Chris Engel is the Global Automation Discovery Lead at Johnson Controls International (JCI), a pivotal member of the leadership team within the Automation Center of Excellence. With over 20 years of experience at JCI, Chris has demonstrated his expertise in various roles, from application development to collaborating with business leaders to solve real-world problems. He has been instrumental in establishing global technology centers of excellence and is known for his fact-based, data-driven approach to business solutions.Chris holds a degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. His academic background includes extensive coursework in business management, accounting, computer science, and chemical engineering.In his current role, Chris is responsible for consulting on Robotic Process Automation (RPA) capabilities, discovering and validating automation use cases, evangelizing RPA across the enterprise, and evaluating emerging automation and AI technologies for global application. Previously, he founded and managed the Automation Center of Excellence, leading enterprise-wide automation efforts and conducting Automation Discovery Workshops across North America, EMEALA, and APAC.Throughout his career at JCI, Chris has held several key positions, including Manager of Process Automation in Enterprise IT Applications, Compliance and Process Manager at the Oracle Center of Excellence, and Web Developer in Building Efficiencies. He has also worked at Keane Incorporated, where he designed and developed supply chain management systems and provided IT support for prominent clients.Chris' strengths include bridging the gap between business and IT, applying emerging technologies to business processes, and establishing organizational centers of excellence. He is proficient in various programming languages, including C, C++, Java, JavaScript, Python, PERL, COBOL, UNIX, and SQL, and has a deep understanding of regulatory frameworks such as Sarbanes-Oxley.Recognized for his contributions, Chris has received a Johnson Controls Chairman's Award and multiple Merit Awards for his expertise and dedication. His ability to lead diverse, remote teams of developers and business analysts makes him a valuable asset to JCI and the broader automation community.