The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) has appointed John Ring as Vice President, Center for Manufacturing Advancement (CMA), effective August 18.
John brings with him a wealth of leadership experience from both the higher education and advanced manufacturing sectors. His career spans critical roles in engineering outreach and global manufacturing operations, where he has consistently driven innovation, operational efficiency and strategic growth.
” I’m looking forward to learning from my new colleagues at IALR and leveraging my manufacturing engineering and higher education work experiences to help further the economic prosperity of Southern Virginia.” – John Ring, Vice President of CMA, Manufacturing Advancement, IALR
Ring will lead strategic programs and projects that drive manufacturing advancement and optimization at the Center for Manufacturing Advancement. This senior leadership role ensures the execution of impactful programs, fosters industry relationships and champions the CMA brand. Ring will guide teams to deliver excellence while promoting continuous improvement, operational efficiency and business growth. This role will manage five direct reports, including the Optimization, Center of Excellence, Quality and Digital Manufacturing teams.
John held multiple leadership positions at GKN Driveline Americas, managing manufacturing engineering operations across the U.S., Mexico and Brazil. His extensive background includes managing capital investments, overseeing product life cycles, launching manufacturing strategies and leading operations turnarounds. Known for his ability to lead cross-functional teams and implement continuous improvement initiatives, John has a track record of delivering measurable results in both North and South American markets. His broad skill set positions him well to lead IALR’s mission of advancing manufacturing excellence and innovation across the region.
“We are thrilled to welcome John Ring as the new Vice President, Center for Manufacturing Advancement at IALR. John brings a remarkable track record to our team in leading transformative manufacturing initiatives—from capital planning and product lifecycle management to supply chain optimization and continuous improvement. His strategic vision and leadership in operational efficiency and digital manufacturing align perfectly with our mission to drive manufacturing advancement and economic transformation across Southern Virginia and beyond. I’m confident that under his leadership, the Optimization team, Quality and Digital Manufacturing teams will achieve extraordinary success and elevate the impact of the Center for Manufacturing Advancement.” –Telly Tucker, IALR President
Beyond his professional achievements, John is deeply committed to service and community engagement. He holds advanced degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Management of Information Systems from NC State University and serves on the board of the Interfaith Council for Social Services. John is also an active member of University Baptist Church, where he has held numerous leadership roles. As he steps into this new chapter with IALR, John brings not only technical and strategic expertise but also a passion for mentorship, collaboration, and community impact.
About IALR
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, manufacturing advancement, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s major footprint focuses on Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg and the cities of Martinsville and Danville.
