Dr. Yash is working as a researcher at Edison Welding Institute (EWI) in the area of metal additive manufacturing. He pursued his PhD from Cranfield University, UK, and Post-doc from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). His research interests are Metal Additive Manufacturing, especially largescale additive manufacturing. He has been in this research area for more than 9 years now. Other than that, he is also interested in Smart Manufacturing/Industry 4.0, and is now researching different options to implement smart manufacturing in metal additive manufacture. He is an editor of an ASTM journal, has chaired several conference sessions and is a reviewer for more than 5 journals.

Mr. Michael “Shane” Buchanan obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Technological University in 1994. He had seventeen years of experience working in and managing the engineering departments for Kasai. Kasai is a global tier one automotive interior supplier to Nissan, Honda, Toyota, Subaru, and Volkswagen. Shane joined the Mechatronics Program at Motlow State Community College in 2012 as a full-time instructor. He was the Director of the Mechatronics Program (AAS degree) as an assistant professor until 2018. In 2017, he was also the interim Dean of Motlow’s McMinnville campus.

Shane completed his Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering at the University of Tennessee in 2017. In 2018, he returned to Kasai as the general manager of Corporate PE with the responsibility of the new project tooling and equipment teams for all North America. Shane Buchanan has a wife that is a registered nurse and one daughter who is just starting middle school.

Mr. Wayne Ellington has over 40 years of experience working in the Automotive Manufacturing Industry. He has held many positions in Facility Maintenance and Engineering over the years. He has a significant focus on Paint Shop application and process equipment. Currently at the Nissan plant, in Smyrna, TN, Wayne has responsibilities for technical training of multi-craft Maintenance Apprentices, Technicians and Engineers, as well as recruitment for these groups. Wayne received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree (BSME), with a minor in Plant Engineering, from what is now known as Kettering University. Wayne has earned his Certified Maintenance Reliability Professional (CMRP) and EPA Section 608, Certified HVAC Universal Technician certificates. He is also an OSHA Qualified Person in the field of Fall Arrest.

As Leader of Talent Development and Education for Bridgestone Americas Manufacturing Group (BAMG) in the Greater Nashville Area for Bridgestone Corporation, Fran provides strategic direction for BAMG on talent development from executive leader development to production and maintenance technicians in twelve new tire and retread manufacturing facilities in North and Latin America. Through its subsidiaries, Bridgestone Americas develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of tires including consumer and commercial replacement and original equipment. In addition, its companies also produce Firestone air springs, roofing materials, synthetic rubber, industrial fibers and textiles and operate the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers, Firestone Complete Auto Care. Fran previously worked as Plant Manager at the passenger/light truck tire plant located in Aiken County, South Carolina, the largest passenger/light truck tire plant owned by Bridgestone (2014-2016) and Vice President of Administrative Services for the new Aiken Off Road Plant during the start up phase for the facility (2011-2014). Prior to her time in Aiken she held the position of Vice President, Human Resources and Talent Management and Vice President, Human Resources Business Partners (HRBP).

Mr. Todd Martin is a Technologist in the Maintenance Digital Technology group at Nissan in Smyrna TN. His responsibilities include identifying, developing and implementing IoT technologies to capture machine data for Condition Based Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance analytics. These technologies are used for reducing equipment downtime, reducing maintenance costs, and increasing maintenance efficiency and effectiveness. Todd has worked in the Industrial Automation and Systems Integration field for over 20 years. Todd has worked the past 4 years with Nissan as a Maintenance Technologist in the Body Shop providing engineering and maintenance support before transferring to the Digital Acceleration group. Prior to Nissan, Todd worked as the Senior Controls Engineer at Copperweld Bimetallics for 5 years.

Mr. Jeremy Near is the Supervisor for the Maintenance Digital Acceleration team at Nissan in Smyrna TN. His team implements new technologies in the areas of Condition Based Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance for the purposes of reducing equipment downtime, reducing maintenance costs, and increasing maintenance efficiency and effectiveness. Jeremy has worked in the manufacturing sector for over 17 years, and knows that one key to profitability in manufacturing is developing proactive methods for increasing equipment uptime and performance. Jeremy has worked the last 6 years with Nissan North America as a Plastics Molding Engineer and Maintenance Supervisor before landing his current job as Digital Acceleration Supervisor. Prior to joining Nissan, Jeremy worked for 11 years as a Process Engineer and Project Manager with GE Plastics (now SABIC Innovative Plastics), and also served as a Sergeant in the US Army National Guard as a Light Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic. Jeremy holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Current SME international director, SME Education Foundation reviewer and the 2016 Member Council chair. Mr. Phillips is a successful Webinar producer around safety and productivity, an advisor to SME’s Smart Mfg Committee and PMA’s Safety Committee. He is a frequent contributor to productivity and webinar periodicals and blogs including Metalform magazine. A 30 year veteran of Forming and Fabricating industries, Mr. Phillips is a Production Enhancement Engineer with Link Systems and is the founder/producer of the Longevity industries.com - “Destiny of Manufacturing” podcast. His company, Longevity Industries highlights thought leaders who focus on technology and workforce development around manufacturing. Mr. Phillips is here to share the 5 year perspectives of these guests and from his own experiences with hundreds of manufacturers across the USA.

Mr. Shane Terry is pursuing a Master’s of Science in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Tennessee Technological University. Shane has been a graduate research assistant with Dr. Fidan's Research Group and his task is to develop several research and instructional materials on the energy efficiency of Smart Manufacturing Systems. He is also an active member of the university’s Industrial Assessment Center.