Silfab Solar has hired Jamie Watts as its corporate director for health and safety. The move puts a new executive in charge of safety at the company’s Fort Mill plant six months after two chemical incidents there closed a nearby elementary school and led state regulators to order a halt to operations.
The company announced the hire in a Sept. 9 press release. According to the release, Watts leads Silfab’s environmental, health and safety work across the company, covering its operations in South Carolina and Washington state.
Watts has more than 30 years of experience in safety, operational excellence and risk management, the company said. His career has been in global chemical and process manufacturing, where he worked on environmental and safety strategy, regulatory compliance, emergency response and large industrial operations, according to the release.
He holds a chemical engineering degree from North Carolina State University and is a licensed professional engineer. Watts is also an Iraq War veteran. The company said he led more than 250 combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom and earned the Bronze Star and the Combat Action Badge.
“His proven track record in safety leadership and operational excellence aligns perfectly with our commitment to our employees and the communities where we operate,” said Mike Boggs, Silfab’s chief people officer. Boggs said Watts’ military service “speaks volumes about his character and leadership.”
“I am excited to work with leaders throughout the company to continue strengthening our safety culture and drive excellence across our operations,” Watts said in the release.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
