Management Team

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Carla Ponder joined the Woodlawn management team on October 2011 as the Chief Financial Officer and in April 2021 she assumed the role as Chief Executive Officer, with 30 years of experience in the manufacturing industry and 20 years in the Department of Defense industry, working closely with Defense Contracting Audit Agency and specializing in the Defense Finance Accounting System. She served as Chief Financial Officer for three Chemring North America companies, Titan Dynamics Systems/Allied Technology Systems and Chemring Military Products, located in Marshall, Texas and Chemring Ordnance, Inc. in Perry, Florida, suppliers to various United States military divisions. In addition, she has served as Chief Financial Officer for VSI, located at Camp Minden, Louisiana taking the company from being privately held to a public company, handling all SEC reporting.  She also served as Controller for Sadler’s Food Distribution and Controller/Business Manager for Infinistar Energy Services. Ms. Ponder attended North Carolina State University and East Texas Baptist University and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Accounting.  She is a member of the National Association of Professional Women.

Michael Townzen joined the Woodlawn management team on November 1, 2012 as the Quality Manager and in April 2021 he assumed the role as Vice President of Operations. Michaels experience includes General Dynamics Satcom Technologies where he was the SOTM Product Line Engineer working in their satellite and wireless communication products. Michael also worked at Titan Dynamics Systems as the BES Project Engineer where he worked on battlefield effects simulators working with the US Army and the Marine Corp. Michael has deep knowledge of SPC and advanced statistical processes along with a thorough knowledge of mechanical engineering. He holds a Bachelor of Science from LeTourneau University.

LaNita Burchfield joined the Woodlawn team in 1984 and has worked in multiple capacities in the business office. She currently serves as the  Supply Chain Manager and Contracts Specialist.  In addition, she also serves as the Customer Service Representative. She has 35 years of experience in the Department of Defense industry.  She worked 10 years in Remediation for a Government facility handling all Administrative aspects of the business.

Rhonda Gillen joined the Woodlawn team May 2018 and contributes more than 30 years of Human Resource and Safety Management within a manufacturing environment background of injection molding, CNC Machinery, and medium and low voltage utility electrical cable.

Rhonda has an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration in addition to a Certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR), and a SHRM Certified Professional CP-SHRM certification (SHRM-CP) through the Society of Human Resource Management. 

Shanon Watson joined the Woodlawn team January 2017 as Plant Manager. 

Shanon contributes 25 years of manufacturing experience which includes 15 years as a CNC machinist. His expertise within a CNC setting includes the design and building of oilfield, aerospace, medical, specialty tooling, and firearms. Shanon also performed the responsibilities of a Production Coordinator and Supervisor for 5 years prior to starting a family-owned CNC machine and fabrication facility where he also has a class 3 manufacturing license and a federal firearms license.