What does it really take to start an automation company with no safety net? In this episode of HIRED! The Podcast, host Travis Miller talks with James Butler about the leap from employee to founder, the risks behind starting Bridger Automation, and how leadership, hiring, and decision making change when it’s your business on the line.

// ABOUT OUR GUEST
James Butler is the President and Founder of Bridger Automation, specializing in warehouse automation, conveyor controls, electrical integration, and WCS software. He brings hands-on experience from electrical work to software integration and commissioning, with a focus on building practical, scalable automation solutions.

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⏵ James Butler
⏵ Bridger Automation
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#leadership #entrepreneurship #sales #engineering #careerdevelopment #hiring #automation #warehouseautomation #manufacturing

Does technical expertise guarantee leadership success? For Anthony Leo, President of IPR Robotics, the path from engineer to the C-Suite meant unlearning the need to be the smartest person in the room.

In the Season 5 premiere of HIRED!, host Travis Miller uncovers the real traits that drive career growth. We break down the "Assumption Model" that kills deals, the interview red flag that ends the process immediately, and why curiosity beats knowledge. Plus, blunt advice for today's market. Stop waiting for perfect conditions and execute.

// ABOUT OUR GUEST Anthony Leo is the President of IPR Robotics. With over a decade of leadership in venture-backed robotic startups, he brings extensive experience taking emerging technologies to market. A Metro-Detroit native, Anthony combines deep manufacturing knowledge with innovative strategies to drive growth for integration partners and end users.

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⏵ Anthony Leo
⏵ IPR Robotics
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#leadership #sales #engineering #robotics #manufacturing #careerdevelopment #hiring #automation

Is the "skills gap" real, or is it just the story we've been told to believe? In our first-ever on-location episode of HIRED! The Podcast, host Travis Miller travels to the U.S. headquarters of ABB Robotics to find out. He sits down with Christelle Keefer, Global Segment Manager for Education at ABB, to investigate the surprising truth about retraining our workforce for the age of automation, who is truly responsible for building the next generation of talent, and how quickly it can actually be done.

This conversation provides a practical roadmap for any leader trying to solve the labor shortage and for any professional looking to make their career future-proof. We debunk the myth that upskilling takes years, explore why industry must partner with education, and reveal what individuals can do to become indispensable in a crowded job market.

// ABOUT OUR GUEST
Christelle Keefer is a trailblazer at the intersection of robotics and education. As the Global Segment Manager for Education at ABB, she leads the charge in developing innovative curricula and global partnerships to prepare the workforce for the future of automation. In recognition of her impact, the International Federation of Robotics named her one of the "10 Women Shaping the Future of Robotics." Christelle also helps guide the industry through her work on the A3 Robotics Technology Strategy Board.

// CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST
⏵ Christelle Keefer
⏵ ABB Robotics
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Want to stream our podcast on another platform?
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#skillsgap #automation #futureofwork #manufacturing #robotics #workforcedevelopment #leadership