Richard Litt, founder, chairman and CEO of Genesis Systems Group, LLC , Davenport, IA, was recently elected president of Robotic Industries Association for 2008. He becomes the association’s 18th president, succeeding Trevor Jones, senior general manager of Yaskawa Motoman Canada, Ltd. , Mississauga, Ontario. Jones, who has served as president since 2006, will remain on the RIA board of directors.
Litt has been on the RIA board of directors since 2000 and was most recently the RIA first vice president. He founded Genesis Systems Group in 1983 after a decade of building the small Rock Island firm of R & R Welding Supply through a variety of robotic-related inventions applicable to the welding industry. His election marks the first time that a member representing the system integrator segment assumes the association’s presidency.
“RIA is a strong organization. We have a solid financial footing, talented staff, an outstanding board of directors, a vibrant industry and a great future. I am honored to have the opportunity to lead,” Litt said. “Our industry has changed, our association has matured and the constituencies we serve have become more diverse.
“I plan to shepherd our association in providing expanded membership benefits to the rapidly growing and largely untapped system integrator membership subgroup. I hope to have the opportunity to participate in the continuation and expansion of current RIA programs and, at the same time, inspire a look toward new programming that will further advance the value we bring to our membership and our industry.”
As a leading spokesman for robotic welding automation, Litt is active as a member of the Association for Manufacturing Technology and has served twice as chapter chairman of the American Welding Society . He currently holds three patents related to robotic apparatus.

Do you have experience and expertise with the topics mentioned in this content? You should consider contributing to our WTWH Media editorial team and getting the recognition you and your company deserve. Click here to start this process.