Presented perspectives and lessons learned at a University of Wisconsin Madison E-Business Consortium Product Management event focused on the Internet of Things (IoT) and how companies can confront the tough realities of IoT and learn how you can turn deployment challenges into product success.

Abstract: For product managers working on connected and intelligent products, the journey from idea to market is rarely straightforward. While the promise of IoT remains enormous, the reality is that success depends on navigating a maze of practical challenges—connectivity, security, user adoption, and legacy integration among them. For PMs, these issues aren’t just technical details; they’re fundamental to delivering products that scale, perform reliably, and earn customer trust.

The gap between vision and execution is where many IoT initiatives stall. Pilot programs often show promise but struggle to scale due to latency, infrastructure bottlenecks, or integration pain points. Security adds another layer of complexity, requiring constant vigilance around firmware, data protection, and compliance. Product managers sit at the center of these issues, tasked with orchestrating cross-functional teams, balancing technical feasibility with market readiness, and aligning roadmaps to both customer needs and organizational capabilities.

In this session, you'll get to hear from and ask questions of Mark Benson, Head of Smart Things at Samsung, and Josh Marchok, Group Platform Manager of Connectivity Platforms at Milwaukee Tool around their experiences of deploying IoT-enabled products across a variety of scales and use cases and how they have overcome the challenges that come along with it.

Honored to open the technology track at the University of Wisconsin Madison E-Business Consortium annual conference with lessons learned and a perspective on the future of smart connected product design.

Abstract: Connected products are reshaping the way consumers live and how companies deliver value. In this session, Mark Benson, Head of SmartThings at Samsung, will explore the rapid evolution of connected devices from two key perspectives: the industry-wide shift toward smart ecosystems and the experience of companies that design and build these products. Drawing on Samsung’s leadership in the connected home and IoT space, Mark will share lessons learned from developing SmartThings, including the challenges of interoperability, the role of data in creating seamless experiences, and the future of consumer expectations. Whether you are building smart products or adapting your business to work within a connected world, this session offers a front-row view into what is next.

Key Takeaways:

1. Ecosystems Over Devices: Understand how the shift from individual products to connected ecosystems is changing business models and customer engagement.

2. Producer Perspective: Gain insights into the design, development, and delivery of smart products from one of the world’s leading technology companies.

3. Looking Ahead: Learn what trends are shaping the next wave of connected innovation and what your organization can do today to stay ahead.

Honored to participate in a panel discussion as part of the CTA Smart Home Summit in Salt Lake City on smart home channel strategies ranging from DIY to professional.

Moderator: Avi Rosenthal (Managing Partner, BlueConnect Partners)

Panelists: Melissa Andresko (Chief Corporate Brand Ambassador, Lutron), Mark Benson (Head of SmartThings, Samsung), Joe Lautner (EVP, Specifi.io), Ben McInnis (Director, Smart Home Product, Design, and Devices, Amazon), JC Murphy (EVP, Corporate Development, Savant Systems)

Abstract: As the smart home market matures, consumers are engaging across a wide spectrum—from self-installed solutions to fully integrated professional systems. This panel explores evolving customer expectations, channel strategies, and opportunities for growth across retail, DIY, installer, and hybrid models.

Honored to give a presentation to Fox & Hounds, a local executive networking group of curious lifelong learners.

ABSTRACT: What does it take to scale a platform from startup origins to one of the world’s largest connected ecosystems? In this session, Mark Benson, CEO of SmartThings at Samsung Electronics, shares leadership insights from guiding the company’s ongoing evolution from a small startup to a global platform serving more than 400 million users. Mark explores the intersection of technology, people, and culture in a high-pressure, globally distributed environment. He highlights how leaders can balance speed with sustainability, autonomy with alignment, and innovation with interoperability. Drawing from the SmartThings journey that now connects millions of devices across both consumer and commercial markets, he offers practical lessons on scaling teams, simplifying complexity, and leading through constant transformation. This session gives CEOs a rare inside look at how to manage rapid growth without losing clarity, how to build systems that learn and adapt, and how to develop teams that consistently deliver under pressure while keeping the human experience at the center of technological progress.

Honored to present to the Bethel University Physics and Engineering Department about smart home tech, my career in software engineering, and ways students can think about integrating calling, character, and conviction in their careers to make an impact in the world.

ABSTRACT: In this talk, Mark Benson, CEO of SmartThings and Bethel University graduate, reflects on his journey from college student to technology leader. He shares how his experiences at Bethel helped shape his character, priorities, and understanding of leadership. Drawing from his work at SmartThings and Samsung, Mark explores how faith and work continue to intersect in meaningful ways—through decisions grounded in trust, humility, and integrity. This talk invites students and emerging leaders to reflect on calling, character, and what it means to lead with conviction in a complex, fast-moving world.