Conexus Indiana News Archives - CEOs of Indiana Corporate Partnership

Conexus Indiana Launches AI Use-Case Catalog to Help Indiana Manufacturers and Logistics Companies Benchmark AI Projects

Courtney Kerr2026-07-08T09:25:49-04:00July 8, 2026|

New tool compiles real, self-reported AI projects from Indiana advanced manufacturing and logistics companies to help peers get practical ideas on AI projects INDIANAPOLIS – July 8, 2026 – Conexus Indiana today announced the launch of its AI Use-Case Catalog, a new resource that gives Indiana advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML) companies a real-world look at how their peers are putting AI to work inside their businesses. The catalog already includes 100 AI projects submitted directly by Indiana AML companies, including what they built, what it cost and what results they saw. Companies can browse the catalog, filter by cost, function, or sub-sector, benchmark their own progress against comparable projects across the state and get practical ideas on AI projects. “The best way for a manufacturer to learn about AI is to see what a peer down the road actually [...]

Conexus Indiana honors Chip Edgington with 2026 Andre B. Lacy Vanguard Award

Courtney Kerr2026-06-11T11:55:46-04:00June 11, 2026|

Retired FULLBEAUTY Brands executive and longtime Conexus Indiana board leader honored for decades of impact in Indiana's logistics industry INDIANAPOLIS – June 9, 2026 – Conexus Indiana today announced Chip Edgington, retired Executive Vice President of Operations at FULLBEAUTY Brands, has been named the 2026 Andre B. Lacy Vanguard Award recipient, joining an esteemed group of leaders recognized for their extraordinary impact in Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics industries. Conexus Indiana presents the Vanguard Award annually to a Hoosier leader who champions these industries, models civic leadership and challenges the status quo. The award is named in honor of Andre B. Lacy, a philanthropist and business leader with a lasting impact on Indiana as the third-generation leader of Lacy Diversified Industries Ltd. (LDI). “This recognition means a great deal to me, and I’m appreciative of joining such an exceptional group [...]

Conexus Indiana Expands Advanced Industries Council Meetings to Southern Indiana

Courtney Kerr2026-05-20T10:10:19-04:00May 20, 2026|

New meetings bring council programming directly to southern Indiana, extending the council’s statewide reach INDIANAPOLIS (May 20, 2026) — Conexus Indiana today announced the addition of two southern Indiana meetings to the Conexus Indiana Advanced Industries Council (CIAIC) calendar, expanding access to the council’s programming for industry leaders across the region. The new meetings are a direct response to feedback gathered from members over the past year, including input from two southern Indiana regional dinners and Conexus Indiana board members from the area.The first southern meeting will take place June 3rd at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana in Princeton, Indiana. A second southern meeting is planned for August 20 at Jasper Engines and Transmissions. Both meetings are open exclusively to CIAIC members. The southern Indiana meetings are an expansion of — not a replacement for — the council’s four existing [...]

Conexus Indiana names 2026 Rising 30 cohort of emerging industry leaders

Courtney Kerr2026-05-04T10:51:07-04:00May 4, 2026|

Annual awards program recognizes 30 young Hoosiers already shaping the next chapter of Indiana’s manufacturing and logistics industries INDIANAPOLIS (May 4, 2026) — Conexus Indiana today announced its sixth annual Rising 30 class, honoring 30 young professionals who are already leaving their mark on Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML) industries. Presented by Katz, Sapper & Miller (KSM), the Rising 30 program spotlights Hoosiers 30 years old and younger whose early-career contributions demonstrate the depth of talent driving Indiana’s largest industry sector forward. Each honoree was nominated by an employer or industry representative and selected based on professional accomplishments and demonstrated impact. “Recognizing emerging talent is one of the most important investments we can make in Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics community. The Rising 30 class never fails to remind us of the depth of talent that exists across this [...]

Conexus Indiana Officially Launches Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics Industry Talent Association Following Successful Pilot Year

Courtney Kerr2026-05-04T15:19:58-04:00April 28, 2026|

Manufacturing leaders establish Indiana’s first statewide structure for defining occupational standards in advanced manufacturing and logistics INDIANAPOLIS – April 29, 2026 – Conexus Indiana, today announced the official launch of the Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics Industry Talent Association (AML ITA), Indiana’s first employer-led initiative dedicated to defining occupational standards and aligning talent development systems for the state’s advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML) sector. The launch follows a successful pilot year in which Indiana manufacturers, educators and workforce partners built the foundation of a new approach to talent development, one in which employers help define the competencies that education and workforce systems align to. The AML ITA was established to address a persistent gap in Indiana’s manufacturing talent pipeline: the disconnect between existing training programs and the full range of skills required in modern production environments. Rather than asking employers to [...]

Conexus Indiana Launches Industry Exchange Workshop Series to Accelerate Technology Adoption in Manufacturing and Logistics

Courtney Kerr2026-03-04T09:36:36-05:00March 4, 2026|

First workshop set for March 31 in Jeffersonville to support small and mid-sized companies INDIANAPOLIS – March 4, 2026 – Conexus Indiana, a statewide organization dedicated to strengthening Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics industries, announced today the launch of the Industry Exchange workshop series, a hands-on learning program designed to help Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML) companies navigate technology adoption and corresponding workforce challenges. The Industry Exchange workshop series open to all Indiana AML companies and brings practical frameworks and peer-to-peer learning to small and mid-sized manufacturing and logistics companies who need actionable guidance on building technology roadmaps, assessing digital readiness and aligning workforce strategy with technology investments. The series is informed by insights gathered through workshops and direct conversations with small and mid-sized AML companies across Indiana, which revealed that leaders clearly understand the value of digital [...]

Conexus Indiana names four to Board of Directors and announces Executive Committee appointments

Courtney Kerr2026-02-16T15:38:30-05:00February 12, 2026|

INDIANAPOLIS – February 11, 2026 – Conexus Indiana, a statewide organization dedicated to strengthening Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics industries, announced today four new members to its Board of Directors as well as three appointments to the Board’s Executive Committee.Michael Daniel, Executive Vice President of Operations for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation; Kierstin Janik, Chief Talent Officer of Heritage Construction & Materials; Mike Wagner, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Jasper Group; and Dr. Ajay Malshe, R. Eugene and Susie E. Goodson Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University, have joined the Conexus Indiana Board of Directors. Executive Committee Appointments The Conexus Indiana Board of Directors also announced three new appointments to its Executive Committee: Kevin Trivett, Senior Vice President of Device Manufacturing and Packaging Operations, Eli Lilly and Company Scott Meiner, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Lippert Components Susan [...]

Conexus Indiana honors Mark DeFabis, Former CEO of IDS Fulfillment, with 2025 Andre B. Lacy Vanguard Award

Courtney Kerr2025-11-11T09:59:17-05:00November 11, 2025|

INDIANAPOLIS – November 11, 2025 – Mark DeFabis, former chief executive officer of IDS Fulfillment, has been named the 2025 Andre B. Lacy Vanguard Award recipient, joining an esteemed group of leaders recognized for their extraordinary impact in Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics industries. Conexus Indiana presents the Vanguard Award annually to a Hoosier leader who champions these industries, models civic leadership and challenges the status quo. The award is named in honor of Andre B. Lacy, a philanthropist and business leader with a lasting impact on Indiana as the third-generation leader of Lacy Diversified Industries Ltd. (LDI). Previous honorees include Dr. Sue Ellspermann, president of Ivy Tech Community College; Eric Holcomb, the 51st Governor of Indiana; Thomas V. Easterday, retired senior executive vice president of Subaru of Indiana Automotive; F. Joseph Loughrey, former president of Cummins Inc.; Cathy [...]

Conexus Indiana opens nominations for Rising 30 2026

Courtney Kerr2025-11-11T10:00:31-05:00October 27, 2025|

Annual awards program celebrates cohort of emerging leaders shaping the future of Indiana’s manufacturing and logistics industries INDIANAPOLIS – October 27, 2025 – Conexus Indiana has opened nominations for the Rising 30 Class of 2026. The sixth annual Rising 30 awards program highlights young leaders who are making a significant impact on Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML) sector and shaping the future of the industry.As part of Conexus Indiana’s mission to position Indiana as a global leader in advanced manufacturing and logistics, the Rising 30 program was designed to celebrate the next generation of innovators, change-makers and leaders who are advancing the state’s AML ecosystem. The program also encourages pathways to success in these vital industries, which employ more than 800,000 Hoosiers and represent a third of the state’s gross domestic product.“Indiana’s young professionals are already reshaping our manufacturing [...]

Conexus Indiana names two to Board of Directors and promotes Snellenberger to Vice President of Partnerships

Courtney Kerr2025-11-17T14:20:50-05:00September 5, 2025|

Marty Brown, President of Kem Krest and Jeffrey Rhoads, Vice President for Research at the University of Notre Dame, have joined the 22-member Conexus Indiana Board of Directors. “These appointments bring valuable expertise and fresh perspectives to our board at a critical time for Indiana’s manufacturing and logistics sectors,” said Jay Wirts, Conexus Indiana president and CEO. “Marty and Jeff are insightful leaders with proven track records in their respective fields. I look forward to seeing how they work alongside our existing board members to help the industry achieve its aggressive goals.” New Board Members Marty Brown brings substantial commercial leadership and strategic experience to his role as President at Kem Krest, a certified minority-owned supply chain optimization firm headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana. Appointed President in January 2025, he leads the company’s growth strategy, talent development and operational oversight. His [...]

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