Southwire is pleased to welcome Veronica Braker as its new Executive Vice President of Operational Excellence. Under her leadership, Southwire will further strengthen its commitment toward continuous improvement within the company’s operational practices.
“We are thrilled that Veronica is joining Southwire to lead our Operational Excellence efforts,” said Norman Adkins, Chief Operating Officer (COO). “She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience about Lean, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), process engineering and much more that will help propel our team forward as we focus on continuous improvement and work to remain generationally-sustainable for the next 100 years and beyond.”
Braker’s career spans more than three decades, leading teams focused on operations, environmental, health and safety (EHS), reliability and maintenance, capital expenditure and more. She is a Lean Six Sigma certified Master Black Belt and practices Lean as a discipline in how she approaches strategy and operational planning.
Braker most recently served as the Senior Vice President of Global Operations at Archer Daniels Midland Company, where she led a global operations team, as well as the centers of excellence that included EHS, Quality, Maintenance, Capital and Process Optimization. Her background includes leadership roles at Clorox, General Electric, BASF Corporation, Flint Hills Resources, Milliken & Company and more.
Braker looks forward to leveraging her experience in operational excellence and continuous improvement to learn and contribute to the manufacturing process, while simultaneously keeping Southwire’s business and strategic goals in place.
“Southwire is a purpose-driven company with a strong culture and commitment to a sustainable future. Southwire’s strategic plan puts the company in an exciting growth trajectory – there is tremendous opportunity to make a significant impact as our nation and our world become even more electrified,” said Braker. “I am excited to join the team. I look forward to learning more about the wire and cable industry, contributing to improvements in the manufacturing process and identifying meaningful ways to leverage my years of operational excellence to bring value and assist in accelerating growth.”
Braker currently serves as the Board Chair for the Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation. She previously served on the National Board of Directors for Women in Manufacturing, Advisory Board for Women in Food and Agriculture and National Association of Manufacturer’s Board of Directors and Executive Council.
Outside of her professional and community commitments, Braker is a proud mother of five and enjoys spending time with her family.
“When I look back on my life, my greatest achievement is my children,” said Braker. “As a career mom, I think I found the balance between being an executive and being there for my kids. In addition to the titles of mom and executive, I’ve had the title of coach, both in the office and on the basketball court, soccer field and track for my kids.”
