With 35 years of chemical manufacturing and site management experience, Mike recently led a team of experts to implement digital solutions across BASF’s manufacturing network in North America. In addition to supporting 40 regional sites, Mike established a global community of practice where digital advocates shared best practice. Mike retired from BASF in July 2023 and now acts as a digitalization and AI advisor for Pilko and Associates and for his own company, Digital Ghillie LLC. Mike leverages his manufacturing and digitalization experience to help companies develop digital strategies aligned with their manufacturing objectives. Mike is a Board Trustee of the Applied AI Consortium of NA, bringing together academia and industry partners to solve real world problems with AI. Within the Consortium Mike leads the Energy, Chemicals & Utilities Advisory Council. Mike has a PhD in Chemistry from the University of St. Andrews and is a published researcher and patent holder.