Jegil Dugger was pumping gas when the name came to him. Pye — a nod to 3.14, a nod to food — a name that stuck. It was one of those odd moments, a flash of vision in the middle of an ordinary day.
Dugger, a former UAB and pro football player who lives in Hoover, already knew what he wanted: to build self-pay kiosk technology that would help restaurants and small retailers stay open when post-pandemic labor costs and shortages threatened to shut them down.
He also wanted to add a way for people to make secure cash payments in multiple languages to reach customers who don’t have debit or credit cards — so no one is left out or left behind.
“For me, accessibility isn’t a feature, it’s the foundation,” Dugger said of his patented technology. “I know what exclusion feels like, and I’m committed to building solutions that bridge the gap, not widen it.”
Newsmaker of the Year
By JON ANDERSON
s the calendar pages flipped to January 2025, there was just one confirmed candidate for mayor of Hoover in the 2025 election, and that was incumbent Frank Brocato. But another name certainly was circulating as a potential challenger: Nick Derzis.
As momentum built in that direction, the 20-year police chief finally announced his candidacy in mid-March, and the Derzis train surged ahead full steam. It was a powerful push and one that Brocato could not stop, with Derzis achieving victory at the polls in August with 56% of the more than 17,000 votes cast.
The people had spoken, and they were ready for a change.
Derzis, pushing an agenda of economic development, greater transparency and public involvement, took over the mayor’s chair on Nov. 3 and earned the spot of Hoover’s Newsmaker of the Year for 2025.
See DERZIS | page 24
Nick Derzis does an interview on the night he was sworn in as Hoover ’s new mayor. Photo by Frank Couch.
Jegil Dugger stands beside one of his Pye kiosks, the technology he designed to help restaurants cut costs and stay competitive. Photo courtesy of Jegil Dugger.
Dr. Edgar Luna announces the
opening of
Dr. Edgar Luna
Dr. Edgar Luna is an award-winning dentist and visionary in cosmetic and implant dentistry. A recipient of the Fellowship Award from the Academy of General Dentistry, he has been recognized among America’s Top Dentists and honored as Best of Birmingham and Most Caring of Birmingham.
Founder of Divine Smiles Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry, Dr. Luna blends clinical excellence with artistic precision and faith-driven compassion. Trained at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, he has served patients from local families to Fortune 500 executives, earning a reputation for creating radiant, natural-looking smiles that transform confidence and lives alike.
ABOUT US
Editor’s Note By Jon Anderson
Choosing a Newsmaker of the Year isn’t always easy.
A lot of people grab headlines — some for outstanding accomplishments, others for missteps or controversy.
One strong contender for Hoover Newsmaker of the Year for 2025 was Abbie Stockard, a former Miss Hoover and Miss Alabama who won the Miss America crown in January. Another contender was Emma Terry, Miss Hoover 2025 who won Miss Alabama in June.
Hogan), former Hoover CFO Jennifer Cornett (who led the city through a closely scrutinized financial review) and Loree Skelton (who won approval for a surgery center in Stadium Trace Village). But it was clear the person who shook things up most this year was Nick Derzis, who after being police chief for 20 years set his badge down and put on the mayor’s hat after defeating two-term incumbent Frank Brocato.
Other contenders included Bluff Park teacher Katie Collins (Alabama’s Teacher of the Year), fire Chief Clay Bentley (Alabama’s Fire Chief of the Year), Hoover High’s Jennifer Hogan (who retired as principal of the state’s largest high school), Kristi Sayers (who replaced
I hope you enjoy our cover story on Derzis.
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Nick’s Notes
By Nick Derzis
Merry Christmas, Hoover!
As we enter this season of joy and celebration, I’m reminded that Christmas means more than twinkling lights and festive gatherings. It’s about family, faith, community and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Our community is blessed with incredible local organizations doing remarkable work right here in Hoover and the surrounding areas, and they need our support this season.
One of my personal favorites is the Toys for Tots program. The Marine Corps Reserve program has a tremendous presence in our area, with the hub located at Patton Creek and dozens of drop-off locations throughout Hoover, including Hendrick Chevrolet on Montgomery Highway, several apartment communities and local businesses.
Last year, the program supported over 10,000 children with over 67,000 toys distributed. That's the kind of impact we can make when we come together as a community.
The Salvation Army's Angel Tree program at the Riverchase Galleria offers another wonderful way to give as a family. You can adopt an angel and provide gifts for foster children and kids in need, making sure every child experiences the magic of Christmas morning. Let your children help pick out the gifts and wrap them together.
The Community Food Bank of Central Alabama serves families throughout our region with mobile pantries and food distribution. Your donations help provide meals to thousands of families facing food insecurity, especially critical during the holiday season.
Whether you donate toys, food, time or financial support, every contribution makes a real difference. The spirit of the season is serving others, and there’s no better place to do that than right here in our own community.
From my family to yours, may you have a blessed and Merry Christmas.
Nick Derzis
SCHOOLHOUSE
Alabama’s FOCUS Act in effect
Statewide law aims to curb classroom distractions
By APRIL COFFEY
The silence was jarring at first.
“It was quiet in the halls,” said Hoover High junior Harrison Morton, remembering the first week of school without phones. “We’re used to looking at our phones between classes because most teachers wouldn't allow us to be on them in class. That first week, we didn’t know what to look at without our device in hand.
“Eventually, we realized we could just talk to the person next to us — or if we made eye contact with someone, it didn’t have to be awkward.”
The shift Morton describes is playing out across Hoover City Schools and throughout the state this fall, after Alabama lawmakers passed the Freeing Our Classrooms of Unnecessary Screens for Safety Act. Effective this school year (2025-26), the law prohibits student use of phones, earbuds and smartwatches during the instructional day — unless directed by a teacher or needed for health or emergency reasons.
Supporters of the law, including Gov. Kay Ivey, say the goal is to reduce distractions and encourage deeper engagement in classrooms. For students, parents and teachers in Hoover, the rollout has already led to changed routines, stronger face-to-face communication and some unexpected moments of adjustment.
WHAT THE ACT REQUIRES
Under the law, all public K-12 schools in Alabama must enforce a consistent policy banning student use of wireless communication devices during the school day. The legislation also requires school districts to provide internet safety education and implement new policies governing the use of school-issued digital tools.
Classroom distraction was a driving concern behind the law. In a 2024 Pew Research survey, 72% of U.S. high school teachers said cellphone use was a major problem in their classrooms. A Rutgers University study found that students in device-friendly classrooms scored an average of 5% lower on final exams than students in phone-free classes. The FOCUS Act’s supporters believe limiting phone use will improve student engagement and overall outcomes, though some experts caution that device bans alone aren’t a cure-all.
Hoover City Schools has long had a Technology Agreement in place for staff and students alike. The document emphasizes that the use of digital devices is a privilege — one that now falls under the tighter expectations of the statewide law.
ADJUSTING TO NEW NORMAL
For eighth grader Easby Morton, the timing of the law lined up with her getting a phone for the first time. “I have a phone this year, so it is probably a good thing to help me focus,” she said.
Her mother, Briana Morton — a longtime educator and parent of three Hoover students — sees the difference in focus and conversation.
“The benefits are clear: students are focused on classroom activities and conversations rather than whatever is on their device,” she said. “I’ve seen different problems with
technology for different age groups. If my elementary student had a smartwatch, it would absolutely consume her day, whereas my older two are more disciplined not to let it distract them.”
She added that family communication habits have had to evolve, too.
“When I was a classroom teacher, I would get so frustrated with students responding to parent texts during class,” she said. “And then I became a parent of a teen, and I caught myself texting my kids more than I should have. If anything, I think the FOCUS Act has forced me to communicate ahead of time with my kids to make sure that we are all on the same page.”
Districts like Hoover encourage parents to use platforms such as ParentSquare and StudentSquare for messages that don’t require immediate responses during the day.
IN CLASS, BETWEEN BELLS
Without phones to lean on between classes or at lunch, students are rediscovering unscripted social time — and even classroom participation is changing.
“I’m asking my teachers more questions instead of looking up the information independently,” Harrison said.
Middle school students like Charlie and Cole Saggus, both at Bumpus Middle School, said the law hasn’t changed their routines much — they were already used to having phones put away. “We’ve never been able to have our phones at middle school,” said Cole, a sixth grader. “I haven’t seen anyone with their phone out, earbuds in or wearing a smartwatch,” added Charlie, who’s in eighth grade.
Their father, Dan Saggus, welcomes the consistency the FOCUS Act brings. “I’m glad my boys have the Focus Act,” he said.
“I was in school in the ’90s, but if we had cell phones, I’m sure I would have needed a rule to help me concentrate.”
Morton agrees that standardization is part of the law’s value.
“The climate of what is acceptable and not acceptable begins at home but is implemented at the school,” she said. “But if parents and
What to know about the FOCUS Act
► Full name: Freeing Our Classrooms of Unnecessary Screens for Safety Act (FOCUS Act)
► Applies to: All public K-12 schools in Alabama, effective 2025-26 school year
► What’s banned: Use, operation or display of phones, earbuds, smartwatches and other wireless devices during the school day
► Exceptions: Medical needs, emergencies, IEP/504 accommodation and teacher-directed instructional use
► Local responsibility: Every school board must adopt compliant wireless device and internet safety policies
► Required curriculum: Students must complete a state-approved course on social media risks and online safety before eighth grade
► Legislative support: Passed Alabama House 79-15; supported by Alabama Department of Education
SOURCES: ALABAMA LEGISLATURE (HB166), ALABAMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (FOCUS ACT MEMO, JULY 2025), GOVTECH REPORTING
administrators are not on the same page, issues can definitely arise — and you have to have a blanket law put in place.”
BEYOND THE POLICY
For some students, being without a phone during the school day is a source of anxiety. Birmingham-based nonprofit College Admissions Made Possible is one organization working to help students adjust.
Through its Alabama Virtual Institute, CAMP reaches about 3,000 students across the state with academic and wellness
What research says about phones and learning
► 72% of U.S. high school teachers say phones are a major distraction in class
► A Rutgers University study concluded allowing devices in class led to ~5% lower final exam scores compared to phone-free classrooms
► A meta-analysis of 39 studies found consistent negative links between smartphone use and academic performance
► Over half of school leaders report cellphones negatively impact learning outcomes
► Some research cautions that bans alone may not improve grades or well-being — other supports are often needed
SOURCES: PEW RESEARCH CENTER (2024), RUTGERS UNIVERSITY (2018), EDUCATION SCIENCES META-ANALYSIS (2024), NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS (2025), UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM (2025)
programming. “Our Brains and Screens curriculum,” Executive Director Michelle Hayes said, “uses social-emotional learning time to retrain the brain for focus, calm and connection in a screen-saturated world.”
THE LONG VIEW
The FOCUS Act aims to create a more engaged, less distracted learning environment. While many in Hoover are seeing early benefits, parents and students say there’s still room to grow — especially when it comes to communication and consistency of the rules across grade levels.
For students like Harrison Morton, though, the early takeaway is simple.
“It’s different,” he said. “But I’m not just staring at my phone — I’m actually talking to people. That’s kind of the point, right?”
Briana Morton
Hoover students and staff are seeing fewer distractions and more socialization since the FOCUS Act has gone into
school year. Stock photo.
Foundations partner to provide $30,000 in music kits for Hoover special needs classrooms
By JON ANDERSON
Special needs students in every school in the Hoover school system are gaining new tools to broaden their exposure to music, thanks to a $30,000 donation from the Sandlin Foundation for Kids and Kindness and Joyful Noise Foundation.
The Sandlin Foundation, set up by Signature Homes Chairman Dwight Sandlin and his wife, Sandy, in late October donated the money to the Joyful Noise Foundation established by Miss Hoover 2026 Ali Mims.
The Sandlins wanted to make a difference in the lives of Hoover residents and were impressed with the mission of the Joyful Noise Foundation. It aims to share the joy of music with special needs students across the state, who sometimes miss out on such exposure, as well as kids who struggle with anxiety or depression.
Mims’ foundation provides music kits for special needs classrooms and music therapy. Each kit contains a mini xylophone, a tambourine, maracas, handbells, a small drum and a QR code to an app with music curriculum. According to Mims, because of the donation from the Sandlin Foundation, her Joyful Noise Foundation will be able to distribute more than 110 music kits among every special needs teacher in the Hoover school system, covering all grades (K-12).
While she has raised more than $80,000 for her foundation since she started four years ago at age 14, this is by far the single largest donation her foundation has ever received, said Mims, who graduated from Chelsea High
worth of
School in the spring and is now a freshman at Samford University. “It’s insane. I can’t wrap my head around it,” she said.
The previous largest was a $5,000 donation from State Representative Susan DuBose’s
discretionary legislative fund. “It’s a big step up from the $10 checks I was getting when I made ornaments when I was 14,” Mims said.
Mims explained that she developed a love for music early in her life, was a peer helper in
elementary school and was friends with some of the special needs students. She believes God gave her a special ability to connect with people who have autism, Down syndrome and other mental and physical disabilities, and she
Miss Hoover 2026 Ali Mims’ Joyful Noise Foundation is providing $30,000
music kits to special needs classrooms in Hoover City Schools thanks to a $30,000 donation from the Sandlin Foundation for Kids and Kindness. From left, are Hoover schools Superintendent Kevin Maddox; David Bannister, a representative for the Sandlin Foundation for Kids and Kindess; Miss Hoover 2026 Ali Mims; and Brian Cocke, the school district’s fine arts specialist. Photos by Jon Anderson.
has seen firsthand how music can dramatically impact their lives.
When she was 14 and first started putting together music kits for special needs students, she set up a booth at a fall festival, and a teenage girl who was nonverbal started playing a xylophone, Mims said. Then, with her brother, the girl started singing the words to the Queen song “We Will Rock You.”
“Her mom comes up and starts bawling her eyes out,” Mims said. “She looked at me and said, ‘In all of her 15 years of living, I’ve never heard her say a word,’ and she was singing this song with all of the words. … She just loved the music so much that she was just overcome with this peace, and all of the sudden everything that she had heard came to her and she was able to get it out. Now, her mom takes her to music therapy, and she can talk because of music. It was really that moment that I was like, ‘OK,
God, this is clearly what you want me to be doing.’ Now there have been so many people that I have introduced to music therapy.”
While most students get to go to a music class in elementary or middle school, special needs students often don’t get to experience that with their classmates, and that’s not fair, Mims said. She explained that music can be a calming influence for students with high anxiety and bring them a tremendous amount of joy.
“If you’ve never played the drums or maracas or xylophones with someone that has Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism or any kind of physical or mental disability, I really highly recommend that you take the opportunity if you ever get it because the overwhelming abundance of joy that that’s given me is something that I can’t explain. It has totally changed the trajectory of my life and how I view and see things,” Mims said.
“I taught music for 16 years, and they are spot on about everything they said about special needs kids. They light up when they come to music and they get to have an instrument in their hand. To be able to provide this for all of our special needs classrooms is incredible.
BRIAN
”Her foundation is built off Psalm 100: “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord” (KJV). “I really think that is why it has been able to flourish so much,” she said. “I know that I’m using my gifts to the benefit of the Lord. It’s just been so awesome.”
Mims’ mother, Haley Houston, is a music teacher at Mt Laurel Elementary in Shelby County. She said music is very powerful for special needs students. And while Hoover and Shelby County special needs students do get exposure to music, having music kits in their own classrooms will provide immediate access to hands-on therapy if it’s needed quickly, Houston said.
Brian Cocke, the district fine arts specialist for Hoover City Schools, said what Mims is doing for schools is great.
“I taught music for 16 years, and they are spot on about everything they said about special
needs kids,” he said. “They light up when they come to music and they get to have an instrument in their hand. To be able to provide this for all of our special needs classrooms is incredible.” He explained that special needs classrooms require so many resources that it’s hard to fund all of them.
Hoover schools Superintendent Kevin Maddox said he’s impressed with what Mims is doing. He admitted that he was not thinking about other people like that at age 14 or likely even in college.
“That’s what gives me hope — to know that we have a generation of young people who really get it,” he said. “Even though sometimes we can all be a little self-centered and focused on ourselves, to think about other people and do things for other people I think is so noble. … I believe this generation is going to change the world. I’ve just seen so much of it.”
COCKE
Miss Hoover 2026 Ali Mims shares musical instruments with students at Mt Laurel Elementary School in February 2024.
Photos courtesy of Joyful Noise Foundation
BUSINESS
Business Buzz
BUSINESS HAPPENINGS
NOW OPEN
Leah Drury and Lindsey Miller-Neal relocated The Summit location of their Battle Republic fitness studio to 1017 Marble Terrace in Stadium Trace Village in Hoover and held an opening party on Nov. 5. The pair opened the first location of Battle Republic in Homewood in February 2019 and expanded to The Summit in Birmingham in August 2020 and a third location in Tuscaloosa in November 2023. The Summit location closed in September. Battle Republic blends the low-impact cardio of boxing with strength training and functional movements — all in a low-lit space. The studio now takes up 1,700 square feet. Lucy Thrasher is the general manager of the Hoover location. battlerepublic.com, 205-881-1711
Gooch Family Dental held a ribbon cutting for a new office at 6807 Tattersall Way in the Tattersall Park development off Alabama 119 near Greystone on Nov. 6. The dentists are Dr. Burton Gooch Dr. Taylor Duncan, Dr. Claire Wood, Dr. Mallory Lanford, Dr. Laura Wathen and Dr. Nathan Gray goochdental.com/locations/birmingham-office, 205-583-0200
Brock’s Gap Pharmacy on Oct. 23 held a grand opening celebration at 5860 Elsie Road in the Knox Square development across from Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. The owners are pharmacist Patrick Devereux and Noel Chaney. Devereux, a Hoover resident, has practiced pharmacy for 20 years. He started in the industry with Eckerd Drug when he was 16 years old. He graduated from Samford University’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy in 2005 and spent 18 years at FMS Pharmacy in Bessemer. For the last seven of
those years, he was CEO of the parent company, Family Medical Services, which owned four stores in the Birmingham area. Chaney worked in commercial drug development and has a passion for custom compounding. Brock’s Gap Pharmacy offers a wide selection of over-the-counter products, supplements, health items, gifts, home goods, event supplies, snacks, drinks and other items. brocksgappharmacy.com, 205-354-6080
Appliances 4 Less has opened at 1662 Montgomery Highway in the Hoover Square shopping center. The site was formerly the location of Imperial Hair & Beauty Supply, which closed in June 2022. Appliances 4 Less specializes in scratch-and-dent, open-box and overstock appliances from brands such as LG, Samsung and GE, all at up to 60% off retail prices. As part of a nationwide network of warehouses and retail stores, the business receives new shipments weekly in an effort to ensure a constantly updated selection of refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, ovens and more.
a4lalabama.com, 205-223-2550
Hendrick Collision Center Hoover held a grand opening Oct. 16 at 201 Sunbelt Parkway near the intersection of Ross Bridge Parkway and Shannon Road. The center is operated by Charlotte-based Hendrick Automotive Group and is a customer service-focused car repair shop serving Hoover and Birmingham. The facility has a team of certified repair specialists that work on all makes and models and is equipped with the most current repair technology, including advanced baking paint booths, paint mix and match, and computerized measuring and straightening equipment for unibody and frame repairs. Hendrick Collision team members work closely with insurance companies and provide limited lifetime warranties on body and paint repairs.
Habaneros Mexican Grill has opened its new location in The Centre at Riverchase in the former location of Baja California Cantina and Grill at 1694 Montgomery Highway. The restaurant formerly was at 1601 Montgomery Highway but closed that location earlier this year.
Habaneros on Facebook, 205-979-7772
Wild Birds Unlimited has opened a new location of its nature shop in the Tattersall Park development off Alabama 119. The new store is at 6215 Tattersall Blvd., Suite 109, in the row of stores with the Publix at Tattersall, next to the Goodwill Donation Center. The company sells items such as bird feeders, bird feed, mounting and hanging hardware and other items related to birds. wbu.com, 205-238-5741
Hoover Sun is spotlighting local businesses in print and online. Submit your business for consideration here: go.starnesmedia.com/business-spotlight
Do you have news to share about a business in Hoover or the greater Birmingham area? Let us know at starnesmedia.com/business-happenings
NEWS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The Stoa Group has begun site work for construction of 289 apartments to be called The Heights at Inverness on 15 vacant acres next to the three roughly 150,000-square-foot office buildings in the Inverness Center North office park. The land initially was slated for a fourth office building, but the developer decided to turn the park into a mixed-use center that includes apartments, restaurants and retail stores. The apartments are slated for completion sometime in 2026, according to the Stoa Group website. Prescott Bailey, development director for the Stoa Group, said earlier this year the plan is for 92% of the apartments to have one or two bedrooms with one-bedroom rents starting at about $1,800 a month. The target market is young professionals who want to live close to their offices and have restaurants and neighborhood retail within walking distance and empty nesters who are looking for simple living arrangements without having to worry about keeping up a yard, Bailey said. stoagroup.com/development, 225-414-1100
PERSONNEL
Realtor Tish Tillis has joined the RealtySouth Overthe-Mountain office at 2409 Acton Road, Suite 137. tishtillis.realtysouth.com, 205-910-7567
Harry Leckemby Jr. has been hired as the special events sales manager at Dave & Buster’s at 2700 Galleria Circle, Suite 110, at the Riverchase Galleria. Prior to coming to Dave & Buster’s, Lechemby served as the onsite sales manager for Perfect Game in Hoover for one and a half years, general manager for Rize Sports in Leetsdale, Pennsylvania, for three months and event manager for Sports Facilities Companies at the Hoover Metropolitan Complex for six years. daveandbusters.com, 205-986-6200
ANNIVERSARIES
Baptist Health recently celebrated the first anniversary of the company becoming part of the Orlando Health organization. The company’s operations in Hoover include a freestanding emergency department at 7131 Cahaba Valley Road and clinics and offices at 5295 Preserve Parkway, 2547 John Hawkins Parkway, Suite 103, and 10 Meadowview Drive. baptisthealthal.com, 205-725-6800
CLOSED
Hunan Garden at 1851 Montgomery Highway in The Plaza at Riverchase shopping center has permanently closed.
Outback Steakhouse has closed its location in Brook Highland Plaza at 5231 U.S. 280. The Australian-themed restaurant chain also closed its location in Birmingham’s Midtown at 245 20th St. S.
Leckemby
Robert Bentley MD,
Board-Certified Dermatologist
Paul Espy MD, FAAD Board-Certified Dermatologist
Kristy
New Vecchia Gelato & Cafe brings la dolce vita to The Preserve
By KELLI S. HEWETT
Sometimes a great vacation will change your life.
For longtime Hoover restaurateurs Benard “Bernie” and Brianna Tamburello, a fall 2024 trip to Italy inspired a new cafe concept that took shape over the following year.
Vecchia Gelato & Cafe opened Nov. 10, just a few doors down from their original Vecchia Pizzeria & Mercato. The cafe replaces Moss Rock Tacos & Tequila, which they closed in late summer to make way for a new passion project — their “love letter to their community.”
The couple wants to share a little more “la dolce vita” — Italian for “the sweet life” — with Hoover, where an Italian-style escape is available any day. It’s an idea rooted in culture, shaped by challenge and realized through resilience.
“We wanted to create a space where people take a breath, take a pause in the day to come in and have a cup of coffee or take a pause at the end of the day with family and connect,” said Brianna, who joined her husband in launching Vecchia Pizzeria & Mercato in 2014 at The Preserve.
When Bernie was struck with cancer at the height of the COVID19 pandemic, as their restaurant livelihood was already strained, Brianna stepped in to lead — shocking both herself and her husband.
“Finding somebody who you trust as much as I trusted her was a lot,”
Bernie admitted, and she impressed him. The experience deepened their respect and reshaped their dynamic as a couple.
“You recognize that you can be as rich as possible, but the only things you can’t buy are time and family and health,” Bernie said.
That revelation drives their newest venture — a business that celebrates life’s most meaningful moments.
During last year’s Italian road trip, the couple re-absorbed a way of living where patience is a virtue, family comes first and every meal, espresso and scoop of gelato is something to be savored.
“We fell in love with each other all over again after Italy,” Brianna said.
“We had made it through COVID, we had made it through his cancer, and we were like, ‘You know what? Life’s too short.’”
So they came home and fasttracked the cafe.
The Carrara marble countertop was sourced from Northern Italy, and the pastry case was custom-made in Milan. While their pizzeria reflects Bernie’s rustic energy, the cafe expresses Brianna’s sleek, modern style.
Vecchia Gelato & Cafe’s offerings include a full Italian espresso bar — one of the first in the Southeast serving Kimbo coffee from Naples — fresh Italian pastries and creamy gelato. Bernie recommends the espresso poured over gelato, called affogato. The savory Sicilian street food includes Bernie’s street fries, Italian chicken dippers, fried risotto balls, flatbreads, salads and more. Together, the two Vecchias stand as a testament to surviving, thriving and finding beauty in both hardship
and daily life. The Tamburellos’ message is simple: Life is not about perfection, but about savoring each moment, each bite, each connection.
Vecchia Gelato & Cafe, located at 616 Preserve Parkway, Suite 112, is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. For more information, visit vecchiagelatocafe.com or call 205-783-1130.
Above: Vecchia Cafe offers a variety of gelato flavors. Photo from Vecchia Gelato & Cafe Facebook page. Left: Benard “Bernie” and Brianna Tamburello, husband and wife restauranteurs. Photo by Kelli S. Hewett
Peace on Earth
EVENTS
Save the Date
HOOVER CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
► Where: Hoover City Hall, 100 Municipal Lane
► When: Tuesday, Dec. 2, 6 p.m.
► Details: New Hoover Mayor Nick Derzis will help light the city’s brandnew 42-foot-tall Christmas tree at the corner of U.S. 31 and Municipal Lane. There will be live music, hot chocolate, coffee and snacks. Santa Claus is expected to arrive on a Hoover fire truck and set up shop in the Hoover Library Plaza for photos with children. There will also be a holiday craft for children in the Library Plaza. WBRC news anchor Janice Rogers is scheduled to serve as emcee for the night.
► Cost: Free
HO HO HOOVER-RANDLE WEEKEND
► Where: Hoover-Randle Home and Gardens, 2255 Tyler Road
► When: Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6-7 (VIP party is Dec. 6, 7-11 p.m.; open house is Dec. 7, 2-5 p.m.)
► Details: The Saturday VIP party will include a silent auction, “bling tree,” wine pull and $1,000 Amazon gift card giveaway ($25 per entry). The Sunday open house will include treats and hors d’oeuvres, live performances by the Hoover and Spain dance teams and choirs and Hoover elementary music students, and a Christmas tree decorating contest for nonprofits.
► Cost: $75 for the VIP party; $15 for the open house
► More info: hooverhelps.org
CHRISTMAS MARKET AT BROCK’S GAP
► Where: Brock’s Gap Brewing Co., 500 Mineral Trace
► When: Tuesday, Dec. 2, 4-8 p.m.
► Details: More than 80 local artists and makers are expected to take part in the event in the parking lot. It’s designed as a way for people to support local artists and businesses while enjoying food, craft beer, specialty cocktails, live music and more. The event will be family friendly and pet friendly.
► Cost: Admission is free.
► More info: facebook.com/ brocksgapbrewingcompany
► Details: More than 50 local vendors are expected, selling handmade crafts, jewelry, seasonal decor and more at this annual two-day event at the Riverchase Galleria. The event will specialize in gifts for the holiday season. There will also be festive food and drinks and activities for all ages. Vendor applications are available at hometownvendormarket.com.
► Cost: Admission is free.
► More info: hometownvendormarket. com
► For more events news, connect with the Hoover Sun online by scanning the QR code.
► Have an upcoming event to share? Email Jon Anderson at janderson@starnesmedia.com.
BLUFF PARK 8K & KIDS 1K CHALLENGE
► Where: Starts and ends at Bluff Park United Methodist Church, 733 Valley St.
► When: Saturday, Dec. 6, 8K at 7:30 a.m.; 1K at 8:30 a.m.
► Details: The course is a rolling tour through the heart of Bluff Park, including historic Park Avenue. All registrants will receive a race t-shirt and post-race breakfast. Strollers and leashed dogs are welcome.
► Cost: $40 for the 8K and $30 for the 1K through Dec. 5. Cost increases by $5 on Dec. 6.
► More info: runsignup.com/ bluffpark8K
CHRISTMAS IN KILLARNEY
► Where: Hoover Library Theatre, 200 Municipal Drive
► When: Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 9-10, 7 p.m. each night
► Details: This holiday show combines traditional Irish dancing with classic Christmas tunes. The show is set in the old village of Killarney, Ireland, in the late 1920s and showcases what it means to celebrate some of the most iconic holiday traditions the Irish way.
► Cost: $40 (shows are sold out, but waiting lists are available at 205-4447888)
► More info: thelibrarytheatre.com
BLUFF PARK CHRISTMAS PARADE
► Where: Streets of Bluff Park
► When: Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m.
► Details: The parade starts at the Bluff Park Community Park next to the Shades Cliff Pool, then proceeds along Cloudland Drive (behind Bluff Park Elementary School), turns right onto Lester Lane, then turns south on Clearview Road (which turns into Maiden Lane), right onto Rockview Lane, right onto Cloudland Drive and ends back at the park. The entire community, not just Bluff Park, is invited to watch or participate. Registration can be done until the night before the parade.
► Cost: Free to watch; $45 to participate
► More info: Bluff Park Christmas Parade Facebook page
HOOVER CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR
► Where: Blackridge, Greystone and Riverchase
► When: Tuesday, Dec. 9, and Thursday, Dec. 11
► Details: Tour eight homes decorated for the holidays — four in Greystone, three in Blackridge and the home of Mayor Nick Derzis and his wife, Stephanie, in Riverchase. Proceeds from ticket sales will be split between the Hoover City Schools Foundation and Hoover Helps, a nonprofit that fights food insecurity and helps meet other needs of children and families in Hoover. Parking and shuttles will be available at the Church at Brook Hills and Hoover Metropolitan Complex for the homes in Greystone and Blackridge.
► Cost: $100
► More info: ci.ovationtix.com/35586
SPORTS
Hoover looks to extend dynasty despite major departures
By JOSHUA GLEASON
Three straight state championships. Forty-five consecutive victories. The first undefeated season in school history.
The Hoover High School boys basketball program has been on an unprecedented run of dominance, but head coach Scott Ware hits the reset button once again. He won’t broach those numbers with his team or act as if they even exist.
The Bucs enter the year without two of their biggest stars from previous years: DeWayne Brown II, last year’s Gatorade Alabama Player of the Year, and Salim London, the team’s leading scorer. Brown, a four-star center who signed with Tennessee, tallied more than 1,800 points, 1,100 rebounds and 300 blocks during his Hoover career. London, meanwhile, stayed closer to home and will suit up for UAB this season.
Even with those departures, the cupboard is far from bare. The Bucs return 6-foot-10 forward Jackson Sheffield, a Vanderbilt commit and four-star recruit ranked among the top players in the state.
“Jackson does things athletically you can’t teach,” Ware said at the preseason Under the Lights media day event. “He was our sixth man last year, and a lot of people probably thought I was crazy for not starting a kid good enough to play in the SEC. But he accepted that role. Going against DeWayne every day in practice helped open his eyes.”
Sheffield is one of only four returning players from last season’s championship team, joining seniors Michael Glass, Kobe Boleware and Messiah Millin. Together, that quartet provides leadership and continuity as the Bucs reload
with a whole new starting five.
“We have a bunch of new faces, and we’re trying to mold that all together,” Ware said.
“The goals are the same as always. A big word for us this year is growth, and I thought I saw that throughout the summer. We want to grow as a team so that we hit it at the right time at the end of the year to make a run.”
Ware’s teams have built their reputation on tenacious defense and quick-strike offense, and this group will maintain that same identity.
The senior trio of Glass, Boleware and Millin can all rotate between guard positions, while Austin Mason and Mellow June are expected to play key roles. Mason is a tall, versatile scoring guard and June is an energetic rebounder and defender.
Riley Kent, Kane Burns and Davis Wood are also seniors, with juniors Ericson Washington, Tate Mitchell and KJ Steele also slated to contribute. Freshman Michael Gates is hopeful to make an impact as well.
Even amid roster turnover, Ware remains confident the Bucs’ winning standard will endure.
“We’ll probably surprise a few people,” he said. “A lot of people think we’ve fallen off the map because of the names that aren’t there anymore. We’re embracing that and going out every day to grow and show everyone by the end of the year that we can still be a force to be reckoned with.”
Hoover will look to once again emerge victorious in 7A, Area 6, competing against Vestavia Hills, Oak Mountain and Hewitt-Trussville.
Lady Bucs in the mix for six straight
By KYLE PARMLEY
The Hoover High School girls basketball team begins another season with the same sky-high expectations that have defined the program for half a decade.
Five consecutive Class 7A state championships have created a standard few programs anywhere could match, and the Lady Bucs believe they have the pieces to remain firmly “in the mix for six.”
Head coach Krystle Johnson knows her team carries a target every night, but she prefers to focus on the daily work rather than the streak itself. With a roster heavy on seniors but also filled with youth in key places, she’s already seen strengths and challenges emerge.
“On any given night, we could play anywhere from eight to 10 people, some nights 12,” Johnson said. “We do have a lot of people we can depend on, which is something that is good. Just considering what happened last season and Khloe [Ford] getting hurt… we now know that if something were to happen to somebody of significance, we could find some way to replace them.”
That depth is promising, but the inexperience is real.
“We got four freshmen, one sophomore, two juniors that have never played varsity before,” Johnson said. “We kind of are young and inexperienced.”
Two freshmen are especially important: point guards Kristen Winston and Ava Leonard, who have both been on varsity since seventh grade [Leonard has been at Spain Park the last two years], but now carry responsibility they’ve never held.
“It’s just a little bit different when you got Hoover on the front of your jersey and you’re the primary point guard,” Johnson said. “They’ve had some growing pains… but one of the best things about our schedule is they
are going to learn quick.”
The return of standout post Khloe Ford, a recent University of Missouri signee, changes the dynamics as well.
“We try not to let it change too much,” Johnson said, though she acknowledged the team had to adjust after playing a five-out system without her last year. “Now that she’s back, it’s been an adjustment.”
The senior group — Aaliyah Blanchard, Akeera Sparks, Chasity Johnson, Ford and Kayla Maxwell — brings leadership, perspective and a unified message.
“We have this saying in our weight room,
it’s ‘Best is the standard.’ Each year, every time a new class comes in, we have a standard, and it’s our job as upperclassmen to set that standard,”said Blanchard, who recently signed with Middle Tennessee State University.
“This team could be really, really good,” Johnson said.
Rounding out the varsity roster this season are Londyn Cook, Aubree Elder, Tatum English, Hadley Williams and Karrington Wooden.
Even with five straight titles in the rearview mirror, the Lady Bucs remain locked into the future.
The schedule remains challenging. In December, the Lady Bucs face Chelsea, Sparkman, Thompson, Hazel Green and at least seven out-of-state teams across various events.
In January, Hoover will take on its area foes Hewitt-Trussville, Vestavia Hills and Oak Mountain twice, in addition to games against Park Crossing and a few more teams outside of state lines.
“[Johnson] makes our schedules hard so that we can prepare for the state championship. Playing at Hoover is not easy,” Blanchard said.
Hoover’s Aaliyah Blanchard (13) passes the ball during the Hoover vs. Central Phenix City AHSAA 7A State semifinal girls basketball game on Feb. 27 at Legacy Arena. Staff photo.
Left: Michael Glass (11). Above: Messiah Millin (20). Below: Jackson Sheffield (35). Staff photos.
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He has served as team doctor for Hoover High School for 20 plus years. “I spend each Friday night
during football season on the sideline, and I enjoy treating the athletes on the field,” he says.
However, caring for the players at the games isn’t always easy. “It’s not a controlled environment, and I don’t have immediate access to X-rays and ultrasound and MRIs, so it’s a challenge for my clinical skills and making the correct diagnosis,” he says. “You have to make quick decisions about whether the athlete is safe to return to the game.”
His goals in treating athletes and non-athletes are very similar, though. “When I treat athletes, I try to get them back into their sport safely and do things to prevent future injuries, and the same thing is true for regular patients,” he says. “I want to get them back to their normal life and put them on a regimen that helps prevent the worsening of their issues.”
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SPORTS
Jags chasing improvement this season
By KYLE PARMLEY
Spain Park High School boys basketball took meaningful steps forward last winter in DJ Black’s first season as head coach. Now, with an experienced senior core and a deeper roster, the Jaguars believe they’re positioned to take another leap.
Black brought four seniors to the inaugural Under the Lights Basketball Media Day — Owen Leonard, Sam Fox, Quinn Davis and Jackson Fixler — each playing a different role but sharing the responsibility of leading a program with growing expectations.
“I’m seeing in our practices, we’re all working together really well,” Fox said. “We’re making each other better.”
Davis noted the collective confidence Spain Park now carries.
“We're walking around with a lot more swagger this year than last year,” he said.
Fixler pointed to the roster’s balance and depth.
“I feel like there's no drop off,” he said. “I feel like you can play all of us, and we'll all get the same energy, effort, and we all contribute to the team.”
Black said that progression is the biggest difference this year.
“The confidence level is a lot higher,” he said. “There’s depth that we got kind of built now, meaning that there's not much of a drop off from our first wave to our second wave to our third wave.”
That competitiveness extends beyond practice court reps.
“There's high competition. It's healthy competition every single day,” Black said. “Not just in practices, but in workouts, in the weight room, in academics.”
The seniors pointed to several teammates who
have stood out. Davis praised Tommy Morrison, saying he has “rounded his game up” beyond scoring. Davis also mentioned Harrison Stewart, noting his growth. Fixler highlighted Cooper Gann, noting his impact defensively and as a communicator.
Black said players like Fixler and Leonard, who don’t always get the spotlight, are essential to Spain Park’s ceiling.
“You don't have a championship program without guys like Owen and Jackson in it,” he said. “It's the stuff that they do every single day that makes them better, but that makes the entire program better.”
This year’s roster features eight seniors, with Leonard, Fox, Davis, Fixler, Gann, Stewart, Josh Wilkerson and Reed Oatridge providing plenty of maturity. Morrison headlines the junior group along with Andy McQueeney, Bastain Carroll and Maddox Phillips. Barrett Price and Nash Davis are sophomores, with Ayden Henderson the lone freshman.
As seniors, the group feels an urgency to model the standard now expected.
“Pushing another man to make them better,” Leonard said of lessons learned.
Fox added, “If we don't work together to be the best versions of ourselves … we don't end up
being nearly as successful as we could be.”
Spain Park will look to advance past the Class 6A, Area 8 field this season, stacked with competitive teams like Helena, Chelsea and Pelham. The Jags have not made the postseason the last two years but are not far removed from the brilliant success the program experienced under Chris Laatsch.
In December, the Jags will face Oak Mountain, Hoover, Hueytown, Pell City and a few out-ofstate opponents. Outside of playing area foes twice in January, they will wrap up the regular season against Hillcrest, Pell City, Leeds and crosstown rival Hoover.
Spain Park’s Tommy Robinson (12), left, and Sam Fox (5). Staff photos.
Young Lady Jags eager to grow
By KYLE PARMLEY
Spain Park High School’s girls basketball team enters the 2025-26 season in a much different place than a year ago. The Jaguars graduated seven seniors from last year’s roster and turned almost entirely toward the future.
What remains is one of the youngest groups head coach John Hadder has led in his career.
“We lost nine kids off the group we had last year,” Hadder said. “Seven of them were seniors … this is a completely different group.”
Of the 14 players who worked through the summer, 10 were eighth- or ninth-graders. That number alone shows where Spain Park is starting — and why the voices of senior Teagan Huey and junior Kamia Dawsey matter so much.
“These two are the most senior-type kids that we have from a leadership standpoint,” Hadder said. “They both really exemplify what our kids are about.”
With such a young roster, the Jaguars spent most of June and July building habits rather than chasing wins. The coaching staff didn’t stack the calendar with games. They stayed in the gym, laid the foundation and let the group learn what Spain Park basketball looks like.
“This summer for us, it was just teaching,” Hadder said. “Trying to kind of learn how we want to play.”
Despite their youth, the returning players have seen encouraging things.
“Every single one of our players are very ambitious and eager to learn,” Dawsey said. “Everybody might not get it on the first try, but the biggest thing is our effort.”
Huey echoed that sentiment, and she also steps into a newfound responsibility as the team’s lone senior. Her leadership carries weight.
“Just try and get the girls younger than me on the same page as everyone,” she said.
“She’s team mom,” Hadder added. “And you have to have people fill that role.”
There’s plenty of talent on the roster, even if it’s young and unproven. Eighth-grader Elle Smith has stood out for her work ethic.
Chenelle Hunter “is definitely going to be a big impact,” according to Huey.
Dawsey praised eighth-grader Sia Roberts for her basketball intelligence and mentioned the growth of Lynlee Franks, an excellent
shooter. Ninth-grader Nylah Calhoun has experience despite her age and continues to improve.
The question for Hadder remains in how quickly the team is able to grow and mature.
“We’re super young, but the chemistry is really good,” he said. “We expect to be competitive. We’re not going in saying that’s any kind of excuse … we want to be right there in the mix.”
Spain Park knows December may come with bumps. But they also believe January and February may look different as the group settles in.
“No matter how we start, I know that we can finish to the best of our abilities,” Dawsey said. Abby Whatley and Bentley Watts are sophomores, with Libby Gray, Beatrice Parker and Morgan Bryant expected to contribute as freshmen as well. Aria Knight and Averi Norwood are eighth-graders who round out the varsity lineup.
The Lady Jags’ December slate includes matchups with Oak Mountain, Hueytown, Huffman, Cornerstone and Pell City, along with a few showcase events. In January, Spain Park will play area foes Chelsea, Pelham and Helena twice.
Spain Park’s Kamia Dawsey (1) protects the ball during the Spain Park vs. Chelsea basketball game at Chelsea High School on Jan. 24. Staff photo.
COMMUNITY
Life in Hoover
By MALIA RIGGS
Q: What inspired you to become a librarian?
A: I’ve been coming to the Hoover Public Library since 1995, when my family and I moved here from India. At the time, I used the library to help me learn English and get through school. The library has given me so much throughout my life, that's the reason I always dreamed of working here one day.
Q: What’s one lesser-known resource or service at the library that you wish more people knew about?
A: One lesser-known resource is our Library of Things. You can check out items like tools, baking pans, an ice cream maker, a metal detector, even a telescope and many other items. We have around 75 different
items. It’s a great way to try something new without having to buy it first.
Q: What book has had the biggest impact on your life and why?
A: I mostly read nonfiction, especially biographies and books about leadership and innovation. “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson really stuck with me. His creativity, vision and determination — even when things were uncertain — are incredibly inspiring. It reminds me that thinking differently and taking risks can lead to powerful change.
Q: What’s your favorite part of serving the Hoover community through the library?
A: Definitely giving back. It means a lot to be able to support the community that supported me growing up. I love helping people with what they need — whether it's a book or a service.
By TIM STEPHENS
In November 1986, Hoover’s Riverchase Galleria celebrated its first Christmas season — and its first Black Friday — with crowds that filled parking lots before sunrise and packed every level of the two-story mall.
“At 7:30 a.m. people were waiting to get in the department stores. At 8 a.m. the front parking lot was full,” said Kyle Rodriguez, director of marketing for the Riverchase Galleria, in an interview with the Birmingham Post-Herald. “We were expecting 60,000 to 70,000 people. I think there will be 90,000 people here today.”
It was a milestone moment for the city and its new retail centerpiece. The Galleria had opened just nine months earlier, in February 1986. That Black Friday, Rodriguez told the paper, marked the culmination of a banner debut year.
“We originally anticipated sales of $150 million to $175 million for the year,” he said. “But they will be from $200 million to $250 million.”
From early morning lines at department store entrances to shoppers navigating packed escalators under the iconic glass atrium, the Galleria’s first Black Friday became a foundational moment — not just for the mall, but for Hoover itself. Santa was on site, stores were fully staffed and many shoppers came ready to check off lists.
With 90,000 visitors in a single day, the Galleria’s role as a regional shopping magnet was sealed.
A photo and headline from the nowdefunct Birmingham Post-Herald on Nov. 29, 1986, captures the vibe at what was the first Black Friday shopping day at the Riverchase Galleria in Hoover. Image retrieved from Birmingham Post-Herald via Newspapers.com.
On the Mainstage
Author Alison Robinson
By APRIL COFFEY
Author Alison Robinson was the featured speaker at the Homewood Library’s Mini-Con in October. Robinson spoke about her first novel, “Shadowless.”
Q: Tell our readers a little bit about your debut novel, “Shadowless.”
A: In a kingdom where souls are bound to magical animals called Shadows, Rowena’s Shadow is a ghost — silent, powerless and a death sentence if anyone finds out.
Q: What makes “Shadowless” different?
A: It’s a hope-forward [young adultt] fantasy: cozy at the start, then a sharp turn into mystery and consequence; clean without being simplistic; emotionally big without nihilism. It blends adventure, alchemy and moral stakes with a warm, page-turning voice — more wonder and light than doom and gloom, while still landing a serious punch.
Readers keep using the same words: “special,” “unexpected,” “left me
thinking” and, my favorite, “I need Book Two!” If “too wholesome to publish” is the label the industry gave me, I’m wearing it like a badge.
Q: It’s so interesting that you blend fantasy and Christian themes in “Shadowless.” What is the inspiration behind this?
A: I write from the only lens I have, which is certainly my faith, but I never want the novel to read like a sermon in costume. Story comes first. If readers sense an agenda, they’re gone (and teens can smell it a mile away). Inspiration lives where wonder and meaning overlap. Fantasy lets me ask spiritual questions sideways: What is a soul? What if you found the darkness in the world originated in the heart? In “Shadowless,” the magic system — souls bound to animal Shadows — became a way to explore the mind, conscience, guilt and evil without naming them on the nose. My job is to build an honest world, give characters real choices and consequences, and trust truth to rise naturally.
Birmingham Girls Choir Director Margaret Heron
By APRIL COFFEY
Since its founding in 2001, the Birmingham Girls Choir has nurtured the voices of young singers across the metro area. Executive Director Margaret Heron has helped guide the nonprofit’s post-pandemic resurgence, leading it from just four returning choristers to more than 130 girls in grades K-12.
Q: Please tell our readers about the Birmingham Girls Choir. When and how was it founded?
A: In its beginning, BGC was started as the “Birmingham Children’s Choir” in 2001 by a professor at the University of Alabama, with funding from a grant. Over a decade later, when Amanda Klimko, long-time Birmingham music educator, became the executive director, the choir was changed to the “Birmingham Girls Choir.” During the pandemic, BGC was forced to shut down. Upon reopening, I took on the role of executive director, and BGC had four remaining girls to start our post-pandemic season. So, the current BGC launched then and now has over 130 girls enrolled, grades K-12.
Q: What is your favorite thing about being the director of the Birmingham Girls Choir?
A: I absolutely love growing girls in musical excellence and witnessing each of our choristers build confidence, poise and independence as they learn accountability in the community that choir provides.
Q: What is the mission of Birmingham Girls Choir?
A: BGC is a nonprofit organization that instills excellence in young girls through the study and performance of choral music. Our motto is the “3Cs” — committed to excellence, considerate of others, composed in behavior and learning.
Q: Do you have any special events or concerts coming up?
A: BGC is growing so quickly, our performance calendar continues to expand. Here are some of our upcoming events: Dec. 5 – Carols at the Birmingham Zoo, 6 p.m.; Dec. 14 – Collaboration with Opera Birmingham, Holiday Concert, 2:30 p.m., Samford University.
Alison Robinson
Birmingham Girls Choir Director Margaret Heron leads a rehearsal with choristers. The nonprofit serves more than 130 girls across the metro area through performance and music education. Photo courtesy of Birmingham Girls Choir.
DERZIS
CONTINUED from page 1
MILITARY UPBRINGING
Derzis, 71, was born in Berlin, Germany — the son of a U.S. Army colonel. His family moved frequently, with stops in places such as Paris, Washington, D.C., New York City and Maryland. His father, Peter Derzis, at one point was commandant of the U.S. Army Intelligence School and was a demanding person, so Derzis grew up in a pretty strict environment, his brother, Pete Derzis, said in a campaign video.
Nick Derzis was always very competitive and showed leadership skills dating back to high school, his brother said. He was senior class president at Washington-Lee High School, a large school in Arlington, Virginia, and was an outstanding two-way football player, positioned at both running back and linebacker, his brother said.
Derzis always thought he would pursue a military career, but he moved to Alabama to enter the restaurant business with a relative who had the franchise for the Golden Rule restaurant in Irondale, he said. He worked there for a couple of years but decided to pursue law enforcement instead.
He was hired on with the Hoover Police Department in 1979, starting as a patrol officer and working his way up through the ranks. He was the department’s first public information officer and started the first neighborhood watch program.
Both of those were great ways to interface with the community and do community policing, Derzis said. It was in those early days that he learned the importance of police beat work — having officers who are familiar with certain areas so they notice when something or someone is out of place, he said.
Derzis looks back fondly on the 1980s and 1990s with the opening of the Riverchase Galleria and expansion of the city’s boundaries, both of which changed the dynamics of the city, he said. “Those really were fantastic times.”
He also recalls working the Bruno’s Memorial Classic golf tournament, now known as the Regions Tradition, as among some of his favorite memories with the Police Department.
That tournament provides great opportunities for police to interact with the public, and it also gave him a chance to meet a lot of pro golfers and quite a few celebrities, including Joe Namath, Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan, Bobby Knight and Dan Quayle.
As a police officer, he also got the chance to meet Bob Hope at the Charley Boswell Celebrity Golf Classic at the Riverchase Country Club and President George Bush and his son, President George W. Bush, during their visits to Hoover.
“I always thought for a small town in Alabama, we really had a lot of things that were positive that occurred here,” he said.
Through the years, Derzis said he had a hand in establishing a lot of specialty units, such as the special response team, bomb squad, canine unit and school resource officers. He realized early that Hoover was having to ask other agencies for assistance with various tasks and that it’s better if you can have those special units in your own police department, he said.
Over the years, he’s had the privilege of working with many great men and women in law enforcement, he said.
“We built a culture over the years. Nobody does it like we do,” he said. “Everybody always went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure the Hoover community was very safe. It’s a culture we’ve had that I’m very proud of.”
He’s thankful that the community partners with police, which is not something every department can say, he said.
“We’ve got a very good rapport with our community,” and that has played a factor in keeping Hoover’s violent crime rate low, he said. “It’s remarkable when we can have eight to 10 robberies in 12 months for a city our size. Every year, we say we can’t continue those low numbers, but we’ve been able to.”
When Derzis started with Hoover police,
the department had only about 15-17 sworn officers, he said. When he became chief 20 years ago, there were 139, and today, there are 195 sworn officers and 35 civilian employees, he said.
HARDEST CHALLENGES
Derzis said some of the biggest challenges over the years have been major incidents, such as a couple of shootings at the Riverchase Galleria and protests linked to national police incidents such as the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May 2020.
Growing anti-police sentiment in some circles and some parts of the country made it tougher to recruit and retain officers, but those problems are beginning to improve as anti-police sentiment has subsided and pay for Hoover officers has increased, he said. He’s thankful the department never lowered its hiring standards, he said.
Another challenge for Derzis was when he was put on administrative leave with pay for almost 20 months in 1997 and 1998 after federal and state authorities identified him as a target of an investigation. He had served as acting chief for 18 months prior to that.
City officials questioned by investigators said they were asked about warrants, traffic citations, municipal bids and the overall integrity of department operations, but Derzis
was never charged with any wrongdoing and returned to work as a captain in November 1998. He was promoted to assistant chief in December 1999 and then chief in January 2005.
Derzis said nobody ever told him why he was being investigated, but “I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong.” He felt vindicated when he was finally cleared, he said.
The pandemic also was a challenge because everybody was wearing masks and nobody wanted to talk or get close to other people, and the Police Department had to be careful to keep its personnel healthy, too, Derzis said.
His tenure with the Police Department has “been a good ride,” Derzis said.
When he first became a patrol officer 45 years ago, he loved that his office was his patrol car and he didn’t have to sit behind a desk, he said. As he has moved up the ranks, there has been a lot more desk work, but he’s not complaining, he said.
“The mission has always been to put the bad guys in jail, and that hasn’t changed,” he said. “We did it, and we’re still doing it and going to keep doing it.”
He never imagined he would one day be sitting in the mayor’s chair, but so many people he admired encouraged him to run, and he’s excited about the challenges
ahead, he said.
One of the biggest challenges is finding a way to reinvigorate the Riverchase Galleria and Patton Creek shopping centers, he said. He and his transition team already have been having conversations with owners on the two campuses, he said.
“Failure is not an option with this plan,” Derzis said. “We have to have those places vibrant. The goal is to make Hoover a vibrant spot again. I know we can get it back. We’ve got to get that one domino. If we can get that one big shot in the arm … you’ll see other dominos fall.”
He’s excited about the new City Council members and looks forward to working with them, he said.
WHAT MADE DERZIS ATTRACTIVE?
Facing a two-term incumbent in a mayoral election was not an easy task, but political observers in Hoover say Derzis had the right background, abilities and vision to pull out the victory.
Tony Petelos, who served as Hoover’s mayor from 2004 to 2011 and who recommended Derzis for the police chief job, said Derzis has done an excellent job as chief.
“He’s had some tough cases in Hoover and has handled them with a lot of respect. He handled them with a lot of courage,” Petelos said, referring to a 2018 fatal shooting of a 21-year-old man at the Galleria by a police officer and the false kidnapping report by Carlee Russell in 2023.
The Hoover Police Department was “pretty sad” when Derzis took it over in 2005, Petelos said. Derzis has hired and promoted well and upgraded the department’s equipment, he said.
Also, Derzis is a “stand-up guy” who will listen and communicate, Petelos said.
“He’s going to be very transparent to the public,” Petelos said. “For a city to be successful, the mayor and City Council — they have to communicate, and they have to work together. He understands that, and he’s going to do that. … He’s not going to get everything he wants, but he’s going to work with them.”
Allen Pate, who served as Hoover’s executive director under five mayors until retiring in early 2017, said he would not have envisioned Derzis becoming mayor 20 or even 10 years ago and at first questioned whether Derzis was making the right decision to run for mayor. But he knows Derzis is capable and supported him in that decision, he said.
Derzis knows all the department heads, has a good feeling for how the city runs, is an excellent planner and has a can-do attitude, Pate said.
“If something is presented to him and it makes sense, I think he will find a way to do it and make it happen,” Pate said.
Hoover isn’t growing like it did in the past,
Above: Hoover Mayor Nick Derzis is sworn into office by Jefferson County Commissioner Mike Bolin, who formerly served on the Alabama Supreme Court, at the Hoover City Schools Performing Arts Center at Hoover High School on Nov. 3.
Left: Derzis poses for a photo with his wife, Stephanie, after his swearing-in ceremony.
Photos by Frank Couch.
and Derzis’ campaign talk about reinvigorating the city struck a chord with residents, Pate said.
“I think we’ll see the city get reimagined more like it was in the ’80s and ’90s and hopefully begin to see some revenue increases again,” Pate said. “I think Nick can do it. … I think he will make something happen at the Galleria and Patton Creek. I think he will be able to work with the developers to get it going again. … I think six months from now, our city will probably be a different place from what it is today.”
Bob Lochamy, a former radio personality and political consultant who unsuccessfully ran for Hoover mayor in 2000, said he was surprised when Derzis announced his mayoral campaign in March, mostly because he hated to see Derzis leave the Police Department
after doing such a good job over the decades.
Lochamy supported Brocato in the campaign but said after Derzis won, he reconciled with the idea that the city would be OK under Derzis’ leadership. He should be able to transfer his leadership abilities to the broader role of mayor, Lochamy said.
One of the things that made Derzis attractive to voters was his call for change, Lochamy said. “I think people responded to that — some fresh energy.”
Anybody can call for change, but Derzis brought both competence and confidence, Lochamy said. “He was a proven commodity in our community.”
MARCHING ORDERS
Derzis, on his second day on the job, held a luncheon for city employees and laid out the
marching orders from the new administration. He thanked employees for their hard work but said expectations moving forward will be higher.
“We’re not here to maintain the status quo or simply continue doing things the same way. We’re here to improve. We’re here to innovate,” Derzis said. “We want to serve the citizens of Hoover at a level of excellence that reflects their trust in us.
“As the CEO of the company, I want to be crystal clear about the standard of excellence that I expect from the organization,” Derzis said. “Excellence is not a destination that we reach once and then just coast. Excellence is a daily commitment. It’s showing up with a purpose. It’s taking pride in our work — no matter how big or small the task is. It’s understanding that the citizen standing in front of
you deserves your best, your full attention, your respect, your effort and professionalism. I believe every interaction between a city employee and a citizen is an opportunity — an opportunity to restore faith in government, an opportunity to solve a problem, an opportunity to show that you clearly care about the people we serve.”
Derzis challenged city employees to work with a servant’s heart, to plan ahead and think strategically.
“I’m asking for that extra effort and attention to detail that prevents mistakes, to follow up and ensure that a problem gets solved, the initiative that anticipates what our citizens need before they have to ask for it,” Derzis said. “That’s the difference between good and great, and that’s what separates ordinary cities from great ones.”
Diana S. Knight, CPA, CVA Jeff W. Maze, CPA, MA
Left: Hoover Mayor Nick Derzis talks with Hoover Public Library Director Amanda Borden, right, and Assistant Director Carrie Steinmehl at a city employee luncheon at the Finley Center in the Hoover Metropolitan Complex on Nov. 4. Right: Derzis addresses city employees, with his wife, Stephanie, by his side. Photos by Jon Anderson.
CONTINUED
Dugger’s innovation, which began in 2018, is now used by businesses all over the United States and Canada. Pye is a growing choice for tableside ordering and payment at restaurants and bars, self-service dropoff at dry cleaners, even museum ticket sales – including at Birmingham’s own historic Sixteenth Street Baptist Church.
“Some people may feel that self-checkout and automation are taking jobs, but what we’re doing through automation is making sure businesses can stay in business when they’re faced with challenges,” Dugger said.
FOOTBALL STAR TO ENTREPRENEUR
Born in Detroit, Dugger’s mom and his siblings moved to Birmingham to be closer to family after his parents divorced. Dugger found his way into a gang in middle school. Mom Linda scraped up out-of-district fees for him to attend Midfield High School, where he became a football standout. College football scholarships rolled in for the talented running back. He chose UAB to stay near his mom.
Dugger then pursued his dream of going pro, with the Buffalo Bills, the Oakland Raiders and the Edmonton Eskimos in Canada.
After time in football, then a few years teaching history coaching football at the high school level, Dugger realized he didn’t get the same excitement from coaching as he did in playing the game. He had the chance to pursue an entrepreneurial path like his father, so he decided to follow his dream.
“My dad taught me the importance of hard work in Perry, Georgia,” he said. “I grew up on a farm. My brother and my dad were in construction. I spent my summers mostly one-onone with my dad. I worked with him — got up early — staying home and sleeping or playing games was not an option. Dad paid me, too,
and I was able to buy my own school clothes with the money I earned.”
Dugger worked on a roof, laid bricks, watched his dad make sales and do collections and even rode around looking for jobs.
“Once, my dad collected half the money down for a job, but when he went back to collect, the man had died the day before. My dad was shocked, but he learned from it — and I learned from it, too, that life has its disappointments,” Dugger said.
ROLLER COASTER RIDE TO PRISON
His first company did pretty well, with about $2 million in revenue in its first year and going nationwide. His second company began the roller coaster ride. He established a tobacco company and was later indicted for trademark infringement over his marketing and packaging of his small cigar products — too similar to the national brands after which he modeled them. He spent a year and one day in prison.
“I had never been in trouble before, clean slate, and I am indicted for trademark infringement,” Dugger said of his 2012 incarceration at the Federal Prison Camp at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery. “I'm in a legal battle with the federal government. That was a tough time for me.”
The day he turned himself in was the hardest day of all.
“I cried the first night,” he said. “I felt alone. I had worked hard to get my degree and to start my business, and then it just seemed to fall apart.”
It was also a tough time for his bride, Grace. She drove every week to visit and kept his business going until he returned, telling others he was away on an extended business trip.
“He’s a good person at heart,” Grace said. “We all make mistakes. We chose to work through it. It was not easy. We found out who our true village was.”
There were some people in prison who recognized Dugger and showed him the ropes
Jegil Dugger has long been an entrepreneur, and his latest breakthrough in business is the automated Pye kiosks. Photo courtesy of Jegil Dugger.
— where to sleep, where to go to do what he needed to do. “All those guys were so nice to me and showed me so much hospitality. It was really surprising. I figured out it was just me — I had to get over the situation.” Dugger said. “I practiced yoga, which I learned from a Puerto Rican guy there. Part of my daily routine was cleaning the interior dorms. I [also] worked on the golf course bunkers and made sure they were up to par.”
A couple of years ago, Dugger and his wife explained to their son, Cayden (now 10) what had happened.
“We knew that with technology, kids have access to everything, and it was better to hear it from us,” Dugger said. They had an age-appropriate discussion with him and talked through the situation. “I told him, ‘Son, you’re going to make mistakes. You have to think, what’s the worst thing that can happen with any decision? Learn from your mistakes.’”
THE REBOUND
The path from athlete to educator to business owner to inmate and back to responsible business owner was challenging, Dugger said. It was a hard lesson early in his journey as an entrepreneur that sent him into a reclusive spiral for almost a decade. He said he battled to get over the embarrassment of his mistakes. Securing his patent for Pye helped him work through those lingering challenges.
This time, Dugger had researched patents at the library and hired an attorney to file the patent for him. He went through the whole design process for the system.
“It was like when I was in high school and I rushed for 200 yards in a game,” Dugger said “ It was an awesome feeling. I told myself, ‘I can do this.’ It was a feeling of belonging, of reaching a goal, of confirming what I knew I was capable of.”
The system allows a customer to have an option of going to a machine and either entering an order or scanning a product, then checking out themselves versus actually going to a cashier.
“Our product is different from other self-checkout systems in that we accept cash and cards,” Dugger said. “That's really a limited feature because the restaurant industry is really focused on going cashless in some places, but I believe there's 20% of America that's either unbanked or underbanked.”
Pye, with its curved touchscreens and LED lighting, is gaining in popularity in California and New York, where minimum wages are increasing and restaurants, bars and other hospitality businesses are looking for innovative ways to balance costs. Other businesses using Pye are dry cleaners — including a military base in Virginia — where people come in, specify how they want their clothes cleaned, drop them in a bag and pay right there at the machine.
Pye Tech also custom designs their products from start to finish – the complete solution of both hardware and software.
STORY OF RESILENCE
Dan Pahos, Home Instead Senior Care franchise owner and an advisor and mentor to Dugger, met him through the Birmingham business incubator Gener8tor.
“There’s not much he can’t overcome or
A customer
What Makes Pye Tech Different?
Dugger’s self-checkout technology stands out by accepting both cash and card payments, filling a gap for the 20% of Americans who are unbanked or underbanked, including some people of color and those in lower-income brackets.
Unlike most competitors that focus only on software, his team designs every element—from hardware to software—creating a seamless, attractive user experience with curved touchscreens and LED lighting that invite customers to engage.
Business Impact: Who’s Using It
As minimum wages climb in California and New York, restaurants are seeking ways to manage costs—creating strong demand for Dugger’s system.
Other industries are adopting it, too: Dry cleaners, including one on a military base in Virginia, use kiosks for easy drop-off and payment.
Museums, such as the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Museum in Birmingham, use Pye for self-service ticketing and visitor transactions.
power through,” Pahos said. “He knows his market, his competitors, his valuable resources and how to balance them all. On the front end, Jegil disclosed his past with humility and resolve. I was honored and humbled by his openness and wanted to help him overcome those challenges and help make his dreams and aspirations happen.”
Dugger said he remains grounded in the lessons of discipline, perseverance and community that first shaped him.
“I think God has opened up doors for me and worked miracles for me when I did not believe that anything could be done for me,” Dugger said. “My faith has brought me where I am…The most rewarding part of the journey is when you talk to customers and you’re able to help them solve their problems — to be able to sleep at night and operate their business efficiently.”
And what does he hope people remember about his story in the years to come? “I hope it’s a motivational story — one where people realize you can overcome adversity and that it builds character,” he said. “We are not as bad as our worst mistake, and we’re not as good as anything we’ve done.”
Left: Jegil Dugger in his days as a UAB running back in 2000. Photo courtesy of UAB Athletics.
Above:
uses one of the Pye kiosks that Jegil Dugger brought to the market. Photo courtesy of Pye.
