Business Alabama - November 2024

NOV 2024

15 AIRLINE PIPELINE COMMUNITIES BUILDS 51 DANIEL PRIVATE CLUB COMMUNITIES ON CULLMAN, 75 SPOTLIGHT WALKER & WINSTON

GOING

NUCLEAR TVA PRESIDENT AND CEO JEFF LYASH CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF GENERATING POWER AT BROWNS FERRY

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Volume 39 / Number 11

NOVEMBER 2024

CONTENTS

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Features 15

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A partnership between Southern Union State Community College and Auburn University is preparing students to be airplane mechanics.

Photo by Stew Milne.

HIGHER EDUCATION KEEPING PLANES ALOFT Southern Union goes to Auburn to train aircraft mechanics BRIDGING THE GAP Skills for Success brings training to businesses and workers across the state

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NEW PROGRAMS AT ALABAMA UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES A look at six new educational offerings around the state

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UTILITIES POWER FOR THE PEOPLE Alabama’s nuclear plants — Browns Ferry at 50 with Farley close behind — continue to supply major share of state’s electricity needs

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COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE IS ANYBODY BACK IN THE OFFICE? Remote work continues to impact today’s commercial real estate market BUILDING COMMUNITIES Daniel Communities specializes in private club residential developments RETROSPECT DOWN AT ELMORE’S FIVE & DIME The Alabama-born chain found great success

On the Cover: Jeff Lyash, Tennessee Valley Authority president and CEO, says the company is a strong advocate for nuclear energy, with investments in Browns Ferry — at 50 years old — being a reflection of that commitment.

40 40: State’s nuclear plants churning out energy.

75: The beauty of Cullman, Walker and Winston counties.

97: Alabama’s V.J. Elmore stores found great success.

TOP RANK 20 PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES 28 PUBLIC TWO-YEAR COLLEGES 34 INDEPENDENT COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES 44 COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE FIRMS

Departments

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GEOGRAPHIC SPOTLIGHT 75 CULLMAN, WALKER & WINSTON COUNTIES SPECIAL SECTIONS 37 EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATORS 55 BUSINESS COUNCIL OF ALABAMA 60 ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS

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BENCHMARKS: MONTHLY BUSINESS NEWS BRIEFING 99 CAREER NOTES: WHO’S MOVING UP 100 BA INDEX: HUNDREDS OF LEADS EACH MONTH 102 COMPANY KUDOS: A MONTH OF ACHIEVEMENTS 103 HISTORIC ALABAMA: A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE 103 ALABIZ QUIZ: TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 5

NOVEMBER 2024 BusinessAlabama.com Volume 39 / Number 11

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Benchmarks

First Solar opens $1.1B plant in Lawrence County Arizona-based FIRST SOLAR INC. has opened its $1.1 billion thin-film solar manufacturing plant in Lawrence County.

The plant is expected to employ 800 workers and create panels able to generate 3.5 gigawatts of vertically integrated solar manufacturing capacity.

“This represents a great day for First Solar and for Lawrence County because this production facility is destined to become a major player in the U.S. renewable energy market,” said Gov. Kay Ivey. “Moreover, the Alabama workers at this facility will help break the nation’s dependence on foreign-made solar panels and contribute to our energy independence.”

First Solar has three plants in Ohio and is building another, set to open next year, in Louisiana.

“This is the first of two fully vertically integrated solar manufacturing facilities that solidify the role of the Gulf Coast states in enabling America’s all-of-the-above energy strategy,” said Mark Widmar, CEO of First Solar. “This energy technology manufacturing facility produces American solar panels, with American-made components sourced from a supply chain that spans the country. The hundreds of people that operate this facility represent the next generation of American energy workers and are joined by thousands more steelworkers, glassworkers, miners, truck drivers, railroad workers, and others that enable our mission to support our country’s energy security.”

The plant converts sheets of glass into thin-film solar panels.

First Solar describes it this way: “The Alabama facility’s entire solar value chain – equivalent to transformation from semiconductor to wafer to cell to module – operates under one roof, using one tightly controlled process with rigorous quality assurance and

B U S I N E S S

B R I E F S

CLOSED THEN OPEN The Alabama State Port in Mobile — like the rest of Atlantic and Gulf Coast seaports — was closed for a few days at the start of October by a longshoremen’s strike. The workers and owners reached a tentative wage deal and called off the strike at least until January.

General Motors to look into collaborating. Those collaborations could be in areas such as vehicles and electric and hydrogen technologies, among others.

WELL REGARDED American Banker, the financial publication, has listed Regions Bank No. 2 on its list of top 20 banks in the U.S. ranked by reputation. USAA Bank ranked at the top of the list.

AUTO TWO-FER Hyundai, the South Korean automaker that has a plant in Montgomery, has entered into an agreement with

PEANUT PROSPER Josh Clevenger and other researchers at Huntsville’s HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology are working on projects to protect peanut crops from disease — a project funded by treat maker Mars Wrigley.

CASINO COURT CLASH Alabama’s Poarch Creek Indians and Oklahoma’s Muscogee (Creek) Nation squared off in federal appeals court in Atlanta in late September in a dispute over the site of the Poarch Creek’s casino in Wetumpka — a

8 | BusinessAlabama.com November 2024

control.”

In addition, the plant will use “Alabama-sourced steel, smelted, rolled and fabricated within a First Solar’s solar panel plant is expected to 25-mile radius employ 800 workers making thin-film solar of the facility,” panels.

First Solar said in announcing the plant opening.

The company notes especially that it is bringing solar manufacturing to the U.S. from China. “First Solar is unique among the world’s largest solar manufacturers because it is the only U.S.-headquartered company and does not manufacture in China. The company’s operational manufacturing footprint in Ohio and Alabama and Louisiana represent over $4 billion in U.S. manufacturing investments,” the company says.

“First Solar’s $1.1 billion manufacturing facility in Lawrence County is likely the largest investment project ever undertaken in one of our rural counties, demonstrating that our rural communities are prepared to meet any challenge,” said Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair. “This is also a highly positive development for Alabama’s expanding green energy sector and strengthens our state’s growing leadership in the U.S. clean energy industry. 

site regarded as sacred ground by the Muscogee group.

SMALL BIZ BOOST Goldman Sachs has pledged $3 million to boost small businesses in Alabama as part of the financial firm’s Investment in Rural Communities initiative.

NEW ON CAMPUS Alabama State University has unveiled plans for two new student housing buildings and a student activity center on the school’s Montgomery campus.

The Alabama Center for the Arts in Decatur has announced plans for a $15 million Academy for Music and Movement.

Coastal Alabama Community College has announced plans for a $3.2 million investment in multiple upgrades on the

school’s Brewton campus. In September, the University of Alabama at Birmingham cut the ribbon on a Student Assembly Building, which will be home to all recognized student organizations.

BOOSTING EAST Officials from throughout Eastern Alabama met at Talladega Superspeedway in late September to celebrate the launch of the new economic development partnership One East Alabama, which includes nine counties.

BIGGER & BETTER Builders Supply Co., a familyowned business in Fort Payne, has broken ground for a $10.6 million expansion, with plans to make concrete blocks.

BENCHMARKS

Thomasville hospital closes for the time being The nearly brand-new THOMASVILLE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER has closed. Residents found a hand-written sign on the door.

And on the City of Thomasville’s Facebook page, a notice from the company running the hospital: “Due to staffing shortages, TRMC will be closed until further notice.”

Residents were advised to go to hospitals in Grove Hill, Camden or Butler for needed care.

The city scheduled a meeting of stakeholders two days after the abrupt shutdown, but the ownership group did not attend.

Mayor Sheldon Day responded quickly: “My thoughts and prayers go out to the awesome staff at TRMC. They have been through more than anyone can imagine yet performed their jobs with great professionalism and character. None of the circumstances currently being faced by TRMC are a result of the performance of their duties.”

Day followed up on Facebook.

“We were informed a little over two weeks ago that cash was short,” the Facebook post says. “That has happened more than two dozen times over the last two years and the owners always found a way to close the gap. This time they didn’t. Our TRMC employees did not get paid on time last week and some of them had checks bounce. They were also told by ownership on Friday there was a good chance they might not get paid on time next week. The ER doctors did not get paid this week either. The City Healthcare Authority (HCA) offered a short-term loan to assist TRMC until expected funds come in over the next couple of weeks to pay us back, but the authority insisted on a personal guarantee by the owner to pay them back.”

B U S I N E S S

B R I E F S

Silver Ships is expanding into a second location in Theodore, adding 16,500 square feet of manufacturing space and creating 18,500 square feet more for outfitting ships at the company’s original site. Total Quality Logistics has opened an additional office in Huntsville.

The firm already has operations in Mobile and Birmingham.

move forward with a planned surgery and diagnostics center in the Riverchase Office Park from Alabama’s Certificate of Need Review Board.

BIG-TIME ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Cornell Wesley, director of innovation and economic opportunity for the city of Birmingham, has been named to the board of the International Economic Development Council.

HOOVER HEALTH The Hoover Health Care Authority has won approval to

MAJOR PLAYER Commercial construction had a $17.2 billion impact on Alabama’s economy in 2021, up more than $2 billion from 2015, and equal to 6.7% of the state’s GDP, according to a study by Keivan Deravi and conducted on behalf of Associated Builders and Contractors of Alabama.

COMMERCIAL CATALYST Officials at the Alabama Department of Commerce have created a new economic development plan named Catalyst. They presented it to Gov. Kay Ivey at the first of October.

The post presents additional background: “The owner told the TRMC employees and myself over the last few weeks there was a $20 million loan that had been approved or pending approval for Tenor Group (who is currently under contract to operate the hospital) to purchase TRMC and if the employees would hang on, things would be in good shape soon.

We verified this week Thomasville Regional the loan has not been Medical Center opened in 2020. applied for yet.”

Day says that the current management firm and others are interested in purchasing the hospital and that the city and its health care authority will be meeting with them as soon as possible.

TRMC opened in 2020 and has struggled from the first, because it missed out on federal funding that supported hospitals that were financially damaged by COVID-19.

Day told the City Council that he has received several calls from potential new owners.

GENEROUS Mobile business leader Elliot Maisel has presented a gift of $5 million to the University of South Alabama to support construction of the new medical school building.

MORE FUN Rainbow City has broken ground for a recreation center to house indoor and outdoor recreation facilities. Goodwyn Mills Cawood is architect for the project; DominguezPersons is general contractor.

HOSPITAL DEAL Birmingham-based Medical Properties Trust has reached a deal with Steward Health Care System, which filed for bankruptcy in May, to restore MPT’s control over its real estate and sever its relationship with

the troubled Steward chain. The settlement involves 23 hospitals previously operated by Steward.

SPACE SCHOOL Officials broke ground on the Challenger Learning Center in Rainbow City in Etowah County.

The facility will offer a space simulator and learning center for middle- and high-school students.

TENNIS, ANYONE? The Tuscaloosa Tennis Center is about to get a $9.9 million makeover. Hall-Taylor Construction group will be building 17 new tennis courts, a new concession/bathroom building and more.

November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 9

BENCHMARKS

Auto supplier Iljin investing $100M in Auburn

ILJIN, a leading automotive and industrial bearings and chassis

manufacturer, is investing nearly $100 million in a new operation in Auburn. The plant is expected to employ 160 people, allowing the company to expand into the aluminum forging market.

This is the company’s second facility in the state. It also has a wheel bearing facility in Phenix City.

“ILJIN’s decision to locate its next facility in Auburn is great news for Alabama,” said Gov. Kay Ivey. “Alabama is already the fifth largest vehicle producer in the U.S., and it’s wonderful to see how we are continuing to expand and deepen our automotive supplier base, creating lasting jobs throughout Alabama.”

B U S I N E S S

B R I E F S

POWERING UP Wallace State Community College in Hanceville has launched Powerful Partnerships, teaming the college with area businesses to help the businesses find workers and students learn skills needed in the area.

engineering and another working to improve knee surgery techniques.

BRANCHING OUT Talladega-based First Bank of Alabama broke ground for a branch in Childersburg, its 14th branch.

HATCHING OUT Hatch Fairhope, one of the state’s newest incubators, has graduated its first companies from the Powered by Bessel program. The tech company graduates included one engaged in DNA nanoparticle

CONTRACTS Huntsville’s Teledyne Brown Engineering has been awarded a $476 million contract to provide Earth observation data and related services for NASA. Austal USA has been awarded a $450 million contract from General Dynamics Electric Boat to expand its submarine module construction capabilities, a project that will add about 1,000 jobs. Madison’s International Enterprises, part of Elbit America Inc., has been awarded an $89 million contract to develop heads-up displays for F-16 Air Force jets. Work will be performed in Madison.

Russellville’s G&G Steel has

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Founded in 1973, ILJIN supplies control arms, stabilizer links, ball joints and other components to major auto manufacturers.

“We have found the U.S., and in particular the state of Alabama, to be the most productive, the most competitive and the highest yielding of all our recent investments,” said DS Lee, ILJIN chairman.

ILJIN has long used steel forging in its manufacturing process, but with the Auburn facility plans to begin producing forged aluminum control arms for several U.S. customers. The transition to aluminum will produce stronger and lighter components. The forgings out of Auburn will be sent to the company’s Greer, South Carolina, operation for final processing.

“By combining our in-house forging capabilities with world-class technology, we’ll be able to produce the highest quality and lowest cost aluminum forgings for our customers,” said John Dix, president of ILJIN USA. ILJIN’s new operation will be established in an existing building in Auburn Technology Park North.

Auburn Mayor Ron Anders said, “We will continue to support and partner with ILJIN to ensure the company’s success here in Auburn. Thanks to our close collaboration with Auburn University and Southern Union State Community College, I am confident that ILJIN will find the talent it needs to run a sophisticated operation in our community.”

been awarded an $18 million U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contract for replacement miter gates. Work will be performed in Russellville. Auburn-based Intramicron Inc. has been awarded a $7.6 million contract for high-power battery modules for the Office of Naval Research and work will be performed in Auburn. Huntsville firm Agile Decision Sciences has been awarded an $8.7 million contract for cybersecurity support services for the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, and Huntsville firm Sigmatech has been awarded a $14.8 million contract for technical, analytical and administrative support services for the Army. Work on both the Huntsville firms’ contracts will be performed in

Virginia. Huntsville’s Sentar Inc. has been awarded a Defense Logistics Agency contract to develop better cybersecurity for digital twins, which are virtual representations of physical machines.

KICK OFF THREE Vehicle garage equipment maker BendPak has broken ground for its third facility in Mobile. The West Coast company selected Mobile to expedite deliveries to eastern U.S. customers.

NOT SO FAST, JACK In mid-September, Jack Hawkins Jr. announced plans to retire from his role as chancellor at Troy University. Days later, in response to a request from the Troy board, he reversed that

BENCHMARKS

Birmingham-Southern campus sold to Miles MILES COLLEGE and BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN COLLEGE have signed an agreement for Miles to purchase

BSC’s 192-acre campus. BSC ceased normal operations at the end of May due to financial issues. The purchase price for the campus was not available.

Miles is a Historically Black College founded in 1898 and based in Fairfield that generates nearly $70 million in total economic impact for its local and regional economies, according to a 2024 HBCU Economic Impact Report from the United Negro College Fund.

“For generations, Miles College has been a cornerBirmingham-Southern College President Daniel Coleman and Miles College President Bobbie Knight at the signing of a purchase stone of progress in our community,” said Miles Presiagreement for the Birmingham-Southern campus. dent Bobbie Knight. “This opportunity is a significant next step in our vision to lift our college, campus and community.” and curating our next chapter to provide tools and resources for Miles is strengthening its research and innovation developour students to have the highest possible opportunity to succeed. ment. The National Science Foundation recently announced that While at the same time, we are positioning our professors and Miles will lead a $3 million collaborative grant with Howard Unistakeholders to drive research and innovation that will lead to versity, Tennessee State University, Morgan State University and transformative products and services. We have secured partners Winston Salem University. Miles also launched the 2150 Center to join us in creating a consortium for Centers for Excellence and for Innovation, Commercialization & Growth earlier this week we are pursuing partnerships including with the city of Birmingwith local and national entrepreneurs and corporate partners. ham to frame the best possible outcomes for all involved.”

“The purchase agreement is for the physical property — Once the sale is complete, BSC will work with the attorney acreage and buildings — but not the college itself,” said BSC general’s office to develop a proposed plan for the college President Daniel Coleman. “BSC will continue to operate as a endowment and will then seek court approval of that plan as corporate entity through the remainder of the wind-down, which is required by state law. “We expect that process to take many includes wrapping up a range of business matters.” months or even years to complete, and we will communicate with Knight added, “We are carefully and thoughtfully constructing our endowment contacts once we know more,” said Coleman. 

B U S I N E S S

B R I E F S

decision, opting to stay on at the school he’s led for more than 35 years.

NEW OWNERSHIP Birmingham-based commercial door and hardware supplier Mullins Building Products has been acquired by North Carolina-based Cook & Boardman Group. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

FUN FUNDING Communications firm T-Mobile has awarded a $50,000 grant to help build a playground and improve accessible parking at the Grainger Community Counseling and Wellness Clinic in Montevallo.

SHIPYARD SHUFFLE In a series of funding deals that led to increased submarine module work at Austal USA, the firm is moving the new operations to the Alabama Shipyard site adjacent to it. The Alabama Shipyard property will be renamed Mobile Naval Yard and be owned by the CapZone fund that financed the deal.

BYE-BYE BREW Ghost Train Brewing, which announced a temporary closing in the spring, has now filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

BIO BOOST Endomimetics, a startup biotech firm launched through the University of Alabama at Birmingham, has been awarded a $2.8 million small business innovation research grant to develop new coatings

to make aneurysm repairs more successful.

NEW DIGS Capstone Building Corp. has completed work on the 250-apartment Arcadia complex, a $56.8 million project within Cummings Research Park. Williams Blackstock Architects designed the complex and Design Environments handled interior design. Retail Specialists was also a project partner. Also, residents can move into the Southtown Family at Edgehill site beginning Oct. 1. The city of Birmingham celebrated the opening with a ribbon cutting in late September.

SEWER FUNDS The town of Ardmore,

which straddles the AlabamaTennessee state line, has received $22 million in federal and state funding, from both states, to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant.

NEW AT THE TOP Jarrod Johnson has been named CEO of UAB Callahan Eye. Keith Phillips has been named interim president at Wallace Community College in Dothan.

HAIL AND FAREWELL Priscilla P. Dunn, a long-time educator and principal in the Jefferson County schools, who served in the state House of Representatives from 1998 to 2009 and the State Senate from 2009 to 2022, died in midSeptember.

November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 11

BENCHMARKS

Toyota employees gathered to celebrate the company’s 10 millionth engine.

Toyota celebrates 10 millionth engine

An i-Force MAX 2.4-liter engine for an all-new hybrid Tacoma was assembled at TOYOTA ALABAMA, marking the Huntsville plant’s 10 millionth engine.

Toyota Alabama first broke ground in 2001 and now assembles a third of all Toyota engines in North America. Its

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2,000 team members assemble upwards of 777,000 engines a year.

“We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone and look forward to seeing where the next 10 million engines will take us,” said Jason Puckett, president of Toyota Alabama.

The plant has been in a constant growth mode since opening, with the latest $282 million expansion announced in June that will add 350 jobs.

“When the plant opened only one production line more than 20 years ago, I was a part of the team that helped start engine production in Alabama,” said Brandon French, senior manager of production at Toyota Alabama. “Since starting on the production line, Toyota has challenged me to learn many different roles.”

Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair said, “Hitting the 10 millionth engine milestone is a testament to the strength and dedication of Toyota Alabama’s team and their significant contribution to our state’s thriving automotive sector.”

Toyota Alabama currently supplies engines to seven Toyota vehicle plants in North America. The engines power the Corolla, Highlander, RAV4, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, as well as the Corolla Cross, which is assembled at the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA plant in Huntsville. 

BENCHMARKS

Montgomery auto supplier firm opens additional plant

Mobis representatives were joined by state and local leaders, construction firms and developers to begin the construction phase of a $52 million expansion of the company. Photo courtesy of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce.

HYUNDAI MOBIS has broken ground

on a $52 million, 460,000-square-foot facility in Montgomery to serve the aftermarket parts needs for Hyundai and Kia’s national dealer networks.

The expansion is expected to add 27 jobs, with an average wage of more than $28 an hour. Mobis, which has a plant already in Montgomery, already employs more than 1,500 people.

“Investments by existing industries is the highest compliment we can receive, and Mobis has demonstrated its commitment by reinvesting in this facility. Over the past 20 years, partnerships and relationships have been the foundation of our success. Connecting and supporting our

existing industries ensures they continue to grow and thrive,” said Anna Buckalew, president and CEO of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce.

Graham & Co. Development, in partnership with Cooper Construction, Five South Architecture, Graham Capital and the Montgomery Chamber, held a groundbreaking in October to begin the

construction phase of the expansion. In attendance were state and local leaders, company representatives and employees.

Mobis is the largest tier 1 supplier to both Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and Kia Motor Manufacturing Georgia. Hyundai Mobis’ investment in Montgomery since 2002 is more than $475 million.

November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 13

HIGHER EDUCATION

KEEPING PLANES ALOFT Southern Union goes to Auburn to train aircraft mechanics

By KATHY HAGOOD — Photos by STEW MILNE Working together to train aircraft mechanics are, from left, Todd Shackett, president of Southern Union State Community College; Bill Hutto, executive director of Auburn’s airport; and James Birdsong, interim director of Auburn’s School of Aviation.

November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 15

H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N

The Auburn University Regional Airport will soon be home to a new hangar to be used for Southern Union’s aviation maintenance program.

S

outhern Union State Community College’s new two-year aviation maintenance program has gotten a major boost thanks to a new memorandum of agreement with Auburn University and state funding toward a $4.1 million teaching hangar to be built at Auburn University Regional Airport.

Todd Shackett President of SUSCC

The program offers interested students the opportunity to enter a career field that’s in demand and pays well, says Todd Shackett, president of SUSCC. Potential employers in Alabama alone include Airbus, GE Aviation, Fort Novosel, airports and commercial airlines. “Starting salaries for those who complete a two-year aviation maintenance technology degree

{

16 | BusinessAlabama.com November 2024

(and pass FAA tests) typically range from $75,000 to $80,000, with salaries rising to six figures within five years,” he says.

“It’s a healthy living.”

Becoming an aircraft mechanic might not appeal to some with “book smarts” who like to study and take tests, Shackett says, but it could be a perfect for those more hands-on, who have a keen interest

“Starting salaries for those who complete a two-year aviation maintenance technology degree (and pass FAA tests) typically range from $75,000 to $80,000, with salaries rising to six figures within five years. It’s a healthy living.

H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N

Boeing projects there will be a need for 123,000 technicians for commercial airline carriers in North America by 2042.

and ability to figure out what to do when something breaks. “Plus, the cost for a two-year degree ranges from about $12,000 to $15,000, much less than tuition at a university,” he says.

The aviation industry demand for both technicians and pilots is growing in part because the pipeline for aviation industry workers was negatively affected by the

James Birdsong Interim director of the School of Aviation at Auburn

events of Sept. 11, 2001, says James Birdsong, the interim director of the School of Aviation at Auburn. “After 9/ll, there was less travel so there was less demand,” he says. “It’s been called a lost decade.

Now there’s lots of opportunity. Many current technicians are in their 40s and 50s already, and now a new generation is coming in.”

The 2024 Boeing Technician Outlook projects there will be a need for 123,000 technicians for commercial carriers in North America over the 20 years ending 2042 and a demand for 716,000 technicians globally.

Auburn aviation leaders, including recently retired Aviation Director James Witte, were instrumental in helping kick

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“After 9/ll, there was less travel so there was less demand. It’s been called a lost decade. Now there’s lots of opportunity.

Many current technicians are in their 40s and 50s already, and now a new generation is coming in.”

November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 17

H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N

off the aviation maintenance program, Shackett says. “Auburn approached us four or five years ago about the growing need for aircraft technicians,” he says. “For every pilot you need five or six maintenance technicians, and no local school was producing them. Here we have a major airport with the potential of students interacting with experienced technicians.”

The relatively new SUSCC program started small last fall and has a waiting list, Shackett says. The first year, an initial 24 students attended the college’s Opelika campus and now are in classes held at the Valley campus. A second group of 24 students started this fall at the Opelika campus.

The program is designed to prepare students to be able to repair, service and maintain all components of aircraft except avionics and instruments. “We already have hired an additional instructor,” Shackett says. “After the teaching hangar is completed, we will have plenty of space to continue expanding the program.”

The official groundbreaking ceremony for the new hangar, which garnered $3.4 million in state funding, was planned for Oct. 31. Construction is expected to take about one year. “Another plus is that the airport will be able to use the hangar on game weekends when there is an overflow of aircraft,” Shackett says. “There are hundreds of aircraft at the airport on game day. So, there really are three pieces to this partnership.”

The SUSCC hangar, which will be located next to the Auburn Aviation hangar, will expand the aviation campus that is developing, says Bill Hutto, Auburn airport’s executive director. “This is a very exciting program that will benefit the students of Auburn and Southern Union, as well as the community and state, as these students seek employment after graduation,” he says. “Southern Union’s graduates that work for Auburn have the opportunity to take advantage of Auburn’s tuition benefit program to earn a fouryear degree while working full-time. This is a win-win for everyone involved, and the hangar will be a great addition to the airport’s facilities.”

Those who wish to continue their education at Auburn for a bachelor’s degree in

Tuskegee readies to fly Tuskegee University is creating a new flight school, expected to launch in January, thanks in part to $6.7 million in federal funding this year sponsored by Alabama Sen. Katie Britt.

Britt also has sponsored a requested $5.29 million for Tuskegee’s Aviation and AeroTechnology Program for Fiscal Year 2025.

“Tuskegee University is grateful for Sen. Britt’s ongoing support for our aviation program,” said Dr. Mark Brown, president and CEO. “As North America faces a pilot shortage of about 130,000 in the next 20 years, our new degree program will prepare aviators to serve their country through the U.S. Air Force or the commercial aviation industry, which is in need of rebuilding pilot programs to meet the demand.

With our recent SACSCOC (The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges) accreditation approval of the Aviation Science degree with flight training and Sen. Britt’s help, we will once again — as the Tuskegee Airmen did for World War II — help the nation solve its challenge. Tuskegee University remains the only HBCU that provides all military services on campus, preparing a standard of excellence that serves this nation, domestically and abroad.”

aviation management after earning their two-year degree in aviation maintenance can earn even higher salaries, Shackett says. “If parents and students are looking for a four-year degree, that can be an option.”

Auburn’s School of Aviation, one of the nation’s top-rated programs, is located at the airport with the flight program on the west side and administration on the east side, Birdsong says. The flight program has one maintenance hangar for its 50 airplanes next to the Delta Air Lines Aviation Education Building. “We have our own maintenance technicians for those, and the program is expected to increase its fleet to 64 by October 2025.

Our flight program enrollment is up to 800 this year.”

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The new memorandum is an understanding between Auburn and SUSCC that they agree to work together to leverage their strengths, Birdsong says. “The relationship will evolve and change over time, but there is a ton of synergy in the partnership. There’s lots of possibilities in being co-located, including research.”

Birdsong says Auburn’s airport, a federally funded FAA public airport, is also evolving as it continues to upgrade.

“Auburn University bought the airport, which was basically a field, for $375 in 1939,” he says. “We’ve come a long way since then.”

Kathy Hagood and Stew Milne are freelance contributors to Business Alabama. She is based in Homewood and he in Auburn.

November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 19

H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N

Alabama’s Public Universities Ranked by preliminary enrollment for fall 2024.

RANK

compiled by ERICA JOINER WEST

INSTITUTION

ADDRESS

PHONE / WEBSITE

PRESIDENT

PRELIM. FALL 2024

1

University of Alabama

Box 870114, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0114

205-348-6010/ua.edu

Dr. Stuart Bell

41,021 39,623 38,645

2

Auburn University

107 Samford Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849

334-844-4000/auburn.edu

Dr. Christopher Roberts

34,160 33,015 31,764

3

University of Alabama at Birmingham 1720 2nd Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35294

205-934-4011/uab.edu

Dr. Ray Watts

22,369 21,183 21,647

4

University of South Alabama

307 University Blvd. N., Room 130, Mobile, AL 36688

251-460-6101/southalabama.edu

Jo Bonner

14,335 13,768 13,463

5

Troy University

University Ave., Troy, AL 36082-0001

800-414-5756/troy.edu

Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr.

12,267 13,652 13,862

6

University of North Alabama

UNA Box 5004, Florence, AL 35621

256-765-4100/una.edu

Dr. Kenneth Kitts

10,188 10,059

9,830

7

Jacksonville State University

700 Pelham Rd. N., Jacksonville, AL 36265

256-782-5781/jsu.edu

Dr. Don Killingsworth Jr.

9,928

9,672

9,633

8

University of Alabama in Huntsville

301 Sparkman Dr., Huntsville, AL 35899

256-824-1000/uah.edu

Dr. Charles Karr

8,556

8,743

9,237

9

Alabama A&M University

4900 Meridian St., Normal, AL 35762

256-372-5000/aamu.edu

Dr. Daniel Wims

7,445

6,614

6,007

10

University of West Alabama

239 Webb Hall, Livingston, AL 35470

800-621-8044/uwa.edu

Dr. Ken Tucker

5,915

6,195

5,851

11

Auburn University at Montgomery

P.O. Box 244023, Montgomery, AL 36124-4023

334-244-3000/aum.edu

Dr. Carl Stockton

5,220

5,190

5,112

12

Alabama State University

P.O. Box 271, Montgomery, AL 36101

334-229-4100/alasu.edu

Dr. Quinton Ross Jr.

4,052

3,870

3,828

13

University of Montevallo

Station 6001, Montevallo, AL 35115

205-665-6000/montevallo.edu

Dr. John Stewart III

3,142

2,942

2,586

14

Athens State University

300 N. Beaty St., Athens, AL 35611

256-233-8100/athens.edu

Dr. Catherine Wehlburg

2,988

2,955

2,895

FALL 2023

FALL 2022

Source: Alabama Commission on Higher Education

20 | BusinessAlabama.com November 2024

H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N

Partnerships with local businesses, like Covington Electric Cooperative, help bolster workforce programs at community colleges.

BRIDGING THE GAP Skills for Success brings training to businesses and workers across the state

By JENNIFER WILLIAMS

B

usinesses across Alabama have found it increasingly difficult to find and retain skilled workers, a challenge expected to grow even more as older, experienced employees leave the workforce.

But one statewide initiative, part of the state community college system, wants to change that, removing barriers to help match willing workers with companies ready to fill their labor needs.

“The skills gap is here, and it’s nasty,” says Houston Blackwood, workforce

director with Skills for Success, a rapid workforce training program launched through the Innovation Center, a division of the Alabama Community College System that brings together community colleges, business and industry, and community partners.

“When I was in school, everyone was pushed to go to a four-year college. … We just weren’t really even aware of the trade opportunities available,” he says. “So, nobody went into the trades, and here we are 20 years later, with this huge gap.”

And while the Skills for Success program is facilitated through the state community college system, Blackwood says it is open to anyone across the state, from high-school students to older workers wanting to change careers or who simply want to improve their skills for advancement with their current employer.

“We work with industries across the state and ask: What’s your need? What are the skills involved? What do people need to know?” Blackwood explains.

“Then we work with those industries and

November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 23

H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N

companies, and we build each course that we then give to community colleges around the state, and they deliver them in the way it best fits for their particular area. And that’s what makes it magic: we can reach every community, every high school, every person in Alabama — and they all have access to this no-cost training that is built by the very industries that need the workers.”

Yep. No-cost.

The program started just four years

ago, thanks to state legislative appropriations, and already offers 27 courses with another 13-14 in the works. Current offerings range from fiber optics installers and meat cutters to heavy equipment operators and school bus drivers. “There’s really not a sector of the workplace that we don’t touch,” says Blackwood.

Courses are designed to be completed in two parts. After a self-directed, interactive online segment, students then complete a hands-on portion with

24 | BusinessAlabama.com November 2024

TOP: Covington Electric Cooperative has provided a location for training students in Lurleen B. Wallace Community College’s entry level driver training program.

BOTTOM LEFT AND RIGHT: Students of all ages drive equipment as part of Lurleen B. Wallace Community College’s skid steer training program.

instructors at any of the 24 community colleges and technical centers in the state.

Courses can be completed in a few days

or a few weeks, depending on the skill requirements involved, and graduates receive a statewide credential.

And this rapid training is a godsend for many businesses that need workers “yesterday” and workers who may not have the time or resources to complete a degree or certification that takes months or years. “We saw after COVID that the industry can’t wait, people can’t wait for that long to get a job,” says Blackwood.

“So, we created something that’s quick, relevant, accurate and cheap.”

Chad Sutton, director of workforce development for Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in Opp, says the program has been pivotal for rural communities where many residents may not have the awareness about or access to job opportunities.

“A lot of people are just not aware of everything that’s available out there,” he says. “And now we have the opportunity to train people in our community and teach them about these careers by doing hands-on skills. Anytime you can start to develop skills in your community, that’s huge for everybody because that’s really how people become economically free — because of skill development and the opportunities that come from that.”

And the training opportunities being offered were built by industry people, adds Sutton, stressing the importance of that for businesses. “These courses weren’t built by somebody sitting in the office — they were built by people in these industries based on what they need. So, now you have these trainings that get right to the point. They don’t skip anything important, but they make it really relevant for exactly what is needed.”

During the 2023-2024 school year, LBW issues 1,443 workforce training certificates, a 324% increase compared to the previous year. For the Alabama Community College System, a record 1,452 students participated in workforce development training programs.

Businesses across the state are just tuning in to the benefits of the program, and organizers say they are ready to expand into whatever fields need skilled workers.

“It really just starts with that idea,” says Blackwood. “A business can come to us November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 25

H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N

and tell us what skills they really need and we can tailor a program for that business or industry.”

Burleson Pool Co., a company that will celebrate its 60th year in Huntsville in 2025, went from struggling to replace

two retiring CDL drivers to increasing their productivity in less than two years because of Skills for Success.

“We found this program online through Northeast Alabama Community College in Rainsville and we were just

LEFT: At Drake State Community and Technical College workers can get handson experience with the construction trades.

RIGHT: Burleson Pool Co. realized they needed more drivers so the company encouraged some of their employees to earn their CDL licenses.

amazed at what it offered,” says Allison Burleson, the company’s human resources director. “We ended up sending five of our employees over the past year or year and a half and they all got their CDL licenses.”

Burleson says the employees who went through the program really found it to be effective. In particular, they said they appreciated that the course wasn’t too long or drawn-out, which minimized their absence from work, and “they also really liked how immersive the course was and how they got a lot of really good onthe-road experience all throughout North Alabama,” she says.

“Being able to have multiple guys on the road has been a game changer,” she says. “We’ve already seen an increase in the number of pools we’ve been able to finish at one time over the last six months or so — and we can really tell an increase in our efficiency being able to work across several states. It’s a big deal for our small company.”

Jennifer Williams is a Hartselle-based freelance contributor to Business Alabama.

26 | BusinessAlabama.com November 2024

November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 27

H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N

Alabama Public Two-Year Colleges

compiled by ERICA JOINER WEST

RANK

Ranked by preliminary enrollment for fall 2024.

INSTITUTION

ADDRESS

PHONE / WEBSITE

PRESIDENT

PRELIM. FALL FALL 2024 2023

1

Jefferson State Community College

2601 Carson Rd. Birmingham, AL 35215

205-853-1200 jeffersonstate.edu

Keith Brown

9,697

8,839

8,433

2

Calhoun Community College

P.O. Box 2216 Decatur, AL 35609

256-306-2500 calhoun.edu

Dr. Jimmy Hodges

8,767

8,736

8,163

3

Coastal Alabama Community College

1900 Hwy. 31 S. Bay Minette, AL 36507

800-381-3722 coastalalabama.edu

Dr. Aaron Milner

7,744

6,794

6,803

4

Wallace State Community College Hanceville

801 Main St. NW Hanceville, AL 35077

256-352-8000 wallacestate.edu

Dr. Vicki Karolewics

5,736

6,023

5,965

5

Southern Union State Community College

750 Roberts St. Wadley, AL 36276

256-395-2211 suscc.edu

Todd Shackett

5,090

4,673

4,386

6

Gadsden State Community College

1001 George Wallace Dr. Gadsden, AL 35903

256-549-8222 gadsdenstate.edu

Dr. Kathy Murphy

4,851

4,729

4,352

7

Northwest Shoals Community College

800 George Wallace Blvd.

Muscle Shoals, AL 35661

256-331-5200 nwscc.edu

Dr. Jeff Goodwin

4,599

4,137

4,032

8

Shelton State Community College

9500 Old Greensboro Rd. Tuscaloosa, AL 35405

205-391-2211 sheltonstate.edu

Dr. Jonathan Koh

4,538

4,537

4,166

9

Bevill State Community College

1411 Indiana Ave. Jasper, AL 35501

800-648-3271 bscc.edu

Dr. Joel Hagood

4,344

3,946

3,703

10 Wallace Community College - Dothan

1141 Wallace Dr. Dothan, AL 36303

334-983-3521 wallace.edu

Keith Phillips, Interim

4,079

4,010

3,833

11 Bishop State Community College

351 N. Broad St. Mobile, AL 36603-5898

251-405-7000 bishop.edu

Olivier Charles

3,945

3,568

2,968

12 Lawson State Community College

3060 Wilson Rd. SW Birmingham, AL 35221

205-925-2515 lawsonstate.edu

Dr. Cynthia Anthony

3,697

3,153

2,919

13 Northeast Alabama Community College

138 Alabama Hwy. 35 W. Rainsville, AL 35986

256-638-4418 nacc.edu

Dr. David Campbell

3,175

2,905

2,590

14 Enterprise State Community College

600 Plaza Dr. Enterprise, AL 36330

334-347-2623 escc.edu

Daniel Long

2,752

2,248

2,010

15 Snead State Community College

220 N. Walnut St. Boaz, AL 35957

256-593-5120 snead.edu

Dr. Joe Whitmore

2,749

2,767

2,507

16 Trenholm State Community College

1225 Air Base Blvd.

Montgomery, AL 36108

334-420-4200 trenholmstate.edu

Dr. Kemba Chambers

2,183

1,907

1,984

17 Central Alabama Community College

1675 Cherokee Rd. Alexander City, AL 35011

256-234-6346 cacc.edu

Jeff Lynn

2,113

1,910

1,777

18 Lurleen B. Wallace Community College

1000 Dannelly Blvd.

Andalusia, AL 36420

334-222-6591 lbwcc.edu

Dr. Brock Kelley

2,048

2,130

1,931

19 G.C. Wallace Community College - Selma 3000 Earl Goodwin Pkwy.

Selma, AL 36702

334-876-9227 wccs.edu

Dr. James Mitchell

1,894

1,935

1,860

20 Chattahoochee Valley Community College

2602 College Dr. Phenix City, AL 36869

334-291-4900 cv.edu

Jaqueline Screws

1,487

1,712

1,641

21 Drake State Community and Technical College

3421 Meridian St. N. Huntsville, AL 35811

256-539-8161 drakestate.edu

Dr. Patricia Sims

1,055

1,011

976

22 Ingram State Technical College

5375 Ingram Rd. Deatsville, AL 36022

334-285-5177 istc.edu

Annette Funderburk

969

826

768

23 Reid State Technical College

P.O. Box 588 Evergreen, AL 36401

251-578-1313 rstc.edu

Dr. Coretta Boykin

654

576

434

24 Marion Military Institute

1101 Washington St. Marion, AL 36756

800-664-1842 marionmilitary.edu

Col. David Mollahan

333

308

320

28 | BusinessAlabama.com November 2024

FALL 2022

Source: Alabama Commission on Higher Education

November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 29

H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N

‘‘

“Our goal is to hold International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council accreditation in two years.”

— SARA REYNOLDS, UNIVERSITY OF WEST

ALABAMA COORDINATOR OF CLINICAL EXPERIENCES

New programs at Alabama universities and colleges A look at six new educational offerings around the state

By KATHLEEN FARRELL

R

esponding to hiring needs, legislation and popular demand, colleges and universities across Alabama have added several new programs for the 2024-2025 school year in a variety of relevant fields including medicine, education, technology and sports management. The programs range from community college offerings, including a 60+ hour cybersecurity certificate program and a sports management degree pathway, to graduate-level programs such as a dyslexia therapy master’s degree and an online doctorate in educational leadership. The ongoing need for health care personnel

is being addressed by programs to train nurses and laboratory technologists.

IN THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF ALABAMA

The Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program at Northwest Shoals Community College was developed in response to a shortage of qualified laboratory technicians to fill positions in the Muscle Shoals community and surrounding areas.

While there are similar programs in the state, getting to those campuses can mean a one- or two-hour commute for

30 | BusinessAlabama.com November 2024

local students. Beginning in spring 2025, the four-semester MLT program will offer students the opportunity to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree, preparing them for careers in hospitals, physician/ provider offices and research laboratories.

Courses will be offered in person at the Shoals campus with the final semester including clinical rotations and certification exam preparation.

MLT Program Director Michelle Hayes says that enrollment is going very well. “We are excited to offer this program to our students and the community,” says Hayes. “Northwest Shoals strives

H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N

to produce exceptional and prepared graduates for the workforce.” She notes that the field of MLT offers rewarding career opportunities and excellent versatility. Registration for the spring semester began in mid-October, and the first cohort will start classes in January.

AT THE STATE’S SOUTHERN TIP

Coastal Alabama Community College (CACC) and the U.S. Sports Academy (USSA), both located in Baldwin County, signed an agreement in June establishing a new Sports Management degree pathway.

Offering programs of instruction, research and service to more than 1,300 students annually, the USSA is the only accredited freestanding sports university in the country. Dr. Mary Beth Lancaster, dean of academic instruction at CACC, says that the pathway is available as of this fall.

“Often, students know what they want to do, but maybe they haven’t gotten a clear direction on their pathway,” she says. “This partnership will be strengthened because we are able to talk with students more and help them to understand the options they have that may coincide with their interests.”

Plans are in the works for representatives from the USSA to visit CACC campuses to meet with student athlete groups and other interested students.

ON THE WESTERN LINE

The University of West Alabama (UWA) in Livingston is offering the first Master of Education in Dyslexia Therapy degree in the state. UWA leaders chose to add this program in response to implementation of the Alabama State Department of Education’s literacy act, which outlines the need for Certified Academic Language Therapists in Alabama schools.

This fully online graduate program is designed for dyslexia therapists in training, preparing students to help improve the reading proficiency of kindergarteners through third graders.

“The coursework is inspired by the Orton-Gillingham approach to instruction, teaching students how to navigate cognitive barriers to processing language by

(l-r) Coastal Alabama Community College President Aaron Milner and United States Sports Academy President Steve Condon. Image courtesy of USSA.

creating new neural pathways for building reading competencies,” says Sara Reynolds, UWA coordinator of clinical experiences.

“Our goal is to hold International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council accreditation in two years.”

‘‘

This partnership will be strengthened because we are able to talk with students more and help them to understand the options they have that may coincide with their interests.”

— DR. MARY BETH LANCASTER,

DEAN OF ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION, COASTAL ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

The program’s first cohort — around 20 students — began classes on October 21.

STATEWIDE

In July, multinational technology company IBM announced two new IBM SkillsBuild certificates in cybersecurity and data analytics that were piloted and designed with community colleges, including those within the Alabama Community College System (ACCS).

The certificates are designed to meet the needs of learners and allow community colleges to integrate them into existing curriculums for students to earn credits. Each certificate learning plan is 60-65 hours long, and the earned credential is recognized by potential employers.

“Alabama community colleges worked with IBM to pilot the cybersecurity certificate because of the strong need for entry-level, competency-based credentials that help students start on a pathway for an IT career,” says Dr. Courtney Monnette, special programs project director at ACCS. “In 2021, Alabama adopted a skills-based workforce training program called Mobilizing Alabama Pathways that allows new and returning adult education and career pathway students an opportunity to earn a credential like the IBM SkillsBuild Cybersecurity or Data Analytics Certificate; thus, building confidence and basic employability skills for all high-demand, high-wage career clusters.”

November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 31

‘‘

For many years, we’ve had stakeholders in our partner school districts ask, ‘When are you getting a doctoral program?’

And it’s a joy to say, ‘Now we do.’”

— DR. COURTNEY BENTLEY, UNIVERSITY OF MONTEVALLO PROVOST AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

IN THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE STATE

The University of Montevallo (UM) is offering two new programs, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.

According to Dr. Crystal G. Bennett, dean of the College of Health Professions, increased demand for health care professionals in the state of Alabama coupled with challenges coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted an opportunity for the university to address the need for more nurses. The program, which began in Fall 2024, offers a pre-licensure track for those seeking to become licensed registered nurses (RN) and an RN to BSN track for associatedegree prepared RNs who wish to obtain their BSN. Currently, UM has 40 students enrolled across its pre-nursing, pre-licensure and RN to BSN programs.

Bennett says the program’s inaugural semester is off to a great start. “Our students are excited and enjoying the new 32 | BusinessAlabama.com November 2024

H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N

skills and simulation lab where they are getting hands-on training to prepare them for clinical experiences,” Bennett says.

UM’s College of Education and Human Development began offering its Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Ed. D.) program in Fall 2024. This collaborative online curriculum is for seasoned professionals who aim to elevate their careers.

Melding theory with practical inquiry, the Ed.D. program prepares graduates to offer sustainable solutions to intricate problems and enhance leadership for transformative change.

Dr. Jennifer Alexiou-Ray, director of graduate studies at UM, notes that graduate education began on campus in 1955 with a master’s degree in elementary education. “It makes sense that our first doctoral degree will also be held in the College of Education and Human Development,” she says. The first cohort consists of 16 accomplished educational leaders.

“We have a strong tradition as an educator preparation institution,” says Dr.

The University of Montevallo hosted a ribbon cutting for its new nursing facilities in Myrick Hall on February 16.

Image by Alyssa Green.

Courtney Bentley, UM provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. “For many years, we’ve had stakeholders in our partner school districts ask, ‘When are you getting a doctoral program?’ And it’s a joy to say, ‘Now we do.’”

A second cohort of students will be admitted for Fall 2025. The application deadline is March 1, 2025.

Kathleen Farrell is a Mobile-based freelance contributor to Business Alabama.

November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 33

H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N

Alabama Independent Colleges & Universities Ranked by Student Enrollment for Fall 2023 RANK

compiled by ERICA JOINER WEST

INSTITUTION

ADDRESS

PHONE / WEBSITE

PRESIDENT

FALL 2023

FALL 2022

FALL 2021

1

Samford University

800 Lakeshore Dr., Birmingham, AL 35229

205-726-2871/samford.edu

Dr. Beck Taylor

5,791

5,682

5,758

2

Faulkner University

5345 Atlanta Hwy., Montgomery, AL 36109

334-386-7200/faulkner.edu

Dennis Mitchell Henry

2,933

2,817

2,874

3

Tuskegee University

1200 W. Montgomery Rd., Tuskegee, AL 36088

334-727-8011/tuskegee.edu

Dr. Mark Brown

2,846

2,570

2,654

4

University of Mobile

5735 College Pkwy., Mobile, AL 36613

251-442-2273/umobile.edu

Dr. Charles Smith Jr.

1,911

1,804

1,911

5

Oakwood University

7000 Adventist Blvd. NW, Huntsville, AL 35896

256-726-7356/oakwood.edu

Dr. Leslie Pollard

1,319

1,470

1,452

6

Miles College

5500 Myron Massey Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35064 205-929-1657/miles.edu

Dr. Bobbie Knight

1,151

1,258

1,520

7

Spring Hill College

4000 Dauphin St., Mobile, AL 36608

251-380-3030/shc.edu

Dr. Mary Van Brunt

977

1,046

1,107

8

Huntingdon College

1500 E. Fairview Ave., Montgomery, AL 36106

334-833-4497/huntingdon.edu

Dr. Anthony Leigh

869

817

844

9

Talladega College

627 W. Battle St., Talladega, AL 35160

256-761-6235/talladega.edu

Dr. Walter Kimbrough, Interim

837

903

1,203

10

Stillman College

P.O. Drawer 1430, Tuscaloosa, AL 35403

205-366-8817/stillman.edu

Dr. Yolanda Page

779

744

728

11

Birmingham-Southern College* 900 Arkadelphia Rd., Birmingham, AL 35254

800-523-5793/bsc.edu

Daniel Coleman

731

975

1,058

12

Amridge University

1200 Taylor Rd., Montgomery, AL 36117

334-387-3877/amridgeuniversity.edu Dr. Michael Turner

636

647

723

13

United States Sports Academy

One Academy Dr., Daphne, AL 36526

251-626-3303/ussa.edu

272

240

168

*Editor’s Note: Birmingham-Southern College closed May 31, 2024 after 168 years in operation.

34 | BusinessAlabama.com November 2024

Dr. Steve Condon

Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics

36 | BusinessAlabama.com November 2024

SPECIAL SECTION

O

EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATORS

ne of the highest honors a person can receive is to be recognized by their peers for a job well done. Business Alabama’s Exceptional Educators section allows those within the education sector to do just that — nominate a peer who excels at their job, whether that is in the classroom or in an administrative role.

A Chinese proverb states: If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people. Our honorees exemplify this proverb, dedicating their lives to helping students achieve success. The following are this year’s Exceptional Educators:

native of north Alabama, Campbell is a graduate of Auburn University, with a master’s from Florida State University and a doctorate from the University of Texas.

DAVID CAMPBELL Northeast Alabama Community College

D

avid Campbell, Ph.D., has served as president of Northeast Alabama Community College since 2001. Under his leadership, the college was named to Aspen Institute’s top 10% of community colleges in the U.S. Campbell has worked to expand the college’s workforce and STEM programs, culminating in a mathematics, science and engineering technology center and a health/workforce complex. Among his recognitions are being named Citizen of the Year in both DeKalb and Jackson counties and winning a national service award from Phi Theta Kappa.

He has served as president of the Alabama Community College Association and the Alabama Community College Presidents’ Association; and currently serves as chair of the Jackson County Economic Development Authority and the DeKalb/Jackson Counties Industrial Development Board. A

ANNETTE FUNDERBURK J.F. Ingram State Technical College

A

nnette Funderburk, MPA, currently serves as president of J.F. Ingram State Technical College, which offers postsecondary career and technical education to incarcerated adults and eligible persons in Alabama. The college also assists graduates with job placement and community resources to assist in the individuals’ reentry into society. Funderburk was appointed college president in 2018, after serving a year as interim president. Prior to her current role, she worked with the Alabama Community November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 37

S PE C I A L S E C T I O N

College System for nine years serving in various capacities.

Prior to joining ACCS, she served 10 years in county administration for Tallapoosa and Talladega counties. She has a Master of Public Administration from Troy University, a certificate in governmental accounting, an Intensive Economic Development certificate from the Government and Economic Development Institute and is a 2017 Community College Fellow. She is also a graduate of Leadership Alabama. She has served with a number of professional and community organizations including the Correctional Education Association, Economic Development Association of Alabama and Alabama Community College Presidents’ Association. She is a Paul Harris Fellow.

LEANA POLSTONMURDOCH Columbia Southern University

L LORI HENSLEY Jacksonville State University

L

ori Hensley, Ph.D., is department head for biology at Jacksonville State University, where she has added research-based labs to better prepare students to think like scientists by doing real science. Hensley runs the JSU Cancer Lab, where her work focuses on the use of compounds from the cannabis plant as potential alternative or adjuvant novel therapies for aggressive pediatric cancers with low fiveyear survival rates. She recently secured a $1 million National Science Foundation grant to support this research. She has led the initiative to create a Cannabis Studies program for JSU students that will prepare them for internships and careers. Through this program, students can earn two microcredentials in Cannabis Science and Cannabis Business and Culture, thus helping to build a pipeline for the state’s medical cannabis industry.

38 | BusinessAlabama.com November 2024

eana Polston-Murdoch, Ph.D., is a seasoned professional in marketing and communications, website design and development, learning and development, and organizational development. She also has dedicated nearly a decade in education as a course facilitator.

In 2015, she began working part-time as an adjunct faculty member for Columbia Southern Education Group. In 2016, she served on the College of Business advisory board for the university and accepted the role of curriculum lead faculty within the College of Business in 2019. Since then, she has been promoted to lead faculty for organizational leadership. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Polston-Murdoch holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Administration degrees and earned her doctorate in organizational leadership from Regent University.

BARBARA STEGER Wallace Community College

B

arbara Steger leads the Wallace Community College’s Adult Education Program. A former Army sergeant and lifelong learner, Steger has earned degrees in education specialist, master’s degrees in secondary language education, English language education and instructional leadership and administration; and a bachelor’s in secondary English language arts education. She currently is working on her doctorate in global leadership at Troy University.

S PE C I A L S E C T I O N

She also is the owner/ operator of Kingdom Culture Coaching Services LLC. She is a John C. Maxwell certified speaker, trainer and coach; a licensed minister; and an author. Steger is a graduate of Leadership Barbour, the LEAD Institute Cohort and the Higher Education Resource Services-East Africa Leadership Academy. She was named the Alabama Community College System’s Chancellor’s Award winner for Wallace Community College for 2022-2023. Prior to joining Wallace Community College, she served as a high school English teacher for eight years and as an elementary school assistant principal.

Manufacturing Education (FAME) collegiate chapters across the state. Prior to serving in her current role, Webb was division chair of engineering technology and electronic engineering instructor at Gadsden State Community College. She also has industry experience working in the manufacturing sector. Webb has a Master of Engineering from Mississippi State University and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. She serves on several workforce committees, including the National Governors Association WorkBased Learning Policy Committee, NGA Policy Academy to Advance Youth Apprenticeship and the Alabama Committee on Credential Quality and Transparency.

DINGGUO ZHANG Wallace State Community College

AUDREY WEBB Alabama Community College System

A

udrey Webb’s career in workforce development in higher education spans across more than a decade.

She currently leads the Alabama Community College System’s federal and state apprenticeship and work-based learning strategy. As director, she works with the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship to ensure that businesses and industry are well-informed of potential training partnerships at the state’s community and technical colleges. She also manages the Federation for Advanced

D

ingguo Zhang, Ph.D., is a biology instructor at Wallace State Community College. He has had a career in medical sciences, from the hospital to research to the classroom. As a graduate of Xuzhou Medical University in China, Zhang balanced hospital rotations with cancer research on what the malignant pathways of different cancers have in common. Later, he enrolled in a Ph.D. program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham where his interests shifted from cancer biology to human physiology, with an emphasis on renal and cardiac physiology. As a doctoral student, he discovered a passion for teaching, which led him to join Wallace State in 2023. At Wallace State, Zhang focuses on helping students apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, especially in the health care fields. Outside the classroom, Zhang enjoys basketball and spending time with his wife and their four dogs.

November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 39

UTILITIES

Power for the People

A

labama’s two nuclear power plants are in middle age now, but their owners believe that with ongoing modernization they will continue to meet the region’s power needs for decades.

Workers at Tennessee Valley Authority’s Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant in Athens celebrated its 50th anniversary on Aug. 1. Unit 1 began commercial operation in 1974 and can produce enough power for more than 2 million homes and businesses.

Alabama Power’s Farley Nuclear Plant, 40 | BusinessAlabama.com November 2024

ALABAMA’S NUCLEAR PLANTS — BROWNS FERRY AT 50 WITH FARLEY CLOSE BEHIND — CONTINUE TO SUPPLY MAJOR SHARE OF STATE’S ELECTRICITY NEEDS

By DEBORAH STOREY

which generates 18% of the utility’s electricity, opened near Dothan in 1977.

Powering the Tennessee Valley Browns Ferry is TVA’s first and largest nuclear power plant and the third-largest in the nation. Three boiling-water reactors produce about 20% of TVA’s total generation capacity. More than 1,500 employees and contractors work there.

In 1974, Browns Ferry’s three reactors

were the first units in the world capable of producing more than 1,000 megawatts — or a billion watts of power. Today, Browns Ferry generates up to 3,954 megawatts of carbon-free baseload energy.

TVA continues to make significant upgrades to the aging power plant in Limestone County to keep Tennessee Valley lights on, factories bustling and homes comfortable.

“Our continued investment in Browns Ferry is a reflection of our commitment to providing an affordable, reliable and

In Georgia, Southern Nuclear’s Plant Vogtle’s Unit 4 started commercial operation in April.

JEFF LYASH, TVA president and CEO

CLARISSA McCLAIN, TVA spokesperson

CHRIS WOMACK, chairman, president and CEO of Southern Company

clean energy future,” says Jeff Lyash, TVA president and CEO. Browns Ferry employees have reason to be proud of reaching the milestone anniversary, Lyash says.

“All of TVA’s employees, both past and present, demonstrate a dedication to operational excellence, safety, environmental stewardship, emergency preparedness and embracing new technology,” he says.

Extending operating licenses for TVA’s nuclear fleet is a priority to meet the load growth of the region, officials say.

“Browns Ferry is the first TVA nuclear power plant to submit an application for subsequent license renewal to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to allow all three units to continue operation for an additional 20 years after the current licenses expire,” says TVA spokesperson Clarissa McClain.

TVA’s seven nuclear reactors, McClain says, “safely and reliably (provide) about 40% of all electricity used by nearly 10 million people in the Tennessee Valley region.”

With more public demand for carbon-neutral energy, TVA is a strong advocate for nuclear plants to do the heavy lifting.

“We are actively exploring innovative ways to generate and deliver carbon-free energy and are committed to leading the clean energy effort,” McClain says.

“We believe advanced nuclear technologies will play a critical role in our region and nation’s drive toward a clean energy future,” agrees Lyash. “Small modular reactors are an energy innovation technolNovember 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 41

UTILITIES

Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant is celebrating 50 years of operation.

ogy that America must dominate — for our energy security, which is really our national security.”

TVA has an early site permit for a small modular reactor at its Clinch River site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and has earmarked $150 million for development there.

Its unfinished Bellefonte nuclear plant in Jackson County was auctioned in 2016 after more than 40 years of off-and-on construction, but the TVA board later terminated the agreement. TVA currently uses the location for meetings, tours and training exercises for its employees and outside organizations.

“The current objective is to preserve the site for potential future development; however, no decisions have been made,” McClain says.

TVA operates the nation’s largest public power system and supplies power in most of Tennessee, 13 counties in north Alabama from Mississippi to Georgia, northeastern Mississippi, southwest42 | BusinessAlabama.com November 2024

ern Kentucky and in portions of northern Georgia, western North Carolina and southwestern Virginia.

According to TVA, the region’s population is growing three times faster than the national average. A University of Tennessee study projects the population will increase 22% by 2050.

“TVA is investing $2.8 billion to strengthen the power grid across its service area through 2027,” says McClain. “With nearly 60% of TVA’s energy already carbon-free, these power grid improvements will help ensure the region’s energy security as the agency provides reliable, affordable, resilient and clean energy.”

With recent upgrades and modifications, Browns Ferry can provide electricity for years to come, TVA officials say — and do so safely.

“Our nuclear plants operate with oversight by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and have multiple safety systems in place to keep our workforce

and the communities we serve safe,” McClain says.

Safety systems include physical barriers that protect against radiation release, she says, and “layer upon layer of redundant and diverse backup power systems to keep reactors sufficiently cooled — even in the most extreme or unlikely events.”

Browns Ferry is a boiling-water reactor, the only one in TVA’s nuclear fleet that also includes Watts Bar and Sequoyah in East Tennessee. Boilingwater reactors turn water into steam in the reactor core, and the steam turns the plant’s turbine and generator.

Nuclear energy’s role to grow Southern Nuclear’s Plant Vogtle is in Waynesboro, Georgia, on the Savannah River on the Georgia/South Carolina border. Southern Company is headquartered in Atlanta, with some employees in Birmingham. It’s the parent company of

UTILITIES

Alabama Power, Georgia Power, Mississippi Power and Southern Nuclear, among others.

Plant Vogtle’s new Unit 4 entered commercial operation in April. It can produce enough electricity to power 500,000 homes and businesses for at least 60 to 80 years.

With all four units now in operation, Plant Vogtle is the largest generator of clean energy in the nation and is expected to produce more than 30 million megawatt hours of electricity each year.

“The completion of the expansion of the Vogtle nuclear generation plant to include Unit 3 and now Unit 4 is a hallmark achievement for Southern Company, the state of Georgia and the entire United States,” says Chris Womack, chairman, president and CEO of Southern Company.

Nuclear energy is the only zeroemission baseload energy source available today, offering high reliability and

efficient operations around the clock, says Southern Company spokesperson Schuyler Baehman.

Baehman adds that nuclear needs fewer maintenance outages than coal or gas, “making electricity even more reliable.”

“Newer reactors, such as the AP1000s used in Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4, feature more passive safety measures than previous generations of reactors,” he says.

Those AP1000 reactors are the first of their kind in the U.S. and have multiple advanced safety systems, he notes.

“The AP1000 can shut down passively without external power or human intervention. A 750,000-gallon tank of water sits on top of containment — with a three-day supply of water to pour down the sides of containment to cool the reactor if needed.”

In TVA’s view, the nuclear option is the logical choice for the country’s growing energy needs.

“We believe nuclear energy will play

a critical role in our region and nation’s energy future,” Lyash says. “Optimizing and extending the life of facilities like Browns Ferry will ensure that we continue to deliver affordable, reliable and clean energy for decades to come.”

Southern Company agrees and is optimistic for more growth due to the robust economic development in its service area.

“After more than a decade of a plateau in energy demand, projected retail electric sales growth for the system has accelerated to about 6% from 2025 to 2028,” says Baehman.

“Our system-wide integrated resource planning process supports the addition of a balanced mix of generation resources over the next several years and projects a significant increase in renewable resources over the next decade.”

Deborah Storey is a Huntsville-based freelance contributor to Business Alabama.

November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 43

R E A L E S TAT E

Alabama’s Commercial Real Estate Firms

compiled by ERICA JOINER WEST

FIRM MANAGING PRINCIPAL(S)

ADDRESS

PHONE/WEBSITE

# ALA. EMPLOYEES as of 8/15/2024

# ALABAMA PROPERTIES MANAGED/DEVELOPED as of 8/15/2024

1

JLL Carter Burwell

850 Shades Creek Pkwy., Ste. 320 Mountain Brook, AL 35209

334-324-7317 us.jll.com

218

N/A

1783 Brokerage and leasing, property management, capital markets, project development services

2

Colliers | Alabama Joe Sandner III, Joe Sandner IV

880 Montclair Rd., Ste. 250 Birmingham, AL 35213

205-445-0955 colliers.com/en

62

78

2007 Leasing, brokerage, real estate management, capital markets, asset management, investment services

3

Capstone Communities 431 Office Park Dr. John Vawter, Ben Walker, Rob Howland Birmingham, AL 35223

205-414-6400 capstone-communities.com

58

11

2012 Development, construction and management of student housing, multifamily and mixed-use town centers

4

Red Rock Realty Group Tommy Joyce, Charles Robinson, Jack Little, Tom Carruthers

1425 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd.S., Ste. 100 Birmingham, AL 35205

205-324-3383 redrockrg.com

51

154

1934 Multi-family management and leasing, commercial property management, commercial brokerage sales and leasing, investments, development, consulting

5

Graham & Company LLC Henry Graham, Matthew Graham

1801 5th Ave. N., Ste. 300 Birmingham, AL 35203

205-871-7100 grahamcompany.com

51

71

1978 Sales and leasing brokerage services, corporate services, development, property management, investments

6

NAI Chase Commercial Real Estate Services Inc. Charles Grelier Jr.

P.O. Box 18153 Huntsville, AL 35804

256-539-1636 chasecommercial.com

49

88

1985 Brokerage, property management, asset management, construction management, receiverships, office, retail, industrial, medical leasing & sales, development

7

Shannon Walchack Andrew Patterson

3800 Colonnade Pkwy., Ste. 250 Birmingham, AL 35243

205-977-9797 shanwalt.com

38

101

2005 Investments, property management, brokerage, leasing, commercial real estate funds

8

Southpace Properties Inc. Bryan Holt

300 Richard Arrington Blvd. N., Ste. 900 Birmingham, AL 35203

205-326-2222 southpace.com

38

55

1984 Retail

9

Crawford Square Real Estate Advisors Sam Heide, Jackson Ratliff, Mary Bever Lell

2700 2nd Ave. S., Ste. 200 Birmingham, AL 35233

205-453-8620 crawfordsq.com

38

24

2018 Property management, leasing, marketing, accounting, construction management, tenant representation

10

Cushman & Wakefield/EGS Mark Byers

2100 3rd Ave. N., Ste. 700 Birmingham, AL 35203

205-939-4440 egsinc.com

33

40

1987 Tenant representation, agency leasing, property management, investment sales, development, asset management, real estate and economic development consulting

11

Retail Specialists Robert Jolly, Mead Silsbee

2200 Magnolia Ave. S., Ste. 100 Birmingham, AL 35209

205-313-3676 retailspecialists.com

30

37

2005 Property management, leasing, tenant representation, development

12

Stirling Will Barrios

7101 US Hwy. 90 Daphne, AL 36526

985-246-3775 stirlingprop.com

21

18

2013 Commercial advisory services, asset & property management, development & acquisitions, and investment sales

13

Marcus & Millichap Jody McKibben

800 Shades Creek Pkwy., Ste. 815 Birmingham, AL 35209

205-510-9200 marcusmillichap.com

20

N/A

2007 Brokerage, financing, advisory services

14

Watts Realty Co. Inc. Chip Watts, David Watts

1527 3rd Ave. S., Ste. 102 Birmingham, AL 35233

205-251-1267 wattsrealty.com

15

500

1906 Property management, leasing, brokerage

15

Freedom Real Estate and Capital LLC William Roark

600 Boulevard South SW, Ste. 307 Huntsville, AL 35801

256-850-3029 freedomerealestate.biz

14

23

2014 Property management, brokerage, leasing, development, owner consulting/project management, construction

16

White-Spunner Realty Inc. Katherine White-Spunner Trotter, John White-Spunner

3201 Dauphin St. Mobile, AL 36606

251-471-1000 white-spunnerrealty.com

12

65

1954 Property management, retail leasing, brokerage

17

Triad Properties Corp.

Fuller McClendon, Joe Moseley, William Stroud, Gerry Shannon

100 Church St., Ste. 200 Huntsville, AL 35801

334-524-6271 triadproperties.com

12

23

1993 Development, property management, leasing, brokerage

18

CRE Mobile Allan Cameron, Tommy Gleason, Jay Roberds, David Dexter, Pete Riehm

164 St. Francis St., Ste. 200 Mobile, AL 36602

251-438-4312 cre-mobile.com

12

19

Merrill P. Thomas Co. Inc. Pratt Thomas

3662 Dauphin St. E. Mobile, AL 36608

251-476-0808 mptco.com

10

36

1992 Brokerage, property management and development

20

Industrial Properties of the South 9668 Madison Blvd., Ste. 100 Charlene Graham, Laurel Bailey Madison, AL 35758

256-461-7482 industrialpropertiesofthesouth.com

10

15

1982 Property management, leasing, development

21

Zarzour Companies LLC Matt Zarzour

118 N. Royal St., Ste. 708 Mobile, AL 36602

251-895-2512 zarzourco.com

8

32

2018 Investment, development, brokerage, leasing, property management, and asset management

22

Daniel Communities Eric Johnson, John Gunderson, Scott Jenkins

3115 Timberlake Rd., Ste. 100 Vestavia Hills, AL 35243

205-443-4671 danielcommunities.com

8

6

2006 Development, property management

23

Leitman-Perlman Inc. Marc A. Perlman

2421 2nd Ave. N., Ste. 1 Birmingham, AL 35203

205-803-3000 leitmanperlman.com

7

75

1961 Property management, brokerage, leasing

24

Dobbins Group Bill Dobbins

2914 Linden Ave. Birmingham, AL 35209

205-503-4000 dobbinsgroup.net

6

11

2010 Multifamily development & investment

For more firms, visit BusinessAlabama.com

44 | BusinessAlabama.com November 2024

YEAR FOUNDED

RANK

Ranked by number of Alabama employees. In cases of a tie, those firms are ranked by number of Alabama properties managed/developed

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

2013 Brokerage including development, leasing, sales and property management

Source: Business Alabama Survey

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

T

his year, the corporate bosses at Walmart, Amazon, General Motors and other major companies issued return-to-office mandates, putting an end to remote work completely or at least requiring staff to come three days a week.

But other companies have opted to maintain the work-from-home model — therefore lowering the demand for office space and softening the nation’s office market.

As a result, many office building owners are scrambling to fill up remaining vacancies, offering tenant discounts, amenities and more.

“Remote work is a reality for many workers. It became more accepted and more widespread post-pandemic,” says Stuart Norton, associate director of the Alabama Center for Real Estate at the University of Alabama.

Norton points to a quarterly report by the National Association of Realtors showing that in the Birmingham-Hoover metro area in the first quarter of 2024, the vacancy rate for office space was 12.3%, up from 10.9% in the first quarter of 2023.

By Q2 2024, the office vacancy rates in the Birmingham-Hoover area fell to 11.6%, up from 11.3%, in the same period in 2023.

At the same time, the rate of vacancies for retail and industrial buildings during the second quarter of 2024 were 3.8% and 4.3% respectively, up from 3.7% and 3.6% respectively in the second quarter of 2023.

“I would say office has probably been the hardest hit,” Norton says.

Meanwhile, the market rent per square foot in Q2 2024 in the Birmingham-Hoover metro area was $23, with no change from Q2 2023.

In Huntsville, when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit the nation in early 2020, many employees working for large defense contractors and the federal government went home to work remotely, says Randy Thomas, executive vice president with NAI Chase Commercial Real Estate, which manages commercial real estate brokerage services.

Only critical-need staffers, such as

IS ANYBODY BACK IN THE OFFICE? Remote work continues to impact today’s commercial real estate market

By GAIL ALLYN SHORT

those who, for example, handle classified documents, continued working from their offices, Thomas says. And today in 2024, many others are still working from home.

“I think what companies in Huntsville realized was, ‘We got a lot of office space.

We functioned for a year, a year-and-ahalf, two years, and we continued to do and accomplish the task that we needed without having these people in the office.

So, is there a way to cut our overhead?’

And they’ve taken measures to do that,” Thomas says.

“We see a lot of leases that will come

to an end, and companies that will renew their lease, but they’re doing what we call downsizing,” Thomas says.

In fact, the Q2 2024 office vacancy rate in Huntsville was 11.2%, up from 8% in Q2 2023, and a market rent of $23 per square foot, up from $22 per square foot in Q2 2023, says a report by the National Association of Realtors.

Nationwide, however, in Q2 2024, the office sector of commercial real estate set a record vacancy rate of 20.1%, up from 19.8% the previous quarter, therefore shattering for the first time in history, the 20% ceiling, according to Moody’s

November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 47

Preliminary Trend report.

“The office sector’s rising vacancy rate highlights the sector’s current struggles, and there’s natural concern over how high the rate will continue to climb,” the Moody’s report said.

The National Association of Realtors Commercial Market Insights report said, however, that the pace of additional office space vacancies had slowed down with the surplus of vacant office space falling from close to 58 million square feet a year ago to 44 million square feet in July 2024.

To make up the difference, officebuilding owners are granting more concessions, from several months of free rent to larger tenant-improvement allowances, to lure companies into their buildings, according to data by the commercial real estate and investment firm CBRE. In fact, the CBRE report states that concessions reached record highs this year with the average duration of free rent in top-tier buildings upon lease signing climbing to 10.1 months, up from 6.8 months in 2019. In lower-tier buildings, the average this year is 8.4 months, up from 6.4 in 2019.

Thomas says the high office vacancies now have office building owners competing to get tenants in their buildings.

He uses the example of an office building owner seeking to attract a tenant that occupies 20,000 square feet of in a competing landlord’s building.

“They’re seeing tenants downsizing.

So, if the landlord across the street can’t downsize that tenant, I’ll offer them 10,000 square feet. I’ll give them an aggressive offer, and I’ll get them into my space, which will help my overall occupancy rates in my development,” Thomas says.

“Fortunately, Huntsville has been doing well, as far as getting additional government programs. And so the volume of that is somewhat less. It is taking place, but it’s somewhat of a lesser degree,” he says.

More companies today are also looking for office spaces that are close to restaurants, gyms and coffee shops, says Leigh Dale Younce, an interim qualifying broker with White-Spunner Realty in Mobile.

48 | BusinessAlabama.com November 2024

CO M M E RC I A L R E A L E S TAT E

STUART NORTON, associate director of the Alabama Center for Real Estate at the University of Alabama

RANDY THOMAS, executive vice president with NAI Chase Commercial Real Estate

LEIGH DALE YOUNCE, interim qualifying broker with White-Spunner Realty in Mobile

“I do think that’s a stronger component of the office market now. People are wanting those amenities to make it more attractive to come down, “ says Younce, “like my clients wanting restaurants and retail to be close by so they’re able to entertain. And, when people go out during the day, they don’t have to travel far to have those types of things.”

Other companies want to be closer to the clients they serve, she says.

“One of my clients, for instance, was a business that handles containers, and they serve the port. So, they wanted to be downtown to be able to view the port,” she says.

But overall, Younce says many companies in her city go for the restoration of existing office buildings rather than the construction of new office buildings, she says.

“There hasn’t been a lot of new office development. It’s more renovation, at least for downtown Mobile. Part of that is due to the fact there are plenty of offices to be remodeled, and RSA (Retirement Systems of Alabama) has done a great job of remodeling a lot and creating some class A office space, as have others,” Younce says.

Meanwhile, Younce says the offices market in the Mobile area is holding steady despite the number of remote workers.

The National Association of Realtors report states in Q2 of 2024, the vacancy rate in Mobile metro area was just 4.8%, down from 5.7% in Q2 2023 with the market rent remaining unchanged at $17

per square foot in Q2 2023 and 2024.

“I just had a tenant sign a lease in the RSA Trustmark Tower. We didn’t have a lot of options for what he was looking for, because it’s highly occupied,” she says.

She says, in fact, that there is a lot of demand for office space in the RSA building in Mobile. But there is not as

much available office space on the Eastern Shore off Mobile Bay. Meanwhile, “The drama continues to unfold,” Norton says referring to the continuing role that remote and hybrid work will have on the office market.

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

November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 49

A DV E R TO R I A L

How the Surest Health Plan Helped Improve Access to Care and Lowered Costs

By Bryan Palmer, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Georgia & Alabama

E

provider and facility selected, with highervalue options assigned a lower copay.

Providers are evaluated based on effectiveness, safety and

ncouraging a healthier workforce has long been a priority for employers aiming to attract and retain top talent and spur productivity.

To help achieve these goals, many employers are opting for a more modern approach to health benefits like the UnitedHealthcare Surest health plan, which is designed to help improve access to care with the goal of reducing health care expenses.

Surest represents the next evolution in value-based health benefits. The upshot of the Surest model is improved access, more satisfied consumers, and lower total costs, which is important as many employers and employees grapple with issues like inflation.

Here’s a look at how Surest is different from traditional health plans and how this approach may help meet the care needs of employees and bolster your company’s bottom line.

increase in preventive colonoscopies.

Surest helped lower total cost of care With medical care ranking as the second largest expense for employers behind salaries, it is vital companies maximize the value of their health benefits. At the same time, employers want to avoid shifting care costs to employees.

Bryan Palmer Some employers are achieving that outcome with Surest. Surest can drive cost efficiency. impressive savings for employers and The member’s copay may be lower – in employees. In fact, Surest members had some cases by thousands of dollars – if 54% lower out-of-pocket costs.3 they select a particular care provider and A recent study found the Surest facility. health plan’s copay-driven model allows More than 90% of the time Surest members to see the full cost of care members select care providers and beforehand leading to lower claim costs facilities that have been evaluated for exceeding $400 per member per year. quality and value1.

This third-party research showed a reduction in the total cost of care with Surest does this without limiting the Surest health plan, sustained over members’ options in terms of network time, across demographics, conditions, care providers and without adding Surest helps remove and comorbidities.4 additional referral requirements.

Surest uses the broad, national financial barriers to care UnitedHealthcare and Optum Behavioral Surest enhanced member satisfaction Because 38% of Americans avoid or Health networks of doctors, hospitals, delay health care due to costs, making For employees enrolled in Surest, the and clinics. medical services more affordable is Net Promoter Score® – a key measure of imperative to help improve access and consumer satisfaction – was significantly Surest improved access promote a more equitable system. higher than industry benchmarks. Nine Surest eliminates deductibles and out of 10 Surest members re-enroll in the to preventive care coinsurance and provides upfront cost health plan year-over-year.5 A study showed the Surest plan and coverage information through an is making it easier for consumers to Surest offers a compelling, intuitive mobile app, so people enrolled access preventive care, which may help proven approach to health benefits. in Surest can use their benefits right identify potential health concerns earlier UnitedHealthcare is working to apply away, including for low-or-no-cost virtual and may contribute to better health these lessons more broadly to make the options. outcomes. health system work better for everyone Some employees may be reluctant to Surest members had a 20% increase and help our members live healthier switch plans because they have a health in physician visits2 and a 9% increase lives. savings account (HSA), which must be in preventive physical exams compared paired with a high-deductible plan. to people enrolled in high-deductible With Surest, employees keep their HSA plans. That included a 15% increase in savings and can continue to spend those preventive mammograms and a 34% dollars on qualified health care expenses.

Surest helps make comparison shopping for care simpler Surest empowers consumers with the cost and coverage information they need to inform their choices. Surest uses variable copays, which means the copay may vary depending on the care

1 Surest 2022 book of business plan sponsors with both medical and pharmacy data within our warehouse; industry 2022 commercial benchmarks and risk adjustment methodology. Risk adjusted for demographics, geography, and disease burden. 168_V01, 66_V03, 169_V01, 71_ V03, 67_V03.

2 Surest 2022 book of business plan sponsors with both medical and pharmacy data within our warehouse; industry 2022 commercial benchmarks and risk adjustment methodology. Risk adjusted for demographics, geography, and disease burden. 168_V01, 66_V03, 169_V01, 71_ V03, 67_V03.

50 | BusinessAlabama.com November 2024

3 Study comparing Surest financial and utilization outcomes to a matched control group composed of non-Surest members from the same employers, using the same network. Members were matched on age, gender, geography, and chronic conditions. March 2023.

4 Aon’s Cost Efficiency Measurement of Surest 2022, March 2024.

5 Surest 2023 book-of-business digital engagement analysis.

CO M M E RC I A L R E A L E S TAT E

Building communities DANIEL COMMUNITIES SPECIALIZES IN PRIVATE CLUB RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS

By KATHERINE MacGILVRAY

J

ohn Gunderson, Eric Johnson and Scott Jenkins began their real estate careers at Daniel Corp., a Birmingham-based firm known for developing office, multifamily, hospitality, medical and retail properties.

As the company grew, it became clear that Daniel Corp. was managing two very different types of businesses — commercial and master-planned residential communities. The realization led Gunderson in 2016 to launch Daniel Communities as an independent company that specializes in creating private club residential communities with lots of amenities.

“You know the adage that sometimes you’re stronger apart? I think that’s where we ended up, [with] each side focusing on what they did best and having the right leadership in place for both groups to structure and capitalize their businesses differently, because they were different at their core. And the rest,” Johnson says, “I guess, is history.”

As president of Daniel Communities, a position he has held since 2022, Johnson oversees all aspects of the company’s day-to-day operations, its more than 1,000 employees and its current strategic direction. Together, Johnson, Gunder-

Reynolds Lake Oconee, in Greensboro, Georgia, is one of Daniel Communities’ active developments. It is home to seven golf courses, five marinas, restaurants and more.

son, the company’s CEO, and Jenkins, the CFO, have played pivotal roles in establishing the company’s reputation for developing and operating luxury resorts and private club communities.

“Our mission is to be one of the leading real estate developers and operators of luxury resorts and highly amenitized private club communities,” Johnson November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 51

CO M M E RC I A L R E A L E S TAT E

High Hampton, in Cashiers, North Carolina.

From left to right: Daniel Communities President Eric Johnson, CEO John Gunderson and and CFO Scott Jenkins.

explains. “And we have found ourselves moving away from the traditional, high-density, master-planned community model to focus on the growing high-end secondary home market.”

Reynolds Lake Oconee is their flagship development, a project that took root in 2012 when Daniel Corp. coordinated the acquisition of 12,000 acres on behalf of MetLife. Nestled along 374 miles of Lake Oconee’s forested shoreline, the property is home to more than 3,800 resident families and includes the Ritz-Carlton

Reynolds resort, seven championship golf courses, eight club campuses, five marinas and several restaurants. An additional 6,000 acres are on deck for future development opportunities.

“Our focus is finding those locations that are highly sought after, that really create a connection between people and the land and provide a memorable experience,” says Johnson. “Our company is structured around finding exceptional locations and creating communities that not only thrive financially long-term,

52 | BusinessAlabama.com November 2024

but also become lasting landmarks that enhance the greater community and improve the lives of those who experience them.”

The company’s High Hampton property in Cashiers, North Carolina, is a prime example. The 1,100-acre mountain retreat was owned and operated by the McKee family for 95 years before Daniel Communities orchestrated the acquisition between the McKee family and Birmingham-based Arlington Family Offices in 2017. The team worked with golf course architect Tom Fazio to completely renovate the golf course and added amenities and private real estate offerings.

They also restored the property’s historic 1922 inn. Today, Daniel Communities manages the golf and club operations and continues to develop plans for further enhancing the property. “[High Hampton] was special,” Johnson says. “It helped us set the tone for how to build that high-end, exclusive mountain community. It really gained us a lot of favor, not just in Birmingham, but throughout the Southeast.” He adds that a lot of people from Birmingham and the surrounding area seek that part of North Carolina to escape the summer heat.

CO M M E RC I A L R E A L E S TAT E

“We structure ourselves to create, execute and operate,” says Johnson, and he thinks that’s a big part of what sets Daniel Communities apart from other developers. “There are a lot of people out there that will go buy dirt, create something and turn it over to somebody else.”

Attention to detail is another of Daniel Communities’ chief assets, says Johnson, pointing to a new project the company is currently working on. “We draw and redraw and argue the littlest things: ‘Should the road go in front of a lot or behind the lot? Should the amenities be here or 10 feet that way?’” But, he adds, that kind of effort pays off, even if the prospective buyer can’t quite put their finger on what makes them prefer a Daniel Communities property over the one down the street. “When you walk on one of our properties, we hope you think it just feels right.”

One thing people won’t find at Daniel Communities is a set template. The company’s portfolio includes club and resort, residential and senior living properties in

Ritz-Carlton Reynolds at Reynolds Lake Oconee.

Cashiers Lake, in North Carolina, will be home to a new development being built by Daniel Communities.

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multiple states throughout the Southeast, and each is unique. And while replication may be a more efficient business model, it doesn’t have a place in Daniel Communities’ mission.

“When you discover a truly special piece of land, you have to listen to the story it wants to tell,” says Johnson.

Johnson emphasizes that honoring the vision of the previous landowners is equally important to the development process, and Daniel Communities takes that responsibility seriously.

“If you don’t respect the history and essence of the land, it often falls short, both in terms of value and the experience. We specialize in taking on projects that are complex and irreplaceable. That’s not something you often see in the marketplace.”

To illustrate the point, Johnson notes that members of the families who previously owned the Reynolds Lake Oconee and High Hampton properties are regularly seen on site enjoying the new amenities. “That’s how you know you did it right.”

When Alabama Power sought to develop some of its company-owned land and build connectivity between lakeside properties throughout Alabama, they partnered with Daniel Communities. The Kennebec and Talisi Cove developments at Lake Martin and the Mills Creek development at Smith Lake were three initial projects that are part of a larger project known as LakeTown.

Daniel Communities has two projects currently underway: a new 58-lot subdivision near Cashiers Lake in North Carolina and a 600-acre, 69-home community called Wyelea on the West Harpeth River in Franklin, Tennessee. Both will start development this fall.

And there’s more, but Johnson isn’t ready to fully reveal details.

“We are in the pre-development stages of a new project. While it’s too soon to share specifics, the vision is to create a coastal retreat that is in balance with the land and celebrates the cultural traditions of the Lowcountry with highly specialized, private amenities.”

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

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2024 National Philanthropy Day

November 15, 2024 The Club Birmingham

Thank you to our sponsors Award Sponsors:

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Platinum Sponsors:

Event Sponsors:

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A F P A L A B A M A N AT I O N A L P H I L A N T H RO P Y DAY

Welcome to the AFP Alabama National Philanthropy Day Luncheon For more than 40 years, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Alabama Chapter has hosted the National Philanthropy Day luncheon to recognize and celebrate the individuals and organizations whose achievements have made a significant impact across the state of Alabama.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals includes 27,000 members in more than 240 chapters throughout the world, including more than 140 members representing 84 organizations across Alabama. Members are working to advance philanthropy through education, training, professional development and networking opportunities.

The 2024 National Philanthropy Day honorees were selected by a committee of community leaders in Alabama. None of the committee members are affiliated with AFP Alabama as board or chapter members.

Please join us as we honor the 2024 National Philanthropy Day honorees.

Gabby Bolden

Bill Moran Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Nominated by Children’s of Alabama In 2015, Pinson’s Gabby Bolden received a heart transplant at Children’s of Alabama. “Once they got me feeling better, I was all around the hospital, assisting several patients with schoolwork during rainbow school in the hospital, the nurses and volunteers where I could,” she says. In 2019, Bolden, who is now 16, was named Champion of Children’s, representing the hospital at events such as the Regions Tradition golf tournament, races at Barber Motorsports Park and fundraisers. She continued her role through the pandemic, becoming the first patient to be a Champion of Children’s for more than a year, and she knows the importance of fund-raising at the hospital. “I personally know the importance of the things that are offered to assist you in living a normal life,” she says. “I saw first-hand the things that are offered, be it wheelchairs, walkers, arms in casts or slings, things that people take for granted.”

Bolden points to Children’s Harbor on the second floor of the hospital as a prime example: “It has a place for kids to participate in games, win animals, test their computer skills … a place to forget you’re a patient,” she says. “That means a child can have a day of being happy and not be confined to a room, and there are more animals to win and things are updated to ensure that those who come after me enjoy life regardless of their circumstances.” Bolden, an 11th-grader at Cornerstone Schools of Alabama who plans to study mechanical engineering in college, says she’s proud of what she’s been able to do for Children’s and urges others to get involved. “Because of the many campaigns I’ve participated in, things are still available and improved,” she says. “Your financial or physical help really does make a difference in a life.”

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Brasfield & Gorrie

Outstanding Corporate Citizen Nominated by the University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham’s Brasfield & Gorrie was founded 60 years ago, and from the start, giving back to the communities where its employees live and work has been a key part of the company’s culture.

“Brasfield & Gorrie has always believed in living by the Golden Rule, and our philanthropic giving and volunteering are part of our commitment to doing things the right way,” says Miller Gorrie, chairman and founder of the construction firm. That means encouraging employees to serve their communities and corporate leaders participating in and often leading business, civic, charitable and social organizations. Brasfield & Gorrie recently introduced a charitable giving match program that matches employee donations up to From left, Rob Blalock, Miller Gorrie and Jim Gorrie. $2,000 during Impact Week, an annual event dedicated to making a positive impact in its communities. Last year, employees across all 13 of Brasfield & Gorrie’s offices donated more than $1.3 million to 14 organizations, and Brasfield & Gorrie matched $700,000 to bring that collective impact to more than $2 million. “We can make a bigger difference when we work together, which we saw during our inaugural Impact Week in 2023,” says Rob Blalock, president. “We expect similar success in 2024. By focusing the entire company on giving to local charities, we’re committing to serving the places we call home.” It’s just part of the fabric of Brasfield & Gorrie. “Building strong communities is a part of who we are,” says Jim Gorrie, CEO of the company. “We have an opportunity to build up the communities we serve, going beyond the build to make a positive, lasting mark.”

Gregory D. Hyde

Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham Outstanding Professional Advisor Nominated by the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham During the more than 40 years he’s practiced law, Gregory D. Hyde has focused on estate planning and probate, with an emphasis on charitable planned giving. “One of the hallmarks of Greg’s practice as an estate planning attorney is listening carefully to what his clients want to accomplish, facilitating conversations around charitable giving, and then employing effective, creative techniques to make those goals possible,” according to his AFP nomination. Born in Florence, Hyde was a CPA for three years before going back to law school at the University of Alabama and New York University and eventually working with Dominick Feld Hyde in Birmingham. That emphasis on planned giving came about “just by working with clients who were interested in planned giving,” Hyde says. “A client should work with someone who knows something about planned giving because it is a complicated and unique area of the tax laws.” Hyde has done his share of volunteering, too. Among other things, he has served on the board and as president of the Alabama Association of Charitable Gift Planners and as founding chair of the University of Alabama’s Planned Giving Advisory Committee. He’s also worked with the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham’s professional advisor committee.

Hyde is honored by the AFP nomination and award. “It would be an honor anytime, but especially so as I am gliding toward retirement and cannot think of a better honor at this point of my law career,” he says.

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Virginia Gilbert Loftin

William S. Roth Outstanding Fundraising Executive Nominated by Birmingham-Southern College When Virginia Gilbert Loftin left her first career as a journalist, she joined the junior board of the YWCA in Birmingham and learned her first philanthropic lessons through Executive Director Suzanne Durham. “I learned … that fundraising is not about money; it’s about mission,” she says. A couple of years later, Loftin landed her first professional fundraising jobs at UAB, with the School of Nursing, School of Medicine and assistant VP for development communications, where she developed a communications strategy for UAB’s $1B Campaign. Loftin served as president of the Delta Zeta Sorority Foundation from 2014-2018, was a foundation trustee for 11 years and co-chaired the national sorority’s Walk Truly fundraising campaign.

Loftin also chaired the building committee and fundraising effort for the Delta Zeta house at the University of Alabama. Loftin served as vice president for advancement and communications at Birmingham-Southern College from 2017 until the college ceased normal operations in May 2024. “I knew the BSC job would not be easy, but it has been harder than anyone might imagine — first, bringing order to chaos, rebuilding a team and earning the trust of our alumni and donors; then navigating a global pandemic, followed by 18 months in the foxhole with my president trying to save the college, then making sure we closed with dignity and grace, and now the wind-down, which will take at least another year to complete,” she says. “I can’t think of a less hospitable environment for fundraising, and yet we succeeded year after year because this little college on the hilltop mattered so much to our students, our city and state, and the world. I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to fight a fight that was worth everything I had.” Loftin lives with her husband, attorney Robert Lee Loftin III, in downtown Birmingham.

Megan Montgomery Foundation to Prevent Domestic Violence Outstanding Charitable Organization Nominated by Lisa Sims Harrison

The Megan Montgomery Foundation to Prevent Domestic Violence was born out of the most tragic of events on Dec. 1, 2019. That’s the day that Megan Montgomery – who worked for UAB’s School of Nursing and was a devoted volunteer for the Greater Birmingham Humane Society – was murdered by her estranged husband. To honor her memory, and to continue the domestic violence work that Megan had started, her mother, Susanne Montgomery-Clark; sister, Meredith Montgomery-Price; and stepfather, Rod Clark, created the Megan Montgomery Foundation.

“It’s very simple,” says Montgomery-Price, who is executive director of the foundation. “We raise money and then fund schools and organizations to provide healthy relationship education. We want to educate girls and boys to recognize unhealthy behaviors and stop relationship violence before it starts.” Clark, who is treasurer of the foundation, says Megan wrote about her domestic violence mission six weeks before her death and that the foundation is bringing that mission to fruition. “We have people who say they want to help others experiencing relationship violence but don’t know how to help,” he says. “The grants provide the tools to help reduce harmful behavior in relationships.”

Montgomery-Clark, Megan’s mother and president of the foundation board, calls the AFP award “extremely bittersweet” because of the loss that led to it, but the foundation is a way of keeping her daughter’s memory and mission alive. “We know that any recognition Megan’s foundation gets truly and completely belongs to Megan,” she says. “It is her vision that is still alive and well. She has not been silenced.”

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Dora and Sanjay Singh

United Way of Central Alabama Outstanding Civic Leader Nominated by the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham Sanjay and Dora Singh, who met at the University of Georgia while he was getting his doctorate in technology and strategic management and she was studying pharmacy, are involved in a number of Birmingham-area philanthropic activities, particularly centered around education and culture. When it comes to education, “Our personal goal is to support and assist more than 100 students every year in perpetuity at UAB,” Sanjay Singh says. “We are halfway there and continue to build our endowment to support that.” But that’s just the tip of the iceberg for the philanthropic couple. They are avid supporters of the Birmingham Museum of Art, Alys Stephens Center, Red Mountain Theatre, Alabama Symphony Orchestra and the Hispanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama (HICA). In addition, Sanjay Singh, with former students and colleagues, has successfully built and sold several businesses and is now building CS Equities into an investment platform focused on real estate. He serves on the boards of Oakworth Capital Bank, Alabama Capital Network (chair), the Birmingham Museum of Art (past chair), Rotary Club of Birmingham (past president), Prosper Birmingham, Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, Alys Stephens Center and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Sanjay Singh is a graduate of Leadership Birmingham and Leadership Alabama. “We started our philanthropic journey by watching and learning from our parents, particularly our mothers,” he says. “The only advice I have for others – do not wait to get involved in supporting community-based organizations. Everyone can contribute time, talent or treasure to support others.”

Beth Thorne Stukes

William M. and Virginia B. Spencer Outstanding Philanthropist Nominated by Samford University and Auburn University Beth Thorne Stukes is a former teacher in the Walker County School System who, following her teaching career, dove headfirst into community and volunteer activities because she believes life is a privilege and a responsibility. “My parents were both good citizens of their community and the world,” she says. “I observed them and their love and devotion for others, whether through our church with tithes, a committed member of the dental association or a supporter of women in Christian Women’s group. My parents felt joy in other’s success. It just seems a natural progression.” Stukes, a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, has felt that joy in a number of ways, including serving on the Auburn University Foundation board of directors, Samford University board of trustees, Walker Area Community Foundation board of directors and Drummond Co. Inc. board of directors. She co-chaired Auburn’s $1 billion Because This is Auburn campaign. “I love my two education institutions,” she says. “Both are sending students out into Alabama and the world. Those students are prepared to engage in their communities. I know the world is/will be better because of my favorite land-grant institution and my Christ-centered institution.” Stukes is particularly proud of her work with the Walker Area Community Foundation. “The convening and grant dollars we provide offer hope to so many through our partnerships with our local nonprofits.” Stukes and her husband, Rick, live in Jasper, where they are members of Jasper’s First Baptist Church. Her email signature includes a Bible passage, 1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

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XVI

AFP Alabama Chapter Inclusion Diversity Equity and Access (IDEA) Award Nominated by Morgan Emahiser Creative advocacy director of the foundation.

Here’s how XVI’s website describes its mission: “We started a hashtag for those who wanted to follow Xander’s journey, #TheAdventuresofXVI. It evolved into being on adventures with other preemie parents, families of children with disabilities, or developing needs.” Imaghodor calls the AFP honor “humbling.” “We are a small, grassroots organization and to be seen and viewed as making a difference in our community makes me beam with pride,” she says. “In 2015, we were

exhausted parents just trying to survive and selfishly make a way for ourselves for our son. I’m thankful that we are now doing that in an official capacity for others.” She says XVI has taken on new meaning since its formation four years ago. “XVI is my son and every struggle we’ve encountered over the last nine-anda-half years,” she says. “XVI is also the hope of answers, the power of community and the joy of discovering a new outlook on the world.”

Allie Harrison Imaghodor calls herself a professional volunteer.

“I’ve been deeply involved with various organizations across Birmingham for almost 20 years,” she says. “I have more unpaid, philanthropic ‘jobs’ than I have paid ones.” But since 2020, Imaghodor has been executive director of an organization that is deeply personal to her.

XVI stands for Xander Vance Imaghodor, Allie’s son who was born prematurely in 2015 with developmental delays. “We have had the strong desire to be of help since our son was born,” says Imaghodor, whose husband, Oz, is an engineer by day and

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AFP VOLUNTEERS IN PHILANTHROPY HONOREES

Stanley D. Batemon

Regions Bank

Amanda Saint

Honored by Jefferson State Community College

Honored by IMC Financial Consulting

Honored by Better Basics

Regions Financial Corp. is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates approximately 1,250 banking offices and more than 2,000 ATMs. Regions Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.

Better Basics is proud to honor Amanda Saint as an exceptional Volunteer in Philanthropy.

Saint has been a board of directors member for six years and treasurer for two, but her role for Better Basics is much more than that.

For seven months during 2023 and 2024, she served as volunteer interim finance director.

While the search continued for a new finance director, and that new director going on maternity leave, Amanda stepped in to handle day-to-day and strategic accounting duties. As a CPA and an experienced banking executive, she kept Better Basics on track and financially healthy. Her expertise and generosity with her time given to Better Basics is extraordinary – coming to the office after hours and on weekends to keep the organization fiscally fit.

Jefferson State Community College is proud to recognize Stan Batemon as a 2024 recipient of the Volunteer in Philanthropy (VIP) Award. A native of Fultondale and an alumnus of Tarrant High School, Jefferson State Community College and UAB, Stan’s lifelong dedication to service has profoundly impacted his community. After serving as a decorated U.S. Marine in Vietnam, Stan returned home and pursued degrees in biology and business administration at Jefferson State. His commitment to public service extended through his role as an Alabama state game warden and later as chairman of the St. Clair County Commission.

During his tenure as a commissioner, and now in his ongoing role as chairman, Stan has helped spearhead economic development initiatives that significantly contributed to the county’s growth. Under his leadership, St. Clair County has become one of the fastest-growing areas in the Birmingham metro region. In addition to his public service, Stan has been deeply involved in civic organizations, including the Pell City Chamber of Commerce and the Pell City Lions Club. His leadership also extended to founding the Pell City Leadership Program, which evolved into Leadership St. Clair County.

Stan serves as chair of the Jefferson State Community College Foundation board of directors, an extension of his lifelong passion for education. Through his work to propel Jefferson State Community College forward, Stan has ensured that his dedication to community and education will endure for future generations.

Note: Brandon Greve, pictured above, is executive vice president and consumer banking executive at Regions. He has coordinated Regions’ volunteers for IMC Financial Consulting since 2022.

Better Basics is grateful that this busy executive, family woman and prolific community volunteer gave so much so cheerfully during a time of critical need. Amanda is a senior vice president at Regions Bank. She and her husband, Brian, have a busy teenage son, Will, and two rambunctious dogs, Arnold and Hogan.

Amanda truly has a heart for philanthropy and has volunteered all around Birmingham, serving with organizations such as the Junior League of Birmingham, Baptist Health Foundation, Community of Light, Regions Women in Finance, Cherokee Bend PTA and more. For Better Basics, she has been not just an outstanding and engaged board member but also a fundraiser, cheerleader, donor and champion. Better Basics is better because of Amanda’s advocacy.

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AFP VOLUNTEERS IN PHILANTHROPY HONOREES

Steven A. Schultz

David Silverstein

Honored by Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School

Honored by Alabama Holocaust Education Center

Steven A. Schultz has had a decades-long successful career in both the public and private sector, including positions as senior vice president at Protective Life Corp., COO of Childcare Resources, COO of Sloss Real Estate Co. and interim president of Gateway.

David L. Silverstein is the founder of The FiveStone Group, a newly established commercial real estate firm based in Birmingham and specializing in the development of mixed-use projects. Prior to forming The FiveStone Group, David was an operating principal at Bayer Properties LLC. David was instrumental in securing entitlements and ordinance requirements or variances in such areas as zoning, landscaping, traffic and parking. He retains an ownership interest in the assets including The Summit in Birmingham; The Summit at Fritz Farm in Lexington, Kentucky; and The Pizitz, a historic property in downtown Birmingham. Before joining Bayer in 1994, he was a partner in the law firm of Berkowitz, Lefkovits, Isom and Kushner.

In 2023, Steve was asked to come on board as interim president of Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School, a private school that serves some of Birmingham’s most economically challenged families. In his nearly two years at the school, Steve oversaw positive changes in every aspect of the school’s operations, including academics, staffing, finances and marketing.

Steve retired from Holy Family Cristo Rey in August 2024, leaving a legacy of improvement and standards of excellence for the school’s leadership, faculty and students.

David takes an active role in the community and has served as president of the Alabama chapters of the American Heart Association and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. He is president emeritus of the board of directors for the Alabama Holocaust Education Center and a member of the board of directors for Ascension Alabama and Leadership Alabama. David is also a member of the Norton board of advisors for Birmingham-Southern College; The University of Alabama Honors College board of visitors; the UAB Comprehensive Diabetes Center advisory board; the First Horizon Bank Birmingham advisory board; and Leadership Alabama’s Birmingham Regional Council, which he co-chairs.

David is married to the former Susan Tilson, and they have five children and 14 grandchildren. He attended Birmingham University School (now Altamont),Vanderbilt University and Cumberland School of Law.

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Dr. Brenda Lovelady Spahn, LHD Honored by The Lovelady Center Dr. Brenda Lovelady Spahn, LHD, founder of The Lovelady Center, America’s largest Christ-centered recovery facility for women and children in Birmingham, epitomizes vision and compassion. After a successful business career, a legal encounter pivoted her focus toward rehabilitating vulnerable women that started by inviting seven women from Alabama’s Julia Tutwiler Prison into her home, a story recounted in her book “Miss Brenda and the Loveladies,” soon to be adapted into a film by Faster Horse Pictures and Lionsgate.

Honored with numerous awards such as NBC 13’s Making a Difference and the Jeremiah 29:11 Humanitarian Award, Brenda’s transformative impact is widely recognized.

She holds an honorary doctorate from Tennessee Temple University in humanitarian studies and is a celebrated speaker, having appeared on platforms like “LIFEToday” and “The 700 Club.” Her work, which extends internationally, has been featured in major media and prominent art galleries, impacting lives beyond her immediate community.

Brenda cherishes her role as a wife to Jeff Spahn, a mother to five children, and a grandmother and great-grandmother to more than 30. She extends her maternal care to thousands of women, who affectionately call her “Miss Brenda.” Brenda’s life is a testament to the profound influence of dedication, empathy and faith in humanitarian service.

Missy Ellis Yacu Honored by Greater Birmingham Humane Society Missy Ellis Yacu has been a compassionate force for change since childhood, dedicating her time, energy and resources to helping those in need. A graduate of Mississippi State University and a proud Tri-Delta alumna, Missy’s impact began early, founding fundraisers in college that continue to thrive. Her unwavering commitment to animals and their owners has shaped her volunteer efforts, particularly with the Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS), where she serves as secretary of the board of directors and co-chair of the development committee. Missy has chaired GBHS’ renowned Jazz Cat Ball for over a decade, raising millions to support homeless, abused and neglected animals. Beyond the gala, her fundraising initiatives have secured hundreds of thousands of dollars for GBHS. Missy’s leadership extends to the Capital Campaign Committee, working to realize GBHS’ new campus vision.

Additionally, her service on the board of Safehouse, a domestic violence shelter in Shelby County, underscores her dedication to making the world a safer and more compassionate place for all. Missy is an experienced real estate executive and project manager at Milo’s Tea Co. Missy and her husband, David, have three adult children, Blakely, Marcus and Elliott. Missy and David live in Homewood with their three dogs, Louie, Otis and Nina.

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SPOTLIGHT

Winston County

Cullman County

Walker County

Cullman, Walker & Winston Counties

by LORI CHANDLER PRUITT

C

ullman, Walker and Winston counties, in north central Alabama, are in an ideal location, close to larger metro areas and major interstates. It’s also a prime location for outdoor tourism and recreation, and each county is always adding more amenities for its residents and visitors.

They have diverse economies, so they also are laser-focused on workforce development, from elementary school through adult education programs.

New developments are generating excitement, including the planned Heman Drummond Center for Innovation in Jasper in Walker County, to benefit both Walker County and Jasper city school systems. Fundraising is underway for the center, located on Industrial Boulevard in an 80,000-square-foot space that can be expanded, and offering advanced laboratories, high-tech classrooms and collaborative workspace. The center will replace the existing 50-year-old Walker County schools’ Center for Technology.

“We have been talking about this for 10 years, and now we are going to be able to provide great facilities for students to learn career technical fields,” says Paul Kennedy, president of the Walker Area Community Foundation. “This is no longer a pipe dream – it’s happening.”

A groundbreaking will be set soon, and a target opening date is May 2026, he says. The foundation, which is working with many private, corporate, state and federal sources, is set on taking the center from start to finish.

Nearby are the Bevill State Community College Rapid Training Facility and the HVAC Training Center, a workforce development partnership among the state, the Alabama Community College System and Alabama Power recently expanded to include training in electric vehicles, connectivity, solar, HVAC and weatherization, called the Alabama Energy Infrastructure

Downtown Cullman. Photo by David Warren.

Training Center and Network.

In late 2023, Wallace State opened a new Workforce Training Center on the grounds of REHAU’s automotive manufacturing facility in Cullman, providing facilities for training programs and services provided by the college’s Center for Career and Workforce Development. The school also recently opened an $8.8 million Center for Welding Technology and Innovation and has announced plans for nearly $49 million in new campus construction. This includes a $35 million STEM Gateway building for first-year students, a $9.6 million facility for automotive technology and a $4.2 million building for machine tool technology.

And for Winston County, Wallace State plans a ribbon cutting later this year for the new Winston County Learning Center in Arley. It will allow the college to expand its programs and services in the county, and will include its adult education program, adult education guided career pathways, workforce training programs and ACCS Innovation Center programs.

There’s a lot of other good economic news as well. Cullman County set a record for new and expanding industry investment in 2023 at $489 million, according to Cullman Economic Development Agency Director Dale Greer. The 28 expansions ranked Cullman No. 1 in Alabama for the total number of expansion projects and No. 3 in the state for investment. Alabama Department of Commerce records show new and expanding industry has invested more than $1.7 billion in Cullman in the past 10 years.

Smith Lake, which covers more than 21,000 acres in Cullman, Walker and Winston counties, is a major attraction. Jeff Tolbert, owner of Trident Marine, has announced plans for a $300 million development due east of Lewis Smith Dam that would include a four-plus star hotel, 300 homes and three signature golf courses. Plans also call for a wedding chapel, an adventure park, November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 75

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: 5,108,468

Madison County: $78,058 Baldwin County: $71,039 Jefferson County: $63,595 Morgan County: $61,588 Marshall County: $58,272 Cullman County: $58,119 Blount County: $57,440 Montgomery County: $56,707 Mobile County: $55,352 Lawrence County: $54,786 Walker County: $52,987 State of Marion County: $49,743 Alabama Winston County: $49,494 $59,609 Fayette County: $45,650 Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Jefferson County: 662,895 Madison County: 412,600 Mobile County: 411,640 Baldwin County: 253,507 Montgomery County: 224,980 Morgan County: 125,133 Marshall County: 100,756 Cullman County: 92,016 Walker County: 64,728 Blount County: 59,816 Lawrence County: 33,502 Marion County: 29,244 Winston County: 23,611 Fayette County: 15,567 Source: U.S. Census Bureau

dinner cruises and more. “It will encompass about 2,500 to 3,000 acres and have a high-end wellness/medical spa, and a 6,000-foot private jet runway,” he says.

In Walker County, Phase 1 of Heritage Landing is complete, adding full utility access to attract retail, commercial and/or industrial tenants to build out along Interstate 22. Drummond Co. is developing the 50-acre, multi-purpose site.

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In Winston County, the 13-acre Looney’s Tavern complex and amphitheater is now owned by the Winston County Arts Council. Now called Looney’s Tavern Entertainment and Cultural Center, there are concerts, events and much more planned.

Lori Chandler Pruitt is a Birmingham-based freelance contributor to Business Alabama

Economic Engines Kith Furniture, Owens Corning/Masonite International, Universal Forest Products, Exxel Outdoors and Bassett Furniture.

American Fiberglass, in Double Springs, makes bathtubs and shower units.

Heritage Landing is comprised of 50 acres.

AGRIBUSINESS/WOOD/ PAPER PRODUCTION/FURNITURE

AUTOMOTIVE

Cullman County ranks among the highest nationally and regionally in poultry, sweet potato and other agricultural production.

Local high schools offer agriscience programs, and the county has its own Agriplex for events and to raise awareness of the county’s heritage and future in agriculture.

There are several industries in the county related to agriculture. One of the largest manufacturers is Golden Rod, which produces broilers. Cullman County also has corrugated paper box producer Rusken Packaging, with 356 employees.

Walker County has major representation in this sector, with Mar-Jac Poultry in Jasper its largest manufacturing employer. Mar-Jac recently added a freezer storage facility. The county has more than 387,000 acres of forest land, attracting wood and lumber companies that include Jasper Lumber.

And Winston County has several companies in the furniture sector, including

B U S I N E S S DECEMBER 2024: The historic WPA-built Sherer Auditorium is set to become the new Jasper City Hall. The historic façade has been restored, and the building will house council chambers and several city offices.

SEPTEMBER 2024: Wallace State Community College plans a fall ribbon cutting for the new Winston County Learning Center in Arley. It will offer adult education, workforce training and more.

The automotive sector is a major economic driver in Cullman County, and many of its largest manufacturing employers are automotive suppliers.

Those include Topre America Corp., the largest manufacturing employer; along with REHAU Automotive LLC; Yutaka Technologies; and Royal Technologies.

McGriff Industries, in Cullman, makes tires. Topre America and REHAU have announced recent expansions.

The automotive sector in Walker County is on a roll, with multiple Tier 1 suppliers employing more than 600 people. Those include Yorozu Automotive, HTNA, Nitto and Heiche US Surface Technologies. Heiche announced in 2023 it is working on a $25 million expansion.

Lippert Components, in Winston County, makes elements of leisure vehicles, and Fontaine Trailer makes semitruck trailers.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Wallace State and Bevill State community

colleges serve this tri-county area, offering a mix of academic and career-prep options.

Wallace State contributes approximately $212.6 million annually to the local economy and supports 3,348 jobs in its service area. An associate degree from Wallace State is valued at $373,800 in higher earnings over a graduate’s lifetime, and the added tax revenue from higher earnings amounts to $75.7 million.

Bevill State Community College, with five campuses including two campuses in Walker County – Jasper and Sumiton – has a large impact on the area. In FY 2020-21, Bevill State reported a total economic impact of $281.8 million.

Both colleges are partnering in or building workforce development centers.

MANUFACTURED HOMES/ DIVERSIFIED MANUFACTURING

Winston County is home to several manufactured homes companies, employing hundreds of people, and this sector continues to expand. These include Clayton Homes, Regional Home Builders and Tru Homes.

Cullman County lists plumbing connection system maker Reliance Worldwide among its largest manufacturing employers, with nearly 500 workers.

Other manufacturing ranges from metal buildings to caskets to machining to bedding products.

HEALTH CARE

Cullman Regional Medical Center is the largest employer in Cullman County. The hospital recently completed a $30 million,

B R I E F S AUGUST 2024: Heman Drummond Center for Innovation is now in the works, slated to offer programs for students from Walker County and Jasper City school systems.

AUGUST 2024: Warrior Met Coal is set for a major investment in Walker County to construct an overland conveyor to transport coal from its Blue Creek Mine to a new loading terminal in Walker County.

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AUGUST 2024: Global Technical Solutions, a Virginia-based corporation, purchases 1,900 acres in Walker County at a reclaimed strip mine to redevelop as a military munitions testing ground for Department of Defense contractors and the military. The new company for the site will be called Defense Munitions Proving Ground (DMPG).

announces the historic White House on Fifth will serve as a new museum, art gallery and event venue.

AUGUST 2024: The Walker Area Community Foundation

JULY 2024: The Walker County Economic & Industrial

AUGUST 2024: Orlando Health announces its plans to purchase majority ownership of Walker Baptist Medical Center and four other hospitals in Alabama’s Baptist System from Tenet Healthcare.

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

two-phase expansion project that includes 30 new beds in its critical care and medical surgical units, a fourstory bed tower and a major renovation to patient care areas.

REHAU Automotive has recently The hospital announced an expansion. also renovated its main lobby and front entrance. It also opened a Level terminal apron and new hangars. And an II NICU, an overall expansion of its additional $1 million to help fund the obstetric and nursery services. renovation also was announced.

Walker Baptist Medical Center, a part Cullman also has some aerospace comof Brookwood Baptist Health, has made panies such as General Dynamics. several major capital improvements. It In Walker County, it was recently anis one of the largest employers in Walknounced that a Virginia corporation will er County. In August, Orlando Health be building a military munitions testing signed a definitive agreement to purchase ground in the Townley area, which will be Tenet Healthcare’s majority interest in used by Redstone Arsenal.

Brookwood Baptist Health in BirmingSanders Aviation and Sanders Flight ham. That agreement also includes Walker Training Center in Walker County serves Baptist Medical Center and other Alapilots and also is a Part 141 certified bama hospitals in the Brookwood Baptist training center, the highest flight school Health network. rating possible. Many military pilots who Lakeland Community Hospital, in Hawant to transition to commercial flying leyville, is one of Winston County’s largest are trained there — it is one of the largest employers. It is owned by the Haleyville military-to-airline transition flight schools and Winston County Hospital Authority. in the southeast. It also offers a partnership with Delta Aircrew Training Center.

AEROSPACE/AVIATION Courses also include ground and flight With its proximity to Huntsville, lessons, with opportunities for children to Cullman Regional Airport’s Folsom Field get started. is following a long-range plan to improve In Winston County, the city of Haand grow. In August 2024, officials broke leyville’s Posey Field Airport received an ground on a major renovation of its FAA grant to repair a hangar.

B U S I N E S S Development Authority secures $4.7 million in Growing Alabama funds for site development in the Heritage Industrial Park.

MAY 2024: Walker County schools receive a $1 million grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission for a STEM facility at Bankhead Middle School in Cordova. The grant is matched with $1 million in local resources.

TAXES PROPERTY TAX Not including school or city millage CULLMAN COUNTY: 9.5 mills WALKER COUNTY: 9.0 mills WINSTON COUNTY: 9.5 mills STATE OF ALABAMA: 6.5 MILLS

SALES TAX CULLMAN COUNTY: 4.5%

Cities within the county CULLMAN: 0.5% DODGE CITY: 0.5% FAIRVIEW: 0.5% GARDEN CITY: 0.5% GOOD HOPE: 0.5% HANCEVILLE: 0.5% SOUTH VINEMONT: 0.5% WALKER COUNTY: 2%

Cities within the county: CARBON HILL: 3% CORDOVA: 3% DORA: 3% ELDRIDGE: 3% JASPER: 3.5% KANSAS: 1% OAKMAN: 4% NAUVOO: 2% PARRISH: 4% SIPSEY: 2% SUMITON: 4% WINSTON COUNTY: 2%

Cities within the county: ADDISON: 3% ARLEY: 2% DOUBLE SPRINGS: 4% HALEYVILLE: 4% LYNN: 2% NATURAL BRIDGE: 3% STATE OF ALABAMA: 4% Source: Alabama Department of Revenue

B R I E F S JULY 2024: Love’s Travel Stop owns a 22-acre plot within the Drummond Co.’s Heritage Landing multi-purpose development site adjacent to I-22 in Walker County with plans for a major facility. Phase 1 of the entire development was completed earlier this year, adding utilities and high-speed broadband access.

JUNE 2024: Phase 1 of Heritage Landing is complete, adding full utility access to attract retail,

commercial and/or industrial tenants to build out along Interstate 22. Drummond Co. is developing the 50-acre, multipurpose site.

MAY 2024: The Walker County Economic & Industrial Development Authority secures $343,000 in state SEED funding to complete the purchase of 200 acres for the new Heritage Industrial Park.

MAY 2024: Cullman Regional opens North Alabama’s newest Level II NICU and adds staff.

APRIL 2024: Two Jasper orthopedic surgeons open Alabama Back Institute in a historic building in downtown Jasper.

APRIL 2024 : REHAU Automotive announces a $10 million expansion for a new product line to meet a new contract for Nissan.

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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 CULLMAN COUNTY

WALKER COUNTY

TOPRE AMERICA CORP. | CULLMAN

MAR-JAC POULTRY | JASPER

Automotive metal stamping 1,301 employees

Chicken production • 1,000 employees

YOROZU AUTOMOTIVE ALABAMA JASPER

REHAU AUTOMOTIVE LLC | CULLMAN

Automotive metal stamping; suspensions 280 employees

Bumpers, molding • 750 employees

RELIANCE WORLDWIDE | CULLMAN Plumbing connection systems 490 employees

JASPER LUMBER | JASPER

RUSKEN PACKAGING | CULLMAN

CENTRAL STATES MANUFACTURING JASPER

REGIONAL HOME BUILDERS WINSTON COUNTY Manufactured homes • 900 employees

KITH FURNITURE | HALEYVILLE Furniture • 680 employees

OWENS CORNING MASONITE INTERNATIONAL | HALEYVILLE Doors • 265 employees

Lumber • 159 employees

Corrugated boxes • 356 employees

FONTAINE TRAILER | HALEYVILLE Semi-truck trailers • 254 employees

Metal building components • 145 employees

YUTAKA TECHNOLOGIES | CULLMAN Metal stamping/automotive 323 employees

HTNA | JASPER

TRU HOMES | LYNN

Manufactured homes • 200 employees

Automotive supplier • 103 employees

ROYAL TECHNOLOGIES | CULLMAN

NITTO DENKO | JASPER

Injection molding • 201 employees

Automotive supplier • 95 employees

GENERAL DYNAMICS | CULLMAN

MARIGOLD WORKS | JASPER

Machining, optics • 200 employees

Machine/welding • 84 employees

GOLDEN ROD | CULLMAN

WILSON MACHINE & WELDING CORDOVA

Broilers • 200 employees

Machine/welding • 81 employees

MCGRIFF INDUSTRIES | CULLMAN Tires • 199 employees

INLAND/SCHULTE BUILDING SYSTEMS CULLMAN

LIPPERT COMPONENTS DOUBLE SPRINGS

Leisure vehicle components • 130 employees

UNIVERSAL FOREST PRODUCTS HALEYVILLE Wood products • 125 employees

AMERICAN FIBERGLASS DOUBLE SPRINGS

Bathtubs and shower units • 95 employees

WINSTON COUNTY

EXXEL OUTDOORS | HALEYVILLE

Manufactured homes • 910 employees

BASSETT FURNITURE | HALEYVILLE

DIVISIONS OF CLAYTON HOMES ADDISON

Custom metal buildings • 192 employees

Outdoor products • 90 employees

Outdoor furniture • 50 employees

Source: Local Economic Developers

B U S I N E S S APRIL 2024: Valicor Environmental Services LLC announces the construction of a $3.2 million non-hazardous waste solidification facility in Cullman County. This facility reduces waste processing cost for a number of companies throughout the North Alabama region.

APRIL 2024: Tolko, a British Columbian company, completes the purchase of Jasper Lumber Co., renaming it Jasper Forest Products LLC.

B R I E F S MARCH 24: New in Cullman is PTP Lab, a medical and exercise R&D start-up focusing on assisting the defense and law enforcement sectors with ways to prepare the human body to perform and recover from specialized mission-based tasks.

MARCH 2024: The Alabama Community College System and Bevill State Community College announced plans to develop the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Training Center and Network to prepare workers for the energy industry.

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MARCH 2024: The Jasper Free Public WiFi program is activated, covering all of downtown Jasper and five public housing communities.

NOVEMBER 2023: Sean Johnson, a health-care veteran with more than 25 years of administrative experience, is appointed CEO of Walker Baptist Medical Center.

JUNE 2024: Trident Marina owner Jeff Tolbert is developing a destination resort on Smith Lake, including a five-star hotel,

conference venue, boat slips, 300 home sites, boat rentals, sunset tours, signature golf courses and more.

NOVEMBER 2023: Wallace State recently opened a new Workforce Training Center on the grounds of REHAU’s automotive manufacturing facility in Cullman, providing facilities for the college’s Center for Career and Workforce Development.

Source: Economic developers

Higher Education

ABOVE: Wallace State Community College made history this year, becoming the first college in the Alabama Community College System to be named a finalist for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

LEFT: Wallace State recently opened an $8.8 million Center for Welding Technology and Innovation and has announced plans for nearly $49 million in new campus construction.

WALLACE STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Wallace State Community College made history this year, becoming the first college in the Alabama Community College System to be named a finalist for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. This accolade, given biennially by the Aspen Institute, honors community colleges excelling in teaching, completion rates, workforce success and equitable outcomes. The winner of this prize receives $1 million to enhance its efforts in these areas.

As the fourth largest community college in Alabama, Wallace State boasts some of the highest graduation and completion rates in the nation. It has been designated an Achieving the Dream Leader College, a preferred choice for Alabama high school seniors and the No. 1 Online Community College in Alabama by the Guide to Online Colleges.

Located on a 300-acre campus in

Hanceville, Wallace State has additional facilities in Oneonta and serves a broad area including Morgan and Winston counties. It serves about 7,000 students in its more than 200 degree and certificate programs.

Recognized as a Caring Campus, Wallace State has numerous student support services including success advising, tutoring, free mental health counseling, a food pantry, a work wardrobe, career services, an on-campus dental clinic and a lounge for nursing mothers. On and off-campus housing options are available for students from outside the immediate area.

The college’s computer science department has been recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, and the Department of Nursing Education has twice earned the National League for Nursing’s Center of Excellence designation. The nursing program offers dual enrollment options through

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partnerships with both the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Athens State University, allowing students to work toward an associate and a bachelor’s degree concurrently.

The college is also a Leader College, the highest-level participation, through the National Coalition of Certification Center, a program that focuses on career skills.

Wallace State recently opened an $8.8 million Center for Welding Technology and Innovation and has announced plans for nearly $49 million in new campus construction. This includes a $35 million STEM Gateway building for first-year students, a $9.6 million facility for automotive technology and a $4.2 million building for machine tool technology. Wallace State collaborates with industries like Mercedes-Benz and Kubota to provide apprenticeship and other work-based learning opportunities, including those offered through the FAME advanced manufacturing program.

Wallace State recently opened a new

S P O T L I G H T: H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N

Workforce Training Center on the grounds of REHAU’s automotive manufacturing facility in Cullman. It provides facilities for training programs and services provided by the college’s Center for Career and Workforce Development.

With a focus on short-term programs across diverse fields, the center aims to equip individuals with industry-relevant skills, serving as a hub for short-term programs in fields such as liberal arts, applied technology, health sciences and STEM. The college is expanding its reach with the upcoming Winston County Community Learning Center, which will offer classrooms and computer labs for workforce development and adult education.

The college recently has launched several new options related to electric vehicles, including options in advanced automotive services, diesel technology and electrical technology. There also are new options in culinary arts for hotel and restaurant management and nutrition management. The health information technology program has added revenue cycle management and database management to its offerings, along with radiation therapy, artificial intelligence programming, cloud computing and systems engineering technology.

Wallace State has a robust athletics program, with 12 teams in sports such as volleyball, baseball, softball and basketball. An eSports team, international club and intramurals program also are offered.

A Fine and Performing Arts Academy, in partnership with Cullman County Schools, and a new dance program enrich the cultural offerings. The Fine and Performing Arts Academy is one of several offerings for high school students

through the Fast Track and Dual Enrollment programs in academic, health science and applied technology programs at Wallace State.

The college is home to the Evelyn Burrow Museum, which is open to the public.

Along with its own fine art collection, the museum hosts artwork by other artists and has displayed the work of worldrenowned artists such as Andy Warhol, Thomas Mangelson, Daniel Moore, MoseT and many more.

BEVILL STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Bevill State has five locations in northwest Alabama, and two locations — Jasper and Sumiton — are in Walker County. Those campuses have 225 full-time employees and 191 part-time employees.

The locations have a service area that spans more than 4,600 square miles in seven counties. Bevill State offers academic programs, career technical education, health sciences, workforce solutions and economic development, and adult education and dual enrollment.

Bevill State partners with local industry, including recent partnerships to expand career opportunities in energy fields. In March, the Alabama Community College System and Bevill State announced plans to develop the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Training Center and Network program. The new program expands on the HVAC Training Center in Jasper, which is a long-standing partnership between Bevill State and Alabama

ABOVE: The Alabama Community College System and Bevill State Community College announced plans to develop the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Training Center and Network.

Power. The new building will support training in electric vehicles, connectivity, PV solar/microgrid, HVAC and weatherization. The program also will support remote training at community colleges statewide.

The college received a $2.4 million ADECA grant for the project, meaning that the expansion will include workforce training for certification for the installation, testing, operation and maintenance of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Bevill State also recently launched its new facilities maintenance technology program. It will cover a broad range of technologies, including electrical technology, welding technology, machine tool technology and HVAC. Bevill State partners with Jasper and Walker County schools for dual enrollment and has several scholarship options — a CTE dual enrollment scholarship provided by the Don Drummond Family Fund through the Walker Area Community Foundation, and Jump-Start scholarship funds provided by the city of Jasper.

November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 83

Health Care

Dr. Hannah Hightower in Cullman Regional Medical Center’s new Level II NCIU. Photo by Cary Norton.

CULLMAN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

Cullman Regional is a 175-bed hospital and health system serving a six-county area in north Alabama. It is the largest employer in Cullman County, with 1,456 employees.

The hospital recently completed a $30 million expansion project, which added 30 beds to its critical care and medical surgical units, including construction of a new four-story bed tower and a major renovation of existing patient care areas.

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The hospital also renovated its main lobby and front entrance.

The bed tower was the third in a series of four major expansion projects that included the ER expansion, an outpatient facility in Hartselle and a freestanding ER

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

Walker Baptist Medical Center.

in Hartselle.

Another major update is the opening of North Alabama’s newest Level II NICU this year. It is a part of an overall expansion of obstetric and nursery services, which also adds a fourth OB/GYN physician, six neonatologists and four neonatal nurse practitioners to its medical staff.

In less than three years, the hospital has added more than 30 physicians to its employed provider group representing multiple specialties. Robotic-assisted surgeries also have increased.

Lakeland Community Hospital.

WALKER BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER

Walker Baptist Medical Center, with 525 employees, is one of the largest employers in Walker County. The acute care hospital, located in Jasper, has 267 beds and has served the community since 1980.

The hospital offers a full range of services including life-saving response times for patients with chest pain or stroke symptoms; cardiology; orthopedics, including rehabilitation; psychiatric care, and more.

The hospital has invested in several new pieces of medical technology recently, valued at a total of $1.9 million.

The investment includes a 3D mam-

mography suite, an ENT navigation system, a Loop-X Mobile Robotic Imaging System and a Spine Surgery Navigation System.

In August, Orlando Health signed a definitive agreement to purchase Tenet Healthcare’s majority interest in Brookwood Baptist Health in Birmingham.

That agreement also includes Walker Baptist Medical Center and three other Alabama hospitals in the Brookwood Baptist Health network.

LAKELAND COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

Lakeland Community Hospital in Haleyville, a major employer and sole health

care provider in Winston County, has 49 beds.

The hospital has a 24-hour emergency room and provides a comprehensive range of diagnostic services. Lakeland is an integral part of the community, with acute care services, emergency services, medical specialties, cardiopulmonary services, behavioral health services, rehab services, ICU and a wide range of community support services. The hospital has a swing bed program, a behavioral senior care inpatient program, home health, pediatric and family medicine clinics.

The hospital is owned by the Haleyville and Winston County Hospital Authority.

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Community Development

Alabama Back Institute’s new location is in a historic building that has been renovated and outfitted with an open MRI and other equipment.

CULLMAN COUNTY

The Cullman County Commission is currently completing road projects, renovating areas of the courthouse to better accommodate citizens and looking toward some longer-term projects, like the renovation of Big Bridge and continued involvement in the Cullman County Agricultural Trade Center, says John Bullard, county administrator.

The commission sets priorities, including restoring the road and bridge system, retaining and recruiting quality personnel, maintaining facilities and equipment at a high level, and operating enterprise funds (water, sanitation, parks) more efficiently using proven business principles.

The city of Cullman is excited about the new OmniPlex Sports and Civic Center, under construction now with a planned opening in April 2025, says Nathan Anderson, parks and recreation director. More than half the dates in its first 12 months are already booked, with an estimated $30 million of economic impact in its first year of operation, he says. It is located adjacent to the Cullman Wellness and Aquatic Center and opposite the Field of Miracles in southwest Cullman.

The related Omni Sports District is

140 contiguous acres of athletics and parks facilities in the heart of Cullman, which also is a top 10 youth sports district in the U.S. The OmniPlex will boast a flexible open space with the capacity to accommodate eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts and multiple pickleball courts, plus space for events, competitions and other gatherings.

Cullman is ranked No. 3 for Best Small Town Cultural Scene in the 2024 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards and has a variety of popular festivals and events.

For the first time in the city’s history, it has exceeded $1 billion in taxable sales, says Susan Eller, retail and workforce development manager for the Cullman EDA. Retail is now growing in areas that were previously going unnoticed. This growth is moving along with population growth, she says.

Phase 1 of the Cotton Creek Warehouse renovation was completed in 2023 and became home to The Venue at Cotton Creek, along with several office tenants, Eller says. Phase II is underway and is home to salons and later a second home for Goat Island Brewery and one of the city’s newest restaurants, Half Shell Oyster House.

In May 2024, The Flying Fifty, a luxury boutique hotel that pays homage to its Alabama history, opened to the public. The Flying Fifty features seven suites, Alabama-made products and a hybrid self-check-in system. The hotel was developed by Wallace State Community College alumni Paul & Challie Johnson Knetter, along with John Riley, president of Cullman Savings Bank. Jubilee Coffee

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& Wine Bar, Seven Daughters Scoops and Sipsey Wine Tasting Room also will call the new building home. All plan to be open this fall.

The Klein building downtown, a historic building and former creamery and ice cream shop, has been renovated with Taziki’s, boutiques and more.

A Love’s Truck Stop, which the company says will be the largest in the U.S., is set to open at I-65 exit 305, with a Quick Trip planned at exit 308.

The city of Hanceville has several large projects, says Mayor Jimmy Sawyer. There will be road improvements from Highway 91 to 31, with signal upgrades, a $1.8 million project designed to improve traffic flow. Another is a sewage project upgrade and a water system upgrade, he says. The city also purchased a former post office building to convert into a utilities business office, he says.

New single-family housing is going up on Highway 31 North, he says. And the city’s C.W. Day Park will have a new pavilion built by the Civitan Club.

The city of Good Hope has a new community park, which includes a new pavilion, and new businesses Ethos Craft Brewing and Bloom Winery, which are slated for the city’s growing commercial area near I-65.

Schools are a source of pride here. The Cullman City School System was one of nine identified as exceptional for its thirdgrade reading performance In addition to academic programs, city and county schools offer an array of career tech options.

The Cullman Area Technology Academy offers 15 programs, including modern manufacturing, precision machining, cybersecurity, auto service, culinary arts, educators in training, welding, health sciences, cosmetology and more.

Students may also attend the Academy of Craft Training-North America, a public-private partnership between the construction industry and schools. And dual enrollment is available through Wallace State Community College.

WALKER COUNTY

The Walker County Commission is remodeling its Justice Center, including

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

Students from both Walker County and Jasper City Schools will be eligible to attend classes at the new Heman Drummond Center for Innovation.

courtroom renovations.

Work continues on a 50-acre multiuse development, Heritage Landing, in southern Walker County off I-22. The development will be built in phases; utilities are in place now. Drummond Co. is creating the site for retail, commercial and/or industrial tenants.

The city of Jasper recently opened the new Jasper Centennial Park, the result of a partnership between United Way of Central Alabama and the Jasper community.

The city has had continued retail growth, including a new Starbucks Coffee, Whataburger and Mavis Tires. An existing retail center was sold, remodeled and a new Jersey Mike’s store was recruited. And, Memorial Park now has nine pickleball courts.

The city still plans to build a sportsplex, as soon as the right location is found. It’s part of a four-point plan that also includes transforming the former Sherer Auditorium into a new Jasper City Hall, which should open later this year.

The White House on Fifth, a new venue due to open in downtown Jasper in 2025, has been given to the Walker Area Community Foundation. It will be used to enhance the quality of life for residents, with a new museum, art gallery and venue.

As part of downtown revitalization, two Jasper orthopedic surgeons opened a new location for Alabama Back Institute in a historic building that has been renovated and outfitted with an open MRI

and other equipment.

“Downtown has grown so much, and we feel that is the place to be,” says Dr. Mark Prevost, who operates the clinic with his father and brother. The Prevost family also has been involved in several downtown revitalization projects over the past 15 years.

In Empire, the Forks in the River-Mulberry Fork Fishing Area will soon be getting parking lot improvements, prefabricated restroom buildings, a new pavilion and a new metal fishing platform.

The town of Parrish recently bought 40 acres from the University of Alabama, officials say. The Parrish Town Council voted to purchase the land for $55,000.

No decision has been made on how the land will be used.

Work has begun on the new Dora High School and Cordova Elementary School in the Walker County School System. And Jasper City Schools recently opened a new Jasper High School.

Students from both Walker County and Jasper City Schools will be eligible to attend classes at the new Heman Drummond Center for Innovation, says Paul Kennedy, president of the Walker Area Community Foundation. The center, on Industrial Boulevard, will replace the 50-year-old Walker County Center for Technology.

WINSTON COUNTY

In Winston County, Looney’s Amphitheater Complex and Cultural Center, in the

heart of the Bankhead National Forest, is undergoing a rebirth and has reopened as an entertainment venue with a lineup of concerts and a murder mystery dinner planned in 2024.

Restoration of the amphitheater and buildings — including the former Sister Sara’s Restaurant — is currently underway. These structures had been vacant for more than 20 years, until the Winston County Arts Council purchased the complex in October 2022, with the idea of promoting tourism and the arts. The grounds also include an indoor theater and an 18-hole mini golf course.

Winston County commissioners are working to repair and replace the housing on its historic courthouse clock, says Rutger Hyche, District 1 commissioner.

The county also just completed a 6.5-mile paving project with help from Rebuild Alabama, he says.

Double Springs, the county seat, has worked on its community center, digging up and covering the old pool, eliminating old shower rooms and party rooms, and opening a hallway, officials say. The city hopes to build a splash pad.

In the city of Haleyville, where 911 service originated, residents and visitors are enjoying the new Heart of Haleyville pocket park downtown, says Mayor Ken Sunseri. The park’s stage has already hosted movies and live entertainment.

The city also is working with the University of Alabama to install a healing zone next to the sportsplex with $50,000 worth of equipment such as tables and benches, he says. The university has built healing zones, an outdoor space that supports physical, mental, emotional and social health, in other rural areas in the state.

The city also received an FAA grant to repair a hangar at Haleyville Airport Posey Field. And there are new restaurants in town, along with a Tractor Supply Co., Sunseri says.

Natural Bridge Park has been sold to a couple who plan to keep the park open and expand the trail system and more.

Students in Winston County and Haleyville city schools have a variety of career tech options through the county’s Winston Career Academy and the city’s Center of Technology.

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Movers & Shapers NATHAN ANDERSON is the execu-

tive director of Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism. Under Anderson’s leadership, the group received the coveted AAPRA National Gold Medal and two international awards for Wildwater Park, and in 2019 the agency achieved national accreditation. Anderson is a graduate of Athens State University.

CLIFF BEALL is plant manager of

Jasper Lumber Co., where he has worked since he was 14.

He is a graduate of Walker High School and Bevill State Community College.

He is a member of Jasper’s Planning Commission, the Grant Review Team for the Walker Area Community Foundation and a board member for North Central Alabama Works WIOA Board. He also is a past board member and chairman of the Walker County Chamber of Commerce and team captain of the Youth Leadership Walker County program.

JONATHAN BENNETT is general

manager of Bassett Outdoor Alabama, an outdoor furniture manufacturing facility of Bassett Furniture Industries for its Lane, Venture and Bassett outdoor brands.

He has served four terms as a Haleyville city councilman, is past president of the Haleyville Area Chamber of Commerce and past vice chairman of the Haleyville Winston County Healthcare Authority/ Lakeland Community Hospital.

JOHN M. BULLARD is chief adminis-

trative officer and CFO for the Cullman County Commission. He is responsible for operational, financial and personnel administration for the county with a budget of approximately $82 million and more than 500 employees. Bullard earned an associate degree from Wallace State Community College in Hanceville and then graduated from the University of Alabama. He is a Certified Government Financial Manager and holds a Certificate in Public Management from the Government and Economic Development Institute at Auburn University.

TIM CULPEPPER is CEO of Cullman

Electric Cooperative, which provides electric power to more than 47,000 homes and businesses in North Alabama, and internet service to 12,000 customers through its Sprout Fiber Internet subsidiary. Culpepper is a graduate of the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama School of Law. He also serves on the boards of Cullman Regional Medical Center, the Alabama Fiber Network and the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association.

JASON GRIMMETT is vice president

and a partner in Drinkard Development LLC, his family business, which develops shopping centers in Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee and Kentucky. He was an Alabama State Trooper from 1996 to 2000 and was recognized as State Trooper of the Year. He is a graduate of Wallace State Community College, Jacksonville State University and

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the Alabama Criminal Justice Training Center. He has served as chairman of the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce executive board and of the Cullman County Industrial Development Authority. He is active in F.O.P., Masons and the International Council of Shopping Centers.

BEN HARRISON is director of Cull-

man Regional Airport. He is chairman of the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce board and a member of the Cullman Park and Recreation Foundation board.

Harrison is a board member of the General Aviation Alliance of Alabama and the Aviation Council of Alabama and is active with the National Aviation Transportation Association. He has a degree in business, is a licensed pilot and has worked with local school athletics.

CHRISTOPHER “BOO” HAUGHTON

is vice president of sales of the Regional Builders Group, based in Double Springs, and operating three manufactured housing facilities in Winston and Marion counties. He is a Haleyville native who graduated from the University of Alabama. He is president of the Haleyville City school board, sits on the Alabama Manufactured Housing board and is a member on the non-profit Alabama Housing Foundation board.

MITZI HOUK is community relations

manager for Walker, Fayette and Marion counties for Alabama Power Co. An Auburn University graduate, she works in external affairs for Alabama Power and is active with

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

the company’s service organization. She also serves on the board of the Chamber of Commerce of Walker County and recently graduated from Leadership Walker County. She works with the Jasper Industrial Development Board and Walker County Development Authority.

WOODY JACOBS is mayor of Cull-

man. He joined his family business as an accountant, then supervised commercial construction projects for Eidson & Associates until he retired in 2016. He has been president of the local American Red Cross and the Cullman County Fair Association, treasurer of the Cullman Lions Club and president of the Cullman Parks & Recreation Board. Jacobs is a board member of the Fixed Point Foundation and coaches in the Miracle League.

SEAN JOHNSON was named CEO of

Walker Baptist Medical Center in November 2023. He is a health care veteran with more than 25 years of administrative experience. He is a graduate of the University of Mississippi with a master’s from the University of Southern Mississippi.

VICKI P. KAROLEWICS is president

of Wallace State Community College in Hanceville.

Karolewics has served two terms on the American Association of Community Colleges board, serves on the Alabama STEM Council, and has chaired the Alabama Community College System’s College Readiness Task Force.

She earned a diploma from Reid State Technical College, an A.S. from Patrick Henry State Junior College, a B.S. from Troy State University in Montgomery, and a M.Ed., Ed.D. from Auburn University.

and currently serves on the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee.

SAMANTHA SOUTHERLAND is vice

APRIL KNIGHT is executive director

of Northwest Alabama Mental Health Center, serving Walker, Winston, Fayette, Marion and Lamar counties.

Knight holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama and a master’s from Troy University.

She is a certified alcohol and drug abuse counselor and a certified prevention manager. Knight is certified in Healthcare Lean Six Sigma and has served on numerous state and regional boards.

GREEN SUTTLES III is executive

MATT KINSLAND is director of Cull-

man County Economic Development and has been instrumental in securing more than $15 million in grant funding.

He serves on three committees through the National Association of Counties.

Locally, he is vice chair of the North Alabama Agriplex Foundation Board and a member of the Cullman Civitan and Cullman Farm-City Committee.

JENNIFER RAY is district director for

president and director of strategic operations at Alabama Farm Credit.

As a founding board member of the Together We Grow Foundation, she champions scholarships for students pursuing agriculture careers in Alabama. She is also active with Les Dames of Cullman, Women United of United Way of Cullman and Momentum Leadership. She is a Troy University graduate with an Executive MBA from Auburn University and further credentials from the Project Management Institute.

Congressman Robert B. Aderholt, serving Cullman County and 13 other North Alabama counties.

A graduate of Wallace State Community College and the University of Alabama, she has served on various boards throughout her 25-year career

director of the Jasper Industrial Development Board. Earlier, he was CEO of the Pickens County, Georgia, Development Authority.

Prior to that, he owned Vibrant Futures Consulting LLC in Mobile. A graduate of the University of South Alabama, he holds additional credentials from Georgia Tech’s Basic Economic Development Course, University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute, Auburn University’s Intensive Economic Development Training Course and Leadership Mobile.

JEFF TOLBERT SR. is president of

Trident Marina, which he operates with his sons, Jason and Jeff Jr. A pilot with more than 15,000 hours and some 3,000 medical evacu-

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

ations in 100 countries, he founded both MedJet & AirMed International and has spearheaded companies with operations in Birmingham and overseas. In 2014 he sold the medical evacuation business in favor of the Smith Lake marina. He currently chairs the new Cullman County Tourism Bureau and is treasurer of the Cullman Regional Hospital Foundation.

JAMIE TROUTMAN is assistant direc-

tor and governmental affairs at Cullman Economic Development. An Auburn University graduate, she is also a

graduate of Leadership Alabama. Troutman is incoming 2025 president of the Economic Development Association of Alabama. She also serves on the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce governmental affairs committee.

JOSH WIGGINS is owner of Johnny’s

Bar-B-Q in Cullman. He has been a part of the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce for 11 years and will become chairman of the board in March 2025. He also represents the restaurants of Cullman on the Cullman County Tourism Bureau.

ALLEN WOOD is Cullman city presi-

dent for Citizens Bank & Trust. A native of Cullman and graduate of Athens State University, Wood serves as vice chair of the board of Cullman Regional Medical Center and is on the board of the North Central Alabama Regional Council of Governments.

JEREMY WOOTTEN is president

and CFO of HomTex, headquartered in Cullman.

A graduate of Harvard University, he began working with his father, Gerald “Jerry” Edward Wootten Jr., founder of HomTex. He also is president and CFO of Sovereign American Industries, Southern Proper, Haleyville Drapery Co. and Brigand Arms; the CEO/CFO of DB Technologies and Intelli-Pole; and the managing director of Wootten Investment Group. He serves on the boards of the Business Council of Alabama, the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Bernard Preparatory School.

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Culture & Recreation

Terri Pines Golf Course.

Oktoberfest.

SPECIAL TREATS

Christmas Pyramid and Christkindlmarkt in Cullman celebrate the season. Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman features a hillside of hand-crafted replicas of famous religious buildings throughout the world. In Walker County, the 50Mule Team Project honors the mule for its hard work and contributions to the county’s coal mining past.

WONDERS OF NATURE

In Winston County, visit the Natural Bridge — at 122 feet, the longest east of the Rockies — accessible to the public in Natural Bridge Park. Clear Creek Recreation Area in Walker County offers 425 acres along Smith Lake with waterfalls, bluffs and sandy beaches — plus boating, fishing and camping.

HISTORY ABOUNDS

Cullman County Museum, a replica of Col. Johann Gottfried Cullmann’s original home, showcases early Cullman. Crooked Creek Civil War Museum features hands-

Shangri-La Falls. Photo by David Parham.

on displays of memorabilia and a cabin that functions as a bed and breakfast. The Houston Historic Jail, circa 1868, is the oldest structure of its kind in the state.

Bankhead House & Heritage Center in Walker County was built in 1925

by William Brockman Bankhead, once speaker of the house and father of actress Tallulah.

GO FISH

Toss a line in one of the area’s prime fishing lakes — Smith Lake, Sipsey Fork or Walker County Lake.

SPLASH

Waterfalls abound in the region. Get your camera ready for Kinlock, Turkey Foot, Shangri-La, Sougahoagdee, Mize Mill and White Creek Falls in Winston County.

JUMP!

Skydive Alabama in Vinemont allows beginners and experienced skydivers a chance to try this thrilling activity.

CATCH A SHOW

CAMP OUT

Looney’s Amphitheater is a new venue offering concerts and plays in Winston County.

FUN AND GAMES

ball fields, indoor and outdoor pools and more. Sportsman Lake Park in Cullman has miniature golf, a small train, camping, trails and more. Cullman Wellness & Aquatic Center offers aquatics, track and more. Heritage Park in Cullman has ball fields, trails, splash pad and more.

Palomino RV Resort in Cullman has fishing, kayaking, canoeing, basketball, pickleball, hiking trails and a dog park.

WildWater in Cullman features a wave pool, drift river, thrill rides and kids’ areas.

Memorial Park Complex in Jasper offers

TAKE A HIKE

If you hanker for hiking, try Hurricane Creek Park, Horse Creek Trail in Dora

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S P O T L I G H T: C U LT U R E & R EC R E AT I O N

festivities and events:

Alabama Strawberry Festival.

BLOOMIN’ FESTIVAL — Cullman | Spring

Arts, crafts, music and food at St. Bernard Preparatory School.

ART IN THE PARK — Jasper | May This

juried art show plus games, storytelling, dance, music and more.

GRILLED CHEESE FESTIVAL — Hanceville | May Who makes the best version of

the gooey favorite?

HILLFEST — Carbon Hill | September

Music, crafts, food and fun in downtown Carbon Hill.

FOOTHILLS FESTIVAL — Jasper |

September Live music, food and fun.

BERNARD BLUES AND BBQ — Cullman |

Fall To benefit St. Bernard Prep School.

OKTOBERFEST — Cullman | October

STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL — Cullman |

Celebrating Cullman’s German heritage with music, food and drink.

bounty with food, games and fun.

CULLMAN COUNTY FAIR — Cullman

May Celebrating Cullman’s strawberry 911 FESTIVAL — Haleyville | June

Marking Haleyville’s status as the site of the first 911 call, the festival celebrates first responders.

2ND FRIDAYS — Cullman | Summer

| October Rides, exhibits and

entertainment.

PEINHARDT FARM DAY — Cullman |

October Grist mill, blacksmith and

hayrides give a glimpse of times past.

Music, classic cars, arts, games and more — June through September.

MUD CREEK ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL

ROCK THE SOUTH — Cullman | August

walking tour of historical homes.

Country music in a festival celebrating community spirit after the devastating 2011 tornado outbreak here.

— Hanceville | October Includes a

FROG FESTIVAL — Sumiton | October

Arts & crafts, food and fun downtown.

SMITH LAKE PARK SWEET TATER

DAYS GAP FESTIVAL — Oakman |

Smith Lake Park each Labor Day.

music, food and children’s activities.

or the 90 miles of trails in Bankhead National Forest.

marble floors, a vaulted ceiling, and artisan-crafted stained-glass windows.

CROSS THE BRIDGE

GET OFF THE ROAD

FORE!

SIP IT

FESTIVAL — Cullman | September At

Clarkson Covered Bridge, a 270-foot structure built in 1904, now sits on the banks of Crooked Creek in Cullman.

Swing a club at Terri Pines in Cullman County, or you can play tennis and swim there.

BE REVERENT

Cross Creek.

Pike County Lake.

The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, in Hanceville, was inspired by the Franciscan churches of 13th century Assisi, Italy, and features inlaid Italian

96 | BusinessAlabama.com November 2024

October Arts & crafts, antique cars,

Stony Lonesome OHV Park features trails for ATVs, rock crawlers, dirt bikes, mountain bikers, equestrians and hikers.

Sipsey Vineyard and Winery in Double Springs crafts its wines in wooden barrels.

It’s tasting room is set to open this fall in Cullman.

ENJOY THE ARTS

The Evelyn Burrow Museum houses an array of art exhibits on the campus of Wallace State Community College.

RETROSPECT

A 1937 photo of the V.J. Elmore store in Jasper. Photo courtesy of Jasper Public Library.

Down at Elmore’s Five & Dime The Alabama-born chain found great success

By SCOTTY KIRKLAND

F

rom a single shop in Clanton in 1925, V. J. Elmore’s 5¢-10¢ Store grew to more than 100 locations in multiple states. Through changing styles and shopping trends, through earth-shaking economic change and war, the store never experienced an annual net loss.

Virgil J. Elmore was born on a Coffee County farm in 1887. But the Wiregrass soil did not long hold him.

At 21, he moved to Elba, intent on starting a life in business. He found success as a partner in a general store, catering to area farmers, the kind of people he knew well. In 1916, the restless young entrepreneur moved again, this time north to Clanton, where he opened a clothing store. The following year, he set aside his business interests and enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Staff and shoppers inside V.J. Elmore’s north Birmingham location in 1954. Photo courtesy of Birmingham, Alabama, Public Library Archives.

He served at Camp McClellan in Anniston as part of the Quartermaster Corps, a fitting assignment for his procurement skills.

During his military service, Elmore placed his Clanton business interests in the care of a trusted and successful older partner. Returning to Chilton County, Elmore opened a military surplus store nearby. Over the next several years, he adapted his line of merchandise to the variety-store model. In November 1925, he rebranded as V. J. Elmore’s 5¢-10¢ Store.

That year, Chilton County patrons purchased almost $33,000 of his merchandise.

Based on the success of his Clanton store, Elmore expanded. In 1927, he opened a second location in Jasper, followed by a third the next year in Wetumpka. To oversee the launch of the new stores, Elmore turned to young Ocie Webb. Similar rural upbringings

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R E T RO S PE C T

had united the two men across a generational gap. By the time Webb’s career with the business concluded, he had risen from a high school stockboy to one of its chief executives.

Elmore’s offered the residents of smaller Alabama towns the same wares available in larger cities. The two-story Elmore’s location in Greenville, for example, became an important commercial establishment for many people who lived between Montgomery and Mobile.

The company’s mixture of non-perishable goods and inexpensive household necessities helped it weather the effects of the Great Depression, which doomed many higher-end competitors. A 1933 sales ad for the Wetumpka store offered a 1000-yard spool of thread or a thick pad of school paper, each for just 9¢. A similar ad from the Andalusia store invited patrons to “save the difference at Elmore’s” and offered fabric for 15¢ a yard and heavy-duty men’s work shirts for 50¢. At the start of the Depression, there were four store locations. Over the next decade, the number steadily grew to 31 stores employing 1,200 people with a combined annual sales volume of more than $1 million. The company paid its stockholders regular dividends.

The company’s practice of purchasing and renovating older buildings meant that no two Elmore’s were exactly the same. But despite differences of size and shape, each location featured the same large glass storefront, framed with a bright red top and crowned with the company name. Inside, stores were packed with a standard inventory of 4,500 different items. Racks with comics and paperback books crowded around the door. A sea of tabletops filled with clothing, linens and gleaming appliances awaited. Some stores even suspended items like sunhats, umbrellas and lawn chairs from the ceiling.

In 1940, after 15 years of expansion within the borders of Alabama, Elmore’s opened its first out-of-state location in Aberdeen, Mississippi. That same year,

An advertisement for V.J. Elmore appeared in The Birmingham News in November 1963. Photo courtesy of Birmingham, Alabama, Public Library Archives

Virgil Elmore relocated company headquarters from Clanton to Birmingham and opened a new 36,000-square-foot distribution center.

When he sat down to pen his annual letter to stockholders in February 1942, Elmore presided over 44 locations and a sales volume of $2.2 million. Writing weeks after Pearl Harbor and America’s entry into the Second World War, though, the businessman was stoic. “With the prospect that victory can only come after arduous painful months, and perhaps years, brings the realization that, for the duration, all considerations must be subordinate to the military necessities of our nation.” The executive’s prescient letter predicted rationing, loss and personal sacrifice. As he wrote, three of his store managers had already been called to active duty. More would follow.

But Virgil Elmore did not live to

98 | BusinessAlabama.com November 2024

welcome these employees home from war. Early on the morning of September 12, 1942, he was killed in an automobile accident in downtown Birmingham when a young, inexperienced delivery truck driver collided with his car at an intersection. The five-and-dime entrepreneur left behind a wife and two children, including his 11-year-old namesake. In a letter to stockholders a few months later, Ocie Webb paid tribute to the “broad-gauge character” of Virgil Elmore, “his singularly accurate business judgement, his courage, indefatigability, and tenacity of purpose.”

Olive Elmore served as president of the company begun by her husband for many years thereafter.

The couple’s children later served on the board as well. The family presided over the continued growth of Elmore’s. Sales topped $10 million in 1961, the same year the company renovated many of its older stores and expanded into new spaces in shopping malls. There were then 68 locations spread across three states.

There was even an Elmore’s in Maycomb, Nelle Harper Lee’s fictional Alabama town in “To Kill a Mockingbird.” It was at Elmore’s that Jem Finch bought his strong-minded sister Scout a coveted sequin-bedecked twirling baton for 17¢.

The purchase quickly served a dastardly purpose, however, when Jem snatched it from her grasp and wielded it like Excalibur against the unsuspecting camelia bushes of the pugnacious and spiteful Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose.

Soon after one of Alabama’s most celebrated 20th-century authors wrote the company into literary history, Elmore’s was acquired by the larger variety-store empire of S. H. Kress & Co. In 1972, global retailer Genesco Inc. merged the operations of the two chains under a combined division. Within a decade, both storied five and dime chains were relegated to history, literature and memory.

Historian Scotty E. Kirkland is a freelance contributor to Business Alabama. He lives in Wetumpka.

Career Notes

by ERICA JOINER WEST

ACCOUNTING

CHILD CARE

INTERNET

Jackson Thornton has promoted Lindsey Goddard to principal in the firm’s Montgomery office; Amy Pugh and Holly Tucker to senior manager; Kristian Horton, Holly McKeown and David Norris to manager; Brandon Baker, Bailey Beck, Summer Heath, Amanda Pettus, Tara Sides and Caroline Stewart to supervisor; Amie Deloach and Jenny Lewis to senior client accountant; Zac Cottle to IT systems administrator and Stewart Thomas to senior technology consultant with Jackson Thornton Technologies.

Moxi, a Birmingham-based startup, has hired Maria Underwood as chief operations officer, Tara Collins as head of school, Birmingham; and Amber Whitfield as early learning specialist.

The Alabama Fiber Network has selected Sheryl Kilgore as chief financial officer.

Wilkins Miller has promoted Lucas Brunson and Mallory Byrne to supervisor; and Caitlin Brewer, Alison Bunch, Will Eichstaedt, Holly Henderson, Kaden Kramer, Evan Mahone and Savannah Stephens to senior associate.

LEGAL Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP has added former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Harrington to the firm’s Birmingham office as a partner in the banking and financial services and government enforcement and investigations practice groups.

CONSTRUCTION Apex Roofing & Restoration has promoted Tim Burke to president and hired David Andrews to serve as executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC has hired Samuel Katulich, Cassidy Keith, Caroline Leak and Colin Matthaei.

CREDIT UNIONS Max Credit Union has added Todd Romanowski as vice president of business services.

MANUFACTURING FSGroup has promoted Jeff Saunders to chief operating officer and has hired Ashley Hays Bice as director of strategic marketing and public relations.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Blake Williams, of the Limestone County Economic Development Association, has completed the Intensive Economic Development Training Course at Auburn ADVERTISING Luckie has hired Tina Chadwick as head of University’s Government & Economic Development Institute. accounts.

AGRICULTURE

O’Neal Industries has promoted Tate Forrester to senior vice president and chief development officer.

EDUCATION

REAL ESTATE

Keith Phillips, executive director of the The Alabama Farmers Federation has hired Alabama Technology Network, has been Morgan Desselle as legislative and policy assistant in its External Affairs Department. appointed interim president of Wallace Community College.

Sam Winter & Co. Real Estate, of Mobile, has hired Stacey O’Neil as a realtor.

ARCHITECTURE

Quantalytix, a provider of enterprise bank management software, has added Barry Adcock as a sales executive.

TECHNOLOGY

Drew Haley Smith, of Seay, Seay & Litchfield PC, has become the youngest female licensed architect in the U.S., at 23 years old.

Dr. Eric Kirkman, director of Kilby Laboratory School at the University of North Alabama, has been selected by the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools to serve on its board of directors.

BANKING

HEALTH CARE

First Horizon Bank has added Clayton Mobley, of Abacus Investments; Joey Pierson, of Tacala LLC; and Travis Pritchett, of Harbert Management Corp., to its Birmingham advisory board.

Abdelsalam Osman, M.D., a vascular surgeon, has joined Southeast Health in Dothan.

SmartBank has hired Tina Coleman as senior vice president, private banker in Mobile and Stacy Faison as area president for markets in central and east Alabama, based out of the Auburn office.

Protective Life Corp. has named Aaron Seurkamp senior vice president, president, Protection & Retirement Division. Jim Wagner has been promoted to senior vice president, chief distribution officer for protection and retirement products.

In addition, Kenneth Byrd will now serve as senior vice president, operations, Protection & Retirement Division.

ServisFirst Bank has added Will Hawkins as senior vice president, commercial banking and Cameron Bishop as vice president, commercial banking in the firm’s Birmingham office.

Command Alkon has appointed Austin Eanes vice president of global customer success. Eanes succeeds Steve Cox, who retired.

TRANSPORTATION

INSURANCE

AAA Cooper has promoted John Hammons to chief strategy officer and executive vice president across the enterprise, Cory Bingham to president of dedicated service and Chris Durley to ACT LTL regional brand president.

WORKFORCE Gov. Kay Ivey has appointed Marty Redden to lead the Alabama Department of Labor. Redden succeeds Fitzgerald Washington, who has retired.

November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 99

Index AAA Cooper......................................................99 Abacus Investments.........................................99 Academy of Craft Training - North America.........88 Acclinate........................................................102 Adcock, Barry................................................................99 Aderholt, Robert B. ......................................................92 Agile Decision Sciences.....................................10 Airbus...................................................... 15, 103 AirMed International........................................92 Alabama Association of Charitable Gift Planners...............................................60 Alabama Back Institute............................... 78, 88 Alabama Capital Network.................................60 Alabama Center for Real Estate.........................47 Alabama Center for the Arts................................8 Alabama Certificate of Need Review Board..........9 Alabama Committee on Credential Quality and Transparency.............................37 Alabama Community College Association..........37 Alabama Community College Presidents’ Association..................................................37 Alabama Community College System.......... 23, 30, 37, 75, 78, 82, 92 Alabama Criminal Justice Training Center.........92 Alabama Department of Commerce .......... 8, 9, 75 Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs................................82 Alabama Department of Labor..........................99 Alabama Energy Infrastructure Training Center and Network............ 75, 78, 82 Alabama Farm Credit........................................92 Alabama Farmers Federation............................99 Alabama Fiber Network.............................. 92, 99 Alabama Future Fund.....................................103 Alabama Holocaust Education Center................71 Alabama Housing Foundation...........................92 Alabama Manufactured Housing Board.............92 Alabama Office of Apprenticeship.....................37 Alabama Power Co. ................... 40, 51, 75, 82, 92 Alabama Shipyard............................................11 Alabama State Department of Education...........30 Alabama State Port.............................................8 Alabama State Trooper......................................92 Alabama State University....................................8 Alabama STEM Council......................................92 Alabama Symphony Orchestra..........................60 Alabama Technology Network...........................99 Alexiou-Ray, Jennifer....................................................30 Altamont.........................................................71 Alys Stephens Center........................................60 Amazon...........................................................47 American Association of Community Colleges...92 American Banker................................................8 American Fiberglass.........................................78 American Heart Association..............................71 American Red Cross..........................................92 American Society of Landscape Architects........102 Anders, Ron..................................................................10 Anderson, Nathan..................................................88, 92 Andrews, David.............................................................99 Apex Roofing & Restoration..............................99 Appalachian Regional Commission...................78 Ardmore, Town of.............................................11 Arley, Town of..................................................75 Arlington Family Offices...................................51 Ascension Alabama..........................................71 Aspen Institute.......................................... 37, 82 Associated Builders and Contractors of Alabama....................................................9 Association of Fundraising Professionals Alabama Chapter ........................................60 Athens State University.............................. 82, 92 Auburn Technology Park North.........................10 Auburn University..................... 10, 15, 37, 60, 92 Auburn University Foundation..........................60 Auburn University Government & Economic Development Institute.................................99 Auburn University Regional Airport..................15 Auburn, City of ................................................10 Austal USA................................................. 10, 11 Ave Maria Grotto..............................................95 Aviation Council of Alabama.............................92 Baehman, Schuyler......................................................40 Baker, Brandon.............................................................99 Bancography..................................................102 Bankhead House & Heritage Center...................95 Bankhead National Forest........................... 88, 95 Bankhead, Tallulah.......................................................95 Bankhead, William Brockman......................................95 Baptist Health Foundation................................71 Barber Motorsports Park...................................60 Bassett Furniture Industries........................ 78, 92 Bassett Outdoor Alabama.................................92 Batemon, Stanley D. ....................................................71 Bayer Properties LLC.........................................71 Beall, Cliff.....................................................................92 Beck, Bailey..................................................................99 Bellefonte Nuclear Plant...................................40 BendPak..........................................................10 Bennett, Crystal G. .......................................................30 Bennett, Jonathan........................................................92 Bentley, Courtney.........................................................30

A guide to businesses (bold) and individuals (light) mentioned in this month’s issue of Business Alabama.

Berkowitz, Lefkovits, Isom and Kushner............71 Better Basics....................................................71 Bevill State Community College............ 78, 82, 92 Bevill State Community College Rapid Training Facility..................................75 Bice, Ashley Hays..........................................................99 Bingham, Cory..............................................................99 Birdsong, James...........................................................15 Birmingham Bound........................................102 Birmingham Museum of Art.............................60 Birmingham-Southern College............. 11, 60, 71 Birmingham, City of ..........................................9 Bishop, Cameron..........................................................99 Blackwood, Houston.....................................................23 Blalock, Rob..................................................................60 Bloom Winery..................................................88 Boeing.............................................................15 Bolden, Gabby..............................................................60 Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP...................99 Brasfield & Gorrie.............................................60 Brewer, Caitlin..............................................................99 Brigand Arms...................................................92 Britt, Sen. Katie.............................................................15 Brookwood Baptist Health ......................... 78, 86 Brown, Mark.................................................................15 Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant...............................40 Brunson, Lucas.............................................................99 Builders Supply Co.............................................8 Bullard, John..........................................................88, 92 Bunch, Alison................................................................99 Burke, Tim.....................................................................99 Burleson Pool Co. ............................................23 Business Council of Alabama............................92 Byrd, Kenneth...............................................................99 Byrne, Mallory..............................................................99 Camp McClellan...............................................97 Campbell, David...........................................................37 Capstone Building Corp....................................11 CapZone...........................................................11 Cashiers Lake development..............................51 CBRE................................................................47 Chadwick, Tina..............................................................99 Challenger Learning Center in Rainbow City.......9 Chamber of Commerce of Walker County...........92 Cherokee Bend PTA..........................................71 Childcare Resources .........................................71 Children’s Harbor.............................................60 Children’s of Alabama......................................60 Christkindlmarkt.............................................95 Christmas Pyramid...........................................95 Citizens Bank & Trust........................................92 Clark, Rod.....................................................................60 Clayton Homes.................................................78 Clear Creek Recreation Area..............................95 Clevenger, Josh..............................................................8 Coastal Alabama Community College............8, 30 Coldwell Banker Commercial McLain Real Estate.....................................102 Coleman, Daniel...........................................................11 Coleman, Tina...............................................................99 Collins, Tara...................................................................99 Columbia Southern University..........................37 Command Alkon..............................................99 Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham................................................60 Community of Light.........................................71 Condon, Steve..............................................................30 Constellium...................................................102 Cook & Boardman Group...................................11 Cornerstone Schools of Alabama.......................60 Correctional Education Association....................37 Cottle, Zac.....................................................................99 Cotton Creek Warehouse..................................88 Covington Electric Cooperative .........................23 Cox, Steve....................................................................99 Crooked Creek Civil War Museum.....................95 CS Equities.......................................................60 Cullman Agriplex.............................................78 Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce................92 Cullman Area Technology Academy...................88 Cullman City School System..............................88 Cullman Civitan...............................................92 Cullman College at Sacred Heart.......................92 Cullman County Agricultural Trade Center.........88 Cullman County Commission...................... 88, 92 Cullman County Economic Development...........92 Cullman County Fair Association.......................92 Cullman County Industrial Development Authority.....................................................92 Cullman County Museum.................................95 Cullman County Schools...................................82 Cullman County Tourism Bureau.......................92 Cullman Economic Development Agency............................................ 75, 88, 92 Cullman Electric Cooperative ............................92 Cullman Farm-City Committee..........................92 Cullman Lions Club..........................................92 Cullman Park and Recreation Foundation..........92 Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism......92 Cullman Regional Airport........................... 78, 92 Cullman Regional Hospital Foundation.............92 Cullman Regional Medical Center......... 78, 86, 92

100 | BusinessAlabama.com November 2024

Cullman Savings Bank......................................88 Cullman Wellness and Aquatic Center......... 88, 95 Cullman, City of................................... 75, 88, 92 Cullmann, Johann Gottfried.........................................95 Culpepper, Tim.............................................................92 Cumberland School of Law...............................71 Cummings Research Park.................................11 Daniel Communities.........................................51 Daniel Corp......................................................51 Day, Sheldon..................................................................9 DB Technologies...............................................92 Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency...........................................10 Defense Logistics Agency..................................10 Defense Munitions Proving Ground..................78 DeKalb/Jackson Counties Industrial Development Board.....................................37 Deloach, Amie..............................................................99 Delta Air Lines..................................................15 Delta Aircrew Training Center............................78 Delta Zeta Sorority Foundation..........................60 Department of Defense.....................................78 Deravi, Keivan.................................................................9 Design Environments.......................................11 Desselle, Morgan..........................................................99 Dix, John......................................................................10 Dominguez-Persons...........................................9 Dominick Feld Hyde.........................................60 Don Drummond Family Fund............................82 Double Springs, Town of............................. 88, 92 Drake State Community & Technical College......23 Drinkard Development LLC...............................92 Drummond Co. ...............................60, 75, 78, 88 DSI Security Services.......................................102 Dunn, Priscilla P............................................................11 Durley, Chris.................................................................99 Eanes, Austin................................................................99 Economic Development Association of Alabama............................................ 37, 92 Eichstaedt, Will.............................................................99 Eidson & Associates..........................................92 Eller, Susan...................................................................88 Elmore, Olive................................................................97 Elmore, Virgil J.............................................................97 Endomimetics..................................................11 Epidemiological Workgroup.............................92 ES Robbins.....................................................103 Ethos Craft Brewing..........................................88 Evelyn Burrow Museum.............................. 82, 95 Exxel Outdoors.................................................78 F.O.P. Masons...................................................92 Facebook...........................................................9 Faison, Stacy.................................................................99 Family Health.................................................102 Farley Nuclear Plant.........................................40 Faster Horse Pictures........................................71 Fayette County.................................................92 Fazio, Tom.....................................................................51 Federal Aviation Administration........... 15, 78, 88 Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education....................................................37 Field of Miracles, Cullman................................88 Fine and Performing Arts Academy....................82 First Bank of Alabama.......................................10 First Horizon Bank...................................... 71, 99 First Solar Inc. ............................................ 8, 103 FiveStone Group, The .......................................71 Fixed Point Foundation.....................................92 Florida State University....................................37 Flying Fifty, The................................................88 Fontaine Trailers...............................................78 Ford, Bessie............................................................... 103 Forefront Dermatology...................................102 Forrester, Tate...............................................................99 Fort Novosel.....................................................15 Freedom Real Estate & Capital LLC...................102 FSGroup...........................................................99 Funderburk, Annette....................................................37 G&G Steel.........................................................10 Gadsden State Community College...................37 Gateway...........................................................71 GE Aviation......................................................15 General Aviation Alliance of Alabama................92 General Dynamics............................................78 General Dynamics Electric Boat.........................10 General Motors............................................8, 47 Genesco Inc......................................................97 Georgia Power .................................................40 Georgia Tech....................................................92 Ghost Train Brewing.........................................11 Global Technical Solutions................................78 Goat Island Brewery.........................................88 Goddard, Lindsey.........................................................99 Golden Rod......................................................78 Goldman Sachs...................................................8 Good Hope, City of ...........................................88 Goodwyn Mills Cawood......................................9 Gorrie, Jim....................................................................60 Gorrie, Miller................................................................60 Government and Economic Development Institute................................................ 37, 92

Grainger Community Counseling and Wellness Clinic......................................11 Greater Birmingham Humane Society......... 60, 71 Greer, Dale....................................................................75 Grimmett, Jason...........................................................92 Guide to Online Colleges..................................82 Gulf, The........................................................102 Gunderson, John..........................................................51 Haleyville Airport Posey Field...........................88 Haleyville and Winston County Hospital Authority................................. 78, 86 Haleyville Area Chamber of Commerce..............92 Haleyville Center of Technology........................88 Haleyville City Schools............................... 88, 92 Haleyville Drapery Co.......................................92 Haleyville Winston County Healthcare Authority....................................92 Haleyville, City of....................................... 88, 92 Half Shell Oyster House....................................88 Hall-Taylor Construction.....................................9 Hammons, John...........................................................99 Hanceville Civitan Club....................................88 Hanceville, City of............................................88 Harbert Management Corp...............................99 Harmony Venture Labs...................................102 Harrington, Jonathan...................................................99 Harrison, Ben................................................................92 Harrison, Lisa Sims.......................................................60 Harvard University...........................................92 Hatch Fairhope.................................................10 Haughton, Christopher “Boo”......................................92 Hawkins, Jack Jr. ..........................................................10 Hawkins, Will................................................................99 Hayes, Michelle............................................................30 Heath, Summer............................................................99 Heiche US Surface Technologies........................78 Heman Drummond Center for Innovation...................................... 75, 78, 88 Henderson, Holly.........................................................99 Hensley, Lori.................................................................37 Heritage Industrial Park...................................78 Heritage Landing................................. 75, 78, 88 Heritage Park, Cullman....................................95 High Hampton.................................................51 Higher Education Resource Services-East Africa Leadership Academy....................................37 Hispanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama......60 Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School......71 HomTex...........................................................92 Hoover Health Care Authority.............................9 Horse Creek Trail..............................................95 Horton, Kristian............................................................99 Houk, Mitzi...................................................................92 Houston Historic Jail........................................95 Howard University...........................................11 HTNA...............................................................78 HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology............8 Hurricane Creek Park........................................95 Hutto, Bill.....................................................................15 Hyche, Rutger...............................................................88 Hyde, Gregory D...........................................................60 Hyundai.............................................................8 IBM.................................................................30 ILJIN ...............................................................10 ILJIN USA.........................................................10 Imaghodor, Allie Harrison............................................60 Imaghodor, Oz..............................................................60 Imaghodor, Xander Vance............................................60 Innovate Alabama..........................................102 Innovation Center............................................23 Intelli-Pole.......................................................92 International Council of Shopping Centers........92 International Economic Development Council.....9 International Economic Development Task Force....................................................92 International Enterprises..................................10 International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council........................30 Intramicron Inc. ...............................................10 Ivey, Gov. Kay..................................................8, 9, 10, 99 J.F. Ingram State Technical College....................37 Jackson County Economic Development Authority.....................................................37 Jackson Thornton.............................................99 Jackson Thornton Technologies.........................99 Jacksonville State University...................... 37, 92 Jacobs, Woody..............................................................92 Jasper City Hall.......................................... 78, 88 Jasper City School System................75, 78, 82, 88 Jasper Forest Products LLC................................78 Jasper Industrial Development Board...............92 Jasper Lumber Co....................................... 78, 92 Jasper Planning Commission...........................92 Jasper, City of...................................... 75, 82, 88 Jefferson State Community College..................71 Jenkins, Scott...............................................................51 Jersey Mike’s...................................................88 Johnny’s Bar-B-Q..............................................92 Johnson, Eric................................................................51 Johnson, Jarrod............................................................11 Johnson, Sean........................................................78, 92 Jubilee Coffee & Wine Bar.................................88

Julia Tutwiler Prison.........................................71 Junior League of Birmingham..........................71 Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation............71 Karolewics, Vicki...........................................................92 Katulich, Samuel..........................................................99 Keith, Cassidy...............................................................99 Kennebec development....................................51 Kennedy, Paul...............................................................75 Kilby Laboratory School....................................99 Kilgore, Sheryl..............................................................99 Kingdom Culture Coaching Services LLC............37 Kinsland, Matt..............................................................92 Kirkman, Eric................................................................99 Kith Furniture..................................................78 Knetter, Challie Johnson..............................................88 Knetter, Paul.................................................................88 Knight, April.................................................................92 Knight, Bobbie.............................................................11 Kramer, Kaden..............................................................99 Kubota.............................................................82 LABL Studio....................................................102 Lakeland Community Hospital.............. 78, 86, 92 LakeTown developments..................................51 Lamar County...................................................92 Lancaster, Mary Beth....................................................30 LEAD Institute Cohort.......................................37 Leadership Birmingham..................................60 Leadership Alabama........................37, 60, 71, 92 Leadership Barbour..........................................37 Leadership Mobile...........................................92 Leadership MS Mobile......................................92 Leadership St. Clair County...............................71 Leadership Walker County................................92 Leak, Caroline...............................................................99 Lee, DS..........................................................................10 Lee, Nelle Harper..........................................................97 Les Dames of Cullman......................................92 Lewis, Jenny.................................................................99 Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC.........................99 Limestone County Economic Development Association.............................99 Lionsgate.........................................................71 Lippert Components.........................................78 Loftin, Robert Lee III......................................................60 Loftin, Virginia Gilbert..................................................60 Looney’s Amphitheater Complex and Cultural Center.......................... 75, 88, 95 Love’s Travel Stop....................................... 78, 88 Lovelady Center, The ........................................71 Luckie..............................................................99 Lurleen B. Wallace Community College.............23 Lyash, Jeff.....................................................................40 Mahone, Evan...............................................................99 Maisel, Elliot...................................................................9 Mangelson, Thomas.....................................................82 Mar-Jac Poultry................................................78 Marion County.................................................92 Mars Wrigley.....................................................8 Marshall Space Flight Center...........................102 Matthaei, Colin.............................................................99 Mavis Tires.......................................................88 Max Credit Union.............................................99 McClain, Clarissa..........................................................40 McGriff Industries............................................78 McKeown, Holly............................................................99 McLain, D. Scott......................................................... 102 McLain, Gene............................................................. 102 McNair, Ellen..................................................................8 Media Fusion.................................................102 Medical Properties Trust.....................................9 MedJet............................................................92 Megan Montgomery Foundation to Prevent Domestic Violence.......................................60 Memorial Park Complex...................................95 MentalHappy.................................................102 Mercedes-Benz.................................................82 MetLife............................................................51 Miles College...................................................11 Mills Creek development..................................51 Milner, Aaron................................................................30 Milo’s Tea Co.....................................................71 Miracle League.................................................92 Mississippi Power............................................40 Mississippi State University........................ 37, 71 Mobile County Health Department..................102 Mobile Naval Yard............................................11 Mobley, Clayton............................................................99 Momentum Leadership....................................92 Monnette, Courtney.....................................................30 Montgomery Steam Laundry..........................103 Montgomery-Clark, Susanne........................................60 Montgomery-Price, Meredith.......................................60 Montgomery, Megan...................................................60 Moody’s...........................................................47 Moore, Daniel...............................................................82 Morgan Emahiser Creative................................60 Morgan State University...................................11 MoseT...........................................................................82 Motion Industries..........................................103 Moxi................................................................99 Mullins Building Products................................11 Muscogee Nation...............................................8

NAI Chase Commercial Real Estate.....................47 NASA....................................................... 10, 102 National Association of Counties.......................92 National Association of Realtors........................47 National Aviation Transportation Association.....92 National Coalition of Certification Center...........82 National Governors Association Policy Academy to Advance Youth Apprenticeship...37 National Governors Association World-Based Learning Policy Committee...........................37 National League for Nursing.............................82 National Science Foundation....................... 11, 37 Natural Bridge Park.................................... 88, 95 NBC 13.............................................................71 Network of Alabama Academic Libraries..........102 New York University.........................................60 Nissan.............................................................78 Nitto................................................................78 Norris, David.................................................................99 North Alabama Agriplex Foundation.................92 North Central Alabama Regional Council of Governments...............................................92 North Central Alabama Works WIOA Board........92 Northeast Alabama Community College...... 23, 37 Northwest Alabama Mental Health Center.........92 Northwest Shoals Community College..............30 Norton, Stuart...............................................................47 O’Neal Industries.............................................99 O’Neil, Stacey................................................................99 Oakworth Capital Bank.....................................60 Office of Naval Research ...................................10 OmniPlex Sports and Civic Center.....................88 One East Alabama..............................................8 Orlando Health.......................................... 78, 86 Osman, Abdelsalam.....................................................99 Owens Corning/Masonite International.............78 Palomino RV Resort..........................................95 Parrish Town Council........................................88 Parrish, Town of ...............................................88 Patrick Henry State Junior College....................92 Patrick, William.......................................................... 103 Paul Harris Fellow............................................37 Pell City Chamber of Commerce........................71 Pell City Lions Club...........................................71 Pettus, Amanda............................................................99 Phi Theta Kappa...............................................37 Phillips, Keith.........................................................11, 99 Pickens County, Georgia, Development Authority.....................................................92 Pierson, Joey................................................................99 Pizitz, The.........................................................71 Plant Vogtle.....................................................40 Poarch Creek Indians..........................................8 Polston-Murdoch, Leana...............................................37 Posey Field Airport...........................................78 Prevost, Mark................................................................88 Pritchett, Travis..............................................................99 Project Management Institute..........................92 Prosper Birmingham........................................60 Protective Life Corp..................................... 71, 99 PTP Lab............................................................78 Pugh, Amy....................................................................99 Quantalytix......................................................99 Race and the Control of Public Parks................102 Rainbow City, City of..........................................9 Ray, Jennifer.................................................................92 Red Mountain Theatre......................................60 Redden, Marty..............................................................99 Redstone Arsenal.............................................78 Regent University............................................37 Regional Builders Group...................................92 Regional Home Builders...................................78 Regions Bank...............................................8, 71 Regions Financial Corp,....................................71 Regions Tradition.............................................60 Regions Women in Finance...............................71 REHAU....................................................... 75, 82 REHAU Automotive LLC.....................................78 Reid State Technical College..............................92 Reliance Worldwide.........................................78 Resilient Counties Advisory Board....................92 RestorixHealth...............................................102 Retail Specialists..............................................11 Retirement Systems of Alabama.......................47 Reynolds Lake Oconee......................................51 Reynolds, Sara..............................................................30 Riley, John....................................................................88 Ritz-Carlton Reynolds.......................................51 Romanowski, Todd.......................................................99 Rotary Club of Birmingham..............................60 Royal Technologies...........................................78 Rural Action Caucus..........................................92 Rusken Packaging............................................78 S. H. Kress & Co.................................................97 Safehouse........................................................71 Saint, Amanda..............................................................71 Saint, Brian...................................................................71 Saint, Will.....................................................................71 Sam Winter & Co. Real Estate.............................99 Samford University..........................................60 Sanders Aviation .............................................78 Sanders Flight Training Center..........................78

Saunders, Jeff...............................................................99 Sawyer, Jimmy.............................................................88 Schultz, Steven A. .........................................................71 Seay, Seay & Litchfield PC.................................99 Sentar Inc. .......................................................10 ServisFirst Bank...............................................99 Seurkamp, Aaron..........................................................99 Seven Daughters Scoops...................................88 Shackett, Todd...............................................................15 Sherer Auditorium...........................................78 Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament...............95 Sides, Tara.....................................................................99 Siegelman, Gov. Don................................................. 103 Sigmatech........................................................10 Silver Ships........................................................9 Silverstein, David..........................................................71 Silverstein, Susan Tilson...............................................71 Singh, Dora...................................................................60 Singh, Sanjay................................................................60 Sipsey Vineyard and Winery.............................95 Sipsey Wine Tasting Room................................88 Sister Sara’s Restaurant....................................88 Skills for Success..............................................23 Skydive Alabama..............................................95 Sloss Real Estate Co..........................................71 SmartBank.......................................................99 Smith, Drew Haley........................................................99 Southeast Health..............................................99 Southerland, Samantha................................................92 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges..................15 Southern Company..........................................40 Southern Nuclear.............................................40 Southern Proper...............................................92 Southern Union State Community College... 10, 15 Southtown Family at Edgehill...........................11 Sovereign American Industries.........................92 Spahn, Brenda Lovelady...............................................71 Spahn, Jeff....................................................................71 Sportsman Lake Park........................................95 Sprout Fiber Internet........................................92 St. Bernard Preparatory School.................... 92, 95 St. Clair County Commission.............................71 STAIR (Start the Adventure in Reading)............102 Starbucks Coffee...............................................88 State Prevention Advisory Board.......................92 Steger, Barbara.............................................................37 Stephens, Savannah.....................................................99 Steward Health Care System...............................9 Stewart, Caroline..........................................................99 Stony Lonesome OHV Park................................95 Stukes, Beth Thorne................................................60, 71 Stukes, Rick...................................................................60 Summit at Fritz Farm, The .................................71 Summit, The.....................................................71 Sunseri, Ken.................................................................88 Suttles, Green III...........................................................92 Sutton, Chad.................................................................23 T-Mobile...........................................................11 Tacala LLC.........................................................99 Talisi Cove developmnet...................................51 Talladega Superspeedway..................................8 Tarrant High School..........................................71 Taziki’s.............................................................88 Teledyne Brown Engineering............................10 Tenet Healthcare........................................ 78, 86 Tennessee State University...............................11 Tennessee Temple University ...........................71 Tennessee Valley Authority...............................40 Tennessee Valley Public Power Association........92 Tenor Group.......................................................9 Terri Pines........................................................95 Thomas Stewart................................................99 Thomas, Randy.............................................................47 Thomasville Healthcare Authority.......................9 Thomasville Regional Medical Center..................9 Thomasville, City of............................................9 Together We Grow Foundation..........................92 Tolbert, Jason...............................................................92 Tolbert, Jeff.............................................................75, 78 Tolbert, Jeff Jr. .............................................................92 Tolbert, Jeff Sr. .............................................................92 Tolko...............................................................78 Topre America Corp...........................................78 Total Quality Logistics.........................................9 Tractory Supply Co............................................88 Trident Marina..................................... 75, 78, 92 Troutman, Jamie...........................................................92 Troy Regional Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine Center.......................102 Troy University..................................... 10, 37, 92 Tru Homes........................................................78 Tucker, Holly.................................................................99 Tuscaloosa Tennis Center....................................9 Tuskegee University.........................................15 U.S Air Force............................................... 10, 15 U.S. Army................................................... 10, 97 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers............................10 U.S. Marines.....................................................71 U.S. Navy.........................................................37 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.................40 UAB Callahan Eye.............................................11

UAB Comprehensive Diabetes Center................71 Underwood, Maria........................................................99 United Negro College Fund...............................11 United States Sports Academy...........................30 United Way of Central Alabama................... 60, 88 United Way of Cullman.....................................92 Universal Forest Products.................................78 University of Alabama.....................47, 60, 88, 92 University of Alabama at Birmingham..................8, 11, 37, 60, 71, 82 University of Alabama Honors College..............71 University of Alabama in Huntsville.................37 University of Alabama School of Law.................92 University of Alabama’s Planned Giving Advisory Committee..........................60 University of Georgia........................................60 University of Mississippi..................................92 University of Montevallo..................................30 University of North Alabama.............................99 University of Oklahoma....................................92 University of South Alabama.........................9, 92 University of Southern Mississippi...................92 University of Tennessee....................................40 University of Texas...........................................37 University of West Alabama..............................30 USA Today........................................................88 USAA Bank.........................................................8 V.J. Elmore’s 5¢-10¢ & $1.00 Store....................97 Valicor Environmental Services LLC...................78 Vanderbilt University.......................................71 Venue at Cotton Creek......................................88 Vibrant Futures Consulting LLC.........................92 Village Dermatology......................................102 Wagner, Jim.................................................................99 Walker Area Community Foundation................ 60, 71, 75, 78, 82, 88, 92 Walker Baptist Medical Center.............. 78, 86, 92 Walker County School System.............. 75, 82, 88 Walker County Center for Technology................88 Walker County Chamber of Commerce..............92 Walker County Commission..............................88 Walker County Development Authority.............92 Walker County Economic & Industrial Development Authority...............................78 Walker County Justice Center...........................88 Walker County School System............... 60, 78, 88 Walker County Schools Center for Technology....75 Walker High School..........................................92 Wallace Community College................. 11, 37, 99 Wallace State Center for Career and Workforce Development..............................75 Wallace State Center for Welding Technology and Innovation..........................75 Wallace State Community College.................10, 37, 75, 78, 82, 88, 92, 95 Walmart..........................................................47 Warhol, Andy................................................................82 Warrior Met Coal..............................................78 Washington, Fitzgerald................................................99 Webb, Audrey...............................................................37 Webb, Ocie...................................................................97 Wesley, Cornell...............................................................9 Whataburger...................................................88 White House on Fifth.................................. 78, 88 White-Spunner Realty......................................47 Whitfield, Amber..........................................................99 Widmar, Mark.................................................................8 Wiggins, Josh...............................................................92 Wildwater Park.......................................... 92, 95 Wilkins Miller..................................................99 Williams Blackstock Architects..........................11 Williams, Blake.............................................................99 Winston Career Academy..................................88 Winston County Arts Council ...................... 75, 88 Winston County Commission............................88 Winston County Community Learning Center....82 Winston County Learning Center................ 75, 78 Winston County School System.........................88 Winston Salem University................................11 Witte, James.................................................................15 Womack, Chris..............................................................40 Wood, Allen..................................................................92 Wootten Investment Group...............................92 Wootten, Gerald Edward Jr...........................................92 Wootten, Jeremy..........................................................92 World Food Championships............................102 Wyelea development.......................................51 Xuzhou Medical University, China.....................37 XVI..................................................................60 Yacu, Blakely.................................................................71 Yacu, David...................................................................71 Yacu, Elliott...................................................................71 Yacu, Marcus.................................................................71 Yacu, Missy Ellis............................................................71 Yorozu Automotive...........................................78 Younce, Leigh Dale.......................................................47 Youth Leadership Walker County......................92 Yutaka Technologies.........................................78 YWCA, Birmingham..........................................60 Zhang, Dingguo...........................................................37

November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 101

Company Kudos

by ERICA JOINER WEST

Media Fusion, a Poarch Band of Creek Indian tribeowned business, has been presented the Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year award

by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.

The company highlights NASA’s contributions through creative services, multimedia support and technology solutions.

DECEMBER Alabama Trade Goes Global Developing the Alabama Economy Generous Alabama Best Companies to Work For

Bancography, a financial services consulting firm based in Birmingham, was named Best of Show at the 2024 FinovateFall for its Bancography Plan software tool.

Orange Beach-restaurant The Gulf won the 2nd annual Coastal Tailgate Cook-Off Challenge, earning an invite to the World Food Championships in Indianapolis later this year.

Coldwell Banker Commercial McLain Real Estate is marking its 50th anniversary of operation in Huntsville and its 40th year with D. Scott McLain as part of the firm’s leadership. The company was founded by the late Gene McLain in 1974.

Innovate Alabama recently took part in Fast Company Innovation Festival in New York City. Included in the trip were representatives from Alabama startups Harmony Venture Labs, MentalHappy, Birmingham Bound and Acclinate.

Constellium, manufacturer of aluminum products for various markets, has achieved Aluminum Stewardship Initiative Performance Standard Certification for all of its operations including its plant in Muscle Shoals.

DSI Security Services, of Dothan, has been awarded the international Outstanding Security Performance Award for Outstanding Contract Security Company.

Family Health, the primary care division of the Mobile County Health Department, has received two Community Health Care Quality Recognition badges from the Health Resources & Services Administration.

Freedom Real Estate & Capital LLC, of Huntsville, is celebrating its 10th anniversary by providing $10,000 gifts to 10 local charities.

The Network of Alabama Academic Libraries is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

Race and the Control of Public Parks, of Auburn, was presented an Honor Award by the American Society of Landscape Architects in its 2024 Professional Awards program.

STAIR (Start the Adventure in Reading) of Birmingham is marking a quartercentury this year. It currently partners with 12 schools and assists in broadening programs to address literacy education.

Troy Regional Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine Center has received RestorixHealth’s Clinical Distinction and Excellence in Patient Satisfaction Awards.

Village Dermatology, a Forefront Dermatology practice, has added its new in-house skincare boutique, LABL Studio.

102 | BusinessAlabama.com November 2024

Geographic Spotlight: Tallapoosa & Chambers Counties

JANUARY Who’s Running the State?

Alabama’s Agricultural Roots Moving Health Care Forward Building the Work Force Geographic Spotlight: Montgomery County Check BusinessAlabama.com for daily business headlines and additional content

Follow us: Business Alabama @BusinessAlabama

Historic Alabama

CLEANING UP William Patrick, owner of the Montgomery Steam Laundry, with his delivery cart in a Montgomery neighborhood. This photo was taken circa 1890. 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.

yourself with these puzzlers from past issues. Beginning Nov. 20, work the quiz online and check your answers at businessalabama.com.

Alabiz Quiz Challenge November 2024:

November 2023 (one year ago):

November 2014 (10 years ago):

Q: First Solar has opened a $1.1 billion plant in Limestone County. What does First Solar do?

A) Advocates for green energy B) Builds solar firms C) Develops solar-powered electric vehicles D) Makes solar panels

Q: BA introduced a Birmingham company called Motion Industries, or just Motion for short. What does the company do?

A) Makes automotive lubricant B) Distributes parts for systems like conveyor belts C) Provides physical therapy D) Teaches dance lessons

Q: We introduced a North Alabama inventor who founded a company on creative uses for plastics — from those mats under your desk chair to safety fencing to poultry watering systems. What’s the name of the company founded by this late Florence legend?

A) AC Smith B) Creative Plastics C) ES Robbins D) Office Supply

October 2024 (one month ago): Q: The state of Alabama routinely participates in international air shows. Why? A) To honor the Tuskegee airmen B) To promote economic development C) To show off Airbus jets D) To watch Auburn flight school students perform daredevil tricks

November 2019 (five years ago): Q: We introduced a young venture capital firm that brings startups to Alabama with early investment.

What’s it called?

A) Alabama Future Fund B) Superior Startups C) Sweet Home Success Stories D) Roll Tide

November 1999 (25 years ago): Q: Our political writer, Bessie Ford, talked about the ramifications of the loss of a lottery proposed by then Gov. Don Siegelman. What was the lottery supposed to fund?

A) Bridges and other infrastructure B) Economic development C) Education D) Port improvements Answers from September: C, A, B, D, B, C

November 2024 BusinessAlabama.com | 103