William Cabaniss

AFoCR Vice-President Bill Cabaniss joined AFoCR in 2007. Ambassador Cabaniss was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic by Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington, D. C. on December 9, 2003. He Arrived in Prague on January 9, 2003 and presented his credentials to President Vaclav Klaus on January 13, 2004. He completed his service September 23, 2006.

After graduating with a B.A. from Vanderbilt University in 1960, Mr. Cabaniss entered the United States Army as an Airborne Ranger, First Lieutenant. In 1964, after a three-year tour of duty in Germany, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. After his service in the armed forces, Mr. Cabaniss returned to his hometown of Birmingham Alabama, where he began his business career with Southern Cement Company, a division of Martin Marietta Corporation. In 1971, he resigned from his position as Director of Market Development and acquired the assets of a small metal grinding company. Since then, he built Precision Grinding, Inc. into a successful steel plate processing and metal machining business.

Mr. Cabaniss has been a leader in the Birmingham business community, receiving the Distinguished Builders of Birmingham award in 2002. In community affairs, he has served with several not-for-profit organizations, including Boy Scouts, Achievement of Jefferson County, United Way, and the Birmingham Rotary Club. In August 2004, Ambassador Cabaniss was inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor.