HBJ Apr 23 Issue

HOSPITALITY

New reports from the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), in partnership with Oxford Economics, project that the hospitality industry is on track to resume pre-pandemic levels of business activity in 2023.

By Marie Johnson - Page 2

SCIENCE

'The Bias Inside Us' Comes to Huntsville

Recently, Huntsville has been on the center stage for a variety of awards, accolades, and important events. And, in the coming weeks, the city will mark a Smithsonian visit off of the list.

By Ashlyn Grey - Page 14

ADDITIONAL STORIES

• Sit Down With Success: A Conversation with John Blue of John Blue Realty

By Gus Wintzell • Page 3

• Small Business Spotlight: Pizzelle's Confections at Lowe Mill

By Marie Johnson • Page 8

• Huntsville Logistic Center to Bring 700 Jobs in Early 2024

By Noah Logan • Page 10

• February Monthly Report

Shows Dramatic Slowdown

By Marie Johnson • Page 18

Hospitality Industry Recovery Stronger than Expected, Brings Tax Revenue to Alabama

While the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc across all aspects of the economy, the hospitality industry took an especially vicious hit, with its profits decimated and much of its workforce laid off in wake of the catastrophic drop in travel.

However, new reports from the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), in partnership with Oxford Economics, project that the hospitality industry is on track to resume pre-pandemic levels of business activity in 2023.

“Hotels are making significant strides toward recovery, supporting millions of good-paying jobs and generating billions in state and local tax revenue in communities across the nation,” said AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers. “To continue growing, we need to hire more people. Fortunately, there’s never been a better time to be a hotel employee, with wages, benefits, flexibility and upward mobility better than ever before.”

For Alabama in particular, the Oxford Economics analysis shows a surprisingly strong recovery for our state’s hospitality industry, with a corresponding influx in tax revenue for state and local governments.

In 2019, the hospitality industry brought in $266,558,026 in tax revenue for Alabama’s state and local governments. Barring unforeseen catastrophe, Oxford Economics projects that the hospitality industry will bring in an estimated $311,406,744 in 2023 – a 16.8% increase of pre-pandemic levels.

An additional $44 million in tax revenue is nothing to sneeze at, to say the very least.

Where the hospitality industry has been struggling in its recovery is in meeting the staffing needs of these hotels. Staffing took a hard hit as hospitality businesses struggled to keep afloat, and hiring has yet to replace the employment numbers of the industry’s pre-pandemic levels.

The projected employment of both direct and indirect employees in the hospitality industry is expected to re-

main 9.7% lower than 2019. However, the need for these businesses to meet their staffing requirements has resulted in a raise in pay and benefits, in order to attract workers.

According to the AHLA, the national average wage of direct employees of the hospitality industry rose to $23 per hour in December of 2022, and this number is expected to increase through 2023.

The AHLA is also seeking to meet workforce needs by its affiliated “Workforce and Immigration Initiative,” which is lobbying for a national, bipartisan immigration reform in order to legally incorporate more immigrants into the American workforce and economy.

“Recruiting enough workers continues to be the top challenge for many hoteliers, and this is leading to historic career opportunities for hotel employees,” said AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers. “AHLA and the AHLA Foundation are working tirelessly to grow the industry’s talent pipeline and retain workers through innovative events like National Hotel Employee Day and compelling ad campaigns like ‘A Place to Stay,’ but there is still more to be done. We need Congress to help address workforce shortages with bipartisan solutions to incorporate more immigrants into the American economy.”

These measures may prove to be unpopular in Alabama, which has a history of strict immigration laws.

Back in 2011, the state legislature enacted HB 56, which required law enforcement to check the immigration status of anyone that they detained and suspected of being in the country illegally, with immigrants being required to carry their immigration documents

with them at all times.

The legislation had a devastating effect on Alabama’s economy; crops rotted in the fields as overwhelmingly-Hispanic agricultural workforces vanished, hotels were massively understaffed, and American workers failed utterly to fill the niche voided by undocumented workers fleeing the state. A study by University of Alabama economist Samuel Addy estimated that the crackdown cost the state billions of dollars in lost state sales and income taxes, with millions also lost for city and local taxes.

It remains to be seen if Alabama will continue its pattern of anti-immigration crackdowns, or if the prospect of increased prosperity, brought forth by entities like the American Housing and Lodging Association, can alter hardline stances in state and Federal legislatures. w

By: Marie Johnson /

Photo by Steve Babin

A Conversation with John Blue of John Blue Realty

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.

John Blue’s family moved around a good bit when he was a kid. A proud son of a United States Marine, John was born in San Antonio, Texas, but soon moved around the nation, moving to places like Hawaii and Washington D.C. Eventually, John’s family landed in Huntsville in 1964, where he would attend Huntsville High School and then go on to graduate from the University of Alabama.

John would begin his career in the Real Estate field with Huntsville’s GW Jones & Sons Real Estate, and then moved on to help start Chase Commercial Properties in the late 1980s, which included work on the $75 million development of the Ledges Country Club. Soon after, John decided to venture out for himself and opened John Blue Realty in 1992. Now thirty years later, the com-

pany has become a staple for commercial real estate success in Huntsville, and has become a well-respected face of innovation and change in the city.

The Huntsville Business Journal sat down with John to discuss the legacy of his business, give advice for current and future entrepreneurs, and to take a look at the future of his family-owned and operated business. Did you encounter any significant obstacles starting out?

Definitely dealing with the banks, and let me tell you why. In financing, and in trying to second guess where interest rates are going to go: in the last four or five years, the banks have been really constant with interest rates within the 3%-4% range, but now they are in the 6%-8% range.

This all relates to how you propose deals, propose rents to new clients, and build new buildings. Trying to estimate the costs of rental agreements, for example, is all predicated on your interest on your loans.

A 1% interest rate change could honestly make or break your business, and this idea was what I found most difficult, even back in ‘92. It’s still this way today.

What advice would you give to someone who is starting their own business?

You need to have some background in accounting. You need to have some understanding of the figures, because that is what it all boils down to basically. From starting your own business, picking the location, or securing loans and deals with banks, it’s really all about numbers.

You have got to realize and know how to analyze a spreadsheet in reference to your income and your expense statement.

What does it take to jump from working for someone to being an entrepreneur and calling your own shots?

Honestly, it takes some guts and some careful planning. It goes back to numbers. You need to be aware of your

By: Gus Wintzell /

savings and look at how much time you can spend working without getting a steady paycheck.

This is also where the first part comes into play. You need to have the guts to take that step, work without necessarily getting a good steady set of income, and hope you planned your numbers well. You also have to be able to adapt and be patient with unexpected occurrences, like when our economy slowed down back in 2020. w

Photo by Steve Babin

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Business Over Beers: Networking for Success

Professional networking is an important skill and asset for those looking to grow their business or advance within their career field. Luckily, Huntsville is home to a large collective of organizations, associations, and agencies that provide an expansive list of opportunities for locals to go out and connect.

Benefits of Networking

The research is overwhelmingly clear: more career opportunities occur as the result of networking than any other tactic or strategy.

In fact, up to 80% of all job positions are filled through personal and professional connections and only 30% of open positions are ever posted publicly online. For Huntsville’s rapidly growing professional labor pool, the options for local networking are abundant.

Jamie Miller, President of Cyber Huntsville, wants people to know that our city is home to a dynamic and collaborative ecosystem where partner organizations - like NAC-ISSA, WID-TVC, and Cyber Huntsville - support one another and the local community by offering scholarships, training opportunities, certifications programs, mentoring, and, of course, networking events.

These organizations, along with others mentioned in this article, offer free, low-cost, or discounted memberships, send out periodic newsletters with details about events and other opportunities, and host social gatherings - many of which are free to attend!

Business and Brews

As a city full of breweries, professional associations, and friendly folks, Huntsville has no shortage of ideal locations for these groups to host their “after hours” events.

In fact, CyberBrews, founded locally by Karen Williams, began as a group of cyber professionals simply meeting over beers each week to collectively problem-solve issues they were encountering on the job.

The group has since grown into a thriving business that has partnered

with InnerSpace Brewing Company, Straight to Ale, Yellowhammer Brewing, Fractal Brewing, and many more.

NAC-ISSA often hosts events at these locations and others as well.

If one is looking for something a little different, Cyber Reach is a local non-profit that supports those growing their career in cybersecurity or other STEM fields. They host a variety of events, as well, including trivia nights and tech talks.

Beyond Cybersecurity

This vast networking system is not limited to those in the cyber

field, however. Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), for example, has an Alabama chapter that provides resources, advocacy, and training opportunities for those in the construction industry.

Another great way for business owners and professionals to connect is through the Huntsville/Madison Chamber of Commerce which hosts a wide variety of different types of events all year round. While some of their events are restricted to members only, or require a registration fee to attend, the cost is certainly worth it. The Chamber has an outstanding

By: Alexander Duck / Photos courtesy of CyberBrews/Alexander Duck

reputation for supporting local businesses and hosting amazing events.

Likewise, the Huntsville Association of Small Businesses in Advanced Technology (HASBAT) supports and promotes businesses pursuing high technology contracts with local federal agencies.

Even More Options

Students at AAMU, UAH, Drake, Calhoun, and Oakwood who are looking to expand their options and explore new opportunities should join their local student groups and the student chapters of larger associations found on their campuses.

This is not only a great way to bond with fellow classmates, but can help them to meet professionals, mentors, and prospective employers within their field.

Another great option is the group Huntsville Young Professionals (HYP). Each month they coordinate a variety of events, including fun hangouts, happy hours, volunteerism, and training opportunities.

The group is geared primarily toward professionals under the age of 40 and is totally free to join.

There is also a Huntsville chapter of LinkedInLocal that offers additional opportunities for connecting and is a fantastic way to meet people from that site in-person or vice versa. It is also worth following their hashtag on LinkedIn as it is often used to promote local events and job opportunities.

Conclusion

Huntsville is a city with a lot of charm and a lot of friendly faces. While our world of media, communication, and technology continues to evolve, almost by the minute, some tried-and-true things have remained the same.

Building personal and professional connections, often over a cold beer, is an important step in maximizing success, growing a business, or advancing within a particular career field. So to all the Rocket City professionals out there: Cheers! w

Huntsville Business Included in 2023 National Small Business Week Award Nominations

On March 14, 2023, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s 33 million small businesses, announced the Small Business Persons of the Year from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

The State, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico winners will be recognized on Sunday, April 30 and Monday, May 1 during the National Small Business Week awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. At the event, one of the state/territory winners will be announced as the 2023 National Small Business Person of the Year.

National Small Business Week (NSBW) will be held from April 30-May 6, 2023.

ALABAMA – Out of numerous nominations, one business was selected to represent Alabama as the Small Business Person of the Year (SBPOY) and could potentially be deemed by the administrator as the National Winner of SBPOY.

In addition to the nationally recognized state winner of SBPOY, there are other local level awards representing Alabama-based businesses such as: Minority-Owned, Rural-Owned, Veteran-Owned, and Woman-Owned Small Businesses of the Year.

These awards seek to highlight and recognize Alabama businesses that represent Alabama’s robust and rich culture, contribute to the local economy by creating jobs, and providing innovative goods and services across the nation.

Alabama Small Business Person of Year:

Daryl Thomas of Thomas Accounting and Tax Services LLC - Selma, Alabama

From an early age, Daryl was diagnosed with cerebral palsy that

would call his ability to walk and speak into question. However, after successful physical and speech therapy, he was able to not only overcome his physical challenges but also excel in academics, receiving his B.S. in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Alabama.

After several years of accounting employment through various local government offices, churches, and medical facilities, Daryl Thomas started his own business out of his home in 2009.

By 2015, he moved his business from his home to the current location in Selma, Alabama. Like many small businesses, the Pandemic strained the business, but Daryl was able to take advantage of SBA’s COVID-19 EIDL and keep his business operating. Daryl and his three full-time employees are providing accounting and tax services for local small businesses, churches, and nearly 400 individuals during tax season.

Alabama Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year

Sridhara Gutti of Essnova Solutions, Inc - Birmingham, Alabama

By: Gus Wintzell / Photos courtesy of The U.S. Small Business Administration

Sridhara Gutti immigrated to the United States from India at the age of 23 and initially started working as a software consultant for an Alabama-based software company.

In 2005, he launched Essnova Solutions as a technology systems integrator with expertise in automation, cloud migration, artificial intelligence, human-centric design, customer experience/engagement, robotic process automation (RPA), GIS/geospatial and other emerging technology implementations for both government and commercial entities.

Over the years, Sridhara has been able to successfully leverage several SBA resources such as: PTAC counseling, the Emerging Leaders initiative, and is currently participating in the SBA 8(a) Business Development program. Lastly, he was previously named the 2020 Alabama Winner of the Small Business Person of the Year during National Small Business Week.

Alabama Rural-Owned Small Business of the Year

Christina Woerner McInnis of Soilkit by AgriTech Corporation -

Foley, Alabama

Christina Woerner McInnis is a fifth-generation farmer from the Woerner Family and her family has been farming Alabama soils for over 100 years.

In 2019, Christina founded of AgriTech Corp and created the product “SoilKit” which is a soil health technology platform that starts with a lab-based soil test and finishes with the virtual SoilKit365 annual program providing prescriptive product recommendations throughout the year that are customized based on the crop the user is growing, the chemistry in their soil, and the seasonality of their hardiness zone. Initially, when SoilKit first went to market, it was only direct-to-consumers at soilkit.com and online on Amazon.

Under Christina's leadership, AgriTech Corp landed contracts with eight lawn and garden distributors, one major land grant university, one big box retailer and dozens of landscape companies in its first year of operation. Like many businesses, ArgTech had suffered during the pandemic as a young company but was able to

secure SBA’s paycheck protection program (PPP) forgivable loans and an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) COVID-10 relief.

Alabama Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year

Sydney Cody of Vanguard Pacific - Foley, Alabama

Sydney Cody served for nearly six years as a Naval Officer in the Civil Engineers Corps, where she worked for Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command as the Assistant Resident Officer in Charge of Construction for military construction projects. She also completed a tour of duty overseas in Djibouti, Africa where she led approximately 120 Seabees executing various rudimentary construction projects across the continent, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

She purchased 51% Ownership of Vanguard Pacific in 2016, assuming 100% ownership in 2020. Vanguard Pacific is a government construction company with services ranging from green field facilities, renovation of occupied spaces, HVAC, roofing, painting, protective coatings, and a disaster response and is currently participating in the SBA 8(a) Business Development program.

Alabama Women-Owned Small Business of the Year

Angela Howald of AcqCentric,

Inc. - Huntsville, Alabama

Angela Howald, an Army Veteran, settled in Huntsville with her family after service and she was able to leverage her military and contractor experience to start AcqCentric in 2015. AcqCentric provides contractor expertise in missile/radar systems engineering, program management, cyber security, operations, and sustainable planning for defense clients.

She has utilized local SBA resource partners such as the Huntsville-based women’s business center, The Catalyst Center, and the Procurement and Technical Assistance Center of the University of Alabama Huntsville (PTAC at UAH) which help AcqCentric connect to contracting opportunities, obtain competitive certificates, and guidance through the SBA 8(a) Business Development program requirements. The company began from the dining room table and now operates in a 1,300 square foot office space of Research Park.

Like many companies nationwide, AcqCentric had to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, quickly adapting strategies, they were able to keep employees safe, encouraged, and had minimal work interruption. In the last three years, AcqCentric has added four more employees and has more than doubled their net worth. w

Angela Howald of AcqCentric, Inc.

Small Business Spotlight: Pizzelle’s Confections at Lowe Mill

The Small Business Spotlight is a brand new column that focuses on local small businesses in the Huntsville/ Madison County area and their keys to success.

For our first entry in this new series, the Huntsville Business Journal met with Michelle Novosel and Caitlin Lyon, co-owners of Pizzelle’s Confections, located at Lowe Mill.

Pizzelle’s is a spacious, diner-like restaurant, where patrons can find a table and really take the time to savor the delicious chocolate creations on offer. A wide array of pastries and chocolates were on display in large cases, and several pastry chefs bustled about behind the counters, where patrons could watch them work their chocolatier magic.

We pulled up a table with the coowners, who reflected on their long history in Huntsville. Both women are long-time residents of Huntsville, with Novosel having lived here since elementary school, and Lyon since high school. After graduating, they both remained in the area.

“It’s not some place you leave,” joked Lyon - and so opening up a business here was a natural decision for them.

“Huntsville really has changed a lot,” Novosel mused. “You see it on the news, that Huntsville is growing, but we can really see that here.”

“We get much more foot traffic than we used to,” added Lyon. “With transplants coming from bigger cit-

ies, who really appreciate places like this, really all of the small businesses are benefiting.”

The pair attributed Lowe Mill with lending inspiration to their confectionary creations.

“We’re surrounded by art all the time, so we get inspiration from the artists, the customers, just all of the people who come through here,” said Novosel. “We’re all artists here, so we can really push the creativity, and there’s still that full-on industrial sort of setting to it. You’ll have the old Flying Monkey floor, and then another floor has a bronze foundry on it. It just lends itself to us being a little quirky.”

That atmosphere of artistic creativity allows Pizzelle’s to experi-

ment with unconventional flavors, such as the “I Do De-Claire,” which is made with goat cheese and honey for a more savory flavor, or the “Goodbye Earl,” which is a milk

By:

chocolate ganache with Earl Grey tea.

The pair stressed that they source local ingredients for their creations whenever possible, which sometimes proves to be a challenge. “Because chocolate is such a science, and pastries are such a science, you have to be careful with variations,” said Novosel. Lyon offered further explanation. “My all-time favorite is ‘El Machete,’ which is made with Cayenne peppers. We use locally-sourced Cayenne, but sometimes one batch will have a slightly different amount of heat, so we have to adjust to get it just right.”

The chocolates and pastries

Marie Johnson / Photos by Gus Wintzell

at Pizzelle’s are each hand-crafted by chocolatiers and pastry chefs, enabling the shop to carefullycontrol the taste experiences of each creation.

Lyon and Novosel had some words of advice for other creatives looking to parlay their passion into a business, wisdom earned from ten years of success.

“Be patient,’ said Novosel, “and start small. A lot of people want to have everything right away, but that won’t work. We started really, really small. And don’t be married to a specific product or idea; you need to be flexible, and ready to pivot.”

“We’ve done some specific flavors, some products that we were really proud of, but just didn’t

sell well enough,” added Lyon. “It didn’t matter how much we loved them, if they didn’t sell, we couldn’t keep them.”

“Your passion is your passion, but if you want to make it a business, you need to be able to listen to your customers. You can still stay true to you, but you have to listen to what the customers are telling you,” said

Novosel. “If they just don’t like a certain product, it won’t sell, and if they really want something specific, they’ll tell you.”

With its combination of culinary creativity and flexible business savvy, Pizzelle’s Confections has kept the chocolate coming for ten years so far, and hopefully, for many years into the future. w

Huntsville Logistic Center to Bring 700 Jobs in Early 2024

Huntsville officials celebrated the groundbreaking of a new industrial park on Wednesday along with several representatives from J.H. Berry & Gilbert, one of the companies behind it’s development.

The Huntsville Logistic Center will open in first quarter of 2024 after construction is completed on the first two buildings across its 132 acre plot on Old Highway 20 and Gunters Way. It is the latest of several developments in an area that includes Buffalo Rock

and Amazon plants.

Edwin Moss, J.H. Berry & Gilbert executive vice president, delivered a speech in which he explained some specifics about the upcoming project.

“The first two buildings will bring over a million square feet of modern bulk distribution warehouse. These are buildings very similar to the Amazon building,” Moss explained.

“You can see in the background here that'll have 40 foot ceiling heights, 40 feet clear. Over a hundred million dollars will be spent in the first phase and as the proj-

ect completes over 2 million square feet north of 200 million invested, we would expect and estimate this brings over 700 jobs to the area. And that's not to include the 450

By: Noah Logan

jobs that would be a part of the construction private trades that'll be here, and you'll see that on the ground in the coming days and in the months ahead.”

/

Photos by Noah Logan

“The first two buildings will bring over a million square feet of modern bulk distribution warehouse. These are buildings very similar to the Amazon building”

“...we would expect and estimate this brings over 700 jobs to the area.”

Participants in the groundbreaking ceremony of the Huntsville Logistic Center

“Shane Davis has been a tremendous help from the beginning with getting a site in the area. As always, a pro business environment here in Huntsville. He brings a lot of vision for growth and investment along with the infrastructure required to do it. But also investment in the ideas and creativity of capital and private capital coming, wanting, and anticipating growth,” said Moss.

Richard Bigoney, of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, also gave remarks in which he endorsed the concept of a logistics center so close to the airport and interstate.

“We are trying to attract more advanced manufacturing and more industry, which is why our economy is booming,” he said. “You picked a great piece of property on which to develop the Huntsville Logistics Center.” w

In an interview with HBJ, Moss praised Shane Davis along with other Huntsville officials.

The Big 10 Mayors of Alabama announced their legislative agenda earlier mid-March that will be applied for the 2023 legislative session.

For those unfamiliar with the group, the mayors of Alabama’s ten biggest cities regularly meet and collaborate in order to use their collective influence and advocate for public policy positions.

The group represents the metro areas of Huntsville, Birmingham, Madison, Mobile, Montgomery, Auburn, Tuscaloosa, Dothan, Hoover and Decatur which all make up 75% of the state’s population. The Huntsville Business Journal was able to speak with Mayor Battle regarding the 2023 agenda released by the group.

“The Big 10 Mayors group has been around for several years now, and while we’ve always discussed state priorities amongst ourselves, this is the first year we’ve approached a formal state agenda in quite this way,”

Alabama’s Big 10 Mayors with 2023 Legislative

By: Noah Logan / Photos

“The Big 10 Mayors group has been around for several years now, and while we’ve always discussed state priorities amongst ourselves, this is the first year we’ve approached a formal state agenda in quite this way,” said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. “The 2023 agenda lays out several priorities that the mayors of Alabama’s ten most populous cities think the state government should address. “

The first item listed in the agenda is the renewal and expansion of the Alabama Jobs Act and the Growing Alabama Act. The Alabama Jobs Act is an incentive to stimulate economic growth through new job creation and capital investment. There are many incentives laid out in the act which include the job creation incentive and an annual cash rebate up to 3% of the previous year’s gross payroll

(not including fringe benefits) for eligible employees for up to 10 years.

Huntsville is a great example for the other metros to look to in this regard as the city’s efforts resulted in the state’s lowest unemployment rate last year at 2.0 percent.

“When you look at the big industrial economic development wins in Alabama over the last decade, two things stand out: a local government was key in the recruitment process, and the state’s economic incentives helped make Alabama the right place for the company,” Mayor Battle stated.

“That’s why it is such a natural fit for our Big 10 Mayors group to advocate for renewing and enhancing the incentives legislation. Those laws

are irreplaceable tools in our economic development toolbox – big projects such as our bringing in Mazda-Toyota Manufacturing would not have been possible without them. Our ultimate goal is to make sure the incentives are around so Alabama’s economy can continue to grow and the citizens of this state can prosper.”

Apart from focusing on the Alabama Jobs Act, the agenda highlighted other major areas of legislation:

- Increase Online Sales Tax Transparency: The Alabama Big 10 Mayors support efforts to make online sales tax distribution data from the State available publicly. If Alabamians are required to pay taxes on items purchased on the internet, they deserve the right to know where their tax dollars are going.

- Revitalizing Neighborhoods and Reducing Blight Through Clearing Red Tape: The Alabama Big 10 Mayors support legislation that would slash unnecessary, burdensome red tape to allow local governments and land bank authorities to take control

courtesy

Front Row left to right: Madison, AL Mayor Paul Finley, Decatur, AL Mayor Tab Bowling, Governor Kay Ivey, Dothan, AL Mayor Mark Saliba, Hoover, AL Frank Brocato, Auburn, AL Ron Anders Back Row left to right: Birmingham, AL Mayor Randall Woodfin, Mobile, AL Mayor Sandy Stimpson, Montgomery, AL Mayor Steven Reed, Tuscaloosa, Al Mayor Walt Maddox

Pictured below, members of the Alabama's Big 10 Mayors

Continue to Collaborate Legislative Agenda

courtesy of City of Huntsville

of vacant, abandoned, and tax-delinquent properties and address them in a way that would then allow those previously unusable properties to contribute to and improve communities in Alabama cities.

- Implement State Penalties on Illegal Devices to Protect Law Enforcement and Keep Our Communities

Safe: The Alabama Big 10 Mayors supports legislation that would enable more expedient prosecution of unlicensed persons found to be in possession of any “trigger activator” device, such as a “Glock switch.” These devices, which are federally illegal and not authorized by gun manufacturers, effectively turn a semi-automatic firearm into a fully automatic firearm. These devices increase the number of

rounds fired per second and decrease the amount of control one has over the firearm, increasing risks to bystanders and law enforcement. New state legislation would allow state and local law enforcement the ability to address this growing crime problem and take offenders off the street, without waiting on the federal government’s lengthy indictment process.

- Ban “Exhibition Driving”: The Alabama Big 10 Mayors support legislation that prohibits and provides criminal penalties for “exhibition driving” – which is when a driver purposefully drives in a manner to intentionally create unnecessary engine noise, tire skid, burnouts, and other dangerous and damaging driving techniques. This is a growing prob-

lem across Alabama cities that creates a public safety hazard for pedestrians and other drivers while draining limited law enforcement resources.

The Big 10 Mayors also focused on the importance of the recently passed Aniah’s Law.

Under Aniah’s Law, judges will now be able to deny bail to dangerous offenders who are likely to reoffend when charged with serious felonies like murder, kidnapping, rape, sexual torture, domestic violence, human trafficking, burglary, arson, robbery, terrorism, or aggravated child abuse.

In a joint statement, the group of mayors thanked Alabama voters for passing Aniah’s Law in late 2022 and the joint efforts continue so far in 2023 with the previously

mentioned legislative agenda.

While the Big 10 mayors have been meeting regularly for several years to collaborate on state issues, this past election cycle was their first public, consolidated effort into electoral politics.

“Our two main areas of focus are growing Alabama’s economy and keeping the people of Alabama safe,” Battle explained. “Your community can’t thrive unless the people who live there feel comfortable in their homes and their city’s public spaces. Additionally, your citizens can’t thrive unless they have economic opportunities for themselves and the next generation of their family. As mayors, we’re always laser-focused on those two areas, and that is reflected in our 2023 agenda.” w

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle speaks at an Alabama's Big 10 meeting

‘The Bias Inside Us’ Comes to Huntsville

Recently, Huntsville has been on the center stage for a variety of awards, accolades, and important events. And, in the coming weeks, the city will mark a Smithsonian visit off of the list.

The traveling Smithsoinian exhibit “The Bias Inside Us,” is set to take place this spring at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. This will be the first time the exhibition will visit Alabama.

Hosted by the City of Huntsville’s Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, “The Bias Inside Us” is a free traveling exhibit that will explore the social science and psychology of implicit bias, the impact of this bias and what people can do about it. Slated for April 24 through May 20, the exhibit will be open to the public at no charge.

Visitors will participate in a self-guided tour exploring the foundational blocks of bias, the psychology of how bias forms and how it influences behaviors both consciously and unconsciously. The exhibit will be open weekdays from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. Each Tuesday the exhibit will remain open until 7pm.

Through compelling images, hands-on interactive and powerful testimonials and videos, the exhibition unpacks and demystifies the concept of bias. The community engagement project from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) features six sections: Introduction, The Science of Bias, Bias in Real Life, Serious Consequences—Bias is All Around Us, #RetrainYourBrain and Personal Reflection.

Interactive elements display how implicit and explicit bias shows up in the world and how bias influences systems and policies that have consequences for many people and communities. Among the vid-

eos in the exhibition is a series that features eight voices from diverse perspectives sharing personal experiences with bias.

The exhibition also features Spanish photographer Angélica Dass’ Humanae project, which reflects on the color of skin that challenges the concept of race. In

this work, Dass documents humanity’s true colors through portraits, rather than the labels “white,” “red,” “black” and “yellow.”

“Bias is part of being human,” said Myriam Springuel, director of SITES and Smithsonian Affiliations. “Our goal through ‘The Bias Inside Us’ is to help individuals understand and counter their implicit bias and help communities thrive through conversation and greater understanding.”

“The Bias Inside Us” draws from the scientific research and educational work by psychologists Mahzarin R. Banaji of Harvard University and Anthony G. Greenwald, professor emeritus at the University of Washington. They

By: Ashlyn Grey / Photos courtesy of The Smithsonian Institution

“The Smithsonian is committed to sharing those untold stories, and to helping communities everywhere confront our past in order to improve our future.”

defined the term “implicit bias” through their work on unconscious and conscious mental processes.

“Since our founding, the Smithsonian Institution has explored the question of what it means to be an American. That means not only celebrating our accomplishments and achievements, but also confronting the entirety of our past as a nation and helping us remember the forgotten. The voices and stories of many of us were omitted from our national narrative, and we see the impacts of this systemic pattern in the challenges we face today,” said Secretary of the Smithsonian, Lonnie G. Bunch III.

“The Smithsonian is committed to sharing those untold stories, and to helping communities everywhere confront our past in order to improve our future. We want to ensure that we come together as a nation to understand bias, how it affects all aspects of our lives, and how we can identify and address it.”

As Americans, we share firm beliefs in equity, inclusion, and fairness. We at the Smithsonian are especially pleased to share this proj-

“Our goal through ‘The Bias Inside Us’ is to help individuals understand and counter their implicit bias and help communities thrive through conversation and greater understanding.”

“Our goal is to help people understand and counter their implicit biases and build capacity in communities through resources to convene dialogue that will increase empathy and create more inclusive schools, workplaces, and communities.”

ect – The Bias Inside Us – which confronts the issue of bias directly. Our project helps people to recognize their capacity for bias, to understand it as a scientific process, to learn ways to “check your bias,” and to counter its negative influences,” Bunch continued.

Major support for “The Bias Inside Us” is provided by the Otto Bremer Trust. Meta is the local sponsor of the exhibition.

“The Bias Inside Us” is based on an original concept developed by Tolerance in Motion: Steve Lear, Laura Zelle and Elyse Rabinowitz, founders; Ellen Glatstein, Laura Lipshutz, Alice Randall, Joanne Jones-Rizzi and Susan Shapiro, directors; Don Shelby, founding advisor; and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas, Steve Hunegs, executive director.

“The Smithsonian Institution is committed to leading and encour-

aging civil dialogue on important issues facing our nation. The Bias Inside Us is a community engagement project and exhibition. Our goal is to help people understand and counter their implicit biases and build capacity in communities through resources to convene dialogue that will increase empathy and create more inclusive schools, workplaces, and communities. The project includes a 1,500 sq. ft. exhibition on display for four weeks in each community, free of charge, and is designed to be the centerpiece of local activities. The exhibition allows for in-depth programming with time for surrounding communities to access the exhibition and its resources,” said The Smithsonian in a public statement online.

The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) has been sharing the wealth of Smithsonian collections and research programs with millions of people outside Washington, D.C., for more than 65 years.

SITES connects Americans to their shared cultural heritage through a wide range of exhibitions about art, science, and history, which are shown wherever people live, work and play. For more information, including exhibition descriptions and tour schedules, visit sites.si.edu. w

Undergraduate Research Celebrates 9th Annual UAH Research Horizons Poster Session

In early March, undergraduates at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) participated in the ninth annual UAH Research Horizons Poster Session at the Charger Union.

A total of 34 projects were presented by the students who conducted the work, with selected projects recognized for excellence in research and creative scholarship.

Each year the poster session highlights the wide variety of research activities underway at UAH, as well as giving students a chance to practice their presentation skills and gain constructive feedback from faculty, staff and fellow students. “Visitors to the event, besides being able to learn more about undergraduate research, were able to support this valuable learning experience, by providing our undergraduate researchers with feedback and advice!” says Dave Cook, director of undergraduate research at UAH, a part of The University of Alabama System.

This year, organizers welcomed 17 seniors from the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering as visitors to the event. “Dissemination events like the Research Horizons Poster Session are an excellent opportunity to show potential students the unique opportunities that await them if they attend UAH,” Cook said. "We’re really excited to continue this tradition of creating

a campus-wide opportunity to give undergraduates a chance to share their research and creative projects with the local and campus community.”

The event is intended primarily to be a learning experience for the participants rather than a competition, though visitors were able to show their appreciation for the researchers by voting for their three favorite poster presentations.

This year's People’s Choice awardees were:

First Place

Ella James (Physics)

“Polarization Properties of Optical Elements with Azimuthally Varying Phase Retardance “

Mentor: Don Gregory

Second Place

Macie Morgan (Communication Arts)

“Mnemonicide: The Killing of American Public Memory”

Mentor: John Saunders

Third Place

Claire Bergner (Economics)

“2019 SBIR/STTR Economic Impacts”

Mentor: Brinda Mahalingam

“Sharing your research with others in the community is an important part of inquiry-based learning, and it’s the reason that Research Hori-

zons was launched nine years ago,” Cook noted. “As usual, the presenters did a fantastic job! I’d like to thank

By: Russ Nelson /

the event a great success.” w

Photos courtesy of UAH/Michael Mercier

all of the participating students and their mentors for making

February Monthly Report Shows Dramatic Slowdown

The Huntsville Area Association of Realtors (HAAR) has released its monthly report on the state of the market over the month of February.

Of the various statistics compiled in the report, the dramatic increase in average time spent on the market stood out the most.

The average time a house in Huntsville-Madison County spent on the market more than tripled compared to February 2021. Houses spent an average of 36 days on the market, compared to a mere 11 in February the previous year.

This is an indicator of the continuing aftershocks on the market, from the interest rate hikes of 2022.

The frenetic pace of buying that distinguished the years of 2020 and 2021 dramatically slowed, as the sharply-increasing interest rates not only dissuaded would-be buyers, but also made potential sellers think twice about whether or not they wanted to sell their homes and enter the buyer’s market under those conditions.

According to a survey conducted by data analytics firm Black Knight, 40% of all current mortgages in the US originated from 2020 or 2021, with nearly a quarter of all current mortgages originating in 2021 specifically. The record low interest rates of mortgages in the pandemic economy makes holding on to those properties both easier and less expensive than contending with current interest rates.

However, the effect of seller reticence could be somewhat mitigated by the simply massive influx of new housing units introduced to the market in February.

The number of homes on the market also nearly tripled in February compared to the same month a year previous. Huntsville-Madison County had 1405 homes on the market in February, up from 511 in February of 2022.

A larger number of homes for sale, which are spending longer on the market, gives would-be buyers a potential opportunity to ne-

gotiate favorable terms on attractive properties. As always, the Huntsville Business Journal recommends consulting a professional realtor, and

your financial institution, for more specific information on available financing options.

The average price continued to

By: Marie Johnson

tick upwards in February, with an average sale price of $374K in Huntsville-Madison County, up from $356K the previous year. This is despite declining sales, with 452 homes sold in February, down from 574 in February 2022.

The Huntsville Business Journal will continue to bring its readers news on the latest developments in the real estate market. w

Inventory Increases While Construction Costs Remain High

According to Realtor.com’s most recent monthly housing report from earlier this year, active listings of homes for sale were up 65.2% relative to January.

This number still represents a 43.2% decrease from 2019’s pre-pandemic levels. However, it is indicative of construction and real estate picking back up from the shutdown. Here in Huntsville, the latest figures, accurate as to February 25, 2023, show Huntsville-Madison County increasing its inventory of single-family units by 96.2%, up to 2,641.

Realtor.com reports that, across the nation, homes are spending longer on the market compared to last year, which matches with Huntsville’s January report of an 89.5% increase, to an average of 36 days on the market.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, however, as it shifts the balance of negotiation leverage a bit towards buyers, empowering them to make better deals and take the time to ensure that the final agreement is less hurried.

What is unclear is how sustainable this pickup in inventory will prove to be.

According to a survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders and the Wells Fargo Housing

Market Index, a staggering 96% of US home building companies reported the cost and availability of construction materials as being a problem.

According to the Home Builders’ Digest, the cost of building a standard-construction, singlefamily home in the Huntsville area averages around $170 per square foot. This increases to around $200 per square foot for mid-range construction, and even higher for luxury or high-end homes.

These represent “hard costs,” as opposed to “soft costs,” which are such expenses as building permit fees, architectural design costs, and land fees.

Combined, these costs represent

a floor, keeping the price of housing high. While Huntsville’s housing costs remain below the national average, they are still increasing, with the median sales price reaching $295,000 in January.

The good news is that this is keeping the bottom from falling out of the real estate market. The bad news is that this represents a continuing source of frustration for those looking to buy, rent, or even build a home in the area.

Out-of-state investors are able to bid more to hire companies to build homes in the attractive Huntsville market, and then rent them out for continuing profit. The National Association of Home Builders’ survey also

By: Marie Johnson / Graphs courtesy of Realtor.com®

listed the availability and cost of labor as a continuing factor in driving up construction costs.

All of these factors combine together in unpredictable ways. Will the escalating prices blunt demand, and in turn, lower construction costs? Will Huntsville’s allure as a good place to live and work keep that demand high? Will efforts from local, state, and federal agencies to promote housing affordability succeed in addressing the challenges of putting actual people in actual homes?

Keep reading The Huntsville Business Journal and its Real Estate Update as we work to inform you of all of these developments in the real estate market. w

Huntsville Student Talks Internships, Biotechnology in New Book

When Martha Greer Walker started her internship in July of last year at the HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology (HudsonAlpha), she was still exploring future career options and was looking to answer some major questions about what the biotechnology field could do for young professionals.

Like many other high school students, she was looking at the current job market and weighing her options for what she wanted to pursue in college.

Little did she know that this experience would eventually lead to her first book.

Born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, Martha Greer was never a stranger to the demands of the ever-changing job market of the U.S. economy. Huntsville is home to various manufacturing hubs, an ever-growing top tier medical system, and the second largest research park in the nation.

With these industries comes thousands of specialized jobs, all that offer very distinct and singular experiences. In this way, Huntsville’s job market paints a very detailed and colorful picture.

But, for many high-school students, this picture can sometimes be overwhelming.

“The focus for my book came from this idea. New jobs are created every year, jobs that sometimes have never been seen or needed beforehand. I wanted to look into one of these new growing fields that I think will have a major impact on our economy, and help answer some of the tougher questions that my peers might have about them. One of these major fields that really surprised me was biotechnology,” said Walker.

A high school senior at St. Paul’s Boarding School in Concord, New Hampshire, Martha Greer became interested in the field of biotechnology and was really surprised about the lack of knowledge and exposure that many high school students have regarding the growing field.

In her book What The Heck Is

BioTech?, Martha dives into the biotechnology industry, defining what it means for the current job-market, and highlighting key jobs that are growing within the field.

Biotechnology is a field of science that combines biology and technology to create new products, processes, and applications. It involves the use of living organisms or their parts to develop new products or improve existing ones. The field encompasses a wide range of techniques and technology, including engineering, fermentation, and tissue culture.

Biotechnology as an industry has applications in many areas, including medicine, agriculture, food science, and environmental science, all of which Martha Greer discusses in What The Heck Is BioTech?

“Biotech really is a rapidly growing field with huge potential for many young professionals to not only produce

a career, but to improve health and well-being. I believe that it will have a huge impact on the United States, if not already, and should be talked about much more as a career option for many prospective students,” said Walker. Research from her book came from interviews with HudsonAlpha employees and scientists, as well as with the more than 50 start-up companies hosted on HudsonAlpha’s campus.

HudsonAlpha touts a 152 acre campus on Cummings Research Park, and has quickly become a cornerstone for business start-ups and entrepreneurs in the Huntsville area.

By: Gus Wintzell / Photos courtesy of Martha Greer Walker

Celebrating 15 years of successful growth this year, HudsonAlpha reported a $3.2 billion economic impact in the state of Alabama.

“The book leans heavily on the expertise that Huntsville already has from HudsonAlpha. I was inspired during my internship to take advantage of the resources that were right in front of me, and I felt like HudsonAlpha, with their non-profit and educational focus, was a perfect fit to answer some of my larger questions as a student and young professional,” said Walker.

In an interview with the Huntsville Business Journal, Martha Greer was asked to discuss her inspiration for the book, citing her internship with HudsonAlpha as a fundamental aspect of her work.

“During my internship, I noticed that there was not really a ton of information on internships within the biotech field, and even less on the professions that can come afterward. In my opinion, when younger students hear about biotechnology, it is just this opaque term that really never gets defined, but that is a huge field… I wanted younger people like myself to be aware of the growing opportunities within the field,” said Walker.

In the same interview, Martha Greer also stressed that the book was not only for high school and college students, but also was a must read for parents as well.

“I came into the book focusing on younger students, but it is the parents of these students that really know their kids more than anyone. Parents can help guide and influence their kids as they prepare to think about future careers. In a way, this book is as important to parents as it is for their kids,” she said.

“But, at the end of the day, regardless of the audience, this book is a resource that anyone can pull from,” Martha Greer concluded.

What The Heck Is BioTech? is available via Kindle or paperback at www. amazon.com. The Kindle version can be purchased for $2.99 and the paperback version for $13.95. w

Huntsville’s Century Automotive Goes Green

Century Automotive has committed to doing their part to help keep Huntsville and the Earth clean by installing solar panels on all buildings and committing to 60% solar power across the entire campus.

“Huntsville is a beautiful place and as leaders in our business community, it is our honor to serve as stewards to our environmental prosperity. Consistent with our mission statement ‘We Care’, installing solar panels was a very easy decision to make,” said Century Automotive in a recent press statement.

The panels were to be installed starting on March 6, 2023, with Century Automotive sharing that “the entire team is excited for it.”

“It is just the right thing to do, and the time is now. We want to do everything we can to reduce our footprint,” said Tracy Jones, President of Century Automotive Group.

Century hopes to serve as an example in the business community by not only treating their customers and community like gold, but the planet as well.

“Huntsville, Cullman, Florence, and the surrounding communities have helped us grow into the prominent family of dealerships we are today. We'll never forget what customers like you have done for us. In fact, we like to give back to the community however we can, whenever we can. We've made a special effort to get to know the businesses and nonprofit groups in Madison County and beyond. In our business, there's nothing so important as building relationships on both a personal and communitywide level,” said a representative of Century Automotive. w

WellStone Gains Former Downtown Huntsville, Inc. Attraction

North Alabama’s leading mental healthcare provider, WellStone, is host to a repurposed pop-up park, as of Friday, March 10 at 2 p.m.

Turner Construction Company, who originally constructed the park in partnership with Nola|VanPeursem Architects, recently moved the park from its downtown location to its new home on WellStone’s Huntsville campus—just in time for warmer spring weather. The park provides an area of respite on the grounds and an opportunity for employees to step outside as their schedules allow, supporting the very thing the organization’s mission is centered on – mental health.

According to research reported by Healthline in 2022, just a few minutes outside is proven to reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure and heart rate, increase vitamin D, improve sleep quality and duration, improve cognition and creativity, and improve relationships.

“It’s a great concept,” said Jeremy Blair, WellStone CEO. “It’s a fun feature to have on campus and we’ve already seen employees outside enjoying the park. We’re glad we had the space for it and thank Turner for thinking of us.”

For the past ten years, Downtown Huntsville, Inc. (DHI) has facilitated the installation of pop-up parks throughout the area. Sponsored by local businesses, these miniature parks have converted parking spaces into places for visitors to sit, swing, and play. DHI leadership recently decided to remove the parks from the city’s center. Some companies, like Turner, have chosen to repurpose the parks by donating them to other organizations. WellStone’s new pop-up park is located in a greenspace area behind the main building. It features four swings and two benches.

WellStone is North Alabama's largest and most comprehensive behavioral healthcare

provider, housing 70 programs and operating in 12 different facilities across the region. WellStone treats children, adolescents and adults who face mental illness, substance abuse and a broad range of obstacles to health and well-being. For more information about how WellStone is connecting the community to health and well-being, visit www. wellstone.com. w

Paul Curcio, executive editor of InvestmentNews.

Bridgeworth currently has offices in both Birmingham and Huntsville. w

Bridgeworth Garners #1 Spot on 2023 Best Places to Work Ranking

Bridgeworth Wealth Management has been named as a 2023 Best Places to Work for Financial Advisers by InvestmentNews.

Bridgeworth was chosen as one of this year’s top 75 firms based on employer and employee surveys delving into everything from company culture, benefits, career paths and more. It is the fifth consecutive year that the company has earned this honor, and has been ranked #1 overallfor companies with over 50 employees in 2023, a distinct honor Bridgeworth also received in 2021.

“Of all the awards and recognition Bridgeworth has earned, I am most proud of this one,” said DeLynn Zell, CFP®, Founder and CEO. “Bridgeworth remains a best place to work because of the incredible people working here giving 100% to our clients and each other.”

InvestmentNews partnered with Best Companies Group, an independent research firm specializing in identifying great places to work, to compile the survey and recognition program.

“Every year, InvestmentNews is proud to profile those who prioritize taking care of their own. We applaud this year’s Best Firms for Advisors winners for investing in their most precious resource: their people.” said

NASA Awards $217M Contract to Huntsville’s PCI Productions

PCI Productions, LLC, a media production company owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, has been selected by NASA to manage a critically important contract, valued at up to $217 million, in communication services for all its’ agency centers.

The contract will exponentially expand the creation and dissemination of practical and appropriate NASA information to the public as well as to other agencies. The effort, which is both technically sophisticated and massive in scope, will be coordinated out of PCI Productions office in Huntsville, Alabama.

“We are extremely proud that NASA has selected one of our Tribal-owned companies to do this very important work,” said Poarch’s Chairwoman and CEO Stephanie A. Bryan. “Alabama has benefited greatly from NASA’s presence here, and having a home-grown Alabama company as the lead in such a large communications contract will be beneficial economically to the Huntsville community and people across our State.”

PCI Productions, along with Mori Associates, Abacus Technology Corporation and Alutiiq Career Ventures, will comprise the core team of companies providing the expanded communication services, which begin June 1, 2023. w

prietary technology and secure future Phase III SBIRs." w

U. S. Space Force Orbital Prime Awards $1.7 Million Contract to Orbital Assembly in Direct to Phase II Small Business Innovation Research Award

Orbital Assembly has been awarded a $1.7 million contract from the United States Space Force to develop rapidly deployable On Orbit structural technologies to support many types of electronic equipment.

The United States Space Force is a separate and distinct branch of the armed services, organized under the Department of the Air Force.

In the Direct to Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Award, Orbital Assembly will develop an efficient, lightweight structure to support solar panels, large power, and communications antenna arrays as well as other space infrastructure functions.

"This SBIR Award is a strong validation of OAs place in the On Orbit Servicing Assembly and Manufacturing sector by the U.S. Space Force," said Rhonda Stevenson, chief executive officer of Orbital Assembly. "Robust, sustainable in-space infrastructure is a national strategic imperative and energy transmission will be an essential component for space stations, commercial and defense applications. This is a great opportunity for us to advance on orbit systems, commercialize our pro-

Launch 2035 Announces Launch Tank Business Competition Winners

On Monday, March 20, eight finalists of the Singing River Trail Launch Tank by Launch 2035 presented their "big ideas" at Athens State University in front of a panel of judges.

These eight local entrepreneurs were chosen from over 40 applicants. They will presented their ideas at Athen State on Monday, with each competing for a variety of prizes.

The Singing River Trail Launch Tank is a "Shark Tank" style event offering prizes and recognition to talented entrepreneurs from eight North Alabama counties. This event aims to highlight regional opportunities and encourage entrepreneurship in the area.

“The Singing River Trail has been a regional project that has inspired a region to work together,” said Launch Tank 2022 Grand Prize Winners, Mike and Meeka Fellows. “We bought into that spirit and vision when we applied for Launch Tank, and it was the best decision we made. The support we’ve received from people like Launch 2035’s John Joseph and Toni Eber-

hart have been essential to building our business, and as for the Singing River Trail… we’re all in!”

The eight finalists that participated on Monday included:

• Mimi Little - Be Gathered Rentals

• Zenovia Stephens - Black Kids Adventures, Inc

• Jonathan Fowler - Fow Wow Designs

• Courtney Greene - Greene Books LLC

• Larry Donelson - InTerra, LLC

• Emile Hughes - Ride Resorts Benefit, LLC

• Chris Soileau - River Elf, LLC

• Nathan Tucker & Ash Moorer

- Rocket City Electric Bike Rentals, LLC

More than $20,000 and other prizes were awarded to the finalists and the Rocket City Electric Bike Rentals went home with the grand prize. w

ear and balance issues. The company began operations earlier this year with four employees.

TheraVista Health recently launched a platform that digitizes traditional vestibular exercises into fun and engaging tablet-based games. The treatment program is customized and managed by the patient's therapist and allows for remote therapeutic monitoring and reimbursement.

“TheraVista Health is a new option for vestibular rehabilitation," said Scott Frederick, TheraVista Health CEO.

"Our platform brings the benefits of traditional vestibular therapy into the digital age, making it more convenient and engaging for patients, and more efficient for therapists. We believe this will greatly improve patient outcomes and make vestibular therapy more accessible to those who need it."

Frederick said the technology was developed as part of a National Institute of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project with the goal of making vestibular therapy more accessible and engaging for patients, while also providing a tool for therapists to track progress and optimize treatment plans.

CFD Research and OtherLeft Ventures Launch TheraVista Health

Huntsville’s CFD Research Corporation and Nashville’s OtherLeft Ventures started a new digital health company, TheraVista Health Inc.

The new corporation is based in Nashville and provides a remote monitoring platform for rehabilitation patients who are affected by inner

“We are excited to start our partnership with OtherLeft Ventures, a venture studio program specialized in B2B Healthcare Software,” said Sameer Singhal, CFD Research’s President & CEO. “After several years of research and development, it is rewarding to see our innovations reach the market and make a difference in the lives of physical therapy patients through the formation of TheraVista Health.” w

Poarch Band of Creek Indians’ Stephanie Bryan Recognized as ‘CEO of the Year’

Business Alabama has awarded Stephanie Bryan, Chair and CEO of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, with its first ever CEO of the Year award.

Hundreds attended the Birmingham luncheon where Business Alabama held its inaugural awards event honoring the best in business around the state. In bestowing Bryan with its first ever CEO of the Year award, Business Alabama specifically cited the success Bryan has had leading a variety of businesses across the state.

Chairwoman Bryan thanked Business Alabama for the award.

“No business is successful without a great team of employees, and at Poarch we are blessed to have wonderful people who work hard and believe in what we are trying to do for the state. I am honored to receive this award, and I promise to continue to do what I can to create good jobs and have well-run businesses that create a positive economic impact in our state,” Bryan stated.

Other nominees within the CEO of the Year category included Josh Carpenter, CEO of Southern Research in Birmingham; Mark Crosswhite, former CEO of Alabama Power in Birmingham; Bill Roark, founder and CEO of Starfish Holdings in Huntsville; and Tim Vines, president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.

ServisFirst Bank Huntsville

Announces New Assistant Vice President and New Branch Operations Manager

ServisFirst Bank announced the promotion of Elizabeth Jacobus to Assistant Vice President, Commercial Banking Officer, and Drew Jones to Branch Operations Manager, Bank Officer for the ServisFirst Bank Huntsville region.

Elizabeth Jacobus has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Commercial Banking Officer of the ServisFirst Huntsville region. Joining the team as an intern in October of 2016, Jacobus accepted a full-time Credit Analyst position after graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Alabama Huntsville (UAH) in May of 2017 with a BSBA in Finance.

While working full-time, she completed her MBA at UAH in December 2018. Jacobus was then promoted to Assistant Relationship Manager in 2019 and Commercial Banking Officer in 2021.

Drew Jones has been promoted to Branch Operations Manager, Bank Officer of the ServisFirst Bank Huntsville Research Park Office. Jones has been a member of the ServisFirst team since joining as an intern in 2016. Upon graduating in 2017, Jones was hired full-time and has since taken on various positions within ServisFirst Bank, including Client Service Representative, Loan Administrator, and Branch Operations Supervisor.

Her financial education, work experience and excellent client service have helped prepare her to take on this new role of Branch Operations Manager of the Research Park team.

Eric Moore Promoted to Partner at Patterson + Sheridan

Eric Moore has been promoted to partner at the intellectual property and technology law firm Patterson + Sheridan LLP. Moore will be working in Huntsville and Dallas for the firm. He has worked within the computer science discipline for more than a decade, first entering the field as a developer of military software.

“It is an honor to be named partner at Patterson + Sheridan. I look forward to growing my practice in the artificial intelligence and machine learning space, mentoring the future of patent law and supporting the firm’s clients in emerging technologies,” said Moore.

Moore has drafted and prosecuted hundreds of patent applications related to complex computer technologies, including machine learning, virtual computing, user interfaces, semiconductor technologies and telecommunications.

He often helps clients identify patentable subject matter through “invention mining” sessions which translate ideas into viable applications. He also applies his legal skills and technical background to assist in dispute resolution including patent litigation.

Before joining the law firm, he was a patent examiner at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Moore holds a B.S. degree in computer science from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and a J.D. from the Ave Maria School of Law.

C Spire Moves CFO Ben Pace to Birmingham Office to Chart Growth in Alabama

C Spire’s CFO Ben Pace is moving to the company’s Birmingham, Alabama office to pilot continued growth and expansion for the diversified telecommunications and technology services firm across the state. Pace previously worked in C Spire’s Ridgeland, Mississippi headquarters for the past 23 years.

The move comes in the midst of a $500 million investment in fiber infrastructure and network enhancements in Alabama to provide ultra-fast broadband internet access for consumers and other advanced voice and data services to businesses.

“We have a long-standing commitment to Alabama, and are expanding our services across the state, bringing ultra-fast fiber to rural communities, encouraging private sector broadband investment and leveraging existing resources to residents and businesses,” said Hu Meena, president and CEO of C Spire. “To lead our continued growth, we felt it important to have an executive from the C-suite working in our Birmingham office. Ben will be a great catalyst and visionary in the marketplace.”

C Spire's broadband network now provides ultra-fast, all-fiber services to more than 200,000 homes and business in Alabama and Mississippi after continuing to expand its broadband internet availability in the marketplace.

Pace joined C Spire in 2000 and is responsible for all accounting and financial functions of the company, including capital financing, mergers and acquisitions and strategic planning.

“I am eager to work alongside my colleagues, state and local officials, businesses and residents to advance technologies that will enhance the quality of life across Alabama,” Pace said. “We are steadfast in our investment in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee to improve the economic future for the next generation.”

Elizabeth Jacobus

Drew Jones