Paul Brazeau earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Quality and Packaging from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. He now serves as Vice President of Business Unit Operations at Oshkosh Corporation, a manufacturing company with 18,000 employees worldwide that was recently recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the tenth consecutive year.

Brazeau began his professional career as a production supervisor in an automotive assembly facility, where he learned not to fear making decisions or mistakes as long as he learned from each experience. This philosophy shapes his leadership approach today.

“The ability to inspire and empower all team members in a genuine and transparent way creating a culture where doing the right thing, cultivating continuous improvement, and lifting each other up results in daily success that every team member feels like they had a hand in creating,” Brazeau said when defining success.

Before relocating to South Carolina, Brazeau served as a board member and Community Engagement Chair for Habitat for Humanity – Wisconsin. Outside of work, he enjoys scuba diving among sea turtles, sting rays and sharks.

Brown leads Milliken’s Global Operations function, overseeing corporate logistics, transportation, sourcing, environmental health and safety, corporate engineering, security, the Milliken Performance Solutions office and Performance Solutions by Milliken consulting arm.

He joined Milliken in April 2022 after 25 years with Albemarle Corporation, a global specialty chemicals producer. In his most recent role at Albemarle, Brown served as chief operating officer for the Bromine Specialties Global Business Unit, leading manufacturing, sales and operations planning, customer service and strategic procurement functions.

He previously led Albemarle’s global environmental health and safety and manufacturing excellence efforts, reporting to the CEO. Throughout his career, Brown managed union and non-union facilities across the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and South America, supporting operations with more than $1 billion in annual revenue and 1,800-plus employees.

He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina and a chemical engineering degree from Georgia Institute of Technology, where he completed a summer internship with Milliken.

Tobias Brugger’s professional journey in manufacturing began as an apprentice industrial mechanic, where he learned the fundamentals of production operations. He pursued his Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Applied Science Ravensburg-Weingarten in Germany, followed by a Master of Business Engineering in Logistics Management at the University of Stuttgart in Germany.

Today, Brugger serves as Senior Vice President Operations and Head of Global Operations at ZF Group, overseeing operations for the global automotive supplier with approximately 160,000 employees worldwide.

Brugger’s leadership philosophy centers on balancing empathy with objectivity. The best advice he received — “Soft to People, Hard to the facts” — shaped his approach to treating others with respect while remaining firm on data and performance. He defines success as combining well-defined strategy with consistent execution, supported by flexibility, accountability and strong collaborative team.

Beyond his professional responsibilities, Brugger finds joy doing homework with his children, viewing it as opportunity to connect and support their learning.

Matthew Cabe leads Michelin North America Inc., overseeing operations across 36 manufacturing sites and more than 23,000 employees in the United States and Canada. Cabe holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Clemson University and a Master of Business Administration from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina.

Beginning his career with Michelin more than 20 years ago as an engineer, Cabe brought a foundation focused on putting people at the center of innovation. Upon becoming North American CEO, he prioritized visiting manufacturing sites across the U.S. and Canada, returning to facilities where he once installed equipment.

Under his leadership, Michelin continues advancing sustainable mobility solutions, including the MICHELIN Pilot Sport Endurance range made with 50% renewable and recycled materials. The company supports its ambition to deliver an all-sustainable tire by 2050, made with 100 percent renewable and recycled materials.

Cabe serves on the board of directors for the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association.

“Success means leaning into these teams and building a workplace where every employee can bring their best self forward and thrive,” Cabe said.

Jody Chastain leads The Ritedose Corporation, a pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization with more than 600 employees. Under his leadership, the company has undergone significant expansion through strategic investments in infrastructure and technology.

Since 2024, Ritedose has achieved several milestones, including acquiring 105 acres for expansion, adding 180-million-unit dose capacity for sterile medications, and opening a distribution facility capable of handling logistics for more than two billion doses annually. The company announced a $17 million expansion of its microbiology and analytical chemistry laboratories in September to support growth capacity of 2.6 billion doses per year.

Before Ritedose, Chastain spent nine years at Fuji Photo Film in Greenwood, where he gained expertise in lean manufacturing, packaging design and operations optimization. He holds a business administration degree from Limestone University and completed Northwestern University’s Kellogg Executive Development Program.

“I believe that blessed organizations have the responsibility to give back and bless others,” Chastain said.

He serves on the SCRA Board of Trustees and boards of SCbio and SC Thrive.

Howard Coker joined Sonoco in 1985 and has built a distinguished career through sales, manufacturing and management positions across various businesses. He advanced to Vice President of Rigid Paper and Closures, overseeing 21 rigid paper container operations and seven metal and peelable membrane closure operations in North America.

Coker then served as Senior Vice President of Global Rigid Papers and Closures and Paper and Industrial Converted Products, leading the company’s Rigid Paper Container operations globally and Industrial Paper and Tubes & Cores operations. He also held the position of Senior Vice President of Paper and Industrial Converted Products before assuming his current role as President and CEO in 2020.

Coker earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Wofford College and a Master of Business Administration from Wake Forest University. He demonstrates continued leadership through service on multiple boards, including the Board of Directors of Wofford College, the American Forest & Paper Association and the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.

Halsey Cook leads Milliken & Company, a global manufacturing innovator with 7,000 employees worldwide. Under his leadership, the company has achieved milestones including recognition as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the 19th consecutive year and a 2024 EcoVadis Gold Rating, placing it among the top 5% of companies for sustainability. In September 2025, Milliken acquired South Carolina-based Highland Industries to expand its technical textiles capabilities.

Cook serves as 2025 deputy board chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and sits on the boards of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, National Association of Manufacturers, Palmetto Business Forum and Belle W. Baruch Foundation. He also serves as an independent director of Southwire Company.

“Don’t just lead the business — lead the people who make the business possible,” Cook said, reflecting on advice that shaped his leadership philosophy.

Cook earned degrees in economics and English from the University of The South and an MBA from University of Virginia Darden School of Business.

Tony Deering leads R2P Innovations as CEO, guiding the manufacturing company’s team of 26 employees. Deering holds a business management diploma from Damelin and has built his career through hands-on experience, having left school at age 16 without attending college.

In his leadership role, Deering currently serves as regional leader South for the Submarine Industrial Base Council since January 2023. He also holds board positions with KEEL and actively contributes his time to Friends of Morning Light through philanthropic work.

Beyond his business pursuits, Deering maintains an adventurous lifestyle. He is a certified shark diver, fixed-wing pilot and helicopter pilot who has completed some of the world’s toughest ultra-endurance events. Despite being a qualified military parachutist and sky diver, he admits to being scared of heights.

Deering’s business philosophy reflects practical wisdom. “Sales revenue is vanity, profit is sanity, and cash flow is reality,” he noted. He defines success as making a meaningful impact on many lives while giving 110% to every pursuit.

Pixie Paula Dezzutti began her career as director of gifted education at Sacred Heart in Connecticut and corporate consultant at American Express before transitioning to entrepreneurship. She founded The Coaching Advantage and built three luxury spas and The Gourmet Café restaurant before establishing Local Choice Inc. in 2010.

Dezzutti founded Local Choice Spirits and owns Striped Pig Distillery, launching more than 50 brands. She has expanded into multi-state manufacturing operations including Ghost Monkey Brewery, Alabama Brewing Co., Alabama Distilling Co. and Mad Rabbit Distillery, becoming the first female owner of a brewery-distillery hybrid. She co-founded BarrelFi, pioneering blockchain integration in the alcohol sector, and developed Boozebucks, a blockchain-based loyalty program.

As CEO, publisher and editor-in-chief of Skirt Magazine since 2018, Dezzutti founded Pixie Records & Studios and the MINISKIRT nonprofit for youth financial literacy. She serves on the boards of Charleston Interreligious Council and Threshold Repertory Theatre. “I have learned to focus on God’s will first — letting that guide my business decisions, my leadership style and the way I navigate both opportunities and obstacles,” Dezzutti said.

Stein Edwards serves as Vice President of Eastern Operations for Gallo, where he is responsible for leading operations at the winery’s new hub in Chester County that commenced operations in October 2022, as well as The Canandaigua Winery in New York and Midwest Custom Bottling in Wisconsin.

Edwards joined Gallo in 2021, bringing with him 18 years of progressive experience across wine, glass, lumber and plastics industries. He most recently served as Director of Operations for Zeus Polymer Solutions, where he managed nine manufacturing sites with more than 1,300 team members. Prior to Zeus, Edwards worked for Boise Cascade, Cardinal Glass and previously for Gallo in California.

A veteran, Edwards served seven years as an Aviation Officer in the United States Army.

He earned his degree from the United States Military Academy and his Master of Business Administration from Norwich University.

Outside of work, Edwards enjoys spending quality time with his family on the water and watching his children compete in various sporting events.

Robert Engelhorn has served as president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing in Spartanburg since Sept. 1, 2021. He oversees daily operations of the largest BMW Group plant in the world by volume and is responsible for the BMW plant in Rosslyn, South Africa.

Under Engelhorn’s leadership, the Spartanburg plant has added a new press shop and expanded one assembly hall and a body shop by a total of 1.6 million square feet as the facility prepares to assemble fully electric vehicles in late 2026. A new high-voltage battery assembly plant has been constructed in nearby Woodruff and will begin assembling batteries for fully electric vehicles in late 2026.

BMW Manufacturing assembles more than 1,500 vehicles each day and up to 450,000 annually. The plant plays a critical role in meeting high demand for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles and Coupes. Around half of the BMW vehicles sold in the United States each year come from Plant Spartanburg.

Iman Evazzade leads the Robotics Feature Team at the BMW Group, where he advances intelligent and adaptive technologies at the intersection of robotics, artificial intelligence and innovation. With a Ph.D. in Physics, Evazzade brings strong analytical expertise to his work developing cutting-edge solutions for the automotive industry.

His research centers on harnessing generative AI to address novel challenges and drive technological progress. Evazzade’s expertise spans agentic frameworks and robotics foundation models, with a focus on enabling machines to reason, adapt and collaborate effectively.

Passionate about bridging scientific research with practical applications, Evazzade works to transform conceptual advances into impactful technologies. His approach combines rigorous scientific methodology with innovative problem-solving, aiming to create solutions that enhance human creativity and capability. Through his leadership in robotics and AI development, Evazzade continues to push the boundaries of what intelligent systems can achieve in real-world applications.

Justin Ferdinand leads Kentwool Company as president and chief executive officer, guiding the manufacturing firm through an evolving textile industry landscape. Ferdinand earned a Bachelor of Arts from State University of New York at Geneseo and a Master of Business Administration from University of Massachusetts’ Manning School of Business.

Ferdinand began his career in New York City as an account executive for a building maintenance company, working with large building management companies and global brands. He now serves as Yarn Council Chairman and Executive Committee member for the National Council of Textile Organizations.

Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Ferdinand coached girls’ lacrosse for more than a decade in Charleston after relocating from New Hampshire. The experience reinforced his team-centered leadership philosophy, which he applies at Kentwool through the company motto “One Team.”

Ferdinand defines success through collective achievement rather than individual accomplishments. “The personal growth of each member of the team is what will drive the business to succeed, not one of us, but all of us,” he said.

Rodger Fuller oversees Sonoco’s consumer and industrial operations globally as chief operating officer, along with the company’s Supply Management, Information Technology and Automation and Robotics organizations.

Fuller has built his career at Sonoco over nearly 18 years, progressing through multiple leadership roles. He previously served as executive vice president of Sonoco Global Operations and held several senior vice president positions, including leadership of Global Consumer Packaging, Display and Packaging and Protective Solutions. Earlier roles included senior vice president of Paper and Engineered Carriers US/Canada and Global Display and Packaging, and group vice president of Paper/Tubes and Cores in North America.

Throughout his tenure, Fuller has remained active in industry and community organizations. He serves on the boards of the Sonoco Foundation, The Paper and Packaging Board, American Forest and Paper Association, Hartsville United Way, South Carolina Governors School for Science and Mathematics Foundation, and American Heart Association.

Fuller earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Berry College in Rome, Georgia, and a Master of Business Administration from Emory University in Atlanta.

Mary Ellen Grom leads global marketing and communications for AFL, a manufacturing company serving 11,000 employees worldwide in the fiber optics and telecommunications sector.

Grom earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Marketing from The Ohio State University and completed the Walt Disney World University College Program with a Ducktorate in Marketing. Her career journey began working summers at Geauga Lake theme park in Aurora, Ohio, where she sold tickets and season passes at Main Gate.

In her current role, Grom oversees marketing initiatives as AFL navigates unprecedented demand driven by AI, data centers, energy and broadband telecommunications. Recent company milestones include the Denali Product Launch, strategic partnerships with VIE Technologies and Hub City Spartanburgers, and the creation of The AFL Foundation with a $10 million contribution.

Grom serves as past chair and treasurer of the Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation and sits on the University of South Carolina Upstate College of Business & Economics Advisory Board. She previously chaired Fund A Cure for Breakthrough T1D from 2018-2019.

“Success is getting to the point where making a difference in others’ lives is more rewarding than anything you can do for yourself,” Grom said.

Mary Dean Hall serves as executive vice president and chief financial officer at Ingevity, based in North Charleston. Hall oversees the finance organization, corporate development, investor relations, supply chain and information technology.

Hall joined Ingevity in April 2021 from Quaker Houghton, where she served as chief financial officer and treasurer from 2015 to April 2021. Her responsibilities included finance, corporate development, investor relations and IT. Prior to Quaker Houghton, Hall was vice president and treasurer of Eastman Chemical Company. During her 20-year tenure with Eastman, she held senior financial positions including controller, treasurer and head of business finance.

Hall serves on the board of directors for Applied Industrial Technologies, where she is a member of the Audit and Governance committees. She also serves on the Advisory Board for FM Global.

Hall holds a Bachelor of Science in management science from the University of California, San Diego and a Master of Business Administration from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Sara Hazzard leads the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance as president and CEO, advocating for the state’s 6,000 manufacturers and more than 300,000 employees. She was appointed after spearheading government relations for over a decade, developing and executing legislative initiatives that expanded opportunity for manufacturers.

Hazzard earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Presbyterian College, minoring in Business Administration and History. She is a 2008 Leadership South Carolina graduate.

Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Hazzard to the statewide taskforce responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. She serves on the Presbyterian College Board of Trustees and is a Port Ambassador for the South Carolina Ports Authority, and is a 2008 graduate of Leadership South Carolina.

Columbia Business Monthly named her to its 50 Most Influential list. She received Columbia Regional Business Report’s Women of Influence Award.

Hazzard will serve as the President and CEO of the South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Matt Jackson serves as co-owner of Instel Power Products, a manufacturing company with 25 employees. Jackson earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Anderson University in 2008.

His career began as a courier at Howard Howard Francis and Reid Law Firm, where he learned the value of punctuality and taking pride in work. These early lessons shaped the work ethic guiding his business philosophy today.

“The best advice I’ve ever received is to take care of your people, and they’ll take care of you,” Jackson said. “Do what you say you’re going to do—integrity and follow-through go a long way in business and in life.”

Jackson defines success by solving problems and seeing happy customers. He is actively involved in the community through the Kim S. Miller Family Enterprise Institute of South Carolina (FEISC) as a founding family member. He supports Greenville High School’s Spirit Week, Blythe Elementary, Augusta Circle Elementary and Meals on Wheels.

Outside of business, Jackson played bassoon in the Greenville County Youth Orchestra.

William Jackson co-owns Instel Power Products, a family-owned manufacturing company with 25 employees. Jackson studied business management at Anderson University.

At Instel, Jackson helps maintain the company’s family-owned approach in an industry increasingly dominated by private equity consolidation. The company emphasizes personal relationships and responsiveness with customers, distinguishing itself from corporate-owned competitors.

Jackson serves as Advisory Council Chair for the Anderson University Kim S. Miller Family Enterprise Institute of South Carolina for 2024-2025. He is also a founding family member of FEISC. His community involvement includes supporting Greenville High School’s Spirit Week, Blythe Elementary, Augusta Circle Elementary and Meals on Wheels.

“My dad, Stuart, always taught us to treat people well—whether it’s customers, employees, or anyone you do business with,” Jackson said.

Before his current role, Jackson worked at Meadors Sandwich Shop, where he learned to work with diverse personalities under pressure. Outside of work, Jackson enjoys aviation and formerly piloted planes, which fueled his interest in design and operations.

Nicole Johnson’s passion for cycling as a professional athlete inspired her to transform the industry she loved. Recognizing a need for premium high-performance cycling products, she partnered with Boyd Johnson to co-found BOYD Cycling, establishing new standards in the bicycle wheel market.

Johnson’s business development expertise has proven instrumental in the company’s growth. Her strategic approach to forging partnerships and identifying collaboration opportunities within the cycling industry has driven BOYD Cycling’s expansion. Under her leadership, the company has become recognized for innovation, precision engineering and customer satisfaction, developing cutting-edge wheelsets and components that have earned respect from cyclists worldwide.

Her commitment extends beyond business success to advancing performance, quality and sustainability throughout the industry. Johnson actively serves the Greenville community through her roles on the NEXT Board of Directors and the European American Chamber of Commerce Planning Committee. She is currently pursuing development of a pump track and skate park to provide future cyclists and skaters with dedicated recreational facilities.

Boyd Johnson took an unconventional path to manufacturing leadership, spending his 20s as a professional cyclist traveling the world rather than attending college. When he founded Boyd Cycling in 2009 after completing his final pro cycling contract, he was entirely self-taught in business and engineering.

That unconventional approach has driven significant growth for the Greenville-based company, which employs 18 people manufacturing high-performance bicycle components. Johnson recently acquired a German carbon fiber company and relocated its production to South Carolina, while also merging three related companies under unified ownership.

The company has earned recognition as South Carolina’s export business of the year in 2017 and 2019, along with the 2016 South Carolina Export Achievement Award and 2024 Palmetto Proud recognition. Johnson is strategically onshoring production as the cycling industry navigates supply chain uncertainties and shifting trade policies.

Johnson also serves as co-owner of Wheelman Properties LLC and Southeast Gravel LLC. He credits an early lesson from his first job at age 12 — loading trucks alongside Amish workers — with establishing his work ethic: “You can’t outwork an Amish worker.”

Johannes Kellerman leads Mercedes-Benz Vans LLC’s Charleston plant in Ladson, assuming the CEO role on March 1, 2024. The facility produces Sprinter vans and eSprinter vans for U.S. and Canadian markets, providing 1,700 jobs and supporting at least 600 additional positions regionally through suppliers.

Kellerman joined Mercedes-Benz in 2009 and has held various strategic roles throughout his tenure. Most recently, he served as head of Operational Excellence, Digitalization, Lean & Green within Van Operations, while simultaneously leading operations at Mercedes-Benz in Ludwigsfelde, Germany.

The Charleston plant represents a significant investment for Mercedes-Benz, with $500 million committed to the new Sprinter facility that opened in 2018. Van assembly operations have been conducted in North Charleston since 2006. In 2023, workers assembled a site record of 50,000 vans. After Germany, the United States ranks as the second largest market for Sprinter vans.

Kellerman’s expertise in streamlining processes and leading strategic projects positions him to guide the plant’s continued growth in an increasingly competitive market.

Lou Kennedy leads Nephron Pharmaceuticals, a Columbia-based manufacturing company with 700 employees. Kennedy earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from the University of South Carolina.

Kennedy chairs the Midlands Business Leadership Group and previously chaired SCBIO. She served on Gov. Henry McMaster’s #accelerateSC COVID recovery group and joined the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering Board of Directors in 2019. She serves on Delta Bravo Artificial Intelligence’s board.

Her recognitions include the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce’s 2020 Business Leader of the Year, Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Regional Award and an Outstanding Leadership Award from the National Association of Manufacturers. Former Gov. Nikki Haley honored Kennedy with the Order of the Palmetto.

Kennedy supports arts, education and culture across the Midlands, including Gamecock women’s basketball, USC School of Pharmacy and Wounded Warrior Project.

“As the CEO my success is judged not just by the profit margins of our company, but by the world class talent that we attract and retain,” Kennedy said.

Jerome Kirkland’s career in precious metals began at a scrap yard in Flint, Mich., where he helped bale aluminum and process recyclable metals between high school and college. That early exposure sparked an interest that would shape his entire career path.

Kirkland earned three business degrees: a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Operations Management and an MBA in Organizational Behavior. He now serves as multi-site leader at BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions, leading teams at the company’s South Carolina operations.

BASF ECMS specializes in platinum group metals and operates as the largest recycler of precious metals from spent automotive catalysts. The company’s Converse site plays a critical role in recycling automotive catalytic converters, recovering platinum, palladium and rhodium for reuse.

Kirkland has received BASF’s Living Integrity Award in both 2024 and 2025. He currently serves on the Spartanburg Science Center board and chairs the Upstate Workforce Board. He is also a member of the Spartanburg Rotary Club.

Joe Klecha serves as chief nuclear officer of The Nuclear Company, bringing more than 30 years of commercial and military nuclear operations experience. His career began with nearly a decade in the U.S. Navy, where he led operations of a nuclear reactor and steam propulsion plant, as well as a deep submergence nuclear research submarine. Klecha earned seven Navy Achievement Medals during his service.

After transitioning to commercial nuclear, Klecha spent more than a decade at Constellation, overseeing 2.2 gigawatts of nuclear power generation as a licensed senior reactor operator. He later served as fleet operations director for Duke Energy, overseeing six nuclear power stations.

At Southern Company, Klecha took over construction of Vogtle units three and four mid-project, after previously serving as operations director for Vogtle units one and two. Throughout his career, he has managed projects valued at more than $35 billion built by teams exceeding 11,000.

Klecha holds a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering technology from Thomas Edison State University and a Master of Business Administration from Duke University.