The Anchor Partners management team brings decades of experience in manufacturing and helping businesses grow to their full potential. Not only have they helped create and foster one of the nation’s premier metal fabricators in Anchor Fabrication, they continue to look for new opportunities to grow and expand. Prioritizing culture and operation optimization, the Anchor Partner’s management team know how to invest and build manufacturers of all levels.
OUR TEAM
TRA WILLBANKS | Founder and CEO
Founder and CEO of Anchor Partners, Tra has overseen the integration of Anchor Fabrication, Abby Manufacturing, BOH Defense, and Quality Industries. His emphasis on talent and cultural development has paved the way for his companies’ success and lays the foundation for future growth. Family and faith are central pillars of his life that define his professional and personal approach – a successful fight with cancer only further focused those values. A graduate of Abilene Christian University and a CPA, his background in accounting and finance has helped him navigate the nuances of private equity in manufacturing. Tra, his wife Shelly and 7 kids worship at Gateway Church. Tra serves on the Gateway Elder Board.
LEE NICHOLSON | CFO
Lee Nicholson is the Chief Financial Officer of Anchor Partners. Lee has 36 years of accounting and finance experience. He founded a successful fractional CFO consulting business in 2019. Previous to this, Lee was the CFO for 15 years of a large privately held manufacturing company of plastic can liners. Lee, also, spent 7 years with a publicly traded communications equipment manufacturing company and 11 years with a Big 4 Accounting Firm. Lee holds a BBA in Accounting from Abilene Christian University and is a CPA and CIA. Lee and his wife, Helen, worship at Riverpoint Church Fort Worth, with his son, who is the youth pastor, and his wife. Lee serves on the Riverpoint Elder Board.
GREG FRYE | COO
Greg Frye is the Chief Operating Officer of Anchor Partners overseeing operations at all Anchor companies. Greg is a tenured manufacturing industry expert with more than 30 years of experience. He has managed a diverse group of manufacturing companies ranging from aerospace, defense, automotive, and general fabrication with facilities worldwide (U.S., Mexico, England, India) with combined sales exceeding $300 million annually. He has overseen the successful turnaround of several underperforming business units. He approaches management with uncanny strategic foresight and vision for optimizing internal operations. Before his involvement in manufacturing, Greg served six years in the United States Air Force. Greg holds a BS in Management & Ethics from Manhattan Christian College and a MS in Christian Ministry and Leadership from Friends University in Wichita, KS.