THE
BUSINESS VIEW March 2010 Vol. XXXXI, No. 2
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PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Mobile, AL Permit #346
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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Meet the Chamber’s 2010 Chairman The Ins and Outs of Business Succession Planning
Latest Edition of Mobile Fast Facts
Chamber Classic Golf Tournament March 5, 2010 7:30 a.m. Registration & Breakfast 8:30 a.m. Shotgun Start TimberCreek Golf Course, Daphne $850 Hole Sponsorships $150 Individual Tickets For reservations and sponsorship information contact Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or mhartley@mobilechamber.com
Putting Contest: GulfSouth Pipeline Co. Inc. • Chipping Contest: First Community Bank • Closest to the Pin: Mississippi Export Railroad Co. Breakfast Catering: Lassere’s Catering • Lunch Catering: Catfish Junction • Product Sponsors: Blue Bell Creameries and Elements Therapeutic Massage
Reach 22,200 Decision Makers EACH Month Advertise in The Business View By advertising in The Business View, you can reach the decision-makers at more than 22,200 area businesses every month plus another 7,500 business professionals who receive it electronically. The Business View – an easy and economical way to get your company in front of the Mobile area business community.
Reliability - For 174 years, the Mobile Area Chamber has worked to make our area the best place to start, manage and grow your business.
Quality - The U.S. Chamber of
Commerce consistently awarded the Mobile Area Chamber its highest five-star accreditation.
Value
- For as little as 83 cents a day, your Chamber membership yields a return in: • Business assistance; • Professional development seminars and counseling; • Networking opportunities; • Advocacy aimed at protecting your business interests, and more.
Contact René Eiland to discover how advertising in The Business View can complete your marketing plan at 251.431.8635 or e-mailreiland@mobilechamber.com. www.mobilechamber.com/view/media_kit.pdf
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MARCH 2010
– a Significant Return on Your Investment www.mobilechamber.com You’ll see this symbol
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with stories featuring Chamber initiatives.
C ON T E N T S
THE BUSINESS VIEW is published monthly, except for the combined issue of December/January, by the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce 451 Government Street, Mobile, AL 36602 (251) 433-6951 www.mobilechamber.com ©2010
ON T H E C O V E R
Publisher.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Winthrop M. Hallett III Executive Editor... . . . . . . . . . . . . Leigh Perry-Herndon Managing Editor.. . . . . . . . . . . . Susan Rak-Blanchard Copy Editor... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cori Yonge
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BUSINESS VIEW
Additional Writers and Editors
Shayla Beaco, Ashley Horn, Graham Jones, Danette Richards, Steve Russell, Carolyn Wilson
Printing Services.. . . . . . . . Interstate Printing/Direct Mail Graphic Design .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wise Design Inc. Advertising Account Executive.. . . . . . . . . . René Eiland 431-8635 reiland@mobilechamber.com
ADVERTISERS Ascension Funeral and Cremations and Spring Hill Memorial Gardens...............................20 BankTrust.....................................................................17 Burr & Forman LLP................................................... 13 Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic PC................................19 Bit-Wizards.................................................................. 16 Bug Master Exterminators Inc...................................21 CH Fulfillment Services LLC......................................18 Community Bank.......................................................28 Gwin’s Commercial Printing.....................................10 Interstate Printing...................................................... 26 Keith Air Conditioning............................................... 25 Lagniappe.................................................................... 26 LLB&B Real Estate...................................................... 26 Logical Computer Solutions...................................... 22 Mobile Regional Airport............................................. 35 Online Payroll Services Inc.......................................... 9 Premier Medical Management..................................29 RBC Bank.................................................................... 33 Safe Archives.................................................................8 Safety Plus Inc...............................................................7 SCORE........................................................................... 9 Sunbelt Business Brokers...........................................10 Tanner’s Pecans & Candies.......................................19 WAVENet Technologies................................................27 Welcome Friends..........................................................33 Whitney Bank..............................................................19
FIND THE CHAMBER ON THE WEB facebook.com
Group - mobileareachamberofcommerce linkedin.com Group - mobileareachamberofcommerce mobilechamber.com/chamberblog.asp twitter.com/MobileChamber youtube.com/MobileChamber
The Mobile Area Chamber was awarded a five-star rating by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the highest designation given. Of the 6,936 chambers in the U.S., only 301 are accredited, and of those only 43 have achieved five-star distinction. The Mobile Area Chamber has been accredited by the U.S. Chamber since the designation’s inception more than 40 years ago.
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
10 Do you know who is next in line for your business? Guest Columnist J. Robert Turnipseed shares advice on business succession planning.
11-12 Mobile Fast Facts: Here’s the 2010 version of 14 On the cover: Dave Trent with Airbus the Chamber’s Fast Facts used in economic development and by area businesses to recruit key employees.
Engineering Center took the helm of the Mobile Area Chamber as 2010 chairman during the 173rd Annual Meeting in January. Photo by Toni Riales
F E A T U R E S 17 With more than eight decades of building 4-5 News You Can Use – Positive updates for
businesses in the area and around the state – Evonik sets a milestone. Pinto Island cranes arrive at the Port. Star Aviation lands military contract. LCS Independence is commissioned.
6 ETC. – Turn to these organizational updates and business briefs to learn more about the Museum of Mobile’s latest exhibit; who is ranking Alabama among the most entrepreneurial-friendly states; and why Business Week rates USA’s Mitchell College of Business MBA program tops in the South. Also, some smaller businesses could see lower electric bills; new leaders for the Mobile County Board of School Commissioners; and George Hall Elementary in Mobile wins high honors.
15 2010 Chamber Plan of Action summary. 16 Recognized for its excellence in subsea
projects and workforce of local employees, Technip secures the Chamber’s Manufacturer of the Year award
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On the cutting edge of recovering and recycling e-waste, Ecovery LLC earns the Chamber’s 2009 Innovator of the Year award.
20 For its civic-minded actions and support of
minority-owned businesses, White-Spunner Construction Inc. wins the Minority Business Advocate award.
20 Millie Sue Hawk is named Diplomat of the Year.
21 The American Equity Underwriters is chosen 2009 Corporate Community Service Award recipient for its employees’ dedication to mentoring at-risk students. 23-24 Take a look at the sponsors who made the 2010 Annual Meeting possible.
M ON T H LY F O C U S
8 Small Business of the Month: Dorsey & Dorsey Engineering
9 SCORE Column: Rapid growth can be exciting…and overwhelming
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experience, J.F. Pate & Associates Contractors Inc. is the Chamber’s 2009 Small Business of the Year.
CEO Profile: Eric Berrios, Virginia College Diplomat of the Month: Mamun
Investor Focus: Mobile Gas, a Sempra Company 28 Investor Focus: Infirmary Health System Inc.
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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29 Board of Advisors 30 Chamber@Work 30 Who’s in Town? 30 Economic Indicators 31 Calendar 32-33 Member News 34 Anniversaries 34 New Members
The Business View | MARCH 2010
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• Positive Business News When You Need It • Positive Business News When You Need It • Positive Business News When You Need It •
NEWS You Ca Evonik Degussa Sets Mobile Milestone
A 25 year employee, Nancy Nygren is pictured inspecting Evonik Degussa’s hydrogen peroxide operations.
One of the area’s oldest and largest foreign investments set a record late last fall. Evonik Degussa’s hydrogen peroxide operations in Mobile produced 3 billion pounds of the product used to color hair, clean wounds, purify water and bleach pulp and paper. Company officials estimate the amount to be equivalent of 21,000 railcars of hydrogen peroxide that if lined railcar-to-railcar would stretch 258 miles – more than the distance between New York City and Washington D.C. The plant’s annual capacity is 90,000 metric tons, and has supplied the North American market for the past 22 years. Mike Barreca, Mobile hydrogen peroxide plant superintendent, said a second production unit that began operations in 1992 doubled capacity and led to the production of various grades of hydrogen peroxide to supply new markets. Evonik Industries is based in Germany. The Mobile facility is the company’s largest North American operation and employs more than 660.
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More Cranes Arrive On the Mobile Waterfront Three new cranes arrived at the Port of Mobile recently to support a new $100 million steel terminal at Pinto Terminal that opened earlier this year. The public terminal owned by the Alabama State Port Authority (ASPA) already has a standing commitment to transfer inbound steel slabs for ThyssenKrupp Steel USA from ships to barges. About 80 percent of the facility’s storage space will be used by TK, and the rest is open for public use. “We believe we are deploying the latest technology for marine operations seen nowhere else in the world,” said Jimmy Lyons, ASPA’s director and chief These new cranes at Pinto Island employ the latest technology for marine executive officer. operations seen nowhere else in the world. Equipped with the latest generation crane drives and powered by electricity, the new technology eliminates emissions and lowers noise levels. In addition, ASPA engineers collaborated with Shaw Lyons compared the reduced noise level to that of today’s GBB’s Mobile office and the Chinese manufacturing vacuum cleaners. Many older-generation cranes are powered company on the engineering and design of the bridge by diesel fuel, and their combustion engines generate assembly, reinforced dock and temporary pile support significant noise levels. system installed in the barge slip that allowed the cranes to The cranes were manufactured in Shanghai, China, travel across the ship dock, over water to the land side rails. and will have the capacity to service the larger ships able to According to Stan Gottlieb, senior vice president of Shaw, pass through the Panama Canal once its expansion is the transition from ship to land over water had never been complete in 2014. Each crane has a huge range of motion attempted before, “making this operation an engineering – operating 200 feet high, with an outreach of 150 feet with marvel.” a back reach of 165 feet.
Mobile Airport Sees Steady Traffic Mobile Airport Authority (MAA) officials expect a slight increase in passengers this year, and continue to see “modest recovery.” According to Julie Bordes, MAA marketing manager, Mobile Regional fared better than most last year, recording less than a 1 percent downturn while other airports have seen as much as a double-digit decline. “Basically our capacity remained on par with 2008,” said Bordes, and she hopes the new marketing and branding campaign starring Mobile and Baldwin County leaders will foster community pride in Mobile’s airport and lead to a significant increase in traffic. Last year, a MAA-commissioned study showed business travelers were willing to fly Mobile if the fare was within $156
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of another competing airport, while that amount for leisure travelers was closer to $100. “Airlines respond to data, and communities who support their local airport show higher numbers, enticing airlines to add more flights and routes. With more flights come more low-fare seats,” said Bordes. “It sounds complicated but it’s not. It’s basically supply and demand.” In the meantime, MAA is working to reduce fares and increase amenities. Complimentary Wi-Fi, a children’s play area outside security and new signage were steps MAA took last year to address travelers’ concerns. On tap for this year is repaving public parking and adding a quick pay option for parking and another 200 short-term parking spaces.
Positive Business News When You Need It • Positive Business News When You Need It • Positive Business News When You Need It •
an Use Harbert Brings Energy Message to Mobile Attendees at the Mobile Area Chamber’s Forum Alabama heard a pertinent energy message related to America’s growing demand aimed at tapping more of the country’s energy resources and the need to update climate change legislation. Karen Harbert, Institute for 21st Century Energy president and chief executive officer, was the event’s keynote speaker in January. Harbert touted the institute’s message that America needs an energy strategy that puts more options on the table. “So far in Washington, the only pieces of legislation that have been put forth take options off the table,” said Harbert. The U.S. currently has an energy infrastructure that is built for the last century, declared Harbert, and during her presentation, she showed a map with more than 200 stalled
and stopped energy projects, including a solar one in a western U.S. desert. “We need to overcome the phenomenon of ‘BANANA,’ an acronym the institute uses for build absolutely nothing anywhere near anything, and get infrastructure built.” According to Harbert, it will take $26 trillion of new investment to meet rising U.S. demand expected to jump 40 percent by 2030 – an investment that would increase America’s energy security and add jobs to the economy. “We should open up more areas on and offshore for oil and gas exploration, build more nuclear power plants, invest in clean coal, and add more renewable energy sources like wind and solar to our energy mix,” she said. The Mobile Area Chamber’s energy policy supports increasing America’s energy supply in a manner that is safe
Independence Commissioned
and protective of the environment, improving the regulatory climate, promoting a comprehensive energy conservation program and encouraging research and development of alternative energy sources.
Another Local Company Lands its First Military Contract
Photo by Dan Anderson
The January commissioning event of the USS Independence marked the first time a Mobile-built ship was commissioned in the Port City since World War II. Austal USA delivered the 127-meter all-aluminum littoral combat ship (LCS) to the United States Navy with thousands of Navy officials, politicians, industry delegates and spectators on hand. The ship is designed to defeat asymmetric “anti-access” threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft, and represents a new breed of naval surface combatant. Utilizing Austal’s proven low resistance trimaran hull form, USS Independence offers superior maneuverability and stability, endurance to travel 4,300 miles at 18 knots, three weapon zones, capacity for any two mission packages simultaneously, and a flight deck larger than any other surface combatant other than aircraft carriers, according to U.S. Chief of
Karen Harvert with the Institute for 21st Century Energy brought her message to the Mobile Area Chamber. The institute advocates for increased exploration of the country’s energy resources and updated climate change legislation.
Naval Operations, Adm. Gary Roughead, the event’s principal speaker. “For a shipbuilder that started in business in Australia just 21 years ago to successfully hand over such a revolutionary platform to the most powerful navy in the world is both a momentous achievement and an honour. This is definitely one of Austal’s proudest moments,” said Austal Managing Director Bob Browning. Construction is already underway on Austal’s second U.S. Navy LCS, Coronado, expected to be delivered in 2012. Austal USA has also begun construction of “Fortitude,” the first Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV). As prime contractor, Austal will design and build up to 10 of the 103-meter JHSVs between now and fiscal year 2013 – five for the U.S .Navy and five for the U.S. Army.
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
Star Aviation won its first military contract to upgrade a combat survivor locator system on the U.S. Air Force C-130s. The aircraft, capable of operating from rough dirt strips, transports troops and equipment air-dropped into hostile areas, and is used during aeromedical missions, firefighting duties and natural disaster relief missions. Star will provide structural and electrical engineering, manufacture harness and structural kits, and participate in the trials of the new technology that will enhance search and rescue efforts by detecting survivors on the ground in combat zones. The engineering phase and manufacturing of 13 wire harness kits is expected to be complete early this year, followed by the on-site support of the trial system installation at Warner Robins Air Force base near Macon, Ga. The 10-year-old company, headquartered in Mobile at Brookley Industrial Complex, has approximately 55 employees locally and another 15 at an office in Seattle.
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ETC Checking George Washington Carver Exhibit Comes to Could Mean Mobile this Month Cost Reduction The Museum of Mobile will host a Considered a pioneer for
Some 22,000 Alabama businesses that are customers of Alabama Power Co. could see a reduction in electricity bills because of a rate change recently mandated by the Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC). The PSC voted to broaden the LPS rate definition, short for “light and power, small.” Effective Jan. 1, thousands more small businesses qualified for the rate. Moving to the LPS could save businesses at least $25 a month. Small business managers are advised to call Alabama Power’s customer center at 1-888-430-5787 to ask whether they qualify for the lower LPS rate. Rate changes normally happen automatically, but PSC officials said this type of rate change requires customers to make sure they are on the correct rate. More information is also available from the PSC by calling (334) 242-5191.
traveling exhibit following the life of scientist, conservationist, educator and humanitarian George Washington Carver. Opening March 22, it brings together more than 100 artifacts from Carver’s personal life and work, along with animated and live videos, interactive displays, a diorama of Carver’s childhood farm and a re-creation of his mobile classroom, the Jesup wagon. Carver, a man with a fascinating life story and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, is known for overcoming tremendous odds to become one of America’s most versatile scientists. He was a trail-blazing proponent of sustainability, who believed that “nature produces no waste” and neither should man.
plant product development, a field known as chemurgy, he found hundreds of new uses for peanuts, sweet potatoes and soy beans, including milk and cheese, laundry soap and linoleum, wallboard and rubber, and more. Carver also worked on biofuels with Henry Ford. The exhibit runs through July 4, and admission to this special exhibit is free with the museum’s general admission price – $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for students and free for children under 6. Visit www.museumofmobile.com or Celebrating the accomplishments of George Washington Carver, a traveling exhibit opens this call 208-7569 for details. spring at the Museum of Mobile.
Alabama Among Most Entrepreneur-Friendly States
Business e iv it s o P t e G r News on You Desktop Each Month rself, to sign up you t n a w u yo er Wheth – or r an employee a co-worker o reen” – it’s free want to “go g line. siness View on to get The Bu infield at E-mail Judy W om bilechamber.c jwinfield@mo line issue. e link to the on and ask for th ature ude your sign cl in to re su e B the e-mail. in the body of
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Alabama made the Small Business & Entrepreneurship (SBE) Council’s “Business Tax Index 2009: Best to Worst State Tax Systems for Entrepreneurship and Small Business,” coming in at No. 9. The index ranks the 50 states and District of Columbia according to the costs of their tax systems for entrepreneurship and small business. The taxes studied to determine the positions are income, property, death/inheritance, unemployment and various consumption-based taxes, including state gas and diesel levies.
The 10 best state tax systems are: 1) South Dakota, 2) Nevada, 3) Wyoming, 4) Washington, 5) Texas, 6) Florida, 7) Alaska, 8) Colorado, 9) Alabama and 10) Ohio. Gulf Coast neighbors Mississippi and Louisiana landed in 12th and 26th spots, respectively. The SBE Council is a nonpartisan, nonprofit small business advocacy organization based in Oakton, Va., that works to protect small business and promote entrepreneurship.
George Hall Elementary Bestowed National Honor Mobile’s George Hall Elementary School was one of four schools nationwide, and the only school from Alabama, to win the Education Trust’s “Dispelling the Myth Award.” The recognition identifies top U.S. schools proving low-income and minority students achieve at high levels when taught at high levels. The award commends schools for making significant progress in narrowing gaps in academic achievement among student groups, generating achievement levels that significantly exceed the averages
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in their states, or improving student performance at a rapid pace. Other public schools earning the award are in Georgia, Michigan and New York. In 2004, George Hall Elementary School underwent a major reorganization led by the Mobile County Public School System’s Transformation School program. Today, it is one of the highest-performing elementary schools in Alabama, with 95 percent of students meeting state standards in reading and mathematics.
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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The Business View | MARCH 2010
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Go to mobilechamber.com/awards to submit a Small Business of the Month nomination, or contact Danette Richards at 431-8652 or drichards@mobilechamber.com.
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mall Business of the Month
Dorsey & Dorsey Engineering Even though Dorsey & Dorsey Engineering is considered a small business, the company’s president is proud the firm has the capabilities to work million-dollar projects. Dorsey & Dorsey is the Mobile Area Chamber’s Small Business of the Month. Larry Dorsey and his wife Pamela launched the company in 1997, performing civil engineering and design services for federal government contracts. A graduate of The University of Alabama, Larry Dorsey previously worked for 12 years for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Mobile. When he embarked on his own business, the federal agency became one of his biggest clients. Dorsey & Dorsey counts six engineers among their full-time and three part-time employees. “We work 95 percent with federal contracts now and have shown our capabilities and increased our ratings to become a prime contractor on projects.” According to Dorsey, the company does
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very little work locally and has projects as far south as Miami and as far north as Virginia. Working primarily with military bases, Dorsey’s projects include dormitories at the MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., that won an Air Mobility Command United States Air Force Design Award in 2008. Specializing in airfield design, Dorsey said he wins contracts in part by “doing what he’s good at,” such as redesigning the airfield at Alabama’s Fort Rucker in just 45 days. “We have to compete for federal jobs,” said Dorsey. Most recently, the firm was awarded a $5 million project for design services. Dorsey explained one of the keys to his success has been the firm’s ability to maintain flexibility on deliverables. “Being small has its advantages in that I can make quick decisions as needed on projects and not have to consult a committee.” Dorsey credits federal government stimulus funds with revitalizing his
Larry Dorsey poses next to a few of his honors, including his Mobile Area Chamber Eagle Award, honoring minority-owned companies. company. “With the money being available for projects, we have been fortunate to be hiring and expanding in this down economy,” said Dorsey. New projects
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developing for the company include parks and recreation, lock and dam, and road resurfacing work.
SCORE The Mobile Chapter of SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) is a part of the national nonprofit organization of more than 10,500 volunteer business counselors who provide free, confidential business counseling and training workshops to small business owners.
Rapid Growth Can Be Exciting...And Overwhelming • Be honest with your customStrong demand for your product or service is a sure sign of success. But it’s also ers. Explain that you’re short on time or inventory, and specify how long they may possible to be too successful — that is, have to wait before you can fill the order or having more orders and requests than take on the assignment. Remember that you’re able to fulfill. At first, rapid growth might sound like a you can’t please everyone. Some people will be willing to wait while others will look good problem to have. Yet if you don’t act elsewhere. quickly, this dream-come-true can quickly • Be honest with yourself. It may deteriorate into a nightmare of frayed be tempting to take on new orders and nerves, broken promises, lost clients and assignments in the name of growing your irreparable damage to your reputation. business, but it’s Here are some tips still up to you to for dealing with manage everything. over-demand: At first, rapid growth Don’t overtax • Get a status might sound like a good yourself or your check. You can’t resources. And make good decisions problem to have. Yet if you certainly, don’t let unless you have an don’t act quickly, this increased demand accurate picture of compromise your where everything dream-come-true can health or personal stands. If you responsibilities. manufacture a quickly deteriorate into a • Refer product, see what nightmare of frayed nerves, customers to might be needed to others. Nobody incorporate the new broken promises, lost likes turning away orders into your clients, and irreparable business, but it’s processes. Can your better than the existing suppliers damage to your reputation. consequences of provide the needed missing deadlines or materials? Are producing poor alternate sources quality work. Refer opportunities you can’t available? If you’re a service business, can handle to other vendors or contractors who you rearrange your schedule and still meet your existing commitments? Plan wisely, as you trust will do a good job. Customers will appreciate your candor, and will remember measures to meet short-term demand can you as a problem-solver and information also disrupt your long-term plans and resource, thus increasing the likelihood that operations. they’ll come back. • Assess the costs. Whether it’s a temporary up-tick or sustained upward For additional help in managing rapid growth or trend, responding to high demand may for a confidential one-on-one counseling session at no require an immediate investment of capital. charge, contact the Mobile SCORE chapter at 431-8614. Weigh your options against your cash flow and other resources. Hiring temporary workers may or may not be as affordable as overtime for your current staff. You may also have to pay a premium for rush orders of materials, or by using other suppliers.
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Business Succession Planning: Do You Know Who’s Next in Line? By: J. Robert Turnipseed, Burr & Forman LLP
No one likes to contemplate his own mortality. And yet aside from family law, nothing leads to more litigation than the failure of a business owner to plan for his or her own demise. That failure can lead to a complete loss of value of the business, leaving the owner’s loved ones financially devastated. Despite the drastic impact on family or the value of their interest, the latest statistics from the American Family Business Survey indicate more than 53 percent of small business owners and chief executive officers do not plan for the transfer or succession of the business upon their death. According to leading researcher Joseph Astrachan, former editor of the Family Business Review for the Family Firm Institute, the unavoidable result of this lack of planning is more than 70 percent of small businesses fail in the following generation and approximately 90 percent fail to continue in the third generation. The concept of “business succession planning” simply involves planning for the
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transition, liquidation or sale of a business upon the death of a key member or owner. The process includes a host of issues and results vary depending on individual circumstances. But typically, business succession planning will address the following kinds of tasks and issues: Planning for the next generation. Plainly put, an owner must determine who will run this business when he is gone, or if no one, how will he preserve the value of the business (especially its ability to generate income) in order to pass on that wealth to a surviving spouse or children.
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Planning for liquidation/ buyouts. Where a business includes non-family partners, a business succession plan may focus on the transfer of control of the company to the partner, with a condition that the partner or the business pays fair market value for the interest of the deceased owner.
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Taking care of employees. Where the owner intends for the business to continue operating upon his death, he or she may wish to ensure provisions are in place to retain key employees upon his death, or to confirm certain employees are allowed to take ownership interests in the company. Where the company is to be liquidated, an owner may wish to provide monetary benefits or severance packages for certain employees upon his death.
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Paying off debt/restructuring. Especially in today’s business environment, the key goal in this area is to affirm that lenders and other creditors continue to do business with the company upon the death of the owner, and will not foreclose upon their interest or otherwise hamper the successful transition of the business ownership.
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Estate and tax planning. Estate taxes can be reduced in many different ways, some of which involve transfers of ownership during the lifetime of the key owner, and others of which involve pre-death planning to assure the estate of the deceased owner has enough liquidity to pay off any taxes incurred as a result of the owner’s death. Minimization of income taxes must also be considered, if the owner intends to sell the interests during his lifetime. Effective business succession planning can avoid unpleasant results and reassure an owner the company will continue on well after his death or the owner’s loved ones will receive the maximum amount possible for the deceased owner’s interest in the company.
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J. Robert Turnipseed is partner with the Mobile law office of Burr & Forman LLP specializing in the areas of trusts and estates, business organizations and transactions, taxation and probate. He can be contacted at 345-8239 or robbie.turnipseed@burr.com.
Thigpen Photography Tad Denson - MyShotz.com
MOB ILE Building on the energy of a ne w Mobile B ay. High-Profile Economic Development Activity
While the national economy vacillates, the Mobile Area year. TK is expected to generate nearly 2,700 permanent Chamber’s economic development team is continuing its jobs, and yield 30,000 to 52,000 indirect jobs over a broad view of long-term economic success. There are more 20-year period. than a dozen viable and diverse projects in the works. And The Alabama State Port Authority completed a new, the area continues to see interest in sectors such as aerospace, $100 million steel terminal at the Port of Mobile to handle maritime, oil and gas exploration, and transportation and raw steel slabs arriving for TK. Port authority projects also distribution. include a new turning basin – the final phase needed to Last year, Georgia-based Ryla Inc. established a widen and deepen the Mobile Ship Channel. regional headquarters, corporate data center and customer Austal USA delivered the littoral combat ship (LCS) contact center in North Mobile County. The company made Independence to the U. S. Navy recently. The January an $8.5 million investment and hired nearly commissioning event marked the first time a 600 employees by year-end. Mobile-built ship was commissioned in Mobile’s Other economic headlines came the Port City since World War II. Economic Review from expansions, new hires, new Construction is already underway 2001 - 2009 contracts and construction. on Austal’s second U.S. Navy • 30 new industries/companies Aker Solutions announced LCS, Coronado, expected to be • 70 expansions of existing companies plans to create 30 new positions delivered in 2012. Shortly after, and invest an additional Austal got the go-ahead on • $7.1 billion in capital investment reported from new and expanded $2.3 million in its Mobile another $204 million contract for industries Middle Bay Port Operations. the second and third Joint High Jobs once outsourced are now Speed Vessels (JHSV) and revealed it • 12,884 new jobs as a result of new and expanding industries moving back to Mobile. would hire an additional 500 employees Evonik Degussa Corp. created in the next few months. The company’s 26 new jobs with the opening of its $10 million module manufacturing facility (MMF) was ROCHACELL rigid polymethacrylimide foam production completed in 2009, and is the largest of its kind in the nation. plant, a material used in snow skis and satellite-launched EADS North America expanded its Mobile presence robots, and the first to open outside of Europe. with the opening of a $6 million Maintenance, Repair and Berg Spiral Pipe Corp. opened its $96 million facility Overhaul Delivery Center at Mobile Regional Airport last in 2009, and began supplying pipe for a pipeline out west year. The center will support the company’s tactical to transport natural gas from Wyoming to California. The multi-mission aircraft. The company also renamed its company’s employee count doubled to 164 by year-end. operations to Airbus Military North America. The Construction crews are making rapid progress at Chamber, city, county, state and elected officials continue to ThyssenKrupp’s 3,700-acre site on the Mobile-Washington back Northrop Grumman in its fight to provide top-notch county line. The $4.6 billion complex is one of the nation’s tankers for the U.S. Air Force. After a fierce political battle, largest private economic development projects. More than the contract was cancelled and is now being rebid. The $1 billion in contracts were awarded to date to Alabama Northrop Grumman team’s participation remains in companies. ThyssenKrupp Steel USA, the larger carbon question as disputes over inequities in ground rules remain steel division, is expected to start production this spring. unresolved. Assembling the KC-45 tankers in Mobile could ThyssenKrupp Stainless USA will come on-line later this mean 1,500 direct jobs.
What’s Being Said About Mobile m BusinessWeek teamed up with Moody’s Economy.com and ranked Mobile no. 13 on its list of America’s 25 Next Recovering Job Markets. The article identified top-performing metro areas for 2010 first quarter job growth. (August 2009) m The Economist featured Mobile’s optimism about its economic future. The author also mentions recent rankings by Moodys.com and Forbes.com, as well as the city’s efforts to reconnect with Cuba. Previously the publication promoted Mobile as an example of American cities wooing foreign investment. (July 2009) m Last summer, Forbes.com listed Mobile as one of the 10 Best Mid-Sized Cities for Recession Recovery. Last spring, Mobile came in at no. 10 on Forbes.com Top 10 Best Mid-Sized Cities for Jobs. (April 2009) m Mobile was ranked no. 5 in the Best Cost Effectiveness category for small cities by fDi magazine. The criteria measured included rental, labor, gas and electricity rates. (April 2009) m A story in the Wall Street Journal listed Mobile as one of 10 metropolitan areas where consumer loan balances grew the most in the fourth quarter. According to the article, consumer-lending activity is a key to riding out the recession. (March 2009) m Mobile’s Austal USA and SSAB Alabama were recognized in the Top 15 Corporate Investments in the 2009 CiCi Awards. Entries were judged on capital investment, job creation and job retention. (April 2009)
Mobile Area Population Statistics and Median Age Mobile is the largest metropolitan area along the Gulf of Mexico between New Orleans and Tampa, Fla., and is the 70th largest MSA in the nation.
City of Mobile
Population
Mobile County Baldwin County Mobile Bay Area Source: Decision Data Resources
Median Age
192,895
36.3
406,509 180,269 586,578
36.5 39.9 37.6
The Mobile Area Chamber’s economic development Partners for Growth campaign, supported by public and private investors, is in phase two of its fundraising efforts. Goals set for 2008 - 2012 are: F Number of jobs to be created: 3,750 over five years; F Targeted annual salaries: $38,500 and higher; and F Capital investment generated: $1 billion. Phase one of the campaign, 2004 - 2007, resulted in 7,551 new full-time jobs; 20 new company announcements and 39 local industry expansions; $5.73 billion in capital investment; and annual average wages of $47,711. The Mobile Area Chamber, through contracts with the city and county, is the area’s lead economic recruiter and collaborates with various entities to secure projects for the Mobile Bay area. In 2008, the organization was awarded a five-star rating, the highest given by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, for a second consecutive five-year period. In 2008, the Alabama Development Office awarded the Chamber the Economic Development Achievement Award. The Chamber’s business and expansion program was also recognized with top honors for its positive impact on existing businesses by the Synchronist Users forum in Chicago. And last year, the Chamber was one of eight Alabama organizations honored with the Trade of Excellence Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to the state’s economy through exports. The Mobile Area Chamber has 2,400 members, representing 85,000 employees in the region. The organization’s program of work includes: working to recruit new industry; assisting local companies with expansion projects; providing tools for small business growth and expansion; lobbying state and federal legislatures for support of pro-business legislation; offering opportunities to network, receive professional development and promote member companies through advertising; and supporting community infrastructure projects to help businesses grow and prosper.
Lagniappe
Thigpen Photography
Thigpen Photography
Thigpen Photography
Recent Announcements/ Expansions
Committed to Continued Growth D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
Aaron Oil Co. (oil recycling) Airbus Engineering Center (aircraft manufacturer) Aker Solutions (oil and gas) Atlantic Marine Shipbuilding (shipbuilding) Austal USA (shipbuilding) Berg Steel Pipe (steel pipe) C & G Boat Works (shipbuilding) Holcim (U.S.) (cement) Horizon Shipbuilding (shipbuilding) International Shipholding Corp. (water transportation services) MoBay Storage (natural gas) Mobile Container Terminal (intermodal port facility) Ryla Inc. (telecommunications) SSAB Alabama Inc. (steel) Silver Ships (shipbuilding) ST Aerospace Mobile (aircraft maintenance and repair)
Cost of Living Mobile’s cost of living is consistently one of the lowest out of the 80 largest U.S. metropolitan areas, according to the ACCRA Survey. The latest statistics available (from 3rd quarter 2009) show the Mobile area at 93.1, below the national average of 100. The index measures regional differences and is based on six major components including housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods and services.
93.1
(A Little Something Extra)
The Mobile Bay region offers an abundance of cultural and recreational opportunities for people of all ages – a variety of museums, theater, symphony, opera, ballet, fishing, golfing, relaxing at the beach and more. D Mobile was founded in 1702 and celebrated its Tricentennial in 2002. D Mobile Bay is home to America’s Mardi Gras, instituted in 1704,
62 years before New Orleans adopted the celebration.
D Mobile Bay is the hometown of baseball hall-of-famers Hank Aaron,
Ozzie Smith and Satchel Paige. D Mobile Bay area welcomes nearly 7.2 million visitors a year. D Mobile is home to the GMAC Bowl, Senior Bowl, Alabama Deep Sea
Fishing Rodeo, the Dauphin Island Regatta and America’s Junior Miss scholarship program.
D Regional golf is among the nation’s finest, with more than 25 courses. D The Mobile Tennis Center is the nation’s largest public facility
with 50 hard courts.
D Mobile is known as the city of six flags. The French, Spanish, British,
Republic of Alabama, Confederacy and United States of America flags have flown over Mobile. D Mobile is known as the Azalea City thanks to Frise Langlois, who first
brought the bright pink blossoms here from his father’s garden in Toulouse, France, in 1754.
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Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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The Business View | MARCH 2010
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Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce 2010 Chairman
Local Airbus Executive Takes Helm of Chamber
J
ust over three years ago, Dave Trent moved to Mobile to become site director for the new Airbus
Engineering Center at Brookley Industrial Complex. In that short period, Trent said he has immersed himself in the “fabric of this fine city,” and in January, he was installed as chairman of the Mobile Area Chamber’s board of directors.
Photo by Jeff Tesney
During his time here, Trent noted Mobile’s transformation has been incredible, and should not be taken for granted. “There was no RSA Tower opened yet, the Battle House Hotel and Hampton Inn and Suites were not open, nor had any significant investment along Royal Street been complete. There was no Mobile Container Terminal, no USS Independence built at Austal, no Ryla and no Dave Trent (left) with Airbus Engineering Center was installed as chairman of the Mobile ThyssenKrupp,” said Trent. Area Chamber during its 173rd annual meeting in January. He is pictured here with outgoing Nevertheless, he said, for each success Mobile has been Chamber chairman Sandy Stimpson with Scotch and Gulf Lumber. blessed with in recent memory, a demand waits just around the corner. Locally, he is involved with several community groups “Make no mistake, the vision for and potential of “Today’s challenges, while short-term, are real – such and supports community involvement by the employees of as high unemployment, much-needed capital investment, Mobile is huge, and it’s just one of the reasons I am so the Airbus Engineering Center. He is an executive board excited to be here in Mobile both from international right now. Everyone wants to member of the Gulf Coast Exploreum, a member of the investment as well as federal, industrial advisory board for the school of engineering at be involved with something state and local government Make no mistake, the that’s growing – now we just the University of South Alabama, a member of the board for projects, and company vision for and potential of the American Red Cross Gulf Coast Chapter, secretary for need to keep it that way.” expansions put on hold while we Mobile is huge, and it’s just the Alabama Aerospace Industries Association, and a In his current position wait for the national economic governor-appointed member of the Southwest Alabama one of the reasons I am so with Airbus, Trent oversees picture to turn around,” he Workforce Development Council. engineering and program added. excited to be here in Mobile In closing his annual meeting remarks, Trent repeated management of cabin and Trent spoke to more than right now. Everyone wants to cargo development programs his desire to have more people volunteer their time working 1,300 Chamber members and be involved with something on Chamber-driven initiatives to improve Mobile’s on all Airbus products. His guests during the Chamber’s that’s growing — now we just aviation and aerospace career economy. “By now, I hope you realize our existence is annual meeting in January. He dependent on you, and your active involvement and began in 1979, and gave an overview of some of his need to keep it that way. investment in this pro-business organization is critical. Our he has been involved in the key issues for the coming year program of work may change to meet the business needs in engineering of commercial – centered on increased personal Dave Trent aircraft since 1993, previously our area, but our foundation remains the same. And that is participation in the Chamber. Airbus Engineering Center to serve as a progressive business advocate to promote the working for Bombardier, “I believe that in order for Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce Mobile area’s economic well-being.” Gulfstream this Chamber of Commerce to 2010 Board Chairman and Hiller Inc. He holds a make its mark over the coming bachelor’s degree in year, and deem 2010 a success, it mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in will take every one of you. [Together] we will find the business administration from California State University solutions to meet our region’s current challenges of Fullerton. head-on,” he said. 1414
MARCH MARCH 2010 2010 | | The TheBusiness BusinessView View | | Mobile Mobile Area Area Chamber Chamber of of Commerce Commerce
2010 Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce Plan of Action
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce 2010 Plan of Action Summary Through a series of evaluations, retreats and staff and volunteer meetings, the Mobile Area Chamber annually sets a plan of action for the coming year. The following is a department summary and outlines where the Chamber will focus its efforts in 2010.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT v Aggressively market the Mobile region for business locations and expansions. Marketing activity is based on community strengths and unique strategic advantages and is governed by community quality of life objectives to support the five-year Partner’s for Growth goal of creating an average of 750 new jobs per year.
v Support economic development with workforce development resources as needed for manufacturing and other area business and industry. v Promote workforce development by partnering with other Chamber departments and divisions.
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
v Continue to staff and deliver economic development services for the Washington County Economic Development Initiative.
v Market and provide technical assistance to area small businesses to help stimulate development and foster job creation.
v Support, where appropriate, the development and improvement of the Mobile area’s infrastructure (utilities, surface and air transportation) to make the community more attractive to potential investors and create a better business climate for existing businesses.
v Provide business assistance to minority-owned businesses and encourage participation in all Chamber activities. v Coordinate task force implementation of select programs, products and services benefiting small businesses.
v Provide staff support and expertise to the Industrial Development Board (IDB), the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) and the Industrial Park Board (IPB).
v Create a system to share local funding sources with interested businesses.
v Involve Chamber volunteer leadership, city and county elected leadership and local agency allies in current plan of action implementation, as well as long-term economic development planning and funding. Seek continued performance contract revenue sources. Provide “value added” programs/information for Partners for Growth investors and Chamber members. v Systematically generate, collect, organize, provide and publish information to support economic development activities that service our members’ needs. v Manage and market the Mobile Commerce Park. v Further develop the Mobile region as a center for international trade and transportation, enhancing the foreign sales of area products and services and assisting in Mobile’s emergence as a hub for international commerce. v Improve Mobile’s ability to respond to workforce needs, via Chamber workforce coalitions, the South Alabama Workforce Development Council - Region 9, workforce initiatives of area education and training providers and the region’s businesses. v Manage and support the activities of the Bay Area Healthcare Coalition. v Continue to assist in the planning and development of a new marine training center and an advanced manufacturing center in Mobile.
MEMBERSHIP v Exceed budgeted goals for dues and non-dues income to support Chamber operations. v Provide innovative programs and services that our members desire and value. v Ensure superior customer service to improve member retention and development. v Coordinate the programs and activities of the diplomats to assist with membership retention and development.
COMMUNICATIONS v Provide a constant, proactive and interactive communications program to Mobile Area Chamber members to encourage and maintain an interest in the Chamber and support of our efforts.
v Provide continuing education, training and business development opportunities for small businesses.
v Improve the Mobile Area Chamber’s image in the minds of the public and make them better aware of who we are and our mission.
v Serve as an advocate on issues of concern to the small business community.
v Improve dialogue with media outlets and promote Chamber activities and issues more heavily in the local media.
v Facilitate assistance provided by other small business resources in the Mobile/Baldwin area.
v Assist the economic development department with implementing the national marketing campaign.
COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS v Develop and obtain passage of the 2010 Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce Community Legislative Agenda. v Recognize and promote importance of transportation infrastructure to continue business growth. v Promote a local business-friendly political and legislative climate that encourages economic growth, and is responsive to business needs and supportive of business success. v Convene key groups and organizations to identify and work on vital community issues. v Improve communication with the membership, elected officials and Chamber staff on key community issues. v Sponsor the leadership trip with a focus on workable solutions to regional and local issues. v Encourage positive military and civilian relationships.
v Enable Chamber staff to perform their jobs as efficiently and effectively as possible by providing access to a variety of electronic media and services, including computers, networks, electronic mail, telephones, fax machines, printers, PDAs and the Internet. v Assist the Chamber president in developing the organization’s next strategic plan, annual plan of action and internal handbook guidelines.
FINANCE AND OPERATIONS v Provide and maintain financial control and related services. v Manage and maintain the Chamber’s human resource function, duties and responsibilities. v Coordinate maintenance of Chamber facilities, grounds, fixtures and equipment. v Enhance Chamber and Chamber Foundation operations through improvement of processes and procedures. v Develop and manage operational crisis response.
Mobile Mobile Area Area Chamber Chamber ofof Commerce Commerce| |The The Business Business View View| |MARCH MARCH 2010 2010
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2009 Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce Award Winners
Technip Awarded Manufacturer of the Year
Technip’s technology of flexible pipe helps extract oil and gas from under the ocean floor. The pipe lay vessel, Deep Blue (pictured above) is the largest of its type in the world and calls Mobile its homeport.
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Since opening its pipeline fabrication spoolbase in 2001, Technip’s Theodore facility has become one of the most important offshore construction facilities on the Gulf Coast. completing projects for more than 15 operators in the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, Egypt and Angola. The company was named the Mobile Area Chamber’s 2009 Manufacturer of the Year. The Theodore operation welds pipeline with a unique flexible joint design worthy of subsea depths needed to transfer oil and gas from under the ocean floor. In 2009, Technip developed more than 60 percent of the market share of subsea fabrication/installation projects in the Gulf, and the Theodore spoolbase has welded over 1,500 miles of pipe for the gulf alone. “This award is a confirmation that Technip has developed a world-class facility manned by world-class Mobilians,” said Bob Barnett, Technip’s spoolbase manager.
| The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
Technip represents a significant regional investment of equipment and manpower. The spoolbase constitutes an investment greater than $30 million and the company is looking at a further investment of $15 to $20 million. According to Barnett, of Technip’s 140 employees, 98 percent are from the Mobile area and enjoy pay rates above the national average. Last year the company logged one of its busiest years on record. “We will remain at the forefront of subsea construction activities in the Gulf of Mexico, whilst maintaining our excellent safety record and continue to provide local jobs, confirming our commitment to the community and our contribution to the local economy,” Barnett reiterated. The Paris, France-based company strives for the best without compromising safety – a main focus for Technip. Since 2002, Technip has operated more than 3.5 million man-hours without a lost time incident since 2002. Technip is also the owner of a fleet of offshore vessels. The flagship of the fleet, the pipe lay vessel, Deep Blue, is the largest vessel of its type in the world and calls Mobile its homeport. With 120 crew members, the vessel has set many deep water pipeline records. Technip is currently building a second pipe lay vessel of similar size to the Deep Blue, expected to be in service in 2011, that will also service the Theodore spoolbase.
2009 Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce Award Winners
J.F. Pate & Associates Contractors Inc. Named Small Business of the Year A panel of volunteer judges selected J.F. Pate & Associates Contractors Inc. as the Chamber’s 2009 Small Business of the Year. The business, founded in 1927 by James Floyd Pate, boasts colorful origins. Pate began his storied career as a salesman for Vaughn Lumber Co. prior to starting a residential building and later commercial building business. The general contractor handles both commercial and industrial projects including education facilities, religious buildings, high-end residences, multi-family units, hospitals and institutions. Some of its most recognizable work includes the Mobile Museum of Art, Integrity Media headquarters, University of South Alabama library, Fairhope High School and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. The company employs 37 people and also operates in Mississippi. Additionally, the company’s officers are proud of their 20-year relationship with the nonprofit organization Ahepa to build affordable housing for low-income elderly and disabled persons, allowing them to live independently. Together, the two organizations have built 12 apartment complexes throughout the Southeast. The company attributes its continued success to its operating principal – direct management involvement in the work process produces a better quality building.
“This award is not only a tribute to J. F. Pate & Associates Contactors, it is also a tribute to the caliber and capabilities of the employees who have been faithful to the ideals set forth by the founder, James Floyd Pate Sr.,” said John E. Pate, president and chief executive officer. “Whatever you do, do it better than it was done in the past. Seek perfection, and the end result will be the standard that will endure through the years.” As for their plans for he new year, Pate said, “We are fortunate to have repeat clients who negotiate work with us. However, we plan to increase our efforts to cultivate new clients with whom we may negotiate work, as well as continuing to bid on construction projects as they become available in the coming year.” In December the late James Floyd Pate, the company’s founder, was inducted into the Alabama Construction Hall of Fame.
J.F. Pate & Associates Contractors Inc. has been in business since 1927, and today third generation family member John E. Pate (third from right) serves as president.
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The Business View | MARCH 2010
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2009 Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce Award Winners
Ecovery LLC Named Innovator of the Year In today’s economy, it is important to salvage resources, even those considered no longer critical. In south Alabama, that’s the work of Ecovery LLC, the winner of the Mobile Area Chamber’s 2009 Innovator of the Year Award. The Loxley-based company recovers and recycles e-waste – valuable and reusable materials such as copper, aluminum, gold and silver from discarded electronics, computers and automobiles from throughout the country. These products return to the market in new automotive engines and transmissions, brass rods and even jewelry. Ecovery is the brainchild of Jim Cunningham, an engineer who worked in the recycling industry for more than 20 years. He launched the company with partners Walter Norris and Larry Sloan in July 2008. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates as little as 18 percent of the 2.5 million tons of e-waste discarded annually is recycled, and only 18 states have laws regulating the disposal of these materials. Cunningham said they “recognized not only a new a new market but an opportunity to supply businesses with a ‘green’ option for waste.” And with recycling awareness on the upswing, Ecovery’s timing couldn’t be better. In its infancy, the company watched its waste processing capacity jump from 160,000 pounds a month to 1 million pounds a
Brock Norris with Ecovery samples valuable and reusable materials salvaged from recycled eletronics, computers and automobiles. These materials return to the market in automotive engines and transmissions, brass rods and even jewelry.
month in less than a year. Norris said Ecovery expects to recycle more than 20 million pounds of e-waste by the end of 2010 providing its collection and recycling services to customers in the corporate, retail, legal, financial, healthcare and government sectors. Once collected and recycled, Ecovery offers clients documentation guaranteeing protection and eliminating liability
associated with the hazards of electronics. The company’s workforce has expanded as well. In 2009, the company increased the number of employees from 10 to 30 and expects to add more jobs in 2010. As the company continues to build, Cunningham saidthey are honored to be recognized by the Gulf Coast Technology Council and the Mobile Area Chamber as Innovator of the Year. “We look forward to growing our business and continuing to push the green initiative in south Alabama while at the same time creating jobs and enhancing our community.”
Ecovery is a company that reuses and recycles discarded electronics and automobiles from throughout the country. Last year, more than 160,000 pounds of electroic waste was processed monthly.
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| The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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The Business View | MARCH 2010
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2009 Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce Award Winners
Millie Sue Hawk Named Diplomat of the Year
Photo by Davis Photography
Photo by Jeff Tesney
Millie Sue Hawk, owner of Welcome Friends and Business Link, was awarded the 2009 Diplomat of the Year. Hawk, a Chamber diplomat for seven years, has been recognized as Diplomat of the Month seven times. She made Chamber history in 2009 by earning more points than any diplomat ever involved with the program. Points are accrued by participating in Chamber activities. To achieve her goal, Hawk engaged in a variety of functions including visiting 250 members and participating in grand openings and networking events such as Business After Hours and Networking@Noon. Hawk also joined in Chamber Chase, the annual total resource and development campaign that raised $1.234 million for Chamber activities and programs. She actively worked to recruit new members and encouraged current members to renew and sell sponsorships during the campaign. Hawk said she plans to use her networking skills to step up member recruitment in the coming year. “I enjoy meeting new people and helping them see the value of the Mobile Chamber,” she said. Currently 58 diplomats from member companies assist with Chamber activities from ribbon cuttings to member visits.
White-Spunner Construction Inc. Selected as Minority Business Advocate Winner
John White-Spunner (center) accepts the Chamber’s Minority Business Advocate award from Cicone Price (left) and Win Hallett (right) at the 2009 Eagle Awards.
The Mobile Area Chamber recognizes small businesses for volunteer service, technological advancements and more. For one company, simply doing business garners recognition. The Minority Business Advocate (MBA) award was presented during the Eagle Awards to White-Spunner Construction Inc. for its commitment to expanding business opportunities for minority-owned businesses. “White-Spunner Construction and John White-Spunner exemplify the essence of the minority business advocate award,” said Darrell Randle, the Chamber’s vice president of small business development. White-Spunner Construction Inc., a general contracting, design build and construction management company, is based in Mobile and has a branch office in Raleigh, N.C. One of the leading construction companies in the Southeast, WhiteSpunner Construction is licensed in 37 states and works closely with clients on institutional, multi-family, industrial, commercial and retail projects. As part of its efforts, the company is committed to working with minority-owned businesses and hosting meetings in its new “green building” to match minority businesses with large companies in the area. Company president John White-Spunner is a strategic partner with the Alabama Minority Business Enterprise Center, and has partnered with minority firms as prime contractors and subcontractors to pursue multi-million-dollar construction job/projects. “From its green building to its efforts to utilize minority-owned businesses as suppliers and partners, White-Spunner is civic-minded with visionary leadership that prefers action over words. These traits combined with John’s Christian values make White-Spunner Construction a pillar of our community and worthy of the 2009 MBA award,” Randle said.
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| The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
2009 Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce Award Winners
American Equity Underwriters Honored with Corporate Community Service Award
Employees of American Equity Underwriters Inc. (AEU), a Mobile maritime insurance company, understand the enormous benefits one-on-one relationships can have on the lives of at-risk youth. To fill this important community need, AEU formed a successful mentoring partnership with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program of South Alabama YMCA. Recognized for its dedication to service and public outreach throughout the local community, AEU is the Mobile Area Chamber’s 2009 Corporate Community Service Award recipient. Over the past 10 years, the Chamber and Envision Coastal Alabama have partnered with Volunteer Mobile to honor businesses providing opportunities and time for employees to participate in community volunteer efforts and civic affairs. “This years’ judges panel felt AEU more than demonstrated a commitment to corporate service as evidenced by top management’s strong dedication to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program,” said Diana Brinson, Volunteer Mobile executive director. Launched in fall 2008, AEU’s employees provide school-based mentoring to area students. Beyond financial support, employees commit time serving as “Bigs” to students during the school year. Employees are matched with “Littles” from Pillans Middle School and Gilliard Elementary, where “Bigs” take off from work once a week to spend quality time with students attending these local schools. “We are proud to say that 100 percent of AEU employees are engaged in volunteerism through multiple efforts chosen because of
each employee’s personal connection to a cause,” said Mike Lapeyrouse, AEU president and chief executive officer. “However, the impact that our youth mentoring partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters has made on the community is why we see things differently when it comes to community service. The time dedicated by our employees to this cause has not only changed their lives, but has positively impacted the lives of the ‘Littles’ as well.” Aimee Risser, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters, agreed AEU’s commitment to at-risk students has far-reaching effects. “Mike Lapeyrouse and his dedicated team have had a significant, tangible impact, not only on our organization and the children we serve, but on our community as a whole.” AEU plans to expand its partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters by helping forge new corporate sponsors for the school-based mentoring programs, ultimately allowing more at-risk children to be served. Earlier this year, the company hosted an event to promote awareness of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and stimulate interest among local businesses, netting eight new corporate sponsors. In winning this year’s Corporate Community Service Award, AEU joins the ranks of previous winners, including Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic, Arkema, BASF The Chemical Co. (formerly Ciba), Kellogg Brown and Root, Mobile Gas, Regions Bank and Thompson Engineering .
Employees of American Equity Underwriters devoted more than 350 hours serving as mentors to students of Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Alabama YMCA. Company officials boast 100 percent of employees are engaged in volunteer activities with area community organizations.
Mobile Area ChamberBUG-10-02.bus.view.ad2.indd of Commerce | 1 The Business View
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| The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
2010 Annual Meeting Sponsors The following companies were instrumental in helping the Mobile Area Chamber present its 173rd Annual Meeting in January at the Mobile Civic Center. With the financial support of these businesses, the Chamber produced a video annual report and gathered more than 1,300 business professionals together for the area’s largest networking meeting.
www.banktrustonline.com BankTrust Alabama offers comprehensive banking services as well as a range of accounts and lending options. BankTrust is a subsidiary of the BancTrust Financial Group Inc. holding corporation, headquartered in Mobile. It provides banking services at 42 offices in Alabama and Florida. In addition, the company provides trust, investment, insurance, brokerage and financial planning services through its affiliates, BancTrust Co. Inc. and BancTrust Financial Services Inc. Its legacy began in 1985 when Mobile National Corp. holding company was created. The holding company’s subsidiary, The Bank of Mobile, opened for business in 1986. In 2002, the bank changed its name to BankTrust, and the holding company’s name changed to BancTrust Financial Group Inc.
www.bcbsal.com Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has provided Alabamians with health insurance since 1936. The company offers a variety of products and plans including health, dental and long-term care. Blue Cross administers benefits for more than 3.6 million individuals nationwide, including more than 2 million Alabamians. These individuals represent nearly 30,000 companies, from large corporations to small businesses. The company also offers individual coverage options for those above and below the age of 65. With a focus on quality, efficiency and controlling healthcare costs, Blue Cross and Blue Shield has many programs in place to ensure customers get the best value for their healthcare dollar.
www.burr.com Burr & Forman LLP is a 100-year-old, full-service law firm with more than 250 attorneys in offices throughout the Southeast. Burr & Forman attorneys act as counselors, strategists and advocates to regional, national and international clients of all sizes, from emerging businesses to some of the world’s largest corporations. With offices in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee, Burr & Forman offers a wide range of business and litigation services. Among its many accolades, the company is included in The National Law Journal’s “NLJ 250” list of the nation’s top law firms and was named by Southern Business & Development magazine as one of the “Top 10 Law Firms that Understand Economic Development.”
www.cibasc.com Ciba, part of BASF since April 2009, is a leading global company manufacturing high-value effects for customers. Ciba specializes in developing products that affect quality of life – adding performance, protection, color and strength to plastics, paper, automobiles, buildings, home and personal care products and much more. The company improves existing or adds new qualities to materials at every stage of production and use, drawing on its wide expertise in organic synthesis, solid-state chemistry and physics, polymer chemistry, catalysis, biocatalysis, photochemistry/ photophysics and customer applications. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, the company’s products and services are sold in more than 100 countries. BASF employs more than 13,000 people worldwide.
www.coastalhospicecare.com Established in 2004, Coastal Hospice Care Inc. provides palliative care addressing the physical, psychological and spiritual dimensions of service for terminally ill patients. The company offers patients medical care unique to their needs. Through Coastal Hospice’s group of diverse professionals, the company utilizes a team approach known as Interdisciplinary Group. The group works with a patient’s primary physician and is available for patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Board-certified physicians, nurses and certified nursing assistants provide medical care while therapists, counselors and clergy affiliated with Coastal Hospice meet psychological and spiritual needs.
www.gseeng.com Working from inception to production, Gulf States Engineering Inc. is a full-service engineering design, project and construction management firm. Started in 1998, the company serves industrial, commercial and government clients in the continental U.S. In 2001, current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Timothy Morris, a professional engineer, bought into the firm as the fifth employee. Since that time, the company has grown to include 40 employees in its Mobile office and 10 employees in Gulfport, Miss. Both locations provide customers with engineering services in civil and structural, mechanical and electrical, automation, process and fire protection engineering. Additional services include survey, construction management, compliance and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) consulting.
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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www.kingdomcoach.com Started in 2002, Kingdom Coach is a full-service travel provider and motor coach operator. Based in Mobile, the company serves lower Alabama, the Pensacola area and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. With its friendly and helpful sales staff, full-size luxury coaches and skilled professional drivers, the company works to make travel more organized and less stressful for individuals. Approved by the U.S. Department of Defense, Kingdom Coach prides itself on safe motor coach tours and maintains the highest ratings with the U.S. Department of Transportation. In addition to transportation services, the company also plans personalized itineraries for travel, hotel reservations, sightseeing guides and tour escorts. Kingdom Coach currently has a fleet of 14 coaches and a staff of more than 20 drivers, mechanics and office personnel.
www.lpclaw.com Lyons, Pipes & Cook, one of the South’s leading law firms, was founded in Mobile in 1899 by Joseph H. Lyons, a graduate of Harvard Law School. The firm was originally comprised of two partners – Lyons and Thomas M. Stevens, a renowned trial lawyer. After the partnership dissolved, Lyons formed the firm of Lyons & Courtney. At various times throughout its history, the firm has been known as Lyons, Chamberlain & Courtney; Lyons & Thomas; Lyons, Thomas & Pipes; and Lyons & Pipes. Located in downtown Mobile since 1967, the firm has occupied its current location, 2 N. Royal Street, since 1979. With 28 attorneys on staff, the firm practices in nearly every area of law. Its mission is to provide excellent, results-oriented legal services to clients, serving with loyalty and professionalism.
www.meyerre.com Since 1967, Meyer Real Estate has been a leader in the dramatic transition of the Gulf Coast from a tiny village of beach cottages to a major destination resort. The company is a privately held, full-service real estate brokerage company with a 36,000-square-foot corporate headquarters in Gulf Shores designed to enhance STAR Treatment. STAR Treatment is Meyer Real Estate’s exclusive guarantee that its clients will always receive service, trust, accessibility and results from everyone in the organization. As the company has grown, it has broadened the range of sales and property management services to now include real estate sales, vacation rentals, community association management, vacation rental property management, long-term rental property management and second-home services.
The Business View | MARCH 2010
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2010 Annual Meeting Sponsors 2010 Annual Meeting Contributors www.mobile-gas.com Mobile Gas is a natural gas utility serving approximately 95,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Mobile and the surrounding areas of southwest Alabama. A full-service utility, Mobile Gas services and sells a complete line of natural gas appliances and offers commercial kitchen repair. One of the nation’s first natural gas distribution companies, Mobile Gas traces its origins to 1836 when Mobile’s downtown streets were lit with gaslights. Today, Mobile Gas is a unit of Sempra Energy’s Sempra Pipelines & Storage subsidiary. Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE) is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego.
www.technip.com A world leader in engineering, technologies and project management for the oil and gas industry, Technip is backed by more than 50 years of experience and is a key contributor to the development of technologies and sustainable solutions for the exploration of the world’s energy resources. Employing more than 23,000 employees in 46 countries, Technip operates in three segments of the world oil and gas market: subsea, offshore and onshore. On behalf of its oil company clients, Technip executes infrastructure projects: ultra-deep waters, extreme climates, mega-sized projects, non-conventional resources and optimization of environmental performance. According to Technip’s website, the increasing complexity of Technip projects requires the implementation of state-of-the-art technologies.
www.thompsonengineering.com Established in 1953, Thompson Engineering is an employee-owned engineering firm offering multidisciplined consultation through planning, permitting, surveying, exploration, investigation, specialized testing, design, construction management and quality assurance inspection. Thompson Engineering attributes its success, in part, to its affiliation with Thompson Holdings Inc., an employee-owned professional services holding company. The company’s engineers, geologists and other professionals hold registrations in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. In addition, Thompson Engineering safety and environmental professionals are licensed to practice in all 50 states. 24
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www.torplng.com Headquartered in Houston, Torp LNG has its origins in Remora Technology, a Hitec Industries company specializing in industrial development and investment based in Stavanger, Norway. Torp LNG, along with its affiliates, has operated in offshore engineering and construction since 1985. Projects include the design, construction and delivery of approximately 50 loading systems for crude oil and gas, four offshore gas processing facilities, a complete drilling vessel and several drilling modules. Torp also designs, permits, constructs, installs and operates offshore LNG receiving and re-gasification terminals, like the Bienville Offshore Energy Terminal in the Main Pass area in the Gulf of Mexico.
www.southalabama.edu The University of South Alabama (USA) is the largest provider of higher education to the upper Gulf Coast region, enhancing the area’s economy and quality of life through teaching, research, public service and healthcare. With more than 14,000 students, USA is one of the state’s fastest-growing universities, and has awarded 63,000 degrees. The university is committed to enhancing quality of life for individuals in the area and has consequently created the USA Technology and Research Park and the Mitchell Cancer Institute, the region’s first comprehensive academic cancer research institute. Through its physicians and hospitals, USA serves more than 250,000 patients each year. USA recently added a doctor of pharmacy program to its diverse academic offerings.
www.whitneybank.com Started in 1883, Whitney National Bank is the oldest continuously operating bank in New Orleans and a banking industry leader in the Gulf South. Whitney offers community banking in a five-state Gulf Coast region, including Houston, Texas; southern Louisiana; the coastal region of Mississippi; central and south Alabama; the panhandle of Florida; and the Tampa Bay metropolitan area of Florida. Whitney National Bank also has a foreign branch on Grand Cayman in the British West Indies. Through its bank, Whitney Securities & Investments and the Whitney Community Development Corp., the company offers commercial, retail and international banking services, as well as brokerage, investment, trust and mortgage services.
| The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
Restaurant Sponsors Alec Naman Catering Atlanta Bread Bienville Club Chef Rob & Co. Chris & Carla’s Catering & Heavenly Ribs Creative Catering Inc. Crosby Catering Don’s Café & Catering Service Lassere’s Catering Newk’s Express Café Oysterella’s Seafood Restaurant Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel Ruth’s Chris Steak House/Felix Fish Camp Grill SAVOR - Mobile Sonny’s Real Pit BBQ The Battle House, a Renaissance Hotel & Spa Tyner’s Catering
Refreshments/Beverages AQUAlife Water & Coffee Service Kentwood Water Royal Cup Coffee
Entertainment Power Productions
Florists Belle Bouquet Florist & Gifts LLC Blooming Dell’s Florist Inc. Zimlich Patio and Garden d/b/a Elizabeth’s Gardens
Donations Airwind Creative Dade Paper Co. - paper products Jeff Tesney Photography - photography Lewis Communications Inc. - creative design services Alec Naman Catering - VIP reception OSI - printing Signs Now - signs WALA FOX10
Services Dorsett Productions Media Services LLC Local 15 Print King Soundworks Inc. SMG/Mobile Civic Center
Volunteers Alabama School of Math & Science Azalea Trail Maids Mobile Area Chamber Diplomats
CEO
Profile
Eric Berrios
Company: Virginia College, Mobile campus Title: President Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y. Education: Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio and the University of Dallas First job: As a junior in high school, Berrios worked for the Federal Reserve Bank in New York answering the phone in the savings bond division. Previous experience: Berrios worked in education for more than 16 years and also has experience as an administrator and business executive. Career-changing moment: “I discovered a career that I genuinely love and is perfectly matched with my talents and passion,” Berrios said. Accomplishments: Berrios is the 2009 recipient of the college’s Genevieve Broughton Education Award for his contributions to improving and promoting education. He was active in the formation of, and is a corporate partner of the Hispanic American Business Association of the Gulf Coast, and was instrumental in the construction of a new, 70,000-square-foot facility that will house the Mobile campus of Virginia College beginning in April. Secret to success: “Do the right thing – always.” Family: Berrios and his wife were married at the Vatican and honored with a personal meeting and a blessing from the late Pope John Paul II. Brief company description: Virginia College is a private institute of higher education offering associate degrees, diploma courses and baccalaureate degrees. The college provides educational opportunities through curricula in business, administrative, management, technical and professional programs.
Photo by Jeff Tesney
D
iplomat of the Month
Mamun “The Chamber has exposed me to others in the business community I would not have met without my membership,” said Mamun, the Mobile Area Chamber’s Diplomat of the Month. The ReMax Partners real estate agent explained his volunteer efforts fuel his passion for meeting people, sharing ideas and encouraging others to join the Chamber. And Mamun credits his Chamber affiliation with accelerating his business and goals. Mamun also participates in the Indian Association of Greater Mobile (IAGM), Odd Fellows, Grand Bay Watermelon Festival and the River of Life Church.
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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The Business View | MARCH 2010
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| The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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n v e s tor Focus
Mobile Gas, a Sempra Company
Company officials: James M. Fine, president; LaBarron N. McClendon, vice president marketing, community affairs and human resources; G. Edgar Downing, general counsel; Daniel T. Ford, director of planning and analysis; and Susan P. Stringer, controller
Years in business: 174 Brief company description: Mobile Gas is a natural gas utility serving approximately 95,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Mobile and the surrounding areas of southwest Alabama. The utility is a unit of Sempra Energy’s Sempra Pipelines & Storage subsidiary. Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE) is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego.
A Mobile Gas service technician maintains a gaslight in historic Fort Condé Village.
Why are you located in Mobile? One of the nation’s first natural gas distribution companies, Mobile Gas traces its origins to 1836 and illuminating Mobile’s downtown streets with gaslights. Why do you support the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce’s Partners for Growth initiative? “Partners for Growth provides a clear and measurable plan for strengthening the Mobile County economy,” said Fine. “As an economic development initiative, the community plan unites public and private sector organizations around the common goals of workforce and new business development.”
providing a remarkable outdoor life for citizens. These attributes, combined with the city’s architectural charm and Southern delicacies, create an environment of unmatched potential for attracting businesses to the region.” Length of Chamber membership: Since 1960
What do you see as Mobile’s greatest potential? “Mobile’s united approach to solving problems and pursuing economic development is a competitive advantage, as evidenced by successes such as ThyssenKrupp, Austal and EADS North America,” said Fine. “Mobile stands at the shoreline of one of the nation’s most valuable natural resources,
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
Partners for Growth (PFG) is the Mobile Area Chamber’s long-term economic and community development program. For more information contact Shelly Mattingly, the Chamber’s investor relations coordinator, at 431-8655 or smattingly@mobilechamber.com.
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The Business View | MARCH 2010
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n v e s tor Focus
Infirmary Health System Inc. Company officials: Mark Nix, president/chief executive officer; Joe Denton, executive vice president/chief financial officer; Barre Sanders, executive vice president/physician practices; Alan Whaley, executive vice president/chief strategy officer; Owen Bailey, executive vice president/community & governmental affairs; William McLaughlin, executive vice president, Gulf Health Hospitals. Years in business: 100 Brief company description: Infirmary Health System (IHS) has grown to include six hospitals – Mobile Infirmary Medical Center, Infirmary West, Thomas Hospital in Fairhope, North Baldwin Infirmary in Bay Minette, the J.L. Bedsole Rotary Rehabilitation Hospital and Infirmary Long Term Acute Care. The company also maintains a comprehensive physician network of 16 clinics, three outpatient centers for surgery and diagnostic testing, the E.A. Roberts Alzheimer’s Center and Infirmary Hospice. IHS employs more than 5,500 people, primarily in Mobile and Baldwin counties. In addition, IHS partners with the University of South Alabama and the Mitchell Cancer Institute. Why are you located in Mobile? “Led by legendary novelist Augusta J. Evans Wilson in 1896, a group of Mobile’s most prominent leaders envisioned a hospital to adequately care for Mobilians,” said Nix. “Since the establishment of Mobile Infirmary nearly 100 years ago, Infirmary Health System remains committed to providing the most advanced and highest quality healthcare, in a caring and compassionate setting, to the residents of our entire region.” Why do you support the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce’s Partners for Growth initiative? “We believe that it is part of our responsibility as an organization founded and based in this community to play an active role in efforts that impact the greater good,” said Nix. “We want to be an active participant in creating an exceptional healthcare environment in the Mobile area, and believe Partners for Growth positively
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The first hospital building of Mobile Infirmary opened in 1910 and a new building was built in 1952 (above) and a century later, the 704-bed Mobile Infirmary Medical Center (left or right) remains the cornerstone of Infirmary Health System’s six hospitals.
impacts workforce development and promotes strategic partnerships between business, political and education communities.” What do you see as Mobile’s greatest potential? “We have visionary leadership that recognizes and values partnerships, tremendous natural resources, a hard-working and skilled workforce, a commitment to excellence in education, a climate that is supportive of the business community, and a spirit of determination, openness and cooperation,” said Nix. “In fact, the Mobile area is consistently recognized for perpetuating an atmosphere of cooperation that many metropolitan regions lack.” Length of Chamber membership: Since 1985 Partners for Growth (PFG) is the Mobile Area Chamber’s long-term economic and community development program. For more information contact Shelly Mattingly, the Chamber’s investor relations coordinator, at 431-8655 or smattingly@mobilechamber.com.
| The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
Featured Profiles
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Dr. Juergen Hellmich is founding chief executive officer and president of the iSAM Group. iSAM was established in 1983 and has grown continuously Hellmich in the field of industrial automation. Hellmich holds a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Dortmund in Germany and a doctorate in metallurgy from the University RWTH of Aachen, also located in Germany. He holds several worldwide patents in port operations and recently founded the independent American company, iSAM North America Corp., located in Mobile. iSAM’s solutions are incorporated in a multitude of applications running at companies throughout the world. Some projects characteristic of iSAM’s long experience include steel making, pipe and welding technology, bulk material handling and port automation, aerospace and advance materials and advanced process control. Hellmich is also a private pilot.
d v i s ors
Ricky R. Mathews is president and publisher of the Press-Register in Mobile and the Mississippi Press in Pascagoula. Mathews As president of Advance Alabama/Mississippi, he has also assumed oversight responsibility for the Birmingham News and the Huntsville Times. All four newspapers are part of Advance Publication’s newspaper group. A Birmingham native and 27-year veteran of the newspaper industry, Mathews has held various positions in advertising, circulation, production, operations and marketing. Named president/publisher of the Biloxi Sun Herald in 2001, Mathews led the publication to a Pulitzer Prize in 2006. After completing advanced emergency medical technician training at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, he continued his education, graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned a master’s in business administration. The PressRegister is a Partners for Growth investor.
The Mobile Area Chamber is proud to salute members of the board of advisors. These business leaders represent companies whose significant dues investment lead the way in funding the Chamber’s programs and initiatives. For more information contact Katrina Dewrell at 431-8611 or kdewrell@mobilechamber.com.
Vincent W. Mayfield is
president, co-founder and senior software engineer for Bit-Wizards Custom Software Solutions Inc. headquartered in Fort Walton Mayfield Beach, Fla. The company is an innovative commercial technology firm providing professional software engineering, commerce, wireless, web, consulting and information technology solutions. Mayfield holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with minors in computer science and aerospace technology from Troy State University, as well as a master’s degree in International Relations. He served in the Army Reserves and the U.S. Air Force, and is a Federal Aviation Administration commercial instrument rated pilot. Mayfield authored and co-authored several programming books, technical articles, papers and presentations. He has worked for several companies as a software engineer, including his own technical consulting firm VMax Technical Consulting. He also served as project manager and technical lead on several multi-million-dollar software projects.
Randy M. Smith is president of Reliable Staffing, a company he founded with his wife, Angelina, in 1999. The business provides professional Smith staffing services to companies in need of clerical/administrative, professional, light and heavy industrial and marine personnel along the Gulf Coast. Smith is also an OSHA construction outreach trainer authorized to teach the OSHA 10 and 30-hour curriculum. Prior to launching Reliable Staffing, Smith worked for 15 years with various large industrial construction firms in human resources, safety, industrial relations and training. He is active in numerous organizations, including Associated Builders & Contractors, Mobile Society for Human Resource Management, Mobile Area Chamber, Tillman’s Corner Chamber, Gulf States Shipbuilder Consortium and Partners for Environmental Progress. Smith has completed numerous training courses in safety, HR management, labor relations and business management.
Premier Medical Physicians ENT Physicians RONNIE E. SWAIN, MD W. CARTER BRYARS, JR., MD BARRY L. BROWN, MD WILEY H. JUSTICE, MD, FACS JAMES R. SPIRES, JR., MD JOHN S. WILSON, MD, FACS JAMES K. PITCOCK, MD P. VAN. CROCKER, MD MARK R. GACEK, MD ALFRED M. NEUMANN, JR., MD RONNIE E. SWAIN, JR., MD J. MARK HARRISON, MD Kimberly Elliott, MD Michael Lee, MD Audiology JIM MCDILL, PHD JENNIFER TAYLOR-GUY, AUD Eye Physicians JAMES M. HARRISON, JR., MD CLAUDE M. WARREN, III, MD ROLLINS L. TINDELL, JR., MD CHARLES R. SALISBURY, MD MATTHEW W. MOSTELLER, MD CHARLES S. MOSTELLER, MD RICHARD J. DUFFEY, MD H. CHRISTOPHER SEMPLE, MD ANDREW P. TERRY, MD STUART F. BALL, MD WILLIAM F. MURRAH, III, MD MARK J. DOUGLAS, MD CURTIS M. GRAF, JR., MD BEN F. KING, OD GREGORY R. JACKSON, OD ROBERT E. EDGE, OD VALERIE L. VICK, MD JAY A. BROWN, MD CHARLES F. JONES, M.D. JEFFERY A. MORROW, O.D. Chris Walton, MD
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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The Business View | MARCH 2010
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C
hamber@Work
State GAC Meets About Legislative Session The state governmental affairs subcommittee met in January to discuss 2010 legislative issues. The subcommittee heard presentations from the city of Mobile on title change legislation for abandoned and dilapidated properties and from Baldwin County’s GUMBO group on supporting a later school start date to allow for a longer tourism season. A study conducted by Auburn University at Montgomery states that the school start date change would net an economic impact of $330 million for Alabama. A follow-up meeting was held with the city of Mobile to further engage key partners and elected officials in the abandoned property clear title issue. Envision Sets New Benchmarks for the Next Decade In January, more than 75 Envision Coastal Alabama volunteers from Mobile and Baldwin counties began the process to update Envision’s community and economic development strategies in the areas of education, economy, equity and the environment. The half-day workshop offered a brief history of Envision’s progress over the past 13 years and, with the input of volunteers, strategy partners and elected officials from both Mobile and Baldwin counties, updated current program goals and objectives. Ramona Hill with Workshops Etc! and Spring Hill College facilitated this event.
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Business Retention and Expansion 2010 Goals Set The Chamber’s Business Retention and Expansion committee set its goals for 2010. The committee is chaired by Mike Granger with BBVA Compass. The committee plans to assist with solving issues or problems affecting their business, particularly those concerns the Chamber can influence. They will also focus on making sure each interviewee knows what the Chamber offers them and will solicit their feedback on what is important to them. Workforce Development Working on New Event The Chamber’s Center for Workforce Development is working on a career fair for eighth grade students called Worlds of Opportunity. This fair will take place in September, and the Chamber’s role is to spearhead the healthcare and aerospace coalition’s exhibits. Chamber Participates in Member Grand Openings and Ribbon Cuttings Chamber staff and diplomats helped cut ribbons and celebrate grand openings at BaySide Dinners, citybiz USA, Cream & Sugar, Cypress Cove Apartments, Franklin Primary Health West Mobile Family Medical Center, Fuego Coastal Mexican Eatery, Mobile Association for Retarded CitizensIrvington, Momma Goldberg’s Deli, Navigator Credit Union, SB&T Bank - Cottage Hill, Re/Max Select, Signature Real Estate LLC, Sylvan Learning of Semmes and Verizon Wireless.
ho’s In Town? March 2010
The Mobile Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau (MBCVB) provides a list of the current month’s conventions coming to the bay area. For more information ⌦contact the MBCVB at 208-2000. March 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28 Southern Bowling Congress Delegates: 250 per weekend Phone: 901-363-6501 Hotel/Location: Ashbury Hotel & Suites March 10-11 National Beta Club Delegates: 4,000 Phone: 864-583-4553 Hotels: The Battle House, a Renaissance Hotel; Hampton Inn & Suites Mobile/Downtown Historic District; Holiday Inn Downtown Historic District; Mobile Marriott; Radisson Admiral Semmes Hotel; Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel Location: Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center
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March 12-13 Red Bird Foundation Delegates: 900 Phone: 512-288-0879 Hotel/Location: Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel and Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center March 25-28 Gideons International Delegates: 150 Phone: 205-932-5367 Hotel/Location: Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel
City Development Review Process Discussed Late in 2009, the city of Mobile’s regulatory staff met with area engineers, developers and contractors for the second time to discuss issues surrounding the city’s development review process. During a series of round-table discussions, facilitated by the Chamber, structured around varying permitting and development review topics. This strategy session explored and developed possible solutions to perceived problems with the city’s current permitting process. Chamber Names New Diplomats Several new diplomats have been selected to volunteer for the Chamber. They are: Brittany Beckham, IKON Office Solutions; Harrietta Eaton, CorroMetrics Services Inc.; Robin Lea, BaySide Dinners; Noah Lee, Southern Light; Saty Putcha, Padgett Business Services of Mobile; Lee Teague, Bay Bank; and Garrett Wolf, Mobile BayBears. Diplomats are a group of volunteer members who assist the Chamber with a variety of projects, including event registration, member visits and attending ribbon cuttings. To learn more about this group, contact Kim Perrone at 431-8649 or kperrone@mobilechamber.com. Honor Flight Sets Spring Date Honor Flight South Alabama has secured the date for its third fight to Washington D.C. for World War II veterans as May 12. Additional flights are also being planned for later this year. The Chamber is assisting Honor Flight South Alabama by arranging logistics and registering attendees. To learn more about this program, visit www.honorflightsa.com. MBEC Sends Representative to Study China Pam Ramos, project director of the Chamber’s Minority Business Enterprise Center (MBEC), participated in a Business to Business Exchange in China. The trip was sponsored by the Department of Commerce and the Minority Business Development Agency and its goals were to: provide access to the global economy for minority business enterprises (MBEs), support MBEs in expanding their corporate strategy and international business; and develop MBE relationships with China & expand to other Asian countries in the future.
| The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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omparative Economic Indicators
DEC. 2009 vs DEC. 2008 The Mobile Area Chamber’s research division collects a variety of statistics each month.
Business Licenses City of Mobile
170 2009 212 2008
Employed Mobile/Baldwin counties
231,825 2009 249,805 2008
Unemployment Rates Mobile/Baldwin counties
10.9% 2009 6.1% 2008
Homes Sold⌦ Mobile County
256 2009 250 2008
Average Selling Price Mobile County $135,227 2009 $142,213 2008
Building Permits City of Mobile
207 2009 183 2008
Value of Building Permits $26,760,397 2009 $11,895,178 2008
Air Passengers From Mobile Area 21,895 2009 23,244 2008
MARCH
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CHAMBER CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT *
*Members Only Time: 7:30 a.m. Registration and Breakfast 8:30 a.m. Shotgun Start Place: TimberCreek Golf Course 9650 Timber Creek Blvd. Cost: $850 Hole Sponsorships $150 Individual Tickets Contact: Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or mhartley@mobilechamber.com
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GULF COAST COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SUMMIT III & MARKET REVIEW
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Place: Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center, 1 S. Water St. Cost: $150, includes lunch Contact: Shelly Mattingly at 431-8655 or smattingly@mobilechamber.com
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NETWORKING @ NOON * *Members Only
Time: Noon - 1:30 p.m. Place: Mobile Area Chamber 451 Government St. Cost: $10, includes lunch Contact: Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or mhartley@mobilechamber.com
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EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE *
*Members Only Time: 8 - 9 a.m. Place: Mobile Area Chamber 451 Government St. Cost: Free Contact: Brenda Rembert at 431-8607 or brembert@mobilechamber.com
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CUSTOMER SERVICE: Smiling is Not Enough
*Members Only Time: 3:30 - 5 p.m. Place: Mobile Area Chamber 451 Government St. Cost: Free Contact: Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or mhartley@mobilechamber.com
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FORUM ALABAMA Time: 7:30 - 9 a.m. Place: The Battle House, a Renaissance Hotel & Spa Cost: $20 Members/$200 for member table of 10, $25 for potential members/ $250 for potential member table of 10 Contact: Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or mhartley@mobilechamber.com
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BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
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Time: 5:30 - 7 p.m. Place: BayBank, 6140 Airport Blvd. Cost: $5 for members, $10 for potential members Contact: Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or mhartley@mobilechamber.com
Chamber Classic Golf Tournament* Bring clients for a relaxing day of fun and networking on the golf course. This year’s tournament will be Friday, March 5 at TimberCreek, 9650 TimberCreek Blvd. in Daphne. Breakfast and registration begin at 7:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. For reservation and sponsorship information, contact Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or mhartley@ mobilechamber.com. See ad on page 2. *Members Only
Gulf Coast Commercial Real Estate Summit III and Market Review The third annual Gulf Coast Commercial Real Estate Summit is set for Wednesday, March 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center, 1 S. Water St. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. The all-day workshop features commercial real estate industry leaders who will offer reports, data, insight and interpretations of the local market. The University of South Alabama Mitchell College of Business Center for Real Estate Studies will also offer its report on the local commercial real estate market. Continuing education credits (up to seven hours) are available. The cost is $150 including lunch, and reservations are required. For more information contact Shelly Mattingly at 431-8655 or smattingly@ mobilechamber.com.
For information on Chamber events, visit events.mobilechamber.com.
Networking@Noon* Networking@Noon will be held Wednesday, March 10 at the Mobile Area Chamber, 451 Government St., with food provided by The HoneyBaked Ham Co. N@N is a bi-monthly event offering members 45 seconds to introduce themselves and their business. Following a brief presentation, introductions and lunch, attendees are invited to continue networking. The event is limited to Mobile Area Chamber members only, and one representative per company. The cost is $10 and payment is due with reservation. Reservations are required no later than Monday, March 8, and can be made by contacting Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or mhartley@mobilechamber.com. Reservations not cancelled by March 8 must be honored to cover the cost of lunch. *Members Only
Customer Service: Smiling is Not Enough* Where is customer service on your growing list of responsibilities as a business owner or professional? If it’s not at the top, you’re missing opportunities to gain and retain customers. On Wednesday, March 17 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., the Mobile Area Chamber will offer “Customer Service: Smiling is Not Enough” at 451 Government St. Michelle Crowe Ritter, owner of e-worc Website Design and trainer for MTI Business Solutions, specializes in customer service training designed to get customers talking about you. She’ll cover the basics of internal and external customer service. The class is free to Chamber members and their employees. Reservations are required. For more information, contact Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or mhartley@ mobilechamber.com. *Members Only
Executive Roundtable* Executive Roundtable, a monthly forum exclusively for Chamber member small business owners and managers, will meet on Tuesday, March 16 from 8 to 9 a.m. in the Mobile Area Chamber’s Board Room. Bill Sisson, executive director of the Mobile Airport Authority, will discuss the current state of the airport and developments slated for the future. There is no charge to attend, but seating is limited. For reservations, contact Brenda Rembert at 431-8607 or brembert@mobilechamber.com. *Members Only
Forum Alabama Forum Alabama, periodically offered to members to address critical state and federal topics, will be held on Monday, March 22 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and will feature guest speaker Sen. Jeff Sessions. The meeting will be held at The Battle House, a Renaissance Hotel & Spa. Tickets are $20 for members, $200 for a member table of 10, $25 for potential members, and $250 for a potential member table of 10. Reservations are required. For more information or for reservations contact Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or mhartley @mobilechamber.com.
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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Business After Hours Join Chamber members and diplomats on Thursday, March 25 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at BayBank, 6140 Airport Blvd., for Business After Hours. Enjoy a casual evening of networking with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverages. This is one of the best opportunities to introduce yourself and your business to other members and make new business contacts. Reservations are not necessary. The cost for members is $5 and $10 for potential members.
The Business View | MARCH 2010
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M
ember Ne ws
Aerotek Scientific promoted Nathan Young to business development manager of its Mobile area operations. Young is a graduate of Florida State University and has worked with Aerotek for two years. X
Bell
Brunson
Young
Stock
Roberts Brothers real estate named several new agents. Angela Bell joined The Real Estate Center, Laurye Brunson joined the West Mobile office and Melissa Stock will work at the Airport Square office. X Michael White is the new morning weather personality at WALA - FOX10. The Dothan native earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from White The University of Alabama and a meteorological degree from Mississippi State University. He previously handled weekend weather duties for WRDW in Augusta, Ga. White will team up with Sarah Wall and Eric Reynolds. X Jim Kellen was named director of Workforce Development at Bishop State Community College. Kellen will provide the industry with skilled graduates for immediate hire. X Sirmon & Simmons P.C. welcomed three CPAs as partners in the firm. James T. Murray III and R. Michael Brumfield will work in the Mobile office. Ronda J. Melton joined the firm’s Daphne office. X Mobile Lumber hired Leanne Flowers as a designer for its new cabinet division, Coast Design Kitchen & Bath. Flowers has an applied arts degree in Flowers interior design from the Southern Institute School of Interior Design and six years kitchen and bath design experience. X BaySide Dinners welcomes former restaurant owner and chef, Kevin Brooks, who will oversee private catering in-house and on-site. 32
MARCH 2010
Greg Burleson and DeWayne Overstreet are new agents with Burleson Overstreet Coldwell Banker United, Realtors Mobile office. X Donald W. Washington joined the law firm of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère & Denègre LLP. Washington, a former U.S. Attorney, will focus his Washington practice on complex civil litigation, federal and state criminal investigations, regulatory enforcement actions, and internal investigations and compliance programs. He received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the United States Military Academy and his law degree from the South Texas College of Law.
Cream & Sugar, a restaurant offering specialty drinks, gourmet desserts and ice cream, opened in the Oakleigh historic district in January. The eatery is located at the corner of George and Savannah streets. X Mobile Lumber announced the showroom opening of its on-site designer cabinet division, Coast Design Kitchen & Bath. The showroom is located 200 yards west of Mobile Lumber on U. S. Hwy. 90 in Tillman’s Corner. X The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced that Austal-designedand-built, 113-meter-high-speed catamaran “Huakai” was sent to Haiti to assist with relief efforts. It can transport people, vehicles and other cargo. The bi-fold ramp enables the ship to be loaded and unloaded without relying on shore-side facilities such as port cranes, which are not in use following the earthquake. The Hawaii Superferry was completed in 2009 at Austal USA in Mobile. X Southeast Writing Co. offers its services in Spanish. Also the office relocated to 4320 Boulevard Park S., Suite B. The new telephone number is 251-272-3636. X The University of Alabama School of Law in Tuscaloosa hired Red Square Agency to develop and implement a social media program featuring a blog, Twitter feed, Facebook fan page and LinkedIn group. The program will be integral to student recruitment efforts.
Sydney Raine, president of Mobile Works Inc., was appointed by Gov. Bob Riley to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. The commission Raine is the state agency responsible for the overall statewide planning and coordination of higher education in Alabama. X The University of South Alabama (USA) Mitchell College of Business Master of Business Administration program ranked 10th in BusinessWeek’s Williams list of Best Part-Time MBA programs in the South in 2009. In other news, the USA Mitchell College of Business Distinguished Professor of Marketing, Dr. Alvin Williams received the Society for Marketing Advances (SMA) Fellow Award for his meritorious contributions to the society and the marketing discipline. Williams, received a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Southern Mississippi and a master’s in marketing from The University of Alabama, and he completed his doctorate at the University of Arkansas. X The Medical Society of Mobile County installed the following 2010 officers and board of censors members at its annual meeting: Dr. Leonard Rich, Rich president; Dr. Charles Rodning, president-elect; Dr. Elizabeth Manci, vice-president; Dr. John Russell, secretary-treasurer; and Dr. M. Craig Kleinmann, immediate past-president. Incoming members of the board of censors are Dr. Norman Lichtenfeld, Dr. Forrest Ringold and Dr. James Courtney. Dr. Elizabeth Minto and Dr. Duncan Scott will serve as board of health censors. X Account manager, Michael Cuesta of Calagaz Printing received the “Rookie of the Year” award at the “Share Our Strength” Annual Conference of Cuesta Leaders. The award recognizes support for anti-hunger activities. Calagaz Printing partnered with Share Our Strength to help promote “The Great American Dine Out” by donating promotional print pieces for more than 1,200 restaurant locations nationwide.
| The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
Bishop State Community College won the silver in the radio advertising series category at the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) District 2 Medallion Awards competition. The competition recognizes excellence in communications exclusively among two-year colleges in 11 states, the Bahamas and Bermuda. In other news, Bishop State Nursing Director Kimberly Rawson was appointed to the National League for Nursing Ambassador program. Rawson will help keep faculty and administration informed about the NLN’s initiatives, grant opportunities, conferences, publications, workshops and benefits available to league members. Bishop State’s Roxanne Hannon-Odom EdD, chair of the Division of Developmental Education and English instructor, won the 2009 Alabama Hannon-Odom Community College System (ACCS) Chancellor’s Award in the academic faculty category. The Chancellor’s Award recognizes individuals from each ACCS with the highest standards of professional performance and service among college employees. X James Floyd Pate Sr., founder of J.F. Pate and Associates, was inducted into the Alabama Construction Hall of Fame posthumously at the Alabama AGC (Associated General Contractors) 12th Annual Build Alabama Awards. Also at the event, S.J.&L. Inc. won the chapter-wide safety award for its safety record and new heavy industrial construction award for its project at Austal USA Modular Manufacturing Facility phase one site work. In the specialty contractor division – new construction award went to Bagby & Russell Electric Co. Inc. for its project at the Mobile Container Terminal. In addition, Alabama AGC chapter-wide officers elected from Mobile are: secretary, Johnny Walton of John G. Walton Construction and treasurer, Michael B. Tew of S.J.&L. General Contractor Inc. Chapter-wide board of directors includes John E. Pate of J. F. Pate & Associates Contractors Inc. and Ben Radcliff Jr. of Ben M. Radcliff Contractor Inc. The national board of directors includes Mit Kopf of TradeMark Construction Inc. and Norman Walton of J. S. Walton & Co. Inc. Walton was also elected treasurer for the AGC of America. On the chapterwide associate board is immediate past president Buzzy Riis of Hand Arendall LLC. Scott Beech of Block USA and Jim Riis of Hanson Pipe & Precast will serve as directors.
Member News The Carter Group LLC was selected for the 2009 Best of Business Award in the executive placement category by the Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA). The program recognizes the country’s Top 5 percent of small businesses using consumer feedback. X Bit-Wizards, a leading provider of custom software solutions in the Southeast, announced the company achieved a total score of 197 out of 200 possible satisfaction points, resulting in an overall score of 98 percent. The Microsoft Net Satisfaction (NSAT) survey measures key performance indicators including loyalty, communications, quality, support, and value. X Homewood Suites by Hilton in Daphne celebrated its fourth consecutive “Outstanding” score awarded on its most recent quality assurance evaluation. Quality assurance scores are based on the hotel’s cleanliness, service, product and overall adherence to brand standards. X Thames Batré Mattei Beville & Ison was awarded the “Best Practices” designation by the Independent Insurance Agents
Submission deadline for Member News is two months prior to publication. News releases should be one or two brief paragraphs. Photos must be professional headshots, labeled with the person’s last name, and must be 300 dpi at full size and saved in an eps, tif or jpg format. Send your information to news@mobilechamber.com.
& Brokers of America (IIABA). Of the 23,000 agencies in the U.S., only 183 qualified for the honor. Thames Batré is the only locally owned independent insurance broker in South Alabama to be selected. X The Mobile County Commission received the 2009 Digital Government Innovation Award from Auburn University at Montgomery. The statewide “Overall Winner” award honored the county for its innovation and cost savings through Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP). The county made the switch, saving $12,000 a month while providing more phone connections, features and more secure disaster response through computer backup systems.
Community News
in Fairhope; Mobile Opera – interactive musical program, classroom instruction and take home supplement; and the Mobile Association for Retarded Citizens – transition program in conjunction with the Mobile County Public School System. JLM is committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving the community. X Bill Meredith was elected president of the Mobile County Board of School Commissioners last fall. Meredith, one of five school board members elected by constituents of the districts, has served on the board since November 2004 and represents District 5. Rev. Levon Manzie was elected vice president of the board, also unanimously. He was elected to represent District 4 in 2008.
The Junior League of Mobile (JLM) awarded $12,500 to four local agencies from its Community Assistance Fund (CAF) in the fall of 2009. Recipients included WHIL-FM – Classics in the Classroom Program; Outward Bound – a wilderness experience for at-risk teens program based
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Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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The Business View | MARCH 2010 11/19/09
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Clip and add to your Membership Directory.
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e w Members
If you know of a company interested in benefitting from Chamber membership, contact Rebecca Miilam at 431-8647 or Heather Bell at 431-8627. View the complete membership directory at www.mobilechamber.com.
Afterhours Janitorial Service Mark A. Howard 9843 Brooklyn’s Way S. Semmes, AL 36575-6271 251-533-2014 Cleaning Service Alliance Insurance Group LLC Michael G. Hicks 2545 Bell Rd. Montgomery, AL 36117-4334 334-396-3960 www.allianceinsgroup.com Insurance CertaPro Painters of Mobile and Baldwin Counties Steve Carey P.O. Box 321 Daphne, AL 36526-0321 251-406-9799 www.mobile.certapro.com Painting Contractors Cortlandt’s Cortlandt Inge 351-A George St. Mobile, AL 36604 251-432-0016 Restaurants
Infinity Bicycles Scott Kuppersmith 2039 Airport Blvd. Mobile, AL 36609-1366 251-478-1000 www.infinity-bicycles.com Bicycles
Millry Communication Inc. Bobby Williams 30433 Hwy. 17 Millry, AL 36558 251-846-2911 www.millry.net Telephone Company
Saunders Yachtworks Andrew Saunders 605 Waterway E. Blvd. Gulf Shores, AL 36542-2749 251-981-3700 www.saundersyacht.com Yachts
Meegie Wheat CPS International Association of Administrative Professionals UCOM 3618, 75 N. University Blvd. Mobile, AL 36688 251-380-2667 Non-Profit Organization
Mobile Screen Print & Embroidery/Ad Specialties Mike Skipper 590-2 S. Schillinger Rd. Mobile, AL 36695-8905 251-634-9466 www.gulfcoastsilkscreening.com T-Shirts
Scrapping Frenzy LLC Cyndy Anders 875 Hillcrest Rd. Mobile, AL 36695 251-545-1017 www.scrappingfrenzy.com Retail
Leadership Solutions Associates LLC Tim Coffey 1419 Nantahala Beach Rd. Gulf Breeze, FL 32563-8915 850-529-1759 www.lsa-trainers.com Training & Development McKemie Place Christine Greene P.O. Box 9082 Mobile, AL 36691-0082 251-432-1122 www.mckemieplace.org Charitable Organization
Database Solutions Inc. Paul Shorrosh 3205 Westside Park Ct. Mobile, AL 36695-8553 251-338-0970 www.accuregsoftware.com Software Services
Midtown Mart Leila Maharaj 1101 Dauphin St. Mobile, AL 36695-2511 251-545-3154 Convenience Stores
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50 YEARS
Alabama Power Co. Calagaz Photo & Digital Imaging Inc. Jim Barnes Enterprises Inc. d/b/a McDonald’s Restaurant
35 YEARS
Johnston Druhan LLP McFadden, Lyon & Rouse LLC Springhill Medical Center
30 YEARS
Mobile County Education Assn. Danny Goodwin
25 YEARS
Bienville Club Bronstein’s Fine Furniture Inc. Gulf Wilbert Vault Co. Inc. L & M Welding Supply Inc. McKean & Associates PA Medical Society of Mobile County Sheree LaCoste
Susan Pope Montford Point Marines Association Mobile Chapter 29150 Lake Forest Blvd., #1505 Daphne, AL 36526-7592 251-644-6552 www.montfordpointmarines.com Non-Profit Organization Partridge, Smith PC Winston R. Grow 3601 Spring Hill Business Pk., Ste. 102 Mobile, AL 36608-1263 251-338-0566 www.partridgesmith.com Attorneys
Stainless & Alloy Piping Chris Ferguson 5128 S. Mobile St. Theodore, AL 36582-1618 251-434-8288 www.stainlessandalloy.com Distributors of Metal Fabricating Equipment VIC Companies William David Gwin 1119 Government St. Mobile, AL 36604-2439 251-476-7400 www.vicomm.net Advertising As of 12/31/09
MARCH 2010
A recent study showed that consumers are 63 percent more likely to purchase goods or services from a small business that is a Chamber member. For as little as 83 cents a day your membership will yield a return in: • Business assistance; • Professional development seminars and counseling; • Networking opportunities; • Advocacy aimed at protecting your business interests; and much more. The Mobile Area Chamber, through a contract with the city of Mobile and Mobile County, is the lead economic recruiter and collaborates with various entities to secure projects for the Mobile Bay area. More jobs increase your potential client base! In addition, the Chamber focuses on quality of life. One small fee allows you to be involved in improving education, the economy, business and many other critical issues. For more information about becoming a member, contact Carolyn Golson at 431-8622 or cgolson@mobilechamber.com or visit www.mobilechamber.com. The Business of Mobile is Our Business.
nniversaries Members Are Our Greatest Asset!
Metallurgical Consulting Mobile Bar Pilots LLC Southern Ornamental Security Inc. d/b/a AAA Ironworks St. Paul’s Episcopal School Tensaw Land & Timber Co. Inc.
20 YEARS
Asplundh Tree Expert
15 YEARS
The Pelican Group Inc.
5 YEARS
Carr Allison Communication Technology Services Inc. Family Promise of Coastal Alabama Inc. GAF Materials Corp. Instrument Technical Services Inc. Sand Properties Inc. Walks and Wags Inc.
1-4 YEARS
Afrohair.com Alabama Fluid System Technologies Inc. Alabama One Credit Union Annie’s Beauty Salon Aquaterra Engineering Belk The Cancer Center of Southern Alabama PA CH Fulfillment Services LLC Coastal Community Mortgage Commercial Contracting Corp. Computer Technology Solutions Inc. Cooper Marine and Timberlands Corp. Country Hearth Inn Creola Ace Hardware & Construction Supply Downtown Mobile Alliance Eco Quest International Entec Services Inc. Family Security Credit Union Floor Trader - Mobile Forensic Financial Services Group LLC
Goram Air Conditioning Co. Grelot Physical Therapy Gulf Coast Containers The Hayes Group Ink Works Screen Printing & Embroidery Integra Water LLC The Lathan Co. Inc. Moore Properties LLC Petrie’s Pinnacle Systems Corp. Piping & Equipment Inc. PPM Consultants Inc. Raceway Raymond James Financial Services Safety Plus Skipper Insurance & Realty Southern Development Council Inc. Spanish Fort Town Center Apartments Yellowhammer Homes Inc. Walashek Industrial & Marine Water and Waste Specialties LLC As of 12/31/09
Please show your support through the patronage of these businesses.
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There is Strength in Numbers...
| The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS ...creates a family of support.
There’s no place like home for Frank Lott III. He believes his Chamber membership helps him serve as an advocate for the city where he was born and raised. And this includes staying informed about economic development, business news and keeping the morale of our residents up during these times.” As one of 2,400 Chamber members, Frank has access to resources, exposure and networking to grow his business and make it thrive – and that means his hometown his built on more than dreams.
Frank Lott III Heritage Homes 20 Employees Member Since 1991
The Business of Mobile is our Business. joinmobilechamber.com 251.433.6951