John Axelberg

CEO, General Stamping & Metalworks

John Axelberg began his career at General Stamping & Metalworks in the pre-digital era, operating a mechanical press brake and recording production data with a pencil on paper. Over the next four decades he helped build GSM into one of the most broadly capable fabricating operations in North America. Today, John is focused on establishing high-integrity information flows to leverage GSM's technology and help the company's 370 associates reach their full potential as teammates, problem solvers and human beings. A lifelong resident of South Bend, IN, John holds a B.A. in English Literature from DePauw University.

Kate Bachman

Senior Editor, Precision Metalforming Association

Prior to joining MetalForming magazine as a contributing editor, Kate was editor of Stamping Journal, responsible for the overall editorial content and quality of the publication, devoted to the metal stamping manufacturing industry. She also wrote stamping-industry blogs and e-newsletter commentaries.

Berardino Baratta

CEO, Mxd (Manufacturing X Digital)

Berardino Baratta is an accomplished leader in technology and advancing manufacturing, with more than 25 years of experience in the industry. As the CEO of MxD, the digital manufacturing and cybersecurity institute, Berardino works with the U.S. Department of Defense and a nearly 300-member ecosystem to drive economic prosperity and support national security by increasing U.S. manufacturing competitiveness. Through MxD's diverse array of projects and partnerships, Berardino oversees critical efforts to enhance digital readiness and cybersecurity across the manufacturing sector, prepare the workforce for the advanced manufacturing jobs of the future, and ensure resilient and secure supply chains in an era of increased geopolitical disruption. Berardino's diverse experience includes recent roles as Vice President of Projects and Engineering and Sr. Director of Technology Strategy for MxD. Prior to joining MxD, Berardino was CEO of Potentia Analytics, an AI healthcare startup, and held multiple positions at Freescale, including General Manager of Freescale Semiconductor's Multimedia Applications Division. He began his career with Metrowerks Corporation, a leading provider of Software Development tools, where he led engineering through its growth from startup through acquisition by Motorola Corporation. Berardino received his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours) from McGill University.

Gregory Clement

President, Argon Industries, Inc.

Gregory Clement is president and owner of Argon Industries, Inc., Milwaukee, WI. Greg founded Argon 23 yr. ago, and the business began with four employees and three machines. Today, Argon has 130 employees and multiple pieces of automated equipment.

Colin Cosgrove

Industry Consultant, HQM Consulting LLC

In more than three decades in metal manufacturing, Colin Cosgrove has journeyed from the shop floor to the C-suite. Through revitalizing culture, driving growth strategies, improving operations, and focusing on people first he helps his teams win awards and achieve dramatic success.

Jeff Dec

President, Laystrom Manufacturing Company

Jeff Dec has been president of Laystrom Manufacturing since 2022. Jeff previously held various operating roles and has taught DFM/VAVE at more than 200 customers during the past 30+ years in the industry.

Edward Freimuth

President, Versatility Tool Works & Mfg.

Bio coming soon.

Rusell Hillenburg

President, Woven Metal Products Inc

Russell Hillenburg is president/CEO of Woven Metal Products (WMP). Based in Alvin, TX, WMP serves multiple industries, including oil and gas, chemicals/petrochemicals, renewable energy, architectural, decorative metalworking and electrical. As a third-generation family business owner, Russell was born into fabrication, as his grandfather founded WMP in 1967. An avid entrepreneur, Russell also is the president and co-founder of Modular Plant Solutions (MPS), an engineering firm specializing in process modularization and project implementation for the energy sector. With four patents and his expertise in refining and chemical plant equipment, Russell is a recognized subject-matter expert. He also is the co-founder of Woven Integration, a private investment company that holds investments across several sectors and is consistently evaluating new opportunities. Under his leadership, WMP was named 2023 Texas Family Business of the Year by Baylor University, and a Family-Owned Business Award winner by the Houston Business Journal.

Ryan Hochstetler

Digital Director, General Stamping & Metalworks

As Digital Director, Ryan oversees all matters related to the deployment of information technology and the provision of information to support business operations and decision making. Ryan joined GSM in 2013 as Information Systems Analyst, and assumed the role of Analytics Manager in 2023. Ryan has over twenty years of experience in systems work and data analysis and has led implementations of new ERP, CRM, and Estimating systems. He is currently focused on enabling real-time communication between machine tools and the company's ERP system. A Goshen, IN native, Ryan holds a B.A. in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics from Goshen College, and an M.B.A. in Analytics from the University of Chicago.

Lou Kren

Senior Editor, Precision Metalforming Association

Senior Editor Louis Kren has worked as an editor in trade and technical publishing since 1988. Before joining MetalForming in April 2000, he served as editor-in-chief of Forging magazine. During his career Lou also served as an editor with Foundry and 33 MetalProducing magazines.

Brad Kuvin

Editorial Director, Precision Metalforming Association

Brad Kuvin began his career in 1984, accumulating nearly 40 years of experience in covering metal forming and fabricating technologies. Brad served as Editor of Welding Design & Fabrication and Gases & Welding Distributor magazines before joining PMA and MetalForming magazine in 2000.

Mike Lauber

Chairman & CEO, TuscoMFG

Mike Lauber is Chairman & CEO of TuscoMFG, a company founded in 1949 that designs, engineers and produces a variety of fabricated metal products used in retail advertising, gaming, conveying and various industrial applications. Lauber holds a BA in Economics from the College of Wooster and an MBA from the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College. He serves as chair of the Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation, as a member of the College of Wooster Board of Trustees, and on the board of MAGNET, a Manufacturing Extension Partnership that serves small- and medium-sized manufacturers in 22 Northeast Ohio counties.

Robert Leahy

Customer & Central Service Manager, Trumpf Smart Factory Chicago

Bob Leahy brings more than 42 years of industrial machine tool manufacturing experience to his current position as Customer and Central Service Manager at the Trumpf Inc. Smart Factory in Hoffman Estates, IL. In this role, he oversees customer demonstrations, delegation events, and the 50,000-sq.-ft. campus facility. Leahy previously served as the Smart Factory's operations manager and was responsible for the demonstration/production facility and the introduction of Industry 4.0 processes in 2017. Before that, he managed the customer training facility at TRUMPF Inc. headquarters in Farmington, CT. Leahy began his career as an OEM field service engineer after completing studies in alternative energy and electronics. He first joined Trumpf 30 years ago as a service manager.

Dean Phillips

Director of Technical Training, Precision Metalforming Association

Dean Phillips joined the PMA staff as director of technical training in May 2024. Prior to this, he was heavily involved with PMA Tennessee District, served on the PMA safety committee, and was a contributor to MetalForming magazine. Dean has been an active member of the forming and fabricating community for the past 35 years. He started his career at Niagara (later Clearing Niagara Bliss, CNB), serving as service tech, regional sales manager and fabrication product director. Later, he was the fabrication product director for Piranha / Allsteel and designed the Titan press brake with Tennsmith as its director of fabrication products. Dean also was national sales manager for SEYI Presses. Dean is an expert in IIoT and strategy for AI-based systems, as well as an expert on safety and controls, working to make manufacturers as productive and safe as possible. Dean spent 20 years with Link Systems and is designing VR/AR as president of Longevity Industries' “Reality Safe.' You can hear Dean, the host/producer of PMA's “Destiny of Manufacturing' podcast, with industry leaders and technical experts.

Jeff Puma

Content Director, National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)

Jeff Puma is Content Director for the Manufacturing Leadership Council. He is responsible for creating programming, editing the Manufacturing Leadership Journal, analyzing survey data, and helping the manufacturing community understand digital-transformation trends. Previously, he led communications for the Association for Manufacturing Excellence, the world's largest lean-focused organization. Jeff's career also includes agency work, roles in education, and working for Siemens USA, where he led marketing communications for one of the company's business units and launched Siemens' first executive-outreach program.

Stu Swanson

Engineering Manager - Fabrication, Kapco Metal Stamping

Stu Swanson joined Kapco in 2021, bringing extensive experience in manufacturing engineering, commodity management, and training & development from various large manufacturers. Swanson, Engineering Manager--Fabrication for Kapco, is a Six Sigma Green Belt with expertise in lean manufacturing and continuous improvement. He specializes in process optimization and efficiency. Skilled in programming, automation, and AMR deployment, Swanson is dedicated to driving innovation and operational excellence in manufacturing.

Lance Thrailkill

CEO, All Metals Fabricating

Lance is the third-generation owner of All Metals Fabricating, a contract manufacturer specializing in sheet metal fabricating, welding, machining, powder coating, and electro-mechanical assembly. After earning his MBA in Accounting from SMU in 2008, Lance joined All Metals as first its Controller and promoting to its CFO in 2010. Lance has actively contributed to and learned all aspects of the business and currently serves as All Metals' CEO since 2018. He has been identified as an industry trendsetter by ECI, JobBOSS and IndustryWeek for embracing and implementing next generation advancements in technology, automation, and the adoption of Industry 4.0 within his organization. All Metals was featured in a 2022 episode of Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid, highlighting companies who are pushing the limits of technology and automation and raising the standard of their industries. Lance is a true servant leader for his company and his community. He believes in people first and that these relationships and partnerships are what evolve businesses and lead to excellence in customer service. In 2019, IndustryWeek announced All Metals the winner of their “Best Plant Award' recognizing the most excellent manufacturing companies in the United States. Additionally, CorporateLiveWire recognized All Metals as one of their 2022 “Manufacturing Employers of the Year'. Mosty recently, Lance was named one of the Dallas Business Journal's 2022 40 Under 40 honorees. For those that know Lance, this speaks to his tenacious drive, his huge heart, and his genuine servant leadership style.

Brais Whirl

Network Security Manager, Amada North America, Inc

During his 15 years at Amada, Brais Whirl has led the management of information systems and data integrity, bringing over two decades of expertise in IT, with a specialized focus on Cybersecurity. His academic background in robotics and autonomous systems adds an innovative layer to his work, allowing him to bridge the gap between the manufacturing and IT sectors with a unique, holistic perspective.

Christopher Zuzick

Vice President, Waukesha Metal Products

Chris Zuzick is a vice president at Waukesha Metal Products (WMP) and has been with WMP since 2016. He has more than 36 years of experience in various areas including manufacturing, investment banking, private equity, education, youth sports and various communication organizations. Chris is results-orientated and has a track recording of building effective teams with empathy to grow, achieve success, maximize results, drive results, and provide a roadmap for success for all members of the team. Waukesha Metal Products has more than 50 years of experience in high quality precision metal stamping, metal fabrication, component assembly, and tool and die manufacturing. WMP is an agile, reliable provider of full-service solutions for its customers with a operations located in Sussex, WI, Grafton, WI and San Luis Potosi, Mexico Chris is an active PMA member and currently serves on the PMA financial committee as well as the PMA executive board.