Tell us about your educational background.
I studied engineering and physics at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and I continue to take classes and seminars on controls, motion, safety, vision, and other topics on an ongoing basis.
How did you become a system integrator (SI)?
I started my career with a company called Total Control Products and then transitioned to SI work after a couple of years in the early 1990s. I've worked in the SI field for more than 20 years now. Most of this time, I've worked with controls for a variety of manufacturing processes, presses, assembly and testing equipment, and other types of machinery. I moved into a management role in the late 1990s and became General Manager of Outbound Technologies Ohio Inc. in May 2008.
How do you feel about the engineering profession and the role of Sis?
Engineering is a great profession that will always need resources. The role of system integrators and their importance to customers grows as the market continues to evolve and change. I believe there will be a continued need for SI support into the foreseeable future.
Any advice for a young person entering this field?
The SI engineering field is very diverse and challenging. People in this field get to learn firsthand about new technologies and processes on an ongoing basis due to the variety of products and processes involved at any given time.
Describe a typical workday and recent project.
My days include meeting with customers, evaluating customer RFQs, writing proposals, reviewing current projects, and other duties. We have several projects going on right now in the paper, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical industries — and recently completed a project for Rollon Corp. involving two demonstration units using horizontal and vertical motion control. One called The Basketball Toss uses a Rollon UNILINE A75 series linear actuator to launch a basketball into the air and then gently catch it as it falls back down. We were responsible for the control system engineering design, unit assembly, programming, and qualification.
What keeps you busy outside of work?
I spend as much time with my family as possible and we participate in many church activities.
Words to live by?
Be honest, have integrity, and be fair and equitable in all you do.