EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College has honored Malachi Greb, of Evansville, as one of 18 individuals across the state selected to receive the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor given to recognize Ivy Tech Alumni. Selected through a highly competitive process, each recipient has made a lasting impact on their community and on Ivy Tech through outstanding professional, philanthropic, or volunteer accomplishments.
“These individuals exemplify service and leadership in extraordinary ways,†said Ivy Tech President Dr. Sue Ellspermann. “Our distinguished alumni prove that an Ivy Tech education equates to career fulfillment and economic prosperity, and I am honored to witness how the College has played a role in their continued lifelong success.â€
Greb, an associate of applied science graduate in Advanced Automation and Robotics and Industrial Technology, has spent the past 10 years sharpening his skills in the automation industry. In 2020, he launched his own company, Elite Automation, specializing in the design, programming, and installation of industrial automation systems.
His nominator said he stood out as a student, always taking on big projects and completing them. He took a manual labor, industrial maintenance type job with a robotics company while going to Ivy Tech. But, his nominator said, he used that opportunity and environment to learn more. He spent his free moments seeking out additional work and asking to try higher-level jobs.
Then, in 2019 he began working to create his own company, but soon after doing so, the pandemic swept across the nation. The nominator said that while this presented a challenge as companies were holding off on projects, Greb focused on making his business stand out through social media posts on YouTube, LinkedIn, and others. Elite Automation ranks highly on LinkedIn for social media presence for automation companies and has more than 12,000 followers.
Sales in 2021 were approximately $1 million, and his team has grown to 15 employees. His nominator said when other students would step back on a challenging job, Greb stepped up and worked on projects beyond what the class content covered. He has continued his problem-solving by growing his company through a pandemic. “The fact that he graduated from our community college and has sights on growing his company to be one of the largest in the world is amazing,†the nominator said.
Alumni, faculty, staff, and friends are all encouraged to make nominations. Awardees must be graduates of Ivy Tech, having received an Associate Degree, Technical Certificate, or Certificate.
The College has been honoring Distinguished Alumni since 1998.
