Please join us at GTMI (Callaway Bldg.) in Rm. 114 (or via Zoom) for the 2025 GTMI Spring Lunch & Learn Lecture Series featuring guest speakers - Dakota Fenton & Tigree Butcher

*Lunch to be provided for in-person attendees on a first come first served basis while supplies last (40 boxed lunches in total).

Registration is preferred but not required. In-person space is limited to around 40 attendees.

If you can't join us in-person, Zoom link: https://gatech.zoom.us/j/94192905022?pwd=WdMBv2JZaKrj2W8QeaWx0PbNCUI101.1

__________________________________________________

Presentor Bios:

Dakota Fenton is currently the Process Development Engineering Manager at Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies. In this role, Dakota oversees the development and optimization of manufacturing processes, ensuring the highest standards of efficiency and quality. Prior to this, he served as a Product Design Engineer at Freudenberg-NOK, where he was the Lead Design Engineer for Grounding Elements, OVS (Other Vehicle System) Seals and Valve Stem Seals, focusing on the integration of advanced materials and innovative design principles to enhance product performance and reliability. Dakota holds a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from the University of Georgia, where he specialized in Agricultural Mechanical Systems. His technical acumen, combined with his hands-on experience in product design and process development, positions him as a key contributor to the advancement of engineering solutions at Freudenberg-NOK.

Tigree Butcher is the Global Marketing Director at Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies, responsible for the Thermal Barrier product lines. She develops strategic plans and leads initiatives to create solutions for the e-mobility market while also managing the North America business for both Thermal Barriers and Battery Cell Caps. Tigree previously held leadership positions in product development, where she secured several patents, and in product management, where her leadership drove significant sales growth and increased market share. Her outstanding contributions earned her the Freudenberg Leadership Award. Tigree holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech.

Presentation Title: "The E-Mobility Shift: Innovations and Challenges for Automotive Suppliers"

Abstract: The automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by the rise of e-mobility. This shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) is not only changing the landscape of vehicle design and performance but also profoundly impacting the manufacturing processes of automotive suppliers. This presentation will explore the innovations and challenges that e-mobility brings to supplier manufacturing, with a focus on sealing and molding technologies.

We will delve into the technological advancements required to support the production of EV components, such as batteries, electric drivetrains, and advanced electronics. Additionally, we will discuss the need for suppliers to adapt their manufacturing processes to meet the stringent quality and efficiency standards demanded by the EV market.

The presentation will also cover current manufacturing methods for combustion engines, highlighting the differences and similarities in production techniques. We will address the challenges suppliers face, including the integration of new materials, the need for upskilling the workforce, and the investment in new manufacturing technologies. By examining case studies and real-world examples, we will highlight how leading suppliers, including Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, are navigating these changes and positioning themselves for success in the e-mobility era.

Join us to gain insights into the evolving role of automotive suppliers in the age of e-mobility and to understand the strategies necessary to thrive in this dynamic environment, particularly in the realm of sealing and molding technologies.

2025 GTMI Spring Lunch & Learn Series: Dakota Fenton & Tigree Butcher