Making Huntsville and Alabama into a Southeastern Plasma Powerhouse

The business community can help propel to fruition a statewide endeavor backed by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to make Huntsville the hub of an Alabama plasma physics technology powerhouse that spans the Southeast.

The effort is a springboard to propel cutting-edge university plasma physics research and technologies into practical business applications in agriculture, manufacturing, propulsion, space science, space weather prediction and more. It nurtures and educates the required high-technology workforce to stimulate thousands of high-paying jobs.

Called Future Technologies & enabling Plasma Processes (FTPP) and led by The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), the enterprise is fueled by a five-year $20 million grant from the NSF Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). The current grant consecutively follows a previous $20 million NSF award.

“The critical next step, and one where we are looking to Huntsville and Alabama entrepreneurs and business leaders for help and engagement, is taking plasma technology into the industrial and commercial environment,” says Dr. Gary Zank, the principal investigator for the FTPP grant.

The FTPP consortium consists of UAH, The University of Alabama, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Auburn University, Tuskegee University, the University of South Alabama, Alabama A&M University, Alabama State University, Oakwood University and CFD Research Corp.

If FTPP succeeds over the coming five years, the NSF’s Regional Innovation Engines program is gearing up to vault Huntsville and Alabama into place as the Southeastern hub for cutting-edge plasma technology, backed by a Type 2 grant of $160 million.

Reliant on plasma

“Modern society relies on plasmabased technologies such as efficient lighting, new materials, welding, internal combustion and jet engines, medical implants and water purification,” says Dr. Zank, who is the Aerojet Rocketdyne chair of the Department of Space Science at UAH and also the director of the university’s Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research (CSPAR).

“Plasmas enable microelectronics fabrication through the etching and deposition of materials; compact particle accelerators for science, medicine and industry; forecasting of extreme space weather events; and agricultural and medical advances,” says Dr. Zank, a world-renowned astrophysicist and a full member of the National Academy of Sciences.

“All of these industries and more become accessible to Huntsville and Alabama, provided that a new class of business people and entrepreneurs is created with the vision to translate plasma science and engineering (PSE) research into new and innovative technologies, and that they join together with a workforce educated in basic PSE,” says Dr. Zank.

Get involved now

Companies can get directly

By: Jim Steele

involved in ground-floor plasma technology opportunities by reaching out to Dr. Zank and FTPP through the website and by participating in the FTPP student internship program.

“They can learn what potential technologies enabled by PSE might be useful to them, and how,” Dr. Zank says.

Right now, businesses can help develop the plasma workforce of the future in Alabama by participating in FTPP’s student intern program, in which FTPP pays the students to work in companies that are or might become engaged in PSE processes.

“One of our most important efforts is to build a broad group of graduate students working in the various areas of PSE, and we always have a ready supply of eager young minds for these internships,” Dr. Zank says. “It’s a resource that business people need to know about and utilize.”

To educate a future workforce, FTPP conducts kindergarten through 12th grade outreach programs and has multiple summer programs that reach out to STEM undergraduate students across the Southeast. It is developing an Alabama and Southeastern plasma certification program that will introduce interested college undergraduates to graduate-level PSE.

What is plasma?

Plasma is a state of matter comprising a mixture of charged particles and sometimes chemically active species.

“Imagine that there is a kind of gas that helps you grow large gemquality diamonds, allows etching a single atomic layer on a computer chip to enable ever-smaller and more capable devices, sterilizes eggs and seeds without harm to either consumers or the environment, or helps create useful new materials from unused chicken products such as feathers and egg shells,” says Dr. Zank. “Plasma can do all these things and many more, limited only by imagination.”

FTPP has identified several possibilities that have the potential for economic impact:

• Plasma-aided synthesis of novel materials including interfacial engineering in quantum materials;

• Plasma reprocessing of waste materials to produce polymer composites for various applications;

• Plasma treatment of soft and biomatter, with one focus being medical materials used in catheters, implants and grafts, and in developing new methods of decontamination and sterilization that ensure complete removal of bacteria, pyrogens and attached proteins without drug-resistance issues;

• Food safety and sterilization to increase quality and shelf-life of food using low temperature plasma;

• Space weather forecasting and nowcasting to prevent damage to critical infrastructure in space and on Earth.

“Each of these has significant potential economic impact,” says Dr. Zank. “But more importantly, they illustrate how using FTPP to grow Huntsville and Alabama as a Southeastern hub of PSE opens up an entirely new high-tech field in a range of emergent technologies.”

Right now, FTPP has numerous projects in the five fields identified that “have technologies that show consid- erable promise for commercialization, and we would love to talk to business people about them,” Dr. Zank says.

“At this point, it’s not necessarily about investment so much as anticipating the promise of what could be done and finding out from the business community the directions that they might like us to explore,” he says.

“We would like to open a two-way educational dialogue with business leaders about opportunities and the future, since commercial and business partners are an essential element of our success.”

The dialog is essential so that researchers can interface with business, entrepreneurs and investors to exploit the possibilities inherent in plasma processes. Business leaders can also elect to serve on an FTPP advisory board.

Currently, FTPP’s Industry Liaison Board is seeking members.

“It’s vital that we have the guidance of experienced entrepreneurs in identifying the commercial potential for technologies and products, guidance in acquiring development funding, and then of course guidance on business partnerships and venture capital,” Dr. Zank says.

“So far, we have been successful in marrying scientific research and technology development, but taking it to the commercial step is still in its infancy,” he says. “We would love to identify some interesting Huntsville and Alabama business people with a strong entrepreneurial streak and an interest in serving on the Industry Liaison Board.”

In the pipeline now

Two leading plasma technologies now in the commercialization pipeline are a small-diameter artificial vascular graft for dialysis access and an accurate space weather forecasting system.

The artificial vascular graft is being developed in partnership with the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

“We anticipate that a medical device manufacturer will license the rights to the device from The University of Alabama at Birmingham and manufacture and sell it in Alabama and nationwide,” says Dr. Zank. “The graft is likely to help COVID-19 patients who are reporting kidney infections and cases of blood clots, and may result in sales of $50 million a year.”

Based at CSPAR at UAH, the space weather forecasting effort already has received NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) supporting grants.

“We are at point where we think a beta system can reasonably be con- structed,” Dr. Zank says. “These two examples give a sense of the diverse applications that plasma enables.”

What success looks like Dr. Zank says FTPP will be successful if it:

• Establishes Alabama as a national and international hub for plasma science and engineering and for recognition as a leader in the field of PSE;

• Builds a durable PSE infrastructure and statewide consortium across the Alabama research universities, including hiring new faculty and development of graduate programs, along with the necessary infrastructure;

• Builds a diverse Science, Technology, Engineering and Math pipeline into PSE through the Alabama institutions, summer programs, outreach and certification programs;

• Establishes a PSE partnership between academics, the commercial sector and the state that is coordinated by the FTPP Industry Liaison Board.

“This will lay the groundwork for sustainability of the program in Alabama and across the Southeast, and thereby position us to capture the NSF Regional Innovation Engines grant for $160 million,” he says. “Engagement by the business and industrial community will be critical to achieving this vision.” w

Akima to Acquire Huntsville’s Pinnacle Solutions

On April 10, Herndon, VAbased Akima, LLC, a premier provider of products and services to federal agencies, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Pinnacle Solutions, Inc., a provider of innovative training and sustainment products and services to defense customers around the globe.

Leveraging a highly skilled workforce, Pinnacle provides aviation operations and maintenance services; flight operations and training services; and develops state-of-the-art training products and services for air, ground, unmanned, and maritime platforms. The specialized capabilities of- fered by Pinnacle will complement Akima’s portfolio and drive significant value for customers through broader delivery of operations and training capabilities.

“Akima and Pinnacle share a deep commitment to exceeding customer expectations and delivering exceptional value to our customers, employees, and shareholders,” said Bill Monet, president and CEO of Akima. “Combining Akima’s experience and technical expertise with Pinnacle’s differentiated mission readiness capabilities will enable us to solve our customers’ toughest challenges through innovative technology solutions.”

Headquartered in Huntsville, AL, Pinnacle was founded in 2008 by Mike Durant, a retired Army aviator who was shot down while piloting an MH-60 Black Hawk during the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. Mr. Durant serves as chairman on the company’s board of directors.

“I founded Pinnacle with a vision for a company where mission-driven employees could bring their innovation, responsiveness, and flexibility to bear on our customers’ most critical aerospace challenges,” said Durant. “Joining Akima, which has a portfolio of complementary businesses and a similar culture, allows that vision to continue and serves the best interests of our employees and customers.”

“This announcement represents an important milestone for Pinnacle and is a testament to our tremendous success and strong market position,” said Tina Tucker, president and CEO of Pinnacle Solutions. “We look forward to leveraging Akima’s expertise supporting critical missions across the federal government, enabling us to deliver stronger outcomes for our customers and increased opportunities for our employees.”

Following the closing of the transaction, Pinnacle will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Akima. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory requirements. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. w

Nation’s First Autonomous Ground Robot Production Facility for Military and Police Training Opens

Marathon Robotics inaugurated the nation’s first autonomous ground robot production facility for military and police training in Huntsville’s Cummings Research Park.

A ribbon cutting for the new North American Headquarters and production space took place on Monday, April 10, 2023, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The facility is located at 4950 Gilmer Drive, NW, Suite B, Huntsville, AL 35805.

Company President Ralph Petroff noted, “These robots solve a fundamental problem for militaries and law enforcement – – the ONLY time they practice shooting bullets at realistic moving targets is in a real firefight.”

Congressman Dale Strong (AL-05), Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and Lynn Troy, Board Chair of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, attended and made remarks, followed by a facility tour and live-fire simulation.

Congressman Strong remarked, “Alabama is the best place in the nation for businesses supporting America’s aerospace, aviation and defense communities. I’ve had the opportunity to practice shooting these robots. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), it’s my honor to play a role in ensuring our Warfighters have what they need to be successful.”

Strong continued, “Marathon is helping our men and women in uniform to be more effective and prepared. Before Marathon, we asked the men and women of our armed forces to go to foreign lands and fight after having only shot at a piece of paper or simple pop-up targets. Our government needs to take advantage of cutting edge technology like Marathon’s autonomous robots to protect our nation. This new facility highlights Marathon’s commitment to ensuring the safety of America and to investing in our community.”

Mayor Battle said, “I want to thank Marathon for their investment in our city. This technology was a perfect candidate for the Alabama Robotic Technology Park, and now we’re proud they’ve chosen to expand in Huntsville’s Cummings Research Park. Marathon is a great example of how industry supports Redstone Arsenal, our economy and our armed forces.”

The new facility will support manufacturing of the company’s Autonomous Robotic Training Systems, which consist of realistic mannequins mounted on armored, intelligent robots capable of safely operating on unimproved ranges in support of military and law enforcement.

The robots move independently, flinching or lying down when shot, and can scream as they run for cover or charge toward the firing line. The result is greatly increased readiness for armed forces and law enforcement, reducing combat stress, improved accuracy and better outcomes in shoot/no-shoot decisions.

The systems are already widely used by the US Marine Corps and by select Army, Navy, SOCOM and federal law enforcement customers as well as partner nations on 4 continents. w

The property also includes multiple springs, sinks and other geologic features, as well as habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna. This natural landscape is a great conservation addition in an area of the city experiencing rapid growth.

Access to the land is currently limited, so it will not be open for public recreation. However, the Land Trust plans to pursue future expansion of preserved land in the area.

You can support ongoing conservation of land and natural resources in North Alabama by becoming a Land Trust member. w thankful to have had a strong year and are honored to be recognized amongst other top banks across the United States.”

S&P Global Market Intelligence launched the rankings in 2011 to assess the performance of community banks and credit unions. The division ranks institutions based on returns, growth and efficiency but places a premium on the strength and risk profile of balance sheets. w

Land Trust Acquires Drake Mountain Property

Land Trust of North Alabama recently acquired a 44-acre property on Drake Mountain in East Huntsville.

Lying on the western side of the mountain and being highly visible from both Dug Hill Road and Highway 431, the forested mountainside is a key acquisition to protect the viewshed within the area.

ServisFirst Bancshares

Global Market Intelligence’s 2022 Top 50 Public Banks

Ranks 21st on S&P

ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc., bank holding company of ServisFirst Bank, announces that it has been ranked 21st on S&P Global Market Intelligence’s 2022 Top 50 Public Banks.

S&P Global Market Intelligence ranks US public banks by financial performance and are limited to banks with greater than $10 billion in total assets.

Rankings were based on three major categories, using calendaryear data as well as GAAP data unless otherwise noted: growth, weighted at 35%; profitability, weighted at 35%; and safety and soundness, weighted at 30%.

“ServisFirst is proud to be ranked on S&P Global Market Intelligence’s esteemed 2022 Top 50 Public Banks list,” states Tom Broughton, ServisFirst Bank Chairman, President and CEO. “We are

Saban Center Announces Strategic Partnership With Alabama Power Foundation, Coca-Cola, Mercedes-Benz, Parker Towing and the University of Alabama

Saban Center, a first-of-its-kind STEM hub and children’s performing arts center being built in the heart of Tuscaloosa, has announced five major partnerships with Alabama Power Foundation, CocaCola Bottling Company UNITED, Mercedes-Benz, Parker Towing and the University of Alabama.

These partnerships will help fulfill Saban Center’s promise of building an innovative campus for education training, arts participation and academic support for residents across the Southeast.

“Saban Center’s mission of revolutionizing STEM and performing arts programs for children across the state would not be possible without the terrific partners we have added today,” said Terry Saban. “Thanks to their generosity, we are another massive step forward toward realizing our goal.”

“We’re honored to have these terrific partners join us in mak- ing our dream a reality,” said Nick Saban. “Their commitment to the families and residents of Alabama and beyond speaks volumes for the potential Saban Center has moving forward, and we cannot thank them enough.”

This exciting announcement comes on the heels of a partnership announcement with the Alabama State Department of Education to create a STEM hub that will not only deliver immersive STEM education to children, but also provide workforce development opportunities to educators. State support, along with these new partnerships, will help local and regional school districts educate and inspire children to enter STEM-related fields and will be an integral part of the overall strategy to improve STEM education in Alabama.

“Success is never an accident, and it rarely happens in isolation,” Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox said. “This transformational project for the future of our state would not be possible without the commitment of a hardworking team and a community of very supportive partners.”

“Coca-Cola is excited to be a part of Saban Center, which will undoubtedly continue to transform Tuscaloosa for generations to come,” said Mike Suco, president and CEO of Coca-Cola UNITED, the Alabama-based bottling company that includes Tuscaloosa Coca-Cola. “We are honored to join with the University of Alabama, other leading businesses, the city and state, and of course the Saban family, in investing in this innovative educational initiative.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Saban Center as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the local community," stated Alison Phillips, spokesperson for Parker Towing Company. “We believe Saban Center will be the leading institute for STEM education and performing arts for the state of Alabama. This collaboration will enable us to work together to build a brighter, more prosperous future for our commu- nity.”

“The University of Alabama is proud to collaborate with Saban Center and the City of Tuscaloosa,” said UA President Stuart R. Bell. “The initiative will extend UA’s outreach to K–12 students as part of the Capstone’s teaching, research and service mission, and the Center will enhance STEM education in our state for children who will one day be professionals in our communities.”

Saban Center looks to revolutionize arts participation and academic support for teachers and families alike. From child-led theater productions to robotics sports labs, Saban Center will be Alabama’s hub for education, discovery and innovation. w and fans while enjoying all Huntsville has to offer.”

The 2024 C-USA Basketball Championships are scheduled for Tuesday, March 12 through Saturday, March 16, at Propst Arena. The conference champions receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.

“We are proud to welcome the Conference USA men’s and women’s basketball championships to Huntsville and our renovated Propst Arena,” said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. “March Madness will be starting in the Rocket City next year and we can’t wait to showcase our great city to all the student-athletes, coaches, fans, and alumni attending the event.” effort from all of our partners and we appreciate the confidence the Conference USA leadership has in our vision to provide a championship experience at Propst Arena.”

C-USA Basketball Championships moving to Huntsville, Von Braun Center

Conference USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod announced yeserday that the 2024 and 2025 Conference USA Men’s & Women’s Basketball Championships will be hosted at Propst Arena in Huntsville, Alabama, in partnership with the Huntsville/Madison County CVB, the Huntsville Sports Commission and Knight Eady.

The multi-year agreement is for two seasons with an opportunity to extend.

“We are very excited to have our men’s and women’s basketball teams compete for a conference championship and berth in the NCAA tournament at Propst Arena in Huntsville,” MacLeod said. “We can’t wait to get started partnering with the team from the City, Sports Commission, CVB and Knight Eady to put on a first-class event for our student-athletes, universities

Huntsville will be the ninth location to host the C-USA Men’s Basketball Championship and the 14th host city for the C-USA Women’s Basketball Championship. Both championships have been held in Alabama previously, from 2015-17, in Birmingham at Legacy Arena (men’s and women’s) and Bartow Arena for the women’s championship in 1996.

“Providing an exciting and enjoyable championship atmosphere for the student-athletes is our top priority, and I believe all of the teams traveling to the rocket city will love their experience here,” said Mark Russell, Executive Director of the Huntsville Sports Commission. “Huntsville is a great destination – not just to visit, but for sports– and I’m thrilled Conference USA is entrusting our team to host a high-caliber event like the C-USA Basketball Championships here. We can’t wait!”

“Bringing a piece of March Madness to Huntsville has been a goal for our community and this is a great opportunity to have the road to the Final Four start here,” said Joel Lamp, Sports Manager for the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Conference USA has a national brand that will provide a larger platform for Huntsville to shine. This has been a tremendous team

“Knight Eady is proud to support the Huntsville Sports Commission and the Huntsville/ Madison County CVB in hosting elite basketball in the City of Huntsville,” said Cline Thompson, VP of Business Development at Knight Eady. “We believe sport has the power to change lives and impact communities in valuable ways. Our goal is to create an experience for the student-athletes, Conference USA and the fans that matches the premium standard of Huntsville. There’s a reason it is recognized as the top-ranked city in the country.”

Ticket information will be announced this fall and more information will be available at www. ConferenceUSA.com. w

Madison County Water Department Launches Inhouse Billing, Meter Reading and Customer Service

Madison County Water Department (MCWD) officially launched its in-house billing, meter reading and customer service transitioning from Huntsville Utilities’ original services.

MCWD will now read meters, prepare and mail billing statements, and perform all aspects of customer service with in-house systems and personnel. This transition will ensure more timely problem resolutions and more efficient customer service, as the customers will now be communicating directly with MCWD.

“This day has been a long time coming; I appreciate the employees who have worked so hard to get us to this point,” said County Engineer, Chuck Faulkner. “We are excited to get to work more directly with our water customers.”

Huntsville Utilities has historically provided these services for Madison County under contract, and this change establishes water service and billing through one entity instead of two.

Customers included in this map will receive their first bill from MCWD beginning in early April depending on the customers’ billing cycle.

Customers’ bills may be slightly lower or slightly higher on the first

Breifcase

monthly bill, depending on how many days are in the billing cycle. This change will not cause an increase in current rates.

MCWD will be offering electronic billing and will accept various forms of payment such as debit or credit card, automatic bank draft, online bill pay, and payment by phone.

Impacted Madison County households were mailed notices about the change last Fall. MCWD will continue to provide updates via email, County website and social media pages.

For additional information about the Madison County Water Department’s transition to in-house billing, please visit www. madisoncountywater.org.

For additional updates, follow the Madison County Water Department page on Facebook, or visit www.facebook.com/35811water. w

Recognition

Clarke Todd Accepts Position as Sales and Leasing Specialist with NAI Chase Commercial

NAI Chase Commercial, a member of the world’s premier managed network of commercial real estate firms, NAI Global, announced today that Mr. Clarke Todd has accepted a position as Sales & Leasing Specialist in the Huntsville office. In this role he will be responsible for lease/sale transactions of office, retail, land and industrial properties in Huntsville and surrounding markets.

Douglas A McCullough, Executive Vice President, CCIM of NAI Chase Commercial said, “Clarke has over seven years of experience and is licensed in Alabama, Idaho, and Wyoming. He has a broad range of experience in various types of real estate transactions, including singlefamily rentals, multi-tenant office buildings, industrial warehouse and distribution, ground-up development, and multi-family development. The announcement expresses confidence in Clarke's abilities, he will be a valuable asset to the company and its clients.”

"After relocating from Wyoming, NAI Chase Commercial has made the process of transferring the needs of my clients to North Alabama as well as the ease of transfer for my own personal needs. I look forward to working with everyone within the NAI network. As one of the only fully integrated Real Estate companies in Huntsville and North Alabama, they have provided me with the tools to launch a successful career here,” said Clarke Todd.

Recognition Recognition

Poarch Creek Indians Federal Services (PCIFS) Welcomes Joseph Harrison as New President

Poarch Creek Indians Federal Services (PCIFS), a Tribal Government Services provider to U.S. Federal Agencies and the Department of Defense (DoD), announced that Joseph Harrison has been named as President of PCIFS.

Harrison will be responsible for the management of twelve active LLCs and associated Joint Ventures (JVs) under the PCIFS family of businesses. He will report directly to PCIFS Corporate Officers.

Harrison has more than 15 years of senior and executive management experience, including senior management positions at a Fortune 500 company and Tribal GOVCON Enterprises. He is also an active Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Harrison will lead the Enterprise Strategic Planning, Mergers & Acquisitions, Business Development and P&L Centers across PCIFS as well as be responsible for major milestone attainment and transformation initiatives. His recent experience includes the direct over-site of a multi-faceted Tribal Enterprise subsidiary where he oversaw Presidents, General Managers, Directors, Program Managers, and 1,500+ contract and back-office support employees.

“Joe is the right leader for PCIFS,” said Cody Williamson, PCIFS Chief Executive Officer. “Joe’s extensive GOVCON operational management background and business development skills will enable PCIFS to expand Federal Agency and DoD customer sets, strengthen partnerships, further diversify our Key Business Areas (KBAs), develop strategic alliances and expand our U.S. and overseas support services presence.”

Harrison received a BS Degree in Psychology from San Diego Christian College, a Master of Arts in Strategic Communications from the University of Missouri, a Master of Business Administration/Telecommunications Management from the University of Alaska Pacific, a Graduate Certification in Executive Management and Leadership from Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Sloan School of Management, and a Graduate Certificate in Executive Negotiations from Harvard University School of Law.

ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. and ServisFirst Bank Elect New Board Member

ServisFirst Bank, a subsidiary of ServisFirst Bancshares (NYSE:SFBS), is pleased to announce the election of Dr. Betsy Bugg Holloway to the ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. and ServisFirst Bank Board of Directors.

“ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. is proud to announce and welcome Dr. Betsy Bugg Holloway as a new Board Member,” states Tom Broughton, ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. Chairman, President and CEO. “Her outstanding leadership skills and impressive academic and global business experience make her an extremely valuable asset to ServisFirst Bancshares’ shareholders and customers.”

Dr. Holloway currently serves as Vice President for Advancement and Marketing for Samford University, where she leads all marketing, branding, and philanthropic initiatives for the university.

Before joining the university’s administration, Dr. Holloway served as Professor of Marketing, Dwight Moody Beeson Chair of Business, and Hackney Family Research Fellow in Samford’s Brock School of Business. Additionally, Dr. Holloway was previously a Visiting Professor at Kiev Business School, the University of Jordan, and the Beijing Institute of Technology.

Dr. Holloway is also active in her community. She currently serves on the Board of Directors and is a member of the executive committee and chair of the nominating committee for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Alabama and is a member of the Board of Advisors for Founders Advisors. She is a past president of the Rotary Club of Birmingham, the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society, and the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA).

She was also a founding board member and former chair of Scholarships for Kids and a trustee for the Alabama Symphony Orchestra Endowment, the IPC Foundation, and the Charles and Estelle Campbell Foundation. Dr. Holloway is a graduate of both Leadership Birmingham and Leadership Alabama and was the 2011 Aspen Institute Ideas Festival Scholar, among other numerous awards and recognitions she has received over the years.

Dr. Holloway earned her B.A. degree from Vanderbilt University, an M.B.A. degree from Samford University, and her Ph.D. in marketing from the University of Alabama.