Ted M. Henry loves Selma and is proud to be a Selmian. “I always introduce myself by saying, ‘I’m Ted Henry from Selma.'”

In his far-flung activities as a volunteer over the years, Henry has come to appreciate deeply how much the world thinks of Selma.”I never realized how much people looked up to Selma. I’m proud of Selma. Everywhere I go around the nation I see the admiration that people have for our history, structures and organizations.”

Henry’s resume of volunteer activities compares favorably with many professionals’ job resumes.

Henry, who is president and CEO of Henry Brick Co., has contributed heavily to the community in which he has lived and worked for more than four decades now and shows no sign of letting up. The business was started by Henry’s father and it will celebrate its 60th anniversary next year.

“I’m not doing a lot in the community right now,” he said recently. “My major commitment is serving as co-chair of the YMCA fund-raising drive.

“I always have felt myself to be part of this community and have wanted to return what I could,” he said. “I have good people working for me at Henry Brick, which has enabled me to take the time required to be involved in community activities.”

Henry enjoys the leadership role in such organizations.

“I feel privileged to be in the leadership role in organizations. I enjoy doing it. Someone needs to do it. I think it is important for business leaders to serve.”

Henry is a lifelong resident of Selma. He attended Davidson College and the University of Alabama, where he received a BS degree in industrial management in 1960. Except for the time in the Army, his career has been with the Henry Brick Company Inc. He is chairman and CEO of the family-owned business.

Henry began his volunteer activities right after he returned to Selma in 1960 at a time when his father, who had also been a high-profile volunteer in the community, had had a heart attack and was having to slow down.

“I jumped into (community activities) with both feet,” he said.

The list of credits is long, including chairman of the board of the Peoples Banctrust Company Inc. of Selma, where he has been a director for more than 35 years. He has served as the chairman of the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce (1992-93), the Sturdivant Museum Association (1984) and of the local Historical Society. He is active in First Presbyterian Church where he serves as an elder.

He is a member of Leadership Alabama, having been a member of Class Number 3 in 1992. He is on the board of directors of the Business Council of Alabama. He is also on its executive committee and he serves as a district chairman. He was a member of the Alabama Historical Commission for 13 years and served a term as chairman (1988-89).

Henry served for three years as chairman of the Brick Institute of America (1995-97), the national organization for brick manufacturers. He was on the board of the National Association of Manufacturers for seven years, serving as Alabama’s small manufacturer representative, and has just gone back on the board. From 1990-98 he was a trustee of Rhodes College.

He has also been involved in the YMCA Paul Grist Boy of the Year Award as a 1956 recipient.

He and his wife, Debe, have three sons and a daughter and four grandchildren.