotics, he leads safety engineering for Digit, a bipedal robot designed for logistics and industrial tasks. His work bridges technical implementation and safety governance, ensuring safe integration of dynamically stable robots into industrial environments.

Kevin is deeply engaged in international standardization. As the Project Leader for ISO 25785-1, he is spearheading a new Type-C standard to address the safety requirements of robots that rely on active control for stability which is an increasingly critical category as legged and humanoid robots rapidly transition from emerging technologies to active roles in warehouses and industrial operations worldwide. The work of ISO 25785-1 under Kevin’s leadership addresses a critical gap left by prior standards like ANSI/RIA R15.08, and is paving the way for broader international consensus around safety requirements for this rapidly advancing field.

Kevin brings a unique systems-level perspective to safety working not only on the robots themselves but also on how they interact with people, infrastructure, and operational processes. He has partnered closely with EHS teams, vendors, and customers to ensure robots like Digit can be safely and effectively deployed in structured industrial spaces.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Building Safer Physical AI: Certification, Robotics, and Agentic Control | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

Humanoid Robot Forum
PANEL: Developing Safety Standards for Humanoid Robots | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 2:00 PM (CDT)

DAVID REGER

Founder and CEO
NEURA Robotics
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David Reger is the founder and CEO of NEURA Robotics, the German company that developed the first series-ready cognitive robot in record time. In recognition of his success as a founder and corporate leader, he was appointed to the German Economic Senate, the Economic Council, and the European Senate for Economy and Technology.

David Reger coined the term “cognitive robotics” and is considered a pioneer in the field. By combining artificial intelligence with groundbreaking sensor and hardware design, he transforms robots into integral parts of modern daily life, addressing urgent societal challenges such as skilled labor shortages.

In 2009, the technical model maker moved to Silicon Valley, where he served the community as a social worker. Returning to Europe in 2013, he built three successful high-tech companies focused on robotics.

Inspired by the conviction that respect for existing technological achievements should never hinder the pursuit of the impossible, he founded NEURA Robotics GmbH in 2019, driven by the idea of creating technologies that serve humanity.

In his role as visionary, technical expert, and responsible entrepreneur, David Reger actively shapes our society’s transformation toward a social robotics economy. He provides political impulses and influences the tech sector as a “down-to-earth doer.”

Session(s):

Humanoid Robot Forum
KEYNOTE PANEL: The Next Frontier of Physical AI: Humanoid Robots at Scale | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)
The Impact of Physical AI in Industrial Worlds | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:00 PM (CDT)

HENDRIK RENTZSCH

Head of Department Machine Tool Technology
Fraunhofer IWU
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Hendrik Rentzsch studied mechanical engineering at Chemnitz University of Technology. From 2009 onwards, he worked there as a research assistant at the Institute for Machine Tools and Production Processes in the eniPROD cutting-edge technology cluster. He has been working at Fraunhofer IWU since 2015 and has been head of the Machine Tool Technology research department since 2021. In addition to researching innovative machine structures and digital property twins, his main focus is on the development of intelligent machine components and assistance systems.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Smart Machine Tools: Intelligent Components for Cognitive Production | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

JULIA ASTRID RIEMENSCHNEIDER

Business Development
Synapticon GmbH
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Speaker biography coming soon!

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
Beyond the Cage: Navigating Humanoid Safety Standards, Field Realities, and the Road to Certification | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 2:15 PM (CDT)

JOHN RINALDI

CEO
Real Time Automation
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John S. Rinaldi, CEO of Real Time Automation, is a recognized expert in industrial networking and the author of six books, including OPC UA: The Basics and Industrial Ethernet. As Chief Strategist for Real Time Automation, he has spent over 30 years simplifying the complexities of factory floor communication.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
Beyond the Algorithm: Standardized Manufacturing Data Models as the Foundation for Scalable Industrial AI | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 4:30 PM (CDT)

CATHY RINNE

President
Flex-Line Automation, Inc.

Cathy Rinne is President and co-founder of Flex-Line Automation, Inc., a U.S.-based system integrator specializing in conveyor systems, robotics, and turnkey automation solutions. With more than 42 years of experience, she is responsible for the company’s strategic direction, sales, and project execution, supporting customers across a wide range of manufacturing industries.

Having worked in all aspects of the business prior to becoming President, Cathy brings a well-rounded, practical perspective to system integration. Her background spans quoting, project management, and delivering automation solutions that improve efficiency and throughput. Under her leadership, Flex-Line has expanded its capabilities into full-line integrations while maintaining a strong commitment to customer success.

Based in the Midwest, Cathy leads a team that serves customers globally and is a strong advocate for developing technical talent and advancing automation adoption in under-served regions.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Lessons from System Integrators | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 11:00 AM (CDT)

JASEN RITTER

Senior Director Partnerships | Work-based Learning
Project Lead The Way (PLTW)
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In his role on the Strategic Partnerships team for Project Lead The Way (PLTW), a non-profit specializing in PreK-12 transformative educational experiences for students and teachers, Jasen provides strategy, analysis, and leadership related to industry-education engagement and community involvement.

Prior to joining PLTW, he started his career in the computer science and information technology industry before transitioning to the classroom. In the classroom, he was one of the first PLTW Aerospace Master Teachers; co-authored “Aerospace Engineering: From the Ground Up” in 2011 and founded the FIRST Robotics team “Viperbots”, now one of the premier robotics teams in Texas serving as a model for industry, education, and community partnerships.

Jasen has presented across the nation to industry and education audiences, such as at PLTW Summits, STEM symposiums and Workforce Development conferences, on the value and logistics of building K to Career talent pipelines.

He received his Bachelor of Science and graduate degrees from Florida State University and currently lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with his wife, where he is a member of the USA Track and Field National Championship Team, Indiana Elite Athletic Club.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Building Bridges Not Moats: Scaling Career-Connected Learning in Advanced Manufacturing | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 10:30 AM (CDT)

Educator Day
Building Scalable Robotics and Automation Pathways from K-12 to Industry | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:00 PM (CDT)

BOB ROCHELLE

Principal
ArtsnRobots LLC
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Bob Rochelle is the Principal at ArtsNRobots LLC, an automation systems consulting firm based near Ann Arbor MI. With over 40 years experience in Industrial Robotics and Factory Automation as an engineer, project manager, sales professional and in various management roles, Bob has acquired a vast knowledge of most manufacturing processes and is recognized by the robotics industry as an authority on the positive impact that automation has on production, manufacturing labor and bottom-line performance. He is a regular speaker at conferences, tradeshows and is a freelance author for technical journals. He enjoys sharing his experiences at events like this one.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Getting Started with Industrial Robotics | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

DAVID RODRIGUEZ

Co-founder and VP of Sales
Robot.com
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Co-founded Robot.com in 2017 with a simple premise: that robots should do real work, at real scale, in the real world. As the company’s commercial architect, he’s spent nearly a decade turning that premise into infrastructure — 500+ deployed robots, 1.7 million tasks completed, and partnerships with some of the world’s largest brands and institutions. A Colombian entrepreneur who went through Berkeley SkyDeck, David has a gift for making deeply technical capabilities legible to the people who need to buy them.

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
One Humanoid, Five Hats: Inside the R-Noid Launch | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 2:45 PM (CDT)

MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ

Senior Programs Manager
ARM Institute

Miguel Rodriguez is a Senior Programs Manager at the ARM Institute. In this role, Miguel is responsible for managing a multi-million-dollar portfolio of ARM’s Technology and Workforce Development projects and supporting the process by which they are selected. Through this work, Miguel helps to fulfill ARM’s mission of increasing U.S. global competitiveness by accelerating innovative technologies and workforce programs that make robots more accessible to U.S. manufacturers.

Prior to joining the ARM Institute, Miguel was the Vice President of Engineering for Rapid TPC, a Pittsburgh based startup that specializes in the manufacturing of thermoplastic composites parts at volume. His main responsibility there was to develop automated technologies to improve the manufacturing of composite parts to accelerate the business’ growth. Miguel also held the position of Systems Engineer at Seegrid Corporation, where he worked on a wide range of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) subsystems with the goal of improving their performance and enhancing their safety.

Miguel has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University in the City of New York. He was part of a team of inventors granted US Patent 10228189B1 for “Heating System for Composite Materials”.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Robotics for Manufacturing: Trends, Best Practices, and What You Need to Know | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

NATE ROSIER

Chief Customer Officer
enVista
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Nate Rosier is enVista’s Chief Customer Officer. He brings 25 years of experience in supply chain strategy, corporate strategy and operating experience. Before coming to enVista, Rosier was Chief Operating Officer for Dean and Deluca where he focused on multi-channel growth while developing best practices in gourmet food retail.

Previously, he spent five years in corporate strategy roles as Vice President of Strategy at Sears Holdings and Circuit City. He also managed the strategy consulting practice at CIBER. Rosier's areas of expertise include corporate and operations strategy, operations excellence and leading organizational transformations.

Nate has worked with over 150 companies to develop strategies to increase profitability, reduce expenses and improve their competitive position. Examples include Tractor Supply, HEB, 5.11, Helen of Troy, Best Buy, Briggs & Stratton, Cummins, Rack Room, Wolverine, Wegmans and Toyota.

Nate earned his undergraduate degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army.

Nate earned his MBA from Harvard Business School.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
The Future of Sortation: Flexible, Reconfigurable Systems That Reduce CapEx and Operating Costs While Increasing Throughput | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)

GEMMA ROSS

VP of Operations
OSARO
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Gemma Ross is the Vice President of Operations at OSARO, a leading developer of AI-driven robotics for e-commerce and logistics. With nearly a decade of experience in operational leadership, Gemma has been instrumental in scaling technology organizations and building systems that enable innovation at speed. At OSARO, she oversees global operations, including manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and customer delivery, ensuring seamless alignment between engineering and execution. Her leadership has been key to developing processes that bring advanced robotic solutions from concept to deployment with efficiency and precision. Throughout her career, Gemma has demonstrated a commitment to operational excellence, team empowerment, and strategic growth. She brings a pragmatic yet visionary approach to leadership, creating scalable frameworks that balance agility with structure—driving sustained success in the fast-evolving robotics and automation industry.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Mentors, Mistakes, and Momentum | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

TED ROZIER

Director Of Digital Advanced Technology & Robotics
Festo Didactic

Ted Rozier is the Director Of Digital Advanced Technologies and Robotics for Festo Didactic Solution Center North America, head quartered in Eatontown NJ,

Before Joining Festo Didactic, He Brings 18 years of experience in leading the Automation Engineering Department for Doosan Infracore Machine Tool Corporation. He specialized in the design and development of Robotics and Machine tool turnkey systems for the Automotive, Aerospace and Pharmaceutical industry.

Ted has managed the development of several User friendly automation control turnkey systems on a global scale.

As Director of Digital Advanced Technologies and Robotics of Festo Didactic, Ted is passionately looking to advance Festo Didactic as a global leader in designing and implementing Industry 4.0 learning factories and training programs with the view to systematically prepare individuals to excel working in dynamic and complex industrial automation environments.

Session(s):

Educator Day
Robotic Safety, Risk Assessment, and Responsible AI in Education and Training | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

PAUL RYZNAR

Founder & CEO
LightGuide
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• Founder & CEO of LightGuide, Inc
• Engineer, inventor, entrepreneur
• Over 30 years in manufacturing
• Former VP of Operations at Detroit Diesel, Bosch, Energy Conversion Devices
• Spearheaded LightGuide’s invention in 2005, pioneering the use of projected augmented reality (AR) for industrial applications
• Lightguide is a proven, practical, and patented AR technology

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Augmented Intelligence for the Connected Worker: AR and AI at the Frontline | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 3:30 PM (CDT)

FABIO SALA

Vice-President
IndX

As Vice President at IndX, Fabio oversees the North American business, driving the business unit of enterprise software solutions for the manufacturing industry. With more than 25 years of experience in IT for manufacturing, Fabio specializes in aligning technology with business strategy to unlock value. Fabio is particularly focused on advancing AI-enabled solutions and adaptive production models that allow manufacturers to respond dynamically to changing demand and operational conditions. Fabio leads with a focus on scalability, high-performing teams, and consistent delivery aligned with customer objectives.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Bridging the Gap: A Multi-Perspective Reality for Modern Automation | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 1:00 PM (CDT)

ELIZABETH SAMARA RUBIO

Senior Vice President
Noble Machines
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Elizabeth is an entrepreneurial technology executive with proven success of building high-performing global teams, raising the bar on product quality and results, and driving multimillion dollar revenue growth of AI driven physical solutions. She leads from the frontline of AI deployment -- with over 800 physical and AI systems in manufacturing, healthcare, government, and autonomous mobility. She delivers business impact measured in topline growth, improved margin, and differentiation in her 20 years' track record of scaling technology-centric businesses and developing global go-to-market strategies.

Elizabeth is the Senior Vice President at Noble Machines, where she leads the business team and recently led Noble Machines' launch to emerge from stealth. She has held executive leadership roles at Amazon Web Services (AWS, Global Head of AI Managed Services), Accenture, and Cognex. Her experience extends to start-ups in energy (Founder of StorWatts), edge AI (CBO at Sima.ai), natural language processing, cybersecurity, and e-learning.

Session(s):

Humanoid Robot Forum
PANEL: Scaling, Delivering, and Deploying: Humanoids in the Real World | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 3:00 PM (CDT)

TONY SAMP

Principal and Head of AI Policy
DLA Piper LLP
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Tony is a Principal Policy Advisor who represents clients before the US Congress and federal agencies. Based in Washington, DC, he focuses on formulating, synthesizing and executing complex business development and risk mitigation strategies for senior policymakers and business executives.

Tony is among the foremost advisors in the US on issues related to national security, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, space, and emerging technology.

Tony is a regular thought contributor to leading media publications including Wall Street Journal, TIME, Washington Post, Financial Times, Bloomberg, Axios, Politico, The Hill, and others.

Washingtonian Magazine, over consecutive years, has named Samp to Washingtonian’s 2024 its list of the 500 Most Influential People in Washington, DC. The list recognizes experts and advocates outside of government who "shape the laws and policies that govern our nation and ultimately affect the course of history." In its profile of Samp, Washingtonian noted he is the founding director of the Senate’s AI Working Group “helping craft the legislative and regulatory proposals that could guide the deployment of artificial intelligence technologies, which are rapidly disrupting business and media .” and more recently as a “central player in discussions to establish a national robotics strategy.”

Tony brings 20 years of experience working with members of Congress, industry, and the executive branch on emerging technologies. Earlier in his career, he served as senior policy advisor to Senator Martin Heinrich, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Senate Armed Services Committee, and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Tony heads DLA Piper's AI policy practice in Washington, DC. He was the founding director of the Senate Artificial Intelligence Caucus and was Senator Heinrich's principal author of US$2.2 billion legislation, the Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act (AI-IA), that was endorsed by 11 major associations and institutions to organize a national strategy for AI and invest in academia, national laboratories, and industry. The core provisions of the legislation were signed into law in January 2021 and remain a landmark for US policy and federal funding of AI. He also advised the 15-member National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence.

Tony is an official advisor to the National Security Commission on Robotics for Advanced Manufacturing Co-Chaired by US Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Ted Budd (R-NC). Tony was appointed an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security and is currently a Visiting Fellow at George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School bipartisan National Security Institute in Washington, DC.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Building a U.S. National Strategy for Robotics and Automation | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 1:45 PM (CDT)

JACOB SANCHEZ

Community and Education Manager
Igus Inc
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Jacob Sanchez is a manufacturing and automation professional and advocate for skilled trades, with more than a decade of hands on experience across aerospace, consumer goods, and medical manufacturing environments. His work spans CNC machining, automation integration, and large scale industry engagement, with a focus on strengthening how companies present, adopt, and scale modern manufacturing technologies.

Jacob has hosted major trade show programming for audiences exceeding 60,000 attendees and leads an educational metalworking series that reaches millions of manufacturing professionals online. Through his industry work and national shop visits, he highlights practical automation strategies while elevating the visibility of manufacturers and the people who power them.

In his role at igus inc, Jacob helps build communities of solution driven professionals focused on implementing practical, cost conscious automation systems that improve competitiveness and production efficiency. Across every platform and initiative, his focus remains on expanding access to opportunity and ensuring the next generation of manufacturing talent is actively included in shaping the future of the industry.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
12 Years in 30 Minutes: How to Further YOUR Career in Automation | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

Automate Conference
How to Transition Your Business From Using Collaborative Robots to Collaborative Solutions | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 2:30 PM (CDT)

NOAM SCHAFER

Director of Partnerships
General Robotics

Noam Schafer leads partnerships at General Robotics. He focuses on bringing the GRID robotics platform to market through strategic alliances with global system integrators, technology partners, robot OEMs, and research institutions. Before General Robotics, Noam held roles spanning product, strategy, and go-to-market at companies across the technology sector. He holds an MBA from the University of Michigan.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Brains and Brawn: Why Physical AI Needs Private 5G to Succeed in the Factory | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

ALEXANDER SCHMITZ

CEO
XELA Robotics
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Alexander Schmitz is one of the founders and shareholders of XELA Robotics, which he established with his partners in August 2018. He has been developing tactile sensors, both hardware and software, for more than 13 years, which is part of his broader work on human-collaborative robots.

He received his master's degree with honours from the University of Vienna, Austria, in 2007, and Ph.D. degree from the University of Sheffield, England, in 2011. He performed his Ph.D. research as part of a joint location program with the Italian Institute of Technology, Italy. Alex previously held positions as an Associate Professor at Waseda University, Japan, while also working at XELA Robotics. However, he has since shifted his focus to solely working at XELA Robotics.

He received numerous grants, including a grant of 117 million JPY from the JST START Program (Program for Creating STart-ups from Advanced Research and Technology) and support from the NEDO Entrepreneurs Program (NEP).

He has been featured in various magazines and news articles, including an article in Science magazine about his experience as an entrepreneur. He has authored more than 100 research articles, including the world's first research article about using deep learning for tactile sensing. He has received numerous awards for his work, such as the FANUC FA Foundation Award 2017

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
Physical AI with Human Touch | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
Tactile Sensing Systems that Give Robots a Sense of Touch — Enabling Adaptable Automation Today and Building the Foundation for Fully Accessible Automation Tomorrow | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:30 PM (CDT)

BRENDAN SCHULMAN

VP of Policy & Government Relations
Boston Dynamics, Inc.
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Brendan Schulman is the Vice President of Policy & Government Relations for Boston Dynamics, the global leader in developing and deploying robots equipped with advanced mobility, dexterity, and intelligence. In this role, he collaborates with policymakers and stakeholders on a wide range of policy and ethics issues relating to the integration of beneficial robots into society. Previously, Brendan was a prominent leader on the development of legislation, regulations, and safety technologies concerning uncrewed aircraft systems (commercial drones), playing a key role in solutions at the federal, state and local levels, as well as internationally. A technology advocate, thought-leader, and champion of pragmatic solutions to the concerns that are raised by emerging technologies, Brendan has served on federal and state policy advisory committees, testified in the U.S. Congress and the U.K. House of Commons, lectures frequently, and is often quoted in the media on technology law and policy.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Building a U.S. National Strategy for Robotics and Automation | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 1:45 PM (CDT)

EVAN SCHUMACHER

Applications Engineer
Mission Design & Automation

Evan earned his Mechanical Engineering degree from Grand Valley State University in 2015. During his time at GVSU, he co-op’d at a West Michigan manufacturing company that produced automotive lighting components and products for the furniture industry. His initial role was making engineering improvements to multiple automated lines with the primary goal of increasing MTBI/MTBF, quality improvements, and fulfilling production orders. Evan’s experience led him into a product development support role, integrating lighting products into consumer goods. Afterwards, Evan transitioned to a traditional automation company supporting the applications development team performing R&D on projects that needed prove out or further up-front investigation. There he performed concepting, design, machining, build, and robot programming that would be able to display certain aspects of application technologies for a project, providing the applications team with results the customer could see in operation.

Evan joined the Mission Design & Automation team as an applications engineer in 2024. He now works closely with the sales team and customers to understand their needs and processes to develop an automated solution that achieves their manufacturing goals. While developing the concept, he also quotes the solution to put a price to the project. Evan most enjoys when a concept that has been developed with both the Mission team and the customer together is the best concept to move forward with into production and everyone gets excited about bringing it from concept to reality.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Automation 101: What Careers Actually Look Like | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:45 PM (CDT)

CLARISSA SCHWENDEMAN

Director of Marketing
Association for Advancing Automation (A3)

Clarissa Schwendeman is Director of Marketing at the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), where she leads strategic marketing efforts that drive visibility, engagement, and growth across the organization’s various initiatives, including education, market intelligence, membership and events. She is responsible for shaping integrated marketing strategy across key business priorities, with a focus on strengthening A3’s market presence, expanding audience reach, and ensuring the organization’s programs resonate with both current and future industry stakeholders.

A significant part of Clarissa’s leadership has centered on advancing workforce and community-focused initiatives that support the future of automation. She has helped drive the growth and positioning of A3 NextGen, including mentorship programming, career development resources, and community platforms designed to better connect students, emerging professionals, and industry leaders. Her work reflects a broader commitment to building stronger talent pipelines and creating more intentional pathways for engagement, leadership development, and long-term industry participation.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Mentors, Mistakes, and Momentum | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

BRYAN SELLARS

Strategy & Business Exploration
SICK, Inc.
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Close to 30 years in factory automation as a segment marketing manager, national product manager, direct salesperson, territory manager, office manager, and regional manager. Have worked in both distribution and for a manufacturer in the factory automation sector. Most recently shifted focus to education and workforce development to help create and promote industry relevant solutions to help bridge the gap between educational efforts and industry needs.

Session(s):

Educator Day
Robotic Safety, Risk Assessment, and Responsible AI in Education and Training | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

DYLAN SHANAHAN

Global Training Manager, Americas
Teradyne Robotics
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Dylan Shanahan is the Global Training Manager for the Americas at Teradyne Robotics, a leading manufacturer of robotic arms and automation solutions. With 10 years of experience in automation and extensive work supporting the education market, Dylan specializes in workforce training programs, instructor development, and fostering strategic partnerships between education and industry.

Passionate about advancing technical competencies and raising awareness of automation technologies in education, Dylan plays a pivotal role in integrating emerging trends such as automation competencies into training materials. This forward-thinking approach helps develop unique, real-world solutions that equip students with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving labor market.

Committed to professional development and collaboration, Dylan provides educators with the tools and resources necessary to stay current with industry advancements and effectively prepare students for tomorrow’s challenges.

Dylan holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering, is a member of the ARM Institute’s Endorsement Council, and regularly speaks at industry and education events to share insights on robotics education, curriculum innovation, and workforce development.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Empowering Educators: Training the Trainers in Robotics and Automation | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)

CYRUS SHAOUL

Chief Evangelist
Leela AI
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Cyrus is an entrepreneur and computational neuroscientist specializing in cognitive modeling. Before founding Leela AI, he co-founded and served as CTO of Digital Garage, guiding it from startup to a successful IPO. (BSc MIT, PhD University of Alberta)

Session(s):

Automate Conference
From Blind Spots to Insights: How Vision AI Drives Improvement | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

EBEN SHELTON

Sales Specialist, Motion Control and CNC Systems
Siemens

Eben Shelton is a Sales Specialist at Siemens, where he serves as a subject matter expert and advocate for motion control and CNC systems. In this role, Eben translates complex technical capabilities into clear business value, helping customers understand how Siemens solutions address real manufacturing challenges while differentiating in a competitive market.

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Eben is passionate about continuous learning, technical storytelling, and empowering others through enablement and mentorship. He is driven by Siemens’ culture of innovation and collaboration, and is committed to helping customers and internal teams succeed through the thoughtful application of industrial automation and digitalization technologies.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
Open Up the Future | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 2:15 PM (CDT)

STUART SHEPHERD

President
Shepherd Solutions, Inc.

Stu Shepherd has over 48-years’ experience transforming manufacturing in the Americas through his leadership in the robotic automation industry.

He graduated in 1983 from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology.

His past experiences include automation integration roles at General Motors, and sales and top leadership roles at FANUC America Corporation, KUKA AG, Güdel AG, Universal Robots A/S, and consulting with Gain & Co. and HowToRobot.com.

He is the Co-Founder and President of Shepherd Solutions, Inc. Based in Rochester, Michigan, Stu provides clients with valuable advisory and consulting services focused on the creation and growth of new business development for automation OEMs and integrators, plus for the planning and implementing robotic automation for end-users.

Stu is a Past Chairperson at both the Robotic Industries Association (now known as the A3 Robotics Tech Strategy Board) and Association for Advancing Automation (A3), current A3 Robotics Tech Strategy Board Member, and R15.05/R15.08/SEC/SDC/US-TAG-299 Robot Safety Committees Member (includes standards development for humanoid dynamic stability and interoperability). Also, an American Welding Society (AWS) member serving on the D16 Robotic and Automatic Welding Committee.

Lastly, Stu has been internationally recognized for his contributions to the robotics automation industry as the 2025 recipient of the Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Award for Leadership.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Lessons from System Integrators | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 11:00 AM (CDT)

JIM SHIMANO

Product Manager, Robotics Marketing
Epson America, Inc.

Jim Shimano has 20 years of experience in the robotics industry as a Product Manager at Epson and as Director of Marketing and Operations at Precise Automation. Additionally, he has 5 years of experience as an instructor at Cerritos College, Fullerton College and UPenn. He holds an MBA from UC Irvine, an MA from the UPenn, and a BS from UCLA.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
From STEM to Staff: Leveraging Robot Software to Teach Concepts For All Levels of Education from High School to Trade School and Beyond | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 12:00 PM (CDT)
Stories From the Lab: How a Software Centric Approach to Robotics Can Reduce Cost, Stimulate Growth, and Mitigate Risk | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

JUSTIN SHOWALTER

Alkylation Unit Operator
CHS, Inc.

Justin Showalter is an Alkylation Unit Operator at the CHS McPherson Refinery. Justin has worked in industrial plant operations for more than 15 years with experience in fuel ethanol production, pipelines, LPG fractionation, underground storage wells, production of refined fuels, with experience operating and troubleshooting multiple distributed control systems and a variety of Programable Logic Controllers.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Bridging the Gap: A Multi-Perspective Reality for Modern Automation | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 1:00 PM (CDT)

MICHELE SILVA

Engineering Manager
Reynolds & Moore
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Michele is a seasoned robotics and automation leader with close to 20 years of industry experience spanning advanced manufacturing, industrial automation, and next generation robotic systems. Her career has focused on enabling safe, reliable, and scalable deployment of emerging robotic technologies, particularly humanoids and other dynamically stable mobile robots.

She is an active contributor to international standards development and serves on multiple technical committees through ISO TC 299, shaping the future of global robotics safety. Michele is a certified Functional Safety Engineer in Machinery through TÜV Rheinland, and a Functional Safety Engineer (61508) through TÜV SÜD. Throughout her career, Michele has worked with manufacturers, integrators, researchers, and end-users to translate complex technical issues into clear, actionable guidance for industry stakeholders. Her work in reflects her commitment to ensuring that the next generation of humanoid and dynamically stable robots can be adopted safely, responsibly, and at scale.

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
Beyond the Cage: Navigating Humanoid Safety Standards, Field Realities, and the Road to Certification | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 2:15 PM (CDT)

STUART SINGER

CEO
Schneider Optics, Inc.

Stuart Singer is a distinguished figure in the field of optical engineering and management, currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Schneider Optics, Inc. With a remarkable career spanning over 45 years, Stuart brings a wealth of expertise in optical engineering, lens design, and technical sales across diverse industries.

Prior to his current role, Stuart held key positions at Schneider Optics, including Senior Vice President & CTO, where he spearheaded technological innovation and strategic direction for seven years. Before joining Schneider Optics, Stuart served as the Optical Engineering Manager at Loral Fairchild Systems (formerly Fairchild Reconnaissance and Surveillance Systems) for 14 years, showcasing his adeptness in managing complex optical projects.

Stuart's contributions extend beyond corporate roles, as he also served as the Senior Technical Director of Ruda Cardinal, Inc., where he played a pivotal role in designing intricate optical systems. As a Fellow Member of the Optical Engineering Society – (SPIE), Stuart has actively contributed to the advancement of optical technology and shared his expertise through numerous technical papers and lectures.

Stuart's achievements in the field have been recognized with prestigious awards, including a National Emmy Award in 2012 for his pivotal role in developing an IRND Filter for Digital Motion Picture Cameras, highlighting his significant impact on the motion picture and television industries. His dedication to advancing optical engineering and his extensive experience make him a respected leader in the field.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Advanced Optics for Vision | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

NICHOLAS SISCHKA

Director, Imaging
Edmund Optics

Nick Sischka is the Director of Imaging at Edmund Optics, specializing in optics for machine vision and robotics. In addition to teaching the basic optics course for the A3's Certified Vision Professional certification, he is the chair of the NextGen committee, which strives to get young people interested in factory automation. He has a bachelor's degree in Optical Sciences and Engineering from the University of Arizona.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Beginning Optics for Machine Vision | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

CHRISTOPHER SMITH

CEO, Founder
Slip Robotics
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Chris Smith is the CEO & Co-Founder of Slip Robotics. Chris has over a decade of experience in robotics and industrial engineering, including leading factory simulation and analytics at Tesla, and managing inbound warehousing at Cummins. Chris holds an MBA and Masters in Technology from Brigham Young University.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Fast-Tracking the Future: Simplifying Trailer Loading and Unloading for Real-World ROI | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

SHARON SPIELMAN

Head of Content
Vision Systems Design/EndeavorB2B
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Sharon Spielman is the head of content for Vision Systems Design. She has more than three decades of experience as a writer and editor for a range of B2B brands, including those that cover industrial automation, vision systems, mechanical design and manufacturing, medical device design, aerospace and defense, CAD/CAM, additive manufacturing, and more.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
Vision System Design Innovators Awards | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 11:00 AM (CDT)

BRENDAN STERNE

Chief Product Officer
Vention
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Brendan is a product and engineering leader with extensive experience in digital-enabled manufacturing and technology-driven marketplaces. He currently serves as the Chief Product Officer at Vention, where he leads efforts to simplify industrial automation through intuitive software and plug-and-play hardware solutions. Brendan's expertise spans startups to large enterprises, with a strong background in software development, automation, and scaling product-led growth.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Getting Industrial Automation Right the First Time | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 2:30 PM (CDT)

CHRIS STEVENS

President, U.S. Automation
Siemens Digital Industries
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Chris Stevens is President of U.S. Automation for Siemens Digital Industries, leading the organization’s strategy, growth, and transformation across all automation sectors in the United States. In this role, Chris drives innovation, operational excellence, and customer success, ensuring Siemens remains the trusted partner for manufacturers and industrial clients nationwide.

His leadership is defined by a relentless focus on solving customer challenges, accelerating digital transformation, and fostering a culture of excellence and responsiveness. Chris champions Siemens’ commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that empower customers to thrive in a rapidly evolving industrial landscape.

Chris is a leading national voice on the integration of industrial software and automation, and the unique ability of that combination to create new sources of customer value – faster and more scalably than traditional siloed approaches. His leading-edge perspectives on AI-powered workforce enablement and the untapped transformative power of manufacturing data make him a sought-after speaker at industry gatherings.

He began his career as a sales and program manager in automotive assembly and testing equipment. He later joined Siemens’ industrial software business, where he held positions of increasing responsibility over more than 20 years, ultimately serving as Vice President of strategic verticals. Chris then moved into the US Automation business, where he now serves as its president.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University.

Chris and his wife reside in the Detroit metro area with their three children, with whom he enjoys every available moment outside of work.

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Session(s):

Automate Conference
The Automation Impact: AI, Automation, and the Human Element | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 9:00 AM (CDT)

AHMAD STOKES

Director of Automotive Sales
VisionNav Robotics
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Ahmad is a forward-thinking automation innovator with deep expertise in deploying autonomous vehicle systems within industrial and warehouse environments. With a background spanning fluid automation, machine vision and vehicle autonomy, he has helped drive the transition from manual industrial equipment to smart, self-navigating solutions. At the intersection of hardware, software and operations, Ahmad excels at translating complex automation technologies into real-world business value—enhancing safety, throughput and cost-efficiency in material handling.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Forklifts on Autopilot: Deploying Autonomous Material-Handling Solutions in Manufacturing | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

ANGELO STRACQUATANIO

CEO & Co-Founder
Apprentice.io
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Angelo is co-founder and CEO of Apprentice.io, which developed the first AI-powered cloud platform built to accelerate batch-based manufacturing. Angelo realized the untapped power of emerging technologies to unify and accelerate manufacturing processes across one modern platform.

Drawing on his previous experience in enterprise mobile technology, Angelo co-founded Apprentice in 2014 and has enjoyed the wild ride ever since. He serves on the board of Rising Tide Capital, a non-profit that helps urban entrepreneurs grow, and lives in New Jersey with his wife and two daughters.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
Manufacturing-Native AI: How Industry Specific Models and Agents Are Transforming the Factory System Landscape | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 3:00 PM (CDT)

LINDSEY SULLIVAN

Technical Marketing Manager
CCS America
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Lindsey Sullivan has spent 10 years as an engineer evaluating machine vision applications in every industry. She started as a Sales Engineer at Keyence before moving to an Application Engineer at CCS America, Inc., a machine vision lighting company. In her current role as Technical Marketing Manager, she is sharing her expertise so that industrial automation companies can design high-accuracy systems without troubleshooting lighting challenges after machines are built.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Lighting at the Speed of Automation: Designing for 1,000 fps and Beyond | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 3:30 PM (CDT)

ARA SURENIAN

Business Manager, Production Logistics
OTTO by Rockwell Automation

Ara Surenian is Manager of Rockwell Automation’s Production Logistics business unit where he develops approaches to integrate advanced motion and robotics hardware and software solutions to help customers automate and optimize end-to-end material movement for future-ready factories. Previously, he oversaw the company’s production planning and scheduling software portfolio. With four decades of experience in plant operations, lean manufacturing, and digital transformation, Ara has consistently delivered significant contributions across a variety of manufacturing sectors.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
From Siloed to Streamlined: Rockwell Boosts Space Utilization by 70% with Production Logistics | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

SRAVAN SURYADEVARA

Regional Director
FIRST

Sravan Suryadevara is the Regional Director of Illinois for FIRST, a global nonprofit that empowers young people to build a better tomorrow. He leads the FIRST Robotics Competition program in Illinois, building corporate partnerships, working with community organizations, supporting teams and mentors, recruiting volunteers, and creating celebratory events. He understands that behind every robot on the competition floor is a young person learning to think critically, collaborate under pressure, and believe in their own potential.

A proud alumnus of FIRST, Sravan has been deeply embedded in the FIRST ecosystem for two decades — as a participant, volunteer, and team mentor. His career has been defined by a single belief: that young people, given the right tools and opportunities, can change the world.

Prior to his role at FIRST, Sravan worked as a software engineer and web developer.

Sravan holds a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an M.P.A. from the University of Illinois at Springfield

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
Tech-Powered, People-Driven: The New Industrial Advantage | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)

NICHOLAS SUSCH

Principal Engineer, Measurements, Engineering Associate
Corning, Inc.

Nick has been an engineer with Corning Incorporated for 31 years specializing in the development of custom measurements and inspection systems. He utilizes technologies such as machine vision and laser displacement in unique systems, designed, built, and implemented to inspect and measure numerous different artifacts and processes in the manufacture of Corning's multitude of products. Nick has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Rochester.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Metrology and 2D Calibration Techniques | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 9:00 AM (CDT)

ARIANE SUTOR

Founder and Leader, Unified Elements
Siemens

Dr. Ariane Sutor is the founder and leader of the internal venture Unified Elements, where she pioneered this innovative engineering solution for supervision and control. Unified Elements enhances the software-defined automation portfolio alongside SIMATIC AX and lays the foundation for Generative AI.

With 20 years’ experience in industrial research, innovation and business responsibility, Dr. Sutor brings extensive expertise to the table. Prior to her current role, she held significant positions in Factory Automation Technology and Innovation and at Siemens Research and Pre-development, including leading a research group for AI. Dr. Sutor holds a PhD in mathematics and has a strong foundation in mathematics and economics.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Software-Defined Automation and the Future Factory | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

ROBERT TAIT

Partner
Optical Metrology Solutions

Robert Tait began doing optical inspection well before the advent of machine vision, back when film ruled. He captured events at 10,000 frames per second, including chickens being launched at Mach?1 into aircraft windshields, using printed or projected images and a ruler to analyze the physics involved. He is old enough to have used vidicon cameras, before solid-state cameras became ubiquitous.

A strong background in film photography, developed since high school, provided a solid foundation in optical systems and lighting, ensuring maximum image quality—which, in turn, makes the processing side of automated inspection more robust. He worked in research and development at the University of Dayton, the University of Michigan (Industrial Technology Institute), Intelligent Reasoning Systems, and GE Global Research (before it was split into separate organizations).

His projects sent him to the bottom of a (training) nuclear reactor to track robotic inspection vehicles in 3D, and to the tops of wind towers to install equipment that remotely monitored frame crack growth. These projects required travel to many locations across the United States, as well as China, the UK, Germany, Singapore, India, and Japan.

Robert retired from GE in 2017 and formed a consulting company with fellow GE retiree Kevin Harding called Optical Metrology Solutions, where he continues to take on projects and solve inspection problems to this day.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Advanced Vision System Integration | Friday, June 26, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

WENDY TAN WHITE

CEO
Intrinsic
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Wendy Tan White is the CEO of Intrinsic, an Alphabet company dedicated to democratizing access to robotics and AI. Intrinsic's first product, Flowstate, enables the easy design, deployment, and reuse of robotic AI solutions.

Before leading Intrinsic, Wendy was a Vice President at X, Alphabet's Moonshot Factory, where she stewarded mature projects. A long-time technology innovator, entrepreneur, and investor, she co-founded and served as CEO of Moonfruit, the first SAAS website builder, which was acquired in 2012. Her investment experience includes roles as a Partner at the venture arm of BGF, $2.5bn growth capital fund, and a General Partner at Entrepreneur First, a global deep tech accelerator.

Wendy's contributions to technology and business were recognized in 2016 when she was awarded an MBE by the Queen. She holds several board and advisory positions, including Chair of Imperial College USA’s Advisory Board, and is a visiting Clore Innovation professor at RCA.

She holds a BEng in Computer Science from Imperial College, an MSc from Cranfield, an MA from Central St Martins, and an honorary doctorate from Salford University.

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Session(s):

Automate Conference
The State of the Automation Industry: Leadership Roundtable | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 9:00 AM (CDT)

Automate Show Theater
From Rigid Repetition to Adaptive Robotics: The AI Architecture for Intelligent Factories | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:45 PM (CDT)

BILLY TAYLOR

Sr. Director, Engineering & Technical Procurement
Papa Johns
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Billy Taylor is an experienced global engineering and operations executive at Papa Johns. He has a track record of optimizing systems and teams, delivering successful capital projects and driving continuous improvement. At Papa Johns, Billy has worked in a variety of roles including perations Engineer, Director of Operations and Senior Director of Engineering and Procurement, his current role. Billy earned a master's degree in mechanical engineering and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering with a specialization in engineering management from the University of Louisville.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
Digitizing the Floor: How Data Drives Better Dough Production | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 12:00 PM (CDT)

MIKELL TAYLOR

Director, Robotics Strategy
General Motors
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Mikell Taylor has spent two decades making useful robots - from a robotic senior prom date to autonomous underwater vehicles to cutting-edge industrial robotic systems. She currently leads robotics strategy for General Motors’ Autonomous Robotics Center; previously, at Amazon Robotics, she led the team that developed Proteus, Amazon’s first AMR. She is passionate about building robots that are practical, reliable, and good partners for the people that work with and around them. Mikell was named one of the "Women Shaping the Future of Robotics" by the International Federation of Robotics in 2026 and one of the Boston Globe Tech Power Players 50 in 2023. Outside of work she volunteers for various STEM outreach and education initiatives. She holds a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Olin College, where she was a member of the first class of graduates.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
The Robotics Executive Roundtable: What’s Next in Automation: Market Forces, Technology, and Leadership Perspectives | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 10:30 AM (CDT)

NICOLA TOMATIS

CEO
BlueBotics
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Nicola has been the CEO of BlueBotics since 2003 and joined its Board of Directors in 2015. He holds an M.Sc. in Computer Science from ETH Zurich and a PhD in Robotics from the EPFL in Lausanne. He received the IEEE Early Career Award in Robotics and Automation in 2008 and has twice been included in Bilan’s 300 Most Influential People in Switzerland.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
mot.OS® in Action: How an Intelligent Fleet Manager Transforms Mobile Automation Performance | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 2:15 PM (CDT)

KRISHNA TULUGU

Simulation Engineer, Global Manufacturing Engineering
BorgWarner

Krishna has more than 18 years of experience in the automotive manufacturing industry with 12 of those years at BorgWarner. He worked as a Manufacturing Design Engineer prior to his simulation work at BorgWarner. Krishna has simulated multiple new and existing assembly lines involving transfer cases, clutch modules and battery lines. His work as a Simulation Engineer has helped in the identification and resolution of various opportunities with the assembly lines before they were launched. In addition, his simulations have been a driver in improved efficiency, cost-savings, risk reduction, and accelerated decision-making.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Predict, Simulate, Act: GenAI-Assisted Operations and Maintenance with a Living Factory Twin | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

JOHN TUOHY

Automation Sales Advisor
Matrix Design

John Tuohy is an automation professional focused on helping manufacturers improve productivity through practical, well-integrated machine tool automation. With a strong systems background, John brings a clear understanding of how robotics, CNC equipment, material flow, controls, and plant operations must work together to create reliable automation outcomes.

John is part of Matrix Design, an industrial automation company specializing in machine tending, robotic deburring, inspection, palletizing, vision systems, and related automation services. Matrix also describes its work as developing, building, installing, and supporting robotic automation systems for manufacturers, with particular strength in machine tending and material handling applications.

At Automate, John’s perspective is centered on machine tool automation and the practical steps manufacturers can take to improve throughput, reduce manual handling, and build more consistent production processes. His work reflects a systems-first approach: understanding the full manufacturing environment, identifying where automation creates the greatest value, and helping teams implement solutions that are robust, efficient, and sustainable.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Millions Spent. Results Missed. Why Automation Projects Fail—and How to Fix Them | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 11:30 AM (CDT)

YOSHI UMENO

Global Director of Business Development, Robotics
Kollmorgen, A Regal Rexnord Brand
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Yoshi Umeno is the Global Director of Business Development for Robotics at Kollmorgen, a Regal Rexnord brand, with a dedicated focus on humanoid robotics. He brings a deep understanding of motion control for humanoids—spanning actuators, drives, precision components, and system-level performance—and has extensive experience servicing and partnering with leading humanoid OEMs globally.

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
Beyond the Lab: Designing Scalable Motion Systems for Humanoid Robots | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 12:30 PM (CDT)

BRIAN URLACHER

Former Linebacker
Chicago Bears

Brian Urlacher's journey began in the small town of Lovington, New Mexico, where he developed his passion for football and laid the foundation for a remarkable athletic career. Growing up in a modest household, Brian faced financial challenges, with his mother working two jobs to support the family. Despite these hardships, he remained focused on his dreams and aspirations.

When the opportunity to play college football arose, Brian received just one offer—from the University of New Mexico. Excited and grateful, he embraced the chance to further his education and pursue his passion for the sport. This opportunity not only allowed him to showcase his talents on a larger stage but also represented a significant milestone in his life, breaking barriers that would eventually lead him to a successful career in the NFL.

Urlacher's story is one of determination, perseverance, and gratitude, illustrating how he overcame obstacles to achieve his goals while honoring the sacrifices made by his family. His journey from Lovington to becoming a celebrated football player serves as an inspiration to many, highlighting the importance of hard work and seizing opportunities when they arise.

Brian Urlacher is indeed one of the most celebrated linebackers in NFL history, having played his entire 13-year career with the Chicago Bears from 2000 to 2012. Known for his impressive athleticism, intelligence on the field, and leadership, Urlacher was instrumental in the Bears' defense during his tenure.

He was named to the Pro Bowl eight times and earned All-Pro honors five times, showcasing his consistent excellence. In 2005, he was awarded the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, further solidifying his status as one of the league's elite defenders.

Urlacher's impact on the game was recognized when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a first-ballot selection in 2018. His legacy remains strong in Chicago, where he is celebrated as one of the franchise's all-time greats.

Brian's commitment to philanthropy is evident through his extensive support of various charity organizations, showcasing his dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of others. His involvement with organizations like the Special Olympics, Wounded Warriors, and Make-A-Wish highlights his desire to uplift those in need, whether they are facing physical challenges, recovering from service, or experiencing health crises.

Brian's passion for animals is evident in his dedication to organizations like Yaqui Animal Rescue and Healing Hearts Animal Rescue. By volunteering his time and raising awareness for these causes, he plays an important role in promoting animal welfare and helping to provide safe havens for pets in need. His efforts not only support the well-being of animals but also educate the community about the importance of rescue and adoption.

In addition to his charitable endeavors, Brian balances his philanthropic efforts with family life in Arizona, where he lives with his wife, Jennipher. Brian has 3 children; Pamela, Riley and Kennedy.

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Session(s):

Automate Conference
Built to Win: The Mindset Behind Championship Performance | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 9:00 AM (CDT)

ANIKET VASHISHT

Senior Solution Architect
Amazon Web Services
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Aniket is currently working at AWS as a Senior Solution Architect and based out of Detroit MI. Aniket supports Amazon Web Services Manufacturing and Industrial Customers across US Central for Industry 4.0 workloads.

In the current role, Aniket helps manufacturing and industrial customers navigate the complex landscape of OT-IT integration and utilize the best of cloud & AI technology.

Aniket has over 12 years of diverse experience in oil and gas, building automation, OEM Manufacturing, Startup & Cloud provider. Having working on the plant floor himself, Aniket can co-relate well the OT world, which in turn helps him connect well with the M&I community.

Aniket’s goal and vision are to make work in the manufacturing and industrial space as attractive as IT and Finance for future generations.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Leveraging Autonomous AI Agents for Control System Design Engineering | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

FRANCIS VATAKENCHERRY

Product and Solutions Development Team Leader
Siemens
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Francis Vatakencherry brings over 30 years of industry and solution domain experience across discrete and process manufacturing. As a customer journey leader at Siemens, he partners with manufacturers to meet them where they are and guide pragmatic digital transformation. His work focuses on closed-loop digital twins, AI-driven asset intelligence, and IT/OT convergence — turning operational data into continuous optimization across engineering and operations. Francis has led end-to-end digital transformation initiatives with Fortune 500 companies, delivering measurable improvements in performance, reliability, and sustainability through smart, connected factory outcomes.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Predict, Simulate, Act: GenAI-Assisted Operations and Maintenance with a Living Factory Twin | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

PRAS VELAGAPUDI

CTO
Agility
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Pras Velagapudi is Chief Technology Officer at Agility. He brings decades of experience in robotics planning and control, and creating and deploying robots into home, industrial, and outdoor environments. He most recently was a VP of Engineering and Chief Architect of Mobile Robotics at Berkshire Grey, deploying fleets of hundreds of robots to logistics applications. At Agility, Pras is focused on pragmatic product-relevant innovations, driven by the vision and strategy for Agility’s bipedal robot Digit, operationalizing the company’s research and development efforts, and continually exploring what’s new. Pras received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University.

Session(s):

Humanoid Robot Forum
KEYNOTE PANEL: The Next Frontier of Physical AI: Humanoid Robots at Scale | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)
Humanoids Are Here — What’s Next? | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:30 PM (CDT)

FEDERICO VICENTINI

Safety Policy Architect
Boston Dynamics

Federico Vicentini is Safety Policy Architect at Boston Dynamics, focusing on safety principles and goals in the world of physical AI. He's been with BD for over 7 years helping foster robot safety technology, risk-based methodologies, and compliance for legged robots, humanoids, and mobile manipulators. After more than a decade of serving as an Expert in national and international safety standardization committees, he's been appointed Convenor of ISO TC 299 WG 12 for Safety of Dynamically Stable industrial mobile robots like humanoids and legged robots. Previously, he was a Researcher at the Italian National Research Council with interests in human-robot collaboration. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Politecnico di Milano (Italy) and co-authored 60+ scholarly publications and technical reviews.

Session(s):

Humanoid Robot Forum
PANEL: Developing Safety Standards for Humanoid Robots | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 2:00 PM (CDT)

TIM VOSECKY

Principal / Director
ControlsPR

Tim Vosecky is a licensed professional engineer in control systems engineering with over a decade of systems integration, industrial data analytics, and automation experience. While implementing systems for machine automation, life sciences, and public utility end-users, he developed a passion for communicating engineering wins, which led him to full-time technical content creation. Tim holds a BS degree in physics and humanities, and an ME degree in systems engineering. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and trail-running.

Session(s):

Automate Show Theater
Bridging the Gap: A Multi-Perspective Reality for Modern Automation | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 1:00 PM (CDT)

KEVEN WANG

CEO
UnitX Inc
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Keven Wang is the co-founder & CEO of UnitX, a leading AI machine vision company automating visual inspection in factories. Keven graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Computer Science concentrating on AI. Keven has visited 200+ factories worldwide helping to improve yield and quality, and holds patents in AI technology for visual inspection.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Seeing is Solving: Advances in Smart Inspection | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

Automate Innovation Stage
1 Minute. 5 Images. AI Vision Inspection Go Live on the Same Day. | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 12:45 PM (CDT)

MASAHITO WATANABE

Chairman
Japan Industrial Imaging Association

The Representative Director of the Japan Industrial Imaging Association (JIIA).

He began his career in the import and export of optical measurement equipment and has worked in industrial imaging for many years. His experience includes supporting the deployment of high-performance cameras for machine vision, medical imaging, and security applications, as well as contributing to the international standardization of the CoaXPress interface. He currently serves as Business Development Manager at Prodrive Technologies Japan.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Updates on Machine Vision Standards | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

RICKY WATTS

General Manager and Sr. Director, Industrial and Robotics Division
Intel Corp.
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With over 30 years of global experience, Ricky Watts is a seasoned technology leader driving innovation at the intersection of industrial, telecommunications, and embedded systems. As General Manager and Senior Director of Intel’s Industrial and Robotic Division, he leads efforts to accelerate the adoption of smart manufacturing and robotics by advancing next-generation connectivity, automation, and software-defined edge infrastructure.

Ricky’s work spans product marketing, business development, and strategy across critical sectors, including control automation, energy, medical devices, and transportation. He is deeply involved in enabling autonomous systems and collaborative robotics, helping industry partners deploy AI-powered solutions on Intel’s edge-ready silicon and software.

His international experience—across Asia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa—brings a uniquely global perspective to market transformation. Prior to Intel, he held leadership roles at Motorola, British Telecom, Aircom International, and Wind River Systems, where he built a strong foundation in ecosystem collaboration and industrial innovation.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Vision-Guided Robotics and Intelligent Inspection: Deploying Machine Vision in Manufacturing | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)
Vision-Guided Robotics and Intelligent Inspection: Powering Next-Generation Automation with Unified Compute and AI | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 8:00 AM (CDT)

Automate Show Theater
Navigating Your Digital Transformation | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:45 AM (CDT)

AGNES WEIERSHAEUSER

Senior Application Engineer
MVTec, LLC

Agnes joined MVTec headquarters in 2013 as an Application Engineer to provide technical support to MVTec's international distributor network, develop vision solutions and conduct product trainings for MVTec's worldwide customer base using MVTec's software products. In 2016, she became Assistant Team Leader for the Solutions & Services team, where she managed the team's junior engineers. Agnes joined MVTec's North American subsidiary in 2017. She is responsible for presales and postsales technical services and to support growing the local team. Prior to her work with MVTec, Agnes was a Master student and Scientific Assistant at the Technical University in Munich. During her studies, she developed vision algorithms to model the infrared sensing pit organ of different snakes. Agnes has more than 12 years experience in developing vision software applications.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
From Hype to Hands-On: Practical Deep Learning for Industrial Vision | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 3:30 PM (CDT)

PERRY WEST

President
Automated Vision Systems, Inc.

Perry West is the founder and president of Automated Vision Systems, Inc., a leading consulting firm in machine vision. He founded Automated Vision Systems in 1981 at the start of the machine vision revolution. He works in application development, system design and development, business opportunities, and education and training.

Among his areas of experience with machine vision are structured light imaging, high-precision stereo gauging, high-volume food sorting for shape, size, and color, sub-micron measurements, interferometry, part recognition and classification, assembly verification, optical character recognition, measurement of very large objects, and display inspection.

In addition to his work in machine vision, Mr. West has experience in engineering management, manufacturing management, software development, computer memory design and testing, acoustic inspection, LED development, and microwaves.

Mr. West speaks extensively on machine vision and automation, and is the author of many technical and magazine articles on machine vision. He has taught hundreds of courses on the subject, and has chaired a number of conferences on machine vision for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the Automated Imaging Association (now A3).

Mr. West received his BSEE from the University of California at Berkeley. Before founding Automated Vision Systems, he held positions with EG&G Reticon, Fairchild Semiconductor, Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, and Watkins-Johnson. He is a past President of the Machine Vision Association of SME. He has been recognized with the 1990 MVA/SME Chairman’s award, and is the 2003 recipient of the Automated Imaging Association’s annual Achievement award. He is active in supporting A3’s CVP program as well as teaching a two of its courses.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Introduction to Machine Learning | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 10:30 AM (CDT)
High-Speed, Real-Time Machine Vision | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 3:30 PM (CDT)
Vision System Design | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 10:30 AM (CDT)

JIM WILEY

Product Manager
Parker Hannifin

Jim Wiley is a Product Manager for servo and stepper drives with Parker Hannifin Corporation's Electromechanical and Drives Division, where he has spent his entire twenty-year motion control career. After graduating from Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Jim joined Parker's Daedal Division as an engineer.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Positioner Selection and Motor Sizing | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:15 PM (CDT)
CMCP Course Review and Exam Prep | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 1:15 PM (CDT)

JERITT WILLIAMS

Assistant Professor of Engineering Technology
Illinois State University
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Dr. Jeritt Williams is an Assistant Professor of Engineering Technology at Illinois State University, where he specializes in the advancement of robotics and automation education. Recognized for his leadership and impact on the industry, he was named the 2025 A3 Educator of the Year. At Illinois State, he directs the Caterpillar Integrated Manufacturing Lab, a premier facility, aimed at transforming technical education through high-impact, hands-on instruction in systems integration, including industrial robotics, PLCs, and digital twin technologies.

Drawing on two decades of experience across industry and education, Jeritt is dedicated to bridging the gap between the theoretical aspects of academia and practical applications in the real world of work. With a focus on workforce development, Williams’s most recent work includes projects like SUPERCHARGE (NSF Award #2148429), which aims to develop STEM talent pipelines invoving robotics and renewable energy, that can then return to positively impact communities in need, and the development and pilot testing of an “AI+Robotics” micro-credentials for STEM educators, ensuring that graduates are "day-one ready" to meet the rapidly evolving demands of the next generation workforce.

Session(s):

Educator Day
Teaching AI-Enabled Robotics and Automation Without Chasing Technology Fads | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 10:15 AM (CDT)

RUTHERFORD WILSON

Chief Product Officer
MachineMetrics
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Rutherford Wilson is the Chief Product Officer of MachineMetrics, the Manufacturing Operations Platform delivering real-time intelligence to the heart of shop floor execution. With two decades of product leadership across Amazon, Trulioo, and multiple startups, he's building the AI layer that connects machines, ERP systems, and operators into one intelligent, adaptive operation. On the Innovative Stage, Rutherford will show how AI is moving from buzzword to shop floor reality — helping manufacturers do more with the people and machines they already have.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
From Tribal Knowledge to AI-Guided Execution: The Future of Manufacturing Operations | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 12:00 PM (CDT)

GRAHAM WLOCH

Director of Business Development
Visual Components
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Graham Wloch’s journey demonstrates the evolution of simulation software from a novel innovation to an indispensable necessity in the modern business landscape. With over a decade of experience, he has dedicated his career to understanding customer challenges and delivering tailored solutions that drive success. His expertise lies not only in technical proficiency but also in the strategic cultivation of relationships, fostering a strong community within Visual Components.

In a time where adaptability is vital, Graham has consistently been at the forefront of growth, reshaping sales strategies and uncovering new business opportunities. His ability to combine technical expertise with business intelligence has led to revitalized revenue streams and the establishment of robust partner networks. Year after year, he has demonstrated a remarkable ability to surpass sales targets and lead change initiatives that redefine industry standards.

At his core, Graham embodies integrity, honesty, dedication, and passion. These qualities have guided his approach to professional success. Whether driving sales, mentoring teams, or pioneering new solutions, his unwavering commitment to excellence ensures that software isn’t merely a tool but a fundamental pillar of business advancement.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Automation in 3D: The New Standard for Smart Manufacturing | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

LENSON WONG

Vice President
Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation
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Lenson Wong is Vice-President of the Wisecarver Automation Division at Bishop-Wisecarver responsible for Product Development Engineering and Custom Automation System Development. Previously, he was the Founder and CEO of Symation, an automation systems integrator specializing in advanced motion and vision automation systems. Since founding Symation in 2014, he built a customer base of over 100 clients and spearheaded projects involving motion control, image processing, and machine learning for semiconductor, alternative energy and agriculture industries.

Prior to Symation, Lenson held key leadership roles at Moog and Berkeley Process Control, where he managed large scale engineering projects and directed Program Management, IT, Marketing and Applications Engineering functions. His expertise spans automated inspection systems, industrial controls, and large-scale engineering solutions, including automation for offshore oil pipelines and nuclear reactor inspections.

Lenson holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MBA from Duke University. He holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Passionate about mentorship and education, he has been a guest lecturer at UC Berkeley's Mechanical Engineering program.

With a career dedicated to innovation in automation, Lenson Wong continues to drive technological advancements in industrial automation and mentors the next generation of automation professionals.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
AI-Driven Troubleshooting Mentors: Enhancing Service Expertise and Reducing Downtime | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 1:30 PM (CDT)

KEVIN WU

Portfolio Sales Enablement Manager for Motion Controllers, I/Os, and Roboti
Siemens
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Based in Alpharetta, Georgia, Kevin works closely with OEMs, machine builders, and partners to help modernize manufacturing through automation, motion control, and digital engineering technologies. With a strong background in factory automation portfolios — including controllers, drives, I/O, and integrated software — Kevin specializes in connecting customer challenges to practical, scalable solutions. He is passionate about helping customers accelerate innovation, simplify system integration, and unlock value across the digital thread.

Session(s):

Automate Innovation Stage
Open Up the Future | Monday, June 22, 2026 - 2:15 PM (CDT)

ALLYSON WYATT

Sr. Applications Engineer
Allient

Allyson is a Senior Solutions Engineer at Allient with a B.S. in Physics and a decade of experience in applications engineering. Throughout her career, Allyson has specialized in bridging the gap between theoretical physics and high-performance motion control. She is most passionate about deconstructing motor equations to show how subtle design changes drive significant performance gains. A firm believer in a "physics-first" approach, Allyson enjoys empowering fellow engineers to master the fundamental mechanics behind the motion.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Basic Machine Design and the Physics of Motion | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 9:00 AM (CDT)

REBECCA YEUNG

Strategic Advisor, Former CVP
Dexterity, FedEx
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Rebecca Yeung operates at the intersection of Physical AI, large-scale operations, and enterprise transformation. Over a 26-year career at FedEx—including a decade leading robotics and automation—she has been at the forefront of translating emerging technologies into real-world operational impact.

Rebecca specializes in bridging the gap between “lab AI” and scalable enterprise value—identifying high-impact use cases, designing for scale from Day One, and integrating robotics, autonomy, and decision science into complex operating environments. She led Physical AI deployment across one of the world’s largest logistics networks, launched FedEx’s Enterprise Robotics Center, and built strategic partnerships to advance automation at scale. In 2024, she was recognized by Reuters Events as one of the Top 20 Trailblazing Women in Enterprise AI.

She currently serves as a Strategic Advisor to Dexterity Inc., a leader in industrial Physical AI, and as an independent board director. Rebecca works with boards and CEOs to navigate Physical AI transformation—aligning strategy, operations, and governance to deliver measurable ROI and future-proof enterprise systems.

Session(s):

Humanoid Robot Forum
PANEL: Scaling, Delivering, and Deploying: Humanoids in the Real World | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 3:00 PM (CDT)

ZARREN ZAFIRO

Regional Sales Engineer
LinMot USA

Zarren Zafiro is a Regional Sales Engineer at LinMot USA, specializing in advanced electric linear motion solutions for industrial automation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, giving him a strong foundation in system design, dynamics, and problem-solving skills he leverages to understand customer applications and deliver effective, data-driven solutions. Supporting customers across the Midwest and Southeast, he works closely with OEMs, integrators, and end users to design high-performance motion systems that improve precision, speed, and reliability.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Mentors, Mistakes, and Momentum | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 11:15 AM (CDT)

LINIR ZAMIR

Lead AI Development
Telit Cinterion
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Linir Zamir is Lead AI Development at Telit Cinterion, responsible for developing different software solutions as part of deviceWISE. Now leading the technology of deviceWISE Visual Inspection, Linir developed the deviceWISE Visual Inspection solution for real-time object and anomaly detection on assembly lines. Linir has a Ph.D. and Master's in Computer Science from Florida Atlantic University.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Agentic AI on the Edge for IIoT | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - 3:30 PM (CDT)

JOHN ZAPPA

Sr. Director of Product Management
ARM Institute

John is the Senior Director of Product Management at the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute. With 30+ years of experience developing software-based services to enable lifelong learning, he is responsible for developing and promoting services that connect people with robotics opportunities in manufacturing.

During his career, he helped to found and serve as CEO of EdLink, LLC a leading provider of tuition assistance management services. Under John’s leadership, EdLink grew to manage over $220 million in education funding and was acquired by the Fortune 500 firm Bright Horizons Family Solutions.

John began his career at IBM implementing robotics as a manufacturing engineer. He received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and an MBA from Dartmouth College.

Session(s):

A3 NextGen Theater
Lessons Learned: Building the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce of the Future | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 10:30 AM (CDT)

ALON ZEHNGUT

Director of Product, Robotics
RealSense

Alon Zehngut is Director of Product for Robotics at RealSense, where he leads product strategy and go-to-market for advanced perception technologies powering the next generation of physical AI systems.

He brings over a decade of experience across robotics, autonomous systems, and defense, with deep expertise in multi-sensor fusion, visual perception, and deploying complex systems in real-world environments. Alon has a proven track record of translating market needs into scalable, high-impact products, leading cross-functional teams across R&D, engineering, and business to deliver end-to-end solutions.

Prior to RealSense, Alon served as Vice President of Product Delivery at RGo Robotics, where he led product strategy and system engineering for visual SLAM and perception platforms used in autonomous mobile robots. He also held senior technical product and systems engineering roles at Elbit Systems, contributing to advanced unmanned systems and sensor-integrated platforms.

Earlier in his career, Alon served as an officer in the Israeli Navy, where he led complex operational and R&D initiatives involving mission-critical systems and multi-disciplinary teams.

Alon holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering from Ben-Gurion University and a BA in Business Administration from the University of Haifa. His work sits at the intersection of perception, autonomy, and real-world deployment—helping bring robotics from controlled environments into scalable, practical use.

Session(s):

Humanoid Pavilion Stage
The Visual Cortex for Physical AI: Building the Perception Stack for Humanoid Robots | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 11:00 AM (CDT)

DAVID ZERKLER

President/Owner
Helm Vision Systems

David Zerkler has been in the machine vision business for 15 years as a technical communicator, educator, and entrepreneur. He has been teaching the CVP Advanced Image Processing course for 5 years. He built and led the training department for Matrox Imaging and Zebra's machine vision division. He's currently in the research stage of a new machine vision integration & training company, Helm Vision Systems.

Session(s):

Automate Conference
Advanced Image Processing | Thursday, June 25, 2026 - 2:00 PM (CDT)