Listening, Leading, and Evolving: How Adrienne Meyer is Shaping the Next Chapter of CSIA
Release Date: 11/14/2025
Building Smarter Automation Through Partnership, AI, and Industry Expertise with Greg Jackson and Alan Hinchman
Talking Industrial Automation
What does it take to build smarter, more effective industrial automation? Lisa Richter sits down with Greg Jackson of Smart Sites and Alan Hinchman of Gray Matter to explore a partnership spanning more than 30 years—and how the industry has evolved from simply collecting data to turning it into meaningful insight. They dive into AI, cybersecurity, system integration, industry expertise, and the growing need to do more with less. They also share lessons from the field, the importance of trusted partnerships, and what’s ahead for the future of industrial automation. Tune in for insights and...
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From Specs to Trust: How Industrial Automation Buyers Really Make Decisions
Talking Industrial Automation
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, Lisa Richter sits down with Nicole Bojic, Founder and CEO of ILLI Agency, to explore the human side of B2B marketing and industrial automation buying decisions. Nicole explains why the best technology can lose to the technology a buyer actually understands, and why technical specifications, data, and ROI alone may not be enough to win the deal. Drawing from years of buyer research, she shares how fear, trust, risk, and internal decision-making shape purchasing decisions long before an RFQ ever arrives. The conversation also dives into how...
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From Plant Floor to Smart Factory: How Data, AI & Employee Ownership Are Reshaping Manufacturing with Sam Zungri
Talking Industrial Automation
What does it take to turn decades of industrial automation expertise into a modern, AI-ready manufacturing business? In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, Lisa Richter sits down with Sam Zungri, President and CEO of Polaris Automation, to discuss how automation, operational data, and employee ownership are transforming the future of manufacturing. Sam shares his journey from electrical engineer to business leader, explains how Polaris evolved from a traditional controls system integrator into a digital transformation partner, and reveals how their proprietary Core Data platform...
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The Future of Engineering: Why AI-Native Workflows Will Change Everything with Dr. Axel Zein
Talking Industrial Automation
What happens when AI stops acting as a productivity tool and starts becoming the decision layer of engineering? In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, Lisa Richter sits down with Dr. Axel Zein, CEO and President of WSCAD, to explore the rise of AI-native engineering and what it means for the future of industrial automation. Axel explains why simply adding AI to existing workflows isn't enough, how engineering processes are poised for a fundamental transformation, and why the companies that embrace AI today will gain a significant advantage tomorrow. From reducing complexity and...
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From Bioengineering to Factory Automation: How Rob Goldsmith Helps Bring Manufacturing to Life
Talking Industrial Automation
n this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, Lisa Richter sits down with Rob Goldsmith, Director of Industrial Systems at Matrix, to explore his unexpected journey from bioengineering student to automation leader overseeing one of North America’s largest independent integration teams. Rob shares how Matrix “brings processes to life” through factory automation, network infrastructure, and industrial systems integration — from small retrofit projects to massive greenfield installations. He also explains automation in everyday terms using a simple “making soup” analogy, discusses...
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Scaling Smart: Jeremy Anderson on Modernizing Manufacturing, Data, and Automation
Talking Industrial Automation
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter sits down with Jeremy Anderson, President of Process and Data Automation at the Krones Group, to explore what it really takes to modernize manufacturing in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. Jeremy shares his journey from taking things apart as a kid to leading automation and data-driven transformation across complex production environments. He dives into how organizations can scale automation intelligently, balance people and technology, and build systems that deliver long-term value—not just quick wins. You’ll also...
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M&A in Automation: Clint Bundy on Valuations, Talent, and the Future of System Integrators
Talking Industrial Automation
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter speaks with Clint Bundy, Managing Director at Bundy Group, a boutique investment bank that has spent more than three decades advising companies in automation, control systems integration, industrial technology, IoT, and cybersecurity. Clint shares how growing up in a family business shaped his career in mergers and acquisitions and explains how Bundy Group helps founders and management teams navigate some of the biggest decisions they’ll ever make—selling a company, raising capital, or finding the right strategic partner....
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Engineering the Brain of the Process: Guru Thakkar on Scalable Automation, Front-End Discipline & Intelligent Systems
Talking Industrial Automation
In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter sits down with Guru Thakkar, Director of Engineering at Inflexion Point in Neptune, New Jersey. With more than 20 years of experience across pharmaceutical, life sciences, food & beverage, utilities, and building automation, Guru shares how disciplined front-end engineering, standardization, and strong technical fundamentals set the stage for long-term success. From scaling Inflection Point organically from 40 to over 100 employees, to supporting Operation Warp Speed during COVID, Guru explains why early design...
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The Brains of the Factory—Scaling Automation Leadership with Matt Wise
Talking Industrial Automation
As we kick off the new year, Talking Industrial Automation revisits a listener-favorite conversation with Matt Wise, CEO of E-Tech Group—one of Control Engineering and Plant Engineering’s 2025 System Integrator of the Year award winners. Matt shares how he explains automation as “the brains of the factory,” why marketing and business strategy matter just as much as engineering, and how E-Tech Group scaled into one of North America’s largest system integrators through acquisition, talent, and long-term vision. The conversation explores today’s biggest industry challenges—from...
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From Boots to Bots: Brandon Umscheid’s Automation Journey at Baker Group
Talking Industrial Automation
info_outlineIn this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter welcomes Adrienne Meyer, the newly appointed CEO of the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA). With 20+ years of experience managing global trade associations and technical organizations, Adrienne shares her journey—from being fascinated by encyclopedias as a kid to shaping the future of industrial automation through community-building and strategic leadership.
Tune in to hear how Adrienne’s early roles prepared her for leading CSIA, why listening is her leadership superpower, and what she sees on the horizon for system integrators—from certification insights to new engagement strategies and untapped member benefits.
If you’re curious about the role of associations, the power of professional networks, or the evolution of industrial automation, this episode offers actionable insights and a fresh perspective from the top.