Meet the inaugural advisory board of the SC Manufacturing Conference and Expo

The South Carolina Manufacturing Conference and Expo has appointed an inaugural advisory board, which will guide content sessions and future growth of one of the largest events of its kind in the Southeast.

The board will serve two-year terms.

This year’s conference and expo will be held Nov. 7-8 at the Greenville Convention Center.

Click here to register for the event.

“We’re humbled that these accomplished professionals would take time out of their busy careers to help grow our longstanding manufacturing conference and expo,” said Scott Warofka, associate publisher of SC Biz News, which hosts the annual event. “Their insight and expertise will help shape one of the largest events of its kind in the region, ensuring that attendees and exhibitors walk away with applicable knowledge of the latest trends in the manufacturing industry.”

The 2024 South Carolina Manufacturing Conference and Expo will feature a diverse lineup of content and recognition events, including the inaugural Palmetto Proud program, which celebrates South Carolina-made products and the companies behind them, and the second-annual Manufacturing Mavens awards, which recognizes female leaders in South Carolina’s manufacturing industry.

This year’s content sessions focus on innovation, with panel discussions centering on AI, autonomous technology and sustainability.

Related: Content lineup set for annual South Carolina Manufacturing Conference and Expo

Related: ANNOUNCING: Meet the 2024 Manufacturing Mavens honorees

Related: REVEALED: Here are the inaugural Palmetto Proud made in South Carolina honorees

Related: Keynote speakers revealed for annual South Carolina Manufacturing Conference and Expo

Here are the inaugural members of the South Carolina Manufacturing Conference and Expo:

Jonathan Dawley

Jonathan Dawley has been president & CEO of KION North America Corp., a member of the KION Group, since 2020 and is responsible for all financial, commercial, engineering, and operational activities. Since 2020, KION North America has grown its revenue by over 125% and order intake by over 300%. A key element of growth has been organizational and distribution development, in which Dawley has led establishing strong leadership at all levels to enable sustainable results.

Under Dawley’s leadership, KION North America announced an operational expansion doubling production capacity and installing deep vertical integration. This focus, on localized manufacturing capability and an enhanced global supply chain, supports KION North America’s ability to unlock profitable growth, advance market penetration and achieve the highest levels of customer satisfaction.

Before joining KION Group, Dawley was the Americas CEO of Putzmeister Holding GmbH, a subsidiary of Sany Heavy Industry Corp.. It was there that he led all corporate functions and sites from Canada to Brazil.

Ramy Harik

Ramy Harik, a Fulbright Alumni, is the director of the Clemson Composites Center and a professor of automotive engineering at Clemson University. Previously, Harik was a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of South Carolina and a researcher at the McNAIR Center.

Harik holds degrees in mechanical engineering (BS/MS), automated manufacturing (MS), and industrial/mechanical engineering (PhD). His teaching focuses on manufacturing, smart manufacturing, and composites manufacturing.

Harik serves as an associate editor for SME Manufacturing Letters and authored the “Introduction to Advanced Manufacturing” textbook published by SAE. His book “Manufacturing vs Corruption: Who Wins?” won the 2023 Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite for Social/Political Change books. In June 2024, Harik received the SC Governor’s Award for Excellence in Scientific Awareness, South Carolina’s highest honor for promoting science education and supporting the future workforce.

Nicole Johnson

Nicole Johnson is a visionary entrepreneur and a driving force behind the success of BOYD Cycling, a leading name in the world of high-performance bicycle wheels. With a profound passion for cycling and a commitment to innovation, Johnson co-founded BOYD Cycling and has played an instrumental role in shaping the company’s identity and mission.

Johnson’s journey in the cycling industry began with a deep love for the sport. Her personal experiences as a pro cyclist fueled her desire to make a lasting impact on the cycling community. Recognizing the need for premium quality, high-performance cycling products, Johnson teamed up with her partner Boyd Johnson, and together, they set out to redefine the standards in the industry.

Under Johnson’ sleadership, BOYD Cycling has become synonymous with innovation, precision engineering, and unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction. Johnson’s visionary approach has led to the development of cutting-edge wheelsets and components that have earned the respect and admiration of cyclists worldwide.

Trent McJunkin

A South Carolina native, Trent McJunkin has been in the trades since high school, where he began taking a welding class at a Pickens County high school career center. After enrolling in Tri-County Technical College, McJunkin found his interest for industrial maintenance while studying Industrial Electronics Technology.

McJunkin is passionate about the growth of manufacturing in South Carolina and the continued innovations of automation and technology that enable us to be more effective. Working in the OEM automotive manufacturing sector, for BMW Manufacturing and now at Oshkosh Defense, for over a decade has helped him find more opportunities for growth and helped him develop his passion for building excellence within an organization through systems and processes.

McJunkin’s goal is to drive maintenance excellence by making people development the top priority. The greatest reward for him is when he sees his team members experience growth and success.

Gerald Murphy

Gerald Murphy has been the site director for the BASF sites in Mauldin and White Stone since March 2022.

A Columbia native, Murphy earned his bachelor’s degree from Clemson University and his Masters’ in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. Murphy has spent almost 20 years with BASF including almost a decade working at the Seneca site in a variety of roles. He also worked in Texas and Louisiana as well as in Germany with global responsibilities across Asia, Europe and the United States. In addition, he has been a manager and worked across several sectors to include pharmaceuticals, automotive, and petrochemicals.

The BASF sites in South Carolina produce chemicals that are vital to the sustainability of our economy and quality of life. Employees are committed to producing safe, clean and reliable products that are used throughout the world and in consumer items that you use around your home every day.

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