SCMA honors Senator Shane Massey and Tommy Preston with 2025 Roger Milliken Defender of Manufacturing Award
November 19, 2025
The South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA) celebrated the contributions and achievements of Senator Shane Massey and Tommy Preston, Jr. and presented them with its highest honor, the 2025 Roger Milliken Defender of Manufacturing Award, during the SCMA Defender of Manufacturing Awards annual dinner in Greenville.
“Manufacturing thrives in South Carolina thanks to the policy wins we achieve with great partners,” said Sara Hazzard, President and CEO of SCMA. “No two partners embody the resilient and resourceful nature of our industry — and its bold future — more than Senator Shane Massey and Tommy Preston. We are grateful for their strong leadership and their commitment to manufacturers.”
Grant Burns (SCMA Chair), Senator Shane Massey, Tommy Preston, and Sara Hazzard (President and CEO, SCMA)
Established in 2006, the Roger Milliken Defender of Manufacturing Award recognizes individuals in the public and private sectors who have worked to advance the manufacturing industry in South Carolina. In 2012, the SCMA Board of Directors voted to rename the award to honor Mr. Roger Milliken, who passed away in December 2010. Recipients are chosen by the SCMA Executive Committee.
Quotes from the 2025 Award Recipients:
“Manufacturing drives opportunity in every corner of South Carolina, from small towns to major industrial corridors. The growth of this industry not only strengthens our economy but also creates careers, lifts families, and builds stronger communities across our state. That’s why I’ve worked to advance policies that support this growth and keep South Carolina at the forefront of American manufacturing. I’m honored to receive this recognition and remain focused on ensuring that manufacturers continue to find our state the best place to do business and create jobs.”
– Senator Shane Massey
“Growing up in a manufacturing family in Pickens County taught me that every product tells a story — a story of the resilience, craftsmanship, and pride of the South Carolinians who build our state’s future every day. I am deeply honored to receive this award; it is not just a personal recognition but a tribute to the hard-working men and women whose dedication makes South Carolina strong. I have been proud to advocate for advancing manufacturing in our state because I’ve seen firsthand the opportunities it creates for families and communities like my own.”
– Tommy Preston, Jr.
About the 2025 Award Recipients
Senator Shane Massey has served in the South Carolina Senate since 2007 and is the Majority Leader. He has been a strong advocate for manufacturers, championing policies that expand broadband, strengthen energy reliability, streamline regulations, and advance tort reform. His leadership has helped create a more competitive business climate and supported the continued growth of South Carolina’s industrial base. Massey also prioritizes workforce development to ensure manufacturers have the talent they need to succeed. A graduate of Clemson University and the University of South Carolina School of Law, he lives in Edgefield with his wife, Blair, and their two children.
Tommy Preston, Jr. is the Global Chief Talent Officer for The Boeing Company, where he leads strategies to build and sustain a world-class workforce. He previously served as Boeing’s Global Vice President of Ethics, modernizing the company’s employee-centered compliance organization. Preston also worked in Government Operations, supporting major aerospace programs and helping establish Boeing South Carolina as a strong corporate citizen. Before joining Boeing, he represented companies investing and expanding in South Carolina as an Associate at Maynard Nexsen. A graduate of the University of South Carolina and its School of Law, he lives in Mount Pleasant with his wife, Felicia, and their three children.
