Montgomery Business Journal – April 2015

Q&A WITH JOHN STANLEY PAGE 12

DEVELOPMENT MUSHROOMS ON COMMERCE PAGE 50

MONTGOMERY REGIONAL AIRPORT PLANS FOR 2030 AND BEYOND

PREPARING for

TAKEOFF

BRIDGING A CULTURAL GAP PAGE 54

CONTENTS

APRIL 2015

COVER STORY:

40

MEMBER NEWS 30 Member Profile: Rosemont Gardens 62 Member Profile: A Catered Affair

CHAMBER NEWS

Master plan takes MGM to the next level

FEATURES 12 Q&A WITH JOHN STANLEY Real improvement for commercial real estate

54 BRIDGE A CULTURAL GAP State Education Department offers online Korean class

32 TOUGH WORLD WE LIVE IN U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby advocates increased defense spending

58 DRIVING ALABAMA’S EXPORTS Vehicles shipped to 99 countries in 2014

06 Calendar 22 Reporter’s Notebook 64 Business Buzz 68 Members on the Move 72 New Members 73 Ribbon Cuttings & Ground Breakings

36 PHYSICIAN-FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE American Family Care recruits doctors for urgent care clinics 50 79C DEVELOPMENT MUSHROOMS Mellow Mushroom owners gear up for expected high volume

74 Economic Intel

April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

3

THE NUMBER ONE BUSINESS SOURCE FOR MONTGOMERY AND THE RIVER REGION PUBLISHER

Randall L. George EDITORIAL

Tina McManama David Zaslawsky Lashanda Gaines Melissa Bowman DESIGN

Copperwing Design PHOTOGRAPHER

Robert Fouts ON THE COVER

Rigorous Academics.

Lasting Friendships.

Phil Perry (left) is executive director of the Montgomery Regional Airport and Chester Mallory is chairman of the Montgomery Airport Authority Board of Directors.

MA students come from many different backgrounds,

Linda Drumheller 334-240-9494 mbjsales@montgomerychamber.com

ADVERTISING

but they share one quality—intellectual curiosity.

We invite you to see what makes MA one of the leading independent schools in the South.

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Contact Susannah Cleveland, Director of Admissions admissions@montgomeryacademy.org

Th e M o n t g o m e r y A c a d e m y 334.272.8210 | mont go mer yacade my. o rg The Montgomery Academy admits students of any race, religion, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students of the school.

4

Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

Montgomery Business Journal c/o Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Post Office Box 79 41 Commerce Street Montgomery, Alabama 36101 Telephone: 334-834-5200 Fax: 334-265-4745 Email: mbj@montgomerychamber.com www.montgomerychamber.com/mbj The Montgomery Business Journal (USPS NO. 025553) is published monthly except for the combined issues of June/July/August and November/December, by the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, 41 Commerce Street, Montgomery AL 36104, (334) 834-5200, www.montgomerychamber.com. Subscription rate is $30 annually. Periodicals Postage Paid at Montgomery Alabama, 36119+9998, USPS NO. 025553. Volume 7, Issue 4.

POSTMASTER send address changes to Montgomery Business Journal, c/o Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 79, 41 Commerce Street, Montgomery AL 36101, or email mbj@montgomerychamber.com. The Montgomery Business Journal welcomes story ideas from its readers. Email to: editor@montgomerychamber.com. Subscriptions are a part of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce dues structure. Subscriptions can also be purchased for $30 per year at www.montgomerychamber.com/mbjsub.

Superior Real Estate Services.

Norman Azar

Steve Wallace Zach Rolen Frank Potts

Amy Knudsen

Mickey Griffin Gary Jones

Dawn Casey

Leslie Zeanah

David Potts

Jamie Golomb

Scott Harris

Robin Raiford

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Management | Leasing | Marketing Brokerage | Development

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3500 Eastern Boulevard | Montgomery, Alabama 36116 aronovcommercial.com

334.277.1000

13 > INTERPERSONAL AND BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS

April

Training by AIDT 8:30 AM @ Montgomery Chamber Business Development Center 600 South Court Street, Montgomery Registration: montgomerychamber.com/ AIDTtraining

1 > CHAMBER ORIENTATION Sponsored by Charter HR 8 AM @ Montgomery Chamber 41 Commerce Street, Montgomery Free event, registration required

CHAMBER NEWS

EVENTS

6 > BUSINESS PLANNING SEMINAR Sponsored by BWS Technologies 4 PM @ Montgomery Chamber Business Development Center 600 South Court Street, Montgomery $10 at the door

8 > 60 MINUTE COFFEE Sponsored by AALOS 8 AM @ Montgomery Antiques & Interiors 1955 Eastern Boulevard, Montgomery Free event, exclusively for Chamber Members

15 > INTERPERSONAL AND BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS Training by AIDT 8:30 AM @ Montgomery Chamber Business Development Center 600 South Court Street, Montgomery Registration: montgomerychamber.com/ AIDTtraining

20 > BUSINESS PLANNING SEMINAR Sponsored by BWS Technologies 4 PM @ Montgomery Chamber Business Development Center 600 South Court Street, Montgomery $10 at the door

8 > ALABAMA-NASA MSFC PROCUREMENT SUPPLIERS CONFERENCE Sponsored by Alabama State University Small Business Development Center 9 AM @ The Warehouse at Alley Station 130 Commerce Street, Montgomery $35 Chamber Member $50 Nonmember Registration: montgomerychamber.com/NASA

The Montgomery Chamber Event Calendar is at montgomerychamber.com/events

6

Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

22 > CONVERSATIONS: ROUNDTABLES FOR PROFESSIONAL WOMEN Presenting Sponsor: Morgan Stanley 11 AM @ Montgomery Country Club 3001 Narrow Lane Road, Montgomery Registration: montgomerychamber. com/conversations

23 > BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Sponsored by Montgomery Airport Authority 5 PM @ Montgomery Regional Airport 4445 Selma Highway, Montgomery Free event, exclusively for Chamber Members

25 > MILITARY SALUTE AT RIVERWALK STADIUM Presenting Sponsor: Capitol Chevrolet 6:30 PM @ Riverwalk Stadium 200 Coosa Street, Montgomery

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May 4 > ALABAMA UPDATE

CHAMBER NEWS

EVENTS

Presenting Sponsor: Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles P.C. 11:30 AM @ Embassy Suites Montgomery Hotel & Conference Center 300 Tallapoosa Street, Montgomery Registration: montgomerychamber. com/ALupdate

12 > WORKFORCE BEHAVIOR AND CHALLENGES Training by AIDT 8:30 AM @ Montgomery Chamber Business Development Center 600 South Court Street, Montgomery Registration: montgomerychamber.com/ AIDTtraining

13 > 60 MINUTE COFFEE Sponsored by Embassy Suites Montgomery Hotel & Conference Center 8 AM @ Embassy Suites Montgomery Hotel & Conference Center 300 Tallapoosa Street, Montgomery Free event, exclusively for Chamber Members

13 > WORKFORCE BEHAVIOR AND CHALLENGES Training by AIDT 8:30 AM @ Montgomery Chamber Business Development Center 600 South Court Street, Montgomery Registration: montgomerychamber.com/ AIDTtraining

The Montgomery Chamber Event Calendar is at montgomerychamber.com/events

8

Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

4 > BUSINESS PLANNING SEMINAR

18 > BUSINESS PLANNING SEMINAR

Sponsored by BWS Technologies 4 PM @ Montgomery Chamber Business Development Center 600 South Court Street, Montgomery $10 at the door

Sponsored by BWS Technologies 4 PM @ Montgomery Chamber Business Development Center 600 South Court Street, Montgomery $10 at the door

7 > CHAMBER GOLF CLASSIC

28 > BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

Presenting Sponsor: Wynlakes Golf & Country Club 8 AM @ Wynlakes Golf & Country Club 7900 Wynlakes Boulevard, Montgomery Registration: montgomerychamber.com/golf

Sponsored by Regions Bank 5 PM @ Regions Bank 201 Monroe Street, Montgomery Free event, exclusively for Chamber Members

Money Is Never Enough Despite the familiar warning that “money can’t buy happiness,”

Retention Disconnects

it does help pay the bills. That is why it should come as no surprise

Re-aligning workplace initiatives to more closely mirror worker priorities

that compensation — both in the form of pay and benefits — has

can help lower the potential for high turnover. However, only half

long held the top spot in surveys that seek to understand what

of companies today survey their employees to determine what is

motivates the workforce. Given economic conditions over the past

important to them. That is perhaps why employers and employees

several years, job security was also a high priority, but even that is

are so far apart on what factors drive retention. Not only are there

changing. Today people want more than fair compensation; they

obvious disconnects between employer and employee, there are also

want to like both the job that they do and the employer for whom

a growing number of finer distinctions due to disconnects based on

they do it. They are looking for a sense of purpose. If they don’t find

generational preferences.

it in their current position, they will seek it elsewhere. At a time when economic momentum is finally accelerating, no employer can afford

What the Youngest Workers Want

to ignore the prospect of increased turnover, which could potentially

Millennial workers demand growth potential, work/life balance and

cripple the ability to capitalize on that momentum.

good pay. Keep them up to date about growth opportunities at your company. Work with them to understand their interests and set a

Understanding the Workforce

timeline for greater responsibility. They view their jobs as a continuation

For nearly 17 years, Spherion® has been exploring shifting trends

of their educations. They need to feel they are learning and appreciate

and changing attitudes in the American workforce. Its Emerging

being coached. An adrenaline-driven generation that craves change

Workforce Study reflects the input of nearly a quarter of a million

and challenge, its members won’t shrink from assignments outside

workers and hundreds of employers. According to Angela Swarts,

their comfort zones. They see these opportunities as a vote of

owner of Spherion in Montgomery, “While many employers are

confidence in their abilities.

®

concerned about finding great employees, ensuring they keep the talented people already on their payroll seems to be less of a priority.

Finally, recognize the Gen Y demand for greater work/life balance.

It shouldn’t be. Turnover is a costly distraction that impacts

Offering flexibility will not only meet their expectations, but the desire

performance across an organization. Putting resources into retention

of employees of every age to find a better way to work.

is a much better investment with higher potential for substantial returns in terms of job satisfaction, engagement and high performance.”

Founded in 1946, Spherion is a staffing leader with 175 offices nationwide. Spherion offers clients the personalized service of a local

The Recruiting/Retention Tug of War

business combined with the resources and expertise of a $2 billion

It may seem incredibly obvious, but it is important to let employees

workforce leader. Local owner Angela Swarts and her staffing team

know that you value them. Spherion found that while 52% of employers

have been serving the recruiting and staffing needs of Montgomery

place a high priority on recruiting, only 23% give the same level of

and the River Region for more than a decade. From flexible to direct

attention to retention, and employees have noticed. As a consequence,

hire, they specialize in administrative, light industrial, customer

25% of those Spherion surveyed said they planned to look for a new

service, non-clinical healthcare and professional placements. Find

job in the next 12 months. Smart organizations reject the notion that

out how Spherion can help you build a high-performance workforce

recruiting and retention is an either/or option and instead pursue

to propel growth.

excellence in both.

Spherion Staffing | 4001 Carmichael Rd #410 | Montgomery, Alabama 36106 | 334.260.0788 | spherion.com ©2015 Spherion Staffing Services LLC

THE WORKFORCE PIPELINE

CHAMBER NEWS

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TR AINING AIDT/Montgomery Regional Workforce Training Center is offering training areas industries need now to meet their workforce needs.

Last fall, the Montgomery Chamber unveiled an unprecedented partnership linking the Alabama Community College System, Trenholm State, Montgomery Public Schools, the Alabama Region 7 Workforce Development Council and AIDT as a part of a new workforce development pipeline for Montgomery and the River Region.

AIDT’s plan is for the Montgomery Regional Workforce Training Center to be strategically housed as part of the new Career & Tech One Center at the former Montgomery Mall site. AIDT is already teaching classes at the Chamber’s Business Development Center. Training for existing industries and the local workforce is an important part of the workforce pipeline.

These Montgomery Regional Workforce Training Center class topics are based on feedback the Montgomery Chamber received from local industries on workforce development needs. Soft skills and essential workforce skills training were at the top of the list.

Training is conducted by certified AIDT trainers.

For more information go to montgomerychamber.com/AIDTtraining

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Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

16 > BASIC COMPUTER SKILLS TRAINING

April 13 > MANUFACTURING FUNDAMENTALS: MANUFACTURING MATH Learn the basic fundamental components of mathematics. You will study the functional application of numbers and how mathematics applies to the work environment.

13 > INTERPERSONAL & BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS Learn how to be a better communicator. You will be introduced to various perspectives on interpersonal communication, including effective interpersonal communications to improve relationships.

14 > MANUFACTURING FUNDAMENTALS: PRECISION MEASUREMENTS In this class, you will be introduced to precision measurement tools commonly used in an industrial environment. The class will cover the basic use and purpose of precision measurement tools such as the micrometer, steel rule and caliper.

15 > MANUFACTURING FUNDAMENTALS: BLUEPRINT READING Learn how to recognize and interpret various types of industrial drawings, lines and symbols, and views.

15 > INTERPERSONAL & BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS Learn how to be a better communicator. You will be introduced to various perspectives on interpersonal communication, including effective interpersonal communications to improve relationships.

Learn the basic components and use of a personal computer. Gain an understanding of fundamental computer functions and performance. Learn how to navigate through windows, files, and folders as well as online networks and the Internet.

17 > MANUFACTURING FUNDAMENTALS: QUALITY/SPC This course is designed to give you a general overview of quality management and its major principles, along with a general introduction to Statistical Process Control (SPC).

May 4–8 > MANUFACTURING FUNDAMENTALS: BASIC ELECTRICITY This five-day course will provide you with the entry-level concept of basic electricity. You will gain a fundamental understanding of basic electricity in an industrial environment.

You will learn safe electrical practices, theory of electricity, Ohm’s law, and electrical components.

11-15 > MANUFACTURING FUNDAMENTALS: BASIC PLC 20-21 > MANUFACTURING FUNDAMENTALS: OSHA 10 This two-day program will provide entrylevel general industry workers information about employees' rights and employer responsibilities. The training covers general industry safety and health hazards encountered in the workplace.

21 > MANUFACTURING FUNDAMENTALS: ARC FLASH This class focuses on general awareness of rules, responsibilities and procedures for working safely in an electrical environment.

22 > MANUFACTURING FUNDAMENTALS: FORKLIFT TRAINING Learn how to properly and safely operate a powered lift truck, and the terminology associated with lift truck operation including balance, stability and powered lift truck capacity.

23 > MANUFACTURING FUNDAMENTALS: OVERHEAD CRANE TRAINING You will receive an overview of the classes and types of cranes used in an industrial environment, and regulations and standards.

You will learn the components of a crane, proper use in an industrial environment, pre-operational inspection, and the safety measures for operating a crane.

This five-day course is an introduction to the concepts of PLC. You will learn typical PLC hardware, architecture, and I/O (digital and analog). You will receive an introduction to program concepts, communication between a PLC and a programming computer, ladder logic, memory addressing, timers, counters, compare instructions, and troubleshooting concepts.

12 > WORKFORCE BEHAVIORS & CHALLENGES Learn how to collaborate with others by understanding personality styles, diversity, workplace ethics, and conflict management.

Find out how teams can work together instead of against each other for the success of an organization.

13 > WORKFORCE BEHAVIORS & CHALLENGES Learn how to collaborate with others by understanding personality styles, diversity, workplace ethics, and conflict management.

Find out how teams can work together instead of against each other for the success of an organization.

April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

11

Q&A 12

Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

REAL IMPROVEMENT FOR COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE interview by David Zaslawsky

photography by Robert Fouts

John Stanley is the founder and president/broker of John Stanley & Associates. He was recently interviewed by Montgomery Business Journal’s David Zaslawsky.

Montgomery Business Journal: How long have you operated your own firm, John Stanley & Associates?

Stanley: We started John Stanley & Associates in June of 2000. n

How long have you been involved in commercial real estate? n

Since 1971.

Now that we have established your credentials, what is your 2015 outlook for commercial real estate in the River Region? n I have a very positive outlook about the future here and a lot of that was reflected in a meeting that I (recently) attended with the Montgomery commercial real estate group, which is a local group consisting of 35 commercial Realtors in the River Region. We talk about recent activity and talk about things in the future.

What was your percentage increase from the previous year? n Our activity in commercial real estate consists of real estate sales, whereby we are representing sellers and buyers; and commercial leasing, which consists of office leasing and some retail leasing, but primarily office leasing. Our activity last year and going into this year is probably up 15 to 20 percent from the past.

We probably saw more increase in activity on the office leasing side than the sales side.

Are your numbers matching the previous highs or returning to prerecession levels? n They are getting back to what I consider my best year and my best year was 2010. We’ve had steady and positive growth over the past five or six years. We never really had a dip because so much of our sales

Continued on page 14

How would you characterize the meeting?

That meeting we had was very upbeat; a positive mood – that I haven’t seen in a while. n

You’re saying the positive sentiment is widespread.

Widespread. There was a reporting in that meeting of (recently) more sales and leasing activity than has been in the past. I had a feel for a more upbeat mood and optimism as we moved into 2015. On a personal note, we had a very good 2014 overall in leasing and sales activity and we moved into 2015 with a lot of sales and leasing activity on the books to be closed in 2015. n

The once-empty, 210,000-square-foot Capitol Commerce Center, is now 80 percent occupied after it was purchased by Little Rock, Ark.-based Crain Management Group.

April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

13

Continued from page 13

and leasing activity has involved the selling and leasing of bank-owned property. Fortunately we were on the receiving end of that … and able to assist banks with the sale of foreclosed assets.

Going back some years, there was a glut of office space. How do you characterize the market for office space?

We have an overabundance of certain types of office space. n

Which types are those?

In my opinion, we have an overabundance of Class B office space.

n

What is Class B office space?

We consider three levels of office space. Class A is your top-of-the-line office space like Halcyon Pointe, Capitol Commerce Center, RSA (Retirement Systems of Alabama) buildings, Lakeview Center. Your Class B buildings consist of middle-grade buildings, which are many of the one-story and two-story office buildings on Carmichael Road. A good example of Class B product is Interstate Park and some of the older office buildings in downtown Montgomery. There are Class C office buildings that are dated.

n

Has that overabundance of Class B office space been declining? n It’s been increasing the available inventory. There is more product on the market and it’s driving rates down.

Ultimately, it affects the overall market – it even affects the Class A market.

Stivers Ford Lincoln Mazda has undergone a major expansion and the workforce has doubled since Eddie Stivers, dealer principal of Stivers Automotive Group, bought the dealership in 2009.

14

Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

Is that causing Class A office space rates to decline as well? n Yes, it can. Rates in Montgomery with some exceptions are flat or slightly less than what they were three years ago.

Will it take three, four or five years to reduce the supply of Class B office space? n I’ll say it will take two to three years for that to even out.

Then will all the office rates start moving up? n

They will start to return to normal.

Are people still constructing office buildings? n There has been so much existing product on the market that buyers have tended to purchase those

properties and remodel or rehab those properties. I am beginning to see an increase in the purchase of land for new development.

Isn’t that a recent development? n Yes. It might be spec or might be owner-occupied. I’ve seen more dentists and doctors considering building new because their office buildings are typically very specific, so they choose to buy new rather than buy something (existing). We are also beginning to see a lot of new retail activity and continued retail activity. There has been a great resurgence of new activity along East Boulevard with Gander Mountain, Party City relocation; new furniture store; relocation of Starbucks. You have new car dealership activity on East Boulevard: ToyotaLexus, BMW, Capitol Chevrolet, Jack Ingram Motors, Best Auto Sales. All of that has greatly enhanced East Boulevard. You have improvements that Stivers (Ford/ Lincoln/Mazda) has done on his site and what’s going to happen to (the old) Montgomery Mall.

Continued on page 17

April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

15

“There is a definite optimism, momentum and confidence in what I think Montgomery is perceived as being the place to invest.�

-John Stanley

Gander Mountain is one of a handful of new retailers to the Montgomery area. It opened at an existing 44,000-square-foot location at the Promenade North shopping center on Eastern Boulevard.

16

Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

Continued from page 15

What is the message from those retailers and developers? n It’s extremely positive. You’re not going to get a company like Gander Mountain to make the investment that they have made without feeling very good about the market. I think it’s coming from the optimism of our city planners, our city officials and local developers.

Isn’t there a whole different mindset right now?

I agree. I think there is a totally different mindset.

There seems to be a mindset of everybody pulling together and working through all the issues as it relates to our day-to-day activities. I think the mayor, City Council, County Commission do a great job to enhance growth – development opportunities.

“I am very optimistic for at least the next four or five years under current conditions.”

n

-John Stanley

Continued on page 18

April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

17

Continued from page 17

The local developers and investors are seeing something very positive. n Just in (January) we’ve entered into contracts for the purchase of land to do developments along Taylor Road – medical office buildings – and even looking along EastChase Parkway and a couple of new restaurants.

Not to mention and not to exclude what Aronov is doing at the intersection of Taylor Road and I-85.

You’re talking about Chase Corner, which will have Whole Foods. n

Buffalo (Wild Wings) is going there.

There are also restaurants coming to EastChase Station.

Aronov Realty Management is developing Chase Corner, at the intersection of Taylor Road and Interstate 85, which will have a 40,000 square-foot Whole Foods Market as the anchor.

n That’s correct. There’s a new hotel coming – Hilton Garden Inn. I’m working with another hotel group in that vicinity.

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18

Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

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Hoteliers are always looking to hit that magic 70 percent occupancy before adding a facility. n Hotel occupancy rates are up all over town. I have often said what I consider extremely beneficial to the City of Montgomery is that six or seven years ago Montgomery was growing extremely fast in the east. It was moving like a freight train and then all of a sudden you had the development of Walmart on Ann Street.

Then we had all that development downtown, which has been excellent for the City of Montgomery because it has helped to balance the city as far as commercial real estate activity. Now I see the city as (more) levelbalanced than it was.

Continued on page 20

The 16,000-square-foot EastChase Station, being developed by Alfa Realty and Jim Wilson & Associates, will have two restaurants.

April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

19

Continued from page 19

That activity has spread out across the city.

There has been activity on Fairview Avenue and then the Southern Bypass. The city is much more balanced with retail, office and commercial than it was five or six years ago. Now, you have the north side on Federal Drive with a Walmart grocery store. n

From what you’re saying, this certainly looks like a very promising year for commercial real estate. n There is a definite optimism, momentum and confidence in what I think Montgomery is perceived as being the place to invest.

Isn’t that the bottom line – the confidence to invest?

You have all those people willing to invest. You’ve got strong leadership with the city and county that are doing everything they can to facilitate growth and increase retail sales. Guess what (happens) when you increase retail sales? It increases tax revenue. n

“You’ve got strong leadership with the city and county that are doing everything they can to facilitate growth and increase retail sales.”

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Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

-John Stanley

What are you seeing in the industrial commercial real estate sector? n A vast majority of the large industrial boxes are leased now. We need more large warehouse boxes for future Hyundai-related tier 1, 2 and 3 suppliers or whatever.

Options are limited now.

In a way that is a good problem because before there were a lot of vacant industrial buildings. n

That’s right.

We’ve only talked about Montgomery. n I don’t want to leave Prattville out of the mix here because we do a lot in Prattville. We’ve represented several companies that own land in Prattville.

There is work going on next to Prattville Carpet.

I represented the owner of that tract of land and I sold it to Brewbaker Motors and they are doing a new car dealership there. We have other properties in Prattville.

Going back to the Eastern Bypass, I think the fact that all the car dealerships have greatly improved their facilities is an indication of optimism. n

Do you see 2016 and 2016-2020 extending gains this year unless there are some major blimps? n Provided interest rates stay down to a manageable level and that we have the available and trained workforce to actually work new developments – I am very optimistic for at least the next four or five years under current conditions.

Let’s talk about Loveless Academic Magnet Program high school and the school district’s technical education center moving to the old Montgomery Mall. What does that mean to that area as far as commercial real estate? n I think it makes a tremendous impact. It increases retail activity. Those people have got to have a place to eat and shop close by. It creates more synergy for that intersection. I think it will improve business activity for existing owners in that area and encourage others to locate there. The improvement of Montgomery Mall removes a stigma from that area that should not exist.

There is too much potential there at that intersection.

If some existing businesses relocate near the old mall, that opens up opportunities for other retailers as well to backfill those sites.

That’s right. There are just so many people who can afford to pay East Montgomery prices. When the less expensive (sites) become available inside the bypass, that’s a good backfill. One of the most positive things Montgomery has got going from a residential standpoint is Hampstead. With the Lowder family’s willingness to make that investment out Taylor Road to do what they’re doing … Hampstead is going to be a major residential and commercial development for the future. I’ll tell you what dictates growth and that’s the availability of sewer and you’ve got sewer there; you’ve got sewer at New Park; you’ve got sewer down Park Crossing. I’m working on a major deal out Taylor Road right now that I cannot identify. I see a lot of potential development out Taylor Road. n

Following the rooftops. n Yes, follow the rooftops.n

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK

STIFEL BUYS STERNE AGEE

SUCCESS STORY The Capitol Commerce Center, which was formerly the headquarters of Colonial Bank, sat vacant for about two years – all 210,000 square feet of Class A office space.

About four years ago the empty building in East Montgomery was purchased by the Crain family in Arkansas.

by David Zaslawsky

Lofty Goals The state’s agriculture and forestry

Stifel Financial Corp. is buying Birminghambased Sterne Agee in a $150 million deal. Sterne has $20 billion-plus under management and more than 700 financial advisers. Stifel has $133 billion in client assets

groups could create 58,000 jobs and add

Stifel had a record revenue of $2.2 billion last year, which was a 12 percent increase from 2013. The company’s profit was $176.1 million in 2014, an increase of 9 percent from the previous year.

The “Keys to Future Growth” include

The building is now about 80 percent occupied and that means 800-plus people work there, including a large contingent of Hancock Bank employees. Two recent tenants are the Alabama Department of Transportation and Liquidity Services.

Hewlett-Packard was the first tenant.

$7 billion to the Alabama economy by 2020, according to a strategic plan that calls for more involved partnerships between business and government.

expanding markets and trade; maintaining transportation infrastructure; fostering capital investment; developing a quality workforce; and promoting economic development with state agency collaboration.

“Alabama’s agriculture, agribusiness, forestry and forest products industries are projected to enjoy a golden age of sustained growth, thanks to a number of factors, not the least of which are our great state’s natural resources and human resources,” Agriculture & Industries Commissioner John McMillan said in a statement.

The agriculture, forestry and related businesses are a $70.4 billion a year sector.

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Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

Who knew the easiest part of building a home would be getting the loan.

Gina and Lee Ishman, River Bank & Trust Mortgage Loan Clients.

From securing the loan for our lot to converting it

to construction financing and then to our permanent mortgage, River Bank exceeded our expectations every step of the way. Fast, friendly and always looking out for us, they took all the stress out of the financing process. So if you are looking for a bank that will make you feel right at home, call River Bank.

S E R V I C E

U N S

Don Clayton Senior Vice President 334.290.2646

D E E P

Leah Cox Assistant Vice President 334.290.2714

R I VE R BAN KAN D TRUS T. CO M MONTGOMERY Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

P RAT T V I L L E

WETUMPKA

AL EXANDER CIT Y

Sonata Tops Category The 2015 Hyundai Sonata was named the No. 1 mid-sized vehicle for

NEW AUTO SUPPLIER

TUCSON GETS A MAKEOVER Hyundai Motor Co. unveiled its first major makeover of the Tucson, the automaker’s top-selling sports utility vehicle The Tucson is Hyundai’s No. 1 vehicle in Western Europe and among its top-sellers in China, Korea and the U.S. Hyundai hopes to ride the strong SUV segment.

“The new model should help lift Hyundai sales, but market conditions are tough now,” IM Investment & Securities analyst Ryu Yen-wha told Reuters.

“Differentiating the Tucson from the rest of the pack will be challenging.”

Although production began nearly 10 years ago (May 2005) at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama’s plant, the region recently gained a new supplier Chowel in Fort Deposit. The company will hire 200 people.

“Any job announcement is significant and when you talk about 200 jobs for Fort Deposit, that’s monumental,” Butler County Commission of Economic Development Chairman Rod Cater told WSFA 12 News.

“That’s the equivalent of Montgomery getting 2,000 jobs when Hyundai arrived more than 10 years ago.”

Chowel will supply parts to the Hyundai plant in Montgomery and the Kia facility in West Point, Ga.

the money in the latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report.

The Korean automaker’s Santa Fe was named the “Best 3-Row SUV for the Money.”

The Sonata is produced at the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama plant in Montgomery while the Santa Fe is manufactured at the Kia plant in nearby West Point, Ga. “Sonata and Santa Fe being recognized by trusted site U.S. News & World Report means Hyundai has successfully been able to offer shoppers class-leading safety features, the latest technology, fuel economy and bold design all at an outstanding value,” Mike O’Brien, vice president of corporate and product planning for Hyundai Motor America, said in a statement.

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Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

4 NO.

ALABAMA NO. 4 ON LIST Alabama was ranked No. 4 on Area Development magazine’s fifth annual list of the Top States for Doing Business.

The state was cited for its Accelerate Alabama program, which was launched in 2012 and focuses on 11 industries.

The South had eight of the top 10 states in the survey of site consultants. Here are the top 10 states (in order): Georgia, Texas, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio and Mississippi.

Site consultants ranked the states in the following categories: business climate, labor climate and infrastructure and global access.

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April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

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Montgomery No. 2 for Black-Owned Businesses Montgomery is the nation’s second-best metro for black-owned businesses, according to rankings from Nerdwallet.com.

The Capital City was about two points behind Columbus, Ga. Metros with populations of at least 100,000 were ranked in two major categories of economic environment and black-owned business success. Some of the subcategories included number of businesses per 100 people; black median income; percentage of black-owned businesses; average

10 5

TOP TEN 1. Columbus

7 6

4 8

2

3 1

2. Montgomery 3. Atlanta

9

4. Memphis 5. Washington, D.C.

revenue of black-owned businesses and percentage of black-owned businesses with paid employees.

Rounding out the Top 10 were (in order): Atlanta; Memphis; Washington, D.C.; Fayetteville, N.C.; Durham, N.C.; Jackson, Miss.; Savannah and Baltimore.

6. Fayetteville, N.C. 7. Durham, N.C. 8. Jackson, Miss.

9. Savannah 10. Baltimore

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Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

MONTGOMERY’S 2014 HOME SALES LEAD STATE METROS Montgomery topped the state’s metros for the percentage increase of homes sold from 2013 to 2014. It marked the third straight year that Montgomery led all metros in the highest percentage increase. Montgomery was No. 1 with an 8.3 percent increase while Birmingham was second with a 5.6 percent increase, according to the Alabama Center for Real Estate, which is part of the Culverhouse College of Commerce at The University of Alabama.

The No. 3 metro was Tuscaloosa at 0.2 percent while Mobile had a decline of 1.3 percent from 2013 and Huntsville fell 5.7 percent from the same period.

Montgomery started 2015 with residential sales up 11.2 percent in January vs. the same period a year ago.

© 2014 Alabama Power Company

Safe, affordable, reliable electricity is one form of power we provide, but not the only one. There’s also the power devoted to realizing the amazing potential of our state and its people.

T hat’s power to propel business forward. That’s Power to Alabama.

www.amazingalabama.com 32:, )DVW0RYLQJ&RPSDQLHVB0%- LQGG

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April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

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Big Economic Impact

The inaugural Raycom Media Camellia Bowl last December at Cramton Bowl was expected to have an economic impact range of $5 million to $10 million, according to city officials and ESPN, which broadcast the game.

“We’re here to say with some certainty that we were in the $12 million range of economic impact,” Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange said at a news conference.

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Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

SKILLED WORKERS NEEDED A shortage of skilled workers has impacted members of the Construction Personnel Executives Group, according to a recent survey conducted by FMI. About one-fourth of the survey participants will not be able to bid on work and one-third will have slow growth if the companies cannot hire skilled workers.

The most difficult positions to fill are: heavy equipment operator, welder, carpenter, pipefitter and ironworker.

“Overall, there’s an increase needed in skilled trade workers of more than 10 percent throughout the next three to 10 years,” FMI director Ken Wilson said in a statement.

April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

29

Member Profile

BUSINESS IS BLOOMING

Rosemont Gardens helps customers add special touch to every occasion

by Melissa George Bowman photography by Robert Fouts

A trip to Rosemont Gardens is definitely a treat for the senses. Vibrant floral arrangements, gourmet goodies and scented candles are just a few of many items greeting visitors. Beyond this oasis, in the offices a steady whir of machines processing orders and the constant motion of staff putting finishing touches on projects capture the business behind the beauty.

“The phones hardly ever stop and people never stop coming in, but that’s such a blessing,” said Rosemont Gardens manager Jerry Thrash.

Specializing in flowers, gifts, and home décor, Rosemont Gardens has been part of the Montgomery community since 1892. As the third generation of his family to work for the company, Thrash also has a history with Rosemont Gardens.

Both his mother and grandmother were employees as well.

Rosemont Gardens manager Jerry Thrash is the third generation of his family to work for the Montgomery florist.

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Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

Rosemont Gardens’ sister companies include Montgomery-based Southern Homes and Gardens and Caffco International, which operates worldwide and supplies a variety of products to major home and garden stores across the globe. Thrash says one advantage Rosemont Gardens has over other floral and gift shops is that it is the only one in the area that carries Caffco products.

“We’re so proud to be affiliated with a company like Caffco,” he said. “It’s wonderful to be able to offer the Caffco product. It’s just such a great product.”

In addition to Caffco lines, Rosemont Gardens also carries an extensive selection of handbags, jewelry and home and garden items. What the store may be best known for, however, is its flowers.

Thrash says the holidays tend to be the busiest season for Rosemont Gardens because work begins as early as September and can last through mid-January. The single busiest day, however, is Mother’s Day because Thrash says it “encompasses everyone” and includes a variety of requests.

“On Mother’s Day we sell memorial flowers. We sell everyday flowers. We do corsages,” he said.

Rosemont Gardens’ floral services include creating and delivering arrangements for birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions as well as larger scale events such as memorial services and weddings. In fact, wedding consultation is a large portion of the company’s business.

No matter the occasion, Rosemont Gardens has long been the go-to florist for many in the River Region.

And for a company that is nearly 125 years old, it has had no trouble keeping up with the times. Even flowers have been impacted by the Digital Age. That is why Rosemont Gardens subscribes to FTD and Teleflora wire services, which allow the store to wire flowers all over the world 24/7. Rosemont Gardens has been so successful that it consistently ranks among the wire services’ top national accounts. In addition, the company website receives a significant amount of online traffic.

“We can follow a wedding from conception to the end,” Thrash said. “We can take it from the date of the engagement to the actual wedding.”

“Our website in particular has hugely broadened our client base,” Thrash said. “We get orders from all over the world.”

Weddings are not the only times Rosemont Gardens’ expertise is in demand. Many River Region businesses hire the company to decorate offices for the holidays and other special events. The same services are also provided to private residences for parties and showers and especially during the holidays.

Closer to home, Rosemont Gardens also receives a large amount of business from people who enjoy experiencing the store’s colorful selections in person.

“We’re a full-line florist,” Thrash said. “Our greenhouse is full of plants and we have experts on duty all the time to help people.”

“We start going to residences in November and we are in people’s houses every day until about the 15th of December,” Thrash said.

One of those residences includes the Alabama governor’s mansion where for the past 10 years Rosemont Gardens has decorated the home’s Christmas tree.

HOURS

8 A.M.-5 P.M. MONDAY-SATURDAY WEBSITE

CAPITOLS ROSEMONT.COM FACEBOOK

FACEBOOK.COM/ ROSEMONTGARDENS FLORISTANDGIFTSHOP

“What I love to do is take people into the cooler because we have a huge amount of flowers on a daily basis and people just love walking through there. They love the way it smells,” Thrash said. “They can hand pick what they want and then we’ll make it for them.”

According to Thrash, what inspires the staff at Rosemont Gardens are the customers they serve and being able to add something special to all the significant occasions of their lives – whether in times of celebration or when a sense of comfort is needed most.

“I love making people happy. I love more than anything to see a happy bride,” Thrash said. “You also talk with people in a memorial sense, too and when they can walk out with a smile on their face you know you’ve done a really good job.”n

April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

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After talking about the global nightmares of the Middle East and Ukraine and the challenges of China, U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby said,

“IT’S A TOUGH WORLD WE LIVE IN.” SHELBY ADVOCATES INCREASED DEFENSE SPENDING

by David Zaslawsky

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Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

photography by Robert Fouts

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The more oil we can get to the refineries â&#x20AC;Ś the cheaper our gas bills and diesel bills.â&#x20AC;?

-U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby

Speaking at the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Eggs & Issues, Alabamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s senior senator was candid about the Middle East. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to tell you weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to solve the problems in the Middle East and Persian Gulf, but we know better than that,â&#x20AC;? Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa, said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think we have to be very careful going back in there and see what the end game is. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Shiites and the Sunni Muslims have been fighting each other to the death for 1,500 years. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to change whatever we do, but we do have vital interests there.â&#x20AC;?

Shelby pointed out the coup in Egypt and what he called a counter coup and the troubles in Syria where â&#x20AC;&#x153;you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fighting who because the sides change.â&#x20AC;?

He said that Russia under President Putin â&#x20AC;&#x153;has become an insurgent. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see any end to it,â&#x20AC;? he said, referring to Russian incursions in Georgia and Ukraine. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re pushing people around.â&#x20AC;?

Continued on page 34

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Continued from page 33

Shelby, a five-term senator who was re-elected in 2010, said that China â&#x20AC;&#x153;becomes a greater challenge to us every day â&#x20AC;&#x201C; economically, and I believe will be a military challenge in the years to come.â&#x20AC;? He said that Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy will support a military buildup.

[Washington needs to] â&#x20AC;&#x153;create the conditions for industry and jobs in Americaâ&#x20AC;?

-U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby

That makes it all the more important, according to Shelby, to invest in national defense. He said the country should have a military â&#x20AC;&#x153;second to none.â&#x20AC;? With the GOP taking charge of the Senate and a greater majority in the House after the midterm elections, Shelby said that â&#x20AC;&#x153;there is a better audience for national security.â&#x20AC;? He said that Republicans â&#x20AC;&#x153;are going to make a big effort to bolster defense spending. How much will it be? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have to see what our budget numbers are and what we can move around because when we pump money into defense, something else is going to have to give a little bit. National security is our No. 1 goal.â&#x20AC;?

He blasted the automatic cuts to defense from sequestration, which Shelby said â&#x20AC;&#x153;has taken a toll and will take a bigger toll on just about every military installation around.â&#x20AC;? He said Congress needs to increase defense spending â&#x20AC;&#x153;for the sake of the safety of the country and perhaps the world.â&#x20AC;?

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One critical area is cyber security, Shelby said. And it could play a significant role here at Maxwell Air Force Base and Gunter Annex. “We’re going to have some of the best and brightest of our people” working on cyber security,” Shelby said. “It’s been neglected too long.”

On other issues, Shelby said: The country benefits from immigration, but he wants the borders and immigration laws enforced.

He supports international trade deals.

There is not enough revenue for highway infrastructure projects and there is no sentiment in Washington to raise the gas tax or diesel tax to support such projects.

As the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, he wants to seek “regulatory relief” for small- and midsized banks that are being treated the same as the country’s largest banks. He said many small businesses obtain funding from small- and mid-sized banks.

He supports the Keystone XL pipeline project that was vetoed by President Obama. “The more oil we can get to the refineries … the cheaper our gas bills and diesel bills,” Shelby said.

Next year is “going to be interesting and expensive” with a crowded GOP field in the presidential race as well as all the House seats and one-third of the Senate seats being contested.

He supports changing the Senate filibuster rules on legislation from 60 votes to 51 votes – the same change that Democrats made on the president’s nominees.

Washington needs to “create the conditions for industry and jobs in America” and reduce regulations. n U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby spoke as a part of the Montgomery Chamber’s Eggs & Issues series, bringing business people and community leaders together with our congressional delegation. Grand presenting sponsor of the Eggs & Issues series is Troy University.

CONTINUED ON PAGE

36

April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

35

Physician-Friendly Atmosphere AMERICAN FAMILY CARE RECRUITS DOCTORS FOR URGENT CARE CLINICS

by David Zaslawsky photography by Robert Fouts

Dr. Glenn Hartnett (right) is chief medical officer of American Family Care and Katherine Marsh is a senior physician recruiter for American Healthcare Resources, an American Family Care company.

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Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

There’s much more than salary and a lot, lot less traffic.

There are not the costs and the headaches associated with operating your own medical office nor the complicated and confusing paperwork. No late-night emergency calls. Regular hours and days off. A normal life. “It’s a much more physician-friendly atmosphere,” Harnett said.

Katherine Marsh, a senior physician recruiter for American Healthcare Resources, an American Family Care company, said, “We just want you to practice medicine.”

There are a number of ways of reducing a shortage of physicians in the River Region including a longterm solution of training more doctors through local medical schools.

Business has been so strong that AFC PrimeMed clinics need more physicians for the River Region locations – five in Montgomery, two in Prattville and one in Wetumpka.

A short-term solution is bringing physicians from other areas to practice in the River Region, and that is exactly what American Family Care is doing. There are numerous residency programs in the Atlanta area and Emory University is one of the largest residency hospitals in the country, said Dr. Glenn Hartnett, chief medical officer of American Family Care. He said there are dozens of other hospitals there with family medicine programs.

“I can hire six to eight full-time physicians tomorrow,” Harnett said. Some of the clinics are so busy the company needs three physicians working at the same time. “Expansion of the River Region market is definitely not out of the question,” Harnett said.

“Anywhere you might find a Walmart and a Chick-fil-A … they have already done the demographics and traffic counts. If they think they can succeed, there’s probably a need for an urgent care center.”

It all adds up to a glut of physicians in the Atlanta area and that adds up to 16 to 20 full-time physicians at American Family Care/Baptist Health’s eight locations in the River Region, along with another five to nine parttime physicians. The two companies merged to form AFC PrimeMed clinics.

Continued on page 38

Harnett said that he tells physicians, “If it’s going to be a ‘doc-in-the-box’, it’s a really beautiful box and we’re hiring really great docs.”

It’s a pretty easy sell to convince a physician to move from the Atlanta area to the River Region. “We’ve found that there are people that are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle and particularly the traffic that’s going on in Atlanta,” Harnett said. “They are interested because we pay a salary that is commensurate with what they could make in Atlanta. Yet, they could live here without the traffic.”

“If it’s going to be a ‘doc-in-the-box’, it’s a really beautiful box and we’re hiring really great docs.”

-Dr. Glenn Hartnett, chief medical officer of American Family Care

April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

37

“[People] will want to manage their health care dollars in a more economical fashion and clearly going to an urgent care facility vs. the cost of an emergency department is a no-brainer.”

-Dr. Glenn Hartnett, chief medical officer of American Family Care

Continued from page 37

The company plans to open clinics this year in Enterprise and Gadsden and another in Georgia after growing from 25 clinics 3½ years ago to 60 today.

Full time means four 10-hour shifts a week and two weekends a month. Physicians are typically offered 12- or 18-shift monthly contracts, according to Harnett.

A part-time physician works three shifts a week and there are some physicians who moonlight and may work a few shifts a month, according to Marsh.

Some physicians may work three shifts in a row and commute from the Atlanta area. American Family Care pays for the physician’s hotel expenses. The company also offers a relocation package and pays moving expenses for physicians to live in the River Region.

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Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

“When we can get docs full time, it’s much better for us than having a bunch of part-time doctors coming in that don’t necessarily understand our patient-focused philosophy of customer service,” Harnett said. “When we have doctors that are full time, we can teach them and train them on how to be the kind of doctors that we want them to be.”

The urgent care clinics serve several purposes, including alleviating some of the volume of patients overwhelming a primary care doctor’s office. AFC PrimeMed clinics “are the perfect place” during flu season, Harnett said. If your child has a sore throat and cannot see their pediatrician for a couple of days, “We’re the right place to come for that,” he said.

Harnett also cited an example of treating a cut finger that requires stitches. It’s $150 at the urgent care facility and could be $900 in an emergency room.

“We definitely fill a role,” Harnett said.

With the Affordable Care Act and a lot of people with high-deductible health insurance plans, urgent care facilities are cost effective, Harnett said. “They will want to manage their health care dollars in a more economical fashion and clearly going to an urgent care facility vs. the cost of an emergency department is a no-brainer.” n

“When we have doctors that are full time, we can teach them and train them on how to be the kind of doctors that we want them to be.”

-Dr. Glenn Hartnett, chief medical officer of American Family Care

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April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

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Gateway to Montgomery

MASTER PLAN TAKES AIRPORT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

by David Zaslawsky

photography by Robert Fouts

Montgomery Regional Airport Executive Director Phil Perry (right) and Chester Mallory, chairman of the Montgomery Airport Authority Board of Directors, are working together to implement the airport’s master plan.

In four years, passengers at the Montgomery Regional Airport are likely to see two new air carriers, some new direct flights, more food vendors and a “better travel experience.”

It’s all part of the 20-year, $98 million airport master plan that has been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, and just as importantly, the Montgomery Airport Authority Board of Directors.

They will see some touches to the interior of the 110,000-square-foot terminal and will probably have already noticed some changes in the baggage area, including television monitors with advertising.

“The airport is the gateway to the city,” said Chester Mallory, chairman of the Montgomery Airport Authority Board of Directors. “When you get off a plane at the airport and head out to Montgomery, it will create an impression of what you have to look forward to. If we can make that first impression (positive), it will enhance the other things in Montgomery.”

Those passengers probably won’t notice that one of the two runways was doubled in length from 4,000 feet to 8,000 feet or that space was expanded to park planes and that some new corporate hangars were constructed to park some larger aircraft.

Those passengers may or may not notice the 187th Fighter Wing that is stationed at Dannelly Field (at the airport), but that wing will most likely still be in operation thanks to the runway extension.

A three-person committee from the board is working closely with Montgomery Regional Airport Executive Director Phil Perry and the airport’s Montgomery-based engineering firm, Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood.

“It’s a plan – that’s all it is,” Perry said. “It’s like a budget and it changes. You adjust things based on funding; based on things you didn’t see that suddenly crop up; and you go from there.”

Continued on page 44

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Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you get off a plane at the airport and head out to Montgomery, it will create an impression of what you have to look forward to. If we can make that first impression (positive), it will enhance the other things in Montgomery.â&#x20AC;?

-Chester Mallory, chairman of the Montgomery Airport Authority Board of Directors

April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

43

Continued from page 42

Mallory said he hopes that the passengers will have a better experience and that the airport’s revenue increases. “We don’t know what the outcome is going to be,” he said. “We can only project it.”

The master plan projects enplanements to reach about 245,000 a year in 2030. There were about 170,000 enplanements last year. The terminal, which underwent a five-year, $37 million renovation, is equipped to handle about 330,000 enplanements a year. That equation could easily change if the last remaining legacy carrier – United – comes to Montgomery.

Perry said that he and Chip Gentry, vice president, Air Service Development for the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce and Montgomery Airport Authority, are talking to some low-cost carriers.

The Montgomery Chamber is in a partnership with Montgomery Airport Authority to improve services and attract more business and industry to the area.

Perry said it will be difficult to add a direct flight to Washington, D.C. because it is slot-controlled, but he does expect adding a direct flight to Chicago and perhaps a destination on the East Coast – either Philadelphia, New York or Baltimore. New York/ New Jersey is the No. 2 destination for passengers flying out of Montgomery while Philadelphia is No. 3 and Chicago is No. 4. Washington, D.C. is the No. 1 destination.

The three current direct flights are to Atlanta, Dallas and Charlotte, N.C. Additional airline service and more direct flights will be very likely if the current trend of rising passenger totals continue. There was a 17 percent increase in total passengers from July 2014Jan. 2015 vs. July 2013-Jan. 2014. That translates

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Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

It is a whole new experience for travelers at the Montgomery Regional Airport baggage area.

“We need to make sure we’ve got the facilities (so) if they want to locate a corporate aviation asset in Montgomery we can handle that.”

-Phil Perry, executive director, Montgomery Regional Airport

into a difference of about 15,000 enplanements and a difference of about 30,000 total passengers. Perry expects that increase to moderate to 3 percent to 4 percent gains a month.

“Those would still be good numbers,” Perry said. “If you averaged a 4 percent gain … the airlines would absolutely be looking at that. They are looking now because of what’s happened (from August-January).

Montgomery’s 17 percent gain is more remarkable because the airport has the same number of flights and carriers. When Perry sees large passenger gains at other airports, there usually are more flights and/or more carriers. Delta did add a first-class service and there are later flights arriving to Montgomery.

Continued on page 46

April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

45

Continued from page 45

“An airline is always looking for the next best opportunity where they can make the most money with that asset,” Sixel Consulting Group President Mark Sixel told the Montgomery Advertiser at last November’s Eastern Airports Conference in Montgomery. “There’s a limited number of airplanes out there,” he said. “They stand on wheels and those wheels can be moved to some other airport.”

Mallory said that some airlines require millions of dollars up front to agree to provide service.

Federal Government Funds 90 Percent Of Airport Project Costs Although the Montgomery Airport Authority has already begun its ambitious $98 million master plan, much of the funding will come from federal and state sources.

Montgomery Regional Airport will be on the hook for about 10 percent of the infrastructure projects, according to Phil Perry, executive director of the Montgomery Airport Authority.

The state helped fund a taxiway extension last year with a $200,000 contribution, Perry said.

He expects additional monies from the Alabama Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Aeronautics.

For projects that are Federal Aviation Administration eligible, which are most of the airport’s projects over the next 15 years, 90 percent of the funding comes from the federal government.

The remainder of the funds

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Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

come out of the airport’s operating budget and/or reserve funds.

Perry said that the airport authority paid about $310,000 for a $3.1 million runway pavement project.

He said the airport’s revenue sources are increasing. The largest source of revenue is the parking lot, with about 1,000 spaces evenly divided between long-term and short-term parking.

Parking generated about $1.3 million last year.

Other sources of revenue are rental car companies, airlines, food vendors, advertising, air cargo and hangars.

Three commercial airlines serve Montgomery: Delta Air Lines with seven flights daily to Atlanta; American Airlines with three flights daily to Dallas; and US Airways with two flights daily to Montgomery. Delta and US Airways were expected to add a flight in the spring, Perry said.

One direction that the master plan takes is an emphasis on additional hangars, focused on corporate hangars needed for larger aircraft. The master plan, divided into four phases, calls for 10 corporate hangars at an estimated cost of $7.2 million. It’s about economic development.

“To land corporate headquarters here, we need to make sure that we’ve got the facilities (so) if they want to locate a corporate aviation asset in Montgomery we can handle that,” Perry said. “I don’t want someone willing to put a jet here and saying, ‘I can’t locate the jet there, so we’re going to move somewhere else.’ ” Almost all of the hangar space is currently occupied except for one that Perry said is “like a car port for an airplane.” The proposed corporate hangars range in size from 56 feet by 178 feet to 150 feet by 150 feet.

In phase I, which ends this year, two corporate hangars are proposed. There are two more corporate hangars and one 10-unit hangar for smaller planes in phase II (2016-2020); two corporate hangars and two 10-unit hangars in phase III (2021-2030); and four corporate hangars and two 10-unit hangars beyond 2030. Increasing the hangar space will also generate revenue, said Perry, who oversees a $4.1 million operating budget.

Doubling the size of the smaller runway from 4,000 feet to 8,000 feet, which is estimated to cost $14 million, serves several purposes. It will enable all the airport’s current airlines – Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and US Airways – to use both runways; it acts as a backup if the 9,000-foot runway is blocked and is a requirement if the Air National Guard based at Dannelly Field transitions from its current F-16 to the

F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We would love to keep that unit here,â&#x20AC;? Perry said about the 187th Fighter Wing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are good for the community â&#x20AC;&#x201C; pump a lot of money into this community â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and they are an excellent fighting squadron.â&#x20AC;?

The 187th is the airportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crash, fire and rescue team, providing personnel and vehicles.

The extended runway does add capacity, although Perry said that is not a problem right now. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are times when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very busy out there and you have to sit and wait 20 minutes to cross a runway because there are aircraft in the pattern,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are aircraft that are arriving and departing and there are F-16s taking off and landing. It does add capacity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; no question â&#x20AC;&#x201C; because you have 8,000 feet of runway.â&#x20AC;?

The airport will be spruced up inside, changing colors or putting some vinyl wraps on columns. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The airport still looks pretty good, but it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hurt to change some things,â&#x20AC;? Perry said. The carpet has already been changed once since the renovation ended in 2006.

There are two food vendors â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Subway and Montgomery Muggs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and Perry hopes to add some more choices.

Perry and Gentry have been in discussions with a food vendor who operates a mini-food court â&#x20AC;&#x201C; four food vendors in a small area, Perry said. He would also like to have a gift shop.

If the increased passenger totals continue this year, Perry is more hopeful that he can make a compelling case to food vendors.

He said that the four TV monitors with advertising and wall wraps in the baggage area will double the airportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advertising revenue from $40,000 to $80,000 or more.

Copperwing Design is leading the effort. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s if there are no additional advertising sales,â&#x20AC;? Perry said, noting that the $80,000 figure is on the conservative side. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One reason we are revamping baggage claims is that it is a place where people spend at least 10 to 15 minutes waiting for their bags,â&#x20AC;? he said. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a captive audience for advertisers. n

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April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

47

BUSINESSES ARE CONNECTING WITH MGM PASSENGERS The Montgomery Airport Authority and executive leadership of the Montgomery Regional Airport recognized a need to create a more engaging space to welcome travelers, one more reflective of the community as a whole. One that showcased Montgomery’s gateway to the world and the world’s gateway to Montgomery.

That’s where Air Launch came in.

A subsidiary of Copperwing Design, LLC, Air Launch LLC, along with representatives of MGM, unveiled a fresh new look for Montgomery Regional Airport’s baggage claim area in March. And it’s only the beginning. Future plans are underway to visually reinvigorate the rest of the terminal.

Not only are approximately 338,000 passengers over the course of a year making connections, but now local businesses and attractions have multiple opportunities to connect with them. And not just with passengers, but with the additional visitors that accompany each traveler – which according to industry calculations, brings the total up to 845,000 visitors annually to the MGM terminal.

Vibrant new graphics that will continue to infuse the airport with energy also provide a captivating way to reach a receptive audience through marketing and sponsorship opportunities. While visitors are already using the new, panoramic map mural to orient

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Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

themselves to the River Region and its landmarks, digital displays offer an ideal venue for event promotions. Other eye-catching spaces range from wall-size to smaller hanging banners – highly visible throughout the airport – in key areas such as the ticketing lobby, rotunda and gate area.

Already, medical centers, universities, museums/ attractions, hotels and other businesses have taken advantage of these opportunities offered through Air Launch, and are being seen not just by visiting passengers, but are also providing reminders of their services to new residents (including members of the military) as well those already living in the River Region.

“Copperwing understands the Montgomery Regional Airport brand firsthand,” said Brian Key, principal and account director for the firm. “So we created Air Launch to leverage our skill in designing exhibits and spaces that would reflect our community. At the same time, we wanted to provide what businesses and organizations would want to see as potential advertising opportunities. It’s something unique, and required a unique ability to make something like this happen.”

For more information on marketing and sponsorship opportunities at Montgomery Regional Airport, call Brian Key at 334.481.1425 or email brian.key@goairlaunch.com. n

Officials Target Air Cargo Growth, Revenue Air cargo has the potential to become a larger revenue source for the Montgomery Regional Airport.

That’s the problem – the potential. Even if the airport builds a $16 million cargo facility, which is proposed for phase III (2021-2030) of the master plan, it doesn’t guarantee that air cargo haulers will come, said Phil Perry, executive director of the Montgomery Regional Airport. There is no such thing as “build it, they will come,” he said. And a speculative $16 million facility is quite risky. Airport officials do keep in touch with such air cargo haulers as FedEx, UPS and Panalpina. “You need to make sure they are going to come before you do this (air cargo facility),” he said.

The master plan does have that air cargo facility, an area to park the planes; an area to unload the cargo; and an area to park 18-wheelers.

by David Zaslawsky

Montgomery is an ideal site for air cargo with rail and Interstates 85 and 65, but most of the air cargo goes to Huntsville and is trucked from there, Perry said.

“The airport would either be taking new cargo that’s destined for the state or we would take cargo that might be headed somewhere in the Southeast,” Perry said.

The airport has more planes bringing air cargo, but the tonnage hasn’t grown. “Air cargo is expensive,” Perry said.

Air cargo is forecast to grow from 196,000 pounds in 2010 to 275,000 pounds in 2030. The amount of cargo is restricted by the use of only regional jets at the airport. Two of the proposed new hangars are for air cargo aircraft and there could be additional ones, Perry said, referring to a very flexible master plan of where and how many hangars are built. n

“If we can get that going, it would be a great boost for Montgomery and also for the airport,” said Chester Mallory, chairman of the Montgomery Airport Authority Board of Directors.

April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

49

79C DEVELOPMENT MUSHROOMS

by David Zaslawsky photography by Robert Fouts

MELLOW MUSHROOM OWNERS GEAR UP FOR EXPECTED HIGH VOLUME

Alice B. McCollum and Mark S. Hill are business partners and co-owners of Mellow Mushroom, which will open at 79C in downtown Montgomery.

The multi-use project at the corner of Commerce and Bibb streets is taking shape in more ways than just the physical structure.

will be four restaurants in the 18,000 square-foot retail space, including Mellow Mushroom’s second location in Montgomery.

The project, which was originally called Montgomery CBD – an acronym for Commerce Bibb Development – is now been marketed and branded with a new logo as 79C. The C stands for Commerce Street.

The remaining three restaurants will range in size from about 3,000 square feet to nearly 5,000 square feet, Barstein said. “Some are more of a quickservice-like restaurant,” he said. “We’re trying to bring new (restaurants) to the market or people that have a restaurant in the general area and would like to be downtown.”

The four-story project, which is being developed by Birmingham-based Retail Specialists, will feature 54 loft apartments above first-floor restaurants. The project will have 45 one-bedroom apartments and nine twobedroom apartments. Leasing on the residential units will most likely start in early June, according to Rodney Barstein, executive vice president of Retail Specialists, which is developing the $10 million-plus project.

The downtown Montgomery firm of Partners Realty will handle the residential leasing while Retail Specialists recruits restaurants to the site. And there

Continued on page 52

“We’re trying to bring new (restaurants) to the market.”

-Rodney Barstein, executive vice president of Retail Specialists

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April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

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The multi-use project at the corner of Commerce and Bibb Streets is now called 79C.

Continued from page 51

Mellow Mushroom business partners and co-owners Alice B. McCollum and Mark S. Hill obviously liked the idea of having a downtown location. With all the downtown events, including concerts; about 70 Montgomery Biscuits’ games a year at Riverwalk Stadium; youth sporting events; and conventions and business meetings, that makes for a lot of potential customers at Mellow Mushroom’s downtown site.

Now add all the downtown office workers and all the residents within a few miles.

McCollum and Hill talked about a girls’ volleyball tournament that has 2,000 participants.

“We are a brand name,” McCollum said. “People know Mellow Mushroom all over the Southeast.”

The new restaurant, which could open in September, will seat about 260, with 60 of those outside along with an outdoor bar.

A “growing downtown and the popularity of downtown” are some of the reasons why Mellow Mushroom will open at 79C, Hill said. “More people are going to come (downtown) because there are more options.” It also means if a restaurant is crowded and some don’t want to wait, they have more choices.

Yet, perhaps the primary reason that McCollum and Hill are bringing Mellow Mushroom to downtown is seeing sales per square foot at other restaurants in the area.

Retail Specialists estimates sales of $5 million a year at 79C. That expected high volume means that McCollum and Hill are planning to hire between 110 and 120 employees – more than twice the average site’s 50 employees. The restaurant will also generate revenue with late-night hours. Although not finalized, the owners said Mellow Mushroom may close at 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights.

“We don’t believe there is a need being met currently downtown for late-night food,” Hill said.

“More people are going

Although 79C plans to have four restaurants and there are another five across the street at The Alley, and more at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center, and still more on Commerce Street and plans for more at Lower Dexter, McCollum said she felt “there aren’t a lot of options (downtown) for the amount of people.” She said, “There is a lot of opportunity for retail downtown.”

The owners will have a built-in customer base right above the restaurant – those 54 loft apartments. “We’ve thought about certain specials that will be limited to tenants only – certain services that we may provide to them,” McCollum said.

In addition to those apartments, there will be 164 units less than one mile away at The Heights on Maxwell Boulevard. McCollum said they “will look at what the need dictates” with those residents.

to come (downtown) because there are more options.”

-Alice B. McCollum, co-owner of Mellow Mushroom

The downtown venue will feature a Mardi Gras theme – accents, decorations, color scheme and more – being located in the entertainment district. Mellow Mushroom boasts an impressive craft beer selection, including some on tap. They have about 100 different ones and rotate their selection and try to always include an Alabama brewery, Hill said. “That has been a huge customer loyalty factor for us.” n

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April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

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BRIDGING A CULTURAL GAP STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OFFERS ONLINE KOREAN CLASS

by David Zaslawsky photography by Robert Fouts

Philip Cleveland is director of the Alabama Department of Educationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office of Career and Technical Education/ Workforce Development.

“The goal of the course is that (participants) have conversational ability, and as importantly, the culture side of the course, where If you need another example of the education community working hand-in-hand with the business community consider this: The Alabama Department of Education in conjunction with the non-profit A-KEEP (Alabama–Korean Educational Exchange Partnership) is developing a Korean language and culture course for students statewide in grades 9-12. The ramifications are farreaching. With all the Korean companies operating in the River Region and other areas in the state, an online course about the Korean culture will bridge a definite gap. That gap was significant enough that the business community – primarily the automotive sector – requested such a course, said Philip Cleveland, director of the Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education/Workforce Development. This is the latest in a series of examples with all entities – government, business community and education – being on the same page for developing today’s and tomorrow’s workforce.

The Department of Education’s goal “is to be industrydriven; to make sure that we are providing our students with tangible skill sets that will help them be successful in the world of work,” Cleveland said. “We really want to see that happen.”

(students) are learning the things that help them interact and be receptive.”

-Philip Cleveland, director of the Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education/Workforce Development

The Korean language/culture class will be taught via the department’s online platform – Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators & Students Statewide (ACCESS).

The course is being developed and is expected to be offered in the fall. A student would sign up for the course and it would be worth one credit. Cleveland hopes 50 students will take the course.

The Department of Education is also working with Troy University and Auburn University at Montgomery as well as A-KEEP, which has contacts with Soongsil University in Seoul that could provide instructors.

“The goal of the course is that (participants) have conversational ability, and as importantly, the culture side of the course, where (students) are learning the things that help them interact and be receptive,” Cleveland said.

The course is more focused on cultural differences.

“It’s helping to create an opportunity to remove obstacles say between a line person and a supervisor that may have different cultural backgrounds,” he said.

“Sometimes not looking someone in the eye does not mean disrespect. It’s a different culture.”

Continued on page 57

April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

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“It’s helping to create an opportunity to remove obstacles say between a line person and a supervisor that may have different cultural backgrounds.”

-Philip Cleveland, director of the Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education/Workforce Development

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Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

Continued from page 55

It would make for a seamless transition from a high school student to working at a Korean business and that’s the goal. “We feel like this course will impact employee retention; we feel like it will help our industry partners maintain a higher level of efficiency when it comes to productivity,” Cleveland said. “We all know that if an employee feels that they are appreciated and they have a good relationship with their supervisor – productivity is going to go up. We think we can help our industry partners create that opportunity through this course.”

Increased productivity and efficiency for businesses and industries translate into increased funding for education, “which allows us to do more with our students,” Cleveland said.

the state’s community college system or perhaps a university. “That’s also been requested by industry,” Cleveland said.

There could be some classes taught face-to-face instead of online. “There’s nothing that says that can’t occur.”

Cleveland expects the Montgomery Public Schools district to embrace the state’s Korean language/ culture course “because of the number of students who transition from MPS to the automotive industry to work,” Cleveland said A-KEEP will work with companies to pay for instructors, Cleveland said. n

This class is just the beginning. The goal, according to Cleveland, is a second class. The broader goal is to have similar courses offered to current employees at Korean-owned companies through

Bring your plans

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April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

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The Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama plant produced nearly 400,000 vehicles last year, leading the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s automotive manufacturers.

DRIVING ALABAMAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S EXPORTS

VEHICLES SHIPPED TO 99 COUNTRIES IN 2014

by David Zaslawsky photography by Robert Fouts

and the United Kingdom. Vehicle exports are showing solid gains in Thailand (89 percent increase); Uruguay (63 percent); Korea (54 percent); and Colombia (51 percent).

The state’s three vehicle manufacturers – Hyundai, Honda and Mercedes-Benz – combined to produce nearly 1 million vehicles (997,270) last year, which broke the previous record by almost 80,000 units.

Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama’s plant in Montgomery was tops in the state with 398,851 vehicles; Honda was second at 363,419 units; and Mercedes produced 235,000-plus vehicles.

“Over the years, we’ve seen strong exporting growth and we expect that trend to continue, which will mean more opportunities for Alabama businesses and more jobs.”

-Greg Canfield, Alabama Commerce Secretary

Alabama’s automotive shipments to Russia in 2012 totaled about $50,000, but last year that figure jumped to $83.2 million.

It’s the automotive sector that continues to dominate the state’s exports – accounting for $7.3 billion of the state’s $19.5 billion in total exports and has been No. 1 since 1998. The next four largest export categories: industrial machinery, mineral fuel and oil, iron and steel and plastics – totaled a combined $4.9 billion. The automotive-related exports nearly match the next nine categories, which is a combined $7.8 billion. In addition to those sectors listed above, others are organic chemicals, aircraft-related, chemical products, electric machinery and optic/medical or surgical instruments.

Most of that $7.3 billion in automotive-related exports was of course vehicles - $6.6 billion. Those vehicles were shipped to 99 countries. Canada is the No. 1 market for Alabama-made vehicles with China second and closing the gap after a 27 percent gain from 2013. The remainder of the top five markets are (in order) Germany, Mexico (up 21 percent last year)

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“It’s important to see Alabama companies grow through exports because this has great potential to create jobs back at home,” Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said in a statement. “Over the years, we’ve seen strong exporting growth and we expect that trend to continue, which will mean more opportunities for Alabama businesses and more jobs.”

Alabama’s combined exports last year were about $60 million less than the all-time record established in 2012 and were shipped to 194 countries. Exports have increased 57 percent since 2009. Canada and China are the top two markets, respectively for Alabama products, but the figures are moving in opposite directions. Exports to Canada declined slightly to $4.2 billion while exports to China surged 28.4 percent to almost $3.2 billion. The other top five markets are Mexico ($2.3 billion), Germany ($2.2 billion) and United Kingdom ($604,000).

The Department of Commerce led trade missions last year to Europe (Belgium and The Netherlands); Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore); and South America (Peru and Uruguay). Exports to Uruguay have increased from $9.5 million in 2009 to $62 million in 2013.

The state has also been bolstering its exporting markets with the Export Alabama Alliance, which was created in 2004 to create overseas opportunities.

“The activities undertaken by the alliance have proven time after time that we have the professional resources to help small- and medium-sized Alabama companies grow and sustain their business through selling overseas,” Hilda Lockhart, director of the Commerce Department’s international trade division, said in a statement.n

COMMERCE DEPARTMENT PLANS THREE INTERNATIONAL TRADE TRIPS

by David Zaslawsky

The Alabama Department of Commerce has planned three international trade missions this year, including visits to two of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top 20 overseas markets.

The first trade mission is scheduled May 5-8 for Santo Domingo, which has the second-largest economy in the Caribbean region and the ninth-largest economy in Latin America. Alabama exported $103.8 million worth of products/services to Santa Domingo last year and that amount ranks No. 26 for exports. The mission is expected to focus on travel and tourism, investment, logistics and education.

A June 17-23 trade mission is planned for Turkey and Bulgaria. While exports to Bulgaria were just $1.3 million in 2014, Turkey is ranked 16th with $202.5 million. With 40 million people and a growing middle class, the Department of Commerce wrote that Turkey is â&#x20AC;&#x153;an attractive market for U.S. exports.â&#x20AC;? The trade mission will focus on aviation, energy, safety/security and information/communication technologies.

The final scheduled international trade mission â&#x20AC;&#x201C; set for Sept. 13-20 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is with South Africa and Tanzania.

Alabama exports to South Africa increased nearly 18 percent last year to $216 million, which ranks 15th among all of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s export partners.

Exports to Tanzania were about $715,000 in 2014.

The trade mission to South Africa will focus on information technology, electrical power systems, telecommunications, mining equipment, aerospace and agricultural equipment.

The visit to Tanzania will concentrate on the areas of telecommunications, energy, mining and agroprocessing. Participants will also be able to schedule business appointments in Nigeria, Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana and Mozambique.n

Make Your Plans to Attend!

Buckmasters Expo returns to downtown Montgomery, Alabama in 2015. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Friday-Sunday event will feature some of the hottest names and products in the hunting industry. Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for deals on the latest gear, watching the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best archers compete in the Top Bow Championship, entertaining the kids in the Young Bucks area, snapping your fingers at the country music concert, or having your buck scored for free, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something for everyone at Expo. Make your plans to attend! And keep watching the Montgomery Business Journal for details regarding future Buckmasters Expo announcements!

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April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

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Member Profile

A CATERED AFFAIR

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‘Our food is always good’

by David Zaslawsky photography by Robert Fouts

PIKE ROAD – One of Tammy Griffin’s clients wanted the caterer to duplicate the chicken parmesan that is sold at LongHorn Steakhouse. No problem.

Another client wanted Griffin to duplicate the salads at Olive Garden. No problem. You can buy Olive Garden’s dressing at Sam’s Club, she said.

A potential client requested that Griffin produce a vegan meal for a wedding. No problem. A couple of other caterers declined the request.

“We go above and beyond doing good food,” said Griffin, who is president of A Catered Affair in Pike Road. “I think that’s the main thing – our food is always good. Our staff is very knowledgeable.”

Griffin, who started her catering business in 2000, said that unlike some other caterers who use prepared food and heat it up, “Most of my food is from scratch.”

Some of her most popular items on a wide-ranging menu are fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits and her little signature sandwich, a mini BLT. She is definitely popular. A Catered Affair was “booked solid” until July and that was back in February. Griffin said she has employees who do most of the prep work as well as catering lunches. She calls in help for large weekend events and once had 22 servers working at a 400-person wedding. It turned out to be her most lucrative catering job as the client ordered high-end items such as beef tenderloin, crab claws, fish, shrimp and oysters. The catering was $35,000. The client provided their own bartender.

That is not the largest event she catered. There was a 600-person wedding and 500 people attended a Mardi Gras fundraiser. Griffin did say she has a minimum of 75 people to cater a wedding.

Photo: Tammy Griffin is president of A Catered Affair in Pike Road.

“I run a pretty tight ship,” she said. “It’s my way or the highway – in a nice way. It’s going to have my name on it, so I want it done like I want it done.” Either Griffin or her daughter Jessica Griffin are at the weddings they cater. “I don’t mind spending a little extra to get the job done,” Griffin said.

Asked what sets her company apart from other caterers, Griffin said, “Experience, creativity; not afraid to step out of the box.” She said that brides planning a wedding don’t have to worry about her catering business compared with someone “who has only done it once or twice or only been in the business five years and I’ve been in the business almost 20.”

Even if Griffin turns down a job, she said she offers advice and recommends another caterer.

What also sets Griffin apart is that she co-owns Butcher’s Block with her brother Walter Rotton. That is why she moved her catering business from EastChase to Pike Road, where Butcher’s Block is located. It opened in November 2013.

It was a reunion for the siblings, who opened Country Café on Troy Highway in 1996 and sold the business four years later. The two parted ways as Griffin opened A Catered Affair and her brother worked at Bonnie Plant Farm.

Being in the restaurant business was natural for the brother and sister. Their parents were longtime restaurant owners of Country Kitchen in Union Springs.

The Butcher’s Block has a deli open for lunch and dinner six days a week. The two share that revenue.

Rotton has the beer, wine and meat business while Griffin sells various items.

“Business seems to be picking up more and more.

Once people realized we’re open, more people are coming out here.”

-Tammy Griffin, president, A Catered Affair

The bottom line for Griffin is working six days a week instead of four or five. The deli is open 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Monday-Wednesday and Saturday and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday and Friday. “Business seems to be picking up more and more,” Griffin said. “Once people realized we’re open, more people are coming out here.

Our hamburgers are really good because we cut all of our own beef.”

Griffin and her brother are looking to add a venue such as an old house or barn to stage events. n

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MEMBER NEWS

BUSINESS BUZZ With the strategic alliance, Warren Averett and Redstone Government Consulting offer an expanded level of service to each client base including:

JOURNAL AWARDS COLLEGE OF BUSINESS WITH ‘PAPER OF THE YEAR’

WARREN AVERETT FORMS ALLIANCE WITH REDSTONE GOVERNMENT CONSULTING

MONTGOMERY – An Auburn University at Montgomery professor and dean of the College of Business have been recognized by information systems journal Rhea Ingram Electronic Markets and awarded “Paper of the Year.”

HUNTSVILLE – Warren Averett, LLC, Certified Public Accountants and Advisors, and Redstone Government Consulting Inc. formed a strategic alliance to work with government contractors.

Staffing and recruiting for IT, engineering, and accounting/ finance fields

The combined experience of both professional firms brings together tax, audit and advisory services with government contract compliance expertise. Warren Averett’s team of certified public accountants, business advisers and recruiters will collaborate with Redstone Government Consulting’s team of compliance experts, comprised of former senior Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) personnel, government contracting industry veterans as well as software and contract compliance experts.

Research and development tax credits

Zack Jourdan, associate professor of information systems, and Rhea Ingram, dean of the Zack Jourdan College of Business, were co-authors of “Internet Marketing: A Content Analysis of the Research.”

“Electronic Markets is ranked as the 29th best journal in information systems,” Jourdan said in a statement.

All papers published in Electronic Markets in 2013 were considered.

“We are excited to partner with this highly-regarded team of government contract consultants,” Warren Averett CEO Jim Cunningham said in a statement.

Redstone Government Consulting Managing Director and CEO Scott Butler said in a statement: “Through this strategic alliance, we can better help government contractors succeed by maximizing their growth opportunities, remaining compliant and mitigating regulatory risks.”

State, federal and international tax planning and compliance Audits, reviews and compilations

Internal control services Technology assessments, consulting and outsourcing Executive search and placement for IT, engineering, and accounting/finance roles Merger and acquisition due diligence Litigation consulting and expert witness testimony Incurred cost proposal preparation and review services DCAA audit support Federal acquisition regulation and cost accounting standards support Government contract accounting, estimating and purchasing systems Implementation of accounting software Government bid proposal assistance Human resources consulting Finance, contracts and procurement staff augmentation Government compliance training

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Dee Miles III, head of the firm’s consumer fraud section, will serve on the plaintiffs steering committee for multidistrict litigation involving the Home Depot data breach.

BEASLEY ALLEN LAWYERS APPOINTED TO LEADERSHIP ROLES MONTGOMERY – Two lawyers from Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles P.C. have been appointed to leadership roles in multidistrict litigations.

W. Daniel Miles III

Beasley Allen Principal Andy D. Birchfield Jr. has been named co-lead counsel for the plaintiff’s steering committee Andy D. Birchfield (PSC) in the multidistrict litigation (MDL) surrounding blood thinner medication Xarelto. W. Daniel

Birchfield is the mass torts section head at Beasley Allen. “This is important litigation involving very serious injuries to thousands of individuals,” Birchfield said in a statement.

“Judge (Eldon E.) Fallon has appointed a group of excellent lawyers to serve on the plaintiffs’ steering committee and I am honored to be in a

leadership position. Together, we look forward to advancing the cause of those injured by this prescription drug.”

The Home Depot litigation involves consumer and financial institution plaintiffs who were affected by the incident, which compromised up to 56 million credit and debit card numbers.

“This is very important litigation that exposes the critical flaws in the way credit and debit card systems operate in the United States,” Miles said in a statement.

CONTINUED ON PAGE

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TURENNE PHARMEDCO OPENS NEW PHARMACY

Craig Miller

MONTGOMERY – Turenne PharMedCo was expected to open the doors of its newest pharmacy on the campus of St. Martin’s in the Pines in Birmingham.

PharMedCo–Birmingham is located at the retirement community, rehabilitation center and Alzheimer’s care center, providing daily services to 350-plus individuals. In addition to serving the residents of St. Martin’s, PharMedCo–Birmingham will provide pharmacy services to other skilled nursing, assisted living and mental health facilities in the greater Birmingham area as well as provide greater access to their medical supply division.

It is the third location for PharMedCo.

long-term care pharmacies in the Southeast. It is the only health care company offering full pharmacy, medical supply, equipment rental, and Medicare Part B billing services in Alabama to skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, mental health organizations, home health agencies, hospice organizations, durable/home medical equipment providers and other health care-related institutions and companies nationwide.

FOUR STAR FREIGHTLINER CELBRATES 15TH ANNIVERSARY MONTGOMERY – Four Star Freightliner Inc. celebrated its 15th anniversary.

The history of Four Star Freightliner began in 2000 when Jerry Kocan acquired two Freightliner dealerships in Dothan and Montgomery. Kocan Jerry Kocan “We are excited for the ability made the purchases our new pharmacy offers following a successful us to better serve our customers career as vice president and general and their residents along with the manager of one of the largest truck opportunity it gives our company for dealerships in the Southeast. growth and increased stability,” Craig “My family encouraged me and Miller, vice president of operations moved 200 miles southwest to for Turenne PharMedCo, said in a support my dream,” Kocan said statement. “The new location will in a statement. “Without them employ a small staff to start, but we none of this would have been anticipate significant growth over the remotely possible.” next few years.” Turenne PharMedCo currently employs about 150 Four Star Freightliner later purchased people across Alabama, Tennessee dealerships in Tifton, Ga. (2001), and Mississippi.

Tallahassee, Fla. (2003), Valdosta, Turenne PharMedCo, which was started in 1992, is one of the largest family-owned, full-service

Ga. (2011) and Albany, Ga. (2014).

The original name of the company, Freightliner of Southern Alabama, was changed to Four Star Freightliner in 2006.

Four Star Freightliner is now the Southeast region’s leading heavyand medium-duty truck dealer

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Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

that offers a complementary line of Freightliner, FUSO, and Western Star brand trucks for both highway and vocational use.

Four Star Freightliner currently employs more than 150 people in Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

Kocan is grateful for the employees who started out with him 15 years ago. “Without those employees that took a leap of faith to build something special we would not be where we are today,” Kocan said.

TWO LOCAL DEALERSHIPS RECEIVE AWARDS MONTGOMERY – Capitol Chevrolet and Classic Buick GMC Cadillac have each been awarded a 2015 DealerRater Dealer of the Year award.

The award recognizes auto dealerships across the U.S. and Canada that deliver outstanding customer service, based on consumer reviews written on DealerRater.com. Capitol Chevrolet was named Chevrolet Dealer of the Year for Alabama and Classic Buick GMC Cadillac was named GMC Dealer of the Year for Alabama.

“Consumers have identified the best dealers to do business with and Capitol Chevrolet and Classic Buick GMC Cadillac have emerged as the leaders among Chevrolet and GMC dealers across Alabama,” DealerRater CEO Gary Tucker said in a statement. “The quality and number of reviews for Capitol Chevrolet and Classic Buick GMC Cadillac speak volumes of the top-notch experiences provided to customers.”

The Dealer of the Year awards are based on reviews by new- and usedcar shoppers and those who took their vehicles into dealerships for service. Reviewers evaluated Capitol Chevrolet and Classic Buick GMC Cadillac on customer service, quality of work, friendliness, pricing and overall experience.

“Our entire team at each dealership is responsible for these awards,” Monté Burney, general manager of both Capitol Chevrolet and Classic Buick GMC Cadillac, said in a statement. “Obviously our sales force and finance staff work hard to attain our sales goals, but every single employee – from the parts and service department to the office staff – helped make this possible by making our customers their top priority.”

For information, contact Kathy Wood at kwood@alfains.com or (334) 6134243. For volunteer or sponsorship opportunities, contact Terrie Crow at JubileeRun@gmail.com or (334) 399-8243.

DealerRater attracts more than 12 million consumers every year who read more than 1.7 million dealer reviews.

MONTGOMERY– Saint James United Methodist Church will hold an auction Saturday, April 18, to benefit youth and children’s missions.

JUBILEE RUN FOR CANCER SCHEDULED IN MAY MONTGOMERY – The 37th annual Jubilee Run For Cancer is set for Saturday, May 16 in downtown Montgomery.

There is an 8-kilometer race; 1-mile race as well as a wellness expo and children’s activities.

The race starts at Old Alabama Town and winds through downtown Montgomery. There will be a documentary crew filming the event, which is presented by Alfa Life Insurance Co.

SAINT JAMES UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SCHEDULES BENEFIT AUCTION

The auction will be from 4-6 p.m.

Visitors may preview items 5-7 p.m. the day before. There is no cost for admission to either event.

Items featured include antique furniture and rugs from Pickwick Antiques; original artwork, jewelry, salon and boutique certificates, gift cards from local businesses; and vacation home rentals. Visit www.sjlifeauction.com for a preview of items.

This marks the sixth spring auction to benefit missions. Proceeds from the April event will enable mission projects ranging from the local area to Chemax, Mexico.

“Cancer touches lives every day, but this race gives our community the chance to come together and rally against this disease,” run director Kathy Wood said in a statement.

NEXAIR ACQUIRES WELDERS SUPPLY

Runners are encouraged to raise funds as individuals or teams. The top fundraising individual and team will be recognized along with the fastest team and largest team. Money raised will benefit American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life.

Welders Supply, which was based in Andalusia, also had a location in Montgomery.

The wellness expo and children’s activities area open at 7 a.m. with the 8-kilometer race starting at 7:30 a.m.

The one mile honor/memory walk begins at 8:45 a.m., and the awards ceremony takes place at 9:45 a.m.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – NexAir has acquired Welders Supply & Equipment Co.

“The team at Welders Supply has a long history of great customer service in Central and South Alabama, and we look forward to carrying on that tradition in the years to come.” nexAir CEO Kevin McEniry said in a statement. “We’re anxious to welcome our new team members and enhance product offerings for customers of both companies in this area.”

BEASLEY ALLEN PRINCIPAL NAMED TO ELITE LAWDRAGON 500 LIST MONTGOMERY – Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C. Principal R. Graham Esdale, P.C. has been selected as one of the 2014-2015 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America.

R. Graham Esdale

Being a member of the Lawdragon 500 is one of the top honors in the law profession. Recipients are determined by a combination of editorial research by Lawdragon staff, submissions from law firms and an online nomination form.

Graham received a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Auburn University before going to The University of Alabama School of Law. He was named Beasley Allen’s 2014 products liability section Lawyer of the Year. n

NexAir is the second-largest privately owned distributor of gases and welding supplies in the country.

April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

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MEMBER NEWS

MEMBERS ON THE MOVE CROSBY ELECTRIC NAMES VICE PRESIDENT MONTGOMERY – Randy Baxter has been named vice president of Crosby Electric Co. Inc.

Baxter, who was born and raised in Montgomery, joined the Crosby Electric team in 1976. He has Randy Baxter been managing electrical construction projects throughout Alabama and Florida for more than 20 years.

He will continue to manage projects, but his new responsibilities will include strategic planning for the construction division of the company as well as overseeing more of the day-to-day operations such as fleet management.

“Randy has been a terrific senior project manager for years,” Crosby Electric President Al Crosby said in a statement. “The entire Crosby team is excited about his new title and role.

He has earned it.”

MONTGOMERY ACADEMY HIRES MIDDLE SCHOOL DIRECTOR MONTGOMERY – Montgomery Academy announced the appointment of Sarah Barton Thomas as the middle school director.

Her appointment, which is effective July 1, was the result of a nationwide search that also used input from the Montgomery Academy school community.

Thomas has extensive experience in independent schools. She began her career as a music educator and has spent the last four years as an educational technology integrationist and cross country coach at the Norwood School, a K-8 independent school in Bethesda, Md. She received a bachelor’s degree in vocal music education at Northwestern Missouri State University and a master’s degree in school administration and supervision from Johns Hopkins University.

“I am so excited about Ms. Thomas’s appointment,” current middle school director John McWilliams said in a statement.

“Sarah’s passion for learning, her

care for students and faculty, her collaborative spirit and her enthusiasm about the opportunities at MA established her as clearly the best candidate to take on this role at the school.”

Thomas will succeed McWilliams when he becomes the associate head of school this summer.

“It is an honor to join the MA family as the next middle school director,” Thomas said in a statement.

“During my visit to campus, I felt right at home among the faculty, staff and students. I believe that we share common values and goals.

I look forward to becoming part of the community this summer and advancing the mission of the school.”

SASSER, SEFTON & BROWN ANNOUNCE NEW SHAREHOLDERS MONTGOMERY – The law firm of Sasser, Sefton & Brown, P.C. announced that D. Brent Hargett and William R. Cunningham Jr. have been named shareholders.

Brent Hargett

Hargett joined the firm in 2008 after graduating from The University of Alabama School of Law. He is a member of the litigation, creditor rights and bankruptcy and financial services practice groups in the firm.

Cunningham joined the firm in 2013 after practicing with another local firm since his graduation from The University of Alabama School of Law in 2007.

He is a member of the real estate, business law, financial services and litigation practice groups in the firm.

William R. Cunningham Jr.

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Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

The company has a 25-year history of serving seriously ill children and their families at no cost. There are 33 full-time and part-time employees.

CHILDREN’S HARBOR PROMOTES GRATE TO CEO MONTGOMERY – Myrle Grate has been promoted to CEO of Children’s Harbor. He was the company’s chief operating officer.

Myrle Grate

He is responsible for leading and implementing all strategic plans as they relate to long-term goals, organization structure and fund development. He has been with Children’s Harbor since 2012 and served as chief operating officer for two years.

Grate has a bachelor’s degree from Samford University; a Master of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School; and a Doctor of Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary.

For information, visit www.childrensharbor.com.

CENTRAL NAMES PASTRY CHEF MONTGOMERY – Central has hired Maggie Gibbs as pastry chef.

is a graduate of Orlando Culinary Academy’s Le Cordon Bleu in Florida with a degree in patisserie and baking.

Gibbs, a native of Panama, has extensive catering experience including creating desserts for several political figures and events such as the 2012 presidential inauguration.

“Central is pleased to bring Maggie Gibbs on board,” Central General Manager David Forbes said in a statement. “Her expertise and dedication to making dessert not only taste good, but beautifully designed will strengthen Central’s overall brand and be of great benefit to our guests.”

She has overall responsibility for Maggie Gibbs developing, designing and executing the dessert menu at Central and creating wedding and special occasion cakes for events hosted at Central. She

HCS Group shows proven leadership in the following engineering fields worldwide: • Electrical Engineering • Commercial Engineering • Renewable Energy • Transmission, Substations and Distribution • Energy Monitoring and Evaluation • Energy Studies and Proactive Solutions • Military Programs 8401 Crossland Loop Montgomery, AL 36117 • Government Agencies 334.277.6737 • Prime and Standby Generation info@hcsgroupet.com • Healthcare Specialty Systems www.hcsgroupet.com

CONTINUED ON PAGE

70

Mark Johnson, P.E. LEED AP Certified Energy Manager Certified Lighting Efficiency Professional Energy Star Ratings Professional

April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

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69

AIRPORT PLANNER JOINS GOODWYN, MILLS & CAWOOD MONTGOMERY – Airport planner Matt Thomason has joined Goodwyn Mills & Cawood Inc. Thomason’s wideranging expertise includes development of airport master plans, airport layout plans and Matt Thomason capital improvement plans; agency and public coordination; airport planning design; airspace analysis, noise and environmental analysis; safety management systems; and terminal programming studies. He will work in the firm’s aviation department.

“Matt adds a new dimension to our airport team and strengthens our complete package of aviation services,” GMC Vice President of Aviation Al Allenback said in a statement. “His life-long love of aviation and passion for airport planning is a definite plus for our airport clients.”

Thomason’s diverse experience includes projects for airports throughout the U.S., including the Ocala International Airport (Ocala, Fla.); Gainesville Regional Airport (Gainesville, Fla.); Cecil Airport (Jacksonville, Fla.); Space Coast Regional Airport (Titusville, Fla.); Ellington Field Airport (Houston, Texas); Anchorage International Airport (Anchorage, Alaska); Lynchburg Regional Airport (Lynchburg, Va.); BrunswickGolden Isles Airport (Brunswick, Ga.); McKinnon-St. Simons Island Airport (St. Simons Island, Ga.); McCarran International Airport (Las Vegas); Destin Airport (Destin, Fla.); and Albert J. Ellis Airport (Jacksonville, N.C.).

70

Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

He has played key roles on unique aviation efforts, such as the Florida Department of Transportation’s statewide aviation economic impact study; the Ohio Airport System Focus Study, which included inventory and analysis of 104 airports about economic impact, compliance and overall system coverage; and feasibility licensing efforts for commercial spaceports in Florida, Hawaii and Texas.

FBC Mortgage is located at 1904 Berryhill Road and the phone number is (334) 651-0058.

FBC Mortgage, which is based in Orlando, has branches and/or licenses in 45 states.

WCOV FOX-20 NAMES GENERAL SALES MANAGER

MONTGOMERY – Prior to GMC, WCOV-TV FOX 20 Thomason worked as recently hired Dale an aviation planner for Stafford to be the station’s RS&H in Jacksonville, general sales manager.

Fla., and as a staff Dale Stafford Stafford is an Alabama engineer for CH2M HILL native who was born in Birmingham. in Montgomery. He received a Stafford majored in broadcast and master’s degree in airport planning film communication at The University and management from Cranfield of Alabama and began his career University in the United Kingdom at the public TV facility on campus and a bachelor’s degree in civil in 1976. engineering from Auburn University.

FBC MORTGAGE ANNOUNCES HIRES MONTGOMERY – FBC Mortgage, LLC, hired Mary Sandlin to open its mortgage operation in Montgomery. She will be joined by Kathy Clay.

Since that time, Stafford has worked as a production director, production manager, operations manager, program director, account executive, local sales manager, director of sales and general manager at various television stations around the Southeast.

“WCOV is excited to have Dale join our team,” WCOV Station Owner David Woods said in a statement. “His 38 years of broadcast experience will help us serve our clients more effectively.”

Sandlin, who has 30 Mary Sandlin years of experience in the mortgage industry, was with Synovus Mortgage as a producing branch manager and later as Stafford and his family a regional manager are glad to be back for Alabama, Florida in their home state. and parts of Georgia “My family and I are for 10 years. She then thrilled about our return worked for ServisFirst Kathy Clay to Alabama,” Stafford said Bank in Montgomery. Most in a statement. “Fox is an recently, Sandlin was a loan officer in exceptional network and I am excited Renasant Bank’s downtown location. about selling all the outstanding Clay has 30 years of mortgage and WCOV products. I also look forward banking experience. to bringing some new challenges and ideas to our sales team.” n

April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

71

CHAMBER NEWS

NEW MEMBERS APARTMENTS

BEAUTY SALONS/SPAS

THE MARK APARTMENTS Bobbie James 5701 East Shirley Lane Montgomery, AL 36117 334-244-0772

SHEAR EXPERIENCE, LLC Jimmy Adams 7933 Vaughn Road Montgomery, AL 36116 334-801-9940

ASSOCIATIONS/NON-PROFIT

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

MONTGOMERY BRIDGE CLUB Peggy Givhan 1103 South PErry Street Montgomery, AL 36104 334-265-2142 ATTRACTIONS-SPORTS & RECREATION

WHITEWATER EXPRESS Todd Parkin 1000 Bay Avenue Columbus, GA 31901 800-676-7238 AUTOMOBILE PARTS

SERVICES

1ST CHOICE ASSISTANT, LLC Sebrena Whiting 3824 Dovewood Court Montgomery, AL 36116 334-219-6072 CONSULTING SERVICES

COMMERCE CONSULTING, LLC Clay McInnis 260 Commerce Street Suite 300 Montgomery, AL 36104 334-850-1101

& SERVICES

GROCERIES-RETAIL

JET MOBILE OIL CHANGE John Toney 143 Pinetree Drive Montgomery, AL 36117 334-300-1815

CASH SAVER #26 Todd Vowell 2020 Eastern Boulevard Montgomery, AL 36116 334-286-1128 HOSPICES

COMFORT CARE HOSPICE Candace Fales 315 St. Lukes Drive Montgomery, AL 36117 334-514-0244 HOSPITALS/CLINICS

MEDHEALTH URGENT CARE Anitra Lumpkin 2908 McGehee Road Montgomery, AL 36111 334-229-9955

72

Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FIRMS

TEKSYSTEMS, INC. Katharine Raycraft 1200 Corporate Drive Suite G-05 Birmingham, AL 35242 205-995-5454 INSURANCE COMPANIES/SERVICES

NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT COMPANY David B. Miller 4211 Carmichael Road Montgomery, AL 36106 334-277-6262 PHYSICIANS-PODIATRY

ESSIE M.B. SMITH FOOT CLINIC, LLC Theresa I. Brown 348 St. Lukes Drive Montgomery, AL 36117 334-271-3333 TALENT MANAGEMENT

PERFORM YOUR STORY BY JOE Joe Powell 445 Dexter Avenue Suite 4050 Montgomery, AL 36104 334-456-9564

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

CALIBER PATIENT CARE Mark Porterfield 825 Chaseway Drive Pike Road, AL 36064 334-244-8968 TRAVEL AGENCIES/SERVICES

T3 TRAVEL Josh Akright 11519 Kingston Pike Suite 114 Knoxville, TN 37934 877-865-2018 TUTORING SERVICES

HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER Len Silverman 2800 Zelda Road Suite 200-6 Montgomery, AL 36106 334-277-1180

CHAMBER NEWS

VAPOR CRAFT OF MONTGOMERY

VETERAN CUTS BARBER SHOP

2820 G Zelda Rd, Montgomery, AL 36106 • 334-301-2653 Bill Robertson-Managing Member • Vapor Stores

444 Coliseum Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36109 • 334-676-1659 Johnny Paradise-Owner • Barber

BRYSON’S FINE JEWELRY

ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY DOWNTOWN ANNEX

8073 EastChase Pkwy, Montgomery, AL 36117 334-270-2257 • www.brysonsfinejewelry.com Blake Purvis-Owner • Jewelers/Jewelry

32 Commerce St, Montgomery, AL 36104 334-229-5625 • www.alasu.edu Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd-President • Colleges & Universities

RIBBON CUTTINGS & GROUND BREAKINGS

NO STREAKS WINDOW CLEANING SERVICE P.O. Box 242206, Montgomery, AL 36124 • 334-201-6940 Victor Turnquest-Owner • Ivin Watson-Owner •Windows

April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

73

CHAMBER NEWS

ECONOMIC INTEL UNEMPLOYMENT

Civilian Labor Force JANUARY P 2015

AREA Montgomery MA

DECEMBER R 2014

Unemployment Rate

JANUARY R 2014

JANUARY P 2015

DECEMBER R 2014

167,220

168,953

171,579

6.10%

5.40%

7.30%

Autauga County

24,888

25,156

25,507

5.40%

4.60%

6.60%

Prattville City

16,254

16,379

16,499

5.10%

4.00%

5.40%

25,639

36,041

36,577

5.30%

4.60%

6.60%

3,786

3,823

3,940

11.50%

10.50%

14.10%

Montgomery County

102,907

103,933

105,555

6.40%

5.60%

7.50%

Montgomery City

90,763

91,486

92,925

6.60%

5.60%

7.50%

528,506

530,735

535,303

5.50%

4.80%

6.60%

91,998

92,137

93,448

7.30%

6.40%

8.70%

204,419

206,578

208,810

5.70%

5.00%

6.80%

88,864

89,447

90,359

6.00%

5.00%

6.70%

178,780

180,584

184,397

7.10%

6.40%

8.60%

83,794

84,580

86,488

7.40%

6.60%

8.90%

2,104,532

2,122,742

2,148,619

6.30%

5.50%

7.60%

153,050,000

155,521,000

154,381,000

6.10%

5.40%

7.00%

Elmore County Lowndes County

Birmingham-Hoover MA Birmingham City Huntsville MA Huntsville City Mobile MA Mobile City Alabama United States

MA=Metropolitan Area. pPreliminary rRevised Estimates prepared by the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations in Cooperation with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, based on 2014 benchmark.

74

JANUARY R 2014

Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

BUILDING STARTS

Building Permits FEBRUARY 2015

JANUARY 2015

Building Valuations FEBRUARY 2014

FEBRUARY 2015

JANUARY 2015

FEBRUARY 2014

New Construction

24

83

20

$21,383,000

$23,321,881

$2,971,000

Additions and AlterationsÂ

60

96

71

$7,569,666

$20,201,712

$10,727,700

Others

31

22

20

$75,840

$145,100

$152,400

115

201

111

$29,028,506

$43,668,693

$13,851,100

Total

Source: City of Montgomery Building Department

MONTGOMERY METRO MARKET HOME SALES FEBRUARY 2015

JANUARY 2015

MONTH/MONTH % CHANGE

FEBRUARY 2014

YEAR/YEAR % CHANGE

STATEWIDE FEBRUARY 2015

Median Price

$126,600

$127,700

-0.86%

$139,000

-8.92%

$120,767

Average Price

$145,011

$145,151

-0.10%

$147,072

-1.40%

$148,755

Units Listed

2,729

2,694

1.30%

2,751

-0.80%

31,740

Months of Supply

10.1

10.9

-7.34%

10.8

-6.48%

9.9

Total # Sales

269

248

8.47%

255

5.49%

3,216

Days on Market

131

136

-3.68%

137

-4.38%

160

Source: Alabama Center for Real Estate (ACRE), The University of Alabama

April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

75

QUARTERLY REPORTS NAME

QUARTERLY REVENUES

NET INCOME

EARNINGS PER SHARE

EARNINGS ESTIMATE

YEAR-AGO REVENUES

YEAR-AGO NET INCOME

Whole Foods

$4.7B

$167M

$0.46

$0.45

$4.2B

$158M

Revenue rose 10%

CVS Health

$37B

$1.3B

$1.14

$1.21

$32.8B

$1.3B

Pharmacy services segment up 21.7% to $23.9B

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers

$282.1M

$3.9M

$0.28

$0.69

$241.9M

$6.9M

Revenue increased 16.6%

Wendy’s

$501.9M

$23.3M

$0.06

N/A

$592.4M

$33.1M

Operating profit margin up 5.5% to 10.3%

$4B

$300M

$0.33

$0.38

$3.9B

$414M

Profit declined 19.7%

Panera Bread

$672.5M

$48M

$1.82

$1.82

$661.7M

$54M

Systemwide sales rose 3%

Wal-Mart

$131.6B

$5B

$1.53

$1.54

$129.7B

$4.4B

Increased wages to at least $9 per hour this year

$4B

$957M

$1.89

$1.81

$3.8B

$863.5M

Profit rose 15%

TJX Companies (T.J. Maxx)

$8.3B

$648.2M

$0.93

$0.90

$7.8B

$582.2M

Profit increased 11.3%

Dollar Tree

$2.5B

$206.6M

$1.00

$1.15

$2.2B

$239M

Sales increased 10.8%

$425.5M

$21.1M

$0.52

$0.50

$387.9M

$17.80

Revenue up 9.7%

Kohl’s

$6.3B

$369M

$1.83

$1.80

$6.1B

$334M

Same-store sales rose 3.7%

Haverty’s

$213M

(-$10.2M)

(-$0.45)

N/A

$196.2M

$9.7M

Sales up 8.6%

Lowe’s

$12.5B

$450M

$0.46

$0.44

$11.7B

$306M

Profit jumped 47%

Home Depot

$19.2B

$1.4B

$1.05

$0.89

$17.7B

$1B

Dillard’s

$2.1B

$130.5M

$3.17

$3.18

$2B

$119.1M

Revenue rose 4.9%

Gap (Banana Republic, Old Navy)

$4.7B

$319M

$0.75

$0.74

$4.6B

$307M

Old Navy sales surged 11%

Target

$21.7B

(-$2.6B)

(-$4.10)

$1.46

$20.9B

$520M

Profit declined due to closing all 133 stores in Canada

Sears Holdings

$8.1B

(-$159M)

(-$1.50)

N/A

$10.6B

(-$358M)

Advance Auto Parts

$2.1B

$84.4M

$1.15

$1.48

$1.4B

$49.3M

Sales up 48.1% on purchase of General Parts

Marriott International

$3.6B

$197M

$0.68

$0.65

$3.2B

$151M

Profit jumped 30%

$416.3M

(-$51.4.2M)

(-$2.50)

N/A

$265.2M

$66.8M

Sales up 4.2% in U.S. and Canada

J.C. Penney

$3.9B

(-$59M)

(-$0.19)

$0.12

$3.8B

$35M

Comparable store sales increased 4.4%

Best Buy

$14.2B

$519M

$1.46

$1.35

$14B

$293M

Will buy back $1B of shares over 3 years

Dick’s Sporting Goods

$2.2B

$155.5M

$1.30

$1.22

$1.9B

$138.7M

Same-store sales rose 3.4%

AutoZone

$2.1B

$211.7M

$6.51

$6.37

$2B

$192.8M

Profit increased 9.8%

Southern Co. (Alabama Power)

L Brands (Bath & Body Works, Victoria’s Secret)

Papa John’s

Restaurant Brands (Burger King)

76

Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

NOTABLE

Comparable store sales increased 7.9%

Eleventh straight quarterly loss

SALES TAX

FEBRUARY 2015

FEBRUARY 2014

Montgomery County

$3,193,876

$2,918,926

City of Montgomery

$7,352,738

$6,914,170

YTD 2015

YTD 2014

9.42%

$7,301,743

$6,777,323

7.74%

6.34%

$17,219,475

$16,081,324

7.08%

$294,568

$164,375

$356,071

$329,409

8.09%

Prattville

$1,546,654

$1,427,975

8.31%

$3,886,084

$3,563,995

9.04%

Millbrook

$450,734

$432,605

4.19%

$1,041,164

$991,060

5.06%

Autauga County

$565,790

$576,604

-1.88%

$1,379,854

$1,304,607

5.77%

Elmore County

$172,282

$161,488

6.68%

$492,050

$470,155

4.66%

Wetumpka

$390,774

$408,795

-4.41%

$922,913

$926,509

-0.39%

Pike Road

YEAR OVER YEAR % CHANGE

79.20%

YEAR OVER YEAR % CHANGE

Sources: Montgomery County Commission, City of Montgomery, City of Pike Road, Autauga County Commission, City of Prattville, Elmore County Commission, City of Wetumpka, City of Millbrook Note: YTD numbers are January 2015 thru current month.

April 2015 Montgomery Business Journal

77

HYUNDAI SALES

AIR FARES

VEHICLE

FEB 2015

FEB 2014

YTD 2015

YTD 2014

Accent

4,867

5,925

9,305

10,165

Sonata

13,987

11,190

26,350

21,005

Elantra

15,708

16,393

27,948

31,719

8,762

6,993

16,511

13,714

757

596

1,341

1,358

Tucson

3,869

3,956

6,905

7,489

Veloster

1,555

2,083

2,857

3,904

0

0

0

1

2,793

1,607

5,366

3,066

207

260

427

587

52,505

49,003

97,010

93,008

Santa Fe Azera

Veracruz Genesis Equus Total

Roundtrip airfare comparisons from Montgomery, Birmingham and Atlanta airports to key destinations.

DESTINATION

Source: Hyundai Motor America

MONTGOMERY

BIRMINGHAM

ATLANTA

Baltimore (BWI)

$351

$312

$246

Boston (BOS)

$506

$567

$371

Charlotte, NC (CLT)

$178

$205

$337

Chicago (ORD)

$294

$269

$121

Cincinnati (CVG)

$349

$392

$290

Dallas/Ft Worth (DFW)

$328

$351

$88

Denver (DEN)

$367

$384

$198

Detroit (DTW)

$328

$390

$156

Houston (HOU)

$294

$318

$126

Indianapolis (IND)

$294

$421

$172

Las Vegas (LAS)

$525

$611

$423

Los Angeles (LAX)

$402

$459

$252

Memphis (MEM)

$347

$431

$334

Miami (MIA)

$382

$442

$216

Nashville (BNA)

$513

$499

$407

New Orleans (MSY)

$514

$499

$262

New York (JFK)

$367

$406

$280

Orlando (MCO)

$370

$388

$234

Philadelphia (PHL)

$303

$243

$246

Pittsburgh (PIT)

$334

$372

$246

St Louis (STL)

$301

$248

$216

Seattle (SEA)

$433

$408

$423

$1,348

$1,317

$1,357

Tampa (TPA)

$354

$361

$216

Washington DC (DCA)

$294

$271

$246

Seoul (SEL)

Date of travel: April 14-19, 2015. Date of pricing: March 8, 2015 Source: travelocity.com

MONTGOMERY REGIONAL AIRPORT STATS FEBRUARY 2015

FEBRUARY 2014

YEAR OVER YEAR % CHANGE

YTD 2015

YTD 2014

YEAR OVER YEAR % CHANGE

648

634

2.2%

1,424

1,451

-1.9%

Total Operations

3,926

4,288

-8.4%

8,529

9,228

-7.6%

Enplanements

12,513

11,270

11.0%

25,500

21,698

17.5%

Deplanements

11,045

11,096

-0.5%

24,492

22,511

8.8%

Total Passengers

23,558

22,366

5.3%

49,992

44,209

13.1%

Air Carrier Operations

Source: Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM) Dannelly Field

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Montgomery Business Journal April 2015

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625x10 ll Page 4c

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