December 9, 2025

* JOIN US FOR THE PRE-EVENT HAPPY HOUR ON DECEMBER 8, 2025 FROM 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

7:00 am – 8:00 am CST

DELEGATE REGISTRATION AND NETWORKING BREAKFAST

8:00 am – 8:10 am CST

Chair's Welcome and Opening Remarks

Manufacturing & Operations

Dan Key

SVP and Chief Operations Officer
Solenis

Quality & HSE

Lyndee Brassieur

VP, Environment, Health and Safety
PPG

8:10 am – 8:20 am CST

Mayor's Welcome Address

John Whitmire

Mayor
City of Houston

8:20 am – 8:50 am CST

Keynote

Rebecca Teeters, Ph.D.

SVP, Fluoromaterial Stewardship and President Chemical Operations LLC
3M

Driving Operational Excellence and Sustainability through Leadership and Innovation

  • Cultivating a culture of accountability and shared success in global chemical operations
  • Leveraging advanced manufacturing technologies for quality, delivery, and cost efficiency Enhancing environmental stewardship through sustainable operational practices
  • Building empowered teams with a focus on continuous improvement and profitability
  • Applying servant leadership and coaching to foster growth and innovation in operations
8:50 am – 9:20 am CST

Plenary

Björn Jackisch, Ph.D.

SVP, Operations and Supply Chain Americas
Henkel

Leveraging Data and AI to Drive Digital Transformation in Manufacturing

  • Exploring how data analytics and AI are shaping Industry 4.0 in Henkel’s smart factories
  • The importance of digitalizing existing production sites to optimize processes and improve decision-making
  • Overcoming challenges of varied machine types and manufacturing processes in global operations
  • Integrating customer feedback into production processes through digital platforms for continuous improvement
  • The role of people in successful digital transformation: building skilled teams and fostering collaboration
  • Achieving prescriptive operations through data transparency, AI tools, and sustainable process design
9:20 am – 9:50 am CST

Fireside Chat

  • Mark Holden

    Global Head, Manufacturing Technology Center
    Indorama Ventures

  • Sundeep Ravande

    Founder and CEO
    Innovapptive

From Digital Projects to EBITDA Gains: Unlocking Margin Improvement in Chemical Manufacturing

  • How connected worker platforms unlock hidden value across complex manufacturing operations and supply chains
  •  Leveraging AI-driven insights to reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and strengthen workforce productivity
  • Real-world case studies showing hard-dollar results and EBITDA gains from digital adoption initiatives
  • Overcoming cultural and operational barriers to scaling digital tools across global chemical plants
  • Linking digital transformation efforts directly to profitability, resilience, and long-term market competitiveness
9:55 am – 11:35 am CST

Refreshments, Networking, and Pre-Arranged 1-2-1 Meetings

11:40 am – 12:10 pm CST

sessions

Manufacturing & Operations

Samuel J. Ponzo

VP and General Manager
DuPont

Unlocking Growth Through Lean Thinking, Operational Excellence, and AI-Driven Manufacturing Transformation

  • Evolving from Six Sigma to value-focused operational excellence across global business transformation programs
  • Reinvigorating mature lean systems with data analytics, AI tools, and advanced problem-solving methods
  • Applying lean and Six Sigma to supply chain, technology, and commercial operations for competitive advantage
  • Case studies on implementing excellence initiatives across multiple business functions and regions
  • Aligning leadership, culture, and talent with continuous improvement in a sustainability-driven global market
  • Addressing the “what’s next?” in lean after 10–15 years of process maturity

Quality & HSE

Lyndee Brassieur

VP, Environment, Health and Safety
PPG

Advancing EHS Excellence - Driving Safety, Stewardship, and Capability Across Global Operations

  • Embedding EHS into every layer of a global organization through strong management systems
  • Aligning safety culture with business performance and operational excellence
  • Leveraging data to improve EHS outcomes and reduce incident rates
  • Building frontline capability and connection through a culture of connection and partnership
  • Driving continuous improvement through leadership development and strategic thinking
  • Creating scalable, resilient systems for global EHS management
12:15 pm – 12:45 pm CST

Workshops

Room 1

Dave Landreth

Head, Customer Strategy
Augmentir

AI Agents and GenAI Assistants: Transforming Frontline Manufacturing Through Intelligent Automation and Real-Time Insight

  • How Agentic AI is redefining frontline manufacturing performance and operational agility
  • Empowering teams with Industrial GenAI Assistants that enhance decision-making and productivity in real time
  • Enabling operators to perform complex tasks confidently using AI-driven guidance on the factory floor
  • Streamlining workflows and improve quality by integrating intelligent automation into core manufacturing systems
  • Accelerating workforce skill development through data-driven insights and continuous performance optimization
  • Demonstrating how leading manufacturers achieve measurable results through practical, AI-enabled transformation initiatives

Room 2

Speaker TBA


Fixefy

Decarbonization Innovations, Challenges, and Opportunities

  • Exploring the role of emerging technologies like carbon capture, renewable energy, and energy-efficient processes in decarbonizing operations
  • Balancing production growth with environmental responsibilities to meet sustainability goals
  • Overcoming barriers to adopting green technologies and integrating them into existing manufacturing processes
  • Insights into regulatory pressures, industry standards, and how they are shaping sustainable practices in manufacturing
  • Strategies for fostering innovation while driving operational efficiency and cost control in sustainable manufacturing
12:50 pm – 1:50 pm CST

Lunch & Learn Roundtable Discussions and Open Seating Lunch

Benefit from additional learning by joining a moderated roundtable discussion on pressing issues in the industry. Registration is required, and attendance for moderated roundtables on Day 1 is limited to attendees and speakers. Choose from:

Carol Roos

Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer
Arcwood Environmental

PFAS Pulse Check: What’s Now, What’s Next

Will Simmons

Senior Director, Delivery
Argano

Leveraging AI to Solve Supply Chain Disruption

1:55 pm – 2:25 pm CST

Sessions

Manufacturing & Operations

Nicole Lewis

VP, Operations, Americas
Orion S.A.

Driving Excellence in Manufacturing with Strategies for Plant Optimization and Navigating Emerging Demands

  • What does driving efficiency, productivity, and reliability look like in our manufacturing sites across the Americas?
  • Implementing 4DX methodology to ensure focused execution and accountability within teams
  • Prioritizing strategic maintenance investments to enhance plant reliability and secure long-term success
  • Adapting to emerging industry demands to stay ahead of market shifts and capitalize on opportunities
  • Aligning manufacturing processes with evolving customer and market expectations for sustained growth
  • Fostering a culture of continuous improvement to enhance efficiency and meet sustainability objectives

Quality & HSE

Loan Ngô

VP, Quality, Americas
Henkel

Leveraging Total Quality Management (TQM), Data Analytics, and Culture to Drive Continuous Improvement 

  • Understanding the principles of TQM and how they drive both operational excellence and business results
  • Leadership strategies to create a TQM-driven culture that fosters high-performance teams
  • Case study: Leveraging data and Statistical Quality Control (SQC) to help detect abnormalities and enable better decision-making
  • Discussing quality improvements and their direct impact on cost, customer satisfaction, and business performance
  • Demonstrating the importance people, process, and technology in achieving systemic quality and future readiness
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm CST

PLENARY

  • Will Simmons

    Senior Director, Delivery
    Argano

  • Alex Pierroutsakos

    Industry Executive Advisor, Chemicals and Process Manufacturing
    SAP

Driving Digital Transformation and Operational Excellence with AI and Smart Manufacturing Solutions

  • Connecting shop-floor and top-floor systems to improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)
  • Exploring real-world examples of Argano and SAP partnership success in process manufacturing
  • Leveraging AI to automate processes, enhance plant maintenance, and optimize user experiences
  •  Using AI-driven insights to improve exception management and manufacturing decision-making
  • Supporting sustainability goals with SAP tools for energy, waste, and resource optimization
  • Enabling continuous performance improvement through integrated digital and data-driven solutions
3:05 pm – 4:25 pm CST

Happy Hour, Networking and Pre-Arranged 1-2-1 Meetings

4:30 pm – 5:00 pm CST

Sessions

Manufacturing & Operations

Kimberly Wise White, Ph.D.

VP, Regulatory and Scientific Affairs
American Chemistry Council

Driving Chemical Innovation and Resiliency Through Science-Based Policy and Regulatory Reform in the U.S.

  • Exploring the impact of TSCA reform on chemical safety regulations and industry compliance challenges
  • Understanding why predictable, science-based policies are critical to fostering innovation and investment
  • Examining the role of chemical production in strengthening U.S. supply chains and economic resiliency
  • Discussing how tariffs and trade policies influence chemical manufacturing and global market competitiveness
  • Identifying opportunities to align regulatory reform efforts with industry growth and sustainability goals

Quality & HSE

Richard Nickerson

Assistant Area Director, Houston North Area Office, and Compliance Officer, Process Safety Management
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Process Safety Management (PSM): How OSHA is Protecting Industry from Risks

  • Understanding the role of OSHA’s Process Safety Management (PSM) in preventing accidents
  • Discussing key PSM requirements: Safety reviews, employee participation, and proactive risk management
  • The importance of regular inspections and preventive maintenance programs to mitigate chemical hazards
  • Crafting and implementing emergency response plans to ensure effective action during chemical releases and accidents
  • Supporting continuous improvement and compliance in chemical manufacturing
  • Best practices for fostering a safety-first culture in chemical plants and maintaining PSM compliance
5:05 pm – 5:35 pm CST

Plenary

  • Peter Shearstone

    VP, Global Quality and Regulatory Affairs
    Thermo Fisher Scientific

Championing Quality: A Personal Approach to Driving Cultural Change Worldwide

  • Integrating quality culture throughout a company with strategies for consistency and excellence
  • Establishing practices that are replicable across different businesses, countries and cultures
  • Implementing strategies that drive behaviour change toward quality at the individual level
  • Best practices to drive and sustain cultural change in large, complex and global companies
5:40 pm – 6:25 pm CST

Panel Discussion

  • Sven Fastré

    VP, Operational Excellence
    BASF

  • Lauri Boulger

    VP, Supply Chain, Energy and Sustainability
    Honeywell

  • Mary Ann Hayes

    VP, Manufacturing Center of Excellence
    The Chemours Company

  • Dan Key

    SVP and Chief Operations Officer
    Solenis

  • Bruce Sullivan

    VP and Head, Supply Chain and Logistics
    North America Covestro

  • Samuel J. Ponzo

    VP and General Manager
    DuPont

Leveraging Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement to Drive Next-Level Performance

  •  Utilizing process redesign tools to achieve breakthrough improvements in production flow and supply chain
  • Reducing process variation and driving towards near-zero defect levels in high-volume operations
  • Demonstrating ROI from operational excellence programs that improve scalability, margins, and overall competitiveness
  • Overcoming cultural and organizational challenges when aligning Lean and Six Sigma initiatives with leadership
  • Quantifying continuous improvement outcomes for sustainability, profitability, and long-term market resilience
  •  Building engagement and leadership commitment to sustain continuous improvement initiatives at enterprise scale
6:25 pm – 6:35 pm CST

Chair's closing remarks

Manufacturing & Operations

Dan Key

SVP and Chief Operations Officer
Solenis

Quality & HSE

Lyndee Brassieur

VP, Environment, Health and Safety
PPG

6:40 pm – 7:40 pm CST

Networking drinks reception