As a proud sponsor of TQL Stadium – home of the city’s beloved MLS soccer team, FC Cincinnati – Kerry Byrne, President of Total Quality Logistics, is excited to welcome guests to this year’s FBT Connect™ Manufacturing event.
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Kerry Byrne
President
Total Quality Logistics
Kerry is a key leader in the Cincinnati business community and the logistics industry that serves the manufacturing sector. Under his leadership, Cincinnati-based TQL has grown to become the second largest freight brokerage firm in North America and is the 93rd largest privately held company in America. Kerry and TQL have been driving job growth and innovation in Cincinnati and across the country.
Bringing together leading power producers and consumer perspectives, this panel will examine how manufacturers can navigate the evolving energy landscape. Panelists will explore the role of reliable and affordable energy, the impact of regulatory and policy changes, and alternative energy solutions. Discussion will include key insights into balancing cost, reliability, and innovation to keep the manufacturing industry powered for today’s increasing demands and scaling into the future.
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ModeratorBrian Zoeller
Partner
Frost Brown Todd LLP
Brian leads FBT’s Renewable Energy Industry Team, advising on utility-scale solar, landfill gas-to-energy, and renewable natural gas projects. He assists with lease negotiations, tax incentives, regulatory approvals, and energy infrastructure agreements. With over 2 GW of solar projects, Brian helps manufacturers navigate energy solutions that balance cost, reliability, and sustainability. -
John R. Crockett, III
President and Chief Development Officer
LG&E and KU
John leads LG&E and KU’s efforts to provide reliable energy to 1.3 million customers in Kentucky and Virginia. As President and Chief Development Officer, he oversees government affairs, regulatory strategy, and economic development. With prior roles as General Counsel and 27 years at Frost Brown Todd, he brings deep experience in energy policy and regulatory matters that impact manufacturers and businesses. -
Amy B. Spiller
State President – Ohio and Kentucky
Duke Energy
Amy oversees Duke Energy’s utility operations in Ohio and Kentucky, serving 900,000 electricity and 557,000 natural gas customers. As president, she leads regulatory initiatives, government relations, and stakeholder engagement. As prior VP of Government and Community Affairs and Deputy General Counsel, she brings deep expertise in energy regulation and economic development impacting the manufacturing industry.
Opportunities, Trends & Challenges Impacting Manufacturers
Our nearshoring panel will provide an inside look at the seismic shifts happening in North American manufacturing, including the uncertainty surrounding tariffs and the ripple effects on national and cross-border supply chains. Other topics will include the risks and benefits of investing in infrastructure, M&A activity, supply chain challenges, the USMCA, and other factors that are top-of-mind for manufacturers. Participants will gain valuable insights into market-specific challenges as well as avenues for future collaboration and expansion in the manufacturing industry.
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ModeratorEric A. Baker
Partner
Frost Brown Todd LLP
Eric has 18 years of experience as general counsel in the transportation industry, where he also served as president of an international division. He understands business, regulatory, environmental, and economic challenges. As a corporate officer and general counsel, he helped set company strategy, managed legal matters, and drafted employment policies and commercial contracts. -
Carlos M. Sesma, Jr.
Senior Partner
Sesma, Sesma & McNeese
Carlos, is a Senior Partner at Sesma, Sesma & McNeese in Mexico City, Mexico. He leads the Transportation and Logistics industry practice at the firm. He specializes in negotiating complex international agreements, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic alliances. Carlos works with clients on business strategies to enter the Mexican market. -
Louis Amato-Gauci
Partner
Miller Thomson LLP
Louis is co-chair of Miller Thomson’s national Transportation & Logistics team. He assists transport and logistics companies in setting up operations in Canada and provides strategic advice to shippers, carriers, 3PLs, and other intermediaries. He is frequently consulted on the international sale of goods, import/export procedures, and preferential tariff treatment under free trade agreements. -
Jay Freeman
Vice President, Deputy General Counsel
CJ Logistics America
Jay oversees CJ's US brokerage, asset-based, and managed transportation, freight forwarding, and warehousing, as well as legal counsel for CJ's Canadian and Mexican entities. Before joining CJ, Jay was part of the transportation practice at an Amlaw 200 firm and spent nearly two decades in the managed transportation and brokerage industry, plus a decade in management consulting.
This panel will explore challenges and opportunities arising from the new administration’s policy changes and executive orders during the first 100 days, as well as potential future regulations. Panelists will examine key regulatory and policy developments, including environmental regulation and the fate of PFAS, tax provisions such as Sections 266 and 174, and the impact of federal labor and trade policies on manufacturers. The discussion will cover how these regulations affect operations, costs, and competitiveness, providing insights into compliance strategies, advocacy efforts, and the broader policy landscape.
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ModeratorJonathan Miller
Washington, D.C. Office Partner-in-Charge
Frost Brown Todd LLP
Jonathan is a nationally recognized government relations professional advising businesses on regulatory compliance, tax policy, trade, and legislative matters. As Partner-in-Charge of FBT’s Washington, D.C. office, he helps manufacturers navigate evolving policies. With nearly two decades in public service, he has held senior state and federal roles, managing regulatory risks affecting manufacturing operations. -
Jan de Beer
Lexington Office Partner-in-Charge
Frost Brown Todd LLP
Jan focuses on international regulation and trade, advising on import and export matters, customs regulations, and transaction licensing. He counsels clients on compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Jan also assists with U.S. embargoes, sanctions, customs law, and product labeling requirements. -
Kevin McMurray
Environmental Practice Group Leader
Frost Brown Todd LLP
Kevin leads FBT's Environmental Practice Group and has extensive experience across federal, state, and local environmental programs. He focuses on litigation, enforcement defense, and regulatory matters in manufacturing and energy. He has conducted multi-media environmental audits and assisted clients with compliance evaluations, voluntary disclosures, and minimizing enforcement risks under key environmental laws. -
Mekesha Montgomery
Labor & Employment Practice Group Leader
Frost Brown Todd LLP
Mekesha leads FBT's Labor & Employment Practice Group, representing management in union negotiations, labor arbitrations, and employment discrimination cases. She defends class actions for wage and hour violations and advises on non-compete agreements. She takes a hands-on approach, understanding clients’ industries to navigate legal challenges with a focus on business impact. -
Lara Thompson, CPA
Partner
Crowe LLP
Lara is a Tax Partner at Crowe LLP with 21 years of public accounting experience serving family and private equity-owned businesses. Since 2013, she has provided federal and state tax compliance and consulting expertise. She focuses on Manufacturing and Distribution and is the national tax leader for Consumer Markets. Many of her clients have broad U.S. and international operations.
Where Old World and New World Systems Collide
Join futurist Thomas Frey as he reveals how machine-to-machine (M2M) systems are transforming manufacturing into an ecosystem of intelligent, self-optimizing factories where AI-driven robots, smart materials, and real-time data exchange work seamlessly together. But this isn’t a future without people—human operators will play vital roles as strategic overseers, designers, and problem-solvers, guiding the system while machines handle the repetitive, precision-based tasks. With M2M networks automating everything from production line adjustments to supply chain logistics, manufacturers will see unprecedented levels of efficiency, reduced waste, and the ability to produce custom products faster than ever before. Frey will explain how the balance between human ingenuity and machine precision will unlock a new era of productivity, and how companies that harness this collaboration will dominate in a world where speed, flexibility, and innovation determine success.
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Keynote SpeakerThomas Frey
Futurist
Thomas Frey, a noted futurist, captivates global audiences with his future trend predictions and transformative insights. Over several decades, he has founded 17 businesses and contributed to many others. Frey's work combines practical experience with forward-thinking ideas, focusing on emerging trends, subtle influences on the future, and broad implications for industries and society.
