Tech Hub Trifecta
The U.S. Economic Development Administration introduced the Tech Hubs Program in 2022 to strengthen U.S. economic and national security with investments in regions across the country with assets and resources with the potential to become globally competitive in the technologies and industries of the future—and for those industries, companies, and the good jobs they create, to start, grow, and remain in the United States.
Indiana has secured designations for microelectronics, biotech, and hydrogen production and fueling. Each designation provides significant funding and will certainly be transformative for Indiana including many opportunities for the construction industry.
Join ICR for its March Education Series event where you’ll be introduced to Indiana Applied Research Institute as the organization driving these opportunities. Upland Science & Technology Foundation will give a deeper dive into the planning, economic development, and construction these efforts could yield.
This event will be held Thursday, March 14 at Indiana Landmarks, 1201 Central Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46202. Registration and networking opens at 7:30 a.m. The program will run from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. and include time for Q & A. Don’t miss this informative session. Register Today!
Speakers
Nick Eisenberg, Woolpert – Moderator
As Woolpert’s Midwest regional development director, Nick Isenberg leads strategic sales capture efforts across Woolpert’s sectors and markets with targets in the Midwest. Simply put, he helps to connect Woolpert’s full spectrum of architecture, engineering, geospatial, and strategic consulting services with the varied, complex needs of clients. In addition to nurturing relationships with communities and clients across the region, Nick collaborates with political advocates and coordinates with and supports the legislature to advance state and local programs.
Nick offers Woolpert and his clients a wide range of personal expertise, ranging from surveying, roads and bridges, aviation, and industrial design over the course of his 25 years in the industry. He is passionate about developing long-term relationships with clients, truly understanding their needs, and collaborating with the brightest minds to generate innovative and effective solutions. Nick provides his clients with additional value through his understanding of funding source layering and his ability to raise a project’s justification for larger funding awards.
As the leader of Woolpert’s Indianapolis office, Nick supports all the sales and growth for the office. Nick was instrumental in tripling the annual office sales over the last 5 years. He engages in new client relationships, ensuring client satisfaction, proposal development and interview preparation, serves on a PAC board, and supports the growth, development, and achievement of more than 50 local staff members.
Nick serves as Woolpert’s XBE Mentorship Program director, leading strategic collaboration with diversity partners. He is adept at establishing the clear roles, responsibilities, and expectations of partners that are necessary to meet clients’ needs, and he regularly generates new opportunities for partnerships with trusted diversity businesses for increased capacity and capability.
Isabel Castro, Cummins
Isabel Castro currently serves as the Electrolyzer Marketing Director for the Americas at Accelera by Cummins. Over the past few years, she has played a crucial role in shaping Accelera’s electrolyzer strategy, establishing key partnerships, and contributing to the overall business development efforts. With a strong analytical mindset, outstanding problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of market dynamics, Isabel is a valuable asset to the team. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking with her husband and their beloved dog, Vanilla, a white husky-Pomeranian mix.
Bryant Niehoff, Uplands Science & Technology Foundation
Bryant Niehoff was hired in April 2023 to lead the Uplands Science & Technology Foundation (USTF), a nonprofit research foundation dedicated to supporting the vitality of the WestGate@Crane Technology Park. In this role, he is responsible for implementing USTF’s mission to facilitate the transformation of WestGate into an innovation community, lead the technology park’s development strategy by managing and coordinating the park’s real estate assets and development process, drive new activities and attract new firms and talent in emerging technology areas like microelectronics, artificial intelligence, and hypersonics, and create a unique regional hub with a distinctive sense of place.
Andrew Kossack, Applied Research Institute
Andrew Kossack is a recognized legal and policy expert, currently serving as the Executive Vice President of Partnerships and General Counsel at the Applied Research Institute. In this role he leads ARI’s strategy to cultivate a diverse and engaged network of public, private, nonprofit, and academic entities in furtherance of ARI’s mission. Andrew also leads ARI’s strategy regarding the Heartland BioWorks Regional Technology and Innovation Hub (“Regional Tech Hub”), which was designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration as one of 31 Regional Tech Hubs nationwide from nearly 400 applicants.
Neil Banwart, MachH2
As Chief Integration Officer, Neil Banwart’s responsibilities include ensuring MachH2 maximizes all sources of funding and also working to continually expand the reach and impact of MachH2. In conjunction with the CEO, he also represents MachH2 in public facing matters such as media interviews, on panels, and at tradeshows.
Neil also serves as Managing Director-Hydrogen at Energy Systems Network (ESN). Prior to ESN, he spent nearly a decade at Cummins Inc. He has held several M&A, Treasury, and finance roles in his career, including service as the CFO of a small private equity fund. Neil earned a Bachelor’s in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MBA from Bradley University. He is a CFA Charterholder and serves on the Board of Directors of the CFA Society of Indianapolis as the immediate past president.