When Andrew Hastert (EMBA ’25) talks about the future of manufacturing, he doesn’t start with technology. He starts with people, strategy, and the ability to adapt. As director of digital strategy and portfolio at Rockwell Automation, Hastert is helping companies navigate one of the most significant shifts the industry has seen – the rise of generative AI and digital transformation during a period of talent shortages and growing complexity.
Hastert’s career began in engineering and technical sales, experiences that shaped how he thinks about leadership today. “I started my career in technical sales, which forced me to learn why companies invest in technology and how to deliver differentiated value,” he said. “Over time, I realized the leaders who make the biggest impact understand both the technology and the business strategy behind it.”
That realization led him to Lubar’s Executive MBA program, which he completed in 2025 while continuing to advance his career. He enrolled because he wanted to strengthen his ability to lead across an entire organization.
“I felt like I had the street smarts running businesses, but I was missing formal training in areas like finance, marketing and general management,” Hastert said. “The EMBA gave me exposure to every domain of an enterprise and the chance to pressure-test ideas with executives who had been there before.”
Today, Hastert is at the forefront of building products and experiences using AI as it reshapes manufacturing. “The first time I used the internet, the first time I used an iPhone, and the first time I used a large language model all felt like turning points,” he said. “When I saw AI solve problems in seconds that used to take hours, it was clear we were unlocking value we hadn’t even considered possible.”
He believes the companies that succeed with AI are the ones that stay focused on business outcomes rather than hype.
“Technology is an enabler for unlocking business value,” Hastert said. “Organizations that scale successfully have a clear vision, alignment on priorities, and a culture that’s ready for change.”
Hastert remains closely connected to the Lubar College of Business as a member of its Business Advisory Council, where he hopes to help strengthen the region’s leadership in smart manufacturing and digital innovation.
“I want to see our region thrive,” he said. “If we can connect technology with real business value and develop leaders who understand both, we can create impact that lasts for decades.”
For Hastert, the pace of change ahead is not something to fear. It is an opportunity.
“I think more will change in manufacturing in the next five years than in the last fifty,” he said. “That’s what makes this moment so exciting.”