Business Development Manager, Emerson
Morgan joined Emerson in 2019. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a mechanical engineering degree.
Technical Lead and Principal, EPRI (Electric Power Research Insitute)
Jim Harper has over 20 years’ experience as a thermal systems engineer in a range of industries. Jim is a Principle Technical Lead in the Gas Turbine Technology Division at EPRI. EPRI is the Electric Power Research Institute headquartered in the US but with a presence across the world. EPRI’s mission is advancing safe, reliable, affordable, and clean energy for society through global collaboration, science and technology innovation, and applied research. Jim has worked with EPRI members on projects around gas turbine operation and energy transition including hydrogen fueling. Jim has supported and led aspects of hydrogen fueling demonstrations as well as hydrogen generation, storage and blending with natural gas studies. Jim has extensive gas turbine design, control, testing and fleet experience. He was a Combustion Technical Leader at General Electric where he was a system owner of Gas Turbine combustion system mechanical, thermal and control architectures. In addition, Jim worked in the electric vehicle automotive industry where he was a senior thermal systems design lead responsible for all thermal systems design, validation and fleet support including battery, motor, power electronics and cabin thermal systems. He has authored over 10 patents in Gas Turbine Design and control as well as EV thermal system control architectures.
Executive Vice President, Industrial and Hilton, DeZURIK
Rachel is responsible for the financial performance and strategic direction of the Industrial and Hilton business units, leading operations, engineering, product management, and sales teams. Prior to joining DeZURIK in 2018, Rachel was the General Manager at Unit Process Company in Everett, Washington. She also held various engineering and operational roles there. Prior to that, she held technical and applications engineer roles at Cameron Valves and Measurement in Little Rock, Ar. She holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Case School of Engineering at Western Reserve University and graduated from University of Washington's Foster School of Business Executive Development Program. Rachel is a Board Member of the Valve Manufacturers Association, and is the Chair of the VMA’s Sustainability Committee.
Business Development Manager, Amtec North America
Stefan is a German graduated engineer with substantial related work experience in the field of bolted flange joints. Since he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, he has been working in the gasket testing laboratory, focusing on stress analysis and tightness proofs of bolted flange connections. Furthermore, he is also involved in testing industrial valves. He has worked at AMTEC in Germany for more than 10 years, and is now assigned to AMTEC North America Inc. in Athens, Ohio.
Sustainability Sales Engineer, Emerson
Brendan is knowledgeable on energy systems, and at Emerson is part of the team that conveys how valves can be part of the hydrogen electrolysis process. He holds a Masters of Science degree in Energy Systems Engineering from Iowa State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Missouri Institute of Science and Technology.
Senior Engineer, Flowserve
Ochuko has experience in the design and development of Lubricated Plug valves. He joined Flowserve in 2014 from the Centrifugal pump world and has been involved in research and development projects for the Flowserve lubricated plug valve brand in the UK. In 2019, he made the transition to Flowserve US and have continued to develop and extend the boundaries of the US plug valve offering with several in-house design projects. He is also a Chartered Engineer with the UK Engineering council and Member of the IMECHE.
Plant Operations and Engineering Manager, United Valve
With just over ten years of experience, he first joined the industry as a young engineer after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering from Texas A&M. Gaining a full hands-on experience while working with the various departments during his early career, he is now responsible for all operations within the organization and contributes to the continued development and growth of the company. He has worked closely with numerous manufacturers, suppliers, and end-users, providing in-depth knowledge on valve repair, design/modification, and special testing. He is also an active committee member at American Petroleum Institute (API) and serves on various fugitive emission and valve standards task force. Jonathan seeks aspiration through teamwork at the workplace where he finds his own success when playing a role in the accomplishments of others.
President, United Valve
Greg Johnson is President of United Valve, an industrial valve and actuator repair, modification, and testing company. Greg has served as President since 1992. In addition, United Valve is a member of the Valve Repair Council and Johnson serves on its board of directors. He also has been an active member of the API Piping Subcommittee for 20 years and is a participant in ISO valve standards activities. As a member and past president of the Manufacturers Standardization Society, Greg serves as chairman of Committee 310, Valve Modification. He is also the founder of VMA’s Valve Education program and previously served as chair of the Education & Training Committee and Communications Committee. Greg is a frequent contributor to VALVE Magazine, writing on a wide variety of topics. He was awarded VMA’s Person of the Year award two times—the association’s highest designation—for his extensive volunteer work on behalf of the industry. Greg has served as president since 1992 and his wife Paula as vice president. Under the direction of Greg, Paula, and their daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Matt Lovell, United Valve remains a family business today.
Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Emerson
Michael Train was named Emerson’s first chief sustainability officer in March 2021. In this role, he leads the company’s environmental sustainability strategy, with a focus on advancing technologies and advocacy to enhance company operations and enable customer improvements through Emerson’s solutions and partnerships. He joined Emerson’s Office of the Chief Executive, which helps develop and guide the company’s global business strategies, in 2016. Train currently serves as chair of the board of trustees at Ranken Technical College and on Cornell University’s Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management Advisory Council. He was a 2008 Eisenhower Fellowship recipient. Train holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from General Motors Institute and a master’s degree in business administration from Cornell University.
Senior Director, R&D Development, GTI Energy
In his current role, Mr. Weeks leads large-scale technology demonstration and validation programs for public-private partnerships, primarily with the U.S. DOE and GTI Energy’s many industry clients. These programs address advanced fuel infrastructure systems for hydrogen, natural gas, and hybrid electric vehicles. A recent key role was his leadership in organizing the Gulf Coast clean regional hydrogen hub (HyVelocity) where he continues to lead stakeholder outreach initiatives. Mr. Weeks also serves on the Board of the Clean Hydrogen Futures Coalition and was appointed to the Texas Railroad Commission’s hydrogen advisory council. He is a sought-after advisor on technical, market, and regulatory issues surrounding the introduction of emerging energy technologies – especially those involving hydrogen, in which he has over 20 years of experience. Mr. Weeks is a graduate of Vanderbilt University where he received his undergraduate engineering degree. He also has an MBA and is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.
Senior Process Engineer, Modern Hydrogen
Prior to joining Modern Hydrogen, Sarah worked for 15 years in the refining industry specializing in delayed and fluid bed coking. Sarah has significant experience in manufacturing operations support and developing and deploying new process technologies. She graduated from University of Southern California with a BS in Chemical Engineering and enjoys cooking, baking, running, and spending time with friends.
Valve Manufacturers Association
209 Madison Street, Ste. 303
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 202.331.8105
Fax: 202.296.0378