Scott Brown

Manufacturing Technology Strategist • AI Implementation Architect • Digital Innovation Leader

About

I architect digital transformation strategies for pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing, specializing in OT/IT convergence, industrial data systems, and AI implementation that delivers measurable EBITDA improvements.

Over 30 years, I've led plant-wide control systems, global serialization initiatives, and connected manufacturing platforms across regulated environments. I identified the Industry 4.0 opportunity in 2013 and convinced leadership to transform around Converged Plantwide Ethernet—a bet that's now industry standard.

Currently Director of Digital Innovation at Polaris Automation, building AI and data innovation capabilities from the ground up. Founding member of the AI Freedom Alliance, developing governance frameworks that give SMBs a counterbalance to big tech influence.

Skills

Domain Expertise

  • OT/IT Convergence Architecture
  • Pharmaceutical/Biotech Manufacturing Systems
  • Industrial Data Supply Chains (lab instruments → bioreactors → enterprise)
  • Regulated Environment Compliance (21 CFR Part 11, GxP)

AI & Data Strategy

  • AI Implementation for Manufacturing (measurable ROI focus)
  • Enterprise Knowledge Architecture
  • Real-time Analytics & Dashboarding
  • Python/Flask Development for Industrial Applications

Leadership

  • Digital Innovation Strategy & Execution
  • AI Governance Frameworks (AIFA founding member)
  • Cross-functional Technology Integration
  • Sales Engineering & Client-facing Consulting

Systems Thinking

  • Personal knowledge architecture (Zettelkasten, interconnected note systems)
  • Strategic scenario planning and analysis
  • Complex problem decomposition
  • Building technical solutions for non-technical problems

Interests

AI Governance at Human Scale

Founding Board Member, AI Freedom Alliance. Focused on creating governance frameworks that work for organizations without Big Tech's resources or regulatory capture capacity.

Knowledge Architecture

Obsessed with how people capture, connect, and leverage information. Running sophisticated personal knowledge management using Zettelkasten methodology. The system for thinking about systems.

Strategic Life Planning

Applying the same analytical frameworks I use for manufacturing transformation to personal decisions—retirement location analysis, financial modeling, scenario planning. Currently comparing international and US options with actual data.

Building Things

From Flask dashboards for inventory management to wood-fired hot tub installations. Problem-solving doesn't stop at the plant floor.

Connect

Consulting in smart manufacturing transformation, AI implementation strategy, and enterprise data architecture. Also open to conversations about AI governance, knowledge management systems, or why Portuguese tax policy is more interesting than you'd think.