Tuscaloosa businessman, philanthropist Chris Gunter to lead United Way annual campaign

Mark Hughes Cobb, The Tuscaloosa News
·2 min read

Chris Gunter, "the Pepsi Guy," will lead the 2023 United Way of West Alabama campaign, the UWWA announced Tuesday.

The campaign chair works to set goals, identify new funding sources, and build relationships with community and corporate leaders to earn the support, which bolsters UWWA's 30 partner agencies in West Alabama.

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Tuscaloosa native and Central High School graduate Gunter has worked for Buffalo Rock Pepsi for more than 20 years. He's franchise general sales manager over Tuscaloosa and seven surrounding counties.

“Chris has worked hard to develop a broad involvement in the Tuscaloosa community.” said Matthew Dent, Buffalo Rock Co. CEO, in a written release.

Chris Gunter, Tuscaloosa businessman and philanthropist, will serve as campaign chair for the 2023 United Way of West Alabama fund drive.
Chris Gunter, Tuscaloosa businessman and philanthropist, will serve as campaign chair for the 2023 United Way of West Alabama fund drive.

Gunter 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.

“Chris has a 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,” says Jackie Wuska, UWWA president and CEO.

“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 one out of four people in our community,” she said.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in management human resources from Faulkner University, Gunter enlisted in the U.S. Army as a 74 Delta nuclear, biological and chemical specialist, deployed on three major campaigns, and later honorably discharged as a decorated non-commissioned officer.

Children hold up numbers on stage on Aug. 9, 2022, as the United Way of West Alabama's campaign 2022 goal of $4,375,000 was announced.
Children hold up numbers on stage on Aug. 9, 2022, as the United Way of West Alabama's campaign 2022 goal of $4,375,000 was announced.

He's also served on the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce board of directors, as vice chairman of membership and investor relations, and vice chairman of marketing and communication. In 2018, he received the United Way of West Alabama Young Leaders Award and the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce’s Charles H. Land Member of the year award. A year later, with Gunter's leadership, the Buffalo Rock Co. was awarded the 2019 Robert C. Tanner Corporate Service Award.

“Chris is one of those special people that you can reach out to when a need presents itself and you know he will pitch in any way he can,” says Monique Scott, UWWA vice president of campaign development.

For more on helping with the campaign, see www.uwwa.org, or contact Monique Scott or Laura Green at -205-345-6640, or by email at campaign@uwwa.org.

Reach Mark Hughes Cobb at mark.cobb@tuscaloosanews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: United Way of West Alabama picks Chris Gunter to lead annual campaign