Business Alabama - March 2024

MAR 2024

AUTOMOTIVE

13 UPDATE

UNIONS AND 49 CREDIT THEIR COMMUNITIES SPOTLIGHT ON

89 SOUTHWESTERN ALABAMA

CEO OF THE YEAR

Elliot Maisel

LEADS GULF DISTRIBUTING

Page 55

MARCH 2024

Volume 39 / Number 3

CONTENTS

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Dan Hill of NRTC Automation in Birmingham, one of the Supplier of the Year honorees from the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association.

Photo by Joe De Sciose.

Features AUTOMOTIVE UPDATE 13 Alabama’s auto industry keeps on rolling, though potential potholes could be forming 17 Hyundai adds the luxury-model Genesis to its lineup 20 Toyota marks record for engine production 23 Autocar continues to innovate in Alabama 27 Supplier firms keep Alabama automakers moving 37 AAMA board, officers and corporate partners 38 New products, new packages headline Honda’s recent accomplishments 40 Mazda Toyota reaches 4,000-employee goal, adds production 43 Electric vehicles and unionization efforts are two prominent issues for Mercedes 45 AAMA Membership 49

CREDIT UNIONS A PASSION TO SERVE Credit unions strive to make a difference in their local communities.

4 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

57 61 64 67 71 73 77 79 81 83 85 86

BUSINESS ALABAMA AWARDS Large Company of the Year Small Company of the Year CEO of the Year Startup of the Year Expat of the Year Project of the Year Philanthropic Project of the Year Lifetime Achievement: Lonnie Johnson Lifetime Achievement: Don Logan Lifetime Achievement: James W. Rane Lifetime Achievement: Frank & Pardis Stitt Special Recognition: Jimmy Buffett

RETROSPECT 114 I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW How Alabama’s Mary Anderson invented the windshield wiper

On the Cover: Elliot Maisel, chairman and CEO of Gulf Distributing Holdings, is Business Alabama’s 2024 CEO of the Year.

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Departments

17: Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama had a stellar year in 2023.

92: Angels & Company is woven from the fabric of Monroeville history. Photo by Mike Kittrell.

79: Lonnie Johnson, inventor of the SuperSoaker and many more products, is one of Business Alabama’s Lifetime Achievement Award winners. Photo by Mike Kittrell.

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TOP RANK 53 ALABAMA’S LARGEST CREDIT UNIONS GEOGRAPHIC SPOTLIGHT 89 CHOCTAW, CLARKE, CONECUH, ESCAMBIA AND MONROE COUNTIES

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BENCHMARKS: MONTHLY BUSINESS NEWS BRIEFING 113 COMPANY KUDOS: A MONTH OF ACHIEVEMENTS 116 CAREER NOTES: WHO’S MOVING UP 117 BA INDEX: HUNDREDS OF LEADS EACH MONTH 119 HISTORIC ALABAMA: A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE 119 ALABIZ QUIZ: TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 5

MARCH 2024 BusinessAlabama.com Volume 39 / Number 3

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Use this QR code to subscribe to Business Alabama 6 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

Benchmarks

Alabama exports set new record

ALABAMA COMPANIES EXPORTED GOODS AND SERVICES worth more than

Transportation equipment, including automobiles, once again was the top category for Alabama exports. Pictured is the Mercedes EQS SUV, which is made in Vance.

$27.4 billion in 2023, a new annual record.

Exports in 2023 rose 6% from the previous year, according to the Alabama Department of Commerce.

Exports in 2023 included overseas shipments of vehicles, aerospace parts, minerals and metals, according to Commerce data.

“Exporting acts as a fundamental economic pillar that supports growth in Alabama, sparking both new investment and job creation here at home,” Gov. Kay Ivey said. “The recordbreaking success of our exporters extends the reach of the ‘Made in Alabama’ brand while reflecting the high level of demand for our homegrown products.”

Out of 190 countries where Alabama exports went in 2023, the top five destinations were Germany, Canada, China, Mexico and South Korea.

“This second consecutive record year for exports really highlights the fact that companies across Alabama continue to provide top-quality goods and services that are sought by

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UNION YES OR NO While the United Auto Workers has announced successes in gaining members at Vance’s Mercedes-Benz plant and Montgomery’s Hyundai plant — claiming more than a quarter of the workers as members — state officials, led by Gov. Kay Ivey, have warned that unionizing Alabama’s burgeoning auto plants could damage the state’s success in luring new business.

Realtors. The group blamed high mortgage rates for the decline in sales.

HOUSING SLUMP The year 2023 was the worst year for real estate sales since 1994, with Alabama’s sales down more than 30% from the previous year, according to the National Association of

READY, CONNECT Gov. Kay Ivey announced $188 million in grants to broadband providers to help them add service in underserved areas.

OH, GEE! Target has launched a brand of clothing and accessories inspired by the Gee’s Bend quilters of Wilcox County.

Items in the Gee’s Bend x Target collection include jackets, blankets, tumblers and more.

customers worldwide,” said Ellen McNair, Alabama Department of Commerce secretary. “Looking forward, the potential for greater export growth is there, and we are already exploring new and expanding markets for Alabama companies.”

Transportation equipment, which includes motor vehicles, ships and aerospace products, remained the state’s No. 1 export category at $14.8 billion. Other categories with more than $1 billion in exports in 2023 were minerals and ores, chemicals and primary metals, according to Commerce data.

COPYCAT Merida Aerospace, based in Florida, has announced plans for a rocket and space center in Mexico’s Yucatan, modeled on the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville. The goal is to bring space business to Mexico.

NEW MANAGEMENT Denver-based Birdon America has acquired Metal Shark Boats in Bayou La Batre and announced plans to add up to 300 workers. Atlanta’s Creekstone Capital Group has acquired Mspark, a B2B marketing company based in Birmingham and specializing in driving rural market brand growth. Texas-based Kent

Companies has purchased Birmingham-based DC Oil Company and its 13 Alabama gas stations. The stores will be branded Kent Kwik. Autobahn and Accelerate Indoor Speedway, which has a location in Bessemer, has been acquired

by K1 Speed, the world’s largest indoor go-kart racing operator.

K1 Speed now has 83 locations in 29 states and seven countries.

FOOTBALL FINANCE The Southeastern Conference gave $741 million to the conference’s 14 universities in revenue distribution for the 2022-23 fiscal year. Schools in the SEC, which include the University of Alabama and

March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 7

BENCHMARKS

Port plans container hub in Decatur THE ALABAMA PORT AUTHORITY has

announced plans for a second inland intermodal container facility, this one in Decatur. The port is already at work on a similar facility in Montgomery.

The new intermodal container facilities are designed to bring new shipping options to inland cities and to relieve truck congestion on Interstate 65.

Working in partnership with CSX — one of five Class I railroads serving the seaport — the port plans to redevelop a CSX site in Decatur, providing rail connectivity from the Gulf, through Montgomery, and on to Northern Alabama.

Since the port began work on a similar facility in Montgomery, more than $2.28 billion in capital projects have been announced in the region.

“This expansion not only signifies our confidence in the local economy but also reflects our ongoing efforts to meet the evolving needs of our customers while contributing to the growth of the communities we serve,” said Alabama Port Authority Director and CEO John Driscoll.

Speaking for CSX, Maryclare Kenney, vice president of intermodal & auto, said, “CSX is proud to be part of the strategic collaboration with the Alabama Port Authority in establishing the North Alabama ICTF in Decatur. This project demonstrates our commitment to foster growth, connect markets and propel economic progress for the region.”

Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling also praised the plan, saying, “The partnership between the Alabama Port Authority and

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B R I E F S

Auburn University, received an average of $51.3 million.

the university. Student tours will start at the new welcome center, and it will also be open to other visitors.

SPORTS STORY Though Auburn University athletics profits decreased in 2022-2023 compared to the previous year, total revenue increased thanks to increased payments from the university.

AL.com used a public records request to obtain information on those revenues and expenses.

WELCOME TO UA The University of Alabama’s newly unveiled 15,000-squarefoot Randall Welcome Center features interactive and immersive experiences for prospective and new students at

NEW AT THE TOP Joseph Pelfrey has been named director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.

Josh Snow has been named CEO of USA Health University Hospital in Mobile. Michael Gee, president and co-owner of Pants Store, based in Leeds, is the 2024 chairman of the Alabama Retail Association.

Michael Clark is the new CEO of Molecular Designs, a Birmingham-based company that designs and produces molecular technologies. Mac

8 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

The Port in Mobile is upgrading to handle 1 million cargo units a year.

Cargo is measured in twenty-foot equivalent units or TEUs.

CSX Transportation to establish this facility in Decatur not only acknowledges our accomplishments but also signifies a momentous stride in shaping the trajectory of Decatur’s economic impact statewide.”

The announcement came on the heels of a study calculating the port’s statewide economic impact at $100 billion and of Forbes declaring the port in Mobile to be the second fastest growing port in the nation.

Currently the port has $1 billion in capital projects in progress including the inland intermodal facilities, deepening and widening of the shipping channels serving the port, doubling container handling capabilities at the Mobile port, plus other major projects.

Caddell, CEO of Caddell Construction, has been named president of the Alabama AGC board for 2024, with Wiregrass Construction’s Greer Walker as vice president.

NEW JOB Finis St. John IV, chancellor of the University of Alabama System, is bowing out of that role to lead the Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership at UA. CONTRACTS Four Alabama companies are among 12 selected by NASA to provide research, engineering and mission integration services for the International Space Station Program under

a $478 million contract. The Alabama firms are Axient Corp., Tec-Masters and Teledyne Brown, all based in Huntsville, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Mobile’s Alabama Shipyard has been awarded an $18 million contract for the overhaul and dry dock of Military Sealift Command’s fleet replenishment oiler USNS Laramie.

ALLIED SUPPORT BAE Systems has been tapped for $114 million in sales of the Common Missile Warning System to U.S. allies. Work will be done at BAE Systems in Huntsville, as well as New Hampshire and Texas.

BENCHMARKS

More passengers, more airlines, more oomph It’s been a big month for ALABAMA’S AIRPORTS. Huntsville and Birmingham airports both set records in 2023 for the number of passengers served. Mobile’s airport got a new carrier. And Montgomery added a charger for electric planes.

Huntsville International Airport saw more than 1.47 million passengers traveling through its facilities, a 22.7% increase from the previous year.

“Legacy airlines American, Delta and United have added more seats and greater frequency of weekly flights to their schedules from HSV,” said Huntsville CEO Butch Roberts. “We saw the addition of some exciting seasonal routes in 2023 including nonstop service to Miami.”

Passenger traffic at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport increased by 14% in 2023 over the 2022 numbers.

Nearly 3.1 million people flew out of BHM last year.

Right next door to the plant where many of its aircraft are made, Breeze Airways announced plans in February to provide commercial air service from Mobile International Airport to Orlando and to Providence, Rhode Island.

Low-cost carrier Breeze flies a fleet of Airbus A220-300 that are made at the Airbus final assembly line at the same airport at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley. The airline also flies Embraer aircraft.

“Breeze is thrilled to add Mobile to our growing route map, especially as it’s home to our fleet of Airbus A220s, ‘Mobile’s hometown aircraft’,” said Breeze Airways Founder and CEO David Neeleman. “With BFM, Breeze now will serve 49 cities nationally.” That count includes Huntsville.

Airbus officials were also delighted by the news.

“Knowing that the A220 will take to the skies right here in Mobile for our community to enjoy brings a great sense of pride to our team,” said Daryl Taylor, Airbus SVP of Commercial

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B R I E F S

CHEERS Goat Island Brewery, which opened in Cullman in 2015, is expanding to a second Cullman location in the Cotton Creek Warehouse, an event venue in downtown Cullman.

Chile and Argentina. The firm has requested a federal energy grant with hopes of expanding and adding jobs.

BATTERY REV-UP Westwater Resources has signed its first off-take agreement for its graphite plant under construction in Kellyton.

The agreement is with SK On, which provides electric vehicle batteries to Ford, Hyundai, Volkswagen and others. Canadabased Lithos Energy says its processing facility in Bessemer is fully operational, processing lithium-enriched brines from

BIGGER FOOTPRINT Montgomery-based law firm Rushton Stakely has opened an office in Birmingham.

KUDOS VivoSphere, a biomedical engineering startup founded by two Auburn University chemical engineering researchers, has been nominated for the Ignite Award, given to the most promising new venture in the bio-diagnostic industry by the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening.

Huntsville’s airport saw a 22.7% increase in passenger traffic in 2023.

Aircraft Operations in the U.S. And with a nod to an electric transportation future, Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM) has installed two chargers to supply power not only to vehicles but also to aircraft. The charging system, designed by BETA Technologies, powered up its first aircraft when BETA flew its all-electric ALIA aircraft into the Montgomery field.

Based in Burlington, Vermont, BETA is working with the Federal Aviation Administration to develop and certify the aircraft, which has been on deployment for several months with the U.S. Air Force at Duke Field in Florida.

In addition to the Level 3 aircraft charger on the field, the team — including the airport, BETA and Alabama Power — also added a Level 2 charger for public EVs outside the fence.

“The Montgomery Regional Airport is thrilled to welcome the dawn of a cleaner and more sustainable era in aviation with the installation of our new electric aircraft charger — a first for the state of Alabama,” said Wade Davis, MGM executive director.

Austal USA’s Matthew Graham was named Architect of the Year by the Mobile Area Council of Engineers. Graham is a senior naval architect at Austal USA. TEAMING FOR JAPAN Northrop Grumman has teamed with Mitsubishi Electric to develop integrated air and missile defense capabilities for Japan’s ground-based systems. The collaboration was announced at Northrop Grumman in Huntsville.

CITY BOOST SmartBank has donated its former bank building to the city of Jackson, which will use it to

house a new ambulance service and a new police precinct.

WATER WORKS The Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority, the University of Alabama and Techstars are partnering to launch two waterfocused business incubators — one for early-stage companies and one for pre-accelerator ideas.

TEAM NUMBERS Fairhope-based investment management firm Aptus Capital Advisors has acquired Birmingham-based LibertyFi, a fintech operations outsourcer.

March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 9

BENCHMARKS

Nature Conservancy, Patagonia group team to purchase 8,000 acres atop Mobile-Tensaw delta

Creeks, rivers, ponds and oxbow lakes make The Land Between the Rivers home to amazing diversity of freshwater species.

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY and HOLDFAST COLLECTIVE have

purchased 8,000 acres in Clarke County making up The Land Between the Rivers at the top of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta.

“This critical tract’s creeks, rivers, ponds and oxbow lakes contribute to the Delta’s recognition as the home to the greatest number of freshwater species in the U.S., making it one of the most ecologically diverse places on the planet,” the groups said in an announcement of the purchase.

Funds for the purchase included $5.2 million from Holdfast Collective, which is the grant making arm of the Patagonia apparel brand; $3 million from The Nature Conservancy, and

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FAREWELL Tom Collins has announced plans to retire as EBSCO Information Services CEO at the end of June after 40 years on the job.

includes wet lab space, office space, a shared equipment lab and services to support biotech startups.

BYE BANK BRANCHES North Carolina-based Truist Financial plans to shutter about 80 of its branches, including locations in Alabama, amid a $750 million cost-cutting initiative.

BIO BOOST Birmingham-based Southern Research has opened its Station 41 biotech incubator for startups. The space on Birmingham’s Southside

UP & RUNNING Birmingham-based hospital developer the Sanders Trust has completed the $30 million Clear Sky Rehabilitation Hospital in Lecanto, Florida.

SPORTY BUILD Clemson University’s new women’s sports facilities officially opened recently. Contractor Brasfield & Gorrie, based in Birmingham, led construction on the lacrosse, gymnastics and rowing facilities.

10 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

$10 million in a revolving loan deal from an undisclosed source.

The Holdfast contribution is the largest in the world from the organization that owns 98% of the Patagonia company.

“This tract represents the largest remaining block of land that we can protect in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. First and foremost, TNC is doing this work for our fellow Alabamians who rightly pride themselves on their relationship with the outdoors,” said Mitch Reid, Alabama state director for The Nature Conservancy.

“Conservation lands in the Delta position it as an anchor in a corridor of protected lands stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the Appalachian Mountains and has long been a priority in TNC’s ongoing efforts to establish resilient and connected landscapes

across the region.”

Greg Curtis, executive director of Patagonia’s Holdfast Collective, added, “Alabama is important. The Holdfast Collective sees Alabama, and the Land Between the Rivers, as a landscape that is as critical to protect as our other priority areas around the globe. This project is the first step in a longterm strategy with our partners in Alabama to protect America’s Amazon.”

During the last 30 years, The Nature Conservancy has entered into partnerships to protect nearly half of the 200,000-acre delta.

ON THE JOB Coden-based Master Boat Builders has delivered the eWolf, the first all-electric tugboat in the U.S. The boat was delivered to Crowley and will be stored and charged at the Port of San Diego.

ANTI-OPIOID The Poarch Band of Creek Indians, based in Atmore, has given $500,000 to the Helios Alliance to help fight addiction and the opioid crisis in Alabama.

NEW AT THE ARSENAL Robins & Morton has completed construction of the new U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center at Redstone

Arsenal, bringing Huntsville’s U.S. Army Corps of Engineers group under one roof.

JOBS BE GONE Birmingham-based Regions Bank is cutting about 600 jobs, laying off about 3% of its 20,000 employees. The bank says 70% of the job cuts are outside the Birmingham metro area, mostly in the bank’s mortgage division.

HOT SPOTS COOL The Filling Station, a bar that opened in Tuscaloosa in 2003, has closed. Post Office Pies has closed its doors in Birmingham’s Avondale neighborhood, but will still have a location in Mountain Brook. And the last

BENCHMARKS

Built for trains, now aiming for stars

The mile-long building in the Shoals was built for trains — National Steel Car and later FreightCar America.

Florida-based AE INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS has purchased the enormous FreightCar America building from the Retirement Systems of Alabama, with plans for an aerospace hub in the Muscle Shoals facilities.

AEI said its affiliate, Rocket Shoals LLC, would redevelop the 638 acres that has 2.27 million square feet of zoned manufacturing capacity. Previous tenants in the building include National Steel Car, Navistar and, most recently, FreightCar America.

AEI says the space will become headquarters for select companies, including aerospace suppliers, manufacturers and

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O’Charley’s in Alabama closed early in February.

NEW DIGS Warren Averett’s Montgomery accounting and advisory office has relocated to the historic Winter Loeb Building in downtown Montgomery.

UP FRONT The mixed-use development Front Row is now under construction in Huntsville. The development, on the site of a former Coca-Cola plant, will include residential, office and retail space.

PARTNERS AGAINST CANCER Infirmary Health in Mobile has partnered with the University of Alabama at Birmingham and its O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, providing patients with easier access to UAB’s clinical trials and advanced treatment options.

GULFQUEST GOES MARITIME GulfQuest, the 10-year-old maritime museum in downtown Mobile, is changing its name to the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico. The new name, which comes as the museum’s new director, Karen Poth, takes over, will officially take effect at a grand opening in October.

innovators. The Florida firm plans to partner with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to work with federal customers.

“AE Industrial is a highly focused investment firm, with a strategy to drive value creation at the nexus of the aerospace, space and defense markets — all sectors that are currently thriving in Alabama,” said David Rowe, co-CEO and managing partner at AE Industrial. “We look forward to building an aerospace center of excellence in Muscle Shoals that benefits the community, the state of Alabama and our portfolio companies.”

The property has had a series of owners. It was built for National Steel Car, with financing from the Retirement Systems. When National Steel Car opted out, RSA finished the project while looking for new tenants. Navistar worked in part of the building for a time, and FreightCar America also. But in 2020, FreightCar America closed up shop, taking its railroad car business to Mexico and leaving 550 people jobless.

Back then, RSA’s David Bronner told Business Alabama, “It is a beautiful property, and we need to make the best use of it for industrial purposes if it takes us six months or longer.” RSA has been deep in discussions with potential buyers, he explains, but the design of the plant limits its appeal to “only a handful of buyers, maybe less than a handful.”

TAKE A BOW Mobile’s Battle House Hotel is on Historic Hotels of America list of the Top 25 Historic Hotels of America Where U.S. Presidents Made History. The hotel has hosted multiple presidents over the years.

PARKING PLACE A $38 million parking garage now under construction at the Mobile Civic Center will provide 1,000 parking spaces downtown. It’s slated to open by early 2025.

BUSINESS BOOST The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama has partnered with Builders +

Backers to provide a series of free workshops to help entrepreneurs create a business.

FAREWELL FRESH Burris Farm Market, a fixture in Baldwin County for almost four decades, is closing. The market has provided fresh produce since 1986.

OUT OF COURT A judge has once again dismissed a lawsuit that alleged Mobile-based DRC was ruined because of fraud by Honduras involving a $177 million water and sewer contract. The suit was filed in 2017, dismissed in 2020, appealed and then dismissed again in January.

March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 11

Industries across state kick off expansions

Ford Meter Box in Pell City.

Industries in HUNTSVILLE, DECATUR, PELL CITY and MOBILE announced plans for major expansions this month.

Austal USA, one of Mobile’s biggest employers, announced plans to add 192,000 square feet of covered industrial space and a new shiplift system in support of the steel shipbuilding line it opened last year. The new facilities will be just south of the current complex, also on the Mobile River frontage.

Also in Mobile, family-owned Myers Companies plans to add another 10,000 square feet for its coatings operations, an investment of $2.6 million.

In Pell City, Ford Meter Box is investing $23 million to add space and equipment, allowing it the capability of producing large diameter steel components. Ford Meter Box makes underground waterworks products.

Toray Composite Materials America in Decatur has invested $15 million to upgrade its carbon fiber production line.

The upgrade doubles capacity to produce the fiber that is used in defense projects.

And in Huntsville, Frontier Technology Inc., a provider of missiontailored services and solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense and the intelligence community, is expanding its cyber operations. The company is investing approximately $10 million to expand its secure facility space by 25,000 square feet. 12 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

A A M A : S PEC I A L S EC T I O N

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ALABAMA AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

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AUTOMOTIVE UPDATE

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By CARY ESTES

E

VER SINCE THAT FIRST ML 320 SUV ROLLED OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE AT THE MERCEDESBENZ MANUFACTURING PLANT IN VANCE IN 1997, Alabama’s burgeoning automobile industry has primarily had its cruise control set on success. The state has added three more OEM assembly plants since then — Honda, Hyundai and Mazda Toyota — along with a major Toyota engine plant and approximately 150 Tier I suppliers and logistics companies.

Along the way, Alabama has become one of the top-five autoproduction states in the country, a ranking that is expected to continue in 2024. But a bumpier ride could lie ahead, with potential challenges involving proposed worker unionization, the expansion of electric vehicles and the need for additional skilled labor in the sector.

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Former Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield (second from left) is inducted into the AAMA Hall of Fame.

March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 13

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A A M A : S PEC I A L S EC T I O N

Alabama’s auto industry has been the primary growth engine for the state’s economy for decades, but I have a very strong concern about how unionization efforts in our state could affect those growth prospects.”

Despite these possible potholes, most of the current numbers in the industry are as smooth as a freshly paved road.

For example: • Combined production capacity at the state’s auto plants is more than 1.3 million vehicles annually.

• Direct employment in Alabama’s automotive manufacturing sector is approaching 50,000 jobs, with more than half that number (27,000) in the state’s supplier network.

• Motor vehicles are Alabama’s top export category, at nearly $9 billion (third in the nation), while exports of Alabama-made auto parts and products are close to $500 million.

• Honda, Hyundai and Toyota have the production capacity to build 1.9 million engines annually at their Alabama plants. Together, they have produced a total of more than 18 million engines in the state.

• Between 2020 and 2022, companies in the automotive manufacturer sector announced plans to invest approximately $3.4 billion in projects in Alabama, creating nearly 7,000 jobs.

“The automotive industry in Alabama continues to thrive,” says Ron Davis, president of the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association. “Since 1997, Alabama’s OEMs have combined to invest around $15 billion in their assembly operations and have produced more than 15 million vehicles.”

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— RON DAVIS, PRESIDENT OF THE ALABAMA AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

As a result, many state officials are taking the approach of, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” when it comes to unionization efforts at the Alabama auto plants. The United Auto Workers has been actively campaigning to unionize Alabama’s manufacturing plants, particularly the Mercedes facility. This effort has been loudly criticized by Gov. Kay Ivey, the Alabama Department of Commerce and other state officials.

“Alabama’s auto industry has been the primary growth engine for the state’s economy for decades, but I have a very strong concern about how unionization efforts in our state could affect those growth prospects,” Davis says. “This is a pivotal moment for Alabama’s auto industry, which directly employs around 50,000 people in good-paying jobs across the state. This was done without the presence of the UAW. “The AAMA respects the right of the state’s autoworkers to make their own

decision on this issue. However, we do not want continued growth of our auto industry hampered by unnecessary conflict and messy confrontation that could disrupt the very strong reputation we currently have in our workplace environment and the production of vehicles in Alabama.”

Another issue facing the auto industry that isn’t quite as contentious — but still could be problematic — is the transition to producing more electric vehicles. Automakers worldwide have invested billions of dollars in improving EV technology, but sales growth in electric vehicles slowed significantly in 2023.

According to data released by the automotive consulting company Motor Intelligence, year-over-year sales growth for electric vehicles in the U.S. dropped from a high of 76% in April of 2022 to 42% in November of 2023. So, while the numbers are still increasing, the enthusiasm for EVs appears to be waning among consumers.

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, second from left, recently was inducted into the AAMA Hall of Fame.

March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 15

A AM A : S PEC I A L S EC T I O N

“We are making good strides in transitioning to electric vehicles, but as we navigate this transition, the market demands may be a little different than what we originally thought,” Davis says.

“In the meantime, we’re still building very good internal-combustion cars and hybrid vehicles in the state of Alabama, along with high-quality engines.”

Despite the current decrease in demand, most analysts expect EVs to continue becoming a larger portion of the overall auto-production market. Davis says Alabama is preparing for this seemingly inevitable transition through several major projects.

“Alabama is poised for a build-out of an EV supply chain, most notably with

Hyundai’s announcement of a $205 million project to open an EV battery module plant in Montgomery,” Davis says. “The facility will employ 400 and supply batteries to the Hyundai plant in Alabama and a Kia plant in Georgia.

“Alabama also is contributing to sustainability solutions for EV’s Li-Cycle (lithium battery recycling) by opening a recycling facility that will help Mercedes dispose of end-of-life EV batteries. In addition, Birmingham’s Southern Research is studying ways to repurpose EV batteries that are no longer used.

“And Alabama will become home to the nation’s first graphite processing facility, providing automakers with a domestic source for material that is critical to EV production. Westwater Resources will invest a total of $202 million in the first phase of a project to open a facility in Alabama (near Alexander City).”

Davis says efforts also are underway to increase the number of EV charging stations in Alabama. He says AAMA is working with the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition to create a plan for the implementation of charging stations throughout the state. “We have a cross-functional team that includes our OEMs, state leadership and Alabama Power that is proceeding aggressively on that,” Davis says.

Finally, an issue affecting a number of industries these days is the need for more skilled workers. According to a 2023 survey of auto manufacturing officials conducted by ABB Robotics in partnership with Automotive Manufacturing Solutions, 56% of the respondents listed specific-skill labor shortages as a major concern.

“We’re making progress to provide more skilled workers into our auto industry,” Davis says. “It’s a team effort that includes our OEMs, the Governor’s office, the Department of Commerce, AIDT (Alabama Industrial Training), ATN (Alabama Technology Network), the community college system and K through 12.

“We tremendously value those partnerships as we work together to address the labor concerns and needs of the industry, so we can continue to produce world-class, quality auto products in Alabama.”

Cary Estes is a Birmingham-based freelancer contributor to Business Alabama.

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Workers install a battery in a Genesis Electrified GV70 SUV, which HMMA began producing — along with its fueled version — in 2023.

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HYUNDAI ADDS THE LUXURY-MODEL GENESIS TO ITS LINEUP

///////////////A///$590 /////////MILLION /////////////INVESTMENT /////////////////////ALSO /////////HAS ///////THE ///////MONTGOMERY ///////////////////////PLANT /////////////////////// DRIVING INTO THE ELECTRIFIED MARKET

By KATHY HAGOOD

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AST YEAR WAS FASTPACED FOR HYUNDAI MOTOR MANUFACTURING ALABAMA (HMMA) as the Montgomery plant began manufacturing the Genesis Electrified GV70 and the gas-powered Genesis GV70, as well as gearing up for the all-new fifthgeneration Santa Fe, which officially started production this January.

The vehicles are the fruition of a $590 million investment by HMMA in recent years, says Scott Posey, manager of public relations. “We have new milestones every year here at the plant, but 2023 was a particularly exciting year,” SPECIAL SECTION

he says. “Last year was a retooling of our production line. The focus this year is stabilizing our processes.”

This year also will see a $15 million investment in the plant to provide a new medical clinic for employees and their families, Posey says. “The clinic will provide medical services and be able to do triage and X-rays,” he says.

HMMA, which now employs more than 4,000 workers after adding 200 with production changes, is proud to have had the Genesis GV70 model addHMMA began producing the fifthgeneration Santa Fe in 2024.

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‘‘

We’re entering the EV revolution and are thrilled to have been chosen for the honor. They had confidence our workforce could handle the new technology.”

ed to its lineup, particularly because the MotorTrend 2022 award-winning luxury Genesis SUV had never been manufactured outside of South Korea before, Posey says. “We appreciate they entrusted us with that level of detail for a luxury model,” he says.

It’s also a point of pride that HMMA garnered the Genesis Electrified GV70, because previously no Hyundai or Genesis electric vehicle had been manufactured outside of South Korea, Posey says.

Unlike many EVs, the Genesis Electrified GV70 was not built from the ground up but is a modification of the original Genesis GV70 luxury model. “We’re entering the EV revolution and are thrilled to have been chosen for the honor,” he says.

“They had confidence our workforce

— SCOTT POSEY, MANAGER OF PUBLIC RELATIONS

could handle the new technology.”

Next door, Hyundai Mobis, a major supplier to HMMA and Kia Motor Manufacturing Georgia, is bringing a new $205 million battery assembly plant online this year to help support electric vehicle production, Posey says.

With a partial production year, the HMMA plant through December had manufactured 13,000 internal combustion engine GV70s and 2,700 electric GV70s, Posey says. “Over time we likely will be producing more Genesis Electrified GV70s because demand for electric vehicles in general is growing,” he says.

Of the 369,000 total vehicles HMMA produced last year, the majority were Tucson and Santa Fe SUVs and Santa Fe pick-up trucks, Posey says. The plant also produces the Santa Cruz SportAdventure Vehicle. “Our production levels follow

consumer demand,” he says. “SUVs and pickup trucks have become the most popular in recent time. Sales of the Tucson increased by 20% in 2023.”

About 40% of Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are made at HMMA, Posey says. Most vehicles made at the Montgomery plant are sold within the United States. A small percentage are exported to Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and El Salvador, Posey says.

He anticipates strong customer demand for the new fifth-generation Santa Fe, which has come a long way from its roots as the first SUV Hyundai produced about two decades ago. The last full-scale Santa Fe model redesign was in 2018.

“The new generation is larger, longer, more luxurious and has more technology incorporated than ever before,” he says.

At press time Posey said a rapid ramp

The Hyundai Tucson crossover SUV was a big contributor to the brand’s record sales year.

18 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

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up of Santa Fe production was planned, but no production projections had been released. “There will be added pressure for our local suppliers, but we believe they can handle it,” he says.

The trend for producing vehicles with additional technology is expected to continue, Posey says. For example, Hyundai’s vision for the future includes smarter cars, including the integration of Alexa into vehicles in 2025. “Drivers will be able to communicate with their Alexa technology at home,” he says. “The concept is of creating mobility devices with all the tech and AI vs. just vehicles.”

Hyundai Motor Corp. has come a long way to become the third largest automotive manufacturer in the world, Posey says. Highly awarded for various models, the company was created in 1967 and began selling its first model in the U.S., the Excel, in the late 1980s.

“Hyundai has come a long way in a short amount of time,” he says.

Posey, who is originally from Andalusia, believes Hyundai’s impact on Alabama and the River Region, in particular, has been underrated. “We lost textile plants and manufacturing jobs in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, so we were hurting there,” he says. “But in addition to the economic impact of HMMA coming to

our state, there’s also cultural impact. It’s broadened our world.”

He also points to HMMA bringing in $1 million in local donations, including $300,000 from employees. “Half a million in HMMA corporate giving is targeting the development of STEM skills through robotic competitions in the River Region,” Posey says.

HMMA is partnering with Auburn and wants to expand out into more schools in the region, to create an 8-week automotive-based curriculum at middle schools, which could lead to jobs at the plant, Posey says.

Kathy Hagood is a Birmingham-based freelance contributor to Business Alabama.

The fifth-generation Santa Fe has a boxy new look due to a longer wheelbase and wider tailgate.

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TOYOTA MARKS RECORD FOR ENGINE PRODUCTION

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By KATHERINE MacGILVRAY

Toyota built 770,000 engines in Huntsville in 2023.

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HE TOYOTA MOTOR MANUFACTURING ALABAMA (TMMAL) ENGINE PLANT IN HUNTSVILLE ASSEMBLED 770,000 ENGINES IN 2023, a record production number for the facility. The plant is a critical part of Toyota’s supply chain and has the capacity to build up to 900,000 engines per year. To keep up with production demands, TMMAL has also seen a significant bump in hiring and currently employs more than 2,000 people.

“Toyota Alabama supplies over onethird of all engines for Toyota’s North American operations,” points out Jason Puckett, president of Toyota Alabama.

Puckett has overseen production and administration functions at TMMAL

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since 2021. Prior to that, he served as vice president of administration and manufacturing at Toyota Indiana, where his Toyota career started in 1997.

“Every line at Toyota Alabama assembles engines for both hybrid and combustion vehicles. It’s our 2,000 team members and their skills that have paved the way for this plant to play a critical role in Toyota’s electrified future,” Puckett says.

The 1.3 million-square-foot facility has four assembly lines that produce four-cylinder + HEV engines, 2.4 turbo + HEV engines and twin-turbo VS + HEV engines that can be found under the hoods of RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Cross, Highlander, Sienna, Tundra and Sequoia vehicles. It is also the only Toyota plant globally to build four-cylinder, V-6 and V-8 engines under one roof, and

it is the only plant in North America that builds the Twin Turbo V-6 engine.

Since starting production in 2003, TMMAL has undertaken eight major investment projects totaling nearly $1.5 billion. The most recent was a $222 million investment made in April 2022 to expand the facility by 114,000 square feet and create a new four-cylinder production line that has the capacity to build engines for combustion and hybrid electric powertrains. The 2022 expansion was the sixth for the plant.

The Huntsville facility is one of Toyota’s two designated model sustainable plants in North America with zero landfills and has won the EPA Energy Star Challenge for Industry award and the Toyota North America award for outstanding energy and water management.

It has also been ISO14001 certified since SPECIAL SECTION

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2004 and Wildlife Habitat Council Certified since 2014.

In April 2023 the company announced a power purchase agreement with Toyota Tsusho America Inc. (TAI) and Huntsville Utilities that will support a 168-acre, $49 million solar project.

The 30-megawatt solar array, located in the North Huntsville Industrial Park that surrounds the TMMAL plant, is expected to generate 62,000 megawatt hours annually, reducing approximately 22,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions each year and supplying more than 70% of the plant’s energy needs.

“Toyota is taking a transparent, science-based approach to address climate change,” Puckett said in a company press release. “By relying on the sun to power our operations, we will reduce our carbon footprint and create a model of environmental stewardship in North Alabama.”

TAI’s Energy Infrastructure Solutions team is managing construction of the system and will be responsible for long-term operations. The solar facility is scheduled to begin generating energy this summer and will bring Toyota one step closer to achieving carbon neutrality in its operations by 2035.

In August 2023 the Toyota USA Foundation announced it would provide $6.7 million to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in Huntsville City Schools. The

The Toyota engine plant in Huntsville has been expanded six times since it opened in 2003.

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‘‘

Every line at Toyota Alabama assembles engines for both hybrid and combustion vehicles. It’s our 2,000 team members and their skills that have paved the way for this plant to play a critical role in Toyota’s electrified future.”

— JASON PUCKETT, PRESIDENT OF TOYOTA ALABAMA

collaboration is part of Toyota’s Driving Possibilities initiative, a $110 million national career readiness program funded

by Toyota USA Foundation, Toyota Motor North America and Toyota Financial Services that focuses on PreK12 education and closing educational gaps for students with hands-on STEM programming. Huntsville is the fifth site for the initiative that includes a five-year phased rollout, beginning with $2.9 million that will go to the Huntsville Chamber Foundation and make its way to support the industrial tech program at the Huntsville City Schools Career Tech Center scheduled to open in 2025. Until the center opens, a modified program is being offered at Jemison High School.

Part of the $6.7 million investment also includes a $750,000 grant to support new teacher coaches, training and mentorship opportunities at select Huntsville City Schools in partnership with the New Teacher Center.

“The Driving Possibilities framework provides a holistic approach to addressing gaps in education,” Puckett said in a statement in August. “Our mission is to collaborate with local schools, community partners and other businesses, to help students reach their full potential. The success of our students will determine the future of our community.”

Katherine MacGilvray is a Huntsville-based freelance contributor to Business Alabama.

Enjoying work at TMMAL. March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 21

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Autocar specializes in severe duty trucks built for specific tasks — like refuse collection trucks.

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UTOCAR BUILT THE FIRST MOTOR TRUCK COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE IN THE UNITED STATES IN 1899 to carry packages during the height of the industrial revolution.

The delivery wagon was “purposebuilt,” boasting a payload capacity of 700 pounds, offering 5- or 8-horsepower motors and featuring an “engine-underSPECIAL SECTION

the-seat” design that maximized area for freight — a precursor of Autocar’s Cab-Over-Engine design used on every Autocar truck today.

In fact, 125 years later, Autocar LLC remains a 100% American-owned private company that prides itself on custom engineering and innovation in manufacturing premium, severe-duty vocational trucks. Many of these are

built right here in Alabama, at Autocar’s headquarters in a sprawling complex just off Pinson Valley Parkway near Birmingham. The company operates an additional manufacturing location in Hagerstown, Indiana.

“I often get asked why the company is called Autocar, since we only make trucks these days,” says Tim Thornton, vice president and general manager March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 23

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refuse at Autocar. “But it started out as a car company and was pretty inventive… developing something called the rear reduction axle, then the double rear reduction axle. Now this double rear reduction axle could carry a very heavy payload under very low horsepower without losing speed, so [Autocar] quickly had a significant niche and competitive advantage in the hauling space. They really had such a competitive advantage that they quit making cars altogether and just became a truck company.”

And not just any truck company. Early on, company leaders recognized the need for quality, customizable, reliable trucks, and have built on their innovations to nurture a direct relationship with customers to “exceed their expectations.” What sets the Autocar vehicles apart is that they are not built on a standard assembly line, but rather one at a time, for specific applications.

Officials say the vocational trucks

coming out of Autocar’s facilities support America’s economic infrastructure by providing critical tools for waste collection, transportation and logistics, construction and concrete sectors. Importantly, the company is not set up by vehicle platform but by vocation, making its obsessive drive to solve specific vocational jobs possible.

The two main vehicles made at the Birmingham location are the ACX Severe Duty Cabover, used mainly for refuse collection and pumping concrete, and the DC-64 Severe Duty Conventional Class 8 work truck, built from the ground up with every detail customengineered for a variety of commercial applications.

“We pride ourselves on being a customer-centric company,” says Thornton.

“But what does that really mean? What’s very unique about us is we’re very handson, very engaged with the end customer that’s using the truck, and we don’t

hand it off to a dealer to do that work for us. We work with dealers and we sell through dealers, but we’re very engaged directly with our end customer base.

We try to understand our customer and what they need and build a vehicle that is very specific to that customer’s needs and applications.”

This means that the people building each vehicle understand ahead of time what it will be used for and what specific additional machinery will need to be added to the vehicle. By taking this approach, he says, it makes for a better integration of specialty equipment and a more reliable end product.

“We have our trucks essentially connector ready so that when it goes to the upfitter, the wiring harnesses, hoses and splices are already installed and everything is pre-configured,” says Thornton.

“And we’re really the only company that does this level of integration.”

“And when we say we’re a vocational truck manufacturer, we truly are vocational, which means we make things pretty much in any configuration that you can think of,” he adds. “Automated side loaders, rear loaders, front-end loaders, roll-off trucks…. we make them in both conventional and cab-overs.

We’ve done concrete belt-conveyor trucks, dump trucks, fuel tankers, cargo lifts, bucket cranes. We do rear discharge mixers, terminal tractors, paint strippers, water blasters, dump trucks, street sweepers…you name it.”

“With our diversity of applications, we sell to a lot of different types of companies and organizations,” says Thornton. “We even sell to the city of Birmingham, which runs our ACX in an automated side-loader application with a higher body on it.”

POWERING THE FUTURE The Birmingham facility recently added a dedicated EV component assembly line to ensure the best power unit and battery pack build quality for better zero-emission vehicles in the commercial space.

In fact, Autocar introduced electric vehicles almost 100 years ago and offered electric options for commercial use in the 1920s. Autocar LLC remains an industry leader in green innovation, 24 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

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developing several all-electric zeroemission vocational vehicles including an industry-leading E-ACX. “We keep all of that fairly confidential and proprietary because we think we’ve created a competitive advantage in the development and the unique innovations that we’ve been able to do,” says Thornton. “We’re still in the infancy stage of going into those markets, but I will say that our E-ACX refuse truck that’s running in the field is outperforming every other truck that’s been tested. Essentially, we’re being told from customers and people who are running it that our truck — from a range and payload performance — is better than any truck they’ve seen, so that’s really encouraging.

But we haven’t officially launched that product yet, but we plan to do a full launch soon.”

Jennifer G. Williams is a freelance contributor to Business Alabama. She is based in Hartselle.

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At work at Autocar in Birmingham.

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SUPPLIER FIRMS KEEP ALABAMA AUTOMAKERS MOVING

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By CRYSTAL CASTLE Photos by JOE DE SCIOSE

“A big part of what we’re doing in Alabama is actually building car parts, but we also offer turn-key automation as well. Each facility is capable of making automation lines themselves, but they are also capable of making the parts the automation lines would do.”

—DAN HILL, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF NRTC AUTOMATION

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LABAMA’S AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY IS DRIVING FULL SPEED AHEAD with companies looking to power steer the state’s economy to prosperity.

The Alabama Automotive Manufacturer’s Association (AAMA) announced its annual Supplier of the Year award winners in recognition of each company’s contribution to the state’s economy and excellence in its category. Formed in 2001, the AAMA’s mission is to promote continuous education, as well as growth of the automotive manufacturing industry in Alabama. Guided by six core values — excellence, integrity, collaboration, innovation, responsiveness and generosity — the AAMA provides a forum for interaction among the automotive entities in Alabama.

This year’s Supplier of the Year winners represent excellence in both manufacturing and service sectors of the automotive industry. In the large manufacturer category, Lear Corporation was the champion. First in small manufacturers was NRTC Automation.

For service providers, Mind Your Culture and Gadsden Industrial Distributors both walked away winners.

NRTC AUTOMATION Started in Canada, NRTC chose Alabama as its first U.S. branch, which opened in 2019. Chief Operating Officer Dan Hill was the first American employee of the company. Hill says when the company was doing market research for its expansion to the States, the choice to do business in Alabama was an easy one.

“When we started doing research into some of the manufacturing goals we wanted to accomplish and some of the removals we were doing, our main customers for removals were heavily based if not in Alabama then the states adjoining Alabama,” Hill says. “So, we had some existing relationships here. The company had already been doing work with Magna Kamtek. We did the e-coat system for them when they built their new facility, and we’ve done a number of removals for Kamtek over the years. From an automotive perspective, Alabama has just blown up since Mercedes came to the state, so it just made sense.”

The company offers many services to its clients, which helps to broaden its customer base.

“It’s really five business units is how we try to break it out,” Hill says. “You’ve got turn-key automation being one, parts manufacturing being another.

Then we’ve got our equipment sales division and website sales. Then we’ve got the decommissioning, which is the removal of robots and equipment from places like Mercedes, and last but not least is our contract services, which we basically bring people into our plants, teach them on our equipment. It’s basically a junior apprenticeship-type scenario where they learn on our equipment and then we put them out in the field to our customer sites that need support.”

The company has undergone several evolutions over the years, starting with rubber recycling to small automation and robotic automation type projects.

‘‘

Now with additional U.S. locations in Detroit and South Carolina, Alabama remains a key component to the NRTC operations.

“We do more painting in Alabama and Canada than we do anywhere else as far as robot refurbishment, but the Alabama plant has its own paint lab, its own tooling, machine centers, its own assembly for fixtures, etc.,” Hill says. “A big part of what we’re doing in Alabama is actually building car parts, but we also offer turn-key automation as well. Each facility is capable of making automation lines themselves, but they are also capable of making the parts the automation lines would do.”

GADSDEN INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTORS Founded in 1983, Gadsden Industrial Distributors (GID) is a full-line industrial supply house carrying a wide variety of products in its two locations in Alabama, as well as the company’s two locations in Mississippi. GID supports manufacturers and machine shops, as well as military and government customers.

Tim Ponder, vice president of sales and marketing, says the locally owned company works very closely with automotive manufacturers and their supply plants.

“Basically, we handle anything and everything you could need at a plant from safety glasses and gloves or whatever it might be,” Ponder says. “We also handle power transmissions; we sell motors and bearings and conveyors. We carry chemicals from degreasers to WD-40, pretty

I think the thing that sets us apart from our competitors is that they are these gigantic companies with thousands upon thousands of individual products. But when you call them, you’re going to get someone on the telephone where if you don’t have a part number and know exactly what you need, they really can’t help you. We have the expertise to provide that old-fashioned, good customer service.

You don’t have to have a part number with us.”

— TIM PONDER, VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES AND MARKETING OF GADSDEN INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTORS 28 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

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We use self-discovery learning and have a simple, values-based process that is easy to follow. We know that with hands-on learning and ongoing support is where real learning and transformation happens.”

much any janitorial need. That’s kind of how the market is these days — if you’re not carrying anything and everything for a plant, you’re missing out.”

GID’s customer base is as wide and varied as its product offerings.

Serving companies in industries such as aerospace, construction, plastics manufacturing and beyond, GID has no shortage of accounts on file.

“From a volume perspective, Anniston [Army] Depot is our number one buyer and customer,” Ponder says. “They buy a lot of unusual stuff from us. They frequently need parts for equipment from the ’60s. Our next biggest account would be Honda and the needs of its many facilities, and the third would be Caterpillar. So, lots of large accounts, but we also work with the local mom-and-pop shop to help keep them supplied.”

With many online retailers offering similar products as GID, it can be hard to stand out from the competition.

Ponder says it’s no surprise to him why customers keep coming back.

“I think the thing that sets us apart from our competitors is that they are these gigantic companies with thousands upon thousands of individual products,” Ponder says. “But when you call them, you’re going to get someone on the telephone where if you don’t have a part number and know exactly what you need, they really can’t help you. That’s where our people step in, and we have an average tenure of 27 years. We have the expertise to provide that old-fashioned, good customer service. You don’t have to have a part number with us.”

— ANKE JAHN, MIND YOUR CULTURE FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT

ration has taken a systematic approach to innovation that aligns market demands for intelligent and environmentally friendly technologies applied to smart manufacturing.

Lear believes that as cars and trucks grow more intelligent, so will the factories that produce them. The company prioritizes operational excellence and continuous operational improvement, and leveraging smart factory technologies in automation, additive manufacturing, as well as data and digitization.

With 253 facilities in 37 countries employing more than 160,000 people globally, Lear’s global impact brings an

industry-leading perspective to Alabama’s automotive industry.

MIND YOUR CULTURE A company built 10 years ago, Mind Your Culture specializes in transformational programs that leverage the power of culture and shared purpose to bring out the best in people and an organization. Founder and President Anke Jahn knows the power of culture and different cultural perspectives and has made mindful practice of building her team with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Originally from East Germany during

LEAR CORPORATION For more than 100 years, Lear CorpoSPECIAL SECTION

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the Iron Curtain era, Jahn uses that unique experience to drive her cultureforward company.

“When I went from East to West Germany, I felt lost, and I couldn’t understand why I felt lost,” Jahn says.

“We spoke the same language, we shared the same food, but I felt like I was on a different planet. I had no connection to other Germans, and that was really baffling to me. That’s when I realized we grew up in such a different system and different culture — and that culture is much deeper than food and language. It’s mindset; it’s attitude; it’s expectation — and they are very, very powerful.”

With no shortage of corporate training programs, Mind Your Culture has an uphill battle connecting with companies who are lobbied by many other professional development organizations. One thing Jahn says helps her team stand out from the rest is a different approach to corporate culture change.

“We don’t just provide training, but we also provide sustainable behavior change,” Jahn says. “What really makes us unique is we provide a shift in skillset and mindset that is needed for professional and personal growth. We use self-discovery learning and have a simple, values-based process that is easy to follow. We know that with hands-on learning and ongoing support is where real learning and transformation happens.”

A longtime member and now corporate sponsor of the AAMA, Jahn says being recognized with this award was a surprise and an honor.

“When we joined AAMA, we were truly impressed by their strong focus on supporting businesses to continuously improve and advance their organizations,” Jahn says. “What also continuously impresses me is the unwavering commitment to bring government entities such as the Department of Commerce, the school system and business community to align to grow Alabama’s economy. It’s just a really supportive, collaborative network and community in the business world that I have not seen anywhere else.”

Crystal Castle and Joe De Sciose are freelance contributors to Business Alabama. She is based in Mobile and he in Birmingham.

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AAMA BOARD, OFFICERS & PARTNERS

///////////Ron///Davis, //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// President

RON DAVIS AAMA President

LARRY DEUTSCHER AAMA Vice President GeneralManager,ManufacturingSupport ToyotaMotorManufacturingAlabama GENE CLEVELAND AAMA Secretary KTH Leesburg Products LLC Larry Deutscher, Vice President

STEVE SEWELL AAMA Treasurer Executive Vice President EconomicDevelopmentPartnershipof Alabama JACK SISK AAMA Advisory Board Member TechnologyAcceleration&Innovation Services

Gene Cleveland, Secretary

BHARAT BALASUBRAMANIAN Executive Director UniversityofAlabamaCenterfor AdvancedVehicleTechnologies MARK BRAZEAL Vice President, Manufacturing Mazda Toyota Manufacturing ED CASTILE DeputySecretaryofCommercefor Workforce Programs Executive Director of AIDT AlabamaDepartmentofCommerce

SCOTT CASTLEBERRY Sales Manager Air Hydro Power

MIKE OATRIDGE Executive Director AlabamaMobilityandPowerCenter

TOM DEVALL Director,ManufacturingInitiatives AuburnUniversity,Industrial&Systems Engineering

KEITH PHILLIPS Executive Director Alabama Technology Network

MICHAEL GAINES DivisionLeader,ManufacturingPlanning& Control Division AlabamaAutoPlant,HondaDevelopment & Manufacturing of America WARREN GAPPA ManagerofSupplierCooperation HyundaiMotorManufacturingAlabama BECKY HURT Vice President – Administration Y-tecKeylexToyotetsuAlabama(YKTA) WARREN MATTHEWS Partner Burr & Forman BARRY MAY ExecutiveDirectorofWorkforce&Economic Development AlabamaCommunityCollegeSystem

SCOTT SHOEMAKER Senior Process Manager Navistar ANGELA TILL DeputySecretary,BusinessDevelopment Division AlabamaDepartmentofCommerce DOUG VANATA Plant Manager DaikyoNishikawa USA Inc. JASON WEAVER General Manager Stamped Products Inc. KEVIN WILLIAMS President & CEO GAA Solutions

MARK McCLANAHAN Operations Manager Heiche US SurfaceTechnologies

Steve Sewell, Treasurer

CORPORATE PARTNERS AIAG Air Hydro Power Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition Alabama Community College System Alabama Department of Commerce Alliance Solutions ATN BDO Burr & Forman SPECIAL SECTION

Business Council of Alabama Cobbs Allen Honda Alabama Auto Plant Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama Leadec Mazda Toyota Maufacturing Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Mind Your Culture Navistar

Northwest Alabama EDA NRTC Automation Omron The Onin Group Pico MES Port of Huntsville RSM Seraph T&W Operations

TOOTRiS Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama TrueCommerce UA ORED/SafeState University of Alabama in Huntsville YKTA

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NEW PRODUCTS, NEW PACKAGES HEADLINE HONDA’S RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

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By KATHY HAGOOD

The Honda Pilot and Pilot TrailSport are the newest additions to the production lineup in Lincoln.

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ONDA’S ALABAMA AUTO PLANT (AAP) HAD A BIG 2023, completing its first full year of manufacturing the all-new Honda Pilot and Honda Pilot TrailSport. In addition, the Lincoln plant opened a $16 million accessory installation facility, where the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck and Pilot, Pilot TrailSport and Passport SUVs are now enhanced with accessory packages.

Building the all-new Pilot models was extra demanding because they required the most manufacturing change points, including new equipment and processes, since the first Pilot was introduced in 2003, says Lamar Whitaker, plant lead for AAP and vice president of Honda Development & Manufacturing of America (HDMA).

38 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

“The launch of the Pilot and Pilot TrailSport was one of the most challenging new model launches our associates have faced in the 22-year history of our plant, because this was really two models in one, requiring a new platform and engine, as well as major new features and components,” he says.

The new Pilot is longer, wider and more powerful than its predecessors. It has a redesigned V-6 engine, also manufactured at the plant, and more space for passengers and cargo. “Our ability to pivot as necessary to industry challenges or product changes is what drives the success of the Alabama Auto Plant,” Whitaker says.

As part of the changeover, AAP transitioned to a new Honda corpo-

rate standard for the flow of assembly processes, he says. The Alabama team instituted a new training program for all production associates, allowing the associates to learn the new production flow and master the new processes used to build the Pilot and Pilot TrailSport models. “Our associates also worked closely with the design team in Ohio as well,” Whitaker says.

The collaboration with the Ohio design team included a design update, the new panoramic roof on the Pilot.

“This design change, introduced midway through the development timeline, could have required a new process and additional associates for assembly,” Whitaker says. “However, by working together, our team and the R&D engineers eliminated SPECIAL SECTION

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the need for a new process and manpower requirements, making the Honda Pilot easier for our associates to produce. This also resulted in a better product for the customers.”

AAP doesn’t release production figures for its models, but says the plant has the capacity to build more than 340,000 vehicles and V-6 engines each year. In addition to its pickup truck and SUV models, the plant also manufactures the Honda Odyssey minivan and V-6 engines for all its models.

Most vehicles produced are sold domestically. “Approximately 8 to 10% of the Alabama Auto Plant’s production is typically allocated for global export,” Whitaker says. “However, this figure can vary due to fluctuations in the global economy.”

Last April, AAP opened its new 66,000-square-foot accessory-installation facility known as Post-Production Option. “The opening of this new facility represents an important investment in our operations and future, further strengthening our capabilities in support of regional and global Honda operations,” Whitaker says. “Honda selected us to pioneer this first-time initiative, reinforcing Honda’s commitment to our plant, our associates and our community in Lincoln.”

The plant employs more than 4,500 associates, and the majority of those workers are from the surrounding five-county hiring area — Talladega, Calhoun, Etowah, Jefferson and St. Clair counties. “At Honda, the key to success is something we call The Honda Way — a corporate culture based on teamwork, respect and open communication, a oneteam approach that empowers associate involvement in problem-solving and innovation,” Whitaker says. “A perfect example of this approach is the introduction of all-new products like the 2023 Honda Pilot and Honda Pilot TrailSport, which underscores the exceptional adaptability of our operations and associates.”

In its vision for the future, Honda expects 80% of its new U.S. made vehicles to be electric by 2035 and 100% by 2040, Whitaker says. Currently Honda has an Ohio-based EV Hub developing electric vehicle knowledge and expertise that will be spread to North American SPECIAL SECTION

Honda employs more than 4,500 workers in its plant in Lincoln.

The $16 million Post-Production facility, which opened in April 2023, adds accessory packages to Ridgeline, Pilot and Passport vehicles.

Honda plants. “In the meantime, the gasoline vehicles we produce will see continued gains in fuel economy,” he says. “Looking ahead, you will also see an increased focus on sustainability, automation and connectivity. Specifically for Alabama, our focus continues to be on building products powered by our internal combustion engines.”

Workforce development is ongoing, Whitaker says. For example, students from the five surrounding counties were again invited to visit AAP as part of National Manufacturing Day observances. “Over the course of two days, they were able to hear from experts in their fields, get hands-on experience and take a few laps around the track with our racing simulators,” he says. “We want to

demonstrate to young people, their parents, or maybe their grandparents, that today’s manufacturing is different from what they might have experienced.”

Last summer, AAP partnered with Auburn University, launching a new program that offers associates the opportunity to pursue a graduate certificate from Auburn’s department of industrial & systems engineering. “Our aim is that when associates complete these programs, they will have gained stronger leadership skills and increased capabilities in their chosen career field, aiding them to be more effective in their jobs — today and into the future,” Whitaker says.

Kathy Hagood is a Homewood-based freelance contributor to Business Alabama.

March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 39

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Workers at the new Mazda Toyota plant are proud of the vehicles they produce, including this Toyota Corolla Cross.

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MAZDA TOYOTA REACHES 4,000-EMPLOYEE GOAL, ADDS PRODUCTION

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By KATHERINE MacGILVRAY

M

AZDA TOYOTA MANUFACTURING (MTM) REACHED ITS 4,000-EMPLOYEE COMMITMENT IN 2023, and the company continues to hire and fill positions to expand its workforce. The addition last year of a second shift on the Discovery assembly line, which began producing the Mazda CX-50 in January 2022, provided the final push MTM needed to achieve its hiring goal.

“We were thrilled to start our second shift on the Discovery line,” says Jessica

40 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

On the job at Huntsville’s new Mazda Toyota plant.

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A A M A : S PEC I A L S EC T I O N

Luther, external affairs specialist for MTM, adding that the ramp up to full production also included introducing a second shift on the Apollo assembly line less than a year after the Toyota Corolla Cross started production in the fall of 2021.

MTM is the only manufacturer in North America that produces both the Mazda CX-50 and the Toyota Corolla Cross. The two side-by-side lines, Apollo and Discovery, are named as a tribute to Huntsville’s role in the U.S. space program.

As of March 2023, Mazda and Toyota have invested $2.3 billion in the Huntsville plant that they jointly own and operate. The 3.7 million-square-foot facility has the capacity to assemble up to 300,000 vehicles each year, evenly split between the two manufacturers.

Last year MTM received Gold Certified status from the Wildlife Habitat Council for its stewardship and conservation efforts.

MTM began production in 2021 with the Corolla Cross, Toyota’s first crossover vehicle. The compact SUV is offered in three grades and with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. The model is available to dealerships in the continental United States and four U.S. territories and is exported to Canada and Mexico.

The first-ever Mazda CX-50 rolled off the Discovery Line in January 2022 and was the first Mazda vehicle to be built at the Huntsville plant. The mid-size crossover SUV is available in eight packages with two engine options and equipped with all-wheel drive and different drive modes to handle a variety of driving conditions. It is available to dealerships in the continental United States and exported to Canada, Mexico and Colombia.

In addition to reaching production and employment milestones, MTM celebrated the five-year anniversary of its ground-breaking in November 2023.

In conjunction with that event and the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville’s (CFGH) Giving Tuesday event, the MTM Grant Fund provided $110,000 to 20 nonprofit organizations in the community: Arts Huntsville, Athens-Limestone County Public Library SPECIAL SECTION

Mazda Toyota team members build the Toyota Corolla Cross and the Mazda CX-50.

The Mazda Toyota plant reached its 4,000-worker goal in 2023.

Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Tennessee Valley, Calhoun College Foundation, Enable Madison County, Christmas Charities Year Round, Crisis Services of North Alabama, the Food Bank of North Alabama, Huntsville

Community Drumline, Limestone County Career Technical Center, Madison City Schools, New Futures Inc., Still Serving Veterans, Thrive Alabama, United Cerebral Palsy of Huntsville & Tennessee Valley, the United Way of March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 41

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Madison County, the United Way of Morgan County, Village of Promise, Wellstone and Women’s Foundation of Alabama. Ten organizations received $1,000, and ten received $10,000.

That round of funding came on the heels of MTM awarding $150,000 to 12 local nonprofits in June 2023. Grant recipients included Huntsville Hospital

Foundation, Family Services Center, NCAC, Heals Inc., KTECH/Kids to Love, ELM Foundation, Girls Inc., Kid ONE Transport, The Care Center, Huntsville Botanical Gardens, Still Serving Veterans and Cap & Gown Project.

The MTM Grant Fund, which is hosted on the CFGH platform, has awarded $340,000 in funding since

2022.

MTM has also developed three internal workforce training and development programs: the LEAD Academy, the NAVIGATE Academy and the Production-to-Maintenance Program.

“We have learned so much from our parent companies at Mazda and Toyota,” says General Manager of Administration Jason Pickering. “But we recognized that it was time for MTM to develop our own training and development programs that fit the needs of our company and of our team members. It is important to our team that we develop pathways for growth and invest in our team.”

MTM’s LEAD Academy offers a fourweek leadership development program for team leaders and a six-week program for group leaders. Classes focus on training and leadership skills, including seeing the plant from the perspectives of other leaders, sharing struggles and strengths, mental health awareness and learning about the legal parameters of being a leader.

The NAVIGATE Academy is a selfpaced leadership fundamentals training program targeted to assistant managers.

The Production-to-Maintenance Program is a collaboration with the Alabama FAME (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education) Advanced Manufacturing Technician Program at Calhoun Community College. MTM opened up applications to production team members who would like to transition into a skilled labor role, and from those who applied, MTM chose 12 to complete the program this year.

MTM will continue to pay full wages and benefits to these team members while they work part-time at MTM and attend the FAME Program part-time each week for two years. At the end of the FAME Program, these team members will graduate and transition into new roles in MTM’s maintenance or tool-and-die departments where they will be eligible to make between $28 and $40 per hour.

Katherine MacGilvray is a Huntsville-based freelance contributor to Business Alabama.

42 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND UNIONIZATION EFFORTS ARE TWO PROMINENT ISSUES FOR MERCEDES

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By CARY ESTES

Mercedes opened its battery assembly plant in Bibb County in 2022.

T

HERE HAVEN’T BEEN MANY MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS coming out of the Mercedes-Benz U.S. International plant in Vance recently in regards to production output or facility changes.

Instead, it’s just been more of the same, which in this case is good news for the German automotive manufacturer.

Vehicles have become Alabama’s top export at nearly $9 billion a year, a figure that the Alabama Department of Commerce states on its website is “led

by Mercedes-Benz.” This has basically been the case since Mercedes first set up shop in the United States just outside of SPECIAL SECTION

Tuscaloosa in the mid-1990s.

Today, the Vance plant produces more than 250,000 vehicles per year. It is the home of SUV production for the Mercedes GLE, GLE coupé and GLS model series, including the ultra-luxury Mercedes-Maybach GLS, with prices starting at approximately $175,000.

In addition, the Vance plant has launched production of the all-electric EQS SUV and EQE, part of a global push by Mercedes to increase its output of all-electric vehicles. And since electric vehicles need battery-charging stations, the company has been working to increase those numbers as well.

Mercedes is part of an effort that includes Honda, Hyundai and others to develop a nationwide network of at least 30,000 high-powered chargers. The new charging stations will be accessible to all battery-powered electric vehicles from any automaker using Combined Charging System (CCS) or North American Charging Standard (NACS).

Independent of that venture, Mercedes has entered agreements in the past year with Tesla to give Mercedes EV drivers access to more than 12,000 Tesla Superchargers, and with the popular convenience store chain Buc-ee’s to install charging stations at its stores March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 43

A AM A : S PEC I A L S EC T I O N

The Mercedes EQS in production in Vance.

throughout the country, including at Alabama locations near Birmingham, Huntsville and Mobile.

Seemingly the most unpredictable issue currently facing Mercedes is the unionization efforts that have generated national attention, as well as local criticism from Gov. Kay Ivey and other state officials. On Jan. 10, the United Auto Workers stated in a news release that more than 30% of the 6,300-person workforce at the Mercedes Vance plant had signed union authorization cards.

In response, the company released a statement that read: “Mercedes-Benz U.S. International has a strong record of success over the past 25-plus years operating as one team in Alabama. Central to our success is our positive team culture that includes an open-door policy.

MBUSI has a proven record of competitively compensating team members and providing many additional benefits.

“We believe open and direct communication with our team members is the best path forward to ensure continued success. Whether to unionize is our team members’ decision, and MBUSI will respect whatever is decided.”

Efforts to reach Mercedes for comment for this article were unsuccessful.

Workers assemble the battery packs at Mercedes’ latest facility in Bibb County.

Cary Estes is a Birmingham-based freelance contributor to Business Alabama.

The Mercedes EQE, built in Alabama.

44 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

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Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association Membership Directory Members as of January 2024 COMPANY NAME

ADDRESS

PRIMARY CONTACT

PHONE/WEBSITE

ABM Industries

6609 Crescent Green, West Bloomfield, MI 48322

Richard Shipton

248-224-8664 abm.com

ACERTA Analytics

30 Duke St. W., Kitchener, ON Canada N2H 3W5

Farah Kechirat

519-341-6080 acerta.ai

ACF Global Logistics

28193 Landmark Ave., Loxley, AL 36551

Michael McQueen

251-978-7438 acfgl.com

ACT Automotive NA

P.O. Box 3153, Bethlehem, PA 18917

Gregory Labelle

610-990-6026 actautomotivena.com

Adah International LLC

950 22nd St. N., Ste. 715, Birmingham, AL 35203

Jens Reichmann

205-886-1998 adahinternational.com

Adams Corp.

904 S. 20th St., Tampa, FL 33605

Doug Adams

813-626-4128 adamscorp.com

AFCS

4900 Webster St., Dayton, OH 45414

Scott Urton

937-673-6653 afcstamping.com

AIAG

4400 Town Center, Southfield, MI 48075

Chris Lewis

248-213-4642 aiag.org

AIDT

One Technology Court, Montgomery, AL 36116

Ed Castile

334-280-4409 aidt.edu

Air Hydro Power

782 Mcentire Ln., Decatur, AL 35601

Scott Castleberry

502-292-4283 airhydropower.com

Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition

200 Century Park S., Birmingham, AL 35226

Michael Staley

205-907-2239 alabamacleanfuels.org

Alabama Community College System

135 S. Union St., Montgomery, AL 36104

Barry May

334-293-4709 accs.edu

Alabama Department of Commerce

401 Adams Ave., Ste. 670, Montgomery, AL 36104

Angela Till

334-353-0221 madeinalabama.com

Alabama Port Authority

250 N. Water St., Mobile, AL 36602

Anna Ward

251-441-7516 alports.com

Alabama Robotics Technology Park (RTP)

6505 U.S. Hwy. 31, Tanner, AL 35671

Kevin Taylor

256-642-2600 alabamartp.org

Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering

229 Wynn Dr. NW, Huntsville, AL 35805

Matt Massey

256-489-3700 ascte.org

Alabama Technology Network

135 S. Union St., Ste. 441, Montgomery, AL 36104

Keith Phillips

334-293-4672 atn.org

AlabamaGermany Partnership

500 Beacon Pkwy. W., Birmingham, AL 35209

Tine Hoffmeister

205-943-4772 alabamagermany.org

Alliance Solutions Group Inc.

3535 Roswell Rd., Ste. 41, Marietta, GA 30062

Terri Seese

678-230-6773 alliancesinc.com

American Leakless Co.

136 Roy Long Rd., Athens, AL 35611

Eric Sedensky

256-206-9560 americanleakless.com

ASG HOPE Foundation

3535 Roswell Rd., Ste. 41, Marietta, GA 30062

Terri Seese

678-230-6773 alliancesinc.com

Auburn University

3301E Shelby Center, Auburn, AL 36849

Tom Devall

251-753-0799 auburn.edu

AutoMOBILE International Terminal LLC

One St. Louis Centre, Mobile, AL 36602

Leonardo Montenegro

904-303-5545 automobileterminal.com

Axalta Coating Systems

208 Blue Springs Trail, Cropwell, AL 35054

Frank Boswell

205-473-8030 axaltacs.com

Bates Enterprises Inc.

51 Hollywood Blvd., Childersburg, AL 35044

Carla Bates

256-368-6118 batesenterprises.com

BDO

2555 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, GA 30309

John Krupar

602-956-3400 bdo.com

BL Fabricators Inc.

335 Harbor Dr., Scottsboro, AL 35769

Dina Stephens

256-259-3683 blfabricators-inc.com

Boostersinc.net

2509 E. Fifth St., Montgomery, AL 36107

Wylie Parks

334-263-4711 boosterpromo.com

Bridgewater Interiors

1 Bridgewater Dr., Eastaboga, AL 36260

Kelvin Wright

256-240-7975 bridgewater-interiors.com

Burr & Forman LLP

420 N. 20th St., Birmingham, AL 35203

Warren Matthews

205-251-3000 burr.com

Business Council of Alabama

2 N. Jackson St., Ste. 501, Montgomery, AL 36104

Helena Duncan

334-240-8714 bcatoday.org

Butler County Commission for Economic Development

750 Greenville Bypass, Bldg. 1, Ste. A, Greenville, AL 36037

David Hutchison

334-313-0341 bcced.com

C-P-S Automotive LP

1 Research Dr., Greenville, SC 29607

Ingmar Wunderlich

864-560-5250 c-p-s-us.com

Calhoun Community College

P.O. Box 2216, Decatur, AL 35609

Jimmy Hodges

256-306-2555 calhoun.edu

Carter Logistics LLC

4020 W. 73rd St., Anderson, IN 46011

Ted Bowley

800-738-7705 carter-logistics.com

Central AlabamaWorks

600 S. Court St., Montgomery, AL 36104

Mikki Ruttan

334-300-8592 centralalabamaworks.com

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March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 45

A AM A : S PEC I A L S EC T I O N

COMPANY NAME

ADDRESS

PRIMARY CONTACT

PHONE/WEBSITE

Central Six AlabamaWorks

3500 6th Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35222

Antiqua Cleggett

205-276-6867 centralsix.org

City of Opelika Economic Development (Opelika IDA)

204 S. 7th St., Opelika, AL 36801

Kathryn Daugherty

334-705-5114 opelika-al.gov/916/Economic-Development

Clean85

1529 23rd Ave., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Walter Dean

205-553-4041 clean85.com

Cobbs Allen

115 Office Park Dr., Birmingham, AL 35223

Bo Hartsfield

205-414-8100 cobbsallen.com

ConMoto Consulting Group Inc.

7930 W. Kenton Cir., Huntersville, NC 28078

Susanne Reckord

704-572-5391 conmoto-consulting.com

Consulate General of Canada

1175 Peachtree St., 100 Colony Sq., Ste. 1700, Atlanta, GA 30361

Zaineb Kubba

404-532-2000 atlanta.ga.ca

Corps Strategic

420 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116

Rusty Kruciak

615-739-2617 g2capialadvisors.com

Critical Components Inc.

120 Interstate N. Pkwy. SE, Atlanta, GA 30339

Rodney Speegle

770-933-5511 criticalcomponents.net

DaikyoNishikawa USA Inc. (DNUS)

9000 Greenbrier Pkwy. NW, Madison, AL 35756

Doug Vanata

252-916-3946 daikyonishikawa.co.jp/en/

Diversified Contractors Inc.

3350 Ball St., Birmingham, AL 35234

Perry Towns

205-322-2868 dcial.com

Diversified Recruitment Services LLC

2103 Gulfview, Holiday, FL 34691

Patricia Miller

574-265-9643 diversified-recruitment.com

East AlabamaWorks

1130 Quintard Ave., Ste. 100, Anniston, AL 36201

Lisa Morales

256-454-4276 eastalabamaworks.com

Economic Development Partnership of Alabama

1320 1st Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35233

Steve Sewell

205-943-4742 edpa.org

ENEOS USA Inc.

100 Nippon Dr., Childersburg, AL 35044

Sonya Reynolds

256-378-0131 eneos.us

EnSafe

119 Fox Den Ct., Madison, AL 35758

Matt Moore

800-588-7962 ensafe.com

Environmental Recyclers of America LLC

2501 W. Hwy. 27, Ozark, AL 36360

Nigel Wells

334-733-2025 evbatteryrecyclers.org

EV Power Pods LLC

9731 Clovercroft Rd., Nolensville, TN 37135

Dwain Beydler

901-292-1696 evpowerpods.com

Falcon IP Capital

4080 McGinnis Ferry Rd., Ste. 1004, Alpharetta, GA 30005

Rick Walker

770-314-9040 falconipcapital.com

FilmLOC Inc.

4190 Thurmon Tanner Rd., Flowery Branch, GA 30542

Shirl Handly

404-892-8778 filmloc.com

Futaba Corporation of America

101 Electronics Blvd. SW, Huntsville, AL 35824

Allison Hall

256-461-9399 futabaems.com

Gadsden Industrial Distributors

192 Wiggins St., Rainbow City, AL 35906

Tim Ponder

256-442-1361 giddirect.com

Gadsden-Etowah Industrial Development Authority

P.O. Box 271, Gadsden, AL 35902

William Greene

256-543-9423 gadsdenida.org

Guide LLC

4469 Newbridge Ln., Bessemer, AL 35022

Baraa Ashour

Heiche US Surface Technologies (AL) LLC

4080 Whitehouse Rd., Jasper, AL 35501

Andre Kairies

205-878-0931 heichegroup.com

Honda Development & Manufacturing of America

1800 Honda Dr., Lincoln, AL 35096

Michael Gaines

205-355-5000 honda.com

Horizon Point Consulting Inc.

P.O. Box 1014, Decatur, AL 35602

Mary Ila Ward

256-227-9075 horizonpointconsulting.com

Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce

225 Church St. NW, Huntsville, AL 35801

Crystal Baker

256-535-2000 hsvchamber.org

Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama LLC

700 Hyundai Blvd., Montgomery, AL 36105

Robert Burns

334-296-8027 hmmausa.com

Industrial Coatings & Services LLC

4711 Fosters Industrial Ln., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Traci Watkins

205-330-8457 ics-team1.com

Insequence Inc.

750 Jim Parker Dr., Smyrna, TN 37167

Tom Mitchell

615-559-7211 insequence.com

Jacksonville State University

700 Pelham Rd. N., Jacksonville, AL 36265

Judy Porter

256-782-5324 jsu.edu/ced

Jensen Shipping Co. Inc.

244 W. Valley Ave., Birmingham, AL 35209

Forrest King

205-328-2343 jensenshipping.com

JPMorgan Chase

2100 3rd Ave. N., Ste. 800, Birmingham, AL 35222

Chip Smallwood

jpmorganchase.com

KAMTEK Inc.

1595 Sterilite Dr., Birmingham, AL 35215

Johnathan Hackett

205-327-7000

Kendall Electric

1189 Grants Mill Rd., Irondale, AL 35210

Ben Rittenhouse

205-254-3192 kendallelectric.com

Kenmar Corp.

2912 Faldo Dr., Spring Hill, TN 37174

Kenneth Elliott

615-840-9291 ekenmar.com

Kopri Signs & Graphics LLC

6601 Walt Dr., Birmingham, AL 35242

Samata Shah

205-306-2521 kopripromotions.com

KTH Leesburg Products LLC

P.O. Box 219, Leesburg, AL 35983

Gene Cleveland

256-526-3530 kth.net

Leadec Industrial Services

5531 Powder Plant Ln., Bessemer, AL 35022

Kyle Denton

205-533-2522 leadec-services.com/usa

46 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

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A A M A : S PEC I A L S EC T I O N

COMPANY NAME

ADDRESS

PRIMARY CONTACT

PHONE/WEBSITE

Legacy Packaging Group LLC

64 Walnut St. NW, Cullman, AL 35055

Lance Brown

404-576-7265 legpac.com

Limestone County Economic Development Association

101 S. Beaty St., Athens, AL 35611

Bethany Shockney

256-232-2386 lceda.com

Marengo County Economic Development Authority

2400 E. Coats Ave., Linden, AL 36748

Jo Ellen Martin

334-295-4418 marengoeda.com

Matsu Alabama

9650 Kellner Rd., Huntsville, AL 35824

Barry Courtney

256-772-5888 matcor-matsu.com

Max Coating Inc.

3653 Industrial Pkwy., Birmingham, AL 35217

Chuck Gault

205-849-2737 maxcoating.com

Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA Inc.

9000 Greenbrier Pkwy. NW, Madison, AL 35756

Mark Brazeal

256-285-5000 mazdatoyota.com

Measuring Solutions

832 Snow St., Ste. G, Oxford, AL 36203

Ron Corzatt

888-322-4243 measuringsolutions.com

Mercedes-Benz U.S. International

1 Mercedes Dr., Vance, AL 35490

Felyicia Jerald

205-507-2464 mbusi.com

Mind Your Culture LLC

1311 Pine Heights Dr., Atlanta, GA 30324

Anke Jahn

678-825-7001 mindyourculture.com

Minebea AccessSolutions USA Inc.

591 Allenby Dr., Marysville, OH 43040

Sam Jeffers

minebea-accesssolutions.com

Mobis Alabama LLC

1395 Mitchell Young Rd., Montgomery, AL 36108

Scott Gordy

334-387-4800 mobisalabamallc.com

MRM

2236 Cahaba Valley Dr., Birmingham, AL 35242

Terry Young

256-504-3288 mrm-llc.com

Multi-Skill Training Services

5529 1st Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35212

Lensey King

205-746-9437 industrialmaintenancetraining.com

NAOS Staffing an Elwood Staffing Co.

2002 McFarland Blvd. E., Tuscaloosa, AL 35404

Alexandra Adenin

678-387-2880 naosstaffing.com

Narmco Group, The

1108 Airport Industrial Dr., Gadsden, AL 35904

Don Rodzik Jr.

256-413-0587 narmco.com

Navistar Inc.

485 Short Pike Rd., Huntsville, AL 35824

Scott Shoemaker

256-772-1210 internationaldelivers.com

North Alabama Industrial Development Association

410 Johnston St., Decatur, AL 35601

Brooks Kracke

256-353-9450 naida.com

North Alabama International Trade Association (NAITA)

819 Cook Ave., Huntsville, AL 35801

Anne Burkett

256-532-3505 naita.org

North AlabamaWorks

2208 Ringold St., Guntersville, AL 35976

Micah Bullard

256-436-0411

Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance

4020 U.S. Hwy. 43, Guin, AL 35563

Jamie Christian

205-468-3213 northwestalabamaeda.org

NRTC Automation

124 Carson Rd. N., Birmingham, AL 35215

Dan Hill

248-342-3158 nrtcautomation.com

NSRW Inc.

701 Thames Ct., Pelham, AL 35124

Brian Johnson

205-663-1500 nsrw.com

Omron Automation & Safety

2895 Greenspoint Pkwy., Ste. 200, Hoffmann Estates, IL 60169

Whitney Lojewski

847-285-7343 omron247.com

Onin Group, The

3800 Colonnade Pkwy., Birmingham, AL 35243

Hugh Thomas

205-914-5257 oninstaffing.com

Original Equipment Suppliers Association

25925 Telegraph Rd., Ste. 350, Southfield, MI 48033

Steve Horaney

248-340-5969 oesa.org

Outsource Corporate Partners LLC

450-B Century Park S., Birmingham, AL 35226

Patrick Higginbotham

205-380-4881 outsourcecorporatepartners.com

PassionHR Consulting Inc.

2608 Newby Rd. SW, Ste. 200, Huntsville, AL 35805

Mike Bean

256-665-5966 passionhr.net

Personnel Staffing Inc.

611A Walnut St., Gadsden, AL 35901

Aletha Pickett

256-456-0243 personnelstaffing.com

PicoMES

303 Twin Dolphin Dr., Redwood City, CA 94065

Torrence Williams

502-386-9359

PMT Publishing

3324 Independence Dr., Homewood, AL 35209

Sheila Wardy

205-802-6363 businessalabama.com

Port of Huntsville

1000 Glenn Hearn Blvd., Huntsville, AL 35824

Jim Hutcheson

256-258-1260 hsvairport.org

Preferred Precision Group LLC

1310 Comer Ave., Ste. 1, Pell City, AL 35215

Leigh Ricketts

205-910-9719 ppgquality.com

Progressive Finishes Inc.

501 Industrial Rd., Alabaster, AL 35007

Lisa Davis

205-685-8056 progressivefinishes.net

PROJECTXYZ

3137 E. 6th St., Muscle Shoals, AL 35661

Kim Lewis

projectxyz.com

Rocket City Oil LLC (SDVOSB)

108 Porch Light Place, Madison, AL 35756

Steve Celuch

256-384-5540 rocketcityoil.com

RSM

216 Summit Blvd., Ste. 300, Birmingham, AL 35243

Chuck Freeman

205-949-2184 rsmus.com

Sejong Alabama LLC

450 Old Fort Rd. E., Fort Deposit, AL 36032

Vickie Porter

334-227-0821

Seraph

5800 Crooks Rd., Troy, MI 48098

Richard Payne

248-985-7906 seraph.com

ServisFirst Bank

2500 Woodcrest Place, Birmingham, AL 35233

Cameron Ricks

servisfirstbank.com

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COMPANY NAME

ADDRESS

PRIMARY CONTACT

PHONE/WEBSITE

Shelton State Community College

9500 Old Greensboro Rd., Tuscaloosa, AL 35405

Ann Tinsley

205-391-2283 sheltonstate.edu

Silver MetalX Inc.

1120 E. Long Lake Rd., Troy, MI 48085

Nayan Chirala

330-224-5371 smx-wheels.com

SK Services LLC

440 Church St., Alexander City, AL 35010

Sonya Jacks

844-755-6248 skstaffing.com

Soule Packaging Co.

300 E. Elm St., Athens, AL 35611

Roger Boldizsar

205-308-8193 soulepackaging.com

Southeast AlabamaWorks

P.O. Box 638, Dothan, AL 36302

Ryan Richards

334-714-0773

Southern States Millwrights

2000 S. Bridge Pkwy., Ste. 203, Birmingham, AL 35209

Jeffrey Smith

southernstatesmillwrights.org

Southwest AlabamaWorks

605 Bel Air Blvd., Ste. 32, Mobile, AL 36606

Shernita Taylor

251-635-7738

Spray Equipment & Service Center

177 Mullins Dr., Helena, AL 35080

Barry Early

205-663-2611 sprayequipment.com

Stamped Products Inc.

2620 E. Meighan Blvd., Gadsden, AL 35903

Jason Weaver

256-494-3265 msi-mfg.com

Star-Tech Inc.

12232 Industriplex Blvd., Ste. 18, Baton Rouge, LA 70809

David Legendre

225-756-8803 startechla.com

Supplier Development Systems LLC

1900 International Park Dr., Birmingham, AL 35243

Jeannie Thrower

256-673-0786 sdsal.net

Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP)

1156 15th St. NW, Ste. 800, Washington, DC 20005

Kellen Mahoney

202-530-0096 supplierspartnership.org

SWJ Technology LLC

2730 University Blvd. E., Tuscaloosa, AL 35406

Nyowo Scott

205-239-6076 swj-technology.com

T&C Stamping Inc.

1403 Freeman Ave., Athens, AL 35613

Weston Coleman

256-233-7383 tandcstamping.com

T&W Operations Inc.

430 Wynn Dr., Huntsville, AL 35805

Rick Head

256-535-0857 tnwops.com

Team Worldwide

799 James Record Rd., Huntsville, AL 35824

Tim Bishop

256-990-2224 teamair.com

Technology Acceleration and Innovation Services

3490 Kerr Hill Rd., Lynnville, TN 38472

Jack Sisk

931-363-7475

TOOTRiS

6170 Cornerstone Ct. E., San Diego, CA 92121

Eric Cutler

855- 486-6874 tootris.com

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama

1 Cottonvalley Dr., Huntsville, AL 35810

Larry Deutscher

256-746-5401 toyota.com/alabama

Transcend LLC

1300 Meridian St. N., Huntsville, AL 35801

Linda Roden

844-489-2680 leadfearlessly.com

TriDim Filter Corp.

700 Hyundai Blvd., Montgomery, AL 36105

Jay Burzynski

419-729-9378 tridim.com

Trinity Design Group LLC, The

1107 Dowzer Ave., Pell City, AL 35125

Sherri McCrary

205-338-6888 thetrinitydesigngroup.com

TrueCommerce

210 W. Kensinger Dr., Ste. 100, Cranberry Township, PA 16066

Rob Guerriere

770-704-9934 truecommerce.com

TTL Inc.

3516 Greensboro Rd., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Cindy House-Pearson

205-345-0816 ttlusa.com

Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority

2204 University Blvd., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Sissie Browning

205-349-1414 tcoeda.com

UA SafeState

624 Bryant Dr., Tuscaloosa, AL 35487

Donald Elswick

205-348-8590 alabamasafestate.ua.edu

Universal Consulting Network

1911 Martin St. S., Pell City, AL 35128

Alec Harper

205-800-4196 ucn360.com

Universal Logistics Services Inc.

5330 Stadium Trace Pkwy., Birmingham, AL 35244

Alan Washburn

205-682-8505 ulsvnow.com

University of Alabama - Alabama Productivity Center

1818 University Blvd., Box 870318, Tuscaloosa, AL 35406

Alan Hill

205-348-6032 apc.ua.edu

University of Alabama - Teaching Innovation and Digital Education

3207 University Hall, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487

Rose LeCoq

tide.ua.edu

University of Alabama in Huntsville

301 Sparkman Dr., Huntsville, AL 35899

Rainer Steinwandt

256-824-1000 uah.edu

Von Braun Center

700 Monroe St., Huntsville, AL 35801

Marie Arighi

256-551-2379 vonbrauncenter.com

Vulcan Heating & Air Conditioning Service Inc.

532 Mineral Trace, Birmingham, AL 35244

Patrick Grogan

205-444-9671 vulcanac.com

Waring Oil Co. LLC

P.O. Box 66, Vicksburg, MS 39181

Jamie Yearwood

601-218-3236 waringoil.com

West AlabamaWorks

P.O. Box 020410, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Donny Jones

205-391-0552 tuscaloosachamber.com

Women in Manufacturing (WiM)

6363 Oak Tree Blvd., Independence, OH 44131

Lisa Tarcy

216-503-5700 womeninmanufacturing.org

Y-tec Keylex Toyotetsu Alabama Inc. - YKTA

9000 Greenbrier Pkwy., Madison, AL 35756

Becky Hurt

256-655-1519

Yellowstone Holdings International LLC

774 Mays Blvd., No 10-670, Incline Village, NV 89451

Dan Berns

415-264-9711 linkedin.com/in/dan-berns-78527

48 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

SPECIAL SECTION

CREDIT UNIONS

A Passion to Serve Credit unions strive to make a difference in their local communities

A

By GAIL ALLYN SHORT

sk Patrick La Pine, CEO for the League of Southeastern Credit Unions and Affiliates, and he’ll tell you there’s more to credit unions than checking and savings accounts, loans and other financial

products.

“The motto for the credit union industry is, ‘People helping people,’ and it’s embedded in the culture of credit unions,” says La Pine. “They really want to make sure that they’re actively engaged in the communities in which they serve.

“And one thing that’s unique about credit unions is that all our credit unions in Alabama, for example, are based in Alabama. They’re not based in New York, Charlotte or Chicago or anywhere else. Their vested interest is in the well-being of their members and the communities in which they serve,” he says.

Credit union members typically belong to a specific group such as government employees, teachers, military personnel, factory workers in a certain industry.

“So, because of that, those credit unions and their members are embedded in those communities. If your credit union is a credit union for a school district or UAB [University of Alabama at Birmingham], for example, you’re going to be very active in those causes that those sponsor organizations are also involved in,” La Pine says.

For example, America’s First Federal Credit Union (AmFirst), headquartered in Birmingham, hosts a Feeding Families Across Alabama Food Drive each year, collecting donated food and money at its 21 branches to support Community Food Bank of Central Alabama.

March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 49

M E E T I N G PL A N N I N G

“

One thing that’s unique about credit unions is that all our credit unions in Alabama, for example, are based in Alabama. They’re not based in New York, Charlotte or Chicago or anywhere else. Their vested interest is in the well-being of their members and the communities in which they serve.”

— Patrick La Pine, CEO for the League of Southeastern Credit Unions and Affiliates

And last year, AmFirst, in partnership with WBRC Fox 6, awarded $5,000 scholarships to five high school seniors for its 14th annual Rising Star scholarship program.

Meanwhile, Avadian Credit Union, a financial institution based in Hoover with 18 branches across Alabama, 95,000 members and $1.3 billion in assets, hosts blood drives across the state for LifeSouth Community Blood Centers.

“We’ve held a number of blood drives with LifeSouth across our footprint. We’ve done them in Huntsville, across our branch footprint here in Birmingham, and down in the Dothan region to help those who are in need and to use our facilities to help make that a possibility,” says Ashley Wilbanks, Avadian’s vice president of marketing.

“It’s not just relying on our staff to come and to be donors, but the community at large,” says Wilbanks. “We use social media to activate, build awareness and drive people to the branches and then our branch staff are there to meet and greet.

“A lot of times we have goodies. Sometimes it’s breakfast.

There have been times in the past where we’ve had Chick-fil-A sandwiches available that we gave out to anybody who stopped by and donated,” Wilbanks says.

Credit unions like Avadian get lots of requests from charitable and civic organizations for help, La Pine says. But credit union boards of directors and managers generally make policies around

“

the types of charities and causes their credit union puts its dollars toward.

One example is All In Credit Union based in Dothan. The credit union contributes to the Army Emergency Relief Fund at Fort Novosel.

The credit union first opened in 1966 as Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union, providing low-cost financial services to soldiers and their families stationed at the former Fort Rucker.

The Army Emergency Relief Fund provides no-interest loans as well as grants and even scholarships to active and retired soldiers and their family members in need. As of last April, All In reported having donated more than $500,000 to the Fund since it opened in 1990.

“We also support them each year with emergency food needs that they have as well as holiday food needs so that there’s no soldier who’s serving our country at Fort Novosel that has to worry about providing food for their family if they come upon hard times,” says Kathy Scarbrough, All In’s vice president of marketing.

“Now, the other thing we’ve seen a lot of in the last couple of years, is that credit unions have more and more started creating their own charitable foundations,” La Pine says.

To support their foundations, credit unions take a portion of their earnings every year and put that money into the foundation

We’ve held a number of blood drives with LifeSouth across our footprint. We’ve done them in Huntsville, across our branch footprint here in Birmingham, and down in the Dothan region to help those who are in need and to use our facilities to help make that a possibility.”

50 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

— Ashley Wilbanks, Avadian’s vice president of marketing

M E E T I N G PL A N N I N G

“

We’re hearing from the younger people who are coming to us as employees, and when we ask them, ‘Why did you want to work at All In Credit Union?’ they say, ‘I see the good that you’re doing in the community, and I want to be a part of that.’”

and allow it to make donations.

Alabama One Credit Union, through its Aspire Foundation for example, has offered free first aid, CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) classes to West Alabama communities in partnership with the American Red Cross.

Another institution, APCO Employees Credit Union, held its 19th annual Share the Care Foundation Golf Tournament last October at the Greystone Golf & Country Club’s Legacy Course in Birmingham to raise money for its Share the Care Foundation, which in turn contributes to local nonprofits and charitable organizations.

Avadian launched its own charitable foundation back in 2022.

“We have four pillars that we look at to bestow grants and those are: affordable housing, financial education, small business development and education,” Wilbanks says. “This is something that we’re really working on continuing to build, and we support and have supported institutions across the state of Alabama.”

Those institutions have included the United Negro College Fund, Habitat for Humanity of the River Valley, the A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club, The Literacy Council of Central Alabama, the Salvation Army and Woodlawn United.

The Foundation has also supported the Alabama Small Business Development Initiative, a non-profit affiliate of the Birmingham Business Resource Center, which provides resources to underserved businesses, she says.

But besides supporting charities, schools and community development projects, credit unions are also known for

— Kathy Scarbrough, All In’s vice president of marketing

promoting financial literacy.

“If there’s one cause within our industry that I think you would find 100% consensus around, it’s financial wellness,” La Pine says. “Financial wellness includes financial literacy and financial education, and helping members accumulate wealth, live a good life and have the resources they need in retirement.”

In fact, La Pine says his organization

successfully lobbied for the passage of a new law in Alabama mandating that all students take a personal finance class before graduating from high school.

All In Credit Union promotes financial literacy through its Youth Council that presents once-a-month meetings for high school juniors and seniors who apply.

Youth Council participants learn about assorted topics such as credit cards, debt,

March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 51

loans, interest and bank fees.

“We had a car dealership that brought a car, took them outside and talked to them about what are some of the bells and whistles that you need and what are some that you want and what’s the difference between them. So, when you go to buy your first car, this is what financing looks like. You might want to start with a lower priced car that doesn’t have the bells and whistles,” Lisa Hales, senior vice president of member experience at All In Credit Union, says.

In addition, All In operates the finances program for adults that takes them through a six-month, intensive coaching session where they learn topics such as budgeting, managing their credit score, retirement planning and setting their children up for financial success.

Meanwhile Avadian is teaching the public how to avoid losing their hardearned money to scammers and con artists. Each month, Avadian launches a campaign highlighting a specific fraud topic, Wilbanks says.

Via email, blogs and other social media platforms, Avadian teaches audiences how to protect their personal information, the dangers of wire fraud, and even how to avoid scammers representing themselves as Avadian employees.

“We’ve been very passionate here about fraud education. because it’s not just our members that we want to educate on how to spot and stop fraud, but that’s good information for anybody to have,” Wilbanks says. “We think it’s just that’s part of our duty and part of living by the credit union mantra of people helping people that we put information out there that can be helpful to somebody.”

And Scarbrough says credit unions benefit from engaging their local communities, too.

“We’re hearing from the younger people who are coming to us as employees, and when we ask them, ‘Why did you want to work at All In Credit Union?’ they say, ‘I see the good that you’re doing in the community, and I want to be a part of that.’”

Gail Allyn Short is a Birmingham-based freelance contributor to Business Alabama.

52 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

CREDIT UNIONS

Alabama’s Largest Credit Unions

Ranked by total assets. Source: National Credit Union Administration’s September 2023 data

Compiled by MEGAN BOYLE

RANK

WEB SITE

TOTAL ASSETS (SEPT. 2023)

redfcu.org

$7,404,560,005

corpam.org

$2,999,591,824

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51

NAME OF CREDIT UNION

ADDRESS

TELEPHONE

Redstone Federal

220 Wynn Dr., Huntsville, AL 35893

256-837-6110

Corporate America

4365 Crescent Rd., Irondale, AL 35210

205-313-4300

APCO Employees All In Federal

America's First Federal Max

Alabama Listerhill Avadian

Alabama One Guardian

Family Security Family Savings Five Star

Legacy Community Federal Alabama Teachers AOD Federal

Alabama State Employees TVA Community

Coosa Pines Federal New Horizons

Auburn University Fort McClellan

Mutual Savings

Alabama Central ECO

ACIPCO Federal Alatrust

Naheola

Heritage South Riverfall

North Alabama Educators Mobile Educators Railroad Valley

Four Seasons Federal Jefferson

The Bridgeway Federal Florence Federal

Rocket City Federal Gulf Coast Federal

University of South Alabama Federal Champion Community Sycamore Federal

Mead Coated Board Federal Solutions First Federal Tuscaloosa VA Federal Red Oak

Electrical Workers No. 558 Federal Azalea City

Lauderdale County Teachers

750 17th St. N., Birmingham, AL 35203 238 Virginia Ave., Daleville, AL 36322

1200 4th Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203

400 Eastdale Cir., Montgomery, AL 36117 909 Anna Ave., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

4790 2nd St., Muscle Shoals, AL 35661

One Riverchase Pkwy. S., Hoover, AL 35244

1215 Veterans Memorial Pkwy., Tuscaloosa, AL 35404 418 Madison Ave., Montgomery, AL 36104

2204 Family Security Pl. SW, Decatur, AL 35603 205 Rescia Ave., Rainbow City, AL 35906

5105 Montgomery Hwy., Dothan, AL 36303

100 Corporate Rdg., Ste. 200, Birmingham, AL 35242 702 Walnut St., Gadsden, AL 35901 12 Elm St., Oxford, AL 36203

4217 Lomac St., Montgomery, AL 36106

1405 S. Wilson Dam Rd., Muscle Shoals, AL 35661 33710 U.S. Hwy. 280, Childersburg, AL 35044 622 Azalea Rd., Mobile, AL 36609

1290 S. Donahue Dr., Auburn, AL 36832

1010 Golden Springs Rd., Anniston, AL 36207 2040 Valleydale Rd., Hoover, AL 35244

3601 4th Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35222

105 Frankfurt Cir., Birmingham, AL 35211

1501 31st Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35207 1810 Merchants Dr., Hoover, AL 35244 5480 Main St., Pennington, AL 36916

60 Gene E. Stewart Blvd., Sylacauga, AL 35151 2520 6th St., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

2309 Whitesburg Dr. SE, Huntsville, AL 35801 3150 Airport Blvd., Mobile, AL 36606 1808 2nd Ave. S., Irondale, AL 35210 200 E. 6th St., Tuscumbia, AL 35674

2915 Pepperell Pkwy., Opelika, AL 36801

5261 Ross Bridge Pkwy., Hoover, AL 35226 1810 Opelika Rd., Phenix City, AL 36867 1505 N. Pine St., Florence, AL 35630

2200 Clinton Ave. W., Huntsville, AL 35805 1001 Spring Hill Ave., Mobile, AL 36604 103 Hillcrest Rd., Mobile, AL 36608

16601 County Rd. 150, Courtland, AL 35618 18070 Ala. Hwy. 21, Talladega, AL 35160 1705 Hwy. 165, Pittsview, AL 36871

1108 Boll Weevil Cir., Enterprise, AL 36330 3701 Loop Rd., Tuscaloosa, AL 35404

1008 Veterans Memorial Pkwy., Tuscaloosa, AL 35404 1705 E. 17th St., Sheffield, AL 35660

5662 Cottage Hill Rd., Mobile, AL 36609 103 Mangum St., Florence, AL 35630

205-226-6800

apcocu.org

334-598-4411

allincu.com

334-260-2600

mymax.com

205-320-4185

amfirst.org

888-817-2002

alabamacu.com

205-985-2828

avadiancu.com

256-383-9204 205-759-1595

listerhill.com

alabamaone.org

334-244-9999

myguardiancu.com

256-547-8190

familysavingscu.com

205-933-9933

legacycreditunion.com

256-237-9494

aodfcu.com

256-340-2000 334-793-7714 256-543-7040

myfscu.com

fivestarcu.com atcu.com

334-420-7466

yourasecu.com

256-378-5559

coosapinesfcu.org

334-844-4120

myaucu.org

256-383-1019 251-316-3240

tvaccu.com

newhcu.org

256-237-2113

fortmcclellancu.org

205-510-1300

alabamacentral.org

205-328-4371

acipcofcu.org

205-682-1100 205-226-3900

mutualsavings.org ecocu.org

205-581-8800

alatrustcu.com

256-245-4776

myhscu.com

205-844-5527

naheola.com

205-759-1505

riverfallcu.com

251-473-4712

yourmecu.com

256-534-2423 205-956-0678

naecu.org

railroadccu.com

256-381-4800

valleycreditunion.net

205-444-4528

jeffersoncreditunion.org

256-767-4700

ffcuonline.com

334-745-4711 334-291-3000

fourseasonsfcu.com bridgewaycu.org

256-533-0541

rocketcityfcu.org

251-706-0255

usafedcu.com

251-438-7464 256-637-6511

gulfcoastfcu.org caecu.org

256-245-5887

sycamorefcu.com

334-347-9000

solutionsfirstcu.com

205-759-7317

redoakcu.com

334-232-4036 205-556-7819 256-383-6551 251-316-0000 256-766-2936

meadfcu.com tvacu.com

ew558fcu.com

azaleacitycu.com lctcu.org

$3,455,873,502 $2,982,002,266 $2,397,591,675 $2,025,949,548 $1,925,046,983 $1,378,426,677 $1,327,886,757 $1,018,970,935 $963,302,084 $931,718,536 $896,830,782 $780,464,320 $643,453,151 $529,103,093 $435,411,230 $398,259,969 $390,967,027 $357,841,570 $263,872,951 $238,968,646 $237,723,980 $224,606,433 $198,576,713 $195,345,132 $194,438,800 $191,204,042 $179,214,496 $172,893,882 $156,839,195 $127,499,748 $108,541,993 $104,822,599 $99,258,889 $81,235,772 $73,498,209 $69,943,647 $67,726,406 $63,229,422 $61,048,120 $59,002,412 $52,042,021 $51,350,208 $50,800,409 $49,101,688 $45,409,149 $41,955,334 $39,685,488 $36,484,130 $35,679,506

March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 53

CREDIT UNIONS

RANK

NAME OF CREDIT UNION

ADDRESS

TELEPHONE

52

Social Security WCU

1200 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35285

205-323-7028

53 54

The Infirmary Federal

130 Mobile Infirmary Blvd., Mobile, AL 36607

251-435-5900

McIntosh Chemical Federal

7895 Hwy. 43, McIntosh, AL 36553

251-944-8034

55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73

Baldwin County Federal Health

Brewton Mill Federal ANG Federal City

Alabama River

Chattahoochee Federal

Mobile Government Employees

East Alabama Community Federal Covington Schools Federal Railway Employees Federal Employees Mobile Postal

Northeast Alabama Postal Federal Fedmont Federal

Tuscaloosa County

Tuskeegee Federal Opp-Micolas

2505 Hwy. 31 S., Decatur, AL 35603

2509 Hand Ave., Bay Minette, AL 36507

1400 6th Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35233 2549 South Blvd., Brewton, AL 36426

5401 E. Lake Blvd., Bldg. 630, Birmingham, AL 35217 2302 Jack Warner Pkwy., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 3365 S. Alabama Ave., Monroeville, AL 36460 519 Fob James Dr., Valley, AL 36854

109 St. Joseph St., Mobile, AL 36602

509 E. Thomason Cir., Opelika, AL 36801 931 River Falls St., Andalusia, AL 36420

2604 Gusmus Ave., Muscle Shoals, AL 35661 1509 4th Ave., S., Birmingham, AL 35233

800 Downtowner Loop W., Mobile, AL 36609 200 S. Quintard Ave., Anniston, AL 36201

330 Eastdale Cir., Montgomery, AL 36117 2605 7th St., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

304 W. Montgomery Rd., Tuskeegee, AL 36083 901 Douglas Ave., Opp, AL 36467

54 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

256-355-5010

WEB SITE

TOTAL ASSETS (SEPT. 2023)

ssacu.com

$35,621,908

theinfirmaryfcu.com

$30,338,653

mccfcu.com

$28,558,418

wcucu.com

251-937-0334

baldwincountyfcu.com

205-930-1213

healthcu.com

251-867-3162

brewtonmillfcu.org

205-349-4209

ccutucaloosa.com

334-756-7027

chatt.coop

205-841-4525 251-575-2921

angfcu.org

arivercu.com

251-694-4100

mobgecu.com

334-222-2169

Not Available

334-364-2850

eamcfcu.com

256-383-7940

railwaycreditunion.com

251-342-1472

mobilepostalcu.com

334-270-5532

fedmontfcu.com

205-322-4026 256-237-4259

federalempscu.com neapfcu.com

205-344-5100

tuscaloosacountycu.com

334-493-6434

Not Available

334-727-3180

tuskeegeefcu.com

$34,397,477 $29,111,931 $26,427,129 $25,839,343 $24,898,453 $22,502,916 $21,893,853 $21,522,546 $21,298,398 $20,533,728 $19,625,051 $17,959,818 $17,686,179 $17,514,440 $14,852,952 $13,181,723 $11,867,149 $11,853,632 $11,784,158

For more credit unions, visit BusinessAlabama.com.

2 0 2 4

H o n o r e e s

BUS I N E S S

A L A BA M A

A W A R D S

2 0 2 4

Large Company of the Year HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology

H

udsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology celebrated its 15th year in 2023 much the way the Huntsville company has operated since its inception — with world-renowned research and continued growth.

In the research area, 25 new grants were awarded, resulting in more than $25 million in research funding.

And that research saw results, too, including in the areas of Alzheimer’s, chemotherapy, neurodevelopmental diseases and genomic sequencing. Oh, and beer – HudsonAlpha was one of the partners behind the first beer ever brewed from Alabama-grown barley malt.

Outreach was big in 2023, too, with more than 3,000 students, teachers and community members educated through more than 100 different in-person experiences, including summer camps, field

trips and training for teachers on how to approach genetics in the classroom.

The campus of HudsonAlpha is growing, too. Both the Kathy L. Chan Greenhouse, which opened in late 2022, and Discovery Life Sciences’ new 93,000-square-foot global headquarters, which opened in 2023, are now on the 152-acre campus in Huntsville.

“This is one of the few global headquarters located in Huntsville and Alabama, and we couldn’t be more proud to count them as part of the HudsonAlpha campus,” HudsonAlpha President Neil Lamb said when the headquarters was dedicated. “It’s especially

The Finalists

exciting since the origins of Discovery Life Sciences lead back to one of HudsonAlpha’s original associate companies in 2008.”

In addition, HudsonAlpha has opened HudsonAlpha Wiregrass in Dothan.

Austal USA Austal USA had another banner year in 2023, a year that saw the Mobile shipbuilder building components for submarines and revving up production on its new steel production line that opened March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 57

in 2022. Big contracts landed in 2023 included one for more than $850 million for three medical ships for the U.S. Navy and another, worth a potential $3 billion, to build up to seven surveillance ships on its steel line. All of that is leading to more growth. Austal began 2024 by announcing a major expansion of its waterfront facilities in Mobile, to the tune of 192,000 square feet.

BL Harbert International Based in Birmingham, BL Harbert International is known worldwide in contractor circles for its wide range of construction projects in the U.S. and abroad. The company has 10,000 employees worldwide, boasting $1 billion in annual revenues and being a leader in sustainable construction. Contracts awarded in 2023 included $210 million for a weapons generation facility in Louisiana, and $122.4 million for a new material exploitation center at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. Its work internationally continues, too, including breaking ground on the $1.2 billion U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam, and the U.S. embassy in Port Louis, Mauritius, and finishing the U.S. Embassy Windhoek in Namibia, which was dedicated in December.

Regions Financial Regions Financial, one of only two Fortune 500 companies based in Alabama, reported record revenue of $7.6 billion in 2023. The Birmingham-based bank continued to be recognized nationally, including spots on Forbes’ list for Best Customer Service, the Disability Equality Index’s Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion, American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Banking and Gallup’s Exceptional Workplace Award.

In addition, in 2023, the bank launched the Birmingham Black-Owned Business Initiative, designed to support and foster Black-owned businesses. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas, with more than 1,250 banking offices and 2,000 ATMs. 58 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

BUS I N E S S

A L A BA M A

A W A R D S

2 0 2 4

Small Company of the Year Thomas Accounting and Income Tax Service

I

n 2023, eight years after opening Thomas Accounting and Income Tax Service in Selma, Daryl Thomas was named small business person of the year in Alabama through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Thomas, a Selma native, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a child, but he didn’t let that stop him. He graduated Daryl Thomas, center, from the University of was honored by the Alabama and after several U.S. Small Business Administration. Photo years founded Thomas

by Todd Prater for the Accounting and Income Selma Sun. Tax Services.

Thomas created the business out of his home in 2009, but in 2015, he opened in his current location on Broad Street in Selma. From there, he and his employees provide accounting and tax services for businesses and nearly 400 individuals during tax season.

Thomas, whose business has survived both COVID-19 and the tornado that hit Selma on Jan. 12, 2023, is involved in his church, his fraternity and various nonprofits in Selma.

When he received the honor from the Small Business Administration, Thomas told the Selma Times-Journal he is proud of not letting his cerebral palsy limit him.

“It’s a blessing from God,” he says. “It shows that you can accomplish anything regardless of your condition.”

He and his wife, Sherri, live in Selma. They have one daughter.

The Finalists David Christopher’s

David Christopher’s, the Sheffield gift shop specializing in floral and gardening, home and seasonal décor, was named one of America’s top 70 small businesses in 2023 by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and won the 2023 Alabama

Retailer of the Year Customers’ Choice Award. Owned by husband-and-wife David and Jennifer Smith, the company includes a private label David Christopher’s collection. David Christopher’s is a wholesale/import company as well as a boutique retail store. The store opened in Florence in 2007, moved to Sheffield in 2012 and has a permanent showroom in Atlanta.

Emily’s Heirloom Pound Cakes A National Retail Federation America’s Retail Champion, Emily’s Heirloom Pound Cakes was born as a fundraiser.

April McClung, using a pound cake recipe passed down in her then-husband’s family, sold cakes and raised $14,000 for her children to study abroad. That blossomed into Emily’s Heirloom Pound March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 61

Cakes, which are shipped nationwide, often to corporate clients, and are sold in stores such as Sam’s Clubs. In 2023, McClung began working out of a commercial kitchen, expanding her delicious business by the month. “Love and butter,” she says, when asked about the secret to her pound-cake success.

Essnova Solutions Essnova Solutions, a Birmingham company providing technology solutions to the federal government, was the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Minority-Owned Business of the Year in Alabama in 2023. The company, founded in 2005, has served dozens of

federal agencies, including the Air Force, Army, CDC and departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security. In 2023, Essnova founder and CEI, Sri Gutti, joined Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Management program. Since its founding, Essnova has been recognized for its growth, earning a place on Inc. Magazine’s and the Financial Times’ lists of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S.

HPM Born out of a more than 80-year-old construction company in 1997, HPM’s vision was to leverage expertise and partner with clients to deliver large-scale capital improvement projects. From real estate acquisition analysis and facilities assessments to construction auditing and move management, HPM services clients in aerospace, automotive, sports and entertainment venues, commercial and industrial, higher education, K-12 and state and local government.

Projects announced in 2023 included overseeing program management for the new University of North Alabama Bank Independent Stadium and supervising the building of new hangar bays and paint-shop bays for Airbus’ third Final Assembly Line.

Vanguard Pacific Vanguard Pacific, based in Foley, is woman-owned and veteran-owned, and in 2023 was named Alabama VeteranOwned Small Business of the Year.

Sydney Cody, a Naval officer in the Civil Engineers Corps, purchased 51% of Vanguard Pacific in 2016, assuming 100% of the government construction company in 2020. Vanguard Pacific has projects from maintenance to designbuild contracts ranging from $100,000 to $15 million nationwide. Those projects include a contract for support of NASA’s environmental and test integration services at Goddard Space Center in Maryland and renovation of the 19th-century Swains Lockhouse for the National Park Service.

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CEO of the Year

Elliot B. Maisel, Gulf Distributing Holdings

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lliot B. Maisel is chairman and CEO of Gulf Distributing Holdings, founded by his mother, Freida G. Maisel, a middleschool English teacher who purchased a beer distributorship in Mobile in 1973.

The company, which was founded with 15 employees, now has more than 1,200 employees representing more than 100 suppliers and more than 1,000 different beverage brands.

In 2023, the company announced its relocation to downtown Mobile, a $32.5 million project that involves renovating the former Press-Register Building on North Water Street.

A Mobile native and graduate of the University of Alabama, early on in his career Maisel worked for

The Finalists Bridget McCaleb, Sentar

Bridget McCaleb holds the titles of catalyst and CEO at Sentar, a cyber intelligence company in Huntsville.

She has three decades of management experience with software engineering/development, including R&D of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity systems.

McCaleb spends a significant percentage of her time working directly with Sentar’s government customers and business partners. McCaleb, a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and the University of Alabama in Huntsville, has been with Sentar for 25 years.

In 2023, Sentar was named Alabama’s Best Company to Work For by Business Alabama.

Tom Stanton, Adtran Tom Stanton joined Adtran, the Huntsville telecommunications company, in 1995, becoming CEO in 2005 and chairman of the board in 2007. In 2023, 64 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

both Gulf Distributing and Herman Maisel & Company, his father’s real estate development company.

Successful forays into the auto sales business and pari-mutuel greyhound racing industry ended in 1990 when he sold those businesses and set his sights on growth at his parents’ companies.

Maisel has held positions with a number of beverage councils around the U.S., and in Alabama, he has been a president’s cabinet member at both the University of Alabama and University of South Alabama, and founder of the Greater Mobile Amateur Golf Association and LITE Scratch Tour.

He is chairman of the board of the Mobile Airport Authority.

Maisel and his wife, Nell, have three children.

he was also named CEO of ADVA, a European telecommumications vendor that Adtran had acquired. Before joining Adtran, he held leadership positions at Transcrypt International and E.F. Johnson Company. Stanton has served on the boards of directors for various technology companies and others, including the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama and Cadence Online Banking.

He is a graduate of Auburn University.

properties for $17 million, broke ground on the Frances and Miller Gorrie Hall for the UAB School of Engineering and announced a $73 million expansion of its emergency department. A report said UAB had a $12.1 billion economic impact in 2022.

Ray Watts, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Haig Wright II is CEO of both Byars|Wright Insurance and its parent company, WRM Group. Wright joined Byars|Wright in 1982, after graduating from the University of Alabama. He was named president in 2010 and CEO in 2022. WRM was formed in 2022, when Jasper-based Byars|Wright and Tuscaloosa-based Pritchett-Moore merged. Since then, WRM, which stands for Where Relationships Matter, has grown, adding Flowers Insurance to its ranks. Described as “one of the most effective CEOs in the industry” by Reagan Consulting Group, Wright has overseen growth that resulted in a 133% increase in revenue in 2023. He and his wife, Robin, have four children.

Ray Watts, a Birmingham native and graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has been UAB’s seventh president since 2013. He was previously senior vice president and dean of the School of Medicine at UAB. As president, Watts initiated and is leading a comprehensive strategic planning process and has led the university to record enrollment, research-funding increases and growth including new facilities. In 2023, UAB acquired two downtown Birmingham

Haig Wright II, Byars|Wright

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Startup of the Year Cahaba Fire Company

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ahaba Fire Company’s description on LinkedIn tells you a lot about the fledgling company: “Cahaba Fire Company is made for firefighters, run by firefighters and governed by skilled engineers.”

Founded in 2022 by Ben Horton, a mechanical and aerospace engineer, and Ryan King, a firefighter and paramedic, Trussville-based Cahaba Fire Company researches and develops products for first responders to work faster, more reliably and safer.

Right now, that means ladder levelers and stabilizers, among other things.

King and Horton plan to expand that product line after winning $25,000 in the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama’s Alabama Launchpad program in 2023.

“Firefighters need a way to do more with less,” King told the Trussville Tribune.

“The industry is missing critical tools and equipment for certain emergencies and that is what we are here to change.”

King has drawn much of his inspiration from his 15-plus years as a firefighter, developing products he thought might be better than what he was using and might add a critical few seconds to what he was doing, according to the company’s website.

“In all of these situations, every life is priceless, every second matters and emergency responders need innovative equipment to get the job done right,” the company says.

The Finalists AI-Ops With AI, or artificial intelligence, what once was the future is now reality. Mobile’s AI-Ops is leveraging that reality, with engineering software that enables AI and March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 67

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machine learning execution on industrial networks. Phillip Hansel and Ryan Hutchison co-founded the company in 2020, and they took part in 2023’s Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator in Birmingham. Hansel says on LinkedIn that his company is “working to recover $1 billion in shutdown losses that are a result of human operator error” on the

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factory floor. That is being done with AIOps’ KoiosLT runtime system.

Croux Founded in 2021, Croux had a big year in 2023. The app, which connects talent with work opportunities in the hospital-

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ity industry, won Alabama Launchpad’s $50,000 early-seed competition, adding to the $25,000 concept stage win it landed a year before. The Croux app matches available workers to available shifts in restaurants. In 2023, co-founder Jennifer Ryan said the app had filled nearly 6,000 shifts in 12 months, paying those workers nearly $750,000. “Hospitality was born here in the South,” Ryan said after the Launchpad win. “We want Alabama to be a place where it’s revitalized.”

Domestique Coffee Brothers Michael and Nathan Pocus founded Birmingham’s Domestique Coffee in 2018, but it scored big in 2023’s Alabama Launchpad competition, nabbing the $50,000 top prize. It also was named one of the top 10 coffee brands in the country by Food & Wine magazine, which praised the company for its focus on sustainability and ethical production.

The brothers, who were inspired by a trip to Haiti in 2013 and source beans from there, want Domestique to be more than a highly regarded and nationally acclaimed coffee shop. One goal is to open EV charging stations. And, of course, to continue serving tasty coffee drinks (and more) to its customers at its three cafes in the Birmingham area.

VivoSphere Dr. Yuan Tian and Dr. Elizabeth Lipke founded VivoSphere, which creates more human-like tissue, allowing for more human-like drug response, which in turn helps identify drugs that might work or might not in clinical stages. The company, born out of research at Auburn University, won the $25,000 concept stage award from Alabama Launchpad in 2023. “It’s certainly an encouragement for us to go forward, especially in the state we call home,” Tian said. Among its accolades, VivoSphere won a 2019 LAUNCH Innovation grant at Auburn, has presented in several conferences and has been nominated for the 2024 SLAS Ignite Award.

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Expat of the Year A

Jo Ann Jenkins

native of Mon Louis Island near Mobile and a graduate of Spring Hill College, Jo Ann Jenkins is CEO of AARP, the world’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization.

Armed with a political science degree, Jenkins worked on Ronald Reagan’s 1980 presidential campaign and then with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Transportation, in the private sector and then the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Between 1994 and 2010, Jenkins was with the Library of Congress, as senior adviser, chief of staff and chief operating officer.

Jenkins joined AARP in 2010 as president of the AARP Foundation, creating the Drive to End Hunger with NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon.

She was appointed CEO in 2014 and has led efforts to redefine AARP’s vision and allow people to adapt to the realities of aging, including everyday issues such as health, financial resilience, digital and social connectivity, work opportunities and personal fulfillment.

Jenkins is the author of the best-selling book “Disrupt Aging: A Bold New Path to Living Your Best Life at Every Age.” She was named “One of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders” by Fortune and one of the “100 Most Influential People” by Modern Healthcare, among many other accolades.

Jenkins graduated from the Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Program and has honorary doctorates from both Spring Hill College and Washington College.

The Finalists Lloyd Austin

Mobile native Lloyd Austin is the U.S. secretary of defense, assisting the president of the United States in all matters relating to the Department of Defense and serving on the National Security Council. He graduated from the United States Military Academy and holds master’s degrees from Auburn University, where he served on the board of trustees, and Webster University. During his 41-year Army career, he was awarded the Silver Star for his leadership of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Austin has served on the boards of Raytheon Technologies, Nucor and Tenet Healthcare.

Noopur Davis Noopur Davis, a graduate of the Uni-

versity of Alabama in Huntsville, is the executive vice president, chief information security and product privacy officer, at Comcast Corp. and Comcast Cable. She oversees the cybersecurity and product privacy functions for all Comcast Cable businesses. Davis joined Comcast from Intel and held various positions in Fortune 500 companies such as Chrysler and Intergraph. In 2022, she was selected as the Alumni of Achievement winner for the College of Science at UAH. Davis and her husband, Carryl, have one son.

Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, formerly director of infectious diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, is director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health. An expert in the field of HIV prevention, Marrazzo came to UAB in 2016, and during the COVID-19

pandemic, oversaw clinical trials of the drug remdesivir at UAB. Marrazzo moved to the NIH in 2023. She is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. She has a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a medical degree from Thomas Jefferson University.

Willie Phillips Fairhope native Willie Phillips was named chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in February after a year of serving as interim chair. He is a graduate of the University of Montevallo, where he was SGA president. After Montevallo, he earned his law degree from Howard University and is a member of the Alabama State Bar and D.C. Bar associations. He has more than two decades of legal experience. He and his wife, Gabrielle, have two children and live in Washington, D.C. March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 71

Make it their PHASE 3

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TH E H ER ITAG E F RO M RUS S ELL LA N DS .

H OME TO W ICK ER PO I N T G O LF CLUB.

256.215.7011 RealEstate@RussellLands.com RussellLands.com

Firepits and birthdays. Starry nights and laughter. There’s no life more wonderful than The Heritage on Lake Martin. Set among Lake Martin’s nearly 900 miles of shoreline surrounding over 40,000 acres of pristine water, The Heritage is a 1,500-acre waterfront development along 12 miles of sparkling shoreline—all from Russell Lands, one of the South’s most respected land companies. The stunning community features spectacular waterfront and luxury interior homesites, as well as a flagship resident-owned lake club and private Coore & Crenshaw golf course.

Don’t miss your chance to start your own cherished traditions.

Opportunities to rewrite your Heritage are now open. Contact us today.

This is not intended to be an offer to sell nor a solicitation of offers to buy real estate in The Heritage development to residents of Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania or South Carolina, or to residents of any other jurisdiction where prohibited by law. No offering can be made to residents of New York until an offering plan is filed with the Department of Law of the State of New York. The Heritage is a proposed planned master development on the shores of Lake Martin, Alabama that does not yet exist.

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Project of the Year Montgomery Whitewater

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n July 2023, whitewater rafting came to Montgomery in the form of Montgomery Whitewater, which officially opened to the public.

The $90 million venture just outside of downtown Montgomery, which took two years to complete, is built for world-class competitors as well as lessexperienced paddlers. It includes the 1,600-foot Olympic-standard Competition Channel and the 2,200-foot Creek Channel. The channels include class II-IV whitewater activities.

In addition to the whitewater activities, the 120-acre park has a full-service restaurant and bar, and a green space offers a location for live music, yoga classes or just relaxing. Admission to the park is free, though there are fees for rafting and kayaking.

And there’s more to come. Further development plans include rock climbing, mountain biking, ropes courses, an on-site hotel and more.

But first — world-class whitewater competition, in the form of the U.S. Open competition and Olympic team trials planned for the site this year.

“This park will have a transformational impact on the quality of life right here in the River Region,” Rep. Terri Sewell said at Montgomery Whitewater’s grand opening.

The Finalists Aerojet Rocketdyne expansion Aerojet Rocketdyne, the aerospace behemoth headquartered in El Segundo, California, announced in late 2022 that it would expand its presence in Huntsville with a new 379,000-square-foot facility. Located near Huntsville International Airport, the new facility increased both manufacturing and office space. “Huntsville has been home to Aerojet Rocketdyne’s Defense Headquarters since its founding, and with this expansion of both talent and space, we’re pleased to grow our presence in the Rocket City,” said Eileen P. Drake, the company’s president and CEO. The new production facility would allow Aerojet Rocketdyne to move some work from the company’s factory in Camden, Arkansas, the company said.

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Cerrowire expansion Cerrowire expanded its Morgan County footprint in 2023 with a new facility near its headquarters in Hartselle. The multi-million-dollar, 270,000-squarefoot metal clad cable plant opened in mid-April, bringing with it more than 100 new jobs. With the expansion, Cerrowire became the first major industry in the Morgan Center Business Park.

“Cerrowire has been a longtime Hartselle manufacturing facility as well as a great community supporter,” Hartselle Mayor Randy Garrison told Business Alabama.

“When a current company chooses to locate a new business in their current locale, I believe it speaks well for the community.”

City Walk BHAM City Walk BHAM, a reimagining of space under the interstates in downtown Birmingham, made its debut in time for the World Games in 2022, but it really became a Birmingham fixture during its first full year in 2023. The 31-acre, 10-block project is a mile-long area of walking paths, dog parks, skateboard parks, pickleball courts and children’s playgrounds. The project was designed

by Barge Design Solutions in Birmingham. The area has become a hub of activity in Birmingham, not only with people just dropping by on their lunch hours or before or after events in the city, but with regularly scheduled classes and activities at various locations in the park.

Discovery Life Sciences global headquarters

In October, Discovery Life Sciences opened its new global headquarters on the Huntsville campus of the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. The new facility brings Discovery’s services — including genomics, proteomics, molecular pathology, flow cytometry and cell biology — under one roof. The facility also houses what the company

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says is one of the world’s most extensive commercial biospecimen inventories.

Birmingham-based Brasfield & Gorrie was general contractor for the facility, with Huntsville’s Fuqua & Partners Architects designing the building.

Hyundai Genesis Following a $300 million expansion at its Montgomery plant, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama began producing the Genesis GV70, a new luxury SUV, in February of 2023. It’s the third all-electric model for the Genesis brand and the first Genesis model assembled outside of South Korea. The Hyundai expansion added 200 employees, bringing the HMMA workforce to 3,800.

Already, there are plans for more growth, including a $205 million battery plant that should go online this year. Starting in 2025, the company says, all new Genesis models will be electric, and the entire Genesis lineup will be electric by 2030.

Nextec The redevelopment of the old Edwards Motor Company Building in Birmingham into Nextec, a home for tech companies, has already paid off. Both Stella Source, a software development company in the distribution and fabrication industry, and Tquila Automation, an automation consultancy, are tenants in the Nextec Building. The building is the centerpiece of Birmingham’s innovation district, called The Switch. It’s an area where companies relocate after outgrowing Innovation Depot, Birmingham’s original incubator. Michael Mouron developed Nextec, a two-story, 64,000-square-foot property.

Owa Tropic Falls addition

A $70 million addition to Owa Parks & Resort in Foley opened in March 2023, bringing a 30,000-square-foot

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outdoor wave pool, surf simulator, stage, restaurant and bar to the area. Tropic Falls opened as the only indoor waterpark in the U.S. with both a retractable roof and sidewall adjoining an outdoor water park. It joined the already popular rides and attractions at the 14-acre Owa theme park owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. And more expansion is on the way. In November, plans were unveiled for a $50 million resort hotel with a tropical theme that will be built in the entertainment district. That’s expected to open in May 2025.

USA Health purchase of Providence Hospital In October, Mobile’s Providence Hospital became part of USA Health and is now called USA Health Providence Hospital. USA Health purchased the hospital from Ascension, based in St. Louis, Missouri, for $85 million. It was the latest chapter in the history of Providence, founded in the 19th century and relocated in the 1980s to Mobile’s Airport Boulevard. Part of the Ascension system since 1999, its name changed in 2017 to Ascension Providence. In addition to USA Health Providence Hospital, USA Health also operates University Hospital and Children’s and Women’s Hospital.

Wicker Point Golf Club at Russell Lands Wicker Point Golf Club opened in November at Russell Lands on the shores of Lake Martin in Alexander City, designed by the renowned duo of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. In January, it was an honorable mention on Golf Digest’s Best New Private Course list. The golf club is the centerpiece of The Heritage, a luxury residential development of Russell Lands. The development is a 1,500-acre waterfront showpiece along 12 miles of shoreline. It also will soon be home to the Benjamin Lake Club, a new facility that is scheduled to open in 2025.

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Philanthropic Project of the Year Huntsville Hospital Foundation’s Huntsville Classic

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ecord-breaking proceeds at the Huntsville Hospital Foundation’s Huntsville Classic fully funded a $1.7 million dual-source cardiac CT scanner for the not-for-profit Huntsville Hospital Heart Center.

That’s thanks to the more than 4,600 people who attended a concert by country music superstar Martina McBride at Huntsville’s Orion Amphitheater, as well as sponsors of the successful event.

“Our business community and generous individuals supported this cause and event at unprecedented levels, which is a testament to the need and importance of exceptional cardiac care,” said HHF President Sarah Savage-Jones.

Savage-Jones called the May 2023 concert one of the biggest fundraisers ever in Huntsville. Chairmen of the Classic were Hank Isenberg and Bill Roark.

And while 2023’s event was record-setting, Huntsville Classic always raises a considerable amount for health care in North Alabama.

Since 1989, Huntsville Classic has raised more than $8.1 million for Huntsville and Madison Hospitals.

At the 2022 Huntsville Classic, the first event in the Orion Amphitheater, a then-record $622,000 was raised for pediatric specialties and the Canines for Coping program at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children.

The Finalists

Alabama Power Foundation Since 1989, the multi-faceted Alabama Power Foundation has given millions in grants to organizations all over Alabama in communities big and small, issuing more than 1,200 grants totaling about $15 million each year. The foundation gives a number of different kinds of grants, all for initiatives in five categories: Educational advancement, civic and community development, arts and cultural enrichment, health and human services, and environmental stewardship. In 2023, grants were awarded to numerous organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of East Central Alabama, T.R. Miller High School in Brewton, the Winston County Arts Council and Stillman College. The foundation in 2023 also revived its in-person Elevate Conference for nonprofits.

Bank Independent Life Without Limits Half Marathon In October, the Bank Independent Life Without Limits Half-Marathon, 5K and Fun Run took place in Florence and the Shoals area. The beneficiaries were United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Alabama and Bank Independent’s own Helping Hands Foundation. Founded following the devastating tornadoes of April 27, 2011, the foundation supports local efforts through sponsoring events and volunteerism. The goal? “To support charitable organizations making a positive difference in our communities,” the foundation says.

Full Moon BBQ’s Backpack Blessings Barbecue and backpacks make for a potent combination with Full Moon BBQ’s “Backpack Blessings.” Started in 2020 during the pandemic, the program provides warm meals, school supplies and gift cards to children in Alabama and Mississippi, chosen through anonymous nominations. In 2023, Full Moon gave 150 backpacks to families, distributing a total value of $30,000 in backpacks. Over the past four years, the program has provided support to 325 families, picked from more than 5,360 nominations.

Redstone Federal Credit Union support of Boys & Girls Clubs of North Alabama When it comes to donations, there are donations, and there are DONATIONS. The latter surely applies to the $2 million that Redstone Federal Credit Union gave to the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Alabama’s capital campaign. That gift culminated in 2023 with the announcement of a new headquarters for the organization, the renovation of a 56,000-square-foot facility on 14 acres. “I think it’s going to be transformational for our city,” said Patrick Wynn, president of the Boys & Girls Club of North Alabama. The headquarters, which also received a $300,000 donation from Meta, will include a Meta smart gym, a STEM suite, an auditorium, classrooms and more.

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Lifetime Achievement Lonnie G. Johnson

Photo by Mike Kittrell.

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onnie G. Johnson, president and founder of Johnson Research & Development Co., is a member of the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

He invented the SuperSoaker water gun, which has recorded sales of more than $1 billion and is one of the world’s top-selling toys.

Johnson also holds more than 140 patents and has authored publications on spacecraft-powered systems.

Born and raised in Mobile, Johnson received three degrees, including an honorary doctorate, from Tuskegee University.

He also has an honorary doctorate from the University of Indiana.

A former U.S. Air Force officer and NASA engineer, Johnson’s work includes leadership roles on technology systems including the Stealth (B2) Bomber, NASA’s Voyager Mission, the Galileo mission to Jupiter, the Cassini mission to Saturn and the Mars Observer project. He has received a number of awards for his work, including an Air Force commendation and achievement medals.

Johnson Research & Development Co. is a technology incubator with the mission to find solutions to the world’s sustainable energy and environmental challenges. That includes two recent spinoffs that are independent green companies: JTEC Energy Inc., which is commercializing an engine that has no moving mechanical components; and Johnson Energy Storage Inc., introducing the next generation of rechargeable batteries.

Johnson also runs a STEM Activity Center that mentors grade-school students.

Johnson, who is married and has four children, lives in Atlanta.

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Lifetime Achievement Don Logan

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artselle native Don Logan, who lives in Birmingham, was chairman and CEO of Southern Progress, chairman of Time Warner’s Media and Communications Group (overseeing AOL, Time Inc., Time Warner Cable and Time Warner Book Group) and owner, with his two sons, of the Birmingham Barons and the B.A.S.S. organization.

Logan graduated from Auburn University with a mathematics degree, later earning a master’s from Clemson University and honorary doctorates from Auburn, Clemson and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Logan joined Southern Progress, publisher of Progressive Farmer, Southern Living and other magazines, in 1970, and eight years later, he was named president of Oxmoor House, its book publishing division.

Time Inc. bought the company in 1986, and Logan was named chairman and CEO of Southern Progress and eventually president and CEO of Time Inc. and then chairman of Time Warner’s Media and Communications Group.

After his retirement, he and his sons purchased the Birmingham Barons minor league baseball team and the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.). They also owned Seek Publishing.

Among many other honors, he is a recipient of the Henry Johnson Fisher Award, the magazine industry’s highest honor, and the Auburn Alumni Association Lifetime Achievement Award and is a member of the Alabama Academy of Honor. He is an inductee of the Alabama Business Hall of Fame and the University of Alabama, College of Communication and Information Sciences Hall of Fame He and his wife, Sandy, live in Birmingham. They have two children and five grandchildren.

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Lifetime Achievement James W. Rane

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ames W. Rane is chairman, president and CEO of Great Southern Wood Holdings, which owns or is affiliated with a diverse portfolio of companies operating domestically and internationally in the areas of building products production, manufacturing and distribution, sawmill operations and trucking logistics. The holding company also owns a restaurant company.

The company we know best is Great Southern Wood Preserving, producers of YellaWood brand pressure-treated pine products.

Rane founded the company in 1970 after acquiring a single facility in Abbeville. Today, it operates in 38 locations worldwide.

A native of Abbeville, where he still lives, Rane received degrees from Auburn University and Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law. He has also been awarded an honorary doctor of laws by Troy University and has completed several advanced programs at the Harvard Business School.

Among the many organizations he’s involved with, Rane is a member of the Auburn University board of trustees, a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and a recipient of the Johnny Stallings Award for his work on behalf of people with special needs.

Rane is an inductee of both the Dothan Business Hall of Fame and Alabama Business Hall of Fame. In addition, he is a Marion Military Institute alumnus of the year,

Alabama Broadcasters Association citizen of the year and inductee into the Alabama Independent School Hall of Fame.

Rane is president of the Jimmy Rane Foundation, which has given college scholarships to more than 600 students.

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Lifetime Achievement Frank and Pardis Stitt

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rank Stitt is an award-winning chef. Pardis Stitt is a board member of Pepper Place Farmers Market, founding member of the Birmingham chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International and former board member of the Southern Foodways Alliance.

Together, they are co-owners and operators of the Birmingham-based Stitt Restaurant Group, which runs Chez Fonfon, Bottega and Highlands Bar and Grill, the latter of which received the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Restaurant in 2018.

Frank Stitt grew up in Cullman, honing his kitchen skills with, among others, the legendary Alice Waters at Chez Panisse restaurant in California. He traveled throughout the French countryside, including working in vineyards in Provence and Burgundy, before returning to Alabama.

Frank Stitt’s many culinary honors include membership in Esquire Magazine’s Restaurant Hall of Fame, the Beard Foundation’s Who’s Who of Food and Beverage in America, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southern Foodways Alliance and the Alabama Academy of Honor. He is the author of two acclaimed cookbooks, “Frank Stitt’s Southern Table: Recipes and Gracious Traditions from Highlands Bar and Grill” and “Bottega Favorita: A Southern Chef ’s Love Affair with Italian Food.”

Pardis Stitt, who grew up in Birmingham amid the food-centric culture of her Persian family, focuses on front-of-house operations for the Stitt restaurants. “Without her, the Highlands is not the Highlands,” Frank Stitt told The New York Times in 2013.

The Stitts live in Birmingham.

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Special Recognition Jimmy Buffett

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orn in Pascagoula, Mississippi, but raised in Mobile, Jimmy Buffett truly was the son of a son of a sailor, the grandson of the captain of a steamship.

“Son of a Son of a Sailor” is one of many songs the singer-songwriter was known for, a list that includes songs such as “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Come Monday,” “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes,” “Fins” and “Margaritaville.”

After graduating from Mobile’s McGill Institute, Buffett attended Auburn University and earned a degree from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band played to packed stadiums and arenas around the country, and in 2010 he was named the 10th biggest touring artist of the decade.

Buffett, whose strong fan base were and still are known as Parrotheads, also wrote three books, all New York Times best-sellers. They include his memoir, “A Pirate Looks at Fifty,” published in 1998. He also wrote two children’s books with his daughter, Savannah.

Off stage, Buffett had a successful business career, largely based on the Margaritaville brand he created around his song of the same name.

He licensed hotels, casinos, beverages, outdoor furniture and much more.

A failed T-shirt shop in Gulf Shores led to Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville in Key West, Florida, in 1987. Eventually, the chain would expand to Atlantic City, New Orleans, Nashville, Las Vegas and other locations.

Buffett also launched Margaritaville Records in 1992 and, for live albums, Mailboat Records in 1999.

Buffett’s other business ventures included casinos, beer, video games, a Coral Reefer marijuana brand and retirement communities.

His music and his business ventures earned him a slot on Forbes magazine’s billionaires list in 2023.

Buffett died in September 2023.

86 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

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SPOTLIGHT

Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia & Monroe Counties

Choctaw County

Clarke County

Monroe County Conecuh County Escambia County

by LORI CHANDLER PRUITT

The Old Monroe County Courthouse, which serves as a museum today.

F

ive counties in southwest Alabama between Montgomery and Mobile — Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia and Monroe — are well known as the wood basket.

Each county has companies in this sector, and many are among the largest employers. Expansions are common, too.

“Even though we have diversity in industry, we are forestry,” says Rosalyn Sales, executive director of economic development for Clarke and nearby Washington counties. “We have so many companies and continue to add to them.”

Hundreds of people work at these companies, and they continue to invest in their operations and in community service. For example, longstanding companies such as Georgia-Pacific’s Brewton containerboard mill in Escambia County, with more than 450 employees, have been making major investments to improve energy efficiency — and the Brewton mill has been named an Energy Star twice by the EPA. The county is also home to T.R. Miller Mill Co., Swift Lumber and others.

Georgia-Pacific’s Naheola mill in Choctaw County has 985 employees and is one of the largest manufacturers

of tissue products in North America. It also has implemented several initiatives to improve energy efficiency. It’s one of the largest overall manufacturing employers in the region.

The largest manufacturer in Clarke County is Packaging Corporation of America, which makes corrugated cardboard, followed by Scotch Lumber/ Plywood, Louisiana-Pacific and Canfor Southern Pine, all of which are involved in lumber production and wood products. Westervelt and Browder & Sons sawmills also make the list. And one of the newest companies in this sector, Jackson Pellets LLC, started wood pellet production in the city of Jackson’s port in Clarke County. And in Monroe County, Alabama River Cellulose, which makes wood pulp, is the largest manufacturer.

This area also has a healthy automotive/metals sector. In Conecuh County, the largest manufacturing employer is Guyoung Tech USA, an automotive supplier, and Escambia County has representation in this sector as well.

Also included in the largest economic sectors in the region are agriculture, technology/aerospace, and the Creek

Indian Enterprises Development Authority, which owns businesses in several sectors. CIEDA’s Wind Creek Hospitality operates the Wind Creek Atmore Casino and Hotel and is the area’s largest single employer overall.

Each county has industrial parks and all are working to prepare additional sites and attract business and industry.

Workforce development is a high priority in this area. K-12 schools offer programs and partner with higher education to help students complete their career path or earn a degree.

In the city of Thomasville in Clarke County, the Thomasville Career Readiness Center and Public Library is a “onestop” shop aimed toward adults of all ages who want to find a career or advance in their chosen field, says Ryan Johnson, the center’s full-time career coach.

“We are not competing with any existing services; we are offering help for those who need support in several areas related to workforce development,” Johnson says.

“We help adults who need resume help, apply for jobs, how to stay at their current jobs and ask for more responsibility or advancement, and even how to quit a job March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 89

S P O T L I G H T: OV E R V I E W

M E D I A N H O U S E H O L D I N CO M E

P O P U L AT I O N Total Alabama Population: 5,073,903

Madison County: $78,058 Baldwin County: $71,039 Jefferson County: $63,595 Montgomery County: $56,707 Mobile County: $55,352 Washington County: $51,184 Covington County: $48,772 Clarke County: $47,549 Butler County: $44,429 Choctaw County: $43,299 Marengo County: $42,975 Escambia County: $41,153 State of Monroe County: $39,965 Alabama Conecuh County: $39,888 $59,609 Wilcox County: $38,208 Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Jefferson County: 665,409 Mobile County: 411,411 Madison County: 403,565 Baldwin County: 246,435 Montgomery County: 226,361 Covington County: 37,602 Escambia County: 36,666 Clarke County: 22,515 Monroe County: 19,404 Marengo County: 18,745 Butler County: 18,650 Washington County: 15,122 Choctaw County: 12,439 Source: U.S. Census Bureau Conecuh County: 11,206 Wilcox County: 10,059

and finish well,” he says. “We walk people through the process and help them find what they need.”

These counties and cities take pride in their downtown areas, and many of them continue to add amenities. New retail, lofts, hotels and other businesses help boost the local economy.

And officials are greatly anticipating the continuing construction of the four-lane West Alabama Highway on Highway 43, which

already connects from Mobile to Thomasville. The new extension, in phase one now, will connect Thomasville and Tuscaloosa.

“It’ll be a great benefit for the region, and it should be finished in the next five years,” says Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Day.

90 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

Lori Chandler Pruitt is a freelance writer for Business Alabama.

She lives in Birmingham.

In Focus

Threads of history

Angels & Company is stitching together Monroeville’s past and present with its line of children’s clothing

By ALEC HARVEY Photos by MIKE KITTRELL

Frances Jones, owner of Angels & Company.

92 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

S P O T L I G H T: I N F O C U S

W

hen Frances Jones started Angels & Company in Monroeville in 2017, she had no idea what it would turn into.

She had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, which stopped her from sewing — something she had done much of her life.

“I had a desire to continue doing something I love,” she says.

And while that’s how her heirloom clothing business began, what followed took her by surprise.

“What started basically as a hobby for me became all about the skilled craftsmen that we have in our community that have lived here and worked here at Vanity Fair when it was in operation,” Jones says.

Vanity Fair, an apparel company, was a smalltown behemoth in the South, with multiple factories in southwest Alabama and, at one point, more than 2,000 employees in Monroeville. But around the mid-1990s, those plants started closing and changing hands, and by 2008, what was once a thriving manufacturer in Monroeville was basically gone.

So, when Jones started her own apparel company, she had a pool of talent in Monroeville that was out of work.

“I have about 15 employees now, and everyone that works for Angels & Company is retired from Vanity Fair,” she says. “Each person has a specific skillset that they brought with them from Vanity Fair, and that enables us to fill in all the gaps of what’s needed to develop a product.”

And for Angels & Company, that product is children’s clothing. A retired schoolteacher and grandmother of 13, Jones and her friends were having trouble locating clothing for their young grandchildren, finding instead that most of the young children’s clothing was geared for teenagers.

“We wanted a very classic and simple and traditional look that we were not finding,” she says.

Enter Angels & Company, with clothes designed specifically for the younger set, including heirloom clothing using lace and fine fabric.

“The guy version of what heirloom clothing is is that it’s lacy and frilly,” says Brent Maughon, CEO of Angels & Company and himself a 41year veteran of Vanity Fair. “It’s not a garment that you just throw away. It’s something you cherish and keep and hand down.”

It also can’t be mass-produced, so, along with samples, patterns and new designs of clothing items that Angels & Company will manufacture elsewhere, the heirloom pieces are crafted in Monroeville by the seamstresses who plied their trade at Vanity Fair for years.

And they’re doing it on a much larger scale than Jones ever envisioned.

“This is not what I imagined or had anywhere in my mind when I started this in 2017,” she says of the clothing Angels & Company designs and sells via its website and online sales site Etsy. “In the beginning, we had five ladies we were teaching to do heirlooms on a machine in the bottom of a vacant hardware store that my husband had purchased to renovate. We’ve come so far from those early days.”

Now, Angels & Company (named for “My little angels,” which is what Jones calls her grandchildren) is a presence just off the square in Monroeville, a visible, albeit smaller, reminder of the town’s history with large-scale clothing manufacturing.

“We’ve seen the past of this county and this community come full circle in a sense,” Jones says. “We’re celebrating the past with the sewing we’re doing, but we’re also preserving the heritage of the community. It has turned into something that is really special.”

Alec Harvey is executive editor of Business Alabama and Mike Kittrell is a freelance contributor. Harvey is based in Birmingham and Kittrell in Mobile.

March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 93

Economic Engines Georgia-Pacific Corporation’s Naheola Mill in Pennington.

WOOD PRODUCTS

This is by far the largest manufacturing sector in the region, and it’s still growing.

These counties have among the largest hardwood and softwood forests in the world. Products include lumber, paper, packaging materials and more.

Every one of the five counties counts a firm engaged in lumber, wood or paper products among its largest employers. In Choctaw County, the largest manufacturing employers include Georgia-Pacific’s Naheola Mill, with 900 employees. It is a national supplier of paper products such as Angel Soft tissue and Sparkle paper towels. Mid Star Timber Harvesting is also in Choctaw, along with Lassiter Lumber in Cullomburg, one of the oldest in the county.

In Clarke County, not only are most of the largest manufacturers in this sector, but it’s also growing. “We are forestry,” says Rosalyn Sales, economic developer for Clarke and Washington counties.

B U S I N E S S NOVEMBER 2023: GeorgiaPacific’s Brewton containerboard mill is named a 2022 Energy Star Facility by the EPA for its energy efficiency.

NOVEMBER 2023: EcoPlexus has announced plans to invest $100 million to build 80MW solar facilities in Evergreen and Castleberry, both in

“Even though we also have a lot of diverse industry, we are No.1 in forest products companies in the Southeast.”

Those larger manufacturers include Packaging Corporation of America, Scotch Lumber/Plywood, Louisiana-Pacific, Canfor Southern Pine, Westervelt and Browder & Sons. Many have expanded in recent years.

Just opened this year is Jackson Pellets, a wood pellet company that started production in March 2023 in the city of Jackson’s port on the Tombigbee River.

It is owned by CM Biomass, based in Denmark, and ships wood pellets, popular for heating and generating electricity in Europe and in some parts of the U.S. Also this year, Canfor, a sawmill in Fulton, announced a $22 million expansion.

Preliminary work is proceeding in the town of Fulton in Clarke County to build a forestry museum.

Weyerhaeuser in Castleberry is among Conecuh County’s largest employers. The Seattle-based firm works in timber, land and forest products.

In Escambia County, GeorgiaPacific’s Brewton containerboard mill, one of the largest in the region, has twice been named an Energy Star by the EPA for efficiency. The mill is investing

JANUARY 2024: Preliminary work is proceeding in the town of Fulton in Clarke County for a statewide forestry museum that will be financed with public and private money.

DECEMBER 2023: The Atmore City Council approves

the purchase of a small triangle of land and authorized options to purchase another 125 acres under a possible Alabama Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) Act grant to use to attract new business and industry.

DECEMBER 2023: Land acquisition is

PROPERTY TAX NOT INCLUDING MILLAGE FOR SCHOOLS AND MUNICIPALITIES

CHOCTAW COUNTY: 11.0 mills CLARKE COUNTY: 11.0 mills CONECUH COUNTY: 18.0 mills ESCAMBIA COUNTY: 11.5 mills MONROE COUNTY: 14.5 mills STATE OF ALABAMA: 6.5 mills

SALES TAX CHOCTAW COUNTY: 3% CITIES WITHIN THE COUNTY:

BUTLER: 3% GILBERTOWN: 2% LISMAN: 3% NEEDHAM: 1% PENNINGTON: 3% SILAS: 2% TOXEY: 2%

CLARKE COUNTY: 1% CITIES WITHIN THE COUNTY:

COFFEEVILLE: 5% FULTON: 3% GROVE HILL: 5% JACKSON: 5% THOMASVILLE: 5%

CONECUH COUNTY: 2% CITIES WITHIN THE COUNTY:

CASTLEBERRY: 3% EVERGREEN: 3% REPTON: 4%

ESCAMBIA COUNTY: 2%

B R I E F S

Conecuh County.

Construction should start in 2026.

TAXES

CITIES WITHIN THE COUNTY:

almost complete for the Southwest Alabama Regional Airport in Thomasville, with plans to have a working facility in 2028.

NOVEMBER 2023: Canadian Pacific Kansas City and CSX Rail acquire portions of Meridian & Bigbee Railroad to establish a new freight corridor for

ATMORE: 4% BREWTON: 4% EAST BREWTON: 5% FLOMATON: 5% RIVERVIEW: 2% MONROE COUNTY: 3.5% CITIES WITHIN THE COUNTY:

BEATRICE: 1.5% EXCEL: 2.5% FRISCO CITY: 1.5% MONROEVILLE: 2.5% STATE OF ALABAMA: 4% Source: Alabama Department of Revenue

March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 97

S P O T L I G H T: ECO N O M I C E N G I N E S

Largest Industrial Employers CHOCTAW COUNTY

Georgia-Pacific Naheola Mill PENNINGTON

Paperboard • 985 employees

Mid Star Timber Harvesting | TOXEY

CONECUH COUNTY

Guyoung Tech USA | CASTLEBERRY Automotive supplier • 300 employees

Weyerhaeuser | CASTLEBERRY

Lumber and wood products • 143 employees

Trucking • 236 employees

Swift Lumber | ATMORE

Truss joists/timber • 150 employees

Gibson Oil Co. | BUTLER

Conecuh Sausage | EVERGREEN Meat processing • 75 employees

CLARKE COUNTY

Scotch Lumber/Plywood | FULTON Lumber products • 385 employees

Tenax Corp. | Evergreen Construction fences, industrial products 55 employees ESCAMBIA COUNTY Wind Creek Hospitality | ATMORE Casino • 1,000 employees

Louisiana-Pacific | THOMASVILLE

Clutch plates • 328 employees

I-Spice | JACKSON

Grede LLC | BREWTON

Sawmill • 158 employees

Provalus | BREWTON

MONROEVILLE

Pulp • 460 employees

Fruit of the Loom | MONROEVILLE

Harrigan Lumber | MONROEVILLE Lumber • 129 employees

Ductile iron pipe foundry • 320 employees

Westervelt | CLARKE COUNTY

MONROE COUNTY

Alabama River Cellulose

Precast architectural concrete 165 employees

ALTO Products | ATMORE

Sawmill • 179 employees

Imitation floral and tree arrangements 110 employees

Gate Precast | MONROEVILLE

Paperboard • 458 employees

Canfor Southern Pine | JACKSON

National Decorations (NDI) | BREWTON

Apparel distribution • 221 employees

Georgia-Pacific | BREWTON

Wood building materials • 239 employees

Spices • 167 employees

Parker & Son Inc. | ATMORE

Pipefitting and construction • 150 employees

Oil/gas refining • 95 employees

Corrugated cardboard • 560 employees

Lumber mill • 205 employees

Evergreen Transport LLC | EVERGREEN

Timber • 110 employees

Packaging Corporation of America | JACKSON

T.R. Miller Mill Co. | BREWTON

Scotch Plywood | MONROEVILLE Veneer • 101 employees

Technology • 300 employees

Source: Economic developers

Browder & Sons | THOMASVILLE Veneer/sawmill • 137 employees

B U S I N E S S shippers that connects Mexico, Texas and the U.S. Southeast. The line between Meridian and Montgomery crosses the northern portion of Choctaw County.

NOVEMBER 2023: The Clarke County Commission approves tax abatements for Florida-based Origis Energy for a $400 million solar electricity project.

NOVEMBER 2023: Pensacola-based SkyWarrior Flight Support Inc. will take over the day-to-day operations at the Atmore Municipal Airport.

B R I E F S

OCTOBER 2023: Work is in progress on the West Alabama Corridor, upgrading Highway 43 to four lanes from Thomasville to Tuscaloosa. Part of the route from Thomasville to Mobile is already complete.

NOVEMBER 2023: The Kossie R. Powell Municipal Complex opens in Grove Hill in a former National Guard Armory. It will house the utilities and police departments.

NOVEMBER 2023: Poarch Band of Creek Indians and wireless provider

98 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

BearCom activate the Tribe’s $5.5 million project to provide highspeed internet services to about 500 people on and near tribal land.

The network covers 38 square miles.

SEPTEMBER 2023: Georgia-Pacific is investing $160 million in its Brewton containerboard mill to add and replace equipment and facilities.

AUGUST 2023: Diamond Gas of Atmore sells 20 south Alabama convenience store/gas stations to Vernon-based Midstates Petroleum.

The deal includes all four Diamond stores in Atmore, four Brewton stores and one store in Monroeville plus others.

JULY 2023: The city of Atmore begins annexing several miles of property along Alabama Highway 21 North into the city limits, and also agrees to annex the JFTMA Rail Site west of the Atmore Industrial Park along U.S. Highway 31. The 215acre site is bordered by both the CSX mainline and U.S. 31.

JUNE 2023: Frisco Solar LLC announces its plans to invest $80 million in a

solar panel farm in Frisco City in Monroe County.

The company is part of Samsung Electronics.

JUNE 2023: The city of Thomasville opens a $3 million career readiness center downtown, along with a new site for its public library and museum.

MAY 2023: Ground is broken for a meat processing plant near Atmore under the Perdido River Farms brand. It’s a project of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and provides a place for tribal and nearby farmers to process cattle.

Source: Economic developers

S P O T L I G H T: ECO N O M I C E N G I N E S

$160 million capital to add and replace equipment and facilities. T.R. Miller Co. in Brewton and Swift Lumber in Atmore are also key players in Escambia County.

And in Monroe County, GeorgiaPacific’s Alabama River Cellulose is the largest manufacturer in the county, and Harrigan Lumber and Scotch Plywood also are listed among the largest. Both Sterling Packaging in Monroeville and Owens Lumber Co. are working on expansions valued at around $3 million each.

entertainment and family activities.

AUTOMOTIVE/METALS

This region is well positioned along the Interstate 65 and U.S. Highway 43 corridors to support all of Alabama’s growing automotive industry needs.

Automotive suppliers and metals firms currently operating in these counties

include Guyoung Tech USA, which is the largest manufacturing employer in Conecuh County; Alto Products in Atmore, which makes clutch plates; Grede LLC, a ductile iron pipe foundry; Brewton Iron Works, a family-owned company that makes mechanical components; and Parker & Son Inc. in Atmore, a pipefitting and construction company.

The region also boasts available

CREEK INDIAN ENTERPRISES DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

In the heart of Alabama, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians has emerged as a major economic engine, here and well beyond its Atmore roots.

CIEDA oversees a diverse portfolio of 16 companies in five key market sectors: retail, tourism, hospitality, manufacturing and government services. Projects range from its gaming operations, hotels and resorts to support services for aviation, aerospace and defense.

Just last year, its Federal Services division won a $217 million NASA contract to manage communication services for the agency. The division employs more than 900 people across Alabama and the United States.

Muskogee Technology, another key element in the CIEDA family of businesses, has been honored twice recently. The Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce presented it with the Hometown Hero Award for its quick pivot from airplane parts to personal protective gear at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. And the Business Council of Alabama named it the 2021 Small Manufacturer of the Year.

PCI Support Services has been renovating Head Start and Early Head Start facilities to improve options for youngsters. And in 2017, CEIDA kicked off its new amusement park, OWA Parks & Resort in Foley.

While CIEDA focuses on non-gaming ventures, Wind Creek Hospitality is the principal gaming and hospitality entity for the Tribe. It operates 11 properties in the U.S. and Caribbean, blending gaming, luxury accommodations, dining, March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 99

sites that are suitable for metals and automotive facilities.

TECHNOLOGY/AEROSPACE

Provalus, an IT solutions and software development company in Brewton, has grown to 300 employees. The company works to bring high-tech jobs to underserved parts of the Southeast by training local workers.

Other major companies in this sector include Frontier Technologies, Muskogee Technology and PCI Aviation.

HEALTHCARE

Hospitals in the five counties are major employers with a significant economic impact.

OIL

Conecuh County ranks among the top oil-producing counties in Alabama.

Among the largest employers in Choctaw County is Gibson Oil Co., which operates a chain of convenience stores and gas stations and also does some refining.

UP AND COMING: SOLAR

Although this sector doesn’t generate many jobs in the long run, solar facilities generate tax money to benefit schools and other services. Three of the region’s counties have solar facilities in progress.

The Clarke County Commission has approved tax abatements for Floridabased Origis Energy, for a $400 million solar energy project on 5,000 acres in the southern part of the county this year.

Two other projects also are in the works, officials say.

In Conecuh County, the cities of Evergreen and Castleberry will be home to 80 MW clean energy solar facilities that will each occupy about 460 acres of land. EcoPlexus is investing $100 million and is expected to bring in more than $18 million in tax revenue of which $5 million will go directly to schools for the first 10 years. Construction should start in 2026.

And in Monroe County, Frisco Solar has announced plans to invest $80 million in a solar panel farm in Frisco City. The company is part of Samsung Electronics.

100 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

Health Care

Thomasville Regional Medical Center.

Atmore Community Hospital.

MONROE COUNTY HOSPITAL

This hospital in Monroeville has 94 beds and offers a comprehensive range of medical and surgical services, including cardiopulmonary, chemotherapy/ oncology, ICU, emergency, lab, progressive home care, hospice and radiology.

The hospital operates a rural health clinic and, in early 2020, completed a new emergency room.

EVERGREEN MEDICAL CENTER

Evergreen Medical Center is a privatelyowned, 58-bed acute care hospital in Conecuh County. It offers inpatient and outpatient diagnostic and surgical services including emergency services, diagnostic imaging, inpatient care, clinical lab, radiology, ultrasound, plus a 24-hour community wellness and fitness center.

D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital.

GROVE HILL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Located in the heart of Clarke County, Grove Hill Memorial Hospital (GHMH) has served the people of Grove Hill and surrounding regions for more than 60 years. As the only governmentally owned, not-for-profit community hospital in Clarke County, GHMH is governed by the Clarke County Health Care Authority and is licensed for 50 acute care beds.

In addition to inpatient acute care services, GHMH offers an emergency department with 24/7 physician coverage, inpatient and outpatient general surgery, diagnostic imaging services, clinical lab services, respiratory therapy services, cardiopulmonary rehab, outpatient IV infusion therapy and on-campus rural health clinics, Grove Hill Primary Care and Grove Hill Healthcare.

GHMH also offers obstetrical services — prenatal, childbirth and postpartum

services — led by Medical Director Dr. Max Rogers, a board-certified OB/GYN specialist.

Collectively, GHMH and its two Rural Health Clinics employ 135 employees including physicians, advanced practice nurses, plus other nursing, clinical and nonclinical staff.

ATMORE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

Atmore Community Hospital is a 49bed, acute care hospital serving several communities in Escambia and Monroe counties in Alabama, as well as parts of nearby Escambia County, Florida. It has been a part of the Atmore community for more than 50 years.

The hospital’s facilities include an intensive care unit, a 24-hour emergency room and general medical and surgical services. Services include home health care, a walk-in clinic, three family practice clinics and specialty physicians, March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 101

S P O T L I G H T: H E A LT H C A R E

surgery, intensive care, imaging and lab facilities, plus physical therapy.

Recently, the Atmore hospital added 3D mammography capabilities and opened a new urgent care.

D.W. MCMILLAN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital is a 46-bed acute care hospital that has been

a part of the Brewton community for more than 60 years. The hospital is one of Escambia County’s largest employers.

The hospital’s facilities include an eight-bed intensive care unit; a 24hour emergency room; general medical, surgical and pediatric services; digital mammography; and a women and infants unit.

In addition, the hospital provides services for home health, durable medical equipment, digital imaging, lab facilities and physical therapy. It also owns and operates other certified rural health clinics around the area.

JACKSON MEDICAL CENTER

Jackson Medical Center, in Clarke County, is a 35-bed acute care facility. It offers general medical and surgical care for inpatient, outpatient and emergency room patients.

The hospital’s services include inpatient care, emergency care, home health, a wide range of outpatient services, lab services, swing bed, radiology services including MRI, CT, mammography, ultrasound, physical therapy and outpatient surgical services. The hospital has an urgent care center, a family medical clinic and a specialty clinic.

THOMASVILLE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

Thomasville Regional Medical Center in Clarke County opened in March 2020.

It is a 29-bed inpatient and outpatient facility.

Hospital facilities include 3D mammography, 64-slice CT, radiology, stress testing, endoscopy, two operating rooms and more.

In 2023, attorney and rural healthcare operator Quentin Whitwell was named CEO of Thomasville Regional Medical Center. Whitwell, the CEO of Progressive Health Systems in Mississippi and a founding partner firm, Musgrove Whitwell firm, has the option to acquire the hospital.

OCHSNER CHOCTAW GENERAL

Choctaw County’s critical access hospital, formerly owned and operated

by Rush Health Systems, recently was sold to the multi-state medical provider Ochsner Health. Several local clinics are now under the Ochsner umbrella.

The 25-bed hospital offers a range of inpatient, outpatient and emergency services, including telestroke services with Ochsner neurology. The hospital also offers a swing bed program for those recovering from surgery, stroke and other conditions.

102 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

Movers & Shapers CHARLES ANDREWS is mayor of

Monroeville. A native of the city, he is a graduate of the University of Alabama and the FBI Law Enforcement National Academy. He had a 40-year career in law enforcement, working first with the Alabama Department of Corrections, then as an Alabama State Trooper. He is the first African American to be appointed lieutenant colonel and colonel in the DPS. He retired in 2010 as the first chief of the highway patrol division. He then was appointed as U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Alabama from January 2011 until his retirement in October 2018.

CONNIE BAGGETT is director

of program management for the city of Brewton.

Baggett worked for more than 20 years for the Mobile Register.

She works on the Brewton Council of the Arts, Tree and Beautification Board and various other civic boards. She has earned recognition for her leadership in the local America in Bloom program and as a national advisor for Leadership Alabama.

She was named Alabama Communities of Excellence STAR Local Coordinator for 2018. She is a University of South Alabama graduate.

STEPHANIE BRYAN is Tribal chair

and CEO of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

She oversees the legislative business of the Tribal Council, the operations of all departments of Tribal Government, and the acquisition and expansion of Tribal businesses operated under the Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority and PCI Gaming Authority.

She represents the Tribe’s interests at both the state and national level. In 2023, Business Alabama presented her with its 104 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

CEO of the Year award, and Investopedia honored her in 2022 as one of five key indigenous CEOs. DEE ANN CAMPBELL is publisher

and managing editor of The Choctaw Sun-Advocate and co-publisher of The Leader in Marengo County. She is Choctaw County’s chief industrial development officer and is a member of the Gilbertown Town Council. She is also executive director of the Choctaw County Chamber of Commerce. She has received several awards for her work in the media. She has volunteered with local schools and served on multiple community and civic boards.

BARRY CHANCEY is the incoming

chairman of the Clarke County Commission. A graduate of the University of South Alabama and a native of Clarke County, Chancey works at PCA in logistics management where he has worked for 28 years. He was elected to serve on the Clarke County Board of Education for 12 years and has served as an active board member and president of the Arc of Clarke County.

TONY LAVELL CHERRY is a

Choctaw County commissioner. He graduated from Choctaw County High School and attended Alabama State University on a band scholarship. After college, he returned to Choctaw County and began officiating and coaching youth sports.

He works at International Paper in Pine Hill as team lead, power house. He serves on the board of the ACCA, Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission, Blackbelt Community Foundation; is active on several committees of the National Association of Counties; and chairs the Choctaw County Alabama Democratic Committee.

SUSAN COLEMAN is director of the

city of Evergreen Chamber of Commerce. A Conecuh native, she is a graduate of Hillcrest High School and Auburn University. She is the administrative director for the Evergreen-Conecuh Capital Improvement Cooperative District, serves on the Reid State Advisory Board and is a member of the Conecuh County Cattlemen/Jr Cattlemen Association.

RANDALL “STEVE” CREAMER

established Creamer Dozer Service Inc. in 1996 with a truck and a dozer. Today it has close to 50 employees with a fleet of equipment working in multiple states. Two years ago, he launched Creamer Power Equipment, a tractor and lawn mower dealership. He has partnered with the city of Brewton with land to encourage other businesses to invest in the Brewton area. He was awarded Brewton Citizen of the Year in 2022. His company is involved with the local Kiwanis Club and the Chamber of Commerce and is a strong supporter of programs for children and housing needs.

SHELDON DAY is mayor of

Thomasville. He graduated from Thomasville City Schools and Patrick Henry State Junior College and had a long retail management career with TG&Y Inc. and Wal-Mart. He also served on the Thomasville City Council. A small business owner, Day is an Advanced Certified Municipal Official. He is a founding member of the Clarke County Community Development Foundation, a graduate of Leadership Alabama and a past member of its executive board. He holds additional economic development credentials from Auburn University and the Delta Regional Authority. He

S P O T L I G H T: M OV E R S & S H A PE R S

has served for 40 years as a volunteer firefighter.

JESSICA DENT is director of economic

development for Conecuh County and the city of Evergreen. She grew up in rural Elmore, Lowndes and Covington counties; graduated from Pleasant Home School, attended Lurleen B. Wallace Jr. College and is a graduate of Troy University. She holds credentials from Auburn University, Oklahoma University and FEMA and is a graduate of the Delta Leadership Institute. She served former Gov. Bob Riley as community development coordinator for the Blackbelt Action Commission and later as executive director of Riley’s Connecting Alabama Broadband Initiative.

KARA DURIE is executive director of

the Thomasville Chamber of Commerce. She is a University of Alabama graduate and has worked in sales and marketing in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham and Thomasville. Her career at the Thomasville Chamber began in 2021 and she became executive director in 2022.

Durie is also director of the Chamber Ambassador Program for Thomasville City Schools and Thomasville residing students, working to connect young adults with local businesses and industries.

STACY HINES is administrator of D.W.

McMillan Memorial Hospital in Brewton, where she has worked since 2010.

Earlier, she served as COO of D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital and director of revenue cycle for Escambia County Healthcare Authority, which governs the hospital.

She is a graduate of Auburn University and is active in professional and civic organizations, including the Brewton Area

YMCA board and Brewton Rotary Club.

Hines also has served on the Greater Brewton Area Chamber of Commerce board and the United Fund of Brewton and East Brewton.

founded The Securance Group, which became one of the largest independent insurance agencies in the region before merging with Bancorp South.

RYAN JOHNSON is the career coach at

Atmore Community Hospital. Earlier, he served as the physician practice manager for two of Infirmary Health’s primary care practices in Bay Minette. Prior to joining Infirmary Health, he served as physician practice manager for Atmore Community Hospital’s three hospital-based clinics.

Lowery is an Auburn University graduate with a master’s from the University of West Florida.

the new Thomasville Career Readiness Center. He is a graduate of Veritas Baptist College with additional counseling training through the Christian Counseling & Education Foundation. He is the pastor of Central Baptist Church in Dixon’s Mills and directs the church’s Hope Central Food Pantry. He serves on the board of directors for the Selma Area Food Bank and serves local volunteer fire departments as chaplain and board member.

JOSEPH W. “BILLY” JONES JR.

is president of JWJ Investment Properties LLC and president of Crowne Management Corp., which includes several nursing homes and other health care companies.

He is chairman of the board of Alabama Long Term Care Insurance and is on the local advisory board of Superior Bank. He is involved with downtown Monroeville redevelopment, purchasing several empty buildings and converting them into lofts and businesses.

YANCEY “YANK” LOVELACE has

been mayor of Brewton since 2012, working with economic development, quality of life improvements and maximizing state and federal grants. He is past chairman and founder of the Coastal Gateway Economic Development Authority and has served on the Brewton Industrial Revenue Board and chairman of the Economic Development Committee for the City of Brewton’s ACE program. He is a Leadership Alabama graduate. Lovelace

BRAD LOWERY is administrator of

THOMAS MCMILLAN JR. is president

of Longleaf Energy Group Inc., owner and president of Longleaf Machining LLC and managing member of Goodway Refining LLC. He is a graduate of Culver Military Academy Prep School and the University of Alabama and is a U.S. Army veteran.

For the University of Alabama, McMillan serves on the President’s Cabinet, School of Commerce and Business Administration board of visitors and the Museum board of regents. He is active in regional economic development, a lifetime member of the Escambia County Historical Society and active in Republican politics.

JESS NICHOLAS is president and

CEO of Centerfire Economic LLC, an economic development consulting firm specializing in project management, strategic planning and data analytics and research that is the lead economic development arm of the Escambia County Industrial Development Authority.

Earlier he worked with the former Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Alliance, eventually as March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 105

S P O T L I G H T: M OV E R S & S H A PE R S

its executive director. A University of Alabama graduate, Nicholas also spent more than a decade in journalism and continues to write and edit for multiple publications. Nicholas was a registered financial advisor for several years prior to joining Coastal Gateway in 2014.

Development Initiative committee, covering Clarke, Washington, Choctaw and Wilcox counties. Sales also serves on the advisory committee for the League of Municipalities’ Economic Development Academy.

ROSALYN SALES is executive director

and chairman of the Monroe County Commission. She is a graduate of Troy University with a law degree from Jones School of Law. She was a practicing attorney for 19 years before being elected as probate judge.

She currently serves on the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission executive committee and the CoosaAlabama River Improvement Association as an executive member.

of economic development for Clarke and Washington counties. A native and lifelong resident of south Alabama, she is a graduate of Auburn University with additional Auburn credentials in economic development.

Sales serves as the vice chair of the Clarke County Community Development Foundation board, and a member of the Clarke County Wildlife Federation board, the Governor’s Taskforce for Rural Development Committee and the Southwest Alabama Regional Rural

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SONYA STINSON is probate judge

DOUGLAS TANNER has served as

CEO of Grove Hill Memorial Hospital in Clarke County since March 2020.

A seasoned health care executive with more than 30 years of experience, he is a Samford University graduate with a master’s from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

ROSS WOOD is mayor of Grove Hill in

Clarke County and formerly served on the Grove Hill City Council. A native of Grove Hill, he spent 31 years working as a sportswriter and general manager of the Clarke County Democrat, where he had opportunity to see every aspect of the county.

Higher Education

Graduates and the mascot, Yotee, of Coastal Alabama Community College in Monroeville.

Coastal Alabama Community College’s Thomasville campus serves as a technical training hub, including its pipefitting program.

Breaking new ground, Reid State Technical College has ventured into athletics for the first time in its history.

COASTAL ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Coastal Alabama Community College, the largest community college in the state by geographic coverage, has campuses in six counties and serves four additional counties in southwest Alabama.

Choctaw, Clarke, Monroe and Escambia counties all house a Coastal Alabama campus, providing critical education opportunities and workforce training across the area. Due to increased demand, the college is employing a new career/success coach, who will be devoted to the students in Clarke, Choctaw and Marengo counties.

In Choctaw County, Coastal Alabama has a campus in Gilbertown that provides both transfer and technical training with programs such as industrial maintenance and general studies. The campus also serves the local community through its library, adult education opportunities and facilities like the walking trail. One of the college’s three Upward Bound programs is also based in Gilbertown, providing college-level exposure and opportunities to area high school students.

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S P O T L I G H T: H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N

In Clarke County, the Thomasville campus serves as a hub of technical training for the northern part of the Coastal Alabama footprint. With programs from pipefitting to electrical/ instrumentation to cosmetology, the campus is a critical training site for students and industry partners in the area. The college’s workforce development

department has also provided quickcredential programs such as medication aid and certified nursing assistant to support the campus’ thriving healthcare training programs like nursing.

Escambia County has two campuses in Atmore and Brewton. The Atmore campus has a new Conference & Education Center, housing nursing

programs and natural science classrooms along with a large conference area for college and community use.

The space has allowed much more traffic to campus, both internally and externally. For instance, the college’s police department will work with area agencies and the college’s nursing and allied health programs on the next mass casualty training event this semester on the Atmore campus. With the addition and remodel of facilities and with new programs, such as the LPN nursing program, more visitors to campus have translated into higher enrollment.

On the Brewton campus, campus life continues to expand. Recently, crosscountry, golf and tennis were added to the slate of athletic programs. In its first year, the cross-country team competed in the Alabama Community College Conference regional championship.

The Monroeville campus is finalizing construction on a new welding building, which will allow those students to be on campus full-time. And due to area demand, the college is working to add a skid steer class to help area workers receive a valued credential and to enhance their skill set.

REID STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Reid State Technical College, in Evergreen, recently has made significant strides. Among its achievements is the accreditation of its nursing program by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

In a boost to its workforce programs, Reid State secured more than $500,000 in grant funds to upgrade equipment and add technology.

Breaking new ground, Reid State ventured into athletics for the first time in its history. In the inaugural season, the school added men’s basketball, cross country, golf and e-sports. The college plans to add women’s basketball, volleyball, softball and baseball soon.

Reid State received $20 million from the Alabama Legislature and Alabama Community College System. The funds are earmarked for renovating the college’s facilities, which date back to the 1960s.

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Community Development CHOCTAW COUNTY Choctaw County recently has unveiled a new website that features information for residents related to county government, governmental and public services, education, area attractions and more.

Future updates will provide links to video promotional materials for the county.

The city of Butler, the county seat, has two major sewer projects underway, says Vonda Cook, city clerk. The city also is working on an expansion of Zack Rogers Park to include nature walking trails.

New retail shops include The Ruby Corner, a shop on the courthouse square in Butler that holds more than 35 vendors inside one facility. The Hidden Kitchen features healthy food, meal planning and more and is already expanding.

The county is served by the Choctaw County School System. Both high schools have career technical academies.

Several events introduce students to careers, says Derek Wright, career technical director/central office administrator for Choctaw County Schools. Those include industry tours, college and career fairs and visits to explore STEM careers. The district is also upgrading computers and accessories for student use, he says.

CLARKE COUNTY Clarke County has grants for a new sewer project, along with other community projects that will help fuel development.

Grove Hill, the county seat, purchased and renovated a former National Guard armory into a new home for the police and utility departments, says Mayor Ross Wood. “We were bursting at the seams at city hall, and this really helps,” he says. A new fire station is going up next to city hall.

“One of the first orders of business was improving infrastructure with streets, water access and finding locations for new businesses,” he says, and those improvements needed to happen to attract new business.

New to the city are The Square Cup coffee shop, On the Hill gift/ice cream shop and The Bloom décor/florist shop.

“There is a real entrepreneurial spirit here,” says Rosalyn Sales, director of

economic development at Clarke Mobile Gas District.

The city of Jackson has added pickleball courts and a wood pellet mill that is a big boost for the area, officials say.

In Thomasville, the new Thomasville Career Readiness Center and Public Library opened in 2023. It has already proven to be a useful free resource for job seekers.

“We work with adults who are not involved in the education system, people who need resources and help to succeed,” says Ryan Johnson, the center’s career coach. “For example, many people aged 18-34 are working but are not fully committed to a career path. There

TOP: U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (center right) recently visited with school children, teachers and Stephanie Bryan (center left), CEO of the tribe, at the Poarch Band of Creek Indians reservation.

BOTTOM: Clarke and Washington counties are both ACT Certified Workforce Ready Communities, with active dual enrollment between area high schools and Coastal Alabama Community College.

The area concentrates on working with existing industries to expand and in workforce development.

are aged 50-55-plus people who are pre-retired or retired and have tons of experience and we want to help them reenter the workforce.”

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S P O T L I G H T: CO M M U N I T Y D E V E LO PM E N T

The center also works with higher education and industry to help host hiring events and other resources. “We don’t compete with other local and state entities; we want to support them.” The career readiness center offers a myriad of services that include resume services, career coaching and help for those who are hoping to advance in their job, he says.

“The mayor (Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Day) and I really wanted to offer services to those who have not had access to these services,” Thompson says. “We also offer online information and help to businesses. For example, we can help businesses hold hiring events.”

The next step is to offer a career class to home schooled students who do not have access to those services, Johnson says.

Officials are looking forward to the eventual completion of the West Alabama Corridor on Highway 43, a fourlane highway that would stretch from Thomasville to Tuscaloosa. Phase one is

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underway. A four-lane stretch already runs from Mobile to Thomasville; this new section would complete the entire stretch. It should open the door to more development in the west Alabama region, says Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Day, who has championed the effort.

The town of Coffeeville recently received a $400,000 community development block grant for a new roof on a former high school building that will be converted into a community center.

Clarke County schools have a new superintendent, Ashlie Flowers, the system’s former career tech coordinator.

City and county schools offer an array of career technical programs, individually, together and in partnership with Coastal Alabama Community College.

CONECUH COUNTY The city of Evergreen, the county seat, has enjoyed retail success, thanks to a new strategy to build economic growth, says Jessica Dent, economic development

director for Conecuh County Economic Development. The city has Tesla charging stations on its interstate exit and a Hampton Inn is under construction. This year, there will be a significant push on developing new housing and downtown revitalization, Dent says.

The city of Repton has finished improvements to its park, which includes a splash pad, playground equipment and activities for seniors, and it is about to revamp the former Robinson historic home into a community and welcome center, says Mayor Terry Carter. The welcome center can include a dog park and coffee for travelers and other special features, she says.

Conecuh County schools operate a successful workforce development center for grades 9-12 that includes programs ranging from agriscience to JROTC to welding, and students can take advantage of dual enrollment.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY Ground was broken recently for a $2.7 million renovation for the Escambia County High School athletic fieldhouse, and the high school recently opened an IT Academy that will prepare students for careers in technology. It was funded by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, partnering with Coastal Alabama Community College and NAF. The facility will teach programming, data analytics and AI. In Brewton, the county seat, grants have allowed the city to manage several projects, including paving Bellevue Avenue, a new water tank, downtown water and sewer infrastructure updates and a new pickleball court. The city also just adopted its 5-year strategic plan.

A new community partnership is underway to build an Angel of Hope memorial in the city, a memorial for those trying to cope with the emotional and physical loss of their child. These memorials are located across the United States, inspired by the book and movie “The Christmas Box” by Richard Paul Evans.

In the city of Atmore, the Pride of Atmore, a group dedicated to economic revitalization and preservation of downtown Atmore, has completed its

S P O T L I G H T: CO M M U N I T I Y D E V E LO PM E N T

$5 million renovation of the Strand Theatre and Encore.

Also, the Atmore City Council voted recently to establish an “entertainment district” downtown that will offer more flexibility for patrons to walk between restaurants and businesses with open containers. And a $2.6 million citywide road resurfacing project was completed.

The city also purchased a new pumper truck for the Atmore Fire Department.

And West Escambia Utilities recently was awarded a $1.4 million loan from Alabama Department of Environmental Management to repair and rehab the sewer system under downtown Atmore, officials say.

Escambia County schools offer the Escambia Career Readiness Center in Brewton, with nine programs serving students in both the county high schools and Brewton City Schools. Options range from automotive to health science to law and public safety and are frequently reviewed to make sure they stay relevant, says Sabrina Wilson, career technical director.

All students are required to earn a career readiness indicator, she says. .

MONROE COUNTY The city of Monroeville, the county seat and home of several events honoring the late novelist Harper Lee, is working on updating its strategic plan, says Mayor Charles Andrews. Monroeville is an Alabama Community of Excellence, and there always are plans to add amenities and services, along with events that attract visitors.

The city has added a pavilion to Veterans Park, and several new businesses have located downtown.

For the past few years, Billy Jones, owner of Crowne Healthcare that operates several nursing homes in the area and president of JWJ Investment Properties, has been purchasing empty buildings downtown and transforming them into lofts. He is now working to convert an old jail to four lofts. “There is a lot of demand,” he says. “Now, there are few available buildings on the square.”

His company also is working on a wine store and pizza restaurant. The lofts are available for short-term rentals.

Anne Marie Bryan, Main Street Monroeville director, says there are eight new businesses in various stages in the city, and soon there will be a public/ private partnership with a local developer for a new, as yet unnamed project.

Monroeville has its own incubator, The Small Box, a Main Street Alabama initiative and USDA funded, that helps

pop-up businesses to “test the waters” for moving to a brick-and-mortar location, Bryan says. “We have one pop-up business in there now that will be moving to their new location by the end of the year.”

Monroe County schools have an active career technical center. The district also offers national credentialing opportunities and dual enrollment options.

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Culture & Recreation Monroe County Rodeo.

festivities and events: COLLARD GREEN FESTIVAL — March | Evergreen LITERARY FESTIVAL/PAINT THE TOWN — April | Monroeville KICK IT AT THE CREEK — April | Brewton ARTS & GAMES ON THE SQUARE — April through October | Monroeville FREEDOM FEST — June | Evergreen BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL — June | Brewton

ONE-OF-A-KIND ADVENTURES

Poarch Creek Pow Wow offers a brilliant display of dancing, dress, crafts and more each November.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is presented each April in Monroeville, home of author Harper Lee. BIRDS, BEASTS AND BUCKS

These five south Alabama counties are mostly rural and covered in forest, offering an abundance of opportunities for bird watching, whitetail deer hunting and turkey hunting.

RIDE ’EM COWPOKE

Both Brewton and Monroe County host annual rodeos with competition in bull riding, barrel racing, roping and more. Brewton Rodeo is in October at O’Bannon Park. The Monroe County Rodeo is in August at Frisco City Park.

MUSE ON

History is important here and the region boasts museums galore. For general history there are historical museums in Choctaw and Clarke counties, plus the Kathryn Tucker Windham Museum in Thomasville; the Thomas E. McMillan Museum in Brewton and the Old Courthouse Museum in Monroeville.

TAKE TO THE WATER

The Sepulga River Canoe Trail in Evergreen is great for canoeing and kayaking, with 19 miles of calm waters.

BE NURTURED BY NATURE

The E.O. Wilson Nature Adventure in Brewton covers 100 acres of white cedar, longleaf pine and other native 112 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

species with archery, fishing and trails. It honors Wilson, a double-Pulitzer winning biologist.

GO UNDERGROUND

Broadnax Cave in Suggsville features stunning formations, an underground river and waterfall.

PICK THE ROUGH ROAD

Boggs and Boulders All-Terrain Park in Conecuh County offers 1,000 acres of off-road trails, bogs, hills and mud pits, with camping and music besides.

FLY AWAY HOME

All sorts of aircraft descend on Evergreen’s Middleton Field Airport for the annual Southeast Regional Fly-In. GO TO THE (STATE) PARK

Bladon Springs State Park opened as a spa known as the “Saratoga of the South” and centered on four mineral springs.

Roland Cooper State Park in Clarke County offers hiking and water recreation on the Alabama River. And don’t miss the old grist mill at Broadhead Memorial Park in Choctaw County.

REMEMBER THE WRITERS

Visit the 14 bronze sculptures on the Literary Capital Sculpture Trail in Monroeville, honoring the 10 writers credited with making Monroeville/ Monroe County the literary capital of Alabama.

BET ON IT!

Atmore is home to the first of the Wind Creek Casino & Resorts, featuring 1,700 games plus hotel, spa and more.

SUMMER DRIVE-IN MOVIE SERIES — June | Monroeville HOMETOWN CELEBRATION — Saturday before July 4 | Thomasville SAUSAGE FESTIVAL — October | Evergreen BUTLER FEST — October | Butler KATHRYN TUCKER WINDHAM GHOST WALK — October | Thomasville WILLIAMS STATION DAY — October | Atmore FALL FESTIVAL — November | Jackson MARKET DAYS AND FARMER’S MARKET — November — Monroeville FORESTRY FESTIVAL — November | Jackson PIONEER DAYS & CANE SYRUP MAKIN’ DAYS — Rickard’s Mill near Monroeville | November TASTE OF MONROEVILLE — November | Monroeville NUTCRACKER HOLIDAYS — November & December | Brewton GRANDE ILLUMINATION AND WINTER MARKET — December | Monroeville CHRISTMAS PARADE & DOWNTOWN STROLL — December | Thomasville LUMINARIES — December | Brewton CHRISTMAS PARADE — December | Monroeville

Company Kudos

by ERICA JOINER WEST

APRIL Higher Ed Builds Stronger Economy STEM Success Stories Accounting for Business Slice Pizza & Brew, in Birmingham, has been named Most Interesting Menu and Pizza Company of the Year by Region – Southeast in Pizza Today’s inaugural 2023 Pizza Industry Excellence Awards. In addition, the restaurant also was noted on Pizza Today’s 35 Pizzerias to Watch in 2024. Opened in 2011 and founded by brothers Chris, Jason and the late Jeff Bajalieh, Slice Pizza & Brew has four locations with a fifth in Homewood to open this year.

Automation Personnel Services, a staffing agency based in Birmingham, has won the Best of Staffing Client and Talent 5-Year Diamond Awards from ClearEdge Marketing and ClearlyRated.

Baker Donelson has been recognized by Southern Business & Development as one of the South’s leading law firms for economic development.

JoyOrganics.com recently surveyed 3,000 professionals to uncover the most coveted towns and cities in America to escape from the rat race. Tuscumbia, Montevallo and Monroeville all made the top 150 listing.

Montgomery’s downtown area has officially been designated a Main Street Alabama community.

North Baldwin Infirmary, an affiliate of Infirmary Health, has received a 2024 Women’s Choice Award for obstetrics, signifying that it is in the top 13% of U.S. hospitals offering labor and delivery services.

Regions Bank, headquartered in Birmingham, is on Forbes’ list of the top

300 U.S. companies for customer service.

In 2023, Regions helped customers create more than 855,000 personalized Greenprint financial plans.

TurnerBatson, of Birmingham, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The architectural firm, founded by George Turner in 1924, has worked on residential, schools, senior care facilities, medical facilities, commercial and church projects.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville has been re-designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research by the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity.

The re-designation is approved through 2028.

Wallace Community College-Dothan’s associate degree nursing and practical nursing programs have achieved an outstanding pass rate on the NCLEX exams for 2023, with a pass rate of 97.78% for ADN graduates and a 97.73% pass rate for PN graduates.

WCCD is also celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

Geographic Spotlight: Butler, Covington, Crenshaw & Lowndes Counties

MAY Banks Build Communities Small Business — Big Impact Women in Technology Faces of Finance Geographic Spotlight: Baldwin County Check BusinessAlabama.com for daily business headlines and additional content

Follow us: Business Alabama @BusinessAlabama

March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 113

RETROSPECT

I Can See Clearly Now Alabama’s Mary Anderson invented the windshield wiper

M

any modern conveniences are today taken for granted. There was, of course, a time without air conditioning. There was sentient life before television sets. In 1903, an ingenious Alabama woman patented an early version of one such overlooked, everyday item: the windshield wiper. Though her particular model was never put into commercial production, Mary Anderson’s invention helped clear the way for one of modern transportation’s most important, if ubiquitous, instruments.

She was the youngest child of James and Rebecca Anderson of Greene County. Born in South Carolina in 1828, James Anderson owned a plantation near Forkland. He married Rebecca McLemore in January 1861, just days after Alabama voted to secede from the Union. The next year, he mustered into the 2nd Alabama Cavalry as a lieutenant and served for the duration of the Civil War. James Alexander died in February 1870 at the young age of 41, just two weeks after his daughter Mary’s 4th birthday. In the 1880s, Rebecca Anderson sold her Greene County property and relocated to Birmingham with her two young girls. They settled into a comfortable life in Birmingham, in a well-appointed home along Highland Avenue. Rebecca Anderson never remarried. She and her daughters engaged in philanthropic and society work. They were active members of South Highland Presbyterian Church.

In 1892, Mary’s older sister, Frances, married George P. Thornton, a local mill operator. The couple soon embarked upon a new life in faraway California.

Two years later, Rebecca and Mary Anderson leased their Birmingham home and joined the Thorntons in the Golden State for an extended stay. The Anderson women kept up appearances while in

114 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

By SCOTTY E. KIRKLAND

From Mary Anderson’s patent application for the windshield wiper. Photo from U.S. Patent Office.

R E T RO S PE C T

California, joining the Fresno warrant our undertaking its sale,” society set. Industrious Mary it read. Anderson’s patent expired Anderson, then in her late 20s, in 1920 without fanfare. also tried her hand at running New, electric wiper moda cattle ranch and vineyard. els from other inventors were Obligations to older family already in development. In members back in Alabama may 1922, Cadillac became the first have necessitated the Andersons’ major automobile manufacturer return to Birmingham in the fall to make wipers standard-issue of 1898. equipment. Anderson never filed A trip to New York City on another patent, content with her a cold and rainy day a few years place in the historical record, if later sparked Mary Anderson’s nothing else. inventive spirit. While riding The erstwhile inventor settled through the bustling streets on into a quiet life in Birmingham. a trolley, she observed the poor An enumerator for the 1910 driver’s belabored efforts to clean Census found the entire Anderthe windshield by hand every son family reunited once more few minutes. He would disemon Highland Avenue. Rebecca bark the vehicle, brave the eleand Mary Anderson, as well as ments and sweep the glass clear George and Frances Thornton with a long-handled brush. This, and their teenage daughter, all of course, added considerable lived under one roof. time to the commute and could The Anderson women used be dangerous. Surely there was their resources wisely. In 1913, a better way, Anderson mused. they opened the luxurious FairBack in Birmingham, she put mont Apartments at the corner her thoughts to paper. Invention of Highland and 21st Street.

Mary Anderson. Photo courtesy Alabama has many mothers. Necessity is “Excellence of location, elegance Department of Archives & History. one. So is frustration. And so is of appointment, convenience of good will. Anderson returned from New York possessing a bit of arrangement, and amplitude of space make this one of the most all three, it seems. desirable places in which to live,” read an announcement. The Her mechanical remedy was comprised of a long blade that apartments featured all the modern conveniences of the era, would sweep across the windshield, mimicking the motions including hot and cold water, gas-fueled appliances and janitoriof the New York City driver. A lever located inside the vehicle al services. operated the simple device. Her design laid the foundation for Once the Fairmont opened, 46-year-old Mary Anderson the wipers still in use today. settled into the role of senior property manager. Over the next On June 18, 1903, Anderson filed a patent application for several decades, she split her time between the Fairmont and a her “Window-Cleaning Device.” She noted it was designed to summer home in Monteagle, Tennessee, where she died in June be “rendered easily removable when not required.” Thus, in fair 1953 after a brief illness. She was 87 years old. weather it would not “mar the usual appearance” of the vehicle.

Newspapers in several states took note of her passing. Most Tuscaloosa native William A. Jackson and his fiancé, Nettie of the obituaries mentioned her 1903 invention. By the time of Anderson, who was Anderson’s niece, served as witnesses to the Anderson’s death, windshield wipers were standard-issue pieces patent application. The paperwork, complete with a detailed for all American automobiles. Her invention a half-century drawing, then disappeared into the vast bureaucracy of the earlier was, quite simply, ahead of its time. In the year Anderson United States Patent Office. Five quiet months passed before received her patent, there were fewer than 35,000 automobiles Anderson received notification of her success. Patent number on American roads. The year she died, that number exceeded 743,801, issued on Nov. 10, 1903, belonged to her. According 25 million — all of them fitted with windshield wipers. The to the national registry, four Alabamians received patents that pioneering Alabama inventor received no monetary reward for week; Mary Anderson was the only woman among them. At her important contribution to the automobile industry. the time, women inventors held less than 10% of the nation’s Still, recognition at least came, both in life and in death. patents.

In 2011, Mary Anderson was posthumously inducted into the Only one attempt to market Anderson’s device commercially National Inventors Hall of Fame. survives in the historical record, this in the form of a 1905 rejection letter from the Canadian firm of Dinning & Eckenstein.

Historian Scotty E. Kirkland is a freelance contributor to Business Alabama.

“We do not consider it to be of such commercial value as would He lives in Wetumpka.

March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 115

Career Notes

by ERICA JOINER WEST

JOSEPH KASAL

ASHLEY HUDSON

BRIDGET O’NEAL

ANNA MOONEY

MIKE PAYNE

MALLORY MURPHY

JESSICA DIAZ

MITZI COOGLER

TAYLOR BURKHALTER

JOANNA EVANS

BRENT JOHNSON

MICHELLE MCDANIEL

RONNIE HEBERT

GABE XU

KELLI HOLMES

MARK CAMPBELL

STEPHEN MCNAIR

KATHY HILL

DANUEL LAAN

STUART MAPLES

MARY ENA HEATH

ROY STUBBS

ACCOUNTING

Mobile native Joseph Kasal has received the Silas M. Simmons Bronze Medal for his performance on the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination, as administered by the Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy.

Kassouf, in Birmingham, has promoted Ashley Hudson and Bridget O’Neal to manager, Margaret Novak to supervising senior and Max Archer to senior. Anna Mooney has returned to the firm as a manager in the estate planning and administration group. In addition, Mike Payne has joined the firm as a business advisor.

BANKING

Bank Independent has hired Mallory Murphy as mortgage originator in the Shoals area. The bank has also named Jessica Diaz its new director of learning and development.

CONSTRUCTION

Harrison Construction Co. Inc., of Tuscaloosa, has hired Mitzi Coogler as chief financial officer and Taylor Burkhalter as controller. In addition, the company has promoted JoAnna Evans to senior project administrator and Brent Johnson to senior project manager.

EDUCATION

Wallace Community College-Dothan has added Karie Johnson and Bailey Sheffield to the surgical technology program faculty.

Michelle McDaniel has been named director of the University of South Alabama Regional Autism Network.

Lynne Richardson has been named interim dean of the Michael E. Stephens College of Business at the University of Montevallo. She will serve for the next two years and assist in the search for a new dean.

116 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

The University of Alabama in Huntsville has appointed Ronnie Hebert as vice president for student affairs and dean of students. In addition, Gabe Xu, an associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, has been selected to receive the 2023 University of Alabama System McMahon-Pleiad Prize, which recognizes contributions to teaching, research and service.

Kelli Holmes has joined Jacksonville State University as associate vice president for philanthropy.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

RxBenefits, based in Birmingham, has appointed pharmacist Mark Campbell to chief pharmacy officer.

GOVERNMENT

The city of Mobile has appointed Stephen McNair director of external affairs.

HEALTH CARE

Troy Regional Medical Center has hired Kathy Hill as chief financial officer, replacing Mike Myers who has retired.

USA Health has acquired Cardiovascular Associates PC of Mobile, bringing cardiovascular surgeons Michael Damrich, Dimitris Kyriazis and Carl Maltese into its team. In addition, Danuel Laan, director of bariatric surgery at USA Health Providence Hospital, has been appointed Alabama State Access to Care Representative for the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

Charles Eugene Mayes Jr., an interventional cardiologist, is joining Southeast Health Medical Group. He will start in July.

INSURANCE

Trawick International, an international insurance company, has appointed Michael Stephens chief actuary.

LEGAL

Huntsville-based Maples Law Firm has joined Tennessee-based Thompson Burton.

Stuart Maples, former managing partner of Maples Law, and Mary Ena Heath, of counsel for Maples Law, are joining Thompson Burton. In addition, Ronn Steen will assist in the transition, while growing his Alabama base.

Maynard Nexsen has hired Brandon Robinson and Danielle Cotter for the firm’s cybersecurity and data privacy team.

Robinson is a shareholder in the firm’s Birmingham office, while Cotter is an associate.

REAL ESTATE

Douglas McCullough, with NAI Chase Commercial, has been appointed secretary treasurer of the executive committee of the Alabama CCIM Chapter and member at large for the CCIM designation committee at the national level.

SECURITY

DSI Security Services has promoted Jamie Ridenhour to director of quality assurance.

STAFFING

Renfroe, a claims management and workforce solutions company with headquarters in Birmingham, has promoted Roy Stubbs to chief technology officer.

TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

Impact Technology Group LLC, of Birmingham, has promoted Scott Allen to partner.

Index A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club........................49 AARP...............................................................55 ABB Robotics....................................................13 Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.................................107 Adtran Holdings...............................................55 ADVA Optical Networking.................................55 AE Industrial Partners.......................................11 Aerojet Rocketdyne..........................................55 AI-Ops..............................................................55 AIDT.................................................................13 Airbus Americas...........................................9, 55 AL.com...............................................................8 Alabama Academy of Honor..............................55 Alabama Associated General Contractors.............8 Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association..................... 13, 27 Alabama Broadcasters Association....................55 Alabama Business Hall of Fame........................55 Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition..........................13 Alabama Communities of Excellence....... 104, 109 Alabama Community College Conference........107 Alabama Community College System..............107 Alabama Department of Commerce....7, 13, 27, 43 Alabama Department of Corrections................104 Alabama Department of Environmental Management.............................................109 Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator.......................55 Alabama Independent School Hall of Fame........55 Alabama Industrial Development Training........13 Alabama Legislature.......................................107 Alabama Long Term Care Insurance.................104 Alabama One Credit Union...............................49 Alabama Port Authority......................................8 Alabama Power Co...........................9, 13, 55, 119 Alabama Retail Association.................................8 Alabama River Cellulose............................. 89, 98 Alabama Shipyard..............................................8 Alabama Small Business Development Initiative.....................................................49 Alabama Sports Hall of Fame............................55 Alabama State Bar Association..........................55 Alabama State University................................104 Alabama Technology Network...........................13 Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission.....104 All In Credit Union............................................49 Allen, Scott................................................................. 116 Alto Products.............................................. 97, 98 America in Bloom...........................................104 America’s First Federal Credit Union..................49 American Airlines...............................................9 American Association of Retired Persons...........55 American Banker..............................................55 American College of Healthcare Executives......104 American College of Physicians.........................55 American Red Cross..........................................49 American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.................................116 Anderson, James....................................................... 114 Anderson, Mary......................................................... 114 Anderson, Nettie....................................................... 114 Anderson, Rebecca McLemore.................................. 114 Andrews, Charles............................................... 104, 109 Angels & Company...........................................92 Anniston Army Depot.......................................27 APCO Employees Credit Union..........................49 Aptus Capital Advisors........................................9 Arc of Clarke County.......................................104 Archer, Max................................................................ 116 Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Uion..........49 Army Emergency Relief Fund............................49 Ascension Healthcare.......................................55 Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce..................97 Atmore Community Hospital.................. 101, 104 Atmore Municipal Airport.................................97 Atmore, City of......................................... 97, 109 Auburn University..................7, 9, 17, 38, 55, 104 Austal USA............................................. 9, 12, 55 Austin, Lloyd.................................................................55 Autocar LLC......................................................23 Automation Personnel Services.......................113 Automotive Manufacturing Solutions...............13 Avadian Credit Union.......................................49 Axient Corp........................................................8 B.A.S.S.............................................................55 BAE Systems.......................................................8 Baggett, Connie......................................................... 104 Bajalieh, Chris........................................................... 113 Bajalieh, Jason.......................................................... 113 Bajalieh, Jeff.............................................................. 113 Baker Donelson..............................................113 Bancorp South................................................104 Bank Independent................................... 55, 116 Barge Design Solutions....................................55 Bass Anglers Sportsman Society........................55 Battle House Hotel...........................................11 Battle, Tommy...............................................................13 BearCom..........................................................97 Benjamin Fitzpatrick Bridge, Tallassee............119 BETA Technologies..............................................9

A guide to businesses (bold) and individuals (light) mentioned in this month’s issue of Business Alabama.

Birdon America..................................................7 Birmingham Barons.........................................55 Birmingham Business Resource Center.............49 Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport......................................9 BL Harbert International...................................55 Blackbelt Action Commission..........................104 Blackbelt Community Foundation...................104 Bladon Springs State Park...............................112 Bloom, The, Grove Hill....................................109 Boggs and Boulders All-Terrain Park................112 Bottega Restaurant...........................................55 Bowling, Tab...................................................................8 Boys & Girls Clubs of East Central Alabama........55 Brasfield & Gorrie....................................... 10, 55 Breeze Airways...................................................9 Brewton Area YMCA........................................104 Brewton City Schools......................................109 Brewton Council of the Arts.............................104 Brewton Industrial Revenue Board.................104 Brewton Iron Works..........................................97 Brewton Rodeo..............................................112 Brewton, City of..................................... 104, 109 Broadnax Cave........................................................... 112 Bronner, David..............................................................11 Browder & Sons.................................... 89, 97, 98 Bryan, Anne Marie..................................................... 109 Bryan, Stephanie............................................... 104, 109 Buc-ee’s Convenience Stores.............................43 Buffett, Jimmy..............................................................55 Buffett, Savannah.........................................................55 Builders + Backers...........................................11 Burkhalter, Taylor....................................................... 116 Burris Farm Market...........................................11 Business Council of Alabama............................97 Butler, City of.................................................109 Byars|Wright Insurance....................................55 Caddell Construction..........................................8 Caddell, Mac...................................................................8 Cadence Bank..................................................55 Cadillac/General Motors.................................114 Cahaba Fire Company.......................................55 Calhoun Community College............................40 Campbell, Dee Ann.................................................... 104 Campbell, Mark......................................................... 116 Canadian Pacific Kansas City.............................97 Canfield, Greg...............................................................13 Canfor Southern Pine........................... 89, 97, 98 Cardiovascular Associates PC...........................116 Carter, Terry................................................................ 109 Caterpillar Inc..................................................27 Centerfire Economic LLC..................................104 Central Baptist Church....................................104 Cerrowire LLC...................................................55 Chancey, Barry........................................................... 104 Cherry, Tony Lavell..................................................... 104 Chez Fonfon Restaurant....................................55 Chez Panisse Restaurant...................................55 Chick-fil-A Inc...................................................49 Choctaw County...............................................89 Choctaw County Chamber of Commerce..........104 Choctaw County Historical Museum................112 Choctaw County School System.......................109 Choctaw Sun-Advocate....................................104 Christmas Box, The.........................................109 Chrysler/General Motors...................................55 City Walk BHAM...............................................55 Clark, Michael.................................................................8 Clarke County............................................ 89, 97 Clarke County Board of Education...................104 Clarke County Community Development Foundation...........................104 Clarke County Democrat.................................104 Clarke County Development Foundation.........104 Clarke County Health Care Authority...............101 Clarke County Historical Museum...................112 Clarke County Schools....................................109 Clarke County Wildlife Federation...................104 Clarke Mobile Gas District...............................109 Clear Sky Rehabilitation Hospital......................10 ClearEdge Marketing......................................113 Clemson University.................................... 10, 55 CM Biomass.....................................................97 Coastal Alabama Community College...... 107, 109 Coastal Gateway Economic Development Authority.............................104 Cody, Sydney................................................................55 Coffeeville, Town of........................................109 Coleman, Susan......................................................... 104 Collins, Tom..................................................................10 Comcast Corp...................................................55 Community Food Bank of Central Alabama........49 Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville....40 Conecuh County...............................................89 Conecuh County Cattlemen/Jr Cattlemen Association................................................104 Conecuh County Economic Development.........109 Conecuh County Schools.................................109 Conecuh Sausage.............................................98 Coogler, Mitzi............................................................ 116

Cook, Vonda............................................................... 109 Coore, Bill.....................................................................55 Coosa-Alabama River Improvement Association................................................104 Coral Reefer Band.............................................55 Cotter, Danielle.......................................................... 116 Cotton Creek Warehouse, Cullman......................9 Creamer Dozer Service Inc...............................104 Creamer Power Equipment.............................104 Creamer, Randall....................................................... 104 Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority....................................... 89, 97, 104 Creekstone Capital Group...................................7 Crenshaw, Ben..............................................................55 Croux Inc..........................................................55 Crowne Healthcare.........................................109 Crowne Management Corp. ............................104 CSX Transportation Inc..................................8, 97 Culver Military Academy Prep School..............104 Cumberland School of Law...............................55 Curtis, Greg...................................................................10 D.C. Bar Association..........................................55 D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital........... 101, 104 Damrich, Michael...................................................... 116 David Christopher’s..........................................55 Davis, Carryl..................................................................55 Davis, Noopur...............................................................55 Davis, Ron.....................................................................13 Davis, Wade....................................................................9 Day, Sheldon............................................... 89, 104, 109 DC Oil Company.................................................7 Decatur, City of...................................................8 Delta Air Lines....................................................9 Delta Regional Authority................................104 Dent, Jessica...................................................... 104, 109 Diamond Gas...................................................97 Diaz, Jessica............................................................... 116 Dinning & Eckenstein.....................................114 Discovery Life Sciences.....................................55 Domestique Coffee...........................................55 Dothan Business Hall of Fame...........................55 Drake, Eileen P..............................................................55 DRC Inc............................................................11 Driscoll, John..................................................................8 DSI Security Services.......................................116 Durie, Kara................................................................. 104 E.A. Renfroe & Co............................................116 E.F. Johnson Co.................................................55 E.O. Wilson Nature Adventure.........................112 EBSCO Information Services..............................10 Economic Development Partnership of Alabama............................................ 11, 55 EcoPlexus Inc...................................................97 Edwards Motor Company Building, Birmingham................................................55 Embraer/Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica S.A...9 Emily’s Heirloom Pound Cakes..........................55 Escambia County..............................................89 Escambia County Healthcare Authority............104 Escambia County High School.........................109 Escambia County Historical Society.................104 Escambia County Industrial Development Authority...................................................104 Escambia County Schools................................109 Esquire Magazine.............................................55 Essnova Solutions............................................55 Etsy Inc............................................................92 Evans, JoAnna........................................................... 116 Evans, Richard Paul.................................................... 109 Evergreen Chamber of Commerce...................104 Evergreen Medical Center...............................101 Evergreen Transport LLC....................................98 Evergreen-Conecuh Capital Improvement Cooperative District...................................104 Evergreen, City of................................... 104, 109 Fairmont Apartments.....................................114 FBI Law Enforcement National Academy..........104 Federal Aviation Administration.........................9 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission............55 Filling Station, Tuscaloosa.................................10 Financial Times................................................55 Flowers Insurance............................................55 Flowers, Ashlie........................................................... 109 Food & Wine Magazine.....................................55 Forbes Magazine..........................................8, 55 Ford Meter Box Co. Inc......................................12 Ford Motor Co.....................................................9 Fort Novosel.....................................................49 Fort Rucker.......................................................49 Fortune Magazine............................................55 FreightCar America...........................................11 Frisco City, Town of...........................................97 Frisco Solar LLC.................................................97 Front Row, Huntsville.......................................11 Frontier Technologies ......................................97 Frontier Technology Inc.....................................12 Fruit of the Loom..............................................98 Full Moon BBQ.................................................55 Fulton, Town of.................................................97 Fuqua & Partners Architects..............................55

Gadsden Industrial Distributors........................27 Gallup Organization, The..................................55 Garrison, Randy............................................................55 Gate Precast.....................................................98 Gee, Michael...................................................................8 Gee’s Bend Quilters............................................7 Georgia-Pacific LLC................................ 89, 97, 98 Gibson Oil Co.............................................. 97, 98 Gilbertown, Town of.......................................104 Goat Island Brewery...........................................9 Goddard Space Center.......................................55 Golf Digest.......................................................55 Goodway Refining LLC....................................104 Gordon, Jeff..................................................................55 Governor’s Taskforce for Rural Development....104 Graham, Matthew...........................................................9 Great Southern Wood Holdings.........................55 Great Southern Wood Preserving......................55 Greater Brewton Area Chamber of Commerce..104 Greater Mobile Amateur Golf Association...........55 Grede LLC................................................... 97, 98 Greystone Golf & Country Club..........................49 Grove Hill Memorial Hospital.................. 101, 104 Grove Hill, City of............................. 97, 104, 109 Gulf Distributing Holdlings..............................55 GulfQuest, Mobile............................................11 Gutti, Sri........................................................................55 Guyoung Tech USA................................ 89, 97, 98 Haaland, Deb............................................................. 109 Habitat for Humanity........................................49 Hales, Lisa.....................................................................49 Hampton Inn/Hilton Worldwide......................109 Hansel, Phillip..............................................................55 Harrigan Lumber........................................ 97, 98 Harrison Construction Co. Inc..........................116 Hartselle, City of..............................................55 Harvard University...........................................55 Heath, Mary Ena........................................................ 116 Hebert, Ronnie.......................................................... 116 Helios Alliance.................................................10 Herman Maisel & Company..............................55 Hidden Kitchen, The, Butler............................109 Highlands Bar and Grill....................................55 Hill, Dan........................................................................27 Hill, Kathy.................................................................. 116 Hines, Stacy............................................................... 104 Historic Hotels of America.................................11 Holdfast Collective...........................................10 Holmes, Kelli............................................................. 116 Honda Alabama Auto Plant..............13, 27, 38, 43 Honda Development & Manufacturing of America...................................................38 Horton, Ben..................................................................55 Howard University...........................................55 HPM/Hoar Program Management LLC................55 Hudson, Ashley......................................................... 116 HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology..........55 Huntsville City Schools.....................................20 Huntsville Hospital Foundation........................55 Huntsville International Airport..........................9 Huntsville Utilities...........................................20 Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce.................................20 Hutchison, Rhyan.........................................................55 Hyundai Mobis.................................................17 Hyundai Motor Group.......................................17 Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama.............................7,, 9, 13, 17, 43, 55 I-Spice..............................................................98 Impact Technology Group LLC..........................116 Inc. Magazine...................................................55 Infectious Diseases Society of America...............55 Infirmary Health.............................. 11, 104, 113 Innovation Depot, Birmingham........................55 Intel/Integrated Electronics...............................55 Intergraph Corp................................................55 International Paper........................................104 International Space Station.................................8 Investopedia/Dotdash Meredith.....................104 Isenberg, Hank.............................................................55 Ivey, Gov. Kay......................................................7, 11, 43 Jackson Medical Center..................................101 Jackson Pellets LLC..................................... 89, 97 Jackson, City of.......................................... 9, 109 Jackson, William A..................................................... 114 Jacksonville State University..........................116 Jahn, Anke....................................................................27 James Beard Foundation..................................55 Jemison High School........................................20 Jenkins, Jo Ann............................................................55 JFTMA Rail Site, Atmore....................................97 Jimmy Rane Foundation...................................55 Johnson Energy Storage Inc..............................55 Johnson Research & Development Co................55 Johnson, Brent.......................................................... 116 Johnson, Karie........................................................... 116 Johnson, Lonnie G........................................................55 Johnson, Ryan............................................. 89, 104, 109 Jones School of Law........................................104 Jones, Billy................................................................ 109

March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 117

Jones, Frances..............................................................92 Jones, Joseph “Billy”................................................. 104 JoyOrganics...................................................113 JTEC Energy Inc................................................55 JWJ Intestment Properties LLC................ 104, 109 K1 Speed Inc......................................................7 Kasal, Joseph............................................................. 116 Kassouf & Co. PC.............................................116 Kathryn Tucker Windham Museum.................112 Kenney, Maryclare..........................................................8 Kent Companies.................................................7 Kia Motor Manufacturing Georgia............... 13, 17 King, Ryan....................................................................55 Kiwanis International.....................................104 Kyriazis, Dimitris........................................................ 116 La Pine, Patrick..............................................................49 Laan, Danuel.............................................................. 116 Lamb, Neil....................................................................55 Land Between the Rivers..................................10 Lassiter Lumber................................................97 Leader, The, Marengo County..........................104 Leadership Alabama.......................................104 League of Municipalities................................104 League of Southeastern Credit Unions and Affiliates...............................................49 Lear Corp..........................................................27 Lee, Harper........................................................ 109, 112 Les Dames d’Escoffier International...................55 Li-Cycle Corp.....................................................13 LibertyFi............................................................9 Library of Congress..........................................55 LifeSouth Community Blood Centers.................49 LinkedIn..........................................................55 Lipke, Elizabeth............................................................55 LITE Scratch Tour...............................................55 Literacy Council of Central Alabama..................49 Literary Capital Sculpture Trail........................112 Lithos Energy.....................................................9 Logan, Don...................................................................55 Logan, Sandy................................................................55 Longleaf Energy Group Inc..............................104 Longleaf Machining LLC..................................104 Louisiana-Pacific Corp........................... 89, 97, 98 Lovelace, Yancey........................................................ 104 Lowery, Brad.............................................................. 104 Lurleen B. Wallace Jr. College.........................104 Luther, Jessica..............................................................40 Magna Kamtek.................................................27 Mailboat Records..............................................55 Main Street Alabama......................................113 Main Street Monroeville.................................109 Maisel, Elliot B..............................................................55 Maisel, Freida G............................................................55 Maisel, Nell..................................................................55 Maltese, Carl.............................................................. 116 Maples Law Firm............................................116 Maples, Stuart........................................................... 116 Margaritaville Records.....................................55 Marion Military Institute..................................55 Marrazzo, Jeanne.........................................................55 Marshall Space Flight Center...............................8 Master Boat Builders........................................10 Maughon, Brent...........................................................92 Mayes, Charles Eugene Jr.......................................... 116 Maynard Nexsen............................................116 Mazda Toyota Manufacturing...................... 13, 40 McBride, Martina..........................................................55 McCaleb, Bridget..........................................................55 McClung, April..............................................................55 McCullough, Douglas................................................ 116 McDaniel, Michelle................................................... 116 McGill Institute................................................55 McMillan, Thomas Jr.................................................. 104 McNair, Ellen..................................................................7 McNair, Stephen........................................................ 116 Mercedes-Benz U.S. International.......7, 13, 27, 43 Merida Aerospace...............................................7 Meridian & Bigbee Railroad..............................97 Metal Shark Boats..............................................7 Mid Star Timber Harvesting........................ 97, 98 Middleton Field Airport..................................112 Midstates Petroleum........................................97 Mind Your Culture............................................27 Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy....................................116 Mitsubishi Electric..............................................9 Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley...............................9 Mobile Airport Authority..................................55 Mobile Area Council of Engineers........................9 Mobile Civic Center..........................................11 Mobile International Airport...............................9 Mobile Register..............................................104 Mobile-Tensaw Delta........................................10 Mobile, City of................................................116 Modern Healthcare Magazine...........................55 Molecular Designs..............................................8 Monroe County................................................89 Monroe County Hospital.................................101 Monroe County Rodeo....................................112 Monroeville, City of........................ 104, 109, 113

Montevallo, City of.........................................113 Montgomery Regional Airport............................9 Montgomery Whitewater.................................55 Montgomery, City of.......................................113 Mooney, Anna........................................................... 116 Morgan Center Business Park...........................55 Motor Intelligence............................................13 MotorTrend Magazine......................................17 Mouton, Michael..........................................................55 Mspark Inc.........................................................7 Murphy, Mallory........................................................ 116 Musgrove Whitwell Law.................................101 Muskogee Technology......................................97 Myers Companies.............................................12 Myers, Mike............................................................... 116 NAI Chase Commercial....................................116 NASA..................................................... 8, 55, 97 NASCAR...........................................................55 National Association of Counties.....................104 National Association of Realtors..........................7 National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity........................113 National Decorations .......................................98 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases......................................................55 National Institutes of Health.............................55 National Inventors Hall of Fame................ 55, 114 National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico....................................11 National Park Service........................................55 National Retail Federations America..................55 National Security Council..................................55 National Steel Car.............................................11 Nature Conservancy, The...................................10 Navistar International Corp...............................11 Neeleman, David............................................................9 New York Times................................................55 Nextec, Birmingham.........................................55 Nicholas, Jess............................................................ 104 North Baldwin Infirmary................................113 North Huntsville Industrial Park.......................20 Northrop Grumman............................................9 Novak, Margaret........................................................ 116 NRTC Automation.............................................27 Nucor Corp.......................................................55 O’Charley’s Inc.................................................10 O’Neal, Bridget.......................................................... 116 Ochsner Choctaw General Hospital..................101 Ochsner Health System...................................101 Old Courthouse Museum, Monroeville............112 On the Hill, Grove Hill.....................................109 Origis Energy...................................................97 Orion Amphitheatre, Huntsville........................55 Owa Parks & Resort, Foley........................... 55, 97 Owens Lumber Co.............................................97 Oxmoor House.................................................55 Packaging Corp. of America............89, 97, 98, 104 Pants Store, Leeds..............................................8 Parker & Son Inc......................................... 97, 98 Patagonia Inc...................................................10 Patrick Henry State Junior College..................104 Payne, Mike............................................................... 116 PCI Aviation.....................................................97 PCI Gaming....................................................104 Pelfrey, Joseph...............................................................8 Pepper Place Farmers Market............................55 Perdido River Farms.........................................97 Phillips, Gabrielle.........................................................55 Phillips, Willie..............................................................55 Pickering, Jason............................................................40 Pizza Today....................................................113 Pleasant Home School....................................104 Poarch Band of Creek Indians..............10, 11, 55, 97, 104, 109 Poarch Creek Pow Wow...................................112 Pocus, Michael..............................................................55 Pocus, Nathan...............................................................55 Ponder, Tim...................................................................27 Port of San Diego, California.............................10 Posey, Scott...................................................................17 Post Office Pies.................................................10 Poth, Karen...................................................................11 Pride of Atmore..............................................109 Pritchett-Moore................................................55 Progressive Farmer Magazine...........................55 Progressive Health System.............................101 Provalus/Optimi LLC................................... 97, 98 Puckett, Jason...............................................................20 Rane, James W.............................................................55 Raytheon Technologies.....................................55 Reagan Consulting Group.................................55 Reagan, Pres. Ronald....................................................55 Redstone Arsenal....................................... 10, 55 Redstone Federal Credit Union..........................55 Regional Financial............................................55 Regions Bank........................................... 10, 113 Reid State Technical College.................... 104, 107 Reid, Mitch...................................................................10 Repton, City of...............................................109 Retirement Systems of Alabama.......................11 Richardson, Lynne..................................................... 116

118 | BusinessAlabama.com March 2024

Ridenhour, Jamie...................................................... 116 Riley, Gov. Bob........................................................... 104 Roark, Bill.....................................................................55 Roberts, Butch................................................................9 Robins & Morton..............................................10 Robinson, Brandon.................................................... 116 Rocket Shoals LLC............................................11 Rogers, Max............................................................... 101 Roland Cooper State Park................................112 Rotary International.......................................104 Rowe, David..................................................................11 Ruby Corner, The, Butler.................................109 Rush Health Systems......................................101 Rushton Stakely.................................................9 Russell Lands...................................................55 RxBenefits.....................................................116 Ryan, Jennifer..............................................................55 Sales, Rosalyn........................................ 89, 97, 104, 109 Salvation Army.................................................49 Sam’s Club/Sam’s West Inc................................55 Samford University.................................. 55, 104 Samsung Electronics.........................................97 Sanders Trust...................................................10 Savage-Jones, Sarah.....................................................55 Scarbrough, Kathy........................................................49 Scotch Lumber/Plywood....................... 89, 97, 98 Securance Group, The......................................104 Seek Publishing...............................................55 Selma Area Food Bank....................................104 Selma Times-Journal........................................55 Sentar Inc.........................................................55 Sepulga River Canoe Trail...............................112 Sewell, Rep. Terri..........................................................55 Sheffield, Bailey........................................................ 116 SK On.................................................................9 SkyWarrior Flight Support Inc...........................97 Slice Pizza & Brew...........................................113 Small Box, The, Monroeville............................109 SmartBank/Smart Financial Inc...........................9 Smith, David.................................................................55 Smith, Jennifer.............................................................55 Snow, Josh......................................................................8 Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening.............................9 South Highland Presbyterian Church..............114 Southeast Health Medical Group.....................116 Southeast Regional Fly-In...............................112 Southeastern Conference....................................7 Southern Business & Development.................113 Southern Foodways Alliance.............................55 Southern Living Magazine................................55 Southern Progress............................................55 Southern Research..................................... 10, 13 Southwest Alabama Regional Airport................97 Southwest Alabama Regional Rural Development Initiative.....................104 Speedway LLC....................................................7 Spring Hill College...........................................55 Square Cup, The, Grove Hill.............................109 St. John, Finis IV.............................................................8 Stanford University..........................................55 Stanton, Tom.................................................................55 Steen, Ronn............................................................... 116 Stella Source....................................................55 Stephens, Michael..................................................... 116 Sterling Packaging...........................................97 Stillman College...............................................55 Stinson, Sonya........................................................... 104 Stitt Restaurant Group......................................55 Stitt, Frank.....................................................................55 Stitt, Pardis....................................................................55 Strand Theatre and Encore, Atmore..................109 Stubbs, Roy................................................................ 116 Superior Bank................................................104 Swift Lumber....................................... 89, 97, 98 T.R. Miller High School, Brewton.......................55 T.R. Miller Mill Co................................. 89, 97, 98 Tanner, Douglas......................................................... 104 Target Brands Inc................................................7 Taylor, Daryl....................................................................9 Tec-Masters........................................................8 Techstars............................................................9 Teledyne Brown.................................................8 Tenet Healthcare..............................................55 Tenex Corp.......................................................98 Tesla Inc................................................... 43, 109 TG&Y Inc.........................................................104 Thomas Accounting and Income Tax Service.......55 Thomas E. McMillan Museum..........................112 Thomas Jefferson University.............................55 Thomas, Daryl...............................................................55 Thomasville Career Readiness Center and Public Library............. 89, 104, 109 Thomasville Chamber of Commerce................104 Thomasville Regional Medical Center..............101 Thomasville, City of.....................89, 97, 104, 109 Thompson Burton..........................................116 Thornton, Frances Anderson...................................... 114 Thornton, George P.................................................... 114 Thornton, Tim...............................................................23

Tian, Yuan.....................................................................55 Time Inc...........................................................55 Time Warner Media & Communications Group...55 To Kill a Mockingbird......................................112 Toray Composite Materials America...................12 Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama......... 13, 20 Toyota Motor North American...........................20 Toyota Tsusho America Inc.................................20 Tquila Automation...........................................55 Transcrypt International...................................55 Trawick International.....................................116 Troy Regional Medical Center..........................116 Troy University...............................................104 Truist Financial.................................................10 Trussville Tribune.............................................55 Turner, George........................................................... 113 TurnerBatson Architects PC.............................113 Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority.................................9 Tuscumbia, City of..........................................113 Tuskegee University.........................................55 U.S. Air Force................................................9, 55 U.S. Army................................................. 55, 104 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers............................10 U.S. Chamber of Commerce...............................55 U.S. Department of Agriculture................. 55, 109 U.S. Department of Defense..............................55 U.S. Department of Defense..............................12 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development...............................................55 U.S. Department of Transportation....................55 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency... 20, 89, 97 U.S. Marshal Service.......................................104 U.S. Military Academy.......................................55 U.S. Navy.........................................................55 U.S. Patent Office............................................114 U.S. Small Business Administration...................55 U.S. Space & Rocket Center..................................7 Uniform Certified Public Accountants Examination...........................116 United Airlines...................................................9 United Auto Workers.............................. 7, 13, 43 United Cerebral Palsy.......................................55 United Fund of Brewton and East Brewton.......104 United Negro College Fund...............................49 University of Alabama.......................7, 9, 55, 104 University of Alabama at Birmingham......................... 8, 11, 49, 55, 104 University of Alabama in Huntsville.. 55, 113, 116 University of Alabama System.................... 8, 116 University of Indiana........................................55 University of Montevallo.......................... 55, 116 University of North Alabama.............................55 University of South Alabama............. 55, 104, 116 University of Southern Mississippi....................55 University of West Florida...............................104 USA Health............................................... 55, 116 USA Health Children’s and Women’s Hospital....55 USA Health Providence Hospital................ 55, 116 USA Health University Hospital.....................8, 55 Vanguard Pacific..............................................55 Vanity Fair Corp................................................92 Veritas Baptist College...................................104 Veterans Park, Monroeville.............................109 VivoSphere LLC............................................9, 55 Volkswagen AG..................................................9 Wal-Mart Stores Inc.........................................104 Walker, Greer..................................................................8 Wallace Community College-Dothan....... 113, 116 Warren Averett.................................................11 Washington College.........................................55 Washington University, St. Louis.......................55 Waters, Alice.................................................................55 Watts, Ray.....................................................................55 Webster University...........................................55 West Alabama Highway...................... 89, 97, 109 West Escambia Utilities...................................109 Westervelt Co....................................... 89, 97, 98 Westwater Resources....................................9, 13 Weyerhaeuser Co....................................... 97, 98 Whitaker, Lamar...........................................................38 Whitwell, Quentin..................................................... 101 Wicker Point Golf Club at Russell Lands.............55 Wilbanks, Ashley..........................................................49 Wildlife Habitat Council.............................. 20, 40 Wilson, Sabrina......................................................... 109 Wind Creek Atmore Casino and Hotel........ 89, 112 Wind Creek Hospitality............................... 97, 98 Winston County Arts Council.............................55 Wiregrass Construction......................................8 Wood, Ross........................................................ 104, 109 Woodlawn United............................................49 World Games 2022...........................................55 Wright, Derek............................................................ 109 Wright, Haig II..............................................................55 Wright, Robin...............................................................55 WRM Group.....................................................55 Wynn, Patrick................................................................55 Xu, Gabe.................................................................... 116 Zack Rogers Park, Butler.................................109

Historic Alabama

EIGHTY-THREE YEARS AND STILL STANDING… Dedicated in December 1940, the Benjamin Fitzpatrick Bridge over the Tallapoosa River in Tallassee, Elmore County, is one of the longest curved bridges in the country. In this photo from the 1950s, you can also see Thurlow Dam, built by Alabama Power in 1931. The bridge is undergoing painting and maintenance that started last year and should be completed sometime in 2024. The bridge was built for $600,000, and the contract for the maintenance is $3.5 million. Photo courtesy of the Alabama Department of Archives & History.

Do you have a photo you’d like us to consider for Historic Alabama? Send it to Erica West at ewest@pmtpublishing.com.

Alabiz Quiz

Challenge yourself with these puzzlers from past issues of Business Alabama magazine. If you feel pretty confident, send your answers via email to ewest@pmtpublishing.com or, beginning March 20, work the quiz online and check your answers at businessalabama.com.

March 2024:

March 2023 (one year ago):

March 2014 (10 years ago):

Q: Every March we present an update on our state’s auto industry. Which of these is not an accurate picture of this burgeoning industrial sector?

Q: One of Alabama’s biggest cities set a record for capital investment from businesses, totaling $1.7 billion and led by a new beverage park estimated at $600 million. Which city?

Q: The Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks Alabama third in the South Atlantic and East South Central region, after West Virginia and Kentucky, for what metric? Hint: It’s 11.7%.

A) Birmingham B) Huntsville C) Mobile D) Montgomery

A) Coal production B) College graduates C) Rural population D) Union membership

A) Alabama can produce 1.3 million vehicles a year.

B) Most automotive workers in Alabama are members of United Auto Workers.

C) Direct employment is nearly 50,000.

D) Transportation equipment is the state’s top export category.

February 2024 (one month ago): Q: We noted Nick Saban’s retirement as University of Alabama football coach. Earlier he coached at LSU and at an NFL team. Which team?

A) Chicago Bears B) Miami Dolphins C) New Orleans Saints D) San Francisco 49ers

March 2019 (five years ago): Q: As business and government leaders signed the beam that would top the second Airbus final assembly line, Mobile looked forward to being the fourth-largest aircraft producing city in the world.

Which cities top the list?

A) Los Angeles, California; St. Louis, Missouri; and Seattle, Washington B) Shanghai, China; Seattle, Washington; and Mexico City C) Toulouse, France; Hamburg, Germany; and Seattle, Washington D) Toulouse, France; London, England; and Los Angeles, California

March 1999 (25 years ago): Q: Morgan County was in the spotlight. It had topped the state for industrial investment in 1997, winning a $450 million project for Decatur that had been sought by cities across the nation. Which project? Hint: it’s still there but with a different name after opting into a joint venture.

A) Airbus aircraft plant B) Boeing rocket plant C) Mercedes-Benz auto plant D) ThyssenKrupp steel plant

Answers from February: C, D, A, B, B, C March 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 119