Our experts
The Phoenix Contact Academy is a learning environment where a great deal of knowledge about electrical engineering, industrial automation technology and connectivity, among others, is pooled. Our experts are focused on developing you and helping you move forward. They do this by inspiring, motivating and educating you.
The goal is to leave you with more knowledge, motivation, inspiration and skills. A practical and future-oriented approach is central to this. You can put what you learn during the training into practice today and develop it further tomorrow. Technology is the link between you and the expert.
Meet our experts:
Bert van der Linden, Program Manager Technical Education
Bert van der Linden Bert is enthusiastic and passionate and has developed into an independent and objective expert in the field of technical and industrial automation. He strives to explain complex subjects in a clear and straightforward way.
Contact details
Tel. +31 (0)6 821 55 272
Email blinden@phoenixcontact.nl
Experience
Bert has worked as a trainer/consultant for many years and in recent years has focused on smart industrial automation and Industrie 4.0. As a result, he now enjoys working with PLCnext Technology. In addition, Bert is involved in various working groups in the organizations PLCopen and PI International, such as Software Construction Guideline and SU4 PITC.
Thijs van den Akker, Program Manager Technical Education Industrial Connectivity & Electronics
Thijs van den Akker Thijs is a passionate, curious and creative technician. He has developed a broad technical interest and knowledge, especially in the field of industrial electronics and automation. In doing so, he has a deep intrinsic motivation to teach and train people new knowledge and skills.
Contact details
Tel. +31 (0)6 531 64 016
Email takker@phoenixcontact.nl
Experience
Thijs has worked at Phoenix Contact as support engineer and product manager among others in the field of industrial connection technology electronics, E-mobility and surge protection. He also worked as manager of the technical support department. Currently, he is program manager and expert at Phoenix Contact.
Thijs is a member of the working group NEC81 overvoltage and lightning protection (NEN-EN-IEC 62305-4:2011).
Tom van Swam, Trainer Technical Education Industrial Automation
Tom van Swam Tom's motivation is to leave everything a little better than he found it every day. His dedication to continuous improvement inspires others to do the same.
Contact details
Tel. +31(0)6 263 88 822
Email tvanswam@phoenixcontact.nl
Experience
Tom has experience in designing, implementing and commissioning projects as a lead engineer. This includes projects with PLCs, SCADA/HMIs, industrial networks and web applications. In addition, he is founder of an open source project that has achieved over 10,000 downloads.
Tom has also obtained several certifications, including:
- IEC 62443 Cybersecurity Fundamentals Specialist
- TÜV Nord Certified Machinery Safety Expert
- TÜV Sud Functional Safety Engineer Safety Instrumented Systems IEC 61511:2016
Harm Geurink, Product Manager Industriële Automatiseringssystemen
Harm Geurink Harm enjoys explaining (complex) technical matters in an understandable way.
Contact details
Tel. +31(0)6 239 08 339
Email hgeurink@phoenixcontact.nl
Experience
Harm has more than 30 years of experience in Industrial Automation.
Gerald van Engeland, Senior Consultant
Gerald van Engeland Gerald enjoys combining his knowledge as a software engineer and expert in functional security with his passion for sharing craftsmanship. He therefore derives great satisfaction from providing training and coaching others.
Contact details
Tel. +31(0)6 130 03 721
Email g.vanengeland@kader.nl
Experience
Gerald is a familiar face in the world of machine safety. With a background in control technology and experience as a software engineer at various machine builders, he brings a wealth of knowledge with him. He has now been with Kramp Group for more than 14 years, where he now works as a machine safety consultant. His highly specialized knowledge of functional safety in mechanical engineering has led to his own book, entitled "SIL and PL in mechanical engineering."
Michiel Hartmann, Onafhankelijk adviseur Aarding en Bliksem
Michiel Hartmann Michiel has a passion for the field of lightning and grounding. He also gets energy from sharing his knowledge and solving problems pragmatically. After 45 years, Michiel still considers it a "hobby" to work in this field.
Contact details
Lightning Grounding Advisor BV
Tel. +31(0)570 623 500
E-mail info@bliksem-aarding.nl
Experience
Michiel has more than 45 years of practical experience in the field of grounding and lightning. He has been director/owner of Schaap Lightning Protection for 45 years. In addition, he has written three books on lightning protection and grounding, including the Lightning Protection Handbook. Michiel is also actively involved in various industry associations in the field of lightning and grounding.
Johan Hofland, Senior Engineer
Johan Hofland For Johan, safety has always been the common thread in his motivation. From fire alarm and extinguishing systems to burglar, camera and access control systems, and since 2001 also grounding systems, lightning and surge protection. His goal is to protect people, buildings and installations.
Contact details
Van der Heide Lightning Protection
www.vanderheide.nl
Experience
Johan has extensive experience in designing low voltage and high voltage grounding systems, performing risk analyses and designing lightning protection based on NEN62305 and NPR8110, including surge protection. He has also trained mechanics in lightning and surge protection and provides training for external companies and institutions that want to know more about lightning protection. Johan is also a lecturer at various MIT-E courses in the Netherlands.
Stefan Brinkmann, Senior Trainer IMA Sales Automation
Stefan Brinkmann Stefan derives satisfaction from sharing his experience and knowledge with others. His motivation is to make new technologies understandable and accessible to everyone.
Contact details
PHOENIX CONTACT GmbH & Co. KG
Tel. +49 (0)5281 946 2133
E-mail stefan.brinkmann@phoenixcontact.com
Experience.
Stefan has 13 years of experience as a programmer, commissioning engineer and trainer in a large, global mechanical engineering company. He also has 12 years of experience as a trainer at Phoenix Contact with specializations in PLC programming, PROFINET, PLCnext, Network Technology and Cybersecurity.
Pedro Aguilar, Trainer / Technical Expert
Pedro Aguilar Pedro gets his motivation from the world of automation. His drive to keep learning and developing drives him to find better and better solutions.
Contact details
PHOENIX CONTACT Electronics GmbH
Tel. +49(0)5281 946 2164
E-mail paguilarconde@phoenixcontact.com
Experience
With 10 years of experience in packaging machine manufacturing and two years as a trainer, Pedro combines practical knowledge with the ability to transfer that knowledge to others. His motivation lies in improving processes as well as guiding people in their development.