Today we’d like to introduce you to Tressa Gardner.
Hi Tressa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I began at Florence-Darlington Technical College (FDTC) in 2003, after working in government relations, restaurant management and manufacturing. In my first role at FDTC, I worked with National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grants that focused on growing the technical skilled workforce. This afforded me the opportunity to connect with students, industry and educators across the country. The SiMT opened in September, 2007 to support industry, education, and economic development in SC and the region. In 2013, I transitioned to Director of Business Development to grow the SiMT’s presence and generate revenue to support FDTC. I am currently the Associate Vice President of the SiMT, a role I’ve held since 2016.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course, there have been obstacles and challenges, but now it feels that I’ve lived a mostly charmed career life. I’ve had great bosses and mentors from whom I learned a great deal. I’ve weathered crazy hours (80+/week) and a few professional disappointments. But at this point, all of my experiences seem to have delightfully converged into my current role. My experience managing a 300-seat restaurant, scheduling 70 young servers and bartenders, helps me connect with our current students. My position as Quality Assurance & Safety Coordinator at a small manufacturer allows me to speak to industry. And my earlier position at FDTC allowed me to grow a network across South Carolina.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The SiMT is a 177K sq. ft. facility that houses FDTC’s manufacturing-related academic programs, Corporate & Workforce Development, and the SiMT business units. Growing revenue from the business units is my primary role.
SiMT Event Services is what many folks know best. We have an 800-seat auditorium, a 12K sq. ft. conference center, and classrooms, boardrooms and meeting space for rent and average 6000 people/month.
SiMT Manufacturing provides industrial 3D printing services to businesses across the US, and we have an on-site machine shop. The Gould Business Incubator, adjacent to the SiMT, currently houses 30+ small businesses and startups.
I work with a wonderful team, known for providing subject matter expertise, excellent customer service, and flexibility, whether for an event or a 3D printed aluminum part. We regularly engage with people from across the state, in everything from automotive and aerospace manufacturing, to medical device development, to entrepreneurs and faculty at academic institutions.
We partner with Chambers of Commerce, the Small Business Development Center and economic development entities, from Florence, Darlington and Marion counties, as well as state agencies such as the SC Department of Commerce, the SC Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SCMEP), and the SCRA, the SC Research Authority.
Every day provides us with new opportunities to help someone solve a problem. We could be assisting with medical device development for a client of SCBio, the state’s Life Sciences association, or a new dog bowl design for an inventor to pitch on Shark Tank. We provide R&D assistance to companies of every size.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
We’re all very proud of the services we provide but we’d love for more people to know what we do! We’ve developed a network of partners across the state for folks who want to bring new products to market and have them manufactured in SC. I often say, “South Carolina is a small state. I might not know the answer, but I bet I know someone who does.”
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSiMT/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tressa-gardner-8b9765a/
