Lewis Gossett to step down as President and CEO of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance
September 29, 2017
COLUMBIA, SC – The South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA) announced that Lewis F. Gossett, President and CEO, will step down to become the CEO of a public affairs, marketing, and advertising firm. His last official day will be October 31.
“It has been an incredible honor to serve as President and CEO of the state’s preeminent trade association for manufacturers,” said Lewis Gossett. “For more than a century, the SCMA has advocated policies and actions that encourage an environment for growth and prosperity for all South Carolinians. The impact of the manufacturing industry is without equal, and I am proud to have been a part of an organization that has served such an important role in bringing economic opportunities to this wonderful state.”
The South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance’s Board of Directors is currently soliciting applications for consideration to fill the President and CEO position. Sara Hazzard, Vice President of Government Relations, will serve as interim President and CEO of the SCMA until a replacement is named by the Board.
“The leadership that Lewis Gossett has provided in his role as President and CEO of the SCMA has been invaluable for South Carolina,” said Kurt Dallas, Executive Vice President of AFL and SCMA Chairman. “During his tenure, Lewis has worked tirelessly on policy issues, created meaningful educational and industrial programs, and served as an unwavering advocate for manufacturers.”
Lewis F. Gossett has served as the President and CEO of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance since 2003. He served as a member of Governor David Beasley’s cabinet as Director of the South Carolina Department Labor, Licensing, and Regulation from 1995-1999. He practiced labor and employment law at the Ogletree Deakins law firm from 1990-1995 and again from 1999-2003. Lewis was awarded the prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship in 1985. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Furman University in 1987 and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1990. Lewis and his wife, Hayley, have four children – Katherine, Mattison, Grayson, and Caroline. The family lives in Irmo, South Carolina.
ABOUT THE SCMA – The South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance is the only statewide organization dedicated exclusively to the interests of manufacturers. Its mission is to elevate the quality of life for all South Carolinians by advancing the state’s manufacturing industry. The SCMA membership is comprised of more than 200 manufacturing companies that represent more than 80,000 associates in South Carolina. For additional information about the SCMA, please visit www.myscma.com.
