Jim Gillespie of GrayMatter | Episode 103

In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter sits down with Joe Mazzola, General Manager of McEnery Automation, to unpack his journey from co-op student to company leader. Joe shares how McHenry has grown from a two-person startup to a 30-person team, fueled by long-term customer relationships, CSIA certification, and a culture of engineering excellence. From process automation innovations in brewing and consumer goods to navigating workforce transitions and integrating ERP systems, Joe offers grounded insights on scaling with integrity, embracing flexibility, and building solutions that last. P.S. The Show is always looking for guests! You do need to be part of a company that is a CSIA member with a Gold profile or higher on the CSIA Industrial Exchange but other than that, you are welcome to join this show. Contact Lisa Richter if you are interested. (Linkedin here)

In this special crossover episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter shares a conversation from Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, featuring outgoing CSIA CEO Jose Rivera. As he prepares to step down after 10 transformative years, Jose looks back on the challenges and triumphs that shaped the Control System Integrators Association—from navigating the pandemic and launching remote certifications to championing emerging leaders and expanding globally. Listeners will gain insights into how CSIA evolved to meet the needs of a new generation of system integrators and why the upcoming Learning Hub could redefine professional development in automation. If you're interested in leadership transitions, association strategy, or the future of industrial integration, this episode delivers thoughtful reflections and a hopeful look ahead. P.S. The Show is always looking for guests! You do need to be part of a company that is a CSIA member with a Gold profile or higher on the CSIA Industrial Exchange but other than that, you are welcome to join this show. Contact Lisa Richter if you are interested. (Linkedin here)

In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter sits down with Brian Doyle, CEO of Holden Advisors, to explore how B2B companies—especially in manufacturing and industrial sectors—can unlock growth through value-based pricing. Brian shares insights on navigating market uncertainty, communicating across generational teams, and tackling challenges like tariffs and inflation with pricing strategies that stick. Key Takeaways: Why value-based pricing outperforms cost-plus models How to assess your company’s pricing power Common pricing pitfalls during market disruptions The importance of segmenting customers by price sensitivity Tips for sales teams to defend pricing and reduce unnecessary discounting Tune in to learn how pricing can become your company's most powerful growth lever. P.S. The Show is always looking for guests! You do need to be part of a company that is a CSIA member with a Gold profile or higher on the CSIA Industrial Exchange but other than that, you are welcome to join this show. Contact Lisa Richter if you are interested. (Linkedin here)

In today's episode, we're talking industrial automation with Matt Wise, CEO of E Tech Group as we explore how E Tech Group became a powerhouse in system integration, earning accolades like the 2025 System Integrator of the Year award.  Discover Matt's unique journey from marketing to leading over 600 employees across North America and how his diverse background shapes innovative strategies for tackling industry challenges. Key Takeaways: - Learn about E Tech Group's evolution through strategic acquisitions and its impact on scaling operations. - Understand the complexities faced by clients in automation and how E Tech Group provides tailored solutions. - Gain insights into industry trends, including labor shortages and technological advancements like AI. P.S. The Show is always looking for guests! You do need to be part of a company that is a CSIA member with a Gold profile or higher on the CSIA Industrial Exchange but other than that, you are welcome to join this show. Contact Lisa Richter if you are interested. (You can finder on on Linkedin here)

In this encore presentation of one of the most listened episodes of Talking Industrial Automation,  Jim Biehl reveals why some businesses thrive and others flame out, based on his decades of experience. Plus, he discusses the No. 1 inhibitor to business growth. Hint: It's not what you think. Register for the CSIA 2025 Conference HERE  

In today’s episode, we’re talking industrial automation with Cole Wangsness, who is a Solution Architect at OnLogic.  Since joining the team in 2018, Cole has focused on empowering companies to solve complex technology challenges at the edge -- encompassing both software and hardware -- by leveraging OnLogic's industrial computing solutions and its robust partner ecosystem.  Through his work with customers, partners, vendors and the team at OnLogic, Cole gets to feed his passion for making complex technologies -- such as AI at the Edge & Device Orchestration --  easier to understand and deploy. Hear all about it in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation. P.S. The show is always looking for guests! You do need to be part of a company that is a CSIA member with a Gold profile or higher on the CSIA Industrial Exchange but other than that, you are welcome to join ths show. Contact Lisa Richter if you are interested. (You can find her on LinkedIn.)

In today’s episode, we’re talking industrial automation with Kyle Carreau, who is an Enablement Manager for the Kepware team at PTC. Kyle is the “go-to” technical and commercial resource For Kepware’s technology partners, international distributors, and North American resellers, Kyle Carreau is a go-to technical and commerical resource. In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, you'll hear how he uses his decades of experience in Industrial automation -- a heavy focus on Industrial Networking and communications, SCADA/HMI software, and PLCs -- to excel in his role as enablement manager. P.S. The show is always looking for guests! You do need to be part of a company that is a CSIA member with a Gold profile or higher on the CSIA Industrial Exchange but other than that, you are welcome to join ths show. Contact Lisa Richter if you are interested. (You can find her on LinkedIn.)

In this episode, you'll hear from Jim Gillespie, who is the co-founder and chief growth officer of GrayMatter, a leading OT-focused company that provides consulting, services, and curated technology to transform operations and empower people.  Since its inception, GrayMatter has grown to over 290 team members and over $80M in revenue.  Along the way, it also completed 5 acquisitions and achieved national and international recognition. Listen to find how how and why Jim has grown this company to the size it is today.

This episode is a special one –  content from a recent CSIA members-only presentation – a Virtual Keynote Address by Alex Chaukosky, who is director of analytics and consulting for the Bundy Group. But that title really does not give you the full picture because he is also a super whiz when it comes to taking economic and labor data and making it understandable, non-partisan, fact based – and more importantly, actionable. The catch is that this is only a portion of his full presentation and only audio – CSIA members can access the full presentiaotn, including video and slides, at www.controlsys.org/virtual-keynotes. But, it still includes plenty of interesting insights that will help you make good personal and business decisions.  

In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, Kacie Chitwood, an account executive at Miller Resource Group, shares her insights into the job market for controls engineers. Some tidbits: The surprising salary jumps controls engineers can expect in their first five years Creative perks companies are using to attract top talent beyond just salary Why the "skills gap" is a major challenge and how companies are addressing it Tips for candidates on standing out in the job market and negotiating offers The future outlook for industrial automation careers and why it's so promising Whether you're a job seeker looking to advance your career, an employer trying to attract and retain talent, or simply curious about the state of the industry, this episode is packed with actionable advice and insider knowledge.