As of September 1, 2024, Dr Ulrich Wieland is responsible for regional program planning, material flows, physical logistics, inbound transport and vehicle logistics at BMW Manufacturing Co ¬– BMW’s local entity in the US that includes operations at its plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Wieland has been with BMW since 2014 holding senior roles in global vehicle logistics, production digitalization and most recently as vice-president of plant allocation and program planning, where he determined which models BMW plants produce in line with customer orders based on production, supply and logistics capacity. Prior to BMW he held leading roles in operations and logistics at a variety of industrial and automotive companies, including as head of European operations of German multi-metal distributor Klöckner & Co, and logistics for German contract vehicle manufacturer Karmann, whose main plant was later taken over by the Volkswagen Group.

James Olender is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for GE Vernova’s Wind segment, a global leader in wind energy technology. He oversees the segment’s Digital Technology team, guiding IT strategy, infrastructure, and operations to deliver secure, scalable, and cost-effective solutions that support the business’s mission to electrify and decarbonize the world.

Since joining GE in 2004, James has held multiple leadership roles across GE businesses, including GE Money, GE Transportation, and GE Power. His experience spans IT strategy, product lifecycle management, digitization, and large-scale integrations. He was named CIO of the Wind segment in 2022.

James holds a B.S. in Business Administration with concentrations in MIS and Finance from the University at Buffalo and is a graduate of GE’s prestigious IT Leadership programs.

Dr. Larry Miller became the third president of Greenville Technical College on July 1, 2025. He previously served as vice president of learning and workforce development at GTC, where he led transformative efforts with strong results, including a 238% increase in credentials awarded in one year. He also elevated GTC’s online offerings from unranked by Newsweek in 2022 to first in the state for two consecutive years, and expanded access through a major partnership with Greenville County Schools.

With over 25 years in academia, President Miller brings deep experience in teaching, research and leadership. He holds a PhD in Public Administration from The Maxwell School at Syracuse University and has served as assistant professor, research fellow, superintendent and dean. Widely published in education finance and policy, he is known for data-driven leadership, operational excellence and student-centered innovation.

Dimple Desai focuses on delivering engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services for facilities involved in advanced technologies and traditional manufacturing. This includes areas like semiconductors, hyperscale data centers, and life sciences, with a strong emphasis on digital technologies and sustainability. Fluor also provides operational support, including maintenance and staffing, for these facilities.