April 2010 The Business View

THE

BUSINESS VIEW April 2010 Vol. XXXXI, No. 3

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PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Mobile, AL Permit #346

Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

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Aerospace Industry Keeps Growing in Mobile Cutting-Edge Recycling Program Comes to the Gulf Coast

Small Business Loans Foster Growth

CONTENTS

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

Publisher.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . Winthrop M. Hallett III Executive Editor... . . . . . . . .. . . . Leigh Perry-Herndon Managing Editor... . . . . . . . . . . Susan Rak-Blanchard Copy Editor... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cori Yonge Additional Writers and Editors

Shayla Beaco, Ashley Horn, Leida Javier-Ferrell, Michelle Matthews, Carolyn Wilson

Printing Services.. . . . . . . . Interstate Printing/Direct Mail Graphic Design .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . Wise Design Inc. Advertising Account Executive.. . . . . . . . . . René Eiland 431-8635 reiland@mobilechamber.com

ADVERTISERS Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic PC................................ 24 Alabama Power............................................................21 Bit-Wizards.....................................................................7 Bug Master Exterminators Inc.................................. 25 Burr & Forman LLP................................................... 16 CH fulfillment services............................................... 15 Community Bank....................................................... 26 Gwin’s Commercial Printing..................................... 25 Hand Arendall............................................................. 12 Interstate Printing......................................................28 Keith Air Conditioning................................................11 Lagniappe.................................................................... 26 Local 15....................................................................... 26 Makeda Nichols, State Farm......................................29 Meyer Real Estate....................................................... 24 Mobile Regional Airport............................................. 35 Online Payroll Services Inc........................................ 24 Premier Medical Management..................................10 RBC Bank.................................................................... 13 Server Corps................................................................ 15 Starr Textile Services...................................................29 United Way of Southwest Alabama.............................21 WAVENet Technologies................................................ 22 Welcome Friends..........................................................23 Whitney Bank.............................................................. 23

ON THE COVER THE

BUSINESS VIEW Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

2 Mobile’s aerospace industry gets a lift as Regent Aerospace expands to the Brookley Complex.

5 Loans backed by the Small Business Administrtaion are more critical than ever, and are helping local companies grow.

18 Cutting-edge recycling program active on the Gulf Coast.

F E A T U R E S 4-7 News You Can Use – Positive business updates including Regent’s expansion, Kimberly-Clark’s investment that is saving 80 jobs, the University of South Alabama’s newest grant, the latest results of SBA loans, Airbus hits employment goal, Austal’s jobs announcement, Mobile’s vote of confidence,

ThyssenKrupp’s employment growth and the Port of Mobile’s new heavy lift crane.

8-10 ETC – Organizational updates and business briefs: mark your calendar for the 12th annual Jobs Fair and Business Expo, details on enter ing your business story in the U.S. Chamber’s campaign, the April 1 safety conference, the return of the BellMicro LPGA Classic, Cheryl Thompson leaves a legacy in Mobile, as she announces her retirement, former Rep. Sonny Callahan takes top honors as 2009 Mobilian of the Year and a new career expo aimed at eighth graders.

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.

On the cover: Regent Aerospace announced it would open a facility in Mobile at Brookley Industrial Complex. Participating in the media conference are: Joseph Ng, ST Aerospace Mobile; Bill Sisson, Mobile Airport Authority; Merceria Ludgood, Mobile County Commission; Mike Lilley, Regent Aerospace; Al Stokes, City of Mobile; Troy Wayman, Mobile Area Chamber; and Dave Trent, Airbus Engineering Center. See page 4 for details on the announcement. Photo by Ashley Horn

13 Mark your calendar. The Chamber plans its Member Appreciation Day on April 9.

14 Looking for ways to get involved? Look here for a list of the Chamber’s committees.

15 Meet a few Chamber volunteers and read how they give back.

17-20

Envision Coastal Alabama’s semi-annual report introduces new leaders, highlights the organization’s revised plan of action, explores a cutting-edge program allowing regional industries to swap by-products and spotlights programs enhancing business and citizenship on both sides of the bay.

22 How to market a dinosaur: guest columnist Hela Sheth recounts how she used social media to successfully attract customers to the Gulf Coast Exploreum exhibit “Dinosaurs Downtown.”

M O N T H LY F O C U S 11 Small Business of the Month: 29 Board of Advisors Kingdom Coach 29 Who’s in Town?

23 SCORE: Tackling Your Small Business Taxes 30 Chamber@Work 24 CEO Profile: Autrey McMillan Jr., Tractor & Equipment Co. 30 Economic Indicators 25 Business Spotlight: Friends of the Mobile 31 Calendar Animal Shelter

32-33 Member News 25 Diplomats of the Month: Trish Banker

and Donna Turner 34 Anniversaries

34 New Members 27 Investor Focus: IPC Capital Partners LLC

28 Investor Focus: Tensaw Land &

Timber Co. Inc.

Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce | The Business View | APRIL 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 Regent Aerospace Expands Global Outreach with New Facility in Mobile Regent Aerospace, the world’s largest aircraft interiors maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) company, announced in late February it would open a facility in Mobile at Brookley Industrial Complex, adjacent to ST Aerospace Mobile. The company’s entry into the local aerospace market will come in two phases. The first phase includes hiring 90 people and performing aircraft interior refurbishment, and will take place immediately.

The second will be to buy, build or lease a much larger facility at Brookley within the next two years.

“One of the driving forces behind Regent’s decision to make this investment in Mobile is its working relationship with ST Aerospace Mobile,” said Mike Lilley, vice president and general manager of Regent. “Both Regent and ST Aerospace Mobile have mutual customers and the synergy resulting in both companies being in Mobile will benefit these customers considerably.”

ST Aerospace Mobile is an exterior MRO company, headquartered in Singapore, but is Mobile County’s largest manufacturing company Mike Lilley with Regent Aerospace and Joseph Ng with ST Aerospace Mobile share a with more than 1,200 permanent workers on site laugh prior to a February media conference where Regent announced it would expand at its facility at Brookley. Lilley said Regent’s goal operations to Mobile. As the largest aircraft interiors maintenance company, Regents is to fully-support ST Aerospace Mobile with its plans to work with ST Aerospace Mobile on contracts. aircraft interior needs.

“We are very pleased to welcome another tenant Bill Sisson, executive director of the Mobile Airport

to Brookley this year, at a time when our country continues Authority. “Regent Aerospace greatly complements

to experience the impact of the economic downturn,” said Brookley’s existing aerospace industry and provides an excellent fit into Brookley’s long term master plan.”

The new facility will be located at 2117 Michigan Ave., in the former DHL building. Mike McAleer with The McAleer Tunstall Co. LLC is the leasing agent for the building.

“A project like Regent is a perfect fit for Mobile’s burgeoning aerospace sector,” said Troy Wayman, vice president of economic development for the Mobile Area Chamber. “A well-established and growing company like ST Aerospace Mobile will absolutely benefit by having Regent located adjacent to its facility. We expect to continue announcements such as this as our aerospace cluster continues to grow.”

Headquartered in Valencia, Calif., Regent currently has seven facilities in the United States, and two international locations – Beijing, China, and Toulouse, France. The company performs aircraft refurbishments for many major airlines and also manufactures aircraft parts and survival equipment.

“Having a specialized aircraft interiors company in Mobile should attract even more airlines and carriers who are considering having maintenance performed here,” said Lilley.

Retaining Jobs is Economic Development

Kimberly-Clark to Invest $50 Million – Keep 80 Jobs Here Keeping good paying jobs in Mobile is a priority, according the Mobile Area Chamber’s Partners for Growth investors. So when Kimberly Clark went before the city of Mobile’s Industrial Development Board (IDB) in late February, the company provided details on how it planned to invest more than $50 million in capital expenditures over a 24 month period, and with it, would save 80 highpaying positions at the Mobile mill.

Mobile Mill Manager Michael M. Mitchell told members of the IDB the investment is part of a long-term strategy to invest in the mill, located near the Cochrane-Africatown Bridge, that would keep it viable in an ever-changing 4

economy. The money will be used to install new converting and packaging equipment to expand the Scott-brand bath products for the commercial market. With this new equipment, Mitchell said the company expects to increase the mill’s operating efficiency.

The mill operates a tissue making facility, employing more than 600 workers. The retained positions account for a total annual payroll of $8.6 million with wages and benefits.

Troy Wayman, vice president of economic development for the Chamber, said retaining high-paying jobs in Mobile is just as relevant as new company announcements

APRIL 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

and expansion projects. “If we can help a local company who is highly-invested in Mobile remain here and employing hundreds of area residents, I believe we’re doing our job,” he said. Wayman also noted that not only does the Mobile mill have a high employment here, but they also are long-standing community partners with its employee’s active in numerous volunteer projects and United Way of Southwest Alabama.

“Clearly, continued investment in and training our employees on new technologies and other manufacturing improvements help insure the mill’s long term competitiveness and viability,” said Mitchell.

Positive Business News When You Need It • Positive Business News When You Need It • Positive Business News When You Need It •

an Use

SBA Loans Foster New Jobs

USA College of Medicine Wins Big for Research Dr. David Wood (fourth on the right), chair of the University of South Alabama’s department of microbiology and immunology, will serve as lead researcher for a $14.5 million National Institutes of Health grant dedicated to studying bioterrorism agents.

It’s possible that homeland security measures could evolve in a new research lab at the University of South Alabama’s College of Medicine. In February, the university received its largest competitive grant in school history – a $14.5 million award from the National Institutes of Health, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The grant supports ongoing research projects dedicated to the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases and bioterrorism agents that seriously threaten human, animal and plant health. The monies will also underwrite the construction of a new 25,800-square-foot, multi-use research laboratory in the USA Technology and Research Park, on the north side of campus.

Dr. David Wood, distinguished university professor of microbiology and immunology will lead the grant. “This new facility will also expand the opportunity for young researchers to develop successful, academic and scientific careers at USA,” said Wood.

University officials said the project will stimulate the Gulf Coast economy by providing both short-term engineering and construction jobs, as well as long-term research positions, including faculty, research technology positions, and opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.

The estimated completion date for the lab is March 2013.

Mobile and Baldwin County loans backed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) created 229 new jobs, according to statistics released by Brent McMahan, SBA senior area manager. The 67 loans granted in 2009 went to area small business endeavors including expansions, renovations, and equipment and property purchases in the hotel, construction, automotive, medical and restaurant industries, to name a few. The average loan size was $200,799.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has had a significant impact on small businesses and on the credit crunch, providing tax incentives and financing opportunities to help create jobs. “Congress has extended SBA program enhancements like the 90 percent guarantee and the waiver of loan fees for borrowers to the end of February (or until the appropriated monies run out, if before then),” McMahan explained. “SBA believes this action alone will continue to spur SBA lending in the weeks ahead.”

“It’s no secret the economic downturn has affected bank loans, making SBA-backed loans an even more attractive option,” said Darrell Randle, the Mobile Area Chamber’s small business development vice president.

Trevor Boehm agrees and would encourage other small businesses to look into this option. Boehm owns Gulf Coast Containers with his brother Todd Boehm. The two pursued an SBA-backed loan to purchase additional equipment and increase sales. The Mobile-based waste removal company, servicing commercial clients, started in 2005, and has 10 employees.“We think the SBA program is great for growing small businesses,” said Trevor. “Using a SBA preferred lender, such as RBC Bank and our banker Holly Carter, made it a very smooth process.”

The Chamber lobbied legislators and SBA for a local contact to help educate and support local bankers on the process, and McMahan was appointed to the area three years ago. To date, SBA has granted 274 loans to area companies.

Airbus Engineering Restates Commitment & Hits 150 Employees

Airbus North America Engineering hit its 150 employee mark in Mobile, most of which are engineers and designers.

It’s a goal much anticipated since the local office opened in 2007. Site Director David Trent, said there is more to come.

“We plan to grow even more in the coming years, working on our world-class aircraft interiors and cargo systems.”

The Mobile team is involved in engineering activities such as product development, customization and after-

market modifications for all Airbus products, and includes the design and development of galleys, cargo retention systems, lavatories and in-flight entertainment systems.

Among the customers for the more than 2,600 Airbus aircraft ordered in North America are: Air Canada, FedEx, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Delta/Northwest Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, UPS, US Airways and Virgin America. “Airbus has reemphasized its commitment Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

to the center which is growing despite the recent news,” said Trent following the announcement by Northrop Grumman that the company would withdraw from the U.S. Air Force refueling tanker competition. “The cabin and cargo work performed by the 150 employees at the engineering center is independent of the tanker project.”

| The Business View | APRIL 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 •

Austal Gets the Nod for Next Two JHSV Vessels, Announces 500 New Jobs Austal’s economic announcements have led the pack in positive business news in the past few months. In late January, just following the formal commissioning of the littoral combat ship USS Independence, the company got the go-ahead on another $204 million contract for the second and third Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV) and announced it would hire an additional 500 employees in the next few months.

In December, the Navy authorized Austal to start construction on the first JHSV, a joint U.S. Army and U.S. Navy program potentially worth more than $1.6 billion. The contract came one month after the company held its ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new Modular Manufacturing Facility.

Austal is teamed with General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, and was selected as the prime contractor in

November 2008 to design and build the first JHSV, with options for nine additional vessels by fiscal year 2013.

“The Navy’s decision to proceed with full construction of the second and third JHSVs will serve to underpin the momentum in our shipyard and support Austal USA’s objective of driving greater efficiency and associated cost controls in its shipbuilding programs,” said Austal USA’s President and Chief Operating Officer Joe Rella.

Similar to the Austal-built “WestPac Express” operated by the U.S. Marines for the past nine years, but with the addition of a flight deck for helicopters, the JHSV will be capable of transporting troops and their equipment, supporting humanitarian relief efforts, operating in shallow waters, and reaching speeds in excess of 35 knots fully loaded.

Mobile Earns Vote of Confidence from Moodys Economy.com Mobile is ranked near the top nationally in showing strong progress toward recovering from the nationwide recession, according to a November 2009 report from MoodysEconomy.com.

In the category of expected employment growth, Mobile ranked fourth out of 387 metro areas across the United States. Five additional Alabama communities earned top scores, with Huntsville at No. 2; Auburn-Opelika, No. 23; Montgomery, No. 29; Birmingham-Hoover, No. 53; and Tuscaloosa, No. 61.

“This is a strong indication that pockets in Alabama’s economy are growing and those areas will provide a positive impact on the economy of the entire state,” said Neal Wade, director of the Alabama Development Office.

Previous economic announcements that start operations this year, as well as ADO’s current activity, are two reasons why

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 awards

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.

– a Significant Return on Your Investment You’ll see this symbol

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with stories featuring Chamber initiatives.

APRIL 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

Wade believes the state will begin to recover later this year and into 2011.

“Alabama is ripe for economic development, but we must make sure economic growth translates into job growth,” emphasized Gov. Bob Riley.

The report also claims that Alabama is one of 14 states that MoodysEconomy.com considers to be in recovery. Most of the states have a “moderating” economy, with only Nevada still considered in the recession, the report shows.

Moody’s report, compiled by Precis Metro, offers comprehensive research on the current and expected economic conditions of the nation’s metropolitan areas and includes five-year written and graphical analysis and statistical tables covering top employers, industrial diversity, migration flows, leading industries, house prices and income and earning trends.

Positive Business News When You Need It • Positive Business News When You Need It • Positive Business News When You Need It •

TK’s Workforce Grows by the Week Two-and-a-half years since ThyssenKrupp held its groundbreaking and months before the formal grand opening, the company is hiring as many as 30 employees a week. In February, TK Steel USA had 650 employees, while TK Stainless USA had 177.

Of the current workforce, approximately 25 percent were hired through area job fairs, and the company’s employees are located in south Alabama, northwest Florida and Mississippi.

The company began testing operations with steel slabs from Germany in February. Eventually, the facility will receive its slabs from TK’s sister investment in Brazil. With 30,000 construction workers, the Brazil investment is $7.08 billion and significantly larger than Mobile’s project that has increased from the initial $3.7 billion to $5 billion, according to Scott Posey, TK Steel’s director of communications.

TK hired the University of South Alabama’s Semoon Chang to estimate its economic impact. As of November 2009, TK contributed $1 million in sales taxes to the city, $1.2 million in taxes to Mobile County and $1 million to the school system, according Posey. “Those amounts will be much higher, once we are up and running,” he added.

Construction employment has started to decrease as the project nears completion, but at its peak had 5,000 workers on site. “As the mindset changes from construction to operations, our needs will change. We’ll need different suppliers, and there will be even more opportunities for local companies,” said Posey.

Heavy Lifting Gives Port Authority an Edge Next month, cargo customers at the Port of Mobile will have access to a new, heavy-lift barge crane. And the addition will strengthen the competitiveness of the port, according to Jimmy Lyons, director and chief executive officer of the Alabama State Port Authority (ASPA).

For the past several months, ASPA has sought a private partner to position heavy-lift and turn-key services at the port. Barnhart Crane & Rigging made a local decision to fill that need.

The $12 million investment, including the crane and barge, makes it possible to lift bulk cargo such as transformers, generators and steam boilers – some that weigh in excess of 400 tons – and get them to barge, shore, rail, truck or specialized carrier. Previously, according to Frank Leatherbury, lead project developer for Barnhart, as many as 50-plus similarly sized shipments have gone to ports in New Orleans or Houston.

“The Southeast is anticipating significant growth over the next 20 years, and Mobile’s short distance to the port of 4.5 miles, compared, for example, to the 12 miles to New Orleans, makes us a very good port of call,” said Leatherbury.

“Barnhart wants to be part of that growth.”

Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

The above rendering depicts the Port of Mobile's newest asset. The Alabama Port Authority is partnering with Barnhart Crane & Rigging to provide a new heavy-lift barge crane capable of lifting cargo and equipment in excess of 400 tons.

| The Business View | APRIL 2010

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ETC Annual Jobs Fair and Expo Set for April 23

Tell Your Story – Win $50k Are you America’s next great inventor?

Have you successfully launched a business or created a new product? Are you generating new jobs to help the economy? If you have a great story to tell or idea to share, the U.S. Chamber wants to hear about it.

The organization is recruiting entries for its “I am Free Enterprise” video contest in support of the campaign – American Free Enterprise. Dream Big. Late last year, the U.S. Chamber began promoting American free enterprise as the engine to create 20 million new jobs nationwide over the next 10 years – the number of jobs needed to replace those lost and meet the needs of America’s future job force.

Contestants will create a three-minute video explaining their free enterprise story – the successful launch of a business, the invention of an innovative product, or how their idea will generate new jobs to boost the economy – upload it to YouTube, and compete to win cash prizes.

The 12th Annual Jobs Fair and Business Expo presented by the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission (SARPC) and the city of Mobile is set for Friday, April 23, at the Mobile Civic Center. The event serves a dual purpose of offering companies a venue to showcase products and services while meeting prospective employees as well as employment possibilities for area job seekers.

“This year’s event assumes greater importance. Many local businesses have suffered as a result of the downturn in the national economy, while other businesses in the Mobile area continue to grow and thrive in spite of national trends,” said Jenny White, SARPC’s director of employment and economic development services.

“Economic forecasters say by the second or third quarter of this year we will see more

businesses starting to employ people. This is a great opportunity to showcase your business and start to look for candidates for difficult-to-fill positions in your organization,” added Leida Javier-Ferrell with the Mobile Area Chamber’s Center for Workforce Development, who works on the organizing committee.

Last year’s event attracted 109 employers and more than 5,900 job seekers from nine states and 66 cities and towns, representing Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Tennessee and Texas.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the event is free to the public. Employers and job seekers are encouraged to participate. For more information about participating as an exhibitor or sponsor, contact Terri Pringle at 652-0585.

Conference Teaches Safety in the Workplace

LPGA Returns to Mobile in May

The Mobile Area Chamber is a sponsor of the fifth annual Gulf Coast Safety Conference on Thursday, April 1, at the Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds.

The event features classroom sessions on electrical safety, health hazards, safety stress, personal protective equipment, work zone safety and more.

The conference is affiliated with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and targets construction and maritime industry owners, project managers, contractors and subcontractors who want to learn more about protecting their employees.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. There is no charge to attend, but seating is limited and reservations are required.

For more information, call Home Builders Association of Metro Mobile at 661-6523 or OSHA at 441-6131.

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In a little more than a month, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) players will be spending two weeks on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. After taking a year off for the Crossings course redesign in Mobile, the BellMicro LPGA Classic returns to Mobile’s Magnolia Grove May 10-16.

LPGA player Irene Cho

Nearly $6 million was invested in Magnolia Grove’s Crossing Course.

Improvements, include: • A redesign of all 18 green complexes that were softened to be more player-friendly; • The replanting of greens with the

acclaimed Ultra dwarf grass, mini verde;

• The adjustment or addition of several

new water features; • The relocation, elimination or redesign of many sand-filled bunkers; • The relocation of cart paths for easier

access to tees and greens; • The creation of a new practice area; and • The installtion of a new irrigation

and drainage system.

APRIL 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

Contestants have until Friday, April 9, to submit a video and then promote it to friends and fans for maximum viewership.

A judges’ panel will narrow the top 25 most-viewed videos to five finalists based on originality, innovation, power of story, viral popularity and video creativity. From Monday, May 10 to Wednesday, June 2, the American people will vote on their favorite to determine the winner.

The top three will be awarded $50,000, $30,000 and $20,000, respectively, at an awards ceremony in June. Winning entries will also be highlighted on www.Free Enterprise.com/video.

For detailed information about the contest, including an official entry form and contest rules, log onto www.Free Enterprise.com/video.

In February, several players took a practice run on the new course. Irene Cho, who turned pro in 2007, said, “The whole back nine is completely new and I think that it’s a good challenge…a good test of our game.”

The Mobile Area Chamber again will support the BellMicro LPGA Classic by serving as the volunteer registration location. All tournament volunteers will come to the Chamber on April 29 to pick up their packets. To volunteer, go to www.bellmicrolpgaclassic.com.

Tickets are on sale now. To learn more, visit www.bellmicrolpgaclassic.com and www.navistarlpgaclassic.com.

ETC Cheryl Thompson Leaves a Legacy in Mobile

Cheryl Thompson was recognized for her leadership and work with the Mobile Area Chamber during a recent meeting. Pictured here is Thompson, left, and fellow former Chamber board chair Bill Seifert with Regions Bank.

Only the second woman to lead the Mobile Area Chamber board of directors, Cheryl Thompson announced her retirement as vice president of Alabama Power Co. Mobile division, in January.

During her 12 years in Mobile, Thompson positively influenced many of the Chamber’s programs and initiatives.

Thompson chaired the Chamber’s board during 2003. In 1998, she led the fundraising efforts of The Millennium Fund, making possible the Chamber’s economic development efforts from 1999 to 2002. Because of the program, the Chamber recruited and/or supported incentives to 20 new businesses and 86 expansions, representing more than $1.15 billion in announced capital investment and more than 4,400 new jobs.

Thompson’s guidance and leadership encouraged and supported minorityowned businesses in the Mobile area.

That effort continues to grow, and today Mobile has the federally-funded Alabama Minority Business Enterprise Center operated by the Chamber.

As a result of Thompson’s input and leadership, the Chamber’s Center for

Workforce Development was created to work as a liaison between schools and businesses to develop programs and services meeting the needs of local industry. Alabama Power and its representatives were at the forefront of workforce development, and today the Chamber is a partner of the Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council (SAWDC), serving eight regional counties.

Thompson was also passionate about the care and support of existing businesses, and at her encouragement, the Chamber focused its efforts to keep in touch with members of the business community and their needs. She led the Business Retention and Expansion committee in 2006, a committee that has grown and spun off others, such as the active Oil and Gas Task Force.

Add to all of this, her service on the Mobile County Industrial Park Board and the city of Mobile Industrial Development Board, of which she is a past chair, and it is easy to see why the Chamber is grateful for Thompson’s impact on the Mobile area, said Win Hallett, Mobile Area Chamber president.

Retired Congressman Sonny Callahan Named 2009 Mobilian of the Year The Cottage Hill Civitan Club named retired U.S. Rep. H.L. “Sonny” Callahan 2009 Mobilian of the Year. Callahan will receive the award at the Mobilian of the Year Banquet, Thursday, April 8, at the University of South Alabama (USA) Mitchell Center.

Considered Mobile’s most prestigious civic honor, the award has been given annually since 1948 to individuals making an extraordinary, positive impact on the Mobile community.

“Sonny is a native of Mobile and has served the city and the region throughout his career as a local entrepreneur, a member of the Alabama State Legislature and Congress,” said Randall “Randy” Eckhoff, Mobilian of the Year chairman.

The Cottage Hill Civitan Club is an all-volunteer community service organization emphasizing helping children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

For banquet tickets contact Randy Eckhoff at 666-1973 or eckhoff@juno. com. Tickets are $65 each or $500 for a table of eight. For more information visit www.civitan.org/~cottagehill/.

The Cottage Hill Civitan Club named retired U.S. Rep. Sonny Callahan as the 2009 Mobilian of the Year. Callahan was a staunch supporter of University of South Alabama during his time in elected office, when he helped gain funding for the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute. The Cottage Hill Civitan Club’s event chairman, Randy Eckhoff, is pictured in the background.

| The Business View | APRIL 2010

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ETC “What do you want to be when you grow up?” will soon take on a whole new meaning for eighth graders in the Mobile area. The students will participate in the 2010 Worlds of Opportunity Career Expo, scheduled for Sept. 29-30 at the Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds. The hands-on event, a project of the South Alabama Workforce Development Council (SAWDC), will expose students to career pathways before entering high school. Event organizers say they hope to influence and motivate teens to graduate, a critical element in the future of workforce development.

The expo will showcase the high-need/high-demand occupations of the region to more than 4,000 eighth-grade students in southwest Alabama from Conecuh, Escambia, Monroe, Choctaw, Clarke, Washington, Baldwin and Mobile counties. Students from Pensacola and Pascagoula are also being invited.

“It’s crucial for our young people to explore the many options they have for the future,” said Al Etheridge, SAWDC regional coordinator. “An educated workforce is the basis for expanded economic development opportunities in southwest Alabama.”

The first of its type and magnitude in Alabama, the event is modeled after the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia Expo in Atlanta. In March, area business and community leaders toured that event, garnering ideas on set-up, logistics, fundraising and partnerships. The group will also rely on the Mobile Area Chamber’s seven years experience with the Bay Area Health Coalition Health Occupation Career Fair as a benchmark.

Area Eighth Graders To Experience a

World of Opportunity

Industries to be showcased include: energy; industrial, commercial and residential construction; transportation; architecture; engineering; maritime; and aerospace.

In addition, the event will feature paper, chemical, steel and process manufacturing; auto technology, painting, collision and mechanics; public service; and healthcare.

Current partners include the Mobile Area Chamber, Boise Paper, Southern Company, Alabama Power, Bishop State Community College, City of Mobile, Mobile Works, Mobile County Public School System, AFL-CIO, Press-Register,

WESCO, Associated General Contractors, the Bay Area Healthcare Coalition and the Mobile Area Education Foundation.

Organizers are seeking funding from industry, political and community leaders for the event. Individuals and businesses interested in participating, sponsoring or learning more about the career expo can contact Melissa Creighton with SAWDC at 445-2090 or macreightonshc@gmail.com.

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

10

APRIL 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

S

mall Business of the Month

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.

Kingdom Coach

From bus driver to owner of Kingdom Coach, Scott Grantham (second from right) and his team serve customers in a 100-mile radius of Mobile.

Pictured with Grantham are (left to right): Gary Wise, shop manager; Casi Hodges, parts coordinator/service scheduler; Joseph Marshall, operations manager; and Donna Johnson, tour sales manager.

Scott Grantham, general manager of Kingdom Coach, always thought it would be fun to drive a big bus. After being in the business for 12 years, he still feels that way, saying, “It gets in your blood.” Kingdom Coach is the Mobile Area Chamber’s Small Business of the Month.

The Mobile-based charter bus business also serves as a group travel planner and coordinates itineraries, including hotel stays, stops for attractions and events, and meals. And make no mistake, said Grantham, these are not buses, but rather motor coaches. Features including WiFi internet, satellite TV and reclining seats, along with customer service training for the operators, reinforce his assertion.

“Our goal is to have quality equipment and to try to offer the best customer service,” said Grantham.

The majority of the company’s customers are schools and churches toting patrons to field trips, cheerleading competitions, band performances, baseball games, senior trips, summer camps, choir tours and adult tours to Branson, Mo. or Montreal, Canada, or other tourist destinations. Kingdom Coach also has contracts with Federal Emergency Management Agency and area power companies for weather-related emergencies. In addition, it transports cruise ship passengers who park in the remote Mobile Civic Center lot, and is the official motor coach of Mobile’s Azalea Trail Maids.

One of the greatest advantages of motor coach travel is the bonding that takes place, said Grantham. “We take student groups to some really cool destinations, but Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

testimonials tell us what the kids remember most is the bus ride.”

Serving the Alabama-Mississippi Gulf Coast and the Florida panhandle, the company’s primary business comes within a 100-mile radius of the area, with the most popular destinations of Orlando, Gatlinburg, Montgomery and New Orleans.

Grantham started in 1998 as a parttime driver and worked his way up at another charter company. In 2002, he and his wife, Misti, decided to start their own service with one bus. Today, Kingdom Coach has 12 motor coaches and a dozen full-time employees and a cadre of parttime drivers.

Last year Grantham bought a threeacre, 15,000-square-foot office and garage facility in Theodore within five minutes of I-10. And in addition to servicing the company’s fleet, the mechanics also service other area fleets as well as those traveling in the vicinity needing repairs.

A few years ago, Kingdom Coach joined a group of operators through the United Motor Coach Association that confidentially critique each other’s companies and suggest more effective practices. Grantham said that move changed their business. “Our peers – and we don’t compete with each other – want to help. They increased our marginal profits to exceptional profits, and prompted us set up cash reserves and taught us how to forecast.”

While 2009 was a down year, Grantham said, “2010 is shaping up to be our secondbest year ever with bookings up 25 to 30 percent.”

| The Business View | APRIL 2010

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APRIL 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

2/22/10 12:33:17 PM

Mobile Area Chamber Open House is April 9 It’s our way of saying thank you to members of the Mobile Area Chamber. Join us for the Chamber’s annual Member Appreciation Day on Friday, April 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 451 Government St. Chamber members, board of advisors, board of directors, Partners for Growth Investors, volunteers and clients are encouraged to drop by to enjoy live music and a light lunch.

Representatives from communications, small business, governmental affairs, economic development and trade initiatives will be available to answer Chamber-related questions, provide details about upcoming events and share information on how to gain the most benefit from your membership. Members are also welcome to participate and gain exposure with other members by offering coupons or specialty giveaway items.

“Last year’s event was such a great success, we wanted to do it again for our members,” said Carolyn Golson, vice president of membership for the Chamber.

“What a great way for the staff to meet our members and share with them first-hand how we do our business for their business.”

Fast Facts: What:

Member Appreciation Day

When: Friday, April 9 Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Chamber lawn and atrium

451 Government St. Cost: Free Info:

Contact Carolyn Golson 431-8622 or cgolson@ mobilechamber.com

Participating Members: The Battle House Spa; Blue Bell Creameries; Buffalo Rock-Pepsi Cola; Chiropractic Life Center; Dorsett Productions; Flowers Baking Co.; Friends of the Mobile Animal Shelter; Grand Band Entertainment; Mobile Gas; Office Depot; Office Equipment Co.; Paint That Pottery; and Sam’s Club

Pictured (left to right) at the Mobile Area Chamber inagural Membership Appreciation Day are Larry Hanisch, Coastal Community Mortgage; Karyl Hanisch, Riverview Plaza hotel, Kim Fine; and Mike Fine, Mobile Gas.

Why Should You Attend?

• Let us thank you for your membership.

• Find out what the Chamber offers your business.

• Tour the Chamber building and meeting rooms available to our members.

• Find out how your membership benefits you through networking, visibility, referrals, discounts, professional development, recognition and advocacy.

• The Battle House Spa and Chiropractic Life Center will be available to pamper you.

• Enjoy live music from Grand Band Entertainment.

• Meet the staff. There are more than 40 of us here working for you.

• Find out about Chamber discount programs with Office Depot, OEC and Sam’s Club.

• Free lunch with hot dogs, snacks, ice cream and soft drinks.

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Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

| The Business View | APRIL 2010 11/19/09

13

1:15 PM

Chamber Committees Offer Opportunity for

Community Involvement

D

uring the Mobile Area Chamber’s annual meeting in January, Dave Trent with Airbus Engineering Center and chairman of the Chamber’s board of directors challenged Chamber members to get more involved with this organization. One of the easiest and most rewarding ways to do that is to sign up to volunteer on one of the

Chamber's committees and task forces (listed in detail below). Trent said, “With your active participation in the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce’s program of work this year, we will find the solutions to meet our region’s current challenges head-on.”

Consider challenging yourself in 2010 to get more benefit from your Chamber membership by joining one of these task

Center for Workforce Development

Transportation Coalition: Operates to improve the working relationship between Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) and key Mobile entities; builds awareness of ALDOT projects among key Mobile associations and encourages their participation in the community input phase; and recommends projects needing the support of member organizations.

(Meets as needed.)

Contact: Ginny Russell at grussell@mobilechamber. com or 431-8618

Industry Workforce Coalition and Cluster Sector Meetings: A forum for business and industry involvement in developing a workforce that meets their needs. Each coalition represents a specific sector and is an active, working partnership with education focused on preparing students and adults to enter the Mobile area workforce. Provides direction to the Chamber on strategies to meet training and workforce developments needs. (Meets as needed.)

Workforce Coalitions and Programs • Bay Area Healthcare Coalition • Aerospace Coalition • Construction Coalition • Hispanic American Business Association of the Gulf Coast Special Events & Initiatives • Health Occupations Career Fair • Summer Scrubs, a health occupations exploration program for high school students, grades 10-12.

• Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council’s business involvement in school programs • World of Opportunity Career Fair Contact: Carol Lambert at clambert@mobile chamber.com or 431-8659

Community and Governmental Affairs Envision Coastal Alabama: Charts the direction of the Mobile/Baldwin region through regional collaboration initiatives of workforce housing, constitutional reform, financial literacy, employability education, smart growth, public transit and a healthier environment.

(Meets as needed.)

Contact: Shayla Jones Beaco at sbeaco@ mobilechamber.com or 431-8628

14

Air Service Task Force: Brings together public and private interests from across the community with officials from the Mobile Airport Authority to pinpoint the area’s travel demands; seeks innovative ways to expand the frequency of flights, level of service and more competitive fares at Mobile Regional; and effectively communicate community support to airlines. (Meets quarterly or as needed.)

Contact: Patty Howell at phowell@mobilechamber. com or 431-8601

Economic Development Gulf Coast Technology Council: Works to increase the visibility of local technology companies, helps develop a highly skilled workforce to accommodate growth in the high-tech arena, and markets the Gulf Coast as a center for technology development. (Meets bi-monthly.)

Contact: Graham Jones at gjones@mobilechamber. com or 431-8648 Maritime Affairs Committee: Made up of a cross section of the local port community, representatives to learn about and discuss port security, harbor dredging and funding, navigational issues, and cargo and commerce.

(Meets quarterly.)

Contact: Bridgette Clark at bclark@mobilechamber. com or 694-0701 Business Retention & Expansion Committee: Meets with key business executives and conducts assessment interviews to assist companies with resolution of problems and helps them successfully do business in the area. (Meets monthly.)

Contact: Steve Russell at srussell@mobilechamber. com or 431-8654

APRIL 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

forces. They are open to all employees of Chamber member companies. To learn more about a specific task force or committee, contact the staff member listed below.

For additional details, contact Kim Perrone, the Chamber’s director of customer service, at 431-8649 or kperrone@ mobilechamber.com.

Membership Diplomats: Chamber ambassadors who work to enhance member relations. (Meets bi-monthly.)

Contact Kim Perrone at kperrone@mobilechamber. com or 431-8649 Chamber Chase 2010: Teams of volunteers work to bring in new members, enlist sponsors for Chamber events, acquire donations and more. This annual total resource development campaign helps provide additional funds for the Chamber to make it better able to serve the region. The campaign kicks off at the first of May and runs through July. (Meets weekly for reward sessions during the campaign.)

Contact: Carolyn Golson at cgolson@mobilechamber.com or 431-8622

Small Business Development Awards and Recognition Task Force: Coordinates activities and events associated with Small Business of the Month and Small Business of the Year Awards (Meets quarterly or as needed.)

Growth Alliance Task Force: Promotes growth and enhances community awareness of minority business through increased minority membership and participation in all Chamber programs. The task force also coordinates the annual Eagle Awards, and Minority Business Advocate Award. (Meets monthly.)

Executive Roundtable: Forum where small business owners and/or managers hear presentations by a featured speaker and share information to help each other manage and grow their own businesses. (Meets monthly.)

Contact: (all Small Business Development Task Forces) Danette Richards at drichards@mobilechamber.com or 431-8652

Volunteers Lend Time and Talent to Chamber

M

embership in the Mobile Area Chamber can be so much more than just paying dues and reading how the Chamber impacts Mobile’s economy. For hundreds of employees of Chamber members, it also includes volunteering time and talents on a variety of Chamber-driven committees and task forces.

It is through these groups the Chamber can often provide businesses the most benefit.

Read how some of the Chamber’s volunteers are benefiting from their work with the Chamber. To learn more about how you can get involved, see page 12 for a listing and overview of all the open Chamber committees and task forces. To get involved, Chamber staff contacts are included in the overview, but for additional details, contact Kim Perrone, the Chamber’s director of customer service, at 431-8649 or kperrone@mobilechamber.com.

Angela Grice – Whitney National Bank Chamber Chase Volunteer “Put plain and simple, it is the right thing to do,” said Grice, the vice president and south Alabama regional manager for Whitney National Bank. Both a Chamber volunteer and a board member for the American Cancer Society, Grice said she has benefited from volunteering by making new contacts both professionally and personally.

Rev. Orville W. Johnson Jr. – Alabama Teen Challenge Chamber Diplomat Volunteer Johnson said he finds satisfaction knowing he has done something lasting that is not motivated by selfgain. Johnson volunteers with the Mobile Area Chamber, the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and his church in Robertsdale.

“These organizations are all about promoting the well being of the community,” he said.

Shirley Sessions – Regions Bank Envision Coastal Alabama Volunteer Sessions, vice president and community affairs manager for Regions Bank, currently volunteers as Envision Coastal Alabama’s Mobile County Equity chair, the Chamber’s Growth Alliance Task Force and Small Business Council. Sessions said her efforts stem from an interest to make a difference in the region. “Volunteering allows me to take an active role in the development and growth of the Mobile community.”

Lee Metzger – Providence Hospital Chamber Governmental Affairs Commitee Volunteer As director of Real Estate for Providence Hospital, Metzger is passionate about volunteering for a myriad of reasons including, “it feels good to do good, you learn from others, you can be a part in the decision making that defines your community, and you can make life

Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

better for others,” he said. In addition to the Chamber, Metzger volunteers with the Mobile Area Association of Realtors, the Alabama Association of Realtors, the National Association of Realtors, the board of advisors Mitchell College of Business USA and Mobile Works.

Stephen Schlautman – Regions Bank

Chamber Diplomat and Chamber Chase Volunteer “I volunteer because I don’t believe in a free ride,” said Schlautman, assistant vice president of business banking with Regions Bank.

Schlautman said service is a way to ensure we all benefit from a healthy and functioning community. A former Chamber diplomat of the year, Schlautman works with a number of organizations through Rotary International, where he takes part in projects within the community, across the nation and around the world. “It’s also a great way to become acquainted with other individuals who serve.”

| The Business View | APRIL 2010

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APRIL 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

APRIL 2010

Envision Revises Roadmap for the Future Envision Coastal Alabama Mission Envision Coastal Alabama facilitates co-operative action for a unified coastal region with a healthy environment, sustainable economic development, equity for all and excellence in education.

Envision’s Updated Goals Economy

Envision volunteers, strategy partners and elected officials from both Mobile and Baldwin counties attended the half-day planning session to update Envision program goals and objectives in the areas of economy, education, environment and equity. This activity served as Envision’s kick-off event for the 2010 year.

O

n Envision Coastal Alabama’s 13th anniversary, volunteers, strategy partners and community stakeholders are updating the focus of the organization’s future. In January, 75 area leaders led by Envision co-chairs Donna Watts with the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, and Mike Hofto with Leavell Investment Management, met in Baldwin County to devise attainable short-term goals.

It is only the third large-scale planning meeting for Envision since the organization rebranded to encompass both sides of Mobile Bay in 2001.

According to Shayla Jones Beaco, director of local affairs for the Mobile Area Chamber and Envision liaison, a changing economic and environmental landscape created the need for a new strategy. She said the regional planning session emphasized developing an action-oriented community and economic framework for Envision’s

The Economy strategies focus on the sustainable economic development of the Mobile-Baldwin region by providing more high-quality jobs and creating a stronger workforce. The strategies aim to make Coastal Alabama a competitive region in the global economy by developing and marketing the area’s unique resources in technology, environment, education and human capital.

provide employees capable of working for four E-teams – economy, education, enviEducation area companies,” she said. ronment and equity.

The Education strategies focus on Envision equity team member and Ramona Hill with Workshops Etc! promoting a culture that values and Habitat for Humanity (Mobile County) facilitated the half-day workshop and supports an effective education system that Development Director Dave Betler said he challenged individuals to look no farther graduates students who are career- and was encouraged by the workshop’s potential college-ready for the 21st century workforce. than two to five years in the future. It was to point all the groups in a similar direcan opportunity for team co-leaders and volunteers to hammer out their most press- tion, “This meeting demonstrated value by Environment the breadth of orgaing needs and share The Environment strategies focus nizations represented them with the on protecting, restoring, maintaining, This meeting demonstrated that truly have the group as a whole. conserving and promoting the value of greater good in mind the natural resources of Coastal Alabama.

Participants value by the breadth of included representa- organizations represented that and that take the The strategies emphasize planning, time to talk about tives from corporarevitalizing and developing the regional truly have the greater good tions, nonprofits, in mind and that take the time how we can cooperate infrastructure with the least negative for a better quality of area government impact, while enhancing quality of life. to talk about how we can life for the region.” and grass-roots cooperate for a better quality Planners succeed- Equity organizations. of life for the region. ed in identifying a Sheila DeanThe Equity strategies focus on concise vision for the Rosenbohm, vice developing effective grassroots leadership, Dave Betler immediate future. president, planning increasing opportunities for all citizens Habitat for Humanity (Mobile County) But meeting organiz- of Coastal Alabama to participate as full and administration Development Director ers and participants for International partners in the region by implementing agreed, without Shipholding Corp., equal access to technology, housing, action, their efforts would be for naught. offered her ideas to the education team. education and employment, increasing “By bringing a number of voices together, “While in my corporate role, I was torn access to public transportation, financial we hope the outcome is commitment,” Hill stability and healthy lifestyles. between economy and education teams, I felt I needed to work with education to help said. “This is not magic that will happen overnight. It requires staying power.” find ways to improve graduation rates and Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce | The Business View | APRIL 2010 17

Envision Coastal Alabama

Spotlight on an Envision Strategy Partner – Partners for Environmental Progress 6.7 million pounds. While Evonik Degussa It has long been said, “One man’s started its partnership prior to the developtrash is another man’s treasure.” Now ment of PEP’s program, it illustrates the that axiom holds true for area industry. savings and benefits BPS can have.

Hoping to keep waste out of the landfill, Examples of industrial and business avoid transportation costs of by-products waste with reuse potential are diverse and and do the right thing for the environinclude chemical by-products, construcment, a group of area corporations tion debris, wooden pallets, metal drums, launched a project to turn one company’s cardboard, plastic or restaurant grease. waste or by-product into another’s raw Waste is not limited to things you can material. touch or send to the landfill. Proponents Known as By-Product Synergy (BPS) of BPS say it also promotes waste avoidCentral Gulf Coast and implemented by Envision Coastal Alabama strategy partner ance by increasing energy efficiency, reducing fuel consumption for transportaPEP (Partners for Environmental tion of materials and decreasing virgin Progress), the initiative is a collaborative material use. network of large and small businesses All add up to what Gary Criscione, looking for reuse synergy. director of procurement for Evonik “It’s all about making businesses Degussa and PEP’s leaner, cleaner and vice president, calls greener – more efficient and more BPS (by-product synergy) the triple bottom line – environmental, sustainable,” said is industry mimicking economic and social Jennifer Denson, benefits. “From a PEP’s executive direcnatural ecosystems. social aspect, doing tor. She added, “BPS the right thing for (by-product synergy) Natural systems do the environment can is industry mimicking not produce waste – save or create jobs,” natural ecosystems. he said. “And cerNatural systems do everything is reused. tainly, no company is not produce waste – going to deny that everything is reused.”

Jennifer Denson there’s an economic Evonik Degussa, Partners for Environmental Progress benefit too.” one of the 12 busiExecutive Director According to nesses partnering on Denson, the BPS this PEP initiative, project is a natural fit sends chemical byfor PEP. Founded in 2000, the nonprofit products to companies that use them in organization was formed with the mission fertilizer and fuel, saving the plant of using science and facts to promote $750,000 annually and reducing waste by

economic growth while enhancing air and water quality in the region. In the past, PEP has weighed in on issues such as the expansion of U.S. Hwy. 98 across Big Creek Lake in Mobile County and a proposed offshore-liquefied natural gas terminal. But, PEP board president Tom Damson with Long’s Human Resource Services said, three years ago, the group decided to find a project that would have a positive environmental impact and give value to companies.

Rolled out in July 2009, the Gulf Coast BPS program, based on a model developed by the U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Development, is one of only six such formal alliances in the nation, joining established projects in larger cities such as Chicago, Seattle and Kansas City.

Companies pay a fee to join the partnership and the search for synergy among the businesses begins by cataloguing each participant’s inflows and outflows in a confidential uniform database. Manufacturing and trade secrets are guarded as a technical team of engineers headed by Dr. John Steadman, dean of the College of Engineering at University of South Alabama, analyzes the data to identify initial synergies.

While Criscione said it only takes one match to justify time and money invested in identifying a synergy, even without a match companies can save internally by improving best practices.

Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance Introduces New Operations Manager to live, work and raise my family.”

The Baldwin organization,” said Robert Ingram, BCEDA In addition to her responsibilities with County Economic president and chief executive officer. “As a Development Alliance Baldwin county native, Amanda shares our BCEDA, Selph will collaborate with Envision Coastal Alabama Director Shayla Jones (BCEDA) announced love of our region and is a wonderful asset Beaco of the Mobile Area Chamber. In the appointment of its to both the alliance and the entire lower 1996, BCEDA was established as the host newest team member, Alabama area.” entity for Envision in Baldwin County as Amanda McKinley Selph graduated from the Bay Minette counterpart to the Mobile Area Chamber.

Selph. She will serve campus of Huntingdon College with a Together, Selph and Beaco will assist the as operations manager for BCEDA, followbachelor’s of science degree in business Envision team chairs in the implementation ing the departure of Karen Glover. Selph management. of Envision projects and programs planned is a Baldwin County native and has worked “I am proud to become a member of the throughout Mobile and Baldwin counties. with the alliance in the past through her BCEDA team. I am even more proud to call Contact Selph at the Baldwin County positions at the North and Central Baldwin Baldwin County my home and be a part of Economic Development Alliance at 947Chambers of Commerce. something that will take it from great to even “We are thrilled to have Amanda join greater,” Selph said. “I was born and raised in 5721 or aselph@baldwineda.com.

Beaco can be reached at 431-8628 or our team. She brings both strong skills and Bay Minette, and I have a deep desire to see economic development experience to our our county thrive to remain a place that I love sbeaco@mobilechamber.com.

18 APRIL 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

Criscione and Damson agreed the future and science of PEP’s BPS efforts depend on enlisting a diverse core of new businesses as well as being aligned with area government and organizations such as Envision that advocate for both the environment and the economy.

PEP is devising a plan to make BPS affordable to smaller companies and sees the cuttingedge recycling alliance as a possible recruiting tool for bringing corporations to the area. “This is a plus for economic development.

Corporations looking at our area could be run through the synergy matrix. For a lot of companies, here’s real hard dollars in their pocket,” Damson said.

For more information visit www.pepmobile.org/BPS or contact Jennifer Denson at 345-7269 or jdenson@pepmobile.org.

Advantages of By-Product Synergy Central Gulf Coast: • Matches regional industries for sharing by-products • Diverts material from the landfill • Reduces energy resource consumption (e.g. motor fuels

for transportation) • Decreases virgin material use • Increases company profits • Creates or saves jobs in the

local workforce

BPS Central Gulf Coast Partners: • Alabama Power • Arkema • BASF • E.I. DuPont • Evonik Degussa • ExxonMobil • Huntsman Advanced Materials • Mitsubishi Polysilicon • Oil Recovery • Southern Ionics • Veolia Environmental Services • University of South Alabama

Envision Coastal Alabama

Business Incubators:

A Resource for a New Regional Economy

Envision 2010 Plan of Action At the January regional planning meeting, the four e-teams revised their goals to reflect attainable initiatives for the near future. Each team came away with a clear plan of action for the next five years.

Economy

• Host quarterly mayors’ meetings to identify

and address common issues.

• Support the Mobile Area Chamber’s Gallis Initiative (Interchange) to define a Mobile Bay area regional plan (with business input).

• Host events to support constitutional reform.

• Support the education of existing businesses regarding sustainable business practices. support services to an impressive list of Recent unemployment rates have graduate companies. Southern Light, a placed greater focus on regional economic fiber-optic-based telecommunications growth strategies working to stimulate job company and BIC graduate ranked 151 creation, self-employment and enterprise creation. While industry recruitment efforts on Inc. Magazine’s 2007 list of the 500 fastest growing private companies in the play a significant role in the global world U.S. Other BIC graduates, include Star of economic development, there is wideAviation, MapuSoft Technologies Inc., spread belief the growth of small- to Mobile Group Inc., Professional Estimating medium-sized companies will serve as the Services, and Retail Technologies, Inc. primary engine fueling our region’s and Baldwin County has adopted a country’s long term economic recovery. “virtual” model of the business incubator.

For that reason, the creation of a Companies participating in this program regional support structure helping new can be located anywhere in the county businesses get started and existing busiand receive mentoring services. The nesses grow, becomes increasingly imporBaldwin County program is a joint venture tant. One support system is the business of the five chambers of commerce and the incubator, a one-stop-shop business Baldwin County Economic Development resource center offering training programs Alliance, an Envision Coastal Alabama helping companies survive and grow strategy partner. The virtual incubator during the start-up period when they are utilizes existing small business assistance considered most vulnerable. programs and integrates expertise from The National Business Incubator a list of network Association defines a providers including traditional incubator Individuals interested in starting the University of as a facility charactera business in Mobile County can South Alabama, ized by shared space, contact the BIC at 660-7002 or Baldwin County shared services and visit www.ceebic.org.

Library Cooperative, shared equipment in a Faulkner State controlled overhead For services in Baldwin County Community College, environment with contact 947-2445 or the Service Core of extensive on-site conwww.baldwinincubator.com.

Retired Executives sulting and training.

(SCORE) and the five Incubators offer proChambers of Commerce in Baldwin County. gramming for strategic planning, legal Both the Mobile and Baldwin models support, networking and access to needed can provide the initial groundwork vital to capital. A strong business incubation prothe success and sustainability of up-andgram can dramatically increase the numcoming companies. ber of new businesses making it through the critical first few years of operation.

Bob Higgins and Tom Siegwald contributed to this The classic “brick and mortar” model article. Higgins is the vice president for the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance and director of the Baldwin approach was developed for the Mobile County Business Incubator. He serves on Envision Coastal area in 1986 under a partnership between Alabama’s economy and education teams. He can be the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, reached at 947-2445 or bhiggins@baldwineda.com. the City of Mobile and Mobile County.

Siegwald is the co-director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence. He can be reached at 660-7002 or siegwald@ Established as the Business Innovation ceebic.org.

Center (BIC) and later expanded to the Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence, the Mobile BIC is credited with providing

Education • Promote awareness and support initiatives of the Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council (SAWDC).

• Communicate with and involve chambers, businesses and trade associations to become active partners in education initiatives and

policy reform.

•

Identify, connect and encourage community agencies and faith-based organizations offering programs that help achieve the goal of graduating students who are career- and/or college-ready for the 21st century workforce.

• Facilitate collaborative action among all education foundations that will foster partnerships with local school districts.

Environment • Host a summit for stakeholders interested in environmental issues to create and implement a communication and efficiency plan to improve and reach citizens and decision makers.

Equity

• Implement a social network for an environmental action warning system.

• Encourage and facilitate regional coordination and eliminate redundancy of effort in the areas of transit and stormwater management

• Develop a grassroots leadership initiative with support from public, private and governmental organizations.

• Promote safe and healthier lifestyles among targeted populations.

• Promote financial education and literacy to help individuals from all walks of life build financial knowledge and security.

• Develop a plan to improve and maintain the “aging housing stock.”

• Promote opportunities for better access to public transportation in urban and rural communities.

Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

| The Business View | APRIL 2010

19

Envision Coastal Alabama

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Mobile, AL Permit #346

Want to share Envision’s latest news?

This report can be found at www.envisioncoastalalabama.org

P.O. Box 2187 Mobile, AL 36652-2187

New Envision Team Leaders Passionate About Involvement They have diverse backgrounds but common goals. Envision education team co-leaders Amanda Outlaw and Terry Burkle and environment team co-leader Jennifer Denson enter their new roles as Envision charts a path for the next two years. All three women see their positions as an opportunity to take action finding realistic answers to issues facing residents on the Gulf Coast.

Outlaw, an urban regional extension agent with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System brings consumer science, personal financial management and Outlaw youth leadership programs to public school students in Mobile and Baldwin County. She replaces Mobile team chair Dr. Rhonda Neal Waltman. A volunteer with Envision since its inception in 1997, Outlaw previously offered her time to both the equity and education teams.

Outlaw said she would like to build a consensus among parents, community, schools and area education foundations to develop an educated workforce. “Fifty percent of our kids do not go on to college. We need to make sure they’re on track to be a viable part of our community,” she said.

Joining Outlaw is Burkle, vice president of the South Baldwin Chamber Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting education enrichment and leadership developBurkle ment in south Baldwin County schools. She replaces Jim Kellen. Burkle was formerly the South Baldwin Chamber’s communication’s director. She sees one of her objectives as improving dialogue among the eight area education enrichment foundations. “To be successful, we have to come together to establish a coalition for community wide goals. Envision is the conduit to take our goals to a regional level,” Burkle said.

On the environment team, Denson, executive director for Partners for Environmental Progress (PEP), succeeds Dr. George Crozier. In her role Denson at PEP, Denson advocates for economic development while also protecting the environment. “As a voice of both the business and environment communities, I value the opportunity to work with other leaders in solving our most pressing environmental concerns,” she said. A Mobile native, Denson spent 14 years in Washington D.C. managing government relations, field and research/publication programs for the national nonprofit group Federation for American Immigration Reform.

2010 Envision Co-Chairs

Envision co-chairs and team chairs are selected from both Baldwin and Mobile counties and are appointed to lead each of the program’s four e-teams – economy, education, environment and equity. Pictured here are the 2010 Envision co-chairs and team chairs.

From left to right, front row, Mobile Environment Team Chair Jennifer Denson, Partners for Environmental Progress; Baldwin Environment Team Chair Bethany Kraft, Alabama Coastal Foundation; Baldwin Economy Team Chair Ray Moore, Hutchinson Moore and Rauch; and Mobile Education Team Chair Amanda Outlaw, Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Second row, Mobile Economy Team Chair Steve Walker, The Walker Company; Baldwin Education Team Chair Terry Burkle, South Baldwin Chamber Foundation; Mobile Co-Chair Mike Hofto, Leavell Investment Management; Mobile Equity Team Chair Shirley Sessions, Regions Bank; Baldwin Equity Team Chair Chris Miller, South Alabama Regional Planning Commission; and Baldwin Co-Chair Donna Watts, South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce.

The YWCA of Greater Mobile Takes a Stand Against Racism

If you are interested in getting involved with Envision Coastal Alabama, Envision Coastal Alabama’s equity team contact Amanda Selph, is supporting “Stand Against Racism,” a Baldwin County coordinator, movement aimed at bringing people togethat 947-5721 or aselph@baldwineda.com. er to raise awareness of the importance of Shayla Jones Beaco, justice and equality. The YWCA of Greater Mobile County director, can Mobile is hosting the event Friday, April 30. be reached at 431-8628 or Interested individuals, schools, churches sbeaco@mobilechamber.com. and other organizations are asked to join 20 APRIL 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

the campaign by hosting local “Stands,” ranging from private gatherings to largescale public rallies and marches.

Visit www.StandAgainstRacism.org to join the movement or contact the YWCA’s Lenice Emanuael at 476-7733 or lemanuel@ywcamobile.org.

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SPIRIT OF THE GULF COAST AWARDS UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST ALABAMA SALUTES THE FOLLOW COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS.

The 2009 Spirit of the Gulf Coast Awards provide recognition to companies, organizations and individuals for exceptional commitment and support of the gulf coast community through their involvement with United Way of Southwest Alabama.

Recipients are judged on leadership giving, volunteerism, employee participation and giving levels, year-round education, corporate support, incentive programs and campaign rallies.

2009 SPIRIT OF THE GULF COAST AWARD

2009 OUTSTANDING NEW BUSINESS AWARD

2009 OUTSTANDING CAMPAIGN EFFORT AWARD

presented to

THYSSENKRUPP STAINLESS USA & THYSSENKRUPP STEEL USA

JOE BULLARD AUTOMOTIVE

In recognition of exceptional commitment and support of the gulf coast communities through United Way of Southwest Alabama involvement.

SPIRIT OF THE GULF COAST AWARD The Spirit Award is presented to a local company by the United Way of Southwest Alabama Board of Trustees at the Annual Meeting. The recipient consistently demonstrates strong performance in the conduct of their United Way workplace campaign, diversity and depth in their community service and energetic and bold leadership in addressing community issues and needs. The company exemplifies the highest standards of civic engagement and community-based philanthropy.

Regions Bank and its employees exemplify the standards of this award both through their annual campaign efforts and their unmatched level of volunteerism. They consistently rank as one of the top five overall campaigns. Each year, Regions is among the top companies in number of Leadership Givers and Women’s Initiative members. Their employees also spend many hours each year volunteering with Day of Caring, Community Investment Committee, the Loaned Executive program along with many other activities. Furthermore, Regions Bank is a major sponsor of the Women’s Initiative, Young Leaders Society and Leaders in Giving Event.

presented to

From the moment they arrived in our community, ThyssenKrupp Stainless USA and ThyssenKrupp Steel USA formed a partnership with United Way. Even before their facilities were built and all their employees were hired, both companies ran model employee campaigns and were among the Top 50 overall giving organizations in just their first year. In addition, ThyssenKrupp is a partner with United Way in many other areas including membership on the Board of Trustees, involvement in the Young Leaders Society and were the largest contributor to the Live United Through Reading Book Drive collecting over 1,800 books for first graders in our community.

2009 OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS AWARD presented to

LONG’S HUMAN RESOURCE SERVICES

Of the organizations with 25 or fewer employees who support our United Way, none is more involved than Long’s Human Resource Services. They are instrumental in campaign leadership and in organizational leadership. Long’s employees consistently rank as one of the top campaigns in both participation level and per capita giving. In addition, their volunteer leadership is present throughout United Way organization especially the Board of Trustees, major Giving and Women’s Initiative.

2009 MEDIA/CREATIVE SERVICE AWARD presented to

FUSIONPOINT MEDIA

Fusionpoint Media exhibited corporate social responsibility, personal goodwill and philanthropy through their time and creative support for United Way. This was a valuable asset in our goal to create real and lasting change to individuals in the gulf coast community.

presented to

This award is given to Joe Bullard Automotive for their unwavering devotion to the United Way campaign. Despite current economic conditions and automotive industry challenges, they continue to strive to maximize their annual campaign support as seen in the company’s ability to increase the average gift of its employees for each of the last five years. Their continued success starts with the commitment of Mr. Joe Bullard, the leadership of their management team and their campaign coordinators who conduct employee rallies at each Joe Bullard Automotive location.

2009 EMPLOYEE CAMPAIGN COORDINATOR presented to

TRACY COLEMAN UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA

Conducting one of the largest United Way campaign solicitations with over 4,000 employees is no easy task. However, Tracy has successfully coordinated the University of South Alabama campaign for many years. Each year she ensures model campaign practices are utilized throughout the university including targeted leadership giving solicitations and an annual Women’s Initiative event.

Through Tracy’s efforts, the participation of university employees has increased each of the last five years.

2009 LOANED EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR presented to

CATHY DEGRUY - RBC BANK

Cathy exhibited excellent communication and fundraising skills during her Loaned Executive tenure. She provided exemplary support for her campaign accounts, communicated effectively with both Employee Campaign Coordinators and United Way staff, attended multiple campaign rallies and regularly attended report meetings as well as reported her assigned campaign results on time.

United Way of Southwest Alabama

Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

| The Business View | APRIL 2010

21

Marketing a Dinosaur

By Hela Sheth, Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center

Dinosaurs last roamed the earth more than 65 million years ago. No matter your age, race or gender, you likely played with dinosaur figurines, watched Jurassic Park or maybe even caught that short-lived Dinosaurs television show that aired in the early 90s. Undoubtedly, humans have always been fascinated with these staggering giants that left behind their fossils for us to imagine what their lives were like.

The Gulf Coast Exploreum was excited to bring an animatronic dinosaur exhibit to Mobile, given the unwavering popularity of these creatures.

I knew everyone who came to see “Dinosaurs Downtown” was going to love it, but, to be honest, I was a little concerned about how far our limited marketing dollars would stretch to get people through our doors.

Knowing that we’d have to make every cent count, we added a social media budget to our traditional media buys of TV, print, radio and outdoor. This budget allowed us to do heavy Facebook advertising.

I found advertising on Facebook exceptionally convenient with little set-up time

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ates, ages required. It’s also very cheap and, my favorite 25-49. In non-marketing lingo, I wanted to quality, easily targeted to specific audiences. reach middle-class moms within driving If you’re on Facebook, you’ve surely distance who would likely have kids internoticed the ads uniformly located on the ested in dinosaurs. right side of your screen. But you may not Facebook also know that as an allows you to moniadministrator of a They say if you are not tor price bids numerproduct page, you ous times per day to can create an ad on Facebook, you’re achieve maximum where you’re only becoming a dinosaur. value and you can charged each time set a daily budget someone clicks on In the Exploreum’s case, that ad. In other when our dinosaurs roared for Facebook ads with the “paying words, you only pay into Facebook, it made for clicks” feature each time someone making sure you engages with your a huge difference. don’t spend more messaging. than you intend.

You can also The ability to target within Facebook is target your message to a highly specified a great tool when you need to ensure your audience. For example, in one of the ads are reaching those who impact the botcampaigns for “Dinosaurs Downtown,” I tom line. Our marketing strategies have narrowed down the audience to the following: proven to be effective with “Dinosaurs Facebook users living within 10 miles of Downtown.” Already, the exhibit set records Pensacola, Montgomery, Biloxi, Gulfport, with opening weekend attendance and new Hattiesburg, Ocean Springs and Pascagoula memberships. Our birthday parties have who were married, female college gradu-

APRIL 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

never booked up so quickly. Keep in mind we also had traditional media buys, so our success is certainly not attributed to Facebook alone. But through our social media advertising, I engaged clients on a much more micro-experiential level than any other traditional form of media.

Beyond Facebook advertising, we also employed our page to connect with our fans when they weren’t physically inside our building. We hosted a fan photo contest where those who posted their pictures of the exhibit could win Exploreum tickets. We also hosted dinosaur trivia, fun facts and used our fan base as a focus group on many occasions. These capabilities, along with advertising, grew our fan base by almost 33 percent during January and February.

They say that if you’re not on Facebook, you’re becoming a dinosaur. In the Exploreum’s case, when our dinosaurs roared onto Facebook, it made a huge difference. If our dinos can do it, then all the dinosaurs not yet on Facebook can, too.

Hela Sheth is the director of marketing & public relations for the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center.

She can be reached at hsheth@exploreum.com.

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.

Tackling Your Small Business Taxes Most entrepreneurs will likely roll their eyes at the complexities involving small business taxes and many complain about the intricacies of the IRS’s rules.

Though the IRS may be the agency everyone loves to hate, it only manages tax laws and policies that Congress passes.

Rather than being a bane to small business, the agency has undertaken several initiatives benefiting owners and the selfemployed by providing much-needed guidance to tax procedures and requirements minus those confusing “Gov-speak” terms.

One of the chief improvements is a special web site, www.irs.gov/smallbiz. This is a great place to give your tax knowledge a tune-up.

A section called “Starting, Operating or Closing a Business” covers a tremendous amount of tax territory and includes much of the site’s most useful information. Here you’ll find IRS rules on hiring your own kids or other family members, recordkeeping,

expenses may not be deductible. Look for the government’s nine-point checklist to see how you stack up. Also visit the “Industries/Professions” section for specific information about tax regulations that may apply to your type of business.

The advice and information under “Operating a Business” provides resources on hiring, employment taxes and wage reporting requirements. The “Business Expenses” section defines the types of costs you can and cannot deduct from your taxes.

For the self-employed and independent contractor, there’s a full section covering filing requirements, the necessity of a tax identification number, responsibilities associated with operating and closing a business, and a listing of special publications and forms.

employer ID numbers and selecting a business structure.

There’s also help answering a key taxrelated question: Is what you are doing a true business or merely a hobby? If the IRS decides your business is a hobby, your

Though the IRS may be the agency everyone loves to hate...the agency has undertaken several initiatives benefitting owners and the self-employed by providing much-needed guidance to tax procedures and requirements minus those confusing “Gov-speak” terms.

For more guidance about running your small business or for a free confidential one-on-one counseling session, contact the Mobile SCORE chapter at 431-8614.

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Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

| The Business View | APRIL 2010

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CEO

Profile

Autrey McMillan Jr. Company: Tractor & Equipment Co. Title: Vice President/Regional Sales Manager Hometown: Birmingham First job: McMillan’s first job was bagging and stocking groceries at a Piggy Wiggly grocery store in Crestline, Ala.

Career-changing moment: “Joining the Tractor & Equipment team,” said McMillan.

“It is great to work with such a talented and devoted equipment distributor.”

Accomplishments: Rebuilding a struggling branch into a productive operation while overseeing the construction of two new facilities.

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Secret to success: According to McMillan, success comes from instilling employees with a team philosophy. “If we all work as one, we will achieve our goals individually, departmentally and corporately.”

Family: McMillan and his wife, Wendy, have two children.

Which historical figure would you like to invite to dinner and why?

“Jesus Christ. He’s the One.”

FORT MORGAN

Brief company description: Tractor & Equipment Co. (TEC) is a leading heavy equipment distributor in Alabama, Georgia and the Florida panhandle. The company provides products and services for construction, mining, forestry, industrial and municipal businesses.

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APRIL 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

GulF ShOReS ORANGe BeACh PeRDiDO Key

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Previous experience: Formerly a sales manager/buyer in his family’s clothing business, McMillan’s Big & Tall in Birmingham, McMillan launched his career with Tractor & Equipment as a sales trainee and advanced to territory sales representative in Montgomery. He relocated to Savannah, Ga., as a branch manager before accepting his current position in Mobile.

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usiness Spotlight of the Month

The Business Spotlight of the Month is selected at random from a business card drawing at the Mobile Area Chamber’s Business After Hours event.

Friends of the Mobile Animal Shelter

Picture(l-r): Brenda Cashdollar, vice president of FOMAS; Donna Turner, president of FOMAS; Ellen Lursen, director, city of Mobile Animal Shelter; Jackie Lucas-Wells, Vicki Dykes, Debbie Stephens, Pam Sullivan, Jeff Johnston, and Cortez Curry. These officers and board members of FOMAS and employees of the city of Mobile Animal Shelter have teamed up to improve the quality of life for sheltered pets.

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iplomats of the Month

Trish Banker and Donna Turner Together, Trish Banker and Donna Turner share more than

35 years in the Chamber’s diplomat program. Now, they share the spotlight as the Mobile Area Chamber’s Diplomats of the Month.

Banker is a retired vice president and branch manager for Regions Bank.

Banker Turner She participates on Regions’ Chamber

Chase team and has been a Chamber diplomat for 22 years. Banker is a member of the Chamber’s Chairman’s Circle, served as diplomat chairman and was named 1994 Diplomat of the Year. When she’s not traveling Banker said, “Volunteering with the Chamber is one of my greatest pleasures.”

Turner is a senior administrative specialist with World Omni Financial Corp., a diversified automotive finance company providing a range of financial services to consumers and automotive dealers.

Turner has been involved in the Chamber’s diplomat program for 16 years, serving as diplomat chairman in 2005. She said being a diplomat is valuable to any professional. Turner is also president of Friends of the Mobile Animal Shelter and a member of the Senior Bowl Committee.

Photos by Jeff Tesney

BUG-10-02.bus.view.ad2.indd 1

President: Donna Turner Location: 855 Owens St. Member since: 2006 Brief description of business: Friends of the Mobile Animal Shelter (FOMAS) is a nonprofit animal adoption program focusing on improving the quality of life for pets housed in the city of Mobile Animal Shelter, placing healthy shelter dogs and cats with families, and reducing the number of homeless unwanted pets through education and an active spay/neuter program.

What is unique or innovative about your business? “We not only strive to ensure adoptive pet parents receive healthy dogs and cats from FOMAS, but we assist 5:32:42 PM potential adoptive pet parents in finding their perfect match,” said Turner. She added, “All animals are vaccinated, micro-chipped, spayed and neutered.”

Most significant challenge: “Finding forever homes for all the wonderful sheltered pets available.”

Phone number: 208-2830 Web site: www.adoptapetmobile.org

Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

| The Business View | APRIL 2010

25

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APRIL 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

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n v e s tor Focus

IPC Capital Partners LLC Company officials: Clifton C. Inge Jr., managing director; McGowin I. Patrick, managing director; Henry F. O’Connor III, managing director Years in business: 17 years Brief company description: IPC Capital Partners LLC is an investment firm primarily focused on private equity investments and real estate development and finance.

Why are you located in Mobile? “Mobile is a business and family-friendly environment,” said O’Connor.

Why do you support the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce’s Partners for Growth initiative? “We believe the Chamber has been and will continue to be the driving force behind Mobile’s economic development success,” O’Connor said. “We also understand that to properly stock its economic development toolbox, the Chamber needs the business community’s continued support.”

Located at 64 N. Royal St. in downtown Mobile, the company had been managing client investments for 17 years. Inset photo is managing partner, Henry O’Connor III.

What do you see as Mobile’s greatest potential? “Aerospace, oil and gas services, particularly if the eastern Gulf of Mexico is ever tapped for drilling, and logistics (shipping, rail and trucking),” O’Connor explained.

Length of Chamber membership: Since 2000

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.

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.

Contact René Eiland to discover how advertising in The Business View can complete your marketing plan at 251.431.8635 or e-mail reiland@mobilechamber.com. www.mobilechamber.com/view/media_kit.pdf

Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

| The Business View | APRIL 2010

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I

n v e s tor Focus

Tensaw Land & Timber Co. Inc. Company officials: Riley Boykin Smith, president/chief executive officer; Starr L. Boykin, secretary/treasurer; Lee E. Moncrief, vice president; and Judy D. Lewis, financial manager Years in business: 73 years Brief company description: Founded by Rep. Frank W. Boykin in 1937, Tensaw Land & Timber Co. Inc. acquired approximately 100,000 acres of timberland located in Mobile and Washington counties. Resource Management Services in Birmingham has a long-term timber lease on the majority of the property. In addition, Tensaw owns the 100-year old Boykin lodge located in Double Gates, Ala., and three commercial properties in Mobile. In 2007, Tensaw sold approximately 2,500 acres in north Mobile County to ThyssenKrupp for its multi-billion dollar, state-of-the-art carbon steel processing facility. Tensaw is currently developing 40 acres just south of the ThyssenKrupp plant for retail and commercial use.

Why are you located in Mobile? “As our company history explains, Tensaw’s roots came out of land acquisitions in north Mobile and Washington counties,” said Smith.

“It was an easy choice to remain in the Mobile area where Southern tradition, beauty and charm can be combined with all the elements of a fast-growing, successful community.”

Why do you support the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce’s Partners for Growth initiative? “Investing in the Partners for Growth Initiative will continue to secure Mobile’s future economic growth, which in turn will provide local companies such as ours the opportunity to participate and be better prepared to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by this economic prosperity,” said Smith.

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Pictured (left to right) are Judy Lewis, Riley Boykin Smith, Starr Boykin, Lee Moncrief and Kathy Moore from Tensaw Land & Timber Co.

What do you see as Mobile’s greatest potential? “The ability to capitalize on the recent growth and prosperity of the region by continuing to bring together all of the resources available with a focused and positive agenda,” said Smith.

Length of Chamber membership: Since 1985

APRIL 2010 | The Business View | 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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ho’s In Town?

April 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.

April 13-15 Inland Rivers Ports & Terminals Delegates: 125 Phone: 604-214-1649 Hotel/Location: The Battle House, a Renaissance Hotel April 25-27 National Linen Retirees Club Delegates: 60 Phone: 251-621-3546 Hotel: Marriott Resort

April 25-28 USS Walter B. Cobb Delegates: 50 Phone: 785-364-9068 Hotel/Location: Ashbury Hotel & Suites

Featured Profiles

dvisors

Ralph A. Hargrove is founder and president of Hargrove Engineers + Constructors. A native Mobilian, Hargrove has more Hargrove than 30 years of design, technical and project management experience primarily in the industrial field including specialty chemicals, pulp and paper, power, gas and manufacturing. He is a member of Associated General Contractors, Associated Builders and Contractors, Manufacture Alabama and Partners for Environmental Progress.

Hargrove serves on the boards of the Mobile Area Chamber, Goodwill Easter Seals, Downtown Mobile Alliance, Main Street Mobile and the Downtown Mobile District Management Corporation. He also serves on the Gulf Coast Exploreum’s board of trustees. Hargrove Engineers + Constructors is a Partner in Education with Craighead Elementary School and a Partners for Growth Investor.

Christoph Lackinger is president and CEO of ThyssenKrupp Steel USA LLC. He is responsible for ThyssenKrupp’s carbon steel segment Lackinger currently under construction in Calvert, Ala., and will lead the company’s operational management when the facility begins operation this year.

Lackinger joined Thyssen Steel in 1989.

Following the merger of German steel companies Krupp and Thyssen in 1999, he was appointed head of technology for the newly created ThyssenKrupp Steel in 2003.

Lackinger graduated from RWTH Aachen, Germany, with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. He serves on the boards of the Mobile Area Chamber, Gulf Coast Exploreum and the Alabama Iron and Steel Council. ThyssenKrupp Steel USA is a Partners for Growth Investor.

April 28-May 2 National Association of Junior Auxiliaries Delegates: 800 Hotel: Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel Location: Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center

Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

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.

Terry Russo is general manager for SSAB Mobile Operations. He earned a bachelor’s degree in ceramic engineering from Pennsylvania State Russo University. In 1976, he took his first steel-related job at Crucible Steel in Midland, Pa., where he remained until 1994, holding a variety of metallurgical positions: process metallurgist, chief metallurgist and manager quality control.

Russo later joined IPSCO Steel in Montpelier, Iowa, as superintendent of casting and was promoted to superintendent of primary operations in 1998. In 1999, he accepted the job of superintendent of primary operations for the start-up of IPSCO’s Mobile facility. Russo was instrumental in equipment selection, facility construction and workforce hiring. SSAB purchased IPSCO in 2008. Russo is a member of American Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) as well as a board member of the Alabama Iron and Steel Council. SSAB is a Partners for Growth Investor.

Robert A. Williams has been president and chief executive officer of Mobile Paint Manufacturing Co. Inc. since 1984, and has worked at the company for 56 Williams years. He attended The University of Alabama and graduated from Syracuse University with an executive master’s degree in business administration. Williams has served on numerous local boards, including Volunteers of America Southeast, The Salvation Army, Department of Human Resources, Junior Achievement, Mobile Works, Better Business Bureau, Goodwill Industries, Mobile Sales & Marketing, Rotary Club-Sunrise, Romar House Condominiums Association and the Boy Scouts. His professional affiliations include service on the boards of the National Paint & Coatings Association, Wallcovering Distributors Association, Coating Systems International, Guild CPO and Coatings Research Group Inc.

| The Business View | APRIL 2010

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C

hamber@Work

Trade Division Sets Quarterly Workshops The Chamber’s trade division is in the process of hosting a series of quarterly workshops for local exporters. The “Legalities of International Trade” kicked off the series in March with a presentation

by Greg Jones of Hand Arendall LLC. The sessions are designed with the needs of local exporters in mind, and are open to Chamber members. For more information, contact Bridgette Clark at 694-0901.

Chamber Partners with USA on Real Estate Summit The University of South Alabama’s (USA) Center for Real Estate Studies presented the third annual Gulf Coast Real Estate Summit in March. More than 300 people participated in the day-long event, providing attendees with access to experts in the regional residential and commercial real estate markets, as well as an overview of the Retirement System of Alabama’s hotel holdings, commercial financing and future coastal development. The Chamber provided logistical assistance to USA on this event.

Alabama State Senators Meet with Members In the first quarter, the Chamber hosted two Forum Alabama meetings featuring Sen. Richard Shelby and Sen. Jeff Sessions. More than 400 people combined attended each breakfast meeting. Both Senators offered their perspective on the 111th Congress, the administration of President Barack Obama, and their perspectives on the most pressing issues facing our nation, such as healthcare, environmental regulations, free trade agreements and financial regulatory reforms.

Chamber Attends a BCA Update on Health Care Reform The Business Council of Alabama, chaired by Sandy Simpson with Scotch & Gulf Lumber and past-chair of the Chamber, hosted a healthcare reform update in January with state and national leaders offering potential solutions to current healthcare challenges. The Chamber attended this update to learn more about the issue and its impact on local Chamber members.

Chamber State Governmental Affairs Committee Meets to Support City of Mobile The Chamber’s State Governmental Affairs Committee voted to endorse legislation allowing the city of Mobile to clear titles on tax sale properties when no tax has been paid in three years. It is estimated there are nearly 1,500 of these properties within the I-65/I-10 loop of the city.

Chamber Participates in Mobile’s Long-Range Transportation Plan The South Alabama Regional Planning Commission (SARPC), on behalf of Mobile Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Alabama Department of Transportation, created the Long-Range Transportation plan for the Mobile area. The Chamber was represented to discuss all federally funded transportation projects in Mobile over the next 25 years. The estimated need for the area on road and bridge projects, as well as public transportation, bicycle/pedestrian paths and congestion management is estimated at more than $741 million through 2035. The metropolitan planning organization approved the plan in February. Details of this plan are available online at www. mobilempo.org.

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to the latest business news in the Mobile area on a weekly basis?

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Economic Update Provided to Mobile City Council The Chamber’s Vice President of Economic Development Troy Wayman hosted a lunch discussion for Mobile City Council members, “Economic Development 101,” to provide insight into how the economic development process works, and update the council on projects the department is actively working. All city council members attended the meeting.

Seven Years of Bay Area Healthcare Coalition The Chamber’s Center for Workforce Development organized a meeting with representatives and investors of the Bay Area Healthcare Coalition to provide a report on the work done in the past seven years. Two of the most notable successes of the partnership between the Chamber and the Coalition are Summer Scrubs and the Health Occupations Career Fair. Among other things, the group worked to map out a direction to continue the partnership long-term.

Chamber Participates in Member Grand Openings and Ribbon Cuttings Chamber staff and Diplomats helped cut ribbons and celebrate grand openings at Greer’s Market, Mobile Infirmary Pro Health Fitness & Rehabilitation Center and Padgett Business Services of Mobile.

Women in the Workplace Dr. Leida Javier-Ferrell, director of the Chamber’s Center for Workforce Development taught a course at the University of South Alabama on women in the workplace and the community. For the second year, she recruited several Chamber member employees to serve as women mentors for the students. Participating as mentors were: Tyloria Crenshaw, Franklin Primary Health Center; Carol EarlsFranklin, a local human resource professional; Mariluz Hilbun, the Battle House, a Renaissance Hotel and Spa; Carolyn Golson, Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce; Merceria Ludgood, Mobile County Commission; and Tonya Joseph, Ryla Inc. Chamber Names Three New Board of Advisors The Board of Advisors represents key businesses whose significant dues investment leads the way in funding the Chamber’s programs and initiatives. To date there are 245 companies who make up the board. New board of advisors are: Vie Companies, Virginia College of Mobile and Wade Office Equipment.

APRIL 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

C

omparative Economic Indicators

JAN. 2010 vs JAN. 2009 The Mobile Area Chamber’s research division collects a variety of statistics each month.

Business Licenses City of Mobile

222 2010 259 2009

Employed Mobile/Baldwin counties

231,825 2010 249,805 2009

Unemployment Rates Mobile/Baldwin counties NOTE: January unemployment statistics for Alabama and Mobile County will not be available until March 12 after The Business View went to press. The state and county agencies are doing revisions of past monthly totals and this will cause a one-time delay in releasing statistics.

Homes Sold⌦ Mobile County

182 2010 174 2009

Average Selling Price Mobile County $135,257 2010 $142,213 2009

Building Permits City of Mobile

226 2010 184 2009

Value of Building Permits $27,230,441 2010 $10,216,061 2009

Air Passengers From Mobile Area 20,920 2010 20,735 2009

APRIL

9

MEMBER APPRECIATION DAY

28

Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Place: Mobile Area Chamber,

451 Government St. Cost: Free Contact: Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or

mhartley@mobilechamber.com

See page 13 for details.

14

BUSINESS @BREAKFAST * *Members Only

Time: 7:30 - 8:30 a.m.

Place: Spot of Tea, 310 Dauphin St. Cost: $10, includes breakfast Contact: Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or

mhartley@mobilechamber.com

20

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

21

STATE OF THE CITY AND COUNTY LUNCHEON

Time: Noon - 1:30 p.m.

Place: Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile

Convention Center, 1 S. Water St. Cost: $20 per person or $190 for table

of 10 for Chamber members/

$30 for potential members Contact: Carolyn Wilson at 431-8606 or

cwilson@mobilechamber.com

22

C

a l endar

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

Time: 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Place: USA’s Football Fieldhouse,

University of South Alabama’s

Main Campus Cost: $5 for members, $10 for

potential members Contact: Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or

mhartley@mobilechamber.com

GULF COAST TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL LUNCHEON

Time: 11:30 - 1 p.m.

Place: 5 Rivers - Alabama’s Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd.

Cost: $15 for members/$20 for

potential members/$5 for

students, includes lunch Contact: Christina Stimpson at 431-8636 or cstimpson@mobilechamber.com

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CONTACTS AND CONTRACTS

Time: 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Place: 3725 Airport Blvd., #161

in the Mobile Festival Center Cost: Free Contact: Brenda Rembert at 431-8607

or brembert@mobilechamber.com

Business@Breakfast* Business@Breakfast will be held Wednesday, April 14 at Spot of Tea, 310 Dauphin St., from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.

B@B offers members 45 seconds to introduce themselves and their business. Following a brief presentation, introductions and breakfast, attendees are invited to continue networking.

The cost is $10 and includes breakfast.

Only one representative per company.

Reservations and payment are required

by Monday, April 12 for this event. No cancellations will be reimbursed after this date to cover the cost of breakfast.

For reservations contact Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or mhartley@mobile chamber.com. *Members Only

For information on Chamber events, visit events.mobilechamber.com.

Executive Roundtable* Executive Roundtable, a monthly forum providing practical business information exclusively for Chamber member small business owners and managers, will meet Tuesday, April 20 from 8 to 9 a.m. in the Chamber’s Board Room. Jeffrey Adams, president of Adams and Associates Inc., and his team will discuss succession and retirement planning for business owners and others. There is no charge to attend, but seating is limited. For reservations, contact Brenda Rembert at 431-8607 or brembert@mobilechamber.com.

* Members Only

State of the City and County Luncheon Join Mobile Mayor Sam Jones and Mobile County Commission President Merceria Ludgood for the annual state of the city and county address on Wednesday, April 21 beginning at noon at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center. Ludgood and Jones will outline their respective governments’ successes for 2009 and plans for this year. Tickets are $20 per person or $190 for table of 10 for Chamber members and $30 for potential members. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting Carolyn Wilson at 431-8606 or cwilson@mobilechamber.com.

Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

Business After Hours Join business professionals for Business After Hours at the University of South Alabama’s Football Field House, located on USA’s main campus on Thursday, April 22 from 5:30 until 7 p.m.

Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and beverages at this casual networking event. This is one of the best opportunities to introduce yourself and your business to other members and make new business contacts. The cost to attend is $5 for members and $10 for potential members. Reservations are not needed. For more information, contact Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or mhartley@mobilechamber.com.

For directions to this event visit events.mobilechamber.com.

Gulf Coast Technology Council Luncheon The Gulf Coast Technology Council hosts its bi-monthly luncheon Wednesday, April 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the 5 Rivers - Alabama’s Delta Resource Center. The cost to attend is $15 for Chamber members, $20 for potential members and $5 per student and includes lunch.

Reservations and payment are needed

by April 26. For more information, contact Christina Stimpson at 431-8636 or cstimpson@mobilechamber.com.

Contacts and Contracts Contacts and Contracts will be Thursday, April 29 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Virginia College, 3725 Airport Blvd., #161 in the Mobile Festival Center. This quarterly business development networking event is designed to give small and minority-owned business entrepreneurs the opportunity to meet representatives from large companies and governmental agencies and learn a bout their supplier needs and bidding procedures. There is no charge to attend, but reservations are requested. For more information, contact Brenda Rembert at 431-8607 or brembert@mobilechamber.com.

| The Business View | APRIL 2010

31

M

ember News

Rogers

Roe

Sinha

Software solutions provider ACO Information Services increased its staff by four. Application specialist Melissa Rogers will analyze the existing business Harper processes of the new STAR (Store, Track and Report) System. Rogers has an associate’s degree in computer information systems and services from Southeast College of Technology in Mobile.

Sean Roe was named conversion specialist II. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Spring Hill College and a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of South Alabama.

Implementation developer II Meenakshi Sinha will design, develop and implement STAR System.NET products. Sinha holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science engineering from the Jawaharlal Nehru

Technological University in India and a master’s in information systems from the University of South Alabama.

Candice Harper was named an executive assistant.

X Alabama Power named Mike Saxon vice president for the Mobile division. Saxon formerly served as vice president for Alabama Power’s southeast Saxon division based in Eufaula. He received a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of West Florida, and a master’s of business administration from Troy University.

X Stacy Hamilton joined the Mobile Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau as vice president of marketing and communications. Hamilton most recently oversaw marketing Hamilton efforts for The St. Joe Co. Watercolor Inn and Resort in Florida. She previously held positions in Louisiana and Mississippi, including marketing and public relations manager for Louisiana Travel Promotion Association.

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” – its 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 e link to the on and ask for th r to include you issue. Be sure e-mail. e body of the th in re tu a n g si

32

Jennifer Whiddon was named programs coordinator at Bay Area Food Bank.

She will manage volunteers, food drives and the newly launched mobile pantry Whiddon program.

X Maria Bladorn joined the Women’s Business Center as program manager. She will coordinate WBC events, including the annual SAL Awards, as well as Bladorn market the center. Bladorn has a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Mobile.

X Christy Self joined the Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Mobile as a sales manager.

X

McLaughlin

Thompson

Whaley

Infirmary Health System (IHS) promoted William McLaughlin to executive vice president of Gulf Health Hospitals Inc. He will oversee North Baldwin Infirmary and Thomas Hospital and develop physician affiliations and additional service locations in Baldwin County. McLaughlin earned a bachelor’s degree from La Salle University in Philadelphia and a master’s of hospital administration from Yale University.

IHS also named Ormand Thompson administrator of North Baldwin Infirmary and the affiliate Oakwood Center for Living nursing facility. Thompson has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and business administration from the University of South Alabama, and is a graduate of Leadership Mobile.

Alan Whaley, executive vice president for IHS, was named interim administrator at Infirmary West and the adjoining Infirmary Long Term Acute Care Hospital.

X

Tennant

Byrd

Holland

Roberts Brothers welcomed three new agents. Wade Tennant and Shanoa Reed Byrd joined the west Mobile office and Celeste Holland located at the Real Estate Center.

APRIL 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

Roberts Brothers Commercial & Property Management promoted E. Rhodes Ladd Bradford Ladd and Lowery Rhodes. Ladd is vice president of commercial sales and leasing. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from The University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. Rhodes is vice president of commercial sales and development. He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting form Birmingham Southern College.

X Susan Cornejo was appointed senior vice president and chief financial officer for Providence Hospital and Seton Health Corp. of South Alabama. Cornejo is a certi- Cornejo fied public accountant (CPA) with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Indiana University and a master’s degree in business administration from Indiana Wesleyan University.

X Mobile Arts Council promoted Charlie Smoke to associate director. Smoke was formerly the director of community development for the organization.

X WESCO Gas & Welding Supply Inc. hired Tony Brunson as account manager for the specialty, medical and industrial gas division. He brings more Brunson than 12 years of professional sales and marketing experience in the medical field.

X Point Logistics LLC hired Kent Hendricks as managing director.

Hendricks brings 18 years management experience in the manufacturing and Hendricks transportation industry.

X EAP Lifestyle Management welcomed Elizabeth Revere to its management team. Revere retired from South Central Bell, and brings much experience to support the needs of employees and management.

Member News

Thom Kaz of Kaz Entertainment Group opened a success and wellnesscoaching center at 9051 Valley View Dr. Kaz is a corporate speaker, clinical hypnotherapist and master neuro-linguistic programming practitioner. For more information call (702)285-8156.

X Chelsea DuBose opened Focus Tax Service at 1907 First Ave. in Prichard. The business provides tax preparation, DuBose including rapid refund and electronic filing for businesses and individuals. For more information call 408-3220.

X Habitat for Humanity of Mobile County ReStore Home Improvement Center, 4128 Government Blvd., announced new store hours. The store is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call 662-1121.

X ACO Information Services LLC, developer of the STAR System regulatory software, announced the Kansas Corporation Commission selected STAR PSC to fulfill its requirement for an integrated case management, document management, workflow management and e-filing system.

X Husband and wife team Colby Cooper and Jaime Lyon Cooper launched The Cooper-Lyon Group LLC, a strategic communications, public relations and operations consulting firm based in Fairhope. For more information visit www.cooperlyon.com.

Southern Business & Development magazine named Burr & Forman one of three top site consultants and four top law firms in Alabama based on a survey of its 20,000 readers.

X Integrity Media’s chief executive officer, Michael Coleman, was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

Coleman

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.

Employees at Evonik Degussa’s Mobile site worked 1.3 million hours without experiencing a day-away-from-work case. With approximately 700 workers, the last recorded day-away-from-work case for the site was Oct. 14, 2008.

X John Robb, branch manager for Raymond James in west Mobile, was elected first vice president of the Friends of Catholic Robb Cemetery. The organization operates under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Mobile to restore and preserve the 162-year-old historic cemetery.

Higgins

Foster X

Maisel

The Alabama Association of Realtors recognized three local Realtors from Prudential Cooper & Co. Inc., REALTORS. Associate Broker Barbara Higgins received the Mickey Philips Realtors for Children award. She was also chosen to serve on the Council of Residential Specialists grassroots advisory panel where she will provide feedback regarding industry-wide real estate trends as well as issues affecting the Mobile area.

Don Foster received the 2009 Aden Jack Cooper Award for demonstrating positive leadership qualities, a competitive and winning attitude, and team player qualities. Sloane Maisel accepted the 2009 Rookie of the Year Award as a new associate with the highest closed volume for her first 12 months in the business.

X Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast named Boyd Douglas Jr. chairman of its board of directors.

Goodwill Easter Seals is a Douglas United Way partner agency serving disabled individuals and their families.

X The Alabama Hospital Association recognized Tanner Wallace Sandy Wallace RN and Debra Tanner RN of Mobile Infirmary Medical Center, with the Hospital Heroes Award for going beyond the call of duty in their service to others.

Wallace works in labor and delivery and Tanner is a lactation consultant.

The Public Relations Council of Alabama - Mobile Chapter (PRCA) earned the inaugural Chapter of Distinction award from the Southern Public Relations Federation. The group includes 20 public relations chapters in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida panhandle. PRCA - Mobile was also named Alabama’s 2009 Chapter of the Year.

X Bit-Wizards was selected as a Microsoft Silverlight Partner. Silverlight is a development platform for creating engaging, interactive user experiences for the Web, desktop, and mobile applications.

X Thompson Engineering presented its 2009 Community Service Award to business development manager Paul Klotz. For more than 33 years, Klotz Klotz participated in charitable giving and economic development initiatives in Mobile. To honor this legacy, Thompson Engineering re-named the annual award the “Paul Klotz Community Service Award.”

X The University of Mobile was named among “America’s 100 Best College Buys”

by Institutional Research & Evaluation Inc., an independent research and consulting organization. The Christian university is one of only four schools in Alabama and the only private university in the state listed in the 2009-2010 report.

X Lifelines Family Counseling Center, announced its 2010 board officers and new members: Stephanie Constantine, president; Jeff St. Clair, vice Constantine president; Claude Bumpers, secretary; Trey Mayhall, treasurer; Dr. Irene McIntosh, past-president; and Ed Browon, honorary board member. New board members are: Kristin Ashworth, Bess Perrish-Creswell, Rufus Hudson III, Jeff McPhillips, Cindy Rathle and Dale Watts Jr. X Emmett Cameron, certified public account with Wilkins Miller Hieronymus LLC, was recognized at the 63rd Annual Federal Tax Clinic Cameron for his faithful support and long-standing attendance since the meeting’s inception in 1946. He is the first to receive the honor. He is a founding member of Wilkins Miller Stalcup Galle Brown & Cameron PC, the predecessor to Wilkins Miller Hieronymus LLC.

Shirley E. Ezell, RNC, assistant nurse manager at Springhill Medical Center, was honored as one of the “Hospital Heroes” by the Alabama Hospital Ezell Association. Ezell was recognized for her dedication to healthcare.

X WESCO Gas & Welding Supply Co. Inc. received the 2009 Image of Welding Award in the distributor category at the AWS/FABTECH International Show in Chicago. The award recognizes organizations that excel in promoting the image of welding in their communities.

X Angela Weil was elected to the Microtel Inns & Suites franchise advisory council composed of nine Microtel franchisees. Weil, holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Loyola University.

X Mobile’s Society of Human Resource Management (MSHRM) Chamber member board officers for 2010 are: Jeff LeBlanc, Pilot Catastrophe, president; Mary White, Mobile Technical Institute, president-elect; Cindy Giddens, Southern Earth Sciences, secretary; and Angel Persson, Aker Solutions, treasurer.

New board members are Marjorie Icenogle, University of South Alabama, college relations; Carol Statter, Infirmary Health System, SHRM Foundation; Linda Ramsey, Clark Personnel, door prize coordinator; and Karen Presley, Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union, publicity coordinator.

Community News The Boy Scouts of America – Mobile Area Council, Southern Region will host its Big Boy Scout Dinner Tuesday, April 6 at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center. The event honors Rep. Jo Bonner and is chaired by Mobile Sheriff Sam Cochran. For more information, call 476-4600 or visit www.bsamac.org.

X St. Paul’s Episcopal School, its students, parents and alumni celebrated the completion of a home they built for Habitat for Humanity in Mobile County.

Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce | The Business View | APRIL 2010

33

Clip and add to your Membership Directory.

N

e w Members

If you know of a company interested in benefitting from Chamber membership, contact Heather Bell at 431-8627 or Rebecca Millam at 431-8647. View the complete membership directory at www.mobilechamber.com.

ABC Destinations Ian Scott 300 Broad Acres Dr., Ste. 400 Bloomfield, NJ 07003 973-393-4547 Travel Agencies B-Fast Bolt & Supply, division of Birmingham Fastener Inc. Jay Saiter 1910 Ave. C Mobile, AL 36615-1282 251-438-7833 www.bhamfast.com Fasteners-Distributor Cartridge World of Mobile Craig Ferguson 3664-A Airport Blvd.

Mobile, AL 36608 251-725-6380 www.cartridgeworldusa.com/ store842 Office Supplies Flowtec Industrial Service LLC Ted Speed 7387 Zeigler Cir. S. Mobile, AL 36608 251-635-1733 www.flowtec-industrial.com Oil Filtration - Pipeline & Industrial

Genesis Career College Christy Leffew 7241 Dolphin St. Daphne, AL 36526-7267 251-445-8900 www.genesiscareer.edu Schools-Business & Vocational

Amber Lane Designs Amber Lane 3607 Old Shell Rd., Ste. 6 Mobile, AL 36608 251-767-1312 www.amberlanedesigns.com Art

Music 4 U Tommy Lee 8113 Majors Ct. Daphne, AL 36526 251-621-5735 www.music-4u.org Musician

Gerritsen Inc. Jerry Gerritsen 209 Ridgewood Pl. Mobile, AL 36608-1414 251-635-3180 Import/Export Brokers

Making Miracles for Cystic Fibrosis Matt Golden 333 Myrtlewood Ln. Mobile, AL 36608-1409 251-344-4517 www.makingmiracles4cf.org Non-Profit Organization

Phoenix Restoration Services Inc. Edward Inge 22 S. Florida St., Bldg. D Mobile, AL 36606-192 251-725-1779 www.phoenixrest.com Contractor-Remodeling & Restoration Historic

International Laser Therapy Hollis L. Coates Jr. 3462-C Springhill Ave., Ste. 32 Mobile, AL 36608 251-344-1300 www.iltmobile.com Laser Therapy Keating & Associates LLC Mike Keating 19380 Quail Creek Dr. Fairhope, AL 36532-7204 251-302-0199 www.keatingandassoc.com Strategic Planning Lauren E. Klumpp-Strategic Business Solutions Lauren Klumpp 540-239-1730 Business Service

50 YEARS

Alabama State Port Authority Holmes & Holmes Architects

45 YEARS

Artcraft Press Inc. Long’s Human Resource Services

40 YEARS

Terminix International

35 YEARS

Praytor Realty Co. Inc. Wilkins Miller Hieronymus LLC A.W. Williams Inspection Co. Inc.

30 YEARS

Alabama Career Center First Small Business Investment Co. of Alabama

25 YEARS

Auto Air of Alabama Harper & Associates Insurance Inc.

A

Maritech Marine & Industrial Inc. Ahmad Zahra 2220 Michigan Ave. Mobile, AL 36615-1103 251-405-0066 Valves-Repairing Micro Images Inc. Larry Emrich 4344 Downtowner Loop S. Mobile, AL 36609-5410 251-343-7616 www.microimagesinc.com Microfilming Service/Equipment/ Supply

Southern Turf Landscape LLC George H. Reid Jr. 161 N. Florida St. Mobile, AL 36607-3009 251-421-5864 Landscape Design & Construction Telephone Data Services of Mobile Inc. Maria Davis 4405 Halls Mill Rd., Ste. C-1 Mobile, AL 36693-5652 251-661-1194 www.teldatamobile.com Communications Services As of 1/31/10

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!

OHC T. A. Provence & Co. Inc. Sister Shubert’s Homemade Rolls of Alabama Southern Earth Sciences White-Spunner Construction Inc.

20 YEARS

Tanger Outlet Center

15 YEARS

Brabner & Hollon Inc. Burr & Forman LLP Dean McCrary Imports Grainger Industrial Supply Mobile Area Education Foundation Mobile Mineral Corp.

Termac Construction Inc.

5 YEARS

Aztec Maritime Services Inc. LDS Employment Resource Services Marriott ExecuStay/Suite Living Inc. Corporate Housing

Personal Edge Fitness Shoreline Credit Union WGB Properties LLC

1-4 YEARS

Allstates Employer Services Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union Ayres Composite Panels USA LLC Blue Haven Pools and Spas Case Construction LLC ChemStation Gulf Coast Cobbs, Allen and Hall - Gulf Coast Insurance LLC Complete Safety Works Inc. Crane Works Inc. Ecovery LLC EKO Clean Employers’ Accounting Services LLC Glusman Vision Center Government Street Presbyterian Church Gulf Coast Asphalt Co. Integrated Electronic Technologies Inc. International Shipholding Corp.

Please show your support through the patronage of these businesses.

34

There is Strength in Numbers...

APRIL 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

Hanson Pipe and Precast Hoar Program Management Hurricane Electronics Inc. Paul L. Jernigan CPA LBP Interpreting Inc. The Learning Tree Inc. Liberty Roofing & Home Improvements Mobile Concierge Inc. Moffett Road Assembly of God Nasser Gymnastics Academy Newk’s Express Cafe Oracle Real Estate Parker Adult Foster Homes Inc. Projection Presentation Technology Relocation Support Services International LLC Southeast Writing Co. LLC Spring Hill Comprehensive Dentistry PC Southern Pipe and Supply Co. Inc. Stone Ridge at Somerby Park Technigraphics Inc. TradeStream Inc. As of 1/31/10

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS ...is a company’s best friend.

When the Carters’ business was featured as the Small Business of the Month in the Chamber’s magazine, it made the biggest economic impact to their business all year. If you ask Cindie, she’ll also offer that Chamber referrals help build their customer base. As one of 2,400 Chamber members, Cindie has access to resources, exposure and networking to grow her business and make it thrive – and that’s nothing to bark at.

Cindie Carter Walks and Wags 4 Employees Member Since 2005

The Business of Mobile is our Business. joinmobilechamber.com 251.433.6951