Meet The Team

James joined CRG Automation in 2019 following two decades in top leadership positions at General Electric and Big Ass Fans. James changed the direction of the company to focus on automation and integration, fulfilling his longtime professional goal of building out his own custom engineering solution firm – one dedicated to solving the kinds of problems that leave most teams scratching their heads. As CEO, James grew the Team from six employees to 30+ while earning numerous professional awards for revenue growth, innovation and culture. James leads our government initiatives including our work with the Department of Defense, as well as driving the overall strategy and direction of the company.

James holds a Marine Engineering Systems (Mech Eng+) degree from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, has earned GE Six Sigma Black Belt & Master Black Belt Certifications (DFSS/DMAIC), served 14 years as a commissioned officer in the US Naval Reserve and is President and Co-Founder of 502cares, Inc – a Louisville based charity. When not in the office, James enjoys spending summer weekends at the lake with his wife Missy, and their four children.

Paul Joined CRG in 2024 as Chief Operating Officer.  He brings with him 30 years of experience and executive leadership including roles at Big Ass Fans and Industrial Air Centers, with oversight in operations, financial analysis, strategy development and deployment, contract negotiation, business development and M&A transactions.  Paul’s diverse professional experience provides him with a broad understanding of the organizational needs for developing and executing growth strategies. “I truly enjoy establishing and working with teams to develop talent and to achieve rapid growth while maintaining the highest level of quality.”

Paul holds a BBA in Finance from the University of Kentucky and, in his spare time, enjoys hiking and spending time on the lake with his wife Tiffany and their adult children.

Alex joined CRG Automation as its first Chief Commercial Officer to drive growth and corporate strategy. His career began nearly 20 years ago at manufacturer Big Ass Fans, where he led an expansive marketing division that helped the company grow from $30 million in annual sales to more than $250 million. Following a successful exit from Big Ass Fans, Alex sought a new challenge and co-founded Truman’s, a CPG brand with technology Fast Company recognized as a World Changing Idea. He then served as CCO of Vsimple, a workflow management SaaS company, leading the go-to-market operations of the high-growth, venture-backed business. He currently serves on the company's board of directors. 

In his spare time, Alex enjoys helping companies, young professionals and students level up their capabilities and unlock new opportunities. When not working, you can find Alex on the court or athletic fields with his wife and kids or commiserating about Cleveland sports fandom. 

Dillon serves as the Director of Engineering and Sales at CRG Automation, where he combines a passion for innovative design with strategic business insight to deliver advanced solutions in custom machine automation and robotics integration. With a rich background spanning engineering, production, and maintenance roles in the automotive industry, Dillon brings a customer-focused perspective to automation design, shaped by his experience as an end user of such systems. His dual-focused role involves leading engineering teams to develop cutting-edge solutions while driving sales strategies to expand client relationships, ensuring every project is technically sound and exceeds expectations.

Dillon holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Louisville, along with a Six Sigma Black Belt Certification, underscoring his commitment to continuous improvement in design and customer satisfaction. Outside of work, Dillon enjoys playing golf and cherishing time with his wife and young son.

Randall has built an impressive career over 25 years in the manufacturing industry, beginning as a skilled machine tool and die maker. His dedication to the precise art of tool and die making, combined with his attention to detail and commitment to quality, quickly set him apart. Over time, Randall embraced emerging technologies and manufacturing techniques, consistently seeking ways to optimize processes and reduce waste. His hands-on expertise provided him with a deep understanding of the challenges and intricacies of manufacturing, enabling him to develop effective solutions that drive efficiency and excellence.

Since joining CRG in 2005, Randall’s passion for continuous improvement and innovation has propelled him through various roles within the company. From machine tool and die maker to setup operator and lead technician, he has gained invaluable experience across all aspects of manufacturing. Through on-the-job training and leadership development, Randall has consistently stepped into new opportunities, guiding teams through complex projects and fostering collaboration. Now serving as Director of Manufacturing, he oversees all shop floor production, leading a diverse team and promoting a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.