Charlie Hayes,
Owner/CEO
Charlie Hayes is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Hayes Sheet Metal, a company he launched in 2020 to provide high-performance, custom fabrication solutions grounded in precision, reliability, and long-term partnership. In 2017, Charlie entered the roofing business alongside his brother, William Hayes of Alabama Roof Pro. It was there he identified a critical need for dependable, service-oriented fabrication in the industry—and built his own company to meet those needs with unwavering standards.
Charlie, a Birmingham native, credits his studies of finance at Auburn University and 15 years of entrepreneurial leadership experience to his continued success as the CEO of Hayes Sheet Metal. Since becoming a business owner at age 29, he has successfully led multiple ventures, including The Fish Market in Gadsden, Alabama, where he refined a service-first philosophy that continues to define his approach to leadership and operations.
Charlie leads Hayes Sheet Metal with a steadfast commitment to loyalty—loyalty to clients, to his team, and to the communities he serves. He believes trust is earned through consistency, accountability, and follow-through. Known for his disciplined focus on critical path execution and meeting deadlines, he holds himself and his organization to the highest standard: deliver on every commitment, without exception.
Under his leadership, Hayes Sheet Metal operates not as a vendor, but as a trusted partner. Charlie prioritizes long-term relationships over short-term transactions, ensuring that every client engagement is built on mutual respect, transparency, and shared success.
Guided by the principle of treating others as he would expect to be treated, Charlie has built a culture rooted in integrity, service, and accountability—one that drives both operational excellence and enduring loyalty.
Keith Barton,
Sales Manager
Keith Barton, born and raised in Walker County, and a Birmingham resident for more than 25 years, has built a solid career in sales and logistics, combining decades of experience in the trucking and equipment rental industries. Graduating from Dora High School in 1984, Keith began his professional journey in the trucking sector, dedicating 23 years to honing his skills before transitioning to Brasfield & Gorrie Renal and Supply in Birmingham. There, he focused on hauling heavy equipment and eventually moved into a crucial, senior managerial role within logistics at
B&G Rental and Supply.
In 2015, Keith embraced an exciting opportunity in outside sales with B&G Rental and Supply, where his natural talent for building relationships and driving growth quickly became evident. As further commitment to enhance his capabilities and better serve his customer base, Keith became a certified boom and forklift trainer, and also completed the Dale Carnegie leadership training program.
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In June 2020, shortly after the inception of Hayes Sheet Metal, Keith joined the team as Sales Manager. His extensive background in sales, particularly in commercial construction, positions him as a valuable asset in understanding customer needs and company operations. Known for his incredible work ethic and determination, Keith significantly contributed to the early success of Hayes Sheet Metal, focusing on new customer acquisition and maintaining strong customer relationships.
Beyond his professional achievements, Keith is an avid outdoorsman and deer hunter. His passion for the outdoors complements his dedication to his work, embodying the grit and determination that has made him a key player in the industry. With a proven track record of delivering exceptional service and facilitating logistics across the country, Keith continues to be a driving force behind the success of Hayes Sheet Metal.
Austin Ware,
Production and Operations Manager
Austin Ware is an accomplished professional in the metalwork and fabrication industry, hailing from Shelby, Alabama. Growing up in a community that emphasized hard work, Austin completed his education at Shelby County High School, completed the OSHA 30 General Industry program and obtained various heavy equipment certifications, which exemplifies his commitment to safety in the workplace.
At the age of 18, Austin began his career at Charity Steel Corp, a steel service center, where he honed his skills operating CNC bandsaws, 40-ton cranes, and forklifts ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 pounds. By 19, his leadership and drive landed him the position of 2nd Shift Lead in shipping and receiving, where he developed a strong focus on efficiency and organization. Amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, Austin took on the responsibility of overseeing the entire shipping and receiving operations for both shifts, often dedicating more than 14 hours a day to ensure seamless workflows.
In late 2020, Austin joined Alabama Roof Pro as a laborer, quickly gaining a wealth of knowledge on single-ply roofing and associated metal flashings. His adeptness and determination propelled him forward, leading him to Hayes Sheet Metal in March 2022 as a Fabricator. There, he became proficient with hydraulic shears, punches, computer brakes, CNC plasma cutters, and various equipment crucial for sheet metal fabrication. His exceptional leadership and operational awareness resulted in a swift promotion to Shop Manager in July 2022, where he now manages all shop employees and oversees daily operations.
Austin stands out due to his hands-on credibility, adaptability, and problem-solving skills, all of which have been instrumental in enhancing workflow and performance at Hayes Sheet Metal. His dedication and mindfulness of lead times and innate characteristic to serve is unmatched when it comes to meeting customer’s needs. Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, and riding motorcycles, as well as maintaining a fitness regimen at the gym.
