The Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce has named Indium Corporation President & CEO Ross Berntson its 2026 Businessperson Person of the Year.
Berntson was considered to have embodied the chamber’s standards for the honor, which holds that a local leader “has shown exemplary service to the Chamber and/or community” and is “dedicated to improving and impacting the business climate of the Greater Utica Area.”
Berntson is recognized according to a chamber statement, for having “driven product innovation, global expansion, and operational excellence.”
Indium Corp President & CEO Ross Berntson – Businessperson of the Year
According to a statement from the chamber, during his three decades at Indium, Berntson’s contributions have included launching an industry-leading solder paste product portfolio and leading Indium Corporation’s Asia Holdings operations.”
He is described as a “thought leader in manufacturing, materials engineering, and high-performing organizational culture,” who “frequently speaks on operational strategy, scaling technical teams, and workforce development in complex global environments,” imparting “actionable insights for engineers, executives, and manufacturing professionals focused on enhancing reliability, efficiency, and innovation in their operations.”
Bernston credits employees
Bernston recalled how he learned he had been chosen for the honor.
My Executive Assistant, Jackie Gannon, told me there was a meeting I had to attend,” said Berntson. “When she tells me there’s somewhere I need to be, I go.”
As he was led to the first floor, he saw Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kar Puleo there, so assumed the meeting related to community engagement, until he saw his wife sneak past a screen that had been put up.
Shared Berntson, “and I got this wonderful feeling that something’s up.”
Berntson was led into a gathering of current and former Indium team members, including colleagues and supervisors of over 25 years, all to see Puleo share with him that he had been selected for the honor.
“People don’t want to surprise the CEO very often,” joked Berntson, “so that was really cool.,, just really special.”
Berntson credited his team with the Business Person of they Year honor.
“This award is given to people who lead great companies,” he said, “so it is for this great company first.”
Bernstein’s business, community service
Berntson serves on advisory boards and industry councils, including Global Electronics Association (formerly IPC), International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative, and International Microelectronics and Packaging Society, contributing to standards development, research, and professional growth across electronics manufacturing.
Considered a champion of community engagement and STEM education, Berntson has led Indium Corporation support for programs that “prepare the next generation of engineers, promote diversity in manufacturing, and strengthen local and global communities,” reinforcing the Indium Corp. commitment to “responsible corporate citizenship.”
The GUCC 2026 honoree serves on the Manufacturers Association of New York, Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council, The House of Good Shepherd, and Stronger Communities NY and supports Indium employees in contributing their time and expertise to meaningful causes.
Accolades include the Henny Wittink Memorial Marketing Prize and the George C. Caldwell Prize from Cornell University.
The chamber statement concludes, “Berntson speaks on the intersection of corporate leadership, innovation, and social responsibility, providing practical insights for integrating community engagement into organizational strategy.”
Berntson’s journey to 30th anniversary at Indium
Berntson was a son of the midwest, born in Fort Wayne, IN, completing his K-8 education in Holland, MI, the graduating from high school in Wisconsin.
He considered his decision to attend Cornell University his “adventure in New York.”
When asked if his decision to join Indium in the Mohawk Valley after completing his education New York’s “Ivy” because he fell in love with upstate, Berntson replied, “I fell in love … with Julie.”
Berntson and his wife, Julie met and began dating at Cornell, where she was pursuing a veterinary degree.
Berntson, passionate about chemistry, earned his undergraduate degree in the discipline, then remained at Cornell to earn his Masters in Education, aspiring to become a high school chemistry teacher.
Finding such teaching jobs scarce in New York, yet still determined, he searched beyond the Empire State line and accepted a position in Maryland. Julie remained at Cornell, where she was pursuing her advanced degree.
“I just loved teaching chemistry,” Berntson recalled.
But he learned that he loved Julie more. Unwilling to keep so many miles between them, Berntson began hunting for jobs in upstate outside of the teaching field and caught a career role at Indium.
“They took a chance on a chemistry teacher,” Berntson recalls of the job offer in 1996, “and I am forever grateful.”
Berntson finds it amazing how well teaching has prepared him to be a business leader.
“If I’m talking about one of our technologies with a customer who may not understand it,” said Berntson, “I have to teach it.”
The Berntson family
The Berntsons settled in New Hartford, where Julie continues to practice as a veterinarian and Berntson enjoys an enviable commute to Indium Corp headquarters on the New Hartford/Clinton town line.
The couple raised their two children there, both of whom graduated from New Hartford Senior High School, then followed in their parents’ STEM footsteps.
Son Nate graduated from Case Western and then settled in the Midwest, where his father’s story started, now working as an aerodynamics engineer in Ohio.
Daughter Sarah followed in her parents’ footsteps to Ithaca, graduating from Cornell. She now works for a tech start-up in Boston.
The Mohawk Valley is such a wonderful place to work and live. I’m so proud of this area – how we’re growing, how we embrace immigrants,” lists Berntson, “It really is a special place. We’re lucky to be living in it.”
Businessperson of the Year awards ceremony slated for October
The Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce “Businessperson of the Year” awards are presented by Staffworks, and will be presented in a ceremony in Berntson’s honor in October 2026.
All members of the community are invited to be a part of this celebration. Tickets and sponsorships will be available soon at greateruticachamber.org.
For more information call 315-724-3151.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Greater Utica Chamber names Indium CEO 2026 Businessperson of the Year
Reporting by Cara Dolan Berry, Utica Observer Dispatch / Observer-Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cara Dolan Berry, Utica Observer Dispatch | USA TODAY Network
