Leadership

Phillip McWane is the Chairman of McWane, Inc. in Birmingham, Alabama. Phillip joined the company in 1980 and has held several management positions, including Executive Vice President and President. He has served on the board of McWane, Inc. since 1986.

Additionally, Phillip serves on the Board of Directors of Children’s Hospital of Alabama. He is also a member of the Birmingham Rotary Club and Leadership Alabama and serves on the boards of PreSchool Partners Advisory Board and the Birmingham Business Alliance Executive Committee.

Phillip is a graduate of Auburn University.

Will McWane joined McWane, Inc. in 2014 as Executive Vice President and later served as President of Alabama Dynamics from 2016-2020. As Executive Vice President, Will has overall responsibility for multiple businesses, including McWane Plumbing Group and McWane International, as well as oversight of the McWane Real Estate venture.

A steward of the community and a proponent of helping to ensure opportunities for future generations, Will serves on the Board of Junior Achievement of Alabama, furthering its mission to inspire and prepare young people to succeed.

After earning his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Auburn University, Will attended Georgetown University and earned his master’s degree in finance. 

Kyle Barrett joined McWane, Inc. in 1991 and serves as Vice President and Director of Corporate Tax.

Since joining McWane, in addition to performing his duties leading the Tax Department, Kyle has overseen pension plan and 401(k) retirement plan administration and investments and worked on acquisitions.

Kyle graduated from the University of South Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant. Upon graduation, Kyle worked for Coopers & Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP) prior to his tenure at McWane.

Kyle is a member of the Tax Leadership Roundtable, the U. S. Chamber of Commerce Taxation Committee and previously the Fiscal Responsibility Committee.  Within the community, Kyle enjoyed coaching youth baseball for many years.

Kevin Bense joined McWane, Inc. in 2018 as Group President, Waterworks, Valve & Hydrant and Pipe. In 2022, he was named Executive Vice President, Manchester Tank & Equipment Co. in addition to his existing responsibilities.

He previously served as president of A.J. Oster, a division of Global Brass and Copper Holdings, where he first served as vice president and general manager of the company’s Somers Thin Strip division.

From 2007 to 2011, Kevin served as a global business leader for Honeywell International Inc.'s specialty additives business unit. Earlier in his career, he served in various domestic and international executive, marketing and management positions of increasing responsibility in the chemicals industry.

Kevin earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Business Administration degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.

Harrison Bishop joined the McWane family of companies in 2015 and since that time has served in various leadership roles at McWane operating companies involving fire suppression and pressurized vessels. Harrison currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Amerex Corporation, the world’s largest and most innovative manufacturer of hand portable and wheeled fire extinguishers for commercial and industrial applications.

Prior to joining McWane, Harrison was a shareholder of Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C. (Maynard Nexsen) where he practiced corporate and tax law.  Harrison is a member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham and has served on several community boards, presently serving on the Executive Committee as Chairman-elect of the McWane Science Center Board of Trustees and on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for Smile-A-Mile.  He is a 2022 graduate of Leadership Birmingham, and a member of Leadership Alabama Class XXXIII (2024).

Harrison graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Concentration—Finance), the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law with a Juris Doctor, and the New York University School of Law with a Master of Laws in Taxation.

Laura Clark joined McWane, Inc. in 2021 and serves as Vice President, Corporate Communications. Prior to joining McWane, she led communications across Tenet Health’s Alabama and Tennessee region, including seven hospitals, primary care operations and employed physician network.

With nearly 25 years in the communications profession, Laura possesses extensive experience in the manufacturing industry. She began her career with Philip Morris USA and later joined International Paper, supporting the printing papers operation before leading corporate communications for the company’s North American Container business. In 2016, she earned her White Belt certification in Manufacturing Excellence and certification in Continuous Improvement.

Laura is a cum laude graduate of the University of Alabama where she earned her bachelor’s in public relations. She represents McWane as a member of Executive Women International and is active in Public Relations Society of America. Additionally, she is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Birmingham and Tri Delta Birmingham Alumnae Chapter.  

Gretchen Easton joined McWane, Inc. in 2016 and leads the Human Resources functions of Operations and Talent Management across all North American divisions. 

Gretchen brings more than 25 years of experience in all aspects of human resources. Her prior work experience includes leading human resources for MillerCoors LLC in North Carolina as well as other large manufacturing companies, including Visteon Corporation (Ford Motor Company).

Gretchen earned her MBA with an emphasis in HR management from the University of Phoenix.  She graduated with a bachelor’s in communications from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. While at MillerCoors, LLC she certified as a Green Belt in Six Sigma from North Carolina State. Gretchen also holds a certification in California Employment Law.

Gretchen is training with the Trevor Project to be a crisis counselor. Her passion around Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging has proven beneficial in helping young persons within the LGBTQ+ community. 

Michael (Mickey) Hannum joined McWane, Inc. in 2018 as Vice President, Health and Safety. Mickey has extensive experience in implementation of safety programs, increasing employee engagement, injury prevention, risk reduction and compliance.

Prior to joining McWane, Mickey served as audit and advisory manager at Koch Industries for four years. Prior to that he served as global environment, health and safety & engineering director for Reichhold Inc.

Mickey earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology and Occupational Safety from Illinois State University. He holds several designations — Certified Safety Professional, Certified Professional Environmental Auditor, and Certified Process Safety Auditor. 

Charlie Hartman joined McWane, Inc. in 2022 and currently serves as Senior Vice President and General Counsel. In this role, Charlie is responsible for leading McWane’s legal department.  

Prior to joining McWane, Charlie was a shareholder of the law firm Maynard, Cooper & Gale, PC (now Maynard Nexsen) in Birmingham, where he specialized in mergers and acquisitions.  

Charlie serves his community in a number of ways, including as a member of Leadership Birmingham Class of 2024, Rotary Club of Birmingham, and the University of Tennessee College of Law Dean’s Circle.

Charlie is a graduate of the University of Georgia (B.S.F.R.), and the University of Tennessee College of Law (J.D.).

Leslie Mawhorter joined McWane, Inc. in 2013 as Director, Benefits and Compensation. She has since expanded her role to include HR systems and was promoted to Vice President, HR ─ Benefits, Compensation and Systems. Prior to joining McWane, Leslie served nearly 14 years with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama and 12 years in the United States Air Force. She has extensive experience in healthcare, both insurance and patient care.

Leslie serves as an executive board and founding member of the Alabama Employer Healthcare Consortium. She works closely with other Alabama employers addressing cost drivers and enhancing healthcare quality.

Leslie earned an associate degree in aerospace medicine from the Community College of the Air Force, a bachelor’s degree in human resource management from University of Mount Olive in North Carolina and a master’s in strategic communications from Troy University.

Kevin McCarthy joined McWane in 2014 and is responsible for leading the Human Resources and Communications functions across the organization. He brings more than 30 years in driving results in all facets of human resources.

His career prior to McWane includes leading the human resources function at corporate, divisional and plant levels in large manufacturing companies in multiple industries. He has led human resources activities in food (Russell Stover Candies, Keebler Company), private-equity organizations (Wolverine Tube, O’Sullivan Industries) and in two divisions of United Technologies Corporation (Carrier, Fire & Security). 

Kevin earned a Masters of Education in Counseling Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in communication, both from James Madison University. He also carries the designations of SHRM-SCP and Senior Professional in Human Resources.

Tony Orlowski was named Executive Vice President, Plumbing Group, in January 2022 with overall responsibility of the Texas-based Tyler Pipe & Coupling plants and the Sri City, India, Coupling plant.

A seasoned team member at McWane, Inc., Tony began his tenure with the company in June 1996 as a management trainee at McWane Pipe in Birmingham, Alabama. Over the next 25 years, he amassed a wealth of experience across multiple businesses, including serving as Foundry/Flange Fabrication Manager at Clow Water (now McWane Ductile Ohio) before being named Assistant General Manager of the Tyler South Plant in the Fittings Group and later serving as Assistant General Manager of the North Plant with the Plumbing Group. Most recently, Tony served as Vice President and General Manager, M&H Valve, and Vice President, Operations, Tyler Union.

Tony received a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Tennessee. He holds a Professional Engineer license. 

Jeff Otterstedt has been the Senior Vice President of the Pipe Division since 2011. Prior to 2011, Jeff was the Vice President/General Manager of Clow Water Systems in Coshocton, Ohio., a position he held from 1999. Jeff started his career with McWane at Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Company in 1992. From 1995 until 1997, he was the plant manager of Canada Pipe Company in Hamilton, Ontario.

Jeff is an active member of Ohio Cast Metals Association and served on the board as trustee, vice president and president from 2000 through 2010.

Jeff graduated from Texas A&M University in 1991 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1995 with a Master of Business Administration degree. 

Kirk Petty has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of McWane Inc. since 2021. Previously, he served as Vice President and Controller from 2012 to 2020. During his time at McWane, Kirk has worked in the areas of financial accounting, acquisitions, debt financings, taxes and pensions.

Prior to his time at McWane, Kirk worked in the audit practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, where he primarily served clients in the insurance and real estate industries. 

Kirk is a graduate of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, with a bachelor's degree in accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Andy Pody joined McWane, Inc. in 2020 as Vice President and Corporate Controller. During this time, Andy has worked in the areas of financial accounting, acquisitions and debt financings.

Prior to joining McWane, Andy served as Controller of O’Neal Steel, Assistant Vice President of Finance of The Health Care Authority of the City of Anniston and previously worked in the audit practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP where he primarily served clients in the insurance, asset management and health care industries.

Andy is a graduate of Jacksonville State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant.

James (Jim) M. Proctor, II serves as Senior Vice President, Legal and External Affairs of McWane, Inc. Jim joined the company as general counsel in 1995. Prior to coming to McWane, he was a shareholder of the law firm of Maynard, Cooper & Gale, PC in Birmingham, where he specialized in commercial litigation.

Jim serves on the boards of and as general counsel of the Business Council of Alabama, and Boy Scouts of America Greater Alabama Council, Manufacture Alabama’s Iron and Steel Council; Cornerstone Schools; Workshops, Inc. and the Norton Board of Advisors, Birmingham-Southern College.

Additionally, Jim is a member of the American Bar Association (recipient of Andrew Hecker Memorial Award); the Alabama State Bar Association; Association of Corporate Counsel; Birmingham Inns of Court; Leadership Birmingham; Project Corporate Leadership; Canterbury United Methodist Church; the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Drinking Water Advisory Panel; the Society of International Business Fellow’s and the Downtown Kiwanis Club.

Jim graduated from the University of Virginia in 1981 with a bachelor's degree in history and economics and from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1984, where he was an editor of the Alabama Law Review and a member of the John A. Campbell Moot Court Board.

Jim Purcell joined McWane in 2019 and currently serves as Vice President and Chief Information Officer. He has extensive experience driving organizational success through strategic technology management over his 20-plus-year career.

Jim served the State of Alabama as Secretary of Technology and Chief Information Officer before joining McWane. He was an integral member of the Governor’s cabinet and led the Office of Information Technology, overseeing centralized IT services for various agencies, boards and commissions within the executive branch. In recognition of his exemplary service and contributions to public sector technology, Jim was honored with the Alabama ORBIE Award for CIO of the Year in 2019. Prior to joining the State of Alabama, he worked as Chief Technology Officer for Brasfield & Gorrie for 16 years.

Jim earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and accounting from Georgia State University.

Jitendra (Jeet) Radia has been with McWane, Inc. since 2003. He has more than 40 years of technical and management experience in assisting industrial manufacturing firms with a wide range of environmental, health and safety, and sustainability issues. He brings particular expertise on environmental and sustainability concerns related to metal casting operations and processes. Before joining McWane, Jeet was a consultant providing senior level technical and regulatory assistance to industrial clients on a variety of environmental, health and safety issues.

As a recognized expert in the environmental area, Jeet is a frequent speaker at conferences, seminars and training courses on environmental issues. He has been an active member of the American Foundry Society (AFS) for over three decades and held leadership positions on the EHS Division Committees. He served on the AFS Board (2018-2022 term) and chairs the AFS Air Quality Committee. He also serves on the Board of the Cahaba River Society.

Jeet earned a bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in Industrial Metallurgy and Management from the University of Aston, Birmingham, England. He is a registered professional engineer and a Certified Industrial Hygienist.

Carl Raycroft joined McWane in 2023 as Vice President, Environmental Compliance. Carl has more than 30 years of experience as an environmental, health and safety (EHS) professional driving improvement strategies from concept to action in complex, multi-facility operations. 

Carl started his career at ERM, Inc. an environmental consulting company. Following 10 years in the chemical industry, he transitioned into the molten metal recycling industry with TMK IPSCO Corporation, managing production of steel pipe products for the oil and gas industry. Most recently, he served as EHS Compliance Vice President at Ecobat, the world’s largest battery recycler. In this role, Carl established the company as an industry leader in reducing employee chemical exposure and implemented pollution monitoring and control technology for lead smelting operations, among other accomplishments.

Carl’s training in Six Sigma has led to numerous EHS initiatives to drive strategies based on metrics and operational excellence. He also ensures sustainability is woven into operating plans for the organization.

Carl earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from Wabash College and an engineering degree from Washington University in St. Louis.

Melanie Williamson serves as Vice President and Treasurer for McWane, Inc. where she is responsible for cash management and risk management. She began her tenure with McWane in 2013 as Assistant Vice President and Risk Manager.

Prior to joining McWane, Melanie served as a Marketing Account Executive for McGriff Seibels & Williams (now McGriff Insurance Services) where she worked primarily with large, multinational clients in the placement and ongoing management of their property and casualty insurance programs. During this time, McWane, Inc. was among her clients.

Melanie is a member of the local and national Risk and Insurance Management Society and has served on the Risk Management and Insurance Advisory Board for Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, since its inception in 2019. 

Melanie graduated from the University in Alabama with a bachelor's degree in accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Insurance Counselor.