Why Hire Me to Speak...
Event organizers choose Dr. Carl Lee Tolbert because he bridges engineering precision and human behavior like no one else in the industrial world. His programs unite sales, service, and maintenance cultures, showing leaders how to build trust, retention, and measurable growth.
As an Industrial Organizationalist, engineer, and author of The 10 Immutable Laws of the Industrial Distribution Specialist, Dr. Tolbert translates decades of field experience and research into real-world strategies that audiences can apply immediately.
Your team will leave understanding how to:
- Integrate AI into value-added sales without losing authenticity.
- Lead specialists and SMEs through change with confidence.
- Build resilient maintenance cultures rooted in grit and purpose.
- Align technical excellence with customer success.
Dr. Tolbert’s talks resonate because they’re built from the field, informed by behavioral science, and delivered with energy, insight, and credibility.
Adventures in Speaking
Recent Presentations, Consulting, & Keynotes
- Malloy Electric (2023–2025)
Intermediate and Advanced: VFDs for Maintenance and Engineering
- PTRA Annual Conference (2024)
Keynote: Industrial Distribution — Imitative, Complex, Impulsive
Panel Discussion — The Future of Manufacturer–Rep Partnerships
(Moderator: Bryan Shirley | Panelist: Dr. Carl Lee Tolbert, PhD)
- SMRP Annual Conference (2025)
Unlocking Hidden Insights: Leveraging VFD Data for Scalable Predictive Maintenance
- Confidential Executive & Brand Sessions (2025)
The Voice of the Customer: Industrial Distribution — Unique Insight on the NPS
Conducted private leadership briefings for three major industrial brands, introducing the brand Net Promoter Score (bNPS) model to measure distributor engagement, loyalty, and advocacy. - The Future of Industrial Technical Support with Agentic AI
Consulted on next-generation service and troubleshooting models using autonomous and conversational AI agents to improve customer response, reduce service cost, and retain technical authenticity in digital support. - VFD Adaptation for PM Motors — Applied Consulting Project
Provided strategic engineering guidance on the integration of permanent magnet motor control within standard VFD architectures, optimizing torque control, tuning parameters, and field reliability for OEM applications.
- EPIC Conference (2025-2026)
Variable Frequency Drive Installation: Field-Proven Practices for Reliability
ChatGPT for Troubleshooting Electrical and Mechanical Issues
- Iowa Rural Water Association (2026)
Keynote: AI — Separating Tomorrow’s Reality from Today’s Hype
Courses Taught
Truett McConnell University – Doctoral Programs (School of Business)
- AI and Business Strategy
Exploring artificial intelligence as a strategic enabler of organizational transformation and competitive advantage.
- Data Analytics for Business Decision Making
Applying statistical models, visualization, and predictive analytics to inform executive-level decision frameworks.
- Solution Development and Testing
Guiding doctoral candidates through the design, validation, and implementation of applied technology solutions for business challenges.
- Industry 4.0 Leadership
Examining digital transformation, automation, and the leadership competencies required to guide organizations through Industry 4.0 integration.
University of Sioux Falls – Doctorate in Leadership Program
- Technology for Leadership
Investigating how emerging technologies, AI, automation, data systems, and digital communication reshape organizational authority, ethics, and human decision-making in complex leadership environments.