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On June 22nd and 23rd AFAM was in College Station, TX, visiting TEES-ENSAM International Workshop on Smart Manufacturing for the Factory of the Future (TEES stands for Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station).
This TEES-ENSAM workshop occurred right after the co-located ASME International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference (MSEC) 2018 and the 46th NAMRI/SME North American Manufacturing Research Conference (NAMRC) hosted this year by Texas A&M.
On the picture: participants of TEES-ENSAM International Workshop on Smart Manufacturing, College Station, TX
The International workshop on Smart Manufacturing organized on June 22nd and 23rd is one of the illustrations of TEES-ENSAM growing transatlantic collaboration. The workshop was supported by Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and the French Consulate in Houston. ENSAM delegation in College Station, TX, consisted of Ivan Iordanoff, Arts et Métiers Deputy Director in charge of Research and Innovation, Mohamed el Mansori, co-director of TEES-ENSAM cluster, Philippe Collot, director of Aix-en-Provence Arts et Métiers campus and Philippe Viot, Director of Innovation.
Arts et Métiers ParisTech and Texas A&M have a long history of research collaboration. For 20 years, the LEM3 laboratory in Metz has been collaborating with researchers from Texas A&M. On November 30, 2017 the MOU was signed between Arts et Métiers ParisTech and Texas A&M giving birth to “Joint Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Research, Innovation and Education Cluster”.
Next steps for this promising joint cluster would be new collaborative research opportunities in partnership with French and American industry leaders such as Airbus Helicopters, STIL as well as offering of summer schools for Texas students and in the future - exchange semesters for both French and American students and dual degrees on the horizon of 2020.
The first day of the workshop visit, AFAM had a chance to see the new Center for Infrastructure Renewal (on Rellis Education and Research campus) enabling Texas A&M and its partners to perform cutting-edge research to provide practical solutions.
Pictures: Center for Infrastructure Renewal (Rellis Education and Research campus, Texas A&M)
The second day of the visit was dedicated to presentations of industry engagement in particular Airbus Helicopters and STIL, as well as joint research programs as the workshop participants could learn more about advances in the field of natural fiber composite materials presented by both ENSAM and Texas A&M researchers.
TEES-ENSAM cluster is a promising alliance based on mutual understanding and commitment. AFAM will continue to inform American Friends of Arts et Métiers community about TEES-ENSAM cluster and its actions.
From left to right: Philippe Viot (ENSAM), Philippe Collot (ENSAM), Albina Patou-Chebykina (AFAM), Ivan Iordanoff (ENSAM), Mohamed El Mansori (ENSAM, co-director of TEES-ENSAM cluster), Satish Bukkapatham (Texas A&M, co-director of TEES-ENSAM cluster)
From left to right: Eyad Masad (Texas A&M), Philippe Collot (ENSAM), Ivan Iordanoff (ENSAM), Dimitris Lagoudas (Texas A&M)
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On June 10th AAGEF Regatta took place. This amateur sailboat race has been organized by the French Grandes Ecoles Alumni Association. 10 boats, each representing a French Grande Ecole, have been racing for 2 hours around downtown Manhattan. The Arts et Métiers ParisTech team did not win the race but gadzarts' families and friends won a Supporter Prize showing once again how strong and supportive the Gadz Community is.
On the pictures below: members of Arts et Métiers ParisTech crew Jean-Rodolphe Guis and Jean-Baptiste Commans
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AFAM: Tell us about your career path and area of expertise today, Jean-Baptiste. How did it come about?
JB: I am a Principal in a strategy consultancy called the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), specialized in strategy of Financial Institutions (FIs). I have been working with FIs since the beginning of my career. After I graduated from Arts et Métiers, I went on to earn a Specialized Master from HEC. I was then recruited as a Financial Mathematician at Aon Global Risk Consulting, a consultancy.
After 2.5 years there, I had the opportunity to become the head of the pricing department of a client of mine, Credit Foncier.
Three years later, I decided I wanted new challenges, and a more international job. An A&M Alumni from BCG passed on my CV to the FI practice, and I was recruited as a consultant. Six years down the line, I have worked in 15+ different countries for more than 20 clients, on some of their more strategic matters.
AFAM: What do you do every day at work? How does being a Gadz’Arts help you in your everyday tasks and team management?
JB: Clients bring us in to solve some of their toughest challenges: how can we enter the Asian market? Should we invest in certain asset classes? How can we gain market shares?
As a Principal, I set up and manage ad-hoc teams of 3 to 6 extremely talented consultants to solve the issue. I have strategic conversations with the clients and bring my own expertise and brainpower to finding the answer to their issue.
Being a Gadz’Art is a fundamental part of my work-identity. As an engineer, I see my teams as machines, where all the wheels have a specific function, and all have to fit together for the machine to work. I always fine-tune the machine, ensuring people are put in an optimal position to deliver, leveraging their strengths and/or developing the skills we need them to have.
Besides, my extra-curricular experience organizing the A&M Fignoss Gala in 2004 somehow taught me to manage not overly relying on hierarchy and figuring out a way to solve problems for which I don’t have a roadmap. Which, come to think of it, would be a pretty accurate description of what I have to do now…
AFAM: How did you come to the US- why and when? How is your work life different than in France?
JB: My current employer, BCG, recruited me in Paris in 2012. After one year, I transferred to our London office. 2.5 years later, we launched an initiative to develop certain business lines in the US, and I joined the NYC office.
Though I am not sure this is representative of the US, New-York is definitely much, much more international and multi-cultural than Paris. My current team of 6 people boasts 4 different nationalities. New-York has entire neighborhoods with a clearly distinct identity, even language in some cases.
There is also something about the optimism of Americans. On average, they complain way less than we (and I!) do.
I however sometimes miss some good-old European sophistication in food, clothing, design, opera, etc. Things can be very ‘bling’ here.
AFAM: What is the best advice someone ever gave you? Why?
JB: To ask yourself what you want in life, and revisit the answer from time to time. Especially with regards to work-life balance. This doesn’t have to be precise, but maybe as a young graduate you will want to travel the world, while as a 30-something you will want to be more sedentary. Or maybe the opposite. All of it comes with trade-offs, and you will eventually have opportunities for every option. Your ability to seize the right opportunity at the right time is directly linked to the clarity of your aspirations.
Also, don’t be afraid. Turn down something because it doesn’t fit your aspirations, your project. Never, ever because you think it’ll be too hard.
AFAM: What is one favorite way to spend your free time (hobbies, weekend activities)?
JB: Two and a half years in, and I am still discovering New-York, its neighborhoods, its museums, its communities! I love a day at the beach at Rockaway, and Upstate New-York is beautiful. Also just hanging out, having drinks on rooftops with friends is something I will never get tired of.
AFAM: Thank you again for sharing your experience and thoughts on life in the USA for Gadz'Arts! AFAM is grateful for your support! And congratulations on your new responsibilities as a President of the East Coast Group!
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On May 13th, Mother's Day, a group of West Coast Arts et Métiers alumni gathered for a Pool and BBQ Party at Brookside club at Saratoga, CA. Swimming, eating, enjoying each other's company - looks like a pretty busy and enjoyable day. During this gathering gadzarts could also talk about AFAM's board renewal and electing new West Coast Group President. New members of the Board and New Group President will be announced after the AFAM Board meeting on June 12.
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On May 4th a group of Bay Area-based gadzarts gathered in St John's Bar and Grill located in Sunnyvale, CA. St John's is a place with A+ burgers and excellent sides. Even though it was crowded, our A&M alumni could find a perfect spot and enjoy each other's company and a beer or two.
Meanwhile the same day Houston-based gadzarts enjoyed wine on the terrasse of The Tasting Room at Uptown.
Stay tuned for upcoming Central and West Coast Groups' events!
On the picture from left to right: Aurore, Jean, Charles, Marc, Yarith, Stephane, Kevin and Cedrik together in St John's Bar and Grill, Sunnyvale, CA.
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