A3 Boards of Directors
A3 Directors and Technology Strategy Boards
In serving the automation industry, Directors play a vital role in helping our member companies grow and succeed.
Meet the A3 Board of Directors and Members of the Technology Strategy Boards
The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) is led and governed by the A3 Board of Directors. We also have Technology Strategy Boards in Robotics, Vision & Imaging, and Motion Control & Motors that provide strategic direction and help us stay on top of industry trends and needs. These boards are key to the success of the industry association. Our directors demonstrate expertise in their field, hold a position of industry leadership and a strong desire and commitment to selflessly help the industry. They are elected by the membership to serve two year terms.
If you are interested in serving on one of the Technology Strategy Boards, please contact A3. Calls for nominations are sent yearly to all members.
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A3 Board of Directors
Chairperson
Darcy Bachert
CEO
Prolucid Technologies Inc.
President
Jeffrey Burnstein
A3 President
Association for Advancing Automation
Member
Steve Kinney
Director of Training + Technical Solutions
Smart Vision Lights
Member
Nick Sischka
Director, Imaging Product Development
Edmund Optics
Member
Peter Zafiro
General Manager
LinMot USA, Inc.
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A3 Robotics Technology Strategy Board
President
Jeffrey Burnstein
A3 President
Association for Advancing Automation
Member
Christelle Keefer
Education Director, Robotics Business Unit
ABB Inc.
Member
Stuart C. Shepherd
President
Shepherd Solutions, Inc.
Member
Suzanne M. Teele
Chief Strategy Officer
ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute
A3 Staff Liaison
Alex Shikany
Executive Vice President
Association for Advancing Automation
A3 Vision & Imaging Technology Strategy Board
President
Jeffrey Burnstein
A3 President
Association for Advancing Automation
A3 Staff Liaison
Dana Whalls
Vice President
Association for Advancing Automation
A3 Motion Control & Motors Technology Strategy Board
1st Vice Chairperson
Peter Zafiro
General Manager
LinMot USA, Inc.
President
Jeffrey Burnstein
A3 President
Association for Advancing Automation
A3 Staff Liaison
Dana Whalls
Vice President
Association for Advancing Automation
A3 Artificial Intelligence Technology Strategy Board
President
Jeffrey Burnstein
A3 President
Association for Advancing Automation
Member
Gregory Hollows
Vice President, Product Strategy
Edmund Optics
A3 Staff Liaison
Robert Huschka
Vice President of Education Strategies
Association for Advancing Automation
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Mexico Advisory Board
President
Jeffrey Burnstein
A3 President
Association for Advancing Automation
Member
Xavier Diez Millan
Business Development
Edmund Optics
A3 Staff Liaison
Claudia Rodriguez
A3 Mexico Markering Manager
Association for Advancing Automation
A3 Staff Member
Deb Kling
Vice President of Marketing
Association for Advancing Automation
Market Intelligence Committee
The Market Intelligence Committee of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) plays a pivotal role in guiding the association's strategic activities and ensuring alignment with member needs. Through its expertise in analyzing industry trends, market performance, and emerging opportunities, the committee provides valuable insights that shape A3’s initiatives, events, and resources. By identifying key challenges and opportunities within the robotics, vision and imaging, motion control, and AI sectors, the committee helps A3 prioritize efforts that deliver maximum value to members. This collaborative approach ensures that A3 remains a forward-thinking leader in the automation industry, addressing the evolving demands of its diverse membership.
Member
Gregory Hollows
Vice President, Product Strategy
Edmund Optics
A3 Staff Liaison
Alex Shikany
Executive Vice President
Association for Advancing Automation
A3 Marketing Committee
The A3 Marketing Committee is dedicated to expanding the influence of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) while enhancing member experience and marketing offerings. Comprising innovative industry leaders, the committee collaborates to expand the impact of A3’s brand and the transformative benefits of automating across industries. Together, the committee generates strategies and designs cooperative marketing programs that fairly and effectively highlight member organizations, showcasing automation as a driver of innovation, efficiency, and growth.
Member
Marc Mustard
Head of Communications
ABB Inc.
A3 Staff Liaison
Deb Kling
Vice President of Marketing
Association for Advancing Automation
A3 Robotics Standards Development Committee (SDC)
The A3 Robotics Standards Development Committee is a committee of robotics experts who provide guidance to the Robotics Technology Strategy Board on all things related to standards in robotics.
Member
Jeff Dale Pratt
Senior Corporate Safety & Environmental Engineer
Crown Equipment Corporation
Member
Stuart C. Shepherd
President
Shepherd Solutions, Inc.
A3 Staff Liaison
Carole Franklin
Director of Standards Development
Association for Advancing Automation
A3 Staff Liaison
Maren Roush
Manager of Standards Development
Association for Advancing Automation
A3 Staff Liaison
Marla Wills
Standards Coordinator
Association for Advancing Automation
A3 Vision Standards Committee
The A3 Vision Standards Committee is a committee of vision experts who provide guidance to the Vision Technology Strategy Board on all things vision standards related.
Member
Eric Carey
Vice President and General Manager
Teledyne DALSA
A3 Staff Liaison
Bob McCurrach
Director of Standards Development
Association for Advancing Automation
A3 Staff Member
Robert Huschka
Vice President of Education Strategies
Association for Advancing Automation
A3 Staff Member
Marla Wills
Standards Coordinator
Association for Advancing Automation
A3 Education Committee
The A3 Education Committee unites industry leaders, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations to foster collaboration between the automation industry and education. The committee champions education, training, and workforce development initiatives across secondary, post-secondary, and incumbent workforce programs. It also oversees key efforts such as selecting the A3 Educator of the Year, supporting the Education Pavilion at Automate, organizing Educator Day at Automate, and contributing to various trade shows and events.
Member
Jerry Gintz
Professor
Arizona State University
Member
Christelle Keefer
Education Director, Robotics Business Unit
ABB Inc.
Member
Lisa Masciantonio
Chief Workforce Officer
ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute
Member
Nick Sischka
Director, Imaging Product Development
Edmund Optics
A3 Staff Liaison
Robert Huschka
Vice President of Education Strategies
Association for Advancing Automation
A3 Staff Member
Joshua Ebert
Curriculum Development Manager
Association for Advancing Automation
A3 Staff Member
Mackenzie Johnson
Conference Manager
Association for Advancing Automation
A3 Staff Member
Deb Kling
Vice President of Marketing
Association for Advancing Automation
A3 Staff Member
Ritch Ramey
Director of Education
Association for Advancing Automation