AUTOMATE LIVE

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

Jana Martin has been creating engaging interviews since the beginning of her career as a Producer for a non-partisan public affairs television show in 2012. Since then

she has been a host, on-air producer, and guest on many shows in many different industries from music to endurance training to technology and now in automation and robotics. In the last 12 years, she has engaged with thousands of thought leaders from C-level industry experts and Grammy-nominated artists to leading politicians from around the world.

Jake Hall, known as the Manufacturing Millennial, is an advocate for automation, robotics, and the future worker by helping

revolutionize the way people and companies present through social media and adopt new technology. Jake ignites conversations about the latest in automation and technology to excite the current and future workforce on innovation.

Chris Luecke is a Podcaster, Marketer, and Content Creator in the manufacturing industry and the host of the top-ranked

podcast Manufacturing Happy Hour. Described as "TEDx meets 'How It's Made," Manufacturing Happy Hour goes beyond the buzzwords and dissects real-life applications and success stories through candid interviews with executives, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders. To date, Chris has interviewed over 200 leaders in the industrial sector in an effort to simplify and explore the latest trends and technologies impacting modern manufacturers.

Nikki Gonzales is the Director of Business Development at Weintek USA and co-founder of OT SCADA CON, a community conference for

Industrial Automation professionals in Houston Texas. With a background spanning automation, engineering, and technology startups, she has spent her career at the intersection of industrial automation, digital transformation, and AI-driven solutions.

Nikki began as a sales engineer specializing in machine vision and mechatronics, spending over a decade implementing and supporting automation solutions across various industries. She later transitioned into engineering design and simulation for virtual prototyping, followed by a move into big data and AI-driven supply chain optimization for manufacturing and automation applications.

She also serves on the Board of Directors at Process and Controls Engineering LLC (PCE), supporting the company’s mission to drive innovation in controls engineering and automation. Nikki is the founder and co-host of the popular podcast Automation Ladies, where she and Ali G bring together industry experts, discuss trends in automation, and provide insights into the evolving world of industrial technology.

Alicia Gilpin also known as Ali G is the founder of Process and Controls Engineering LLC (PCE), where she provides automation and

controls engineering services across the U.S. With over a decade of hands-on experience in process automation, industrial controls, and UL508a panel building, Ali has worked extensively in procurement, system design, and commissioning. She started her career in process engineering, later transitioning to controls, where she led a greenfield build and gained valuable expertise in project execution. She has traveled nationwide, working on burner and gas train control systems, and has a deep understanding of UL508a panel design and manufacturing.

Ali is also the co-founder of OT SCADA CON, an event dedicated to industrial automation, operational technology, and SCADA systems. She is passionate about workforce development and founded Kids PLC Kits, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on exposing younger generations to real industrial controls. Additionally, she has developed a Master Class on Panel Design & Building, set to take place in Houston, TX, in July 2025.

Alongside Nikki Gonzales and Courtney Fernandez, Ali is the co-host of the popular podcast Automation Ladies, where they engage with industry experts, share insights on automation trends, and connect with the broader industrial community.

Courtney Fernandez is the co-founder of FAST One Solutions, where she provides automation engineering consulting, system design, programming, and

electrical cabinet design for a wide range of industries. With a background in machine vision, robotics, PLC programming, and motion control, Courtney has worked with a variety of automation platforms, integrating PLCs, robots, smart cameras, and industrial control systems for manufacturing and industrial applications.

She has held roles as a Senior Automation Engineer at United Robotics Group, an Application Engineer at Universal Robots, and a Senior Automation Engineer at HNJ Solutions, where she led machine vision system design and integration projects. Her experience includes designing electrical panels, specifying hardware, and programming control systems for complex automation solutions.

Courtney holds a Master’s degree in Control Systems & Robotics from California State University, Long Beach and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from UC Santa Cruz. She is also a speaker at OT SCADA CON, where she shares her expertise in robotics, control systems, and automation integration.

As a co-host of the popular podcast Automation Ladies, Courtney joins Ali G and Nikki Gonzales in exploring emerging trends in automation, sharing industry insights, and connecting with experts across the field.

TECH B2B Marketing founder Winn Hardin is a co-host of the Manufacturing Matters podcast and a marketing consultant for technology-focused

organizations. His areas of expertise include telecommunications, lasers, imaging, robotics, semiconductors, aerospace, government, defense, and security. He has published analyst reports on automation, defense, displays, and additive manufacturing. Under Winn’s guidance, TECH B2B Marketing has provided business analysis and marketing services to Fortune 500 companies, including HP, IBM, Microsoft, FedEx, SAIC, Universal Robots, Cognex, and Baumer, as well as trade groups and standards development organizations (SDOs), including SAE, A3, SPIE, and IEEE.

TECH B2B Marketing VP of Operations Jimmy Carroll is a co-host of the Manufacturing Matters podcast who brings nearly 20 years of experience

in publishing and media, having most recently served as editor in chief of Vision Systems Design. He spent nearly a decade covering machine vision and automation, focusing exclusively on the information needs of engineers and integrators worldwide in areas including general manufacturing, semiconductors and electronics, aerospace and defense, automotive, unmanned systems, logistics and warehousing, agriculture, medical, and R&D. Jimmy also brings extensive knowledge of the technology, business trends, and best practices shaping manufacturing.

Ann's passion is helping innovative and progressive industrial Small-Medium Enterprises and Solutions Providers in accessing top leading technical

talent within an increasingly decentralized market. Achieving this goal relies on blending emerging digital capabilities with a highly personable customer user experience, resulting in bridging the talent gap and building stronger company cultures and communities. Ann also hosts a popular manufacturing podcast called "Workforce 4.0" aimed at aligning people with technology for the manufacturing workforce.