Powered by Ray Black & Son, Inc.
Our newest intern program, Sprocket-U, connects emerging talent with real-world startup experiences, helping students grow their skills while contributing meaningfully to projects that matter. This program is one of the ways we build stronger pipelines between students, startups, and the innovation economy we’re cultivating in Western Kentucky.
This year’s internship program was made possible by the generous sponsorship of Ray Black & Son, Inc., a company that’s been building with integrity in our region for more than 100 years. Their investment in the next generation of talent is helping shape a stronger future—one intern at a time.
Here’s a look at the standout students who made Sprocket-U Summer 2025 so memorable:
Meet Ryan Pirtle, DataRover's AI Intern
Ryan is a Computer Science and Data Science major at Murray State University. This summer, he took a deep dive into prompt engineering, programming, and artificial intelligence. Always eager to build well-rounded skills, Ryan brought sharp focus and a genuine curiosity to every project he tackled. His enthusiasm for learning—and his love for revisiting nostalgic favorites like The Avengers—made him a thoughtful, tech-savvy force on the team.
Meet Caitlyn McGill, Weather Brother's GIS Intern
Caitlyn is currently pursuing a GIS certificate at Murray State, and she jumped right into weather mapping and marketing projects with Sprocket. Her ability to blend technical skills with communication made her a valuable part of the team. Beyond the office, she’s passionate about jiu-jitsu, a big fan of Parks and Rec, and always has a new playlist or podcast queued up. Her adaptability and insight added depth to every assignment she took on.
Meet Mariane Puertollano, Connective Consulting's Marketing Intern
Mariane is studying economics at Purdue and returned to Sprocket this summer after visiting last year. She jumped into marketing projects with a strong creative instinct and a desire to grow her networking skills. From campaign brainstorming to capturing dynamic moments on camera, she brought energy and perspective to our efforts. Mariane also has a love for photography—especially when it comes to sports—and never shies away from trying something new.
Meet Taylor Hargrove, Sprocket's Graphic Design Intern
Taylor studies Visual Communication at the Paducah School of Art & Design and brought a bold design eye to every part of her work. From building brand kits to designing event materials, she helped shape the look and feel of many Sprocket projects this summer—including this intern campaign. Off the clock, she’s into gaming, music, and spending time with friends, and she’s got a creative spark that shines through in everything she does.
We’re proud of what this cohort accomplished—and grateful to Ray Black & Son for making it possible.
Want to learn more about Sprocket-U or how to become a host startup or sponsor? Reach out or visit sprocketpaducah.com to get connected.