HBJ June 2023 Issue

SPORTS / RECREATION

Fair Play: Madison County's Growing Sports Industry

When people think of Huntsville, they tend to think of rockets, and the people who make them. Not so surprising; there’s a reason we’re called “Rocket City,” after all, and in recent years, Huntsville’s growth has led to new sports teams and venues coming to Madison County.

By Marie Johnson - Page 2

ACCOLADES

Fifteen Companies Acknowledged as Huntsville's Best Places to Work

The Best Places to Work Awards were determined by the results of employee surveys. Over 9000 employees representing 109 companies participated in the confidential surveys which were tabulated by Quantum Workplace before the ceremony.

By Noah Logan - Page 6

ADDITIONAL STORIES

• Sit Down With Success: A Conversation with Jurian Isabelle

By Guz Wintzell • Page 3

• Huntsville Area Association of Realtors Releases Q1 Economic Report

By Marie Johnson • Page 5

• U.S. Space & Rocket Center and Boeing Partnership Creates New Hub for Future Astronauts

By Noah Logan • Page 10

Fair Play: Madison County’s Growing Sports Industry

When people think of Huntsville, they tend to think of rockets, and the people who make them. Not so surprising; there’s a reason we’re called “Rocket City,” after all, and in recent years, Huntsville’s growth has led to new sports teams and venues coming to Madison County.

I have fond memories of going to Joe Davis Stadium with my dad, spending sunny afternoons watching the Huntsville Stars Minor League Baseball team. We were sad to see them go, after they were bought out and relocated to Biloxi in 2015, but now, we not only have the Rocket City Trash Pandas playing in the new Toyota Field, but the old Joe Davis Stadium is getting a new lease on life.

After laying empty for years, Joe Davis Stadium was selected to become the new home venue for the Huntsville City Football Club, part of the MLS NEXT Pro League. The HCFC's inaugural season began with a series of away games, but on Friday, May 19, the newly renovated Wicks Family Field saw the team achieve a 2-1 victory over MLS NEXT Pro league leaders Crown Legacy.

The HCFC has already sold 3,000 Season Tickets, with both season tickets and individual tickets still available.

“It’s been incredible to see the Huntsville and North Alabama community embrace Huntsville City FC,” said Chad Emerson, Managing Director of Business Operations with Huntsville City FC. “With single match tickets selling fast and season tickets launching towards 3,000, the entire HCFC team is really grateful for our fans and supporters, and look forward to hosting them at our grand opening on May 19.”

The stadium itself has benefited from extensive renovations, including a new 1600-foot video scoreboard and field-level private boxes, for those who want a luxury sporting experience. Joe Davis Stadium is also the centerpiece of the City of Huntsville’s investment in John Hunt Park.

“New hotels, retail and apartments are in the works for property surrounding the stadium and park, adding to the vitality of the city,” says Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle.

The Rocket City Trash Pandas have been a consistent crowd pleaser, even during their inaugural season, in April of 2020. Despite the pandemic, the Trash Pandas organization was extremely creative in providing alternative entertainment options for the people of Madison County.

The Trash Pandas’ actual inaugural season in 2021 was under a limited schedule due to Covid restrictions, but despite that, it still paid more than the $1 million rev-

enue to the City of Madison, as per its agreement with the city. The organization paid $1.2 million in 2022, and $1.4 million this spring.

Madison County’s premiere baseball team has led the league in attendance, as the top Double-A team in the Southern League for both consecutive years that they’ve been playing.

In 2022, the Trash Pandas had an attendance of 327,007 fans in 2022, averaging 5,726 per game.

Then there are the merchandising sales! With its quirky name, sales of Trash Pandas merch topped $4 million years before the team ever took to the field. The Trash Pandas were the first Minor League Baseball team to ever have to process international merchandise sales, with Trash Pandas merchandise shipped overseas to Canada, Australia, the UK, and even the United Arab Emirates.

Huntsville has also long had a love affair with the game of hockey

By: Marie Johnson /

City FC/Huntsville Havoc

and the Huntsville Havoc team is still alive and well, and ready to supply the city with the puck action that we crave.

The Havoc, a professional team in the Southern Professional Hockey League, announced a new head coach to take the reins for the 2023 - 2024 season, Stuart Stefan.

“I’m honored to be taking on this new challenge,” said Stefan in a public statement. “I have a deep connection to this team and this community, and I’m excited to help lead us to continued success in the seasons to come.”

The Huntsville Havoc set the SPHL all-time record for both total attendance (154,337) and average attendance (5,512), showing that Huntsville’s demand for hockey is as high as it’s ever been, and only growing stronger.

Also, this past Spring saw Huntsville play host to a cycling event. From May 26 through the 29th, Huntsville hosted the Para-Cycling Road World Cup competition, the first city in the U.S.A. to hold the event. The event brought over 300 athletes to Huntsville’s Cumming Research Park, along with their support teams, families, and supporters.

For those who may not be familiar with the sport, Para-cycling is cycling, adapted for athletes with various disabilities, governed by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). To be the first city in the United States is an extremely prestigious honor for Huntsville, and is indicative of the city’s efforts to rejuvenate our town and make it more attractive for such events.

Bit by bit, event by event, and sport by sport, Huntsville is growing more prominent on the map. We can expect it to become ever more lucrative and attractive a prospect for both investment and sponsorship. It’ll certainly be something to see! w

Photos courtesy of Huntsville

“New hotels, retail and apartments are in the works for property surrounding the stadium and park, adding to the vitality of the city”

“I’m honored to be taking on this new challenge”

The newly renovated Joe Davis Stadium that hosts the Wicks Family Field and Huntsville City FC's inaugural home games.

Havoc Hockey at the Propst Arena

A Conversation with: Jurian Isabelle of Isabelle Studios

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.

Ever since he was 5-years-old, Jurian Isabelle was reaching for the camera. He was raised around a very tech-focused father, who often pushed his son to pursue his creative ideas. This upbringing, to Jurian, was the main reason that he believed he was always a creative at heart.

A long-time Huntsville native, Jurian graduated from Johnson High School in 2005 and went on to achieve a communications degree with a focus in film from Alabama State University in 2008. During his time at ASU, Jurian went to California State L.A. to take specialized classes in video and film editing.

After graduating, Jurian turned his love of film making into a career. As of today, Jurian has a decade of film making experience and is a filmmaker and director at his company Isabelle Studies where he has produced various titles that

include The Last Disciples (2017), Buffalo Soldiers: A Quest for Freedom (2018), God of Dreams (2022), Candy (2019), and his most recent film Nine Divine (2023).

Outside of Isabelle Studios, Jurian is intensely invested and involved in the community. In 2020, Jurian officially opened the Isabelle Academy of Film and Creative Arts, a non-profit organization that specifically focuses on engaging younger creatives from all backgrounds and providing them with a safe space, technology and editing software, and educational guidance to pursue their creative projects and ideas.

What advice would you have for people who are wanting to branch out and work for themselves?

You have to get up and do the work. You have to be the person who is okay with doing it for free, meaning that you won’t get that paycheck like you used to immediately. If you are the type of person who wants security and you are not sure you have the drive to work

for free, then get into another occupation other than owning a business or being an entrepreneur.

You have to wake up and be prepared to fall in love with the work. You cannot work hard for a goal if you do not love to work. This is just not sustainable. The work will speak for itself, but you have to sit down and make sure that you have the drive to help it get there.

What is the difference between working for someone else and working for yourself?

Wherever you have a lot of people, there can often be different types of problems. When you work for yourself, you have the ability to control your environment to a degree. Obviously, you are sometimes limited on things like the economy and politics, but you can control who you let in and who works with you.

What is a piece of advice you would give to someone who is looking to open their own business?

You need to reevaluate what the

By: Gus Wintzell

idea of financial freedom means. Yes, if you are an entrepreneur or you work for yourself, you are financially free, but at the same time now you do not have financial dependency either. You do not have that steady flow of income. It goes back to what we were talking about earlier. You have to be okay with working for free, working hard, before you can get that financial freedom to match with your financial dependence. You will not be truly “financially free” until then. w

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Photo provided by Jurian Isabelle

Google Fiber Selects Huntsville to Test Milestone 20 Gig Internet Product Launch

By: Nick Saporito

Last fall, Dinni told you that I was testing our 20 Gig product in my home. Yes, I have the speed test to prove it, but to be honest, my household can’t really test the limits of what that much internet speed can do. We tried — we streamed as many World Cup games in 4K as we had devices, but we didn’t even come close to using it all.

That’s why we launched a test with our friends at the University of MissouriKansas City, and they’ve been doing a lot of things at their School of Science and Engineering from tackling big data sets to making virtual reality less virtual and more reality (more on that soon — stay tuned).

But we know that’s just the beginning (like our recently launched 5 Gig and 8 Gig products). That’s why we’re looking for eight more organizations — businesses, non-profits, educational institutions — to help test 20 Gig in Austin, Huntsville, Raleigh-Durham and Salt Lake City.

So what makes your organization or company a good candidate to test a symmetrical 20 Gig connection?

• You’re downloading or uploading massive datasets

• You’re conducting research that really needs significantly more bandwidth

• You tell us! — You’re working on some future-focused technology we haven’t even heard of, but it needs a lot of bandwidth

If that sounds right, let us know here that you are ready to give REALLY, REALLY, (okay, one more REALLY) fast internet a try.

This is a contributing blog post from Google Fiber’s Head of Multi-gig & Commercial Product, Nick Saporito. To view the original blog, please visit https://fiber.googleblog.com. Huntsville companies can find the google form to apply for this new offer at the above link. w

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President /Publisher Todd Stephenson

Editor Gus Wintzell

Writers

Contributing Writers ………………………………………

Alan Clemons

Ashlyn Grey

Marie Johnson

Noah Logan

Alexander Duck

Jim Steele

Dawn Suiter

David Wilson

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Website

Photographers

Director of Sales ……………………………………

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Huntsville Business Journal is published monthly by EVENT Publishing, PO Box 14219, Huntsville, AL 35815. For advertising information call 256.533.8078, e-mail todd@eventhuntsville.com, or visit us on the web at www.huntsvillebusinessjournal.com

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Huntsville Area Association of Realtors Releases Q1 Economic Report

The Huntsville Area Association of Realtors (HAAR), in association with the UAH College of Business, has released its Huntsville Area Real Estate Economics Report for the first quarter of 2023.

The most dramatic difference between Q1 2023 and the same quarter the previous year was the 171.5% increase in units on the market.

Additionally, many of these units are newly-constructed houses. The average new construction inventory for 1Q 2023 is 840, a nearly 200% increase from 1Q 2022.

This matches with national trends. According to a report issued by the Chief Economist of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), approximately one-third of housing inventory nationwide is newly-constructed, which is far more than the historical average of around 10%.

The Q1 Report shows a noticeable disparity in the price range of homes being sold. While homes in the range of $650,000 and above increased by 16% relative to Q1 2022, sales of houses priced $300,000 and below have decreased by 23% over that same year, likely due to the increased burden of high interest rates and inflation.

While the inventory for houses has increased across the spectrum of price ranges, the largest inventory is in the $350-500,000 price range. The months of supply for all homes in Huntsville/Madison County is at 2.9

months, a 200% increase over Q1 2022.

Though the inventory has increased significantly over the past year, Madison County’s workforce continues to grow, with a 2.3%. A great many people are in need of affordable housing, but have been stymied by high interest rates and inflation. With the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate hovering between six and seven percent, both buyers and sellers

have been reluctant to dip their toes into the market. This is indicated by the threefold increase in average days

By: Marie Johnson / Images courtesy of HAAR

spent on the market, up to 33 days compared to a mere 11 in 1Q 2022. Inflation has been slowly decreasing, down to 5% in March. However, that is still short of the 2% goal set by the Federal Reserve.

A total of 1436 units sold in 1Q 2023, down from 1886 in 1Q 2022. It is also below both the five-year firstquarter average (1742) and the sales from 4Q 2022 (1701).

The HAAR Economic Report projects an increase of total sales for 2Q 2023, estimating approximately 1900 homes should sell that quarter, with a corresponding decrease of inventory, down to an estimated 1300. w

Fifteen Companies Acknowledged as Huntsville’s Best Places to Work

The Huntsville-Madison County Chamber held a luncheon on Wednesday, May 10 at the Von Braun Center to celebrate the best of the best when it comes to the workplace.

The Best Places to Work Awards were determined by the results of employee surveys. Over 9000 employees representing 109 companies participated in the confidential surveys which were tabulated by Quantum Workplace before the ceremony.

In total, 15 companies received awards on Wednesday. There were five categories altogether grouping companies by their total number of employees and three recipients for each category.

The categories ranged from the “Micro” with 10-24 employees all the way to “X-Large” with more than 251 employees. The winners for each category are listed below along with company descriptions.

Micro Category (10-24 employees)

• GOLD: Systems Technology & Research, Inc.: An emerging small business with extensive experience in systems, software, and hardware engineering, airworthiness test, project management, administration, programmatic support, acquisitions, logistics, and cyber security.

• SILVER: Focus Physiotherapy Huntsville: Physical therapy providers who provide more individualized, hands-on, and comprehensive care in order to help patients live free of chronic pain.

• BRONZE: Patriots Interna-

tional: Service-Disabled Veteran owned business with operations in Huntsville and a premier service provider to the Department of Defense.

Small Category (25-50 employees)

• GOLD: Mission Driven Research: Growing company that primarily provides technical, engineering, and programmatic services to the U.S. federal government, supporting critical technology development that provides a strong defense for our nation, deployed troops, and allies.

• SILVER: Phased n Research, Inc.: Supports every stage of weapon system life cycle with services that include research and development, modeling and simulation, data compilation analysis, cyber security and more.

• BRONZE: Cortina Solutions, LLC: 100% Woman-Owned defense and aerospace company that provides professional and technical services to the Missile Defense Agency, Army PEO Missiles & Space, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and

the Naval Health Research Center.

Medium Category (51-100 employees)

• GOLD: KODA Technologies, Inc.: Six decades of weapon system development experience that include solving complex problems, developing highly technical products, leading large-scale flight tests and managing international programs.

• SILVER: QTEC Aerospace: Woman-Owned Small Business

By: Noah Logan / Photos courtesy of the HSV Chamber

that provides in-depth understanding of Engineering, Project Management, Engineering Analysis, and Operations/Logistics – across life cycles and domains.

• BRONZE: PDW: Developer of tactical robotics for small-unit, mission success that mitigates threats to the operator and keep humans out of harm’s way in any theater, from modern conflicts to disaster relief.

Large Category (101-250 employees)

• GOLD: Avion Solutions: 100% employee-owned business providing services to the U.S. military that include aerospace engineering, integrated product support, manufacturing and maintenance engineering and model based systems engineering.

• SILVER: NTA, Inc: Growing company focused mainly on providing technical services and support to the U.S. Army’s Aviation and Missile Center on Redstone Arsenal through research, development, demonstration, and evaluation of various missile system technologies with a focus in guidance, navigation and control.

• BRONZE: Thompson Gray, Inc.: Provides programmatic, financial, as well as information technology support to several DOD clients with particular expertise and emphasis on GFEBS implementation and training.

X-Large Category (251+ employees)

• GOLD: IronMountain Solu-

tions: Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business with extensive expertise in systems engineering, software & hardware engineering, airworthiness, engine diagnostics, test, project management, programmatic support, cybersecurity, information assurance, acquisitions, logistics, and foreign military sales.

• SILVER: Integration Innovation, Inc. (i3): Develops and maintains VR and AR training products for the US Army with specializations in Interactive Multimedia Instruction (IMI), virtual operator and maintenance trainers, virtual reality, augmented reality and mobile applications.

• BRONZE: Torch Technologies: 100% employee-owned business that provides system engineering, applied science, modeling and simulation and information technology business to its primary customers, the United States Army Aviation and Missile Command and the

Missile Defense Agency. Several of the recipients are multiple time winners and can potentially join the three companies in the chamber’s “Best Places to Work” Hall of Fame in the future, which was created in 2021 and is comprised of companies who have won for 10 or more years. The three companies

in the Hall of Fame are Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation, Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI), and PeopleTec.

To those in our community who are seeking employment — many of the companies honored during this event are hiring and job openings can be found online. w

The team at IronMountain Solutions who won the Gold prize in the X-Large category for Huntsville’s Best Places to Work awards

What Google Learned About Building the Best Work Teams

What makes a great team in the workplace? Organizational leaders and researchers have been attempting to answer this question for a very long time.

The topic has always been an interesting focus within social psychology, but in recent years, Google has emerged as the hallmark of creating workplace culture and the crafting of perfect teams. The company has poured tremendous resources into studying what makes their teams successful and has made the results of that research available for others to review.

Psychological Safety

From the analysis of the Google research, psychological safety emerged as the most important factor that determined whether or not teams were effective and successful. It is a measure of how comfortable and confident staff feel to raise concerns, admit errors, or question the status quo. When this measure is high, it creates a “climate of openness”.

Meanwhile, employees who are afraid to appear negative or intrusive will be reluctant to ask questions, report mistakes, or even make suggestions. Naturally, people also dislike feeling ignorant or disruptive, so they will typically avoid speaking out in uncertain conditions.

Amy Edmondson, the expert on team psychological safety, refers to this as workplace silence. This not only makes it difficult to have a successful team, but it also derails the process of continuous improvement.

Dependability

The next most critical factor in building powerful teams, Google discovered, was dependability. This can

take two forms.

In business terms: do team members complete their work on schedule while also meeting quality expectations? When coworkers cannot be trusted with their assigned duties it creates uncertainty, insecurity, and damages team cohesion. If a teammate is freeloading or shirking responsibility, it can shift additional duties to other team members unfairly.

On the other hand, there is also the simpler, more personal question: can I trust my teammates to do what they say they will do? It is imperative that employees trust their coworkers as reliable and consistent collaborators. One way to improve in this area is by having clearly defined and communicated expectations for each job role within each team.

Structure & Clarity

The quarterback and the wide receiver may have very different roles to play on the field, but both players know what is expected of them and what they must do in order for their team to win.

Establishing structure and clarity begins with having clearly defined roles, expectations, and goals for each team member. A lack of clarity can actually hurt your company and may result in decreased employee retention.

Beyond job roles, responsibilities,

and goals, it is important to improve structure and clarity across the organization. A simple organizational chart that illustrates how staff are divided into departments and who reports to who may seem obvious, but what is the normal method for a team member to submit an idea about improving a workplace process? Is there a standard format for writing agendas or holding meetings?

If not, it may be time to create these things.

Meaning

Each member of a team may be motivated by different factors when it comes to their work. For some it may be financial stability or being able to support their family.

Others may be more internally motivated or competitive in spirit and get great satisfaction from simply being the best at whatever they do. While the specific details of what motivates each individual employee may vary, what is important is that each team member feels a personal meaning in their work.

In a recent training group of newly hired employees, one participant revealed that his girlfriend had just given birth to their child that previous weekend. His motivation and hard work were clearly evident to everyone who saw him during his first week because

By: Alexander Duck

he had identified the meaning and significance that his new work would play in their lives.

Impact

If meaning is a deeply personal factor, impact is its external counterpart, and the research has shown that it is also vital to successful team building. Team members want to feel that their work contributes to their team’s success, moves the company towards its organizational goals, or positively affects society at large.

Some of this may be addressed through training and communication, but an employee should never be left wondering if their work or their role is relevant. Understanding how their role plays an integral part of the bigger picture is crucial for job satisfaction and team effectiveness.

Conclusion

Google is recognized by many as a leader in building awesome workplaces and creating super successful teams. Their extensive research confirms and clarifies decades of business thought and psychological studies on the subject of team building.

It continues to boil down to the same factors: team members should feel safe enough to report errors and suggest improvements; reliability and dependability are crucial traits staff must possess; expectations, roles, goals, and processes should be clearly defined for everyone; work must be important to the individual; and, each team member should understand and appreciate how their work fits into the greater scheme. w

U.S. Space & Rocket Center and Boeing Partnership Creates New Hub for Future Astronauts

Last Friday, May 19, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center held the ribbon cutting ceremony for its newest stateof-the-art facility, the Space Camp Operations Center.

Sponsored by Boeing, the 40,600-square-foot facility will be the main hub of all Space Camp programs while also providing a new home for the U.S. Cyber Camp.

Dr. Kimberly Robinson, chief executive officer and executive director of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center thanked Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, who was in attendance, for “a $10 million state economic development grant that planted the sea which has grown, bloomed, and blossomed into the state of art facility that we are dedicating today.”

In her remarks, Governor Ivey commented on how the new facility is the latest example of what is possible through the state’s public-private partnerships.

“When innovation and discovery is being discussed, I always find myself

back here in Rocket City and I couldn't be happier to return to cut the ribbon on this new facility,” she began. “Just look at this new Operation Soil, 40,600 square feet, an auditorium seating 1000, 10 classrooms and laboratories. This is what is possible when we actively look for ways to utilize and strengthen our public-private partnerships and when we prioritize innovation.”

“Space Camp provides a unique

opportunity to learn about scientific disciplines in a hands-on interactive manner,” Governor Ivey continued. “And through this program, we are igniting our young people with a passion for discovery and filling their minds with great opportunities. Reach for the stars no longer remains a phrase of encouragement, but instead stands as a reality to the boundless opportunities of achievement that each space camp will

By: Noah Logan

know is obtainable to them and not far from that grass.

Space Camp has been a Huntsville institution for decades and has produced alumni who would go on to be a part of world history. More than 150 countries and territories have traveled right here to Huntsville, Alabama for a unique learning experience that cannot be found anywhere else on the planet.

Fourteen flown astronauts and two astronaut candidates who are in training are alumni. Space Camp has also produced countless engineers, technicians, entrepreneurs, and leaders who have used their talents that were cultivated here to point us toward the heavens. It's why, according to Dr. Robinson, everyone who attends Space Camp passes by words from Dr. Werner Von Braun that are as true today as they were 43 years ago when his vision first became a reality. They read “Through these doors into the world's future astronauts, scientists, and engineers.” w

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Photo by Noah Logan

Governor Kay Ivey joins Dr. Kimberly Robinson, USSRC CEO & Executive Director, for the ribbon cutting of the new Space Camp Operations Center

Top 40 Under 40

One of the secrets of our region’s success is the spirit of engagement of our business and professional communities. The perspectives and energy of the women and men working and living here help to create an environment where we can have lively conversations on topics ranging from education to recreation.

We have benefited from decades of fresh perspectives from those who have moved into the community blended with those who grew up here. The convergence of their perspectives has led to Huntsville, Madison and Madison County being recognized as one of the best places to live in the country.

In this edition, you’ll meet individuals who have engaged in helping make this community a better place through a variety of activities. They serve on boards for volunteer organizations. Many participate in their children’s schools and coach sports teams. They are often busy juggling growing families. We are fortunate to have many people like this on our team at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber!

We celebrate their spirit of engagement and are thankful to their employers for supporting their engagement. I encourage you to read their stories and use them as a primer for you to become more engaged in the community. Together we can build an even better community!

Chip Cherry President & CEO Huntsville/Madison County Chamber

Adam Housley Right Home Media

Biography: Adam Housley is the Founder and CEO of Right Home Media, a company focused on responsibly leveraging emerging technologies to create powerful solutions for the real estate industry. Adam has over 15 years of experience in the media industry and a proven track record for utilizing technological breakthroughs for real world solutions. Before founding Right Home Media, Adam began developing custom AI based hardware solutions to scale Rocket City Photo to the area’s largest real estate photography company. Adam led Rocket City Photo to photograph over one billion dollars of real estate in North Alabama alone. He saw a gap in the real estate industry and believed that AI would play a significant role in transforming it. This concept led him to start Right Home Media in 2021 with a mission to leverage AI to modernize real estate marketing across the world.

Under Adam’s leadership, Right Home Media has led the way in harnessing artificial intelligence to create industry leading software. Right Home Media launched their first solution, SecondFloor, in 2022. With over 4000 downloads in 17 countries, SecondFloor mixes AR and AI to instantly create residential floor plans. SecondFloor allows real estate agents, media professionals, and appraisers to immediately see accurate home metrics for valuations and make data-driven decisions that previously took days or weeks to calculate. Utilizing AI for this role is a novel concept and has the ability to displace jobs overseas, typically compiling these metrics by hand. Adam recognized this potential disruption and created sustainability standards for Right Home Media including their responsible AI pledge which donates a percentage of gross service earnings directly to communities that could be impacted by AI job displacements; this percentage is approximately twice the amount paid through wages by competing businesses.

When he’s not leading Right Home Media, Adam enjoys traveling and spending time with his family. He is also passionate about giving back to the community and supports several charities that focus on lifting people out of poverty. With his experience, vision, and commitment to innovation, Adam Housley is a trailblazer in the proptech industry.

How has Huntsville shaped your career path?

Huntsville's collaborative environment has enabled me to connect with like-minded professionals, learn from industry experts, and be part of a progress-oriented community, fueling my professional growth.

What’s the best place to grab a drink, coffee, tea, etc. in town?

Charlie Foster’s is my go-to for drinks and quick bites. Their diverse menu, inclusive atmosphere, and inspiring mission make it a standout choice.

Amber Stout Warren Averett

Biography: Amber Stout is a manager for Warren Averett’s Huntsville office and is the firm’s Client Accounting and Advisory Services Division. She has over seven years of experience in the government contracting industry. Her job responsibilities include managing day-to-day operations and advising staff and clients. Amber specializes in DCAA compliance including audit and incurred cost submission preparation and support. She also provides clients with support during the preparation and review of budgets, forecasts, system reviews and upgrades, as well financial reviews. She has implemented Costpoint, QuickBooks and has certifications in Unanet and Deltek. Amber resides in Madison, Alabama with her husband, three dogs and chinchilla.

What is your career goal, and how does HSV fit into that picture?

My career goal is to have an impact on the small business community in Huntsville and surrounding areas. I also would like to become a partner at Warren Averett. My position at Warren Averett has only enforced my desire to help small businesses succeed and grow. I want to spend my time educating business owners and their staff about the underlying and overall effects of their business decisions.

What is the best place in town to hang out in your free time?

This is a tough one. I absolutely love the Stovehouse. The vibe is great, food is good and the open atmosphere makes it a great place for lunch (or a cool spot to hang out in the evening).

What’s the best place to grab a drink, coffee, tea, etc. in town?

I am a big fan of The Moon Bakeshop. It’s a walk from the office. Plus, it’s a great space to sit and talk with team members or clients.

What are your hobbies?

My hobbies include hanging out with my husband and dogs, reading and researching new technology. Thanks to my participation in Leadership Greater Huntsville, I have also discovered new opportunities to volunteer within the community.

Waikikita Tilley

Waikiki Pro Makeup, LLC.

Biography: Waikikita Tilley is a proud graduate of Alabama A&M University and serves as a member of the prestigious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Waikikita Tilley is a Senior Systems Engineer by day and enjoys working diligently on challenging projects in this role. In addition, Waikikita Tilley is also an entrepreneur — she is the Founder and CEO of Waikiki Pro Makeup, LLC.Waikikita finds being able to impactfully transform women beyond the physical to be the most enjoyable aspect of her business.

Will Pylant Pylant Estate Law

Biography: Will Pylant recently founded Pylant Estate Law with the goal of serving Huntsville-area families with Estate Planning, Probate, and Estate Litigation. Will founded the firm after recognizing the area’s need for responsive, efficient, and affordable estate legal services. Will previously was a trust officer and vice president of a regional bank where he assists the bank’s clients with estate and trust planning and administration. He is immediate past President of the Young Lawyers Section of the Huntsville Bar Association.

Prior to joining the bank, Will was an attorney with a prominent local firm. Outside the office, Will serves as Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Huntsville Botanical Garden and is a graduate of Leadership Huntsville Connect Class 22. Will is actively involved with First Methodist and helps with the youth group. Will received his Juris Doctor from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University where he was a Caruthers Fellow. Will graduated from the University of Alabama where he was twice elected as a Vice President of the SGA. He was a recipient of the Outstanding Senior Award from the Alumni Association.

While in college, Will was the campaign aide for Mayor Battle’s 2012 reelection. Will is a proud product of Huntsville City Schools and graduated from Huntsville High School in 2010 as class president. No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services provided by other lawyers.

Darian Robinson Robins & Morton

Biography: Darian Robinson is a field superintendent at construction firm Robins & Morton, and although he is originally from Birmingham, he has called Huntsville home for nearly 10 years. Robinson moved to Huntsville in 2009 to attend Alabama A&M University and study construction management. After graduating in 2013, he was accepted to Auburn University’s Master of Building Construction program. While he completed his coursework, he also served as a teaching assistant until his graduation in 2015.

Immediately upon leaving Auburn, Robinson took a field engineer position with Robins & Morton. His first construction projects took him to Oklahoma and Texas, but he returned to his home state in 2019 to begin work on a series of projects at Huntsville Hospital Health System. These included the Lowell Parking Deck, the neonatal intensive care unit expansion, and the Orthopedic & Spine Tower – the largest project on the hospital’s campus in four decades. Most recently, Robinson has helped lead the construction of the new Northrop Grumman campus located in Redstone Gateway. To date, he has directly contributed to the success of more than $360 million of work; $285 million of that was devoted to strengthening the local healthcare system’s infrastructure.

To support his community, Robinson participates in regular service activities for organizations such as The Land Trust of North Alabama, as well as collecting supplies for back-to-school drives and Christmas gifts for Toys for Tots. He is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.

How has Huntsville shaped your career path?

Huntsville has allowed me to step more into our commercial sector of work that, in turn, has catapulted me through the field ranks within Robins & Morton over the last 4 years. With Huntsville growing so rapidly, I predict there will be several opportunities in the future for me to be in a leadership role, and further push me closer to attaining my goals.

What is the best place in town to hang out in your free time?

The Mid-City District gets my vote. Plenty of things to do out there and have a great time. Honorable mention: Stovehouse.

What’s your favorite restaurant in town?

Bad Daddy’s. Their burgers are phenomenal!

Hunter Garnett Garnett Patterson Injury Law, LLC.

Biography: Hunter Garnett grew up as the oldest of seven children on his family’s farm in Danville, Alabama in Morgan County where he learned the importance of hard work. Somewhere along the way, he also learned that he loves helping people. That’s why he is a personal injury lawyer today. He loves to help.

Hunter married his best friend, Hannah of Hartselle, Alabama in 2015 while he attended law school. Hannah is a dermatology CRNP in Huntsville. Hunter attended college at Mississippi State and law school at Samford where he graduated with honors.

After law school, Hunter worked for a personal injury law firm in Huntsville, Alabama where he represented victims of bad accidents. In December of 2021, He started his own law firm where he represents folks who have been injured and are being mistreated by insurance companies. In his free time, Hunter rides horses and spends time outside on his mini farm. Helping people is his passion in life. He wakes up every morning excited to help others.

Huntsville was recently ranked the 4th most prosperous city and one of the best places for career building opportunities. Why do you think Huntsville is so unique for younger career seeking individuals and entrepreneurs?

Huntsville is a special place because it offers the benefits of both rural and urban living. Monte Sano Park provides some of the most beautiful trails in the eastern United States. Drive 20 minutes in any direction and you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere. On the other hand, we have many of the same amenities that you would expect to see in a major city. This balance makes Huntsville an ideal landing place for young professionals. Huntsville is special to me because I’m able to own horses while still having the benefits of being near a city.

How has Huntsville shaped your career path?

Working in a fast growing city like Huntsville has opened my eyes to the countless opportunities that are available to grow a business. Because Huntsville is growing quickly, there is a lot of innovation.

What’s your favorite restaurant in town?

Flight Plan, Tortora’s, Indian Kitchen, Viet Cuisine, The Standard Market, and Melt are my go-to places.

Lia Brady Organize With Lia, LLC.

Biography: Lia Brady, a resident of Huntsville, AL, is the owner of Organize With Lia, LLC out of Birmingham, Huntsville and Tuscaloosa. She is married and a homeschool mom to two beautiful girls. Even as a child, Lia has always had an intense passion for decluttered space, logical furniture layouts and helping friends and family thrive in a well-organized environment. After spending 10+ years in corporate America and gaining invaluable insight on how to run a successful business, she decided to take the leap of faith and venture out into her true passion – entrepreneurship and home organizing. After 5 years in the business, she has grown an amazing team and has become the #1 organizer in Birmingham & Tuscaloosa and is well on her way to holding the #1 spot in Huntsville as well. Her company has helped so many families love their home again and has truly been one of the great blessings in her life. Organizing is what excites her and what she loves to do for others. It’s her way of giving back that gives her something greater in return.

What is your career goal, and how does HSV fit into that picture?

Our biggest goal is to serve as many families and newcomers as we can. Our team is growing and the number of transplants moving in gives us an amazing opportunity to do just that. Since we offer packing and unpacking, we are in the perfect location to experience growth and allow others to pursue their passion for organizing when they join one of our teams. We can't wait to be the leading professional home organizers in Huntsville!

How has Huntsville shaped your career path?

Huntsville has opened my eyes to so many possibilities with our company's growth. Opportunity is absolutely abundant.

What is the best place in town to hang out in your free time?

Being a mom of two young girls, we love the local parks in our area. We've met so many new friends and families this way and enjoy seeing so many other homeschoolers.

What are your hobbies?

My favorite things to do in my spare time are reading a good book (a plus if I'm on the back porch while it's raining), painting, and studying the Word.

Davina Patterson Disability Resource Network

Biography: Davina Patterson is the Executive Director of Disability Resource Network located in Huntsville, AL that services 13 counties in North Alabama. She's a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Healthcare Management and a minor in Community Health Education and African American Studies. She's originally from Eufaula, AL and has been a resident of Madison, AL for 10 years. Davina has been working in healthcare for over 15 years. Davina is passionate about advocating for people with disabilities to live independently. She has made an impact in the community by removing stigmas and barriers for people with disabilities and bringing disability awareness. She has made history by being the first female Center for Independent Living Director in the state of Alabama.

Davina is a member of UAB Women In Healthcare Leadership Council, the City of Huntsville Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Advisory Committee, Association of Programs for Independent Living Board Member, National Council of Independent Living, National Coalition of 100 Black Women Greater Huntsville Area Chapter, Alabama Continuum of Care, Disabilities Leadership Coalition of Alabama Board Member, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and the South Eastern Center Directors Association. She’s a 2023 UAB Blazer Way Finalist, 2020 256 Magazine 40 Faces Under 40 Honoree, and named a Female Disruptor by Authority Magazine. She’s been featured on numerous podcasts and has been a conference presenter and keynote speaker. Davina loves her job and represents Huntsville and the North Alabama community with excellence.

Bobby Marsh Timberlake & League, P.C.

Biography: Bobby Marsh is a native of Huntsville, AL. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) and his law degree from The University of Mississippi – Ole Miss. During his time at Ole Miss, Bobby served as President of the Student Bar Association. He was a member of the National Trial Competition Team and a student attorney in the Low-Income Housing Clinic.

Following law school, Bobby began his practice in Huntsville. He is currently an associate at Timberlake & League, P.C. His practice is devoted to helping persons injured as a result of medical malpractice, motor vehicle wrecks, nursing home abuse, and industrial accidents. Bobby is a member of the Alabama State Bar and the Huntsville Bar Association.

Carl Holden Zellus Marketing

Biography: Carl Holden is a long-time north Alabama resident and UAHuntsville Graduate with a BSBA in Marketing. Since college, Carl has been co-owner with Craig Stults in their online marketing company Zellus Marketing. For the last decade, Carl focused on becoming an expert in online search optimization, best website practices, and designed/launched Rocket City App on the app stores. The two also own a new coffee shop in Tennessee just north of Florence. For about 4 years, he also ran a Video Game Design Club for local kids. Carl is happily married to Viridiana and has two adorable boys, ages 2 and 9 months. He enjoys dinner and bed time with them each night. On weekends, they enjoy adventures around the Huntsville area in his Jeep truck. He regularly attends church and looks for ways to serve his community while running his businesses.

Owen Franklin Blue Summit Supplies

Biography: Owen Franklin is the founder and CEO of Blue Summit Supplies, an e-commerce solution to overpriced big-box office supply stores and the largest third-party seller of office supplies on Amazon. Owen spent half a decade building rocket systems for large defense contractors in Huntsville, AL only to realize he was frustrated with the lack of positive change he was bringing about in the world. Owen founded Blue Summit Supplies in 2016, where now, with his wife Tiffany, French bulldog Larry, and a growing team of professionals by his side, he hopes to impact the world for the better through the power of e-commerce smarts and office supplies. In 2021, the company achieved a rank of 654 on the Inc. 5000 list as the company headcount grew from 12 to 30 and revenue from $0 to $60 million in Revenue in 7 years. The brand is diversifying its future growth plans by investing heavily in B2B distribution channels to supplement e-commerce operations and forge a path forward into the future.

Biography: Jordan Crow is the Senior Vice President and a founding member of Merit Bank, and has been a vital part of its growth and success since inception. He played several key roles in the bank’s approval and opening of headquarters in Huntsville and is a team leader in the bank’s efforts to support the North Alabama community. Jordan was instrumental in the setup of the bank’s infrastructure and has been an integral part of two successful capital raises. He manages one of the bank’s largest client portfolios of loan and deposit relationships and is a supervisor and mentor for young lenders and loan administrators at the bank. He is the youngest SVP and is directly involved in the Bank’s strategic planning and overall vision.

Deemed the bank’s change champion, Jordan leads the production team’s recruitment efforts and helps maintain the culture by promoting employee participation and feedback. Jordan continues to grow his professional and leadership skills through his involvement in community programs. As a Member of the Future Leaders Exchange, Associated Builders and Contractors, North Alabama Chapter, he helps support professional growth and skills of leaders in the local construction industry.

As a Member of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation’s Development Council, he supports the foundation’s mission by promoting community awareness with volunteer projects and fundraising events. Jordan is also enrolled in the Class of 2024 ABA Bank Executive Leadership Certificate Program, where he has gained valuable knowledge and skills on building effective teams, managing conflict, identifying talent and leading under pressure. Jordan is an exceptional young leader with many achievements and accolades under his belt, yet he continues to strive for improvement of himself and those around him. He is an invaluable asset to Merit Bank and to the North Alabama community.

How has Huntsville shaped your career path?

Huntsville has provided me with the opportunity as a young professional and banker to organically grow a book of business quickly. North Alabama has a great young professional scene with young entrepreneurs starting businesses daily it seems. Business professionals in the Huntsville and North Alabama area appreciate local business and seeing their success contribute to the overall growth of our area and that is why I wanted to help found Merit Bank. We appreciate being local and banking local businesses.

What’s your favorite restaurant in town?

For a casual dinner, Viet Huong is one of my favorites. When I am looking for something a little nicer, I enjoy Tom Brown’s fresh fish selection that is flown in weekly.

James Lomax Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT)

Biography: James Lomax, Vice President of Asset Management & Leasing at Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT), is responsible for overseeing growth and asset performance of COPT’s portfolio in Huntsville, consisting of the 468-acre master planned, mixed-use, EUL project Redstone Gateway, as well as the Class A office building located at 310 The Bridge Street. The overall portfolio currently consists of over 2.1M square feet of Class A office and retail space.

Outside of his role at COPT, James was elected to the Alabama State House of Representatives for District 20 in 2022. James was appointed by the Huntsville City Council to the Medical Clinic Board - Fifth Avenue in 2016 and re-appointed in 2020. In 2021, he was additionally appointed by the Huntsville City Council to the University of Alabama in Huntsville Building Authority Board. James is a contributor to the University of Alabama Center for Real Estate Blog and is the host of Uncommon Access, a podcast where Huntsville's thought leaders discuss trending topics around defense, business, and what the future of work looks like in the region. He is currently a board member of the Huntsville Rotary Club. James previously served as past president of Rotaract Club, treasurer of the North Alabama Commercial Real Estate Association (NALCOM), was a local Chamber of Commerce Young Professional of the Year nominee in 2017, 2019, 2020, and was a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Man of the Year nominee in 2014. James Lomax received his undergraduate at University of Alabama in Huntsville and his graduate degree at the Lipscomb University College of Leadership & Public Service. Outside of business, James' hobbies include reading, running, and spending time with his wife and one year old daughter.

Huntsville was recently ranked the 4th most prosperous city and one of the best places for career building opportunities. Why do you think Huntdville is so unique for younger career seeking individuals and entrepreneurs?

Huntsville is a place that has something to offer everyone, and everyone has something to offer it. One of the reasons I decided to remain in Huntsville after graduation was the fact that I could be a part of helping to shape the culture of the city. Nashville, Atlanta, other major metropolitan areas already seemed to have their own identity, but 10 years ago, Huntsville was just coming into its own. Now we have unique developments, great employment opportunities, a budding food scene, sports, and music. It is what you make it!

What’s the best place to grab a drink, coffee, tea, etc. in town?

Some of my favorite places for coffee are Offbeat, Honest Roasters, and Just Love. Can’t go wrong with a waffle sandwich at Just Love.

Jordan Crow Merit Bank

Biography: Abbie Kate Hancock is a communication graduate from Mississippi State University. She is a tenacious communicator and life-long learner with a skill set in strategizing, public relations, marketing, event planning, and social media management. She possesses strong interpersonal skills through maintaining working relationships with fellow employees and volunteers at the Huntsville Area Association and REALTORS® and ValleyMLS.com in a professional setting.

Abbie Kates believes in the power of research and strives to be proactive with learning and analyzing new communication trends through her memberships in professional organizations such as SPRF, PRSA and NAPRCA. Abbie Kate has been at HAAR coming up on a year now, where she oversees the planning and coordinator of the Realtor® Expo and Installation Gala, and manages all marketing efforts for ValleyMLS.com.

How has Huntsville shaped your career path?

Huntsville introduced me to an industry I had little knowledge of before I started my current role at Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS®. The real estate industry is a living, breathing thing, especially in the number one city in the U.S. Having the opportunity to tell the REALTOR® story and educate our community on affordable and fair housing has taken my career down a road I never knew I could be a part of. I have learned that as a professional communicator, there are so many opportunities to teach our Huntsville residents about housing, professionalism, and how to get involved in the community through storytelling, working with our local media outlets, and participating in community-facing events.

What is the best place in town to hang out in your free time?

I love hanging out at Stovehouse. It is a multi-use arts/entertainment and business facility located very close to downtown. There’s a unique choice of restaurants, bars, breweries, local shops, and even boutique gyms. You can get a workout in, have a meal, and get a drink all in one place. I love that Stovehouse has live music featuring local musicians and events throughout the year that attract crowds from all over. It’s the perfect place to grab your morning coffee, host an event for your company at one of their premier spaces, or sit in the quaint outdoor seating area and relax.

Foster Brooks Brooks & Collier

Biography: Foster Brooks is a part of the 4th generation of the Brooks & Collier business. The business is a 77 year old Home & Garden store in Downtown Huntsville. Foster and his wife, Sarah, have an 18 month old son named Billy, who is their pride and joy. Foster was born and raised in Huntsville and can’t imagine calling anywhere else home. He grew up in the Huntsville City School System and graduated from Huntsville High School in 2011. He attended Auburn University and graduated from the College of Business in 2015. Currently, Foster is the Operations Manager at Brooks & Collier.

Abbie Kate Hancock HAAR

Sam Stiles Summit 7

Biography: Sam Stiles is currently the Vice President of Marketing at Summit 7, in Huntsville, AL. As a marketing professional, Sam has worked in marketing operations, creative design, go-to-market strategy, business continuity, national supply chain sales, financial market development and more. Sam graduated from Auburn University in 2015 with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis on Marketing. He also completed the evening advanced leadership program at Highlands College in 2019. Through his knowledge of the Microsoft Government platform and its relationship to CMMC, Sam has attained knowledge in cybersecurity, NIST 800-171, and CMMC. Sam's ability to articulate technical expertise via common platforms such as YouTube, LinkedIn, blogs, and other mediums, as well as his strength as a team leader, have launched him from a Marketing Operations Lead to the Vice President of Marketing at Summit 7 in just over three years.

How has Huntsville shaped your career path?

Huntsville has given me the opportunity to meet and network with professionals in both cybersecurity and marketing because of the diversity in our city. Having high-level leaders and forward-thinkers move to Huntsville from other parts of the United States has been a personal blessing, as I’ve made friends and mentors from different backgrounds and locations.

What is the best place in town to hang out in your free time?

Free time – what’s that? When I prioritize free time, you’ll catch me fishing at a local creek or pond. That or taking my kids to FLOW on South Parkway – I’m a giant kid at heart (ask my wife).

What’s the best place to grab a drink, coffee, tea, etc. in town?

Angels Island or Goldsprint Coffee. I refuse to choose between the two!

What is your favorite thing to do in Huntsville on the weekends?

Attend Church of The Highlands with my crew (The Stiles Fam)!

Biography: Liz Power has been a leader and mentor in real estate for years. Building and maintaining a successful real estate career since 2009, Liz Power (Huntsville, AL) set her real estate team apart by providing practical coaching and training. Liz believes in giving back to her community, and is a champion for private property rights. She has been a top-producing agent and team leader in North Alabama, is a graduate of Leadership AAR, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Alabama Association of Realtors (2023). She is also an active participant in her local association (HAAR- Huntsville Area Association of Realtors) and has served on committees for professional standards and ethics.

Early in her career, she developed a reputation for her innovative video marketing strategies. She has been in over 600 real estate videos to promote her listings and gain market share. She believes in, and is always striving for excellence, innovation, and impact. Her credentials include PSA (Certified Pricing Strategy Advisor), ASP (Accredited Staging Professional), CHME (Certified Home Marketing Expert), SFR (Short Sale Foreclosure Resource) and she holds an Alabama Broker license as well. She is currently serving as the Director of Training & Agent Development at Century 21 Prestige- a large organization with over a dozen offices across the Southeast. Liz is passionate about education and after witnessing how her classes resonated with agents, she saw the need in the marketplace to offer this unparalleled training nationwide through EmPower Consulting. Her authenticity and energy has made her a sought after speaker. Liz is passionate about helping professionals create a relationship-driven business that isscalable, replicable, and sustainable.

Huntsville was recently ranked the 4th most prosperous city and one of the best places for career building opportunities. Why do you think Huntsville is so unique for younger career seeking individuals and entrepreneurs?

I think it’s a combination of a highly educated demographic as well as great jobs that come here for various reasons. Affordability is another great factor about this city. People are drawn to the small town vibe, but also to a city with great jobs and job security. To me, and many others, this is a logical step for career building. This is also a very convenient city. It is two hours away from Nashville, three from Atlanta, and we have an international airport right here in town.

Liz Power Power Homes Team at Century 21 Prestige

Logan Hoffman Stockton Mortgage

Biography: A native of the Huntsville area, Logan Hoffman, has been in the mortgage industry since graduating from Auburn in August of 2016. Having a Human Resources degree, he started there and worked his way from HR Manager to running his own branch while with Hometown Lenders. Logan is now starting a new adventure and bringing Stockton Mortgage to the Tennessee Valley. He is blessed with a great family.

His wife of 6 years, Caitlin, and two sons, Easton (4) and Nolan (2).

Huntsville was recently ranked the 4th most prosperous city and one of the best places for career building opportunities. Why do you think Huntsville is so unique for younger career seeking individuals and entrepreneurs?

There are so many reasons, but a major one that sticks out to me is how secure of an area to work in it is. What I mean by that is this, Huntsville is home to one of the premier areas for defense contracting and many government backed institutions, most of which pay very well. You couple those along with all of the manufacturing companies setting up shop here, the sky's the limit (literally).

How has Huntsville shaped your career path?

The same reasons above apply to this question as well. Huntsville is such a great place to run/start a business in almost any sector, mortgages being no different. The business here allows you to grow elsewhere.

What is the best place in town to hang out in your free time?

We love campus 805! You can go grab a beer and then when you get hungry, move right over to Rock and Roll sushi for dinner.

What’s the best place to grab a drink, coffee, tea, etc. in town?

I would say Hamley’s in Meridianville is my go to!

What is your favorite thing to do in Huntsville on the weekends?

We love going to see the Huntsville Havoc or just relax at home. We have a pretty busy schedule throughout the week so it is nice to wind down on the weekends.

Dylan Eichberg Safesplash

Biography: For Dylan Eichberg, family has always been important. From Fredericksburg, Virginia, he grew up with his two siblings, Ben and Lily. At seven years old, Dylan joined a summer swim league and has been swimming since. Swimming wasn’t just his passion, it became his life. Swimming allowed Dylan to push himself, learn to accept failure, and celebrate the victories. After years of training, Dylan was sent to the Olympic Training Center in Denver for the National Diversity Select Camp and also earned a trip to Ireland to compete. During that time, Dylan was a USA swimming academic all American and at one time held every record on his high school team.

Aside from swimming, Dyaln is an Eagle Scout and was a class officer. After graduating from Stafford High School in 2018, Dylan chose to continue his swimming and school at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. While at VT, he earned NCAA All American in the 200 fly and a degree in Business. He moved to Huntsville and joined SafeSplash in July 2022 hoping to bring his love of swimming and his business knowledge together to help other young people learn to love a sport that has shaped his life. But soon, SafeSplash became much more. Today, Dylan is learning new things daily as his team searches for new opportunities and continues growing as a small business. Most importantly, he hopes to be a good role model to the kids of Huntsville while teaching as many people as possible to learn to swim.

Sarah Smith Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

Biography: Sarah Smith graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville with a Master of Accountancy and a B.A. in Accounting. Sarah is passionate about giving back and serving her local Huntsville community. She is a Huntsville Committee of 100 Young Professional and in the Leadership Greater Huntsville Connect 25 Class. She serves on the board of the United Way of Morgan County, Decatur Youth Symphony, National Defense and Industrial Association (NDIA), the Rotary Club of Decatur Daybreak and is the Co-Chair of the Advisory Council for Burritt on the Mountain. She is a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, committed to helping successful professionals and families achieve financial independence. She has been named to Morgan Stanley’s prestigious Pacesetter’s Club, an elite group composed of the firm’s successful Financial Advisors. In her free time, Sarah enjoys golfing, traveling to new places, skeet shooting and hanging out with her 2-year-old nephew.

What is your career goal, and how does HSV fit into that picture?

My goal for my career is to continue to grow my business, building my client base in Huntsville, and as our clients’ businesses grow, we grow as well. I want to always stay on the cutting-edge of resources and solutions for our clients so that they are getting the same benefits and service that they would in any bigger, metropolitan area.

What is your favorite thing to do in Huntsville on the weekends?

Trash Pandas baseball games, live music at Stella’s downtown, and I can’t forget a round of golf up at the Ledges!

What’s your favorite restaurant in town?

There are so many good restaurants in different areas of Greater Huntsville. Downtown, I like to go to either the Bottle, Domaine South & Petit Bijou, or Sam & Greg’s; Town Madison has Prohibition which has a great, unique menu and patio area. How can you pick a favorite when you’ve got so many different options to try now, and my friends and I like to try all of them!

Sahara Embry The Embry Group

Biography: Sahara Embry created and leads a local Real Estate team here in Huntsville called The Embry Group. She leads a team of 23 people. In the last year she has helped the Huntsville community by featuring a ton of local small businesses on our team Instagram @embrygroup. She really wants to see Huntsville grow and has helped us make sure her team is at the front of that in Real Estate. She is always willing to help and lead whoever needs it, but at the same time she is creative and trying to make a difference in Real Estate. She got started in Real Estate at the age of 19, which was about 10 years ago. She is dedicated to taking care of people and being innovative in Real Estate. Her and her husband both own a total of 3 local businesses here in Huntsville and the passion she has for business and our city is what makes her stand out.

How is your experience unique in your field, and what are you doing personally to innovate and produce change in your field?

I stand out by doing things differently and with meaning behind everything I do. For example, Huntsville has never really hosted a Real Estate conference before. This year in April I made one happen for our local Realtors and had over 100 local Realtors show up to learn how to go their career in huntsville. Doing things like that in our community is what makes me different and is something I love doing. I am also really focusing on the growth of small businesses in Huntsville by promoting them on our social media and building partnerships with them so more people in our area know where to go and to support our small businesses in Huntsville.

How has Huntsville shaped your career path?

The growth of the city and vision for its community has just inspired me to love Huntsville and want to build my business here.

What’s your favorite restaurant in town?

Cotton Row or Domaine South are amazing!

What are your hobbies?

When you own 3 businesses and have a one year old you do not really have time for hobbies. If I have extra time I spend it at a spa in Huntsville getting a facial or massage. All other time is spent working or spending time with family.

Andy Keelon Keelon Valuation

Biography: Andy Keelon started out building spec homes, then buying and flipping apartment complexes, along with running his commercial real estate appraisal firm. He is thankful for his dad teaching him the building and development business. He is now developing St Andrews Villas, an $80 million (305 unit) luxury apartment complex, with no partners or outside investor monies. Andy is the definition of truly a self made man and is as humble as they come. He also developed a $10 million industrial site with multiple buildings in Madison. You will not find a more deserved person for this award.

Why do you think Huntsville is so unique for younger career seeking individuals and entrepreneurs?

With Huntsville having the 40,000 specialized jobs on the Redstone Arsenal, NASA and having the 2nd largest research park in the world, I think it offers a unique opportunity for young professionals.

What is your career goal, and how does HSV fit into that picture?

I would like to develop more walk-able, for rent communities and I believe the Huntsville job market will support that demand for the long term.

How is your experience unique in your field, and what are you doing personally to innovate and produce change in your field?

I think my experience in commercial real estate appraisal taught me how to better value and analyze all positive and negative aspects of a property.

How has Huntsville shaped your career path?

The growth of Huntsville has allowed me to develop larger projects each year for housing and now the need for more industrial space, from the spin off of Mazda-Toyota and other manufacturing companies relocating to Huntsville.

What is the best place in town to hang out in your free time?

Orion Amphitheater, Village of Providence and the farmers market at MidCity.

Samantha (Sam) Nielsen

Von Braun Center

Biography: Samantha Nielsen (Sam) is the Marketing and Public Relations Director at the Von Braun Center. She earned her BS in Communication with a focus in Journalism, and a minor in Professional Writing from the University of North Alabama. Throughout her career, Sam has grown in the hospitality sector of the Huntsville market by transitioning from locally-owned radio station WRSA Mix 96.9, to the Port of Huntsville, the Huntsville Museum of Art and finally to the Von Braun Center. While developing her career path, she has endeavored to establish and maintain meaningful relationships and partnerships throughout the community. Her passion for Huntsville and all it has to offer residents and travelers fuels the excitement she holds for her profession of promoting travel and tourism to Huntsville-Madison County.

Sam lives in northeast Huntsville with her husband Matthew, their toddler Oliver, and their two rescue pups Annabelle and Mocha. She currently volunteers as secretary for the Huntsville-Madison County Hospitality Association Board of Directors. Additionally, Sam dedicates her free time towards helping relieve the financial burden from public school teachers by supporting local non-profit Free 2 Teach, where she proudly holds the title of Immediate Past Chair.

Sam is a member of Leadership Greater Huntsville’s Connect-25 class and continues looking for ways to deepen her involvement with the Huntsville-Madison County community.

Stephen Davis FPCTA Kyser Samples Samples Properties

Biography: Stephen Tyler Davis brings decades of experience with him back to FPCTA. In 2006, he received his BA in Theatre from University of Alabama, with honors for serving as President of Alpha Psi Omega, Gamma Gamma Cast. Then in 2016, he earned his MFA in Theatre from Sarah Lawerence College while also serving as the President of the Graduate Student Senate. He has been a guest artist around the country at universities, state festivals, regional theatres, New York Musical Theatre Festival, and New York International Fringe Festival. Davis is committed to connecting communities and inspiring joy through theatre and music in the artistic work that he makes as a director, teacher, writer, performer, producer, and designer. He is the author of plays, poetry, and original musicals, such as Huckleberry Haywood, Bird Brain, Little Trees, Rusty the Robot, Stargazing With Helen Keller, Lights Out in Cootah County, Snow and the 7 Littles, as well as an original adaptation of A Christmas Carol. Davis has toured the United States for three seasons with TheatreWorks USA and is a founder of CitySalt Theatricals NYC, an ordained minister, ASCAP songwriter, and a member of the Actors Equity Association.

Biography: Kyser Samples is a driven and accomplished professional in the field of commercial real estate with extensive experience in facility management, property management, and asset management. A Huntsville Native born in 1993, Kyser grew up in the rapidly changing city we call home. After graduating from Huntsville High in 2011, he went on to earn his business degree from the University of North Alabama in 2016.

Shortly after graduation, Kyser and his brother Alex joined Samples Properties, a leading commercial real estate firm, as third-generation employees. Since then, Kyser has played a key role in managing over 30 properties measuring over 2 million square feet with over 60 tenants. His dedication to his profession is further demonstrated by his recent achievement of the CPM (Certified Property Manager) designation from IREM (Institute of Real Estate Management) in 2022.

In addition to his work in commercial real estate, Kyser is a dedicated community leader. Since 2021 he has been the financial director for Rotaract Club of Huntsville, a young professional organization that prides itself on service over self.

In addition to his professional and community activities, Kyser is a devoted husband and father to his wife Katherine and daughter Kennedy.

Preston Taylor Performance Drone Works

Biography: Preston Taylor is an accomplished Business Operations leader with over 8 years of experience streamlining processes, optimizing efficiency, and propelling growth. Possessing a bachelor’s degree in business management and Operations, he has garnered extensive expertise in directing cross-functional teams, deploying highly effective solutions, and successfully managing large-scale projects. Throughout his career, Mr. Taylor has consistently demonstrated his ability to guide organizations towards their objectives while significantly enhancing their operational performance. His reputation for creating an upbeat and productive work environment for his teams sets him apart as a distinguished leader and communicator. Presently, he is responsible for managing the daily business operations for a U.S. military-focused startup company, ensuring seamless processes and sustainable growth.

What is your career goal, and how does HSV fit into that picture?

My goal is to become a better leader in my industry by executing even more significant projects in my field. Ultimately, I aspire to make a positive and innovative impact on my community by utilizing my knowledge, persistence, and efficiency. My background, characterized by growing up in impoverished conditions, has instilled in me a drive to continuously improve and exceed expectations. The Huntsville community has been a source of immense support, aligning with my goals and aspirations. This community has presented me with abundant opportunities to grow, learn, and contribute. The thriving tech industry, top-rated universities, and supportive community have been critical in my personal and professional development. I am humbled and excited to continue my journey in Huntsville, utilizing my skills and experiences to create meaningful change in the lives of those around me.

What is the best place in town to hang out in your free time?

Huntsville has plenty of options for hanging out and enjoying your free time, whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure, artistic inspiration, or a relaxing place to unwind. My personal favorite being Monte Sano State Park – if you’re up for some outdoor adventure, Monte Sano State Park is a beautiful place to hike, bike, or picnic. The park offers over 20 miles of trails, breathtaking views, and plenty of wildlife to enjoy.

Shelby Smith Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT)

Biography: Shelby Smith serves as Property Manager at Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT). She is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of COPT’s portfolio in Huntsville, Alabama, consisting of the 468-acre master planned, mixed-use, EUL project Redstone Gateway, as well as the Class A office building located at 310 The Bridge Street. The overall portfolio currently consists of over 2.1M square feet of Class A office and retail space. Shelby earned the Certified Property Manager designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management.

Outside of her role at COPT, she is Vice President of the Building and Managers Association (BOMA) Huntsville, Legislative Affairs Committee Representative for IREM Alabama Chapter 43, and a member of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Huntsville Chapter. Shelby is active in the community as a volunteer with the AUM Foundation and an upcoming graduate of the Connect Class 25 with Leadership Greater Huntsville. She previously served on the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. volunteer committee. Shelby graduated from Athens State University with a degree in Human Resource Management.

How is your experience unique in your field, and what are you doing personally to innovate and produce change in your field?

With anything in life, I believe the key to producing change is to never become complacent and always seek ways to improve. Since I’ve only been in the commercial real estate industry for six years, it’s imperative to learn from others who have successfully adapted to change. Our Regional Director of Operations, Marshanne Castro, has been one that I would like to continue to learn from as it relates to leadership and innovation in property management. She currently serves on a sustainability committee to seek ways of introducing sustainable methods to our portfolio.

What’s your favorite restaurant in town?

A difficult one! Taco Mama is my family’s go to!

What are your hobbies?

I’ve always enjoyed interior decorating, floral arranging, and crafting.

Tom Radcliffe Colliers / Alabama

Biography: Tom Radcliffe works with Colliers | Alabama as a Leasing and Sales Specialist. Tom has more than 7 years’ experience in the commercial real estate industry. Prior to working with Colliers, he was employed at NAI Chase Commercial Realty. Tom is a long-time resident of Huntsville and attended the University of Alabama in Huntsville, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. Although his expertise lies in Class A/B office space, he recently has found success in leasing or selling troubled or distressed properties.

Since joining Colliers, Tom has added to his history of success rescuing distressed properties. 150 West Park Loop, a 3-story, 56,000 square-foot, Class B+ office property located in Huntsville had struggled for years until new ownership picked it up and got Tom involved. He was able to lease it up from 10% to over 95% occupied in less than two years. During this period, Tom was overseeing an exciting building transformation which included building exterior, new landscaping, updates to HVAC, entire interior remodel, elevator systems, and new monument signage. Tom worked with over 46 different companies to renew, expand, relocate or lease over 215,000 square-feet of office space in 2022. He leases some of Huntsville’s most prominent office properties, including 1500 & 1525 Perimeter Corporate Park, Regions Center, Progress Center, and many others.

Tom’s generosity, leadership, and commitment extends from his role as Associate Broker with Colliers to giving back to his community. Tom and his wife participated in this year’s Make a Wish Foundation fundraiser by donating a weekend at their lake house in the silent auction. Tom and his wife, Jessica, live in Madison with their sons Easton (6), Crew (3) and one-year old twins, Ella and Hudson. Tom competed in Huntsville’s Ultimate Frisbee Elite Mixed Club at the 2022 National Championships in San Diego, California. This was the first time that a Huntsville team has ever competed at nationals and was a huge success for the club. He also has served on the Huntsville Ultimate Board of Directors as Club Representative, captain of the local Men’s Elite Club Team, and Head Coach of the UAH Club Team.

What is your career goal, and how does HSV fit into that picture?

My career goal has always been to provide strategy and growth for good companies. Commercial Real Estate has provided me the opportunity to assist in this process, and Huntsville is ripe with companies moving and pivoting as they expand in the area. Huntsville is far from reaching its developmental finality, and that’s why I see so many career opportunities here.

Wesley Sparks

American Rheinmetall Munitions

Biography: Wesley Sparks is the Huntsville Business Development and Strategy lead for American Rheinmetall Munitions, a subsidiary of the global land systems prime contractor Rheinmetall. He has been in the Huntsville area since 2020 after retiring from the US Army as an Acquisition Program Manager in Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems. At Rheinmetall, Wesley develops strategic business case opportunities for large weapon and ammunition programs serving all branches of the DoD. His objective is to grow the company’s portfolio of medium and large caliber ammunition, primary weapon systems, and engineering products and services focused on the US Army and SOCOM.

Achieving this strategy involves continuous interaction with teaming partners, Pentagon staff, and Congressional stakeholders. His training and experience include an MBA, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, DAWIA PM Level 2, Shipley BD and Capture, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Procurement and Contract Management from the University of Virginia. Wesley lives in Madison with his wife, Alaine, and their three kids. When he is not attending trade shows, industry day events, or traveling to the company Headquarters in Germany, he enjoys cheering on his children at gymnastics, dance, and Scholar’s Bowl.

What is your career goal, and how does HSV fit into that picture?

I hope to continue developing experience and growing responsibility in corporate development and strategy in the defense industry. With Cummings Research Park and the large number of prime and small defense companies here in Huntsville there are so many opportunities for growth. This city has been famous for engineering since the beginning of US rocket programs, but there are so many roles in finance, program management, operations, and administration.

What’s the best place to grab a drink, coffee, tea, etc. in town?

There are some excellent breweries across the city and we highly recommend Black Patch Distillery in Madison. Gold Sprint near Lowe Mill always has some great coffee and is a good place to work remote for a few hours.

What is your favorite thing to do in Huntsville on the weekends?

The big things that we always get on the calendar are the US Space and Rocket Center, the Botanical Garden, Toyota Field for Trash Panda games, and our new favorite detour out to the Buc-ee’s on I-65.

Bart Siniard Siniard Law

Biography: Bart Siniard is a personal injury attorney at Siniard Law in Huntsville. He has represented more than 1,000 people in North Alabama, obtaining settlements and verdicts in both Alabama state and federal courts in his ten years of practice. Bart has also been before the Supreme Court of Alabama, obtaining a unanimous decision on his client’s behalf when he was just four years out of law school. He was recently recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 attorney for the state of Alabama by the National Trial Lawyers.

Bart is also active in the Huntsville community. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Boys & Girls Club of North Alabama, the board of the Historic Huntsville Foundation, the board of First United Methodist Church’s early education ministry, the board of the Huntsville Young Lawyers Association, and on the executive committee of the Alabama Association for Justice. In the past, he has served as Treasurer of the Huntsville Bar Association and as a young professional member of the Huntsville Committee of 100.

Bart enjoys public speaking and writing opportunities. He has lectured at UAH’s School of Nursing about Alabama medical malpractice laws. He has also made presentations to Greater Leadership Huntsville and the Alabama State Bar Young Lawyers’ Association about effective communication and persuasion. With Huntsville history being a passion of his, Bart frequently contributes articles to local publications about Huntsville history.

What is your career goal, and how does HSV fit into that picture?

I want to help as many people as I can in my personal injury practice. But I also want to be known as someone who cares about this community and gives back through charitable works. I was born and raised here, so Huntsville and the well being of its people is important to me.

What’s your favorite restaurant in town?

Toughest question on this list. I’d have to go with Purveyor. I think it’s the best meal in town. However, I will say that my favorite lunch spot is Viet Cuisine on Jordan Lane. I could have their chicken clay pot every day and would never tire of it.

What is your favorite thing to do in Huntsville on the weekends?

I’m usually chasing kids with my wife on the weekends. We are usually either at Big Spring Park, the Botanical Gardens, or Monte Sano Pool.

Caroline Bivens Aviation & Missile Solutions (AMS)

Biography: Caroline Bivens is the Corporate Controller at Aviation & Missile Solutions (AMS). Prior to joining AMS, Caroline worked at Dynetics for over 7 years where she held various roles such as Sr. Operational Accounting Manager and Sr. Financial Reporting Manager, where she was responsible for financial reporting for a $1B portfolio with six ledgers across multiple entities. She is an active member of the Women’s Economic Development Council (WEDC) and served as the Chair of their Marketing and Communications Committee in 2021.

Caroline is a graduate of the Leadership Huntsville Connect program, a previous participant of Dynetics Young Professionals, and a previous member of the advisory council for Elevate, a global business plan competition for undergraduate and graduate students. She holds her MBA from the University of North Alabama and her BS in Accounting from Lee University, where she has since served as an adjunct professor in their School of Business. In addition to her professional responsibilities, Caroline is passionate about giving back to her community. She has been an active volunteer with many organizations and has provided mentorship to college business students interested in joining the space and defense industry after college. Caroline is dedicated to helping build a strong and vibrant community in Huntsville and is proud to be a part of the city’s growth.

In her free time, Caroline enjoys traveling, exploring new hiking trails, and trying new recipes in the kitchen. She has been part of the Huntsville, AL community for 30 years and currently resides here with her husband Nathan.

What is your career goal, and how does HSV fit into that picture?

When I was 20, I dreamed of becoming a Controller and running an accounting group. Now that I’m there, my new goal is to become a CFO, leading a team of dedicated individuals who want to make an impact in the defense industry and on those around them. At each new stage of my career, I plan to revisit and readjust my goals; I hope that with each step, I set my sights higher. Considering my skill set is tailored to government contracting, Huntsville will always play a significant part in my career goals.

What is the best place in town to hang out in your free time?

I would have to pick Stovehouse.

What is your favorite thing to do in Huntsville on the weekends?

Go on a hike at Monte Sano State Park and Nature Preserve.

Will Crosby Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT)

Biography: Will Crosby serves as Senior Project Manager of Development & Construction for Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT). Will is responsible for overseeing design and construction at Redstone Gateway, a 468-acre master planned, mixed-use, EUL project. He is also responsible for all project development, managing numerous projects including a 262,000 square feet campus for Northrop Grumman, and a 177,000 square feet headquarters for KBR. Prior to joining COPT, Will served as General Contractor, managing numerous commercial and government facility projects in the Southeast. Will has earned many certifications, including US Army Corps of Engineers Construction Quality Management certification, Construction Infection Control Training Institute (CICTI) certification, OSHA 30 Hour certification, and LEED Green Associate certification.

Will is very active in the community, a member of the Associated Builders & Contractors of Alabama, Alabama Associated General Contractors, and First United Methodist Church of Huntsville. He has volunteered with The Big Event, Manna House Food Distribution, and The Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Will graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor's degree in Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology with a minor in business.

What is your career goal, and how does HSV fit into that picture?

Currently, my focus is continuing to help grow Redstone Gateway as we strive to bring new and existing companies to the Huntsville market. Our core team with COPT are all Huntsville natives and we all share a passionate commitment to be a part of the city’s growth. Personally, I want to continue to become involved in local and industry organizations as my career evolves to expand my network and serve the community.

What is the best place in town to hang out in your free time?

That’s tough to pick one. Stovehouse, the square downtown, Big Spring Park are all great family friendly environments.

What’s your favorite restaurant in town?

Commerce Kitchen. On top of the great food, my wife and I both love the atmosphere – especially sitting outside.

Abbi Johnson Haley's Flooring

Biography: Abbi Johnson is the Marketing Director at Haley’s Flooring and Interiors in Huntsville, Alabama. Abbi is a graduate of Jacksonville State University where she received her bachelor’s degree in communication with an emphasis in broadcast journalism with a minor in English. Abbi began her career as a Digital Marketing Manager at WAFF 48 in Huntsville, Alabama, and it wasn’t long before she was promoted to a lifestyle producer for Tennessee Valley Weekend, now known as Tennessee Valley Living. As her family grew, Abbi transitioned from local television to the Huntsville Area Association of Realtors, and years later became the marketing director at Haley’s Flooring and Interiors. Abbi is humbled and honored to have been nominated for the Top 40 Under 40, and it’s a testament to the hard work and dedication that she has put into my career.

Chris Jeacock Merrill Lynch

Biography: Christopher Jeacock, along with his wife Megan and daughter Kylee, reside in Owen Cross Roads. Christopher has been working as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch since 2016. Before embarking on his career as a financial advisor, Christopher served as a motor transport operator and paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC. During his eight-year tenure in the military, he was involved in aiding the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and completed two deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. Following his military service, he went on to earn both his BSBA in Finance and MBA from the University of Alabama in Huntsville before joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.

Christopher is an active member of his community, contributing his time and resources to various non-profit and charitable organizations in Huntsville. He is on the board of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), AUSA YP, and is also a member of Solar Lodge #914. At Merrill Lynch, Christopher places his clients' needs and priorities at the forefront. He collaborates closely with them to understand the various aspects of their financial lives and determine what is most important. Once clients' unique needs and priorities are identified, Christopher works with them to achieve their goals and those of their loved ones. His advice and guidance are personalized, and he offers access to Merrill's investment insights and Bank of America's banking convenience. Christopher's focus is on clients, their aspirations, and their legacies, not on industry benchmarks.

Devin Townsend University of Alabama in Huntsville

Biography: Devin Townsend is a creative entrepreneur from Prattville, Alabama, who moved to Huntsville to pursue higher education. With an undergraduate degree in Communication and Film and Media Studies

UAH, followed by a graduate degree in Professional Communication with a focuson film from the same institution, Devin embodies a true passion for the art of storytelling. Driven by a desire to make people from all corners of the globe feel seen and understood, Devin aims to leverage the power of film to create impactful narratives that resonate deeply with audiences. Huntsville has played a significant role in Devin's journey, providing a nurturing environment to explore and cultivate their creative talents. Devin has embraced the city's resources and support to enhance their storytelling abilities.

Outside the realm of filmmaking, Devin finds solace in quality time spent with family. Recognizing the importance of personal connections and cherished moments, they prioritize creating lasting memories with their loved ones. Devin's journey as a creative entrepreneur has been shaped by a dedication to their craft, a relentless pursuit of personal growth, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference through the power of storytelling.

Amanda Pope Invariant Corporation

Biography: Amanda Pope, MBA, PMP is the Chief Strategy Officer at Invariant Corporation. She joined the company over 18 months ago and has hit the ground running, helping the organization to level-up their business practices as they have experienced unprecedented growth. She has been integral in the success of implementing a new enterprise resource planning system, working towards Invariant becoming employee-owned and more than doubling their footprint in south Huntsville this upcoming year with additional offices, conference rooms, and lab space. Amanda is a 2022 graduate of Leadership Greater Huntsville’s Management Academy, a Director on the board of the Women's Economic Development Council serving as the co-chair of the Finance Committee in addition to volunteering her time with the Bob Jones Lacrosse Team to help grow the game in north Alabama.

How has Huntsville shaped your career path?

I was drawn to the business world and the desire to serve my community, having grown up in service-based industries. When I arrived in Huntsville, I was impressed by the city's emphasis on supporting the military, especially the warfighter. It was here that I gained a deeper understanding of the crucial role contractors play in national security. I can confidently say that if I hadn't ended up in Huntsville, I wouldn't be working in government contracting today, and I can't imagine a more rewarding industry. My work now holds greater significance and purpose.

What is the best place in town to hang out in your free time?

This is a tough question because there are so many great places to hang out in Huntsville. If I had to pick one, it would be Midcity District. I love that there are so many options all within walking distance of each other including Top Golf, High Point, The Camp, great restaurants, and of course, the Orion Amphitheater.

What’s your favorite restaurant in town?

My favorite restaurant in Huntsville is Old Black Bear. I especially recommend trying their Giant Bavarian Pretzel!

Biography: Dr. Cole J. Kupec II is the President and co-founder of CE Solutions Inc., a company offering cost estimating, operations research, and acquisition support services. He served as a twice elected member of the board of directors of the International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association (ICEAA), a global nonprofit that supports operations researchers. In addition to teaching and promoting the cost estimating profession, he is published on the defense industry workforce, public sector operations research, project management, andragogy, and STEM education. Dr. Kupec guest lectures at the collegiate level as well as at national conferences. He has supported and mentored marketing, real estate, and defense start-up companies with an outstanding track record.

Huntsville was recently ranked the 4th most prosperous city and one of the best places for career building opportunities. Why do you think Huntsville is so unique for younger career seeking individuals and entrepreneurs?

It is no surprise to me or anyone on my team that Huntsville, AL continues to be prosperous and rank high in career opportunities. Huntsville has an abundance of entry level to senior positions in various industries, as well as a robust entrepreneurial network and a spirit to match.

How is your experience unique in your field, and what are you doing personally to innovate and produce change in your field?

I have contributed to many relevant studies, analyses, and projects done by the federal government, academia, and industry, always with the personal aim of encouraging dynamic, responsible progress. I have worked on tools, strategic management initiatives, and operations research projects that have made a tangible impact on how business is accomplished. That is something I have been very proud of, and I have strived to promote professional data analytics, management, and cost estimating standards along the way.

What is the best place in town to hang out in your free time?

The Huntsville Museum of Art and the surroundings features in Big Spring Park are as pleasant an area to spend free time as you could wish.

What’s the best place to grab a drink, coffee, tea, etc. in town?

Stovehouse has live outdoor music and some great options.

Dr. Cole Kupec, II CE Solutions, Inc.

Evan B. Crouse Waverly Advisors, Inc.

Biography: Evan Crouse serves as a Financial Planner, Client Consultant for Waverly Advisors. In this role, he provides customized, comprehensive financial planning that is focused on meeting clients’ needs and goals. Evan’s previous experience includes his time in the corporate finance department of a leading aerospace manufacturer and his time as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. He resides in Huntsville, Alabama with his wife and two daughters. Evan has a Masters in Business Administration and Finance from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. He is actively involved in Rivertree Church's Praise and Worship team and is a volunteer couch for youth sports in the area.

Huntsville was recently ranked the 4th most prosperous city and one of the best places for career building opportunities. Why do you think Huntsville is so unique for younger career seeking individuals and entrepreneurs?

Huntsville has always been a city of innovation and a city that explores what is possible, both now and in the future. This stems from our roots with NASA, helping to send astronauts to the moon, and many other forward-looking efforts. Today, that same spirit of innovation and possibility is thriving in our city and has diversified into many other industries, including biotech, healthcare, and information technology.

I believe young professionals and entrepreneurs are attracted to a city that has this type of innovative and positive energy. They are drawn to Huntsville based on the natural beauty of the surrounding areas, the ever-growing attractions and events, and the outstanding business environment that is focused on innovation and answering the question, “what is next?”.

How has Huntsville shaped your career path?

The two words that come to mind are opportunity and generosity. As a growing and thriving business community, Huntsville has given me the opportunity to pursue my professional passion. The generosity and community involvement I have seen from local businesses and business leaders has inspired me to pursue my career with a focus on helping others and giving back to our great community.

What’s your favorite restaurant in town?

Surin of Thailand is my favorite restaurant in town. Thai and sushi are some of my favorite foods, and Surin delivers on both!

Parker Jones Century Automotive Group

Biography: Parker Jones lives in Huntsville with his wife Sarah and their two beautiful children, Allie and Lawson. Parker has been at Century Automotive Group since 2016, when he joined his mother Tracey and father George in the beloved family business. Parker has been pivotal to the growth and transformation of Century Automotive. From spearheading the construction and operations of the new Century Pre-Owned Center that has created a whole new revenue stream and customer pool, to championing the push to embrace the digital future of the car industry and retail in general. As of January 1, Parker has been promoted to GM of Century BMW and is excited for the challenge ahead. If his past successes are any indication, Century can expect a long and prosperous future ahead.

Huntsville was recently ranked the 4th most prosperous city and one of the best places for career building opportunities. Why do you think Huntsville is so unique for younger career seeking individuals and entrepreneurs?

Huntsville has all of the advantages of those traditional hubs with few of the disadvantages. For starters, the cost of living is very reasonable. It doesn’t take a great deal to survive while beginning a career or starting a business. It’s surprising for many people to discover that Huntsville is a melting pot. Due to the large number of aerospace and defense companies in the area, the influx of so many highly educated people from various locations and backgrounds opens up numerous opportunities and fresh ideas for those looking to carve a new path through life. There are multiple business incubators and senior professionals looking for opportunities to mentor and coach that are very difficult to find in larger areas.

What is the best place in town to hang out in your free time?

The Ledges! Great golf, pool for the family and unbeatable views.

What is your favorite thing to do in Huntsville on the weekends?

My favorite thing to do is spend time downtown. We have many great coffee shops, restaurants, and activities to do all within walking distance.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy playing golf, hunting and spending time at the lake with my family.

Susan Locklear Matt Curtis Real Estate

Biography: Susan Locklear in her four years has helped develop Matt Curtis Real Estate toward being the #1 Real Estate Team in Alabama. Working with 40 agents and administrative employees to identify challenges and implement impactful solutions, Susan continuously evaluates the needs of her internal and external customers. In 2022, this included the implementation of a new CRM and Transaction Management system. Susan works with the strengths of her team allowing her to build on who they are, to shape a company that works and thrives together.

Huntsville was recently ranked the 4th most prosperous city and one of the best places for career building opportunities. Why do you think Huntdville is so unique for younger career seeking individuals and entrepreneurs?

Huntsville’s community is so diverse with several colleges, industries and job options. I believe there is unique pride and ownership in being a Huntsvillian. This prideful community is very invested in supporting its local business, entrepreneurs and career up and comers.

How is your experience unique in your field, and what are you doing personally to innovate and produce change in your field?

My experience is unique because I don’t have a background in Real Estate. I started at Matt Curtis after 5 years as a District Manager for a retailer - my specialty is people and problem solving. I enjoy helping my team perform at their best. I’m more focused on learning what we as a team can do, where we want to be and then bridging any gaps.

What is the best place in town to hang out in your free time?

I don’t have a local spot yet! We enjoy exploring all of the new places that are opening in town.

What’s the best place to grab a drink, coffee, tea, etc. in town?

I really love Fractal Brewing Project. I’m looking forward to the HCFC season starting so I can catch a match and grab a beer.

What’s your favorite restaurant in town?

I could never pick just one, my top 3 are: Indian Kitchen, Canadian Bakin, 1892 East.