General Manager, Atlanta Manufacturing, Alcon
Georgia Bio Immediate Past Chair

Shay Foley has lived and worked as a General Manager (GM) in Europe, the USA and Asia (Singapore/Malaysia). He is currently the General Manager, Atlanta Manufacturing (Johns Creek) at Alcon, the global leader in eye care.  Shay is responsible for the site operations at the Johns Creek manufacturing facility, which produces more than 1 billion contact lenses annually. The campus has approximately 1,700 associates, which consists of Research and Development, Distribution and Manufacturing.

Since joining Novartis/Alcon in 2003, Shay has assumed various leadership roles, including Global Engineering Head, Head of Atlanta Dailies Manufacturing, Head of Quality for Alcon Johor (Malaysia) and GM of Alcon Johor, before assuming his current role in 2016, as the General Manager, Atlanta. During his time at Alcon he has led an engaged environment that empowers all team members and assures collaboration and accountability.

Shay has broad expertise gained by leading Production, Quality, Engineering, Marketing and R&D organizations across multiple businesses. He developed sales and marketing plans for multi plant operations with full P&L responsibility. He has a Six Sigma Black Belt with Lean Manufacturing Methodologies expertise. During his career Shay has facilitated the development of a strong safety, technical and Quality culture and led the launch of medical and consumer products critical to business growth. Shay is known for his commitment to talent development and has demonstrated success in building engaged and high-performing teams. Sustained success has been achieved by energizing the hearts and minds of the entire family of associates.

Previously, Shay spent ten years working for Gillette and was selected for their Executive Development Program and rotated through global roles in Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing and New Product Development. During his time with Gillette he helped launch consumer products in China, Thailand, Vietnam, Europe and North and South America. After leaving Gillette, Shay worked as the Head of Engineering & R&D (Europe) for SOLA Optical (ophthalmic lenses) and also worked for a year as Director of Global Branding (Progressives).  At SOLA, Shay worked closely with Marketing to develop new products, including a co-branding project with DuPont for Teflon Clear Coat Lenses.

Shay has earned three masters degrees: Master’s in Mechanical Engineering and Master’s in Polymer Science from University College Dublin, and an MBA (Marketing in Asia) from the University of San Francisco.

Favorite pastime: Enjoys soccer and family. Proud father of four teenage girls (shoppers) and spends his time disposing of Amazon Prime boxes.

Member of the Metro Atlanta Chamber Board of Advisors and is the Board Chair for the Georgia Bio Council.