2024 Speaker

Lindsey never expected she’d wind up in the mining recruitment industry. Yet like many career journeys, hers took an unexpected turn when she began helping her father Robert at the family business, MRC Recruiting. Initially, Lindsey was assisting while studying human resources and organizational behavior in college —corporate life and mining weren’t much of a consideration then. Before she knew it, she was learning avidly about mining itself, meeting talented candidates for coffee, attending industry events alongside her father to grow her network, and really immersing herself in the industry. Eager to expand her skills, Lindsey obtained an MBA and certifications in Diversity & Inclusion and Organizational Effectiveness. Now under Lindsey's leadership, MRC Recruiting is a dedicated team offering personalized, ethical recruiting services rooted in diversity, transparency and sustainability values. She actively partners with organizations Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME), Women in Mining (WIM), Femina and the American Exploration & Mining Association (AEMA) to advocate for responsible and progressive mining practices. Ultimately, Lindsey recognizes that this industry plays an indispensable role in the world and positively impacts all our lives.

I am the Chief Innovation Officer at Taco Comfort Solutions, a global leader in hydronic-based heating and cooling solutions. I have over 30 years of experience in engineering, HVAC, and new product development, and I hold an Executive Certificate in Strategy and Innovation from MIT Sloan School of Management and 2 Engineering degrees from the California Maritime Academy. In my current role, I lead the product innovation and strategy for the company, focusing on delivering customer-focused and energy-efficient products that enhance comfort and performance. I also direct the research initiatives that support the company's mission of providing sustainable and innovative solutions for the residential and commercial markets. I am passionate about creating products that solve real-world problems and improve the quality of life for people and the environment. I bring a diverse and collaborative perspective to the product team, and I partner with other experts and stakeholders in the field.

Gakuo Ndonga is a Senior Engineer with WD Bearing Group supporting numerous industry applications incorporating bearing technology. Gakuo previously excelled in his role as an Applications Engineer Expert at SKF Group where he gained expertise in rolling element bearing applications in the fluid machinery industry. As a Senior Engineer he now reviews industrial machinery designs for clients; provides recommendations and reviews for bearing designs and arrangements; travels on-site for bearing application support and training; conducts analysis for damaged or failed bearings from the field; and provides technical support for sales teams. Outside of engineering Gakuo is a passionate soccer fan, values supporting local charities, and visiting parts of the world that are foreign to his own experience.

Randal Ferman has more than 46 years’ experience in the pump industry. He served in a variety of engineering roles with Flowserve, a major global player in the pump manufacturing arena, and is currently a full-time principal of Ekwestrel Engineering LLC, Austin, Texas, providing independent, objective engineering consulting services on new and existing pumping equipment and systems, including design, performance, NPSH and cavitation, repairs, and re-rates. His clients span a range of industries including oil & gas, electric power generation, water, wastewater, solids handling, chemical processing, pump manufacturing, pipeline transportation, engineering firms, and legal counsel.

Ron Frisard has spent 32 years as a technical expert in Mechanical Packing and Industrial Gasketing. He has traveled over 1 million miles to work with customers around the globe. Ron is currently Director of the Mechanical Packing and Gasketing Product Line for AW Chesterton. He develops product line strategies and manages the global product line portfolio to drive profitable sales growth. He also develops and supports execution of strategic marketing plans, supports production initiatives, and promotes product line sales. Ron has also been considered an "industry influencer" and an Industry person of the week by Empowering Pumps and Equipment.

Ron graduated from Northeastern University in Boston with a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. Before joining Chesterton, Ron worked for Newport News Shipbuilding. He was a design engineer on the propulsion systems for aircraft carriers. He has worked for the A.W. Chesterton Company for the last 30 years in all facets of Mechanical Packing and Gasketing. The three main areas he has focused his attention are Engineering (Applications / R&D), Marketing (focus on Mining / Nuclear – Fossil – Hydro power / Pulp and paper), and Training (Customers / Sales).

Ron has presented at over 35 conferences. They include:-Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)

-American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

-Hydraulic Institute (HI)

-Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

-Valve World (Europe and North America)

-Nuclear Fluid Leak Management (FLMUG)

Ron has also had over 20 articles published. They cover topics:

-Valve, Pump, and Flange sealing challenges and best practices

-Hot bolting

-Emissions valve packing

-Bolting and the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster

-Improper Gasketed Joints Can Be Deadly

Ron is currently the Chair of the Gasketing division of the Fluid Sealing Association (FSA) and past Chair of the Packing division. Ron has also headed many training courses for the FSA including at conferences and webinars.

Howard (H.J.) Dewes, Business Development Manager, HVAC- Hydronics for the ABB Drives business, has spent more than thirty years at ABB, where he has contributed to the growth of the business, from the factory floor and logistics to channel management, sales, business development, marketing and acquisition integration.

Jim has been a business strategist, speaker, and author since starting his company in 1990. His business experience, along with his dynamic presentation style, is a key reason why companies utilize his firm for marketing and marketing communications. Jim presents business ideas in a variety of formats, including trade shows, webinars and in- company presentations to professionals, including architects, designers, and showroom managers. His ad agency experience, combined with real-world client growth, brings a unique point of view to companies facing the issues brought about by today’s economy.

Meaghan Ziemba is an industrial tech writer, brand storyteller, and marketer for industrial manufacturers. She has a B.A. and M.A. in Professional and Technical Writing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and has been writing for manufacturing since 2008. Meaghan also hosts a live video broadcast series called Mavens of Manufacturing. The series focuses on women in the sector and aims to attract younger generations to join manufacturing or engineering career pathways to help close the skills and gender gaps. Meaghan is a proud mother of three. She enjoys cooking, CrossFit, and a great cup of coffee or a glass of whiskey.

With over two decades of dedicated experience in the maintenance & reliability field, I have established myself as a trusted resource and advisor to numerous industrial manufacturing plants and facilities. Throughout my career, I have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to enhancing operational efficiency through the implementation of cutting-edge maintenance and reliability best practices. My passion for optimizing processes has driven me to continuously seek out innovative solutions that drive productivity, reduce downtime, and elevate overall performance. I take pride in my role as a mentor and collaborator, leveraging my expertise to guide teams toward success while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Jess Scanlan is a geological engineer who leverages her unique blend of underground mining operations experience and social media marketing expertise through MineLife Media, her boutique agency serving the mining industry. After earning her degree from Montana Tech and working for 5 years as a production geologist at an underground PGM mine, Jess transitioned into digital marketing where she became passionate about finding innovative ways to share the mining industry's stories. This led her to found MineLife Media, melding her hands-on mining knowledge with social media savvy to produce creative campaigns that educate audiences on modern mining practices and share industry stories. Jess leverages her past industry experience to bring an authentic perspective to developing engaging content that bridges the gap between the mining sector and the public.

Chris Davis serves as Director of Sales for Roto Pumps, a global positive displacement pump manufacturer and third generation family owned business since 1968. Chris has over 12 years experience in the pump industry covering almost all municipal and industrial markets. Chris has experience working for large publicly traded as well as smaller private manufacturers in roles including service, sales and team management. Chris has dual citizenship between the US and Ireland and gained experience studying pump applications in the Europe including the UK and Italy. A former professional ice hockey player in the US and Sweden, Chris earned a B.A. from University of Massachusetts-Amherst while playing Division 1 NCAA Hockey and later earned an MBA from Albertus Magnus College while working for Sulzer Pump. Chris enjoys traveling, spending summers by the ocean in Rhode Island, and attending live sports events and concerts whenever possible. He has a goal of inviting and hiring future former athletes to join pump manufacturers to help diversify and energize the industry.

Lindie Aragon works for the City of Westminster in Colorado as a Senior Water Quality Analyst at the Big Dry Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility (7 MGD plant with a reclaimed water plant/system). She has been in the Water Quality field for 16 years and has a BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology with an MS in Environmental Science. Lindie is a huge proponent of bringing in all regulatory analyses in-house, including the quarterly WET testing, which is no small feat! Lindie joined the Sewerside Squad Operations Challenge Team in 2017 and has been hooked ever since. Operations Challenge was the inspiration for her to obtain all four levels of Colorado Certified Wastewater Treatment Operator Licenses, passing each exam on the first try.

Tomas holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago and an MBA from the same institution, obtained in 2022. His career commenced at Yeomans Chicago Corporation/Grundfos, where he honed his expertise as a Project Engineer in the pump industry. With a solid six-year foundation, Tomas transitioned into the industrial fan sector, taking on a pivotal role as a New Product Development Manager. In 2015, Tomas played a central role in establishing Hidrostal in the United States, an endeavor that has marked a significant milestone in his 18-year tenure in the fluid dynamics field. His professional journey is distinguished by a commitment to innovation in pump technology, spearheading project leadership, product design, and the creation of educational materials within the engineering community. When not immersed in engineering challenges, Tomas dedicates his time to his family and pursues his passion for the outdoors.

David Sibelman is a seasoned executive with over two decades of expertise in business leadership, operations, and finance. As the CEO of Operational Technical Services LLC, he excels in providing quality matchmaking of water treatment, distribution, wastewater operators and public and private utility companies throughout the United States. He founded waterTALENT, crafting comprehensive back-office systems and ensuring regulatory adherence. Recognized for his hands-on leadership and team-oriented management, David has been instrumental in the success of multiple startups and holds a background in Business Management & Leadership from the University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University.

My name is Jennifer Kinch and I am a senior studying Mining Engineering. I am proud to be a first-generation scholar and mentor for other students through the Bliss, a first-generation community. In addition, I am actively involved in two professional societies– The Society of Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration; and Women in Mining. I am also the president of the Mining Competition Team at Mines. I enjoy spending my free time reading, hiking, exploring, and playing board games. I have worked two summer internships with relevant experience to my career interests.

Chloe Locke is a senior undergraduate student at Colorado School of Mines in Geophysical Engineering and Space Mining. She is a member of the 2024 world champion Womens Mining Competition Team competing in the muck, gold pan, and survey and serves on the board of the Society of Women in Geosciences. Furthermore, she specializes in planetary science having spent the last two summers in the lab at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, standardizing a method to recreate the geotechnical properties of the Moon here on Earth.

Jaclyn Herrera is the Chief Marketing Officer and Bridgebuilder at ChasmBridge, a CHIEF member. Whether planning for long term brand management or driving revenue results, Jaclyn brings a strategic mind with clear road paths and measurable results.

She specializes in high growth-oriented businesses that are aiming to make a transaction, enter new markets, dramatically improve revenue results or that are going through major cultural change. Through a relentless focus on the customer experience, Jaclyn has increased revenue opportunities through lead generation by $6M/month, improved total cost of ownership of technologies through aftermarket pull through by 28%, and designed customer journey maps that improve experience and engagement with NPS results as high as 9.

Her incredible leadership has resulted in many personal and business awards including - business industry recognition, marketing recognition for product launches and exhibition results, and project industry recognition.

Recent Mechanical Engineering graduate, Machining Instructor, and former Research Physicist with practical mechanical fabrication, manufacturing and production experience. Surpassing understanding of the intersection between the Scientifically Theoretical, the Mechanically Plausible, and the Physically Possible.

Rana Elbittibssi, professional engineer, with bachelor and master degree in mechanical engineering from Concordia University in Montreal Quebec.

Rana role at Xylem is Director Product Management Americas, has been with Xylem over 18 years, and more than 25 years of experience in pumps, mixers and rotating equipment that function within water, waste water treatment, transport, solid management, industrial and water infrastructure markets.