MBJ September 2020

MONTGOMERY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL S E P T E M B E R / O C TO B E R 2 0 2 0

MBJ

WORKING IT OUT INDUSTRY OVERVIEW: HUMAN RESOURCES, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND BENEFITS

Burdell, George P.

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Reminder: Vote November 3

+ BIG THE

GIVE 2020

RECOGNIZING RIVER REGION NONPROFITS

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CONTENTS SEPT/OCT 2020

THIS ISSUE:

10 Working It Out: Human Resources, Employment Services and Benefits Industry Overview

38 Going Up: Ad Valorem and Education 42 Now is the Time: Diversity Summit 2020 46 Plenty to Bark About: Pets are Big Business 53 The Big Give 2020: Recognizing Nonprofits 26 Investor Profile: Lance Hunter 30 Member Profiles: Lelar Wilson and Tasha M. Scott 32 Military Profile: Patricia Jones 36 #myMGM: Local Art Sold Here 80 Small Business Briefcase: Employee Engagement Supercharges Productivity

CHAMBER NEWS:

82 Connect: Chamber News 84 Connect: Chamber FAQ 90 Members on the Move 94 Members in the News 97 Business Buzz 99 New Members 102 Intel

Correction: I n t h e J uly iss ue’s M ilit ary P ro f i l e, we ac c id e nt ally re -ran s o m e info rm at io n ab o ut t he 4 2 nd Air B as e Wing in s te ad o f t h e c o rre c t info rm a t i o n rel a ted t o t h e 9 0 8 t h Airlift Wing. Ap o lo gie s t o b o t h gro u ps f o r o u r m is t ake and fo r any c o nfus io n it m ay h ave c aus e d.

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MBJ

THE NUMBER ONE BUSINESS SOURCE FOR MONTGOMERY AND THE RIVER REGION

MONTGOMERY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT Anna B. Buckalew CHIEF ENGAGEMENT OFFICER Jina Miniard

exploreMedia PUBLISHER Pam Mashburn

MANAGING EDITOR Jennifer Stewart Kornegay

ART DIRECTOR Erika Rowe Tracy

DESIGN Heather Cooper, Shelby Berry Shubird

CONTRIBUTORS EDITORIAL Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Minnie Lamberth, Elizabeth Brasher, Arthur DuCote and Sharleen Smith PHOTOGRAPHERS Nick Drollette, Nancy Fields, Robert Fouts, Donna Wallace King, David Robertson Jr. ON THE COVER Cover design by Erika Rowe Tracy.

ADVERTISING Christina Bennett, exploreMedia / 334-578-7810 COMMUNICATIONS Kinsey de Torres MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL c/o Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Post Office Box 79, Montgomery, Alabama 36101 Telephone: 334-834-5200 • mbj@montgomerychamber.com © Copyright 2020 exploreMedia and the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

MONTGOMERY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MISSION STATEMENT

The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce catalyzes business and community leadership to improve the economic prosperity and ​quality of place ​of Montgomery and the River Region. ​ The Montgomery Business Journal (USPS NO. 025553) is published bi-monthly by exploreMedia for the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, 41 Commerce Street, Montgomery AL 36104, (334) 834-5200, www.montgomerychamber.com. Periodicals Postage Paid at Montgomery, Alabama, 36119+9998, USPS NO. 025553. Volume 12, Issue 6.

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 and bulk subscriptions can also be purchased per year at www.montgomerychamber.com/mbjsub.

CHAMBER NEWS

Events +

MA RK YO UR CALENDAR S FOR THE SE UP COMING C HAMB E R E V E NTS

WE'RE HERE FOR YOU! The fall is packed with some exciting ways

OCT

InnovateMGM – Virtual Event

20

InnovateMGM celebrates those

to build powerful connections. Register

who are seeding new ideas, meeting

now and engage with us like never before!

challenges head-on and thinking

For a full list of scheduled events, visit our

differently about how delivering for their

calendar of events online. montgomerychamber.com/events.

customers translates into delivering for their community.

Presenting Sponsor: Troy Cablevision

OCT

21

22

Diversity Summit – 9am-12:30pm; Virtual Event

This year’s Diversity Summit goes beyond a simple understanding of what diversity means and why it matters. Hear from world-renowned speakers who have

PROGRAMMING & EVENTS Small Business Briefcase

State of the City & County

The Small Business Briefcase events

Connect with community

turn MBJ content into live events and feature

and business leadership, elected officials

local business experts who share their

and military leaders and hear from Mayor

insight, tips and tools for small businesses

Steven Reed and County Commission

and entrepreneurs to be more productive,

Chairman Elton Dean Sr. as they give a

efficient and ultimately, more successful.

comprehensive update on the State of the

In Partnership with Troy University Continuing

City and County.

Education & Outreach

Presenting Sponsor: Baptist Health

SEPT

DON'T MISS THIS

OCT

28

Conversations & Connections: Empowering Women

Connect and engage with professional women from around the River Region and

October 6 - How to Increase Productivity and Boost Engagement November 3 – How to Retain & Incentivize a Great Team December 1 - Legal Questions Small Businesses Don’t Know to Ask

hear from powerful leading ladies who lead with passion, grit and who inspire

experience and passion for building

those around them.

leadership capacity and culture centered

Presenting Sponsor: Massey Properties, LLC

around diversity, inclusion and equity.

Presenting Sponsor: Martha’s Place

COMING SOON: EGGS & ISSUES VIRTUAL SERIES Watch for updates for the Eggs & Issues Virtual Series in our enewsletters or track updated events on montgomery.com/events.

Presenting Sponsor: Balch & Bingham LLP

First Fridays Culture Builder and Social Hour, 3:30-5pm

Collaborate and network with local creatives and entrepreneurs during the Chamber's First Friday Culture Builder and Social Hour. Hear from local makers,

OCT

08

Chamber Golf Classic – 7am-7pm at Wynlakes Golf & Country Club

Come build powerful connections on the course with fellow members, elected officials, community leaders and potential clients.

Presenting Sponsor: Wynlakes Golf & Country Club

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Military Appreciation Week

November 8-14 Chamber Orientation November 10 Governmental Affairs Reception November 16 148th Annual Meeting December 8 Payroll Tax Update December 10

8 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

store owners, movers and shakers and creators who all have unique stories that have helped shape our community and tell the story of MGM. Friday, October 2 at Station #2 in

Cottage Hill; Sponsored by Stratice, LLC Friday, November 6 at Wishbone Café; Sponsored by Partners Realty

Friday, December 4 at Kru on Mt Meigs; Sponsored by KRU on Mt. Meigs

The River Region’s human resources, employment services and benefits industries have vital roles to play in the COVID-19 recovery and in the everyday operations of our local economy.

WORKING IT OUT

By Jennifer Stewart Kornegay

Industry Overview:

T

he countless negative impacts of COVID-19 on global, national and local economies are now old news.

HUMAN RESOURCES, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND BENEFITS

GETTING BACK TO BIZ In this uncertain environment, the River Region’s Human Resources,

Very few businesses have been spared from

Employment Services and

at least some form of pandemic-related loss or

Benefits industries have vital

pain, pushing many to furlough and downsize,

roles to play in the recovery,

as Tara Hutchison, Alabama Department

according to several of its

of Labor (ADOL) Communications Director,

key members, including

noted. “Alabama, like every other state, saw

Beth Walker McBride, Vice

a significant increase in its unemployment

President of WorkForce

from March to April, entirely due to COVID-19

Walker Personnel, LLC. She

closures,” she said. “Years of economic

first pointed to the important

progress were reversed in a matter of two

functions her industry provides

months.” Hutchison’s department is responsible

in our community overall. “The

for paying unemployment compensation

employment services industry greatly benefits

claims, including the three new programs

the River Region by the many staffing services

passed by Congress under the CARES

it offers to the businesses in this area,” she

Act: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

said. “We are able to provide businesses

(PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment

with a wide array of employees ranging

Compensation (PEUC) and Federal Pandemic

from very specialized skills to ones that are

Unemployment Compensation (FPUC). ADOL

more general in nature. We also benefit the

also assists those rejoining the workforce after

citizens by providing a venue for them to seek

losing their jobs.

employment opportunities with ease.”

The numbers speak for themselves. April’s

In direct response to COVID-19, the industry’s

unemployment rate for the state hit 13.8

role has become even more essential. “With

percent, with Montgomery County hovering

the employment crisis that the nation is

around 12 percent. As of mid-June, the

currently facing, it is our belief that the staffing

state had disbursed nearly $2 billion in

industry will play a major role in helping

unemployment benefits. The unemployment

Americans get back to work,” McBride said.

figures are now dropping; in June, the

“We have seen an increase in our clients’ need

statewide unemployment number dropped to

for staffing. With many businesses opening

7.5 percent, and Hutchison stressed that there

back up, there has been an increased need

is light at the end of the tunnel. The lingering

for extra personnel. Some of our clients are

question though: How long is the tunnel and

having to play catch-up while others have seen

will everyone reach the end? “As restrictions

shortages due to employees that are no longer

ease, and employers recall employees,

available.”

Interview with Sam @ 3:00

hopefully we will recover quickly,” she said.

“However, it may not be an overnight recovery,

Patrick Hart, License Owner, Spherion Staffing,

as some businesses will delay reopening or

echoed McBride, noting that helping build a

be unable to open again at all. Consumers’

deep base of local talent is the “pinnacle” of

mindsets may also change regarding some

the pluses his industry brings the area. “From

businesses.”

assisting the next generation in entering the workforce, to working with local veterans transitioning into the civilian workforce, and on some occasions, recruiting and relocating talent to the area from out of state,

11 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

YOUR CHAMBER: #ATWORK

We asked our industry leaders how the Chamber has benefited their companies.

“I’ve been a Chamber member since 1991, and it has benefited me greatly, giving me visibility when I first got out of the Air Force and started my business. It then gave me so many ways to get engaged and to connect.

I’ve been on the board, been an Ambassador and served on committees. In addition to networking, all of these activities gave me credibility, and that led to profitability.

I would recommend membership in the Chamber to anyone.”

- Stacia Robinson, Agency Principal at The BeneChoice Companies

Industry Overview:

HUMAN RESOURCES, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND BENEFITS

of $151.8 billion in 2019 to $119.4 billion in 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak, a 21-percent decrease from the previous year,” he said. “We’ve all been affected.

With the predicted decrease due to the outbreak, the staffing and recruiting industry will have an uphill battle. Our team in Montgomery is doing everything in our power to stay the course and support our clients during this time.”

But the industry is also realizing some of the same positives that the virus forced many other industries to recognize, namely increased efficiency. “At the onset of the pandemic, we were affected similarly to most businesses due to the stay-at-home orders. However, the challenges of working remotely we are helping local businesses secure

actually made us look at our day-to-day

the talent they need to be successful,

processes, and we began to streamline

while also assisting the local workforce

procedures,” McBride said. “ COVID-19

in finding better career opportunities

has made us become much more flexible

that are personally, professionally and

and more efficient.”

financially rewarding,” Hart said. On

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

the COVID-19 front, Spherion worked with its parent company Randstad’s to

“When one business sector

Like McBride’s employees, millions of

safely transitioning people back into the

becomes less busy, there is always

Americans were forced to temporarily

workplace, as well as assisting displaced

another type of industry or business

work from home due to COVID-19

create a national task force focused on

workers. “At a local level, we also are providing COVID-19 screening solutions for our clients,” Hart said.

Marcel R. McElroy’s companies, Marcel

sector that has a growing demand

shutdowns, allowing a lot of businesses to

for employees.”

find value in an arrangement they might

- Beth Walker McBride, Vice President of WorkForce Walker Personnel, LLC

not have tried otherwise. Even as cities and states “reopen,” work-from-home arrangements for some are becoming permanent. McBride says she believes the

McElroy’s Job Connection, LLC and Top

trend has staying power. “I think that like

Talent Recruiter, LLC, are outsourced by companies looking for professionals to

who are just furloughed employees,” he

our business, many are using the ability to

fill salaried openings in specific fields,

said. “We are also hearing from some

work remotely to become more efficient,”

including human resources, engineering,

companies who are wanting us to assist

she said.

IT, accounting, sales and marketing,

their employees where they are having

healthcare and more. But he’s seen the

cutbacks due to budget cuts.”

McElroy agreed, at least in part. “Working from home will increase with the larger

same trends stemming from the virus as his colleagues: people who’ve lost

And the industry itself is facing some

companies who employ a lot of your

jobs and companies whose employment

tough times ahead, as Hart explained.

white-collar professionals,” he said. “But

needs have shifted since the shutdowns

“On a larger scale, Statista [a provider of

with most of your smaller companies and

in March. “We are getting calls from

market and consumer data] reports that

manufacturing companies, I don’t see an

candidates whose jobs have been

the U.S. staffing and recruiting market is

increase.”

eliminated for good, as well as those

predicted to decrease from its market size

12 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

13 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

Industry Overview:

HUMAN RESOURCES, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND BENEFITS

Hart also sees a mixed bag. “On

attract candidates and provide some

one hand, yes, there will be an

face-to-face interaction, while at the

increase in working from home. On

same time remaining conscientious

the other hand, many, after being

of the importance of following social

forced to work from home due to

distancing guidelines.”

the pandemic, found out that they miss the human-to-human interaction

The continued emphasis on some

with their colleagues

true, in-person

and co-workers,”

interaction is a constant

he said. With more

that Hart says will

people not working

never disappear. “We

in office spaces, he

work with all kinds of

pointed to possible

new and emerging

consequences for one

technologies on a

sector in particular.

“There is no doubt that the commercial real estate industry will be impacted the most by

SMART STUFF The use of smart phones for job searches and application submissions is now standard —

this,” he said. “We’ve already witnessed REIT’s [real estate investment trusts]

WorkForce Walker Personnel’s process is 100-percent online and

drawing down their

mobile friendly.

credit lines.”

daily basis, which has helped professional recruiters operate more efficiently,” he said.

“However, technology can’t replace the human touch, the creativity, the empathy and the engagement that customers prize, which drives innovation

and differentiation in an organization One large factor keeping the workfrom-home trend alive is how easy

or small business.”

it is today, thanks to advances

BEYOND THE VIRUS

in technology, and technology is

COVID-19 issues have dominated our

driving rapid evolution in the staffing

thoughts, but the pandemic is by no

services industry too. The use of

means the only threat the employment

smart phones for job searches and

services industry must contend with.

application submissions is now

Workforce readiness remains a critical

standard — WorkForce Walker

factor, according to McBride. “I think

Personnel’s process is 100-percent

one of the areas that will need to be

online and mobile friendly — and

addressed in the coming years is the

this came in handy when quarantine

need for more technical training,”

measures were at their strictest. “We

she said. “There is a shortage of

are now able to recruit, interview and

employees with specific skill sets.”

onboard applicants without having any physical contact. The pandemic has

And the “specific skills” we need

also forced the industry to become

in our workforce are constantly

more dependent on digital recruiting

changing; now these changes are

resources, such as job boards and

coming faster than ever. “Temporary

online resume databases, to source

workers will need to shift to different

qualified candidates,” McBride said.

industries and adapt as needed,” Hart

“We are also seeing a lot of agencies

said. “The most notable trend to watch

utilize outdoor job fairs as a way to

in my opinion, will be reskilling of

14 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

IND USTRY Leader | Human Resources, Employment Services and Benefits

Harmon Dennis Bradshaw, Inc. When was your company founded? 1977.

Site clinics and are looking for ways to assist their clients with their

In addition to property and casualty insurance products, the

overall benefit strategy.

employee benefits department was added in 2004.

Milestones/Awards/Accomplishments: HDB was How many employees do you have in the River Region? 7 in benefits and 43 total What are your primary products and services? Harmon Dennis Bradshaw is a full-service risk

recognized as a 2019 Top Insurance Workplace by Insurance Business America. Specific to our employee benefits department, John Dorough joined HDB in 2008 with one goal in mind—to grow the employee benefits division. Dorough is the first employee benefits shareholder and with his expertise, the department has

management and insurance provider and employee benefits firm.

grown significantly over the years. In 2016, Bobby Trott joined the

HDB is able to assist employers in the design and implementation

employee benefits group of HDB and in his short time, has made a

of custom benefit packages for their organization and employees

considerable impact and became a shareholder in 2019.

as well as provide loss control/safety and human resources consulting services. Our goal is simple, we want to partner with you and your team in order to provide the best overall employee benefits package to your most valuable asset—your employees.

What sets your company apart? Benefits are much more than just medical, dental, vision, life and disability programs.

Our experienced benefit professionals take time to understand your business and employer’s needs. Our professionals stay up to date on all the latest trends from Rx carve-out to Near Site/On-

P.O. Box 241667 / Montgomery, AL 36124 334-273-7277 / hdbinsurance.com

15 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

Industry Overview:

HUMAN RESOURCES, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND BENEFITS

the workforce to meet the talent shortage

McElroy has identified an additional trend,

crisis that we are currently facing, and will

too: Companies are getting pickier and

continue to face, as we move forward. For

digging deeper when it comes to new hires.

these reasons, our team has worked to

“I see more companies wanting to see what

build business continuity solutions and

kind of social media presence that potential

develop plans addressing the business’s

new hires might have,” he said. “If they see

gaps, areas of opportunity and potential

something online where someone appears

solutions.”

to not be a fit because of their lifestyle, then some companies refuse to go any further in

Hart stressed that the ways companies

the interview process.”

search the available workforce have been altered too. “We’ve already experienced

At the same time, the struggle to attract

a huge shift in the way the hiring process

and keep good employees is getting

works in the last decade, and even more so

harder. “Companies are becoming more

recently with the commercial adoption of AI

competitive,” he said. “They are looking

and blockchain,” he said.

for top talent professionals who have the best skill set to help them provide the best

McElroy predicts increased use of video

product or service in their industry. Time

conference services in the future, as

is money, and they don’t have the time, or

companies have gotten more comfortable

the resources in many cases, to find top

with that technology. “You will see

professionals during low unemployment

more and more Zoom interviews before

as well as high unemployment times.” It’s

companies will fly someone in for a formal

an ongoing battle that businesses like

interview,” he said.

McBride’s, Hart’s and McElroy’s can help

Q:

“Technology can’t replace the human touch, the creativity, the empathy and the engagement that customers prize, which drives innovation and differentiation in an organization or small business.”

- Patrick Hart, License Owner, Spherion Staffing

companies win.

What is the No. 1 HR question that COVID-19 has raised and what is its answer?

“What can I do to protect my employees (and my business) as they return to the workplace during the pandemic?” Some of the answers and solutions are: Communicate: Because your communication is a key indicator to what an employee experience might be like at your business, how your business communicates with your employees during this pandemic (or another crisis) will trickle down and could affect your ability to attract and retain top talent in the future.

clearly with everyone involved. Be empathetic with those anxious and reluctant to return. Listen to their concerns.

Engage in interactive discussions with those requesting ADA accommodations.

Have protocols established of what will be expected of HR and employees if an employee tests positive and share those protocols with your employees.

Follow your plan: Set expectations for all

Prepare your plan: Educate yourself. Get buy-in from your leadership team. Proactively plan how to bring your employees back safely. Seek feedback from department heads.

levels of employees and hold each other accountable. Don’t be caught in the “I didn’t know what to do, so I did nothing” category. Having a well thought-out plan showing you were proactive will make a difference should you have any future claims.

Communicate your plan: If your business is returning employees to the workplace, share your reentry strategy

- Marlo Saunders, Human Resources Consultant, Harmon Dennis Bradshaw, Inc.

16 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

IND USTRY Leader | Human Resources, Employment Services and Benefits

Career Personnel When was your company founded? 1959 How many employees do you have in the River Region? 75 What are your primary products and services? Career Personnel is an employment agency that

from former employers and co-workers, performing background checks, administering state-of-the-art skill testing, and providing drug tests upon request. We have a great staff of experienced and professional recruiters, and they take pride in getting to know the candidates. These recruiters work closely with our clients to ensure they provide the perfect match to meet their unique needs.

provides temporary, temp-to-perm and direct hire candidates to employers across the River Region. We provide top-notch clerical, administrative, technical, professional, information technology, legal, insurance and light industrial candidates for our clients.

What sets your company apart? Career Personnel maintains its edge and reputation for making the perfect match by doing in-depth, face-to-face interviews with each candidate (now that face-to-face is via video conferencing), obtaining references

4751 Berry Boulevard / Montgomery, AL 36106 334-277-2460 / careerpersonnelservice.com

17 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

Industry Overview:

HUMAN RESOURCES, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND BENEFITS

JOBS WITH BENEFITS But even with the help of employment

Q:

services and recruiters, employers still have to make a compelling case to score the great employee, and as they vie for the best and brightest, salary may not be the deciding factor. “Going forward, I think employee benefits will become a bigger and bigger way to attract employees,” said Stacia Robinson, Agency Principal at The BeneChoice Companies.

YOUR CHAMBER: #ATWORK

“The Chamber has been a great benefit to our company from day one. They are the biggest promoters for the city of Montgomery. They are constantly looking to make Montgomery better by

PEOPLE ARE PRIORITY “My industry is still learning how to be high-touch using high tech, and that’s a key point. Because it always has been and will be about people and about connecting.”

-Stacia Robinson, Agency Principal at The BeneChoice Companies

bringing in new industry to the community. They work just as hard to help new companies realize the potential they have by coming to Montgomery, with a strong workforce, logistics and lifestyle opportunities offered by living in the capital city. If you’re not a member of the Chamber, then you don’t

But not just any benefits will do; today’s workplace diversity means employees have varied wants and needs.

want to see your business grow, in my opinion.”

“Sometimes, you have five generations of

- Marcel R. McElroy’s companies, Marcel McElroy’s Job Connection,

employees in the workplace,” Robinson

LLC and Top Talent Recruiter, LLC

said. “The youngest might not care about retirement benefits, but they might want a benefit that helps them pay back school loans. Someone else on staff might be more interested in pet insurance.” Cookie-cutter plans are out, and customization is king. “You can no longer rest on offering some basic health insurance,” she said. “And a great benefits package helps a company that is not paying as much attract the really great employees, places like nonprofits

Blue Cross has made many changes in health insurance coverage to further meet the needs of our customers and providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March, we began waiving member cost-sharing for COVID-19 diagnostic testing, treatment and in-person or telehealth visits. We also began allowing for early medication refills. Lastly, we have expanded telehealth for physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners; physical, speech and occupational therapists; behavioral health practitioners; ophthalmologists and optometrists; chiropractors; dentists and dieticians. We will continue to work closely with state and local governments, as well as partners within the healthcare system, to address local needs

of incentive puzzles. “Working from home will be a key benefit for the future,” she said. “Remote work is cutting costs for employers, so if employees are being productive, I think we will see employers not only allowing work from home, but in some cases, even encouraging it.”

It will also affect the application of more traditional benefits. “You will see people need different benefits based

Like those in the employment services

“So that goes back to being flexible and

work will be on the rise in coming years;

due to COVID-19?

from the COVID-19 outbreak.

and the public sector.”

industry, Robinson also believes remote

What changes in health insurance have come about

on their work location,” Robinson said. having a menu of benefits available for employees.”

she sees the option as an alluring piece 18 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

- Troy Maxwell, District Manager, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama

IND USTRY Leader | Human Resources, Employment Services and Benefits

Top row, left to right: LaTrecia Durrough, Development Manager; Maurice Robinson, Account Services; Jennifer Smith, Benefit Counselor; Stacia Robinson, Agency Principal; Emanuel Thompson, Account Representative.

Bottom row, left to right: Poquina ‘Candie’ Vance, Benefit Counselor; Kimberly Robinson, Development Manager; Tracey R. Harris, Account Manager; Tarkenton Dillard, Benefit Counselor; Loraine Hobson, Benefit Counselor.

The BeneChoice Companies, LLC When was your company founded? 2000

What sets your company apart? We’re able to communicate, educate and enroll all types of employees in all

How many employees do you have in the River Region? 10 What are your primary products and services? The BeneChoice Companies is an insurance, financial and employee benefits provider, extending services to both employers and employees alike. The BeneChoice Companies specializes in benefits enrollment, benefits communication and group health and voluntary insurance. A few of the services offered to help companies retain and attract talented professionals include: assisting employers with employee benefits packages,; providing

work environments: in person, by phone and online, thereby increasing participation of benefits. Understanding all generations of employees and helping them financially protect their paychecks sets us apart. Personalizing benefits in today’s changing environment is a game-changer. The old way of just selling health and life insurance is outdated.

Milestones/Awards/Accomplishments: This is our 20th year in business, and we’re growing our customer base and our team. We consider ourselves “essential” for the longterm.

insurance and employee benefits to employees and their families; identifying and filling the gaps in insurance plans; providing stateof-the-art Wellness and Flexible Spending Account Programs; recommending appropriate and cost-effective benefits; alerting you to appropriate business continuation strategies; performing analytical, side-by-side comparisons of cost and benefits; developing communication material; and informing your firm on issues of compliance, ERISA and COBRA, pertinent to its fiduciary responsibilities as they relate to the firm's benefits.

6008 E. Shirley Ln, Ste F / Montgomery, AL 36117 (334) 356-0243 / benechoicecompanies.com

19 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

Industry Overview:

HUMAN RESOURCES, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND BENEFITS

HIGH-TECH & HIGH-TOUCH Benefits packages can be complex, and yet, it is crucial that employers and employees understand them. To ensure they do, many in the benefits business have long relied on relationships and as part of that, at least some face-to-face communication. “We are

HELP WANTED

in the business of educating employees about benefits and enrolling them,” Robinson said.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it pushed many to figure out how the latest technology can enhance — not detract from — customer service. “We were always capable of doing what we do using technology, but now, we’re doing that exclusively,” Robinson said. She shared the example of companies who’ve

these events have shifted to a platform that

and outs, letting the company prove it has

used online sign-up for benefits packages.

allows Robinson and her team to produce a

been compliant in educating its employees,”

“In these cases, very few employees

customized video explaining benefit plans

Robinson said. “It takes away a bit of the

participated in actually looking at what

for each company. It has several upsides.

‘high-touch,’ but it also has many pros, too.

their benefits were, and before COVID, we

“We can capture each employee’s sign-in

I think we’ll continue doing the briefings in

conducted in-person benefit briefings for

and their engagement with the video, which

this way.”

employees so they could understand.” Now,

confirms that they know their plan’s ins

20 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Industry Overview:

HUMAN RESOURCES, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND BENEFITS

Robinson is taking advantage of technology

downturn looming, one of the changes

and in Montgomery, for the most part,

to help employees when benefits change

could be companies cutting benefits to cut

we see very little impact as it relates to

too, working with them one-on-one,

costs. “I had a call from a nonprofit that

employee benefits,” Hicks said. He noted

remotely. “We used to do that in person,

had a platinum plan, and they’re already

that some doctors and dentists offices here

but now we’re doing it over the phone and

exploring switching to something less as

were hit hard by shutdowns, but many

using co-browsing and screen sharing so

they anticipate fewer donations coming

other industries, like construction and

we can talk to them and walk them through

in,” Robinson said. “But overall, I don’t see

manufacturing, were not. Most companies

their choices,” she said.

an easy shift there; I don’t see employers

took PPP and so kept benefits in place,

being able to stop offering these things.”

and even those that had to do furloughs

Despite it being easier than ever before

Mike Hicks, President, Alliance Insurance

also kept benefits in place. “Now, most

for Robinson and others in her industry to

Group, agrees; it’s hard to put the benefits

companies have gotten their people back,

inform employees on what benefits they

genie back in the bottle, and that bodes

so there was very little interruption,” Hicks

have access to and how they work, to

well for the benefits industry. “From an

said. “We also do COBRA administration

get the most from company benefits, all

industry standpoint, everyone here locally

[health insurance that employees have

individuals need to do their homework.

should weather the pandemic storm pretty

access to for a period of time after losing

“I think employees need to educate

well,” he said. “On the benefits side, we feel

their job], and we haven’t seen a big rush

themselves maybe more than in the past on

good.”

into that, so that is a good sign.”

she said. “As things continue to change in

The picture isn’t as rosy on the national

That’s now, but what the future holds is

this space, it’s really key that employees

stage. Agencies in areas where the

unclear. “What’s next is an unknown right

get informed on their own behalf and

shutdowns were more restrictive and

now,” Hicks said. “Outside of payroll,

understand their benefits.”

longer (like the Northeast and Western

medical insurance is probably the biggest

United States) are bracing for major impacts

line item for any business.”

what they really want and what they need,”

With the possibility of a longer economic

to revenues. “But for us here in Alabama

21 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

Industry Overview:

HUMAN RESOURCES, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND BENEFITS For years, many businesses have been

offense in this regard, looking at its clients

reducing this expense by taking on higher

cycling out of rate guarantee periods to

deductible plans and filling in the gap

see if it is time to make a move to another

with a secondary policy. Hicks says this

carrier, one offering a multi-year rate

will continue, and some companies may

guarantee.

go a step further. “We may start to see companies shift more of the deductible

Like any industry, the employment services

burden to employees to drive costs down,”

and benefits sectors go through ups

he said.

and downs. “When one business sector becomes less busy, there is always another

YOUR CHAMBER: #ATWORK

“We’ve been a Chamber member for a number of years, and the events, the networking, that is all invaluable to meeting new clients and building relationships, as is the access to leadership. The Chamber provides so many great opportunities.”

- Mike Hicks, President, Alliance Insurance Group

There are also rate increases on the

type of industry or business sector that

horizon, some that were due to come

has a growing demand for employees,”

anyway, and some that are past due and

McBride said.

were put on pause during the worst of COVID-19. “A lot of insurance carriers put

The constant — people are still the priority.

some rate holds and rate guarantees in

“My industry is still learning how to be

place due to the virus,” Hicks said, “so a

high-touch using high tech, and that’s a

group that may have been getting a 5-7

key point,” Robinson said. “I think that will

percent increase this year, the carrier held

set benefits companies apart, the ability to

those temporarily.” But they will hit at some

combine both the caring relationship and

point. “If they were going to get a 5 percent

the convenience of technology. Because it

increase this year, and 5 percent more next

always has been and will be about people

year, they may see a 10 percent increase

and about connecting,” she said.

next year instead.” Alliance has gone on

22 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Industry Overview:

HUMAN RESOURCES, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND BENEFITS

NOW TRENDING:

TELEMEDICINE & ASSOCIATION BENEFITS PLANS Telemedicine has been around for years, but COVID-19 shoved it into the forefront of healthcare. Gaining a better understanding of

Mike Hicks, President, Alliance Insurance

how well it can work has been one of bright

Group, pointed to association health plans as

spots in the pandemic crisis. “The wider

a one of the “next big things” in the benefits

use of telemedicine is great because it cuts

industry now that the Trump administration

costs without sacrificing quality, and that’s

made them easier to set up. “We anticipate

exactly what many companies feel the need

an increase in these plans,” he said. “Blue

to do in order to survive an unclear future,”

Cross Blue Shield of Alabama is now playing

said Stacia Robinson, Agency Principal at

in this arena and has embraced association

The BeneChoice Companies. “It has been

health plans.” Alliance is currently managing

a part of our benefits offerings for several

four of these types of plans, including one

years, and it has just become even more

for the Alabama State Bar, and Hicks outlined

important.” She stressed that while once,

their appeal. “This is an area where smaller

people were wary of it, today, many prefer

companies can come together to get the

it. “It’s convenient; it lowers risk of exposure

buying power of larger company,” he said.

to COVID-19 and any other sickness,” she

THE NEXT BIG THING “This is an area where smaller companies can come together to get the buying power of larger company.”

- Mike Hicks, President, Alliance Insurance Group

said. “And again, for companies, it’s less expensive. I think as businesses tighten their belts, we’ll see the use of telemedicine grow.”

23 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

Industry Overview:

HUMAN RESOURCES, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND BENEFITS

COVID-19 IMPACTS ON COLLEGE-GRAD CAREER OPTIONS The COVID-19 pandemic is influencing trends in hiring and in higher education.

Auburn University at Montgomery’s Career Development Center is where these two topics meet, so we asked its Director Brad Robbins about the

Q:

Do you think we’ll see an increase in students pursuing graduate degrees, operating with a kind of “I can’t find a job so why not stay in school” mentality?

impacts.

Robbins: Yes, I believe so. Data from a

MBJ: How is COVID-19 affecting employment opportunities for recent and soon-to-be graduates?

Center (NSCC) study on enrollment

Robbins: In response to the pandemic, the National Association of Colleges and Employers completed a June 2020 survey of employers to assess their employment strategies for new graduates. Some highlights included: A reported 7.8 percent of employers are revoking full-time job offers to new graduates. In comparison, during the 2008-09 recession, this number peaked at 9.5 percent.

About 31 percent of employers are delaying full-time hires from the Class of 2020, with 73 percent of these employers stating the delay would be 1 to 3 months. Additionally, a majority of the employers stated the primary reason for delay was uncertainty about

recent National Student Clearinghouse trends at college and universities and the U.S. Census Bureau confirm that the demand for higher education has increased during every economic recession since the 1960s, including graduate programs. Similar to other economic downturns, students will be seeking degree options that offer the biggest return on their investment.

One consideration is access to degree programs online versus in-person.

Concerns about social interactions combined with an increased number of online graduate program options may grow graduate enrollment more than during a typical recession.

Might we see a decrease in enrollment at four-year colleges and an increase in enrollment at two-year and technical colleges as students try to get job-ready faster?

What new skills do job seekers need to have and/or are employers looking for in our COVID-19 world and in a post-COVID-19 world?

During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, three major skills that job seekers need to have are adaptability, flexibility and effective communication.

In a world and a workplace that is constantly changing, an employer needs to know that their team members are open and willing to accept the transition process that comes with change and can thrive and be innovative in a dynamic environment. Along with adaptability and flexibility, employers need team members that are effective communicators. Communicating effectively goes beyond basic verbal and nonverbal skills; it entails being able to communicate in someone else’s world.

- Tasha M Scott, Owner, Maximized Growth, LLC

local governmental regulations. A reported 58 percent of employers who

Robbins: It’s possible. While the

are hiring plan to start their new hires

NSCC study of enrollment trends

working remotely instead of in-person.

during the last recession indicates large increases in enrollment for

While the data represent challenges,

community and technical colleges, four-

my advice for students is to remain

year universities, such as AUM, saw

persistent in executing their job

higher retention rates. This translates

search strategy, while identifying and

that students are seeking four-year

contacting any personal or professional

universities to complete their degrees

connections that can be influential in

as economic conditions improve and

helping them finding job opportunities.

more universities convert to online degree offerings. Still, there will be some non-traditional students who may use two-year colleges as a way to “test the waters” during uncertainty.

24 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Employers are always looking for employees who are dependable and eager to work. These qualities are even more critical now as employers are having to be more flexible with work schedules, and even having employees work from home.

- Matt Rainer, President, Career Personnel

celebrating

WOMEN IN BUSINESS November 2020 Issue

celebrate and showcase your business with a special advertising section celebrating Montgomery Women in Business.

recognize the women in your business: CONTACT CHRISTINA AT (334) 221-4619 OR EMAIL CHRISTINA@EXPLOREMEDIA.ORG FOR MORE INFO. 25 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

VESTOR IN

PR

OFIL

PO WERHOUSE

Q&A

E

LANCE HUNTER According to CEO of Hodges Warehouse + Logistics Lance Hunter, the company’s services have changed dramatically in the last decade, yet there’s one constant: its people remain the key to continued success.

How long have you worked for Hodges Warehouse + Logistics? 22 Years

I am a huge fan of our labor force. The future goal is to maintain

as well.

How many employees does Hodges have in the River Region? 125

that human advantage while trying to gain a technological edge

What is the main challenge facing your industry right now? COVID-19 is discussed below. Most businesses

What are the company’s primary services and who are its primary clients? We provide warehouse

in the world face that as the key challenge at this very

and logistics services (3PL or “third party logistics services”)

the warehouse and loading docks, our main challenges are

and regional full trailer trucking. We also own warehouses and

dealing with constantly implementing improved technology

offices that we lease, and we are a Commercial Real Estate

and analysis. There is a tremendous need for supply chains to

Broker.

become more easily visible. End users need to be able to look

farther back into that chain. We are the “last mile or two” of that

What are the duties and responsibilities of your position? I am responsible for all of the businesses

supply chain, and we need to be able to provide and obtain

mentioned above. Hodges is a family-owned company,

the trucking and warehouse equipment will be revolutionized

and I am the non-family CEO. There are approximately 43

by artificial intelligence in the next five years. We need to stay

shareholders. All are members of the Hodges family. I report to

up with the times.

a nine-member board of directors composed of shareholders

and family members elected by the shareholders.

What specific challenges is Hodges facing related to COVID-19? Our first challenge was to keep our

moment. But if you eliminate that elephant stomping around

data that allows the highest level of reliability possible. All of

How much has your job and your industry changed in the last decade? Ten years ago, trucking

employees safe. We are an essential industry, and we needed

was a very small part of our business; leasing warehouse space

essential industries. We had great success with office work

was our primary activity, and the 3PL activity was significant, but

from home, Zoom meetings and staggered schedules.

to be able to supply our customers, many who also were in

certainly not a leader. Today trucking and warehouse services dominate. We have grown within the automotive industry while

We have pushed that our employees be safe away from the

maintaining our traditional customer relationships.

workplace as well. I believe they have made personal sacrifices to ensure their own safety and the safety of their coworkers

The transition into more of a value-added service business

by practicing safe behavior away from the job. We have not

required us to focus more on information processing. B2B

experienced a case of COVID-19 so far, though some have

services are information intensive. That was always the case,

been tested.

fellow workers that now we were an information processing

We have provided masks and sanitizer and have pushed their

business that owns a few forklifts and trucks. That is an

use and social distancing wherever possible. Again, I applaud

exaggeration. Our key to success is the same as it has been

our workforce. For instance, it is hot work loading a truck and

throughout the last 10 years. The team member performing

a mask can be a hindrance. But our employees have used

the work, driving the truck, driving the forklift, loading and

their own ingenuity to load with social distancing. And then the

unloading trailers, that sort of thing is our key success factor.

masks come back on when appropriate. The types of solutions

26 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT FOUTS

but it has increased in the last 10 years. I joked with one of my

Horsing Around I live on a small hobby horse farm outside of town. That is one of the joys of Montgomery. I know we would like everyone to live in the city limits, but the ability to live so close to everything Montgomery has to offer and enjoy the rural lifestyle of my grandparents and my wife’s parents is something that is just not available in most cities.

Especially cities that offer as much as Montgomery. So, I have taken care of inexpensive Alabama horses, taught myself and my daughters to ride, grown vegetables and flowers and enjoyed the clean air and the friendship of neighbors.

27 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

are best designed by the team members doing the work.

They have done an excellent job. I made it clear what I

FAMILY MATTERS

wanted to accomplish. I wanted a safe work environment no matter how difficult that was going to be. Our team members have been successful so far.

The main problem we have is predicting demand. At first when the auto plants shut down, we had to scramble for storage space as shipments arrived and production was closed. Trucking routes evaporated. With help from the government and demand from customers whose business were unaffected by COVID, we came through it well. But I am not confident in my predictions of demand in the third and fourth quarter. I don’t believe anyone has confidence in their own forecasts. We are making our best judgements and building market share with the goal of maintaining full employment. We have had no layoffs up to this point.

Paul Hodges is the fourth

core business, making their

What is your impression of Montgomery’s current business climate? I believe with the

generation of his family to

products. In 2010, we added

be involved in the family

our trucking operations and

company, Hodges Warehouse

now provide a full-service

+ Logistics. He shares a bit of

logistics solution for clients in

the history and explains what

a number of industries.

restart of the automotive industry, Montgomery has reason to be optimistic. I think we have a great business community that works together and some really great global, regional and local industries. I think they will do well competitively. However, this is a global pandemic, and I believe every business leader is concerned about how

its longevity and success mean to him.

What does the company mean to you and to your family? I have been

What’s the story behind Hodges Warehouse + Logistics? Hodges

involved in our family business

new information as it becomes available.

Warehouse + Logistics was

started at the stockyard,

an offspring of a 100-year-

working long hours at the

Why

old stockyard operation. In

auctions. I loaded trucks and

the 1960s, my father and

rail cars by hand in the hot

uncle purchased a cotton

summer sun and operated a

warehouse next to our

forklift. Most recently, I have

stockyard in Montgomery.

been involved in marketing

After securing a lease on

our properties and services

the space, they continued

and serving as the broker

to purchase properties in

for our Commercial Real

the area of north and west

Estate brokerage company,

Montgomery. Thirty years later,

Hodges Commercial Real

Hodges owned and operated

Estate. You could say as the

more than four million square

company evolved and grew,

feet of warehouse space.

so did I. I am proud to be

support, but we wanted to do our share.

Along the way, we added

involved in a family business

our handling of product

and its growth and success.

The Chamber has been an excellent partner. I do not

operations, where we provide

We continue to look for

personnel, equipment and

opportunities to expand and

inventory tracking systems to

build on what we have done

maintain customer inventories.

so far and hope someone in

By outsourcing the entire

the fifth generation will get

warehouse function, Hodges

involved.

global trends could develop. But I do not sense fear. I think most businessmen are planning for improved health and economic conditions, but at the same time, we are glued to

do you and Hodges Warehouse + Logistics choose to be so involved with and supportive of The Chamber and its work?

When I came here 22 years ago, I was amazed at the kindness and caring of this community. I will not name all the business leaders who impressed me, but so many did.

They were instrumental in making this a better community.

It is a virtuous cycle. A better community is inviting to new business and more and better jobs make this a better community. We wanted to be a part of that. We understood we were going to be a huge beneficiary of Montgomery’s growth. We could not make the investments some of the larger businesses could in community and Chamber

believe Hodges would have been successful without the extraordinary efforts of the Chamber attracting new business.

clients can focus on their 28 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

since I was in my teens. I

29 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

M EM BE R profile

LELAR WILSON Co-founder and co-owner of LNC Tax Relief Lelar Wilson is drawing on decades of experience working for the IRS to help River Region small businesses understand tax issues and find solutions to their tax problems.

When and why did you start LNC Tax Relief? I retired in 2012, after a 34-year career with the U.S. Department of the Treasury as a Revenue Officer with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In January of 2013, I realized with my background as a Licensed Enrolled Agent with the IRS that I had acquired a wealth of knowledge that afforded me the opportunity to provide valuable services to my community. At that time, I established LNC Tax Relief, LLC.

How many employees does your business have? LNC Tax Relief is run by me and my husband, Clarence, who has more than 40 years of experience in tax preparation and accounting. We maintain that smaller is bigger because we thrive on providing intimate personal services to our clients.

What are LNC services? We deliver professional representation before the IRS as well as tax preparation and tax consultation. Some of our specialized services include but are not limited to: levies and liens, fresh start initiatives, installment agreements, currently not

Adding Up Accolades In 2019, Wilson was honored to receive a Senior Achievement award from the Montgomery Area Council on Aging (MACOA). She is also an Alabama Goodwill Ambassador, and in 2016 along with her husband, she was honored for Outstanding of Foreign Officers. She and her husband are also past Chamber Ambassadors.

liabilities and seizure and sales.

What one piece of tax advice would you give a small business owner? To file and pay your taxes when due. However, I do realize that due to extenuating circumstances, this may not always be possible. This problem is why LNC was established: to provide clients with solutions and independent representation to resolve their tax issues with IRS.

What are your interests outside of work? I enjoy walking and planting in my garden. I also enjoy providing community services through my church, Maggie Street Missionary Baptist Church, and through Alpha Kappa Sorority, Inc., Beta Nu Omega Chapter, where I am a Silver/ Life Member. And the icing on the cake is visiting and spending time with my grandchildren. lnctaxreliefllc.com

30 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK DROLETTE

Support for serving 60 classes

collectable accounts, offer in compromises, trust fund

31 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

M I L I TA RY profile

PATRICIA JONES In her leading role at the Defense Information Systems Agency in Montgomery, Patricia Jones oversees a multitude of technology, tasks and data. Yet in the end, her job is all about people: the more than 600 personnel she works with and the countless warfighters her team serves.

Where are you originally from? I grew up in Foresthill, California.

How long have you been with DISA and how long as Director? 24 years. I became the Implementation Line of Business Chief and Data Center Montgomery Site Director in May 2019.

What is DISA’s mission? DISA has a huge mission to provide, operate and assure command and control and information-sharing capabilities in a globally accessible enterprise information infrastructure in direct support to joint warfighters, national level leaders and other mission and coalition partners across the full spectrum of military operations.

What all does your work in this role involve? I am dual-hatted. My primary role is as the Implementation Line of Business Chief, overseeing the onboarding and integration of all new workloads for DISA’s Ecosystem, a unified computing structure across several locations operating under a single command. I am also the Site Director for Data Center Montgomery, ensuring the overall welfare of the DISA personnel assigned to our site. We have nearly 600

Ready, Willing & Able

civilian, military and contract personnel located here in

“During the ongoing COVID-19 efforts, DISA has been instrumental in supporting the Department of Defense with tools to support teleworking capabilities. DISA was able to rapidly identify key missions requiring onsite support, which allowed Data Center Montgomery to implement shrinking our footprint in our facilities during this time to minimize exposure and risk to our team. The fact that we have significantly reduced personnel onsite on any given day, given the critical missions supported out of Data Center Montgomery, is pretty incredible.”

What role does DISA play in our nation’s military operations? DISA is the Department of Defense’s premier information technology provider and is committed to being the trusted provider to connect and protect the warfighter in cyberspace. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have never stopped working.

The data center has been instrumental in providing critical support to ensure the DoD networks are telework-ready and capable to fully support the missioncritical duties performed by the department every day.

MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL 32 32

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK DROLETTE

telework for the majority of our local staff,

Montgomery.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your work?

I love being able to tie back what we do in information technology to supporting the warfighters. Sometimes in IT, it’s easy to lose focus and forget what it really means to keep servers, networks or circuits up and functional, but with DISA, there is a direct correlation to serving our warfighters. The second most rewarding portion of my job is the people. I love the people aspect of being a leader. DISA’s ethos is “Mission first, people always!”

DISA has a huge mission that’s not always easy and not always understood. DISA is hiring more people in Montgomery, including those without a military or federal government background, and we need to invest in our local schools and universities. This will build a talent pipeline of skilled professionals who understand how their work directly supports the warfighter. We’ve partnered with staff at local schools and universities who now invite us to job fairs and we’ve been fortunate enough to hire some of their graduates.

I love that our Montgomery Data Center is in an area that supports our military and civil servants, knowing the challenging missions that are supported. I want to continue seeing the River Region flourish in ways that will allow my grandkids an opportunity to become productive and contributing citizens. To ensure that happens, we need to invest in our communities, whether that’s with the Chamber, our local AFCEA chapter, MGMWERX, Montgomery Information Technology Summit (MITS), Air Force Information Technology and Cyberpower (AFITC) Conference, or any other organization and event that is out there pushing the River Region forward to be a place people want to come, not just to visit, but to stay.

What’s your impression of Montgomery’s partnership with the local military, and why is a good relationship so essential? The River Region as a whole, and especially the Chamber, is an outstanding partner to the local military communities. When there are issues, they are there to assist in any way possible. It is clear how much the River Region values the bases, the employees who work on base, as well as the critical missions supported by Maxwell Air Force Base, Gunter Annex and Dannelly Field. Good relationships are critical to everyone’s success. We’re all intertwined in some way, and we

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What are your interests and hobbies outside of work? My husband El and I love spending time with our family.

We have a granddaughter in Montgomery and a grandson in Trussville. We also have three granddaughters in Tennessee. I love reading. El and I also enjoy donating to the Montgomery Area Food Bank, and we just started volunteering at the Montgomery Area Council on Aging (MACOA) Annual Culinary Caper to raise money in support of MACOA and Meals on Wheels. disa.mil

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34 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

M EM BER profile

TASHA M. SCOTT After Tasha M. Scott experienced the positive power of life coaching and leadership training firsthand, she knew she had to share it. Today, she does just that through her company, Maximized Growth.

When and why did you start Maximized Growth? Prior to Maximized Growth, LLC, I had a court reporting business (Scott Realtime Reporting). I hit a wall personally and sought the services of a counselor/ life coach. During my six-month period of sessions with her, I discovered a greater passion and purpose and I wanted to pay it forward. I saw my business double as a result of my personal growth. I knew I had to share.

I became certified as a life coach and that led into my current services for leaders and organizations. I started Maximized Growth as a part-time business in 2014. But then I closed Scott Realtime in December 2018 and went full-time with Maximized Growth, LLC in January 2019.

What are your primary services? My services are designed to help my clients go from where they are to where they desire to be in communication, team building and developing leaders. I use leadership training, workshop facilitation, professional speaking, executive coaching and assessments as tools.

Who are your primary clients? Nonprofits, state agencies and organizations looking to develop or enhance their organization’s communication, strengthen leaders or unify teams.

When did you first get interested in helping others develop leadership and speaking skills? When I saw it work in my business, I became passionate about paying it forward to others. As a business owner since 2004 (earlier if you count the paper route that I had when I was in high school),

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID ROBERTSON JR.

I understand the plight of other leaders.

Leaders in the Lead

“I recently became approved by the

What’s your favorite aspect of your job?

Alabama Council for Leadership

Call me crazy, but I love the tough stuff. I love being

Development to become a Professional

“the connector” to help individuals learn to communicate

Learning Unit (PLU) provider. This past

more effectively in a way that leads to unity and

summer, I facilitated a class for a diverse

performance improvement and ultimately business

group of educators throughout the state

growth.

called “Stay Strong! Lead Well!” I was

tashamscott.com

also recently accepted into Leadership Alabama, Class XXXI.”

35 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

MyMGM

LOCAL ART SOLD HERE

/ by MINNIE LAMBERTH

Photography by Nancy Fields/Big Dreamz Creative.

A downtown shop is shining the spotlight on Montgomery’s vibrant artist and maker community.

Southern Art & Makers Collective includes various artists, including Cailin Kelley (left) and Ron Lazenby (right).

Southern Art & Makers Collective features and sells an array of work from local artists and other creators of handmade goods. The current location on Madison Avenue is the evolution of an idea that goes back to 2013, when Heather Parrish and Joe Birdwell opened a temporary location during the holiday shopping season. “We started out as a holiday popup in December 2013,” Parrish said.

“We ran that every year until we became a brick and mortar in December 2017.”

their own setup. The number of vendors

“We wanted to create a place where artists felt like they had a support system,” Parrish said. “We really want to develop and foster community.”

tends to be fluid but typically ranges between 60 to 70 each month. The artists and craftspeople are generally local to the River Region or have a connection to Alabama.

“Art has a way – even functional art – of connecting the community,” Parrish said.

“This is a good representation of people who live here making what they make, doing what they do.” The art, she said, is part of who they are. “What are they

A former art teacher, Parrish said she

The original shop name, Product of

thinking? How are they responding to the

knew many people who had a side hustle.

Montgomery, was changed to the current

world around them?”

Art wasn’t their primary means of income,

name in 2019 when Birdwell decided

but they loved creating. The popup shop

to let go of his ownership role. Today,

She added that when she’s drinking a

and now the brick-and-mortar location

Parrish, a painter and mixed media artist,

beverage from a handmade mug, she

have given them a place to have their

shares ownership with Melody White,

feels good about her purchase. She

work seen. “They want to make the stuff –

a candlemaker and jewelry maker, and

also likes the practical aspect of helping

not worry about marketing it or selling it,”

Aleah Goode, a painter and jewelry artist.

someone pay their bills. “Being able to

Parrish said.

Vendors rent space within the shop for

support local people – that means a lot to

their displays and are responsible for

me,” she said.

36 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Artist work clockwise from left: Sculpture by Vincent Buwalda; a variety of artists; Candles

by Melody White; Wood art pieces by Nizhoni Thompson; Jewelry by Melody White.

The shop displays works created by painters, potters, woodworkers, authors, jewelry designers, as well as fiber and paper artists. “We do ask that it be handmade in some kind of way, that you have personally had some hand in

GO SEE YOURSELF

creating this thing. We don’t sell art that I don’t know who has made it,” Parrish said.

The artists also have classroom space

Southern Art and Makers

where they can host talks and workshops.

Collective, located at 1228

“We wanted to create a place where

Madison Avenue, is open

artists felt like they had a support system,” Parrish said. “We really want to develop and foster community.”

Wednesday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Currently, Wednesday openings are by appointment only. Visit

Janice Prescott, one of the shop’s first vendors, is a potter who displays a number of functional pieces, including

southernartmakers.com to see some of the inventory online, and follow on Instagram at

serving bowls, vases, place settings and

@southernartmakers.

mugs, as well as more unique or abstract pieces. Though she grew up in Alabama

Carl Calderone, a watercolorist, has been a vendor for about a year. His watercolor paintings feature a variety of subjects, including seascapes, hunting motifs, pets, hunting dogs, pointers, boats, pelicans and jazz musicians. “It’s a pretty good range of things,” Calderone said.

He also displays hand-painted cigar boxes and book marks. In the latter case, he explained that if he messes up a painting, instead of wasting the water color paper, he’ll tear it into strips, paint it as a bookmark and add Bible verse or inspirational message on the back.

Calderone is appreciative of the atmosphere at the collective. He noted

and has been back in Montgomery for a

place where you can show your wares,”

while, Prescott lived in New York City for

she said. It also gives artists a way to

30 years and worked as an editor. While

not pretentious or stuffy. “The folks at

develop a clientele. “Montgomery really

there, she took classes in pottery. “It’s a

Southern Art and Makers are really great

needed a place like that.” In addition, it

passion for me. I do it because I love it,”

people,” he said. Having worked as part

meets the needs of shoppers looking for

she said.

of the construction industry his whole

unique items. “There’s something special

life, being an artist is not his full-time

about things that are handmade,” she

profession. “It’s really a ministry,” he said.

said.

“All the money generated from any of the

She enjoys having this location to display her pottery. “As an artist, you need a

that the space is very welcoming and

paintings I do goes to charity.”

37 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

VOTE ON AD VALOREM TAX

Election day 2020 holds immense opportunity for Montgomery’s future. Voters will not only select their choices for national offices, but an important local referendum

GOING UP?

will prove to be one of the most pivotal decisions in Montgomery’s history. For the first time in 30 years, voters will be offered a chance to take the essential next step of investing in public education, in our students and in our educators, paving the way for a more prosperous future for all of Montgomery and the River Region.

This spring, the Alabama State

DID YOU KNOW? If the proposed referendum passes, a person who owns a home at the median value in Montgomery County ($127,500) would pay an additional

$12.75 A MONTH IN TAXES. That’s less than or roughly equivalent to:

Legislature authorized the Montgomery County Commission to include a property tax referendum on the November 3,

An oil change

2020 general election ballot. The referendum asks voters to vote to increase the ad valorem tax assessed on all taxable property

Your Netflix subscription or movie matinee with the family

in Montgomery County (except for properties located within the City of Pike Road) to 22 mills.

IN EARLY NOVEMBER, voters in the Montgomery Public School District will be presented with an important choice: to raise the county’s rate of ad valorem tax. If the property tax referendum passes, it will be a decision to invest in Montgomery’s public school system and to therefore, increase the quality of life for all in our area.

If approved by eligible voters, the total amount of ad valorem revenues would increase by an estimated $33 million, initiating a daunting climb out of the massive chasm in funding that Montgomery Public Schools (MPS) faces compared to systems of all sizes

Lunch at your favorite meat & three ad valorem dollars per student than Montgomery, as do Selma City Schools and Dallas County Schools. Even some of our state’s poorest counties — Bullock, Perry

across the state.

and Sumter — assess more millage

At 10 mills, MPS currently

Montgomery.

receives the lowest amount

in support of their systems than

by the state. Neighboring Pike

ACCOUNTABILITY & ACTION

Road and Auburn have well over

Voters should know that an

twice that much to fund their

increase in funding will come

schools. Birmingham, Huntsville

with very specific accountability

and Mobile all allocate higher

measures for MPS. If passed, the

of local funds legally allowed

38 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

majority of the proceeds raised from the millage increase must be used on initiatives that directly support improved academic outcomes, and the legislation explicitly prohibits MPS from applying the proceeds from

JUST THE FACTS: What Does Ad Valorem Legislation Authorize & Who Does It Impact?

or acquiring, equipping, maintaining,

What the legislation authorizes:

State Legislature, beginning in Fiscal

constructing or repairing public school

An increase to the ad valorem

Year 2029, the total number of mills

facilities.

(property) tax assessed on all taxable

levied and collected for Montgomery

property in Montgomery County

Public Schools would decrease from

The system will also be required to

(except for properties located within

22 mills to 16.

adopt a detailed strategic plan with

the City of Pike Road) to 22 mills.

more than six mills for capital outlay

defined steps, assigned staff, financial

Sunset: Unless amended by the

implications, goals, deadlines and

If approved:

intended results to guide the MPS,

The total amount of ad valorem

which the Montgomery County Board

revenues would increase by an

of Education must approve by the end

estimated $33 million. It cannot be

of November.

levied before October 1, 2023.

MPS must identify ambitious, but

A majority of the proceeds raised from

Impact to property owners: • A person who owns a home at the

achievable performance metrics

the millage increase must be used

median value in Montgomery County

measuring progress towards the

on initiatives that directly support

($127,500) would pay an additional

vision outlined in this approved

improved academic outcomes.

$12.75 a month in taxes.

strategic plan and provide an annual

The legislation explicitly prohibits

report to the Montgomery County

Montgomery Public Schools from

• Properties located in the municipality

State Legislative Delegation updating

applying the proceeds from more than

of Pike Road would not be affected.

legislators on their progress. MPS

six mills for capital outlay or acquiring,

Chief School Financial Officer Arthur

equipping, maintaining, constructing or

• The referendum does not change

Watts has said in interviews, “We

repairing public school facilities.

current-use statutes for timberland and farmland.

are going to do everything possible to ensure that every tax dollar that comes to the Montgomery Board of Education is used for its intended purposes, and that’s the boys and girls of this school district.”

BENEFIT FOR ALL An unprecedented partnership of business, young professionals and elected leadership has been working directly with the leadership of Montgomery Public Schools to set strategic goals that include academic improvements and a facilities review

Montgomery County property owners are assessed less millage in support of MPS than property owners in the state’s poorest counties — Bullock, Perry, Sumter, and Wilcox — are assessed for their schools.

to ensure accountability for funding

39

MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

BY THE NUMBERS: WHERE MPS FUNDING RANKS ACROSS ALABAMA Within Montgomery County, Pike Road City Schools — with only 2,182 students — assess 27 mills.

Selma City Schools (2,769 students) and Dallas County Schools (2,901 students) have higher millage rates than MPS.

the referendum would provide. “In business, we work to make well-researched investments that are

THE PACE OF CHANGE:

nurtured and carefully tended to reap the highest rewards over time. Now is the time to invest in Montgomery’s future, and the business community is committed to seeing our students, educators and entire region reach its potential through quality public

MPS THROUGH THE PAST THREE YEARS

education,” said Chamber Chairman Arthur Ducote.

Everyone in our region has a vested interest in the quality of our public education offerings as it has a direct impact on the ability of Montgomery’s economic development partners to successfully attract, retain and develop business for the region. The market for recruiting high-wage industry and businesses that create greater opportunity is highly competitive and demands that our public education system produce a workforce that is prepared to pursue a prosperous and

FEBRUARY 2017: MPS enters state intervention.

MPS board votes unanimously to work collaboratively with the Alabama State Department of Education on intervention, which enabled it to receive additional funding and resources to address internal concerns.

Major areas of concern were the district’s finances, (the lack

productive future.

of a CFO and failure to submit a state compliant budget on

If properly funded and managed, our public-schools

and the Child Nutrition Program.

time) as well as concerns with academics, transportation

have the potential to produce the scientists, developers and technicians needed to support UAB’s health care advancement programs in Montgomery or the squadron of F-35s that will be based at the 187th Air Wing at Dannelly Field in just a few years.

MAY 2018 : AdvancedEd (now Cognia) Places MPS “Under Review.”

This status reveals the system is at risk of losing accreditation, leaving students unable to qualify for college

The entrepreneurs of tomorrow are ready to gain knowledge and skills in graphic design, technology, building science, electronics, industrial maintenance, welding and HVAC at Montgomery Preparatory Academy for Career Technologies (MPACT) — if those programs and opportunities are supported with the funding, direction and community engagement that they need to succeed.

entry or military service. Montgomery Public Schools was rated in 31 areas on a scale ranging from “needs improvement” to “exceeds expectations.” MPS ranked “needs improvement” in 19 areas, “emerging” in 11 areas and “meets expectations” in just one area. MPS was not ranked “exceeds expectations” in any area.

JULY 17, 2018 :

“Students graduating from our public-school system should be ready to enter the workforce, military service or to pursue additional education. This baseline performance is simply impossible if we continue to fund it the way we did 30 years ago,” said LaBarron Boone, Co-Chair of the Committee to Invest in Montgomery’s

Four New Members Elected to MPS Board After a groundswell of bi-partisan, multi-generational, grass-roots engagement across the community, four of five MPS board seats were turned over in the election, and a new season of involvement with MPS began.

Future, a group working to pass the ad valorem referendum. “The market has come a long way in that

SEPTEMBER 2018 :

time, and in order to reach our potential, we’ve got to

MPS Issues First Balanced Budget in a Decade

invest in our most important asset: the young people who will lead those companies, start new businesses,

Since his hiring in 2018, MPS Chief School Financial Officer

envision and build a more inviting and rewarding

Arthur Watts has systematically restructured the MPS

community and defend our nation in military service.”

accounting practices, balancing the budget, achieving more

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.EDUCATEMGM.COM

than one month’s operating expenses in reserves.

40 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

TO BE NOTED:

AUGUST 19, 2019 : Montgomery’s First Charter School – LEAD Academy – opened its doors.

NOVEMBER 13, 2019 : MPS Board approves the Montgomery Educations Foundation’s Charter Conversion of three schools: Davis Elementary, E. D. Nixon Elementary and Bellingrath Middle in a 5-2 vote.

Since November 2018, Montgomery Public Schools under the leadership of the Montgomery County Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Ann Roy Moore have made MPS more accountable than it has been in recent memory.

JANUARY 15, 2020 : MPS Board approves LIFE Academy Charter Application to be housed in the St. Jude Academy facility in 6-1 vote.

FEBRUARY 2020:

MONTGOMERY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS: Obtained full accreditation,

Improved accounting practices reveal

without restrictions, for all MPS schools.

$700,000 in misappropriated funds.

Balanced the school system’s operating budget,

Upon discovery, MPS CFO Arthur alerted authorities

including putting in place the required reserves

and initiated a state audit to confirm his findings. He raised requirements of bookkeepers to obtain financial management certifications through the Alabama Association of School Business Officials. All employees

of emergency funding equal to at least one month’s operating expenses for the first time in more than a decade.

investigated for misuse of funding have been fired and are being prosecuted for their crimes. Two have been

Discovered inconsistencies in school finances,

convicted.

ordered an audit, uncovered the individuals who misused funds and prosecuted them. The perpetrators no longer work for MPS.

FEBRUARY 6, 2020 : MPS Board passes resolution to seek ad valorem increase for education funding.

Aggressively reduced administrative spending by more than $2 million. Currently, only three percent of school funds is spent on central

MARCH 2020 : MPS receives full accreditation from Cognia (formerly AdvancED).

office staff, which is consistent with similar sized systems across the state.

MPS showed improvement in all 11 areas of focus in

Created a community advisory committee

the “Leadership Domain” area; all the standards in the

to help prioritize and rein in maintenance issues

“Learning Capacity Domain” were ranked as improving; and

and began rehabilitating school facilities.

in the “Resource Capacity Domain,” all but one were also ranked as improving, and MPS was not rated insufficient— the lowest ranking — in any area.

Formed a community advisory committee to leverage technology to increase engagement and collaboration between schools

JULY 14, 2020:

and individuals, businesses and other civic,

MPS passes resolution to request ad valorem

community and social organizations.

referendum be put on November 3 ballot.

41 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

2020 DIVERSITY SUMMIT:

LEADERSHIP THAT TRANSCENDS

Diversity, Unity and Shared Prosperity

NOW IS THE TIME Don’t miss the valuable insight and information on offer at the Chamber’s annual Diversity Summit.

In recent years, more and more companies have realized that diversity and inclusion play key roles in business success. They create satisfied and productive employees, foster innovation and boost outcomes across the board, leading to a healthier bottom line.

This year’s Diversity Summit goes beyond a simple understanding of what diversity means and why it matters with its theme “Leadership that Transcends: Diversity, Unity and Shared Prosperity.” The event will drill down on specific and actionable topics, including the impact and importance of leadership when it comes to:

• Managing and growing a business with diversity, inclusion and equity as core values

• Developing, attracting and retaining talent and workforce development

• Creating spaces and opportunities for diversity, inclusion and equity in communities, workplaces and spaces that are intentional in creating and spreading opportunities for prosperity

On the Agenda How can you increase and nurture diversity in your business? At the 2020 Diversity Summit, experts from a variety of backgrounds and fields will share wisdom and practical advice during speaking sessions, workshops and panel discussions.

The Equality of Opportunity.

Rick Wade, Vice President, Strategic Alliances and Outreach, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, shares how to develop real, sustainable solutions to help close race-based opportunity gaps in four areas: education, employment, entrepreneurship and criminal justice.

Developing Your Future Workforce.

Educating the Workforce of the Future.

Joylee S. Cain, Co-founder and CEO of WeeCat Industries and WildCat Industries and Director, Special Education, Enterprise City Schools, and Deborah Owens, Cofounder and President, WeeCat Industries and WildCat Industries, share how they’re developing positive workforce habits in preschoolers.

Charting the Course: Creating Your Roadmap to Success.

Rodrigua Ross, District Executive Director of Operations and Diversity and Inclusion for the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas,

Brooks Harper, Author/Speaker/Career

leads this workshop that gives tools and

Expert, explains how to help your future

real-world applications for designing

workforce discover, develop, network and

and implementing strategies to support

sell their talents, skills and abilities that bring

organizational diversity, inclusion and equity.

tangible value to the workplace.

Panel Discussion: Navigating in a Disruptive World.

The 2020 event will also spotlight changes

CEO Session: Intentional Leadership.

in the wake of COVID-19, with discussions on

Carla Harris, Vice Chairman, Managing

Prevail Union Montgomery; Ashley Jernigan,

post-pandemic organizational flexibility that

Director and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan

Owner, JDB Hospitality LLC; and Felix

will explore how office location and remote

Stanley, outlines how to be an outstanding

Gilbert, Program Manager, Fearless, engage

work affect diversity and inclusion.

leader in today’s environment, asserting that

in a conversation to discuss how they’ve

if anyone chooses to sit in the leadership

each navigated a health crisis, civil unrest

seat, then they must be intentional about

and a generational shift in the workplace —

eight things in order to be a powerful,

all at the same time — without compromising

impactful and influential leader.

their values, employees or customer base.

42 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Entrepreneurs Wade Preston, Co-Owner,

43 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

THE SPEAKER SPEAKS MBJ asked keynote speaker Carla Harris to give us a sneak preview of what this year’s Diversity Summit will provide participants.

Please share your thoughts on the summit’s theme “Leadership that Transcends: Diversity, Unity and Shared Prosperity.”

Why are these ideas important to discuss and promote? The professional environment has changed markedly in the last 20 years, and most people who are in positions of leadership today are leading the way they were led. That is not the leadership style that

SIGN UP!

2020 Diversity Summit.

Tuesday, September 22 montgomerychamber. com/diversitysummit

What will your keynote address focus on/emphasize?

I will discuss the pearls of intentional leadership and what it takes to be a powerful, impactful, influential leader in today’s environment.

Diversity can be a major

What do you hope summit participants take away from your address and from the event overall? I hope they leave with prescriptive advice and concrete tools on how to lead with today’s workforce of boomers, Xers and millennials, and how to drive and lead through change.

will motivate and inspire people to contribute

DID YOU KNOW?

difference maker for businesses of all types and sizes. Learn how embracing it can be beneficial. A full agenda, along with speaker bios, can be found on the conference website montgomerychamber.com/ diversitysummit.

and produce at the highest levels.

Meet the Keynote Speaker The Diversity Summit’s keynote speaker

Most Powerful Women in Finance (2009,

for 2020 is Carla Harris, a Vice Chairman,

2010, 2011), Black Enterprise’s Top 75

Managing Director and Senior Client

Most Powerful Women in Business (2017)

Advisor at Morgan Stanley. In her 30-year

and “Top 75 African Americans on Wall

career, Harris has had extensive industry

Street” and to Essence magazine’s list of

experiences in the technology, media,

“The 50 Women Who are Shaping the

retail, telecommunications, transportation,

World,” Ebony’s list of the “Power 100”

industrial, and healthcare sectors, and for

and “15 Corporate Women at the Top.”

more than a decade, Harris was a senior

She was also named “Woman of the

member of the equity syndicate desk and

Year 2004” by the Harvard Black Men’s

executed such transactions as initial public

Forum and in 2011 by the Yale Black Men’s

offerings for UPS, Martha Stewart Living

Forum. In August 2013, she was appointed

Omnimedia, Ariba, Redback, the General

by President Barack Obama to chair the

Motors sub-IPO of Delphi Automotive, and

National Women’s Business Council.

Carla Harris, a Vice Chairman, Managing

the $3.2 billion common stock transaction for Immunex Corporation, one of the

In her other life, Harris is a singer who has

Director and Senior Client

largest biotechnology common stock

sold-out concerts at the Apollo Theatre

Advisor at Morgan Stanley

transactions in U.S. history.

and released three gospel CDs. She has performed five sold-out concerts at

Harris was named to Fortune magazine’s

Carnegie Hall. Harris is also the author of

list of “The 50 Most Powerful Black

the books, “Strategize to Win” (2014) and

Executives in Corporate America” and its

“Expect to Win” (2009) (Hudson Press).

Most Influential List, U.S. Bankers Top 25

44 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

45 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

PLENTY TO BARK ABOUT: PETS ARE BIG BUSINESS

We love our pets, and we’re proving it with our wallets. Meows and bow wows equal bigger bucks than ever before.

BY JENNIFER KORNEGAY

The benefits of human friendships with the furry, four-

members make friends while at Camp” and “Pet parents”

legged set extend far beyond individuals and their pets.

don’t stop there. Many pull out all the stops to pamper their

Our collective pet ownership and deep devotion to these

pups, happily paying for add-on offerings like one-on-one

companion animals have created a booming sector of the

enrichment time or a blueberry facial.

economy. Businesses making and selling pet products and offering pet services now comprise a still-growing $75 billion

Dr. Cade Armstrong, who has been a veterinarian for 17

pet-care industry, according to a report released in May by

years, with 15 of those at his practice Montgomery Veterinary

Acosta, a consumer packaged goods sales and marketing

Associates, agreed with Gold. “I most definitely see people

agency. The study shows that 2020 pet food sales alone

being more willing to spend money on their pets,” he said.

were already up more than six percent over 2019 and also

“Pets are considered by most owners to be part of the family.

noted that currently, more than 75 percent of Americans own

I think pet owners’ love for their animals and our ability to

at least one pet.

provide high quality diagnostic and treatment options is driving this growth.”

In the last decade, expenditures on all of these animals have risen year over year, increasing the industry’s size from

Dr. Frank Aman has been a veterinarian for 10 years and

approximately $48 billion in 2010 to the $75-billion mark

started his practice, Partners for Pets with his partner, Dr.

cited in the Acosta report. None of this is a surprise to Lauren

Steven Sirmon, two years ago. He offered some insight on

Gold, owner of Camp Bow Wow, a Montgomery business

what — in addition to affection—is fueling the increased

that opened in December and provides luxury boarding, day

spending. “For one thing, the number of pets in America has

care and grooming for dogs. In just a few months, Gold has

definitely increased, but there is absolutely more willingness

witnessed firsthand River Region pet owners’ commitment to

to spend more on them, too,” he said. “With the development

high standards of care. “Dogs are no longer viewed as just

of online shopping, through Amazon, Chewy, etc., it is much

pets, they’re members of the family. We see this at Camp

easier to order things with the touch of a button. Also, young

Bow Wow in how particular pet owners are about the quality

adults now tend to own more pets, and they tend to spend

of care they expect for their dogs,” she said. “Owners watch

more on them.”

our live Camper Cams and enjoy seeing their furry family 46 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS BUSINESS JOURNAL JOURNAL 46 MONTGOMERY

The cost of the care provided by Armstrong

We’ve learned that early exposure to pets

and Aman has also gone up, alongside vet

can decrease a child’s chances of developing

practices’ continually rising expenses. “Every

certain allergies and even asthma. Many pet

year there is an increase in the associated

owners enjoy a more active lifestyle, due in

costs with running a practice,”

large part to their pets’ needs and

Aman said. “The products we sell,

desire for activity, and therefore,

like heartworm prevention, always

have better heart health. The

have a percentage of increase.

unconditional love our pets give

Also, the new technology that keeps coming out gets more expensive.” He stressed the need for balance that these advances bring with them. “There is a challenge with trying to maintain excellent medical care and having the best equipment and keeping the prices affordable to the pet owner,” he said.

Armstrong echoed Aman, calling the cost increases necessary for running a modern vet

In the last decade, expenditures on all of these animals have risen year over year, increasing the industry’s size from approximately $48 billion in 2010 to the $75-billion mark.

us has mental health benefits, too.

Several studies have shown that stroking and playing with pets can reduce stress and anxiety, since, like any enjoyable activity, it raises

an increase in the associated costs with running a practice,” Aman said. “The products we sell, like heartworm

levels of serotonin and dopamine,

prevention, always

the chemicals in the brain that have

have a percentage

pleasurable and calming properties.

of increase. Also, the

This knowledge factors into many

new technology that

owners’ decisions to take good

keeps coming out

care of their pets, no matter the

gets more expensive.”

price tag.

He stressed the

The desire to give pets their best

these advances bring

practice “significant” and also

is what motivated Gold and her

pointing to the impact of online

husband to start Camp Bow Wow.

shopping trends. “With the

“Dogs have always been a passion

increase of online pharmacies, our margins

for my husband and me. To us, they’re family.

on heartworm and flea/tick medicines have

We wanted an all-day play facility for our

decreased,” he said. “The ever-increasing

pups that prioritized safety and had cameras,

prices on in-house lab machines, veterinary

allowing us to check on our fur babies while

specific computer software, and state-of-the-

we were away,” she said. “We wanted peace

art equipment have made our job easier, but

of mind that they were happy, healthy and

more costly.”

safe when we couldn’t be there with them.

Since we couldn’t find a place like that in the

Advances in medicine have also taught us

“Every year there is

area, we decided to create it.”

how animals can positively affect our health.

47 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM 47 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

need for balance that with them. “There is a challenge with trying to maintain excellent medical care and having the best equipment and keeping the prices affordable to the pet owner.”

- Dr. Frank Aman, Partners for Pets

The Montgomery Humane Society:

HELPING THE HELPLESS For all the love we give our pets, there are thousands of homeless and abandoned animals that don’t have the care and protection of an owner.

Since 1953, The Montgomery Humane Society has stepped in to fill that gap.

Lea Turbert, MHS’ Marketing and Development Manager, explains how it works and why its work is so vital.

Tell us about a few lesserknown Humane Society programs. With our Pet Therapy program, we take our puppies to nursing homes, to hospice patients and or assisted living homes because animals can always put a smile on the residents’ faces.

We also provide an Intervention program.

When people are going through a hard time and are not able to get medical

The Shoppes at EastChase's annual Puppy Palooza event for all things dogs.

attention or food for their pets, we may be able to help.

Our Community Cat program is where we help people trap feral cats living in their neighborhood by providing a humane trap. They then bring the cat(s) to us, and we will get them spayed or

What is the MHS’s mission?

BRING THE DOG ALONG

neutered and a rabies shot for free as

“There are so many more

long as the resident is willing to release

opportunities for people to

them back to their neighborhood and

take advantage of to involve

care for them on a daily basis.

their pets in everyday life.

The Montgomery Humane Society

Restaurants and event venues

prevents cruelty to animals by

Our Foster Program is where people

operating an animal shelter for homeless,

have slacked in a lot of areas

foster a pet at their home until it is ready

abandoned, and unwanted animals;

allowing people to take their

to be adopted. We receive numerous

by operating an adoption center for

pets, and thus dog parks have

kittens and puppies whose immune

healthy animals; by investigating cruelty

become abundant to surround

systems cannot handle our environment,

and abuse cases; and by educating the

those venues for socializing

so foster families take them until they

public in animal owner responsibility. We

and doggy breaks. I think

are ready to be spayed/neutered or

raise funds by four major events: The

people are relaxed at venues

recovered from an injury, heartworm

Dog U Tante Ball, The Catini, our Pet

and gatherings when they can

treatments or other issues. This is truly a

Photo Contest and gift wrapping.

socialize and bring their pets.”

life-saving program!

- Jessica Hoagland,

How can people help?

Our other programs I’m sure people are

First, by getting their pet spayed or neutered, adopting a pet from our shelter, participating in our events and donating monetary funds or materials like: bleach, newspaper, paper towels,

Sales & Marketing, Pet and aware of but that I would like to mention are our Lost and Found, Adoption Center and Humane Education programs.

toilet paper, laundry detergent, dish

What is MHS’ No. 1 need right now? Monetary donations,

soap, canned cat or dog food. The

since we had to cancel two of our major

community can also help by reporting

fundraisers this year, The Catini and the

any animal abuse.

Dog U Tante ball.

48 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Playground Products

DON’T FORGET

FIDO

The capital city isn’t just cool for

people, it’s cool with canines too. Check out these pet-friendly places that are happy to accommodate your four-legged friend.

PLAY: The Hannah Daye Ridling Bark Park is a five-acre area located at Blount Cultural Park for pooch playtime with special designated areas for both large and small dogs. Or check out the Rotary Dog Park located downtown. It’s also got large and small dog sections.

EAT: (Dogs allowed on dining patios.)

These are a few Fido-approved favorites. Find a complete list at visitingmontgomery.com.

The Tipping Point

Chicken Salad Chick

Capitol Oyster Bar

Vintage Café

Scott Street Deli

Café Louisa

Mellow Mushroom

El Rey Burrito Lounge

Taco Mama

Moe’s Original BBQ

Newk’s Eatery (Editor’s note: Due to COVID-19, some restaurants may have suspended their pet friendly amenity temporarily, so we suggest calling ahead.)

TODAY’S ANIMAL MD Today's veterinary medicine is dramatically different

Some corporate groups are better than others.”

than it was 50 years ago, with many of the biggest changes taking place in just the last decade. Dr.

Aman was formerly a part of a local vet practice that

Cade Armstrong explained what he’s seen in

was purchased by a corporate group and shared

the course of his career. “Over the last 17 years,

his thoughts on the pros and cons he experienced.

veterinary medicine has experienced so many

“Most of the large practices in Montgomery are

medical advances,” he said. “When I first started practicing, digital radiology wasn’t around yet. The

COVID-19 Crisis: Impact on Vets “

quality of ultrasound machines has also greatly improved. We even have access to MRI machines. The

still offer superb medical care for their patients. However, after going through one of these acquisitions

essential frontline workers

myself at a previous practice, the

because we are the first-line

treat animals is increasing their

defense between zoonotic

Dr. Frank Aman hasn’t been

said. “I believe that these practices

Veterinarians are considered

ability to diagnose and properly average life span.”

owned by corporate companies,” he

culture in these practices often changes.”

“Over the last 17 years,

from animals to humans.

Armstrong and Aman pointed to

has experienced

So, during the shutdown

how this trend affects the oldest and

diseases transferring

practicing as long as Armstrong,

orders, we remained open

the youngest vets. “The previous

but he’s seen multiple shifts as

to treat patients. However,

model of selling your practice to

well. “Technology has changed for

we did cut back on elective

your younger associate is virtually

sure. In-house bloodwork machines

procedures and had some

gone,” Armstrong said. “An individual

have changed things. We can now

clients cancel and reschedule

cannot pay nearly what a private

run certain tests in our clinic and

appointments. We went to

have immediate results instead of

strictly curbside service.

opinion, most younger veterinarians

sending samples to an outside lab,”

When you pull up, we walk

will have a very difficult time finding

he said. “This helps speed up the

out to the car and retrieve

ownership opportunities.” Aman

process of finding a diagnosis, plus

your pet and bring it in the

stressed the benefits for vets ready

hospital. After assessing

to retire, but agreed with Armstrong

the patient or completing

on the issues now facing a fresh-

In addition, the business side

vaccinations, we return your

from-school veterinarian. “For the

of operating a vet practice

pet to your car. We are able

older veterinarian, it provides an

has evolved too. According to

to safely maintain a six-foot

exit strategy,” he said, but added,

starts treatment earlier.”

Armstrong, a notable recent

distance with the owners.

equity-backed firm can. In my

“These large companies are making

development is the increase of

This has allowed our at-risk

it increasingly difficult for young

corporate or group ownership of

clients to still bring their pet

veterinarians to be able to buy an

practices instead of independently

to the hospital to be taken

owned practices. “Our practice

care of.” - Dr. Frank Aman

existing practice.”

is still independently owned, but

And starting one from scratch can be

corporate groups in all different

a scary proposition. “It is terrifying

shapes and forms have moved into our industry. It’s

to start your own practice with all the unknowns.

not really larger clinics purchasing smaller clinics.

Will the clients come in? Can I afford it? Can I pay

Corporate groups and private equity groups are

my employees?” Aman said. “However, starting a

buying up most of the larger clinics,” he said. “Some

business from the ground up also gives you a lot of

of these changes are good, and some are bad.

satisfaction.”

50 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

veterinary medicine so many medical advances,” he said.

“When I first started practicing, digital radiology wasn’t around yet. That has been a game changer. The quality of ultrasound machines has also greatly improved. We even have access to MRI machines. The ability to diagnose and properly treat animals is increasing their average life span.”

- Dr. Cade Armstrong, Montgomery Veterinarian Associates

51 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

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52 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

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DOING DOING DOING GOOD GOOD GOOD DOING DOING DOING GOOD EGOOD GOOD BUS I NESS Y R JO UR M DOINGO DOING DOING GOOD GOOD GOOD DOING DOING DOING GOOD GOOD GOOD DOING DOING DOING GOOD GOOD GOOD DOINGR E CDOINGP R DOING N GOOD OGOOD GOOD GNIZING NO G

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River Region nonprofits are doing good, vital work in our community, addressing issues, providing assistance, improving health and increasing quality of life. Read on to learn how our nonprofit sector makes a significant positive impact on our area.

DOING DOING DOING

BEYOND BASIC VOLUNTEERS

BY MINNIE LAMBERTH

Volunteers are often the lifeblood of nonprofit organizations, but matching the right volunteers and their talents with the right tasks can prove crucial to nonprofits’ success.

IDEAS INTO ACTION The River Region United Way is an example of an organization with a successful history of tapping into the services of skills-based volunteers.

Brenda Robertson Dennis is Vice President Of Resource Development and through her role works with about 50 volunteers, including executives loaned to United Way by their employers. These professionals assist the 380 workplaces in the River Region conducting internal campaigns to encourage employees to

Nonprofits have always sought extra

in the boards or committees where

give to the United Way. “Each company

hands to help them carry out their

we see it.” For example, marketing

has their own campaign kickoff, their own

missions, especially with tasks that almost

committees may oversee public relations

timeframe. We give time to each of these

anyone could do. However, as demand

and communications services for

companies,” Dennis said.

for services increases and resources

nonprofits. “They won’t really have the

are increasingly stretched, charitable

budget to hire that expertise or have it

The United Way benefits from the support

organizations may wish to tap into their

in house,” Preston said. In addition, she

of loaned executives in conducting

networks of trained professionals to go

also sees web design, IT and technology,

an effort that would be too large to

beyond what paid staff can accomplish.

and human resources provided through

manage with agency staff alone. In turn,

volunteerism.

during approximately 15 hours of time donated from August to December, the

Skills-based volunteerism draws on the skills, experience, talents and education

By leveraging the skills, knowledge and

loaned executives gain experience.

of volunteers and matches them with

expertise of volunteers, nonprofits can

“(The employer) will use our program to

the needs of nonprofits, according to the

expand their capacity to achieve their

provide professional development in their

Corporation for National and Community

mission. In one scenario, individuals

organization,” Dennis said.

Service. The term and intentional strategy

contribute their skills to perform a

may be a fairly recent development in the

specific function for the nonprofit. In

Ann Cooper, Vice President Of

nonprofit world. However, the concept

another, a corporation or professional

Community Impact at the River Region

has been around for a while.

organization takes on a project for the

United Way, works with 360 volunteers

nonprofit and assumes responsibility for

each year in her role. Among these, the

its development and management. “One

Community Impact Council is made up of

side of that is a corporate decision, a

20 members – mostly professionals from

company decision to give back,” Preston

businesses in the River Region – who

said. In the other, nonprofits are “looking

conduct an annual needs assessment.

for volunteers who have specific skills.”

“These community needs assessments

BY LEVERAGING THE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE OF VOLUNTEERS, NONPROFITS CAN EXPAND THEIR CAPACITY TO ACHIEVE THEIR MISSION.

help us know whether or not we’re By considering this concept, leaders

funding the right thing,” Cooper said.

can give thought to a different approach

“We consider ourselves problem solvers,

to fundraising and stretching budgets,

not fundraisers.” Accordingly, the

especially in times when giving is down.

needs assessment can help identify the

“When the economy starts to make a turn,

problems that allocations can be directed

we will see that trend in donated dollars,”

to solve.

Preston said. In some cases, needs are “Really smart directors and CEOs

increasing as budgets are shrinking. “If

Another volunteer group, the allocations

have been doing it a long time,” said

we can budget some donated skills in

team, is made up of 24 bankers and

Shannon Preston, CEO of the Alabama

there, it’s a great idea.”

CPAs. “They vet the organizations that

Association of Nonprofits. “It is typically

apply for these donations,” Cooper said.

in the fall, the allocations team works to determine if the organizations are healthy.

Then, from January to April, the team conducts one-on-one interviews with the directors of the agencies. “I couldn’t do it without them,” Cooper said.

One of the most important things when working with volunteers is being mindful of their time, Cooper noted.

River Region United Way volunteers serving as loaned executives. (l to r) Loaned Executives Josie Young, Director of Marketing and Sales at Russell Construction of Alabama; Anthony Poellnitz, Engineer I with Alabama Power; and Jamie Brown, VP Relationship Development with MAX Credit Union.

“Because they’re professionals, they’re in demand at their

Dennis added that it’s important

work.” When scheduling

to remember that volunteers

meetings, she said, “If I tell

are not employees. “Be very

them we’re going to get out in

clear in your expectations

an hour, we’re going to get out

upfront,” she said. Part of that

in an hour.” Also, welcome their

is respecting the word no. “Our

input. “If they have ideas, I want

role is really heavy. You want

to hear them,” Cooper said.

to be clear right up front, and

“Give them an opportunity to

be clear if the answer is no.” It

give you feedback.”

may turn out that the volunteer is not in the right role and could be a better fit somewhere else.

55 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

INTRODUCING RIVER REGION NONPROFIT LEADERS

financial forms and budgets

THE UNITED WAY BENEFITS FROM THE SUPPORT OF LOANED EXECUTIVES IN CONDUCTING AN EFFORT THAT WOULD BE TOO LARGE TO MANAGE WITH AGENCY STAFF ALONE.

DOING GOOD:

By reviewing applications,

BIG GIVE

IN THE LEAD

BY THE NUMBERS

Wellness Coalition Ghandi Daniels

We asked some of the River Region’s

That's My Child Charles Lee

nonprofits to share the statistics outlining their impact. Added all together, the numbers clearly show that serving community counts.

IN ONE YEAR: Number of people served:

311,250

Number of volunteers:

9,423

Number of employees:

529

Volunteer hours:

274,800

Charles Lee is a local business owner, community Ghandi Daniels has been with

activist, motivational speaker,

TWC for 17 years, first as a

husband to his beautiful wife

Case Manager, and served

Mohana Lee of 19 years with

for years as the Wellness

whom he has three beautiful

Programs Coordinator

children. Lee is dedicated to

before being named as the

be the change he wants to

Executive Director in 2020.

see in Montgomery. Growing

She earned her Bachelor’s

up in the rough, gang-riddled

in Social Work at Alabama

streets of Chicago inspired

State University (2001) and

Lee to donate his time and

Master’s in Social Work at

effort to create a family-like

Troy University Montgomery

support system and a “way

(2019). She enjoys being

out” for less fortunate youth.

an active member of her

This led to the creation of

community by serving on

That’s My Child, which was

community boards and

founded in 2012. Lee is also

being involved in community

the founder of That’s My

activities surrounding

Dog Jr., which is the first

wellness.

ever restaurant operated by teenagers only.

CLAS Vic Wilson, Ed.D. Vic Wilson is the Executive Director of the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools. He joined the CLAS staff in July of 2017. He has 28 years in public education as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, superintendent and now as the Executive Director of CLAS. Wilson is married to Felecia Dailey Wilson, and they have three children. Aside from spending time with his family, he loves reading, sports and the arts.

56 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

RR United Way Ron Simmons

The information in

Ron Simmons, IOM, joined

is approximate and reflects the following

“By the Numbers”

River Region United Way as president and chief executive

nonprofits:

officer in July 2020. A native

Child Protect Jannah Morgan Bailey

of Montgomery, Simmons is

Triumph Services

a 1983 graduate of Sidney Lanier High School. As a graduate of Auburn University

AUM ROTC program in 1987.

at Montgomery, he received

Simmons joined United Way

a bachelor’s degree in Liberal

after serving 10 years with the

Arts with an emphasis in

Montgomery Area Chamber of

Marketing and Military Science.

Commerce, most recently as

Simmons was commissioned

the Vice President of Sales for

as a second lieutenant in the

the Destination Montgomery

U.S. Army Reserves from the

Convention and Visitor Bureau.

Central Alabama Aging Consortium Health Services, Inc. COSA MACOA The Learning Tree Salvation Army

A Montgomery native,

Friendship Mission

been the executive director

COSA Shereda Finch

of Child Protect, Children’s

Shereda Finch has served as

Advocacy Center since

the Executive Director at the

April 2001. In her position,

Council on Substance Abuse

she is responsible for

since 2013. Under her leadership,

overseeing the day to

the organization has expanded

day management of the

alcohol and substance abuse

agency, public speaking

prevention and recovery support

and awareness, fundraising

services in various counties

and forensic interviewing

across the state.

Jannah Morgan Bailey has

The Wellness Coalition River Region United Way Brantwood Children’s Home Service Dogs of Alabama Faith Radio

of alleged child abuse

Rotary Club

victims. In 2019, Bailey Montgomery Public School

Faith Radio Billy Irvin

Hope Inspired Ministries

Board District 5. She is

As Director of Ministry

also an active member

Relations, Irvin is responsible

CLAS

of the Montgomery

for developing the ministry of

Sunrise Rotary Club,

Faith Radio through prayer,

and a graduate of

fundraising, speaking and

Leadership Montgomery

emceeing at public events,

and Leadership Alabama.

while also making personal visits

In 2018, she received

to churches and individuals

thousands of people each

the Leading Lady Award

throughout the community.

day. Irwin is also involved in

for Professional and

While leading Faith Radio in

many community organizations,

Community Service from

over $800,000 in annual gifts,

serving as President of the

the Girl Scouts of Southern

Irwin participates in the on-air

YMCA Hitchcock Memorial

That’s My Child

Alabama.

team, regularly sharing stories

Award, as well as Board

of God’s faithfulness. He also

member of the Kiwanis Club of

leads the station’s social media

Montgomery and Montgomery

The Alabama Kidney Foundation

communications, which touch

Medical Outreach Ministries.

was elected to the

Baptist Foundation Kiwanis

57 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

Child Protect, Children’s Advocacy Center The Cancer Wellness Foundation

Central Alabama Aging Consortium Susan Segrest

Health Services, Inc. Gilbert F. Darrington Gilbert F. Darrington is a native of Montgomery and

IN THE LEAD

holds a M.A. degree in human resources development, B.S. in occupational education, B.S.O.E. in Business Administration/ Healthcare Administration, A.A.

Susan Segrest has worked with the Central Alabama Aging Consortium since

Triumph Services Beth Zaiontz

November 1994 and is a certified Ombudsman and State Health Insurance Assistance Program Counselor. She has been

in General Studies and an LPN

of Health Services Inc., he

certification. After retiring from

continues to work closely with

20 years of service in the U.S.

healthcare providers, legislators,

Army, Darrington returned to

elected officials and other

Montgomery, where he worked

community partners to provide

at Jackson Hospital for 10 years

residents of central Alabama

as Director of Human Resources.

greater access to quality health

He became Chief Executive

care.

Officer of Health Services, Inc. in October 2015. As the CEO

Executive Director since June 2014. She is a recipient of the State of Alabama Senior

HOLIDAY MAGIC

Citizens Hall of Fame Golden

Every Christmas, through its Angel

Eagle Award and currently

Tree program, Montgomery’s

serves on the Board of the

Salvation Army helps 500 families

Southeastern Association

brighten the season by providing

Beth Zaiontz has been

of Area Agencies on Aging.

Executive Director since

She is also a charter member

January 2019. She graduated

of the Alabama Council

from Auburn University in

for the Prevention of Elder

Montgomery with a B.S. in

Abuse and chairs the

business and The University

Community and Professional

of Alabama at Birmingham

Outreach Committee.

The Ivy Foundation Dawn Ellis-Murray

with a master’s in business

Segrest was appointed

Dawn Ellis-Murray is Chairman

administration. Prior to

to the Alabama WINGS

of The Ivy Foundation of

working in the nonprofit

(Working Interdisciplinary

Montgomery, Inc. She is also

sector, she worked for

Networks of Guardianship

Executive Director of the

Protective Life Corporation,

Stakeholders) task force by

National Association of Social

where she had many roles.

Chief Justice Lyn Stuart and

Workers Alabama Chapter

Zaiontz has a personal

continues to work with the

and a practicing Licensed

passion and understanding

group to improve the state’s

Independent Clinical Social

Foundation, Ellis-Murray has

for those with developmental

guardianship system, avoid

Worker within Central Alabama

been charged with leading

disabilities due to her

unnecessary guardianships

Veterans Health Care System.

distinguished Alpha Kappa

daughter facing these

and to prevent and address

She is a Member of Alpha Kappa

Alpha women who serve on its

challenges daily. She has also

elder abuse.

gifts for approximately 1,200 kids.

Alpha Sorority, Incorporated,

volunteer Board of Directors to

been very active supporting

Beta Nu Omega Chapter,

positively impact quality of life for

nonprofits across Alabama.

and is engaged in supporting

deserving individuals and families

development of young adults

throughout Montgomery and the

for personal and professional

River Region.

achievement. Through The Ivy

58 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

FUN FUNDRAISING In 1954, The Kiwanis Club of Montgomery began its

Jackson Hospital Foundation Patrick N. Wood

annual fundraiser by founding the Alabama National Fair.

Each Kiwanian is required to work four shifts at the ANF, and Kiwanians and their spouses provide more than 5,000 hours of service each year at the Fair. Over the last 65 years, the Kiwanis Club, through its Kiwanis Club of Montgomery Foundation, has given almost $9 million to local charitable organizations. As part of its 100th Anniversary in October 2019, the Kiwanis Club of Montgomery gave the Montgomery Zoo $100,000 for a new train.

A lifelong Montgomery resident, Wood graduated from Huntingdon College in

The Learning Tree Dr. Marc Williams

1988 with a B.A. in Finance while also playing on the

Brantwood Children’s Home Gerald Jones

Cancer Wellness Foundation Carol Gunter

golf team. He earned individual All-American status in ’85 and was a member of the three (’85’87) national championship golf teams. Upon graduation, he spent 1988-1991 playing professional golf. In January 1992, he joined the Jackson

Dr. Marc Williams, Ph.D.,

Hospital Foundation.

BCBA-D has worked for The

Throughout the past 28

Learning Tree for more than

An Opp, Alabama, native,

Wellness Foundation as

years, he has held several

15 years and has been the

Gerald Jones graduated Cum

Executive Director in January

positions at the Foundation

Executive Director since

Laude with a B.S. in Criminal

2020, Carol Gunter retired

and was named President in

2011. Williams received his

Justice from Alabama State

from the City of Montgomery

July 2018. During that time,

bachelor’s and master’s of

University. He started his

after 22 years. She brings

several initiatives have been

arts degrees in psychology

career with Brantwood in

a wealth of knowledge and

created to generate millions

from Auburn University.

June 1994 as a Childcare

experience in corporate

in philanthropic dollars, most

He received his Ph.D. in

Worker, working directly with

sales, marketing, event

notably the Touchstone

psychology from Auburn

the youth. In 1999, he was

management, and, most

Society, Corporate Partners,

University in 1998 and is a

voted Childcare Worker of the

importantly community

Scholarship programs and

Board Certified Behavior

Year for the State of Alabama.

involvement and outreach.

the Healing Arts Collection.

Analyst. Williams is an active

He was promoted to House

She’s also active with the

member of the Alabama

Parent Supervisor in 2000.

Montgomery Area Chamber

Association for Behavior

In 2009, he was promoted

of Commerce and the

Analysis and the Tallassee,

to Youth Service Director.

business community.

Alabama, Rotary Club.

He has served as Executive

Before joining the Cancer

Director since 2015.

59 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

IN THE LEAD

Service Dogs Alabama Frances McGowin, MA

MACOA Donna Marietta MACOA Executive Director Donna Marietta has more than 30 years of experience managing nonprofit organizations in Montgomery and Daytona Beach, Florida.

Since coming to MACOA in

Baptist Health Care Foundation Tommy McKinnon

2012, Marietta has brought

programs to accomplish the

financial stability and a

organization’s important

business approach to the

mission. While in Daytona

organization as well as raised

Beach, she was the CEO of the

Frances McGowin, MA, is

revenue through fundraising

Children’s Advocacy Center

Co-Founder and CEO/

and fund development. She has

of Volusia & Flagler Counties

Executive Director of Service

been responsible for driving

and then the CEO of the

Dogs Alabama. She lived in

and inspiring passion for the

North Coastal Division of the

New York City and worked

organization with increased

Children’s Home Society.

with Ralph Lauren in New York from 1978-1982. In 1982, she moved to Atlanta With 25 years of

to work as a Marketing and

experience in strategic

Sales Associate with Conde

marketing, public relations

Naste fashion publications.

and communications,

After returning to Alabama

McKinnon serves as the

in 1997, she worked with

Vice President of External

the Alabama Department

125,139 meals. Its Retired and

Affairs for Baptist Health

of Youth Services, Tutwiler

Senior Volunteer program

and the Executive Director

and Kilby prisons, the

has 1,259 active volunteers

of the Baptist Health Care

Alabama Department of Human Resources, and the

providing 144,713 volunteers

Foundation. He oversees the establishment of

Alabama Department of

integrated strategies, plans

Postsecondary Education

and programs designed to

to develop therapeutic and

ensure that all advancement,

educational programs for at-

communication, marketing

risk and incarcerated youth,

and public relations efforts

children with special needs,

Hope Inspired Ministries John Bowman

are cohesive, consistent and

Foster Care children, and

John Bowman was named

effective in supporting Baptist

incarcerated adults. McGowin

Executive Director of Hope

Health’s mission and goals.

founded the Dogs On Call

Inspired Ministries in January

He believes in giving back

Therapy Dog program in

2020. He was born and raised in

to the community through

2008, where she met Ashley

Montgomery and graduated from

past and present service on

Taylor. The two co-founded

Carver High School in 1992. He

several local and regional

Service Dogs Alabama in

joined the Montgomery Police

boards, including Centerpoint

2010. McGowin is an avid

Department in 1994 to serve

served as a volunteer with Hope

Fellowship Church, Medical

animal lover and has trained

the citizens of Montgomery.

Inspired Ministries, mentoring

Outreach Ministries, the

dogs and horses most of her

He served in many capacities

many male students through

Wellness Coalition, Girl Scouts

life; she is also an artist and

including patrolman, detective

the program and beyond. He

of Alabama, YMCA Camp

writer.

and Chief of Staff. While a

also served on the Board of One

Chandler Board and Junior

member of the Montgomery

Place Family Justice Center and

League Advisory Board.

Police Department, he faithfully

River Region Chaplain Service.

FEEDING THE NEED In FY2019, MACOA served 834 clients for Meals on Wheels and the Frozen Meals program by providing

hours with a value of $3.4 million in services.

60 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

KEEP GOOD GOING

IN THE LEAD Friendship Mission Tara Johnson Davis

Alabama Kidney Foundation David Reeves

In 2018, Tara Davis became

David Reeves joined the

the Executive Director of

Alabama Kidney Foundation

Friendship Mission. She

(AKF) in 2018 after 30 years

has been an advocate for

of working with the YMCA

the rights and needs of

in Tennessee, Louisiana,

victims of domestic violence,

Mississippi, Georgia and

severely abused and

Texas. Having worked

neglected children, those

for the largest nonprofit

suffering from and living with

organization in the nation, he

HIV/AIDS and those who

has successfully operated

have been underserved in

budgets up to $8 million,

various capacities. Previous

established effective

roles include assisting

programs and initiatives, and

underserved landowners

created and implemented

as State Outreach Director

strategic business plans for

for the Alabama Forestry

several YMCA organizations.

Commission and being a

Before beginning his 30

voice for abused children

years serving the YMCA,

as State Director for the

he lived in Guam for a year

Alabama Network of

working for the DOD.

Almost all nonprofits depend on support from businesses and individuals in the community to provide their important services and fulfill their missions. We asked a group of area nonprofits how their funding was faring due to the COVID-19 economic downturn.

Of those we asked:

24% 23% reported donations were up.

reported donations were about the same.

53% reported donations were down.

Children’s Advocacy Centers.

Now, more than ever, all nonprofits need our continued support. Please check out the “How to Give” sections on the following pages to see how you can be a part of our nonprofits’ positive impacts.

Salvation Army Lieutenants Bryan and Tonya Farrington Both were ordained as ministers of the gospel and as Salvation Army officers in June 2016. Their first two years were spent in Birmingham, and they are currently in their third year serving as the Corps Officers of The Salvation Army in Montgomery. God’s call to serve in ministry has been forefront in both of their lives, and as Salvation Army officers, the Lieutenants Farrington seek to make radical followers of Jesus Christ, who love inclusively, serve helpfully, and disciple effectively in the communities where they live.

61 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

RIVER REGION UNITED WAY Mission: The mission of River Region United Way is to improve lives and strengthen our communities by identifying needs and solving critical problems.

Background: For 97 years, River Region United Way has been “Making Life Better for Everyone.”

United Way fights for the health, education, financial stability and basic needs of every person in every community. We battle for all of our neighbors across the River Region – in Autauga, Elmore, Lowndes, Macon and Montgomery counties.

United Way is committed to solving our communities’ most critical problems as we bring together diverse groups of volunteers, donors and community partners. We strive to be an innovative driver of community dialogue by engaging our communities through partnerships and collaboration. RRUW identifies community needs and finds the resources needed to address them. Every year, River Region United Way directly impacts the lives of nearly 130,000 people in our communities (1 out of 3 people).

Leadership: • Ron Simmons, IOM, President and CEO • Dr. W. Rhea Ingram, Chair of the Board of Directors • Bonnie Evans, Community Impact Council Chair • Mike Hart, 2019-20 Campaign Chair • Drew Moore, Allocations Committee Chair

Contact Us: 334-264-7318 RRUW.org This ad was generously sponsored

by Russell Construction of Alabama, Inc.

62 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

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CANCER WELLNESS FOUNDATION OF CENTRAL ALABAMA

TH E

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NP

Mission: The Cancer Wellness Foundation

provides supportive services, educational services and assistance to cancer patients in 30 counties throughout central Alabama, including those patients who lack the resources necessary to otherwise receive comprehensive healthcare.

Background: The CWF was founded in 1997 by three oncologists who saw a need for support of cancer patients and their families once they received a cancer diagnosis and the need for funds to directly support the patient.

How We Help: The foundation serves patients

with compassion while providing financial assistance to obtain transportation or providing gas vouchers to and from chemotherapy and radiation treatments; obtaining prescription medications for free or at a low cost; giving Chemo Comfort Care bags to all new patients; and advocating on behalf of patients while they negotiate insurance issues and government programs such as Social Security, disability, Medicaid and others.

Brag Lines: The CWF is like no other organization.

We are not involved in testing or research. We are dedicated to providing direct patient support once a diagnosis has been made. In 2019, through the patient advocacy program, the foundation provided $15.8 million of medication assistance, 5,500 (unique) rides for patients without transportation to their treatments, more than $80,000 in gas vouchers and almost 900 Chemo Comfort Care Bags. We are a small nonprofit with a limited budget, but we are thankful for the donations and grants and for our business partners and community support that allow us to assist those cancer patients who need our help.

Upcoming Events: • October - Beat the Odds Virtual Drawdown and

Silent Auction

HOW TO GIVE: Wishlist: Chemo Comfort Care Bags (thermometers, tissues, hand sanitizer, crossword puzzles, hard candy, socks, blankets, pill boxes, small lotions, lip balm) gently used wigs, cases of Ensure or Boost and monetary donations.

• December - Holidays of Hope

CANCER WELLNESS FOUNDATION of Central Alabama

Contact Us: 334-273-2279 cancerwellnessfoundation.org

THE JACKSON HOSPITAL FOUNDATION, INC.

Mission: The Jackson Hospital Foundation, Inc. is organized to serve as an instrument to assist, advance and strengthen Jackson Hospital in its ministry of healing; in its service as a health center for its community; in its provision of the best education possible for students in the various health fields; and in all related health and humanitarian endeavors.

Brag Lines: Jackson Hospital recently celebrated 20 years of providing cardiac surgery in the River Region with a $1.1 million recent addition of four post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) recovery bays, which will give the hospital more flexibility to utilize its six CVICU patient rooms for additional open heart volume. This four-bed unit will provide better continuity of care and careful monitoring of these critical patients.

Contact Us: 334-293-6940 jackson.org/foundation

SERVICE DOGS ALABAMA

Upcoming Events: • September: Montgomery 5K Mustache Run • October 30: Blasting Through P.A.D. Sporting Clay Shoot

•M ay 6, 2021: Midtown Gets White Haute at Wynlakes

Mission: Service Dogs Alabama (SDA) is dedicated to providing fully trained medical and psychological assistance dogs to children, adults and veterans with disabilities, as well as Facility Intervention Dogs in Alabama schools and youth facilities.

Background: The organization dates back to 2010 when Frances McGowin and Ashley Taylor founded the K-9s 4 Kids Service Dog training program. Due to the overwhelming demand for service dogs, the program quickly grew into Alabama’s largest nonprofit specialized dog training organization focused on children and veterans with a broad range of disabilities.

Brag Lines: We have many powerful testimonials from recipients of SDA dogs.

Gaige and Emma

Sgt. Wilson (ret) and Toby

Contact Us: (334) 676-3733 servicedogsalabama.org

64 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

• “Emma (service dog) held the key to unlock the imprisoning power of autism where Gaige was hidden. In the process, she gave us our son back.” – Gaige’s father

• “I had given up hope until I received Toby (service dog). Toby changed everything.” Sgt. Wilson (ret.)

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Mission: The mission of Child Protect is to interview, counsel and be an advocate for children when there are allegations of abuse.

Brag Lines: In spite of the COVID-19 challenges, Child Protect continued serving the child abuse victims in Montgomery. To ensure the children continued with their counseling sessions, Child Protect received a grant from the Central Alabama Community Foundation and the River Region United Way to support the cost of the Zoom video conference program. The transition was seamless and has been vital for the healing process of the children.

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, and usually, Child Protect holds its annual special event, Barrel of Blues. The agency had to cancel the event, which meant a loss of income of approximately $40,000. With the support of the community, Child Protect raffled off a bottle of 20 Year Double Eagle Very Rare bourbon, and the agency raised $38,450! The lucky winner, Chuck James, took home the big prize. We are grateful for the event sponsors (Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Auburn University at Montgomery, River Bank & Trust, United Heating & Air, MAX Wealth Management, Jackson Thornton, WSFA-TV, County Commissioner Doug Singleton, Kendall & Samarria Dunson) whose support is helping Child Protect fulfill its mission in these most uncertain times.

Child Protect also partnered with Montgomery Public Schools, the YMCA and Mercy House to provide snacks and information to the children, since they were homebound.

Upcoming Events (in person or virtual): • October 24 - Harvest Jam with The Shoppes at East Chase

HOW TO GIVE: Financial donations of any size

• November 6 - Swingin’ Fore Kids Golf Tournament at RTJ Capitol Hill

help Child Protect with the dayto-day operation, but in addition, the agency needs: Clorox wipes, Lysol, toilet paper, paper towels, individually packaged snacks, bottled water, juice boxes, coffee K-Cups, new stuffed animals, crayons and coloring books

Contact Us: 334-262-1220 childprotect.org

THE COUNCIL ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE Mission: COSA’s mission is to reduce the incidence and prevalence of the disease of alcoholism, other drug addiction diseases, and related problems.

Background: The COUNCIL ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE (COSA) is a 501 (c)(3) private non-profit organization founded in 1973 to promote the understanding that alcoholism and other drug dependence are preventable and treatable diseases. As a member of the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America (CADCA), COSA’s programs and services are designed to:

• Prevent or delay the onset of substance use disorders and related behavioral health issues.

• Educate and inform the public on substance use disorders and related behavioral health issues.

• Encourage and support proper diagnosis, appropriate treatment and long-term recovery for individuals with substance use disorders and their families.

Brag Lines: COSA Cares about the behavioral health needs of individuals, families and communities across Alabama.

Upcoming Events: • September is Recovery Month.

Find details on our website.

HOW TO GIVE: Cash donations to purchase face masks and printing costs for prevention and recovery tool kits Gift cards Van to transport members

Contact Us: 334-262-1629 cosancadd.org

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Mission: The Baptist Health Care

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Foundation develops resources that support Baptist Health’s ministry in providing the best quality healthcare services and programs to the people of Central Alabama.

Background: Since 1972, the Baptist Health Care Foundation has assisted Baptist Health in providing comprehensive healthcare for the citizens of Central Alabama. Gifts received have also touched lives in other meaningful ways including scholarships, hospice care, employee emergency benevolence and more.

Impact: The role of our caregivers and all those who make our essential services possible has never been more crucial. The Baptist Health Care Foundation has seen the tremendous support of our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Baptist Health Team Member Assistance Fund provides immediate financial support for our employees experiencing unexpected challenges.

Our team members are working tirelessly to keep our communities safe and serve the most vulnerable during this public health outbreak. We are honored to create a means for our community to show appreciation for the work our healthcare heroes commit to each day. This is an opportunity to honor healthcare professionals who are on the front lines supporting the health and wellbeing of our communities.

Brag Lines: As a part of an ongoing effort in 2020 the Baptist Health Care Foundation has assisted more than 250 healthcare workers with basic needs totaling more than $270,000.

HOW TO GIVE: 334-747-4567 baptistfoundation.org Your gracious support and donations during this time of need will go toward supporting our healthcare heroes as they tirelessly care for our community.

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MONTGOMERY AREA COUNCIL ON AGING Mission: The Montgomery Area Council on Aging (MACOA) assists senior citizens by providing services to promote independent living, offering opportunities to enhance quality of life, and increasing awareness of senior issues.

Background: MACOA is Montgomery’s only nonprofit dedicated solely to serving seniors.

Meals On Wheels is MACOA’s flagship program, and it meets the growing need to serve food insecure homebound seniors. MACOA delivers 404 hot meals each weekday to client doorsteps. In addition, MACOA serves Autauga, Elmore, Coosa, Montgomery and Tallapoosa counties through a sponsorship program with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) for these five counties.

A total of 144,713 volunteer hours were provided

Contact Us: 334-263-0532 macoa.org macoa@macoa.org

by 1,250 RSVP volunteers in 2019. At the Archibald

Upcoming Events:

Senior Center and its second location, MACOA

October 21 - 19th Annual Swinging

East, 4,043 active and mobile seniors attended

Fore Seniors Golf Classic

educational and enrichment activities.

THE SALVATION ARMY Mission: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Brag Lines: We’ve been serving the River Region community for more than 120 years and still going strong.

• • • •

Number of persons housed: 1,336 Total lodgings: 16,212 Nights Meals served: 62,849 Meals V ouchers (includes food, clothing, furniture and hygiene kits): 2,543 filled

• Volunteers: 3,350

Contact Us: 334-265-0281 salvationarmyalm.org/Montgomery 68 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Upcoming Events: • S eptember 11 - 3rd Annual First Responders Luncheon to say “Thank You”

• S eptember 14 - Angel Tree registration

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Leaders in Alabama Schools is to coordinate and facilitate the resources of all members for the advancement of public education.

Consistently, CLAS members choose quality professional learning as the most important function of the umbrella organization.

Brag Lines: • CLAS is the only Alabama association founded by administrators for administrators.

We provide professional learning, legal services, communications, advocacy, networking and rewards/recognition programs for close to 4,000 members statewide.

• CLAS is the premier professional organization for school leaders in Alabama.

With 11 affiliates, CLAS offers a professional organization for every type of school administrator.

Upcoming Events: • CLAS Lunch & Learn Webinar Series – begins September 3 and runs monthly throughout the school year.

•

CLAS Leadership Institute Series –

begins September 9 and runs monthly throughout the school year.

•

CLAS New Principals Institute –

September 15-16

•

CLAS Secretaries Conference –

December 1-2

•

CLAS Aspiring Administrators

Conference – January 23 or February 23

•

CLAS Assistant Principals Conference

– January 27-28, February 17-18 or February

24-25

•

CLAS Culture Training –

Two-day event on February 4 and March 4

• •

CLAS Law Conference – March 3 CLAS Convention –

the largest gathering of more than 1,000 Alabama school administrators occurs June 13-16

•

Affiliate Conferences –

offered throughout the year

HOW TO GIVE: Join our Corporate Partnership program to gain valuable access to the education community through events, networking opportunities and specially designed sponsorship programs.

69 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

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THE WELLNESS COALITION Mission: The mission of The Wellness Coalition is to provide health and wellness programs to businesses and residents in Montgomery, Macon, Lowndes, Elmore and Autauga counties.

Background: The Wellness Coalition was established by a group of healthcare providers to improve healthcare for persons with chronic diseases and little or no health insurance.

Brag Lines: Established the River Region’s first CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program and helped 70 percent of program participants meet or exceed the program goal of losing 5-7 percent of their body weight. In our most recent fiscal year, we provided Wellness Case Management/Community Health Worker services to 1,383 clients. We also assisted more than 500

Contact Us: 334-293-6502 thewellnesscoalition.org

medically uninsured patients to decrease their use of the ED for primary care and provided 3,824 chronic disease education individual sessions.

THE LEARNING TREE, INC. Mission: The mission is to provide a warm and loving environment with individualized, empirically validated services and supports for children with significant educational, medical and behavioral challenges, helping them develop and maintain a quality of life expected by non-disabled members of their family and community.

Background: The Learning Tree was founded in 1983 to provide educational, clinical, consultation and residential services for children and adolescents with developmental disabilities, including autism. Today, more than 700 children and families are served each year from across Alabama.

Upcoming Events: • October 10 – 7th Annual “Angling for Autism”

Contact Us: 334-252-0025 learning-tree.org sweldon@learning-tree.org 70 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Bass Fishing Tournament at Wind Creek State Park

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Mission: Our mission is to develop, coordinate and support services in the communities in our service area that promote an active and independent lifestyle where those we serve can live and thrive.

Background: CAAC is the Area Agency on Aging for Autauga, Elmore and Montgomery counties. The agency was formed in 1975 and is part of a statewide aging network that provides a variety of home- and community-based services.

CAAC provides advocacy, in-home services, community services, education and information.

Brag Lines: During the first eight months of this fiscal year, CAAC has:

• Provided 132,504 meals to 1,214 elderly individuals in Autauga, Elmore and Montgomery counties

• Provided case management for 480 elderly and disabled individuals through the Medicaid Waiver Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program

• Provided Medicare counseling to 2,469 Medicare beneficiaries

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, CAAC, in partnership with the Alabama Department of Senior Services and the USDA, has distributed 6,720 boxes of food (through August) to those in need in our service area.

Upcoming Events: • October 15 – December 7: CAAC will be hosting Medicare Open Enrollment events.

HOW TO GIVE: Monetary donations to our organization and

Contact Us: 334-240-4680 centralalabamaaging.org

cleaning supplies for our low-income elderly clients

71 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

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Mission:Â to mentor the youth through arts, education and workforce development to end hopelessness and generational poverty.

CONTACT US: (334) 239-7434 / THATSMYCHILDMGM.ORG

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NONPROFITS IN THE RIVER REGION Get connected with nonprofit chamber members

21 Dreams Arts & Culture

Alabama World Affairs Council

21dreamsmgm.org

alwac.org

A+ Education Partnership

Alzheimer's Association

aplusala.org

alz.org

A-KEEP (Alabama-Korea

American Cancer Society

Education and Economic

cancer.org

Partnership)

akeep.org

American Heart Association

heart.org/en/ AGAPE

affiliates/alabama/

agapeforchildren.org

montgomery

Air Force Sergeants

Arthritis Foundation

Association-Chapter 444

arthritis.org

hqafsa.org

HOPE INSPIRED MINISTRIES

Camellia Bowl Alabama Center

camelliabowl.com

for Dispute Resolution

alabamaadr.org

Central Alabama Aging Consortium

Alabama Institute

centralalabama

for Deaf and Blind

aging.org

aidb.org Central Alabama Community Alabama Kidney Foundation,

Foundation

Montgomery Chapter

cacfinfo.org

alkidney.org Central Alabama Crime Alabama Network

Stoppers

of Children's Advocacy

215stop.com

Centers, Inc.

Mission: Hope Inspired Ministries (HIM) serves low-skilled, poorly educated and chronically unemployed men and women by preparing them to obtain and maintain employment. We do so in a manner that develops individual worth, encourages personal responsibility and promotes the value and honor of work.

CONTACT US: 334-649-4330 HOPEINSPIREDMINISTRIES.ORG

alabamacacs.org

Central Alabama Works!

centralalabamaworks.com Alabama Technology Foundation

Child Evangelism Fellowship of

alabamatechnology

Central Alabama

foundation.org

cefcentralalabama.org

Alabama Technology

Child Protect

Network

childprotect.org

atn.org

Common Ground

Montgomery AFCEA Chapter

Montgomery

afceamontgomery.org

FRIENDSHIP MISSION

cgm.life Montgomery Area Business Coosa-Alabama River

Committee for the Arts

Improvement Association, Inc.

mabca.org

caria.org Montgomery Area Food Bank Council on Substance Abuse

montgomeryarea

cosancadd.org

foodbank.org

Dexter Avenue King Memorial

Montgomery Bicycle Club

Legacy Center

mgmbikeclub.org

dexterkingmemorial.org/ about/legacy-center

Montgomery CARES-100 Black Men Connection

Disability as an Ability Toward

montgomery100.org

Success: Moms on the Move

datsmom.org

Montgomery Education Foundation

Disabled American Veterans

montgomeryed.org

dav.org Montgomery Humane Society Family Sunshine Center

montgomeryhumane.com

familysunshine.org

Mission: Demonstrating love and compassion in action, Friendship Mission is a refuge for the homeless and hungry, offering shelter for men as well as women and children, and assisting our clients to become self-sufficient.

CONTACT US: 334-356-6412 / FRIENDSHIPMISSION.ORG

Montgomery Rotary Club Friendship Mission, Inc.

montgomeryrotaryclub.com

friendshipmission.org Muscular Dystrophy Gathering of Eagles Foundation

Association, Inc.

goefoundation.org

mda.org

Girl Scouts of

NAMI Alabama

Southern Alabama Inc.

NAMIAlabama.org

KIWANIS CLUB OF MONTGOMERY

girlscoutssa.org National Association of Social Goodwill Industries

Workers - Alabama Chapter

of Central Alabama

naswal.org

algoodwill.org Nikki Mitchell Foundation Hispanic Outreach

nikkimitchellfoundation.org

Leadership & Action (HOLA)

holamontgomery.org

Pens Up Guns Down

pensupgunsdown.org Hope Inspired Ministries, Inc.

hopeinspiredministries.org

Public Relations Council of Alabama-Montgomery Chapter

Joy To Life Foundation

prcamontgomery.org

liveheregivehere.org

Mission: For 100 years, the Kiwanis Club of Montgomery has empowered communities to improve the world by making lasting differences in the lives of children.

Renascence, Inc. Liberty Learning Foundation

libertylearning.org

halfway-home.net

CONTACT US: 334-260-7996 /MONTGOMERYKIWANIS.ORG

THE ALABAMA KIDNEY FOUNDATION

River Region United Way

The Learning Tree, Inc

riverregionunitedway.org

learning-tree.org

S.A.F.Y. of America, Inc.

The Wellness Coalition

safy.org

thewellnesscoalition.org

Salvation Army

Triumph Services, Inc.

salvationarmyalm.org/

triumphservices.org

montgomery Tukabatchee Area Council/

Mission: The Alabama Kidney Foundation serves kidney patients by providing financial assistance, education and support services.

The Foundation provides public education to promote organ donation awareness and prevention of kidney disease.

CONTACT US: 334-430-8716 / ALKIDNEY.ORG

Serquest

Boy Scouts of America, Inc.

facebook.com/myserquest

tukabatcheebsa.org

Service Dogs Alabama

United Cerebral Palsy of

ServiceDogsAlabama.org

Central Alabama

ucpalabama.org Shepherds Ministries, Inc.

facebook.com/

United Methodist

ChaplainHolly

Children's Home

umch.net Sun Belt Conference

sunbeltsports.org

VOICES for Alabama's Children

That's My Child

alavoices.org

thatsmychildmgm.org Women of Refined Gold, Inc. The Arts Council of

THE IVY FOUNDATION OF MONTGOMERY, INCORPORATED

Montgomery

artscouncilmontgomery.

Y.E.S. Inc.

org

yeseep.org

The Baptist Foundation

YMCA of Greater

of Alabama

Montgomery

tbfa.org

ymcamontgomery.org

The Cancer Wellness Foundation of Central Alabama

cancerwellness foundation.org The Dannon Project

dannonproject.org

Mission: We strive to improve communities and quality of life throughout the River Region area by commitment to sisterhood, scholarship and social equity.

The Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr. Institute

thejohnsoninstitute.org The King’s Canvas

thekingscanvas.org

CONTACT US: 334-544-0796 IVYFOUNDATIONMONTGOMERY.ORG

womenofrefinedgold.org

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Faith Radio’s mission is to serve the Christian community and strengthen the local church and family unit as we provide spiritual encouragement and a personal challenge with a Christ-centered focus through Biblical teaching, relevant information and uplifting music to the Glory of God.

Brag Lines: We often hear testimonials like: “Listening to Faith Radio is like being at a Christian concert all day, with a great mix of Christian music and Bible teaching programs that help me grow spiritually and closer to God.”

WISHLIST: • Financial gifts to support our commercial-free

89

.FM1

WLBF

MONTGOMERY

broadcasts

Contact Us: 334-271-8900 faithradio.org

TRIUMPH SERVICES

Mission: Our mission is twofold: to assist individuals in their efforts to live independently and to educate the public on the gifts and strengths of people who have developmental

• Special gifts in memory or honor of someone special

• Donation of an old vehicle you no longer need

BRANTWOOD CHILDREN’S HOME

Mission: Our mission is serving youth through a caring, therapeutic environment where hurts are healed; hope is nurtured.

disabilities.

CONTACT US: 205-581-1000 WWW.TRIUMPHSERVICES.ORG

CONTACT US: 334-265-0784 BRANTWOODCHILDRENSHOME.ORG 75 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

76 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Location, location, location! You often hear this

have any loans against it. Also, keep a copy of

phrase in real estate, but the same principle

the original documents, and keep track of your

applies to vital pieces of your estate plan. If

representative and the effective date of your

you are like most women, estate planning is

policy. Since companies may be bought and sold

not something that crosses your mind often in

over the years, keeping a record of the original

the midst of our busy lives of family, work and

company who issued your policy is helpful for

navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. However,

beneficiaries down the road.

if something happened to you or your spouse, would either of you know where to find the necessary information to handle legal affairs or

3 . W H E R E A R E YO U R E S TAT E D O C U M E N T S ? Know where original copies

continue running your household? Or, if you are

of your Will, Power of Attorney and Advanced

a single woman, do you have a person, or entity,

Healthcare Directive are kept, and share copies

designated to handle your affairs?

of these documents with your designated person or entity. Communicating the location of these

CO M M U N I C AT I O N I S K E Y:

important documents will help give you peace

After organizing your important information, ask

of mind, help make an emergency situation less

your significant other for information they control

chaotic and can help prevent delays in legal

and help your designated person or entity by

processes.

communicating where to find the following estate planning pieces.

1 . W H E R E I S YO U R M O N E Y ?

Keep a current list of bank and investment

MEET THE EXPERT

accounts. It’s common to hold accounts at different financial institutions for a variety of reasons, so be sure to keep a current master list of accounts and passwords for each institution so you can accurately account for these dollars in your estate planning, and so your designated person can access these accounts if you are otherwise unable. The same principle applies to any monthly bills or automatic payments. Know how to access these accounts. Additionally, be mindful of your retirement accounts so that you can make beneficiary updates as necessary and assess where those assets remain housed.

2 . W H E R E I S YO U R L I F E

Elizabeth Brasher, JD, CWS serves as a Client Consultant with Warren Averett Asset Management. She works with individuals, families and the firm’s Women’s Wealth Connection to implement financial planning,

I N S U R A N C E ? It’s important to not only know

estate planning and investment planning

where your life insurance policy is located but

strategies. Contact her at 205.747.3945 or

also to know the policy value and whether you

Elizabeth.Brasher@waasset.com

77 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

ACCOUNTING

BY E L I Z A B E T H B R AS H E R , J D, C WS

E X P E R T I S E A N D A N S W E R S TO C O M M O N B U S I N E S S Q U E S T I O N S F R O M LO C A L S I N T H E K N O W

D O YO U K N O W W H E R E V I TA L P I E C E S O F YO U R E S TAT E P L A N A R E LO C AT E D ?

From the big idea to the smallest detail, Regions means business.

Trusted business expertise – it’s at Regions.

We’re here to help your business thrive in ways you might not expect. At Regions, you’ll find one of the industry’s most complete suites of business tools along with the insight and personal service you need to accomplish your goals. For a broad range of product offerings and a local presence for everyday business needs, you don’t have to look far. Just take your next step with Regions.

Arthur DuCote | Market President Executive Vice President | Commercial Banking 201 Monroe St., Suite 200 | Montgomery, AL 36104 Office: 334.240.1280 | arthur.ducote@regions.com

78 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL © 2020 Regions Bank. Regions and the Regions logo are registered trademarks of Regions Bank. The LifeGreen color is a trademark of Regions Bank.

More than ever, businesses across the River

a cadence for your workers to expect to hear

Region need an effective policy for managing

from you. Reach out proactively, outside of

local and remote workers while keeping

that cadence, to check in and see how they’re

productivity up. The whirl of changes in the

doing. Reiterate their importance to the team’s

workplace following the outbreak of COVID-19

performance and show consistent appreciation

will likely have a lasting impact on workplace

for their work.

culture. Some businesses are opting to keep many — or, in some cases, all — of their

BEING A TEAM

employees in remote working arrangements.

Maintaining a strong company culture

And moving forward, job candidates may be

is important — even more so when your

more likely to expect robust work-from-home

employees are physically distant. Develop

policies from potential employers. Regardless,

creative opportunities for team discussions

having processes in place to manage

that go beyond the regular tasks and business

employees, wherever they are, is a necessity.

objectives. Use them as a chance to publicly praise good work. Consider a virtual game

Whether you intend to keep more workers

night through the use of videoconferencing.

remote or bring some of your team back into

Show your team that you’re being intentional

one space, these three recommendations can

about keeping everyone connected, even in

help manage performance.

these uncertain times.

C L E A R C O M M U N I C AT I O N

While managing remote workers isn’t a new

Coordinating with remote workers is a bit

task for all businesses, having a strategic

more complicated than walking over to an

approach is crucial. Find additional resources

employee’s desk for an in-person conversation.

for implementing a work-from-home policy for

Internal instant messaging systems and

your business at regions.com/Insights/Small-

videoconferencing platforms help reduce the

Business.

distance barrier. Make sure your employees are equipped in their remote workspaces with a microphone, webcam and any other necessary tools to help facilitate easy communication.

MEET THE EXPERT

Encourage all employees to use the same communication platforms so others aren’t left out of the loop.

S TAY I N G E F F I C I E N T A potential detriment of remote work is employees may feel as though they aren’t part of a team. That can impact productivity. Clear performance benchmarks, such as transparent and reasonable deadlines, can help. Also, people should have consistent check-ins with managers, and bringing the group together, even virtually, for frequent touch-base discussions, can help keep efficiency up. Set

Arthur DuCote is the Montgomery Market Executive for Regions Bank.

79 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

BUSINESS

BY A R T H U R D U C OT E

EXPERTISE AND ANSWERS TO CO M M O N B U S I N E S S Q U E S T I O N S F R O M LO C A L S IN THE KNOW

M A N A G I N G YO U R E M P LOY E E S , WHEREVER THEY WORK

Small Business Briefcase +

PACK ED WITH TIPS AN D TOOLS TO BEN EFIT YOUR BUSINESS

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT SUPERCHARGES PRODUCTIVITY Happy, satisfied employees make dedicated, productive employees, but what are the “secret do’s” that you can enact to ensure your employees are truly engaged? BY SHARLEEN SMITH

At first glance, it may seem that productivity and employee engagement are two very different things. They are. However, they complement one another: If a company boosts engagement, it will increase productivity. But we must begin with a true definition of employee engagement. Employee engagement does not mean only a fun place to work, an employees “make the rules” environment nor Googleor Facebook-type employee perks such as nap pods or onsite hair salons.

7

STRATEGIES TO INCREASE EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY:

Employee engagement is the emotional commitment the employee has to the organization and its goals, and leadership actions and initiatives toward engagement can create this commitment.

7

1 Encourage autonomy by not micromanaging. Robby Slaughter, a productivity

WAYS TO BOOST EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT:

expert, said, “The most effective tool for increasing team productivity is having managers back off. The best way to encourage productivity is to encourage individuals to take ownership over how they manage their own time and resources.”

1 Make sure employees feel valued,

be promoting the “why.” Managers

just as valued as your best customers.

should support the “how.” Then

2 Focus on the future with clear

Be genuinely interested in who they

employees can create the “what.”

communication. Communication is the key to success. Without effective, two-

are as a person, not just as a worker.

Build in time for connectedness with

5 Provide time and energy for

way communication, relationships end and

each employee if possible. Hold

collaborative discussions within

businesses fail. Managers who effectively

“touchpoints” with each employee.

teams regarding projects, processes,

communicate clear expectations and

organizational changes and more.

responsibilities to their employees will be rewarded with a productive workforce.

2 Be responsive to issues. Listen to employees and help them solve their

6 Allow autonomy of work.

According to CRM Learning, most of the time (80

work challenges.

Micromanagement kills engagement.

percent), managers focus on past work or results of employees. Fifteen percent is spent on what

3 Demonstrate that you appreciate

7 We cannot forget that during this

is happening now. And the amount of time spent

their work in a meaningful way.

time, remote work is certainly a factor to

discussing future solutions and possibilities?

Connect with each employee’s intrinsic

examine when talking about employee

Only 5 percent. Talking about and planning for

needs of meaning from their work.

engagement. There are several ways

the future brings the positive outcomes desired.

to engage remote workers, but leaders 4 Help employees find meaning in the bigger picture of the company

must be diligent and consistent to have a positive effect.

3 Get more done with remote work. Remote workers are more productive, they log more

vision. As the book “Start With Why” by

hours, take less sick leave, perform better and in

Simon Sinek indicates, leaders should

general, are more engaged at work.

80 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

4 Do not lock down social media. Some employees are using it to take a mental break, others are using

MEET THE EXPERT Sharleen Smith is the Director of Continuing

social tools to support professional connections, and

Education and Outreach of Troy University.

sure, some are goofing off. But cracking down on social

She has more than 30 years of experience in

media platforms to encourage productivity can be

organizational consulting and training, including

a serious morale killer. An Evolv study found that social

the development of human resource policies

media “power users” were better multi-taskers, more productive overall, and happier in their jobs.

and procedures, strategic planning, performance

5 Provide professional development for employee

pay systems, interviewing and onboarding

management systems, classification and processes, change management, talent

growth, and offer career growth opportunities.

6 Influence and take actions to create a great organizational culture. Improve cultural fit by recruiting new employees who complement the existing culture,

management and more. Her training includes more than 250 topics, and she has presented to more than 300,000 people at 15,000 conferences, workshops and seminars. Contact her at gssmith@troy.edu.

if the culture is strong and healthy.

7 Empower your employees by allowing them to set their own goals rather than being dictated by a

LEARN MORE Intrigued by this topic? Join us at the next

supervisor. When employees are shown the bigger

Small Business Briefcase on October 6 to discover five more ways to boost

vision, they can, if allowed, set goals and strategies that

employee engagement and five more ways to increase employee productivity.

will progress the company’s overall goals and achieve

And the panel will also share the three keys to create engagement with

greater outcomes.

remote workers. Register now at montgomerychamber.com/events.

81 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

CHAMBER NEWS Connect

RECOVER TOGETHER MAYOR’S ECONOMIC IMPACT TASK FORCE SPARKS “RECOVER TOGETHER” INITIATIVE

RECOVER TOGETHER SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF FUND AWARDS $445,000+ IN GRANTS

Led by the work of Mayor Steven

a new grant fund that would be made available for

Reed’s Covid 19 Economic Impact Task

local small businesses affected by COVID-19. The

Force, the City, County and Chamber

fund is to provide working capital to local small

partnered to bring help to small and

businesses as they work to continue or resume

minority-owned businesses drastically

operations following COVID-19-related impacts.

impacted by the pandemic. The

So far, the fund has awarded more than $445,000,

Small Business Hub, a clearinghouse

which has provided direct relief to 135 local small

for assistance and counseling, has

and minority owned businesses. The fund was

connected with more than 900 small

made possible by the generosity of our corporate and philanthropic funding partners.

In late May, the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation announced the creation of

businesses and entrepreneurs and provided more than 500 consultations

If you’re a small business in need, visit montgomerychamber.com/hub to complete the Hub

since its launch in late April.

form or call 334-226-7529 and a member of the Recover Together Small Business Hub will contact you personally, as soon as possible, to share information about available resources and connect you with relief.

82 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

CHAMBER NEWS Connect

ECONOMIC NEWS CHAMBER EARNS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HONORS

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MID-YEAR UPDATE: RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

BY THE NUMBERS

The Chamber was named one of the Top 20 official Economic Development Organizations in the Nation by Site Selection magazine. The Chamber is the official EDO for Montgomery and has a long-standing track record of national recognition. Site Selection magazine also

19 NEW PROJECTS

named Montgomery a Top 10 Metro in

341 NEW JOBS ANNOUNCED

the United States in its annual ranking of economic development projects

$71.8M CAPITAL INVESTMENT ANNOUNCED

announced, and the city received an honorable mention in the Mid-Market of the Year (250,000-749,999 population)

2,552 EXISTING JOBS RETAINED 59 ACTIVE PROJECTS

category from Southern Business and Development magazine. Rankings were based on 2019 project announcements that met or exceeded 200 jobs and/or $30 million in investment.

400 MGM INDUSTRIES DIRECTLY CONTACTED 137 EXISTING INDUSTRY VISITS AND DIRECT SUPPORT

POWERFUL BENEFITS & TREMENDOUS VALUE Remember: Your Chamber membership is packed with exclusive member benefits, and most of them are free! Let us help you fuel your business with the resources it needs to grow and thrive.

RECOVER TOGETHER SMALL BUSINESS HUB: A free, one-stop clearinghouse that connects small and minority businesses to the resources and information they need most as they emerge from the COVID-19 crisis.

Call 334-226-7529 or visit montgomerychamber.com/hub A member of the Recover Together Small Business Hub will contact you personally as soon as possible to share information about available resources and connect you with relief.

THE CHAMBER’S CHARISSE STOKES APPOINTED TO GOVERNOR’S ADVISORY COUNCIL ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION

ONLINE RESOURCES:

Montgomery’s growing TechMGM

of Stanford

sales promotions

initiative, led by Chamber team member

University’s

Non-Profit Calendar - Post fundraisers

Charisse Stokes, will be playing a

Hoover

and events

pivotal role in guiding entrepreneurial

Institution, Dr.

Member-to-Member Discounts - Offer

and innovation strategies for Alabama.

Condoleezza

exclusive discounts to fellow Chamber

The Alabama Innovation Commission,

Rice.

members

created by Governor Kay Ivey, is charged

Job Board - List your job openings Member Calendar - Post events and

Member Information Center - Pay

with examining policies to increase

“Charisse is

invoices, update company records and

entrepreneurship, spur innovation and

an incredible

your employee list and message other

enhance technology accelerators, while

part of our

members

addressing challenges for start-ups.

economic development team, and we

Montgomery Business Journal - The

are so fortunate to have her heading

MBJ is always collecting member

The group will present a comprehensive

up TechMGM,” said Anna Buckalew,

news to share and with six issues a

policy agenda to the governor and the

Chamber President & CEO. “Being named

year, there’s plenty of room to get your

legislature, with input from a six-member

to the governor’s Commission speaks to

business maximum exposure.

Advisory Council, led by Alabama Power

Charisse’s talent and expertise and shows

• 7,000 mailed and distributed locally

Executive Vice President Zeke Smith and

that Montgomery has the best of the best

• Send all news and announcements

Alabama native, former Secretary Of State

leading our tech initiative.”

for member news sections to

of the United States and incoming Director

jminiard@montgomerychamber.com.

83 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

CHAMBER NEWS Member FAQs D ISCOV ER W H AT YO U R C H AMBER CAN DO FOR YOU AN D YOUR BUS IN ESS .

Q: A:

How Does the Chamber Impact the Local Community?

Your Chamber catalyzes leaders to improve the economic prosperity and quality of

place for the region. Because we link the public and private sector around a shared vision,

Image by Eric Salas.

we achieve far greater results at a tremendous value to our investors.

DURING THIS UNPRECEDENTED TIME, the Chamber’s mission and focus has not changed. In fact, our mission and our focus have been more intentional, and we’ve shone as a beacon of light and hope through the fog of the pandemic.

We the Chamber…

ADVOCATE FOR CRITICAL RESOURCES: We’ve been monitoring and disseminating vital information as well as working daily with our Congressional delegation to advocate for key legislation regarding

COVID-19-specific Chamber initiatives We also launched two new COVID-19-specific initiatives, the Recover Together Small Business Hub (Helping Unite Business) and the Recover Together Small Business Relief Fund.

THE SMALL BUSINESS HUB, a clearinghouse for assistance and counseling, connected with more than 900 small businesses and entrepreneurs through more than 500 consultations.

THE SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF FUND, an initiative of the Montgomery Area Chamber of

YOUR PARTNERSHIP FUELS

relief and recovery for our local business

ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR

community.

Commerce Foundation, received

LEVERAGE PARTNERSHIPS: By

has awarded $445,000 in grants

THE REGION AND ALLOWS THE CHAMBER TO:

• Recruit major industries • Sell Montgomery as a destination • Fuel small and minority business growth • Work together to grow the River

pooling our resources and connections, we’ve been able to provide the critical infrastructure needed to establish

to transform education

FULFILL A CRITICAL MISSION: As we move through this uncertain time together,

through the business studio

know that the Chamber is here for you

and co-space

now more than ever. Connecting people

• Advocate for issues and infrastructure • Build a strong and competitive workforce

80 percent of which are minorityowned.

crisis, while also serving as a clear concise voice for relief and recovery efforts.

• Connect, innovate and empower

to 135 small businesses to date,

processes and protocols to manage the

Region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem

• Partner with new leadership

more than 650 applications and

to people and people to resources is what we do best, and we will continue to do that now and far beyond this crisis.

GET STARTED: If you’re a business in need, please visit montgomerychamber.com/hub or call 334-226-7529 to speak to a Hub Specialist.

84 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

85 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

SPONSORED CONTENT

Strong Financial Partnership Leads to Hospitality Optimism Robust client relationships help business continue during challenging times In mid-March, Americans stopped road-tripping with family. They stopped attending work conferences. And they stopped going out of town to attend sporting events. This shutdown of travel has been especially hard for hotels.

RAM Hotels, which owns 25 hotels in Alabama and Georgia, including five in Montgomery, went from about 70 percent occupancy across its hotels before the COVID-19 crisis to about 24 percent. No one was traveling. “We went from having 30 to 35 staff running each hotel to essentially four individuals,” said

help businesses keep paying their

As things trend up, safety remains

Rinkesh Patel, CEO of RAM Hotels.

workers’ salaries and keep them off

a top priority for RAM Hotels. Of the

unemployment, Hardy helped Patel get

company’s 25 hotels, 10 are Hilton

Still, with travel stopped, the hotels were

applications completed for the funds.

branded hotels, seven are Marriott

not coming close to making enough

“We were getting emails past midnight

branded hotels. According to Patel, both

money to cover payroll cost and utilities,

from our bankers,” Patel said. “There

companies worked quickly to share

let alone service debt payments. Right

were constant changes, advisories being

new cleaning procedures, institute new

away, Chase Hardy, a Montgomery-

sent out, changes in the application.”

safety guidelines and provide access to industrial-grade cleaning products. RAM

based business banker who manages the RAM Hotels relationship for Valley

By the first week in May, their PPP

Hotels is also working to upgrade its

Bank, RAM’s biggest lending partner,

money had come in. From the

technology to be more touch-free.

called Patel. “They were the first to reach

applications they made through Valley

out to us,” Patel said. “They showed real,

Bank, they got $796,200 and were

Patel says he feels good about what his

genuine concern for us.”

able to bring back 100 percent of their

business has accomplished during the

associates. Those associates now have

crisis. “We are going to be more efficient

Hardy and Patel talked about how to

more reservations to take and rooms

in the future as a result of this,” he said.

defer some payments, how to use

to clean. RAM Hotels isn’t back to

And Valley Bank will be there with him

reserve funds strategically, and how to

70 percent capacity yet, but they are

every step of the way.

maximize cash flow.

approaching 60 percent, Patel said.

As soon as the federal government

Contact Chase Hardy at Valley Bank to talk about how Valley can help your business grow while meeting challenges along the way.

He can be reached at chardy@valley.com or 334-301-5918.

launched the Paycheck Protection Program, which was designed to VALLEY BANK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY LENDER.

86 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

87 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

SPONSORED CONTENT

Innovation to Improve Workplace Health A non-contact kiosk offers screening efficiency in a cloud-based environment For fans of the classic television show “Star

With any new technological advancement,

Trek,” there is a famous quote associated

there are challenges and WeScan was no

with the show: “The needs of the many

exception. To address this, CTE conducted

outweigh the needs of the few.” Some of

multiple tests over a sustained period

those needs in today’s climate include

of time to ensure that the device and its

addressing the demands of improving

software operated at maximum efficiency

health and safety procedures within the

within a secured cloud-based environment.

workforce, while screening employees for any potential illnesses.

Although WeScan was developed to be a non-contact operational kiosk, it does

With the unforeseen impact of COVID-19,

provide the capability for authorized

that phrase can be considered extremely

personnel to customize the temperature

applicable in 2020, with many organizations

threshold for employee screening, while

across the globe doing their part to combat

also implementing the usage of fingerprint

this pandemic. At Certified Technical

inputs for employees to gain building

Experts, Inc. (CTE), our efforts to combat

access. All data obtained will be stored on a

COVID-19 have led to what may possibly

secured database within a cloud server.

become a forward-thinking technique in improving workplace health.

Since it is proprietary software, CTE will provide all technical support, updates

Called WeScan, it is the latest proprietary

and upgrades to WeScan for up to five

software that has been developed and

years, with extended software support

implemented under CTE’s Attendance

and updates to be reviewed on a case-by-

Software portfolio, which has supported

case basis. Additionally, WeScan will be

previous Air Force-affiliated events. WeScan

available for both commercial and military/

is a non-contact temperature screening

government organizations, with no required

kiosk featuring infrared thermal imaging and

minimum number of kiosks.

rapid temperature detection that helps to identify symptoms of contagious illnesses,

For CTE and other organizations

such as the coronavirus.

contributing to the fight against COVID-19, providing a safe and healthy workplace

Early development of WeScan at CTE

with a peace of mind to employees, and

can be traced back to 2014 with the

especially the general public, is the ultimate

implementation of its core features.

priority during this time of uncertainty. We

However, with the rise of COVID-19, WeScan

hope WeScan plays its part in not only being

has been ready for use, tracing back to

innovative, but also in helping eradicate

March of this year.

COVID-19.

88 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Eugene Tinker, CEO, Certified Technical Experts

Learn more at wescannow.com

89 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM

CHAMBER NEWS Members on the Move K EEP U P W I T H O U R M EM B ER S W ELCOMIN G N EW HIRES AN D ACCEPTIN G N EW POS ITION S

Ashley Robinett to Lead Alabama Power Public Relations

Spencer, who recently retired as EDPA

Ashley Robinett has been named

as Alabama Power Executive Vice

President. Most recently, Barker served

Alabama Power’s Vice President of Public

President of Customer Services, and

Relations. Robinett will oversee the

he is a veteran leader in economic

company’s corporate communications

development, with more than 35 years

and brand management, providing

of experience leading recruitment,

strategic communications counsel that

expansion and innovation efforts in the

ensures messages reach employees,

Southeast.

customers and key stakeholders.

Robinett most recently served as Vice President of Corporate Real Estate, where she was responsible for managing the

Laura Hicks Joins Palomar Insurance

company’s land holdings in support of business objectives

Laura Hicks joined Palomar Insurance in June as the

through land management, acquisition and sales.

Communications Director. With 19 years of experience and a strong background in digital media, Hicks brings strategic

Alabama Power Names Executive VP of Customer and Employee Services

multi-channel programs to life. She will manage corporate communications,

Alabama Power has named Jeff Peoples

digital strategy and media relations

Executive Vice President of Customer

for campaigns in transportation and

and Employee Services. Peoples will

trucking insurance.

oversee customer services, marketing and economic development strategy and operations, as well as the company’s

ABA Welcomes New Chairman

six geographic business divisions. He

The Alabama Bankers Association welcomed Jimmy Stubbs

will continue leading the company’s

as the new Chairman of its board of directors during its

labor relations and human resources products as well as the

board meeting held in June. Stubbs

services, safety, wellness, health and disability management

is a founding director and the CEO of

functions for Alabama Power employees. He will retain his

River Bank & Trust, headquartered in

system responsibilities in Southern Company Operations

Prattville. Stubbs serves as a board

Services and HR West.

member of the Montgomery Area Committee of 100, the Montgomery Area Committee for the Arts,

Gilpin Givhan PC Welcomes New Attorney

the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce and the YMCA of

Gilpin Givhan welcomed Charles C.

Montgomery Endowment Foundation.

Smith as an Associate in the firm’s Tax, Corporate, Estate Planning and Tax Controversy practice groups.

New Waters Realty Continues to Grow

The addition of Smith is part of the

Jennifer Atkins, Qualifying Broker and Vice President for New

firm’s ongoing commitment to the

Waters Realty Company, announced a

development of new attorneys. In his

new addition to the New Waters Realty

role, Smith advises clients on a broad spectrum of federal and state taxation, regulatory compliance and estate planning matters.

team, Realtor® Kelly Carlton. Carlton’s background in insurance sales and human resources has given her the skills needed to provide customers and clients with a stress-free real estate

EDPA Names New President Greg Barker has been named President of the Economic

transaction.

Development Partnership of Alabama. Barker succeeds Steve 90 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Jacobs Adds Two to Its Alabama Team Mia Welch, PE and Nina Williams, PE recently joined Jacobs. Welch brings 22 years of engineering, project and client relationship management experience to the team and will be responsible for leading the growth and development of the company’s infrastructure portfolio in Alabama, Mississippi and Northwest Florida, including water, wastewater, water resources, transportation, aviation and ports. Williams brings more than 20 years in the water industry and will be responsible for project management and delivery of infrastructure solutions for a variety of our public utility, state/local government and private sector clients.

New CEO & Surgeon Join Southern Orthopaedic Surgeons Jenna Roton was appointed as the new CEO at Southern Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Thomas Sellers will also be joining the practice in September.

Roton has more than 14 years of combined experience in public accounting, accounting and practice management consulting for healthcare organizations.

Sellers specializes in disorders of the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder. He has advanced training in minimally invasive techniques, including arthroscopy of the shoulder, elbow and wrist, as well as open surgery of the hand and upper extremity, including peripheral nerve and microsurgery.

SPECIALIZED. IN YOU. At Alabama Orthopedic Specialists, our doctors are dedicated experts specializing in the bone, joint, and muscle care you need.

Serving as the only subspecialty-trained orthopedic group in Montgomery and Wetumpka, we are proud members of the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce, and our advanced specialists are all experienced, fellowship-trained orthopedic doctors with focused expertise to offer next-level treatment solutions in: • • • • •

Back, neck, and spine care Foot and ankle care Hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder care Sports medicine Total joint care, replacement, and revision

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92 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

CHAMBER NEWS Members on the Move K EEP U P W I T H O U R M EM B ER S W ELCOMIN G N EW HIRES AN D ACCEPTIN G N EW POS ITION S

Warren Averett Promotes 103 Employees Warren Averett recently promoted 103 employees across the firm, 18 of whom sit in

Montgomery County Commission Appoints New County Administrator Florence Cauthen has been named County Administrator for the

the Montgomery

Montgomery County Commission.

office. Michael

Cauthen is the first woman to hold

Andrews,

the position for the county and comes

CPA, has been

with more than 35 years of supervisory

promoted to

and managerial experience. Cauthen

Senior Manager

joined Montgomery County in October

(estate); Kaleigh

2014 as Deputy Administrator. She has

Flatt has been

also served as the Montgomery County Circuit Clerk and as U.S.

promoted

Marshal for the Middle District of Alabama.

to Director, Client Services & Regional

Montgomery Eye Physicians Announces New Primary Care Optometrist

Marketing (South Alabama and Florida markets); and two employees were promoted to Manager: Susan Barnes, CPA (accounting services) and Elizabeth Finley, CPA (audit). Both Heather Pugh, CPA and Wil Clowdus, CPA were promoted to Supervisor in the audit department. Jenna Horn has been promoted to Software Consultant II at Warren Averett Technology Group.

The Montgomery Eye Physicians team announced the arrival of Dr. Amanda Duty. Duty is seeing patients at the Zelda Road and Sturbridge locations. Prior to joining Montgomery Eye Physicians, she served seven years as an active duty optometrist in the United States Air Force and continues

Eleven employees promoted to Senior Associate include: Sherby Reese (document processing), Elizabeth Flournoy (audit), Susan

to proudly serve in the United States Air Force Reserves.

Key (daily money management), Jamie League (daily money management), Alvin Kwon (Korean business services), Mark Lee (Korean business services), Morgan Shaver, CPA (tax), Natalie

Mayor Reed Taps City Employees For Cabinet

Noles, CPA (tax), Zack Chanthongphio (Technology Engineer, Warren Averett Technology Group), Pete McKee (Technology Engineer, Warren Averett Technology Group) and Anneliese Roemer (Senior Client Service Associate, Warren Averett Asset Management).

Mayor Steven L. Reed appointed three to his cabinet: Stacy

EAMC President Laura Grill Named Director at AmeriFirst Bank

Bellinger as City Attorney, Kay McCreery as Director of Parks and Recreation and Betty Beville as Director of Finance. All three were officially confirmed in May.

East Alabama Medical Center President and CEO Laura D. Grill has joined Amerifirst Bank's Board

+

of Directors. Grill was named one of the top five hospital administrators

Word document and include a high-resolution headshot (at least

during the COVID-19 pandemic in a study and has been affiliated with EAMC for 26 years prior to being named President and CEO in 2019.

SUBM IT T IN G N E WS? Submit information to Jina Miniard at

jminiard@montgomerychamber.com. Attach press releases as a 300 dpi). An accompanying headshot is required for “Members on the Move� announcements.

93 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

CHAMBER NEWS Members in the News A Q U IC K LO O K AT O U R M EM B ER S’ MAN Y ACCOMPLIS HMEN TS , AWARDS AN D HON ORS

Achievements

Cecil Batchelor Named to Alabama Business Hall of Fame for 2020

Beasley Allen Earns Multiple Honors Beasley Allen lawyers W. Daniel “Dee” Miles, who is head of the firm’s Consumer Fraud Section, Leslie

Cecil Batchelor, Chairman of CBS Banc-Corp and Chairman Emeritus of CB&S Bank, was one of seven named to the Alabama Business Hall of Fame for 2020. Batchelor is the Chairman of

Pescia and Tyner Helms were recently

CBS Banc-Corp and Chairman Emeritus of CB&S Bank, based in

recognized by Law360 as “Legal

Russellville, Alabama. His 56-year banking career is one defined

Lions” for their work on behalf of two

by success in establishing and leading banks throughout the

counties suing Volkswagen over an

state.

emission control cheat device. Beasley Allen lawyer Clay Barnett also worked on this case. And Beasley Allen lawyer Joseph VanZandt was included in the Law360 Rising Stars rankings.

Law360’s Rising Stars profiles the top legal talent nationwide, younger than 40.

In addition, Beasley Allen lawyer Navan Ward Jr., has been selected

Harmon Dennis Bradshaw Risk Advisors Recognized

to serve as President-Elect of the

Harmon Dennis Bradshaw, Inc. had two Risk Advisors, Alexander

American Association for Justice;

H. Carothers III and Charles Humphrey, recently acknowledged as

Laura Reaves, Paralegal to Beasley

Top Producers of 2020 by Insurance Business America Magazine.

Allen Atlanta Managing Attorney Chris

Each year, the magazine identifies the top-performing producers

Glover, was awarded the National

across the country based on their prior year’s success.

Association of Legal Assistants – The Paralegal Association’s (NALA) Affiliate

Awards

Award; Beasley Allen lawyer Leslie Pescia was elected Secretary of the

Two Bradley Arant Boult Cummings Attorneys Receive Alabama State Bar President’s Award

American Association for Justice (AAJ) New Lawyers Division; and

George R. Parker and Davis H. Smith, partners in Bradley Arant

Beasley Allen lawyer Leon Hampton Jr. was sworn in as the 47th president of the Alabama Lawyers Association during the group’s virtual annual conference.

Hampton joins other Beasley Allen lawyers who have helped lead the ALA, including LaBarron Boone, Kendall Dunson, Larry Golston, Danielle Ward Mason and Navan Ward.

Associated General Contractors (AGC) Alabama recently in Construction. New Waters Realty REALTOR® Josie Russell Young made the list. AGC’s Top 40-under-40 recognizes 40 stellar individuals a year who demonstrate a high level of leadership, professional excellence and commitment to the construction industry throughout the state of Alabama.

recipients of the 2020 President’s Award given by Alabama State Bar President Christy Crow. Parker serves as co-chair of the Member Benefits Committee, and Smith serves as co-chair of the Insurance Committee.

ASU Faculty Member Earns Award

New Waters Realty Agent Honored announced its 2020 Top 40-under-40

Boult Cummings LLP’s Montgomery office, were among the

An Alabama State University faculty member has earned a Teaching Excellence Award, which is given by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). ASU’s Dr. Sara Bliss Kiser, Professor of Management in the Dr. Percy J. Vaughn Jr. College of Business Administration (COBA), is the regional recipient of the 2020 ACBSP Teaching Excellence Award for exemplifying teaching excellence in the classroom. She was recognized at the Council’s recent virtual conference with both a crystal medallion and a monetary stipend. Kiser, whose deep roots with the University extend all the way back to her attending kindergarten on campus, first joined ASU’s faculty in 1996.

94 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

95 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

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YOUR TARGETED MEDIA SPECIALISTS 96 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

CHAMBER NEWS Business Buzz CO M MUN ITY + COMMERCE N EWS

AUM Adds New Certificate AUM has added The Professional and Technical Writing Certificate, which provides students with experience in writing concise technical documents. The first of its kind in the River Region and one of the few in Alabama, the AUM Professional and Technical Writing Certificate will allow each student to focus on the specific kind of writing that will be required in their career.

Huntingdon Receives Grant Huntingdon College will receive a Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE) Vocation Across the Academy

Faulkner University Purchases Local Shopping Center Faulkner University recently bought the Montgomery East Plaza Shopping Center, which will become the new site for the University’s College of Health Sciences. The purchase was in late June. Once renovation is completed, the facility will house all of Faulkner's health science programs including Speech and Language Pathology, Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy

Grant, allowing the College to expand its Vocation and Calling Initiatives to an exploration of race and justice.

Rotary Club Presents Donation to Faulkner Pre-K Program

and Occupational Therapy. The Physician Assistant program will began this fall, while Physical Therapy is scheduled to begin in 2021, followed by Occupational Therapy in 2022.

Montgomery Regional Airport Enhances Safety & Dannelly Field Project Completed

new phase of ongoing efforts to improve

Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM)

Work included milling, paving and surface

has implemented strong measures to

improvements. The $1.2 million project

keep passengers safe. In accordance

was largely funded through a grant from

with guidance issued by the Centers for

the Federal Aviation Administration’s

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Airport Improvement Program.

Members of the Montgomery Rotary Club University’s Pre-K program to provide

employees are required to wear masks.

Beasley Allen Filed The Most Product Liability Lawsuits from 2015-2019

All airport visitors are strongly encouraged

Product liability cases in the U.S. federal

teacher Mila Stevens and Director of the

to wear facial coverings. For additional

court system reached an eight-year

Faulkner University Pre-K program, Dr. Leslie

protection among employees and

high last year, maintaining an upward

Cowell.

passengers, plexiglass shields have been

trend that started in 2015, according to

installed throughout the airport at ticket

a new litigation report by Lex Machina.

counters, rental car counters and the MGM

Lex Machina’s 2020 Product Liability

Phi Beta Sigma Chapter Earns Charter at Huntingdon

customer service desk.

Litigation Report also shows Montgomery’s

Huntingdon College Greek Life added a

the airport has introduced a number of changes to help protect passengers from the transmission of COVID-19. Airport

aviation infrastructure at Dannelly Field and to support air service development.

Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & The airport has also completed the

Miles handling the second-largest volume

rehabilitation of Taxiway Alpha, its main

of product liability lawsuits, with 6,470

taxiway. In July 2019, airport leaders

cases from 2015-2019, just behind Weitz &

announced the start of the project as a

Luxenberg.

97 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

presented a generous donation to Faulkner students with new books. The $500 check was presented to Faulkner Pre-K lead

chapter earlier this month as a charter was granted for the Gamma Rho Mu chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. The fraternity joins seven other national fraternities and sororities at Huntingdon.

CHAMBER NEWS Business Buzz CO M MUN ITY + COMMERCE N EWS

Montgomery-Based Small Businesses Launch New MGM Beer

BIG, FUN NEWS!

Montgomery’s Common Bond Brewing and The Montgomery Biscuits baseball team have collaborated on a special craft beer, “Crafty Lefty Ale,” a light lemon shandy-style beer that’s named after the term for a lefthanded pitcher who uses everything in his arsenal to get outs.

MGM LOVES THE BISCUITS

Biscuits COO Brendon Porter, General Manager, Mike Murphy and Common Bond’s Andrew McNally share the “common bond” of loving both baseball and beer, and their idea was to create a beer that was refreshing for a hot day at the ballpark. The conversations about creating a Biscuits and baseball branded beer began shortly after the three first met, but when the pandemic hit, the conversations were accelerated, and the new brew was released in late July, timing just right with the start of the Major League Baseball season.

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CHAMBER NEWS New Members W ELCO ME TO OUR N EWEST MEMBERS

ASSOC IATION/NON -P R OF I T

L A N D S C A P IN G /L AW N S E RV ICES

D.A.T.S.M.O.M (Disability as an Ability Toward Success: Moms on the Move) Tametria Conner Dantzler 3015 McGehee Road Montgomery, AL 36111 334-669-6590 datsmom.org

Village Lawns, Inc. Eddie Sullivan 1119-B Perry Hill Road Pike Road, AL 36109 334-270-9597 villagelawns.com L E G A L S E RV IC E S - CO U R T R E PORTI N G

B AKERY

Cake Designs Sandra McGhar 3651 Debby Drive Montgomery, AL 36111 334-288-6900 CHURCHES/M INIST R I E S

Alabama-West Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church Celeste Eubanks 4719 Woodmere Boulevard Montgomery, AL 36106 334-356-8014 awfumc.org

SEPTEMBER 2020 NEW MEMBERS

CITE, LLC Jeff Snider 1521 Mulberry Street Montgomery, AL 36106 205-545-5155 citedepos.com

D E N TI ST

Katrice L. Thomas, D.M.D., P.C. Dr. Katrice L. Thomas 3845 Interstate Court, Suite 2 Montgomery, AL 36109 334-462-6085 katricethomasdmd.com

M A R K E T IN G /M A R K E T IN G R ESEARCH

Dogwood Media Solutions Brian Harris 19 South Court Street Montgomery, AL 36104 334-425-0009 dogwd.com

E L E VATO R S - SA L E S /S E RV IC E CO MM UNIT Y SERVIC E S / AG E N C I E S

Parents Advocating Love and Support Consultants LLC. Inell Billups 450 Bean Road Pike Road, AL 36064 334-603-2189

Otis Elevator Company Colton Campbell 2194-B Parkway Lake Drive Birmingham, AL 35244 205-982-8000 otis.com

M E D IA CO M PA N Y

Alex & Dylan Photo & Video Dylan Vires 3 Mystic Moss Street Pike Road, AL 36064 678-877-9739 alexanddylanphoto.com

H E A LTH S E RV IC E S CO N SULTING SERVI C E S

J.A. Consultants and Training Solutions Alana N. Williams P.O. Box 240976 Montgomery, AL 36124-0976 334-721-3970 solutionsJA.com Kay Wolff Kripchak Coaching and Consulting Kay Wolff Kripchak 119 Jackson Trail Wetumpka, AL 36093 330-207-7971 KayWolff.com

Cool Compressions, LLC Gabrielle Smith P.O. Box 830872 Tuskegee, AL 36083 678-270-7276 Reclamation Center of Alabama, Inc. Amy Anderson 4720 Woodmere Boulevard Montgomery, AL 36016 334-676-3773 rcofal.com I N D I V I DUA L S

Dr. Stefan Eisen, Jr. Bill Havron

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P H OTO G R A P H E R S

Grace Photography Studio Grace O’Connor 8807 Wellston Place Montgomery, AL 36117 334-538-0516 gracephotographystudio.com P R IN T IN G S E RV IC E S /G R A P H I C DESI GN

Postnet John Hasan 7806 Vaughn Road Montgomery, AL 36116 334-593-0433 Postnet.com/al109

CHAMBER NEWS New Members W ELCO ME TO OUR N EWEST MEMBERS

S ECURIT Y SERVICE S

STOR AG E

Floe Security Willie Towles 1945 54th Ave SW Lanett, AL 36863 706-773-4280

ExtraSpace Storage @ South Boulevard David Millo 854 W. South Boulevard Montgomery, AL 36105 334-239-0819 extraspace.com

RETAIL SHOPS/DI STR I B UTI ON

E&S Suit Warehouse Hanna Dabit 6604 Atlanta Highway Montgomery, AL 36117 334-273-0884 esclothingwarehouse.com

NEW MEMBER?

NOW WHAT?

Being a member of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce is more than

R E STAU R A N TS - S O U T H E R N

Selvin’s Soul Food & Sports Cafe Sonya Satterfield 1240 Eastdale Mall Montgomery, AL 36117 334-324-3633

100 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

just paying dues and getting a decal. We provide connections, resources and solutions that help you grow your business and help grow Montgomery’s economy!

GET CONNECTED TODAY. www.montgomerychamber.com/events

www.gotscrap.com 334-272-0767 430 Air Base Blvd.

Montgomery, AL 36108

Our recycling services include: ✓ Manufacturing Scrap Services ✓ Appliance Recycling ✓ Automobile Recycling ✓ Certified Destruction ✓ Demolition Scrap

101 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Numbers reflect June 2020 over June 2019.

CHAMBER NEWS

Business Buzz

CO M MUN ITY + COMMERCE N EWS

Economic Intel Recover Together Small Business Fund • FIVE ROUNDS OF AWARDS •

• HOUSING NUMBERS • WE'RE HERE FOR YOU.

+32.1%

HOUSING

TOTAL HOME SALES

+7.2% AVERAGE SALES PRICE

135 LOCAL

$445,000+

SMALL AND MINORITY BUSINESSES

AWARDED SO FAR

Source: Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation

LABOR FORCE CIVILIAN

LABOR FORCE

170,538

154,348

TOTAL HOME SALES

$206,656

TOTAL HOMES LISTED FOR SALE

-11.1% AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET

AVERAGE SALE PRICE

EMPLOYED

LABOR FORCE

1,271

597

88 DAYS DOWN FROM 99 DAYS Source: Alabama Center for Real Estate, Montgomery Area

TOURISM 9.5% Source: Alabama Department of Labor, MGM Metro Area

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

SECTORS GOING UP

EMPLOYMENT BY SECTOR FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

+ 2.7%

TRADE, TRANSPORTATION, WAREHOUSING & UTILITIES

- 1.7%

PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS SERVICES

- 5.1%

OTHER SERVICES

- 5.3%

LODGING TAX

49.9% $462,664.24

OCCUPANCY RATE

JUNE 2020

JUNE 2020

+ 3.5% SUPPLY

Source: Alabama Department of Labor, MGM Metro Area

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#FLY MGM

6,409

PASSENGERS Source: Alabama Tourism Department

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MBJ

MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Post Office Box 79 Montgomery, AL 36101

104MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL