RYAN MILLER

President MAMA; EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Ryan serves as the Executive Director for the Office of Workforce Development, also known as AccelerateMS.  His primary responsibilities surround coordinating the efforts of workforce strategy development and deployment for the State of Mississippi. This responsibility requires Ryan to collaborate with educators, economic developers, policy makers, non-governmental organizations, and industry partners to devise methods of ensuring Mississippians are prepared for in-demand careers as well as those of the future. Prior to assuming this role in April of 2021, Ryan spent nearly thirteen years with the Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence. There, he oversaw student recruitment and external affairs. Ryan received his bachelor’s degree in International Studies from The University of Mississippi and the Croft Institute for International Studies as well as his law degree from the University of Mississippi. He is married, has three children, and currently resides in the Jackson area.

 

 

KEVIN BURGESS

Past president and executive board member mAMA; MANAGER, HUMAN RESOURCES, TOYOTA MOTOR MANUFACTURING MISSISSIPPI

Kevin Burgess was named senior manager of Human Resources at Toyota Manufacturing, Mississippi in 2019. Toyota Mississippi produces the Corolla, Toyota’s highest volume selling vehicle in the world. In his role, Burgess is responsible for administrative success including the overall direction, coordination and evaluation of strategic business planning, training and development, internal communication and team member recognition.

Burgess brings over 22 years of human resource, strategic planning and project management experience to Toyota Mississippi. Burgess joined Toyota in 2002 as team member relations specialist at Toyota Alabama, Toyota’s first greenfield start-up engine assembly and machining plant. Since that time, he has taken on several roles and initiatives including staffing mobilization at Toyota Texas during the launch of the Tacoma pick-up line.

Prior to joining Toyota, Kevin worked at Mercedes Benz U.S. International in Vance, Alabama and Sumitomo Electrical Wiring Systems in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He earned a bachelor’s degree in science, human services, and human resources along with a double minor in human resources and leadership from Troy University. Burgess currently serves as president for the Mississippi Automotive Manufacturers Association.

Kevin and his wife, Casey, have two children, Branly-Gray and Drayton. They reside in Tupelo, Miss., where they are members of First Baptist Church.

 

 

Brad Gatlin

Treasurer MAMA; President madison county, BankPlus

Brad Gatlin is President Madison County for BankPlus.  Gatlin has over twenty-two years of experience in the banking industry.  He is responsible for managing operations in the Madison County markets including Canton, Flora, Gluckstadt, Madison and Ridgeland.  His previous banking roles include Credit Analysis, Commercial Lending, and Market Management.  Brad received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration from Mississippi State University.  He has also completed The Southeastern School of Commercial Lending and The Southeastern School of Advanced Commercial Lending.    

A native of Madison and lifelong resident of Madison County, Brad is a graduate of Madison Ridgeland Academy.  He is active in the community where he serves on the board of The Mississippi Kidney Foundation, Madison County Business League & Foundation and Madison Ridgeland Academy.  While on the board at Madison Ridgeland Academy, he has served as committee chair in multiple capacities.  He has previously graduated from Leadership Mississippi.  He and his wife Kelley Gatlin of twenty-one years have two daughters Mary Crisler (16) and Frances (14), and attend Madison United Methodist Church and reside in Madison.

 

 

 

lex lEmmers

sECRETARY MAMA; Director of Program Management & resident engineering, Paccar

Lex Lemmers is Executive at PACCAR and as Director of Program Management and Resident Engineering responsible for Business development, Engine Program Management, change and configuration management at PACCAR Engine Company, a division of PACCAR Inc. He joined the company in 1996 at PACCAR’s European division DAF Trucks in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Mr. Lemmers progressed through increasingly responsible positions to become plant manager for the DAF Engine Plant in Eindhoven and in 2007 Plant manager responsible for build and startup of the PACCAR Engine Company in Columbus MS.

Before joining PACCAR, Mr. Lemmers was the Quality director for Fokker Aerospace in the Netherlands. Prior to this assignment, he served as the Manager Manufacturing Engineering for Fokker Aircraft.

Born in 1960 in Haarlem, the Netherlands, Mr. Lemmers was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering at the University of Alkmaar (the Netherlands). He earned his master’s degree in Manufacturing Systems Engineering at the Warwick University (the United Kingdom).

Mr. Lemmers joined the Mississippi Automotive Manufacturers Association (MAMA) as Board member in 2013 and was elected President of this association between 2017and 2021. In his current role of Past President of MAMA he also serves on the board of the regional Southern Automotive Manufacturers Alliance (SAMA) since 2018. In addition, Mr. Lemmers joined the Mississippi Manufactures Association as Board member in 2015 and became Executive Board member and Treasurer for this association in 2021.

Mr. Lemmers, his wife, and two of their three children reside in Columbus, Mississippi.

 

 
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Clay Walden

Executive Director, Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS)

Dr. Clay Walden serves as the Executive Director of the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS) and is an Associate Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering within the Bagley College of Engineering at Mississippi State University. Dr. Walden is a nationally recognized leader in engineering engagement and economic development having received awards from the U.S. Department of Commerce, University Economic Development Association, and the Southern Growth Policy Board. Under his leadership, the CAVS has provided direct technical assistance to over 150 companies within the state. These companies have, in turn, reported over $5.9 billion dollars in economic impact and 3,300 jobs either created or saved. He has trained and consulted with over hundred companies across a wide range of industries in the area of Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing.

In addition, Walden has been an invited speaker at international, national, and regional conferences including – Computer Assisted Engineering Forum (Tokyo), Southern Automotive Conference , Southeastern Conference Symposium on Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, White House Rural Forum on Innovation and Economic Development, and the White House Rural Forum on Economic Drivers in Rural America.

Walden has authored papers in the areas of technology management, manufacturing, and quality engineering. He holds a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Mississippi State University.

 

 

Joe lewis

Vice President and treasurer, Blue springs metals

Joe Lewis is the Vice President and Treasurer of Blue Springs Metals, Georgetown Metal Processing, and Madison Metal Processing. Blue Springs Metals has a yearly sales of 160 million, Georgetown Metal Processing has a yearly sales of 210 million, and Madison Metal Processing has a yearly sales of 100 million. All these companies supply steel products to the Automotive industry.

Mr. Lewis is an alumnus of Michigan State University where he graduated with a BA in Economics. He also graduated from University of Kentucky with a Masters of Business Administration.

Previous positions before the current include Recruiter/Project Manager at a firm in New York City. Sales Management for procurement, inventory management, and sales of Automotive Steel Products, Analytical Operations Management and to his current position as Vice President.

Joe Lewis has a decade of experience through the Automotive industry bringing experiences of Pricing Negotiations, in depth operational analysis for production lines / production control, and plans of procurement for hundreds of millions of dollars in steel products.

 

 

Ricardo anguiano

Senior director – manufacturing Operations, nissan north america-canton

Ricardo Anguiano currently serves as Senior Director, Manufacturing Operations at Nissan North America - Canton where his main role is to support the plant competitiveness improvement strategic planning and people development.

Ricardo has been a Nissan team member for more than 27 years, beginning his career with Nissan Aguascalientes Mexicana as a manufacturing supervisor in 1996. Anguiano worked his way up to manufacturing senior manager at Nissan Aguascalientes before joining Nissan North America – Canton in 2012 as Director.

Ricardo has held roles in Trim and Chassis, Paint Shop, Plastics, NPW, IE, integrate Factory Automation and SCM (Internal Logistics). He has conducted multiples Benchmark activities in different Nissan facilities such as, Novo Mesto Slovenia, Sunderland England, Oppama, Tochigi, Kyushu, Yokohama, China, India and Mexico.

Anguiano received his Bachelor of Mechanical Industrial Engineering from Instituto Tecnologico De Ciudad Guzman, Jalisco Mexico and his Certificate Program in Leadership Executives training by IPADE and Tecnológico de Monterrey.

Ricardo enjoys spending quality time with his family, including his wife Adriana and two daughters, Alejandra (24) and Vanessa (22). He also serves his church as a Bible study teacher.

 

 

lauren scheel GURTOWSKI

Economic Development Representative, Entergy

Lauren Scheel is an Economic Development Representative for Entergy Mississippi, focusing on existing industry and business retention in the Entergy territory. In this role, she assists companies with navigating expansions as it relates to utility capacity, workforce development, tax incentives, and grant opportunities.

Previously Ms. Scheel was the Chief Operating Officer at the Madison County Economic Development Authority (MCEDA) where she worked to align the organization’s goals with that of the community to recruit new industry, help existing companies grow, and expand the industrial tax base. While at MCEDA she assisted in several location and expansion projects totaling over $1.5 Billion in corporate investment and over 2,200 jobs created in Madison County. Notable wins include Amazon, Nissan North America, Fastenal, UPS, and Systems Electro Coatings. Additionally, Lauren initiated and created an existing industry visitation program at MCEDA, where she worked closely with Nissan and numerous automotive suppliers. Through this program, she assisted them in business expansion and retention needs, and utilized applicable resources in their growth.

Before working for MCEDA, Lauren served as a project manager at the Mississippi Development Authority where she worked heavily on existing industry expansions throughout the state. In this role, she worked closely with Mississippi manufacturers to expand their footprint in the state, and also conducted company headquarter visits throughout the U.S. to encourage future growth in Mississippi.

Lauren is a graduate of the International Business Program at Mississippi State University, receiving bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Spanish. Lauren is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) and an active member of the Mississippi Economic Development Council. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with her family and dog, Rocky.

 

 

William (Skip) Scaggs

Executive Director, North Mississippi Industrial Development Association

A native of Meridian, Mississippi, Skip Scaggs was educated in Meridian Public Schools and graduated from Meridian Community College before earning a degree in American Studies from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. Following graduation in 1991 Skip began work in the field of Economic Development at the Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce where he served as Manager of Existing Industry and International Business. 

In 1997, Skip joined the Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development (now Mississippi Development Authority) responsible for trade finance and new to export companies. In this role Skip traveled the entire State of Mississippi working with Existing Industries to expand sales through international markets.

In 2003, Skip took the opportunity to return to his hometown to become Manager of Business Development at the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation. In Meridian he was responsible for marketing and recruiting new industry along with directing the organization’s efforts to support existing industry. During his tenure Skip was directly involved in new locations including Teikuro Corporation and Tower Automotive. 

In December 2010, Skip returned to a state economic development at the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) as the Division Director of Existing Industry and Business which at the time included the export promotion bureau. 

In May of 2017 Skip accepted his current position as Executive Director of the North Mississippi Industrial Development Association, a regional economic development organization covering 30 counties in Northeast Mississippi.

Skip and his wife Brenda have been married for 25 years and have two sons, Zachary and Carter.

 

 

Ryal Siem

continental tires clinton plant, plant manager

Ryal leads the team at the truck tire plant in Clinton, Mississippi, for the leading technology company and premier tire manufacturer.

The Bossier City native and Louisiana State University Shreveport graduate built a career in manufacturing that spans over 41 years.  He spent 31 years mastering various areas of plant operations at General Motors, including Production, Quality, HR, Labor Relations, Supply Chain Management, and Safety. As a manager at GM, he managed the launch team of designers responsible for the Hummer H3.  Ryal has also used his expertise to help launch greenfield and brownfield sites around the United States.

Before joining the team in Clinton in March 2021, Ryal spent eight years as the Plant Manager in Barnesville, Georgia.

Outside of work, Ryal enjoys hunting and fishing. He and his wife, Terri, have been married for 40 years. When they are not involved in community activities and traveling, the couple enjoys spending time with their two adult children and their families in Louisiana. 

 

 
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Bob Richardson

Shareholder, Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Bush, P.A.

Robert C. “Bob” Richardson is a shareholder with the law firm of Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Bush, P.A., where he is the founding member and chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment Law section. Bob’s practice also includes general business matters, litigation, and insurance company insolvency. Bob assists clients in the both the private and public sectors and has extensive experience representing employers before government agencies such as the EEOC, OSHA, NLRB, and Wage & Hour. In addition to administrative charges and litigation, Bob also assists employers in complying with the myriad employment-related laws affecting the workplace and with developing proactive measures and strategies to improve personnel relations and performance.

Bob is a graduate of the University of Mississippi and the University of Mississippi School of Law and is licensed in both Mississippi and Tennessee. He is a former chair of the Labor & Employment Section of the Mississippi Bar and has been named a Labor & Employment Star by Benchmark Litigation. Prior to joining Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Bush, Bob worked in Memphis for the North American manufacturing division of electronics company Sharp Corporation of Japan, where he served as employee relations manager and legal counsel.

 

 

laura hipp

deputy executive director, mississippi development authority

Laura Hipp serves as deputy executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority. She also has served as chief marketing officer, managing the marketing and communications for economic development and tourism. Hipp has extensive experience shaping communications and public policy strategy. She was director of communications for Gov. Tate Reeves when he served as lieutenant governor, working with elected officials and the private sector. She previously served as director of communications for former Gov. Haley Barbour. Additionally, she worked for 10 years as an award-winning reporter in Mississippi and Texas at several publications, including The Clarion Ledger and Austin Business Journal. 

 

 

Tyler biggs

associate director for external relations, haley barbour center for manufacturing excellence

Tyler Biggs serves as Associate Director for External Relations for the Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence (CME) at The University of Mississippi.

His primary responsibilities surround interfacing with members of industry, government, and economic development agencies from around the region. In addition, he oversees the recruiting of undergraduate students for the CME academic program and works closely with the CME’s K-12 and Community College manufacturing education outreach program.

Tyler has nearly a decade of experience in the higher education arena, with the last six specifically in the manufacturing education sector.

He serves as an advisor to the Ole Miss Collegiate Automotive Manufacturing Society (CAMS), advisory board member for the Young Professionals of Oxford, and numerous advisory committees for high school STEM programs.

Tyler holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s in Integrated Marketing from The University of Mississippi.