Keynote announced for South Carolina Manufacturing Conference and Expo

A keynote speaker has been announced for day one of the 2025 South Carolina Manufacturing Conference and Expo.

Joe Klecha, chief nuclear officer at Columbia-based The Nuclear Company, will deliver a keynote addressing his company?s aim to combat a looming energy crisis in the U.S., specifically how it relates to South Carolina?s manufacturing industry.

The keynote will be followed by a panel discussion about how manufacturers can strategize around the increasing demand on South Carolina?s power grid, with insight from industry and government leaders on the future of manufacturing and energy.

The Nuclear Company?s work is focused on providing reliable baseload power to address America?s surging energy demand brought about by the reshoring of manufacturing, AI data computing and the electrification of everything.

Klecha brings more than 30 years of experience from commercial and military nuclear operations to The Nuclear Company. Over the course of his career, Klecha has managed projects valued at more than $35 billion and built by teams of more than 11,000. Klecha also served as fleet operations director for Duke Energy overseeing six nuclear power stations.

Klecha entered the commercial nuclear industry after nearly a decade in the U.S. Navy, during which he led operations of a nuclear reactor and steam propulsion plant, as well as a deep submergence nuclear research submarine. He was honored with seven Navy Achievement Medals during his service.

?Joe?s experience speaks for itself, and his insight comes at a crucial time as South Carolina ? and the nation ? faces an energy crossroads,? said Jason Thomas, executive editor of SC Biz News, which hosts the annual South Carolina Manufacturing Conference and Expo. ?Demand for energy will only increase, and this will be an opportunity for manufacturers from across the state to learn what they can do to tackle the issue head-on and prepare their companies for continued success.?

The 2025 South Carolina Manufacturing Conference and Expo will be held Nov. 5-6 at the Greenville Convention Center, 1 Exposition Drive. The annual event draws over 1,500 attendees and over 150 exhibitors for two days of connecting, growing and learning centered on The Palmetto State?s growing manufacturing sector.

Click here to register for this year?s event.

In addition to a focus on manufacturing and energy, this year?s content lineup will highlight efforts to create a top-to-bottom manufacturing ecosystem in South Carolina with a focus on innovation, tips on how to adopt a digital transformation strategy, the latest initiatives underway to close the manufacturing workforce skills gap, strategies to introduce lean to improve operational excellence, productivity and efficiency, as well as supply chain-focused sessions exploring key challenges and solutions in sourcing, logistics and supplier resilience, with insights from industry leaders.

This year?s event will also continue its flagship recognition luncheons: Manufacturing Mavens, which recognizes female leaders in South Carolina?s manufacturing sector, and Palmetto Proud, which celebrates South Carolina-made products and the companies behind them.

Click here to nominate someone for Manufacturing Mavens.

Click here to nominate a company/product for Palmetto Proud.

The post Keynote announced for South Carolina Manufacturing Conference and Expo appeared first on SC Biz News.