Keynote - Security by Design
Carolina Ballroom / Francis Marion Hotel
James Clark
Vice President, Information Technology, South Jersey Industries Information Security
Jamie will present a success story on delivering a secure solution allowing data to traverse OT to IT to gain central visibility across our entire portfolio of farms generating renewable energy. It is a very challenging project designed from the ground up, emphasizing cyber security for safety and compliance.
With 22 years of experience leading IT teams and 15 years in building cybersecurity programs across the chemical, medical, and utility industries, Jamie Clark is a visionary technologist who bridges the gap between security, IT, SCADA, and business teams. Currently, Jamie leads the Information Security (IT/OT) & GRC programs for South Jersey Industries (SJI), where he also manages the OT Solution Services Team. SJI is a leader in delivering safe, reliable, and affordable energy solutions. Jamie holds a BS in Computer Information Systems (CIS), an MBA, and certifications including Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Global Industrial Cyber Security Professional (GISCP).
The Power of EQ: Bridging the Gap Between Technical Brilliance and Human Connections
Gold Ballroom | Francis Marion Hotel
Presenter: Karine Leblanc, Modular Solution Weseter Sales Manager, Daikin
For leaders in the automation industry, the challenge of building robust teams and nurturing client relationships often poses a stumbling block. In today ' s technical world, possessing technical skills alone is no longer enough. To truly thrive, we must also cultivate our human skills—those qualities that connect us to our humanity, define our personalities, and enable us to communicate and interact effectively with others. By developing emotional intelligence, you will transition from being task-focused managers to empathetic and inspiring leaders. This transformation will not only improve team performance and project outcomes but also create a positive and thriving work environment, leading your organization toward greater success and growth.
Digital Transformation Track: Fireside Chat: Engaging Young Minds in Automation
Colonial Ballroom | Francis Marion Hotel
- The importance of early exposure to automation concepts and technologies.
- Strategies for promoting automation education in schools and universities.
- Building strong partnerships between industry leaders and educational institutions.
- Reinforcing the pipeline from school to work via early career programs designed to attract, train, and retain automation talent.
- Real-world examples of successful initiatives that are preparing young talent for the future of work.
Presenters:
Riddhi Padariya, Sr. Controls Engineer, Heirloom
Sherry LaBonne, Software Product Manager, Rockwell Automation
Shreya Nandiraju, Consultant, Global Infrastructure Advisory - Deal Advisory, KPMG
Patrick Corbett, Senior Systems Data Engineer, Eli Lilly and Company
Riddhi Padariya has over six years of experience in the Automation and Controls Engineering field. She recently held the position of Senior Controls Engineer at Heirloom, a Direct Air Capture company featured in *Time* magazine’s Top 50 Green Tech Companies of 2024. Previously, she spent four years at Tesla as an engineer, playing a key role in deploying code for the Tesla Megapack line, Model 3/Y Battery Module lines, and the 4680-cell manufacturing line. Riddhi has also served as a judge at the United Nations COP28 Hack for Earth and HackMIT at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In her free time, she mentors junior engineers and college students who are curious about the world of manufacturing and industrial automation.
Deeper Dive with Houston Green
Gold Ballroom | Francis Marion Hotel
Moderator: Ashley Weckwerth, Project Manager, Burns & McDonnell
Presenter: Houston Green, Space Exploration Engineer, The Aerospace Corporation, NASA Johnson Space Center
Ashley Weckwerth graduated as a chemical engineer and then started her career as an instrumentation and controls engineer in the oil and gas industry for Burns and McDonnell, an EPC firm headquartered in Kansas City. She worked in that role for over 8 years before transferring departments in 2020 to be a Project Manager managing SCADA engineering projects in the electric utility space. Now, she manages a company-wide top contract with over 40 automation engineers on her team located across the country. Ashley has been involved in ISA her entire professional career including when she changed industries, roles and relocated. Ashley’s ISA journey started at the section level working her way through all the roles: Program Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, VP, and President, and Delegate. Later, she got involved in division leadership and became ChemPID’s Director-Elect and then Director. Ashley then was elected to ISA’s Executive Board and served a 3-year term there. She served in many various committees and task forces along the way too and as of the latest ISA election, she has been elected as ISA’s 2025 President-elect Secretary (2026 ISA President). Ashley credits ISA a lot for her ability to grow in her career, from the leadership skills and knowledge she has gained.
Leveling Up: Building a Career in Automation
Gold Ballroom | Francis Marion Hotel
Moderator: Patrick Corbett, Senior Systems Data Engineer, Eli Lilly and Company
Panelists:
Colleen Goldsborough, Industry Sales Manager, United Electric Supply
Ashley Weckwerth, Project Manager, Burns & McDonnell
Brian Curtis, REFS Contract Manager, Novartis
Alan Bryant, Senior Automation Engineer, Oxy
Colleen Goldsborough graduated as an electrical engineer and started her career as a Sales Engineer for United Electric Supply for over 10 years. She worked with customer from end users, OEMs, and integrators in many different markets including, but not limited to, Water/Wastewater, Food & Beverage, MMM and Process & Control. She currently is the Industry Sales Manager at United Electric and uses the skills she obtained from the many volunteer opportunities she obtained from being a part of ISA, such as District Chair, YP Committee Chair, WWID & Wilmington Section board members. She currently is a member of ISA’s Executive Board.
Working Backwards - A Culture of Innovation
Gold Ballroom | Francis Marion Hotel
Presenter: Andrew Page, Principal, Digital Innovation, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Life Long Learning: A Full Career Dedicated to Learning and Leading in New Industry Trends
Gold Ballroom | Francis Marion Hotel
Presenter: Brian Romano, Director of Technology Development, The Arthur G. Russell Co., Inc.
This presentation explores the journey of a lifelong learner with 44 years of experience in control systems engineering, whose educational path reflects a dynamic and adaptive approach to acquiring knowledge. With five degrees earned over decades, the presenter strategically timed each degree to align with emerging trends and technologies in automation. This circuitous route not only underscores the importance of flexible education but also highlights the integration of foundational theories with practical applications in real-world settings. Attendees will gain insights into the challenges and triumphs of pursuing diverse educational opportunities, as well as the value of continuous learning in staying at the forefront of a rapidly evolving field. By examining key milestones and technological advancements encountered along the way, this presentation aims to inspire engineers and educators to embrace lifelong learning as a pathway to innovation and success.
Brian Romano, currently the Director of Technology Development at The Arthur G. Russell Co., has been in the process and automation control systems industry for more than 40 years, starting as a bench technician. After serving as president of a division for an automated machine builder, Romano owned a systems integration company, growing and positioning it as one with expertise in connecting the factory floor to the front office. To keep current with the ever-evolving automation industry, Romano holds an AS, BS, MS, and MBA and Ph.D. in Technology and Innovation. Romano has been designing and implementing Industry 4.0 solutions starting initially in 2004 with connecting factory floor data systems to customer business systems. Understanding a skills gap and workforce shortage in the control systems engineering profession, Romano leverages is academic knowledge and years of experience to teach the next generation of engineers at two local universities. He also serves as an industrial advisory board member for two technology and engineering universities, as a member of the CSIA Digital Committee and as chair of the ISA Smart Manufacturing division IIoT committee, where he was awarded the 2022 ISA SM/IIoT Division Leader of the Year Award.
ISA Standards Overview
Carolina Ballroom | Francis Marion HotelPresenter: Charley Robinson, Senior Director, Standards Administration, ISA
ISA Standards Panel
Carolina Ballroom | Francis Marion Hotel
This panel is an extension of the ISA Standards Overview and will have time for audience Q&A.
Moderator: Scott Reynolds, Security Engineering Manager - ITD, Johns Manville
Panelists:
Ed Manns, Managing Director, External Relations, ISA
Charley Robinson, Senior Director, Standards Administration, ISA
Steve Mustard, President & CEO, National Automation, Inc.
Dennis Brandl, Chief Consultant, BR&L Consulting
Steve Mustard is an independent automation consultant and a subject matter expert of the International Society of Automation (ISA). Backed by more than 30 years of engineering experience, Mustard specializes in the development and management of real-time embedded equipment and automation systems. He serves as president of National Automation, Inc., and served as the 2021 president of ISA.