Mark L. Warner, REM, President and CEO  -- 

 

Mr. Warner graduated from the Catholic University of America (Washington, DC) in May of 1988 where he studied Biochemistry and Chemical Engineering. Mr. Warner is a Registered Environmental Manager with 21 years of management experience in environmental and facilities engineering, and quality management systems, specifically in manufacturing applications. Aside from the chemistry and engineering background, Mr. Warner also has extensive personnel and budget management experience as well as cumulative environmental management experience at over 34 manufacturing facilities, including several chemical plants. Mr. Warner has held various management positions at the Chemical Manufacturers Association in Washington, DC, American Standard in Piscataway, NJ and New York City, NY (Manhattan), Vulcan Chemicals in Birmingham, AL and most recently at the 4 million square foot Mercedes-Benz manufacturing complex, in Tuscaloosa, AL. Currently, Mr. Warner also serves on the Board of Directors for the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce and for Gulf Coast Energy Distribution. Mr. Warner has been the recipient of numerous professional awards, including most recently the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award for 2004 and 2005 and culminating in the Chamber’s highest honor, The Charles H. Land Member of the Year Award for 2006. Lastly, in giving back to the community, Mr. Warner was instrumental in launching the EMAP Program with the University of Alabama, which provides incoming engineering students the opportunity to participate in engineering projects with volunteer professionals prior to their first semester to get a head start.

 

Scott Z. Hazen, PE--Executive Vice-President, Construction and Engineering --

 

Mr. Hazen graduated from Michigan Technological University where he studied Civil and Environmental Engineering.  Mr. Hazen is a Licensed Engineer in Alabama and Michigan.  Mr. Hazen has 24 years experience in design and construction of manufacturing facilities, waste treatment plants, and training and testing facilities.  Mr. Hazen has been the lead civil engineer on a variety of industrial construction projects totally over 1 billion dollars, and he has overseen the construction of the full spectrum of projects from small remodeling jobs up to $600 million automotive facilities.  Mr. Hazen also is skilled in CAD and fully qualified to reading and generating drawings including engineering specifications.

 

 James S. "Jimmy" Edmonds, PE - Plant Manager, Livingston Works -- 

 

Mr. Edmonds graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from Auburn University where he was also a member of Pi Tau Sigma, an Honorary Mechanical Engineering Society.  He has over thirty-three years experience in mill engineering and production, and is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Alabama as well as a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.  Prior to joining Gulf Coast Energy, he was Superintendent of Pulp, Power, and Recovery at Gulf States Paper Corporation and subsequently Rock Tenn Corporation at the Demopolis Mill from 1992-2006.  Before becoming Superintendent, he served in the following positions:  Assistant Pulp Mill Superintendent, Assistant Power and Recovery Superintendent, Senior Mill Engineer, and Mill Engineer.

 

I. Drayton Pruitt, Jr., Chairman of the Board -- 

 

I. Drayton Pruitt, Jr. received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Alabama in 1959, a Juris Doctor from the University Of Alabama School Of Law in January of l96l, and a Doctor of Laws Degree from Livingston University in l990. He is a practicing lawyer from Livingston, Sumter County, Alabama since 1961 and is licensed to practice law in the States of Alabama and Tennessee. Mr. Pruitt serves on the Board of Directors of Cyber Operations, Morgan Creek Energy Corp., The Governor “Sonny” Montgomery Institute, BioBait, Inc., The Alabama Law School Foundation, and the University of Alabama President’s Council. He also serves as chairman of the Board of Directors of Regions Bank in Sumter, Alabama. In addition to the law, Mr. Pruitt served as one of a three member Board of Directors of Governor George C. Wallace's Campaign for President of the United States in the 1972 and 1976 campaigns. He was elected to the City Council of Livingston, Alabama in 1964 and served until 1968, when he was elected as Mayor and then served as Vice Chairman of the Utilities Board of the City of Livingston from 1968 - 1980. During his term as City Council member and Mayor, Livingston formed an Industrial Development Board, which developed three Industrial Parks. Notably, he was featured in the lead article of Venture Magazine for the innovative use of Industrial Revenue Bonds as venture capital, which assisted in locating many industries to the area. During the time that he was Mayor, the City of Livingston received more money per capita from the Federal Government than any other city in Alabama. A study done by the economic development subcommittee of Congress concluded that Livingston had the most success and best used the monies it received from the federal grant and loan programs of any city in the Nation. He testified twice before the US Congressional Subcommittee concerning the planning and organization needed to accomplish such a successful use of capital. Lastly, Mr. Pruitt also has a distinguished military service record. He served in the US Army Infantry beginning in 1957 and served in National Guard or Reserve Units until 1968. He served as a Military Police Officer at Fort Gordon Georgia during the Berlin crisis.