The Southeast U.S. has recently witnessed an unprecedented surge in manufacturing business, positioning itself as an epicenter of industrial advancement and global collaboration. In recognition of this transformative landscape, the Southeast U.S. Korean Chamber of Commerce (SEUSKCC) and GAMA proudly unite to host the 2nd annual “Next Generation Workforce Development Forum”. Held at the prestigious Kia Georgia Training Center, this forum aims to assemble a spectrum of industry leaders, diplomats, educators, and visionaries. Together, we’ll address the future of the workforce, ensuring it’s equipped to support this booming industrial growth.
Why Attend?
Beyond being a forum, this event is a call to action. With over 100 expected attendees comprising business leaders, HR experts, and diplomats, the gathering presents an unmatched opportunity for networking, insights, and progressive collaboration. Your insights, combined with others’, can shape the future workforce supporting our manufacturing boom.
** Members rate for: Students, Not-for-Profits, LaGrange Troup Chamber, SEUSKCC, Consulate General of the Republic of Korea, Special invites by BOD, etc. Reach us if questions.
Registration Details:
We will see you at the event! A reminder email will be sent out the night before with directions.
Please reach out to peter@seuskcc.org or 404.445.5933 if you have any questions regarding the event.
Venue:
Kia Georgia Training Center
900 Kia Boulevard,
West Point, Georgia 31833
Date & Time:
Thursday, November 2, 2023
8:30 AM – 1 PM EST
About the host and purpose of the event:
(The U.S. – Korean Alliance Program)
Southeast U.S. Korean Chamber of Commerce (SEUSKCC), Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Atlanta, GAMA, and LaGrange Troup County Chamber of Commerce are nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations who are community developers at goodwill, and will host this event for the benefit to those who will join us.
Topics we will discuss:
The goal of the forum will be to help facilitate meeting of professionals and corporations interested in the cause to developing and understanding the next generation workforce development for the future. At the same time, having a great workforce will be cost saving, an efficient productive workforce is the key to the ROI equation for businesses today. We would like to explore this important future in the forum and share what are the key areas for build better work cultures and a well needed good change for the better road for the future.
Steve Daniel – Executive Director, Georgia Quickstart
Steve Daniel serves as Executive Director at Georgia Quick Start, leading economic development and strategic initiatives to maximize alignment with the Technical College System of Georgia. He has over 35 years of experience in workforce development and training. In addition to his role at Quick Start, Steve is a Board Member for the Southeast United States Korean Chamber of Commerce. He helps build bridges between Korean companies/communities and the Southeastern US to foster economic ties. Steve holds a Doctorate of Education from Valdosta State University, a Master’s in Human Resource Management from Troy University, and a B.B.A. from the University of Georgia.
Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family, serving as a foster rescue for English Bulldogs, attempting to play golf, and relaxing at the beach. Steve is passionate about strengthening partnerships between the US and Korea.
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Meghan Richardson, EDFP – Economic Development Director, City of West Point, Georgia
Meghan is a next-generation economic developer who is passionate about collaborating with others to see cities transform; creating stronger communities to live, work, play and learn. Meghan’s direct work has led to the creation of over 1,400 new jobs and $712 Million in capital investment within the automotive industry located in West Point, home of KIA Georgia.
Meghan has been a member of the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) since 2012. She is a graduate of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development and participated in Georgia Forward’s Young Game changer Dublin-Laurens County program in the Spring of 2014. In 2017, she earned the designation of Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP), a national recognition that denotes a mastery of skills in economic development, professional attainment, and a commitment to personal and professional growth.
Meghan’s dedication and contributions to economic development have been recognized through various awards and grants. She is a recipient of the Southern Economic Development Council’s 2015 Chairman’s Award, as well as Georgia Economic Development Association’s Penn Worden Professional Development grant and 2017 Committee Chair of the Year award.
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Sharon Hill – Manager, Henry County Development Authority
Sharon K. Hill serves as Manager of Established Industries for the Henry County Development Authority in Georgia. In this role, she focuses on business retention, expansion, and workforce development for existing industries. Sharon creates career pathways and apprenticeships to connect students and job seekers to in-demand manufacturing roles. She holds quarterly roundtables to assist companies with community integration, culture, and incentives.
With over 20 years of human resources experience, including at Aflac and Southern Crescent Technical College, Sharon understands how to strengthen organizations. Her leadership contributed to awards including “Best Company to Work For” and the Commissioner’s Award for HR Excellence. Though she has an impressive record of achievement, Sharon describes herself as a “country girl” who enjoys football, fast cars, and concerts. She is most proud of her two sons, one an Army officer and the other a small business owner.
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JB Yoon – Associate HR director, ZINUS USA
JB Yoon serves as the Associate Director of HR/GA/EHS at Zinus USA Inc. He has cultivated his expertise primarily in the automotive industry. Over more than 15 years, He played pivotal roles in launching and supporting multiple plants and subsidiaries taking diverse responsibilities in areas such as Human Resources, Environmental Health and Safety, Facility Management, General Affairs, Finance, Commercial, and Supply Chain Management. Before starting his professional journey, he earned his B.A. in Supply Chain Management from Michigan State University.
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Scott Bell, Vice President of Human Resources and Environmental Health and Safety at Hanwha Qcells US Manufacturing
With a track record of strategic leadership in global corporations, Scott brings valuable insights to the event. Currently overseeing HR and EHS for a $2.5 billion investment in a new solar manufacturing facility, Scott has created jobs and aligned HR and EHS strategies with business objectives in large, multinational corporations, including leading globally distributed teams. He has experience managing large, distributed, multi-country workforces, fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and building company cultures that embrace and are strengthened by a multitude of perspectives. Prior to joining Qcells Scott worked in manufacturing, petroleum logistics and extraction with Southwire Company, Buckeye Partners, Rowan Companies, and Transocean. He has an MBA from Rice University and a Bachelor of Science in Naval Architecture from the United States Naval Academy.
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Lisa Nash, Head of Human Resources and Environmental Health and Safety at Hanwha Qcells USA, Inc.
A proven leader with a successful history of managing large scale manufacturing start-ups. Currently heading leading the Dalton, GA 560 million investment/2000 jobs project. She is strong as a practitioner of talent management, organizational development, change management and workforce development. Prior to joining Qcells Lisa had an exentensive career in manufacturing and aerospace in Georgia, Pennsilvania, Texas and North Carolina. Lisa is a graduate of Shorter University and resides in Rome, GA.
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Jae Kim is President of The Southeast U.S. Korean Chamber of Commerce, with responsibilities to lead the organization. Also, as Board Director, he has responsibilities to organize board meetings to drive promotion and development of the organization’s mission and objectives. He is Senior Manager at Aprio, LLP with +14 years of experience. He has expertise in bridging international relationships, with a focus on U.S.-Korea cross-border investments and economic ties. Prior to joining Aprio, LLP he had worked for Fortune 500 companies such as Deloitte, Roche, and Johnson & Johnson. He graduated with a Masters degree in Accounting from Indiana University, Kelley School of Business, and a B.S. in Business Administration – Accounting from Butler University, Lacy School of Business. Born in Seoul, South Korea, he lived and grew-up in Zimbabwe and South Africa for over 10 years as an Expat family as part of Daewoo Corporation.
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Melinda Lemmon
Executive Director, Cartersville-Bartow County Economic Development
Special Sponsor:
Speaking Sponsor:
Organizing Sponsor:
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SPONSORSHIP DETAILS:
We, the Southeast U.S. Korean Chamber of Commerce (SEUSKCC) as the nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) organization, all our funds will toward making a better program like this and funding 2024’s functions including our executive director who is going to dedicate to our good cause and mission. Please help support and join us on this opportunity.
CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS:
Participating as a corporate sponsor will ensure we show-case the commitment and recognition before, during, and after the event for the support of developing next-generation workforces in our region. We will be sharing media, press, and communications to various representatives in our communities.