AI has moved from breaking news to real transformative changes in businesses across the country. Our panelists will share their experiences creating value for their organizations using actual cases of AI adoption. You will gain a deeper understanding of artificial intelligence beyond the basics and discover how you can prepare yourself for the AI-driven job market or utilize AI in your current position to deliver real value. 

This event is presented by the Center for Free Enterprise as part of the Menard Family Lecture Series. It is free and open to all. Registration is not required. Pizza will be served.

The Panelists

Joshua Howard, AI Program Lead, Heaven Hill Brands. Joshua Howard is a technology leader with both an MBA and a Master's in Engineering. Josh has built his career at the intersection of IT, operations and business strategy - helping global manufacturers modernize and embrace digital transformation. At Reynolds Consumer Products and Michelin, he led multimillion-dollar modernization programs that improved efficiency, uptime and data use across operations.

Most recently at Heaven Hill Brands, Josh oversaw the full technical delivery of a $120 million greenfield distillery - integrating cutting-edge IT and OT systems, cybersecurity and IoT to create one of the most modern facilities in the industry. Today, as AI Program Lead, he guides the company's enterprise AI strategy - helping teams across commercial, operational and digital functions adopt AI responsibly and effectively.

Eric Satterly, Chief Information Officer, JCPS. With nearly three decades of experience in technology, Eric Satterly is a seasoned Chief Information Officer who has spent nearly 25 years as the highest ranking IT professional in diverse organizations. He is an engaged leader who believes that technology, when properly leveraged, allows organizations to better fulfill their purpose. His approach is to understand and be invested in his environment, blending technology and personal interactions to improve outcomes.

As the CIO for Jefferson County Public Schools, one of the 30 largest school districts in the US, Eric oversees the Technology Division which has roughly 125 members. He is focused on rethinking how people, processes, technology and data can best work together to support educational delivery. He successfully led one of the largest divisional reorganizations in the districts's history, which has reshaped the culture and built capacity in critical areas like cybersecurity. He also renegotiated key contracts and reduced duplicative services, saving the district nearly $10 million per year while improving the user experience and continuing to provide essential services.

Todd Schmiedeler, Founder/CEO, Thumbprint Consulting. Todd Schmiedeler serves as Founder/CEO of Thumbprint Consulting, LLC, specializing in assisting organizations with developing their strategy and securing funding for workforce development, philanthropy and innovation services. Thumbprint has quickly established itself as a leading provider of these services nationally, including securing multiple national and state grants totaling more than $50.5 million since 2021.

Previously, Todd served in multiple progressive leadership roles for Trilogy Health Service (2011-2021), culminating as the Chief Engagement & Innovations Officer. Todd provided leadership for the teams in Innovation, Workforce Development, Trilogy Foundation, Live a Dream Foundation, Resident/Family/Employee Engagement, Employee Wellbeing and Community Outreach across Trilogy's 120 skilled nursing facilities and 15,000 employees. Prior to Trilogy, Todd spent five years at Norton Healthcare as the AVP of Philanthropy, responsible for the day-to-day operations and major gifts at the Norton Children's Hospital Foundation and Norton Healthcare Foundation, driving growth from $2.5 million to $21 million annually.

Jeff Guan, Associate Dean of Programs, UofL College of Business (Panel Moderator). Dr. Jeff Guan is an accomplished academic and Associate Dean for Programs of the College of Business at the University of Louisville. He earned his PhD in Computer Engineering from the UofL J.B. Speed School of Engineering and has published approximately 100 papers in the areas of accounting information systems, machine learning/AI, knowledge management and information systems implementation and adoption.

As an esteemed professor of computer information systems, Dr. Guan teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in database, artificial intelligence, and information systems analysis and design. In addition to his academic work, Dr. Guan is engaged with the business community and has consulted for various organizations, including Brown-Forman, GE Appliances and the Department of Defense.