October 5th 2022
Clarissa Arriaga
VPI Manager, Technical Sourcing
Cummins CMEP
Clarissa started her career with Cummins as a Quality Engineering Intern in 2016 before transitioning to full time Manufacturing Engineer role at LDD in July 2017. Since then, Clarissa has led several varied and high impact Manufacturing and Industrial engineering projects, the most notable being Engine Clearcoat and Wash removal process where she received EBU Business Impact Award and the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award.
During her time at Cummins, she also led the Sustainability Team Lead at CMEP, the Community Involvement Team (CIT) at CEP, and is part of the Women Empowerment Network.
Clarissa graduated with an Industrial and Management Systems Engineering degree at University of South Florida in Tampa. She is originally from Caracas, Venezuela and now lives in Columbus with her boyfriend David and her dog, Luna. In her free time, she likes to rock climb, travel, and explore outdoors.
She recently transitioned from a 5-year career path in manufacturing to a role as a VPI Technical Sourcing Manager, where she expects to face new challenges regarding negotiation, supplier management, and the Fuel Systems.
Sawyer Shoaf
Product Specialist
Forvia
Following graduation from college, I worked with Freudenberg-NOK in Shelbyville, IN for five years as a Manufacturing Engineer. My work there was split between troubleshooting and technical support on the manufacturing lines, process improvements, new equipment and tooling designs and launches, and quality process support.
My next opportunity led me to Faurecia as a Program Manufacturing Leader. In this role I was tasked with implementing all tooling and equipment required to manufacture new exhaust systems. After four years in that position, I transferred over to the testing department as a Durability Engineer. In that role, I was responsible for designing and overseeing tests that validated the robustness of our new exhaust system designs.
Following three and a half years in that role, I have recently started my latest role with Faurecia as a Product Specialist.
Rashaad Trapp
Materials Director
Cummins
Originally from Columbus IN, Rashaad is a Business Management and Human Resources professional. Has been part of Cummins for the past 15 years and have had the opportunity to have experience in Operations, Quality and Supply Chain.
Rashaad is a 2nd generation Cummins employee and he is very involved with the community. An Ex coach wrestling for over 20 years (wrestled in high school and college) and part of the Board of Directors for the Foundation For Youth in Columbus IN
He is a Single Father of a 16 year old daughter
Tom Lego
Toyota Brand Ambassador
Toyota Material Handling
Tom is the Toyota Brand Ambassador for Toyota Material Handling.
Tom grew up in Columbus Indiana and worked for several years for Dorel Industries as a Regional Sales Manager prior to joining Toyota in 1991.
While at Toyota, Tom has worked and managed areas including:
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Sales Administration
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Production Planning and Corporate Services
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Production Control, Material Handling and Logistics
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Purchasing
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Kaizen
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Technical, Sales and Parts Training
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National Customer Center Manager
Johnnie Edwards
IT Manager
Lindal North America
Johnnie Edwards is the Information Technology Manager for Lindal North America in Columbus, Indiana. He also serves as the IT Manager for Lindal Mexico in Toluca, Mexico.
He is responsible for providing technical support to those facilities' employees and managing the software equipment. Duties range from creating queries to installing security cameras and servers to help the team access necessary files and data.
Edwards served in the United States Navy while receiving his degree in Information Technology. He later returned to school and earned an Associate Degree from Ivy Tech Community College in Columbus, graduating Cum Laude in Supply Chain Management.
Johnnie felt the drive to continue schooling and decided to pursue another degree from Indiana Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in International Relations and Global Security.
He is attending IWU again in 2023 in hopes of receiving his Master's degree in Public Administration, focusing on Not for Profit Organization and Planning. In his spare time, he loves to BBQ and fish.
Matt Allee
Managing Owner
Service My Restaurant
Growing up in sports from a young age & playing at the collegiate level, Matt has always had a passion for team. After graduating from Marian University with a Bachelor’s in Science he started his journey in the restaurant industry.
Matt has worked at many levels of the management chain. GM, Regional Manager, Director of Operations, and Vice President of Operations for a Franchise group. Quickly found how important the need for reliable and trustworthy commercial repair companies are for owners and operators. Through a partnership with Estep and Company SMR was born.
Matt is actively involved in the day to day operations and known for his hands on approach to business Has a passion for professional and personal development. Engaging with staff and clients on a day to day basis with a servant culture is what sets SMR apart.
Emma Rodriguez
Operations Area Manager
Cummins
Emma is a recent Industrial Engineering college graduate from the University Central Florida who is now part of the Manufacturing Development Program (MDP) at Cummins. Currently, Emma is an assembly 2nd shift Area Manager at the Cummins Mid-Range Engine Plant (CMEP) where she is tasked to run production to ensure the necessary number of engines are being produced for our customers.
During Summer 2021, Emma had the opportunity to work as a Quality Engineering intern at the Cummins Mid-Range Plant (CMEP) and put into practice what she had learned through academia. Here she was challenged to improve quality for the 6.7L Cummins Engine used in the RAM trucks by improving the leakage detection system.
Emma is originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and now resides in Columbus, IN until her next rotation comes around. As part of the MDP program, Emma has the chance to change roles and locations every 6 months. This has allowed her have a broader perspective within manufacturing and key learnings in a short amount of time. Emma is also actively involved in GOAL, the Latino Affinity ERG at Cummins, within their Attraction, Retention, and Recruiting committee (ARR). In her free time Emma enjoys working out, dancing, traveling, and discovering new food.