2025 Speaker

A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and former U.S. Army Apache Pilot, Craig is no stranger to leadership in complex and demanding environments. After many years of active-duty service spanning across the globe, he transitioned to the aerospace industry where he quickly realized many similar workforce challenges existed. His passion for leadership and developing leaders led him to leave his job and found Operation Lead. Now he helps organizations navigate the workforce crisis with strategic leader development & operating systems that drive measurable improvements in engagement, retention, and productivity.

Brandon Myers teaches Precision Engineering & Production at Maxwell High School of Technology in Lawrenceville, Georgia. A Lanier Technical College graduate, he joined Panoz Auto Development in 2004, managing machine shop operations, production line assembly, and special projects for the engineering department and Panoz GTLM and GTS production lines. Myers later taught machine tool technology as an adjunct instructor at Lanier Technical College and worked as a prototype specialist at Welding Services Inc., a company specializing in advanced welding and industrial repair solutions. He lives in northeast Atlanta with his wife and daughter.

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 19-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. Tomas is heavily involved in the Hydraulic Institute, serving on the Board of Directors for both the Hydraulic Institute and the Pump Systems Matter the educational arm of HI, where he contributes to advancing industry standards and education. When not immersed in engineering challenges, Tomas dedicates his time to his family and pursues his passion for the outdoors.

Irina Yashkova is an experienced consultant with over 20 years of experience in cross-cultural management and intercultural communication, certified Lewis Communications trainer and Cross-Culture Licensed Partner. Her training services, executive coaching to individuals and companies focus on cross-cultural integration, diverse teams and effective leadership, expatriate adjustment, and intercultural communication. A native Russian, Irina Yashkova acts as a cultural bridge and brings international experience and perspective through her life and work in Russia and United States. For the last 20+ years she has been supporting NASA International Space Station Program as a professional simultaneous interpreter, liaison, and cultural advisor. 

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.

Matthew Derner is the Senior Manager of Education, Training and Energy Efficiency Programs. He holds a leading role in promoting pump system related programs that deliver energy efficiency in commercial and industrial settings. Additionally, he is responsible for managing Pump Systems Matter (PSM), HI’s training subsidiary, and for the overall promotion and growth of the Hydraulic Institute’s portfolio of training and certification programs that focus on pump system optimization, and efficiency.

Matthew has a strong background in global sales of pumps, drives and various rotating equipment in both the manufacturing and distribution segments, with an emphasis on energy efficiency and total cost of ownership and Life Cycle Cost. 

Randal Ferman has 49 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.

Patricia Bonilla is the visionary CEO and founder of Lunacon Construction Group, with over 30 years of experience in the construction industry. From launching her business in a garage to leading Lunacon into a multi-million-dollar enterprise, Patricia has overcome significant industry challenges. She is also the author of the best-selling book ¡Sé lo que anhelas ser! and is set to release her upcoming book for construction entrepreneurs. As a mentor and host of Thriving in Construction podcast, she empowers minority and women entrepreneurs to succeed in the industry. 

Nic has been a dedicated member of the Zoeller team for 12 years, bringing extensive experience in the water and wastewater industry. As a marketing graduate of Indiana University, he has leveraged their expertise to drive impactful marketing strategies and brand growth in their current role as Marketing Manager at Zoeller Company.

Beyond their contributions to Zoeller, Nic has been actively involved with the Submersible Wastewater Pump Association (SWPA) for six years. Their leadership and commitment to the industry led to their appointment as the current President of SWPA, where they continue to advocate for education, innovation, and industry excellence.
 

Dr. Jeremy Frank, CEO of KCF Technologies, is a distinguished figure in industrial innovation, originally from Pittsburgh, PA, where his early involvement in his father's business analyzing workplace accidents sparked a lifelong pursuit of machinery safety and efficiency. A Penn State alumnus with a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Jeremy was deeply influenced by Dr. Gary Koopmann, leading to the co-founding of KCF Technologies in 2000. Under his leadership, KCF has pioneered advancements in wireless vibration sensing and machine health monitoring. Today, the company is a global leader in predictive maintenance, monitoring over 80,000 machines across numerous industries, driven by Jeremy’s vision of eradicating unplanned downtime and enhancing industrial safety.

Jeremy serves as Chief Commercial Officer at UpTime Solutions, a wireless condition monitoring company. He is most passionate about trying to untangle the mess that is Industry 4.0, IIoT, and AI, and help customers and partners alike make the best decisions inside a world of confusing jargon, empty-promises, and never-ending pilot projects. Jeremy's a long-time IoT guide and vocal leader within the reliability community and has spoken and been featured in more than 25 conferences and magazines.

Nicole brings 25 years of corporate and technology experience to her speaking engagements and workshops.

She has held roles in Software Engineering, Business Systems Analysis, Project Management and Learning & Development and within industries such as Finance, Payroll Services, Manufacturing and Automotive.

As a certified Maxwell Leadership trainer and coach, Nicole is prepared to deliver content that adds value through an inspiring, engaging, and exciting experience that you will enjoy. 

Kristen Pope is a seasoned business and operations professional with 30-plus years of experience in the manufacturing and oil & gas industries. She has held positions of increasing responsibility throughout her career and is currently the General Manager for Gates Machine Tool Repair, Inc. in Manvel, Texas. In this role, she oversees day-to-day operations, sets the company’s strategic direction, and implements innovative changes. Known for her ability to thrive in fast-paced environments, Ms. Pope’s expertise in Business Continuity Management was recognized during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, where she played a pivotal role in safeguarding her organization’s operations and employees.
Ms. Pope is a sought-after speaker and an active member of the Texas Chapter of the Women in Manufacturing Association, the Association of Continuity Planners, Women in Business Continuity Management (DRII Foundation), and the Association for Manufacturing Excellence.
Fun Fact: Ms. Pope has been a Certified Personal Trainer, Sports Performance Specialist, and Fitness Nutrition Specialist for 28 years.

Tom Hill is a Licensed Professional (Mechanical) Engineer in Texas, California, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Tom has a BS in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Arizona. He has 47 years of industry experience, which includes nuclear power plant systems design, natural gas pipeline design, and pipeline and pump station design for the oil industry and municipal water industry. For the past 36 years, he has predominantly focused on hydraulic surge analysis with experience providing flow assurance and hydraulics for pipelines and piping systems. This experience includes steady-state operations and hydraulic transient or surge analysis, as well as development of computer models of piping, pump stations, compressor stations, control valves, instrumentation and control systems, relief valves, plant operations logic and simulation of various hydraulic transient events, such as pump trip, pump start, valve closure, line break, power failure, and real-time models driven by SCADA. Tom has 22 years of experience using LIQT™, 35 years of experience using the Synergi™ Pipeline Simulator (SPS) and 12 years of experience using Bentley HAMMER™ for conducting hydraulic surge analysis. In his spare time, Tom plays tennis in USTA Leagues for Men's Doubles, Mixed Doubles, and age group leagues for 40+, 55+, and 65+.

Kelli D'Mar is a Campaign and Content Specialist at Atlas Copco Gas and Process, with over 15 years of experience in turbomachinery, project management, and strategic marketing. She’s known for turning complex engineering concepts into clear, engaging content that resonates with technical audiences.

Kelli believes great marketing is a mix of storytelling, data, and collaboration, with a strong focus on sustainability and real-world impact. She leads global campaigns, develops thought leadership, and creates spotlight interviews that highlight not just the technology, but the people behind it. Her goal is to make technical content both informative and memorable, and if she can get a laugh along the way, even better