The Rivergate Marketing Podcast

In this episode, Tim Finerty of Wipfli , a top 20 national accounting and business consulting firm, discusses the benefits of the R&D tax credit for system integrators. Wipfli, with roots dating back 90 years, has been assisting system integrators for over a decade, focusing on M&A support, data analytics, and tax minimization strategies. Tim shares details on the recent OBBBA, which allow...

In this episode, Alex Chausovsky , Director of Analytics and Consulting at Bundy Group , discusses the current state of the US economy in the second half of 2025.  He advises business leaders to focus on profit growth, leverage tax incentives like accelerated depreciation and R&D credits, and enhance communication with supply chain partners. Despite challenges, Chausovsky remains optimistic ab...

In this episode, hear from Keith Mandachit of HDR, Peter Moskal of Engineered Energy Solutions, Steve Malyszko of Malisko Engineering, and Barry Brian of DRM.  We discuss modernizing legacy systems, applying autonomous AI, navigating industry consolidation, and the value of community at the 2025 CSIA Conference. Check out our website:  rivergatemarketing.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow our socials: ⁠⁠LinkedIn...

In this episode, hear from Daren Dieleman of Interstates, PC Romano of Avid Solutions, and Travis Miller of Miller Resource Group.  We discuss digital transformation, remote collaboration, talent challenges, and economic uncertainty at the 2025 CSIA Conference. Check out our website:  rivergatemarketing.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow our socials: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ ⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook Be a guest on our podc...

In this episode, Christine McQuilkin speaks with Rich Brueggman of Data Science Automation, Rick Caldwell of SCADAware, Wright Sullivan of SkyIO, and Jeff Miller of Exotek about consolidation, digital transformation, and leadership development at the 2025 CSIA Conference. Check out our website:  rivergatemarketing.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow our socials: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ ⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook Be a guest...

In this episode, Christine McQuilkin speaks with Ben Kurth of Applied Manufacturing Technologies about the benefits of using collaborative robots (cobots) for palletizing. Check out our website:  rivergatemarketing.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow our socials: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ ⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook Be a guest on our podcast. For more insights from Rivergate Marketing and to explore our podcast episodes, we in...

In this episode, Grace Clark speaks with Tod Virden of GrayMatter about how mid-market manufacturers are increasingly adopting manufacturing execution systems, or MES.  Virden shares his thoughts on the evolving MES landscape, key challenges like ROI justification and user adoption, and the benefits of improved delivery, asset utilization, and traceability.  He also highlights industries leading t...

In this episode, Grace sits down with return guest Ghalib Hassam of Baghi to discuss the importance of thought leadership for B2B founders and executives on LinkedIn. Ghalib shares insights on building a consistent and strategic brand to attract the right audience and stand out from the AI-generated content noise. Ghalib Hassam’s The Founder’s Lore Podcast Check out our website:  rivergatemarketin...

This podcast features part two of our conversations with experts at the A3 Business Forum in Orlando.  First we speak with Sam Hoff , President and CEO of Patti Engineering , about the key industry trends and technology innovations he's most excited about, including the role of AI in helping manufacturing and distribution workers run their operations more efficiently. We then hear from David M...

This podcast features conversations with several experts at the A3 Business Forum in Orlando. First, we speak with Georgia Whalen , our founder and president, about the value she finds in attending the conference and the positive outlook for manufacturing in the coming years. We then hear from Chris Round of Ars Automation , who discusses the importance of ease-of-use and speed-to-market when it c...

In this episode, Grace Clark sits down with Amy Graff ,  the North American Partner Marketing Manager at Rockwell Automation to discuss the evolving importance of marketing for system integrators.  Amy highlights the shift from marketing being a "nice to have" to a "need to have" due to changing customer behaviors and the increasing complexity of decision-making processes.  She...

In this episode, Matt Wise , CEO of E Tech Group , shares his perspective on the exciting transformations happening in the industry, from the increasing adoption of full-line automation to the challenges companies face in managing and integrating their automation technologies. He also discusses the importance of content marketing in educating clients and helping them navigate the complex landscape...

In this episode, Grace Clark and Christine McQuilkin sit down with Jay Schwedelson , one of the top marketing experts in the US who is affectionately known as the “king of email.”  His guiding philosophy centers on providing the latest, research-backed knowledge and best practices to marketers of all sizes and industries.  Jay is the founder of SubjectLine.com , the leading free subject-line ratin...

In this episode, Grace Clarks sits down at the 2024 CSIA Conference with leading professionals in the system integration industry. Bruce Marson of Engineered Energy Solutions discusses the growth of automation and AI challenges, while David Ivester from AESolutions explores AI and machine learning potentials. Dawn Dittman from Interstates highlights digital transformation and IT-OT convergence, an...

In this episode, Grace Clark sits down with G and Liz Brooks-Zak , co-founders of Outlier Automation , at the 2024 CSIA Conference.  G and Liz discuss their industry experience and company growth, the importance of knowledge transfer, and the journey of starting their own company, emphasizing shared sacrifices and strong communication. Tune in to hear about their expertise in advanced manufacturin...

In this episode, Grace Clark sits down with several CSIA members at the 2024 annual conference.  Hear from G and Liz Brooks-Zak of Outlier Automation , Sonali Shah of Thermo Systems , David Iverster of aeSolutions , Dawn Dittman of Interstates , and Bruce Marson of Engineered Energy Solutions . Check out our website:  rivergatemarketing.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow our socials: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ ⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠...

In this episode, Julia Plott discusses the importance of press releases in the modern digital age, highlighting their role in SEO, storytelling, audience engagement, and thought leadership.  She also explains the potential pitfalls of using free press release platforms.   Join Julia as she shares why your company should leverage press releases, and how Rivergate Marketing can help. Check out our w...

In this episode, Grace Clark chats with Lisa Richter , Director of Industry Outreach and Growth for the ⁠Control System Integrators Association, CSIA⁠ and host of the Talking Industrial Automation (TIA) podcast.  This crossover episode will also be released by TIA. Join Grace and Lisa as they explore the dynamic world of control system integration, as they delve into the CSIA community's colla...

In this episode of the Rivergate Marketing Podcast, Grace Clark and Georgia Whalen discuss the importance of client interviews for relationship management and business growth. They argue that in-depth interviews provide valuable insights into clients' needs and pain points, and are more effective than surveys or questionnaires. The conversation also highlights the benefits of using a third party t...

In this episode, Grace Clark and Christine McQuilkin delve into the art and science of creating compelling content for highly technical companies. They discuss the importance of technical detail, the role of SEO, the value of brand name mentions, and the dangers of oversimplifying content. Join them as they share best practices and insights to help engineers and tech firms effectively communicate...

In the latest episode of the Rivergate Marketing Podcast, we arejoined by Ghalib Hassam , an expert in LinkedIn personal branding. Hassam candidly underscores the power of authenticity and the pitfalls of spreading oneself too thinly across diverse topics. With a deep insight into audience psychology, he reveals that the cornerstone of effective branding is nurturing trust through personal narrati...

In the fifth and final episode of our 2023 CSIA Executive Conference series, meet Karen Griffin of Hargrove Controls & Automation , Pat Miller of Engineered Energy Solutions , Becca Johnson of Gray Solutions, and Brian Romano of The Arthur G Russell Company . Together with Grace Clark, they discuss the conference and importance of CSIA, the changing system integration industry, and marketing i...

In the fourth episode of our 2023 CSIA Executive Conference series, spend time with two marketers in the system integration industry: Kimberly Shirk of Huffman Engineering and Sabrina Kilgore of Concept Systems . Together with Grace Clark, they discuss system integration from a marketing perspective. Founded by Georgia Whalen in 2009, Rivergate Marketing is excited to extend our client base and us...

In the third episode of our CSIA Executive Conference series, meet David Chakmakjian of Jobot, formerly of Miller Resource Group, Keith Mandachit of Huffman Engineering, and Kyle Lednicky of Arion . Together with Grace Clark, they discuss the conference and importance of CSIA, the changing system integration industry, and marketing in the SI industry. Founded by Georgia Whalen in 2009, Rivergate M...

In the second episode of our CSIA Executive Conference series, meet Andrew Atchison , senior account executive at Miller Resource Group, Rick Pierro , president of the Life Science Group at E Tech Group , Sam Hoff , president and CEO at Patti Engineering , and Sean Phillips , senior project manager at Hargrove Controls & Automation . Together with Grace Clark, they discuss the conference and i...