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Graduates of manufacturing management program gain new leadership skills


Last updated October 9, 2019

By Tina Underwood

The Center for Corporate and Professional Development (CPD) at Furman University recently recognized nine graduates of its Postgraduate Diploma in Manufacturing Management.

Engineers from Spartanburg-based Johns Manville completed the 100-hour program, which encompassed finance, leadership, negotiations, innovation, decision making and a range of other applicable skills.

Also known as S.P.E.E.D., Spartanburg Program for Engineer Education and Development, the program was developed by Johns Manville Plant Manager Andy Universal in cooperation with Furman’s CPD.

The graduates include:

Chris Froiland
Amanda Gossett
Jacob Lass
Michael McNutt
Katelyn May
Kevin Morrow
Ayobami Olabintan
Joel Register
Jesus Velez

The program was sponsored in part by the South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership and a grant from the state of South Carolina.

“Although many employees who hold four-year engineering degrees have a desire to move into managerial positions, they lack experience or training in some of the areas required for management. This program was designed with Furman’s CPD to begin equipping these engineers with the specific types of skills to prepare them for management and fill the pipeline for future open roles,” said Universal.

For more information, contact CPD Director Sam Tisdale at 864-294-2156 and sam.tisdale@furman.edu.

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