Key Personnel

 

Ernest Dwight

President

Ernest is the President and Founder of SouthWood Corporation. Started upon his graduation from Belmont Abbey College in 1970, SouthWood has grown from a one-person shop into a full-service design/build firm servicing clients across the US, the Caribbean, and into Europe.

Equally familiar with the technical and manufacturing aspects of the business as well as the creative and design side, Ernest spends most of his time in executive management, marketing and business development. He has written articles about, and given presentations on, signage, identity and wayfinding to local and national associations and publications serving the architectural, lodging, housing and recreational industries. He is recognized as one of the most knowledgeable and experienced experts
in this field.

Ernest has served on the Board of ULI Charlotte, the Caribbean Hotel Association Education Foundation, the Charlotte Apartment Association and others. He and his wife Vicky have 4 children and 7 grandchildren. He is a native of Charlotte, NC and enjoys travelling, woodworking, and auctions.

 

Jeff Shaver


Director of Manufacturing

With a BS in Industrial Engineering from Penn State and an MBA from Pace University, Jeff has over twenty-five years of engineering and manufacturing management experience – eleven of which are with SouthWood. Jeff directs all manufacturing operations, including managing the utilization of equipment, facilities, and personnel. He is also responsible for the oversight of the purchasing, shipping/receiving and installation departments.

Jeff and his wife Rita have two children, Madi and Jackson. Originally from Long Island, NY, Jeff stays true to his roots by cheering football teams from his alma mater, Penn State, and his beloved NY Jets.

 

Donita Stewart

Treasurer

Donita has twenty-three years experience in finance and information technology. A graduate of Queens University with a BA in Accounting, she has been responsible for SouthWood's financial, legal and IT operations, plus human resources, for the last twelve years.

Donita enjoys golf, gardening, and cooking. She and her husband Ron have three adult children.

 

Tony Peloso

Design Manager
A SouthWood employee for ten years, Tony is responsible for the management and oversight of SouthWood's Design Department. He coordinates all activities and personnel along the entire design process – from initial concepts to finalized shop drawings. With a background in signage and exhibit design and production, he understands both the design-driven side, as well as the manufacturing side of the process, and works with manufacturing in value engineering.

Tony has a BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Akron. He and his wife, Gina, are proud parents to daughter Ava. Tony enjoys football from The Ohio State University and his favorite holiday is
Halloween.

 

Jeff Webb

Installation Manager

With thirty years of experience at SouthWood, Jeff has worked in most every department and in every facet of the manufacturing process, including as Finishing Room Supervisor, Wood Shop Supervisor and
Drafting Technician. In his current role as Installation Manager he manages a team of installers who are responsible for installing, servicing and repairing structures and major components. He schedules and
supervises all delivery and installation services, including sign permitting and related research.

Jeff and his wife, Renee, have one daughter. Jeff enjoys camping and off-roading in his Jeep Wrangler.

 

David Beasley

Purchasing Manager
A SouthWood employee for over thirty years, David manages all purchasing functions. He researches new products to keep SouthWood abreast of new materials and technologies, selects vendor sources, and
negotiates costs. He as worked in and managed virtually every department in manufacturing. Some of his prior positions at SouthWood include Chief Estimator, Production Scheduling, and Finishing Room Supervisor.

David and his wife Cathy have two adult daughters. An avid music lover, David regularly attends the annual Merlefest in Wilkesboro, NC, as well as many other live music events.