SC Manufacturing Leadership Program Graduates Its Third Cohort

The South Carolina Manufacturing Leadership Program (SCMLP) graduated its third cohort of emerging business and manufacturing leaders during a ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion on May 15. 

Created in 2024, SCMLP helps strengthen South Carolina’s manufacturing workforce by preparing high-potential professionals to become the industry’s next generation of leaders. Through a mix of leadership development, industry-focused instruction, and hands-on learning opportunities, participants gain the strategic, operational, and management skills needed to grow within their organizations and help drive the future of manufacturing in South Carolina.

“South Carolina’s manufacturing success depends on developing strong leaders who are prepared to meet the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly evolving industry,” said South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce President and CEO Sara Hazzard. “The SC Manufacturing Leadership Program is equipping the next generation of manufacturing leaders with the skills, perspective, and connections needed to strengthen their companies and help keep South Carolina at the forefront of manufacturing.”

Developed in partnership with South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce, South Carolina Future Makers, and the Executive Education Center at the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina, the program blends classroom instruction with real-world industry experience. 

Throughout the program, participants learn directly from Moore School faculty, manufacturing executives, and industry experts on topics including global growth, organizational strategy, technology and innovation, supply chain management, corporate culture, and leadership development.

Applications for cohort 4 of the program are currently being accepted. More information can be found here: https://myscmc.org/scmlp/

Manufacturing contributes more than $300 billion annually to South Carolina’s economy, supports approximately 30 percent of all jobs statewide, and generates one-third of the state’s general fund revenue.

“This program is incredibly rewarding for our Executive Education faculty and staff. Not only do we get to work with a cohort that represents the future of manufacturing in South Carolina, but we also have the opportunity to help shape their futures as leaders,” said Mark Cecchini, associate dean of executive education at the Darla Moore School of Business. “Advanced manufacturing and AI are creating unprecedented opportunities for innovation and growth, and South Carolina must remain at the forefront of these trends to maintain our leadership in the industry. This program helps busy, hardworking professionals stay ahead of that curve, while also giving our faculty a deeper understanding of the manufacturing industry through each cohort. It’s a truly collaborative relationship that we hope will continue for a very long time.”

SCMLP is made possible through the support of industry partners, including The Boeing Company, Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, and Sage Automotive Interiors.


Graduates include:


• Tobias Braun, Corporate Controller, SAGE Automotive Interiors, Greenville

• Joshua Buckley, General Manager, Assembly Production, BMW Manufacturing LLC, Greer

• Robert Colley, Level II Automation Supervisor, Nucor Steel, Huger

• Melissa Davis, Manager – Business Operations, JTEKT North America, Greenville

• Jenna Driver, North American Map Market Analyst, SAGE Automotive Interiors, Greenville

• Jesus Rodolfo Elizondo Yerena, MSEM, Product Line Manager, AFL, Duncan

• Brian Fink, VP of Program Management and Engineering, Spartanburg Steel Products, Spartanburg

• LaKashia Johnson, Head of Communications, Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC, Ladson

• Katelyn Kent, PE, Operations Manager, Milliken & Company, Spartanburg

• Drew Klapko, Shop Manager, Michelin, Lexington

• Chad McAhren, Director of QHSE - Harbor Logistics - North Charleston 

• Matthew Purkey, Senior Director of Warehousing, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Columbia

• Justin Quinn, CPM, Product Line Manager, Premise Cables, AFL, Duncan

• Christian Simpson, Shop Manager, Michelin, Lexington

• Peter Smith, Chief of Staff to the Global Chief Talent Officer, The Boeing Company, North Charleston

• Chandler Spafford, Collaborative Business Planning Lead- NA, Husqvarna Forest & Garden

• Evan Wheeler, PE, District Manager, Dominion Energy SC, Beaufort

• Oana Walls, Supply Chain Manager, Contec, Spartanburg

• Travis Windham, Weld Manager, Production- Honda Powersports (SXS), American Honda South Carolina Manufacturing, Timmonsville

• Guido Ygounet, IT Manager, Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC, Ladson