Heartland Robotics and Automation Conference

Vivian Chu

Vivian is a 10+ year expert roboticist that specializes in human-robot interaction and has received high tier industry recognition including: recognized by MIT Technology Review on its 35 Innovators Under 35 list, being honored as a Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholar, honored as a Stanford EECS Rising Star, awarded Best Cognitive Robotics Paper Award at ICRA 2013 and featured on Robohub 25 women in robotics you need to know in 2016 list. In addition to creating Moxi and Poli, Vivian has used her HRI and machine learning expertise on other robotic platforms including PR2, Meka Robot and Kinova Jaco2. She has also worked at Google[X], Honda Research Institute and at IBM Research in Almaden (where she worked on natural language processing and intelligent information integration). Vivian completed her Ph.D. in Robotics at Georgia Tech where she was co-advised by her now co-founder, Dr. Andrea Thomaz (Socially Intelligent Machines Lab), along with Dr. Sonia Chernova (Robot Autonomy and Interactive Learning Lab). Vivian received her M.S.E. in Robotics from the University of Pennsylvania in 2013, where she worked in Dr. Katherine J. Kuchenbecker Haptics Research Group in the GRASP Lab. She received her B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley in 2009.

Eric Abrahamson

Eric Abrahamson is a producer and innovation strategist working at the intersection of national security and cinematic storytelling. He helps defense leaders and technologists turn complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives that drive understanding and accelerate innovation. With experience spanning classified special operations initiatives and Hollywood-style concept development, Eric has led creative efforts on dozens of projects where visual storytelling became a catalyst for alignment, decision-making, and mission impact. His work bridges the gap between vision and execution—using story not just to explain, but to move ideas forward.

Jim Harvey

Jim Harvey is a retired Navy Cryptologist who served as the N9 Innovation Portfolio Manager and Senior Enlisted Advisor at Naval Special Warfare Command, the headquarters of the US SEAL Teams. He oversaw strategic development and tactical deployment of cutting-edge capabilities that resulted in the first AI drone deployed in combat. He also created a portfolio of research and development efforts valued at over $400 million. He worked with nearly every branch of the intelligence communities on efforts in robotics, augmented and virtual reality, Artificial Intelligence, and Signals Intelligence. He currently works as a contractor for the Pentagon’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office and Special Operations Command. He also writes technothrillers based on his work under the pen name J.L. Hancock.

Ryan McCormick

Ryan McCormick is the Project Manager/Principal Investigator for the Cold Operable Lunar Deployable Arm (COLDArm) lunar flight demonstration project. He served as the Mars 2020 Force Sensor Cognizant Engineer. In this role, he was responsible for the delivery of three force sensors in the Sample Caching Subsystem (SCS), including the first ever 6-axis force torque sensors for Mars. Ryan joined the Robotic Vehicles and Manipulators group in 2013.

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Before joining JPL, Ryan McCormick worked as a Robotics Engineer at HDT Robotics. In this role, he was lead systems engineer to the design, prototyping, testing, and delivery of the Protector medium-sized unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) and "follow me" autonomy kit for dismounted soldiers. His graduate research focused on the development of miniature in vivo surgical robot manipulators.

Erin Sharpe

Erin Sharpe is Director of the iHub at Northeast Community College, a brand new initiative, an 18,000+ square foot workforce and innovation facility designed to drive opportunity, innovation, and economic growth across Northeast Nebraska. She leads the strategy behind the facility and mission: growing industry partnerships, aligning programming with regional needs, and ensuring their work is sustainable and built to last.

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She began her career in manufacturing and procurement, working in global logistics and operations for companies across agriculture, e-commerce, and industrial sectors. From managing multimillion-dollar supplier relationships to optimizing international shipping lanes, and complicated federal regulations. She learned how systems run, and how to make them run better.

Lindsey Clausen

Lindsey is Project Manager for Edgeworks, a research and production hub at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts, where storytelling, design, and technology meet to prototype the future. With a background in visual arts and placemaking, she helps interdisciplinary teams translate complex ideas into media experiences spanning video, animation, 3D visualization, robotics, and XR. A former LUX Center for the Arts leader and recipient of the Mayor’s Arts Award, Lindsey also directs Archway Studios, an active artist workspace and community in Lincoln’s UNI Place Creative District, reflecting her commitment to creativity as a catalyst for connection and innovation.

Doug Rood

Doug Rood is the Senior Manager of Operations Quality at Collins Aerospace in York, NE. Originally from Allentown, PA, Doug earned a degree in Aerospace Engineering from Penn State before starting his career as a manufacturing engineer at UTC Aerospace Systems, now Collins Aerospace, in Rockford, IL. With over 11 years of experience in manufacturing, he has advanced through various roles and earned an MBA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Doug relocated to Nebraska in 2021 to join the York site, where he has become a key figure in the local community. He leads the York Young Professionals, serves on the York Chamber of Commerce and YCDC boards, and is involved with Nebraska Manufacturing Advisory Council, the Southeast Nebraska Manufacturing Partners, and the NE Chamber Foundation Steering Committee. Doug is passionate about manufacturing, economic development, and fostering connections to elevate Nebraska as a manufacturing and economic hub.

Mike Boyle

Mike Boyle graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and joined Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp., U.S.A. (KMM) in Lincoln, Nebraska. He started in the engineering department as a Process Engineer. In 1999, Mike was promoted to Engineering Manager, overseeing all engineering activity in Lincoln. At various times, he also managed Production, Quality, Information Technology, and the Continuous Improvement departments. He became Vice President in 2007, overseeing operations at KMM’s Lincoln plant. In 2017, was promoted to Senior Vice President and COO, responsible for operations in Lincoln, and the Maryville and Boonville, Missouri engine manufacturing plants. In January 2022, when Mike was selected as KMM President and CEO.

Travis Turek

Travis Turek is the President and CEO of Bruckman Rubber Co. in Hastings, Nebraska, a vertically integrated custom rubber manufacturing company serving industrial and consumer markets. With over 25 years of leadership experience in strategic planning, operational optimization, and workforce development, Travis has guided Bruckman through significant modernization — including the company’s first comprehensive ERP system, new equipment investments, and the launch of consumer product lines such as the FlexiFetch pet toy brand. A certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Travis is passionate about continuous improvement and building strong, skilled teams. He serves on multiple state and national boards, including the Nebraska Manufacturing Advisory Council (NeMAC), the Nebraska State Chamber, Hasting Economic Development Executive Committee, Hasting Area Manufacturing Association, SkillsUSA Board of Directors, and the Association for Rubber Products Manufacturers (ARPM). His work focuses on strengthening Nebraska’s manufacturing ecosystem, advancing talent pipelines, and fostering innovation.

Derek Kowalski

Derek has worked in the steel and manufacturing industries for the past 18 years, all within Nucor Corporation. His career started in engineering and has since included roles in operations, commercial, and leadership. In his current role as Process Automation Manager, he leads a team responsible for automation development for Nucor's Vulcraft/Verco Group.