Talking Industrial Automation

What happens when AI stops acting as a productivity tool and starts becoming the decision layer of engineering? In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation , Lisa Richter sits down with Dr. Axel Zein, CEO and President of WSCAD, to explore the rise of AI-native engineering and what it means for the future of industrial automation. Axel explains why simply adding AI to existing workflows isn't...

n this episode of Talking Industrial Automation , Lisa Richter sits down with Rob Goldsmith, Director of Industrial Systems at Matrix, to explore his unexpected journey from bioengineering student to automation leader overseeing one of North America's largest independent integration teams. Rob shares how Matrix "brings processes to life" through factory automation, network infrastructure, and indu...

In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation , host Lisa Richter sits down with Jeremy Anderson , President of Process and Data Automation at the Krones Group , to explore what it really takes to modernize manufacturing in today's rapidly evolving landscape. Jeremy shares his journey from taking things apart as a kid to leading automation and data-driven transformation across complex productio...

In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation , host Lisa Richter speaks with Clint Bundy , Managing Director at Bundy Group , a boutique investment bank that has spent more than three decades advising companies in automation, control systems integration, industrial technology, IoT, and cybersecurity. Clint shares how growing up in a family business shaped his career in mergers and acquisitions...

In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation , host Lisa Richter sits down with Guru Thakkar, Director of Engineering at  Inflexion Point  in Neptune, New Jersey. With more than 20 years of experience across pharmaceutical, life sciences, food & beverage, utilities, and building automation, Guru shares how disciplined front-end engineering, standardization, and strong technical fundamentals se...

As we kick off the new year, Talking Industrial Automation revisits a listener-favorite conversation with Matt Wise, CEO of E-Tech Group—one of Control Engineering and Plant Engineering's 2025 System Integrator of the Year award winners. Matt shares how he explains automation as "the brains of the factory," why marketing and business strategy matter just as much as engineering, and how E-Tech Grou...

In this episode of  Talking Industrial Automation , host Lisa Richter welcomes Adrienne Meyer , the newly appointed CEO of the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) . With 20+ years of experience managing global trade associations and technical organizations, Adrienne shares her journey—from being fascinated by encyclopedias as a kid to shaping the future of industrial automation through c...

In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation , host Lisa Richter sits down with Stephen Beck , Senior Chemical Engineer at Huffman Engineering , to explore his journey from building control panels at age 10 to shaping automation systems across utilities, life sciences, and manufacturing. Stephen shares insights from his early experiences at a nuclear power plant, his transition into systems in...

In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation , host Lisa Richter is joined by Marcos Carlotto , Director of Software-Defined Automation at Schneider Electric , for a deep dive into how open systems, artificial intelligence, and workforce transformation are reshaping the industrial automation landscape. From Schneider's bold stance against proprietary platforms to real-world examples of scalabl...

In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation , host Lisa Richter welcomes Bud Weightman—President of Qualified Specialists International (QSI) and a seasoned expert with over 35 years in quality management, auditing, and standards consulting. Bud takes us inside his journey from launching QSI in 1989 to auditing high-stakes offshore drilling operations around the globe. He explains the importa...

In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation , host Lisa Richter sits down with Paul Adams, Senior Director of Partner Ecosystems at GE Vernova, to explore how his nearly three-decade journey with GE has shaped a deep understanding of software, systems, and integrator partnerships. From building global relationships to embracing cloud transformation and tackling cybersecurity challenges, Paul...

In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation , host Lisa Richter sits down with Joe Mazzola, General Manager of McEnery Automation, to unpack his journey from co-op student to company leader. Joe shares how McHenry has grown from a two-person startup to a 30-person team, fueled by long-term customer relationships, CSIA certification, and a culture of engineering excellence. From process automa...

In this special crossover episode of Talking Industrial Automation , host Lisa Richter shares a conversation from Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast , featuring outgoing CSIA CEO Jose Rivera. As he prepares to step down after 10 transformative years, Jose looks back on the challenges and triumphs that shaped the Control System Integrators Association— from navigating the pandemic and launchin...

In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation , host Lisa Richter sits down with Brian Doyle, CEO of Holden Advisors, to explore how B2B companies—especially in manufacturing and industrial sectors—can unlock growth through value-based pricing. Brian shares insights on navigating market uncertainty, communicating across generational teams, and tackling challenges like tariffs and inflation with...

In today's episode, we're talking industrial automation with Matt Wise, CEO of E Tech Group as we explore how E Tech Group became a powerhouse in system integration, earning accolades like the 2025 System Integrator of the Year award.  Discover Matt's unique journey from marketing to leading over 600 employees across North America and how his diverse background shapes innovative strategies for tac...

In this encore presentation of one of the most listened episodes of Talking Industrial Automation,  Jim Biehl reveals why some businesses thrive and others flame out, based on his decades of experience. Plus, he discusses the No. 1 inhibitor to business growth. Hint: It's not what you think. Register for the CSIA 2025 Conference  HERE  

In today's episode, we're talking industrial automation with Cole Wangsness, who is a Solution Architect at OnLogic.  Since joining the team in 2018, Cole has focused on empowering companies to solve complex technology challenges at the edge -- encompassing both software and hardware -- by leveraging OnLogic's industrial computing solutions and its robust partner ecosystem.  Through his work with...

In today's episode, we're talking industrial automation with Kyle Carreau, who is an Enablement Manager for the Kepware team at PTC. Kyle is the "go-to" technical and commercial resource For Kepware's technology partners, international distributors, and North American resellers, Kyle Carreau is a go-to technical and commerical resource. In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, you'll hear...

In this episode, you'll hear from Jim Gillespie, who is the co-founder and chief growth officer of GrayMatter, a leading OT-focused company that provides consulting, services, and curated technology to transform operations and empower people.  Since its inception, GrayMatter has grown to over 290 team members and over $80M in revenue.  Along the way, it also completed 5 acquisitions and achieved n...

This episode is a special one –  content from a recent CSIA members-only presentation – a Virtual Keynote Address by Alex Chaukosky, who is director of analytics and consulting for the Bundy Group. But that title really does not give you the full picture because he is also a super whiz when it comes to taking economic and labor data and making it understandable, non-partisan, fact based – and more...

In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, Kacie Chitwood, an account executive at Miller Resource Group, shares her insights into the job market for controls engineers. Some tidbits: The surprising salary jumps controls engineers can expect in their first five years Creative perks companies are using to attract top talent beyond just salary Why the "skills gap" is a major challenge and how...

Andrew Harris shares his journey from participating in a high school robotics program to leading business development and engineering initiatives at ACS. You'll also hear about ACS's evolution from a spinoff architectural firm to a leader in industrial automation across various industries, as well as the company's holistic approach to project integration, the importance of customer satisfaction, a...

The airwaves are blowing up with the potential of AI in industrial automation -- but is it all talk? Not at all, says Bryan DeBois, DIrector of AI at RoviSys, a system integration founded in 1989. In fact, Autonomous AI is solving unsolvable problems right now -- including the brain drain and labor shortage  --  that are plaquing manufacturing throughout the US. FInd out how in this episode of Tal...

 From an entry-level job at a sewage plant (spoiler, it's as bad as you think) to writing a science fiction novel to earning four degrees+, Jeromy Peterson has accumulated an unusual mix of experiences over the course of his 25-year career. Hear all about it -- including the 17 years he's spent as CEO and president of Ripple Industries, an   automation and control systems integration company -- in...