Conexus Indiana 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 state, and this year's cohort is no exception,” said Jordan Mayer, partner in KSM’s Manufacturing & Distribution Services Group.
The 2026 cohort reflects the true breadth of Indiana’s AML sector. Honorees hold roles spanning quality engineering and controls, supply chain and logistics, finance and business development, materials science and R&D, operations leadership and IT and systems infrastructure. The honorees work for organizations of every size and type—from global automotive manufacturers and life sciences companies to homegrown startups and regional economic development organizations—and they are based in communities across the state. Nine Indiana colleges and universities are represented among this year's honorees, a reflection of the depth of the state's talent pipeline.
“Young talent is one of Indiana’s greatest competitive advantages in advanced manufacturing and logistics,” said Jay Wirts, President and CEO of Conexus Indiana. “What makes this class so exciting is what they reflect about the industries themselves. They’re high-tech, sophisticated and constantly evolving. These 30 individuals aren’t waiting to shape the future of Indiana manufacturing. They’re already doing it.”
AML is the backbone of Indiana's economy, accounting for more than a third of the state's GDP and employing hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers. Recognizing and developing young talent in the sector through the Rising 30 program is one way Conexus helps to keep that foundation strong.
In the year ahead, Rising 30 honorees will engage with Conexus Indiana’s programming as thought leaders, lending their perspectives on technology adoption, workforce development and the future of Indiana’s manufacturing and logistics industries.
The 2026 Rising 30 class:
Eli Albright, IT Infrastructure Specialist, Allegion
Kaya Arnold, Plant Science Lab Technician, anu
Brock Bawel, Quality Engineering Manager, Jasper Engines & Transmissions
Shane Boyd, Director of Finance, Belden
Diego Castillo, Quality Engineer, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana
Dominic Desalvo, Programming Team Lead , Arcamed
Sasha Fry, Market Quality Unit Lead, Honda Indiana Auto Plant
Jack Harrison, Economic Development Specialist and MMA Liaison, One Southern Indiana
Roman Howard, Engineering Student, Eastbrook High School
William Huffman, Business Development Engineer, Photon Automation
Denisse Juarez, Strategy Leader – Global Propulsion Systems, Cummins
Kelley Klein, Shipping Manager, Antique Candle Co.
Desiree Lambert, Quality Assurance Lead, Aegis Sales and Engineering
Kartik Maheshwari, Engineering Project Manager, enFocus Inc.
Ethan Mathis, Quality Control Inspector, MSP Manufacturing
AlyxaKay McKee, Vice President of Operations, SHIELDS Windshields
Pavan Vishnu Kiran Medaramati, Material Science R&D Technician, Plastic Recycling Inc.
Sean O’Dell, Air Service Development Analyst, Indianapolis Airport Authority
Amar Avinash Patil, Quality Assurance Manager, Oscar Winski Company
Philip Rangitsch, Regional Engineering Manager, Martin Marietta
Alex Rapp, Systems and Technology Leader, Venture Logistics
Matthew Rodibaugh, Director of Applied Engineering, Fiber Global
Bella Rubin, Quality Associate Manager, Zimmer Biomet
Chase Sager, Supply Chain Planner, Lippert
Quinn Shanahan, Business Analyst, Polygon Composites
Tyler Sidwell, Co-Founder and Chief of Engineering, Fort Wayne Carbon Fiber
Tyler Smith, Senior Process Consultant – Logistics, Endress + Hauser InfoServe
Valentina Tamayo, Business Operations Manager, Thrive Orthopedics
Brett Walker, Electro-Mechanical Controls Engineer, Allison Transmission
Taylor Young, Production Control Assistant Manager, Toyota Material Handling
