August 2019

Keeping you informed and inspired.

VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 8

August 2019

GOVERNMENT

Governor Boasts Broadband Access in Alabama Update Address

COVER STORY

While Huntsville may be the center of high tech in the region, there are thousands of residents without access to basic broadband services.

By Jonathan Stinson - Page 5

Page 12

ENTREPRENEUR

LSINC CEO Alicia Ryan Connects the Dots

For a female CEO in that environment, the challenges are multiplied. For LSINC CEO Alicia Ryan, learning from strong women helped her meet those challenges.

By Lori J. Connors - Page 19

ADDITIONAL STORIES • 1818 Farms: An Authentically Sustainable Experience

By Lori J. Connors • Page 4

• Huntsville Expanding Hours and Size of Enterainment Districts

By Jonathan Stinson • Page 9

• Pruning Cummings Research Park Infuses Vibrancy, Marketability

By Kimberly Ballard • Page 16

• Favre: Celebrities Have ‘Duty’ to Give Time and Money

By Mike Easterling • Page 18

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HUNTSVILLE

BUSINESS JOURNAL Vol 2, Issue 8 August 2019 600 Boulevard South Suite 104 Huntsville, AL 35802

2

Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

Face It, People Aren’t Protective Enough When It Comes to Prized Possessions

Over the last few weeks, a craze took over social media, in particular, Facebook.

It was FaceApp and was, apparently, a fun gimmick that became the

most popular free app around.

For those who missed the “excitement,” the app enabled its users to see their images as older (much older) or younger.

Here is a description: FaceApp is a mobile application for iOS and Android developed by the Russian company Wireless Lab which uses neural network technology to automatically generate highly realistic transformations of faces in photographs. The app can transform a face to make it smile, look younger, look older, or even change gender.

Did anyone catch the “developed

by the Russian company …” reference?

So, some folks were giving over their images to a Russian company without batting an eye (pun intended).

It’s just another example of people giving away something to a party they do not know.

Unfortunately, we do that practically every day.

We let people, valets, take our cars and we trust them to park them.

We let people, movers, come into our homes, and handle our furniture and other valuable items.

I mention the last two examples because friends had bad experiences with valets and movers.

A friend, let’s call her Billie, stayed at a hotel and gave her keys to the valet to park – something a lot of us have done without a second thought.

Well, when Billie went to pick up her car, it took nearly 30 minutes to find it. To top it off, when they did finally bring it to her and she got in, there was an aroma of a certain fiveleaf plant. Also, she said that when she was sitting on the hotel patio the evening she dropped off the car, she thought she saw it drive by.

At the time, Billie said she thought nothing of it.

But now? Well, Billie said she’s going to note her mileage the next time she leaves the car with a valet.

Our second example involves a couple – Bernice and Chuck - who were moving. The movers failed to protective wrap a dining room table and a bed that was an heirloom.

They were damaged in the move but that wasn’t the bad part.

The newlywed couple had a 52-inch smart TV and a PS4. The keyword is “had.”

You see, somehow during the move, the TV and PS4 vanished.

Chuck was home during the move, tying up loose ends and just making sure things were going smoothly.

But afterward, when Bernice and Chuck were setting things up, they noticed the items were missing.

Subsidiary of EVENT Publishing Publisher/President ……… Todd Stephenson Editor ………………………… Bud McLaughlin Writers………………………… Kimberly Ballard

Lori J. Connors

Mike Easterling

Jonathan Stinson Contributing Writers…………… Zack Childress

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Brent Saba Graphic Design ………………… Justina Simon Website……………………………… Jim Gharib Photographers…………………… Steve Babin

Kimberly Ballard

Eric Schultz

Justina Simon Director of Sales ……… Carolyn Stephenson Distribution……………………… Glenda Mace Huntsville Business Journal is published monthly by EVENT Publishing, PO Box 14219, Huntsville, AL 35815.

For advertising information call 256.533.8078, e-mail todd@eventhuntsville.com, or visit us on the web at www.huntsvillebusinessjournal.com.

For editorial information contact editor@huntsvillebusinessjournal.com ALL CONTENTS ©2018. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION OR USE IN WHOLE OR IN PART OF THE CONTENTS WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER IS PROHIBITED. HUNTSVILLE BUSINESS JOURNAL IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF EVENT PUBLISHING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. UNSOLICITED PHOTOGRAPHS OR ARTICLES ARE SUBMITTED AT THE RISK OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER OR AUTHOR. EVENT PUBLISHING ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR THE RETURN OF ANY UNSOLICITED MATERIALS AND MAY USE THEM AT ITS DISCRETION.

Police reports were filed and the couple contacted the moving company. After a few days, the police investigators said they couldn’t find any evidence about the missing items.

The moving company said it questioned the crew and checked the vehicles’ GPS. It said the moving team denied any wrongdoing and/or didn’t know about the missing TV and PS4.

So, Bernice and Chuck are weighing their options.

And, if there’s another move, they will keep an eye on every mover and, somehow, video everything that is placed on a truck and everything as it is removed.

It’s a shame that Billie and Bernice and Chuck have to go to extremes for such seemingly innocent practices – valet service and movers – but it’s nothing new.

The ancient Romans, in fact, had a phrase for it: caveat emptor – let the buyer beware. u (Bud McLaughlin is editor of the Huntsville Business Journal. He joins Fred Holland every Wednesday at 6:30 a.m. on WTKI FM 103.9/AM 1450.)

August 2019

3

AGRIBUSINESS

Farmers on the Lookout for Cotton Virus A new disease is affecting cotton crops in the state but, so far, North Alabama has not seen any major instances of a new strain of cotton blue disease called leafroll dwarf virus.

“At this point, it’s something we’re aware of and we are monitoring it.” Tyler Sandlin, an extension agronomist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, said.

“I don’t want to create a false fear among farmers in our area.”

Leafroll dwarf virus can cause the cotton plants to have smaller flower and boll sizes or simply be sterile, which reduces the overall amount of cotton a grower can harvest.

A similar virus caused a reduction of almost 80 percent cotton yields in Brazil, according to information from the extension office in April.

For 2017, the extension office estimated the virus caused a yield

loss totaling $19 million, which is about 50,000 bales of cotton. Now, extension officials are collecting data to determine the effects in 2018 and 2019.

However, there is not much farmers can do to prevent the disease.

The disease is primarily transmitted by aphids, which are small softbodied insects that feed on plants. The problem is insecticides used to kill the aphids won’t eradicate them fast enough before they transmit the disease, according to information from the extension office.

Also, the virus survives the winter in host plants such as the henbit, a common winter weed, and

researchers expect to find more host plants as they continue to study the disease.

That means the most effective way to control the virus is to breed resistant strains of cotton, but that could take a while.

According to Dr. Kassie Conner, an Alabama Extension plant pathologist, it could take five to 10 years to develop a cotton plant that is completely resistant to the leafroll dwarf virus.

Sandlin went on to say that researchers, seed companies and other professionals closely related to the industry have been watching the virus since it was observed in Alabama in 2017 and the bulk of the known cases have been in the southern part of the state.

“I don’t have a great concern at this point that it will be in North Alabama, but again we are aware of it and have our eyes open in case it does” he said. “We’ll take appropriate action that time, but right now there’s been no impact and no major concern at this point for North Alabama.”

Sandlin said he doubts the effects of the virus would impact the cotton crops enough for it cause a rise in cotton prices, which in turn would affect consumers of cotton products.

By Jonathan Stinson

“We’re one state in the cotton business,” he said. “Out of the U.S. last year, I think we were the fifthlargest cotton producing state. So, it would take some disasters elsewhere other than just Alabama to have that kind of effect.

“We are a player in the cotton game but, if you look at Texas, they have millions of acres of cotton. Or Georgia as well, I mean you are talking about some substantial acreage over there.”

In 2018, Alabama farmers estimated they would plant about 510,000 acres of cotton, according to numbers from the USDA provided by the Alabama Farmers Federation.

They harvested about 497,000 acres, but that’s not necessarily due to the virus.

“This number differs from the prospective number above for numerous reasons,” Mary Johns, director of news services for the Alabama Famers Federation, said. “Some farmers might not have ended up planting cotton, so that area would not have been harvested.

“And weather conditions, i.e.

Hurricane Michael, might prevent farmers from harvesting the crop they did plant. It is common for the harvested area to be slightly lower than the planted area.” u

4

Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

AGRIBUSINESS

1818 Farms: An Authentically Sustainable Experience MOORESVILLE — Traveling to Mooresville is like a step back in time.

Lush foliage and historical structures adorn the small town, inhabited by its 58 longtime residents.

“Our family has been here for six generations,” said Natasha McCrary, owner of 1818 Farms, a three-acre plot in the northwest corner of town.

The farm is home to a menagerie of Babydoll sheep, a Nubian goat, assorted pigs, hens, barn cats, and a pair of Great Pyrenees guardian dogs.

There are seemingly endless rows of cultivated flowers.

Most notably, 1818 Farms is known for its unique line of skin-softening products, flower truck tours, and signature dining experiences.

Established in 2012, 1818 Farms’ mission is to preserve history and honor tradition by working a sustainable farm, produce handmade products, educate the public on the value of self-sufficiency, craftsmanship, and most importantly, to build a strong sense of community.

Selecting a name for the farm was simple, McCrary said. There was history to rely on.

“We wanted a name that had significance,” said McCrary. “Mooresville was incorporated in 1818, a year before Alabama became a state.”

McCrary comes from a background in marketing, systems engineering, and pharmaceutical sales. Her husband, Laurence, is the CFO at Hospice North Alabama and has a master’s in finance.

“We balance each other well,” said McCrary. “Laurence does the behind the scenes website coding, sales fore-

McCrary. “We casting, along make sure to tell with feeding the customers and tending not to overapply.” to the animals The Sheatwice a day, 365 based skin care days a year.” line and other After takproducts are sold ing time off in 450 stores in with her two 45 states, as well children, Mcas online. Along Crary wanted with the seven to go back into other fragrances, the workforce the newest adonce they were dition to the both in school. product line is She didn’t want “Southern Tea,” the rigidity and a fragrance that commuting smells just like it that a full-time sounds - a sugjob required, so ary staple of the she decided to Natasha and Laurence McCrary, Deep South, with build her own owners of 1818 Farms a hint of lemon. business.

Each container of skin care is Starting the business venture in her kitchen, McCrary later moved adorned with a pencil sketch of a farm operations to the old IRS building animal. Laurence’s mom, Shirley, creates the renderings. The drawings on Governors Drive. As the business grew, there was a need for greater ca- provide a visual context for the buyer, thus providing a little slice of authenpacity.

“We really needed a loading ticity.

The key to sustainability is proddock,” said McCrary. Five years uct diversity, McCrary said. ago, the 1818 Farms corporate office “We never try to pigeonhole ourmoved to Leeman Ferry Road.

The corporate office has three full- selves,” she said. “We can’t put all our time and five part-time employees; at eggs in one basket.”

Along with the Shea butter and the farm, there are two full-timers other skin care products, there are tand one part-timer, and all are cross shirts and tea towels. There are also trained for the office.

“We have outstanding employ- the experiences: The blooms, the tours, and the exquisite dining events. ees,” said McCrary. “You’re only McCrary carefully monitors and going to be as good as your team is.” curates the roughly 11,000 flowering The Shea Cream is 1818 Farms’ “bread and butter” of skin softening plants on the farm. The foliage is routinely sprayed with a seaweed and fish products. emulsion to ensure robust blooms.

“It’s very “The stronger we can make the light,” said McCrary. A little plant, the less of a pest problem,” said goes a long way. McCrary.

Weather often presents the bigIn fact, it’s recommended that gest challenge, as does timing.

“In a flower farm, you’ll never only a “peasized” amount have everything at once,” said McCrary. “We’ll cut until the first week should be used.

“Shea but- in November.”

“Dinner by the Blooms” is the ter is normally very dense and newest dining experience at 1818 Farms. Guests begin their evening tacky,” said

By Lori Connors / Photography by Steve Babin

with a selection of farm fresh appetizers, then have opportunity to see the vibrant array of flowers and visit with the animals.

A four-course gourmet meal prepared by Chef Jakob Reed is then presented to the guests at the 1818 Pavilion or in the Garden House. At the beginning of each course, Chef Jakob tells the guests about the food - where it came from, how it was prepared, and why it was selected for the meal.

“Our ‘Dinner on the Farm’ was an 80-person event, offered three times a year,” said McCrary. “We decided that we wanted something more intimate. ‘Dinner by the Blooms’ is a 24-person event, offered six times a year. We serve and help plate the food; it’s like having family over. We have a lot of regulars dining with us.

At the last dinner, 20 out of the 24 guests were regulars.”

The entrepreneurial world, though largely rewarding, can have a few small drawbacks.

“Any time you’re building a brand, you don’t realize the time commitment involved,” said McCrary.

Although the McCrarys have planted the entrepreneurial seed with their children, it’s hard to say what path they will choose.

“The role model we’ve set for our kids, showing them that we have a business plan,” said McCrary.

“The downside might be that you’re never on vacation, because there’s always something.” u

August 2019

5

GOVERNMENT

Governor Boosts Broadband Access in Alabama Update Address

While Huntsville may be the center of high tech in the region, there are thousands of residents without access to basic broadband services.

Gov. Kay Ivey addressed the issue in last month’s annual Alabama Update luncheon, hosted by the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce.

In May, Ivey signed two bills designed to boost broadband access for rural and underserved communities and said there are more than 480,000 Alabamians without access to broadband services.

One bill, she said, allows the use of electrical easements for broadband purposes and the other creates grants for various broadband projects.

Specifically, the grants target unincorporated areas of Alabama or communities with less than 25,000 people. The total amount of the grant can’t exceed 20 percent of the total costs of the broadband project in those areas.

“Delivering high-speed broadband access is critical to the education that we provide our students, to our economy, it’s essential to our health care and overall quality of life,” she said.

On July 15, Ivey awarded a second round of funding, totaling $1.14 million in grants, spread across eight

counties including Jackson County in North Alabama.

The governor also touted her administration’s accomplishments over the past year and work to garner support for an upcoming amendment to the state’s constitution that will replace the Alabama Board of Education.

The state currently has an unemployment rate of 3.7 percent, which is the second-lowest in the southeast, but slightly higher than the nation’s rate of 3.6 percent, according to the Alabama Department of Labor.

“In May, we also announced that every county in the state dropped their unemployment rate,” Ivey said.

“Not only is Alabama open for business, but we are completive and thriving and a state of opportunity.”

Then the governor spoke about the recent 10-cent per gallon increase in Alabama’s gas tax, referring to it as “an investment in Alabama’s infrastructure.”

“About three decades have gone by without making an investment in our infrastructure – until now,” Ivey said. “This investment will translate into projects that will tackle the problems of roadway congestion, aging roads and bridges, and unsafe conditions for drivers on their way to work and school.”

She highlighted the first project of the “Rebuild Alabama Plan,” which was the widening of I-565 to eventually allow the expansion of the I-65 interchange.

Ivey then transitioned from talking about roads and bridges to the state’s prison system. She said the first step in bettering the prison system was to better recruit and retain the prison’s correction officers.

“Earlier this year I proposed adding $31 million to the general fund to hire 500 new correctional officers to ensure the safety of our personnel and the general public,” she said.

Ivey also addressed the state’s education system and her education initiative called Strong Start, Strong Finish. The initiative was originally announced in 2017.

It’s broken down into three parts: early childhood education, computer science in middle school and high school, and workforce preparedness.

The program included adding $26.8 million to Alabama’s pre-K budget, improving the computer science curriculum throughout the state

By Jonathan Stinson / Photography by Steve Babin

and putting programs in place to help students get a job through various apprenticeships and certifications.

For example, the governor recently signed SB 295 which expanded the Apprenticeship Alabama Tax Credit by providing an additional $500 for hiring in-school youth apprentices, expanded the base tax credit from $1,000 to $1,250, increased the total number apprentices an employer can claim from five to 10 and upped the tax credit cap from $3 million to $7.5 million.

Citing Alabama’s current position at the bottom of “almost every ranking that measures education in our states,” Ivy asked for the support of a constitutional amendment that would replace the state’s board of education with a governor-appointed commission called the Alabama Commission on Elementary and Secondary Education.

The amendment is expected to be on the March 2020 ballot.

“It’s simply time for Alabama to take the lead. That’s the name of my new effort,” Ivey said.

“Our current system simply is not working. And, if the system is not working then we can’t continue to operate with the system that we have and expect different results.

“We must have leadership that sets high, but obtainable, goals that prepare our students for 21st century jobs.” u

6

Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

AEROSPACE

Expect to See More of World’s Second Largest Commercial Cargo Plane at HSV

Today, a delivery for Huntsville’s aerospace industry.

Tomorrow, overly large, very heavy crucial parts and pieces for Alabama’s growing automotive manufacturing industry.

As North Alabama’s automotive manufacturing industry takes off, so are heavy air freight cargo planes likely to soar in and out of the Port of

Huntsville’s intermodal cargo center – and we mean really, really big birds such as the Russian Antonov 124, the second largest commercial cargo plane in the world.

In recent weeks, an Antonov sat for the first time alongside Panalpina’s Boeing 747–8 freighter at Huntsville International Airport.

While Panalpina operates Boe-

ing 747-8 contour freighters out of Huntsville four times a week on a fixed schedule, the Antonov provides ad hoc flights on demand from Point A to Point B from just about anywhere in the world. At least, up until now, it only flies into Huntsville a couple times a year for special, overly large deliveries, primarily for the aerospace industry.

Matthias Frey, senior vice president and global head of the Panalpina Charter Network, said that is about to change.

“Manufacturing is among Panalpina’s most important industry verticals,” he said.

“Automotive has become a growing priority for us in the state of Alabama and we expect it to get even bigger as they begin installing the assembly lines at the Mazda Toyota plant, and as automobiles begin rolling off that line.”

Frey said Panalpina’s Alabama delegation foresee a growing need for heavy cargo and air freight, especially in Huntsville and Mobile, and he said there is a need for all types of cargo aircraft to accomplish it.

“When you look, for instance at Amazon, their U.S. network uses the Boeing 767 because, although they ship tens of thousands of parcels, most of them are relatively small and stackable and they require speed,” he said.

Panalpina’s 747-8 is a stretch 747 that allows for higher cargo capacity and is a workhorse for standard heavy cargo.

by Kimberly Ballard / Photography by Eric Schultz

“If you are talking about pharmaceuticals, engines, and mechanical parts, then normally you would go to a Boeing 747-8 like Panalpina,” Frey said.

However, the Antonov’s substantially wider body, significantly higher overhead clearance, and hinged nose opens upward for front cargo loading. Built for paradropping and cargo-handling equipment, it is also equipped with two traveling cranes, two winches, a rollgang shifting de-

vice and tiedown equipment.

Aircraft and cargo specialists compare it to the Lockheed Martin C-5 Galaxy, but it has a 25 percent higher transportation capability.

“If you are moving something tall, wide and exceptionally heavy like large machinery and components, especially if you need a wider berth or a crane and winch for loading, then you are more likely to need the Antonov with its front-loading capability,” Frey said. u

August 2019

7

AEROSPACE

Maxar’s Road to the Moon Goes Through Huntsville with a Pit Stop at Dynetics first woman on the surface of the moon.”

In Greek mythology, Artemis is the daughter of Zeus and twin sister of Apollo.

She is the goddess of the hunt and the moon. “… this time we’re going back to the surface of the moon to stay,” said Gold. “Which is Pictured L to R: David King, CEO of Dynetics, Mike Gold, Vice President of Maxar why NASA is building It was said you can’t go to the the Gateway.” moon without going through HuntsThe Gateway project is an arm of ville.

Artemis. Gateway is a space station So, it’s no mistake that a leading that will orbit the moon. space technology company came to And, it’s no coincidence that a the Rocket City to announce a part- Huntsville-born company is going to nership on the nation’s return to the help boost Maxar’s efforts. moon.

Gold recently joined political repThe United States is formulating resentatives and administrators from plans to return to the moon by 2024 Maxar, NASA, Marshall Space Flight within the framework of the Artemis Center and Huntsville’s Dynetics at program -- 55 years after NASA land- the latter’s campus on the western ed a man on the lunar surface during edge of the city to celebrate a “teamthe Apollo days -- but this time the ing agreement”’ between Maxar, mission is much different.

Dynetics and NASA to develop GateThis time, NASA plans to put the way. first woman on the moon upon the NASA awarded Maxar a contract return. This time, the country doesn’t to spearhead the development of powplan to explore the Earth’s satellite er and propulsion elements, which is and its mysteries and simply return the foundation of Gateway and spacecraft that will carry Americans back to the moon and beyond.

The contract includes an indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity portion and carries a maximum total value of $375 million.

The contract behome. This time, the goal is to es- gins with a 12-month base period tablish a lunar presence with an eye of performance and is followed by a already cast toward flights to Mars.

26-month option, a 14-month option “NASA is going back to the and two 12-month options. moon and is committed to doing so Spacecraft design will be comby 2024,” said Mike Gold, vice presi- pleted during the base period, after dent of civil space at Colorado-based which the exercise of options will proMaxar Technologies. “The program is vide for the development, launch, and aptly called Artemis, because we are in-space flight demonstration. going to make history by this small The flight demonstration will last step being a giant leap by putting the as long as one year, during which the

spacecraft will be fully owned and operated by Maxar. Following a successful demonstration, NASA will have the option to acquire the spacecraft for use as the first element of the Gateway.

While Maxar is a leading company in space technology, the company needed experienced partners in space travel and Dynetics was a fit to help get Americans eventually to Mars.

Dynetics will provide support for the power and propulsion element and will aid establishment of a sustainable presence on the moon.

The power and propulsion element is a high-power, 50-kilowatt solar electric propulsion spacecraft – three times more powerful than current capabilities. As a mobile command and service module, the Gateway provides a communications relay for human and robotic expedi-

By Mike Easterling / Photography by Eric Schultz

tions to the lunar surface, starting at the Moon’s South Pole.

The Artemis/Gateway playbook calls for the country to put astronauts back on the moon in 2024, to establish a sustained human presence on and around the moon by 2028 and then prepare for missions to Mars.

Huntsville, long conjoined with space exploration, will once again take on a large role in the process.

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle relayed a message through Harrison Diamond, business relations officer for the city, in honor of the “teaming agreement” signing between Gold and Dynetics CEO David King.

“He said it’s a wonderful thing to say you can’t get to the moon without going through Huntsville first,” Diamond said. “And eventually to Mars.” u

8

Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

NON-PROFITS

Annual Non-Profit University Provides Opportunities for Networking, Sharing

Keynote speaker Allison Black Cornelius, CEO of Greater Birmingham Humane Society

The North Hall at the Von Braun Center was filled to capacity; the audience listening in rapt attention as keynote speaker Allison Black Cor-

nelius shared her story of personal challenge, triumph, and courage.

This is how Cornelius, CEO of Greater Birmingham Humane So-

ciety, kicked off the sixth annual Non-Profit University.

It was a record-breaking event with some 500 in attendance.

The audience was mainly local but, after six years, NPU has gained a following that extends beyond Huntsville-Madison County.

“Attendees are not only from a local pool of nonprofit organizations,” said Anne Kvach, the Community Foundation’s Event Coordinator.

“Over 30 come from Birmingham.”

Hosted annually by the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville, NPU provides nonprofit organizations the opportunity to share, strengthen, and strategize.

The networking opportunities, educational sessions, and tailored tracks are focused on different strategic efforts; providing key information that can help a nonprofit organization thrive.

What started off as an offshoot of the Community Foundation’s Summit on Philanthropy, NPU is now its own stand-alone event.

“We first started talking about the NPU concept when the Summit on Philanthropy first got started,” said Melissa Thompson, CEO of the Community Foundation. “We had two different groups, Sponsors and nonprofit partners, two different demographics. Charitable giving sponsors wanted to know where to give; nonprofits needed to know how to get more funding.

“This led to the creation of NPU.” “We try to make it a ‘break even’ event, by making it affordable to the community,” said Kvach. “We believe that if we invest in nonprof-

By Lori J. Connors / Photography by Steve Babin

its, it benefits the community. We partner up with ten local organizations, track sponsors from different nonprofits. Our track sponsors help to put together the tracks for us. Extended tracks are a deep dive into specific areas, attendees are together the whole day.

“We have great track sponsors; they determine the programming and use their contacts and networks to make it happen.”

The tracks were geared toward the various functions of a nonprofit organization. Whether it be financial, grants, public relations, fundraising, volunteerism, or board membership; industry leaders and subject matter experts are there to engage and inspire participants, providing them with new information or reinforcing what they already know.

The new technology for this year was the NPU 2019 event app.

Sponsored by Redstone Federal Credit Union and built with Crowd-

Compass, the app made this year’s experience even more valuable for the attendees, exhibitors, speakers, and sponsors. The NPU app featured networking, track schedules, social media, as well as handouts.

Participants were able to download the app in advance and take a live poll directly from the app; there were also door prize incentives for those “early adopters.” u

August 2019

9

ENTERTAINMENT

Huntsville Expanding Hours and Size of Entertainment Districts Huntsville’s arts and entertainment districts are expanding and patrons will have a little longer to walk around any of the three sites with purple cups full of their favorite adult beverages.

In its June 27 meeting, the Huntsville City Council voted not only to expand the Butler Green district to the west to include Stovehouse, it also changed the hours people could enjoy all of the districts to noon to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

City leaders have seen a positive reaction to the new zoning, but don’t expect them to go overboard with the proliferation of new arts and entertainment districts.

“By law, we can only have one more district,” Kelly Schrimsher, director of communications for the city of Huntsville, said. “The city has found the districts to be a viable economic development tool in creating vitality and encouraging new businesses.”

The three districts, which are marked by signage painted on the sidewalks, are: Quigley, named after the surveyor who created a street map of Huntsville 115 years ago, Village of Providence and the newly expanded S.R. Butler Green.

Quigley encompasses downtown Huntsville, including the Courthouse Square, Big Spring Park, the Huntsville Museum of Art, the Lumberyard and the surrounding restaurants and bars. The Quigley District merged with the former Meridian District.

The Village of Providence District runs along Providence Main Street and includes the establishments along that corridor.

S.R. Butler Green includes Campus 805, goes east to the Salty Nut Brewery and adjacent areas that face Clinton Avenue, and now it extends west past Campus 805 to include the Stovehouse complex.

“We’re already seeing the effect

of the entertainment district as folks travel on foot between Campus 805 and Stovehouse and spend longer evenings out on the town because they can enjoy more food, beverage and entertainment options without driving around town,” Steven Jackson, director of marketing and communications for Stovehouse, said. “Huge improvements are also under way now to add sidewalks and lighting on the 4th Avenue connecting street, which will make it even easier to wander the whole Westside Huntsville area.”

Stovehouse and Campus 805 were projects to reuse some of Huntsville’s historic buildings.

Campus 805 is, essentially, the former Stone Middle School, which closed in 2009. Stovehouse was a former factory which, as the name suggests, manufactured stoves.

These districts allow for the development of large venues that house a variety of restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and businesses.

Campus 805 has about 16 different establishments including Yellowhammer Brewing, Straight to Ale, Civil Axe Throwing, and Earth and Stone Wood Fired Pizza.

Stovehouse includes Fresko Grille, Pourhouse, Stovehouse Company Store and more on the way.

“The community has been so supportive of the way we’re preserving the history and heading into the future with a focus on entertainment, food, and leisure - all in a family-friendly way that’s helping transform a part of town that had become a less-than-desirable location,” Jackson said.

For those unfamiliar with the districts the city offers a few guide-

By Jonathan Stinson

lines on its website.

First, patrons are not allowed to bring their own alcoholic beverages into any of the districts, but they can purchase alcoholic beverages from licensed establishments located in the districts.

These drinks are served in a designated container, usually a purple cup.

“Patrons are welcome to explore the Arts & Entertainment District while carrying their drink, however, they will not be able to enter any other licensed establishment with their beverage, including the original place of purchase. Businesses that do not serve alcoholic beverages may elect to allow patrons into their establishments carrying a beverage,” the website reads. u

10

Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

PERSONAL FINANCE

5 Retirement Questions Every Couple Should Ask—and Answer Difficult financial decisions are common on your way to retirement.

Questions about Social Security, Medicare and how best to draw down retirement assets are just some of the topics to discuss with your partner.

But before you begin these discussions, it is important to have a more personal conversation about each other’s goals for retirement; this will help to guide the decisions you make for the next stage of your life.

Here is a suggested checklist to start a conversation; maybe, even, make it a yearly tradition to revisit your plans together.

1. Will we retire at the same time?

Many couples find this to be one of the hardest questions to answer.

One of you may be looking forward to winding down a satisfying career, while the other is still enjoying the pace of fulltime work.

“Statistically, women tend to live five years longer than men,” said Karen Burns, head of the Goals Based Consulting Group at Merrill Lynch. “Particularly when a wife is the younger spouse, there may be good reason for her to keep working a while longer so that she will not outlive their retirement savings.”

Having one spouse work longer may also make it possible for one or both spouses to delay claiming Social Security benefits — a choice that can increase the size of your benefit and entitle your spouse to a larger survivor’s benefit.

2. How will we spend our days?

Decisions about travel, family time and other retirement pursuits

are as individual as the couples who make them. But different choices carry different price tags, so it is important to at least have a broad outline of how you want to spend your time together.

“Try making a list of retirement objectives with your spouse each year,” Burns said. As you get closer

come taxes and local property taxes, as well as the overall cost of living, can vary widely by location. For example, Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming and Washington have no state individual income tax — though some impose other levies, such as Washington’s state estate tax.

to retirement, “have some long talks with your spouse to work out the differences between your two lists and figure out a plan for accommodating each of your most important priorities.”

4. Whose investing style will we follow?

During your working years, you and your spouse may have managed your own 401(k)s and IRAs in line with your individual investment preferences. That does not have to change as you move into retirement, but it is important to work with your financial advisor to coordinate an overall portfolio that serves your mutual goals.

As Americans live longer, it is also “increasingly important to continue to explore investment strategies that will help your portfolio continue to grow even as you begin to draw down on it,” said Debra Greenberg, a director in the Personal Retirement Solutions Group

3. Where will we live?

Your choice will most likely have a major impact on your retirement finances. Downsizing from a house to a condominium could free up cash to bolster your savings and might also reduce outlays for property taxes and upkeep. Houses age too, and if you keep the family home, its maintenance needs are likely to increase. On the other hand, relocating could boost — or lower — other expenses. State in-

at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

5. Will we leave our money to the kids or to charity?

If you have arrived at this question, it means that you have worked through the basic issues, but it may still inspire passionate conversation.

For couples who may not see eye to eye on sharing their wealth with their kids, a multigenerational health and education exclusion trust (HEET), could be the answer. This type of trust is designed to see to it that children and future descendants will not have to worry about medical or college costs.

Paired with a fund for each child to cover emergencies or retirement, it can ensure that children are provided for while still allowing you to give a portion of your estate to charity.

This material should be regarded as general information on Social Security considerations and is not intended to provide specific Social Security advice. If you have questions regarding your particular situation, please contact your legal or tax advisor. u

For more information, contact Merrill Lynch Senior Financial Advisor, Brad Cardwell in the Huntsville, AL office at 256-650-2432 or Brad_cardwell@ml.com.

August 2019

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

COVER

Huntsville’s Burgeoning Regional Economy Ens

By Kimber Envision Huntsville as an average size pie.

Standing at city center, look outward in all directions toward the far edges of the pie crust – north toward the state line where visitors from Tennessee get their first glimpse of the city. South where many Huntsville businesses draw daily commuters. East across the mountain, west from neighboring communities and all points in between.

For Huntsville and Madison city leaders, this vision of the pie’s edge does not represent boundaries but, instead, corridors of growth.

“That’s always been our vision for Huntsville’s future and the basis for our regional economic strategy,” said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. “The first part of revitalizing your city is to take the center point, known as the living room of your city, and revitalize it to make it economically viable. Get one area going and stretch it out to other areas.

“Year after year, we have pinpointed growth corridors that help us grow both economically and residentially. The result is an economic revival like what you have been seeing in Huntsville and Madison the past 10 years.”

Private investment land developers have that vision too. During the 1990s, brothers Jim and John Hays and their nephew Jeff Enfinger of Enfinger Development opened a growth corridor to the southeast in Hampton Cove and the Hays Nature Preserve.

In 2000, that development led to the expansion of a residential growth corridor along Taylor Lane in Big Cove, and, by 2010, it had extended into the Goldsmith-Schiffman community.

Also during the 1990s, Huntsville opened a residential growth corridor off Zierdt Road in the Edgewater and Mountain Brook communities southwest of the city. In 2010, it expanded into the Williams community further south.

Battle said that by looking at the local economy like a pie, you will see their strategy unfolding.

“Instead of dividing the pie into fifteen different pieces that get smaller the more users you add, we made the whole pie bigger so we could divide it up differently with more restaurants, entertainment and activity venues, more places to spend retail dollars,” he said. “With a bigger pie, each slice is more valuable.”

The Western Corridor The Town Madison development along I-565 between Zierdt Road and Wall-Triana Highway in Madison will open a gateway to the city.

Anchored by the new Rocket City Trash Pandas baseball stadium, the development is surrounded by residential, retail, commercial, and entertainment components that have thrown open a west side growth corridor that never existed.

“The location off I-565 is perfect catchment for a broad audience across the Southeast,” said Madison Mayor Paul Finley. “As the interchanges off the highway are completed, you can expect ease of traffic getting to and from the area.

“If people come for a game or event, we hope they stay and experience all that Madison has to offer, including our historic downtown that offers livability with local boutique shopping and dining.”

Finley also believes Madison’s central geography in North Alabama positions it perfectly to feel the positive impact from economic development in the whole state as well as southern Tennessee.

“Madison benefits from Huntsville’s growth with the FBI and other tech development workforce to our east, as well as from the MazdaToyota plant to our west. We look to collaborate with Limestone, Morgan and Marshall counties,” said Finley.

The development is envisioned to become a regional destination.

“Right on the interstate, convenient if you are coming from Cullman or Decatur, and where everybody who passes by can see it,” said Joey Ceci, president of The Breland Companies, which is developing Town Madison and the new Clift Farm project on U.S. 72 in Madison.

“We are creating a regional destination with baseball, a food hall, and resort style hotels, similar to, but more diverse than Chattanooga.”

Open Southern Border Recently, Enfinger and his uncles who are also developing McMullen Cove, announced the development of a multi-use Hays Farm development in South Huntsville that will replace the old Haysland Square and turn a 500-plus acre swath of undeveloped land into a new growth corridor to the south that will draw retailers and residents from Airport Road south to the river and beyond.

“There will be a commercial center all the way up to the Enfinger Building on South Parkway with a Village of Providence-type entertainment district surrounded by a city park, a ballfield, and 500acre Hays Green with a passive walking park,” said Enfinger. “We’d like to maintain the natural green spaces. The Hays Nature Preserve in Hampton Cove has been a regional draw for a lot of people.”

In many ways, Ceci believes that with population growth and so many people commuting here to work every day from other counties, we already have an active regional economy at work.

“You see workers buying groceries, going out to eat and shopping during the workweek, even if they live outside the city,” he said. “I think there is some pent-up demand for some of the development that is occurring.”

Max Grelier, co-founder of RCP Companies who has developed the AC Hotel as part of City-Cen-

HUNT

tre and is developing MidCity on the old Madison Square Mall property, has been watching those employee migration patterns into Huntsville for more than a decade.

“We see the regional trade area as about 50 miles and incorporates the 14-county commuter hubs from which Redstone Arsenal and Cummings Research Park draw its employment,” said Grelier.

“As a result, Huntsville has become the region’s primary center for healthcare, civic, cultural, shopping, and dining activity.”

Annexation of Morgan & Limestone Counties Add to all this, the annexation of a small portion of Morgan County to the southwest and a huge chunk of Limestone County due west of city center, and you can see the pie expanding!

“Yes, this annexation is a game-changer because it results in the ability to get infrastructure to certain areas and thus create major employment opportunities,” said Charlie Sealy of Sealy Realty.

His company has developed several residential properties including The Belk Hudson Lofts and The Avenue in downtown Huntsville, and is building a sister community, The Avenue Madison. “These new jobs will be an economic driver for the economy and create an incredible multiplier effect.”

August 2019

13

STORY

sures Everyone a More Valuable Slice of the Pie

rly Ballard

TSVILLE

The annexation is a precursor to the economic development that follows it, said Grelier.

“Annexing was necessary for the economic development of the Toyota-Mazda plant and other larger manufacturers,” he said. “It’s also helpful in attracting investment into commercial real estate projects across the metro area.”

“We’ve only made a foray into Morgan County,” added Mayor Battle, “The annexation of Limestone County where Mazda Toyota made a $2 billion land investment has seriously expanded our metro and opened an industrial growth corridor that is a winwin for both parties.”

City funds, thanks to Huntsville’s AAA credit rating from the S&P and Moody’s Investment Services, have pulled its share of the weight. With the power to borrow $85 million for city and countywide projects, of that, Huntsville will allot $25 million for the Mazda Toyota project infrastructure; and another $55 million for capital plans and schools.

Northern Exposure Included is the revitalization of North Memorial Parkway. Since widening the well-worn highway into a viable parkway traffic corridor, it has encroached on many properties there, making them

less viable.

“They don’t have enough depth to sustain retail, so we’ve taken them out and we’re turning that area into a park with greenways and walking trails,” said Battle. “Perception becomes reality.

“Instead of seeing boarded-up buildings when you enter from the north, you see it more as an entryway into North Huntsville - an economically viable area to move into and to be a part of.”

Among the projects is the upgrading of parks that will be instrumental in bringing in sports teams from all over the Southeast, including recreational rugby fields and soccer fields that can also be used for lacrosse.

“We are putting money into the tennis center and into the golf course, which now has cross-country running and mountain bike trails. All of these things tie back to what we call ‘quality of life’ for our residents and activities for our guests,” said Battle. “Travel sports bring people and their families to our area from all over, where they compete, stay in hotels, eat in restaurants, and shop in our stores.”

Quality of Life Town Madison’s $12 million Pro Player Park project with 12 synthetic baseball/softball fields, the $22 million Huntsville Aquatic Center, and the expanding Huntsville Tennis Center are already national attractions for travel sports competitions and events.

“To have a viable and growing economy, we have to offer a ‘quality of life’ that attracts people to the area, and quite frankly, we have a lot of jobs on the table too,” Battle said. “To recruit highly-skilled, higher income workers requires a quality of life that is equal to or higher than where they are moving from.”

Battle said “quality of life” is found in Lowe Mill, in craft beer, in a vast array of recreation facilities, disc golf, pickleball, art museums and public parks.

“But we still have work to do because people are coming from around the world to work for companies like Blue Origin, Facebook, Aerojet Rocketdyne, and Mazda Toyotas,” said Battle.

Madison Mayor Finley is ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.

“As Madison grows our focus is making sure we are responsible with our citizen’s tax dollars by improving infrastructure and providing a good quality of life in every district of our community,” said Finley. “While areas to the West are experiencing booming growth and increased traffic, we need

to not only keep pace with growth but foresee areas that will need improvements down the line.”

Huntsville is also adding hotels, apartments, and homesites as more people move into the city.

With a goal of adding 1,000 hotel rooms within walking distance of the Von Braun Center, Battle said it will help draw larger conventions and business meetings.

“Part of the strategy for building smaller hotels instead of one big convention center hotel is to prevent people from living inside the hotel the whole time they are here,” said the mayor. “We want people to experience our city, eat in our restaurants, visit our museums, and shop in our stores.”

Enfinger believes that as we become a more affluent society, people’s wants, and expectations become more demanding.

“It looks like we are evolving in unison with the rest of the country as far as the type shopping we do and the kind of developments we build,” said Enfinger. “Our growth rate is higher than most cities, but I think we follow a national trend in the type developments we can sustain.”

Private Investment is Leading the Way Private investment must still lead the way and developers such as Breland, RCP, Sealy, and Enfinger are leading the charge.

“When the City can support infrastructure needs or improvements, private investment can take those dollars further,” said Mayor Finley. “This is a win/win for both the City and for the investors.

Ultimately, our citizens also reap the benefits of this growth and development.”

“Buy-in is good so far, but much harder than it may seem,” said Grelier. “Huntsville has a great story to tell, but many larger institutional investors are not aware of it or view the market as too small.

“Our team spends most of our time discussing and selling the regional market rather than the immediate project. A big part of Huntsville’s growth moving forward will be how the region is branded to compete for private investment and workforce internationally. It’s a regional story that should include our sister communities.”

He would also like to see the Gen Y & Z workforce move to the area because it’s a cool, fun place to live, and then find a job once they get here rather than moving here for the great job.

“Once this trend reverses, larger private investment and more economic development will follow quickly,” Grelier said.

From the city’s perspective though, Huntsville’s first mixed-use/multi-purpose development at Twickenham Square in 2014 has been a driver in enlarging the pie. u Join us for Part 2 of our series on Huntsville’s growing regional economy in the September issue of the Huntsville Business Journal as we investigate how multi-purpose/mixed-use developments are helping build Huntsville’s regional economy.

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

SMALL BUSINESS

Sold-Out MDA Conference a Testament to Business

By Lori J. Connors / Photography by Steve Babin

Lee Rosenberg, Program Director, MDA Office of Small Business Programs

The sellout crowd at the 20th annual Missile Defense Agency Small Business Programs Conference did not fly below the radar of officials.

“This is the first time ever we’ve been sold out,” said Lee Rosenberg, program director at the MDA Office of Small Business Programs. “It’s a testament to people understanding that we want to do business. We want to expand the small business base.”

With a wide assortment of defense industry-focused companies and vendors, the Von Braun Center North Hall was the place to be for small businesses with big aspirations of doing business with the federal government.

“We want people, we want companies, an industrial base who are flexible,” said Timothy Yopek, program manager for the Consolidated Support Program.

“What’s important is supporting the mission,” said Rosenberg.

“To improve the quality of products and services, especially in the sup-

ply chain. MDA continues to invest in technology, to maximize the investments that we’re making.”

The goal of the MDA Small Business Program is to broaden opportunities for small businesses to team together with larger contracts.

The Small Business Program assists small business contractors in doing business with MDA by providing information about opportunities to support the Ballistic Missile Defense System requirements in upcoming procurements; and provide opportunities for matchmaking with MDA prime contractors, government representatives, and networking with other small businesses.

The Small Business industrial base supporting MDA plays an inte-

Attendees at the MDA Conference

gral and important role in developing, manufacturing, fielding, and sustaining the BMDS. “It truly is a global mission. We truly support the defense of the nation,” said Rosenberg. “It is a constant dynamic situation that we’re in. We need to increase system reliability, increase capacity of what we have and increase capability.

“We can’t stand still; our threat is not standing still.” u

August 2019

DEVELOPMENT

Luxury Downtown Living Comes to Madison

By Kimberly Ballard

Artist concept provided by Sealy Realty

MADISON — As Town Madison continues its urban sprawl, things are going vertical in downtown Madison.

Sealy Realty is building a 257,000 square-foot upscale mixed-used development called Avenue Madison, right in the middle of downtown.

It is less than a year until Opening Day for the Rocket City Trash Pandas and the ballpark at Town Madison.

The area is already buzzing about the regional economic impact the ballpark, restaurants, hotels, shopping, and entertainment venues will have.

“The growth in Madison and the surrounding areas was definitely a part of our decision [to build there],” said Charlie Sealy, vice president of Sealy Management. “However, the main factor in building this development was the proximity to downtown Madison and its charming and historic Main Street.

“As seen nationwide, there is a true desire for living and increased activity in downtown settings. The opportunity to create a walkable, urban development linked to Main Street drove our interest in this project.”

Avenue Madison will feature more than 10,000 square feet of retail space surrounded by 190 residential apartment units.

Like Huntsville’s sister property, Avenue Huntsville, Avenue Madison will offer luxury living, dining, and retail options in a small urban setting within walking distance of the historic train depot and downtown boutiques and restaurants.

“The property will be very similar to Avenue Huntsville, but there will be a few minor differences in architecture and design,” said Sealy. “The courtyard and pool area will have a few new amenities that will be great additions to the Madison property.

“There is a beautiful courtyard with a saltwater pool, a contemporary fire pit and patio area, a bocce ball court, and indoor/outdoor lounge with roll-up glass doors, a state-ofthe-art fitness center, and galleries for socializing and events.”

The development is between Sullivan Street and Short Street and a connecting road will be built for access. There will also be 21 parallel parking spaces for retail patrons.

Avenue Madison will open in phases early next summer through late fall. Sealy expects residential leasing will start next year. Meanwhile Crunkleton & Associates is leasing restaurant, retail, and commercial space on the ground floor u

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

DEVELOPMENT

Pruning Cummings Research Park Infuses Vibrancy, Marketability

By Kimberly Ballard / Photography by Eric Schultz

Rendering by Driven Capital

Any good gardener knows a firstclass park requires long-term planning and seasonal pruning to ensure its vibrancy.

In 1962, Teledyne Brown Engineering (then Brown Engineering) lay deep roots on 100 acres off a dirt road that later became Sparkman Drive.

IBM, Lockheed Martin, Northrop-Grumman, and the University of Alabama-Huntsville quickly followed. Since then, Research Park’s 3,843 acres of prime Huntsville real estate has been a focal point of a 50year master plan.

Cummings Research Park has a 92 percent occupancy rate with 240 untouched acres to spare, but to better understand the growth strategy at work in the park, it is best to differentiate between Research Park East and Research Park West.

“When we talk about current growth, we mean business growth from companies within the park, especially on the west side,” said Erin Koshut, the executive director of Cummings Research Park. “On the east side, market studies show we need to redevelop that area to create greater density and to replace 1960s and 1970s buildings with properties that align with today’s economy. That will infuse the older section with new vibrancy.

“By doing that, we won’t have to look at physical land expansion per se for a very long time.”

Within the master plan are fiveyear work plans. The city is currently working off a plan finalized in 2016; a new plan begins in 2021. The plan acknowledges that some of the original buildings and key properties in the oldest sections of Research Park East are no longer viable in the market.

“Without the revitalization, if a company wants to go in and invest in that part of the park, they wouldn’t get their return on investment,” said Koshut. “That is why the zoning ordinances were changed for Research Park East - to give back some of the land to the park and to reduce economic setbacks.”

Cummings Research Park East One such property is at Bradford and Wynn drives on the former site of the St. John Paul II Catholic High School. Driven Capital Partners in California purchased the four-acre site and plans to redevelop it into a mixeduse site called Bradford Crossing.

“Article 55 of the new zoning ordinance is very specific and says if you have a retail element on the ground floor, there has to be two or more uses,” said Koshut. “We cannot build a standalone gas station or drop

August 2019

17

DEVELOPMENT

a superstore in there, but a multistory building with ground floor retail will create density on a small but efficient parcel of land.

“No decision has been made on what other uses will be included, but it could be office space, multi-family residences, a hotel, or a mixture of all three on upper floors.”

There are four big red circles marking areas of Cummings Research Park East targeted for potential mixed-use redevelopment. Currently, no groundbreaking date is set for Bradford Crossing.

“This is not just the (HuntsvilleMadison County) Chamber or the city calling for these changes,” said Koshut. “We have landowners like the Olin King family at Crown Leasing who own property on Bradford Drive.

They demolished the building that was on it and now have the land for sale. Business and landowners understand the flavor of changes happening in the older section of the park.”

Other recently announced redevelopments include Executive Plaza off Sparkman Drive into a multi-use facility, including an arena for the UAH hockey team and convocations; and Huntsville’s plans to donate up to $1.8 million in land to Alabama’s third magnet school, the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering.

It has a temporary home at the Tom Bevill Center on UAH’s campus, but plans are to build a permanent location in Cummings Research Park East by 2022.

“This will give the whole park along the outskirts of UAH, a big infusion of vibrancy and marketability,” said Koshut.

Cummings Research Park West Over in Cummings Research Park West, it is not about redevelopment but about taking what is there, making it better, and expanding the footprint.

In fact, Cummings Research Park West will see three major projects and numerous moderate but significant business expansions this year.

By the end of the year, Radiance Technologies will be moving into a 100,000-square-foot facility at 310 Bob Heath Drive. The new facility will consolidate operations and employees, but with significant growth, Radiance will keep its 38,000-square-foot facility on Wynn Drive in Cummings

Research Park East for a while.

The new $45.5 million, 83,000-square-foot BAE Systems building is sprouting from a 20-acre site at Old Madison Pike and Jan Davis Drive. It is scheduled to open in 2020.

“BAE Systems has a long history with Huntsville dating back many years when they had only a couple of employees,” said Koshut. “We are proud to see them bringing in 200 employees, many new hires, and some recruited to Huntsville from the Northeast.”

Fifty-four-foot walls are going up around the $200 million Blue Origin rocket engine production facility on Explorer Drive in July. Expected to open its doors in March 2020, Blue Origin is estimated to bring up to 300 jobs to the local economy.

Dynetics just expanded its footprint with the 78,000 square-foot Dr. Stephen M. Gilbert Advanced Manufacturing Facility; and IronMountain Solutions found a new home on Voyager Way. “We have the first apartments, Watermark at Bridge Street Town Center, built in Research Park,” said Koshut. “They consist of two fourstory buildings and 240 apartments.

Over half already are leased before they open and of course a majority of those people work in Research Park.”

She said they would like to see an extension of Bridge Street Town Center or at least retail that is congruent to Bridge Street grow into the commercial retail corridor between Bridge Street’s outdoor shopping promenade and Lake 4.

It’s All for the Employees “There is a key component of all this expansion and redevelopment,” said Koshut. “It is driven by the wants and needs of employees.

“These companies want to recruit top talent to Huntsville, and they want to retain them. They require conveniences, activities, and amenities that have been available to them in cities where they are recruited from, many bigger than Huntsville.”

This includes access luxury apartments and single-family homes in or surrounding the park; creating a sense of vibrancy and community with activities such as the Food Truck Fest that draws some 300 people a month;

free monthly happy hours in the park; and free Suzy’s Pops or Steel City Pops during the summer.

Later this summer or early fall, Koshut said the city will launch a pilot Bike Share project in Cummings Research Park West with three bike-share stations.

“As the city continues to invest in that program, we hope to connect many bike-share systems across the city so, at any time, an employee can hop on a bike and ride out to lunch,”

said Koshut. “Young people enjoy being outside and easily get tired of being stuck in an office all day. Huntsville companies are recruiting people from cities that offer a quality lifestyle amenity.”

So, as new buildings are sprouting up all over Cumming Research Park, it always helps to keep the park neatly clipped and pruned to inspire growth and opportunities among the older, well-established buildings alongside the new and flourishing. u

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

PHILANTHROPY

Favre: Celebrities Have ‘Duty’ to Give Time and Money

When Brett Favre took his Mississippi gun-slinging quarterback act to Green Bay, he partnered with the local Boys and Girls Clubs during his 16-year stint with the

Packers of the National Football League.

Part of the deal was for the quarterback to donate money to the clubs for every touchdown pass he threw.

Target Your Advertising to Reach Business Leaders in Madison County!

To advertise in Huntsville Business Journal Call 256.533.8078, Visit www.huntsvillebusinessjournal.com or e-mail carolyn@eventhuntsville.com

By Mike Easterling / Photography by Steve Babin

Talk about hitting the mother pick and choose. This one, Pat played lode. a big part of it. I’m glad I’m here.”

Favre, who starred for the UniFavre said growing up the son of versity of Southern Mississippi Mississippi teachers taught him hubefore heading off to the NFL, mility and to lend a helping hand. threw all but 66 of his then-NFL “I don’t like to call myself a cerecord 508 touchdown passes before lebrity, but I will in this case because he retired after 20 seasons in 2010.

I think it’s our duty to reach out, give “We did a match program,” our time, give money, do whatever you said Favre, who was in Huntsville feel is needed,” he said. “My mother last month as the featured guest at taught special education for 30 years the Legends and Leaders Dinner to and I grew up -- my dad was a teacher raise money for the Boys and Girls and football coach -- so I grew up Clubs of North Alabama in the Von around her students. It was very modBraun Center’s North Hall. “For ev- est. Mississippi teachers don’t make a ery touchdown pass I threw, I would whole lot. We earned everything. give $250 and I would encourage lo“But, I always felt we were excal businesses to match that. tremely blessed and growing up “I was fortunate enough to throw a lot of touchdown passes, and was equally fortunate to have -- I don’t even know how many people match it. But you can imagine in Green Bay if they had the money to match it they matched it. It helped the cause on and off the field. I don’t know the number, but it had to be astronomical.”

Pat Wynn has an idea of how much was raised. Wynn is a former Huntsville High School standout and teammate of Favre’s at Southern Miss and in his 10th year Pictured L to R: Matt Meyer - General Manager and Managas president of the North ing Partner, Hiley Auto Group (Main Sponsor), Brett Favre, Alabama Chapter of the Pat Wynn - President, Boys & Girls Club of North Alabama Boys and Girls Clubs.

“He had a foundation where he around her students gave you a sense of how lucky me and my brothers and raised more than a million dollars in sisters were. So that’s where it started.

Green Bay,” Wynn said. “I know what kind of person he is. What he’s done It just makes sense.”

The Boys and Girls Clubs seemed is something special and I wanted to to be the right fit for Favre. bring that to my community.”

“It gives them a place, a safe haSince retiring from the NFL, ven, to show them people love them Favre is readily seen on television commercials and magazine ads but and care about them,” he said. “We said he is choosey about his live ap- all need that. Some of us were blessed with households where you got what pearances.

“Pat is an old teammate -- we go you needed at home.

“Others are not so fortunate, and way back,” Favre said. “I was open it’s not their fault.” u and he asked. I stay fairly busy. I do

August 2019

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ENTREPRENEUR

LSINC CEO Alicia Ryan Connects the Dots in Washington, D.C., it was maledominated.”

Ryan is descended from a lineage of strong women.

“My grandmother was widowed with three kids and one on the way, on welfare and running a dairy farm on her own,” said Ryan. “My mother married right out of high school; my father was a Green Beret who served three deployments in Vietnam.”

LSINC CEO, Alicia Ryan, speaks at the Strong Women Strong Coffee event During those deployments, For a woman in a male-dominat- Ryan’s mom managed the household ed business environment, there are and three kids on her own. numerous challenges.

“Strong women don’t come out of For a female CEO in that environ- nowhere,” Ryan said. ment, the challenges are multiplied.

Ryan comes from a family of For LSINC CEO Alicia Ryan, smart, hard workers. Her brother was learning from strong women helped a football star and graduated from her meet those challenges.

West Point. Her sister was a spelling Ryan was a recent speaker for bee champion. the Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship’s “Strong Coffee, Strong Women” program - a morning networking event for women focused on achieving something positive every day. However, it is not limited to women; men are also invited.

Each “Strong Coffee” event features a successful businesswoman, sharing her shot of inspiration, or “espresso-monial” with the audience. Presenters share their stories, their career or business endeavors, the challenges they faced, as well as the triumphs.

With 25 years of experience in government contracting, Ryan embodies the concept of “servant leadership.”

“To be here in a room full of women is an honor,” said Ryan. “When I started in the defense industry back

By Lori J. Connors / Photography by Steve Babin

Ryan was different. She was the self-proclaimed “black sheep.”

“Can you please just make it through high school?” she said her well-meaning mother asked.

“Growing up, I was the trail blazer,” said Ryan. “I had high emotional intelligence and was the one who would save men, rescue cats, or run away. I knew I was smart, but in a different way.

“I would be able to connect all the dots that everyone else couldn’t.”

The best advice Ryan got from her mom was to get a business degree, something that Ryan initially resisted - she wanted to major in psychology.

“There wasn’t anything I wanted less than to work in the federal government,” said Ryan.

Mother and daughter ultimately reached a compromise and Ryan got a degree in industrial organizational psychology, what she refers to as “the psychology of the business world.”

Ryan said her ability to connect the dots has helped her succeed in business.

“I tend to be ready for an opportunity before it arises,” said Ryan.

“I analyze all the different pieces, so when I see the opportunity, I push really hard.” u

Attendees listen to LSINC CEO, Alicia Ryan, speak at the Strong Women Strong Coffee event

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

SPORTS / RECREATION

National Clay Court Championships Are Net Gain for City Coffers

Celebrations surrounding the 50th anniversary of the July 20, 1969 moon landing were in full stride in Huntsville.

Plans to honor man’s walk on the lunar surface this year included a Guinness record-setting attempt for simultaneous rocket launches, a celebration car show, an Apollo Homecoming Dinner and something city residents did when Huntsvillebuilt rockets took men to the moon -- dancing in the streets at the Courthouse Square.

Simultaneously, and in a more

Earthly endeavor, some 250 top players from around the country were chasing USTA Girls 16-andunder National Clay Court Championships at the Athletic Club Alabama.

The tournament ran July 13-20 with matches at the ACA on Leeman Ferry Road and the nearby city-operated Huntsville Tennis Center at John Hunt Park.

“One thing that struck me was when I drove through the parking lot at Athletic Club Alabama, I counted license plates from 18 different states - from Nevada to North Dakota,” said Mark McCarter, convention sales manager with the Huntsville-Madison County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

McCarter said tournament estimates for city coffers is $600,000.

But, “Frankly, I feel it’ll be a lot larger than that. We’ve got 350 players and only two are from Alabama.”

The tournament had been in Memphis but, when that club pulled out, bids were taken for a host city and Huntsville won over seven other finalists.

Local professional and Huntsvillian Eddie Jacques, a former U18 National Clay Court Champion and All-Southeastern Conference player at Georgia, and Kelly Haynes, general manager at ACA, approached city officials to see if there was support for the event.

There was.

“It was kind of last minute and they reached out to see what help we could provide,” McCarter said.

The city worked with the pair to

By Mike Easterling

help with lodging taxes, meals and use of the Huntsville Tennis Center.

“It’s a really good partnership with the City of Huntsville,” he said.

And there have been chances to showcase the city.

One of the competitors held a Sweet 16 birthday party at a local establishment and the 20 tournament referees have hit a different eatery every night - two examples McCarter said of the tournament being a “great event to show off Huntsville to those who have never been here.”

There’s also the space angle.

“A cool thing was one of the girls told her mom no matter when she lost, she wanted to stay all the way to the end,” McCarter said. “That was because her two brothers were coming to Huntsville to attend Space Camp.” u

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RETAIL

White Bison Coffee-Twice Daily Opening in Town Madison

MADISON – Combining convenience and coffee, the state’s first Twice Daily-White Bison Coffee store will open in Town Madison this fall.

The new concept store from Nash-

ville-based Tri Star Energy merges Twice Daily’s convenience store and White Bison Coffee’s artisan coffee beverages and fresh, handcrafted café menu.

This will be the first brandin-brand retail location for Tri Star Energy outside of Tennessee.

“We are thrilled to bring White Bison Coffee and Twice Daily to the people of Alabama,” said Steve Hostetter, CEO of Tri Star Energy. “Whether it’s enjoying coffee with friends, grabbing food on-the-go or fueling up, we’ve got you covered.

We pair convenience with quality to accommodate our guests and their busy lives.”

The White Bison Coffee concept offers expertly roasted, handcrafted specialty coffee drinks –– featuring single origin pour-over coffees, cold brew, nitro coffee, espresso beverages and more.

There are also freshly baked pastries

By Bud McLaughlin / Rendering by White Bison

and handmade breakfast and lunch items including sandwiches, salads and Bistro snack boxes.

In addition to traditional convenience items, Twice Daily’s premium offerings range from grab-and-go snacks, including organic brands, to a selection of staple groceries. There is also a fresh deli case with handmade and healthy options featuring fruits, sandwiches, salads and snacks. Additional offerings include donuts and pastries, freshly prepared breakfast & lunch sandwiches and an extensive beer cave featuring local and craft beers.

For information, visit whitebisonTN.com and twicedaily.com.

They can also be followed on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. u

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

BUSINESS BRIEFCASE

Warren Averett Ranked by Financial Times and Accounting Today Warren Averett Asset Management has been listed among the 300 Top Registered Investment Advisers

by Financial Times and among the top CPA financial planners for 2019

by Accounting Today.

The 300 Top Registered Investment Advisers list recognizes top independent RIA firms from across the U.S. and is produced independently by the Financial Times in collaboration with Ignites Research— a subsidiary of the Financial Times that provides business intelligence on the asset management industry. This is the second consecutive year that Warren Averett Asset Management has made the list.

The 13th annual Accounting Today Wealth Magnets report ranked Warren Averett Asset Management as the 17th largest financial planner by assets under management among 150 total CPA firms across the U.S. Among these firms, Warren Averett Asset Management is the third-largest in the Southeast.

The list of rankings is organized into groups in order of AUM. Warren Averett Asset Management, reporting more than $2.5 billion of assets under management, was placed in the largest group.

“These rankings are not about our own success or status. Instead, they are a reminder to us that our clients continue to be the driving force behind all that we do and seek to achieve,” said Josh Reidinger, president of Warren Averett Asset Management. “Our goal is to see them succeed, and we believe that sound asset management is a part of that success.

“We are thankful to our clients for the opportunity to serve them.” u

Torch Technologies Makes “Top 100 Government Contractors” List Torch Technologies continues to climb in the rankings of the nation’s top government contractors.

In the annual Washington Technology “Top 100,” Torch Technologies was ranked 59th, up two spots from 2018. The list ranks the largest government contractors by their prime contract dollars in IT, professional services, telecommunications, and other high-tech service areas.

For Huntsville-based Torch, a 100 percent employee-owned small business, this is the fifth straight year on the list, ranking 86 in 2015; 75 in 2016; 68 in 2017; and 61 in 2018.

Torch, which had more than $403 million in total revenue last year, was the highest ranked Huntsville-headquartered company named to this year’s list.

“On behalf of our employeeowners, we are honored that the confidence placed in us by our DoD customers has resulted in Torch being recognized for the fifth year as one of the largest professional services prime contractors to the federal government,” said Torch President John Watson. u

13 local nonprofits.

In March 2018, IronMountain Solutions collaborated with the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville to establish an employeegiving fund, called the IronMountain Solutions Employee Peaks Fund. The fund has awarded $62,000 in a little more than a year’s time, impacting 23 local charitable organizations.

The following charitable organizations received grants from the IMS Employee Peaks Fund in June: Kids to Love; Girls Inc.; New Leash on Life; Greater Huntsville Human Society; Riley Center; First Priority of Greater Decatur; Christmas Charities Year Round; North Alabama Kidney Foundation; Cap & Gown Project; North Alabama Spay & Neuter; Not One More Alabama; Huntsville Community Drumline; and United Cerebral Palsy.

The company said the employee participation rate for the giving fund is 83 percent.

“IronMountain Solutions as company has always believed in supporting our community, and to see our employees want to give back in such a tremendous way is truly humbling,” said President/CEO Hank Isenberg. “It reinforces that we not only have extreme customer focus, but that we also believe in having extreme community focus.”

The IronMountain Solutions Employee Peaks Fund will accept grant applications in early fall. For information and to apply, visit https:// www.ironmountainsolutions.com/ community/. u

IronMountain Solutions Employees Award $31,000 to Local Non-Profits

Watermark at Bridge Street Apartment Community Opens

For its second grant award season, the employees of IronMountain Solutions raised and awarded $31,000 to

Watermark at Bridge Street Town Centre, a luxury apartment community within Cummings Research

Park and Bridge Street Town Centre, has opened.

The 244-unit apartment community was developed by Watermark Residential, a multifamily development company based in Indianapolis.

There are several floor plans, all of which include spacious interiors, stainless steel appliances, and stylish living areas.

Watermark at Bridge Street Town Centre’s amenities include a resortstyle heated swimming pool with in-pool loungers, a fully equipped 24-hour fitness center, and an onsite Starbucks coffee bar. u

Nielsen Joins VBC as Marketing, Public Relations Manager Samantha Nielsen has been named the marketing and public relations manager for the Von Braun Center.

Nielsen will manage internal and external communications, including media relations and advertising campaigns for the VBC. A native of Huntsville, Nielsen was the director of communications for the Huntsville Museum of Art and also assisted the marketing and public relation efforts at the Port of Huntsville.

“I have had the pleasure of promoting different aspects of our city throughout my career and am excited to now begin marketing the VBC as it continues to grow with Huntsville,” she said. “I am honored to begin marketing an organization that constantly works to improve the quality of life for our community.” u

August 2019

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BUSINESS BRIEFCASE

Huntsville Psychotherapy and Counseling Services Relocates Huntsville Psychotherapy and Counseling Services will be celebrating their new location at 7540 Memorial Parkway SW Suite W in Huntsville with a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting ceremony on June 27, 2019 at 4:00 pm.

The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce will lead the celebration as community leaders, mental health providers and medical professionals join in to support the growth of mental health services.

“The new location allows us to reach more people who are looking for mental health services,” says Lynn Motley, owner of Huntsville Psychotherapy and Counseling Services.

“Our team of caring counselors has grown already as a result of the move.

“We are excited to welcome in new clients as they begin their journey to a better life.”

For information, visit hsvpcs.com or call 256-824-9171. u

Teledyne Brown Engineering Receives 4-Star Award from Raytheon IDS Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems business unit recently presented a 4-Star Supplier Excellence Award to Teledyne Brown Engineering.

The award was presented at the annual Raytheon supplier conference. at a ceremony held during their supplier conference in Boston. The annual event allows Raytheon to acknowledge superior performance and

service received by their suppliers and partners.

“We are a proud partner with Raytheon IDS on multiple programs.

It is an honor to be a part of their unparalleled supply chain, providing hardware for programs that require the highest standards and quality,” said Jan Hess, president of Teledyne Brown Engineering. “This award recognizes our company’s emphasis on exceptional work and our many employees who are supplying quality deliverables to our valued customers.”

Award candidates are judged on certain criteria, including overall quality and on-time delivery. u

FastSigns Under New Ownership FastSigns of Huntsville, a locally owned and operated sign and graphics company, is under new ownership.

Franchisees Tanveer ZiaurRehman and Sadiya Ahmed officially took ownership of the center at the intersection of University Drive and Jordan Lane.

“The brand integrity of FastSigns was a deciding factor in choosing this franchise over others in the sign industry,” said Ziaur-Rehman.

An engineer by education, ZiaurRehman approaches the management of a sign project with an experienced view and an eye for quality and detail.

Ahmed was an elementary school teacher and is the manager of the store.

“FastSigns is a long-standing partner with the North Alabama business community, and we believe in the infrastructure of small businesses as the backbone of the American economy,” said Ahmed. “Providing custom small business solutions with a personal touch is part of what makes the FastSigns model successful.” u

Amanda Howard Sotheby Attains Top Rankings Huntsville’s Amanda Howard Sotheby’s International Realty was named a member of the Real Trends + Tom Ferry The Thousand.

The Thousand is an annual ranking that honors the top 1,000 residential agents and teams in four categories including Individual agent: Sales volume; Individual agent: Transaction sides (in each real estate transaction, there are two sides that can be represented by a real estate agent: a buyer’s agent and a seller’s agent); Agent team: Sales volume; and Agent team: Transaction sides.

According to The Thousand, Amanda Howard Sotheby served 888 families in 2018, ranking the company No. 1 in Alabama for transaction sides, and No. 26 in the nation. Amanda Howard Sotheby also ranked No. 1 in Alabama for sales volume and No. 118 in the nation.

“It is a great honor to be recognized for these achievements, but it is even more important that these numbers represent families served - and not just transactions,” said CEO Amanda Howard. “I’m incredibly proud of my agents and support team and we are all excited to be in the middle of an equally amazing 2019.” u

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL