The Business View - July 2011 by Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

The

BusinessView Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

175 Years from Staff Perspectives

Legislative Victories

Apps to Help You Do Business Better

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

JULY 2011 | VOL. XLII, No. 6

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JULY 2011 | The Business View

The

BusinessView Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

July 2011 News You Can Use – Positive news for area businesses

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Small Business of the Month: Long’s Human Resource Services

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See how the Chamber worked for you during the recently ended Legislative session.

13-18 The Mobile Area Chamber’s 175

anniversary continues, with remembrances from staff members and local business people whose ancestors helped shape Mobile’s future through their involvement with the Chamber. th

Cover

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Four of Randy Delchamps’ relatives have served as past chairs of the Mobile Area Chamber. Read more about the Delchamps legacy on page 15. Cover photo by Leigh Perry-Herndon.

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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 ©2011 Publisher......................................... Winthrop M. Hallett III Executive Editor.................................... Leigh Perry-Herndon Managing Editor............................................ Jennifer Jenkins Copy Editor................................................ Michelle Matthews

20-21 Additional Writers and Editors Bethany Andrews, Katrina Dewrell, Ashley Horn, Patty Howell, Laura Oppenheimer, Susan Rak-Blanchard, Carolyn Wilson

Does your business need an app? Chamber Chase kicks off CEO Profile: Owen Bailey, USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital SCORE Column: How to survive a business startup Investor Focus: The SSI Group Inc. Economic Indicators Board of Advisors Profiles Chamber@Work Calendar Member News New Members Anniversaries

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

The Business View | JULY 2011

Horizon Builds its Future

in Bayou La Batre

Photo by Jeff L. Yates

New investment at Bayou La Batre’s Horizon Ship Building is preparing the company to increase its repair business. Pictured is one of the 10 Horizon-built towboats for Florida Marine Transporters.

Horizon Ship Building is making improvements in its Bayou La Batre facility to meet the demand of current projects and make the shipbuilder more competitive for future repair projects, according to President Travis Short. The company is investing approximately $4 million in a new dock and a full complement of boat utilities and is expanding its bulkhead to extend Horizon’s water frontage from 450 feet to 1,200 feet. “With this, we are creating our future,” said Short. He eventually wants to grow Horizon’s repair business into a stand-alone entity – a key, Short says, to riding out the cycles of the boat-building business.

The company is into its fourth year of a five-year contract with Florida Marine Transporters, a Mandeville, La.-based transportation company moving liquid cargo through the inland waterways in the United States. So far, it has delivered five tow boats, with four more under construction as part of the $100 million contract. Horizon also recently secured a contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 114-foot and 58-foot towboats. “This makes for an impressive backlog,” Short said. The U.S. Coast Guard also hired the Bayou La Batre ship builder for repair work on two of its vessels.

Serimax to Expand Operations in Mobile Eleven years ago, Serimax North America LLC started operating in Mobile as the exclusive welding contractor for Technip’s Mobile operations. This year, the company announced it would invest more than $7.8 million in the area to create a fabricated pipe and pipefitting operation at the CORE Industries site in the Theodore Industrial Port. This expansion brings 24 announced jobs with average annual wages of more than $81,000. According to Claudia Zimmermann, the Mobile Area Chamber’s director of economic development, the company will join 40-foot pipe pieces together into 80-foot or 160-foot lengths. Serimax customers use the pipes to construct pipelines for the oil industry. You’ll see this symbol with stories featuring Chamber initiatives.

JULY 2011 | The Business View

Zimmermann said the company could have shuttered its Mobile services when Serimax’s contract at the Mobile Technip site expired and officials decided to perform their own welding services. Once Serimax’s operations are up and running in Theodore, Technip will be a potential customer, along with BP, CalDive, Subsea 7, Global and other players in the oil and gas industry. The company’s North American headquarters are in Houston, and its Gulf Coast operations are based in Port Fourchon, La. It is part of Vallourec, a global company headquartered in France. Zimmermann said Serimax expects to be fully operational by the beginning of 2012.

This investment not only helps Horizon to better compete but also shows how diversified the shipbuilding industry is in Mobile county, said Steve Russell, the Mobile Area Chamber’s director of business retention and expansion.

Magazine Names Mobile a

“Comeback Kid” Southern Business and Development recognized the Mobile area’s economic efforts several times in its Winter 2011 “Top 10” issue. Mobile Bay was listed among the Top 10 “Pro-Business” beach communities because of its prime location, ready workforce and many other resources. The magazine also ranked Mobile as a Top 10 “Comeback Kid” for the area’s job growth even after losing the U.S. Air Force tanker bid. The article credits jobs at ThyssenKrupp and Austal for elevating Alabama to the same “comeback” list: “In fact, we put Alabama on the list (Comeback Kid), and if not for Mobile’s job generation contributions in the form of ThyssenKrupp’s opening of its $5 billion plant and Austal USA’s announcement earlier this year that it will more than double its workforce of 1,800 to build ships for the Navy, well, there is no way Alabama would be on the list,” said magazine Publisher Mike Randall.

Jackson Gets ‘SET’ for Growth SET Enterprises Inc. (SET), a leading provider of steel processing services with operations in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois, recently announced plans to expand in Jackson, Ala. The Warren, Mich.-based company will invest an estimated $12 million and create 40 new jobs, including building a state-of-the-art, 65,000-square-foot steel processing and service center. At full operation, the facility will process up to 360,000 tons of material to support new steel production coming online at ThyssenKrupp Steel USA, as well as growth of other steel manufacturers and producers in the Southeastern U.S. market. “The value of this project to our community is tremendous,” said Jackson Mayor Richard Long. “We’ve lost 550 jobs in the last two years, and we’re sitting at 16.6 percent unemployment. We think the development spurred by ThyssenKrupp is the next step in rebuilding the area, and this (announcement) is just the beginning.” Phase one of SET’s investment will consist of two slitting lines, where rolls of steel are unrolled, cut to varying widths and

Michigan-based SET Enterprises announced plans for a new steel processing and service center in Jackson, Ala.

be built in Jackson’s Paul Parham Industrial Park. “SET’s expansion into Alabama is further representation of our team’s execution of our ‘Way Forward’ initiative, which includes expanding into new markets, driving improvements and new technologies within our core competencies, and diversifying beyond our Midwest-based automotive roots,” said Sid Taylor, SET

lengths, and sold to end users. Officials expect operations to be up and running in early 2012. A planned second phase will double the size of the facility, increase the processing capacity and services offered, and expand the workforce to accommodate the region’s anticipated growth. Located 65 miles north of Mobile on a key Norfolk-Southern rail corridor, SET will

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chairman and chief executive officer. SET was incorporated in 1989 and currently has 275 employees. Last year Taylor launched two new companies in the Detroit area. One of those ventures builds customized duct work for commercial and industrial clients. Long is hopeful this segment has growth potential in southwest Alabama. “It is especially exciting to be able to take advantage of an opportunity that was generated by ThyssenKrupp’s presence in the region. I believe SET’s decision to locate in Jackson is just the first of many opportunities that will be coming to the region,” said Jesse Quillen, the Mobile Area Chamber’s economic developer who heads the Washington County Economic Development Initiative (EDI) efforts. Partners who worked on this project include: the city of Jackson, Mobile Area Chamber; Clarke County Economic Development Partnership; Alabama Development Office; ThyssenKrupp Steel USA; and the Washington County EDI.

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The Business View | JULY 2011

Chamber Leadership Tours

In May, Hilda Lockhart and Hollie Pegg with Alabama Development Office (ADO) and Win Hallett, president of the Mobile Area Chamber toured the Dublin (Ireland) Port Co. Hallett explained the group had an in-depth briefing by Seamus McLaughlin, head of operations, and Brenda Daly, marketing and public relations manager with the port. One of the reasons for the group’s visit was to share information about the Alabama State Port Authority operations and developments at APM Terminal (Mobile Container Terminal). “It was obvious how important Dublin’s port is to Ireland’s economy, and the future of Dublin,” said Hallett. “It is very similar to Mobile’s relationship to the Alabama State Port Authority, its state docks and the Mobile Container Terminal.” Dublin’s port is highly-diversified, accommodating more than 80 cruise ships annually, handling bulk cargo, including 730,000 freight units of roll-on roll-off cargo and more than 600,000 TEU’s of containers. According to Gina Quin, executive director of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, whose organization has been involved in the port’s future planning, the port has tripled its tonnage capacity in the past 30 years. The Chamber and ADO hosted a group of Alabama business executives on a week-long trade mission to Ireland, scheduling one-on-one appointments with potential importers to sell product.

Dublin, Ireland Port

Dublin (Ireland) Port Co., has tripled its capacity within the last three decades. Pictured here is a roll-on/roll-off cargo ship at the port. The Mobile Area Chamber led a trade mission to Ireland in May.

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JULY 2011 | The Business View

Aker Solutions Expands Again In its second announcement of 2011, Aker Solutions, a manufacturer of umbilicals for the oil and gas industry, returned to the Industrial Development Authority of Mobile County in May with news of an additional expansion. This investment of more than $5.3 million will allow the company to build an additional carousel to hold completed umbilicals and will require an additional 10 workers. According to Marc Quenneville, vice president of Aker Solutions Subsea North America, this additional investment was necessary because of the need for increased carousel capacity based on current and future projections. It also will enable the company to avoid splitting the manufacturing of umbilicals between the Aker Subsea US and Aker Subsea Norway locations. “Aker Solutions has been able to successfully ‘do it all’ at the Mobile operations,” said Herman Tinsley, senior project manager for the Mobile Area Chamber. “And there is plenty of land available at Middle Bay Port for the company to continue to increase its capacity.” The additional carousel will increase Aker’s current capacity at the Mobile operations by 15 percent and “ensure our future market share and long-term viability in the Mobile area,” according to Quenneville.

Olympic Boxing

Puts Mobile in the Ring

The top 80 male boxers in the nation will compete in Mobile this summer in the U.S. Olympic team trials. The Mobile Sports Authority will host the double-elimination tournament as eight boxers in each of the 10 men’s Olympic weight divisions prepare for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. In addition, the sport’s future stars, approximately 300, 15- and 16-yearolds, will participate in the Junior Olympic National Championships, and the organization will hold its annual meeting. All together, the three events at the Mobile Civic Center will bring anywhere from 500 to 600 people to the area from July 28 to Aug. 10, according to Anthony Bartkowski, executive director of USA Boxing. “We did some research,” Bartkowski said. “There was a weight-lifting event

here last year, so this group knows what it’s doing. There’s local community support and great Southern hospitality.” Bud Ratliff, Mobile Sports Authority’s executive director, anticipates the events will fill more than 5,000 rooms and generate an economic impact of nearly $3 million. “This area has a great sports history and heritage, and USA Boxing’s decision to hold such prestigious events here truly validates Mobile as a legitimate sports destination,” said Ratliff. Organizers say Mobile is going to become the center of the boxing world for an entire week, and for 12 days the Port City will be able to hoist the Olympic rings. “After the oil spill, we want to be able to show America that Mobile is a destination,” said Bartkowski. “We want to create a legacy in Mobile County.”

Mercy Medical’s Home Care Division Expands

Mercy Home Care expanded its Mobile home care division with a new office and additional staff. Pictured here are members of the Mercy Home Care team at the new offices on Dauphin Street.

To better handle its growing case load, Mercy Medical added office space for its Mobile home care division. In addition, Patient Care Manager Krista Collins says she hired three new medical staff members, including two registered nurses and a physical therapist, bringing the division’s employee count to 34. Collins believes the recent trend to quickly get people home and out of the hospital will continue. And it’s that trend contributing to Mercy Medical’s increased business, she adds. Providing home health, hospice, pediatric home care, neuro-psychiatric and palliative care, the new office is located at the Coastal Neurological Institute (CNI) Center at 3280 Dauphin St., Suite B122-B. The Business View | JULY 2011

Understanding Incentives & the Impact on Taxpayers Troy L. Wayman CEcD is the Mobile Area Chamber’s vice president of economic development. To contact Wayman, e-mail twayman@mobilechamber.com or call 251-431-8650.

In today’s world, incentives are a critical component of the economic development process. They can take many forms, including workforce training provided by the state of Alabama through its world-renowned Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) facilities managed by the two-year college system; land at discounted or no cost; cash to offset start-up costs; local or state-provided infrastructure improvements; and the most commonly used and standard incentive, statutory abatement of taxes.

The fact is, incentives, while offered within Alabama law, are key tools when negotiating with a company to locate here. Every state in the U.S. provides incentives, although some are more aggressive than others. What they all have in common is that incentives can be tied to specific metrics a company must meet – typically the number of jobs, average wages and capital investment. The ThyssenKrupp project in Calvert is a good example. Let’s break it down to basics. Of the $1.073 billion incentives package offered to ThyssenKrupp, $461 million was in AIDT training incentives, infrastructure improvements and cash. The other $612 million represents the value of the statutory tax incentives. Let me quickly explain statutory tax incentives. The Mobile County Industrial Development Authority has the legislative right to exempt a qualifying project from

sales taxes for the “brick and mortar” and equipment used to place the project in service. They also have the authority to grant an exemption from the noneducational portion of property taxes for up to 10 or 20 years, in the case of projects with more than $1 billion in capital investment such as ThyssenKrupp. These incentives are an exemption of dollars that would not be collected had the company not located in the area. Exempting these taxes to entice the company to locate here, spend its money and create jobs here still is a net gain because the company remains responsible for paying the educational portion of the property tax. Had the tax exemptions valued at $612 million over the 20-year incentive period not been offered to ThyssenKrupp, they would have built their facility elsewhere – likely Louisiana – and Mobile County would have collected no sales tax,

no property tax and no education taxes. Since the exemptions and other incentives were offered, Mobile County residents are benefitting from the 2,700 direct jobs being filled at ThyssenKrupp, the more than 6,500 construction jobs and more than $800 million in contracts awarded to Alabama companies. In addition, the Mobile County Public School System will collect more than $1.2 billion over the next 40 years. In the end, the city of Mobile, Mobile County and Alabama taxpayers will reap the benefits of having ThyssenKrupp located within the county without having to “pay” for these jobs.

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JULY 2011 | The Business View

small business of the month

Long’s Human Resource Services was named the Mobile Area Chamber’s Small Business of the Month. Pictured from left to right are (first row) Carman Long, Tom Damson, Liz Freeman and Sarah Damson and (second row) Misty Lee, Renee Sorensen, Chris Keith and Evelyn Gibson.

Long’s Human Resource Services

Here for the Long Haul

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.

Despite the current economic recession, Long’s Human Resource Services had a record year in 2010, placing countless people along the Gulf Coast in permanent and temporary jobs. Long’s, started in 1948 by Tom Long, is still thriving. The company is the Mobile Area Chamber’s Small Business of the Month. “Three generations with the same values and same vision have contributed to our success,” said Liz Damson Freeman, vice president of administration and technology. “Because our owners are involved in daily operations, we’re able to respond to our customers’ needs quickly and effectively.” Sarah Long Damson, the founder’s daughter, serves as chairman and chief executive officer, and her husband, Tom Damson, is president. The third generation is represented by Freeman and her husband, Jud Freeman, the North Baldwin area manager and corporate risk/safety/

facilities manager. Long’s currently has 22 employees in its three locations in Mobile, Fairhope and Foley. Sarah Damson attributes the company’s longevity to the fact that it has kept up with client needs. Always looking for a competitive advantage, it is one of the few personnel companies in Alabama that is IMAGE compliant. IMAGE is a program of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It assures Long’s clients the company is in line with ICE best hiring practices and that temporary employees hired through Long’s are authorized to work in the United States. The company is also proud of its own employees, some of whom have worked for Long’s for more than 30 years. “Staffing has now reached a level of expertise and, consequently, it has become a part of the business model,” said Sarah Damson. The 63-year-old business has been a Chamber member for 45 years. In addition

to being recognized as small business of the month, Long’s also received the Chamber’s Small Business of the Year award in 1987. The company’s owners and employees are involved in many community projects in the Mobile area and can boast that 100 percent of employees donate to United Way. Long knew in the beginning that it was imperative to be involved in the Mobile community. “Community service is a natural extension of what we do,” said Freeman. Both Sarah and Tom Damson were born and raised in Mobile and have no plans to move or expand their company beyond this region. They say they are committed to serving the Gulf Coast and its people while making a positive contribution to the community.

The Business View | JULY 2011

Chamber’s Community Legislative Agenda

Gets Results

appropriations based on a sustainable 15-year average annual growth rate making the Education Trust Fund resistant to proration. The rolling reserve concept was introduced by Rep. Greg Canfield and endorsed by the Chamber in 2009.

ith nearly 1,200 bills introduced and more than 40 signed into law, the 2011 Alabama Legislative session ended on June 9 with the passage of several initiatives advocated by Mobile’s business community. Each year, the Mobile Area Chamber surveys its full membership on issues most important to their businesses. The volunteer-led Governmental Affairs Committee then works through subcommittees to recommend positions to the Chamber’s board of directors, resulting in a Community Legislative Agenda. Prioritized into critical issues, legislative action and policy statements, the agenda is presented to the governor and members of the Alabama House of Representatives and state Senate. Chamber volunteers work throughout the year to showcase and petition for changes in state laws, policies and procedures to enhance the region’s business climate. Below are community agenda items that saw marked results during this year’s session. A special thank you goes to members of the Mobile-Baldwin-Washington County delegation for their leadership in pushing forward these important initiatives.

The Mobile Area Chamber held a legislative reception in Montgomery in May to offer Chamber members and state officials a chance to network and discuss the issues during the legislative session. Rep. Jamie Ison (center) represents the 101st district in Mobile and serves as the chair of the House State Government Committee. Representing the 99th district in Mobile for more than 30 years, Rep. James Buskey (right) serves as the ranking minority member of both the Rules and the Ways/Means Education Committees. Pictured with Ison and Buskey is Mary Mullins (left) with ThyssenKrupp Stainless USA LLC.

3. Tort reform measures. The Chamber supported tort reform measures, including reduction in post-judgment interest, caps on mental anguish and limits on product liability. • A package of bills to streamline Alabama’s tort laws was passed in this session. The new provisions reduce the time when a civil action can be filed against an architect, engineer or builder; protect retailers, wholesalers and other distributors of products in certain product liability actions; and lower the interest rate on civil judgments. In addition, the regulations surrounding an “expert witness” were tightened, and a wrongful death action suit may now only be filed in the county where the deceased could have filed a civil action, if living.

1. Property insurance coverage. The Chamber supported market-driven legislation to increase the availability of property insurance coverage at competitive pricing. • The legislature passed the “Strengthen Alabama Homes Program,” providing funding from oil spill fine monies for homeowners who wish to retrofit their homes to make them more hurricaneresistant. Statewide awareness of this critical issue continues to rise. Gov. Robert Bentley created a commission to study and address the rising cost of property insurance for Alabama homeowners and businesses.

4. Health insurance legislation. The Chamber sought further market-driven health insurance legislation changes that are affordable and accessible for small business; sought innovative solutions for providing prescription drug coverage at a reasonable cost; and opposed additional state and federal healthcare mandates that increase costs to business. • Passed early in the session and signed into law by Bentley, qualifying employers and employees may now deduct an additional 50 percent of the amount spent on health insurance premiums from their state tax liability.

The seven-member commission will make recommendations to the governor, who pledged to convene a special session later this year to further address the issue. 2. Alternative budgeting process. The Chamber pursued a reasonable alternative to forecast budgeting to better prepare for state revenue downswings. • The legislature passed the Responsible Budgeting and Spending Act, aimed at revising the budgeting process for the Education Trust Fund. It allows a “rolling reserve” process, including a ceiling for

Sessions Wins District 105 Seat Grand Bay native David Sessions won the special election in May to fill the Alabama House of Representatives seat for District 105, left vacant by the cabinet appointment of Spencer Collier. A local 10 JULY 2011 | The Business View

farmer and businessman, Sessions serves on the board of directors for the Grand Bay Waterworks and for Producers Cotton Gin. He is a graduate of Mobile County High School in Grand Bay and is a member of

First Baptist Church of Grand Bay. Working with his brother, Sessions operates a diversified farming business that includes cotton, peanuts, pecans, cattle and produce.

Qualifying employers are those with fewer than 25 employees, and qualifying employees are those whose annual wages do not exceed $50,000. The new tax law increases the previously allowed 150 percent deduction, approved during the 2008 legislative session, for a total deduction of 200 percent of qualifying premium payments. 5. Tax reform. The Chamber supported fair and equitable tax reform to stimulate business growth and development; and ensured taxes and tax reform are applied fairly, without levying a disproportionate burden on individual segments of Alabama’s economy. • A one-time tax credit to small businesses who hire additional employees was passed. Referred to as the Full Employment Act of 2011, the new law will offer a one-time income tax credit equal to $1,000 for each new job that pays more than $10 per hour for businesses with 50 or fewer employees.

6. Infrastructure project funding. The Chamber supported infrastructure project funding and legislative initiatives to improve future economic success, including improvements to the port, airport, rail, water, sewer and industrial site infrastructure as well as strategic transportation infrastructure needs. • The “Made in Alabama” Job Incentives Act, which authorizes the use of innovative tax incentives to recruit international companies to Alabama, was passed in the last days of the regular legislative session. The new law will allow the state to use tax incentives to temporarily offset federal tariffs for qualifying companies that commit to build facilities and create jobs in Alabama, offering the state a competitive advantage over other states in attracting industry and recruiting jobs. The new tax incentives will have substantial minimum criteria for capital investment, the number of jobs created, and average wage paid, among other considerations and will be revocable should the company not meet its requirements.

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Legislators and Mobile Area Chamber members gather annually in Montgomery during the legislative session to discuss issues and priorities for Mobile’s business community. Pictured at this year’s reception sponsored by ExxonMobil are: (front row) Rep. Jim McClendon (District 50) of Springville, Rep. Elaine Beech (District 65) of Chatom, Rep. Randy Davis (District 96) of Daphne; and (back row) ExxonMobil representatives Sheri Naramore, Richard Benjamin and Jeff Copeskey with Rep. Alan Baker (District 66) of Brewton.

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The Business View | JULY 2011

12 JULY 2011 | The Business View

Pride and Passion

Chamber staff members look back on the organization’s long history of providing vision and leadership to the Mobile area.

The Greater Gulf State: An Idea Whose Time Has Come? The concept of regional cooperation has been around for a long time.

here is nothing new under the sun. As far as we know, the first time this axiom was written was by King Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes. It still rings true today. The Chamber’s 175th anniversary has been a good excuse to search the organization’s history, some of which is stored at the Chamber in books and papers in a file cabinet in a third-floor closet. The Greater Gulf State, written in 1947, included a forward written by outgoing Chamber president E. Roy Albright with Albright and Wood Drug Stores and incoming president J. Roy Smith with Smith’s Bakery. A publication of the Mobile Chamber of Commerce, as the organization was then known, the book defined “the great commonwealth of southeast Mississippi, south Alabama and northwest Florida” as a region with shared interests, industries and natural resources. An official map of the Gulf Coast was depicted in the publication’s front flap. The book referred to Mobile as the economic capital of the Greater Gulf State, a claim backed by its centrality and its characterization as a transportation hub with “modern and efficient railroads, paved highways, navigable rivers and canals, ocean and coastwise shipping routes, and regular air routes for passenger, freight and mail service to all parts of the area.” Cont. page 14 The Business View | JULY 2011

Today’s Member Businesses that Joined the Mobile Area Chamber before 1960: * Greater Gulf State Magazine, 1952

Akzo Nobel Functional Chemicals LLC

The five leaders in the first quarterly contest of the Membership Mobilizers of the Mobile Chamber of Commerce are shown here with the membership chair. From left to right they are, seated: James T. Overbey; Chairman J. Edward Thornton; Thomas M. Taul. Standing, Edward A. Labry, Julius E. Marx and Robert F. Smith. (circa 1952)

Over the past 20 years, the Chamber has continued to blur the lines in pursuit of Continued from page 13 wider cooperation and collaboration with our neighbors to the east and west via a coalition Evidently, in 1947, none of those advantages of chambers of commerce, now also including that the region now takes for granted were other entities as we grapple with the latest present in nearby areas, setting Mobile apart as opportunity – the residue of the BP Deepwater the pre-eminent transportation hub. The Gulf Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Coast region was described as “an area where It’s interesting to find that current efforts transportation, natural resources, a temperate to think and act without climate, ample electric regard to political and power, low-cost fuel and geographic boundaries – in a progressive people other words, regionally have combined with – is not a new idea. opportunity.” Evidently it’s not easy, The book offered either, as at least 60 years a statistical and pictorial of effort have gone into tour of the region’s this utopian idea of shared 63 counties. The endeavor, progress and arrangement of this success. tour “is such that it Current efforts have radiates in fan-like Mobile reaching west to fashion from this New Orleans and Baton tri-state territory’s Rouge and east to Pensacola economic capital – to define the northern Mobile.” Gulf of Mexico as one Port of Mobile (circa 1949-50) In 1999, the Presseconomic unit. Leverage Register’s then-editor is the name of the game, and the wider area Stan Tiner preferred to call our region has more talent and resources than any one “Gulflandia.” With loosely the same geography, community or state alone. Tiner suggested state borders are blurred by Just as our regional outreach is not a novel regional markets. “It would not be at all surprising approach, it may have been an old idea even in at some not-so-distant point to see Mobile as the 1947. People, especially business people, will capital of Gulflandia, a new virtual state in a new find a way to increase benefits for themselves and American union of regions based on economic their customers in spite of political boundaries and commonalities rather than the arbitrary and state lines. Economies are blind to these artificial archaic borders previously defining an entity limitations – truly among the most flexible and called Alabama.” malleable forces at work today or any day. Greater Gulf State Magazine, Autumn-Winter 1949-1950

The Greater Gulf State

14 JULY 2011 | The Business View

Alabama Power Co. Alabama State Port Authority Jim Barnes Enterprises d/b/a McDonald’s Restaurants Bay Paper Co. Inc. Bellingrath Gardens and Home Budweiser-Busch Distributing Co. Inc. Joe Bullard Automotive Companies Calagaz Photo and Digital Imaging Inc. City of Mobile N.D. Cunningham Co. Inc. Freight Forwarding & Custom Dairy Fresh Corp. Friedman’s Fine Jewelry Historic Mobile Preservation Society d/b/a Oakleigh Historic Complex Holmes & Holmes Architects International Business Machines J.C. Penney Co. Larson & McGowin Inc. Meador Warehousing & Distribution Inc. Merrill Lynch Mobile Gas Mobile Memorial Gardens Inc. Mobile Ob-Gyn PC Occidental Chemical Corp. J.F. Pate & Associates Contractors Inc. Premier Medical Management Inc. Shaw GBB LLC Spring Hill College Tractor & Equipment Co. Inc. Turner Supply Co. Oliver H. Van Horn Co. LLC Vickers Riis Murray and Curran LLC WKRG-TV YMCA of South Alabama * The Mobile Area Chamber’s membership archives, unfortunately, only date as far back as 1960. The Chamber members listed above have been in the organization continuously since that time, according to our records. Some of the names of the companies have changed over the years. We regret if there are any errors. Contact Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or mhartley@mobile chamber.com to update your company records.

Past Presidents/Chairmen of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce David L. Trent (2010) William S. Stimpson (2009) William R. Seifert II (2008) T. Bestor Ward III (2007) Alan L. Heffernan (2006) Harris V. Morrissette (2005) R. Preston Bolt Jr. (2004) Cheryl A. Thompson (2003) Michael B. Lee (2002) John M. Turner Jr. (2001) Dianne K. Irby (2000) John S. Davis (1999) Michael D. Fitzhugh (1998) Andrew A. Saunders Jr. (1997) John C. Hope III (1996) John H. Lewis Jr. (1995) J. Bruce Jones (1994) David N. Wright (1993) Harry E. Myers Jr. (1992) Carl E. Jones Jr. (1991) Joe B. Bullard Jr. (1990) Frank McRight (1989)

Gigi Armbrecht, regional director for AT&T, volunteer, economic development investor, Chamber advisor and former Mobile Area Chamber board of director, didn’t know about the “business side” of her grandfather, Stewart Alfred LeBlanc, who passed away when she was only 11 years old. But she credits him with giving her a passion for community service and the joy of giving. LeBlanc, who worked for Strachan Shipping, served as chairman of the Mobile Area Chamber from 1923-24, a time of significant growth in Mobile due in part to the city’s burgeoning maritime industry. Armbrecht says her grandfather was instrumental in working on a wide variety of projects in Mobile, including the Old Spanish Trail, a connector route between Jacksonville, Fla., and Los

Robert J. Williams (1988) Alfred F. Delchamps Jr. (1987) Jack Edwards (1986) Robert A. Guthans (1985) William McDonough (1985) William B. Welch (1984) Robert M. Hope (1982-83) William J. Hearin (1981) G. Sage Lyons (1980) W. Dewitt Reams (1979) Ernest W. Todd Jr. (1977-78) William H. Holland (1975-76) O. H. Delchamps Jr. (1972-74) A. A. Wood (1970-72) Forrest Little (1968-70) H. E. Myers (1966-68) E. A. Benson (1964-66) M. E. Weatherby (1962-64) A. F. Delchamps (1960-62) G. M. Haas (1957-59) Joseph R. Mighell Jr. (1955-57) O. H. Delchamps (1952-55)

Angeles that began in 1915 and was completed in 1929. LeBlanc wasn’t the only person in Armbrecht’s family to serve as Chamber chairman, either. William Henry Armbrecht, the grandfather of her husband, Connie Armbrecht, with Armbrecht Jackson and a current Chamber board member, served as chairman of the Chamber in 1913.

Leonard H. Metzger (1952) Glen P. Brock (1950-52) J. Roy Smith (1948-50) E. Roy Albright (1946-48) Duncan C. Smith (1944-46) Ben D. Turner (1941-44) J. B. Converse (1939-41) Hugh M. Stanfill (1937-38) W. B. Garner (1936-37) Herbert C. Brown (1934-36) O. M. Phelps (1932-34) H. P. Cole (1931-32) Frank E. Courtney (1930-31) Z. H. McKinley (1929-30) G. C. Outlaw (1928-29) H. J. Kittrell (1927-28) J. L. Bedsole (1926-27) John T. Cochrane (1925-26) R. J. Milling (1924-25) S. A. LeBlanc (1923-24) Gordon Smith (1921-23) G. D. Lining (1920)

W. H. Reynalds (1919) W. D. Bellingrath (1917-18) E. M. Bailey (1916) J. M. Walsh (1915) A. J. Parsons (1914) W. H. Armbrecht (1913) John T. Cochrane (1912) H. H. Wefel Jr. (1911) Albert P. Bush (1910) John B. Waterman (1908-09) L. LeBaron Lyons (1907) Charles H. Brown (1905-06) J. H. McAndrew (1903-04) J. C. Bush (1902) A. S. Benn (1899-1901) Samuel Brown (1898) T. G. Bush (1885-87) L. E. Brooks (1874-84) Price Williams (1873) John J. Walker (1859-67) John B. Toulmin (1842) H. B. Gwathmey (1836-39)

Randy Delchamps, president of Randy Delchamps Real Estate & Development Co., has remained active in the Mobile Area Chamber throughout his career, most recently serving on the Chamber’s executive committee and its board of directors. His passion for the Chamber came from a long legacy of family members’ involvement in the organization, which includes four past Chamber chairmen. Both his father, Oliver Delchamps Sr., and his brother, Oliver Delchamps Jr., were chairmen from 1952-55 and 1972-74, respectively. Also his uncle, Alfred Delchamps Sr., served as chairman from 1960-62 and his cousin, Alfred Delchamps Jr., was chairman in 1987.

Randy says he most remembers his father’s work with the Chamber after he served as chairman, as he remained active in the Chamber’s development of Dauphin Island. It was his father’s passion for real estate development while working in the family’s Delchamps grocery store business that was passed down to Randy. “Real estate was one of his loves,” said Randy.

The TheBusiness BusinessView View || JULY JULY2011 2011

15 15

Mobile’s Heartbeat Goes On… Can You Hear It?

Schoolchildren across Alabama collected coins to help bring the USS Alabama to Mobile. Pictured here is the battleship being escorted to its new home at Battleship Memorial Park in 1964. The USS Alabama opened for visitors in 1965.

• All retail roads led to downtown Mobile. Some streets were changed to one-way, to hasten the flow in and out of both shoppers and workers. • As a nation of millions looked on, Mobile’s birthday was celebrated in standard-setting

halftime pageantry on the nationally televised Senior Bowl. • The USS ALABAMA was saved from the junk pile and towed to a new home at the head of Mobile Bay thanks to local schoolchildren, and with it our tourist industry took a major leap forward.

Burton

University of South Alabama Archives

Although the phrase wasn’t uttered 175 years ago, it could have been. The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, a dynamic organization dedicated to the economic development of a vibrant coastal community, is, indeed, the “Heartbeat of a City.” Without the Chamber’s membership, the men and women of business and industry in Mobile, the flow of the lifeblood of the free enterprise system might have drained almost empty. During my many years working for the Chamber, I believe the heartbeat was there, beating strongly through working committees within the Chamber to complete these projects as well as other community needs at that time:

University of South Alabama Archives

Jimmie Morris served 28 years on staff at the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce in the 1960s-80s. He held several positions, including public relations and news bureau manager. Though he now resides near the Chattahoochee National Forest in north Georgia, he remains an ardent supporter of Mobile and the Chamber.

Nursing graduates are shown at commencement exercises at Bishop State in 1971. USA founding President Dr. Frederick P. Whiddon addresses students, faculty, invited dignitaries and citizens in front of the administration building as the new University of South Alabama is dedicated on Oct. 18, 1964. The program featured the awarding of the university’s charter, the first granted by the State of Alabama to a state-supported institution of higher learning in 70 years. The administration building on University Boulevard was the first structure on campus and continues to serve that purpose today.

16 JULY 2011 | The Business View

Greater Gulf State Magazine, 1952

The Chamber’s early office (Circa 1952)

University of South Alabama Archives

Football fans packed Ladd Stadium to celebrate one of the earliest Senior Bowl games.

The heartbeat of a city, though it may have skipped a beat in dismay, did not falter during such difficult times. In fact, it grew stronger. Positive things happened, too: • The University of South Alabama grew to become one of Mobile’s largest employers. • The Mobile Symphonic Pops Band was founded during America’s bicentennial celebration. • The Chamber established the Cine-Tel Commission to promote Mobile as a locale in Hollywood-made TV shows and movies. The local commission, which became the Mobile Film Office, was instrumental in the establishment of a state film commission. • New industries offset economic losses. Degussa Corp. would give Mobile a foothold for future major industrial development. • One of the largest Chamber events ever held was the dedication of the Tennessee/Tombigbee Waterway, with The Waterman Globe in its original location, which is a large parade, special meetings, now Wells Fargo in downtown Mobile. The actual globe luncheons and dinners for visitors from was removed when the Waterman Building became a around the world. A concert by the bank, and after being kept in storage for a number of years, it is now the focal point of the Mitchell Center at the Mobile Symphonic Pops Band and the University of South Alabama. Port City’s largest fireworks display, synchronized with the band’s music, Eventually, the heartbeat got a new home, a ended the day of festivities on the Waterway’s handsome building deserving of one of the oldest terminus, Mobile River. chambers of commerce in the United States. The years haven’t been without some Thousands enjoyed the good life of Mobile, problems, mostly created at the national and but for 14,000 of them the good life came to an global level. But let it be said that the days and abrupt halt when Brookley Air Force Base years to come will continue to be enhanced by closed. The loss of Brookley meant the loss of its the men and women of the chamber, still the $93 million payroll, 2,500 military personnel heartbeat of Mobile. and a million dollars in business done with a structure built before its time. The Chamber’s tourist and convention committee established a welcome center in the lobby known for its marvelous murals. It was also known to many as the building that housed the Waterman Globe, which rotated along with the Earth’s axis.

Greater Gulf State Magazine, 1952

• Two Chamber members and a Chamber staff executive deserve credit for encouraging legislation earmarking 1 percent of the state’s lodging tax for promoting tourism and for obtaining the first welcome center for the southwestern gateway to Alabama. • The University of South Alabama was born. • Mobile College (now the University of Mobile) and Bishop State Community College opened their doors. • Though the Chamber’s recommendation for the municipal theater and arena to be located on the river was not adopted, the Mobile Civic Center opened at another site with fanfare and pride, to give the citizens more opportunities for culture and entertainment and to provide a place for delegates of the convention industry to convene. But, even as progress was made, other challenges and disappointments presented themselves. Companies that seemed to be an integral part of the fabric of life in Mobile disappeared. Most people never would have thought the historic Battle House Hotel would close, but it did. Most people never would have thought the historic Customs House would ever be torn down, but it was, replaced by the First National Bank Building, then the city’s tallest. Most people never would have thought Mobile’s pioneering supermarket, Delchamps, would ever leave, but it did. Most people never would have thought Mobile’s pioneering cafeteria chain, Morrison’s, would ever leave, but it did. As the heartbeat of a City, the Chamber moved from the historic Customs House building to new headquarters in the Waterman Building,

Mobile firms. The Business View | JULY 2011

I’ve Always Been a Chamber Girl Leigh Perry-Herndon serves as vice president for communications and marketing for the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce.

It’s funny how things stay with you. It seems like just yesterday I was a young girl running down the hill to the mailbox to see what the postman brought our family. It also seems like yesterday I remember pulling a newsletter called The View out of the mailbox. I would always turn to the member news section and look at the photographs, paying extra attention to see if any of my friends’ parents’ photos were in the newsletter. My dad, Steve Perry, has been a member of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce for as long as I can remember. I never knew much about the organization, though, aside from the monthly newsletters delivered to the house, until about 1992. That was the year my mom, Carolyn Perry, won the Chamber-sponsored Mobile County Teacher of the Year award for high school educators. My most vivid memory of her award was the cases of toilet paper and paper towels delivered to our house – some of the gifts she received for her win, donated by what was then Scott Paper. Sitting at the awards dinner, and later at a reception at the Bienville Club, I was awakened to the influence the Chamber has on Mobile. Suddenly I was keenly aware of the monolith of brick that houses the Chamber at 451 Government St., and the three iron statues that grace its lawn. Mobile at that time was experiencing a reawakening. The destitute downtown area that once shuttered at 5 o’clock every day was changing. Several bars and a couple of restaurants were springing up, drawing in young adults like myself. I talked with dad about the changes happening in Mobile, and he would mention organizations like the Chamber as stepping in and getting things done.

Carolyn Perry, pictured far right, appeared on the cover of The Business View in 1992, having won the Mobile County Teacher of the Year award from the Mobile Area Chamber. She taught English at Baker High School until 2002 when she retired.

18 JULY 2011 | The Business View

Steve Perry served on several committees and task forces for the Mobile Area Chamber over the years, as well as the Board of Directors. He’s pictured here around 1985 at the opening luncheon for a trade show that was once co-hosted by the Chamber.

I also will never forget a telephone call from my dad that changed my life as I know it today. I was living in Dothan, working as a spokesperson for the school system there, when my dad called in May 1998. He said there was an opening at the Chamber for a director of communications and if I was serious about coming home, I needed to get a resume together. I hadn’t really thought about the Mobile Area Chamber in a number of years, but I was working on three committees for the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce, and had just graduated from Leadership Dothan. It all happened so fast, but within two weeks I’d gotten the job, packed my apartment and moved home to work for the Chamber. Even today, there’s a rush when I pull the magazine out of my mailbox and flip through it in the kitchen. Many times I’ve thought about my two young girls and hope that when the Mobile Area Chamber is celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2036, they will feel the same pride and passion for this amazing organization and the lives it impacts.

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BamaByDistance.ua.edu/Mobile The Business View | JULY 2011

Do You Really Need an App? What you need to know about mobile development. It is a well-accepted fact that mobile Internet usage will eventually overtake desktop Internet activity. This means more people will be using a phone than a desktop/laptop/netbook to consume content, buy stuff and network with friends. Also noted is the exponential growth of mobile “apps.” The industry powerhouse at this point is Apple, with more than 250,000 iPhone applications available. Mobile devices equipped with Android mobile operating system, however, are currently outselling the iPhone, and the Android app store (70,000 apps and counting) is growing fast. This is all fine and good, but what does it mean for you and your business? You might be trying to simply launch a web site or refresh the one you have. To top that off, your employees, spouse and geek brother-in-law are probably now telling you to have a mobile app developed for your business so it can really take off.

If you haven’t finished your web site, you should complete that project before starting any app development projects as it will continue to be an important component of informing current and prospective clients about your company. Consequently, in my opinion, completing your web site is an important first step in your current and future mobile Internet strategy. Assuming you’re ready to consider creating your own app, there are some basic concepts you need to understand. Understanding these will help you to determine whether your business needs (or will benefit from) a mobile application. I have summarized them below in order of the simplest (read: least expensive) to complex (read: more expensive).

1. Mobile-friendly This is the most basic effort. If you have a web site or it is in the process of being reworked, make sure it is mobile-friendly. Have you ever tried to view a site with your mobile phone and all you get is a bunch of random images and links? This is because whoever built the site did not use well-formed HTML and did not adequately test different browsers (including mobile) to make sure the site was cross-browser compatible. Your site should be viewable in the major mobile browsers on the market. This includes the iPhone, Android-based devices, Blackberry and, to some degree, Windows Mobile and Palm Pre. A user may have to scroll and pan/

zoom to see things on your site, but it will display properly, just like it does as if you were sitting at your desk. Achieving this is what I call making the site “mobile-friendly.”

2. Mobile browser-specific The next step in your web evolution may include creating a mobile-specific version of your site. This would involve more work than making it mobile-friendly, but you would have something that is tailored to the specific screen of mobile phones, thus making your site easier to navigate. An example of this would include having your web server recognize that the requestor is a mobile device and showing the navigation options for your site in a very simple text list. Clicking on a link would allow the browser to view information styled for the phone with limited graphics and designed for a much smaller screen. You can also build functionality this way because you can have a site that works with the majority of mobile web browsers, but you only have to write it once. Depending on your business, this might include a customer login section, allowing a user to view open tickets, recent orders, etc. 3. Platform-specific With options one and two above, you only need to focus on making the site or functionality work based on a fairly wellaccepted standard. If you decide to go the mobile application route, you will have to make some big decisions. First, this is going

to be your most expensive option. Every device for which you will want to make your app available will require that you pay someone to develop for that specific phone - i.e. iPhone, Android, Blackberry, etc. If you were targeting the largest user base, you should really write for Blackberry’s operating system (RIM). While it may seem like most people have an iPhone, the data above shows that iPhone is only 25 percent of the market and Android is quickly catching up. Development for the Blackberry is notoriously difficult and expensive. So, assuming you wanted to develop an application for all three, it will cost you. Like anything, there are a number of variables to consider and your situation is likely to be unique. Perhaps your sales force all have iPhones, and you want to equip them with enhanced functionality; then the decision comes a little easier and you can just develop an iPhone app. On the other hand, if you’re developing anything customer-facing, you will need to consider the wide variety of phones your customer base is probably using, and perhaps building a mobile web browser application will be the right answer. Written by Roy Chomko, president of Adage Technologies, a Chicago-based web development firm. Learn more at www.adagetechnologies.com. Reprinted eith permission from SmartBusiness.com.

Happenin’ Apps 1

Meet Me - If you’re arranging for a meeting where no one has to drive “too far” out of the way, meet in the middle. Meet Me takes the two starting locations of each party and calculates a list of venues in the middle of each. You can also narrow down by type of venue and email directions to each party.

WorldCard - Very useful! It scans your business cards, and stores all the information in your phone. You can go in and edit if you need to make corrections or updates. It’s a little pricey at $5.99, but the Wall Street Journal says it’s a must-have!

20 JULY 2011 | The Business View

LogMeIn - Keep the laptop in your briefcase. With the LogMeIn app, you can access your office computer right from your cell phone, letting you view and edit files remotely. No more worrying about that file you forgot at the office; with this app, it’s instantly accessible.

FileMagnet - Makes it easy to copy files from your computer onto your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Transferring files is effortless – transfer files via iTunes, or wirelessly using a free program available for both Mac and Windows.

- This compiles all 5 Evernote your notes, ideas, photos and even

voice recordings in one place. It then syncs the gathered info and “notes on the go” to your PC or Mac.

Analytics - Useful for keeping track of website traffic and growth! Offers more than 40 custom reports that can be created within Google Analytics to give you access to all of your data, any way you want to slice it.

ClockIn - This seems great for freelancers. You’re sure to have your phone on you anyway, so clock in and out as it calculates how much time you spend on a project.

TripIt - For business people on the go, keep all your travel itinerary info in one place. It’s a personal “travel assistant.” Updates you on delays and flight changes, provides confirmation numbers and gives directions.

Yammer - A free app that allows presidents, CEOs and bosses to keep in touch with everyone in the company. Described as “Twitter for business.”

JotNotScanner - Use to 10 scan and save documents, receipts,

whiteboards, business cards, notes, recipes, photographs, billboards, posters, books, art – almost anything you can take a picture of.

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Chamber Hosts State of the City and County Lunch The Mobile Area Chamber hosted its 14th annual State of the City and County lunch featuring city of Mobile Mayor Sam Jones, (pictured right) Mobile County Commission President Merceria Ludgood (pictured center) and Chamber Chairman Robbie Baker, (pictured left) president of Whitney National Bank. The 850-seat sold-out event at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center featured a sneak peak at the city’s new campaign for marketing Mobile to industries and a promise to continue to market Mobile to cruise ship companies across the globe. The county showed off a “Did you know?” video including interviews with a cattle farmer from Citronelle, a Native American chief in north Mobile County and a cancer research doctor from the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute, all talking about the benefits of living and working in Mobile County. 22 JULY 2011 | The Business View

Chamber Chase 2011 Kicks Off

The Mobile Area Chamber’s annual Chamber Chase campaign officially kicked off in May. More than 80 volunteers representing 50 Chamber member businesses are working toward a goal of raising more than $1.32 million in new members, sponsorships, advertising and donated services. Terry Harbin, chief operating officer of BankTrust, is chairing this year’s effort.

Pictured here are some of the early leaders of the 2011 campaign. From left to right: Stephen Schlautman, Regions Bank; Terri Owler, Arkema; David Hagan, BankTrust; Kay Williams, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama; Harris Oswalt, Mobile Gas; Sharon Murrill, Alabama Power Co.; Mark Spivey, Regions Bank; and Larry Hanisch, Diplomat Team. To learn more about the campaign and how to get your company involved, visit www.chamberchase.com or e-mail cgolson@mobilechamber.com.

MONEY-SAVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP No.50

KNOW THE FACTS ABOUT FILTERS. By David S. Stewart Alabama Power Company

Replacing a dirty air filter is one of the simplest, most cost-effective measures you can take. I’ll be the first one to tell you that it’s easy to forget about air filters. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Well, guess what happens when you crank up the A/C or heat with a dirty air filter? That’s right, you’re just blowing money away. A dirty air filter wastes energy because it slows down air flow and makes your system work harder to keep you warm or cool. The best thing you can do to maximize your heating and cooling efficiency is to check your filter every month, especially when it’s really hot or really cold outside. At a minimum, you should change the filter every three months. Most filters are really inexpensive and it may make sense to just buy a bunch of them to have on hand. Just remember: a dirty air filter can cost you more than a clean one.

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The Business View | JULY 2011 23 5/5/11 1:24 PM

CEO profile

Owen Bailey Company: University of South Alabama (USA) Children’s & Women’s Hospital Title: Administrator Hometown: Mobile Education: Bailey holds a bachelor’s degree in health administration from Auburn University and a master’s degree in health administration from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. First job: Bailey worked as a busboy for Constantine’s restaurant in Mobile. Previous experience: Prior to Bailey’s current position, he served as executive vice president for community and governmental affairs for Infirmary Health System, and before that he was president and chief executive officer of Thomas Hospital in Fairhope. Bailey has more than 20 years of healthcare experience. Accomplishments: Throughout his career, Bailey has received numerous awards including the Up and Comer Award from Modern Healthcare magazine and the Young Healthcare Executive of the Year and Regent’s Award from the Alabama Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives. What changes can we expect at the hospital? The hospital is currently undergoing a major expansion scheduled to be completed in 2013, nearly doubling its size, Bailey said. The 200,000-square-foot addition will feature more space for the hospital’s neonatal and pediatric intensive care units, additional operating rooms, and larger patient rooms to better accommodate visitors and families. Vital support services such as an enlarged cafeteria and kitchen, professional teaching and community education space are also included in the five-level expansion. Secret to success: “Servant leadership and working with a team of people you can trust and respect,” said Bailey. Brief company description: USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital is among fewer than 10 free-standing hospitals in the country dedicated specifically to the healthcare needs of children and women, providing neonatal and pediatric intensive care units, pediatric oncology, sickle cell outpatient center and high-risk obstetrical care.

24 JULY 2011 | The Business View

Chamber Honors New CEOs

The Mobile Area Chamber held a reception for the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new CEOs. The reception, sponsored by Hand Arendall LLC, was attended by Chamber board of directors, board of advisors, Partners for Growth investors and elected officials. New CEOs honored during the reception, pictured from left to right, are: Jay Burdette, Alabama Power/ Barry Steam Plant; Gregg Gustafson, Mobile Symphony; Leslie Beard, C.H. Robinson Worldwide; Bob Sain, Centre for the Living Arts; Lance Covan, Mitternight Boiler Works; Bill McLaughlin, Thomas Hospital; and Daniel Dennis, Roberts Brothers.

The Business View | JULY 2011

How to Survive a Business Startup Owning a business is the American dream for many people, but how do you go about it? The Mobile Area Chamber’s small business development department receives lot of inquiries about how to start a business. Usually, one of the first questions is, “How do I get a business license?” “That’s easy,” says Danette Richards, the Chamber’s director of small business. “You just write a check.” Actually, there are numerous issues to take into account before starting the business. Here are a few important things you need to consider. What It Takes Know starting a business is not going to be easy. The hours will be long, decisions will be difficult, there will be risks, and the rewards will be delayed. You might even wonder from time to time if it’s worth all the effort.

It takes passion, dedication and a willingness to sacrifice. Because it’s not easy, your family must be on board with the decision to start the business. They must understand and accept the sacrifice. Since revenues are invested back into the business during a startup phase, disposable income for luxuries will be limited, and that could mean postponing vacations, driving older vehicles, and eliminating dining out and shopping trips. Why Are You in Business? Know why you’re starting your business. Customers buy a product or service that solves a problem. What problem are you solving for your potential customers? Understand why someone will purchase your product or service. How is your solution better than your competitors’?

Plan A. Plan B. Make realistic projections. You must have a business plan. Developing a business plan determines if your business has a chance of success. Most business plans are written as if everything will go right, but what is the plan for the worstcase scenario? You should also have a contingency plan. There are always unexpected challenges. How will your business weather them? Be Your No. 1 Investor Use your own money. Save up as much money as possible before starting. It can take months or years to make a profit. If not financially prepared, new business owners may have to take out home equity loans or use credit cards to make their payments, only adding more debt.

And despite what you hear on latenight television, there is no government agency or private foundation handing out free money to start small businesses, regardless of the money-seeker’s gender, ethnicity or economic status. Cash is King Protect your money. Don’t spend it unwisely; evaluate every purchase. Any revenue that can be funneled back into the business should be. This habit helps improve the financial soundness of the business. To learn more about starting a small business, or for a free and confidential oneon-one counseling session, contact the Mobile SCORE chapter, housed at the Mobile Area Chamber, at 431-8614, or visit online at www. score.org.

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26 JULY 2011 | The Business View

investor

focus

The SSI Group Inc.

Pictured in the lobby of SSI headquarters off University Boulevard, are Bobby Smith, president and chief executive officer (seated). Standing, from left to right, are Doug Bilbrey, executive vice president of sales and marketing; Deborah Short, vice president and chief operating officer; and Jimmy Lyons, vice president and chief financial officer.

Company Officials: Bobby E. Smith, president and chief executive officer; James M. Lyons, vice president and chief financial officer; Deborah J. Short, vice president and chief operating officer; and Douglas J. Bilbrey, executive vice president, sales and marketing Years in Business: 23 years Brief Company Description: The 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.

SSI Group Inc. is a national information technology company supporting provider, payer and physician services in managing revenue cycle recovery, processing 311 million transactions nationally. This includes claims processing (ASP, direct and clearinghouse) and document management, as well as revenue cycle outsourcing (early out, collections and billing). Established in 1988, the company maintains corporate headquarters in Mobile, with branch facilities in Clearwater,

Fla.; Denver; and Chesapeake, Va. The company supports more than 2,200 customers nationwide. Why are you located in Mobile?

“The company had its beginnings here,” said Lyons. “Over the past 20-plus years of operation, we have been able to attract and maintain a competent, highly motivated, well-trained and professional workforce.” Why do you support the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce’s Partners for Growth initiative?

“SSI supports the Partners for Growth Initiative because we believe in the goals set forth in the initiative,” said Lyons. “Retention and expansion of existing business, new business development, workforce development and infrastructure advancement are all important keys in achieving better economic development for the Mobile region. SSI also appreciates

that the Chamber has tasked the business community, the public sector and other area leaders with deciding what the region needs in order to continue to be successful in the future.” What do you see as Mobile’s greatest potential? “We believe

Mobile’s greatest potential lies in its people,” said Lyons. “The impact of the Partners for Growth initiative should be felt at every level, and all people should realize a significant benefit, whether it be in education, wages, job creation or overall infrastructure. The lives of Mobile citizens will be better due to the successful implementation of this economic development program.” Length of Chamber Membership: Since 1988

The Business View | JULY 2011

Comparative

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

April 2011 vs April 2010

Employed Mobile/Baldwin counties

Business Licenses City of Mobile

Average Selling Price Mobile County

247,077 2011

223 2011

233,335 2010

232 2010

$130,869 2011 $138,510 2010

Homes Soldâ&#x152;Ś

Building Permits

Unemployment Rates 9.6% 2011 11.3% 2010

Mobile County

292 2011 326 2010

MOBILE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESENTS

City of Mobile

211 2011 269 2010

Value of Building Permits $12,654,444 2011 $10,827,189 2010

Air Passengers From Mobile Area 23,869 2011 23,602 2010

Get Connected Lunch

11:30 am to 1 pm Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center Reservations required $25 for members/$30 for non-members Sponsored by Aker Solutions

Business Expo

1 pm to 6 pm Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center FREE Admission with business card

Helping businesses get connected to success with a day of business resources, information and networking activities.

Presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama

Business Resource Fair

1 pm to 6 pm Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center FREE Admission with business card Sponsored by State of Alabama Office of Small Business Advocacy

Expo After Hours

Call 431-8638 or visit www.mobilechamber.com/getconnected.asp. 28 JULY 2011 | The Business View

6:30 pm to 8 pm Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel FREE Admission with business card

Chamber@work New Advisor Named Royal Engineering Inc., a New Orleansbased firm with a new presence in Mobile, recently joined the Chamber’s Board of Advisors. The group represents key businesses whose significant dues investment leads the way in funding the Chamber’s programs and initiatives. To date there are 235 companies who make up the board.

Board of Advisors

Member Grand Openings and Ribbon Cuttings Coastal Industrial Supply LLC, American Heart Association/Springhill Medical Center Start! Walking Day and Yolo Dessert Bar recently held grand openings and ribbon cuttings. If your business is a member and you would like assistance with planning a grand opening or ribboncutting event, contact Kim Dale at 4318649 or kdale@mobilechamber.com.

The Rev. Richard P. Salmi S.J. became the 38th president of Spring Hill College in June 2009. Prior to his appointment at Spring Hill, Salmi served as vice president for student affairs at Loyola University Chicago. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Ohio University, a master’s in speech communications from Bowling Green State University, a master of divinity degree from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Boston College. Salmi serves on the board of trustees at Le Moyne College and is a founding member and director of the Association for Student Affairs at Catholic Colleges and Universities.

Saxon R. Michael “Mike” Saxon is vice president of Alabama Power’s Mobile Division. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida and a master’s of business administration from Troy University. He has worked for Southern Company since 1974. Saxon currently serves on United Way of Southwest Alabama’s board of trustees; the Mobile Area Chamber’s board of directors, where he is vice chair of finance; Alabama School of Mathematics and Science foundation board; the University of South Alabama industrial advisory board; and the Regions Bank South Alabama area advisory board. Alabama Power is a Partners for Growth Investor. For more information about the Chamber’s board of advisors, contact Katrina Dewrell at 431-8611 or kdewrell@mobilechamber.com.

BayBears Host Chamber Night In May, the Mobile BayBears welcomed Chamber members for a special evening of baseball. Chamber Chairman Robbie Baker threw out the first pitch, and Chamber staffer Jackie Davidson sang the national anthem. Chamber members were also involved with various games in between innings.

Credit Card Payments Secure and Quick Chamber members and guests who have grown accustomed to paying for Chamber events at the door can now pay by credit card and be assured the payments are secure. The Chamber is using Square, a service for processing payments on iPhones. The mobile payment system, developed by Twitter creator Jack Dorsey, eliminates writing credit card numbers down manually at offsite Chamber events.

Chamber Receives Award of Excellence The Chamber received the Award of Excellence for a “Single Community with a Population over 50,000” from Business Retention and Expansion International. The Chamber’s “Impact of the Oil & Gas Task Force on Economic Development” was recognized for outstanding marketing and improvement of the area’s business climate.

Chamber Names New Diplomats Diplomats are a group of volunteer members who assist the Chamber with a variety of projects, including event registration, member visits and attending ribbon cuttings. New diplomats are: • Robyn Anderson, Commonwealth National Bank • Michael Banks, B & C Trucking LLC • Barbara Estes, Brock Safety Group • Darlene Gaubert, Delta Sanitation • Quineisha House, B & C Trucking LLC • Larry Hunter, Bay Bank • Kasie Irby, Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union • Lisa Bethea Kavanagh, University of South Alabama • Be Phetsinorath, Chiropractic Works PC • Will Ramsey, State Farm Insurance McElhaney Insurance Agency Inc. • Michael Sullivan, Rutherford, a division of Marsh & McLennan Agency • Debra Williamson, Office Depot Business Solutions Division To learn more about this group, contact Kim Dale at 431-8649 or kdale@ mobilechamber.com.

Tourism is Economic Development In support of the Mobile Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau’s (MBCVB) National Tourism Week celebration, the Chamber participated in a variety of events to promote the value of tourism in the Mobile Bay area. The Chamber hosted a booth during a tourism rally held at Cooper Riverside Park along with more than 25 MBCVB partners.

Banker

Photo by Jeff Tesney

Salmi

Diplomat of the Month Trish Banker is a retired vice president and branch manager from Regions Bank, and a 23-year veteran diplomat. In 1994, Banker was named Diplomat of the Year. Banker continues to actively serve in Chamber Chase and the Chamber’s Chairman’s Circle.

The Business View | JULY 2011

Chamber@work Fusion Spa Salon Named Business Spotlight of the Month

Pictured back row: Christian Hinrichs, Tandy Hinrichs, Marleana Belser, Julie Martin, Brittny Langan. Front row: Liko Crump, Robyn Kinsey, Cindy Roberts, Shani Tinsley, Ashley Swearingen, Melissa Wheeler and Greg Pierce assist clients at Fusion Spa’s Legacy Village location on Du Rhu Dr.

Fusion Spa Salon is a full-service, total body and hair care salon providing Aveda (botanically-based products) skin treatments and massages as well as nail care. The salon serves both men and women at seven locations – four in Alabama and three in Florida. Its Mobile store is located in Legacy Village off Dauphin Street, near I-65. For more information, visit www.be-fusion.com. The Business Spotlight of the Month is selected at random from a business card drawing at the Chamber’s monthly Business After Hours event.

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.

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30 JULY 2011 | The Business View

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4 13

Chamber Closed

Networking@Noon *Members Only

Get the undivided attention of 40 business professionals at Networking@Noon. This bi-monthly event is set for Wednesday, July 13, at the Chamber, 451 Government St., from noon to 1:30 p.m. It is exclusive to Mobile Area Chamber members and limited to one representative per company. The cost is $10 and includes lunch catered by Roly Poly. Reservations and advance payment are required no later than July 11, and can be made by contacting Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or mhartley@ mobilechamber.com. Reservations not cancelled by July 11 must be honored to cover the cost of the lunch.

July Calendar of Events 19

Executive Roundtable

*Members Only

Economic development reaches into small business development. This month’s Executive Roundtable speaker is Steve Russell, the Chamber’s director of business retention and expansion, who will present “The Business Retention and Expansion Program: How It Works and Why It’s Important.” The monthly forum is exclusively for Chamber member small business owners and managers will meet Tuesday, July 19, from 8 to 9 a.m. in the Mobile Area Chamber’s Board Room. There is no charge to attend, but seating is limited. For reservations contact Brenda Rembert at 431-8607 or brembert@ mobilechamber.com.

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The Path to Business Finance

For information on Chamber events, visit

events.mobilechamber.com.

When business owners need capital for expansion, equipment, inventory, or other needs what do they do? The Mobile Area Chamber is holding a workshop geared to help business owners prepare to approach lenders. Understand what lenders look for, and hear a panel of lending experts discuss the normal avenues to acquire financing, and introduce you to alternative capital resources. The workshop will be held Tuesday, July 20, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Chamber, 451 Government St. The cost to attend is $29 for Chamber members and $39 for non-members. Contact Brenda Rembert at 431-8607 or brembert@ mobilechamber.com. by Friday, July 15, to register.

Join us.

Group - Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce linkedin.com

mobilechamber.com/ chamberblog.asp

Business After Hours/Contacts and Contracts Combining with the Chamber’s Contacts and Contracts event, this month’s Business After Hours is an even greater venue to introduce your company and make new contacts while networking with other small and minority business owners and entrepreneurs. Join Chamber members and Diplomats Thursday, July 21, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Ashbury Hotel & Suites, 600 W. I-65 Service Rd. The cost to attend is only $5 for members and $10 for potential members. Reservations are not needed.

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The Business View | JULY 2011

Member News Who’s New

Lancaster

Koch

Armbrecht Jackson LLP announced it added William R. Lancaster as a partner and H. James Koch and Latisha D. Rhodes as new associates. Rhodes X The Community Foundation of South Alabama named Alvertha B. Penny president and chief executive officer. Penny previously served the California Community Foundation as senior vice president of programs. Penny succeeds 26-year veteran Thomas H. Davis Jr., who retired in March.

John A. Shelton is the new vice president and chief operating officer (COO) for Infirmary Health System Inc. Shelton graduated from The Shelton University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in commerce and business administration and a master’s degree in public administration. He has more than 25 years of healthcare experience and most recently served as executive vice president and COO of DeKalb Regional Health System in Atlanta. X Cornerstone Investment Management & Consulting hired Haden Oswalt as marketing coordinator. Oswalt earned a Oswalt bachelor’s in human and organizational development from Vanderbilt University. X Dr. Carole Boudreaux was appointed assistant dean for graduate medical education at the University of South Alabama Boudreaux College of Medicine. Boudreaux earned a medical degree from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine. She previously served as the university’s pathology residency program director for several years. X

Stevens

Flood

Weichert Realtors - Premiere Properties welcomed new agents Debi Stevens and Kristel Flood. X Jason Cooper was promoted to operations director for Cash America Pawn. He is a 16-year employee and a 1994 graduate of Auburn Cooper University. 32 JULY 2011 | The Business View

RBC Bank named Vince Hughes banking center manager for RBC Bank in Fairhope. Hughes brings more than 20 years banking Hughes and mortgage experience to his new role. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of South Florida and is a Certified Mortgage Planner. X J.E.B. Shell CPA was appointed chief financial officer for Hargrove Engineers + Constructors. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting Shell from the University of South Alabama. He was also recently named one of Mobile Bay magazine’s “40 under 40” for 2010. X

Business Endeavors The Architects Group and JubileeScape were chosen to help design and construct the newly announced Monroeville Amphitheater in Monroeville, Ala. The amphitheater will include portable seating, a courtyard and improved landscaping for the west lawn of the historic Old Monroe County Courthouse and Museum. In other news, TAG completed a 39unit senior living complex in Daphne constructed by J. F. Pate and Associates Contractor. Construction on a similar TAG design is set to begin in Citronelle. X Kingdom Coach charter bus company added 2,300 square feet of office space, a driver area and a drive-through wash bay to clean buses indoors. X Verizon Wireless customers in Mobile are now be able to surf the web, download files and share music and photos up to 10 times faster than before with Verizon Wireless’ 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network, launched in May.

Well Done Delaporte

Jernigan

Rowe

Scyphers

Red Square Agency hired four employees. Tina Delaporte, vice president of media, earned a bachelor’s degree in advertising from the University of Southern Mississippi. Kerrie Jernigan, an internal traffic manager, earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Spring Hill College. Chris Rowe, graphic designer, holds a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from the University of South Alabama. And Mallory Scyphers, production artist, has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Auburn University.

The United Way of Southwest Alabama announced its 2011 Community Campaign Cabinet members, a group of volunteer top executives and community leaders who will work together to raise awareness of community needs and increase corporate and individual participation in the campaign. The following Chamber members are included: Cammie Singleton, Coastal Human Resource Group Inc.; Christopher King, Roberts Brothers Inc.; Danny Sirmon, Zebra Marketing; Julie Taylor, St. Paul’s Episcopal School; Carolyn Golson, Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce; Danisha Maye, RBC Bank; John Jeffries, Wilkins Miller Hieronymus LLC; Edward O’Gwynn III, BB&T; Allan Gustin, White-Spunner Construction Inc.; Michael Saxon, Alabama Power Co.; Brooks Milling, Hand Arendall LLC; Becky Tate, University of South Alabama Health Services; Ken Brown and Joel Daves IV, Regions Bank; and Beth Morrissette, Manufacturer’s Packaging Services, who is the campaign chair. Michon Trent and Elizabeth Minto are community volunteers.

Armbrecht Jackson LLP announced Edward A. Dean, Richard W. Franklin, W. Boyd Reeves, Kirk C. Shaw and Norman E. Waldrop Jr. were named to the Alabama Super Lawyers list for 2011. Benjamin Y. Ford was named to the 2011 Alabama Rising Star list. X Tommy Gleason of Gleason & Associates earned the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation. Gleason Gleason is now certified in commercial real estate brokerage, leasing, asset management, valuation and investment analysis. X Dr. Samuel Strada, dean of the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, received the 2011 Alumni Achievement Award Strada from the University of Missouri at Kansas City (UMKC). Strada received a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and a master’s degree in pharmacology from UMKC, as well as a doctorate in pharmacology from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tenn. X Dr. Thomas Lincoln, professor and chair of physiology at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, was awarded a Lincoln research grant for his research focusing on improving care for patients living with inflammatory vascular disorders. His efforts were funded through a three-year research grant by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) totaling $1.2 million.

Judy Burnham, director of the University of South Alabama College of Medicine Biomedical Library, was renewed for membership in the Burnham Academy of Health Information Professionals (AHIP) at the Distinguished Member level. AHIP is the Medical Library Association’s peer-reviewed professional development and career recognition credentialing program. X Matt White, president of WhiteSpunner and Associates, was selected to serve as a member of Alabama Commercial Real White Estate (ACRE) Annual Leadership Council. White, a University of Alabama graduate, is a licensed real estate broker in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana and holds a certified public accountant (CPA) license for the state of Alabama. X

Pope

Three teachers from the Mobile County Public School System received $500 for their classrooms from RBC Bank. Nicole Callaghan of Kate Shepard Elementary School, Christy LeGros of Theodore High School and Ashley Weaver of Morningside Elementary School were among 50 “Tribute to Teachers” recipients selected from 2,200 nominees. X The Public Relations Council of Alabama recently awarded its highest honor, the Philip Ryder Forrest Jr. Professional Achievement Award, Jenkins to Jennifer Jenkins APR, president of JJPR LLC, a public relations and marketing firm. She graduated from The University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in public relations. X Hargrove Engineers + Constructors was selected by Construction Industry Institute (CII) as a leading company in professional development. The company received the 2011 Professional Development Award given by CII to companies improving the effectiveness of the U.S. construction industry.

Community News The Alabama Power Foundation donated $10,000 to the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center in support of a new corporate partnership program that supplements the cost of “field lessons,” featuring curriculum-relevant education demonstrations, interactive exhibits and lab programming. X The Mobile Bay National Estuary Program received $225,000 in matching grants for cities in Mobile and Baldwin counties. The funds will be used for projects to protect, restore and enhance watersheds and wetlands along the Mobile Bay estuary. Chickasaw received $20,000; Daphne, $15,000; Fairhope, $50,000; Foley, $82,500; and Orange Beach, $57,500. 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.

Dees

Prudential Cooper & Co., Inc. Realtors’ Commercial Division received a CoStar Power Broker Award for the “best of the best” in commercial real estate brokerage. The award spotlights individuals with the highest transaction volume in commercial property sales or leases for the year in their respective market. In addition, sales associates Tim Pope and Sheree Dees received sales professional awards from Prudential National. Pope placed first in Alabama for residential units, and Dees won third place in Alabama for residential GCI, or total income earned in residential sales.

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic PC.......... 30 Alabama Power Co..................................23 BankTrust................................................21 BB&T..........................................................6 Burr Forman...........................................12 Community Bank...................................26 DEX Imaging............................................2 Gwin’s Commercial Printing.................22 Harris Business Machines......................25 Hixardt Technologies..............................31

Interstate Printing & Graphics Inc....... 30 Lagniappe................................................33 Mensura Capital LLC..............................11 Premier Medical Management............... 8 RBC Bank................................................35 Safety Source.......................................... 30 Sweat Tire................................................22 The University of Alabama.....................19 Whitney Bank............................................5 Wonderland Express...............................32 The Business View | JULY 2011

Anniversaries Members Are Our Greatest Asset!

35 YEARS

General Machinery Co. Inc. Gulf Coast Federal Credit Union KBR Masland Carpets LLC

30 YEARS

Colonial Trailways Inc.

20 YEARS

Brett Real Estate, Robinson Development Co. Inc. BugMaster Exterminators Inc. Cardiology Associates Frazer, Greene, Upchurch & Baker LLC Gwin’s Commercial Printing System Scale Corp. World Omni Financial Corp.

15 YEARS

Alford, Clausen & McDonald LLC G.A. West & Co. Inc. Golden Stevedoring Co. Inc. Mobile United/Leadership Mobile Parkway Animal Hospital S. J. & L. General Contractors SouthernLINC Wireless

10 YEARS

Administration Partners LLC The Bellwether Group Coastal Clinical Research ExxonMobil Gulf Coast Chapter NECA Outback Steakhouse Charles R. Walton DMD PC

5 YEARS

Alter Metal Recycling Century Bank - Tillman’s Corner Office Express Employment Professionals Holiday Inn - Downtown Historic Mobile Lynn Nolen Construction Inc. Villa Dauphine Walt Vickers DMD

1-4 YEARS

ADS Fire & Security Systems Aerotek Airbus Americas Engineering Inc. Airwind Creative/MyShotz.com Alabama Credit Union All Clean Filters Amber Lane Designs American Rental & Power Equipment Inc. AseraCare BancorpSouth Bay City Underwriters Berg Spiral Pipe Corp. Biehl & Co. LP Bienville Capital Management LLC Birmingham Rail and Locomotive Co. Bluegill Restaurant Inc.

Brasfield & Gorrie LLC Cafe Royal Campbell, Duke & Campbell Continental Safety Compliance LLC Copy Products Co. Damrich Coatings Inc. Delta Commercial Cleaning The Delta Institute DSI Security Services Byron Dunn, Gulf States Shipbuilders Consortium elg HANIEL Firehouse Subs Graybar Gulf Coast Dermatology & Skin Care Centre LLC Gulf Supply Co. Inc. GulfQuest Hampton Inn & Suites Mobile Downtown/ Historic District Heffernan & Associates Inc. Hilton Garden Inn - Mobile West Hoar Program Management Homewood Suites by Hilton - Mobile East Bay Daphne Honeywell International Insphere Insurance Solutions J.C. Duke & Associates, General Contractors Inc. JJPR Kesco KONE Inc. Kumon Math and Reading Center Longleaf Machining LLC Mamun - REMAX Partners Meggie B’s Mensura Capital LLC Mobile Council, Navy League of U.S. Mobile Mystery Dinner Theater Mobile Solvent and Supply Inc. Nelco Commercial Maintenance Inc. The Palette Café Polish Precision Tune Auto Care PTI Group USA LLC Ranger Environmental Services LLC RBC Bank Remedial Services Inc. Ross Maritime Slaton Moving & Warehouse SourcePointeHR Southern Glass Inc. Southern Oil Exploration Inc. Southern Turf Landscape LLC Southlake Capital LLC SouthPoint Bank Starr Textile Services Syn-Fab Inc. Technical Specialties Inc. UPS VFP Fire Systems Inc. Walmart Neighborhood Market #4657 Weight Watchers Dr. Sonya White Wisepreneur

Please show your support through the patronage of these businesses.

34 JULY 2011 | The Business View

New Members

If you know of a company interested in benefitting from Chamber membership, contact Tricia Seibt at 431-8642 or Rebecca Milam at 431-8647. View the complete membership directory at www.mobilechamber.com.

Clip and add to your Membership Directory. Accumulative Maintenance Group Marlon M. Armstead 717 Owens St. Prichard, AL 36610 251-366-4538 Services

Gilmore Services Inc. Kil Yim 31 E. Fairfield Dr. Pensacola, FL 32501 251-279-0067 www.gilmoreservices.com Document Destruction

Bagby & Russell Electric Co. Inc. Rosemary Lemaster 513 W. I-65 Service Rd. N. Mobile, AL 36608 251-344-5987 www.bagrus.com Electrical Contractor

Hampton Inn & Suites Orange Beach Brenda Lazenby 25518 Perdido Beach Blvd. Orange Beach, AL 36561 251-923-4400 www.orangebeachsuites. hamptoninn.com Hotels & Suites

Bay Area Computer Services Tom Forsberg 9965 Johnson Rd. S. Mobile, AL 36695 251-591-2637 www.bacomputerservices.com Computer-Networking BGR The Burger Joint Scott Pulliam 3972 Airport Blvd. Mobile, AL 36608 251-414-9949 www.bgrtheburgerjoint.com Restaurants The Bull Leigh Mims 609 Dauphin St. Mobile, AL 36602 251-378-5091 www.thebullrestaurant.com Restaurants Café 615 Brad Fuller 615 Dauphin St. Mobile, AL 36602 251-432-8434 www.Cafe615mobile.com Restaurants Cash America Pawn Jason Cooper 5631 Old Pascagoula Rd. Mobile, AL 36619 251-648-9051 www.cashamerica.com Pawnbrokers Cash America Pawn Matt Zaden 926 S. Hwy. 43 Saraland, AL 36571 251-648-9051 www.cashamerica.com Pawnbrokers Comfort Keepers Whitney Jordan 273 Azalea Rd., Ste. 2-308 Mobile, AL 36609 251-338-2755 www.comfortkeepers.com Home Care Services Direct Communications Collier Craft 604 Lake Colony Pointe Birmingham, AL 35242 205-969-1331 Communications Services

Infinity Global Technologies Inc. (IGT) E. Jason Alidor Sr. 3995 Cottage Hill Rd., Ste. A Mobile, AL 36609 251-661-2118 www.infinityglobal.com Telephone Communication Services M & A Stamp & Sign Co. Inc. M. Basil McNeely 213 St. Michael St. Mobile, AL 36602 251-433-4550 www.mastamp.com Rubber Stamps/Seals/Signs

Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services Sonya L. Charles 3 W. Garden St., Ste. 500 Pensacola, FL 32502 251-473-9244 www.officepride.com Janitorial Service Paint Party Studios Renee Wallace 6808 Airport Blvd., Ste. G Mobile, AL 36608 251-343-2423 www.paintpartystudios.com Artist’s Studio Patches Lounge Deborah Wilson 5100 Girby Rd. Mobile, AL 36693 251-661-8028 www.facebook.com/ patcheslounge Lounge Kristopher A. Portacci DDS PC Dr. Kristopher A. Portacci 2 N. Florida St. Mobile, AL 36607 251-478-9164 www.portaccidds.com Dentists

Max Force Racing LLC Tommy Praytor 3828 Michael Blvd. Mobile, AL 36608 251-343-2929 www.maxforceracing.com Race Team

Royal Engineers & Consultants William Carroll 2970 Cottage Hill Rd. Mobile, AL 36606 504-309-4129 www.royalengineering.net Engineers

Maxx Automotive & Tire Chris McDonald 5630 Hwy. 90 W. Theodore, AL 36582 251-653-6244 www.maxxautomotive.com Automotive Service and Towing

Southern Safety LLC Mendy Dahl 161 St. Michael St. Mobile, AL 36602 228-623-8810 www.thesouthernsafety.com Employee Staffing

Mills Harvey & Crouch Electrical Contractors Inc. (MHC Electric) Robert Mills 22461 Miflin Rd. Foley, AL 36535 251-943-2200 Electric Contractors

Staggers Properties LLC Bentley Staggers 3891 Symphony Way E. Semmes, AL 36575 251-680-5288 www.bentleysells.com Real Estate

Mobile Bay Coins Nancy Marchlewski 2104 Government St. Mobile, AL 36606 251-725-1590 www.mobilebaycoins.com Coin Dealers Supplies

Talk Source Inc. Wanda Wilson 960 S. Schillinger Rd. S., Ste. A Mobile, AL 36695 251-639-8255 www.talksource.com Cellular Telephone Sales & Service

Mobile International Speedway Rick Crawford 7800 Park Blvd. Irvington, AL 36544 251-957-2063 www.mobilespeedway.net Race Tracks

University of South Alabama Army ROTC William Hurd 551 University Blvd. N., Room 124 Mobile, AL 36688 251-460-6341 www.southalabama.edu/armyrotc Schools-Business & Vocational As of 4/30/11

All our commercial clients have one thing in common. They come first. RBC Bank has specialists in financing, leasing, treasury management services and international banking. Each banking officer is committed to using their expertise to help you seize new opportunities and maximize your company’s potential for growth. Plus, we’re a part of the Royal Bank of Canada, a proven world leader. And as a member of the RBC family, we can offer you the peace of mind that comes from that relationship combined with the personal service and practical guidance you would expect from a local bank.

Cedric Hatcher | Regional President, Commercial Feel free to contact Cedric at 251-432-8611 63 S. Royal Street, Mobile

Member FDIC. ©RBC Bank (USA) 2011. ®Registered trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under license. RBC Bank is a trade name used by RBC Bank (USA) and its branch offices operate under this trade name.

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS ...is an energizing resource.

For Mobile Gas, Chamber membership is all about leadership. After all, the two organizations have existed side-by-side for 175 years, working to build the local economy. For LaBarron McClendon, the Chamber enables him to recruit business prospects that will create jobs. As one of 2,200 Chamber members, LaBarron has access to resources, exposure and networking to help his company grow and make it thrive â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you could say itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like cooking with gas.

LaBarron McClendon Mobile Gas 240 Employees Founded 1836

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