Governor Announces First Director of the Office of Statewide Workforce Development

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Gov. Henry McMaster on Dec. 9, 2024, announced his appointment of Rebecca Battle-Bryant, Ph.D., as the first director of the Office of Statewide Workforce Development (OSWD) housed within the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW).

The position, created by the Statewide Education and Workforce Development Act, signed into law by McMaster in 2023, is tasked with coordinating, aligning, and directing workforce efforts across South Carolina.

State officials said the goal of the OSWD is to implement the projects of the Coordinating Council for Workforce Development to maximize available resources and create a customer-centric workforce development system that is accessible, effective, and easy to navigate.

Battle-Bryant has held numerous leadership positions in workforce development, including vice president of Human Resources and Workforce Development for the United Infrastructure Group and assistant executive director for the Workforce and Economic Development Division at DEW. 

“As South Carolina continues to break economic development records and attract tens of thousands of new jobs—many in innovative industries—there has never been a more critical time to streamline and optimize our workforce development efforts,” McMaster said.

He added, “Dr. Rebecca Battle-Bryant’s extensive experience with South Carolina’s workforce programs will build upon our nationally recognized success and ensure our workforce is prepared to meet the demands of the future.”

A graduate of Auburn University, Battle-Bryant earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing and Sales and a Master of Business Administration.

She completed a doctorate in Higher Education Administration at the University of South Carolina in 2009. 

She is also a certified economic developer, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Certified Professional, DISC coach/consultant, authorized SHRM Recertification Credit Provider, and published author.

“Workforce Development has been a passion of mine for the last twenty-five years, as I have sought to leverage my experience and knowledge in private industry, education, and government to simplify making connections between prospective employees and employers in South Carolina," Battle-Bryant said in a statement.

She added, "I am humbled and inspired to be asked to serve as the Director of the Office of Statewide Workforce Development to lead South Carolina’s workforce development efforts.” 

She is president and owner of Battle Plan Consulting, LLC, a full-service consulting firm specializing in human resources, workforce development, and public outreach.

She has previously served as director of Webster University's Columbia Metropolitan Campus, associate vice president of Corporate Training and Economic Development at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, and held leadership roles at SCANA/South Carolina Electric & Gas Company over a 13-year tenure.

Battle-Bryant lives in Summerton, S.C., with her husband, Drayton, and their daughter.

The appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

Meyn America, LLC Growing SC Footprint With Expansion in Oconee County

Meyn America, LLC, a leader in poultry processing solutions, announced it is growing its South Carolina footprint with an expansion in Oconee County.

The company’s approximately $50 million investment will create 172 jobs, according to Gov. Henry McMaster’s office.

A subsidiary of Meyn Food Processing Technology B.V., Meyn America specializes in manufacturing equipment and systems for the poultry processing industry.

The company’s offerings include products and services designed to enhance efficiency, yield and capacity for customers.

Earlier this year, Meyn America established a parts distribution center in Westminster.

Meyn America will relocate its Americas’ manufacturing center and corporate offices from Georgia to a new 200,000-square-foot facility located in the Oconee Industry and Technology Park in Westminster adjacent to its distribution building.

The new facility will house manufacturing and assembly operations as well as sales, service, supply chain and finance functions.

Operations are expected to be online in spring 2027. Those interested in joining Meyn America should go to the company’s careers page.

The state’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project.

The council also awarded a $1.5 million Set-Aside grant to Oconee County to assist with the costs of site preparation and building construction.

“The successful completion of Meyn’s new parts distribution center that opened in Oconee County earlier this year gave us great insight into what was possible on a larger scale, and the county and state have delivered on those expectations,” Meyn Food Processing Technology Vice President and General Manager Americas Todd Rhodes said in a statement.

Rhodes added, “The accessibility of very reputable education institutions nearby for both skilled trades and professionals will provide an environment of continuous education for our employees.”

The National Armaments Consortium Names Ben Harris as New Executive Director

The National Armaments Consortium, headquartered in Summerville, South Carolina, named Ben Harris as the organization's executive director.

Harris will drive strategy and execution for the organization as it fulfills its mission of developing cutting-edge armaments technologies that give our nation's warfighters an overwhelming advantage on the battlefield.

In his role, Harris will spearhead collaborative engagement between government, industry, and academia via NAC-sponsored events, technology working groups, and government-sponsored committees to help solve the biggest armaments-related technology challenges facing the nation’s warfighters.

NAC has more than 1,000 members, over 80 percent of which are nontraditional defense contractors and small businesses.

"Ben Harris is a highly respected leader in the fields of armaments and ammunition systems with decades of service to our nation as an officer in the Army and as a civilian executive," said Joe Buzzett, chairman of the NAC Executive Committee. "His experience managing complex defense programs will be instrumental to our organization's continued success.”

Harris builds on 20 years as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army and 16 as a civilian executive.

He most recently was chief of staff for the Joint Program Executive Office Armaments & Ammunition (JPEO A&A).

In this role, he oversaw an annual budget of nearly $3 billion, managing the life cycle of conventional ammunition and armaments from R&D through demilitarization.

Before that, he served as the deputy for Project Director Joint Services, where he managed an ammunition R&D portfolio for ammunition lifecycle management and led modernization efforts at government-owned/contractor-operated ammunition facilities.

Harris said in a statement: "At this moment, it is critical that America not just maintain, but accelerate our technological advantage over our adversaries. I look forward to working with our government customers and member organizations to deliver the capabilities the United States military needs now and in the future – at the speed of War."

Harris is a decorated combat veteran with deployments to Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Kosovo, and Iraq.

Throughout his 20-year career in uniformed service, he led, trained, and represented soldiers in armaments and ammunition systems. He is the recipient of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), and the Joint Service Commendation Medal.

Harris is the recipient of the Department of the Army Superior Civilian Service Medal, the Army Achievement Award for Civilian Service, the Secretary of Defense Global War on Terrorism Medal, and the Department of the Army Commander's Award for Civilian Service.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from the United States Military Academy and an M.A. from Central Michigan University.

Additionally, he graduated from the Senior Service College, the Army Command and General Staff College, and is a Program Management Professional. 

Manufacturers Honored At 2024 SC Manufacturing Summit

The South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA) and the South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SCMEP) celebrated excellence in manufacturing Dec. 2-4, 2024, at the 2024 SC Manufacturing Summit, where individuals and companies were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the industry.

The awards honor innovation, community impact, and operational excellence across various categories.

Sara Hazzard, president and CEO of SCMA, praised the honorees for their impact: "These awards celebrate the remarkable drive and creativity of South Carolina’s manufacturers, and we are excited to honor these recipients who have significantly contributed to advancing the industry and enhancing our state’s reputation as a manufacturing leader."

Andy Carr, president and CEO of SCMEP, added: "The individuals and companies recognized today are at the forefront of innovation and excellence. Their efforts not only elevate their operations, but also reinforce the strength and competitiveness of South Carolina manufacturing as a whole."

The winners and finalists of the 2024 awards are:

Smart Move SC New Plant Award

Scout Motors
e-VAC
Latitude

Smart Move SC Expansion Award

AESC
West Fraser
Protego

Finance Professional of the Year Award

Laura Price, Manufacturing Finance Leader, Milliken & Company

Human Resources Professional of the Year Award

Magdalena Domzalska-Pol, Vice President of Human Resources, Spartanburg Steel

Operations Professional of the Year Award

Josh Skey, Operations Manager, Caterpillar Precision Pins

Legal Professional of the Year Award

Grant Burns, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, AFL

Emerging Manufacturer of the Year Award

Winner: Stren-Flex, LLC
Finalists: Innovative Poultry Products and RX Industries

Innovator of the Year Award

Winner: Innovative Poultry Products, LLC
Finalists: Hammer-IMS and EuroKera North America

Outreach Award

Winner: Caterpillar Precision Pins
Finalists: AFL and Savannah River Nuclear Solutions

Transformation and Operational Excellence Award

Winner: Starbucks – Sandy Run Roasting Plant
Finalists: BAUSCH+LOMB and Spartanburg Steel Products

Chuck Spangler Outstanding Manufacturing Lifetime Service Award

Bob Meltzer, Chief Operating Officer, Peddinghaus Corporation.

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