DETAILS
DATE
July 21, 2026
TIME
9 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
LOCATION
30 South Meridian St.,
8th Floor Conference Center,
Indianapolis IN 46204
COST
IMA members: $75
Non-members: $100
Includes full-day conference, breakout sessions, coffee/breakfast and lunch.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!
Presenting Sponsor:
Title Sponsor:
Silver Sponsor:
YOUR LOGO HERE!
Patron Sponsors:
SPONSORSHIPS
Silver Sponsor: $2,000
• Four (4) complimentary tickets to the IMA Workforce Summit
• Digital recognition on IMA website, email and social media publications, banner signage during event
Patron Sponsor: $1,000
• Two (2) complimentary tickets to the IMA Workforce Summit
• Digital recognition on IMA website, email and social media publications, banner signage during event
Sponsorship Deadline is July 8th.
AGENDA
9 a.m. - Welcome from Dr. Nathan Hartman, Purdue IN-MaC
9-10 a.m. - New Manufacturing Education and Training Opportunities for High School Students
Panelists: PJ McGrew, Conexus Indiana; Paul Perkins, Amatrol, Inc.; Ron Sandlin, Indiana Dept. of Education
10-10:10 a.m. - Break - Aidex/iXplore Demonstrations
10:10-11:10 a.m. - Indiana FAME Update (Indiana Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education)
Panelists: Tony Davis, FAME USA; Chris Melvin, Toyota North America; FAME Graduate
11:10-11:45 a.m. - Purdue MEP Presentation
Presenter: Ranae Stewart, Senior Executive Director, Purdue MEP
11:45 a.m. - Luncheon Intro from Matt Heincker, Employee Benefits Practice Leader at Gregory & Appel
11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. - Lunch with Indiana Tech Listening Session and Aidex/iXplore Demonstrations
1:15-2:15 p.m. - Improving Access to Affordable Child Care for Indiana's Workforce
Panelists: Adam Alson, FSSA; Allie Sutherland, Northeast Indiana Early Childhood Coalition
2:15-3:15 p.m. - The Talent Pipeline: Aligning Indiana’s Degrees with Employer Demand
Panelists: Dr. Nathan Hartman, Purdue IN-MaC; Patrick Rouse, Ivy Tech Community College
SPEAKERS
Nathan Hartman, Ed.D.
Associate Head for Research and Engagement and Dauch Family Professor of Advanced Manufacturing
Purdue University’s Indiana Manufacturing Competitiveness Center (IN-MaC)
Dr. Nathan W. Hartman is the Dauch Family Professor of Advanced Manufacturing and the Associate Head for Research and Engagement in the School of Engineering Technology at Purdue University, and Director of the Purdue University Digital Enterprise Center. Dr. Hartman is also Director of the Indiana Manufacturing Competitiveness Center (IN-MaC), and a Faculty Fellow in the Purdue Policy Research Institute. In 2011, Professor Hartman was designated a University Faculty Scholar, and in early 2013, he was on the author team for what eventually became the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (now MxD, and part of the Manufacturing USA program). Professor Hartman’s research areas focus on the product lifecycle management and the digital transformation of manufacturing; process and methodology for creating model-based definitions to support the product lifecycle; data standards and interoperability for both machine and human use; and workforce development strategies to support next-generation manufacturing. Professor Hartman teaches courses in 3D modeling, 3D data interoperability and standards, and product lifecycle management (PLM). Professor Hartman also leads a team in the development and delivery of online PLM, MBD, and TDP professional education certificate programs for Purdue’s various industry partners. Dr. Hartman spent over eight years working in industry.
PJ McGrew
Senior Vice President, Talent Strategy and Programming
Conexus Indiana
PJ McGrew serves as Conexus Indiana’s Senior Vice President of Talent Strategy and Programming. In his role, PJ will lead all Conexus Indiana programs designed to educate, inform development, and inspire talent to create a motivated and prepared workforce pipeline for the Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics industries. He will also play a significant role in supporting the Indiana Career Apprenticeship Pathway. Prior to joining Conexus, PJ focused on advancing INvestEd’s partnerships with educational institutions, employers, community organizations, and government agencies. He was instrumental in enhancing brand visibility and collaborating with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) to support INvestEd’s mission. After working nearly a decade in state government, PJ played a central role in shaping Indiana’s workforce policies. Under Governor Eric Holcomb, he became the inaugural Executive Director of the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet, an entity he worked with the Indiana General Assembly to establish in 2018. He then emerged as Indiana’s leading voice on bridging the education-to-workforce pipeline, gaining national recognition for his efforts.
Paul Perkins
President/Co-Founder
Amatrol, Inc.
Paul Perkins is a global leader in career and technical education (CTE) with his company, Amatrol, Inc., headquartered in Jeffersonville, Indiana. The company provides hands-on learning systems, virtual simulators, and interactive multimedia software for advanced manufacturing, Industry 4.0, and logistics automation. Paul has spent decades leading Amatrol, expanding its reach across all 50 U.S. states and over 50 countries to help close technical skills gaps. He is the author of over 20 texts on industrial automation and also serves as the CEO of DAC Worldwide, a New Jersey-based manufacturer of engineering and industrial skills training products. Paul is deeply involved in economic and workforce development, bridging the gap between education and the modern industry. He is currently serving as Chair of the Board of the IMA and has been an IMA Board Member since 2013. Additionally, he has served as Chair of the National Governors Association State Workforce Board Chairs Association. Paul was named to the prestigious Indiana 250 list by IBJ Media and is a past Lifetime Achievement Award Winner of the IMA’s Manufacturing Excellence Awards. Paul has also acted as a workforce development consultant for various Fortune 500 organizations, U.S. government agencies, and foreign governments.
Ron Sandlin
Chief Innovation Officer
Indiana Department of Education
Ron Sandlin is the Chief Innovation Officer at the Indiana Department of Education, where he leads strategic initiatives including school accountability, high school redesign, student pathways, and school transformation. He has spent over a decade serving the State of Indiana in various capacities, all focused on ensuring every Hoosier has access to a high-quality education. Before his tenure at the state level, Ron worked as an instruction and data coach supporting school improvement efforts in Massachusetts. He began his career in education, teaching 4th grade in Indianapolis Public Schools.
Tony Davis
AVP Program Scaling & National Director
FAME USA
Tony Davis is a mission-driven leader with deep experience at the intersection of workforce development, education, and economic growth. As the first-ever National Director of FAME USA at The Manufacturing Institute, Tony has led the expansion of the employer-driven training network to 45 chapters in 17 states—supporting nearly 500 manufacturers and helping thousands of students launch careers in modern manufacturing. Under his leadership, FAME USA has secured millions of dollars in philanthropic support and implemented systems that have improved quality, scaled impact and strengthened partnerships across the country. Tony brings more than two decades of experience in building cross-sector collaboratives that drive lasting change. He has served two terms on Louisiana’s state board of education, launched regional economic and workforce initiatives, and worked closely with higher education, industry, and nonprofit leaders to create opportunity-rich environments for students and communities.
Chris Melvin
Human Resources Workforce Planning
Toyota North America
Chris Melvin’s journey began on the plant floor, maintaining the very equipment that keeps production moving. Over time, he discovered his real passion wasn’t just fixing machines, it was building people. That realization shaped his work in organizational development, apprenticeship design, and community partnerships across Southern Indiana and the broader Midwest. Today, Chris helps bridge the gap between education and industry. As a workforce development leader, he’s led initiatives like SoINFAME and registration of the Advanced Manufacturing Technician Program, connecting high schools, colleges, and other manufacturers to create meaningful, sustainable career pathways. Through these technical pathways, Chris has also advocated for integrating digital transformation, including IIoT, data analytics, and predictive maintenance to ensure we are preparing future technicians and leaders for tomorrow’s challenges. Chris enjoys colllaborating with educators designing new pathways, with employers building apprenticeships, and with students realizing they can succeed in advanced manufacturing. His mission is to create systems where learning and opportunity meet, so people can thrive and industries can grow together.
Ranae Stewart
Senior Executive Director
Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
For over a decade, Ranae has been an integral member of Purdue MEP, bringing exceptional leadership and dedication to the organization’s success as one of the highest-performing MEP Centers in the nation. Since joining Purdue MEP, Ranae has held several roles in the organization, allowing her to play a pivotal role in driving major milestones, particularly in the areas of workforce development, strategic partnerships, advocacy, and marketing. Ranae handles legislative relations for Purdue MEP through participation in the ASMC's annual Hill Day, as well as in-district activities with Indiana's congressional delegation. She is also responsible for the development and management of Purdue MEP's partnerships, as well as outreach efforts to engage and educate organizations throughout the state on the mission of MEP. Ranae is an active member of the MEP National Network, serving on the Board of the Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence. She is a frequent speaker at MEP events and currently serves on the Best Practices Conference Committee. She also serves on the Board of the Indiana Small Business Development Corporation and as an Ambassador for the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation.
Adam Alson
Director of the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL)
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA)
Adam Alson plays a central leadership role in overseeing statewide childcare initiatives, early learning programming, and the distribution of Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) vouchers. Under Alson’s directorship, OECOSL is implementing a major $200 million state investment announced in mid-2026 to expand childcare assistance. This initiative is designed to take approximately 14,000 children off the state's voucher waitlist, prioritizing infants, toddlers, and siblings of current voucher holders. Alson has been vocal about the need for local governments, philanthropy, and businesses to collaborate with the state to build creative, sustainable solutions to childcare needs.
Allie Sutherland
Executive Director
Northeast Indiana Early Childhood Coalition (NEIECC)
Allie Sutherland graduated with a BA in Mathematics from Denison University after which she discovered her true passion was Early Childhood. Allie holds a Master of Science in Child Development from San Diego State University as well as a certificate in Early Childhood Social and Emotional Behavioral Intervention and is endorsed as an Infant Mental Health Mentor by the Alliance of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. Allie has over 17 years’ experience in Early Childhood working as a preschool teacher, child development specialist, program manager at First Five First Steps, a home visiting program, and as a community engagement specialist. In addition to developing the Northeast Indiana Early Childhood Coalition, she is leading a project on Healthy Developmental Services at Bridge of Grace in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Dr. Patrick Rouse
VP of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering & Applied Science
Ivy Tech Community College
Dr. Patrick Rouse is an executive leader and educator at Ivy Tech Community College. With over two decades of experience in higher education and workforce development, he leads strategic initiatives bridging education with industry needs. At Ivy Tech, he guides the development of academic programs and skills-based training aligned with Indiana’s evolving workforce needs and key industries, including the college’s first-in-the-nation smart manufacturing and digital integration program. Dr. Rouse has more than 25 years of experience in higher education, workforce development, and strategic leadership. He is a well-known advocate for aligning educational programs with growing industry demands, including AI, data analytics, and smart automation.