Honoring the remarkable career of Judy Harrison

After a 40-year career in human resources, including a decade in manufacturing, Judy Harrison is marking a new chapter as she prepares to retire from her role as human resources director for McWane’s Anniston Operations.

Harrison joined McWane in 2018, initially leading the M&H Valve human resources team. In 2021, she transitioned to Tyler Union in a similar HR leadership capacity. Her contributions, steady leadership and deep experience led to her promotion in early 2024 to HR director for Anniston Operations, where she has guided teams across both facilities.

Her manufacturing career began years earlier in Anniston at the former Tyco facility, which later became Johnson Controls and eventually Anvil International. Before stepping into manufacturing, Harrison spent 25 years at Jacksonville State University in higher education human resources, following an earlier HR role with a regional retail chain. Altogether, she has devoted four decades to the HR profession.

Volunteerism has been woven throughout Harrison’s professional life. She has served the local chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) in numerous capacities, including chapter leadership and multiple committee assignments. Her commitment to the profession expanded to the state level, where she held leadership positions with the Alabama SHRM State Council. During her tenure in higher education, Harrison also played an active role in statewide higher education HR leadership initiatives. Beyond her professional volunteer service, she has made meaningful contributions to community organizations such as the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, where she served as both a troop leader and later as a member of the council’s realignment and bylaws restructuring committee. She is also engaged in external workforce development, participating in outreach efforts through Gadsden State Community College and contributing to the development and leadership of the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education.

Reflecting on her time with McWane and the Anniston operations, Harrison said:

“I have really enjoyed my time working at the Anniston facilities. This has truly been a meaningful chapter in my career. After all, the work we do is, and has always been, about the company’s success rather than one person or one department. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside talented, dedicated people committed to doing things the right way. Together, we’ve built a strong foundation, one that I am confident will support continued growth for years to come. Success isn’t a single moment; it’s a journey made up of shared effort, trust and determination. I’m grateful to have been part of that journey.”

Looking ahead, Harrison says the journey now continues with her husband, Bob. Together they have two grown children and teenage grandchildren, and their home is far from quiet. “We are not empty nesters,” she said. “We have two doodles that keep us very busy.”

Harrison leaves behind a legacy of leadership, mentorship and service, one that will continue to shape Anniston Operations for years to come.

Filling her role as human resources director for Anniston Operations is Robert Haynes, a human resources leader with 22 years of progressive experience in HR management, having worked in roles such as Manager, Director and HR Business Partner. A graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a bachelor's degree in human resources management, Haynes brings a strong focus on organizational development, employee relations and aligning HR initiatives and organizational goals to the team. At Anniston Operations, he is excited to build relationships throughout the two companies and the opportunity to get to know the talented team members who make the companies' exceptional products.