High Point, NC - Sean Suggs, Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina (TBMNC) president, has joined the industry leaders who mentor students in High Point University’s Access to Innovators program. Suggs serves as HPU’s Technology Executive in Residence and will share his decades of experience in leadership and innovation with students.

As president of TBMNC, Suggs directs Toyota’s Liberty facility, Toyota’s newest plant in North America, overseeing construction and start of production of the $5.9 billion investment. Under his leadership, the plant will employ 2,100 North Carolinians and have six production lines delivering lithium-ion batteries for hybrid electric and battery electric vehicles once production begins in 2025.

“Connecting High Point University students with Sean Suggs, a trailblazer who is leading an extraordinary new opportunity in the Piedmont Triad region, will measurably benefit their education and preparation for life after college,” said HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein. “I’ve appreciated Mr. Suggs’ partnership and interest in HPU since Toyota Battery came to our community, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact that he and Toyota create.”

Suggs joined Toyota in 1998 as a team leader at its manufacturing plant in Princeton, Indiana, after proudly serving in the United States Army for eight years. During his tenure, he served in several roles and was named general manager of quality planning in 2008. In this role, Suggs oversaw professional development, vehicle quality and manufacturing quality for current and new model production.

Most recently, Suggs served as president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi in Blue Springs, responsible for production of the Corolla. He was subsequently promoted to group vice president and chief social innovation officer for Toyota Motor North America (TMNA).

HPU’s Access to Innovators program includes dozens of global leaders, such as:

 - Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak, HPU’s Innovator in Residence

 - Netflix Co-Founder Marc Randolph, HPU’s Entrepreneur in Residence

 - Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall, HPU’s Sports Executive in Residence

 - Domino’s CEO Russell Weiner, HPU’s Corporate Executive in Residence

 - Former U.S. Ambassador and FCC Chairman William “Bill” Kennard, HPU’s Global Leader in Residence

 - Former CEO of Tufts Medical Center Dr. Ellen Zane, HPU’s Health Care Executive in Residence

 - ABC News’ “Nightline” Anchor Byron Pitts, HPU’s Journalist in Residence

 - American Actor, Producer and Television Presenter Dean Cain, HPU’s Actor in Residence

 - Dee Ann Turner, former vice president for talent at Chick-fil-A and HPU’s Talent Acquisition Expert in Residence.
 
To view a full lineup, visit www.highpoint.edu/accesstoinnovators.