Andre B. Lacy Vanguard Award
Recognizing the Champions of AML in Indiana
The Andre B. Lacy Vanguard Award is presented annually to a standout advocate and champion for advanced manufacturing and logistics in Indiana.
Andre B. Lacy expanded Lacy Diversified Industries Ltd. (LDI) from a small manufacturing operation to a company with global interests in manufacturing, distribution, and logistics. He was also an early champion of Conexus Indiana. Lacy passed away in 2017; to commemorate his legacy and celebrate the advanced manufacturing and logistics industries in Indiana, we launched the Andre B. Lacy Vanguard Award in 2018.
Know someone who’s made their mark in the industry?
Award Criteria
The award honors a person who has demonstrated Lacy’s legacy as:
- An advocate for civic leadership
- A catalyst for change and challenging the status quo
- A champion for advanced manufacturing and logistics
Past Award Recipients
2024: SUE ELLSPERMANN
Dr. Sue Ellspermann is the 2024 recipient of the Andre B. Lacy Vanguard Award. Serving as the President of Ivy Tech since 2016, Dr. Ellspermann is the ninth president in the college’s history and the first woman to hold the position. Her focus has been to align Ivy Tech’s programs and credentials to meet industry needs and ensure access, quality, and affordability to all Hoosiers. Under her leadership, Ivy Tech launched the first Industry 4.0 associate degree and Ivy+ Career Link, a transformative approach to career development services.
Read More2023: ERIC HOLCOMB
Governor Eric Holcomb is the 2023 recipient of the Andre B. Lacy Vanguard Award. Originally from Knox County, Governor Holcomb joined the U.S. Navy before going on to serve as the 51st governor in Indiana’s history. He has provided steadfast dedication to preserving and growing the manufacturing and logistics industries in Indiana, which has helped reinforce Indiana’s position as the most manufacturing intense state in the country.
Read More2022: TOM EASTERDAY
Thomas V. Easterday, our 2022 Andre B. Lacy Vanguard Award recipient, is a retired senior executive vice president of Subaru of Indiana Automotive. Easterday is recognized as a tireless advocate for the growth of Subaru of Indiana Automotive, taking every opportunity to herald the capabilities of the facility and of the overall Indiana business environment. These efforts contributed to the Subaru facility more than doubling in size during his last 10 years of service with the company.
Read more2021: ALBERT CHEN
Albert Chen, who founded Telamon in 1985 to provide supply chain services to the telecommunications industry, serves as Executive Chairman of the Board. After he transitioned the leadership of Telamon to the second generation in 2015, he launched a new business, Telamon Enterprise Ventures, a start-up that achieved profitability within 3 years, and then Telamon Robotics in 2020 to offer smart manufacturing solutions for small-to-medium-sized manufacturers in Indiana.
A tireless community leader, Chen founded two nonprofit organizations, the Asian American Alliance in 1999 and the America China Society in 2013, to build up and recognize Asian Americans.
Read More2020: ROBERT KOCH
Robert Koch, chairman of Koch Enterprises Inc., is widely celebrated for his contributions to the state of Indiana, the education of its students and the growth of the state’s advanced manufacturing and logistics industries. Bob helped grow his family business, founded by his great-grandfather in 1873, from a small manufacturing operation to a $1 billion company with global interests in manufacturing, distribution and logistics. He also is founding member and president of the Signature School in Evansville, Indiana’s first public charter high school and regularly ranked one of the best high schools in the United States.
Read More2019: CATHY LANGHAM
Cathy Langham, Co-Founder and CEO of Langham Logistics, is a tireless advocate for the advanced manufacturing and logistics industries. She is a champion of Indiana’s work to create an environment for business growth and led the development of a statewide transportation infrastructure plan while leading her business, improving her community and serving more than 10 years as a Conexus Indiana board member.
Read More2018: F. JOSEPH LOUGHREY
F. Joseph Loughrey is the first recipient of the Andre B. Lacy Vanguard Award, honored for his outsized impact on Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics industries. He served for 35 years as president of Cummins Inc., and became a leading voice for the industry as a founding member of Conexus Indiana and various organizations focused on developing talent for the growing industry sectors.
Read MoreCome back soon to meet the 2024 honoree.