Bardstown, Ky. (March 9, 2026) The Manufacturing Institute—the workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers—announced that Lauren Boyd, Bottling Operation Specialist serving as a key leader for bottling and co-packing at Bardstown Bourbon Company, has been recognized as a 2026 STEP Ahead Awards Honoree.
This is the second year in a row that Bardstown Bourbon Company leaders have been honored. Ashley Jackson, Shipping and Receiving Manager, was honored as part of the 2025 class. Lauren will be honored at the annual STEP Ahead Awards Gala in Washington, D.C., on April 23, 2026.
Lauren has helped transform Lofted Spirits’ bottling operations by establishing structure, strengthening safety standards, and driving production growth to more than one million cases across 60-plus customers. Her work has elevated everyday operations, from process development to quality execution on the floor.
“Lauren’s technical skills are matched by the culture she fosters. Lauren leads with clarity and trust, mentors rising talent, and ensures her team has both the tools and the confidence to succeed,” said Ruth Moore, SVP Human Resources, Lofted Spirits. “We are thrilled that the female talent at Bardstown Bourbon Company has been recognized once again. This is indicative of a culture that is growing, developing, and honoring women in manufacturing.”
These prestigious annual awards recognize employees who have excelled in their careers and showcase leadership across all levels of the manufacturing industry, from the factory floor to the C-suite.
“Manufacturing’s future depends on leaders who develop talent, strengthen teams, and drive results by building strong workplace cultures,” said Lexi Champion, National Director of STEP Ahead. “The STEP Ahead Awards recognize and celebrate those making that impact every day in their workplaces and communities, and whose leadership helps the next generation see a place for themselves in manufacturing.”
The STEP Ahead Awards shine a spotlight on the people powering manufacturing success—those whose leadership, expertise, and commitment to others are building stronger workplaces and communities. As manufacturers work to attract, retain, and advance talent in a rapidly evolving industry, programs like STEP Ahead play a critical role in elevating role models and demonstrating what leadership in manufacturing looks like today.
ABOUT LOFTED SPIRITS
From bespoke bourbon production to boundary-pushing brands, Lofted Spirits is where tradition meets transformation. Expanding on the work started by Peter Loftin in 2016, and today the number one producer of Kentucky contract whiskey, Lofted Spirits pioneered a world-class, industry-shaking approach to custom contract distillation while developing some of the fastest growing brands in American Whiskey, Bardstown Bourbon and Green River. A unified entity, Lofted Spirits is built to lead the global whiskey industry, delivering exceptional experiences through innovation, trust, and transformative industry impact while crafting some of the world’s most desired and awarded whiskies. Lofted Spirits joined the PPC family of companies in 2022. Learn more at LoftedSpirits.com.
ABOUT THE MANUFACTURING INSTITUTE
The Manufacturing Institute works to build and strengthen the manufacturing workforce for today and tomorrow to create a workforce prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. This is done through implementing groundbreaking initiatives, convening industry leaders, conducting innovative research, and promoting public policy that supports the sector as it meets the opportunity of modern manufacturing. Through this work, the MI furthers individual opportunity, community prosperity, and a more competitive manufacturing industry.
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