new chamber members
HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER
Joined in May 2025
Additive Manufacturing & Engineering
Arrowpoint Corporation
Back Forty Beer Company - Huntsville
Benchmark Companies LLC
Bloomin’ Blinds of Huntsville, AL
Carrabba’s Italian Grill
CoreSouth Lagree
Eagle Automotive
Eagle Center for Leadership
Family Savings CU at Trailhead Food City
Good Works Consulting LLC
HAPPI Health
Integrated Behavioral Health
Lice Clinics of America - Madison
Manduu
Medloft Spa Huntsville
Midas
Midas - Highway 231/431
Midas - University Drive
Midas - Winchester Rd
Redstone Insurance Services
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup
Ryker’s Rainbow
Safran Defense & Space, Inc.
Stellar Solutions, Inc.
TACT Huntsville
If you want to make a valuable investment in your business and the community, the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber is the place to start. Contact the Chamber at 256-535-2000 or send an email to membership@hsvchamber.org
The Dance Factor
Thrivent Financial
TowneBank Mortgage
Veterans Day Parade and Events of North Alabama
Whataburger/ MWB Restaurants
Wren Homes, LLC
Joined in June 2025
A Better Choice Realty
AlexandHR
Alfa Insurance - Christy Rich
Applied Analytical Solutions, Inc.
Astrion
ATI
B&C Plumbing, Inc.
Bath Fitter
Breathe Better Institute
Candlewood Suites - Huntsville
Research Park
Challenger Defense ClearPlan
Courtyard by Marriott - Towne Madison
Cruise Planners (S & S Travel Associates, LLC)
D&F Equipment Sales, Inc.
Daybreak Suites
Dixie Pulp & Paper Recycling, LLC
Become a Chamber Member
■ Build business relationships, create partnerships, and grow your business
Encore at MidCity Apartment Homes
Engenix, Inc.
Fifth Third Bank
Heartstrong Services
Hubtricity
Integration, LLC
JS Building Company
Keller Williams Horizon
Learning Zone Madison
M3 Technology Group, Inc.
Mini Storage Depot-Providence
Neel-Schaffer
Nestledown Farms
Orthodontic Design Co.
Pet Wants Huntsville Metro
RMD Consulting and Advisory
Rozier Construction
Secret Weapon Media Agency
Sign In Solutions
Snooze Mattress Company
Spray-Net Huntsville
Team Buxton, Keller Williams Realty
The Kroger Co.
The Masters Salon
Thrive Analysis Group Inc
Tintronics Industries
TriNet
Walkway Restoration Inc.
■ Listing in the online Membership Directory
■ Specially designed professional development programs to grow your talent and strengthen your business
■ Brand exposure through the Chamber’s multimedia platforms to fellow member companies and the region’s business community
■ Priority communications to keep you updated on the latest business news and information impacting your business
DEVELOPMENT PARTNER
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Bill Penney Toyota/Mitsubishi ■ BlueHalo ■ COPT Defense Properties
Crestwood Medical Center ■ Leidos ■ Lockheed Martin Corporation
Raytheon, An RTX Business ■ SAIC ■ Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc.
Torch Technologies ■ Yulista
CHAMBER TRUSTEES
Five Stones Research Corporation ■ Huntsville Coca-Cola ■ Intrepid, an SPA Company
Landers McLarty Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram ■ Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne P.C.
Parsons ■ Robins & Morton ■ S3, Inc. ■ Sealy Management Company, Inc.
SportsMED Orthopaedic Surgery & Spine Center ■ Synovus
The Westmoreland Company ■ Turner Construction Company
PROGRESS PARTNERS
Ability Plus, Inc. ■ Amazon ■ Anglin Reichmann Armstrong, P.C. ■ ASRC Federal ■ Baron Weather, Inc.
■ BASF Corporation ■ BL Harbert International, LLC ■ Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP ■ Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC ■ Canvas, Inc. ■ CFD Research Corporation ■ Colliers International ■ First Horizon ■ Freedom Real Estate & Capital, LLC ■ Goodwyn Mills Cawood, LLC ■ Huntsville Tractor & Equipment, Inc.
■ Integration Innovation, Inc. (i3) ■ Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation ■ IronMountain Solutions ■ Keel Point, LLC ■ Leonardo Electronics US Inc. ■ LSINC Corporation ■ Marsh McLennan Agency ■ Pearce Construction Company ■ Radiance Technologies, Inc. ■ RE/MAX Alliance, The Pugh Group ■ ServisFirst Bank ■ SMX ■ SouthState Bank ■ Steak-Out (Rosie’s Restaurants, Inc., & Right Way Restaurants, Inc.) ■ United Community Bank ■ Venturi, LLC ■ Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP ■ Woody Anderson Ford
PROGRESS INVESTORS
Accenture Federal Services ■ Air Essentials, Inc. ■ Alpha Beta Technologies, Inc. ■ Averbuch Realty / Enterprises ■ Avion Solutions ■ Bailey-Harris Construction ■ BRPH Architects-Engineers, Inc. ■ Bryant Bank ■ Cadence Bank ■ CB&S Bank ■ Century Automotive ■ Convergint ■ Corvid Technologies LLC ■ deciBel Research, Inc. ■ Deloitte LLP ■ DESE Research, Inc. ■ FITE Building Company ■ Garver, LLC ■ GTEC ■ Hexagon US Federal ■ Higginbotham Insurance ■ Hiley Automotive Group ■ Huntsville Botanical Garden ■ Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau ■ Industrial Properties of the South ■ Investor’s Resource ■ L3Harris Technologies ■ Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) ■ MSB Analytics, Inc. ■ nLogic, LLC ■ Outpost Technologies, Inc. ■ PALCO ■ Phoenix ■ PROJECTXYZ, Inc. ■ QTEC Aerospace ■ Renasant Bank ■ RJ Young Company ■ Rosenblum Realty, Inc. ■ S&ME, Inc. ■ Savant Wealth Management ■ Schoel ■ Shee Atiká Enterprises, LLC ■ Signalink, Inc. ■ Systems Products and Solutions, Inc. ■ Textron Inc. ■ The Lioce Group, Inc. ■ Titomic ■ Transcend, The Fearless Company ■ Troy7, Inc. ■ Truist Bank ■ TTL, Inc. ■ ValleyMLS.com ■ Valor Communities ■ Van Valkenburgh & Wilkinson Properties, Inc. ■ Vision Excellence Company ■ Volkert, Inc. ■ Warren Averett, LLC
more information, contact
Armed Forces Celebration
June 2025
Thanks to all who participated in this year’s Armed Forces Celebration! The community rolled in a few additional events as we marked the U.S. Army’s 250th Birthday. These included a proclamation signing, luncheon, community softball game, Huntsville City Football Club game and Gold Star families reception, concert, fireworks event at Redstone Gateway, dinners, and more.
Thanks to everyone who is part of Team Redstone. We are proud of the work you do, and we enjoy supporting you! We look forward to next year’s celebration in June.
Mission: To prepare, develop, and promote our community for economic growth.
HSVchamber.org
(see staff listing on page 30)
Chamber members: You are encouraged to contribute ideas for our publications. Please send items to comms@hsvchamber.org
The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber maintains editorial control.
editorial staff
publisher Chip Cherry, CCE
editor Claire Aiello, IOM
editorial designer Kristi Sherrard
contributing writers
Kayla Brown
Lucia Cape, CCE
Ashley Engles-Ross
Lyndsay Ferguson
Erin Koshut
Staci Sellers
Deborah Storey
Mike Ward, CCE
advertising
Kristy Drake
kdrake@hsvchamber.org
Lakeysha Brown lbrown@hsvchamber.org
Military, space, telecommunications, biotechnology, diversified manufacturing, and a variety of emerging specialties provide challenging work in delightful surroundings. The area enjoys a favorable cost of living and quality of life. Mountains, lakes, woodlands, and the Tennessee River accommodate numerous recreational activities. A temperate climate enhances the season for outdoor sports, including worldclass golf, hiking, biking, and fishing. Major concerts, Broadway and symphony performances, extensive permanent collections, and traveling exhibitions contribute to a wonderful way of life.
INITIATIVES MAGAZINE – AUG 2025
LASTING IMPACT
a message from chip cherry
HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER
Dear Chamber Investors, Community Leaders, and Friends:
When talking with prospects and people who want to understand our community, we talk about our ecosystems and how they developed.
The Huntsville community and north Alabama region have a rich history tied to a reliable source of good water and agriculture. For those who want to do a little research, you may want to learn more about Lily Flagg, the champion milk cow, as well as our community once holding the title of Watercress Capital of the World. The cotton trade and the mills located in the community formed the foundation of our region’s economy prior to 1941. Huntsville and Redstone arsenals were established to support the war effort, and after World War II, they were declared surplus property. Fast forward to 1950, when the Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA) was relocated from Fort Bliss, TX to Redstone. In 1960, ABMA personnel and facilities transferred to NASA, forming the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) with Dr. Wernher von Braun named MSFC’s first director. Huntsville was in the midst of transitioning from an agrarian-based economy to a technological economy.
Transitioning from the Watercress Capital to the tip of the spear for the Space Race requires the development of an entirely new ecosystem. That’s when Cummings Research Park (CRP) and The University of Huntsville in Alabama (UAH) were established to support the activities on Redstone. We now boast of having over 400 aerospace and defense companies in our community – that foundation was laid during this period. From that foundation grew companies like Nichols Research, and from Nichols, numerous companies were created by their former employees. Nichols nurtured an ecosystem that identified and grew talent. In turn, those women and men started local companies that served as the foundation for new entrepreneurial development. In this issue’s cover story, we hear from some of them about the important lessons they learned at Nichols and how they incorporated them into their own companies.
We are blessed to live in a community where innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit are alive and well. I look forward to seeing how our community will continue to build on the foundation laid by our predecessors through the leadership and innovation of today’s business leaders!
The idea for this month’s cover story came from one of our members. We welcome ideas for stories for Initiatives . Please email either me or Claire with your ideas. Our email addresses are ccherry@hsvchamber.org and caiello@hsvchamber.org
I wish you, your families, and your Team a blessed summer. We look forward to seeing you at a Chamber event soon.
Chip Cherry, CCE President & CEO Huntsville/Madison County Chamber
HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER
Executive Committee & Board of Directors 2025
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Jeff Samz , Board Chair – Huntsville Hospital Health System
Jami Peyton, Chair-Elect, Economic Development – Canvas
Sameer Singhal , Immediate Past Chair – CFD Research Corporation
Ron Poteat , Board Chair, Chamber Foundation
Ronnie Chronister, Secretary/Treasurer – Lockheed Martin Corporation
Dr. Karockas Watkins, Vice Chair, Economic Development –Ability Plus, Inc. & Vision Excellence Company
Michael Cox , Vice Chair, Economic Inclusion – Raytheon, An RTX Business
Dave Cook , Vice Chair, Government & Public Affairs – Torch Technologies
Wes Kelley, Vice Chair, HREGI – Huntsville Utilities
Brett Crain, Vice Chair, Image Development & Communications –Huntsville Tractor & Equipment, Inc.
Beth Sippel , Vice Chair, Investor Relations – Synovus
Angie Sandritter, Vice Chair, Small Business – Hubtricity
Marc Perry, Vice Chair, Talent Initiatives – Toyota Alabama
Jeff Gronberg, Liaison, Redstone Regional Alliance – deciBel Research, Inc.
Chrystal Morgan, Chair-Appointed – The Boeing Company
Lynn Troy, Chair-Appointed – Troy7, Inc.
Srinath Yedla, Chair-Appointed – Yedla Management Company
Graham Burgess, Legal Counsel – Maynard Nexsen
Mayor Tommy Battle, Ex-officio Member – City of Huntsville
Mayor Paul Finley, Ex-officio Member – City of Madison
Chairman Mac McCutcheon, Ex-officio Member – Madison County Commission
Chip Cherry, CCE , President & CEO, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber
ELECTED BOARD
Jenny Askins , Touronimo
Blake Bentley, SportsMED Orthopedic Surgery & Spine Center
Terri Bentley, Redstone Federal Credit Union
David Bier, Anglin Reichmann Armstrong, P.C.
Penny Billings , Cadence Bank
Jason Blount , Keel Point, LLC
Mark Brazeal , Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM)
Frank Caprio, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
Mitch Coley, Robins & Morton
Katie Comer, Meta Platforms, Inc.
Greg Fortier, SAIC
Owen Franklin , Blue Summit Supplies
Greg Gaddy, Five Stones Research Corporation
Megan Wilson Green , Blue Origin Manufacturing, LLC
Greg Hall , COPT Defense Properties
Scott Hall , Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc.
Fathia Hardy, UAH Office of Professional and Continuing Education
Ginger Harper, First Horizon
Josh Herren , Yulista
Clayton Hinchman , Ignite Fueling Innovation
Lee Holland , Freedom Real Estate and Capital, LLC
Jim Holtkamp, ServisFirst Bank
Laura Huckabee-Jennings , Transcend, The Fearless Company
Hank Isenberg , IronMountain Solutions
Michelle Jordan , TARCOG
Sean Kelly, Regions Bank
Tim King , Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI)
Clint Kirkland , United Community Bank
Rich Kretzschmar, Integration Innovation, Inc. (i3)
James Lackey, Davidson
Todd May, KBR
Matt Meko, Booz Allen Hamilton
Stephanie Mell , ChurchStreet Family Businesses
Carey Miller, Deloitte LLP
Collin Orcutt , Schoel
Zack Penney, Bill Penney Toyota/Mitsubishi
Dr. Annie Saylor, Simulation Technologies, Inc. (SimTech)
Julie Schumacher, KODA Technologies Inc.
Vergenia Shelton , Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation
Henry Thornton , Meta Platforms, Inc.
Gary Tucker, Huntsville Coca-Cola
Mike Watkins , Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
Mary Elliott Whitt , Good Works Consulting LLC
community highlights
COMPILED BY
CLAIRE AIELLO
Huntsville earns top ranking from Fast Company
While Huntsville is no stranger to national top 10 lists, this year’s recognition by Fast Company cast us in a new light. Instead of being noted for job growth, engineering expertise, or technology innovation as we so often are, this time Huntsville was recognized as number one in economic development for investments in music.
This honor has been years in the making, starting in 2018, when the City initiated a music audit to evaluate the ecosystem for artists, venues, and other music-related businesses. From that audit came 47 recommendations across 11 categories, grouped into short, medium, and long-term actions. Among those that have already been implemented are the opening of the award-winning Orion Amphitheater, the hiring of Music Officer Matt Mandrella, and creation of the Music Ambassador Program to support local musicians as they tour.
These initiatives not only got Huntsville on the Fast Company list, the City was also highlighted at the Fast Company Innovation Summit and Gala in New York City in June, and Mandrella has been invited to join Fast Company’s Impact Council, a collective of global leaders shaping the future of business and innovation.
“This recognition validates the work we’ve been doing to position Huntsville as a true music city,” Mandrella said. “By investing in music, we’re not only enriching our cultural landscape but also unlocking real economic opportunities for artists, entrepreneurs and local businesses.”
The City’s music initiatives continue with Huntsville Music Month in September. Make sure you don’t miss a thing by visiting huntsvillemusic.com
– Lucia Cape, cce
Paris Air Show Trip a Success
For more than 40 years, Huntsville has leveraged the Paris Air Show to showcase our community and to engage with the aerospace industry. This year our team – consisting of representatives from local governments, the Airport Authority, TVA, UAH and the Chamber –held more than 50 meetings with key industry executives, members of Congress and Cabinet officials.
“I was extremely impressed with the efforts of the north Alabama delegation and the number and quality of the economic development meetings held at Le Bourget,” observed Jeff
Samz, 2025 Chair of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber Board of Directors. “Everything was highly coordinated, from the engagement with our Congressional delegation as well as our State leadership with Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair, and certainly the tremendous community leadership from Huntsville, Madison County, UAH, the Huntsville International Airport, TVA, and the Chamber.”
As in previous years, we hosted a reception honoring Sen. Katie Britt and Congressmen Dale Strong and Mike Rogers, which was attended by more than 300 leaders from industry and government.
“It’s impossible to leave the show and not feel good about our region’s future in aerospace,” said Chip Cherry, Chamber president and CEO. “We received consistently positive feedback from industry concerning their future growth plans in our region.”
The 55th Paris Air Show, held June 16-22, featured more than 2,500 exhibitors from 48 countries and attracted more than 300,000 people during the trade and public days.
Huntsville Earns No. 4 spot in Commercial Café ranking
Commercial Café has listed Huntsville as number 4 in the U.S. for millennials. We’re in good company with Austin, Texas at #1, San Jose, California at #2, and Raleigh, North Carolina at #3. We also rose a spot from last year’s ranking.
The real estate website cites the Rocket City’s standout momentum and the fastest population growth of millennials in the top 20, rising 17.8 percent between 2019 and 2023. Although the overall share is still smaller than it is in large metros, the pace of change signals a shift – and a growing appeal to younger workers looking for practical options.
Bridge Street Town Centre secures No. 6 spot in USA Today List
In June, Bridge Street Town Centre proudly secured the #6 spot in the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Shopping Center. This prestigious accolade celebrates Bridge Street Town Centre’s dedication to providing an exceptional shopping experience that resonates with visitors from across the nation. The open-air lifestyle center features standout retailers and restaurants including Apple, Lululemon, Connors Steak & Seafood, Sephora, The Cheesecake Factory, Lush, and Anthropologie, as well as Alabama’s first and only LEGO Store and the highly anticipated Crocs store coming soon.
“We are thrilled to be recognized among the top shopping destinations in the country,” said Bridge Street Town Centre’s Marketing Director Casey Squiers. “This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering unparalleled retail, dining and entertainment options in a vibrant, community-focused environment.”
– Mike Ward, cce
Mazda Toyota Manufacturing announces $168,000 in grants
Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) announced grants on June 17 totaling $168,000 for 24 organizations that participated in the 2025 MTM Spring Grant Fund. This is the sixth round of grant funding distributed by MTM since 2022.
“Our team enjoys the opportunity to interface with our community and give back in this way,” said MTM Vice President of Administration, Rhonda Gilyard. “We want to impact not just the organizations that we give to, but our north Alabama community as a whole.”
Recipients include ShowerUp Huntsville, Hartselle City Schools, AUM Foundation, National Children’s Advocacy Center, North Alabama National Society of Black Engineers, The Schools Foundation, the Food Bank of North Alabama, Madison City Schools, Calhoun Community College Foundation, Huntsville City Schools, Grandparents as Parents, Committee on Church Cooperation, Huntsville Madison County Botanical Garden Society, Madison County Schools, New Hope Children’s Clinic, Thrive Alabama, the ELM Foundation, Village of Promise, Ability Plus, and Huntsville Tennessee Valley Ambucs. Thank you, MTM!
HudsonAlpha dedicates Jurenko Way for longtime supporters
On June 26, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology dedicated one of the key roadways leading to its campus in memory of longtime supporters Ruth and John Jurenko. Family members were present for the official unveiling of the sign for Jurenko Way, which leads to the campus off Moquin Drive and is located between Genome Way and McMillian Way. McMillian Way is named in memory of Institute co-founder Lonnie McMillian. The dedication was made possible through a memorial gift from the Jurenko Foundation. John Jurenko, who died in 2015, was a co-founder of Adtran and a prominent north Alabama philanthropist and key supporter of HudsonAlpha from its earliest days. Jurenko, McMillian and Mark C. Smith founded Adtran in 1985.
Free 2 Teach announces $30K Steelcase Foundation grant
Free 2 Teach expanded into Limestone County earlier this year, and in June, announced a $30,000 contribution from the Steelcase Foundation to support this growth. The funding will support the recently announced expansion to open the educational supply store to teachers and staff in an additional 20 schools in Athens City Schools and Limestone County Schools.
“The Steelcase Foundation proudly supports Free 2 Teach and its work in Limestone County,” shared Trudy Ngo-Brown, a program officer with the Steelcase Foundation. “By expanding, Free 2 Teach helps educators build on their creativity and expertise to create meaningful, engaging learning experiences for their students without using their hard-earned salaries to do so.”
The Steelcase Foundation was established in 1951 and focuses on investing in the communities of Kent County, MI and Limestone County, AL. To learn more about Free 2 Teach and their work to equip and empower teachers, visit free2teach.org
Arts & Recreation Business of the Year: We Rock the Spectrum
When We Rock the Spectrum opened its doors a few years ago, many thought this was just a play center for children on the autism spectrum. But there’s much more than meets the eye.
Though this gym was founded to provide a place for children of all ability levels to play and grow together, it’s a place that fosters inclusion at the most basic level. Children with autism, Down syndrome, or any other special needs now have a place to feel comfortable and safe while playing with other kids.
“When we first opened the doors some of our biggest challenges included building brand awareness. We’ve worked hard to build relationships with local schools by hosting field trips with districts throughout northern Alabama,” said owner Joaquin Tucker.
Joaquin and his wife Vanessa opened We Rock the Spectrum Huntsville after years of struggling with limited assisted options for their son, who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at the age of three. After his diagnosis, the pair started their own nonprofit that provides financial aid to ASD families in northern Alabama. The Autism Help Foundation unlocked a passion for the Tuckers that eventually led them to opening the first-of-its-kind gym in north and central Alabama.
Since opening their doors, the Tuckers say the community response has been nothing short of incredible. Joaquin said, “There’s something truly powerful about seeing children from all walks of life laughing, playing, and connecting under one roof. It’s not just a business to us, it’s a mission, a purpose, and a dream fulfilled.”
Learn more about the mission behind We Rock the Spectrum and other services they provide on their website at werockthespectrumhuntsville.com.
– Kayla Brown
community profile
HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER
& INCOME
TOP 20 EMPLOYERS: HUNTSVILLE & MADISON COUNTY
with a combined 45,500 workers driving a thriving aerospace and defense technology industry.
RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY
Huntsville’s Cummings Research Park (CRP) is the second-largest science and technology research park in the U.S., home to 320 companies and 26,500 people involved in technology research and development.
Nichols Research’s first office was at 7910 Memorial Pkwy S. The second location was the ‘S’ building at 4040 Memorial Pkwy S, then the glass towers at 4090 Memorial Pkwy S, which is the current home office of Torch Technologies. According to Rebecca Sconyers Boone, one of Roy Nichols’ daughters, at one point there were 17 companies in Huntsville with CEOs that used to work at Nichols Research Corporation.
Before its merger in 1999 with Computer Sciences Corporation, an information technology company based in California, Nichols Research was ranked as one of the top 100 research, development, technology, and engineering companies, and received recognition in Forbes, Fortune, and Business Week as one of the best small companies in the country.
Lasting Impact
BUSINESS CULTURE OF HISTORIC NICHOLS RESEARCH CONTINUES TODAY
by DEBORAH STOREY
Huntsville loves its home-grown success stories, and Nichols Research Corporation is one of the best.
In 1976, Roy Nichols and Chris Horgen founded what would become one of the nation’s most prominent research and development companies specializing in sensors, missiles, and information systems.
Nichols merged with Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) in 1999. By then, it had grown to 40 locations with revenue of more than $400 million and more than 3,000 employees.
Roy Nichols died in 2021 and became a member of the prestigious Alabama Business Hall of Fame two years later. Horgen went on to mentor several local business leaders in Huntsville.
The company’s founding philosophies of fairness, honesty, and good employee relations still guide its former employees who went on to found or lead other local businesses.
– The Alabama Business Hall of Fame
Roy Nichols Chris Horgen
Jan Smith is CEO of technical solutions company S3. She was vice president for Computer Applications at Nichols Research.
Smith said it was important to Nichols and Horgen that upper management be involved with nonprofit organizations in the area.
“It was almost a requirement as you moved up that you defined what that role was going to be,” she said.
“Representing the company, we gave back to the community – not just to our customers,” she said. “I think that’s something that we’ve all carried forward.”
Technical approaches common at Nichols, such as streamlining workflows, are still important at S3, but the thing Smith remembers most today is the trustworthy reputation of Nichols.
“When I’m looking for teaming partners, I know if the leadership of a company came from Nichols that they’re going to be ethical and they’re going to treat their partners fairly,” Smith said.
Dr. Andy Bevilacqua
Bevilacqua Research Corporation
Dr. Andy Bevilacqua started Bevilacqua Research Corporation in 1992. He was an electro-optical physicist who created the low-observables directorate at Nichols Research.
“One of the things that I thought was great about Nichols was that they had what Chris used to call a triple-threat program,” said Bevilacqua.
Horgen looked for people who could bring in business, conduct business, and succeed within a well-managed company.
Fostering talent was important. Young employees occasionally attended board of directors meetings or joined the owners for lunch.
“That exposure to some of the upper-management things at Nichols was really great,” he said. “I think that gave me some insights that I never would have had if I hadn’t been there.”
When Bevilacqua started at Nichols, “Chris would walk the halls, and I could actually see the CEO of the company.”
Horgen would also offer to play racquetball or tennis with employees.
“I just thought that was unusual they would do that. So he had a small-business culture that was a way every company, I think, should be,” he said. “I felt like I had a lot of opportunity, and I felt like I had a lot of visibility.”
Outsiders wondered how Nichols won so much business. Bevilacqua said the owners were just good businessmen.
“They were really smart in what they did,” he said.
Bill Roark Torch Technologies
Bill Roark is co-founder of Torch Technologies. He was president of the Criminal Justice Systems segment at Nichols Research.
“Roy Nichols built a lasting legacy in the Huntsville community. Roy was not only a great technical mind, but he was also a great person,” said Roark.
“Chris and Roy built a great culture at Nichols Research Corporation (NRC). Despite its size, NRC felt like a small company. We all knew one another – it was like family. I built my career there and used NRC as a role model for how to do things when Don Holder and I started Torch.”
Principles learned at Nichols have helped Torch be successful today, he said.
“Things like giving back to the community, treating your employees well, and surrounding yourself with the best possible people were all lessons Don and I learned at NRC and put into practice at Torch.”
Dr. David Chenault Polaris Sensor Technologies
Dr. David Chenault is owner of Polaris Sensor Technologies, located at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. He supported hardware-in-the-loop work in Nichols’ Shalimar, FL office before moving back to Huntsville.
“Working in Shalimar was almost like a small business kind of feel,” Chenault said.
“I guess my experience was kind of from afar, at least relative to Huntsville, but it seemed like Roy encouraged initiative and pursuing things like that.
“The technologies involved were interesting and challenging,” he said. “That kind of bled over into the stuff that we’ve been doing here at Polaris for the last couple of decades now.”
Polaris Sensor Technologies has emulated some employee benefits from Nichols, including plenty of vacation time, profit-sharing, and generous 401k contributions.
Above all, the thing that sticks with Chenault is the spirit of collaboration.
“The attitudes, the goals, the objectives of people working towards the common goal, working for a customer, working for a company, rather than just kind of filling space in the seat,” Chenault said.
“It’s very obvious and very different when you see someone coming in from a larger company that’s not used to that environment.”
Jan Smith S3, Inc.
David Anderson Invariant Corporation
David Anderson is CEO of Invariant Corporation. He was an electrical engineer at Nichols Research from 1991 to 1998.
“Invariant was started by three individuals. All of us worked at Nichols Research,” Anderson said. “Brett Gossage was one, Brent Spears and myself started Invariant in 2001.”
Doing good technical work and staying loyal to customers were top priorities.
“That was all the way to the leaders and executives in the company who really recognized that importance and still stayed involved on the technical side,” he said.
The concept stays with him. So does the spirit of camaraderie and team building.
Anderson’s employees who once worked at Nichols know, “if we grow and succeed and do good work, that everyone benefits from that ownership.”
“It was a small-company attitude,” said Anderson. “I think there are a lot of companies in Huntsville that have that attitude, many of which got that from Nichols Research and working there and wanted to recreate that atmosphere and that attitude.”
Different businesses would work together as partners back then.
“There’s a lot of small business like ours all over Huntsville that have that same attitude and have that same feel,” he said. “A lot of that was learned out of lessons learned from working at Nichols.”
Steve Thornton Monte Sano Research Corporation
Steve Thornton is president and CEO of Monte Sano Research Corporation. He was senior engineer and manager at Nichols.
Thornton said the progressive, supportive environment at Nichols encouraged everyone to reach their leadership potential or strike out on their own.
“The expectation of excellence and professional pride in being a Nichols Research employee caused anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit to desire to be their own company,” Thornton said.
During his time there, he learned winning demands persistence and consistency over the long term and, “You can’t win if you’re not present when the lights are on.”
Another guiding principle was a focus on action. “Unbridled perfection is the enemy of the sufficiently successful,” he said.
Monte Sano Research will soon become employee-owned.
“The desire to ever-increase the value of being an employee makes some form of tangible stakeholdership an obvious advantage,” he said.
John Watson Torch Technologies
John Watson is vice president of Business Development at Torch Technologies. He was vice president of the Florida division at Nichols.
“I think one thing, having worked at Nichols, I wanted to make sure that we were all well-grounded in business principles [at Torch],” Watson said.
“Chris really inspired a good business acumen in everyone in terms of making sure that we had direction and budgets, and everybody was held to budget,” Watson said. “If you presented an opportunity, you might get that budgeted, but you’d have to go through the argument to get it.”
A common Nichols saying was, “Our oldest customers are our best customers.”
“That’s something that’s been the core of Torch in terms of customer loyalty,” Watson said. “Making sure that we take care of our customers that we have and not always be focused on the new ones we want to get.”
Nichols’ leaders also stressed familiarity with cutting-edge technology, he said.
“That kind of put the desire for everybody to be able to stay engaged in those types of markets.”
Nichols was the inspiration for Torch to be employee-owned, he said, “in a way that you didn’t have outside interests that could sell the company off.”
Steve Lessman Signalink Inc.
Lessman is founder and CEO of
Inc. He worked at Nichols from 1992 to 1994 as a graphics analyst, then a tactical communications analyst until 1996.
Like other former Nichols employees, Lessman found that the atmosphere of teamwork, employee engagement, and mentorship gave him the confidence to start his own business.
As a graphics illustrator, he learned the emphasis on joint interoperability and utilization of tactically sharing data between the Armed Forces.
“This inspired me to pursue my career as a Signal Officer in the U.S. Army Alabama National Guard, which placed me on the trajectory of founding Signalink in 2005,” he said.
The NRC small-business culture informs decisions guiding his company today.
“As we continue to grow, we are centered on continually fostering and building on our small-business culture of people, customers, and community,” he said.
Steve
Signalink
MSFC 65 th Anniversary Celebration Breakfast
July 17, 2025
Congratulations to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) on the 65th Anniversary of their founding! Community, Redstone, and elected leaders gathered to mark this important milestone. Mayors Battle and Finley and Madison County Commission Chairman McCutcheon also signed a joint proclamation, recognizing MSFC’s contributions to the region’s identity and technological growth.
Get in the Game
CRP DefenseTech Accelerator continues momentum
The CRP DefenseTech Accelerator, building off a successful inaugural cohort, is full steam ahead into year two.
In June, Innovate Alabama’s board of directors approved the Accelerator for additional funding to support two more cohorts. Thank you to BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama, Regions Bank, and Synovus Bank for funding these cohorts with $1.215M in tax credits! This fundraising round more than doubled what we raised last year.
Each cohort goes through a 12-week accelerator program that is designed for early-stage technology companies with innovative products that can be grown and scaled in the defense and commercial markets. Each program cycle consists of five companies who participate without paying any fees or relinquishing equity.
The CRP DefenseTech Accelerator matches companies with defense tech advisors to assess the viability of scaling their products within the federal government, coaches to help build and refine a defense specific go-to-market strategy, business development experts and writing specialists to support proposals, and access to an expansive network of product users, customers, and investors.
The upcoming cohorts will again be powered by the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber’s partnership with Treble One. Applications will open in early August. The next 12-week cohort will begin in early October. The 3rd cohort application period will open in late October and begin in January. More info and application can be found at cummingsresearchpark.com/work-here/defensetech-accelerator
– Erin Koshut
CRP U Update
Applications open soon for next cohort
We are pleased to share that we’ll host a second cohort of our leadership training program for small businesses. Navigating from Tech Manager to People Manager offers valuable training in leadership and management to those transitioning from technical to human-centric roles in their company in a cost-effective way.
About a dozen participants graduated from our first cohort in early June. They met once per month for six months, learning foundational management concepts and leadership effectiveness.
“I’m newer to management and have come from a technical background,” shared participant Jared Erickson. “This course has helped bridge some gaps of understanding how to lead the people around me and set my team on a path of success.”
“CRP U was an incredibly valuable experience for me as an emerging leader in the tech industry,” added participant Laura Eshelman. “It helped me sharpen my strategic thinking, improve my communication skills, and gain the confidence to lead with impact. I walked away with practical tools and a clearer vision for my career growth.”
Horizon Point Consulting leads the training and incorporates research and best practices from industry leaders in fun and engaging ways. Leaders from CRP companies also visited sessions to share their expertise and experience.
The next cohort will be held from January through June 2026. Applications open August 19. If you are a CRP small business and have an employee you would like to nominate, please email Staci Sellers: ssellers@hsvchamber.org
– Claire Aiello
INVESTOR PROFILE
Tell us about yourself, Clint. Where are you from and what brought you to Huntsville?
I am originally from Scottsboro, and I graduated from Scottsboro High School. While I was in college at Jacksonville State University, I began working at SouthTrust Bank. My wife, Francy, is from Albertville, and we decided we’d like to live in Huntsville since it is close to both of our hometowns and families. As I was nearing graduation, I was able to get a job lined up with SouthTrust in Huntsville. We’ve been here ever since – 25 years!
You’re also in a band!
Hahaha, yes – it’s a fun hobby. My friend, Brad, and I have a two-man acoustic duo… “Brad & Clint.” Pretty cool name, huh? We’ve been enjoying playing music together for 30 years!
Ok, back to work. Tell us about the team at CB&S Bank and the work you do.
I’m proud to have recently joined CB&S Bank as the Madison County regional president. Founded in 1906 in Russellville, Alabama, with just $25,000 in capital, CB&S Bank has grown into a regional powerhouse with $2.8 billion in assets and 56 locations spanning Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Despite this impressive growth, the bank’s mission remains rooted in the values that sparked its founding: community, service, and integrity. Locally, I have a great team, and we are committed to enriching the lives of our neighbors, businesses, and employees. We’re proud to be an Alabama-based provider of personal and business banking solutions, which include checking, savings, investments, and personal and business loans.
Would you share some examples of community involvement?
CB&S Bank locally supports many nonprofit organizations including Kids to Love and the Huntsville Hospital Foundation. We are also supporters of community involvement through our partnership with the Huntsville Havoc and a number of our CB&S Bank teammates volunteer with worthy community organizations as well – way too many to mention here!
What does CB&S Bank get from its membership in the Huntsville/ Madison County Chamber, and your support as an investor?
We see the value of our membership and the Huntsville Reginal Economic Growth Initiative (HREGI) investment through the Chamber events we attend. These networking events are great opportunities for our team to get out and get involved in the community. These events also benefit us in learning about important topics in our community and across the country. Our young professionals are able to participate in events specifically geared toward them and their growth in community involvement.
Clint Kirkland
Executive Vice President, Madison County Regional President CB&S Bank
Small Business Champion of the Year: Veronica Cram
Seeing the Small Business community thrive is a vital part of the Chamber’s mission, but for Veronica Cram of Insight Strategic Solutions, it is a passion that is deeply personal and rewarding. Cram is the founder and CEO of Insight Strategic Solutions, a company that has made a name for itself at our annual Small Business Awards. In 2024 though, the spotlight moved from the company to Veronica herself as she was named our first Small Business Champion of the Year. This was a new award that year, and Cram’s passion for helping business owners navigate the entrepreneurial landscape in the Rocket City was undeniable!
When asked about how she guides business owners in the community, she said she likes to have them focus on financial clarity from day one. “So many small business owners pour themselves into building something great – but struggle to grow because they don’t have visibility into where their money is going or how to scale profitably,” Cram said. “You don’t need to be a financial expert, but you do need to partner with someone who can help you turn your numbers into strategy. When you understand your data, you make better decisions.”
Those better decisions lead to stronger, more sustainable businesses which have helped create a stronger environment for our small businesses. Her knowledge comes from a plethora of clients and colleagues in a variety of industries who share her belief in collaboration over competition. A lot of her involvement in groups like the Women’s Economic Development Council (WEDC), the Chamber’s Women’s Business Council, and participation in Leadership Greater Huntsville have led to the confidence she shares with other growing businesses.
“To be recognized for championing others is both humbling and motivating,” said Cram. “It reminds me that every hard conversation matters – because behind each business are people chasing big dreams and helping them succeed is the greatest reward of it all.”
– Kayla Brown
Russell G. Brown Executive Leadership Award recipient: Dr. Karockas “Doc Rock” Watkins
Being a strong leader is about “influence, integrity, and impact” according to Dr. Karockas Watkins of Ability Plus. As the 2024 recipient of the Russell G. Brown Executive Leadership Award, Dr. Watkins, or ‘Doc Rock’ to many, said he believes leadership requires courage and putting others first. “It’s not about titles or authority. It’s about servant leadership and having the courage to serve others while holding true to my values, even when it’s uncomfortable.”
Doc Rock coined the name back in Decatur, AL during his childhood days. Known as “Rock,” he later pursued his doctorate and formed the brand name of “Doc Rock.” The name is now known throughout the business community, and Doc uses it as a unique icebreaker when he connects with employees and community members.
Over the last 13 years, Watkins has worked professionally in Huntsville. He began his journey doing professional development and leadership training for Ability Plus, and six months into that job, he was promoted to their chief operating officer. He later branched out to continue his leadership and professional development consulting through his own company known as Vision Excellence Company (VEC). With the help of many mentors along the way, Watkins was able to sustain a small business while continuing his demanding work as COO.
Some of the leaders who have inspired him along the way have made big impacts in the north Alabama business community over the years. “I’ve looked up to Joe Newberry, Rey Almodó var, Dr. Halton ‘Skip’ Horton, and Dr. Dorothy Huston,” he said. Each has impressive leader ship skills that are recognized throughout our region. Something Watkins prioritizes with his style of leadership is setting an example. “I believe in doing the hard work first, listening before speaking, and building trust through consistency. Strength in leadership also means being humble enough to admit mistakes, being wise enough to learn from them, and resilient enough to keep moving forward.” He said he measures his success by how many people he can help grow into leaders.
Outside of developing future leaders in our region, Watkins enjoys the typical hobbies of a southern gentleman – fishing, reading, and of course, college football. However, when asked about his hobbies outside of work, his response?
“Work (lol).” There is some truth behind work not feeling like “work” when it is truly your passion, and Doc Rock exemplifies just that!
Still Shining Bright
Continuing our introductions of Huntsville’s Guiding Stars
The ASmartPlace® Guiding Stars program connects newcomers with local experts, helping them settle in and thrive. Passionate residents share insights on everything from hidden gems to social events, fostering a sense of belonging. Employers, we encourage you to remind your new hires that our Guiding Stars can offer invaluable support beyond the workplace, easing transitions and building community connections.
If you’re new to Huntsville, check out our Guiding Stars at stars.asmartplace.com and fill out a form to get connected. Let’s keep Huntsville welcoming!
Throughout this year’s Initiatives magazines, we’ll introduce you to our Guiding Stars .
Kalee Full
Kalee is a people-first, strategy-driven communicator currently planted within the healthcare industry. She loves networking, professional growth, and exploring her city. In her free time, Kalee likes to hike, climb, read, couch-rot with good takeout, and spend time with her Aussie/Pointer mix, Kaya.
Interests: Books & Reading, Connecting with Nature, Dining, Dogs & Dog Parks, Hiking, Parks, Religious Life, Renting a Home, Rock Climbing
Mark Moore
Mark is a Huntsville native and business owner. He enjoys community theatre, dinner out with friends, travel, antiquing, comic books, and gardening. Mark and his husband have three pups.
Interests: Arts & Culture, Community Development, Dogs & Dog Parks, Healthcare
Ruchi Singhal
Ruchi is an energy efficiency enthusiast and has been helping Huntsville be greener for 16 years. She loves the small town feel of Huntsville but also appreciates all the growth and ways to have fun. Watching her kids grow up around family and friends in this beautiful Valley has been wonderful.
Interests: Books & Reading, Community Development, Cooking, Drawing, Painting & Art
Young Professional of the Year: Jacob Schreiber
“Never stop learning.”
That is what our 2024 Young Professional of the Year, Jacob Schreiber, hopes future young professionals take in as they continue pursuing their career goals. As the former vice president of Operations at H2L Solutions, Schreiber spent many years learning the art of challenging himself. His commitment to the defense industry has given him an invaluable skill set that has since helped him transition to a new opportunity. His new role is a customer-facing position supporting the U.S. Army Program Executive Office Missiles and Space (PEO MS), with a focus on Foreign Military Sales (FMS) weapons systems cybersecurity.
“My time at H2L Solutions not only deepened my cybersecurity expertise and provided crucial operations experience but also significantly helped grow my professional network and helped refine my interpersonal and soft skills, all of which are vital for this new chapter,” he said.
For Schreiber, winning the Young Professional of the Year award was a true honor and turned into an opportunity for him to advocate for the next generation. He added, “[winning] validates my contributions to Huntsville’s vibrant young professional community and deeply motivates me to keep advocating for the next generation of cybersecurity professionals and our city’s growth.”
Huntsville has no doubt been growing its cybersecurity presence across the nation and the world. Schreiber’s advice to the next generation is not only to “never stop learning,” but to also “avoid complacency” and continue to challenge not only yourself, but others around you.
– Kayla Brown
But what makes it so smart?
We are home to Fortune 500 companies, high-tech startups, space and defense agencies and contractors, state-of-the-art medical research facilities, and prestigious education and research institutions. Our employers make up a significant portion of that reputation, which is why we use the brand ASmartPlace® to assist employers in their recruitment needs. The ASmartPlace website offers data, analytics, video resources, and contact information for our economic development team to better help companies showcase the benefits of working in a thriving community like Huntsville. See more at asmartplace.com.
chamber staff
HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER
Executive Staff
Chip Cherry, CCE, president & CEO
Staci Sellers , director, governance support & special projects
Economic Development // CRP // Talent Initiatives
Lucia Cape , CCE, senior vice president
Erin Koshut , executive director, Cummings Research Park
Lyndsay Ferguson , vice president, talent initiatives
Ken Smith , senior economic development director
Annie Davis , director, talent initiatives
Beth Zinn , program manager, Driving Possibilities™
Finance & Administration // Events
Mary McNairy, IOM, AACE, vice president
Joe Watson , facility operations lead
Kim Weeks accounting specialist – receivables
Dionne Scales , accounting & HR specialist
Diana Baccus , CMP, director, event management
Laura Carr, event specialist
Stefanie Smoot , resource desk coordinator
Government & Public Affairs
Mike Ward , CCE, senior vice president
Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative (HREGI)
Kristy Drake IOM, vice president, investor relations
Investor Relations // Membership
Kristy Drake , IOM, vice president, investor relations
Lakeysha Brown director, membership & engagement
Richard Bigoney, membership account executive
Cindy Wood , membership account executive
Hailey Anderson , membership retention specialist
Image Development & Communications
Claire Aiello , IOM, vice president
Kristi Sherrard , creative director
Kayla Brown , director, strategic communications
Hiroko Sedensky, web designer
Small Business // Economic Inclusion
Ashley Engles-Ross , IOM, vice president, small business
ASSOCIATED ORGANIZATIONS
uah.edu/sbdc
Advancing Small Business Forward
Chamber to host new event in Huntsville October 28-29
The P.R.O.P.E.L. Small Business & Entrepreneur Summit is more than just an event – it’s a platform designed to elevate entrepreneurship, drive innovation, and foster meaningful connections across Huntsville’s small business ecosystem. Guided by six core principles – P romote, Resource, O pen, P repare, Engage, and L aunch – the summit will empower small businesses, entrepreneurs and the organizations that support them.
The summit will place a strategic spotlight on high-growth, high-impact industries including advanced manufacturing, aerospace, biotechnology, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure. By uniting entrepreneurs, small businesses, investors, industry leaders, and ecosystem partners, P.R.O.P.E.L. aims to create a collaborative environment where innovation and opportunity converge.
Entrepreneurs will take center stage during live pitch competitions, where they’ll present their ventures to a panel of judges for the chance to win cash prizes that can help fuel their next stage of growth. Demo day sessions will give entrepreneurs and small businesses a platform to showcase their cutting-edge products and technologies aligned with key industry sectors.
Adding to the energy of the summit is the SolutionLAB, where small businesses pitch their “solution” to the innovation priorities and procurement needs identified by industry partners – opening new pathways for collaboration and procurement opportunities.
Attendees can expect engaging panel discussions on essential topics for small business growth, including securing funding, attracting top talent, harnessing digital tools, and expanding through strategic partnerships. These sessions are crafted to provide actionable advice and inspiration for entrepreneurs at every stage. Plus, attendees will help select the winners of the pitch competitions held on both days of the summit, so come ready to participate and make your voice count!
Whether you’re an emerging entrepreneur, an established small business owner, corporate decision-maker, or ecosystem supporter, the P.R.O.P.E.L. Summit provides the tools, resources, and relationships to move your work – and the region – forward.
Whether you’re interested in pitching, participating as an industry partner, or attending to learn and cheer companies on, keep an eye on upcoming Chamber eblasts for details on the P.R.O.P.E.L. Small Business & Entrepreneur Summit, taking place October 28–29 at Stovehouse in Huntsville. Also, watch for the release of the daily agenda – each day kicks off with a Founders & Funders Fun Run/Bike Ride through downtown Huntsville or Cummings Research Park.
Join us as we promote entrepreneurship, open new doors, and P.R.O.P.E.L. small business innovation into the future. The future starts here. Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of it!
– Ashley Engles-Ross
