Main Conference Day One | Wednesday, March 19 2025

7:00 am - 8:00 am Registration and Networking

8:00 am - 8:15 am Chair's Opening Address

Integrating connected worker solutions can significantly boost efficiency in your plant and field operations, leading to substantial cost savings. In this opening keynote digital thought leaders from Shell, Coca-Cola, Murphy Oil Corp and Civitas Resources will share their experiences, discuss innovative AI and data analytics solutions, and explore opportunities to enhance efficiency and reduce costs across your operations.


·       Defining organizational goals: clarifying why you’re implementing the platform and what you hope to achieve

·       Discussing the emergence of AI driven tools to drive efficiencies and safety in the field

·       Integrating connected worker solutions with business intelligence to provide workers faster access to contextual data

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Partha Chatterjee

Principal, Data Analysis
Shell

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Kimberly Williams

Vice President Syrup Manufacturing NAOU
The Coca-Cola Company

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Nav Chawla

Head of Digital
Civitas Resources

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Pankaj Singh

Chief Enterprise Architect
Murphy Oil Corporation

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Joe Carroll

Chief Information Officer & Head of Cybersecurity
CITGO

8:50 am - 9:20 am Using Connected Worker Technology to Create Real-Time Visibility and Enhance Operational Efficiency and Safety

·       Improving how your workforce track, monitor and collaborate on operational processes

·       Exploring how connected worker technology can overcome front line worker safety challenges

·       Connecting people, information and assets for improved operational outcomes

This session will feature 4 lightning talks (7 minutes), each from an industry leader who will share a project challenge, the technology that helped solve it and the lessons              learned along the way. You’ll leave with practical insights into how connected worker tech can drive business ROI.  


Talk 1: Re-designing ExxonMobil’s digital strategy to achieve business results, Robert Pitts, Global Projects IT Discovery and Strategy Manager, ExxonMobil

Talk 2: Creating a culture of innovation at Pfizer that embraced digital transformation and drove user adoption, Mike Tomasco, Former VP Digital Manufacturing, Pfizer

    Talk 3: Navigating the overload of AI Solutions and moving beyond the frenzy and buzzwords, Alex Costa, Vice President Information Technology, PSC Group

Talk 4: Boosting safety, organizational health, and productivity by empowering collaboration and alignment through connected worker technology, Walter Pesenti, VP Manufacturing Excellence, NovaChem

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Robert Pitts

Global Projects IT, Global Projects IT Discovery and Strategy Manager
ExxonMobil

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Mike Tomasco

Former VP Digital Manufacturing
Pfizer

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Alex Costa

Vice President Information Technology
PSC Group

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Walter Pesenti

VP Manufacturing Excellence
NovaChem

10:00 am - 10:30 am Morning Networking Break

For many energy and utility operators, day-to-day workflows for managing critical activities are largely manual and handled using spreadsheets and face-to-face communication, slowing down efficiency, control, response times and impacting safety, quality control and compliance. This panel will deep dive into their own journeys of unifying core operations into a single digital workflow and will discuss:


·       Creating a scalable, centralized cloud environment to gain real-time visibility and improve how field personnel track, monitor and collaborate on operational processes

·       Reviewing use cases including:

o  Work permit and document management

o  Field inspections and quality control

o  Inventory tracking

o  Project tracking

o  Maintenace planning, scheduling, execution

Field safety and risk reporting

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Bry-Ann Salahi

Technology Architect, Low Carbon Solutions IT
ExxonMobil

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Lance Medlin

EVP Engineering, Operations and Project Management
Element Fuels

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Anne Emberson

Area Vice President – Digital
Nalco Water

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Amir Zohar

Digital Transformation Sr. Manager
LG Vertech Inc

CONNECTED PLANT WORKERS

10:30 am - 11:00 am PANEL: No one likes to work alone! Breaking down Data Siloes to Drive Plant Enterprise Agility and Frontline Decision Making
Samuel Parra - NA Manufacturing Integration Lead (GEC/DI), BASF
Chiru Botre - Engineering Researcher II, Digital Transformation and Innovation, Kaneka North America LLC
Garith Duncan - Digital Transformation Manager, SNF

Energy and industrial organisations are generating more data than ever before. However, this data is often siloed which can hinder collaboration and business benefits. This panel will discuss how to break down data siloes to achieve better collaboration and data driven decision making

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·       Overcoming siloed data and a lack of interoperability across multiple enterprise systems

·       Understanding the power of data lakes and their potential to reduce downtime and ensure high quality production

·       Enhancing collaboration and driving productivity by tearing down data siloes

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Samuel Parra

NA Manufacturing Integration Lead (GEC/DI)
BASF

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Chiru Botre

Engineering Researcher II, Digital Transformation and Innovation
Kaneka North America LLC

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Garith Duncan

Digital Transformation Manager
SNF

11:00 am - 11:30 am De-risking Field Operations with Data-Driven Mobile Workflows

·       Improving workflow management between the field and head office to see where workers are, the activities they are working on, and communicate with them at anytime, anywhere

·       Maintaining technician access in all conditions to ensure operational continuity, even in offline environments

·       Levering workflow management to boost productivity and reduce downtime including tracking technician availability, skills, and workloads and inventory

·       Measuring field worker productivity, response times and resource allocation to identify trends in field data and drive continuous improvement

·       Transforming field critical workflows by creating a live database of asset history including JSAs, inspection records, in real-time.

11:00 am - 11:30 am Discover Indorama’s End-to-End Connected Worker Transformation with Innovapptive
Sri Kathik - Executive Vice President & Solution Engineer, Innovapptive


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Sri Kathik

Executive Vice President & Solution Engineer
Innovapptive

11:30 am - 12:00 pm CASE STUDY: Using Real Time Location Services to improve Field Worker Safety, Productivity and Emergency Management: A Chevron Case Study
Ted Stoves - Product Owner – Connected Worker Group, Chevron

Chevron are looking to deploy Real Time Location Services across their assets by 2025. Emergency mustering situations at oil and gas assets can be a lengthy process that can impact worker safety. In this presentation, Ted will discuss Chevron’s plans to deploy a digital solution that can track workers whereabouts, speed up the emergency management process and ultimately ensure safety during hazardous incidents.


·       Delivering productivity, security and safety

·       Utilizing a solution that enables enhanced intelligence about your site, assets, visitors, contractors and employees

·       Intelligent asset management and digital maintenance instructions

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Ted Stoves

Product Owner – Connected Worker Group
Chevron

11:30 am - 12:00 pm CASE STUDY: Modern Computer Vision in the Age of Gen AI: A Dow Case Study
Josh Holtz - Data Science Manager, Dow

In the past, edge computing was the gold standard for computer vision models, as it enabled real-time image processing, crucial in industrial settings where latency can have significant consequences. But with the rise of AI, there has been a significant shift in computing needs. Leveraging on Dow’s experience this case study will explore:


·       Understanding the challenges with Edge Compute for Gen AI

·       Addressing specific Edge Compute challenges in hazardous environments, from durability to connectivity to security

·       Strategies to reduce cloud compute costs when implementing Gen AI into your operations

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Josh Holtz

Data Science Manager
Dow

12:00 pm - 12:30 pm Automating and Mobilizing Asset Monitoring: Giving Field Workers Access to the Data they Need in Real Time

·       Automating existing manual processes across your operations

·       Running tickets and creating work requests across back-office systems

·       Optimize fleet management with scheduling and route optimization

·       Shortening project cycle times and reducing capital investments

·       Attaching digital to work orders created in the field

Automating compliance testing, inspections, permitting and more

12:00 pm - 12:30 pm Preventing Accidents and Providing Frontline Assistance Using Hands-Free Industrial Smart Wearable Devices

·       Enabling a dynamic work environment with real-time communication and data

·       Overcoming knowledge gaps with intrinsically safe smart glasses that give instant access to remote assistance

Enhancing safety with thermal scanning capability to identify potential gas leaks, and temperature anomalies

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Networking Lunch

A recent study by Forrester found that manufacturers with mixed reality training were able to reduce training time by 75% at an average saving of $30 per labor hour. Join this session to explore how our panelists have leveraged immersive training to successfully reduce onboarding time and costs.


·       Creating engaging, immersive learning environments to improve learning confidence and knowledge retention

·       Immersive learning and gamification for learner engagement

·       Creating tailor-made scenarios to meet individual learning needs

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Adam Berg

Manager of Learning Technologies
TechnipFMC

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Kevin Havard

Product Owner
Chevron

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Dave McCLure

Director, Manufacturing Innovation
StarPlus Energy

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John Whited

Plant Automation Engineer
Colgate Palmolive

Manufacturing environments are increasingly complex, with rising demands for efficiency, precision and scalability, but Gen AI offers a powerful toolset that can help unlock new levels of operational performance. This panel will explore some of the key use cases where Gen AI can make a substantial impact including:


·       Using AI to boost plant performance by optimizing processes, improving worker productivity, and reducing downtime

·       Leveraging Gen AI functionality to enhance predictive maintenance capability, from early fault detection to dynamic maintenance schedules

·       Capturing and codifying knowledge from your ageing workforce; creating AI powered knowledge repositories, and adaptive, personalized learning approaches

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Jonathan Alexander

Manufacturing AI & Advanced Analytics Manager
Albemarle

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Gary Dunbar

Director of Digital Engineering and IT, Customer Care – North America
ENGIE North America Inc

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Tony Papke

Director of Business Development
MxD

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Bojan Knezovic

VP of IT & Enterprise Architecture
ENAP

2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Deploying Digital Work Instructions to Enhance Operational Efficiency, Increase Safety and Motivate your Team

·       Translating procedures into a more human-centered way of working

·       Capturing and sharing tribal knowledge to enhance training procedures

·       Combining visual information with text to guide your workforce through every step of the manufacturing process

2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Bringing AI Powered Co-Pilots to your Frontline Operations to Accelerate and Enhance Decision-Making

·       Unleashing efficiency and innovation with innovative AI copilots

·       Offering personalized assistance to operators and engineers on the plant floor

·       Driving quicker onboarding and reducing training time with digital agents

2:30 pm - 3:00 pm CASE STUDY: Realizing our Vision of Real-Time Assurance: Reducing Risk and Increasing Confidence in Well Execution
Ben Randell - Product Line Manager - Assurance, Chevron

Chevron has embarked on a mission to assure their well execution in real time. In this presentation, Ben will share progress to date on this ongoing project, including:


·       Chevron’s vision to assure in real time, leveraging algorithms and intelligent logic to compare real time data

·       Connecting Chevron employees to real time data during well test operations

·       Ensuring reduced risks and workforce safety at the wellsite

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Ben Randell

Product Line Manager - Assurance
Chevron

2:30 pm - 3:00 pm CASE STUDY: Zones and Conduits Security, From on Premises to the Cloud
Dennis Hackney - OT Cyber Engineering Team Lead- Infrastructure, Chevron

With proper planning zones and conduits (Z&C) security can work with cloud integration. This presentation will explore how Chevron are evaluating where it is appropriate to make the transition from on premises operational technologies (OT) or Industrial Control Systems (ICS), to the Cloud.


·       Evaluating the transition from on premises OT or ICS to the cloud

·       Expected benefits of IIoT, edge computing and the cloud

·       Considerations that change between the traditional environment and software-based infrastructure in the cloud

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Dennis Hackney

OT Cyber Engineering Team Lead- Infrastructure
Chevron

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Harnessing LTE and 5G Private Wireless Networks to Transform your Enterprise

5G is poised to revolutionize the energy sector, making it more efficient, reliable, and sustainable by leveraging advanced connectivity and automation technologies. This session will explore some of the key factors involved including:


·       Cellular technology designed with dedicated radio and localized equipment to support IoT and AI in the field

·       Incorporating multi-access edge computing to support low-latency applications

·       Supporting multiple connected worker applications with guaranteed coverage

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Enhancing your Connected Workers with Rapid Low-Code, No-Code Application Deployment

Rapid Low-Code, No-Code Application Deployment enhances connected energy workers by enabling quick and easy creation of custom applications that streamline workflows, improve real-time data access, and boost overall productivity. This session will explore some of the key factors involved including:


·       Developing customized experiences and interfaces for your connected workers

·       Creating personalized learning and development programs for rapid onboarding and on the job training

·       Setting up a governance model to manage multiple apps across your manufacturing environment

3:30 pm - 4:10 pm Solution Insight Session and Afternoon Networking Break

Are you looking for a specific connected worker solution, or want to explore the new innovative technology in this space? If so, we’ve got you covered. Maximize your time at the event through  targeted networking with leading technology providers; this Insight Session is the ideal opportunity to learn about the solutions available to meet your specific needs. How does it work? It’s easy. You spend seven minutes at a table of your choice, collect your prize draw stamp, and when the bell rings you’ll be directed to the next one to start another round of networking. At the end of the session, you’ll have met most of the technology providers that have the answers to the challenges you face, and if you haven’t, you can continue into the networking cocktail reception at the end of the day.

4:10 pm - 4:50 pm (A) Personalized AI Agents

These interactive roundtables are your opportunity to take part in facilitated group discussions with your peers. High-impact learning awaits as you engage in open dialogues about current challenges, share insights, and brainstorm solutions. Choose the discussion group you would like to attend.

4:10 pm - 4:40 pm (B) Real-Time Location Services

These interactive roundtables are your opportunity to take part in facilitated group discussions with your peers. High-impact learning awaits as you engage in open dialogues about current challenges, share insights, and brainstorm solutions. Choose the discussion group you would like to attend.

4:10 pm - 4:50 pm (C) PLTE & Data Connectivity

These interactive roundtables are your opportunity to take part in facilitated group discussions with your peers. High-impact learning awaits as you engage in open dialogues about current challenges, share insights, and brainstorm solutions. Choose the discussion group you would like to attend.

4:10 pm - 4:40 pm (D) Digital Work Instructions

These interactive roundtables are your opportunity to take part in facilitated group discussions with your peers. High-impact learning awaits as you engage in open dialogues about current challenges, share insights, and brainstorm solutions. Choose the discussion group you would like to attend.

4:10 pm - 4:50 pm (E) Robotics & Autonomous Inspections

These interactive roundtables are your opportunity to take part in facilitated group discussions with your peers. High-impact learning awaits as you engage in open dialogues about current challenges, share insights, and brainstorm solutions. Choose the discussion group you would like to attend.

4:10 pm - 4:50 pm (F) Connected Field Worker Platforms

These interactive roundtables are your opportunity to take part in facilitated group discussions with your peers. High-impact learning awaits as you engage in open dialogues about current challenges, share insights, and brainstorm solutions. Choose the discussion group you would like to attend.

4:10 pm - 4:50 pm (G) Safety Certified Devices

These interactive roundtables are your opportunity to take part in facilitated group discussions with your peers. High-impact learning awaits as you engage in open dialogues about current challenges, share insights, and brainstorm solutions. Choose the discussion group you would like to attend.

4:10 pm - 4:50 pm (H) Moving from Predictive to Prescriptive Maintenance

These interactive roundtables are your opportunity to take part in facilitated group discussions with your peers. High-impact learning awaits as you engage in open dialogues about current challenges, share insights, and brainstorm solutions. Choose the discussion group you would like to attend.

4:10 pm - 4:50 pm (I) Digital Permitting and Hazard Control

These interactive roundtables are your opportunity to take part in facilitated group discussions with your peers. High-impact learning awaits as you engage in open dialogues about current challenges, share insights, and brainstorm solutions. Choose the discussion group you would like to attend.

4:10 pm - 4:50 pm (J) Digital Twin and Asset Optimization

These interactive roundtables are your opportunity to take part in facilitated group discussions with your peers. High-impact learning awaits as you engage in open dialogues about current challenges, share insights, and brainstorm solutions. Choose the discussion group you would like to attend.

4:50 pm - 5:20 pm CASE STUDY: Connecting Our Workforce to Data in the Field for Improved Response Time Efficiency and Reduced Downtime

Adam L Ballard - Technology Advisor for Autonomous Field of the Future, Hess Corporation

In this case study, Adam will discuss the development and implementation of Hess Corporation’s field workforce scheduling tool. He will cover the challenges faced during development and   the efficiencies achieved in response time and reduced asset downtime, including:


·       Centralizing Data: Providing workers with access to centralized information to enhance field efficiency.

·       Optimizing Schedules: Improving workforce schedules to boost field efficiency.

·       Overcoming Challenges: Addressing the challenges from development to user adoption.

·       Future Enhancements: Exploring future enhancements and increased automation for the scheduling tool.

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Adam L Ballard

Technology Advisor for Autonomous Field of the Future
Hess Corporation

5:20 pm - 6:00 pm CLOSING KEYNOTE: "The work remains the same. What changes is how we participate in getting the work done”; Combining Knowledge AI and Data AI to form Automated Reasoning

Ron Norris - Director of Innovation, Georgia Pacific LLC

Keynote Speaker Ron Norris returns to the Connected Worker Series to share the latest evolution of his casual AI journey at Georgia Pacific. As a self-proclaimed change agent, Ron has dedicated his career to reshaping how works gets done; and leveraging cutting edge technology to make operations more efficient is a key part of his approach. He also loves to break down complex concepts and make them understandable and actionable for all. In our closing keynote Ron will share:


·       How Georgia Pacific have applied math, knowledge and data into their AI model to expediate decision making and transform business operations

·       How Knowledge AI and Data AI combine to form Automated Reasoning

·       How to leverage advanced Causal AI to empower the enterprise with unprecedented insights that go far beyond correlations and data-centric artificial intelligence

·       How Georgia Pacific has successful used technology to enhance operational efficiency, enable proactive decision-making, minimize downtime, and optimize resource utilization

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Ron Norris

Director of Innovation
Georgia Pacific LLC

6:00 pm - 6:05 pm Chair’s Closing Remarks

6:05 pm - 7:05 pm Tacos & Tequila After Party