1. Manage
  2. Systems Integration

The changing face of MESA

May 20, 2004
Organization announces new keystone sponsors, analyst involvement, new board members and conference activity.
MESA, THE MANUFUFACTURING Enterprise Solutions Association has announced significant growth and activity within the organization. Keystone sponsors are the cornerstones of the organization, providing strategic direction and endorsement of MESA activities. MESA is proud to announce today that Microsoft and SAP have joined Rockwell Automation, GE Fanuc, and Siemens as keystone sponsors of the organization. “These sponsors are the lifeblood of a continuing service to our members and our strategic partners,” commented Kevin Roach, MESA’s Chairman and President of Rockwell Software. “The involvement of these industry leaders is a testament to the success of this organization.”

MESA has also expanded its industry service by creating an analyst advisory committee. Participants on the committee are Alison Smith of AMR Research, Dan Miklovic of Gartner, Julie Fraser of Industry Directions, Robert Parker of IDC/Manufacturing Insights, Greg Gorbach of ARC Advisory Group, Jane Biddle and Chris Jones of Aberdeen, and Navi Radjou of Forrester. The analyst advisory committee has been formed to provide direction and guidance to MESA activities as well as coordinate direct research into areas that MESA is exploring. The analyst advisory committee will also have a significant presence at the September 2005 Plant2Enterprise conference in Orlando, FL by chairing panel discussions and small focus groups on specialized subject matter.

MESA has also expanded its board by adding five new Board Members At Large. The new board members are Paul Kurchina, Program Director, TransAlta; Celestine Vettical, World Wide Director of Manufacturing Industry Solutions, EPG WW Manufacturing Industry Unit, Microsoft Corporation; Jim Ricigliano, Associate Director, MES Technical Operations & Product Supply Business Process Management, Wyeth; Bill Estep, Vice President of Automation Solutions, GE Fanuc Automation Americas, Inc.; and Ramesh Raman, Specialist, Supply Chain Practice, McKinsey and Company. These new board members join a very capable board that is charged with growing MESA membership and providing end user educational value in the offering of programs and services.

“The entire MESA board has worked over the past two years to increase the value that the organization can provide for solution providers,” added Roach. “This will be evident at the 2005 Plant2Enterprise annual Conference in Orlando where we will continue to drive education and thought-leadership on achieving manufacturing excellence through technology.”