
The Conexus Team
Jordin Alexander
Director, Industry Development
Email: jalexander@conexusindiana.com
As Director of Industry Development, Jordin Alexander is focused on growing Conexus Indiana’s industry council partnerships while supporting industry partners to better engage with the organization. Jordin also is responsible for driving economic development activity within Indiana’s AML sectors through partnerships with public sector agencies, company targeting and recruitment support efforts.
Prior to Conexus, Jordin served as the Assistant Director of Economic Development for the City of Fishers where she managed internal and external special projects for the mayor’s office including those related to regional and state policy research, economic development, the launch of accelerators such as the Fishers Test Kitchen and strategic planning for a new $22 million Arts & Municipal Complex in the city. Jordin also served as Economic Development Specialist for the City of Fishers and as a Graduate Planner for Waldrop Engineering in Bonita Springs, Florida.
Jordin was a Division-1 athlete at Brown University and Florida Gulf Coast University where she played basketball while earning a bachelor’s degree in Public Health and a master’s degree in Public Administration and Environmental Policy.
Jordin Alexander
Director, Industry Development
Abby Alter
Manager, Skills Alignment
Email: aalter@conexusindiana.com
As Manager of Skills Alignment, Abby Alter is focused on building a world-class workforce pipeline for advanced manufacturing and logistics in Indiana. She does that through her work with the Skills Alignment team to build programs that directly connect students and educators in secondary and post-secondary education with AML stakeholders. Through her work, she is expanding access of K-16 talent programs across Indiana.
Prior to Conexus, Abby served as a Department Assistant for the IUPUI School of Health and Human Sciences department, acting as a co-instructor and research assistant, and as an Internship Program Coordination for the IUPUI Department of Undergraduate Education. While at IUPUI, Abby earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Tourism Research.
Bryce Carpenter
Senior Vice President, Industry Engagement
Email: bcarpenter@conexusindiana.com
As Senior Vice President of Industry Engagement, Bryce supports the organization’s robust network of industry, public-sector and higher education stakeholders as they identify and activate the most impactful projects for industry growth.
Prior to joining Conexus Indiana, Bryce spent more than 10 years in business development, fundraising, marketing and communications for the Marion County Republican Central Committee (MCRCC). He most recently worked as the Executive Director for the MCRCC in Indianapolis, creating and executing individually tailored campaign platforms and grassroots strategies, and partnering with the Indianapolis City-County Council, State Legislature, and Mayor’s office on advance issues and legislation. Within the Committee, he previously held the position of Communication and Political Director where he managed press relations and volunteer programs.
Bryce holds a Bachelor of Arts from Centre College, Danville, Ky., where he majored in Government and minored in History.
Bryce Carpenter
Senior Vice President, Industry Engagement
Frederick Cartwright
President and CEO
Email: fcartwright@conexusindiana.com
Frederick Cartwright has always been on the leading edge of innovation and brings more than 38 years of experience in automotive technology commercialization, business development, public/private partnerships and talent development to his role as Conexus Indiana’s president and CEO.
An Indiana native, Fred graduated from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and from Butler University with a master’s degree in business administration. He began his career with Allison Transmission, where he developed the original business case for hybrid powertrains and led the development and production approval for transit buses. He continued at General Motors for 10 years where he held numerous high-profile positions in Detroit and Europe focusing on advanced technology and collaborations with automotive manufacturers in the United States and Europe.
In 2013, Fred became executive director of the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) in Greenville, S.C., which is a 250-acre, $250 million advanced-technology research campus where education, research and economic development collaborate to create a global venue for the automotive industry. As executive director, he led multiple growth initiatives, including a $25 million partnership in advanced manufacturing workforce development and research, called the Center for Manufacturing Innovation, with Greenville Technical College. He led the growth of CU-ICAR, as an economic development engine for the Greenville area, by recruiting new companies and research to the campus and the creation of a $25 million multi-tenant co-working environment, called One Research Drive.
Fred lives in Indianapolis with his wife, Beth Kay, and has two grown children who are early in their careers in the high-tech fields of advanced logistics and driverless truck technologies.
Guillermo Guillen
Manager, Adult Programs
Email: gguillen@conexusindiana.com
A 28-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps with additional experience in the private sector, Guillermo has spent much of his career focused on training and process improvement.
Joining Conexus Indiana in July of 2021, Guillermo came from the manufacturing and orientation training department at Subaru of Indiana (SIA), where he helped employees gain basic skills and learn about standard work and safety processes in the manufacturing environment. Previously, the fluent Spanish speaker led and trained employees at two Nevada aircraft-maintenance firms, DynCorp International and L3 Vertex.
Guillermo holds a number of certifications, including a Green Belt in Process Improvement Management in Lean and Six Sigma and Theory of Constraints, as has undertaken extensive training in supply chain management. While with the Marine Corps, he put his expertise to work as lead maintenance production supervisor of a Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron, an aircraft component repair facility supporting seven fixed-wing squadrons and processing more than 900 components each month. In that role, he implemented Theory of Constraint/Lean Six Sigma methodologies to produce an 80% reduction in awaiting parts and component runaround time.
Guillermo Guillen
Manager, Adult Programs
Ryan Henderson
Director, Innovation and Digital Transformation
Email: rhenderson@conexusindiana.com
Ryan advances Conexus’ Industry 4.0 programs, which support Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics companies with technology adoption and digital transformation to drive productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability. He is passionate about emerging technologies and research, and strives to lead innovative collaborations between industry, academia and the public sector to accelerate the fourth industrial revolution.
Ryan joined Conexus Indiana from Techstars, where he helped manage The Heritage Group Accelerator Powered by Techstars. During the program, Ryan helped 10 hardtech startups grow from early-stage to venture-backed companies. He engaged founders in Techstars intensive 3-month accelerator programming, which included working closely with 12 global network partners, the corporate partner (The Heritage Group & Heritage Group Ventures), over 85 mentors, and the Techstars associate team.
Before Techstars, Ryan worked at Current, Chicago’s water innovation hub. He helped build pilot projects and ran various events to accelerate the adoption of innovative water technologies. Most notably, Ryan supported the implementation of H2NOW Chicago, a first-of-its-kind pilot project that provides real-time water quality data from the Chicago River to the general public.
Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Eastern Illinois University, and a master’s degree in sustainability management from DePaul University.
Ryan Henderson
Director, Innovation and Digital Transformation
Ryan Henderson
Director, Innovation and Digital Transformation
Nikki Jagow
Sr. Manager, Talent Programs
Email: njagow@conexusindiana.com
Nikki, Sr. Manager of Talent Programs, spent more than 15 years in K-12 education. At Conexus, she uses that experience to support of K-12 talent initiatives with particular emphasis on the Modern Apprenticeship Program creating connections between high school students, educators and employers to establish comprehensive career pathways in advanced manufacturing.
Prior to joining Conexus, Nikki was the Work Based Learning Coordinator for the J. Everett Light Career Center (JELCC) where she was responsible for creating opportunities for students to learn in the workplace by facilitating and coordinating internships, apprenticeships and career exposure projects focused on student pathway goals. In this position she assisted students and families in successful transitions to postsecondary programs or career placements. The most meaningful moments were seeing students realize the powerful potential their future holds when their pathway is made clear.
Prior to JELCC, Nikki was a Parent and Community Coordinator for Indianapolis Public Schools. In this role she coordinated the efforts to establish the school as a centralized hub and resource to the students and families that attended. She was responsible for developing parent workshops to increase student academic performance, creating a viable parent/teacher organization, developing and sustaining community involvement, and organizing school-wide tutoring programs. It was in this role that she discovered a genuine talent and passion for seeing student growth and achievement.
Nikki attended Indiana State University and University of Southern Indiana with a major in Community and Public Health.
Nikki Jagow
Manager, Talent Programs
Leighton Johnson
Director, Innovation & Digital Transformation
Email: ljohnson@conexusindiana.com
As Director of Innovation & Digital Transformation, Leighton Johnson helps coordinate, execute and optimize the organization’s Industry 4.0 programs, events and research. As a part of the Digital Transformation team, Leighton implements strategies for effective program administration, data and analytics, and reporting to ensure that the organization is meeting its programming goals.
Prior to Conexus, Leighton served as Senior Director of Workforce Solutions for the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership where he led program design and sustainability planning for applied learning, workforce development and degree/non-degree credentialing programs tied to efforts within the Labs for Industry Futures & Transformation (LIFT) Network, which focuses on accelerating economic growth within advanced industry sectors.
Prior to his promotion to Senior Director, Leighton held the position of Director of Education & Workforce Initiatives where he focused on aligning the education sector with the local workforce, working closely with stakeholders from K-12 education to industry leadership.
Leighton also held a range of positions at Jobs for the Future, The Boston Foundation and the Lumina Foundation. In service to his community, he also volunteered as a statewide advisory board member – representing Indiana’s Economic Growth Region 2 – for the State of Indiana’s Registered Apprenticeship strategies and is a Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation Class IV Fellow.
Leighton is a graduate of Indiana University, holding a bachelor’s degree in history and African American studies.
Leighton Johnson
Director, Innovation & Digital Transformation
Leighton Johnson
Director, Innovation & Digital Transformation
Mitch Landess
Vice President, Innovation and Digital Transformation
Email: mlandess@conexusindiana.com
Mitch Landess serves as Conexus Indiana’s Vice President of Innovation and Digital Transformation. Mitch joined Conexus after more than 17 years as a member of the leadership team at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Rose-Hulman Ventures – the institute’s revenue-generating enterprise that serves engineering clients and provides student internships and real-world work experiences. Mitch started his career as a control systems engineer and operations team member for the startup of the $438-million Wabash River Gasification Repowering Project.
At Conexus Indiana, Mitch uses that experience to develop pathways to digital transformation for advanced manufacturing and logistics firms.
Mitch holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Mitch Landess
Vice President, Innovation and Digital Transformation
Christy Linn
Manager, Talent Programs
Email: clinn@conexusindiana.com
As Manager of Talent Programs, Christy Linn is helping to build a world-class workforce pipeline for advanced manufacturing and logistics. Through talent development programming, community involvement and the administration of operational functions, Christy works with the Skills Alignment team to develop and implement programs which directly connect students and educators with AML stakeholders.
Prior to Conexus, Christy served as an Executive Director of Digby Place in Lafayette, where she focused on healthcare compliance, strategic planning and team training and support to promote quality care and independence for the residents she served. She has an extensive background in healthcare management, having previously served in Executive Director and Senior Executive Director roles for Sunrise Senior Living and Bickford Senior Living.
Christy started her career in Human Resources, working as a Recruiter, Staffing Supervisor, HR Representative and HR Assistant at UPS, Corporate Staffing Resources/CBS Personnel, Fargo & Company and Monarch Beverage Company, respectively.
Christy is a graduate of Marion College, holding a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Kyle Marshall
Senior Director of K-16 Education
Email: kmarshall@conexusindiana.com
Kyle joined the team at Conexus Indiana in January 2020 and is the Senior Director of K-16 Education. He is responsible for managing talent initiatives and creating CTE programming that cultivates connectivity between industry, education and state leadership partners. This includes Conexus Student Industries, Education Readiness Grants, dual credit oversight and work-based learning programs.
Kyle started his career as a project manager for Wynright Corporation where he implemented logistics solutions and supported site training for customers throughout North America. When Kyle decided to take his industry knowledge to the classroom, he chose Teach For America as a transitional program to earn his teaching license. He taught at-risk youth as a middle school math and science teacher and then found his passion in career and technical education. He has served as an engineering and advanced manufacturing instructor for J. Everett Light Career Center and an adjunct professor for Ivy Tech Community College.
Kyle holds a masters degree in Teaching from Marian University and degrees in Organizational Leadership and Mechanical Engineering Technology from Purdue University.
Kyle Marshall
Senior Director, K-16 Education
Bob McQuern
Director, Adult Education
Email: rmcquern@conexusindiana.com
Bob works with industry and educational partners of our Catapult program to provide job training to unemployed and underemployed Hoosiers for entry-level manufacturing jobs. The goal of the Catapult program is to meet current and emerging industry needs, build a stronger talent pipeline, expand employment participation and increase worker wages.
Bob joined Conexus after a 30-year career in the manufacturing industry, starting on the production side and working his way to human resources. Working with Caterpillar and Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA), Bob specialized in recruiting production, technical and professional staff, and implementing policies and procedures and wage and benefits surveys. While working for SIA, Bob managed the Advanced Internship Manufacturing (AIM) program for high school students which provides skills and training to develop students into full-time maintenance associates.
Laura Miller
Vice President, Communications
Email: lmiller@conexusindiana.com
Laura Miller is a 35+-year marketing communications veteran with a passion for crafting and delivering compelling messages that support the growth of Indiana’s economy and Hoosier career opportunities.
As Vice President of Communications, Laura is responsible for developing Conexus Indiana’s strategic communications plan and working with its network of partners to increase the awareness of Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics industries. She leads Conexus Indiana’s statewide public awareness campaign to inspire young Hoosier adults to pursue a career in advanced manufacturing and logistics as well as content development, creative design and social and digital strategies.
Laura began her career as a journalist, first as part-owner of a community newspaper then as a general assignment reporter for a weekly business journal.
After 11 years as a journalist, she joined a small marketing communications agency in Indianapolis as public relations director. She later joined Eli Lilly and Company as a corporate Public Relations Senior Associate where she gained experience working in the medical field and communicating complex issues to consumer audiences.
Laura stepped back into the agency environment after nearly four years at Eli Lilly and Company, serving in leadership roles at various global and small public relations and advertising agencies in Indianapolis. Her last agency position was as Vice President, Director of Public Relations for Caldwell VanRiper.
Laura Miller
Vice President, Communications
Tara Pearson
Senior Director, Research and Public Sector Engagement
Email: tpearson@conexusindiana.com
As Senior Director of Research and Public Sector Engagement, Tara Pearson works closely with Conexus Indiana’s networked community to identify opportunities for advanced manufacturing and logistics sector growth and promotion. Specifically, she leads targeted projects focused on infrastructure, workforce development, economic development and innovation in collaboration with industry leaders from throughout the state.
Tara began her career in investment banking and corporate finance specializing in project-based work. She went on to work as an independent management consultant with a diverse range of industry and nonprofit experience. She has also worked in the public sector, performing policy and advocacy analysis and public policy research. Tara has an MBA from Rollins College and a BS in Finance from the University of Florida. Additionally, through her ongoing coursework as an MPA candidate at IUPUI, she has developed a deep knowledge base in public policy process, advocacy and government relations, public finance, nonprofits, and social entrepreneurship. She has a passion for community and economic development, a commitment to continuous learning, and a fervent desire to impact her local community.
Tara Pearson
Senior Director, Research and Public Sector Engagement
Tara Pearson
Senior Director, Research and Public Sector Engagement
Brad Rhorer
COO and Chief Talent Officer
Email: brhorer@conexusindiana.com
Brad is a long-time industry professional recognized in both the public sector and manufacturing industry for his expertise in talent development. As COO and Chief Talent Officer, Brad oversees Conexus Indiana’s operations and uses his years of workforce development experience to develop and direct programs that support secondary and post-secondary students and adult workers.
Brad joined Conexus Indiana after a 25-year career at Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. (SIA), starting with experience on the production assembly line. He held positions of increasing leadership during his time at Subaru and became a key figure in the company’s Human Resources operations where he served as manufacturing liaison for more than 5,000 employees at the Lafayette, Ind., plant. He was instrumental in developing major programs to address talent needs at SIA. He is also a member of the Indiana Governor’s Workforce Cabinet, a group created during the 2018 legislative session to assess and realign Indiana’s workforce development programs and services.
Brad holds a master’s degree in business administration from Western Governors University, a bachelor’s degree in management of human resources from Bellevue University and an associate’s degree in organizational leadership and supervision from Purdue University.
Brad Rhorer
COO and Chief Talent Officer
Sonya Snellenberger
Director, Industry Engagement
Email: ssnellenberger@conexusindiana.com
At Conexus Indiana, Sonya Snellenberger helps lead project development and execution in support of the organization’s industry councils and working groups, also supporting public sector professional services agreements and Conexus Indiana’s research efforts.
Sonya is passionate about community development and facilitating productive relationships between community leaders and industry. Prior to Conexus, Sonya worked for the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership for eight years, most recently serving as Director of Talent Initiatives.
As Director at the regional partnership, Sonya focused her efforts on facilitating communication between local employers and post-secondary institutions to ensure educational opportunities matched the workforce needs of the community. While in this role, she successfully led the organization’s Regional Internship Program, designed to improve the ‘work and learn’ atmosphere throughout the region – growing the program by 30 companies year-over-year and serving more than 300 interns. Sonya began with the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership as a Project Coordinator, Millennial 2000 Specialist and later as a Project Manager.
Additionally, Sonya is a Limited Term Lecturer at Purdue University Fort Wayne where she teaches speech, empowering students to become more effective speakers.
Sonya holds two bachelor’s degrees, in media and public communication and interpersonal communication, from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. She also holds a master’s degree in professional communication from the same institution.
Sonya Snellenberger
Director, Industry Engagement
Sonya Snellenberger
Director, Industry Engagement
Chana Sweeney
Director, Operations
Email: csweeney@conexusindiana.com
As Director of Operations, Chana is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Conexus Indiana, including contracts, invoices, budgeting, and grant reports. She also oversees information technology.
Chana previously worked as the Account Manager for Anthony Travel onsite at Purdue University where she was charged with starting and growing a travel program for the staff and faculty. She also held positions with Conexus as Executive Assistant & Office Manager, College Park Church as the Executive Assistant & Resource Coordinator, Aramark Harrison Lodging in Hospitality Management and was a Corporate Travel Counselor for organizations such as Honeywell and Adidas, Inc.
Chana is currently serving as a mentor to women in topics related to health and wellness as well as teaching local group fitness classes.
Chana Sweeney
Director, Operations
Liz Waggoner
Operations Manager, Networked Community
Email: ewaggoner@Conexusindiana.com
As the Operations Manager for the Networked Community, Liz Waggoner supports Conexus Indiana’s network of industry, academic and public-sector partners by managing events, relationships and work products.
Prior to joining Conexus in August 2019, Liz spent seven years at Total Quality Logistics (TQL) as a Logistics Coordinator. While with TQL, Liz acted as a liaison between shippers, receivers and transport companies to best serve TQL’s customers. She was also responsible for mentoring and training up and coming team members within the company.
Liz holds a Bachelor of Arts in Law & Society from Purdue University.
Liz Waggoner
Operations Manager, Networked Community
Liz Waggoner
Operations Manager, Networked Community
Molly Zentz
Director, Communications
Email: mzentz@Conexusindiana.com
Molly Zentz serves as Conexus Indiana’s Director of Communication. In this role, she works to promote Conexus Indiana, its industry sector and the organization’s objectives by executing strategic marketing and communications strategies and tactics. As a Director, Molly helps manage the many internal and external communications channels across the organization to drive engagement, participation, retention, and positive brand recognition.
Prior to joining Conexus, Molly served as Head of Marketing for agriculture technology company, Solinftec. In that role, she led an international team of marketing and communications professionals to increase the company’s brand awareness, build trust with key stakeholders and refine the company’s brand narrative.
Molly has a diverse background in communications, having managed public relations for national corporations, non-profits and agencies. Her prior work experience includes Indiana Farm Bureau Inc., Angie’s List, BLASTmedia and Raybourn Group International.
Molly holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Indianapolis and is accredited in public relations from the Public Relations Society of America.
Molly Zentz
Director, Communications
Our Board of Directors
Dr. Gary R. Bertoline
Senior Vice President Online and Learning Innovation, Purdue University
Dr. Gary R. Bertoline
Senior Vice President Online and Learning Innovation, Purdue University
Latoya Botteron
President and CFO, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership
Scott Brand (Chair)
Executive Vice President, Subaru of Indiana Automotive
Scott Brand (Chair)
Executive Vice President, Subaru of Indiana Automotive
Frederick Cartwright
President and CEO, Conexus Indiana
Mark DeFabis
Chief Executive Officer, Integrated Distribution Services Inc.
Mark DeFabis
Chief Executive Officer, Integrated Distribution Services Inc.
Molly Dodge
Senior Vice President of Workforce and Careers, Ivy Tech Community College
Tom Fuja
Faculty Director of iNDustry Labs, Notre Dame
Tom Fuja
Faculty Director of iNDustry Labs, Notre Dame
Scott Glaze
Owner, Chairman, and CEO, Fort Wayne Metals
Winde Hamrick
Chief Operating Officer, Heritage Environmental Services
Winde Hamrick
Chief Operating Officer, Heritage Environmental Services
Elizabeth Hoegeman
Vice President of Global Manufacturing, Cummins
Matthew Ketcham
Head of Indianapolis Manufacturing, Rolls-Royce
Matthew Ketcham
Head of Indianapolis Manufacturing, Rolls-Royce
Kathy Miller
Manufacturing Consultant
Darin Moody
Senior Vice President, Eli Lilly and Company
Darin Moody
Senior Vice President, Eli Lilly and Company
Paul Perkins
President and Co-founder, Amatrol; President, DACW Worldwide
Amish Shah (Vice Chair)
CEO, Kem Krest
Amish Shah (Vice Chair)
CEO, Kem Krest
Mike Smith
Commissioner, Indiana Department of Transportation
Teresa Wade
Founder and Owner, CFA Staffing
Teresa Wade
Founder and Owner, CFA Staffing
David Watkins
Vice President, Small Business, Indiana Economic Development Corporation
Scott Whitlock
Founder, President and CEO, Flexware Innovation
Scott Whitlock
Founder, President and CEO, Flexware Innovation