Join us, along with our friends from CPA (The Association for Contract Packagers and Manufacturers) and Frain Industries, for an informative evening filled with speaker sessions and networking opportunities. This event is designed to bring together brands, contract manufacturers, and contract packagers to delve into discussions about the future of technology in manufacturing and its trajectory within the industry.
AGENDA:
1:00 PM Welcome
1:15 PM State of the Contract Packaging industry – CPA State of the Industry report 2023
1:30 PM Panel Discussion
2:30 PM Break
2:45 PM Panel Discussion
4:00 PM Networking session
4:15 PM Tour
5:00 PM Networking social event
5:30 PM Event Ends
AUTOMATION PANEL
MISA ILKHECHI (Moderator)
Co-founder, VP of Product & Partnerships
Formic
Misa Ilkhechi co-founded Formic to simplify automation for manufacturers. As a childhood tinkerer turned engineer, he saw factories' hurdles in embracing automation. Formic’s solution? A pay-as-you-go model that ensures systems work without burdening manufacturers with risks or high costs. Misa's vision for Formic: leading the automation shift in two years and dominating the industry in a decade. The mission: make automation accessible and affordable.
ROB BRODECKI
Business Development Manager
KUKA
Rob has experience in automating the food & beverage world for the last 7 years, from robotics to PLC, processing to palletizing and more. Currently, he is the business development manager for KUKA robotics focused on the consumer-packaged goods industry, especially food & beverage, helping manufacturers of all sizes improve their operations with traditional robotics, AI-driven solutions, and mobile robotics. Previously he’s held product manager roles for KUKA and Mitsubishi Electric Automation, covering various industries and products lines. He started out at Fuji Robotics in business development, doing palletizing robots for the food & beverage world.
Operations Manager/Part Owner
MATTPAK
Started at MattPak in the maintenance department. Now in a different role as Operations Manager, looks at ways to improve/upgrade daily operations including Sustainability. Big part of his days is to make sure company efficiencies are being met. First automation brought in was 2 new robotic palletizers through Formic and still discovering other automations to bring in.
KEN OLSON
Vice President of Operations
MSI Express
Ken Olson has been a pivotal member of MSI Express since 2014. After receiving a bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering from Northern Illinois University, Ken initially joined the company as an engineering intern. He soon transitioned to full-time roles in engineering where he designed production lines and implemented continuous improvement projects. He then moved into production, where he excelled as both production manager and plant manager across various facilities. Ken's journey at MSI Express continued as he took on the role of Regional Director of Operations in 2022, overseeing operations in 6 different facilities.
U.S. General Manager and Chief Impact Officer
InnovaFeed
Maye oversees Innovafeed’s international deployment in North America to produce and deliver performant and natural insect-based ingredients for the animal and plant nutrition industries. Maye is passionate about innovation and building partnerships with various stakeholders across the value chain, from suppliers, R&D partners, feed manufacturers, farmers, and distributors to shape a more sustainable world. As part of her role as Impact Chief Officer she is responsible for managing Innovafeed’s Impact Governance and Strategy. Prior to joining InnovaFeed she worked as a strategy consultant at McKinsey & Company.
AI PANEL
DAVID ADAMS
Vice President Information Technology
MSI Express
Besides running the IT departments since 1996, David has worked with vendors and other suppliers to cut costs across the board. The vast amount of knowledge David has gained through his years in the corporate world has helped him implement programs that has been purchased and used throughout the steel industry. He believes on a hands-on approach, he gets involved with all employees to find out what their concerns and objectives are so he can provide them with the best solution possible.
SHAWN GILRONAN
Principal, Digital Advisory Practice Leader
CohnReznick
Shawn is a growth-focused leader with success in implementing strategic roadmaps and designing innovative technology solutions to help clients achieve their goals. He has extensive knowledge of digital transformation; business intelligence and data analytics; risk assessment and mitigation; data migration and integration; and more. He will focus on developing strategic business relationships with clients that create sustainable, leading technological operating models and bottom-line improvements.
ADAM GRIFFEN
Product Manager
ei3
Adam Griffen is a forward-thinking Product Manager at ei3, driven by a passion for Automation, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI). With a career trajectory marked by continuous growth and innovation, Adam spent eight impactful years at Mettler-Toledo, where he honed his expertise in Product Management. Specializing in software engineering and SAP Variant Configuration, he played a pivotal role in driving technological advancements within the company. Additionally, Adam led Compliance efforts for Automation & Digital Security, demonstrating his commitment to ensuring the highest standards of quality and safety. His deep understanding of industry standards and emerging technologies has made him a valuable asset to the organization, shaping the future of machine automation and control.
MISHAAL KHAN
Mindsight
Mishaal Khan is a subject matter expert in cybersecurity, pentesting, privacy, Open-Source Intelligence, and social engineering. He is a frequent speaker on these topics at universities and popular cybersecurity conferences like DEFCON, Wild West Hacking Fest, and multiple BSides events. Mishaal has worked with multinational companies for over 20 years, securing their networks and providing executive-level consultancy to manage risk and avoid breaches. He’s an author, holds a CCIE and CEH, and runs the cybersecurity practice at Mindsight as a vCISO.
This event is in partnership with
and our sponsors
