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Jeff Lorton
Director Sales and Integration - Process Optimization - Quality Automation
Jeff Lorton is a professional in the field of agricultural technology and process optimization, currently associated with Carl Zeiss Spectroscopy GmbH.1 He holds the position of Sales Lead and NIR Integrator at Ag Optix, a company focused on agriculture process automation.1
Professional Background
Jeff's career appears to be centered around agricultural technology and process optimization. He is involved in the integration of Near-Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy technology in agricultural applications, as evidenced by his work with ZEISS NIR systems.1
Current Role and Responsibilities
As a ZEISS Spectroscopy - Authorized Dealer at Carl Zeiss Spectroscopy GmbH, Jeff Lorton likely plays a crucial role in:
- Promoting and selling ZEISS spectroscopy products
- Providing technical expertise on NIR technology integration
- Supporting agricultural process automation initiatives
Online Presence and Professional Activities
Jeff Lorton maintains an active professional presence on LinkedIn, where his username is indeed "jlorton".2 He frequently shares insights and updates related to his field of expertise.2 Some of his recent activities include:
- Posting about the ZEISS Campus Tour 2024, which was extended to Formula Student events in Austria and Germany5
- Sharing thoughts on the increasing focus on robotics and automation in AgTech4
Jeff's LinkedIn profile describes him as "Director Sales and Integration - Process Optimization - Quality Automation," which aligns with his role in spectroscopy and agricultural technology.3
Highlights
Far too often, I catch myself saying, "all science fiction eventually comes true." It's my own way of embracing new technologies, even the ones I initially grumble about. This mantra helps me make peace with whatever the latest tech trend is, no matter how wild.
Back in my youth, working in Southeast Alaska, the talk of the town was the automated fish fillet machines. They swooped in and replaced entire canneries full of workers, transforming the industry into the sleek, efficient pack-houses we see today. It was the frozen revolution, paving the way for IQF foods to take over our freezers. Consumers got better quality food, but many workers had to adapt to a new life.
Fast forward to now, and we see driverless cars hitting the streets. Many worry about the millions of professional drivers who might find themselves sidelined, just like those cannery workers. But they'll adapt, as we all must evolve with the times.
These days, my focus has shifted to A.I. Despite relying on it daily—and let’s be honest, my role in selling it—I have my concerns. A.I. is undeniably powerful, already transforming our customers' sustainability efforts and turning yesterday’s science fiction into today’s reality.
But what are the worries? A.I. is only as good as the data it’s fed. Just like those fish fillet machines needed quality fish to produce perfect fillets, A.I. thrives on quality data. As a team member of data collectors and interpreters, my concern always centers on the validity of our references.
Thinking back to my early days, diligence was a core trait that cannery managers drilled into us. It was essential—we were part of a process and had to be reliable.
As we continue to digitize our world, it's crucial to stay as close to the "ground truth" as possible. Otherwise, we risk not only corrupting our data but losing the essential skills and mastery of the analog world we come from.
Take this image below—it's fake, but it serves as more than just a moment of fun. To me, it highlights the bias in the data that created it. As the co-creator, I can tell you it’s far from what I intended, but it was my bad prompts that guided the misdirection. Maybe I'll use less steampunk next time.
In the end, the path from science fiction to reality hinges on the quality of our data and the diligence we apply to our validation processes.
Stay wary friends and don't let desired outcomes cloud your good judgement.
#junkinjunkout
Attention SF region start-up founders and innovation directors... headhunters! Here’s the computer scientist creative you’ve been dreaming of!
Ag Optix had the absolute pleasure of working with Daniel Van Cleave on some of our coolest projects, including robotics, greenhouse tech, prototype evaluation, food security, industrial spectroscopy, and chemometrics.
Daniel was our secret weapon in hitting many big goals. Now he’s bringing his talent and charisma to SF and has already become a networking legend.
Don’t miss out—snag him quick! Connect with him at https://lnkd.in/gqS-ypFd.
#TechWizard #InnovationRockstar #SFStartups
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Mesh is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Mesh beneficial.
Mesh offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Mesh offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Mesh's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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