Steve Allison has a unique career spanning controls engineering, manufacturing systems, and OT cybersecurity. He holds a BS in Electronics Engineering Technology from Western Carolina University and a BS in Computer Science from UNC Asheville. Steve began his career as a controls engineer designing and building PC-based control systems for automated manufacturing and industrial environments, later transitioning into MES data collection architecture. Over time, this hands-on exposure to manufacturing operations and people enabled a natural evolution into OT cybersecurity, where he focuses on protecting Operational Technology (OT) systems he deeply understands. 

During his 23-year tenure at a Fortune 250 company, Steve held many roles including IT Site Lead, MES Data Collection Lead Architect, and OT Cybersecurity Associate Director. He led OT cybersecurity strategy and implementation for 90+ sites worldwide.  During that time, he became an SME for OT program development, risk management, training and awareness programs as well as technical solutions such as network security and segregation, endpoint security and vulnerability management. Outside of work, Steve has a passion for engineering and motorsports—designing and building race cars for his sons to drive, machining (manual and CNC), and 3D printing. He also played collegiate baseball, which is how he met his wife. 

Keith started his Emerson career in 2000 with Munger Company (now Experitec) in St. Louis, Missouri. He worked in the configuration services group with direct involvement in projects for Monsanto, Sterling Chemicals, Millennium, Mallinckrodt, Abgenics, and Eli Lilley. He then transitioned to the Refining and Chemical Industry Center (RCIC) where he was the Refining Configuration Manager supporting the Shell Deer Park, Motiva, and BP projects. In 2004 he expanded his role to include DeltaV SIS Implementation Manager and became a Certified Functional Safety Expert (CFSE) for Emerson. In this role he managed the DeltaV SIS qualification tests for Shell, Exxon, Chevron, Aramco, and BP. In 2007 he transferred to Austin, TX to become the Engineering Tools Product Marketing Manager and in 2010 transitioned to the DeltaV SIS Product Marketing Manager. In 2013 he managed the Modernization Solutions Group for a brief time as he transitioned to his current role as Director of DeltaV and DeltaV SIS Business Development.

Prior to Emerson, Keith worked at the Eastman Chemical Company in Longview, TX from 1990 – 2000 in the DCS Central Group.

Keith received a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Missouri at Rolla.

Ben is Senior Director of Strategic Growth, Enterprise Analytics & AI, at Seeq. Seeq is an industrial analytics and AI platform with a human-centric focus on the customer expert and driving strategic outcomes.  Ben has a degree in Chemical Engineering from Georgia Tech, but his career spans engineering, finance, business development, and enterprise IT/OT/cloud. He holds four patents for the application of augmented reality in an industrial setting, a particular area of interest. He coaches youth baseball in Orlando, Florida, where he lives with his wife, Nikki, and two teenage sons. 

Jackson Bridie: An Iowa native, Jackson holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University.  Since 2022, he has worked at Fisher headquarters in Marshalltown, IA as a sales & applications engineer focused on providing technical support for control valves and desuperheaters for power industry end-users and engineering contractors. 

Randy Byrum is a Reliability Solutions Consultant with R.E. Mason, partnering with industrial organizations across the Carolinas and Virginia to improve asset reliability, reduce unplanned downtime, and elevate maintenance performance. He specializes in helping customers move from reactive maintenance approaches to proactive, data-driven reliability strategies through predictive maintenance and condition monitoring. 

In his role, Randy collaborates closely with plant leadership, maintenance teams, and reliability engineers to identify failure risks, deploy monitoring technologies, and establish sustainable reliability processes. His expertise spans vibration analysis, asset health monitoring, and reliability best practices, enabling measurable gains in uptime, safety, and operational efficiency. 

Known for his practical, solutions-focused approach, Randy excels at translating complex reliability data into clear, actionable insights that drive real business results. Through his work, he supports R.E. Mason’s mission of helping customers achieve operational excellence and long-term reliability performance. 

Valve Industry Experience    

(1996-2000) Inside Sales Representative for an industrial valve distributor.  Responsible for handling incoming customer requests, specifying product, quoting jobs, and processing orders.  (2000-2004) Outside Sales Account Manager calling on customers in the central and western half of Virginia.  (2004-2014) Area Manager for Emerson’s Lifecyle Service Center in Richmond, VA.  Responsible for daily management of operations, including in-house valve repairs, field service, turnaround engagements, ES&H program, and HR related activities.  (2015-Present) Business Development Manager focused on the growth of Emerson’s Valve Condition Monitoring program.

Brandon Carter is a Reliability Services Manager and Solutions Consultant with R.E. Mason, based in Charlotte, North Carolina. He brings more than 29 years of experience delivering reliability solutions focused on machinery protection, condition monitoring, and diagnostic systems across a wide range of industrial environments. Brandon has deep expertise in turbine supervisory instrumentation and large rotating equipment, supporting both new installations and modernization efforts for critical assets. 

Throughout his career, Brandon has led complex projects from concept through commissioning, working closely with customers to apply the right technologies to improve equipment reliability, safety, and long-term performance. Prior to joining R.E. Mason, he served as Managing Member of SITES, LLC for over 20 years, where he built and led field service teams supporting reliability programs across power generation, pulp and paper, chemical, and heavy industrial facilities. In his current role, Brandon partners with customers as a trusted advisor, aligning reliability strategy with practical, field-proven solutions. 

Bryan Cartwright is R.E. Mason’s Mechanical Services Sales Leader. He has spent the last 29+ years in the Emerson Impact Network working to deliver valve service solutions to valued customers. Bryan is fluent in Fisher Certified Repair, Isolation and control valve repair, Instrumentation, Flowscanner and AMS ValveLink diagnostics, Lift Assist Testing (LAT) as well as Valve Repair (VR) and Test Only (TO) certifications for safety relief valves. 

With nearly 30 years of experience supporting BAS initiatives, Phil brings a strong problem-solving mindset and commitment to customer satisfaction. Having collaborated with R.E. Mason on several large capital projects, he developed a deep respect for the team’s professionalism and customer-focused approach, which ultimately inspired his transition to Apperture Solutions. In his current role as Practice Lead, Phil combines a strong instinct for understanding customer needs with the ability to implement innovative solutions that drive building automation excellence across a wide range of industries. 

Jake Cline is the Lifecycle Services Manager – Charlotte within the Systems and Solutions – PSS department at R.E. Mason.

In this role, Jake leads the Lifecycle Services and IT/OT engineering teams, overseeing the delivery of cybersecurity, lifecycle, and advanced services that support customers throughout the full lifecycle of their automation and control systems. His responsibilities include team leadership, technical oversight, and ensuring service delivery aligns with customer needs and industry best practices.

Jake manages a multidisciplinary team of engineers and specialists supporting areas such as IT/OT cybersecurity, lifecycle services, and industrial network infrastructure, providing strategic direction while remaining actively engaged in complex customer environments. His work includes hands‑on involvement in network assessments, system documentation, and service planning for critical customer systems

Josh Cloninger is the Director of Life Sciences Business Development at R.E. Mason, the Emerson Impact Partner serving North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. With more than three decades at R.E. Mason, Josh brings a rare blend of technical depth and commercial leadership developed through progressive roles spanning Inside Applications Engineering, Account Management, and Sales Leadership. He partners closely with life sciences organizations to align automation, MoM, and data strategies with business objectives, helping drive scalable, compliant, and future-ready manufacturing operations.

Ron Eastep is a Data Enablement Practice Lead and Digital Solutions Consultant with the Apperture Solutions, helping industrial organizations unlock value from operational data. He brings 25+ years of experience in process automation, control systems, and manufacturing operations across chemical, energy, pulp & paper, and life sciences industries. Ron specializes in connecting control systems, analytics, and digital platforms to improve reliability, safety, and performance. Known for his practical, operationsfocused approach, he works closely with plant and reliability teams to deliver scalable, sustainable solutions. Ron holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Virginia Tech and an MBA from Winthrop University, and is based in Charlotte, NC. 

Quincy Evans is a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, where he earned a degree in Applied Engineering Technology. He has spent the past 10 years at R.E. Mason. Quincy began his career at R.E. Mason as an Automation Engineer, gaining hands-on experience designing, implementing control systems  and migrating competitive systems. He currently serves as the Manager of the Charlotte Automation Team at R.E. Mason, where he provides technical leadership, mentorship, and strategic direction. Quincy is known for his deep technical expertise and commitment to delivering reliable, forward-thinking automation solutions. 

Mark Foley is the IT/OT Practice Leader R.E. Mason and Apperture Solutions.

In this role, Mark provides technical and strategic leadership for IT/OT services, overseeing advanced services related to industrial automation systems, lifecycle services, and OT cybersecurity. He supports the development and delivery of customer‑facing services while helping guide technical standards, service offerings, and best practices across the organization.

Mark leads and supports multiple Lifecycle Services and IT/OT engineering teams, including managers and senior engineers across Charlotte, Raleigh‑Durham, and other regions. His scope includes oversight of complex customer environments, service strategy, and continuous improvement of customer‑facing deliverables and technical methodologies.

With deep hands‑on experience in DeltaV systems, Mark has supported and led work on large‑scale upgrades, system splits, and modernization initiatives for customers across regulated and industrial environments. His background includes expertise in virtualization, system lifecycle planning, and performance and reliability services.

Valve Industry Experience: 

(1997-2007) US Navy Machinist Mate Submarines. (2007-2008) Emerson’s Lifecyle Service Center Columbia, SC Fisher Valve Technician. (2008-2010). Emerson’s Lifecyle Service Center Nuclear Valve Technician, Columbia, SC   Responsible for Nuclear plant outage support. (2010-2013) Emerson’s Lifecyle Service Center Shop Lead, Benicia, CA. Responsible for day-to-day field and shop repair, technician support and training. (2013-2018) Emerson’s Lifecyle Service Center Charleston, SC Field Service Engineer. Responsible for day-to-day field and shop valve repair, with focus on customer support in the Charleston, SC region. (2018-Present) North America Valve Condition Monitoring Project Manager. Focus is on the daily operation of Emerson Valve Condition Monitoring program. 

Ian Green is the Steam Solutions Business Development Manager at RE Mason with 37 years in the steam industry. He spent 29 years at Spirax Sarco in the UK and U.S. across R&D and senior application engineering, followed by eight years in outside sales. His expertise—steam distribution and trap management, heat transfer, and condensate recovery—drives measurable energy, gas, and water savings, including a Bishopville, SC project that replaced electric heating with steam. 

Bruce Greenwald is the DeltaV Platform Business Development Sales Director for Emerson Automation Solutions, located in Austin, TX.  In his current role, Mr. Greenwald assists Life Sciences customers globally in understanding the features and benefits of Emerson and DeltaV DCS to improve their automation experience.  Mr. Greenwald is a 1979 graduate of the University of Kansas with a degree in Chemical Engineering.  He started his career with the Dow Chemical in Freeport, TX and joined Fisher Controls in 1983 as a systems engineer.  Mr. Greenwald joined the RE Mason Company, an Emerson Impact Partner, in 2000, executing PROVOX and DeltaV projects.  He held several positions at RE Mason, and in 2011, rejoined Emerson.  His 5 decade-long career has been focused on process control. 

Mike Hancock, Digital Business Development Manager, joined Emerson in 2024 bringing 30 years of experience in advanced hardware and software development and integration.  Hancock applies his technology expertise to Fisher’s leading edge digital products with a focus on the Valve Health Application for 24/7 monitoring of control valves for enhanced reliability, process up-time, and related business performance. 

Harrison Hix is a Project Delivery Lead in the Systems and Solutions – PSS department at R.E. Mason, supporting customers from the Greenville, South Carolina area.

In his role, Harrison is responsible for coordinating and delivering complex automation and systems projects, working closely with internal technical teams and customers to ensure projects are executed efficiently and aligned with customer expectations. His work supports the successful deployment, testing, and readiness of industrial and process control solutions across a variety of customer environments

Harrison brings a strong background in engineering and customer-facing project support, with previous roles that included responsibilities as an Automation Engineer and Customer Success Manager, providing him with a well-rounded perspective that bridges technical execution and customer outcomes

Harrison is a graduate of Clemson University and remains actively engaged with customers and internal teams across the Southeast

John Hodge is a Facility Automation Services Manager at  Apperture Solutions.

In his role, John leads the Facility Automation services team, overseeing the delivery of automation solutions that support compliant, reliable, and sustainable facility operations. His responsibilities include team leadership, project oversight, and coordination of automation services across pharmaceutical, life sciences, and industrial customer environments.

John manages a multidisciplinary group of Facility Automation Engineers, providing direction on staffing, service execution, and customer engagement while supporting both ongoing operations and new project initiatives. He works closely with internal leadership and customers to align automation services with business priorities and long‑term operational goals.

Mark Holden is currently the Chief Manufacturing and Technology Officer at Indorama Ventures, a leading global sustainable chemical company headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand. As the world’s largest producer and recycler of PET resins and manufacturer of materials across a wide variety of industries, the company operates over 100 facilities across 30 plus countries. Since earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering at Clemson University and spending his early career days as a process and process controls engineer, Mark has held positions of increasing responsibility through Technical Operations and Site Management prior to assuming corporate Vice President roles.  

Drew Mackley is the Director of Sales Enablement, Reliability Solutions at Emerson Automation Solutions, a global leader in industrial automation technology. He brings more than 25 years of experience in predictive maintenance, asset performance management, and machinery health programs across diverse industrial sectors. 

In his role, Drew focuses on enabling global sales teams with the technical knowledge, strategic insight, and tools necessary to support customers on their digital transformation journeys—helping them improve operational efficiency, safety, and performance through modern asset monitoring and analytics solutions. 

Drew’s extensive industry experience includes working directly with customers worldwide to establish and expand machinery health management programs, integrate advanced sensing technologies, and adopt predictive and prescriptive maintenance practices. He’s widely recognized for his ability to translate complex reliability and condition-monitoring technology into practical, business-impacting solutions. 

An accomplished thought leader, Drew contributes regularly to industry publications and speaks at key events on topics such as AI-driven maintenance strategies, edge analytics, and reliability-centered digital transformation. His insights have appeared in outlets including Plant Services, Automation World, and Food Engineering. 

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee and is based in Knoxville, Tennessee. 

Chris Marsengill is an IT/OT Cybersecurity Specialist in the Systems and Solutions – PSS department at R.E. Mason.

In his current role, Chris supports customers by conducting industrial cybersecurity assessments and applying industry-recognized best practices aligned with standards such as NIST, ISA/IEC 62443, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security guidance. His work includes participating as an Emerson-certified engineer on cybersecurity assessments for operational technology environments, delivering detailed findings and recommendations to improve system security and resilience. 

David Milks is one of R.E. Mason’s Service Managers and brings over 25 years’ experience in maintenance, construction and rebuilding mobile and fixed equipment in the military, federal, and private sectors on three continents and has held positions including Technician, SME, Foreman, Supervisor, Maintenance Manager and Site Manger.  He currently manages service sales and execution for R.E. Mason in the state of Virginia and has introduced new services to customers by extending the service offerings of the company.  

Steve Murray is the MES Solutions Manager for Apperture Solutions.

In his role, Steve provides leadership for Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) initiatives, supporting customers as they design, implement, and optimize digital manufacturing solutions. He leads multidisciplinary teams of software engineers and MES specialists delivering solutions that improve production visibility, operational consistency, and data‑driven decision‑making across complex manufacturing environments.

As Apperture’s MOM Practice Lead, Steve focuses on helping customers connect operational data across systems, translating manufacturing data into actionable insights that support performance, quality, and compliance objectives. His work supports both enterprise‑level digital manufacturing strategies and site‑specific MES implementations, particularly in regulated and industrial settings.

Steve manages and mentors a growing team of MES engineers and software developers across the Raleigh‑Durham and surrounding regions, providing direction on solution architecture, delivery standards, and best practices. He works closely with customers and internal stakeholders to align MES and MOM solutions with broader operational and business goals

Jesse Parker is the North America Lifecycle Services Business Development Manager at Emerson, focused on DeltaV subscription software and cybersecurity solutions. With a background in IT leadership and technical education, he brings hands-on operational experience and strategic insight to helping customers modernize lifecycle service strategies, strengthen their security posture, and drive long-term, recurring value.

Keyur Patel is a Senior AI Engineer  for Apperture Solutions.

In his role, Keyur supports the design, development, and application of artificial intelligence and advanced analytics solutions that enable data‑driven decision‑making and operational efficiency across the organization. He collaborates closely with internal technology teams and business stakeholders to support AI initiatives that align with enterprise systems and operational priorities.

Keyur is actively involved in internal technology initiatives and cross‑functional collaboration, contributing to AI‑related content and materials used in company forums and meetings. His work supports the ongoing evolution of data, analytics, and intelligent automation capabilities within the organization.

Christopher Porter, Solution Consultant for Life Sciences at Emerson, has over 30 years of experience in Operations, Process Control, Automation, and Consulting. His background is in small molecule products, specialty chemicals, and polymers. 

In his current role, Chris is responsible for digitally transforming the recipe authoring, scheduling, and execution systems of clients by architecting solutions and strategies using Emerson’s best-in-class software. 

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering and a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, both from Louisiana State University. 

Sean Raymond is the Technology Solutions Manager with Emerson Automation Solutions in Marshalltown, IA. He leads the Technology Solutions Team and Global Technical Support teams for Fisher Instrument products. Sean was a Principal Instructor with Emerson Educational Services in Marshalltown, and was the lead instructor for Valve Engineering, FIELDVUE Instrumentation, FOUNDATION fieldbus, and AMS Device Manager schools. Prior to joining Emerson, Sean worked as a Lead Instrumentation Technician for a Pulp and Paper manufacturer in Lewiston, ID. He was Senior Process Control Technician for a Biotech company in San Francisco and Vacaville, CA. Sean has more than 30 years of process industry experience, is a senior member of the International Society for Automation, and was a Certified Control Systems Technician, as well as a Licensed Journeyman Electrician

Chris Rugaard serves as the North America Business Development Manager for Pressure Relief Device and Tank Protection Monitoring at Emerson, based in Stafford, Texas. In this role, he partners with customers to enhance operational reliability, optimize production, and advance safety and sustainability initiatives through innovative monitoring and protection solutions.  Prior to joining Emerson, Chris spent more than 13 years supporting refining, petrochemical, power generation, and LNG customers across Texas. He brings extensive expertise in pressure protection applications, process optimization, and the implementation of solutions designed to mitigate operational and compliance risks. 

Zach Sample is President of Onyx 360, where he leads strategy, operations, and growth for a company focused on advanced industrial software and simulation solutions. With over a decade of experience in industrial automation and digital twin solutions, Zach works at the intersection of engineering, operations, and software to help manufacturers modernize how complex facilities are designed, operated, and optimized. 

Preston Schaaf: Preston Schaaf is a control valve technical specialist for Emerson at the Fisher headquarters in Marshalltown, IA. Preston is dedicated to the power industry and works to solve problems for our customers both in existing applications and for new projects. He holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in Materials Engineering and has a background in steel casting.

Eric Snyder is a seasoned reliability and asset management expert with deep experience in process automation and industrial optimization. He serves as Business Development Manager for AMS Device Manager at Emerson, where he focuses on field device management, predictive diagnostics, and lifecycle software solutions that help industrial operations improve uptime, safety, and performance. 

Eric joined Emerson in June 1996, bringing over 29 years of experience in reliability solutions and asset optimization within the process control industry. In his role, he is responsible for leading Emerson’s AMS Device Manager in North America, helping customers extract value from intelligent field devices across complex manufacturing environments. He regularly authors industry articles and presents at conferences and workshops on topics such as intelligent device management, reliability best practices, and digital transformation. 

Eric is also a patent holder (US Patent 7,152,072) for technology related to importing asset data into process plant systems, underscoring his technical leadership in software-enabled reliability solutions. 

Outside of work, he enjoys downhill skiing, genealogy, and investing, and lives in Concord, MA, with his family. 

Mike Virnelson is the Technology Leader for Apperture Solutions.

Mike provides leadership across enterprise technology, software development, and data enablement, supporting both internal operations and customer‑facing technology initiatives. He leads teams responsible for Software Development and Data Enablement, focusing on the application of advanced analytics, machine learning, and modern software practices to solve complex operational challenges—particularly in regulated and industrial environments.

Originally hired as part of R.E. Mason’s Enterprise Application Development team, Mike was later promoted to lead the entire IT organization, where he was responsible not only for implementing enterprise systems, but also for building and augmenting many of the platforms deployed across the business. In his current role supporting Apperture Solutions, he continues to guide the development and customization of technology solutions, often extending off‑the‑shelf platforms with additional modules or algorithms to meet specific customer needs.

Mike’s background includes experience in the aerospace industry, where he developed expertise in robotics, controls, MES, engineering, and software development, and first recognized the emerging importance of data analytics and machine learning in industrial systems. He is a strong proponent of agile and Scrum methodologies, leveraging cross‑functional teams to deliver scalable and effective technology solutions.

Stephen West joined Emerson in 2009 and currently serves as a Business Development Manager, bringing more than 25 years of global experience across leadership, operations, maintenance, reliability, asset optimization, engineering, and consulting roles. 

He specializes in AMS Device Manager–enabled Reliability Services, helping organizations advance Plant Asset Management strategies and achieve firstquartile performance. Stephen has supported major manufacturing and heavy industry clients worldwide, partnering with leadership teams to improve operational reliability, drive measurable performance gains, and deliver sustainable asset optimization outcomes. 

His background combines deep technical expertise with practical operational insight, enabling him to translate reliability best practices into real-world business value.