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Cough. Sniffles. Col Fever. Sore Throat. R Pain.GET Congestion. A IN. Ear GET Pain.OUT. Reactions. GET WELL . Respiratory. Cough. Cold. Flu shot. Musc njuries. Fever. Shing Throat. Rash. Back Congestion. Allergie Reactions. Upper Re Muscle/Joint Injurie That’s what patients get at the Employee Health Clinic at Research Park. We’re a fast, convenient, dependable primary care clinic serving businesses near Cummings Research Park and Redstone Arsenal. We are an employer-specific clinic, not open to the public, which makes us an excellent benefit to offer employees and their families. The clinic is led by board-certified physician, Dr. David Huff, who’s been practicing medicine in Huntsville for 35 years. Interested in viewing the clinic and learning more about how this clinic can work for your organization? Call (256) 265-0066 today to schedule your tour. Clinic hours: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
7047 Old Madison Pike, Suite 330 Huntsville, AL 35806 hhcorporatewellness.org
welcome new chamber members Joined in March 2018 Added Space Self Storage Advanced Audio & Video Aevum, Inc. Alabama Real Estate Solutions - Anton Etenko Alida Solutions, LLC ASBC - Alabama Small Business Capital Candy’s Corporate Cleaning CKS Technologies Dove Family Health DreamMaker Bath Kitchen of Huntsville Genesis Company LLC genWHY Communication Strategies Green Mountain Legal Services, LLC GSH of Alabama, LLC Hawthorne at Lily Flagg Historic Huntsville Foundation - Harrison Brothers Hardware Keller Williams - Jayne Pittman Limitless Marketing Group, Inc. M3 Technology Group, Inc. Metropolitan Disc Jockey Mezza Luna Catering The MITRE Corporation Rogers Group, Inc. Sustain, LLC Telah’s Cozy Cookies Valerie Worthy, Realtor - Dynasty Real Estate Services VCSI - Von Braun Center for Science & Innovation, Inc.
Joined in April 2018 Action Concrete Cutting & Core Drilling, LLC Allstate - John Wood Athens Bible School Cimarron Software Services, Inc. CIS Home Loans Conner Industries CyberProtex DC Blox, Inc. Doe Run Farms/CSA Flint River Dental IDP JANUS Research Group JP Morgan Chase Bank Keller Williams - Karen Morris Keller Williams Realty - Ravi Agarwal Label-Aid Systems, Inc. Madison Landing Apartments The Mortgage Firm Inc. Norfolk Southern Corporation Roto Rooter Sage Products, LLC Serenity Funeral Home, LLC Smart Ride, LLC Stewart Electric Company, Inc. Stratagem Solutions, Inc. Tech Assurance INC. Volkert, Inc.
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.
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A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION
AS OF MAY 22, 2018
INVESTORS HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER
DEVELOPMENT PARTNER
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN’S COUNCIL PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE
REGIONAL PARTNERS
LEADERSHIP FORUM
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BBVA Compass ■ Crestwood Medical Center ■ Dynetics, Inc. ■ General Atomics ■ Lockheed Martin Corporation Northrop Grumman Corporation ■ PNC Bank ■ SAIC ■ SES - Science and Engineering Services, LLC Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. ■ Yulista
CHAMBER TRUSTEES AEgis Technologies Group ■ Aerojet Rocketdyne ■ Akima, LLC ■ Bailey-Harris Construction ■ Bill Penney Toyota/Mitsubishi Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Alabama ■ Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. ■ Five Stones Research Corporation ■ Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation Jerry Damson Honda Acura ■ KBRwyle ■ Landers McLarty Dodge Chrysler Jeep ■ Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne P.C. ■ PARSONS Raytheon Company ■ S3, Inc. ■ Sealy Management Company, Inc. ■ SportsMED Orthopaedic Surgery & Spine Center ■ Synovus ■ Torch Technologies
PROGRESS PARTNERS Ability Plus ■ ASRC Federal Analytical Services ■ Baron Services, Inc. ■ BASF Corporation ■ BB&T ■ Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP ■ Brown Precision, Inc. ■ Colliers International Connected Logistics (LogC2) ■ Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT) ■ Davidson Technologies, Inc. ■ Google ■ Huntsville-Madison County Builders Association ■ IBERIABANK J Smith Lanier & Co., a Marsh McLennan Agency LLC company ■ Keel Point, LLC ■ L3 Technologies ■ LMI ■ LogiCore ■ The Orthopaedic Center (TOC) ■ Progress Bank Radiance Technologies ■ RE/MAX Alliance ■ SCI Technology, Inc. ■ SELEX Galileo Inc. ■ ServisFirst Bank ■ Sirote & Permutt, PC ■ Spirit Coach, LLC Steak-Out (Rosie’s Restaurants, Inc., & Right Way Restaurants, Inc.) ■ Turner Construction Company ■ Wells Fargo Bank ■ Woody Anderson Ford PROGRESS INVESTORS 4SITE, Inc. ■ AECOM ■ Alpha Beta Technologies, Inc. ■ All Points Logistics, LLC ■ Amanda Howard Real Estate ■ Anglin Reichmann Snellgrove & Armstrong, PC ■ Averbuch Realty Co., Inc. – Scott Averbuch BancorpSouth ■ BRPH Architects-Engineers, Inc. ■ Bryant Bank ■ CB&S Bank ■ Century Automotive ■ CFD Research Corporation ■ CGI Federal ■ Coast Personnel Services ■ Croy Engineering, LLC ■ DC Blox, Inc. deciBel Research ■ Decisive Analytics Corporation ■ Deloitte LLP ■ DESE Research, Inc. ■ Digium, Inc. ■ Express Employment Professionals ■ Fernandez Financial Group ■ Fite Building Company, Inc. FLS Translation & Interpreting ■ Fountain, Parker, Harbarger & Associates, LLC ■ Garver ■ HEMSI ■ Hiley Cars Huntsville ■ Huntsville Botanical Garden ■ Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau Huntsville Tractor & Equipment, Inc. ■ INTERFUZE Corporation ■ Investor’s Resource – Raymond James Financial Services ■ IronMountain Solutions ■ Legend Realty – Jim Hoekenschneider ■ LINE-X, LLC The Lioce Group, Inc. ■ LSINC Corporation ■ MSB Analytics, Inc. ■ National Bank of Commerce ■ nLogic, LLC ■ North Alabama Multiple Listing Service ■ North American Surveillance Systems (NASS) ■ PALCO PFM Financial Advisors LLC ■ PHOENIX ■ PROJECTXYZ, Inc. ■ QTEC ■ RE/MAX Distinctive – Sandra Lowrey ■ Renasant Bank ■ RJ Young Company ■ S&ME, Inc. ■ Sigmatech, Inc. ■ Systems Products and Solutions, Inc. Technicolor ■ TriVector Services, Inc. ■ Troy 7, Inc. ■ U.S. Space & Rocket Center ■ Valor Communities ■ Venturi, Inc. ■ West Huntsville Land Co., Inc. ■ Wilmer & Lee, P.A. ■ Worxtime, LLC
Build.
Go do what you do. We’ll take care of your banking. bibank.com/business | #goindependent | 877.865.5050
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coverstory
Honor and Healing Showing Respect While Educating Others
11 12 15 16 18 24 27 28 31 32 34 39
spacenews e.d.highlights workforce nonprofitspotlight
Cover photo and above photo courtesy of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
crpnews localtravel investorrelations localattractions huntsvillemetro businessspotlight bestplacestowork armedforcesweek
editorial staff publisher Chip Cherry, CCE editor
Claire Aiello
4 5 26 37
Welcome New Chamber Members HREGI Investors Fly Huntsville – Our Team Does RFCU Receives Major Awards
8 Message from the President | Board Listing 36 Community Profile 38 Chamber Staff | Associated Organizations
editorial designer
Kristi Sherrard contributing writers
Lucia Cape Lucy Berry DeButy Erin Koshut Holly Ralston Ken Smith Amy Willige ad sales Kristy Drake kdrake@hsvchamber.org
The mission of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber is to prepare, develop and promote our community for economic growth.
HSVchamber.org
Richard Bigoney rbigoney@hsvchamber.org
Tina Blankenship (additional contact information on page 38)
tblankenship@hsvchamber.org
Chamber members: You are encouraged to contribute ideas for our publications, including Initiatives magazine. Please send items to comms@hsvchamber.org. The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber maintains editorial control. A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION
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Huntsville/Madison County Chamber
Executive Committee and Board of Directors 2018 Executive Committee Gary Bolton, Chair, ADTRAN, Inc. Kim Lewis, Chair-Elect, PROJECTXYZ, Inc. Joe Newberry, Immediate Past Chair, Redstone Federal Credit Union
Ron Poteat, Chamber Foundation Chair, Regions Bank Greg Brown, Secretary/Treasurer, Brown Precision, Inc. Kevin Byrnes, Vice Chair, Economic Development & Industry Relations, Raytheon Company
Alicia Ryan, Vice Chair, Government & Public Affairs,
A Message from
Chip Cherry
Dear Chamber Investors, Community Leaders and Friends: Growing up in Tidewater, Virginia during the Vietnam War shaped the way I view both military service and the sacrifices by those who serve, as well as their families. I remember the copper bracelets with the names of service members who were missing in action or were POWs. Those wearing them were my classmates in elementary school. What made it real for me was that these were not just a novelty they wore because they were in style. The bracelets bore the name of my classmate’s father, or a member of the parent’s unit who was missing in action or was a prisoner of war. I remember being angry when the news showed how the service members were treated when they returned home. The feeling of being ashamed of how those men and women were treated has never left me. We owe a debt of gratitude to Vietnam Veterans for their service. They have also shaped the way we see military service. During the Vietnam War, protestors lashed out against the men and women in uniform. They failed to either realize or acknowledge that their protests were misdirected. Our service men and women were the tip of the spear. Those who directed the spear were the elected officials. Our country has been at war for over 16 years. During that period, the tone has been one of appreciation and respect for those who are serving and have served. A great deal of credit for the change in the way service members are treated is due to the influence of our Vietnam Vets. These memories and thoughts were triggered by the news that The Wall That Heals, a replica of the Vietnam Memorial, is coming to Huntsville in November. I encourage you to read the article about The Wall on page 20, and make plans to visit. Make plans to participate in one of the many events during Armed Forces Week (June 24–30) – note the schedule of events on page 39. I mentioned in an earlier letter that we were sharpening our focus on Workforce. I encourage you to read the “Workforce4theFuture” article on page 15 to learn more about the concept we are developing to engage youth, encourage students to make smart career choices, and boost workforce recruitment. I look forward to seeing you at a Chamber event soon!
Chip Cherry, CCE President & CEO Huntsville/Madison County Chamber
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LSINC Corporation
Rose Allen, Vice Chair, HREGI, INTERFUZE Corporation Jeff Gronberg, Vice Chair, Marketing & Communications, deciBel Research, Inc.
Frank Williams, Vice Chair, Membership, Landers McLarty Dodge Chrysler Jeep
Hank Isenberg, Vice Chair, Small Business & Events, IronMountain Solutions
Joe Ritch, Vice Chair, Tennessee Valley BRAC, Sirote & Permut, PC
Penny Billings, Chair-Appointed, BancorpSouth - Huntsville Mark Curran, Chair-Appointed, L3 Technologies, Inc. David Fernandes, Chair-Appointed, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Inc.
Mayor Tommy Battle, Ex-Officio Member, City of Huntsville Mayor Paul Finley, Ex-Officio Member, City of Madison Chairman Dale Strong, Ex-Officio Member, Madison County Commission
Tracy Marion, General Counsel, Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne, P.C. Chip Cherry, President & CEO, Huntsville/Madison Co. Chamber
Elected Board Mike Alvarez, Venturi, Inc. Bill Bailey, Radiance Technologies, Inc. James Barclay, S3, Inc. Mark Becnel, RadioBro Corporation Blake Bentley, SportsMED Orthopaedic Surgery and Spine Center Eric Blackwell, Polaris Industries, Inc. Lynn Collyar, Deloitte LLP Deke Damson, Jerry Damson Honda Acura Dr. Dorothy Davidson, Davidson Technologies, Inc. John Eagan, BB&T Joe Fehrenbach, Mynaric USA Trip Ferguson, U.S. Space & Rocket Center Gene Goldman, BWX Technologies, Inc. Joni Green, Five Stones Research Corporation Mike Gullion, SCI Technology – a Sanmina company John Hall, All Points Logistics, LLC Steve Hill, AEgis Technologies Group Josh Herren, Yulista Lee Holland, Turner Construction Company Tharon Honeycutt, MSB Analytics, Inc. John Jordan, KBRwyle Sean Kelly, Regions Bank David King, Dynetics, Inc. Bob McCaleb, Northrop Grumman Corporation Janice Migliore, PALCO Craig Naudain, SAIC Chris Pape, Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne, P.C. Alana Parker, Rocket City Drywall & Supply, Inc. Leigh Pegues, PNC Bank Jim Rogers, Lockheed Martin Corporation Jeff Samz, Huntsville Hospital Dr. Gurmej Sandhu, Sigmatech, Inc. Sameer Singhal, CFD Research Corporation Beth Sippel, First Commercial Bank Robert “Bob” Smith, Booz Allen Hamilton Cynthia Streams, Domino’s (Valley Pizza, Inc.) Tim Thornton, nLogic, Inc. Lynn Troy, Troy 7, Inc. Ken Tucker, The Boeing Company Dr. Karockas Watkins, Ability Plus, Inc. Mike Watkins, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Dennis Weese, Line-X LLC Danny Windham, Digium, Inc. A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION
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spacenews
Big Prizes Second Year of ESA’s Space Exploration Masters Competition
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ear Two of the European Space Agency’s Space Exploration Masters competition opened on May 1, and the Chamber’s sponsored contest with Scottish aerospace services pioneer Astrosat includes an expanded prize package. The contest once again focuses on utilization of the Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser as a unique space exploration vehicle and space science platform that can land at Huntsville International Airport, taking advantage of local expertise in payload integration, operations and processing. The prize package once again features a trip to Huntsville and mentoring by Astrosat in its “space as a service” business model, but new this year is a partnership with UAH School of Business and the I2C incubator which will provide physical space and support to the winner. The U.S. Space and Rocket Center is expanding its support to include access to additional resources, and Huntsville International Airport will again provide travel vouchers. Year Two was announced at the National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs on April 19 in front of the Dream Chaser test article – the actual vehicle that has completed program milestones
Lucia Cape, Chamber Senior VP of Economic Development, and Mick Walker, Head of International Government Affairs for Astrosat, announce year 2 of the Huntsville-Astrosat challenge in front of the Dream Chaser in Colorado Springs.
in anticipation of a NASA cargo mission to the International Space Station in 2020. Visit space-exploration-masters.com now through July 31 to enter the competition. Winners will be announced in October. Lucia Cape
A Level of Customer Service That’s Second to None. Bryant Bankers like Kristie Ray are committed to providing unbeatable customer service for every person that walks through her door. She’s invested in Huntsville and Madison County and will work tirelessly to help each person or business achieve legendary results. Kristie Ray, Downtown Huntsville Branch Manager
Join the Bryant Bank Family Today! Proudly offering Personal, Business, & Mortgage Banking. Downtown Huntsville | SE Huntsville | BryantBank.com | 256.535.1045 | NMLS #582857 A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION
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e.d.highlights snap: Robert Lightfoot, fresh off his retirement as NASA’s acting administrator, has moved back to Huntsville where he is now President of LSINC. The company is now in its 10th year in business. Prior to his time in Washington, Lightfoot served as director of Marshall Space Flight Center. He retired from NASA on April 30, drove down the following day and was here for an announcement at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber on May 2. We offer Robert and his family a hearty welcome back to the Rocket City!
GE Aviation Opens with Ribbon Cutting GE Aviation has opened its new Huntsville facility, located off Greenbrier Road in Limestone County. The company held a ceremony on May 9. Currently, 90 employees work in the local facility, and 200 more will be added soon.
The team will produce raw material for ceramic matrix composites to be used in jet engines. The advanced material is stronger, lighter, and can withstand temperatures 500 degrees hotter than metal parts that are typically used. ∏
compiled by Claire Aiello
Torch Technologies breaks ground on new High Bay Facility & Lab Torch Technologies continues to expand its footprint in south Huntsville. On April 13, the employee-owned company broke ground on a new high bay lab and solutions facility. It will be located on the corner of Chris Drive and Vermont Road, just a stone’s throw from Torch’s main buildings on South Memorial Parkway. Once complete, it will be 35,000 square feet. Construction of this new building will allow Torch to undertake projects of greater complexity, “ranging from developing instruments that will completely change how warhead testing is accomplished to re-engineering products that protect our nation,” said Torch President John Watson. Watson Torch’s sister company, Freedom Real Estate & Capital, LLC recently acquired the land. Torch has partnered with Freedom Real Estate & Capital to develop the property and Torch will serve as the anchor tenant of the new facility. The project development partners include Matheny Goldmon Architecture and Turner Construction. ∏
ADTRAN wins 2018 Alabama Manufacturer of the Year ADTRAN Inc. in Huntsville was named the 2018 Manufacturer of the Year by the Business Council of Alabama and the Alabama Technology Network. The award was presented during an awards ceremony in Montgomery on April 18. ADTRAN won in the large category. It won this same award in 2010. The Manufacturer of the Year awards recognize the state’s manufacturing enterprises that exhibit excellence in leadership, performance, profitability, and workforce relations. Winners are selected by an independent panel of judges based on demonstrations of superior performance in customer focus, employee commitment, operating excellence, continuous improvement, profitable growth, and investment in training and retraining. ∏
Cubic opens new GATR Expansion in Cummings Research Park
Red Brick wins back-to-back regional advertising awards
Cubic Corporation held a ribbon cutting on April 30 for its expanded GATR facility, which is located on Bob Heath Drive in Cummings Research Park. The business is within the Cubic Mission Solutions business division and has increased over two fold, consolidating operations into one 100,000 square-foot facility. The expansion supports GATR’s growing operations and combines the development, engineering, production and administrative functions in one central location.
Red Brick Strategies and the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber were honored to have their work recognized at the recent District 7 American Advertising Awards. District 7 covers most of the southeastern United States. Red Brick is the only advertising agency in our region to have its work recognized in back to back years. This year’s work for the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber supporting “Project: Eagle” received a Silver American Advertising Award. The nearly six-minute video was produced in support of the Chamber’s efforts to recruit Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin heavy-lift rocket production facility to Huntsville. In addition to being the only firm to have its work recognized at the District 7 awards in back-to-back years, Red Brick has received a historic 57 American Advertising Awards in its five years, including Best of Show honors in 3 of those 5 years. In addition to the work supporting the Chamber’s efforts for “Project: Eagle,” Red Brick also redesigned both the Chamber’s brand and website. “We are so grateful to the Chamber for the opportunity to help tell our area’s story to a company like Blue Origin,” said Red Brick Founder and CEO Trent Willis. “Their work has resulted in unmatched success with job growth and economic development in Huntsville and our surrounding areas. It’s an honor to work with them to tell Huntsville’s story to the world.” ∏
“We’re very pleased to introduce our new facility to the Huntsville community,” said Roark McDonald, vice president and general manager, GATR, Cubic Mission Solutions. “With our newly consolidated facility, we are fully prepared to meet the increasing demands of our customers in the U.S. and internationally and ready to expand our workforce.” ∏
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A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION
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Workforce4theFuture Chamber Launches Career Awareness and Recruitment Initiative
S
ince 2010 the Huntsville Metro has added more than 23,000 new jobs to its economy, and our employment and population growth have been robust as well. A Deloitte study shows that we still have workforce capacity in our target industries, but the Chamber is committed to staying ahead of the talent curve. Based on our experience following the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure that brought nearly 5,000 new jobs to Redstone Arsenal, the Chamber has initiated a strategy to increase career awareness among students and the un/underemployed while attracting skilled and educated people from other parts of the country. The three main components of this strategy are youth engagement, both during and outside of the classroom; promotion of “smart careers” that will continue to be in demand across the region; and recruiting in targeted locations that have high concentrations of the types of workers we need. The Chamber has conducted workforce activities for decades, but recent growth has given us the opportunity to increase our efforts.
road to hiring venues for tech workers, college graduates, transitioning military, and security-cleared individuals. A commercial technology taskforce that met throughout 2017 has provided insight into reaching non-traditional audiences, and market analysis will be used to identify the best locations to target. ASmartPlace.com will be revamped to serve as a one-stop for regional
Youth Engagement Youth engagement will focus on building a network of resources – people and materials – that can be used to excite students about careers in aerospace, defense, information technology, advanced manufacturing and life sciences. Focus groups will help identify the most effective resources, and the Chamber will coordinate “boots on the ground” to supplement existing career prep resources.
“Smart Careers” “Smart Careers” will utilize an online portal that will integrate career, training, and employment resources for students and the un/ underemployed population. The Chamber will support development and implementation of the portal and provide opportunities for regional employers and partners to have a presence on the site.
Recruiting National recruitment will take our Smart Place message on the A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION
employment and relocation support. Existing Chamber partnerships with The Chamber Foundation and The Schools Foundation for Industry Insights, State of the Schools and College and Career Fair will continue and other joint efforts will be added as needed to meet the needs of students, teachers and parents. These activities can be expanded across the region in partnership with Chambers, school systems and workforce development organizations. The Huntsville Metro has a reputation for its skilled technical workforce that has attracted new companies while enabling existing companies to expand. As our reputation grows, we must ensure that our ability to deliver keeps pace. The Workforce4theFuture strategies are designed to do just that, for the benefit of our employers, their employees and communities across North Alabama.
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nonprofitspotlight
Special Benefactor Milton Cummings’ Legacy Extends Beyond CRP Boundaries
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s Cummings Research Park (CRP) moves on from its 55th anniversary year in 2017, we are focusing on the ties that bind us within our greater region. Our Park’s namesake, Milton Cummings, personally believed in his responsibility as a steward of our community to ensure that all of Huntsville and Madison County thrived. In 1949, Cummings founded Christmas Charities Year Round to help local families after a boll weevil infestation devastated the area cotton crop. They began with a clothing outreach program to deliver services to low-income families affected by the infestation. Cummings wanted to assist those families by offering “gently used” clothes and shoes. As stories are told, he would regularly speak to large groups across the region and would always make sure that donation bins for Christmas Charities were located at each of his speaking engagements.
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Whether you are a professional athlete or a weekend warrior, TOC’s team of specialists will get you back in the game. We offer a full range of orthopaedic services designed to relieve pain and restore your active lifestyle. Just ask our Sports Partners:
Milton Cummings
Almost 70 years later, Christmas Charities Year Round prides itself on being the oldest, local nonprofit organization serving the Huntsville/Madison County area. They have expanded their services over the years and now offer nine different programs. In addition to clothing, they now also have household items, medical supplies, and even sports equipment for local families. Christmas Charities’ ‘Look Sharp, Feel Smart’ and ‘Project Pride’ programs provide school supplies, backpacks, and clothing for students of all ages, and will be the beneficiaries of donations collected during the next CRP Food Truck Fest on June 12. CRP Food Truck Fests take place the second Tuesday of each month (May–November) from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at 990 Explorer Boulevard. The Food Truck Fest on November 13 will collect donations to support Christmas Charities’ ‘Operation Believe’ program. How else can you help this important charity that is connected to our own Cummings Research Park? Volunteers are critical in fulfilling Milton Cummings’ mission for Christmas Charities Year Round. If you would like to give of your time or services, please contact Kristin Hays by calling 256-837-2373 or send an email to kristin.hays@christmascharitiesyearround.org.
Amy Willige
Huntsville Havoc professional Hockey Team Huntsville Gymnastics Club Huntsville Lacrosse Club Huntsville Rugby Club Huntsville Futbol Club N.A.S.A. Volleyball Rocket City United Soccer Team Southern States Gymnastics 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Alabama A&M University Oakwood University Bob Jones High School Challenger Middle School Chapman Middle School Columbia High School DAR High School Discovery Middle School Grissom High School Hampton Cove Middle School Hazel Green High School Huntsville High School Huntsville Junior High School James Clemens High School Lee High School Liberty Middle School Mae Jemison High School Meridianville Middle School Monrovia Middle School Mountain Gap P-8 New Hope High School North Jackson High School Scottsboro High School Scottsboro Junior High School Sparkman High School Sparkman Middle School St. John Paul II Catholic High School Whitesburg Christian Academy Woodville High School
VisitTOC.com HUNTSVILLE • MADISON • DECATUR • GUNTERSVILLE SCOTTSBORO • FLORENCE • FAYETTEVILLE, TN 1-800-242-2381 • Facebook.com/VisitTOC
(256) 539-2728 • VisitTOC.com A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION
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crpnews
Latest & Greatest Cummings Research Park Unveils New Website
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e’re super excited about the new Cummings Research Park website launch this month. The new site, cummingsresearchpark.com, will act as a one-stop shop for current companies and their employees, students, residents, and prospective industry/developers. The Cummings Research Park team worked closely with Chamber member, Crisp Communications, over the past few months to build the structure and create content for the newly designed site that is sponsored by LogiCore. The new and improved site is easy to use with bold colors, graphics, and relevant information for all of our stakeholders.
Cummings Research Park hosts multiple events throughout the year. Whether winter, spring, summer or fall, Cummings Research Park has a variety of events open to employees and students in the Park. Through the new events calendar on the website, not only are we able to list those events that CRP hosts, but also any events or activities hosted by or located at any of our tenant organiza-
Features You Can Use There are so many new components in this website as compared to the single webpage CRP had been using for many years. The site is designed to address four main areas: • Showcase the story of the Park • Feature information and activities for those currently located in the Park • Development and leasing information for companies looking to move to the Park • The future of the Park that features our recent Master Plan tions. Alongside the new events section, the site also features Park-related news and a section for tenant news as well. The ‘In the Park’ section consists of a fun new amenities map, sponsored by AEgis Technologies, that offers a creative and informative look at a host of amenities all within the Park. We’re betting you’ll be surprised to learn some of these offerings exist! In the Park also features Map My Run running routes in CRP – short and long – and if walking is more your speed, these routes are great for you too. One of the newest updated features that we love in this section is the Park tenant listing. Gone are the days of name and link only. Each company listing not only has the company name, address and website but also features a company logo, social media links, a short description of the company and a corresponding Google map. If that wasn’t enough, this part of the new website has another cool feature – a company search function with filters. Want to see only the companies in CRP 18
initiatives jun 2018
A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION
East or West? Want to see companies by industry category? Want to see anchor tenants? You can do all that through the new tenant directory. Our ‘Move to the Park’ section amplifies what we had on our previous CRP webpage. You can find Park development guidelines and information on the surrounding area, but we will also have updated information/ listings for available office space for lease throughout the Park. The offices available for lease will be updated bimonthly. And just as with our previous site, you’ll able to connect to our Park social media platforms, shoot our director an email or sign up for the CRP Connect newsletter distribution. A company and its employees choose where and why they locate in certain areas. This new website is one of the new tools in our toolbox to bring additional functionality and value to our tenant companies’ choice to locate in the nation’s second largest research park where Innovation is our DNA and a community that is Driven by Science, Powered by People. Thanks again to LogiCore for sponsoring our site. Be sure to check out the new Cummings Research Park website at cummingsresearchpark.com. Erin Koshut & Amy Willige
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336 James Record Road | Huntsville, AL 256.461.6700 | turnerconstruction.com
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Honor and Healing Showing Respect While Educating Others by Claire Aiello
Photos courtesy of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund 20
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he Huntsville/Madison County community takes great pride in honoring our military. Later this month, we will celebrate Armed Forces Week with several events between June 24-30, including a proclamation signing, special concerts, fireworks, and a luncheon. These events are designed to thank our veterans for the great service and sacrifice they have made for our freedom. Please review the calendar (page 39) and make plans to join our community and say thank you. There are also more things to look ahead to in November around Veterans Day.
The Wall That Heals From November 1-4, Huntsville will host The Wall That Heals at John Hunt Park Fairgrounds. It is a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. and travels to different cities across the U.S. It is free to the public and honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces in the Vietnam War, displaying the names of more than 58,000 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. The Wall That Heals is 375 feet in length and stands 7.5 feet at its tallest point. It is a three-quarter scale replica, with 144 individual panels made of Avonite, a synthetic granite. They are illuminated with modern LED lighting to provide better readability day and night. The Wall will be open 24 hours a day. “We’re going to be open around the clock, because some veterans do not want to go when other people are going to be there,” said David Carney. “They want to go at three o’clock in the morning, and that’s why we’re going to be there.”
Carney is helping plan The Wall’s visit. A veteran himself, he is well-known in Huntsville for leading the charge on many military support activities through the years, including troop deployments and welcome home ceremonies. “We’ve got to show people that we care. Everyone should be at the airport to say they did a good job, welcome back,” said Carney. “They’re due that handshake. That’s an outright obligation, and the families served every bit as much. It’s just what you’re supposed to do.” The Wall also includes a mobile Education Center. Once the truck is parked, the trailer opens with exhibits built into its sides, providing a unique experience for visitors to gain a better understanding of the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the collection of items left at The Wall. Carney says local veterans will help with educational sessions and tours, and talk with student groups who visit. “We’re all right there together and we have a strong military background, so we can organize very quickly and very easily to make events like this happen and to give it the reverence and the sincerity that it should have,” said Carney. While The Wall is in Huntsville, the digital displays on the truck will include customized information about Huntsville veterans. Fifty-six people from Madison County died in Vietnam. Two were declared missing in action. Additional funding is needed to bring The Wall That Heals to Huntsville. If you or your company would like to contribute, please visit twth-hsv.com – continued on page 22
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Credit: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
The Wall of Faces The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund has also established The Wall of Faces, an accompanying website that includes pictures of those who died in Vietnam. It allows family and friends to share memories, post more photos and connect with each other. Many names on the wall do not have photos, but there is an effort to collect photos of each veteran. Of those missing photos, 255 are from Alabama, 129 are from north Alabama, and 22 are from within 50 miles of Huntsville. Local volunteers are working to share information around north Alabama about the veterans whose photos are missing. Please visit twth-hsv.com/the-wall-of-faces for the list of local names. You can also upload pictures if you know the person. These nine veterans whose photos are missing were from Madison & Limestone Counties: Michael Darrel Kuhse
Huntsville
Marine Corps
Robert L Matthews
Huntsville
Army
Sam William Stewart
Huntsville
Army
George Wilcox
Huntsville
Marine Corps
James Mabron Hargrove
Limestone Co.
Army
Raymon Horace James Jr.
Madison
Army
Junior Edward Lott
Athens
Army
Roy Lee Moore
Madison
Marine Corps
Herman Lee Troupe
Tanner
Army
David Carney
Veterans Memorial The Huntsville/Madison County Veterans Memorial was dedicated in 2011. Located at 200 Monroe Street, it honors and pays tribute to all veterans and remembers their sacrifice. It recognizes by name the Madison County veterans who were killed in action during all wars from WWI to present, and recognizes Madison County veterans awarded the Medal of Honor. A new statue is being created for the Memorial. Dan Burch of Gurley is creating the piece, which shows a Combat Medic treating an injured Marine. (A sketch of statue shown right.) The models for the picture are Lance Corporal Kendall Bane and EMT John Perry II (deceased). Bane was injured in 2012 in Afghanistan. The new statue is scheduled to be dedicated this Veterans Day.
Claire Aiello 22
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A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION
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localtravel
Supporting Local Air Service: Why You Should “Fly Huntsville” for Business and Leisure “Air service development is just plain hard.” Bill Swelbar acknowledged that during a visit to Huntsville on May 7, when he spoke to investors in the Chamber’s Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative (HREGI). What’s worked in the past doesn’t work today, due to multiple changes in the airline industry. That’s true for airports all across the U.S. “Long term memories need not apply. This economy is different. This business is different. This business cycle is really different,” said Swelbar. Swelbar is a leading strategist for the airline industry and a research engineer in MIT’s International Center for Air Transportation, where he is affiliated with the Global Airline Industry Program and Airline Industry Consortium. Swelbar said the most important aviation announcement of the year came on January 18, 2018 when Amazon announced the 20 cities it is eyeing for its second headquarters. The company sent a strong message that HQ2’s location must have connectivity. The big question on our minds: What is the key to boosting Huntsville’s air service?
Huntsville’s Strengths The Rocket City is doing several things right, Swelbar said. He complimented the work being done at Huntsville International Airport to get our city in front of more airline network planners. United recently added more flights and capacity, which has increased the number of seats available for travelers. “United doesn’t have a large footprint in the Southeast, and they’re trying to grow that footprint,” said Swelbar. Air carriers are also beginning to phase out their smaller regional jets in favor of larger planes featuring two classes of cabin service, with seating for up to 75 passengers. “There’s lots of good things that come with the trend from bigger airplanes,” Swelbar said. 24
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He emphasizes Huntsville is a business market, and HSV stays busy 5½ days a week. “It starts on Sunday night when all of the vendors fly in for the week and then they leave on Friday night,” said Swelbar.
“Leakage” of Leisure Travelers HSV faces a real challenge in losing people to Nashville and Birmingham, especially Nashville, for leisure travel. BNA has seen major growth since 2010. Attracting a low-cost carrier is very tough for our market because Huntsville doesn’t have the number of daily passengers those companies are looking for. “Some of the low cost carriers fly airplanes that are really too big for this market. Frontier and Spirit are flying 190-seat airplanes. You can’t support 190-seat airplanes. It’s hard to fill that airplane three or four times a day.” Swelbar urged everyone to support Huntsville’s new Silver Airways service to Orlando, which will begin in September. Then, more opportunities might come. “The new mantra is retain what you have, enhance it, then expand it. You have to use it, though, or you’re going to lose it,” he added.
Call to Action Huntsville’s air service team has several meetings lined up to talk with carriers about future enhancements. The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber is helping, and that’s where you come in. We’d like to gather the following information about your company’s air travel: • City Pairs (ex: HSV-DFW, HSV-LAX) • Number of Segments (the number of times traveling on each of your city pairs) • Your company’s annual air travel budget
Bill Swelbar
Specifics of your company’s travel will be kept confidential. We plan to share aggregate information with the airline carrier network planners in order to help im-
A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION
New & Upgraded HREGI Investors
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e are pleased to welcome these companies to the Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative (HREGI). Since January, these investors have signed on or upgraded to a higher level: Executive Council: Northrop Grumman Corporation; Yulista Chamber Trustee: Bill Penney Toyota/Mitsubishi Progress Partners: Brown Precision, Inc.; Sirote & Permutt, PC
prove Huntsville’s air service offerings. Please email your information to Robert Recker, our Senior VP of Investor Relations: rrecker@hsvchamber.org. Visit bit.ly/HelpHSVAirService to read more Q&A with Bill Swelbar and learn why your information is so valuable to Huntsville.
Claire Aiello
EDITOR’S NOTE: Bill Swelbar was in Huntsville for the Southeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives’ 2018 Annual Conference, and we thank the team at Huntsville International Airport for arranging it so he could be here to speak to our HREGI investors.
Progress Investors: BRPH Architects-Engineers, Inc. Croy Engineering, LLC DC Blox, Inc. Express Employment Professionals Fernandez Financial Group North American Surveillance Systems (NASS) TriVector Services, Inc. Valor Communities The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber is grateful for the support of all of our HREGI members. Your investment establishes our region as a stronger and more visible community in the national competition for economic growth. If you are interested in learning more about HREGI, please contact Robert Recker, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations at 256-5352035 or rrecker@hsvchamber.org.
2018 Best Buy: Small Car For the fourth consecutive year, the feature-filled 2018 Honda Civic has been named Best Buy of the Year among small cars according to Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com, offering outstanding reliability and outstan resale value.
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Fly Huntsville – Our Team Does! Our team makes sure to “Fly Huntsville” – and here’s an example of how Huntsville International Airport offers connectivity with the rest of the world. Chip Cherry, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber President & CEO, was part of a recent delegation to visit Japan. He and Mayor Tommy Battle have visited Japan for five years to help build and fortify Alabama’s relationships with global automakers. This year’s team also included Governor Kay Ivey, Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield, and TVA President Bill Johnson. They met with executives from Mazda and Toyota to discuss current and future growth plans. There is great enthusiasm among our Japanese partners for the developments that will soon take shape. During their visit, the delegation also met with Bill Hagerty, U.S. Ambassador to Japan.
BancorpSouth offers a full range of traditional business banking services along with other specialized services to address your financial needs. If you’re looking for one or more specialized services, visit a local BancorpSouth banker today, and let’s grow a relationship together.
For a BancorpSouth location near you, call us at: 1-888-797-7711, or visit our Branch Locator at: BancorpSouth.com/find-a-location
BancorpSouth.com/Business Insurance and Investment products are not a deposit, not FDIC insured, not insured by any Federal Agency, not guaranteed by the bank and may go down in value.
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investorrelations
ChamberON Update Our 2018-19 ChamberON sponsorship campaign is in full gear, as our team of dedicated volunteers moves closer to the goal every week. Sponsorships for various events are getting picked up quickly, so please act now if you want to secure one that might be a good opportunity for your business. This includes discounted pricing for sponsorships to luncheons and VIP meetings with our elected leaders, small business & networking events, membership and community information packets and workforce events to attract new talent. To secure your sponsorship, please contact Kristy Drake, ChamberON and Investor Relations Manager at the Chamber, at 256535-2036 or kdrake@hsvchamber.org today. Claire Aiello
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LOCALATTRACTIONS
Legacy Campaign Launches USSRC Education Foundation Working to Preserve Our Rockets
T
here is a legacy that rises tall in Huntsville’s skyline. Embodying the greatest technological achievements of the 20th century, the iconic rockets and hardware at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) give testament to the “Can-do!” spirit that landed man on the moon and continue to make this community a go-to location for high tech innovation and economic development. In salute to the visionaries who founded Rocket City USA, and to those who carry forward a spirit of discovery, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation has launched the Rocket Protector rocket preservation initiative. Businesses and individuals are encouraged to participate with opportunities to honor the past and celebrate the future. The recently established preservation program received a boost last fall from a young boy’s love for all things space and a father’s financial ability to make a difference. “Seldom do you get to come to a place where history was made and the future is being shaped at the same time,” said Fred Luddy, father of nine-year-old Luke and founder of California-based tech company ServiceNow. Last August, as Luke attended Space Camp, Luddy absorbed the sights and sounds of the USSRC to include the wearing away of paint and color on Huntsville’s heritage: the rockets of Rocket City. By the time of his son’s Space Camp graduation, Luddy had pledged $500,000 – about half the cost toward restoring Rocket
“These artifacts remind the young generation that the U.S. is the only country to launch man out of Earth’s orbit. Huntsville and Marshall Space Flight Center made that happen,” said Ed Buckbee, the USSRC’s retired founding chief executive. Several retired NASA engineers, many who volunteer as emeritus docents at the USSRC, will participate in an advisory role as the rockets are preserved.
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Proudly wear the title of “Rocket Protector” with an individual gift of $20 or more to artifact preservation. Visit the Foundation’s website – gospaceeducation.org – to donate today and request your Rocket Protector pocket protector. For more information on corporate giving, contact Holly Ralston at advancement@gospaceeducation.org or 256-721-5425. Row. Rocket Row includes the Mercury Redstone, Army Redstone, Jupiter, Jupiter C, and Juno II. “When you come here and you see these machines and you see all the work these people have done, you realize the absolute impossible accomplishments that they made, all by applying the STEM disciplines,” said Luddy. He finished his thoughts saying the rockets and all they stand for inspire others to go out and “do something special.” The preservation initiative also includes the Saturn I and painting of the replica Saturn V that sits in the Apollo Courtyard just outside of the Davidson Center. Estimates are currently being gathered and are anticipated in the millions of dollars. The legacy of landing man on the moon ignited the growth of not only aerospace and defense industries in Huntsville, but IT, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, cyber security, and more. The late Dr. Ernst Stuhlinger, former director of science at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center recalled in an article appearing in a 1999 edition of Huntsville Business Sourcebook, that his boss, manned space flight lead Dr. Wernher von Braun, linked the local chamber of commerce and the scientific community. “He advised the chamber of commerce back then not to put all their eggs in the space basket, but to recruit other companies,” said Dr. Stuhlinger. Rocket City is who we are. The requisite inspiration and perspiration to launch big ideas give Huntsville its identity. The nation, and especially this community, will mark the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 manned moon landing next July. With the world spotlight on Huntsville, leaders at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and U.S. Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation welcome gifts to honor the pioneers of then, now and tomorrow. It’s more than history, it’s Huntsville’s future.
Holly Ralston U.S. Space & Rocket Center | USSRC Education Foundation A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION
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huntsvillemetro
Still on the Rise Charting Huntsville’s Growth Since 2000
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he Huntsville Metro Area remains one of the fastest growing metros in the South with a population growth that is outpacing both the U.S. and state of Alabama. Since 2000, the Huntsville Metro has grown at a rate just under 2 percent a year, which equates to approximately 6,500 new residents each year. Huntsville’s 32 percent population growth during this time is 3½ times the state growth rate and is twice the rate for the nation as a whole. In total, the Huntsville Metro has accounted for 26 percent of the state’s total population growth, adding over 111,000 people since 2000. Huntsville’s job growth also continues to be impressive. With the recent announcement of the new Mazda-Toyota Manufacturing, U.S.A. to be located in Huntsville, our community’s successes continue to strengthen an already flourishing economy. Recent efforts to recruit advanced manufacturing jobs to the region have helped to diversify the existing aerospace, defense and technology sectors already present in the community. Mazda-Toyota’s plans to create 4,000 new jobs with an investment of $1.6 billion represents the largest industrial announcement ever in the City of Huntsville and adds to recent announcements from Polaris, GE and Aerojet Rocketdyne to help diversify the industrial base of the local economy. Over the past five years, more than 15,000 new jobs and nearly $3.4 billion of new investment have been announced for the Huntsville community, helping the metro lead the state in job creation and employment. Since 2000, total employment in the metro has grown by 25 percent, averaging approximately 1.5 percent per year. This growth rate is twice the rate of the U.S. as a whole and far outpaces the state of Alabama. Of the 68,400 total workers added to the state economy since 2000, 46,500 of those were added in the Huntsville metro area representing 68 percent of Alabama’s total employment growth. These numbers do not include the impact from recent announcements such as Mazda-Toyota or the anticipated supplier support which will impact the economy for many years to come. Continued efforts to strengthen the community’s existing aerospace & defense sectors include an emphasis on maintaining support for Redstone Arsenal and exploring emerging markets in commercial space and new transformational technologies. Ken Smith
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businessspotlight
Keeping Up with Changes LG Electronics: Leading the Way in Technical & Customer Service
F
ew businesses have witnessed technolocompany operates a mobile device refurbishgy change like LG Electronics Alabama, ment center in Fort Worth, Texas, and a parts Inc. (LGEAI). distribution warehouse in Fontana, Calif. The Huntsville operation wasn’t always Dickey said LGEAI employees provide a LG’s sole customer service division for the quicker, more personal customer service exNorth American market. The company, origperience compared to industry competitors. inally known as GoldStar, started as a manuLG technicians also have the knowledge and facturing facility for color television sets when understanding of how to not only repair it opened on James Record Road in 1980. products but repair customer relationships With four buildings spanning 400,000 as well. As LGEAI expands its workforce, Dickey square feet, the company began making othsaid applicants who have a passion for innoer products, including microwave ovens and vation will have a leg up in the hiring process. VHS tapes. It wasn’t until just before the be“If you’re staying the same, you’re not ginning of the new millennium that LGEAI President Joseph Yoo, LGEAI growing and you’re not remaining competgot out of manufacturing to concentrate itive with your competitors,” he said. “We’re looking for constant solely on customer service. LG Electronics Human Resources Senior innovation, not only within our products but within our customer Manager Patrick Dickey said the operation now focuses on differenservice and the employees we hire for that.” tiated customer service. “When we transitioned to customer service and customer reGoldStar, a South Korean company founded in 1958, was relationship management, our workforce and mindset also transinamed LG Electronics in 1995. Dickey said the Huntsville operationed,” he said. “Transitioning from manufacturing and the work tion was GoldStar’s first overseas manufacturing facility. processes that come with that, to creative thinking of opportunities When GoldStar first came to Alabama, “it showed the world for customer satisfaction is uniquely different.” that Huntsville is on the map as a location for foreign direct investSince December of 2016, LGEAI has been led by President Joment,” said Harrison Diamond, business relations manager for the seph Yoo. He has been with LG Electronics since 1990, and has City of Huntsville. global management experience in Korea, Indonesia, France and For tech companies like LGEAI in Huntsville/Madison County, the Netherlands. Yoo fosters the importance of customer satisfacDiamond said the future is bright. tion and engrains this into LG’s culture daily. “With the investments the community is making in education, workforce development and quality of life, tech companies will have a steady pipeline of talent and the amenities to attract the best and brightest,” said Diamond. “Tech companies all over have to compete for talent, and Huntsville is helping address that issue.” In recent years, Dickey said LGEAI has strengthened its commitment to the Huntsville community by sending volunteers and holding food drives for the Downtown Rescue Mission to help feed the homeless. LGEAI also hosts on-site quarterly blood drives and participates in the Alabama Adopt-a-Mile and Salvation Army Angel Tree programs. LGEAI continues to grow. The company currently has over 550 The company is also a regular contributor to the Liz Hurley Ribbon employees, about half of whom are based in Huntsville. The diviRun in support of breast cancer awareness and prevention. sion employs 250 technicians in major metro locations across the LGEAI plans to capitalize on Huntsville’s growing population of U.S. with plans to expand to 320 by the end of the year. transplant and native workers as it expands its reach throughout LGEAI employees handle a variety of tasks – from providing technithe U.S. cal and customer support to performing in-home repair for LG appli“That (growth) makes Huntsville a unique area within Alabama ance and home electronics products. LGEAI’s B2B (Business-to-Busiand because of that, there’s an opportunity to hire exceptional talness) service is expanding as well with its Five-Star Service Program ent,” Dickey said. “That helps us acquire some of the best talent out designed to provide a dedicated service technician to hospitality lothere, not only here locally, but all across the country.” cations in major metro areas. In addition to its Huntsville site, the Lucy Berry DeButy
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A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION
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2018 Best Places To Work® Awards On April 10, winners of Huntsville and Madison County’s 2018 Best Places To Work® were announced during a luncheon at the VBC. The winners are determined by employee surveys, calculated by Quantum Workplace. Categories are set by employee count: Micro (10-24 local employees); Small (25-50 local employees); Medium (51-100 local employees); Large (101-250 local employees); and X-Large (251+ local employees). Congratulations to all the winners and contenders and thank you for supporting this event! Claire Aiello
MICRO CATEGORY
NOTE: After the event, we heard from several companies who would like to learn ways to improve workplace culture and employee satisfaction in order to increase their chances of a future win. The Huntsville/ Madison County Chamber is planning some offerings in the near future… stay tuned!
SMALL CATEGORY
GOLD: Snelling
GOLD: Yellowhammer Brewing, Inc.
SILVER: Whitespace Innovations, Inc.
SILVER: Troy 7, Inc.
BRONZE: EnVention
BRONZE: Hill Technical Solutions, Inc. 34
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A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION
MEDIUM CATEGORY
SILVER: Victory Solutions, Inc. GOLD: Brockwell Technologies, Inc.
LARGE CATEGORY BRONZE: Cepeda Systems & Software Analysis, Inc.
X-LARGE CATEGORY
GOLD: IronMountain Solutions, Inc.
GOLD: Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation
SILVER: Integration Innovation, Inc. (i3)
SILVER: Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI)
BRONZE: PeopleTec, Inc.
BRONZE: Torch Technologies A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION
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communityprofile Population
Madison City of County Huntsville
City of Huntsville Madison Metro Area
Top Ten Employers: Huntsville & Madison County Redstone Arsenal* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35,866* Huntsville Hospital System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,730
2010 Census
334,811
180,105
42,938
417,593
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,000
2017 Census est.
461,046
193,079
47,959
455,448
Huntsville City Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,079
7.8%
7.2%
11.7%
9.0%
The Boeing Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,600
% Growth
Madison County Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,389
Households & Income # of Households
139,949
17,305
172,022
Avg. Household Income $81,399
$74,749 $111,800
$79,060
Per Capita Income
$32,374
$31,793
$33,264
80,000
$46,396
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (www.census.gov), 2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
SAIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,229 City of Huntsville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,206 The University of Alabama in Huntsville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,675 ADTRAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,549 Source: Huntsville/Madison County Chamber *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 41,000 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 research park in the U.S., Cummings Research Park is home
hsvchamber.org
and development.
to nearly 300 companies and 26,500 people involved in technology research
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Marshanne Castro 256.517.7030 marshanne.castro@copt.com
www.redstonegateway.us A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION
Redstone Federal Credit Union receives major awards from international group R
edstone Federal Credit Union leaders attended the Business Transformation & Operational Excellence World Summit (BTOES18), and took home the Best Achievement of Operational Excellence in Banking, Capital Markets & Insurance, as well as the highest honor in the award program, the Platinum Award for Best Achievement in Organizational Operational Excellence. “You can create an amazing strategic plan,” said Joe Newberry, CEO and President of RFCU, “however, culture is the engine that drives strategic objectives and performance. It is the greatest tool for achieving organizational success – you need your people aligned and a culture that supports it to achieve results.” In 2014, the credit union deployed an immersive culture transformation process that spanned five years. Since then, Redstone has experienced breakthroughs in cross-collaboration and strategic alignment, surpassing its previous metrics and achieving maximum-tier goals. Newberry said he knows his team has improved culture in a big way, but was frankly surprised when he heard Redstone’s name called as the winner. The credit union was up against much larger internationJoe Newberry, CEO of Redstone al corporations such as Federal Credit Union, and Kathy BNY Mellon and State Neyman, Senior Assistant Vice Street Corporation in the President of Culture and Leadership. category of Operational Excellence in Banking, Capital Markets and Insurance. Newberry then heard Redstone’s name called again for the Platinum Award, capturing the ‘best of the best’ of all entries. For this award, they won over major corporations that included Bristol-Myers Squibb and Arrow Electronics. “I was so surprised. I looked around, and thought, ‘did I hear that correctly? Did they say Redstone? And they keep saying it!” Newberry recalled. “They had to say our name a few times before I realized it was real. This is probably the biggest thing we’ve ever won, from a global size – this is the biggest award we’ve ever won, globally.” Claire Aiello A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION
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Huntsville/Madison County Chamber
STA FF Executive Staff
Chip Cherry, CCE, president & CEO Amy Locke, executive assistant Annette Atchley, resource desk coordinator Gina Gonzalez, resource desk assistant
Economic Development, Industry Relations & Workforce
Helping people with disabilities achieve employment for over 45 years Helping businesses connect with motivated employees throughout North Alabama
Lucia Cape, CCE, senior vice president Jill Bruton, workforce development director Erin Koshut, Cummings Research Park director Lydia Pennington, industry relations director Ken Smith, research & information services director Will West, project manager Meghan Chambliss, coordinator
Government & Public Affairs Mike Ward, CCE, senior vice president Austin Bullock, program manager
Marketing & Communications Claire Aiello, director Kristi Sherrard, graphic designer Hiroko Sedensky, web designer
256-880-0671 phoenixhsv.org
Membership
Serving customers in the Manufacturing, Legal, Healthcare, and Technology Sectors
Robert Recker, senior vice president, investor relations Donna McCrary, retention manager Kristy Drake, ChamberON & investor relations manager Richard Bigoney, account executive Tina Blankenship, account executive
Small Business & Events Pammie Jimmar, IOM, vice president Devon Elston, coordinator
Finance & Administration Mary McNairy, vice president Kim Savage-Prince, accounting specialist – receivables Lori Warner, accounting specialist – payables Joe Watson, facilities supervisor
FLS translators and interpreters know their stuff! Professionals in their technical domains and completely bilingual, their language expertise translates into good business. Contact us!
Huntsville/Madison County Chamber 225 Church Street NW, Huntsville, AL 35801 phone 256-535-2000 | fax 256-535-2015
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3609 A5 Memorial Parkway SW Huntsville, AL 35801
256-881-1120 info@flstranslation.com
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theschoolsfoundation.org uah.edu/sbdc A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION
Proclamation Signing Monday, June 25 ■ 8 a.m. ■ Veterans Memorial, downtown Huntsville (Rain location: Huntsville/Madison County Chamber)
AFC Concert in the Park Monday, June 25 ■ 6:30 p.m. ■ Big Spring Park, downtown Huntsville (Rain location: VBC South Hall) AMC Band ■ Fireworks at dark (weather permitting) FIREWORKS SPONSORS – Presenting: Lockheed Martin Corporation; Gold: Brockwell Technologies, Huntsville International Airport, IronMountain Solutions
Community Musical Performance Tuesday, June 26 ■ 7 p.m. ■ Bob Jones High School, Madison ■ AMC Band Check for availability of tickets: Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, MWR office on Redstone Arsenal, Madison City Hall, or the Hogan Family YMCA on Park Square Lane.
Armed Forces Celebration Luncheon Wednesday, June 27 ■ Noon ■ VBC North Hall PRESENTING SPONSOR: Northrop Grumman Corporation
Community Softball Game Friday, June 29 ■ 6–7:30 p.m. ■ Kiwanis Ball Field
SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. For updates – as well as information on area attractions with military discounts – please visit bit.ly/AFC-2018 or contact Austin Bullock @ 256-535-2031 or abullock@hsvchamber.org.
Must be RFCUÂŽ member or Membership Partner to open a business checking account, obtain a loan, or use any service. Must be eligible for membership and open a share savings account to become a member. A $5 minimum balance is required to open share savings account and must be maintained in share account. Minimum deposits, account balances, and transaction fees apply to some business accounts. Fees apply to some Cash Management services. Loans subject to credit approval. RFCU is an Equal Credit Opportunity Lender.
This credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.
Grow Your Business With a Partner You Trust. For over 66 years, Redstone has been providing members with the personal banking solutions they need to get ahead. Let our experts also match your business with the tools it needs to thrive. Plus, keep your costs down with lower fees and better rates.
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Call us to get started or visit redfcu.org/trust
256-327-1104 | redfcu.org