‘Tis the Season to Shop Local in Huntsville and Madison!
It’s that time of year, with gift-giving occasions looming, that you may find yourself wondering what to get all those people on your list who already have everything. By Heather Alfonso - Page 6
SMALL BUSINESS
ChurchStreet Family Restaurant & Hospitality Group Honored as Alabama Retailer of the Year
A light rain could not dampen the mood as a crowd gathered outside of Mazzara’s Vinoteca, located in the Humphreys-Rodgers House on Gates Avenue, to celebrate the announcement that ChurchStreet Family Restaurant & Hospitality Group has been named one of five Alabama Retailers of the Year for 2024. By Sarah Zupko - Page 16
ADDITIONAL STORIES
• Huntsville Business Building Keeps a Ghostly Secret By Heather Alfonso • Page 2
• Huntsville’s Downtown Transformation: From Sleepy Square to Vibrant City Hub By Sarah Zupko • Page 9
• Huntsville Celebrates Local Excellence at 39th Annual Small Business Awards Gala
By Sarah Zupko • Page 17
• Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates
By Marie Johnson • Page 18
Huntsville Business Building Keeps a Ghostly Secret
Along with cooler weather and falling leaves, autumn brings thoughts of cozy hearths and spooky tales told by the fire.
Today, Huntsville is known for its role in space exploration and the many science and technology-based businesses that call it home.
You might think, therefore, that it has nothing to offer in the way of ghost stories and haunted tales. But think again.
In her book Where Spirits Linger, Huntsville author Jacquelyn Procter Reeves tells of two people who reported an uneasy, haunted encounter while walking past the W. L. Halsey Cash and Carry in downtown Huntsville.
Located on Jefferson Street, the store is part of Halsey Food Service, in operation since 1879. The red brick building, now painted, became the headquarters for the family business in 1904.
On a clear day, most passersby would think nothing strange about this older building. It is still in operation, serving customers from churches to daycares to event hosts with quality bulk foods and supplies.
But for those who enjoy a good tale of the paranormal, there is reason to believe the walls of the Halsey Cash and Carry hold secrets they can never yield.
May 7, 1909, was coming to a close. It had been a warm spring day, with the high in the low-80s. By late afternoon it was cooler and dry.
J. Robert Jones, of the insurance firm Jones and Roser, set off to present his long-time acquaintance William Halsey with a bill.
He mentioned to a co-worker in passing that he was dreading the visit.
According to local and regional
By: Heather Alfonso /
papers that ran the details of what was soon to transpire, William Halsey had been mentally unwell for some time.
He was even seeing a psychiatrist in New York, a professional specialty still referred to at the turn of the last century as an “alienist”.
The two middle-aged businessmen met upstairs briefly in Halsey’s office.
Witnesses could not hear what was said as they then walked together toward the front of the store.
Then a customer opened the front door.
Without warning, Halsey pulled a gun, turned, and shot Jones. Twice. Either wound could have been the fatal one.
The customer wisely ran away.
Halsey’s adult son, who had witnessed the entire thing, approached his father to secure the gun.
The shipping clerk, Augustus “Gus”
McDowell, rushed to call for help.
Halsey’s next move was just as irrational and seemingly unmotivated as the murder of Jones.
Gus went over to help with Halsey at his son’s request.
Halsey, still clutching the gun, turned toward Gus, aimed, and fired.
Mortally wounded, Gus staggered out to the front of the building and collapsed outside. He would die in agony two days later.
Halsey, meanwhile, calmly retreated to his office as if nothing had happened.
Halsey was judged insane and committed to a mental institution in Tuscaloosa. Years later he passed away at home in New Orleans.
Halsey’s motives, if he had any, were never uncovered.
Over 100 years later, two people walking by the Halsey Cash and Carry were overcome with disturbing
impressions.
One felt a sudden sharp pain in his shoulder.
The first bullet to hit Jones had gone through his shoulder.
Next came visions of a man in constant pain wandering through the building. His pain medication made him hallucinate. His grip on reality was loosening.
Were these visions of Halsey? Or perhaps the hapless shipping clerk, Gus, whom Halsey was said to treat as a son?
Only those old brick walls know for sure. And they aren’t talking.
Interested in learning more about Huntsville’s rich and storied past? Be sure to check out Huntsville Ghost Walk, a chillingly fun tour company.
Thank you to Jacquelyn Proctor Reeves, an expert on Huntsville’s supernatural mysteries, for her input on this story.
Photo by Gus Wintzell
A Conversation with Bill Chapman of Chapman Commercial Realty
Sit Down With Success is a feature of the Huntsville Business Journal on entrepreneurs and their keys to success. To read the full story, please visit the HuntsvilleBusiness Journal website.
William “Bill” Chapman began his career in residential sales in 1992 but soon transitioned into commercial real estate. After gaining valuable experience working alongside top industry professionals for several years, he founded Chapman Commercial Realty in 2010, specializing in retail office and investment brokerage.
In a recent interview with the Huntsville Business Journal, he shared his passion for commercial real estate and discussed his latest project, which is preserving a piece of Huntsville’s history. Why did you choose commercial real estate instead of residential real estate?
Some people are cut out for the emotional decisions of homebuying and that just never appealed to me in the
same way commercial real estate does. It’s all business, all numbers. It’s not if the kitchen is yellow. My father was in commercial real estate, all of my mentors were in commercial real estate, and I learned a lot from these guys and fell in love with it.
How do you balance your personal and professional life?
It’s very difficult. Me and my wife have several businesses, not just real estate. The balance of it is tricky. People call you in the middle of Saturday afternoon football and something is wrong with one of your properties, you got to go. That’s the hardest thing that any of us do as business owners. It is a true juggling act.
Did you encounter any significant obstacles and how have you overcome those?
In September 2008 the whole world went crazy. The stock market crashed, Lehman Brothers went insolvent. Everybody was upside down, and the world
as we knew it was crumbling around us. We had just partnered with several other investors and bought a considerable amount of property here in Huntsville. I got a call from the lender in New York City. He said, ‘You’re watching the news, right? We’re not going to be able to fund your transaction.’ It was a $20 million investment and I’ve got hundreds of thousands of dollars of deposits to this lender who is refusing to give it back to us. They’re insolvent.
How do you overcome that?
One, the grace of God. Two persistence, and three not ever giving up.
How do you eat the elephant?
One bite at a time. I just took it one day at a time. I dissolved the partnership we had and went out on my own and never looked back.
What does it mean to you to be a sixth-generation Huntsvillian?
Being a sixth-generation Huntsvillian makes you want to do good things for the community. That’s what we’re
By: Heather Price
trying to do with Oak Place especially.
(Oak Place is a historic residence built in 1840 and designed by renowned Huntsville architect George Steele. Chapman and business partner Breck Robinson have preserved and restored Oak Place into an event venue.)
That’s near and dear to me because it’s preserving some of the history that a lot of people would never know. We’re saving a part of Huntsville. Before we stepped in, they were going to knock it down and build condos.
/ Photo courtesy of Chapman Commercial Reality
Dear Readers,
As we step into the heart of autumn, the Huntsville Business Journal is pleased to bring you our October edition, filled with stories that reflect the dynamic changes and exciting growth happening all around our city. Huntsville continues to establish itself as a hub of innovation, entrepreneurship, and community spirit, and this issue showcases the businesses, leaders, and events that are shaping its future.
One of our feature stories, “’Tis the Season to Shop Local,” reminds us that the upcoming holiday season is not just about gift-giving—it’s an opportunity to strengthen our local economy and invest in the businesses that make Huntsville unique. As large retailers and online marketplaces increasingly dominate the holiday shopping landscape, it’s more important than ever to consider the local shops, artisans, and small business owners right here in our community. From the Madison Street Festival to the Mid-City Holiday Market, this issue highlights some of the best local shopping experiences that offer not only unique gifts but also a chance to connect with the people who make our community special.
In this issue, we also explore the incredible transformation of downtown Huntsville. What was once a sleepy, quiet area has blossomed into a vibrant and bustling center of activity, brimming with restaurants, retail shops, and cultural events. Huntsville’s downtown is no longer just a place for office workers and commuters—today, it’s a destination in itself, with a thriving nightlife, lively weekend markets, and plenty of events to keep residents and visitors engaged day and night. In “Huntsville’s Downtown Transformation,” we dive into how this transformation has made downtown a cornerstone of Huntsville’s economic and cultural revival.
Another key highlight of this edition is our coverage of the 39th Annual Small Business Awards Gala, where we celebrate the achievements of Huntsville’s most innovative and driven entrepreneurs. This gala is a testament to the strength and resilience of our small business community, which continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in sectors ranging from hospitality to tech. The businesses honored at the event have not only survived in a competitive landscape but have thrived, setting new benchmarks for success and community involvement. This year’s winners represent the very best of Huntsville, and we’re thrilled to share
their stories with you.
Of course, Huntsville’s economic success doesn’t happen in isolation. In this issue, we also take a closer look at some of the key infrastructure projects that are enabling our city’s growth. From roadway upgrades supported by a $21.6 million federal grant to new housing developments aimed at addressing the city’s ongoing housing needs, Huntsville’s leadership is investing in long-term sustainability and accessibility for its residents. These projects, along with efforts to build multimodal transportation networks and modernize public infrastructure, are critical to ensuring that Huntsville remains a great place to live, work, and do business for years to come.
All of these stories lead us to the heart of the issue, which focuses on Huntsville Mayor Battle’s historic 5th term in office. The story highlights his State of the City Address for 2024, but it also sheds light on the many projects happening in and around the city, with much more on the way.
As always, we strive to keep you informed, engaged, and inspired by the stories of those who are shaping Huntsville’s future. Whether you’re a long-time resident, a business leader, or someone new to the area, we hope you find value in the stories shared within these pages. Huntsville is a city on the rise, and it’s the people, businesses, and leaders highlighted in this issue that are driving its progress.
Thank you for continuing to support the Huntsville Business Journal. We look forward to bringing you more stories of growth, innovation, and community in the months to come.
Warm regards, Gus Wintzell Editor, Huntsville Business Journal
Subsidiary
President /Publisher Todd Stephenson
Editor
Writers
Contributing Writers
Gus Wintzell
Heather Alfonso
Laura Boehringer
Marie Johnson
Noah Logan
Heather Price
Sarah Zupko
Matt Curtis
Alexander Duck, II
Graphic Design ………………………………………………
Website
Photographers
Director of Sales
Distribution
Carl Holden
Justina Simon
Amy Pearson
Jim Gharib
Steve Babin
Justina Simon
Carolyn Stephenson
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
‘Tis the Season to Shop Local in Huntsville and Madison!
It’s that time of year, with gift-giving occasions looming, that you may find yourself wondering what to get all those people on your list who already have everything.
Rather than getting caught up in the big box stores or online shopping, you might be looking for unique gifts for those special someone’s on your shopping list this year.
Local shopping options vary from small shops to big markets full of an amazing array of goods from a variety of local vendors.
Be sure to check out the following not-to-be-missed, family-friendly market events!
Madison Street Festival
Saturday, October 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in downtown Madison.
The Madison Street Festival has been a great example of the city’s down-home, family-friendly atmosphere for over 40 years.
The festivities kick off with a pa-
rade and continue live entertainment, vendor booths, a car show, artist galleries, food trucks, and children’s activities including a petting zoo.
Mid-City Holiday Market
Sunday, November 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Mid-City, 5909 University Drive in Huntsville.
Come shop local with 150 makers, bakers, and farmers at this annual holiday market event. Santa and other characters will be making appearances.
Live music, tons of food options, and beverages of all kinds will be available.
Parking is free throughout the Mid-City District. Walking shoes are recommended!
Some vendors may be cash only.
Monte Sano UMC Simply Christmas
Saturday, December 7 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Monte Sano United Methodist Church, 601 Monte Sano Blvd in Huntsville.
Craftspeople, artists, authors, and makers from all over North Alabama invite the public to come and shop for unique holiday gifts.
The event includes live music, a bake sale, a pancake breakfast, and a chili lunch.
Yule Y’all
Saturday, December 7 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment, 2211 Seminole Drive in Huntsville.
One of the better-known Christmas markets, Yule Y’all features a variety of maker art, holiday creations, food, and music. You might catch a glimpse of Krampus wondering the grounds as well!
Be sure to get there early enough for the annual Water Tower Lighting at 5:00 p.m. and free spirit sampling
(while supplies last).
Parking for the day is $10 per car.
Winterville at Redstone Arsenal
Saturday, December 7 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 8, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Redstone Arsenal Activity Field, 3732 Aerobee Road in Huntsville.
This holiday kick-off celebration is open to the public and features over 70 local craft vendors. Parking is free.
Included in the festivities are the official lighting of the 25-foot Redstone Arsenal holiday tree and a visit from Santa Claus.
Christkindl Market
Friday, December 13 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, December 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, December 15 from 11:00
By: Heather Alfonso / Photos courtesy of City of Huntsville, Huntsville Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
RETAIL
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at The Orion Amphitheater, 701 Amphitheater Drive NW in Huntsville.
Christkindlmarket is a unique shopping experience featuring over 60 artists showcasing a variety of mediums.
In addition to the juried artist market, enjoy holiday music from local performers along with a variety of holiday food and drink.
Parking and entry to the event are free.
Saturday, December 21 from 11:00
a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment, 2211 Seminole Drive in Huntsville.
The Winter Solstice Market is the perfect place to find last-minute gifts. The grounds will feature numerous local artists and artisans. Inside, shop the studio artists at Lowe Mill.
This is a great place to bring out-oftown guests to see the wonderful artists and makers of North Alabama!
Winter Solstice Market
Local Entrepreneur Transforms Huntsville’s Hospitality Industry with Stella’s Elixir Lounge and The Blind Tiger
Angela Panzica, owner of Stella’s Elixir Lounge and The Blind Tiger Luxury Event Space, launched her career in integrated marketing communications while living in Sarasota, FL.
She developed a strong expertise in full-service brand development before moving to Huntsville in 2018. Her ability to blend creativity with strategic execution enabled her to craft powerful brand experiences.
This solid marketing foundation became the cornerstone of her career, facilitating a successful transition into the hospitality industry with a new perspective.
In 2020, Angela leveraged her design and marketing experience to bring to life one of her most ambitious projects: Stella’s Elixir Lounge.
The lounge quickly became a sought-after destination, known for its distinctive style. Angela’s visionary approach was evident in every detail, from the curated drink menu to the thoughtfully designed interiors, which together created an unforgettable guest experience.
“I wanted to push the boundaries of what this city has seen in terms of hospitality, setting a new standard for exceptional service and creativity,” Angela remarked.
Following the success of Stella’s Elixir Lounge, Angela expanded her influence in the industry by opening her second venue, The Blind Tiger, a luxury event space in Downtown Huntsville. The Blind Tiger not only offers a chic, versatile space for events but also provides concierge-level planning and services for corporate, social, and private gatherings.
For Angela, the idea of owning an event space was rooted in the desire to create a memorable experience for the people of Huntsville.
As The Blind Tiger is becoming an integral part of the community, hosting everything from charity galas to local business expos, Angela emphasized that it’s about more than just providing a venue: it’s about offering a canvas where dreams can come to life.
In her first year of ownership, Angela has found the business rewarding,
though not without challenges, particularly around pricing inquiries.
It’s important to recognize that an event involves significant behind-the-scenes work—from vendor coordination and client meetings to setup, execution, and cleanup. Pricing reflects not just the event itself but the many hours of preparation required to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Unlike Stella’s Elixir Lounge which is open 7-days a week, The Blind Tiger is dedicated to private and public events, allowing for fully tailored experiences.
For this reason, the venue doesn’t offer hourly rentals. Instead, pricing is customized based on factors like event type, guest count, and staffing needs.
Another unique challenge is mar-
keting a new space. Previously an office space with an unassuming storefront, the building sat vacant for a long time, so it didn’t attract much attention.
In 2023, the interior and exterior underwent an extensive makeover. Now a brightly lit marquee marks the entrance to a brand new environment.
“Being profitable from events is one thing, but the real challenge lies in making people aware you exist. Even the best spaces can’t thrive without the right exposure, and that takes investment. Marketing isn’t just an expense—it’s the key to unlocking potential,” said Angela.
The Blind Tiger is a hidden gem that doesn’t need to stay a secret.
Unique to Huntsville, it offers a distinct event experience unlike any-
thing else in the area—it deserves to be discovered. The building doesn’t come alive just by existing; its heartbeat comes from the people who bring it to life.
As this startup works to build its success, local support is its most powerful marketing tool. Everyone is encouraged to stop by and explore, with tours available Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Guests can also attend one of the public events to experience what The Blind Tiger has to offer firsthand. Word of mouth is invaluable for small businesses, and by sharing their experience, guests can help The Blind Tiger continue creating memorable events for the Huntsville community.
As The Blind Tiger continues to grow and make its mark, Angela’s passion for blending art, strategy, and hospitality will undoubtedly shape the culture of Huntsville.
Her vision of creating spaces that are more than just venues but true experiences has already set a new standard in the city’s hospitality industry. With each event hosted at The Blind Tiger, Angela crafts not just a location but memorable moments that resonate.
As the business evolves, her commitment to innovation and exceptional service will continue to define how Huntsville celebrates, connects, and comes together. It’s clear that Angela’s influence is only beginning, and her unique approach will leave a lasting impression on the city for years to come.
The Blind Tiger is available for tours, Monday - Friday, 10 AM - 4 PM.
Booking Information:
• Website:
https://www.blindtigerhsv.com/
• Instagram / Facebook: @BlindTigerHSV
Capacity: 80 people banquet-seating, 200 people cocktail-seating Full-service Bar and Catering is available.
Clinton Garage & Regions Garage available within one block. (Valet service can be requested.)
Huntsville’s Downtown Transformation: From Sleepy Square to Vibrant City Hub
In just a few short years, Huntsville’s downtown has evolved from a sleepy Southern town square to a vibrant city center.
Aaron Hase, managing partner at Downtown Storage, grew up in Huntsville and remembers the days when Bubba’s was one of only a few dining options downtown.
“Now we are covered up with great restaurants and bars,” said Hase.
A few stalwarts have had a front row seat to this transformation.
The Kaffeeklatsch, easily one of the most recognizable fixtures of the downtown city streets, has anchored the heart of Huntsville since 1976. Today, the shop is managed by Joanna Weand.
Weand said that owners Grant and Kathryn Heath looked at cities throughout Alabama and ultimately “chose to set up shop in Huntsville as it was known for having the most traveled population of people, who were possibly more open to the coffee shop concept in 1976.”
The Kaffeeklatsch took off decades before coffee shops dotted the city. For this reason, Weand said, downtown’s daytime pedestrian traffic made it a clear choice of location.
Day and Night Downtown:
A decade ago, it seemed as though they “rolled up the sidewalks” downtown at the end of the workday. Those days are in the rearview mirror.
Roosevelt & Co., an upscale men’s clothing shop, has been located in downtown Huntsville for eight years. Amanda Sadler, co-owner, said that downtown has a lot to offer -- day and night.
“We love being near the heart of it all for the weekend fun and being super close to the workplace while you are working during the week,” Sadler told the Huntsville Business Journal.
Concerts in the Park, Downtown Art Walks, and the Greene Street Market are just a few of the ongoing events that now bring residents downtown after the work day is over.
Hase agreed that downtown’s hours are changing.
“A lot of stores downtown don’t fully appreciate how much traffic they are missing out on when they close early in the afternoon, or if they aren’t open on the weekends,” said Hase. “The smart stores are staying open later and later at night, and it’s paying off.”
On a recent weekday evening, downtown was lively -- with diners spilling out onto the sidewalks, families playing cornhole on Jefferson Street, and couples catching photos in the golden light.
All of this was set against a backdrop of leafy oak trees, colorful murals, and historic brick storefronts.
A Unique Experience: Walkability, a mix of restaurants and shops, and the uniqueness of the vendors make Downtown Huntsville distinctive from all other corners of the city.
Caleb Shaw and Anna Rojas are coowners of One Man’s Vintage, located in the Clinton Row Shops.
In late August, they hosted a grand re-opening of their store. Shaw was blown away by the community’s response.
“We had a line of over 20 people waiting for us to open -- the first people had been waiting for almost 2 hours by the time we opened the doors,” said Shaw.
Shaw described the level of support from the vintage community as feeling “surreal.”
“The downtown experience is unique because of its mix of history, culture, and community,” said Shaw. “People come here not just to shop, but to explore and experience the energy. It feels like we’re part of something bigger.”
Challenges Fac-
By: Sarah Zupko
ing Downtown:
Multiple shop owners related that inflation, which is being felt by producers and consumers alike, is a current challenge faced by business owners.
“Inflation has definitely increased the costs of doing business for us,” said Weand. “Mostly on the accessories we carry and operational needs.”
As a business incubator, Clinton Row Shops purposefully keeps “rents below the average, to give startups and new concept stores strong footing to get up and going,” said Hase.
Rising operating costs are being offset by the increasing number of shoppers downtown.
“Being in the city center means we have a constant flow of people who support local businesses, so it balances out,” said Shaw.
While inflation is being felt all over the city, and far beyond, some challenges are particular to the downtown area.
“From our customers’ perspective, finding parking can be a challenge,” said
Weand.
While parking can be tight downtown, customers are more willing than before to park and walk.
“Just a few years ago people wouldn’t stop if they couldn’t park right out in front,” said Hase.
That is changing as residents and visitors are finding more spots to explore on foot.
Shop Small. Shop Local.
Downtown business owners agree on the value of keeping retail dollars circulating in the Huntsville economy by shopping small and shopping local.
“Local, small businesses are the backbone behind the American Dream,” said Roosevelt & Co.’s Sadler. “When you shop local, you don’t only boost the local economy, but you also help build a cohesive community. When you choose to shop small, you boost the businesses that bring a unique fingerprint to the character of your city.”
Locally-owned and operated businesses serve to differentiate Huntsville from any other city across the nation.
“They are what makes the city unique in its experiences for locals and out-of-towners -- it’s what will keep people coming to a city,” said Weand.
Hase challenged folks to compare Downtown Huntsville to any other neighborhood in the city.
“Here’s how I see it, Downtown Huntsville wins,” said Hase. “In Huntsville, it’s the hottest place to live, work, eat, drink, or just be. Period. I’ll argue any of those categories with anyone, and they’ll lose.”
Plan your visit to Downtown Huntsville online at https://www.downtownhuntsville.org/.
/ Photos courtesy of Hunter Balthazor
Huntsville CWA Workers Remain on Strike During Negotiations with AT&T
It’s been more than a month since 17,000 AT&T workers across the Southeast began their strike against the company.
According to officials from the union that represents these workers, Communication Workers of America (CWA), not much has changed and an end to the strike doesn’t appear to be yet in sight.
CWA claims workers face unfair labor practices and unfair contract negotiations within the company which it hopes to change with a new bargaining agreement. The prior agreement, agreed on in 2019, officially expired after five years.
Mustafa Hassan serves as the president of CWA Chapter 3905 in Huntsville, representing over 300 local workers who remain on strike. In an interview with HBJ, Hassan stated that CWA members will remain “dug in” until AT&T starts taking the bargaining process seriously.
“Unfortunately, we’re still at a point where the company refuses to bargain in good faith,” Hassan claimed. “They still refuse to bring an actual decision-maker to the table to negotiate on any mandated items. It’s not possible to bargain in good faith when the person you’re talking to can’t make any decisions on the proposals we continue to bring to the table.”
The CWA is seeking partial wage increases, cost-of-living adjustments, and improved job security assurances.
“AT&T, a multibillion-dollar corporation, often brags about the profits they make in the media and to their shareholders, so we feel what we’re asking for is reasonable,” Hassan said.
A federal mediator became involved as of this week at the request of AT&T. According to daily reports posted on CWA’s District 3 website,“Negotiations continue over their substandard wage and
By:
benefits proposals.”
Other details in the most recent report provided a package from AT&T that would “require our core employees to take a drastic cut in paid illness days, make changes to Article 14 that would allow employees from other CWA Districts to be loaned to D3 indefinitely and admittedly made ‘incremental changes’ for Wire Technicians. One of those incremental changes proposed increasing meal reimbursements from
$37 to $40.”
AT&T released a statement denying claims of unfair labor practices, pointing to the successful contract negotiations with other national regions reached earlier this.
“We have been engaged in substantive bargaining since day 1 and are eager to reach an agreement that benefits our hard-working employees,” said AT&T spokesman Jim Greer. “We have reached 3 agreements this year covering more than
13,000 employees, including our most recent tentative agreement with District 9 (west). We remain committed to working with District 3 (southeast) in the same manner.”
Hassan informed HBJ that CWA West has postponed the vote required to finalize the tentative agreement referred to in the statement, which was originally scheduled for Friday August 30th.
HBJ reached out to local representation AT&T, but received no response.
Noah Logan / Photos by Noah Logan
Mayor Tommy Battle is celebrating his “Sweet Sixteen” as he enters his fifth term of service to the city of Huntsville.
Mayor Battle was first elected to the position in 2008, and has served in the intervening 16 years.
The mayor spoke to Huntsville residents in a “State of the City Address,” held on September 10 in the Von Braun Center Saturn Ballroom.
Jeff Samz, Board Chair-Elect of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, introduced Mayor Battle.
“By the end of Mayor Battle’s term, Huntsville can say that we have only had seven mayors in the last 100 years,” said Samz. “It’s a staggering statement about the stability of local government that bond underwriters love to hear.”
The ballroom was packed for the sold-out event, with over 1,100 in attendance.
Mayor Battle opened his remarks with an expression of gratitude for the opportunity to continue serving Huntsville as its mayor.
“If you look back at almost 16 years ago to November of 2008, we were in the midst of a Great Recession, one of the longest and deepest our country has seen since World War II,” said Battle. “The first order of business was to tight-
Huntsville Mayor Battle with Overview of City
By: Sarah Zupko / Photos courtesy
en the city budget.”
Battle and his team then looked forward to create a plan for the city’s future.
The mayor said the success of the city can be measured both by the number of newcomers who are willing to invest their talents here, alongside the
number of native Huntsvillians who return to the city as adults — after college and other pursuits — to raise their own children in their hometown.
“Huntsville’s population has increased 38% to over 241,000. Remember we started at 180,000 in 2008,” said Battle. “We are adding about 17 people a day and we’ve gone from Alabama’s 4th biggest city to its largest and fastest growing.”
Huntsville is the 95th largest city in the nation.
Huntsville has always been known as a “smart city,” and the percentage of residents with advanced degrees has only increased during Battle’s tenure. In 2008, 15% of Huntsville’s residents had attained advanced degrees; that number now stands at 20%. The number of Huntsville residents with a Bachelor’s degree has grown from 38% to 54% during those years.
Higher levels of educational attainment means well-paying job opportunities for local residents.
Battle Kicks Off Fifth Term City Goals and Plans
courtesy of City of Huntsville
“The city’s median household income has grown by 74% — it leads the state. It’s also 37% higher than the U.S. average,” said Battle.
Redstone Arsenal pays out $3.3 billion a year in salaries to its employees. The annual economic impact of Redstone Arsenal is $31 billion.
“While Restone continues to fulfill job creation, and meet the world’s security needs, we have successfully diversified our investor portfolio to provide new and different opportunities,” said Battle. “Since 2008, we have created 46,000 direct new jobs, and many more indirect ones. Today, you really don’t have to be a rocket scientist or an engineer to have a good-paying job here in Huntsville, and that was not true in 2008.”
The city’s population growth and economic success have led to increased revenue. This revenue is being reinvested into the city through road improvements, public safety, and modernized infrastructure.
Battle said that through all of these changes, the city has maintained a balanced budget.
“We’ve beefed up city reserves — that’s a rainy day fund that every smart city should have,” said Battle. “We have earned a AAA credit rating for the past 14 years.”
The BIG Picture is the name given to the City’s master plan, which seeks to unite all corners of Huntsville in a plan that furthers the success of everyone.
“For the first time in decades, North Huntsville is seeing hundreds of new houses built,” said Battle.
Meeting the city’s increased need for housing is a central priority for Battle and his team. While Huntsville consistently receives national accolades for its affordable housing, there is not enough of it.
Battle described the issue as a “math challenge.”
Just 1,200 single-family homes are built in Huntsville a year, while 3,000 are needed to keep pace with growth. This represents an annual shortage of
1,800 new homes.
Adopting new zoning regulations and increasing mixed-income housing are two strategies that City Hall is employing to address the housing shortage.
The Mill Creek development, which will be located just west of Memorial Parkway on Governors Drive, is a prime example of mixed-income housing.
The $400 million development, which will sit on 27 acres, is estimated to create 700 mixed-income housing units.
“This new neighborhood will be supported by retail, daycare, learning centers, and medical clinics,” said Battle. “Huntsville Hospital is investing in Mill Creek to secure 125 units for its employees.”
Building new roads and improving the functionality of existing roads is another formidable challenge facing city leadership.
The interchanges at I-565 and Memorial Parkway have been rated as “Functional F” by the Federal Highway
Administration.
“This interchange was designed for 45,000 daily vehicle trips. It’s now reached 110,000 per day,” said Battle. “This is a federal road — make no mistake about it — and it’s the state’s responsibility. The state receives federal funding to maintain and improve [it].”
Battle said it is time for Alabama to put Huntsville on a “priority list,” when it comes to road improvement.
The mayor unveiled big plans to
enhance the sustainability of the city. Battle announced that the city, in partnership with Huntsville Utilities, will be building a “200-megawatt solar plant on 800 acres near the Tennessee River.”
“In Huntsville, we will power our own future,” said Battle. “And we will make sure that we have the energy security that we need.”
Mayor Battle’s fifth term will officially begin on November 4, 2024.
Is AI at its Peak? What Happens Next?
First of all, I’d like to thank any of you who attended the AICyberCon as mentioned in the last article. We had over 100 people attend the event and had speakers from the government and Fortune 500. It was awesome to see so many people excited to learn and improve their careers in the field of AI and cybersecurity. There are some really big companies doing some really cool work.
This also makes a point. If you attended, you would know that AI is not at it’s peak. Smart people are still pushing the limits and the finish line is nowhere in sight. The government is paying close attention and is looking for help and answers. As far as we can tell, A LOT still happens next. It’s just not clear what that might be.
It’s an election year. AI has been a hot topic from both sides. Deep fakes are coming from both sides of the spectrum and much of it is coming from the general public, which is one of the risks of AI. What happens when you give non-artists the ability to make highly believable imagery and texts? As we discussed in the conference, AI will bring a whole new sleuth of bad actors into the fray. This is partly why highly advanced video AI like Sora is not available to the market. You will likely see it released next year, after we have gotten past the election.
AI is good at coding now. Your cousin, a programmer who says it’s not good, is afraid of it. There are people who want to keep the status quo but this is moving far too fast and efficiently for them to keep a solid footing. I’m involved in a startup that is looking to launch a beta version of SaaS software that uses AI to help our programmers. It’s only taken us 6 months to build a fairly robust program.
AI is not at its peak. It’s being
By: Carl Holden
restrained. Given the highly political risks of these technologies, we are not seeing everything that these companies could do, in my opinion. Many image sites will block the rendering of images with a famous person’s name or likeness. However, just as many do allow it. AI Safety is an important subject for many. Safe Superintelligence, lead by former OpenAI team members, just raised $1 billion in VC.
AI is getting “smarter.” This is evident in the very recent release of ChatGPT o1. It calls it advanced reasoning. If you ask difficult math questions or riddles, you’ll now see it “think.” This is no longer just an LLM but a system that uses concepts like chain of thought or RAG to process and order information, not just spew out text. This is the initial work that will eventually allow AI to assess situations and take actions. For now, AI only talks back. What happens next? In the near future, AI might initiate conversations. It could see a problem and
try to fix it. Here’s the funny thing: We fear AI because in every science fiction movie, it tries to destroy us. We are a threat to it, and we must be EXTERMINATED. Is it the bad guy?
Let me pose this to you: Mankind finally achieves interstellar travel and ventures into the stars. We find a planet inhabited by the Glorbons. They are the only sentient beings. The Glorbons have conquered their planet’s resources and are just about to achieve their own space travel. But we see them loading those ships with nuclear warheads, cages, and other weapons. Do we let them leave their planet, or do we stop them?
Ladies and gentlemen, we are the Glorbons. The last 6,000 years of recorded history have ample proof that we should not be allowed to leave this planet. The fiction of Star Trek isn’t space travel; it’s that humans could achieve peace and last thousands of more years. We are not following that precedent currently.
If AI wants to destroy us, maybe it’s not the bad guy…
Here’s the more important question - is Humanity at its peak? Is this really the best we can do? Do we deserve to have AI take us over? As we head into this highly contested period of politics, keep that in mind. What can you do that is truly intelligent and avoid your own “artificial” intelligence? Can you be kind, collected, courteous, respectful, and trustworthy?
There’s so much that’s going to happen next. It isn’t up to the computers at this point. It’s up to us.
“AI Talks” is a series from the Huntsville Business Journal on Artificial Intelligence and its applicability to the world of business. Each month, HBJ plans on bringing you interesting topics led by our contributing expert writer, Carl Holden. This series also introduced another new “writer” to our journal: Artificial Intelligence itself. Using Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT), we plan on bringing our readers an “article” written directly by AI. While AI cannot currently write a news article with fully original sources, this series hopefully will introduce our readers to the nuances of Artificial Intelligence in the modern age of business.
Carl Holden, Creative Director of Zellus Marketing
ChurchStreet Family Restaurant & Hospitality Group Honored as Alabama Retailer of the Year
A light rain could not dampen the mood as a crowd gathered outside of Mazzara’s Vinoteca, located in the Humphreys-Rodgers House on Gates Avenue, to celebrate the announcement that ChurchStreet Family Restaurant & Hospitality Group has been named one of five Alabama Retailers of the Year for 2024.
The announcement took place on the morning of September 5.
Matt and Stephanie Mell, owners of ChurchStreet Family Restaurant & Hospitality Group, operate nine successful bars and restaurants in Huntsville and Athens.
The Alabama Retail Association presented the award to the Mells at their Huntsville headquarters, located in Downtown Huntsville.
The competition for the award was fierce, with the ChurchStreet group being one of 62 nominees for this year’s Alabama Retailer of the Year awards. The Mells won the award in the Annual Sales More Than $5 Million category.
Ashley Engles-Ross, vice president of Small Business at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, opened the celebration by congratulating the Mells on their outstanding win.
David Little, President of the Huntsville City Council, followed Engles-Ross.
“The Alabama Retailer of the Year judges in this category are all former winners of this award and they chose the Mells and the ChurchStreet Family because of the diversity of their restaurant and bar concepts, their overall business model, their community involvement, and customer experience,” explained Little.
Little emphasized that the hospitality industry has a reputation for being a challenging line of work. This makes it all the more impressive, then, that the Mells operate not one — but nine — distinct businesses.
Rick Brown, President of the Alabama Retail Association, explained that the process of presenting this award evolved during the pandemic. In years past, the award was presented in a ballroom in Birmingham.
After Covid, the Alabama Retail Association started taking award presentations “on the road.” Celebrating business owners in the communities they serve has created a more personal, hometown feel to these occasions.
Stephanie Mell took to the podium to express her gratitude to the Retail Association for this recognition.
“Matt and I want to thank the Alabama Retail Association for this award,” said Mell. “To be selected from among all the amazing retailers in the state is overwhelming and we couldn’t be more humbled by this honor. Hospitality is a
team sport and this is a team win.”
Mell voiced her appreciation for all the staff members — hostesses, servers, bartenders, chefs, sous chefs, line cooks, and dishwashers — who make ChurchStreet Family run smoothly every day.
The Mells employ over 90 people in the Huntsville and Athens communities.
“We are blessed to live in a city with a very supportive local government that works equally hard to ensure its small, local businesses succeed,” Mell continued. “We strive every day to make a positive impact on our community and in our state. This award today shows that hard work and positive outlook, combined with talent and a culture that rewards creativity and personal growth, nurtures a successful environment for everybody.”
A second event took place at Li’l Mazzara’s in Athens at 11 a.m. Li’l Mazzara’s is located on Washington Street.
To explore each of the ChurchStreet Family bars and restaurants, visit churchstreetfamily.com.
By: Sarah Zupko /
Photos courtesy of Jeff White, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber
Left to Right: Stephanie Mell, David Little - Huntsville City Councilman, Matt Mell
Huntsville Celebrates Local Excellence at 39th Annual Small Business Awards Gala
Local small businesses and members of the Huntsville business community were honored on the evening of September 12 at the 39th Annual Small Business Awards Gala. The event, hosted by the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, was held in the Von Braun Center’s Saturn Ballroom.
The glitzy evening began with a cocktail hour, which was followed by dinner and the presentation of awards.
Jeff Castle, Chief Meteorologist of WAAY-TV, and Valentina Iscaro, Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship at Alabama A&M University, served as the emcees for the event.
Chambers of Commerce from outside of the Huntsville area reviewed, scored, and judged nominees in
each category.
The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber celebrated individuals and businesses in a number of categories, including young professional, veteranowned, community impact, entrepreneurship, and more. As a testament to the size of Huntsville’s engineering and defense industry, three categories -- small, medium, and large -- were created to recognize success in the field.
H2L Solutions, Inc. won big on Thursday night. The company’s Vice President of Operations, Jacob Schreiber, took home the prize for Huntsville’s Young Professional of the Year. H2L Solutions, Inc. was recognized as the Professional and Technical Services Business of the Year.
Schreiber is a Huntsville native who comes from a family of small business owners and entrepreneurs.
“This award is more than just recognition; it’s a challenge to continue striving for excellence,” Schreiber told the Huntsville Business Journal. “I’m excited to see what the future holds and I’m grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact on our local community and our nation.
Thank you to my colleagues, clients, mentors, and, most importantly, my amazing family.”
The award for Veteran-Owned Business of the Year went to Victory Solutions, Inc.
Valentina’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar bested five other nominees in the category of Hospitality Services Business of the Year.
AcqCentric, Inc. was recognized as the Minority-Owned Business of the Year. Angela Howald, CEO of AcqCentric, accepted the award.
“I’ve heard people say how shocked they are when they win, now I know what that feels like. First I’d like to thank my husband, Chuck Howald, who supports me every day. I invited him up here and he said, ‘No, you go up there. You’re the boss.’ So I’m up here alone … like a boss,” Howald said to laughter.
Howald went on to say that Huntsville is a great place to do business.
The Community Impact Award was a new category this year, with five nominees vying for the honor. This distinction went to Rocket City Mom. Lindsey Barron, Chief Operation Offi-
By:
cer at Rocket City Mom, accepted the award.
“We are living our dream every single day by serving these communities, and I could not be more grateful for that opportunity,” said Barron. “Rocket City Mom has been a blessing for me and my family. My daughter is here tonight. She works every event with us. It is a family affair. It is not a job, it’s a lifestyle for us.”
The award for Retailer of the Year went to Sultry Company.
Audio and visual for the event was provided by Bluewood Productions. A full list of the winners may be found by visiting: https://hsvchamber. org/announcing-the-winners-of-the39th-annual-small-business-awards/.
Sarah Zupko / Photos courtesy of Jeff White, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber
Jacob Schreiber - Young Professional of the Year
Alice Lessman of Cepeda Systems
Nonprofit of the Year: Huntsville Botanical Garden
Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates
In a long-awaited move, the Federal Reserve announced that it has cut the federal funds rate by fifty basis points. The new federal funds rate, which acts as a benchmark for borrowing rates across the economy, is now reduced to 4.8%, the lowest rate since March of 2023. This is the first rate cut since March of 2020.
The Federal Reserve had maintained interest rates at a high level since July of 2023, in an effort to control inflation. This rate cut follows an August annual report showing inflation rising at a rate of 2.5%, which is slower than expected.
Experts predict that this will be the first of potentially several acts to lower interest rates over the last months of 2024 and into 2025.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell spoke at a press conference following the announcement of the rate cut.
“Our economy is strong overall and has made significant progress toward our goals over the past two
years,” Powell said. “This decision reflects our growing confidence that with an appropriate recalibration of our policy stance, strength in the labor market can be maintained in a context of moderate growth and inflation moving sustainably down to 2%.”
The fifty-point magnitude of the rate cut has taken the market by surprise. Mortgage lenders had previously begun factoring in a rate cut of twenty-five points into current mortgage
rates, which currently sit at a 6.15% average nationwide.
While the large-thanexpected cut to the federal funds rate can certainly affect mortgage rates going forward, it is not the sole determining factor in setting consumer mortgage rates. Notably, financial institutions may be reluctant to enact a sharp drop in mortgage rates, which could set off a boom in consumer homebuying and exacerbating the issue with housing availability.
“We do expect that if mortgage rates remain near these levels, it will support a stronger than typical fall housing market and suggest that next spring could see a real rebound in ac-
By: Marie Johnson
tivity,” says Mike Fratantoni, chief economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Here in the Huntsville/Madison County market, activity has maintained a healthy level. A report from the Huntsville Area Association of Realtors (HAAR), dated to the first week of September, shows lively indicators.
New listings of single family homes increased by 27.1%, while townhouse/ condo units saw a 126.3% increase in new listings.
Both single-family units and townhouse units saw increases in pending sales, by 22.2% and 66.7%, respectively.
More inventory continued to come online during the first week of September, with single-family units seeing an increase of 35.7%, and townhouse units seeing a large increase of 157.9%.
The Huntsville Business Journal will continue to report on developments in the real estate market, both nationally and here at home.
Rent Control Debate Heats Up: Why Economists Warn It Could Worsen Housing Crisis
By: Matt
It’s an election year, so there’s a lot of ideas and promises floating around to garner votes and win an election.
This election cycle includes the highly refuted idea of rent control. On one hand, if you’re a renter, rent (and the price of everything) is out of control.
Back before the Fed got involved with interest rate policies, it only took one income to provide for a family. Then, two income households became the norm. Now, two income households and a side hustle is often needed.
These are challenging times.
The challenge is that the “solution” makes the issue worse. Around 93% of economists say rent control is bad. How bad, you might ask?
Swedish Economist Assar Lindbeck said “rent control appears to be the most efficient technique presently known to destroy a city-except for bombing.”
Jason Furman, Obama’s top economic advisor has also come out against rent control.
The reason that economists are against rent control is that housing quality declines. Home conditions decline over time, and if a landlord can’t recoup the costs to make the home in a desired condition then the landlord won’t make the repairs.
It also reduces supply because investors invest to make money, not lose money. If they’re losing money, then they stop investing in that area.
Why do rents increase in the first place? Rents increase because of inflation (i.e. governments creating
additional money supply). This causes insurance, labor costs, and taxes to go up.
This is one of the ironies: the government raises the landlord’s tax bill and inflationary tax bill, but prohibits them from recouping their costs through rent controls.
So what should we do? We need to focus on policies that create supply. Econ 101 taught us all that we have a supply vs. demand imbalance. We also need to stay within our budget and stop printing money.
That stance doesn’t help get politicians elected because people want “free stuff.” The challenge is this “free stuff” makes everything else cost more in the future, and it’s making it more challenging for renters to purchase their first home and build true wealth through homeownership.
Matt Curtis of Matt Curtis Real Estate
Curtis / Photos courtesy of Matt Curtis
How the Surest Health Plan Helped Improve Access to Care and Lowered Costs
Encouraging a healthier workforce has long been a priority for employers aiming to attract and retain top talent and spur productivity.
To help achieve these goals, many employers are opting for a more modern approach to health benefits such as the UnitedHealthcare Surest health plan, which is designed to help improve access to care with the goal of reducing health care expenses.
Surest represents the next evolution in value-based health benefits that aim to deliver a better experience. The upshot of the Surest model is improved access to care, more satisfied consumers, and lower total costs, which is important as many employers and employees grapple with issues such as inflation and navigating an often-complex health care system.
We are often creatures of habit when making health care benefit decisions. As a result, some employees may feel inertia and stick with a traditional plan. If your organization offers the Surest health plan, or if you are considering such a change, your employees may have questions.
Here’s a look at how Surest is different from traditional health plans and how this approach may help meet the care needs of employees and bolster your company’s bottom line.
Surest helps remove financial barriers to care
Because 38% of Americans avoid or delay health care due to costs, making medical services more affordable is imperative to help improve access and promote a more equitable system. Research has shown many consumers struggle to fully understand traditional health plans, including concepts such as deductibles and coinsurance.
By contrast, Surest eliminates deductibles and coinsurance and provides upfront cost and coverage information through an intuitive mobile app. Rather than having to chip away at a deductible before coverage kicks in, people enrolled in Surest can use their benefits right away, including for low-or-no-cost virtual options.
Due to this approach, some employees may be reluctant to switch plans because they have a health savings account (HSA), which must be paired with a high-deductible plan. With Surest, employees keep their HSA savings
and can continue to spend those dollars on qualified health care expenses. The Surest health plan can be paired with a flexible spending account (FSA).
Surest helps make comparison shopping for care simpler
Costs for the same health care services can vary within the same city. In the past, it was difficult for people to access cost information for health care services, limiting the ability for many consumers to comparison shop for medical services.
Surest empowers consumers with the cost and coverage information they need to inform their choices. Surest uses variable copays, which means the copay may vary depending on the care provider and facility selected, with higher-value options generally assigned a lower copay.
For instance, when Surest members use the app or website to search for a service such as back surgery, they can know their actual cost in the form of a co-pay before they schedule the procedure. The member’s copay may be lower – in some cases by thousands of dollars – if they select a particular care provider and facility. Providers are evaluated based on effectiveness, safety and cost efficiency.
Surest is designed to make it simpler, clearer, and easier for members to comparison shop for care, and more than 90% of the time Surest members select care providers and facilities that have been evaluated for quality and value1.
Surest does this without limiting members’ options in terms of network care providers and without adding additional referral requirements. Importantly, Surest uses the broad, national UnitedHealthcare and Optum Behavioral Health networks of doctors, hospitals, and clinics.
Surest improves access to preventive care
A study showed the Surest plan is making it easier for consumers to access preventive care, which may help identify potential health concerns earlier and
may contribute to better health outcomes and improved quality of life.
By: Bryan Palmer
For employees in a traditional high-deductible commercial plan, a UnitedHealthcare survey found that 42% of consumers chose to skip or delay care whenever they could, primarily because of concerns related to the deductible.2
Surest members had a 20% increase in physician visits3 and a 9% increase in preventive physical exams compared to people enrolled in high-deductible plans. That included a 15% increase in preventive mammograms and a 34% increase in preventive colonoscopies.
Surest helps lower total cost of care for employers and employees
With medical care ranking as the second largest expense for employers behind salaries, it is vital companies maximize the value of their health benefits. At the same time, employers want to avoid shifting care costs to employees, such as through higher paycheck deductions.
Some employers are achieving that outcome through the Surest plan. Due to its user-friendly digital experience, the Surest plan can drive impressive savings for employers and employees. In fact, Surest members had 54% lower out-of-pocket costs.4
A leading global professional services firm recently released a study showing the Surest health plan delivered more affordable and equitable care.
The study found the Surest health plan’s a copay-driven model that allows members to see the full cost of care before they seek care led to lower claim costs exceeding $400 per member per year. Plus, improved spend and utilization were observed in all age groups, over multiple years and across various conditions.5
This third-party research showed a reduction in the total cost of care with the Surest health plan, sustained over
time, across demographics, conditions, and comorbidities.
Surest enhances member satisfaction
For employees enrolled in Surest, the Net Promoter Score® – a key measure of consumer satisfaction – was significantly higher than industry benchmarks. Nine out of 10 Surest members re-enroll in the health plan year-over-year.6
Surest offers a compelling, proven approach to health benefits, helping empower consumers and simplify the health system. UnitedHealthcare is working to apply these lessons more broadly to make the health system work better for everyone and help our members live healthier lives.
For more information, please visit www.surest.com.
Bryan Palmer, Chief Executive Officer, Employer & Individual Health Plans of Georgia and Alabama for UnitedHealthcare, has been with the organization for 20 years, starting in 2002 as an account manager for Key Accounts in South Florida. He held a variety of Small Business and Key Accounts sales and account management leadership roles until 2016, when he assumed the role of regional growth officer for the Southeast region. Palmer’s extensive experience in sales and account management, coupled with his regional growth experience, enables the Georgia and Alabama Health Plan to maximize its growth potential. He is a mission-driven leader and excellent people manager, as exemplified by the strong relationships he’s developed both inside and outside UnitedHealthcare.
This is a paid editorial in partnership with UnitedHealthcare and Trevelino/ Keller. For more information on how to advertise, please email editor@huntsvillebusinessjournal.com.
Huntsville Secures $21.6M Federal Grant for Local Roadway Upgrades
Huntsville is set to make major safety improvements along a 3.25-mile stretch of Holmes Avenue, thanks to a $21.6 million federal grant.
The upgrades will enhance safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers, particularly between downtown and the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH).
This project is a key part of the city’s larger effort to build a multimodal transportation network in the busy corridor, which currently lacks crucial safety features. The improvements also support Huntsville’s Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate roadway fatalities and serious injuries by 2055.
Planned upgrades include the addition of designated bike lanes or multi-use paths, new crosswalks, continuous ADA-compliant sidewalks, and safety striping for roads.
The project will also involve improving traffic signalization at intersections and railroad crossings, upgrading pedestrian lighting, and installing new, accessible bus stops with shelters.
“This project will make our UAH corridor safer for everyone, no matter how they travel,” said Mayor Tommy Battle. “This significant investment highlights Huntsville’s dedication to improving urban mobility and safety, and it sets the stage for future infrastructure projects in the area. We are grateful to our federal partners for recognizing the importance of this transformative initiative.”
CFD Research Corporation Expands Operations in Cummings Research Park
Huntsville’s own CFD Research Corporation (CFD) has recently expanded its footprint within Cummings Research Park (CRP).
The company’s new facility, located on Discovery Drive, is just a short two-minute walk from CFD’s primary headquarters on Moquin Drive. This expansion adds nearly 22,000 square feet of office space, with 40 new offices and additional room for future growth.
Focused on employee engagement, CFD hosted a naming contest for the new site, resulting in the designation “Discovery Center,” reflecting its loca-
tion. The added space is housed in the former Davidson Technologies building and offers increased flexibility for the growing company.
Sameer Singhal, CFD’s President and CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for the expansion.
“We are pleased to expand in Cummings Research Park, gaining the space and flexibility we need near our headquarters,” he said.
Singhal attributed the company’s growth to the hard work and dedication of CFD’s employee-owners, adding that this effort also earned the company a place on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies for the fourth consecutive year.
“This expansion enhances our ability to serve our industry partners and reinforces our commitment to our local community,” Singhal added, highlighting the company’s role in supporting Huntsville’s thriving innovation ecosystem.
CFD’s headquarters and the newly named Discovery Center are both situated in Cummings Research Park, a global leader in research and development.
The park continues to be a vital driver of economic growth for Huntsville, attracting leading companies, creating jobs, and boosting the local economy.
Erin Koshut, Executive Director of Cummings Research Park, expressed her excitement about CFD’s expansion.
“We are thrilled to see the continued growth of CFD Research and are excited that Sameer and his team chose to expand within CRP,” she said. “Supporting our Park companies, especially homegrown small businesses like CFD, is central to what we do at Research Park.”
CFD Research Corporation is known for its expertise in engineering simulations, advanced prototypes, and innovative designs, serving a range of industries including aerospace, defense, life sciences, materials, and energy.
The company’s work combines software and experimental capabilities to develop new hardware concepts and solutions for its clients, helping to reduce risk, lower costs, and accelerate timelines.
The newly opened CFD Discovery Center is located at 530 Discovery Drive, Suite 201W, while the company’s headquarters remains at 6820 Moquin Drive NW in Huntsville.
For more information about CFD Research, visit their website at www. cfd-research.com or their LinkedIn page at linkedin.com/company/cfdresearchcorp.
Huntsville Hospital Opens New Pediatric Cardiology Clinic
Huntsville Hospital Heart Center Pediatric Cardiology will open its doors to patients on Friday, September 6.
The offices of the new practice are located in Suite 101 of the Huntsville Hospital Professional Tower, located at 420 Lowell Drive.
An open house and ribbon cutting for the pediatric cardiology clinic was held on September 4. Mayor Tommy Battle, hospital administrators, community physicians, and local residents were in attendance.
The heart clinic will be staffed by Drs. Daniel Caicedo and Kanya Singhapakdi, board-certified pediatricians with fellowship training in pediatric cardiology.
Drs. Caicedo and Singhapakdi will treat children — from birth to 18 years old — with chronic or acute heart conditions.
Morgan Dennis, vice president of Huntsville Hospital’s Heart Center and Cardiovascular Service Line, was on hand to formally open the new practice and introduce the two physicians to the Huntsville community.
“Over the years, North Alabama has been accustomed to receiving excellent cardiac care from the Huntsville Hospital Heart Center,” said Dennis. “Today, our team includes 55 physicians — including cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, and cardiovascular anesthesiologists, as well as nurse practitioners, physicians assistants, nurses, and other professionals.”
Dennis explained that Huntsville Hospital is the primary “provider of cardiac services between Birmingham and Nashville.”
Dennis told the Huntsville Business Journal that he anticipates that roughly 30 patients will be seen daily in the clinic. Physicians will also treat
pediatric patients in the main portion of the hospital.
“Twenty percent of Alabamians are under the age of 18,” said Dennis. “That equates to about 300,000 children in the Tennessee Valley alone. That’s a lot of hearts that need care.”
Dr. Caicedo joins the pediatric cardiology practice from The University of Mississippi Medical Center, where he recently completed his pediatric cardiology fellowship. Prior to his time in Mississippi, he completed a residency in pediatrics at Harlem Hospital at Columbia University. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Dr. Caicedo is originally from Ecuador.
Dr. Singhapakdi completed her pediatric cardiology fellowship at Louisiana State University and her residency at the University of South Alabama. Dr. Singhapakdi is originally from the Atlanta area; she earned degrees from Emory University in neuroscience and behavioral biology.
“We are overwhelmed by how welcoming everyone has been,” said Dr. Singhapakdi. “Everyone’s been so kind and encouraging. It’s scary, sometimes, starting something new but we’ve both been trained in the South for so long, and we’re just excited to keep serving the community that we grew up around and trained around. We’re grateful for this opportunity.”
After the ribbon was cut, visitors had the opportunity to tour the offices of the new pediatric cardiology practice.
Asteroid, a golden retriever who is a member of Huntsville Hospital’s Canines for Coping program, was in attendance at the open house. Asteroid was accompanied by her handler, Certified Child Life Specialist Stefani Williams.
“We have two dogs that work at Women and Children and they cover all of our pediatric units as well as our antepartum unit, which is where pregnant women are on bed rest,” Williams told the Business Journal.
Pediatric cardiology patients may visit with those two service dogs when they are receiving care at the hospital. Asteroid is unique because she exclusively serves Huntsville Hospital staff. Williams anticipates that she and Asteroid will return to the cardiology clinic to provide companionship and emotional support to clinic employees.
The Pediatric Cardiology is now taking referrals.
Follow Asteroid’s adventures on Instagram @HH_CaninesforCoping.
HudsonAlpha Scientists
Awarded 5-Year, $2.9 Million NIH Research Grant
HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology is advancing research to create peanuts resistant to aflatoxins, harmful toxins that threaten crops.
Faculty Investigator Josh Clevenger, PhD, leads the project in collaboration with Peggy Ozias-Akins, PhD, from the University of Georgia, with support from Mars Wrigley.
Aflatoxins, produced by Aspergillus fungi in hot, humid environments, pose serious health risks and cause economic losses for farmers when crops become contaminated. To address this, Clevenger’s team is using biotechnology to study antioxidant pathways in plants, such as
walnuts and buckwheat, to enhance peanuts’ resistance to these toxins.
“Peanuts are a critical ingredient in our portfolio for some of our biggest global brands, including M&M’S and SNICKERS. As one of the top five buyers of edible peanuts in the world, we believe it is our duty to address some of these major challenges in the food supply chain, including aflatoxin, to pave the way for safe and healthy consumption for all,” said Peggy Tsatsos, Principal Scientist at Mars.
Postdoctoral fellow Sueme Ueno, PhD, will lead efforts to genetically modify peanut varieties, enhancing their protective traits against aflatoxins. The team also aims to improve drought tolerance, which can contribute to increased aflatoxin production. Once developed, these safer peanut varieties could significantly benefit farmers, particularly in regions where aflatoxin contamination is common.
“I am most excited to be a part of this project because of its wide-ranging impact,” says Ueno. “Our goal is to deliver safer food across the globe. Many countries in Africa and South America
Adams: ServisFirst Bank Huntsville Announces New Vice President
ServisFirst Bank, a subsidiary of ServisFirst Bancshares (NYSE:SFBS), has announced the promotion of Mae Adams to Vice President, Private Banking Officer for the ServisFirst Bank Huntsville region.
“Mae’s dedication and expertise in private banking have been instrumental in delivering exceptional results for our clients. Her leadership and commitment to personalized service will continue to strengthen our presence in the Huntsville community,” said Andy Kattos, Regional CEO of ServisFirst Bank Huntsville. “This promotion is well-deserved, and we’re excited to see her excel in this new role.”
Mae Adams has been promoted to the position of Vice President, Private Banking Officer for ServisFirst Bank Huntsville.
With over eight years of experience at ServisFirst Bank, she has held various positions, including Private Banking Loan Assistant, Private Banking Officer, and Assistant Vice President.
In her new role, Adams will continue to serve the financial needs of new and existing clients, focusing on both loans and deposits in Private Banking. Known for her relationship-centric approach, she is committed to helping clients achieve their financial goals with outstanding service and attention to detail.
In addition to her professional work, Adams is actively involved in the community, volunteering with the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library Board, the Professional Advisors Committee and Connections Group of HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, and the Huntsville Hospital Development Council. She is also a graduate of Leadership Greater Huntsville Connect Class 25.
For more about ServisFirst Bank, please visit www.servisfirstbank.com.
do not have access to technology to take care of peanuts after harvest, which is when a lot of aflatoxin contamination occurs. Having a reliable source of genetic resistance will be a game changer for them, giving them the peace of mind that their crop is safe from aflatoxin.”
In addition to tackling aflatoxin by ramping up antioxidants in peanut tissues, Clevenger and his team also hope to mitigate aflatoxin by addressing an often-linked issue: drought.
Aspergillus fungi produce aflatoxins when conditions are hot and dry. During times of drought, peanuts become stressed, leading to exacerbated aflatoxin production. Increasing drought tolerance in peanuts could mitigate aflatoxin production and contamination.
With support from Mars Wrigley, Clevenger and his team are using genomics and computational tools to identify genetic markers that confer drought tolerance during late growing season stress.
Huntsville Based PDW Wins Contract to Supply Drones to US Army
PDW has been awarded a contract to provide its flagship C100 Group 2 small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) to support the U.S. Army’s CompanyLevel sUAS Directed Requirement.
The C100, a highly portable vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone, will be deployed across Army units to bolster fire and maneuver capabilities in contested and near-peer environments.
The C100 drone addresses the Army’s medium-range reconnaissance (MRR) need, offering a modular and versatile solution that can be carried by soldiers and adapted for various mission types.
These include reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, communications relay, and both kinetic and non-kinetic payload delivery. The system’s extended endurance and payload
Bank Independent Employee Graduates from Campus to Career Program
Victor Alves, a banker at Bank Independent, officially graduated from the year-long Campus to Career (C2C) professional development program on July 26th and has now stepped into his new role as a credit analyst within the bank’s credit administration department.
Alves initially joined the 2023/2024 C2C program as an internal candidate, having already worked as a part-time teller at Bank Independent’s Cox Creek sales office. He is a recent graduate of the University of North Alabama (UNA), where he earned a Master of Science degree in 2022 and a Bachelor of Science degree in 2020.
The Campus to Career (C2C) program is designed to recruit and retain top college-educated talent by offering unique coaching and career development opportunities that align with individual long-term goals while supporting the bank’s strategic objectives.
The 12-month C2C program immerses participants in all areas of the bank’s operations, regardless of their educational background or degree path. As they progress through the program, C2C Bankers focus on 2-3 specific areas, honing their skills, developing relational competencies, and deepening their passion for their chosen roles.
Upon completing the program, participants are prepared to interview for mid-level career positions that align with their interests and the bank’s long-term strategic needs.
BRIEFCASE
capacity provide a critical advantage for dismounted, mounted, or airborne units operating in rugged and hostile areas.
“This award is a testament to our team’s dedication and innovation,” said PDW CEO and Co-founder Ryan Gury. “The battlefield is changing with the emergence of quadcopters, and the C100 is leading this shift with its agility, precision, and ability to enhance decentralized capabilities. We are proud to be selected for the Army’s sUAS Direct Requirement and look forward to delivering these game-changing technologies.”
Weighing just 21 pounds and small enough to be carried in a rucksack, the C100 enables units to independently launch air support, conduct precision strikes, and gather vital intelligence, eliminating the need for external fire support or manned aircraft.
PDW continues to be a leader in defense innovation, developing advanced technologies such as tactical, jam-resistant radios in partnership with SOCOM and combat simulation software. Their mission is to equip warfighters with tools to succeed in high-pressure environments.
PDW’s Chairman of the Board, retired General Tony Thomas, emphasized the importance of their work.
“PDW is delivering decisive capabilities that empower warfighters, giving them the edge needed to thrive in the most demanding conditions.”
“As the role of small robotics in warfare expands, we are proud to be part of the next era of defense innovation,” added Gury.
Huntsville Tops List of Emerging North American Tech Markets
Huntsville has been ranked #1 on CBRE’s list of up-and-coming tech-talent markets in its annual Scoring Tech Talent report, which evaluates 75 U.S. and Canadian cities on their ability to attract and grow tech talent.
Huntsville’s had a 17.9% growth in tech employment over the past five years and a 19.6% increase in tech wages.
With a total tech workforce of 25,910, Huntsville leads the report’s “next 25” emerging markets, outpacing cities like Omaha, NE, and Albany, NY. Huntsville also boasts one of the highest average tech wages in the group at
$114,085, ranking fourth behind Stamford, CT, Trenton, NJ, and Colorado Springs, CO.
This wage growth includes software developer salaries, which have risen by 9.7% since 2018, now averaging $113,774.
The Scoring Tech Talent report highlights key factors driving Huntsville’s success, including its thriving engineering and aerospace industries, fueled by Redstone Arsenal and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. As a major hub for defense and aerospace, the city has become a magnet for highly skilled tech professionals, positioning itself as a leader in innovation and technology development.
Huntsville’s educational infrastructure has also played a critical role in its tech boom.
The city generated 988 tech talent degree graduates in 2022, feeding a steady pipeline of new talent into the local workforce. Institutions like the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) and Alabama A&M University are key contributors to the region’s tech ecosystem, offering advanced degrees in STEM fields that align with the needs of Huntsville’s growing industries.
The report also reflects national trends in the tech labor market.
While tech job growth slowed nationally in 2023 compared to the previous year, with a 3.6% increase versus 7.3% in 2022, non-tech industries are increasingly hiring tech professionals. Companies in sectors such as professional services, transportation, and warehousing have outpaced traditional tech companies in tech hiring, opening new opportunities for tech talent across diverse industries.
“Increased demand for specialized skill sets in artificial intelligence (AI) has fueled tech talent job growth across all sectors. We anticipate more tech hiring to take place this year and into 2025 as companies further develop and adopt this technology,” said Colin Yasukochi, executive director of CBRE’s Tech Insights Center.
Huntsville’s tech sector is expected to continue its upward trajectory, bolstered by both public and private investments in technology and innovation. With its growing reputation as a tech-talent hotspot, the city is increasingly being recognized as a destination for tech professionals seeking high-quality jobs, affordable living, and a strong community.
