Ron Benish has BSEE from Lawrence Technological Institute. He has extensive background in Automated Material Handling Systems for the Automotive Industry with 33 years experience. During this time, Mr. Benish’s key roles were in engineering, product development, and sales/proposal.

Prior to working with FATA, Mr. Benish spent 10 years working for SI Handling Systems (formerly Volvo Automated Systems) as the engineering manager and part of the senior management of the company. During this time, he had implemented over 50 Automated Material Handling Systems including 8 new product developments.

Mr. Benish joined FATA Automation, Inc. in 1993. His key role at that time was to help start-up the North American operation as the role of engineering manager. During this time Mr. Benish has been successfully involved in the sales and implementation of over 190 systems with over $500 million in sales.

Mr. Benish now serves as a member of the Board of Directors for FATA Automation’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) company.

Bob Smolinski has been with FATA Automation since 1996.  He is a graduate of Michigan State University (BA in Communications) and is also a Journeyman Iron Worker (Structural Steel and Conveyor installation).

Bob worked at FATA Automation initially as a Project Manager, and eventually became its Vice President of Operations with responsibility for the Projects, Purchasing, and Manufacturing Departments.

Mr. Smolinski now serves as a member of the Board of Directors for FATA Automation’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) company.

Duane Jerore joined FATA Automation as its Chief Operating Officer in February 2023 and was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer in January 2025.

With over 35 years of experience in machine tooling and automation industries, Mr. Jerore’s skill set has been honed through the years starting in manufacturing as a tool builder in the early 1990s and advancing into supervision and management.

Mr. Jerore is experienced as a Platform Manager, Director of Project and Site Management, Head of Manufacturing and Logistics, VP of Auto OEM Systems NAFTA and most recently, was the Chief Executive Officer of a privately-owned engineering and special machine automation company that serviced medical, aerospace and defense sectors. He has supported business lines up to $300M in project revenue and personnel headcounts between 300-500.

His educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Management and Administration from the University of Phoenix and Mechanical Engineering studies from the University of Michigan – Dearborn Campus. Mr. Jerore also has a Six Sigma Black Belt Certification.

Dan Jennings joined FATA Automation in September 2024 and leads FATA Automation’s Sales and Proposals Team.

He has over thirty years of experience managing high performance sales teams in the global automotive manufacturing industry. He has helped companies dramatically grow their top line revenue by developing and implementing proven global strategies. His areas of expertise include business and team development, account management, relationship building and business growth.

Most recently, Mr. Jennings served as the Vice President of the sales and marketing team at a specialty tooling company in Grand Rapids where he spearheaded sales growth from $15M to over $55M in seven years alongside overseeing the expansion of their build facility from 33,000 sq feet to over 315,000 sq feet, enabling capacity for over $150M in annual revenue.

Mr. Jennings has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Ferris State University .

Paul Witherspoon is a British-born businessman with over 35 years of experience in Factory Automation.

Mr. Witherspoon is currently the Vice President of Project Management and a member of the executive committee of FATA Automation USA, reporting directly to the President and CEO. His responsibilities included corporate and project planning, program management and global operations.

Mr. Witherspoon started his professional career completing his apprenticeship in the nuclear and conventional power industry in the UK with studies in Engineering and Business; he has worked for Komatsu Europe, Rolls Royce Industrial Power Group and ABB Flexible Automation in England and Durr Systems in the USA, where he has held various project management positions in the field of robotic technologies and automation, working on contracts globally in automotive and aerospace industries.

Mr. Witherspoon joined FATA Automation in 1996 and has worked overseas as a Senior Manager in Italy, Germany, Poland, Canada, Mexico and USA, responsible for key account contracts in excess of $750 million US Dollars and has been based in Detroit, Michigan USA for the past 25 years.

John MacKay has extensive experience in the material handling industry and has been a valuable member of the FATA Automation team for over 30 years. 

Through the years, Mr. MacKay’s engineering skillset has led his career path from Project Engineer to Engineering Manager to Director of Engineering for FATA Automation. 

In 2025, Mr. MacKay was promoted to Vice President of Engineering, where he oversees a team of mechanical and electrical project and design engineers at our World Headquarters.