The Manufacturing Institute has named Lauren Boyd, Bottling Operation Specialist at Bardstown Bourbon Company, as a 2026 STEP Ahead Awards Honoree, recognizing her leadership in bottling and co-packing operations. Boyd will be honored at the annual STEP Ahead Awards Gala in Washington, D.C., on April 23, 2026.
The recognition marks the second consecutive year a Bardstown Bourbon Company leader has received the award. Ashley Jackson, Shipping and Receiving Manager, was honored as part of the 2025 class.
Boyd has played a central role in transforming Lofted Spirits’ bottling operations by establishing structure, strengthening safety standards, and driving production growth to more than one million cases across more than 60 customers. Her contributions span process development and quality execution on the production floor.
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READ THE STORY“Lauren’s technical skills are matched by the culture she fosters,” said Ruth Moore, SVP Human Resources at Lofted Spirits. “Lauren leads with clarity and trust, mentors rising talent, and ensures her team has both the tools and the confidence to succeed.”
Moore added: “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.”
The STEP Ahead Awards are presented annually by the Manufacturing Institute, the workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers. The program recognizes women who have excelled across all levels of the manufacturing industry, from the factory floor to the C-suite.
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“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.”
Lofted Spirits, the parent entity of Bardstown Bourbon Company and Green River, is the number one producer of Kentucky contract whiskey. Founded by Peter Loftin in 2016, the company pioneered a custom contract distillation model and has developed some of the fastest-growing brands in American whiskey. Lofted Spirits joined the PPC family of companies in 2022.
The spirits industry has seen increasing attention on diversity and workforce development initiatives in recent years, with programs such as STEP Ahead serving to highlight leadership and attract new talent to manufacturing roles within the sector.
