Experts From NASCAR, Pirelli, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, South Carolina Port Authority, Revvo Technology and MORE!
Attendees will also hear from tire and rubber industry experts who will speak over the course of the two-day agenda. The agenda content has a special focus on:
Fasten Your "Sheet" Belts - Haunted Carriage Tour
NEW This Year - Registered attendees will have the opportunity to attend a Haunted City Tour of Charleston on the evening of May 19th.
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Innovation Power Hour
Attendees will also hear from speakers during an Innovation Power Hour which will showcase the use of AI, material innovation, blockchain, regulatory compliance, tech innovation and more!
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Dan Andrei Anton is the founder of Autoadmin Consulting (T.A. Unleashed Engineering), a company focused on streamlining R&D workflows for smart tire technologies in electric and next‑generation vehicles. With a degree in automotive engineering and over 18 years of experience in CAE, he has collaborated with leading automotive organizations including BMW Group, Lear, Boshoku Automotive, Goodyear, Linglong, and Kumho.
Andrei’s expertise spans automotive systems engineering, virtual product validation, and advanced finite element analysis (FEA). Over his career, he has developed testing models, simulation methods, and automation frameworks for validating passive safety systems and emerging smart tire technologies. His work supports both short‑ and long‑term R&D programs for global OEMs and Tier‑1 suppliers.
In 2024, his startup was recognized as Best Startup at ROTSA Demo Days in Transylvania, highlighting the innovation trajectory of his efforts in intelligent tire systems and engineering automation.
Sunjay Dodani is the CEO and co-founder of Revvo. He is responsible for driving the company’s strategy and product vision with the mission of enabling every tire to be smarter and more connected. Prior to Revvo, Sunjay led the product team at Medallia, an enterprise software company, where his team developed and launched the first machine learning based products at
the company. Prior to Medallia, Sunjay founded Advanced Neuro Navigation Systems where he developed brain navigation systems used by neurosurgeons during deep brain stimulation surgeries for patients with Parkinson’s disease. He earned his Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. degrees in biomedical engineering and electrical engineering from the University of Michigan.
Russell Shepherd is the Technical Communications Director for passenger car tires and has more than 20 years of experience with Michelin.
He started his career with the company in product research with Earthmover and Passenger Car tires, working in France. During this time, he received three patents for developing some of Michelin’s most innovative tires. After six years in France, Russell transitioned to the United States, where he managed tire engineering teams for North America passenger car tires.
After his assignments in research and development, Russell spent six years in Corporate Development before taking his current role with the company.
Before joining Michelin, Russell spent four years at General Motors. He has a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Florida A&M University and a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech.
Michelin, the leading mobility company, is working with tires, around tires and beyond tires to enable Motion for Life. Bringing its expertise to new markets, the company is investing in high-technology materials, 3D printing and hydrogen to serve a wide a variety of industries — from aerospace to biotech.
Ilkka Lehtoranta around two decades of experience in the tire R&D. He has been building a unique concept to offering R&D activities to industry. He has successfully lead development of various new products and innovations with multiple customers and projects. Mr. Lehtoranta is currently Head of Tire and Material Development in Black Donuts.
Bio to come!
After her MSc., started as a researcher in polymer tribology and rubber engineering at various Institutes for 2 years. Later worked as a researcher and lab manager in the R&D unit of ‘Iran Tire Manufacturer Co’ for 4 years. Obtained a Ph.D. degree “Cum laude” and graduated a Professional Doctorate in Engineering also “Cum laude”; Continued for one year post-doc; worked at VMI group Holland as compound testing expert and process specialist in the R&D department for one year. Currently leads the department of rubber processing and tire technology in the R&D unit of VMI Group.
Josh Guilliams, Vice President of Consultancy, leads Smithers’ technical consulting team based in Akron, Ohio. Josh manages client relationships and works with other Smithers experts on complex projects. He also conducts in-depth investigations of a wide variety of rubber materials and final products on behalf of clients.
Before joining the team at Smithers, Guilliams spent several years in leadership at Polymer Valley Chemicals, Inc., as Technical Director and Vice President of Technical Operations. Prior to his time at Polymer Valley Chemicals, he held technical and commercial roles at Hankook Tire, EASTMAN Chemical Corporation, LANXESS Corporation, and Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations.
Britton is responsible for industry standards and government regulations tactical planning at Michelin North America in Greenville, SC. She represents Michelin in the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and in the Tire & Rim Association (TRA). She also serves as the Rolling Resistance Working Group Convener for the International Standards Organization (ISO). Britton has been with Michelin for over 13 years with roles in product development for O.E. customers and U.S. military aircraft. Her previous positions have included aircraft design and analysis and contract preparation for the Mission Control Center at Johnson Space Center. She holds both a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master's degree in Political Science from Clemson University.
With a diverse background in environmental law, policy, communications, non-profits, and business, Andy provides a unique perspective on strategy and execution for realizing sustainability impacts. He holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia, a M.S.E.L. from Vermont Law School, and J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
Maureen Kline is Vice President, Public Affairs and Sustainability for Pirelli Tire North America, responsible for the US, Canada and Mexico. She is based in Rome, Georgia.
She is a board member of the US Tire Manufacturers Association and the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada. She is on the Corporate Responsibility Steering Committee of the Automotive Industry Action Group, and on the Standards Advisory Group of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board.
She writes a column on sustainability for www.Inc.com and is a frequent speaker on the topic. She teaches a course on Enterprise Sustainability within Clarkson University’s MS in Engineering Management program.
Previously she was based in Pirelli’s headquarters in Milan, Italy, where she coordinated government affairs for the company’s foreign subsidiaries, and before that was responsible for Pirelli’s international media relations.
Prior to her public affairs and communications career, Maureen worked as a journalist over a 15-year period. She was Milan correspondent for the Wall Street Journal Europe, Breaking Views, and Business Week, among others. She edited a blog on the topic of meritocracy, hosted by Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera. She wrote and co-hosted a TV talk show in Italy on business and finance, broadcast on the local channel Telelombardia.
Jay is the Director of Standards and Regulations for Continental Tire, the Americas located in Fort Mill, SC. He is responsible for all tire regulatory and standardization work throughout North and South America and represents Continental within numerous industry organizations including the Rubber Manufacturers Association and the Tire and Rim Association. Jay has been with Continental for over 15 years with leadership roles in product development, technical product management and racing development. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineer from Clemson University - home of the 2016 College Football National Champions.
John began his career with Discount Tire Company in May of 2012 at the Corporate Office. John’s role for Discount Tire includes overseeing all aspects of Merchandising (sourcing, purchasing, assortment planning, retail pricing) for the company, Vendor Relationship Management of all tire, wheel, and non-merchandise vendors, and the Product Technical Team, which includes the Product Data Analytics group, the Product Quality Team, and the Product Fitment Team, which manages the Treadwell and the tire/wheel fitment guide. Prior to joining Discount Tire, John worked for Exponent, a scientific and engineering consulting firm. Before Exponent, John worked in the Research Laboratory of Ford Motor Company, where he became internationally recognized for his research on the topics of tire aging, tire test development, tire service life prediction, and the use of nitrogen as a tire inflation media. John has authored/presented over 40 papers on tire testing, has lectured in Europe and Asia, and holds 3 U.S. Patents.
Academic Credentials and Professional Honors
Ph.D., Polymer Science, The University of Akron, 1992
B.S., Chemistry, The University of Detroit, 1986
2009 Sparks-Thomas Award given by the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society for ‘outstanding contribution to the science and technology of elastomers’.
Member of Sigma Xi; Certified Six Sigma Greenbelt
Former Adjunct Associate Professor of Chemistry, Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan
What is Traction Summit?
Traction Summit is the premier conference where delegates are empowered with macro and micro insights on the tire supply chain, future opportunities for tires and the connections needed to capitalize on those prospects.
LEARN WHY YOUR PEERS RETURN>>>
How Can I Get Involved?
Position your company as a leader in tire and rubber sectors- apply to showcase your solutions in the exhibit hall as a 2026 sponsor.
Who Attends Traction Summit?
The full tire supply chain, including the world’s leading tire manufacturers, aftermarket, and OEMs with job titles like:
