The Yokogawa Users Advisory Board (UAB) is a community of users joined together to share their experiences and expertise of Yokogawa's products, solutions and services as they help to address various automation needs and solve societies challenges. As members exchange information and voice their ideas, the users advisory board provides recommendations that influence future product, service and solution development by Yokogawa.
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Rafael AraujoHead of Value Chain Optimization, Acelen Rafael Araujo has over 15 years of experience in downstream industries, specializing in Advanced Solutions and Industrial Digital Transformation. He currently leads Acelen's Value Chain Optimization & Strategic Projects teams at Refinaria de Mataripe, Brazil’s second-largest refinery. Rafael is responsible for technology selection, implementation, and integration, ensuring sustainable, time-proof results that drive long-term value, bridging departments and leveraging cutting-edge solutions in Planning, Scheduling, Optimization, and Advanced Process Control (APC). He holds a master’s degree in Control and Automation and an MBA in Business Management. |
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Jason DockinsControls System Specialist, Koch Fertilizer LLC Jason Dockins is a Controls System Specialist at Koch Fertilizer Enid LLC. He is an ISA Certified Automation Professional (CAP) as he holds a (TÜV Rheinland) Certificate. Jason has worked for Koch Fertilizer Enid LLC since April 2003 and was originally an ammonia plant operator. He provides support and troubleshooting for DCS, SIS, PLCs, Optimization automation, transition automation, Management of change, PHA/LOPA support, functional safety assessments, and operational support. He has been married for 28 years to his high school sweetheart. Jason has two children; his daughter is a veterinarian and married. His son is going to school for Power transmission and distribution (lineman school). In his time away from Koch, Jason is heavily involved in municipal government. He is the Mayor of North Enid and serves on several other boards. |
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Stefanie FunkDirector of Automation, BBP Stefanie Funk specializes in the field of industrial automation and digital transformation, serving as the Director of Automation at BBP. With over 12 years of experience, Stefanie has a proven track rack of leveraging cutting-edge technologies to streamline operations and drive business growth. At BBP, Stefanie leads the Automation group, focusing on the Yokogawa CENTUM DCS platform. Stefanie holds an MBA from UAB, and a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering and Mathematics from the University of Alabama. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Stefanie is passionate about developing the next generation of Controls Engineers and is a member of the Advisory Board for the University of Alabama Chemical Engineering Department. |
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Kamalakannan S. Gavdi, P.E.Senior Control Systems Engineer, Chevron Phillips Chemical – Cedar Bayou Plant Kamal brings over two decades of expertise in industrial automation and process control with a strong foundation in Yokogawa technologies. His career began at Yokogawa India and later Yokogawa Corporation of America, where he engineered and commissioned CENTUM VP, ProSafe-RS and FAST/TOOLS SCADA systems for global projects. He specializes in Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS), and Industrial Cybersecurity, with hands-on experience in lifecycle management, commissioning, and optimization of complex control systems. A licensed Professional Engineer in Texas, Kamal holds certifications including FS Eng (TÜV Rheinland), GICSP, and ISA/IEC 62443 Cybersecurity Expert. He has contributed to landmark projects such as Chevron Wheatstone LNG, CPChem’s USGC ethylene unit, Shell Olympus as well as global assignments with Bechtel and Yokogawa. Currently at Chevron Phillips Chemical, Kamal leads lifecycle planning and optimization for Yokogawa CENTUM VP systems, driving virtualization, SIS upgrades, and advanced control strategies. Passionate about advancing automation technologies, Kamal actively contributes to industry forums and champions best practices in safety, reliability, and digital transformation. |
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Pat IrwinDirector of Sales, TechStar Pat Irwin began his career in 1977 working with Yokogawa panel instrumentation at a Yokogawa ISSC, the start of a lifelong commitment to process automation and instrumentation. Over the decades, he has held key leadership roles across the industry, including positions at Fisher Rosemount, Endress+Hauser, and Yokogawa Corporation of America—where he served as Regional and National Sales Manager, General Manager, and Director of the Field Instruments Business Unit. Today, Pat continues to share his deep expertise as a Yokogawa Specialist at TechStar, focusing on employee development and serving as a trusted technical resource for customers and colleagues alike. |
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Riley ParkerStaff Control and Automation Engineer, Shell Riley Parker is a Staff Control and Automation Engineer at Shell Exploration and Production Company, specializing in real-time remote operations and alarm management for Gulf of Mexico assets. With more than two decades at Shell, he has led major remote operations initiatives, delivered significant production improvements, and managed complex offshore capital projects. At Shell, Riley provides technical leadership in control and automation, including alarm management implementation, facility optimization, and the design and commissioning of control systems across multiple offshore platforms. His earlier roles spanned reliability engineering, hurricane recovery engineering, remote operations program management, project engineering, and specialty control and automation engineering, giving him a broad view of offshore operations and asset integrity. A two-time graduate of the University of New Orleans, Riley holds a BS in Electrical Engineering and an MS in Engineering Management, and has been recognized by the university as a distinguished alumnus for his professional contributions in the energy sector. |
