The Conexus Team
Abby Alter
Manager, Research and Discovery
Email: aalter@conexusindiana.com
As Manager of Research and Discovery, Abby executes projects associated with acceleration and growth of AML industries throughout Indiana. She works to build relationships across a group of peers and executives within corporate, academic, government, community and non-profit sectors to gather and analyze information to inform key stakeholders.
Most recently, Abby served on the Conexus team as Manager of Skills Alignment. In her role, she guided K-16 talent programming, connecting students and educators with AML stakeholders (regional AML ambassador program) and Conexus Student Industries. Prior to joining Conexus, Abby served as a co-instructor and research assistant for the Department of Health and Human Sciences at IUPUI.
Abby earned a bachelor’s degree in Tourism Management from IUPUI. She is currently obtaining her master’s in tourism research and furthering her skills in predictive data analysis via statistical programming, evidence-based practices and data-driven decision-making (DDDM) principles. Abby is passionate for continuous learning to understand today’s social, political and economic opportunities and challenges.
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
Jordan Isaacs
Senior Director, Industry Development
Email: jisaacs@Conexusindiana.com
Jordan Isaacs serves as Conexus Indiana’s Senior Director of Industry Development. In this role, Jordan works to develop an active, engaged and diverse network of industry executives to participate in the Conexus Indiana Advanced Industries Council. He 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.
He most recently served as a Senior Engagement Manager with TechPoint, another Central Indiana Corporate Partnership initiative. In that role, Jordan acted as the subject matter expert when meeting with various organizations like local tech companies and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. He also managed partnerships with state and federal agencies, governmental bodies, the general public and technology councils.
Throughout his career, including his previous experience with TechPoint, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the United States Senate, Jordan has a strong record of concepting and implementing strategic methods to expand partnerships, drive revenue and engage the business community in a multitude of industries.
Jordan is a graduate of Indiana State University, holding a bachelor’s and master’s degree in criminology. He also earned a mini-MBA certificate from the University of Buffalo.
Jordan Isaacs
Senior Director, Industry Development
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
Mitch Landess
Vice President, Innovation and Digital Transformation
Ben Klein
Project Coordinator – Apprentice
Email: bklein@conexusindiana.com
Ben Klein joined the Conexus Indiana team through the Modern Youth Apprenticeship program and serves as a project coordinator. In this role, Ben collaborates with multiple teams within Conexus and participates in working groups for various events and projects. He also gathers data from public sources and external partners, tracks project activities and milestones, creates and modifies databases and helps drive continuous improvement within internal operations.
Now a junior at North Central High School, Ben was in the top 10% of his class academically through his first two years. He is also involved with multiple community organizations, including as a volunteer for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and as captain of the junior varsity volleyball team.
Outside of school, Ben is also the founder/sole proprietor of Lawn and Order, a lawn care company that he started in April 2020. In this role, he leads business development and sales and marketing while maintaining long-term business-client relationships.
After completing high school, Ben’s goal is to pursue a business-related degree in college.
Ben Klein
Project Coordinator – Apprentice
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.
Ian Mangan
Manager, Digital Marketing
Email: imangan@Conexusindiana.com
Ian Mangan serves as Conexus Indiana’s Digital Marketing Manager. In this role, he manages the digital media, growth and strategic aspects of Conexus’ external marketing efforts to promote organizational offerings, programs and campaigns through social media, content creation, email marketing campaigns and website management. Ian also handles graphic design and multimedia production through the creation of design deliverables, brand collateral, web imaging and video storytelling.
Prior to joining Conexus, Ian served in the marketing department at Wessler Engineering, an Indianapolis-based civil engineering firm. In this role, Ian oversaw the digital marketing efforts to promote the firm’s capabilities through social media, creating digital and print advertisements, website content and performance management and written and digital content.. Ian has a diverse digital marketing background, serving on marketing teams in the material handling and logistics fields with Storage Solutions and Spot Freight where he gained preliminary knowledge of advanced manufacturing and logistics.
Ian is a graduate of Butler University, holding a bachelor’s degree in strategic communications.
Ian Mangan
Manager, Digital Marketing
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.
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.
Bob McQuern
Director, Adult Education
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.
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
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.
Josh Rychtarczyk
Director of Innovation and Digital Transformation Ecosystem
Email: jrychtarczyk@conexusindiana.com
Josh Rychtarczyk joined the Conexus Indiana team as Director of Innovation and Digital Transformation Ecosystem. In this role, he spearheads the Manufacturing Readiness Grants program, tech adoption case studies, and industry collaborations related to digital adoption. Josh’s previous experience is predominantly in turnkey rail and wheel maintenance solutions, where he streamlined processes in light rail public transit projects throughout the United States and Canada. He developed holistic, client-specific measurement workflows and training materials to facilitate rail and wheel asset management, showcasing his extensive experience in creating custom-tailored solutions for every client.
In his previous role at the Indiana Department of Transportation, Josh was responsible for managing numerous state contracts that had a combined budget of nearly $40 million. He also evaluated consultant responses to bid invitations including technical project approaches and led improvement strategies for refining cross-department communications.
Josh earned his bachelor’s degree from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in mechanical engineering and has taken courses on integrated product design and engineering mechanics at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden.
Josh Rychtarczyk
Director of Innovation and Digital Transformation Ecosystem
Sonya Snellenberger
Senior Director, Industry Engagement
Email: ssnellenberger@conexusindiana.com
At Conexus Indiana, Sonya Snellenberger leads the organization’s Advanced Industries Council, oversees project development for working groups, and supports public sector professional services agreements – including the Manufacturing Readiness Grant program. 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 member of the Don Wood Foundation Grants Committee and Women in Manufacturing’s national and state chapter.
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
Senior Director, Industry Engagement
Sonya Snellenberger
Senior 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
Senior 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
Senior Operations Manager, Networked Community
Liz Waggoner
Senior 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