The Business View - May 2012 by Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

MAY 2012

the

VIEW Small Business Special Feature

ADVICE from Experts

Chamber Chase 2012

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

the

Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

Vol. XLIII, No. 4

VIEW

April 2012

3-7

10-13

News You Can Use – Positive updates for area and state businesses Small Business of the Month: Weinacker’s Montessori School Local small business owners offer advice for potential entrepreneurs

14-15

Author and business expert offers 10 tips to keep businesses viable SCORE Column: Why small business will lead in the new economy

16 17 18-19 20 20

Joel Daves, recently retired South Alabama president of Regions Bank, is serving as 2012 Chamber Chase chairman. See story on pages 18-19. Cover photo by Ashley Horn

Mobilian of the Year: Reggie Copeland

21 22

Investor Focus: Burr Forman LLP CEO Profile: Gretchen Jaspering, Gulf Coast Exploreum and Science Center Chamber@Work

Board of Advisors: Melissa Morrissette, David Randel and Bonnie Tully

25 25

26 27 28-29 30 30

Chamber Chase Kicks Off

Cover

Meet the Chamber’s new economic development project coordinator: Cesny Soffronoff

23-24 24

Partners for Growth

Ambassador of the Month: Claire Bolton

Business Spotlight of the Month: GroundSwell Web Designs

Economic Indicators Calendar Member News Anniversaries New Members

MAY 2012 | The Business View

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 ©2012 Publisher.....................................Winthrop M. Hallett III Executive Editor................................Leigh Perry-Herndon Managing Editor....................................... Jennifer Jenkins Copy Editor............................................Michelle Matthews

Additional Writers and Editors Carolyn Golson, Ashley Horn, Carolyn Hunt, Carol Hunter, Leigh Perry-Herndon, Susan Rak-Blanchard, Carolyn Wilson

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

N-Tron Expands

into 19,700-Square-Foot Headquarters in Mobile

hen Richard Whitehurst describes the connectors and switches manufactured at N-Tron, he says the company’s industrial-hardened Ethernet switches are designed to be the “last man standing” under any environment. N-Tron products keep windmill farms running, traffic control systems operating and automotive plants churning out new cars. And with the company doubling its sales nearly every year since 2004, Whitehurst said the Mobile headquarters, where nearly 55 people work, was busting at the seams. In February, N-Tron moved from an 8,800-square-foot building on University Boulevard to more than 19,700 square feet of office and warehouse space at the former EADS location at 3101 International Dr., near Bel Air Mall.

“Now we have room to grow, and the location is set up to accommodate our future growth,” said Whitehurst. N-Tron products are primarily used in areas with a harsh environment – be it extreme cold or heat, and even toxic areas that could easily damage switches that keep computer systems operational.

Founded by Warren Nicholson, N-Tron was purchased by Red Lion Controls in October 2010. Nicholson founded the company in response to a need for the hardened Ethernet switches for nuclear applications. Today, N-Tron has 500 product resellers around the world with sales offices across the U.S., China, India and Europe.

Partnership Between Shipbuilders

Proves a Success

A partnership between Austal USA and BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards Alabama provided repair work on the Sea Fighter (FSF-1), based out of Panama City, Fla. The Sea Fighter is an aluminum catamaran operated by the Office of Naval Research used to test technologies for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) programs. “It was rewarding to see both shipyards work together in Mobile exploiting the synergies of our two side-by-side facilities.” said Joe Rella, Austal USA’s president and chief operating officer. Under a very aggressive schedule, workers installed a new counter measure washdown system to help keep future Naval combatants operational in a nuclear, biological or chemical battle-space. Other work items included modifying ballast tanks and installing water jet skirts on both hulls; installing a fuel centrifuge piping system into the ship to allow the crew to remove fuel contaminant, as well as aluminum ladders and work platforms for the water jets; and repairing the aluminum hull.

“One of the ways to obtain growth in tough economic times is through teaming and partnerships,” said Vic Rhoades, director and general manager of BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards Alabama. The vessel spent a total of 91 days at BAE Systems’ facility, including 72 days in dry dock.

The Business View | MAY 2012

Downtown Air Center and Mobile Air Center

Purchased by Signature Flight

Taylor Morrissette (pictured) and his brother Harris recently sold their air center operations to Signature Flight Support Corp.

arlier this year, Signature Flight Support Corp. purchased the assets of Azalea Aviation Inc., expanding Signature’s footprint in the Southeast. Brothers Taylor Morrissette and Harris Morrissette were co-owners of Mobile Air Center at Mobile Regional Airport and Downtown Air Center at Mobile Downtown Airport, and Taylor joined Signature to oversee the two facilities. “The Mobile, Alabama, facilities bring two important locations to our Southeast region and the greater Signature network,” said S. Michael Scheeringa, president of Signature Flight Support. Both facilities were rebranded as Signature Flight Support and became part of the company’s global network of 111 locations.

Mobile Air Center began providing fuel services in the 1950s and constructed its first executive terminal and hangars in the late 1960s. Today, the facility features 60,000 square feet of hangars, an executive terminal and customer offices. It offers line maintenance services for turbine- and piston-powered aircraft on its leasehold, and has operated its own “fuel farm” since 2002. Downtown Air Center has more than 45,000 square feet of hangar space, including a newly constructed, state-of-the-art, 16,800-square-foot hangar, tenant offices and an executive terminal. It provides fueling operations for companies such as FedEx and ST Aerospace Mobile. “We have enjoyed our 20-plus years of operations at the Mobile airports and look forward to the great growth opportunities provided by the Signature network,” Taylor said.

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Aker Solutions

Expansion Will Create 25 Jobs International oil service group Aker Solutions is planning to invest $6 million in additional manufacturing capacity at its Mobile plant, creating 25 new full-time jobs. “New oil and gas fields are found at greater water depths and farther from shore,” said Marc Quenneville, head of Aker Solutions’ Mobile facility. “The result is that the distance between the subsea wells and the production facility is continuously increasing. This is good news for us, because our products are tailor-made for deepwater applications and long-distance step-outs.” Herman Tinsley, the Mobile Area Chamber’s senior project manager for economic development, estimates the Chamber’s economic development team has worked on at least five expansion projects with Aker since they opened in 2003. “Aker has proven to be a contributor to the local economy and a valued and supported member of the Chamber,” said Tinsley.

Tougher market demands, combined with several new project wins, mean the company needs to make another expansion to handle the future anticipated workload coming to its Mobile facility, Quenneville explained. The additional investment will increase capacity by 15 percent over the next three years. Locally, Aker engineers and manufactures subsea umbilicals, cables that run from either an onshore or a floating production facility down to oil and gas wells on the seabed. Aker Solutions is the global market leader for steel tube umbilicals. “Mobile is a business-friendly environment, which is another reason why we continue to invest in facilities and manpower here,” said Quenneville.

Honoring

Those Who Serve Armed Forces Day is a time to reflect and give respect. The inaugural celebration was held in 1950, and themed “Teamed for Defense.” Before then, there had never been a unified celebration of all the military branches. The U.S. Department of Defense declared this year’s theme “United in Strength.” Joining the Chamber in honoring armed forces are event sponsors Airbus Military, Austal USA, Budweiser-Busch Distributing Co., KBR, Shell Chemicals, Thompson Engineering Inc. and Volkert Inc. The event’s featured speaker will be Major General John W. Peabody. The highly decorated veteran also serves as the president-designee of the Mississippi River Commission and is responsible for $7.5 billion in civil works projects in the Mississippi River Valley from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. Tickets are $23 per person, and registration is open until Thursday, May 3. Contact Carolyn Hunt at 431-8621 or chunt@mobilechamber.com for more information. Tickets can also be purchased online at events.mobile chamber.com.

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The Business View | MAY 2012

Tax Incentives

Could Spur Downtown Development A

labama’s economic development officials have long used financial incentives to attract industrial investment in the state. ThyssenKrupp is one of the largest and most recent examples of such incentives. The projects are designed to pay off in terms of jobs (both construction and permanent employment) and eventual increases in the tax base to fund basic government services. The tools are important – many would argue critical – to Alabama’s ability to compete with other states when it comes to landing major industrial projects.

As of the time The Business View went to press, the state Legislature was considering a package of bills that would leverage investment in the urban cores of the state’s larger cities through the use of similar incentives. The Downtown Mobile Alliance, along with Mobile Mayor Sam Jones and representatives from Birmingham and Montgomery, helped draft three bills used to great advantage in neighboring states. The bills would authorize historic tax credits, new markets tax credits and the creation of cultural districts. Since most of Alabama’s neighbors offer such incentives, the state is at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to attracting investment in its city centers. State level historic tax credits mirror the federal historic tax credit program and would offer a tax break for developers who renovate historic properties. Many qualifying properties are in desperate need of restoration, and because of regulations governing the rehabilitation of such buildings, the costs of doing so can be prohibitive, according to research by Dr.

Russ Hardin, professor of accounting at the University of South Alabama. “Historic preservation tax credits enable developers and homeowners to leverage their investments in historical residential, rental and commercial properties. Historic preservation provides more benefits than just ‘fixing’ deteriorating buildings.” The state-level new markets tax credits also mirror the federal program and provide investors with a tax credit for investing in communities that are economically distressed or consist of lowincome populations. The state benefits from job creation, urban renewal and blight removal, an increase in wage earning taxpayers, an expanded property tax base from property improvements, more efficient use of existing infrastructure, a reduction of urban sprawl and improvement of living/ working conditions in previously distressed communities. In March, Rep. Jamie Ison of Mobile sponsored the new markets tax credit bill in the House, where it passed. Rep. James

Buskey of Mobile also spoke in favor of this important economic development incentive. It must still be approved by the Senate and signed by Gov. Robert Bentley. The historic tax credits bill, sponsored by Rep. Victor Gaston of Mobile, is still in committee. This is a priority legislative issue and vital to economic development for the city of Mobile, Downtown Mobile Alliance and the Mobile Area Chamber. Cultural districts have been used with impressive results in New Orleans, a city taking a very proactive approach to attract creative entrepreneurs. The program is designed to spur development in neighborhoods experiencing high levels of vacant and neglected property. In such districts, original works of art created and sold in the district are exempt from sales tax. “Culture creates jobs,” said Scott Hutcheson, cultural economy director of New Orleans. “When you give incentives for people to create and sell art, the culture becomes richer and people start to take notice.”

How Alabama Compares with its Neighbors Comparing Historic Tax Credit Projects by State All Projects Places in Service in 2011 State # of Projects

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MAY 2012 | The Business View

Certified Expense

Average National Expense Rank

Alabama

$5.6 M

$1.4 M

Georgia

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$2.1 M

Mississippi

$41.8 M

$1.8 M

Louisiana

$85.7 M

$2.9 M

Last year, developers in Alabama and neighboring states utilized the federal tax credits available for historic properties. Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana have state historic tax credits, and studies show states with their own tax credits create four to 10 times more activity as demonstrated by the above chart. As an example, Louisiana, in the first eight years of its program, issued $140 million in tax credits and netted $1.92 million in additional taxes. Those monies also spurred $650 million in new construction. And according to an economic impact study of Louisiana’s program, for every

$1 in tax credits issued, more than $3 in new state tax collections has or will be generated. The Downtown Mobile Alliance, city of Mobile and the Mobile Area Chamber are advocating in the Alabama Legislature for a package of bills that will leverage investment in Mobile. These tax credits only apply to costs directly associated with the rehabilitation of a property as a certified expense. *Since Florida doesn’t have an income tax, it does not offer tax credits on projects.

Mitternight Inc. Receives National Award

for Manufacturing Success

itternight Inc., a Satsuma-headquartered manufacturer of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)-code vessels, was recently recognized with the Manufacturing Success in Rural America award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington D.C.

Only one company per state is presented the award, honoring leaders in their trade. In Mitternight’s case, the size and complexity of the vessels made at the ASME industry standard earned the recognition. The 85-year old manufacturer services Fortune 500 clients around the world, from its 18-acre, 700,000-square-foot facilities. The vessels it produces support process equipment in industries such as petrochemical, refining, energy, fertilizer, bio-fuels, renewable energy and nuclear

industries. Often what the company creates is the first of its kind. According to Herman Tinsley, the Mobile Area Chamber’s senior project manager for economic development, Mitternight is known for fabricating unique and innovative solutions from the design phase to working products for highly complex vessels. “The bulk of their business is repeat customers, which shows they have proven themselves over and over again,” said Tinsley. The company has nearly 100 employees, according to Lance Covan, chairman of Mitternight Inc. “In our 85 years of business, we have created some of the most complex and intricate ASMEcoded vessels on the planet,” he said. “Being recognized for our commitment to excellence by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the White House is truly an honor for a family-oriented company like Mitternight.”

Mitternight Inc., a manufacturer of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)code vessels, was recognized with the Manufacturing Success in Rural America award from the White House and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington D.C. Pictured in the Satsuma-based company’s facility is Lance Covan, Mitternight’s chairman.

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The Business View | MAY 2012

small business of the month

Amanda McCarthy, at right on back row, is site director at Weinacker’s Montessori School’s Hillcrest location. She visited three years ago and fell in love with the school. Within a week, her three children were enrolled, and she was working there. With Amanda, from left, are teacher Caroline Wagner and John Weinacker, the school’s president; and students, center row, Braxton Evans, Drew McCarthy and Ella McCarthy; and front row, Bella Cannon and Sophia Tombrello.

Weinacker’s Montessori School

Makes Learning Fun

Go to mobilechamber.com/award.asp to submit a Small Business of the Month nomination, or contact Danette Richards at 431-8652 or drichards@mobilechamber.com.

John Weinacker’s two daughters are students at the west Mobile location of Weinacker’s Montessori School – the same school he attended from the age of three, as one of the first 15 students in the program his mother, Marcia Weinacker, started in 1969. Today, as president of the Montessori school that bears his family name, Weinacker oversees five sites in Mobile and Baldwin counties, with 65 teachers working with nearly 350 students. Weinacker’s Montessori School is the Mobile Area Chamber’s Small Business of the Month. Developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in Italy in 1907, Montessori is a handson, sensory-based philosophy of learning that encourages individual development at each child’s own

MAY 2012 | The Business View

pace in a calm, engaging environment. Educational activities and musical instruments are kept at a child’s level, and each student chooses his or her own work. Even in the baby room, lined with cribs under black-and-white mobiles, there are no high chairs. Babies learn to sit in chairs around tables and are encouraged to move and crawl around on their own. As an example of how Montessori schools are different, Weinacker describes one of his favorite techniques for learning in which children can use a blindfold to do an activity they’ve already learned. “It’s good because they concentrate on a skill they’ve developed in a different way,” he says – and by blocking one of their senses, they strengthen the rest.

The concept has worked so well for Weinacker’s Montessori School that Weinacker now sees second and third generations enrolling. The program accepts children from ages three months to nine years old, and they’re grouped by multiple ages to create a family atmosphere. “Ideally, we’ll have an American Montessori Societycertified teacher for each age grouping,” Weinacker says. Teachers undergo approximately 320 hours of classroom instruction, plus 540 hours teaching in the classroom in the intensive Montessori training program. The measure of the school’s success, he says, is “how well they do when they leave here and go on to other private or public schools. They have a good skill base when they come out.”

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The Business View | MAY 2012

Get Real!

Practical Tips for Starting and Running a Small Business from Area Small Business Owners

hat does it take to start a small business? What advice would be most valuable to someone considering starting a business? These are some of the questions The Business View posed to several local small business owners in honor of Small Business Month, designated in May.

BNI Business Resource Center Janice Malone, executive director “In 1996, I started a personalized gift and product business, but after six months I decided to explore other marketing avenues to grow my client base. About the same time, BNI was looking to expand into the south Alabama area, and I accepted the challenge to spearhead their expansion. BNI is the world’s largest business and networking organization with 138,000 members worldwide. Now, I’m the franchise owner of both the south Alabama and northwest Florida regions. In 2008, I expanded my BNI business to include a business resource center and a copy shop in downtown Mobile. I’m also a referral marketing facilitator for the certified networker program, a licensed employee benefits consultant and an accomplished speaker and author.” Malone’s tips for success: • First, you must have a heartstring connection to the business you seek to start, because you have to take the tent out every day and hit the streets selling your wares. • Do your research on your business idea, and develop a business plan. • Talk to other entrepreneurs to see what kind of determination it takes to be in business. • Get your finances in order for getting the business off the ground. • To become a success, you must network everywhere and build the right relationships. • Develope tough skin because every day is not going to be a good day. Plan for the rainy days. I wish I had known… “I wish I had known that I needed to work harder on myself than on the business. I also wish I had known that I needed to work more on the business than in the business to get things moving forward.”

10 MAY 2012 | The Business View

Nelco Commercial Maintenance Doug Nelson, president “I started Nelco Commercial Maintenance in July of 2001 as a part-time pressure-washing company. I was a one-man show, doing estimates and meeting customers during the day and cleaning shopping centers at night. In July of 2002, I incorporated and started to expand and grow. My son Kenneth joined the company in 2006, and that’s when things really took off. We now employ between nine and 12 people and perform a wide variety of exterior maintenance work such as parking lot sweeping, striping and seal coating, as well as pressure washing and lawn maintenance in Mobile and Baldwin counties.” Nelson’s tips for success: • It is essential to have some cash in the bank when you are starting out. There are going to be lean times in the first couple of years, cash flow is going to be tight, and you need to be prepared for uncertain times. • Get involved in your church, the Chamber, civic groups and other organizations. It’s important to get out and meet people in your community. People prefer to do business with someone they know. I wish I had known… “I wish I had known earlier how important it is to surround yourself with the right people. We are extremely fortunate to have the employees we have right now. It took me a while to understand that you are not going to grow your business by yourself. It takes a team effort to reach your goals, and all of our employees have played a vital role in the success of our company.”

Heritage Homes of Mobile Frank Lott III, president “Heritage Homes was started by my Dad in 1983. The business evolved and grew. He always talks about, in the infant stages of the business, how important it was to have a strategic plan that was elastic. You have to be able to evolve as you learn more about the market. He built the business based on relationships. Many of our supplier and subcontractor partners have been with us for nearly the entire 30 years. I started working with my father in 1999. We have opened offices in Pensacola, Gulfport and Tuscaloosa over the last 10 years.” Lott’s tips for success: • Do not try to reinvent the wheel. • Establish relationships with partners that will buy into your product and process and become part of the team. • Initial hires are more important than anyone would realize. Having a team that will focus on the essential goals of success is paramount in the long-term success of the business. One poor employee can set you back no matter how good your business plan is. I wish I had known… “In speaking of starting more satellite offices from a ‘headquarters,’ the challenges and problems you will face increase exponentially the more locations are added. A good management team is the most important tool to help keep the successful process in place.” The Business View | MAY 2012

The Egg and I Maternity Sutton Tremayne, owner “My mom, Katherine March, and I started The Egg and I Maternity because we felt Mobile needed a maternity shop for fun and affordable clothing. We make every effort to keep our price points reasonable while meeting the needs of our customers. We carry clothing and accessories for the Mom To Be, along with diaper bags, Teething Bling, nursing accessories, the Baby Bandit for after the baby and so much more!” Tremayne’s tips for success: • You have to spend money to make money. • You also have to keep things “slow and steady” and work with the economy and as a team. I wish I had known… “If you’re going to open a small business with someone, make sure it’s someone with whom you can have fun while making those big business decisions as a team. Be able to laugh at your mistakes and learn from them, and move forward with a positive attitude!”

Boteler, Finley & Wolfe, Attorneys at Law – Karlos Finley “From the point of view of an attorney whose business would fall into the classification of a service-related business, starting is not that difficult. As an attorney, you find out rather quickly that law school does not teach you this aspect of the practice of law. Fortunately, my undergraduate degree is in business, with a concentration in management.” Finley’s tips for success: • The most significant part of maintaining your service-related business is obtaining clients. • Serve on boards of directors in organizations that provide community services and get involved in charitable events and philanthropic community affairs. • Once you have attained a client, you must then maintain them. Lawyers need to do something to keep themselves in contact with former clients: newsletters, refrigerator magnets, calendars, holiday or birthday greeting cards, and the most recognizable – but also the most expensive – television commercials. • But most of all, you must convey to people that you will zealously advocate their position and you are knowledgeable in your area of practice. Of course they must know you genuinely care about the issues they are experiencing difficulties in. I wish I had known… “The thing I did not expect when starting my business was how quickly I would have to assess the totality of the circumstances that potential clients would be faced with and to be able to assess the character and personality of the client. I was amazed at how many walks of life people will come to you from. As a former prosecutor in the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office, I received a crash course on reading individuals and taking into account not only what they were telling me verbally, but what their body language was revealing. There are many books on interpreting certain signals, but they are no substitute for actually interacting with people. Most importantly, if you don’t have a genuine passion for being a servant of people, you will not be happy practicing in my area of the law.” 12 MAY 2012 | The Business View

B & C Trucking Michael Banks, president “B&C Trucking LLC was formed in 2006. We haul non-hazardous tanker freight throughout the U.S. The fleet is composed of seven trucks, and we expect to add three more in the coming months.” Banks’ tip for success • Try to find a niché market in the particular industry that you’re in and ensure that you preserve your capital for setbacks. I wish I had known… “Start within your means and add to your business as it grows.”

The Chamber’s Role The Mobile Area Chamber’s small business development department helps local entrepreneurs who are starting, managing or growing their businesses and fosters and stimulates an entrepreneurial culture in the Mobile area. “Starting a business is hard,” said Danette Richards, director of small business development for the Mobile Area Chamber. “Staying in business is even harder. Business owners are busy running their businesses. When they have questions and need answers they don’t have time to research what will fix their problem. That’s

what we do in the small business department – we try to serve as advisors and problem solvers.” The department’s initiatives include developing and maintaining partnerships with area small businesses by providing direction and guidance. Using a variety of tools and collaborating with other resources, the department offers workshops, educational materials, awards and recognition programs, referrals and one-onone counseling services. To contact Richards, call 431-8652 or e-mail drichards@mobilechamber.com. The Business View | MAY 2012

In the Long Run,

Who Will Come Out a Winner? C

onsidering today’s challenging business climate, volatile economic conditions, more cost-conscious customers and ferocious competition, you can’t help but wonder: “In the long run, who will come out as a winner?” When the dust settles, 10 characteristics will identify businesses that stood the test of time. These companies employed sound business practices that created and sustained success and ensured business development even in the most challenging business climate. Several years from now, the following will be said of them:

to the extent that cost-cutting would lower the level of service they needed to provide. They addressed organizational strengths and weaknesses, and identified critical action steps along the way to achieving their goals. They devised and implemented relationship strategies aimed at helping their sales teams win over their competitors’ customers. They focused on positioning their sales staff as their customers’ indispensable business partners. Most importantly, they made a group commitment to meet their challenges head-on. They vowed not to get stuck in the past, and to help all employees become positive about the future. To ensure regular commitment to the mission at hand, they held periodic meetings to evaluate progress.

Complacency was their enemy. The successful companies challenged the status quo and took risks – not frivolously, but supported by rational decision-making. They slowed down They conducted research on what topin order to speed up. performing businesses were doing, and They stopped what they were encouraged idea-sharing among employees. doing and conducted strategic planning Many worked with an outside consultant. sessions. The smartest people in their They adopted even bolder marketing and company participated in these sessions, advertising strategies, branded their regardless of title or rank. They looked at customer service and competitively funded their company’s business operations as if their communications campaigns. they were unbiased They reinvented outside consultants. their entire business Together, they to become more Businesses that acknowledged the nimble, more flexible harsh realities their and more customerstood the test companies were focused. of time rejected facing, and While other identified actions organizations failed ‘business as that would help drive to add the Green business growth and Movement to their usual,’ fully ensure long-term “must-do ASAP list,” realizing they profitability. They the winners rejected “business recognized the green would likely have as usual,” fully momentum was not realizing they would about to subside. They to shift gears likely have to shift created a green along the way. gears along the way. program, appointed They identified ways someone to lead it, to cut costs, but not promoted it in their

14 MAY 2012 | The Business View

Christine Corelli is a business speaker, workshop facilitator and author of five business books, including her newest book Capture Your Competitors’ Customers and KEEP Them. She can be reached at www.christinespeaks.com, or by calling 847-581-9968.

They consistently improve their customers’ experience and sought and “up” the wow factor, keeping in mind that implemented new no detail was too small. ways to add value for their Teams were put into place to assist in customers. They realized and these areas and in the establishment of a exploited the fact that much of the value “Sales-Service Excellence Culture” – one they provided to customers was the superior in which every person is dedicated to knowledge they had to offer. They became helping sales through service excellence value-added organizations, knowing how and giving their full support to sales. important their Sales, marketing expertise was to their and customer bottom line. They service departments They realized helped their customers worked hand-inand exploited the far more than any hand. All employees competitor, knowing were aligned with fact that much of that in tough times, the company’s customers appreciate it. competitive strategy. the value they They asked customers: Together, the provided their “How can we provide company more value?” They and its people customers was reached agreement on developed an priorities, actions and obsession to deliver the superior outcomes. They their best knowledge they established a VIP performance – with program for loyal every customer, had to offer. customers that every day. They emphasized increased developed a value and made these reputation for select customers feel consistently special. exceptional service. Customer confidence increased, business increased, and They got serious customers became loyal advocates who about customer helped spread the word. service. Every single aspect of the customer experience was Technology helped analyzed. Service flaws were identified and them become faster than their competitors eliminated. Systems and procedures were and closer to customers. Social streamlined to make it easy for customers media was not ignored as a passing fad. to do business with them. Product support staff knew their performance was critical to While many companies were too focused on the bottom line and didn’t want to think the success and profitability of their about social media, forward-thinking organizations. companies were early adopters and Management made sure they understood consistently used it to sell, market and their customers’ businesses in order to advertise their organization. anticipate their needs. They consistently brainstormed and implemented ways to marketing and public relations campaigns, and gave their salespeople something more to talk about. Most importantly, they did the right thing for their employees, community and the planet.

Creativity was applied with each and every Tweet, blog, Facebook post and YouTube video. Their websites were far superior to their competitors’ and optimized for search engine placement. Video clips were on their main page and throughout their site. No stone was left unturned.

knew how to serve customers; they trained them in all critical areas. Role-playing was conducted during slow hours, and by making it “fun,” employees in these successful businesses actually looked forward to it.

Every person in the They became company lived and “learning” breathed its core organizations and values. All leaders and employees consistently demonstrated and operated learned faster than their from the core values of honesty, integrity, competitors. They were constantly striving to improve their skills and master teamwork, respect, excellence, accountability, their craft. Their sales teams studied and social and environmental consciousness, mastered every single aspect of “Sales 101” health, safety, family and other values and were provided with advanced sales intrinsic to the company’s culture. Leaders training on negotiation, sales communication recognized that employees observed their and presentation actions and skills. They were behaviors during masters at building The strong companies challenging times. relationships with They led by recognized that potential and example, spoke existing customers. knowing what should with confidence Leadership training and set the tone be done and actually was provided to for their ensure everyone employees to doing it are two very would lead in the follow. Salespeople different things. same way. Sales were trained in managers learned retail sales how to manage and excellence. They motivate their teams. The companies did not knew the exact words and phrases to take for granted that front-line employees influence shoppers to buy.

Executives and managers treated their people the same way they treat their best customers. Setting a good example as a servant leader was a strong key to their success. They fully realized that businesses don’t do business; people do business. It is the people in a company who will or will not carry an organization into a successful future. Dynamic leadership, teamwork and employee involvement became organizational cornerstones. Reward and recognition (including unexpected small monetary rewards) became part of the culture. These companies had zero tolerance for bad bosses. They knew that having great bosses and creating a great place to come to work each day was the best way to keep people motivated and performing at their best. To make sure their people were happy, they conducted periodic, simple, yet effective employee satisfaction surveys. After analyzing the survey results, the winning firms identified areas for improvement and made a commitment to their workforce to make the improvements needed. Lip service was never allowed. Action consistently occurred.

Execution was a strong part of their competitive strategy. The strong companies recognized that

knowing what should be done and actually doing it are two very different things. They mastered the art of execution and established specific criteria for measuring excellence and ensuring accountability. Managers and employees were held to established service standards in every aspect of every role. They kept their eye on the prize. They had only one goal – to emerge from the fray as the winner, with their business stronger, more vibrant and more prosperous than before, and with solid prospects for continued future growth and success. Successful companies took all of these steps and many, many more. You’ve seen the future – so what will you do? The question you should ask now is, “In the long run, will my business come out as a winner – gaining market share, growing and prospering? Am I, as a business owner or manager, doing the things that will translate into personal and business success?” If you’re not sure of the answer, get moving on these 10 important strategies to help ensure your success for the long run. Business success doesn’t just happen by itself. It takes the creativity and willpower of an entire organization to succeed, and that starts at the top.

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The Business View | MAY 2012

Boost Your Business Knowledge

Everyone needs good advice on starting and running a small business – even those who have done it before. And it has nothing to do with the number of employees a company has. Executive managers of large companies routinely consult highly experienced and respected advisors for unbiased feedback before making key decisions or implementing major changes. Small businesses can get the same kind of experience and insights, without the high fees of professional consultants, simply by forming an advisory board. Unlike a board of directors, an advisory board is an informal group that has no financial interest in the business. They are mentors who can provide knowledge, skills and experience to help you become more competitive and think strategically, and they can advise about specific issues. An advisory board can also provide feedback on

with an Advisory Board

ideas, assist with problems or simply offer thoughts about what’s happening in the world and how it might affect the business. Anyone can be an advisor, though it’s best to have a diverse range of perspectives and backgrounds. It may be an individual who’s mentored you in other areas of your life, someone you’ve gotten to know through networking or a person you already have a business relationship with, such as an attorney or accountant. Look for qualities such as honesty, objectivity, specific knowledge outside your skill set and a good reputation in his/her field and/ or community. Advisors should also be well-connected with networks that can be leveraged to assist you.

natural desire to see you succeed. Also, limit the advisory board to three to five members to eliminate too much conflicting advice.

• Consulting with advisors individually is fine on occasion, but the real benefits derive from meeting with them as a group.

• Don’t assume your prospective advisory board candidates want to be “on call” whenever they’re needed.

Arrange a mutually convenient time and location, and prepare an agenda that addresses priorities without being excessive. Be sure to include plenty of time for questions – both to and from your advisors. They may raise issues that hadn’t occurred to you and pose scenarios the group can collaborate on.

• Be careful about using family members as advisors.

This may sound excessive, but such documents are necessary to ensure the confidentiality of your discussions.

Their judgment may be clouded by the

Invite them to participate in writing, and explain how you hope to benefit from their knowledge. Be explicit as to whether any kind of honorarium is involved. Most advisors freely give their time, but don’t assume that’s the case. • Ask advisors to sign a non-disclosure and/or non-competition agreement.

To learn more about starting an advisory board, or for a free and confidential one-on-one counseling session, contact the Mobile SCORE chapter, housed at the Mobile Area Chamber, at 431-8614, or visit online at www.mobilescorechapter.org.

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16 MAY 2012 | The Business View W12-129_AL_8.5x5.375_v1.indd 1

3/22/12 1:28 PM

Partners for Growth –

THE GOALS

Believe in the Future

The Mobile Area Chamber remains one of the leading and most respected economic development organizations in the Southeastern U.S., according to site selectors, private industry executives and national publications. In coordination with its many partners, the Chamber has effectively and efficiently identified its strengths and opportunities in order to help continue to build a diversified economy.

“Partners for Growth – Believe in the Future” will enable the Chamber, through a strong public-private partnership, to sustain and accelerate Mobile’s economic growth through 2017. The program of work has been launched, and a group of dedicated volunteers, led by Joel Daves recently retired from Regions Bank and Mike Saxon with Alabama Power Co., set a $10 million goal to implement an

aggressive program focusing on four key areas – Existing Business Retention and Expansion, New Business Development/ Attraction, Workforce Development and Infrastructure and Business Climate Improvement. To learn more about this program and how it can benefit your company, contact Shelly Mattingly, coordinator of investor relations, at 431-8655 or smattingly@ mobilechamber.com.

Partners for Growth – Believe in the Future campaign will produce the following attainable and measurable improvements for the Mobile Bay area over the five-year (2013-2017) period: • Create 4,000 new jobs with an average annual wage of $40,000; • Attract new and expansion project capital investment of $1.5 billion; and • Conduct 750 calls on existing industry for job retention and expansion opportunities.

2013-2017 Economic Development Program Initiatives Initiative One:

EXISTING BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION Goal: Promote the retention and expansion of existing industries in Mobile County. Strategic Objectives: • Partner with local industry to recruit upstream and downstream companies to Mobile; • Expand the Foreign Trade Zone and market the advantages and benefits of the Enterprise Zones within the area; • Formalize a business calling program to identify growth and expansion opportunities; • Establish new programs to assist businesses with innovation, production and research; • Provide customized business services; • Develop and market new programs that help small businesses address revenue growth and profitability, and access to new markets; and • Establish links with new venture capital investors outside the region and solicit their entry into the Mobile area market. Resource Allocation: $3.5 million (35 percent)

Initiative Two:

NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT/ ATTRACTION Goal: Attract new jobs and investment in Mobile County. Strategic Objectives: • Strategic targeting of best fit/target industries: Aviation/Aerospace Biomedical and Information Technology Advanced Manufacturing Maritime/Shipbuilding Energy Logistics/Distribution

• Organize and execute foreign trade missions; • Support trade-related educational events for local industry; • Participate in key industry trade shows; • Conduct domestic and international seminars on doing business in Mobile; • Enhance marketing efforts (travel, materials, website, etc.); • Develop robust research capabilities to provide current, customized data and information; • Increase public relations efforts, targeting national media; and • Organize and host “red carpet” and familiarization tours for site selectors, allies, and other decision makers and influencers. Resource Allocation: $3.5 million (35 percent)

Initiative Three:

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Goal: Improve workforce development for all segments of the population. Strategic Objectives: • Partner with Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council (SAWDC) to increase communication and mutual understanding between employers and all training and educational institutions; • Partner with SAWDC to expand and coordinate the Worlds of Opportunity program; • Enhance research capabilities needed to maintain a database of comprehensive labor market information; • Coordinate and leverage all workforce resource agencies to assist in new business recruitment; • Partner with SAWDC to market critical occupations in the Mobile Bay region; • Expand the Bay Area Healthcare

Coalition’s Health Occupations Career Fair and Summer Scrubs; and • Actively support and promote the Mobile Area Education Foundation’s 80/20 initiative. Resource Allocation: $1.5 million (15 percent)

Initiative Four:

INFRASTRUCTURE AND BUSINESS CLIMATE IMPROVEMENT Goal: Make Mobile County an even better place to do business and the most viable location to invest in physical and human assets. Paramount to these are an improved transportation infrastructure, (roads, bridges, air service) and the regulatory/tax climate. Strategic Objectives: • Deliver an effective legislative, advocacy and lobbying effort that builds the necessary private/public partnerships to secure needed infrastructure; • Advocate for a business-friendly environment at the local, state and federal levels; • Lead business support for the Coastal Alabama Leadership Council’s efforts to build a more sustainable, resilient region that balances job growth and our quality of life; • Formalize and broaden an I-10 bridge coalition to deepen community involvement and secure federal approval of the project; • Dedicate resources and expertise and leverage airport users in an effort to secure more competitive air service; and • Provide leadership on regional, long- range planning efforts. Resource Allocation: $1.5 million (15 percent)

The Business View | MAY 2012

Regions Bank Executive to Lead

Chamber Chase Campaign E

ach year, the Mobile Area Chamber holds its annual total resource campaign with volunteers and staff recruiting memberships, sponsorships and more to help the Chamber continue its mission of being a progressive business advocate. As part of the campaign, volunteers are overseen by a leader in the community. Joel Daves, recently retired president of Regions Bank and member of the Regions Bank South Alabama Advisory Board, has agreed to serve as chairman for 2012. He is also helping raise pledges for the Chamber’s economic development campaign, Partners for Growth.

This year’s effort kicks off Thursday, May 3, with a goal of $1.5 million. But he won’t be working alone – nearly 80 volunteers from more than 30 member companies will be joining Daves. “We are at a critical juncture in southwest Alabama, and it is going to be important to build on the economic development success of the last 10 to 15 years,” said Daves. “There are a lot of exciting opportunities, and the continued ability of our Chamber to engage actively is important for the success of businesses in our region and our quality of life.” Through his work with Chamber Chase, and separately on the Chamber’s Partners for Growth campaign, Daves has a bird’s-eye view of the work taking place at the staff and volunteer level, and knows the organization’s success comes from the strong pool of dedicated volunteers in place. “Volunteers are able to interact with the business community by contacting their clients and customers,” said Carolyn Premier Medical Physicians ENT Physicians RONNIE E. SWAIN, MD W. CARTER BRYARS, JR., MD BARRY L. BROWN, MD 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 RICHARD L. PALESANO, 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 ERIN E. LICHTENSTEIN, MD

18 MAY 2012 | The Business View

How to

Get Involved

Golson, the Chamber’s vice president of membership. “Not only do teams benefit from the exposure and networking with other volunteers, it’s a link to developing stronger relationships with customers. Volunteers can inform their customers about opportunities available at the Chamber and can also use their involvement with the campaign to open doors with potential customers.” “Chamber Chase is an outstanding opportunity not only to participate in the growth of the community but also for individuals to participate and earn great incentives along the way,” added Daves. “For employers, it’s an excellent opportunity for their participating team members to expand relationships with their existing clients as well as develop new ones.” To volunteer, sponsor a team, donate a door prize for the volunteers or get involved, contact Golson at 431-8622 or cgolson@mobilechamber.com or visit www.chamberchase.com.

How can the business community be a part of the Mobile Area Chamber’s annual Total Resource Development campaign, Chamber Chase?  Visit the campaign website, www.chamberchase.com, for ideas.  Join the Chamber.  Raise your visibility by joining the Chamber’s board of advisors.  Gain exposure for your company by sponsoring an event.  Promote your business with an advertisement in a Chamber publication.  Contact Carolyn Golson at 431-8622 for details.

Teams Participating as of April 2012: Alabama Power Co.

Community Bank

Lewis Communications

Arkema

Evonik-Degussa

BankTrust

Hancock Bank

Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors

BB&T

iBERIABANK

Mobile Gas

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama

International Shipholding Corp.

PNC Bank

Jeff Tesney Photography

Regions Bank

Commonwealth National Bank

LLB&B Inc. Real Estate

Thompson Engineering Wells Fargo

Specialists in Small Business Accounting, Tax Preparation, Payroll and IRS Representation Saty Putcha

Saty was selected as the 2011 Diplomat of the Year by the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce.

SATy PuTchA Cell: 251-604-3802 Email: saty@putchallc.com Website: www.putchallc.com 1521 Dawes Rd. Mobile, Alabama 36695 Phone: 251-666-6624

The Business View | MAY 2012

Chamber Hires New Economic Development Project Coordinator assessments with clients, Cesny Soffronoff coordinated meetings, is the new project processed payroll and coordinator for the scheduled caregivers. Mobile Area Chamber’s Troy Wayman, the economic development Chamber’s vice president department. of economic development, The youngest of says, “Cesny is definitely three children, Soffronoff a great asset to our was born and raised department. Her talent in Pittsburgh. After and initiative have graduating from Geneva Soffronoff already had a positive College in western impact on our projects.” Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree As project coordinator, Soffronoff will in human services, her desire to advance her education in the healthcare industry direct projects and programs in support of recruitment, workforce development, brought her to Mobile, where she earned a and business retention and expansion. master’s degree in public administration She will also be responsible for coordinating from the University of South Alabama. and administering the department’s After graduation, Soffronoff worked economic development and community with Touching Hearts Senior Care, an projects and various administrative duties. in-home care service for seniors, as the Soffronoff can be reached at 431-8636 associate director of administration, or csoffronoff@mobilechamber.com. where she performed in-home

Reggie Copeland

Named Mobilian of the Year Citing his continuous Mobile Bay Bears, Riverfront service for more than a Park, Omnimax, Convention quarter century and Center, museums, parks and assistance in unifying the libraries. Mobile City Council, the “Mr. Copeland has Cottage Hill Civitan Club represented the city of Mobile named Mobile City well over the years and Councilman and President helped promote our city to Reggie Copeland as its others across the state, 2011 Mobilian of the Year. region and country,” said Copeland was elected Randy Eckhoff, Mobilian of Copeland to the Mobile City Council the Year chairman for the for consecutive four-year terms beginning Cottage Hill Civitan Club. in 1985. He has served as the council’s A graduate of Murphy High School, president three times and is currently Copeland attended both Spring Hill serving in that capacity. College and the University of Alabama In addition to his political career, – Mobile Center. After serving two years Copeland has served the community in in the Korean War, Copeland returned to a variety of other ways, including as a Mobile and began his involvement in a board member of the Mobile Area Chamber variety of civic groups. of Commerce and the South Alabama The award is given annually to Regional Planning Commission, and individuals who have “made an with leadership roles in developing the extraordinary, positive impact on the Distinguished Young Women program, Mobile community.” Copeland received Copeland-Cox Mobile Tennis Center, the award in April.

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20 MAY 2012 | The Business View

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investor focus

Burr & Forman LLP

The Mobile office of Burr & Forman LLP is located in the RSA Tower and consists of more than 40 attorneys, legal assistants, paralegals, secretaries and administrative staff.

Company officials: Lee Thuston,

firm managing partner; Edward G. Isaacs Bowron, managing partner, Mobile; James W. Lowrey Jr., chief operating officer; and Deb Becker, legal administrator, Mobile Years in business: 103 Brief company description: 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.

Burr & Forman LLP is a century-old, full-service law firm with nearly 250 attorneys and offices in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee. Burr & Forman offers a wide range of business and litigation services to diverse clients with local, national and international interests. Why are you located in Mobile?

“Economic development is the driver for Mobile,” said Bowron. “Burr & Forman is a leader in the field, representing several

automotive manufacturers and actively working with ThyssenKrupp from the start of construction to opening and beyond. The firm needed and wanted a presence in Mobile as we saw the recent industry developments and business growth in the area. Mobile is a shining star and has unique features for even more growth in the future.” Why do you support the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce’s Partners for Growth initiative?

What do you see as Mobile’s greatest potential? “Mobile has

Brookley, the waterfront, and very unique features,” said Bowron. “We know there are and will continue to be opportunities to expand our scope of legal services in Mobile, and we are looking toward the future. We want to have a presence here and be ready with exceptional talent to meet the needs of the business community.” Length of continuous Chamber membership: 17 years

“Economic development opportunities are going to continue to occur,” said Bowron. “People will look at Mobile’s infrastructure, waterways and rails and see the potential. With Burr & Forman’s presence in the community, we feel it is a vote of confidence in the community and its great potential to continue to grow.” The Business View | MAY 2012

CEO profile

Gretchen Jaspering Company: Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center Title: Executive Director Hometown: St. Louis, Mo. Education: Jaspering earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Missouri. First job: Lifeguard at Stouffer’s Riverfront Hotel Previous experience: Jaspering served as president of Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA), vice president of sales and marketing at the Saint Louis Science Center (SLSC), and communications director for Mosby Publishing. Accomplishments: Jaspering created a major industry organization, GSCA, by merging two giant-screen theater associations together. She expanded the association into the emerging China market by initiating the first ever multi-theater marketing workshop and created the GSCA Asian Film Expo. What changes can we expect at the Exploreum? “We will develop small places of discovery everywhere in the science center,” said Jaspering. “Even when you’re sitting on a bench, there will be something to do, read or watch that stimulates curiosity. Every nook will hold a surprising opportunity to learn. You won’t be able to do everything in one visit.” She plans to emphasize programming for all ages in the IMAX Dome Theater, host casual conversations about science at the Science Cafés, hold exclusive special events for members and more. Secret to success: “Take on the projects no one else wants to do and make them successful.” Brief company description: The Exploreum offers hands-on, informal learning experiences for all ages with more than 100 hands-on exhibits in two permanent galleries, a special exhibition hall, classrooms and IMAX Dome Theater.

22 MAY 2012 | The Business View

Chamber@work International Trade Partners with SBA The Chamber’s trade division and small business development department are partnering with the Small Business Administration to organize and host “Beginner’s Guide to Exporting.” This half-day seminar, scheduled for July 10, will offer advice for companies and individuals looking to break into the global market. Speakers will focus on logistics, international banking, government assistance, and internationalizing a company’s website. To learn more about this seminar, e-mail Christina Stimpson at cstimpson@ mobilechamber.com. BRE Outlines 2012 Goals The Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) committee, chaired by Joe Rella of Austal USA, outlined its 2012 goals to include a targeted focus on the manufacturing industry sector. Using a target sector approach leads to a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the industry sector, enabling the BRE committee to provide assistance that has a broader reach and impact.

Chamber Co-Sponsors SBA Matchmaker Event The Chamber’s small business development department, in partnership with the University of South Alabama’s Small Business Development Center, cosponsored a matchmaking event for the U.S. Small Business Administration. More than 100 small business owners met oneon-one with various federal, state and local government agencies and other large corporations to make business matches to help grow their businesses. More than 385 appointments were set during the event. Transportation Coalition Moving Forward The Chamber’s transportation coalition, heard a presentation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Janet Kavinoky, vicepresident of Americans for Transportation Mobility, on the proposed federal surface transportation reauthorization legislation. If a bipartisan agreement isn’t reached, a 40 percent cut in all federal transportation funding is anticipated. Kavinoky also spoke with the Chamber’s Business Retention and Expansion Committee on this issue.

Chamber Contracts with SAWDC on Worlds of Opportunity The Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council (SAWDC) contracted with the Chamber to manage the 2012 Worlds of Opportunity (WoO). A regional meeting will be held this month for community leaders and elected officials in the eight-county region supported by SAWDC to re-engage the school systems, government officials and the economic development and chamber representatives with SAWDC and WoO. WoO will be held Sept. 26-27 at the Mobile Civic Center. Typically this two-day event draws more than 9,500 eighth-grade students where they can investigate career options. SCORE Meets Budding Entrepreneurs SCORE’s Mobile Chapter, housed at the Chamber, counseled more than 15 small business owners in February. SCORE provides confidential one-on-one business consulting for entrepreneurs on a variety of topics including business plans, marketing, funding and growth. To schedule an appointment, call 431-8614.

Chamber Helping ACCION Expand Locally The Small Business Council, facilitated by the Chamber, met with lender ACCION Texas Inc., which is expanding its organization into Alabama. More than 20 people attended this session, representing private industry and banking, nonprofits and city government. ACCION is a microlender providing loans to small businesses. questions from the committee regarding issues local manufacturers face. Providing Access to Capital The Chamber-operated MBDA Business Center and small business development department held an “Access to Capital Matchmaking” event for a small group of small and minority-owned businesses. The session provided small business owners an opportunity to speak one-on-one with banking institutions and other lenders including: Regions Bank, Community Bank, Community Enterprise Investments Inc., South Alabama Regional Planning Commission and Wallace Capital Funding. Ten small business owners attended this event.

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Chamber@work Women’s Roundtable Gaining in Popularity Every other month, the Chamber hosts the Women’s Roundtable, a forum for women business owners and managers to network, share ideas and learn more about Mobile. In February, Makeda Nichols with State Farm Insurance spoke about exit plans for business owners and managers, and more than 20 people attended. In April, Becky Ginn, vice president of field services, and Christina Quick, regional director for the Alabama Gulf Coast American Heart Association, talked about the no. 1 killer of women, heart disease. More than 25 people attended this event. PR Think Tank Meets In February, the Chamber’s PR Think Tank met with represented attendees from the city of Mobile, Alabama State Port Authority, Mobile Airport Authority, University of South Alabama, Downtown Mobile Alliance and the Mobile Bay CVB to share information and develop strategies for publicizing Mobile headlines locally, nationally and internationally.

Chair of Gulf Coast Technology Council Named Mike Hicks with Hixardt Technologies Inc. was named 2012 chair of the Gulf Coast Technology Council (GCTC), and John Strope of Dogwood Productions was named vice chair of GCTC and will serve as chair of the scholarship subcommittee. More than 40 people attended a February GCTC meeting that featured Tony Zodrow, executive director of GulfQuest Maritime Museum. Zodrow talked about the technology and automation designed into the new maritime museum, set to open in the spring of 2013. Member Grand Openings and Ribbon Cuttings Greer’s Grand Bay Market, Kitchen Design and Cabinetry, Mercy LIFE, Onin Staffing and Sunrise Dermatology recently held grand openings and ribbon cuttings. If your business is a member and you would like assistance with planning a grand opening or ribbon cutting event contact Dawn Rencher at 431-8649 or drencher@mobilechamber.com.

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Pork & Politics Still a “Pork-tacular” Event Pork & Politics in the Park was held at Battleship Memorial Park in February, with more than 400 in attendance. This year attendees participated in a straw poll to show support for candidates on the March primary ballot.

Chamber Works with ADO on Trade Awards The international trade division worked with the Alabama Development Office and Export Alabama to finalize nominations for the Governor’s 2012 Trade Excellence Award. Mobile-headquartered CentraLite is one of this year’s recipients.

Air Service Task Force Meets The Chamber’s Air Service task force low-cost carrier subcommittee heard a presentation from consultant Jerry Ray on necessary steps to recruit a low-cost carrier to Mobile. Ray charged the Mobile Airport Authority and members of the subcommittee with action items in the recruitment process.

Engaging the Next Generation The Chamber again supported Mobile United’s Engaging the Next Generation event at the Mobile Museum of Art in February by staffing a booth and providing information about opportunities for involvement with the Chamber. The event is designed to identify budding leaders in the Mobile area and encourage them to find organizations to support.

Board of Advisors Melissa Morrissette is co-owner and vice president of LLB&B Inc. Real Estate. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Sweet Briar College. She is a trustee for St. Paul’s Episcopal School, serves on the board of the Mobile Area Education Foundation and chairs the Mobile Realtors Charitable Foundation. Morrissette has held leadership positions with the Junior League of Mobile, the Mobile Area Chamber and the Mobile Area Association of Realtors. She is a graduate of Leadership Mobile and Leadership Alabama. LLB&B is a Partners for Growth Investor. David Randel is president of the Mobile Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau (MBCVB). Randel is a veteran of the tourism industry, having served 33 years with Marriott International. Randel is a member of the Distinguished Speakers Series at the University of Central Florida hospitality school. He is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with a degree in hospitality management. Prior to his appointment as president, Randel served as MBCVB’s vice president of convention sales for three years and as interim president for one year. Bonnie Tully is vice president and site manager for the Mobile operations of Evonik Degussa Corp. Tully earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University. She began her career as a project engineer with Rohm & Haas in Houston, and has worked in a wide range of engineering and manufacturing assignments. Recently she served as plant manager for Evonik’s lubricant additives facility in Singapore.

Morrissette

Randel

Tully

For more information about the Chamber’s board of advisors, contact Katrina Dewrell at 431-8611 or kdewrell@mobilechamber.com.

24 MAY 2012 | The Business View

Bolton

Business Spotlight of the Month: GroundSwell Web Designs Owners Charlie Thompson (left) and Chris Sholler (right) founded GroundSwell Web Designs to help companies market their business on the Internet. The company offers website design, e-commerce and Internet marketing services. Based in Mobile, it serves clients across the country. For more information, visit www.groundswellwd.com.

Photo by Jeff Tesney Photography

Ambassador of the Month

Claire Bolton In August, Claire Bolton joined the Mobile Area Chamber’s ambassador program, welcoming newcomers to the business community. “Mobile is a great place to live,” she said, adding that she enjoys making people feel welcomed here too. Bolton is the Chamber’s Ambassador of the Month. Bolton is marketing director for Express Employment Professionals, a full-service employment agency providing human resource solutions to business clients seeking staffing assistance. She is responsible for marketing, media, networking and event planning for the staffing company.

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

$6.00 lunch DAILY

Visit us for lunch. Open to the public.

Down Home Cooking • New Entrees Daily Short Orders and Salads $6.00 Lunch - Entree, 3 Sides, Bread & Tea Located inside Mobile Regional Senior Center 3201 Hillcrest Road • 251-661-0219 HOURS 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

HOME COOKING • SHORT ORDERS

Find us on Facebook The Business View | MAY 2012

Comparative

Economic Indicators The Mobile Area Chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s research division collects a variety of statistics each month.

February 2012 vs February 2011

Employed Mobile/Baldwin counties

Business Licenses City of Mobile

Average Selling Price Mobile County

247,319 2012

250 2012

238,823 2011

233 2011

$114,676 2012 $123,453 2011

Homes Soldâ&#x152;Ś

Building Permits

Unemployment Rates 8.8% 2012 10.1% 2011

26 MAY 2012 | The Business View

Mobile County

236 2012 230 2011

City of Mobile

190 2012 202 2011

Value of Building Permits $6,707,408 2012 $13,459,971 2011

Air Passengers From Mobile Area 20,692 2012 19,429 2011

May Calendar of Events 1

8 9

Lunch Matters -

Franchising: What’s in it For You

Diane Phibbs of Calabrand Marketing will discuss the pros and cons of franchising and what to look for in a successful franchise on Tuesday, May 1, at Lunch Matters – Franchising – What’s in it For You. Based in Atlanta, Phibbs is a consultant for Checker’s Restaurants. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Chamber’s Tricentennial Room, 451 Government St. The cost to attend is $20 for members and $25 for potential members, and includes lunch. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting Brenda Rembert at 431-8607 or brembert@mobile chamber.com.

Armed Forces Day See story on page 5 for more information.

Networking@Noon

*Members Only

Where else but at Networking @Noon can you meet 40 business people and have 45 seconds to introduce your company to others? Sponsored by C-Spire Wireless, this bi-monthly event will be held Wednesday, May 9, at Buffalo Wild Wings, 6341 Airport Blvd., from noon to 1:30 p.m. Networking@Noon is for Mobile Area Chamber members only and limited to one representative per company. The cost is $10 and includes lunch. Reservations are required no later than May 7, and can be made by contacting Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or mhartley@mobilechamber. com. Payment is required at the time of reservation.

Executive Roundtable

*Members Only

Keith Graham, an accountant with Graham, Brown and Dutton will provide an update on the healthcare reform act during Executive Roundtable, a monthly forum exclusively for Chamber-member small business owners and managers. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 15, from 8 to 9 a.m. in the Mobile Area Chamber’s Board Room, 451 Government St. There is no charge to attend, but seating is limited. For reservations contact Brenda Rembert at 431-8607 or brembert@mobilechamber.com.

Networking on Steroids Are you wondering why the hours you spend networking result in very little new business? You may not have a networking strategy. On Wednesday, May 23, the Mobile Area Chamber will present Networking on Steroids with Janice Malone, executive director of BNI Business Resource Center. The event will be held from 1:30 to 5 p.m. in the Chamber’s Tricentennial Room, 451 Government St. Attendees will begin developing their own strategic networking plan. The cost to attend is $39 for members and $49 for potential members. Reservations can be made by contacting Brenda Rembert at 431-8607 or brembert@mobilechamber.com.

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

Business After Hours Join Chamber members on Thursday, May 24, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for Business After Hours, sponsored by Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union, and held at the Chamber, 451 Government St. This popular Chamber event is a great venue to introduce your company and make new contacts. The cost to attend is $5 for members and $10 for potential members. Reservations are not necessary. For more information, contact Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or mhartley@ mobilechamber.com.

CONNECT with the Chamber

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June Save the Date Chamber Closed Memorial Day

State of the City and County

The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

E-newsletter...

Are you connected... to the latest business news in the Mobile area on a weekly basis?

If not, then subscribe now for FREE by sending an e-mail to Ashley Horn at ahorn@mobilechamber.com. The Business View | MAY 2012

Member News Who’s New Hargrove Engineers + Constructors hired Doyle R. Johnson as its New England operations leader. Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Cornell University in New York, a master’s degree in organic chemistry from Northeastern University and a master’s in business administration degree from Babson College of Wellesley, Mass. X Harbor Financial Services named Matthew Lursen chief financial officer. Lursen has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Lursen business from Spring Hill College. He is also a certified public accountant and holds a Series 28 financial license. He has more than 10 years experience in public accounting. X

McKay

Block

Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS Mobile Office welcomed new agents Jeanne McKay and Lily Block. X The Medical Society of Mobile County, the professional organization of physicians in Mobile, hired Wendy L. Bedsole Bedsole as executive director. Bedsole has more than 13 years experience working in organized medicine through society management. X Verizon Wireless named Krista Bourne president of the Houston/Gulf Coast region. She will oversee direct sales, Bourne marketing, operations and financial performance from southeastern Texas along the Gulf Coast to the Florida Panhandle.

Blake

Rooks

New Horizons Credit Union promoted Janet Kuhn Bell to senior vice president of lending; Corey Blake to director of marketing and business development; and Courtney Rooks to head teller of the Prichard branch. Bell has a bachelor’s degree from Spring Hill College and has worked for New Horizons since 1977. Blake received a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in graphic arts from the University of South Alabama and joined New Horizons in 2011. Rooks has worked at New Horizons since 2007 and attends Walden University. X Jones Walker hired Christopher H. Ezell as an associate in the firm’s business and commercial litigation practice group. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from The University of Alabama, and a juris doctorate degree from The University of Alabama School of Law. X The Radcliff Schatzman Group at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC promoted Christopher C. Schatzman to vice president. Schatzman X

Smith

McRae

Wilson Dismukes Inc. hired Garrett Smith as operations manager and promoted Earl McRae to parts and service manager. Smith previously worked as store manager for Alabama Outdoors. McRae has 14 years experience in the outdoor power equipment industry. X Home Place Furniture promoted Darry Shoemore to manager for the Mobile store.

28 MAY 2012 | The Business View

Shoemore

Wilkins Miller Hieronymus announced the addition of Brooks Hieronymus to the firm. He received a master’s degree in tax Hieronymus accounting from The University of Alabama and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Mississippi. X

Ashworth

Woods

Kristen Taylor Ashworth and Ricardo O. Woods were named new partners in the Mobile office of Burr & Forman LLP. Ashworth’s practice is general litigation, with a concentration in employment law. Woods practices in the firm’s litigation division with an emphasis on business litigation, product liability, insurance litigation and media law. X

Kennedy

Hessie

Providence Hospital announced three appointments. Todd S. Kennedy was named system executive vice president and chief Thompson operating officer. He received master’s degrees in health administration and business administration from University of Alabama at Birmingham and earned a bachelor’s degree in health administration from Auburn University. Gordon Hessie, director of radiology and outpatient diagnostics, holds a master’s degree in business administration. Lauren Thompson, clinical nutrition manager, earned a bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition sciences from Auburn University. X Mary Vollmer Kendrick joined VERGE Advertising Agency as director of operations. She previously served as chief executive officer of Complete Medical Equipment.

Business Endeavors Gleason & Associates is now Gleason & Roberds Commercial Real Estate Services and Investments. The new address is 6159 Omni Park Dr., Ste. B. The phone number is 342-1636. X Providence Hospital is now offering the da Vinci® Surgical System, a sophisticated robotic surgical technology offering a minimally invasive option for cardiothoracic, general, gynecological and urological surgery procedures for patients. X The Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center will offer home school programs to supplement homeschooled students’ science curricula. For more information, visit www.expoloreum.com. X Mobile Bay Transportation Inc. relocated its headquarters to 3024 Airport Blvd., near Bel Air Mall. For more information, call 476-7711.

Well Done iBERIABANK named Scott Hall Cooper to the Mobile Advisory Board. Cooper is president of Crescent Towing and Salvage in New Orleans and executive vice president of Cooper Cooper/T. Smith. X Frye Gaillard, a University of South Alabama writer-inresidence, received the 2012 Clarence Cason Award in nonfiction writing from The Gaillard University of Alabama. Gaillard, a graduate of Vanderbilt University, was recognized for his writing about the Civil Rights Movement as it unfolded across the South. The award is named for Clarence Cason, who founded The University of Alabama journalism department in 1928. X The Grand Hotel Marriott Resort Golf Club and Spa was recognized in Tennis magazine’s March issue as one of the “Top 50 Tennis Resorts in the Country for 2012.”

Steve Goren, director of cardiac rehabilitation/ pulmonary therapy/ mitral valve prolapse at Springhill Medical Center, Goren was honored as a statewide “Hospital Hero” at a luncheon in Birmingham hosted by the Alabama Hospital Association. X John G. Walton, president/owner of John G. Walton Construction Co. Inc., a heavy, highway and asphalt paving company in Mobile was named 2012 president of the Alabama Associated General Contractors (AGC). Mike Tew, vice president of SJ&L Inc. in Mobile, was elected second vice president. In addition, the Mobile Section, Alabama AGC, the largest non-residential construction association in Alabama and Florida, recognized members who maintained an excellent safety record throughout 2011. The following Chamber members were commended in the building division: White-Spunner Construction Inc., Ben M. Radcliff Contractor Inc., J. C. Duke & Associates Inc., Case Construction Co. and J. F. Pate & Associates Contractors Inc. X Mobile Area Water & Sewer System (MAWSS) inducted eight retirees into its Employee Hall of Fame: John M. Connelly Sr., Robert A. Hannah, Michael Johnson, Mark Lowery, Beverly Lucas, Melvin J. Pitt Jr., the late Claudia Rand and Charles Westover Jr. The program recognizes and honors past employees for their dedicated service. This year’s inductees represent a total of 234 years of public service. X Lewis Communications took home 14 ADDY awards at the American Advertising Federation (AAF) Mobile Bay’s 44th annual ADDYs. Five of the awards were gold ADDYs and nine were silver. Lewis Communications also won 21 ADDYs at the Birmingham AAF awards ceremony in February, for a total of 35 ADDYs in the 2011 local ADDY season. X Springdale Travel American Express Cruise Quarters is one of American Express Travel’s 25 agency members in its U.S. Representative Travel Network to earn the prestigious Representative Excellence Award for 2011. The award honors the achievements of exceptional preferred supplier sales growth and compliance with specific operational responsibilities of membership, established by American Express in support of the brand.

The $300 million APM Terminals (Mobile Container Terminals LLC) was inducted into the 2012 Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame. The world-class project is a partnership between the Alabama State Port Authority and APM Terminals, an independent division of the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group. Mobile-based Volkert Inc. was the prime consultant for the project. X Home Instead Senior Care’s franchise office for Mobile and Baldwin counties named Irene Moore the 2011 CAREGiver of the Year Moore for demonstrating outstanding dedication and service to clients. Home Instead Senior Care is the world’s largest provider of non-medical in-home care services for seniors. X

Raine

Palmer G. Whiting of Merrill Lynch/The Whiting Group was named among “America’s Top 1,000 Financial Advisors” by Barron’s, Whiting The Dow Jones Business and Financial Weekly. The rankings are based on assets under management, revenue generated for advisors’ firms, quality of practices and other factors.

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.

Community News The Family Center received a grant for voluntary case management services, evening parenting classes, anger management classes and co-parenting classes. X Apache Corp. teamed up with Keep Mobile Beautiful and Praxair, donating 1,000 bald cypress, black gum, sugar berry and white oak seedlings to be planted in pots by youth groups and individuals and stored until they are big enough to survive on their own. The trees will then be distributed around the community. 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.

Williams

Sydney Raine, president of Mobile Works Inc. and Cheryl Williams, owner of Spherion Staffing were named to the Alabama Workforce Investment Board. Raine and Williams are charged with assisting the Governor’s office carry out the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), which includes the Alabama Career Center System, Adult Education and Rehabilitation Services. In other news the Southeastern Training and Employment Association (SETA) awarded Raine the 2012 Bob Craig President’s Award for his guidance, support and dedication to SETA, and excellence in workforce development. X Coastal Bank and Trust, a division of Synovus Bank, received 11 national awards from the 2011 Greenwich Associates Excellence in Middle Market and Small Business Banking program for overall satisfaction, relationship manager performance, customer service, credit policy, treasury management and branch satisfaction. Greenwich Associates is a leading financial services firm that provides comprehensive consulting and research capabilities in institutional financial services.

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The Business View | MAY 2012

New Members If you know of a company interested in benefitting from Chamber membership, contact Tricia Bradley at 431-8642 or Rebecca Milam at 431-8647. View the complete membership directory at www.mobilechamber.com. AdvisorsMD Ashleigh McKenzie 700 Cedar Ave. Fairhope, AL 36532 251-929-7088 www.AdvisorsMD.com Business Consultants Alorica Debra Ransburg 727 U.S. Hwy. 43 Saraland, AL 36571 678-922-5789 www.alorica.com Call Center Outsourcing Alorica Lisa Johnson-Gill 1210 Hillcrest Rd. Mobile, AL 36695 251-370-1772 www.alorica.com Call Center Outsourcing Bonafide Tax Service Cora Eatmon 1906 Duval St. Mobile, AL 36606 251-450-1007 Accountants-Public Dreamland BBQ Margo Wallace 3314 Old Shell Rd. Mobile, AL 36607 251-479-9898 www.dreamlandbbq.com Restaurants Earley Air Control Inc. Keith Earley 8042 Wards Lane Semmes, AL 36575 251-649-1026 www.earleyaircontrol.com Air Conditioning & Heating Contractors

Eggplant Systems & Design Jason Stewart 406 Thornton Place Mobile, AL 36609 251-366-6428 www.eggplantsd.com Computers-Service & Repair GroundSwell Web Designs Chris Sholler 312-T Schillinger Rd. S. #101 Mobile, AL 36608 251-272-9369 www.groundswellwd.com Internet Marketing

45 YEARS

Security Finance Corporation of Alabama Sabrina Lewis 8010 Airport Blvd., Ste. 105 Mobile, AL 36608 251-633-6461 www.security-finance.com Financing Company

BB&T McConnell Automotive Corp..

Allie Tucker, Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant Allie Tucker 5905 Airport Blvd., Ste. A Mobile, AL 36608 251-622-3168 www.marykay.com/atucker09 Sales

L.A. Fotographee LeMaris Alston P.O. Box 801 Theodore, AL 36590 251-366-2426 www.lafotographee.com Photographer

U.S. Army Recruiting Co. Elizabeth K. Merwin 3103 Airport Blvd., Ste. 555 Mobile, AL 36606-3659 251-478-7382 www.goarmy.com Recruiting Service

Mercy Home Care Karel Doggette 3280 Dauphin St., Building B Mobile, AL 36608 51-621-4431 www.mercymedical.com Home Health Service

VMR LLC Vanessa M. Reyner 104 Summit Cir. Daphne, AL 36526 251-802-1263 Marketing

30 APRIL 2012 | The Business View

Members Are Our Greatest Asset! Please show your support through the patronage of these businesses.

Mobile Hearing Clinic Rocio Hilpert 6414 Grelot Rd. Ste. C Mobile, AL 36695 504-296-3143 www.mobilehearingclinic.com Audiologists

Kitchen Design & Cabinetry Jim Wolfe 1300 Schillinger Rd. S. Suite W-5 Mobile, AL 36695 251-367-7454 www.KitchenDesignAndCabinetry.com Cabinets

Mercy LIFE of Alabama Gemma Campbell 2900 Springhill Ave. Mobile, AL 36607 251-287-8420 www.mercylifeal.com Senior Citizen Services

Anniversaries Wesco Gas & Welding Supply Inc.

35 YEARS

Gulf Distributing Co. of Mobile LLC

30 YEARS 25 YEARS

Mobile County Department of Human Resources

20 YEARS

Fortis College Magnolia Mortgage Co. LLC. Nicholas Insulation Services Inc.

15 YEARS

Eight Mile Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Andrew C. Jackson, Artist/Illustrator M. W. Rogers Construction Co. LLC U-Haul Co. of Southern Alabama

10 YEARS

Employment Screening Services Namita Inc. d/b/a Port City Inn

5 YEARS

AseraCare Bender Real Estate Group Gulf States Automation McFadden Engineering Slaton Moving & Warehouse Splash Duo-Coolrayz Band Synergy Yoga & Pilates

1-4 YEARS

ABC Destinations ACord Financial Services Adams Produce Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway Andrew Meyers State Farm Agency Angels On The Earth Baker Corp Barnhart Crane & Rigging Batteries Plus Bragg-Mitchell Mansion Campus Book Store Cimarron Ridge Apartments City of Jackson The Forum for Family Business Gulf Coast Drug Testing LLC Harris Business Machines HKA Enterprises Inc. Hurley Crews Infinity Global Technologies Inc. (IGT) Jim Walter Resources Jedson Engineering Inc. Joe Lewis Music Studio Konica Minolta Business Solutions-Mobile Krispy Mixes Inc. Law Tax & Business Services Inc. Maynard, Cooper & Gale PC Millard Inc. Northwestern Mutual Financial Network-Mobile Occupational Health Center Office Depot, Store #2749 Olde Oak Apartment Homes PNC Business Credit Polka ToT Designs Inc. Relocation Support Services International LLC Shumock & Anderson LLC CPAs SourcePointeHR SouthPoint Bank Mortgage Lending Waite’s Cleaners Inc. Warbama Industrial Services Inc. Windmill Market

Woodside Apartment Homes Ashleigh Mason 5089 Government Blvd. Mobile, AL 36693 251-660-6674 www.liveatwoodside.net Apartments

Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic PC..............13

Mamun/ReMax Partners.........................26

BankTrust.....................................................5

MCG Business Solutions............................24

Boteler, Finley & Wolfe...............................25

Mercedes-Benz of Mobile.......................... 15

Community Bank......................................20

Mobile County Health Department............4

FLC Living................................................... 31

Padgett Business Services of Mobile.........19

Gwin’s Printing..........................................13

Premier Medical Management................18

Hancock Bank............................................16

Regions Bank............................................... 7

Infirmary Health System..........................23

Ron’s Catering............................................25

Interstate Printing & Graphics Inc..........29

The University of Alabama.........................9

Lagniappe...................................................26

Wonderland Express....................................6

As of 2/29/12

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believe in mobile belong to the chamber grow mobile … grow your business Your business thrives when you operate in a strong economy. That’s why the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce has one of the best economic development programs in the country. Working with city, county and state officials, we’ve landed some of the most sought-after industrial projects and helped dozens of companies expand – bringing new jobs and customers to the area. When you join the Chamber, you’re taking an active role in making Mobile fertile ground where your business can flourish. Believe in a strong future for Mobile. Belong to the Chamber – because it’s good for business and good for Mobile.