Alberto is a Wind Performance Engineer at Colbún, where he leads initiatives in reliability, asset health, and performance analytics across the company's wind energy portfolio. With over five years of experience in renewable energy, Alberto specializes in implementing Asset Performance Management (APM) systems and using real-time data to support critical-decision making. He currently oversees condition monitoring for Chile's largest installed capacity of wind assets (~1.2 GW), spearheads advanced analytics platform deployment, and supports long-term production planning. His work with the Canary System is helping Colbún streamline KPI tracking and optimize fleet performance across multiple wind farms.
Alberto enjoys painting—both digital illustrations and traditional media—and working out at the gym during his free time. These activities help him balance creativity and discipline in his daily life.
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.
Ben 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.
Brian Toler is a Manager at RoviSys within the Specialty Chemicals division and serves as the Market Manager for Paints, Coatings, and Adhesives. With nearly 20 years of experience in the automation and controls industry, Brian has supported customers and led projects across nearly every continent. While his current focus is on Chemicals and Advanced Materials, Brian brings a broad perspective from working in diverse industries, including Food & Beverage, Life Sciences, Glass Manufacturing, Robotics, and Automotive. He is known for his customer-first approach—actively listening to clients to understand their operational challenges and guiding them through legacy system migrations and digital transformation initiatives. Brian helps organizations define and sponsor successful automation and digitalization strategies, delivering measurable value and long-term results.
Brian enjoys home improvement projects, coaching youth sports, golfing, and fishing.
Chris Brooks is the Director of IT and Compliance at Canary Labs, where he has been a cornerstone of the organization for over 14 years. In this role, Chris leads the development and execution of the company’s IT strategy while ensuring strict adherence to industry compliance standards, including SOC 2 Type 2.
His leadership has been pivotal in establishing a secure, scalable infrastructure that underpins Canary’s mission to deliver dependable industrial data solutions across critical sectors. With a rare blend of technical expertise and regulatory insight, Chris effectively bridges the gap between innovation and governance.
Throughout his tenure, he has played a central role in shaping Canary’s security posture, cultivating a culture of accountability, and aligning IT initiatives with broader business objectives. His unwavering commitment to excellence continues to enhance customer trust and reinforce Canary Labs’ position as a leader in secure industrial data management.
Chris is a new runner, enjoys hiking, and “camping”. Chris has been married to Heather for 28 years and has two kids. Chris has been working with the Youth at his church for 14 years.
Clay Koplin is the CEO of Cordova Electric Cooperative (CEC), a remote island microgrid utility in Southcentral Alaska. A professional electrical engineer, Clay has helped lead the development of an advanced microgrid system featuring fully automated diesel and hydroelectric power plants, 100% underground distribution lines, LED community lighting, and a state-of-the-art battery energy storage system. He brings deep expertise in renewable energy, including hydroelectric generation and underground and submarine power line design.
Clay and his team have implemented the Canary System to help optimize operations and reduce power delivery costs for the Cordova community. He also engages in global energy collaboration through the U.S. State Department, the World Energy Council, and other international forums. Clay currently serves on the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Electricity Advisory Committee leadership team, co-chairs the Alaska Governor's Energy Security Task Force, and previously served as Mayor of Cordova, Alaska.
Clay enjoys fishing, hunting, gardening, and hiking in his free time.
Clint is a seasoned mechanical engineer and data analytics expert with nearly two decades of experience driving innovation and operational excellence across the energy, manufacturing, and construction sectors. Currently serving as Senior Engineer of Reliability and Data Analytics at Boardwalk Pipelines, Clint leads enterprise-wide initiatives that integrate advanced data modeling, predictive analytics, and business intelligence to optimize performance and decision-making. Clint is a recognized leader in transforming complex datasets into actionable insights. He has architected and maintained a master semantic model of Maximo data used across departments, developed predictive models using Python and machine learning techniques, and authored hundreds of Power BI reports that inform strategic decisions at the executive level. His work has streamlined operations, improved data transparency, and enhanced cross-functional collaboration.
Prior to his current role, Clinton held engineering positions at Frontier Kemper Constructors, Whirlpool Corporation, and MTD Consumer Products, where he led the design and implementation of mechanical systems for large-scale industrial and consumer applications. His designs have been featured in award-winning products and critical infrastructure projects, including underground mining systems and hydroelectric power stations.
Clint holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a Management Minor from Kettering University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer. Known for his analytical rigor, technical versatility, and collaborative spirit, Clint is passionate about leveraging data to solve real-world engineering and business challenges.
Outside of work, Clint has a longstanding passion for classic cars—researching them, working on them, and enjoying the drive. His current project is a 1994 Buick Roadmaster wagon, complete with wood paneling, and his garage has previously housed a 1972 MGB and a 1966 Eldorado. He has a particular appreciation for vehicles with character—and doesn’t mind the occasional oil leak.
Damon is a Real-Time Data Practice Manager at CSE Icon, where he focuses on implementing, administering, and integrating real-time data systems and solutions. He brings over 13 years of experience developing technical solutions that automate business processes and enable self-service analytics to improve operational efficiency.
Before joining CSE Icon in 2024, Damon was a Senior Analyst at Phillips 66, where he led the migration and support of OT systems following the company's acquisition of DCP Midstream. At DCP, he held software development roles centered on PI-based solutions, including system administration and implementation. Earlier in his career, Damon worked in process engineering and project management roles in the Oil & Gas sector. He holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering from Bucknell University.
When Damon is not working, he's wrangling his 6-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter. In the few hours of my day when the kids are asleep, I'm usually spending time with my wife, reading or working out.
Ed Stern serves as the Vice President of Operations at Canary Labs, headquartered in Martinsburg, Pennsylvania. With over 40 years of experience in operations and software solutions, Ed plays a critical role in driving Canary’s mission to deliver industry-leading enterprise historian and trending systems.
A founding member of the company, Ed is deeply committed to Canary’s core philosophy: understanding customer needs and delivering innovative, reliable solutions. His leadership emphasizes operational excellence, responsive support, and sustainable growth across global markets.
Ed began his career in 1981 at Aydin Controls in Fort Washington, PA, where he worked as a technical support specialist before transitioning into a marketing role. After five years, he co-founded Canary, bringing his expertise and vision to the forefront of industrial data solutions.
He holds a B.A. from Taylor University, with a strong foundation in business and operations management.
Ed is deeply committed to his community, actively supporting local initiatives such as youth sports, 4-H, and FFA programs. He is also involved in church leadership and participates in mission projects at the local, regional, and global levels. One of the organizations he supports is Water for Good, which provides clean water solutions to communities in developing countries.
Together with his wife, Lori, Ed homeschooled their seven children through high school, and they now enjoy spending time with their growing family, which includes nine grandchildren.
In his free time, Ed enjoys hunting and bicycling. A passionate cyclist, he once rode coast to coast across the United States—twice in a single summer—shortly after graduating from college.
Eric is an automation expert with over 15 years of experience designing and implementing solutions for the pharmaceutical industry. He specializes in architecting data management systems and developing the supporting automation infrastructure required for regulated environments.
Eric has led multiple projects focused on data aggregation and contextualization in GMP and 21 CFR Part 11-compliant settings. His work spans both laboratory and large-scale manufacturing spaces, leveraging Industry 4.0 technologies including the Canary System. His contributions to automation have earned industry recognition, including the 2020 Engineering Leader Under 40 award and the 2023 Firebrand award.
He is currently consulting for a major pharmaceutical client on a large greenfield project. In this role, Eric designs solutions to address technical gaps, supports the development of automation process controls, and leads implementation efforts for Industry 4.0 initiatives.
Garrett has been a Software Engineer at Canary for six years, and his journey is a testament to growth, dedication, and technical excellence. Starting as an entry-level developer, Garrett quickly became an indispensable member of the engineering team, supporting critical software operations through bug fixes, system maintenance, and backend development.
Over time, Garrett’s role evolved from support tasks to leading major development initiatives. His most impactful contributions include spearheading new feature development for Calculations & Events and taking ownership of Canary’s Identity Service, where he now serves as the primary maintainer. His technical acumen and hands-on approach have helped shape these services into robust, scalable components of the Canary platform. Garrett also played a pivotal role in the strategic adoption of gRPC, enabling more efficient and reliable communication across Canary services. His technical insight and proactive approach have made him a key contributor to the modernization of Canary’s architecture. His story is one of continuous growth, innovation, and a commitment to excellence, making him a standout voice in this session.
Garrett enjoys Hiking, Gardening, Cooking, Tinkering with Electronics, Board Games, and Video Games.
Isaac is a software engineer with 14 years of experience developing scalable products, designing user-friendly interfaces, and building reliable APIs. As a key contributor to Canary Labs' flagship product, Axiom, he has played a significant role in driving company growth and innovation. Isaac specializes in full-stack development, with expertise in C#, JavaScript, PHP, and C/C++. He has led teams, rearchitected back-end systems, created advanced data visualization tools, and developed cross-platform applications. He is passionate about continuous learning, mentoring others, and delivering impactful solutions.
Isaac enjoys music, video games, sports, construction projects, and spending time with family.
James is the Senior Product Owner for Operational Technology at Milliken & Company in Spartanburg, South Carolina. James has over 30 years of experience with the design, implementation, integration, service, and support of operational technology software and hardware for OT Data Integration, Manufacturing Execution Systems, and the Canary Historian across Textiles, Plastics, and Pharmaceuticals Industries. In his current role, James engages with his Business Partners to identify operational business opportunities where digital technologies and solutions can be applied to overcome obstacles and deliver bottom-line results. He and his team collaborate with key stakeholders and users to define functional requirements and translate them into digital solutions built on an open, secure, flexible, and reliable foundation that can scale over time as additional opportunities are revealed.
James and his team are currently focused on the development of Milliken’s Plant of the Future through a Digital Lighthouse project where the Canary System plays a foundational role. He is also leading a strategic initiative for the ongoing deployment of the Canary System across Milliken’s 40 manufacturing facilities located in the United States, the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Germany, Mexico, and China.
John Weber has over 35 years of work experience in the software and automation industry. John founded Software Toolbox Inc. in 1996 and leads the Software Toolbox team that's focused on delivering complete product experiences that combine innovative open software solutions, expert knowledge of how to apply the software to solve problems, and support that 97% of users say is "awesome" or "excellent". Prior to that, he worked as the Director of Marketing at CIMTEC Automation and GE Fanuc Automation Americas Inc. as a sales engineer.
Outside of work, John's passions are his family, traveling, nature photography, and being outdoors.
Ken serves as the Director of Business Solutions at Canary, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping the company's product offerings. He works closely with both internal stakeholders and external clients to gather requirements, guide solution development, and ensure the Canary System continues to evolve in alignment with user needs. Ken also collaborates extensively with Canary’s integration partners, providing expert guidance on system architecture, data migration strategies, and seamless data integration.
With over 30 years of experience spanning customer support, software development, and database management, Ken brings a wealth of technical and practical knowledge to his role. For the past 13 years, he has been instrumental in advancing the Canary system, with a strong focus on data collection, migration, and asset modeling—helping clients unlock the full potential of their operational data.
Ken enjoys spending time with Family, especially the 3 grandsons, Travel, Missions, and Board Games
Kevin Jones is the CEO and Lead Strategist at Ectobox, Inc., a pioneering data systems integrator specializing in Industry 4.0. With a passion for transforming manufacturing through smart data solutions, Kevin leads the charge in delivering actionable insights—getting the right data to the right people at the right time. Under his leadership, Ectobox has become a recognized thought leader in full-spectrum manufacturing data integration, known for creating scalable, cost-effective solutions without vendor lock-in.
A dynamic and sought-after speaker, Kevin brings deep expertise and real-world experience to the stage. He has presented at numerous industry conferences and events, including the Prove-It! Conference, SmartManufacturing Conference, and Industry40tv with Kudzai Manditeriza. He’s also a regular guest on influential podcasts like the ManufacturingHub Podcast and 4.0 Solutions with Walker Reynolds, where he shares insights on digital transformation, IoT, and smart manufacturing.
Kevin’s credentials include serving as Chair of the 4.0 Solutions Advisory Board, being an IoT Inc Certified IoT Professional, and active membership in organizations such as NTMA and ISA. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, he continues to drive innovation and education in the manufacturing sector, with a wealth of valuable content available on the Ectobox YouTube channel.
Outside of work, Kevin enjoys amateur astronomy, singing in choral ensembles, playing brass instruments, trail running, and enjoying baseball.
Mark is the Director of Software Engineering at Canary, where he has been a driving force behind the company’s software innovation for over three decades. A software engineer by trade, Mark brings a deep technical expertise to his leadership role, overseeing the entire software development lifecycle and ensuring alignment with Canary’s long-term business objectives. Throughout his tenure, Mark has played a pivotal role in the development of every product in Canary’s portfolio, shaping the technical direction of the company while fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement. His leadership has helped Canary maintain its reputation for delivering robust, scalable, forward-thinking software solutions. His commitment to excellence and innovation continues to influence the next generation of developers at Canary.
Mark enjoys spending time with family, doing outdoor activities, singing, and helping to start a local Trail Life troop.
Michael Lehrich is an accomplished Engineering Manager at Catalyx, where he specializes in industrial data systems within regulated pharmaceutical environments. With deep expertise in data historians, SCADA systems, electronic batch records (EBRs), and MQTT protocols, Michael has played a pivotal role in advancing digital transformation across the Life Sciences sector.
He has successfully led numerous cloud and on-premise deployments of Canary within GMP-compliant settings and was instrumental in guiding Canary Labs toward achieving 21 CFR Part 11 compliance. His strategic leadership and technical acumen have made him a trusted partner in the integration of IIoT technologies in highly regulated industries.
In recognition of his contributions, Michael was honored in 2021 by Control Engineering as an “Engineering Leader Under 40” at just 26 years old, highlighting his impact and innovation in the field of industrial automation and data integration.
Nick works as the Digital Operations Supervisor at Evolution Well Services with nine years of experience in upstream oil & gas industry. He graduated in 2017 from Penn State University with a Bachelor's in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering. Nick spent the first 5 years of his career as a Field Engineer in the hydraulic fracturing segment of the petroleum industry and has focused on data analytics since 2021. He and his team lead digital technology deployments, operational optimization efforts, and equipment reliability analytics through a data-driven approach. They focus on applying data analytic processes to operational needs and optimization, particularly in equipment reliability, and asset management. Nick has experience in deploying Canary systems for remote fleet operation viewing, applying analytics to real-time data gathered and integrating data stream into cohesive reporting, all with a focus on driving equipment life improvements, optimizing maintenance practices, and unlocking key insights in health equipment.
Russ is the Director of Manufacturing Solutions at Canary, where he helps lead the charge in shaping the company’s product roadmap through competitive benchmarking and customer-driven insights. His role bridges strategy and execution, as he not only helps define product direction but also partners closely with the sales team to showcase how the Canary System delivers measurable value and empowers operational intelligence.
Russ is also a key contributor to Canary’s thought leadership initiatives. He authors white papers, develops real-world use cases, and curates content for the annual Canary User Conference, helping to drive industry dialogue and innovation.
With over four decades of experience in manufacturing, Russ brings a wealth of expertise across a broad spectrum of industries—including Chemical, Extrusion, Roll Products, Electronics, and Food & Beverage. His career spans senior leadership roles in Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, Operational Technology (OT), and Information Technology (IT), with notable tenures at pioneering companies such as ExxonMobil, Hercules Chemical, AET Films, Avery Dennison, CTS Corporation, and Hershey.
Technology, Science, Aircraft, Automobiles, and engaging with his family and 3 grandchildren.
Richard is an experienced water and wastewater treatment controls and automation specialist who has accumulated over 35 years of experience in the design, implementation, development, and maintenance of industrial automation and digital software solutions for public municipalities. Richard is currently the Senior SCADA Analyst for the City of Lake City, Florida, where he supports the city's automation and control solutions. He previously held the role of Superintendent of Instrumentation and Controls for the City of Boca Raton, Florida. Richard successfully deployed the Canary System at both cities to provide operational visibility of the wastewater recovery and treatment operations. Richard successfully deployed the Canary System in both cities to provide these public utilities with operational visibility of their operations and equipment. In 2025, Richard received the Employee of the Year Award for exemplifying teamwork, professionalism, and a commitment to excellence in every aspect of his work.
In his leisure time, Richard enjoys fishing, taking road trips to different destinations, and spending time with his church group. He also enjoys reading and learning about the latest technology in his field.
Ryan Anderson is a Manager in the RoviSys Oil and Gas division, where he has been helping clients solve complex technical challenges since 2013. With a background in software development and process data solutions, Ryan brings experience supporting a wide range of industries, including Oil and Gas, Consumer Packaged Goods, Food and Beverage, Specialty Chemicals, Metals and Mining, and Life Sciences. Ryan focuses on helping customers to realize value from their process data and drives valuable results.
Outside of work, Ryan enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and two sons. He also enjoys going fishing, sailing, and golfing.
Steve currently serves as the Product Knowledge Manager at Canary, where he leads the creation of documentation and training materials for the Canary Academy and oversees the Canary Help Center. With seven years at Canary, Steve’s journey reflects a remarkable evolution—from starting in customer support to eventually leading the department for four years and now shaping how users and teams engage with Canary’s products through expertly crafted content.
With a strong background in education, Steve brings a unique blend of clear communication, instructional design, and technical insight into his role. His ability to translate complex concepts into accessible learning experiences has made him a driving force behind Canary’s user enablement strategy.
Whether he's writing a helpful article or designing a training module, Steve’s passion for empowering others shines through—making him an invaluable voice in this session.
Steve enjoys playing his Acoustic Guitar, Bird Watching (Bird Nerd), and Camping.
Valentina Riquelme is an Industrial Engineer who works as a Solar Energy Performance Engineer at Colbún, where she leads the monitoring and performance analysis of the company’s photovoltaic portfolio. Her expertise spans data analysis, process optimization, and automated reporting, with formal training in Solar Plant O&M and Big Data & Analytics. She has played a key role in deploying the Canary System, contributing to the creation of internal dashboards and diagnostic tools that enhance decision-making in renewable operations. She has over 6 years of experience in the energy sector, monitoring power plant reliability and operational KPIs. After beginning her career in conventional power generation, she later moved into the renewable energy sector, where she has applied her analytical strengths to optimize photovoltaic plant performance. Valentina is currently responsible for driving operational excellence and ensuring high performance. Her work includes continuous monitoring, data-driven diagnostics, and strategic analysis of field issues. She also leads the modeling and simulation of PV plant behavior to support production forecasting, budget planning, and energy loss assessments.
Valentina is passionate about nature, photography, and outdoor sports, often spending her free time hiking or exploring new landscapes.