Last night, one of the area’s most modest men, Cary Baker, was honored with resolutions from the Alabama House of Representatives, the Alabama Senate and the Andalusia City Council.

Each resolution recognized the former Shaw manager’s more than 40 years in the textile industry, and specifically, his many years of service in Andalusia.

As plant manager, Baker has been responsible for two major plant expansions.

“The local plant’s continued success is largely due to his hard work, vision, technical skills and leadership,” Mayor Earl Johnson said.

Baker also served for many years as a member of the South Alabama Regional Airport Authority, and as its chairman.

“You will never know how many lives he has touched until you look around and see the things Cary Baker has been involved in,” Johnson said. “There are too many to count.”

Indeed, he has been a driving force in making sure that the local Shaw plant was innovative, efficient, and remained in Andalusia, and in doing so, contributed to the economic health of the entire region.

We join those governing bodies in thanking him for the contributions he’s made, challenging him to keep working in our community, and wishing him well in retirement.