Event partner announced

Falcon Electric is an ISA Automation Week Partner.

ISA Corporate Partnerships Program

ISA’s Corporate Partnerships Program offers companies customized packages, combining ISA products and services with marketing opportunities across all channels, and providing a streamlined approach to corporate sponsorship. Three partnership levels are offered: ISA Strategic Partners, ISA Corporate Partners, and ISA Automation Week Partners. The program, in its fourth year, is limited to a select group of companies at each level to maintain the highest level of visibility for each partner.

Falcon Electric’s partnership agreement with ISA ensures that the company and its solutions will gain privileged brand exposure and marketing promotion at ISA Automation Week 2013, the premier international event for automation and control professionals scheduled for November 2013 in Nashville (TN USA).

In addition, the partnership has paved the way for an educational webinar developed jointly through the input of subject matter experts from both companies. The seminar, “Protecting Automated Systems in Harsh Environments,” to be held 30 April 2013 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., eastern standard time, will discuss how to protect automated systems against disruptive and costly power interruptions.

This is a highly informative session, particularly valuable to help electrical design engineers, project managers and plant/maintenance operators better understand the power requirements of critical automation equipment, and learn how to improve system uptime and reliability.

“Falcon Electric is excited to become an ISA Automation Week Partner,” said Ron Seredian, Vice President of Marketing for Falcon Electric. “Given that ISA Automation Week draws such a highly engaged group of automation and control professionals and decision-makers, we are eager to gain opportunities to promote our power protection expertise, and build a strong dialogue with attendees. In addition, our partnership with ISA enables us to explore new ways to collaborate with ISA and leverage our mutual strengths. Our joint webinar in April, focusing on the challenges of power protection in harsh environments, is a great example.”

“ISA is proud to welcome Falcon Electric as an ISA Automation Week Partner,” states Jennifer Infantino, ISA’s Manager of Marketing, Communications, and Corporate Partnerships. “We’re eager for ISA members and the automation and control community at large to learn more about Falcon Electric’s power solutions.”

Session presenters include power industry veteran, Michael A. Stout, Vice President of Engineering at Falcon Electric, and a highly recognized authority on computer and industrial automation, and power conversion; and Lawrence (Larry) Thompson, an ISA subject matter expert and author who has extensive career and teaching background in electronics, measurement and control, and computer networking.

Excellent Automation leader!

Paul J. Galeski, CEO and Founder of Maverick Technologies, is to be presented with the ISA Excellence in Leadership Award during its 50^th Annual ISA Honors and Awards Gala, 24 September 2012 in Orlando (FL USA).

The Excellence in Leadership Award honors an individual who has made significant contributions to advance industry and the automation profession. Galeski, a licensed professional engineer and a Certified Automation Professional^® (CAP^®), is recognized for creating a paradigm shift in systems integration by establishing and leading two cutting-edge firms to global prominence in less than 10 years.

Galeski founded Maverick Technologies in 1999 with the intent of becoming a global resource dedicated to helping manufacturing businesses reach new levels of success. Over the past decade, Maverick has worked with hundreds of world-class clients to devise unique approaches, enhance productivity, reduce costs and improve safety through the innovative application of industrial automation, enterprise integration and operational consulting.

The company traces its roots to Magnum Technologies, which Galeski co-founded in 1989. Under his leadership, Magnum grew to national US prominence in less than a decade, and was acquired by General Electric in 1997. Galeski applied this successful enterprise experience to the development of the Magnum business plan, which quickly garnered global growth and recognition. Within six years, he was able to buy back Magnum and the other constituents of the General Electric Automation Services (GEAS) group: Team Controls, Instrument Control Services and C.F. Picou Associates. In addition to its organic growth, the acquisition of GEAS, helped the company expand its business in key vertical markets and became the largest privately held, independent control systems integrator in the United States.

As of today, Maverick has successfully completed more than 10,000 projects in 45 countries across six continents and has grown to over 500 engineers and 19 US based locations. In July 2012, they unveiled their latest innovation—PlantFloor24, the world’s first full-service, platform-independent, 24/7 hardware, software and process support solution.

“Paul is an industrial automation visionary. He combines technical acumen with strategic focus and business intelligence, leading not one but two successful automation companies in less than a decade,” commented 2012 ISA President Robert E. Lindeman, CAP, PMP. “Paul is innovative, driven and passionate about the solutions that MAVERICK offers, but he’s also dedicated to the development of MAVERICK’s employees. He has been a contributor to several important initiatives to advance the profession of automation, including the Automation Federation’s work on the Automation Competency Model and ISA’s Certified Automation Professional^® (CAP^®) certification program. I had the opportunity to teach a CAP preparation course at MAVERICK, and was impressed by the professionalism and enthusiasm of his employees. Paul has every characteristic we look for in a leader, and we’re proud to honor him with this award.”

Galeski, who is an ISA Fellow, also holds a Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from Southern Illinois University, and is a graduate of the GE Executive Management School and the Harvard Business School Presidents' Program.

Automation in the magic kingdom! Greg Hale to address #ISAutowk 2012 in September

Greg B. Hale, chief safety officer and vice president, Worldwide Standards and Auditing, with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts will be the keynote speaker to open ISA Automation Week 2012. The conference is scheduled for 24-27 September 2012 at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida, USA.

In his address, slated for 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, 25 September, Hale will discuss the automation and technology that make the magic of Disney come alive. He leads a global team of ride design, operations and maintenance professionals that keep Disney on the leading edge of theme-park safety, accessibility for guests with disabilities and technological advancements.

As an inventor and engineer working for the world’s greatest entertainment company, Hale believes everyone should “do what you are passionate about…and be passionate about what you do.”

Hale received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from the University of Mississippi in 1976 and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Florida. In 1988, he joined Walt Disney World Co. and has held several key positions including director of Facilities and Attractions Regulatory Compliance and director of Ride and Show Engineering. Prior to his present position, he was vice president of Design and Engineering and Regulatory Compliance.

Hale pro-actively participates in national standards committees and has been recognized for his work on accessibility standards for persons with disabilities and for amusement-ride safety standards and training. He is a member of the Amusement Industry Manufacturers and Suppliers International (AIMS) Educational Advisory Board. He has lead safety conferences and workshops throughout the US and in more than 15 countries. In 2010, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) awarded him the Outstanding Service Award, which is the highest honor IAAPA presents to an individual member or an organization.

Additionally, Hale is an active member of the (USA) National Safety Council (NSC) where he serves on the Board of Delegates and is a former Board of Directors member.

Hale served on the U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board’s Recreation Access Advisory Committee, and he has contributed to numerous innovations and inventions that have advanced accessibility for persons with disabilities. Some of the more recent are handheld captioning for the deaf and audio descriptions for the blind that for the first time provide captioning and audio descriptions on moving rides and attractions. In addition, he is a co-inventor and patent holder for Disney’s FASTPASS®, eliminating long lines at Disney theme park rides and attractions. He holds 19 US and foreign patents.

Hale is also an enthusiastic supporter of the FIRST® Program (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and serves on the FIRST Executive Advisory Board. This program brings students and engineers together to compete in head-to-head science and technology robotics competitions. FIRST reaches thousands of students each year to interest and inspire them in science, math and technology. The Automation Federation and ISA are Alliance Partners with FIRST.

Celebrating automation excellence

Recognition of outstanding achievement by one’s peers is highly valued. For more than 50 years ISA’s awards program has provided a forum for recognition of significant technical contributions to the automation community and dedicated service to advance the mission of the Society.

ISA to celebrate automation excellence!

This year ISA is introducing Celebrating Excellence – an updated program with award categories which recognize excellence in leadership, excellence in Society service, excellence in both corporate and individual technical innovation, and excellence in education.

One new award, which recognises a company whose contributions and innovations have enhanced social value by providing a solution to a significant current social, economic, technical, and/or environmental challenge will be presented for the first time this year. Members are urged to review the Excellence in Corporate Technical Innovation Award. ISA feels confident that their thoughts will turn toward corporate accomplishments that deserve consideration for this prestigious recognition.

Those selected for recognition will be honored at the 2012 ISA Honors & Awards Gala on 24 September in Orlando (FL USA) which will preceed the annual Automation Week.

Nominations are submitted online. The nomination deadline is 15 April so act quickly!

• Note: Only members of ISA can submit nominations. If you are not currently a member, we encourage you to review the ISA membership options, including Automation Community Member, an entry level membership available at no charge.

New concept in awards introduced by automation society!

This time of year our attention is focussed on the many awards ceremonies especially in the entertainment, the Grammys, BAFTA, IFTA and the daddy of the all the Oscars! The Automation industry also has a system of recognising the imagination, innovation, pioneering and sheer hard work of automation professionals.

Recently the International Society of Instrumentation (ISA) conducted a major revision of their honours and awards programme. Peer recognition of outstanding achievement has always been valued by ISA’s membership both internationally and in the individual sections. Indeed we recently reported on such a ceremony at the Ireland Section.

ISA has a long-standing tradition of honoring those who have made significant technical contributions to the automation community and those who have given dedicated service to advance the mission of the Society. It recognises that to be meaningful, recognition must be relevant. Following an in-depth analysis of the Society’s awards, the ISA Executive Board approved a major revision to ISA’s awards program last year.

Thus they are now introducing Celebrating Excellence - ISA's awards program that recognises excellence in leadership, excellence in Society service, excellence in corporate and individual technical innovation, and excellence in education.

Nelson Ninan, former ISA President and this years's Chair of their H&A Committee advises, "In addition to the traditional process of nomination and committee review process, Celebrating Excellence  introduces the Member's Choice Awards, a concept very different from anything that has been done previously within ISA’s awards program. In Member's Choice, members control the process from nomination to selection of the honoree.  Intrigued?  We hope so."

Members are now invited to review the Celebrating Excellence award categories. "We are confident your thoughts will turn toward individuals who deserve consideration for one or more of these prestigious recognitions." The 2012 Celebrating Excellence nomination window will be opening in a few days.

"Get ready to begin Celebrating Excellence!" concludes Chair Ninan!

The awards will be presented at Automation Week in Orlando in September 2012.

Examining the automation market

ARC Advisory Group is once again a partner for ISA Automation Week (#ISAutoWk). This annual event brings together end users, manufacturers, industry organizations, and the press for three days of informative automation technology and problem-solving presentations along with exhibits by key technology providers.

ARC is hosting a mini-forum at Automation Week 2011, ARC Inside:  Automation Market Outlook and Business Performance Strategies for 2012 and Beyond, where ARC Analysts will share results of timely market research and provide useful recommendations to help companies prosper in highly competitive global markets.  Presentations include:

Building on the success of their previous collaboration, ARC complements ISA’s excellent practical programs by providing a strategic perspective for managers and practitioners of process automation.  The combined programs will provide the broad insight necessary for the workforce to navigate the increasing challenges ahead.  Understanding the future landscape will help organizations focus on the appropriate automation strategies and investments during an uncertain economic landscape.