Six New Directors Added to RIA Board

Ann Arbor, Michigan – Six industry leaders have been added to the 2009 Board of Directors of Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the North American robotics trade association headquartered here.

Joe Gemma, Division Manager, Staubli Corporation, Robotics Division, was elected to a two-year term representing the supplier community.  Mick Estes, General Manager, Distribution, FANUC Robotics America, begins a one-year term.

John Burg, President, Ellison Technologies Automation, was re-elected to a new two-year term in the supplier category. 

In the user category, Paul Doll, Automation Manager, Kraft Foods and Joyce Guthrie, Senior Engineer, US Postal Service, were elected to new two-year terms.  Dana Komin, Director, Controls, Conveyors, Robotics & Welding at General Motors begin a one-year term.  For Doll, it marks a return to the Board.  It’s the first time on the Board for Guthrie and Komin.

In the researcher category, Ray Puffer, Program Director, Industrial Automation, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was elected to his first two-year term on the Board.

Leaving the Board were Bill Drotning of Sandia Labs, Roberta Nelson Shea of Pilz Automation Safety, and Jim Wells of General Motors.  “All three of these individuals have done an outstanding job on the RIA Board and we will greatly miss their contributions,” said Jeff Burnstein, Executive Vice President of RIA.

“We’re fortunate to have a highly committed group of volunteers willing to give their time to help the industry grow,” Burnstein said.  “Currently headed by Rich Litt, Chairman, Genesis Systems, the Board works cooperatively together in a ‘leave your logo at the door’ environment that allows RIA to undertake programs that best serve everyone involved in the robotics industry, from suppliers and system integrators to end users and researchers,” Burnstein commented.

The Board sets the strategic direction for RIA and helps develop programs to promote the robotics industry in North America as well as globally, Burnstein noted.

Among the key activities slated for 2009 are the International Robots, Vision & Motion Control Show and Conference set for June 9-11 in Rosemont, Illinois.  Held just once every two years, the show is the leading North American event for robotics, machine vision, and motion control technologies.  Some 5000 participants are expected.

Founded in 1974, RIA currently represents more than 275 robot manufacturers, component suppliers, system integrators, end users, consultants, and research organizations.  In addition to the biennial trade show, RIA is best-known for collecting and reporting robotics statistics, developing the American National Robot Safety Standard and providing ongoing safety training, and operating Robotics Online, the world’s leading resource for robotics information (www.robotics.org).

For full details on RIA and its member companies, visit www.robotics.org or contact RIA Headquarters at 734/994-6088.