ARC Advisory Group Management

Greg Gorbach

Vice President, Industrial IoT & Digital Transformation

Greg spearheads ARC's transformative technologies for industry initiatives, including Analytics and Big Data, Cloud Computing, Mobility, and Industrial Internet of Things.

Greg's team focuses on the digital transformation taking place throughout the industrial space. Known by terms such as Industrial Internet of Things, Industrie 4.0, Information-Driven Manufacturing, Connected Manufacturing, Smart Manufacturing, Industrial Internet, and many others, this transformation is already underway. It is powered by technologies such as machine learning, predictive analytics and Big Data, cloud computing, mobility, low-cost sensors, edge intelligence, network connectivity, and more.

Greg is an acknowledged industry leader in the digital transformation of industrial companies and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). He is also knowledgeable about Operations Management and MES, and ERP and PLM software, especially in their interplay with plant systems. He provides clients in a number of manufacturing vertical markets with strategic advice in transforming manufacturing operations. Greg has been with ARC since 1998. Prior to ARC, Greg has experience in manufacturing, industrial automation, and industrial software companies. He brings over 20 years of hands-on experience to ARC, with direct experience within manufacturing organizations, as well as extensive experience with suppliers to manufacturers.

Greg's education includes a BSEE and an MBA. He blogs frequently at www.arcweb.com/blog/industrial-iot-viewpoints.

Mike Guilfoyle

Vice President, Sustainability and Energy Transition

For more than two decades, Michael has assisted organizations, including numerous Fortune 500 companies, in identifying and capitalizing on growth opportunities and market disruption presented by the effects of digital economies, energy transition, and industrial sustainability on the energy, manufacturing, and technology industries.

Michael's expertise is in market analysis and strategy development for companies facing transformational market drivers. At ARC, he leads a team that researches the impact of energy transition and sustainability on industrial organizations. Mike is also an acknowledge thought leader in digital transformation related to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and advanced analytics, including machine learning, as well as leading edge technologies such as cloud platforms. He spends considerable time working with clients on the human side of digital transformation and its impact on workforce skills development, knowledge transfer, and change management. Michael is also a co-founder and steering committee member of the Digital Transformation Council. Additionally, he leads ARC’s Vanguard practice, which is a peer-to-peer service designed to support senior executives charged with industrial innovation.

Michael has held multiple senior management positions in business and market strategy.  Just prior to joining ARC, he was a key contributor on Oracle's global industry strategy team for utilities.  During that time, he spearheaded many strategic planning and go-to-market initiatives covering topics such as business model evolution, advanced distribution management, operational analytics, distributed energy, mobility, asset management, workforce modernization, and knowledge management.

Steve DePaola

Vice President, Client Services

Steve leads the ARC business development team for North American Clients.  He has over 25 years experience in business management and client development as a project manager and marketing manager.

Steve has been with ARC since 1995. Prior to ARC, Steve worked for The Center for Executive Education at Babson College where he was responsible for all Accounting activities and for supervision of the Total Quality Management Program. While getting his MBA at Babson College, Steve served as a team leader on several important consulting projects, including a year-long business evaluation of a Health Care/Insurance Company. Steve provided financial analyses, market research, internal reorganization, and strategic marketing recommendations. In another project, Steve worked on the international product launch of a sophisticated internet device for Bolt, Beranek, and Newman (BBN).

Steve holds an MBA from Babson College and a BA in Economics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Florian Güldner

Managing Director, Europe

Florian is Managing Director of ARC Europe and responsible for the European operations. He joined ARC in 2008 and has worked in various positions, from discrete sensors to control and now on edge and IIoT related subjects.  While leading the European team, Florian continues to be involved in dedicated projects. 

Prior to joining ARC, Florian gained experience in the automation industry with Siemens and has a strong background in energy markets. In particular, he worked for AREVA in Germany and the US, as well as for E.On Energy. At ARC, Florian was responsible for economic modeling, time series and business cycle analysis, and forecasting. He is also experienced in strategic marketing and mergers & acquisitions.

Florian has a Masters Degree in Economics, with Sociology and Psychology as minor subjects

Chiaki Itoh

Senior Director, Asia

Chiaki Itoh is responsible for marketing and sales for ARC Japan and support of ARC's many Japanese and Southeast Asian client companies.  He has over 35 years of direct experience in the automation market.

Prior to joining ARC, Chiaki Itoh worked for Yokogawa for over 30 years.  His experience includes 15 years of research and development activities around DCS, PLC, and computers.  He also served as general manager of marketing and business development. During this period, he was a representative of OPC Japan from 2001 to 2004.  In 2013 he was promoted to Vice President of Marketing for Yokogawa.

He is a member of SICE (Society of Instrument and Control Engineers) and IPS (Information Processing Society of Japan).

Itoh-san has a BS in Applied Mathematics from Kyoto University.

G. Ganapathiraman

Vice President & General Manager, India

G. Ganapathiraman is currently VP & GM, responsible for managing ARC Advisory Group’s operations in India. Raman brings in nearly five decades of experience in the industry especially focused on automation and enterprise. Raman has been head of ARC's India operations since June 2012.  His range of responsibilities at ARC includes supporting the global offices in preparation of market research reports (worldwide, regional, and India specific), and organizing ARC Asia/India forums.

Prior to joining ARC, he superannuated as Executive Director of Electronics Division (EDN) of BHEL. During his tenure of 38 years in BHEL, he headed Electronics Division (EDN), Project Engineering Management (PEM) and Industrial Systems Group (ISG). He has been a team leader and builder; at BHEL he led a team of 5,000 personnel.  

Raman’s work and commitment to excellence has won recognition at the national and international levels.  He has received various prestigious awards, such as ICWA Cost Management Award, CII Business Excellence, and Quality Control (QC) Awards.  Raman is a senior member in IEEE and ISA.   Raman is a gold medalist in Electrical Engineering (B.E.) from Madras University.