Auburn Business Leader Named to Manufacturing Advocacy Council

Auburn business leader Barry Whatley of Craftmaster Printers, Inc. has been named to the newly created Manufacturing Advocacy Council (MAC), established through the Business Council of Alabama. The mission of MAC is to promote and enhance a positive business climate for Alabama’s manufacturers.
“Manufacturers are a critical segment of our economy, and the Manufacturing Advocacy Council is yet another way the BCA is working to support the companies that are making jobs and world-class products here in Alabama,” said BCA President and CEO William J. Canary.

A graduate of Auburn University, Whatley currently serves as the president of Craftmaster Printers, returning to Lee County in 2000 after working in Georgia with ThermoPac and Verizon.

The BCA, with more than 1,300 manufacturing members and Alabama’s affiliate for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), launched the Manufacturing Advocacy Council earlier this year and the first meeting was held on July 29 in Point Clear. MAC is comprised of a cross-section of Alabama’s manufacturing community, manufacturers who are members of BCA, its board of directors and members of its regional advisory committees.

One of the council's first initiatives will be working with NAM’s Manufacturing Institute to build in Alabama a coalition of business, education, workforce and economic development leaders to develop a nationally credentialed high-quality manufacturing workforce.

“The National Association of Manufacturers is leading the charge for a vibrant manufacturing sector in all 50 states,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “I am so proud of our strong, exclusive partnership with BCA and our combined efforts to develop public policies that support Alabama manufacturers. Together we can ensure their continued competitiveness at home and abroad.”

Manufacturing Advocacy Council Members:

Ronnie Boles, co-chairman, Huntsville
General & Automotive Machine Shop

Mac McBride, Montgomery
Steris Corporation

Chester Vrocher, co-chairman, Jackson
Boise

Joe Pampinto, Muscle Shoals
Wise Alloys, LLC

Dick Anderson, Anniston
Huron Valley Steel Corporation

Ray Perez, Lincoln
Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC

George Flowers, Dothan
Cox Swimming Pools

James Proctor II, Birmingham
McWane, Inc.

Denson Henry, Selma
Henry Brick Company

Joe Rella, Mobile
Austal USA

Greg Leikvold, Tuscaloosa
BF Goodrich Tire Manufacturing

Ken Tucker, Huntsville
The Boeing Company

Doug Mannion, Montgomery
Rheem Water Heating

Barry Whatley, Auburn
Craftmaster Printers, Inc.

Ex Officio Members:

W. Michael Bailey
President, Alabama Technology Network

Mark Brazeal
President, Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association

Ed Castile
Director, Alabama Industrial Development Training

Dr. Freida Hill, Chancellor, Alabama Community College System

G. Thomas Surtees
Director, Alabama Department of Industrial Relations

Jeff Thompson
Executive Director, Alabama Aerospace Industry Association

Jim Byard
Director, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs

The Business Council of Alabama is Alabama’s foremost voice for business. The BCA is a non-partisan statewide business association representing the interests and concerns of nearly one million working Alabamians through its member companies and its partnership with the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama. BCA is Alabama’s exclusive affiliate to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers.




The BCA is a non-partisan statewide business association representing the interests and concerns of nearly one million working Alabamians through its member companies and its partnership with the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama. BCA is Alabama’s exclusive affiliate to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers.