Attorneys listed in The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2025, including 17 Huntsville attorneys
32 nationally ranked and 260 metropolitan ranked practice areas in Best Law Firms® for 2025, including 19 metropolitan rankings for Huntsville
Named a Law360 “Practice Group of the Year” for Government Contracts for 2024
Attorneys and 48 practice areas listed in Chambers USA for 2024, including 10 attorneys and 6 practice areas ranked nationally
Named the U.S. “Law Firm of the Year” for Construction Law in Best Law Firms® , 2025 edition
For 155 years, Bradley has been growing to serve our clients better. With more than 700 attorneys and 13 offices strategically located across our footprint, we provide business clients at home and around the world with a full suite of legal services in dozens of industries and practice areas. Our clients rely on us for innovative solutions, dependable responsiveness, and a deep commitment to success.
Joined in January 2025
Accounting Complete
Always Endure
Aon Water Technology
Bishop Brooks, LLC
Brundage - Bone Concrete Pumping, Inc.
Cabana Apartments
Camgian
Cope Plastics Inc.
Domo Engineering Plastics US
DSV Air and Sea
Dunkin’ - Southern Food Services
EnSafe
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steak Burgers
Gray Operations Group Inc.
Haley’s Furnishings Co.
Heart of the Valley YMCA
Heaven’s Hideaway Wellness and Spa, LLC
Hospitality Unlimited Consulting Group
Huntsville Design House
Indigo at Grissom IPTA, LLC
Julius R. Scruggs Child Development Center & Academy
Markon
MxD
Next Step Farms
North Alabama Homebuilding Academy
O2B Kids Capshaw
O2B Kids Monrovia
Parkinson’s Dynamics
PRemployer
Prime IV Hydration & Wellness Spa
Programmed Response
Prudent Wealth
SafeSplash Swim Labs
Sequoia Holdings, LLC
SIGNALS Museum of Information Explosion
Signature Garage Doors
Taziki’s Hays Farm
Terraces at High Mountain
If you want to make a valuable investment in your business and the community, the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber is the place to start. Contact the Chamber at 256-535-2000 or send an email to membership@hsvchamber.org.
The Preserve at Crestwood
Vend Healthy LLC
Virtuous Realty Global (VRG)
Welcome Home Magazine
Joined in February 2025
7H Roofing and Construction
Advancing Sight Network
BankFirst
Blue Express Car Wash
CarbonRed
Century 21 Home Team
Crawlspace Medic
Del Taco
Ethar, Inc.
EverHome Suites-Huntsville-Research Park
Fairway Lawns LLC
Faithful Bull Productions, Inc.
GOGO Charters Huntsville
Great Alabama Council, BSA (Boy Scouts of America)
HealthSource Huntsville - The Rocket City
Integrative Healthcare of Huntsville
InTown Partners Real Estate Group
KFG North Alabama LLC
Kingdom Heights Preparatory School
Master Lawn
Monster Self Storage Winchester Rd
Quantum Systems, Inc.
Ridgeline Construction Roofing & Exteriors
Rocket City Air
Rocket MEP
Schnellecke Logistics Industrial Services, LLC
Scruggs Enterprises, Inc.
Shapiro Metals
Southeastern Manufacturing Consultants, LLC (SEMC)
Tate Services, Inc.
The Flying Biscuit Cafe
The Nature Conservancy
T-Mobile Hampton Cove
Trulove Marketing
■ Build business relationships, create partnerships, and grow your business
■ Listing in the online Membership Directory
■ Specially designed professional development programs to grow your talent and strengthen your business
■ Brand exposure through the Chamber’s multimedia platforms to fellow member companies and the region’s business community
■ Priority communications to keep you updated on the latest business news and information impacting your business
CHAIRMAN’S COUNCIL
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE
more information, contact
Bill Penney Toyota/Mitsubishi ■ BlueHalo ■ COPT Defense Properties
Crestwood Medical Center ■ Leidos ■ Lockheed Martin Corporation
Raytheon, An RTX Business ■ SAIC ■ Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc.
Torch Technologies ■ Yulista
Five Stones Research Corporation ■ Huntsville Coca-Cola ■ Intrepid
Landers McLarty Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram ■ Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne P.C. Parsons ■ S3, Inc. ■ Science and Engineering Services, LLC (SES)
Sealy Management Company, Inc. ■ SportsMED Orthopaedic Surgery & Spine Center
Synovus ■ The Westmoreland Company ■ Turner Construction Company
Ability Plus, Inc. ■ Aerojet Rocketdyne, An L3Harris Technologies Company ■ Amazon ■ Anglin Reichmann Armstrong, P.C. ■ ASRC Federal ■ Baron Weather, Inc. ■ BASF Corporation ■ BL Harbert International, LLC ■ Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP ■ Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC ■ Canvas, Inc. ■ CFD Research Corporation ■ Colliers International ■ First Horizon ■ Freedom Real Estate & Capital, LLC ■ Goodwyn Mills Cawood, LLC ■ Huntsville/Madison County Builders Association ■ Huntsville Tractor & Equipment, Inc. ■ Integration Innovation, Inc. (i3) ■ Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation ■ IronMountain Solutions ■ Keel Point, LLC ■ Leonardo Electronics US Inc. ■ LSINC Corporation ■ Marsh McLennan Agency ■ Pearce Construction Company ■ Radiance Technologies, Inc. ■ RE/MAX Alliance, The Pugh Group ■ Robins & Morton ■ ServisFirst Bank ■ SMX ■ SouthState Bank ■ Steak-Out (Rosie’s Restaurants, Inc., & Right Way Restaurants, Inc.) ■ United Community Bank ■ Venturi, LLC ■ Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP ■ Woody Anderson Ford
Accenture Federal Services ■ Air Essentials, Inc. ■ Alpha Beta Technologies, Inc. ■ Averbuch Realty / Enterprises ■ Avion Solutions ■ Bailey-Harris Construction ■ BRPH Architects-Engineers, Inc. ■ Bryant Bank ■ Cadence Bank ■ CB&S Bank ■ Century Automotive ■ Convergint ■ Corvid Technologies LLC ■ deciBel Research, Inc. ■ Deloitte LLP ■ DESE Research, Inc. ■ Express Employment Professionals ■ FITE Building Company ■ Garver, LLC ■ GTEC ■ Hexagon US Federal ■ Higginbotham Insurance ■ Hiley Automotive Group ■ Huntsville Botanical Garden ■ Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau ■ Industrial Properties of the South ■ Investor’s Resource ■ L3Harris ■ Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) ■ MSB Analytics, Inc. ■ nLogic, LLC ■ Outpost Technologies, Inc. ■ PALCO ■ Phoenix ■ PROJECTXYZ, Inc. ■ QTEC Aerospace ■ Renasant Bank ■ RJ Young Company ■ Rosenblum Realty, Inc. ■ S&ME, Inc. ■ Savant Wealth Management ■ Schoel ■ Shee Atiká Enterprises, LLC ■ Signalink, Inc. ■ Systems Products and Solutions, Inc. ■ Textron Inc. ■ The Lioce Group, Inc. ■ Transcend, The Fearless Company ■ Troy7, Inc. ■ Truist Bank ■ TTL, Inc. ■ ValleyMLS.com ■ Valor Communities ■ Van Valkenburgh & Wilkinson Properties, Inc. ■ Vision Excellence Company ■ Volkert, Inc. ■ Warren Averett, LLC
February 25–26, 2025
Thanks to all who attended our annual trip to the State Capitol. On this trip, we present our State Agenda to legislators and talk with our local representatives and state senators about priorities for north Alabama. We were pleased to hear from Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, Sen. Arthur Orr, Sen. Steve Livingston, Rep. Rex Reynolds, and Dr. Eric Mackey, State Superintendent of Education.
Mission: To prepare, develop, and promote our community for economic growth.
(see staff listing on page 34)
Chamber members: You are encouraged to contribute ideas for our publications. Please send items to comms@hsvchamber.org
The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber maintains editorial control.
on the cover
An Army CH-47 Block II Chinook helicopter, piloted by U.S. Army Redstone Test Center experimental test pilots, transports two Humvees via slingload during operations in north Alabama.
editorial staff
publisher Chip Cherry, CCE
editor Claire Aiello, IOM
editorial designer Kristi Sherrard
contributing writers
Kayla Brown
Annie Davis
Lyndsay Ferguson
Erin Koshut
Staci Sellers
Mike Ward, CCE advertising
Kristy Drake kdrake@hsvchamber.org
Lakeysha Brown lbrown@hsvchamber.org
HUNTSVILLE MADISON COUNTY ALABAMA
Military, space, telecommunications, biotechnology, diversified manufacturing, and a variety of emerging specialties provide challenging work in delightful surroundings. The area enjoys a favorable cost of living and quality of life. Mountains, lakes, woodlands, and the Tennessee River accommodate numerous recreational activities. A temperate climate enhances the season for outdoor sports, including worldclass golf, hiking, biking, and fishing. Major concerts, Broadway and symphony performances, extensive permanent collections, and traveling exhibitions contribute to a wonderful way of life.
INITIATIVES MAGAZINE – APR 2025
Dear Chamber Investors, Community Leaders, and Friends:
The Redstone Federal Center of Excellence and the tenants located on the Arsenal have a rich history of serving our Country. Through the support of warfighters, national security and exploration of space, we have made the world and nation safer, as well as adding the wealth of knowledge gained from tackling wicked hard challenges. In the midst of all the change taking place right now, I wanted to pause to say thank you to all those who serve our Country as members of the Armed Services, their families, civil servants, and the contractor community that supports them. I would also like to thank those working at NASA and the FBI.
Our 2024 Chair Sameer Singhal selected two outstanding individuals to receive the Distinguished Service Award (DSA) this year. The selections speak to the servant leadership that is the core of our region’s success. Read more about LaFreeda Jordan and Shane Davis on page 16. Thank you to Sameer for recognizing these two great people. And, over a glass of iced tea, we can talk about what it took to get them there – a couple of interesting stories.
The story on page 26 gives a great overview of the CRP DefenseTech Accelerator. Growing small companies is vital to ensuring our regional economy has a strong foundation. The Accelerator is one facet of the efforts that take place in our community to support small business and entrepreneurial development. If you are interested in supporting the next round of the DefenseTech program, please contact us. If you are a small business or thinking about starting a small business, I encourage you to visit the resource section of our website, hsvchamber.org. We continue to update the resource section weekly.
Two of our regional partners are celebrating milestone anniversaries. Alabama A&M University is celebrating their 150th anniversary! Go to page 35 to learn more about it. Also, Marshall Space Flight Center turns 65 this year. You can learn more about their anniversary on page 24. Congratulations to Alabama A&M and MSFC.
Thank you for making what we do possible! I look forward to seeing you at a Chamber event soon.
Chip Cherry, CCE President & CEO Huntsville/Madison County Chamber
HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER
Executive Committee & Board of Directors 2025
Jeff Samz , Board Chair – Huntsville Hospital Health System
Jami Peyton, Chair-Elect, Economic Development – Canvas, Inc.
Sameer Singhal , Immediate Past Chair – CFD Research Corporation
Ron Poteat , Board Chair, Chamber Foundation
Ronnie Chronister, Secretary/Treasurer – Lockheed Martin Corporation
Dr. Karockas Watkins, Vice Chair, Economic Development –Ability Plus, Inc. & Vision Excellence Company
Michael Cox , Vice Chair, Economic Inclusion – Raytheon, An RTX Business
Dave Cook , Vice Chair, Government & Public Affairs – Torch Technologies
Wes Kelley, Vice Chair, HREGI – Huntsville Utilities
Brett Crain, Vice Chair, Image Development & Communications –Huntsville Tractor & Equipment, Inc.
Beth Sippel , Vice Chair, Investor Relations – Synovus
Angie Sandritter, Vice Chair, Small Business – RippleWorx
Jason Puckett , Vice Chair, Talent Initiatives – Toyota Alabama
Jeff Gronberg, Liaison, Redstone Regional Alliance – deciBel Research, Inc.
Chrystal Morgan, Chair-Appointed – The Boeing Company
Lynn Troy, Chair-Appointed – Troy7, Inc.
Srinath Yedla, Chair-Appointed – Yedla Management Company
Graham Burgess, Legal Counsel – Maynard Nexsen
Mayor Tommy Battle, Ex-officio Member – City of Huntsville
Mayor Paul Finley, Ex-officio Member – City of Madison
Chairman Mac McCutcheon, Ex-officio Member – Madison County Commission
Chip Cherry, CCE , President & CEO, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber
Jenny Askins , Touronimo
Blake Bentley, SportsMED Orthopedic Surgery & Spine Center
Terri Bentley, Redstone Federal Credit Union
David Bier, Anglin Reichmann Armstrong, P.C.
Penny Billings , Cadence Bank
Jason Blount , Keel Point, LLC
Mark Brazeal , Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM)
Frank Caprio, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
Mitch Coley, Robins & Morton
Katie Comer, Meta Platforms, Inc.
Greg Fortier, SAIC
Owen Franklin , Blue Summit Supplies
Greg Gaddy, Five Stones Research Corporation
Megan Wilson Green , Blue Origin Manufacturing, LLC
Greg Hall , COPT Defense Properties
Scott Hall , Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc.
Ginger Harper, First Horizon
Josh Herren , Yulista
Clayton Hinchman , Ignite Fueling Innovation
Lee Holland , Freedom Real Estate and Capital, LLC
Jim Holtkamp, ServisFirst Bank
Laura Huckabee-Jennings , Transcend, The Fearless Company
Hank Isenberg , IronMountain Solutions
Michelle Jordan , TARCOG
Sean Kelly, Regions Bank
Tim King , Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI)
Clint Kirkland , United Community Bank
Rich Kretzschmar, Integration Innovation, Inc. (i3)
James Lackey, Davidson
Todd May, KBR
Matt Meko, Booz Allen Hamilton
Stephanie Mell , ChurchStreet Family Businesses
Carey Miller, Deloitte LLP
Collin Orcutt , Schoel
Zack Penney, Bill Penney Toyota/Mitsubishi
Dr. Annie Saylor, Simulation Technologies, Inc. (SimTech)
Julie Schumacher, KODA Technologies Inc.
Vergenia Shelton , Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation
Henry Thornton , Meta Platforms, Inc.
Gary Tucker, Huntsville Coca-Cola
Mike Watkins , Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
BY CLAIRE AIELLO
The deadline to secure your STAR ID is quickly approaching. STAR stands for “Secure, Trusted, And Reliable,” and as of May 7, every air traveler will need a REAL ID compliant license/ID (STAR ID in Alabama) or a passport to fly domestically. You’ll also need the STAR ID to enter certain federal facilities. Visit alea.gov for locations to get your STAR ID and a list of which documents you’ll need to bring. There’s also a helpful FAQ section.
Huntsville Botanical Garden’s long-awaited troll maze is now open! Mama Zelda is big, magical, and about 20 feet in height (seated). She is the creation of world-renowned artist Thomas Dambo. He has created over 150 sculptures in 17 countries and uses recycled and locally sourced materials to show that trash can be turned into something magnificent, and to encourage us to reflect on how much we throw away. Mama Zelda and her garden are between the Garden of Hope and Fern Glade. This is a permanent exhibit.
The Huntsville Museum of Art is closed temporarily for a state-of-the-art HVAC upgrade. The galleries and collection storage areas have strict temperature and humidity requirements, and this installation will ensure that HMA continues to be a premier cultural destination for all.
“This investment is a testament to our unwavering commitment to preserving the artistic treasures that make our museum a cultural cornerstone of Huntsville,” said Christopher J. Madkour, the Museum’s executive director. “We understand the temporary closure may be
an inconvenience, but we are confident this upgrade will enhance the museum experience for years to come. We appreciate your patience and support during this important transition.” Museum Academy classes will start June 9. In the meantime, the Museum has launched a “Keep It Cool Challenge,” led by PNC Bank and co-sponsored by The Daniel Foundation of Alabama, Pei Ling Charitable Trust/David Chan. The campaign aims to raise $50,000 to help cover operating expenses incurred during the museum’s closure. More information is available on hsvmuseum.org
The long-awaited SIGNALS Museum of Information Explosion is now open at 1806 University Drive in Huntsville. The museum showcases communication technology through a hands-on, immersive experience where you can explore and interact with different technologies used over the decades.
“Our vision is to educate and inspire visitors and the world by bringing the magnificent history of communication technology to life, and by highlighting the scientists, engineers and business leaders who made our connected information world possible,” museum founder Marc Bendickson said.
Bendickson is the former CEO and chairman of the board of Dynetics.
Congratulations to Outpost Technologies for cutting the ribbon on their new location on February 20! The company is now at 103 Quality Circle NW, #20, in Huntsville and specializes in pioneering industry defining solutions for government and commercial customers.
Outpost’s expertise spans the entire program lifecycle, with core capabilities in System Design and Analysis, Modeling and Simulation, Test and Evaluation, System Integration, and Advanced Manufacturing.
Huntsville’s Von Braun Center continues its big celebration marking 50 years on March 14, with several events to come in the next few months.
Something brand new, released just a few weeks ago, is a new book looking back over the decades. It is currently available for free digitally on vonbrauncenter.com and is a true ‘trip back in time’ for anyone who has lived in Huntsville and attended VBC events since 1975!
We all remember favorite concerts we have attended –for this author, it’s seeing John Fogerty in 2013! Others have posted on vonbrauncenter.com/50thanniversary about seeing Elvis, Kansas, Mötley Crüe, The Eagles, and more recently, comedian Nate Bargatze. For other families, it’s memories of seeing the ele phants and amazing performers of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus during their visits.
Others rave about the great shows Broadway Theatre League (BTL) has brought here over the years, from Les Miserables to
Aladdin and SIX The Musical just this year, which became BTL’s single best-selling show in history. We’ve cheered on the Huntsville Havoc during championship seasons and watched our children run the lap around the arena with Chaos and Ruckus! We’ve also been transported to the magical world of Disney on Ice, watching our children see beloved characters bring their favorite stories to life.
Upcoming events in 2025 include another 5K Music Run on August 30, just before Huntsville’s annual Music Month in September, plus Karaoke Nights and Trivia Nights in Mars Music Hall. Keep an eye on the VBC’s website and social channels for dates. The Mark C. Smith Concert Hall renovation will also be complete later this year, and the VBC will launch a new website in October.
– Claire Aiello
The College of Business at Athens State University offers over a dozen undergraduate degrees and six graduate degrees, designed to help you succeed in today’s dynamic business world. Whether you’re interested in Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, or specialized fields like Health Care Management or Small Business/Entrepreneurship, we have a program to match your career goals. With day, evening, and online classes, you can earn your degree at your own pace while balancing work and life.
Convenient – offered 100% online
Affordable – nationwide best value
Supportive – our expert faculty are with you every step of the way
Many employers offer tuition reimbursement, making your education even more affordable. At Athens State, it isn’t how you began your education that matters, it’s how you finish.
At the end of last year, our team unveiled a brand new video series to help showcase some of our community’s greatest offerings. The What’s So Smart video series, which is different from the What’s So Smart podcast, highlights a handful of “trails” found around the Huntsville/Madison County area. Some of the trails include Downtown Huntsville Inc.’s Tinsel Trail, Craft Beer Trail, Secret Art Trail, Coffee Trail, Secret Artemis Trail, Craft Cocktail Trail, and the brand-new Vinyl Record Trail. We even added in the best and newest hiking trails offered by the Land Trust of North Alabama. This series has been able to present our local businesses to a platform that engages a larger audience. Plus, if you complete all the stops on some of them, you will receive a free gift from Downtown Huntsville, Inc. All episodes can be found on our YouTube channel. Here are some of the highlights from the first season.
– Kayla Brown
In a town that houses business owners and working professionals, coffee is a top priority for many people. The Coffee Trail is a great way to find unique local coffee shops that offer some amazing brews! On this trail you will find 10 stops: Canadian Bakin’, Mason Dixon Bakery & Bistro, Pizzelle’s Confections, Dragon’s Forge, Piper & Leaf, Bus Stop Coffee, Honest Coffee Roasters, Turbo Coffee, The Moon Bakeshop, and Olde Towne Coffee.
Looking for a reason to get outside and enjoy the spring weather? Or maybe you’re looking for a fun way to learn how to get around downtown. The Secret Art Trail is a unique and fun way to explore the downtown Huntsville area while enjoying some beautiful and hidden works of art. This trail includes 21 total pieces of art that are found all over the buildings and parking decks. Not all of the artwork is obvious, so it will take a good eye to find them all! Local artists created some of these works and a lot of them are great places to take pictures and commemorate your time in Huntsville. Bonus: This trail is in conjunction with the Secret Artemis Trail, where you can find one-foot replicas of the Space Launch System at a handful of the art stops.
Downtown Huntsville, Inc.’s Cocktail Trail includes 12 local stops that craft some of our area’s best cocktails. In the video, Kayla Brown tries a cocktail from each stop and shares what makes each place unique and worth your time. Stops include Baker & Able, The Revivalist, Beezr, The Bottle, Liquor Express, Rhythm on Monroe, Co/Op Community Table, Phat Sammy’s, La Esquina Cocina, Stella’s Elixir Lounge, Purveyor, and Fly Huntsville. By the way, if you’re curious, we filmed the video over several days.
Hank Isenberg, President IronMountain Solutions
Q: Tell us about yourself, Hank. What brought you to Huntsville?
I grew up in a military family, which led me to serve as an aviator in the Army after graduating from Vanderbilt University. My career took me across the world, but I ultimately transitioned out of the military and explored pharmaceutical sales. After 9/11, I was drawn back to the Department of Defense (DoD) world, returning to Huntsville and active duty before moving into government contracting. In 2007, I founded IronMountain Solutions in Huntsville, a city that has been the ideal place to build both a business and a community. I’m grateful to contribute to its continued growth and be part of its success.
Q: You love to travel and see the world! What are a few of your favorite places you’ve visited?
It’s a tough call! During my active duty, I traveled all over from Greece to Australia, Korea, Spain, Germany and many other places. Since then, I have had the opportunity to revisit several countries, but I continually find myself going back to Italy and France – more so to get away, people watch, and enjoy some good food and a good drink.
Q: Tell us about the team at IronMountain Solutions and their work. At IMS, we deliver Extreme Customer Focus® to a variety of DoD programs in support of the Warfighter. Whether it’s engineering, aviation, missile defense, program management, or logistics, our team members bring expertise and a commitment to integrity, quality, and dedication to every project. We’ve grown over the past 15 years from a one-man operation to now over 330 employees.
Q: You are also a repeat winner of our Best Places to Work® Awards. Please share what you’ve learned from this process. Winning the Best Places to Work award multiple times has been both an honor and a valuable report card for me as a leader. At IMS, I see every team member as my customer, and this award is a reflection of how well they are taken care of. Winning for nine years in a row tells me we’re doing something right. Beyond our technical capabilities, what truly sets IMS apart is our company culture. We prioritize taking care of our team members, so they can take care of our customers. We invest in professional growth, foster a collaborative environment, and encourage giving back to our community. These aspects not only make IMS one of the best places to work but also a company that truly makes an impact. It’s about creating an environment where team members feel valued, supported, and inspired every day.
Q: What does your company get from its membership in the Huntsville/ Madison County Chamber, and your support as an investor?
One of the biggest benefits is the connection to the local business community. Huntsville is a thriving hub for technology, defense, and innovation, and being part of the Chamber allows us to collaborate with like-minded businesses, share best practices, and build strategic partnerships. Aside from the business benefits, being an investor allows us to give back to the community in a meaningful way. We believe that strong businesses help create strong communities, and through our involvement with the Chamber, we can support initiatives that make Huntsville a better place to live and work.
Join us for several events in June to honor our Armed Forces in the community, as well as the civilians on Team Redstone who support our warfighters!
FRIDAY, MAY 30
Iron Mike AUSA Golf Tournament
7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Links at Redstone
MONDAY, JUNE 2
Proclamation Signing Ceremony
8 a.m.
Veterans Memorial
rain location: Chamber
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4
Armed Forces Celebration Luncheon
12 p.m.
VBC Saturn Ballroom
*Registration will open soon on hsvchamber.org
THURSDAY, JUNE 5
Team Redstone vs. Community Leaders
Softball Game
6 p.m. – Toyota Field
FRIDAY, JUNE 6
Military Appreciation Night
@ Huntsville City FC
Gates open: 5 p.m. – Game time: 7 p.m.
Wicks Family Field @ Joe Davis Stadium
SATURDAY, JUNE 7
U.S. Army Birthday Celebration
Presented by Redstone MWR
4 to 9 p.m. @ Redstone Gateway
Featuring the U.S. Army Golden Knights, a DJ, car show, band, and fireworks
MONDAY, JUNE 9
Concert in the Park & Fireworks
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Big Spring Park
rain location: VBC South Hall
THURSDAY, JUNE 12
Department of the Army Civilian Dinner
Jackson Center
Tickets will be available for purchase soon on ausa.org/redstone
SATURDAY, JUNE 14
AUSA Army
Birthday Ball
U.S. Space & Rocket Center Davidson Center
Tickets will be available for purchase soon on ausa.org/redstone
Schedule subject to change. We’ll share updates and more information here: hsvchamber.org/AFC2025
The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber hosted its 89th Annual Membership Meeting on February 5 in the Von Braun Center Saturn Ballroom. During the event, in his last official act, 2024 Chamber Board Chair Sameer Singhal presented the Distinguished Service Award to LaFreeda Jordan and Shane Davis.
The Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor the Chamber bestows to an individual in the Huntsville/Madison County community. Singhal selected Jordan and Davis for this award due to their work behind the scenes impacting our community. Davis is the City of Huntsville’s Director of Urban and Economic Development and has played a critical role in supporting economic development wins such as Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, Polaris, and GE Aviation. Jordan works as Chief of External Affairs at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, enhancing UAH’s relationship with local industry, Redstone Arsenal, and the community. She previously worked for U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby for 25 years, serving as the key interface between his office and the north Alabama community.
Singhal is president and CEO of CFD Research Corporation, located in Cummings Research Park. He officially handed the gavel to the Chamber’s 2025 Board Chair, Jeff Samz, president & CEO of Huntsville Hospital Health System.
The Chamber’s Annual Membership Meeting gives us the opportunity to present updates on the past year to members and community leaders, plus look ahead to what’s in store in the coming months. We also shared our 2024 Annual Report with attendees. View it online: hsvchamber.org/2024-annual-report .
Paul Zikopoulos was the keynote speaker for the luncheon. He is a future trends expert and vice president of Technology Group Skills Vitality & Enablement at IBM.
We also took the opportunity to thank our ChamberON team, including the six volunteers who secured more than $100,000 in sponsorships during last year’s campaign: Lisa Abbott of Cadence Bank, Camille Gardner of Blue Halo, Joe Knoch of Air Essentials, Michelle Omenski of Keller Williams, Chris Russell of Linscomb Wealth, and Patti Walker of First National Bank.
The 2025 campaign is now underway, and you can view the current catalog here: hsvchamber.org/ChamberON
– Claire Aiello
HOUSEHOLDS & INCOME
Marshall Space Flight Center with a combined 45,500 workers driving a thriving aerospace and defense technology industry.
RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY
Huntsville’s Cummings Research Park (CRP) is the second-largest science and technology research park in the U.S., home to 320 companies and 26,500 people involved in technology research and development.
A Javelin missile is fired at the U.S. Army Redstone Test Center. RTC is located on Redstone Arsenal and is a subordinate command of the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command. RTC provides technical expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, and capabilities to plan, conduct, analyze, and report the results of tests on missile and aviation systems, sensors, subsystems and components.
by MIKE WARD, cce
Redstone Arsenal today is a diversified federal campus with over 65 different federal agencies and military commands employing approximately 47,000 people across its 38,000 acres. Army commands based at Redstone directly manage nearly half of the Army’s weapons procurement budget.
Redstone is also known as the birthplace of the United States’ space program and the nerve center of our nation’s missile defense enterprise.
continued on page 20
“We will continue to evolve, as a Federal Center of Excellence with our diverse and synergistic missions involving space, logistics, research and intelligence operations – it is these four core competencies that make this installation one of the best in the world,” said Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan, senior commander of Redstone Arsenal and AMC deputy commanding general and acting commander.
With the help of Alabama’s Congressional delegation, Redstone has become a science and technology powerhouse, critical to the United States’ role as a global leader in space exploration, the defense of our national interests, and the security of our homeland.
Annually, the Chamber’s National Government Committee develops a Federal Agenda that prioritizes key opportunities and challenges facing our region. This year that effort was led by National Government Committee Chair James Lackey and Co-Chair Rich Kretzschmar. Much of the information included in the Agenda focuses on the work being done at Redstone, as the federal sector accounts for roughly half of the Huntsville regional economy.
The Chamber’s Agenda consists of three primary parts: the cover letter, which addresses the most critical issues facing the community; the Federal Agenda, which delves deeper into the community’s top 10 priority issues; and the Issues Book, which covers all the key programmatic
issues facing Redstone, as well as a host of other municipal concerns.
The first issue addressed in this year’s cover letter is the need for timely legislation to fund government operations. When Congress doesn’t pass funding measures in a timely fashion, it costs taxpayers more and causes disruptions in government operations. Congress has not passed legislation to fund government operations before the beginning of the fiscal year since 1997.
The Chamber supports increased spending for federal science and technology, advanced research and development, and congressionally directed spending – “earmarks” – to allow Congress to align federal spending priorities with taxpayer interests.
Among the federal programs that are most critical to Redstone and our national interests are NASA’s Artemis Moon missions, which aim to return the United States to the lunar surface; the “Golden Dome” effort to provide a blanket of protection from assault to the homeland; the transformation of Army rotor wing, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and counter-UAS capabilities; directed energy, hypersonics, and AI.
The local burgeoning genomics and biotech sector, mostly realized through the research, development, and commercialization efforts at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, are a key priority area for federal support.
As Huntsville continues to grow, so too must our infrastructure. New and enhanced roads are critical to the regional economy as our population and traffic continue to increase. The Agenda identifies continued on page 22
six projects included on the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s priority list that will help ensure the continued high quality of life that regional residents expect.
Lastly, the cover page expresses our appreciation to the members of the Alabama Congressional Delegation for their efforts to defend the Air Force’s criteria-based selection of Redstone Arsenal as the preferred site for the Space Command Headquarters. Secretaries of the Air Force under both President Trump in his first term and President Biden both endorsed Redstone’s selection as SPACECOM HQ. President Biden overrode that recommendation. Should the current Administration redirect SPACECOM to Redstone, we encourage the Delegation to move swiftly to fund the Military Construction (MILCON) infrastructure requirements.
Additional key issues included in the Chamber’s Federal Agenda address the critical roles and missions at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center; support for DEVCOM/AvMC; Redstone’s role supporting Directed Energy weapons systems; the increasing importance of the Pacific Command theater of operations including Guam, FBI construction, roles and missions and workforce; and Counter UAS development.
Marshall Space Flight Center ( MSFC) accounts for 7,000 direct jobs on its 1,900 acre Redstone enclave and in the surrounding area. MSFC’s total statewide economic impact is $8B and 35,000 jobs. MSFC’s missions are the most technically diverse of any NASA Center, and include programs that directly impact national security, such as the U.S. and China race to establish a footprint on the Moon. In addition to its lunar missions, MSFC also supports the Moon to Mars program - developing habitats, managing logistics, advancing space nuclear propulsion systems and bridging technological gaps in
As of the date we sent this publication to the printer, we are still awaiting an announcement on Space Command. Here is a timeline to catch you up to speed:
■ Early 2019 – site basing effort initiated for the permanent HQ SPACECOM. Redstone was the preferred site. In August, this site selection effort was suspended.
■ August 2019 – Space Command created – temporarily headquartered in Colorado Springs at Peterson AFB.
■ March 2020 – a new site selection process for SPACECOM was initiated. Twenty-four states nominated 36 potential sites.
■ June 2020 – Redstone was selected as one of six finalist sites.
■ January 13, 2021 – the Secretary of the Air Force announced that Redstone was the preferred site for the SPACECOM HQ and an NEPA Environmental Assessment was initiated.
■ May–June 2022 – the DODIG and the GAO confirmed the selection process that led to Redstone’s designation as the preferred site was sound.
■ July 2022 – the Air Force released the Environmental Impact Assessment with Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) at Redstone.
■ July 31, 2023 – President Biden announced that SPACECOM will remain in Colorado.
environmental control and lifecycle systems, cryogenic fluid management, and in-space manufacturing that will enable this deep space exploration adventure.
Nearly a quarter of Redstone’s workforce supports the U.S. Army’s Capability Development Command’s Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC). AvMC has been a cornerstone of research and development on Redstone Arsenal for over 60 years. AvMC supports the Army Futures Command’s Transformation in Contact through three mission priorities: 1) execute aviation and missile science & technology (S&T) projects; 2) provide engineering services to enterprise partners; 3) support readiness, lifecycle engineering and sustainment efforts with Army enterprise partners. AvMC rapidly provides technology, critical materiel, analyses, and system support for the entire life cycle. Multiple missile systems, aviation and unmanned platforms, as well as other major weapon systems are supported by the center. Approximately 90 percent of AvMC funding comes from reimbursable customers to include Intra-service (agreements within the Army); Intra-agency (agreements between DoD components); and Interagency (agreements between a DoD component and a federal agency) customers.
One of the critical emerging defense technologies that the Federal Agenda focuses on is Redstone’s role in developing directed energy platforms. Directed energy programs on Redstone include an assortment of high energy laser and microwave technologies that can be used to defeat missiles, rockets, UAS systems, and other platforms.
As the potential for conflict in the Pacific theater grows, it is critical that the U.S. have a solid base of operations in that region. Guam has become a particularly critical asset in that calculation. Enhancing defensive capabilities on Guam will play an important role in determining the USA’s ability to impact operations in that region.
Lastly, the Agenda addresses the FBI’s growing footprint on Redstone. Currently there are ~2,200 FBI employees on Redstone, and that number is projected to grow to over 4,000 in the next few years and includes operations in 19 of the FBI’s divisions.
The Chamber is very grateful to the members of our Congressional Delegation who fight for our community’s interests every day.
– Mike Ward, cce
Our Industry Insights tours, held throughout the year, are a way for our local educators from Huntsville City, Madison City, and Madison County Schools to learn about different career opportunities for their students. Our latest tour on February 28 included an inside look at Turner Construction and ARCO/Murray.
Turner Construction invited our group into their facility to see the inner workings of their projects and career steps. Then, the group took a tour of the equipment labs to learn how local high school students could find positions in their company. Turner also offers programs to current students or entry level professionals that include internships, co-ops, and externships. You can find more information on their website at turnerconstruction.com.
Following the tour at Turner, we visited a brand new apartment complex being built in the MidCity District. ARCO/Murray is helping in the design and creation of the new complex and showed our
group the work it takes to build a five-story residential building. We were able to see areas still under construction as well as fully finished rooms. ARCO/Murray (arcomurray.com) also participated in a panel we offered our educators at the end of the day.
To wrap up the day, a panel of four experts with ARCO/Murray, Robins & Morton (robinsmorton.com), and MidCity District joined us to share their experiences working in the construction and design industry. They shared how students can tap into the industry without a college degree, as well as programs and certificate programs that can further a career in construction. We are grateful for the connections and partnerships made for this type of event and look forward to our next Industry Insights tour later this year.
– Kayla Brown
TLegacy to Horizon: Marshall 65 will mark events in center’s history as well as future projects
This year marks the 65th anniversary of Marshall Space Flight Center, and the center and community are planning a series of events where we can all join in and celebrate the place that makes Huntsville the Rocket City!
Legacy to Horizon: Marshall 65 will mark many achievements, from pioneering the Apollo program and science on the International Space Station to spearheading modern missions like Artemis. There will be monthly themes, and the big celebration is on Saturday, July 19 as we celebrate Marshall’s birthday bash at The Orion Amphitheatre!
Check nasa.gov/marshall65 for more information throughout the year as plans unfold.
he Chamber conducts an annual Wage & Benefits Survey each spring. This survey helps local employers gauge their compensation and benefit data against other companies in our region with input from employers across north Alabama. This report helps companies make informed, strategic decisions about compensation and benefits for Executive, Management, Production, Administrative, and other occupational groups in order to remain competitive and retain top talent. In addition, the survey data is valuable to companies to use as a pricing tool for bidding contracts.
Participating companies receive comprehensive reports of wage and benefit data across industries in the region at no cost. Data can be viewed at the regional level or filtered down by County, City, Company Size, and more.
The 2025 Survey opened for participation on April 1. Visit ASmartPlace.com/wage-benefits-survey to complete it or email lferguson@hsvchamber.org with questions.
– Claire Aiello
After three months of growing and developing their business concepts, on March 6, the four companies involved in the inaugural Cummings Research Park DefenseTech Accelerator pitched their products to investors and potential teaming partners.
We hosted the session at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber. Local business and community leaders were also in attendance to learn about the work these companies have been doing to grow their product for the defense and commercial markets. Specifically, this first cohort has focused on developing technology for the U.S. Air Force. Here’s a synopsis:
■ 6th Dimension develops the Ceres Platform for modeling and simulation applications supporting Open Systems Architectures. Ceres allows for real-time and accurate simulations of complex operational environments, while also supporting rapid data integration, terrain modeling, and flexible scenario configuration.
■ SpaceFactory is known for its engineering and building of advanced manufacturing equipment, with a specialization in ruggedized, deployable systems for expeditionary environments both lunar and terrestrial. This technology has a proven record of assisting agencies like NASA but will now look to enhance the warfighter’s capabilities. This technology will focus on front-line ruggedized additive manufacturing and solve the issue of contested logistics.
■ BrakeSens has a sensor technology that provides the most accurate and real-time measurement of brake wear and temperature on both military and commercial vehicles. This technology has been developed at a similar cost point to current, limited information sensors. This will increase safe vehicle operations, as well as provide information to support efficient vehicle maintenance.
■ Ethar has a groundbreaking AR platform that combines geospatial and semantic intelligence, while delivering data integration and personalized experiences. This platform will revolutionize customer engagement and operational efficiency by offering no-code AR tools that you can deploy quickly and seamlessly.
The CRP DefenseTech Accelerator is a joint effort between the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, Cummings Research Park (CRP), and Treble One. Five local companies contributed tax credits to support this first cohort: Regions Bank, Synovus, SimTech, Cepeda Systems & Software Analysis, and Signalink. Additional support is provided by Industrial Properties of the South. The Accelerator utilizes the Innovate Alabama Tax Credit program, which is a statewide initiative where Alabama companies and individuals with significant tax liability can allocate 50 percent of their taxes to stay local. Eligible tax liability includes the Alabama income tax, state insurance premium tax, state public utility license tax, and state portion of the financial institution excise tax.
We are now actively seeking tax credit donors for the second and third cohorts of the Accelerator, which will begin later this year. “This is tax money you will already pay to the state,” said Erin Koshut, executive director of Cummings Research Park. “Why not designate it to stay local to support a new company’s future growth here in the Rocket City?”
To learn more, please contact Erin Koshut at 256-535-2086 or ekoshut@hsvchamber.org
– Claire Aiello
The ASmartPlace Guiding Stars program connects newcomers with local experts, helping them settle in and thrive. Passionate residents share insights on everything from hidden gems to social events, fostering a sense of belonging. Employers, we encourage you to remind your new hires that our Guiding Stars can offer invaluable support beyond the workplace, easing transitions and building community connections.
If you’re new to Huntsville, check out our Guiding Stars at stars.asmartplace.com and fill out a form to get connected. Let’s keep Huntsville welcoming!
Throughout this year’s Initiatives magazines, we’ll introduce you to our Guiding Stars .
Emily works for a large commercial construction company doing business development and has called Huntsville home for most of her life. Emily, her husband, and their daughter live near the downtown Land Trust property and spend as much time outside as possible. Emily enjoys cooking, reading, and decorating/design.
Interests: Arts & Culture, Books & Reading, Community Development, Connecting with Nature, Cooking, Dining, Downtown Entertainment, Drawing, Painting, & Other Art, Parks, Religious Life, Volunteerism
Adreanné was born and raised in Huntsville and has lived here her whole life minus a few years at UNA where she earned her bachelor’s degree in communications. She loves music, dancing and the outdoors, preferably during the Fall & Spring. Adreanné enjoys meeting new people, making them feel welcome and learning more about them!
Interests: Books & Reading, Connecting with Nature, Cooking, Downtown Entertainment, Entertainment, Fitness, Music, Parks, Photography, Religious Life, Shopping/Fashion
Tyler is a Birmingham native who arrived in Huntsville in 2016 to study at UAH. He’s now an economic developer at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology where he supports Huntsville’s growing life sciences industry. Tyler enjoys backpacking and caving in his free time.
Interests: Craft Beer, Hiking, Kayaking, Parks
The inaugural leadership training program is underway for small businesses in Cummings Research Park (CRP). Navigating from Tech Manager to People Manager offers valuable training in leadership and management to those transitioning from technical to human-centric roles in their company in a cost-effective way. The first cohort consists of 14 participants and began January 21. The group meets once per month and will continue through June.
Horizon Point Consulting leads the training and incorporates foundational management concepts and leadership effectiveness which includes current research and best practices from industry leaders, and they do it in a fun and engaging way.
“The participants take a conversational approach that also includes interactive games and use sticky notes to talk through a concept,” said Erin Koshut, executive director of CRP. “One participating company has four people who ride to the program and engage together, so we’re really interested to see how they incorporate this training into their workplace.”
This program provides active learning opportunities in class using real life situations and provides homework so that the leaders can get the maximum opportunity to practice what they learn. Time management, compassion as leaders/managers, empowering their employees, conflict resolution, and understanding productivity in these roles are just some of the topics that are included in this program. In February, Jeff Gronberg, CEO of deciBel Research, spoke to the class about his role at his company and his service as a community leader. He offered insight into what his experience has taught him over the years. Each training session features a Leadership in Action segment by CRP company leaders.
Since each training session builds on the one before it, the continuity and flow of the program provides a wholistic approach to the training. We’ll open the 2026 program for applications in the fall. If you are a CRP company and have an employee you’d like to nominate for our next cohort, please email Staci Sellers: ssellers@hsvchamber.org.
Since 2010, 4M Research has been headquartered in Huntsville and has since worked hard to make a name for themselves in our community. 4M is a federally certified Woman-Owned Small Business providing quality engineering support to a wide variety of customers as both a prime contractor and a subcontractor.
With more than 100 employees and a 99 percent retention rate according to their website, 4M Research continues to receive praise for their work with the DoD and NASA. In addition to their technical work, 4M makes sure to support the local small business community as well. Their social media is loaded with not just internal accomplishments, but they also push out local events from various businesses and nonprofits in our area. They have a history of partnering with organizations such as Manna House, Huntsville Hospital Foundation, Merrimack Hall, Free 2 Teach, Still Serving Veterans, and the American Cancer Society, just to name a few.
As our 2024 Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year winner, 4M Research is evolving into a successful place to work. Their website lists their specialty areas, including program support, system engineering and analysis, aviation, and much more. You can find that list, plus open positions available in Huntsville, at 4MResearch. com
– Kayla Brown
From a simple idea of helping local parents to becoming a regional staple in the north Alabama community, Rocket City Mom has been a trusted source for all things family-friendly in Huntsville and the surrounding areas. That’s why the team at Rocket City Mom was recognized as our very first Community Impact Award recipient at the Small Business Awards in 2024.
“Parents tell us they rely on us to plan their weekends, discover local resources, and connect with other families,” said Lindsey Barron (shown right) with Rocket City Mom. “Whether it’s a new mom looking for pediatrician recommendations, a working parent needing after school care options, or a family searching for free weekend fun, Rocket City Mom has become a go-to guide for parenting in the Tennessee Valley.”
According to Barron, the small business community has provided key partnerships since the beginning. Through advertising opportunities and collaborations with several local events, Rocket City Mom has been a pivotal piece for our small business owners. Through their work of educating the community, several local entrepreneurs have been able to work with Rocket City Mom in creating family-friendly spaces, launching innovative programs, and offering services that make life a little easier for parents.
Barron added, “This past year has been full of memorable moments, but one of our favorites is our role in providing the Kids Zone at Kids to Love Over the Edge! While rappelling down the side of a building, this amazing event provides children in foster care with resources they need to be successful.”
Rocket City Mom continues to be powered by a passionate team of parents, writers, and community advocates who love north Alabama and the families who call it home. Check out their work at rocketcitymom.com.
– Kayla Brown
hank you for reading Initiatives ! We’d like to ask a quick favor.
Please take a photo of yourself with our April issue, then scan this QR code and enter a drawing for a free Chamber hat. You can upload the photo through the online form. Get creative – we may use the picture on social media.
You have until April 25, 2025 to enter, and then we’ll
In partnership with the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Huntsville Sports Commission, the Chamber is proud to have hosted 19 students and recent graduates from Conference USA (CUSA)’s Stars of Tomorrow program as they explored local career opportunities and experienced the vibrant, diverse community that defines the Rocket City. This program was created in conjunction with the 2025 Conference USA Basketball Championships held at the Von Braun Center Propst Arena, March 11-15.
Stars of Tomorrow provided some of the best and brightest students from the conference’s 10 schools with valuable connections to some of the area’s most dynamic employers. As these students take the next steps in their careers, we want them to consider Huntsville.
We welcomed these student “Stars” to Huntsville with a Tip-Off Reception on Monday, March 10 to begin the program. On Tuesday, March 11, the students gathered at the VBC to learn more about the Huntsville metro’s economic growth and continuing development, and they visited with a group of employers to learn more about career opportunities available to them now and in the future. Later that day, they took a “dashboard tour” of Huntsville to explore not only where they can live and work, but where they can enjoy the food, music, arts, sports, outdoors, and so much more in the Rocket City. The Stars ended the day back at the VBC with a pre-game reception and a night of basketball to cheer on their alma maters in the tournament.
We are excited to stay connected with these Stars as they progress in their careers. Additionally, we plan to continue this program into 2026 and beyond as we welcome new Stars to Huntsville and showcase the bright futures that await them here.
Building an economy in space doesn’t happen overnight. It takes decades of planning, and this is something the Chamber and its partners have worked on for many years. This was one of the topics discussed at the recent Business of Space Conference held at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), February 23-25. In particular, research and development coupled with access to space has been challenging, but we have some news on this topic.
said Olivia Holzhaus, founder of Rhodium Scientific. “After 30 days in orbit, the astronaut will take it and put it back in the SpaceX vehicle to come back down to earth for analysis.”
Additionally, the four companies involved are all owned by Army Veterans.
“These are retired colonels, lieutenant colonels, and majors who retired from the Army and decided they would start an ag business, or a genomics business,” said Chris Udall of gener8tor. “That’s a hard group of people to find, but all have joined in this, and we’re launching this mission as a Veteran-owned and Veteran-founded launch.”
First, let’s share a refresher on what Huntsville has done so far. You may be aware of our efforts to secure approval to land the Sierra Space Dream Chaser® at Huntsville International Airport. We began this process in 2015, and after several milestones, we obtained a license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2022 to serve as a commercial space reentry site. The goal is to work with companies to launch science experiments then have them land in Huntsville, to be transported to a lab for study within minutes. For several years, we have worked to stimulate interest from companies all around the world to send up experiments on these types of missions.
Now to the exciting news! Later this year, we will send up our first mission. We are partnering with Rhodium Scientific, gener8tor’s HudsonAlpha AgTech Accelerator, and four ag tech companies to send up four types of seeds. They will go up in a SpaceX Dragon capsule, likely in May, and dock with the International Space Station. The seeds will stay in orbit for 30 days, then return to Earth.
“We’re going to fly them up passive, meaning non-powered, they’ll go up in a vial, they’ll enjoy the microgravity/space environment for 30 days in a dedicated locker we have on the Space Station,”
Past research in space has shown that seeds react differently to microgravity. One of the long-term goals of missions like this is to explore alternative sources to strengthen our nation’s food supply.
“If it’s cheaper at the grocery store because of space, that’s the best thing that can happen,” said Udall. “Think about a bag of potato chips, and how many steps it took to get to that bag of chips. That can be reduced.”
Sierra Space has a contract with NASA to fly at least six uncrewed cargo missions to and from the International Space Station with Dream Chaser® (shown below). Ken Shields, senior director of Business Development for Sierra Space, said the vehicle is now at Kennedy Space Center for pre-launch certifications. When it launches, hopefully later this year, it will lift off on United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rockets built in Decatur, AL.
Supporting the Veteran community is a cause many of our small businesses take on in the Huntsville area. Victory Solutions was our 2024 Veteran-Owned Business of the Year, and it starts with their efforts in supporting our troops.
As a provider of engineering and technical solutions for missiles and space as well as the warfighter, Victory Solutions also has an impressive record of supporting its own people. With a community fund run by their own employees, Small Victories makes charitable donations to various civic, educational, cultural, community, and healthcare nonprofit organizations. The company will even match employee monetary donations to worthwhile charities.
Another impactful program they offer is an employee resource group known as Victory Vets. The mission is to be a strategic partner in the company’s workforce development goals. These include assisting leadership with outreach, supporting mentoring programs, advising and strategizing outreach for hiring and retention, and more.
Victory Solutions has also played a significant role in founding the nonprofit Institute for Digital Enterprise Advancement (IDEA). This organization works with the federal government, universities, and community colleges to establish a digital engineering-related discipline. Through establishment of the Systems Engineering Technology (SET) curriculum, students gain the computer programming and database skills needed to build and maintain computer models to coordinate large-scale, complex engineering projects.
– Kayla Brown
We’re excited to announce that nominations for the 2025 Small Business Awards are now being accepted! Visit hsvchamber.org to nominate a company today.
This is the 40th year for the Chamber to host our Small Business Awards! We look forward to celebrating your hard work during our Gala on September 4 at the Von Braun Center. We’re already working on the show.
Nominations are open until May 2. We’ll keep you updated on dates and details in our weekly newsletter – visit hsvchamber.org/newsletters to sign up.
Huntsville Hospital Corporate Wellness customizes programs to meet the specific needs of each business’ unique workforce. We are proud to offer corporate wellness to the employees at Torch Technologies.
“We are proud to partner with Huntsville Hospital on our corporate wellness programs, which are essential in promoting health, wellness, and preventive care for our employees.”
Bill Roark
Co-Founder, Torch Technologies
Executive Chairman of the Board, Starfish Holdings
hhcorporatewellness.org • (256) 265-0068
Executive Staff
Chip Cherry, CCE, president & CEO
Staci Sellers director, governance support & special projects
Economic Development // CRP // Talent Initiatives
Lucia Cape , CCE, senior vice president
Erin Koshut , executive director, Cummings Research Park
Lyndsay Ferguson vice president, talent initiatives
Ken Smith , senior economic development director
Annie Davis , director, talent initiatives
Beth Zinn , program manager, Driving Possibilities™
Finance & Administration // Events
Mary McNairy, IOM, vice president
Joe Watson facility operations lead
Kim Weeks , accounting specialist – receivables
Dionne Scales , accounting & HR specialist
Diana Baccus , CMP, director, event management
Laura Carr, event specialist
Stefanie Smoot , resource desk coordinator
Government & Public Affairs
Mike Ward , CCE, senior vice president
Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative (HREGI)
Kristy Drake , IOM, vice president, investor relations
Investor Relations // Membership
Kristy Drake , IOM, vice president, investor relations
Lakeysha Brown , director, membership & engagement
Richard Bigoney membership account executive
Cindy Wood , membership account executive
Image Development & Communications
Claire Aiello , IOM, vice president
Kristi Sherrard , creative director
Kayla Brown , director, strategic communications
Hiroko Sedensky web designer
Small Business // Economic Inclusion
Ashley Engles-Ross , IOM, vice president, small business uah.edu/sbdc
Alabama A&M University (AAMU) is marking 150 years on The Hill, looking forward to a bright future.
As the university celebrates its sesquicentennial anniversary, it does so under the theme: Rich Heritage, Bold Future. Since the school’s founding in 1875 by Dr. William Hooper Councill – a man born into slavery who spread education, practiced law, started a newspaper, and gave his life to growing what was the Huntsville Normal School into a thriving LandGrant University – Alabama A&M has been a place where incredible journeys and bold leaders begin.
Through the 150th Anniversary celebration, Alabama A&M is stepping forward to embrace its pivotal role in the future of the city, state, and nation. The campus is growing, and so is enrollment. “Our research and programs are reaching new heights, and companies and communities across the nation are seeking out the kind of diverse, driven, talented leaders who have always defined AAMU,” said Jamal Ali, vice president of Marketing, Communications & Advancement.
Fundraising is also a priority, and AAMU has launched the 150th Anniversary Campaign to raise money for three key priorities including Campus Improvements, STEM Infrastructure Expansion, and Scholarships.
“The university has an aggressive goal to raise $150 million dollars for infrastructure improvements around STEM, the campus community, student scholarships and more. We are committed to keeping our promise of “Start Here, Go Anywhere” well into the future,” said Ali. The goal is $150M through public sector funding (40 percent); corporate sponsorships (30 percent); special projects and initiatives (15 percent); individual donations and gifts (10 percent); and in-kind donations (5 percent).
“The excitement is building for a year that will make a historic impact on our University,” said Ali. “From start to finish, 2025 is
all about celebrating the rich heritage and bold future of Alabama A&M. We’re hearing from alumni and supporters throughout the nation and abroad wanting to know how they can be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime celebration. The good news is that there’s a way for everyone to take part.”
Signature Events and Activities for the 150th include AAMU’s 25th Annual Black-Tie Scholarship Gala on April 25, a Gospel Concert on April 27, the Founder’s Day Convocation on May 2, an escalated Homecoming experience the week of October 6-11, and a Closing Ceremony later in the year.
AAMU is currently building a new state-of-the-art Student Amenities Building to provide the centralized services and experiences expected on a campus of today and tomorrow. Additionally, academic STEM space on campus will be tripled with a new 130,000-squarefoot, state-of-the-art Sciences Building (illustration below).
