Lamar Whitaker is Vice President and plant lead of the Alabama Auto Plant (AAP) of Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, LLC (HDMA), with responsibility for overall vehicle and engine manufacturing operations.
Whitaker started his career at Honda in 2001, as a mass production buyer at AAP and has held numerous positions within AAP's purchasing operations.
In 2009, Whitaker became manager of the Parts Procurement Department, overseeing the daily parts delivery for AAP operations and all four Alabama-built models.
In 2016, Whitaker became manager of the Purchasing Division, responsible for managing the plant's more than 400 mass production and indirect suppliers, including supplier delivery performance and optimizing supply chain operations. In addition, he was responsible for supplier new model development and ensuring quality excellence throughout the supply base.
In 2020, Whitaker became plant manager of Line 2, responsible for overall day-to-day operations of AAP's Line 2, including Assembly, Weld, and Paint Departments and all Pilot SUV and Passport SUV production.
In October 2022, Whitaker assumed his current role as AAP Plant Lead. In this role, he leads more than 4,500 Honda associates at the plant in Lincoln, Alabama, who produce the Honda Odyssey minivan, Pilot and Passport SUVs and Ridgeline pickup truck, as well as the V-6 engines that power them.
In addition to his role at Honda, Whitaker previously served on the board of directors for the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association, and on the board of directors for the Southern Region Minority Supplier Development Council.
Whitaker earned a B.A. in Business Administration from Samford University in Homewood, Alabama.
