HBJ Aug 23 Issue

Jody Singer, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center Director, announced her retirement on Monday, July 17. After more than 38 years of service, her retirement was effective Saturday, July 29.

Contributing post from NASA/Gus Wintzell - Page 5

Haley's Flooring and Interiors

Expands by 32,800 Square Feet

Haley’s Flooring and Interiors, a Huntsville-based business working primarily in residential construction, expanded its cabinetry division with a 3,800 square foot office space as well as two warehouses at 17,000 and 12,000 square feet, respectively, which are to be fully operational in mid-August.

By Laura Boehringer - Page 16

ADDITIONAL STORIES

• Sit Down With Success: A Conversation with the Van Valkenburghs

By Heather Price • Page 3

• Food City Breaks Ground in Hampton Cove for First of Six Upcoming Locations

By Noah Logan • Page 7

• Interest Rates Unlikely to Return to 3% Anytime Soon

By Marie Johnson • Page 15

• GE Appliances Highlights $1.1 Billion Economic Impact in 2022 Report

By Gus Wintzell • Page 17

NASA Marshall Center Director to Retire After 38 Years of Service

NASA

A Conversation with the Van Valkenburghs

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.

If you’ve lived in the Huntsville area for some time, you may have heard the name Van Valkenburgh, established in Huntsville more than 150 years ago.

Sixth-generation Huntsvillian Richard Van Valkenburgh and his wife Nancy have made their mark in Huntsville in the area of historic preservation and real estate.

From their office in historic downtown Huntsville, the couple shared with the Huntsville Business Journal their love for historic homes and passion for helping families find homes.

Tell me about the history of your business.

Nancy (N): We opened our business, Van Valkenburgh & Wilkinson Properties, Inc., as co-owners in 1985. I was the real estate broker specializing in historic properties. Both Richard and I were founding members of the Historic Hunts-

ville Foundation in 1974, which at the time of its founding was seeking to preserve the architectural heritage of the area.

It was apparent that not all needed preservation could be done solely by volunteers, but it was necessary to find owners willing to invest in, live in, and preserve homes. Our business helped with this effort.

What changes have you experienced in real estate since you started your business?

N: The goal is the same, which is to help people buy and sell homes, but the methods have changed. Now people have access to everything on the internet, but to me, they still need realtors to help them because it's like going into the biggest library in the world and saying, well, here's the information. Find It. You have to have somebody who can help you.

What are some of the challenges that you’ve faced in your business?

Richard (R): Keeping up with the new parts of the business. Going to the internet, then to the lockbox system, and we're getting ready to change lockboxes again. When you stop and think about it,

the business has always been trying to help someone find a home that they enjoy.

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

N: First, plan carefully for finances. I sat down and planned the finances exactly. I've seen people in real estate that started off like they had (jillions) of dollars when they sold one thing. You have to plan and have your budget, but then be prepared for surprises. They're going to happen. Be willing to take a chance on your ideas, love what you do, and enjoy it.

What has been the key to your success?

N: To have a dream and be willing to work and persevere. That's important. It's also helpful to have support and encouragement from your colleagues and your family. If you have a mentor to turn to, that's helpful too. We've got three daughters who came into the business. They were probably some of the youngest realtors in the state, and have been doing a fantastic job.

How do you balance business and personal life?

By: Heather Price /

Babin

N: When you own your own business, it is your personal life.

R: I get to work with my best friend, so that's part of it, and she puts up with me, so it works very well. Every now and then we'll sneak off for four-five days, but mostly it's enjoyable and if somebody has a problem we're on the phone or they come in and we sit down and talk. We've been very fortunate. It's hard to complain when your mouth is full. And we love our community. w

Photo by Steve

Subsidiary of EVENT Publishing

President /Publisher

Todd Stephenson

Editor Gus Wintzell

Writers

Contributing Writers ………………………………………

Graphic Design

Laura Boehringer

Ashlyn Grey

Marie Johnson

Noah Logan

Heather Price

Alexander Duck

Jim Steele

Justina Simon

Amy Pearson

Website Jim Gharib

Photographers

Steve Babin

Justina Simon

Director of Sales …………………………………… Carolyn Stephenson

Distribution …………………………………………………… Glenda Mace

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

For editorial information contact editor@huntsvillebusinessjournal.com

ALL CONTENTS ©2023. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION OR USE IN WHOLE OR IN PART OF THE CONTENTS WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER IS PROHIBITED. HUNTSVILLE BUSINESS JOURNAL IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF EVENT PUBLISHING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. UNSOLICITED PHOTOGRAPHS OR ARTICLES ARE SUBMITTED AT THE RISK OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER OR AUTHOR. EVENT PUBLISHING ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR THE RETURN OF ANY UNSOLICITED MATERIALS AND MAY USE THEM AT ITS DISCRETION.

NASA

NASA Marshall Center Director to Retire After 38 Years of Service

Jody Singer, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center Director, announced her retirement on Monday, July 17. After more than 38 years of service, her retirement was effective Saturday, July 29.

Among many firsts in her career, Singer was appointed as the first female center director at Marshall in 2018, after serving as deputy director from 2016 to 2018.

Marshall’s current deputy center director, Joseph Pelfrey, will serve as the interim acting director until Singer’s successor is identified through a nationwide search and open competition.

“I wish Jody well during her retirement. And I know individuals at the beginning of their career at NASA – and members of the Artemis Generation who dream of working here – will be inspired by Jody’s service, knowing their contributions can help return NASA astronauts to the Moon and prepare us for crewed missions to Mars,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

“Joseph Pelfrey is no stranger to Marshall, having joined the center two decades ago as an aerospace engineer. Today, he helps guide Marshall’s broad portfolio of human spaceflight, science, and technology development, which supports missions across NASA. We are confident Joseph is prepared to guide Marshall through this transition," Nelson continued.

As center director, Singer managed one of NASA's largest field installations, with nearly 7,000 on- and near-site civil service and contractor employees with an annual budget of approximately $5 billion.

Under Singer’s leadership, Marshall, known for its prominence in large space transportation systems, has expanded its portfolio to include human lunar landing and cargo systems, space habitation and transit systems, advanced propulsion, additive manufacturing, science payload operations, Mars ascent spacecraft and cutting-edge science and technology missions through innovative partnerships with other NASA cen-

ters, industry, government agencies and academia.

The Marshall team was critical to the successes of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer mission, the DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission, and SLS (Space Launch System), the agency’s powerful heavylift rocket.

Singer joined NASA in 1985 through the professional intern program. She joined the Space Shuttle Program Office in 1986 as an engineer in the Space Shuttle Main Engine Office and was involved with Return to Flight activities after the space shuttle Challenger accident.

She was the first female project manager for the Reusable Solid Rocket Booster Project from 2002 to 2007 and led the team during the shuttle Columbia Return to Flight activities.

Starting in 2008 until the shut-

tle’s successful retirement in 2011, she was deputy manager in the Space Shuttle Propulsion Office. Cumulatively, Jody was part of 110 space shuttle launches.

Serving in roles of increasing responsibility, Singer held deputy positions for three concurrent programs, the space shuttle, Ares, and the startup of SLS.

As deputy for the Space Shuttle Propulsion Office, she guided successful fly-out and retirement of the shuttle and the transition of workforce and assets to the Ares Project Office and SLS Program. As the deputy program manager of SLS at Marshall, she helped oversee almost 3,000 civil servants and contractors involved in the developing, testing, and certification of the rocket.

From 2013 to 2016, Singer was manager of the Flight Programs and Partnerships Office at Marshall,

where she held primary responsibility for the center's work with human advanced exploration projects, science flight mission programs, technology demonstration missions, commercial crew and International Space Station life support systems, research facilities, and payload mission operations.

Singer has twice been a NASA Fellow, at Pennsylvania State College and Simmons College Graduate School of Management.

She is a recipient of numerous prestigious NASA awards, including the Space Flight Awareness Leadership Award, the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the Silver Snoopy, and NASA Outstanding Leadership medals.

She also is a recipient of two Senior Executive Service Presidential Rank of Meritorious Executive Awards. Her external recognitions include Rotary Stellar National Award for Space Achievement; Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame; Distinguished Fellow by the University of Alabama College of Engineering; Gardner Award; AIAA Associate Fellow; 2022 Alabama Engineer of the Year; and the AIAA Hermann Oberth Award.

Huntsville City Mayor Tommy Battle commented on Jody's retirement and the impact she had on the community.

“After 38 years of dedication to Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Jody Singer’s vision for one of NASA’s largest field installations will be seen and felt for many years to come. Ms. Singer’s service to not only the MSFC but also the City of Huntsville has been unmatched. We are thankful for her outstanding leadership, her ability to guide future generations of thinkers and doers, and her willingness to explore deep space for the betterment of our planet. We wish her the very best in her retirement and look forward to working with Acting Director Joseph Pelfrey in leading MSFC into the future,” said Mayor Battle.

For more information, please visit www.nasa.gov/marshall. w

Contributing post from NASA/Gus Wintzell

HudsonAlpha Scientists Release Groundbreaking Discovery Linked to Cancer Research

A recent search by HudsonAlpha scientists has yielded the discovery of a gene that holds the potential to reverse chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer.

In the United States, cancer treatments and survival rates are met with two significant challenges: metastasis and chemoresistance. Additionally, cancer is the second leading cause of death, falling just behind heart disease.

Metastasis is the process by which cancer cells spread from the primary tumor to other parts of the body, whereas chemoresistance is the ability of cancer cells to become resistant to chemotherapy drugs, making them less effective in fighting the disease altogether.

“This resistance can occur due to various factors, such as genetic mutations within the cancer cells or protective mechanisms that prevent the drugs from effectively targeting the cancerous growth. Both chemoresistance and metastasis pose considerable hurdles in cancer treatment, highlighting the need for ongoing research and innovative approaches to improve patient outcomes,” explained HudsonAlpha in a recent press statement.

Pancreatic cancer often runs a higher risk of being plagued by chemoresistance, and metastatic complications. As many as half of the patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer already have cancer spread beyond the area of the pancreas.

“Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the deadliest cancers, with a five-year survival rate of only 11 percent, due to the lack of early diagnostic markers for PDAC to

catch the disease early and its high rate of treatment resistance,” according to research performed by HudsonAlpha.

HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology Faculty Investigator Sara Cooper, PhD, and her lab focus on identifying novel targets to prevent cancer chemoresistance, especially in pancreatic cancer. The lab recently published results in BMC Cancer from a promising study led by senior scientist Emily Gordon, PhD, identifying several potential targets for reversing chemoresistance in PDAC.

In 2016, Cooper and colleagues at HudsonAlpha identified genes whose expression positively or negatively correlated with PDAC patient survival. High expression of a gene called ANGPTL4 was linked with poor patient survival and, when knocked down in cell lines, increased their sensitivity to a common pancreatic cancer treatment. ANGPTL4 has a defined role in cardiovascular disease and lipid metabolism, but its role in cancer is unclear.

“This work builds upon an earlier finding that highlighted ANGPTL4 as a possible drug target,” said Dr. Cooper. “We are considering ANGPTL4 as

a possible drug target based on its link to patient outcomes and the evidence that inhibition can improve response to treatment.”

ANGPTL4 is not alone in its ability to influence patient survival. The expression of several genes downstream of ANGPTL4 was altered by its overexpression. The genes were linked to epithelial to mesenchymal transition, a phenomenon that allows cancer cells to detach from the main tumor site and move to other parts of the body. Overexpression of genes downstream of ANGPTL4 also predicts patient outcomes, providing more potential targets to study.

By: Ashlyn Grey

Using CRISPR to knock down factors downstream of ANGPTL4 in cell lines, the scientists showed that the chemoresistance could be reversed. It also reduced the migratory potential of cells. This means that targeting ANGPTL4 or its downstream partners with a drug could be a potential solution to reverse chemoresistance in PDAC.

The data from this study suggests that ANGPTL4 and its downstream pathway are potential therapeutic targets for the reversal of treatment resistance in pancreatic cancer.

“These data help us understand the function of ANGPTL4 in pancreatic cancer and provide evidence to support advancing ANGPTL4 and its targets as potential drug targets and aid in developing much-needed treatments for pancreatic cancer,” said Dr. Cooper. w

Food City Breaks Ground in Hampton Cove for First of Six Upcoming Locations

It was 10:00 am on Wednesday, July 12th, that a crowd gathered in Hampton Cove to celebrate Huntsville's upcoming grocery store. Crews braved the blistering sun to break ground on the city’s first of six Food City locations on Taylor Lane right off of U.S. Highway 431.

After an agreement was made earlier this year, the growing business is investing $90 million across the city and will add 1,300 permanent jobs for its residents.

giving back to the community is part of what our company was built on. My dad believed that a grocery store should be a gathering place for people,”

The first three locations include sites in Hampton Cove, on North Memorial Parkway and U.S. 72 East and will allow its customers a variety of options when it comes to how they shop for groceries.

Each location will come fully equipped with a full-service bakery, deli and café; a Starbucks, custom seafood and meat markets; a full-

service pharmacy with drive-thru, a credit union and gas station. Customers can shop inside via regular and self checkout stations along with an option to check out online before picking up their groceries at the store. Additionally, Food City will be partnered with Instacart and Door-Dash to allow for home delivery.

Food City President, Steve Smith, addressed the crowd before the ceremony and expressed his excitement for joining the community.

“We believe investing in the

By:

Logan

community and giving back to the community is part of what our company was built on. My dad believed that a grocery store should be a gathering place for people,” Smith explained.

He also pointed out that every location will be eco-friendly with LED lighting and various modern energy savings. The stores being opened today have just 50% of the energy footprint compared to stores built 10 years ago.

Huntsville / Madison Chamber of Commerce President Chip Cherry and Mayor Tommy Battle were also on hand to show support from the city.

“It’s so exciting to have a family owned business with a great history,” said Cherry. “It’s a wonderful story about Food City and Steve, you and your team have done an amazing job. So it's, it's one of those things, as you'll probably hear the mayor and the chairman reflect on. We're always looking for that great partner. And you guys are gonna be that great partner for our community.”

Phase II locations will be on Governors Drive, Alabama 53 and County Line Road. All Food City locations will also offer additional retail space. w

Noah

/ Photos by Noah Logan

“We believe investing in the community and

“It’s a wonderful story about Food City and Steve, you and your team have done an amazing job. So it's, it's one of those things, as you'll probably hear the mayor and the chairman reflect on, We're always looking for that great partner. And you guys are gonna be that great partner for our community.”

City of Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle addresses a crowd at the groundbreaking event for the first of six Food City locations on July 12th

Rendering of the Food City development on Taylor Lane near U.S. Highway 431.

When Celebrating What This Area is Today, Please Remember the Unsung Heroes

Note from the Editor:

Very recently, I was invited to the home of Georgia Bearden, an absolutely lovely 90-year old woman with a well-established adoration for Huntsville. She mentioned that she had a story to tell about Huntsville, Alabama and how it changed over time to the burgeoning city that it is today.

Georgia and I sat down on a beautiful Spring day and, after an offer of fresh glass of lemonade, she told me her story. Georgia lived in Huntsville all her life, experiencing all the highs and lows that North Alabama had to offer over the past few decades. She was, and still is to this day, a very active member of her community, especially at her church. Her late husband, James Bearden, worked for IBM where, in her own words, “he helped put a man on the moon.” Georgia herself worked for decades at the Housing Authority in town.

Retirement gave her time to reflect on her experiences and helped her put her ideas into words. During our interview, she made special note to mention that everyone knows the various accolades that our town has garnered over the past few years, but many people do not know the history of how we got here and the many sacrifices that some have given to grow this city into what it is today.

Huntsville today, as Georgia pointed out, is very loving, accepting, and community oriented. The city’s heart beats through a web of support that each business lends to one another. But, it was not always this way and it took more sacrifice than some people realize to become the inclusive and diverse city that it is today.

She hopes that people will learn from her message below and will hopefully also be inspired by the way the Huntsville community has grown.

- Gus Wintzell, Editor

Recently, Huntsville was named the number one best place to live,

which is such an honor. It makes us all so proud! Since the city was nominated by U.S. News & World Report on May 7, 2022, I have only heard two words used: “inclusive” and “diversity”. I would like people to know how we became inclusive and how we became diverse.

I would like to explain what it meant to have a front-row seat to segregation, and be treated like the scum of the earth, but have proudly survived it.

If it had not been for my generation of freedom fighters and the role we played, this great honor we have today may not have been possible. What we did changed Huntsville.

So, to celebrate these lives that are well lived, and a job well done, it is my honor. I am not telling a story; I lived the story. It was with “boots on the ground” and “voices in the air.”

We started from the ground up and had to figure everything out on our own, and oh, what a smart race of people we were! Very shrewd, very brilliant, very good at strategy, very peaceful, very law abiding — and how we stood up to hate! We, for sure, own the finish line — we pulled off the impossible.

We made all this progress, and

rejoiced in all the victories and milestones, without any of the communication tools we have today,

By: Georgia Bearden

such as the internet, smartphones, emails, and social media. There were no TikTok, Zoom, Facebook,

Snapchat, or Instagram. Also, we had to speak different languages: ghetto language, common language, and upper-class language. So, we had to be able to navigate all three. We had to think outside the box at all times. We showed what real strength looks like!

Please allow me to explain why Huntsville would not have been nominated as the best place to live if it had not been for the role of the black race.

1. We wouldn’t be number one if blacks were still at the back of the bus.

2. We wouldn’t be number one if blacks were still drinking out of the “black water fountain”.

3. We wouldn’t be number one if blacks had to use the “Black restroom”.

4. We wouldn’t be number one if Huntsville still called me the “n” word, instead of Georgia Bearden.

5. We wouldn’t be number one if our schools were still segregated.

6. We wouldn’t be number one if we couldn’t sleep in the motels.

7. We wouldn’t be number one if the churches were still segregated.

8. We wouldn’t be number one if we couldn’t eat at restaurants.

9. We wouldn’t be number one if we couldn’t go to libraries, parks, and theaters.

10. We wouldn’t be number one if we had to still stand in line until all the whites were waited on in department stores.

11. We wouldn’t be number one if we still had segregated hos-

pitals, where black doctors had no staff privileges and couldn’t eat in the cafeteria.

12. We wouldn’t be number one if we were still picketing — had to go to the New York Stock Exchange and stand out in front handing out flyers that said, “To invest in Huntsville, Alabama is to invest in segregation”.

These are the things that really got Huntsville’s attention.

I also want to thank our white brothers and sisters who have stood shoulder to shoulder with us, supporting us, being thoughtful of us, and being kind to us. They showed that they felt our pain and that they knew our Jericho Road was a tough road.

These are the major roles mentioned that played a part in making the Huntsville area number one, and rightfully so, namely sending man to the moon, NASA Space Launch System, Home of the Redstone Arsenal, and being home to Alabama’s top tourist destination – the US Space and Rocket Center. But people will be happy to know the whole story, and how, and what sacrifices it took to overcome segregation.

We cannot forget what we endured and the strives of those unsung heroes who worked diligently to change Huntsville’s future to make us the best place to live in the U.S. This story may seem scarcely unbelievable if my husband and myself had not lived it ourselves.

We must honor all the courageous work done to make this wonderful city and area the best place to live. w

USSRC Hosts James Webb Space Telescope Chief Engineer

Dr. Jon Arenberg, Chief Engineer of Northrup Gruman’s James Webb Space Telescope, delivered presentations about the telescope’s design, building, and findings at the Space and Rocket Center’s planetarium on July 15 at 4 and 7 pm.

The James Webb Space Telescope sets itself apart from other Space Telescopes, such as the Hubble Space Telescope, in using infrared light to better observe the early Universe.

“Web is designed to collect images and collect data from the first luminous objects in the history of the universe. Literally the universe's baby pictures,” Arenberg said.

He explained the JWST is such a large telescope because its diameter sets its ability to resolve objects. Without a high level of resolution, the telescope would not be able to differentiate between celestial objects that are close together.

Second, its large mirror allows the telescope to collect more light. As a result, the JWST has unique capabilities like the ability to show clear definition between the rings of Saturn.

The telescope also features a plastic sunshield built in Alabama. The sunshield is integral to the telescope’s design because the telescope must stay as cold as possible to be able to capture accurate images in infrared, Arenberg explained, comparing the concept to a photo of his cat, Orion, in infrared.

“His body temperature is 38 or 39 degrees, a little warmer than human

body temperature. But thankfully, the walls of my house are not that warm, but we get less than 20.”

Because the walls were cool and Orion was warm, he could clearly be seen in the infrared photo. Had the walls been the same temperature as Orion, he would not have been visible. If the telescope itself were hot from the sun, it would obscure the differences between celestial bodies and their background.

Each layer of the sunshield is approximately 1/1000 of an inch thick, so they could not be walked on during the installation of the 2.5-by-2.5meter shield. To combat the problem

of attaching such a delicate material to a large surface, technicians prac-

By: Laura Boehringer /

ticed working while lifted on “diving boards” by sterile forklifts so they could work from just above the fragile plastic.

The telescope’s beryllium infrared imager, called a mirror, is 6.5 meters in diameter. This collecting area is roughly 7.3 times the size of that of the Hubble Telescope. The mirrors were designed to unfold after its launch, and the placement of each mirror had only a two-nanometer allotted margin of error. The size and shape of the mirrors were verified in Northern Alabama’s X-ray & Cryogenic Facility.

The telescope had a requirement to view a minimum of 35% of the sky; it exceeds that minimum at 39.25% visibility at all times. As the telescope orbits near the Earth’s second Lagrange point, it will eventually sweep the entire sky.

Additionally, there is a portion of

Dr. John Arenberg, Chief Engineer of the James Webb Space Telescope, who visited the U.S. Space and Rocket Center last month for a public talk

Photos courtesy of USSRC/Space Camp

sky that remains visible at every point, allowing for long-term measurements in that portion of the sky. That orbit, however, does not impede the telescope’s capacity to be pointed at any point in the sky in a given year.

Arenberg praised the design of the Hubble Space Telescope, calling Hubble’s research in the early 20th Century “amazing.” He explained, however, that if the JWST had been designed in the same way as the Hubble Space Telescope, it would have been too heavy. Implementing a much larger mirror on a telescope of roughly the same size of the Hubble Telescope required a much greater focus on keeping weight down. The back plane stability test article was also tested at the XRCF.

The James Webb Space Telescope was launched on Christmas day of 2021. Since then, it has been orbiting near the second Lagrange point in order to more thoroughly map the Universe than other telescopes can. Arenberg called the project “an epic act of collective perseverance and genius.”

The event took place in the Space and Rocket Center’s INTUITIVE Planetarium and featured images gathered from the telescope as well as images taken throughout the building of the telescope.

After his presentation, Arenberg took questions from the audience. The presentation was hosted by the INTUITIVE Planetarium Director, David Weigel. Tickets were sold-out for both the 4 and 7 p.m. showings.

Cocktails and concessions were available for purchase.

The INTUITIVE Planetarium has daily shows about the James Webb Space Telescopes, updated each time new JWST images are released. w

Hays Farm: The Legacy of One of

It’s been some 50 years since the Hays family made the tough decision to move away from the farming industry that the family legacy had been built on since John Hays’ grandfather, Elgie Hays, bought the first plot of what would become Hays Farm in 1906.

According to John Hays, the decision was an emotional one at the time and the vote wasn’t unanimous at first. Five generations of their family were born and raised on the farm. They even had a document from 1814 when Roman Simmons, one of John’s ancestors, purchased land from a land grant in the area complete with the signature of James Madison.

The Huntsville Business Journal was able to sit down with John Hays and talk about the history of the farm and the legacy he hopes to be able to live behind.

As emotional as the decision may have been, it’s hard to argue 50 years later that it hasn’t been beneficial for both the Hays family and for the greater Huntsville community.

They were fortunate enough to see early success with the construction of a new Grissom High School on family owned land. The family also stayed true to their beliefs during the process which John described during our conversation.

“Our family believes in education for children, quality of life for the community and habitat protection for wildlife. These values guided

us in the design of Hays, creating the perfect opportunity to develop a recreation and nature complex. Two thirds of the land was set aside and gifted to the city for use as parks and school. We planned and designed the parks so wildlife can flourish and families can enjoy quality of life and just breathe in the fresh air,” said Hays.

The family’s passion for wildlife and its preservation for community use is backed up by science.

During the interview, Hays shared a printed copy of a study completed in 2018 by scientists

Huntsville’s

By: Noah Logan / Photos

in Sweden. The nationwide study tracked over 900,000 people over the course of 30 years. Its findings showed that children who grew up with the lowest levels of green space had a 55% higher risk of developing a psychiatric disorder independent from effects of other known risks.

The study affirms that integrating natural environments into urban planning is a promising approach to improving mental health and reducing psychiatric disorders.

In 2019, a new development was started that the family knew could be special.

“We’ve put out a lot of plans and we are proud of all of them,” Hays explained. “This is the first thing we ever put our name on because we think it is something special for us and special for the community.”

The Hays Farm development will spread 850 acres and consist of

Huntsville’s Foundational Families

Photos courtesy of Hays Farm

around 1,000 residential units, three parks and new commercial spaces along with the redevelopment of Haysland Square.

The plans for a 9-acre urban park was approved by the city in March of this year. The $284,800 architectural contract between the city and Bostick Landscape Architects includes a gazebo, splash pad, fitness area, gardens and other qualityof-life amenities that will connect to the existing greenway network. Construction is anticipated to start in September.

The park is a joint $5.6 million project in which the family donated the property and over $1 million for the development. It is this pattern of generosity that led to city officials adopting and presenting a resolution in April 2023 to formally recognize the Hays family’s contribution to the Rocket City.

The resolution officially recognizes the “Hays Family has proven itself to be one of the foundational families to the city” and further elaborates on the contribution of “1,300 acres of land for use by the city.”

John Hays remains true to his upbringing and he isn’t one to brag about his or his family’s accomplishments. But the results speak for themselves. His nephew-in-law and President of The Enfinger Companies Olly Orton perhaps said it best when talking about the family’s legacy.

“This family is the original live, work, play of Huntsville. Because that is what that family did out there for a hundred years. They lived on that farm, they worked tirelessly on that farm and it was also their playground,” Orton said.

Because of the family’s work, the Live Work Play tradition will be able to continue for future generations.

Currently, Hays Farm Homes features The Fields and The Forest, two residential developments juxtaposed against ample green space.

The developments will also consist of a 400 acre nature preserve and 8 miles of walking trials. With around 500 single family homes and 600 multifamily units, the residential development combines the best of John Hays’ current goals with his family legacy.

On the commercial side, the development consists of Hays Market, which includes a shopping center anchored by a 48,000 square foot Publix grocery store.

The Market at Hays Farm, which is currently leasing, features more than 150,000 square feet of retail and shop space. The location also features Staples, Amerigo’s Italian Restaurant, and Tom Brown’s, the former which celebrated its grand opening early last month. The Market at Hays Farm will soon feature a Bank Independent location opening soon.

For more information about the development, please visit haysfarm. com/commercial. w

Pictured from left to right: Jeff Enfinger, Jim Hays, and John Hays

Striving for Human Resources and Payroll Efficiency in the Workplace

In the present day, managing a large organization or business is really about managing the intricate web of processes necessary to sustain its operation and promote its future growth.

This often requires the use of various software applications that rarely communicate or integrate with one another. This is a challenge for modern enterprise as the list of required software continues to grow and the lack of crossover or integration between systems can lead to inefficiency or costly errors.

ADP, Workday, Quickbooks, Netchex, and Bamboo are just a few names that spring to mind when discussing HR and payroll software, but there are many other applications available. How does a business choose and when is it time to change?

Risk and Inefficiency

Often, a large company or organization will implement new software in order to address a particular process, but continue to rely on previous applications to handle everything else instead of utilizing the full capacity of the new software.

Over time, this becomes increasingly cumbersome, frustrating for staff, and presents additional risks to the business. For example, it is surprisingly not uncommon for a company to have staff track their hours in one application, handle payroll through a second application, and have tax documents, such as W2 and W4 forms, managed by a third application.

While some risk is minor, such as staff being forced to recall separate login and password information for various portals, other risks that arise from relying on multiple systems can be more serious.

If overtime is not being paid correctly because the system that tracks employee time is not communicating properly with the payroll system, for instance, a company may find themselves in trouble with

their state or federal Department of Labor.

Payroll errors, such as overpaying or underpaying a team member, do occur, and they can be costly and stressful both for the employee and the employer.

Beyond pay calculations, errors can also occur when applying taxes or withholdings, especially when various types of income, such as hourly wages, salaries, and nonemployee compensation, are being managed simultaneously.

The Role of HRM and Payroll Software

Duties the human resources office may be assigned include, but are not limited to, recruiting new talent, onboarding new staff, managing payroll and benefits, handling complaints, processing contracts and documents, ensuring compliance with regulations, and evaluating employee performance.

Selecting the right software to manage this workload is important and has many potential benefits for the organization, including ease of tracking data, automating repetitive tasks, reducing paper waste and storage, and improving work-

place efficiency.

Nevertheless, implementing or migrating to a new software system comes with risks. A small portion of payroll implementation projects fail and a significant number encounter difficulties.

This can result in hours being paid incorrectly, wages and salaries being miscalculated, or paychecks failing to be issued entirely. Companies should be very careful when making changes to these platforms as damage to their reputation and employee satisfaction may result in higher staff turnover.

Federal Contractors

These same considerations, along with additional regulations and concerns, apply to those working with federal contracts.

Huntsville is, of course, home to a number of federal agencies and a multitude of companies which support their efforts. Due to this, one local company is striving to assist federal contractors with managing these needs.

GovConPay, a subsidy of Payroll Network, provides payroll and HR technology solutions exclusively within the government contrac-

By: Alexander Duck II

tor marketplace. While Payroll Network already serves over 100 government contractors across the United States, one client of particular note is Navigator International.

This company recognized that their current payroll and enterprise resource planning systems were not meeting the needs of the business and creating obstacles instead of promoting automation and efficiency. By working with Unanet and GovConPay, Navigator International was able to create a tailored solution that was the best fit for their company.

Executives reported that this new, customized system meant they were spending less time on management tasks which meant more time available to focus on advancing the business.

Conclusion

It should be no surprise that receiving the correct pay on-time is one of the most basic expectations that employees have of their employer.

Making sure that the necessary HR and payroll systems are working properly and smoothly should be a top priority for any company or organization. Errors or breakdowns in these areas should be considered critical and promptly addressed.

Consciously and effectively managing human capital can be the difference between a company that excels into the future and one that becomes mired in tasks and inefficiency as the mountains of paperwork and errors divert attention from growing the business. w

Interest Rates Unlikely to Return to 3% Anytime Soon

Current homeowners hoping to sell, who are holding back in the hopes of soon re-entering the housing market with the sort of super-low interest rates seen during the pandemic are likely to be disappointed, according to the National Association of Realtors.

“One can never truly predict the future, but I don’t see mortgage rates returning back to the 3% range in the remainder of my lifetime,” says NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.

These extremely-low interest rates – which hit their nadir of a mere 2.6% during January of 2021 –were a measure implemented by the Federal Reserve to keep the economy from going into a recession, or even crashing outright, due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

The good news is that the drastic slashing of interest rates, along with other economic policies intended to buoy the economy, succeeded in staving off mass recession. The bad news is that these measures succeeded so well that inflation began to grow out of control, necessitating the hike in interest rates.

Ultimately, the takeaway here is that interest rates of 3% or lower were not the market norm.

Consider the following: a homeowner might sell a home and re-enter the housing market to an interest rate of 3% or lower if another major destabilizing event occurs and the Federal Reserve responds in the same way. Alternatively, market conditions right now are demonstrably favorable for

sellers, but probably won’t be for much longer.

While the NAR 2023 Member Profile reports inventory shortage as the single most limiting factor for would-be homebuyers in 2022, as well as nationwide inventory reaching its lowest levels since 1999, the pressure of demand has resulted in significant efforts to build up that inventory.

Here in Huntsville/Madison County, the Huntsville Areas Association of REALTORS’s weekly reporting has shown that inventory has risen week after week, with the week ending in June 24 showing a 22.7% increase in the inventory of available single-family units in the area, as well as a 12.4% increase in townhouse/condo units.

In short, the inventory shortage makes it a seller’s market, but for how long?

As always, the decision of whether or not to buy or sell real estate should always be made after consulting with financial officers and realtors, but if the factor holding a potential seller from listing their property is a hope to see a return to 2021 interest rates?

Well, that would be a long-shot gamble, at this point, and the potential loss incurred due to new inventory hitting the market and driving down prices to compete could be more than

By: Marie Johnson / Photos

one would have saved by financing at that rate anyway.

Keep reading the Huntsville Business Journal for more updates on the residential real estate market. w

courtesy of HAAR

Haley’s Flooring and Interiors Expands by 32,800 Square Feet

Haley’s Flooring and Interiors, a Huntsville-based business working primarily in residential construction, expanded its cabinetry division with a 3,800 square foot office space as well as two warehouses at 17,000 and 12,000 square feet, respectively, which are to be fully operational in mid-August.

Haley’s Flooring and Interiors purchased the facility in April for an undisclosed price from Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate. The facility has been in use since early June, and CFO Michael Haley estimates that the facility is currently being used to 95% of its potential, doubling the business’s cabinet sales capacity.

The facility is expected to be fully functional in mid-August, after cabinetry division staff have moved into their offices.

Over the last year, the company has been in “hiring mode”, doubling the amount of cabinetry staff, according to Haley. The cabinetry division now employs 25 to 30 people.

“We basically outgrew our building that we were in,” Haley said. “To expand more, we had to find a building for that growth.”

After estimating 5-20% sales volume growth in the last 3-5 years and 20-25% in 2022, Haley said, “I'm really happy with the 5 to 20% growth across the board.”

He added that profits for the business rise steadily along with sales volume, but there has been no significant growth in the profit margin over the last few years because of the rising cost of materials.

Rather than offering retail services, Haley’s Flooring and Interiors’ cabinetry division works with more than 10 builders in North Alabama and is actively finding more. The business primarily sells cabinets made and distributed in the US.

Haley attributed 95% of the cabinetry division’s sales to new construction single-family, townhouse, and condo homes. The remaining 5% of sales come from larger, commercial apartment complexes.

“It's been very difficult three or four years to try to stay ahead of those price increases to these builders,” Haley said. “Giving them a price increase to catch in front of those price increases is actually pretty difficult, but we have gotten better at it, and last year we got it back to where we want to be.”

The space once allotted for the cabinetry division is now being used

to hold additional furniture and accessory products. Haley hopes that the additional space for furniture and accessories will result in 5-20% furniture and accessories sales growth in the next year.

By: Laura Boehringer

Prior to purchasing its new facility, Haley’s Cabinetry and Flooring began constructing a new warehouse but ultimately decided to lease the space out to another business as the timeline of its progress was not satisfactory. w

/ Photos courtesy of Haley’s Flooring

GE Appliances Highlights $1.1 Billion in Economic Impact in 2022 Report

GE Appliances, a Haier company, issued its 2022 Economic Impact highlighting the $24.5 billion contribution made by the company’s economic activities to the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP).

The effect on GDP was made possible by the cumulative impact of more than $2 billion in investments and the hiring of 4,000 new employees at the company’s operations since 2016.

The ripple effect of the company’s investments, hiring, purchasing power and other economic activities have benefitted more than 100,000 U.S. families, including 6,050 in Alabama.

Since 1978, the company’s Decatur Plant Operation has played

a vital role in Decatur, Morgan County and Northern Alabama’s economic growth. Key highlights include:

• 1,550 GE Appliances employees in Alabama

• 4,500 additional jobs created by the economic impact of GE Appliances, its employees, customers and suppliers

• More than $180 million spent annually in purchases of

goods and services from 219 Alabama suppliers

• $1.1 billion contributed to Alabama’s GDP

“GE Appliances continues to invest millions annually to produce the highest quality top-freezer refrigerators in Decatur for homes across America,” said Leifje Dighton, Executive Director and Plant Manager. Dighton, who assumed operational responsibility for the plant

By: Gus Wintzell / Photos courtesy of GE

in February of 2022, is an Alabama native and Auburn University graduate.

“Our most recent investment builds upon the $125 million investment we completed in February of 2020 that expanded production capacity and created a Manufacturing Center of Excellence for refrigeration in Alabama,” Dighton concluded.

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

Dana Gillis Marks One Year as Village of Promise CEO

Local nonprofit organization Village of Promise (VoP) is celebrating the one-year service anniversary and leadership of CEO Dana M. Gillis, who is dedicated to transforming lives – one family at a time.

Walking alongside Village of Promise families as they take active steps to create a better life for generations to come is truly humbling,”

Gillis wholly supports VoP’s mission “to empower families to advance out of poverty using a multi-generational approach, promising support through a continuum of services and inspiring them to achieve their goals and contribute to their community.”

“Walking alongside Village of Promise families as they take active steps to create a better life for generations to come is truly humbling,” said Gillis, adding that he is honored to serve and is grateful for the generosity that the Huntsville community continually provides. “The one word I chose to focus on this past year was partnerships – from our families, staff, local and state government, volunteers, donors and corporate partners – all fuel the programming that allows our families to earmark dreams and move towards ending the cycle of poverty.”

Over the past year, VoP has taken strides in moving forward by:

• Adopting a new strategic plan in July 2022.

• Creating a Health Services Program, in partnership with HEALS, Inc. and WellStone, Inc. to provide an on-site clinic for students and families to access mental health and general healthcare – fully funded by a Community Foundation Compass Society grant award.

• Holding their annual One Table Huntsville event, which was nominated by Downtown Huntsville, Inc. as a candidate

“The one word I chose to focus on this past year was partnerships – from our families, staff, local and state government, volunteers, donors and corporate partners – all fuel the programming that allows our families to earmark dreams and move towards ending the cycle of poverty.”

for Event of the Year.

• Building closer relationships with the Northwoods community through a Family Advancement Center-led, doorknocking campaign.

• Establishing a healthy eating program that provides preschool scholars with two meals and a snack every school day.

• Re-establishing the Chil-

dren’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools® VoP summer reading program for area students.

• Completing the Outdoor STEAM Learning Lab and Garden, along with ribbon-cutting event to honor community partners that made the area possible.

• Holding two successful Speaker Series events: Manny Scott (August 2023); Leland Melvin (May 2023).

• Establishing a new corporate partnership program.

• Initiating community outreach programs like “Valentine’s Night Out” and “Donuts for Dads” to recognize and reward Village families on special occasions.

• Increasing professional development opportunities to include understanding communication preferences, team dynamics, participating in professional organizations and hosting the first overnight staff offsite retreat for

“Under Dana’s guidance, the Village of Promise has flourished, providing invaluable support and resources to those in need. His commitment to empowering individuals and fostering a sense of community has transformed lives and brought hope to many,”

learning and team bonding.

“Under Dana’s guidance, the Village of Promise has flourished, providing invaluable support and resources to those in need. His commitment to empowering individuals and fostering a sense of community has transformed lives and brought hope to many,” said Village of Promise Board of Directors Chair Beth B. Richardson. “His leadership style, characterized by compassion and a strong sense of purpose has undoubtedly been instrumental in driving the organization’s success. We applaud the positive impact he has made in his first year as CEO.”

Gillis came to VoP with over 30 years of experience in varied organizational leadership positions with a demonstrated passion for servant stewardship, as evidenced by his military service as a U.S. Army Field Artillery officer and his twenty-fouryear career as a Special Agent of the FBI.

Gillis’s community service includes work on the boards of directors for several organizations in the Huntsville community, including the Women’s Business Center of North Alabama (currently known as The Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship), Leadership Greater Huntsville, and Arts Huntsville. Gillis is a Rotarian and previously served as the president of the Huntsville Rotary Club for the 2019-2020 service year. w

Contributing post from VoP/Gus Wintzell / Photo courtesy of Village of Promise

UAH Engineering Students Among Nine Women in Defense Scholars Nationwide

Two engineering students at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), Paige Berg and Michaela Hemming, are among nine nationwide who received scholarships in academic year 2023-2024 from Women In Defense (WID), a National Defense Industrial Association affiliate founded to engage, cultivate and advance women in all aspects of national security.

Berg, Hemming and the seven other honorees were recognized at the WID Scholar celebration and workshop held June 13-14 in Washington, D.C.

Berg said she appreciated the opportunity to interact with her fellow WID Scholars and expects the connections made through WID to have a long-lasting impact on her career.

“Part of the scholarship was networking with leaders in defense, and I was able to grow my community through the networking. In addition, we learned about our strengths and how to use them to our advantage in our careers and further professional development.”

Hemming said she considers the WID award to be one of her great achievements as a graduate student.

“This award means that I will get to extend my fundamental research experiments to a full-scale application that would have a direct and more profound impact on research and development of advanced propulsion systems.”

Berg completed her master’s degree in aerospace systems engineering at UAH before beginning her Ph.D. in the same program. In academic years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, she received scholarships from the WID Tennessee Valley Chapter.

As a graduate research assistant, Berg has led ground testing for various small-scale solid and liquid propulsion systems at the UAH Propulsion Research Center. Her research focus is characterizing different fuels for solid fuel ramjets by determining regression rates and combustion products.

Dr. Robert A. Frederick Jr., director, UAH Propulsion Research Center, and professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at UAH, describes Berg’s research and praises her abilities:

“She is now working on a new Department of Defense hypersonics research program that uses solid fuels to feed rotating detonation engines for hypersonic applications. Her unique combination of skills will undoubtedly enable her to become a leader in a defense-related industry. She has already made significant contributions in our DoD-sponsored ramjet fuel and rotating detonation engine programs, and has an excellent aptitude for research, collaboration

and leadership.”

Hemming is also a Ph.D. candidate in aerospace systems engineering at UAH, where her adviser is Dr. Gabe Xu in the Plasma and Electrodynamics Research Lab. She is a NASA Space Technology Graduate Opportunities Fellow conducting research on injector performance and recovery of multiphase propellants in a rotating detonation rocket engine.

She is the technical development chair for the national chapter of Women in Aeronautics and Astronautics and serves on the outreach committee for her local Greater Huntsville Section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Thomas W. Teasley, ER13 Com-

bustion Development, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, lauds Hemming’s achievements.

“Not only did she meet the moment and break records for NASA, but she also added to the test project by making recommendations for test conditions and post-test observations. Her contributions will benefit NASA and the scientific community for decades to come.”

Since 1988, Women In Defense has awarded more than $1 million to more than 200 recipients pursuing degrees ranging from law to engineering to math to public policy. These awards are based on academic achievement, participation in defense and national security activities, field of study, work experience, statements of interest, recommendations, and financial need.

Women In Defense was incorporated in 1985 to provide women a business environment for professional growth through strategic networking, education and career development. Through its scholarship program, it encourages women to pursue careers supporting U.S. national security with a focus on defense or foreign policy. w

Contributing post from Anne Marie Martin, UAH Newsroom / Photo courtesy of Women In Defense

Pictured left to right: Paige Berg and Michaela Hemming, Ph.D., Women In Defense (WID) scholarship recipients for academic year 2023-2024 at the WID Scholar celebration and workshop held June 13-14, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

Alabama A&M University and Calhoun Community College Sign Joint Partnership Agreement

Recently, the joining of two local educational institutions was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by Presidents of Alabama A&M University and Calhoun Community College.

This MOU set the precedent for a partnership between the institutions and is also designed to create a seamless transition to AAMU for Calhoun students with interest in social work career paths.

Students enlisted within the cohort will complete Freshman Experience 101, Freshman Experience 102, and course offerings that prepare them for the Alabama A&M BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) program, explained AAMU online.

“This will introduce them to our culture and history in a learning community comprised of only social work students,” said AAMU Social Work Chair Dr. Tonya Perry.

Calhoun Community College Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences Dr. Donna Estill explained that this collaboration allows students to envision their own futures and success.

“Their first-year experience in social work through Alabama A&M will take them through a pathway that they can develop on their own,” shared Estill.

“It attaches them emotionally to the college and the college experience. We’re really grateful for that opportunity for our students.”

The partnership between these institutions is set to begin this fall, with Perry anticipating both impact at home, and beyond.

“We’re filling a workforce need not only in Alabama, but across the nation,” said Perry. “People may not

realize this, but social work is going to be the most in-demand occupation through 2029. So, I can see this program continuing to expand.”

The MOU is the most recent step in AAMU’s work to educate and produce more professionals and faculty within such a specialized field.

“We’re committed to creating a pathway from BSW to PhD not just because of the workforce demands at the entry level,” shared Alabama A&M President Dr. Daniel K. Wims. w

who can play defense better,” said Claude Hanley, a partner at Capital Performance Group. “That defense came in a few different varieties: They managed to maintain their margin in the face of rising interest rates and slowing loan demand, and they managed to maintain noninterest income.”

For more information regarding ServisFirst Bank’s recent American Banker interview and ranking, please visit www.servisfirstbank.com. w

The IMS Employee Peaks Fund is comprised of 13 Board of Directors with 75% employee participation. Each employee contributor votes on which non-profit applicants receive grants during each grant period.

“The Employee Peaks Fund is not only a vessel for IMS employees to give back to the community. It’s a staple of the culture at IMS, showing employees and the community how we can move mountains together. Thank you to the IMS employee contributors and the non-profit organizations that dedicate their time and efforts to outstanding causes,” said Bailey Lee, the Chair of the 2022-2023 Employee Peaks Fund Board of Directors.

ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. Ranks Third Among Top Publicly Traded Banks

ServisFirst Bank, a subsidiary of ServisFirst Bancshares (NYSE:SFBS), announced that the company ranked third in the top publicly traded banks with between $10 billion to $50 billion in assets, based on yearend 2022 data.

Consulting firm Capital Performance Group partnered with American Banker to compile the annual ranking, and this is the second year in a row that ServisFirst Bancshares has achieved the thirdplace ranking.

“The company managed to take advantage of excess funds on hand to make loans in areas like commercial real estate. That helped the institution maintain its strong results,” said Tom Broughton, ServisFirst Bank Chairman, President, and CEO.

The $14.6 billion-asset institution, ServisFirst Bancshares, had noninterest expenses that were 1.06% of average assets, well below the median of 1.97%. CPG primarily ranked the banks by their three-year average return on average equity between 2020 and 2022. The median ROAE for all banks in the $10 billion to $50 billion asset category was 9.64%, a slight increase from the year ago figure of 9.13%. This metric was 17.03% for the top 10 performers.

“At the end of the day, it’s about

IronMountain Solutions Employee Peaks Fund Awards $64,000 in Grants to 17 Non-Profit Organizations

The IronMountain Solutions (IMS) Employee Peaks Fund awarded $64,000 to 17 non-profit organizations on Friday, July 7th. The recipients shared what their grants will be used for at a grant reception held at the IMS corporate office.

Each organization that received an Employee Peaks Fund grant fits into one of the following quality of life categories: Arts & Culture, Basic Needs, Economic Opportunity, Education, Environment, Health & Wellness, Neighborhoods & Communities and Recreation.

The following 501(c)3 non-profit organizations received grants from the IMS Employee Peaks Fund for the first grant period of 2023:

A New Leash on Life, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Tennessee Valley, Boys & Girls Clubs of North Alabama, Bringing Up Down Syndrome, The Caring Link, Clinica Medica Moscati, Enable Madison County, Free2Teach, Huntsville Assistance Program, Huntsville Hospital Foundation, HuntsvilleMadison County Library Foundation, Kids to Love, Manna House, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Still Serving Veterans, United Cerebral Palsy of Huntsville & Tennessee Valley, and Unsheltered International.

Contributors of the IMS Employee Peaks Fund have now given over $480,000 in community grants since the fund was established in 2018.

“I encourage IMS employees to continually ‘make something better.’ I am humbled by the generosity and desire to do just that in our local communities. I am confident that these organizations will use these funds and continue to make a difference in the lives of others,” said IMS President and CEO, Hank Isenberg.

The IMS Employee Peaks Fund awards grants to qualified applicants twice a year based on votes from employee contributors. Grant applications will be accepted again in the fall of 2023. For more details, visit www.ironmountainsolutions. com/community. w

Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS® Announces New CEO

Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS® (HAAR) & ValleyMLS. com announced the appointment of Kurtis Krueger as the organization’s new CEO.

With a wealth of experience in operations and diverse business environments, including real estate, Krueger brings a unique skill set and expertise to lead the association into its next phase of growth and success.

BRIEFCASE

His appointment officially begins August 1st.

In an interview with HAAR, Krueger said he was enthusiastic to serve HAAR & ValleyMLS.com.

“I am honored to join the Huntsville Area Association of Realtors as its CEO,” said Krueger. “I look forward to working closely with the dedicated team and leveraging my experience to drive growth and innovation within the association. Together, we will build on the association’s strong foundation and strive to provide exceptional value to our members and the community at large.”

HAAR & ValleyMLS.com President Chris Hulser-Hoover expresses his excitement for Krueger stepping into the role of CEO.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kurtis Krueger as our new CEO,” said Hulser-Hoover. “His exceptional track record in operations, real estate, and non-profit leadership, combined with his cross-cultural understanding, make him the ideal candidate to lead our organization into the future. We

ADVERTORIAL

Alabama Firm hires Expertise to Solve Complex Investor Needs

are confident that under his guidance, HAAR will thrive and continue to be a leading force in our community. “

Krueger is a seasoned operations executive, having held prominent positions in various industries throughout his career. His notable accomplishments include playing an executive role in the creation and leadership of a leading 501(c)(3) organization, where he successfully steered the organization toward its mission and achieved remarkable outcomes.

With a strong background in building strategic plans and budgets, Kurtis possesses the insight to guide HAAR toward achieving its goals and objectives. His deep understanding of technology and other essential areas required by an executive will undoubtedly contribute to the association’s overall success and foster innovation within the organization.

What sets Krueger apart is his extensive international experience and cultural understanding. Having spent several years in Japan teaching English and collaborating with the

Investor’s Resource Welcomes Brock Eson as a Partner and Financial Advisor.

Investor’s Resource, led by 2022 and 2023 Forbes Best in State Advisor, Shari Burnum, is a multi-advisor firm committed to providing services for individuals and families against an ever-evolving economic landscape. The firm has provided wealth preservation, investment management, and financial and tax planning for over 30 years.

Eson’s experience and expertise as an independent Financial Advisor will further add to the organization’s capabilities.

Eson, a native of Huntsville, AL, began his career with AmSouth Bank in 2004. There he specialized in working with insurance, investments, and loans. He became a full-time financial advisor in 2008 and has worked for New England Financial, MetLife, and Mass Mutual.

During his time at MetLife, he worked in management and was responsible for recruiting, hiring, and training financial advisors. In 2020, Eson became an independent Financial Advisor and practice owner with RFG Advisory.

“I am proud to partner with a firm who has a forward-looking vision of meeting client needs,” said Eson. “Investor’s Resource has done an outstanding job growing the business and maintaining quality client relationships. Joining such a dynamic team will allow me to continue to make a positive impact in the lives of our clients and our community.”

To meet these complex client needs, Investor’s Resource employs a team approach to serving clients.

“Our team of professionals are passionate about building bridges across the complexity of life. Gone are the days of traditional retirement planning. Today’s comprehensive planning demands that Advisors consider a multitude of factors including work-life balance, multi-generational wealth transfer, family-owned businesses and charitable giving. Fundamentally the definition of what it means to lead a fulfilled life has changed dramatically,” Burnum continued.

Eson, along with his wife, Kristen and three children ages 13, 11, and 9 are energized and ready to get reacquainted with Huntsville and find ways to serve the community. “There is so much growth and excitement in Huntsville; it feels great to be returning home”, adds Eson.

Japanese government on education programs, he brings a unique perspective to the role. His exposure to diverse cultures and backgrounds equips him with invaluable knowledge that will enhance the association’s ability to connect with its diverse membership base and stakeholders.

Krueger will assume the role of CEO on August 1st and HAAR & ValleyMLS.com is poised to embark on an exciting new chapter of progress, expanding homeownership in North Alabama. HAAR remains committed to its mission and looks forward to the continued support of its members and stakeholders as it moves forward under new leadership.

For more information, please visit haar.realtor. w

City Celebrates Opening of North Huntsville’s Legacy Park

Late June saw the City of Huntsville celebrate the opening of the new Legacy Park. Located off 6000 Cecil Fain Drive, where the former J.O. Johnson High School closed in 2016, the new park is a multipurpose arts, entertainment, and outdoor recreation site.

Local residents sampled free ice cream, demonstrations of the fitness equipment at the park, and enjoyed a musical performance by the Johnson High Alumni Jazz Band.

Legacy Park has walking trails, a children’s playground, spacious parking, and two entertainment pavilions, one of which comes complete with terraced seating, while its Fitness Court boasts a mural painted by local artist Jamal FRESKO Turner.

Commissioned through a partnership between the City of Huntsville, the National Fitness Campaign, Arts Huntsville, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Legacy Park’s Fitness Court –Huntsville’s second, after the Fitness Court at John Hunt Park – employs a circuit training system, designed to give a full-body workout in under ten minutes.

“We are proud to continue our mission of getting people moving outdoors, supporting public art and

helping communities combat the fiscal and humanitarian costs of inactivity,” said Mitch Menaged, founder of NFC.

Mayor Tommy Battle was on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“From the start, our goal has been to honor the legacy of the J.O. Johnson Jaguars, while creating a neighborhood where people want to live, play, and raise their families,” said Mayor Tommy Battle. “Legacy Park, in conjunction with Johnson Legacy Center (JLC), achieves that. It is a crowning jewel for Northwest Huntsville.” w

a member of the North Alabama Commercial Brokers Association (NALCOM), a testament to her desire to connect with fellow professionals and stay abreast of the latest trends and opportunities.

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

aerospace field. This event is a testament to our dedication to shaping the next generation of pioneers in space exploration."

One of the key aspects of the event is the participation of students who will present their aerospace research projects. These bright and talented young minds showcased their innovative ideas and findings, contributing to the ever-evolving field of aerospace.

Drake State Hosts 2023 International Moon Day Celebration and MUREP Research Colloquium

Lorraine Funes Accepts New Position with NAI Chase Commercial

NAI Chase Commercial Real Estate, a member of the world’s premier managed network of commercial real estate firms NAI Chase Global, announced that Lorraine Funes has accepted a position as Sales and Leasing Specialist. In this role, she will be responsible for lease/sale transactions of office, retail, land and industrial properties in Huntsville and the surrounding areas.

“Lorraine is an exceptional addition to our NAI Chase team” said Douglas A McCullough, Executive Vice President, CCIM and Qualifying Broker of NAI Chase Commercial.

“With her outstanding work ethics, unwavering professionalism, and an innate eagerness to learn, she is poised to excel in the commercial real estate industry. As a registered nurse transitioning into this field, Lorraine brings a unique perspective and a deep commitment to serving others. We are thrilled to have her on board and look forward to witnessing her success as she embarks on this new journey”.

With real estate licenses in both Florida and Alabama, she has demonstrated her commitment to expanding her professional horizons and serving clients in different markets.

Lorraine is a member of CCIM, where she is actively pursuing certification as a commercial investment member graduate. She is also

Drake State Community & Technical College hosted the 2023 MUREP Research Colloquium, and International Moon Day Celebration on Friday, July 21. The event brought together renowned experts and aspiring scholars in aerospace research for a day of insightful discussions and presentations.

The event's highlight was the captivating keynote lecture by John Mankins, a distinguished authority on lunar infrastructure. Mankins shared his expertise and visions for the future of lunar infrastructure, shedding light on the possibilities and opportunities that lie ahead.

In addition to the keynote address, the event featured an engaging panel discussion titled "From Science Fiction to Reality - Recent Scientific Advances Making Lunar Exploration Possible." Esteemed panelists from various scientific backgrounds discussed groundbreaking discoveries and technological breakthroughs that are setting the stage for the future of lunar exploration.

"One of our core goals at Drake State is to foster innovation and prepare our students for the challenges and opportunities of the future," said Drake State Community & Technical College President Dr. Patricia Sims. "We are thrilled to host the 2023 MUREP Research Colloquium and International Moon Day Celebration, providing a platform for leading experts and aspiring scholars to exchange knowledge and showcase their groundbreaking research in the

"Drake State is proud to produce cutting-edge research and educational opportunities in aerospace," said Drake State Director of Grants and Special Programs Dr. Marina Kingsbury. "This event exemplifies our commitment to advancing scientific exploration. We are pleased to bring together esteemed experts and passionate students to share their insights and showcase their innovative projects. This collaboration between Drake State, the Space and Rocket Center, UAH, NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center, and the Moon Village Association inspires us to continue humanity’s journey deeper into space. It is an exciting time to work on these programs as humans prepare to return to the lunar surface for the first time in over 50 years."

The 2023 MUREP Research Colloquium and International Moon Day Celebration was held at the UAH Conference Training Center at 1410 Ben Graves Drive, Huntsville, AL 35899, from 8 am to 1 pm. The venue offers state-of-the-art facilities, providing an ideal setting for intellectual exchange and collaboration. w

Kömmerling USA Announces Expansion in Huntsville, Adds Additional Jobs

Kömmerling USA, located in Chase Industrial Park in Huntsville, has announced an expansion and additional jobs for the local facility.

Kömmerling’s Huntsville plant will add two new production lines to

manufacture window and door profiles. The company currently makes these products elsewhere, including Germany, and this expansion will allow the team to make these items here rather than customers having to import them. Kömmerling is rolling out expansion plans in several parts of the United States, with Huntsville’s addition being the first.

Dr. Peter Mrosik, owner and CEO of profine Group, emphasizes the strategic aspect of the investment.

“By expanding our capacities in Huntsville, we are continuing our international growth strategy and sending a clear signal to our partners and for mutual success,” said Dr. Mrosik. “The site’s upgrade and the additional property are a trend-setting step for profine Group and for its sustainable positive development.”

Currently, Kömmerling employs 125 people in Huntsville who produce plastic products for the graphics and homebuilding industries. With the expansion, 30 new positions will be added, and these will be folded in

over the next two to three years.

This expansion by the company represents a $12.6 million capital investment, including $4.5 million to purchase new equipment, $7.5 million to upgrade the existing facility, and $600,000 to purchase additional land next to the existing plant.

“On behalf of the local Kömmerling team we appreciate profine Group’s investment in Huntsville,” said Brandon Moore, Chief Executive Officer – President of Kömmerling USA. “We look forward to growing as a company and within the community.”

Kömmerling is a global player and one of the world’s best known and strongest construction and window brands. The company delivers products to over 100 countries and has its own production facilities and branches at 29 locations in 23 countries. Kömmerling employs more than 3,000 people internationally, developing and manufacturing premium window systems and many other innovative products. w

AFS Expands Gutter Services into Huntsville in Time for Fall Gutter Clean Up

By: Ted Dryce, SEO Content Writer at Groundworks

Autumn is fast approaching. While the season is always a wonderful time of year, it’s not so wonderful for gutters.

Fallen leaves often find their way into gutters, and if ignored, they lead to clogging. Homeowners will have to spend more time cleaning their gutters in the autumn.

AFS Foundation Repair & Waterproofing Specialists (AFS), a Groundworks Company, is excited to announce that our gutter services are expanding into Huntsville. Our innovative gutter system (called AquaGuard) is designed to allow water to flow through the trough while filtering out potential debris.

Historically, November is one of Huntsville’s rainiest months, so right now is one of the best times to install a new gutter system.

Some signs that you need to replace your gutters include rust, joint separation, and leaking, so keep an eye out for those.

There’s a reason we’re expanding our gutter services into Huntsville—they work. If you decide to install AquaGuard on your home, you’ll be able to see why.

Our system is designed with efficiency in mind:

• Slotted arch hood that allows for maximum water flow, even in heavy downpours.

• Gutter “tip” that prevents water from rolling back onto the fascia board.

• Wide mouth opening that creates vortex suction allowing water to escape as fast as possible.

AFS also offers downspout extensions as part of our gutter system. These extend underground and away from your home, avoiding foundation damage caused by water.

Instead of spending the fall constantly cleaning out your gutters, consider installing AquaGuard to avoid the whole process entirely.

If interested, call AFS at 1-769-553-2920 or visit https://www.afsrepair.com.