Leadership in Technology Speaker Series: A Conversation with Scott Summerville and Daniel Janka

Thursday, October 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Benton Hall Auditorium
Room 102
510 E. High Street
Oxford, OH 45056

Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Doors close at 6:45 p.m.

Reception immediately following in Benton Lobby
Starbucks vouchers available while supplies last

Scott Summerville

President & CEO Mitsubishi Electric Automation Inc. (retired)

Scott retired in March of 2026 as the President & CEO of Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. (MEAU) a position he held since June of 2019. He worked in the industrial automation industry for over 35 years. 

Prior to joining Mitsubishi Electric, Scott was the chief executive officer of Omron Microscan since October of 2017, after successfully leading the sale of Microscan Systems, Inc. to Omron Corporation. Prior to that he spent most of his professional career at Rockwell Automation where he held positions of increasing responsibility including President of the Asia Pacific region from 2003-2008. Scott is a former member of the Executive Roundtable for the Material Handling Industry (MHI) and a former member of the board of governors of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong as well as a contributing author to the book, Leadership Experiences in Asia (2007).

He currently serves on the boards of the Miami University Foundation, Aspiritech, and the Japan America Society of Chicago and has participated in panels at World Economic Forum events.

Scott has degrees in Environmental Design from Miami University, Ohio and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He is on the dean’s advisory board for the college of Engineering and Computing at Miami University.

He and his wife enjoy traveling, entertaining, genealogy and contributing to education and animal welfare causes.

Daniel Janka

Daniel D. Janka is President of Mazak Corporation, a machine tool and automation provider to the aerospace, energy, medical, heavy equipment, and general manufacturing industries.  In this role, Mr. Janka is responsible for North American operations including sales, marketing, business development, fiscal functions, engineering, production, and service. 

Prior to his appointment as President of the Mazak Corporation, Mr. Janka served as CEO of one international machine tool company, and president of another. 

Since Mr. Janka began his position, the product line has expanded and the campus in Florence, KY has undergone several changes: the  new product line, the Syncrex Swiss-type turning machines, was added in 2021, and the related production facility was finished in 2022; the expansion of the spindle rebuild facility was completed in 2020, and, a new automated FMS cell, the MAZATEC Smart Manufacturing System, was added in 2019 to improve efficiency. 

From 2005 to 2013, and 2019 to current, Mr. Janka has served on the AMT (Association of Manufacturing Technology) Board of Directors including eighteen months as Chairman.  In addition, he remains an active member of the National Association for Manufacturing (NAM), the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA), and currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the MTConnect Institute.  He also serves on the Board of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

In the past Mr. Janka served on AMT’s Government Relations Committee, AMT’s Technical Advisory Committee on export control and on SME’s (Society of Manufacturing Engineers) Manufacturing Enterprise Council.  

Mr. Janka had the honor to serve on President Obama’s U.S. Manufacturing Revitalization Task Force Board in 2010 and met with President Trump in 2019 to review the state of U.S. manufacturing.

Janka holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering and Technology from Southern Illinois University, an associate degree in Mechanical Technology from Illinois Valley Community College and has completed post-graduate coursework in Finance and Economics at the University of Cincinnati.

As a technology-driven world continues to evolve, engineering and computing students face unprecedented challenges in fields ranging from smart manufacturing and renewable energy to artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. At the same time, they need to navigate complex leadership demands in dynamic, globalized industries. By connecting CEC students with seasoned professionals and their first-hand experiences in these fields, CEC can help bridge a critical gap between academic theory and practical, real-world leadership.

The Leadership in Technology Speaker Series at Miami brings distinguished Miami alumni and esteemed friends of the university to campus to share their experiences, challenges and future visions. These speakers not only address important topics like practical leadership, technological advancements and emerging industry trends, but also inspire students with examples of perseverance, business ethics and innovation. By fostering these critical discussions, this speaker series prepares students to lead in their fields.