HBJ Oct 2023 Issue

NASA

Asteroid Autumn at Marshall Space Flight Center: OSIRIS-REx Returns as Psyche Prepares to Launch

The excitement is palpable as MSFC crews dive into a series of asteroid focused missions that promise to deliver groundbreaking discoveries and insights into the mysteries of our solar system.

By Noah Logan - Page 10

Ryals Retires After 45 Years of Accomplishments and Milestones

Last month, after 45 years of hardwork and dedication as the Executive Director, Judy Ryals announced her retirement from the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

By Gus Wintzell - Page

14

ADDITIONAL STORIES

• Sit Down With Success: A Conversation with David Raby of STI Electronics

By Heather Price • Page 3

• Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment

Continues to Showcase Huntsville Talent

By Laura Boehringer • Page 5

• Looking Back on a Record Year for the Von Braun Center

By Noah Logan • Page 6

• Huntsville Welcomes New Collaboration Between Partner

DSV and Qatar Airways Cargo

Huntsville Continues Positive Trend as Feds Discuss Interest Rate Hikes

The Huntsville Area Association of Realtors (HAAR) has released their monthly report for the month of August 2023.

The report shows that the average sale price of a home in the Huntsville/Madison-County region has seen a very modest increase relative to August the previous year, bumping up to $370K from $367K. This still remains well below the national median list price of $435K.

The total number of homes sold in August dropped to 630, compared to 776 in 2022. Homes spent longer on the market compared to last year, with August’s average days on market doubling to 24 from 11 days. However, the 1015 pending sales registered for August are an indication of the pick up in the activity that we’re seeing in the weekly reports throughout September.

The inventory of homes in the area continued to build, with a total of 1678 homes on the market for August, up from 1326 from the previous year.

HAAR President HAAR President Chris Hulser-Hoover weighed in on the report, saying “At HAAR, affordable and attainable housing is our top priority. With new construction housing planned for the rest of the year in North Alabama, inventory will continue increasing, allowing new

“With new construction housing planned for the rest of the year in North Alabama, inventory will continue increasing, allowing new home buyers to enter the market between the $250k-$300k price range”

home buyers to enter the market between the $250k-$300k price range.”

On the national stage, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) has gathered to discuss interest rates and inflation. The high interest rates of the Federal Reserve have hit the brakes hard on the housing market, but they have also kept inflation from running out of control, cutting the rate of inflation by half since the previous year. The Federal Reserve has signaled that cutting the rate of inflation to a sustained two per-

cent would be an optimal outcome for the economy at large.

These measures have appeared to be successful enough that the majority of economic experts expect to keep the current rates in place, to gauge the impact of these rates on the market before making a decision in the spring of next year. However, the Fed still maintains a willingness to hike interest rates if it looks like inflation could resume the upwards leap that the interest rates slowed.

During an economic sympo-

By: Marie Johnson / Infographs

sium in August, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell stated “Although inflation has moved down from its peak — a welcome development — it remains too high. We are prepared to raise rates further if appropriate, and intend to hold policy at a restrictive level until we are confident that inflation is moving sustainably down toward our objective.”

The Huntsville Business Journal will continue to monitor these developments in the real estate market as they occur. w

courtesy of HAAR

A Conversation with David Raby of STI Electronics

Sit Down With Success is a feature of the Huntsville Business Journal on entrepreneurs and their keys to success. To read the full story, please visit the Huntsville Business Journal website.

Talk to David Raby about his business STI Electronics, and he’s quick to point out that his dad, the late Jim D. Raby, P.E., was the brains behind the operation. David Raby, along with his parents Jim D. and Ellen Raby, founded STI Electronics in 1982 in San Dimas, Calif., to provide training and consulting for contractors building electronic components for NASA and the Department of Defense.

The family relocated to Madison, Ala., in 1993, and along the way expanded STI Electronics to include not only training and consulting but also laboratory analysis, microelectronics assembly, prototyping, and small to medium volume PCB assembly.

David Raby recently sat down with the Huntsville Business Journal to share his experience owning a family business and how he has weathered

the challenges of rapid growth.

How has your business changed in the 40 years since it was founded?

We had somebody say, “I came to your class, where do I get those parts that you used in it?” It was probably one of the smartest things that ever came out of my mouth. I said, “I can get those for you,” and since then I don’t know how many millions of dollars worth of those we have sold over the years. That became a product that we had, where your company would send you to us to get trained and then we’ll provide you with all the parts to go back and train everybody. That’s 15 percent of our business now; 85 percent of our business is something we’ve grown into since we’ve moved to Alabama. We now are a contract manufacturer.

How have you managed your business’s growth?

I don’t know that we ever planned on getting into contract manufacturing, but after a while realized we’ve got all the equipment now because we’ve

had to buy it to do this, and that’s really expensive equipment to only build one thing at a time, so we gradually went into that.

We started out in 2,000 square feet in California, expanded to 4,000, then came back here (to Alabama) to 8,000, expanded to 12,000. Then we built this building and it’s 54,000. It gave us the ability to spread out and do things the right way, and once we did that, then our capacity increased, so business kept growing and growing.

What challenges have you experienced as a business owner?

Just about any business owner wants to grow. The problem comes in when you get a new customer or an existing customer that doubles what they’re doing. Or you get two customers that do that. For example, we’re really good at building 100 of these but we don’t have the right equipment to build 500. But the customer all of a sudden says you’ve done such a good job building 100 that you got to build 500, so you need new equipment, you

By: Heather Price /

need more employees, you may need a bigger building.

What do you enjoy most about being a business owner?

I have about 60 employees that work for me. I absolutely love that people trust us, that we’re going to help them provide for their families. We’ve had people move across the country to come work here. I love that it feels like we’re actually doing something for somebody. w

Photo by Steve Babin

President /Publisher

Todd Stephenson

Editor ……………………………………………………………… Gus Wintzell

Writers ………………………………………………………

Laura Boehringer

Ashlyn Grey

Marie Johnson

Noah Logan

Heather Price

Contributing Writers

Graphic Design

Alexander Duck, II

Justina Simon

Amy Pearson

Website …………………………………………………………… Jim Gharib

Photographers

Director of Sales

Distribution

Steve Babin

Justina Simon

Carolyn Stephenson

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 ©2023. 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.

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Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment Continues to Showcase Huntsville Talent

Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment has evolved alongside Huntsville to become a destination for restaurants, musicians, and artists alike, making it a haven for creativity.

As it exists today, Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment has something for everyone: brass cast sculptures, cooking, pottery, candle-making spaces, a whiskey distillery, a theater, 152 working studios, 7 art galleries, and 200 artists and makers.

Between special draws to individual studios as well as those organized by LMA&E directly, something is always going on at Lowe Mill. Draws to individual studios include distillery tours from Irons One every Saturday, 4-5 shows from The Studio Theater each year, the next being Alabama Story, debuting on October 6. In addition to Concerts on the Dock, with the last two of the year coming on Fridays September 29 and October 6, the mill itself also features rotating gallery exhibits and accompanying Open Studio Nights, the next of which is to be held on November 18.

According to media coordinator Eric Schultz, Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment prides itself on the transparency the artists and makers in the mill give the public. During a walk through Lowe Mill, one can see the creation of artisan chocolates at Pizzelle’s Confections, the brewing of mead at Ravenwood Meadery, the restoration of classic arcade games at Starlight Arcade and a number of visual artists painting, drawing, sewing and sculpting in their studios. It is truly astounding

to take in Huntsville’s diverse array of talented creatives.

“We want it to be experiential,” Schultz said. “We want people to more than just go look at a piece of art; we can go talk to the artist say, why did you do this? What does it mean?”

Now, Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment’s focus is on uplifting local artists and makers, but the facility itself has had its own storied history with the development of Huntsville. Lowe Mill was first constructed in 1900 as a cotton mill; the facility’s North Building as well as “The Connector”, which now functions as an event venue, were built in 1904 after the absorption of another manufacturing facility. Lowe Mill originally closed in 1932 at the peak of the Great Depression before reopening its doors under new leadership a month later. In 1937, its functions as a mill ceased, and it became a cotton warehouse.

From 1945 to 1978, Lowe Mill was converted into a shoe factory owned by Genesco, employing 800 people at its height. By 1969, most U.S. soldiers in Vietnam wore combat boots made in Lowe Mill.

In 1999, commercial real estate agent Gene McClain bought the mill, selling it to its current owner Jim Hudson, founder of HudsonAlpha and Research Genetics. Hudson purchased it with the intention to create an artists’ collective allowing visual artists of all disciplines to live and work in the area, inspired by the Torpedo Factory in Arlington, Virginia.

“It was a very crude but really fun place,” Hudson said. “They had a couple of sculptures and sculptors in there as well as other artists, and they were making noise and dust and so forth.”

After a transitional period beginning in 2002 in which Flying Monkey Arts, a grassroots artists’ collective, be-

By: Laura Boehringer

gan having pop-up performances and markets in the south portion of the second floor, hosting regular events in the Connector. By 2003, Flying Monkey Arts leased the entire second floor, occupying Second Floor South and the first and second floor connector spaces.

Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment was founded in 2006, with the original chain link separation of studios inspired by the Torpedo Factory. In 2007, Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment hosted its first dock concert and began focusing on expanding its studio space in 2008; the Second Floor Connector studios opened that year. In 2009, the opening of the third floor added 27 new studios to the venue. The most recent addition came in 2014 with the opening of the North Building’s second floor, adding 31 new studios, a gallery, and a 72-seat art classroom. Its most recent expansion increased Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment’s size by 30%, making it the largest privately owned arts and entertainment facility in the United States.

Though Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment doesn’t have any big projects underway at the moment, things are constantly changing around the mill. New artists are vetted and set up shop; existing artists move around the mill to accommodate expanded offerings; galleries change artists and pieces every three months or so.

“People who are coming here know that just because you come here once, it’s gonna be the next time you come. If you come in three months, you’re gonna have a whole different experience,” Schultz said. w

/ Photos courtesy of Lowe Mill

Looking Back on a Record Year for the Von Braun Center

Anticipating the imminent release of the 2022-2023 fiscal year’s Annual Report from the Von Braun Center, it is fitting to delve into the figures unveiled in the 2021-2022 report published on FlipSnack in June of this year. The Von Braun Center’s Annual Report is an annual publication, overseen by Samantha Nielsen, the venue’s Director of Marketing & Public Relations, and it encompasses vital statistics, highlights, and an overarching review of the most recently concluded year.

In total, the Von Braun Center hosted 491 events during the 20212022 fiscal year, with a cumulative economic impact exceeding $80 million. Pinpointing the exact count of event attendees for the year proves challenging. Nevertheless, even without accounting for conferences, weddings, and meetings, over 500,000 individuals purchased tickets for these events. These data points are culled from a shared economic impact calculator, in collaboration with Ticketmaster.

Beyond the substantial economic contributions, the Von Braun Center earned noteworthy accolades throughout the year. These include three national TELLY Awards, achieved through their partnership with Helping A Hero, aimed at raising awareness for “The 100 Homes Challenge.” The award categories encompassed “Best Use of an Influencer” in a non-profit context, “Charitable Branded Content,” and “Non-Profit Live Stream.” The VBC also secured two Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association PEAK Awards, Local Hospitality Association Pineapple Awards, and a 2022 Beautification Award from the city.

Concerning the spectrum of events held at the VBC, “Concerts, Family & Arts” constituted the most extensive category, featuring 178 events, equivalent to 39.4% of the total. The subsequent significant category encompassed 122 “Banquets and Social” events, accounting for 21.2%. Sporting Events constituted 15%, only slightly surpassing “Local Meet-

ings” at 14.1%.

The most celebrated event highlighted in the Annual Report was Lee Greenwood’s televised charity concert, designed to raise funds for the Helping a Hero organization. According to the report, it marked the third-highest-grossing event in VBC history. In addition to its charitable purpose, the event celebrated Greenwood’s illustrious career, including his Grammy, CMA, and ACM awards, as well as twenty top 10 singles. The concert was captured on film and transformed into a television special that enjoyed multiple airings.

A substantial portion of the VBC’s total economic impact was attributed to the Huntsville Havoc hockey team, accounting for an estimated sum exceeding $13 million. Another significant contributor was the Broadway Theatre League, contributing over $4 million.

Other notable highlights from the 2021-2022 fiscal year include the Propst Arena Backstage Expansion, a project totaling approximately $4 million and completed in October 2021. This marked the first major renovation to the arena’s backstage area since its original construction in 1975. The expansion introduced six dressing rooms, two private star lounges, four locker rooms, a catering and media room, and more.

The scope of renovations extended

beyond the interior, with the VBC introducing enhancements to the exterior of the Propst Arena, totaling over $1.4 million. Completed in May 2022, this exterior upgrade encompassed a

fresh façade by Pearce Construction Company and the installation of a state-of-theart decorative Lumenpulse LED lighting system, crafted by Matheny Goldmon Architecture. The lighting system’s design encompassed the addition of illuminations along the beams of the circular bowl, the primary entry point, and the interior light boxes within the lobby. This upgrade promises to offer boundless options for a fully integrated lighting system for events, ultimately enhancing the fan experience.

We are excited to announce that HBJ will collaborate with Samantha Nielsen to publish a comprehensive story when the forthcoming 2022-2023 report is released. w

By: Noah Logan /

Photo courtesy of Von Braun Center

New $60 Million Housing Development Planned to Enhance Student Experience at UAH

In a significant development for the Huntsville community, Capstone Development Partners and Boaz Ventures have secured funding for their joint project, the $60 million Nexus on Holmes housing community. This venture will aim to revolutionize student living in the area and foster a stronger sense of community among University of Alabama Huntsville (UAH) students, faculty, and staff.

The Nexus on Holmes, located adjacent to the UAH campus along Holmes Avenue, represents a pivotal milestone in addressing the housing needs of UAH and the broader Huntsville community. This collaborative effort between Capstone Development Partners and Boaz Ventures is set to provide a diverse range of highquality housing options.

Capstone and Boaz are envisioning the 239,000-square-foot residential property to house undergraduate and graduate students with a mix of 4 bedroom – 4 bathroom and 2 bedroom – 2 bathroom units. Amenities will include two courtyards, an outdoor pool, grilling area, community kitchen, TV lounge, multi-purpose room and quiet study lounges.

The construction of Nexus on Holmes is entrusted to Fite Building Company, with architectural design by Williams Blackstock Architects. The project’s location within a designated opportunity zone has attracted the support of OPAL In-

vestments, a for-profit subsidiary of Opportunity Alabama, serving as the lead equity investor.

One of the primary goals of the Nexus on Holmes project is to ensure accessibility and affordability for UAH students and staff. Its strategic location will allow easy walkability to the UAH campus, promoting a greater sense of connection within the community. Furthermore, the project will provide essential parking facilities in surface lots leased from UAH, ensuring convenience for residents.

Nexus on Holmes is not only

aimed at serving the UAH community but also at contributing to the growth of Huntsville as a whole. Its proximity to major hubs such as Cummings Research Park, Redstone Arsenal, MidCity, Bridge Street, and downtown Huntsville

By: Noah Logan / Renderings courtesy of Williams Blackstock Architects

aims to be an attractive housing option for various demographics beyond the academic sphere.

Jeff Jones, Principal of Capstone Development Partners, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We look forward to pre-leasing this community in anticipation of its opening in summer 2025.”

Joey Azar, Co-Founder of Boaz Ventures, emphasized the significance of addressing housing needs in Huntsville, saying, “We are pleased to bring this much-needed university-oriented residential community to UAH and the broader Huntsville community, which offers a central location and well-designed, affordable apartment units.”

A ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for October 10th at 10 a.m. w

“We look forward to pre-leasing this community in anticipation of its opening in summer 2025”

DEVELOPMENT

Game-Changing Mixed-Use Development Planned for Joe Davis, John Hunt Park

In a move to bolster its cityscape, Huntsville’s City Council has given the green light to a groundbreaking mixed-use development project set to transform the Memorial Parkway frontage near Joe Davis Stadium. The monumental agreement between the City and Parkway Vesta, LLC, aims to revitalize the heart of the city’s corridor with a project dubbed “Stadium Commons.”

Stadium Commons will be a sprawling hub of diverse experiences, combining a 100-room hotel, 70,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space, 20,000 square feet of office space, and 200 loft-style multifamily housing units. Furthermore, the development will include a 408-space parking garage, with 300 of these spaces earmarked for lease by the City to support events at John Hunt Park and Joe Davis Stadium.

Shane Davis, Huntsville’s Director of Urban and Economic Development, is excited about the project’s prospects. He remarked, “It brings much-needed uses to support the ever-growing sports and entertainment events in and around John Hunt Park as well as the surrounding neighborhood.”

Stadium Commons is set to rise on the former Hollywood 18 and Century Plaza office complex, nestled conveniently between Drake Avenue and Johnson Road. The construction timeline spans three phases, commencing in mid-2024 and concluding by July 2026, with Phase 1 focusing on the hotel and retail space.

According to city officials, the

project is poised to inject a staggering $32.5 million in new taxes into the local economy and promises a $22 million net return on investment over the course of a decade. The City anticipates that its $10.5 million investment in the 300 leased parking spaces will be recouped in a mere four and a half years.

Wesley Crunkleton, founder and principal at Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate, shared insights into the development’s evolution. He noted, “It started off probably on a slightly smaller scale, and as we started discussions with the city, based on the viability of being able to expand the project, and make it larger in a nice footprint, right from the stadium and along the parkway... It really came down to the supply and demand of our city in the city of Huntsville and seeing the growth of our city.”

Crunkleton added, “Given that this is on the parkway that has, you know, 120,000 plus cars a day going in front of it, it is a highly traveled area.

There’s just a lot of metrics that led us to believe that we could expand the scope of the project to meet the market demand.”

As Stadium Commons takes shape, it is poised to become a cornerstone of Huntsville’s thriving urban landscape. With its strategic location off the bustling South Memorial Park-

way, the development boasts immense visibility, with an estimated 120,809 vehicles passing by daily. Its proximity to residential neighborhoods and the main business district of Downtown Huntsville adds to its allure.

The site also benefits from its adjacency to Joe Davis Stadium, accommodating up to 6,000 spectators, and it’s in close proximity to a roster of high-profile retailers, including Whole Foods, Ulta, Chuy’s, Hand & Stone, Orange Theory, Aldi, Academy Sports, and more.

As construction gears up to commence in 2024, the city awaits the unveiling of the tenants who will contribute to this exciting new chapter of Huntsville. “We are finalizing several leases now on the project. And we’ll announce names of the tenants when that time is appropriate, but probably a little closer to the times that will actually opened up.” w

By: Noah Logan / Photos courtesy of Crunkleton Commerical Real Estate

Asteroid Autumn at Marshall Space Flight Center: OSIRIS-REx Returns as Psyche Prepares to Launch

As autumn leaves begin to fall in Huntsville, the engineers and scientists at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) on Redstone Arsenal are gearing up for an eventful season dubbed “Asteroid Autumn.” The excitement is palpable as MSFC crews dive into a series of asteroid-focused missions that promise to deliver groundbreaking discoveries and insights into the mysteries of our solar system.

A Seven Year Journey: OSIRISREx Capsule Set to Return to Earth

Sunday, September 24th, 2023 marks a pivotal date in the world of space exploration as the OSIRIS-REx Mission is set to achieve a remarkable feat. After an extended stay in space since its launch in 2016, the spacecraft’s capsule is poised to make its return to Earth.

The OSIRIS-REx mission, an acronym for Origins, Spectra’s Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer, has one major goal: to retrieve a sample from an asteroid and bring it back to Earth for detailed analysis. Launched into the cosmos on September 8, 2016, aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, this mission reached a crucial milestone in October 2020 when the spacecraft briefly touched down on the asteroid Bennu, collecting invaluable samples from its surface.

Now, with bated breath, scientists and space enthusiasts await the capsule’s return to Earth’s embrace, a momentous event that will see it touch down in a remote section of Utah’s desert, just outside Salt Lake City. This achievement, made possible by the dedicated NASA scientists at Marshall Space Flight Center, is a testament to the ingenuity and perseverance of the human spirit in the pursuit of knowledge.

Solveig Irvine, the Mission Manager of OSIRIS-

REx, has been at the forefront of this ambitious venture for over a decade. “This is something we’ve been dreaming of and preparing for, for

over ten years,” Irvine shared with excitement. She is eager to see the capsule’s safe return in Utah. The significance of understanding Bennu’s composition cannot be overstated. As Irvine elucidated, “Understanding the composition of Bennu is going to help us understand kind of what the microbiology here, the chemistry was here, at Earth, before we had life on Earth. As well as what kind of chemistry goes on in space.”

Despite the mission’s success in collecting samples, it didn’t unfold precisely as planned. Upon touching down on Bennu’s surface, the spacecraft sank much deeper than anticipated. Irvine explained, “All the data we had at the time said that it was going to be a sandy-like surface, and when we got there, it was not sandy at all. So, we had to kind of design things on

By: Noah

the fly.”

As September unfolds and OSIRIS-REx prepares for its daring return, the scientific community, alongside the dedicated teams at Marshall Space Flight Center, is on the cusp of remarkable revelations. With the OSIRIS-REx capsule’s safe landing and the Psyche Mission’s forthcoming launch, “Asteroid Autumn” promises to be a season filled with awe-inspiring discoveries and technological advancements.

While the capsule’s journey from space to Earth poses formidable challenges, including extreme temperatures and hypersonic speeds, the team of scientists and meteorologists is diligently monitoring weather conditions to ensure a successful recovery. The desert landscape of Utah, known for its scorching temperatures and salt flats, will provide the backdrop for this historic event.

Eric Nelson, a U.S. Army meteorologist supporting the mission, highlighted the significance of weather conditions on the mission’s success. “We should know by the end of monsoon season how much precipitation we’ve received and the condition of the salt flats,” Nelson explained. Fortunately, favorable conditions during Bonneville Speed Week in August provide reassurance.

To further enhance the mission’s preparedness, weather balloons will be deployed in the days leading up to the capsule’s landing, gathering critical data on atmospheric conditions. These observa-

Logan / Photos courtesy of NASA and Noah Logan

“We should know by the end of monsoon season how much precipitation we’ve received and the condition of the salt flats”

“All the data we had at the time said that it was going to be a sandy-like surface, and when we got there, it was not sandy at all. So, we had to kind of design things on the fly”

tions will aid in estimating the likely landing location on the range.

As the capsule separates from the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft and enters Earth’s atmosphere, it will rely on a protective entry system designed to withstand extreme temperatures. Radar and infrared tracking systems will closely monitor its descent.

Amidst the excitement surrounding OSIRIS-REx, NASA has yet another asteroid-focused mission in the works – the Psyche Mission. Scheduled to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket on October 5th, 2023 (the beginning of the launch window), this mission will venture to an asteroid named Psyche.

Psyche, a unique and metal-rich asteroid situated between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, holds a trove of secrets waiting to be unveiled. Brad Zavodsky, Mission Manager for the Psyche Mission at Marshall Space Flight Center, provided insights into this pioneering mission. Amazingly enough, Psyche (the name of the asteroid as well as the payload) is the only metal-rich asteroid to be observed in the entire solar system. This has lead scientist to believe it could possibly be the the remnants of an early planetary core that didn’t fully develop.

Zavodsky elaborated on the mission’s instruments, stating, “It has a Gamma Ray and Neutron Spectrometer, a Magnetometer, and two imagers.” These tools will be instrumental in deciphering whether Psyche is a planetary core, possibly resembling Earth’s core, or if it represents a different type of celestial body. Such revelations could shed light on the formation of Earth and

the early solar system.

Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) is an exciting technology demonstration accompanying the Psyche Mission. Joel Robinson, DSOC Mission Manager, provided insights into this cutting-edge endeavor. DSOC’s goal is to utilize lasers for communication over vast distances in space, a feat that could revolutionize future space exploration.

Robinson explained the uniqueness of DSOC, stating, “Laser effectively works on other frequencies that radio communications does not. What makes it unique is its bandwidth capability, and so we’re talking about being able to move more data within a particular time frame than you could with radio communications.” This leap in communication technology could play a pivotal role in future missions beyond Earth’s orbit, including potential journeys to the Moon and Mars.

A facility north of San Bernardino, California, serves as the launchpad for this laser communication system. Robinson detailed the process: “Onboard Psyche, it has a trans-receiver so it’s both transmitter and receiver, and so it’s able to receive that information, do its magic and try and send that information back to an observatory near San Diego, and so that’s how that information is sent back and forth.”

The Psyche Mission, led by Arizona State University and managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), promises to unravel the enigmatic properties of Psyche, all while pushing the boundaries of communication technology in space. w

Thriving Downtown Highlights

By: Laura Boehringer / Photos

It’s no secret that Huntsville’s downtown is a thriving area for work, living, and leisure; recent years have shown promising growth in each of those capacities, continuing to add residential and visitor appeal to the immediate area and the city as a whole.

According to Rob Buddo, President and CEO of Downtown Huntsville, Inc., an organization focused on supporting downtown’s development, there has been a significant uptick in migration to downtown. He explained that single-family homes are under development but take far longer to complete than multi-family projects, which help accommodate current demand.

Huntsville’s Development Review shows that in 2022 alone, 497 residential unit building permits were granted in downtown. Downtown has approximately 8,000 functioning multifamily units as well as 1,500 additional multi-family units under construction or planned to be under construction within the next month, Buddo said. Once completed, those additional units will raise downtown’s multifamily capacity by roughly 19%. Buddo predicts that following the completion of those units, DHI will place greater focus on supporting residents with quality-of-life upgrades such as shortening the distance between crosswalks and updating bike lanes.

Downtown’s residential growth is also in keeping with trends throughout the city. The almost 4,000 Certificates of Occupancy granted throughout Huntsville in 2022 represent a 30% increase of those granted 2021. In fact, 2022, the most recent Development Review available, showed the highest number of Certificates of Occupancy since its record keeping began in 1983.

That said, Downtown still stands out in having the highest average single-family homes at approximately $960,000 com-

pared to the citywide average of $380,000.

Buddo also emphasized the need to focus on expanding office space

over the next five years. As it stands, downtown includes 4.2 million square feet of office space, which is in high demand. Downtown’s office spaces have a vacancy rate of only 2-5%, indicating a lot of room for growth. Over the next ten years, Buddo says, downtown would need 300-500k additional square feet of office space to keep up with ever-growing demand.

“I feel confident that the market could absorb that, but obviously, economic conditions for underwriting office deals is, you know, really challenging right now. And that’s gonna probably be the biggest thing that we face as a mar-

Population Growth, Potential

Photos by Justina Simon

ket,” Buddo said.

Downtown’s hospitality sector has also shown significant strides over the past year, according to a CoStar report. Within the last 12 months, hotels in the area have had a 72.7% occupancy rate, a marked improvement on the area’s 10-year average of 65.11%. Over the last 12 months, the average room rate sits at $144 per night.

CoStar also reports the market sale price per room to be in the extreme positive. The current market sale price per room is $169K, compared to $160K last year and a 10-year average of $135K. Buddo noted that he is impressed by the

growth in the hospitality market over the last ten years as well as how well the market conditions have

supported that growth.

“Almost everything you see now … is all new. Ten years ago, there was not as much downtown as there is now,” Buddo said, speaking to downtown’s rapid growth, especially since 2017.

Buddo also noted the importance of collaboration and support between the central downtown area and nearby amenities like Stovehouse, Campus 805, and Lowe Mill. Promotion of events like musical performances, brewery trails, and art markets helps support downtown residents in giving them access to a diverse array of leisure activities.

Exposing downtown visitors to those same activities shows them a fuller extent of the area’s

offerings, increasing cash flow, adding to the entire area’s daytime population, and responding to the live-work-play model, which according to Yardi Matrix data has quadrupled in popularity within the U.S. since 2012.

Important improvements and additions also add to the growth of the community. A new City Hall, which will replace the current building from the 1960s, is well underway right off of the square in downtown. The project, which will be 2 1/2 times larger than the current city hall building, is slated for completion next year.

Other additions include a new U.S. Federal Courthouse, which is scheduled for completion sometime in late 2024. The total cost of the project is around $100 million. When completed, the new courthouse will be located across from the Publix shopping center downtown, right around the corner from the Huntsville Hospital and Big Spring Park. w

Huntsville City Hall stands next to the future city hall currently under construction

“Almost everything you see now … is all new. Ten years ago, there was not as much downtown as there is now”

Ryals Retires After 45 Years of Accomplishments and Milestones

Last month, after 45 years of hardwork and dedication as the Executive Director, Judy Ryals announced her retirement from the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

More than four decades ago, Ryals started her journey to become the longest serving Executive Director of any travel and tourism location in the United States. A University of Alabama graduate with a degree in Public Relations and a minor in Business Management, Ryals started working for the CVB back in 1976.

Prior to accepting the position, Ryals worked for the Huntsville/ Madison County Chamber of Commerce’s Tourism Department prior to its merger with the VBC’s Board in 1973. At that moment, Ryals became the tourist manager for the business center under the VBC’s guidance.

“Obviously, Huntsville was growing at the time in terms of NASA and the military industry, but we did not have a ton here in terms of the tourism and hospitality industry. Of course, we had the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, but we started out with a small budget and quite a few large goals”

The merger saw Ryals working out of a small office, but it would not be long before she started making a big impact in the Huntsville area. In 1978, within just a few short years of working for the newly formed CVB, Ryals was named acting Executive Director. The challenge immediately began to help put Huntsville on the map.

“Obviously, Huntsville was growing at the time in terms of

NASA and the military industry, but we did not have a ton here in terms of the tourism and hospitality industry. Of course, we had the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, but we started out with a small budget and quite a few large goals,” said Ryals.

When Ryals took over at the CVB, the yearly budget was capped at around $240,000. Besides tours going on at the USSRC across town, the only other tour group present was one in Twickenham. The only hotel downtown was the Hilton.

“In a way, it really is night and day. We have historic tours all throughout Huntsville, multiple new hotels that have opened up in downtown, and record visitors spending time and money helping out the local economy,” said Ryals.

Ryals mentioned that one of her early goals was to focus on the hos-

“In a way, it really is night and day. We have historic tours all throughout Huntsville, multiple new hotels that have opened up in downtown, and record visitors spending time and money helping out the local economy”

pitality industry.

“We knew that the better job we did, the more jobs would be available throughout the city. We did not want Huntsville just to be a one-industry city. We wanted more people behind desks downtown greeting people as they experienced Huntsville for the first time,” said Ryals.

During Ryals’ time at the CVB,

By: Gus Wintzell

“We knew that the better job we did, the more jobs would be available throughout the city. We did not want Huntsville just to be a one-industry city. We wanted more people behind desks downtown greeting people as they experienced Huntsville for the first time”

Huntsville/Madison saw record numbers in both the hospitality and industry sectors. Back in 2022, the State of Alabama reported that Madison County brought in $2.1 billion in tourism revenue, which totalled to more than a 20% increase from 2021 figures. This record bounce-back from COVID saw more than 3.9 million visitors last year to Madison County, which fell only second to Baldwin County, which hosts Alabama’s stunning beaches.

The food and dining industry also directly benefited from increased tourism numbers, with Huntsville food services expenditures accounting for 27% of travel and tourism spending statewide, totalling to an astounding $5,990,226,296 spent overall.

The recovery from the pandemic doldrums also saw the creation of 1,000 new jobs related to both the hospitality and tourism industries, which brought Huntsville’s total industry-related jobs to around 22,000.

Madison County also smashed tax revenue, with an Annual State Lodging Tax increase of nearly 20% from 2021 numbers. In total, according to the Alabama Tourism Department and the Huntsville CVB, this equated to $10,231,080 generated for local businesses.

This also equated to a major increase in savings for Madison County residents. Because of the

/ Photo courtesy of Huntsville / Madison County Chamber

“I loved working for Judy. I was so excited to find a job where I could make a little more of an impact.

high amount generated by the hospitality industry, county residents saved around $1200 each in taxes that would otherwise be paid to the state and city to maintain certain services.

And, according to Ryals, various milestones achieved at the CVB aided the economic growth of Huntsville’s tourism industry.

“We were, and always have been, one of the largest supporters and promoters of the USSRC, and we saw how Space Camp grew to become a national staple for education. We also oversaw the expansion of the VBC, which only further opened up the facilities to host larger and larger state and national events. Over the past decade, we have promoted the industry that has already been here and helped the new hotels, organizations, and businesses that have moved here that have helped break records and bolster our local economy,” said Ryals.

And now, after more than 4 decades of growth, the mantle has been passed on to Jennifer Moore. Moore, a Massachusetts native, moved to Huntsville after graduating from Auburn University. For the first few, Moore worked at the Huntsville Marriott before Ryals contacted her to ask her if you would be open to working for the CVB.

“I loved working for Judy. I was so excited to find a job where I could make a little more of an impact. I always believed that I loved working with Judy more than anything else,” Moore reflected.

But, her initial time at the CVB did not last long. When Moore and her husband welcomed their first

child, she decided to resign from her position at the CVB.

“I like to say that it was God’s timing. I had no intention of returning to the CVB and did not really have an in. However, I ran into Judy at a little league game, of all things. We got to talking, and she offered me a position that I just had to take,” said Moore.

“It really is some big shoes to fill, and over the past month I have done nothing but learn from Judy. I have tried to learn from Judy’s leadership style, and most important, her intense love for her North Alabama community”

More than 17 years later working alongside Ryals, Moore has been tapped as the newest Executive Director of the CVB.

“It really is some big shoes to fill, and over the past month I have done nothing but learn from Judy. I have tried to learn from Judy’s leadership style, and most important, her intense love for her North Alabama community,” said Moore.

Ryals, reflecting on her experiences as she prepares for the retired life, had nothing but confidence and excitement for Moore.

“I know that Jennifer will do just fine. I have watched her grow over the years and I have no doubt that she will achieve just as much, if not more. We also cannot forget that, for during all the successful moments and milestones that I have experienced, Jennifer has also been there. The CVB is in good hands.

“Jennifer is also blessed with the uniqueness of Huntsville and Madison County. Like I said, we believe in competition, but we also look out for each other. As one business benefits, so too does another. She has a community here ready to support her,” concluded Ryals. w

I always believed that I loved working with Judy more than anything else”

How You Can Create Training Pathways for Employee Growth

The Pew Research Center discovered that the second most common factor among employees leaving their positions was lack of opportunity for advancement. Small businesses and associations often feel that they simply cannot offer advancement opportunities because there are so few job positions within their organization. However, job advancement does not always mean simply moving from staff to team lead to management to executive level.

A meaningful, well-planned, and purposeful training program can provide employees with a great sense of satisfaction, help track performance over time, and ensure that staff are adequately skilled for each job task they are assigned.

Roles and Tasks

While solid job descriptions are valuable, especially when recruiting new hires, they can never fully explain what a job position entails. Understanding the collection of roles and tasks that make up each job within the company is an important first step in creating reliable, standardized training programs. It should be noted that while job roles and tasks may be closely related, they are not always interchangeable. Understanding this distinction can help when creating training pathways and may also identify functional issues within the organization. For example, a factory worker may be assigned to work on a specific machine throughout their shift, but they are also expected to detect and report defects, so they also have a quality control role within their position. However, the specific actions (tasks) they should be taking to watch for quality are often left undefined.

A single role may include many tasks. Consider the office administrator who is responsible for processing accounts receivable, ordering supplies, and handling all outgoing invoices. Understanding that managing invoices is a task under the administrative role, and not the entire job itself, means that it can be reassigned if necessary. This also opens the door for more cross-training opportunities as well.

Building a Roadmap

Once all the roles and tasks of each position have been identified, it is much easier to create training plans, or roadmaps, for new and existing staff. While it can be helpful to have standardized training processes for all new hires, it is also important to recognize that no two

people are exactly the same and that experienced staff - your Gen X and Millennial employees - are the most likely to be frustrated by job stagnation.

Periodic reviews and performance evaluations are a great way to identify learning opportunities and construct a training plan together. Metrics and expectations also play a key part in these roadmaps. If you want an employee to learn how to process orders on the computer, consider these questions: how long does it typically take for a new person to master this task; how many orders should they be able to process per hour or per day; how many or how few errors are considered acceptable? Sharing this information upfront helps with performance reviews and training advancement.

Benefits of Training Employees

Training employees internally is an investment and the long-term benefits to the business are numerous. On a functional level, well-trained employees demonstrate greater uniformity of process, create less waste, and require less direct supervision. This overall increases the productivity and profitability of the business.

On a slightly less tangible level, welltrained employees feel valued, resulting in greater morale and a better workplace environment. Staff who feel that their employer has invested in them are more likely to adhere to company policies and more likely to continue reporting for work.

Support Career Development Training does not have to be strictly internal. Many large companies already provide some form of tuition assistance or reimbursement. Consider sending

staff to industry conventions, encouraging them to attend professional development seminars or networking events, or offering to cover their association fees.

It may be worthwhile to design a mentorship program, which can also extend outside the organization. Some

By: Alexander Duck, II

employers shy away from these types of investments, fearing that they will ultimately cause them to lose good employees, but the benefits of career development should outweigh that notion.

Conclusion

Employees most often leave positions because they feel that the compensation is inadequate or that there is nowhere left for them to grow within the company. It is no longer acceptable to tell staff that they must remain in their position for at least 6 to 12 months before they even think about applying for a promotion without being able to provide them with a roadmap for future advancement, because in those next 6 to 12 months, they will likely exit their position for another job elsewhere.

Organizations that support the development of their staff are rewarded with better trained, more skilled, and happier employees. As an additional bonus, these valued employees tend to stick around longer, benefitting the company even more into the future. w

Huntsville Welcomes New Collaboration Between Partner DSV and Qatar Airways Cargo

Showered by the spray from a water cannon salute, the first Qatar Airways cargo jet to land at Huntsville International Airport (HSV) marked the inauguration of the Gateway Star route linking Mexico to the Middle East.

The Boeing 777 arrived in Huntsville from Mexico City at the DSV facility in the airport International Intermodal Center (IIC) bound for Luxembourg with a final destination of Doha.

The Gateway Star route will fly twice weekly, and the venture is a collaboration between DSV, which is responsible for cargo loading and management, and Qatar Airways, responsible for providing the fleet.

“Huntsville will not only be DSV’s North American hub linking Mexico City and Doha, Qatar, via Luxembourg, this opportunity will facilitate swift, efficient cargo movement to the Middle

East and beyond,” said Butch Roberts, Port of Huntsville CEO.

Roberts added that the new route through HSV will further open these markets up to the world.

“Our International Intermodal Center’s reputation as a convenient, economical choice to do global business is contributing significantly to this new venture’s success,“ he said.

The IIC at Huntsville International Airport is ranked as the 21st largest international air cargo airport in the continental U.S.

“We at the Port of Huntsville congratulate our partner DSV on this important new global service with Qatar Airways,” said Trey Bentley, Port of Huntsville Board Chair. “We are proud that our International intermodal Center and air cargo operations in particular are renowned for efficiency, economy and effectiveness that global business finds what we have here so attractive. “

The Gateway Star route marks Qatar Airways Cargo’s first entry into Alabama airspace. The possibilities for expanding into markets beyond the Middle East to India and Africa are part of the vision for the international cargo service.

“Our partnership with Qatar Airways Cargo signifies a remarkable leap

By: Contributing Post/ Gus Wintzell

forward,” said Mads Ravn, Executive Vice President at DSV. “This new air freight service underscores our unwavering commitment to revolutionizing logistics and ushering unparalleled connectivity to our valued clients. By collaborating with Qatar Airways Cargo, we not only extend our market presence but also create avenues for seamless access to the Middle East with a keen focus on boosting our Oil and Gas vertical.”

“We are excited by this new partnership with DSV,” said Elisabeth Oudkerk, SVP Cargo Sales and Network Planning at Qatar Airways Cargo. “This strategic initiative not only expands DSV’s market reach, but also establishes a direct scheduled service between Huntsville to the Middle East and beyond.”

For more information, please visit www.portofhuntsville.com. w

Talking Faith and Business with South Huntsville’s Mission Driven Research

The mission of Mission Driven Research is quite clear, although it’s a little bit of a play on words.

Incorporated in 2011 by four friends who attended church together, Mission Driven Research is exactly what the name states. It’s a team of 50 or so professionals providing technical services to the federal government driven by the various military missions that it supports.

But the greater mission, said MDR Chief Mission Officer Zach Johnson, is in the world around us, helping communities near and far.

“The mission for Mission Driven Research has two meanings,” explained Johnson. “On the for-profit side it means we want to complete the mission for our customers. We want to excel at that. But the other meaning is we also want to live on mission, which is, for us as Christians, living for something bigger than ourselves, living for the Gospel and advancing

the kingdom. So that’s the double meaning of the mission.”

MDR was founded by three friends: Chris Gordon, Ryan Ezell and Ben Weller.

The idea originated with Gordon - initially the only engineer in the group - who felt challenged in his career as an engineer to find a way to do business with an emphasis on missions. He found it by launch-

ing MDR.

From the beginning, MDR had two components: A for-profit engineering firm and a non-profit ministry, the goal of which was to spend the company’s profits giving back and specifically engage MDR employees on which community missions to support.

“At the time,” Gordon said, “I was looking at my salary and I thought I can keep trying to raise that salary and give out of that. But then I could see how much my old company was charging for my hours, and I saw there’s a big gap there where if I tapped into that, then I could give a lot more. And then if we had five

By: Heather Price / Photos courtesy of MDR

or six people all doing that, then we could do even more than we could do individually. Having the resources of the company behind all that, it just seemed like a big opportunity.”

MDR primarily supports missile defense with employees scattered throughout Redstone Arsenal supporting various programs. But another mission that motivates at MDR is finding interesting technical work that matters.

“We have people that are the perfect people, but we have to find work that makes sense for them,” Gordon said. “We’ve set a goal of doubling or tripling in the next four to five years. We’re definitely on pace to do that. Part of it is, four to five years from now all of our contracts at MDA are going to be recompeted so we want to build some stability outside of MDA. We’re actively pursuing work at NASA, Army, MSIC and other agencies, to diversify.”

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Johnson meets with every new employee at MDR to discover their passions and how the ministry-side of the business can help employees be successful with their personal callings. This looks like supporting international mission trips, like Gordon’s heart for Nepal, as well as local community non-profits like the Cornerstone Initiative and Kids to Love, and even loving on employee’s families by sending Uber Eats to the wife of an employee who is out of town.

“It’s such a blessing to be able to just say yes and when a crisis happens, I don’t have to get any permission I can just jump in and just serve our people,” Johnson said. “These people are image bearers, have equal dignity, value and worth, and so my whole job is just making sure through the nonprofit and through the for profit that they have all their needs met, physical, emotional, spiritual.”

Johnson touches base with every MDR employee at least once a month. He coordinates company culture events like employee lunches and the company softball team, the Lunar Llamas, which won this year’s D League championship in the Mars Softball Club on Redstone Arsenal.

The mission extends internationally into several countries, including Nepal, which is one of Gordon’s passions. Shortly after starting MDR, a friend had just returned from a mission trip there and reached out to Gordon because the village needed an engineer.

“I said, I don’t think you need my type of engineer, they might need a real engineer. I’m not a real engineer. Anyway I went over there with our

church, and they needed an engineer to redesign wheelchairs.

“They were building wheelchairs out of bicycle wheels and steel pipes. They were homemade construction welded together and were like 7 ft long and 77 pounds. They were large and the average Nepali is around 120 pounds, so they wanted somebody to come and redesign that. Part of their mission activity there was helping handicapped people get mobility.”

Gordon brought the challenge back to MDR and to a student at the University of Alabama in Huntsville to redesign the wheelchairs and come up with a new design for his senior project.

“We went back the next year. The student came with us, and we gave them the redesigned wheelchair. They were able to take the design and do something with it and ended with these multi-purpose, big, heavy ones for city situations where you’re on flat roads and not going very far, and the other ones are a little more mobile for hills.”

MDR sends a team of employees to Nepal at least once a year.

It’s missional budget is 10 percent of the projected income each year, but when they crunch the numbers it’s well over that.

“They (the owners) take a regular paycheck like everybody else,” Johnson explained, “and all that extra that usually goes into distributions, they’ve given that back to the employees first, and then invest in the non-profit to serve all over the world. These three guys are willing to forego this short windfall in order to invest in more eternal things. That’s the big picture.” w

Chris Gordon and Zach Johnson of MDR

VBC Announces Renovations to North Hall, Underground

Last month, the Von Braun Center (VBC) announced the renovation and renaming of its frequently utilized venue, North Hall.

“North Hall is one of the mostrented venues within the VBC,” said VBC Executive Director Steve Maples. “The layout of three separate ballrooms downstairs that can be opened into one large space, paired with multiple breakout salons on the mezzanine level have made this an ideal space for events ranging from elegant weddings and galas to large conferences, small meetings and everything in-between.”

The VBC’s North Hall originally opened on December 4, 1987 with a “Premier for the Arts” black-tie gala. The total project, which added around

100,000 square feet to the facility, cost $8 million.

“The addition of the hall almost 36 years ago was intended to enhance the flexibility of the overall facility by adding space for banquets, meetings and receptions. It continues to make Huntsville a viable option for large conferences and tradeshows needing multiple event spaces simultaneously, while also being a space for banquets, galas, weddings, local town meetings and more,” Maples added.

Before opening in 1987, management projected 150 occupancy dates annually within the space; in current times, ballroom occupancy has increased by more than 10%. Rental demand is consistently increasing in tandem with Huntsville’s growth and national popularity.

“The intent of this renovation and renaming project is to ensure the community the VBC proudly serves continues to have an elegant and modern space to host local events, while also having a space to proudly welcome both national and international guests who bring large-scale events to North

Alabama,” said VBC Board of Control Chairman Evans Quinlivan.

When the ballroom was first named, other parts of the Von Braun (then Civic) Center (VBCC) included the VBCC Arena, Concert Hall, Playhouse, East Hall, West Hall, and the Huntsville Museum of Art. The addition of the ballroom was built on the north-side of the campus and thus earned the name North Hall.

In keeping with the space-theme of the complex and the city’s nationally recognized nickname in which it is located – The Rocket City – the elegant venue within the VBC is officially renamed to Saturn Ballroom.

“There has always been some confusion when speaking with national and international event planners who need ballroom space,” Maples continued. “We continuously have to explain that North Hall is in fact a ballroom, so when we began brainstorming potential new names, we knew we wanted to include the term ‘ballroom’ in the title. Additionally, NASA’s Saturn project is hugely important to North Alabama and our entire region so landing on the

name ‘Saturn’ felt right and ties into the VBC’s family of venues perfectly.”

The Von Braun Center is home to eight venues including: Propst Arena, Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, Playhouse, Mars Music Hall, Rhythm on Monroe, South Hall, East Hall, and Saturn Ballroom.

Recently, the VBC was showcased three times on national television: During coverage of the SEC Gymnastics Championships; Lee Greenwood’s AllStar Salute tribute concert; and Still Playin’ Possum: Music and Memories of George Jones (broadcasting on PBS with an airdate to be announced soon).

“With Huntsville consistently landing in top spots on national rankings, including the No. 1 Best Place to Live by U.S. News & World Report, people and businesses are relocating to the area in droves and all eyes are on our fantastic city,” commented Maples. “We take our role at the VBC as a large factor for Huntsville’s quality-of-life very seriously and will continue to always make sure we’re delivering the highestquality product in the nicest facility that we can.”

BRIEFCASE

When last year’s fiscal year ended, the VBC had hosted over 490 events with an estimated economic impact of over $80 million between October 2021 to September 2022.

After receiving city approval in 2021, the ballroom renovation project began in May 2022 and is projected to be complete by the end of 2023 with a total project cost of $12.5 million. Renovations include upgraded wall coverings, flooring, a color-changing LED lighting system, upgraded audio system and more. Modified areas include the ballroom, main entrance lobby, public corridors, restrooms, meeting rooms, and other auxiliary spaces. Additionally, the building exterior is receiving a new roof system, exterior paint, new signage, and a decorative LED lighting system.

This is the first major maintenance and renovation project to North Hall since the original installation in 1987. For more information about the Von Braun Center and to see upcoming events, visit www.vonbrauncenter. com. w

HudsonAlpha and gener8tor Welcome Five Companies to Third Agtech Investment Accelerator Cohort

HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, in partnership with global venture firm and startup accelerator gener8tor, announced the five startup companies selected for the Fall 2023 cohort of the HudsonAlpha AgTech Accelerator. The 12-week accelerator began earlier this month and invests $100K in each of five startups at the forefront of the agriculture technology industry.

The concierge business accelerator connects the startups with an

engaged program team, a global community, and regional resources from both HudsonAlpha and gener8tor. Participating founders also receive comprehensive and individualized coaching along with access to gener8tor’s national network of mentors, customers, corporate partners and investors, to help them secure customers, accelerate their revenue growth and attract additional funding.

The companies selected for the third cohort in the Huntsvillebased program are: Plants Without Borders; SetaTech; InTerra SmarTarget; COMU Labs; and Harmony Dx.These five companies were selected from among hundreds of applications from around the world. Each went through a rigorous application and interview process before being selected.

”Supporting agriculture innovations is an area of deep importance for HudsonAlpha,” said Alex Cate, Director of Entrepreneurship Programs at HudsonAlpha. “From mapping plant genomes and developing the next

workforce of plant scientists, to supporting startups moving agriculture discoveries to market, HudsonAlpha is invested in the health of our agriculture economy.”

Together, gener8tor and HudsonAlpha aim to bring economic diversity and job growth to north Alabama. The HudsonAlpha Agtech Investment Accelerator’s third cohort is supported by the Growing Alabama Tax Credit program through the Alabama Department of Commerce. Sponsors of the HudsonAlpha AgTech Accelerator include: Breland Homes; Fuqua & Partners; Keel Point; Pearce Construction; Regions Bank; Synovus; and individual contributors.

“At gener8tor, our mission is to be the best partner for a community to invest in its best and brightest. Our founders are the best and brightest, and I am excited to work with HudsonAlpha and help them accelerate their businesses,” said Christopher Udall, the Accelerator’s Managing Director.

BRIEFCASE

The accelerator will conclude on Nov. 16, with a showcase event highlighting each of the five startups. Founders will have the opportunity to pitch their companies to investors, community partners and the public. Investors, mentors and community members interested in connecting with the startup companies and programs are encouraged to contact Udall at christopher@gener8tor.com. w

Boeing Wins $70 Million Contract to Develop Interceptor Prototype

Boeing will develop and test technologies for a hypersonic interceptor prototype for DARPA’s Glide Breaker program as part of a four-year effort. Boeing will perform computational fluid dynamics analysis, wind tunnel testing and evaluation of aerodynamic jet interaction effects during

flight tests.

“Hypersonic vehicles are among the most dangerous and rapidly evolving threats facing national security,” said Gil Griffin, executive director of Boeing Phantom Works Advanced Weapons.

“We’re focusing on the technological understanding needed to further develop our nation’s counterhypersonic capabilities and defend from future threats.”

Glide Breaker is intended to inform the design and development of future hypersonic interceptors, which could destroy a threat traveling at least five times the speed of sound in the upper atmosphere during what’s known as the “glide phase” of flight. The Boeing-led development and testing will provide the foundation for future operational glide-phase interceptors capable of defending against these sophisticated and evolving hypersonic threats.

“This phase of the Glide Breaker program will determine how factors like hypersonic airflow and firing

RECOGNITION

NP Strategy Grows in Alabama with Seasoned PR Professional

NP Strategy (NPS+), a strategic communications firm providing crisis, media and public relations assistance, added a third team member in its three growing Alabama offices. Hannah Hite, a seasoned public relations and branding professional, joined NP Strategy in its Birmingham office as the firm continues its bold strategic plan for growth in the Alabama market.

“We are serving Alabama clients and thankful to add an experienced colleague to our 30-person team,” said Heather (Hoopes) Matthews, CEO of NP Strategy. “As we expand our reach into strategic markets such as Alabama, team members with valuable and unique backgrounds will play a vital role in helping our clients succeed.”

A graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in advertising, Hite has deep connections across the state and an established professional presence in the Birmingham area. She credits her extroverted nature for her successful track record in event planning and logistics, as well as media relations. Additionally, she has experience in social media management, industry-specific communications, and branding.

“I am thrilled to join the talented NP Strategy team here in Birmingham,” said Hite. “As someone passionate about making connections, I look forward to leveraging my experience to serve and advise clients as well as further NP Strategy’s reach here in Alabama. It’s an honor to join an organization with a proven track record of success.”

Hite will serve as a Specialist where she will utilize her expertise to serve clients across industries with a specific focus on fostering the firm’s growing roster of clients in Alabama. The growing public relations firm also added team member Morgan Grimes in Charleston, South Carolina last month.

jet thrusters to guide the vehicle affect system performance at extreme speed and altitude in a representative digital environment,” said Griffin. “We’re operating on the cutting edge of what’s possible in terms of intercepting an extremely fast object in an incredibly dynamic environment.” w

for,” said Jay Price, vice president of Precision Fires at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “Lockheed Martin is committed to advancing this critical capability on a rapid timeline for our Army customer, and this test moves ER GMLRS one step closer to fielding.”

Lockheed Martin Announces Successful Long Range Flight Test

Lockheed Martin successfully demonstrated its next-generation Extended-Range GMLRS (ER GMLRS) in a flight test at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, firing the round from the U.S. Army’s HIMARS® launcher.

“This test demonstrates nearly double the range, while maintaining the precision GMLRS is known

ER GMLRS met success criteria in the first 150-kilometer test for flight trajectory, extended range and accuracy from launch to impact. The product also successfully integrated with HIMARS and achieved overall missile performance.

Prior to launch, the rocket pod underwent Stockpile to Target Sequence (STS) testing. This effort simulates cumulative effects ER GMLRS will meet in the field between factory and launch for the life of the system and demonstrates durability of the missile and launch pod container.

Lockheed Martin has produced more than 60,000 GMLRS rounds and is under annual contract to continue production of GMLRS unitary and alternative-warhead rockets in-

Drake State President Selected to Join TVA Regional Energy Resource Council

Dr. Patricia Sims, President of Drake State Community and Technical College, has been selected to join the 6th term of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) Regional Energy Resource Council (RERC). This appointment highlights Dr. Sims’ dedication to sustainable energy practices and community engagement.

The RERC, comprising representatives from various sectors, including academia, regional government, TVA customers, and advocacy groups, plays a pivotal role in advising TVA on energy resource management strategies that align with diverse objectives and values.

“As we look toward a more sustainable future, I am honored to contribute to the RERC’s mission in guiding TVA’s energy resource management,” said Dr. Patricia Sims. “Collaboration and informed decision-making are key to ensuring the well-being and vitality of the Tennessee Valley region.”

Dr. Sims will serve a two-year term from August 1, 2023, through July 31, 2025. The council’s meetings, which traditionally occur 2-4 times annually, will see increased frequency during this term due to TVA’s ongoing Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) process. Dr. Sims’ education and community engagement expertise will provide valuable insights during these discussions.

Dr. Sims’ appointment underscores Drake State’s dedication to fostering sustainable energy solutions and making meaningful contributions to the region’s well-being.

For more information about TVA’s Regional Energy Resource Council and its initiatives, please visit tva.gov.

cluding integrated logistics support for the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and international customers. The systems are produced at the company’s Precision Fires Center of Excellence in Camden, Arkansas. w

ership development and benchmark research company.

The results were determined after surveying more than 2 million employees from businesses with workforces varying in size from 50 to more than 10,000. The list recognizes companies that put respect, caring, and appreciation for their employees at the center of their business model.

Bank Independent Named to Newsweek’s List of the Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces for 2023

Newsweek announced their annual rankings for the Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® list, and Bank Independent was ranked #33. This was the second consecutive year that Bank Independent made the list after ranking #36 in 2022. The 2023 Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® are the result of a collaboration with the Best Practice Institute (BPI), a lead-

“Our culture is truly wonderful and being recognized on America’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces list for the second year in a row is further validation of that fact,” stated Rick Wardlaw, CEO of Bank Independent. “At Bank Independent, we are committed to ensuring that every team member feels connected and valued and that they understand their important role in our mission to make a positive difference in people’s lives. The bank invests in our team members, and this investment is reflected in the trust our customers place in us. It is also reflected in the growth and positive impact our team members have on each other, their

RECOGNITION

Announces

Last Month, the South Huntsville Main Business Association (SHMBA) announced the appointment of Madison Roberts as its new Executive Director.

Originally from Arkansas, Madison is an alumna of Harding University, where she earned both her bachelor’s degree in business management and her MBA. In 2018, Madison married her husband, John, and moved to Huntsville.

Madison’s journey in Huntsville began in the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Most recently, Madison served as the Member Relations Manager at the Huntsville Madison County Builders Association.

As she takes the reins as Executive Director of SHMBA, Madison is eager to contribute to the continued growth and prosperity of South Huntsville. She is dedicated to leveraging her expertise to nurture local businesses, enhance the community’s vitality, and ensure that South Huntsville thrives even further.

When she’s not immersed in her work, Madison stays busy as a firsttime mom to her one-year-old son, John Jr.

families, and their communities.”

The key areas included in the analysis are based on how well companies demonstrate the areas within the Spark Model as defined by BPI including Systemic Collaboration, Positive Vision of the Future, Alignment of values, Respect, and Killer Achievement. Employee sentiments and emotions indicating how engaged employees are, how positive they feel about their workplace, and how committed they are to the organization’s success were analyzed to identify the Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces.

“With the rapidly changing workplace and competition for top talent, more companies are recognizing the importance of employee engagement and commitment”, said Nancy Cooper, Global Editor in Chief, Newsweek. “The workplaces that have demonstrated a commitment to their employees in 2023 are more likely to attract the best talent and deliver strong business outcomes.”

“Fully understanding and acting upon employee sentiment, emotion,

and recommendations continues to be a challenge and top priority of executive leadership,” said Louis Carter, CEO of Best Practice Institute. “The companies on this list have committed to listening carefully to their employees to create a workplace employees love.”

To identify the top 100 companies for the Newsweek ranking, companies were evaluated and scored as follows: 35 percent of the initial score was based on employee survey responses; 25 percent was derived from analysis of external public ratings from sites such as Comparably, Careerbliss, Glassdoor, Indeed and Google; and 40 percent came from direct interviews with and written responses from company officials.

Newsweek then conducted additional research into every company on the list, as well as the top runners up, to determine the final list of 100 companies and their ranking. The list includes both U.S. firms and companies with a strong U.S. presence that are based overseas. w

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