Contact: James Richter
Mobile: 803.528.1288
Email: james@myscma.com
(Columbia, SC) – The South Carolina Manufacturing Leadership Program (SCMLP) celebrated a major milestone with the graduation of its inaugural class at the 3rd Annual SC Manufacturing Summit on December 4, 2024. The program, designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the state’s thriving manufacturing sector, recognized 18 graduates who successfully completed the intensive curriculum.
“The graduation of our first South Carolina Manufacturing Leadership Program class marked a major milestone,” said Sara Hazzard, President and CEO of the SC Manufacturers Alliance. “This inaugural class of leaders has set the standard for what is possible when we invest in the future of our industry.”
Launched in 2023 by the SC Manufacturers Alliance and its education foundation, SC Future Makers, SCMLP was created to address the growing need for skilled leadership in manufacturing. The program partnered with the Executive Education Center at the Darla Moore School of Business of the University of South Carolina to provide an intensive instructional experience from internationally recognized faculty, business leaders, and subject matter experts from across the State’s manufacturing industry. Participants completed areas of study such as Global Growth, Organizational Strategy, Advancements in Technology, Supply Chain Management, Corporate Culture, Leadership and Personal Development.
The SCMLP was made possible through the generous financial support of the Boeing Company, Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, and Sage Automotive Interiors.
Graduates of the inaugural class are:
- Dayna Babb, Sage Automotive Interiors
- Weston Cavett, Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC
- Stacey Chapman, Milliken & Company
- Robert Coker, US Brick, LLC
- Edward Downing, The Boeing Company
- Clint Floyd, American Honda Motor Co., Inc South Carolina Manufacturing
- Samantha Furr, Michelin North America
- Lane Grant, Nucor Steel Berkeley
- Rebecca Grizzle, AO Smith
- Christopher Holtzclaw, William Barnet & Son, LLC
- Jonathan Jackson, Surteco, North America
- Nate McGaughey, Nucor Steel Berkeley
- Patricia Merritt, Sage Automotive Interiors
- Weston Mott, Lockheed Martin
- Hunter Mottel, Sleep Number
- James Roberts, Intertape Polymer Group
- Schleta Sweat, The Boeing Company
- Jonathan Yarborough, Dominion Energy South Carolina
Attached is a group picture of the graduates that is approved for media use. Individual pictures of the graduates are available upon request.
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South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance
The South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance is the only statewide organization dedicated exclusively to the interests of manufacturers. Its mission is to strengthen and advance South Carolina manufacturing by advocating for our members, fostering a world-class workforce, and bringing together manufacturers to connect, share, and solve industry challenges. The SCMA membership is comprised of more than 200 manufacturing companies that represent more than 100,000 associates in South Carolina.
South Carolina Future Makers
SC Future Makers, founded by the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance and powered by the online platform Tallo, connects talent to career opportunities with South Carolina manufacturers and other related industries through engagement with educational institutions, businesses and community partners. Since its debut in 2016, SC Future Makers has worked with more than 130,000 South Carolinians and more than 200 South Carolina high schools.