Initiatives December 2013
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December 2013 Initiatives
Welcome New Chamber Members JOINED IN SEPTEMBER
JOINED IN OCTOBER
Abacus Technology Corporation B4ology, LLC Buenavista Mexican Cantina - Madison CHECKredi of Alabama, LLC Clachic Events, LLC Claymore Krav Maga Grand Slam Universal, LLC Jackson County Commission
Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, Huntsville Regional Center Alison Wellness Clinic American Classifieds Anna Lee Tillman, doTERRA Independent Product Consultant Arab Cartage and Express Co. AZ Technology, Inc.
Lightwave Solar Electric Madison County Shuttle MBL Technologies Midsouth Business Technology, LLC North Alabama Sickle Cell Foundation, Inc. Office Depot - Business Solutions Department Rainbow International of Huntsville Reeds Jewelers Rose of Sharon Soup Kitchen & Thrift Store Scheer Power Team, LLC Keller Williams Huntsville Schiavone & Nemec Keller Williams Huntsville
Bennett Nurseries, Inc. Comfort Care Hospice Commercial Floor Care, LLC First Stop, Inc GCA Services Group, Inc. General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Inc. Heartwise - SouthCare Clinic Mason Dixon Bakery ONEUNITY Media, LLC R2C Support Services RE/MAX Alliance Madison Ravi Agarwal Rosie’s International Services, Inc. RSVP North Alabama Ruby Jack’s Boutique
Sheridan Transportation Systems, Inc. Street Legal Industries, Inc. Sunny Street Cafe Unique Market Verizon Wireless - Hwy. 72 Walgreens #6431- University Drive & Jordan Lane
Shattered Magazine Veterans United Home Loans Walgreens #15545 - Hampton Cove Watercress Development Wings of Eagles Huntsville (MQY Wings of Eagles, LLC)
If you want to make a valuable investment in your business and the community, the Chamber is the place to start. Contact Donna McCrary, Membership Retention Manager: 256-535-2027 or dmccrary@hsvchamber.org. Initiatives December 2013
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Thanks to Our Investors Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative
Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County
Development Partner ($200,000+ annually)
City of Huntsville Development Council ($120,000+ annually)
Huntsville Utilities Chairman’s Council ($75,000+ annually)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Inc. President’s Circle
($50,000+ annually)
Huntsville Hospital Port of Huntsville Regions Bank Tennessee Valley Authority Leadership Forum ($25,000+ annually) ADTRAN, Inc. al.com / The Huntsville Times The Boeing Company City of Madison Emerson Network Power - Avocent Lockheed Martin Corporation Madison County Commission Redstone Federal Credit Union
Executive Council ($15,000+ annually) BB&T CINRAM Crestwood Medical Center Intergraph Corporation Northrop Grumman Corporation Parsons PNC Bank Qualitest Pharmaceuticals SES Wells Fargo Bank WEUP/ Hundley Batts & Associates Insurance Agency Verizon Wireless 4
December 2013 Initiatives
Chamber Trustees ($10,000+ annually) AEgis Technologies Group Aerojet Rocketdyne Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Alabama Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. DynCorp International Dynetics, Inc. First Commercial Bank Jerry Damson, Inc.
Progress Partners
L-3 Communications Corporation – Huntsville Operations Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne P.C Navistar Diesel of Alabama, LLC Raytheon Company S3 Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. Wyle CAS Group
($5,000+ annually)
Ability Plus ASRC Federal Analytical Services A-P-T Research, Inc. Baron Services, Inc. Beason & Nalley, Inc. The Bentley Automotive Group Bill Penney Toyota-Mitsubishi BlueCreek Investment Partners Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP Cadence Bank Clearview Cancer Institute Coates Transportation Group Colliers International Connected Logistics Consolidated Construction Company Corporate Office Properties Trust Davidson Technologies Deloitte LLP ERC, Inc. Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, Inc. hibu, publisher of Yellow Book Huntsville-Madison County Builders Association
iBERIABANK Intuitive Research & Technology Corporation J. Smith Lanier & Co. Joe H. Ritch LEAN Frog Business Solutions, Inc. LogiCore MJLM Engineering & Technical Services MTS, Inc. The Orthopaedic Center Progress Bank QinetiQ North America Radiance Technologies, Inc. Rosie’s Restaurants, Inc., & Right Way Restaurants, Inc. (DBA Steak Out) SELEX Galileo Inc. Strata-G Torch Technologies Turner US Space and Rocket Center WAFF-TV Woody Anderson Ford
Progress Investors ($2,500+ annually) Alpha Beta Technologies, Inc. Anglin Reichmann Snellgrove & Armstrong, PC Averbuch Realty Co., Inc. - Scott Averbuch Aviagen, Inc. BancorpSouth Bryant Bank CB&S Bank Century Automotive CFD Research Corporation Coast Personnel Services deciBel Research Decisive Analytics Corporation Decosimo DESE Research, Inc. Digium, Inc. Ducommun Miltec First Financial Group Wealth Management Fite Building Company, Inc. Foreign Language Services, Inc. Fountain, Parker, Harbarger 4SITE, Inc. G. W. Jones & Sons Consulting Engineers GATR Technologies Halsey Foodservice HEMSI Hiley Cars Huntsville Huntsville Botanical Garden Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau Huntsville Tractor & Equipment, Inc.
Investor’s Resource/Raymond James KPS Group Leadership Huntsville/Madison County, Inc. The Lioce Group, Inc. MacAulay-Brown, Inc. (MacB) Moog, Inc. National Bank of Commerce North Alabama Multiple Listing Service PALCO Telecom Service, Inc. PeopleTec PFM Group PHOENIX Pinnacle Solutions, Inc. PROJECTXYZ, Inc. QTEC, Inc. Qualis Corporation Renasant Bank RJ Young ServisFirst Bank Sierra Lobo, Inc. Sigmatech, Inc. Spencer Companies Incorporated Systems Products and Solutions, Inc. URS Corporation Wesfam Restaurants, Inc. DBA Burger King West Huntsville Land Co., Inc. WHNT-TV Worthington Federal Bank
Initiatives December 2013
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December 2013 Initiatives
initiatives
Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County
december 2013 on the cover
Big Spring Park (photo by Dennis Keim)
A Plethora of Patents Correlated Magnetics, ADTRAN, Nektar, NASA, the Army are tops in the state in patent holdings, per Alabama Launchpad recognitions pages 18-21
features Economic Development Highlights
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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 of Huntsville/Madison County 225 Church Street, Huntsville, AL 35801 main line: 256.535.2000 fax: 256.535.2015
online www.HSVchamber.org www.asmartplace.com
fyi
Submissions for editorial content are not accepted. Information in this and other Chamber publications is at the discretion of the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County. Advertising inquiries go through The Huntsville Times.
2014 Annual Membership Meeting 15, 32 Awards & Accolades 2 2 State of the City Address in photos 2 6 State of the County Address in photos 2 7 Non-Profit Center Stage 2 8 Small Business Awards in the Spotlight 2 9 Chamber Perks 30 Library Seeks Corporate Sites 33
developments
Annual Galaxy of Lights, Huntsville Botanical Garden
Huntsville/Madison County, Alabama is located in the middle of the southeastern United States, with more than four million people within a 100-mile radius. The Huntsville community is the economic hub of the northern Alabama/ southern Tennessee region. Huntsville/Madison County’s economy is one of the strongest in the nation, with low unemployment, strong job growth and income levels leading the region. Business growth and investment from U.S. and international companies have made it one of the country’s top “hot spots” for growing a business and raising a family.
Santa’s Village, EarlyWorks Museum Complex
including Huntsville International Airport, PPG Aerospace, Univeristy of Alabama in Huntsville, Wyle, Davidson Technologies, Brockwell Technologies, TSC and Raytheon Company
New Chamber Members 3 HREGI Investors Listing 4 Chamber Board Listing 8 Community Profile 11 ® 2014 Best Places to Work 1 3 Chamber Staff Listing 17 Chamber Holiday Open House 17 Business EXPO in photos 3 4
editorial staff
Publisher Chip Cherry, cce Executive Editor Patricia C. McCarter
Editorial Designer Kristi Sherrard Contributing Writer Patricia McCarter, Harrison Diamond Photography Chamber of Commerce staff, publications and archive unless otherwise noted Advertising Sales Chad Ludwig al.com / The Huntsville Times cludwig@al.com Initiatives December 2013
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Chamber of Commerce
Executive Committee and Board of Directors 2013 Executive Committee
A Message from Chip Cherry Dear Chamber of Commerce Investors, Community Leaders and Friends: The title of this edition of Initiatives speaks to one of the aspects of our community that makes us unique – a talented workforce constantly striving to find ways to make processes or equipment work better or designing new processes or equipment to address a problem or challenge. We are blessed to live in a Smart Place, a place which is recognized as one of the top patent producing communities in the United States. Thanksgiving is a special time because it provides an opportunity to gather with family and reflect on what we are thankful for. We often succumb to the temptation to get caught up in sensational issues of the moment or the day-to-day challenges of life, and we don’t acknowledge the blessings we enjoy. One of those blessings is to live in a community with dedicated men and women serving this country as civil servants. How unfortunate that they were caught up in the political wrangling that took place at the federal level of government. You are the foundation of what takes place at Redstone, and we appreciate the work you do for our country. As the holiday season approaches, I encourage you to shop local and to patronize those who support the economic growth and vitality of this region. Look for the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County decal when deciding from which business you purchase holiday gifts. These companies are among the best in their respective fields and you should visit them first. I’ll close with one last thank you. We are fortunate to have a solid group of local, state and federal legislators. These individuals take on a task that few of us fully appreciate. We can agree to disagree on certain positions they may take, but we should all be thankful for the passion and integrity they bring to their elected positions. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Officers, and staff of the Chamber we wish you a happy holiday season!
Chip Cherry, CCE President & CEO Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County
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December 2013 Initiatives
Ron Poteat, Chair, Regions Bank Robert Mayes, Chair-Elect, BlueCreek Investment Partners Jim Bolte, Immediate Past Chair, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama Tommy Beason, Chamber Foundation Chair, Consultant Joe Newberry, Secretary/Treasurer, Redstone Federal Credit Union Rey Almodóvar, Vice Chair - Economic Development, INTUITIVE Rose Allen, Vice Chair - Government Affairs, Booz Allen Hamilton Everett Brooks, Vice Chair - Membership, AEgis Technologies Group Danny Windham, Vice Chair - Workforce & Industry Relations, Digium Kim Lewis, Vice Chair - Small Business & Events, PROJECTXYZ Gary Bolton, Vice Chair - Research & Information Services, ADTRAN Dr. O’Neal Smitherman, Vice Chair - Image Development & Communications, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Mayor Tommy Battle, Chair-Appointed, City of Huntsville Penny Billings, Chair-Appointed, BancorpSouth Frederick Lanier, Chair-Appointed, J. Smith Lanier & Co. David Spillers, Chair-Appointed, Huntsville Hospital Chairman Dale Strong, Chair-Appointed, Madison County Commission Mayor Troy Trulock, Chair-Appointed, City of Madison Chip Cherry, President & CEO, Chamber of Commerce Elected Board Joe Alexander, Camber Corporation Dr. Robert Altenkirch, The University of Alabama in Huntsville Bob Baron, Baron Services Dr. Marc Bendickson, Dynetics Miranda Bouldin, LogiCore Greg Bragg, Consolidated Construction Company Micah Bullard, Turner Kevin Byrnes, Raytheon Company Kevin Campbell, Northrop Grumman Corporation Frank Caprio, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings Glenn Clayton, Appleton Learning Joe Collazo, COLSA Corporation Mark Curran, L-3 Communications Corporation - Huntsville Operations Gene Goldman, Aerojet Rocketdyne John Gully, SAIC Natalie Hasley, Bama Jammer Steve Hassell, Emerson Network Power - Avocent Tharon Honeycutt, MSB Analytics Dr. Pam Hudson, Crestwood Medical Center Dr. Andrew Hugine, Alabama A&M University Tony Jones, The Boeing Company Jeremiah Knight, Verizon Wireless Call Center Rich Marsden, Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne Angie McCarter, Davidson Technologies Elizabeth Morard, Qualis Corporation Jim Owens, BBVA Compass George Prueitt, Wyle CAS Group Tom Ray, Consultant Jim Rogers, Lockheed Martin Corporation Alicia Ryan, LSINC Dr. Gurmej Sandhu, Sigmatech Charlie Sealy, Sealy Management Company Crystal Shell, WILL Technology E.J. Sinclair, Science and Engineering Services (SES) Dr. Ashok Singhal, CFD Research Corporation Todd Slyman, Village of Providence Jan Smith, S 3 Cynthia Streams, Domino’s Pizza (Valley Pizza) Nilmini Thompson, Systems Products and Solutions
Initiatives December 2013
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY
~ continued on page 12
Huntsville Airport Gets $15.7 Million Runway Grant
Bremen Senator Martin Günthner and Huntsville businessman Ronnie Boles at Davidson Center reception.
Bremen, Huntsville Hope to Partner on Aerospace Projects Even before the delegation from Bremen, Germany, arrived in Huntsville in late October, they could easily be considered something a sister city. The metropolitan areas of both cities are similar, and both are neck-deep in the business of aerospace. And here’s the really cool link: Both use the slogan, “The Sky is not the Limit” in marketing their communities. The delegation – which included government and industry leaders – came to the United States to discuss doing business with American aerospace companies, and they visited only three cities: Washington, D.C.; Wichita, Kansas; and Huntsville. The visitors toured Redstone Arsenal, Marshall Space Flight Center, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Dynetics, Cummings Research Park, United Launch Alliance and Teledyne Brown Engineering. Bremen employs about 12,000 aerospace workers, and the city is always looking for ways to partner for additional opportunities in space exploration. In the fall of 2011, the State of Alabama and Bremen entered a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate greater trade. Senator Martin Günthner – with the Ministry of Economic 10
December 2013 Initiatives
Affairs, Labor and Ports in Bremen – said because the two cities have so much in common, he believed a visit to Huntsville could be beneficial for both entities. “I think it is only fantastic to see how big the activities in Huntsville are – that Huntsville changed from a cotton city to a Rocket City,” he said. “We like rockets in Bremen, of course, so we have a lot in common.” At a reception at the Davidson Center for Space Exploration, Günthner wore a tie covered in images of the Alabama state flag. The flag tie was given to the senator by Gov. Robert Bentley during a previous visit. Said Alabama Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield, “There continues to be a growing interest from industry in Bremen - specifically in the aerospace, space and automotive sectors - for doing business and creating trade relationships with Alabama. I think in Huntsville, they’ve found a home that they feel is very akin to their own region in Germany.” Added Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Government Affairs Mike Ward, “The state has laid this path between Germany and Alabama, and we’re just trying to widen it to four lanes or six or eight.” •
The Federal Aviation Administration has announced it will provide $15.7 million in discretionary funds to Huntsville International Airport for improvements to its east runway. This is the largest grant the local airport has ever received. Construction should begin March 2014 and last one year. Work includes expanding paved shoulders, widening full-strength pavement and upgrading lighting and signage. “A strong transportation infrastructure is critical to attracting new businesses and industries. This important grant will help Huntsville International Airport make the necessary improvements to its runway, ensuring safe and trustworthy operations,” said U.S. Sen. Shelby Richard Shelby (R-Ala.). “Such improvements are essential for an efficient transportation hub and for those traveling to, from and through Alabama.” Currently, Huntsville is No. 14 in the country for its international air cargo operations. In July, the airport reopened its west runway after a year-long, $30-million construction project. This work was necessary for FAA requirements to operate Panalpina’s regularly scheduled 747-8 freighters, which are classified as Group VI aircraft. Once the east runway is complete, all of Huntsville’s runways will meet requirements set for the 747-8s. “This grant allows us to continue the quest to improve our infrastructure for Group VI and handle the large volume of cargo we see at the airport,” said Rick Tucker, Port of Huntsville executive director. “We have a 10-year plan for total investments of $85 million to our runTucker ways and taxiways because it is crucial for our region’s economy and to stay competitive in the global marketplace.” Huntsville International Airport features two parallel runways of 12,600 feet (which is the second longest runway in the Southeast) and 10,000 feet. It recently added more than 492,000 square feet of air cargo ramp space, increasing total air cargo ramp space to 2.3 million square feet. •
TOP 10 EMPLOYERS Population
Madison County
City of Huntsville
2010 Census
334,811
180,105
42,938
417,593
2012 Census
343,080
183,076
44,402
430,734
% Growth
City of Huntsville Madison Metro Area
2.5% 1.6% 3.4% 3.1%
130,791
15,986
162,405
Avg. Household Income $76,967
$69,008 $112,273
$74,407
Per Capita Income
$29,530
$29,550
$30,845
Huntsville Hospital System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,129 NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,000 Huntsville City Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,079 The Boeing Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,600 Madison County Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,389
Households & Income # of Households
Redstone Arsenal* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31,500*
75,912
$40,481
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (www.census.gov), 2012 American Community Survey
SAIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,229 City of Huntsville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,206 The University of Alabama in Huntsville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,675 ADTRAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,522 Source: Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County *includes on-site contractors
Aerospace & Defense Huntsville/Madison County is home to the U.S. Army Redstone Arsenal and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center which combine to drive a thriving aerospace and defense technology industry. More than 37,500 people work at Redstone Arsenal and NASA managing some of the country’s most important and sophisticated technology programs including missiles, aviation and space exploration.
Research & Technology Huntsville’s Cummings Research Park has earned a reputation as a global leader in technology development. The second-largest science and
For more information, visit:
technology park in the U.S., Cummings Research Park is home to more
www.HSVchamber.org
development.
than 300 companies and 29,000 people involved in technology research and
Initiatives December 2013
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS continued from page 10
~ continued on page 14
Madison County is No. 4 High-Tech Hotspot The top three counties on the Progressive Policy Institute’s Tech/Info Jobs index released in October are – no surprise – in the Silicon Valley area of California. But coming in at No. 4, and with an impressive five-year growth rate of 25 percent, is Madison County. On average, the top 25 counties, as measured by the Index, showed an average private sector job gain of 2.4 percent between 2007 and 2012. New analysis by the Progressive Policy Institute shows that places with strong tech/information growth have survived the recession much better than their counterparts. In particular, counties with a higher number of new tech/information sector jobs from 2007 to 2012 had enjoyed substantially faster growth in both overall private employment and non-tech jobs over the same period. Below is a list of the Top 25 high-tech growth counties in the United States: PPI Tech/ info Jobs Index
Growth of tech/info jobs 2007-2012
Growth of non-tech/info private jobs 2007-2012
1 San Francisco County, California
3.8
51.8%
2.1%
San Francisco, Calif.
2 San Mateo County, California
2.6
27.8%
-2.7%
San Francisco MSA
3 Santa Clara County, California
1.8
16.0%
0.1%
San Jose, Calif.
4 Madison County, Alabama
1.6
25.7%
-5.6%
Huntsville, Ala.
5 Utah County, Utah
1.5
20.1%
-1.9%
Provo, Utah
6 Denton County, Texas
1.3
36.4%
11.9%
Dallas MSA
7 King County, Washington
1.3
13.5%
-2.9%
Seattle, Wash.
8 Wake County, North Carolina
1.3
18.2%
2.7%
Raleigh, N.C.
9 Dane County, Wisconsin
County
Location
1.3
24.9%
-1.6%
Madison, Wis.
10 Davis County, Utah
1.2
45.4%
1.5%
Salt Lake City CSA
11 Loudoun County, Virginia
1.1
8.1%
8.7%
Washington DC MSA
12 Middlesex County, Massachusetts
1.1
12.2%
0.4%
Cambridge, Mass.
13 Orleans Parish, Louisiana
1.1
32.9%
7.9%
New Orleans, La.
14 Arapahoe County, Colorado
0.9
9.8%
-0.4%
Denver MSA
15 New York County, New York
0.9
10.1%
1.1%
New York City
16 Travis County, Texas
0.9
12.5%
6.1%
Austin, Texas
17 Fayette County, Kentucky
0.6
14.2%
-0.8%
Lexington, Ky.
18 Washtenaw County, Michigan
0.6
14.8%
-4.0%
Ann Arbor, Mich.
19 Prince William County, Virginia
0.5
12.2%
6.8%
Washington DC MSA
20 Union County, New Jersey
0.5
15.3%
-8.5%
New York MSA
21 Suffolk County, Massachusetts
0.5
13.0%
1.4%
Boston, Mass.
22 Larimer County, Colorado
0.5
14.4%
0.7%
Fort Collins, Colo.
23 Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
0.4
8.8%
-1.6%
Charlotte, N.C.
24 Snohomish County, Washington
0.4
14.0%
1.8%
Everett, Wash.
25 Kings County, New York
0.4
21.3%
11.2%
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Based on counties with population of 300,000 or over. PPI Tech/info Job Index is defined as 2007-2012 change in tech/info jobs in the county, divided by 2007 total private employment in the county, multiplied by 100. Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Progressive Policy Institute, South Mountain Economics LLC • 12
December 2013 Initiatives
PPG Aerospace Designs Innovative Cockpit Windows for Dassault Falcon PPG Industries’ aerospace transparencies group has designed uniquely shaped, lightweight glass windshields and side cockpit windows for the new Dassault Falcon 5X business jet that accentuate the cockpit’s aerodynamics and afford expansive visibility. The windshields and windows will be made at PPG’s Huntsville plant. According to Mark Hood, PPG global market director for general aviation transparencies, PPG is under contract with Dassault Aviation to provide production and spare windshields and side cockpit windows, which are the largest for a Falcon jet. “Dassault Aviation wanted curved glass transparencies having the lightest weight possible, and our unique bending and materials expertise enabled us to propose designs exceeding their expectations,” Hood said. “We are proud we were selected and look forward to growing our relationship with Dassault Aviation.” The windshields and side cockpit windows are designed with three plies of chemically strengthened glass to be strong, lightweight and resist impact by a four-pound bird at 350 knots. The aircraft will not have windshield wipers, so the windshields and windows have Surface Seal coating to enhance water shedding for visibility. •
UAH Ranks Fifth Nationally in Federally Funded Aeronautical/ Astronautical Research The University of Alabama in Huntsville ranks fifth nationally in federally financed aeronautical/astronautical engineering research, according to the National Science Foundation’s fiscal year 2011 data, which are the most recently available. Only Johns Hopkins University, Utah State University, Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of ColoradoBoulder were listed ahead of UAH in the national aeronautical/astronautical engineering research expenditure ranking. Following UAH were MIT, the University of Maryland and Texas A&M. “The National Science Foundation research expenditure rankings clearly show the strengths of UAH in science and engineering disciplines,” said UAH Vice President for Research Ray Vaughn. “This is also a sign of a very healthy research program and a hard-working research faculty. I am continually amazed at the high level of research performance of a small university like UAH and very proud of our accomplishments.” Also nationally, the NSF ranked UAH 19th in Department of Defense R&D expenditures; 14th in NASA R&D expenditures; 14th in federally financed computer sciences research expenditures; 16th in federally financed astronomy research expenditures; 19th in federally funded atmospheric sciences research. •
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS continued from page 12
~ continued on page 16
Davidson Technologies Breaks Ground on Headquarters Addition in CRP
Local leaders and Wyle officials at the Oct. 15 grand opening.
Wyle Opens Doors on New CRP Facility Wyle held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new three-story facility in Cummings Research Park on Oct. 15 at 345 Bob Heath Road. Wyle relocated employees from several Wyle facilities in Huntsville, allowing for future expansion of the company’s capabilities and workforce. In addition, the facility includes an innovative, specialized laboratory configuration which will increase efficiencies and provide Wyle’s customers with unique capabilities. “Wyle has been supporting the aerospace and defense industry in Huntsville for more than 50 years and we plan on continuing that tradition for many years to come,” said George Melton, Wyle chairman, president and chief executive officer. According to Chamber Board Chair Ron Poteat, during that period Wyle has grown to one of the largest employers in the region.
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December 2013 Initiatives
“Our community continues to prosper thanks to many of the people here today who have helped make this new 120,000-square-foot facility a reality for Wyle,” said Poteat. “We would not be here today without it and the leadership provided by Wyle, a company that chose to invest again in our great community.” Wyle, a privately held company, is a leading provider of high tech aerospace engineering and information technology services to the federal government on long-term outsourcing contracts. The company also provides test and evaluation of aircraft, weapon systems, networks, and other government assets, and other engineering services to the aerospace, defense, and nuclear power industries. This three-story building is leased from Copter Properties, which is owned by affiliates of Triad Properties and the Rooker Companies. •
Davidson Technologies has broken ground for a $3.5 million, 22,000-square-foot expansion to its corporate headquarters in Cummings Research Park. CEO Dorothy Davidson said the building will complement the existing 27,000-square-foot building and can accommodate up to 100 employees. Work on the building is scheduled to be completed in April 2014. “We are growing, and the building expansion is reflective of that,” said Davidson. “Our growth is due to a strategic diversification of our customer base, as well as growth in services provided to our current customers. We have a reputation in the technical services industry for excellence and integrity and because we provide the best value and superior technological expertise. “… We recognize right now that a lot of companies in the aerospace and defense industry are looking at uncertainty and what the future holds. But we’re positioned to grow through strategic management, marketing and the diversification of our customer base.” Davidson also officially launched its new logo at the ceremony. “Our new logo represents our past, present and future,” Davidson said. “It maintains the brand everyone is accustomed to, but it incorporates where we are now and where our future lies.” Dr. Julian Davidson founded Davidson Technologies in 1996, dedicating the company to providing aerospace and missile defense technology support to government and industry customers. Davidson In February of 2013, Dorothy Davidson took the helm at Davidson Technologies as chairman of the board and CEO, after the death of her husband. Davidson Technologies employs more than 250 technical and administrative professionals, including personnel in Colorado Springs, Colo.; Fort Greely, Ark.; and Washington, D.C. Davidson provides technical services support to the Department of Defense, NASA and prime contractors. Its core competencies include system engineering and analysis, test and evaluation, cyber and information assurance, modeling and simulation, and software development. •
2014 Annual Membership Meeting Set for January 16
C
hamber members attending the Annual Membership Meeting on Jan. 16 at the Von Braun Center will enjoy a message on “American Exceptionalism” from John Doggett. Doggett lectures on international entrepreneurship, global competition and sustainable energy. Since 1999, he has spent part of each year teaching courses on entrepreneurship and global competition in Austria, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. Doggett was a legal services attorney for seven years in Connecticut and California and a McKinsey & Company consultant in the U.S. and Denmark. He started his own international management-consulting firm in 1983. During the next decade, he worked with clients on business strategy and marketing issues in 25 countries. He co-founded a Spanish language TV sports programming company that signed a three-year exclusive contract with the National Football League. He was also an award-winning radio talk show host in Austin. He is the author of the book, When We Are The Foreigners: What Chinese Think About Working with Americans, to which an Amazon reviewer commented, “This book is solid gold when compared to so much out there about doing business in China… This book marks the beginning of a more formal approach for western mainstream business to do business with the Chinese.” Doggett received his bachelor’s degree from Claremont Men’s College, his law degree from Yale University and his MBA from the Harvard Business School. Also at the Annual Meeting, Chamber Board Chair Ron Poteat of Regions Bank will turn over the gavel to incoming chair Robert Mayes of BlueCreek Investment Partners. Poteat will announce the Distinguished Service Award winner, which is the highest award the Chamber gives each year. The event begins at 11:30 a.m., and members must register at hsvchamber.org. • Initiatives December 2013
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS continued from page 14
~ compiled by Patricia McCarter
Maryland-Based Technology Company Selects Huntsville for Expansion, Adds 50 Jobs
L-R: Tim and Lawana Brockwell with Chamber Chair-elect Robert Mayes.
Brockwell Technologies Celebrates 15 Years Brockwell Technologies Inc., a technology company started in a Somerville couple’s home, celebrated its 15th anniversary with a ribbon cutting in its offices in Cummings Research Park. Tim and Lawana Brockwell had solid technology careers behind them – including military contracting, engineering and account management – when they forged their company. In 2009, they moved the company from their home into actual offices, and they have already expanded once and now have 7,000 square feet of office space. “I have fingerprinted new hires on the hood of my car in the Target shopping center,” Lawana said. “I kept my day job for the five first years, coming home most nights and running upstairs to the BTI office to do bookkeeping.” Husband Tim also kept similar long hours balancing a career and a start-up. This February, BTI received its first firm, fixed-price production contract from Cherokee Nation Red-
wing for 500 transportation and handling monitoring systems (THMS). “We believe this technology fulfills a much-needed capability for our ultimate consumer, the U.S. Army soldier,” Tim said. “The data collected by the THMS will ultimately prevent the deployment of weapons that have sustained otherwise undetectable damage due to temperature or humidity extremes, drops, shocks or vibrations… potentially saving the lives of soldiers during both training and actual combat operations.” Chamber Chair Elect Robert Mayes commended the Brockwells on a job well done, saying, “BTI engineers, analysts and subject matter experts work hard every day to solve some of the most complex technical problems that we face as a nation. And, they’re good at it. “For the second year in a row, Brockwell Technologies was recognized as one of the Top 3 Small Technology Companies of the Year during the Chamber’s Annual Small Business Awards.” •
Technology Service Corporation (TSC), a high-technology company based in Maryland cut the ribbon for a new office in Huntsville’s Cummings Research Park, but if you ask company executives this will not be the last time they cut a ribbon in Huntsville. TSC’s Huntsville-based, formerly wholly owned subsidiaries -- Phase IV Systems, PIVC and Magnacom -- have relocated into a single 50,000-square-foot facility. TSC provides stateof-the-art sensor expertise and solutions to the Department of Defense. The new facility incorporates 10,000 square feet of manufacturing space along with a machine shop, Class 10,000/ISO 7 cleanroom, anechoic chamber, screen room, electronic development and integration laboratory, multiple conference rooms including a 120-person auditorium and extensive office space. Additional expansion capacity is located within the building and in the overall Voyager Way complex. With the new facility, TSC expects to add 50 new jobs in Huntsville/Madison County. TSC Division Manager Mike Pope explained that this move demonstrates TSC’s commitment to growth in the Huntsville area. “TSC has made investment in the area a priority even during these challenging times. The company is enthusiastic about the economic vitality of Huntsville and the North Alabama Region. We look forward to continued growth in the Tennessee Valley,” Pope said. Robert Mayes, Chair-elect of the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County, lauded the company’s emphasis on innovation and how apropos it is for it to expand in Cummings Research Park. “TSC has undergone dynamic changes but what has never changed is the company’s culture of innovation. It is a part of the company’s foundation and the catalyst for continued success today and in the future. Likewise, innovation has been the key driver to the growth of this - the second largest research park in the United States,” Mayes said. •
Raytheon Expanding into Research Park
Raytheon officials cut the ribbon on their new facility on Bob Heath Road. 16
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Raytheon Huntsville hosted a grand opening ceremony and unveiling of its newest office on Bob Heath Road in Cummings Research Park on Nov. 13. The 42,000-square-foot leased space is the new home to more than 100 Raytheon Huntsville employees. Raytheon continues to expand its footprint in Huntsville. Late last year, Raytheon cut the ribbon on a new $75 million missile integration facility at Redstone Arsenal, which tests and integrates Standard Missile-3s and SM-6s, opened late 2012 and uses the latest in robotic technology to ensure maximum efficiency and performance. That site is already in the process of being expanded. As part of an agreement with the state tied to the Arsenal facility, Raytheon plans to add another 100 Huntsville employees next year. “Raytheon has made an investment in Huntsville, and it’s only going to get bigger and better,” said Kevin Byrnes, Vice President of Raytheon Huntsville. “We are investing heavily in people and talent.” •
Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County
STA F F Chip Cherry, CCE, president & CEO Amy Locke, executive assistant Richard McCollum, resource desk coordinator Danae McElroy, resource desk assistant | accounting assistant
Economic Development Lucia Cape, vice president, economic development John Southerland, Cummings Research Park director | project manager
Ken Smith, research & information services director Harrison Diamond, existing business director | project manager
Karessa Acosta, economic development assistant
Communications Patricia McCarter, communications director Kristi Sherrard, graphic designer Hiroko Sedensky, web designer
Government Affairs Mike Ward, vice president, government affairs Tina Leopold, government affairs assistant
Finance & Administration Christy Nalley, finance & administration director Jamie Gallien, IT manager Mary McNairy, accounting specialist | human resources
Lori Warner, accounting specialist Joe Watson, facilities supervisor
Membership Donna McCrary, membership retention manager
Small Business & Events Pammie Jimmar, small business & events director Morgan Hopper, senior event coordinator Alexandra Gonzalez, event coordinator
Associated Organizations The Community Foundation of Huntsville/ Madison County (communityfoundationhsv.org) The Schools Foundation (theschoolsfoundation.org) WBCNA (www.wbcna.org)
Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County 225 Church Street, Huntsville, AL 35801 phone 256-535-2000 / fax 256-535-2015
www.HSVchamber.org Initiatives December 2013
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cover story
Cover image and right image: magnification of polarity from Correlated Magnetics Research programmable magnets. Below: a portion of the “patent wall” at ADTRAN, the leading patent producer in Huntsville.
At its Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference in late September, Alabama Launchpad recognized the Top Ten patent leaders in the state. Half of those entities are located in Huntsville – ADTRAN, Correlated Magnetics Research, Nektar, Marshall Space Flight Center and the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center at Redstone Arsenal. That’s not a surprise to those who know of Madison County’s high tech state of mind, but what does this designation really mean, other than bragging rights? A recent Brookings Institution study indicates a correlation between a city’s patenting efforts and a higher productivity growth, lower unemployment rate and the creation of publicly-traded companies. Patents, however, aren’t the only measure of innovation. Brookings also points to the number of citizens with science-related degrees, the presence of a research university and the market’s commercialization potential. Check, check and check. “Huntsville is a city of innovation and entrepreneurship, and the number of high quality patents we generate are the mark of our smart community and a healthy, diversified economy,” said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. “It is inevitable that knowledge spillovers will occur in a city that is rich in research and development, and we all benefit from the new ideas and products that emerge from collaborating sectors.”
What’s in a Patent? A patent is an intellectual property right granted by the government to an inventor “to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale or selling the invention throughout the U.S.” for a limited time, in exchange for public disclosure of the invention when the patent is granted. There are patents for processes, machines, design and horticulture. Says the Brookings Institution: 63 percent of patents are developed by people living in just 20 metro areas – which includes Huntsville. Patents funded by the U.S. government tend to be of especially high quality, and federal small business R&D funding is associated with significantly higher metropolitan productivity growth. It is noteworthy that Huntsville is No. 10 on the list of metropolitan areas receiving Small Business Innovation Research funding from the federal government. And a resident in an “inventive metro area” is seven times as likely to invent a patent, according to Brookings (see Table 14). 18
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Through his work at UAH – and prior work at the University of Nebraska and Purdue University - Grant said he’s applied for up to 300 patents for university researchers, and about 90 percent of those applications have been granted. “You can spend an inordinate amount of time and money on patents,” he said, adding that a cost/benefit analysis is important. “Ultimately, you want the technology to be used by the public. That’s the goal. Our researchers aren’t interested in vanity patents. They want their work to be utilized for the greater good of the public. “The real satisfaction is when it is licensed and used in the marketplace … whether it’s a new smart phone app or a new way to send rockets to the moon.”
University Research is Key “When you combine what is happening at Redstone Arsenal and Cummings Research Park, we are easily seeing more patent activity than any other place in Alabama,” said Kannan Grant, director for the Office of Technology Commercialization at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. “If you are thinking about commercialization,
you need to protect your innovative, disruptive technologies.” Grant said the average amount of research funding per one patented idea is $10 million, though it can vary widely within that average. “If you look at UAH, there’s $100 million in research, but across the street from us is Redstone Arsenal, NASA, and the Department of Defense with a $100 billion budget… so there is quite a bit of research.”
Follow the Money While Huntsville receives substantial SBIR grants, that’s not the only way that patent-worthy research is funded. Dick Reeves, managing partner of the Angel Investor Management Group and the first angel investor in Alabama, described the “food chain” for entrepreneurial investment: It typically begins with the “inventor” maxing out his credit cards while keeping his day job, and then he turns to his emotionally-involved “friends, family and fools.” Then, if an entrepreneur is lucky, he might catch the eye of investors, such as those within an “Angel network,” who might write a check for $10,000 or $20,000. Reeves said 40 or 50 investors are part of the local network, and they supply guidance and contacts as well as cash infusion. “Investors typically get a big return one out of 10 times; they get their original investment back three out of 10 times; and they lose it all five or six times out of ten,” Reeves said. “This is not for the faint of heart. A lot of our members are in it to see entrepreneurs succeed and to see that products get on the market to benefit humanity.”
What’s in a Name?
CMR’s patented magnet printer
Patents that list Huntsville as the assignee city – and there are thousands of them – have purposes such as “cancelling crosstalk in satellite access devices” and “grazing incidence neutron optics” and “delivery of biologically active RNAs” and “promoting single crystal growth during melt growth of semiconductors.” continued on page 20 Initiatives December 2013
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A Plethora of Patents, continued from page 19 – They’ve come from the bright minds at NASA, the Department of Defense and the private sector. Even though they aren’t on the list of Alabama Launchpad’s top producers for 2012, a quick search on the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office website indicates strong patent activity at INTUITIVE, Baron Services, Intergraph, Wolverine Tube and the companies contained with HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology. (Because some companies have a strong local engineering presence but headquarters in other cities, not all Madison County-generated patents are reflected.) The leading patent producer in Huntsville is information technology powerhouse ADTRAN, which is also a global patent leader in the broadband infrastructure and cloud connectivity industries. “ADTRAN has been highly successful since the mid-1980s, with a consistent track record for being profitable every quarter (since its inception),” said ADTRAN vice president Gary Bolton. “To do that in our highly competitive marketplace, we have to constantly update the way to connect to the internet.” 20
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Bolton said ADTRAN generates 40 percent more patents-per-R&D-dollar dollar than the industry standard, and that is accomplished by recruiting the smartest engineering and science students through an extensive co-op program… and then hiring them to stay. “We build our innovators from the ground up and provide a highly collaborative and innovative environment,” Bolton said, adding that ADTRAN’s “agile engineering” philosophy of two-week design sprints keeps developers in “tight sync.” Also, 40 percent of its employees work solely in research and development in the Huntsville facility, and incentives are offered for patent producers. “We are in an aggressive industry,” Bolton said. “And we are fully vertically integrated. We have manufacturing on site. When you develop something, you can run a prototype overnight. You can design it and then see it to the finished project.”
A Magnetic Idea Prominent local patent lore includes Larry Fullerton, a scientist who wanted to create a unique self-assembling magnetic Christ-
mas toy for his grandchildren. That train of thought led him to found Correlated Magnetics Research, which has had 85 patents issued since 2010 and another 140 patent applications have been filed. Fullerton’s original thought came in the form of programmable polarity patterns. By combining many magnetic fields, CMR’s Polymagnet technology transforms ordinary magnets into precision-tailored systems that produce complex functions not possible with conventional magnets. The magnetic attraction ceases when the magnets are twisted – not pulled – apart, which makes them safer as well. Magnetic functions are created with the world’s first magnetic printer, the CMR MagPrinter, which uses rare-earth, ferrite or flexible magnetic materials. When Barack Obama visited CMR’s office in Austin earlier this year, the President was shown how infinite are the possibilities of polarity patterns when given a magnet created in his likeness. Application of programmable magnets includes factory automation, higher-efficiency railroads and even dentures.
“What if a soldier could calibrate his rifle scope once, and then a magnet would do it the reset of the time,” said Ron Jewell, vice president of CMR sales and marketing. “What about storm shutter attachment, hauling your boat and breaking down military tents. “Not only is there a benefit to be found in our magnets attracting but also with repelling.”
A sample of a programmable polarity pattern representing President Obama’s image by Correlated Magnetics Research.
For Posterity In 2010, Dr. Reneé Rodgers and the collaborative Raytheon Missile Systems team were issued a patent for inventing a method of evaluating the properties of polymeric materials. It distinguished Rodgers as the first African American female to receive a patent at Raytheon Missile Systems. At a Raytheon-Huntsville ribbon cutting ceremony in mid-November, Rodgers was lauded for the work she’d done in using nanoparticles to change properties of resin systems. As she explained it, noted curvature changes in these materials provide a cost effective and efficient technique to measure materials properties, such as strength and stiffness. She downplayed the importance of her role in the broad picture of national defense, but she did acknowledge this: “It is nice to know that I was involved in an original thought.” • Patricia McCarter Initiatives December 2013
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A wards &
A ccolades
Intuitive Research & Technology Corporation No. 2 Best Place to Work, says Fortune Magazine
of Marshall’s Small Business Alliance at the Davidson Center for Space Exploration in Huntsville. The 2013 award winners include:
INTUITIVE ranked No. 2 on the 10th Annual Great Place to Work, which is the fourth year in a row the Huntsville-based company has been on the Fortune Magazine list. Competing against hundreds of companies across the country, INTUITIVE participated in an employee survey and an in-depth questionnaire about benefits programs and company practices. Great Place to Work evaluates each application using its unique methodology based on five dimensions: credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie. Rey Almodóvar, co-founder and CEO of INTUITIVE said, “It’s a true testimony to our company culture and employees that we have been honored as a Great Place to Work in the Nation four years in a row, all four years in the top ten. Moreover, it is a reflection of our community which fosters entrepreneurship and has been nationally recognized as a best place to live and work. “Huntsville/Madison County has been an amazing place to start, grow and succeed in business. From our local, state and national leadership to our Chamber of Commerce and citizens, we are bonded together to make our community an amazing place to call home.” INTUITIVE focuses on employee needs ranging from corporate benefits to personal recognition. New employees are quickly inspired by stories of how the company has supported professional and personal growth through education and training, as well as enabling a healthy and balanced lifestyle. “By recruiting the best and brightest and encouraging seasoned employees towards excellence, the company is a strong team that works as a cohesive system, providing support to customers and to each other,” Almodóvar said.
• Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. of Huntsville: Large Business Contractor of the Year.
NASA’S Marshall Space Flight Center Honors Top Contractors, Support Team
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Marshall Space Flight Center presented the 2013 Industry & Advocates Awards to the top contractors and entities who support the NASA mission. The awards were presented at a meeting December 2013 Initiatives
• Dynetics Technical Services of Huntsville: Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year. • Plasma Processes, Inc. of Huntsville: Small Business Subcontractor of the Year. Small Business Advocate Awards were presented to Marshall Center Partnerships Manager Charles Nola, and to Debbie King, program manager for the MTS Marshall Integrated Program Support Services Team. Nola was recognized for his support of NASA/MSFC Small Business Programs in his role as Marshall’s small business technical coordinator. King was recognized for her support of the NASA/MSFC Small Business Programs in her role as chair of the Marshall Small Business Executive Leadership Team. Marshall engineer Virginia L. Garrison of the Engineering Directorate’s Technical Management Office was named Small Business Technical Support Person of the Year, her third such honor in the past four years. The Marshall Integrated Program Support Team was named Procurement Support Team of the Year. Team members include Bill Kale, Cheryl Harrell, Mike Allen, Larry Davis, Freida Lowery, Vanessa Jones, Tammy Bissell, Richard Leonard and Frank Andy Prince. The award was for the team’s service on the Marshall Integrated Program Support Source Evaluation Board. Marshall’s Engineered Solutions & Prototypes Team was named Program Support Team of the Year. Team members include Steven Spearman, Scott Worley, Byron Bartlow, Jeff Brown and Joseph Eversole. The award was for the team’s service on Marshall’s Engineered Solutions & Prototypes Source Evaluation Board. A Certificate of Appreciation was presented to Gary W. Heard, procurement center representative in the U.S. Small Business Administration office on Redstone Arsenal.
Redstone Gateway Sculpture Wins International Award A public sculpture installed earlier this year at Huntsville’s Redstone Gateway office park development has won a major art award from United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Seattle sculptor Ulrich Pakker, who created the 25-foot-tall “Breaking Earth’s Bond,” received the Commissioner’s Art Award from Dr. Sheree Wen, U.S. national commissioner for UNESCO. “Breaking Earth’s Bond,” which evokes the arc of a rocket launch, rocket fuel molecules and Huntsville’s space history, “brings together peace, and the worlds of science and art,” Wen said at a ceremony at Redstone Gateway on Nov. 7.
Redstone Gateway developer Corporate Office Properties Trust commissioned Pakker to create a centerpiece sculpture for the three-building Boeing complex under construction near the Interstate 565-Rideout Road interchange, and it was installed in February. Four buildings have been constructed in the development, and another 48 are on the drawing board. “This magnificent sculpture beautifully represents the dreams and aspirations of the scientists and engineers who have worked here in Huntsville,” said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. “As we have soared and excelled in our space exploration, it is only fitting that Ulrich Pakker’s work also take flight in the form of this prestigious award.” Battle said since the inception of Redstone Gateway, it was decided that outdoor sculpture and artwork would be a part of the plan. Pakker’s sculptures have been collected by Microsoft, The Boeing Company, the University of Pennsylvania, museums and cities, in addition to numerous private collectors. Pakker said he was inspired by pho-
tos of Saturn and other heavenly bodies when creating the artwork and that he views it as a tribute to “humanity’s desire to explore… and embark on the journey with peace in our hearts.”
Four Local Companies “Top Job Creators” Inc. Magazine has ranked four Huntsville companies among some of the top job creators in the state over the past 18 months. Torch Technologies (No. 6), GaN (No. 7), nLogic (No. 8) and The Pinnacle Schools (No. 10), all of Huntsville, nabbed spots on the magazine’s Hire Power Awards list, which recognizes companies that are creating the most jobs across all industries. Torch Technologies, which was founded in 2002 and has engineering prime contracts worth more than $1.4 billion, added 37 jobs in 2012-13, according to the Inc. ranking. continued on page 24
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Awards & Accolades, continued from page 23 –
The company grew 212 percent over the past three years and brought in revenues of up to $125 million in 2012. GaN (Geeks and Nerds) serves mostly military customers in aerospace and defense and added 35 jobs, Inc. reports. With more than $16 million in revenue last year, the 9-year-old company has 118 employees and experienced 132 percent growth over three years. nLogic, an employee-owned small business that works in the aerospace and defense sectors, added 26 jobs and employs 73 people. Growth jumped 137 percent over three years at nLogic, which exceeded annual revenue by $13 million. The Pinnacle Schools, a company that offers therapeutic programs for young people in the Huntsville area, created 23 new jobs and has 70 total employees, Inc. Magazine said in the report.
Judy Ryals, EarlyWorks Win Tourism Awards Judy Ryals, president and CEO of the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, was recognized as the 2013 Tourism Professional of the Year during an Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association meeting in Huntsville. EarlyWorks Museum was named Organization of the Year. The award, which is given annually and considered the highest achievement in North Alabama tourism, was presented during the AMLA’s PEAK Awards ceremony at the Huntsville Marriott. “The PEAK Awards recognize the best of North Alabama’s tourism and travel industry, and this year’s nominees and winners have all done an exemplary job in delivering an exceptional visitor experience,” said Tami Reist, President/CEO of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, in a statement.
Summit 7 Systems Named to the CRN Fast Growth 150 Summit 7 Systems announced on Sept. 18 that it had been named to the 2013 CRN Fast Growth 150 list for a third consecutive year. The annual list features the fastest-growing solution providers in the technology industry based on two years’ growth of net sales from fiscal year 2010 to fiscal year 2012. Listed at No. 21, Summit 7 Systems grew 145% based on the ability to implement technology solutions that truly align with a customer’s strategic objectives. Summit 7 Systems has maintained an accelerated growth through methodology that provides productive collaboration, Enterprise Content Management and Web Content Management platforms to mid-size and enterprise customers. Said CEO Robert Faletra, “We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on the successful companies that keep the channel top of mind and serve as an example for the rest of the market.”
AAMU is Deemed “Military Friendly” Alabama A&M University has recently been named a Military Friendly School® for 2014 by Victory Media, a nationally recognized veteran-oriented publication. The coveted designation places AAMU among the top 15 percent of schools nationally, according to a “data driven survey” conducted by the publisher of G.I. Jobs and Guide to Military Friendly Schools®, and certified by Ernst and Young. AAMU joined the distinguished group, although heavy competition for the 2014 list caused organizers to raise the already stringent criteria to a higher benchmark. The distinction also means that AAMU is among the elite competing for military 24
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students. The 2014 Military Friendly Schools list honors the top colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace the nation’s military personnel. “AAMU has always exhibited a strong commitment to recruiting military students,” commented Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr., president. “This honor only further compels us to revitalize the efforts aimed at creating a campus conducive to attracting and retaining military and veteran students.”
Community Foundation Announces Philanthropic Honorees The Community Foundation of Huntsville/ Madison County recognized its 2013 Thanks for Giving honorees during the fourth annual Summit on Philanthropy Nov. 5 at Baron Bluff at Burritt on the Mountain.
The following nominated individuals or organizations were honored: • Corporate Philanthropy: COLSA Corporation • Individual Philanthropy: Fran Fluhler • Family Philanthropy: Jean Wessel Templeton & Family • Youth Philanthropy: Rachel Baker • Foundation Philanthropy: Huntsville Hospital Foundation • Professional Advisor: Chris Hinson, Esq., Hinson & Hinson • Partners in Philanthropy Award: Torch Technologies, Inc. • Chairman’s Award: Gary Saliba, Saliba Asset Management • Awards & Accolades ~ compiled by Patricia McCarter, Chamber of Commerce. Initiatives December 2013
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State of the City Address with Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle Mayor Tommy Battle’s “Huntsville: By the Numbers” $21 billion GDP $135 million sales tax revenues 16,816 building permits 34 economic development projects could bring 10,000 jobs $241 Million Total Budget 321,000 Glad litter bags filled by 56,000 volunteers
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State of the County Address
with Madison County Commission Chairman Dale Strong Chairman Dale Strong’s “Madison County: By the Numbers” Reissued bonds for a $975,000 refund Saving $100,000/year on privatized copy services Saving hundreds of thousands with in-house legal services Estimate $880,000 savings with new time management software Helped facilitate $297 million for BRAC-related school construction $30 million in new commercial/ retail projects
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The Land Trust: Three Caves Lighting Project
T
hree Caves is a magical place that’s part of a magical entity known as the Land Trust of North Alabama. The Land Trust offers more than 45 miles of maintained mountain trails to hike or bike, as well as 6,500 acres of forest, wetlands and greenspace. But it’s Three Caves that is the Land Trust’s – as well as Madison County’s – most unique venue. And it’s just gotten even better. Literally and methaphorically, a new light shines upon it. The former limestone quarry sits at the
base of Monte Sano. It is a quiet relic of Huntsville’s rapid growth after World War II and the arrival of Wernher von Braun’s team of rocket scientists. Nestled in a nighborhood just two miles from the center of downtown, the quarry’s brief heyday – from 1945 to 1952 – resulted in six acres of limestone being extracted for new streets and parking areas for the city that is the home of Redstone Arsenal and Marshall Space Flight Center. Miners carved a road and blasted out an open pit with three openings and walls 50
feet high to reach high quality limestone at the mountain’s base. But mining operations ended in 1952 as complaints of noise from blasting and clouds of limestone dust angered those who had built homes near the site. The area sat unused until it was designated as a fallout shelter in 1962. Plans for stocking the caverns were not needed once the Cuban Missile Crisis was resolved. The fate of the abandoned quarry was sealed when the Land Trust of North Alabama was established in 1987 to protect the west face of Monte Sano Mountain from development. Now protected forever, the quarry was renamed Three Caves in honor of the three large openings. It quickly became a community favorite for environmental education and Land Trust events. A signature event began in 2000. Dubbed the Moon Over Three Caves Dance and featuring dinner, dancing, silent auction and band, the event grew to be an annual sell-out with a capacity crowd of almost 700. Power needs soon outgrew the use of a single generator. The subject 28
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of having permanent electricity available for events and to assist with post-event cleanup continued to percolate among key volunteers and staff. But early estimates to bring power to Three Caves was far too high for the small nonprofit at $130,000. After years of being involved with the Land Trust, Monte Sano resident David Milly (founder of the former Theatrical Lighting Services) was tapped for the Board of Directors for 2012. Another new board member, Jerry McCarley, vice president of Garver (an engineering/ environmental services firm), had additional contacts that would be of great benefit to bringing light to Three Caves. Milly and McCarley reached out to a wide variety of community contacts – too numerous to name here - and McCarley served as the general contractor. “We met with the various utilities and electrical supply companies, and no one said ‘No,’” Milly stated. “No one. The generous participation of the many companies and individuals is a testament to the work of the Land Trust.” One of the sticking points of the earlier plan was an estimated $70,000 cost to dig a trench for electrical cabling and conduit from the utility service connection on Kennamer Drive down the Three Caves road to the cave entrance. “Because McCarley was involved with Garver and the city’s Water Pollution Control Department, digging the trench turned out not to be a $70,000 job, but a $10,000 trench dig,” Milly said. “And, it was finished in two or three days. It was goofy easy. “(Recently retired) City Administrator Rex Reynolds’ team led by Brandon Miller and the City of Huntsville completed the dig in record time because they had the right equipment and the right personnel for the job.” Once power was in place, the group tapped other resources, and soon Three Caves had light poles and uber-green LED globes with a service life of 100,000 hours. Amidst the flurry of gathering resources, donations were solicited by Executive Director Cynthia Potts to help offset costs. Contributors who gave $1,000 will have their names inscribed on a permanent plaque placed at the cave entrance. And the old quarry is set to be enjoyed for decades to come, in daylight or dark.• Initiatives December 2013
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2013 Small Business Award Winner: Young Professional of the Year
SPOTLIGHT ON
Courtney McCool
Courtney McCool with the Huntsville Hospital Foundation was selected the Young Professional of the Year at the Chamber’s 2013 Small Business Awards. Here’s an interview with the winner.
A brief history of the winner ... I graduated magna cum laude in 2004 from The University of Alabama with a degree in interior design. After moving to Atlanta for a few months, I was lured back to Birmingham, which is home, to work as a designer at Architectural Interiors. Next, I became a project manager for their largest competitor, Business Interiors. It gave me the opportunity to see totally different aspects of design, facilities management, installation and working with the clients. After three years in Birmingham, Business Interiors offered me the opportunity to move to Huntsville. Their goal was for me to help develop the office in Huntsville, and I took on a new role as a salesperson. Not knowing a soul besides my new and wonderful husband, Joey, I moved to Huntsville. Nearly three years later, I came to Huntsville Hospital Foundation as the Director of Special Events. I couldn’t be happier. Who would have known that in five years in Huntsville, I would have grown so much both personally and professionally! Q. What does the Huntsville Hospital Foundation do? A: We are the fundraising arm of Huntsville Hospital. We work to develop relationships and financial resources to support the health care programs, projects and services of the Huntsville Hospital System. Q: What are your goals for the next 10 years? A: One of my goals is to obtain a master’s degree in healthcare management. This degree would equip me with the tools I need to grow within the Huntsville Hospital System and, ultimately, better serve our patients and their families. Through my work at the Foundation and recently as a patient under our hospital’s care, I have developed a deep passion for supporting the men and women who care for the sick and injured and ensuring they have the training and tools needed to serve with excellence. Our hospital plays a remarkable role in our community, and I want to continue and improve our service as a future leader. To be ready, I need intense training in leadership, management, business and the past and future of health care in America. Another major goal I have is to see a fund that I am working on come to fruition. It’s called Ruthie’s Closet, after my daughter who is in heaven. The past year has been extremely challenging for me and my family, so I would really like to see it grow and help numerous families here in the Tennessee Valley.
Above: Courtney McCool receiving her award from the 2012 Young Professional of the Year, Antonio McGinnis. Below: Courtney with husband Joey.
Photos by Lauren Tomasella Photography
Q: What did winning this award mean to you, personally and professionally?
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A: I was completely humbled to be honored with this award. It really touched me that others care enough to consider me for this award. Never in a million years would I have imagined that only five years after moving here, I would consider this more of a home than where I grew up. Professionally, it validated all of the hard work I put into my job. The late nights, weekend events, etc. paid off. Q: How has being active in the Chamber impacted your career? A: The Chamber has given me so many opportunities to grow professionally and socially. I believe that being active in the Chamber allows others to see that I am committed to making this community better.
For more information, contact Donna McCrary, membership retention manager, at dmccrary@hsvchamber.org.
Chamber Perks New Member Toolkit Adds Exponential Value for Members
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embership in the Chamber of Commerce has always had great value, but a new partnership with our local media outlets is taking that value to an entirely new level. Now, when businesses join the Chamber or renew their membership, they will be eligible for up to $7,000 in free or reduced-cost advertising and marketing. “This is an unbelievable perk for our members,” said Chamber Communications Director Patricia McCarter. “Anyone who has ever priced newspaper, television, billboard or online advertising knows what an incredible value is being offered through our Media Partnering New Member Tool Kit. “I believe this will help bring our Members new businesses in an exponential fashion.” Here’s what new and renewing Members will get: • AL.com/The Huntsville Times will create and run a full color ad (1/8 spot) in Sunday edition newspaper. ($1,200 value at no charge) • Quality Outdoor Advertising will run six 10-second spots on a digital billboard located on University Drive. ($1,700/ monthly value at no charge) • WHNT Channel 19 will do the preproduction on a commercial. ($400 value at no charge) • WAFF Channel 48 will provide a total commercial package that includes 69 TV spots and 75,000 impressions on its website. ($3,000 value for $750) • WEUP-FM will provide a half-price, three-month package of 252 commercials per month plus a live, on-location broadcast for grand opening or special event ($3,042 value for $1,521) • WTKI - Focus Radio will run four
15-second ads within a one month time frame to run within the first three months of the new membership. ($200 value at no charge) • Cumulus Radio will run 30 vignettes across five stations. ($1,200/monthly value at no charge) WZYP – WHRP – WVNN – 730 UMP - JOURNEY 93 • FASTSIGNS will create a grand opening / anniversary / ribbon cutting package that includes free set up and delivery, half of retail price. ($590 value for $295) • Valpak will offer two months of mailings for the price of one ($800 value for $400)
Additional marketing value can be found in these workshops led by Chamber professionals: • Network Connection (Networking 101) – Let us teach you how to make lasting business connections. • Social Media Connection – Learn how to use social media to grow your business connections and increase your revenue. • Chamber Connect – Grow your business by partnering with other Chamber members. • Staff Reports
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December 2013 Initiatives
Library Seeks Corporate Sites for Free Financial Lunch-and-Learns H
untsville-Madison County is known as a “smart place,” and the local library is set to help workers become more financially smart. A grant from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority/Investor Education Foundation is allowing the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library to provide “Mind Your Money” lunch-and-learns, beginning in January, in partnership with the American Library Association. In these sessions, companies can improve their employees’ money savvy and investing know-how for beginning investors, conveniently at the business locations. The library is seeking corporate partners to host these sessions. Topics include savings plans, investment options, assessing and managing risks. The program will provide lessons taught by expert, unbiased instructors on how to get started with investing and make key financial decisions; investor education resources from FINRA; materials describing the library’s free personal finance and investing information resources; and lunch, including sandwich trays, drinks and desserts. Corporate partners will provide meeting space at their businesses to host the Lunch & Learn sessions; a projector, screen and speakers for use in presentations; and announcements to employees about programs. Instructors are: • John E. Burnett, Ph.D., Department of Economics, Accounting and Finance, University of Alabama in Huntsville; • Dorla A. Evans, Ph.D., Department of Economics, Accounting and Finance, University of Alabama in Huntsville; • Anna Hanlin, an independent IT consultant whose clients have included InComm in Atlanta, Ga., and the Tennessee Valley Authority in Chattanooga; • Mohammad G. Robbani, Ph.D., Chairman, Department of Economics & Finance, Alabama A&M University; • Maria Shelton, Accredited Financial Counselor;
• Stephen Speciale, Internal Auditor, Missile Defense Agency. For more information or to sign up for
Mind Your Money, please contact library Deputy Director Sue Royer at sroyer@hmcpl.org or 256-532-5952. •
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We hope you enjoyed the 2013 Businesss EXPO! Please plan to visit or be a part of next year’s event which is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 13.
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December 2013 Initiatives