Andrews Gerald B. - A Mill Village Story

Gerald Bruce Andrews Sr. was born in Fairfax, a small unincorporated mill village now part of Valley, Alabama. He has lived in twenty-five different places, started to kindergarten and grammar school a year early, then was double-promoted, skipping a grade. He graduated from Valley High School in 1954, entering Auburn Universitys College of Engineering when he was 16. When in high school and college, he worked 40+ hours a week in the local textile mill for six years, while commuting to school 78 miles round trip five days a week. He received a two year diploma in Textile Manufacturing from Auburn University (19541957); BS degree (TM) from Auburn University, College of Engineering (19541959), with enough hours today for a minor in Industrial Engineering. He was a member of PHI PSI and PI SIGMA EPISLON, honorary and service fraternities. He completed a two year business course from Alexander Hamilton Institute (19681969); graduated from Harvard Business School AMP (19781979); and completed numerous post-graduate courses from various Universities in the U.S. In recognition of his service to the International Textile Community, in 1998 he became a Senior Fellow of The Textile Institute in Manchester, England.

Gerald was continuously employed 39 years (19541992) by the continuum of West Point CompaniesWest Point Manufacturing Company; West Point Pepperell, Inc; and West Point (Pepperell) Stevens, Inc.in more than thirty different management positions. Most of this time is best described as being a Problem Doctor, responsible for helping resolve major company management problems and challenges. The West Point Companies grew to become the largest (NYSE), most diversified, publicly owned textile corporation in North America, with more than 40 plant/facility locations, 42,000 employees and Retail Outlet Stores in 23 states. For two years he was Chairman of the Corporation Political Action Committee. He retired from West Point in June 1992, while serving as Corporate Executive Vice-President, Merchandising, in New York City.

Later in 1992, he became President and COO, and then President and CEO, of Johnston Industries, Inc, with corporate offices in NYC, which he relocated to Columbus, Georgia. He was with Johnston Industries five years before retiring a second time. To scratch a long-time itch, he taught for two years as executive-in-residence and visiting professor at his alma mater, Auburn University. The course that he wroteCreative Analysistaught senior, masters, and PhD students how to be creative, innovative and inventive. At the time, no similar course was taught at any university in the U.S. He later helped establish and became CEO and chairman of the board of Accelegrow Technologiesan international agri-science companyproducing a patented product for increasing yield of food crops, plants, trees and bio-fuels, with marketing programs in North America, South America, Europe and Africa.

During his kaleidoscopic 50-year career, he held more than twenty-six hourly blue-collar jobs and thirty-four management positions, not including many executive civic responsibilities outside the corporate hierarchy. He has received more than eighty-five honors, awards and special recognitions for management, leadership, creativity and extensive civic involvement. Just a few of these recognitions include distinctive honors and special citations by four State Governors, the Alabama House of Representatives and Georgia Senate. In addition, he was made an honorary Alabama Colonel by the governor for his many contributions to the state. In 1998, by special invitation, he was asked to speak to a National Science Foundation symposium on Creative Cooperation between Industry and Government. He has been listed in five different Whos Who in America and the world.

While he was president and CEO of Johnston Industries, it was selected the industry company of the year in America (TW) (1994), and in 1994 the Opp & Micolas Division was chosen the Model Mill in America, an example for others to emulate. The next year he was selected the Industry Executive Leader of the Year in America (TW), and the following year (1996) Johnston Industries was recognized as the Most Innovative Company in the Textile Industry (ATI).

In 1979 he was selected the Boy Scout Council President of the Year in Georgia, and Boy Scout Council President of the Year in the Southeastern United States, and the Boy Scout Council President of the Year in America, for leading his Council to #1 out of 334 councils in the U.S. and its territories. He has also received the second highest volunteer honor in Scouting, the Silver Beaver Award.

He has served in many civic leadership capacities, including as chairman of the board of Point University (ACC), retiring after 18 years as the first honorary board trustee-emeritus. He was also graduation speaker at Point University (ACC). He was chairman of the board of George H. Lanier Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home; president of the Chattahoochee Valley Hospital Society and founding chairman of the Lanier Health Services Foundation; He was a founding trustee and board member establishing Springwood School (K12, college preparatory) in 1968, and came back as co-chairman in a major capital campaign to serve as trustee a second time and still serves on the Legacy Board. He was chairman of Mid-Town Realty (20062014), and president/owner of 508 apartments (19982008). He was on the board of American Red Cross and a member of its Five-Gallon Club, vice president of the Chambers County Mental Health Association, and a founding member of the Fort Tyler Association. He was chairman of the committee to develop and build new a Fairfax community center and basketball court. In 1992 he was selected as Citizen of the Year by the Greater Chattahoochee Valley Chamber of Commerce for his extensive leadership in healthcare and the greater community.

In 1993 he was selected Auburn Universitys Outstanding Alumnus, and in 1997 he was chosen as its Distinguished Engineer. He has been a Dunston Circle Scholar and a member of the Eagle, Samford, George Petrie, and Foy (Cater Circle) societies, and in 2009 he was an Auburn Golden Eagle. In 1995, he served as co-chairman of Auburn University, Alumni Engineering Committee, to help develop a long range plan for College of Engineering to meet needs of 21St Century. In 1994 he was recognized with the Chandler Award of Excellence for corporate management and leadership, and 2014 he was chosen Distinguished Citizen of the Year. He is or has been a member of Harvard Business School Association, Harvard Alumni Association, Harvard Club of Atlanta, and Harvard Club of New York City. He has also served on the board of the National Textile Center. In the 1980s, as president of West Point Pepperell Stores Division, he was one of the industry leaders who helped build, develop, and establish retail factory store outlet centers in 23 states across the U.S. Mayors have given him the Keys to six cities.

He is given credit for helping develop and implement the electronic vendor marking system used today on all home furnishings, apparel and soft goods sold in the U.S. This is one of several reasons why in 1995 he was selected as a member of the Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame. He serves or has served on various boards of five colleges and universities and eight corporations. In 1968 he was selected the Little League Coach of the Year in Alabama for leading the Opelika All-Stars to the State Baseball Championship. He was chosen president of the West Point Rotary Club, president-elect of West Point Lions Club, and president of Pepperell School PTA. He was twice selected Junior Achievement Advisor of the Year of a National Award Company. For years he was a featured speaker at the Auburn University MBA program, Point University, and many other universities, business, and civic enterprises. He is also a member of the Alabama Writers Forum.