A Family Tradition at JM: Three Generations, One Legacy

Roots at the Spartanburg Plant 

At the Johns Manville Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, the Byars name carries a history that spans generations. What began in the 1970s with Berl and Barbara Byars at the former Hoechst Celanese site has grown into a family legacy that continues today. When Johns Manville acquired the facility in 1999, the work changed hands, though the family’s connection to the site did not.  

Passing the Torch to the Next Generation 

That connection deepened as the next generation stepped in. Brothers Danny and Roger followed their parents, building long tenures of their own. Today, the third generation carries that legacy forward with Ashley, Danny’s daughter, who joined the company in 2015.  Together, the Byars family has contributed more than 130 years of service, a remarkable and rare span of time for any family in a single organization.

Finding His Own Path: Roger’s Journey 

Roger Byars remembers the early days when working at the plant was something he resisted. His father and brother were working at JM, yet he wanted to make his own way. Over time, his perspective shifted, and what followed was a career that has stretched across decades, roles, and responsibilities. 

He began as a production operator, stepped into a safety leadership role, returned to operations, and later found his way back to safety again. Looking back over his 39 years with the company, he sees a full-circle journey shaped by both experience and opportunity. 

A Legacy of Work Ethic and Pride 

Through those years, one thing stayed consistent for him: the expectation to do the job well and to take pride in the work.  

“If you do something, you're gonna do it right,” he says, recalling the expectations set at home. “That’s the way my brother and I were raised, and the way we’ve always done things.” Those values carried into his career and influenced the way he approached leadership, especially in safety, where he has always believed results depend on the entire team working together. 

From Family Stories to First Hand Experience: Ashley’s Perspective 

Ashley grew up hearing about the plant long before she considered working there herself. Her father often talked about his experiences, and some of that language even found its way into everyday life. She remembers hearing terms from the production floor at home without fully understanding them until her first day on the job brought everything into focus. That moment connected her childhood memories to her own career in a way she had not expected. 

Building a Career of Her Own 

Since joining JM in 2015, Ashley has built her own path. She began on the production floor, moved into quality as a lab technician, and now works as a materials coordinator. Along the way, she has continued her education with support from Johns Manville, a benefit she sees as part of a mutual investment.

Carrying the Weight of a Third Generation 

Being part of a third generation brings a sense of pride, though it also comes with expectations. Ashley was quick to point out that working in the same place as family does not make the job easier. “People would think that you get the easy way out, but that is absolutely not the case,” she says.  

Instead, the shared connection creates accountability. It also adds a layer of familiarity to the workplace, one that reflects the broader culture she sees every day at the Spartanburg plant. “It’s more like family here. We look after one another,” Ashley says.   

A Culture Built on People 

That sense of belonging is something Roger recognizes as well, though his perspective is shaped by decades of change. He has seen shifts in technology, management styles, and the size of the workforce. Through it all, he believes the core of the work remains tied to people and how they come together to do it. 

He points to moments of collective accomplishment as some of the most meaningful in his career. One example is when JM received an award from the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce after more than 1,400 days without a workplace injury during his time as safety coordinator. To him, that milestone reflected a shared commitment across the plant.  

Success, in his view, has always been tied to the group rather than any individual recognition. “Without those people working together for a common goal, none of this would have ever been possible,” he says.  

The same spirit is something Plant Manager Andy Universal sees across the plant. “It’s amazing that a family and company can partner together for so many years to provide for one another,” he says. Andy adds that the plant’s long-tenured workforce reflects both its culture and continued growth. “We have many individuals who have built long careers here, but the Byars family’s generational legacy is truly remarkable. The camaraderie, along with ongoing growth and investment in the Spartanburg site, keeps our people engaged and gives them something they want to be a part of.”

Beyond the Workplace: A Lasting Impact 

The impact of the company on his family goes far beyond the workplace. Over the years, it has supported milestones both large and small. 

“JM has been good to my family – my father, my mother, my brother, my niece,” Roger says. “We’ve bought houses, taken vacations, sent children to college, we’ve had deaths, we’ve had births, and it’s all been within the confines of these four walls.” JM provided more than a paycheck. It helped build a life. 

Looking Ahead: Continuing the Legacy 

Those experiences have shaped how Roger views his career and the role the company has played in it. For Ashley, the story is still unfolding, though she already sees the same connections across generations. 

Today, the Byars family legacy continues to grow. Each generation has approached the work in their own way, though a shared foundation runs through all of it. It is built on pride in the job, respect for the people who do it, and a lasting connection to a place that has shaped their lives for decades.