School corporations served:

• Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools
• Southeast Dubois County Schools
• Northeast Dubois County Schools
• Southwest Dubois County Schools

The primary goals of this initiative are:

• Empower students with the necessary skills for career readiness relevant to our local workforce needs
• Prioritize educational opportunities that connect to real-world applications
• Foster collaboration between educational institutions, industry leaders, and community stakeholders to enhance the economic well-being of our region

Matt is the President and COO of Jasper Engines & Transmissions and serves on the Board of Directors for Jasper Holdings, Inc. Since joining Jasper in 1994, he has held various roles in manufacturing, distribution, and process improvement, before becoming VP of Engine Manufacturing in 2011. He was promoted to COO in 2021 and President in 2023. Matt is actively involved in several regional boards and advisory committees.

Chip has spent his career in Indiana education and currently serves as Superintendent of Southwest Dubois County Schools. He previously held leadership roles as Superintendent of Loogootee Community Schools, high school principal, and CFO of Muncie Community Schools. Chip has also served on state and national boards, including the Military Children’s Compact Commission and the National Association of Federally
Impacted Schools, and was
board president for two local education cooperatives.

Kourtney Smith, Chief Operating Officer of Kimball International has over 30 years of experience in the office furniture and hospitality furniture markets. Kimball International has two defined segments, Workplace and Health and Hospitality. In this role, Smith is focused on shaping the strategic direction of the company’s business operations.  

Max has over 30 years of experience in the manufacturing industry and has been President/CEO of Indiana Furniture since 2016. Before that, he spent 24 years at MasterBrand Cabinets, holding various roles in sales, marketing, operations, and IT. A Jasper native, Max earned his BA in Economics from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from Xavier University. He is active in the community, volunteering
with organizations such as hub19 Friends of the Arts, and the
Jasper Partnership Commission.

Dr. Tracy Lorey is the Superintendent of Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools. She also serves on the boards of Springs Valley Bank & Trust, Dubois County Health, and Patoka Valley Health Care Cooperative. Dr. Lorey is active in professional organizations, including the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents and Indiana School Board Association, and chairs two local educational cooperative boards.

Dr. Jamie Pund is in her sixth year as Superintendent of Southeast Dubois County School Corporation. Before her tenure in this role, Dr. Pund served as a high school principal, junior high principal, curriculum director, and classroom teacher. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, a Master of Science in Education and Administration, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.

Dr. Tara Rasche is the Superintendent of Northeast Dubois County School Corporation, with 30 years of experience in education. Before her role as Superintendent, she served as a teacher, coach, media specialist, and principal. Dr. Rasche holds degrees in Education and Leadership from the University of Southern Indiana, Indiana Wesleyan, Oakland City University, and Indiana State University. She is a member of several professional organizations, including IAPSS, IASBO, WELL, and EPIC.

Mike has over 25 years of experience in the furniture industry and has served as Chairman and CEO of Jasper Group since 2020. Before joining Jasper Group, he held leadership roles, including Principal of a Chicago-based rep group, SVP of Sales and Marketing at OFS, and President of Kimball. Mike is passionate about leading this 6th-generation company with the goal of passing the business on to the next generation.