John Axelberg

CEO, General Stamping & Metalworks

Bio coming soon.

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.

Jeff Dec

President, Laystrom Manufacturing Company

Bio coming soon.

Ryan Hochstetler

Digital Director, General Stamping & Metalworks

Bio coming soon.

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

Bio coming soon.

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.