Manufacture Alabama names Barganier to top role, succeeding founder George Clark

Manufacture Alabama, the only trade association in the state dedicated exclusively to the full array of regulatory, operational and competitive interests of manufacturers, announced they elevated Jon Barganier to the top leadership spot as President and CEO.

He’ll take over for George Clark, who founded the organization in 1996. Clark served as President of the organization since its inception and will continue to serve at Manufacture Alabama as Director Emeritus and President of Workforce Development as part of the transition.

Barganier joined Manufacture Alabama in August 2020 as Chief Operating Officer and has worked in Alabama state government and politics since 2006.

“This is an exciting day for our association,” said Paul Vercher, Chairman of the Manufacture Alabama Board of Directors.

“George Clark is the founder of Manufacture Alabama and under his vigilant leadership the manufacturing sector in our state has been well represented enabling it to function as a dynamic driver for the state’s economy. Jon is well positioned to continue to improve upon the precedent George has set and the Board of Directors looks forward to working with Jon to continue Manufacture Alabama’s strong leadership in the manufacturing sector,” Vercher said.

George Clark, a titan of the sector, said, “I have been blessed to have been the creator and leader of Manufacture Alabama for almost 30 years.”

“We have become the recognized voice for manufacturers in Alabama. Our future is bright with the leadership of our Board of Directors and our exceptional staff.”

“I am honored to be entrusted by the Board of Directors with the responsibility to lead this vital organization which represents the backbone of our economy,” said Jon Barganier.

Prior to joining Manufacture Alabama, Barganier served as Executive Director for the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) Alabama office as well as serving in appointed positions for three of Alabama’s governors.

Barganier is a graduate of the University of Alabama and obtained an MBA from Auburn University Montgomery. He and his wife, Leigh, reside in Montgomery and they have two sons; Nash and Jeb.

“Manufacturing epitomizes the best of what Alabama has to offer and I am blessed to advocate on behalf of the companies that invest so much in our communities. I look forward to building on the foundation that George established while working with the best team in Montgomery to make Alabama a place where manufacturing continues to thrive.”

Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270