The Pryor Field Airport Authority announced the expansion, further strengthening the airport’s growing reputation as a premier aviation hub for North Alabama and the Tennessee Valley. By Bud McLaughlin - Page 5
ENTERTAINMENT
City of Huntsville Hosting Special July 4th Celebration for America's 250th Anniversary, Launching Rocket City Space Fest
This year, North Alabama residents and visitors will have several unique local opportunities to celebrate Independence Day as the nation marks its 250th anniversary. By Katie Holt - Page 8
ADDITIONAL STORIES
• Space Camp Alum/NASA Administrator Isaacman Helps Inspire New Generation of Space Campers By Bud McLaughlin • Page 2
• Free 2 Teach CEO Alison Kling Shares Strategies for Nonprofit Growth at Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville's Annual Conference By Katie Holt • Page 6
• Huntsville's Commercial Real Estate Market Stable and Poised for More Growth By Bud McLaughlin • Page 10
Space Camp Alum/NASA Administrator Isaacman Helps Inspire New Generation of Space Campers
With a hope that this new facility will ignite a passion for space in future generations, as Aviation Challenge did for him when he was 12, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman helped cut the ribbon May 15 for the Inspiration4 Skills Training Complex at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.
Isaacman, who made a personal donation for the facility, was joined by Inspiration4 crewmate Chris Sembroski and Space Center officials and others in helping launch the future of the next students at Space Camp.
The 50,000-square-foot facility is named after Inspiration4, the first all-civilian orbital spaceflight, which took place in September 2021. Isaacman commanded that mission, and later led Polaris Dawn in September 2024, completing the first commercial spacewalk.
The Inspiration4 complex will offer several Space Camp and Aviation Challenge experiences that include a mission control flight operations simulation, a two-story indoor ropes course, an indoor drone range, virtual reality parachute landers, FAA-certified flight simulators, and a night-vision training scenario.
These are just a few experiences that will be available for the 2026
summer camp season.
Isaacman attended the Rocket Center’s Aviation Challenge program when he was 12, an experience he credits with furthering his interest in becoming a pilot.
“This is where my whole journey began,” Isaacman said. “When I was 12 years old, coming here, attending Aviation Challenge, I feel pretty comfortable in saying my trajectory in life would have been very different.
“I wouldn’t have been a pilot; I wouldn’t have been an astronaut; I certainly wouldn’t be as fortunate to lead NASA today.”
In 2022, he made a $10 million donation to begin the Inspiration4 project. Last July, he announced an additional $15 million donation for a mission center complex as well as seed money for a Space Camp dormitory.
This fall, installation will begin on the mission center complex with futuristic scenarios that place campers on the moon and Mars.
“The new era of space travel recently highlighted by the Artemis II mission requires a new generation of skilled and trained explorers, and this new building will equip and inspire those future
By: Bud McLaughlin /
Photos courtesy of U.S. Space & Rocket Center
astronauts, engineers, scientists, and leaders,” said Brenda Perez, CEO and CFO of the Rocket Center. “We are grateful to Jared Isaacman for his investments in our programs and the future.”
The facility provides another option on the sprawling campus for a complete education, that includes cyber and not just space.
“This facility is going to be a pathway for campers to experience,” Isaacman said. “All the most important technological domains. You’ve got Space Camp and Aviation Challenge, but also Cyber Camp and Robotic Camp.
“I mean these are all the most important technological domains that we want for kids to grow up in and contribute for the competitiveness of the nation.” w
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman
A Conversation with Bubba Conner of Silver Spoon Catering
Success didn’t happen overnight for Bubba Conner. Through four decades of long hours, calculated risks, and a commitment to showing up for his team every day, Conner built Bubba’s Silver Spoon Catering into a thriving company.
He and his catering business are a community staple, serving hundreds of celebrations, milestones, and events that bring friends, neighbors, colleagues, and families together.
In this edition of Sit Down with Success, Conner discusses entrepreneurship, leadership, and the importance of hard work in building a strong business.
What led you to start Silver Spoon Catering in 1987?
I lived in Birmingham for a little while and moved back to Huntsville because a friend of mine, Randy Schrimsher, was building Washington Square downtown and wanted me to start a restaurant. I told Randy I didn’t know anything about opening or running a restaurant.
We went fishing and talked it over. I came back to Huntsville, ran Gorin's Ice
Cream, and did construction work while starting the restaurant Bubba’s in downtown Huntsville. A good friend of mine loaned me the money to get started.
It was successful, so I started catering out of the restaurant. The catering business was doing very well, and I was just working myself to death. I realized I had to do something because I was burning the candle at both ends, so I decided to go strictly into catering and sold the restaurants.
It was hard at first, but it's been a good run. Just last year, we catered 368 weddings. I've never missed a day of work in 40 years.
Can you tell me about some of the challenges you have faced over the years and what you learned from those?
I've had several setbacks. One of the restaurants I had, Bubba Land Barbecue, caught on fire, and unfortunately, it cost me a lot of money. One of the hardest challenges we've faced was losing much of our corporate business during COVID. Overall, we lost over a million dollars.
Thankfully, Huntsville is growing so much that our corporate clients are now coming back. We cater for incoming Trash Pandas teams and many NASA events.
In general, just keeping good employees is very difficult, especially in the food business. It hasn't been easy, and I'm still working, but I keep going. You have to fight for your business daily.
What have you learned about being a leader over the past four decades?
It’s important to let your employees know that you care about them and the business.
Do you have any advice for anyone interested in starting a restaurant or catering business?
I'm more than happy to help them in any way I can. People call me all the time asking for advice, and I'm just honest with them. Huntsville is growing so fast, and there are restaurants popping up everywhere. The restaurant business is good in our area right now, but it's tough. You need to have the right food and be in
By: Katie Holt /
the right location.
Work hard, show up, and do the best job you can do.
Back when I had the restaurants, I'd work there all day and night and would leave as the sun was starting to come up. It's hard, but to make it in this business, you've got to put in a lot of time.
Sit Down With Success is a feature of the Huntsville Business Journal on entrepreneurs and their keys to success. To read the full story, please visit the Huntsville Business Journal website. w
Photo courtesy of Katie Holt
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Rocket City Aviation Services Lands at Pryor Field
Marking another step in Pryor Field Regional Airport’s continued growth, Rocket City Aviation Services has landed in Decatur.
The Pryor Field Airport Authority announced the expansion, further strengthening the airport’s growing reputation as a premier aviation hub for North Alabama and the Tennessee Valley.
Rocket City Aviation Services is a Cirrus Training Center bringing advanced pilot training opportunities and modern aircraft access to the region.
Officials said Rocket City Aviation’s expansion enhances Pryor Field’s continued growth in aviation services, workforce development, and general aviation activity.
Pryor Field is between Athens, Decatur, and Huntsville, on U.S. 31, less than three miles from the I65/I-565 interchange.
As part of its expansion, Rocket City Aviation Services operates a Cirrus SR22 and a new Cirrus SR20 at Pryor Field, which arrived directly from the showroom floor.
The addition of these technologically advanced aircraft provides pilots and students in North Alabama
access to some of the most modern and safety-focused training platforms in general aviation today, said Adam Fox, CEO of the Pryor Field Airport Authority.
Cirrus Aircraft’s training network is recognized nationally for its emphasis on advanced avionics, safety systems, and standardized instruction.
“As Pryor Field continues to grow as a gateway for aviation and aerospace in North Alabama, partnerships with companies like Rocket City Aviation Services help fulfill the airport’s mission of connecting businesses, people, and opportunities nationwide,” Fox said.
“Their investment brings additional high-quality flight training opportunities to the region while further supporting our vision.”
The addition of Rocket City Aviation Services enhances Pryor Field’s expanding aviation ecosystem, which already includes aircraft maintenance, corporate aviation,
aviation education, aerospace-related development and aviation focused events such as the North Alabama Airfest.
The airport has seen significant
By: Bud McLaughlin /
infrastructure and tenant growth in recent years, positioning it as one of Alabama’s fastest-growing general aviation airports.
“We are excited to welcome Rocket City Aviation Services to the airport family,” Fox said. “Their presence complements the momentum we are building at Pryor Field and creates additional opportunities for pilots, aviation enthusiasts, and future aviators throughout the region.”
Rocket City Aviation Services will offer Cirrus flight training and aviation services designed to help pilots train in some of the most technologically advanced general aviation aircraft available today.
For more information about Rocket City Aviation Services, visit rocketcityaviation.com.
For more information about Pryor Field Regional Airport, visit https://www.flydcu.com. w
Photo courtesy of Pryor Field Airport Authority
Free 2 Teach CEO Alison Kling Shares Strategies for Nonprofit Growth at Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville’s Annual Conference
Hundreds of nonprofit leaders, community partners, corporate sponsors, and volunteers gathered for the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville’s 13th annual NAVIGATE Nonprofit Network Conference in Huntsville on May 12 at the Von Braun Center.
According to the foundation, this year’s conference drew a record 582 registrants representing 244 organizations from across the region.
The annual conference focuses on nonprofit leadership, networking, and collaboration while connecting organizations with community and corporate partners.
During the event, Melissa Thompson, the foundation’s CEO and president, highlighted the organization’s continued support of nonprofit work across North Alabama.
“At the Community Foundation, we love to find innovative and new ways to support your work as nonprofit organizations. Innovation is, after all, one of our core values,” Thompson said.
Thompson said the organization continues to invest heavily in local nonprofits and community initiatives across the Rocket City and surrounding counties.
“Last year, the Community Foundation was proud to distribute over $19 million to support the vital work of nonprofit organizations in North Alabama. The best part of that is that over 80% of those dollars stay right here in our fivecounty footprint, improving the quality of life right here at home,” Thompson said.
The conference’s keynote speaker, Alison Kling, CEO of Free 2 Teach, shared her "Lead with How" framework, a template designed to help nonprofit organizations better articulate their impact and scale
“At the Community Foundation, we love to find innovative and new ways to support your work as nonprofit organizations.
Innovation is, after all, one of our core values”
their work.
Kling said that by focusing on how they achieve their mission, through honoring stories, organizing them with data, and weaving
them into a clear narrative, nonprofits can move from inspiration to investment.
She also shared lessons from her years working in the nonprofit sector both locally and internationally, encouraging organizations to better communicate how their work creates measurable impact.
“Over my years of serving on nonprofit boards and volunteering or doing all the things, I have had an up close and personal look at the highs and lows of nonprofit life,” Kling said.
Throughout her keynote, she en-
By: Katie Holt / Photos courtesy of Community Foundation
couraged nonprofit leaders to gather and share stories that demonstrate the impact of their organizations.
“Honor the work of the people, the volunteers, the donors, and the people you're seeking to serve by listening and gathering their story,” Kling said.
Drawing on her own experience attending Navigate over the past decade, Kling said the conference’s focus on networking reflects how nonprofits grow through collaboration, especially in North Alabama.
“I think that Melissa and her team named the conference pretty strategically when they called it not just a nonprofit conference but a nonprofit network conference,” she said.
Kling continued, “From my perspective, the scale and the growth that we have experienced is only because of the strength of the people in this room who we've been able to call and rely on and build vision for together.”
She also spoke about the importance of recognizing organizational limitations while still finding ways to collaborate with community partners.
“We all know so acutely that just because we care does not create infinite capacity, that you are not the answer to every problem. You are the answer to the problem that your how was built for. Sometimes it's a no,” Kling said.
She continued, “But what I've seen again and again is that we innovate through our yes, and often we can collaborate through our no.”
The annual conference concluded with networking sessions and workshops designed to help nonprofit organizations build partnerships and expand their impact across the communities they serve.
of Greater Huntsville
National Nonprofit Expands Vets in Space Initiative to Huntsville
With an aim of connecting area veterans to the nation’s aerospace and defense future, VetsinTech has launched ViT Vets in Space Huntsville.
VetsinTech is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to boosting veterans into tech careers. ViT Vets in Space Huntsville is the latest expansion of its national Vets in Space initiative.
“We're proud to sponsor the ViT Vets in Space program and welcome them to our Huntsville Rocket Engine Factory”
Sponsored by Blue Origin and JPMorgan, the program creates pathways for veterans and military spouses into careers and innovation across the aerospace, defense, and commercial space sectors at one of the most concentrated intersections of national security, space technology, and military talent in the United States.
“We're proud to sponsor the ViT Vets in Space program and welcome them to our Huntsville Rocket Engine Factory,” said Nick Curry, Blue Origin head of Military Programs. “These veterans bring skills that translate directly to our work building a road to space for the benefit of Earth.
“Together, with partners like VetsinTech, we're helping veterans and military spouses build lasting careers at Blue Origin through our military programs.”
The launch coincides with the U.S. Space Command relocating its headquarters to Redstone Arsenal, with roughly 1,400 jobs transitioning to Huntsville over the next five years.
With a workforce of more than 45,000, including over 24,000 civilian federal employees and 17,000 Army contractors, Redstone already
supports a deep defense and space economy. Also, with veterans making up nearly 12% of Madison County's population, nearly twice the national average, the region's military community is ideally positioned to plug directly into it, organizers said.
ViT Vets in Space Huntsville will help build the workforce pipeline that connects veteran talent to employers, programs, and innovators shaping America's space future.
“We're grateful for the support of Blue Origin, JPMorgan, the City of Huntsville,
and the Missile Defense Agency in making this a reality.”
“Huntsville is one of the most important intersections of national security, space technology, and military talent in the country,” said Katherine Webster, founder and CEO of VetsinTech. “ViT Vets in Space Huntsville is our commitment to ensuring veterans are at the crux of what's built here. With U.S. Space Command moving to Redstone Arsenal and veterans making up nearly 12% of Madison County's population, the alignment between veteran experience and the region's aerospace and defense economy is unrivaled.
“We're grateful for the support of Blue Origin, JPMorgan, the City of Huntsville, and the Missile Defense Agency in making this
“Together, with partners like VetsinTech, we're helping veterans and military spouses build lasting careers at Blue Origin through our military programs."
a reality.”
Space is rapidly becoming one of the most critical domains for national security and economic growth. The global space economy is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, nearly tripling from $630 billion in 2023, according to a joint report by the World Economic Forum and McKinsey & Company.
As space launch costs decline and new space architectures emerge, demand is escalating across spacecraft, mission operations, software, space domain awareness, debris mitigation, and security systems protecting critical orbital infrastructure.
Veterans provide unique benefits to this sector. They've deployed advanced technologies in high-stakes operational environments, mastered systems thinking, and demonstrated agility under mission constraints.
Their experience with satellite communications, navigation systems, autonomous operations, and complex mission planning makes them ideal candidates for careers across the space ecosystem.
In Huntsville, this alignment is amplified: the city sits at the heart of the country's missile defense and
By: Bud McLaughlin /
aerospace operations and is one of America's fastest-growing technical labor markets.
ViT Vets in Space Huntsville is built around two core pillars:
• Employment: The program creates opportunities in space and defense employment through workforce partnerships with leading employers, including Blue Origin, JPMorgan, and the broader Redstone Arsenal contractor base. ViT offers veterans and military spouses employment and education opportunities, including training courses, certifications, and education programs aligned with the specific needs of the region's aerospace, defense, and commercial space employers.
• Entrepreneurship: The initiative supports veteran-led startups bringing critical solutions to the next generation of space and defense missions. Through venture capital connections, pitch events, and entrepreneurship programming, ViT Vets in Space Huntsville empowers veteran founders to build the technology companies that will support American leadership in space.
VetsinTech and its Huntsville chapter gathered veterans, military spouses, corporate leaders, government representatives, and space industry innovators for the launch to discuss career pathways and opportunities in the regional space economy. More than 125 attendees registered for the launch. Comprising technology industry leaders and former service members, VetsinTech is the only non-profit supporting veterans and military spouses through tech-based education, employment, and entrepreneurship programs. Learn more at www.vetsintech.co. w
Photo courtesy of Vets in Space
City of Huntsville Hosting Special July 4th Celebration for America’s 250th Anniversary, Launching Rocket City Space Fest
This year, North Alabama residents and visitors will have several unique local opportunities to celebrate Independence Day as the nation marks its 250th anniversary.
On July 4th, beginning at 4 p.m., residents can participate in a variety of family-friendly events at Big Spring Park.
Sally Warden, Chair of Huntsville Salutes America's 250 Committee, said the celebration is designed to showcase the city's history, culture, and innovation while bringing the community together.
“These programs celebrate Huntsville's heritage, culture, innovation, and community spirit. Everything from historical commemorations to educational programming, arts events, and opportunities for families to explore our shared American heritage,” Warden said.
5:00 p.m. – American Eras Parade, beginning on Monroe Street, sharing a storyline of American history
6:00 p.m. – Live music in the park featuring Groove, followed by Huntsville’s Jazz McKenzie and her 10-piece band
9:00 p.m. – A dramatic 25-minute fireworks show complemented by the Huntsville Concert Band
“Each program is designed to help us reflect on where we've been as a nation as well as where we're headed,” Warden said.
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said the many celebratory events represent months of planning by the Huntsville Salutes America’s 250th Committee and community partners.
“When we established the com-
mittee, we knew from the very beginning that our commemoration of this historic milestone had to culminate in something truly special. Huntsville needed a July 4th celebration that matched the significance of the moment, a celebration worthy of our community, our history, and our future,” Battle said.
In addition to the Independence Day festivities, city leaders announced the launch of Rocket City Space Fest. Dubbed the 250th’s ‘after party’ by the festival’s chair, Ralph Petroff, the event is designed to celebrate Huntsville’s unique role in America’s space program.
“This community, engineers, scientists, machinists, mathematicians, and visionaries, helped make one of
By: Katie Holt /
humanity's greatest achievements possible. And while Apollo is history, Huntsville's role in space is not,”
Petroff said.
Petroff continued, “As NASA administrator Jared Isaacman told us last month, all roads lead through Huntsville since the beginning of America's Space Flight program, and that's not changing.”
The inaugural Rocket City Space Fest will begin July 16 at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center Biergarten on the anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch and continue July 20 during Arts Huntsville’s Concerts in the Park event.
Organizers hope the festival will grow into an annual tradition celebrating Huntsville’s contributions to space exploration.
The city’s America 250 celebration has also received support from presenting sponsor Meta.
Meta Community Development Regional Manager Henry Thornton called the July 4 celebration one of the company's largest community sponsorships to date.
“We're very proud to be an American company and to participate in this once-in-ageneration event where we get to celebrate such a momentous milestone in our nation's history,” Thornton said. According to Thornton, the technology company has invested more than $1.5 billion in Huntsville since breaking ground on its data center in 2018.
In addition to the Independence Day celebration and Rocket City Space Fest, Huntsville’s America 250 initiative includes a variety of programs throughout June and July.
A full schedule of the historical, educational, and cultural events is available at America250Huntsville.org. w
Photo courtesy of City of Huntsville
Keller Williams Huntsville Expands Footprint with New "KW Valley" Business Center
Keller Williams Huntsville is expanding its North Alabama footprint with the launch of KW Valley, a new business center dedicated to serving the rapidly growing communities of Owens Cross Roads, Hampton Cove, and the surrounding areas.
“This expansion brings our culture, training, and resources directly into the communities we serve, while reinforcing our commitment to excellence across the entire Huntsville market.”
The expansion marks a strategic investment in the southern corridor of the Rocket City, positioning the firm to better serve local clients while providing a localized hub for its growing roster of real estate agents.
Leadership Transition Anchors New Chapter
To spearhead the expansion, industry veteran Robert Simons will transition from his longtime role as Qualifying Broker for Keller Williams Huntsville to lead the new KW Valley location. Simons, who has served as Qualifying Broker since 2006, has been a cornerstone of the market center’s nearly two decades of local growth.
Succeeding Simons, Brett Milde will step into the role of Qualifying Broker for Keller Williams Huntsville, ensuring continuity in leadership and agent support for the main office.
Both locations will remain under the strategic direction of Operating Principal John Fudge and Team Leader Heather Jones. Jones was recently
By: John Fudge /
recognized among the Top 100 Keller Williams Team Leaders nationwide, a testament to the Huntsville organization's market performance.
“The launch of KW Valley represents the next chapter of our growth,” the leadership team stated. “This expansion brings our culture, training, and resources directly into the communities we serve, while reinforcing our commitment to excellence across the entire Huntsville market.”
A Legacy of Local and Global Impact
Since entering the local market in 2003, Keller Williams Huntsville has focused on developing top-tier real estate professionals and supporting community growth. Nationally, Keller Williams stands as the world’s largest real estate franchise by agent count, boasting more than 1,000 market centers and approximately 180,000 agents globally. w
Photo by Steve Babin
Huntsville’s Commercial Real Estate Market Stable and Poised for More Growth
With a healthy 2025 behind it, Huntsville’s commercial real estate market continues to be stable with growth on the horizon.
According to the 2026 Graham Report, the market saw positive absorption in the industrial and office markets. Graham & Co. has been tracking and publishing data on the commercial real estate market since 2005.
While the industrial development pipeline has slowed, the market has time to fill some of the large vacant blocks of space.
“The industrial market has seen positive absorption already this year with a 300,000 square-foot lease recently signed in the Greenbrier area,” said Bart Smith, managing broker for Graham & Co.
Eli Lilly announced plans to invest more than $6 billion toward a next-generation pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in the Greenbrier area. Construction on the plant, which is expected to create 450 jobs, will begin this year.
In the office market sector, Cummings Research Park, the sector’s largest market, is facing mixed results, according to the report.
Several user purchases helped bring down the vacancy rate, but the growth at Redstone Gateway continues to have an adverse impact on the park’s vacancy rate.
However, help could be on the way, thanks to the defense industry and U.S. Space Command.
“The Huntsville office market remains stable and there isn’t a lot of new inventory coming online this year,” Smith said. “The market is poised for a rebound, especially if there are large office announcements or internal growth with current tenants.
“The defense industry and Space Command should be the key catalyst for growth in Cummings Research Park.”
The relocation of Space Command from Colorado Springs to Redstone Arsenal should have a dramatic impact on
the overall market, the report said.
The move is expected to bring 1,200 to 1,700 direct jobs and an expected 3,000 indirect jobs. The 427,000 square-foot headquarters will be built on Redstone Arsenal and is expected to be completed in five to seven years.
“The Greenbrier submarket has been overbuilt but should recover with more activity like the recent lease,” Smith said. “The Jetplex market remains strong and that trend should continue.”
Huntsville industrial market
The vacancy rates for Huntsville’s industrial market fell to just below 10% in 2025, a decrease from the previous year’s vacancy rate of 11.98%.
Most of the vacancies are in Greenbrier where 1.6 million square feet of newer
speculative warehouses remains on the market, the report said.
The slowdown in new industrial construction and steady leasing velocity helped the market flip the trend toward healthier vacancy rates.
According to the report, the Jetplex and Greenbrier submarkets remain key transportation hubs and will continue to attract speculative developments. Their proximity to major highways and intermodal facilities make the area an attractive location for industrial growth.
Industrial market breakdown:
• Jetplex industrial market Jetplex Industrial Park, Huntsville’s largest industrial base, contains more than 13 million square feet of space and accounts for 35% of the total market. The
By: Bud McLaughlin /
1,470-acre park includes a Foreign Trade Zone, U.S. Customs Port of Entry, and interstate access to I-565.
The Jetplex area vacancy rate was 9.62% in 2025, an increase from the previous year’s 7.42% vacancy rate. Leasing velocity remains healthy and has added some Class A buildings to the Market.
Its major tenants include Custom Assembly, Kohler, and SES.
• North/Central industrial market
The vacancy rate for the North/ Central submarket was 8.87% in 2025, down from the previous year’s 11.85%. The total square footage is 6.8 million square feet and represents 18% of the total industrial market.
The North/Central submarket expanded its tenant base with the recent additions of Blue Origin, Facebook, Aerojet, and Toyota. The submarket provides easy access to North Alabama and Southern Tennessee.
• Chase industrial market
The Chase Industrial Park vacancy rate was 1.38% in 2025, down slightly from 1.41% in 2024. Chase represents 14% of the Huntsville industrial market and was developed by the Madison County Commission.
The park is almost exclusively single-tenant employers. Situated on 2,700 acres, only 50 acres remain available for development.
Its major tenants include PPG Industries, Hart & Cooley and Kommerling.
• Greenbriar industrial market
The vacancy rate decreased to 15.07% in 2025, down from the previous year’s 20% as several new large speculative developments completed construction. More than 1.6 million square feet of new class A warehouse space remains available for lease.
Greenbrier is Huntsville’s new-
Photo courtesy of Graham & Co.
est industrial area and, with access to interstate highways and rail, it is an ideal location for companies that have logistics and transportation needs.
Its major tenants include Amazon, Nippon Express, Target and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing.
Huntsville office market
For two straight years, office vacancies have dropped, which is hopefully a good sign for the future.
The vacancy rate was 16.01% in 2025, a decrease from the previous year’s 19.43%, the report said. The office market had a positive absorption of 656,000 square feet in 2025, with most of the positive leasing coming in Cummings Research Park and the Madison/ Jetplex market.
A pair of developments involving the defense sector are expected to create a positive effect on the market, the report said.
The impact of Space Command landing here will be felt in all sectors of commercial real estate. The timing and the number of new employees that are
attached to this program vary but most are predicting around 5,000 new jobs. The Golden Dome missile defense program could have a large positive impact on the office market, the report said. The multi-layered system would be supported by several suppliers and contractors that already have a large presence here.
Office market breakdown:
• Cummings Research Park
This is the largest submarket in Huntsville, exceeding 12 million square feet, representing more than 70% of the Huntsville office market. The park is the second largest research park in the United States with 3,843 acres of land.
Its office market vacancy decreased in 2025 to 16.9%, down slightly from the previous year’s 17.81%. The multi-tenant vacancy decreased to 21.67% while the single tenant vacancy fell to 14.13%.
The potential impact of the Space Command relocation has not been felt yet, but expectations
are that there will be an increase in office space demand.
Companies in the park include Fortune 500 companies, local entrepreneurial start-ups and biotechnology firms. Major tenants include Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Yulista.
• Jetplex/Madison
Vacancy for the Jetplex/Madison office market decreased to 9.67% in 2025, a sharp decline from the previous year’s 25.76%. Most of this decrease is due to the razing of a large office building on the former Remington plant.
The City of Madison is one of the fastest growing cities in Alabama and most office developments are in the healthcare and financial services markets.
Its major tenants include Boeing, City Of Madison, Hexagon, and Huntsville Hospital.
• Huntsville downtown/central business district office
Several large mixed-use projects are under construction, and this will increase the office inventory once completed.
The old City Hall was demolished, and the remaining footprint will be converted to green space. Huntsville Hospital began construction on a 154,000 square-foot medical/office building on Madison Street.
Vacancies decreased to 15.6% in 2025, down from 18.17% in 2024. Multi-tenant vacancy was 16.33% while single tenant vacancy was 7.3%.
The office market consists of approximately 4 million square feet and is dominated by the business and health sectors including law firms, banking, accounting, and real estate companies. City, county and government employees also make the district their home.
Major tenants include Bradley, Bryant Bank, and the City of Huntsville. w
On July 4, 2026, the United States will celebrate its 250th birthday. As the nation reflects on the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the enduring promise of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” Americans are also considering the ideals that have shaped the country across generations.
To mark America’s 250th anniversary, the Huntsville Business Journal interviewed four local veterans about what this milestone means in light of their military service.
Through their reflections, common themes emerged: leadership, sacrifice, community, the American dream, and the ideal of service for the common good.
Mission and Teamwork
Retired U.S. Army Major General Paulette Risher served 34 years in the Army. She later led Huntsville-based Still Serving Veterans as CEO from summer 2019 to spring of 2023.
When considering the lessons military service taught her, Risher pointed to the power of a shared mission.
Risher described the impact of this military bond as significant and as an example of, “…what can be accomplished when a group of diverse people focused on a common mission, willing to set aside their personal preferences and comfort and, to have each other’s back in good times and bad.”
Contemplating America’s 250th anniversary and the role veterans play in the story of our country, Risher noted that a sense of common purpose has endured throughout the nation's history.
“These have been the lived values of military service across our nation’s history and are as important today as they were at the founding of the nation,” Risher said.
Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Joseph M. Cosumano Jr. commanded
Service Beyond Self: Huntsville on America's 250th
By: Katie Holt / Graphics
the U.S. Army Space Command and SMDC. He remains a respected leader in Huntsville's defense community.
Cosumano said that his military service taught him an important
lesson: few things in life are done without some type of help from someone else.
“It taught me the most important thing that I think is applicable to just about everyone, and that is you don't do many things by yourself,” he shared.
“It's always a team. Particularly in the service, each person has the other's back and contributes to the final goal or mission. The team is
Huntsville Veterans Reflect 250th Anniversary
Graphics by Katie Holt
only as strong as its weakest link,” Cosumano said.
Service Beyond the Uniform
Retired Navy Rear Admiral Rich Landolt, president and CEO of Still Serving Veterans, served more than three decades in the U.S. Navy. Today, he continues serving the veteran community by helping former service members transition into civilian careers.
Landolt said veterans continue to play a key role in Huntsville's growth and success long after their military careers end.
“They also see the defense industry here and think there is a future for them where there might not be elsewhere. Our numbers show that in the last five years, SSV has helped Veterans secure over 7,000 jobs. To me, it’s safe to say that without veterans, this community would not be nearly as strong as it is,” Landolt said.
The American Experiment
Retired U.S. Army Major General Jeffrey Kramer spent more than 35 years in the Army and spent the last three of his final four assignments overseas.
Kramer says that during those
deployments, as the senior American officer in both Jordan and the Netherlands, he carried a responsibility to represent the nation well.
“In both nations, I remained keenly aware of the leadership role of the United States, and that it was my responsibility to represent not only my service, but also the stature of the U.S.,” Kramer said.
For Cosumano, military service strengthened his appreciation for democracy and the sacrifices required to preserve it.
“Patriotism is believing in something greater than yourself and becoming part of that commitment to, in our case, the United States of America and this experiment … called democracy. It's lasted for 250 years, which is probably longer than many other democracies throughout
history. This is primarily because of the sacrifices that you have to make to maintain democracy and the freedoms that we enjoy in the U.S.,” Cosumano said.
Risher reflected on both the obstacles and opportunities America contends with in the years ahead.
“Since its founding, our nation has faced countless significant challenges, including wars, social division, technological disruption,
and an ever-changing and often hostile global geopolitical landscape. As we enter our 250th year as a nation, these challenges are even more pressing, and the stakes are even higher,” Risher said.
Risher continued, “However, I am hopeful that we as a nation, as a world power, and as a people can truly establish 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness' as a human norm for our species.”
What’s Next for America
Despite the challenges facing the nation, Cosumano is still optimistic about America's future.
“I'm hopeful that the American dream is still alive. I see it every day. When I visit military bases and talk to young, enlisted soldiers, you can see in their eyes that they have a purpose and, most of all, an opportunity to fulfill their dreams. I think that spirit is still alive in the American dream. That's what keeps me hopeful even at age 80,” Cosumano said.
America's 250th anniversary is not only a moment to reflect on the past, but also an opportunity to consider the responsibility each generation bears in shaping the future. w
The Residences at Front Row Now Leasing; Tours Available
“I must be in the front row,” the late Bob Uecker famously quipped in a 1984 Miller Lite commercial.
Well, that comment will soon be a calling card for residents and businesses of a new development in downtown Huntsville.
The Residences at Front Row, part of a one-of-a-kind work-live-play development on Clinton Avenue across from the Von Braun Center, is welcoming tours with move-ins slated for July 1.
Prospective residents, including those with VIP priority access, may schedule private tours through the leasing office or via the website.
"Front Row is a transformative address for Huntsville, and opening our doors to prospective residents is the moment we have been building toward," said Mitch Rutter, co-developer of Front Row. "The city's downtown master plan is designed around this development, and the residents who choose to make Front Row their home will experience this evolution right outside their door."
The Residences at Front Row offers 545 luxury residences across two buildings at 1 & 2 Front Row Boulevard.
The buildings will boast hotelgrade amenities including rooftop dining, a maker space for small-scale fabrication, a designated co-working floor, dual pool decks, and a state-ofthe-art sports simulator, just to name a few, all at the center of downtown's most active corridor.
Front Row will also include The Plaza at Front Row, an urban green and retail destination that will activate the ground plane between
By: Bud McLaughlin /
the two buildings and the Clinton Avenue streetscape to be delivered in a few months.
Crunkleton Associates is the exclusive retail leasing broker for the project that also features about 47,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space, and Class-A office space.
The nearly $400 million development is a joint venture between Essex Capital and Ascend Property Group, with affiliates Silverstein Properties and Cantor Fitzgerald.
Plans to develop the property were approved in 2021 by the City Council and ground was broken in April 2024.
“This is an extraordinary project that will make downtown Huntsville even more attractive to both residents and visitors,” Shane Davis, the city’s director of Urban and Economic Development, said at the groundbreaking. “We are grateful for the work by the developers to help bring this project to the start of construction.
Front Row’s start of construction on this significant mixed-use project illustrates the continued strength of Huntsville’s economy and market
given current national trends related to securing equity and financing for large-scale urban projects.”
The site was a former Coca-Cola bottling plant which closed in 2012 and was demolished two years later. The property, which was listed for sale in 2016, was identified as a “key site” in the City’s Downtown Master Plan.
The largest downtown property available for redevelopment at the
time, it spans two blocks and fronts three public streets – Monroe Street and Clinton and Holmes avenues.
“This is a great opportunity to turn vacant property into new and unique places for people to eat, shop, stay the night and live,” Mayor Tommy Battle said in 2021. “It’s an exciting project that will attract citizens and visitors alike, which will benefit Huntsville for years to come.” w
Photos courtesy of Front Row
A Conversation with Chuck Jones of The Mountain Spring Group at Morgan Stanley: Navigating High-Net-Worth Investing
Chuck Jones is the founding partner of The Mountain Spring Group at Morgan Stanley, where he has built his entire career since joining the firm in 1995. He focuses on building deep client relationships and delivering advice centered on clients’ goals, helping families plan with greater confidence for both near-term priorities and longterm objectives. Chuck graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville with a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He enjoys golfing, running, hunting and traveling with his family.
Chuck was recognized as a member of Morgan Stanley’s Century Club in 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025 for excellence in wealth management. He was also named to Forbes’ America’s Top Wealth Advisors list in 2024 & 2025.*
In a recent interview with the Huntsville Business Journal, Chuck discussed the unique opportunities and complexities facing high-networth investors.
How is a high-net-worth individual defined, and how do their investment needs differ from the typical investor?
High-net-worth individuals are generally defined as those with investable assets of approximately $2–$30 million, while ultra-highnet-worth individuals typically have $30 million or more. While their needs vary based on individual circumstances, their investment priorities often differ from those of a typical investor due to factors such as greater balance sheet complexity and more specialized objectives. Our clients’ needs tend to be highly dependent on stage of life.
By: Sarah Zupko /
For example, we have many retirees with immediate liquidity needs, where general investors who are working to accumulate wealth may not have that issue. Many of these high-net-worth clients’ objectives may be shaped by concentrated exposures, such as ownership of a business, significant real estate holdings, or allocations to private investments. As a result, a key focus for many high- and ultra-highnet-worth investors is building appropriate diversification and aiming to help support sufficient liquidity, especially where wealth may be tied up in less liquid or con-
centrated positions.
How does a modern approach to investing differ from a traditional approach, and which investment principles do you believe to be timeless?
A modern approach to investing is more holistic than the transaction-oriented approaches. While we do transactions on a daily basis to implement our client’s financial plans, our primary focus is not transaction-based. My team and I spend much of our time helping clients connect the dots across all of the players of their financial landscape to help support a coordi-
nated strategy that aligns with the client’s broader circumstances and objectives.
At the same time, several investment principles remain timeless. These principles include emphasizing quality investment options, making research-based decisions, educating clients, maintaining diversification, taking emotion out of decision-making, and managing their funds with tax considerations in mind.
What challenges are presented by current market conditions, especially for clients with significant wealth?
Photo courtesy of Morgan Stanley
Pictured from Left to Right: Chuck Jones, Financial Advisor; Madeline Mullins, Financial Advisor; Grant Thomson, Financial Advisor; Spike McRoy, Financial Advisor
Current market conditions present several challenges for clients with significant wealth, particularly given the market’s recent growth trends. One notable concern is concentration risk, as performance has been driven by narrower segments of the market, which can increase exposure to a limited set of companies, sectors, or themes.
In addition, many high-networth clients have a meaningful focus on private investments, and this can be challenging when looking for diversification options that still offer them the liquidity needed to help meet their goals. With over 87% of today’s companies being privately held, clients need exposure to this space to properly diversify. Morgan Stanley is a leader in the private investment space. This puts us in a position to offer qualified clients a range of potential options that can provide exposure
Required Disclaimers:
while maintaining liquidity not typically available through traditional private investments.
Beyond portfolio allocation, what other considerations can help high-net-worth individuals achieve their goals?
Beyond portfolio allocation, there are several additional considerations that can help high-net-worth individuals work toward their goals. These include thoughtful spending strategies and debt management to support cash flow and long-term sustainability. In addition, I believe that careful estate planning strategies and proactive tax management can be key components of an overall wealth strategy.
Ultimately, one of the most important things we offer clients is helping them review and coordinate their Morgan Stanley accounts in the context of their overall financial picture, including assets held
outside the firm. As I’ve mentioned, many higher-net-worth individuals have various holdings and may even have multiple advisors. My team and I find it very important to evaluate overall portfolio concentrations across both public and private holdings to help assess whether the strategy remains appropriately balanced. My overall goal is to help clients preserve assets, plan for efficient wealth transfer, and better align financial decisions with their broader objectives.
What is the role of legacy planning in dealing with highnet-worth individuals, especially as it relates to preparing the next generation to be responsible stewards of inherited wealth?
I believe that legacy planning can play an important role in working with high-net-worth individuals. I work hand in hand with my clients’ estate attorney to help
support a thoughtful approach to wealth transfer. A well-structured legacy plan can help support efforts to preserve and align wealth transfer decisions with the family’s long- term priorities.
I also find it important to help families prepare the next generation to be responsible stewards of inherited wealth by involving them in discussions about investment decisions and explaining why those decisions are made. This involvement, paired with deliberate education, can help build financial understanding and sound decisionmaking habits.
Lastly, I believe that reinforcing the importance of work ethic in the next generation — rather than enabling them to live solely off inherited wealth — can be a key element in helping the family sustain both its financial resources and its values over time. w
Chuck Jones is a Financial Advisor with the Global Wealth Management Division of Morgan Stanley in Huntsville, Alabama The information contained in this article is not a solicitation to purchase or sell investments. Any information presented is general in nature and not intended to provide individually tailored investment advice. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investing involves risks and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest. The views expressed herein are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Member SIPC, or its affiliates.
2024-2025 Forbes America's Top Wealth Advisors & Best-In- State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com ( 2024-2025). Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors ranking awarded in 2024-2025. Each ranking was based on an evaluation process conducted by SHOOK Research LLC (the research company) in partnership with Forbes (the publisher). This evaluation process concluded in June of the previous year the award was issued having commenced in June of the year before that. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors paid a fee to SHOOK Research LLC to obtain or use the ranking. This ranking is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations, and quantitative criteria, including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research LLC and this ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience. These rankings are not indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is not affiliated with SHOOK Research LLC or Forbes. For more information, see www.SHOOKresearch.com.
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Century Club members must meet a number of criteria including performance, conduct and compliance standards, revenue, length of experience and assets under supervision. Century Club membership is no guarantee of future performance.
Information contained herein has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee their accuracy or completeness.
The investments listed may not be appropriate for all investors. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a financial advisor. The appropriateness of a particular investment will depend upon an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please visit us at http:// www.morganstanleyindividual.com or consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trusts, estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning or other legal matters.
Alternative investments are often speculative and include a high degree of risk. Investors can lose all or a substantial amount of their investment. They may be highly illiquid, can engage in leverage, short-selling and other speculative practices that may increase volatility and the risk of loss, and may be subject to large investment minimums and initial lock-ups. They may involve complex tax structures, tax inefficient investing and delays in distributing important tax information. They may have higher fees and expenses than traditional investments, and such fees and expenses can lower the returns achieved by investors.
Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in declining financial markets.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 5337888 06/26
The Mountain Spring Group
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Huntsville Vocal Teacher Wins $10,000 Prize, Role in $300,000 Music Education Grant
A Huntsville vocal teacher has won a $10,000 prize in a national music education competition and will help award a grant of up to $300,000 to a school in need of a music program.
Breona Brogan, a vocal teacher at Mason Music, was named the individual winner of the 2026 Music Matters Challenge on May 22. The competition is run by Let Music Fill My World, a Chicago-based nonprofit co-founded by GRAMMY-nominated singer songwriter John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting and Cayley Tull of the Tullman Family Office.
The challenge asked entrants to record an original version of the song “Let Music Fill My World” and share a personal story about how music has shaped their lives. Winners were selected through a public vote and a panel of judges that included Ondrasik, Tull, former Guns N' Roses drummer Matt Sorum, and indie pop artist Tiger La Flor. Brogan said she discovered the competition on Instagram just five days before the deadline and almost passed on it.
“I think I want to do it,” she recalled telling her mother. "I feel like this is something that I could do.” She wrote original verses and adjusted the chorus from “let music fill my world” to “let music in my world,” a change she said felt personal. She recorded the final version at Mason Music's Nashville studio with producer Skylar Schultz, then filmed her submission video at Big Spring Park the following day.
The $10,000 prize will go primarily toward tuition. Brogan is currently pursuing a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling at the University of West Alabama, with graduation expected in summer 2027. She also plans to use a portion of the winnings to upgrade studio equipment she has owned since she was 13.
Beyond the cash prize, Brogan will assist Let Music Fill My World in selecting a school to receive a grant of up to $300,000, enough to fund
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the salary of a full-time music teacher for three years. A recipient has not yet been named.
Brogan said the emotional weight of the competition grew as the announcement date approached.
“The closer it got to announcing the winner, the more I realized that it was bigger than just a competition for me,” she said. “It was a step into my future.” As a vocal teacher, she said watching her students engage with the competition gave the experience added meaning. They voted, asked questions, and followed her progress through the contest.
“Me following my dream became an aspiration for my students,” Brogan said. "I realized that created such a positive cycle for why music is so important and for why we should advocate for music education.”
Cayley Tull, co-founder of Let Music Fill My World, said in a statement that the competition is built around that kind of impact. “Together, we're building a movement that celebrates creativity and ensures the next generation has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive through music,” Tull said.
Brogan said she is still processing the win. “I still can’t believe it really,” she said. “I'm still in shock.” w
a transfer student and, in that way, something of the living embodiment of the kind of transformative potential of higher education. I’m eager to help create those opportunities for other students from North Alabama and elsewhere. I think it’s meaningful to have an example in front of you of what’s possible.”
Always an avid reader, Smith first found the opportunity to develop and share his writing talent as a student at Pisgah High School.
“My father worked for almost 50 years for the Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative, most of his career as a lineman. I was encouraged to apply to an essay contest that was sponsored by the Alabama Rural Electric Association.”
His essay, “more of a short story,” was one of the winners, earning him his first trip to Washington, D.C. –plus greater expectations from his teachers. The Beta Club faculty sponsor urged him to join and compete in the creative writing category at the state convention.
“The competition was held here in Huntsville at the Von Braun Civic Center. I won second place, and that qualified me to compete in D.C. at the national convention, where I won first place. And that gave me some options.”
Smith didn’t want to burden his family financially, so he attended community college on a scholarship. An instructor inspired him to delve deeper into Socrates, which led to an even deeper dive into disciplined vocabulary study that improved his writing.
“I just had great mentors, people who challenged me, who supported me, who went out of their way to encourage me.”
basis for my thesis, which also served as one of my very first publications. Thanks to his encouragement, I had two publications coming out of my master's program.”
Smith received the Howell H. Gwin and Eugene Butler awards at Mississippi State and received an Alumni Fellowship to pursue his Ph.D. at the University of Florida. There he worked with eminent James Joyce scholar Brandon Kershner. After teaching at the University of Southern Mississippi, Smith returned to North Alabama to teach at Athens State University and then at UAH.
“It was an opportunity to do the work that’s meaningful to me close to home, a place that I love.”
An exciting place to grow
Dean Smith hopes to show students that the UAH Honors College can be the right place for them, no matter where they come from.
“What I want to do in this position is to extend these opportunities for honors education to as many students as we can. I think there are probably students out there who don’t perceive themselves, for whatever reason, as being honors material. We would like to give them the opportunity for this kind of education as well.”
The Honors College brings together students from any UAH major or program of study in a more intimate, elite college experience that emphasizes arts and sciences, critical thinking and communication skills blended with a practical, career-oriented education. And that, Smith says, equals intellectual fun.
Dr. Eric Smith has been named dean of the Honors College at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), effective May 11, 2026. Smith is a full professor in the Department of English at UAH, a part of The University of Alabama System.
A graduate of a small North Alabama high school, Smith said his educational experiences helped shape his academic and professional path.
“I’m a product of North Alabama. I’m a first-generation college student,
His dedication paid off significantly while pursuing his M.A. at Mississippi State University.
“My mentor, Richard Patterson, pulled me aside after the semester was over and said he wanted to talk to me about my paper. I knew in my heart that he was going to say, ‘You need to go back to Sand Mountain and teach high school. You don’t really belong here.’ But what he said was, ‘I think this is excellent. You need to pursue this.’ That ended up being the
“There’s nothing more thrilling than genuine discovery that’s collaborative and communal,” he says, describing the Honors College’s methods and results.
“For me, this is where the highest ideals of the research university are most vibrantly realized. That joy in pure discovery, intellectual risk-taking and creation, and lateral thinking comes with deep and lasting satisfactions that also can translate to skill sets that endure.”
Interdisciplinary seminars and curricular and co-curricular programming push students to think and work outside their comfort and aca-
Dr. Eric Smith Named New Dean of UAH Honors College
demic zones.
“Honors can serve as a hub where engineers, scientists, artists, humanists, nurses, business students and more can learn from one another and can ask some of the most significant questions of our time. I think that’s the strength of Honors. That’s the life’s blood of Honors.”
The program attracted Smith not too long after he arrived at UAH in 2006.
“Beginning in only my second year as a faculty member here, I joined the Honors Council for what was then the Honors Program. I was involved in the creation of the English 105 common text experience (for Honors) and helped to facilitate the Honors Student Conference.”
When Smith served as director of the UAH Humanities Center, 2013-2021, he collaborated with Dr. William Wilkerson, founding dean of the Honors College, to bring acclaimed writer Amitav Ghosh to campus for the first time. Smith had published on his work and taught his work. (Later, Ghosh would return to UAH as the inaugural speaker in the Dr. Mulk R. Arora Endowed Lecture Series in 2023.)
So, when Smith applied for the Honors College deanship, he understood what the job entailed and how it would fit into his professional and personal goals. He values the stewardship of Dr. Keith Hollingsworth, who served as interim dean, 2024-2026, following Wilkerson’s retirement. Smith especially appreciates Hollingsworth’s mentorship during his transition.
“This position appeals to me because it’s an opportunity to shape the intellectual culture of this university and interact with bright, highly motivated, intellectually ambitious and curious students across disciplines,” Smith says. “I see it very much as a continuation of my commitments as a teacher-scholar and an opportunity to expand those commitments.
He also knew he’d have the chance to work closely with an outstanding team: Jennifer Staton, assistant dean and senior fellowship and graduate school advisor; David Cook, director of undergraduate research; Gina Battle, senior coordinator, and Eirian
Waldron, academic advisor.
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“It is a privilege to join the Honors College staff. Their dedication to the educational mission of the college and devotion to our students is truly inspiring.”
This team creates a support system that empowers students to reach for their own stars, whatever they might be.
“I want Honors to foster academic ambition, professional ambition, while also being inclusive and supportive,” Smith says. “Students are more willing to take those kinds of intellectual risks if they feel supported and encouraged. I think that strong mentorship between faculty and students can be one of the more transformative dimensions of Honors education.” w
Auburn Study Says Corn Yields to Be Impacted by Nitrogen and Sulfur Levels
While the Clean Air Act has been a benefit to our health and the environment, farmers are experiencing some deficiencies in their crops.
It is the primary federal law regulating air emissions - including sulfates - to protect public health and the environment.
But now, researchers with Auburn University’s College of Agriculture, Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System see a lack in sulfur also may be affecting corn yields.
“Sulfur is a nutrient that directly participates in essential amino acids, which, when lacking, will affect some protein formation in the plant,” said Eros Francisco, assistant professor and extension grain crops specialist with the Department of Crop, Soil & Environmental Sciences and researcher with the AAES.
While Alabama is not officially part of the “Corn Belt,” corn remains a major cash crop for state and area farmers, used mostly for fuel and feed.
This past year, producers grew about 350,000 acres, with total production estimated at 51 million bushels.
This year, the state’s farmers are expected to plant about 400,000 acres of corn, and yields will be highly impacted by nutrients, primarily nitrogen.
Row crop production in Madison County will also be impacted, Francisco said
“Madison County ranks high in row crops acreage — 100,000 plus acres yearly with soybean (30-50K), corn (25-35K), cotton (30-40K) and wheat (20K-25K),” he said. “These crops have a high demand for sulfur (20-30 pounds of sulfur per acre annually) that is not coming from the atmospheric deposition as it used to, so fertilizer application decisions should consider it.
“The predominant soil type in Madison County is the Limestone Valley, which is a weathered, acidic, low organic-matter type of soil that requires the addition of nutrients, including sulfur, for the achievement of high yields. Sulfur nutrition can easily be assessed by soil or plant tests, and adequate fertilization shouldn't be neglected.”
Sulfur’s demand is not as high as nitrogen or potassium in corn, with a total uptake of about 30 pounds for a 200-bushel yield and about 16 pounds of grain removal, Francisco said, but it remains an important micronutrient. The main sources of sulfur to crops are soil organic matter and atmospheric deposition.
“With the advent of cleaner fuel regulations over the last decades due to the Clean Air Act, the deposition of sulfur has significantly decreased, causing crops to start lacking sulfur and showing deficiency symptoms, such as light-green and pale-green younger leaves,” he said. “Sulfur deposition accounted for about 10 to 15 pounds of total sulfur a year before the new regulations were introduced but now is less than 2 pounds per year.”
These efforts have reduced both wet deposition (sulfate in rain and snow) and dry deposition (particulates and gas), leading to improvements in ecosystems and reduced soil and water acidification. Sulfur atmospheric deposition in the U.S. has decreased
significantly — by more than 80% in some regions. Key factors driving this decline include reduced sulfur dioxide emissions from power plants and the shift away from high-sulfur coal energy generation.
And while this has been good for the environment in general, the Clean Air Act means farmers will need to pay closer attention to sulfur levels in their crops going forward.
“Generally, a sulfur deficiency does not cause huge yield losses, assuming other nutrients are in good shape,” Francisco said. “But when it impacts other nutrient responses, the yields can be greatly reduced.
“Our 2025 data showed a corn yield reduction of 12 and 5 bushels per acre in Prattville and Madison, respectively. Sulfur soil levels will dictate the magnitude of the loss.”
The objective of current research being conducted by Francisco and others is to better understand how the addition of sulfur impacts the corn yield nitrogen response. This multistate project includes 23 locations in eight states, including Alabama.
The Prattville Agricultural Research Unit and the Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center are testing five nitrogen rates (0, 85, 135, 170 and 220 pounds of nitrogen per acre) and two sulfur rates (0 and 20 pounds of sulfur per acre). Also, measurements (soil and plant tissue analysis, nitrogen and sulfur uptake and removal, grain yield and test weight) are being taken to evaluate crop performance.
“These results will help educate growers on how important sulfur nutrition is in corn and what adjustments need to be addressed in nitrogen rates to maximize yield and profitability,” Francisco said. Not all the locations have shown corn yield response to sulfur applied. About 50% have shown yield responses varying from 5 to 20 bushels per acre, depending on the nitrogen rate.
“The lower the nitrogen rate, the higher the sulfur impact on yield.” w
Bob Jones Grad/Vandy AD
Candice Storey Lee Named Sports Business Journal Athletic Director of the Year
From the halls of Bob Jones High School in Madison, Dr. Candice Storey Lee has been one of the most influential and successful women in college sports.
Now, she is one of the most successful people in college athletics.
Lee, Vanderbilt’s vice chancellor for Athletics and University Affairs and athletic director, was recently honored as Sports Business Journal’s Athletic Director of the Year during the annual Sports Business Awards in New York.
Amid unprecedented change in college athletics, Lee oversaw a historic year of individual and collective competitive success and game-changing philanthropic and community support.
“In sports, individual awards are team awards in disguise, and I’m gratified to accept this honor from Sports Business Journal on behalf of the Vanderbilt student-athletes, coaches, staff and supporters who are changing the narrative about what is possible here,” Lee said. “We aren’t shy about setting big goals, from reimagining our physical footprint through the Vandy United campaign to competing for national championships on the football field and across 17 varsity sports and launching Anchored for Her to become the premier destination for women’s sports.”
Recently named the 2026 Tennessean of the Year by the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, Lee was the only returning finalist for this year’s SBJ award, indicative of the sustained success across 17 varsity sports that has galvanized the Vanderbilt community.
“Candice Storey Lee exemplifies Vanderbilt’s commitment to pursue
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excellence without compromise,” said Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier. “From hiring head coaches who helped lift our standards during a historically successful year to leading the Vandy United campaign into a new phase and helping our university connect with new audiences, she wholeheartedly deserves this recognition.”
A team captain, four-year letter winner, and five-time SEC Academic Honor Roll selection as a member of Vanderbilt’s women’s basketball team, Lee battled through knee injuries and helped lead the Commodores to an SEC Tournament championship in her final season (2002).
She was a model student-athlete at Bob Jones High School and was named to the 2022 class of the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame.
Lee is also a “Triple Dore,” having received a bachelor's degree, a master's and a doctorate from Vanderbilt. She graduated with a bachelor of science in human and organizational development in 2000, received her master’s degree in counseling in 2002 and her doctorate in higher education administration in 2012. She also is celebrating her 30th anniversary as a Vanderbilt student-athlete and administrator in 2026.
“As a pioneering and inspirational alumna, she embodies the value of collegiate athletics within the great university of the 21st century and the bold spirit at the core of our mission,” Diermeier said.
The award, which recognizes excellence from March 1, 2025, through Feb. 28, 2026, exemplifies the university’s redoubled commitment to create a championship environment and the years of planning and investment that Lee spearheaded through Vandy United and similar efforts.
“We think we can do it all,” Lee said. “And as athletic director and a proud alum, what I love about this community is we’re willing to do the work, together, to make it happen.” w
L3Harris Continues Expansion of Solid Rocket Motor Facilities in Huntsville
On the heels of a $1 billion government investment, L3Harris Technologies is expanding its Advanced Manufacturing Facility-South in Huntsville.
The $25 million expansion plan announced Wednesday includes an additional 130,000 square feet of manufacturing space. The expansion increases the company’s footprint in Huntsville to about 670,000 square feet across three sites.
AMF-South features 379,000 square feet of space and specializes in manufacturing inert SRM components like nozzles, exit cones, aft closures and cases.
The site features equipment such as hydraulic presses, autoclaves, tape-wrap systems and composite machining that will help deliver highquality inert components faster and with greater precision.
The AMF-South location is able to scale rapidly by utilizing space that already has the necessary infrastructure in place, company officials said.
“The additional space allows us to lean forward and surge capacity in a way that directly aligns with the Department of War’s demand for critical munition acceleration,” said Ken Bedingfield, president, Missile Solutions, L3Harris. “Huntsville’s expansion at AMF-South gives us the flexibility we need to grow quickly and continue delivering for our customers.”
In April, the company closed a $1 billion strategic investment from the Department of War.
That investment, L3Harris said, will be used to expand and modernize facilities – including Huntsville, accelerate research and development, and increase production capacity for critical national security technologies.
The AMF-South facility growth builds on the company’s sustained investments in Huntsville, including a tripling of capital spend from 2024 to 2025.
Huntsville supports more than half of L3Harris’ solid rocket motor programs with inert component production, and output continues to increase year-over-year.
“Solid rocket motors remain essential to the vast majority of critical defense programs that protect our communities, military and allies,” said Bedingfield. “Our growth in Huntsville represents another significant investment we are making to boost production capacity of critical components, and we’re proud that they are being made in Alabama.”
The company has said it intends to pursue an IPO of MSL in the second half of this year, pending market conditions.
The Missile Solutions business was created this year, bringing together the missile capabilities from across L3Harris, including the operations of legacy Aerojet Rocketdyne.
AMF-South is supporting programs such as the Standard Missile, Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System and Javelin, with plans to support additional programs.
Expansion efforts have already resulted in approximately 40 new jobs for the area, and the company expects to create more than 100 additional jobs to support operations at the site, including mechanical and manufacturing engineering, project engineering, quality and skilled trades such as machinists and composite technicians.
The expanded AMF-South facility complements the 136,000-squarefoot Advanced Manufacturing Facility – North in Huntsville, which opened in 2019. w
WEDC Accepting Applications for 2026 Membership Class
The Women’s Economic Development Council of Huntsville (WEDC) has opened applications for its 2026
membership class.
Membership in WEDC is by invitation. Applicants must demonstrate leadership experience and community involvement, attend at least three Leadership Development Meetings within the previous year and obtain sponsorship from a current member. Candidates must also meet at least one of the organization's eligibility requirements:
• Business owner/entrepreneur
• Business executive or mid-level manager with supervisory and/ or other significant responsibilities
• Degreed or licensed professional
• Retired woman who previously belonged to one of the above categories
• A candidate that has successfully completed the WEDC Milestones Program
The Board will consider exceptional candidates who do not fall into another category, for example, women serving in public office.
Key Dates:
Application Period: Open Now –August 15, 2026
Sponsorship Declaration Deadline: August 15, 2026
Final Application Deadline: August 31, 2026
Applications will be reviewed by the WEDC Membership Committee and Board of Directors, with acceptance notifications scheduled for October 12, 2026. New members will be inducted in November. w
Auburn and MTSU
Aim to Engineer a Classic in the Rocket City
Though separated by about 300 miles or so, Auburn and Middle Tennessee State have a commonality
BRIEFCASE
- strong engineering programs.
And where better to bring their basketball teams than to Huntsville, where we have a few engineers with degrees from Auburn and MTSU.
In fact, the Tigers and Blue Raiders will meet Dec. 15 in the annual Rocket City Classic presented by Akima, it was announced Wednesday.
“We’re taking the Rocket City Classic to a new level,” said Mayor Tommy Battle.”Auburn and MTSU provide lots of engineers for Huntsville. They provide the workers that make us go.”
The game, which could create an economic impact upward from $500,000, is able to come together through the teamwork of the Huntsville-Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau, City of Huntsville, Huntsville Sports Commission, the Von Braun Center and Knight/Eady.
“This is one of the cornerstone events of our sports platform,” said Joel Lamp, sports development manager of the CVB. “When you have everybody pulling in the same direction, you can achieve a lot.”
Auburn Head Coach Steven Pearl and MTSU Head Coach Nick McDevitt were at the news conference moderated by Tom Perkins of SportsMed.
This will be Pearl’s first visit to the Rocket City as a head coach while McDevitt’s Blue Raiders are no strangers due to the annual CUSA Tournament hosted at the VBC.
“This is what our fan base can look forward to,” McDevitt said.
“Our fans really enjoy Huntsville. There’s so much to do and it’s an easy drive.
“Hopefully, we’ll have the same luck as Antoine.”
McDevitt was referring to Kennesaw State Head Coach Antoine Pettway whose team played against his alma mater Alabama in last year’s Classic. The Owls, though they lost to the Tide in that game, returned to Huntsville in March and won the CUSA championship on the same VBC court.
Pearl, whose team won the NIT championship last season, said he’s looking forward to the game with Huntsville High grad Simon Walker on the squad.
“Simon is really excited about the game,” Pearl said.
He said he’s not upset about the Tigers being left out of the NCAA Tournament last year for a simple reason: “We lost too many games. We didn’t deserve to be in it.”
Then they received an invitation to the NIT and it was an easy decision.
“I asked them if they wanted their season to end the way it did against Tennessee or have a chance to continue playing,” Pearl said.
It was an easy decision which resulted in the NIT championship.
McDevitt said his team’s familiarity with the VBC will help - maybe not Dec. 15, but in March.
“It’s a venue that I’ve been to several times, but we’ll have 9 or 10 new players,” he said. “The good thing is when we come back in March, there will be a comfort factor.”
He said it is an opportunity for his squad to play a major program and not at the opponents’ arena.
“I really appreciate the folks here in Huntsville and Coach Pearl for the willingness to play us,” McDevitt said. “For us to be able to play a power conference team on a neutral site is almost impossible. To play it two hours from home is amazing.”
Presale tickets (the code is RCC2026) go on sale Monday; the public sale is 10 a.m. next Wednesday. They are available online through Ticketmaster or skip the fees and go to the VBC box office.
“This will be a sellout real quick,” Battle said. “Get your tickets early. This is an opportunity for all of North Alabama to see the Auburn Tigers.” w
PDW to Acquire New York Communications Engineering Company
As autonomous systems become more capable and increasingly central to military operations, the ability to
move information reliably, securely, and rapidly across contested environments is becoming one of the most important technical challenges facing modern military operations.
That is one of the reasons Huntsville-based PDW has entered into an agreement to acquire Vanteon of Rochester, N.Y., PDW CEO James Slider said.
PDW (Performance Drone Works) designs, engineers, and manufactures unmanned systems and solutions for defense and public safety.
Vanteon is an engineering firm with decades of experience developing advanced communications, radio frequency systems, and software-defined radio technologies.
PDW officials said the planned acquisition strengthens the company’s ability to design, develop, and deliver next-generation sUAS capabilities and expands mission-critical connectivity at the tactical edge. The company said the Vanteon acquisition further optimizes its vertically integrated platform and advances its mission to deliver decisive airpower into the hands of every operator.
“Modern military operations depend on resilient communications, rapid innovation, and the ability to field new capabilities quickly,” Slider said. “ Vanteon strengthens our ability to deliver resilient communications and integrated capabilities to warfighters. Just as importantly, they are a trusted partner of PDW bringing an exceptional team of engineers whose experience spans hardware, software, integration, and advanced payload development.
“By bringing those capabilities into PDW, we can accelerate innovation across our entire product portfolio while continuing to deliver the reliable, operator-focused systems our customers depend on.”
Vanteon brings more than 40 years of experience delivering advanced communications and embedded systems, along with a team of approximately 40 highly skilled engineers with expertise spanning hardware, software, embedded systems, RF design, and communica-
BRIEFCASE
tions technologies.
“PDW and Vanteon share a commitment to solving hard technical problems for operators in demanding environments," said Vanteon CTO Aaron Roof. "Their operator-first focus aligns directly with how we've built our systems, and we're excited to bring our expertise in RF engineering and design, and software-defined radios, into a broader operational platform.”
PDW develops and mass-manufactures aerial robotic systems and software that deliver advanced surveillance, electronic warfare, and strike capabilities for the United States and its allies.
The company said it is building a new category of tactical robotic systems that bridges the gap between low-capability drones and high-end platforms, with a mission to bring decisive airpower into the hands of every operator.
Designed by operators and produced at scale in the United States,
PDW operates Drone Factory 01, a high-rate production facility in Cummings Research Park with the capacity to manufacture up to 100,000 systems annually.
PDW systems are shaped by real-world deployments and built to perform under pressure, delivering scalable airpower at the tactical edge.
“As autonomy continues to evolve, resilient communications, spectrum awareness, and electronic warfare will become increasingly more important,” Slider said. “We believe expanding our capabilities in these areas strengthens PDW's ability to deliver the next generation of autonomous systems while continuing to provide the reliability, adaptability, and performance our customers expect.
“We're excited to welcome Aaron Roof and the entire Vanteon team to PDW and look forward to building what comes next together.” w
RECOGNITION
James Tackett joins First Horizon Advisors as a Financial Advisor
First Horizon Bank has announced that James “Tack” Tackett has joined First Horizon Advisors as a Financial Advisor. In this role, he will help develop personalized investment strategies for Huntsville wealth management clients through detailed needs analysis and risk assessment.
Prior to joining First Horizon Advisors, Tackett served for a decade as a Financial Advisor throughout North Alabama. He began his career with Edward Jones and, most recently, was with Riverfront Wealth Management. As a dedicated community servant, he is currently a member of Rotary International and serves on the board for the Wallace State Community College Future Foundation.
“I am pleased to welcome Tack to our Huntsville wealth management team,” said Ginger Harper, Senior Vice President and Private Client Manager for First Horizon. “He has a proven track record as a Financial Advisor, building enduring client relationships and delivering comprehensive financial guidance to clients.”
