Jon is a seasoned manufacturing, engineering, and automation expert with over two decades of experience in the field. His extensive portfolio includes supply chain, behavioral safety, process safety, EHS management, and data automation, spanning various locations of 3M operations. His background as a software developer and UX/UI advocate further complements his skillset, enabling him to bridge the gap between technology and operational excellence. His passion for innovation led him to develop a life-saving fall protection automatic notification system prototyped on the Arduino platform, for which he holds a patent. Jon completed a BA in Business from William Penn University and an MS in Safety Sciences from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

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. Additionally, Sonya is a member of the Don Wood Foundation Grants Committee and Women in Manufacturing’s national and state chapters. 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.

Nick Adler is a seasoned leader in the automotive and commercial transportation sectors. With a proven track record of success in driving innovation and efficiency, Nick is dedicated to fostering diverse, high-performing teams and implementing data-driven solutions to overcome industry challenges. Nick’s career trajectory includes pivotal roles at major industry players such as General Motors and Allison Transmission, culminating in executive positions at Wabash where he spearheaded transformative initiatives across supply chain management, business strategy, and IT. Nick holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Indiana University. He also serves on the advisory board at Purdue’s Dauch Center for the Management of Manufacturing Enterprises.

Sam Thompson is a lean operations leader with extensive professional and military experience. Sam is committed to driving data-driven process solutions and enabling enterprise development through cross-functional leadership and workflow optimization. Sam’s extensive experience in capital-intensive organizations such as Tesla and Rivian formed him into a leader who can manage tight project timelines with limited resources. Sam holds a B.S. degree in Accounting and Supply Chain Management from Marquette University and is currently finishing the Executive MBA program at Notre Dame.

Michael King is Founder & CEO for DAXEOS, an emerging leader in connected engineering data. They partner with product development teams to connect, secure, and transform automotive testing data into actionable intelligence. Prior to this role, Michael co-founded LHP’s Data Analytics & IoT Solutions, where he delivered triple digit year on year growth in that business in short order, implementing large-scale Digital Transformation initiatives, Advanced Analytics, and a full range of Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities for major OEMs in the Transportation, Industrial, and Manufacturing industries.

Prior to starting LHP, Michael was the Director of Enterprise Business Intelligence for Cummins, the global leader in diesel engines. Michael joined Cummins in 2008 to lead the Finance Systems Improvement program. Before Cummins, Michael spent nearly 18 years at Boeing, where he held leadership roles in Finance, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain. Michael has over fifteen years of experience leading high visibility complex projects, including being the Finance Systems Leader for Boeing’s 787 Airplane Program.