Empowering Industry Podcast - A Production of Empowering Pumps & Equipment

This week Charli has Empowering Women alum Cheryl Merchant, CEO at Taco, on to talk about her journey in the pump industry.

Cheryl has 40 years of leadership and management experience in manufacturing. She has held leadership positions with industry giants like GM, Mazda, Ford, and Lear Corporation and led teams in the U.S., Mexico, Canada and throughout Europe and Asia. Cheryl spent 19 years as the President and CEO of Hope Global, a manufacturing company with over 2,000 employees and operations in the U.S., Mexico, Czech Republic, China, and Brazil. During that period, Hope Global grew five times in revenue and became a Tier II leader in the Automotive Industry. In 2019, Cheryl joined Taco as President of Taco Family of Companies, North America. In March of 2020, Cheryl was promoted to CEO of Taco Family of Companies Global operations. Since taking the helm, Taco has doubled in revenue, expanded the workforce by 350 team members, acquired a new business unit in England and have planned global operational facility expansions of over 243,000 sq, ft. in the next 3 years. 

 Cheryl has received awards over her career that include Providence Business News Rhode Island Business Women’s Career Achievement Award (2022) and Leadership Award (2001, 2014), New England Business Woman of the Year (2014), Mentor of the Year PBN RI (2016), Crain’s Women in Manufacturing of the Year (2018), Trailblazer in Business / Cheryl Watkins Snead Award (2018). She holds two Honorary Doctorates from New England Institute of Technology for Humane Letters and Bryant University for Business. 

Her community work includes being a member of the Board of Governors for the Rhode Island Commodores, Advisory Board Member for the University of Rhode Island, member of the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association Advisory Board, and a Board member of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. Cheryl has also served in the past as a Trustee (Secretary and Chair of Student Affairs) for Bryant University, Board of Governors, and a Trustee of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council. She has also served on the boards of Rhode Island Economic Development, Governor’s Workforce Board, the Rhode Island Hospital Foundation, and the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce. 

Read up at EmpweringPumps.com and stay tuned for more news about EPIC in Atlanta this November!

Find us @EmpoweringPumps on Facebook, LinkedIn,  Instagram and Twitter and using the hashtag #EmpoweringIndustryPodcast or via email [email protected] 

This week, Bronson Pate is on with Charli to have a chat about his story.

Bronson is the Global Fugitive Emissions Director, MagDrive Technologies, he has experience in the environmental field focused on air quality compliance inthe refining, petrochemical, and natural gas processing industries in the United States, China, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. He has experience in fugitive emission source Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) monitoring, tagging, and database management, including Process and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) review. Bronson is familiar with VV, VVa, GGG, GGGa, KKK, QQQ, MON, HON and worked with multiple facilities to develop LDAR programs including those subject to LDAR consent decree requirements. Bronson has is also one of Sage’s LDAR Consent Decree (CD) and Comprehensive Environmental Assesment (CEA) Auditors. Bronson has also preformed Highly Reactive Volialte Organic Compound (HRVOC) audits for various facilities. Bronson is also familiar with certain provisions of the Benzene Waste Operations NESHAP (BWON) standard including required sampling, training and lab auditing. Bronson has also helped with Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for oil and gas production companies. Bronson has also worked with the refining industry in Texas that have received a section 114 letter. Bronson has also worked with the refining industry in producing Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Plan (SPCC). Bronson is also familiar with air permitting including MACT and Title V. Bronson also is one of HSE-U trainers for LDAR Essentials, Advanced LDAR and LDAR for Experts.
Connect with Bronson on LinkedIn

Read up at EmpweringPumps.com and stay tuned for more news about EPIC in Atlanta this November!

Find us @EmpoweringPumps on Facebook, LinkedIn,  Instagram and Twitter and using the hashtag #EmpoweringIndustryPodcast or via email [email protected] 

This week Charli has  Brad Hitselberger  on to talk IFS 

Brad Hitselberger graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a concentration in Industrial and Systems Engineering. He has been working in some capacity with pumps for 6 years in various roles. He started out working in the wastewater side focusing on collection systems and pumps for a leading manufacturer in the industry. At the beginning of 2022, he took a role with Industrial Flow Solutions as their Municipal Business Development Manager to focus on building out their Municipal strategy. Currently he lives in Charlotte, North Carolina but enjoys traveling, meeting, and learning from many people in the water industry!

Read up at EmpweringPumps.com and stay tuned for more news about EPIC in Atlanta this November!

Find us @EmpoweringPumps on Facebook, LinkedIn,  Instagram and Twitter and using the hashtag #EmpoweringIndustryPodcast or via email [email protected] 

We are back at The Water Tower for #DemoDay2023  and Charli is talking to a whole slew of folks from the industry!

Austin Collins, CEO of 5Strands Affordable Testing

Jeff Saye of Siemans Motion Control Group
Contact:  [email protected]

Matt Christian, a  Field Services Engineer for the Southeast & Karen Siu, National Director for iHydrant

Mike McLeod, Owner at Harry Warren of Georgia

Nick Laing, Business Development Manager for Water & Wastewater & Paul Warburton, Field Application Sales Specialist for the Southeast Region at Yokogawa

Quinn Jackson-Elliott with Olea Edge Analytics
Contact: [email protected]

Read up at EmpweringPumps.com and stay tuned for more news about EPIC in Atlanta this November!

Find us @EmpoweringPumps on Facebook, LinkedIn,  Instagram and Twitter and using the hashtag #EmpoweringIndustryPodcast or via email [email protected] 

 This week is a twofer as Charli talks to Mike Franco and Gillian Harding-Moore of PSG Biotech

Mike Franco is the Director of Global Biopharma Sales at PSG Biotech, part of PSG, a Dover Company. He began his career at PSG in 2017, serving as sales manager for the Americas. His career has spanned several companies, starting as a research assistant for the Center for Space Physics at Boston University. From there, he became an applications engineer with Panametrics Inc. before joining GE Power Systems in 2002 as a commercial engineer. His time with GE spanned a decade, working in various managerial and leadership roles at GE Industrial, GE Energy Services and GE Oil & Gas. In 2014, he joined Ametek as its regional sales manager, serving in that role until 2017. 

Gillian Harding-Moore serves as the director of Global Marketing at PSG Biotech & Quantex, part of PSG, a Dover Company. Having an entrepreneurial mindset and big-picture creative ideas has defined her career, which in early years, included Saatchi & Saatchi as its art director. She held a similar role at Euros RSCG before founding her own branding and digital agency, Fuel Creativity Ltd (FCL). 10 years later, having successfully served clients including GSK and Tata Steel, she joined one of her long-standing clients, Fashion GPS as its managing director of Europe in 2011. In 2018, Gillian joined another long-standing client, Quantex, the recyclable pump brand now owned by PSG. Since the acquisition, Gillian has worked closely with PSG upper management teams in charge of the marketing communications for Malema during its acquisition in 2022, and has headed up the consolidation and rebrand of PSG Biotech.

https://www.psgdover.com/biotech

We look forward to seeing you at the 2023 INTERPHEX Show, April 25th-April 27th. https://www.interphex.com/

Read up at EmpweringPumps.com and stay tuned for more news about EPIC in Atlanta this November!

Find us @EmpoweringPumps on Facebook, LinkedIn,  Instagram and Twitter and using the hashtag #EmpoweringIndustryPodcast or via email [email protected] 

This week Charli got to sit down and talk to Tomas Dobrovolskis.

After completing his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at University of Illinois at Chicago, Tomas began his career at Yeomans Chicago Corporation/Grundfos as a Project Engineer.  After 6 years in the pump industry Tomas went on to work in the industrial fan industry as a New Product Development Manager.  In 2015, the opportunity came up to be part of the foundation to build Hidrostal here in the states and he seized the opportunity.  His main focus is on overseeing the engineering and sales.  In this role his focus is on providing support to customers, designing new products, leading projects and developing internal tools to increase efficiency and productivity.  Tomas enjoys spending time with his family and being outdoors as much as possible.

 Read up at EmpweringPumps.com and stay tuned for more news about EPIC in Atlanta this November!

Find us @EmpoweringPumps on Facebook, LinkedIn,  Instagram and Twitter and using the hashtag #EmpoweringIndustryPodcast or via email [email protected] 

On this episode, Charli talks to a good friend and colleague, Holly Montrose.

Holly Montrose is the Vice President - HVACR Channel Sales, Drive Products Division at ABB, Inc.; a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future.

Holly joined ABB in April 2021 as the West Regional Sales Manager for HVAC Drives and after seven quick months, she was promoted to a newly created role of Director of Sales where she was responsible for cultivating a proactive sales approach, communicating the voice of customer back to the factory, and continuing the sales growth strategy. She brings years of significant expertise in technical sales across multiple industries such as HVAC, healthcare, manufacturing, environmental, and chemical.  

Prior to joining ABB, Holly Montrose was a known talent in the industry.  She succeeded working for a small competitor, where she didn’t have the tools or advantages of a large organization. She approached the role with the mind of a student and taught herself about the HVAC industry and the technology used to support it. 

Holly has a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, with a focus in polymers, and a minor in Business Administration. She believes that her studies in the sciences has been a tremendous assets to her career. It has given her the tools to approach technical sales with a systematic approach while constantly driving for the best solution.

While newer to the Leadership role, Holly is no stranger to being a leader. She has spent majority of her life practicing and participating in the dance world. She has multiple national titles, Choreography awards, and countless dancers who have become a part of her family. She believes that every person deserves to learn in a manner that supports their growth, and she applies this belief to her leadership role at ABB. 

 Read up at EmpweringPumps.com and stay tuned for more news about EPIC in Atlanta this November!

Find us @EmpoweringPumps on Facebook, LinkedIn,  Instagram and Twitter and using the hashtag #EmpoweringIndustryPodcast or via email [email protected] 

Charli gets to talk to Kelly Page this in an episode that is truly out of this world! Or at least slightly above it... 
 

Kelly Page, President of Barrios Technology, began her career with the company in 2006. She supported multiple organizations in the International Space Station (ISS) Program in technical, leadership, and management roles, being recognized with the prestigious Silver Snoopy award. Transitioning to a corporate role, she engaged primarily in Business Development, leading key captures for the company. She established Barrios’ commercial space endeavors through Stellar Access to stimulate demand for the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) economy. She became President in 2021 focusing on innovation, streamlining processes, infusing our values throughout the company, and Barrios’ space commercialization efforts. A native to the Clear Lake area and a University of Houston alumna, she continues to reside in the area with her husband and three boys and is actively involved in the community.

 Read up at EmpweringPumps.com and stay tuned for more news about EPIC in Atlanta this November!

Find us @EmpoweringPumps on Facebook, LinkedIn,  Instagram and Twitter and using the hashtag #EmpoweringIndustryPodcast or via email [email protected] 

Charli got to have an enlightening conversation with Tim Albers this week. 

Timothy Albers is the Standards and Lean Product for Nidec Motor Corporation’s US Motors division.  His current responsibilities include standards development, complexity reduction, industry thought leadership and new product development support.  He is currently Chair of the NEMA Motor Generator Technical Committee.  He is also a Senior Member of IEEE and serves on many Hydraulic Institute technical committees including the Chair of the Associate Member Council.  His past experience includes various Marketing and product development positions at U.S. Motors/Emerson and other marketing and sales positions in electric motors and drives at General Electric Company.  He also spent 12 years active and reserves as a U. S. Navy officer and was a qualified operating engineering officer.

HI’s Member of the Year! Connect with Tim on LinkedIn 
 

Read up at EmpweringPumps.com and stay tuned for more news about EPIC in Atlanta this November!

Find us @EmpoweringPumps on Facebook, LinkedIn,  Instagram and Twitter and using the hashtag #EmpoweringIndustryPodcast or via email [email protected] 

Charli got to talk to Aaron Schultz this week in an incredibly relatable conversation about adapting in the workplace. 

AW Schultz is a recognized thought leader on maintenance work management, an entrepreneur, an Amazon best-selling author, a sought-after strategist, and a consultant with global engagements.

With over 25 years of experience in maintenance and reliability, he is routinely called upon to offer guidance to senior executives and those in the maintenance and reliability community to improve their organizations' overall efficiency. Have shown value inability to provide strategic insight and tactical analysis and convert these thoughts into reality by successful engagement and execution.

With a focus on improving business processes, companies seek his knowledge to help analyze and formulate their strategic vision, design the tactics necessary to achieve their goals, identify and organize the required logistics to support the plan, and lead the execution phase. Companies seek him to extend across organizations, address today's challenges and opportunities, and predict future changes. AW's ability to stamp out the noise and determine strategic analysis and tactical knowledge led to his projects' successful execution.

An expert in building infrastructures, he emphasizes the cornerstones for success: the engagement of people and processes instilling a leadership culture as part of the company's DNA. His end goal is to help create high-performance individuals working in high-performance teams for high-performance organizations.

AW holds two bachelor's degrees in Agriculture Systems, Manufacturing Engineering and an MBA. He is a Certified Maintenance Reliability Professional, Project Management Professional, and a Master Black Belt in Six Sigma. AW resides in Dallas, Texas, with his wife, son, and daughter. He can be reached on LinkedIn or website  AWSCHULTZ 

Read up at EmpweringPumps.com and stay tuned for more news about EPIC in Atlanta this November!

Find us @EmpoweringPumps on Facebook, LinkedIn,  Instagram and Twitter and using the hashtag #EmpoweringIndustryPodcast or via email [email protected]