Morton Electric Announces New Automation & Controls Lab at WKU Innovation Campus—and Welcomes Newest Interns

Howie Heerdt • August 14, 2026

At Morton Electric, we believe that true innovation happens at the intersection of industry, education, and real-world experience. That’s why we’re thrilled to share two major developments that reflect our commitment to advancing industrial technology and developing the workforce of tomorrow.

Powering Innovation in South Central Kentucky

We are excited to announce the official development of the Morton Electric Automation & Controls Lab, located at the WKU Innovation Campus (2413 Nashville Road, Bowling Green, KY).

This state-of-the-art facility is designed to serve as a hub for local manufacturers across South Central Kentucky, helping them develop, test, and scale advanced industrial solutions, including:

PLC & SCADA Integration: Streamlining industrial control systems for maximum efficiency and reliability.

Advanced Automation Solutions: Helping modern facilities optimize production processes.

Energy Monitoring Systems: Giving facility managers actionable insights into operations, production metrics, and real-time energy usage.

Beyond serving industry leaders, the lab will provide Western Kentucky University engineering students with vital, hands-on access to the technologies driving modern manufacturing. By bridging the gap between classroom theory and real-world application, we’re helping prepare the next generation of automation professionals.

Investing in the Next Generation: Welcome Aric Springbob & Ha'ani Whitlock!

Building a stronger future requires both cutting-edge facilities and bright minds. To that end, we’re proud to introduce the newest additions to the Morton Electric team: our interns, Aric Springbob and Ha'ani Whitlock!

Aric and Ha'ani are jumping right into our hands-on projects, learning the ins and outs of industrial electrical, automation, and controls engineering alongside our senior team. Bringing fresh perspectives and incredible energy, they represent the exact future-focused mindset that our WKU lab partnership aims to foster.

Looking Ahead

Whether we’re building advanced lab facilities to strengthen Kentucky’s manufacturing base or mentoring rising talent in the field, our mission remains the same: delivering innovative, forward-thinking solutions that power our region forward.

Please join us in celebrating this exciting new chapter at WKU and giving Aric and Ha'ani a warm welcome to the Morton Electric family!