For Tommy Preston, the manufacturing industry isn’t just a sector of the economy- it’s a personal calling. With deep roots in South Carolina and a strong connection to the people who power its factories, Tommy discovered early in his career that he had a passion for supporting manufacturers across the state. That passion ultimately inspired his Liberty Fellowship venture: the South Carolina Manufacturer Leadership Program (SCMLP), a leadership initiative designed to help high-potential manufacturing professionals grow into the next generation of industry leaders.
Once Tommy set his sights on becoming an attorney, he knew he wanted a career that would allow him to give back. He found that purpose in his work with manufacturing communities. “That is when I felt the most fulfilled,” he said. As the first person in his family to attend a four-year university, he recognized the transformative power of education- and he was determined to ensure that the state’s manufacturing workforce had access to the same kind of opportunities that shaped his own life.
As a longtime member of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA) board, Tommy played a key role in developing the organization’s five-year strategic plan. One of its top priorities: building and sustaining a world-class workforce for the future.
Partnering with SCMA and other collaborators, Tommy focused on how to create meaningful advancement pathways for manufacturing professionals. From that vision, the South Carolina Manufacturer Leadership Program was born. SCMLP provides emerging leaders with an immersive, cohort-based learning experience and a distinctive curriculum designed to strengthen the skills essential for sustaining and expanding South Carolina’s robust manufacturing sector.
“Manufacturing is not just a job- it’s a career,” Tommy emphasized.
SCMLP is in partnership with the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business and SC Future Makers, ensuring each cohort receives both academic rigor and hands-on industry insight.
Mark Cecchini, Associate Dean of Executive Education at the Darla Moore School of Business, described the program’s impact simply: “We want to give opportunities to South Carolinians to reach C-suite roles. As we bring people from different manufacturing companies through this program, we hope they will discover their own paths to leadership.”
Tommy sees his own career as a testament to the industry’s evolution. As manufacturing in South Carolina continues to expand and diversify, there are now more opportunities than ever for individuals to build lifelong careers within the field.
More than an attorney, Tommy Preston is a Liberty Fellow and a champion for South Carolina’s manufacturing future- helping ensure the next generation is prepared to lead with purpose.