Kisala as its Managing Director. A search committee, made up of representatives from each of the Federation’s member organizations, announced the hire on July 24 after an intensive interview process.
Established last March by the Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society (ISA, www.isa.org), The Automation Federation is intended as an umbrella organization under which associations and societies engaged in manufacturing and process automation activities can work more effectively to fulfill their missions. Charter members include WBF, formerly the World Batch Forum, and OMAC, the Open Modular Architecture Control Users Group.
“We are thrilled to have Mr. Kisala on board,” said ISA President Ken Baker, chair of the search committee. “More than 250 qualified professionals applied for the position, and we all agreed that he was the best person for the job. He has an ability to identify needs, trends and opportunities, and he has the tactical experience and dedication to bring our plans to fruition.”
Most recently, Kisala served as director of business development for the Test, Evaluation, & Analysis Operation (TEAO) of Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC), a San Diego-based research and engineering company. In this position, he led the identification, qualification, capture and awarding of new business opportunities within the Department of Defense and commercial market spaces. He also provided strategic planning and business development support for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Previously, Kisala managed the Business Development Group of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). He directed business strategy, established technology initiatives, developed new programs, and captured new product lines. ISA Executive Director Patrick Gouhin, who joined ISA last January, is also a former AIAA employee.
Kisala has association experience assembling plans and managing staff in areas of quality assurance on all product and service lines. He also has first-hand experience in directing growth strategies to meet the top line objectives of a non-profit organization in a rapidly expanding international marketplace.
Among other experience, Kisala directed Systems Integration and Human Factors Engineering programs with Lockheed Martin Corp., Bethesda, Md. His background also includes a 20-year military career. Kisala holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Aeronautics and an M.A.S in Aerospace Management/Operations from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
