Chris Burdette, MBA is the Director of Operations at Takeuchi’s  compact track loader production facility in Moore, South Carolina. With more than two decades of manufacturing experience, Chris brings a diverse operational background spanning manufacturing operations, logistics, continuous improvement, and quality. His experience has focused heavily on complex, engineered and build-to-order environments where quality, efficiency, and adaptability are critical to success.

Chris is passionate about bringing clarity and alignment to complex organizations, removing barriers, developing people, and building sustainable processes that support long-term growth. His leadership philosophy centers on humility, transparency, and integrity, with a strong emphasis on empowering teams and developing future leaders. Chris holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business Administration from Marshall University and is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt.

Gerardo Cisneros, MBA, is the Global Finance Director at Nordson Corporation, a global leader in precision manufacturing technology. Prior to joining Nordson, he served as CFO of the Americas Division at Swiss Krono and held finance leadership roles with leading global companies including ILC Dover, Current Lighting, Hubbell, and Eaton.

Gerardo brings a strong background in financial leadership, strategic planning, and driving value creation across global organizations. His expertise centers on aligning financial strategy with business operations, evaluating investment opportunities, and supporting profitable growth.

Gerardo holds an MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts and a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Universidad Panamericana. He has also completed executive education in Strategic Leadership at The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.

His background in global finance and business strategy provides a strong foundation for navigating complex financial environments, evaluating business opportunities, and supporting long-term organizational growth.

Cole Dunster, MBA serves as Vice President of Finance, Product Solutions at AFL, bringing a strong background in financial leadership, strategic planning, and business operations within the manufacturing industry. Prior to joining AFL, Cole held finance leadership positions at Milliken & Company, including serving as Division CFO for its Chemical Division.

Throughout his career, Cole has gained experience connecting financial strategy with operational performance, evaluating business opportunities, and supporting informed decision-making. His background in corporate finance and manufacturing provides a valuable perspective on balancing financial considerations with operational priorities and long-term business growth.

Cole holds an MBA from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and will moderate the "When is Automation Worth It?" panel discussion.

Rhiannon Wagner Poore is the founder and CEO of Forge Search + Consulting, where she partners with companies to build resilient teams that thrive in an evolving world. Since its inception, Forge has grown into a multi-million dollar professional recruiting firm headquartered in Greenville, SC serving a nationwide client base. An award-winning recruiting leader, Rhiannon brings 20 years of experience in talent acquisition, business development, and talent development—along with a unique blend of strategic insight and real-world expertise.

Entrepreneurial at heart, Rhiannon has been recognized for her distinct ability to lead change and drive results throughout her career, including honors such as Greenville’s “Best and Brightest” and FGP’s “Top Biller of the Year.” Previously, Rhiannon led talent acquisition at a large public accounting firm and began her career working for an executive search firm. A believer in the power of relationships, Rhiannon founded Forge to transform talent acquisition with a people-first approach that equips companies and candidates for lasting success.

Ben Popwell, CPA is a Senior Manager at Elliott Davis in the Client Accounting Advisory Services (CAAS) practice. Based in Greenville, Ben works with business owners and leadership teams to strengthen their finance and accounting functions, improve financial visibility, and turn financial data into practical insights that support better decision-making.

His experience includes advising organizations on management reporting, accounting processes and systems, cash flow forecasting, and building scalable and effective finance functions. With a relational and advisory-focused approach, Ben helps leaders understand the key drivers of their businesses and make informed decisions around liquidity, working capital, and long-term financial performance.

Jörg Wolter is the Chief Executive Officer of DATA AHEAD Inc., bringing more than 20 years of experience helping industrial companies improve and modernize their manufacturing operations. His expertise spans production digitalization, automation, manufacturing technology, and the development of intelligent production and testing systems designed to improve efficiency and performance.

Throughout his career, Jörg has focused on helping manufacturers navigate complex operational challenges and identify practical opportunities for improvement. He brings a results-oriented approach to technology and automation, with an emphasis on solutions that solve real production challenges, deliver measurable value, and support sustainable growth. His experience working with manufacturers in both Europe and the United States also brings a valuable global perspective to conversations around investment, automation, and the future of manufacturing.