Keynote Speakers
Submission Site: https://www.xcdsystem.com/IEOM/abstract/index.cfm?ID=6HzYjlI
Registration Site: https://www.xcdsystem.com/IEOM/attendee/index.cfm?ID=PqTGe3D
Day 1 -Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Conference Chair Remarks: 10:00 – 10:20 am
Nick Skope
Vice President –Vendor Relations and New Business Development
Electro-Matic, a SunSource Company
Farmington Hills
Michigan, 48335 USA
Nick Skope is a Vice President of Vendor Relations and New Business Development at Electro-Matic, a SunSource Company. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Lawrence Technological University and Professional Certificate in Management from University of Notre Dame – Mendoza College of Business. Over 24 years of experience in Industrial Manufacturing. Mr. Skope has a passion for helping machine builders and manufactures gain value by applying cutting edge automation technology in their processes.
2023 Recipient of the IEOM Outstanding Industry Solutions Award.
Keynote I (Opening Keynote): 10:20 – 11:00 am
Dr. Donna Bell
Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Donna Bell Consulting
Past Executive Vice President, Engineering, Product Creation, & Procurement, Lordstown Motors Corporation
Past Vice President, Ford Credit
Past Director, AV & Mobility Strategy, Ford Motor Company
Michigan, United States
Dr. Donna Bell is Owner and Chief Business Consultant for Dr. Donna Bell Consulting where she is focused on transforming businesses, developing leaders, and delivering corporate growth in the clean energy and sustainability space.
Dr. Bell’s experience in organization excellence and team transformation was essential in her role as Executive Vice President of Product Creation, Engineering, and Supply Chain at Lordstown Motors. She was responsible for the development and execution of LMC vehicles, subsystems, hardware and software, and supply chain partnerships from concept to launch.
Prior to her role as LMC, Dr. Bell was vice president Brand Management and Marketing at Ford Credit where she handled all aspects of brand management and marketing for Ford Motor Credit Company. Previously, she was strategy director at Ford Motor Company, a $150B company. Collaborating with key stakeholders, Donna established and communicated customer driven strategies that increased corporate growth in areas such as autonomy, mobility, connectivity, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics.
Dr. Bell’s transformational leadership was important in building Ford’s new Greenfield labs facility in Palo Alto, CA. She was responsible for acquiring the highest caliber talent, managing a multi-million dollar operating budget, creating a culture of innovation, and connecting new technologies and innovations that were created in Silicon Valley to Ford’s winning portfolio.
Dr. Bell served as the electrical Global Product Development (PD) Quality manager at Ford where she collaborated with product development to deliver revenue generating customer experience and improving electrical quality by more than 35%.
Dr. Bell’s leadership and involvement in the community is extensive and involves creating programs that educate and develop students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Dr. Bell holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Lawrence Technological University (Southfield, MI), Master of Science degrees in Electronics and Computer Control Systems and Engineering Management, and a PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering all from Wayne State University (Detroit, MI).
Keynote II: 11:00 – 11:40 am
Lisa Sheth and Shannon Dare
Operations Managers for Electric Vehicle, Digital, & Design
Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, Michigan, USA
Lisa Sheth
Operations Manager for Electric Vehicle, Digital, & Design
Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, Michigan, USA
Bio to be added
Shannon Dare, Ph.D.
Operations Manager for Electric Vehicle, Digital, & Design
Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, Michigan
Shannon Dare has worked for Ford Motor Company for over 20 years. She is currently Operations Manager for Electric Vehicle, Digital, & Design at Ford Motor Company. Prior, she worked in Budget Operations Manager of Vehicle Embedded Software & Connectivity and Planning & Strategy for the Middle East & Africa region. Dr. Dare completed Ford’s Manufacturing Leadership Program with rotations including: Production Line Supervisor, Process Engineer, Industrial Engineer, Product Development Plant Resident Engineer, and 2007 National UAW – Ford Negotiations team. Dr. Dare also makes time for her community of Milan, Michigan. She is Chairperson of the Milan Beautification Commission and Secretary of Milan’s Downtown Development Authority/Milan Main Street aiding in her city’s revitalization. Additionally, she is on the Parish Council of her local Catholic Church and is a current candidate for Milan City Council. Dr. Dare holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering and MS in Manufacturing Engineering from Wayne State University in Detroit. She also holds a BS in Industrial Management & MS Industrial Operations, both from Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan. Through the American Society for Quality, she is a Certified Manager of Quality and Certified Quality Auditor. Dr. Dare serves on the Mechanical Engineering Industry Advisory Board at Lawrence Technological University and is a Global Industry Advisory Board Member of the Industrial Engineering Operations Management Society International. Dr. Dare is married to Kevin Wayne and they have three active children ages 16, 13, & 8. On most evenings and weekends, you can find her cheering for her kids at either the pool, football & baseball fields, volleyball & tennis courts, or track.
Keynote III: 11:40 am – 12:20 pm
Tony Tyll
President and COO
Belmont Equipment & Technologies
Madison Heights, Michigan, USA
Keynote IV: 12:20 – 1:00 pm
Mr. Greg MacLean
Sr. Vice President
Huf North America
Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA
Greg MacLean is a Tier I Automotive Executive with ~30 yrs. of OEM and Tier I cross-functional (General Management, Commercial, Finance, Purchasing, Operations) automotive industry experience.
Ford – Financial Analyst (Operations and Product) – Powertrain
GKN – Global Commercial Lead (Ford, GM and Toyota) – Investing in customer relationships and setting Global Strategies
- Drove Operational Excellence and Standards across GKN’s Global ePowertrain Division
- Deputy General Manager of SDS (GKN/ HASCO JV in China) where he lead the very dynamic ePowertrain Division in China’s NEV market
- Booked > $200 mils in revenue and launched a new plant in Pinghu
- Focused on building Engineering capabilities in China for the e-space
Marelli – Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Product Management for EPT Division
- Instrumental in setting development priorities ie. wireless BMS (Battery Management System) and setting up joint venture to build e-axles for large French OEM in France
HUF – Senior Vice President of Americas
- Primarily focused on business process stability and cross-functional alignment
- Optimizing footprint and OVHD costs through the UAW strike and soft 2024 auto market
- Driving discipline through DFM/DFA to meet project goals
Greg holds a Masters in Manufacturing Systems from the University of Michigan, an MBA in Finance from the University of Windsor and an Honors Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics (Ergonomics) from the University of Guelph.
Greg has dual citizenship with Canada & USA, lives in Michigan with his wife, two daughters, two dogs and two cats. He enjoys struggling through CrossFit (HIIT) classes and his passion is downhill skiing.
1:00 – 2:00 pm – Buffet Lunch
Day 2 – Thursday, October 10, 2024
10:00 – 10:30 am – Keynote V
Vijaya Neela
Founder, President and CEO
aThingz
Southfield, Michigan
Vijaya Neela is a women business owner, an award-winning, passionate business executive with a vision and proven credentials in addressing business challenges with digital technologies. She has over 25 years of industry experience and is a trusted partner and has held several leadership roles throughout her career.
As a founder, president and CEO of aThingz (WBENC), Vijaya applied her entrepreneurial skills to establish a business outcome focused supply chain solutions organization that is focused on supply chain and logistics transformation. With aThingz solutions, customers can innovate, optimize, transform their supply chains and save cost in a sustainable manner. aThingz is women owned certified organization since 2017.
Vijaya is a strong supporter of Women in Technology and has been associated with MCWT since 2012, has led the Internship Program under University Program for couple years. She has led many “giveback & enhance the quality-of-life community” programs like Guiding Harbor – helping in enhancing quality of life of children & foster care, programs through police department in helping the community in which we live, led food drives, recognizing the police department for their services and coordinating the oxygen concentrators & Ventilators distribution to India during COVID times by conducting fund raisers, supporting in acquisition & distribution of the same.
In 2021, Vijaya held the role of Michigan Chapter President of ITServe, a Non-Profit national organization comprising of over 1200 technology business owners. She was the First Woman Chapter President for this organization. The alliance is the voice of all prestigious IT companies functioning with similar interests across United States.
Vijaya is known for her ability to recognize talent to build high performing teams and a digital organization that collaborates effectively to deliver business value in a rapid manner in a great company culture.
Vijaya played a key role in aThingz receiving several accolades both from customers and industry research organizations. aThingz is a recipient of Two times Supplier of the year awards from General Motors and over 5 Gartner recognitions in categories of end-to-end supply chain intelligence, logistics cost to serve and advanced analytics. She also received a personalized letter of recognition from Mary Barra – GM CEO, for the aThingz contribution to GM Supply Chain Crisis Management during COVID.
Prior to aThingz, Vijaya was in the role of a delivery and innovation leader at Hewlett Packard Enterprise – Automotive Sector and is bestowed with several awards, namely, GM CIO Excellence award, Customer Service Excellence award and Innovation award.
She has completed Master’s program in Computers & Business in Osmania University, India and has completed several advance programs from Stanford University. She has graduated from We Build Character- a leadership program, been a moderator for a Lean-in program.
10:30 – 11:00 am – Keynote VI
11:00 – 11:40 am – Keynote VII
OEM 2
11:40 – 12:20 pm – Keynote – VIII
12:20 – 1:00 pm – Keynote – IX
“The presentation and remarks are his own and do not represent UHG Optum’s position.”
Chenyuan Dumnmuh
Technology Director
Optum – United Healthcare Inc.
California
United States of America
Chenyuan Dumnmuh is a Computer Science and Engineer who graduated from the University of California Los Angeles. He currently serves as a technology director with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. With a deep understanding of the intersection between technology and healthcare, Chenyuan consistently drives innovative solutions to enhance patient care and improve operational efficiency.
Throughout his career, Chenyuan has successfully navigated the evolving landscape of healthcare technology, staying ahead of industry trends and leveraging emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Automation.
His expertise spans a wide range of areas, including fraud, waste, and abuse, telehealth, data analytics, and interoperability.
Mohammad Islam
Associate Director
Optum – United Healthcare Inc.
New Jersey, United States of America
Mohammad Islam currently serves as an Associate Director at UnitedHealth Group USA. He specializes in application and web-based software development, as well as machine learning and deep learning models and their practical applications. Mohammad’s expertise is highlighted by his U.S. patent for a wireless GPS mapping device and his contributions to esteemed publications such as ASCE and CSCE.
With a strong strategic mindset and a solid background in IT and Engineering, Mohammad brings extensive experience in team management, technical leadership, and coaching. He excels in connecting individuals and teams with the right tools and products to optimize effectiveness and efficiency in achieving their mission. With nearly 20 years of experience in IT Program and Portfolio management, Mohammad firmly believes that leveraging AI wisely can lead humanity to unprecedented heights.
Prior to joining UnitedHealth in 2018, Mohammad held positions at reputable organizations such as Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, Walmart, and the United Nations.
1:00 – 2:00 pm – Buffet Lunch
Day 3 – Friday, October 11, 2024
Keynote X: 10:00 – 10:40 am
Jeffrey A. Abell, Ph.D., FSME, PE
Chief Scientist for Global Manufacturing and Director of Manufacturing Systems Research
General Motors
Sterling Heights, Michigan, United States
Presentation Title: AI/ML in Manufacturing
Dr. Jeffrey Abell is Chief Scientist for Global Manufacturing and Director of Manufacturing Systems Research at General Motors. He is responsible for global manufacturing research focused on vehicle electrification, lightweight systems manufacturing, automation, and smart manufacturing. He led a research team that played a key role in bringing the Chevy Volt advanced battery to production and has held other leadership positions in product development and manufacturing at GM, Delphi, and DaimlerChrysler, including two international assignments. He has written numerous technical publications, been granted several patents, and has a strong track record of successful manufacturing technology implementation. He was twice presented with the Boss Kettering award, GM’s highest recognition for technical innovation.
Since 1998, Dr. Abell has served in various capacities with SME such as member of International Awards committee and Chair of Education and Accreditation Committee. He currently serves on the NAMRI board and is an SME Fellow. He is on the Corporate Member Council of ASEE and the Industry Advisory Board for ASME. He is Past-Chair of the Industrial Advisory Council and former member of the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. He has a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from General Motors Institute (now Kettering University), and graduate degrees in Systems Engineering from Oakland University, and is a licensed Professional Engineer.
Keynote XI: 10:40 – 11:20 am
John Allen
TNSFT Partner
Crossover Solutions
Livonia, Michigan
John is a globally renowned expert problem solver with a reputation for quickly fixing problems around complex manufacturing processes and product performance. Before its acquisition by Crossover Solutions, he and David Hartshorne were co-founders of The New Science of Fixing Things, a manufacturing consultancy well known for diagnosing and remedying performance, durability, and reliability issues that others had struggled – and failed – to resolve. In his globe-spanning career solving problems in “planes, trains, and automobiles,”
John has worked with many Fortune 500 clients, including General Motors, Pratt & Whitney, US Steel, and General Electric.
11:20 – 11:40 am – Break
11:40 am – 12:20 pm – Keynote XII
12:20 – 1:00 pm – Keynote XIII
1:00 – 2:00 pm – Buffet Lunch