Users Advisory Board

Jenni Dickson

Process Controls Leader, Koch Fertilizer Enid, LLC

Jenni Dickson is a Process Controls Leader at Koch Fertilizer Enid, LLC, with over 15 years of experience in chemical manufacturing, process optimization, and operational excellence. She specializes in control systems ownership, advanced process control, alarm management, and operator performance, with a strong focus on digital transformation and safety-driven design. Jenni has held progressive engineering and leadership roles across production, process controls, and operations, and is a TÜV-certified Functional Safety Engineer.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Oklahoma State University and currently serves as Co-Vice Chair of the Center of Operator Performance. Outside of work, Jenni is a wife and mother of two, a proud mini dachshund owner, and co-owner of Enid CrossFit. She enjoys reading, traveling with friends, and staying active in her community.

Stefanie Funk

Director 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.

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.

Pat Irwin

Director 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.