United Way Of West Alabama Names Gunter As 2023 Campaign Chair

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The United Way of West Alabama (UWWA) on Monday announced that Tuscaloosa businessman and philanthropist Chris Gunter has been named the nonprofit's 2023 campaign chair.

Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

In the position, Gunter will work to identify new funding sources and build relationships with community leaders and corporate donors to secure financial support for UWWA’s 30 partner agencies across the region.

“Chris has true servant’s heart for our community. His positive energy and leadership style is a great source of inspiration for our staff at United Way as well as for our volunteers,” UWWA President & CEO Jackie Wuska said. “While we all are feeling the impact of the increased costs of everything today, the rising costs are creating tremendous need for those on fixed incomes or who work hard but do not make enough to meet their basic needs. We are excited to have Chris’s guidance in this year’s campaign to raise additional support to enable our partner agencies to continue to help 1 out of 4 people in our community.”

As part of the fundraising efforts, Gunter will be aided by the 2023 Campaign Cabinet and UWWA Board of Directors.

Gunter is a native of Tuscaloosa and graduate of Central High School, going on to receive his bachelor’s degree in management human resources from Faulkner University.

He then enlisted in the US Army as a 74 Delta Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Specialist in 1998, where he was deployed on three major campaigns including Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Noble Eagle, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Often referred to as “The Pepsi Guy," Gunter has been with Buffalo Rock Pepsi for over 20 years and currently holds the title of Franchise General Sales Manager over Tuscaloosa and the its seven-county surrounding area.

“Chris has worked hard to develop a broad involvement in the Tuscaloosa community," Buffalo Rock CEO Matthew Dent said. “He is a fabulous representative of Buffalo Rock and the Tuscaloosa Community.”

Apart from his various professional pursuits, Chris Gunter currently serves on The Art and Humanities Council of Tuscaloosa Executive Committee, United Way of West Alabama Board of Directors, The Veterans Park Memorial Board of Directors and The Tuscaloosa One Place Board of Directors.

To learn more about participating in the 2023 United Way campaign, visit uwwa.org or contact Monique Scott or Laura Green at (205) 345-6640 or campaign@uwwa.org.

2023 Board of Directors

• Jheovanny Gomez, Jalapenos Mexican Grill (Board Chairman)
• Susan Bell, University of Alabama
• Matt Brooks, Nucor Steel
• Karen Burklew, Alabama Power Company
• David Coleman, Hunt Refining Company
• Martin Colvin, FNBCA-Pickens County
• Chris Cox, Shelton State Community College
• Norman Crow, City Councilman & D.T. Freight Company, Inc.
• Deidra Diaz, University of Alabama
• Erwin Dudley, Sr., Community Volunteer
• Hon. John England, Jr., Community Volunteer
• Shawn Gilliam Mercedes-Benz U.S. International
• Brian Groeschell, SmartBank
• Chris Gunter, Buffalo Rock
• Will Hewson, Hewson Family Foundation, Inc.
• John Humber, Community Volunteer
• Dr. Amy Jones, University of West Alabama
• Shelley Jones, Community Volunteer
• Katrina Keefer, DCH Health System
• Hon. Stephanie Kemmer, Bibb County Probate Judge
• Barbara Kucharski, Community Volunteer
• Brian Luoma, The Westervelt Company
• Brent McCorkle, Michelin-BFGoodrich
• Elizabeth McGiffert, Community Volunteer
• James Mowery, Publix Supermarkets
• Mary Bess Paluzzi, Community Volunteer
• Jordan Plaster, Ameriprise Financial
• Pam Pruitt, Community Volunteer
• Sandra Hall Ray, Community Volunteer
• Mollie Rowe, Eutaw Housing Authority
• Brenda Ryan, Community Volunteer
• Justice Smyth, IV, University of Alabama-EDA
• Harrison Taylor, Community Volunteer
• Elizabeth Winter, Regions Bank
• Chelsea Burroughs Winters, Capitol Park Title LLC

2023 Campaign Cabinet

• Chris Gunter, Buffalo Rock (Campaign Chairman)
• Amanda Lightsey, Children’s Trust Fund
• Dr. Amy Jones, University of West Alabama
• Bert Sims, Way, Ray, Shelton, & Co.
• Brenda Ryan, Community Volunteer
• Brian Groeschell, SmartBank
• Caroline Strawbridge, University of Alabama
• Chad Tindol, University of Alabama
• Chelsea Winters, Capitol Park Title LLC
• Chris England, City of Tuscaloosa
• Deidra Diaz, University of Alabama
• Glenda Webb, City of Northport
• Heather Dill, Embassy Suites
• Jay Welborn, Piggly Wiggly
• Jheovanny Gomez, Jalapeno’s Mexican Grill
• Joe Eatman, Shelton State Community College
• Josh Hayes, Prince, Glover & Hayes
• Justyce Smyth, Economic Development Authority
• Kelsey Rush, Visit Tuscaloosa
• Dr. Kristin Reed, University General Dentistry
• Lydia Avant, Tuscaloosa City Schools
• Mark Nelson, Tuscaloosa County Commission
• Martin Colvin, BankFirst
• Mary Harmon Young, Pritchett-Moore Real Estate
• Matt Feller, BFGoodrich Tire Company
• Michele Coley, Michele Coley Allstate
• Mollie Rowe, Eutaw Housing Authority
• Nicki May, Bibb County Medical Center
• Dr. Paul Diaz, Riverview Dental Designs
• Quin Kelly, Stillman College
• Sandra Hall Ray, Community Volunteer
• Stacey Ashe, Robertson Banking Company
• Hon. Stephanie Kemmer, Bibb County Probate Judge
• Steeve Steele, Synovus Bank
• Tanya Winstead, West Alabama Chamber of Commerce
• Terri Brewer, Tuscaloosa County Schools
• Tripp Powell, Yea Alabama
• Zach Wolfe, County of Tuscaloosa

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com.