Automotive assembly requires thousands of parts to be brought together in a unified whole. This includes the most important component of them all, the people who are responsible for making sure those parts are accumulated and constructed correctly.
The Southern Automotive Conference recently recognized several such individuals at the 10th annual Stars of Southern Manufacturing Awards. Workers at each of Alabama’s five OEMs were among those honored at the event.
“Successful automakers depend on excellent employees at every level of the company — from the managerial level to the factory floor,” the SAC stated in announcing the awards. “These employees possess skills and stellar personalities that keep automotive companies running.
“We believe that these fine Southern employees deserve recognition for the part they play in combining valuable knowledge of traditional auto production and the skills needed for the future of manufacturing.”
Here is a look at the SAC award-winners from Alabama and a sampling of what some of their co-workers have to say about the ways these employees keep automotive production in the state operating like a fine-tuned machine.
Mery Curtis
Assembly Team Leader,
Mazda Toyota Manufacturing
“Mery is an awesome team leader who is always looking to lead by example,” MTM Assembly Group Leader Michael Ethridge said. “She works to better herself while also putting others before herself. She’s good at listening to other team members and has worked very well in helping develop them to the next level.
“Mery brings a strong combination of technical expertise, leadership and a deep commitment to the development of others, qualities that are essential to the success of manufacturing operations at MTM. She is highly dedicated to mentoring team leaders and peers not only within the Assembly department, but across various areas of the organization. By sharing her knowledge and experience, she consistently identifies and supports opportunities for process improvement that drive efficiency and performance.
“Mery is highly skilled in Toyota Production System tools and problem-solving methodologies, and she effectively transfers this knowledge to others through coaching and hands-on training. Her dedication to both people and process makes her a key contributor to MTM’s manufacturing operations and an invaluable resource to her team and the broader organization.”
Eric McKee
Specialist of Weld Process Engineering,
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama
“Eric is a very important asset to our team for his hard work, dedication and unwavering commitment and passion for his job,” said Edward Thomas, HMMA assistant manager for process engineering. “He utilizes every opportunity to ensure that good quality units are being shipped to our customers. From his proactive approach to preventing issues, to the maintenance work that he does, Eric truly has a significant impact on our daily operations.”
In nominating McKee for the award, HMMA Engineering Manager Sean Kang shared a story that he said illustrates McKee’s importance to the company.
“For years, operators manually cleaned CO2 welding nozzles to prevent blockages that can lead to quality issues or downtime,” Kang said. “Occasionally, operators forget to clean the nozzles, or spatter accumulated too quickly, causing downtime issues. Eric recognized this inefficiency as an opportunity for improvement.
“At a fabrication expo in Atlanta, Eric spotted a new CO2 nozzle cleaner reamer and saw its potential to streamline operations. He collaborated closely with the vendor to customize the reamer to fit our specific setup, to ensure integration into our processes. Eric installed the set of trial reamers, and the results were very successful. Eric introduced and trained operators on the new system to maintain the equipment effectively. He now plans to implement 10 additional reamers across the shop.”
Sandy Parnell
Production Support Group Team Leader,
Honda Development & Manufacturing of America – Alabama
“Sandy started initially as a production associate in 2003 and quickly became a team coordinator in 2004,” Senior Staff Engineer Joshua Primm said in nominating Parnell. “She is currently our most senior team leader, having served across multiple different production zones.
“Sandy is the perfect example of a person whose actions speak louder than her words. She is dedicated, resilient and sets a great example for her fellow associates and team leads for how to handle the most chaotic and challenging of circumstances.
“Work on the manufacturing floor can be a grind, and Sandy demonstrates for others how to handle everything that she is asked to do with a positive and determined attitude. She is always one to share credit and to encourage her fellow associates to be the best version of themselves. Sandy has the highest integrity in her work and is committed to putting our associates in the best possible position to be successful in order to exceed the customer’s expectation.”
DaMarcus Sullivan
Production Team Leader,
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama
“DaMarcus has been an invaluable asset to the engine production line over the past year,” TMMAL General Manager Larry Deutscher said in nominating Sullivan. “He successfully transitioned from a SHERPA leader, where he guided new hires in acclimating to the shop floor, to a production team leader in assembly. Through his coaching, encouragement and exemplary leadership, the production line has thrived, resulting in a significant boost in team morale.
“DaMarcus excels at bringing out the best in his team by fostering strong relationships and staying true to his character. He is honest and transparent in his communication, ensuring that team members grow and develop from every interaction. His representation of Toyota is exemplary, both inside and outside the workplace.
“In addition to his assembly responsibilities, DaMarcus serves as the chair of the business partnering group ‘Young Professionals,’ a group dedicated to developing and recognizing emerging leaders within the community. Most impressively, DaMarcus approaches every interaction and experience as an opportunity for learning, all while maintaining his humility and commitment to service.”
Dakota McIntyre / David Osburn / James McGrath
Battery Plant Team,
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International
MBUSI took a different direction with its nomination by recognizing a trio of engineers on its battery plant team. When the plant opened in 2022, it marked the first major expansion of MBUSI beyond the original facility in Vance.
“With the new battery plant, we faced a steep learning curve as a greenfield plant under powertrain standards,” MBUSI Group Leader Casey Cook said. “But thanks to the work of James McGrath and David Osburn, we didn’t just meet expectations. We set new ones.”
Meanwhile, Dakota McIntyre has been a driving force in the unit’s quality planning, according to Battery Plant Manager Christian Beyer.
“Together, these three engineers turned challenges into opportunities, engaging teams, digitizing processes and building trust across the plant,” Beyer said. “All three began their journeys at MBUSI as co-ops, transitioning to full-time roles through their dedication and skill.
“These three have demonstrated exceptional individual capabilities, and as a cohesive unit, have shown a remarkable, quality-oriented mindset and deep understanding of our processes and requirements. Their ability to engage team members, explain technical concepts and foster collaboration has been instrumental in our success. Their passion for the product, company and team is infectious.”
Cary Estes is a Birmingham-based freelance contributor to Business Alabama. All photos courtesy of the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association.
