November 2020 Issue

Keeping you informed and inspired.

VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 11

November 2020

SIT DOWN WITH SUCCESS

COVER STORY

Joey Usery: The Challenging HVAC Industry is Gellin’ but It’s a Slow Gellin’ Process

Joey Usery, owner of Superior Heating & Air is a one of only two Carrier President’s Award Winners in North Alabama and among only 200 out of 5,000 nationwide.

By Kimberly Ballard - Page 3

RETAIL

Trader Joe’s Announcement Creates Excitement for Community

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle broke the news during his State of the City Address last month: “As Huntsville’s most requested retailer for the past 10 years, we are excited to officially announce – Trader Joe’s is opening a new store in Huntsville.”

By Bud McLauglin - Page 10

ADDITIONAL STORIES • Cepeda, Lewis Win Russell G. Brown Executive Leadership Award

By Bud McLaughlin • Page 17

• For Woodtech USA, There are No Limits to the Imagination

By Lori Connors • Page 18

• A Virtual Celebration Honors Madison Chamber of Commerce’s Best in Business

By Kimberly Ballard • Page 19

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HUNTSVILLE

BUSINESS JOURNAL Vol 3, Issue 11 November 2020 600 Boulevard South Suite 104 Huntsville, AL 35802

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

AEROSPACE

Dynetics Unveils Lunar Lander Module Mockup Dynetics recently unveiled a test version of its full-scale lunar lander that the company hopes will take people to the moon.

The Dynetics test article will be used for initial evaluations for NASA’s Artemis program, Dynetics said in a statement. The Dynetics team will use the test article for analysis, crew module accommodations, placement and orientation of various components and overall habitability.

The mockup includes the crew module, autonomous logistics platform for all-moon cargo access, ascent and descent propellant tanks and deployable solar arrays. This low-slung design could allow for easier and safer access to the lunar surface.

“Our team is pleased to bring this system to life,” Kim Doering, Dynetics Vice President of Space

Systems, said in a statement. “Our reusable, sustainable approach is ready to support a safe and successful hardware delivery for NASA’s mission.”

The focus of the test article rests on crew interfaces, enabling the team to test crew activities within the module. The flexible design is readily reconfigurable, allowing the human systems integration team and flight crew to review and provide feedback on early concept designs and execute quick-turn iterations.

The test article was constructed just three months after the start of the contract and was built and delivered in collaboration with LSINC, a Huntsville-based subcontractor.

Huntsville-based Dynetics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Leidos, is one of three prime contractors selected to design a lander for the

By The Huntsville Business Journal Staff / Photo Courtesy Dynetics

NASA’s Artemis Human Landing System Program managed at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.

Dynetics; SpaceX; and The National Team, led by Jeff Bezos’ Blue

Origin, were awarded contracts in April totaling $967 million to build the landing systems. u

November 2020

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SIT DOWN WITH SUCCESS

Joey Usery: The Challenging HVAC Industry is Gellin’ but It’s a Slow Gellin’ Process Joey Usery, owner of Superior Heating & Air is a one of only two Carrier President’s Award Winners in North Alabama and among only 200 out of 5,000 nationwide.

His downhome Alabama drawl has made him a celebrity poet among North Alabama radio listeners.

Successful HVAC business owner, cattle farmer, and deer hunter, it is amazing to realize he almost became a spy for the U.S. Air Force.

The heating and air conditioning business was not your first career choice?

No. When I got out of the Air Force in 1992, I was going to continue my work in communications with the National Security Agency, but Clinton had just gotten elected and there was a four- to eight-year hiring freeze in that department.

There was no place at the time for a spy like me.

I grew up on a dairy farm, so I was a hard labor guy. A buddy offered me a position working for his HVAC. I didn’t know a boot from a thermostat, but I believe in getting things done. I said to myself, you gotta have a career and this looks like a good one. I discovered within a week, if you fix it the way the factory designed it, you don’t have to go back, so I took a lot of pride in my work.

What was it like going out on your own?

I took out a $50,000 home equity line to start this business and GMAC let me borrow 2 trucks!

You have to have your NATE state board certification to own a HVAC business. I am licensed statewide in Alabama and I currently have permits to work in Athens, Madison, and Huntsville.

It is a fairly regulated industry.

What is the hardest part of your business that also makes you successful?

You gotta be willing to change,

willing to roll with it, but the main thing is, you have to get up and go to work, and it is hard work.

Flipping houses is big these days and some of these houses were built in the 1950s and don’t have central heat and air so they ask us to install it.

HVAC is a trade where you must be a jack-of-all trades and pretty good at all of them.

What advice do you have for people thinking about starting or getting into the HVAC business? Do they need to go to college or a trade school?

I took a lot of classes, but I never paid anybody to teach me how to do this work. All mine was OJT. School can’t hurt but to be successful in this business, you can’t be afraid to get up and go to work and its hard work.

Now technology companies are selling home security and automation systems that allow you to control your thermostat no matter where you are. Isn’t that a big change?

I have been in the business over 30 years and I have seen tremendous changes.

We’ve been fixing the original R-22 refrigerant systems for residential, also known as HCFC hydrochlorofluorocarbon systems since before I was born. Now they have outlawed those systems and they use R410A because of government and EPA regulations. There are lots of refrigerant and efficiency changes happening now.

In the 1990s, they started using electronic circuit boards and digital meters. So, in addition to all the other trades, you had to become an electronics guy. Nobody likes to change, but okay - we got it, we’re learning.

Then by the 2000s with the Internet and smartphones, they introduced digital and program-

mable thermostats, so now you also have to be a computer guy and a network guy.

Today they are making systems that are inverterdriven and they are a whole lot more efficient, but it is a constantly changing environment and it is becoming harder to find people that can do or are willing to do it all.

It’s gellin’, but it’s a slow gellin’ process. u

By Kimberly Ballard / Photos Steve Babin

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

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President /Publisher................................................................ Todd Stephenson Editor .......................................................................................... Bud McLaughlin Writers.........................................................................................Kimberly Ballard

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Kimberly Ballard

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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 ©2020. 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.

November 2020

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HOUSING

Virtuoso Development to Build Three-Story Clubhouse

By The Huntsville Business Journal Staff / Renderings Courtesy JCF Living

A west Huntsville development is stepping up its game in the housing industry.

JCF Living, developers of Virtuoso Living, will build a three-story clubhouse - the first of its kind in the Southeast. This state-of-the-art building will be in addition to its current clubhouse.

“We are excited to work with Huntsville on this elaborate project” The unique community considers its apartment units as “Housements” - the patented concept features one-story buildings with private driveways, curbside mailboxes and front and back yards, among others. The community includes a resort style pool, community activity center, and on-site maintenance. There are some 400 Housements planned for Virtuoso.

The community is on Rockcrest Drive, just off Capshaw Road near Providence Main Street and Research Park Boulevard.

“We are excited to work with Huntsville on this elaborate project,” said John Fitzmaurice, CEO of JCF Living. “Coming into

this, I knew Housements would be a game changer for the rental industry, but I never could have anticipated the demand for more Housements at such a rapid rate.

“We want to build a rental community unlike any other, and I believe this is the catapult to move us forward.”

The new clubhouse will include three floors of activities.

It will feature an entertainment area, rooftop lounge, beautiful city views, a resort-style pool, a luxury fitness center, and a coffee bar close to the leasing office.

“Huntsville is an innovative

city, and we’re honored to bring such an innovative concept here,” Fitzmaurice said. “If we are going to make a long-term impact on

the rental industry as a whole, we need to keep moving forward. This is just the beginning for us.” u

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

REAL ESTATE

Historic Lincoln Mill Undergoing Major Redevelopment

By The Huntsville Business Journal Staff / Renderings Courtesy of Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate

There’s a renaissance going on in the Historic Lincoln Mill area just off downtown Huntsville.

The latest project will be is the historic Lincoln Mill property on Meridian Street. Developers plan to introduce several amenities to the 220,000-square-foot complex that will usher in a new era for the property, Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate and Lincoln Revival LLC, said in a statement.

The restoration will also help bridge the gap between downtown and the north Huntsville educational corridor, further connecting Drake State Community & Technical College and Alabama A&M to the city center.

“Our vision is to enhance the beauty of this historical landmark” According to the statement, updates will be made to the property’s overall look and usability, and on-site food, beverage, and retail options will be added. Phase one of redevelopment began in May and the project is expected to be completed late next year.

“Our vision is to enhance the beauty of this historical landmark,” said Wesley Crunkleton, principal of Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate and owner/developer of Lincoln Mill. “Lincoln Mill is an exciting undertaking because of its history—it represents Huntsville’s industrial past and technology-driven future. All of our developments take on their own identities and we can’t wait for Lincoln Mill to do the same.”

Located minutes from downtown Huntsville, “Lincoln Mill stands apart in its ease of accessibility, proximity to the city’s main business district, and its unmatchable architecture, design, and historical influence,” the statement said. These features combined make it the ideal candidate for a revitalization—one that will showcase its distinctive spaces, its ability to further serve the community, and connect the area of downtown with

north Huntsville’s educational center.

“One of the greatest features of Lincoln Mill is its location,” said Crunkleton. “It’s situated in a growing retail corridor on Meridian Street that is already home to some of the city’s most popular businesses, such as Preservation Company, Holtz Leather, Brooks & Collier, and the coming L’Etoile Patisserie.

“Restoring Lincoln Mill is the next step in activating the district, adding connectivity, and further opening the area to new business opportunities housed in one-of-a-kind spaces.”

What began in 1900 as Madison

“One of the greatest features of Lincoln Mill is its location,” Spinning Co., eventually grew into one of the area’s largest and most productive textile mills. Over its lifetime, Lincoln Mill has seen growth, despair, rebirth, and transformation — giving way for industrial and scientific advancements that helped shape the City of Huntsville.

Through the renovations, Lincoln Mill will provide an attractive work environment, while preserving its legacy. The facility is being updated with amenities that reflect its tenants’ requests, aimed at improving the site’s function, productivity, tenant retention, and overall comfort.

“Phase One of the project will consist of exterior improvements such as painting, lighting, landscaping, and adding additional parking,” said Crunkleton. Interior improvements will include direction signs, updated lobbies and an improved, larger elevator.

When Phase Two begins, attention will be focused on the historic Dye House, Crunkleton said.

“The Dye House is an integral part of the property’s history,” he said.

“It sits abandoned at the front of the site and we plan to utilize the space to house retail along with one or two food/beverage concepts that will benefit the campus and its tenants.

“All will be updated while maintaining the site’s historic integrity and vibe.”

The project team includes Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate, Matheny Goldmon, Joe Still Building Co., and Lanier Ford. u

November 2020

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING

How to Identify an Adequate Accounting System for Government Contracts A critical factor in securing government contracts is having a DCAA compliant accounting system. In fact, many Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and negotiated contracts require an adequate cost accounting system in place prior to any consideration.

In particular, cost-reimbursable contracts require contractors to comply with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 16.3.

These guidelines establish estimates of the total cost of contracts for obligating necessary funds, and they set the ceiling for contractors that they may not exceed without the prior approval from the contracting officer.

Another important requirement of FAR Subpart 16.3 is that all costreimbursable contracts must feature a contractor employing an accounting system approved by the government.

Gaining this approval represents a major accomplishment for government contractors as it can be a difficult process to prove an adequate accounting system for government contracts.

There are a number of requirements you must pass in order to gain government approval of your accounting system.

1. Differentiate Between Indirect and Direct Costs This criterion refers to a contractor needing to show that its system effectively differentiates between indirect and direct costs. This requirement entails employing an accounting system that is able to segregate indirect and direct costs separately by account.

Also, policies that outline all criteria that charge indirect costs to cost pool accounts and direct costs to contracts need to be evident. Staff members who are responsible for coding these costs must show proficiency with these policies.

The final component is that the contractor must show a history of effectively differentiating between direct and indirect costs for use in contracts.

2. Maintain an Adequate Job Costing System This aspect deals with the importance of having a job costing system that is compatible with your accounting system.

A contractor must show that costs are assigned to cost elements and by the specific project. Normally, this can be achieved through establishing a job number system and using the cost element account to charge transactions to specific jobs.

3. Homogenous Indirect Cost Pools and Allocation Bases After the segregation of direct costs from indirect costs is determined, contractors need to develop homogenous indirect cost pools. It is important to logically group indirect costs so they have a similar relationship to the base upon which they will be allocated.

For example, it would be inappropriate to group the indirect costs associated with operating a service business with costs associated with running a manufacturing operation.

Also, it’s crucial to allocate indirect costs in an equitable manner.

This step is vital so that the proper allocation base effectively represents the cause for which the indirect costs were incurred.

4. The General Ledger Must Control All Costs Fortunately, many accounting system packages deal with this criterion automatically. Specifically, these packages ensure that all costs are under general ledger control.

As entries are deleted, changed or added in the subsidiary ledger, the general ledger accounts for these changes automatically.

5. Comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) Your accounting processes and procedures must adhere to the generally accepted accounting principles.

Therefore, your indirect and direct costs must be recorded in the

appropriate period as they occur and not when they are paid. Costs should be accounted for when you are liable for costs.

6. Cost Accounting for Pre-Contract Costs Government contractors must account for pre-contract costs separately. These costs occur in advance of the effective date of the contract required to meet the contract schedule or contract requirements.

To show compliance with this requirement, contractors need to demonstrate the accounting system distinguishes these costs effectively from other contract costs.

7. Maintain an Effective Timekeeping System Labor represents a significant contract cost, so labor costs represent a critical component in cost accounting. It is crucial to ensure that systems accurately charge labor costs to cost objectives.

8. Effective Labor Distribution System Contractors must provide a labor distribution report that is based on its timekeeping system. Generally, this entails including labor and hours per employee, reflecting all types of labor. These will include direct labor, indirect labor and labor included in fringe benefits.

9. Recognizing Unallowable Costs Contractors need to be able to distinguish unallowable costs

By Hobie Frady with Warren Averett

from direct costs and indirect cost pools. Typically, unallowable costs are included in a separate unallowable account and are not claimed in determining indirect cost rates. Unallowable costs cannot be claimed in any proposal, claim or billing.

10. Accumulated Costs Transactions need to be posted and updated in accounting systems at least monthly. Also, costs need to be presented on a year-to-date, current and cumulative basis following this same frequency.

Job cost reports can meet these requirements on a year-to-date, current period and inception-to-date bases.

11. Track Costs by Line Item Some contracts require tracking costs by contract line item (CLIN).

In these cases, projects need to segregate by CLIN. As a result, accounting systems need to consider every CLIN as a cost objective and charge costs to CLINs consistent with how projects are charged.

12. Important Clauses The Limitation of Costs and Funds clauses apply to many contracts, which require contractors to track contract costs and funding.

Typically, a contractor must notify a contracting officer after costs reach 85 percent of the allotted funding.

Other clauses may be present, in which case, contractors must display the ability to meet them. u

November 2020

MEDICAL

Urgent Care for Children Opens Doors to Huntsville Clinic

By The Huntsville Business Journal Staff

The wait is over for Huntsville residents seeking access to pediatric care in the after-hours.

Urgent Care for Children, a Birmingham-based pediatric urgent care provider, opened its for patients ages 21 and under with minor illnesses and injuries.

The newest clinic, at 2785 Carl T. Jones Drive across from Valley Bend Shopping Center, operates 2-10 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.

“At Urgent Care for Children, our job is to complement your primary care pediatrician and offer an affordable, convenient alternative to the emergency room,” said CEO Bannon Thorpe. “I believe we have one of the best medical teams in our field, who are consistently recognized and receive some of the highest patient ratings in the industry.

“It can mean a lot to have a pe-

diatric specialist when you have a child not feeling well, and we are excited to bring convenient access to quality pediatric medical care to a new area of Huntsville.”

While the location will be new for the rapidly growing company, it is not a stranger to Madison County.

“After opening our Madison clinic in September 2019, it quickly became apparent that there was a demand for us to expand our quality care services to (southeast) Huntsville,” said Neal Owens, vice president of real estate. “We selected Jones Valley based on its proximity to the growing community of families and schools.”

The after-hours clinic will also be offering coronavirus testing for children and adults. Since March, Urgent Care for Children has made COVID-19 testing available for everyone.

Visit www.childrensurgent.com. u

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

RETAIL

Trader Joe’s Announcement Creates Excitement for Community As far as Huntsvillians are concerned, there has been some good news to come out of 2020.

And that good news was the announcement that Trader Joe’s will open a store here.

Well, here, as in Huntsville, as in MidCity District.

The legendary retailer seems to be just as excited to joining the lineup at the new work-live-play development.

“Trader Joe’s is very excited to be coming to Huntsville and look forward to being a part of the neighborhood,” said Public Relations Director Kenya FriendDaniel.

She said the company hopes to open its 12,500 square-foot store next fall.

Let the countdown begin.

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle broke the news during his State of the City Address last month: “As Huntsville’s most requested retailer for the past 10 years, we are excited to officially announce – Trader Joe’s is opening a new store in Huntsville.”

How important was the news to Huntsville? Well, friends and family began texting and there was a mini-Twitter tempest stirred up.

Needless to say, the folks at MidCity were “thrilled.”

“The MidCity team is thrilled and honored to bring Trader Joe’s to the Huntsville market,” said Nadia Niakossary, business development manager of RCP Companies. “Trader Joe’s is a top of the line grocer to have, and their presence will lead the growing lineup of retailers at MidCity.

“People in Huntsville have been wanting this one for a long time and this will be great for workforce recruitment and retainment as Huntsville continues to proactively grow.”

In fact, RCP, the developer of MidCity, has been trying to attract the retailer to MidCity District. The quest, which included an “Open Letter to Trader Joe’s”

in July 2018, ended with Wednesday’s announcement.

The letter opens “Dear Captain Dan Bane & The Trader Joe’s Crew: “You may have noticed a blitz on your website recently. That’s because the phenomenal people of Huntsville, AL, want you to hear loud and clear how passionate we are about bringing Trader Joe’s here.”

The letter to Trader Joe’s Chairman/CEO Dan Bane and his “crew” touts the city’s history, technology, education, rankings in national publications and lifestyle while also dropping a couple names that have joined the area, such as Jeff Bezos, Facebook and Toyota-Mazda.

It closes: “So this is an open letter to you, Captain Bane, and your outstanding Trader Joe’s Crew to set sail to Huntsville, the star of Alabama, and anchor down at MidCity. We’ll take care of the mini-lobster here.

“Over & Out, “Your friends at MidCity Huntsville” Consider the request answered and granted. u

By Bud McLaughlin / Rendering by RCP Companies

November 2020

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GOVERNMENT

Huntsville Scores Dual Triple-A Credit Rating for 12th Year For the City of Huntsville, it is the same song, 12th verse.

And it is sweet music.

For the 12th time in 12 years, since Mayor Tommy Battle first assumed office, Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s Rating Services have awarded Huntsville Triple-A credit ratings.

Triple-A is the highest mark a city can achieve and is awarded to a minority of government entities in the nation. Further, just 1 percent of 19,502 cities and counties receive the top ratings from both services.

The credit rating agencies cited the strength of Huntsville’s economy, which is considered broad and diverse.

Strong city management with strong financial policies and practices and budget flexibility were noted as consistent qualities in the

“Huntsville continues to show its strength in conservative fiscal management and a thriving economy” credit rating.

“Huntsville continues to show its strength in conservative fiscal management and a thriving economy,” said Battle. “I am grateful to my outstanding administration and to our elected council members for supporting a responsible, balanced budget and prudent investments that make Huntsville a great place to live and a great place for business.”

The rating services pointed to

By The Huntsville Business Journal Staff

a robust economy mentioning several key developments in the city along with expansion of existing employers.

“Despite the onset and continued impacts of the pandemic, the local economy remains stable,” they said.

The reports also considered the community’s above average wealth, below average unemployment, strong regional tax base and Huntsville’s position as an economic engine for northern Alabama.

City Finance Director Penny Smith said the recent rating was

set for the city to refund/refinance more than $100 million in warrants, which will provide average savings of some $1.5 million in interest per year over the next 10plus years. u

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

COVER COVER

State of the City Filled with O

By Kimbe Kicking off his fourth term as mayor of Huntsville, Tommy Battle delivered a virtual State of the City Address filled with optimism about Huntsville’s indomitable economic resilience; praise for Huntsville’s heroic perseverance and teamwork in the face of an unprecedented pandemic; and an in-depth look at multiple building projects and expansion across the city.

Battle also made two exciting announcements.

The long-awaited arrival of Huntsville’s most-requested retailer, Trader Joe’s, is opening in the MidCity District; and Google Fiber will debut 2 gigabit Internet service in Huntsville, making us a double-gig city.

“If 2020 were a fish, I’d throw it back,” Battle said. “But Huntsville still shows strong growth in every section of the city. In fact, we have claimed the construction crane as the new unofficial Huntsville city bird, perpetually populating our skyline.”

He said Huntsville entered 2020 with promise after “crushing it” in 2019 with $1.8 billion in economic development and capital expenditures circulating through our economy; and 3,025 new jobs - new opportunities for people to improve their lives.

“We had $1.9 billion in industrial capital expenditures and $1 billion in commercial, residential, and multifamily; and that’s in addition to all the expenditures that have occurred in renovations and rehabilitation projects,” Battle said. “We were off to a great start as Navistar announced it would double employment through a $125 million expansion to widen its truck portfolio; Blue Origin opened its rocket engine plant in Cummings Research Park to assemble the BE3 and BE4 rocket.

“Then it came to a screeching halt when the novel coronavirus tested our resiliency.”

Huntsville’s resiliency tested But Huntsville was ready.

They leaned on experience from dealing with the H1N1 virus in 2009 and mobilized a response

Mayor’s Wife, Best Friend Dies

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle

team of healthcare experts, hospitals, Emergency Management, HEMSI, businesses, and government leadership.

“Huntsville knows the power of teamwork and we know the power of speaking and acting with one voice,” Battle said. “We were not powerless.

An educated community knows how to wear a mask. An educated community keeps a safe distance. And an educated community washes their hands, knowing there’s something much bigger at stake than our own personal comfort.”

Through it all, City Hall and city municipal offices remained open for business. City leaders felt it was important to be there for the people they serve at a time when so much seemed to be out of order, City Hall could be the symbol of normalcy.

“Huntsville is defined by our perseverance, our resilience, and our remarkable ability to adapt and change,” Battle said. “We didn’t wait for the federal government for a handout. Our local businesses pitched in to help and this community came together in partnership to move us forward.

“We were willing to show up for work and use new health and safety protocols to remain on task. We separated; we masked; and we sanitized.

“Telework became the norm, and Zoom became our conference room, and that is how we have been able to keep businesses open, let children

go to school, and enjoy some sense of normality until a vaccine or treatments are approved and available.”

While he said area hospitality, restaurant and entertainment industries took the hardest hits, he hailed health care workers and first responders who put their lives on the line to care for others. He cited Crestwood Medical Center and Huntsville Hospital for securing test kits, PPE, and medicine. He also reassured there is a COVID-19 response team already working on a plan to distribute a vaccine when it is available.

As the pandemic raged on, Huntsville faced down the summer of civil unrest by engaging groups in dialogue about how to be a more just and equitable city that ensures opportunity for everyone.

They began restructuring the City’s Office of Multicultural Affairs into the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, expanding staff to represent the community’s need for law enforcement.

“I have the utmost confidence in our Chief Mark McMurray and the men and women of the Huntsville Police Department who served as officers on the front lines,” Battle said.

“In the past 10 years, this Department with input from our community, has led the way in police reforms with a commitment to constitutional policing, escalation techniques, implicit bias training, and a commitment to a certified mental health crisis interven-

Mayor Tommy Battle’s wife and best friend, Eula Catherine Sammons Battle, died Oct. 20.

A Huntsville native and 1973 graduate of Huntsville High School, Eula loved her hometown and joyfully spent her life giving back to her community and had a successful 31-year career as a teacher.

As the city’s First Lady and an educator, no one knew more about the importance of education to business development and recruiting than Eula.

In 2010, when the State Legislature severely cut the education budget, eliminating a $550 stipend for teachers to supply their classrooms, Eula took action and co-founded Free 2 Teach, a nonprofit that supplies free school materials for local teachers. Eula started out by filling her garage with boxes of binders donated by local defense contractors and any other school supplies she could convince other businesses to donate. Demand for supplies grew quickly, and Eula’s spunky determination proved resolute when she called on companies to contribute.

To date, Free 2 Teach has distributed more than $7 million in supplies and materials to Huntsville-area teachers.

Eula is survived by her husband, Tommy Battle; their son, Drew Battle and his wife, Lauren; grandsons, George and Benjamin; brothers, Dr. Robert Sammons (Louise), Dr. Calame Sammons (Dianne), and Bill Sammons (Laurie); a sister, Susan Sammons Sullins (Bill); and 12 nieces and nephews.

tion team.

“Huntsville law enforcement has instituted dashboard cameras in police vehicles and body cameras on officers. Our homeless task force built community partnerships, and we have increased diversity in its ranks.

“Furthermore, a partnership be-

November 2020

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STORY STORY

Optimism, Big Announcements

erly Ballard tween Huntsville police and the FBI is funding a new state-of-the-art joint training facility with law enforcement across the region so they will receive the best training possible to keep themselves and the public safe.”

Huntsville grows throughout pandemic And when all was said and done, COVID-19 may have rocked the country and brought momentum to a screeching halt but, despite the hit, by the end of this year and still in the midst of a pandemic, Huntsville will have created 960 jobs and put $2.1 billion in new product on the ground in Huntsville.

“In September alone, the Inspections Department issued permits totaling $220 million,” Battle said.

“In that $220 million was new commercial and residential construction setting a new benchmark, an all-time historic record month for the city of Huntsville in capital investment.”

Battle pointed to the projects that were already in progress and continued throughout the pandemic including the improvement and rebranding of Huntsville’s public transit system; the opening of Cecil Ashburn Drive and the movement into the final phase of widening Zierdt Road. They are continuing to widen Research Park Boulevard to six lanes; began construction on the northern bypass, as well as the final overpass on Me-

morial Parkway at Mastin Lake Road; and they will finish the Greenbrier Parkway in the Mazda Toyota area.

“To sustain this kind of growth, you have to have a plan in place and we do,” said Battle.

“We’re investing in infrastructure to ensure our existing neighborhoods receive the same attention and the same upgrades as our newer developments.”

Battle talked about three greenway projects that will connect north central Huntsville to South Huntsville. Merrimack Park, John Hunt Park and the old Joe Davis stadium are undergoing improvements.

Huntsville opened a 58-acre nature preserve off Martin Road west, named in honor of the late Dallas W. Fanning, former director of Urban Development and architect of Huntsville’s western expansion.

Projects such as the Johnson Legacy Center on the site of the old Johnson High School and an adjacent residential development; the Mark Russell Recreation Center on Taylor

Road; and the Sandra Moon Community Complex are all in progress or nearing completion.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held last month for the William Hooper Councill High School Memorial Park next to the downtown public library. It pays tribute to the legacy of Huntsville’s first public school for African American students and will incorporate another green space filled with public art.

More public art will appear at the new Lantana Park, a once blighted property on North Parkway that will soon house a walking trail and sculptures that will create a colorful gateway into North Huntsville.

A new fire station for the westernmost part of the city and increased infrastructure services including repaved roads and parks are ongoing.

Downtown is seeing a major expansion at Huntsville Hospital, two new public parking decks, three new hotels, and two new multi-use complexes with apartments and commercial space.

“It is urban living at its best,” said Battle.

Bring on 2021 Just west of downtown, a $1.3 million choice neighborhood planning grant is funding a plan to revitalize and transform Butler Terrace and its surrounding area between Clinton Avenue and Governors Drive.

“Growth is really everywhere in

the city from a 400,000 square foot warehouse at SouthPoint Business Park on I-65 to projects in Haysland Square, Governors Drive, Mastin Lake, where a 140,000 square-foot high tech distribution center is being built.

“And of course with so many new people moving into the Huntsville area from across the U.S., the addition of Trader Joe’s at MidCity is a big win for the region and we are honored to finally welcome them to our community,” Battle said.

Industrial investment keeps coming as Mazda Toyota announced another $200 million investment at the automotive plant, and Toyota’s engine plant is planning the county’s largest solar powered plant at its campus in North Huntsville.

“The city is well positioned for 2021 and we’re moving forward with a balanced budget and another year of AAA credit ratings,” Battle said. “We will use this stellar rating to fund in 2021, our new City Hall, a world class amphitheater, a new fire station for Limestone County, and many other quality of life amenities on a global scale.

“There will still be some hardships into 2021, but we will move forward with our plans and dreams – even if some of it will be in an abbreviated way - but there’s no place I would rather be in a pandemic than right here in our great city.” u

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Huntsville Unveils “Smart Growth Strategy” for Sustainable Growth A city leadership panel of Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Huntsville City Administrator John Hamilton, Director of Urban and Economic Development Shane Davis and City Engineer Kathy Martin took an indepth look into the vigorous activity and relentless growth Battle talked about in his State of the City Address.

Huntsville’s smart growth strategy seems to underlie every aspect of the city’s regional approach to economic growth. Infrastructure, high quality of life, good jobs, and its strategic placement at all points of the city are significant components of that strategy.

Moderator Chip Cherry, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce president, asked Battle about the role regional cooperation plays in the success of the local economy, and in advocating for Redstone Arsenal.

“Teamwork, but not your typical community teamwork. Cross jurisdictional teamwork and collaboration,” Battle said. “None of us are an island. We work together.

“Mazda Toyota came about because Huntsville was working with Limestone County and the City of Athens on utilities, and that had us working with the state Department of Transportation and the state Department of Commerce.”

“We have a lot of servant leaders in our communities who learned how to put aside egos and work together to make good things happen without worry about who is getting the credit or the fame for it.”

He cited the leadership of the Chamber of Commerce, Huntsville Utilities, Huntsville Hospital and Crestwood Medical Center.

“We have great leadership across the board at upper levels, but that can’t sustain us,” Battle said. “You have to have leadership on the director’s level, and we have been developing leadership at that level for the past 15 years.

“Leadership is executing a plan.”

Infrastructure “Restore Roads was a vision back in 2014 to help sustain the growth

Leadership panel: Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Huntsville City Administrator John Hamilton, Director of Urban and Economic Development Shane Davis and City Engineer Kathy Martin

we knew was coming,” Martin said.

“Three of those projects are complete.

Cecil Ashburn is the latest, and the Land Trust just opened their parking lot there - and by the way, the sunsets off Cecil Ashburn are quite amazing.”

“The Sandra Moon Complex is a great example of what will be a little town center in southeast Huntsville providing arts, a library for academic pursuits and reading, but also athletic events right there on that same location, so it becomes a hub, almost a little village down there,” She said Research Park Boulevard, Mastin Lake Road, and the northern bypass are all under construction or starting construction. Greenbriar Parkway adds seven miles of new infrastructure to connect to I-565; and the reconstruction of old Highway 20 adds another five miles to the Mazda Toyota corridor.

Good weather has permitted a lot of progress on Martin Road just outside the arsenal’s Gate 7. Martin said now that the traffic has shifted lanes, the progress will be more noticeable as the City wants it completed by next fall.

Haysland Road on the south end

of town is on schedule to open the end of this year, with the Edinburgh connector starting next spring.

“The south connector, previously called the Southern Bypass project, has been around for quite a while,” said Martin. “Currently, it is called the Arsenal East Connector and has been revived to get a direct interstate connection down to the Patton Road gate as quickly as possible. There’s been some federal funding that’s allowed Huntsville to do a corridor study and get the first phase of that East Arsenal Connector in the beginning design process.”

She said the city is working closely with the federal government, the state, and Redstone Arsenal to come up with an alignment that works for everyone.

“Currently, our staff is managing approximately 70 roadway projects,” Martin said. “That is about 300 lane miles of improvements in our city, equating to about $800 million in federal, state, and local funding infrastructure to accommodate the growth we see.”

Quality of Life “When we talk about infrastructure, we think roads, sidewalks, utility expansion, and resiliency,” Hamilton said. “Those things are all extremely important, but there are other pieces of public infrastructure necessary to be part of workforce development.

“Companies work hard to make their businesses places where people want to work. The City has to make

By Kimberly Ballard

Huntsville a place where people want to live.”

John Hunt Park is part of Huntsville’s Central Park, which is laid out as a complex of parks at Huntsville’s heart. Building a wide diversity of recreational and athletic opportunities around it is a large part of improving Huntsville’s quality of life.

Quality of life to city leaders is hosting college-level sand volleyball tournaments such as the Junior National Championships this year, in a complex built so that the college tournaments are using the same facilities as the youths.

Hamilton said the same thing is happening in soccer, lacrosse, and cross-country infrastructure where the former municipal golf course was converted into a cross-country course.

“Local high schools hosted a cross-country meet that attracted teams from all over the state,” said Hamilton. “Next year we’re hosting one of the NCAA regionals on the same course. It reflects our strategy of making sure we’re meeting and identifying the daily demands of our community and for all their family’s recreational pursuits, but doing it in a way that really can attract business into our community and bring sports tourism in.”

But Huntsville isn’t just investing in big venues. The city is making investments in every neighborhood as well.

“The Sandra Moon Complex is a great example of what will be a little town center in southeast Huntsville providing arts, a library for academic pursuits and reading, but also athletic events right there on that same location, so it becomes a hub, almost a little village down there,” said Hamilton. “Same thing across the mountain at the Mark Russell Recreation Center north of the Johnson Legacy Center with rock climbing and fitness facilities and nature preserve.

“We disperse it geographically across the city and … really expand the diversity of those opportunities.

We all love football, baseball, basketball, and continue investing in that;

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we also have a rapidly growing lacrosse community and running and biking communities.”

He said by introducing sports such as skateboarding into Huntsville, it helps attract people from different parts of the country.

“We are investing in a way that’s high quality and meets the rolling demand,” he said.

Other quality of life projects include the Benton H. Wilcoxon Municipal Ice Complex. Hamilton said many people who move to Huntsville from up north are surprised at how robust the hockey, figure skating and curling community is here, and has been for decades. As a result, the aging Ice Complex got an $11 million renovation that will be finished in the middle of November with higher quality ice, better seating, and more amenities.

Davis joined the conversation to discuss the many revitalization projects and new investments projects ranging from multihousing to commercial space and retail development.

“Joe Davis Stadium was designed to be a baseball stadium and, in its current configuration, that is all it can be, but we have the ability to transform it into a venue for high school football, soccer, lacrosse, and basically any sport that uses a rectangular field,” said Davis. “We will leverage the value that park brings in in hotels, restaurants, and whatever makes sense from a commercial perspective.”

There will be additional infrastructure through the middle of Brahan Spring Park to connect it to Lowe Mill as an arts center, and on into the downtown area. That project starts in 2021.

“We want to make sure our existing companies are expanding and staying focused on reinvestment in downtown, Research Park, workforce development, and making sure our communities are prepared for the opportunities we see coming.”

The Johnson Legacy Center project is in its first phase as part of the quality of life infrastructure. Davis said when the public safety training facility relocates to the former Johnson High School site, there’s a lot of potential for large green spaces that will allow for festivals and events.

“And we continue to see a lot of desire for investment in the downtown area, so parking infrastructure will ultimately help drive the expansion of the Von Braun Center. Those improvements will provide more arts and entertainment to the area.”

There is always more to come, so they work in phases he said but for the next couple of years, they are focused on making sure Huntsville’s new corporate citizens are successful.

“We want to make sure our existing companies are expanding and staying focused on reinvestment in downtown, Research Park, workforce development, and making sure our communities are prepared for the opportunities we see coming.”

Strategic Placement “Our ability to execute the plan is what we’re seeing today ... being very deliberate in the placement of jobs, and it’s not just chasing the western corridor, putting companies in the right locations for them to be successful, but also brings leverage into our communities,” said Davis.

“I think you have to go back 10 to 12 years ago during what people call the Great Recession or a decade in the rearview mirror,” Davis said.

“You’re trying to meet budget and provide community services. We sat down and came up with a vision, a plan; but your plan is only as good as its execution.

What we see throughout Huntsville, he said, is the placement of those jobs and major investments in areas where neighborhoods can come back and revitalize. Existing neighborhoods and commercial corridors usher in new neighborhoods, creating a new commercial lane that is not in any one part or section of the community but abroad. No part of the city is left out of the growth strategy.

“We looked at about 67 nonindustrial projects that are active in the middle of COVID-19,” said Davis. “Huntsville is not only punching

above their weight class as a secondary tier metro competing with major metros across the USA, but that is no

“It’s a community that wins every competition it enters, and I think that just permeates who we are as a community and drives that success.” longer the challenge. Huntsville has become a totally different market, and that’s good not only for the bottom line to provide more services and quality of life attributes to our communities, but to be able to pay for them, is good for our community, our citizens and our businesses.”

He said bringing more people into a community is the best way to help small business. “It is the placement of industrial growth at Research Park and in and around the Arsenal, but also placing it in the northeast and southeast part of town, and you can see the impact caused by it in the community,” Davis said.

The Secret to Huntsville’s Success Cherry said Huntsville is the most optimistic community he has ever been around and that no one should be surprised leadership has executed the plan so well.

“This is a community that not that long ago said, ‘Sure, we can put

a man on the moon and bring him home alive, no problem,” said Cherry.

“It took a whole lot of local teamwork to do it, but when you’re in a place that is now saying, “No problem. We will go to Mars and we will make sure they stay alive and come back alive”.

That’s a community that doesn’t see obstacles. It’s a community that wins every competition it enters, and I think that just permeates who we are as a community and drives that success.”

Battle said while people talk about Huntsville being number one, number one isn’t important - being the best, is.

“Many years ago we were updating our strategy, talking about where the voids were and whether things had to be able to realize our full potential, because Toyota at the time was advertising for 200 jobs and they had 10,000 people apply,” he said. “It showed us we had an under-employment issue.

“This led community leadership to focus on diversification and picking up more advanced manufacturing jobs. It was really kind of pulling people up from the bottom and a lot of people were questioning it, but we designed a mechanism to make sure investment is protected. Every one of the projects we’ve done, we look very closely at return on investment, at how much we’re going to invest, what the returns will be, how many jobs we are getting, and what is it going to do to our economy? What is the capital (Continued next page) Photo by Marty Sellers / Sellers Photo

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expenditure going to be coming back into it?”

Redstone Gateway is an example.

“We were going to invest a certain amount into infrastructure, but we wanted to make sure we would get paid back. So, we worked in a unique fashion, different than anybody had ever done before,” said Battle. “The company actually borrowed the money to come in, and they were paid back by the buildings they built and the property tax as it came back to them.

“As a city, we did not have exposure. There was no risk as long as they built the building. We felt very comfortable that the value of that building would continue to make money and continue to bring in property taxes that could pay off that infrastructure.”

He said the city always expects Huntsville to get a return on the investment with every project and that the citizens and people engaged in the community should know the

appointment of resources is very strategic, designed to yield secondary impacts throughout the market like parking decks that allow for denser developments.

“I think we can look at every section of the city, every part of town and it is growing right now,” said Battle. “In Hampton Cove we’ve got a new community center and the Sandra Moon Complex and Hays Farm project are going to be magnificent developments,” said Battle.

“And don’t forget out to the west and all the property surrounding the Mazda Toyota plant and Polaris. It is going to have growth factors, as well

as Research Park and the Arsenal. Research Park still has over 300 acres of undeveloped land and it is growing very fast.

“We still have about 2.5 million to 3 million square feet of land to be developed at Redstone Gateway, and

on the Arsenal, the growth we are seeing out of the FBI and from internal or organic growth coming out of all the other agencies, makes it a great time to be in Huntsville.”

Can we get an ‘Amen?’ u

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Cepeda, Lewis Win Russell G. Brown Executive Leadership Award

By Bud McLaughlin / Photos courtesy of Huntsville/ Madison County Chamber of Commerce

Sandra Cepeda was a double-winner at the 35th annual Huntsville/Madison County Chamber Small Business Awards.

Actually, she was a double cowinner.

“It has been a very tough year for so many of them, and we hope this event gives them a boost to let them know we love and support them, and we value what they bring to our community.”

Cepeda and Kimberly Lewis were named the winners of the top honor – the Russell G. Brown Executive Leadership Award. Cepeda heads Cepeda Systems & Software Analysis and Lewis is the CEO of ProjectXYZ. Cepeda’s company was a co-winner with Sentar in the Government Contracting – Professional Services Business of the Year category.

The annual celebration was held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are so proud of all of our small businesses,” said Pammie Jimmar, the Chamber’s Vice President of Small Business & Events. “It has been a very tough year for so many of them, and we hope this event

Co-hosts Sameer and Ruchi Singhal announce the winners of the 2020 Russell G. Brown Award — Kim Lewis and Sandra Cepeda.

(Photo/Hiroko Sedensky, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber)

gives them a boost to let them know we love and support them, and we value what they bring to our community.”

Below are the categories and the winners.

• Young Professional of the Year: Bekah Schmidt, South Huntsville Main Business Association • Nonprofit of the Year: Huntsville Ballet • Professional Services Business of the Year: New Beginnings Family Law, P.C. • Culinary Business of the Year: Mango’s Caribbean Cookhouse • Emerging Business of the Year: MaDonni Beauty

• Government Contracting – Professional Services Business of the Year: TIE - Cepeda Systems & Software Analysis and Sentar, Inc. • Government Contracting – Technology Business of the Year: Signalink, Inc. • Service Business of the Year: 47E • Retailer of the Year: Redline Steel • Local “Creative” of the Year: Party Life, LLC • Medical Practice of the Year: Focus Physiotherapy Huntsville • Woman-Owned Business of the Year: Troy 7 • Russell G. Brown Executive

Leadership Award: TIE - Sandra Cepeda, Cepeda Systems & Software Analysis and Kimberly Lewis, PROJECTXYZ, Inc. • People’s Choice Award: Active8 Communications This year’s judging was completed by Chambers from various locations around the United States, including the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce; Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce; Terrell, Texas Chamber of Commerce & Convention & Visitors Bureau; and the Community Development Foundation - Chamber of Commerce in Tupelo, Miss. u

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For Woodtech USA, There are No Limits to the Imagination Fred Dietrich knows the importance of continuous reinvention.

In the world of rapid technological advances, a business needs to stay one step ahead to just keep up.

And, as the owner of WoodTech USA in Huntsville, Dietrich has had the uncanny ability to look ahead and seamlessly adapt to oncoming changes.

“It kept growing, so we needed more space” Starting out in 1989 with DataTech, Dietrich was on the leading edge of the blueprint industry. As that industry evolved with digitalization, Dietrich expanded business operations into sign-making in 1997.

“The demand for signs dropped, we needed another avenue,” said Dietrich.

The company began creating wooden boxes, then expanded the product assortment to include puzzles, chessboards, coasters, and more.

The rest is history.

“It kept growing, so we needed more space,” said Dietrich.

If growth is any indicator of success, business is booming for WoodTech. Three years ago, Woodtech experienced its first major growth spurt. Expanding beyond its site at Bob Wallace Avenue and NewProducts created by and for sale at WoodTech USA

Fred Dietrich, owner of WoodTech USA

by Road, they added a showroom and woodshop near the corner of 9th Avenue and Triana Boulevard.

In just a few months, WoodTech managed to outgrow that location, requiring the need for a third building.

WoodTech operations are now housed in three west Huntsville buildings: the Bob Wallace Avenue location, the showroom and woodshop on Triana Boulevard, and laser operations and shipping in the old Huntsville Hardware store building.

Along with a full showroom display at its Triana Boulevard location,

WoodTech also partners with Uncommon Goods, an online retailer, as well as creating Christina Wegman Art puzzles for Harrison Brothers Hardware in downtown Huntsville.

When COVID-19 hit, Dietrich realized that retail sales would quickly move to mainly online transactions.

“We recognized that we had to shift gears,” said Dietrich. “We were prepared.”

Boosting their website sales and working with Uncommon Goods, WoodTech has thus far, adeptly weathered the storm.

Quality and top-notch customer service are the name of the game at WoodTech. With a staff of 15, including five craftspeople, WoodTech has three state-of-the-art laser engravers that can quickly and accurately cut intricate wooden Christmas ornaments, as well as beautifully engrave

By Lori Connors / Photos by Steve Babin

wooden boxes and coasters.

It is never too early to start planning for Christmas. At WoodTech, the Christmas rush usually begins as early as October. A typical project requires a two- to three-week lead time, so that needs to be factored in.

Customers with specialty creations in mind may also need to consider their wallets. Custom-made items do not come cheaply. It can be a pricey undertaking to fabricate a oneof-a-kind item.

However, it is guaranteed that a finished, custom-spec product from WoodTech will be a one-of-a-kind, American-made keepsake for years to come.

“If it’s made out of wood, we can make it,” said Dietrich. “You’re only limited by your imagination and your budget.” u

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A Virtual Celebration Honors Madison Chamber of Commerce’s Best in Business MADISON – Virtuous Realty Group was the “virtual” winner for the Madison StartUp Business of the Year in the annual Madison Chamber of Commerce 2020 Best in Business Awards.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the winners were announced virtually in 13 categories. However, a dinner was held for the winners at Tom Brown’s restaurant. Chamber of Commerce officers joined the winners in the masked, socially distanced event.

Conditioned Air Solutions was named Best Business of the Year and U-Lock-It Storage won

the Small Business of the Year category.

Cathy Miller from United Way won Community Servant of the Year; Alice Lessmann from Signalink received the Excellence in Leadership & Service Award and Carlos Mendoza of Edward Jones was the Ambassador of the Year Award winner.

Among the Small Business Awards, Anglin Reichmann

Armstrong was recognized as Professional Service Business of the Year and Madison Visionary Partners won Best Non-Profit of the Year.

Fit4Mom-Madison was named Health & Wellness Business of the Year; Hawthorne at the Ridge was the Essential Services Business of the Year; and Insanity Complex won Culinary Business of the Year.

By Kimberly Ballard

Huntsville Ballet danced off with the Arts, Entertainment & Hospitality Business of the Year; and Thrive Alabama won Medical Practice of the Year. u

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Construction on Cottages at Old Monrovia on Schedule for Spring Opening Huntsville’s high-level of occupancy and growth is offering encouragement to Capstone Communities.

That’s because the company’s unique 25-acre housing development off Old Monrovia Road, about a mile from Huntsville’s booming MidCity District, is on schedule.

“We are very excited to be in the Huntsville market, it has impressed us even with COVID,” said John Acken, executive vice president of Development for Capstone Communities. “We feel we are bringing a unique and dynamic housing development type to the Huntsville market.”

“We feel we are bringing a unique and dynamic housing development type to the Huntsville market.”

Some of the key features he said could be the difference when compared to other types of housing are the units are single-story attached and detached homes. There is also a mixture of lofts and townhomes that give off, what Ackens calls, a sense of place and ownership, especially since every unit will have its own backyard.

“To drive through the community, one gets the sense of driving through a true neighborhood” he said. “The streets are walkable and pedestrian-friendly, and it has treelined streets that create a real feel of community.”

There will also be “pocket parks” and a central clubhouse with a pool.

Just minutes from the University of Alabama-Huntsville, the property was designed to appeal to families attracted to the area due to

its job growth, and to people who may wish to rent for a year while they build or find a home to buy.

Acken said the homes are also perfect for millennials starting their first job and seniors looking to downsize.

“We want to encourage walkability, encourage a great pattern of streets that are connected through a neighborhood with individual pocket parks where people can come together and enjoy a sense of community” “We want to encourage walkability, encourage a great pattern of streets that are connected through a neighborhood with individual pocket parks where people can come together and enjoy a sense of community,” said Acken. “We also have a central house, and it will be

By Kimberly Ballard / Photos Courtesy of Capstone Communities

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“That’s really what we are trying to accomplish more than anything else.

Areas where people can come together and create that sense of community.” a neat gathering area for people to come together.

“That’s really what we are trying to accomplish more than anything else. Areas where people can come together and create that sense of community.”

Shep Nolan, president of CBI Construction, said construction remains on schedule, despite COVID-19. The company broke ground in late April during the early days of the pandemic.

“We all felt the impact of COVID in different ways,” said Nolan.

“But our team was fortunate to be able to continue moving forward as initially planned, while ensuring the health and safety of our team members and trade partners.”

CBI laid foundations in August for the main buildings and began framing the clubhouse and pool area in September.

“Our biggest impact has been our ability to stay ahead of the supply chain,” said Nolen. “Our supply partners have been very forthcoming about their limitations, but we have been able to order in advance and stay ahead of it.”

The Cottages at Old Monrovia plans to be available to lease first quarter 2021 and available for occupancy by March. They hold a ribbon-cutting event sometime around March, about the same time they will announce the start of a second phase of the housing project.

Designed by Nequette Archi-

tecture & Design, The Cottages at Old Monrovia will offer a variety of amenities such as nine- to 12-foot ceilings, granite countertops, wood-grain flooring, in-unit washers and dryers, a smart home technology package, fitness center, resort-style pool, centralized clubhouse, dog park, electric car charging stations, a car care center, a pet spa, 24/7 on-call maintenance

and optional enclosed garage parking.

Capstone Communities (formerly Capstone Collegiate Communities) is a Birminghambased commercial real estate firm specializing in the development, management and construction of student, multifamily and senior housing. u

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Huntsville Lands No. 15 Spot on ‘US News’ 150 Best Places to Live List Buoyed by its U.S. News ranking as the most affordable place to live in the country and the best place to live in Alabama, Huntsville has been named one of the best places to live in the country in the news magazine’s latest issue.

The Rocket City landed at No. 15 in U.S. News’ 150 Best Places to Live list. You can read Huntsville’s entry at https://realestate.usnews.com/places/alabama/huntsville U.S. News analyzed 150 metro areas in the United States to find the best places to live based on quality of life and the job market in each metro area, as well as the value of living there and people’s desire to live there.

Huntsville is ranked No. 15 in best places to live; No. 78 in best places to retire; No. 1 in cheapest places to live and best places to live in Alabama and No. 23 in most dangerous places. u

Kailos Genetics to Establish Pharmacogenetic Testing for Utah Health System Kailos Genetics has entered into a partnership with Intermountain Healthcare to establish a pharmacogenetic testing platform for the Utah-based healthcare network.

Pharmacogenetics is the study of how specific genetic variations affect the way an individual metabolizes medication.

“We combine our expertise in both genetic panel design and Illumina sequencing technology to provide robust, up-to-date pharma-

cogenetics data that is securely and directly transferred to most Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS),” said Brian Pollock, Chief Executive Officer for Kailos Genetics.

“Kailos is committed to delivering the highest quality and most comprehensive pharmacogenetic information available today to help Intermountain Healthcare physicians better serve their patients.”

Founded in 2010, Kailos Genetics is a genetic sequencing company at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. u

MartinFederal Wins Contract from Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency MartinFederal Consulting has been awarded a one-year contract to support the Defense Prisoner of War/ Missing in Action Accounting Agency.

Huntsville-based MartinFederal is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business focused on providing solutions-based services to the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Justice, and other federal agencies, The DPAA mission is to recover and identify Department of Defense personnel from past conflicts. As part of the first phase of this multi-phase project, the MartinFederal team will conduct a page-by-page inventory of the Korean War Reference Documents at DPAA Headquarters.

“As an SDVOSB, we understand the importance of the DPAA’s mission, and hope that our support in this project will aid in the accounting effort of the more than 7,600 servicemen who remain unaccounted for from the Korean War,” said Corey Martin, founder and CEO of MartinFederal. “We stand ready to lend our inventory and records management capabilities for this and future phases of this accounting effort.” u

Smith Named Longview Financial Advisors President Jessica Hovis Smith has been named president of Longview Financial Advisors, a financial planning and wealth management firm. Smith takes over the president’s role from Jeff Cedarholm, who will remain active on the investment team and will serve as the firm’s Chief Investment Officer.

“I am honored to step into this role, and grateful for our amazing team and clients who make this possible,” said Smith. “With a continual focus on our core values of collaboration, education, and transparency, Longview has created a legacy of trust and impact, not just in our clients’ lives, but the in the lives of our employees and within the communities we serve. I look forward to working with our team to expand that influence, touch more lives, and to create greater impact.”

Smith, who has more than 15 years of experience in financial planning and wealth management, joined West Financial in 2005. A merger in 2010 established the newly joined firms as an employee-owned firm.

Since that time, she has served as the firm’s vice president and director of financial planning. u

Ad4! Group Adds Business Development to its Services Ad4! Group has added business development to its line of services.

The full-service advertising and marketing agency specializes in branding, marketing strategies, digital marketing campaigns, while serving the Madison County area for 15 years.

Owner Felica Sparks said she is excited about this new addition of business development to their extensive list of services through a partnership with James Bishop of Business Acceleration.

“His ability to pore through businesses’ processes, then offer customized solutions that streamlines what they do, and helps them yield higher returns, is simply invaluable,” Sparks said.

“I am thrilled to be a part of the Ad4! Group team,” said Bishop.

“Their smart and strategic marketing fits incredibly well with what I bring to the table for business owners, so we make a great team. With this partnership, I think clients will see that working with Ad4! Group just make sense because we are the whole package.”

For information, visit https:// ad4group.com/business-consultingservices/. u

Progress Bank Expands into Santa Rosa Beach Progress Bank has opened an office in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. It will be the bank’s 11th office and third in Northwest Florida.

“With our third office along the Florida Panhandle, we continue to show our commitment to this market,” said President and CEO, David Nast. “We appreciate our clients and intend to be a valued community partner in Okaloosa and Walton counties.”

The 2,500 square foot full-service office joins Panhandle offices in Inlet Basin and Destin.

“We are thrilled to be expanding our footprint into the growing community of Santa Rosa Beach and look forward to supporting the thriving commercial and small business community,” said Dewayne Youngblood, Okaloosa & Walton County market president. u

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Toyota Alabama Honored

by Alabama Automotive Manufacturing Association The Alabama Automotive Manufacturing Association recently named Toyota Alabama as a 2020 Supplier of the Year. The award recognizes manufacturing suppliers for outstanding achievements in areas such as innovation, quality, safety and commitment to the community.

“Toyota’s incredible response throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has gone above and beyond to address the situation, develop plans and quickly adapt to changes,” said Ron Davis, president of AAMA. “They engaged with their peers from across the globe to develop creative solutions to ensure a safe work environment for employees. Toyota then shared this knowledge across the state to help schools and businesses also prepare for return.”

Additionally, to support local healthcare facilities and first responders with personal protective equipment, the Huntsville plant produced and distributed 10,000 commercial grade face shields.

“Our ability to produce face shields in mass quantities is a testament to our incredibly skilled workforce and passion for sharing knowledge to meet community needs,” said Larry Deutscher, Toyota Alabama general manager of Manufacturing Support. u

South Huntsville Main Wins Main Street Alabama Awards of Excellence

For its work in helping improve the business environment of south Huntsville, the South Huntsville Main Business Association received

five Awards of Excellence for 20192020 projects from Main Street Alabama.

“The Main Street Alabama model of community reviltization has been an enormous success in the South Huntsville district,” said South Huntsville Main Executive Director Bekah Schmidt. “For the past two years, our volunteers, businesses and supporters have worked diligently to execute our mission of creating a vibrant South Huntsville.

“Receiving five Awards of Excellence is an incredible honor. We are proud of all of our award winners, and grateful for their contribution to the South Huntsville Main Program.”

Main Street Alabama focuses on bringing jobs, money and people to Alabama’s historic communities. Economic development is at the heart of efforts to revitalize downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

The awards were: Main Street Hero Award: Redstone Federal Credit Union Redstone Federal Credit Union has been instrumental in the South Huntsville Main program as one of the first organizations to step up and support revitalization efforts.

In 2019, RFCU announced a joint program with South Huntsville Main to provide $20,000 in matching grant funds through the newly created Façade Improvement Grant Program, having a total economic impact of $184,000 on South Huntsville, and assisting small businesses in improving their store fronts.

Excellence in Placemaking, COVID-19 Related: Graduation Mural COVID-19 delayed and altered graduation for seniors and the demolition of Haysland Square and owners John and Jimmy Hays wanted to do something special to celebrate the class of 2020.

The family donated money for South Huntsville Main to commission local south Huntsville artist Sarah Finlen to paint a temporary graduation mural on the south side of Haysland Square. John also paid for photographer Jeff White to take graduation pictures of every senior at Grissom High School. The temporary mural went viral and has

been a popular site for visitors.

Excellence in Business Development: Possibilities Tour To capitalize on the interest in opening a business in South Huntsville, the Economic Vitality Committee created a Possibilities Tour. The Possibilities Tour was designed to connect potential business owners with available spaces. On March 5, some 35 potential business owners and city leaders rode the Huntsville trolley to visit nearly a dozen locations.

Excellence in Business Promotion: The Cookie Crunch Instead of hosting a traditional holiday open house, South Huntsville business owners Jennifer Mullins and Pam Burkholz of Interiors by Consign, rallied the businesses to do something outside the box. The idea emerged to create a Holiday “Cookie Crunch.”

Each participating business kicked off its holiday sales last Nov.

13 and made homemade Christmas cookies. The public was invited to sample the cookies at each participating location and vote for their favorite cookie. In addition, there was a drawing from each business for participating customers. There will be a socially distant cookie crunch this year on Nov. 14.

Excellence in Marketing: South Huntsville Brand Launch South Huntsville Main hosted a brand reveal on June 6, 2019 with more than 150 community members attending. The organization offered ice cream in branded cups, swag bags for guests, and a photo booth and had more than $1,500 in merchandise sales. South Huntsville Main also redesigned its website - southhuntsvillemain.org - and saw an increase in traffic. u

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL