Huntsville, Alabama, October 23, 2025
News Summary
David Fernandes, senior vice president of Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, has been honored with the first William E. Gaskin Ally Award for promoting diversity in the workplace. Presented at the Women in Manufacturing Summit, this award recognizes efforts made to cultivate inclusivity within organizations. With a rich 25-year history at Toyota, Fernandes is known for advocating for women and highlighting the critical role of diversity in team performance. His recent talks addressed various industry challenges, including electric vehicle production and workforce strategies.
Huntsville, Alabama —
David Fernandes, senior vice president of Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, has been awarded the inaugural William E. Gaskin Ally Award for his contributions to enhancing diversity in the workplace. This award, presented at the Women in Manufacturing Summit, honors individuals who have made significant efforts toward fostering inclusivity in their workplace environments.
With over 25 years of experience at Toyota, Fernandes most recently operated in Huntsville, Alabama. Before taking on his current role, he served as president at Toyota Mississippi and also held positions at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Fernandes began his career in 1998 as a group leader at Toyota’s manufacturing plant in West Virginia, subsequently working at six different plants worldwide, including a global assignment in South Africa.
Fernandes has emphasized the importance of advocating for women in the workplace and the significant role diversity plays in enhancing team performance. His remarks at a recent automotive conference in Huntsville highlighted pressing industry issues such as workforce concerns, tariffs, artificial intelligence, and the shift towards electric vehicles.
Industry Insights and Developments
The Mazda Toyota Manufacturing facility in Huntsville currently employs about 4,000 people and has successfully brought in new staff recently. Within the automotive sector, other local manufacturers are also making adjustments based on employee feedback. For instance, the Honda Alabama Auto Plant recently adopted a fixed schedule, moving away from the two-shift pattern established over the last 20 years.
Executives within Alabama’s automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) view artificial intelligence as a tool that can enhance productivity rather than a threat to job security. Furthermore, the recent United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement has prompted manufacturers to prioritize domestic supply chains significantly.
Concerns have emerged regarding the future demand for electric vehicles (EVs), particularly as federal subsidies start to wind down. Despite these worries, many leaders in the industry, including Lamar Whitaker, vice president at Honda Alabama, see electrification as the direction for personal mobility. There are ongoing efforts to substantially increase EV production capacity within the United States.
Local Developments
As Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama looks ahead, it is projected to employ about 1,800 employees by 2021. This comes after a leadership transition in which David Finch, who previously managed the Alabama plant, has been promoted to senior vice president at Toyota South Africa Motors. Meanwhile, Jason Puckett has been named as the new president of the Alabama facility.
The Huntsville plant is notable for its unique ability to assemble four-, six-, and eight-cylinder engines, distinguishing it as the only Toyota facility with this capability. In addition, the site has recently undergone a $288 million expansion, adding 450 new jobs to its workforce. Following his recognition with the Gaskin Award, David Fernandes will assume the presidency of Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Mississippi, overseeing both manufacturing and administrative functions at a plant dedicated to assembling the Corolla.
FAQs
What is the William E. Gaskin Ally Award?
The William E. Gaskin Ally Award is presented by the Women in Manufacturing Summit and recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to diversity in the workplace.
Who is the first recipient of the William E. Gaskin Ally Award?
David Fernandes, senior vice president of Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, is the first recipient of the William E. Gaskin Ally Award.
How many employees work at Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Huntsville?
Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Huntsville employs approximately 4,000 people.
What recent changes have been made at the Honda Alabama Auto Plant?
The Honda Alabama Auto Plant recently changed to a fixed schedule after employee feedback, moving away from a two-shift pattern that had been in place for 20 years.
What is the projected employment at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama by 2021?
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama is expected to have around 1,800 employees by 2021, following a leadership change.
What is notable about the Huntsville plant’s operations?
The Huntsville plant is unique as it assembles four-, six-, and eight-cylinder engines, making it the only Toyota facility that does so.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Business Alabama: David Fernandes
- Axios: Alabama Automakers
- AL.com: Toyota Motor Plant in Huntsville
- Huntsville Business Journal: Toyota Names Jason Puckett
- 256 Today: Southern Automotive Conference
- Wikipedia: Huntsville, Alabama
- Google Search: Alabama automotive industry
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Alabama
- Google News: Toyota Motor Manufacturing Huntsville
- Made in Alabama: Toyota to Add Workers
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTSVILLE WRITER
The HUNTSVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHuntsville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntsville, Madison County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Panoply Arts Festival, Rocket City Brewfest, and Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, plus leading businesses in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Boeing, SAIC, and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBirmingham.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
