PI North America (us.profibus.com), the non-profit trade organization for Profibus and Profinet technologies in North America, has announced appointment of Michael Rothwell, Director of Controls and Industry Solutions (CIS) for Phoenix Contact, to its Board of Directors. The Board voted unanimously to approve Mr. Rothwell’s nomination. Mr. Rothwell plans to attend his first Board meeting on September 25, 2012, preceding the PI North America annual General Assembly Meeting, which will be hosted in Scottsdale, Ariz., September 25 through September 27, 2012.
As Director of the CIS Americas Business Unit group at Phoenix Contact, Mr. Rothwell is responsible for CIS development and manufacturing activities at Phoenix Contact locations in Harrisburg, PA, and Ann Arbor, MI. After joining the company in 2005 as Automation Regional Business Unit Manager, Mr. Rothwell was promoted to Director before moving into his current position.
Mr. Rothwell comments, “Phoenix Contact has standardized on Profinet as the networking technology integrated into our industry solution and system portfolios. We see substantial growth potential in the technology, and want to be an integral part of its success in North America.” Phoenix Contact also markets its TPS-1 “Tiger” chip for manufacturers planning to integrate Profinet into their own devices.
“Phoenix Contact first became a member of PI North America in 2002,” says Michael Bryant, Executive Director of PI North America. “By joining the Board, the company can now play a pivotal role in determining the strategic direction of Profibus and Profinet in North America. Mike’s leadership will help us expand the efforts of our Board to bring the technologies to an even wider market.” Mr. Rothwell will join fellow Board members Raj Batra of Siemens Industry, Bernie Anger of GE Intelligent Platforms, Jason Knuteson of Endress + Hauser, and Mr. Bryant.
