Year Inducted: 1995
Gerald B. Andrews’ career has significantly impacted manufacturing engineering practice in Alabama and the nation. Whether it be in the textile industry, where he has proved his skills over the last 41 years, or serving on a community task force, Mr. Andrews has shown remarkable intuitiveness for making the right decisions in the best interest of those he is serving.
Textile World magazine, one of the industry’s highest tributes. Profiled in America’s Textiles Inter- national’s series “The Ones to Watch” (January ’94), he is cited as a catalyst moving textile manufacturing ahead in the learning organization, re-engineering, core competencies, organizational architecture, and time- based competition. In his own words, “competitive- ness is a function of the ability of companies to improve and innovate continuously in their products and processes. The world leaders in all major industries are the firms that can do this.”
Born in Fairfax, Alabama in 1937, Gerald Andrews received his formal training at Auburn University, earning a diploma in textile manufacturing prior to receiving a bachelor of science degree in management from the School of Textile Engineering with a minor in industrial engineering. He began his career in the textile industry in 1958 with WestPoint Pepperell, Inc. (now WestPoint Stevens, Inc.), where he honed his skills and developed a broad vision of the industry that would later have a profound effect on textile manufacturing and consumer service. Mr. Andrews’ rise to the position of senior vice president for merchandising/marketing and later president of WestPoint Pepperell Stores, Inc. is indicative of the respect he engendered from all with whom he worked.
In the early 1980s, Mr. Andrews led the parade into the computerized vendor marking system for textile products-bar coding, which is now an industry standard.
Currently president and chief operating officer of Johnston Industries, Inc., Mr. Andrews has already demonstrated that the same at- tributes that brought WestPoint Pepperell to a textile industry high can be used to foster growth in other companies as well. In 1994, the company received the prestigious Textile Company of the Year Award as “1994 Model Mill” from Mr. Andrews has also been cited for his demonstrated concern for enhancing the quality of life for all citizens in both the local and world community. He was named Citizen of the Year in 1992 by the Greater Chattahoochee Valley Chamber of Commerce. Auburn University has honored him with the 1993 Out- standing Alumnus Award from the College of Engineering.
Having a special interest in public health, Mr. Andrews is chairman of the board and founder of the Chattahoochee Valley Health Care Foundation, chairman of the board of the George H. Lanier Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home, and president, board of trustees of the Chattahoochee Valley Hospital Society. He also lends his expertise to his alma mater in numerous ways and has served the youth of the community through the George H. Lanier Council Boy Scouts of America. This Council was selected as the top Council in the United States and U.S. Territories.
A dedicated husband, father and grandfather, Mr. Andrews exemplifies the best in everything he has undertaken. His career will serve as an example to all young people.
