EECO Asks Why Podcast

From his first job in injection molding to being the Manufacturing Unicorn he is today Ray Ziganto is making a huge impact in industry.  He is a huge advocate for building up the next generation and educating them to the exciting opportunities that exist in manufacturing.  Ray points out the opportunity that exists to start inspiring grade school age kids and their parents about the fabulous careers possible in the manufacturing sector.  The days of dull, dirty and dangerous are over and it is time to start speaking truth about the changing landscape.

Ray loves getting on the shop floor and encourages others to be intentional about getting the truth from those making the direct impact.  He helps manufacturing leaders regularly improve their processes and it usually starts with invaluable time directly on the floor and listening to operations. 

He has a passion for learning, applying and sharing with others.  In this episode he gave so much insight and wisdom that can impact many with their personal journeys.  You'll quickly hear why Ray Ziganto is our HERO!   

Guest: Ray Ziganto - Manufacturing Unicorn at Linara International

Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets
Audio/Video Editor: Andi Thrower

Resources:

Podcasts
EECO Ask Why
The Happiness Lab
Revisionist History
Akimbo
Making Chips
MFG OutLoud!

Books
Emotional Agility:  Dr. Susan David
Creativity Inc.:  Edwin Catmull
Freedom's Forge:  Arthur Herman
American Icon:  Bryce G. Hoffman
The Fifth Discipline:  Peter Senge

Linara International Website 

Stop selling and start solving problems! It is a simple philosophy that has great returns for those that make the connection.  For Jake Hall, the subject matter experts (SME) that support manufacturing are the ones best positioned to help industry grow in the future.  In this conversation Jake unpacks what a SME is and how that has evolved over time.  The days of knowing part numbers and catalogs are being replaced with experts that understand processes and what end users are trying to accomplish.  End users want to partner with those that understand the headwinds they face and can bring solutions to the table.

Jake also expands the concept of SME's to supporting businesses for manufacturing like distributors.  He advises those business models to focus on the problems they are best suited to address and go at those areas with full force.  Be the expert in your area everywhere your clients are and the rewards will follow.

Finally, Jake gives great advice to the next generation of SME's to begin their journey's on the right foot.  Developing skillsets that bring value to manufacturing can set someone up for a lucrative and fulfilling career.  Imagine no student loan debt, significant cash flow from a new employer because of the skills you developed and security knowing that the value you bring can transfer to many areas in the future.  Sound too good to be true?  That reality exists and Jake shares tons of inspiration and wisdom to start moving forward.

This is an action packed episode and has too many nuggets of gold to miss.  Hats off to the Manufacturing Millennial for knocking this out the park and painting such an impactful path for others to consider.

Guest: Jake Hall
The Manufacturing Millennial and Business Development Manager at Feyen Zylstra

Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets
Audio/Video Editor: Andi Thrower

Resources:
Feyen Zylstra Website

Mike Rathbun's journey has been absolutely amazing.  What began as a seven year old tearing apart the family TV set on the living room floor led him down a path of electrical engineering that was full of excitement.  Mike served his country in the Navy and credits them for molding him into the man he is today. 

Mike started his own integration company supporting the automotive industry and shares insights he learned while on that journey.  During that time of his life he lead a project where at the time was the largest automated stamping system in the country!  It even made it to How It's Made and hearing about this accomplishment was outstanding. 

For those that think engineers can't have fun Mike completely debunks that myth!  He's an avid golfer and plays courses around Pinehurst regularly.  He also is an extremely talented musician and loves to turn up the amplifiers at his home studio and jam with his son Daniel (who by the way is attending the Citadel and is doing a phenomenal job in his young journey). 

Mike has been a hero at EECO for over 9 years and we are blessed to have him on the team.  His story is inspirational and his passion for industry is second to none.  You'll quickly hear why Mike (aka The Crusher) means so much to us and is our hero!

Mike Rathbun -  Power & Control Solution Architecture Manager at EECO

Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets
Audio Editor: Andi Thrower

Completing a project successfully takes many groups coming together and overcoming hurdles. Claire Stevens digs into this topic and shares areas she's learned along the way to take projects from the design phase to functionality.

Claire is the Utility Distribution Engineer at NC State University and she's had an amazing opportunity to facilitate complex projects and her real-world experience is something we all can learn from.   Claire expresses the importance of getting feedback from as many people as possible and not overlooking operations for ultimate truth. The amount of time she suggests on design review can not be shortchanged and during that process, she finds potential issues and can mitigate them before they hit production. 

Communication is critical and knowing how to coordinate with others is important. Some people like texts, others email and some would rather have a face-to-face conversation. Building trust with those on a project is vitally important and mastering communication can set you on a path to success. 

Before you begin your next project take the time to listen to Claire's advice. This episode full of wisdom and insight that will elevate any engineer from good to great!

Guest: Claire Stevens - Utility Distribution Engineer at North Carolina State University

Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets
Audio/Video Editor: Andi Thrower

Solving problems that most people find impossible is what drives Preston Hadley.  He's an industry leader and is on the front lines daily making automation come to life all around him.  From his roots in IT at his families business he fell in love with automation and controls and never looked back.  Preston is taking it upon himself to address the skills gap in industry and his Change a Life Giveaway is one of the most impactful stories you'll hear.  It centered around a drawing where the winner would receive a Siemens S7-1200 starter kit.  The story goes from good to great when he shares that the winner was able to land a job in his desired field within a four week span of taking the prize.  Talk about immediate impact!

Preston has a great distinction between control engineers and control technicians and highlights the many opportunities that exist for the technicians to make their way in the automation world.  His vision for the different paths of success for those in automation are insightful.  His immediate advice was to get on LinkedIn and get active.  Search out mentors and tap into the amazing networks that exist online.

Preston likes to have fun on the water and shares about his project boat that he's restoring.  While on the water he loves having his family along side - especially his daughter Lily.  He's hoping this is the summer where she masters the art of tubing!  You'll quickly hear why Preston is our hero and how he's inspiring so many others to join the exciting world of automation and controls.

Guest: Preston Hadley - President/Controls Specialist at Envision Automation & Controls

Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets
Audio/Video Editing: Andi Thrower

Additional Resources:
LinkedIn
Envision
The Automation Blog
PLC dojo
Solis PLC

So you've been teaching power safety for years and a pandemic hits....what now?? You make a POWER MOVE that's what and you completely change the game.  Tom Domitrovich did just that and as the VP of Technical sales at Eaton he shared some of the new ways he had to begin thinking and acting to stay in front of those wanting to further their journey's in the electrical industry.  He did this by creating virtual means to be "in front" of those individuals and immediately saw that it was making a huge impact by the number of attendees and feedback from the field. Tom takes this discussion to another level and helps others realize that the material matters when you're trying to grow an online presence like this.  Get your subject matter down first and then begin finding ways to engage others. 

He walks us through how he's built his home studio, the equipment that was crucial to success and software to consider to make the production flawless.  He's quite literally a one man band and it's through his open mind thinking that this style of industrial education is making an impact. 

Tom has a story about how one of his students says he saved his life and the story will have you on the edge of your seat.  Helping others stay safe is a passion for Tom and what a power move he made to keep that level of intensity and intentionality around teaching people around the world about the exciting world of power! 

Guest: Thomas Domitrovich - Vice President of Technical Sales at Eaton

Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets
Audio/Video Editor: Andi Thrower

Additional Resources:
ThomasDomitrovich.com
YouTube

Lisa Scanlon has a passion for manufacturing and her journey began in the fluid power world.  After her education in hydraulic and pneumatic engineering she fell in love with industry and found that the voice of the end user was one that matters most.  In her current roles the Services Manager at Rockwell she's 100% focused on delivering cutting edge services to industry all across the country. 

She speaks to her education at Harvard University and how focusing on a disruptive strategy can lead to amazing opportunities.  Solving end user problems is the center of success and her advice on areas to consider here are wonderful.

Lisa gives an inside look at her newest hobby of yoga.  She shares about her wonderful family and many personal insights during the lightning round.  Her why is to inspire her children and no doubt after hearing her amazing story the inspiration will come for them and many others.   

Guest: Lisa Scanlon -
North America Partner Services Manager at Rockwell Automation 
Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets
Audio/Video Editing: Andi Thrower

Resources:
TED Talks
NAED
Drive by Daniel Pink
To Sell is Human by Daniel Pink

What if you could take the coolest part of an industry and make it come to life for others?  This is exactly what Ray Tharpe and Vadim Kovalev have accomplished to showcase the amazing technology and opportunities that exist in the wood industry.  Ray is president at RTM Industrial Maintenance and is a leader in supporting the lumber industry with the most complex modernization projects.  Vadim is a digital marketer that has a passion for the wood industry and set out on a mission to evangelize to show others the excitement that exists.  They connected through a video where Vadim strapped cameras to a log and sent it through a saw at a mill.  Talk about an attention getter!  It was from this video that an amazing partnership formed and they have jointly created content that showcases how RTM supports the industry and also highlights the cool factor for those that may be new to a saw mill.   

They speak to what has changed to the average mill recently and discuss how technology is making such an impact on the how they operate.  Their approach of highlighting the intricacies of the mills themselves is what sets them apart.  Conversation and awareness are occurring because of their efforts and the next generation of mill owners and operators are out there ready to be introduced to this wonderful field.   This was an exciting inside look at the wood industry and how embracing ideas such as digital marketing can take any industry to the next level with the right focus.

Ray Tharpe - Owner/President at RTM Industrial Maintenance Inc.
Vadim Kovalev - CEO & Founder at Koval Digital
Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets
Audio/Video Editing: Andi Thrower

Our hero Tim Pollard likes to say he's always been obsessed with communication.  That obsession has led him through an illustrious career and in which he unpacks in this episode.  Tim unpacks areas that have impacted him and what he's been able to learn and adjust to along the way.  As the CEO of Oratium he's led the company through tremendous adversity and most recently navigated the COVID-19 waters.  As a communication company making the pivot to supporting clients virtually was one that he did not take lightly and they are bringing tremendous value to others daily.

Tim shares about some of his passions outside of his professional life and enjoys time outdoors.  Being in Montana he loves to spend time on the water fly fishing, riding his bike outdoors and enjoys time on the golf course as well.  He is blessed with a wonderful family and shares tons of personal insight during the lightning round.

Tim's "why" is one of the most heartfelt answers of all time.  He shares about his faith and how he longs to hear the words "well done good and faithful servant" at the end of his journey.  We are blessed to have Tim share his journey and hope this conversation sparks the fire inside of others to pursue their passions and serve at the highest level possible!

Guest: Tim Pollard - Founder and CEO at Oratium
Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets
Audio/Video Editing: Andi Thrower

Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) is near and dear to EECO Asks Why as it's centered around safety.  Jonathan Fuller unpacks this impactful process and discusses some of the key points to ensuring a successful program.  Out the gate he opens up the idea that LOTO practices impact many field outside of electrical specifically.  He provides wise advice on steps needed to take to get started.  

1. Proper preparation
2. Shut down of equipment
3. Isolation
4. Perform LOTO
5. Stored energy check
6. Isolation and verification

Jonathan reviews the importance of every individual working on equipment to have their own lock and also the steps that must occur if locks are left behind and procedures are not followed as designed.  This is an insightful discussion around a topic that keeps our heroes safe as services are performed to keep industry thriving in the future.

Guest: Jonathan Fuller -
Automation & Power Product Manager at Electrical Equipment Company
Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets
Audio/Video Editing: Andi Thrower

Resources:
Lock Out Tag Out EECO Inspire Blog
How to Safely Rack in a Breaker EECO Inspire Blog