Legacy of the 1989 Tornado: The Birth of Baron Weather and Its Impact on Huntsville
On a Wednesday afternoon in 1989, I was shoe shopping after school with my mom and two older siblings. As we left the shop in Haysland Square, the sky was green and the clouds were churning. By Sarah Zupko - Page 6
ENTERTAINMENT
New Music Festival Highlights Growth in Emerging Industry During Huntsville’s Music Month
You don’t need to leave Huntsville to experience great music from talented musicians. Huntsville’s growing popularity as a music-friendly city has attracted a number of talented music artists from all genres. By Heather Alfonso - Page 8
ADDITIONAL STORIES
• Huntsville’s Randolph School Celebrates Groundbreaking for Multifaceted Leo Center for Excellence By Noah Logan • Page 2
• Market Primed as Interest Rates Begin to Drop By Marie Johnson • Page 18
• Huntsville’s PARC Project Advances with Key Engineering Contracts By Gus Wintzell • Page 20
Huntsville’s Randolph School Celebrates Groundbreaking for Multifaceted Leo Center for Excellence
In August, Huntsville’s Randolph School celebrated a significant milestone for the school’s history.
More than 50 donors, alumni and school officials all gathered in the school’s Thurber Arts Center to celebrate the official groundbreaking ceremony for The Leo Center for Excellence.
The Leo Center will be multifaceted in its utility.
Featuring a new gathering space for the community, new gymnasium and athletic center, special STEM classrooms and a new Innovation Lab, the Leo Center is the first phase of the school’s ongoing Building Community Campaign started after acquiring 26 new acres of buildable land to reunite the two Randolph campuses.
The upcoming facility shares a namesake with its primary donors, Karl and Fay Leo of Huntsville’s Leo Law Firm.
In His opening remarks, Randolph’s Board Chairman Amit Arora explained how The Leo Center aligns with the first priority of the school’s Building Community Campaign.
“The first strategic priority, strengthening our community, is to foster a united and inclusive community, a place where our different perspectives and backgrounds are celebrated and encouraged,”Arora stated. “The Leo Center for Excellence embodies this goal, serving as a hub for collaboration, innovation and connec-
tion. It will be a place where students, faculty and families come together to share ideas, celebrate achievements and build long, lasting relationships eventually, as we continue to rebuild the lower and middle schools on our new land, having all four of our divisions on
one campus will only strengthen our community.”
Randolph’s Head of School Adam Dubé also elaborated on the importance of the new facility along with the Building Community Campaign in general.
By: Noah Logan / Photos by Noah Logan
“Today, we celebrate the beginning of the latest chapter of excellence at Randolph. The Leo Center for Excellence will create new opportunities for students to excel in athletics and academics by providing this space and the resources to offer new and exciting programs,” Dubé stated.
Randolph School has expanded its Garth Road campus by acquiring an additional 26 acres of land, bringing the total to 77 acres.
This strategic expansion aligns with the school’s goal of providing a comprehensive college preparatory education in a unified and supportive environment. The new land acquisition will help reunite the school’s two campuses, fostering a stronger sense of community.
This development is part of Randolph’s long-term vision and is made possible by the generous contributions of the Jones, Lowe, and Blue families.
The school invites the broader community to join in this transformative journey.
“Building community at Randolph goes beyond simply bringing students together in one place. It means fostering an environment where every student feels connected, valued and empowered to contribute to a legacy of excellence that shapes a better world.”
More information about The Leo Center and the Building Community Campaign can be found via the school’s website. w
Head of Randolph School, Adam Dubé
A Conversation with Victor Burris of Allied Digital Printing
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.
Allied Photocopy, now known as Allied Digital Printing, was founded in 1970 by the late Jim Burris. Jim’s son Victor Burris recalls traveling across Alabama with his father, helping to sell machines and supplies. As printing technology improved, the business shifted focus to providing copying services.
Today, Victor Burris and his sister, Natalie Burris Tate, co-own the family business. Under their leadership, Allied Digital Printing has adapted to changing times in an industry that continues to be transformed by technological advancements.
In a recent conversation with the Huntsville Business Journal, Victor Burris discussed the challenges of staying relevant in a field that continues to evolve.
How has the business changed over the years?
We watch trends to see where it is going and listen to our customers. We’ve got two brand new big color presses that we put in this past year. But the biggest growth is in our sign shop. We have a full sign shop, from banners to signs to magnets, and that grew into a whole other building for car wraps.
What do you enjoy most about being a business owner?
Being hands-on. Dad was the same way. I don’t ask my employees to do anything I wouldn’t do. I get out and I make all of our deliveries.
I’m not going to sit behind my desk and count money or sit there and keep my feet up.
What are some obstacles that you’ve encountered in business and how did you overcome those?
The fire in October 2017 was massive. I would never want to go through that again. We lost everything but within three days we had phone lines running into (temporary facilities) and we had employees out back. It was a testament to my employees because they were having to go above and beyond. It was a nightmare, but it really taught us a lot about ourselves.
What advice would you give to someone starting their own business?
You’ve got to be hands-on. You’ve got to be involved from the
By: Heather Price /
get-go. Don’t ask your employees to do anything that you wouldn’t do. I feel like if they see me out there doing all this folding, or they see me out making deliveries, I’m sweating to death out there loading the van up, I think that says a lot. w
Photo by Heather Price
Dear Readers,
This issue of the Huntsville Business Journal is very special to me. September 01 marks three years since I joined the team, and what a three years it has been. To be honest, it has been an overwhelming experience. There is quite a bit of responsibility when it comes to running a journal, and there was a lot that I did not know when I started.
In fact, there still is a lot that I need to learn.
The fact is that I would not be here and I would not have succeeded if it were not for our readers and for the team over here at HBJ. I want to also shout out Lori Boatfield of EVENT Magazine (again) for all the guidance and support she has given me. We have experienced some awesome growth during my time with the launch of several projects and editions, and we have had great success online with our readership, even to the point where our news has been read nationally and featured on some awesome podcasts lately. I even learned recently that one of our articles, written by Sarah Zupko, has been featured on Harvard’s Kennedy School website.
As we continue to grow during my time at HBJ, we will continue to connect to our community in new ways and to bring inspiring and informative content to our readership. To mark this special month, we are excited to announce that we are beginning the nomination process for the Best of Huntsville campaign. In partnership with our sister publication, EVENT Magazine, last year’s Best of Huntsville was a major hit and an extremely competitive award. We fully expect the same for this upcoming year.
This issue also welcomes a wide variety of news brought to our readers. We cover everything from Entertainment, Politics, and even Real Estate.
You will find a story highlighting the Music Industry in Huntsville, just in time for Huntsville’s Music Month and the launch of South Star Music Festival in late September. Make sure to check out Heather Alfonso’s story on HSV’s Music Month this month. Her story highlights some cool events happening weekly throughout the city. Maybe we will catch you at a few shows!
The issue also includes a few stories on Real Estate that I wanted to
highlight. Mortgages and loans have been a constant worry for many homebuyers, but for the first time in years it looks like interest rates are dropping somewhat, prompting a boost in loans for many first time homebuyers. Matt Curtis rounds out our Real Estate section with a solid story. Make sure to check out our October issue. I am really looking forward to the next topic he has for our readers.
As per usual, we also have a ton of Community Development and Small Business in this issue. Our Small Business Spotlight features what I would consider to be a hidden gem. I won’t give anything away, but if you have free time and an empty stomach this week, make sure to thank me later when you visit Kar’s Char at Lowe Mill.
Finally, we round off the issue with our cover story on the Washington Update from Congressman Dale Strong. Regardless of the fact that the Huntsville Municipal Elections for Districts 1 and 5 have come to a close respectively, there is much more on the horizon when it comes to the upcoming Presidential Election. As I mentioned in the last issue, we believe in keeping our local and national readers informed and inspired, especially when it comes to voting during election time. We hope that the cover issue will shed some light on the economic developments that are coming to HSV via Washington, and to keep our votes informed of the projects, opinions, and ideas of our elected officials.
I want to end this letter by saying thank you again for an amazing three years.
Best,
Gus Wintzell, Editor
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 Carl Holden
Graphic Design ………………………………………………
Justina Simon
Amy Pearson
Website Jim Gharib
Photographers
Director of Sales
Steve Babin
Justina Simon
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
Legacy of the 1989 Tornado: The Birth of Baron Weather and Its Impact on Huntsville
On a Wednesday afternoon in 1989, I was shoe shopping after school with my mom and two older siblings. As we left the shop in Haysland Square, the sky was green and the clouds were churning. No tornado sirens were sounding, but my mom — who was also raised in Huntsville — knew immediately that it was time to hurry home.
The tornado sirens went off just as we pulled into our driveway in Box Canyon, in southeast Huntsville.
At 4:37 p.m., an F4 tornado touched down and waged a path of destruction along the length of Airport Road, and into Jones Valley.
My dad was driving home from work along Garth, near Jones Valley Elementary, when a van stopped abruptly in front of him. A native Californian, he was unused to storms that you couldn’t simply drive through. The wind shattered the windows of my dad’s Toyota Corolla and he pointed his car towards Barcody, where he stayed at my grandmother’s house for the night.
While my dad made it home safely the next morning; too many Huntsvillians were not so fortunate. When the skies cleared, 21 had died, 463 were injured, and $100 million in damage had been done.
If you lived in Huntsville on November 15, 1989 you have your own memories from that day.
Bob Baron, a local meteorologist and weatherman, looked at the devastation of that infamous day and knew that there had to be a better way
to warn people when life-threatening storms are on their way.
Three months later, in February 1990, Baron incorporated Baron Services — which is known today as Baron Weather.
Originally started at his dining room table, Baron Weather now serves 50,000 customers with over
100 products.
Baron spoke to the Huntsville Rotary Club on July 30. He was introduced by Michael Kirkpatrick, President of DESE Research.
“If you use the metric of worldwide market share, Baron Weather would be Huntsville’s most successful entrepreneurial company,” said
Kirkpatrick.
By: Sarah Zupko /
by Sarah Zupko
In his made-for-radio voice, Baron spoke to the gathered Rotarians about the epiphany he had on November 15, 1989.
“Without warning – any warning at all – we knew we had a tornado on the ground but we didn’t know how big it was, the location, the direction, the speed. What we thought were weather tools ended up being just weather gadgets,” said Baron.
The goal of Baron’s new company was to save lives by detecting severe weather earlier and broadcasting warnings to those in danger.
“In the area of response, the focus has always been to alert only those in harm’s way and alert only when they are in harm’s way,” said Baron. “If you can cut down on false alarms, the public will pay more attention to the things that do actually apply to them.”
Baron Weather has updated its means of information dissemination to match the times; going from pager alerts to mobile apps.
Baron said that when the super outbreak of F4 and F5 tornadoes occurred in Alabama in April 2011, he marveled at how far the technology had advanced since 1989. Baron said there was not a single storm on that April day that local residents had not been warned of. Still, communication was an issue as Alabamians lost power.
As a response to the 2011 tornadoes, Baron Weather donated its SAF-T-Net® app to the State of Alabama.
In 2019, Baron created the Baron
Photos
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Critical Weather Institute to address weather-related challenges across the state.
“Imagine a time when farmers would know exactly where and when temperatures were falling below freezing or a sensor network that could identify hazardous road changes within seconds. What about the ability to monitor every inch of the sky over the state for the smallest, F0 tornado?,” stated Baron.
Each of these scenarios is possible using the technology advanced by the Baron Critical Weather Institute.
The three-fold mission of the Institute is “to provide world-class instrumentation in support of Public Safety, Educational Outreach, and Economic Development.”
Baron Critical Weather Institute has installed a high-tech weather camera in each county in Alabama, in order to begin to create a robust system of information sharing across the state.
The next step is increasing the density of this network. In Huntsville, the County Commission and Huntsville Utilities have partnered with the
Institute to bring a dozen cameras to keep their “eyes” on the skies over Madison County.
Baron estimates that there are currently 90 to 95 cameras across the state that provide data to the Critical Weather Institute. This data is used to provide minute-by-minute updates to the Institute’s interactive maps.
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center has given the Baron Critical Weather Institute roughly 2,300 square feet of space to develop a permanent exhibit entitled “How We Know the Weather.”
Baron, who enjoyed speaking to school audiences throughout his career, sees this exhibit as a continuation of his commitment to educate the next generation about the weather.
The highly interactive exhibit is expected to open on October 1. The exhibit will reach the U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s more than 650,000 annual visitors.
The Alabama SAF-T-Net® app is available in the App Store and on Google Play.
The 35 year anniversary of the 1989 tornado will occur this fall, on November 15, 2024. w
New Music Festival Highlights Growth in Emerging Industry During Huntsville’s Music Month
You don’t need to leave Huntsville to experience great music from talented musicians.
Huntsville’s growing popularity as a music-friendly city has attracted a number of talented music artists from all genres.
In the early 20th century, Huntsville’s music scene was heavily influenced by the African American community, particularly through gospel and blues.
Churches became the heart of musical expression, with gospel music serving as a spiritual and cultural cornerstone. Meanwhile, blues artists began to emerge, drawing from the struggles and triumphs of life in the South.
Local juke joints and gatherings provided a space for these musicians to share their talents, influencing future generations of artists.
The 1940s and 1950s saw Huntsville embracing the big band era and the rise of jazz.
The city’s transformation into a hub for military and aerospace industries brought people from all over the country, along with their musical tastes. Jazz clubs began to spring up, and Huntsville became a stop for touring musicians.
The influence of swing and jazz permeated the city, with local musicians experimenting with these new sounds.
As Huntsville became known as
“Rocket City” in the 1960s, thanks to the burgeoning space program, a new wave of music emerged—rock and roll.
The city’s youth, inspired by the likes of Elvis Presley who would later visit the Von Braun Center in the 1970s, began to form garage bands and experiment with the electric sounds that defined the era.
Venues like The Tip Top Club and The Skyliner became popular spots for live performances, and Huntsville’s music scene started to gain regional recognition.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Huntsville’s music scene expanded to include a strong country and Southern rock influence.
The city became a hub for coun-
try music enthusiasts, with local bars and clubs featuring live performances from both up-and-coming and established artists. Southern rock bands, blending the sounds of blues, rock, and country, found a dedicated audience in Huntsville.
By:
The city’s connection to Muscle Shoals, the legendary recording hub just an hour away, further solidified its place in the music world.
Today, Huntsville’s music scene is a melting pot of genres, reflecting the city’s diverse population and innovative spirit.
Venues like the Von Braun Center and Mars Music Hall attract national acts, while local bars and breweries support the city’s growing indie music scene.
On September 1, 2022, Mayor Tommy Battle declared September Huntsville Music Month.
The city established the Huntsville Music Board, created the Huntsville Music Office, and hired a full-time Mu-
Heather Alfonso /
Photos courtesy of Von Braun Center / City of Huntsville
ENTERTAINMENT
sic Officer, Matt Mandrella.
The Music Office spearheaded a unique initiative to promote Huntsville’s growth as a music hub by creating the Music Ambassador Program, which mobilizes touring musicians as brand ambassadors.
Currently, the city and Music Office are partnering to assess the possibility of using space at the Shurney Legacy Center to house a music technology program for teens and young adults.
Music Month is intended to showcase the range of local musical talent, promote musical tourism, enhance the city’s creative economy, and provide career development for aspiring musicians.
The VBC 5k Music Run and Jazz in the Park are two big events to return to Music Month this September. Huntsville will also host its inaugural South Star Music Festival.
The Music Run takes place on August 31 and is part of the Von Braun Center’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.
Jazz in the Park is a free festival held every Sunday in September at Big Spring Park. Jazz artists from around the U.S. come together for this popular
event. This September’s lineup can be found here.
The South Star Music Festival features a superstar lineup including Gwen Stefani, Blink-182, Beck, Shinedown, Jane’s Addiction, Goo-Goo Dolls, and Ludacris.
The festival will be held September 28 and 29 at John Hunt Park.
Music Month is full of special music events and promotions, but Huntsville’s vibrant community of musical artists is busy bringing their art to the public year-round.
Check out the Huntsville Music Office’s Music Calendar for opportunities to listen to live music in the area.
The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library hosts Blast Music, a free streaming service featuring North Alabama musicians. The service is a great way to follow your favorite local artists and discover new ones.
You can support local musicians by attending performances, buying their music, and shopping at locally-owned music supply stores.
The Music Office encourages event and performance attendees to use #hsvmusicmonth when posting event photos on social media. w
Mayor Battle Tours Planned Expansion Space for Community Music Technology Center
On Thursday August 15, Mayor Tommy Battle and several other city officials toured the Dr. Robert Shurney Legacy Center in anticipation for its upcoming makeover set to happen within the next two years.
The announcement comes just in time for Music Month here in HSV.
Huntsville city leaders are officially in the planning stage of an upcoming expansion at the North Huntsville Library. The revitalization focuses on the facility’s vacant second floor.
According to city officials, the plan will expand the vacant space in an effort to introduce teens and young adults to the technology of music and for workforce development programs within the creative sector.
The project will build on popular music programs already offered at the library and give young people an opportunity to begin learning various music production related technologies.
“The idea behind it is that we’ve got our own conservatory right here, located on Spartan drive in North Huntsville,” Mayor Battle explained. “We’ve got our own conservatory here. This is where young people can come and they can learn the arts, and as they learn the arts, this is an introduction to it, and that goes on to the bigger and better thing. So we’re really excited about it. This is one of
those things that just adds to emphasize the artistic ability throughout the city of Huntsville, and especially in this area.”
Council Member Devyn Keith, whose district includes the Shurney Legacy Center, was also on hand for the tour and spoke about his excitement for the project’s potential.
“This is another promise kept to the community that we were looking at unique ways to integrate public spaces for public use,” Keith said. “We made a commitment to that site to be unique, for it to magnetize and give people from all over the city a reason to come to north Huntsville.”
This project will seek to partner with professionals in the music in-
dustry and will remain in the design and planning stages for the remainder or 2024 while construction will begin in 2025.
Huntsville Music Officer Matt
By: Noah Logan /
Photos by Noah Logan
Mandrella is hopeful that the space will result in partnerships with local music professionals, making it more dynamic in the process.
“I think that the professionals, both in the area now, and the ones that have that are from here, will potentially come back because of this space,” Mandrella shared. “I think that it’s important for our community data and our partnerships within the community for professionals to help with this space. Everything from an instructional phase to helping us plan content, helping us plan programming. It’s definitely going to be a community effort and that’s what’s needed to make it really dynamic.”
For more information, please visit www.huntsvilleal.gov/environment/ parks-recreation/recreation/recreationcenters/robert-shurney-legacy-center/. w
Pictured L to R: John Hamilton, Matt Mandrella, and Devyn Keith
The Personal Perks of Professional Networking
Career success is driven less often by“what” you know than by “who” you know.
For this reason, life coaches and successful business people will frequently preach about understanding and enhancing the value of your professional social network. Just as who you surround yourself with socially can have a serious impact on your mental and emotional wellbeing, the connections you form and strengthen throughout your career can have tremendous consequences on your professional journey.
Many professionals, however, still do not fully understand the importance of building their social network. The following categories are used to explain the top four benefits of professional networking.
New Opportunities
The most common and obvious reason why many professionals spend time attending networking events and building their social network is access to new opportunities.
For some, especially small business owners or independent contractors, this could mean meeting potential future customers or clients. For job seekers or those looking to change companies, it may mean learning about open positions.
For those who rely on grants, research dollars, or federal contracts to fund their projects, this might mean learning more about what government agencies are looking for specifically in certain areas or what new programs are launching soon.
Be cautious, however, that you do not fall into a self-serving “what’s in it for me” mindset. Others can sense this shark-like mentality and will likely avoid you like an overly zealous car salesman. In truth, it is best to be sincere, upfront, and helpful.
As you build your network and help others, new opportunities will arise organically.
Problem-Solving
Almost like informal coaching, meeting and chatting with others in your professional field can foster problem-solving in a variety of ways.
For instance, say you are experiencing issues with a particular vendor or supplier in your industry. Others may also be experiencing these same difficulties and may have suggestions to improve the situation or may have advice regarding potential alternatives.
While professionals must always be mindful not to share proprietary information from their company, that is not usually an issue.
Having conversations about challenges with like-minded professionals can often produce better ideas, perspectives, and solutions than venting to a friend or spouse who may not fully understand the complexities of the problem or the workplace environment.
Professionals in the same field will have a better grasp of industry standards, regulations, and trends, enabling them to offer more effective feedback.
In order to avoid becoming a habitual complainer or grouch, remember to approach problem-solving with an optimistic attitude.
Social Learning
Learning is often an intentional and unintentional consequence of professional networking events.
Often these events will be centered around a luncheon with a guest speaker, or a keynote speaker at larger events, or a business sponsor that will address the audience through a presentation and then remain around afterward to mingle. These presentations are informative and educational in nature though some may also have a sales pitch slant as well.
The other type of social learning that occurs at these events is usually unintentional and more organic.
Similar to group problem-solving, when you surround yourself with other professionals in your industry and strike up genuine conversations, it is highly probable that you will learn something new you did not know beforehand.
Social Cohesion
While the term social cohesion is used by researchers and public
speakers, the concept is more easily understood by using terms such as comradery, fellowship, or brotherhood and sisterhood.
Social cohesion is the reassuring feeling that we are not alone in our experience or our journey. Knowing that other people are faced with similar challenges, struggles, and choices as we are gives us a comforting sense of community.
Social cohesion usually occurs naturally at school, at work, and at home with our classmates, our coworkers, and our friends and family. Professional networking, however, presents an entirely new avenue for us to form meaningful social connections that uplift, encourage, and motivate us.
This is easily observed when looking at members of successful unions and professional associations. Fun
By: Alex Duck
and motivation are fuels that help us to keep pushing forward in our professional journey.
Conclusion
Professional networking is an important aspect of long-term career success.
Getting together with other professionals in your field or industry can open doors to new opportunities, facilitate group problem-solving, promote learning, and provide an encouraging network of supportive individuals.
Keep in mind that some events are free while others require registration and purchasing tickets in advance.
Still, with so many great local groups to join, such as Huntsville Young Professionals (HYP) and CyberBrews, there is certainly a place and an event for anyone looking to get out and network in our city. w
Congressman Dale Strong, who represents Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District, provided a Washington Update to hundreds of members of the Huntsville community on August 19 at a luncheon held at the Von Braun Center. Strong was accompanied to Huntsville by his wife, Laura Strong.
The luncheon afforded Congressman Strong with the opportunity to report on the achievements and challenges of his first term, and to discuss his future plans.
Meta was the presenting sponsor for the event. Sameer Singhal, Chair of the Huntsville/Madison Chamber of Commerce, opened the meeting by introducing local business leaders, dignitaries from Redstone Arsenal, and local and national elected officials.
The program began with a video presentation, in which Strong detailed a number of the accomplishments and priorities of his first year and a half as a congressman.
“My job is to try to make your lives more predictable, from reducing regulatory burdens that choke American businesses, to representing our region
Congressman Dale Strong Highlights and Economic Impact on
By: Sarah Zupko / Photos by Sarah Zupko and
through the annual defense bill and appropriations process. My staff and
I are committed to making Washington work for you,” said Strong in the prerecorded video.
In an effort to hear directly from his constituents, Strong has held thirty “mobile office hours” across rural parts of the Fifth Congressional District; seven of these events were held here in Madison County.
“Since I’ve gotten to D.C., I’ve scored huge wins for North Alabama and brought hundreds of millions of dollars back home. I secured $18.5 million in last year’s appropriations bill to improve local infrastructure and ensure our
law enforcement officers are equipped to protect our communities,” stated Strong. Much of the video enumerated Strong’s financial wins for the district.
“The Fifth District has been awarded over $159 million in federal grants,” Strong said.
“And to top it off, last year’s NDAA authorized over $500 million for research, development, and the continued improvements of North Alabama’s Redstone Arsenal.”
The upcoming presidential election was referenced several times throughout Strong’s video, as he took swipes at the record of the Biden Administration.
Strong praised bipartisan support of the House passage of H.R. 8070, the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal
Highlights Federal Investments on Alabama’s Fifth District
and Huntsville/Madison Chamber of Commerce
Year 2025 (FY25), which will give a 19.5% pay bump to junior enlisted.
He also cheered successes made in the aerospace industry.
“Last year, NASA’s historical Test Stand 4670 roared back to life after 25 years of sitting empty. Last month, the House Science and Technology Committee passed a NASA Reauthorization Bill, marking a significant step forward for our space programs and community in North Alabama,” said Strong.
Artemis missions will be aimed at returning astronauts to the moon for the first time in 50 years, before setting sights on the journey to Mars.
Strong identified an absence of security along the nation’s southern border as one of the major challenges facing our nation. He believes that the U.S. should employ Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) in service of responding to national security threats.
Following the video presentation, Steve Johnson -- recently retired WHNT Channel 19 morning anchor -- conducted a question and answer style interview with Strong. Johnson put questions to Strong regarding the landscape of working in D.C., the impact of federal mon-
ey on Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District, and key issues facing the community.
Strong stated that he is confident that the district will continue to be the recipient of federal funds as there is a direct relationship between the labor done in this area and the safety of the warfighter.
“The people in Washington, D.C. know who we are,” said Strong.
Strong believes that bringing fellow members of Congress -- and their respective staffs -to Huntsville to see, firsthand, what the area’s labor force accomplishes is one of the keys to his success in getting votes for legislation that will be a boon to the area.
“When I’m trying to get votes to make things happen in our community, there’s nothing like having a staff member that has been here and has seen it,” stated Strong.
The congressman said that he
is very pleased with the direction of Marshall Space Flight Center.
Johnson asked Strong if he believes there are any threats facing Marshall Space Flight Center.
“I think the days ahead are bright,” said Strong. “The biggest problem I see is the $35 trillion [federal] debt. That is a concern for me, and it’s a concern for many members of Congress. There were monies that were spent in previous Congresses that just got off the hook and what we’ve got to do is reel it in. But I don’t believe it should be done through making cuts to the exploration of space.”
When Johnson asked Strong what his highest priority is while in office, Strong had a ready response.
“National security. That’s it. That’s why I ran,” stated Strong emphatically.
Strong stressed again that he views the southern border of the U.S. as the place where a consequential contest for national security takes place. He is especially concerned with the trafficking of fentanyl across the border with Mexico. Strong reemphasized his view that drones should be used to combat the illegal drug trade.
The cartels have seventeen drones for every drone that the U.S. Border Security is flying, Strong claimed.
Strong believes the state’s Fifth Congressional District holds the technical skills and expertise to become involved in practices that would thwart cartels’ usage of drones.
The congressman closed his remarks with an anecdote about successfully working across partisan lines.
Strong introduced legislation entitled “Protecting America’s Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act.” If passed, the bill would forbid foreign adversaries “from purchasing or leasing agricultural land in the United States.”
One of Strong’s key allies in this push was Congressman John Garamendi, a Democrat from California. Garamendi brought 26 Democratic votes with him.
Speaker McCarthy asked Strong how he was able to get Garamendi, and 26 other Democrats, to support his legislation.
“I said, ‘I talked to them.’ We talked to them and it made a difference,” said Strong to applause. w
Huntsville Embraces AI in Cybersecurity: AICyberCon to Lead the Charge
It’s been an interesting year so far in AI with several new models and product launches from voice to robotics.
I still feel that the market, especially Wall Street, is trying to grapple with the true value of this technology in the long term. As a city, we are in a similar position. The big question, from countries down to cities, remains, “How will AI make our lives better or worse?”
As for me, I’m looking to continue the course of how Huntsville can most benefit from this technology, even if they are smaller wins to begin with. I can say that the AI Task Force is still quite actively working on that mission and the intent to leverage it to our advantage is still very strong.
One of Huntsville’s major strengths is cybersecurity. AI will both complicate the threats as well as expand the opportunities.
As a leader in this space, and home of the National Cybersecurity Summit, Huntsville is positioned to do so. Speaking of the Cyber Summit, they have an AI track and I’ll be speaking in a breakout session.
In addition to answering this need, I have also had the opportunity to help organize the AICyberCon: The Convergence of AI and Cybersecurity.
In partnership with the AI Research Center at the I2C of UAH and Amplified Security, we have a fantastic lineup of several Fortune 500 companies in the AI and Cyber industry, such as Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, and more.
AI is revolutionizing cybersecurity by enhancing threat detection, improving accuracy, and enabling proactive defense. Through its ability to analyze vast amounts of data in real-time, AI can identify both known and unknown threats faster than traditional methods (manual human analysis).
It will reduce false positives, automate routine tasks, and continuously evaluate vulnerabilities, allowing orga-
By: Carl Holden
nizations to address weaknesses before they’re exploited. This shift from reactive to proactive security is crucial.
Think of it as a force multiplier for human security professionals. AI systems can adapt and improve over time, becoming increasingly effective at protecting against new cyber risks. As cybercriminals begin to leverage AI in their attacks, AI-powered defenses become essential for maintaining robust security.
Yes, it’s another arms race and the stakes have never been higher.
Ben McGee, CEO of Amplified Security of Huntsville, will be the Emcee.
A longtime influencer within the cybersecurity community, Ben told me “In the last 25 years of my cyber career, I haven’t seen these kinds of major changes to the cyber industry. While people say this is like the internet revolution, there is a major difference. We had time to adjust to the internet, time to make it safe or learn how to leverage. Huge questions exist in the cyber landscape such as increasingly fast and intelligent automated attacks, how AI fits into Zero Trust, and simpler questions like who is even using it in a company without authorization. We have seen great-
ly useful applications but we want to make sure Huntsville is talking seriously about both sides, implementation and protection.”
AICyberCon aims to address immediate cybersecurity challenges and lay the groundwork for sustained innovation and collaboration in the AI and cybersecurity landscape.
Through AICyberCon, the point is to set a precedent and catalyze connectivity and frameworks for partnerships of dual-use AI and cybersecurity technologies, enhancing national security and fostering innovation across sectors, especially for companies here locally.
I would imagine that many would be interested in this event but I’d suggest that if you are a Cybersecurity or IT professional, a programmer that works in DevSecOps, executives within the intelligence community, and government contracting companies.
Rigved, Director of the I2C and one of the event’s key organizers, wants Huntsville to understand that “AICyberCon, led by ARC and I2C, stands at the intersection of innovation and security. With a dynamic lineup of speakers, this event is where we confront today’s challenges and strategize for the cybersecurity de-
mands of tomorrow. Don’t miss this opportunity—attend for free and be part of the conversation shaping the future.”
Unlike other events I’ve mentioned, I’m not a speaker. I will be a happy fly on the wall, glad to know I did my small part in getting this event to happen. Whether you are in the IT/Cyber world or just interested in the business application of AI, you should attend this event.
Registration is free, but it will happen soon - September 5th on the UAH Campus.
To get your ticket, go to www. aicybercon.com or https://www. eventbrite.com/e/aicybercon-theconvergence-of-ai-and-cybersecuritytickets-951102582427. w
“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
How Will AI Make Our Lives Better or Worse?
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance, it is rapidly reshaping various aspects of our lives. From healthcare and education to cybersecurity and daily conveniences, AI is poised to bring significant benefits—but also potential drawbacks. The question of whether AI will make our lives better or worse remains a topic of intense debate. Let’s explore both sides of this transformative technology.
The Positive Impact of AI
1. Healthcare Revolution: AI’s ability to analyze vast amounts of data quickly and accurately holds immense promise for healthcare. From early disease detection to personalized treatment plans, AI-powered systems can drastically improve patient outcomes. For example, AI can help doctors identify patterns in medical data that may be missed by human eyes, leading to more accurate diagnoses. Additionally, AI-driven drug discovery is accelerating the development of new medications, potentially saving lives.
2. Education and Personalized Learning: AI can revolutionize education by providing personalized learning experiences for students. Adaptive learning platforms use AI to tailor educational content to each student’s unique needs, helping them grasp complex concepts at their own pace. This technology can also assist teachers by automating administrative tasks, allowing them to focus more on instruction and student engagement.
3. Enhancing Productivity: In the workplace, AI is streamlining processes and boosting productivity. Automation of repetitive tasks frees up time for employees to focus on more creative and strategic work. Industries such as manufacturing, finance, and customer service are already seeing the benefits of AI-powered tools that improve efficiency and
reduce errors.
4. Strengthening Cybersecurity: AI is also playing a crucial role in enhancing cybersecurity. With the ability to analyze large datasets in real time, AI can detect and respond to cyber threats more effectively than traditional methods. As cyberattacks become more sophisticated, AI-driven security systems are becoming essential in protecting sensitive information and maintaining digital trust.
The Potential Downsides of AI
1. Job Displacement: One of the most significant concerns surrounding AI is its potential to displace jobs. As machines become more capable of performing tasks that were once the domain of humans, there is a growing fear that AI could lead to widespread unemployment. While AI may create new jobs in emerging fields, there is uncertainty about whether these opportunities will be enough to offset the losses in traditional industries.
2. Deepening Biases and Inequalities: AI systems are only as good as the data they are trained on. If the data used to develop AI models contain biases, those
biases can be perpetuated and even amplified by AI. This could lead to unfair treatment in areas such as hiring, lending, and law enforcement. Ensuring that AI is developed and deployed in a fair and equitable manner is a critical challenge for society.
3. Privacy Risks: As AI systems become more integrated into our daily lives, concerns about privacy are growing. AI-powered surveillance, data collection, and analysis can potentially infringe on individuals’ privacy rights. The use of AI in monitoring and predicting behavior raises ethical questions about consent and the extent to which personal information should be used.
4. Ethical and Regulatory Challenges: The rapid advancement of AI technology has outpaced the development of ethical guidelines and regulatory frameworks. Questions about accountability, transparency, and the potential for misuse of AI remain largely unanswered. As AI continues to evolve, there is a pressing need for policies that balance innovation with the protection of individual rights and societal values.
By: ChatGPT
The Role of Cities in Navigating AI’s Future Cities like Huntsville, Alabama, are at the forefront of addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. With a strong emphasis on cybersecurity, Huntsville is well-positioned to leverage AI to enhance its existing strengths. The city’s AI Task Force and initiatives like AICyberCon, which focuses on the convergence of AI and cybersecurity, are examples of how local communities are working to harness AI’s potential while mitigating its risks.
AI is revolutionizing cybersecurity by improving threat detection, automating routine tasks, and enabling proactive defense. However, as cybercriminals also adopt AI to enhance their attacks, the cybersecurity landscape becomes more complex. Huntsville’s focus on AI-driven cybersecurity solutions positions the city as a leader in protecting against these evolving threats.
Conclusion
The impact of AI on our lives will depend largely on how we choose to develop and implement this technology. While AI has the potential to improve healthcare, education, productivity, and security, it also poses challenges related to job displacement, bias, privacy, and ethics. By approaching AI with a balance of innovation and responsibility, we can ensure that its benefits outweigh its drawbacks.
As cities like Huntsville explore the possibilities of AI, it is crucial to remain vigilant about the risks while embracing the opportunities. The future of AI is still unfolding, and how it ultimately shapes our lives will depend on the decisions we make today. w
Kar’s Char Brings Texas Flavor to Huntsville
A slice of Texas has found its way to the Huntsville culinary scene at Kar’s Char Texas-Style BBQ at Lowe Mill. Thomas Langford and James Emery opened the restaurant one year ago, combining a passion for authentic Texas barbecue with delicious traditional Southern recipes.
“I’ve been doing it for 20 years now”
Thomas Langford’s journey to becoming a barbecue pitmaster started at a young age in Amarillo, Texas. At just 16, Langford learned the art of smoking meats from his cousin, who cooked for charity events serving hundreds of people and sought Langford’s help. “I’ve been doing it for 20 years now,” Langford reflected.
In 2014, Langford moved to Huntsville, bringing with him the rich traditions of Texas barbecue. It wasn’t until he and his partner, James Emery, stumbled upon an opportunity at Lowe Mill that the idea of opening their own restaurant took shape. What began as a joke turned into a serious venture when they crunched the numbers, applied for the space, and officially opened Kar’s Char Texas-Style BBQ in August 2023.
The star of the menu at Kar’s Char is beef brisket—a Texan delicacy that can be hard to comeby in Huntsville. “Beef is king back in Texas, so obviously if we’re gonna call ourselves Texas-style barbecue, we have to have some kind of beef,” Langford said.
Initially, the menu was simple, featuring a brisket plate, a brisket sandwich, and sides. Over time, they’ve expanded the menu, adding weekly specials, some of which have become permanent additions.
True to Texas tradition, the barbecue at Kar’s Char is cooked on a blend of mesquite and post-oak, giving the meat a distinct, smoky flavor. Seasonings are kept simple, especially for the pork, which Langford notes is somewhat similar to
what you’d find locally, but with unmistakable mesquite smoke.
While the barbecue at Kar’s Char is undeniably Texas-style, the sides reflect Emery’s Alabamaroots.
A Hazel Green native, Emery adapted some of his family’s classic recipes for the restaurant’s menu. His own versions of vinegar slaw and dill pickle potato salad pay tribute to his grandmothers’ cooking, with personalized twists that make them uniquely his own.
For Langford, barbecue is more than just cooking—it’s an art form.
“The ingredients are your medium,” he explains. “There’s an art to that. There’s time, there’s temperature, there’s a lot of factors, and every piece of meat is different.”
This meticulous attention to
By: Heather Price /
Heather Price
“Beef is king back in Texas, so obviously if we’re gonna call ourselves Texasstyle barbecue, we have to have some kind of beef”
detail is evident in every bite at Kar’s Char. Langford’s dedication to the craft of smoking meat is a key part of what makes their barbecue so special.
As Kar’s Char celebrates its first year in business, Langford and Emery are already looking to the future. They plan to expand their menu, adding ribs and chicken soon, and down the road, hire additional staff to help manage the growing demand.
For now, they’re very pleased with the success they’ve achieved and the community they’ve become a part of at Lowe Mill. “Working for ourselves is the most rewarding work I’ve ever done,” Langford says. “We’re putting our heart and soul into it, and it really is rewarding when it shows.”
Kar’s Char is located in Railroad Room #5 at Lowe Mill, 2211 Seminole Drive. They are open Tuesday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., and Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. w
Photos by
Market Primed as Interest Rates Begin to Drop
Real estate markets across the United States have begun responding to lowering interest rates.
In the first week of August, the average rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage dropped to 6.73%, its lowest since early February. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.9%.
As a result, the Mortgage Bankers Association reports that mortgage applications jumped 6.9% over that week, while refinance applications rose 16% over that same period.
At the same time, the average rate on the popular 30-year loan dropped to 6.55% last week from 6.82%. It marked the lowest level for interest rates since May 2023.
After jumping to a 23-year high of 7.79% in October, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage has mostly hovered around 7% this year — more than double what it was just three years ago.
“The drop has occurred largely as a result of encouraging signs that inflation is easing and that the Federal Reserve will be cutting the federal funds target rate sooner rather than later,” says Charlie Dougherty, director and senior economist at Wells Fargo.
Indeed, with the rate of inflation hitting a three-year low, Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell is expected to announce the first of a long-awaited series of rate cuts sometime in September.
However, this may not translate into an immediate effect on housing prices, as lowered interest rates could stimulate additional competition for limited housing inventory. Churchill Mortgage estimates that
every 1% drop in interest rates correlates to roughly five million more households qualifying for homeownership.
Here in Huntsville, the market is looking lively.
The Huntsville Area Association of Realtors (HAAR) has released its report for the first week of August.
New listings were up, by 15.8% for single-family homes and 130.8% for townhouse units. Pending sales were up by 8.7% for single-family homes, and 380% for townhouses.
By: Marie Johnson
Housing inventory in the Huntsville area market continued to rise, with single-family homes seeing a 38.8% increase, with townhouse units seeing an increase of 144%.
As a reminder, the new rules for realtor commissions announced by the National Association of Realtors in March will be coming into effect on the 17th. These new rules are designed to ensure transparency in the process of realtor commissions. For more information, visit the National Association of Realtors website, www.nar.realtor/the-facts.
The Huntsville Business Journal will continue to report developments in the real estate industry, both nationally and here at home. w
How the $418 Million NAR Settlement Will Change Real Estate Transactions in the Tennessee Valley
As part of the Proposed $418 Mill Settlement to the NAR lawsuit, there’s going to be a few changes for both buyers and sellers in the Tennessee Valley.
The first big change is that buyer agreements are now required before viewing a home. It’s always been a requirement to go over a RECAD disclosure (even though many agents ignore that state law), but now an actual agreement with compensation terms are required before viewings.
I recommend consumers request a buyer’s consultation with the agent prior to viewing a home to interview the agent, ask questions, and to create a game plan for your home purchase.
It is also possible with many agents to reduce the buyer agreement to either a day or a specific home if you want to conduct an “on the job interview” with the agent.
The second big change is that buyer agency commission will no longer be advertised in the MLS.
There’s a lot of real estate agents that are scrambling to add compensation to websites, make phone calls, and find alternative means to communicate this information.
I think these efforts are outside of the intentions of the rule changes, and it’s best to just have your agent include their compensation in the additional provisions section of your offer.
For sellers, there will be some updated forms and disclosures to review with your agent. The forms used by our team will include the compensation for our services. You’ll also have the opportunity to decide if you want to offer a seller concession to the buyer.
You’ll also want to consider and plan on offers to include buyer agent compensation offers to attract the most number of buyers and the highest possible offer.
The biggest challenge in the real estate market is affordability.
Don’t believe politicians that
By: Matt Curtis
say the changes above are going to fix affordability.
The problem with affordability comes down to lack of supply and also the money printing and deficit spending in Washington.
The real value of homes vs gold, which is real money, has values still slightly below historical averages.
The challenge is that 40% of the US Dollars were printed during the pandemic, so our fiat currency supply has been diluted.
I think this scenario is unlikely, but even if commissions were to come down 1 or 2% this does very little to help with affordability and doesn’t even put a dent in the 40% currency dilution the Fed and Washington has created. In reality, many, if not most, buyers will likely have their buyer agent’s compensation paid by the seller in the contract. That
pensation, then the seller wins and the affordability for home buyers declines further. w
would be business as usual for buyers.
For situations where the seller does not pay the buyer agency com-
Huntsville’s PARC Project Advances with Key Engineering Contracts
Huntsville’s ambitious Pedestrian Access and Redevelopment Corridor (PARC) project is moving forward, following the City Council’s approval of crucial engineering design contracts late last week.
These contracts are vital in ensuring the project meets state and federal grant requirements, setting the stage for transformative infrastructure improvements in the city.
A $1.93 million contract has been awarded to Rosales + Partners to finalize the design of a cable suspension bridge that will span Memorial Parkway. The scope of this contract includes permitting, testing, specifications, detailed planning, and peer review, all necessary steps to bring the bridge from concept to reality.
Additionally, Garver LLC secured a $999,978 contract to design improvements to the Pinhook Creek channel. Their work will encompass permitting, structural design, and the integration of hardscape and landscape features, ensuring the project harmonizes with the natural surroundings.
The PARC project is significantly bolstered by two Federal Highway Administration grants, totaling $47.3 million, and an additional $5 million from the State of Alabama. The project’s scope includes:
• 1.2 miles of linear park space
• 5,600 feet of Pinhook Creek channel excavation
• 3,200 feet of low-flow channel
along Pinhook Creek
• 6,000 linear feet of greenway
• Three precast pedestrian bridges over Pinhook Creek
• One concrete railroad bridge replacing the existing wooden bridge adjacent to Heart of Huntsville Drive
• 1,400 feet of pedestrian cable suspension bridge
Construction is set to unfold over two years, divided into four phases, with the initial Pinhook Creek flood mitigation efforts expected to commence by the end of the year.
“This is an essential procedural step in the project, and we are eager to begin construction soon,” said Shane Davis, Director of Urban & Economic Development. “PARC is a transformative project that ad-
dresses the infrastructure needs of our growing city.”
News of the PARC project began back in 2022 when the City of Huntsville secured a $20 million
By: Gus Wintzell /
federal grant focused on providing more walkable areas for HSV residents and to boost low-income communities in the area.
At the time, a pedestrian bridge was on the City’s to-do list for more than a decade.
The original U.S. The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Rebuilding America’s Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant saw the plan come to fruition.
“We appreciate our partnership with the federal government and this grant, which will help us take Huntsville to the next level,” Mayor Battle said back in 2022. w
Photos courtesy of City of Huntsville
Cummings
Research Park to Launch DefenseTech Accelerator Aimed at Expanding HSV’s Defense Industry
Cummings Research Park (CRP) is set to launch a DefenseTech Accelerator this fall, aiming to strengthen Huntsville’s defense industry by fostering the growth of small businesses focused on innovative technology solutions.
The initiative, a collaboration between CRP, the Huntsville/ Madison County Chamber, and Treble One, will leverage the Innovate Alabama Tax Credit program to keep vital tax dollars within the local economy.
The Innovate Alabama Tax Credit program allows local companies and individuals to allocate 50% of their state tax liabilities— including Alabama income tax, state insurance premium tax, and others—toward supporting local initiatives.
This mechanism is designed to bolster the growth of the small business defense sector in Huntsville.
“This initiative is a fantastic opportunity to expand the small business defense industrial base right here in Huntsville,” said Erin Koshut, Executive Director of CRP. “By donating 50% of your tax liability, you’re directly contributing to the growth of our local industrial base. We’re grateful to Synovus Bank, SimTech, and Regions Bank for their participation, and we’re actively seeking more tax
credit donors.”
The CRP DefenseTech Accelerator will run two cohorts during the 2024-2025 year, each consisting of five early-stage companies with innovative products.
These companies will undergo a 12-week program designed to help them scale their technologies in both defense and commercial markets. Although the accelerator is open to all technologies, it has a particular interest in dual-use technologies that can serve both military and civilian needs.
The program will recruit companies from within Alabama and across the nation, encouraging them to establish operations in Huntsville.
“Our goal is for 75% of program graduates to secure at least one prime contract with the U.S. federal government, a subcontract with a federal prime contractor, or raise at least $100,000 in private capital within 12 months of participation,” Koshut added.
The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber and Treble One are integral partners in this effort. Chamber President & CEO Chip Cherry emphasized the importance of the Chamber’s small business programs, which will be available to all companies in the accelerator. Each participating company will receive a one-year Chamber membership to fully utilize these resources.
Treble One, with over 20 years of experience in the defense market, will serve as the execution partner for the accelerator. Their mission is to help small businesses apply technology to solve critical national security challenges, ensuring that both the government and taxpayers get the maximum return on federal research investments.
“Our adversaries are developing major weapons systems nine years faster than the United States, often by appropriating intellectual
property,” said Chris Wimmer, Vice President of Business Development at Treble One. “It’s crucial that government, investment communities, startups, and primes come together to accelerate the defense ecosystem. Alabama’s unique blend of state incentives, a dynamic defense ecosystem, and the visionary leadership at CRP and the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber make this the ideal environment to launch a DefenseTech Accelerator.”
Innovate Alabama, a key partner in the initiative, has been instrumental in driving innovation-led efforts across the state. Their tax credit program is designed to support tech accelerators and businesses, helping to cultivate a thriving ecosystem in Alabama.
“We are thrilled to see these public-private partnerships come to life and make a significant impact,” said Cynthia Crutchfield, CEO of Innovate Alabama. “Our tax credit program empowers entrepreneurial support organizations, and we are proud to support the economic development organizations driving these efforts.”
As the DefenseTech Accelerator gears up to launch, plans are underway to hire a director, secure office space in CRP East, and begin recruiting companies. w
BlueHalo Advances Next-gen Missile Development with Successful Testing of Freedom Eagle
BlueHalo has reached critical milestones in the development of its Next-Generation Counter-Uncrewed Aerial System (C-UAS) Missile, known as
Freedom Eagle (FE-1).
This advancement marks a step forward in the company’s mission to address the rapidly evolving threats posed by unmanned aerial systems on modern battlefields.
In June, BlueHalo was selected as one of two vendors to continue the development of the Next-Generation C-UAS Missile (NGCM) by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center (CCDC AvMC) through the Aviation & Missile Technology Consortium (AMTC).
Since then, BlueHalo has successfully completed several rounds of testing, including the firing of the FE-1’s dual-thrust solid rocket motor.
These tests, supported by early strategic investments, demonstrate the technological maturity and readiness of the FE-1, while minimizing the risks typically associated with rapid development programs.
“Drones are becoming one of the most pressing threats to national security, necessitating the swift development of cuttingedge technologies for maintaining all-domain dominance,” said Jonathan Moneymaker, CEO of BlueHalo. “Our proactive investments and collaborative efforts have positioned BlueHalo as a key player in missile technology, ready to outpace emerging threats and strengthen the national security supply chain.”
The FE-1 integrates with existing infrastructure and Command and Control (C2) systems, providing a low-cost, highly maneuverable solution for Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD). This new missile joins BlueHalo’s suite of C-UAS solutions, including the LOCUST Directed Energy Laser Weapon System, which has been successfully deployed to identify, track, and neutralize a wide range of targets.
“FE-1 is not just a response to current threats; it’s designed to evolve with them,” said Jimmy Jenkins, President of BlueHalo’s Armed Forces Portfolio and former U.S. Army air defender. “We’ve already reached a point where we are firing rocket motors, thanks to our early recognition of the need and our ability to develop and deliver a superior solution quickly. We are proud to work with AMTC and PEO Missile and Space to bring this critical capability to the warfighter.”
James Batt, BlueHalo’s Chief Growth Officer, emphasized the significance of the FE-1’s development.
“With increased range, reduced time-to-target, and rapid launch capabilities, FE-1 adds a powerful kinetic option to our proven suite of C-UAS solutions. BlueHalo is proud to deliver industry-leading, end-to-end layered air and missile defense,” said Batt. w
Booz
Allen Hamilton Secures Spot on FBI’s $8 Billion IT Contract
Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH) has been awarded a position on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) largest IT contract to date—the $8 billion Information Technology Supplies and Support Services 2nd generation (ITSSS-2) blanket purchase agreement.
This contract aims to secure advanced technologies and IT modernization support for the FBI.
“We are honored to bring secure, cutting-edge technology solutions to the FBI, a critical
step in safeguarding national security,” said Carl Ghattas, Senior Vice President at Booz Allen and leader of the firm’s Law Enforcement and Immigration business. “With decades of experience supporting law enforcement missions, we look forward to continuing our work with the FBI to identify and counter emerging threats swiftly and effectively.”
Under the ITSSS-2 contract, Booz Allen will deliver emerging technologies and IT support services for a range of FBI projects. These services will focus on workplace solutions, business applications, and platform and infrastructure advancements.
The contract also includes agile software development, advanced data analytics, cloud solutions, and cybersecurity services.
This contract will be executed across multiple locations, including the Washington, DC, metropolitan area and Huntsville, Alabama—where the FBI is establishing an Innovation Center and technology hub.
“Booz Allen is deeply embedded in the Huntsville community, much like the FBI, and we are excited to contribute to the region’s growth while supporting national security,” said Gary Pomajevich, a distinguished engineer with Booz Allen’s Law Enforcement and Immigration business based in Huntsville. “Our continued investment in Huntsville is aimed at operationalizing critical technology, empowering the workforce, and ensuring mission success.”
This contract builds on Booz Allen’s extensive experience in supporting law enforcement, national security, and homelandsecurity missions. w
Athens State University Partners with Bank Independent to Launch Affinity Card Program
Athens State University has teamed up with Bank Independent to introduce a new Affinity Card program, aimed at offering debit and credit cards that benefit both users and the university.
With every new card opened, Bank Independent will contribute $25 to the university, providing ongoing financial support for various initiatives. To mark the launch of this program, Bank Independent has made an initial $10,000 donation to the Athens State University Foundation.
“Bank Independent’s mission is to support the communities we serve, and this program with Athens State University reflects our continued commitment,” said Macke Mauldin, President of Bank Independent. “The Athens State University Affinity Card represents more than just financial convenience; it’s a way we all can contribute to the growth and success of Athens State and its students.”
Dr. Keith Ferguson, Vice President for Advancement at Athens State University, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the card’s significance.
“The Bank Independent and Athens State University Affinity Card will proudly showcase both brands. It’s a card that reflects the support and values of our students, alumni, and friends of Athens State University,” Dr. Ferguson stated.
For more information or to apply for the Bank Independent + Athens State University Affinity Card, visit https://bibank.com/ asu-cards. w
City of Huntsville Opens New
Transit Center, Offers Free Orbit Rides
After years of community input and public sessions, the city of Huntsville’s work on the new downtown transit center is coming to a close.
Located at 521 Pratt Avenue NW next to Pinhook Creek, the new station will officially open on September 03, offering free rides throughout the month to celebrate the grand opening.
In addition to the new center, the city has added a brand new route south of the city, bringing the current total to 11 available routes.
“This is an excellent opportunity for passengers to familiarize themselves with the new facility, the significant changes planned for routes 2, 5, and 6 and new route 56 to Bailey Cove, serving locations in South Huntsville,” Director of Parking and Public Transit Quisha Bryant said.
Huntsville transit enhancement came from a notable increase in ridership, surging since 2023.
Fixed route ridership reached 94% of pre-pandemic levels, while paratransit routes saw an impressive 97% return.
The Orbit fixed-route buses carried 630,569 passengers in 2023, the highest figure since the pre-pandemic peak of 671,459 riders in 2019. This represents a remarkable 29% increase from the lowest traffic year of 2021 and a notable 13% rise compared to 2022.
Similarly, Access paratransit served 100,832 riders in 2023, the most since 2019, indicating a robust 38% surge from the
pandemic’s onset in 2020 and a significant 20% rise from 2022. w
HudsonAlpha Faculty Awarded 5-year, $3.5 Million Grant from the National Institutes of Health
Dementias, like Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia, are characterized by the progressive loss of brain cells due mostly to damage associated with aberrant protein aggregates. Two labs at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology work on understanding why this damage occurs and how it can be prevented, focusing their efforts largely on the underlying genetics of the diseases.
HudsonAlpha Faculty Investigators Nick Cochran, PhD, and Rick Myers, PhD, along with Danielle Swaney, PhD, of University of California San Francisco, were recently awarded a 5-year, $3.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to further study MAPT, the gene that codes for tau, one of the proteins that forms aggregates in the brain in many neurodegenerative diseases.
Cochran and Myers are both experts in gene regulation, the process by which cells control the timing, location, and amount of gene expression. Specific proteins called transcription factors bind to DNA and either recruit other proteins to activate gene expression or block the binding of necessary proteins, thus repressing gene expression.
“Gene regulation is a delicate dance. When it falters, the consequences can be catastrophic, leading to conditions like cancer
and developmental disorders,” says Myers. “Our journey to understand this intricate process began shortly after the Human Genome Project and continues today. Now, we’re applying our expertise to the formidable challenge of neurodegenerative diseases.”
The collaborative team will use cutting-edge techniques to discover controllers of MAPTexpression, providing an innovative path for achieving tau reduction in the humanbrain.
“The potential promise of reducing tau levels in Alzheimer’s and other dementias is very exciting,” says Cochran, the lead investigator. “Doing our part in translating this knowledge into effective treatments for patients is our ultimate goal. We are dedicated to improving the lives of the countless individuals affected by these devastating diseases.”
Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R01AG085357. w
Tennessee Resident Scholarships Can Make a Big Difference for Out-of-State Students
When Kara Trim was a high schooler making college plans, the Tennessee Resident Scholarship Program at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) was an opportunity “too good to pass up.”
“It made attending UAH incredibly affordable by offering in-state tuition rates, which was a game-changer for me and my
family,” she says. “The scholarship not only made UAH accessible but also underscored the university’s commitment to supporting students from all backgrounds. It played a pivotal role in my decision to enroll at UAH.”
Tennessee Resident Scholarships are four-year awards for fall and spring semesters, renewable each semester based on full-time student status and satisfactory academic progress. UAH, a part of The University of Alabama System, gives scholarship consideration to all first-time freshmen who are offered admission. Award amounts are based on each student’s high school GPA, ACT or SAT scores and residency status.
Trim came to UAH from Arlington, Tennessee, where a teacher introduced her to the university and its scholarship program. Now Trim is a double major in chemistry and biology on the pre-health track, set to graduate in spring 2025.
“Academically, UAH has exceeded my expectations,” she says. “The classes are engaging and challenging, and the faculty are not only knowledgeable but also genuinely invested in student success. My advisors have been dedicated to helping me succeed through finding summer courses or shadowing opportunities.”
During Trim’s years at UAH, the program that brought her here has steadily grown, says Chris Pinto, director of undergraduate admissions in the Office of Admissions.
The scholarship pilot program began with the fall 2021 incoming class. From fall 2020, before the program started, to fall 2023, UAH experienced a 9% increase in the number of first-time Tennessee students enrolling. For the fall 2024 semester, Pinto projects a 7% increase
over last year.
Daniel Taylor, a UAH admissions counselor based in Tennessee, is one of the people working to promote the program. Traveling around the state to high schools and college fairs, he talks to a lot of students like Trim. Some already know and like UAH. Others become interested after he describes programs and employment opportunities after graduation. Many share financial concerns – until he tells them about the scholarship program.
“It really changes everything that they’re thinking about UAH, and they start to consider us as an option,” he says. “This program also helps me to build meaningful connections with high school counselors. They want to know more about our university so they can help their students be successful in making a decision about college.”
The Tennessee Resident Scholarship Program is one of two ways Tennessee residents can receive in-state tuition at UAH. Before the scholarship program began, UAH was already offering in-state tuition to anyone living in the nine Tennessee counties closest to Huntsville, and that program continues to bring new students to UAH.
For more information on becoming a UAH Charger, visit uah. edu/admissions/undergraduate. w
