About This Virtual Event

Jeff Winter is the Sr. Director of Industry Strategy for manufacturing with Hitachi Solutions. With over 18 years of experience working for different industrial automation product and solution providers, Jeff has a unique ability to simplify and communicate complex concepts to a wide range of audiences, educating and inspiring people from the shop floor up to the executive board room. As part of his experience, Jeff is also very active in the community of Industry 4.0. He currently is a part of the International Board of Directors for MESA (Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association), the leader of the Smart Manufacturing & IIoT Division of ISA (International Society of Automation), a U.S. registered expert for IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) as a member of TC 65, and is on the Smart Manufacturing Advisory Board for Purdue University

Vignesh Markandan is the Head of Manufacturing and Consumer Goods business at Hitachi Digital Services, with over 25 years of experience in helping customers achieve successful business outcomes. With decades of expertise in working with Discrete and Process manufacturing industrials, he is passionate about solving business problems by helping them leverage the world’s most advanced digital technologies through business and technical consulting. Vignesh brings vast experience and expertise in digital transformation, new product development, service delivery management, practice incubation, and more. Prior to his current role, Vignesh held roles in P&L management and sales, and as a practice and service delivery leader in IT and ITeS industries.

Mike been with JR Automation since 2020 where he launched JR’s Digital Solutions business and previously led JR’s Esys Automation Division. His role expanded into the broader Hitachi Connective Industry in 2023. Mike has 30 years of experience across the Automotive and Automation industry, ranging from Manufacturing Engineering, Manufacturing Operations, and Corporate Development & Strategy. He has spent much of his career in global assignments including, China, Thailand, Germany, Switzerland and Austria in roles working for large MNCs, joint ventures and local companies. He also invests in and advises numerous start-ups.

He currently serves as a board member of Flexware Innovation (a Hitachi Connective Industry Company) and holds Bachelor’s in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University, as well as Masters in Manufacturing Systems Engineering, and an MBA from Harvard University.