Huntsville Business Journal January 2023 issue

Photo courtesy of Google

"Go Team Artemis!" Huntsville Area NASA Partners Celebrate Historic Mission

At 12:47 AM CST on November 16, the nation celebrated the launch of a momentous new chapter in human history as the long-awaited goal of returning humans to the Moon came one giant leap closer to reality.

be deeply involved in the success of the program.

“Artemis I is an incredible first step to humanity’s return to the Moon, and Northrop Grumman is proud to continue its legacy of powering NASA’s human spaceflight programs with the five-segment solid rocket boosters,” said Doug Hurley, former astronaut and senior director of strategy and business development, Northrop Grumman.

Numerous Huntsville area NASA partners played a key role in bringing the Artemis program to life. While Boeing, Jacobs, Northrop Grumman, Aerojet Rocketdyne, United Launch Alliance (ULA), Teledyne Brown Engineering, and Dynetics serve as prime contractors, numerous other local partners were and continue to

Beyond the power displayed at launch, we are using our proven technologies to go farther and protect crew with our contributions to the launch abort system, give them a home with HALO, and provide even more lift capabilities as we develop our next generation BOLE boosters to support Artemis’ long term vision and challenging objectives.”

Teledyne Brown Engineering designed and built the Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter (LVSA) which is a part of the rocket that contains the crucial system that allowed the separation of the second stage and Orion crew capsule from the Core

Stage. The LVSA also provided physical and acoustic protection of the second stage.

“Watching Artemis I successfully launch into space is a moment that 50 years from now people will want to know what you were doing, and where you were watching,” said Scott Hall, President of Teledyne Brown Engineering. “Not only did we have employees watching this monumental event at Kennedy Space Center, and from the Control Room at Marshall Space Flight Center, we had many gathering at other venues, or on their couches, with their families, friends and loved ones.

This launch demonstrates that once again, as a community, as a

By Dawn Suiter / Photos courtesy of NASA

nation, and worldwide, we were all joined together to experience something great. We at Teledyne Brown Engineering believe in this mission and will continue to build and support hardware and systems to go beyond what we thought was possible not so long ago.”

Steve Cook, President of the Leidos Dynetics Group, expressed great excitement at the successful launch of Artemis I, stating that Dynetics “could not be more thrilled to have played a role in this beginning stage.”

Cook noted that Dynetics produced a number of testing articles including the core stage pathfinder and the thrust vector control exhaust gas heat exchanger. He added that future missions will include the SLS Block-1B, which will feature Dynetics’ Universal Stage Adapter and Laser Air Monitoring System. “We plan to be a part of this program for all trips to the moon and beyond.”

Dynetics also created two structural simulators for core stage propulsion tank testing, which

“Artemis I is an incredible first step to humanity’s return to the Moon, and Northrop Grumman is proud to continue its legacy of powering NASA’s human spaceflight programs with the five-segment solid rocket boosters”

“We also were proud to be part of the development of the core stage pathfinder alongside Radiance Technologies and G&G Steel”

tested potential needs prior to final production of the fuel tanks that powered the RS-25 main engines.

“We also were proud to be part of the development of the core stage pathfinder alongside Radiance Technologies and G&G Steel,” Cook said. The 212-foot core stage steel replica was used to determine the path NASA would need to take to deliver the rocket’s largest element –the core stage – during ground and water operations.

“Our thrust vector control exhaust gas heat exchanger was developed as part of our work with Boeing on this program. It pulls the cold gas’s exhaust within the core stage and ensures temperatures are maintained during flight,” Cook explained, adding that Dynetics’ work on SLS is far from over.

According to Dynetics Space Systems Division Manager Robert Wright, the Universal Stage Adapter (USA), currently in development, will fly on Artemis IV and Dynetics’ Laser Air Monitoring System (LAMS) will be used in the Orion capsule on Artemis II. “We have only just begun with our work on this vital program,” Wright said.

Dynetics is also in the running

“We plan to be a part of this program for all trips to the moon and beyond.”

for the Human Landing System contract. Jonathan Pettus, Senior Vice President and Operations Manager for Civil, Space and Defense for the Leidos Dynetics Group stated that along with developing its HLS concept, the company sees great opportunities to support NASA in the delivery of crew and cargo to the lunar surface.

“In addition, we see opportunities to support NASA’s planned infrastructure to support exploration on the surface with capabilities such as a lunar rover, surface power, and a surface habitat,” Pettus said. “These enable truly sustainable human exploration and we want to be part of the long term mission.”

At the time of this writing, the Orion capsule had successfully completed its outbound powered flyby of the Moon, passing within 81 miles of the lunar surface. Shortly after the outbound flyby burn, the spacecraft passed about 1,400 miles above the Apollo 11 landing site at Tranquility Base, then over the Apollo 12 site at an altitude of approximately 7,700 miles.

“The mission continues to proceed as we had planned, and the ground systems, our operations teams, and the Orion spacecraft continue to exceed expectations,” said

Mike Sarafin, Artemis I mission manager at a November 21 briefing at Johnson Space Center. “We continue to learn along the way about this new, deep-space spacecraft.”

On November 25, Orion will travel about 57,287 miles beyond the Moon, passing the record set by Apollo 13 for the farthest distance

traveled by a spacecraft designed for humans. It will reach its maximum distance from Earth of 268,552 miles on Monday, Nov. 28.

The Huntsville Business Journal will continue to follow the Artemis I mission, which will end Its 25day mission on December 11 with a splashdown in the Pacific. w

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A.R. “Rey” Almodóvar Awarded Citizen of the Year

Omega Psi Phi Fratenrity recently awarded A.R. (Rey) Almodóvar, P.E., co-founder and CEO Emeritus of INTUITIVE, the Citizen of the Year Award.

Omega Fraternity is a national fraternity that was founded in 1874. The fraternity has chapters at colleges and universities across the country.

“Omega Fraternity is committed to academic excellence and the personal development of its members. The fraternity provides its members with opportunities to grow academically, professionally, and personally, Omega Fraternity also promotes leadership, service, and citizenship,” shared American Watch Guide.

“Through Mr. Almodóvar’s guidance and expertise, INTUITIVE has become a renowned aerospace and defense company and a leader in developing advanced technology and innovative solutions to meet our customers’ most challenging problems.”

Almodóvar’s professional career began in 1984, which included assignments as a U.S. Army civilian providing technical, production, and programmatic support to weapon systems such as the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), the PATRIOT Advanced Capability – 3

INTUITIVE attributes

Almodóvar as a key element in the success and growth that the company has achieved since its inception in 1999.

“Through Mr. Almodóvar’s guidance and expertise, INTUITIVE has become a renowned aerospace and defense company and a leader in developing advanced technology and innovative solutions to meet our customers’ most challenging problems.

INTUITIVE’s rapid growth rate, financial stability, and ability to retain top-notch professionals are a direct result of the principles instilled by his dedication to a performance driven organization. Under his executive leadership, INTUITIVE has been recognized in the Inc. 500/5000 list

of Fastest Growing Companies in the U.S., and it has ranked locally and nationally as a Best Place to Work,” shared INTUITIVE online.

Intuitive Research and Technology (INTUITIVE) is an aerospace engineering and analysis firm headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama that provides production support, systems engineering, programmatic support, product development, rapid prototyping, and technology management to the Department of Defense, government agencies, and commercial companies.

Almodóvar has received multiple awards to include the Regional and District Level Small Business Person of the Year by SBA, Entrepreneur of the Year Award by the Hispanic Engineer National Awards Conference (HENAC), Russell Brown Executive

By Ashlyn Grey / Photo courtesy of Intuitive

of the Year Award by the Huntsville/ Madison County Chamber of Commerce, Medaris Award for Excellence in Industrial Preparedness by the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), Cocklin Award for his lifetime of support to the U.S. Army by the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), and the Davidson Award for Leadership in Missile Defense and Space Technology. The Almodóvar family was awarded the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville Family Philanthropy Award.

Almodóvar is a mentor of the youth and provides servant leadership in the Huntsville, Alabama community. He supports charitable organizations, local schools, and young professionals through incentive programs and volunteering. He has served in several community leadership positions including Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce (2015) and Board Member of the National Children Advocacy Center (NCAC).

He is currently serving as Chair of the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission, member of the executive committee for the Business Council of Alabama (BCA), and member of the Advisory Board for the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation and Integration Center (AMIIC).

Almodóvar is also a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) and holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering –University of Puerto Rico, M.S. in Engineering – University of Arkansas, and M.S. in Business Administration – Texas A&M University (Texarkana). He is a graduate of Leadership Alabama Class XXVI.

Many congratulations were in order as INTUITIVE publicly announced its co-founders success: “Congratulations to our Co-Founder and CEO Emeritus, Rey for being recognized by the Omega Fraternity with the Citizen of the Year Award. This award is given to someone who is dedicated to selfless service, philanthropic giving, and the betterment of our communities.”

“We are thankful for executives who lead by example. Thank you for all you do for your community, Rey!”

(PAC-3), and theTerminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) missile systems, among others.

National Association of Realtors

Puts Huntsville in Top 10 Markets to Watch for 2023

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has compiled a list of the top ten real estate markets that bear watching for the upcoming year. The ranking was unveiled at the NAR’s fourth annual year-end Real Estate Forecast Summit.

All ten metropolitan areas on the list are located within the South. These markets were selected due to ten economic indicators: 1) better housing affordability; 2) greater numbers of renters who can afford to buy a median-priced home; 3) stronger job growth; 4) faster growth of information industry jobs; 5) higher shares of the information industry in the respective local GDPs; 6) migration gains; 7) shares of workers teleworking; 8) faster population growth; 9) faster growth of active housing inventory; and 10) smaller

housing shortages.

The markets expected to outperform the rest of US markets are, in order:

1. Atlanta, Georgia

2. Raleigh, North Carolina

3. Dallas-Fort WorthArlington, Texas

4. Fayetteville-SpringdaleRogers, Arkansas-Missouri

5. Greenville, South Carolina 6. Charleston, South Carolina 7. Huntsville, Alabama 8. Jacksonville, Florida 9. San Antonio, Texas

10. Knoxville, Tennessee

"The demand for housing continues to outpace supply," said NAR’s Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun. "The economic conditions in place in the top 10 U.S. markets, all of which are located in the South, provide the

support for home prices to climb by at least 5% in 2023."

These conditions that make Huntsville among the top ten markets in the country are heartening even in the best of times. However, as BlackRock, the largest asset management firm in the world, warns of a recession of poten-

By Marie Johnson

tially spectacular scale on the horizon, they could prove all the more crucial for ensuring resilience to weather the storm.

2023 promises to be an eventful year, and the Huntsville Business Journal will continue to keep its readership apprised of all the ups and downs in the real estate market. w

First-Time Homeowners at All-Time Low, And At Older Age

By Marie Johnson

The National Association of Realtors has released its 2022 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, and it reveals shifting trends in first time home buyers.

The percentage of first-time buyers among all buyers in the United States has fallen to a mere 26%. This is the absolute lowest percentage since data collection began. Furthermore, the age of first-time buyers has increased as well, up to an average of 36 years old.

This change has been driven by the hammer and anvil combination of high borrowing costs and a scarcity of affordable housing, exacerbated by the record inflation that came to define the year of 2022.

This dynamic had additional effects on the market, which made themselves known in sometimes strange buying trends. 18% of first time home buyers were unmarried couples, while 5% were of “other” composition, usually meaning friends or roommates looking to pool resources to purchase a house. These are both the highest numbers for their respective demographics since record-keeping began.

14% of all home buyers, not just first-timers, bought “multigenerational homes,” which is indicative of both homeowners bringing their parents to live with them, as well as adult children moving in, or staying with, their own parents.

88% of home buyers purchased previously-owned homes, with detached, single-family units remaining the vast majority of houses sold, at 79% of units sold.

47% of home buyers made their down payment by drawing from savings, while 22% of first time buyers used a gift or loan from family to make the down payment. 88% of all home buyers were White/Caucasian, with the next largest ethnic group, Hispanic/Latino, made up 8%.

Interestingly, the age of house sellers has increased as well, at an average of 60 years old, up four years from 2021.

FSBO homes (For Sale By Owner) sold for an average of $225,000, while homes sold with the help of a realtor averaged $345,000.

Here in Huntsville, the latest reports from the Huntsville Area Association of Realtors continues to track a general trend of decreasing sales and increasing inventory. Pending sales of single-family units decreased 17.1% for the week of November 26, while inventory of those same units increased 79.6%, up to 2,973.

Barring unforeseen catastrophe, the basic laws of supply and demand should check inflation and keep housing prices here in Huntsville under control. However, “under control” and “able to provide for the needs of a large population of young adults looking to move out from their parents’ homes” are not necessarily one and the same. This could prove to be an opportunity for a developer looking to serve a market need that appears to be going unfulfilled.

The Huntsville Business Journal will continue to keep its readership informed of the latest trends and reporting on the residential real estate market. w

Healthcare Quality Expands with Continued City, Regional Growth

As Huntsville continues to witness a population boom and the rapid expansion of business, one part of the recipe that has created the city’s explosion is likely at the top of the ingredient list.

Healthcare quality.

Shane Davis, city Director of Urban and Economic Development, lists this as one factor spurring Huntsville’s growth. There are other key reasons – quality of life, for instance – with none perhaps more important than quality healthcare the growing population can expect.

“We’re fortunate to have some of the best healthcare in the country with Huntsville Hospital and Crestwood (Medical Center),’’ Davis told the Huntsville Business Journal.

There was a time when Huntsville residents might opt to head to Birmingham looking for heart care or other facilities for an array of treatments. That’s still the case for specialty services at places like Vanderbilt and UAB that aren’t available locally, but for the most part citizens can find a healthcare answer to what ails them in the Rocket City.

“A hundred percent,’’ Davis said. “You don't have to travel outside of Huntsville for complicated health surgeries. You get A-to-Z. They can handle these within the community, and I think it just shows what type of market we’ve become.’’

He’ll get no argument from Jeff Samz, CEO of Huntsville Hospital Health Systems since July. Samz knows healthcare, a business where he’s spent 28 years and the last 12 at Huntsville Hospital.

He’s also worked as CEO at Vanderbilt Heart Institute and Associate Operating Officer/ Heart Services at Duke University Medical Center.

“I think the quality of healthcare in Huntsville is as strong as it’s ever been,’’ Samz said. “The biggest challenge we’re facing, like many other employers, is workforce. We’re very fortunate to have great schools in our community, Drake (State),

Calhoun (Community College), UAH, the high schools – they’re all helping us train and grow our local healthcare workforce.

“But, like everybody else coming out of the pandemic, we need more nurses, we need more service staff, entry level staff. And that is a terrific challenge. But the way I look at that is we’re very blessed to be in a growing economy where there’s demand for services. I think we’re better equipped to meet the work-

force challenges than any hospital in the state. So we have workforce challenges, but the state of health care is very very strong.’’

Others have recognized the quality of healthcare in the Rocket City. According to a ranking this year by the U.S. News and World Report, which rated the city as the Best Place to live in the country, Huntsville Hospital is the second-best in Alabama only behind UAB Hospital.

In addition to overall ranking,

By Mike Easterling /

Photos by Mike Easterling

the system was recognized as ‘high performing’’ in nine specialties: colon cancer surgery, COPD, diabetes, heart attack, heart bypass surgery, heart failure, hip replacement, stroke, and uterine cancer surgery.

The evaluation of Huntsville Hospital also includes data from Huntsville Hospital for Women and Children and Madison Hospital.

Meanwhile, Crestwood was lauded through Get With The Guidelines in partnership with the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. As a participant in Get With The Guidelines programs, Crestwood Medical Center qualified for recognition by demonstrating how their organization has committed to improving quality care.

The hospital was awarded “Afib Gold’’ and “Heart Failure Gold.’’

“Crestwood Medical Center is committed

to improving care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines and streamlining processes to ensure timely and proper care for heart attacks and strokes,” Kris Goodwin, Chief Nursing Officer, said in July after the honors were announced.

“The Get With The Guidelines programs make it easier for our

teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which helps us ensure more people in North Alabama experience longer, healthier lives.”

According to Samz, health procedures not available locally are by design.

“There are a handful of things we

don’t do and don’t do on purpose,’’ he said. “An example is burn care or transplant care –that’s really best done in very specialized, centralized locations in every state. So we’ll continue supporting our friends in Birmingham for that kind of care. Our Children’s Hospital is very capable, but there is some very specialized pediatric care that needs to be cared for either at Children’s in Birmingham or in Nashville.’’

A recent addition to the Huntsville Hospital group of caregivers is the Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes Clinic at 920 Franklin Street. The system recruited Dr. Priscila Rodas and Dr. Zeinab Zorkot to open the facility. The doctors are pediatric endocrinologists who specialize in the evaluation and treat-

ment of children with endocrine disorders including puberty, bone, thyroid, diabetes, growth, pituitary and adrenal.

“We’re trying to grow services smartly and when we add services of pediatric and endocrinology it’s absolutely a service we should support, it’s a wonderful addition,’’ Samz said. “But, pediatric neurosurgery for example is something we’re going to continue to send to other children’s hospitals and appropriately so.

“But, yeah, you can get very advanced cardiac care, trauma services and oncological surgery. We have an amazing group of cancer surgeons in Huntsville now from (gynecology) oncology and the breast cancer program has grown and has outstanding surgeons. There really is a wide complement of very specialized care available in Huntsville now. There’s really very little you need to leave the community for.’’

As Davis put it, Huntsville has “top notch healthcare, absolutely.’’ w

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Local Business Expert Discusses

Huntsville’s Entrepreneurial Allure

When starting a business, navigating those initial big decisions lay the foundation for whether the business will truly be put to the test and have the opportunity to thrive. In Huntsville, local and small business growth is rampant and still on the rise, which has landed it in the sights of business owners and corporations alike as a potential hotspot for growth.

Local business expert Jerry Bird of FranNet Huntsville took time to discuss Huntsville’s entrepreneurial allure with the Huntsville Business Journal, along with Pollo Compero's Director of Franchise Development, Blas Escarcega, and Christmas Decor's President, Brandon Stephens, whose very different, but incredibly successful companies are both considering Huntsville in their business opportunities.

FranNet is a group of experienced franchise experts with decades in the industry, with the collective primary focus on connecting individuals with their unique idea of the right opportunity.

“With the growth of Huntsville, we have noticed a jump in business opportunities to not only support new businesses but also existing businesses. In addition, we have seen the service sectors explode to service the population.”

“The first thing that pops to mind is the ongoing need for Business Services in multiple areas – IT as well as basic business support,” Bird continued.

When asked for any advice that Bird had to share with Huntsville’s local and small business owners, he shared, “Stay on top of the trends and traffic patterns. Demographics are critical to developing a solid game plan for future growth. Network with folks that can help you stay ahead of the curve. Stay on top of all new technology that helps control not only cost, but also efficiency. Be an advocate of Customer Service.”

When asked why Huntsville is

considered to be ripe for franchise growth over the next year, even with recent inflation, Bird explained, “First and foremost is the population increase and the need to support small business. Huntsville is a very affluent city with pockets of big opportunities. Service sectors are in big demand. Many franchises thrive in not only recessions, but inflation.”

With companies considering Huntsville, such as Pollo Campero and Christmas Decor, Pollo Campero’s Director of Franchise Development, Blas Escarcega, and Christmas Décor’s President Brandon Stephens, shared a bit on their respective companies, and why Huntsville is seen as such a hotspot for growth.

Pollo Campero started as a small family-owned restaurant in Guatemala in 1971 and has grown to one of the biggest chicken chains in the world. Through its flavor and quality, Pollo Campero offers a unique and convenient feel-good eating experience for individual, group/ family, and catering occasions.

Chicken entrees can be ordered either Campero Fried or Citrus-Grilled, bone in or boneless and paired with an array of fresh sides, drinks, and desserts for a complete meal.

“We like the area due to economic growth and business-friendly

environment. The metro area was recently voted as one of the best places to live in the US. Additionally, Huntsville is one of the fastest growth cities in the Southeastern USA with a rich history and cultural diversity with a low cost of living,” Escarcega stated.

With the recent success of many growing businesses, Huntsville provides a confident atmosphere for those who are willing to work towards their business goals.

When asked about this being a huge factor for interested businesses, Escarcega agreed.

“Absolutely. Pollo Campero has seen a growing legacy customer base from Central America who have a passion for the brand and live throughout the Southeastern USA. We believe that by offering our flavors to the community Pollo Campero will be successful.”

For Christmas Décor, the excitement feels much the same, especially as the holiday season arrives.

“There is tremendous demand for our services, and many home and business owners are frustrated that they either can’t do a magical display themselves, or simply do without. Most people celebrate the holidays in some fashion, which leads to demand for our services. We’ve found that all communities— large and small create opportunities

By Ashlyn Grey

to meet these needs,” shared President Brandon Stephens.

Founded in 1986 by Blake Smith, Christmas Decor has become the leading holiday decorating brand in the U.S. and Canada.

Originally created as an off-season supplement to the landscaping business, the Texas-based franchise now brings holiday cheer to over 300 communities across North America, ultimately creating jobs for 3,000plus seasonal workers that might otherwise be unemployed.

Backed by a strong business model and double-digit revenue increase year-over-year for the last 11 years, Christmas Decor is looking to grow in markets across the U.S. and Canada.

When asked what about Huntsville specifically is so attractive to entrepreneurs and potential business starters, including himself, Stephens responded that Huntsville’s market growth fits his business model.

“It’s a steadily growing market that has a stable population, good economics, and lots of businesses to support that population. All of these things create an opportunity to build a holiday decorating business.”

“Christmas Decor by Bama Exterminating (Tuscaloosa) has been one of our fastest-growing franchises in the United States, and Tracy Butler with Christmas Decor by Butler Services in Huntsville has been a solid performer for a long time, with steady growth. This gives us a lot of confidence that other contractors can go into the market and be successful,” concluded Stephens.

With so much excitement and interest from outside of Huntsville, it is still important to support those who are already here. As local business expert Jerry Bird stated, with the growth of Huntsville, there is an opportunity to support new and blossoming businesses, but also opportunities to support those who have been established and nurtured by the community throughout the years.

Mayor Battle Highlights Growing Path Forward in “State of the City” Address

The excitement in the air was evident at Mayor Tommy Battle’s “State of the City” address on Tuesday, November 29. Around 1,400 community and business leaders filled the Von Braun Center (the most ever for a chamber event according to Battle) to hear what the mayor had to say and to celebrate many of Huntsville’s latest achievements.

The city is still abuzz after various city accomplishments and some major city makeovers. Huntsville was obviously named Best Place to Live in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report, The Orion Amphitheater has breathed new life into the tourism industry and the Artemis launch ushered in a new era of space travel.

While there was much to celebrate, the recurring theme presented by Battle focused on going forward with that success and the work still to be done. It’s a common notion that staying at the top is harder than actually getting to the top and, according to Battle, the city of Huntsville will be taking every step necessary to remain “the star of Alabama.”

Battle pointed out that along with being named the best place to live in Alabama, Huntsville is now the largest city in the state in terms of population and still growing. Huntsville gains 460 new residents each month and the city

must plan accordingly.

Much of the speech was devoted to explaining the “quality of life” infrastructure projects that will allow the city to grow while also maintaining its beauty and excellence for future generations to come. These projects included investments in roads, greenways and parks.

“They are the ones who will benefit from the investments we make today,” Battle said, referring to the generation of tomorrow. “That’s why everything we plan, develop and build is done with transparency and prudence. It is done with purpose and strategy.”

Perhaps the largest project aimed at increasing the quality of life for Huntsville is the second phase of the Restore Our Roads initiative. Totaling six projects with an estimated cost of around $800 million, the initiative will aim to enhance traffic flow around the city and in and out of the arsenal.

“With growth, we may not be able

to provide an 18-minute commute (the city wide average for a commute to work) for everyone, but we’re working to keep traffic moving, safe and manageable,” Battle explained.

The project is a much needed one as, highlighted by Battle, the Huntsville metro area has seen a 24% growth in employment during Battle’s tenure as mayor. The growth in employment can be attributed not only to new residents moving into the city, but also to initiatives that are equipping the citizens who grew up here with the appropriate skills for 2022’s job market.

“It is the first, and remember this, the first statewide tuition-free magnet school for cyber engineering in the United States”

The Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering opened earlier this year in Cummings Research Park.

“It is the first, and remember this, the first statewide tuition-free magnet school for cyber engineering in the United States,” exclaimed Battle.

“This school will educate, train and prepare the next generation of animated thinkers. Their students

By Noah Logan /

will someday solve the problems of tomorrow and possibly even take center stage at our National Cyber Summit that is held right here in Huntsville, Alabama.

So while there is much to celebrate within The Rocket City, Battle’s address made it clear that we can’t stop anytime soon.

“Our secret is out,” as he put it. And with his speech, he also made it clear that growth for the sake of growth is not acceptable. The goal is to grow in such a way that future generations will be positively affected by the growth.

“Knowing who we are, what we want and how to get there and doing so together. That ‘together’ is a big word,” Battle emphasized.

“That’s the secret to our success and the secret to being the star of Alabama. With everyone’s help sitting here today….We will continue investing in a quality of life that brings people here and a quality of life that exceeds the dreams of our predecessors.” w

Photo by of Noah Logan

“That’s why everything we plan, develop and build is done with transparency and prudence. It is done with purpose and strategy.”

“Knowing who we are, what we want and how to get there and doing so together.

That ‘together’ is a big word,”

Redstone Arsenal Update Highlights Key Developments

By Noah Logan / Photos courtesy of Huntsville/Madison

Over 300 community leaders gathered in the Von Braun Center’s East Hall on Thursday, December 8th for the annual Redstone Arsenal update.

The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce hosts this event every year to help the community get “a glimpse behind the curtain” of the economic engine that powers roughly half of the Huntsville metro and employs 42,000 people.

"The realization of the economic impact that Redstone Arsenal has for our community is not just the jobs that are on post, it's all that goes on in the region, and it's really supported by Redstone and the level of expertise there," said Greg Brown, chair of the Chamber Board of Directors in his opening statement. "Someone like me, that's lived here for 60 years, doesn't really understand exactly what goes on, and this community event really helps bring home a sense of pride — pride for national defense and security of our nation and the world."

The event was the first for the new Senior Mission Commander of Redstone Arsenal Christopher Mohan since the U.S. Senate approved his promotion.

“We will continue to evolve, as a Federal Center of Excellence with our diverse and synergetic missions involving space, logistics, research and intelligence operations,” Mohan said in his keynote speech.

“To ensure Redstone stays on the path for success, I will focus on four lines of effort that are designed to ensure we are prepared to meet our global mission. Those lines of effort are recruiting and maintaining a 21st century workforce; continued synergetic growth on the installation; ensuring a high quality of life for the Redstone workforce and families; and providing security and response to ensure safety of those on the installation,” Mohan continued.

Leaders from eight different agencies, including the FBI and Marshall Space Flight Center, delivered reports Thursday with topics ranging from rockets and missiles to buildings and Redstone’s role in the country’s support to Ukraine.

A recurring theme during all the briefings was the plans for expansion. For NASA, the FBI, and the Army, growth is coming not only in the form of new buildings but also the addition of employees.

This was most prominently featured during FBI Deputy Assistant Director Drew Watts’ presentation. The FBI is seeing one of the biggest expansions with a new operations building opening earlier this year with much more to come after that.

For years, the visuals of the expanding FBI campus at Redstone Arsenal have been somewhat mysterious with visitors unable to take pictures of what they see during their visit.

During his presentation, Watts played a two-minute video that gave the audience a better glimpse of the sprawling north campus that has reached more $2 million in capital investments.

Included in the buildings that have opened so far include the first operations building, the largest on the campus with 1,300 employees, the first technology building, the TEDAC Explosive Technical Lab as well as the Health, Wellness & Resiliency Center. Greenways and sidewalks link the buildings to create the sense of campus connectivity.

“We see how much we’ve accomplished in such a short amount of time,” Watts said after screening the video, crediting the Redstone Arsenal and the Huntsville community for their support of the FBI’s growth into what has unofficially become a second FBI headquarters away from Quantico.

“This will be a robust campus, enabling the FBI to address the rapidly changing threat environment,” Watts said once the north campus is fully built out. “And it’s going to be a robust campus. But can I tell you the north campus is already booming. We are building a technology district which will really be the epicenter of the FBI’s technology infrastructure and tool development, centralizing our tech talent and tools to a connected campus environment.”

Watts also touched on some of the buildings scheduled for the future, including the FBI’s Innovation Center, which recently had its groundbreaking ceremony that the FBI’s

Jody Singer, Director of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, presents Artemis I video

Developments That Power Huntsville’s Growth

County Chamber of Commerce

Director Christopher Wray attended.

With all of these new buildings, the number of employees on campus will grow exponentially.

Watts explained that the campus will grow from its current 1,508 employees to roughly 2,000 by next summer. Long-term, the FBI will have full-time capacity for 5,000 employees by 2028 with the capability of accommodating 3,800 additional people for training.

Electronics engineers, IT specialists, cybersecurity analysts, data analysts and computer scientists were among the opportunities being promoted along with opportunities for clerical workers.

“We’ve got a lot of positions that are going to be opening, we got a lot of positions that are open now and those are the skill sets that we’re looking for,” Watts said.

Along with the FBI briefing, leaders from Marshall’s Space Flight Center and the Space and Missile Defense agency also gave updates.

Jody Singer from the Space Flight Center played a video documenting the successful Artemis launch and touched on the future Artemis II-V missions. With Artemis, NASA will land the first woman and the first person of color on the lunar surface and establish long-term exploration at the Moon in preparation for human missions to Mars. SLS and NASA’s Orion spacecraft, along with the commercial human landing system and the Gateway in orbit around the Moon, are NASA’s backbone for deep space exploration.

Space and Missile Defense gave an update on its efforts as well. However, no update on the final destination regarding the home of Space Command was given.

“I can’t answer anything about Space Command coming to Huntsville,” said Richard De Fatta, Space and Missile Command Deputy to the Commander. “I don’t know anything more than you do. If you have that question, please pass that on to the Secretary of the Air Force.”

The last part of the event featured an extensive panel providing insight into the support the U.S. is providing Ukraine through both presidential drawdowns and foreign military sales of

military equipment. The panel discussion focused on The Materiel Enterprise and Redstone’s Support to Ukraine.

The panelists included:

- Renee Moser, Director of Operations and Readiness with Army Materiel Command

- Dr. Myra Gray, US Army Security Assistance Command

- Warren O’Donnell, PEO Missiles and Space

- COL Richard Pfieffer, Chief of Staff Army Contracting Command

The focus was largely on the Army Materiel Command and its ability to provide anything and everything needed to help the efforts in Ukraine. Director Renee Mosher, said the AMC has handled $6.8 billion in weapons and supplies for Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February.

“We are managing, supporting and executing logistics and sustainment,” Mosher said. “If you talk about logistics, maintenance and sustainment, then AMC is the one organization that provides that for the U.S. Army. That gives you the magnitude and the scope of the support that we are managing to

support Ukraine in this war effort, all at the same time balancing readiness of the United States Army and ensuring we maintain the equipment we need within the U.S. Army to support our readiness in our troops’ training and warfighting requirements,”

Retired Major General Jim Myles, who is now the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce’s chair of its military affairs committee, added

that Redstone Arsenal is the “center of gravity for supporting the Ukranians.”

“That’s what’s happening,” Myles said. “And it’s amazing when you think about what it is we normally do and then, all of a sudden, someone gets invaded halfway around the world. And Redstone Arsenal becomes decisively engaged in a big way. Why do we become engaged? Because of what we do in the arsenal.”

Huntsville/Madison

C-StoreMaster Opens New Warehouse, Receive Recognition from Governor Ivey

C-StoreMaster officially opened its brand new 130,000-square-foot automated warehouse on Mastin Lake Road, and just off of Jordan Lane. The national distributor of convenience store products has been based in Huntsville since its creation in 2015.

For a company that’s not even a decade old yet, its efforts have been widely recognized throughout the state. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey even proclaimed Dec. 8 (the day of the opening) as Technology Innovation Day to recognize the new opening and C-StoreMaster’s dedication to advancing technology in Alabama.

In an interview with Huntsville Business Journal, C-StoreMaster President Sharan Kalva acknowledged the Governor’s actions.

“Technology is at the center of everything we do as a company. We

were honored to have Governor Ivey recognize our efforts and look forward to continue innovating over the years to come,” said Kalva.

The new warehouse has created 30 jobs as the company expands distribution throughout the country. Kalva also acknowledged how

By Noah Logan / Photos courtesy of C-StoreMaster

important the city has been for the company’s past and future.

“Our connection to Huntsville goes back years before C-StoreMaster when we were convenience store operators,” Kalva explained. “We saw a need for the type of distribution we offer and when the perfect solution wasn’t available, we created it ourselves. Huntsville’s location is a great asset for our delivery needs and as the city continues to expand its local offerings, we have more talent to hire.”

C-StoreMaster partnered with Geek+ on the project and

Picture from L to R: C-StoreMaster CEO Sandip Patel, C-StoreMaster Founder and Chariman Satish Kalva and C-StoreMaster President Sharan Kalva

“By implementing the robotic system, C-StoreMaster has increased their picking productivity by three to four times”

TECHNOLOGY

incorporated three automation technologies in the new warehouse which will improve picking accuracy to 99.99 percent.

“By implementing the robotic system, C-StoreMaster has increased their picking productivity by three to four times,” said Rick DeFiesta, executive vice president of sales and solutions at Geek+. “As the

company continues to experience impressive growth, our cutting-edge system will help them provide even faster service for their customers.”

C-StoreMaster also kept the comfort of their employees in mind when designing the facility. Employees no longer have to walk long distances or lift heavy objects to fulfill orders thanks to the robotic instillations.

Additionally, the warehouse includes areas that aim to foster a great work environment. A workout area, pool table, air hockey, walking track and a bean-to-cup coffee offering are available to meet employees’ needs.

Specializing in the tobacco and beverage categories, C-StoreMaster services 4,500+ independent c-stores and 6,000+ chain stores throughout

the country.

“To bring the first multi-level shuttle system of its kind in the country to Huntsville is a great accomplishment for our team,” Kalva proclaimed. “Innovation has always been at the forefront of our business and with this new warehouse, CStoreMaster is set up for success for years to come.” w

Collaboration to Improve Lung Cancer Screening for African Americans Led by UAH Nursing Graduate Student

A Huntsville Hospital project to determine and overcome barriers to lung cancer screening participation experienced by African Americans is being led by a University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) graduate student who is pursuing her doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree at UAH, a part of the University of Alabama System.

Originally from St. Louis, UAH alumnus Antonia D. Bates-Ford, who goes by Danielle Ford, (Bachelor of Science, Nursing, 2008) is a current DNP student and an oncology clinical education specialist at Huntsville Hospital. She has been chosen as the project’s nurse navigator. The project’s principal investigator is Ford’s advisor, Dr. Amy Beck, a UAH clinical assistant professor of nursing. Ford will use the research as part of her DNP project.

In collaboration with the UAH College of Nursing (CON), the Huntsville Hospital Foundation received a $50,000 seed grant from the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine (SIDM), under a grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. This grant extends a previous Huntsville Hospital Cancer Committee collaborative grant with the American Cancer Society to address barriers to lung cancer screening.

“This is the first time that UAH and Huntsville Hospital have worked together on a project like this, and I am honored that they have trusted me with being part of a body of work that has the potential to really effect change in an underserved community,” says Ford, who is an oncology certified nurse, the program chair on the Oncology Nurses of North Alabama board and is on Huntsville Hospital Cancer Committee.

“I hope this project leads to more projects where Huntsville Hospital and UAH collaborate,” she says. “I feel very fortunate that Karen Adams, director of the Huntsville Hospital Center for Lung Health, recommended me for the opportunity

By Jim Steele / Photo courtesy of UAH

to lend my expertise.”

The investigation will involve patients at two local clinics that service predominately African American patients and will take place from January through September of 2023, culminating with the presentation of findings at the SIDM conference in October 2023.

The research will utilize a retrospective baseline of referrals from Huntsville Hospital lung center screening data to measure the number of physician referrals for screening of patients who meet United States Preventative Services Taskforce (USPSTF) recommendations.

Also using the screening data, investigators will measure the number of African American patients screened

and diagnosed for lung cancer, proportionate to the total number of patients screened and diagnosed. Provider education materials will be distributed and provider and nurse navigator educational conversations will be documented and tracked.

“My hope is that we will identify trends that can be easily evaluated and mitigated,” says Ford, who also is a graduate teacher in the CON Simulation Lab.

“I also hope that the result of this project shows how having a nurse navigator can be instrumental in bridging the gap in health inequities. Maybe the role will become a permanent fixture in the community.”

During the project, Ford will be responsible for educating healthcare providers on lung cancer screening guidelines and bringing awareness to prompt screenings.

“Once a patient is identified as needing a screening, I will be responsible for following up with the patient, encouraging and assisting them to get the screening complete,” she says.

“If any barriers to making the appointment are identified, I will have resources to help eliminate the barrier – such as gas cards, meal vouchers, various transportation vouchers, etc. I can also be available to help connect the patient to social workers, or any of the many resources that our center

Antonia D. Bates-Ford

“This is the first time that UAH and Huntsville Hospital have worked together on a project like this, and I am honored that they have trusted me with being part of a body of work that has the potential to really effect change in an underserved community”

for lung health has to offer.”

All patients who are candidates for lung cancer screening face roadblocks to being screened, Ford says, adding that according to the American Lung Association, lung cancer carries a stigma because most people perceive it as a self-inflicted disease caused by smoking, even though not all lung cancers come from smoking.

“Lung cancer is a leading cause of death for males and females, but awareness is at an all-time low,” Ford says. “Due to the stigma, lung cancer does not have public empathy or a celebrity representative to take up the mantle like we see with breast cancer or pediatric cancers, for example.”

For African Americans, Ford says she believes that a combination of societal and structural issues contributes to screening roadblocks.

“Lung cancer incidence rate is about 32% higher in African Americans compared with European Americans, with disparities most predominant among men,” she says. “A lot of African Americans lack access to quality health care, have a lack of knowledge and have medical mistrust.”

African Americans are diagnosed with lung cancer at a younger age and do a poor job at following up with providers, Ford says.

“Providers are swamped with caseloads and don’t have the manpower to follow up with patients. It’s a cycle of not following up on both ends,” she says.

“If we think about being Black in the South, we have not always been treated with veracity in the medical community,” she says. “We think about our dark past, including the Tuskegee experiments and the case of Henrietta Lacks, for example. One can certainly understand the reluctancy.”

Some other roadblocks involve basic choices, Ford says. Patients sometimes must make decisions between paying for a ride to make a follow-up appointment or to go buy food, for example.

“We hope to eliminate the need for patients to have to make those tough decisions,” she says. “Last year I set up an information booth at a church health fair, and there were many people who were not aware of

the many resources available or what the lung cancer screening involved.”

According to the American Lung Association, 30% of people don’t know much about lung cancer.

“African Americans, have previously experienced disproportionate underscreening because they are less often eligible for lung cancer screening, despite developing lung cancer at younger ages and with lower smoking intensity,” Ford says. “Studies show that this is in part due to the screening guidelines.”

Prior to 2021, the USPSTF recommended annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography in adults aged 55–80 years who have a 30 pack-year smoking history, and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. A pack-year is calculated by multiplying the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day by the number of years the person has smoked.

The USPSTF broadened lung cancer screening eligibility in March 2021, lowering the minimum age to 50 years and decreasing smoking intensity to 20 pack-years.

“Since African Americans are diagnosed at a younger age, and have a shorter pack-year history, the hope is that the expanded criteria will increase the number of individuals with high risk who are eligible for lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography and further reduce lung cancer mortality,” Ford says.

The new research continues a COVID-forestalled research collaboration between Huntsville Hospital’s cancer committee and the American Cancer Society to address racial inequalities related to lung cancer in the African American community that was funded by the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville.

“Due to COVID-19 we were not able to fully roll out a plan. The cancer committee worked on what it could, but we didn’t get to work within the community like we wanted to,” Ford says.

“This initial project is a big reason why I went back to graduate school,” she says. “I wanted to do something for lung cancer patients in my community that would effect real

change, but I needed more education to help me with that.”

Speaking of getting more education, aren’t these a lot of hats for Ford to wear all at once? She credits her religious faith and the support of her husband, UAH alumnus Darvin Ford (Bachelor of Science, Accounting, 2014) and her four children.

“My faith keeps me grounded and helps me see things in a positive light, and I have an amazing husband and a village of support,” she says.

“A call or text from my big sister in St. Louis is always wonderful. Also, my best friends, who I lovingly call my sister friends, are part of my village that keep me on track. My two youngest children are school-aged, so my sisters help my husband with the carpool and after-school activities when I am tied up with class and work.”

Synchronizing their calendars helps she and her husband stay organized.

She says her Huntsville Hospital supervisor Brian Buchman, unit nurse manager Ruth Smith and the other

medical service line educators have all been understanding and supportive of her graduate school journey.

“I am also grateful to Huntsville Hospital for being a great employer and investing in my future,” Ford says. “My ultimate goal once I finish my DNP is to teach in the CON. The UAH CON is affording me a real-life opportunity to reach that goal and effect change in my community.”

UAH’s online classes are flexible and make going to school possible, Ford says, but it’s those who encourage and help along that way who make the difference.

“I believe that if a person does not have a firm support system it will be challenging to successfully attend graduate school, work full-time, graduate teach and have a personal life,” she says.

“Graduate school has been plenty of late nights and early mornings, but my children, husband and sisters are so encouraging and motivating. Their support, along with my faith, are what keeps me going.” w

Drake State’s Frontiers Program Demonstrates Unique 3-D Printing Capabilities

Three years of hard work culminated for a group of students and faculty at Drake State Community & Technical College on Monday, November 28. Dozens gathered as the Frontiers Research Program demonstrated their unique ability to 3D print living spaces on the moon while only using materials similar to those found on the moon’s surface.

“Today, we are delivering on a promise,” said Dr. Patricia Sims, President of Drake State.

“We promised our community and the delegation that if they invested in Drake State, that we would provide training for interns, develop a curriculum around 3D printing,

secure the necessary printer and train our faculty. Today is a promise delivered on all those points.”

In addition to supporting NASA programs, the work being done by Drake State’s Frontiers Research team is expected to lead to innovation and development that will benefit constructionandadvancedmanufacturing industries throughout the North Alabama area.

The Frontiers program was established in 2020 to support research in additive manufacturing and 3D printing for NASA’s Moon to Mars Planetary Autonomous Construction Technology Project (MMPACT). The MMPACT

project aims to deliver on demand capabilities to create livable and workable infrastructure on the lunar surface via construction of landing pads, habitats, shelters, roadways, berms and blast shields using lunar based materials.

Drake State is the first community college and only historically Black community college to receive an award from Marshall’s Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) opportunity since its inception in 2013.

The program received additional funding in 2021 through NASA’s Inclusion Across the Nation of Communities of Learners

of

By Noah Logan / Photos courtesy of Drake State Community & Technical College

Engineering and Science (INCLUDES) award. They were one of only six schools in the country to receive the award.

In addition to getting hands on experience in a rapidly growing 3D printing industry, the interns who participate in the Frontiers Research Program are automatically eligible to continue their education in the field after leaving Drake State. The school was able to merge the curriculum designed for the Frontiers Program with Middle Tennessee State University, which allows graduates to obtain a “2+2” degree while still paying in state tuition. w

Underrepresented Discoverers in

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

What You Need to Know: Preparing for the 2023 Labor Market

The American workforce has changed dramatically in the past 50 years, though for many, wages have remained the same or even shrunk.

Union participation has declined steeply alongside a decrease in employee benefits and retirement packages. The educational requirements for many jobs have increased, while other segments of the market have disappeared entirely, like video rental stores and phone directory printing.

Understanding the shifts and trends of this new emerging workforce can be helpful in planning for the future and adjusting expectations.

A Slower Generational Shift

While it may seem natural that the labor force is becoming younger, as the oldest generation (the Baby Boomers) continue to exit the workplace, the change is not happening nearly as swiftly as previously expected.

This is for two reasons: Americans are working later into life and fewer young Americans are joining the workforce immediately after high school. Every tid bit of data on the labor force can be found via the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but in short, this slow passing of the torch is likely occurring because older Americans are living longer and healthier in their senior years (thanks to advances in medical science) and are struggling financially to be able to safely retire.

Meanwhile, more young adults are living at home, up to the age of 25, than in prior generations. These young Americans are also more likely to go directly into college and graduate programs immediately after high school, delaying their entry into the workforce.

Increasingly Diverse

Since 1970, the number of American women working has nearly doubled! This is probably the most stark change in the increasingly diverse labor pool, but it is certainly

not the only one.

Nearly one-fifth of all American jobs are now held by foreign-born workers. From 1980 to 2020, the total of non-Hispanic white employees in the workforce dropped from 82% to 62%. This slow decline is expected to continue.

BLS currently predicts this percentage may be as low as 53% by 2050.

A New Type of Work Jobs that rely heavily on manual or repetitive labor, such as poultry factories and construction, have seen a sharp decline in recent years.

Many of these positions have been replaced through automation, where robots and streamlined processes make them obsolete. Of those jobs that do remain, deemed “jobs Americans don’t want”, the majority are currently filled by migrant workers and immigrants.

With the rise of the gig economy, freelance and contract work has seen a drastic increase in the last two decades. Companies like Uber and GrubHub have made these types of jobs, that the Pew Research Center refers to as “alternative working arrangements”, readily available to most of the population.

Other self-employment options, such as selling wares on Etsy, renting space via Airbnb, or streaming video content on

Twitch, have also become more popular and viable in recent years, ushering in a wave of mini-entrepreneurs that are not straddled to a typical “9 to 5”.

These alternate forms of income, however, suffer from a lack of health insurance, retirement savings, and other benefits - a problem that has become increasingly common in the traditional workplace as well.

Education and Experience Requirements have Increased

The percentage of job postings in the market that call for a high level of “job preparation” has also steadily increased.

This refers to positions that require prior experience, higher levels of education, or vocational training for consideration. Unsurprisingly, then, having a high school diploma has become a sort of bare minimum for entry into the workforce.

By Alexander Duck, II

Currently, as little as 7% of American workers hold less than a high school diploma and “some college” has now become the largest segment of the labor pool.

Soft Skills are Essential Skills

Over the past few decades, while manual labor and manufacturing jobs have waned, the segment of the economy that has continued to grow rapidly is the service sector.

This includes not only food services and hospitality, but also education, healthcare, and professional services. As such, social and analytic skills have become increasingly important. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are pivotal to success in these career fields.

Conclusion

A current assessment of the American labor market feels rather bleak: Americans now work more hours for less pay and fewer employee benefits at jobs that have higher entry requirements and fewer feasible options for a realistic retirement.

Long gone are the days of “company loyalty”, where a Springfield father of three would work at the same power plant for 35 years, but that went away with pensions and affordable family health insurance.

However, innovation and change are always right around the corner. The only thing that remains certain is that the American labor pool, like the job market and economy, is changing. w

BRIEFCASE

the first launch of their “station in a box.”

Orbital Assembly Announces New Equity Offering to Help Advance Space Station Development

Orbital Assembly (OA), a leader in the race to make HybridGravityTM space accessible for leisure, commercial and industrial activities has announced a crowdfunding equity offering (Regulation CF).

The company continues to seek investment to initiate full scale human factors design in conjunction with NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, to begin construction of the first orbital flight hardware, and pursue protection of the company’s extensive portfolio of intellectual property.

Over the last three years, Orbital Assembly completed schematic design of the Voyagerclass station and Pioneer-class space platforms, and the OASIS habitation module. The company has signed agreements with dozens of partners, vendors, and future customers.

The company is also pursuing a number of Small Business Administration projects (SBIR) with multiple agencies in the Department of Defense. Orbital Assembly offers consulting services to assist these customers in preparing for use of our orbital assets and fly payload on the first Pioneer-class station, with planned initial operation within 30 months contingent on funding.

The Pioneer-classTM stations are designed to be the world’s first and largest hybrid space stations and the first free-flying, habitable, privately-operated facility in orbit. The station configuration will offer modules with 73,454 cubic feet of space – each twice the size of the International Space Station. OA is in discussions with customers for long term leases of rack space for

The Pioneer-class Station will be our first free-flying space craft and accommodate up to 54 people. This hybrid-gravity space station, used for commercial operations, is designed for variable artificial gravity operation, providing the opportunity for long term habitation.

The Pioneer-class Station is designed to generate revenue in all of the sectors listed above. Based on current customer interest, Orbital Assembly projects the station may be cash flow positive in its first year of operation. Voyagerclass Space Stations feed forward from Pioneer-station architecture and are Orbital Assembly’s flagship product. w

for NASA’s lunar Gateway and to provide commercial resupply services to the International Space Station, significantly bolstering our pursuit. We’re pleased they have joined us in this historic effort,” said Leidos Dynetics Group President Steve Cook.

For more than three years, the Dynetics team has been a prime contractor for HLS. It was one of 11 companies selected in 2019 under the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnership (NextSTEP-2) Appendix E contract. The Leidos subsidiary was then selected under NextSTEP-2 Appendix H in 2020, alongside SpaceX and Blue Origin.

In September 2021, Dynetics was one of five companies selected under Appendix N, which allows industry partners to collaborate with NASA to mature lander designs and conduct risk reduction activities in support of sustainable lander development. The recent SLD solicitation – also known as NextSTEP-2 Appendix P – was released on September 16, 2022.

aviation and Department of Homeland Security customers, selected Unanet GovCon ERP and CRM to help it mobilize for significant growth.

As the company began pursuing large new business opportunities this year, PPT needed a more user-friendly interface and ability to customize data for software engineering, airworthiness and evaluation solutions the company provides.

Unanet will help the company formalize their pipeline and proposal process in order to bring on additional resources to grow their business development.

“I really want to make a transition now before we get into a period of considerable growth so that the company isn’t growing at the same time as it transitions into a new accounting and contracts management system,” said Jim Reeb, CEO of PPT Solutions. “I want our back office to have a more robust approach to handle a larger team.”

Leidos Dynetics Team and Northrop Grumman to Collaborate on NASA Human Landing System Bid

Dynetics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leidos, today announced it has submitted a bid on the Human Landing System (HLS) Sustaining Lunar Development (SLD) contract for NASA’s Artemis Mission. Northrop Grumman will join the Dynetics team in this pursuit.

“As the only company to successfully build a crewed lunar lander, Northrop Grumman will be an excellent partner as we support NASA’s inspiring efforts to return humans to the lunar surface. We will leverage their expertise and legacy of human space exploration, including their ongoing contracts to build the Habitation and Logistics Outpost

Northrop Grumman has also been a primary supporter of HLS, winning prime contracts under Appendices E and N.

“Our capabilities and experience in pioneering human exploration and space logistics will help provide a lunar transportation system that our nation can rely on for years to come,” said Steve Krein, Vice President, Civil and Commercial Space, Northrop Grumman. w

After speaking with several local GovCons about solutions, PPT narrowed their decision down to Unanet and another legacy ERP provider. PPT chose Unanet based on its more user-friendly interface that made manipulating data easier, and because the solution is more customizable for their needs.

PPT had previously used other tools to capture time entry, payroll invoicing and contract data.

PPT Solutions Invests in Unanet for GovCon ERP and CRM, Prepares for Growth

PPT Solutions Inc. (PPT), the Huntsville-based firm that provides solutions for Army

“Our peers shared that the competing system was not very intuitive and often difficult to get the type of reports or information that we would need,” said Reeb. “I heard very positive things about Unanet’s user interface and that it was easier to view data, modify it and create reports. Additionally, Unanet was a cost-effective solution that didn’t require more than what I budgeted.”

More than 2,000 fast-growing GovCon companies have selected Unanet GovCon ERP and CRM to scale and grow seamlessly. w

Family Legacy & Farmland Preserved in Limestone County

The Land Trust of North Alabama recently received a donation from Beth Freeman Buckelew of 320 acres in Limestone County near Athens.

The property was willed to the Land Trust protecting it from future development and preserving family farmland, a portion of Piney Creek, and a variety of other natural features, the organization said.

The farm includes rolling hills, pasture land, wooded hillsides, and spring.

Piney Creek, a tributary to the Tennessee River, flows through north to south creating small wetland areas along the way. A four-acre homesite indicates its current and former use for cattle grazing and other agriculture.

“Beth made sure that her farm, its incredible natural treasures, and the memories that accompanied it would be protected permanently by willing it to the Land Trust,” said Hallie Porter, Land Trust development director. “To her it was so much more than just land. It helped fashion a woman who was passionate about the outdoors and became a part of her soul.

“I am honored that we have opportunity to keep her family legacy alive through the Land Trust.”

There are no plans at this time to open the property for public access and agricultural use will continue. The Land Trust will care for the land in perpetuity, protecting it for wildlife habitat, providing a buffer for the creek, and conserv-

ing the watershed area.

For information on preserving and protecting the area’s natural resources, visit landtrustnal.org/ preserve. w

Land Acquired for New 2.2 Million Square Foot Industrial Development

J.H. Berry & Gilbert, Inc. announced that land has been acquired for the new Huntsville Logistics Center. J.H. Berry & Gilbert’s Industrial team, led by Edwin Moss, Jake Bottcher and Sonny Potter, are directing the leasing for the new industrial park.

The +/- 132 acre class A industrial development is comprised of four buildings totaling up to 2.2 million square feet available for lease. The new industrial park is conveniently located at Old Highway 20 & Gunters Way just off County Line Road with easy access to I-565, the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing campus and the Huntsville International Airport. With the location secured, the development team expects to deliver the first phase of the Huntsville Logistics Center in Q4 of 2023.

“Huntsville is the fastest growing city in Alabama, and we believe the Huntsville Logistics Center is a perfect site for both logistics and industrial businesses with its strategic location between the new Greenbrier Parkway and the Huntsville airport,” said Edwin Moss, J.H. Berry & Gilbert Executive Vice President.

“The Flint Development team that will be delivering this project has extensive experience and has delivered several similar Class A projects around the country. We are honored to be a part this new addition to the Huntsville landscape.”

Moss continued, stating that the new industrial park will fit well with

Huntsville’s current business industries.

“When you look at some of the leading employers in Huntsville, including giants such as Polaris, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, Buffalo Rock, Amazon, LG Electronics, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and of course NASA’s U.S. Space & Rocket Center, the Huntsville Logistics Center is positioned alongside some exciting industrial business leaders and innovators,” said Moss. “Our Industrial team knows that this will be an exceptional addition to the Huntsville business community.”

Edwin Moss and Philip Currie of J.H. Berry & Gilbert, Inc. represented Flint Development in their acquisition of the land. Bart Smith, Tyler Fanning, and John Coleman of Graham & Company represented the seller in the acquisition of land. w

Bonaventure Expands into Huntsville Area Market

Bonaventure, an integrated alternative asset manager focused on the development, construction, and property management of innovative lifestyle multifamily communities in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions, today hosted the ground-breaking of Attain at Bradford Creek located at 556 Martin Road in Huntsville, Alabama to celebrate entering a new Southeastern market.

The 350-unit Class A multifamily community, located 15 miles from downtown Huntsville in the

Madison/Airport submarket, will deliver much-needed additional high-quality housing to the community.

Birmingham, Alabama-based Doster Construction is leading the onsite construction of Attain at Bradford Creek and Bonaventure is overseeing the property’s development and management. Attain at Bradford Creek’s first units will be delivered in March of 2024, with the full project expected to be completed by the end of September 2024.

Residents of Attain at Bradford Creek will enjoy not only the finest in interior design and stateof-the-art appliances, but also close proximity to major transportation routes and many of the city’s major employers including Boeing, Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. The 22-acre community in the Madison/Airport Submarket is one of Huntsville’s

most desirable areas, known for its excellent school system and accessibility to job and retail centers across the metro.

“Doster Construction is excited to partner with Bonaventure, a leading multi-family developer, on their first project in Huntsville,” said Conn Crabtree, Doster Vice President and Huntsville Division Manager. “Our teams share a commitment to building quality facilities, and we are extremely pleased to add Attain at Bradford Creek to our growing portfolio of work in North Alabama.”

Attain at Bradford Creek will include a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units with square footage ranging from 839 to 1,375 SF per unit, totaling 359,050 SF. The community will feature a mix of high-end amenities including a pond and dog park, Amazon lockers and clubhouse with a stateof-the-art pool and fitness center. w

RECOGNITIONS

Bank Independent Hires Rockhill

Bank Independent is pleased to announce the hiring of Nick Rockhill as a VP Sales Officer in Madison County.

Rockhill has over 10 years of experience in the banking industry. He has served on the Retail Banking side for about five years where he served various roles from Customer Sales/ Relationship Banking to Management of a Retail Sales Office. After serving the retail side he began serving as a Commercial Lender for the last five years. During this time, he specialized in C&I Lending (Government Contractors, Manufacturing Entities, Equipment Financing, etc.), Commercial Real Estate transactions, Construction Lending, Healthcare, Business Acquisitions, and SBA Lending.

“My goal has always been to build long lasting relationships and trust with my clients to identify financial solutions and growth opportunities for various business customers,” Rockhill said. “I hope to impact both my clients and peers in a positive way. I find great value and satisfaction in helping a business owner achieve his/her goals.”

Rockhill is a member of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation –Board of Trustee; The Land Trust of North Alabama Board of Directors; Leadership of Greater Huntsville – Management Academy Class 13; Madison Baseball Association Board of Directors and the Connection Team at The Brook Church.

Downtown Huntsville, Inc., has identified the replacement for former President and CEO Chad Emerson.

Rob Buddo succeeds Chad Emerson, who resigned after nine successful years at DHI to take over as Managing Director of Business Operations for Huntsville’s NEXT professional soccer team.

After what the DHI board and an executive committee called an extensive search they approved Buddo, a North Carolina native who graduated from the University of Alabama.

“I am honored to usher Downtown Huntsville, Inc., into its next era of growth and collaboration,’’ Buddo said in a press release. “The city’s collective commitment to purposeful and sustained growth is just one of the many qualities that make Huntsville unique and this opportunity so exciting. I’m grateful for the strong foundation laid before me and look forward to leading this organization through many transformative years as Huntsville continues its rapid momentum.’’

Buddo has a bachelor’s degree in Geography with an emphasis in Urban and Regional Planning. He started his career as Catalytic Development Manager for Main Street Birmingham, the predecessor organization to REV Birmingham.

While working for Main Street, he focused on the redevelopment and management of properties in the city’s historic Woodlawn neighborhood. These projects included the redevelopment of seven vacant retail spaces, a 12,000 square foot mixed-use development, and assemblage of parcels for an awarded lowincome housing tax credit project.

In the past decade, Buddo has also worked in commercial real estaterelated roles for CoStar Group, Inc. in the Washington, D.C. and Houston, Texas, markets.

ServisFirst

Bank Huntsville Announces New Executive Vice President

ServisFirst Bank, a subsidiary of ServisFirst Bancshares (NYSE:SFBS), announced the promotion of Angel Stinson to Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer for the ServisFirst Bank Huntsville/North Alabama region.

“We are proud to announce Angel’s promotion to Executive Vice President,” states Andy Kattos, ServisFirst Bank Huntsville Regional CEO. “Angel’s experience, expertise, and leadership has been incredibly beneficial to our team and clients, and we know she will continue to excel in this role.”

With over 30 years of banking and finance experience, Stinson has worked in the industry since 1990 and for ServisFirst Bank since 2018. In this role, she will continue to provide great value and expertise to the Huntsville market.

Stinson oversees ServisFirst Bank’s credit approval process, the team of credit analysts/portfolio managers and interns, all credit-related issues, and serves as the Huntsville point of contact for compliance matters. Her superior credit skills and extensive knowledge have set her apart as a key leader in the industry. Stinson graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Management.

For more about ServisFirst Bank, please visit www.servisfirstbank.com.

Buddo Named by DHI to Follow Emerson as President, CEO

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