New Director brings expertise in project management, facilitation, communication

(Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA - November 24, 2015) - The Robotic Industries Association (RIA) announced today the recent hiring of Carole Franklin, PMP, as the new Director of Standards Development for RIA.

Franklin is an expert project manager and facilitator whose work with consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton included process improvement and communication projects for clients at a federal R&D facility (TARDEC). TARDECs work includes cutting-edge advancements in mobile and collaborative robotics, for example to defuse bombs or explore hazardous environments while keeping human personnel safe. Franklin became familiar with automation topics while working closely with the TARDEC robotics team to help projects run more smoothly and to communicate the subject to non-technical experts.

Franklin says she feels honored to join the RIA team. "Automation is such a great driver of productivity growth," said Franklin. She sees the work of the standards committees as vital to ensuring the interoperability of automation equipment and the safety of its human operators. "After seeing robotics up close while supporting TARDEC, Ive been looking for an opportunity to get more deeply involved in the industry. Im very excited about the future with RIA."

In addition to Booz Allen, Franklins career included 10 years with Ford Motor Company, where she led a number of multi-national projects. She also served as director of program management with a tech start-up firm where she honed her skills in virtual teaming.

"Caroles areas of expertise position her well to build on the great work our standards team has done," said Jeff Burnstein, President of RIA. "Were glad to have Carole join our team."

About Robotic Industries Association (RIA)
Founded in 1974, RIA is a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to improving the regional, national and global competitiveness of the North American manufacturing and service sectors through promotion and enhancement of robotics and related automation. RIA represents 350 robot manufacturers, system integrators, component suppliers, end users, consulting firms, research groups, and educational institutions. The association hosts a number of events including the International Collaborative Robots Workshop, the National Robot Safety Conference, the A3 Business Forum (February 3-5, 2016 in Orlando, FL) and the biennial Automate Show & Conference (April 3-6, 2017 in Chicago). RIA also provides quarterly robotics statistics and has a content-rich website, Robotics Online. For more details on RIA, visit Robotics Online or call 734/994-6088.

About Association for Advancing Automation (A3)
The Association for Advancing Automation is the global advocate for the benefits of automating. A3 promotes automation technologies and ideas that transform the way business is done. A3 is the umbrella group for Robotic Industries Association (RIA), AIA - Advancing Vision + Imaging, and Motion Control & Motor Association (MCMA). RIA, AIA, and MCMA combined represent some 900 automation manufacturers, component suppliers, system integrators, end users, research groups and consulting firms from throughout the world that drive automation forward.

For more information, please visit our websites: A3; RIA; AIA; MCMA.