At a ceremony hosted by the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce, the Indium Corporation leader was recognized for service, innovation and a global business that remains rooted in the Mohawk Valley.

UTICA, N.Y. The Ross Berntson Businessperson of the Year recognition moved from announcement to celebration on Tuesday, October 27, when local business and community leaders gathered at Munson in Utica. The Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce honored Berntson, president and CEO of Indium Corporation, as its 2026 Businessperson of the Year.

The Chamber announced the completed ceremony in an October 30 release. Staffworks presented the annual award, which the Chamber says goes to a member or employee of a member who has provided exemplary service to the organization and the community. The event brought together people from across the region to recognize Berntson’s career and Indium Corporation’s continuing connection to the Mohawk Valley.

The ceremony did not announce a new factory, investment amount or job total. Its main news was the formal presentation of an award that the Chamber first announced in September. That distinction matters because readers should not mistake an honor for a separate economic development commitment.

Ross Berntson Businessperson of the Year ceremony at Munson

The Chamber’s official event page lists the celebration as a 5 to 7:30 p.m. program at Munson on October 27. The organization described the award as recognition of leadership, service and a lasting contribution to the business climate and vitality of the Greater Utica area.

Phoenix readers may remember the September announcement naming Berntson as the 2026 recipient. The new release confirms that the ceremony took place and provides a look at the community turnout.

What the award recognizes

According to the Chamber, the Businessperson of the Year award is not limited to sales growth or company size. The standard also includes service to the Chamber and the wider community. A recipient must be a Chamber member or work for a member organization.

That broader standard places the focus on how business leadership affects employees, partnerships and the region around a company. It also helps explain why the ceremony included community leaders as well as business representatives.

Berntson’s path from product specialist to CEO

Indium Corporation’s official biography says Berntson joined the company in 1996 as a product specialist. He later held roles in technical support, market development and international operations. He also served as president of Indium Corporation’s Asia Holdings while living in Singapore.

Today, Berntson oversees company strategy, global operations and product innovation as president and CEO. His official biography says he holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, a master’s degree in education and a master’s degree in business administration, all from Cornell University.

The career path is notable for local students and workers because it connects technical knowledge with communication, business operations and international leadership. It shows that advanced manufacturing careers are not limited to a single job type. Companies in this field need scientists, technicians, engineers, production workers, customer support teams and managers.

What Indium Corporation makes and why it matters

Indium Corporation is a materials science manufacturer serving electronics and semiconductor companies. Its products include soldering materials, thermal management products and specialty alloys. These materials help electronic components connect, manage heat and continue working under demanding conditions.

The company says its markets include electronics, semiconductors, advanced packaging, artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. In plain language, increasingly powerful chips generate more heat and require more complex packaging. Materials that join components and move heat away from them can affect reliability and performance.

That work gives a Mohawk Valley company a place in supply chains that stretch far beyond Central New York. Indium Corporation has operations in several countries, but its official materials continue to identify Clinton, Rome and Utica as important parts of its U.S. presence.

What this means for Utica and the Mohawk Valley

An award ceremony does not by itself create jobs or guarantee future investment. Still, the recognition points to several practical connections for the region.

• Jobs and training: Indium Corporation’s official U.S. careers page regularly lists openings in Clinton, Rome and Utica. Openings change, so applicants should use the company’s own page rather than an old screenshot or social post.
• Advanced manufacturing: The company gives local workers a link to semiconductor, electronics and thermal-management industries that are growing in importance across New York.
• Regional partnerships: Business awards can draw attention to relationships among employers, schools, workforce agencies and community organizations.
• Small-business connections: A large manufacturer also relies on service providers, contractors and suppliers. Local companies can watch Chamber events and member resources for networking and procurement opportunities.

The Phoenix recently reported on Micron’s support for an Indium Corporation expansion in Rome. That separate development offers more direct evidence of how semiconductor investment can reach the Mohawk Valley. Readers should treat the expansion story and the Chamber award as related context, not as the same announcement.

What job seekers and business owners can do

Job seekers can review current openings on Indium Corporation’s official United States careers page. Applicants should confirm the location, shift, qualifications and application deadline on the live posting because listings can change quickly.

Business owners interested in the Chamber can review its official member benefits page. The Chamber says membership can include networking, seminars, referrals, marketing opportunities and community involvement. Businesses should compare costs and benefits with their own goals before joining.

Verified background and sources

The Chamber’s official award page confirms Berntson’s selection, the October 27 date and the Munson location. A second Chamber event page describes the award standard and Berntson’s career. Indium Corporation’s official biography confirms his positions, education and professional background.

The October 30 release and the photographs attached to it were supplied by the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce. The Phoenix did not independently identify every person shown in the ceremony photographs.

Community question: What kinds of training, internships or supplier opportunities would help more Mohawk Valley residents benefit from advanced manufacturing growth? Share specific ideas and keep the discussion respectful and focused on the region.