Manufacturing Technology Challenges: Practical Solutions for Today's Plant Floor

Manufacturing Technology Challenges: Practical Solutions for Today's Plant Floor

Technology is changing manufacturing at a rapid pace, but many companies are still struggling with cybersecurity threats, aging systems, AI adoption, and growing IT demands. Join the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance for an interactive panel discussion featuring technology experts who work directly with manufacturers across Georgia.

This educational session will provide practical insights into the most common technology challenges facing manufacturers today. Through real-world case studies and lessons learned from actual manufacturing environments, our panelists will share strategies to help companies reduce risk, improve efficiency, and make smarter technology decisions.

Whether you're concerned about cybersecurity, evaluating AI tools, managing legacy systems, or planning future technology investments, you'll leave with actionable ideas you can apply within your organization.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the latest cybersecurity threats targeting manufacturers
• Learn how manufacturers are successfully implementing AI solutions
• Explore strategies for managing and modernizing legacy systems
• Identify common IT challenges and practical solutions
• Review real-world manufacturing case studies and lessons learned

Who Should Attend:
Manufacturing executives, plant managers, operations leaders, IT professionals, engineers, and anyone responsible for technology, security, or operational performance within a manufacturing organization.

Lunch will be provided.

Meet the host:

Reeves Smith
Director of Sales

Reeves Smith is a senior sales leader focused on helping manufacturing, distribution, and industrial organizations develop and execute transformative business strategies through innovative technology solutions. With deep expertise in secure, reliable, scalable, and high-performance IT systems, Reeves partners with clients to drive operational excellence, improve efficiency, and deliver measurable business results. His strategic approach combines industry insight with technology leadership to help companies modernize operations, strengthen infrastructure, and position themselves for long-term growth and success.

Meet the panel:

Bryant G. Tow

CSO Leapfrog Services

Bryant and his team assist clients with complete security programs that include strategy, governance, and operations, focusing on managing risk within Leapfrog’s Ring of Security methodology. Bryant has more than 25 years of experience leading teams focused on technology, cyber risk management, and physical risk management. He has held responsibilities as an entrepreneur and senior executive in all aspects of risk management, including thought leadership in the area of cybersecurity, award-winning development of security solutions, and management within large global enterprises. He has also held executive leadership positions in multinational consulting firms and been involved in several startups. Recently, he was the Chief Security Officer for CSC’s Financial Services Group and was responsible for securing 143 applications in 52 countries. Bryant’s leadership positions across the security industry include the Department of Homeland Security Sector Coordinating Council, ISSA, ISACA, and as a board member and vice president of InfraGard National Members Alliance. He has also has published several books and articles on cybersecurity topics and has received several awards, including the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security Award for Exceptional Contribution in Recognition of Outstanding Support of Tennessee’s Counter Terrorism Program.

3 main discussion points:

• Cyber Attacks are inevitable – the damage is not.
• The clock starts when you detect the attack, not when the attack begins. Most companies lose the critical first hour to confusion, denial, and "who do we even call?" Manufacturers and IT Service providers should attack that hesitation directly and with urgency/emergency response framing supported with education assets that build trust.
• Real world examples of cyberattacks, lessons learned and stories of successful remediation and resilience.

Parker Hendricks
Vice President of Sales

Parker Hendricks is VP at RADIN Dynamics, a Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation partner serving mid-market Georgia manufacturers. His content and speaking focus on workflow-first transformation, the order-of-operations problem in AI adoption, CRM, ERP, custom apps, and what Georgia manufacturers need to know about CMMC before Phase 2 lands in November 2026. Parker holds the AI seat at the Georgia Manufacturing Alliance Coffee and Connections and serves on the board of the Atlanta Chapter of the International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners (IAMCP). He also serves on the board of his local Johns Creek networking group. Before RADIN, Parker spent fifteen years in the automotive industry, most recently as Director at Hendrick Automotive Group, where he led large teams, ran multi-million-dollar marketing budgets, and built training and reputation programs that worked.

3 main discussion points: 

• Foundation – The Order-of-Operations Problem: Why You Can't Secure, Automate, or AI-Enable a Mess
• System Modernization – Legacy Systems as a Business Risk, Not Just a Security Risk
• Readiness – CMMC as a Forcing Function Before Phase 2 Lands in November 2026

Mitzi Hill
Special Council

Mitzi L. Hill is Special Counsel in Buchalter’s Atlanta office and a member of the Corporate practice group. With more than 30 years of experience advising businesses on technology-driven legal issues, she focuses on cybersecurity, privacy compliance, AI governance, and protection of proprietary information. Mitzi spent 15 years in-house at Turner Broadcasting, where she led regulatory compliance programs and advised on technology systems and international licensing, and she continues to counsel mid-cap and global companies on technology transactions, vendor management, data protection, and emerging AI risks.

3 main discussion points:

• Background – Current Legal Framework for AI/Privacy;
• Contract Management – Best Cybersecurity Practices with Suppliers/What Customers Can Expect;
• Internal Policies and Practices – People and Systems Both Need Updating

Richard Warner
CEO

Richard Warner is CEO and Managing Editor of Aware Force, an Atlanta-based company that creates topical, interesting, and actionable content for FORTUNE 500 companies designed to engage employees in cybersecurity. Aware Force content is branded and tailored for each client and packed with snackable content about work and family cyber safety, videos, phishing exercises, PDFs, cyber news, and answers to readers’ cyber questions. Aware Force clients include major banks, large school systems, state and local governments, manufacturers, and health care providers. For 15 years, Richard moderated over 100 cybersecurity summits across the U.S., attended by thousands of cybersecurity professionals. He spent 40 years on the air at radio and television stations, including WSB radio and WGST NewsRadio in Atlanta, as a business commentator and host of FOX5’s “Good Day Atlanta” for a decade, and 30 years as anchor of a weekly business program on the statewide Georgia Public Television network. His daily marketing and consumer commentaries were syndicated to over 200 radio stations nationwide. In 2015, fellow broadcasters gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame.

3 main discussion points:

• Turning AI Risk into Everyday Awareness- How manufacturers can turn complex cyber and operational risks into short, plain‑language stories that frontline employees actually read and act on, based on Aware Force programs with clients across North America.
• Building Practical AI Policies Employees Will Follow- What we’ve learned helping companies roll out AI usage guidelines (defining approved tools, protecting sensitive data, and addressing employee concerns), so policies support productivity instead of just adding friction.
• Lessons Learned from Using AI in Production- A candid look at how we use AI models ourselves to create and localize content: what works, where they fail (hallucinations, subtle inaccuracies), and the pros and cons of popular

Bonus Session:

Immediately after the educational session, the Leapfrog team will provide an Operations Center Tour. All are welcome!

GMA is pleased to provide this unique educational and networking event specifically designed to help build strategic alliances between suppliers, service providers, and manufacturers in Georgia.

   Thank you to our event sponsor, Leapfrog Services!

If you have any questions, please email support@georgiamanufacturing.com.