Farid began his professional career as an Electrical Control Engineer designing automated and integrated systems, robotic solutions, and optical rotary encoders (Li-Fi enabled sensors). Over the past 20 years, he has worked as adjunct professor, technical and research lead, program director, business development manager, chief product officer, chief technology officer, chief executive officer and technology, innovative, IIoT and digital/smart factory transformation consultant at multinational corporations including Dupont/DJ chemical, Delphi/Aptiv Automotive, Ford/Comau Robotics, Homag/Dü, Haworth, SteelCase, Boeing, Stryker, Honeywell, etc.; as well as for US Government agencies including the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), and the US Census Bureau. He has co-founded 7 different businesses and organizations and served as a top executive and board member. He now serves as the Chief Technology Officer of AASA Inc, where he also co-founded the technology spinoff, 01LightCom. His recent focus includes the COVID-19 impact on the industry, manufacturing and IoT/IIoT, and currently he serves as the chair of Smart Factory and steering committee member at Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC).