Head of Digital Factory

Braskem America

Marcos Abech is Head of Digital Change Management at Braskem, and has over 10 years of project and business management experience, most recently leading the Performance Management area for Braskem Europe’s business. Marcos began his career as a project manager working in many major projects and Greenfields, including as an adviser. Marcos holds an MBA from Fundação Getúlio Vargas, is a Certified Project Management Professional by PMI, and has a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul/The Ohio State University. Throughout his career, he has worked and lived in Brazil, Germany and US.

Chief Customer Officer

APERIO Systems

Jane Arnold is a seasoned industry executive with over three decades of experience in chemical, discrete, and additive manufacturing. As a digital leader in Industry 4.0, she is dedicated to enhancing the impact of manufacturing through the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. Throughout her career, Jane has held executive positions at Stanley Black and Decker and Covestro, where she was responsible for spearheading digital transformations. Jane has her own advisory business and serves as a board member. Most recently Jane joined Aperio as Chief Customer Officer where they are focused on the industrial data quality problem.

Project Engineer

Lonza AG/Ltd

David is a Project Engineer with Lonza and is a member of the Manufacturing Process Optimization (MPO) group which supports Lonza Specialty Ingredients (LSI). Prior to joining Lonza, David spent time in multiple positions with companies such as W.R. Grace and Akzo Nobel. Over his career he has worked with automation of printed circuit board imaging, automatic control of NOx emissions from mixed acid pickling and automated online analysis of hydrogen peroxide in bleaching systems. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.

VP of Digital Engineering Solutions

Uniper Technologies Limited

Pete is a Dad, husband; proud dyslexic; and digital engineer. Working on tomorrows energy problems today, by combining engineering and digital technologies to create complete solutions to help the world in our energy transition to a lower carbon future. Pete has worked in the energy sector for 11+ years on the boundary between IT and engineering or trading delivering solutions for the opportunities and problems that arise in this space. Prior to the energy sector Pete worked in pharmaceuticals supporting the R&D and recipe aspects. Pete is the founder of Enerlytics by Uniper, a digital platform which combines Uniper’s engineering expertise based on a pedigree of 100 years; owning and running 34GW of power plant with a drive for OEM independence

Director, Digital Manufacturing Transformation

Celanese Corporation

Piya Dey is leading the Digital Manufacturing organization at Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE), a global chemical and specialty materials company, with an annual net sales greater than $9 billion. Celanese is on an accelerated digitalization journey to develop Manufacturing ‘Plants of the Future’ that will pave the way to a digital business. In her current capacity she is instrumental in driving the successful implementation of the Digital Twin program at Celanese. Prior to joining Celanese, Piya held various leadership roles at Eastman Chemicals, KeyBank and Progressive Casualty Insurance. Piya holds an MBA with a major in Asset and Wealth Management from both Carnegie Mellon University, USA and The University of Lausanne, Switzerland. She also holds a Master’s in computer application from OU, India. Piya resides in Dallas, TX. Piya is deeply passionate about emerging digital innovations and driving large scale digital transformations. Outside of work, Piya enjoys dance, music and volunteering for multiple organizations and local schools.

Enterprise Sales Executive

Seeq Corporation

Chief Technology Officer

NubisAI, Inc.

Compliance & Support Manager, Plant Barry

Southern Company

Steven Ford is currently the Compliance & Support Manager at Alabama Power's Barry Steam Plant located in Bucks, Alabama. He also serves as the chairman of the Southern Company Technology Leadership Team tasked with ensuring system-wide cost-effective, reliable, and efficient technology solutions supporting the business unit strategy. Steven has worked in leadership roles with increasing responsibility across multiple plant sites in Georgia Power, Gulf Power, and Alabama Power. These roles include Operations Manager, Maintenance Manager, Engineering & Planning Manager, and Plant Manager. He has leadership experience in both coal & natural gas-powered generation, including supercritical, combined cycle, and co-generation technologies supporting some of the state's largest chemical plant customers. In the Spring of 2020, Steven supported the Generation fleet as the COVID Pandemic Coordinator engaging cross-functional support from Supply Chain, Human Resources, IBEW Leadership, Disability Management, and Corporate Compliance to meet the evolving needs of employees working at our generating facilities. Steven believes that being a part of the Alabama Power Generation leadership team allows him to foster a safer working environment, create meaningful professional developmental opportunities for his team, and find ways to improve our generating product through integrated technology. Steven graduated from Georgia Tech with a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering, Georgia State University with a Master's in Business Administration, and Birmingham School of Law with a Juris Doctorate. Steven is married, has four children, and lives in Fairhope, Alabama. In his spare time, Steven enjoys working on cars, playing golf, and spending time traveling with his family.

Vice President, Technical Sales

Beyond Limits

Kimberly Gilbert, PhD is VP, Technical Sales Engineering at Beyond Limits, a pioneering AI company creating advanced software solutions for the world’s most demanding industries. Kimberly leads a team of Commercial Engineers to develop prototypes of cognitive solutions that solve industry challenges. Prior to Beyond Limits, Kim served as Director of R&D at ALOVIAM, a renewable energy startup.

Operational Technology Lead (Recently retired)

Nova Scotia Power

Mike has over 30 years of experience with Databases, Information Systems and Plant Automation. He retired in May as the Operational Technology Lead for the Enterprise Asset Management Office of Nova Scotia Power, the utility for the province of Nova Scotia. The Enterprise Asset Management Office of NSP is an industry leader in its use of technology not only in the Utilities sector but in North American heavy industry. Mike was responsible for the successful integration of NSPs many Operational Technology systems into a platform that provides end users asset and people centric Operational intelligence across the NSP organization. He is currently an independent consultant specializing in complex system integration.

Senior Engineering Advisor ExxonMobil Open Process Automation Project Manager

ExxonMobil Corporation

Brad is a Senior Engineering Advisor with ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company. Brad has more than 30 years’ experience in the refining and chemicals industry. Most of his career has been focused in the control and optimization areas having been involved in the full range of activities from regulatory controls through raw materials valuation. Since October 2017, Brad has been the Program Manager for ExxonMobil’s Open Process Automation R&D program which is leading the development of a standards-based, open, secure and interoperable process control architecture. During his career Brad has worked in R&D, engineering and manufacturing roles.

Director- Performance & Reliability

Southern Company

Randy Mullinax is responsible for the Southern Company retail M&D Center, remote operating center, equipment performance testing and maintenance strategy development for the generation fleet. He is currently leading the Performance and Reliability group’s effort focused on a digital maintenance program. Randy brings with him extensive industry experience including contractor management and productivity. He also oversees the regional maintenance program. Randy spent 10 Years in the Foundry/Cast Metals industry and held various positions including Operations Manager, Production Manager, Technical Manager, and Plant Manager. After his career in the Foundry Industry, Randy spent the last 22 years in Power Generation. He has worked in multiple plants in the Southern Company System with various generating technologies. Randy has held many plant positions including Engineering Manager, Maintenance Manager, Regional Planning Manager, and is currently the General Manager for Performance and Reliability. Randy Mullinax is a Graduate of the University of Missouri Rolla (Missouri S&T) with a bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering. He also has a master’s degree in Business Management from Troy State University.

Manufacturing Engineer

3M

Matt Peters leads data automation programs for 3M in the Industrial Adhesives and Tape Division. He has pioneered digital technology at 3M facilities working alongside the Digital Shop Floor team. Matt has over 10 years of experience in manufacturing, primarily in chemical facilities.

Digital Portfolio and Change Management Lead

Braskem America

Otto is currently responsible to manage the Digital Transformation at Braskem as the head of Digital Portfolio, Product Management and Change Management teams. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and has extensive experience +10 years in the industrial sector, in Strategy and Planning and Entrepreneurship. He is involved in Braskem’s Digital transformation from the very beginning when he joined the team to build and operate the Digital Center.

Deputy Head Function Evonik Digital

Evonik Digital

Yves Gorat Stommel is currently the head of the IT unit Data & Analytics, with a strong focus on enabling the company through both managed analytics and AI applications, as well as data, analytics, and AI platforms. Yves’ motivation stems from bringing together people, technology, and positive change.

Sr. Director of iFactory Sales, IIoT

Advantech

Jon Towslee is the Sr. Director of iFactory Sales for Advantech’s Industrial IoT business unit based in Cincinnati, OH. Jon has 30+ years of automation industry experience. He has spent the last 20+ years leading, growing, and managing automation and IIoT related businesses. Jon’s experience spans many areas including commercial and industrial automation, utility and industrial power generation/transmission/distribution, HVAC systems, energy management, control and information system design and applications, and digitalization and digital transformation.   Jon earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from The University of Akron and his MBA from John Carroll University, where he was selected to join The Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Ohio and a Certified Energy Manager by the Association of Energy Engineers.

Marketing Manager

TrendMiner