Keeping you informed and inspired. VOLUME 4 • ISSUE 1
January 2021
TRAVEL / LEISURE
COVER STORY
It’s for the Birds: Huntsville Botanical Gardens Introduces Tweetsville
As you enter, there’s a giant bird house, reminiscent of the iconic “See Rock City” ad campaigns, only with a twist: “See Rocket City” is painted in bold white letters on its big red roof. By Lori J. Connors - Page 7
SPORTS / RECREATION
Prelude to Tokyo: Team USA Rolls into 2021 Paralympic Cycling Season in Huntsville
The latest jewel in Huntsville’s crown is the Huntsville Paralympic Cycling Open – a stepping-stone event for the 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. By Kimberly Ballard - Page 14
ADDITIONAL STORIES • Booz Allen Innovation Center at Stovehouse Will put Technology on Display By Kimberly Ballard • Page 2
• Dr. Kimberly Robinson Named U.S. Space & Rocket Center Executive Director and CEO Page 5
• Trailhead Community & Historic Greenway: Country Living a Stone’s Throw from City Life By Kimberly Ballard • Page 13
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HUNTSVILLE
BUSINESS JOURNAL Vol 4, Issue 1 January 2021 600 Boulevard South Suite 104 Huntsville, AL 35802
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
TECHNOLOGY
Booz Allen Innovation Center at Stovehouse Will Put Technology on Display This winter, visitors to the historic Stovehouse will be able to watch innovation in progress through the glass “storefront” of the new Booz Allen Innovation Center overlooking the grassy courtyard of the re-imagined factory. On display will be the company’s vast 3D printing capabilities and other additive manufacturing technologies.
“This new innovation center is a celebration of one of Huntsville’s longtime investors, and a key member of the Huntsville regional growth initiative” Plans for the innovation center were first announced in June, but a live groundbreaking event followed by a virtual tour of the renovated 6,400 square-foot facility was recently carried on Facebook with Mayor Tommy Battle; HuntsvilleMadison County Chamber of Commerce Chair Kevin Burns; City Councilman Bill Kling; the Booz Allen Innovation Center Program Manager Emily Jones; and Booz Allen Huntsville Senior Vice President Lincoln Hudson. “This new innovation center is a celebration of one of Huntsville’s longtime investors, and a key member of the Huntsville regional growth initiative,” said Burns. “It’s a really big day for Booz Allen, opening this innovation center,” said Hudson. “We have been a part of Huntsville, really from the very beginning when Wernher von Braun was still a director at MDA (Missile Defense Agency). He reached out to Booz Allen to try and figure out how to get the funding to kick off the U.S. missile program here. “We have grown as a company supporting MDA and NASA since then and grown into the huge company, we are today because of it, and more recently, because of our support for the DoD (Department of Defense) as well.”
“Huntsville’s newest innovation space is well on its way to being finished” The innovation center is a way for Booz Allen to showcase its engineering expertise in a customer and community collaborative environment. The center will feature a reconfigurable layout based on client work and technology requirements, including additive manufacturing and 3D printing.
“Huntsville’s newest innovation space is well on its way to being finished,” said Kling. “Booz Allen’s Innovation Center will provide a cutting edge and a welcoming environment in support of Booz Allen and their customers here in Huntsville. “It will definitely have some very cool features.” Hudson said the goal is to change as little as possible of the original factory space, while making it as flexible as possible to meet the company’s needs.
By Kimberly Ballard / Photos by Kimberly Ballard
Entering the building from the Stovehouse courtyard, Booz Allen customers and Stovehouse guests will find the space open and conducive to social distancing. The 3D printing space is in front of the windows and on full display. Across from it are guest offices for Booz Allen customers already using that technology. Off to the right is a large, reconfigurable open space that can be used for multiple purposes and events with desks and tables and chairs. In one corner is a main conference room that includes a soundproof, video-quality environment for customers and clients. “Everything behind the front pillar as you enter the building will be on wheels,” said Hudson. “We will have some carts and toolboxes for light integration work, a lot of work with training in virtual environments such as cockpit controls. We manufacture some training environments and will definitely be demonstrating how we integrate technologies into those different virtual environments.” They will also have a recruiting area and will hold staffing events.
“Innovation is what has made Huntsville what it is today” “It is a chance to show off some of our extraordinary talent,” said Hudson. Booz Allen plans to be open in time for a February leadership meeting scheduled at the Innovation Center. “Innovation is what has made Huntsville what it is today,” said Battle “On behalf of the 205,000 people in the city of Huntsville, I thank you for making Huntsville part of your home. “As we continue to grow, we are proud this is happening here in our community.” w
January 2021
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SIT DOWN WITH SUCCESS
Bob Baron, Founder, President & CEO of Baron Critical Weather Intelligence Sitdown with Success is a feature of the Huntsville Business Journal on entrepreneurs and their keys to success. This month’s subject is Bob Baron, founder/ president/CEO of Baron Critical Weather Intelligence. For the complete interview, visit www.huntsvillebusinessjournal.com. Many long-time Huntsville residents will recognize Bob Baron from local TV weather and his “weather in motion” mantra. However, following the 1989 tornado - one of Huntsville’s largest, most destructive, and unexpected tornadoes – he formed Baron Services to find ways to keep people safer in dangerous weather events. You were an on-air celebrity here and in Tampa as chief meteorologist in the 1970s and 1980s. Why did you take a more behindthe-scenes stance by starting your own company? When the F-4 tornado struck Huntsville in November 1989, I was chief meteorologist at Channel 48. It
came without warning and I realized that what I thought were weather tools were just weather gadgets. I thought the community was well prepared for severe weather, but in analyzing the disaster, we determined that we needed to find a way to detect dangerous events; disseminate very specific advisories to those in harm’s way; and to effect immediate response. That Detection, Dissemination, and Response had to occur within 10 minutes, or you started losing lives. What attracted you to the technical aspects of the weather? I transitioned from radio to TV and then to TV weather around 1977. It was a glorious time as the first “big data”, satellites, and modern radar were launching at the same time as computerization. I loved working with both, and interfacing with the public on a daily basis; and every day we were either creating or introducing new technology to the public. What are some of the tech-
nologies you have created and implemented since you started the company? Our first product facilitated live radar and strike-by-strike lightning and allowed the user to zoom in to a storm, instantly draw out a direction and speed box (area of threat), and then pull the communities at risk, as well as the estimated time of storm arrival. Then we got into Storm Tracking. Over time we patented the ability to send alerts to cell phones of those only in harm’s way. Why did you change the name from Baron Services to Baron Critical Weather Intelligence? Our official name remains Baron Services, Inc. but over the years we adopted uses of “Baron Weather, home of Critical Weather Intelligence”, which speaks more directly to what we do. What advice would you give to someone interested in getting into weather technology or the develop-
By Kimberly Ballard / Photo by Steve Babin
ment of weather-related equipment, research, or work? For me, most of my experience has been applied science - power user, if you will. But you also need the researcher. It is a team effort with room for success for everyone. I believe weather, the big umbrella, is a rapidly growing area both in Applied Meteorology and Meteorological Research. w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
EDUCATION
Drake State a Community Center for Coding and Creativity in Collaboration with Apple, Tennessee State By The Huntsville Business Journal Staff
Subsidiary of EVENT Publishing
President /Publisher................................................................ Todd Stephenson Editor .......................................................................................... Bud McLaughlin Writers.........................................................................................Kimberly Ballard Lori J. Connors Mike Easterling Graphic Design ............................................................................. Justina Simon Website................................................................................................ Jim Gharib Photographers...................................................................................Steve Babin Kimberly Ballard Justina Simon Director of Sales ................................................................. Carolyn Stephenson Account Executives.....................................................................Michelle Epling 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 ©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.
Drake State Community & Technical College is emphasizing the word “community” in new and wonderful ways. Now, through a collaboration with Apple and Tennessee State University, the school will become a community center for Coding and Creativity. The designation is part of Apple’s Community Education Initiative and Tennessee State University’s HBCU C2 initiative designed to bring coding and creativity experiences to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and their communities. “This initiative fits perfectly with Drake State’s efforts to not only provide outstanding education for students but to be an educational asset and community partner in Madison County,” said Dr. Patricia Sims, president of Drake State. “With the resources this designation brings, we’re able to bring new career training to our community, which has robust job opportunities in this field.” Faculty leaders from Drake State will participate in Apple’s
ongoing Community Education Initiative Learning Series to learn about coding and app development. As part of that ongoing professional development, educators will explore innovative ways to engage with learners using Apple’s comprehensive curriculum, which utilizes its easy-to-learn Swift programming language. ”Apple is committed to working alongside communities of color to advance educational equity,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives. “We see this expansion of our Community Education Initiative and partnership with HBCUs as another step toward helping black students realize their dreams and solve the problems of tomorrow.” As part of its Community Education Initiative, Apple is supporting Drake State with equipment and professional development to help the college become the pre-eminent HBCU C2 community center to bring coding and creativity to Huntsville and Madison County. w
January 2021
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TRAVEL / LEISURE
Dr. Kimberly Robinson Named U.S. Space & Rocket Center Executive Director and CEO Dr. Kimberly Robinson, a 31year NASA veteran, has been named the executive director and CEO of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. She will assume her role Feb. 15. “I look forward to joining the remarkable team at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center to inspire our next generation of explorers,” Robinson said. “The Rocket Center is a vital part of our community that honors the Rocket City’s storied accomplishments and helps shape tomorrow’s space industry. “I am excited to bring my knowledge and experience from three decades in the field of space exploration to the Rocket Center and help plan for our vibrant future.” Robinson is NASA’s Utilization Manager for Advanced Explora-
Dr. Kimberly Robinson, Executive Director and CEO U.S. Space & Rocket Center
tion Systems and was previously the Payload Mission Manager for Artemis I, the first integrated flight test
of the NASA’s Orion spacecraft, the Space Launch System rocket and the Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center. She also served as the SLS Strategic Communications manager and has received several NASA performance awards including an Exceptional Achievement Medal and a Silver Snoopy. Robinson received her Ph.D. and master’s degrees in engineering management and systems engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and her bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Vanderbilt University. “Along with her vast experience with NASA, Dr. Robinson brings an innovative spirit and the leadership skills needed to guide the Rocket
By The Huntsville Business Journal Staff
Center as we plan for the future,” said Joe Newberry, chairman of the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission board. “Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious and brought her to the top of a rigorous and exhaustive search for our new executive director and CEO.” Louie Ramirez, who has served as executive director and CEO since January, will remain in a part-time capacity as chief operations officer to assist Robinson in her transition. Robinson is married to Keith Robinson and has three sons. She is an avid community volunteer and serves as vice president for A New Leash on Life animal rescue organization and has taught at Oakwood University and UAH. w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
TRAVEL / LEISURE
Newly Revitalized Marriott is in the City and of the City While the hotel industry was bombarded by COVID-19 incoming all year, the Huntsville Marriott at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center took advantage of the hunker-down time to renovate its aging hotel property located along I-565 at the city’s iconic Saturn V rocket. Built in 1986, the Marriott was the place to be for travelers visiting Marshall Space Flight Center, Redstone Arsenal, the Space & Rocket Center Museum, Space Camp, and the NASA training facility. According to the hotel’s new general manager, Brian Woolever, growing trends and feedback from their guests show that travelers have different priorities today than they did 30 years ago. Acknowledging that, the revitalization has been focused on making the Huntsville Marriott the place to be in 2021. “We replaced carpeting in the rooms with hardwood floors that are much easier to keep clean and introduced a more formal, stylish design that is more along the lines of what a person would put in their homes,” said Woolever. “We decided to go with only an outdoor swimming pool and tripled the size of the fitness center because working out while on the road is the current trend.” While the Huntsville Marriott, like many other hotels, took a big hit the first couple of months of the pandemic, Woolever expects the
newly revitalized Marriott to take off like the famous Saturn rocket as the new design will meet the needs of the post-pandemic business and leisure traveler. “You can feel the business travel industry biting at the bit,” he said. “It is ready to move, especially once the vaccine hits and our hotel will not be the run-of-the-mill hotel of the past. We have the right concepts and the right leadership in place to take it to the next level. “We want to be a Marriott hotel that is in the city, and of the city.” Woolever isn’t the only new management leader at the Huntsville Marriott. Paul Romero is the new director of Sales and Marketing and Garien Shelby has joined the team as Food & Beverage Director. “Our focus has been putting ourselves in a position to be the best we
can be when that travel light switch turns back on,” Romero said. “We put the key players in place so when we get back normal travel again, we will be the best travel experience possible. “Everything from our suites and our new restaurant concept, Southern Chop, which is Garien’s creation; to the newly designed and rebranded Barrel Room Bar; we will provide a hotel experience that is A-plus across the board.” Shelby said the new restaurant is grateful to be a part of the Marriott, but he believes Southern Chop will be a favorite among locals that can compete with the best of the best restaurants in Huntsville and Madison. “Southern Chop will showcase Alabama southern cuisine, grandma’s classics and food we grew up on in the South like southern braised greens, pinto beans, cornbread, and pimento
By Kimberly Ballard / Photos Courtesy of Marriott
cheese,” he said. “We put a spin on it by adding hand-cut steaks or fresh seafood from the Gulf Coast, and as much local produce as we can find.” The Barrel Room Bar is no longer just a lobby bar, but completely rebranded with a laid-back vibe, offering a variety of high-end bourbons and hand-crafted southern cocktail favorites. Other renovations feature elevated meeting and group space, including 16 event rooms and more than 20,000 square feet of total event space. The Huntsville Marriott design concepts are managed and developed by Ascent Hospitality. The company will begin construction on a Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel in downtown Huntsville in the coming months. w
January 2021
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TRAVEL / LEISURE
It’s for the Birds: Huntsville Botanical Garden Introduces Tweetsville As you enter, there’s a giant bird house, reminiscent of the iconic “See Rock City” ad campaigns, only with a twist: “See Rocket City” is painted in bold white letters on its big red roof. This is majestic entryway to Tweetsville, Huntsville Botanical Garden’s newest endeavor. Phase 1 of Tweetsville is scheduled to open to the public in February. The Tweetsville experience is designed to inspire children and adults alike. It will provide an opportunity where guests of all ages can observe birds, explore their natural habitat, and discover new ways to connect with nature. Tweetsville will feature elements to further explore the role that birds play in the regional ecosystem of North Alabama. One main piece of the birding
puzzle will be the bird watch station, where guests can look out on an enclosed landscape designed to attract local and migrating bird species. The station will allow guests to observe the birds in their natural environment from behind a one-way glass. Other interactive components will include giant bird nests to teach guests about bird behaviors. There will also be model tiny homes to demonstrate how guests can attract birds in their very own backyards. “Tweetsville is an opportunity the guests of all ages to foster a deeper understanding of how plants, animals, and people rely on each other to create a healthy environment,” said CEO Sue Wagner. “By sparking curiosity about birds in their native habitat, we can inspire guests to deepen their personal connection to the natural world and become stewards of the green spaces around them.
“Tweetsville represents an exciting future for the garden. A future in which guests continue to be surprised and delighted by experiences that catalyze them to take action in their own backyard to support healthy ecosystems.” Featuring guided learning resources and areas for free play, Tweetsville will offer a hands-oneducational experience that will encourage discovery. The experience also presents new opportunities for public engagement at the Garden through future programming such as field trips, classes, youth camps, and special events. The Garden already has the Lewis Birding trail, which is recognized as a birding hotspot by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. The addition of Tweetsville makes for a welcome addition. “We are expanding our Children’s Garden by an additional 18,000 square feet and adding this whole new immersive experience for our guests,” said Annette Alexander, vice president of Institutional Advancement. “We have the butterfly house,” said Alexander. “Kids love the butterflies and the turtles. Butterflies are charismatic creatures and so are birds. We really feel like it’s just a natural fit, to have something like this. “The community has been very generous, and we are grateful for their support and enthusiasm for this project. We’ve been fortunate to secure the funding for Phase 1 and now we’re in the process raising funds for Phase 2.” The Garden partnered with Schoel Engineering and Redmond Construction on this new endeavor. The contributions of Herb and Terry Lewis, John and Tine Purdy, Loretta Spencer, Jean Lee, Iron Mountain Solutions, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Alabama have helped to make the completion of Phase 1
a reality. At the kick-off presentation, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle emphasized how making an investment in the garden is making an investment in the community. “Thank you to the donors who
By Lori J. Connors / Photos by Steve Babin
have donated money to make this a better place,” said Battle. “That donation is going to turn in to something that’s going to be very special in our community.” For more info: hsvbg.org/ Tweetsville. w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
TRAVEL / LEISURE
Huntsville International Airport’s New Taxiway Improves Safety, Accommodates Larger Aircraft Last year, as air travel came to a screeching halt and Huntsville International Airport reported they are operating at 30 percent the volume of the same time in 2019, something remarkable quietly unfolded behind the scenes. Four years ago, long before anyone had heard of the coronavirus, six construction companies began planning and construction on a $29 million Taxiway C project at the region’s busiest airport. Now, the 10,000-foot Taxiway C project has been completed and the taxiway re-opened. Not only will it minimize midfield runway crossings, increasing safety on the airfield, but it is designed to accommodate Group VI aircraft – that is, aircraft with wingspans of 214 to 262 feet for the east and west runways, complying with Federal Aviation Administration design standards.
“Senator Shelby has always been a champion for small community airports throughout the country, especially Alabama. Without his support and his work on the appropriations committee this project would not have been possible.” Reed Construction, Rutherford Contracting, WESCO, Garver Engineers, S&ME, and Morell Engineering conducted the construction on the taxiway, which runs parallel to Runway 18L/36R. The Taxiway C project was announced in 2018 by
Sen. Richard Shelby. It was provided a $29.1 million grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The FAA, under DOT, oversees the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant distribution program. According to Rick Tucker, the airport’s CEO, the new taxiway eliminates a significant number of runway crossings by cargo aircraft, creating a safer ground operation at HSV. “This is another example of Senator Richard Shelby supporting infrastructure needs at an Alabama airport through additional supplemental discretionary funds,” said Tucker. “Senator Shelby has always been a champion for small community airports throughout the country, especially Alabama. Without his support and his work on the appropriations committee this project would not have been possible.” Tucker also thanked Sen. Doug Jones and Reps. Robert Aderholt and Mo Brooks for their support of the project.
Additionally, the Fiscal Year 2018 Omnibus Appropriations Bill provided the FAA with an additional $1 billion in discretionary grants
By Kimberly Ballard / Photo courtesy of Huntsville International Airport
for FY2018 - FY2020, enabling the Secretary of Transportation to award funding for projects considered a priority. Huntsville International and was included in the first round of awards facilitated by the additional discretionary funding. The initial phases of Taxiway C construction were completed from 2015-2020 with funding provided by the FAA. According to The Points Guy, who gives hands-on advice to maximize the travel experience, recent travel trends show U.S. travelers are flying in higher numbers than when the pandemic started. With those trends and the new taxiway open, HSV is well-situated for future growth. w
January 2021
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TRAVEL / LEISURE
Huntsville International Airport Implements Cutting-Edge Scanner Technology No, it does not teleport you directly from the security checkpoint onto the airplane … maybe one day. But Huntsville International Airport’s state-of-the-art Computed Tomography scanner streamlines the screening process and reduces the number of touchpoints at the security checkpoint. With the CT scanner, travelers will not need to remove electronics, food, or travel-size liquids from their carry-on luggage. This, in turn, reduces the number of bags that need to be opened for inspection. “The CT machine employs a sophisticated algorithm to analyze the contents of each bag,” said Federal Security Director Gail Linkins, “and allows TSA (Transportation Security Administration) officers to rotate the
image for a thorough analysis.” “One of Huntsville International Airport’s top priorities throughout the pandemic continues to be keeping passengers, tenants and employees safe,” said Rick Tucker, airport CEO. “This is also a priority for our partners across the airport as evidenced by the Transportation Security Administration’s continued efforts to reduce touchpoints. “HSV is pleased that TSA in Huntsville will now offer this new technology as we all continue to work to provide our region with a facility that continues to improve safety and that our customers can utilize comfortably.” To take advantage of the benefits offered by the CT scanner, travelers should enroll in the TSA Precheck
By Kimberly Ballard / Photo Courtesy Huntsville International Airport
program. Once enrolled, passengers do not have to remove shoes, belts, lightweight jackets, electronics, or their bag of travel-size liquids and gels. To apply for the program, visit www.tsa.gov/precheck. TSA is extending its “Stay
Healthy. Stay Secure.” campaign from the summer. The campaign focuses on stopping the spread of COVID-19 and reduces the potential for cross-contamination at security checkpoints. w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
BIOTECHNOLOGY
HudsonAlpha Tracking COVID-19’s Transmission Through Alabama The state of Alabama, HudsonAlpha and Diatherix-Eurofins are teaming up to trace and identify COVID-19’s transmission throughout the state.
“All of us at HudsonAlpha are grateful to the state of Alabama for this support to help strengthen our state’s response and planning for this pandemic” The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology recently announced its ongoing efforts in support of Gov. Kay Ivey’s work to respond to and mitigate COVID-19. Through Alabama’s Coronavirus Relief Fund and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), $600,000 has been allocated to HudsonAlpha to perform genomic sequencing on positive SARS-CoV-2 samples from people across the state. “All of us at HudsonAlpha are grateful to the state of Alabama for this support to help strengthen our state’s response and planning for this pandemic,” said Dr. Rick Myers, HudsonAlpha president and science director. Leading the project is Dr. Jane Grimwood, the co-director of HudsonAlpha’s Genome Sequencing Center. “Through this initiative with the state, HudsonAlpha aims to provide actionable information to help the collective efforts of policymakers and frontline workers in the fight against the pandemic,” she said. When the pandemic started, HudsonAlpha was looking for ways to help, particularly in Alabama. Working in collaboration with Diatherix-Eurofins, the genomics team secured funding to sequence the virus. With Diatherix on the HudsonAlpha campus, obtaining samples is an efficient, as well as convenient, process. “We are getting positive Ala-
By Lori J. Connors / Photo courtesy of HudsonAlpha
“HudsonAlpha’s genomic research scientists are fully committed to combating this deadly virus.”
Dr. Jane Grimwood, Co-Director of HudsonAlpha’s Genome Sequencing Center
bama samples from them,” said Grimwood. “And then, we are sequencing them, using technology we use every day for other projects.” The goal of the project is to sequence up to 2,000 virus samples - ideally from all of the counties. The information will be provided to the Alabama Department of Public Health and other parties having critical roles in response to the pandemic.
“Through this initiative with the state, HudsonAlpha aims to provide actionable information to help the collective efforts of policymakers and frontline workers in the fight against the pandemic” Along with plans to identify the different strains of SARS-CoV-2 virus from across the state, the COVID-19 initiative will generate longitudinal data to track changes in the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the pandemic, as well as uncovering possible sources of new hot spots of infection. “When the virus replicates, it makes errors, and these errors are what we call mutations,” said Grimwood. “Using these mutations, you can track the transmission of the virus from the original source all the way through to an infection today, based on those errors.
“And you can potentially see how the virus is transmitting around Alabama.” Other components of the initiative include surveying for possible emerging strains of virus which could have implications for vaccine development and vaccine efficiency, as well as adding an Alabama
perspective to national and global COVID-19 initiatives through statewide genomic sequencing. “Essentially, it’s surveillance,” Grimwood said. “To better understand the virus better and to try to be ahead of any changes. On one hand, the transmission side; on the other hand, to look at any differences or any errors or mutations that would cause the vaccine to behave differently.” Myers said, “HudsonAlpha’s genomic research scientists are fully committed to combating this deadly virus.” w
January 2021
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BIOTECHNOLOGY
COVID and Genetics: HudsonAlpha Researchers Study Impact in Less Affluent Countries For nearly all of 2020, COVID-19 and its health consequences have been front and center. Not a single day goes by without some sort of reminder that our world is in a state of global pandemic. Although the scientific and medical communities continue to learn more about COVID-19, there is still little known about the risks for morbidity and mortality that the pandemic carries for different categories of genetic disorders. Genetics centers worldwide have been documenting successful accounts of continuity of care for patients with genetic disorders during COVID-19. However, there exists a broad disparity between the economically affluent countries with well-developed healthcare systems and the under-resourced countries, which often lack access to consistent health care.
In other words, in the low- and middle-income countries, people with COVID-19 who might also have a genetic disorder are often hit with a double whammy. HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology Faculty Investigator Dr. Elaine Lyon, director of the HudsonAlpha Clinical Services Lab, and Dr. Ghunwa Nakouzi, associate director of the lab, joined colleagues from the American University of Beirut to provide recommendations for the care of patients with genetic disorders in lowand middle-income countries during the pandemic. The recommendations were recently published in the Ameri-
can Journal of Medical Genetics. For Nakouzi, the study hits close to home. Originally from Lebanon, Nakouzi has worked with colleagues at the Beirut university to address deficiencies in genetic health care in Lebanon and other neighboring lowand middle-income countries. “These recommendations were meant to provide guidance to health care professionals and the health care system in under-resourced countries, like Lebanon, specifically, because that where we have the connection and the direct experience,” said Nakouzi. “In general, as we see here in the United States, which is considered a more de-
By Lori J. Connors
veloped country, there have been many measures that were taken to facilitate the continuity of care of patients with genetic disorders. “Unfortunately, in more underresourced countries, these measures are not as easily applicable as they would be in a more developed country.” The recommendations touch on several aspects of genetic care from physician encounters to diagnostic testing to access to treatment, and even to medical research that is already limited in the under-resourced countries. “In the lower- to middle-income countries, there is a lack of resources, that’s the main problem,” said Nakouzi. “Without collaboration, it’s very hard to achieve much of what needs to be achieved. So, there is going to be lots of collaboration that is needed to push forward.” w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
COVER STORY COVER STORY
Huntsville’s BIG Picture Becomes Clearer with Opening of Hays Farm Greenway City leaders unveiled one more important link in Huntsville’s citizen-driven BIG Picture plan to ensure long-term success and vitality in the city. The opening of the Hays Farm Greenway, featuring the first phase of the Elgie’s Walk Greenway, also includes an early intersection with the vast Singing River Trail network, bringing the city closer to accomplishing its goal of connecting the region to its rich history and preserving its pristine environment via walking, biking, and hiking trails and greenways. “With more spaces to walk, bike, and run, our residents can enjoy the outdoors and take in the beauty of nature around us,” said Mayor Tommy Battle. “It’s no secret greenways and trails support health and wellness, promote tourism, and increase property values. “They also serve as a great workforce development tool, as many companies looking to locate here want better recreation and transportation opportunities for their employees.” The first 2½ miles of the 5.3mile trail around the former Hays Farm property is named for Elgie Hays, the original landowner (1906) and grandfather of local developer, John Hays. The newly opened portion of Elgie’s Walk Greenway is adjacent to Haysland Road and stretches from Grissom High School to Bell Mountain Park on Redstone Road. Phase II of the 12-foot-wide multi-use path will cut through Rena and Elgie Hays Green Park, also known as Hays Green, named for both grandparents. The Hays Farm redevelopment project features more than 440 acres of preserved open space, a tupelo gum forest, ponds, lakes, and natural springs. The opening of the trail also highlights a partnership and pro-
Pictured L-R: Bekah Schmidt, executive director of South Huntsville Main Business Association; John Kvach, executive director of the Singing River Trail; Jennie Robinson, Huntsville City Council President; John & Jimmy Hays, Hay Farm developers; and Mayor Tommy Battle
vides an opening for the developers of the Singing River Trail, a 70-mile historic bike-hike-walk trail system launched last year by the Land Use Committee of Huntsville’s Launch 2035. The ambitious legacy project will connect Huntsville to Madison, Athens, and Decatur. John Kvach, executive director for the Singing River Trail, said it will connect people, places, and ideas throughout North Alabama along the Tennessee River. “The partnership between the Singing River Trail and Hays Farm comes from years of hard work …,” he said. “The City of Huntsville, the Hays Family, the Land Trust of North Alabama, and dozens of individuals and organizations have worked hard to improve the quality of life and connectivity of the city
and its people. “This is the model that SRT will use across our region and along the trail route: public and private partnerships, the blending of regional interests, and working to find solutions that bind us together to create a trail that will serve as a center of health and wellness, educational learning, and economic opportunity,” said Kvach. “The Singing River Trail at Hays Farm is just the start of a green ribbon that will connect all of North Alabama.” Dennis Madsen, manager of urban and long-range planning for the City, said the greenway provides more opportunities to access and enjoy the outdoors. “This is great for South Huntsville, but also reflects a broader, citywide commitment to developing greenways, connecting neighbor-
Pictured L-R: John Hays, Mayor Tommy Battle & John Kvach, executive director of the Singing River Trail
By Kimberly Ballard / Photos Courtesy City of Huntsville
hoods, and improving the quality of life for all Huntsvillians,” he said. City Council President Dr. Jennie Robinson, who represents District 3, said Elgie’s Walk Greenway will not only make it easy for students to safely bike and walk to Grissom High School, but provides the community access to a beautiful setting featuring woods and water in the Hays Farm development. “It will also eventually connect to the Tennessee River via the Singing River Trail and Ditto Landing and later to Aldridge Creek Greenway on the east side of the park, providing miles of trails for Huntsville residents,” said Robinson. Land Trust Executive Director Marie Bostick said her organization worked closely with multiple City departments to see that Elgie’s Walk Greenway ensures seamless connectivity. “The Land Trust is excited to help offer connections to nature through this collaboration with the City,” Bostick said. “This newest greenway creates access to another natural gem and all the benefits being outdoors can provide.” Bekah Schmidt, executive director of the South Huntsville Main Business Association, thanked the city and the Hays family for such a significant investment in South Huntsville. “Not only do greenways enhance the quality of life of residents in a community, the new greenway at Hays Farm and the Singing River Trail’s presence in South Huntsville will bolster economic and business activity in South Huntsville,” she said. This year will see further enhancements and extensions to the area’s trail systems, including a design for a new two-mile greenway south of Redstone Road, connecting to the Tennessee River West Greenway at Ditto Landing. w
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REAL ESTATE
Trailhead Community & Historic Greenway: Country Living a Stone’s Throw from City Life If Barney Fife had been snooping out moonshine stills in North Alabama, he would have easily found one “out in the country” on the east side of Chapman Mountain in the 1940s. Alongside them, he would have also found some small cotton patches and a historic tree-lined “wagon road” winding across the mountain - the same one the first Huntsville settlers took in founding our great city a couple centuries ago. A young landowner had plans to build a housing development there in the 1940s, but at the time, it was going to be difficult to run water up the mountain, so his plans fell through.
Today there is no need for driving a covered wagon, brewing hooch or farming cotton; and as it turns out, running water up a mountain is a lot easier than putting men into space. But currently, most of the land on Chapman Mountain is once again on a modern map, a very special place owned by the Land Trust of North Alabama. Huntsville native Bob Terry,
whose family has owned a lot of the land on Chapman Mountain since 1939, participated in a ceremonial groundbreaking in December 2017. It was 1,920 square-foot expanded science and environmental education program pavilion where nature lovers could learn more about camping and nature; and where 10 miles of multiuse hiking trails were unveiled. The trail had seen little foot traffic over the years and it was marked by trail diamonds and red ribbons tied to trees. However, Thanksgiving weekend 2020, the Trailhead “Wagon Trail” Greenway officially opened unveiling two miles of tree-lined walking, hiking, and bike paths. The Trailhead community consists of bungalows, chalets, mountain lofts and boutique luxury apartments developed and built by Legacy Homes. A Trailhead Lodge is also in the works. The Legacy Loop Trail winds through the small but flourishing “village” at the base of Monte Sano Mountain. It is beautifully landscaped with a pond and is designated primarily for Trailhead residents. A 19th century stone springhouse sits at the entrance. The greenway ventures north of the Trailhead community and heads up the mountain connecting with the 1.1-mile long Terry Trail (named after the Terry family), which intersects with the half-mile long Moonshine Trail. Lined by hardwoods and natural rock and stone formations,
the path is said to be a challenging walk up the mountain where you should not be surprised to see a deer peeking out through the forest. Coming down the mountain on the other side there is a bridge alongside a stone cliff as it crosses over a ravine. If you catch it after a hard rain, it will generate a waterfall. As for the Trailhead community, it has been described as living in the country, yet only a stone’s throw to U.S. 72 traffic and the bustle of
By Kimberly Ballard / Photos Courtesy of Trailhead
downtown Huntsville. Historically, the Trailhead Greenway is not new, but for many avid bikers, hikers, and nature lovers, it is a new destination to pinpoint for a day spent with beautiful sunrises and sunsets and communing with the countryside. w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
SPORTS / RECREATION
Prelude to Tokyo: Team USA Rolls into 2021 Paralympic Cycling Season in Huntsville The Rocket City is quickly becoming a city of elite athletic events. The latest jewel in Huntsville’s crown is the Huntsville Paralympic Cycling Open – a stepping-stone event for the 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. After a year of postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Tommy Battle announced Huntsville, in partnership with the U.S. Paralympics Cycling Committee and presenting sponsor Toyota, will open the 2021 Paralympic Cycling’s national calendar here this spring. Battle has long said Huntsville is quickly becoming the location of choice for athletic events and with more than 100 elite Paralympic athletes competing April 17-18, the elite U.S. Paralympic Cycling Team will not disappoint. Huntsville Paralympic Cycling Open is a key stop for cyclists looking to make it to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. “At a time when our country and world is dealing with a pandemic and unease around the future of sports, this event can inspire us and unite us,” said Battle. “The event requires a lot of planning and Medalist Sports has been working with Toyota, the City of Huntsville, the Huntsville Madison County Chamber of Commerce, Cummings Research Park, and the Huntsville Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau for several months to make the event happen. “The event has been in the works a long time, ever since the U.S. Paralympic Cycling Committee representatives visited Huntsville in October 2019 to scout a venue that would work well for this event. They really liked what they found in Cummings Research Park.” He said Cummings Research Park has hosted several 5k and cycling events and that played a large part in the decision. It is also relatively calm on weekends in terms of traffic. “The Paralympic Committee is continuing to work with Toyota and our local leaders to make sure things go smoothly for the race planners,
athletes, families, and the sports teams,” said Battle. Team USA athletes have continued their training throughout 2020, despite the pandemic, to stay in top shape as they get ready to compete again and qualify for the Tokyo Paralympics.
Ian Lawless, director of Paralympucs Cycling
“The Huntsville Paralympic Cycling Open is not only our domestic road cycling season opener for our Paralympic athletes, but it will be their first major return to competition on the road after we have reset things due to the pandemic in 2020,” said Ian Lawless, director of Paralympic Cycling. “We have had no road events either domestic or internationally this year, so Huntsville will be an opportunity for 100 Paralympic cycling athletes to compete in a beautiful venue, as part of their road to Tokyo.” The Paralympic athletes will be competing in Europe in May to earn final spots for the Tokyo Games. The roster will be comprised of winners from the Huntsville Open, making it
a crucial event to the athletes’ path to Tokyo. “We are super excited and of course we will be working with the CDC and the Paralympic sports medicine team and Paralympic Committee to put on an event that is safe for our athletes and for the commu-
By Kimberly Ballard / Photos Courtesy Team USA
nity, and we will be working with local authorities in Huntsville to do so,” said Lawless. “We appreciate all the folks involved in the local organizing committee, Mayor Battle and our partner with both Toyota Alabama and Toyota nationally for their support, not only of this event, but the Paralympic cycling program at the U.S. Olympics and the Paralympic committee.” As the presenting sponsor, Battle said this is another example of how Toyota is so supportive of our community and will be active in helping make this event a reality. “As a longstanding partner with the city of Huntsville and with the Chamber, it is truly an honor for Toyota to present this wonderful opportunity for our community and for
January 2021
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SPORTS / RECREATION
the Toyota Alabama team members to show the world what Huntsville has to offer,” said Kim Ogle, manager of Corporate Communications for Toyota Alabama. “This partnership further identifies our commitment to sustainable societies through mobility and to reiterate that no matter the challenge, when a person is free to move, anything is really possible, and no one knows this better than the amazing athletes who will compete at the U.S. Paralympic Cycling Open. “They have fought against adversity throughout their lives, yet they never gave up the dream of representing their country at the highest level … this campaign truly reflects the Olympic and Paralympics spirit of encouragement, challenge and progress and aims to inspire our employees, our partners, and our customers to dream the impossible dream. And in this spirit, we look forward to welcoming Team USA athletes as they go for the gold.” Lawless said fans should expect to see an exciting event with high stakes, and athletes competing at a worldclass level. “We expect to see many of the same names in Huntsville, later competing in Tokyo,” said Lawless. The event begins with individual time trials April 17. The athletes will compete within their categories, all day against the clock on a 15 km course. The next day, there will be a road race with about 12 different races throughout the day on a 12km course. There are men’s and women’s road races and hand-cycling team relays with multiple laps. “In Paralympic cycling there are races in different categories for people of varying disabilities based on their level of function and the type of bikes they ride, whether they ride a handcycle or a 2-wheel bike with or without an adaptation, or a tandem for visually impaired riders,” said Lawless. “They participate with a sighted pilot on the front.” He said they also have athletes with neurologic impairments compete on a 3-wheel upright trike. “It is a mass start race, but I think most importantly, what you’ll see is athletes returning to competition for the first time on the road since September 2019,” said Lawless. “That is
Oz Sanchez, three-time Paralympics champion
a long time for our athletes to be off from competition domestically and internationally.” The event will feature the best Paralympic athletes in the nation can show not only the local community, but the world what they can do, and how elite they are in terms of their athletic ability. Oz Sanchez, a three-time Paralympian champion who competed in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Games, is also a six-time Paralympic medalist. “I am absolutely looking forward to our first race in Huntsville next year where I will most definitely plan on competing,” he said. “It’s going to be the benchmark for what we are going to look like the rest of the season, and hopefully a good indicator of the fit and feel of the rest of the season. “An event like this one really gives us that ‘shaking off the cobwebs’ (after a year off in 2020) and seeing what our fitness is like. There is nothing that really replicates the actual feel of a competitive day of racing – the nerves, the edge, the mindset, the psyche – so if we don’t have these sorts of opportunities to dry run the process of competing at a top level, it sets us up for less than ideal or less than desirable performance.” “I will likely be keeping my campaign head down, remain on-throttle. It will be a benchmark temperament check in Huntsville,” said Sanchez. “I keep my mind and my eye on the prize – Tokyo – that is where it all ends, and Huntsville will be thoroughly pleased with the caliber of athletes they see here. Huntsville will be like a miniature championship as far as I’m concerned.”
There is no charge for admission or tickets required to attend any of the events. “The beauty of roadside cycling worldwide is that it is available to the general public and to the community to come out and watch,” said Lawless. “If you have seen professional cycling like the Tour de France on TV for example, traditionally there are thou-
sands of fans on the side of the road. “In 2020, the Paralympic Committee worked hard to figure out how to run outdoor professional cycling events in a safe way. They have been recognized for setting the bar high and coming up with new standards on how to run a road cycling competition that is still open and free and available to the public in a way that protects the athletes, protects staff working on the event, and protects the community and spectators all in attendance.” He said that is the standard they will be following in working with the city, the state, and national authorities, as well as the CDC and their sports medicine team, to ensure protocols and parameters are in place to keep everyone safe. “We are excited about having a host community and local organizing committee who is investing a lot into this event, as well as great support from Toyota,” said Lawless. w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
SPORTS / RECREATION
All in the Family: Trash Pandas Offered 10-year Affiliation Contract with Angels
From The Huntsville Business Journal Staff
MADISON – The Rocket City Trash Pandas have received a Professional Development License offer as the Double-A Minor League Baseball affiliate for the Los Angeles Angels in Major League Baseball’s new player development structure.
“The Angels have one of the elite player development systems in our game and the Trash Pandas are proud to be members of the family” “When we started talks to purchase the Mobile BayBears and move them to Rocket City, one of the most attractive aspects of
the deal was their affiliation with the Angels, an organization I have admired as long as I’ve been in baseball,” said Trash Pandas President & CEO Ralph Nelson. “We were ex-
cited to extend that relationship for four years following the 2018 season and equally thrilled to know it will now last even longer.” The Professional Development
License from the Angels is offered as a 10-year contract, which will run through 2030. This will position the Trash Pandas as one of the 120 affiliated teams in the restructured Minor League Baseball organization. Each Major League Baseball team will now have four affiliates – Triple-A, Double-A, High A, and Low A – and MiLB operations will be handled out of the MLB headquarters in New York. The Trash Pandas are set to play their inaugural season at the new, state-of-the-art Toyota Field this year. “The Angels have one of the elite player development systems in our game and the Trash Pandas are proud to be members of the family,” said Nelson. w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
FOOD / DINING
BeeZr - An ‘Excellent’ Addition to the Downtown Vibe BeeZr Gastropub + Social Exchange is the latest establishment settling on Northside Square in downtown Huntsville that gives the block a European vibe. BeeZr is a play off “beezer,’ which is British slang for “excellent.’’ Located in the building that formerly housed Club Rush and Jazz Factory, BeeZr counts as neighbor English pub The Poppy and German-influenced eatery Domaine South. The gastropub is actually a threepronged setup featuring Chandler’s Ford Brewing, Champagne Taco Kitchen and Northside Coffee Roasters. BeeZr will also serve items from vegan food truck Hippea Camper. Ron Jewell, founder and business development director of BeeZr, said he and his team “found the perfect location in the booming downtown arts and entertainment district in Huntsville. A historic multi-story building situated centrally on the courthouse square.’’ The building’s windows are eyecatching with canvas psychedelic paintings viewable from Clinton Avenue between Northside Square and the courthouse.
“Clever architects, engineers, a visionary brewery designer, and construction experts produced a minimal-footprint, tall-stacked, custom-designed brewery configuration that will support up to 25 different recipes fermenting simultaneously,’’ said Jewell, who has a background in aerospace and engineering software and hardware.
Jewell, who worked at The Hungry Hunter while attending college at Auburn, and four others founded Beezer. There’s also Doug Tibbs (chief zymurgy officer), Adam Loveless (design and dynamics director), Daniel Sikorski (Champagne Taco Kitchen czar) and Clint Brown (assistant brewmaster and libations director). Associates include Keenan Tipton (Northside Coffee) and Garrett Hardee (Hippea Camper). Chandler’s Ford Brewing is named for the English neighborhood Hampshire, where Jewell lived in his young teens. As for the brewery, Jewell describes the focus as on “fresh, delicious beer recipes delivering a bewildering variety of fermented beverages and will be complemented with a selection of champagnes, wines, and specialty mixed drinks.’’ Champagne Taco Kitchen will feature three standard taco offerings: a San Diego- and Mexico City-inspired Carnitas Taco, a cilantro-lemon aioli Grilled Halibut Fish Taco, and the Champagne Taco – a white lump-crab with lime-saffron sauce taco. In addition to the trio of taco offerings, rotating menu items will include a Sous Vide beef brisket steak sandwich, chorizo & cilantro quesadillas, a Chicagoinspired tomato-sausage pizza, New Orleans seafood gumbo and a sixhour Sous Vide rare New York Strip steak dinner. Jewell describes BeeZr as singularly unique amidst the city’s craft
beer establishments. “We dreamed of a uniquelymotivated small restaurant where tapas-sized portions of decidedly different interpretations of our favorite foods are prepared flawlessly and precisely every time: tacos, pizzas, steak sandwiches, crab cakes, gumbo, charbroiled beefsteak, rack of lamb, charcuterie,” he said.
By Mike Easterling / Photos by Steve Babin “We dreamed of a uniquely configured small-batch brewery capable of creating a large variety of ales and lagers and served direct to tap without the degradation that accompanies every type of retail packaging. IPAs, barrel-aged stouts, kettle sours, mixedfermentation experimentals, and an extensive lagering program. “We dreamed of a cool, comfortable, cavernous venue with a mixture of old and new, metal and wood, art & architecture, and music and food and beer. Austere and sublime and perfectly situated in the Huntsville downtown area. “Then, the dream came true.’’ BeeZr is open daily from 7 a.m.11 p.m. with kitchens hours from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. For more information, visit www.gobeezr.com. w
January 2021
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FOOD / DINING
New Restaurant on the Block: Wahlburgers Opens Its Doors in MidCity District Coming along “step by step” from Massachusetts to Hollywood to A&E television, the Wahlbergs have arrived in Huntsville. Specifically, the brothers’ Wahlburgers restaurant, which opened at MidCity District on University Drive. “Reception for the food has been amazing,’’ said Barry Adams, Wahlburgers general manager and a restaurant veteran of 28 years. “The community support has been awesome.’’ Wahlburgers, which grew from its original store in Hingham, Mass., and now operates in 18 states, opened its first Alabama location in Foley but closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Huntsville location will be the sole state site for the restaurant,
founded by brothers Mark, Donnie, and Paul Wahlberg. The subject of A&E Network’s Emmy-nominated reality show for 10 seasons, Wahlburgers features a chef-inspired menu of its signature lineup of burgers along with new starters, entrée salads, sandwiches, and more. “We are thrilled to be joining this wonderful community and look forward to opening the doors in Huntsville for guests to come dine with us starting this holiday season,”
Paul said in an earlier statement. Wahlburgers eclectic menu features the Our Burger highlighted by government cheese and Chef Paul’s Wahl sauce. Other menu items include the plant-based Impossible Burger. There’s also the O.F.D (originally from “Dorchestuh”) that includes housemade tomato jam, regular and sweet potato tots, chicken and haddock sandwiches, chili, bacon mac & cheese and Wahlbowls. There’s a kids’ menu and shakes, floats, desserts and beverages including imported Mexican Coca-Cola which reportedly has a different taste than American Coke. Adams, the Huntsville store GM, has experience at Cracker Barrel, Dreamland BBQ, Longhorn Steak-
By Mike Easterling
house and Buffalo Wild Wings. He said Wahlburgers was ready for its opening. “We’re fully staffed,’’ he said. “But, we’re always taking applications.’’ For more information visit www. wahlclub.com. “Wahlburgers is a wonderful addition to the MidCity District. Delicious menu items, top-notch sourcing, and the incredible staff at Wahlburgers will undoubtedly ‘wow’ the Tennessee Valley,” said Lindsey Pattillo Keane, director of Marketing and Property Activation, MidCity District. “It’s clear the Wahlburgers Huntsville team is passionate about offering a memorable and safe dining experience. “We proudly welcome Wahlburgers to North Alabama.” w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
SMALL BUSINESS
The Snail on The Wall: The ‘Bookstore Without a Store’ Hold on to your preconceived ideas of the need for a “brick and mortar” storefront operation. With The Snail on the Wall bookstore, Huntsville’s Creative Entrepreneur of the Year winner, Lady Vowell Smith, has developed the perfect mix of online sales and pop-up events. Smith, owner and founder of The Snail on the Wall bookstore, is a book aficionado with a Ph.D. in literature. She established The Snail on the Wall as a “bookstore without a store” in 2017, starting with a popup store at Randolph’s Under the Christmas Tree market.
“Books were one of the things that were so popular when we were all staying at home. I do think a lot of people discovered The Snail on the Wall as a ‘ delivery to your doorstep with no contact’ delivery.” A lack of small local independent bookstores - a place where readers and authors could meet and share ideas - is what prompted the creation of The Snail on the Wall, she said. “I knew that Huntsville was missing out on nationally known authors coming to our city,” said Smith. “They were stopping in Birmingham, Nashville, Atlanta, and every place around us because they had independent bookstores and Huntsville didn’t. “I didn’t know anything about bookselling, so I thought I would experiment with a ‘store without a store.’ Then, once the model started, the delivery service worked, and it reaches more people than it would if it were in one fixed location.” During a pandemic in full swing, bookstores around the country are struggling, just like other small businesses. “I don’t want to say business is
better because when I compare it, it’s different,” said Smith. “I’m probably working harder for less; everything is just a little bit harder right now.” Otherwise, business is good. “With COVID, a lot of people discovered my business because it has a delivery service” she said. “Books were one of the things that were so popular when we were all staying at home. I do think a lot of people discovered The Snail on the Wall as a ‘delivery to your doorstep with no contact’ delivery.” As a key component of Smith’s bookstore business model, author events are something that have been sorely missed. Author events draw in big crowds. In March, The Snail on the Wall hosted “Sean of the South,” author and podcaster Sean Dietrich. Last year, it was former journalist turned author Lisa Wingate. “We had 275 people for Lisa Wingate, 300 people for Shawn of the South,” said Smith. “I often try look for partners when I do an event because it increases the reach,” she said. “That’s been part of the Snail’s business from the start, to partner with other businesses. Find places to pop up, find places to do events, that kind of thing. “I’ve hosted at Roosevelt & Co. (on Clinton Avenue) … This is the third year that I’ve done a holiday pop-up store through the whole month of December.” Smith said she values the collaboration that comes with partnership. “It’s really the only way I could have done this non-traditional business model and the only way it would probably work, not just to get the word out, but to help with the logistics and the venues,” she said.
By Lori Connors / Photo by Ashley Vaughn, White Rabbit Studio
“With COVID, a lot of people discovered my business because it has a delivery service” “Most of the places and partners have found that it’s just as beneficial for them, if not more. “Because of COVID, there is a lot of awareness that we need to support small businesses. I do think people are shopping small when they can.” w
Lady Vowell Smith, owner of The Snail on the Wall bookstore
January 2021
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SMALL BUSINESS
If Unemployment Rates are High, Why are My Employees Leaving?
By Andrew Feldwerth / Warren Averett
(Four Tips for Employee Retention in the Pandemic Age) Now more than ever, it’s extremely important for companies to retain great talent. Many companies believe that even if you lose someone good, there will be ten readily available candidates to replace them. That’s because it wasn’t that long ago when unemployment rates were low, and companies were in competition to attract the best and brightest. The truth is, however, that the pandemic has shifted the talent market. Now, it’s employees who are looking for a company that will be able to provide a certain level of comfort in uncertain times. And, while most companies have done everything they can to keep their star employees during the pandemic, it’s critical that businesses adopt a mindset that emphasizes retaining their team. So, what are the best things to focus on when it comes to retaining talent? Your first thought might be pool tables, soda fountains and other fancy gadgets and accessories. Don’t get me wrong — any office is more enjoyable when it has these to offer — but they don’t ultimately fill the hole that employees want to be filled. Below, are several ideas to implement that will ultimately help with employee retention. These tips will help your company to retain the talent you won’t want to lose. 1. Check in with Your Team Beyond the Onboarding Process I think we can all agree that the smoother the initial onboarding process goes, the better chance you have at retaining top talent. If you start off poorly, it can be very hard to turn things around for that team member who now has a sour taste in her mouth after the way she was treated upon arriving at your organization. But, what about further down the road with that same employee? You may have a first-six-month check in— maybe even a year in review—for new employees, but why stop there? Taking time to check in on your employees and to see how things are
going for them should be done consistently for every employee no matter the tenure at the company. If you have an employee who has been with a company for four years, and the last time you checked in on them was at the end of year one, there could be things bottled up that the employee hasn’t addressed. Often, these issues never get brought to the surface in the name of avoiding confrontation or because employees are afraid that their job could be affected in the process. Creating periodic check-ins goes beyond the first year. It’s an ongoing practice. If you don’t incorporate this tactic, the employee who you thought was extremely satisfied will accept another position, and you will be left wondering what caused a change of heart. 2. Offer Flexibility in Time and Location The pandemic has forced companies to allow employees to have more flexibility. When schools and communities locked down several months ago, working parents especially had their day-to-day routine turned upside down, and a 9–5 shift was no longer possible every day. While this drastic change in what the average day looks like has brought
significant challenges to many, it has also helped bring to the surface something that is true for almost every employee: work is not the most important part of the average employee’s life. We have families to take care of, appointments to attend, emergencies that come up—and these things are important to take care of and necessary to address. I believe that companies that can’t understand this truth will be left behind. With conversations about flexibility also comes the question everyone is asking these days: “What about remote work?” I think it’s important that companies find a way to make remote work a possibility for all employees. I’m not suggesting that all companies go 100 percent remote, although some companies have gone that route. What I am suggesting is that your organization makes remote work possible with the necessary tools so that employees know they can still perform at their best if they find themselves away from the office. It’s time that companies trust their employees to perform at their top level whether they are in their cubicles or at home, inside or outside of regular work hours.
3. Equip Your Team with the Right Tools and Technology Technology is always changing and improving, and it’s happening at a rapid rate. If your company has been using the same software and tools for the last five years, it may be time to investigate something new. Keeping your company’s technology on the cutting edge is an important part of retaining employees. Making technology upgrades is a big decision for a business; making a change can be costly and time-consuming when it comes to training, and you may initially lose productivity as your employees face a new learning curve. But when an employee is constantly working with a system that requires ten steps to complete a task — when there is now a tool that streamlines those 10 to two — employees get frustrated. Plus, being on the cutting edge of technology signals to employees that the company they work for has plans for continued growth and that they desire to be a top competitor in their market. Employees want to be with companies that want to be at their best. If they sense you are dragging your feet, they may be looking for a better option. 4. Recognize Great Work Finally — and I think this goes without saying — everyone loves to hear that they’ve done a good job. If your organization doesn’t have some sort of system that encourages employee recognition, then you need to implement something very soon— whether it’s through a group chat, creating time to give kudos at your weekly meetings, or pulling a team member aside to personally congratulate them on a job well done. Recognizing great work doesn’t mean coddling your employees. Most top employees still value constructive criticism as an important part of individual and corporate growth. But for employers, it’s important to recognize the team’s efforts when appropriate. w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
BRIEFCASE
MLS Partnership Provides Boost to Consumers, Agents A historic partnership between two of Alabama’s largest Multiple Listing Services took a final step when data sharing went live between ValleyMLS. com and LIVEinALABAMA.com powered by Greater Alabama MLS. Consumers listing their homes for sale on either ValleyMLS.com or LIVEinALABAMA.com will have their property directly marketed to 9,000 out of 15,000 Alabama Realtors. Homebuyers now have an even more comprehensive and accurate look at the housing market at both websites. Real estate agents will no longer have to pay two separate subscriber fees to each MLS to do business across north and central Alabama. “By combining our efforts, consumers can view thousands of homes for sale in much of central and northern Alabama or have their home advertised to nearly 10,000 Realtors,” said 2020 ValleyMLS.com Chair Cindi PetersTanner. “For agents who subscribe to either MLS, this represents the latest massive free benefit to them, a collaboration years in the making.” w
Teledyne Brown Wins NASA Contract for Key Stage of SLS Teledyne Brown Engineering has been awarded a $85 million contract modification to supply NASA two additional Launch Vehicle Stage Adapters for the Artemis II and III moon missions. The LVSAs are the largest pieces of the Space Launch System to be built at Marshall Space Flight Center. The LVSA provides the connection between the SLS Core Stage and the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS). The cone-shaped adapter is roughly 30 feet in diameter by 30 feet tall and is made of 16 Aluminum-Lithium 2195 alloy panels. “TBE is thrilled to be a part of the
monumental Artemis spaceflight moon missions, providing its second and third LVSA units which further solidify our prominence in designing and building spaceflight hardware,” stated Jan Hess, president of Teledyne Brown Engineering. “We are proud to continue our decades long partnership with MSFC, where our teams have worked tirelessly to help propel our nation beyond the Earth’s gravity.” Artemis II is planned to launch in 2023 on a crewed mission to perform a lunar flyby. Artemis III is currently scheduled to launch in 2024, as the second crewed Artemis mission. It will include a landing at the Moon’s south polar region where two astronauts, including the first woman to walk on the moon, will reside for a week. w
HudsonAlpha Foundation Announces Smith Family Chair in Genomics The HudsonAlpha Foundation recently announced the creation of the Smith Family Chair in Genomics at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. It will be held by faculty investigator Dr. Greg Barsh. “I am so glad to continue to support HudsonAlpha,” said Linda Smith, wife of the late Mark C. Smith. “I am delighted that this chair will support Dr. Barsh’s work and new discoveries in science.” Barsh’s research helps to understand how migration, isolation, and population history affect animals’ response to changes in climate, habitat, and environment. “It is an honor and privilege to carry the Smith family name, who have been known for their community leadership and philanthropy in Huntsville and beyond,” said Barsh. “Linda was pivotal in bringing me to HudsonAlpha more than a decade ago. We are forever grateful for the family’s investment in HudsonAlpha throughout the years.” Mark C. Smith was the catalyst for two successful Huntsville companies as the founder of Universal Data Systems and co-founder of ADTRAN. A throat cancer diagnosis led to Smith’s keen interest in learning more about cancer and biotechnology.
“Mark and Linda really mean a lot to me and the legacy of HudsonAlpha,” said Jim Hudson, HudsonAlpha co-founder. “I am truly thankful for their friendship over the years as well as their support to make the vision for HudsonAlpha a reality.” w
Google Fiber Brings 2 Gig Internet Service to Huntsville It’s not unusual for Huntsville to be on the forefront of technology breakthroughs. And now, it’s Google Fiber’s 2 Gig service. With thousands of Huntsvillians working from home and students taking online classes, Google Fiber has announced that 2 Gig service is avail-
able in the Rocket City. In August, Google Fiber announced its plan to test 2 Gig service here and Nashville and the tests and responses have proven successful. The company said a subscriber can download an entire movie in less than 2 minutes and a 10GB game in about 45 seconds. “I’m especially excited to be able to share 2 Gig with our customers,” said Amanda Peterson, Product Marketing Manager. “Over the last few months, my family has been testing 2 Gig in our home … I’ve never worried about massive file downloads, even while I’m on a video call with my boss and my husband is on a Zoom call in the next room, and then, all of the sudden, our home music system asks for an update. I know we can easily handle it all at once.” New and existing Google Fiber customers can choose between the 1 Gig service for $70 a month and 2 Gig for $100 a month — ready for power users, the latest devices, and advanced smart homes that use lots of Internet. The 2 Gig services comes with
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the Google Fiber Multi-Gig Router, which uses Wi-Fi 6, the latest Wi-Fi standard. w
Teledyne Brown’s Zombie ‘Killed’ by Patriot-3 It wasn’t exactly something out of a horror movie or popular TV series, but the Army killed a “Zombie” recently. Actually, a Teledyne Brown Engineering Zombie target missile was destroyed in support of the Army Space and Missile Defense Command Technical Center’s Targets Division at Redstone Arsenal. The target was a two-stage Zombie “Black Dagger,” a realistic threat ballistic missile target used to test advanced missile defense systems. The Black Dagger consists of a Pathfinder Zombie target missile and a Mark 70 Terrier Missile booster. During the test in October, THAAD radar tracked the Black Dagger and a Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement missile was launched and destroyed the target. “We are proud to continue to support efforts to enhance our military’s efficiency and capabilities,” said Jan Hess, president of Teledyne Brown Engineering. “Our work, together with SMDC, has allowed us to repurpose existing resources to provide cost effective targets to prove interoperability within current military assets.” w
Toyota Names Niimi to Oversee Mazda Toyota operations Toshio Niimi, general manager at Toyota Motor’s plants in Honsha and Kinuura, Japan, will take on the new
role of executive vice president, Production Engineering and Manufacturing, Toyota Motor North America. Niimi will have responsibilities for all aspects of Toyota’s North American production engineering operations and 15 manufacturing vehicle, engine and parts plants in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, including its joint venture with Mazda in Huntsville that begins production this year. w
Goodall Homes Named Single-Family Home Developer for Hays Farm Goodall Homes has been named the exclusive, single-family home builder for more than 400 houses at Hays Farm, it was announced Tuesday. Hays Farm features 440 singlefamily homes, 600 multi-family units, a premier office park, a 9.5-acre urban park surrounded by retail, a 440-acre nature preserve, 8 miles of hard surface greenway, and a Publix anchored grocery center. The outdoor amenities, combined with the convenience of nearby retail, creates an extraordinary living setting. “With its more than 400 acres of green space and miles of trails, Hays Farm will be a development like no other in the greater Huntsville area,” says Goodall Homes President and founder Bob Goodall. Over the next three to five years, Goodall Homes will be constructing homes in Hays Farm’s three neighborhoods: The Forge, The Forest, and The Fields. “The subdivisions at Hays Farm have been the most anticipated new construction in the greater Huntsville area,” said Bekah Schmidt, executive director of the South Huntsville Main Business Association. “This is a buyer’s last opportunity to be a part of a largescale master planned community in the Grissom High School district.” w
RECOGNITION American Health Partners, a Franklin, Tennessee-based company that provides a wide range of health care services, honored 43 employees on November 13 for their dedication to providing high quality health care and outstanding service over the past year. Tennell Sherrod is a mental health technician at Unity Psychiatric Care in Huntsville. “She brings a can-do spirit to everything she does, including proactively taking care of patient needs,” said Jeff Bogle, Chief Financial Officer. “She takes on extra shifts whenever needed and is doing a great job training other employees. Tennell shows integrity and compassion in her daily work.” The second Star Award winner from Huntsville was Katherine Dean, Director of Nursing at AHC Millennium, a skilled nursing facility. “She has earned a reputation for elevating others to do their best work” according to Robin Bradley, Chief Operating Officer. “Katherine takes so much pride in our mission and in her team. With the constant protocol changes required as we’ve learned more about COVID-19, we’ve been able to count on Katherine to consistently step up, make needed adjustments and keep everyone focused on providing excellent care and outstanding service.” “I have been so proud of how our teams came together to confront the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Chief Executive Officer Mike Bailey. “Our colleagues have worked with purpose and teamwork every day to deliver on our mission to provide compassionate, high quality health care. These Stars are the best of the best, and we’re thrilled to recognize them.”
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