<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3NDbpr_1H3HB7gR00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3NDbpr_1H3HB7gR00" width="900" height="463" ><figcaption>Howard Coker, president and CEO of Sonoco, has been elected chairman of the South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce board of directors. (Photo/DepositPhotos)</figcaption></figure>​ <ul><li>Howard Coker will chair South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce.</li><li>Coker has led Sonoco as president and CEO since 2020.</li><li>He succeeds inaugural board chair Grant Burns.</li><li>SCMC formed in January 2026 through a merger of two organizations.</li></ul>South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce has elected Howard Coker, president and CEO of Sonoco, as the next chair of its board of directors. Coker succeeds Grant Burns, executive vice president and general counsel of AFL, who served as SCMC’s inaugural board chair. Burns previously chaired the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance Board of Directors and helped lead its merger with the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce to form SCMC in January 2026. “Howard Coker is one of the state’s most respected business leaders and understands what it takes for South Carolina companies to succeed,” Sara Hazzard, president and CEO of SCMC, said in the announcement. “His experience and leadership will be invaluable as we continue building a stronger, more competitive business climate. I also want to thank Grant Burns for his outstanding leadership and commitment to our organization during a historic period of change.”Coker has served as president and CEO of Sonoco since 2020. He joined the Hartsville-based company in 1985 and has held numerous leadership positions across its manufacturing and global operations. A graduate of Wofford College, Coker also has an MBA from Wake Forest University and serves on the boards of several business and educational organizations. “This is an important time for the future of South Carolina, and I’m eager to help shape what comes next,” Coker said in the announcement. “I love this state and believe deeply in its people, its businesses and the opportunities ahead. I look forward to working with SCMC and our members to build on our success, strengthen our business climate and ensure South Carolina remains a place where businesses and families can thrive for generations.” SCMC’s leadership for the coming year includes Coker as chairman; Keller Kissam, Dominion Energy, vice chairman; Terrance Ford, AT&amp;T, second vice chairman; Curtis Hutto, Thompson Construction Group, treasurer; Burns, immediate past chair; Ellis Fisher, Inman Mill, industry council representative; Jake Scott, Collum’s Lumber Products, policy representative; and Boyd Jones, Pinnacle + Synovus; moderator of Council of Advisors. </div></body>

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Howard Coker will chair South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce. Coker has led Sonoco as president and CEO since 2020. He succeeds inaugural board chair Grant Burns. SCMC formed in January 2026 through a merger of two organizations. South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce has elected Howard Coker, president and CEO of...

Sonoco CEO Howard Coker elected SCMC board chair

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Howard Coker will chair South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce. Coker has led Sonoco as president and CEO since 2020. He succeeds inaugural board chair 

Sonoco CEO Howard Coker elected SCMC board chair

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