Alabama Business Hall of Fame Inducts Seven for Class of 2018

• November 26th, 2018

In a festive, black-tie celebration Thursday, November 15, 2018, the Alabama Business Hall of Fame inducted seven new members, all of them joining a list now 223 members strong.

The Alabama Business Hall of Fame recognizes those who have brought fame and honor to the state of Alabama through not only their achievements as business leaders and entrepreneurs, but their ardent commitment to civic leadership, philanthropy, and humanitarianism.

The 2018 inductees included the following people, all of whom have deep connections to the state of Alabama:

• Patricia “Sister Schubert” Barnes, founder not only of a baking empire Sister Schubert’s, which produces over nine million rolls a day, but also of Sasha’s Home, an orphanage in the Ukraine.
• Jeffrey Bayer, president, CEO, and co-founder of Bayer Properties, which has amassed a real estate portfolio of about 10 million square feet.
• Don James, former chairman and CEO of aggregates manufacturer Vulcan Materials Company, one of the largest public corporations in Alabama with operations throughout the United States.
• Charles McCrary, former president and CEO of Alabama Power Company, the second largest utility company in the country, as well as an innovator in labor relations.
• Randy Owen, not just the singer of country music band Alabama, among the most decorated bands of any genre ever, with 80 million records sold, but also a major supporter of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
• James Pursell, Sr., a long career in the development of innovative fertilizer products evolved to ownership of Pursell Farms, a luxury outdoors-oriented resort in Fayetteville, Alabama.
• John Rhoads, an accountant at Ernst & Ernst that earned a well-deserved reputation for ethical leadership, his legacy has supported hundreds of University of Alabama students and athletes through scholarships and gifts.

All inductees are heavily committed to their communities, serving in leadership roles on boards, donating their time and resources to causes, and inspiring future generations of business leaders.

Read in-depth bios of each inductee. 

Now in its 44^th year, the Alabama Business Hall of Fame is located on The University of Alabama campus in the Culverhouse College of Business’s Bidgood Hall. Members of the Culverhouse staff and a board representing the Culverhouse Board of Visitors, former inductees, other Alabama institutions of higher education, and Alabama businesses, coordinate the Hall of Fame selection process and planning of the induction ceremony.

Over 550 people attended the induction ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham – The Wynfrey Hotel. Notable guests included the following higher-education officials:

• Dr. John M. Beehler, President of Jacksonville State University
• Dr. Stuart R. Bell, President of The University of Alabama
• Dr. Ray L. Watts, President of The University of Alabama at Birmingham

Tim Kelly, the Chair of the Hall of Fame committee welcomed attendees to the event and Dr. Kay M. Palan, Dean of the Culverhouse College of Business, introduced each inductee to the stage.

The award of inductee Mr. John Rhoads, who passed away in 2001, was accepted on his behalf by his wife Margaret E. Rhoads. His friend Mr. Hilton Dean shared some of his fondest memories with guests.

Watch speeches from the inductees!

Nominate an Inductee

To nominate someone to the Alabama Business Hall of Fame, contact Courtney Miller at cmiller@culverhouse.ua.edu. The criteria are:

1. 1. A candidate must have by his or her business accomplishments, whether they occurred in Alabama or not, brought fame and honor to the state of Alabama.
2. 2. He/She should have made a significant impact on the development of their community and state by promoting the free enterprise system and entrepreneurship; by demonstrating civic leadership, philanthropy and humanitarianism toward fellow citizens.
3. 3. All candidates must have been in retirement at least three (3) years, except those who are 65 years of age and older prior to the date of induction and who are still active in their careers

2018 Alabama Business Hall of Fame Inductees Named

• July 18th, 2018

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Business announced seven business professionals to be inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame for 2018.

The 2018 inductees will be honored in a Nov. 15 celebration at the Hyatt-Regency Birmingham – The Wynfrey Hotel.

The inductees include: Patricia “Sister Schubert” Barnes, of Andalusia; Jeffrey Bayer, of Birmingham; Don James, of Birmingham; Charles McCrary, of Birmingham; Randy Owen, of Fort Payne; James Pursell, of Fayetteville; and John Rhoads, of Birmingham (awarded posthumously).

Patricia “Sister Shubert” Barnes 

Patricia “Sister Schubert” Barnes founded her bread company in her home kitchen using her grandmother’s yeast-roll recipe and transformed the business into a national brand that produces more than 9 million rolls per day with distribution in each state in the country as well as abroad.

Barnes sits on numerous boards, including those of the Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame and the Dean’s Board for the College of Human Sciences at Auburn University.

She attended Troy University, Auburn University and The University of Alabama.

Jeffrey Bayer

Jeffrey Bayer is the president and CEO of Bayer Properties LLC, headquartered in Birmingham, which specializes in developing, leasing, managing and marketing mixed-use real estate properties nationwide.

Since its inception, Bayer has fostered the organization’s growth from a local property management firm to a national commercial real estate leader with a mixed-use asset portfolio of approximately 10 million square feet.

Bayer serves on the board of directors for Leadership Alabama, is a board member for Leadership Birmingham, and an International Trustee for the International Council of Shopping Centers. He also sits on The University of Alabama President’s Cabinet, The University of Alabama Culverhouse Board of Visitors and The University of Alabama at Birmingham President’s Cabinet Executive Committee. He became a board member for The University of Alabama Health Services Foundation in 2015 and serves on The University of Alabama Health Services Foundation Executive Committee.

Bayer attended The University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Business.

Don James 

Under Don James’ leadership in various executive-level roles, including chairman and CEO from 1992 until his retirement from the company in 2015, Vulcan Materials Co. grew to be one of the largest public corporations in Alabama.

He is a business and civic leader, serving on the boards of Wells Fargo & Co. and The Southern Co. Previously, he has served on the boards of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Manufacturers Association, Birmingham Southern College, and the United Way of Central Alabama. He has also served as chairman of the Birmingham Museum of Art.

James is a graduate of The University of Alabama and the University of Virginia School of Law.

Charles McCrary

For more than a decade, Charles McCrary served as president and CEO of Alabama Power Co. In addition to his roles at Alabama Power, he served as vice president for Birmingham-based Southern Nuclear, president of Southern Company Generation, chief production officer of Southern Co. and president of Southern Power.

He is a member of the board of Regions Financial Corp., the Auburn University Board of Trustees and the board of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. McCrary served as chairman of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama and was a member of the boards of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International and Protective Life Corp.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Auburn, and he also has a law degree from the Birmingham School of Law.

Randy Owen 

For more than 49 years, Randy Owen has been the frontman and lead vocalist of the legendary group, Alabama, the most successful and awarded band in country music history, with more than 80 million records sold. Alabama has received more than 250 industry awards and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006. Own was also inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and received the Ellis Island Award for his charity work with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Much of Owen’s time is spent helping others through his humanitarian efforts such as launching the St. Jude Country Cares for Kids, an annual radiothon fundraising event which has raised more than $800 million for St. Jude.

Owen is a graduate of Jacksonville State University.

James Pursell

James T. (Jimmy) Pursell’s business career started when he joined Parker Fertilizer in 1959. In 1964, he became president of the company and began to redirect the company toward the development and marketing of specialty fertilizer products.

In 1997, he relocated the company headquarters to the family farm, and he established Pursell Farms in Fayetteville, which has since transitioned into one of Alabama’s premier resorts, spanning 3,500 acres.

Pursell attended Auburn University and supports a large number of initiatives at Auburn, including the Center for Organizational Cultures in the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business, endowed chairs and programs for student-athletes. He has served as chairman of the State of Alabama Ethics Commission.

John Rhoads 

John L. Rhoads was well-known for applying his brilliance and technical skills in helping Alabama entrepreneurs launch their businesses as a partner at accounting firm Ernst & Ernst.

Rhoads was a longtime executive committee member of the Jefferson County chapter of The University of Alabama National Alumni Association, serving as its vice president and treasurer for more than 20 years. He was also council chairman of the State Society for the Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Rhoads was an ardent supporter of Alabama’s educational institutions, either by his service to the University of Alabama Birmingham as an adjunct faculty member or through scholarship and programmatic support, kept ongoing by his widow, Ann.

He graduated from The University of Alabama. Rhoads passed away in 2001.

About the Alabama Business Hall of Fame

The Alabama Business Hall of Fame was founded in 1973 by the Culverhouse College of Business Board of Visitors to honor individuals in business who have brought lasting fame to the state of Alabama. A 14-member board of directors establishes the criteria for nominations and governs the Hall of Fame. All candidates must meet the qualifications of being retired for a minimum of three years or be 65 years of age or older, prior to induction, if still active in their careers.

For more information about the Alabama Business Hall of Fame and 2017 Induction Ceremony, visit abhof.culverhouse.ua.edu/

Alabama Business and Civic Leaders Celebrated

• November 9th, 2017

On November 9, 2017 at Haven in Downtown Birmingham, six individuals were inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame for their outstanding business and civic leadership contributions. Charles E. Adair, Dr. James R. Andrews, William R. Battle, Dorothy S. Davidson, John D. Johns, and Don Logan were all inductees for this year’s event, joining a group 216 members strong.

The banquet was attended by over 400 of the State of Alabama’s most prominent business and civic leaders, including a number of former Alabama Business Hall of Fame inductees. Among the 400 in attendance were distinguished guests were Dr. and Mrs. Robert Altenkirch, President of The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Dr. and Mrs. Stuart Bell, President of The University of Alabama, Lieutenant General Ronald Lee Burgess, Jr. of the United States Army, and Mr. and Mrs. Ray Hayes, Chancellor of the University of Alabama System.

The night began with an introduction by the Master of Ceremonies and Chairman of the Alabama Business Hall of Fame, Donald W. Nalley, Jr.

After a break for dinner, Dean Kay Palan, of the Culverhouse College of Commerce at The University of Alabama, introduced the inductees. Each inductee has been highly successful in business: growing organizations, providing steady leadership, and offering inspiration to colleagues.

In addition to their success in business, they have also dedicated themselves to public service with involvement in organizations that aim to better serve its constituents and build community programs.

Dean Palan noted that each individual came from “vastly different career paths” and “have had extraordinary and positive impacts within their communities and on the profile of the State of Alabama.”

2017 Alabama Business Hall of Fame Inductees Named

• July 14th, 2017

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Commerce announced six business professionals to be inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame.

The inductees include Charles E. Adair, of Montgomery; Dr. James R. Andrews, of Birmingham; William R. Battle, of Tuscaloosa; Dr. Dorothy Davidson, of Huntsville; John D. Johns, of Birmingham; and Don Logan, of Birmingham.

They will be honored during the Alabama Business Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Nov. 9 at the Haven in Birmingham.

Charles Adair

Adair graduated from The University of Alabama with a degree in accounting and completed the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School. He is the president of Kowaliga Capital, an investment management company, in Montgomery.

Adair is a member of the board of directors of Tech Data Corp., Torchmark Corp. and Rayonier Advanced Materials. He has been active in civic organizations having served on boards of the Montgomery Area Red Cross, United Way, Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, Health System and Health Services Foundation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Commerce Board of Visitors and The University of Alabama President’s Cabinet.

Dr. James Andrews

Andrews received his bachelor’s from Louisiana State University and medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine. He is one of the founding members of Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center and co-founder of the American Sports Medicine Institute, or AMSI, dedicated to injury prevention, education and research in orthopaedic and sports medicine.

Andrews serves as chairman and medical director of ASMI as well as president and chairman of the board of the Andrews Research and Education Foundation. He also serves as medical director and orthopaedic surgeon for Auburn University Intercollegiate Athletics, senior orthopaedic consultant for The University of Alabama and senior orthopaedic consultant for the Washington Redskins.

Bill Battle

Battle holds degrees from The University of Alabama and The University of Oklahoma. Following his coaching career at The University of Tennessee, he founded Collegiate Licensing Co., creating the industry of collegiate licensing. When Battle sold the company to IMG, Collegiate Licensing Co. had earned over $800 million in royalties representing more than 200 colleges, universities, bowls and conferences.

Battle has been inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and National Collegiate Licensing Association Hall of Fame. He is a founding member of the Crimson Tide Foundation Board and serves as president. Battle recently retired as the athletic director for The University of Alabama.

Dr. Dorothy Davidson

Davidson is the CEO and chairman of the board of directors of Davidson Technologies Inc. After receiving her Bachelor of Science, she began her career as a research mathematician with the United States Air Force at the Pentagon. Davidson then spent a number of years working with NATO countries in defense systems.

In 1992, Davidson relocated to Huntsville. In 2013, after the death of her husband, she became the CEO and chairman of the board for Davidson Technologies, where she grew the company in size and revenue from its beginning in 1996.

Davidson has remained supportive of the Huntsville community for 25 years. She personally pledged $5 million to the University of Alabama in Huntsville for the construction of an Innovator’s Center, funded the construction of the Davidson Center for Space Exploration at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center and pledged $5 million to Auburn University for their student engineering center.

John Johns

Johns holds degrees from The University of Alabama, Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School. He was recently elected executive chairman of Protective Life Corp. Johns serves on the corporate boards of Regions Financial Corp., Genuine Parts Co. and Southern Company.

He has been actively engaged in community and philanthropic service, having served as the chairman of the Business Council of Alabama, the McWane Science Center, the Greater Alabama Council of the Boy Scouts of America and Birmingham Business Alliance, as well as being an emeritus trustee of The University of Alabama System.

Logan holds degrees from Auburn University and Clemson University and honorary doctorates from Auburn University, Clemson University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He served as CEO of Southern Progress, CEO of Time Inc. and chairman of Time Warner Media and Communications.

Don Logan

Logan and his family own the Birmingham Barons and Seek Publishing. In 2010, he and two partners acquired B.A.S.S., the world’s largest fishing organization, from ESPN. A respected civic leader, Logan is on the Executive Board of the Birmingham Business Alliance, is a founding member of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and has served on the boards of the Magazine Publishers Association and National Book Foundation.

The Alabama Business Hall of Fame was founded in 1973 by the Culverhouse College of Commerce Board of Visitors to honor individuals in business who have brought lasting fame to the state of Alabama. A 14-member board of directors establishes the criteria for nominations and governs the Hall of Fame. All candidates must meet the qualifications of being retired for a minimum of three years or be 65 years of age or older, prior to induction, if still active in their careers.

For more information about the Alabama Business Hall of Fame and 2017 Induction Ceremony, visit abhof.culverhouse.ua.edu/.