TUV Rheinland and Automation Alley, and Global Auto Mobility are proud to announce that the June 17th event “Artificial Intelligence with Real Results: How Manufacturing can Benefit or Risk Losing Out” will feature Robert Scipione of the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center as panel moderator. Key participants include Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, Calysto Group, Intrepid Control Systems, MetaOps® and MetaExperts®, and Amazon Robotics.
“This outstanding panel promises to dig into what manufacturers truly need from AI today and tomorrow. We’ll be focusing on real, measurable results—how AI can immediately strengthen safety, security, and operational excellence across the mobility ecosystem. It’s time to move past the hype and show how AI delivers competitive advantage right now.” — Dan Keelan, Publisher, Global Auto Mobility
Robert — or “Skip” — will moderate a group of leaders with unique backgrounds and relevant areas of experise:
As Manufacturing Services Manager, Bob Scipione is responsible for overseeing training and consulting at Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center. Bob is dedicated to driving advancements in Michigan manufacturing, leading the effort to assist small to medium-sized manufacturers in applying quality management systems, Lean manufacturing and transactional tools and techniques, executive coaching, leadership skills and Industry 4.0 manufacturing technology solutions.
In addition to overseeing the Manufacturing Services team, Bob facilitates the transfer of knowledge in smart manufacturing technologies to small and mid-sized manufacturers and assists with their Industry 4.0 implementations and strategies
Ron Crabtree is the CEO of MetaOps® and MetaExperts®, a company he founded in 2002 to deploy top-level interim talent for industrial problem-solving. As an organizational transformation architect, he specializes in operational excellence, supply chain management, Lean Six Sigma, and digital transformation across various industries.
Crabtree authored the MetaOps Operating System™, a business framework tailored for high-growth, small-to-mid-sized industrial firms. He also hosts the globally recognized B2B podcast MetaPod, where he interviews industry experts to address digitization, labor shortages, and maximizing operational efficiency.
Jon Isenberg, Chief Solutions Architect of the Calysto Group, has over 28 years of experience in the technology industry, including 14 years in cyber security, with a career spanning from network administration at a Fortune 100 company to leading a managed services provider supporting small and mid-sized businesses.
He is a recognized advocate for cybersecurity awareness and prevention, having delivered proactive training to professional organizations including the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants. His work focuses on helping teams better understand today’s threat landscape, with an emphasis on human risk, threat awareness, and practical safeguards. Combining deep technical expertise with real-world application, Jon helps organizations navigate the intersection of AI and cybersecurity.
Kevin Kitlinski is the Director of Manufacturing at Intrepid Control Systems, where he leads PCBA production, final assembly, and manufacturing operations for advanced vehicle-networking and embedded engineering products. With hands-on experience across SMT, quality systems, BOM and inventory optimization, procurement, and production planning, Kevin brings a practical manufacturing perspective to the discussion of AI.
He is focused on how data-driven tools, automation, and AI can improve forecasting, quality, throughput, and decision-making in high-mix electronics manufacturing.
Steve Thomson leads functional safety at Amazon Robotics, overseeing hazard analysis, architectural design, and compliance for mobile robots and physical AI. He manages safety management systems across hardware and software levels.
Thomson brings over 20 years of experience in safety-critical sectors, including aerospace, rail, automotive, and robotics. Previously, he was Director of Engineering at American Axle & Manufacturing, establishing an ISO 26262 system. He also held engineering leadership roles at GE Transportation and TÜV Rheinland, and began his career as an engineering officer in the Royal Australian Air Force.
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