Speakers
Mitchell Anderson
VP, Global Quality & Manufacturing, Bray International
Mitch Anderson currently works for Bray International in Houston, TX holding the title of VP, Global Quality & Manufacturing. He is a valve and actuator industry veteran of over 15 years, acting in engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance, and IT roles. Mr. Anderson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology from Texas A&M University and is currently pursuing an Executive MBA degree at Texas A&M University.
Laura Chemler
Sustainability Industry Manager for Measurement Instrumentation, Emerson
Laura Chemler is a Mechanical Engineer with 10+ years of instrumentation experience in manufacturing, product management, and business development. As the Industry Manager for Sustainability, Laura works to understand the changing needs and demands on industrial companies looking to participate in the sustainability economy. From general sustainability concerns like water usage and energy efficiency to specialized topics around hydrogen and CCUS, she works to educate others on how to improve operations and meet sustainability targets for a better business and a better world.
Kurt Christianson, PE
Program Manager, Enertech, Nuclear Division, Curtiss-Wright
Kurt Christianson, PE, has worked in fossil power, oil, and gas delivering valve solutions for critical applications for over 25 years. Since 2005, Kurt has worked in nuclear power exclusively, delivering engineered solutions to address obsolescence, plant life extensions, and new construction. In 2021, Kurt began supporting advanced reactors across multiple platforms as a Program Manager at Curtiss-Wright Nuclear.
Gwenael Chiffoleau, Ph.D.
CEO & Principal Scientist, WHA International, Inc.
Gwenael joined WHA in 2002 and serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Scientist. He oversees the testing activities and coordinates the Standard Testing, Special Projects, Test Support and Cleaning Teams. Gwenael leads research and test development involving flammability and ignition studies of materials and components in oxygen and other oxidizers such as nitrous oxide. As a Senior Oxygen Safety and Forensic Engineer, Gwenael travels worldwide to conduct WHA Oxygen Hazard and Fire Risk Analyses, oxygen system and cleaning audits, fire and failure investigations, and oxygen safety training. As an active member of the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM), he currently chairs the G4.02 Recommended Practices Subcommittee.
Matt Christopherson
Engineering Manager, Emerson
Russ Currie
Director of Engineering and Technology, Flexitallic
Russ Currie is chartered mechanical engineer who has worked in the engineering environment all of his working life. Starting in the Coal Industry in UK in 1977, the last 29 years has been within the Flexitallic organization providing sealing solutions to a wide range of industries. Russ directs a team of engineers in Canada with site and remote provision of engineering support. Since arriving in Canada, he and his team have reviewed over 7500 sealing issues. He is currently resides in Medicine Hat, the city with most sun hours in all of Canada.
Carlos Davila
Product Manager, Crane ChemPharma & Energy
Carlos Davila is a registered professional engineer, PE, and a graduate of the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. With over 55 years of experience in the valve industry, his background includes design, development, application and production of valves. Currently he is Product Manager-Americas, for Crane ChemPharma & Energy. He is an active voting member of the API Refining and Equipment Standards Manufacturers Subcommittee on Piping and valves for 44 years. Chair of ASME B16 Standards Committee, member of B16 Subcommittee C, Subcommittee N, and the USTAG. Chair of Sub-Group A in ASME B31.3 Standards Committee addressing Process Piping. Current member of the MSS Board of Directors and chair of Technical Committees on Quality Standards, Diaphragm Valves and Steel Flanges. He is active in ISO standard activities.
Alex Devine
VSG Marketing, a Spindustry Company
Jeremy Funkhouser
Operations Engineering Manager, Valmet Flow Control
Jeremy Funkhauser graduated with a BSMET from Northeastern in 2010. Hs is currently the Operations Engineering Manager at Valmet, where he has worked for the past 12 years. He is set to graduate with his MBA in May of this year, concentrating in Business Analytics.
Joe Green
Partner, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
Joe Green is a Partner at Kelley Drye. He is experienced with the range of federal environmental laws and state regulatory programs, as well as with European Union and international requirements. Joe has extensive knowledge regarding chemicals of concern, forever chemicals, PFAS matters, and California Proposition 65 issues, as well as antimicrobial pesticides and toxic substances regulation.
Paul Heald
Vice President of Product Engineering, Specialties & China Operations, Bonney Forge
Paul Heald joined Bonney Forge in 2009 as Vice President of Product Engineering, responsible for Specialties and China Operations. He interfaces with both domestic and international operations and sales to supply Bonney Forge products and services to exceed customers’ expectations. His broad responsibilities include engineering, operations, and sales. Paul is an active voting member on API Subcommittee on Piping and Valves, ASME B16 and steering committees for Fugitive Emissions Summit Americas. He has presented numerous times at the Fugitive Emissions Summit, IVS, and Valve World.
Jason Hoffbauer
Senior Engineer, Emerson
Rachel Mauer
President, German American Chamber of Commerce, Pittsburg Chapter
German American Chamber of Commerce (GACC) provides educational and network opportunities, hosts international delegations, promotes the establishment of supportive trade infrastructure, and organizes formal events. Rachel Mauer and her team launched and continue to manage the German Dual Apprenticeship program in the region. The registered apprenticeships are industry-led, currently with over forty companies in the focus areas of Mechatronics, Polymer Technician (plastics), Sales Engineering (technical sales), and CAD/CAM Technical Designer. A graduate of Cornell University with a degree in Government, Modern European Concentration. Rachel serves as the Co-Director of the American Council on Germany’s Pittsburgh Warburg Chapter and is also a proud member of the Western Pennsylvania District Export Council.
Alfred Midgely
Executive Director of Sales, AUMA Actuators, Inc.
Alfred Midgley is a results-driven sales professional with over 20 years of experience in engineered products. Alfred earned his Electro-Mechanical Engineering degree from Penn State in 2001 and an MBA from University of Phoenix in 2005. Throughout his career in various engineering or sales roles with Sony, Schmidt Technology, Chromalox, Heyl & Patterson and CST, he has applied his knowledge of business, in-depth sales strategies and technical insight guiding his clients to the best technology for their applications. Today, as Executive Director of Sales for Auma Actuators, Alfred leads his team to be this same customer resource for valve actuation in the varying markets in which they participate.
Noah Miller
Applications/Engineered Sales Manager, Check-All Valves
Noah Miller is the worldwide Applications/Engineered Sales Manager for Check-All Valve Manufacturing Company. He’s been at Check-All since 2010 assisting customers with proper check valve installation, check valve sizing, troubleshooting, and custom check valve designs. In addition, he manages the inside sales team as well as all existing accounts. He regularly works with customers in the industries of oil and gas, steam, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, etc. He’s considered the expert on check valve capabilities and is relied upon by engineers, field personnel, and purchasers to assist them with their check valve needs. He has his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University as well as his Master’s in Business Administration from Drake University.
John Molloy
Sales Training Manager, Emerson Discrete Automation
John Molloy has been involved in the industrial automation and process industries most of his career. He started with a sterilizer manufacturer in inventory control and then the last 23 years has been at ASCO in various roles from inside sales, sales manager to training manager of two Emerson Business units, ASCO and AVENTICS. John has led a team of subject matter experts in developing online and instructor-led training for a blended learning approach. He is a member of American Society of Training & Development and holds an A.S. degree in Business Administration. He is a member of the VMA Education & Training Committee.
Stephen O’Neill
Director, Sale & Marketing, DFT
Stephen O’Neill has been with DFT for 6 years. He is currently the Director of Sales and Marketing. Stephen has a Mechanical Engineer and an MBA. He has over 30 years experience in the valve industry that includes check valves, control valves, pressure relief valves and pulse jet valves.
Dustin Painter
Partner, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
Dustin Painter represents the interests of businesses, trade associations and other organizations before the legislative and executive branches of government. Dustin offers his clients a comprehensive approach to federal government relations initiatives that includes a substantive background in federal and state laws and in-depth experience with the procedures and forums that govern public policy advocacy.
Julian Ramirez
Product Manager, Val-Matic Valve & Manufacturing
Julian has been at Val-Matic for almost 2 years, where he is the Product Manager and responsible for all product lines. Before Val-Matic he was at Henry Pratt (Mueller), where he managed air valves, knife gate valves and industrial butterfly valves. He was with Pratt a total of 10 years.
Ning Sun
Materials Manager, Valmet Flow Control
Dr. Ning Sun joined Valmet Flow Control Inc (formerly Neles Flow Control Inc) in 2019 and is currently the Materials Manager. In her current position, Ning is responsible for aspects of metallic and non-metallic materials R&D, selection of materials in support of valve components for a wide variety of applications, as well as metallic and non-metallic materials testing. She leads or supports forensic investigations when required. Ning has more than 10 years’ experience in combined industry and academic roles including several years with the Alcoa Technical Center focused on development of multi-layer brazing sheet products for heat exchangers primarily for the transportation markets. She subsequently worked as Research Professor at the Advanced Casting Research Center at Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a focus on utilizing machine learning in enhancing the shape casting processes at commercial foundries. Ning is currently an active voting member of the ASTM D20 technical committee for Plastics.
Joe Tan
Regional Sale Manager, OEM Accounts, AUMA Actuators
An accomplished Electrical Engineer with a degree from Central Philippine University, Joe Tan brings 17 years of industry expertise to his role at AUMA, where he has made significant contributions over the past 7 years. With an extensive knowledge of electric actuators, automation, and valves, Joe started as an Inside Sales – Application Engineer, managing OEM and Oil and Gas accounts. Currently, he oversees the OEM account in Houston, providing essential quotation assistance, delivering product presentations, and offering technical solutions for electric actuation needs.
Matthew Wasielewski
President and General Manager, Yarmouth Research and Technology, LLC
Matt Wasielewski started his career as a Design Engineer at a major valve manufacturer. With the release of the Clean Air Act Amendments, Matt founded Yarmouth Research and Technology in 1992 and has grown it to be the leader in providing quality independent testing services for valves, gaskets and packing in the areas of fugitive emission, fire, cryogenic, design verification (TAT), high pressure-offshore, and other tests. He is an active participant of the Fluid Sealing Association (FSA), ASME and API, being a member of the API 607, 6FA, 6FB, 6FD, 622, 624 and 641 test standard committees. Matt is also part of the USA delegate team to ISO, contributing to ISO test standards on valves. He has presented numerous papers on fugitive emissions and fire testing at Valve World, API and Valve Manufacturers Association conferences in the United States, Europe and China.
Jack Wisdom
Partner, Martin, Disiere, Jefferson & Wisdom, LLP