National Technical Conference 2023 Speakers

SESSION:  Do We Need Ground Barstock for Swiss?

Rick Bauer is the Vice President of Edge Technologies is a 30-year veteran to the manufacturing industry. He achieved his mechanical engineering degree at SIU in the early 90s and has been involved in manufacturing and production since. His passion is assisting customers with manufacturing challenges with the use of automation and process control.

SESSION: Designing Tools for Quality

Marty Baumbardner is a Quality Engineer for Precision Plus in  Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Marty serves on the PMPA Quality Committee.

SESSION: Surface Improvement by Mass Finishing

Jeff Bell bio here

SESSIONS: CNC Swiss Focus Intermediate & CNC Swiss Focus Advanced

Derek Briggs began his engineering career at F&F Machine Products in Indiana, where he was born and raised. At F&F, Derek set up Brown & Sharpe screw machines and learned to program and set up Tsugami CNC Swiss Lathes. Derek moved to the Bil-Mac Corporation in Michigan, where he continued to work on Tsugami machines.

In 2011, Derek joined Tsugami/Rem Sales as an Applications Engineer. He quickly advanced to Presales Test Cut Lab Lead in 2014, putting finished parts in customers’ hands quickly and efficiently. In 2015, he was promoted to Engineering Manager where he led the team for over two years.  Then he was promoted to Product Manager in 2018, where Derek is tasked with researching and implementing new technologies that integrate with Tsugami machines and improve the overall customer experience. Derek often travels domestically and internationally, researching tooling components and working directly with the engineering team at Tsugami Japan to ensure that all Tsugami machines are equipped with the latest technology and mechanical abilities for the North American market.

Derek’s future aspirations are to assist, support, and help to continuously improve the Tsugami experience for Rem Sales’ customers in every way possible. 

SESSION: Rotary Transfer Pros & Cons

Brandon Buckhout is the Plant Manager for R.F. Mau Co. in Lincolnwood, IL. Brandon currently serves on the PMPA Technical Programs Committee.

SESSION: Designing Tools for Quality

Lisa has been employed with H&R Screw Machine Products since 1997. She advanced to Quality Manager in 2014. In 2016 she became a member of the PMPA Quality Committee serving as chairman in 2021. She enjoys traveling, the great outdoors, and spending time with her grandchildren.

SESSION: Rapid Fire Technology

Bridget Casey is the Global Manager of Information Systems and Technology at Bracalente Manufacturing Group in Trumbauersville, PA.  She attended Bloomsburg University as a D2 Athlete and graduated with a dual Major in Business Management and Supply Chain. Bridget then went to school and graduated with a master’s in information technology.  Bridget serves on PMPA’s IT Committee. 

SESSION: Workforce Development: Youth in Manufacturing

Bill Cox is the owner/steward of Cox Manufacturing Company, a 67+ year old San Antonio based long-time PMPA member, that today employs about 200 employees.  After the death of his father, when Bill was 12, his mother began intentionally preparing him to take over the small company and Bill credits the PMPA (then called the NSMPA) for much of his industry education, (though he also attended Texas A & M University).  Over the last 46 years, Bill has navigated radical changes in manufacturing technology and severe shifts in the marketplace, but also has been a local leader founding a 501 (c)3 organization, ATEAMS (Alliance for Technology Education in Applied Math and Science), focused on attracting youth to manufacturing. Today, Bill is passionate about the future of US manufacturing and building the next generation of technologist.

SESSION: Designing Tools for Quality

Michael DeVoss is a Quality Engineer with Marcegaglia Stainless Long Products in Richburg, South Carolina. Over the past 5 years Michael has learn the ins and out of stainless steel manufacturing and has assisted customers with machining questions and concerns.

SESSION: Rapid Fire Technology

Stephanie is a Certified Public Accountant with a degree from St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI. She has spent time Sikich LLP as an auditor where she mainly worked to audit private manufacturing companies and is now the Controller for Mantel Machine Products. In her free time, she can be found spending time with her fiancé and family or cooking and baking for anyone and everyone.

SESSION: 3D Printing

Matt started in manufacturing in 2014 during high school, as a summer intern running production parts on the shop floor. Since then, Matt has grown with the same company in different roles, and graduated in 2019 with a Mechanical Engineering Degree. He is now a Manufacturing Engineer whose day-to-day tasks involve designing and implementing automation cells, expanding capabilities inside and next to our machining centers, and also leads the additive manufacturing efforts for Precision Plus’s engineering team.

SESSIONS: How to Read a Chip & Safety – What You Need to Know

Miles Free is Director Industry Affairs for the Precision Machined Products Association, where he handles Regulatory, Government Affairs, Statistical and Financial reporting and providing Technical Assistance in all areas of manufacturing. Prior to joining PMPA in 2003, Mr. Free was Director, Quality and Development, at Republic Engineered Products. Mr. Free started his career at United States Steel, where he served in Environmental Engineering and Laboratory Supervisor positions. His career included leading the implementation of the Cold Finished Bar Industry’s first Quality Operating System awarded Q-1 status at Bliss and Laughlin steel as well as managing the technology and development function for the restart of Operations at Bar technologies and Republic Steel. He has created content using all forms of media, with numerous articles published,  over a million views on his blog  Speaking of Precision, and currently hosts two Podcasts for PMPA. He is a widely sought presenter on Problem solving, Quality, and Metallurgical topics.  Mr. Free holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Youngstown State University, and an MBA from Walsh University, where he taught Quality and Performance Management and Data Analytics in the MBA and Executive MBA programs.  

SESSIONS: Shop Efficiency on Cam: Lessons Learned & Designing Tools for Quality

Johnny Freeze is a Product Support Specialist at GWS Tool Group (formally Peterson Tool) in Nashville, TN. Johnny is a former Chair of the PMPA Technical Programs Committee and currently serves on the PMPA Quality Committee.

SESSION: Do We Need Ground Barstock for Swiss?

Ed Garber is National Sales Manager for Star CNC Machine Tool Corp who works with manufacturers in many industries to provide them solutions for machining precision parts.

Ed believes that a Swiss-type CNC lathe can be your most productive piece of equipment in the proper application.

Ed is a machinist by trade with 16 years in machine shops and completed an internship at NASA Glenn Research Center before stepping into a sales role.  His exposure to Swiss-type CNC lathes began over 26 years ago and has spent the last 19 years at Star CNC.  With a total of over 39 years focused entirely in the metal cutting industry, Ed found Swiss-type machining and hasn’t looked back.

SESSION: Rapid Fire Technology

Missy is a graduate of Lorain County Community College where she has received Associate Degrees in Computer Maintenance & Networking as well as Digital Forensics.  She has been employed with EMC Precision for 28 years where she has worked in Shipping, IT, Customer Service & Planning and Scheduling. Outside of work she enjoys playing piano, bible studies, and spending time with her daughter in Colorado.

SESSION: Rotary Transfer Pros & Cons

John Habe Bio Here

SESSION: Hidden Value in Your Data

Rich holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and business management from Kent State University with additional graduate level training from Case Western Reserve University.  Rich is President of Henning Software, a ERP Software Development company located in Hudson Ohio that provides ERP and Accounting software solutions to thousands of manufacturing users throughout the USA and abroad. Henning Software, founded in 1990, is currently celebrating 32 years in business.  Rich spent his formative years developing software and providing long-range information systems planning for Ernst & Whinney and the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

SESSIONS: Designing Tools for Quality & Escape Room

Ron is a Mechanical Engineering graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the GE Manufacturing Management Program.  He has spent time with GE, Cummins Engine, Power Drives and has been with Erie Specialty Products, for most of the past 20 years, doing both quality and engineering . He has been married to his wonderful wife Theresa for over 27 years, (who is also an engineer) and his passions are Scouting and Ice Hockey.

SESSION: Continuous Improvement

Dan Ignasiak is the President/Owner of SEPCO-Erie. Dan’s father, Leo, founded the company in 1965. It was Dan’s desire to have fun at work and his vision of a “world class” company that led to the culture change at SEPCO-Erie.

SESSION: Why/When/Where of Custom Tooling

Kevin Johnson is the President of FISCHER Special Tooling Corporation located in Mentor, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio.  Kevin has been running this organization for over 20 years and has implemented many of the Technical and Management concepts that he learned from attending these PMPA Conferences.   

Kevin has a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial & Systems Engineering from THE Ohio State University.  Prior to joining FISCHER, he had worked in both Appliance and Automotive assembly plants.  Kevin has been an active contributor to the PMPA List-serves as well as a member of both the local and national levels of PMPA.  Additionally, FISCHER Special Tooling has exhibited at every Precision Machining Technology Show since its debut in 2001.

Kevin is proud of the fact that many PMPA members are surprised once they eventually discover that FISCHER is actually a “Tech” Member.  (This is most likely because, Kevin is a terrible salesman).

SESSION: ID Issues — Small/Large Hole Drilling

John has spent over 25 years in the design, production, and application support of custom hole making products. John brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the arena of production drilling.

SESSION: ID Issues — Small/Large Hole Drilling

Clive Komlenic is Mikron Tool’s East Coast Sales Director.  As a mechanical engineer with a passion for communication, He has found a home in technical sales. Clive is infatuated by providing unique solutions to our industries leading challenges.  It is Clive’s goal to support the re-shoring of manufacturing in the United States and advance the next generation of this industry.

SESSION: Macros: Best Practices

Giovanni Lucas holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Farmingdale State College. Giovanni is a New York native, has been with StarCNC for over three years and enjoys 3D Printing and soccer in his free time.

SESSION: Advantages of Cam

Brett here

SESSIONS: Do We Need Ground BarsGiotock for Swiss? & Continuous Improvement

Aneesa got her first taste of manufacturing as a youngster in her parents’ shop, M&M Quality Grinding. At first, she spent her days running machines and bounding over bundles of metal, but soon these tasks gave way to handling payroll, accounts receivable, sales, and other duties. 

In her early 20s, Aneesa left M&M to become CEO and co-owner of Pioneer Service, a small, struggling company in Addison, IL. Thirty years later, the company serves a variety of industries including aerospace, medical, and electric vehicle. In 2021, Aneesa returned to M&M as co-owner and CEO, coming full circle while retaining her role at Pioneer Service.

Aneesa contributes regularly to Modern Machine Shop on a variety of topics and served on several boards including National Association of Manufacturing (NAM) and has served as President of Precision Machined Products Association (PMPA) 2021-2022.

Outside of the shop, Aneesa advocates for DEI through outreach at various public speaking events. Her core message stakes its claim on hard work, not playing the victim, and disavowing the “us vs. them” mindset behind most harmful stereotypes. In her personal life, she always finds time for faith, family, and her four grandchildren, who remain the light of her world.

Session: NIST: Cybersecurity

Elizabeth Niedringhaus is the President and CEO of Systems Service Enterprises, Inc. (SSE), a WOSB that was founded by her mother, Susan S. Elliott in 1966.  Since the advent of the PC in 1983, SSE has been recognized as a leader in IT and Training solutions; most recently in the top 100 of all IT managed service providers worldwide by MSPMentor.  Serving the defense industrial base and financial services sector since 2009, SSE has a robust network and cybersecurity services practice that is focused on compliance.  As an ISO 9001:2015 certified organization, has not only the technical expertise, but the disciplined processes and business maturity to deliver world-class solutions.  With 300 employees, SSE is headquartered in St. Louis with a sister office in Jacksonville, FL and is able to serve clients throughout all 50 states.

Session: OSHA: Latest Updates

Dan O’Brien is partner in the firm’s Cleveland office. His practice focuses on Workplace Safety, Risk and Claims Management. 

His six major areas of concentration are in OSHA Compliance/Litigation, Workers’ Compensation, Unemployment Compensation, Alternative Risk Transfer Methods, Establishment of Best Practices Claims Management Programs and the impact of workers’ and unemployment costs in a Merger or Acquisition.

He has over 30 years of experience representing employers before the Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission (OSHRC), Industrial Commission of Ohio and the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.

He has worked with over 80 organizations in obtaining qualified self-insured workers’ compensation programs in Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Dan’s experience includes being the lead consultant on a two-year study of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) in 1995 and 1996. This study and subsequent program recommendations led to the establishment of a professional risk management function within the GCRTA.

Dan has conducted audits of national workers’ compensation programs representing the insurance industry, employers, associations and venture capital groups. These audits have included overviews of claims management, reserving practices, settlement practices and litigation management.

Dan has established national “best practices” formats for employers and insurers.  Dan has represented a number of employers in complex cases before the OSHRC.  In addition, he works with clients in the areas of safety compliance and loss prevention.

Session: Cobots in the Workplace

Courtney Ortner joined her husband Steve at Absolute Machine Tools in 1992 after working for Procter & Gamble in Cleveland, Ohio.  During her tenure she served 27 years as Chief Marketing Officer until creating Absolute’s A+ Automation department in 2019, where she currently holds the title Director of Marketing – A+ Automation Team.  In 2015, the company joined PMPA as a technical member where Courtney has served as Vice President of the Northern Ohio Chapter and served as the Chairman of the Technical Members on the Board of Directors (2019-2022). Automation, specifically industrial and collaborative robots, have become her passion recognizing that automation is key to the future longevity and success of both Absolute Machine Tools and manufacturers in the precision turning industry.

SESSION: Lightly Attended

Mike Petrusch serves as Vice President for Manufacturing at Cox Manufacturing Co. Inc., an ISO 9001:2015 certified, precision machined parts manufacturer in San Antonio, Texas. 

Prior to joining Cox Manufacturing in 2004, Mike held positions with Gosiger and J.R. Kuntz, both based in Dayton, Ohio.  He also has operated as an independent contractor specializing in machine tool controls. His areas of expertise include robotic systems, high production metal cutting, machinery design, CNC and PLC control systems, and plant management. 

A member of the San Antonio Manufacturers Association, Mike earned a Lean Manufacturing Certification from the University of Texas at San Antonio and completed the Leadership Development Program® through the Center for Creative Leadership

 With a strong commitment to manufacturing education and developing a qualified workforce, Mike works with Advanced Manufacturing Advisory Council of the Alamo Colleges.  He served on the University of Dayton’s School of Engineering Academic Advisory Committee for Engineering Technology. 

Mike holds a AAS in Electronics Engineering Technology from Sinclair Community College, a B.S.E.T. in Manufacturing Engineering and an M.B.A. from the University of Dayton.

SESSION: Rotary Transfer Pros & Cons

John Pollihan is the COO of Component Bar Products located in O’Fallon, MO.  John has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and an MBA from Lindenwood University.  John has worked with Hydromat rotary transfer machines for the last 13 years in various roles at CBP including engineering, production, and machine rebuild.    

SESSION: Rapid Fire Technology

Joseph Raker is the General Manager at GWS Tool Group for their Nashville, TN location and has also worked in Quality, IT, Purchasing, and Production. He has assisted in developing new technologies and methods inside GWS for the purpose of providing superior cutting tools to the industry.  With 19+yrs in manufacturing he is focused on process improvement along with employee retention and development. He has also served on PMPA’s NextGen Committee.

SESSION: Macros: Best Practices.

John Reis is the Applications Department Manager at Star CNC Machine Tool Corporation in NY. His 18 years of Swiss-type CNC lathe experience at Star CNC has exposed him to the requirements and expectations for a variety of industries that include Medical, Aerospace, Automotive, Hydraulic, Pneumatic, Contract Manufacturing, Telecommunications, Energy, Environmental and others.

John Reis holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering and Master’s Degree in Business Administration.

SESSION: Workforce Development: Youth in Manufacturing

Robin Bio Here

SESSION: Designing Tools for Quality

Ray Schnell is the Material Technical Specialist for Valbruna Slater Stainless, Inc., located in Ft Wayne, Indiana.  Ray has both his B.S. and M.S. in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA.

Ray is retired from Carpenter Technology Corp., located in Reading, PA, where he worked for 32 years.  He held several technical and quality positions, during his tenure, but he is better known as being Carpenter’s Machinability Specialist.

Ray began his “second” career with Valbruna in April 2016.  Ray’s main priority, is to work with Valbruna’s customers, here in the United States and in Canada.  His efforts are concentrated in assisting customers to better understand the unique characteristics of Stainless Steel and helping them to take full advantage of the machinability attributes of Valbruna’s products.

SESSION: Rapid Fire Technology

Dave Seabrook has been at Micron Manufacturing for 24 years and has served many functions from receiving raw material to shipping product to customers. Dave was the Quality Manager for 4 years but for the last 10 years has spent his days as IT Manager and a Continuous Improvement leader. He has overseen Micron’s network including the communication of its production equipment, gaging, and tool cribs. Over the last several years he has worked to secure this equipment and ensure backups are in place in the event of an attack or system failure.

SESSION: Why/When/Where of Custom Tooling

Journeyman Tool and Die maker /engineer, 40+ years of experience in manufacturing with a focus on cutting tools of all types. Navy Vet, father of two, just celebrated 30  years of marriage.

SESSION: Continuous Improvement

Michael Tamasi is President and CEO of AccuRounds, a contract manufacturer dedicated to being the leading value solution for custom mechanical components and sub-assemblies used in numerous industries including medical, aerospace, semi-conductor, robotics and emerging technologies. Michael, a second-generation owner, has been working in the family business for over 35 years.

Michael is very active in industry and educational organizations including government appointments to the Massachusetts Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative, currently serving as Co-Chair, and previously sitting on the MA STEM Advisory Council.  In February of 2014, he was named to the New England Advisory Council for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and served for five years, including as Chair in 2018.  Michael has been active in the National Tooling and Machining Association for over thirty years, currently chairing the Budget and Finance Committee, also serving on their Boston Chapter’s board for fifteen years. He is Chairman of the Board for GBMP, and previously chaired the Executive Committee for Business Leaders United for Workforce Partnerships for twelve years. He serves as a NIMS Audit Team Leader and is an Ambassador for MassEcon. Michael was named to the Manufacturing Industry Recovery Panel, which shared recommendations with the Biden Administration to ensure an Inclusive Economic Recovery. He was appointed as Chair of CareerSpring’s Boston Advisory Board in January, 2022.

Michael currently sits on the advisory board for the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of New Hampshire, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. He also received a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Babson College.

SESSION: Coolants v. Oil

IMTS 2022 marked the 30th anniversary of Mr. Wiley’s entrance into the world of metalworking coolants, cutting oils, and related manufacturing fluids. He was responsible for the technical memberships of Hangsterfer’s Laboratories, where he started in 1992, followed by Blaser Swisslube, and now QualiChem, Inc., where he has been since 2010. His experience has been earned in more than 35 countries, and covers a multitude of industries, applications, materials, and machine types. Currently serving as Director, Global Marketing for QualiChem, he has worked in sales, technical support, product development, and various management roles. He is a graduate of Boston University (BA Economics, ‘91) and Drexel University (MBA, ‘07).

SESSION: Designing Tools for Quality

Dan Wilson is the Director of Quality & Technical Services at Gray America Corp (GAC) for 3 Subsidiaries at 2 plant locations. He is responsible for 3 ISO9001:2015 Registered Quality Management Systems, Metallurgical Evaluation of Customer order/spec review, inquiries, material issues, Failure Analysis, Heat Treating, Hot Mill/Customer Quality Issues, Problem Solving and Metallurgical Testing.

Dan has over 30 years work experience in the Steel Industry, from primary steelmaking/casting to 4 cold finishing operations.  Dan is an ASTM Technical Subcommittee member, AIST Member, Cold finish Steel Bar Institute Technical Committee Member, ASQ Member and serves on the PMPA Quality Committee.

SESSION: Rapid Fire Technology

David Wynn holds an MBA from University of Tennessee . David is the Technical Services Manager for PMPA. David believes that everything and anything should be automated and is also a strong believer that to sustain continuous improvement you need to be a lifelong learner. David also has experience in computer programming, CNC programming and accounting. David has served on the PMPA’s Board of Directors and currently also serves on the PMPA’s IT Committee. 

SESSION: Designing Tools for Quality

Justin Zak is a Quality Engineer for Corey Steel Company in Cicero, IL.  Justin is the current Chair for PMPA’s Quality Committee.