AMS Conferences

Gary Allread holds a PhD from The Ohio State University, where he studied industrial ergonomics and biomechanics. He provides ergonomics consulting and training services to a wide range of clients, with the focus on preventing musculoskeletal disorders. Dr Allread has implemented ergonomics processes in several manufacturing and distribution facilities. He has published numerous articles related to injury development and prevention in such journals such as Ergonomics and Spine.

 

Mary Barra has global responsibility for the general assembly; controls, conveyors, robotics and welding; paint; and Advanced Vehicle Development Centres as well as the Industrial Engineering and GMS Implementation Councils. Additionally, she is responsible for pre-production operations in North America. Barra holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a BSc in Electrical Engineering.

 

Scott Bolt’s broad experience in engineering has provided a strong basis for the development of MAHLE Test Systems modular portable test platform (MPT), ReportLogiq web reporting system and the Ford eCATS manufacturing test system software. Prior to this, Bolt was the lead engineer (manufacturing test) at Ford for the F-Series trucks and E-Series vans and the Mazda 323 PCM module hardware design at Ford’s ELD department.

 

Erik Brodin has more than 27 years of multi-plant, Fortune 100 experience in production, area management, facilities engineering, process engineering and manufacturing quality and manufacturing planning. He is an experienced practitioner of lean manufacturing principles, union relations and negotiation with accomplishments in plan development and deployment, plant start-ups, facilities conversions and facilities shutdowns.

Jeremy Burne established his own business development and PR consultancy, NSJ International, after seven years serving as British Vice Consul (Commercial) in Cleveland. In that role, he helped many British and US firms establish trans-Atlantic business links and relationships, with a primary focus on trade and investment in the automotive sector. He was awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) in the 2002 Queen’s Birthday Honours list, for services to the British Motor Industry in the USA.

Nancy Carlson is responsible for developing sales revenue, business and strategic relationships with key global accounts such as DaimlerChrysler, Toyota, General Motors, Honda, Caterpillar, Wal-Mart and ExxonMobil's service station network. She is also responsible for the Mobil 1 global motor sports programme.

Tony Coomer’s responsibilities are to support all manufacturing operations in the areas of lean, Six Sigma, materials management, and logistics. His team supports more than 40 plants in JIT, metals, trim, and foam operations.

Tom Cousino is the plant manager at Ohio Module Manufacturing Corporation. He has spent the last 16 years working in the auto manufacuring industry with a strong background in automation. He joined Hyundai Mobis in 2006 prior to the launch of Supplier Park.

 

Bruce Coventry directs all activities of the joint venture company and reports to a three-party board of directors. He represents DaimlerChrysler while working with counterparts at Hyundai Motor Company and Mitsubishi Motors on the design, development and manufacturing processes of a new family of aluminum four-cylinder gasoline engines. Coventry will also lead a joint team responsible for manufacturing this World Engine in the United States.

 

Byron M Green is responsible for management of six manufacturing facilities in the US and more than 16,000 employees. The four activity vehicle plants under Green build the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Liberty, Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and Dodge Durango. He also oversees two truck plants that build the Dodge Ram and Dodge Dakota pickup trucks.

 

With 15 years of automotive experience, Kevin Hauser is the Cost Reduction Service Line Leader at technical consulting firm Ricardo Strategic Consulting. Prior to joining Ricardo he was a strategy consultant at AT Kearney and has held other leadership positions at Tier One suppliers and OEMs. He holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering and an MBA, both from the University of Michigan.

Michelle Hill’s primary responsibility is the development, management and execution of The Harbour Report North America, the authoritative guide to automotive manufacturing in North America. This year she is managing the launch of The Harbour Report South America. Before joining the Harbour team in 1999, Hill worked as a controller for an automotive supplier and also as a controller of an automotive tool and mould supplier.

 

Neil Jenkins is President and CEO of Gibbs Technologies Ltd, the world’s leading developer of high-speed amphibious (HSA) vehicles for consumer, commercial and military use. His career in the automotive industry includes work on Jaguar’s XJ220 super car, the Aston Martin DB7 Cabriolet and MGRV8. Jenkins is a Fellow of the Society of Engineers, the Institute of Engineering and Technology, and the Institute of Diagnostic Engineers.

 

Pawan Kale leads the MES Core team at Cummins project. He has been associated with manufacturing and manufacting IT projects for more than 10 years. He is responsible for enhancing core MES functionalities and deploying the same across Cummins plants. In his previous roles for various clients, Kale worked as MES programme manager to deploy MES systems globally, which include process optimisation and control, eDHR, tracking and genealogy, CAPA, data acquisition and process analysis, integration with ERP system and dashboards.

 

Peter Klüger’s responsibilities include product management in the areas of automotive industries, aerospace and medical applications, as well as cross-over-technologies like Safe Robots and Cooperating Robots. Prior roles with KUKA include future body shop concepts and industrial communication.

 

Jake Ladouceur is a former manager in Canadian operations for Body in White manufacturing at DCX. He launched JK (Jeep Wrangler) from inception in 2004 and currently directs KUKA’s only operational facility in the world. KTPO has just received the KUKA company of the year award out of 37 KUKA facilities in 16 countries throughout the world for the successful start up that occurred at the Toledo Supplier park.

 

Udi Naamani has over 15 years experience in introducing and implementing high-tech, cutting-edge technologies in the automotive industry, including Tecnomatix (OLP/MPM/PLM) and Cimatron (CAD/CAM). He now manages the US operations of CogniTens (a division of Hexagon Metrology), focusing on the application 3D non-contact dimensional measurement solutions for the automotive industry.

 

Jack O’Reilly became Dearborn’s mayor in February 2007 following 17 years as President of the Dearborn City Council – serving his full five terms in succession. He is actively involved in a variety of Dearborn community affairs and his roots in the region are extensive. He has significant experience in regional, State and Federal levels of government, including directing and supporting services for both family and business.

 

Dr Vallury Prabhakar has been in his current post since 2001 and is responsible for all operations in North America including sales, support and consulting. Prior to this, he worked at General Motors as engineering manager for maths-based manufacturing. Dr Prabhakar holds a Masters degree from Dartmouth College and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University.

 

Mark Stevens joined General Motors Fisher Body Division, Die Engineering Activity in 1977. Stevens has held numerous assignments in manufacturing engineering for GM, developing and implementing the maths-based systems for die engineering, design and construction. He has led the transition to 100 per cent solid model die design, sheet metal forming simulation, and press and automation simulation. Stevens is currently responsible for dies and presses worldwide for GM.

 

Neil Willetts is the Head of Product and Proposals Development, Welding and Assembly business unit of Comau Pico, based in Southfield, Michigan. He graduated from Aston University in Birmingham England with a Bachelor’s degree in Production Engineering and Production Management, followed by a Masters from Warwick University in Manufacturing Systems Engineering.