Notable Veteran Executives: Kyle Crum

Class of 2022

Served as a U.S. Navy officer, was deployed overseas in 2013-14 on a year-long global anti-terrorism mission

Colleagues say Kyle Crum is Milwaukee-based Rockwell Automation’s futurist. As senior manager of advanced technology, he oversees the Advanced Technology Laboratory where he leads a research team that helps to define the future of industrial automation. Crum holds three patents and 13 pending patents.

“Kyle is an excellent organizational leader,” said Dave Vasko, Rockwell’s senior director of advanced technology and Kyle’s manager. “He focuses on developing processes to ensure we make the most of everyone’s contributions, and he constantly works to develop his team and build our organizational capability.”

Crum was an officer in the U.S. Navy, primarily stationed at the Pentagon attached to the joint staff in the National Military Command Center as a watch stander. He specialized in operational intelligence. He was deployed overseas in 2013-14 on a year-long global anti-terrorism mission, during which he served on nearly every continent. His military decorations include the Information Dominance Warfare Insignia, a Navy Commendation Medal, three Navy Achievement Medals, the Volunteer Service Ribbon and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. He is also authorized to wear the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.

Crum supports the veterans community as treasurer of Rockwell’s Military, Veterans & Allies Group, an employee resource group supporting military veterans. The group’s mission includes helping veterans develop through mentorship at Rockwell to reach their career and personal goals as well as actively engaging veteran communities to improve veterans’ quality of life. MVAG also strives to attract and develop talent and create a culture that provides opportunities for veterans at Rockwell.

Crum mentors beyond Rockwell as well. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he is an adjunct professor in the Industrial Engineering department; a board member of the Connected Systems Institute, a collaboration between industry (including Rockwell) and academia; and a startup mentor at the UWM Research Foundation. At Discovery World, Kyle volunteered with a new STEM exhibit and leads a Rockwell-sponsored exhibit.

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