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A Mixed-Use Office, R&D, Data and Retail Community RIDEOUT ROAD AT GATE 9 OF REDSTONE ARSENAL
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A plAn for HeAltHy employees Your employees are your most valuable asset so keeping them healthy is very important to the health of your business. And that’s where we come in. WellnessWorks from Huntsville Hospital is the umbrella of a variety of unique services designed and delivered just for you and your employees. In fact, everything we do from wellness promotion programs and screenings to occupational medicine services through OHG, to workers compensation services with Comp1One—was designed with you in mind. Call our WellnessWorks team and discover how we can help you and your team.
(888) 567-3144
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welcome new chamber members Joined in May 2016 All Power Construction Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services Character Foundation of North Alabama Joined in June 2016 Cimarron Composites Dean Commercial Real Estate, Inc. 4H Security Dress Up A Better Choice Realty Face To Face Marketing, LLC AAA Advantage Medical Equipment and Supplies, LLC The Fitzgerald Pilates & Barre Alpha Foundation, Inc. Glenwood, Inc. The Avenue HC Sparks Company, PC Bank of America Merrill Lynch Integrated Corporate Solutions BID Comms King Dental, LLC Cafe on Wheels Neon Lilly LLC, Eurasian American Fusion Food Truck Legend Realty - Katie Gallagher Contractors Choice Trucking Services Inc Lewis Electric Supply Co., Inc. Danella Construction of Alabama, Inc Liberty Business Associates, LLC Divine Expressions Family Dentistry Matt Curtis Real Estate, Inc. Elbit Systems of America Meekel Buchannon - D.R. Horton FilTech Woodland, Inc. Mission Driven Research First Command- Alexia Lea Ball Morgan Stanley - Payne Mullins, Financial Advisor Five Points Chiropractic & Wellness Center NextHome Kel Mitchell The Foundry Huntsville, Inc. Padgett Medical Care Hart & Taylor Media PAE Home Instead Senior Care Peduzzi Associates, Ltd. HOPS Wild Redstone at Home Huntsville Rockets Football Refinement Skincare (Refinement LLC) Huntsville Tennis Center Rocket City Ambulances, LLC The Hyper Writer The Salvation Army Huntsville/Madison County Keller Williams - Steven McDaniel Springleaf Financial Services: Huntsville-North, AL Light Facial Plastic Style Revel Little Orange Fish Corporation Threaded Needle, LLC Local Taco Huntsville, LLC Three Four Strategies Longhorn Steakhouse TVILG, Inc. - Tennessee Valley Industry Liaison Group, Inc. Morgan Consulting Services, LLC Uncle Maddio’s Pizza of Madison Muscled Up Movers University KIA National Alliance of Mental Illness - Huntsville (NAMI) Walmart Store #7324 Orbit’s Super Shuttle, LLC WeCare (1st Lady Empowerment Foundation, Inc.) RMAC Training Seniors Prefer Homecare, LLC Special Aerospace Services Veloce Indoor Speedway
If you want to make a valuable investment in your business and the community, the Chamber is the place to start. Contact Donna McCrary, Membership Retention Manager: 256-535-2027 or dmccrary@hsvchamber.org. 4
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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY
DEVELOPMENT PARTNER
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN’S COUNCIL
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE
REGIONAL PARTNERS
LEADERSHIP FORUM
Huntsville Hospital
Port of Huntsville
ADTRAN, Inc. The Boeing Company City of Madison Emerson Network Power - Avocent Redstone Federal Credit Union Remington Outdoor Company
Madison County Commission
Tennessee Valley Authority
Regions Bank
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BBVA Compass PNC Bank
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SAIC
Crestwood Medical Center •
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Lockheed Martin Corporation
SES - Science and Engineering Services, LLC
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Technicolor
CHAMBER TRUSTEES AEgis Technologies Group • Aerojet Rocketdyne • Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Alabama • Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. DynCorp International • Dynetics, Inc. • First Commercial Bank • Jerry Damson, Inc. Landers McLarty Corporation • Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne P.C. • Northrop Grumman Corporation PARSONS • Raytheon Company • S3 • Sealy Management Company, Inc. Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. • Torch Technologies • Wyle CAS Group
PROGRESS PARTNERS ASRC Federal Analytical Services • Baron Services, Inc. • BASF Corporation • BB&T • Bill Penney Toyota, Scion & Mitsubishi Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP • Coates Transportation Group • Colliers International • Connected Logistics • Consolidated Construction Co. Corporate Office Properties Trust • Davidson Technologies, Inc. • Google • Huntsville-Madison County Builders Association • iBERIABANK J. Smith Lanier & Co. • Keel Point, LLC • L-3 - Corporate Huntsville Operations • LEAN Frog Business Solutions, Inc. • LogiCore • MTS, Inc. The Orthopaedic Center • Progress Bank • Radiance Technologies • Rosie’s Restaurants & Right Way Restaurants (dba Steak Out) SELEX Galileo Inc. • ServisFirst Bank • Turner • Vencore, Inc. • Wells Fargo Bank • Woody Anderson Ford
PROGRESS INVESTORS 4SITE, Inc. • AECOM • Alpha Beta Technologies, Inc. • Amanda Howard Real Estate • Anglin Reichmann Snellgrove & Armstrong, PC Averbuch Realty Co., Inc. – Scott Averbuch • BancorpSouth • Brown Precision, Inc. • Bryant Bank • CB&S Bank • Century Automotive • CFD Research Corp. Coast Personnel Services • deciBel Research • Decisive Analytics Corporation • DESE Research, Inc. • Digium, Inc. • Fite Building Company, Inc. Foreign Language Services • Fountain, Parker, Harbarger • Garver • General Atomics • HEMSI • Hiley Cars Huntsville • Huntsville Botanical Garden Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau • Huntsville Tractor & Equipment, Inc. • InterFuze Corporation • Investor’s Resource/Raymond James IronMountain Solutions • The Lioce Group, Inc. • Littlejohn Engineering Associates, Inc. • LSINC Corp. • MSB Analytics, Inc. • National Bank of Commerce North Alabama Multiple Listing Service • PALCO Telecom Service • PHOENIX • PROJECTXYZ, Inc. • Public Financial Management, Inc. • QTEC • Renasant Bank RJ Young • Sierra Lobo, Inc. • Sigmatech, Inc. • Systems Products and Solutions, Inc. • Venturi, Inc. • West Huntsville Land Co., Inc. aug-sept 2016 initiatives
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Meet Our Huntsville Lending Team
DeMarco McClain Vice President
Barry Bryan Senior Vice President
Tim Singleton Madison County Area President
256-533-7834 | bibank.com | Member FDIC
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coverstory
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bioscience
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investorrelations
75 Years of Redstone Arsenal
chambernews economicdevelopmenthighlights educationnews government& publicaffairs
smallbizspotlight
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Welcome New Chamber Members HREGI Investors Message from the President | Board Listing Chamber Staff | Associated Organizations
editorial staff publisher Chip Cherry, CCE executive editor
Carrie Rice editorial designer
Kristi Sherrard contributing writers
Lyndsay Ferguson Erin Koshut Hannah Powell Wendy Reeves Mike Ward The mission of the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County is to prepare, develop and promote our community for economic growth.
www.HSVchamber.org
advertising sales
Eddie Graves email: egraves@acsal.com
(additional contact information on page 26)
Submissions for editorial content are not accepted. Information in this and other Chamber publications is at the discretion of the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/ Madison County. Advertising inquiries go through AL.com (contact at right). aug-sept 2016 initiatives
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Chamber of Commerce
Executive Committee and Board of Directors 2016 Executive Committee Rose Allen, Chair, InterFuze Corporation Joe Newberry, Chair-Elect, Redstone Federal Credit Union Rey Almodóvar, Immediate Past Chair, INTUITIVE Ron Poteat, Chamber Foundation Chair, Regions Bank Kim Lewis, Secretary/Treasurer, PROJECTXYZ, Inc. Gary Bolton, Vice Chair, Economic Development & Industry Relations, ADTRAN, Inc.
A Message from
Chip Cherry
Kevin Byrnes, Vice Chair, Government & Public Affairs, Raytheon Company
Penny Billings, Vice Chair, Membership, BancorpSouth Greg Brown, Vice Chair, Workforce & Education, Brown Precision, Inc.
Jeff Gronberg, Vice Chair, Small Business & Events, deciBel Research, Inc.
Dear Chamber of Commerce Investors, Community Leaders and Friends:
Danny Windham, Vice Chair, Marketing & Communications,
During our annual Armed Forces Celebration, our community came together to thank those who served and are serving our country as members of our Armed Forces for their contributions and sacrifices. We also celebrate the support of their families who make their service possible. Let us not forget the civil servants and contractors who empower them to accomplish their missions. Thank you to those men and women who serve to ensure that our liberties remain intact and those who make their service possible!
Tharon Honeycutt, Vice Chair, Member Engagement,
Congratulations to Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama (TMMAL) on their 15th Anniversary! They are the only Toyota facility in the world to produce 4, 6, and 8 cylinder engines under one roof, and have produced more than 4.5 million engines to date. In addition to building world class engines, the 1,350+ TMMAL team members engage in numerous volunteer activities throughout the region. The collaborative relationship between TMMAL and the community has generated many benefits to both the economy and the quality of life in the Tennessee Valley. I look forward to celebrating the line-off of the 5-millionth engine soon!
Mayor Troy Trulock, Chair-Appointed, City of Madison Tracy Marion, General Counsel, Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne, P.C. Chip Cherry, President & CEO, Chamber of Commerce
Recent news bodes well for economic health of our region. The latest report by the University of Alabama in Huntsville projects employment growth in our region of 15,200 jobs as projects announced in 2013, 2014, and 2015 ramp-up; resulting in just under $1 billion in additional payroll in the region. The groundbreaking of the new GE Aviation facility sends a signal to the aerospace community that Huntsville is a key player in the advanced materials sector. The announcement of the certified Huntsville Mega Site places our community in a very competitive position for future growth in the advanced manufacturing sector. All signs point to a bright future for our region’s economy! On August 30, we will recognize many small businesses for excellence in a number of different categories. The significance of small business is often overshadowed by news of new industry location or existing industry expansion, but we should always remember that small business is a significant driver of our region’s economy. I look forward to recognizing those companies that were nominated by their peers and identified by the judges as being the best of the best during our annual Small Business Awards Celebration. I look forward to seeing you at a Chamber event soon.
Chip Cherry, CCE President & CEO Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County
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Digium, Inc. MSB Analytics, Inc.
Mayor Tommy Battle, Chair-Appointed, City of Huntsville Mark Curran, Chair-Appointed, L-3 Communications - HSV Ops Bryan Dodson, Chair-Appointed, PHOENIX Beth Sippel, Chair-Appointed, First Commercial Bank Chairman Dale Strong, Chair-Appointed, Madison County Commission
Elected Board Bill Bailey, Radiance Technologies, Inc. Kristina Barbee, Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. Bob Baron, Baron Services, Inc. Janet Brown, Belk Kevin Campbell, Northrop Grumman Corporation Frank Caprio, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP Lynn Collyar, Deloitte LLP Michael Cox, PARSONS Deke Damson, Jerry Damson Honda Acura Dorothy Davidson, Davidson Technologies, Inc. John Eagan, BB&T Joe Fehrenbach, Intergraph Corporation Trip Ferguson, U.S. Space & Rocket Center David Fernandes, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Inc. Gene Goldman, Aerojet Rocketdyne Mike Gullion, SCI Technology – a Sanmina company John Gully, SAIC Jan Hess, Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. Steve Hill, AEgis Technologies Group Lee Holland, Turner Construction Dr. Pam Hudson, Crestwood Medical Center Dr. Andrew Hugine, Alabama A&M University Hank Isenberg, IronMountain Solutions John Jordan, Wyle CAS Group David King, Dynetics, Inc. Brian Magerkurth, Par Pharmaceutical Janice Migliore, PALCO Telecom Service, Inc. Leigh Pegues, PNC Bank Jim Rogers, Lockheed Martin Corporation Jeff Samz, Huntsville Hospital Dr. Gurmej Sandhu, Sigmatech, Inc. Charlie Sealy, Sealy Management Company E.J. Sinclair, SES - Science and Engineering Services, LLC Cynthia Streams, Domino’s Pizza (Valley Pizza, Inc.) Nilmini Thompson, Systems Products and Solutions, Inc. Tim Thornton, nLogic, Inc. Lynn Troy, Troy 7, Inc. Ken Tucker, The Boeing Company Frank Williams, Landers McLarty Dodge Chrysler Jeep
Once you’ve found it, you know you’re home. Banking and mortgage loans are the same way.
At ServisFirst Bank, we offer a range of banking and mortgage products that are as varied as our clients’ tastes in homes. Each offers a competitive rate and our exceptional service. Perhaps that’s why homeowners feel so settled in once they find us.
www.servisfirstbank.com
BIRMINGHAM • DOTHAN • HUNTSVILLE • MOBILE • MONTGOMERY • NASHVILLE • PENSACOLA
Cindy LeBlanc Vice President Mortgage Lending 256.722.7821 cleblanc@servisfirstbank.com NMLS ID: 776271
Research Park Banking Center 1267 Enterprise Way, Suite A Huntsville, AL 35806 256.722.7880
Corporate Office & Downtown Banking Center 401 Meridian Street, Suite 100 Huntsville, AL 35801 256.722.7800
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economicdevelopmenthighlights snap:
Yulista broke ground on a 60,000-square-foot aviation hangar and 20,000-square-foot support facility at the Huntsville Executive Airport. Yulista expects the hangar to be fully operational within a year after the June 8th groundbreaking. The M5 Hangar could potentially double Yulista’s aviation workforce and will be equipped for both fixed and rotary-wing aircraft support to include newer tilt rotor aircraft.
turer Approval (PMA) to sell windows directly to airlines as replacements in the aftermarket in place of the current design. PPG manufactures the Airbus flight-deck windows at its Huntsville, Alabama, facility. Since 1990, PPG has manufactured and delivered more than 30,000 flightdeck windows for production and aftermarket for A320 Family aircraft. PPG already sells enhanced windshields and aft fixed cockpit windows for the A320 Family directly to airlines for replacements. ∏
Generous Donation University Kia has long history of giving back to the local community with a particular focus on improving the quality of life for children in the immediate area. Recently, General Manager Arthur Seaton and the University Kia team made a generous donation of $75,000 to the National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC). The NCAC models, promotes, and delivers excellence in child abuse response and prevention through service, education and leadership. Since its creating in 1985, the NCAC has served as a model for the 900+ Children’s Advocacy Centers now operating throughout the United States and in more than 25 countries. ∏
PPG Huntsville News Airbus has selected PPG (NYSE:PPG) enhanced-design sliding cockpit windows for installation in an A320neo airplane. After the aircraft is delivered, PPG will work with Airbus and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to gain Parts Manufac-
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Is it time for a new direction in your investments? With years of experience successfully managing local portfolios and strong ties to the Huntsville community, Progress Financial Services is ready to guide your accounts toward your goals. Call 256.319.3600 today for a free consultation. We look forward to meeting you!
myprogressbank.com Located at Progress Bank 201 Williams Street, Huntsville Stuart Bridges Director of Investment Services
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Mark Saunders SVP/Financial Advisor
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Peter Barber SVP/Financial Advisor
Securities and annuities offered through Sterne Agee Financial Services, member FINRA/SIPC, Not Bank Guaranteed, Not FDIC Insured, May Lose Value. Not a deposit, Not insured by any Federal Government. Investment Advisory Services offered through Sterne Agee Asset Management, Inc.
bioscience
BIOTECH Means Business in Huntsville
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s our Huntsville/Madison County community continues to build our biotech industry, specifically with HudsonAlpha and their 152-acre biotech campus in Cummings Research Park, being a part of a growing statewide coalition is critical. This summer, the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County, the HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology, BioAlabama and other organizations, were part of a statewide Alabama Department of Commerce Made in Alabama delegation that attended the 2016 BIO International Convention in San Francisco, Calif. As part of the week, several HudsonAlpha associate companies and other small/start-up biotech companies were able to partner with the Alabama Department of Commerce to take full advantage of the convention. This partnering access meant the companies could pre-schedule meetings with potential investors and licensors, and establish potential relationships with the business/science executives in a speed-dating-style format.
The partnering meetings also allowed the companies to share research opportunities, explain the benefits of locating in Alabama, and build awareness of our growing biotech community. Huntsville received special recognition as Dr. Howard Jacob, HudsonAlpha’s Executive Vice President for Genomic Medicine and Chief Genomics Officer, was named a “Future Maker” by the 2016 BIO International Convention. This prestigious award recognized Dr. Jacob as someone “who overcame challenges and enormous obstacles and did not wait for change, but drove it.” “Future Makers” were selected via a worldwide voting process and had the opportunity to share their vision for the future at BIO. Dr. Jacob discussed genomic medicine and the use of whole genome sequencing to diagnose rare disease, as well as the potential to use the genome for preventive health decisions in the future. Having a presence at the 2016 BIO International Convention was important for our region and strategic to our community’s long-term growth. The Chamber is committed to fostering relationships that will help build our local and statewide biotech coalition.
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investorrelations
Welcome! Recker Joins Chamber Team
T
Litigation I Businesses Governments Individuals I Non-Profits
No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
he Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County is pleased to introduce and welcome Robert Recker as our new Senior Vice President of Investor Relations. “Robert brings a rich blend of experience and passion for member service to his position as Senior Vice President of Investor Relations. His belief in engaging our members and ensuring that our programing meets their needs dovetails with the philosophy of our Chamber. I am excited to have him on our team!” said Chip Cherry, President & CEO of the Chamber of Commerce. Recker comes to us from one of the largest chambers in the U.S., the Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP), where he served for five years as the Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Membership Development. At the GCP, Recker played a large role in increasing new membership sales by 24 percent, increasing membership retention to 95 percent, and increasing sponsorship revenues 85 percent. His division redesigned the chamber’s website to improve communication access, developed and implemented a marketing automation platform that lead to new sales leads, and designed the Middle Market Initiative to provide programming support. This is not Recker’s first stint in Alabama. He served previously as the Director of Development and the Director of Annual Giving at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. “I am thrilled to join the Chamber in a role that will allow me to continue to interact with our outstanding group of volunteers and highly engaged members,” said Recker. “This area has seen a tremendous amount of growth over the last decade, and much of that success has to do with the diligence and collaborative environment of the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County. The Chamber has become more dynamic and nimble due to our unique position in the community, and I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.” Recker has nearly 20 years of Chamber experience. He’s worked for the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Kissimmee/ Osceola County Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. Highlights from his tenure at these chambers include: creation of joint membership programs, executive oversight for marketing and communications, and community/public relations strategic initiatives. He also designed and implemented a total quality management initiative, and created a multimillion-dollar beautification campaign. We are excited to have Recker join our team and see what he will bring to our staff and the Huntsville/Madison County community!
Hannah Powell 12
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chambernews
Officially MEGA Huntsville Mega Site Certified for Industrial Development
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1,252-acre site off Powell Road in Limestone County has been officially certified as the Huntsville Mega Site by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). TVA, the City of Huntsville, the Limestone County Commission, and the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County worked diligently and collaboratively on the certification process. “With this certification in hand, the Huntsville Mega Site is well positioned for a wide range of large-scale projects from major companies based around the world,” said Governor Robert Bentley. “The Huntsville area has been a main driver of growth for the state, and this will make it even more attractive for new investment and well-paying jobs.” Having a certified TVA mega site positions the Huntsville community to compete internationally for large manufacturing projects. “The certification is our international calling card telling global manufacturers we are open for business and a prime place for industry and jobs,” said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. “This site should attract a high tech, high end company for worldwide customers.” In order for a site to be certified, it must be at least 1,000 acres with Interstate access, have the potential for rail service, and utility service capable of serving a major manufacturing company. “This (certification) announcement is an important step in bringing more jobs and investment to northern Alabama, but its impact extends much further,” said Bill Johnson, president and chief executive officer of the Tennessee Valley Authority. “The entire economy of the Tennessee Valley is a seamless web of communities that support and strengthen each other, so the creation of the Huntsville Mega Site is a victory for the entire Valley.” During the certification process, the site also must undergo a series of due diligence studies to determine the capacity of the land to
accommodate a manufacturing operation. It also must show that no damage would be done to the environmental, historical or cultural nature of the surrounding area. To site selectors, a fully certified mega site sends a green light to companies looking to locate to a site where all of the “homework” has been done and that there are no obstacles for development. This “homework” is essential in today’s competitive marketplace as it provides a quicker timetable for development and makes the decision process much easier. TVA has had proven success with 5 of the 7 previously certified TVA mega sites, landing major industrial projects with investment of over $5 billion. The Huntsville Mega Site was certified by McCallum Sweeney Consulting. “The location decision process demands available sites, and those sites need to be ready for development. By achieving certification, the economic development team has proven that the Huntsville Mega Site is ready for development,” said Kimberly L. Williams, principal at McCallum Sweeney Consulting. The Huntsville Mega Site is in the heart of the industrial development expansion zone for our region and community and county leaders are excited about the possibilities. “TVA is not just giving us an opportunity to succeed, but to lead. Their ‘best in class’ power generation and our existing interstates, water, sewer, and natural gas capabilities, our second to none workforce, and our local leader’s commitment to economic development, allows Limestone County to compete globally,” said Limestone County Commission Chairman Mark Yarborough. “I would like to thank TVA President Bill Johnson, as well as Board Chairman Joe Ritch, for making these opportunities available for the citizens of Limestone County and North Alabama.” • Carrie Rice
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Celebrating 75 Years Redstone Arsenal has a History of Making History by Wendy Reeves with Carrie Rice
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hat started as a site for a World War II chemical weapons plant in 1941 has evolved over 75 years to earn Huntsville the moniker “Rocket City”– and to become the home of one of the U.S. Army’s four-star commands. “Leaders worldwide rely on Redstone Arsenal organizations as the epicenter of technological and logistics expertise and support,” said U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC) Gen. Dennis Via, commanding general, during his keynote address in June at the Chamber’s Armed Forces Celebration dinner. The dinner was the culmination of a week of events that this year included the 75th anniversary of the installation. The highlights of Redstone Arsenal’s history provide the foundation and reputation to continue its evolution today and into the future. “When Maj. Carroll Hudson broke ground on the Redstone Ordnance Plant, a partnership was born between the United States Army and the surrounding communities,” Via said during the kickoff to the 75th anniversary celebration. “Through the decades, that partnership has grown,” Via said. “The Huntsville-Madison County community has become an international leader in aerospace technology, science and engineering,
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Celebrating 75 Years, from page 15 logistics, manufacturing, education and innovation. Redstone Arsenal has grown to become a world-class installation, encompassing 70 diverse organizations, representing the United States Army, the Department of Defense, NASA, the Department of Justice and many other great organizations.”
Global Support At AMC, Gen. Via commands the Army’s premier provider of materiel readiness – equipping, sustaining and enabling the warfighter through technology, acquisition support, materiel development and logistics power projection – across the spectrum of joint military operations. This four-star command headquartered at Redstone, AMC has a presence in all 50 states and 153 countries. More than 64,000 military and civilian employees around the globe carry out the command’s mission. The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure decision relocated AMC headquarters to Redstone Arsenal during the summer of 2011.
Tried and Tested Much like its predecessors dating back to 1941, the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command’s (AMCOM) in 2016 has a bond with its 75-year-old roots, said spokesman Dan O’Boyle. “It translates into teamwork, trust, experience, innovation and determination,” he added. “AMCOM is a team of professionals that provides our Soldiers the advantage by ensuring the readiness and the reliability of all Army aviation and missile systems,” O’Boyle said. “AMCOM leads the Army’s aviation and missile enterprise to prioritize, integrate, and synchronize aviation and missile development, acquisition, and sustainment to ensure equipment readiness for the warfighter.“
Aviation Life-Cycle The PEO Aviation is responsible for life-cycle management of all Army aircraft, to include development, acquisition, testing, systems integration, product improvements, production, fielding, and logistical support. Aircraft systems include the Apache Helicopter, Cargo Helicopter, Utility Helicopter, Armed Scout Helicopter, Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Fixed Wing. As the leader of the Army’s Life Cycle Management for aviation weapon systems, it is the primary responsibility of PEO Aviation to effectively manage schedule, cost and performance of all assets of Army aviation.
Tactical Air and Missile Defense The mission of the Program Executive Office, Missiles and Space (PEO MS) provides centralized management for all Army tactical and air defense missile programs and selected Army space programs. The chief mission of PEO MS is to develop, field, and sustain missile and space systems for the U.S. Army, Joint and Coalition 16
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Warfighters that Provide a Decisive Battlefield Advantage. Reporting to the Army Acquisition Executive, PEO MS is aligned with AMCOM at Redstone Arsenal. The portfolio of programs assigned to the PEO Missiles and Space spans the full spectrum of the acquisition process from system development to acquisition, testing, production, product improvement, fielding, sustainment, and eventual retirement.
Research and Development The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center (AMRDEC), is the Army’s focal point for providing research, development, and engineering technology and services for aviation platforms and missile systems across the life cycle. Since 1948, AMRDEC has worked to support the warfighter. Approximately 20 missile systems, 10 aviation platforms, numerous unmanned platforms, and other major weapon systems are supported by AMRDEC. The Center is comprised of more than 9,000 workforce personnel to include civilians, military, and contractor support. “In the future, AMRDEC will adapt to changing conditions and effectively execute the AMRDEC mission to deliver collaborative and innovative technical capabilities for responsive and cost effective research, product development and life cycle systems engineering solutions,” Director James Lackey said.
Supply Chain Since June 2011, the U.S. Army Contracting Command (ACC) has been at Redstone, where it contracts for equipment and services vital to the Army’s global mission. From bullets and beans to tanks, aircraft and ammunition. If a soldier needs it, ACC buys it. “ACC has a proud history of providing readiness and support to the warfighter. Our contracting officers are frequently among the first forces on the ground and are among the last to leave,” said Maj. Gen. James Simpson. “As the Army changes, ACC will change with it, providing first-class support while being good stewards of the taxpayer’s money.” A subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command, ACC is a two-star command. Also located on Redstone is one of two subordinate one-star commands – the Expeditionary Contracting Command (for locations outside the continental United States). An international business enterprise, the command executed more than 174,000 contracts in fiscal year 2015 valued at more than $55 billion, which is equal to 73 percent of the Army’s contract dollars, said Lt. Col. David Hylton, Chief of ACC Public Affairs. ACC accomplishes this with more than 6,000 military and civilian employees at more than 100 locations worldwide.
Stronger Partnerships As the premier security assistance enterprise in the Department of Defense, the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC) supports the national security strategy through the management
of Army security assistance programs including annual foreign military sales of more than $10 billion to approximately 140 allied countries, friendly nations and multinational organizations. This two-star command headquartered out at Redstone is a highly professional, skilled, and values based workforce that generates trust in advancing U.S. strategic partnerships and strengthen U.S. Global partnerships.
Space Ops The U.S. Army Space and Missile Command (SMDC) conducts space and missile defense operations and provides planning, integration, control and coordination of Army forces and capabilities in support of U.S. Strategic Command missions (strategic deterrence, and integrated missile defense and space operations). Located on Redstone Arsenal, the this three-star specialized major command serves as the Army force modernization proponent for space, high altitude and global missile defense; serves as the Army operational integrator for global missile defense; and conducts mission-related research and development in support of Army Title 10 responsibilities. Established in 1997, SMDC also provides research and cyber and directed energy systems and related technologies for the U.S. Army.
Missile Defense “The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is a research, development, and acquisition agency within the Department of Defense (DoD),” said Leah Garton, acting deputy director of MDA Public Affairs. The agency’s mission is to develop, test, and field an integrated Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). The MDA works closely with DoD combatant commands, which will rely on the system to protect the U.S., its forward deployed forces, and allies from hostile ballistic missile attack. MDA roots go back to the origins of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) program, launched by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, to develop non-nuclear missile defenses. The SDI consolidated missile defense programs that were scattered among several government offices and molded them into a coherent program under the management of the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO). As the technologies developed under the original initiative evolved, so did the organization responsible for their management, according to Garton. In 1994, the SDIO was officially renamed the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO). The National Missile Defense Act of 1999 defined the mission for the BMDO, while the U.S. withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2002 lessened the restrictions to develop and test these technologies. In 2002, the BMDO was renamed the Missile Defense Agency. Garton said the agency continued to research and develop hit-tokill technologies, and, in time, began to test and field elements of the Ballistic Missile Defense System.
Intelligence The Missile and Space Intelligence Center (MSIC) at Redstone began as a part of Wernher von Braun’s missile team, as a component of the Army Ballistic Missile Agency in 1956. As an intelligence organization, MSIC is charged with producing scientific and technological intelligence on adversary surface-to-air missiles and ballistic missile systems and directed energy systems. This intelligence includes characteristics, capabilities and limitations of foreign military systems. In 1992, MSIC became a field production element of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). MSIC personnel provide intelligence on short-range missile technologies such as those found in surface-to-air missiles, anti-tank guided missiles and short-range ballistic missiles.
Missile Testing The U.S. Army Redstone Test Center (RTC) encompasses more than 14,000 acres, or about one-third of the land area of Redstone Arsenal, providing cutting-edge test and evaluation support for the Department of Defense and private industry. The origins of the center trace back to 1956 when the Army Ballistic Missile Agency was established at Redstone Arsenal – with a military mission to field the Army’s first intermediate range ballistic missile. In October 2010, the Aviation Technical Test Center from Fort Rucker was consolidated with the Redstone Technical Test Center. “Our mission is to provide superior technical expertise and stateof-the-art facilities and capabilities to perform developmental testing for aviation, missile and sensor systems,” said Lori-Ellen Hudnall, strategic communications specialist for RTC. “Our test work encompasses component-level work through subsystems, full-weapon systems and aircraft, and includes system of systems testing.” Currently, RTC employs more 1,300 people across an array of technical disciplines with a singular focus on providing the warfighter with proven technology, allowing them to fight and win in a complex world.
Where It All Comes Together The Garrison Command is responsible for the overall daily operations at Redstone Arsenal. “Each member of the Garrison strives for excellence every day to make certain our tenant organizations can execute their peacetime and wartime missions without concern for any interruption in home station support,” said Terri Stover, Garrison public affairs specialist. It’s like running a city, she said. At Redstone, that means maintaining more than 14 million squarefeet of administrative, and research and development office space. There’s 200 miles of roads, eight major test ranges, an airfield, a railhead with two spurs, two barge docks, and six gates on the installation.
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Celebrating 75 Years, from page 17 “The Arsenal continues to maintain a strong community partnership, which has proven to be beneficial in many respects,” Stover said. “Team Redstone and all of the Tennessee Valley communities remain engaged and proactively work to ensure the quality of life in the local area meets or exceeds requirements.”
Great Minds Work on Redstone Arsenal In addition to the incredible military and national defense work going on out on the arsenal, there are several other government agencies who also call the arsenal home. Today, Redstone Arsenal has more than 41,000 employees including active duty military, civilians and contractors. The arsenal makes up nearly 6 percent of the GDP for Alabama and is the largest employer in Huntsville-Madison County. From space exploration and national security to public safety training programs, a broad spectrum of federal agencies are part of the fabric that make-up the dynamic environment of technological expertise at the U.S. Army base.
To the Moon — and Beyond Marshall Space Flight Center, NASA’s field center for propulsion analysis and development, is still going strong on Redstone Arsenal. Operations began at the center on July 1, 1960, with the creation of NASA and a transfer of personnel, buildings, property and projects from the Unites States Army. Dr. Wernher von Braun was the center’s legendary first director, and Marshall’s list of historical accomplishments is long. It’s where the Saturn/Apollo rockets were developed that took man to the moon. The nation’s first space station, Skylab, and the propulsion systems for the Space Shuttle also came from the men and women of Marshall. Today, Marshall continues to lead the way in space exploration. Nearly 6,000 civil service and contractor employees work at Marshall, which operates on an annual $2.5 billion budget. Todd May became Marshall’s director in February. The largest program at Marshall is the Space Launch System (SLS) which May led from 2011 to 2016. Marshall is responsible for the development of the SLS which features the most powerful rocket ever built. Once complete, SLS will be able to carry astronauts on deep space missions, including to an asteroid and, ultimately, on a journey to Mars. “Redstone has thrived throughout the years due to its ability to transform itself to meet the changing needs of our nation,” May said. “We look forward to a future filled with new discoveries and continued changes in Redstone’s landscape and skyline.”
Down to the Wire The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has its National Center for Explosives Training and Research (NCETR) on the arsenal to provide advanced training for public safety personnel
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2016 © Jeff White Photography 2016 © Jeff White Photography
The 2016 Armed Forces Celebration began with the Proclamation Signing Ceremony in honor of Redstone Arsenal’s 75th Anniversary on June 24 at AMC parade field. The event included a parachute demonstration by the Silver Wings Jump Team from Ft. Benning. Following the Proclamation Signing, four community leaders were named as 2016 Team Redstone Good Neighbors for their contributions in support of the installation and its workforce.
Courtesy of U.S. Army Materiel Command
Highlights of the Armed Forces Celebration Dinner: A performance by the United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps (above) and keynote speaker Gen. Dennis L. Via, Commanding General, AMC (below).
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Celebrating 75 Years, from page 18
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from around the country. NCETR serves as the hub for all of ATF’s explosives/fire/arson training, research and development, and information sharing programs. Special Agent in Charge Don Robinson said, “We play a unique role with our civilian and military partners in the overall counter-IED effort.” Led by the FBI, the Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center (TEDAC) is a multi-agency organization that performs a critical function in the fight against terrorism. It officially opened its Redstone headquarters in February 2016. Before TEDAC’s creation in 2003, FBI spokesman Christopher Allen said no single government entity was responsible for analyzing and exploiting intelligence gleaned from improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Since then, TEDAC has examined more than 105,000 IEDs from around the world, providing intelligence to the military, law enforcement, and the intelligence community at home and abroad. “TEDAC plays a vital role in the national strategy,” said Special Agent Greg Carl, TEDAC director. “We stay ahead of the threat by looking at what happens overseas to make sure the proper parts are in place before something happens domestically.” Composed of 30 partner agencies including the FBI, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security, TEDAC was previously located at the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Va. Allen said the move to Redstone Arsenal centralizes the government’s efforts regarding IEDs and terrorism. TEDAC coordinates the efforts of the entire government, from law enforcement to intelligence to military, to gather and share intelligence about these devices – helping to disarm and disrupt IEDs, link them to their makers, and, most importantly, prevent future attacks. Redstone Arsenal is also home to the FBI’s Hazardous Devices School, a facility specifically designed for training on today’s stateof-the-art bomb equipment, including robots and other tools, Allen said. In the U.S., the Redstone Arsenal facility is the only authorized school to accredit and train civilian public safety bomb squads. “Having the Hazardous Devices School nearby, whether we get an IED from Africa, the Philippines or California, wherever it’s from, we can glean how it works and make sure that information gets right back into our training cycle for all trainees,” Carl said. “We are working with the Huntsville framework to make Redstone Arsenal a center of excellence for IEDs. Whether it’s TEDAC, the Hazardous Devices School or NCETR, we run the entire gamut of what the nation needs for effective counter IED training and research.”
Steady Growth For all that is happening out at Redstone, the arsenal has ample reasons to celebrate 75 years and its historic successes, while its humble beginnings are not forgotten. Wendy Reeves & Carrie Rice 20
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ED Highlights continued
compiled by Carrie Rice
Toyota Celebrates 15 Years in Huntsville! Huntsville has long been known for engines…rocket engines that is. But today, it is well on its way to earning the title as “engine capital of the world” thanks to the more than 4.5 million engines produced at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama (Toyota Alabama). What was once a cotton field in northeast Huntsville is now a hallmark engine plant for Toyota. In fact, it is the only Toyota engine plant in the world that produces 4-cylinder, V6 and V8 engines under one roof, which covers more than 1 million square feet of production space. With a total investment of $864 million, the plant has grown to employ about 1,350 team members. Toyota Alabama has expanded four times in the past 15 years and produces six times as many engines since starting Bolte production. “Seeing the plant develop over the past 15 years has been amazing,” said Toyota Alabama president Jim Bolte. “Our team members’ outstanding commitment to quality and safety, plus the great support we have received from community partners and local officials has been the driving force behind our success.” Dr.has Robert Altenkirch Through collaboration with community partners, Toyota shown that when good ideas are shared, great things can happen. The automaker is an engaged and impactful member of the community, working with non-profit agencies to help to build an even stronger community. The company’s commitment so far: local donations of more than $6 million plus ongoing volunteer efforts. “Toyota Alabama has made a significant impact in Huntsville and the state as a whole,” said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. Battle “Not only have they continued to support our strong economy through multiple expansions, but they also heavily invest in the community. We are so thankful to have them in Alabama.” To mark its 15-year milestone, Toyota Alabama will donate $15,000, a contribution that will be shared between the Food Bank of North Alabama and Free2-Teach. The funds, respectively, will support efforts to end hunger in North Alabama and to provide teachers in Madison County with access to free school supplies. Congratulations to Toyota Alabama on your 15 years in Huntsville! ∏
Caprio is new Managing Partner at Bradley Frank M. Caprio has been appointed managing partner of the firm’s Huntsville office, succeeding partner Kimberly B. Martin. He will also continue to serve as chair of Bradley’s Intellectual Property practice group. “I feel honored to take on this responsibility,” said Caprio. “I look forward to leading this fine group of lawyers who are all dedicated to professional and personal excellence, and will work to ensure that our clients continue to benefit from the incredible depth and breadth that our firm offers in Huntsville and across all our offices.” As managing partner, Caprio will guide and advance the short- and long-term goals of the firm in Huntsville and throughout the region. In his intellectual property practice, he assists clients in the protection and use of their intellectual property rights, and in the litigation of various technology-related disCaprio putes involving patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret and computer issues. In addition, Caprio has always been very active in the community. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County and has served on the board of the Huntsville Hospital System, YMCA, BizTech other volunteer organizations. ∏ aug-sept 2016 initiatives
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government&publicaffairs
Redstone Arsenal: Building a Community Together (Part 2)
B
y the time the Japanese had dropped their bombs on Pearl Harbor, the first buildings at Redstone Arsenal had already been completed, and more than 75 miles of railroad track had been laid. During WWII, more than 27 million items of chemical munitions, with a total value of more than $134.5 million, were produced at Huntsville Arsenal. At their peak in 1945, the combined arsenals (Huntsville Arsenal and Redstone Arsenal) employed more than 11,000 workers. Huntsville Arsenal’s civil service employees peaked at 6,707 and Redstone’s at 4,400. The Arsenals employed a relatively small number of uniformed military, peaking at Huntsville Arsenal with 580 in October of 1942. But as quickly as the jobs had come, they vanished once the war ended in 1945. On August 17, 1945, production at Redstone essentially ceased, although some lines operated a while for part of the day to complete items already in process. At the end of WWII, Huntsville was known chiefly as the largest cotton market east of Memphis. It had 3,500 homes, three large cotton mills and nine small industries. In 1947, Huntsville Arsenal was declared excess, and the process
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READER’S NOTE: Throughout 2016, the Chamber and our community are celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Redstone Arsenal. This article is the second in a two-part series by Mike Ward on the creation and evolution of the Redstone Arsenal. Part one of Mike’s historical look-back appeared in our June/July issue of Initiatives magazine and can be read online at bit.ly/july-initiatives
for disposing of the property began. Redstone Arsenal, on the other hand, found the glimmer of new life in 1948 when the Chief of Ordnance designated it as the Army’s future center of research and development activities in the field of rockets and related weaponry. In April 1949, both Thiokol, and Rohm and Haas, had signed contracts to do research and development work on rockets, rocket propellants and jet propulsion at Redstone Arsenal. The arsenal was officially reactivated as the site of the Ordnance Rocket Center on June 1, 1949. Colonel Holger N. “Ludy” Toftoy, the head of the Army’s guided missile efforts, had gotten word in August 1949 that his request for expanded facilities at Fort Bliss, Texas (near El Paso), had been denied. Toftoy was the Army visionary who brought Dr. Wernher von Braun and the German V-2 team to the United States at the end of WWII – an effort codenamed “Operation Paperclip.” More of the Texas base was now needed for the threatened Korean conflict. The Army also saw an urgent need for a ballistic rocket missile, and asked the former German rocket team, the “Peenemünders,” to develop a missile similar to the V-2 as quickly as possible. Two weeks later, Toftoy visited North Alabama to check out the mothballed Huntsville Arsenal. Impressed with what he saw, Col.
Toftoy, had several members of the rocket team visit the Tennessee Valley site on September 16, 1949. Attracted by the relatively new facilities and lush green rolling mountains surrounding the Arsenal, Dr. von Braun quickly embraced the new Huntsville site. Recalling von Braun’s reconnaissance trip report, Dorette Kersten Schlidt, his secretary at the wartime German rocket R&D base at Peenemünde and later at Ft. Bliss, said that von Braun excitedly told his German compatriots: “Oh, it looks like home! So green, green, everything is so green, with mountains 28 October 1949 The Secretary of the Army approved the transfer of the Ordnance Research and Development Division Sub-Office (Rocket) at Fort Bliss, Texas, to Redstone Arsenal. Among those all around!” transferred were Dr. Wernher von Braun and his team of German scientists and technicians, who Encouraged by all the favorable reports, Col. had come to the United States under Operation Paperclip during 1945 and 1946. Toftoy personally petitioned the Army Vice Chief of Staff, General Matthew Ridgeway, to relocate the team to the Huntsville/Redstone arsenal site. Spreading out a large map of the Arsenal on the floor of Ridgeway’s office, Toftoy discovered that his pointer wasn’t long enough, and so he proceeded to crawl around on the floor to point out the many splendid attributes that this site offered. As he concluded his plea for the Redstone site, Toftoy found himself at Gen. Rideway’s feet and looking up said, “Gen. Ridgeway, I’m on my hands and knees here, literally and figuratively, begging you for this place.” On October 28, 1949, the Secretary of the Army approved the transfer of the Fort Bliss rocket team to Redstone Arsenal, including the German rocket scientist team that had been working at first in secret there. The Huntsville Times headlines on November 14, 1949 trumpeted the Army’s decision: “Fort Bliss, Texas, Rocket Office To Be Moved To Redstone Arsenal.” With the arrival of the Fort Bliss group beginning April 15, 1950, Redstone Arsenal officially entered the missile era. The 1940s had wrought phenomenal change for Huntsville, and the underpinnings of the region’s future growth were in place – and to this day we still appreciate and respect the efforts of all who made it happen. Like a phoenix, the Arsenal had found new life. •
Mike Ward
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YOU
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Redstone can boost your small business’ bottom line! Business owners earned over $79,000* in CashBack in the last year with Redstone checking. Find out how your business can earn more money with accounts at Redstone. Ask a representative, or visit redfcu.org/business to learn more. Must be a current RFCU® member or Service Group to open a business checking account or use any service. Must be eligible for membership and open a share savings account in order to join RFCU. A minimum balance of $5.00 is required to open share savings account and must be maintained in the share savings account at all times. Minimum deposits, account balances, and transaction fees apply to some business accounts. Must have a business checking account to obtain a business debit card. A $50 minimum deposit is required to open a Business Endeavor Checking account. A $100 minimum deposit is required to open an Endeavor Plus Checking account. Business owner must visit a branch to complete Endeavor account setup. Must have business checking account to obtain Business Debit Card. Signature is required for obtaining a Business Debit Card. Fees and other restrictions may apply. Must have a business checking account to utilize some Cash Management services. *$79,000 based on CashBack payout to Endeavor or Endeavor Plus checking account holders from April 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. Business Debit Card CashBack is a debit card reward program for business members with an Endeavor or Endeavor Plus Checking account. With Business Debit Card CashBack, you will receive $.10 for every Point of Sale (POS) debit card transaction you complete after the first four POS transactions per month from an Endeavor or Endeavor Plus Checking account. Business Debit Card CashBack rewards will be posted on the fifth calendar day of each month. Only active Endeavor and Endeavor Plus Checking accounts in good standing will receive Business Debit CashBack rewards. Rewards will only be given for debit card POS purchases after the four per month threshold is met and will not be given for the first four purchases per month. Rewards will not be given for ATM, cash advance, or balance inquiry transactions. There is no limit on the number of rewards a business member may receive each month after the applicable threshold is met.
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initiatives aug-sept the National Credit 2016 Union Administration.
800-234-1234 • www.redfcu.org
smallbizspotlight
A Humble Legacy The Life of George Smith, Sr.
G
eorge Smith, Sr. was the President of AC Inc. in Chase Industrial Park, and a member of the Huntsville Rotary Club and Mayfair Church of Christ. He was known by all who knew him to be very humble, and as someone who was actively involved in the community. Smith passed away on April 4, 2016; however, his humble legacy will live on through his family, and with AC Inc. and Chase Industrial Park. “From the first time I met George, he was kind and accepting,” said Greg Brown, CFO and co-CEO of Brown Precision, Inc. “George was involved and engaged in our community and especially involved in matters relating to Chase Industrial Park. I consider George a mentor to me, and many of the endeavors I pursue are cues I took from George Smith, Sr. I know for a fact that our community is going to miss George’s leadership and care.” Smith grew up on a farm in Solo, TN (Tipton, County), chopping cotton and working the land with his father and siblings. This taught him hard work and how to run a business. Through the nature of living on a farm, he also strongly believed in helping others, which he carried over to other aspects of his life.
Smith and his family moved to Huntsville in 1979, and he began working for AC Inc., a Huntsville-based company. Smith started handling the financing of the company, and later became their controller and President. The AC mission statement reinforces how Smith lived his life, “To provide an environment where all Team Members are treated with dignity and respect, and to deliver products and services that exceed customer expectations.” George Smith, Sr. enjoyed being an active member of the Huntsville Rotary Club, as it promoted and educated others about the community and was a service organization. He was able to help get his son involved with the club as well, and this was something they participated in together. His son, George Smith II said, “He was very family oriented. He cared most about work, church, and family – but not necessarily that order.” George had a passion for helping people any chance he could get, and he was able to go on many mission trips through op-
portunities presented with Mayfair Church of Christ. These trips included many to South Africa (one time he even went up into the bush country) and other trips to Belize and Scotland. George Smith II said his dad’s trips would be primarily faith-based and to see what the missionaries were in need of, but when he would go to Belize, they would help with healthcare as well. “He got to be good friends with some of the missionaries in South Africa, and one of them spoke at Dad’s service. Alan Martin was a close friend of his,” George Smith II remarked. “Dad really cared about the people in South Africa that he got to know, and he enjoyed getting to know them. He lived his life in such a way that he impacted people everywhere he went.” The Chamber wanted to share a little bit of the life of George Smith, Sr. because of his tremendous contributions to Chase Industrial Park and the community as a whole. Smith was an important and loved member of the community and will be remembered for his passion for helping and serving others. Huntsville is a better place because of his dedication and service. •
Hannah Powell
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Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County
STA FF Executive Staff
Chip Cherry, CCE, president & CEO Amy Locke, executive assistant Annette Atchley, resource desk coordinator Kathy Davis, resource desk assistant
Economic Development, Industry Relations & Workforce Lucia Cape, senior vice president Lyndsay Ferguson, workforce director Erin Koshut, Cummings Research Park director Ken Smith, research & information services director Will West, economic development specialist | project manager Amy Tubb, economic development assistant
Government & Public Affairs Mike Ward, senior vice president Tina Leopold, assistant
Marketing & Communications Carrie Rice, director Kristi Sherrard, graphic designer Hiroko Sedensky, web designer
Investor Relations Robert Recker, senior vice president Donna McCrary, membership retention manager Tiffany Jordan, membership representative Tina Blankenship, membership representative Kristy Drake, engagement specialist | program manager
Small Business & Events Pammie Jimmar, IOM, director Emma Williams, specialist
Finance & Administration Mary McNairy, director Jamie Gallien, IT manager Lori Warner, accounting specialist Joe Watson, facilities supervisor
Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County 225 Church Street NW, Huntsville, AL 35801 phone 256-535-2000 | fax 256-535-2015
www.HSVchamber.org
Associated Organizations
communityfoundationhsv.org
www.uah.edu/sbdc theschoolsfoundation.org
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educationnews
Achieving Tomorrow U.S. Chamber Foundation Goes Viral with Voices
T
he Huntsville/Madison County community is receiving national attention with a video and photojournalistic series produced by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation called Voices. The new web series highlights the outstanding role the business community, educators, parents, and policymakers play in preparing our students for the jobs of tomorrow. Voices of Huntsville was the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s first community “voice” package and features interviews with U.S. Space & Rocket Center CEO Dr. Deborah Barnhart; The Schools Foundation Executive Director Elizabeth Fleming; Madison Crossroads Elementary School Principal Russ O’Rear; and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama President Jim Bolte; students, educators and many others. The Foundation’s goal for the Voices campaign is to emphasize the importance high standards play in K-12 education to prepare students for life after high school. We are grateful for the role of all these voices in our community and we’re excited to feature some of the Voices of Huntsville in this magazine! The Huntsville video can be found at bit.ly/VoicesHuntsville, and more Voices of Huntsville testimonials can be found at achievingtomorrow.org/voices.
of air resistance in regards to parachutes. We built them out of water bottles with this extremely high pressurizing device and a compartment for a raw egg. The true test of our knowledge was whether we could design a rocket and parachute that would keep the raw egg intact after being launched. I thought that was one of the most exciting applications of Physics I had ever done. And, yes, my egg remained whole! NOTE: Sabrina is a Presidential Scholar (one of 160 nationwide) and will be attending Columbia University this fall, majoring in Physics and Philosophy.
Tina Watts Community Investor, The Boeing Company
Sabrina Chen Bob Jones High School, Class of 2016, Madison City Schools “I guess I’ve always been attracted to paradoxes – looking at things that are completely opposite and trying to find harmony. Many people think science and humanities are opposites, but in Physics, we’re trying to find an equation or a theory for everything. This includes the concrete and the abstract.” My AP Physics teacher was one of the most enthusiastic and all-out motivating people that I have ever met. It’s because of him that I know with certainty that I want to pursue Physics. Instead of teaching from a PowerPoint presentation, our classes would actually devise formulas and equations based upon things we built or developed. I remember one project where, because we live in a space town, we made rockets to study drag force and different parts
“One of the many strengths of the Huntsville area is the tremendous amount of opportunity for students to enter highly skilled, high-tech career fields. Demand is high, and we want to see more students selecting STEM related college majors that will equip them to fill these roles. We, at Boeing, are investing in programs that support students of all ages in developing 21st century skills and inspiring them to extend the high-tech legacy here. “My employer, Boeing, is 100 years young and looking for the next generation of dreamers and innovators that will define the company’s second century. To get there, we’re investing in education programs that equip teachers, school leaders and parents to promote problem-based learning through hands-on experiences at school and at home to develop critical skill areas. We also open our doors for events like ‘Bring Your Child to Work Day’. This year, hundreds of children came to see the many cool things Boeing does in Huntsville. One of the activities that day asked each child to write down their favorite subject in school, and then their dream job. Many children wrote math or science as their favorite subject, but their dream job was unrelated. We believe that all children should follow their dreams, and we want to inspire local students to dream about careers that are in high demand here in Huntsville like building the technology that will take us to Mars one day. After all, Boeing was built by people who dream big.” Lyndsay Ferguson aug-sept 2016 initiatives
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