Seven Questions with Southern Belle Supernova: Jason Puckett, President, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama

Jason Puckett, president of Toyota Alabama (TMMAL)

Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jason Puckett, president of Toyota Alabama (TMMAL). He is responsible for all production and administration functions at the manufacturing facility, which produces four-and six-cylinder engines for eight North American assembled Toyota vehicles. TMMAL directly employs 1,800 and represents a $1.5 billion investment. 

He is a member of Committee of 100 and serves on the board of the Business Council of Alabama, the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, and Huntsville/Madison County Port Authority. 

A few facts about TMMAL:

•        Team members represent 18 different counties in Alabama and Tennessee
•        Winner of the Toyota North America Awards for outstanding energy, waste, and water management
•        Zero landfill facility
•        ISO14001 certified since 2004
•        Wildlife Habitat Council Certified since 2014 with four active programs onsite
•        3.3 acre solar farm onsite which produces enough energy to power the plant during non-production
•        Toyota Alabama produces one-third of all Toyota engines built in the U.S.
•        Only Toyota plant in North America to build twin-turbo V6 engine
•        Three out of four production lines produce both combustion and hybrid engines

Maufacture Alabama's State of the Industry Panel was moderated by Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield.  Panelists included Michelle Howell, Plant Director, 3M Decatur Materials Plant; Nick Zicchino, Director of Production Operations, Lockheed Martin Courtland; Chuck Green, President and CEO, AM/NS Calvert; Jason Puckett, President, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama (speaking); Jonathan Harding, Regional Manager of State Government Relations, West Rock.

 Click below to listen to the interview:

During the interview, Jason mentioned Driving Possibilities, a new $110 million education and community-focused program developed by Toyota. 

Driving Possibilities leverages Toyota’s more than 60 years of active support in communities across the U.S., with a comprehensive strategy to collaborate with academia, local and national nonprofits, and the community. The aim is to create innovative educational programs and improve access to opportunities where barriers exist. 

This initiative of the Toyota USA Foundation will be funded in part by Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) and Toyota Financial Services (TFS) and will begin a phased rollout across the company’s operational communities nationwide. 

Driving Possibilities focuses on PreK-12 education, building on Toyota’s existing programs across the country. The goal of the initiative is to improve communities and get young people excited and prepared for the job market. 

Beyond the classroom, Driving Possibilities includes community engagement efforts focused on critical needs like food insecurity, job training and mobility services. Toyota intends to partner with other businesses, local government, educators, and nonprofits to address education and community needs. 

Additionally, I delayed posting my September 15^th interview, because TMMAL had a big announcement on Saturday, September 24^th that I wanted to include. 

Toyota, the National Environmental Education Foundation, and Land Trust of North Alabama collaborate on three-year project to improve physical and visual accessibility of Harvest Square Nature Preserve. 

Toyota and the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) unveiled the project as part of kick-off festivities for National Public Lands Day, the largest single-day volunteer event for America’s public lands.

Nearly 50 Toyota Alabama employees joined together with local officials at the preserve to help construct a board walk, widen trails, and install an accessible lunch table. 

Toyota and NEEF awarded a $150,000 grant to support various projects focused on physical and visual accessibility. The funding is part of Toyota and NEEF’s 2022 Driving Mobility and Accessibility on Public Lands Grants awarded to various projects focused on mobility and accessibility considerations on public lands and waterways across the country. 

The nature preserve is located approximately six miles from Toyota’s 1.3 million-square-foot manufacturing facility in Huntsville and welcomes approximately 70,000 visitors per year. 

“I look forward to people of all abilities enjoying this wonderful preserve and connecting with nature,” said Jason Puckett, president, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama. “This initiative supports our mission of mobility for all, and our environmental and educational goals, all while creating a place for everyone to enjoy year-round.” 

My sincerest appreciation to Jason Puckett for taking time out of his busy day to speak with me, and to Kimberly Agnello, Sr. Communications Analyst, Toyota Motor North America and Bekah Schmidt, Analyst, Corporate Communications, Toyota Alabama for setting up the interview and being available during and after to provide the help I needed. 

The trails of Georgia and I are loving the Toyota Yeti, y’all … thanks bunches!

Photographs courtesy of Toyota Newsroom and www.bonniemoret.com.