Keaveney appointed ISA president

The International Society of Automation appointed James Keaveney as its 2016 president.

Keaveney. Image courtesy of the ISA.

Keaveney will work with Society leaders and staff to increase awareness of the value and relevance of the ISA brand and build on ISA’s proven range of capabilities and resources for automation professionals, which includes standards development, education, training, certification, certificate programs, publications, and technical symposia and conferences.

Keaveney, who serves as the northeast regional manager and key account director at Emerson Process Management, brings a strong track record in automation technologies sales and marketing and business planning to his role as Society president. He’s been an active ISA member for than 30 years and has served in numerous leadership positions, including society treasurer, finance committee chair and District 2 vice president.

“I am extremely excited and honored to serve as the 2016 president of ISA, an organization that has benefited me immensely, both professionally and personally,” says Keaveney. “The automation profession continues to make our world a better place and ISA, by setting the standard for automation, plays a pivotal role in this process. Through its diverse capabilities, ISA helps its members and other automation professionals improve their technical skills and knowledge, and enables companies increase throughput, reduce waste, and improve productivity and profitability—both safely and securely.”

ISA in 2016, Keaveney states, will remain focused on achieving its five strategic goals (content, data, coolest delivery, cybersecurity and advocacy) while placing additional emphasis on:Helping industry leaders as well as the public better recognize the value and benefits of automation;Accelerating ISA’s presence and successes internationally by addressing the unique needs and challenges within different parts of the world; Gaining continual feedback from its key stakeholders—members, leaders, partners, and end-user companies and professionals—to gauge progress and improve processes and solutions; and Encouraging more members to seek leadership positions within the Society.

“I have never been so optimistic about the future of ISA and its ability and potential to inspire technological innovation, and support growth and career advancement in manufacturing. Join us as we move the automation profession—and the world—forward,” Keaveney says.

Keaveney has received numerous ISA honors, including the Distinguished Society, District 2 Golden Eagle and Lehigh Valley Section Dannenberg Service Awards. He also received a Certificate in Instrumentation from the Philadelphia Section of ISA.

Keaveney received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Temple University and a master’s degree in business administration from Penn State University.