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Conexus Indiana, the advanced manufacturing and logistics initiative of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, has selected Jay Wirts to serve as its next president and CEO, the organization announced Friday morning.
Wirts most recently served as executive vice president of smart infrastructure solutions at St. Louis-based Belden, a manufacturer of broadband and network infrastructure products.
He succeeds Fred Cartwright, who retired from Conexus at the end of 2024. Wirts will begin his new role at Conexus on April 14.
In a news release, Conexus touted Wirts’ more than 20 years of executive leadership experience in the advanced manufacturing sector.
“Jay’s extensive experience and passion for advancing industrial innovation make him an ideal leader for Conexus Indiana,” said Conexus Board Chair Scott Brand. “We are confident that his strategic vision and collaborative approach will further accelerate our mission to strengthen Indiana’s manufacturing and logistics sectors.”
During his time at Belden—which has operations in Carmel and Richmond—Wirts led initiatives to expand automation, optimize supply chain operations that included reshoring manufacturing facilities in the U.S., and establish partnerships to advance fiber technology manufacturing.
Wirts has been based out of Belden’s central Indiana office since he joined the company in 2018, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Indianapolis-based Conexus Indiana is one of several branded initiatives of the CICP and is focused on supporting and promoting Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics sector.
The organization says advanced manufacturing and logistics companies employ more than 840,000 workers and contribute $151 billion to the state’s GDP.
“Jay’s leadership comes at a pivotal time for Indiana’s manufacturing and logistics industries,” Central Indiana Corporate Partnership CEO Melina Kennedy said in the release. “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.”
Wirtz earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Colgate University in New York and a master’s degree in finance and marketing from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He was also a captain in the United States Marine Corps.
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