2019 Food Automation & Manufacturing Conference and Expo
Processors gathered in Miami for the 20th annual Food Automation & Manufacturing Conference and Expo, where they learned about the challenges and opportunities facing food processors. Sessions included automation and engineering keynotes, a panel discussion of the challenges facing women in manufacturing, food safety, leadership and sustainability.
Posted: August 12, 2019
![networking at FA&M](https://www.foodengineeringmag.com/ext/galleries/fa-m-2019/full/FAM2019_MG_0132.jpg?t=1565614950&width=1080)
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FA&M combines informal networking with education on topics vital to food engineers.
![networking at FA&M](https://www.foodengineeringmag.com/ext/galleries/fa-m-2019/full/FAM2019_MG_0294.jpg?t=1565614978&width=1080)
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In the Miami sunshine, processors and suppliers take advantage of abundant time for casual conversation at FA&M.
![Anthony Doss presents FA&M keynote address](https://www.foodengineeringmag.com/ext/galleries/fa-m-2019/full/FAM2019_MG_0051-Doss.jpg?t=1565615027&width=1080)
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Anthony Doss, vice president-engineering, poultry, Tyson, gave his keynote address on the role of engineering in building and operating the food plant of the future.
![Bob Wolpert](https://www.foodengineeringmag.com/ext/galleries/fa-m-2019/full/FAM2019_MG_0054-Wolpert.jpg?t=1565615057&width=1080)
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Bob Wolpert, chief strategy and innovation officer, Golden State Foods, talked about the company’s involvement in blockchain initiatives to manage the supply chain.
![Shawn Stevens](https://www.foodengineeringmag.com/ext/galleries/fa-m-2019/full/FAM2019_MG_0085-Stevens.jpg?t=1565615079&width=1080)
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Shawn Stevens, founding member, Food Safety Counsel, spoke about recall management and food safety.
![Mark Braun](https://www.foodengineeringmag.com/ext/galleries/fa-m-2019/full/FAM2019_MG_0113-Braun.jpg?t=1565615099&width=1080)
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Hispanic Cheese Makers President and CEO Mark Braun shared how his company has made sustainability a part of its culture.
![Matt Kovar presents keynote address at FA&M](https://www.foodengineeringmag.com/ext/galleries/fa-m-2019/full/FAM2019_MG_0490-Kovar.jpg?t=1565615139&width=1080)
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Matt Kovar, engineering and facilities manager, Kellogg Company, gave the Tuesday keynote address on how automation is powered by people.
![Plant of the Year Award presentation at FA&M](https://www.foodengineeringmag.com/ext/galleries/fa-m-2019/full/FAM2019_MG_0590-ValleyMilk-POY_Award.jpg?t=1565615182&width=1080)
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Valley Milk CEO Patti Smith, Valley Milk employees and representatives from Shambaugh & Son accepted the 2019 Food Engineering Plant of the Year award.
![Gabrielle Kalkwijk presents keynote address at FA&M](https://www.foodengineeringmag.com/ext/galleries/fa-m-2019/full/FAM2019_MG_0698-Kalkwijk.jpg?t=1565615218&width=1080)
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Wednesday morning’s keynote address was by Gabrielle Kalkwijk, president of global manufacturing operations, Dawn Foods. She spoke on forging your own path in your career.
![Women in Food Manufacturing panel at FA&M](https://www.foodengineeringmag.com/ext/galleries/fa-m-2019/full/FAM2019_MG_0709-WomensPanel.jpg?t=1565615263&width=1080)
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A panel discussion of women in food manufacturing focused on the challenges women face and how the industry can get more girls and young women interested in technical and engineering careers.
![Barb Pugesek](https://www.foodengineeringmag.com/ext/galleries/fa-m-2019/full/FAM2019_MG_0780-Pugesek.jpg?t=1565615282&width=1080)
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Barb Pugesek, director of customer and culture excellence, FONA, shared how the company has been successful at hiring and keeping qualified people.
![Kantha Shelke](https://www.foodengineeringmag.com/ext/galleries/fa-m-2019/full/FAM2019_MG_0786-Shelke.jpg?t=1565615307&width=1080)
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Kantha Shelke, principal, Corvus Blue, closed the conference by exploring what clean label actually means.
![interview with Joyce Longfield and Jake Deleon on high pressure processing](https://www.foodengineeringmag.com/ext/galleries/fa-m-2019/full/FAM2019_MG_0627-HPP.jpg?t=1565615408&width=1080)
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Joyce Longfield (center), chairperson of the Cold Pressure Council, and Jake Deleon (right), founder of Origin Almond beverages, explained the benefits of using HPP to Casey Laughman, (left), FE editor-in-chief, and the FA&M audience.
![Sarah Johnston](https://www.foodengineeringmag.com/ext/galleries/fa-m-2019/full/FAM2019_MG_0264-Johnston.jpg?t=1565615399&width=1080)
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Sarah Johnston, Powerfolio commodity services director, Calpine Energy Solutions, says buying energy is not like buying office supplies.
![Alex Kanaris](https://www.foodengineeringmag.com/ext/galleries/fa-m-2019/full/FAM2019_MG_0240-Kanaris.jpg?t=1565615430&width=1080)
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VDG President Alex Kanaris explains how the company’s drum motors keep out bacteria.
![Todd Gilliam](https://www.foodengineeringmag.com/ext/galleries/fa-m-2019/full/FAM2019_MG_0517-Gilliam.jpg?t=1565615482&width=1080)
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Todd Gilliam, U.S. food and beverage leader, ABB, explained how adaptive machines are an alternative to adding or replacing lines.
![Marco Better](https://www.foodengineeringmag.com/ext/galleries/fa-m-2019/full/FAM2019_MG_0559-Better.jpg?t=1565615535&width=1080)
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Marco Better, vice president of analytics, OptTek, explains optimal production scheduling.
![patio with adjoining golf course at Doral](https://www.foodengineeringmag.com/ext/galleries/fa-m-2019/full/FAM2019_MG_0377-Patio_adjoining_golf_course.jpg?t=1565615579&width=1080)
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View of patio with adjoining golf course at Doral, where FE held its 2019 FA&M conference.
![housing at Doral](https://www.foodengineeringmag.com/ext/galleries/fa-m-2019/full/FAM2019_MG_0009-Housing.jpg?t=1565615690&width=1080)
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View of housing at Doral.