Initiatives Online July 2018

Jeff White Photography

july 2018

By the Numbers

Courtesy of BallCorps LLC

Movers & Shakers Bright Lights The Classroom Small Biz Synapse HREGI Profile Special Occasions A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

Better Together At Bradley, we combine legal experience and knowledge with a sophisticated understanding of the industries that drive Huntsville. We use our talents, judgment, work ethic, and experience to come up with practical, strategic solutions specifically tailored to our clients’ business operations. We go above and beyond expectations to help our clients meet their goals.

Our Huntsville attorneys leverage a broad range of perspectives to help achieve the results that we expect and our clients demand.

bradley.com

200 Clinton Ave. W | Suite 900 | Huntsville, AL 35801 | 256.517.5200 No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. Contact: Frank M. Caprio., 256.517.5142, fcaprio@bradley.com, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, 200 Clinton Avenue West, Suite 900, Huntsville, AL 35801.

Cough. Sniffles. Cold Fever. Sore Throat. Ra IN. Pain.GET Congestion.

Alle GET OUT. Ear Pain.

Reactions. U GET WELL .

Respiratory.

Cough.

S Cold. Flu shot. Muscl Injuries. Fever. Shingl Throat. Rash. Back P Congestion. Allergies Reactions. Upper Res Muscle/Joint Injuries.

Shingles. Rash. Allerg That’s what patients get at the Employee Health Clinic at Research Park. We’re a fast, convenient, dependable primary care clinic serving businesses near Cummings Research Park and Redstone Arsenal.

We are an employer-specific clinic, not open to the public, which makes us an excellent benefit to offer employees and their families. The clinic is led by board-certified physician, Dr. David Huff, who’s been practicing medicine in Huntsville for 35 years.

Interested in viewing the clinic and learning more about how this clinic can work for your organization? Call (256) 265-0066 today to schedule your tour.

Clinic hours: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

7047 Old Madison Pike, Suite 330 Huntsville, AL 35806 hhcorporatewellness.org

welcome new chamber members Joined in April 2018 Action Concrete Cutting & Core Drilling, LLC Allstate - John Wood Athens Bible School Cimarron Software Services, Inc. CIS Home Loans Conner Industries CyberProtex DC Blox, Inc. Doe Run Farms/CSA Flint River Dental IDP JANUS Research Group JP Morgan Chase Bank Keller Williams - Karen Morris Keller Williams Realty - Ravi Agarwal Label-Aid Systems, Inc. Madison Landing Apartments The Mortgage Firm Inc. Norfolk Southern Corporation Roto Rooter Sage Products, LLC Serenity Funeral Home, LLC Smart Ride, LLC Stewart Electric Company, Inc. Stratagem Solutions, Inc. Tech Assurance INC. Volkert, Inc.

Joined in May 2018 AB Stone Innovation, Inc. AL Care First, Inc. America’s Party Pros, LLC Autism Society of Alabama Bradford Health Services Butcher Drafting Service, LLC Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Huntsville American Cabinets Kennametal, Inc. Leading Edge Real Estate Log Right LLC Madison Alabama School of Real Estate Malibu at Martin Mod Pizza Mspark Nekkid Products ProofNet Investigative Agency RiVidium, Inc. Rollin Lobstah Simply Tam Foundation for Artful Living, LLC Singleton CPA LLC Southeast Mortgage Staples #1280 - North Parkway Tate Services, Inc. UNISHIPPERS (I-JIT Logistics) Windmill Beverages - 3022 South Memorial Parkway

If you want to make a valuable investment in your business and the community, the Chamber is the place to start. Contact Donna McCrary, Membership Retention Manager: 256-535-2027 or dmccrary@hsvchamber.org.

4

initiatives

online

july 2018

A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

AS OF JUNE 20, 2018

INVESTORS HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER

DEVELOPMENT PARTNER

DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

CHAIRMAN’S COUNCIL PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE

REGIONAL PARTNERS

LEADERSHIP FORUM

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BBVA Compass ■ Crestwood Medical Center ■ Dynetics, Inc. ■ General Atomics ■ Lockheed Martin Corporation Northrop Grumman Corporation ■ PNC Bank ■ SAIC ■ SES - Science and Engineering Services, LLC Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. ■ Yulista

CHAMBER TRUSTEES AEgis Technologies Group ■ Aerojet Rocketdyne ■ Akima, LLC ■ Bailey-Harris Construction ■ Bill Penney Toyota/Mitsubishi Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Alabama ■ Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. ■ Five Stones Research Corporation ■ Intrepid ■ INTUITIVE Jerry Damson Honda Acura ■ KBRwyle ■ Landers McLarty Dodge Chrysler Jeep ■ Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne P.C. ■ PARSONS Raytheon Company ■ S3, Inc. ■ Sealy Management Company, Inc. ■ SportsMED Orthopaedic Surgery & Spine Center ■ Synovus ■ Torch Technologies

PROGRESS PARTNERS Ability Plus ■ ASRC Federal Analytical Services ■ Baron Services, Inc. ■ BASF Corporation ■ BB&T ■ Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP ■ Brown Precision, Inc. ■ Colliers International Connected Logistics (LogC2) ■ Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT) ■ Davidson Technologies, Inc. ■ Google ■ Huntsville-Madison County Builders Association ■ IBERIABANK J Smith Lanier & Co., a Marsh McLennan Agency LLC company ■ Keel Point, LLC ■ L3 Technologies ■ LMI ■ LogiCore ■ The Orthopaedic Center (TOC) ■ Progress Bank Radiance Technologies ■ RE/MAX Alliance ■ SCI Technology, Inc. ■ SELEX Galileo Inc. ■ ServisFirst Bank ■ Sirote & Permutt, PC ■ Spirit Coach, LLC Steak-Out (Rosie’s Restaurants, Inc., & Right Way Restaurants, Inc.) ■ Turner Construction Company ■ Wells Fargo Bank ■ Woody Anderson Ford PROGRESS INVESTORS 4SITE, Inc. ■ AECOM ■ Alpha Beta Technologies, Inc. ■ All Points Logistics, LLC ■ Amanda Howard Real Estate ■ Anglin Reichmann Snellgrove & Armstrong, PC ■ Averbuch Realty Co., Inc. – Scott Averbuch BancorpSouth ■ BRPH Architects-Engineers, Inc. ■ Bryant Bank ■ CB&S Bank ■ Century Automotive ■ CFD Research Corporation ■ CGI Federal ■ Coast Personnel Services ■ Croy Engineering, LLC ■ DC Blox, Inc. deciBel Research ■ Decisive Analytics Corporation ■ Deloitte LLP ■ DESE Research, Inc. ■ Digium, Inc. ■ Express Employment Professionals ■ Fernandez Financial Group ■ Fite Building Company, Inc. FLS Translation & Interpreting ■ Fountain, Parker, Harbarger & Associates, LLC ■ Garver ■ HEMSI ■ Hiley Cars Huntsville ■ Huntsville Botanical Garden ■ Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau Huntsville Tractor & Equipment, Inc. ■ INTERFUZE Corporation ■ Investor’s Resource – Raymond James Financial Services ■ IronMountain Solutions ■ Legend Realty – Jim Hoekenschneider ■ LINE-X, LLC The Lioce Group, Inc. ■ LSINC Corporation ■ MAG Aerospace ■ MSB Analytics, Inc. ■ National Bank of Commerce ■ nLogic, LLC ■ North Alabama Multiple Listing Service ■ PALCO ■ PFM Financial Advisors LLC PHOENIX ■ PROJECTXYZ, Inc. ■ QTEC ■ RE/MAX Distinctive – Sandra Lowrey ■ Ready Mix USA ■ Renasant Bank ■ RJ Young Company ■ S&ME, Inc. ■ Sigmatech, Inc. ■ Systems Products and Solutions, Inc. Technicolor ■ TriVector Services, Inc. ■ Troy 7, Inc. ■ U.S. Space & Rocket Center ■ Valor Communities ■ Venturi, Inc. ■ West Huntsville Land Co., Inc. ■ Wilmer & Lee, P.A. ■ Worxtime, LLC

Chamber Members: Send your company news to comms@hsvchamber.org

july 2018

ON THE COVER: Facebook to invest $750M in new Huntsville data center page 26

By the Numbers

11

HREGI Profile

16

Small Biz Synapse

17

Bright Lights

18

The Classroom

22

Movers & Shakers

28

Special Occasions

35

L-R: Madison City Councilman Tommy Overcash, Mayor Paul Finley: ready for Minor League Baseball page 20

Et cetera New Members: page 4 HREGI Investors: page 5 About IO: page 8 Board Listing: page 8 Staff Listing: page 34

A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

july 2018 initiatives

online

7

About IO

HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER

Executive Committee and Board of Directors 2018 Executive Committee

What a friend request! On June 14, we were excited to share the news with you that Facebook is coming here. The social media giant will build a massive $750 million data center in Huntsville. We are thrilled announcements like this keep coming, and we thank all of those who worked to secure this opportunity.

Baseball is returning, too! It’s thrilling to see this major new development in Madison, and we congratulate Mayor Paul Finley, the Madison City Council, BallCorps LLC, and many others who are working to make the new ballpark a reality. We look forward to rooting for our new home team when the first pitch is thrown in 2020.

Thank you for sending us your company’s news. We’re seeing much more of it come in, and Initiatives Online (IO) is your outlet to share the great things happening in your business and showcase your employees who really shine. In this issue, you’ll see a number of Bright Lights and Movers & Shakers, and we really appreciate your contributions. Please continue to email your news here: comms@hsvchamber.org.

Enjoy your summer!

Gary Bolton, Chair, ADTRAN, Inc. Kim Lewis, Chair-Elect, PROJECTXYZ, Inc. Joe Newberry, Immediate Past Chair, Redstone Federal Credit Union

Ron Poteat, Chamber Foundation Chair, Regions Bank Greg Brown, Secretary/Treasurer, Brown Precision, Inc. Kevin Byrnes, Vice Chair, Economic Development & Industry Relations, Raytheon Company

Alicia Ryan, Vice Chair, Government & Public Affairs, LSINC Corporation

Rose Allen, Vice Chair, HREGI, INTERFUZE Corporation Jeff Gronberg, Vice Chair, Marketing & Communications, deciBel Research, Inc.

Frank Williams, Vice Chair, Membership, Landers McLarty Dodge Chrysler Jeep

Hank Isenberg, Vice Chair, Small Business & Events, IronMountain Solutions

Joe Ritch, Vice Chair, TV-BRAC, Sirote & Permutt, PC Penny Billings, Chair-Appointed, BancorpSouth Mark Curran, Chair-Appointed, L3 Technologies, Inc. David Fernandes, Chair-Appointed, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Inc.

Mayor Tommy Battle, Ex-Officio Member, City of Huntsville Mayor Paul Finley, Ex-Officio Member, City of Madison Chairman Dale Strong, Ex-Officio Member, Madison County Commission

Tracy Marion, General Counsel, Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne, P.C. Chip Cherry, President & CEO, Chamber

Sincerely,

Elected Board

Jeff Gronberg 2018 Vice Chair for Marketing & Communications Chamber Executive Board

IO Staff Chip Cherry, CCE publisher Jeff Gronberg 2018 vice chair, marketing & communications Claire Aiello editor Jarkerria Merritt, Hannah Shelton, Mike Ward contributors

Kristi Sherrard editorial designer Hiroko Sedensky web designer

The mission of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber is to prepare, develop and promote our community for economic growth.

Submissions for editorial content are accepted; however, placement is not guaranteed. Information in this and other Chamber publications is at the discretion of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber.

8

initiatives

online

july 2018

Mike Alvarez, Venturi, Inc. Bill Bailey, Radiance Technologies, Inc. James Barclay, S3, Inc. Mark Becnel, RadioBro Corporation Blake Bentley, SportsMED Eric Blackwell, Polaris Industries, Inc. Lynn Collyar, Deloitte LLP Deke Damson, Jerry Damson Honda Acura Dr. Dorothy Davidson, Davidson Technologies, Inc. John Eagan, BB&T Joe Fehrenbach, Mynaric USA Trip Ferguson, LSINC Corporation Gene Goldman, BWX Technologies, Inc. Joni Green, Five Stones Research Corporation Mike Gullion, SCI Technology – a Sanmina company John Hall, All Points Logistics, LLC Josh Herren, Yulista Steve Hill, AEgis Technologies Group Lee Holland, Turner Construction Company Tharon Honeycutt, MSB Analytics, Inc. John Jordan, KBRwyle Sean Kelly, Regions Bank David King, Dynetics, Inc. Bob McCaleb, Northrop Grumman Corporation Janice Migliore, PALCO Craig Naudain, SAIC Chris Pape, Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne, P.C. Alana Parker, Rocket City Drywall & Supply, Inc. Leigh Pegues, PNC Bank Jim Rogers, Lockheed Martin Corporation Jeff Samz, Huntsville Hospital Dr. Gurmej Sandhu, Sigmatech, Inc. Sameer Singhal, CFD Research Corporation Beth Sippel, Synovus Robert “Bob” Smith, Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. Cynthia Streams, Domino’s (Valley Pizza, Inc.) Tim Thornton, nLogic, Inc. Lynn Troy, Troy 7, Inc. Ken Tucker, The Boeing Company Dr. Karockas Watkins, Ability Plus, Inc. Mike Watkins, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Dennis Weese, Line-X, LLC Danny Windham, Digium, Inc.

A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

EMERGENCY CARE WITH

LESS WAITING

E.R. In a medical emergency, every minute matters. So, at Crestwood Medical Center, you’ll find faster care in the emergency room. We work diligently to have you initially seen by a medical professional with the shortest wait time possible.* And, as a full service community hospital, we can provide a lot more care if you need it.

For less waiting and faster care, count on the E.R. at Crestwood Medical Center.

One Hospital Drive • Huntsville 256-429-4000 • CrestwoodMedCenter.com *E.R. wait time, which is defined as the time it takes from check-in at the E.R. desk until a patient is initially seen by a provider, can change quickly.

This time is dependent on the severity of the illness and other patients also in the E.R.

In a world of cookie-cutter financial planning solutions, Bridgeworth listens and carefully tailors each plan to a client’s purpose, values, and goals BECAUSE...

One-size-fits-none™

One-Size-Fits-None™ Financial Planning and Wealth Management: tailored, strategic, collaborative, and acting in your best interest.

3800 Colonnade Parkway, Suite 300 Birmingham, Alabama 35243, Phone: (205) 208.8700 400 Meridian Street, Suite 200, Huntsville, Alabama 35801, Phone: (256) 970.6888 bridgeworthllc.com • Bridgeworth, LLC is a Registered Investment Adviser.

D R A W I N G

O N

A

W E A L T H

O F

K N O W L E D G E

By the Numbers FEDERAL, STATE, OR MUNICIPAL CONTRACTS ACQUIRED BY CHAMBER MEMBERS

Dynetics receives $47M for GBU-69/B Small Glide Munition

Munition capability for the AC-130W, AC-130J and other Special Operations Forces platforms.” More on Dynetics.com.

Dynetics has been awarded a $470 million contract to increase production levels of the GBU-69/B Small Glide Munition (SGM) for the US Special Operations Command.

(USSOCOM). In August 2017, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Rapid Acquisition Cell awarded Dynetics a $93 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract for up to 900 SGMs. As a result of early operation success as well as a recent directive by the Secretary of Defense to maximize munition production, USSOCOM has awarded this supplemental contract to meet this objective which will provide for the production of up to 1,000 SGMs per year as well as support for testing, training, fielding and employment. The SGM was initially evaluated as part of a Collaborative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between Dynetics and the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Program Executive Office - Fixed Wing. Outstanding results obtained under the CRADA, along with further USSOCOM funded flight evaluations, led to the establishment of a USSOCOM acquisition decision memorandum issued in 2015 to “expeditiously complete development, integration, test and fielding of a Small Glide

Teledyne Brown Engineering awarded $79.6M missile defense contract Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY) announced June 18 that its subsidiary, Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc., has been awarded a $79.6 million Task Order by the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command / U.S. Army Forces Strategic Command to design and build affordable, flexible target missiles used for test and evaluation. The Tactical Range Air Defense Missile (TACRAM) effort is planned to begin immediately and could extend through April 2025.

Under this contract, Teledyne Brown Engineering will develop realistic-threat ballistic target missiles, known as “Zombie” targets, for use in testing advance missile defense systems. Army and Missile Defense programs have an increased interest in reducing the cost of test and evaluation requirements. Zombie targets are manufactured or reborn in part from components that have reached the end continued on page 12

A Level of Customer Service That’s Second to None.

Bryant Bankers like Kristie Ray are committed to providing unbeatable customer service for every person that walks through her door. She’s invested in Huntsville and Madison County and will work tirelessly to help each person or business achieve legendary results.

Kristie Ray, Downtown Huntsville Branch Manager

Join the Bryant Bank Family Today! Proudly offering Personal, Business, & Mortgage Banking.

Downtown Huntsville | SE Huntsville | BryantBank.com | 256.535.1045 | NMLS #582857 A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

july 2018 initiatives

online

11

BY THE NUMBERS, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

of their useful life or may be subject to demilitarization. The Zombie targets, therefore, provide a low-cost solution with threat-representative capabilities necessary to test the effectiveness of missile defense assets.

The Task Order was awarded under United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command’s Design, Development, Demonstration and Integration (D3I) Domain 1 contract.

procurement Army; operations and maintenance Army; research, development, test and evaluation; and foreign military sales funds in the combined amount of $9,612,512 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, AL, is the contracting activity.

Parsons awarded five-year contract with ceiling up to $164M

Torch Technologies awarded multiple contracts

Parsons Government Services Inc., Huntsville, AL, has been awarded a five-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity task order contract (HHM402-18-D-0004) with a potential five-year option and a ceiling of $164,693,682 to provide support services for the Defense Intelligence Agency’s (DIA) Missile and Space Intelligence Center (MSIC) located at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, AL. Through this award, DIA will procure services to support a variety of functions at MSIC, including modeling and simulation architecture analytical tools, model development and integration, integrated forces analysis, and C4 exploitation and analysis. Work will be performed in Huntsville, AL with an expected completion date of May 7, 2028. This contract was awarded through a full and open competition and two offers were received. The Virginia Contracting Activity, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.

Yorktown Systems Group awarded $22M contract for operations support services Yorktown Systems Group Inc.,* Huntsville, AL, was awarded a $22,781,609 cost-plusfixed-fee contract for operations support services including conducting and providing predictive modeling and trend analyses concerning global asymmetric threats. Bids were solicited via the Internet with seven received. Work will be performed in Fort Meade, Maryland, with an estimated completion date of May 14, 2021. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $1 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Eustis, Virginia, is the contracting activity (W911S0-17-C-0007).

KBRwyle awarded $9M modification KBRwyle (CAS Inc.), Huntsville, AL, was awarded a $9,612,512 modification (0041 36) to domestic and foreign military sales (Netherlands, Afghanistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, United Kingdom, Indonesia, Mexico, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, Australia, and South Korea) contract W31P4Q-05-A-0024 for programmatic service support for the Aviation Network and Mission Planning Product Office and Air Traffic Control Product Office. Work will be performed in Huntsville, AL, with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2019. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 other 12

initiatives

online

july 2018

Torch Technologies Inc.,* Huntsville, AL, was awarded a $71,894,533 cost-flus-fixedfee contract for advisory and assistance services to the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. 23 bids were solicited with two received. Work will be performed in Huntsville, AL, with an estimated completion date of May 22, 2023. Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $39,315 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, AL, is the contracting activity (W9113M-18-F-D009).

Torch Technologies was also awarded a $221,344,424 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to enhance and maintain system simulation and development directorate’s current suite of missile modeling simulation, hardware-in-the-loop and prototype development facilitates. Bids were solicited via the Internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of May 16, 2023.

U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, AL, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-18-D-0016).

Many Huntsville companies competing for each order of $93M Aerial Target Systems 2 work Griffon Aerospace Inc.,* Madison, AL (W31P4Q-18-D-0029); Kord Technologies Inc.,* Huntsville, AL (W31P4Q18-D-0030); Kratos Defense & Rocket Support Services Inc., San Diego, CA (W31P4Q-18-D-0031); and Trideum Corp.,* Huntsville, AL (W31P4Q18-D-0032), will compete for each order of the $93,376,751 cost-plus-fixedfee contract for Aerial Target Systems 2 research, development, test and evaluation. Bids were solicited via the Internet with four received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of May 21, 2023. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, AL, is the contracting activity. continued on page 15 A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

is proud

TO SUPPORT THE ARTS AS A SUSTAINING DONOR OF THE HUNTSVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.

WWW.IBERIABANK.COM

L O N G

A

PA RT

O F

A M E R I C A’ S C U LT U R A L FA B R I C

470,100

U. S. JOBS

$23 billion

U. S. INVESTMENT

$700 million

CHARITABLE GIVING

For 60 years, our team members have proudly built cars and trucks all across this great country. We are also driven by a commitment to the communities we call home.

Toyota proudly operates 10 U.S. manufacturing facilities in nine states.

Alabama California Indiana Kentucky Mississippi Missouri Tennessee Texas West Virginia

Toyota ad_Final_9.25 x 12.25.indd 1

12/19/17 10:39 AM

BY THE NUMBERS, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

PROJECTXYZ awarded $75M contract PROJECTXYZ Inc.,* Huntsville, AL, was awarded a $75,943,165 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for programmatic support services for security assistance, foreign military sales and international programs. Bids were solicited via the Internet with seven received.

Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2023. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W91CRB-18-D-0005).

United Launch Services awarded $18M modification for EELV Phase 1 United Launch Services LLC, Centennial, Colorado, has been awarded an $18,866,842 modification (P00192) to previously awarded contract FA8811-13-C-0003 for Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Phase 1. This modification provides for an increase in the mission resiliency for a launch vehicle configuration that had been previously ordered under the EELV contract, and brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $8,853,675,400. Work will be performed in Centennial, Colorado; Decatur, AL; and Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida, and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2018 space procurement funds in the amount of $18,866,624 are being obligated at the time of award. Space and Missile Systems Center, Launch Systems Enterprise Directorate, Los Angeles Air Force Base, CA, is the contracting activity.

Hexagon US Federal awarded $60M contract for Navy Surface Warfare work Hexagon Federal Inc., Huntsville, AL, is awarded a $60,857,149 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity supply contract for the procurement of commercial Ruggedized Marine Hardware systems to be installed on various ship classes in support of numerous modernization programs managed by the Navy Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division. All of the hardware will be delivered to the Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This contract award will contain a 60 month ordering period. The delivery date of the required supplies will be determined at the time of award for each individual delivery order. Work is expected to be completed by May 2024. Fiscal 2017 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $1,816,085 will be obligated immediately after contract award via the first delivery order and will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N64498-18-D-4001).

Has your organization recently won a contract?

Send us the details of your federal, state, or municipal contract to: comms@hsvchamber.org

Lockheed Martin awarded $145M and $17M for separate modifications Lockheed Martin Corp. Missiles and Fire Control, Dallas, TX, is being awarded a $145,256,274 modification (P00010) to previously awarded contract HQ014717-C-0032 for the production of additional THAAD Lot 10 interceptors, one-shot devices, and associated product support efforts under fixed-price incentive-firm target contract line item numbers. The value of this contract is increased from $1,285,845,311 to $1,431,101,585. The work will be performed in Dallas, TX; Sunnyvale, CA; Huntsville, AL; Anniston, AL; Camden, Arkansas; and Troy, AL, with an expected completion date of Aug. 31, 2021.

Fiscal 2018 procurement funds in the amount of $145,256,274 are being obligated at time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, AL, is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin Corp. Missiles and Fire Control, Dallas, TX, is being awarded a $17,967,600 modification (P00040) to previously awarded contract HQ014714-C-0011 to exercise an option for the production of additional Missile Round Pallets - Transportable (MRP-T) for the THAAD system under a firm-fixed-price contract line item number. The value of this contract is increased from $977,952,958 to $995,920,558.

The work will be performed in Dallas, TX; Sunnyvale, CA; Huntsville, AL; Anniston, AL; and Camden, Arkansas; with an expected completion date of Dec. 31, 2021. Fiscal 2018 procurement funds in the amount of $17,967,600 are being obligated at time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, AL, is the contracting activity.

A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

Helping people with disabilities achieve employment for over 45 years Helping businesses connect with motivated employees throughout North Alabama

256-880-0671 phoenixhsv.org july 2018 initiatives

online

15

HREGI Profile Q&A WITH A HUNTSVILLE REGIONAL ECONOMIC GROWTH INITIATIVE INVESTOR

John McFarland, Worxtime, LLC Q: What is Worxtime?

A: Worxtime is a web-based application developed to help companies navigate the complex regulations of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The secure, cloud-based software determines employee benefit eligibility and tracks companies’ measurement, administrative and stability periods according to the IRS-defined look-back method. This automated program provides employers with valuable reporting data. Worxtime alerts companies of employee eligibility for health benefits based on the company data in the system and the IRS’s ACA regulations. The intuitive software will help employers budget effectively and minimize or even eliminate potential ACA compliance risk while remaining current with the latest ACA regulations and deadlines. It will also complete all IRS filing necessary to keep companies compliant with the law.

Q: What would you like other Chamber members to know about your company?

A: Worxtime grew out of a company that had been around for 20+ years. In 2013, we stepped outside of our comfort zone and started developing the ACA platform that today is a nationally-recognized brand. Our original intent was to assist our client base with adhering to the new ACA laws, but we quickly realized that the need was much greater than just our client base. With rapid growth during 2015 and 2016, we gained the attention of many companies, and, in early 2018, we were acquired by a global corporation. This has allowed us to continue to grow and expand our offerings not only to current clients, but also to enhance our marketing efforts and continue our growth.

Q: Why does Worxtime support HREGI, the Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative?

A: As a company that is deeply rooted in technology and development, we see the value in what the Chamber is doing to help this region grow in so many areas. The Chamber provides us with a way to meet other companies for potential partnerships, and their focus on helping this area grow and bringing top talent to this region benefits all companies located here. Being born and raised in Huntsville, it has been interesting to see how much the area has changed during my life. From a personal standpoint, it is a privilege to be able to invest in the Chamber with the hope for continued economic growth in the Huntsville area.

16

initiatives

online

july 2018

A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

Small Biz Synapse FOCUSING ON CHAMBER MEMBERS IN THE WORLD OF SMALL BUSINESS

Continuing the Celebration Our profiles of last year’s winners continue in this edition of Initiatives Online, as we prepare for the 2018 Small Business Awards Celebration on August 14 at the Von Braun Center. Register on hsvchamber.org today!

Thrive Alabama

BY HANNAH SHELTON

Thrive Alabama was founded in 1988, and since opening, has continuously grown and diversified their services, constantly seeking new ways to reach out to Huntsville and surrounding communities. The non-profit provides comprehensive healthcare and connects individuals with organizations who can meet their needs.

Mary Elizabeth Marr, the CEO of Thrive Alabama, states the clear desire of this organization is “to see a need in our community, and either partner with it, or provide it for individuals.” The team accomplishes this mission by providing a wide array of services from educating all ages about preventive measures against HIV, providing free transportation and dinner to attendees of their substance abuse

programs, and investing in a mobile medical van service in order to reach 12 different counties, from Mississippi, to Georgia, to Tennessee, down to Birmingham.

Through these services, Thrive is able to reach a wide array of individuals who are underinsured or have no insurance at all. “We’re a comprehensive, affordable, caring option for healthcare, and we’re here for everyone,” said Marr. She hopes that within the upcoming years, Thrive will grow large enough to enable them to reach and meet the needs of thousands more individuals.

Thrive Alabama was a recipient of the 2017 Small Business Award for Medical Practice of the Year. When reflecting upon receiving this award, Marr expressed how proud she was of her staff and the work and effort they all put into providing the best possible care for individuals in their community. “It’s opened the doors for many more people to know who we are and what we do, so it’s been a very exciting year and we are very proud,” said Marr. continued on page 19

COMPREHENSIVE WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Your Trusted Partner for Life 100 Essex Court, Suite C, Madison, AL 35758. 256-772-4646. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Investor’s Resource is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services. invresource.com

A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

july 2018 initiatives

online

17

Bright Lights ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS IN THE HUNTSVILLE METRO

Teledyne Brown Engineering awarded Large Business Subcontractor of the Year Teledyne Brown Engineering, a subsidiary of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY), was recognized as Large Business Subcontractor of the Year by Bechtel for exceptional work on projects for Bechtel’s Nuclear, Security & Environmental global business unit.

Companies were evaluated on multiple factors including the following: overall performance; the ability to deliver quality services/supplies on time; the ability to work collaboratively to meet milestones; and meeting or exceeding project expectations in aspects of safety, construction performance, technical expertise, and environmental compliance. Nominations were reviewed and approved by Bechtel procurement and project managers with final approval from senior leadership.

“We are honored to receive this prestigious award from Bechtel highlighting the work we are performing with them on national security programs,” said Jan Hess, President of Teledyne Brown Engineering. “This complex and challenging project exemplifies the type of work we pride ourselves in performing.”

Teledyne Brown Engineering has been supplying hardware and systems for the energy and nuclear industry for over five decades. The company is a subcontractor to Bechtel for work supporting the Uranium Processing Facility project at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

“Our subcontractor and supplier community relationships are the cornerstone to many of our highly technical, and often first-of-a-kind projects,” said Barbara Rusinko, President of Bechtel’s Nuclear, Security and Environmental global business unit. “The performance of key suppliers continues to enhance our ability to deliver superior service to our customers and advance innovation.”

UAH, INTUITIVE win prestigious Cogswell Awards In June, the Defense Security Service announced the winners of the 2018 James S. Cogswell Outstanding Industrial Security Achievement Award. In all, 39 facilities were selected from approximately 13,300 cleared facilities that are subject for recurring assessment. The selection criteria is extremely rigorous and honors facilities who have the utmost protection in industrial security standards.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville was the only university to receive the award this year, and Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation was also a recipient. Lockheed Martin Corporation’s location in Troy, Alabama also won.

The award was established in 1966 in honor of the late Air Force Col. James S. Cogswell, the first chief of industrial security within the 18

initiatives

online

july 2018

Department of Defense. Cogswell was responsible for developing the basic principles of the Industrial Security Program, which includes an emphasis on the partnership between industry and government to protect classified information. This partnership ultimately ensures the greatest protection for the U.S. warfighter and our Nation’s classified information.

Redstone wins Credit Union of the Year from NAFCU Redstone Federal Credit Union® has been named Credit Union of the Year by the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU).

The nationally recognized award was presented June 20, 2018 to Redstone’s President and CEO Joe Newberry, during the NAFCU Annual Conference and Solutions Expo in Seattle, Wash.

“To be recognized by NAFCU as the Credit Union of the Year is such an honor,” said Newberry. “Each day we strive to be a model credit union by enthusiastically serving our members and offering the products and services that meet their needs.’’

Redstone was recognized by NAFCU for its successes in the areas of community give-back efforts; serving underbanked or low-to-modest income members; providing financial education to youth; and devising and implementing a cultural transformation process to better serve its members.

In addition to receiving the Credit Union of the Year, Redstone also recently won two Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Awards.

Redstone received the Best Achievement of Operational Excellence in Banking, Capital Markets & Insurance, as well as the highest honor in the award program, the Platinum Award for Best Achievement in Organizational Operational Excellence.

In October, Money Magazine named Redstone the ‘best bank’ in Alabama.

T-H Marine acquires Blue Water LED assets In May, T-H Marine Supplies, Inc., of Huntsville, Alabama, announced the acquisition of the assets of Blue Water LED Enterprises, LLC (Blue Water) of Lawrenceburg, KY. Blue Water designs, assembles, and sells a broad and unique line of LED light kits and lighting components for Boats, Kayaks, Autos/Trucks, Trailers, ATVs/UTVs, Golf Carts, RVs, Off-Road Vehicles, Public Safety Vehicles, and Utility Trucks. Blue Water has long been known as the pioneer and market leader in LED light kits for bass boats and professional bass fishermen.

“We are so excited to announce the acquisition of the Blue Water assets. We have continued on page 24 A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

SMALL BUSINESS SYNAPSE, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

Marr is quick to attribute portions of Thrive Alabama’s success and growth simply to being involved, actively networking and educating others on the mission and importance of what the organization accomplishes. Her advice for new small businesses in the Huntsville area is to continue pursuing your goals, to be as involved in the community as possible, and to never give up. “This is a great community to be a small business in,” said Marr. “It’s a community that’s grown, that has a heart. People in Huntsville are very generous. They want to help. They just need to know how to help.”

Alabama Psychological Services Center

BY HANNAH SHELTON

Since its founding in 1993, Alabama Psychological Services Center staff have whole-heartedly devoted their time and resources to helping individuals of all ages. Lois Pope, founder, owner, and psychiatrist of APSC, began with only two psychologists and a counselor. Due to an increase in demand for the wide array of psychological testing they offered, their business experienced exponential growth.

With this increase in demand for testing services, came an equal increase in need for follow-up care. This growth allowed APSC to “have a balanced offering of services” by bringing on new clinicians with different specialties. Lois credits further prosperity to having such a diversified group of therapists, “Because we have such a broad spectrum of therapists out there, they can cover most any referral here.”

Team members at APSC pride themselves on the family atmosphere fostered by caring therapists and office staff. As the front office manager and the friendly face in terms of helping patients and clients, Elizabeth Sumera puts a large emphasis on the role the company atmosphere plays in their success. “It’s family oriented, and as much as business is a priority, family comes first,” Sumera said. This family environment also has a significant impact on patient care. Bill Pope, Director of Operations, says this total focus on family allows for the provision of “excellent mental health services to the community.”

Statistically, one in four individuals will suffer from a mental disorder at some point during their lives. This need and APSC’s ability to help, was just one of the many reasons why the staff was honored to receive the 2017 Small Business Award for Professional Services of the Year. “There’s such a need for these services and it’s nice to be recognized that we are providing something necessary…we help people to improve the quality of their lives so they can go out and do their jobs and go to their families and be better at it, feel better, live better, work better, play better. That’s the quiet outcome of what we do,” says Lois. The staff at APSC views their ability to prompt these subtle changes in clients and their lives as their biggest accomplishment. continued on page 21

Now Leasing

4000 & 4100 Market Street // Redstone Gateway // Under Construction 14,440–44,000 SF Divisible to 4,800 SF +/Fall 2018 occupancy Single story office buildings

Single and multi-tenant options Ample surface parking (4/1,000 SF) 14’ clear height Fiber optics available

> 4100 MARKET STREET

60% LEAS

LEED certified construction Lakefront Parcel $17.00–$17.50 PSF NNN Just outside Gate 9 of Redstone Arsenal

> 4000 MARKET STREET

ED

Bart Smith, CCIM, SIOR Jeremy D. Pope, CCIM, SIOR Tyler Fanning 256.382.9010

Marshanne Castro 256.517.7030 marshanne.castro@copt.com

A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

www.redstonegateway.us july 2018 initiatives

online

19

COVER STORY

Put Me In, Coach!

City of Madison breaks ground on new baseball stadium Artist’s Rendering

T

he City of Madison broke ground on its new baseball stadium June 9. A big crowd attended, too – estimates by the Madison Police Department and BallCorps, LLC, the team’s owner, put attendance at more than 1,500 people.

“Breaking ground on this project is momentous, and we appreciate the work that has led us to this point,” Madison Mayor Paul Finley said.

“Celebrating with our community while enjoying free ballpark food like hot dogs, popcorn and cotton candy is a fantastic way to rally together to start the process.”

“We are humbled by the amazing support of the people of North Alabama at our first event,” said Ralph Nelson, Managing Partner and CEO of BallCorps, LLC. “We would like to thank the City of Madison, Madison County, Iberia Bank, Buffalo Rock and so many others for working together with us on this wonderful day.”

For the last few weeks, fans have been able to submit suggestion for the team name on NorthAlabamaBaseball.com. Top 7-10 suggestions should be announced any day and fans can vote on their favorite. The final name will be unveiled in August.

– Claire Aiello

Building in North Alabama for over 60 years Services: Construction Management

Owner’s Agent

General Contracting

Preconstruction

Design-Build Services

Self-Perform Operations

HREGI Investor

336 James Record Road | Huntsville, AL 256.461.6700 | turnerconstruction.com

20

initiatives

online

july 2018

A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

SMALL BUSINESS SYNAPSE, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

Longview Financial Advisors, Inc.

BY JARKERRIA MERRITT

Longview Financial Advisors, Inc. is a financial planning and wealth management company offering countless services to their clients around the Southeast region of the United States. According to Jessica Smith, Vice President and Director of Financial Planning, they strive to encourage both their team members and clients to make sound financial decisions that will have a favorable impact on themselves or their business long-term. “Our core purpose is really to impact our clients and our team members to make a difference in the world, and to use their wealth, talent and experience to improve their situation and help others improve their situation as well,” said Smith.

Longview functions as two main departments with one focused strictly on financial planning in the realm of retirement, cash flows and debt management.

On the flipside, they also focus on investment management, which consists of researching and building portfolios for clients. “We really focus on working with clients to identify where we can help them improve through their financial planning and wealth management. Also, a good number of our clients are interested in charitable planning, so we have built a target market around those who are philanthropic or charity-minded to help them achieve those goals,” said Smith.

Longview is an employee-owned business with deep roots in the company’s core values: integrity, excellence, teamwork, collaboration, curiosity, living a balanced life, and cultivating the culture of giving. As recipients of the 2017 Small Business Award for Business/Professional Services of the Year, Smith attributes their win to the company’s collaborative approach to business. “It was really a confirmation of the hard work that everyone here has put in,” Smith said. “Collaboration is one of our core values and in our industry, the financial planning industry, it’s not common that you find a firm where everyone works as one team ... it really was a team approach to winning this award. So, it was a win for all of us.”

Since winning, Longview has doubled its new client base, and qualified prospects have increased by 14 percent. Smith’s advice for acquiring and maintaining success as a small business is to invest in a highly qualified team and solid lineup of great clients.

NXTStep Family Law

BY HANNAH SHELTON

As their name suggests, NXTStep Family Law focuses on helping families reach the next step in life, delivering excellent legal services while maintaining a focus on improving their client’s futures. Coby Boswell and Kristina Sexton are co-founders of NXTStep and recognize the importance of maintaining familial relationships throughout legal proceedings. They strive to provide a warm, open, and familyoriented environment for their clients in order to better people’s lives and help families in all situations.

“We want to try to get people to be the best parents, the best people they can be,” said Boswell. “Our goal is always about conflict resolution.” This emphasis on A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

family is applied to attorney-client interactions and is also reflected in NXTStep’s office environment. Boswell shares that this “family oriented, very together team environment” encourages the NXTStep’s team to support each other, allowing them to provide each client with the highest quality legal services possible.

After receiving the 2017 Small Business Award for the Emerging Business of the Year, Boswell reflected on how much of an honor it was to be chosen as the recipient of this award from such a talented group of small businesses in Huntsville.

“Huntsville is such a unique community. We have so many entrepreneurs and small businesses and really, really good, smart, dedicated people that are building these businesses.” Bowell hopes to continuously grow to further improve and develop NXTStep.

When asked if he had any advice for individuals seeking to start a small business, Boswell said, “Do it, don’t hesitate on that.” Boswell encourages new businesses to emerge because of the incredible growth opportunity Huntsville presents. “There are not nearly as many barriers and roadblocks in this city or in this time as there maybe were previously,” he added. Boswell also emphasized the importance of developing long-term business plans, because it takes energy to create a business, make it successful and sustain that success. NXTStep hopes to continue growing, meeting the demand of their clients, allowing them to continue touching lives and helping families towards their next step.

Serving customers in the Manufacturing, Legal, Healthcare, and Technology Sectors

Whether translation or face-to-face interpreting, 38 years of proven success means you can rely on the expertise of FLS translators and interpreters!

3609 A5 Memorial Parkway SW Huntsville, AL 35801

256-881-1120 info@flstranslation.com

FLStranslation.com july 2018 initiatives

online

21

The Classroom EDUCATION NEWS

Space Advocacy Important to Human Space Exploration Effort

G

etting humans back to the Moon and eventually to Mars will take more than rockets and capsules - it will take money – lots and lots of money. As the source of that funding, the U.S. Congress must understand why spending money on such space pursuits is a worthy expenditure. They must also understand why spending money on human space exploration is comparatively more valuable than investments in other, competing, budgetary priorities.

To help make the case for human space exploration, the Huntsville/ Madison County community has long been a member of a national coalition of space exploration communities known today as the Citizens for Space Exploration. The coalition was first formed in the early 1990s to help lobby for funding for the International Space Station.

Those advocacy efforts were critical to the success of the Space Station program when Congress decided in 1993, by a one-vote-margin, to continue the program.

22

initiatives

online

july 2018

Today’s efforts are no less important. With commercial space companies vying to position their systems as potential alternatives to NASA’s heavy lift SLS and Orion Crew Vehicle, it is important that Congress understand the reasons why they should continue to fund NASA’s programs.

This year, the Citizens for Space Exploration conducted their 28th DC fly-in. Approximately 100 travelers from across the US converged on DC May 15-17 to conduct nearly 400 scheduled Congressional office visits. Travelers were grouped into teams of 3-4 people, with each team conducting about 20 meetings over the two days of Hill visits.

The Alabama CSE delegation included four UAH graduate students: Eliza Dellert; Saroj Kumar; Matthew Stanbro and Maggi Klug; along with Jeff Irons and Mike Ward, the Chamber’s Sr. VP of Government & Public Affairs. The students’ travel expenses were sponsored by the National Space Club, Huntsville Chapter and the Chamber’s Foundation.

“This CSE trip was an amazing opportunity for me to speak with my representatives about the research and NASA programs I care about,” said Klugg. “It also helped me gain a better understanding of the inner workings of the federal government, which can help me in the policy-side of my future career in Earth System Science.”

“Normally, when I attend technical conferences I get to talk to experts from my field and hardly ponder how the policies are made continued on page 31

A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

Bridging the world’s post-sales supply chain

WHAT WE DO

THE SOLOMON2 ADVANTAGE POST SALES SUPPORT & REVERSE LOGISTICS PALCO specializes in post-sales managed services (RMA, Life-Cycle Management, and Sustainability) that enable our clients to optimize efficiencies, improve profitability, and deliver exceptional customer experience. PALCO services enable our clients to optimize their businesses by aligning Post-Sales Support models to realize their operational objectives, achieve long-term business goals while reducing risks and lowering total overall costs, and utilize global service deployment strategy maps and optimized methodologies.

PALCO’s approach provides consistent global processes and assures post-sales supply chain predictability.

PALCO

Solomon2 SOLOMON2 is PALCO’s proprietary data acquisition and management software.

This superior technology is designed

INTEGRATION SERVICES

specifically to support and improve post-sales

PALCO offers customers a total solution to their system integration requirements. Products are delivered to you or your customer fully integrated, racked, stacked, cabled, labeled, with OS and custom imaging installed, end-to-end test validation, and extended burn-in.

PALCO also offers white-glove services.

operations. Through SOLOMON2 clients receive actionable, real-time global information.

They also get business intelligence specific

to post-sales supply chain services

MANUFACTURING SUPPORT SERVICES

(RMA, Product Life-Cycle, and Sustainability)

PALCO leverages over 30 years of servicing leading-edge technology. We offer some of the most technically advanced circuit board rework, repair, and ECO implementation in the industry, as well as testing, troubleshooting and repair services that meet precise OEM specifications. Additionally, PALCO performs 3rd party inspection services.

helping them better support the most demanding mission critical service agreements.

www.gotopalco.com | Contact Us: 256-883-6231 or 256-883-3408 | Email: info@palcotelecom.com

BRIGHT LIGHTS, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

long admired the quality of their products and the market share leader status they enjoyed in the aftermarket LED Light Kit market,” said Jeff Huntley, T-H Marine’s president. “The Team at Blue Water has built a great company of super quality products, with a lifetime warranty, and we are looking forward of taking their ‘vision’ to the next level.”

Jeff Hillard, one of the original founders and president of Blue Water LED said, “It’s been an awesome experience to grow our company and to meet so many of our customers and dealers. Our faith-based company has operated on the principles of providing superior quality products, excellent customer service, and an unprecedented lifetime warranty. We have loved serving our loyal customers over the years and we are excited that even more customers will now have access to Blue Water products through an industry leader, T-H Marine. We know T-H Marine cares about quality, stands behind its products, and really cares for its customers, so it’s a great fit. We are proud to know they will nurture the line of Blue Water products into the future.”

Parsons acquires Polaris Alpha In May, Parsons announced its acquisition of Polaris Alpha, an advanced, technology-focused provider of innovative mission solutions for complex defense, intelligence, and security customers, as well as other U.S. federal government customers. Parsons’ acquisition of Polaris Alpha, from private equity firm Arlington Capital Partners, is the latest in the company’s series of strategic investments focused on companies with technologies aligned to evolving threats in the land, sea, air, space, and cyber domains.

Parsons’ existing artificial intelligence (AI), signals intelligence, and data analytics expertise supporting defensive and offensive cybersecurity missions will be expanded by the integration of Polaris Alpha’s machine learning, data, video, multi-source analytics, and automated reasoning technologies. Polaris Alpha’s portfolio of electromagnetic (EM) warfare, signals intelligence (SIGINT), space situational awareness, and multi-domain command and control (C2) technologies will significantly increase the scale and scope of Parsons’ capabilities and customer relationships. Both companies support the U.S. intelligence community, numerous U.S. Department of Defense agencies, the Department of Homeland Security, and other federal agencies, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Department of Justice.

“The acquisition of Polaris Alpha is the latest transformative move for Parsons that takes our technology solutions strategy to a new level with customers needing advanced solutions to rapidly evolving threats,” said Chuck Harrington, Parsons’ Chairman and CEO. “With the integration of Polaris Alpha into Parsons, we enhance our proven artificial intelligence and data analytics expertise with new technologies and solutions, the demand for which is growing exponentially.”

24

initiatives

online

july 2018

Polaris Alpha has more than 1,300 employees, with nearly 90 percent maintaining security clearances. The company’s major office locations are in Colorado Springs, CO; Columbia, MD; Aberdeen, MD; and Fredericksburg, VA; with additional offices, research and development facilities, and onsite customer operations in several other states and the United Kingdom.

“Parsons and Polaris Alpha customers, many of which are common to both companies, will benefit from existing, complementary technologies and increased scale, enabling end-to-end solutions under our shared vision of rapid prototyping and agile development,” said Carey Smith, President of Parsons’ Federal business unit. “Our integration plan for the two companies is simple: combine Parsons’ and Polaris Alpha’s capabilities and cultures for the benefit of our customers and employees. We are fully committed to continuing to attract, develop, and retain the best talent in our industry.”

Peter Cannito, Polaris Alpha’s CEO, added, “The combination of Polaris Alpha into Parsons is a logical continuation of our strategy to deliver highly differentiated technical capabilities for the government’s most critical missions. Joining Parsons significantly broadens our access to new markets, solidifies our ability to deliver at scale, and provides a unique opportunity for our employees to continue to have a meaningful role in a transformative culture and premier organization.”

Polaris Alpha was formed through Arlington Capital’s merger of EOIR Technologies, Intelligent Software Solutions (ISS), and Proteus Technologies. In 2017, Intelesys and Solidyn were added, and in April 2018, 4D was acquired.

“Polaris Alpha has grown rapidly both organically and through strategic acquisitions to become a recognized leader in the space and cyber domains. The strength of the Polaris Alpha management team has enabled the company to combine leading technical capabilities with a deep understanding of its customers’ missions while establishing a strong, unified culture,” stated Michael Lustbader, a Managing Partner at Arlington Capital. “We are excited to watch many of our key technology and infrastructure investments continue to pay dividends under Parsons’ leadership.”

Polaris Alpha will become part of Parsons’ Federal business unit, led by Carey Smith. Baird advised Parsons on this deal.

Hiller named Ruud’s #1 Reliable Contractor in America for fifth consecutive year Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical (Hiller), a regional provider of residential and commercial service and repair, was named #1 on Ruud’s Reliable List of Top Contractors in America in 2017. This award marks Hiller’s fifth consecutive first place rank on the list. Ruud’s Reliable Contractor’s list recognizes exceptional contracting businesses for excelling in sales, customer support, and overall service to their local homeowners.

“Year after year, our Ruud partners continue to impress us and keep setting the bar higher and higher,” noted Randy Roberts, Vice President of Sales in Rheem’s Air Conditioning Division. “We appreciate the Top-20 Ruud Reliable Contractors for their hard work, dedication, and support to the Ruud brand. These contractors are committed to running an outstanding business every single day.”

Ruud honored Hiller at the 2017 Top Pro Partner Awards in a ceremony held on April 23, 2018 at the Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington, D.C. A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

“To be named a Ruud Reliable Top-20 Contractor again makes me proud of each member of our team,” said Jimmy Hiller, founder and CEO of Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical. “Receiving this award proves that we are both treating our customers right and serving as leaders in the industry. When we care about our customers, our employees, and our communities, we all succeed.”

Launched in 1990 out of a duplex in Antioch, Tennessee, with a single employee and just $500, Hiller has grown to include over 480 trucks, 15 locations and more than 630 employees across the southeast. In the past decade alone, Hiller has experienced over 900 percent growth in revenue.

New #1: Huntsville Top City for STEM Workers Huntsville has been named number one on the list of the Top 10 Best Cities for STEM

Workers in 2018 by Livability.com.

Livability editors looked at more than 2,000 cities across the country to determine the 10 Best Cities for STEM Workers this year. The ranking took into account important criteria like the share of total jobs falling into the STEM category, median income for jobs in the STEM category and the median income for STEM jobs in relation to the overall median income for the city.

“This ranking showcases a wide variety of cities with amazing STEM job opportunities,” said Winona Dimeo-Ediger, Livability’s Managing Editor. “We’re especially proud to highlight STEM hubs in unexpected places. Silicon Valley is well represented on the list, but cities like Albuquerque and Miami Beach might come as a surprise.”

Huntsville’s long-time commitment to STEM-related jobs is visible even before you reach this northern Alabama city. At a state Welcome Center not far from Huntsville stands an actual Saturn rocket – the kind that once delivered astronauts to the moon – stretching 224 feet into the air like a giant exclamation point. The rocket was placed there several decades ago in recognition of Huntsville’s contributions since the 1950s to the United States’ space and defense programs, primarily through work done at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and Redstone Arsenal.

Today, the city continues to be national leader in the STEM field. Nearly 17 percent of all jobs in Huntsville fall into the STEM category, with a median income for those jobs of $95,135, which is more than twice the median income for the city overall.

2018 Best Buy: Small Car For the fourth consecutive year, the feature-filled 2018 Honda Civic has been named Best Buy of the Year among small cars according to Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com, offering outstanding reliability and outstan resale value.

DAMSON.COM

A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

july 2018 initiatives

online 25

COVER STORY

New Friends

Jeff White Photography

Facebook to invest $750 million in Huntsville data center

O

n June 14, Facebook announced it will invest $750 million to build a data center in Huntsville. The company shared the news in an exciting reveal with Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Madison County Commission Chairman Dale Strong, TVA President Bill Johnson and others involved in the project, including the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber.

“Every day, millions of people around the world use Facebook’s products, and this new Alabama data center will soon play a role in keeping the company’s popular platforms running flawlessly,” Governor Kay Ivey said. “Facebook has found a great location in Sweet Home Alabama, and we’ll do our best to help the company grow and prosper here.”

The company plans to break ground on the data center later this year. The 970,000-square-foot facility is expected to be complete in 2020, and will host many of the videos, photos and news articles you see on Facebook every day.

“We are excited to be joining the Huntsville community. As one of the fastest growing tech hubs in the country, we knew it would be a great location for our newest data center,” said Matt VanderZanden, Director of Site Selection at Facebook (pictured). “We are committed to having a positive impact at the local level and look forward to a strong partnership with the Huntsville community.”

The Huntsville City Council gave unanimous approval on May 24 for Facebook’s project entity, Starbelt LLC, to purchase 340 acres at $8.5 million in North Huntsville Industrial Park.

“Huntsville’s Gig City strategy to sustain our position as a leader in 26

initiatives

online

july 2018

the knowledge economy has brought us a company that knows something about creating connections,” said Mayor Tommy Battle. “Facebook has built its business on connecting friends to family, businesses to customers, and people to the world. Huntsville is proud to be the center of these connections with the construction of this data center.​” Once construction is finished, the data center will employ approximately 100 people. The company said it chose Huntsville because of the quality of life, a pro-business environment, and a talented and available workforce.

“Madison County, Alabama continues to excel in all facets of job creation along with the diversification of our workforce,” said Commission Chairman Dale W. Strong. “Today’s partnership with Facebook and their leadership once again shows our community is perfectly positioned for today’s high tech market. While our mission here in North Alabama has never been clearer, I feel we are setting conditions for greater success for generations to come.”

Artist’s Rendering

A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

“This is another major step in increasing access to jobs in North Huntsville,” said Devyn Keith, District 1 Council Member. “We are excited to support the administration on these game-changing economic projects and to continue to capitalize on successes that will increase quality of life in the area.”

“TVA appreciates the determined effort among many state and local partners who helped out-recruit, out-prepare and out-train the competition to win this important project for the people of North Alabama,” said Bill Johnson, TVA President. “The success of our efforts proves that when everyone works together to cultivate the Valley’s assets, business and industry will come, making life better for us all.”

“The Huntsville metro is being recognized internationally as a smart place to do business,” said Lucia Cape, the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber’s Senior Vice President of Economic Development. “Today’s announcement of a Facebook data center in North Huntsville is possible because our community has invested in the infrastructure, focused on quality of life, and made economic diversity a priority.”

Facebook has established a new Page for this project: Facebook. com/HuntsvilleDataCenter. Please ‘Like’ the page for updates specific to the Huntsville data center, including job postings, information on how to join in the construction process, and more.

– Claire Aiello

BancorpSouth offers a full range of traditional business banking services along with other specialized services to address your financial needs. If you’re looking for one or more specialized services, visit a local BancorpSouth banker today, and let’s grow a relationship together.

For a BancorpSouth location near you, call us at: 1-888-797-7711, or visit our Branch Locator at: BancorpSouth.com/find-a-location

BancorpSouth.com/Business Insurance and Investment products are not a deposit, not FDIC insured, not insured by any Federal Agency, not guaranteed by the bank and may go down in value.

A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

july 2018 initiatives

online 27

Movers & Shakers NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, AND RECOGNITION OF TALENT

Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, U.S.A., Inc. (MTMUS)

has announced two new members of its executive team. Ikuo Sugiyama has been named Senior Vice President of Manufacturing and Huntsville native Mark Brazeal joins the new organization as Vice President of Administration.

Sugiyama previously served as plant manager for Mazda Motor Corporation’s Hiroshima plant. In his new role, he will be responsible for manufacturing operations at MTMUS. Mark Brazeal comes to MTMUS from Toyota Motor North America, where he served in general manager roles at the company’s engine plants in Alabama and West Virginia. He will lead all administration operations for the new joint-venture.

“Starting up a new plant represents Mazda’s and Toyota’s commitment to investing in the U.S.,” said Brazeal. “In addition to building vehicles where they are sold, we also want to create a Brazeal plant in which our community and employees are proud. This is an exciting time for Mazda and Toyota and I am equally excited for the opportunity to serve MTMUS and be part of the Mazda Toyota team.”

MTMUS will have the capacity to produce 150,000 units of Mazda’s crossover model (that will be newly introduced to the North American market) and 150,000 units of the Toyota Corolla. The facility is expected to create up to 4,000 jobs with a direct investment from Mazda and Toyota of $1.6 billion equal funding contributions.

In March, MTMUS announced Masashi Aihara as President and Hironori Kagohashi as Executive Vice President.

Van Sullivan,

Sullivan Photo Credit: Sasha Smolina

owner and president of aerospace and defense contractor Trideum Corporation, was recently featured in Forbes.

It cites the company’s constant innovation to grow and increase profits. Trideum designs, tests and implements complex weapons systems for the federal government. Sullivan talked with Forbes about the company’s rapid growth in recent years and what he’s focused on next.

James “Trip” Ferguson has been appointed by LSINC Corporation as Vice President of Strategic Accounts and Initiatives.

Ferguson will lead new business development initiatives in support of the company’s strategy and product development divisions by identifying and securing new strategic markets and clients, as well as working with the internal teams to help bring client ideas to reality.

“We are pleased to bring Trip to the team to help us expand into new markets, building on the first-class work we do for current clients,” said Alicia Ryan, CEO. “It is the combination of his unique leadership in both operations and strategy, as well as his 28

initiatives

online

july 2018

deep understanding of operations management and manufacturing that makes him the perfect fit to help grow LSINC to a new level of client delivery.”

Ferguson is the former Vice President of Operations for the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, where he led Space Camp programs, museum and facility operations resulting in double digit revenue growth annually during his tenure. Previously, he was Vice President of Operations for the Remington Outdoor Company where he led Ferguson start-up activities for the Huntsville campus. He has extensive leadership experience working in the medical, energy, and firearms markets.

Ferguson is a former Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps who has served overseas twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and as the Battalion Landing Team Intelligence Officer for the evacuation of American citizens from Lebanon in 2006 as a member of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics from the U.S. Naval Academy and master’s in business administration from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Joe DiNoto

has been named as Intrepid’s Director of National Security Strategies. He brings more than 30 years of experience in conducting intelligence activities, performing security operations, and leading counterterrorism efforts. His most recent assignment has been Chief Security Officer, United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command (USASMDC/ ARSTRAT).

At Intrepid, DiNoto will lead all national security efforts for client services involving Intelligence Programs, Security Operations, Surveillance & Reconnaissance Activities, and Security Engineering & Protective Sciences. He will lead corporate capabilities providing expertise, support, and specialized services to the Intelligence Community, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and Department of Defense, as well as a portfolio of international clients in those same missions.

As Chief Security Officer for the USASMDC/ARSTRAT, DiNoto DiNoto led the organization’s global security enterprise spanning 23 world-wide locations across 11 time zones, security clearances of 2,800 employees, 200 technology programs, 50 international programs, over 110 classified contracts (estimated $380M contracting value), and 22 Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities. This included command oversight of supply chain risk management, technology protection, and cybersecurity cognizance for information networks classified at the Top Secret and Intelligence Community levels.

His previous Intelligence Community assignments included serving as the Director of Intelligence & Security for the U.S. Army’s Cruise Missile Defense Systems Project Office, Chief, International Security Branch for USASMDC/ARSTRAT, and Chief, Foreign Disclosure & Technology Protection Branch for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). Prior to his federal service, DiNoto served as a Supervising Criminal Investigator for the State of New York where he led undercover operations as well as infiltration and exploitation activities against transnational crime groups and continued on page 32 A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

Now available!

Grocery pickup — fast, fresh, free How it works Order online Shop anytime, anywhere.

Choose a convenient pickup time and location.

Available at select Walmart Supercenters & Neighborhood Markets near you

We’ll do the shopping Experts pick the freshest items or your money back.

We’ll load your car in minutes.

Pick up for FREE No markups on your items.

Get the same Every Day Low Prices found in stores.

Walmart.com/grocery

THE CLASSROOM, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

The region’s largest group of orthopaedic specialists is proud to deliver exceptional care to you and your family.

by our lawmakers which eventually supports the research programs,” Kumar said. “It was amazing to meet all the lawmakers and update them on how as a kid, I got inspired by NASA’s human space exploration program and how crucial it is for them to continuously support the research programs like fusion propulsion system for deep space exploration so that our country maintains its leadership role in the world and keeps inspiring the next generation.”

“This trip allowed me to see the behind-the-scenes work that makes STEM research possible,” added Dellert. “It was extremely inspiring and has actually made me consider going into politics once I’m done with school so that I can help to create and advocate for opportunities to further research and education.”

“I believe that the students are the best spokesmen that we have when it comes to sharing their passion for space exploration,” said Ward. “Members of Congress need to connect the dots when it comes to American leadership in space and our role as a leader on the international stage and our visits help to accomplish that. Leadership is a verb, after all.”

Other key CSE messages focused on the impact that human space exploration has on attracting students into STEM fields, stimulating economic growth, health care improvements and improving our quality of life here on earth.

“The members of the Alabama Congressional delegation could not be more supportive of our human space exploration initiatives,” Ward added. “We owe them a deep debt of gratitude for all that they do to support NASA and its SLS and Orion programs.”

Steven L. Buckley, MD Michael W. Cantrell, MD Brian R. Carter, MD Joseph W. Clark, MD Michael A. Cosgrove, MD Stanton B. Davis, MD Matthew J. DeOrio, MD John J. Greco, MD David B. Griffin, MD James T. Hughey, III, DO Michael G. Lawley, MD Mark A. Leberte, MD Craig E. Lincoln, MD Sudhakar Madanagopal, MD Philip A. Maddox, MD Vandana M. Maladkar, MD R. Allan Maples, MD Jeffrey W. McKee, DPM Howard G. Miller, MD Michael E. Miller, MD Saranya Nadella, MD Larry M. Parker, MD Christopher T. Parks, MD J. Bradley Sabatini, MD F. Calame Sammons, MD Brian M. Scholl, MD Morris B. Seymour, MD Thomas Thomasson, MD

VisitTOC.com

HUNTSVILLE • MADISON • DECATUR • GUNTERSVILLE SCOTTSBORO • FLORENCE • FAYETTEVILLE, TN 1-800-242-2381 • Facebook.com/VisitTOC

(256) 539-2728 • VisitTOC.com A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

july 2018 initiatives

online

31

MOVERS & SHAKERS, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28

organizations providing material support to terrorist organizations.

He is currently completing his Doctorate in Strategic Security Studies from Henley-Putnam University. DiNoto possesses a Master’s Degree in Global Strategies, a Bachelor’s Degree in National Security Affairs and Intelligence Studies, and an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice. In 2015, he was inducted into the Order of the Sword and Shield, the national academic honor society for intelligence and security professionals.

DiNoto is the only person in the history of the DoD to have ever been awarded both the Thomas Dillon Award for Security Excellence (2016) and the Kenneth C. Raymer Award for Excellence in Foreign Disclosure (2007). His other official awards and certifications include: LTC Thomas Knowlton Award for Excellence in Military Intelligence, Army Superior Civilian Service Award (3 times); Army Commander’s Award for Civilian Service; Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service (2 times); DoD Physical Security Certification; DoD Industrial Security Officer Certification; DoD Security Program Integration Professional Certification; DoD Security Asset Protection Professional Certification; DoD Security Fundamentals Professional Certification; and the U.S. Army Space Cadre Qualification.

agreement was put in place on July 27, 2015.

“Xavier started as an intern with us and was offered a full-time position upon his graduation. He’s spent the past year tirelessly training to reach his certification goal.

His efforts are commendable, and we are pleased to have him on our team,” stated Dr. Dwight Mosby, Senior Director with Teledyne for the MO&I contract.

The ISS certification qualifies Xavier to provide real-time command and control for NASA research facilities such as: EXpedite PRocessing of Experiments to the Space Station (EXPRESS) Racks, Window Observational Research Facility (WORF), Minus Eighty-degree Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI), and EXPRESS Logistics Carriers. As a Payload Rack Officer Xavier will also coordinate and monitor use of Payload Support Systems resources, which includes power, water flow, vacuum and nitrogen gas usage for all NASA payload facilities.

“This partnership has allowed for multiple accomplishments for students, the university, and our company,” said Debbie Batson, Small Business Liaison for Teledyne.

“Along with NASA, we work diligently to ensure that we are giving experience to young professionals and our future workforce that allow for possibilities that otherwise may not have existed.”

James Lomax

Richard Bigoney and Keith Johnson have recently joined the team

has been added as Director–Asset Management for the Huntsville Market for Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT). He will be instrumental to COPT’s regional leadership in the areas of asset management, development and leasing. His role will be essential toward building and maintaining local and strategic relationships focused on supporting future growth in Huntsville.

Lomax has worked for several years in the Huntsville commercial real estate market for both NAI Chase Commercial and Colliers International as a Leasing Associate. He is a graduate of Lomax the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and earned his MA from Lipscomb University in Civic Leadership. He holds licensing in Alabama and Florida, is a current CCIM Candidate, and is a regular contributor to the Alabama Center for Real Estate Blog. Lomax is 2015-2016 past president of ROTARACT- Huntsville Chapter, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber Young Professional of the Year 2017 nominee, and currently serves on the Huntsville South Civic Association as Economic Development Chair. He is located in COPT’s Huntsville Regional Office at 310 Bridge Street, Suite 610.

Xavier Sweeney has recently been certified by NASA as a Payload Rack

Officer (PRO). He is the first flight controller whose status was obtained as a part of a Mentor Protégé Agreement (MPA) between Teledyne Brown Engineering and Alabama State University. The MPA was signed under Teledyne Brown Engineering’s Mission Operations and Integration (MO&I) Contract and allows the university and students participating in the program to receive assistance in developing multi-media training for the International Space Station (ISS) Sweeney Payload Ground Support Personnel and Payload Developers. This 32

initiatives

online

july 2018

at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber. Both have been hired as Membership Account Executives.

Bigoney was hired in April. He is a Huntsville native and a graduate of Huntsville High and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. His career includes more than 20 years as a series 7 financial consultant, and he has also held various other professional sales and marketing positions. His extensive sales knowledge and experience has provided tremendous value in helping business owners and individuals achieve both their professional and personal goals.

Bigoney’s community involvement includes him being a past Bigoney board member for The North Alabama Boy Scouts, Treasurer of the Huntsville Lions Club, work with The Huntsville Land Trust and Huntsville recreation league softball coach. Richard is an avid hiker, loves the outdoors and enjoys personal fitness.

Johnson was hired in June. He was born in Dayton, Ohio and grew up in Evansville, Indiana. After graduating from Purdue University, he began working in the electronics industry in manufacturing, marketing and sales, his last position being US Channel Sales Manager for the southeast. He retired after 35 years with Intel.

He and his wife Jennifer have been married for 32 years and have two daughters. Their oldest daughter, Meg, has a degree in business and works as the Assistant General Manager at The Wing, Johnson a women’s co-working space in Brooklyn, NY. She lives in a van that she converted into a tiny house. Emily is an Environmental Economist and works for an outdoor recreation company in Boulder, CO. When he isn’t keeping up with the three women in his life, Johnson loves anything outdoors – yardwork, walking, swimming, and training his Goldendoodle, Eli. A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

It pays to have equity imagine the possibilities

Open a Home Equity Line of Credit

3.

50% APR

fixed introductory rate for 12 months*

myprogressbank.com • 1.888.513.2288 *The introductory rate of 3.50% APR (annual percentage rate) is fixed for 12 months. At the end of the introductory period, the interest rate will convert to Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Prime Rate + 0.50% with a 4.00% rate floor OR WSJ Prime Rate + 1% with no rate floor. WSJ Prime rate is subject to change daily. WSJ Prime as of 04.02.18 is 4.75%. APR based on 4.75% interest rate is 4.819%.

Maximum APR is 18.25%. Closing cost may range from $300 to $1,500. Bank pays closing costs for new HELOCs up to $250,000, subject to initial draw of $10,000 and maintaining outstanding balance of not less than $10,000 for first 180 days. Owner occupied primary or secondary personal residences only. Monthly automatic payment debit to Progress Bank checking account is required.

Subject to credit approval. Consult a tax advisor regarding deductibility of interest. Offer expires 09.28.18. NMLS# 401921

Huntsville/Madison County Chamber

STAF F Executive Staff

Chip Cherry, CCE, president & CEO Amy Locke, executive assistant Annette Atchley, resource desk coordinator Gina Gonzalez, resource desk assistant

Economic Development, Industry Relations & Workforce Lucia Cape, CCE, senior vice president Erin Koshut, executive director, Cummings Research Park Jill Jensen, workforce development director Lydia Pennington, industry relations director Ken Smith, research & information services director Will West, economic development project director Meghan Chambliss, economic development coordinator

Government & Public Affairs Mike Ward, CCE, senior vice president Austin Bullock, program manager

Marketing & Communications Claire Aiello, vice president Kristi Sherrard, graphic designer Hiroko Sedensky, web designer

Membership Kristy Drake, investor relations & membership director Donna McCrary, membership retention manager Richard Bigoney, membership account executive Tina Blankenship, membership account executive Keith Johnson, membership account executive

Small Business & Events Pammie Jimmar, IOM, vice president Devon Elston, coordinator

Finance & Administration Mary McNairy, vice president Lori Warner, accounting specialist – payables Kim Weeks, accounting specialist – receivables Joe Watson, facilities supervisor

Huntsville/Madison County Chamber 225 Church Street NW, Huntsville, AL 35801 phone 256-535-2000 | fax 256-535-2015

HSVchamber.org

Associated Organizations

theschoolsfoundation.org www.uah.edu/sbdc

34

initiatives

online

july 2018

A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

Special Occasions MARK YOUR CALENDAR | PAST CELEBRATIONS

Gardens of Myth Exhibit now open at Huntsville Botanical Garden Have you ever heard of a kappa? Found in Japanese folklore, these turtle-like creatures usually inhabit rivers and streams, but occasionally they venture out to trade with humans for their favorite snack: cucumbers. Perhaps you’re more familiar with leprechauns, mischievous beings found in Irish folktales who guard pots of treasure and grant wishes if caught.

A kappa and a leprechaun, as well as goblins, trolls, and other fantastic folk have taken up temporary residence in the Huntsville Botanical Garden as part of the Gardens of Myth exhibit. This series of sculptures, handmade and painted by Kendall R. Hart, are sure to delight visitors of all ages.

Ranging in size from the tiniest fairies to an impressive 25-foot dragon, each piece is accompanied by a sign detailing interesting facts about the creatures, including country or region of origin, habitat, lifespan, and character.

“It was the beauty and fantasy inherent in a botanical garden that first inspired my vision for Gardens of Myth,” says Hart. “Botanical gardens so easily transport us into a world too lovely to believe – really, a fantasy realm.”

Hart, an award-winning sculptor, painter, illustrator, and graphic and web designer, specializes in the sculpture of life-size creatures. Inspired by fantasy and surrealism, his art and design can be found in graphic novels, websites, major haunted attractions, natural history museums, private collections, and, of course, botanical gardens.

Gardens of Myth will be on display at the Huntsville Botanical Garden from June 1 to October 31.

Girl Scouts honor six female leaders at “One Smart Cookie” celebration On May 24, Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama hosted the North Alabama One Smart Cookie Celebration at the Jackson Center in Huntsville. This event raised more than $14,000 for the organization, recognized outstanding Women of Distinction in North Alabama, and showcased the impact local Girl Scouts have on their community.

The women honored are from a range of fields, including engineering, business, theatre and government. Dr. Susan Wu was presented with the Christine Richard Lifetime Achivement Award. Rep. Laura Hall, Kim Caudle Lewis, Janice Migliore, Karen Mockensturm and Heather Scruggs were all presented with Women of Distinction honors.

“We are the organization creating – through our skill-building Girl Scout Leadership Experience – the female leadership pipeline. The go-getters, innovators, risk-takers, and leaders of tomorrow,” said Karen Peterlin, CEO of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama.

The Women of Distinction Awards pay tribute to women who have made special contributions to their community through civic, academic or professional involvement and are exemplary role models for today’s girls.

A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

july 2018 initiatives

online 35

Must be RFCUÂŽ member or Membership Partner to open a business checking account, obtain a loan, or use any service. Must be eligible for membership and open a share savings account to become a member. A $5 minimum balance is required to open share savings account and must be maintained in share account. Minimum deposits, account balances, and transaction fees apply to some business accounts. Fees apply to some Cash Management services.

Loans subject to credit approval. RFCU is an Equal Credit Opportunity Lender.

This credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.

Grow Your Business With a Partner You Trust.

For over 66 years, Redstone has been providing members with the personal banking solutions they need to get ahead. Let our experts also match your business with the tools it needs to thrive. Plus, keep your costs down with lower fees and better rates.

Cash Management | Merchant Services | Business Loans & Accounts

Call us to get started or visit redfcu.org/trust

256-327-1104 | redfcu.org