Alex Shikany was named the new director of market analysis at the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), the umbrella group for the Robotic Industries Association, Advancing Vision + Imaging and the Motion Control Association. In his new position, Shikany will be responsible for producing quarterly statistical reports on robotics, vision and motion control sales, updating the association’s websites with recent economic data and reports, and developing articles on new market opportunities. He will work with Paul Kellett, who will be retiring from this position at the end of January. To learn more about Kellet’s work, see: The Future of Imaging: Three Perspectives. “We’re thrilled to have Alex onboard early enough so that he can learn under Paul for the next several months,” said Jeff Burnstein, president of A3. Prior to joining A3, Shikany worked for Belden Wire and Cable, where he conducted an in-depth Canadian market analysis and developed a revised brand strategy for one of the country’s main product lines. Before that he worked at Pierce Education Properties. For more information, visit: automate2013.com