Innovators for the Future Campaign

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"We Control the World" Kim Miller-Dunn, President-Elect ISA Irvine, Calif. (March 7, 2007) — Professional Career Summary : I graduated in 1986 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and landed in the automation industry by accident. In 1986, jobs were scarce in the Petro-Chem industry, so I accepted a position with Teledyne Analytical as an Inside Sales Engineer and the rest is history. Over the years I’ve worked with a variety of companies, both as a user (Ralph M. Parsons E&C) as well as sales and marketing for several different vendors including my current employer, Emerson Process Management, Rosemount Analytical Division. I really enjoy the automation world and think the future is very bright considering how rapidly technology is evolving. Why did you join ISA? To you, what are the benefits of joining ISA and how has it helped your professional career. In 1986, shortly after graduation, I accepted a position with Teledyne and then joined ISA. At the time, local leaders were pulling together a Host Committee for ISA EXPO 1987 in Anaheim. Teledyne wanted someone on the Committee and I was willingly volunteered. The major benefit of my ISA membership has been the network of professionals that I have access to, as well as the technical information that is readily available. I can honestly say that every job I have taken on since graduation has had something to do with my ISA involvement, either by networking or because my recognition as a leader was appreciated by decision-makers. In my current role of Sales Development and Support, ISA provides me with a critical source of customer contact. I don’t often get a chance to be in the field and having a way to be face-to-face with customers outside of official sales calls opens up all kinds of great communication opportunities. Why did you join ISA Divisions? I joined both the Analysis Division and Management Division to take advantage of the networking opportunities and to receive the informational newsletters. Since I have always worked in the Analytical field, I felt it my duty to be a member of the Analysis Division, and the Management Division was a great supplement to my primary focus. As President-Elect of ISA, what goals would you like to accomplish during your term? I would like to raise the awareness and esteem of the automation profession. Everything in our day-to-day lives is touched by automation. All of the business objectives laid out by the corporate world is affected by automation. Competing in the global world requires automation. So why do automation professionals feel that they are under-appreciated in their organizations? This is where ISA has the opportunity to create awareness for the automation professional. Instrument technicians, instrument engineers, systems developers, control systems engineers and integrators are the heart, brains, and nervous system of any manufacturing facility. These people deserve respect and awe for what they do – after all, We control the world! Do you have professional or personal mentors? What qualities do you admire the most in your mentors? Do you mentor anyone? I have many professional and personal mentors but Don Zee is probably one of the biggest influences in my professional life. Don Zee is a past president of ISA and President of Don Zee Associates consulting firm in Laguna Beach, CA. There are many attributes that I admire in a mentor but integrity is what matters most to me. I’m listed on the ISA mentoring site Each One Teach One and I have mentored other women in my professional career. Who has been your biggest inspiration? I would say my mother. She always said I could do anything I wanted, be anything I wanted – there were no barriers. My mother also started her own business after raising two kids and is very successful. Quite an accomplishment! Within the professional automation world, I admire qualities in men like John Berra, Jim Pinto and Pete Pitsker. These men are true leaders in automation technology and industry application, and are also great businessmen. What would you say to a young career-minded professional about the automation industry today? The future holds no limitations! I think this is a very exciting time for automation. As the plant floor merges with the business/accounting systems, it puts the automation people right in the corner office where significant decisions are made. Automation professionals will be part of the core staff of any operation, making improvements in efficiency, profitability, and safety. Would you offer any suggestions how they can be better prepared for their career in Automation? Keep current and look back at history! As the baby boomers retire there is a huge knowledge drain happening across the board. Young professionals today need to understand where the future is headed with automation and technology, but they also need to understand what technologies have been used and how that connects to the future. I also believe that documenting your knowledge and capabilities is more important now than ever – not only do professionals need proof of their educational background, but proof of their capabilities. Certification, licensing and demonstrating the willingness to keep learning is going to be paramount as the 21st century moves into warp drive! I would be happy to accept e-mails you may have about ISA or to answer questions you may have about automation in general. Please contact me at: Kim.dunn@emersonprocess.com. About Rosemount Analytical Rosemount Analytical (www.RAIhome.com) is a division of Emerson Process Management. The Liquid Division in Irvine, California, designs and manufactures analyzers, transmitters and sensors for the on-line measurement of pH, ORP, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, chlorine, ozone and turbidity. About Emerson Process Management Emerson Process Management (www.emersonprocess.com), an Emerson business, is the leader in helping businesses automate their production, processing and distribution components in the chemical, oil and gas, pulp and paper, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as others. The company combines superior products and technology with industry-specific engineering, consulting, project management and maintenance services. Its brands include: Rosemount Analytical, Fisher-Rosemount, Performance Solutions, AMS, Bettis, DeltaV™, El-O-Matic, Intellution, Micro Motion, PlantWeb™, and Westinghouse Process Control. About Emerson St. Louis-based Emerson (www.emerson.com) is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions to customers in process control; electronics and telecommunications; industrial automation, heating, ventilating and air conditioning, and appliance and tools. Sales in fiscal 2000 were $16 billion.