Joseph C. Christenson of PPT VISION, Inc. Named President of Automation Technologies Council

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, January 23, 2004—The Automation Technologies Council (ATC) has elected Joseph C. Christenson as its 2004 President.  He succeeds Kevin Ostby of FANUC Robotics America, Inc. who served in 2002-2003.  Christenson is Chief Executive Officer of PPT VISION, Inc. of Eden Prairie, Minnesota. 

‘‘It is a privilege for me to serve the Automation Technologies Council as President in 2004,’‘ said Christenson.  ‘‘I look forward to working with the leadership of our over 450 member companies and our outstanding staff in Ann Arbor to promote greater awareness and usage of robotics, machine vision and related factory automation technologies.’‘  

ATC was formed in 1998 as an umbrella organization to represent companies that manufacture, integrate or use robotics, machine vision, and related automation technologies.  Two associations under that umbrella include the Robotic Industries Association (RIA) and the Automated Imaging Association (AIA).

Looking to the future, Christenson shared his thoughts: ‘‘With capital spending on factory automation now trending upward, the next two years look to be an exciting time for our industry.’‘

Joining Christenson on the ATC Board are Kevin Ostby,Vice President General Industries, FANUC Robotics America, Inc.; Charlie Duncheon, Executive Vice President, Adept Technology, Inc.; Steven Holland, Director of Manufacturing Systems Research Lab & Chief Scientist of Manufacturing, General Motors Corporation R&D Center; Craig Jennings, President & COO, Motoman, Inc.; John Stack, President, Edmund Industrial Optics; Donald A. Vincent, Executive Vice President, Automation Technologies Council; and Vic Wintriss, President, Wintriss Engineering Corporation.

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‘‘Our member companies are at the cutting edge of developing and deploying key productivity-enhancing automation technologies for manufacturing processes worldwide,’‘ Christenson said.  He added, ‘‘The robotic and machine vision-based automation products and solutions developed by our member companies make a vital contribution to global manufacturing quality, efficiency and productivity.’‘

Christenson joined PPT VISION, Inc. in 1985 and became Chief Executive Officer in 1989.  He holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Olaf College.  He has served on the Automated Imaging Association (AIA) Board of Directors since 1989 and served a two-year term as Chairman of the AIA (1994-95).

Regarding this year’s ATC goals, Christenson commented: ‘‘The organization will work hard over the year to effectively represent this important industry which plays such a crucial role in global economic growth.’‘   

For more information about the Automation Technologies Council and its specialty trade groups, contact Association Headquarters at 734-994-6088.