Michael pretty much grew up on the water, spending countless hours either in a boat or on skis. He continued that passion at Purdue University by serving as captain of the water ski team (while earning a degree in industrial engineering technology) and in his career by taking a job with Smoker Craft in 2016. While the company has been building boats for more than a century, Michael has moved it into the new century, introducing Industry 4.0 processes and heading up the company’s automation development initiatives. The result? Company leaders say he has dramatically reduced production time and increased quality and consistency, adding, “Michael revolutionized a manufacturing process that has not changed in over 75 years.”

Believing that Indiana’s future as an advanced manufacturing and logistics leader relies on the operation of its highways, roads, rails, airports and ports, Andrea works as the conduit connecting the vision of the Indiana Department of Transportation with the elected officials who make decisions that affect the state’s transportation network. An Indiana University graduate with degrees in political science and communications as well as a master’s in public administration from Indiana State University, Andrea is lauded by state leaders for her ability to drive policies that allowed Indiana to be ranked the No. 1 state for infrastructure in CNBC’s 2022 Top State for Business rankings.

As Product Marketing Manager, Ashley helps Endress+Hauser clients across the county keep their plants running safely and smoothly. In a little less than eight years with the company, the Ivy Tech mechanical engineering grad has established herself as a strategic thinker who’s more than happy to roll up her sleeves and deliver client solutions on manufacturing floors where few women are found. Ashley’s employers describe her as an industry trailblazer and champion for women and – in a nod to her Syrian American heritage – minorities. She also is passionate about championing the importance of community college education, speaking recently at a national Society of Women Engineers on the value of her community college degree.

By the time he arrived at Rolls-Royce, fresh from earning his bachelor’s in supply chain management and accounting from IUPUI, Adam already had notched considerable experience in the logistics, pharmaceuticals and food industries. As part of Rolls-Royce’s graduate development team, he wasted no time making a difference, leading teams credited with saving the company millions of dollars, increasing productivity and scoring wins in other measurable ways. Currently responsible for scheduling $220M of Turbines machining output, he’s continually creating solutions to evolving problems, developing roadmaps for daily operational success, while strategically scheduling for the long-term health of the business.  As strong as his technical skills are, he is most celebrated as a leader who gets teams aligned to make things happen. As one of his bosses put it, “Everything Adam touches turns into gold.”

John admits that, coming out of Eastbrook High School and heading off to Taylor University – where he earned a degree in physics and mathematics education – he was more focused on football than learning, but his first physics class “quickly flipped that.” Shortly after he earned his college degree, his high school alma mater lured him back with the offer to build a pre-engineering program. Today, that program is one of the school’s most popular offerings and is widely respected by his peers for its impact on students and their careers. Through partnerships with advanced manufacturing and logistics entities, he has successfully created authentic experiences and internships for his students that result in career, post-secondary and workforce readiness. School leaders say the program’s success is a direct result of John’s passion, ingenuity and ability to develop relationships and partnerships.

Johann sees advanced manufacturing as a key driver in the nation’s future, and he believes the proper utilization of technology will be essential to securing that future. With this in mind, the Honduras native partnered with a college buddy to launch Gravitate (originally Top Notch Leads), which helps manufacturing and construction companies leverage data and technology to improve efficiencies. Serving in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve while earning his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, Johann also co-founded a start-up business at IU, and now he serves part-time as an AI instructor at Butler University and Rice University.