Her Story
About Julie
Julie Lawson is a Safety Manager based in the Greater Macon area, currently serving at Fouts Bros Inc., where she leads safety and training initiatives in a specialized manufacturing environment that upfits chassis into emergency and service vehicles. With a strong focus on OSHA instruction, safety compliance, and workforce development, she is responsible for building and sustaining a strong safety culture grounded in practical systems, employee engagement, and continuous improvement. Her leadership style emphasizes accessibility, collaboration, and empowering employees to take ownership of safe work practices.
With over 30 years of experience in manufacturing and supply chain operations, Julie has built a diverse career spanning purchasing, production management, quality engineering, value stream management, and continuous improvement. Her professional background includes leadership roles at companies such as Andersen Windows and Doors and Trojan Battery Company, where she drove efficiency, process optimization, and lean manufacturing initiatives across multi-shift operations and complex production environments. She has consistently been recognized for her ability to improve systems, strengthen operational performance, and adapt leadership approaches to different teams and challenges.
Julie holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from Point University and has earned the APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) credential. She is known for her servant leadership philosophy, commitment to developing others, and openness to feedback as a tool for growth. Throughout her career, she has also contributed to community and volunteer initiatives, reflecting her belief in service, integrity, and continuous learning as core values that guide both her professional and personal life.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Julie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the guidance of strong leaders who have mentored me throughout my career, as well as to the constructive feedback I continually receive. I intentionally use this feedback to support both my personal and professional development—refining my skills, enhancing performance, and strengthening overall results.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The most meaningful career advice I’ve received emphasized both ambition and perspective. I was encouraged to pursue my goals without limits, while also recognizing that success at the highest levels can be isolating. That insight has stayed with me and continues to guide how I thoughtfully balance professional ambition with family values and personal priorities when making career decisions.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to women entering my industry is to recognize that career progression often involves intentional trade-offs. Gaining insight from the experiences of others can offer valuable perspective and help you make informed decisions that thoughtfully align your professional aspirations with your personal values and priorities.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the primary challenges in my profession is transforming deeply entrenched shop-floor culture and addressing resistance to continuous improvement initiatives. This work often requires sustained commitment to shift long-standing behaviors and mindsets. At the same time, there are significant opportunities to further strengthen safety culture through targeted incentive programs and increased employee engagement. Additionally, focused process improvements present opportunities to enhance staffing efficiency and drive overall operational performance.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Faith, family, and integrity are the values that anchor both my professional and personal life. My faith provides perspective and purpose, my family is my foundation, and integrity guides every decision I make. Together, these values shape the way I lead, build trust, and approach my work with accountability, respect, and intention.
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