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 track record includes diverse leadership positions in transformation, sales and commercial operations across multiple industries, as well as eight years with middle-market family office LDI, Ltd., where he led strategy, operations and sales for portfolio companies in the medical and industrial manufacturing sectors.
Jeffrey Rhoads serves as the John and Catherine Martin Family Vice President for Research at the University of Notre Dame, where he oversees the university’s research and innovation ecosystem while also holding the position of professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering. With extensive mechanical engineering expertise spanning dynamics, vibration, energetic materials and advanced manufacturing, Rhoads has attracted more than $100 million in sponsored research funding throughout his career. His entrepreneurial experience includes co-founding two small businesses that provided engineering and technical solutions for industry and the defense, energy and national security sectors. This hands-on business experience, combined with his research leadership, fuels his passion for regional economic development and his commitment to fostering innovation that drives economic growth.
  

Leadership Team Promotion

Conexus Indiana also announced the promotion of Sonya Snellenberger to Vice President of Partnerships. In this role, Snellenberger will continue leading the organization’s Advanced Industries Council while creating and fostering strategic partnerships across Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics landscape.
“Sonya has been instrumental in building meaningful connections across Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics ecosystem through her leadership of our Advanced Industries Council,” said Bryce Carpenter, Chief Operating and Strategy Officer of Conexus Indiana. ” Her success in fostering collaboration between industry partners, combined with her understanding of digital adoption success, talent development and regional economic dynamics, makes her the ideal person to expand our partnership strategy. This promotion recognizes Sonya’s exceptional contributions and positions us to strengthen the vital relationships that drive innovation and growth across our state’s key industries.”
Snellenberger brings extensive experience in community development and partnership building, having previously served eight years with the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, most recently as Director of Talent Initiatives. She has been a member of Women in Manufacturing (WiM) national since 2022 and has chaired the WiM Indiana Chapter since October 2023. WiM is a national association dedicated to supporting, promoting and inspiring women in all manufacturing job functions. Snellenberger holds two bachelor’s degrees in media and public communication and interpersonal communication from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, as well as a master’s degree in professional communication from the same institution.
  

About Conexus Indiana

Conexus Indiana, a branded initiative of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), is dedicated to advancing the Hoosier State’s position as a global leader in advanced manufacturing and logistics. Working closely with industry, academia, and government partners, Conexus Indiana drives workforce development, economic growth, and innovation across the state. For more information, please visit ConexusIndiana.com.