Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing | Official Podcast Series

2025 Manufacturing Awards Spotlight - Manufacturing Employee of the Year

The Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing Season 1 Episode 1

This 2025 Southwest Virginia Manufacturing Awards Spotlight episode highlights the incredible story of Chris Viers, General Manager at West River Conveyors and winner of the 2025 Manufacturing Employee of the Year award presented by the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing.

We share the story that earned Chris this well-deserved honor — from stepping into leadership during a company crisis, to guiding recovery efforts after a devastating fire, to mentoring teammates and driving operational excellence. Chris’s story is a powerful reminder of how resilience, humility, and hands-on leadership can shape a workplace and inspire a team.

Learn more about Chris Viers

Meet this year's other winners