HBJ April 22 Issue

Keeping you informed and inspired.

April 2022

VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 4

EDUCATION

COVER STORY

The Future of Workforce Development is Here and Now at Drake State

As the expansion of the manufacturing industry continues to grow along with the arrival of new corporations to North Alabama, it all comes with the need for a trained and capable labor force.

See story on page 12

By Lori J. Connors - Page 3

NASA

SLS at Launch Pad 39B in DEVELOPMENT Preparation for Final Test Before Launch

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) with the Orion spacecraft on top arrived at Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday, March 18 in preparation for its final test before the Artemis I Moon Mission.

By Dawn Suiter - Page 18

ADDITIONAL STORIES • New Attractions Coming for Toyota Field this Season

By Mike Easterling • Page 2

• Huntsville Ranks #5 in Tech Town Index

By Lori J. Connors • Page 8

• Vision Hospitality Group Cuts Ribbon on New Hampton Inn & Suites in Downtown Huntsville

By Dawn Suiter • Page 14

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HUNTSVILLE

BUSINESS JOURNAL Vol 5, Issue 4 April 2022 600 Boulevard South Suite 104 Huntsville, AL 35802

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

ENTERTAINMENT

New Attractions Coming for Toyota Field this Season providing a broad range of technol- and signature ogy and engineering services to the Trash Pandas Huntsville area while heavily invest- cocktails. That ing in philanthropic partnerships comes as part across the Tennessee Valley. of the 360 ex“The atmosphere here is incred- perience, which ibly energetic and fun and we’re is designed to excited to be part of that spirit,” provide a full Barbee said. “We look forward to a game-day expesuccessful baseball season.” rience around Among the the concourse new attractions is with a variety of Extended safety netting the Mojo Speed food and drink Pitch Cage. For a options. small fee, fans can The protective netting at Toyota have their pitch Field has been extended throughout clocked and accu- the ballpark to enhance fan safety. racy measured by The original netting behind both throwing at a real- dugouts and home plate has been istic catcher. raised 10 feet to a height of 35 feet.

Also new will New netting has been added down be a bar in center both baselines and will taper down Booz Allen Hamilton presenting sponsor for the Trash Pandas 2022 season field near the bull- toward the foul poles to a height of Changes include a new outfield pens, which will feature craft beers about 12 feet. bar, a Mojo Speed Pitching Cage, exMojo Speed Pitch Cage will be located behind left field near the bullpen tended netting and more.

Booz Allen Hamilton joins the Trash Pandas as a presenting sponsor for the 2022 season and will host a number of community events as well as a fireworks show Opening Night on April 12.

“We are thrilled to be a part of Trash Panda Nation,” said Kristina Barbee, principal for Booz Allen Hamilton, Huntsville. “For almost two decades, Booz Allen has been deeply rooted in the Huntsville community, proudly supporting local projects and organizations.”

According to a team press release, since 2003, Booz Allen has been

By Mike Easterling / Photos by Justina Simon

MADISON – Toyota Field, which enters its third year of operation this spring, is a gem of a park sitting just over the divide from neighboring Huntsville.

But the venue, which is home to the Double-A South Rocket City Trash Pandas, will add some upgrades for the fan experience before the start of the team’s second season.

“Fan safety is our number one priority at Toyota Field,” Trash Pandas General Manager Garrett Fahrmann said. “Our new protective netting will provide a safer atmosphere for everyone to watch the game without sacrificing the close-up views of the action that fans have grown to love.”

For suite and club level ticket holders, a New Era merchandise kiosk will be open near the press box during Trash Pandas games to give fans an opportunity to purchase caps and merchandise beyond the Junkyard Team Store.

Another addition is a Hawk-Eye system that has been added to provide installed will provide game information as speed of pitch, distance of a home run and more statistics.

Toyota Field is a cashless venue, accepting most major credit cards as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay. For ticket information and rules regulating acceptable bags and prohibited outside items can be found at the team’s website.

Rocket City’s season begins April 8 at Birmingham. w

April 2022

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EDUCATION

The Future of Workforce Development is Here and Now at Drake State As the expansion of the manufacturing industry continues to grow along with the arrival of new corporations to North Alabama, it all comes with the need for a trained and capable labor force.

In the effort of providing affordable, hands-on training to prepare students to become the workforce of tomorrow, Drake State Community and Technical College is front and center in helping to make this a reality. Through offering STEM bootcamps and providing scholarships for students pursuing careers related to the automobile manufacturing industry, it’s a win-win for students and corporations alike.

Drake State is offering several programs for students to get high quality training, the kind of training that translates into those solid, bona fide job skills that the manufacturing sector is eagerly seeking.

One of those opportunities is the result of a partnership formed between Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and the Alabama Community College System (ACCS).

Recently, it was announced that there were 30 scholarships available to Alabama residents seeking to pursue a technical education certificate or associate degree in programs related to the automotive manufacturing industry.

Alabama residents, who are interested in automotive-related careers, especially prospective students in North Alabama can apply for a

scholarship to attend the automotive manufacturing programs at Drake State.

In addition to offering attractive scholarship opportunities, Drake State continues to build on its workforce-relevant programming. Recently, Drake State hosted free STEM bootcamps for the area’s middle and high school student population. The all-day bootcamps are instrumental in providing opportunities for students to learn about various jobs and perhaps discover a career path they otherwise might not be exposed to.

On a Saturday in late February, there was a sizeable turnout for the bootcamps offered, with thirty-four students participating in the Welding, Engineering Design, or Machine Tool bootcamps. In this all-day event, students had the opportunity to learn new technical skills – skills that could serve as the foundation for manufacturing or could pave the way to careers in science and engineering.

The bootcamp event was made possible in part by Drake State’s multi-year grant from NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP). MUREP supports minorityserving institutions working to increase the number of racially or ethnically underrepresented students, and female students in STEM occupations.

“I took a welding class at Bob Jones High School,” said Cameron Cummings, a high school student who participated in the Welding bootcamp. “I really enjoyed welding. I want to go into computer engineering, so welding is like soldering on a bigger scale. That was one of the main reasons why I got into this.”

“All the designs that they would produce as an engineer one day would have to be machined,”said Tyler Williams, Machine Tool Instructor at Drake State. “The bootcamp allowed students to experience how intricate parts are produced.”

There are also bootcamp opportunities for adults interested in attaining workforce ready training. Whether it’s first-time career venture or adjusting one’s sails to meet the continuously growing staffing demands of the North Alabama manufacturing sector, Drake State has plenty to offer.

On another note, Huntsville has always enjoyed the benefits of a wellestablished Arts sector, and to meet the needs of creative community, Drake State recently offered an Art Welding bootcamp. In this all-day class, students learned the basics of safety, as well as how to use the equipment, how to weld pieces of metal together effectively, and to produce their very own sculpture. In this case, the finished piece was a log resting on a stand.

Despite it being a full day of welding, the structure of the bootcamp made the day go by quickly. “This has been really interesting for me because I had a lot of fun with it,” said Lori Connors, bootcamp

By Lori J. Connors / Photos courtesy of Drake State

participant. “The scary part was that freshly welded metal is hot! Even if the metal has returned to its original color, it’s still hundreds of degrees.”

First off, the welding class is outfitted with good safety equipment and tools. Safety and quality make huge difference in course delivery. It’s also important to have a great instructor leading the class.

Welding instructor Joseph Bevil’s started out in the construction industry. Six years ago, he took a teaching job at Drake State. In addition to being a welding instructor, he’s also the division chair of advanced manufacturing and works closely with machine tool, automotive, HVAC, and electrical engineering design.

Despite his fulltime workload and responsibilities, Bevil stresses the importance of staying current in manufacturing and walks the talk. “I still get to practice some in the field.

A lot of good friends of mine are still working in the field, so, I get information from them,” said Bevil. “One of my former students owns welding shop, he’s been in business for a few years. So, I get to help him out, some, too when I’ve got some free time, like spring breaks and stuff like that. So, I can see what’s going on in the industry.”

Staying relevant in the manufacturing industry and keeping apprised of industry trends is crucial with regards to workforce development.

“It is advanced manufacturing, and it changes every day,” said Bevil. If you’re not doing some type of work in the field, you’ll get behind.”

For more information, go to: www.drakestate.edu. w

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

DEFENSE

Hill Technical Solutions Awarded $46 Billion Air Force Contract

By Marie Johnson / Images courtesy of Hill Technical Solutions Huntsville-based engineering firm Hill Technical Solutions has been awarded the Air Force’s “Eglin Wide Angle Acquisition Contract.”

The EWAAC is a $46 billion indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract with a period of performance over 10 years.

Glenn Turner, CEO Hill Tecnical Services

Hill Technical Solutions will be providing the Air Force with advanced, specialized digital engineering, model-based systems engineering, agile processes, open system architecture support, data analytics and management, and weapon system integration support for the U.S. Air Force.

Sites to receive support from Hill Technical Solutions include Eglin Air Force Base, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Armament Directorate (AFLCMC/EB), the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), and the Air Force Nuclear Warfare Center (AFNWC).

“Our new ADEPT (Analysis, Digital Engineering, and Prototype Technology) Center will enable us to develop, prototype, and demonstrate innovative solutions,” said HTS CEO Glenn Turner.

The ADEPT Center, part of the new HTS Corporate Headquarters that opened in January, functions as a combination laboratory and demonstration center. The Center’s focus on adaptability synergizes with the EWAAC’s demands for swift responses to complex technical problems. w

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President /Publisher……………………………………………… Todd Stephenson Editor …………………………………………………………………… Gus Wintzell Writers………………………………………………………………… Alan Clemons Lori J. Connors Mike Easterling Marie Johnson Noah Logan Alyssa Mitchell Dawn Suiter Contributing Writer…………………………………………………… John Kvach Graphic Design ……………………………………………………… Justina Simon Website……………………………………………………………………… Jim Gharib Photographers………………………………………………………… Steve Babin Justina Simon Director of Sales ……………………………………………… Carolyn Stephenson Account Executives…………………………………………………… Noah Logan Marilyn Pinchock 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 ©2021. 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.

April 2022

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DEFENSE

JS Solutions Lands $46 Billion U.S. Air Force Contract The U.S. Air Force recently awarded JS Solutions a $46 billiondollar indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract that will span the course of 10 years.

Headquartered in Huntsville, JS Solutions, LLC (JSS) is a VeteranOwned Small Business dedicated to providing logistics support, engineering, and consulting services to Federal Government Agencies, Department of Defense (DoD), prime contractors, and commercial organizations.

This is certainly a significant achievement for a young business of this size and scope to be awarded one of multiple prime USAF contracts.

In fact, it speaks volumes of the company’s expertise, quality, and past performance record.

The Eglin Wide Agile Acquisition (EWAAC) IDIQ contract will enable the government to rapidly develop and integrate new technologies, solu-

tions, and techniques to the USAF & Eglin Air Force Base.

EWAAC delivers digital engineering, model-based systems engineering, agile processes, open system architecture support, data analytics and

management, and weapon system integration support for the U.S. Air Force customers at Eglin Air Force Base, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Armament Directorate (AFLCMC/EB), the Air Force Re-

By Lori J. Connors / Images courtesy of JS Solutions search Lab (AFRL), and the Air Force Nuclear Warfare Center (AFNWC).

As the Department of Defense pushes to modernize the warfighter, this contract will help provide new capabilities within multiple areas of life-cycle management, weapons systems development and requirements development.

“As a leading support provider to the US Government, we will continue to deliver in the Digital Trinity areas of Digital Engineering, Agile Development and Open Systems Architecture,” said Jason Swafford, President, and CEO of JS Solutions.

“We will provide support through all parts of the weapons system life cycle and will bring our expertise in this area to support the Air Force and its mission partners. JS Solutions is excited to contribute to the USAF Armament Directorate and its motto of ‘Go Fast, Think Big.’” w

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

DEFENSE

Aerobotix Has Officially Announced an Agreement with Minteq International Last month, Aerobotix officially announced an agreement with Minteq International, Inc. to distribute Minteq’s industry altering FIREX™ RX-2390 Thermal Protection System (TPS) coating for hypersonic flight hardware. Aerobotix will work directly with Minteq’s Pennsylvania-based Pyrogenics Group, the global technological leader in hightemperature coatings for military and aerospace applications.

“The system includes ‘never been done before’ adaptations of high MRL technologies,” This comes at a time when the Pentagon is urging America’s largest defense manufacturers to accelerate hypersonic weapon production.

“The system includes ‘never been done before’ adaptations of high MRL technologies,” according to representatives from Aerobotix.

Minteq engaged Aerobotix due to the company’s expertise in robotically spraying parts and test panels within specifically tight tolerances for uniformity and broadness of coverage. Aerobotix also has significant prior experience with primes using the FIREX product.

“Our desire was to assist our customers and the U.S. Government in fielding hypersonic missiles and aircraft as quickly as possible,” “Our desire was to assist our customers and the U.S. Government in fielding hypersonic missiles and

aircraft as quickly as possible,” said Kent Pfeifer, Aerobotix’s process development manager.

“By making the commitment to keep fresh FIREX™ RX-2390 on our shelves, we can immediately assist the major programs by robotically spraying accurate panels and even prototype parts for flight tests. We’ve been robotically spraying, scanning and sanding shrouds and rockets already, and now – with coating on our shelves – we cut critical weeks in delivery time.”

Aerobotix and the scientists at Minteq collaborated to develop a FIREX RX-2390 recipe and a unique robotic paint dispensing system that is primed for automation and heavy production. The FIREX formulations optimize modified epoxy binders with thermally active materials that form cooling gases when exposed to temperatures in excess of 350°F. Minteq also notes that Aerobotix’s customized robotics provides all this, plus the ability to automatically spray-taper the paint thickness in various areas of the part, which can

“Aerobotix is spraying our product so much better than could ever be done by hand,” reduce weight, manufacturing time and cost.

By Noah Logan / Images courtesy of Aerobotix

“Aerobotix is spraying our product so much better than could ever be done by hand,” said Mark Breloff, Minteq technical sales manager.

“The robot is mixing the coating perfectly, just in time, and applying it so accurately – we are seeing improved performance across the board.”

The new contract with Minteq is a noticable enhancement to Aerobotix’s Fully Automated Hypersonic Coating Production SystemThe facility provides a broad selection of services for preparing and painting hypersonic structures, including automated structured light scanning/ projection, automated masking tape application, automated FIREX™ spraying, automated non-contact Terahertz measurement, automated force controlled sanding and adaptive robotic machining of coatings. w

April 2022

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

TECHNOLOGY

Huntsville Ranks #5 in Tech Town Index With the ongoing migration of high-tech companies to North Alabama, opportunities in the IT industry continue to grow. In fact, a recent Tech Town Index ranked Huntsville, AL at #5.

In 2018, when the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) launched its inaugural Tech Town Index, Huntsville was well on its way at 10th place. There, it maintained a solid #10 spot for the first two years, then jumping into the #9 slot last year.

By leaping into the fifth-place position in the rankings, Huntsville continues to establish itself as a region ripe with opportunities.

When most people think of Huntsville, images of rockets, military defense organizations, and aerospace technology come readily to mind.

While these are and probably always will be a large part of what puts the Rocket City on the map, Huntsville also attracts a variety of IT talent, making it one of the best places to live for technology professionals.

Going beyond Huntsville’s long-standing history as a leader in aerospace technology, there has been growing diversity among its corporate community and, as a result, an increasing number of tech job postings. In 2021, Huntsville employers posted 14,085 available technology jobs. That’s a lot of opportunity over a 12-month period.

Over the next year, the area’s number of IT jobs is expected to grow to nearly 20,000, and to 21,000 in the next five years. What is driving the growth? With the ongoing growth and expansion, the Rocket City needs IT professionals.

Several companies have either expanded or relocated to the Huntsville area in the past year, including Dynetics, Torch Technologies, Invariant Corporation, Nippon Express, Aldez Palco, Ridgeview Industries and TriRx Pharmaceutical Services.

In fall 2021, Special Aerospace Services (SAS) moved to Huntsville, as well. These new economic development projects are estimated to bring 510 new jobs and more than $71 mil-

lion in investment to the Huntsville community.

It’s no secret that in Huntsville, the living is easier. The cost of living in the area is relatively affordable, compared with much larger metropolitan areas, which makes the median salary of $98,251 go much further.

Huntsville and Madison County continue to enhance the quality of life in the region. Last summer, plans were announced to introduce Upland Park, a 60-acre, $200 million mixeduse development in Cummings Research Park. The development will feature a senior living community – which serves as an enticement to young families that want to put roots in Huntsville yet want their extended family of parents and grandparents living nearby.

The Tech Town Index identifies US markets where tech employment and business opportunities intersect with affordability and quality of life.

This years’ index is based on 2021 IT job posting data in 20 metropolitan areas with populations over 250,000 where demand for tech workers is greater than the national average.

Markets were then evaluated and ranked based on cost of living, number of postings for open IT positions and projected job growth over the next 12 months and the next five years.

Four years ago, the idea was to show how and where technology flourishes in the United States and provide guidance to IT professionals

By Lori J Connors / Graphic by Lori J. Connors

seeking upward movement or looking to put down roots. Every year since then, the report has been updated as new data and trends are assessed.

For the third consecutive year, Austin, TX, leads the Tech Town Index. Joining Austin in the top 10 are San Jose, Dallas, Atlanta, Huntsville

(AL), Charlotte (NC), Raleigh (NC), San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. The second half of the Tech Town Index includes Lansing (MI), Baltimore, Durham-Chapel Hill (NC), Trenton (NJ), Boulder (CO), New York, Colorado Springs (CO), Des Moines (Iowa), Hartford (CT) and Tallahassee (FL).

Last year there were 3.3 million total job postings for open IT positions in the United States. About one-quarter of those (27%) were advertised as remote work.

Accelerated, in part, by the pandemic, technology has edged its way into our everyday lives. Niche companies are popping up left and right to meet this demand. It’s never been a better time to work in IT, and it’s never been a better time to be an IT professional in the Rocket City.

For more information, go to: https://www.comptia.org/content/research/best-tech-cities-it-jobs. w

April 2022

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TECHNOLOGY

Artificial Intelligence for Huntsville’s Future The development of ever-increasingly sophisticated computing software programs has radically changed the way that business is conducted in the 21st century. Information is gathered and processed at a scale and speed unprecedented in the history of our species.

Algorithms compile browsing data on billions of customers, providing retailers heavily-customized shopping experiences custom-tailored to each customer. Software programs facilitate the mass traffic of shipping all over the world. The financial sector relies on Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to monitor a truly dizzying array of transactions, and at blistering speed.

AI technology has a wide array of uses, even in industries that aren’t typically considered to be high-tech.

North Alabama’s Bridgeforth Farms, for example, relies on data analytics programs to monitor weather data and water usage for drip irrigation systems.

Automating the compilation of that massive input of information enables farmers to output greater yield more efficiently. With the infamously razor-thin margins of agriculture, that efficiency could spell the difference between prosperity and bankruptcy.

While every business can benefit from AI technology, Huntsville has become a hub for high-tech industries servicing the Federal government.

For businesses looking to land the most lucrative contracts, mastery of AI tech is a necessity.

“Since Huntsville is a city with a lot of defense contractors, AI expertise in the community would be useful to these contractors,” explained Dr. Tathagata Mukherjee, Assistant Professor at UAH’s Computer Science department.

“AI would benefit the defense community immensely. There are applications of AI for cybersecurity, guidance systems, navigation systems as well as timing and control.”

Dr. Mukherjee went on to discuss how Artificial Intelligence can be crucial to Huntsville’s aspirations of becoming America’s hub of space exploration.

“AI is being used more and more in engineering applications, for example, in modeling fluid flows and propulsion systems. ANA is starting to use AI in various engineering applications starting from designing new propulsion systems, to modeling fluid flows to the use of AI in robotics for plenary exploration.”

Dr. Mukherjee listed entire fields of scientific and technological study where the application of AI tech is yet in its infancy, including biological, atmospheric, and material sciences.

Indeed, exciting news from Europe suggests that mastery of AI can be the key to breakthroughs in the most bleeding-edge of high technologies.

In February, researchers working for the Google-backed firm DeepMind published an article in the scientific journal Nature.

The article describes the process of utilizing artificial intelligence to autonomously control the flow of plasma through a model fusion reactor, the Variable Configuration Tokamak, operated by the Swiss Plasma Center. Previously, efforts had been stymied by the magnitude of calculations that had to be performed to sequence the electromagnetic actuators with rapid precision.

“AI, and specifically reinforcement learning, is particularly well suited to the complex problems presented by controlling plasma in a tokamak,” says Martin Riedmiller, control team lead at DeepMind.

If mastery of AI technology proves to be the key to unlocking fusion power, then Huntsville will be

By Marie Johnson

particularly well-placed to pioneer commercializing that technological Holy Grail.

Even now, the University of Alabama in Huntsville has taken a leading role in AI projects for the government. In a joint program with Florida State University and Perdue to develop a forensic tool for the National Institute of Justice, UAH

heads the AI and machine learning portion of the project.

UAH faculty receive funding from the Department of Justice, NASA, and other government agencies to develop AI programs for their systems. Furthermore, grants go to fund graduate research, ensuring that businesses in Huntsville looking to develop their AI capabilities will have a deep pool of highly-trained local specialists with which to build their workforce.

For decades, Huntsville has invested heavily in its technological infrastructure, both physical and educational. Now, that investment could pay dividends beyond measure. Forward-thinking businesses could stand to open entire frontiers of new opportunity, by using Huntsville as the solid foundation beneath their feet, and AI as the key in their hands. w

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

FOOD / DINING

Every Day is Pastry Day: Tour les Jours to Make its Debut at MidCity It’s a really sweet deal that’s making its way south to Huntsville. And the anticipation continues to build here in North Alabama.

MidCity District recently announced that Tous les Jours (TLJ), a French-Asian bakery café franchise will soon be joining the exciting roster of its new retail, restaurants, and entertainment options. Slated to open in Fall 2022, TLJ at MidCity will be the bakery’s first location in the state of Alabama.

Jim Xue and Yunus Hasan, two of Huntsville’s most successful culinary entrepreneurs, with concepts such as Chop N Fresh, Kamado Ramen, Oh Crepe, and I Love Sushi, will own and operate the Huntsville TLJ location. The build out has already begun on the 2,400 square foot space, located on MidCity Drive adjacent to Wahlburgers and

Kung Fu Tea. “North Alabama is in for a treat,” said Hasan. “We fell in love with TLJ several years ago on a trip to New York and have dreamt of bringing this phenomenal bakery franchise to Huntsville.”

Tous les Jours means “every day” in French. As its name indicates, TLJ presents a wide range of baked goods with over 300 different varieties of artisan pastries, gourmet cakes

and desserts all baked fresh in-store daily.

Since its launch in the United States back in 2004, Tous les Jours has grown into a highly popular bakery and café franchise offering delightful baked goods and handcrafted beverages, all passionately made from the finest ingredients.

There are more than 70 TLJ bakeries in the U.S. and more than 1,650 locations worldwide. Each

By Lori J Connors / Photos courtesy of Tour les Jours

franchise location prides itself in local sourcing and using carefully selected ingredients; thus, promising to deliver a double header of freshness and quality to its eager clientele.

Once open, operating hours will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. There will be ample seating for relaxing, meeting with friends, or studying.

Whether it be in form of breakfast, lunch, or dessert, Tous les Jours endeavors to offer great food, as well as to bring smiles to patrons’ faces and joy to their day.

TLJ is already accepting applications for management and staffing.

For more information, go to: https:// www.tljhsv.com.

Follow @touslesjoursHSV on Facebook and Instagram to get all the latest and greatest information on the upcoming opening. For more information, visit www.tljusa.com. w

April 2022

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

COVER COVER S

Huntsville’s Place in Alab

By Gus W On February 8, 2021, Alabama Senator Richard Shelby announced his retirement from the U.S. Senate after a successful six consecutive terms of office.

During this time, Senator Shelby released a statement sharing his gratitude for the voters of Alabama.

“I am grateful to the people of Alabama who have put their trust in me for more than forty years. I have been fortunate to serve in the U.S. Senate longer than any other Alabamian.”

Serving in the U.S. Senate has been the opportunity of a lifetime.

I have done my best to address challenges and find ways to improve the day-to-day lives of all Americans. I have also focused on the economic challenges of Alabamians, increasing access to education and promoting facilities to improve the quality of schools. I have worked to enhance Alabama’s role in space exploration and the security of our nation.”

In the months that followed, a variety of candidates stepped forward to take up the mantle of a Senate seat previously held for 36 years by Senator Shelby.

Katie Britt, Richard Shelby’s former Chief of Staff, announced she would be campaigning for Senator Shelby’s seat. Shelby endorsed her shortly after.

“She’s like family. She’d make a good candidate. She’s probably the best-qualified candidate to come along in a long time,” Shelby said in an interview. “I’d support her, I’d vote for her.”

However, recent polls conducted over the last few months with pools of over 500 Alabama voters showed a much tighter race than some anticipated.

A poll conducted by McLaughlin & Associates in early March showed a virtual deadlock between Republican frontrunners Mike Durant (33%) and Katie Britt (32%), with Mo Brooks falling behind by a little over 14 points.

This was a dramatic shift from

December 2021, where a poll conducted by the same company showed a tight race between Britt and Congressman Mo Brooks. Financial reports from December 31, 2021 also showed a tight race between Republican candidate campaign finances, with Britt sitting at around $4,988,850, Durant at $4,316,153, and Congressman Brooks coming at around $2,153,984.

The election also features strong Democratic candidates Dr. Will Boyd from Florence and Brandaun Dean from Birmingham. Although fighting a large uphill battle in a predominantly GOP-led state, the Democratic candidates are hoping for another surprising victory mirroring Doug Jones’s marginal win over Roy Moore in 2017.

This election will be the first following the 2020 census and the recent approval of Alabama’s redistricting map approved by the U.S. Supreme Court on February 7, 2022.

Voters in Alabama will have the opportunity to elect their next Senator in the general election on November 8, 2022. The primary for the election is currently scheduled for May 24, 2022, with a primary runoff scheduled for June 21, 2022.

However, for many North Alabama voters, the tight senate race has left many questioning each candidate’s economic goals and business ideas regarding their region. With the primaries just around the corner, some Huntsville-based voters are questioning how each candidate’s platform will line-up with explosive growth of the city.

Below is a list of each candidate with a brief survey of their economic platforms and how they relate to the greater HuntsvilleMadison County area. With election season looming large on the 2022 horizon, it is important to remain aware and informed voter moving forward.

KARLA DUPRIEST Born and based out of Mobile, Dupriest is all about working hard today to make a difference tomorrow.

Her economic platform is highlighted by a strategic 10-point plan for the entire state, which includes reducing small business taxes statewide, increased military and veteran support, an active Alabama role in America’s economic competition with China, and a renewed focus on infrastructure, all while reframing how Alabama’s political leadership and experts interact with urban and rural voters.

For Huntsville-Madison County, this means taking the economic driv-

er for the thirteen-county area and making it a model for state economic development. Following her tenpoint plan, Dupreist plans to connect with local experts, create a strategic industry and economic model, and expand it to the rest of the state, all while making Huntsville the model example. And, as a small business owner, her goal is to help maintain Huntsville’s small business identity, while also doing everything she can to make sure Huntsville’s boom doesn’t die down anytime soon.

For Dupriest, it’s all about vision, collaboration, innovation, worker retainment, and proper preparation.

KATIE BRITT Katie Britt is by no means new to the political scene. Between 20162018, Britt served as Shelby’s Chief of Staff, followed shortly as the President and CEO of Alabama’s Business Council. From Enterprise, Alabama, Britt’s platform is based largely on her experiences growing up. Growing Alabama jobs, strengthening both the urban and rural business scene, and connecting with Alabama’s diverse small businesses to maintain the core foundation of Alabama’s economic growth are all fundamental to Britt’s goals.

Katie Britt hopes to continue many of the great projects and goals that Senator Shelby had for Huntsville. Recently, Senator Shelby secured $570 million in funds for the new FBI location in Huntsville, and it is no small feat that UAH’s largest academic building, the Shelby Center for Science and Technology, is named after him. Britt will continue this focus on Huntsville’s ever-growing technology and science scene, and hopes to model state economic growth from Huntsville’s image. Britt also will be focusing on connecting and maintaining a relationship with Madison County’s small business sector in hopes that it will continue to be the foundation for all of North Alabama.

Katie Britt’s platform is character-

April 2022

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STORY STORY

bama’s 2022 Senate Race

Wintzell ized with continuity, small business focus, community strength, and professional guidance. Richard Shelby endorsed Katie Britt back in 2021.

MO BROOKS Mo Brooks is also not unfamiliar with the national political arena. Since 2011, Congressman Brooks has been serving as Alabama’s U.S. representative for the 5th congressional district.

From Huntsville, Brooks entered the race as an early frontrunner backed by a long political career. His business platform is characterized by creating a fair and sustainable economy, providing a balanced budget year in and year out, and growing Alabama’s military and defense industry to become a powerhouse for national defense.

As for his home within the Tennessee Valley, Brooks plans to align Huntsville with his goal of growing Alabama’s statewide economy.

Congressman Brooks declined to comment further.

To summarize the Huntsvillebased candidate’s platform, his goal for Huntsville is to lead by example and to aid in Alabama’s overall industrial and manufacturing growth.

JAKE SHAFER Although not from Alabama, Jake Shafer brings a new perspective from his home state of California. Shafer’s platform focuses on continuing what Alabama is known for, while also focusing on the untapped potential of the state. His basic platform focuses on increasing the state’s role in cyber

and aerospace business, helping shape the state into the nation’s “go-to” vacation spot, promoting an increased focus on education in the state, and ensuring a cost of living that is effective for each family’s economic goals.

Many of the goals play directly into many of the trends and discussion here in Huntsville’s business scene. His goal would be to continue the positive trends in the Tech industry, and to make Huntsville the preferred location for national aerospace research, development, and manufacturing. He also wants to focus on soothing the Great Resignation’s impact on Huntsville by increasing other sectors of Huntsville’s economy, such as medical, software, hardware technology, and media production.

Shafer’s platform for Huntsville can be summarized by continuity, workforce development, growth, and generating new opportunities.

MIKE DURANT Although Mike Durant doesn’t bring some of the same political experience as other candidates, he is no short of business and economic experience. Prior to turning over the company to the employees, Durant was the CEO of Huntsville-based Pinnacle Solutions Inc. His political ideas match his past experiences. Durant runs on the grassroots campaign platform, promising Alabama voters that his economic goals will continue to provide key and strategic opportunities for economic growth, which

include a decrease on small business taxes and a renewed focus on rural businesses.

For Huntsville, his business experience directly in the city drives his economic goals for the region.

Durant, like many other candidates, sees Huntsville as an example for both Alabama business, as well as a competitor within the national market. He plans to cut taxes, utilize a common sense approach to increasing the military industry in Madison County, and also partnering with small businesses to continue to grow them as the backbone of Huntsville.

Durant’s platform can be summarized as common sense, grassroots, and military/veteran focused.

WILL BOYD Florence minister Dr. Will Boyd ran back in 2017, finishing three places behind winner Doug Jones.

His economic platform includes a “blue collar revival,” a focus on workforce retention, a complete revamp of state infrastructure, balancing fiscal budgets, and thrusting Alabama into the global economic scene.

For Dr. Boyd, Huntsville is crucial for this success and mirrors many of the basic tenets of his platform listed above. His goal is not to change anything that makes Huntsville great and to focus on providing an increased access to urban and rural healthcare in the Huntsville-Madison County area while also creating equal opportunities for workforce development and gender pay equity. He promises to listen to small business leaders and local professionals, cut taxes, and detangle regulations that might hold back Huntsville manufacturing.

Dr. Boyd’s platform focuses on promoting the good and listening to

Huntsville experts.

BRANDAUN DEAN Based out of Birmingham, Brandaun Dean’s economic platform is based on equitable opportunity for all Alabama citizens by providing equal opportunity to existing and new revenue streams within the state. Dean’s platform focuses on how the economy changes and adds new industry around every turn, and how Alabama can be shaped to adapt to said changes. Providing more sustainable approaches to infrastructure, more equitable access to the growing cannabis industry, and providing increased packages to underpaid educational professionals are key components of Dean’s platform.

Dean recognizes how Huntsville has established itself as an example of economic growth for the entire State. His goal is to overcome federal negligence by focusing on community growth that sustains equitable economic ventures in the Madison County area, and hopes to ease the effects of Huntsville’s increased cost of living on Huntsville’s underrepresented and minority populations.

Dean’s platform can be summarized by an equal-opportunity approach and economic adaptation.

Candidates Lanny Jackson (D), Richard Bowers (I), and Jarmal Jabbar Sanders (I) declined to comment on the Huntsville Business Journal’s questions.

Key Voter Registration deadlines: • In-person registration deadline May 9, 2022 • Mail-in registration deadline May 9, 2022 • Online Registration deadline May 9, 2022 w

LEGEND KEY n Democrat Candidate

n Republican Candidate

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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Vision Hospitality Group Cuts Ribbon on New Hampton Inn & Suites in Downtown Huntsville Downtown Huntsville celebrated a sparkling new addition to its growing roster of hospitality options on Wednesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Hampton Inn & Suites Hotel Huntsville Downtown, located at 313 Clinton Ave. W. on the corner of Clinton and Monroe.

Directly across the street from Mars Music Hall and Rhythm on Monroe, the new hotel marks the entry of Vision Hospitality Group (VHG) into the Huntsville market.

It is operated by Humanist Hospitality, a wholly owned subsidiary of VHG. Vision Hospitality Group officially began in 1997, founded by President and CEO Mitch Patel in Chattanooga. Humanist Hospitality, which operates the hotel, is an award-winning operator of leading hotel and restaurant brands with an emphasis on fostering meaningful human interactions.

When asked what sets his hotels apart from the competition, Patel responded “First and foremost, what sets us apart is we believe that what we do–we’re in the people business.

First and foremost. We’re not in the real estate business….it’s about people, it’s a beautiful hotel but it’s about people…you don’t go just for the room or the public spaces. It’s a service.”

“I think if you look around, this is not your ordinary Hampton Inn…

Mitch Patel cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of the new Hampton Inn & Suites in downtown Huntsville

we like to elevate that experience that guests experience, and through design, through art, and those kinds of things. It’s storytelling, and we want to make you want to be a part of the fabric of this great community of Huntsville,” he continued.

Patel’s eye for detail is obvious with the artistic touches found throughout the hotel’s decor, which features subtle aerospace-themed artworks not only on the walls, but also on the bar shelves. The new hotel is tastefully decorated and well-designed inside and out, situated in a prime corner location that greets visitors as they first arrive in Downtown Huntsville.

Patel stated that with Huntsville located just an hour and a half away from the company’s hometown

in Chattanooga, “we’ve always had an eye on this great community, as [it has an] obviously great educated population, great household income.

It’s growing rapidly, the downtown particularly.”

He noted the proximity of the Von Braun Center and its new music venue right across the street, as well as the large developments taking place nearby: “huge amount of residential growth, which I think is important.

When you have people living in an area, they’re going to frequent the restaurants and other businesses, and guess what? That’s what our guests want too. Our guests want to stay here and be able to experience what local people in Huntsville are experiencing,” Patel said.

Although the Hampton Inn &

By Dawn Suiter / Photos by Steve Babin

Suites Huntsville Downtown does not feature a restaurant, it does have a bar. “There are plenty of restaurants.

We don’t want to compete with the 25 or 30 restaurants that are in this [immediate] area. They do a great job. Many are chef driven-type restaurants…there’s so many food and beverage outlets,” Patel explained, adding that the bar is perfect because of its location right across from the VBC, which allows concertgoers the opportunity to enjoy a drink within walking distance of the venue before or after events.

As the large group of attendees awaited the ribbon cutting ceremony, Patel addressed the audience, thanking his company’s partners and supporters. Among those he recognized was Harry Gross of Truist Bank for providing financing for the hotel project. “Thank you for believing in us and the partnership and the support. It means a lot,” Patel said.

He also thanked Hilton Hotels: “We have a longstanding partnership with Hilton; we have developed and operated many hotels with Hilton over the years. We love this brand, there’s 2500 Hampton Inns globally, and I’ve gotta say, this Hampton Inn here is #1 in the world in cleanliness, and in the top 1% of the brand in almost every other category, which is friendliness and guest satisfaction and so forth. So they are doing an incredible job. And I say this often–this is a beautiful hotel, no question. But

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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

it comes to life with people. So we have a great, great team here.”

Chad Emerson, President and CEO of Downtown Huntsville then welcomed Patel and the hotel to the city: “we’re excited that your front door is at our front door as you come in. Here at Downtown Huntsville we really lean into a simple but important concept. It’s called “Best in Class.”

We want our coffee shops to be best in class. We want our breweries to be best in class. We want everything we do that if you’d take it to any city and place it there, it would look awesome there,” Emerson said.

“This hotel is certainly the best in class. You could take this and put it in any city in America and all my colleagues in every downtown would love to have this Hampton Inn in their downtown. It’s beautiful, you drive by at night and see all the lights, you see the bar lit up, it’s just a really special place. So thank you for investing in Downtown Huntsville, and we hope that we’ll have more Vision

products coming soon.”

Before introducing Ashley EnglesRoss, VP of Small Business with the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce, Patel noted that “as for more Vision products, we have a site right next door and we’re looking at doing another hotel very soon.”

Engles-Ross also expressed excitement about welcoming Patel to Huntsville, “not only your investment in the community but your support of the Chamber of Commerce,” presenting the hotel with a Chamber plaque.

Judy Ryals, President of the Huntsville Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), made a final statement before the ribbon cutting, expressing her joy at welcoming the new hotel to Downtown Huntsville: “Today is really a special day, to have this hotel in our downtown. The CVB has needed additional rooms downtown within walking distance of our Convention Center for so long, and we’re finally getting there. And we appreciate you all investing in Huntsville and being

Pictured: Mitch Patel and Ashley Engels-Ross

here,” she said.

Following a ribbon cutting inside the lobby, followed by a second one outside, Patel mingled with the atttendees as they enjoyed wine, champagne, and a lovely charcuterie selection in the art-filled, spacious lobby. Lynn Mucciano, VP of Sales & Marketing for Humanist Hos-

pitality, added an additional touch of hospitality to the event when she approached one of the guests at the reception, letting him know which of the snacks were vegetarian.

“We wanted to make sure we had some things that vegetarians and vegans could eat so we had them specially made,” she told him. w

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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Doster to Begin Construction on New Mixed-Use Commercial Project Cummings Research Park will soon add additional office, retail, and restaurant options to its rapidly growing roster with the upcoming construction of HQ at Upland Park, a new 110,000 square foot, four-story mixed-use project.

HQ is the final project in Nicol Investment Company’s Upland Park, a 60-acre mixed-use community along Enterprise Way in Research Park.

Alongside its ground-floor retail and restaurant amenities, HQ will also feature an outdoor gathering space that will be a focal point for the larger Upland Park master development.

For the HQ project, Nicol Investment Company partnered with Vintage South Development, a Nashville-based real estate development firm.

“We are honored and excited to

“We are honored and excited to have the opportunity to partner with Nicol Investment in delivering a creative and retail environment that is unique to Huntsville,”

have the opportunity to partner with Nicol Investment in delivering a creative and retail environment that is unique to Huntsville,” said Nathan Lyons, Vintage South’s founder and CEO. “The migration of national corporations and agencies flocking to this vibrant city as well as the organic growth of local businesses is remark-

By Dawn Suiter / Image courtesy of Doster able, and we are eager to help facilitate Huntsville’s continued success.”

Doster Construction Company will break ground at the site in the coming weeks, with construction scheduled to be completed in the Spring of 2023.

“Doster has a strong presence in the multi-family, industrial, and healthcare markets in North Alabama; we’re excited for the opportunity to show our capabilities in the commercial market while partnering with Nicol Investment and Vintage South,” said Conn Crabtree, Doster’s VP and Huntsville Operations Manager. “This is a beautiful building with several unique design elements that is going to be well received in the community.”

For leasing information, contact Kyle Collins (Colliers International) at 256-518-2274 or at kyle.collins@ colliers.com. w

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

NASA

SLS at Launch Pad 39B in Preparation for Final Test Before Launch NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) with the Orion spacecraft on top arrived at Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday, March 18 in preparation for its final test before the Artemis I Moon Mission.

Stacked on the mobile launcher and mounted on the crawler-transporter, the 322-foot tall, 3.5-million-pound SLS made the four-mile trek from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B over a total of 10 hours and 28 minutes.

“Rolling out of the Vehicle Assembly Building is an iconic moment for this rocket and spacecraft, and this is a key milestone for NASA,” said Tom Whitmeyer, deputy associate administrator for Common Exploration Systems Development at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Now at the pad for the first time, we will use the integrated systems to practice the launch countdown and load the rocket with the propellants it needs to send Orion on a lunar journey in preparation for launch.”

The upcoming final test, known as the wet dress rehearsal, will run the Artemis I launch team through operations to load propellant into the rocket’s tanks, conduct a full launch countdown, demonstrate the ability to recycle the countdown clock, and then drain the tanks to give the team an opportunity to practice the timelines and procedures they will use for launch.

During the approximately twoday test, teams will begin by activating the launch facilities and formally beginning the countdown sequence.

NASA staff at the Launch Control Center at Kennedy will connect with staff in the Mission Control Center at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, the Space Force Eastern Range, and the SLS Engineering Support Center at Huntsville’s Marshall Space Flight Center. Launch controllers will power on the different rocket and spacecraft systems along with ground support equipment.

Teams will then load over 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propel-

lants including liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into the rocket at the launch pad as it sits on the mobile launcher according to the detailed timeline they will use on the actual launch day. They will practice every phase of the countdown, including weather briefings, pre-planned holds on the countdown, conditioning and replenishing the vehicle’s propellants as needed, and validation checks.

Once launch controllers reach the point just before the rocket’s RS-25 engines will ignite on launch day, they will recycle back to the T-10 minute point, then resume the countdown once more after a hold. The countdown will then be deliberately halted at about 10 seconds before the simulated liftoff to demonstrate stopping a launch and draining the propellants from the rocket.

This last step simulates a “scrub,” a halt to the launch that takes place when launch controllers decide not to proceed with a launch due to technical or weather issues that arise during or prior to the countdown.

Several days after the wet dress

rehearsal, the integrated rocket and spacecraft will return to the Vehicle Assembly Building, where sensors specifically used for monitoring during the wet dress rehearsal will be removed. Technicians will also charge Orion and other system batteries, stow late-load cargo into Orion in preparation for the launch, run final checkouts on several elements, and perform other necessary tasks. Orion and SLS will roll to the launch pad for a final time about a week before launch.

NASA will review data from the rehearsal before setting a specific launch date for the Artemis I launch.

This news comes just a few weeks after Marshall updated the Huntsville community on the city’s involvement in the Artemis project.

“Having a successful

By Dawn Suiter / Photos courtesy of NASA Flight Readiness Review at the Center and being able to let that be the next step that takes us to the Agency Flight Readiness Review is just a monumental effort that is not only about our Marshall team, but about our contractor team and all the suppliers that are all over the United States that have supported this vehicle,” Marshall Space Flight Center Director Jody Singer said.

“Not only getting this vehicle ready for Artemis 1, but making sure that they were ready for the Artemis II, and III, and IV missions as we go farther and farther into space and also as we deliver the first female and the first person of color to the surface of the Moon.”

“So, yes, we are launching SLS this year, and it is a proud moment to say that,” she continued. Singer also stated that the SLS has finished the last of its tests inside the Vehicle Assembly Building and will start its day-long, four mile trip to Launch Complex 39B on March 17 for a series of tests known as the wet dress rehearsal.

“I know all of us have friends and neighbors who have contributed to the success that we’re going to see on this first historical flight of the Space

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NASA

Launch System and the Rocket City will have another proud launch day to celebrate,” Honeycutt said. “ I do know this launch is going to inspire the next generation of engineers and STEM professionals, and boy, we really do need that.”

Honeycutt reported that there are four other SLS rockets in various stages of production “in some shape or form as we speak today, but Artemis 1 will be the test flight that lays the foundation for a new era of deep space exploration that will take humans to the moon and on to Mars.”

In response to a question regarding potential complications arising from strained relations with Russia with regard to both the SLS and the International Space Station, Singer stated that NASA continues to have a great working relationship with all of its international partners. “We are going strong. Space is the place where there has been an opportunity for cooperation that is boundless.”

“Technology and security, internet security, has been on the forefront for us since the beginning of the program…any computers or electronic equipment that we use on the ground to check the rocket out, all those go through a stringent screening process,” Honeycutt responded, adding

that they have no concerns whatsoever about potential breaches leading up to the rollout.

Honeycutt also addressed recent reports about soaring costs for the SLS, explaining that the SLS has been appropriated for about $20 billion since 2012 for its life from 2012 to 2021.

“We used about $11 billion of that for the development and the production and the assembly for Artemis 1 and the balance of that has gone toward what I alluded to earlier relative to getting those other five rockets in flow,” he explained, referring to the other SLS hardware currently in production.

“I think that sometimes gets lost in the translation,” Honeycutt said.

“This is a generational rocket and we all know development is costly early on.”

Honeycutt also discussed the elements of the SLS that originated in Huntsville. “Most of it’s not manufactured in Huntsville; some of it is, but the design and the development activities, by and large, occur here in Huntsville and the Marshall Space Flight Center,” he clarified.

Honeycutt said that the four RS25 engines being used on the first four flights are known as ‘heritage assets,’ converted to meet the needs of the SLS rocket. The core stage was designed and tested in Huntsville, as were the hydrogen and oxygen tanks, the intertank, and the bottom of the engine section. He noted that the solid rocket boosters, which were made in Utah by Northrop Grumman, are comprised primarily of heritage assets from the Shuttle program.

Whereas the boosters had four propellant segments under the shuttle program, for the SLS they have five.

“We get a decent amount more energy and thrust out of the solid rocket

boosters now,” Honeycutt stated.

The Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter, a conical component located at the top of the core engine, is built in-house at MSFC and managed by Teledyne Brown Engineering. “A part you can’t see, the Orion Stage Adapter, which mates the Orion capsule to the rocket, is made here in Huntsville, and it’s manufactured solely in-house,” Honeycutt added.

The Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage, Honeycutt noted, is made in Decatur at United Launch Alliance (ULA). Singer added that Marshall also supports work on the Orion capsule and the Launch Abort System, “one of the safety enhancements that we have from the days of the Shuttle.”

“There’s a lot of activity at Marshall. Our engineers and our partners have fingerprints all over it,” Singer said, adding that all fifty states have been involved in some way with its production, along with 3,000 small businesses and contractors. w

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

MNAO Program Manager Promoted to VP of Alabama Business Unit Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) has announced the promotion of one of the rising stars in Huntsville’s Mazda Toyota Manufacturing organization.

Naoki Okano stepped into a new role as Vice President of the Alabama Business Unit, effective April 1, 2022.

With this advancement, he assumes ultimate responsibility for working with suppliers, handling logistics for the plant, and managing quality assurance.

Prior to his promotion, Okano served as the CX-50 Program Manager, where he was responsible for leading all relevant divisions of the company for the successful development and launch of this all-new vehicle designed specifically for the North American market.

Okano expressed satisfaction with his responsibility for the CX-50’s success as it is built for mass production

By Dawn Suiter / Photo courtesy of Getty Images in Mazda’s new plant.

“It is an honor to take on this new opportunity and responsibility for MTM as we create employment opportunities for the Huntsville community and contribute to the American economy,” he said.

Okano succeeds Masashi Otsuka as lead for the Alabama Business Unit. Osuka will return to Mazda’s corporate office in Hiroshima in a senior leadership role.

“I want to thank Masashi Otsuka for an outstanding job building our new Alabama operation fro the ground up, including developing a stellar Mazda team to support MTM,” MNAO President and CEO Jeff Guyton said. “As Naoki Okano takes the reins, I’m excited to see the continued success of MTM as CX-50 rolls off the Discovery Line and into Mazda dealerships throughout the country.” w

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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL

RECOGNITIONS Brandon Carrin Promoted to AVP at Progress Bank Progress Bank’s Huntsville Market President/ Head of General Banking Lee Hoekenschneider announced the promotion of Brandon Carrin to the position of Associate Vice President (AVP)/Business Banker.

“I am pleased to announce that after more than nine years of service to the Bank in our credit and consumer banking areas, Brandon Carrin has accepted a promotion to Business Banker in the Huntsville/ Madison County market. Brandon’s credit and business development background makes him a perfect choice for this role,” said Hoekenschnieder.

Though born in Tennessee, Brandon Carrin calls Huntsville “home.’’ He moved with his family to the southeastern part of the city when he was 4 years old.

He eventually graduated from Grissom High School before moving on to the University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance.

Brandon graduated from the University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Business with a bachelor’s degree in Finance. He has over 14 years of banking experience, beginning in credit and eventually moving to manage Progress Bank’s Huntsville branch for the last five and a half years. Brandon is also a graduate of Leadership Huntsville Management Academy.

Brandon, a longtime resident of Huntsville, is highly active in the community, serving local organizations including the Cornerstone Initiative, Young Business Leaders (YBL), and South City Church Kids’ Ministry. He has also been involved with the North Alabama Revolving Loan Advisory Board and has served in leadership positions at the Food Bank of North Alabama, North Alabama, Cove Church, Lincoln Village Ministry, and Whitesburg Christian Academy.

North Alabama’s Bank Independent Announces City President of Huntsville Bank Independent recently announced the promotion of DeMarco McClain as the City President of Huntsville.

McClain has been with Bank Independent since 2015, where he started as the Vice President Sales Officer. His most recent post was as the Senior Vice President in Madison County.

Prior to working for Bank Independent, McClain brought nearly two-decades of banking experience to the organization. McClain received his BS in Business Administration from Auburn UniversityMontgomery in 2002, and followed this path to a MBA from Troy University in 2014.

His work in the banking industry emphasized consumer and commercial lending, as well as commercial loan underwriting. To help with his newest position, McClain is also enrolled in LSU’s Graduate School of Banking.

His newest position will leverage this past experience, helping McClain to create new relationships around the city and meet goals that match the growth in Huntsville’s market.

“I am very excited about my new role and my ability to continue to contribute to growing the Bank Independent footprint in North Alabama,” stated McClain. “Huntsville is a very special place and I’m glad to play a very small part in its growth.”

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RECOGNITIONS Huntsville Lawyer Honored by 57th Annual Bridge Crossing Gala Raven Perry-Beach, managing attorney of Huntsville’s Beach Law Practice, was awarded the NAACP’s Game Changer Award at the 57th Annual Bridge Crossing Gala in Montgomery, Alabama.

The award recognizes Perry-Beach’s dedication to criminal justice reform, most notably her work in expunging records to facilitate re-assimilation into society, which reduces recidivism. The Beach Law Practice has held multiple expungement clinics, offering free counsel for residents of Madison County.

Raven Perry-Beach is also the Past President of the Madison County Volunteer Lawyer Program, the oldest pro-bono clinic in Alabama.

The motto of the Beach Law Practice is “Fighting to Balance the Scales of Justice,” and it was that ethos that Perry-Beach invoked as she accepted the award.

“Our work is the continuation of that stand for justice, unmoved and undeterred by the forces of systemic and generational inequity that too many Americans face within our criminal justice system,” said Perry- Beach.

“Our work is not flashy, and it is not attention grabbing, but it fundamentally alters the lives of so many. I am privileged and blessed to do this work, not just for my community, but as an example for my country.”

Sarah Savage-Jones Named 2022 Woman of Impact Award Honoree Momentum, Alabama’s premier leadership organization dedicated to the empowerment of the state’s female leaders, has announced that Sarah Savage-Jones of Huntsville has been selected to receive the 2022 Barbara Royal Woman of Impact Award.

This award recognizes women whose contributions have had a significant impact on the advancement of women in Alabama. Savage-Jones currently serves as president of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation.

An Auburn graduate, Savage-Jones worked for SouthTrust Bank in Birmingham and Huntsville, Crestwood Medical Center, and Leadership Huntsville/Madison County, where she served as president and chief executive officer for 19 years. After retiring early from Leadership to care for her father following his diagnosis of dementia, she co-founded Acair, LLC, a family contingency planning service. She also manages her family’s small timber and hunting lease business in Dallas County.

“Women make up more than half of the U.S. workforce, yet they still face serious challenges, especially in receiving recognition.

Momentum is working hard to change that, and we are so proud to highlight these special women who go above and beyond every day to help others and move our state forward,” said April Benetollo, chief executive officer of Momentum.

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