Women in Automation Q1 2025 Spotlight
This quarter, our WIA Member Spotlight shines brightly on Linda Amstutz, Senior Territory Manager from NSK. Spanning an impressive 37 years, Linda’s career has taken her from her initial role through to 8 years of full immersion in the automation sector.
Linda’s growth and successful transition from automotive to automation is a testament to her adaptability and dedication, and her appreciation of all that she continues to learn from the incredible people we have in our industry. A highlight of Linda’s time in automation has been her collaboration with Jim Elekonich, Sagar Shah, and Andrew Pelletier. Jim, a Senior Applications Engineer at NSK, is Linda’s steadfast supporter, always ready to answer questions while she diligently takes notes during calls too many to count. She has also benefited from the product training offered by Sagar Shah, a knowledgeable Sales Engineer who previously worked with Linda at NSK and is currently employed by another AHTD member, Bearing Service. A favorite quote that has guided Linda throughout her career is “Trust but Verify”: a principle gleaned from yet another mentor at NSK, Andrew Pelletier, their USA Director of Aftermarket Sales.
Linda is especially proud of her team’s achievement of the prestigious Solution in the Field Award for their notable work on a Linear Ball Screw Roller project. Having labored over the project for more than 2-1/2 years, Linda and her team's solution not only outperformed a competitor’s higher-priced offering but also provided longer product life and greater efficiency. The end customer, a manufacturer of paper plates, benefited from her ability to reverse-engineer their application, resulting in a solution that has since been implemented across over 500 pieces of equipment already in the field.
When asked what advice she would give to other Women in Automation, Linda emphasized it is important to “Have thick skin, prove yourself, be knowledgeable, be as prepared as possible, admit when you don’t have the answer, and be willing to dig in and find the answer using the resources at your disposal.”
Linda's story is a testament to the power of mentorship, dedication, and the limitless opportunities available within the automation industry, and we are proud to feature her in our WIA Member Spotlight. For more information about Linda, her incredible team, or NSK Automation, visit NSK Americas or their global site, NSK Automation.