Brevin Bennett, interim CEO of Triton Metal Products, has been recognized with the prestigious Conexus Indiana Rising 30 award, celebrating his exceptional leadership and contributions to the manufacturing industry. Bennett’s vision for growth at Triton and his dedication to inspiring others in manufacturing have earned him a place among Indiana’s top manufacturing minds.
Conexus Indiana, a nonprofit driving economic growth in advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML), annually honors 30 rising stars in the industry under 30 years old. Bennett’s journey from machine operator to interim CEO demonstrates his passion for continuous learning and leadership.
“I always wanted to be a leader, and I knew dominating what I do–I’m talking about mastery rather than competitiveness–would put me in control of my future,” Bennett said.
Triton Metal Products proved the perfect fit for him. With decades of experience, the family-owned company not only knows the industry but also knows talent when it sees it.
“We knew Brevin was Triton material years before we hired him,” Triton Executive Chairman John Freudenberger said. “We were following his journey dating back to vocational school.”
At Triton, Bennett leads with vulnerability and humility, championing a “Minds plus Machines” approach that emphasizes being a people-first company and seeking leaders who strive for continuous improvement for themselves, Triton, and their customers.
“We want people who can challenge the rooms they’re in intellectually, so we’re raising the bar for each other. I’d rather be the guy who got the smartest people in the room than be the smartest guy in the room,” Bennet said.
“Such a rapid ascent in our industry is a rare occurrence. Brevin has elevated our systems and turned weaknesses into strengths. I’m talking about everything from our management style, to goal setting, to our work culture. His ability to connect and inspire. It’s impressive. And this is just the beginning,” Freudenberger said.
Looking to the future, Bennett aims to modernize Triton’s operations and establish the company as the leading contract manufacturer in the U.S. He anticipates advancements in Career Technical Education (CTE), machine learning, AI and mixed reality to enhance the industry’s future.
Bennett also hasn’t ruled out college for his future. “I’d love to invest in a broader education,” Bennet said. “ I want people to know there’s no single path to success. If college isn’t on your roadmap, read. Listen to podcasts. Talk to people in the field. The sky’s the limit for a lifelong learner.”
