Conexus Indiana names Jay Wirts CEO; Jasper Group CEO among appointments

Conexus Indiana has elevated Jay Wirts to president and chief executive officer and refreshed its governing ranks with several new board and executive committee members, moves that could deepen ties between state manufacturing policy and Dubois County employers.

Conexus framed the leadership change as part of its ongoing effort to boost productivity and build a skilled talent pipeline for Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics sectors. Jay Wirts brings more than 20 years of executive leadership in advanced manufacturing, most recently as executive vice president of Smart Infrastructure Solutions at Belden, where he managed a $1.2 billion global business that designs and manufactures broadband and network infrastructure. Wirts succeeds Fred Cartwright, who retired at the end of 2024. Upon joining, Wirts said, “As a chosen Hoosier, I am honored to join Conexus Indiana and contribute to the growth and innovation of our state’s manufacturing and logistics industries. Indiana has long been a leader in these sectors, and I am excited to work alongside our dynamic industry, academic, philanthropic and public sector partners, and the talented team at Conexus, to build on this strong foundation.”

Conexus’ governance changes include additions to the 22-member board and new executive committee appointments. New board members reported by Conexus include Michael Daniel, executive vice president of operations at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation; Kierstin Janik, chief talent officer at Heritage Construction & Materials; Mike Wagner, identified as Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Jasper Group; and Dr. Ajay Malshe, the R. Eugene and Susie E. Goodson Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University. Separately, CICP communications identified Marty Brown, president of Kem Krest, and Jeffrey Rhoads, vice president for research at the University of Notre Dame, as additional board appointees. Wirts noted of those additions, “These appointments bring valuable expertise and fresh perspectives to our board at a critical time for Indiana’s manufacturing and logistics sectors. 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.”

The executive committee roster now includes Kevin Trivett, senior vice president of device manufacturing and packaging operations at Eli Lilly and Company; Scott Meiner, chief supply chain officer at Lippert Components; and Susan Carlock, executive vice president and co-owner of Mursix Corporation. Conexus’ parent organization emphasized parallel senior hires across its branded initiatives to shore up leadership capacity in areas such as life sciences and technology.

For Dubois County, the appointments have tangible local implications. Jasper Group leadership has a documented record of regional expansion and manufacturing investment, including past projects that created hundreds of jobs. Having Mike Wagner join Conexus’ board strengthens a direct channel between area manufacturers and statewide workforce and productivity initiatives. The presence of industry leaders from Eli Lilly, Lippert Components, and local suppliers alongside academic figures from Purdue and Notre Dame signals a coordinated approach to skills training, supply chain resilience, and capital investment that could steer future workforce programs, grant priorities, and employer partnerships affecting local hiring and supplier opportunities.

Melina Kennedy, CEO of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, summed up the strategic intent: “Jay’s leadership comes at a pivotal time for Indiana’s manufacturing and logistics industries. As Conexus continues its laser focus on enhancing productivity and developing a skilled talent pipeline, his expertise will be instrumental in advancing our shared efforts to drive industry growth across the state.” As Conexus implements new initiatives under Wirts, Dubois County employers and workers can expect closer alignment between industry needs and training programs, and observers should watch for specific workforce projects and investment announcements in the coming months.