Tyler Credited As Catalyst For Windsor Expansion
Yalobusha County Economic Development and Tourism District Director Bob Tyler (right) discusses the Ajinomoto Windsor expansion with (from left) Board President Cayce Washington, Mississippi Development Authority Executive Director Glenn McCullough and District Three Supervisor Lee McMinn.
Tyler Credited As Catalyst For Windsor Expansion
By David Howell
Editor
OAKLAND – Teamwork was a common theme in last Wednesday’s press conference and ground breaking when Ajinomoto Windsor announced a $20 million investment in a new rice line that will add 60 jobs at the Oakland plant. Players in this sweeping team included employees at the plant, local plant leaders and executives from Ajinomoto Windsor, working in partnership with local and state officials to bring this latest expansion to Mississippi and Yalobusha County.
Supervisors credited Yalobusha County Economic Development and Tourism District Director Bob Tyler as the catalyst for this team during a board meeting held Tuesday in Coffeeville.
“I could not be more thrilled and happy with the way things went over there and how it was handled,” District 3 Supervisor Lee McMinn reported at Tuesday’s meeting, adding that both Board President Cayce Washington and Tyler represented the county well.
“What I have talked to coach about is, we need to get him some help,” McMinn added. “We could ramp up to take full advantage of what (Tyler) brings to the table. I don’t know that we have always been able to do that,” McMinn said at Tuesday’s meeting.
“We want to make sure that this next four years, going forward, that we are fully in support of what you are capable of doing for the county,” McMinn told the economic director.
“Thank you,” Tyler said.
McMinn’s perception was also shared during the Windsor Ajinomoto press conference, as Mississippi Development Authority Executive Director Glenn McCullough noted the dedication of both “Coach” Tyler and his wife, Dale Tyler.
“Coach Bob Tyler and his lovely wife, Dale, what a great team they are. For years they have been an inspiration for me and (my family),” the MDA director said.
Ajinomoto Windsor Vice President of Operations Steve Charles also credited Tyler’s tireless dedication in the success of Windsor.
“I want to thank Bob Tyler, for probably making this happen, first and foremost. Bob has been my lifeline for nine years,” Charles said during the press conference in Oakland.
More Credit
Speaking after Tuesday’s supervisors’ meeting, Tyler acknowledged the expansion as “an important step for the company, for the county, region and state.”
As for taking credit for the expansion, Tyler had other ideas.
“I would like to credit the 300-plus employees who make the plant the success. I would also like to add the names of the on-site company leaders at Ajinomoto Windsor who function daily at the Oakland plant – David Morris, general manager, Tom Eckenrode, comptroller, and Terry McMinn, HR and countless others,” Tyler told the North Mississippi Herald.
