DAYS UNTIL SUMMIT 2022
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Breakout Sessions With Industry Experts
3:00 p.m. Sessions
Real-World Cybersecurity Breaches in Manufacturing
Creating an Apprenticeship in 3 Easy Steps
Building and Maintaining a High-Performance Environment
4:00 p.m. Sessions
Plant Automation: A Case Study With Ramar Foods
How to Take Advantage of California Competes Tax Credits
B Corp Certification 101
Real-World Cybersecurity Breaches in Manufacturing
Manufacturing organizations have been compromised by real-world cybersecurity breaches, and even the best IT equipment and staff did not protect them. Cybersecurity resiliency is built with best practice policies, much more than expensive hardware or software. In this session, attendees will learn how demanding organizations with mission-critical operations implement common-sense security policies that are frequently overlooked for convenience. We will discuss the common challenges in changing the cybersecurity culture in a complex organization with multiple stakeholders, how to work through them, and enable success. Attendees will walk away with step-by-step clarity on how to harden their security without necessarily having to make additional IT purchases.
Presented by Albert Brown, Director of Strategic Initiatives, ZAG Technical Services

Albert Brown is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at ZAG Technical Services, where he leads the company’s compliance and assessment practice. Calling on his extensive experience in technology strategy and project management, Albert is instrumental in guiding ZAG through client-centered initiatives that provide more value and functionality to their operations.
Creating an Apprenticeship in 3 Easy Steps
Apprenticeship in California is growing in importance as companies look for additional ways to build a high-quality, skilled trades workforce. With the State of CA and the community colleges putting more money and effort into apprenticeships, now is the time for manufacturers to learn more about the topic and find out how it can benefit them. In this seminar we will answer your questions and cover the basics to show you how you can begin incorporating apprentices into your workforce plan in 3 EASY STEPS!
Presented by Mark Martin, Ph.D., Regional Director, Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Development – Bay Area

Mark Martin, Ph.D., is the Bay Area Regional Director for Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Development for the California Community Colleges. Dr. Martin has more than 25 years of experience in manufacturing and engineering, including product development, manufacturing and design research, teaching and workforce development.
Building and Maintaining a High-Performance Environment
Many great leaders are justifiably frustrated that so many employees don’t seem to care about the company like they do. Generous employee perks and an anything-is-ok workplace don’t create a high-performance company. Yet much is known about creating and maintaining a high-performance environment. Learn what 14 years’ research reveals, explore a framework for understanding the key drivers of high-performance organizations and take steps to improve your own workplace environment.
Attendees will learn:
- The common causes of low-performance environments.
- How to apply performance pressure in a productive fashion.
- How to understand the power for visibility to drive results.
- When to put the risk of failure front and center.
- Why your employees should not feel satisfied with their performance—ever.
Presented by Robert Sher, CEO of Mastering Midsized

Robert Sher is CEO of Mastering Midsized, a consulting firm that provides leaders of midsized businesses with advice on how to maximize growth – and do it in a way that is sustainable and predictable. He was chief executive of Bentley Publishing Group from 1984 to 2006 and steered the firm to become a leading player in its industry. Robert speaks frequently and has published extensively on the successful leadership traits and skills of CEOs of midsized companies. He is a regular columnist on Forbes.com, has numerous posts on Harvard Business Review online and has authored three books that crystalize what he has learned about running, growing and profitably exiting midsized firms. The most recent book, Driving Midsized Growth, was released in August 2021.
Plant Automation: A Case Study With Ramar Foods
Learn how Ramar Foods, a specialty food manufacturer based in Pittsburg, utilized digital transformation and automation to address the challenges of increasing labor costs, a retiring workforce, company culture and regulations. Hear how The Corporation of Manufacturing Excellence (Manex) helped management determine where and how to automate utilizing technology including, but not limited to robotics, IoT, vision assist, cloud computing and cybersecurity.
Presented by PJ Quesada, Vice President of Ramar Foods and Michael Shabaka, Ph.D., Director of Sales and Innovation Excellence for Manex

PJ Quesada is Vice President of Ramar Foods, a 3rd generation family-owned and operated specialty food manufacturing company headquartered in Pittsburg. He is currently overseeing all operations including manufacturing, logistics, compliance, IT and integration as the company transitions its legacy manufacturing prowess into the 21st century. Ramar operates three manufacturing facilities and employs over 250 people full time.

Michael Shabaka, Ph.D., is Director of Sales and Innovation Excellence for Manex and has over 19 years of experience in the industries of biotech, high tech, publishing, environmental lab services, and the non-profit sector. Dr. Shabaka holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior with a concentration in Transformative Learning and Change, from the California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco. He also holds an MBA in Marketing and Finance, and a BA in International Affairs from Holy Names College, Oakland. Dr. Shabaka works with Bay Area manufacturers to identify areas of improvement in business and operations and provide solutions.
How to Take Advantage of California Competes Tax Credits
The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. At least $200 million in California Competes Tax Credit is available for allocation in the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Learn how to submit a successful application through the competitive application process. Applicants will be analyzed based on twelve different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment, and strategic importance to the state or region. Learn how to submit a successful application through the competitive application process.
Presented by Scott Dosick, Deputy Director for the California Competes Tax Credit for the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz).

Scott Dosick was appointed as Deputy Director for the California Competes Tax Credit program within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) by Governor Newsome in 2020. He previously served as Deputy Chief of Recycling for Governor Davis, worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and ran a business consulting firm. In 2014, he joined the GO-Biz team to help launch the new California Competes Tax Credit program.
B Corp Certification 101
Find out how your manufacturing company can use business as a force for good and not just be the best in the world, but be the best for the world. In this session, learn what a Certified B Corporation is and how your firm can attain this robust certification. Hear about the benefits of becoming a triple bottom line organization such as retaining talent, cultivating an inclusive culture, and revenue growth. We will discuss the common challenges in the certification assessment, how to work through them, and gain the points you need. Attendees will walk away with step-by-step clarity on the full certification process.
Presented by Jennifer Cantero, Director of Sustainability at Sensiba San Filippo LLP


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Attend two breakout sessions and choose from more than 6 speakers and topics. Bring your team to take advantage of all of the industry experts sharing knowledge and resources.