INDIANAPOLIS (May 18, 2023) Conexus Indiana today announced the newest members of the Conexus Indiana Rising 30, an exclusive group of young professionals who are recognized for their early-in-career accomplishments in the advanced manufacturing and logistics industries.
The Rising 30 program is in its third year and is part of Conexus Indiana’s mission to strengthen Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics industries. Rising 30 honorees exemplify leadership and innovation in Indiana’s largest industry sector and are poised to become Indiana’s future industry leaders.
“It is exciting to see such a rich pipeline of young professionals who already are contributing to Indiana’s largest economic engine,” said Scott Brand, executive vice president of Subaru of Indiana Automotive and chair of the Conexus Indiana Board. “As Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics industries continue to modernize and embrace the next-generation workplace, we’re in good hands with young people like these making it happen.”
Rising 30 honorees represent diverse professions, including quality specialists, entrepreneurs and business owners, engineers, educators, CEOs and software designers. The companies they work for range from massive international companies to local start-ups located in cities and towns all across the state, from Bristol to Columbus and Indianapolis to Princeton.
“The young professionals named to this year’s Rising 30 are setting new standards for Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics sector,” said Fred Cartwright, president and CEO of Conexus Indiana. “Learning about their accomplishments and ambitions made me more optimistic than ever about the future of advanced manufacturing and logistics in Indiana.”
Rising 30 honorees are nominated by their employer or an industry representative, and winners are selected based on their early-career accomplishments. In the coming year, the Rising 30 honorees will participate in Conexus Indiana’s work by serving as thought leaders on subjects ranging from emerging technology, smart manufacturing, public policy and talent development.
2023 Rising 30 honorees, listed below, are being honored during a special event this evening in downtown Indianapolis.
Caeli Bislich
Manager, NAMC Regional Communications
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana
Austin Borg
Engineering Manager/Lead Design
Ember Recreational Vehicles
Michael Boyle
Process Engineer
Smoker Craft
Morgan Chang
Former Project Manager, Graduate Student
Purdue University
John Coleman
Manager of Strategic Accounts
Backhaul Direct
James Coppock
Packaging Reduction Specialist
Subaru of Indiana Automotive
Ashley David
Product Marketing Manager
Endress+Hauser
Julia Dodson
Manufacturing Quality Engineer
Honda Development and Manufacturing of America LLC – Indiana Auto Plant
Riana Dozier
Manufacturing Engineer
Goodwill Commercial Services of Central and Southern Indiana
Dr. Ana Flavia Petro
Senior Analytical Chemist
Heritage Research Group
Ben Fouch
VP, Strategy & Operations
LDI
Connor Fox
Project Manager
Polygon Composites Technology
Adam Gushwa-Williams
Production Planning & Control Manager
Rolls-Royce
Cydney Huey
Manufacturing Engineer
BAE Systems
Robert Kirch
Client Relationship Manager
True Essence Foods
Nicholas LaNeve
Full Stack Developer
LHP Analytics & IoT
Scott Massey
Founder & CEO
anu™ (Heliponix)
Megan McHale
Lafayette Order to Delivery Rotational Program – Ops Leadership
Caterpillar
Sam Patton
Continuous Improvement Engineer
Cook Medical
John Ragan
Teacher
Eastbrook High School
Nathaniel Rivas
Senior Software Engineer
THG Automation
Natalie Roberts
Process Automation Consultant
Flexware Innovation
Kendal Rosenbaum
Manager of Quality and Batching
Circle Beverage
Michael John Solliday
Chief Executive Officer
Wolverine Enterprises
Caroline Squatrito
Human Resources Manager
Arcamed
Francisco Torres Diaz
Senior Additive Manufacturing Engineer
Cummins
Kelsey Van Scyoc
Procurement Manager
Toyota Material Handling
Johann Villalvir
Co-founder and CEO
Gravitate (Formerly Top Notch Leads)
Nicholas Wright
Operations Coordination Leader – Midwest Division
Veryable
Andrea Zimmerman
Legislative Director
Indiana Department of Transportation
To view bios of each honoree, visit www.conexusindiana.com/rising-30. Nominations will open for the 2024 class in November.
About Conexus Indiana
For more than a decade, Conexus Indiana, one of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) non-profit initiatives, has been positioning the Hoosier State as the best place for advanced manufacturing and logistics industries to innovate, invest, employ and succeed. By collaborating with industry, academic and public sector partners on a shared vision for an innovative, skilled workforce and stronger business climate, Conexus Indiana has helped to create opportunities for advanced manufacturing and logistics companies, prepare Hoosiers to succeed in the state’s largest industry sectors and maintain Indiana’s competitive advantage. For more information, go to www.conexusindiana.com.
