Initiatives magazine, August 2003

ini tiatives

august 2003 review

huntsville madison county

chamber of commerc e

Spinning the Sounds of

Business

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. All Shook Up

05 11

Takin’ Care of Business

27

ini tiatives H u n t s vi ll e / Ma d is o n Co u n ty • Ch a m b e r of Co m m e r c e

s ide 1 cover

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

05

You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet

09

All Shook Up

11

Life In the Fast Lane

17

You’re the Inspiration

23

That’s the Way of the World

25

Takin’ Care of Business

27

Shinin’ Star

28

Spinning the Sounds of Business Cover design by Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce Publications Department.

s ide 2 Somethin’ to Talk About

11

We Built This City

13

25 or 6 to 4

20-21

Celebrate Good Times, C’mon

s t a ff

Publication Manager

Rikki Thomas

Managing Editor

Barbara Nash, APR

Writers

mission

The mission of the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County is to prepare, develop, and promote our community for economic growth.

contact

Chamber of Commerce Huntsville/Madison County 225 Church Street Huntsville, AL 35801 256.535.2000 www.initiativesreview.com

Shannon Belew

30

Mike Kelley Account Executive

R.D. Patterson

Publisher

Jeff Thompson

President/CEO

Brian Hilson

Permission to publish any part of Initiatives Review is hereby granted exclusively to any non-profit institution and to any publisher for broadcast or publication to the general public. Credit “ Initiatives Review, a Publication of the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville / Madison County.”

03 In i t i a t i ves August 2003

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04 August 2003 In i t i a t i ves

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Find Out What It Means to. . . Huntsville Americans love lists. From job seekers and retirees, to business owners and corporate executives, there is a growing dependency on the “best of” lists as a way to validate the choices we make – especially when it comes to deciding what city to call home.

One thing is clear. Huntsville’s ranking in these lists certainly commands respect! Huntsville, Alabama is pulling rank over competing cities. It is consistently recognized as one of the nation’s best places to live, work, and do business.

2003 has been especially rewarding for the area in national rankings.

Huntsville has climbed to the upper echelons of well-respected lists, including those produced annually by Forbes, Employment Review, Family Digest, and Southern Living magazines.

Whether ranking #11 or #4, to fully appreciate the value of the considera-

online video introduction to the 2003 rankings.

In its fifth year, the Forbes special report, “Best Places for Business and Careers,” puts Huntsville at #11. It’s not the first time the city has been included, but it jumped significantly from the 2002 ranking of #71. The difference is the result of the publication’s inclusion of the cost of business index, provided by Economy.com, an economic and financial research firm.

Additionally, other barometers were given more importance this year to better For six or seven years now, we’ve been ranking reflect the quality of life of the top 20 cities to live and work in inside the each location.

The housing United States. Huntsville has always ranked affordability very well. index, crime Jim O’Hara rate, net migraSenior Vice-President, RCI Inc. tion, educational tion is to understand the way the lists attainment, and number of advanced are compiled. degrees within a metro area were all “This year we’re going beyond taken into consideration from resources income and job growth to look at the such as the Census Bureau and the FBI cost of doing business in each metro Crime Index. area; and the quality of both the labor The reason for this year’s change in and jobs available,” explains Paul determining rankings? Editors at the Maidment, Editor of Forbes in an magazine point to the tough economy

“

”

and the need for businesses to be more cost conscious than ever before. The winners on this year’s lists are those cities the editors felt “weathered the economic storm the best.”

In another recorded interview found on Forbes.com, senior editor Kurt Bademont says past rankings concencontinued on page 07 05 In i t i a t i ves August 2003

6 August 2003 In i t i a t i ves

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. . . . continued from page 05

trated on job and income growth, as well as high-tech prowess.

“With the economy the way it is, we decided to expand rankings. At best, unemployment is at 6%, and there is $100 billion in state deficits. Costs are more important than ever,” he says.

The key factor making up the cost of business index (provided by Economy.com) is consideration of the costs of labor, taxes, energy, and office space for each given location. The type of labor also weighed heavily in the rankings, and specifically measured the number of people/workers with doctorates, as well as the overall number of college graduates. A metro area that also contained a university also contributed favorably to the rankings – especially if a large number of its students would be graduating with advanced degrees and were likely to remain in the area to work.

Bademont says the final qualifier in the rankings this year was a closer look at the attractiveness of the metro area.

Primarily this included crime rates and housing affordability, but the big indicator was net migration. He says the number of people moving into the area is a good indicator of the metro’s success.

Huntsville’s final positioning just outside the “Top Ten” also provided a position in the editorial spotlight. The extra attention provided a closer look at Huntsville’s strong business base and the city’s commitment to keeping down the cost of business …leaving readers of Forbes with a favorable impression of the area.

None of this is a surprise to Jim O’Hara. As senior vice-president for RCI Inc., publisher of Employment Review

magazine, he is very familiar with the attributes of Huntsville.

“For six or seven years now, we’ve been ranking the top 20 cities to live and work in inside the United States,” he says. “Huntsville has always ranked very well.”

This magazine is targeted to college educated professionals who are in the process of a job search or to people like human resource professionals or site selection consultants who are interested in national employment trends.

“Family safety, quality of schools, health care available in the area, and the quality of life are really what drives those rankings,” says O’Hara. “These factors also drive the people making those career location decisions.”

The “Best Places to Live and Work” list compiled by Employment Review, notes O’Hara, is still examined as the resource of the top places to move for employment opportunity. The strong defense industry, he says, has been a large component in keeping Huntsville high on the list. The city’s number of available jobs and overall quality of life are very attractive to job seekers.

“It speaks volumes about the local community when the city has been named to the list so long,” he notes.

“Huntsville is definitely a family and employer destination.”

Huntsville was also named as the “Best Place to Live for Black Americans 2003” by Family Digest Magazine in January for its strength in the areas of education, housing, strong employment, and low crime rates. The publication also cited Huntsville’s base of high-tech jobs, local universities, and the city’s

Heard it Through the Grapevine Huntsville ranks as the 4th Best Place the Live and Work in the United States.

-Employment Review Magazine June 2003

Huntsville ranks as one of America’s Top Business Cities.

-Forbes Magazine June 2003

Huntsville has much more to offer than just rockets and space.

-Southern Living Magazine April 2003

Huntsville chosen as the top city in the nation for “Best Places to Live for Black Americans.”

-Family Digest Magazine March 2003

Huntsville's Cummings Research Park is the perfect package for success.

-Expansion Solutions Magazine January 2003

many notable black residents as factors in being selected for the #1 spot.

Adding to the list of accolades, Huntsville garnered recognition as a top spot by Southern Living Magazine in March 2003. One more feather to put in our cap.

So it is very clear that when it comes to lists of the best cities in the country, Huntsville commands respect.

07 In i t i a t i ves August 2003

08 August 2003 In i t i a t i ves

You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet Leveraging Our Competitive Advantage When considering relocation or expansion possibilities, companies look worldwide for the right location. What do they look for? According to Bob Ady, President of Ady International and a recognized leader in corporate site selection, it’s a matter of having your act together.

At a recent briefing in Huntsville, Ady gave city leaders an opportunity to better understand what makes a city favorable to businesses. He said there are key components to marketing a city

Key Location Trends One of the most important competitive factors for cities today is providing risk minimization to new businesses. It’s a matter of reducing uncertainty in all aspects of operating a business. The Forbes report considered this Quality of life is a factor of increasing as part of the cost of importance for communities to remain doing business index – an area where competitive.

Huntsville compared very favorably with the others. Huntsville ranked #17 to site selection consultants -- to make it nationally, coming in well above something they “never will forget.”.

Atlanta’s ranking of #73, and even above With statistics in hand, he gave Raleigh (#37) and Austin (#48).

Huntsville a case in point about its Huntsville, AL opportunity for growth, and its competitive position against three prime 177,893 Population (City Limits) competitors – Austin, Texas; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Atlanta.

10.9% Population Change All three of the competitors edged Huntsville out of a top 10 spot in the $23,696 Income per Capita Forbes magazine ranking. Each city $44, 710 Median Household Income easily managed a top five position with Atlanta in the #4 spot, Raleigh-Durham 33.4 Median Age at #3, and Austin taking the lead in the #1 spot of best places for business. $58,829 Median Income Rankings provide valuable information, but Ady said the real site selection $147, 700 Median Home Value process is based on elimination. The 107.0 Cost of Living Index goal for all cities is to avoid being removed from consideration.

Quality of life is a factor of increasing importance for communities to remain competitive. A new class of more “creative” type employees is seeking out areas featuring diversity of lifestyles, sources for entertainment and participatory sports, and a community catering to a health-conscious lifestyle. Though Huntsville is recognized as a top city for its cultural diversity, the larger metro areas have a slight competitive edge in some quality of life factors. Statistically, the areas are more cosmopolitan in nature and have a higher concentration of the new “creative” workforce. continued on page 10

Austin, TX

Atlanta, GA

Raleigh, NC

587,873

401,726

261,205

18.9%

2.0%

18.5%

$20,118

$22,726

$22,614

$34, 745

$34,941

$47,566

29.6

32.3

31.0

$50,179

$55,252

$56,968

$125,100

$142,400

$164,200

102.9

111.5

114.9

Source: Ady International Company 09 In i t i a t i ves August 2003

You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet continued from page 09

Additional location trends focus specifically on the facilities. How a city answers the physical requirements and surrounding implications for these facilities can translate to an important competitive difference. The size of the facilities required by new businesses is decreasing, but the overall investment being made is increasing. So sales tax, use tax, and property tax abatement will increase in importance. Access to a skilled labor force also becomes increasingly important to attracting businesses as a way to help minimize future training costs.

Historically, Huntsville has fared well in these areas, but it’s difficult to measure how the city competes with others. For instance, Austin has a strong built-in business base with major corporations. It also has a strong university presence, with 25% of its students expected to graduate with advanced degrees and stay in the area to add to the already highly-skilled and educated labor force. Both of these features are attractive to relocating businesses, and contributed to Austin’s securing the top ranking in the Forbes survey.

When considering the key competitive differences between areas, the determining factor in taking the lead is developing a strategic plan. It’s critical for a community to have a game plan to determine exactly how it wants to grow. This is good news for Huntsville, especially considering it doesn’t have far to climb to overtake most of the city’s perceived competitors.

“Generally, when comparing Huntsville with Austin and Research Triangle, there is not a wide separation of differences between those areas and what Huntsville has to offer,” Ady concluded.

“Huntsville has momentum.” We intend to use it.

10 August 2003 In i t i a t i ves

Somethin’ to Talk About

All Shook Up

Digital Fusion Locates In Huntsville

Biotech Industry Networks for Growth What industry has set out to shake up the Huntsville economy?

The answer might surprise you.

Though the city may be best known for its commitment to the aerospace and defense industries, a few successful high-tech companies have proven the community understands diversification. That’s one reason why Brian Pollock, cofounder and CEO of Open Biosystems, Inc., believes there is room for yet another industry to call Huntsville home – the thriving industry of biotech.

“We would like to see one in every five buildings in Cummings Research Park have a biotech company in it within the next 30 years,” says Pollock. He and the other two founding partners of Open BioSystems – Troy Moore, CTO and Matt Baker, VP of Proteomics – know it’s possible.

All three entrepreneurs worked for Research Genetics, the Huntsvillebased company once recognized as the largest biotechnology firm in Alabama. Although the organization was acquired by California-based Invitrogen, its success has continued to help shape the local biotech landscape.

In fact, that influence eventually facilitated a relationship between Open BioSystems and two other local

Digital Fusion, a business technology consulting firm, recently relocated its corpo rate headquarters from Tampa, Florida to Huntsville. The company, previously named IBS Interactive, provides services to several government agencies in the area and plans to grow its existing Huntsville office. The company is traded publicly on the NASDAQ Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board.

CTA Adds New Jobs CTA, Inc. will grow its local workforce by 85 workers due to a five-year, $35 million contract with the U.S. Air Force working on the new F/A-22 Raptor fighter aircraft. CTA will provide special coatings for the new fighter to aid in its stealth capabilities. The company, located in the city of Huntsville along I-565 in Limestone County, plans to add an additional 37,000 square feet of production space to its current facility.

NASA Breaks Ground on New Building

biotechnology companies – Applied Genomics, Inc. (AGI) and SourceCF, Inc. It’s a relationship that would serve as the foundation for the creation of the Huntsville Biotechnology Center.

“Applied Genomics was the first out after the merger between Research Genetics and Invitrogen,” explains Pollock.

Targeting genomics-based diagnostic and therapeutic antibodies for the treatment of cancer is the focus of

NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center broke ground on a new building to be home to the center’s Engineering Directorate. The new building, to be located on the southwest corner of Martin Road and Rideout Road on Redstone Arsenal, is projected to cost $22 million and is scheduled to be completed in September 2004. The Engineering Directorate building will house the research and development activities for Marshall Space Flight Center and will be the first of a planned complex of three buildings. The new building is projected to provide cost savings to NASA through state-of-the-art building techniques and energy efficient features.

National Space Science & Technology Center Expands The National Space Science & Technology Center, located in Cummings Research Park, recently completed a $10 million annex expansion to provide new laboratory and research space for space science and climate research. The new 80,000 square foot addition will allow for expanded resear ch opportunities and more specialized lab capabilities to assist researchers in furthering the work done at the Huntsville center.

continued on page 12 11 In i t i a t i ves August 2003

All Shook Up. . . continued from page 11

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Applied Genomics. Rob Seitz, the founder and CEO of the company, had served as director of the antibody department at Research Genetics.

SourceCF serves people affected by the genetic disease, cystic fibrosis. Company founder Mike Walters had come from marketing pharmaceutical and medical supplies. Walters met Seitz, and they both recognized the advantages of developing complementary businesses.

Development of and distribution of genomes to service the research community are what Pollock’s new biotech company – Open Biosystems – is all about. Through the common bond of Research Genetics, it was natural that the founders of that company would form a close connection with Seitz and Walters.

The relationships worked incredibly well.

So well in fact, that the three companies decided the timing was right to share a new idea, and a new facility – the Huntsville Biotechnology Center. “We are all able to complement one another,” says Pollock of the relationship. “It’s a good collaboration.”

The 24,000 square foot building, located in Cummings Research Park, is now home to all three companies. In addition to office space and shared conference areas, the Center features state-of-the-art laboratories.

Along with cost savings, the Center represents a much larger goal – the vision for concentrated growth of future biotechnology companies in Huntsville.

“It’s a way for our community to expand in this exciting business area,” he says. An area that is destined to grow and become an ever-increasing influence in the Huntsville economy.

We Built This City

Bailey Chiropractic - Dr. Dave McCann, Jessica Huber, and Rebecca Horton celebrated 5 years of serving Huntsville. Come by 502 Pratt Avenue, or phone 533-2900.

Fourroux Orthotics & Prosthetics recently celebrated the grand opening of a new facility at 2743 Bob Wallace Avenue. This state of the art facility specializes in custom design and fabrication of orthotic and prosthetic devices.

Le’Kay’s Gallery celebrated the grand opening of its new custom picture framing and art gallery in Parkway Place Mall on May 21. For more information, call 551-9843.

McAlister’s Deli, home of the South’s Most Famous Sweet Tea, opened its second store in April. Located on Perimeter Parkway just behind the AmSouth Bank, McAlister’s offers catering services and over 100 menu items for dine-in or take-out.

Barnett’s Furniture held a grand opening ceremony at 2707 Univeristy Drive.

Laser Advantage, LLC celebrated the grand opening ceremony of the new

Family owned since 1959, they offer high quality furniture at afforable prices with free local delivery.

store front located at 5510 Hwy. 53, Suite D. They specialize in printer repair and supplies, computer accessories, and electronics. For more information, please call 859-0400.

In i t i a t i ves August 2003

13

16 August 2003 In i t i a t i ves

Life In the Fast Lane Busy Families Make a Difference Over-committed may be the phrase most frequently used to describe many families within our community. But upon closer examination of the activity calendars posted on refrigerators across the Valley, something else becomes quite clear.

Families in Madison County may be busy, but it’s for a good cause.

They are dedicated to enriching the lives of their children, and committed to the success of the community as a whole. It’s evident in the level of involvement found in churches, schools, businesses, non-profit organizations, businesses, ball fields and theatre groups… just to name a few.

But why?

“I’ve had a lot of discussions with people about why Huntsville has such an incredibly involved community,” says Dr. Jennie Robinson. “It may have something to do with our history.”

This is a community that put a man on the moon and that’s not something you do in a vacuum, she explains. In her opinion, it was only achieved because many people with different skills, backgrounds, and perspectives came together to do what needed to be done.

Because of that history, she says, today the community is still recognized nationally for its ability to collaborate.

“We’re fortunate that the tradition of collaboration has remained,” says Robinson. “We have businesses that take very seriously their responsibility to connect with the community as corporate citizens. We have faith groups that join together to meet community needs.

We have a social service community that gives up turf to leverage resources. And

we have involved parents with high expectations.”

It all adds up to a very busy and prosperous place for residents to live, work, play – and make home.

Robinson is in a unique position to know exactly how busy Madison County residents are. Her family probably sets the bar for community involvement and leadership, and serves as a reflection of so many families within the area.

She and her husband, Dr. Michael Robinson, came to Huntsville in 1980 after having both completed doctorates at Purdue University. One has a degree in Mechanical Engineering, the other in Consumer Behavior. The move allowed Michael to take a position as a research scientist at Lockheed Martin, while she accepted a position as an assistant professor at Alabama A&M University.

Since then, the couple has parented five children, now ranging in age from 9 to 21. Jennie eventually opened a corporate training business, and most recently won a seat on the Huntsville School Board. Michael Robinson served for ten years as an assistant to two Bishops and later for five years as a Bishop. The entire time, he continued to work fulltime as a research scientist.

The children have been equally busy participating in everything from area soccer leagues to music and choir

groups. They have worked part-time jobs, served in their church, and participated in Scouts. Although maintaining a hectic schedule at times, the Robinsons have gladly toted the kids back and forth in between their own professional and civic commitments.

Most importantly, Michael and Jennie have readily encouraged their children to give of their time, stay active, and get involved.

“I think they’re learning that service is a responsibility we owe one another if we’re going to have the kind of community we want,” Jennie Robinson says.

“When the kids make excuses about why they can’t participate in a service project, my husband frequently tells them service is never convenient.”

It may not always be convenient, but it’s expected and it’s rewarding. The Robinsons know first hand because they continued on page 19 In i t i a t i ves August 2003

17

Giving Us the EDGE

[excellence, development, growth, enhancement]

What’s in a name?

In this case, an explanation. A description of a proven strategy.

Every community wants great companies to choose them.

A definition of excellence.

Even more important is the sense of partnership that more

Everyone is competing to improve the economic future of their

than 150 investor companies bring to the plan. Companies

area. So what gives the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/

from all types of industries invest their dollars, time, and

Madison County the edge in recruiting?

The strategy is all contained in the name of the Chamber’s five-year development program – the EDGE. It is Excellence in marketing, Development of the workforce, Growth of

cooperation to keep Huntsville/Madison County’s economic future bright.

With the direction of its investing partners, the Huntsville/ Madison County community has successfully developed a solid

local businesses, and Enhancement of image that all work

and proven strategy for improving the job opportunities for

together to give Huntsville/Madison County the competitive

local citizens, thus improving the quality of life in the entire

advantage it needs to attract business prospects.

Embedded in the EDGE program are six specific initiatives

region. The strategy, simply stated, is to build on the strengths of the community – such as a highly-skilled workforce – by

dealing with various components of the marketing strategy.

encouraging local companies to grow and new high-quality

Each component complements the others to form a comprehen-

employers to move here.

sive plan addressing the major economic needs of a community which, in turn, meets the needs of existing company

The EDGE. The name of a strategy of excellence – just what this community expects and deserves.

expansions and new company locations.

The EDGE Investors

[2003]

Advisory Council ADTRAN Inc. AmSouth Bank BellSouth Colonial Bank COLSA Corporation Compass Bank Computer Sciences Corporation DaimlerChrysler Corporation Huntsville/Madison Co. Builders Assoc.

Regions Bank SAIC SouthTrust Bank The Boeing Company The Huntsville Times Turner Universal Construction WHNT -TV Public Partners City of Huntsville City of Madison Huntsville Utilities Huntsville-Madison Co. Airport Authority Madison County Commission Tennessee Valley Authority Private Sector AC, Incorporated ACT Personnel Service, Inc. ADECCO Alabama A&M University Allied Photocopy, Inc. Analytical Services, Inc. APAC-AL, Inc. Arnold Hornbuckle Available Plastics, Inc. Avocent Corporation Avis Car Rental Balch & Bingham Baron Services

Beason & Nalley BellSouth Mobility/Cingular Ben Porter Real Estate Bentley Pontiac/Cadillac/Mitsubishi Bill Heard Chevrolet Bill Penney Motor Company Bill Poole Realty Blue Cross/Blue Shield Bradley, Arant, Rose & White Calhoun Community College CAS Century Automotive CINRAM Clinic for Women, P.A. Colonial Properties Comcast Cablevision Courtyard by Marriott Crabtree, Snellgrove & Rowe, PC Crestwood Medical Center CST (Computer Systems Tech) D. P. Associates Davidson Enterprises, LLC Decatur Transit (Hertz) Delta Air Lines DESE Research Dynetics, Inc. Enfinger Development, Inc. Engelhard Corporation ERC, Inc. First American Bank First Commercial Bank Foreign Language Services, Inc. Fountain, Parker, Harbarger Fuqua, Osborn, & Associates, PC G.W. Jones & Sons Giles & Kendall, Inc. H.C. Blake Company Harold Construction Corp.

Heritage Bank Hernandez Engineering

HiWAAY Information Systems Huntsville Board of Realtors Huntsville Ford Tractor Huntsville Hilton Huntsville Marriott Ivan Allen JH Partners J. Smith Lanier & Co Johnson & Associates Johnston, Moore, Maples & Thompson Jones & Herrin Keystone Foods Corp.

KNOLOGY Holdings, Inc. Kudzu Productions, Inc. Lamar Outdoor Advertising Lamb Commercial Services, Inc. Lanier, Ford, Shaver & Payne Lee Builders LG Electronics Madison Research Corporation Madison Square Chrysler/Jeep/Subar u Madison Square Mall Martinson & Beason MDA Associates MEVATEC Corp.

Northrop Grumman-Huntsville Oakwood College Outback Steak House Parisian Park Supply Parker Hannifin Pearce Construction PricewaterhouseCoopers Pride Home Entertainment Qore Property Sciences QuantiTech, Inc. Ray Pearman Lincoln Mercur y Redstone Federal Credit Union Regal Auto Plaza Richardson, Callahan PA

Right Way Restaurants, Inc., dba Steak Out, Rosies Saint Gobain Industrial Smith Barney Samples Properties Sanmina-SCI SONAT SOUTHBank Sparta Inc. SRS Technologies State Farm Insurance Stone Engineering Co. Storie Enterprises Suitt Construction Summa Technology Sverdrup Technology Inc. Tec-Masters, Inc. Teledyne Brown Engineering The Fudgey Nut The Heart Center The Heritage Club, Inc. The Spencer Companies Inc. Thrasher Oil Company Three Springs, Inc. TRW, Inc. Union Planters Bank United Mailing, Inc. University of Alabama in Huntsville VoiceStream WAHR - Radio Wesfam/Burger King White, Fleming & Co. Inc. White Tiger Graphics WLRH Public Radio Wyle Laboratories WZYP/93.3/WUMP/WVNN Xcel Printing Service

Life In the Fast Lane . . . continued from page 17

lead by example. And as most parents would attest, they are also doing these things for their children.

“I hope that all of what I do will eventually impact my children in a positive way. I believe in the power of example and I hope that I will leave my children a legacy of service.”

Robinson believes she is not alone. She attributes similar philosophies demonstrated by many other area parents to the fact Huntsville has an unusually high concentration of well-educated residents.

“Because Huntsville residents have a very high level of education – one of the highest in the Southeast – we have parents who set high standards and are willing to work to see that their children achieve,” she explains.

Involved parents are the single greatest predictor of educational achievement, according to Robinson. They have a more powerful impact than expenditures per student, socio-economic factors, pupil/teacher ratios, or any of the other traditional predictors of student success.

As a businessperson, she also sees a direct link between education and economic prosperity. Parents raising the bar for their children’s achievement are also raising the bar for the school system and other organizations that meet their children’s needs, she says. Ultimately, it’s a payoff from which the entire community benefits.

And it is probably the reason Madison County families could be guilty of overachieving. It’s the individual sacrifice for the good of the greater whole.

“I’ve seen it in the classroom, and I’ve seen it on the soccer field,” says Robinson.

“When we take care of our children, the whole community benefits.”

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19 In i t i a t i ves August 2003

25 or 6 to 4 – It’s All In the Numbers P O P U LAT I O N

E M P L O Y M EN T *

Madison County

City of Huntsville

City of Madison

Huntsville Metro Area

35-Mile Radius

APR 03

APR 02

1980 Census........................................196,966

145,604

6,081

242,971

439,023

Total Non-ag Employment............................................................181,300

185,800

1990 Census........................................238,912

159,789

14,904

293,047

505,967

Mining & Construction......................................................................7,000

7,300

2000 Census........................................276,700

158,216

29,329

342,376

582,374

Manufacturing................................................................................32,400

34,300

2005 Projection....................................299,778

161,657

31,471

367,735

612,701

Trade, Transportation & Utilities ....................................................27,200

28,800

% Growth 1980-2000 ............................40.5%

8.7%

382.3%

40.9%

32.6%

Information ......................................................................................2,400

2,500

Households 1980 Census..........................................67,082

51,113

2,040

82,440

150,864

Huntsville Metro Area**

Financial Activity..............................................................................5,400

5,800

Professional & Business Services..................................................30,600

33,000

1990 Census..........................................91,208

63,058

5,944

110,893

191,640

Education & Health Services..........................................................11,600

11,700

2000 Census........................................106,423

62,437

11,779

131,683

223,990

Leisure & Hospitality......................................................................15,400

14,700

2005 Projection....................................115,256

63,795

12,638

141,427

235,637

Other Services..................................................................................7,100

7,300

% Growth 1980-2000 ............................58.6%

22.1%

477.4%

59.7%

48.5%

Government....................................................................................42,200

40,400

158,216

29,329

342,376

582,374

* Based on place of employment.

Race 2000 Pop. by Race ............................276,700

**Includes Madison & Limestone counties Source: Alabama Department of Industrial Relations

White......................................................72.1%

64.5%

80.1%

74.3%

82.5%

LABOR FORCE*

Black......................................................22.8%

30.2%

13.0%

21.0%

15.4%

Huntsville Region (Counties)

Asian & Pacific Islander............................1.9%

2.3%

3.6%

1.6%

1.2%

Other Races..............................................3.2%

3.0%

3.3%

3.1%

0.9%

Income & Age Avg. Household Income......................$54,995

$54,494

$69,774

$52,932

$49,969

Med. Household Income......................$43,081

$40,937

$59,801

$41,501

$38,729

Per Capita Income ..............................$22,430

$22,936

$29,581

$21,404

$20,099

Average Age..............................................35.9

36.9

33.0

36.1

36.7

Source: EQUIFAX, National Decision Systems, 2002; U.S. Census Bureau (www.census.gov)

APR 03

APR 02

Madison ......................................................................................145,310

144,820

Limestone ......................................................................................32,220

31,470

Jackson ........................................................................................25,840

24,460

Marshall..........................................................................................40,150

38,000

Morgan ..........................................................................................56,800

56,530

Franklin, TN....................................................................................20,080

19,100

Giles, TN ........................................................................................15,890

16,090

Lincoln, TN ....................................................................................15,800

15,000

Huntsville Regional Total..........................................................351,090

345,470

* Based on place of residence.

Source: Alabama Department of Industrial Relations, Tennessee Department of Employment Security.

R E TAIL SALES Huntsville Region - (000’s)

Total Food & Furniture & Retail Sales Restaurants Merchandise Automotive

Madison Co. ..........................................................$3,508,343

$728,182

$699,092

$911,012

Limestone Co.............................................................$548,097

$127,774

$114,387

$122,342

Jackson Co.................................................................$449,635

$119,554

$85,382

$92,105

Marshall Co.............................................................$1,209,684

$167,039

$195,087

$580,420

Morgan Co. ............................................................$1,399,138

$271,592

$219,535

$436,676

Franklin Co. (TN) ........................................................$303,442

$109,122

$52,945

$58,456

Giles Co. (TN)..............................................................$282,223

$61,550

$28,288

$95,491

Lincoln Co. (TN)..........................................................$289,532

$54,733

$53,655

$96,290

Regional Total ........................................................$7,990,094

$1,639,546

$1,448,371

$2,392,792

UNEMPLOYMENT RAT E *

(cummulative to date)

# of Projects

APR 03 Square Feet

Total Const. Contracts........................544 1,762,000 Commercial ..........................................44

173,000

APR 02 $ Value $142,388,000 $18,772,000

# of Projects

Square Feet

598 2,191,000 51

705,000

APR 02 3.7%

Huntsville Region..............................................................................5.2%

5.2%

Alabama............................................................................................5.8%

5.9%

United States....................................................................................6.0%

5.9%

* Based on place of residence.

Source: Alabama Department of Industrial Relations (www.dir.state.al.us) Tennessee Department of Employment Security (www.state.tn.us/labor-wfd)

COST OF LIVING INDEX 1st QTR 2003

Source: Sales & Marketing Management, 2002 Survey of Buying Power, Printed with permission.

CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY

APR 03

Madison County................................................................................3.8%

CompositeGrocery Index Items

Housing

Utilities

Transportation

Health Care

Goods & Services

Atlanta, GA

97.9

99.6

92.3

95.2

100.4

109.7

100.6

Huntsville, AL

93.9

100.1

76.9

93.9

102.3

90.2

104.0

Dallas, TX

96.4

96.8

92.6

92.1

99.2

97.6

99.7

Orlando, FL

99.2

105.2

91.5

103.9

95.8

100.4

102.8

$ Value $183,534,000 St. Louis, MO

106.2

199.4

96.9

105.4

103.0

99.4

110.6

Washington, D.C.

134.7

110.3

188.1

108.1

122.3

124.6

111.2

$47,962,000

Manufacturing ........................................8

47,000

$3,153,000

10

327

$27,537,000

Single Family ......................................414

885,000

$33,996,000

456

975,000

$37,724,000

Multi-Family ............................................2

13,000

$504,00

1

3,000

$216,000

Source: American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association. (www.accra.org)

HOME SALES

Source: F.W. Dodge, Printed with permission.

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX All Urban Consumers

MAR 03 Index % Change 02-03

APR 03 Index % Change 02-03

APR 03

APR 02

Houses on Market.............................................................................. 3,458

3,495

Houses Sold & Closed.......................................................................... 648

429

Avg. Selling Price.......................................................................... $127,214

$128,390

United States...............................................................184.2

3.0%

183.8

2.2%

Avg. Days on Market..............................................................................120

115

South Region...............................................................177.5

3.1%

177.4

2.5%

Median Sales Price........................................................................$110,000

$106,000

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Atlanta, GA., December 1982=100 base. (http://stats.bls.gov/cpihome.htm)

20 August 2003 In i t i a t i ves

Source: Huntsville Area Association of Realtors

Huntsville/Madison County, Alabama, is located in the middle of the southeastern United States, with over 4 million people within a 100-mile radius.

The Huntsville community serves as the primary economic hub of the north Alabama and southern Tennessee region. The counties adjoining Madison County combine to form an eight-county regional market with a population totaling 700,000 people.

The Huntsville/Madison County economy is known as one of the strongest economies in the South, with low unemployment, strong job growth, and income levels leading the region.

Business growth and investment from U.S. and international companies have made Huntsville/Madison County one of the country’s top “hot spots” for growing a business and raising a family.

LEADING EMPLOYERS U.S. Army/Redstone Arsenal . . . . . . . . . .11,141 Huntsville Hospital System . . . . . . . . . . . . .4,355 Huntsville City Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3,000 CINRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,800 DaimlerChrysler Corporation . . . . . . . . . . .2,800 NASAMarshall Space Flight Center . . . . . .2,754 Sanmina-SCI

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,700

Aerospace Huntsville/Madison County is home to the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and has representation from nearly every major U.S. aerospace corporation, with over 90 companies employing more than 11,000 people in the local aerospace industry.

The Boeing Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,700 City of Huntsville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,186 Madison County Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,936 Intergraph Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,736 ADTRAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,731 Goodyear/Dunlop Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,660 Computer Sciences Corporation . . . . . . . . .1,600 Teledyne Brown Engineering . . . . . . . . . . .1,582 Walmart/Sam’s Stores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,581 West Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,300 University of Alabama in Huntsville . . . . . . .1,112 Madison County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,073

Defense Huntsville/Madison County plays a key role in the U.S. Army’s technology development programs. The Army’s Aviation & Missile Command and Space & Missile Defense Command both drive a thriving engineering economy for companies supporting the technology activity of the Army in Huntsville.

Benchmark Electronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .921 Alabama A&M University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .890 Lockheed-Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .844 Target Distribution Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .750 Crestwood Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . .668 PPG Industries, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .660 Madison City Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .644 Engelhard Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .617 Dynetics, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .600 SAIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .574 Northrop Grumman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .571 CAS, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .510 Source: Chamber of Commerce

Electronics Over 300 international and domestic corporations in Huntsville/Madison County are involved in the design and production of electronics and computer-related technology, including Sanmina-SCI, one of the world’s largest contract electronics manufacturers.

Research & Technology Huntsville’s Cummings Research Park is the country’s 2nd largest research and technology park, containing 220+ companies employing 22,000 people involved in technology research and development.

Manufacturing Huntsville/Madison County’s manufacturing industry represents a diverse mix of technology assembly and production operations from both domestic and international corporations, comprising one-fourth of the local employment base.

21 In i t i a t i ves August 2003

22 August 2003 In i t i a t i ves

You’re the Inspiration When Businesses Choose to Give Back As a whole, Madison County is a rather generous community. It often ranks close to the top in state and national comparisons on philanthropic contributions. But the true art of giving extends beyond the checkbook, as one company can attest.

Donation (n.) 1: a voluntary gift (as of money or service or ideas) made to some worthwhile cause, 2: act of giving in common with others for a common purpose, especially to a charity.

Does this definition ring true in your company? It does for Raytheon.

“We all have a role in this community to assist in the endeavors to make life better for others,” explains Benjamin Harrell, Director of Operations in Huntsville for Raytheon.

True to Harrell’s philosophy on the importance of being involved, Raytheon takes the meaning of donation to its highest level: the giving of time.

Though the company was recently the top-level financial sponsor of a special event for Crisis Services of North Alabama, it is a special employee-based program that is the real source of the company’s true generosity.

“We have established a Volunteer Council for our employees,” he says.

“The employees have been responsive to and responsible for the effort…it’s an employee initiative.”

Harrell said the company discovered a high percentage of employees were doing a great deal of volunteer work already – in schools, Boy Scouts, etc. There were also many others who wanted to be involved, but weren’t sure how or where.

The only way people were getting

involved was through a loose network of volunteers already involved with various non-profit organizations. It was a very informal system. Raytheon’s Volunteer Council changed that process for the better.

Though relatively new, the employeerun Volunteer Council is now a formal conduit for communicating volunteer opportunities to other Raytheon employees. It’s also a way to pull resources together and ensure that the company is working to meet the needs of as many organizations as possible.

“We try to focus on collaborating our efforts,” he offers. “It’s pulling together – two can do much more than one.”

For instance, Harrell says the Volunteer Council’s efforts have already extended the impact of what a few individuals were already doing for local non-profits. In years past, one or two employees might have participated in Junior Achievement’s annual bowl-athon. This year, simply because there was a formal network in place, the company easily gathered five full teams of employees to help raise money and awareness.

A similar story situation existed with the Relay for Life for the Cancer Foundation. There was already a team participating in Madison County, but thanks to the Volunteer Council,

Raytheon put together a team of employees living in Lincoln County to participate in the Fayetteville, Tennessee relay. “So this year,” Harrell says, “Raytheon has two teams in two different counties participating for a good cause.”

“Raytheon feels if we can educate our employees and co-workers, it better enhances what we’re doing here and what we can do for the community.

Hopefully, we can do our part.”

The Volunteer Center of Madison County is a key resource for helping businesses get involved in the community. The organization has established a Corporate Neighbor program to assist companies in developing a structured volunteer opportunity and education effort for employees.

“We have 20 organizations now,” says Mary Green, Program Manager. “These employees give hundreds of hours in volunteer work each month.”

In fact, Green says in 2002 the Volunteer Center logged a total of 11,000 volunteer offers across all of its programs. Nearly 8,000 of those hours came from the Corporate Neighbor program. Those participating range from very small companies such as Arcata Associates, to larger more established firms, such as The Boeing Company.

“We all want to have more input in our community and be able to help,” she says of most employees’ motivations for participating.

“We realize how fortunate we are here in Madison County, and we all want to do what we can to give back.”

More information is available at www.volunteerhsv.org

23 In i t i a t i ves August 2003

That’s the Way of the World Free Trade Agreement – A Boost for the Local Economy?

President Bush’s recent signing of a unilateral trade agreement with Chile created a minor stir in the business world.

Not only did it signal an up tick in U.S. relations with Latin America, the agreement represented a major step in ultimately bringing a long-sought free trade area in the Western Hemisphere. If it happens, it could be a boon to Huntsville and our multitude of export-minded businesses.

The proposed Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA) would establish a common market of 34 Western Hemisphere nations in North, Central, and South America that would include as many as 800 million people. The resulting unified economy would have total output of more than $18 trillion, dwarfing that of the European Union.

Trade barriers would disappear and investor rights would be protected – both of which would open more markets for North Alabama firms eager to do business in Latin America.

“The idea is very much like the European Common Market. You might

Mexico into a trade bloc – would presumably be folded into the new FTAA. Schweitzer was in Huntsville recently with Luis Lauredo, FTAA Executive Director, to talk to the North Alabama International Trade Association about the importance to North Alabama businesses of such an international arrangement. Huntsville was the first stop on a 7-city U.S. tour to drum up support for FTAA. The idea of a pan-American trade zone has long gleamed in the eyes of Western Hemisphere presidents, premiers, and potentates. When George Bush took office, one of his top The idea is very much like the European goals was the creation of a free Common Market. You might even call it an trade area from Alaska to Chile. expanded NAFTA...

The FTAA – Leslie Schweitzer concept got Sr. Trade Advisor - U.S. Chamber of Commerce traction in the aftermath of even call it an expanded NAFTA (North NAFTA when those 34 nations came American Free Trade Agreement, which together in 1994 at their annual Summit binds Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. into of the Americas. a free trade area),” says Leslie Schweitzer, “Their goal was to have a common Senior Trade Advisor with the U.S. market in 10 years,” said Lauredo.

Chamber of Commerce. NAFTA – the Now, time is running out to meet the alignment of the U.S., Canada, and end-of-2004 deadline, which gave the

“

”

tour greater urgency. The urbane Lauredo used some good old southern language to emphasize his point. “It’s fish or cut bait time,” he said. “We’ve got to get this thing moving forward.”

Those pushing to get all the stars to line up for FTAA to be a reality are looking to the 2003 Summit of the Americas in Miami this coming November, where FTAA will be the major item on the agenda. Stressing the importance of FTAA to Huntsville, Lauredo urged that a delegation of Huntsville business leaders be in attendance. Ann Burkett, Madison County continued on page 26 25 In i t i a t i ves August 2003

That’s the Way of the World . . . continued from page 25

Director of Planning and Economic Development and North Alabama International Trade Association (NAITA) Secretary, said NAITA would work to put a delegation together.

There is no mistaking that Alabama trade with Latin America is growing.

Figures from the Alabama Development Office’s International Trade Division show exports in 2002 of more than $642 million to Latin American nations – an 11% increase over the previous year. It was about 7% of the state’s 2002 total of $8.3 billion in exports. Of that amount, North Alabama firms supplied primarily plastics, electrical and electronic parts, chemicals, and metal tubing, according to Breck Myers, International Trade Specialist with the Alabama International Trade Center in Tuscaloosa.

Huntsville’s focus on technical products and software development raises the importance of intellectual property issues. Lauredo said Huntsville firms would benefit through the creation of a larger, more open market and the establishment of dispute resolution processes.

Intellectual property rules would tighten up, giving software developers greater confidence as they approach Latin American entities. “We’d especially like to have input from Huntsville firms, for example, on intellectual property.”

Lauredo hopes the November business summit will bring closure to the negotiations. “We must get agreement on everything. This is probably the most significant meeting in this process. We must find the unanimity which is vital to assure that American business can operate on an equal playing field,” Lauredo said.

26 August 2003 In i t i a t i ves

– Mike Kelley

Takin’ Care of Business SBDC – Every Day, Every Way Learning to do business with the federal government is not always an easy task. Fortunately for companies in North Alabama, there’s a recognized resource ready and able to teach the language of government contracting.

The Northeast Alabama Regional Small Business Development Center (NEAR SBDC) has long been acknowledged as the place for businesses to turn when unraveling the processes behind acronyms such as DOD and SBIR. Established through a joint effort between Alabama A&M University and the University of Alabama in Huntsville, the NEAR SBDC is located at the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/ Madison County.

Since its inception, the organization has continued to lend value to its clients…more than $680 million in value last year alone to be precise. The 2002 Contract Awards Survey reveals this past year as one of the Center’s highest collective totals of contracts awarded to clients over the past four years.

Additionally, the survey shows the SBDC has provided more than 661 hours of client counseling during this fiscal year…and it has delivered over

resources since her company started a little over two years ago. “When I was starting up, the SBDC was invaluable,” Caudle said.

Making the initial decision to ask for help played a key role toward Caudle’s business success. Having the SBDC as a continuing resource has also proven important. In fact, she knows that her company received the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) report sent out each month to SBDC clients.

While the SBDC can’t be credited with all of the IT security company’s success, the information gained in the beginning has helped the business grow.

Its revenues have gone from $200,000 in its first year of business to a projected $2.7 million for 2003.

“The people at the SBDC were the ones who walked me through everything. They took me step by step through what I needed to do to become a federal contractor,” she explained.

Like Caudle, Sharon Morgan, CEO of Morgan Research and recently named 2003 Small Since its inception, the organization has Business Executive of the Year, remembers heading continued to lend value to its clients… straight toward the Small more than $680 million in value last year Business Development Center for help when her alone, to be precise. company first started.

“We took advantage of 523,000 business opportunity notices to their resources – especially in the early local companies. days,” recalls Morgan.

Kelley Caudle, CEO and President of Morgan Research Corporation, Digital Operations Corporation, has currently celebrating its 15-year annivertaken advantage of both of those sary, may no longer be the new kid on

the block. But even though the company has proven it has staying power and expects to reach $30 million in annual revenues this year, Morgan Research remains a client of the NEAR SBDC. She also used the Center’s resources to help address a vast range of start-up issues – from developing an initial business plan and applying for an SBIR, to sorting out human resource questions and legal concerns. Today, she remains a loyal supporter of the SBDC and its assistance offered to companies just beginning their journey into the world of government contracting.

“With resources like the SBDC, this community is so conducive to small business. The SBDC is a great resource,” Morgan explained. “I’m a big cheerleader for the Center.”

27 In i t i a t i ves August 2003

Shinin’ Star What a Small Company Can Truly Be Making the decision to remain a small company may seem unlikely for some businesses, but not for Watring Technologies, Inc. (WTI). Small is not a bad thing, according to Lisa Watring, co-founder and President.

“Starting small, with limited goals, and slowly building a business over a long period of time is the focus of Watring Technologies, Inc.,” she says.

“Controlled growth – or calculated growth as I like to call it – is what’s healthy for our business.”

She says this strategy fits the company’s customer-based philosophy.

Its slower growth is more conducive to offering a consistent level of quality and service. Additionally, it allows WTI to concentrate fully on the success of their customers.

“We find that being small is a valuable asset that best meets the needs of our customers – even to the point of allowing us to pass along savings to them,” says Watring. “A company that is growing too fast runs the risk of losing its business focus… and that may even result in the loss of customers and credibility.”

ture of high temperature furnaces for the semiconductor and industrial processing industries.

How did they manage? The company partnered with local machine shops as a way to obtain space and production capabilities on an as-needed basis. This proved to be an innovative solution, allowing the company to be fiscally conservative and remain small.

“It allowed us to offer more to our customers,” explains Lisa Watring. “It also benefited the local economy by working together with other area companies.”

Only recently has WTI celebrated a move into a large corporate office space, complete with on-site manufacturing facilities. Lisa admits the decision to relocate was somewhat scary. The move occurred at a time when the economy was no longer at its peak. Most manufacturing companies were still trying to figure out how to We find that being small is a valuable asset keep their doors open, let alone consider moving that best meets the needs of our customers – behind bigger ones. Yet because the expansion was even to the point of allowing us to pass part of a well-planned, slow growth strategy, the move along savings to them.

– Lisa Watring didn’t hinder WTI at all.

“It’s been business as Co-Founder & President, Watring Technologies, Inc. usual for us,” offers Lisa Staying true to this belief, the Watring confidently. company has taken its time in growing.

“In today’s economy, it’s hard not to For the majority of its seven years in try to win every piece of work that business, the company itself was housed comes your way, and believe me it is – literally – in the founders’ home. That really hard to say no to a paying was quite a feat considering one of its customer,” admits Dale Watring, cocore products is the design and manufac- founder and Chief Scientist for Watring 28

“

”

August 2003 In i t i a t i ves

Technologies, Inc. “Fortunately, our controlled business strategy has enabled us still to be choosey during this down turn in the economy.”

Case in point, he says, is the time the company successfully won a bid to produce 12 of 16 proposed machines for a customer. The job was dependent upon WTI first obtaining financing.

Unable to secure financing that was agreeable to its growth strategy, Dale and Lisa explained the situation to the customer and agreed to build the four most complicated machines, which they were able to self-finance. Dale explains, “Our strategy was that the customer would see that we build excellent hardware on time and within budget and be a repeat customer. Indeed, today they are one of our best repeat customers.”

He says the strategy isn’t designed for all businesses. However, it has enabled WTI to meet its goals in a controlled fashion. More importantly, perhaps, it has allowed the company to be profitable for six out of the seven years it has been in business.

“Our success is about our customers being happy,” Lisa explains. “It’s about being able to make high quality products.” In the end, she says, you’ve got to be willing to accept who and what you are and make it work for you.

“It’s a never-ending balancing act between where you are and where you want to go,” says Dale Watring.

Sometimes it means accepting you are a small business and knowing you are successful because of that status – not in spite of it.

White Tiger

29 In i t i a t i ves August 2003

The Chamber of Commerce

Celebrate Good Times, C’mon

Board of Directors and Executive Committee 2003

Small Business Celebration Honors Winners From left to right: Jack Houser, CF Flag Dr. Craig Hogan, TAOS Industries Linda Hamlin, Linda’s Printing Sharon Morgan, Morgan Research Richard Hartman, Advanced Optical Kathy Wells, Crisis Services Ron Klein, Belzon, Inc.

The Chamber of Commerce announced the 2003 Small Business of the Year and Executive of the Year winners at the 18th annual awards banquet on Thursday night. With a crowd of nearly 700 attendees in the North Hall at the Von Braun Center, the academy-awards type production honored all the small business finalists and recognized the winners.

Over 95% percent of the businesses in the Huntsville/Madison County area have 350 or fewer employees – the criterion for classification as a small business by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Chamber’s Celebration event paid tribute to all of its members that are small business “Rising Stars” and competed for the 2003 awards.

The categories, finalists, and winners are as follows: 2003 Business Services Small Business of the Year Winner: Belzon, Inc. Fees & Burgess, P.C. Sigma Services of America, Inc. 2003 Technology Small Business of the Year Winner: Advanced Optical Systems Analytical Services, Inc. Qualis Corporation 30 August 2003 In i t i a t i ves

2003 Manufacturing & Construction Small Business of the Year Winner: C.F. Flag Westmark Construction 2003 Wholesale/Retail Small Business of the Year Winner: TAOS Industries, Inc. Crystal Mountain Natural Spring Water Cyn Shea’s Complete Catering 2003 Personal Services Small Business of the Year Winner: Linda’s Printing Services Dental Professionals on Whitesburg The Trinity Group 2003 Small Business Executive of the Year Winner: Sharon Morgan, Morgan Research Gloria Smith, Smithlain Enterprises Crystal Shell, WILL Technology, Inc. 2003 Non-Profit Organization of the Year Winner: Crisis Services of North Alabama Fantasy Playhouse/Children’s Theater The LandTrust of North Alabama

Elected Board Howard Thrailkill, Chair Pete Apple Scott Averbuch Barbara Buice Watson John Cooper Joel Daves Wyn Dobbs Marshall England Dick Fountain Dr. Greg Gum Bill Gurley Michael Hall Richard Holloway Dr. Eric Janssen David Jensen William Johnston,Jr. Donna Lamb Paula Lillard LTG James Link (Ret.) Jerre Penney Joe Ritch Remigius Shatas John Stallworth Paula Steigerwald William Stender Irma Tuder Johnnie Vann Peter Voetsch Jean Wessel-Templeton Bill Watson Keith Wilson

Executive Committee Howard Thrailkill, Chair Tommy Beason, Chair-Elect Ronald W. Boles, Past Chair Chairman Mike Gillespie, Chair-Appointed Bill Gurley, Chair-Appointed Dave Hargrove, Vice Chair Res. Dev. & Finance William Johnston,Jr., Vice Chair Membership Brad Jones, Vice Chair Workforce Development Raymond Jones,Jr., Secretary LTG Gen.Jim Link,(Ret.) Vice Chair Government Affairs James Makemson, Chair-Appointed Scott Seeley, Treasurer Mayor Loretta Spencer, Chair-Appointed Karen Stanley, Vice Chair Small Business Brian Hilson, President/CEO Jeff Thompson, COO

Chamber of Commerce Huntsville/Madison County 225 Church Street Huntsville, Alabama 35801 (256) 535-2000 www.hsvchamber.org

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As a corporate citizen, we are proud of the tax dollars we provide to support life-enriching services and programs. As a hospital, we offer some of the latest medical technology and patient-friendly facilities.

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“At Cre s t wood Medical Center, we are committed to pro viding consistent, exceptional health car e . ” Bradley Jones, CEO

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