Discover your (smart manufacturing) potential
SMART SOLUTIONS
SUMMIT
Take ownership of your smart manufacturing journey at the Smart Solutions Summit, a one-day event filled with industry leading topics and result-driven conversations.
Manufacturers are being asked to produce more with the same or fewer resources. How do you plan to overcome workforce challenges, quality concerns, unplanned downtime and other issues that could prevent you from reaching those goals?
Learn how to elevate your operation by leveraging your data, connecting your workforce, protecting your assets and building smarter machines. The Smart Solutions Summit is a one-day event filled with industry leading topics and results-driven conversations.
In partnership with Rockwell Automation
Identifying and implementing smart manufacturing solutions takes some pretty smart people. That’s why we’ve gathered keynote speakers and panelists who have years of experience solving the same problems you face today.
Iowa Keynote
John Steckler
Archer Daniels Midland Company
North America Process Automation Director, Retired
John Steckler has been involved with process control and plant automation for over 37 years. From large greenfield projects to small plant expansions and automation projects, John has experienced and solved challenges from every angle. He has coordinated initiatives like standardized application code and training, alarm management and process control improvements across the enterprise. His last role as North American Director of Process Automation within ADM was to help stand up the Process Automation and Operational Technology Center of Excellence groups within the new organization structure of the company. This new COE structure has created more opportunities to modernize their Process Automation environment while meeting industrial transformation goals.
Minnesota Keynote
Michelle Brakke
Lube-tech
Vice President, Operations Excellence
Michelle Brakke is a leader in Operations Excellence with Lubrication Technologies. She has been with Lube-Tech for over seven years and supports all 11 production and distribution locations in the U.S. Michelle began her career in the fluid manufacturing business over 25 years ago and has served in a variety of roles from product development to quality director. As VP of Operations Excellence, her focus is on advancing Lube-Tech’s smart manufacturing to support regional and national business growth. Michelle also leads the Safety, Quality, Supply Chain and Transportation Teams.
West Des Moines Partner Panelists
Daren Dieleman
Interstates
Vice President of Operations
Daren has been with Interstates for 11 years and has spent most of that time leading the Automation delivery teams. Since transitioning into his current role in early 2022, Daren serves on the Executive Team driving company strategy and focused on strategic partnerships. Daren is passionate about Interstates, its culture, clients, and the people he works with. Before joining Interstates in 2012, he served in various manufacturing operations roles. He graduated from Dordt University in 2005 with Accounting and Business: Finance degrees. Daren currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Control Systems Integrator Association (CSIA). Outside of work, Daren is actively involved with his church, enjoys spending time with his family, and is an avid golfer.
Rachel Hahn
CIRAS
Strategic Advisor
Rachel Hahn helps Iowa companies in the food and animal feed sectors grow and succeed after spending over a decade in manufacturing. Her experience includes project management, large scale capital investments, team leading, reliability, as well as engineering and maintenance management.
Jonas Capistrant
Aagard Group
Applications Engineering Manager
Jonas Capistrant is the Director of Customer Innovation at Aagard, located in Alexandria, Minnesota. Jonas has spent the past 17 years at Aagard as a leader of Application Engineering and as a Senior Controls Engineer. He supports the sales organization by providing technical expertise, developing unique customer solutions, and managing quotations. Jonas has a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Physics from St. John’s University in Minnesota.
Coralville Partner Panelists
Andrew Friend
CIRAS
Automation Team Lead
Andrew Friend leads the Automation Team at CIRAS, helping Iowa companies understand what’s possible with automation, and how to get started. He is a Certified Automation Professional with 13 years of experience in the design, construction, startup, and maintenance of industrial automation systems.
Jonas Capistrant
Aagard Group
Applications Engineering Manager
Jonas Capistrant is the Director of Customer Innovation at Aagard, located in Alexandria, Minnesota. Jonas has spent the past 17 years at Aagard as a leader of Application Engineering and as a Senior Controls Engineer. He supports the sales organization by providing technical expertise, developing unique customer solutions, and managing quotations. Jonas has a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Physics from St. John’s University in Minnesota.
Minneapolis Partner Panelists
Lee Eilers
BerganKDV
Business Advisor
As General Manager within the Business Advisory Group at BerganKDV, Lee serves a broad range of clientele in the manufacturing and distribution sectors by leveraging over 30 years of experience in start-up, turnaround, and high-growth environments. As a former CEO/owner of a manufacturing enterprise, coupled with entrepreneurial success as a founder of businesses in the financial services, distribution, and technology sectors, Lee brings a broad range of perspective in the areas of leadership, hiring, talent development, and business growth.
Tim Barthel
Cybertrol
Vice President of Automation Solutions
Tim Barthel is the Vice President of Automation Solutions for Cybertrol Engineering, where he has worked since 2007. With more than 30 years of industrial automation experience, Tim plays a key role in helping Cybertrol achieve its mission to create and deliver solutions that maximize manufacturing performance. Tim specializes in bringing a plantwide approach to every project with the goal of enabling system-wide visibility and control with common underlying infrastructure.
Jonas Capistrant
Aagard Group
Applications Engineering Manager
Jonas Capistrant is the Director of Customer Innovation at Aagard, located in Alexandria, Minnesota. Jonas has spent the past 17 years at Aagard as a leader of Application Engineering and as a Senior Controls Engineer. He supports the sales organization by providing technical expertise, developing unique customer solutions, and managing quotations. Jonas has a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Physics from St. John’s University in Minnesota.