STANDING TALL
THE RETURN OF HUNTSVILLE’S SPACELINE
new chamber members
HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER
Joined in July
2020 at Providence
Alfa Insurance - Joey Duckworth
Best Care Plumbing, Heating and Air
Brooks and Collier Commercial
Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice (CREEJ)
Chalker Group
Diamond Weight Loss Centers
ERA King Real Estate
Float Huntsville
Huntsville Bible College
Jim N Nick’s Community Bar-B-Q/Huntsville
Local Bank
Make-A-Wish Alabama
OsteoStrong Crestwood
Pearl Behavioral Health Services
Practical Financial Solutions
Pryor Field Airport Authority - Pryor Flight Center
Starbucks Village of Providence
Taste Temptations Catering, LLC
The Avery Group LLC
The Honey Baked Ham Company
The Occasional Chef
Become a Chamber Member
In addition to investing in the economic growth of the entire region, as a Chamber member, you receive a variety of important benefits:
■ Build business relationships, create partnerships, and grow your business
■ Listing in the online Membership Directory
■ Specially designed professional development programs to grow your talent and strengthen your business
■ Brand exposure through the Chamber’s multimedia platforms to fellow member companies and the region’s business community
■ Priority communications to keep you updated on the latest business news and information impacting your business
If you want to make a valuable investment in your business and the community, the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber is the place to start. Contact Crystal Baker, Membership Retention Specialist: 256-535-2039 or cbaker@hsvchamber.org.
Joined in August
AA American Moving and Storage
Alabama A&M University Alumni Association, Inc.
Armstrong Immigration
Battle Concrete Contracting
Bowhead
Brookins Smoken On the Go
Buch Construction
Deploy Alloy
ForeOptics
Green Research and Technology LLC
HandledNow, LLC
Legitimate Leadership USA
LifeSteps Bank & Trust
MORI Associates
OLD Inc. Business Brokers
Par Excellence Youth Development
Parlor Doughnuts - Primary
Peraton
Randstad
Red Lobster
Sacred Serenity Counseling LLC
Spry Methods
Swift Recovery
The Bunny Hive Huntsville
The Pool and Spa Depot, LLC
The Prospective Group, Inc. (TPG)
X-Bow Systems Inc.
Zakia Lott, LLC
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN’S COUNCIL
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE
REGIONAL PARTNERS LEADERSHIP FORUM
AS OF SEPT. 17, 2024
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Bill Penney Toyota/Mitsubishi ■ BlueHalo ■ COPT Defense Properties
Crestwood Medical Center ■ Leidos ■ Lockheed Martin Corporation
Raytheon, An RTX Business ■ SAIC ■ Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc.
Torch Technologies ■ Yulista
CHAMBER TRUSTEES
Five Stones Research Corporation ■ Huntsville Coca-Cola ■ Intrepid
Landers McLarty Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram ■ Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne P.C.
Parsons ■ S3, Inc. ■ Science and Engineering Services, LLC (SES)
Sealy Management Company, Inc. ■ SportsMED Orthopaedic Surgery & Spine Center
Synovus ■ The Westmoreland Company
PROGRESS PARTNERS
Ability Plus, Inc. ■ Aerojet Rocketdyne, An L3Harris Technologies Company ■ Amazon ■ Anglin Reichmann Armstrong, P.C. ■ ASRC Federal ■ Baron Weather, Inc. ■ BASF Corporation ■ BL Harbert International, LLC ■ Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP ■ Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC ■ Canvas, Inc. ■ CFD Research Corporation ■ Colliers International ■ First Horizon ■ Freedom Real Estate & Capital, LLC ■ Goodwyn Mills Cawood, LLC ■ Huntsville/Madison County Builders Association ■ Huntsville Tractor & Equipment, Inc. ■ Integration Innovation, Inc. (i3) ■ Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation ■ IronMountain Solutions ■ Keel Point, LLC ■ Leonardo Electronics US Inc. ■ LSINC Corporation ■ Marsh & McLennan Agency, locally known as J. Smith Lanier & Co. ■ Pearce Construction Company ■ Radiance Technologies, Inc. ■ RE/MAX Alliance ■ Robins & Morton ■ ServisFirst Bank ■ SMX ■ SouthState Bank ■ Steak-Out (Rosie’s Restaurants, Inc., & Right Way Restaurants, Inc.) ■ United Community Bank ■ Venturi, LLC ■ Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP ■ Woody Anderson Ford
PROGRESS INVESTORS
Accenture Federal Services ■ Air Essentials, Inc. ■ Alpha Beta Technologies, Inc. ■ Averbuch Realty / Enterprises ■ Avion Solutions ■ Bailey-Harris Construction ■ BRPH Architects-Engineers, Inc. ■ Bryant Bank ■ Cadence Bank ■ CB&S Bank ■ Century Automotive ■ Convergint ■ Corvid Technologies LLC ■ deciBel Research, Inc. ■ Deloitte LLP ■ DESE Research, Inc. ■ Express Employment Professionals ■ FITE Building Company ■ Garver, LLC ■ GTEC ■ Hexagon US Federal ■ HEMSI ■ Higginbothan Insurance ■ Hiley Automotive Group ■ Huntsville Botanical Garden ■ Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau ■ Industrial Properties of the South ■ Investor’s Resource ■ L3Harris ■ Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) ■ MSB Analytics, Inc. ■ nLogic, LLC ■ PALCO ■ Phoenix ■ PROJECTXYZ, Inc. ■ QTEC Aerospace ■ Quadrus Corporation ■ Renasant Bank ■ RJ Young Company ■ Rosenblum Realty, Inc. ■ S&ME, Inc. ■ Savant Wealth Management ■ Schoel
■ Shee Atiká Enterprises, LLC ■ Signalink, Inc. ■ Systems Products and Solutions, Inc. ■ Textron Inc. ■ The Lioce Group, Inc. ■ Transcend, The Fearless Company ■ Troy7, Inc. ■ Truist Bank ■ TTL, Inc. ■ ValleyMLS.com ■ Valor Communities ■ Van Valkenburgh & Wilkinson Properties, Inc. ■ Vision Excellence Company ■ Volkert, Inc. ■ Warren Averett, LLC ■ Wilmer & Lee, P.A.
For more information, contact Kristy Drake, Vice President, Investor Relations: 256-535-2036 or kdrake@hsvchamber.org
Labyrinth for a Troll
Garden preparing for permanent exhibit by world-renowned artist Thomas Dambo
The Huntsville Botanical Garden (HBG) is adding a new innovative space inspired by art, nature and fantasy, and it will be a sight to see next spring.
The Mother Earth Troll Garden will transport you to a world where mythical creatures and earth’s beauty co-exist in harmony. Artist Thomas Dambo is known for his larger-than-life recycled troll sculptures found around the world, and his creation at the Garden will include a labyrinth where adults and children can explore and crawl through holes and hidden nooks and crannies. There will also be a throne, a hidden hut, a swing, and more. Dambo’s 20-foot troll will be seated in a lotus pose at the center.
Garden CEO Sue Wagner worked with Dambo during her time at The Morton Arboretum in Illinois, where he brought a traveling exhibit.
“We stayed in touch and decided it was the right time and right place to bring him here,” said Wagner. “He has never done anything like the labyrinth before, so this is a new challenge for his team, and they’re very excited about it.”
Dambo lives in Denmark and has visited Huntsville several times to plan the exhibit. Most of the work will be delivered in February for assembly soon afterward, with the exhibit opening in Spring 2025.
Elements like the tree and rock donations from local contractors and partnerships with tree companies underline the community’s involvement and the cyclical nature of life – the old giving way to the new, fostering growth and sustainability. These elements are not just decorative but are integral to Dambo and HBG’s shared ecological narrative, emphasizing the role of reuse and renewal in conservation.
Dambo’s work is incredibly popular, too. Laura McPhail, the Garden’s director of Marketing & Communications, said the artist has very loyal fans who are known to travel around the world to see his creations.
“We expect this will bring a boost in tourism to see the exhibit, and we look forward to welcoming new people to Huntsville,” said McPhail.
The Garden is working to fundraise for this special permanent exhibit. To contribute, please email development@hsvbg.org
Other Upcoming Events
The Garden has a number of events over the next two months leading up to the holidays and New Year.
‘Festifall’ is well underway with several Halloween-themed events for children and adults, such as ‘A Killer 80s Homecoming’ Murder Mystery Dinner for adults on October 11, a Little Monster Mash for families on October 12, and Festiv-ALE, a brew fest for adults on October 18. These are just a few – there are many more.
Tickets for Galaxy of Lights are on sale now, with Galaxy opening on November 15 with new updates and spaces, including a new area near the Azalea Trail for Galaxy Walking Nights. There is also a New Year’s Eve party planned for December 31.
Check hsvbg.org for the full calendar.
– Claire Aiello
‘Mama Mimi’ (Jackson Hole, Wyoming) by Artist Thomas Dambo
▲ Thomas Dambo ▼ ‘Sigurd The Troll’ (Mørke, Denmark) by Artist Thomas Dambo
Mission: To prepare, develop, and promote our community for economic growth.
HSVchamber.org
(see staff listing on page 34)
Chamber members: You are encouraged to contribute ideas for our publications. Please send items to comms@hsvchamber.org
The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber maintains editorial control.
editorial
publisher Chip Cherry
editor Claire Aiello
editorial designer Kristi Sherrard
contributing writers
Ashley Engles-Ross
Ross Ivey Beth Zinn
City of Huntsville Communications
advertising
Kristy Drake kdrake@hsvchamber.org
Lakeysha Brown lbrown@hsvchamber.org
Military, space, telecommunications, biotechnology, diversified manufacturing, and a variety of emerging specialties provide challenging work in delightful surroundings. The area enjoys a favorable cost of living and quality of life. Mountains, lakes, woodlands, and the Tennessee River accommodate numerous recreational activities. A temperate climate enhances the season for outdoor sports, including worldclass golf, hiking, biking, and fishing. Major concerts, Broadway and symphony performances,
and
of life.
TALL
HIROKO SEDENSKY
a message from chip cherry
HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER
Dear Chamber Investors, Community Leaders, and Friends:
When I was 12, my Dad started a wholesale floor-covering business which grew into a wholesale/retail business. To be fair to all of you who are involved in a small business, let’s acknowledge that it was the family that went into business, not just my Dad. My Mom helped with the books; the three boys all helped when needed. When my Mom wanted security, and the company needed funds – spirited conversations took place about Dad wanting to remortgage the house to secure the money needed to run the company. When funds were tight, my parents received partial pay checks or none at all. My grandparents had small businesses – one had a Country Store, and the other started as a carpet cleaning business that grew into one of the largest commercial flooring businesses in Virginia. I took a shot in high school with Chip’s Firewood. Our son is in business in Glen Allen, VA, and our daughter Julia is the Hospitality Director for a locally owned small business. Small businesses and entrepreneurs have a special place in my heart – I appreciate their passion, the risks they take, and the vitality they bring to our economy.
The previous paragraph helps explain why, in my opinion, the Small Business Awards Gala is one of the most important events we have. While most will focus on those who win the awards – the compelling message is that our small business and entrepreneurial community is vibrant, and a key component of the region’s dynamic economy. It is exciting that 348 companies and individuals were nominated for an award this year, and 160 of those became contenders! To be nominated by your peers and customers is great validation of the work you are doing. Thank you and congratulations to all of you – nominees, contenders and winners. You form a vital part of the fabric of our economy and warm my heart!
We strive to improve the Member Experience, which includes our events. I am a fan of the Kaizen Improvement Method – especially sustained continual improvement. Your input and feedback are important to us as we strive to gain insights into how we can improve. I encourage you to respond when you receive a survey after an event. If you have a suggestion on how we can improve an aspect of our operation or service to you, please send me an email or give me a call. My email is ccherry@ hsvchamber.org , and my office number is 256-535-2006.
I look forward to seeing you at a Chamber event soon!
Chip Cherry, CCE President & CEO
Huntsville/Madison County Chamber (formerly of Chip’s Firewood)
HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER
Executive Committee & Board of Directors 2024
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Sameer Singhal , Board Chair – CFD Research Corporation
Jeff Samz , Chair-Elect – Huntsville Hospital Health System
Lynn Troy, Immediate Past Chair – Troy7, Inc.
Ron Poteat , Board Chair, Chamber Foundation
Dr. Karockas Watkins, Secretary/Treasurer – Ability Plus, Inc. & Vision Excellence Company
Jami Peyton, Vice Chair, Economic Development – Canvas, Inc.
Ginger Harper, Vice Chair, Economic Inclusion & Diversity – First Horizon
Dave Cook , Vice Chair, Government & Public Affairs – Torch Technologies
Chrystal Morgan, Vice Chair, HREGI – The Boeing Company
Beth Sippel , Vice Chair, Investor Relations – Synovus
Ronnie Chronister, Vice Chair, Marketing & Communications –Lockheed Martin Corporation
Brett Crain, Vice Chair, Small Business – Huntsville Tractor & Equipment, Inc.
Jason Puckett, Vice Chair, Talent Initiatives – Toyota Alabama
Jeff Gronberg, Liaison, Redstone Regional Alliance – deciBel Research, Inc.
David Fernandes, Chair-Appointed – Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM)
Tyce Hudson, Chair-Appointed – Freedom Real Estate and Capital, LLC
Srinath Yedla, Chair-Appointed – Yedla Management Company
Graham Burgess, Legal Counsel – Maynard Nexsen
Mayor Tommy Battle, Ex-officio Member – City of Huntsville
Mayor Paul Finley, Ex-officio Member – City of Madison
Chairman Mac McCutcheon, Ex-officio Member – Madison County Commission
Chip Cherry, CCE , President & CEO, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber
ELECTED BOARD
Ted Baudendistel , InterFuze Corporation
Blake Bentley, SportsMED Orthopedic Surgery & Spine Center
Alka Bhargav, Aum Foundation
David Bier, Anglin Reichmann Armstrong, P.C.
Penny Billings , Cadence Bank
Jason Blount , Keel Point, LLC
Mark Brazeal , Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM)
Katie Comer, Meta Platforms, Inc.
Michael Cox , Raytheon, An RTX Business
Dr. Patti Dare, Obsidian
Melissa Davis , MTA, Inc.
Tyler Evans , Aerojet Rocketdyne, An L3Harris Technologies Company
Kevin Fernandez , L2 Mindset
Greg Fortier, SAIC
Owen Franklin , Blue Summit Supplies
Greg Gaddy, Five Stones Research Corporation
Greg Hall , COPT Defense Properties
Scott Hall , Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc.
Josh Herren , Yulista
Jim Holtkamp, ServisFirst Bank
Laura Huckabee-Jennings , Transcend, The Fearless Company
Hank Isenberg , IronMountain Solutions
Michelle Jordan , TARCOG
Sean Kelly, Regions Bank
Tim King , Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI)
Clint Kirkland , United Community Bank
Rich Kretzschmar, Integration Innovation, Inc. (i3)
James Lackey, Davidson
Todd May, KBR
Matt Meko, Booz Allen Hamilton
Stephanie Mell , ChurchStreet Family Businesses
Carey Miller, Deloitte LLP
Zack Penney, Bill Penney Toyota/Mitsubishi
Alicia Ryan , LSINC Corporation
Angie Sandritter, RippleWorx
Annie Saylor, Simulation Technologies, Inc.
Julie Schumacher, KODA Technologies Inc.
Vergenia Shelton , Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation
Wayne Sisco, Redstone Federal Credit Union
Nilmini Thompson , Systems Products and Solutions, Inc.
Henry Thornton , Meta Platforms, Inc.
Mike Watkins , Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
Frank Williams II , Landers McLarty Subaru
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community highlights
COMPILED BY CLAIRE AIELLO
Deadlines Coming Soon for November 5 General Election
Are you registered to vote? If not, it’s time to act to make sure your voice is heard on Election Day. If you have new neighbors or co-workers who just moved here, please share this information with them.
October 21 is the deadline to register to vote in the November 5 General Election. There are federal races on the ballot, including the presidential race and U.S. House of Representative races, along with a handful of state and county races.
Alabama doesn’t have early voting, but you can vote absentee if you’re not able to make it to the polls on election day. October 29 is the last day to apply for an absentee ballot by mail, October 31 is the last day to apply for an absentee ballot in person, and November 4 is the last day to hand-deliver an absentee ballot.
If you vote in person on election day, don’t forget to bring your photo ID. You should also plan extra time to wait, because we traditionally see high voter turnout for presidential elections. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Double check your polling location at alabamavotes.gov.
Another helpful website is madisoncountyvotes.com, which includes all of the information above and sample ballots for Madison County.
State Honor for ChurchStreet Family Group
ChurchStreet Family Restaurant & Hospitality Group, a multi-concept restaurant and hospitality group owned by Matt and Stephanie Mell with nine locations in Huntsville and one in Athens, has been named Alabama’s Retailer of the Year in the Annual Sales More Than $5 Million category. The award was presented on September 5 at their Gates Avenue headquarters in Huntsville.
The Alabama Retailer of the Year judges in this category, all former Retailers of the Year, chose the Mells and ChurchStreet Family for “the diversity of their restaurant and bar concepts” and “overall business model, community involvement and customer experience.” The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber and Athens-Limestone Chamber nominated Church Street Family Group for the award.
The group operates ChurchStreet Wine Shoppe (with locations downtown and in Providence), Purveyor, Pourhouse, Sea Salt, Catacomb 435, Mazzara’s Vinoteca, L’il Mazzara’s in Athens, and ChurchStreet Test Kitchen at the Orion Amphitheater.
“To be recognized as the best in the state is overwhelming but shows that we are making a positive impact in our community and in our state,” said the Mells. “That is a dream come true!”
Schwarze Industries Celebrates 50 Years
Schwarze Industries held a special event on August 20 to mark 50 years in business. The celebration included recognition of the team, longtime employees, and customers who came from several states away to say thank you for the products made here in Huntsville. The day also included a visit from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) Manufacturing Express. It’s a bus that’s taking a 10,000-mile tour across America to capture the stories of the 2.3 million men and women who make equipment, and the role the industry
plays in building a modern and resilient infrastructure. The tour started in July and continues through late October, and this was the tour’s only stop in Alabama.
Schwarze Industries makes high-quality streetsweepers that are used in cities around the nation and the world. Company representatives shared how these products clear litter from roads and play a major role in keeping communities clean. “We sweep cities so when rains come, the water flows down the pipes and you have cleaner storm water. Our products keep trash out of the waterways,” said company president David Heigl.
Longtime employee Costas Cordonis shared his story of working at Schwarze Industries. He moved to America 47 years ago from Greece, not knowing a word of English when he arrived. Cardonas attended college in Ohio, then moved to Cullman, Alabama, and eventually was hired by Schwarze. Cardonas now provides hands-on training for Schwarze’s products to customers and dealers. “Working for Schwarze gave me the opportunity to travel around the world,” he said. “I’ve helped train people and service vehicles in great environments as well as very tough conditions. My job has allowed me to create important bonds and lifelong friendships.”
Bryan Szeremi traveled in from Sacramento, California to share his experience as a 26year customer. “Schwarze is very open to listening to the customer – I can give input to improve the product, and this helps me, but also helps the entire industry,” Szeremi said. “This only makes them better. They are truly the people you know and the products you trust. Schwarze backs that up.”
Schwarze Industries also made a $5,000 donation to Free 2 Teach during the event. In addition, Brandon Elder, country music artist and American Idol contestant, performed for the crowd.
Chapman Mountain added to Alabama Birding Trail
Did you know the Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve is a popular stop for birders? It was recently added to the Alabama Birding Trail and has been quite busy during fall migration season, attracting many species. The bird blind was also recently featured by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which provided grant funding to enhance the environment.
Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve is located just east of Huntsville on Highway 72 and includes 4.6 miles of well-maintained trails. The bird blind is just a short walk from the trailhead. The trails are open dawn to dusk daily and free to access, but donations are encouraged.
Photo of a Chestnut-sided Warbler by C Scott Photography
AINDTECH Update
Instructor hired for new Industrial Technology program in Huntsville City Schools
s the advanced manufacturing sector of our local economy continues to grow, the demand for a highly skilled workforce has also increased. Specifically, manufacturing companies need to hire skilled maintenance laborers faster than our local educational institutions are producing them, so Toyota stepped in to help fill the gap. As part of its $6.7 million local Driving Possibilities grant initiative, Toyota funded the creation of a cutting-edge high school program to begin preparing our community’s future manufacturing workforce for careers in Industrial Maintenance and Technology while they are in high school.
The new Industrial Technology program (“INDTECH”), which falls under the Career and Technical Education umbrella in Huntsville City Schools, launched in August at the start of the new school year with a brand-new instructor, Jack Crowley, leading the charge. Jack is an experienced electrician with a background in education, construction, and industrial maintenance and technology. He earned his Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology and Advanced Manufacturing degree from Drake State Community and Technical College in December 2021. He was selected for the Alabama Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) apprenticeship program and was hired thereafter as an adjunct professor teaching Industrial Technology at Drake State. Crowley started his position with Huntsville City Schools in July and is very motivated to see the program succeed.
When reflecting on his choice to pursue a career in education and lead the INDTECH program in Huntsville City Schools, Jack didn’t hesitate. “Teaching has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me, whether it’s watching students grow from having no knowledge of a subject to an in-depth understanding and mastery of it or seeing them get lucrative and fulfilling jobs based on the skills they learned in class,” he said. “One of the things I’m most excited about with our Industrial Technology Program is that it’s a great combination of education and opportunity. Because of how much growth north Alabama is experiencing in the manufacturing sector, the future has never looked brighter for these young men and women, and I’m thankful for the privilege to help them get there.”
This year, Jack will be teaching approximately 30 new INDTECH students in three separate blocks. INDTECH will give these students the opportunity to learn skills and earn certifications toward high-tech, fast-paced careers in manufacturing and other industries. The INDTECH lab will be an integral part of the students’ hands-on learning experience. The lab is equipped with new, state-of-the-art equipment similar to what is used in the FAME program at Alabama’s Robotics Technology Park in Decatur. As is the case with the FAME program, the equipment selected for the INDTECH lab is closely aligned with industry standards, reflecting approximately 90 percent of the equipment commonly used in advanced manufacturing facilities. This ensures that students are trained on machinery and technology that mirrors real-world manufacturing facilities. Students will take courses in safety, AC/DC electrical systems, mechanical drives, electric motor controls, PLC troubleshooting, mechatronics, pneumatics, machine tools, robotics, precision measurement, and more.
Students can apply for and begin the INDTECH program in 9th grade. If they stick with the program through graduation, they will have received enough hands-on training to prepare them to enter the workforce earlier and hit the ground running or to enter a twoyear or four-year degree program with credentials and college credits they earned in high school, saving both time and money toward earning a post-secondary degree.
During this school year, INDTECH will be housed at Jemison High School. The program will move to the new Career Tech Center at the intersection of Memorial Parkway and Max Luther Drive in the fall of 2025 along with all of the other HCS Career Tech programs, putting them together in one central and convenient location.
To learn more about Driving Possibilities or INDTECH, please contact Beth Zinn, program manager for Driving Possibilities at bzinn@hsvchamber.org
LEFT: Student Mykale Pentecost works with teacher Jack Crowley in the INDTECH lab at Jemison. ABOVE (L-R): Teacher Jack Crowley with students Mykale Pentecost, Isaac Sicks, Jordan Williams, Khalil Harris-McGown, and Shawntez Charleston in the lab.
Medal Moments
Several Paracyclists with Huntsville ties earn gold, silver & bronze in Paris
It was exciting to watch the Olympics and Paralympics this summer! Several of the Paracyclists who competed in Huntsville in the past earned podium spots in Paris during the 2024 Paralympics:
■ Oksana Masters won gold medals in both the H4-5 individual time trial and H5 road race. She is one of the most decorated Paralympians in history. (pictured top right)
■ Samantha Bosco won gold in the C4 individual time trial.
■ Katie Brim won gold in the H1-3 individual time trial. (pictured bottom right, center)
■ Clara Brown won bronze in the C1-3 road race.
■ Elouan Gardon won bronze in C5 400M Individual Pursuit.
■ Dennis Connors won silver in the T1-T2 Road Race. (pictured left)
■ Matt Tingley, Katie Brim , and Travis Gaertner won bronze in the mixed H1-5 handcycle relay.
In the near future, we will host the 2026 UCI Paracycling Road World Championships in Huntsville, bringing hundreds of athletes back to the Rocket City. This will be two years before the 2028 Los Angeles Games!
– Claire Aiello
TOP 20 EMPLOYERS: HUNTSVILLE & MADISON
Huntsville/Madison County is home to the U.S. Army Redstone Arsenal and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center with a combined 45,700 workers driving a thriving aerospace and defense technology industry.
RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY
Huntsville’s Cummings Research Park (CRP) is the second-largest science and technology research park in the U.S., home to 320 companies and 26,500 people involved in technology research and development.
Keep It Clean
Working together toward a #LitterFreeHSV
It’s a sad truth – litter is all around us. From empty water bottles and soda cans to cigarette butts, old tires and even appliances, the evidence is there.
Litter should be a concern for residents and visitors alike, as Huntsville is known for its natural beauty and pristine resources. Litter can originate from various sources, from debris flying off uncovered trucks to individuals tossing trash from their vehicles.
Addressing this issue requires a united effort – no single person can solve it alone. So, what’s to be done about it? How can we help?
To curb habits and behaviors, the City of Huntsville recently launched the Drive Away Litter: #LitterFreeHSV initiative aimed at driving away litter on Huntsville’s roadways. The best part? Getting involved is easy as starting in your own neighborhood.
Mayor Tommy Battle and City leaders recognize the collective responsibility in keeping Huntsville clean. The campaign, initiated in July, aims to raise awareness and target our major roadways where litter is a consistent problem, maintain overall cleanliness and bolster community pride.
There are several ways individuals can contribute. Being mindful of personal littering habits, no matter how small, is crucial. Securing loose items in vehicles prevents them from becoming roadside litter.
Regular inspections, such as checking the bed of pickup trucks or ensuring covers on larger vehicles, also help prevent debris from escaping.
If you encounter roadside litter, report it to the City’s Green Team by calling 256-53-CLEAN. Saving this number in your contacts ensures quick access for reporting and easy hands-free voice calling.
Another proactive step is participating in the Green Team’s Adopta-Spot program, where volunteers commit to quarterly cleanups in designated areas. This initiative allows individuals to adopt specific spots in Huntsville, ensuring they remain clean and beautiful.
Following these common-sense tips won’t solve the problem overnight, but it will go a long way toward preserving Huntsville’s natural charm. Achieving a litter-free community, however, requires citywide involvement.
By working together, residents can make a significant impact in keeping their city clean and enjoyable for all. – City of Huntsville Communications team
STANDING TALL
THE RETURN OF HUNTSVILLE’S SPACELINE
BY CLAIRE AIELLO
If you drive by the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, you’ll see the spaceline is back. This includes six historic rockets that stand tall in Rocket Row, as well as the Shuttle Pathfinder orbiter that is back on its stack.
All represent more than seven decades in America’s space program, and the rockets’ return has been a long time coming. These goliaths stand once again in all their glory, shiny and squeaky clean, the result of major investments in the destination that brings many people to our city from all over the world.
On that note – more than 1 million people have now attended Space Camp since it opened, and it’s always fun to see who’s in a given group when you visit. On the day we walked around the Center, we met children from Florida, Virginia, Colorado, the Dominican Republic, Canada, and England. Another group of teenage campers had traveled in from Libya.
Shuttle Pathfinder is back
On the very hot day we visited in late August, the Center was preparing for the hefty job of lifting the restored Shuttle Pathfinder back onto the stack. It was taken down in 2021 and has undergone $7.6 million of refurbishment since then. Lifting Pathfinder took two large cranes and great planning to coordinate! The renewed orbiter, now fully assembled with the body, wings, and engines, weighs more than 143 tons. The two bolts that anchor the back of the orbiter weigh 50 pounds apiece.
The orbiter “skin” is made of 3D-printed panels – 516 in all – and they are weather-coated with a special base primer and the primary color scheme of a flight orbiter added as well.
“We liked the idea of 3D printing, additive manufacturing for this, because it is a big, current technology that so many of our aerospace companies are using,” said Ed Stewart, the museum’s curator. “It’s
light, it’s adaptable, and astronauts use this technology on the International Space Station now to print hand tools and replacement parts they need. This is truly a full circle moment to have Pathfinder now made of this technology.”
Pathfinder was originally built in 1977 as a “mass simulator” to give NASA a way to practice how it would handle an actual Space Shuttle without worrying about damaging a flight article. After it was used by NASA, Pathfinder went on display in Tokyo for a year and was then moved to its permanent home at the Rocket Center in Huntsville in 1988.
continued on page 20
continued on page 20
“ We have prioritized these major projects because they are vitally important to our community ... We are honored to display them and tell our city’s story to people who visit from all over the world. ”
–
Dr. Kimberly Robinson CEO & Executive Director
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
continued from page 19
Rocket Row
Just down the path, six real rockets stand tall once again in Rocket Row. These were installed over the spring and summer after significant refurbishment, with some of the work completed at Marshall Space Flight Center and other work performed in Cullman. The Saturn I was refurbished in place a few years ago.
“We have prioritized these major projects because they are vitally important to our community,” said Dr. Kimberly Robinson, CEO and executive director of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. “These vehicles are more than hardware. They’re important symbols of the Rocket City’s legacy and ongoing contributions to exploration and serve as a tribute to all the people who poured their hearts and hard work into developing them. We are honored to display them and tell our city’s story to people who visit from all over the world.”
Where should you begin when looking at them, we asked? Curator Stewart said the story starts with the green Redstone Rocket used by the U.S. Army.
“To me, that’s the beginning because it is the foundation on which all the others are built on, as you move this way. Even the bigger diameter ones you see here, Jupiter and Juno II, evolved out of the Redstone missile,” Stewart shared.
Rocket Row also contains Jupiter, Jupiter-C, Juno II, and Mercury Redstone, all built by the Chrysler company and installed before the museum opened in 1970.
“They had been maintained, but this is the first time we took them all the way down,” said Stewart. “The base structures were redone, all aspects of repainting, repairing any damage to the exterior, interior, and just to show how big of a deal this is, the pipes that go up to support the rockets in the center are not the original pipes. These are brand new pipes, they dug up the foundations, dug in new foundations, with very deep holes and lots of concrete to act as the foundations for these rockets.”
“Everything out here is kind of a little steppingstone towards progress of space exploration,” Stewart added. “These lead to the development of the Saturn I and ultimately, the Saturn V, getting to the Apollo program and taking astronauts to the moon.”
Rocket Row also looks to the future, with a new exhibit that showcases the engine pathfinder for the Space Launch System’s core stage. All of the parts for this were made in north Alabama.
continued on page 22
Since opening our doors 20 years ago, Redstone Village has proudly served Huntsville with a distinct blend of tradition and innovation fulfilling our founders’ vision of a community where seniors can enjoy freedom and fellowship with the assurance of future care.
As we continue to build on our strong foundation for years to come, we invite you to visit and discover our maintenance-free lifestyle with chef-prepared dining, wellness programming and a full schedule of activities at the area’s only locally owned and operated, not-for-profit Life Plan community in Huntsville.
Call (256) 633-4066 to schedule a visit and experience our exciting retirement lifestyle for yourself.
continued from page 20
Curator’s Favorite Rocket?
Ask Stewart which rocket is his favorite – he laughs and really has to think about it. He finally names the Jupiter. “It carried Baker and Able, the monkeys,” he said.
As curator, Stewart is in some ways self-taught in his role. He first worked at the USSRC as a camp counselor in 2001 (these team members are now called crew trainers). In 2011, he joined the curation team, being so familiar with the campus.
“I had learned about all the items we had, and having this nerdy brain, all these things getting stuck in my head, it was just a natural fit,” Stewart shared.
Stewart is a self-proclaimed ‘space nerd,’ so he fits right in here in Huntsville. You can’t help but notice the SLS tattoo on his left forearm as he shares stories about the rockets on display.
Marshall Connection & Honor Wall
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center serves as the official visitor center for Marshall Space Flight Center, and part of the work includes sharing the story of Marshall, including what was done in the past and what is happening currently.
The SLS engine pathfinder is one part of it, and inside the museum in the Dare to Explore exhibit, you can see one of Blue Origin’s BE-3U engines that will be used on the New Glenn rocket to be launched soon at Kennedy Space Center. You hear these engines tested in the evenings from historic Test Stand 4670 at MSFC.
To recognize Marshall employees past and present, the Marshall Retirees Association’s Space Exploration Honor Wall will include the names of more than 21,000 men and women who supported space exploration at MSFC, or at companies that have worked with NASA locally. The wall is up in Rocket Row, and panels are being raised to complete the project.
The Rocket Center is also still raising money to offset the cost of the Pathfinder project. More funds are needed to cover the cost of new lighting and additional repairs to Shuttle Park.
To support these efforts, visit rocketcenterfoundation.org
Museum Curator Ed Stewart in front of the Jupiter rocket
HIROKO SEDENSKY
HIROKO SEDENSKY
Amphitheater
Rocket Park also features a new amphitheater perfect for events. Interested in hosting a community outing complete with catering, with a view under the rockets? The USSRC can take care of that for you. You’re not going to find a location that literally screams ‘Huntsville’ as this one does.
– Claire Aiello
Local insight. Financial strength. Serving Huntsville/ Madison County for 40 years.
Huntsville is on the rise, and we’re excited to be part of the momentum. At Synovus, we’ve been dedicated to elevating our customers and community for the past 40 years. Today, while this milestone is a reason to celebrate, our focus remains on moving forward – with valuable local insight, strength of financial services, and a vision to see your full potential. What are your personal or business goals? Call on Synovus. We have a team committed to help you get there.
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INVESTOR PROFILE
Zack Young President & CEO, GTEC
Q. Tell us about yourself. Are you from Huntsville, or did you move here from somewhere else?
I grew up in Five Points until the age of 10, and then Woodville, a small, rural town east of Huntsville. I have called Huntsville home my entire adult life. Beyond just residing here, my family and I are deeply engaged with the city; we work, serve, shop, and actively participate in community events all within the city. Our involvement in the city’s vibrant community has allowed us to form strong local connections and fully embrace the opportunities it offers.
Q. Tell us about GTEC and the type of work your team does.
Founded in 2020, GTEC boasts a team with decades of experience guiding clients in the Tennessee Valley through every phase of a construction project, from initial conception and design to construction oversight and asset evaluation. GTEC offers a comprehensive range of services including environmental assessments, facilities management, geotechnical investigations, aerial photography, and construction testing; all to support economic development, infrastructure improvements, and industrial and commercial growth.
Q. What does GTEC get from its membership in the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber?
GTEC benefits from its membership in the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber in several ways. Through our membership, GTEC gains valuable networking opportunities with potential partners within the Huntsville and Madison County area and increased visibility helping to raise GTEC’s profile in the community. The Chamber also provides opportunities to engage in joint projects and initiatives that align with GTEC’s mission and objectives, fostering collaborative economic growth.
Q. You have attended our Montgomery and Washington DC trips. Would you mind sharing something you’ve learned on these trips?
During my trips to Montgomery and Washington DC, a key takeaway has been the significant role of Huntsville, Alabama. We have a profound impact not only on Alabama but also on the United States and the world. While I always knew growing up that our city was unique, attending the Chamber trips has deepened my understanding of the symbiotic relationship between DC and Huntsville. I now have a clearer perspective on how our community plays a crucial role in shaping both our present and future.
Q. Why do you support HREGI, the Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative?
Supporting the Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative (HREGI) is essential for fostering regional economic development, enhancing infrastructure, and driving innovation. HREGI unites various stakeholders to address local challenges and opportunities, ensuring sustainable and collaborative growth. By backing HREGI, we contribute to a thriving and forward-looking community.
National Honors
Kanique Mighty-Nugent named to Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses program
Kanique Mighty-Nugent, founder and CEO of Komposition LLC, a web design and live video strategy company based in Huntsville, has been selected to participate in Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses Program. Kanique is a member of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber’s Women’s Business Council and was encouraged to apply by two other members of the Council. Kellie Andrews, founder and chief connector of Huntsville Hub, and Alice Lessmann, CEO of Cepeda Systems, are both graduates of the program.
Kanique has been selected to participate in the national program that will culminate with a fourday, in-person session in New York. All travel expenses, meals, and accommodations are covered!
To be eligible to apply, business owners must have been in operation for at least two years, have had revenue of $75,000 in one of the past two fiscal years, and have at least two employees, including themselves. The program consists of online classroom discussions, peer learning ex ercises, skill building and experiential applications that take place over the course of 12 weeks.
Kanique launched her company, Komposition LLC, in 2010 as a side hustle while living in Maryland. At that time, she was balancing the joys of raising her children with a commitment to staying sharp in the field of computer information systems. She initially volunteered with her church’s web team, where her skills quickly proved in to be high demand. Encouraged by her husband, Kanique decided to turn her passion into a business. Despite moving from Maryland to South Africa, and then to Huntsville, she continued to grow Komposition while managing family life.
After working full-time at Oakwood University during the day and running Komposition by night, she transitioned to making Komposition her full-time career in 2018.
Congratulations, Kanique! We’re excited to see how this program will elevate your business and drive it to new – Ashley Engles-Ross
PHOTO: NEVILLE SIMPSON
39th Annual Small Business Awards Gala
September 12, 2024
We had a wonderful evening celebrating with you at the Small Business Awards Gala. Talk about glitz and glamour! You dressed in your best, and we surprised winners with awards in 18 categories.
PHOTOS BY JEFF WHITE PHOTOGRAPHER
Valentina Iscaro Brett Crain with Keel Point’s Thomas O’Connor
Jeff Castle
Going Fur ther.
Additional awards presented during the Gala on September 12, 2024
Entrepreneur of the Year
The Catalyst Center for Business and Entrepreneurship presented its Entrepreneur of the Year award to Stovehouse CFO Patti Yancey.
“Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of our communities and our economy. They are deal makers, change makers, dream makers. They challenge the status quo, inject competition into markets, and spur innovation,” said Lisa Davis Mays, CEO of The Catalyst Center for Business and Entrepreneurship. “They change the ways in which we live, work, and play.”
Small Business Advocate of the Year
The Huntsville Association of Small Business in Advanced Technology (HASBAT) named HASBAT Vice President Jerry Gabig its Small Business Advocate of the Year.
A co-founder of Still Serving Vets, HASBAT has worked under Gabig’s leadership with Alabama Congressional leaders and senators advocating for contractual preference for Veteran-owned small businesses. As a result, the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, recently passed by the House on July 8, includes a separate 5 percent set aside for Veteran-owned small business. This equates to over $22 billion of the Department of Defense’s procurement appropriations set aside for Veteran-owned small businesses annually.
GOVERNMENT CONTRACT ACCOUNTING THAT KEEPS YOU MOVING FORWARD
Today’s unique challenges in government contract accounting require an astute team of advisors. Warren Averett takes great pride in supporting Department of Defense (DoD) contractors. Whether you need a full-service accounting firm to handle tax and audit needs or an outsourced accounting solution to take over certain functions, our team has the government contract, DCAA and FAR knowledge to ensure you stay in compliance. We’re here for you. For more information, contact:
JEFF WHITE PHOTOGRAPHER
The Catalyst’s Lisa Davis Mays, left, shown with Entrepreneur of the Year Patti Yancey, right, and Danny Yancey, center – owners of Stovehouse.
JEFF WHITE PHOTOGRAPHER
HASBAT President Allison Rhen, left, shown with Jerry Gabig, the 2024 Small Business Advocate of the Year.
INDUSTRY VISITS WITH ROSS
IVEY
I recently had the pleasure of visiting and touring PPG, a global leader in coatings, specialty materials, and glass, located in Chase Industrial Park. During the visit I met with company leadership and members of the Learning and Development Team. During the informational tour, I learned much more than the processes and products produced at the facility. Jarrod Black stands as a testament to dedication and family legacy. Having worked at PPG for over a decade, Jarrod’s journey through the company reflects not only his commitment to excellence, but also the enduring influence of familial bonds in the workplace.
Jarrod Black’s tenure at PPG spans an impressive 11 years. Since joining the company, he has become a cornerstone of the Huntsville facility, renowned for his expertise and unwavering work ethic. His role at PPG involves navigating the complexities of production and quality assurance, ensuring that the products meet the high standards for which PPG is known. He is now responsible for training the next generation of PPG team members as he serves as the training coordinator for the Learning and Development team. Jarrod’s father, Jamie, served in this same role for many years prior to his retirement earlier this year in May.
Colleagues describe Jarrod as a reliable and knowledgeable professional who consistently goes above and beyond. His ability to mentor new employees and streamline processes has made a significant impact on team efficiency and morale. As PPG evolves and adapts to the changing landscape of the industry, Jarrod’s adaptability and foresight have been instrumental in maintaining the company’s competitive edge.
Jarrod’s connection to PPG is deeply rooted in family tradition. Over the years, multiple members of the Black family have worked at the company, creating a unique and enduring legacy. This familial bond has not only contributed to the company’s culture but has also reinforced a sense of unity and continuity within the workforce. The Black family’s association with PPG began with Jarrod’s father, Jamie, who began working at the Huntsville facility in 1997. His dedication and achievements set a high standard for the next generation. Jarrod’s brother and cousins have followed in these footsteps, contributing their skills and passion to PPG in various capacities. In total, eight members of the Black family have worked or are currently working at PPG. Jarrod’s brother Nathan currently works in quality assurance in the Vinyl room, a pivotal procedure in the manufacturing process. This multi-generational involvement underscores a shared commitment to the company’s values and goals, reflecting a profound sense of loyalty and pride in their work.
When asked the best thing about working at PPG, Jarrod answered the overall family environment and how supportive his colleagues have been through pivotal milestones in both his professional and personal life, such as getting married and having children. Separately, PPG has afforded Jarrod multiple opportunities for upward career advancement and has remained competitive in terms of salary and benefits.
As PPG continues to innovate and grow, Jarrod Black remains a key figure in the company’s ongoing success. His extensive experience, combined with his deep-rooted family connection, positions him as a role model for new employees and a valued asset to the organization.
Jarrod’s journey at PPG is a remarkable example of how personal dedication and family heritage can shape a successful career. His contributions to PPG in Huntsville, AL, reflect a blend of professionalism, family loyalty, and community spirit that exemplifies the best of both individual and corporate values.
– Ross Ivey
L-R: Jamie Black with his sons Nathan and Jarrod
Building Huntsville and North Alabama for 40 years
At Robins & Morton, we unite decades of experience with innovative construction methods to deliver exceptional results. We build safely and with integrity, committed to exceeding our clients’ expectations and leaving a lasting, positive impact on the communities where we live and work. Together, we’re building something great.
Rheumatology Associates of North Alabama (RANA)
chamber staff
HUNTSVILLE/MADISON
COUNTY CHAMBER
Executive Staff
Chip Cherry, CCE, president & CEO
Staci Sellers director, governance support & special projects
Economic Development // CRP // Talent Initiatives
Lucia Cape , CCE, senior vice president
Erin Koshut , executive director, Cummings Research Park
Lyndsay Ferguson vice president, talent initiatives
Ken Smith , senior director, research & information services
Annie Davis , director, talent initiatives
Beth Zinn , program manager, Driving Possibilities
Finance & Administration // Events
Mary McNairy, IOM, vice president
Joe Watson facilities supervisor
Kim Weeks , accounting specialist – receivables
Dionne Scales , accounting & HR specialist
Diana Baccus , director, event management
Laura Carr, event specialist
Stefanie Smoot , resource desk coordinator
Government & Public Affairs
Mike Ward , CCE, senior vice president
Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative (HREGI)
Kristy Drake , IOM, vice president, investor relations
Investor Relations // Membership
Kristy Drake , IOM, vice president, investor relations
Lakeysha Brown , director, membership & engagement
Richard Bigoney membership account executive
Crystal Baker, retention specialist
Marketing & Communications
Claire Aiello , IOM, vice president
Kristi Sherrard , creative director
Kayla Brown , director, strategic communications
Hiroko Sedensky web designer
Small Business // Economic Inclusion & Diversity
Ashley Engles-Ross , vice president, small business
ASSOCIATED ORGANIZATIONS
4900 University Square, Suite 2, Huntsville, AL 35816
LVSA Ships Off
Largest piece of hardware made at MSFC for the Artemis missions heads to Cape
NASA’s Artemis II mission is scheduled for September 2025, and many of the rocket’s parts are being sent to Cape Canaveral for full stack. The Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter (LVSA) is the largest piece of hardware made at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, and it was loaded onto the Pegasus barge for transport on August 21.
The LVSA is 27.5 feet tall and took a few years to complete. It also took great planning and coordination to move from Building 4708 just a few miles away to the port on the Tennessee River.
The trip on the river included a stop at Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans to pick up more hardware, and then on to the Cape for the final stop. The full journey takes about a week in good weather.
The LVSA is manufactured by prime contractor Teledyne Brown Engineering and the Jacobs Space Exploration Group’s ESSCA contract using NASA Marshall’s self-reacting friction-stir robotic and vertical weld tools. It will be positioned between the core stage and Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (iCPS).
Marshall is already working on the LVSAs for future missions.
“We have an aggressive schedule,” said Keith Higginbotham, LVSA Hardware Manager. “Our contract is to build four articles. We met at Kennedy earlier in August for a hardware readiness review,
and we’re ready to go. [The LVSA for] Artemis III is just about finished, and we’ll put it where LVSA II was stored.”
Higginbotham added that he’s very proud of the team adapting to challenges they faced, including space to build the LVSA.
“Marshall hasn’t really been set up to ever be a production-type center, if you will,” he explained. “So, dealing with these large structures – you have to think about where you’re going to do the work. We’ve done a really good job of making good use of the facilities that we have available to us, and I think we get a lot of satisfaction out of seeing this all come together.”
Lauren Fisher is a structural materials engineer at NASA Marshall whose team worked on the LVSA. The Huntsville native and UAH graduate said she is very proud to see this all come together.
“It’s so exciting to see the completion of this work, and it’s starting its voyage to join the rest of the core stage. It’s one step closer to launch,” said Fisher. “I’m so proud of our engineers and our technicians. I actually started right when the team finished up the first LVSA that’s already launched, so I’ve been able to be here through the entire progression of everything we’ve been working on out here at Marshall. Every time, they’ve gotten better and better and better. I get a little choked up, you know, seeing it go… knowing our team did that!”
