Montgomery Business Journal - April 2011 by Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce

APRIL 2011 6

Contents

Chairmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Column

Q&A with Seth Hammett

You Name It

AIDT Partnership

Chamber News: Small Business Seminars

City Personnel Moves

Member Profile: MAX Federal Credit Union

Commission on Job Creation

Hyundai Elantra: Consumer Reports 2011 Top Pick

Career Academies

Business Buzz

Members on the Move

Ribbon Cuttings & Ground Breakings

New Members

Economic Intel ÂŠ Fouts Commercial Photography

7 Calendar

14 8

April 2011 Montgomery Business Journal

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

Randall L. George EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Tina McManama MANAGING EDITOR

David Zaslawsky COPY EDITOR

Brooke Thorington DESIGN

Copperwing Design PHOTOGRAPHY

Robert Fouts ON THE COVER:

Keith Karst, (left) chairman of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce’s Education and Workforce Development Council; Cheryl Fountain, principal of Sidney Lanier High School; and Arthur DuCote, chairman of the Chamber’s Career Academies Task Force. ADVERTISING:

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

Montgomery Business Journal c/o Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Post Office Box 79 41 Commerce Street Montgomery, Alabama 36101 Telephone: 334-834-5200 Fax: 334-265-4745 Email: mbj@montgomerychamber.com www.montgomerychamber.com/mbj The Montgomery Business Journal (USPS NO. 025553) And in the bottom paragraphs, insert …is published monthly except for the combined issues of June/July and November/December, by the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, 41 Commerce Street, Montgomery AL 36104, (334) 834-5200, www.montgomerychamber.com. Subscription rate is $30 annually. Periodicals Postage Paid at Montgomery Alabama, 36119+9998, USPS NO. 025553. Volume 3, Issue 4. POSTMASTER send address changes to Montgomery Business Journal, c/o Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 79, 41 Commerce Street, Montgomery AL 36101, or email mbj@montgomerychamber.com. The Montgomery Business Journal welcomes story ideas from its readers. Email to: editor@montgomerychamber.com. Subscriptions are a part of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce dues structure. Subscriptions can also be purchased for $30 per year at www.montgomerychamber.com/mbjsub.

Montgomery Business Journal April 2011

April 2011 Montgomery Business Journal

CHAIRMAN’S COLUMN At last month’s Business After Hours, I was talking about education with a Member and realized all the great things the Chamber has accomplished in public education. We have a lot to celebrate! More than 200 business leaders are involved in the Chamber’s education four task forces - Career Academies, Leadership Training, Middle Schools and School Facilities. These are the movers and shakers, CEOs, COOs, senior staff at regional companies who have stepped up in a major way, working with Montgomery Public Schools (MPS) to create and implement successful strategies. The Middle School Taskforce focused on career awareness and exploration, creating camps that explore the Career Academy fields. The camps now extend to the 9th grade, including Camp.edu, Camp Bones and Camp Ca$h Flow. This issue’s cover story explains the Career Academies. The Chamber’s annual “School Clean Up” gets nearly 1,000 community volunteers to landscape paint and clean MPS facilities before the school year begins. The Chamber organizes this huge undertaking where donated materials and time create a place of pride for our students. We are leading the charge on developing an International Baccalaureate (IB) program in the Montgomery Public Schools. Education doesn’t get any better than this. You can Google “International Baccalaureate” for details on this elite educational program. Imagine an IB program in our Montgomery Public Schools! The Leadership Training Institute was developed by the Chamber, in partnership with MPS, Maxwell Air Force Base / Air University and Alabama State University. Principals and executive staff receive topnotch leadership skills training from the best in the nation! The Chamber is the driving force behind the MPS Career Academies (this issue’s cover story). In fact, May 5th at Wynlakes we are having a Career Academy Summit to celebrate the past three years of hard work that have made the Career Academies a reality. You can do your part by joining the Can-Do-Nation. The Chamber, MPS and I have created a website page where you can browse a list of MPS projects and adopt ones within your area of expertise. Projects range from landscaping and painting to student-centered projects. Go to www.montgomerychamber.com/edu and click on the link. Celebrate with us by getting involved! Be a part of the solution. Be a part of the success. Be a part of making where we all live, work and raise our families a much better place.

Larry D. Puckett, 2011 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD MONTGOMERY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Montgomery Business Journal April 2011

Calendar Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Events

APRIL 4

MAY 2

IT FORUM 11:30 AM @ Capital City Club 201 Monroe Street, Montgomery Chamber Members: $25 Nonmembers: $35 , Registration: www.montgomerychamber.com/ITapril

ALABAMA UPDATE Presenting Sponsor Wilson Price IT 11:30 AM @ Embassy Suites Montgomery Hotel and Conference Center, 300 Tallapoosa Street, Montgomery Chamber Members: $30, Nonmembers: $40, Corporate Table: $575 Registration: www.montgomerychamber.com/ALupdate

60 MINUTE COFFEE Sponsored by Wynlakes Golf & Country Club 8 AM @ Wynlakes Golf & Country Club 7900 Wynlakes Boulevard, Montgomery Free event, exclusively for Chamber Members

CHAMBER OPEN 11 AM @ Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill 2600 Constitution Avenue, Prattville Chamber Member: $155 per player, Nonmember: $175 per player Registration: www.montgomerychamber.com/open

AIDT LEADERSHIP SKILLS COURSE 8 AM @ Small Business Resource Center 600 South Court Street, Montgomery Two-day course, $25 per person Information & registration: www.montgomerychamber.com/aidt

60 MINUTE COFFEE Sponsored by Alabama Artificial Limb & Orthopedic Service 8 AM @ Faulkner University, Bible Building, 5345 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, Free event, exclusively for Chamber Members

BUSINESS PLANNING SEMINAR 4 PM @ Small Business Resource Center, 600 South Court Street, Montgomery, $10 at the door Registration not required

SMALL BUSINESS LOAN CLINIC 12 PM @ Small Business Resource Center 600 South Court Street, Montgomery Free event

BUSINESS PLANNING SEMINAR 4 PM @ Small Business Resource Center 600 South Court Street, Montgomery $10 at the door, Registration not required

2011 MACC/AU GOLF CHALLENGE 1 PM @ Wynlakes Golf & Country Club 7900 Wynlakes Boulevard, Montgomery, INVITATION ONLY

BUSINESS PLANNING SEMINAR 4 PM @ Small Business Resource Center, 600 South Court Street, Montgomery $10 at the door, Registration not required

BUSINESS PLANNING SEMINAR 4 PM @ Small Business Resource Center 600 South Court Street, Montgomery $10 at the door, Registration not required

MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP MIXER Presenting Sponsor: CenturyLink 5 PM @ Union Station, 300 Water Street, Montgomery Registration: www.montgomerychamber.com/MBDmixer

BUSINESS TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT SERIES Presenting Sponsor: The Deli at Alley Station 12 PM @ Small Business Resource Center 600 South Court Street, Suite 460, Montgomery Chamber Members: $15 , Nonmembers: $25 Registration: www.montgomerychamber.com/

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Sponsored WVAS-FM Radio 5 PM @ Union Station 300 Water Street, Montgomery Free event, exclusively for Chamber Members

BUSINESS TAXATION SEMINAR Two Sessions: 3 PM & 6 PM @ Small Business Resource Center 600 South Court Street, Suite 460, Montgomery Free event, open to the public

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Sponsored by Capitol Hyundai 5 PM @ Capitol Hyundai, 2820 Eastern Bypass, Montgomery Free event, exclusively for Chamber Members

Convention Calendar compiled by the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Convention & Visitor Bureau

APRIL 1-3 10-12 11-15 14-17 17-19 21-24 28-5/1

AHSAA Principles and Athletic Directorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Meeting CLAS Student Government Conference Alabama Rural Electric Association Conference Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Southern Regional Conference Alabama Association of Student Council Meeting Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrines Conference State Rotary Conference

MAY 9-14 15-19

AL Dept. of Rehabilitation Services Meeting AFCEA Technology Conference

April 2011 Montgomery Business Journal

JOBS, JOBS, JOBS Q&A WITH SETH HAMMETT photos by Robert Fouts

Seth Hammett is the director of the Alabama Development Office. He spent 32 years in the state’s House of Representatives, including his last 12 years as Speaker of the House. He was recently interviewed by Montgomery Business Journal Managing Editor David Zaslawsky Montgomery Business Journal: How do you define the Alabama Development Office? Hammett: It’s the only agency in state government whose sole purpose is to create jobs. Seth Hammett is the Alabama Development Office Director

MBJ: You were quoted as saying your goal is to “create jobs for the people of Alabama.” Would you please elaborate? Hammett: There are two ways through this agency you can help to create jobs: One is through direct investment from either companies already doing business in Alabama or by directing new business to our state. The other way is through creating more opportunities for our companies in Alabama to find markets for their products abroad. We have just received update from our trade operation for 2010 and I am pleased to say that exports were up 25 percent over the 2009 level. The nation’s rate was up 20 percent, but we were up well over the nation’s rate of increase. Those jobs created through exports are sometimes forgotten. We had $15 billion-plus in exports that our companies sold and that accounts for about 293,000 jobs. Exports are a huge part of our economy.

Montgomery Business Journal April 2011

MBJ: Will there be another significant increase in exports this year and what is the state doing to expand those overseas markets? Hammett: We have three trade missions that Hilda Lockhart, our international trade director, is putting together this year. The first will be in May when she leads a delegation to Ireland. Later in the year we have a trade mission to Brazil and still later a mission to United Arab Emirates. She will be taking companies that have a successful track record with her on these missions with the idea being to find a distributor for their products in these countries. MBJ: Do you have a goal for exports this year? Will the state match or nearly match last year’s 25 percent increase in exports? Hammett: We are always hopeful we can increase year-over-year, but I don’t think we can anticipate that we can grow by 25 percent every year. It certainly would be our goal to develop all the trade opportunities we can find around the world. MBJ: I know that you have been the ADO director for a short time, but what do you see as areas of emphasis this year i.e. small business or existing industry? Hammett: Yes. The governor has challenged us to make sure that we pay proper attention to our existing business base. We say there are three Rs in economic development and the second R is retention – specifically retention and expansion of your existing businesses. Although the news announcements of new companies that come to Alabama receive headlines, 75 percent of the jobs that are created are created from your existing business base. Some of these are large companies, but many are small companies. Through our work force training system that we’re forming here under the governor’s direction we intend to provide assistance to small businesses to a degree that we haven’t experienced before.

MBJ: Would you please elaborate about the work force training system? Hammett: No. 1, we are not certain that some of our small businesses across the state are aware of the various programs that we have. Secondly, we know that our work force training effort has been fragmented and we are going to do our best to coordinate it. Specifically, we know that we have these component parts of work force training. We have AIDT (Alabama Industrial Development Training) and it is responsible for new and expanding business. We have the Alabama Technology Network – 10 different locations across the state that has the responsibility of providing advanced training. We have the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development and that provides training opportunities through a series of planning councils across the state. We’ve got training for existing business and industry office at each of our two-year colleges and we have an adult basic education program. We have never placed all these different components under one person’s direction. The idea the governor has charged us to develop is to come up with a way that we can coordinate all of these under one person’s direction. MBJ: All the training programs would be centralized. Hammett: Exactly. People would have one number to call to say, ‘I’m interested in starting a new business; or I have a small business and I need some assistance to expand the size of my operation; or I need some retraining of my work force.’ Any of these issues that arise to have a central number for people to call – right now you have so many different agencies and organizations involved they are not sure who they should call. MBJ: Wouldn’t that also help in letting businesses know what is available? Hammett: Exactly. Let me tell you why adult basic education is important. We have over 500,000 adults in Alabama that do not have a high school degree. We know that’s an issue. We also know there are tax credits for companies that will sponsor adult education training programs at their facilities. We are going to make sure the companies are aware of that and take advantage of it. MBJ: What is the latest about a possible statewide business incubation program? Hammett: There are 26 business incubators already in operation across the state, but there never has been any real coordination between and among those incubators – collaboration about what works and what doesn’t; what the best practices are; the types of businesses that can successfully become viable through the incubator process. Through our realignment effort, we’re going to try to make sure that these different incubator programs relate to each other. MBJ: You are talking about the business incubator program the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce has at its Small Business Resource Center. Hammett: Yes and collaborate with their counterparts across the state. MBJ: Talking to one another – what a great idea.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

April 2011 Montgomery Business Journal

ALABAMA EXPORTS ENJOY BANNER YEAR One of the amazing stories about economic recovery during a sluggish 2010 was Alabama’s exports. Exports rose 25.5 percent from 2009 to $15.5 billion, nearly matching the $15.8 billion total in 2008. The surge in exports was sparked by the state’s automotive manufacturing sector, which accounted for $4 billion last year. Those vehicles were shipped to 85 countries and that was an impressive increase of 29 percent from 2009. The transportation equipment category, which includes vehicles, was up 30.3 percent from 2009. The state’s top two export categories, which had the greatest percentage increases from 2009 to 2010, were agricultural products (up 79.7 percent) and minerals/ores (up 71.8 percent). Alabama has four categories of exports that topped $1 billion in 2010: > Transportation equipment $5.3 billion > Chemicals - $2 billion > Minerals/ores - $1.8 billion > Machinery (except electrical) $1.1 billion. Machinery is new to the $1 billion export club. Paper exports topped $900 million in 2010, but two years ago did exceed $1 billion in exports. Alabama exported goods last year to 191 countries with the No. 1 destination Canada ($3.1 billion). The state’s top export markets are China ($1.9 billion), Germany ($1.8 billion) and Mexico ($1.1 billion). Alabama’s exports to China surged more than 140 percent from 2009 (about $800 million). More than half of Alabama’s exports ($8.6 billion) go to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation while $4.1 billion worth of goods are sold to European Union countries. Another $1.6 billion worth of goods was exported last year to Latin American countries. - David Zaslawsky

Montgomery Business Journal April 2011

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

Hammett: Exactly. MBJ: A global site consultant said that some companies in the European Union are looking for projects in the U.S., including alternative energy, research and development, engineering and production support firms. How does Alabama position itself to land those types of projects? Hammett: Two years ago in the Alabama Legislature, the incentives offered by the state were broadened to include operations other than manufacturing so now we have incentives for companies that do software development, data processing; that have headquarters that do research and development. We have incentives now to try to attract those types of operations. We were down in Troy recently to celebrate the success of the first-such operation that came to Alabama as a result of those incentives. That is CGI, a worldwide software development company. They have located in Troy and have about 160 employees. MBJ: As the ADO director and former Speaker of the House, how do you sell Alabama to site consultants and business executives? Hammett: Alabama has gotten to be a lot easier to sell because of some of the successes we’ve had in attracting firms globally. It’s now a lot easier to get companies around the world to take a look when they

ALABAMA ANNUAL EXPORTS

2010: $15.5 BILLION 2009: $12.4 BILLION 2008: $15.9 BILLION 2007: $14.4 BILLION 2006: $13.9 BILLION 2005: $10.9 BILLION 2004: $9.1 BILLION 2003: $8.3 BILLION 2002: $8.3 BILLION 2001: $7.6 BILLION Source: Alabama Development Office

are looking for a place to enter the North American market. Firms typically will locate in an area where there is either one of two things. If they are in manufacturing, they want to be in proximity to their raw material or they want to locate where there is a market and the Southeast is becoming the growing market in the United States. We’ve got the reputation where people know they can come to our state and operate successfully and we also have the reputation for initial training for start-up companies as well as for expanding companies. We have the best training program in the world with AIDT. It has no peer anywhere in the world. It is the only training program that is ISO certified and companies that we talk to are just amazed when we describe to them what we do for them through that program. MBJ: When you have the large German and Korean companies that are here in Alabama as well as other large international companies – aren’t they the state’s best ambassadors? Hammett: There is no question about that. Our best sales force is our existing industry. We like for companies looking to come to Alabama to talk to our existing companies because when you’re talking with your peer you are not talking to somebody who is trying to sell you something or is a representative of a state agency. MBJ: I read where a state economic development official said that economic developers should put an emphasis on whitecollar jobs. What do you think? Hammett: I think that is true. We’ve done a great job of attracting manufacturers and we want to try and continue do that, but I think you’ve got to look at the very type of jobs that I described a moment ago in talking about our incentives. You have to put an emphasis on those: corporate headquarters, data processing centers, software development companies. Those kinds of businesses are important to our state. We’re working with – it’s another component of economic development – what we like to refer to as renewal. Renewal incorporates research, entrepreneurship, innovation and we think our universities and the Hudson Alpha Institute up in Huntsville need to collaborate to assist us in this effort. MBJ: There has been talk about a new Department of Commerce. What is the future relationship of ADO, a state agency; and the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), a private organization?

Hammett: We’re faced with severe budget restraints – all agencies are funded through the General Fund. We are looking at how to do more with less. As a part of our charge by the governor, Bill Taylor (EDPA president) and I are working together with a consulting firm to (develop) strategies to make sure that everybody understands what their role is in economic development; who is the lead in each of these segments of economic development – recruitment, retention and renewal and who has the responsibility to assist. That’s what we’re working on. MBJ: Will ADO exist in some shape or form? Hammett: Of course it will. The Alabama Development Office or Department of Commerce – most states call it the Department of Commerce – whatever it’s called you’ve got to have a state agency involved as a lead agency in this effort because both the statutory incentives that we have as well as the cash incentives have to come through this agency. ADO will exist for the long term. What we are trying to do is to define what the roles are of others that are involved in economic development.

MBJ: Are you also looking for a much closer relationship with others involved in economic development? Hammett: Exactly. We think there should be a true understanding of what the relative roles are. EDPA has played a very major role in Alabama since the early ’90s. We want to make sure we take advantage of what they have to offer, but we want to also take advantage of what other regional and local partners have to offer. By regional partners I mean the North Alabama Industrial Development Alliance, and the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority), Alabama Power Co., PowerSouth – all of these regional players have a role to play as do the local developers, including the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce. Everybody has to understand what their role is. Following the proper understanding and alignment, we have to come up with a good strategic plan for Alabama to grow jobs going forward. That’s the second part of what we set out to do in these six months of the governor’s administration.

MBJ: An economic development official said that the state is obviously losing engineering and IT graduates and needs to make sure companies here are keeping those jobs. Is it a concern and what can be done to reverse that? Hammett: It is always a concern if some of your best-trained potential workers are leaving the state. We do have places in Alabama obviously where those kinds of jobs are not easy to find if available at all. There are other areas that really emphasize these types of jobs. For example, Huntsville has more engineers than any other place in the United States and most people don’t know that. MBJ: I didn’t k now that. Hammett: Not more engineers per capita, but more in sheer numbers than any other place in the United States. MBJ: What is the activity level for economic development projects this year? CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

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April 2011 Montgomery Business Journal

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

Hammett: We are seeing an increased amount of activity. It fell off sharply in 2008 and 2009 and 2010 showed some rebound, but so far this year we’re seeing more projects. MBJ: Do you expect state officials to announce some major economic development projects this year? Hammett: I think we have a real shot of landing some new (businesses). We are getting a hard look right now from a company in India and another company from China. MBJ: Are those manufacturing companies? Hammett: Yes, both are manufacturers. MBJ: What about some looks from non-manufacturers? Hammett: Yes, particularly in biofuels. There are a lot of companies looking for locations like Coskata that announced they had

in the tourism industry. He’s told Ron Sparks, who heads the office of Rural Development, to emphasize the Alabama Black Belt Adventures. MBJ: Doesn’t that charge – job creation – put you and the agency under the microscope? Hammett: When the governor says the top priority is job creation and here I sit in this position … I want us to be successful in the future as we have been in the past. As I recognize that the budget for this agency is going to be cut, we’ve got to look at alignment; we have to look at a strategic plan; and I agreed to come in here and see if I can help to accomplish both. MBJ: You have been involved with economic development projects for two decades and you often hear how relationships are critical to economic development successes. Doesn’t your background give the state an upper hand in dealing with site consultants/companies?

“We’ve got the reputation where people know they can come to our state and operate successfully.” - Alabama Development Office Director Seth Hammett

MBJ: Your longtime predecessor, Neal Wade, said economic development was about relationships. Hammett: The truth is people don’t do business with strangers and I classify a stranger as a friend I haven’t met yet. I think it is important to develop relationships and then to foster those relationships once developed. MBJ: Because of the Great Recession and slow economic recovery, you hear experts talk about new norms for unemployment rates to annual vehicle sales to consumer spending. Is there a new norm for job creation and if so, what is that new norm? Hammett: There well may be. Our challenge is to do the very best that we can given the world economic situation. We are not immune to downturns or upturns for that matter in the world’s economy. I think our goal should be to be the very best we can be. MBJ: I don’t know if it was accurately reported, but I read that you turned down the governor twice before accepting the position as ADO director. If so, why? Hammett: It was. On the third occasion that Gov. Bentley and I talked about it I told him I would do this for a while. MBJ: How long is for a while? Hammett: Long enough to make sure that we get properly aligned and have a good plan in place so that I’m convinced we can continue to move our state forward and continue to create jobs. I’m not certain how long that will take. MBJ: Why were you reluctant to accept the position?

gotten a $250 million loan guarantee from the Department of Agriculture and they are looking at a site over in Greene County if they can put together the capital funding for that project. There are a number of those kinds of projects – people that have solar panels. MBJ: On the agency’s website, it states a goal of creating 20,000 jobs a year. With a slow economic recovery, what is this year’s goal? Hammett: Gov. Bentley has said that every member of his Cabinet – ‘I want you to get up every day and think about what your agency can do to create jobs.’ In my presence, he told the Conservation Commissioner let’s build that conference center and hotel in Gulf Shores because that will create jobs

Montgomery Business Journal April 2011

Hammett: I have been involved in economic development projects for a number of years and have traveled both with and for governors across the world and around the United States. I would say that the fact that I’m known in the economic development community by people that work in it every day and because of the experience I’ve had in making trips abroad to try to recruit business and to solidify relationships, I think it is an advantage. I went with a group from the River Region over to visit Hyundai (Heavy Industries) late last year.

Hammett: I knew it would be challenging given the budget reductions that I knew were forth coming. Plus I’ve served 32 years in state government and frankly didn’t want to get back into it. •

April 2011 Montgomery Business Journal

Improved Location and Room to Display Inventory Spark Success You Name It thrives in challenging times by David Zaslawsky

photos by Robert Fouts

(Editor’s note: This is one in an occasional series about how companies have dealt with difficult economic times)

“When we moved from Wares Ferry Road to here, we doubled our sales,” said Beale, who has been in business since 1992.

to Faulkner’s website and another 300 are enrolled at the Jones School of Law on the university campus.

You Name It owner Jan Beale’s timing could not have been worse or maybe better.

Beale, whose store carries a wide range of gifts for all occasions and puts monograms on any item a customer wants, has benefited from sororities and fraternities at Faulkner because there is no Greek store in the area. You Name It put logos on Faulkner University golf team’s shirts and golf bags and the university buys gifts for guests at the store. You Name It also worked on the podium cover when former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin spoke at the university.

Not surprisingly, sales through the first seven weeks of the year are up 33 percent, Beale said and that follows 2010 when sales surged 42 percent from the previous year. It’s easy to understand Beale’s enthusiasm when she said, “I love my job. I love my customers. I love my employees. I don’t even think I’m at work because it’s too much fun to be work.”

She moved You Name It from its Wares Ferry Road location to across the street from Faulkner University in January 2008. That was during the early stages of the recession. But as it turns out, the move was brilliant and the results have been fantastic. The location on Atlanta Highway, a busy thoroughfare, and being across the street from so many potential customers have improved the bottom line.

Montgomery Business Journal April 2011

Beale said she will be launching a new line geared for college-age customers and nearly 900 attend the university, according

When You Name It was on Wares Ferry Road in a 1,200-square-foot location, Beale could not display her inventory and as she said, “I am notoriously well over stocked in inventory from A to Z.”

When Beale moved to her present location - a site with about 2,300 square feet - she was better able to showcase all her items. She then expanded and now has about 5,500 square feet and “there is room to walk and room to see” for her customers. “There is not anybody that comes into this place that looks for something that should have to walk out without (fulfilling) their needs,” Beale said. “There is not a person that could come in here asking for a gift for some occasion that they can’t find something. “There are very few holes in the inventory. I make sure that I have something for every age; every occasion; every need; and for every gender.” Beale has a staff of seven and she did add one employee while increasing the hours of other workers. Another reason for her success was joining a buying group called Monograms America, which has about 100 stores. “We have

That inventory, which was paid for, placed You Name It in a favorable position when other stores were closing. “I didn’t have debt,” Beale said.

Jan Beale, owner of You Name It. specialty products that are manufactured “It definitely adds to sales, but what it does is only for Monograms America members,” give us those unique products,” Beale said. Beale said. “It’s like having 100 people out there doing professional shopping.” She said that each of the 100 members has a protected sales territory, but more importantly The Monograms America members share the group has its own marketing vehicle – the materials and techniques and best practices members. Beale said that members tell each and if one store owner is looking for an item other which items are hot and which are not. that another has they will buy that item That way she can add a product line that has or items. • already been tested elsewhere.

April 2011 Montgomery Business Journal

Putting an Emphasis on Training and Education The Chamber and AIDT partner on leadership course by David Zaslawsky

Kendall Haywood

LEADERSHIP SKILLS I PROGRAM DATE

MAY 10-11, 2011 LOCATION

SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER, 600 S. COURT ST. REGISTRATION

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED COST

$25 INFORMATION

CONTACT JUSTICE SMYTH AT (334) 240-9420 OR JSMYTH@MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM REGISTRATION

WWW.MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM/AIDT

MONTGOMERY – The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce and the Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) program are joining forces to offer a twoday leadership course.

Haywood said she incorporates each learning style to appeal to a wide variety of students. “I help create an environment for learning where each learning style can succeed,” Haywood said.

The partnership between the Chamber’s Corporate Development staff and AIDT will enable local industries to have their employees receive dynamic training from AIDT for a minimal fee.

Participants will have a better awareness, understanding, sensitivity and involvement with the latest in leadership principles, according to Jacqueline Allen, public information officer for AIDT.

AIDT’s Leadership Skills I program will be offered 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. May 1011 at the Chamber’s Small Business Resource Center.

The two-day training session costs $25 for snacks and lunches. The course is offered on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited to 24 participants. Preregistration is required.

The training combines a creative variety of tools and techniques designed to develop and nurture leaders. Kendall Haywood, leadership development manager for AIDT, facilitates the class and uses a lot hands-on interactive activities. In addition to interactive activities four learning styles are used as well as individual assessments. Those four learning styles are: VISUAL/VERBAL Teaching techniques are visual and in written form (PowerPoint and textbooks, etc.). VISUAL/NON VERBAL Incorporates teaching techniques presented visually and in a picture or design form (textbooks, videos and charts, etc.). TACTILE/KINESTHETIC Teaching techniques for students who prefer to be physically active in learning (hands-on activities, realword application in role plays, etc.). AUDITORY/VERBAL Teaching techniques geared to students who prefer things presented in oral language format (listening to lecture and group discussions).

Montgomery Business Journal April 2011

Haywood said “this partnership will allow the Chamber to offer an additional service to its members and increase enrollment in AIDT Education Alliance training programs. It’s a win-win for everyone.” For information, contact Justice Smyth at (334) 240-9420 or jsmyth@montgomerychamber.com. Register online at www.montgomerychamber.com/aidt. •

STANDARD TWO-DAY AGENDA

DAY ONE I. INTRODUCTION A. AIDT Overview B. Program Content/Training Materials C. Student Participation II. LEADING THE HUMAN RESOURCE A. Your Company’s Most Valuable Resource B. Leader’s Role

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III. LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES A. Empowerment B. Motivator C. Leader D. Evaluator E. Communicator IV. IMPROVING WORK RELATIONSHIPS A. Respecting our Differences B. Principles of Teamwork C. Consensus Decision Making

DAY TWO V. COMMUNICATION A. Effective Communication B. Methods of Communication C. Feedback D. What’s My Communication Style? VII. MOTIVATION A. The Law of Effect B. The Pygmalion Effect C. Hierarchy of Human Needs D. Theory X and Y VIII. LEADERSHIP SKILLS A. What is Leadership? B. Managers vs. Leaders IX. PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER A. Successful Leadership B. Final Test and Evaluations C. The Next Step

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Note: The agenda is subject to change Source: AIDT April 2011 Montgomery Business Journal

Chamber News

Small Business Resource Center Offers Training ‘from Cradle to Grave’ by David Zaslawsky

photo by Robert Fouts

The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) was asked by the Small Business Administration to conduct a surety bonding workshop for small business construction owners.

The Chamber in partnership with accounting firm Jackson Thornton, conducts a Payroll Tax Update Seminar and McGinty said that some participants travel from Mississippi and Georgia “because it’s the only one of its kind in the Southeast.”

Lisa McGinty, director of small business programs for the Chamber, said she was expecting three people to attend that “unique, boutique kind of training.” To her surprise, there were 10 attendees. That’s just how responsive the SBRC staff is when it comes to education and training.

Last year, nearly 2,200 people received training or business counseling at the SBRC through 55 events. “Education and training of our entrepreneurial constituency is absolutely paramount for the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce,” McGinty said. “That’s part of helping our constituents build their foundation for their business.’

That education and training features the following: > Business Planning seminars. > Lunch seminars. > Business Tax seminars. > Loan clinics. > Ad-hoc training sessions. The SBRC also conducts two full semesters of Entrepreneurial University and there are educational opportunities during the Chamber’s annual Diversity Summit. “We provide a full base of training,” McGinty said. “We do training from cradle to grave – so to speak.”

Clients do not have to be a Chamber member to participant in the sessions and many of the seminars are free. There is a charge to attend the lunch meeting – for the lunch – and there is a one-time fee of $10 to attend as many Business Planning seminars as desired. The $10 fee pays for the cost of materials.

Lisa McGinty conducts a Business Plan Seminar at the Small Business Resource Center.

Montgomery Business Journal April 2011

The SBRC offers loan clinic seminars on a quarterly basis and partners with the Alabama Department of Revenue on Business Tax workshops. McGinty said some of the topics for the LunchWorks seminars last year were communications etiquette, dressing for success, marketing and the use of social media. The ad-hoc training sessions last year included Guerilla Marketing, Networking Marketing, How to Start a Business, Entrepreneurism and Problem Resolution and Staff Development. •

City of Montgomery announces new leaders by David Zaslawsky

Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange recently named a new police chief and chief of staff as well as a new planning director, director of development and retail development coordinator. Lt. Col. Kevin Murphy, who had been acting police chief, was named police chief. Murphy had served as deputy chief and was patrol division commander. He has 25 years of experience in law enforcement. Murphy received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) and a master’s degree in criminal justice management at AUM. Maj. Brenda Mitchell, who is the department’s new chief of staff, was previously patrol division commander, detective division commander and juvenile division commander among other positions during her 23-year career. She has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Alabama State University and a master’s degree in criminal justice from AUM.

Lt. Col. Kevin Murphy

Maj. Brenda Mitchell

Bill Zanoni

Chad Emerson

Bill Zanoni is the city’s new retail development coordinator and boasts 15-plus years of commercial development experience. He developed more than 1.5 million square feet of commercial property during his career. His varied background includes development, engineering and construction experience. The city’s new director of planning is Robert Smith, who previously was the city’s senior

transportation planner. He will oversee a staff of 30 and will continue to be the administrator for the Montgomery Metropolitan Planning Robert Smith Organization. Smith has a bachelor’s degree in history from Stillman College in Tuscaloosa and a bachelor’s degree in geography with a specialty in urban planning from the University of Alabama. He received a master’s degree in public administration from Troy University’s Montgomery campus and is a doctoral student at Walden University’s public policy and administration program. Law professor Chad Emerson is the new director of development. He is an assistant professor of law at Faulkner University’s Jones School of Law, where he teaches courses in land planning, property and intellectual property. Emerson has a bachelor’s degree from David Lipscomb University and is a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law. •

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ϯϴϭϱ /ŶƚĞƌƐƚĂƚĞ ŽƵƌƚ DŽŶƚŐŽŵĞƌǇ͕ ůĂďĂŵĂ ;ϯϯϰͿ ϯϴϳͲϯϲϭϰ ǁǁǁ͘ǁŝůƐŽŶƉƌŝĐĞ͘ĐŽŵͬƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐͬĨĂŵŝůǇ͘Śƚŵ April 2011 Montgomery Business Journal

Member Profile

Greg McClellan is president and CEO of the 55-year-old Max Credit Union.

Prospering with stability and balance by Jennifer Kornegay

In 1955, Max Credit Union opened in Montgomery with holdings totaling $125. This serious sum was kept in a cigar box in the administrative assistantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s desk.

Montgomery Business Journal April 2011

Today, Max reaches far beyond the capital city, serving approximately 109,000 members in 15 counties in the River Region area with 13 physical locations and a slew of online services. Max President and CEO Greg McClellan credits past leadership and excellent employees with the half-century of continual growth and the institution’s ability to weather the economic storm of the last few years. “We’ve made it through the downturn quite well compared to rest of the industry, and I attribute that to previous CEOs and boards,” he said. “Max has always been conservative in our philosophy and management and therefore stayed away from riskier investments. We also offer a good array of services and products and have great employees.” McClellan also stressed the benefits Max gains from the strong, vibrant community where it has its roots. “There is a great membership base here with state government and the military,” he said. “That has certainly helped stabilize any negative impacts.” To foster and sustain a symbiotic relationship, Max has consistently given back and put emphasis on community involvement. “We have always reinvested in the fabric of River Region in a very broad way. We support many different things,” McClellan said. “We created the MAX 4 Kids Foundation in 2000 and do an annual golf tournament in support of that.” On this topic, McClellan put the spotlight on Max’s employees. “Our employees are why the foundation and our community involvement has been so successful,” he said. “We have an employee activity committee that comes up with fundraising ideas throughout the year.”

MAX CREDIT UNION DATE FOUNDED

1955

PRIMARY PRODUCTS/SERVICES

CHECKING ACCOUNTS, SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AND LOANS FOR PERSONAL AND BUSINESS AS WELL AS OTHER BUSINESS “Consumers have changed their behavior; they are not borrowing as much and are saving more,” he said. “That’s good, but it does have impact on credit unions and banks. In 2006, we set up a business services area where we make commercial loans and provide other business services. This keeps us diversified in our lending portfolio. New regulations will be a big challenge, too. Right now, there are some unknown factors, so that’s something that will be a cost to us.” Even so, McClellan sees some brighter light on the horizon. “There is still a long way to go, but we’re seeing a little improvement in the general economy,” he said.

Another MAX initiative that’s having a positive impact on the area is EcoMAX. It started in 2007 as a home expo focused on sustainable and energy-efficient building practices, but has grown to include events and a website that provide a wealth of information on the sustainable lifestyle. “The response to everything EcoMAX offers has been phenomenal,” said D.G. Markwell, senior vice president of marketing and business development with Max. “There was so much pent up demand for somebody to take the lead in offering education and information on sustainability.”

Yet no matter what happens on the national scene, Max takes pride in what it offers the River Region. “Our biggest asset is that we can offer our products and services at better rates than other financial institutions,” McClelland said. “And I have to praise our employees again. They give us an edge; we have some of the best employees and good training for them. We recently opened two prototype branches with no teller lines. Every employee is trained to do everything. It is a concierge environment where they greet you at the door.”

“EcoMAX has really driven interest and raised awareness in the community about sustainable living and we’re proud of that,” McClellan added.

McClellan also reiterated the importance of a healthy business environment. “I think our community is on the right path for the future,” he said. “The Chamber is working to find and push a lot of great ideas.”

Despite making it through a tough economy, Max and other financial institutions are still facing some significant challenges in the coming year, according to McClellan.

Markwell echoed his comments. “We have the county working with the city and getting more done,” he said. “The area chambers of commerce are working together. We are taking a regional approach to our economy, and it is a real plus for us.” “This team approach will reap dividends in the future,” McClellan said. Currently, it is two rather simple notions driving Max forward: stability and balance. “The area has seen so much change in banks, but Max has been here for 55 years,” Markwell said. “We are the largest financial institution based in the River Region, so we have the resources to provide great services, but we are also truly local. The decision-making is right here, and we are very in-tune with our area’s needs.” •

April 2011 Montgomery Business Journal

BUSINESS LEADERS AND CITIZENS OFFER IDEAS TO PROMOTE JOB GROWTH by David Zaslawsky

Public forums are being conducted throughout the state to tackle Alabama’s top priority – job creation. Shannon Speir, president of Speir Consulting and former president and CEO of HospiScript Services, is one of 16 members on the Speaker’s Commission on Job Creation. Their task is to present ideas to House Speaker Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, by April 15 that can be implemented immediately – ideas taken from citizens and business leaders alike.

different rules and regulations with which businesses need to comply.” She also suggested that the Certificate of Need process should be studied. “With an aging population, there will be an increased need for services like hospice and there could be a benefit to making it easier for hospices to get licensed as long as the quality can be monitored.”

With an extensive background in health care, Speir said she is considering a few suggestions of her own including reducing red tape when “there is a duplication of regulation at the state and federal level.”

Speir is supportive of the Alabama Certified Capital Co. program, which is operated by the Alabama Development Office. The program has used insurance premium tax credits to promote investment in new and existing businesses. She said the program may need some tinkering to “ensure that success is defined by job growth.”

Speir, a vice chairman with the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, said, “As long as we feel comfortable that the federal rules and regulations are doing what they need to do with respect to quality, the state does not really need to have similar but slightly

In some of her discussions, Speir said people have suggested making sure that entrepreneurs are aware of the various services offered by the Chamber and programs provided at the Chamber’s Small Business Resource Center.

Montgomery Business Journal April 2011

She said those ideas include a statewide clearinghouse and advertising program that markets services that are available to entrepreneurs. Other ideas are creating incentives for new and existing businesses that are funded by “future job growth and future revenue so that we as a state can compete with other states without creating short-term budgeting problems,” Speir said. Another idea is “determining a mechanism to understand and manage federal contract dollars that are running through the state and making sure the state and federal leaders are aware and on the same page,” Speir said. Speir does understand job creation. When she bought Jacksonville, Fla.-based HospiScript there were about 40 employees. She moved the company to Montgomery and eventually 200-plus of the firm’s 250 employees were working in the Capital City. “We moved one person here from Florida and almost all of those 200 were newly created positions here in Montgomery,” Speir said. Speir encourages business owners to think about what issues are impacting job growth and submit ideas to ALjobscommission@ gmail.com. •

Consumer Reports names 2011 Elantra a Top Pick by David Zaslawsky

Consumer Reports tested 270-plus vehicles for its annual 2011 Top Picks. Those Top Picks must meet criteria in the following areas: road test, safety and reliability. Within the road test category, the Top Pick must rank at the top or near the top in the overall test score, which is based on 50-plus tests and evaluations. In the safety category, the Top Pick must offer electronic stability as standard equipment and must “perform adequately” on any government or insurance industry tests. The Top Pick must have received an average or better predicted reliability rating, derived from problems described by Consumer Reports’ subscribers. They responded with 1.3 reports in Consumer Reports’ latest Annual Auto Survey.

That’s what it takes to become one of Consumer Reports’ Top Picks for 2011. The 2011 Hyundai Elantra, produced at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama’s (HMMA) plant in Montgomery, was the 2011 Top Pick in the Small Car category. “This is the third consecutive year Elantra has been picked by Consumer Reports,” said Chris Susock, director of quality operations for HMMA. “Hyundai has consistently demonstrated an ability to deliver a car that meets the stringent standards set forth by Consumer Reports.” Consumer Reports wrote that 2011 redesigned Elantra “delivers a lot for the money” and “… this well-rounded sedan is now more stylish and engaging to drive.” The magazine also wrote that the vehicle was “miserly on gas” and is expected to be as reliable as the previous model.

“This is the second vehicle built by Hyundai’s Montgomery plant to achieve this top honor from Consumer Reports,” Susock said, referring to the 2008 Santa Fe SUV, which is now produced at the Kia manufacturing facility in West Point, Ga. “This proves our work force has the skills and dedication to build the vehicles to the precise specifications developed by Hyundai Motor Group. “The partnership we have with Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai Automotive Technical Inc. also contributed to this recognition because their technical teams offered us guidance during the pre-production build process. This guidance helps our team members build the safest and highest quality cars for North American consumers.” •

April 2011 Montgomery Business Journal

100-plus students are enrolled in the culinary strand of the Hospitality and Tourism Career Academy at George Washington Carver High School. ÂŠ Fouts Commercial Photography

by David Zaslawsky photos by Robert Fouts

Career Academies bridge the gap between education and careers 24

Montgomery Business Journal April 2011

Montgomery Public Schools Superintendent Barbara Thompson chatted with a student at an open house for the Hospitality and Tourism Career Academy at George Washington Carver High School. “I asked one of the students who was in the academy what she was going to be,” Thompson recalled. “She immediately said, ‘I’m going to be a chef. I’m going to work at a really great restaurant.’ She was excited about what she was doing. You could see how proud she was … and what is even more marvelous – the students were working alongside all these people who were chefs. It was thrilling for the kids to have people who were really chefs coming in and working with them. “Not only do they (students) have a career projection, they also have people they can relate to in terms of what they are doing in their career paths. I think it is important for our kids to see people who are working and who found their niche in life. She knew her niche – she knew what she wanted to do. “And as you well know, chefs are typically paid a very good salary.” That is what the district’s Career Academies are all about. “Career Academies are intended to be the bridge between education and careers,” said Arthur DuCote, chairman of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce’s Career Academies Task Force. His day job is executive vice president and Central Alabama Area president for Regions Financial Corp. “If we were talking about this 100 years ago, people would laugh and say, ‘that’s what apprentices for.’ This is a modern-day apprenticeship of preparing kids to have

careers. Career Academies give you an apprenticeship and an education all wrapped into one.” In a little more than one year, some public school students enrolled in the Health Science Career Academy will leave high school with the necessary credits for a licensed practical nurse (LPN) certification. Imagine that? Those students with that certification “will be able to immediately go to Baptist Health or Jackson Hospital who are in need of these LPNs and bring a skill set to the table so that they are immediately hired – have a living wage with good benefits right out of the blocks,” DuCote said. In a little more than one year, some students from the Health Science Career Academy will leave high school with a pharmacy tech certification. Imagine that? “If you graduate high school with that, you can immediately go to work in a pharmacy with a leg up on anybody else who wants to work behind the counter,” DuCote said. He said that a pharmacy tech certification is a requirement for those wanting to enroll in Auburn University’s Harrison School of Pharmacy. “It takes about one year of work experience to get the certification and these kids (from Career Academies) will already have it.” Students in the Information Technology Career Academy are becoming Oracle certified through a partnership with Alabama State University and Oracle University. “When a student graduates from the IT academy they can be Oracle software certified,” DuCote said, “and see how that opens up the options’ box for careers.” Imagine that?

Some of those IT Career Academy students worked last summer as paid interns and a new goal is to add Microsoft certification to the program. “Students can see if they graduate from the IT academy they will have a certification that allows them to go to work in an IT company right out of high school, where they can earn a decent living,” said Nancy Beggs, director of education programs for the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce. “If they want to go to school at night to continue their education they are able to do that, but they see a real job in the industry.” Now, imagine a student graduating high school clueless about his or her future. “That is a slippery slope down into economic disparity,” DuCote said. “You are left with a good supply of low-wage, non-livable jobs. What we are trying to do is create an environment with training and education so upon graduation from high school we can have them (students) go directly into livablewage jobs or use those jobs or additional education to continue to grow from there.” That is the foundation of creating a skilled work force. “The bottom line for the Career Academies is work force development, which will make us more competitive,” said Keith Karst, division manager of customer services for Alabama Power Co. and chairman of the Chamber’s Education and Workforce Development Council. “It will improve the quality of life in the community for everybody.” There are seven Career Academies in the Montgomery Public Schools system, which now have 630 students: Information Technology, Teaching, Business/Finance, Law/Public Safety, Health Science, Hospitality and Tourism and Advanced Manufacturing. CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

April 2011 Montgomery Business Journal

The Career Academies are ideally designed as four-year programs, but Thompson said that the academies are open to 10th graders as well. There are some basic requirements for those students wanting to enroll in the Career Academies and the deadline for registration was the end of March. This year is the first time enrollment was opened to 20 students outside each of the attendance zones for the seven academies.

Those academies serve two key purposes. “No. 1, they give students a path toward a career or a job when they get out of high school,” said Cameron Martindale, senior vice president, community development for the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce. “We hope they will go on to post-secondary education. They can see that by (enrolling) in an academy when they graduate from high school there will be a job waiting for them and it’s a job where they can earn a living and could actually support themselves. Martindale said that the Career Academies are built around project-based learning. “It’s hands-on learning and we have known for years that students learn better when they can have projects they are working on.” Thompson said that hands-on approach taps into a different learning style and “allows everybody to excel in maybe a way they haven’t excelled in the past.” What the Career Academies are designed to do is excite, energize and motivate students to continue their education, graduate and learn a skill set. “We have a significant need in this community for skilled labor and this is a classic grow-your-own strategy,” DuCote said. “That’s the very bottom line. That’s what people mean when they say education is about economics.” It’s a common theme for Thompson, who has repeatedly stressed the role education plays in the work force.

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“Education is the foundation of economic development,” Thompson said. “If you don’t have a highly educated and skilled work force you are not going to attract the businesses that you need. One of the things that companies are looking for is do you have a skilled work force to support their businesses. If half your kids are dropping out then you are not going to have the work force that they are interested in.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

Montgomery Business Journal April 2011

“Plus, companies also want to come to communities where the school systems are such that their families there can go to school. It also impacts the quality of life because if Johnny isn’t in school, he’s probably doing something not so good in the community.”

Thompson said that the Career Academies could have a “huge” impact on the graduation rate and although she was reluctant to estimate that impact she did say that the graduation rate could improve 15 percent to 20 percent. “It really is a game-changer,” Thompson said about the Career Academies. “It impacts the rest of (students’) course work - you are going to want to do better because you might want to go on and take some post-secondary courses. You are thinking about what you are going to do later. It makes you feel better about yourself because you know what you are going to be doing. You know why you are here.” The courses in the Career Academies are design specifically for those students and that makes education much more relevant. Thompson said students in the Hospitality and Tourism Career Academy will have math courses about measurements, scales, weights and figures that will be useful in the cooking world. DuCote talks about the Career Academy students graduating with a “road map and a bunch of exits off the road map. They can do a bunch of different things and have a road map. Now compare that to someone who has no road map and no exits.” Thompson said she hopes to have 1,000 students enrolled in Career Academies by the 2013 fall semester. “I think the long-term goal is to expand the Career Academies so that every child from middle school to high school has the opportunity to select a Career Academy,” Karst said. “That’s what we’re trying to get to.” School officials are planning to visit Austin, Texas, this summer to learn more about Career Academies. Thompson said the trip will give district officials realistic ideas about the costs to establish additional Career Academies. There is interest in the business community about adding an Architecture/ Engineering Career Academy, according to Thompson. •

ACTIVITIES HELP RECRUIT EIGHTH-GRADERS by David Zaslawsky Growing the Career Academies in the Montgomery Public Schools is as simple as attracting eighth-graders to the program. How about offering Camp Bones, where nearly 500 eighth-grade students spend a day at Baptist Health’s Institute for Patient Safety and Medical Simulation learning about the various medical professions? The program gives 125 students a day a chance to participate in simulations with medical professionals. Students can study with nurses or cardiologists or phlebotomists or many other medical professionals and get hands-on experience. At the end of their day, students will have an opportunity to fill out an application for the Health Science Career Academy, which is for students in grades 9-12. Or how about engaging eighth-graders by taking them on a field trip to Decatur and visit the Robotic Technology Park, a new stateowned facility? There also is a pre-Advanced

Manufacturing Academy at Goodwyn Junior High School that focuses on robotics.

and will be used in recruiting students to the program.

Nancy Beggs, director of education programs for the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, said, “It’s critical to work with middle schools to improve high schools. All of the activities at middle schools are aimed at increasing the graduation rate because kids check out in middle school if they don’t drop out. That is where kids are most vulnerable.”

The school system administered an aptitude test to 2,500 eighth-grade students. “The Explorer test is very critical because you might have an aptitude in an area you didn’t even know about – that you haven’t thought about for you,” said Montgomery Public Schools Superintendent Barbara Thompson.

Keith Karst, division manager of customer services for Alabama Power Co., and chairman of the Chamber’s Education and Workforce Development Council, said, “If we can catch the kids in seventh or eighth grade where they are engaged and learning and they see there is hope upon graduation they won’t drop out. They will see that there is a job out there for me.” A Middle School Task Force was created as part of the Education and Workforce Development Council. That task force has two major objectives: Increase career exploration and career awareness and devise projects and activities to enable students to make informed career decisions. Career information videos about each of the Career Academies are being developed

“We’re giving kids a chance to see what they might want to do and some students come from very limited career and job backgrounds at home – it’s exposure.” Karst recalled an advisory council meeting, where one of the teachers in the Health Science Career Academy said that, ‘We really need to get these kids thinking about the Career Academies earlier.’ She was talking about elementary school. “The process is moving in the right direction,” Karst said, “when someone else says you need to get the kids involved earlier. If we can give the kids in K-4 the right counseling, coaching and mentoring as they move through the system they will be highly educated and will be wonderful entries into the work force.” •

April 2011 Montgomery Business Journal

A CAPSULE LOOK AT THE CAREER ACADEMIES by David Zaslawsky There are seven Career Academies at the Montgomery Public Schools system and each are at various stages of development. The following is a breakdown of each of the academies: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CAREER ACADEMY (50 students at Robert E. Lee High School) – Renovation of the academy’s suite is being completed, according to Nancy Beggs, director of education programs for the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce. “We have the technical side complete,” she said, referring to the site where the career tech teacher teaches networking and software design. A renovation for the academic side of the academy is in its final stages and will include a state-of-the-art English language arts laboratory for developing research and presentation skills. “Lee is our best example right now of a school within a school because (the classes) are on that hall,” Beggs said. She said the IT academy is maturing. “It has the integrated academics,” she said. “It has the internships and it has a direct connection to the universities through dual enrollment; articulated credit; and Oracle University. She said this academy is the most developed of the seven. TEACHING CAREER ACADEMY (127 students at Jefferson Davis High School) – The academy features two strands – secondary education and training (50 students) as well as early childhood and elementary education (77 students). The academy has internships with Dannelly Elementary School – student teaching opportunities. The academy has a specific location within the school and has developed a student resource center,

Montgomery Business Journal April 2011

where students are able to produce their own teaching supplies. The academy has welldefined partnerships with local universities, including dual enrollment opportunities. The academy has entered the Year of Planning for the National Academy Foundation, which Beggs likened to the Good Housekeeping seal of approval. BUSINESS/FINANCE CAREER ACADEMY (34 students at Sidney Lanier High School) Beggs said this academy is in its infancy, enrolling students for the first time in January and all the students are ninth-graders. LAW/PUBLIC SAFETY CAREER ACADEMY (51 students at Sidney Lanier High School) – This is also a fledgling academy, according to Beggs. Courses being taught this semester include Principles of Public Safety and Police Patrol. HEALTH SCIENCE CAREER ACADEMY (119 students at Jefferson Davis High School) – Beggs said this academy is maturing in its relationships with the medical community – Baptist Health, Jackson Hospital and HealthSouth – as well as the educational community, including Auburn University at Montgomery, H. Councill Trenholm State Technical College and Maxwell Air Force Base. Beggs said all those relationships offer multiple opportunities for students, including a Ground Hog Shadow Day when academy participants were assigned to various units at hospitals, which could be a nursing unit or occupational therapy unit or pharmacy unit or respiratory therapy unit. Groups of three or four students were assigned to a unit and professionals from those units have become mentors for those students. Beggs said that the professionals “offer career guidance; career exploration; and tutoring – a caring adult in the profession to provide guidance for these students.” HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM CAREER ACADEMY (213 students at George Washington Carver High School) – The academy was launched this year and features a $1.2 million commercial kitchen with state-ofthe-art equipment. The academy has both a hospitality/lodging strand (109 students) and culinary strand (104 students) and each strand has its own career tech teacher. Beggs said the academy’s advisory council “is very, very involved. We have the right people at the table.” The advisory council is offering field trips and guest speakers.

ADVANCED MANUFACTURING CAREER ACADEMY (36 students at George Washington Carver High School) This academy will open in the fall with 36 students in the maintenance strand, focusing on residential and commercial electricity. A component dealing with programmable logic controllers (what makes robots move) will be added. The other strand is manufacturing production. The building will be completed in January and will feature state-of-the-art equipment, which combined represent an investment of about $1.3 million. In the first year, there will be a foundational pod, which is not only an overview of the academy, but provides handson opportunities in all areas. One of the pods of instruction is pneumatics and hydraulics, which deals with anything that has to be lifted or moved. That pod will be followed by precision machining/precision measurement. The third pod is welding.

CREATING A SCHOOL WITHIN A SCHOOL by David Zaslawsky A group of Montgomery’s heavy hitters – from business executives to educators to community leaders took a trip to Chattanooga, Tennessee. This was no ordinary trip three years ago. The group was on a mission to visit Red Bank High School to witness firsthand what fully integrated Career Academies are. “What makes them integrated is they have taken their academic courses and their career technical courses and they combined them into a curriculum that is taught thematically,” said Cameron Martindale, senior vice president, community development for the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce. Martindale explained that a group of students in the Career Academy attend the same classes together, which leads to the concept of a school within a school. She said the academic classes are tied to the career tech classes. A student in an Advanced Manufacturing Career Academy might read tech manuals in their English class or learn to write a tech manual, Martindale said.

Both the career tech teacher and the academic teacher work closely together, including planning periods.

Montgomery. “It was a real cross-section of community leaders that had the interest of public education,” Karst said.

“Everyone got excited and said that we need that (Career Academies),” said Keith Karst, division manager of customer services for Alabama Power Co. and chairman of the Chamber’s Education and Workforce Development Council. “That was the start of the Career Academy effort.”

The Chamber, said Karst, was the perfect vehicle to bring people to the table to discuss public education and work together to improve it. He said the Chamber could either be the mouthpiece or a liaison between the school leaders and the business community.

The genesis actually began earlier when the Chamber formed the Education and Workforce Development Council as part of its five-year strategic plan called Imagine a Greater Montgomery. That plan featured four primary goals, including “Champion Public Education and Build a Competitive Workforce.” Karst recalled the divergent group at the table: Elected officials, Montgomery County Board of Education members, Montgomery Public Schools superintendent, two-year and four-year educational institutions, Partners in Education, Ministerial Alliance, Helping Families Initiative and Leadership

“What we wanted to do from a council perspective is really understand what the superintendent’s goals were and then where it made sense link up the business community’s resources to help achieve that,” Karst said.

“He (DuCote) has done a great job pulling the different academies together; helping define the advisory councils; and who serves on those advisory councils,” Karst said. Karst said the first meeting about the Career Academies was in November 2008 and since that time more than 600 students have enrolled in the program. “The progress with the Career Academies has been remarkable,” Karst said. “You can’t grow it too fast – you want it done right.” •

Each of the seven Career Academies now has an advisory council of the movers and shakers in those particular areas and overseeing it all is Arthur DuCote, executive vice president and Central Alabama Area president for Regions Financial Corp. He is the chairman of the Chamber’s Career Academies Task Force.

April 2011 Montgomery Business Journal

DRAMATIC PLAN TRANSFORMS MONTGOMERY PUBLIC SCHOOLS by David Zaslawsky One of the key reasons behind Montgomery Public Schools Superintendent Barbara Thompson’s plan to consolidate and streamline operations was to save jobs. That strategy would have saved jobs, but that was before a 3 percent proration eroded an already skeletal budget. That 3 percent proration – budget cut – amounted to slicing and dicing another $4.5 million from the district’s budget. “Because this is our third year of proration, we’ve already cut a lot of positions that we did not need,” Thompson said. “We are now down to those positions that we need because of services.” Now, there will be job losses and to further exacerbate the financial crisis, money is being cut from the Other Current Expense (OCE) fund, which pays for custodians and office staff as well as other items. On top of all those cuts, Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley’s proposed education budget – it has not been approved – also cuts $90 million statewide from the transportation budget, which pays for bus drivers and fuel costs. That means the Montgomery Public Schools (MPS) system, which transports 16,000 students daily – about half of its total student population – has no state money for bus drivers and fuel. And those fuel prices have been rising weekly. Those MPS buses travel 2.2 million miles each year, according to Tom Salter,

senior communication officer for the school district. He said that 2.2 million miles is the equivalent of 88 trips annually around the equator. That’s a lot of fuel costs. The 3 percent proration combined with the proposed cuts in the OCE and transportation budget means that the district lost $8.5 million in funding in less than a twoweek period. Thompson now will be forced to cut even more from her budget and that means jobs. She said 80 percent or more of the district’s budget is salaries. She is looking at cutting nearly 500 jobs: about 200 non-tenured teachers, 200 non-tenured employees and 70 people from the administrative ranks. She has been forced to cut about $40 million from the district’s budget the past three years. The superintendent said she now fears the community’s reaction to those layoffs after conducting public forums and explaining why the district needed to close schools to save money and save jobs. The Montgomery County Board of Education approved Thompson’s recommendation of closing a handful of schools, consolidating programs as well as new building projects, which are funded through a capital projects budget. The district also has an operating budget and those funds are earmarked for specific expenses. “When you are in a financial crisis usually people are able to maneuver and we are not able to maneuver,” Thompson said, about lacking the flexibility to move money around where it is needed. The top priority for the district’s building projects is a new Eastside high school, which is scheduled to open in the fall 2013. The other projects are a new gym and cafeteria for Brewbaker Technology and the purchase of land for a new Robert E. Lee High School and a new Capitol Heights middle school.

M Su ont p e go rin me te ry nd P en ub t B li c ar Sc ba h ra ool Th s om ps

on .

The interest rates could not be better for the district’s new projects. Thompson said the district can borrow at 1.19 percent interest rate for 15 years.

Montgomery Business Journal April 2011

“The reason you want to build is to replace some of these older buildings,” Thompson said, referring to most of the district’s schools, which were built in the 1950s and are not energy efficient. “Hopefully, you’re saving money going forward in the long term with utilities, but not only that because you are also better able to offer

students facilities where you can have 21st century kinds of skills.” Those school closures will help the district reduce its monthly utility bills, which Thompson said range between $750,000 and $800,000. In addition, many of the schools on the district’s Westside were not at full capacity. Empty classrooms were at issue at some schools. Although the district’s student population is evenly divided by east and west, there are 34 schools on the Westside and 24 on the Eastside. “We cannot have a building that is built for 750 (students) and you have less than 350 in it,” Thompson said. “That is not fiscally responsible.” Even with the school closures, there will be empty desks at some schools while Vaughn Road and Fitzpatrick elementary schools have portable classrooms. And although Thompson is a superintendent, she is also the CEO of the MPS system, which is the third-largest employer in Montgomery County behind Maxwell Air Force Base/Gunter Annex and the State of Alabama employees. The school district – before the new wave of layoffs – had about 4,500 employees. Thompson is looking at consolidating the district’s central office, which has 14 buildings, many of which used to be schools. Fewer buildings would reduce the number of secretarial staff, receptionists and custodians. She already has reduced the number of field trips, travel and training. “We’re looking at consolidating jobs, which is why we are changing our organizational chart,” Thompson said. The district is examining if some in-house services can be done cheaper by the private sector. The district is not just looking at reducing costs. Thompson said by closing schools and sending students to new ones the district may get additional assistant principals and counselors. Some of those displaced students will be moving to schools performing better academically. Thompson hopes to raise some money by auctioning the closed school buildings. “Hopefully, that will get rid of what I would call the blighted neighborhood vacant building syndrome,” she said. •

April 2011 Montgomery Business Journal

Member News

BusinessBUZZ “one of the first to raise his hand in support of any initiative that would make Montgomery and the surrounding region a better place to live, work and play.”

George Goodwyn

GOODWYN, MILLS & CAWOOD CO-FOUNDER INDUCTED INTO ENGINEERING HALL OF FAME MONTGOMERY – George T. Goodwyn, co-founder of the Montgomery architectural firm Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, was inducted into the Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame. Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood has become one of the largest multi-disciplinary design firms in the Southeast with corporate offices in Montgomery as well as offices in Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee. Goodwyn and his son later formed the Goodwyn Building Co. Inc., which designs, builds and sells new homes. Goodwyn, an airborne combat engineer in the Army, was one of seven individuals inducted into the Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame. He was also instrumental in creating both Leadership Montgomery and Envision 2020.

ALFA INSURANCE, ALFA LIFE INSURANCE CORP. RECEIVE A+ RATING FROM A.M. BEST CO. MONTGOMERY - A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings of A+ (Superior) of Alfa Insurance and Alfa Life Insurance Corp. “These ratings recognize Alfa’s commitment to growing its business while managing risk in a way that ensures the company can continue providing fast, fair claims service,” said Alfa President Jerry Newby. A.M. Best Co. is the leading provider of ratings and financial data for the insurance industry worldwide. The A+ (Superior) rating was extended to Alfa Alliance Insurance Corp., which markets Alfa insurance products in Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee, and Alfa Vision Insurance Corp., which writes automobile insurance in eight states.

Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange described Goodwyn as being

Montgomery Business Journal April 2011

SERVISFIRST BANK RANKED NO. 1 IN HIGHEST NET INCOME BIRMINGHAM - ServisFirst Bank has the highest net income among Alabama banks, according to the financial research firm SNL Financial. With net income of $18.9 million, ServisFirst Bank ranked No. 1 on the 2010 list of 137 commercial banks in Alabama. “Our strong financial performance in 2010 reflects management’s commitment to improve our net interest income, a disciplined approach to expense management and continuation of the business model that we implemented in 2005,” said Bud Foshee, chief financial officer of ServisFirst Bank.

satisfaction: Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa (tied for fifth), Auburn Marriott Opelika Hotel & Conference Center at Grand National (tied for seventh) and Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa (10th). All are part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail’s Resort Collection. Marriott International uses a third-party company specializing in guest satisfaction to rate all areas of the hotels, including golf and spas. Both the RTJ Golf Trail and its Resort Collection are owned by the Retirement Systems of Alabama, which has its headquarters in Montgomery. Marriott has 25 golf locations in the United States and Canada.

ServisFirst Bank was formed in Birmingham, has offices in Montgomery, Huntsville and Dothan. MARRIOTT’S PRATTVILLE GOLF LOCATION NAMED NO. 1 FOR GUEST SATISFACTION PRATTVILLE – The Montgomery Marriott Prattville Hotel & Conference Center at Capitol Hill was named the top Marriott golf location for guest satisfaction. Three other Alabama locations also joined Capitol Hill in Marriott’s Top 10 for customer

Frank Cunningham

JACKSON HOSPITAL ACHIEVES NEW STATUS AS ACCREDITED CHEST PAIN CENTER MONTGOMERY - Jackson Hospital announced that it has received Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC).

Hospitals that have received SCPC accreditation have achieved a higher level of expertise in dealing with patients who arrive with symptoms of a heart attack. They emphasize the importance of standardized diagnostic and treatment programs that provide more efficient and effective evaluation as well as more appropriate and rapid treatment of patients with chest pain and other heart attack symptoms. They also serve as a point of entry into the health care system to evaluate and treat other medical problems, and they help to promote a healthier lifestyle in an attempt to reduce the risk factors for heart attack. To become an Accredited Chest Pain Center, Jackson Hospital engaged in rigorous evaluation by SCPC for its ability to assess, diagnose, and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack. SCPC is an international organization dedicated to eliminating heart disease as the No. 1 cause of death worldwide. “It was a remarkable collaboration of physicians, nursing and ancillary staff, with the support of administration,” said Frank Cunningham, director of emergency services for Jackson Hospital. “After months of planning, yielding many process changes, our staff brought this accreditation to fruition.” ARONOV APARTMENT MANAGER NAMED “MANAGER OF THE YEAR” MONTGOMERY - Aronov Realty Management Inc. announced that Alyce Patton was named Manager of the Year by the River Region Apartment Association. Patton is the general manager for the Belmont Apartment Homes, a 468-unit Aronov managed apartment community located off of McGehee Road.

with the most votes from the public in each of the 10 regions were named finalists. The chef with the most overall votes was named the “2011 People’s Best New Chef” and will be featured in the July 2011 issue of Food & Wine magazine. Alyce Patton (center) was named Apartments Manager of the Year. She received the award (from left) Fran Fleischman, Aronov Realty Management Inc.; and Valerie Hairston, National Apartment Association of Arlington, Va. Patton is the general manager for the Belmont Apartment Homes.

Ham and High restaurant is located at the Town of Hampstead in East Montgomery. BUSINESS COUNCIL OF ALABAMA ELECTS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, NEW MEMBERS

“Alyce sets the standard for apartment professionals,” said Fran Fleischman, assistant vice president of Aronov Realty Management Inc. “Alyce has transformed the property by creating a sense of community that is evidenced by the number of referrals the property has received from satisfied residents.”

MONTGOMERY - The Business Council of Alabama recently elected new officers and members of its Board of Directors.

The River Region Apartment Association Awards Ceremony is an annual event that recognizes award-winning apartment personnel in the area.

First Vice Chairman: Terry Kellogg, president and CEO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, Birmingham.

HAM AND HIGH CHEF PLACES THIRD IN CONTEST MONTGOMERY – Ham and High chef Joe Wolfson was nominated as one of the top chefs in the Southeast and placed third out of 10 contenders in the Gulf Coast category. Food & Wine Magazine names America’s 10 best up-andcoming chefs each year from 10 regions throughout the country. The magazine selected 10 chefs in each of the regions. Chefs

The following are returning board members from the River Region: Bill Barranco, Fred Blackwell, Steve Cawood, Frank Filgo, Randall George, Jack Hawkins, Horace Horn, Doug Mannion, Cameron Martindale, Ben McNeill, Caroline Novak, Russ Tyner, J. Cameron West and W. Alan Worrell.

The BCA officers for 2011 are: Chairman: Will Brooke, managing partner, Venture Capital, Harbert Management Corp., Birmingham.

Nell Rankin

COPPERWING DESIGN WINS GOLD AT ADDYS MONTGOMERY – Copperwing Design won five Gold ADDYs, along with Best of Interactive, Copywriter of the Year and the annual Silver Medal Award.

Second Vice Chairman: Carl Jamison, shareholder, JamisonMoneyFarmer PC, Tuscaloosa.

The awards were announced at Montgomery Advertising Federation’s (MAF) 51st ADDYs at Montgomery Country Club.

Treasurer: C. Charles Nailen Jr., president and owner, BBG Specialty Foods Inc., and BBG Foods Inc., Dothan. Joe Wolfson

Chamber of Commerce; and Paul Cocker, GKN Westland Aerospace, Tallassee.

Legal Counsel: Fournier J. “Boots” Gale III, executive committee chairman, Maynard, Cooper & Gale, PC, Birmingham Immediate Past Chairman: Sandy Stimpson, executive vice president, Scotch & Gulf Lumber, LLC, Mobile. The organization also elected new members to its board of directors, including the following from the River Region: Mark Hope, Wells Fargo, Montgomery; David Ward, Hager Companies, Montgomery; Jan Wood, Wetumpka Area

Copperwing took home Gold ADDYs in the following categories: Consumer/Trade Print Advertising for Jackson Thornton; Interactive – Website for Metro Fitness; Interactive – Online Campaign for Montgomery Cancer Center websites’ “We Can Do This. Together.” campaign (which also won Best of Interactive); Consumer/Trade Print Campaign for Neptune Technology Group’s “The Proof is in the Numbers” campaign; and Sales Promotion – Tradeshow for Neptune’s trade show exhibit. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 34)

April 2011 Montgomery Business Journal

BUSINESS BUZZ (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33) In addition to winning 14 Silver ADDY awards for other work, Copperwing garnered two awards for individuals within the firm. Nell Rankin, partner and strategy director, was the Montgomery chapter recipient of the American Advertising Federation’s most prestigious honor, the Silver Medal Award, for her decades of service to the advertising profession and to the community. Leon Barwick picked up his fifth “Copywriter of the Year” award. “It’s been a great year for us,” said the firm’s founding partner and creative director, Angela Stiff. In another development, Copperwing also won the naming, identity and ongoing brand management work for Questplex, which was formerly called One Court Square. Questplex will be the new home for the Children’s Museum of Alabama and the Montgomery City-County Public Library.

trust in Bridget Jones, Clay Boshell and Kyle Richburg,” said Brandt Wright, owner of Century 21 Brandt Wright Realty.

Only 34 out of 750 banks from across the country that were evaluated and eligible for this recognition earned National Excellence Awards in 2010.

INTERNAL MEDICINE RESIDENCY PROGRAM RECEIVES FULL ACCREDITATION

W. Alan Worrell, president and CEO of Sterling Bank, said, “We are grateful that Greenwich acknowledged our commitment to deliver the total banking package for commercial customers, which includes our specialized products and services like private banking, treasury management, asset-based lending, wealth management and international banking, delivered through our hightouch, flexible approach.”

MONTGOMERY - The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has granted full accreditation status for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at the UAB Health Center Montgomery. The program received a five-year cycle until its next site survey, the longest period granted by the ACGME. In addition, the ACGME has approved the request of the UAB Montgomery Internal Medicine Residency Program to increase its complement of residents from the current 24 to 27. This is the second increase in resident complement in the past eight years. Wick Many is the program director and professor of medicine at the UAB Health Center Montgomery.

Kyle Richburg

CENTURY 21 BRANDT WRIGHT REALTY NAMES TOP-PRODUCING AGENTS MONTGOMERY – Bridget Jones, Clay Boshell and Kyle Richburg were named for top-producing sales associates last year for Century 21 Brandt Wright Realty Inc. “The home buyers and sellers of the River Region truly have a real estate resource they can

W. Alan Worrell

STERLING BANK, SYNOVUS RECEIVE 13 NATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS MONTGOMERY - Synovus Bank and its Montgomery-based bank division, Sterling Bank, were recently honored with 13 National Excellence Awards from the 2010 Greenwich Associates Excellence in Middle Market and Small Business Banking program.

Montgomery Business Journal April 2011

In the Middle Market Banking segment, Sterling Bank, along with all of the Synovus Bank divisions, was recognized nationally in seven categories: Overall Satisfaction, Relationship Manager Performance, Website Performance, Treasury Management, Accuracy of Operations, Customer Service and Product Capabilities. In addition to the seven national awards, the companies were honored with two Middle Market South Regional awards for Overall Customer Satisfaction and Treasury Management. Sterling Bank and Synovus received six national awards in the Small Business Banking category: Overall Satisfaction, Personal Banking, Relationship Manager Performance, Financial Stability, Branch Satisfaction and Treasury Management. In the South Regional segment, the companies were recognized for Overall Customer Satisfaction and Treasury Management. Greenwich Associates, a leading financial services firm, interviewed more than 24,000 customers million to determine the winners of the excellence awards.

Sterling Bank, a division of Synovus Bank, operates four branches in the Montgomery and Prattville markets.

Rob Carlton

GOODWYN, MILLS AND CAWOOD BIOLOGIST RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS CERTIFICATION MONTGOMERY – Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood Inc. biologist Rob Carlton has received professional wetland scientist certification. The Professional Certification Program is awarded by The Society of Wetland Scientists to identify qualified individuals to assess and manage the country’s resources. Carlton has been a biologist and project manager in the firm’s environmental engineering department for five-plus years. His work focuses primarily on wetland regulations, permitting and mitigation, as well as aquatic and wildlife habitat restoration. AUM RECEIVES $100,000 GRANT FROM DANIEL FOUNDATION MONTGOMERY - Auburn University at Montgomery’s University Honors Program has received a $100,000 grant from the Daniel Foundation of Alabama to fund travel, study abroad and research opportunities for AUM honors students. The Daniel Foundation of Alabama is named for the Daniel family. Hugh Daniel was a native of Elberton, Ga., who was raised in South Carolina, attended The Citadel, and later had construction

BUSINESS BUZZ and banking interests in Birmingham. The foundation was originally created in South Carolina, but the family later split the assets between South Carolina and Alabama, creating foundations in each state.

Katrina Keefer-Belt

BAPTIST HEALTH EXECUTIVE NAMED YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Carol Andrews

MONTGOMERY – Katrina Keefer-Belt has been named the River Region’s Young Professional of the Year. Keefer-Belt, chief financial officer for Baptist Health, is a member of the Alabama Healthcare Financial Management Association and assists the Family Sunshine Center.

Mugs Mullins

ALABAMA REALTOR HONOR SOCIETY SELECTS TWO ARONOV REALTY EMPLOYEES MONTGOMERY - Aronov Realty Brokerage Inc. employees Carol Andrews and Mugs Mullins have been selected as members of the Alabama Realtor Honor Society. This honor recognizes member involvement and achievement at all levels of the Realtor organization. Andrews and Mullins both serve on the board of directors for the Montgomery Area Association of Realtors and the Alabama Association of Realtors. Andrews was named Realtor of the Year by the local association in 2008 and Mullins won the same honor in 2009. Andrews is qualifying broker and vice president of Aronov Realty Brokerage Inc. residential sales. She manages the company’s Montgomery and Prattville offices. Mullins is a Realtor in the firm’s Prattville office.

The Alumni of the Emerge Montgomery’s Torchbearers Leadership Class created The Young Professional of the Year Award to recognize the achievements of a young professional in the River Region ages 22-40. The award is for an individual who has demonstrated noteworthy commitment to excellence and community service in their profession and worked to promote the well-being of their community. The award will also highlight an individual who demonstrates a high level of leadership, commitment and innovation through professional and personal growth. FREEMAN HOUSE OFFERS CORPORATE RENTALS MONTGOMERY – The Freeman House is now available for corporate and residential rentals. The luxury historic residential home was originally established in 1890 as a boarding house for the city’s business community. It is located just blocks from (CONTINUED ON PAGE 36) April 2011 Montgomery Business Journal

BUSINESS BUZZ (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35) downtown Montgomery at the top of Cottage Hill, which was Montgomery’s first residential community. The house has been restored and upgraded. It is fully furnished with contemporary and modernstyle furniture and features original artwork by Q.E. Freeman throughout the home. There are antique fireplace mantels in the sitting room and master bedroom and the Freeman House has a gourmet kitchen with granite countertops along with high-tech amenities. There is a one-month minimum for corporate leasing. For information about corporate leasing, call Q. E. Freeman at (334) 220-8656.

JUBILEE CITYFEST PLANS PYRO MUSIC SPECTACULAR

ALFA REALTY RECEIVES WEBSITE QUALITY CERTIFICATION

MONTGOMERY – Jubilee CityFest will be May 20-21 and feature a pyro music spectacular.

MONTGOMERY – Alfa Realty has received the Website Quality Certification (WQC) from the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World.

The fireworks spectacular, called Bama’s Big Bang will follow concerts by Bruno Mars and Janelle Monae. “We are excited about the date change and the opportunity to host the largest Pyro Music Spectacular,” said James Belton, 2011 Jubilee chairman. Jubilee will also feature BrewFest, Bama’s KidsFest, Bama’s Big Run (8-kilometer run) and much more on Saturday night. Tickets are on sale on the website www.jubileecityfest. org., Maxwell ITT, and the Montgomery Visitor Center.

Every aspect of the site, www. alfarealty.com was reviewed to ensure exacting standards were met in six key areas, ranging from design and content to human interactivity to search engine optimization. The WQC was introduced in 2009 to recognize and encourage superior websites among Leading Real Estate Companies of the World’s 600 member firms. Alfa Realty is one of 111 applicants to receive the 2010 WQC designation.

Rod Ballard

JACKSON THORNTON EXECUTIVE PRESENTS AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE MONTGOMERY - Jackson Thornton Principal Rod Ballard presented a session at the annual National Telecommunications Cooperative Association. Ballard’s session was titled “Leadership in Challenging Times” and he discussed the National Broadband Plan and the specific action steps each rural telecom provider needs to implement in order to survive, sustain and succeed in the future.

The company won the most ADDY awards. For the seventh consecutive year, LWT’s Camille Leonard was awarded Designer of the Year. LWT received six Gold ADDY Awards and 31 Silver ADDY Awards. The firm was honored with five out of eight Best of Show awards including The Best of Show Public Service Award, The Best of Show Print Award, The Best of Show Broadcast Award, a Judges Choice Award and the People’s Choice award. LWT, a marketing, media and interactive firm, is celebrating its 52nd year.

Montgomery Business Journal April 2011

Taylor Blackwell

WALKER360 ADDS HERITAGE SOUTH CREDIT UNION MONTGOMERY - Montgomery’s Walker360 has announced that it has been named agency of record by Heritage South Credit Union in Sylacauga. Originally chartered in 1937 as Avondale Employees Federal Credit Union to provide basic financial services to employees of Avondale Mills, Heritage South has grown today to more than $75 million in assets and has 11,000-plus members.

LWT WINS 42 ADDY AWARDS MONTGOMERY – LWT won 42 ADDY Awards in the American Advertising Federation/ Montgomery 2010-2011 American Advertising Awards.

Moore Property Management is an affiliate of Moore Co. Realty Inc. and Coldwell Banker Commercial.

Jerome Moore III

MOORE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT RECEIVES NATIONAL ACCREDIATION MONTGOMERY - Moore Property Management, LLC has been awarded an Accredited Management Organization (AMO) accreditation. Less than 2 percent of all commercial management firms have achieved the AMO accreditation status. Founded in 1998 by Jerome T. Moore III, Moore Property Management now manages more than 2 million square feet of commercial property in three states. He is president of Coldwell Banker Commercial Moore Company Realty.

“We’re very pleased and excited to be working with a financial institution that enjoys such a solid reputation, not only for its stability and security, but as a fixture in the community as well,” said Taylor Blackwell, president of Walker360. Walker360 is an advertising and printing company that offers a range of services from marketing plans and strategies, to graphic design and copywriting for radio, TV, print, outdoor, direct mail, websites, and packaging. The company has offices in Montgomery and Atlanta.

BUSINESS BUZZ TWO BUSINESSES OPEN AT HAMPSTEAD’S VILLAGE CENTER MONTGOMERY – Lemongrass Salon & Spa and Parish specialty retail shop have opened at the Town of Hampstead’s Village Center. Located adjacent to the Y’s Up at Hampstead fitness center, Parish offers an eclectic mix of antiques, furniture made with reclaimed materials, upholstery, new furniture, lighting and unique gift and home accessories. The store is open 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Parish was originally established out of Ashley Gilbreath Interior Design in 2010 to offer a retail complement to Gilbreath’s interior design business. Lemongrass Salon & Spa is located between the Hampstead branch library and Millie Ray’s Rolls. Lemongrass Salon & Spa offers a variety of services from the latest hair color technology and cutting techniques, to skin and nail care and rejuvenating massage therapies. There is also an extensive selection of all-natural hair, skin and spa products for sale. Lemongrass, which is owned by Kathy Shelley, will be open 10 a.m. - until, Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday and by special appointment. To schedule an appointment at Lemongrass Salon & Spa, call (334) 356-5495. For information about Parish, call (334) 356-8661 or find Parish on Facebook for exclusive announcements and specials.

Kay Ivey

IVEY ADDRESSES LEADERS AT AUBURN UNIVERSITY AT MONTGOMERY MONTGOMERY - Alabama Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey addressed leaders at Auburn University at Montgomery during a graduation ceremony for the university’s new Leadership Academy. She offered the group congratulations and encouragement, and challenged them to stay committed to making a positive impact on campus and in the community. The event was a culmination of several months of leadership training directed by the Alabama Training Institute. Participants took part in 10 leadership classes, five leadership luncheons and two leadership electives. Each component was designed to address specific areas critical in a university setting, including university strategy and individual performance, leadership influence, financial administration, university services, human resources and stakeholder services. AUM initiated the new leadership program last fall. By 2015, it is planned that all AUM faculty and staff in supervisory, management or program administration roles have the opportunity to participate in and graduate from the academy. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 38)

April 2011 Montgomery Business Journal

BUSINESS BUZZ (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37) Cisco unveiled the winners at its annual channel partner conference.

Jere Beasley

BEASLEY RECEIVES ‘WAR HORSE’ AWARD FROM TRIAL LAWYERS’ ORGANIZATION MONTGOMERY - Jere L. Beasley, founding Shareholder of Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C., received the “War Horse” award from the Southern Trial Lawyers Association (STLA). The recognition celebrates the nation’s most outstanding trial lawyers and was presented during the War Horse Banquet as part of the association’s 23rd Annual Conference. War Horse honorees are nominated by members of the STLA in recognition of extraordinary contributions to the cause of justice. Acknowledged leaders in their communities, the recipients have been active in practice for more than 30 years, demonstrate outstanding skill as trial advocates, and show exceptional commitment to furthering the cause of justice. “Mr. Beasley is certainly a War Horse for his clients,” said Jody Campbell, executive director of the STLA. INFORMATION TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS RECEIVES CISCO PARTNER AWARD

“The ITS team is honored to receive the Cisco K-12 Education Partner of the Year Award,” said Jeff Drury, CEO and chief financial officer of ITS. “Being recognized for IT leadership in the K-12 public sector reflects the significant efforts, high standards and determination of our staff. We will use the award as inspiration to drive continued success as a Cisco partner into the decade ahead.” Cisco Partner Summit awards are presented at three levels: regional, theater and global. Cisco Partner Summit U.S. and Canada regional awards reflect a partner’s performance in a given geographic region of the United States or Canada.

Pope currently oversees new business marketing and policyholder claims service and loss control functions. He received a bachelor’s degree in history from Wake Forest University. The Cone Co. is a full-service insurance brokerage firm specializing in commercial insurance and risk management with offices in Montgomery, Birmingham and Destin, Fla. ARBONNE CONSULTANTS LAUNCH CORPORATE WELLNESS PROGRAM

Thomas Pope

CONE CO. EXECUTIVE AWARDED PROFESSIONAL INSURANCE DESIGNATION MALVERN, Pa. – Thomas C. Pope from The Cone Co. has been awarded the professional insurance designation Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) by the American Institute for CPCU.

WETUMPKA - Information Transport Solutions Inc. (ITS) won the Cisco Partner Summit segment award for Cisco K-12 Education Partner of the Year – Public Sector.

The American Institute for CPCU is an independent, nonprofit educational organization that confers the CPCU designation on persons who complete eight courses and national examinations and meet its ethics and experience requirements. The CPCU professional designation is internationally recognized as the property-casualty insurance and risk management industry’s premier credential.

Montgomery Business Journal April 2011

MONTGOMERY – Arbonne independent consultants have launched a corporate wellness program. The Arbonne Essentials Corporate Wellness plan provides a turn-key program to help employees lose weight through physical activity and proper nutrition and helps employers reduce health care costs. The program features incentives and recognition through on-site events and social networking to motivate and partner with employees to accomplish their weight-loss goals.

Mindi Wilson

Tara Fitzpatrick

Mindi Wilson, area manager for Arbonne, and Tara Fitzpatrick, an Arbonne district manager, will meet with business owners and human resources personnel at their location to discuss how the program works and expected results. Each participant receives one-on-one coaching and accountability on physical activity and proper selection of whole foods and nutrition. For information, visit www. justwhateveryBODYneeds.com or call (334) 462-6049. •

April 2011 Montgomery Business Journal

MEMBERS ON THE MOVE Kaye Green

EXPERIENCED AGENT JOINS EXIT HODGES REAL ESTATE

FORMER ADMIRAL MOVERS EMPLOYEE REJOINS COMPANY

MONTGOMERY - Kaye Green has joined Exit Realty in Montgomery.

MONTGOMERY – Sue McCarron has rejoined Admiral Movers after leaving eight years ago.

“We’re excited to welcome Kaye to Exit Realty,” says Paul Hodges, broker of Exit Hodges Real Estate. “Exit Realty is growing and attracting top-producing agents like Kaye each and every day.” Green brings five years of real estate experience in the River Region to Exit Realty.

Sue McCarron

Hewston, director of federal governmental affairs and strategic communications; Victor Vernon, director of legislative policy and intergovernmental affairs; Lenore Reese Vickrey, director of strategic affairs and advocacy communications; and Pam Ware, manager of intergovernmental affairs, advocacy and communications.

She has returned in the position of move coordinator and business development. During the interim, she worked as development manager for Baptist Health and as a teaching tennis professional for the City of Montgomery while pursuing a master’s degree in management.

ALFA INSURANCE NAMES ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT

Al Scott

MYERS RETURNS TO REGIONS AS VICE PRESIDENT MONTGOMERY - Regions Financial Corp. announced that Josh Myers Josh Myers has rejoined the Montgomery bank as vice president and business banker. Myers has 10 years of experience in the financial services industry. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of West Alabama. METLIFE FINANCIAL GROUP OF THE SOUTH HIRES FINANCIAL SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE MONTGOMERY – MetLife Financial Group of the South has hired Carter Reed as a financial services representative. Reed attended Auburn University, Belhaven College and The University of Memphis. He is a registered securities representative and licensed to offer life and health products in Alabama. MetLife Financial Group of the South, an office of MetLife, offers a broad array of financial products and services including life, disability income, longterm care insurance, annuities, mutual funds and investment products.

Montgomery Business Journal April 2011

BUSINESS COUNCIL OF ALABAMA ANNOUNCES STAFF CHANGES MONTGOMERY -- The Business Council of Alabama Nathan M. Lindsay (BCA) has announced several changes in its staff. Nathan M. Lindsay has joined the BCA as director of political affairs and regional operations. Lindsay, a native of Madison, will manage BCA’s advocacy and political affairs, working with its nine regional action committees. Those committees endorse local candidates as part of ProgressPAC, BCA’s political action committee. Lindsay most recently worked in the office of former Alabama Gov. Bob Riley, where he served as aide to the governor and deputy press secretary. He is a graduate of Faulkner University. “We are pleased that a person with Nathan’s energy and experience has joined our BCA team,” said William Canary, president and CEO of the BCA. In other changes, the BCA has merged its Governmental Affairs and Communications Departments into one entity, the Intergovernmental Affairs, Advocacy and Communications team. The new team will be directed by Anita Archie, senior vice president and legal adviser. Staff members are Claire Haynes, director of legislative advocacy and intergovernmental affairs; Nancy Wall

MONTGOMERY — Al Scott has been named assistant to the president of Alfa Insurance.

Scott will continue to serve as general counsel and corporate secretary for the Alfa Insurance companies, but he will now play a more visible role in representing Alfa and in coordinating functions of the company’s various divisions, said Jerry Newby, president and CEO of Alfa Insurance. “Al is a good man and trusted friend who is dedicated to serving our members and policyholders,” said Newby, who also serves as president of the Alabama Farmers Federation. “As assistant to the president, he will be available to help with the obligations of this office while continuing to provide wise counsel to me and our board of directors. Al is a loyal employee who understands the importance of both the Federation and Alfa Insurance. His knowledge and experience with all phases of our organization will be invaluable as we work to provide the best service possible to our members and policyholders.” A graduate of Auburn University, Scott received his doctor of jurisprudence from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 1981. He served as law clerk for Alabama Supreme Court Justice Hugh Maddox and as attorney for the City of Montgomery before joining Alfa as assistant general counsel in 1993. Scott was named general counsel for Alfa in 1997 and was promoted to senior vice president in 1999. “I am honored that Mr. Newby has asked me to serve in this new capacity, but I recognize the great responsibility it brings,” Scott said.

KREBS ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING NAMES NEW VICE PRESIDENT

STATE SENATOR JOINS CAPELL & HOWARD LAW FIRM

Bryan Taylor

MONTGOMERY – State Sen. Bryan Taylor is a new associate in the law firm

of Capell & Howard. Taylor represents all of Butler, Crenshaw and Pike counties, and parts of Autauga, Lowndes and Elmore counties. He is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics, and Elections, and he also serves on the following committees: Judiciary; Governmental Affairs; Finance and Taxation Education; Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability; Veterans and Military Affairs; and Children, Youth Affairs and Human Resources. He will work in Capell & Howard’s litigation division and will concentrate his practice in the area of civil and appellate litigation. His practice will also focus on election and political law, including election contests, campaign finance, and compliance with ethics and lobbying laws. Taylor comes to the firm from the administration of Alabama Gov. Bob Riley, where he served as policy director and counsel to the governor. In that capacity, Taylor was responsible for the development and implementation of the governor’s policy and legislative agenda. He also helped craft the state’s legal position in numerous high-profile matters and assisted in managing litigation and appeals involving the governor. Prior to joining the Riley administration, Taylor was a litigation associate at the Birminghambased law firm of Bradley Arant Rose & White (now Bradley Arant Boult Cummings).

Thomas W. Oliver

MONTGOMERY - Krebs Architecture & Engineering Inc. announced a promotion and two new employees at the company’s Montgomery office.

Thomas W. Oliver has been promoted D. Shane Traylor to vice president. As a licensed engineer and land surveyor, Oliver was elected as a shareholder in 2009 and most recently held the position of project manager. Michael Walls Oliver, who received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Auburn University, has 30-plus years of engineering and surveying experience. D. Shane Traylor has joined Krebs as a senior land surveyor. He has 20 years of experience in the land surveying field including boundary surveys, topographic surveys, subdivision maps, plats, construction staking and FEMA elevation certificates.

INLINE NAMES DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MONTGOMERY – Rick Barber Rick Barber has been named director of marketing and business development for InLine. Barber, who was vice president of remote offices and vice president of corporate sales, joined InLine in 2005. He merged his company, Applied Computers & Consulting with InLine. InLine is a 19year-old Birmingham-based company specializing in business technology and managed service solutions. “Market identity is crucial to business success, especially in tough financial times,” Barber said. “I’m honored to grow the InLine brand in the Southeast. Businesses need ways to reduce costs. Technology is a great place to start. InLine is at the cutting-edge.” The firm offers disaster recovery, centralized storage solutions, server and desktop virtualization, managed services, fiber optic networks, wireless networks, mobile broadband, and voice and data systems.

Michael Walls has joined Krebs as a survey crew member. He has worked in the land surveying field for the last 17 years and recently held the position of survey party chief. Krebs Architecture & Engineering has offices in Birmingham, Montgomery and Orange Beach.

Taylor, who served four years on active duty as a U.S. Army judge advocate, received his law degree from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. While in law school, Taylor also served as a legal intern for then-Gov. George W. Bush. He received a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Alabama.

April 2011 Montgomery Business Journal

RIBBON CUTTINGS & GROUND BREAKINGS

HERE WE GROW AGAIN

EARTH FARE 7340 EastChase Parkway, Montgomery, AL 36117 334-277-2757 www.earthfare.com Jack Murphy-CEO Groceries-Retail

CHARACTER @ HEART, INC. 4101-C Wall Street, Montgomery, AL 36106 334-272-4276 Pam Morgan-Executive Director www.characteratheart.com Associations/Non-Profit

STATE FARM INSURANCE, HENRY HERNANDEZ-AGENT 4017 Troy Highway, Montgomery, AL 36116 334-288-3227 www.statefarm.com Henry Hernandez-Agent Insurance Companies/Services

GOLD’S GYM 2300 Berryhill Road, Montgomery, AL 36117 334-271-7575 www.goldsgym.com/montgomeryal Cory Norris-General Manager Health Clubs

HIBACHI GRILL & SUPREME BUFFET 6561 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36117 334-260-7799 Mr. Chang Kai Lin-Owner Restaurants

COLORTYME RENT TO OWN 3747 Southeastern Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36116 334-277-3111 www.colortyme.com Derrick Vincent-Manager Furniture-Rentals

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Montgomery Business Journal April 2011

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New Members AccountingTax Returns ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS, LLC Tami Griffin 8449 Crossland Loop, Suite 137 Montgomery, AL 36117 334-649-3244

Advertising Specialties KAESER & BLAIR, INC. LaTanya Ingram 701 Underwood Street Montgomery, AL 36108 334-263-1968

Banks AUBURN BANK Robert W. Dumas 100 North Gay Street Auburn, AL 36830 334-821-9200

Churches/Ministries DEXTER AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Tony McCullough 301 Dexter Avenue Montgomery, AL 36104 334-263-0549

ComputersConsulting SIMPLIFY Bruce Thomas 210 Commerce Street Montgomery, AL 36104 334-264-6883 Ext 201

Counseling LIFE TIME RESOLUTIONS, LLC Brenda Allen 2525 E. South Boulevard Montgomery, AL 36116 334-284-7502

Credit Unions GUARDIAN CREDIT UNION Lynette Wright 3380 Eastdale Circle Montgomery, AL 36117 334-241-8774

EngineersMechanical RICK JOKI, PE Rick Joki 4513 Middlefork Road Montgomery, AL 36106-3114 334-467-0586

Furniture-Rental COLORTYME RENT TO OWN Derrick M. Vincent 3747 Eastern Boulevard Montgomery, AL 36116 334-277-3111

Health & Nutrition ARBONNE INTERNATIONALMINDI WILSON Mindi Wilson 1774 Taliaferro Trail Montgomery, AL 36117 334-462-6049

Information Technology Firms

Lobbying

ARRAY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Rick Easom 60 Commerce Street, Suite 1210 Montgomery, AL 36104 334-269-3300

Laser & Skincare

TEAGUE, GILBERT, GRAY & MOORE LLC John Teague 441 High Street Montgomery, AL 36104 334-265-8086

Real Estate-Rental THE FREEMAN HOUSE Earl Freeman 533 Clay Street Montgomery, AL 36104 334-220-8656

A.G.A. SKIN CARE & LASER CENTER Stuart May 2055 East South Boulevard Suite 712 Montgomery, AL 36116 334-288-1950

Restaurants

Legal Services Attorneys BAILEY & GLASSER, LLP J.B. Perrine 201 Monroe Street, Suite 2170 Montgomery, AL 36104 334-262-6485

HIBATCHI GRILL & SUPREME BUFFET Chang K. Lin 6561 Atlanta Highway Montgomery, AL 36117 334-260-7799

JOSEPH LISTER HUBBARD LLC Joseph L. Hubbard 621 South Perry Street Montgomery, AL 36104 334-265-9034 PENN & SEABORN, LLC Myron Penn 53 Highway 110 Union Springs, AL 36089 334-738-4486

Consulting Services THE LENETTA BANKS GROUP LeNetta Banks 448 Park Lake Drive Montgomery, AL 36117 334-233-9873

April 2011 Montgomery Business Journal

ECONOMIC INTEL Unemployment Data Civilian Labor Force Area

Unemployment Rate

January p 2011

December r 2010

January r 2010

January p 2011

December r 2010

January r 2010

164,874

166,480

169,136

9.60%

8.70%

10.30%

Autauga County

23,797

24,053

24,367

8.90%

8.00%

9.40%

Prattville City

15,428

15,613

15,801

7.40%

6.70%

7.90%

34,999

35,537

36,048

8.50%

8.10%

9.50%

4,725

4,593

4,701

18.30%

14.30%

16.40%

101,354

102,298

104,019

9.70%

8.80%

10.50% 10.30%

Montgomery MA

Elmore County Lowndes County Montgomery County Montgomery City

91,599

92,407

93,990

9.60%

8.60%

510,616

514,559

520,767

9.10%

8.30%

10.10%

94,559

95,172

96,350

11.20%

10.30%

12.10%

205,806

206,531

207,191

8.20%

7.20%

8.50%

90,466

90,774

90,747

8.20%

7.10%

8.20%

185,571

186,287

185,668

10.70%

9.70%

11.70%

86,345

86,631

86,337

11.00%

9.90%

11.90%

2,106,124

2,115,581

2,137,772

9.90%

8.80%

10.90%

152,536,000

153,156,000

153,445,000

9.80%

9.10%

8.50%

Birmingham-Hoover MA Birmingham City Huntsville MA Huntsville City Mobile MA Mobile City Alabama United States MA=Metropolitan Area. pPreliminary

rRevised

Estimates prepared by the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations in Cooperation with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, based on 2009 benchmark.

Sales Tax Collections Year over Year % Change

Year over Year % Change

FEB 2011

FEB 2010

Montgomery County

$2,893,810

$2,848,672

1.58%

$6,766,136

$6,556,345

3.20%

City of Montgomery

$6,550,217

$6,350,281

3.15%

$15,625,828

$14,768,434

5.81%

Pike Road

$123,572

$142,305

-13.16%

$319,879

$327,725

-2.39%

Autauga County

$530,019

$576,910

-8.13%

$1,237,218

$1,250,605

-1.07%

Prattville

YTD 2011

YTD 2010

$1,032,713

$915,225

12.84%

$2,632,369

$2,440,057

7.88%

Elmore County

$367,167

$617,123

-40.50%

$821,135

$1,529,834

-46.33%

Wetumpka

$383,490

$523,835

-26.79%

$907,325

$896,493

1.21%

Millbrook

$414,131

$398,823

3.84%

$951,410

$934,523

1.81%

Sources: Montgomery County Commission, City of Montgomery, City of Pike Road, Autauga County Commission, City of Prattville, Elmore County Commission, City of Wetumpka, City of Millbrook Note: YTD numbers are January 2010 thru current month. * Did not receive this months numbers.

Montgomery Building Starts Building Permits JAN 2011

DEC 2010

JAN 2010

JAN 2011

DEC 2010

JAN 2010

$1,992,000

$5,448,600

$2,456,000

New Construction Additions and Alterationsâ&#x20AC;Ż

$2,013,000

$2,478,800

$4,225,800

Others

$148,000

$334,200

$7,222,600

Total

108

123

107

$4,153,800

$8,261,600

$7,404,400

Source: City of Montgomery Building Department

Building Valuations

Montgomery Business Journal April 2011

Airline Fares

Hyundai Sales

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

VEHICLE

FEB 2011

FEB 2010

YTD 2011

Accent

4,504

5,308

8,748

11,055

Sonata

15,723

7,506

28,984

12,812

12,289

7,966

21,948

15,656

4,276

7,964

8,691

15,168

Montgomery

Birmingham

Atlanta

Baltimore (BWI)

$372

$288

$232

Elantra

Boston (BOS)

$392

$308

$318

Santa Fe

Charlotte, NC (CLT)

$192

$228

Azera

Chicago (ORD)

$346

$246

$282

Tucson

Cincinnati (CVG)

$320

$258

$282

Dallas/Ft Worth (DFW)

$302

$268

$332

Denver (DEN)

$412

$362

$288

Equus

Detroit (DTW)

$399

$312

$272

Total

Houston (HOU)

$388

$287

$302

Indianapolis (IND)

$353

$282

$262

Las Vegas (LAS)

$489

$359

$314

Los Angeles (LAX)

$402

$320

$308

Memphis (MEM)

$422

$378

$248

Miami (MIA)

$357

$280

$226

Nashville (BNA)

$248

$139

$376

New Orleans (MSY)

$288

$169

$208

New York (JFK)

$370

$342

$316

Orlando (MCO)

$314

$272

Philadelphia (PHL)

$376

$297

$322

Pittsburgh (PIT)

$364

$221

$252

St Louis (STL)

$262

$150

$246

Seattle (SEA)

$394

$342

$310

$1,275

$1,179

$1,318

Tampa (TPA)

$340

$241

$272

Washington DC (DCA)

$367

$298

$272

Seoul, Korea (SEL)

YTD 2010

167

204

323

473

3,342

2,741

6,205

4,957

Veracruz

558

553

1,137

954

Genesis

2,441

1,762

4,224

3,432

233

487

43,533

34,004

80,747

64,507

Source: Hyundai Motor America

Date of travel: April 19-24, 2011. Date of pricing: March 13, 2011. Source: travelocity.com

Montgomery Regional Airport FEB 2011 Air Carrier Operations

FEB 2010

Year over Year % Change

YTD 2011

YTD 2010

Year over Year % Change

885

835

6.0%

1,852

1,780

4.0%

Total Operations

5,258

4,423

18.9%

9,823

10,213

-3.8%

Enplanements

12,600

12,349

2.0%

25,757

25,106

2.6%

Deplanements

12,316

11,768

4.7%

25,803

24,969

3.3%

Total Passengers

24,916

24,117

3.3%

51,560

50,075

3.0%

Source: Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM) Dannelly Field

Montgomery Metro Market Home Sales Month/Month % Change

JAN 2010

Year/Year % Change

$130,100

-7.76%

$110,000

9.09%

$116,607

$147,657

-4.59%

$133,574

5.47%

$133,439

2,999

0.33%

3,082

-2.37%

36,649

13.8

29.71%

18.4

-2.72%

17.9

150

217

-30.88%

191

-21.47%

2,052

108

20.00%

105

2.86%

161.8

JAN 2011

DEC 2010

Median Price

$120,000

Average Price

$140,883

Units Listed

3,009

Months of Supply

17.9

Total # Sales Days on Market

Statewide JAN 2011

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

April 2011 Montgomery Business Journal

Quarterly Reports QUARTERLY REVENUES

NET INCOME

EARNINGS PER SHARE

EARNINGS ESTIMATE

YEAR-AGO REVENUES

YEAR-AGO NET INCOME

Northrop Grumman

$8.6B

$376M

$1.27

N/A

$8.9B

$413M

Profit declined 9%

Buffalo Wild Wings

$163.9M

$10.2M

$0.55

$0.52

$145M

$8.3M

Company-owned same-store sales up 3.8%

Advance Auto Parts

$1.3B

$48.1M

$0.57

$0.54

$1.1B

$34.5M

Sales at stores opened at least one year rose 8.9%

Panera Bread

$428.2M

$37M

$1.21

N/A

$367M

$30M

Comparable bakery-café sales increased 5.8%

Home Depot

$15.1B

$587M

$0.36

$0.31

$14.6B

$342M

Profit jumped 72%

$116.3B

$6.1B

$1.70

$1.31

$112.8B

$4.8B

Profit rose 27%; U.S. sales declined 5.8%

$3B

(-$48.6M)

(-$0.21)

(-$0.03)

$3.1B

(-$61.6M)

$192.6M

$2.2M

$0.14

$0.03

$182.2M

$1.6M

Plan to increase prices 1.5% in April

O’Reilly Automotive

$1.3B

$105.8M

$0.74

$0.64

N/A

$71.9M

Profit surged 47%

Abercrombie & Fitch

$1.2B

$92.6M

$10.30

$1.31

$936M

$47.5M

Profit nearly doubled

Winn-Dixie

$2.1B

(-$24M)

(-$0.43)

(-$0.25)

$2.1B

$2.1M

Company cities “challenging economy”

Big Lots

$1.5B

$110M

$1.46

$1.38

$1.4B

$105.4M

Plan to open 90 stores this year

$840.7M

(-$10.8M)

(-$0.03)

$0.01

$900.9M

(-$13.6M)

Wendy’s restaurants returning to Japan later this year

$1.4B

$57M

$0.36

$1.3B

$23M

$20.5B

$348M

$0.79

$18.4B

$299M

$1.7B

$148.1M

$3.34

$3.07

$1.5B

$123.3M

Profit increase 20%

Domino’s Pizza

$480M

$24.2M

$0.39

$0.40

$462.9M

$23.6M

Revenue rose 4%

JC Penney

$5.7B

$271M

$1.13

$1.11

$5.6B

$200M

Online sales rose 7% to $495M

Gap

$4.4B

$365M

$0.60

$0.57

$4.2B

$352M

Plan to buy back $2B in stock

Kohl’s

$6B

$493M

$1.66

$1.65

$5.7B

$431M

Transactions per store increased 5.4%

Target

$20.3B

$1B

$1.45

$1.39

$19.7B

$936M

Profit rose 10.5%

Sears Holdings

$13.1B

$374M

$3.43

$3.67

$13.2B

$430M

Company names new CEO

TJX (TJ Maxx)

$6.3B

$334.4M

$0.84

$1.01

$5.9B

$394.9M

Profit declined 15%

$3.5B

$452.3M

$1.36

$1.24

$3.1B

$356.1M

Profit jumped 27%

Dollar Tree

$1.7B

$162.5M

$1.29

$1.27

$1.6B

$135M

Lowe’s

$10.5B

$285M

$0.21

$0.18

$10.2B

$205M

Profit surged 39%

RadioShack

$1.4B

$57M

$0.51

$0.53

$1.3B

$75.7M

Profit fell 25%

Dillard’s

$1.9B

$109.6M

$1.75

$1.38

$1.8B

$79.5M

Net income rose 38%

Dick’s Sporting Goods

$1.5B

$87.5M

$0.71

$0.72

$1.3B

$67.4M

E-commerce revenue grew 36.3%

Jo-Ann Stores

$624.1M

$40.4M

$1.53

$602.2M

$37.1M

Plan to open 55-60 stores this year

Men’s Wearhouse

$542.1M

(-$14.1M)

(-$0.27)

(-$0.19)

$457.2M

(-$18.8M)

The Children’s Place Retail Stores

$453.2M

$32.1M

$1.22

$1.01

$462.8M

$34.1M

Revenue declined 12%

American Eagle Outfitters

$916.1M

$87M

$0.44

$0.43

$956M

$59.3M

Profit jumped 47%

Coldwater Creek

$252.1M

(-$37M)

(-$0.40)

(-$0.26)

$318.4M

(-$9.7M)

Sales dropped 21%

NAME

Wal-Mart Stores Office Depot Red Robin

Wendy’s/Arby’s Group Foot Locker Costco Auto Zone

Limited Brands Victoria’s Secret, Bath and Body Works)

Source: PR Newswire and Charles Schwab wire services

Montgomery Business Journal April 2011

NOTABLE

Sales fell 3%

Profit more than doubles Sales at international stores opened at least one year up 12%

Revenue increased 11%

Revenue up 18.6%

Representative Joe Hubbard 73rd District, Montgomery

“My roots run deep in Montgomery. My family has been here for seven generations, and I’ve realized my dream to return to Montgomery to build a family and future. As a member of the Alabama House of Representatives, I can give back to a city that has given me so much opportunity, and help make sure that our future generations have endless possibilities. For me, Montgomery is the Capital of Dreams. Make it the city for your success.”

d r e a m m o n t g o m e r y. c o m

April 2011 Montgomery Business Journal

Post Office Box 79 Montgomery, AL 36101