THE
BUSINESS VIEW Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
The Dollars and Cents of Public Education
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Mobile, AL Permit #346
10 Tips for Great Customer Service
October 2010 | Vol. XLI, No. 9
Chamber Readies for its 175th Anniversary
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| The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
THE BUSINESS VIEW is published monthly, except for the combined issue of December/January, by the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce 451 Government Street, Mobile, AL 36602 (251) 433-6951 www.mobilechamber.com ©2010
CONTENTS
Publisher.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Winthrop M. Hallett III Executive Editor.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leigh Perry-Herndon Managing Editor.. .. . . . . . .. . . Susan Rak-Blanchard Copy Editor.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cori Yonge
ON THE COVER THE
BUSINESS VIEW
Additional Writers and Editors
Nedra Bloom, Ashley Horn, Michelle Roberts Matthews, Carolyn Wilson Printing Services.. . . . . . . . Interstate Printing/Direct Mail Graphic Design .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . Wise Design Inc. Advertising Account Executive.. .. . . . . . . . René Eiland
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
431-8635 reiland@mobilechamber.com
ADVERTISERS
19-22 Funding and budget for the Mobile County Public School System
Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic PC.....................................28 Alabama Power Co.......................................................... 15 BancorpSouth.................................................................... 4 BankTrust......................................................................... 26 BayFest.............................................................................. 32 Burr Forman LLP............................................................18 CH fulfillment services.................................................... 32 Community Bank.............................................................11 DEX Imaging..................................................................... 2 Gaylord C. Lyon & Co. Inc............................................. 15 Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club and Spa...........17 Gulf Coast Exploreum..................................................... 29 Gwin’s Commercial Printing.......................................... 16 Hand Arendall LLC.......................................................... 23 Infirmary Health System................................................. 14 Interstate Printing........................................................... 30 JubileeScape....................................................................... 9 Lagniappe......................................................................... 34 Local 15............................................................................ 16 Meyer Real Estate.............................................................. 4 Mobile Regional Airport.................................................. 39 Mr. Electric.......................................................................28 MyShotz............................................................................ 33 Online Payroll Services Inc............................................. 15 Premier Medical Management........................................27 RBC Bank......................................................................... 22 Safe Archives.....................................................................21 Safety Source.................................................................... 33 United Way of Southwest Alabama................................ 12 WAVENet Technologies.....................................................31 Whitney National Bank...................................................28 Wilkins Miller Hieronymus LLC........................................7 Windmill Market................................................................ 4
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.
5-7 The Mobile Area Chamber plans for its 175th anniversary in 2011
24-27 Great customer service is the key to success On the cover: The downtown McDonald’s Store Manager Patricia Harrison and Clerk Jawanna May are part of the McDonald’s team who was honored for its customer service. See story on pages 24-27. Photo by Ashley Horn
F E A T U R E S
M O N T H LY F O C U S
8 News You Can Use – Positive updates for area and state businesses
12 Small Business of the Month: Café Royal
10-11 ETC – Organizational updates and business briefs
29 Business Spotlight of the Month: Club Sun Tanning Salon
13-14 Mobile Infirmary turns 100
29 Diplomat of the Month: Millie Sue Hawk, Business Link
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30 Investor Focus: Russell Thompson Butler & Houston LLP 31 Investor Focus: Teledyne Continental Motors Inc. 33 Board of Advisors Profiles 34 Chamber@Work 34 Economic Indicators 35 Calendar 36-37 Member News 37 Anniversaries 38 New Members
16-17 Minority businesses recognized during annual dinner 32 Chamber new hires and promotions
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce | The Business View | OCTOBER 2010
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| The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
A Look Back... T
his issue of The Business View kicks off a historical look at the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce since it was incorporated in 1836. Over the next year, as the Chamber celebrates its 175th anniversary, various issues of The Business View will present a segment of the Chamber’s history with a related story about a special topic from that period. First, we’ll begin with the Chamber’s first 100 years, from 1836 to 1936. The records for that stretch are incomplete, but it was a time when the Chamber focused on cotton and coal, waterways and roads. Building roads meant building bridges. The highlight piece for the first century will focus on a Chamber-led project to build a bridge to Baldwin County and later efforts to free the Cochrane bridge from tolls. In the first quarter of the second century – from 1936 to 1961 – we see a Chamber focused once again on the roads and bridges, seaport growth and labor legislation needed to maintain a healthy economy in a rapidly growing city. And suddenly, in the 1950s, the Chamber backs away from almost all its traditional work to plunge into real estate development. The highlight piece for those years will look at the Chamber’s real estate venture on Dauphin Island and the successful program to obtain a bridge for easy access. The history of the quarter from 1961 to 1986 shows a Chamber that’s back to business – struggling to obtain funding for the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, encouraging development of the University of South Alabama and its medical school, and leading the tourism and economic developmentefforts for the region with assistance from the city and county. Brookley Field will be the highlight for this time period. While Mobilians were assured in 1945 Brookley would become “the mother port of the Southeast,” the federal presence suddenly evaporated in the 1960s – draining jobs as quickly as they’d been added 20 years earlier. The Chamber worked tirelessly to attract new industry to the site and develop a new life for the defunct base.
When we reach the most recent quarter century, 1986 to the present, we’ll find topics that seem as current as newspaper headlines – particularly an emphasis on economic development and the Chamber’s role in revitalizing downtown Mobile.
We’ll close out the series with a look to the future – what’s next for the Chamber in its almost two-century efforts to improve the economic energy of Mobile.
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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The Business View | OCTOBER 2010
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Chamber Minutes Offer a Slice of History F or almost a century, the history of the Mobile Area Chamber has been documented in meeting minutes – 15 thick red binders of minutes housed in a locked closet near the Chamber’s board room. The first 80 years of Chamber history, unfortunately, were lost to fire in 1917. For Nedra Bloom, a freelance writer contracted by the Chamber, reading those minutes has been more than a view of the Chamber. It’s been a chance to see a slice of history through the eyes of Mobile’s business community – as the events of the outside world make their way into comments and resolutions. When the minutes begin, World War I is in progress. It makes its way into the minutes in only a couple of entries – a 1917 effort to bring a machine gun cantonment to the area and a note that railroads are forbidden from belonging to the business group during the war. The 1918 flu epidemic strikes the minutes as Chamber members volunteered to drive food, ice and medicine to flu victims and to lend their automobiles to doctors and nurses visiting the sick. In 1921, the Chamber considers a project to eradicate the Argentine ant. Though the Chamber is first and foremost a business interest group, the Depression is barely registered in the minutes, except for a reference in 1930 that Mobile isn’t suffering as much as other areas. In 1933, the Chamber takes time from its business agenda to set up a committee devoted to “azalea matters,” including a plan to plant 20,000 azaleas on George Washington’s birthday. The advent of Social Security is marked in 1937 with an explanation of how payments will be handled – 1 percent from the employee’s check and 1 percent from the Chamber – and the protest that a nonprofit shouldn’t be liable for Social Security. Likewise, business leaders respond to the minimum wage bill of 1937 with a comment that any such bill is “un-American in principle.” After much argument that national wage standards are a bad idea, the Chamber attacks a report of the National Emergency Council for its declaration that “Wage differentials become in fact differentials in health and life; poor
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OCTOBER 2010
health, in turn, affects wages. The low-income belt of the South is a belt of sickness, misery and unnecessary death.” No, retorts the Chamber,
Nedra Bloom is researching and writing the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce’s history for its 175th anniversary. Bloom is a freelance writer in Mobile whose work frequently appears in The Business View, Mobile Bay, Business Alabama and Technology Alabama. She has won a number of awards from the Society of Professional Journalists (Northwest Chapter), Montana Press Women and the Press Club of Mobile. A native of the Chicago suburbs, she earned a degree in journalism from Northwestern University. citing figures showing malaria is declining, the death rate is lower than in many Eastern states and adding “that the comforts and necessities of life are acquired easier in the South.” Later in 1938, the Chamber works to get the Republic of Alabama flag back from Iowa, where it has apparently been carried as a souvenir after the occupation of Montgomery during the Civil War. The Chamber lobbies the Alabama government to request the flag and offers to send soon-to-be Chamber President Judge Ben Turner to Iowa to plead the case. The flag is eventually returned. The minutes document a 1941 request for businesses to conserve power due to “the worst water shortage in 37 years,” and discussion about moving to Day-Light Savings Time – at the same time they note the urgent need for new housing for tens of thousands of defense workers streaming into the city. By 1943, Christmas gifts to Chamber employees are in the form of War Bonds.
| The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
When the war ended, the Chamber is back to business as usual – urging better roads, additional city services and more regulations against union strikes – along with better organized efforts to promote Mobile as a tourist destination and a great location for new industry. In 1953, the Chamber embarks on one of its grandest schemes – developing Dauphin Island and building a bridge to it. For the next decade, the Chamber minutes talk almost exclusively about the Dauphin Island project as most other issues fall by the wayside. There was still enough time to endorse a bond issue for a new courthouse and new schools, support a 10-year tax exemption for Courtaulds work against a tax on airplane fuel, be delighted Brookley Air Force Base will add about 3,500 civilian workers over the next two to three years and fret over federal plans to remove the Collector of the Port from Mobile. Ken Lott, head of the Chamber’s World Trade Committee, notes the customs district was established in 1804 and adds: “Mobile was founded as a seaport, and the basis of our entire economy has always been as a seaport.” Moreover, he notes, the port is handling 17 million tons of waterborne commerce each year and he hopes the treasury department will eliminate smaller operations before Mobile’s. Back to business in the 1960s, the Chamber minutes again offer a peek at the parade of history. In 1963, Chamber members look forward with pleasure to 1964 when they expect the USS Alabama and the start of classes at the new University of South Alabama. When 1964 arrived, however, the Chamber has a new worry – writing to Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara with a plea that Brookley Air Force Base not be phased out. Other points of federal legislation are equally unpopular – particularly Medicare, increases to minimum wages and the new Civil Rights act. The next year, the Chamber passes a resolution condemning burning of draft cards, stating “demonstrations…are diametrically opposed to the principles which brought about our great country.”
Max McGill Photo Courtesy of Raymond Sells, University of South Alabama Archives
Erik Overbey Collection, University of South Alabama Archives
Continued on page 7
By 1967, the closing of Brookley is a foregone conclusion and the Chamber is developing plans to attract new industry, hoping for a commitment of $100 million in industrial investment before the
S. Marion Coffin Collection, University of South Alabama Archives
Though the Chamber has been slow to work for civil rights, the tone changes when the home of black civil rights leader John LeFlore is bombed and destroyed. The Chamber and the newspaper immediately team up, condemning the action and asking the business community to lead the way for a community effort plan to help the LeFlores rebuild. In weeks, the project raises more than enough money to rebuild LeFlores home, with enough left over to repair damage to a neighboring home.
end of the year. Aside from a continuing interest in world trade opportunities, the Chamber focuses closer to home beginning with the Brookley deal and efforts to win a medical school, get the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway in operation and bring in more industry.
Sometimes the greats of the world came here. In 1974, the Chamber takes time out to honor baseball legend and Mobile native Hank Aaron for breaking Babe Ruth’s home run record. Planning is handled by the “Henry, the Great, Committee.” And in 1976 we learn that Columbia Pictures plans to film a fulllength science fiction movie here – the movie that would become the sci-fi classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Though Chamber members planned for the future, the past was often present, like in 1966 when Chamber President H.E. Myers received a new gavel. Made by George B. Gavin of Magnolia Springs, the gavel was constructed with pine from the USS Alabama, cypress from Fort Morgan, cedar from the site of Fort Mims, oak from a door of the old Custom Building, gopher wood and mulberry. Just a little slice of history to help keep order.
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The Business View | OCTOBER 2010
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NEWS You Can Use
Positive Business News When You Need It
New Turning Basin Handles First Vessels
Nearly 100 dignitaries, elected officials and industry representatives joined the Alabama State Port Authority (ASPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in dedicating the Upper Bay Turning Basin at the Port of Mobile. Located in the lower harbor, more than a dozen ships utilized the new infrastructure in its first month. Pictured (left to right) are: U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, Jimmy Lyons, ASPA director and chief executive, Rep. Jo Bonner, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District Commander Col. Steven J. Roemhildt (USACE), U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Capt. Donald Rose, and Tim Parker, ASPA Board Chairman.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently completed the Mobile Harbor Turning Basin for the Alabama State Port Authority. The $33 million project spanned five years and included environmental clearances, design, construction and administrative oversight. Measuring 1,175 feet by 715 feet, the new turning basin makes it easier for ships to get into and out of three major terminals at the Port of Mobile. It is located in the lower harbor, between Pinto Island and Little Sand Island. “This will certainly help the port and the region expand tonnage and provide an added incentive for businesses within the Southeast region,” said Wynne Fuller, operations chief for the Corps’ Mobile district.
The new turning basin also means new business for APM Terminals, most recently known as Mobile Container Terminal, according to Brian Clark, director of APM Terminals. “The new basin will cut transit times for ships literally in half, from six to three hours. It will allow our carriers to call with larger vessels to the Port of Mobile.” Funding for the initiative has been a priority for the Mobile Area Chamber’s legislative efforts for a number of years, according to Ginny Russell, the Chamber’s vice president of community and governmental affairs. The Alabama State Port Authority served as the local sponsor for the federal project, which represents 25 percent of the turning basin construction and first-year
Ryla Employment Grows With the latest announcement that it will add 250 positions at its Mobile County call center, Ryla is beating its own projections when the company expanded to the area last year. The new positions, consisting of customer service representatives, supervisors and assistant directors, will increase staff to more than 700. When Ryla launched its Saraland regional headquarters and data center in June 2009, company officials committed to employ at least 1,200 by December 2011. “We’re pleased to be in a position to offer more opportunities sooner rather than later, and continue our commitment to long-term growth in Saraland,” said Mark 8
OCTOBER 2010
Wilson, Ryla founder and chief executive officer. “It’s not only good for Ryla, but also for the greater Mobile community and Alabama.” The company supports Fortune 500 companies and government agencies, providing customer contact services. officials emphasized, it does no telemarketing. Troy Wayman, the Mobile Area Chamber’s vice president of economic development, is glad to see Ryla’s hiring on track. “Ryla has been a good corporate citizen to our community. As Ryla and other area companies continue to expand, our economic strength continues to increase.”
maintenance cost. The balance is funded by the Corps’ previous years’ budget allocations and through funding authorized under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. “The Port of Mobile has strategically positioned itself to receive those larger
vessels,” said Jimmy Lyons, director and chief executive officer for the Port Authority. “We could not have achieved this milestone had the Corps, our elected leaders and the maritime community not pushed for funding.”
Reliability - For 174 years, the Mobile Area Chamber
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| The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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The Business View | OCTOBER 2010
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ETC Local Chef Places in a National Seafood Cook-off Local chef Wesley True of TRUE Restaurant was awarded second place during the Great American Seafood Cook-off, held in New Orleans in conjunction with the Louisiana Seafood Association’s annual convention. The competition pitted chefs from 15 states against one another, and True was runner-up for one of his signature dishes – “Shrimp Two Ways,” and was the only chef in the competition using local Gulf of Mexico seafood. TRUE owner Rick True said his son Wesley was selected to represent the
state of Alabama in the competition through the Alabama Restaurant Association and Bob Donlon with Wintzell’s Oyster House, the association’s president. CNN was in Mobile the week before the competition and interviewed Wesley for a segment broadcast the morning of the cookoff. Jeff Corwin of Animal Planet and Food Network’s “Extreme Cuisine” served as the cook-off’s celebrity host, and dishes were judged by six of the country’s leading chefs and the editor of Food Arts magazine. “Shrimp Two Ways” included shrimp poached in olive oil and a filo-crusted shrimp. This year’s winner was Dean James Max of Florida. TRUE Restaurant is located at Legacy Village at Spring Hill.
Dietitian Adds Flavor Jenny Neese is spicing things up a bit. As the Delicious Dietitian, she recently launched her own line of all-natural, heart-healthy and dietitian-approved spice blends and wine vinegars. Available in apple, blueberry, red muscadine and white muscadine flavors, and packed with antioxidants, the wine vinegars can serve as anything from a tasty salad dressing to a tenderizing meat marinade. Neese said she uses farm-fresh fruits and vegetables from Mobile and Baldwin counties. The five Zalea Zest spice blends are Southern, Southwest, Creole, Italian and Thai. Neese said what makes these different from the current options is her powder blend. “Many patients complained that what was available
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on the shelves rubbed their gums raw under dentures or other dental work and they hated this.” The 100 percent natural vinegars and spice blends are free of salt, sugar, potassium, gluten and MSG, typical ingredients avoided or limited by patients with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes or kidney disease. “Eating healthy shouldn’t have to be boring and bland,” said Neese. Neese’s collection is available at Mosley’s Meat Market and online at www.thedelicious dietitian.com. She is also talking with several local restaurants to add “The Delicious Dietitian Picks” to their menus, and hopes to have an announcement soon.
OCTOBER 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
It’s Coming and We Need Your Input The first week of October, the Mobile Area Chamber will be conducting a telephone and electronic survey to Chamber members and non-members for their input on its efforts in a variety of areas. Responses will measure the perception and value of Chamber membership; gauge the perceived mission or purpose of the Chamber; measure the acceptance and value of the Chamber’s magazine, The Business View; and prioritize specific needs of Chamber members that can be impacted by the organization. “The Chamber needs to hear from you so we can evaluate what we are doing well and what we can do better, and we hope each participant contacted will give a few minutes to help us do that,” said Leigh Perry-Herndon, the Chamber’s vice president of communications. In August, the Chamber surveyed its entire membership to help with the organization’s newest strategic plan and for input in shaping the 2011 Legislative Agenda.
Through a Child’s Lens New Exploreum Exhibit Features Art from Children Around the World Making its United States debut on Sept. 25, the international See the Bigger Picture photo exhibition is on display at the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center. Comprised of 28 photographs representing biodiversity taken by children worldwide, the exhibition showcases a stunning combination of art and science. The Exploreum will also display plants indigenous to the Gulf Coast in its courtyard during the exhibit. See the Bigger Picture originated in 2009, when Airbus, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and National Geographic launched an international photo competition for young people to submit their photographic interpretations of biodiversity. The exhibit has obtained worldwide acclaim, and has visited cities including Paris, Madrid, Hamburg and Whistler (during the Winter Olympics), and will go on to Japan later in the fall.
“With the oil spill, it’s now more important than ever to draw attention to the stunning variety and importance of nature and to encourage everyone to get involved in preserving it,” said David Trent, site director of Mobile’s Airbus Engineering Center.
Jillian Adams, 11, from Navarre, Fla., snapped this photo and was selected as the grand prize winner for the local See the Bigger Picture photo contest. Her picture, along with those of two other local children, is on display at the Exploreum with the international See the Bigger Picture exhibition.
This image by Eleanor Leonne Bennett is one of the 28 international photos on display during the See the Bigger Picture exhibit, which is making its United States debut in Mobile at the Gulf Coast Exploreum. The exhibit is presented by Airbus.
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The Business View | OCTOBER 2010
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Photo courtesy of the Mobile Press-Register 2010/Victor Calhoun, photographer.
Café Royal’s General Manager Tony Dughaish shows off some of the restaurant’s most popular cuisine.
S
mall Business of the Month
Go to mobilechamber.com/awards to submit a Small Business of the Month nomination, or contact Danette Richards at 431-8652 or drichards@mobilechamber.com.
Café Royal Since 2004, Café Royal has been serving up steak and seafood along with a side dish of Mobile history at its Dauphin Street location. The restaurant is the Mobile Area Chamber’s Small Business of the Month. Located at 101 Dauphin St., Café Royal resides on the ground floor of Alabama’s first skyscraper. The historic Van Antwerp Building was completed in 1908 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. According to Owner and General Manager Tony Dughaish, Café Royal’s location and history are a draw for customers. “We have a lot of business from executives to convention-goers being downtown and close to the convention center,” he said. “And we offer them the most luxurious dining experience in downtown Mobile.” Originally from Jerusalem, Dughaish traveled the U.S. as a hotel and casino manager before settling in Mobile as general manager of the Mobile Marriott. Acting on his passion for food, Dughaish 12
took advantage of the prime location in downtown Mobile and its position in the historic building to open his fine dining restaurant. Featured in Southern Living magazine, Food & Wine magazine and, locally, in Mobile Bay magazine, the restaurant specializes in steak and seafood entrees and offers customers a membership for monthly dining. The restaurant expanded to offer catering, weddings, meeting rooms and corporate parties and Dughaish says there is no better place for an after-rehearsal dinner than Café Royal. “We cater for any occasion for any size party on-site or off-site – and we deliver,” he added. Serving dinner Monday through Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m., Café Royal’s menu includes filet mignon, rack of lamb, veal osso bucco, seared duck, chicken pastry, a variety of desserts and specialty after-dinner drinks. “We have the largest martinis in Mobile,” added Dughaish.
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OCTOBER 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
A Century of Healthcare Mobile Infirmary Marks its Anniversary
Opened in 1910, Mobile Infirmary has treated patients in Mobile for 100 years. Above is one of the first incarnations of the Infirmary and top right is the Infirmary in 1952. Right is the Infirmary today.
T
he cornerstone of Infirmary Health System, Mobile Infirmary, marks its centennial this year. The celebration culminates this month with several events commemorating the milestone anniversary and the hospital’s rise from humble beginnings. In 1910, Mobile was a city on the verge of major growth with a population increase spurred by steel production, shipbuilding and an expanding port. With new residents came the need for a hospital, a fact recognized several years earlier by writer and Mobilian Augusta Evans Wilson, who, with a group of prominent community leaders, established the Mobile Infirmary Association. The group’s goal was to battle epidemics and illnesses in the community by establishing a hospital and nursing school. With the help of a $50,000 bond
Infirmary Health System issue and community fundraising, their dream was realized on Oct. 21, 1910, when Mobile Infirmary opened with 32 beds, four wards, operating rooms and a laboratory on Ann Street located on the north side of Springhill Avenue. A century later, Mobile Infirmary is now a 704-bed-facility with a trauma center and more than 650 physicians, making it the largest non-governmental, not-for-profit hospital in Alabama. With more than 30 operating rooms in service, Mobile Infirmary physicians perform the second highest number of surgeries in the state, according to Alabama health data records. In addition, physicians perform more than 4,000 procedures in the hospital’s heart catheterization lab and more than 700 open heart surgeries a year. Continued on page 14
Based in Mobile, the not-for-profit Infirmary Health System Inc., is a leading provider of healthcare in southwest Alabama and serves an 11-county region along the Gulf Coast. It includes four acute care hospitals, two rehabilitation hospitals, three outpatient facilities and 31 medical clinics. Among the facilities are: • Mobile Infirmary Medical Center - Mobile • Infirmary West - Mobile • Thomas Hospital - Fairhope • North Baldwin Infirmary - Bay Minette • J.L. Bedsole/Rotary Rehabilitation Hospital - Mobile • Infirmary Long Term Acute Care Hospital - Mobile • Infirmary-Eastern Shore (outpatient clinic) - Daphne • Infirmary 65 (outpatient clinic) - Mobile • Thomas Medical Center (outpatient clinic) - Daphne • Infirmary Medical Clinics (physician practices) - Mobile, Baldwin and Washington counties
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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The Business View | OCTOBER 2010
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A Century of Healthcare Continued from page 13
Under the Infirmary Health System umbrella, Mobile Infirmary has grown to include six hospitals, three outpatient diagnostic facilities and physician practices in Mobile, Baldwin and Washington counties. According to D. Mark Nix, president and chief executive officer of Infirmary Health System, the secret to longevity for the hospital is its relationship with the community, patients and employees. “We believe in our mission statement of LIFE (leadership, integrity, family and excellent service) and we have always tried to build a culture here that is not too far from our own homes.” Following both his grandfather and father as Infirmary physicians, radiologist Dr. Leon V. “Tripp” McVay agreed with Nix. “Mobile Infirmary has grown but still remained small to make everyone who visits here feel like they are home,” he said. “As a doctor, you rely on the hospital to give you the equipment you need to treat patients and Mobile Infirmary does that in all specialties,” he said. “No other hospital has as good equipment as we do here and saying you work at Mobile Infirmary is something to be proud of.”
While it’s hard to predict the next 100 years, Nix said he envisions the Infirmary becoming more consolidated – similar to UAB Hospital (University of Alabama at Birmingham has expanded with facilities in Birmingham and Montgomery) and more of a cluster of facilities. “We already partner with hospitals in Pensacola and Panama City so I predict a more regional referral area in the future,” he added. To celebrate its centennial, the Infirmary is hosting several events including a Life at its Best Gala, Saturday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. at Fort Whiting; a Centennial Celebration open house at Mobile Infirmary on Sunday, Oct. 10, from 2 to 5 p.m.; and the 17th Annual Infirmary Golf Tournament, Thursday, Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. at the Country Club of Mobile. Contact Robby McClure at 435-4447 for information about the gala or golf tournament. For information about the open house call 435-3939.
In 1950, the Mobile Infirmary auxiliary is founded with 350 active members. For 60 years, this group of volunteers has supported hospital services.
Annual Numbers at the Infirmary Number of babies born - 1,500 Number of patients treated - more than 146,000 Number of surgeries per year - 24,000 - making it the second largest surgical hospital in Alabama Number of employees - 2,500 Number of physicians - 650 Number of nurses - 961
Celebrating
100 Years of Healing Mobile infirMary Medical center
On October 21, 1910 the original Mobile Infirmary opened with 32 rooms. Today, Mobile Infirmary stands as the region’s healthcare leader in technology, experience and medical services.
Centennial Celebration
Sunday, Oct. 10 • 2 – 5 p.m. • Mobile Infirmary Atrium • Birthday cake • Grand opening, Gaillard’s Gift Shop • Musical entertainment • Art exhibit • Infirmary babies reunion • Azalea Trail Maids
www.infirmaryhealth.org/centennial
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OCTOBER 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
1910-2010
Established 1951
Real Estate Appraisals Commercial, Office, Retail, Industrial, Special Purpose, and Residential Properties Gaylord C. Lyon, MAI Madeleine L. Downing, MAI Jefferson L. Sims, MAI Miles Sims, Appraiser Charlie Morrison, Appraiser Haney R. Jones, Jr., Appraiser John D. Hartman, Appraiser Marina Hodge, Appraiser 2475 Commercial Park Drive Mobile, Alabama 36606 Phone: 251-479-8513 Fax: 251-479-8516
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POWC-2228 Outdoor Lighting.indd 1
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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7/28/10 The Business View | OCTOBER 2010
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12:30 PM
Celebrating the Accomplishments of Minority Enterprise 2010 Awards Winners Eagle Awards
Chiropractic Works PC Spoon Professional Landscape Irrigation Inc.
T
he Mobile Area Chamber and the Minority Business Enterprise Center recognized the achievements of minority-owned businesses by presenting the Eagle Awards and Minority Enterprise Development Awards during an event held in conjunction with national MED (Minority Enterprise Development) Week.
Gold Level Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Minority Enterprise Development
BBT Consulting Golden Stevedoring Co. Inc. Action Resources Minority Business Advocate of the Year
ThyssenKrupp Stainless USA ThyssenKrupp Steel USA
Silver Level Sponsor
Holiday Greeting Cards
We have a fine selection of holiday cards for your business and family. Come browse our selection of cards from famous makers such as Carlson Craft, Caspari, Birchcraft and many more. Located in Holiday Place
4513 Old Shell Road
16
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Mobile, AL 36608
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251.344.3335
OCTOBER 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
Bronze Level Sponsors
2010 Eagle Award Winners Chiropractic Works PC Type of Business: Professional services Chief: Dr. Be Phetsinorath and Dr. Link Nguyen Address: 3263 Demetropolis Rd., Suite 10 (Mobile) Telephone: 251-665-4999 Employees: 2 Website: www.chiroworksmobile.com
Opened in 2006, Chiropractic Works provides chiropractic and acupuncture care to clients of all ages. The Demetropolis Road clinic, run by Dr. Be Phetsinorath and Dr. Link Nguyen, provides a variety of hands-on therapeutic procedures, treating patients for sports and auto-accident-related injuries. Treatments include spinal manipulation, acupuncture, lifestyle modification, and counseling for nutrition, diet and exercise.
Spoon Professional Landscape Irrigation Inc. Type of Business: Landscape Chief: Timothy J. Witherspoon Address: 3640 St. Stephens Rd. (Eight Mile) Telephone: 251-680-5934 Employees: 4
A specialist in the landscape industry, Spoon Professional Landscape Irrigation Inc.’s work can be seen along the Gulf Coast in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi. Operating for 22 years as Witherspoon Landscaping, Spoon Professional Landscape Irrigation has a full-service garden center and handles both residential and commercial areas.
Have a Grand Holiday. The holidays can be stressful. Why labor over decorations and party planning when the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa is prepared to take care of your every need. The Grand’s 37,000 square feet of event space perfectly adorned with holiday lights and Christmas decorations creates a festive atmosphere fitting for any occasion. With full service catering, professional service and meticulous attention to detail, your event will shine this holiday season. Call 251.990.6358 or email sales@marriottgrand.com to book your event. For more information, visit www.marriottgrand.com.
GRAND HOTEL MARRIOTT RESORT, GOLF CLUB & SPA One Grand Boulevard, Point Clear, AL 36564 Phone 251.928.9201, MarriottGrand.com A part of Alabama’s Resort Collection on The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
PCH995GRAND_MobileChamber.indd 1
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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The Business View | OCTOBER 2010 8/4/10
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OCTOBER 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
The Truth About Public School Funding
MCPSS Funding
In Place for 2011
Thanks in part to a $12.2 million federal jobs bill grant from the Obama administration, the Mobile County Public School System was able to pass a balanced budget for 2011 and at the same time prepare for proration due to continued decreases in sales tax collections.(Proration is a mid-year cut in funding from the state of Alabama.) The school system’s 2011 budget is $436 million.
MCPSS Superintendent Dr. Roy Nichols said the system would place $7.9 million from the jobs bill grant in a proration fund. The rest of the money will be used to provide step raises for about 2,600 employees; hire 26 additional teachers and 25 bus drivers; maintain existing contract lengths for principals, assistant principals and some other academic staff; and restore a 10 percent pay
School Building Program A very important category of the MCPSS expenses has been the Capital Bond Program. Since 1996, MCPSS has spent more than $600 million in capital improvement projects such as new schools, classroom additions, auditoriums, renovations and other capital projects such as re-roofing and HVAC, electrical and lighting upgrades. The school system issues bonds to build new schools, renovate schools and build new wings to existing schools.
2007 Bond Issue - $50.43 million New North Mobile Middle New Southwest Mobile County 3-5 Elementary Dawes Intermediate Debt Service (due to proration) Utilities Services
2003 Bond Issue $124.5 million Allentown Elementary MultiPurpose Building New Booth Elementary Burroughs Elementary Addition New Citronelle High Stadium New Collins-Rhodes Elementary New Council Elementary New Davidson High Auditorium Davis Elementary Multi-Purpose Building Dixon Elementary Multi-Purpose Building Dodge Elementary Multi-Purpose Building Dodge Elementary Kitchen Renovation Dunbar Magnet Renovation New Gilliard Elementary Grand Bay Middle Addition Griggs Elementary Renovation Hamilton Elementary Multi-Purpose Building New Kate Shepard Elementary New LeFlore High Athletic Building Meadowlake Elementary Multi-Purpose Building Montgomery High Football Field Drainage Montgomery High Addition Murphy High Renovation
Bonds are repaid over time from annual revenues and these payments are included in each year’s budget until they are paid off. Below are the projects completed from four bond issues (1996, 2001, 2003 and 2007), and the work is still on-going to meet the needs of the school system and the county’s population shift and growth.
New Haskew Elementary Phillips Preparatory Addition Semmes Elementary Multi-Purpose Building Shaw High Gym HVAC St. Elmo Elementary Addition Tanner Williams Elementary Multi-Purpose Building Vigor High Addition & Renovation Will Elementary Renovation, Addition & MultiPurpose Building New Wilmer Elementary
2001 Bond Issue - $101.54 million Montgomery High Renovation Addition New J.E. Turner Elementary Austin Elementary Addition New E.R. Dickson Elementary New Denton Middle Fonde Renovation & Addition New Blount High Holloway Elementary Addition New Lee 3-5 Elementary Howard Elementary Maryvale Elementary Addition Williamson High Renovation Hall Elementary Renovation Baker High Renovation New Causey Middle O’Rourke Elementary Addition New Breitling Elementary Hankins Middle Addition Austin Administration Building Baker Football Stadium Hollingers Island Renovation & Additions
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
cut for supplemental pay for coaches, band directors and some other staff. In 2011, Mobile County voters will go to the polls to vote on three renewals of ad valoreum (property) taxes. These renewals must be voted on every 10 years, and represent nearly $58 million in funding for the school system – or nearly 13 percent of the system’s overall budget. These renewals will affect both the Mobile County Public School System and Saraland City Schools. The Mobile Area Chamber is supportive of these renewals, and has committed to work with both Mobile County and Saraland through the vote. To help, The Business View is running a series of stories on school system funding. This is the second part of that series. The first ran in the August 2010 issue of The Business View, and is available online at www.mobilechamber.com/ view.asp.
1996 Bond Issue Phase I - $62.897 million New Allentown Elementary Orchard Elementary Addition New Semmes Elementary New Burns Middle Dodge Elementary Addition Griggs Elementary Addition Hollingers Island Elementary Addition Calcedeaver Elementary Addition New Grant Elementary Lee Elementary Addition New Spencer Elementary New Calloway-Smith Middle New Howard Elementary New Bryant High
Phase II, Year 1 - $41.1 million New McDavid-Jones Elementary Davidson High Renovation & Addition New Forest Hill Elementary New Westlawn Elementary New Craighead Elementary New Hutchens Elementary
Phase II, Year 2 - $32.95 million New Semmes Middle Montgomery High Addition Dauphin Island Elementary Addition Dodge Elementary Renovation New Mertz Elementary New Collier Elementary Dixon Elementary Addition |
The Business View | OCTOBER 2010
19
The Truth About Public School Funding
2010 Budget
Mobile County Public School System The beginning fund balance amounts are unspent funds from the prior fiscal year. Most of the unspent funds are restricted and can only be used for specific purposes as defined by Alabama statutes, accounting regulations and school board designations. The ending fund balance amounts are anticipated unspent funds for the budget year 2010. In August 2010, the MCPSS board passed the 2011 budget, however, it had not been submitted to the Alabama Department of Education before The Business View went to print. The budget will appear in a future issue of The Business View.
Fund
Beginning Fund Balance
Revenues
General
$7,355,481
$447,109,077
$440,541,464
$13,923,094
Special Revenue
$1,886,848
$154,164,440
$136,497,815
$19,553,473
Debt Service
$2,765,565
$21,498,111
$21,493,040
$2,770,636
$37,732,840
$49,404,104
$58,385,574
$28,751,367
$2,130,451
$3,791,298
$3,632,226
$2,289,523
$51,871,185
$675,967,030
$660,550,119
$67,288,096
Capital Projects Expendable Trust TOTAL
In accordance with state law and MCPSS board policy, the school system must build and maintain a one-month operating balance in the general fund. Prior to two straight years of proration, the school system was on track to reach that goal starting with a 2009 ending fund balance that more than doubled the previous year’s ending fund balance. However, during fiscal year 2009, the school system experienced
20
Expenditures
Ending Fund Balance
a reduction in state funding of $48 million with an additional $22.5 million cut in FY 2010 due to proration. This brings the twoyear state funding reduction to $60.5 million. With reductions in spending and shifts in funding to other sources where appropriate, the system projected to end the 2010 fiscal year with approximately the same ending fund balance as FY 2008.
OCTOBER 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
The Truth About Public School Funding
A Brief Description of Each Fund General Fund
Debt Service
Fixed Assets
The general fund is made up of many sources, such as state appropriations and initiatives, grants, state contracts, driver’s education, impact aid, indirect cost, interest and local revenue. Local revenue includes local taxes such as ad valorem, sales tax, motor vehicle and boat tax, gasoline, alcohol and tobacco tax. These funds are used for the school systems operations including salaries and benefits, utilities, supplies, etc.
This fund type accounts for the accumulation of resources for the payment of general long-term debt, both principal and interest. Debt is incurred for capital construction, school renovation and bus purchases.
The general fixed asset account group is used as a control account for reporting the accumulated cost/ values of the fixed assets of land, land improvements, buildings, building improvements, equipment, construction in progress, capital leases and other fixed assets.
Special Revenue This fund type accounts for the proceeds of specific revenue sources that are legally restricted to expenditures for specific purposes unless they are required to be recorded in another fund. These funds include federal allocations, such as No Child Left Behind programs, Title I-VIII and Title X, ROTC, Child Nutrition Program and local school public funds.
Capital Projects This fund type accounts for financial resources used to acquire or construct new schools, to purchase land, building improvement, to purchase equipment and furniture.
Expendable Trust
Long-Term Debt This account group will be used to report the outstanding principal balance of the long-term debt for the obligations of bonds, warrants, warrant anticipation notes, capital leases and compensated absences.
This fund source accounts for assets held by a school system in a trustee capacity for individuals, private organizations, other governmental units, and/or other fund types. The expendable trust is for a specified purpose and the school system is permitted to spend all the assets and earnings of the trust. These funds also include local school non-public funds.
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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The Business View | OCTOBER 2010
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AD: TL Job Number: RBCC2078 Job Name: Biz Pooling Date Produced: 8/19/2010 Mobile Business View Live Area: 8.5” x 5.375” Trim: n/a Bleed: n/a Color: 4C
Client: RBCC Publication:
The Truth About Public School Funding
Mobile County Public School System
By the Numbers
While each school system in the state is unique, these tidbits of information provide insight into the demographics of MCPSS.
1 - Computer is available for every 3.5 pupils
1.9% - (or 1,180 pupils) attend English as a Second Language classes 5.2% - (or 3,339 pupils) participate in programs for the gifted and talented 12% - (or 7,803 pupils) receive special education services 68% - (or 42,554 pupils) qualify for free or reduced price lunch
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22RBCC2078_Mjw_bizpooling_8.5x5.375MBUSVIEW.indd OCTOBER 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce 1
8/24/10 5:20 PM
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Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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The Business View | OCTOBER 2010
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E ffective C ustomer S ervice
10 Commandments of Effective Customer Service
W
By Rick Brian
training and management’s encouragement to learn. hen it comes to running a Increasing one’s knowledge is an ongoing process gained business, the customer is king. More specifically, everything you through experience. Employee training is an investment in people that will pay big dividends by boosting your profitability. do in business is to help your customers be V. Thou shall be a good listener. When dealing successful. Regardless of the product or with customers, your employee should probe, ask pointed service you sell, if customers are questions, be a detective, draw out information and listen. successful, you will be too. Unsuccessful customer service people dominate the With so many business people subscribing to this simple conversation with the customer. In contrast, the successful customer service employee develops a dialog, elicits yet dynamic philosophy, why is it customer service seems to feedback and then directs his response so as to push the be deteriorating in this country? customer’s hot button. I’ve found that workers generally want to do a good job. But they need training, guidance and VI. Thou shall be a savvy direction. They need to be told what is person. A savvy person is one who expected of them, and management puts him or herself in the right place at has to set an appropriate example. The number the right time and does the right thing. As a student of good customer A savvy person has good timing, which service, I developed “The Ten one rule of can be the determining factor between Commandments of Effective Customer and failure. Savvy people do a good customer success Service” to use as a management tool good job of following-up, and they for training my employees. It works for manage their time well. Such people service is me and I hope you, too, will benefit squeeze productivity out of every from following these guidelines: be polite. minute of the workday; they don’t spin I. Thou shall be courteous. The number one rule of good customer service is be polite. Politeness goes a long way toward building a relationship, even if it is a fleeting one. Arrogance on the part of an employee, however, arouses resentment in the customer. In a customer service situation, it is also important to appreciate other’s time. And always follow up with a “thank you for your business” note. II. Thou shall be a team player. No man or woman is an island; they are part of an organization or group. Any organization is a team of people working together to achieve a common objective. Like a football team, though everyone has a separate job to do, the plays work to perfection when each team member holds up his end of the business. You usually won’t gain much yardage on an end run without following your blockers. Take full advantage of all the resources available to you. Be a team player and you’ll be successful. III. Thou shall be motivated. There are two types of motivation – reward motivation and self-motivation. Reward motivation works over the short term, but selfmotivation endures over the long haul. Talk to your people about the “Three Ds”– Desire, Determination and Drive. Look for employees who have the heart to succeed, and you will discover powerful people who possess the Three Ds. IV. Thou shall be knowledgeable. Successful customer service begins with knowledge of your products, services, competition and, most importantly, true understanding of your customers. Employees need proper 24
their wheels. In short, savvy people work smart.
VII. Thou shall maintain a clean and neat appearance. First impressions are very important. Employees should dress neatly, and make every effort to put their best foot forward. VIII. Thou shall be an interesting person. People don’t like to do business with a deadhead or a stick in the mud. They like to do business with interesting, well-rounded people. Develop outside interests, such as hobbies, sports, community affairs and family activities. Broaden your horizons by traveling, reading newspapers, trade journals, business publications and novels. An interesting person, as Dale Carnegie said, “talks in terms of the other person’s interests.” IX. Thou shall be confident. Confidence improves with experience. But in a customer service situation, a salesperson must be the expert. Don’t be intimidated by the customer. The employee should take charge by demonstrating knowledge and expertise. X. Thou shall demonstrate enthusiasm. Enthusiasm defies the laws of mathematics because when you divide it, it multiplies. Enthusiasm breeds excitement and makes you more interesting. It also shows you are confident, you respect yourself, you believe in what you are doing, you like your company, and most importantly, you like yourself. Respect yourself, and others will respect you. Rick Brian, author of Hardwood Flooring Report, is the president of R.B. Brian & Associates, a consulting firm for the hardwood flooring and building products industries.
OCTOBER 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
Customer Service Should Not Be a Dying Art
A
warm, friendly smile…Saying please and thank you… Walking you to the correct aisle to purchase something… Seems easy enough, right? It really is, but unfortunately in today’s fast-paced society, providing good customer service is becoming more of a dying art form than the industry standard. Nevertheless, does it really have to be? Do we really need to spend our hardearned money at local businesses that refuse to train workers on how to provide it? Absolutely not. The Business View set out to find some examples of Mobile Area Chamber member businesses that are providing good customer service. The editors asked not only who provides it, but also why they think it is above average. Following, you will see some of the responses we received.
E ffective C ustomer S ervice
Living by the Service Commandments How local businesses exemplify customer service
“J
“Jaguar Cleaners has consistently served our family exceptionally. The staff is professional, helpful and friendly, and our clothes – everything from prom gowns to dress shirts – are clean and neatly pressed.” “Fausak (Tires & Services) continues to earn our family’s trust. Twice we have taken a vehicle with more than 160,000 miles on it and asked them to check our brakes only because of the extensive mileage. After inspecting them both times, the Fausak team confirmed they were in good shape and did not need replacing. We also had them recently check tires before leaving on a cross-county road trip. We were convinced they might advise us to buy a new set of tires, but instead they said we would be fine and there were several thousand more miles on the set of tires, which we bought from them, of course.”
“With only two full-time employees, the Mobile Arts Council is a shining example of customer service. Although the council is considered closed on Saturdays, Bob Burnett and Charlie Smoke can be found at the Arts Council on Saturday mornings working with artists participating in the Saturday Market in the Square and greeting guests who are downtown for the market and want to explore the art galleries, or just want to step in for some cool air and a glass of water.” “The Blue Gill is better-than-ever under the new ownership of Cooper Restaurants. The food is top-notch and the interior is refreshed and attractive, in a funky Causeway manner. Employees greeted us with smiles at every corner and our server reacted quickly and without hesitation to a special seating request. One of the two fish tacos on the special of the day came wrapped in foil to ensure it stayed warm.” Continued on page 26
Mobile Arts Council - Charlie Smoke (left) and Bob Burnett
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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The Business View | OCTOBER 2010
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E ffective C ustomer S ervice
Living by the Service Commandments Continued from page 25
Downtown McDonald’s Store Manager Patricia Harrison greets a customer at the drive-thru window.
“There is a gift shop in Semmes, Meggie B’s, that has great customer service. Tammy Miller is the owner and she, along with her staff, acknowledges each customer as they arrive in the store. They offer gift services and bridal registry. It makes me feel good to shop there because I know they will be so friendly when I come in.”
called at each milestone in the process (estimate complete, ordered parts, received parts, etc.) to keep me informed of the progress and estimate a “complete” date. The work was finished two days early and the staff stayed late so I could pick up my car on a Friday evening. They even washed and vacuumed the inside of the car for me.”
“Belk’s at Bel Air Mall has a very friendly representative, her name is Gilda Middleton. She goes out of her way to help you get whatever you need in any department. I have shopped there for many years and she has always gladly helped me with special requests.”
“We went to NoJa recently, and I was so impressed with the service. The waitress knew the menu backward and forward, she kept our glasses of wine filled. Restaurant owner Chakli Diggs came over to chat with our group, and the food was excellent.”
“Professional Collision worked directly with my insurance company to provide an estimate, and bill and follow through with repairs to my car after a minor accident. They even called the rental car company for me. The friendly staff
“Sheila Baehr of Baehr’s Automotive provides amazing customer service. She is one of those people you look forward to seeing and when she’s not there, you miss her. It doesn’t matter how long it’s been since I’ve been in, she’ll remember things that were going on previously. She’ll ask
talk with us about your mortgage needs today! From Left: Anna Maria Mazzarella 251-431-7836 Lisa Portacci 251-776-5554 Janru Galloway 251-454-6997 Tara Hickey 251-929-2870
Smart Mortgage New PurChase or reFINaNCe CoNstruCtIoN LeNDINg Low rates
Susan Bankester 251-431-7846
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www.banktrustonline.com 26
OCTOBER 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
E ffective C ustomer S ervice
how the kids are, how the job’s going, etc. She just provides a warm friendly atmosphere in a setting that is not typically warm and friendly.” “Carpe Diem has cheerful, serviceoriented folks working in there. I’ve noticed that their ‘regulars’ don’t even have to say what they want, the servers seem to know everyone’s favorite. It’s clean, bright and welcoming.” “Sandra Caston with The American Café is a pleasure to work with on catering lunch meetings. She helps with menu items, answers all of my e-mails and telephone calls promptly, and restaurant employees arrive on time and set up lunch for me.” “The crews working the drive-thru window at the downtown McDonald’s deserve to be recognized. They always have a great attitude and pay attention to details, plus you can feel their smile through the intercom. Kudos to Jim Barnes and his crew.”
Jaguar Cleaners Owner Tommy Holt and his staff are ready to help customers with all their cleaning needs.
Premier Medical Physicians ENT Physicians RONNIE E. SWAIN, MD W. CARTER BRYARS, JR., MD BARRY L. BROWN, MD JAMES R. SPIRES, JR., MD JOHN S. WILSON, MD, FACS JAMES K. PITCOCK, MD P. VAN. CROCKER, MD MARK R. GACEK, MD ALFRED M. NEUMANN, JR., MD RONNIE E. SWAIN, JR., MD J. MARK HARRISON, MD KIMBERLY ELLIOTT, MD MICHAEL LEE, MD RICHARD L. PALESANO, MD Audiology JIM MCDILL, PHD JENNIFER TAYLOR-GUY, AUD Eye Physicians JAMES M. HARRISON, JR., MD CLAUDE M. WARREN, III, MD ROLLINS L. TINDELL, JR., MD CHARLES R. SALISBURY, MD MATTHEW W. MOSTELLER, MD CHARLES S. MOSTELLER, MD RICHARD J. DUFFEY, MD H. CHRISTOPHER SEMPLE, MD ANDREW P. TERRY, MD STUART F. BALL, MD WILLIAM F. MURRAH, III, MD MARK J. DOUGLAS, MD CURTIS M. GRAF, JR., MD BEN F. KING, OD GREGORY R. JACKSON, OD ROBERT E. EDGE, OD VALERIE L. VICK, MD JAY A. BROWN, MD CHARLES F. JONES, M.D. JEFFERY A. MORROW, O.D. CHRIS WALTON, MD
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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The Business View | OCTOBER 2010
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OCTOBER 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
8/10/10 12:36 PM
B
SEE THE
usiness Spotlight of the Month
The Business Spotlight of the Month is selected at random from a business card drawing at the Mobile Area Chamber’s Business After Hours event.
BIGGER PICTURE
Club Sun Tanning Salon
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBIT ON BIODIVERSITY proudly presented by
OPEN THROUGH NOVEMBER 21
Managers Candace Conner, Megan Marley and Shelia Wilson, pictured with Sales Vice President Larry Andrews and Owner Julie George, manage the four Club Sun Tanning Salons in Mobile offering state-of-the-art equipment, products, gift cards and memberships.
Owners: Julie T. George Location: 5412 Cottage Hill Rd.
Member since: 2003
Brief description of business: Club Sun Tanning is an indoor skin-tanning salon using ultraviolet B (UVB) light to provide individuals with a tan. The company, in business since 1985, is one of the largest tanning salon chains in south Alabama and northwest Florida. Headquartered in Dothan, the company operates 21 salons, including four in the Mobile/Daphne area. What is unique or innovative about your business? According to Owner Julie George, excellent customer service and fun marketing campaigns separate Club Sun Tanning Salons from competitors. George also said customers are often intrigued by the tanning industry and approach the salons to learn more. “This is our opportunity to educate prospective clients about the true benefits of indoor tanning.” Most significant challenge: George said, “The most significant challenge is educating people about the advantages of indoor tanning.” Phone number: 665-4685
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iplomat of the Month
Millie Sue Hawk
Photo by Tad Denson
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Web site: www.clubsuntanning.com
When it comes to high performance as a Chamber diplomat, Millie Sue Hawk is out in front. The Chamber’s 2009 Diplomat of the Year, this is Hawk’s eighth Diplomat of the Month award. Hawk is the owner of Business Link, a service connecting new business owners with existing area businesses to help with startup needs. She joined the Chamber’s diplomat program in 2003 as a small business owner of a welcoming service for newcomers to Mobile and Baldwin Counties. Hawk said as a home-based business owner, her Chamber membership has been invaluable. “The diplomat program is a great way to get to know the Chamber, member businesses and the community. I’m proud to not only be a member, but to be involved.”
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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The Business View | OCTOBER 2010
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n v e s tor Focus
Russell Thompson Butler & Houston LLP Company officials: Louis G. “Buddy” Russell, founding partner; Michael C. “Mike” Thompson, founding partner; James D. “Jim” Butler, founding partner; Robert J. Houston, founding partner; Glenn W. “Skip” Brown III, managing partner; William M. “Bill” Kell Sr., partner; Carolyn Fittje McKean, partner; Briley E. Shirah, partner; and GiGi Wesley Lott, partner Years in business: 23 years Brief company description: Founded in Mobile in 1987, Russell Thompson Butler & Houston is a full-service CPA (certified public accounting) firm providing assistance to more than 2,900 clients. According to Butler, personnel have expertise in many traditional accounting and business consulting fields including audit and taxation, internal control review and analysis, business valuation, fraud detection, litigation support and information technology advisement. A division of the firm specializes in accounting practices for construction businesses by maintaining the industry designation of CICPAC, a national association recognizing high-quality financial and consulting services to the construction industry. Why are you located in Mobile? “We were born and raised in Mobile and Baldwin counties and we would call no other place home,” said Russell. Why do you support the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce’s Partners for Growth initiative? “It is key to the long-term success of Mobile and the surrounding area. We must be valiant in our efforts to help existing businesses retain and expand their footprint while developing incentives to increase our new business growth,” said Thompson.
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Russell Thompson Butler & Houston LLP was founded by Robert Houston, Jim Butler and Mike Thompson (seated left to right) and Buddy Russell (standing).
What do you see as Mobile’s greatest potential? “From the influx of technical and industrial companies to the area, to our higher educational offerings, Mobile provides a reason for people and businesses to come, to stay and to grow,” said Houston. Length of Chamber membership: Since 1987 Partners for Growth (PFG) is the Mobile Area Chamber’s long-term economic and community development program. For more information contact Shelly Mattingly, the Chamber’s investor relations coordinator, at 431-8655 or smattingly@mobilechamber.com.
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OCTOBER 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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n v e stor Focus
Teledyne Continental Motors Inc.
Company officials: Rhett Ross, president; William Read, chief financial officer; Ken Suda, senior vice president operations; Johnny Doo, senior vice president engineering
Years in business: 104 years Brief company description: Teledyne Continental Motors manufactures piston engines and parts for the piston powered aircraft segment of general aviation. Why are you located in Mobile? “The company relocated to Mobile in 1966 to take advantage of the facilities and employee base of the Mobile downtown airport business park,” said Ross. “The company remains due to the strong regional business infrastructure, professional and skilled labor base and mild climate.” Why do you support the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce’s Partners for Growth initiative? “Growth supports all businesses’ needs through improving infrastructure, education and labor pool expansion,” said Ross.
Teledyne Continental Motors has been a recognized world leader in the development of aviation products for more than 100 years.
What do you see as Mobile’s greatest potential? “Mobile’s industrial core is backed with strong higher education services within the region,” said Ross. “Also, the strong sense of community brings out all levels of business and civic life to support continued growth for Mobile and the surrounding counties.” 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.
Length of Chamber membership: Since 1969
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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The Business View | OCTOBER 2010
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hamber Staff
Zimmermann Returns to the Chamber economic development. Claudia Zimmermann is Most recently, Zimmermann a familiar face at the Mobile served as the director of Area Chamber. After spending European Business Development 18 months working for the for the Alabama Development Alabama Development Office, Office in Montgomery. She was she has returned to the responsible for marketing Chamber as director of Alabama in Europe, primarily in economic development. A Zimmermann the automotive, aerospace and native of Germany, alternative energy industry sectors, Zimmermann is coordinating with the researching and visiting companies with Chamber’s domestic and international business recruitment efforts and working to the potential to invest in the Southeastern U.S. and selling them on Alabama’s assets. strengthen and capitalize on relationships She was instrumental in the location of a with partners and suppliers on a local, German Tier 1 Volkswagon supplier in regional, state, national and international Auburn announced earlier this year. level to bring new jobs to the area. In Though there is a certain degree of addition, she will coordinate other efforts satisfaction when leads turn into projects, within the Chamber’s economic development program of work. Zimmermann was formerly Zimmermann said, “My passion is to work on the details of the projects, to solve the a senior project manager in the Chamber’s challenges that come with competing for a economic development department where site selection and to win quality jobs for an she worked for nearly five years. “Claudia brings a great deal of skill and area that I care deeply about. That’s why I am very excited to re-join the Chamber’s expertise to the Chamber’s efforts. Her economic development team.” education combined with her local, state Zimmermann can be reached at and international experience makes her 431-8616 or czimmermann@ a consummate professional economic mobilechamber.com. developer. We are excited about her return and her new responsibilities,” said Troy Wayman, the Chamber’s vice president of
Chamber Promotes Stimpson came on board. It is always a Christina Stimpson was plus when you can promote from promoted to international within and provide growth trade program manager for opportunities for dedicated team the Mobile Area Chamber. In members,” said Troy Wayman, her new role, she is focusing the Chamber’s vice president of on increasing trade promotion economic development. “We are and job opportunities for the proud to have her take on these state of Alabama and the Stimpson new responsibilities and further region. Other duties include educating companies and the public on the our efforts in International Trade.” “I look forward to working with importance of international trade, assisting companies to increase business and jobs for companies in promoting products and Alabama on an international level,” said services through trade missions and trade Stimpson. “This is a great opportunity to shows, and fostering regionalism with continue working with the Chamber, while local, state and regional trade entities to furthering my career with such a wellensure a healthy climate for trade. established trade program.” Stimpson joined the Chamber in Stimpson graduated from Auburn February 2009 as an administrative assistant University with a bachelor’s degree in to support project managers and was apparel merchandising, design and assistant secretary for both the Industrial production management. She can be Development Authority for Mobile County reached at 431-8648 or cstimpson@ and the Industrial Park Board. mobilechamber.com. “Christina has been a valuable asset to our economic development team since she 32
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OCTOBER 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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Featured Profiles
dvisors
Eric Berrios is president and chief administrative officer for Virginia College. He has more than 16 years experience as an educator, business Berrios leader and administrator. Berrios is involved with the Hispanic American Business Association of the Gulf Coast and is a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, Career College Association, and Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. Berrios served on the board of the service center of Catholic Social Services, and throughout the last 11 years was involved in mission work and outreach to underprivileged communities. In 2009, he was awarded the Genevieve Broughton Education Award from the Mobile City Federation of Women’s Clubs & Youth Affiliates for his significant contribution to promote education in the community.
The Mobile Area Chamber is proud to salute members of the board of advisors. These business leaders represent companies whose significant dues investment lead the way in funding the Chamber’s programs and initiatives. For more information contact Katrina Dewrell at 431-8611 or kdewrell@mobilechamber.com.
David B. Fairchild is plant manager for the Olin Chlor Alkali facility in McIntosh. He previously worked for Olin as plant manager Fairchild of the Charleston, Tenn., facility, where he focused on the continuous improvement of equipment performance at all Olin Chlor Alkali plants. Prior to working for Olin, Fairchild was employed by Allied Signal (now Honeywell), Millennium Chemicals and W.R. Grace in a variety of manufacturing positions. Fairchild has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Northeastern University. Olin is a Partners for Growth investor.
Commercial, Industrial & Advertising Photography
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Oodles of
Jamie M. Lipham is market president for Hancock Bank and has more than 20 years commercial banking experience. He earned a Lipham bachelor’s degree in finance from The University of Alabama, a master’s of business administration in finance from Georgia State University, and is a graduate of the Louisiana State University Graduate School of Banking. He is on the board of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is a former board member of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Lipham is involved with Always Looking Up/Team Fox Parkinson’s Foundation and Youth Baseball, where he currently coaches in the 9-10-year-old age group. Hancock Bank is a Partners for Growth Investor. Thomas D. McAdams is general manager for BASF Corp.’s McIntosh site. He has a bachelor’s degree in industrial management from McAdams the University of Tennessee, and a master’s of business administration from Louisiana State University. McAdams was active in manufacturing-focused activities of the chambers of commerce in Savannah, Ga.,
local photos & video clips
and Huntsville, and is committed to workforce development programs. BASF Corp. has more than 100,000 employees worldwide and is a global chemical company serving a wide variety of markets including automotive, paper, plastics, oil and gas, and agriculture. The company acquired Ciba Corp. in 2009. BASF is a Partners for Growth Investor. Mark Wilson is president and chief executive officer for Ryla Inc., a leading call center solutions provider. Wilson attended Wilberforce Wilson University and built a successful career running several Dun & Bradstreet call centers. When D&B decided to outsource its call centers, Wilson asked for an opportunity for the business, and established Ryla Inc. In 2010, Inc. magazine named Ryla one of the fastestgrowing private companies for a fourth consecutive year, ranked No. 520 on the magazine’s prestigious Inc. 5000 listing. Wilson is a member of the Georgia Kaiser Permanente advisory board and the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO). Ryla supports several nonprofits in the communities it serves.
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Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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The Business View | OCTOBER 2010
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hamber@Work
U.S. Navy Command Surgeon Speaks in Mobile Dr. Miguel Cubano, the Command Surgeon of USSOUTHCOM for the armed forces, and a U.S. Navy captain and flight surgeon, was the keynote speaker for the quarterly meeting of the Hispanic American Association of the Gulf Coast, a Chamberpartner organization. Chamber Names Nine New BOAs The Board of Advisors represents key businesses whose significant dues investment leads the way in funding the Chamber’s programs and initiatives. To date there are 241 companies that make up the board. The new advisors are: BP Energy Co., China Doll Rice & Bean Inc./ Dixie Lily Foods, Cintas Corp., Crow Shields & Bailey PC, Heritage Homes of Mobile Inc., LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, McPherson Oil Co., Scotch & Gulf Lumber LLC and Signal International Inc.
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Represented in Milwaukee Chamber Executive Vice President Bob Chappelle participated in the American Chamber of Commerce Executives annual conference in Milwaukee. Nearly 800 Chamber executives from around the world attended this event, featuring presentations and workshops addressing improving chamber operations, delivering enhanced value to sponsors, member retention and 2010 election forecasts. Youth Summer Job Program Santaneizia Eager, a senior at B.C. Rain High School, worked this past summer as an intern in the Chamber’s Center for Workforce Alabama and the Alabama Minority Business Enterprise Center. Eager was part of the Mobile Works and Department of Human Resource’s Youth Opportunity Program, and she assisted on various projects, including Summer Scrubs, and attended numerous Chamber events and meetings.
Grand Openings and Ribbon Cuttings The Chamber worked with the following members on recent grand openings and/or open houses: Crosby Catering Café 727, American Red Cross - Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter, The Salvation Army Center for Women and Children and Chickasabogue History Museum. For assistance with planning a grand opening or ribbon cutting event, contact Kim Perrone at 431-8649 or kperrone@mobilechamber.com. Leadership Trip Follow-Up Continues Small group meetings are on-going, following the June Leadership Trip to Pittsburgh. The groups are discussing education, urban redevelopment, economic development, and parks and trails in an effort to build on what was seen in Pittsburgh and replicate some of the successes here in Mobile. Trip participants interested in joining one of these small groups should contact Patty Howell at phowell@ mobilechamber.com or call 431-8601.
omparative Economic Indicators JUNE 2010 vs JUNE 2009
The Mobile Area Chamber’s research division collects a variety of statistics each month.
Business Licenses City of Mobile
244 2010 270 2009
Employed Mobile/Baldwin counties
City of Mobile
213 2010 331 2009
Value of Building Permits
239,767 2010 243,215 2009
$9,827,312 2010 $22,300,009 2009
Unemployment Rates
Air Passengers From Mobile Area
Mobile/Baldwin counties
9.4% 2010 10.2% 2009
29,661 2010 28,556 2009
Homes Sold⌦
Average Selling Price Mobile County
Mobile County
272 2010 352 2009
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Building Permits
$138,052 2010 $143,338 2009
OCTOBER 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
The Bridge – More Information In late summer, the Chamber’s transportation coalition met with representatives from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) for an update on road and bridge projects in southwest Alabama. ALDOT representatives say they will increase the I-10 bridge height over the Mobile River to 215 feet. Input from the public hearings, held in late August and early September will be sent as part of a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) from ALDOT to the Federal Highway Administration (FHA). After the FHA approves the statement, another round of public hearings will be held before the final EIS is released, in Spring 2011. Chamber Staffer Selected for Leadership Mobile Susan Rak-Blanchard, the Chamber’s senior communications specialist, was named to the 2011 Leadership Mobile class. She will spend the coming year learning more about Mobile, and develop a year-end project with classmates. Leadership Mobile is a project of Mobile United.
OCTOBER
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BUSINESS @BREAKFAST
*Members Only Time: 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Place: Dumas Wesley Community Center, 126 Mobile St. Cost: $10, includes breakfast Contact: Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or mhartley@mobilechamber.com
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EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE
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GCTC LUNCHEON
*Members Only Time: 8 - 9 a.m. Place: Mobile Area Chamber 451 Government St. Cost: Free Contact: Brenda Rembert at 431-8607 or brembert@mobilechamber.com
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Place: To be announced Cost: $15 for members/$20 for potential members/$5 students Contact: Christina Stimpson at 431-8648 or cstimpson@mobilechamber.com
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CUSTOMER SERVICE – Smiling is Not Enough*
*Members Only Time: 3:30 - 5 p.m. Place: Mobile Area Chamber 451 Government St. Cost: Free Contact: Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or mhartley@mobilechamber.com
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alendar
Business@Breakfast* Business@Breakfast will be held Wednesday, Oct. 13 at the Dumas Wesley Community Center, 126 Mobile St., from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. B@B offers members the opportunity to introduce themselves and their business in 45 seconds. Reserve your space by Oct. 11 for this event. The cost is $10 and is due with reservation. No cancellations will be reimbursed after this date to cover the cost of breakfast. Only one representative per company. For reservations contact Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or mhartley@ mobilechamber.com. *Members Only
Time: 5:30 - 7 p.m. Place: The Mobile Marriott 3101 Airport Blvd. Cost: $5 for members/ $10 for potential members Contact: Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or mhartley@mobilechamber.com
GCTC Luncheon The Gulf Coast Technology Council will host its bi-monthly luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The location will be announced. Mobile Area Chamber Vice President of Economic Development Troy Wayman will give an economic overview of the Mobile area. In addition, GCTC will announce the 2010 GCTC scholarship award winners. The event is sponsored by Scotch and Gulf Lumber Co. The cost to attend is $15 for Chamber members, $20 for potential Chamber members and $5 for students and includes lunch. Reservations and payment are required by Oct. 18. For more information, contact Christina Stimpson at 431-8648 or cstimpson@mobilechamber.com.
Executive Roundtable Executive Roundtable, a monthly forum exclusively for Chamber member small business owners and managers, will meet Tuesday, Oct. 19 from 8 to 9 a.m. in the Mobile Area Chamber’s Board Room, 451 Government St. Fred Rendfrey, director of downtown economic development for the Downtown Mobile Alliance, will discuss new programs, Go Zone bonds and incentives. There is no charge to attend, but seating is limited. For reservations contact Brenda Rembert at 431-8607 or brembert@mobilechamber.com. *Members only
Business After Hours BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
For information on Chamber events, visit events.mobilechamber.com.
Join business professionals at Business After Hours at the Mobile Marriott, 3101 Airport Blvd., on Thursday, Oct. 28 from 5:30 until 7 p.m. This is one of the Chamber’s most popular opportunities for networking in a causual environment. Reservations are not necessary. The cost for members is $5 and $10 for potential members.
Customer Service – Smiling is Not Enough* Where is customer service on your growing list of responsibilities as a business owner or professional? If it’s not at the top, you’re missing opportunities to gain and retain customers. On Wednesday, Oct. 20 from 3:30 to 5 p.m., the Mobile Area Chamber will offer Customer Service: Smiling is Not Enough at 451 Government St. Michelle Crowe Ritter, owner of e-worc Web design and trainer for MTI Business Solutions, specializes in customer service designed to get customers talking about you. She’ll cover the basics of internal and external customer service. The class, sponsored by Mobile Gas, is free to Chamber members and their employees. Reservations are required. For more information contact Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or mhartley@ mobilechamber.com.
Annual Meeting Thursday, November 4, 2010
7:30 – 9:00 a.m. Registration opens at 7:00 a.m. Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel Featured speaker - Ted Abernathy, Executive Director of the Southern Growth Policies Board
“Coastal Alabama’s Road to Economic Recovery”
Cost is $25 including breakfast. Registration deadline is October 28 – No refunds after this date. For reservations, call 251-431-8621.
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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The Business View | OCTOBER 2010
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e mber News
Harrietta Eaton is the new chief operating officer for CorroMetrics Services Inc., a technical consulting service for industries utilizing protective coatings Eaton as a method to control corrosion and protect valuable assets. X Coldwell Banker, United Realtors named Charlene Frazier Johnson and Johnson Katrina Frazier as real estate agents in the Mobile office. X Rod Cooke Construction Inc. promoted Brian Wittendorfer to project manager. Wittendorfer is a graduate of Auburn University with a Whittendorfer bachelor’s degree in building construction. X Dauphin Realty announced two new hires. Harold “Buz” Rummel Keating Rummel joined the company’s corporate office in midtown Mobile and Brian Keating joined the team of sales associates in the Fairhope office. X Cardiology Associates welcomed Dr. John M. Galla. He received his bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Galla Notre Dame and earned his medical degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. He is subspecialty board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and specializes in the practice of clinical, invasive and interventional cardiology. X
Eldridge
Kruse
Dockery
Agents Charlotte Eldridge, Tommy Kruse and Mylan Dockery joined Exit Realty Lyon. 36
Sims
Allen
Winters
Powe
Robertson
Polk
Payne
Butler
Yolande Sims, Brent Allen, Eva Winters, Cary Powe, Bryan Roberston, Kim Polk and Missy Payne joined Roberts Brothers west Mobile office. X
Slaby
Saulters
The partners of Russell Thompson Butler & Houston promoted Melissa Butler CPA and Bob Slaby CPA, CVA to managers and Emily Saulters CPA to senior accountant. Butler has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and master’s degree in accountancy from Auburn University. Slaby graduated from Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Saulters received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from University of South Alabama. X Signature Real Estate welcomed realtors Stephanie Shepard and Clark Katie Beth Clark. Shepard X The law firm of Jones Walker welcomed former Assistant U.S. Attorney Leigh Lichty Pipkin and former chancellor of the Alabama two-year college system and Byrne recent gubernatorial candidate Bradley Byrne. Pipkin holds a bachelor’s degree in corporate finance and investment management from The University of Alabama and a law degree from Cumberland School of Law, Samford University. She will work as special counsel in the business & commercial litigation practice group and as a member of the firm’s banking and creditors’ rights team. Byrne holds a bachelor’s degree from Duke
University and a law degree from The University of Alabama School of Law. He will work in Mobile and Birmingham as a member of the business and commercial transaction practice group. X
Cannon
Ochoa
Malcom
Dr. Heather Cannon was appointed as a staff physician for the student health center at the University of South Alabama (USA). She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and biochemistry from the University of Mississippi and a medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. In other news, USA College of Medicine named Dr. Juan G. Ochoa as associate professor of neurology and Dr. Ian Grant Malcom as associate professor of radiology. Ochoa will also serve as program director for USA’s neurology residency program. He received his medical degree from Universidad Javeriana in Bogota, Columbia. Malcom earned his medical degree from Otago University Medical School in Dunedin, New Zealand. X
Bolton
Finch
Englund
Spotswood
Crabtree
Martin
Prudential Cooper & Co. Inc., REALTORS hired sales associates Robert Bolton and Gloria Finch for its Azalea Road office and Dyann Englund for the Peterson Cottage Hill office. Mandy Spotswood and Austill Crabtree will work at the Hillcrest location and Tony Martin and Derek Peterson will work out of the commercial office.
Remington College opened a Cosmetology School on its Mobile campus. The program teaches through traditional classroom instruction and hands-on training. For more information call 343-8200.
OCTOBER 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
Wilkins Miller Hieronymus launched a full-service information technology company, Wilkins Miller Hieronymus Information Technologies LLC, to provide hardware maintenance and support, software support, network consulting and more. For more information call 476-5500 or visit www.wmh-it.com. X Goodwill Easter Seals is offering data destruction and recycling services for businesses and organizations. This service destroys confidential and sensitive material using secure containers. For more information call 471-1518. X Moss Point-based Mississippi Export Railroad Co., a switching and terminal service, now has a bulk handling/transload terminal with track setup for direct transfer accommodating up to 40 cars at one time and a separate track accessing a 40,000-square-foot warehouse that can handle eight cars in one switch. For more information call (228) 474-3355 or visit www.mserailroad.com. X Sovereign Consulting Inc., a civil and environmental engineering, consulting and remediation firm based in Burlington, N.J., announced the Cummings acquisition of Azalea Engineering LLC and named former Azalea Engineering president Robert A. Cummings PE as senior engineer for Alabama operations. Cummings is a civil engineer specializing in stormwater and transportation engineering. X Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council (SAWDC) relocated to 605 Bel Air Blvd., Suite 32. For more information call 445-2090. X Junior League of Mobile has opened an office in Daphne to accommodate increasing membership and community needs in Baldwin County. The worksite is located at 28740 U.S. Hwy. 98, Suite 6 in Daphne and the phone number is 625-6223. The organization’s headquarters remain in Mobile. X Mobile-based White-Spunner Construction Inc. and G&M Associates of Nashville were awarded nearly $1 billion in U.S. military construction contacts. The two multiple award task orders are to provide design/build and construction services on various military installations throughout the Southeast. The renewable contract awards are for a period of five years and mark a first for White-Spunner Construction.
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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.
Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union won second place in a regional competition among credit unions throughout Alabama and Florida. The Dora Maxwell Award recognizes and promotes social responsibility by credit unions in their communities. X Attorney Derek Atchison of The Atchison Firm PC was re-elected for a second term to the Alabama Council of School Board Attorneys board of Atchison directors. X Meyer Real Estate was certified as a five-star Southern hospitality company through a program administered by Faulkner State Community College. The program focuses on communication and hospitality and was designed for existing employee improvement and professional development. Currently more than 70 percent of Meyer’s employees have graduated from the program. X Two area hospitals received Gold awards for achievements using evidence-based guidelines to provide patient care. Providence Hospital was recognized for its work with heart patients and University of South Alabama Medical Center for its work with stroke patients. X AT&T was honored with the 2010 Corporate Engagement Award of Excellence from the Points of Light Institute, a national organization dedicated to advancing community service. The award recognizes extraordinary, effective volunteer programs working to improve communities. X Kathy Ball and Marie Dickinson of Prudential Cooper& Co. Dickinson Inc., REALTORS Ball received Sales Professional awards from Prudential National. Ball received first place in Alabama for Residential GCI (gross commission income), or total income earned in residential sales, and second place in Alabama for residential sales. Dickinson received second place in Alabama for Residential GCI, or total income earned in residential sales. X The Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa debuted on the “World’s Best” list by Travel + Leisure magazine.
For best resorts in the Continental U.S. and Canada, the Grand Hotel, located in Point Clear, landed in the Top 50 at no. 31 and was also noted as a great value. X Margie Casey of RE/MAX Partners earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert designation for short sales and foreclosures. The designation Casey trains realtors on how to qualify sellers for short sales, negotiate with lenders, protect buyers and limit risk on purchasing distressed properties. X Cream & Sugar, located at 351-B George St., won a Nappie Award by Lagniappe magazine for its desserts. The shop is now open until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. For more information call 405-0003. X Dr. Roger Breland, vice president of project development and executive director of the Center for Performing Arts at the University of Mobile (UM), Breland was inducted into the 2010 Sinfonia, a national honor of Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity for his high standard of accomplishments in music. Breland spent 31 years as the founder and director of TRUTH, an internationally known contemporary Christian ensemble. X The Mobile I-10 West Hampton Inn received an “Outstanding” rating in its most recent quality assurance evaluation with a composite score of 93.11 percent. The evaluations, conducted twice each year, are based on property inspections and service scores measured by the company.
Community News H&R Block is offering free copies of past tax returns, necessary to file a claim with BP for lost income. The company is also offering complimentary second look reviews on 2007, 2008 or 2009 tax returns. For more information call 662-5970. X The Hispanic American Business Association of the Gulf Coast will host its annual meeting and Gulf Coast/Latin America Business Development Symposium on Friday, Oct. 15, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel. The cost is $50. For more information, call Leida Javier-Ferrell at 431-8631.
nniversaries Members Are Our Greatest Asset!
50 YEARS
Meador Warehousing & Distribution Inc. N D Cunningham Co. Inc. Freight Forwarding & Custom Occidental Chemical Corp. YMCA of South Alabama
25 YEARS
Bronstein’s Fine Furniture Inc. Fausak Tires & Service Harper & Associates Insurance Inc. Junior League of Mobile Inc. Southern Earth Sciences Vinson Guard Service Inc.
20 YEARS
Industry Services Co. Inc. Norman Realty / GMAC Real Estate Sanders Hyland Corp. Serenity Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home of Mobile Smith Industrial Service
15 YEARS
Alec Naman Catering Inc. Dillards - Bel Air Mall Samuel L. Johnson DDS PC S & S Sprinkler Co. LLC Sunbelt Business Brokers
10 YEARS
Aull & Monroe C. H. Robinson Worldwide First Financial Group of the South Handy Lock Self Storage Partners for Environmental Progress Pixallure Design LLC
5 YEARS
Buchanan Lumber Mobile Inc. Davis & Sons Professional Services Inc. Hillcrest Automotive Insight Treatment Program Inc. Orkin Pest Control Pintoli’s Italian Cafe Quality Inn & Suites Sirius Technical Services Inc. Specialty Health Care Rehabilitation Center of Mobile St. Mary’s Home Theodore Services
1-4 YEARS
A. D. S. Fire & Security Systems AseraCare Atlantic Scaffolding Azalea City Credit Union Calvert Branch Baldwin Bone & Joint PC/Canale Spine Institute Bay Area Assisted Living Facility Bay Furniture & Appliance Co. Inc. Beaird Organization
BELFOR USA Beverly M. Burton Scholarship Trust Bluewater Yacht Sales Bryan Contractors LLC. Club Insanity Coldwell Banker Charles Hayes Real Estate Inc. Commodore Steel Buildings CONTECH Construction Products Inc. CWJ Contracting Dixie Trucks Inc. Family Center Focus Tax Service Ford Lumber Co. Inc. G. C. Specialties Inc. General Insulation Inc. Gerhardt’s Luggage and Gifts Git a Grip Services LLC Gulf Coast Air & Hydraulics Gulf Coast Pints LLC H & H Electric Co. Inc. Hampton Inn & Suites Providence Park/Airport Hampton Inn Pensacola Beach Gulf Front Harcros Chemicals Inc. The Hiller Companies JRC Technology Group LLC JubileeScape Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes Lynwood Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center Mayer Electric Supply MBA Structural Engineers Inc. Marspec Technical Products McAlisters Deli Merchants Bank Midtown Mortgage Mobile County EMS Mobile Solvent and Supply Inc. North Mobile Internet Services Inc. Palomar Insurance Corp. Pawlowski & Associates PC Pay-Less Carpets & Flooring Inc. Phoenix Fitness Polish Port City Metal Fabrication LLC Precision Tune Auto Care Regina Faggard - RE/MAX Realty Centre Richardson, Spear, Spear & Hamby PC Rick Rutland DMD PC Ruland & Ruland CPAs LLC The Sessions Team - Roberts Brothers Inc. Sherwin Williams Co. Simplex Grinnell LP Slaton Moving & Warehouse Southern Controls Inc. Susan A. Martino CFP Taylor Creek Hunting Preserve W&O Supply Wedding & Event Planning by Linda WillTayl Life and Health Insurance Cart The Wine Loft
Please show your support through the patronage of these businesses.
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
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The Business View | OCTOBER 2010
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Clip and add to your Membership Directory.
If you know of a company interested in benefitting from Chamber membership, contact Rebecca Milam at 431-8647 or Tricia Seibt at 431-8642. View the complete membership directory at www.mobilechamber.com.
There is Strength in Numbers... A recent study showed that consumers are 63 percent more likely to purchase goods or services from a small business that is a Chamber member. For as little as 83 cents a day your membership will yield a return in: • Business assistance; • Professional development seminars and counseling; • Networking opportunities; • Advocacy aimed at protecting your business interests; and much more. For more information about becoming a member, contact Carolyn Golson at 431-8622 or cgolson@mobilechamber.com or visit www.mobilechamber.com. The Business of Mobile is Our Business.
Adorable Do’s Pet Grooming Dana Miller 6305-D Cottage Hill Rd. Mobile, AL 36609 251-661-2133 Pet Grooming
Applied Technical Services Margaret Dopson 1775 Ninth St. Mobile, AL 36615 251-434-6440 www.atslab.com Inspections
Advanced Collision Center Inc. Danny Woodard 1165 Sledge Dr. Mobile, AL 36606 251-478-4500 Automobile Body Repair-Paint
BayFest Inc. Shana Jordan P.O. Box 1827 Mobile, AL 36633 251-208-7835 www.bayfest.com Music Festival
Allen Southern Electric Motor Service Inc. Leland Nelson 2877 Mill St. Mobile, AL 36607 251-478-9577 Electric Motors-Dealers & Repairs
Blue Fish Design Studio Marcus Neto 25558 Friendship Rd., Ste. C Daphne, AL 36526 251-654-3698 www.bluefishdesignstudio.com Web Page Design & Hosting
FIND THE CHAMBER ON THE WEB facebook.com - Become a fan of
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce linkedin.com Group - Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce mobilechamber.com/chamberblog.asp twitter.com/MobileChamber youtube.com/MobileChamber
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Boteler & Wolfe, Attorneys at Law Mark C. Wolfe 1252 Dauphin St. Mobile, AL 36604 251-433-7766 www.botelerwolfe.com Legal Services Brock Safety Services LLC Frankie Brock 2010 W. I-65 Service Rd. S. Mobile, AL 36693 251-751-8745 Safety Consultants C Factor Advertising & Design Carl Norman 7595 O’Hara Dr. Spanish Fort, AL 36527 773-412-4702 www.cfactoradvertising.com Graphic Designers Cammie’s Old Dutch Ice Cream Shoppe Camilla Wayne 2511 Old Shell Rd. Mobile, AL 36607 251-471-1710 Ice Cream/Frozen Desserts Brian A. Campbell 101 Fenwick Rd. Mobile, AL 36608 251-342-4364 Individuals CC2M LLC David Waeschle 9571 Tunbridge Ct. Mobile, AL 36695 251-463-1623 www.cc2m.com Advertising Specialties Charleston Apartment Homes Kathy Brooks 2889 Sollie Rd. Mobile, AL 36695 251-509-4043 Apartments Chilton Property Preservation Specialists Len Chilton 9511 Tunbridge Ct. Mobile, AL 36695 251-490-5507 Real Estate Restoration Coastal Auto Group Patrick Wilbanks 2325 N. McKenzie St. Foley, AL 36535 251-972-2277 www.coastalautogroup.net Automobile Dealers-New & Used Cars
Coastal Interior Products Mike Hale 1854-B E. I-65 Service Rd. N. Mobile, AL 36617 251-452-6161 www.gms-inc.com Construction Material Rod Cooke Construction Inc. Wes Cooke 3496 Halls Mill Rd. Mobile, AL 36693 251-450-0410 www.rcconst.com Contractors-General The Corrigan Law Firm PC Richard E. Corrigan 51 Tacon St., Ste. C-2 Mobile, AL 36607 251-476-2292 www.corriganlawfirm.com Attorneys Dealers Auto Auction of Mobile LLC David Andrews 3030 McVay Dr. N. Mobile, AL 36606 901-335-9502 Auction - Auto Gulf Equipment Corp. Lyman M. Ramsay 5535 Business Pkwy. Theodore, AL 36582 251-653-5075 www.gulfequipment.com Contractors - General LCM Motorcars LLC Larry Kirby 5442 Hwy. 90 W., Unit 2 Mobile, AL 36619 251-602-5050 www.lcmmotorcars.com Automobile Dealers-Used Cars Little Flower Catholic School Clara Brunk 2103 Government St. Mobile, AL 36606 251-479-5761 www.littleflower.cc Schools-Academic-Sec/ Elementary MDL Innovations LLC Jack Harston 6585 Hwy. 431, Ste. E-227 Hampton Cove, AL 35763 602-300-0189 www.mdlinnovations.com Information Technology Mercedes of Mobile Gary Grady 3060 Dauphin St. Mobile, AL 36606 251-472-2369 www.mbofmobile.com Auto Sales
OCTOBER 2010 | The Business View | Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
Jacqueline Moore & Associates Jacqueline Moore 5861 S. Albion Ct. Greenwood Village, CO 80121 303-771-1637 www.corrections.com\moore Consultant Mutual of Omaha Carol Bates 802 Hwy. 43 S., Ste. E Saraland, AL 36571 251-679-9216 www.mutualofomaha.com Insurance Karen Rhodes NAIFA-Mobile 1621 S. University Blvd., Ste. B1 Mobile, AL 36609 251-343-0663 www.naifa-mobile.org Nonprofit Organization Pathways Financial Solutions Inc. Glenn Carnathan 7445 Lake Blvd., Ste. 100 Spanish Fort, AL 36527 251-621-9310 www.pathwaysfinancial.com Consultant Perfecting That Cleaning Service Keaneacha Dockery P.O. Box 91521 Mobile, AL 36691 251-634-3450 www.perfectingthatcleaningsvc.com Cleaning Service PMI Emerald Coast Chapter - Mobile Branch Carrie French 2 Cambridge Ct. Fairhope, AL 36532 251-753-3964 www.pmiemeraldcoastfl.org Nonprofit Organization Port City Medical LLC Ahmet Sedat Kacar 8053 Airway Pk. Dr. Mobile, AL 36608 251-443-7667 www.portcitymedical.com Medical Equipment/Supply PT Solutions Sandy Cooke 305 N. Water St. Mobile, AL 36602 251-431-5800 www.pt-solutions.us Physical Therapy
Skyline Gulf Coast LLC Toby Rieth 4002 Lavosier St. Chalmette, LA 70043 504-524-3600 www.skyline.com Sales Sonitrol of Mobile Inc. Joseph Dzwonkowski Jr. 13 Upham St. Mobile, AL 36607 251-471-0866 www.sonitrol.com Security Systems Consultants Springhill Primary Care Michael King 3715 Dauphin St., Ste. 7A Mobile, AL 36608 251-410-4001 www.springhillmedicalcenter.com Medical Clinics St. Mary’s Catholic School Deborah D. Ollis 107 N. Lafayette St. Mobile, AL 36604 251-433-9904 www.stmarymobile.org Schools-Private-Secondary/ Elementary Synovus Mortgage Corp. Lisa G. Hartley 3290 Dauphin St., Ste, 302 Mobile, AL 36606 251-342-6165 www.synovusmortgage.com Mortgages UniFirst Corp. Vicky Salilsbury 3044 Lees Lane Mobile, AL 36693 251-660-5084 Uniform Supply Service Zurcare LLC Regie Hines 3725 Airport Blvd., Ste. 100H Mobile, AL 36608 251-345-7337 www.zurcare.com Medical Equipment/Supply As of 7/31/10
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS ...builds a solid economy.
One of the strongest Chamber assets for Frank Seltzer is the Alabama Minority Business Enterprise Center. There he found a mentor and opportunities to bid on mega projects, leading to sizeable jobs. As one of 2,400 Chamber members, Frank has access to resources, exposure and networking to grow his business and make it thrive – and success for Frank is built brick-bybrick.
Frank Seltzer Superior Masonry 35 Employees Member Since 2006
The Business of Mobile is our Business. joinmobilechamber.com 251.433.6951