The chief scientist and head of strategic science planning for NASA’s $2.5 billion Curiosity rover mission to Mars–the most complex spacecraft ever to land and operate on another planet–will be keynote speaker at the ProSales 100 Conference this coming March 1-3 in San Antonio, ProSales announced today.
John Grotzinger led a team of more than 450 scientists as they worked through enormous challenges inherent in a mission whose objectives continue to fascinate explorers, entrepreneurs, and filmmakers today. Since 2003, Grotzinger also has worked on the Spirit and Opportunity rovers; the latter vehicle found evidence for liquid water. He also has led field missions to arctic Canada, Siberia, Africa, and Oman. For his space efforts, Popular Mechanics named Grotzinger No. 2 on its list of “10 Innovators who Changed the World.”
Grotzinger will speak to the ProSales 100 Conference about lessons in leadership, consensus building, and novel applications of technology that should prove inspirational for an audience that brings together many of America’s top LBM executives from the biggest firms. His presence continues a tradition at the conference of bringing in people from outside LBM with thought-provoking stories. Past keynoters include the man who discovered the Titanic and a key figure in the application of data to sports that became known as “Moneyball.”
Aside from Grotzinger, this year’s conference also will include:
- An executive panel with leaders from companies like Hancock Lumber, GMS, 84 Lumber, and McCoy’s Building Supply.
- A session on Six Sigma lean manufacturing featuring US LBM’s lean expert and consultant Todd Drummond.
- A special economic outlook from Metrostudy chief economist Mark Boud.
- Our annual M&A panel featuring officials from Central Network Retail Grup, Kodiak Building Partners, US LBM, and investment firm Building Industry Partners.
- A special session on home health, led by Hayward Lumber’s Bill Hayward and a Seattle remodeler who specializes in healthy homes.
- A panel of future leaders featuring the ProSales Four Under Forty Class of 2017.
- Sales insights from “Sell Sheet” columnist Rick Davis.
- And editor-in-chief Craig Webb’s updated “60 Ideas in 60 Minutes.”
The conference is open to executives of lumberyards, specialty dealers, and distributors. Click here for details and to register.
Attendance for building product manufacturers is limited to sponsors. To become a sponsor, contact Dan Colunio.
