When Fratco decided to expand into Fort Payne, Alabama, the company needed someone who could do more than manage a plant. They needed someone who could build a team from the ground up. For Buddy Goolesby, that kind of challenge felt right at home.
Buddy joined Fratco in January 2026 as Plant Manager of the Fort Payne facility, bringing with him a wide range of experience across transportation, facilities management and plastic recycling. While his career path has taken a few turns over the years, each stop along the way helped prepare him for what he’s doing today.
“I’ve kind of done a little bit of everything,” Buddy says.
After studying engineering and starting a family, he spent over a decade in the trucking industry before moving into facilities and data center management, where he oversaw projects across multiple states. He later transitioned into the recycling industry, serving as Plant Manager for Jet Polymer for 10 years and helping grow the operation before it was acquired by Advanced Drainage Systems.
Most recently, he worked in a leadership role overseeing multiple facilities, equipment upgrades and plant operations. But when he saw the opportunity with Fratco—especially one so close to home, it caught his attention.
“I live just down the road,” he says. “After years of traveling, that was a big deal for me.”
Now, instead of walking into an established operation, Buddy is helping build Fratco’s newest facility from scratch. The Fort Payne plant is launching with two production lines and a small team, with plans to grow steadily over time.
“We’re starting lean and building into it,” he explains. “That gives us the chance to train people the right way and grow as we go.”
So far, that approach is paying off. With support from local workforce programs and strong interest from the community, Buddy has been able to put together a team that mixes experienced workers with those new to the industry.
“You don’t want all one or the other,” he says. “The mix is what makes it work.”
While the Alabama facility may be smaller than some of Fratco’s other locations, the expectations are the same. For Buddy, one of the things that stands out most is the company’s culture.
They’ve been around over 100 years and still feel like a family business. You don’t see that very often.
He also points to Fratco’s investment in new equipment and technology as something that sets it apart—especially compared to some of the older systems he’s worked with in the past.
Outside of work, Buddy stays busy in a different way. After years of coaching his sons in sports, including a state championship basketball run, he now spends much of his time cattle farming, managing around 200 acres and a herd of about 100 head. He and his wife are also active in their church, where he teaches Sunday school and occasionally preaches.
Between work, family and farm life, there’s not a lot of downtime, but that’s just how he likes it.
As the Fort Payne facility begins to ramp up production, Buddy is focused on building a strong team and setting the foundation for long-term success. With a steady approach and a willingness to take on whatever comes his way, he’s helping bring Fratco’s newest operation to life one step at a time.
