WEMCO Annual Meeting

Alex Chausovsky is the Director of Analytics and Consulting for the Bundy Group. He is a highly experienced market researcher and analyst with more than two decades of expertise across subjects including economics, manufacturing, automation, advanced technology trends, and business cycle analysis. He has consulted and advised companies throughout the US and Canada, Europe, South America, and Asia. In his investment banking advisory role, Alex is a trusted source of information for owners and executives of privately held firms who are seeking a business sale, acquisition, or financing.

Alex has delivered over a thousand presentations, webinars, and workshops to small businesses, trade associations, and Fortune 500 companies across a spectrum of industries, and is the go-to source of industry data and insights for business owners and leaders. Alex's analysis has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, on the BBC, and on NPR, and he is a Top Voice on LinkedIn.

Economic Update – What to Expect in 2025 and Beyond

The US macro economy is traversing the back side of the business cycle while several industrial sectors are going through a mild recession. Aggressive interest rate policy decisions by the Fed mostly stamped out inflation, but they also stifled capital investment and borrowing costs. Despite a resilient labor market, cracks are visible in the armor of US consumers, with delinquency rates for credit cards and auto loans flashing warning signs. However, leading indicators are pointing to acceleration by the time we get to 2025. What does all this mean for your business? This presentation will deliver practical and actionable advice designed to help business leaders plan for future economic conditions and continuously improve their organization’s strategic planning initiatives.

Attendees will walk away from the session with the following insights:

• Time-sensitive economic events of public concern such as inflation, interest rates, labor market conditions, consumer spending, business investment and industrial activity
• Tools that company leadership can use to become better data-driven decision makers in running their businesses

Doug Rhoda is a distinguished leader in the welding and automation industries, currently serving as Co-Founder, Principal, and Chairman of Vectis Automation since 2019. With a career spanning over three decades, he has held pivotal roles such as CEO of Diversified Machine Systems and Wolf Robotics, as well as leadership positions at ABB Robotics and ESAB Automation. His contributions include advancing welding and robotic technologies, mentoring talent through his "people-first" approach, and driving innovation in automated manufacturing. He has been an active American Welding Society (AWS) Committee Member since 1990, chairing numerous conferences and serving as Co-Chair for the upcoming 2025 Welding Automation Expo and Conference in Milwaukee.

Recognized for his impactful leadership, Doug received the AWS Excellence in Robotic Welding Award in 2017, the AWS Counselor Award in 2023, and the 2024 WEMCO Excellence in Welding Award in the Individual Category for his significant contributions to the industry. These honors reflect his dedication to improving productivity, quality, and innovation in robotic welding. Beyond his professional achievements, Doug actively supports the welding and manufacturing communities through advisory roles with AWS, universities, and national laboratories, shaping the future of the industry through technological advancement and workforce development.

With a tenure extending into strategic commerce and sales leadership, Alexander Kalvin is steering PaySail Commerce Solutions with a mission to revolutionize business growth and operational efficiency. His core competencies in the Challenger Sales and MEDDIC Sales Methodology supports the company's goal to enhance margins and expansion for their clients. They are committed to integrating modern technology solutions that align with their clients' aspirations, fostering a culture of innovation and success.

Before founding PaySail, Alexander served as Vice President of the eCommerce Division at ECI Software Solutions for six months and then as Vice President of Global Sales for EvolutionX for over a year. In these roles, he empowered their team to drive significant growth through diligent application of advanced sales methodologies and a focus on customer-centric strategies. Their efforts consistently resulted in the development of robust sales pipelines and the establishment of strong, sustainable market positions.