KEVIN THOMPSON

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Expertise and Experience:

Kevin Thompson is an experienced operations and manufacturing leader with more than 30 years of expertise across the industrial equipment, textile, and defense industries. Throughout his career, he has held a variety of operations and engineering leadership roles, developing a strong reputation for strategic thinking, operational excellence, and team development. Kevin’s extensive background includes production planning, process improvement, operational leadership, and employee development. He is a strong advocate for continuous learning and believes in empowering employees through a bottom-up leadership approach that fosters accountability, teamwork, and effective decision-making at every level of an organization.

Years of Experience: 30+ years in manufacturing, operations, and engineering leadership

Education:

  • Precision Machining, Rockingham Community College, Wentworth, NC

Career Background:

Kevin brings a diverse background in manufacturing operations, engineering, and leadership development. Throughout his career, he has worked across multiple industries including industrial equipment, textiles, and defense manufacturing, where he held a variety of operational and engineering roles. His experience includes overseeing production operations, supporting quality management initiatives, implementing process improvements, and mentoring employees into leadership positions.

Kevin is passionate about developing strong teams and fostering leadership growth within organizations. He believes manufacturing presents new challenges and opportunities every day and finds fulfillment in helping others grow professionally while supporting sustainable operational success.

Relevant Skills:

  • Mentoring and Coaching New Leaders

  • Strategic Development for Sustainable Operations

  • Critical Thinking

  • Production Planning

  • Operations Leadership

  • Process Improvement

Career Highlights / Major Professional Accomplishments:

  • Led operations of a manufacturing site that achieved a 3,000-day injury-free milestone

  • Supported organization-wide ISO 9001 certification efforts through documentation development, quality system implementation, and successful audit coordination

  • Fostered leadership growth through mentoring and employee development, helping direct reports transition into management roles

Relevant Certifications:

  • Martinsville-Henry County Leadership Development Certification

  • Organizational Leadership Skill Building Certification

  • Think Reliability – Cause Mapping Certification

  • OSHA 10 Certification

Personal Touch:

Outside of work, Kevin enjoys performance automotive projects, exploring tropical destinations, and spending time with family. He has always enjoyed hands-on work and problem-solving and appreciates the opportunities manufacturing provides to continuously learn and help others succeed.