IO - July 2020

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Bright Lights By the Numbers COVID-19 Extra! Extra!

Movers & Shakers Recent Events A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

Improving lives across the Tennessee Valley

We are the Huntsville Hospital Health System, a team committed to bringing better health care to you and your family.

We’re all across the Tennessee Valley with more resources, more services and more locations — we’re improving lives, together.

Huntsville Hospital Health System includes Huntsville Hospital, Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children, Madison Hospital, Athens-Limestone Hospital, Decatur Morgan Hospitals, Helen Keller & Red Bay Hospitals, Marshall Medical Centers, Lawrence Medical Center, Russellville Hospital and Lincoln Health System in Tennessee.

welcome new chamber members Joined in April 2020 Agile Defense, Inc Alliant Capital Advisors - Huntsville Blue Orbit Sign Studio Exeter Government Services, LLC Mathnasium of Huntsville Remington Outdoor Company San Francisco Residence Club, Inc Southern Jamm Security Sultry Adult Boutique Supreme Storage Huntsville

Joined in May 2020

We have launched getyourgifton.org – a website to support gift card purchases through our local restaurants and retail stores. Please visit the site and buy a gift card. Also, it is FREE to list your business there. The link to add is at the very top of the site, as well as a link to set up gift cards if you don’t currently offer these.

Aldez Catholic Center of Concern - Huntsville Chaney Place Townhomes Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers The Hendley Group

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The High Tech Solution, Inc. HRC INCOSE Jay S Arnold Consulting Kelache Modeling & Talent Development Agency Terminix Three Star Government Solutions, LLC Tom Brown’s Restaurant Unity Psychiatric Care

As th e state ’s

large st bus reneur iness s, sma coalitio ll busin n of compa esses, nies, a middle nd corp -market oratio Cham ns, mem ber offe b ership rs you in the a wea gain ex lth of o pertise pportun and kn ities to owled relatio ge, bui nships, ld mea engag ningfu e with make l busines a posi tive im s peers pact o , and more n your you ta busines ke ad vantag s. The more e of a you b ll we enefit. offer, the entrep

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.

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A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

AS OF JUNE 30, 2020

INVESTORS HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER

DEVELOPMENT PARTNER

DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

CHAIRMAN’S COUNCIL PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE

REGIONAL PARTNERS

LEADERSHIP FORUM

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BBVA ■ Corporate Office Properties Trust (COPT) ■ Crestwood Medical Center ■ Dynetics, Inc. General Atomics Electromagnetics ■ Lockheed Martin Corporation ■ Northrop Grumman Corporation ■ PNC Bank Raytheon Technologies ■ SAIC ■ SES - Science and Engineering Services, LLC ■ Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. ■ Yulista

CHAMBER TRUSTEES AEgis Technologies Group ■ Akima, LLC ■ Bill Penney Toyota/Mitsubishi ■ Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. ■ Facebook Data Center Five Stones Research Corporation ■ Intrepid ■ Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation ■ Jerry Damson Honda Acura ■ KBR Landers McLarty Dodge Chrysler Jeep ■ Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne P.C. ■ PARSONS ■ S3, Inc. ■ Sealy Management Company, Inc. SportsMED Orthopaedic Surgery & Spine Center ■ Synovus ■ Torch Technologies ■ Turner Construction Company

PROGRESS PARTNERS Ability Plus ■ Aerojet Rocketdyne ■ Anglin Reichmann Armstrong ■ ASRC Federal ■ B. L. Harbert International, LLC ■ Baron Services, Inc. ■ BASF Corporation ■ BB&T Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP ■ Brown Precision, Inc. ■ CenterState Bank ■ Colliers International ■ Connected Logistics (LogC2) ■ Davidson Technologies, Inc. Huntsville Tractor & Equipment, Inc. ■ IBERIABANK ■ J Smith Lanier & Co., a Marsh McLennan Agency LLC company ■ Keel Point, LLC ■ L3Harris ■ Leonardo Electronics US Inc. ■ LMI LSINC Corporation ■ The Orthopaedic Center (TOC) ■ Progress Bank ■ Radiance Technologies ■ RE/MAX Alliance ■ Robins & Morton ■ RUAG Space USA ■ Spirit Coach, LLC Steak-Out (Rosie’s Restaurants, Inc., & Right Way Restaurants, Inc.) ■ Verizon ■ Wells Fargo Bank ■ Woody Anderson Ford

PROGRESS INVESTORS Air Essentials, Inc. ■ Alpha Beta Technologies, Inc. ■ Amanda Howard | Sotheby’s International Realty ■ Armstrong Relocation Company Huntsville LLC ■ Averbuch Realty / Enterprises ■ Bailey-Harris Construction ■ BancorpSouth ■ BID DESIGNS, LLC BRPH Architects-Engineers, Inc. ■ Bryant Bank ■ Canvas, Inc. ■ CB&S Bank ■ Century Automotive ■ CFD Research Corporation ■ CGI Federal ■ Coast Personnel Services ■ Continental Consulting Group Corporation (CCGC) ■ DC Blox, Inc. deciBel Research ■ Deloitte LLP ■ DESE Research, Inc. ■ Express Employment Professionals ■ Fernandez Financial Group ■ FITE Building Company ■ FLS Translation & Interpreting ■ Fountain, Parker, Harbarger & Associates, LLC Freedom Real Estate & Capital, LLC ■ Garver ■ Hexagon US Federal ■ HEMSI ■ Hiley Automotive Group ■ Huntsville Botanical Garden ■ Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau ■ INTERFUZE Corporation ■ Investor’s Resource IronMountain Solutions ■ Legend Realty – Jim Hoekenschneider ■ The Lioce Group, Inc. ■ MAG Aerospace ■ MSB Analytics, Inc. ■ nLogic, LLC ■ PALCO ■ PFM Financial Advisors LLC ■ PHOENIX ■ Pinnacle Solutions, Inc. ■ PROJECTXYZ, Inc. QTEC Aerospace ■ Quadrus Corporation ■ Ready Mix USA ■ Renasant Bank ■ RJ Young Company ■ Rosenblum Realty ■ S&ME, Inc. ■ Schoel Engineering Company, Inc. ■ ServisFirst Bank ■ Sigmatech, Inc. ■ Signalink ■ Snelling Systems Products and Solutions, Inc. ■ TriVector Services, Inc. ■ Troy 7, Inc. ■ U.S. Space & Rocket Center ■ ValleyMLS.com ■ Valor Communities ■ Van Valkenburgh & Wilkinson Properties Inc. ■ Venturi, Inc. ■ Volkert, Inc. Warren Averett, LLC ■ West Huntsville Land Co., Inc. ■ Wilmer & Lee, P.A.

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

july 2020

ON THE COVER: Members proudly showing their face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19 page 19

Read the Chamber’s statement on Diversity & Inclusion page 11

Bright Lights

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Recent Events

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COVID-19

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By the Numbers

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Movers & Shakers

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Et cetera New Members: 4

Extra! Extra!

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HREGI Investors: 5 About IO & Board Listing: 8 Staff Listing: 34 July Concert in the Park: 35

A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

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About IO

HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER

Executive Committee and Board of Directors 2020 Executive Committee

Dear Members, Our community is in a time of change. Things are coming to the forefront that aren’t always easy to talk about. These include how we view people of different races, beliefs, and backgrounds.

Yet, this is an opportunity to bring about healing, too. On page 11 you’ll read the statement from our Board of Directors on how the Chamber is taking decisive steps to improve Diversity and Inclusion. We will share more information in the coming weeks, including in our August issue of Initiatives magazine.

COVID-19 is still very much a concern. Huntsville and Madison County have seen a much larger growth in cases than we did at the start of this. I hope you are taking precautions for you and your family to stay healthy. We are hopeful that scientists and researchers will continue to make progress on vaccine development, but in the meantime, we must stay the course and do everything we can to stop the virus from spreading further in our community.

Wearing a mask helps us all. You could be a carrier and not have symptoms. It is the right thing to do – please take this extra preventive step to protect others around you.

Please continue to support your local businesses. Our restaurants need you, so please support them in whatever way you feel comfortable, either in person or with takeout.

Members, please keep sending in your news. You’ll see that we’ve included a lot of it in this issue. The easiest way is to upload it through your ChamberMaster account. The Chamber communications team checks for new additions daily and can approve these quickly.

Thank you, and be well!

Frank Williams 2020 Vice Chair for Marketing & Communications Chamber Executive Board

IO Staff Chip Cherry, CCE publisher Frank Williams 2020 vice chair, marketing & communications Claire Aiello editor 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.

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Kevin Byrnes, Chair, Navigator International, LLC Jeff Gronberg, Chair-Elect, deciBel Research, Inc. Kim Lewis, Immediate Past Chair, PROJECTXYZ, Inc. Ron Poteat, Chamber Foundation President, Regions Bank Laura Huckabee-Jennings, Secretary/Treasurer, Transcend LLC Greg Brown, Vice Chair, Economic Development & Industry Relations, Brown Precision, Inc.

Craig Naudain, Vice Chair, Government & Public Affairs, SAIC Jim Rogers, Vice Chair, HREGI, Lockheed Martin Corporation Frank Williams, Vice Chair, Marketing & Communications, Landers McLarty Dodge Chrysler Jeep

Lynn Troy, Vice Chair, Membership, Troy 7, Inc. Sameer Singhal, Vice Chair, Small Business & Events, CFD Research Corporation

Joe Ritch, Vice Chair, TV-BRAC, Sirote & Permutt, PC Dr. Karockas Watkins, Chair-Appointed, Ability Plus, Inc. Dr. Joe Green, Chair-Appointed, Whitespace Innovations, Inc. Alicia Ryan, Chair-Appointed, LSINC Corporation Mike Watkins, Chair-Appointed, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama

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

Chip Cherry, President & CEO, Chamber

Elected Board Blake Bentley, SportsMED David Bier, Anglin Reichmann Armstrong, P.C. Penny Billings, BancorpSouth- Huntsville Thomas Busby, CenterState Bank Melissa Davis, MTA, Inc. Mike Dewitz, PARSONS John Eagan, BB&T Kevin Fernandez, Fernandez Financial Group, LLC Owen Franklin, Blue Summit Supplies Joni Green, Five Stones Research Corporation Mike Gullion, Spur John Hall, All Points Logistics, LLC Ginger Harper, IBERIABANK Josh Herren, Yulista Lee Holland, Freedom Real Estate and Capital, LLC Tharon Honeycutt, MSB Analytics, Inc. Amanda Howard, Amanda Howard | Sotheby’s International Realty Lincoln Hudson, Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. Hank Isenberg, IronMountain Solutions McKinley James, Polaris Industries, Inc. Lauren Johannesmeyer, Google Fiber, Huntsville Sean Kelly, Regions Bank April Mason, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Inc. Todd May, KBR Bob McCaleb, Northrop Grumman Corporation Kevin McCombs, Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. Alana Parker, Rocket City Drywall & Supply, Inc. Zack Penney, Bill Penney Toyota/Mitsubishi Jami Peyton, Canvas, Inc. Chris Russell, Cadence Bank Jeff Samz, Huntsville Hospital Beth Sippel, Synovus Wayne Sisco, Redstone Federal Credit Union Tom Stanton, ADTRAN, Inc. Sandra Stephens, Keel Point, LLC Mitch Stevison, Raytheon Company Cynthia Streams, Domino’s (Valley Pizza, Inc.) Margetta Thomas, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology Ken Tucker, The Boeing Company John Watson, Torch Technologies Danny Windham, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology

A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

A Different Kind of House Call

When you can’t see your doctor in person, a telehealth visit may be the solution.

Telehealth simply means a doctor visit on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. You can talk with your provider from any location just as you would in the doctor’s office.

Call 1-888-261-3422 or visit CrestwoodMedGroup.com to find out how to connect with a provider.

Many insurance plans cover telehealth.

Check your plan coverage or ask when you make an appointment.

MEDICAL GROUP

CrestwoodMedGroup.com

June 15, 2020

Diversity of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and nationality has helped Huntsville and Madison County become one of the most dynamic regions in the country. While embracing fresh ideas from newcomers and life-long residents alike has kept our economy growing, we recognize that not everyone has benefited equally from this growth.

Recent events, including the death of George Floyd, have energized our country and our community to confront prejudice and racism anywhere they exist. The mission of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber is to prepare, develop and promote our community for economic growth. As the Board of Directors of the Chamber, we commit to taking action.

We will work with our members and partners throughout our community to identify and correct systemic racism and economic disparity. This means more than moving a statue, and it involves more than meeting a list of demands. Truly moving our community forward will require listening, understanding, and overcoming obstacles that are difficult to discuss, necessary for progress, and long overdue.

Our first steps will include: â– The Chamber will establish a Diversity & Inclusion Program within the Chamber to ensure that our programming is aligned and supportive of a community action plan that will be developed. â– The Chamber will support efforts that promote equity and inclusion and advocate for changes in policies and laws that will stop the perpetuation of racism.

In the coming days, weeks, and months, additional opportunities for action will be identified.

On behalf of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, we are committed to the journey and look forward to the positive change it will bring. To do anything less is unacceptable.

Chamber Board of Directors The Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County, Inc.

vision

The Chamber is the catalyst for business growth, community engagement, and action to drive economic vitality and advance our position as a global leader in technology and innovation.

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Bright Lights ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS IN THE HUNTSVILLE METRO

Wilson Lumber selected as a Top 100 ProSales Dealer Wilson Lumber, based in Huntsville, has been selected as a Top 100 ProSales Dealer for 2020 by the leading building industry publication ProSales Magazine. Wilson Lumber is the only lumber company and buildings materials supplier in north Alabama to make the nationwide list and one of only two dealers in the state.

The ProSales 100 consists of the nation’s 100-largest pro-oriented building material distributors. Rankings are based on the dollar volume of sales to professional contractors.

“It’s never about the numbers, it’s all about the people,” said Wilson Lumber President Robb Wilson. “But it is nice to see the results of healthy growth so many years in a row.”

While the booming housing market in north Alabama is a big factor in Wilson Lumber’s success, it’s the decades-long commitment to taking care of customers that makes Wilson Lumber the No. 1 choice of area builders. The company has dedicated much energy to planning and managing healthy growth. It has also expanded into new business opportunities like commercial trusses and millwork, and has made great gains there.

Wilson Lumber ranks 73 on the list, showing considerable growth in all facets of the company in the past year. The company added a third location – a truss manufacturing plant in Westmoreland, Tenn. – and 81 new employees throughout the year across all locations. The company reports a 10.8 percent growth in total sales over 2018, up from $58.6 million to $64.9 million in 2019. Of that, 99 percent, or $64.25 million, is attributed as sales to building professionals.

This is not the first year Wilson Lumber has made the prestigious Top 100 list, but it continues to outperform itself year after year. In 2018, Wilson Lumber was chosen as ProSales Dealer of the Year, the organization’s highest honor. ■

First Baptist Church Huntsville breaks ground on new children’s center

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First Baptist Church of Huntsville held a virtual groundbreaking ceremony for the new children’s center on May 27. Children and families all over the city tuned in to watch the livestream celebration of the beginning of their renovation project. Construction on the preschool and children’s space is expected to take about 20 months. This renovation project will enable the church to better serve the children of our city.

“Dependable childcare is a huge service for working families in our city, and we do it with love and grace. This space needs to be updated to take us into the future – for our city. This is yet another reason we are the ‘Church at the Heart of the City’,” said David and Amy Harbarger, project chairs at First Baptist Church. “Our prayer for this project is that it will give the chance for all generations to call FBC their home.”

This new Children’s Center will include the following amenities: a central check-in area, an indoor play space, a gathering space for 150 children, and classroom area updates. For more information and to follow the progress, go to fbcgenerations.org. ■

Quadrus Corp. announces expanded capability offerings to include Additive Manufacturing

Quadrus Corporation has acquired an Advanced Manufacturing Division, which will increase the company’s ability to provide customers with technology services and products beyond its current core capabilities.

Quadrus already has strengths in software, systems, integration, and test engineering. Much of the company’s experience has been in the missile defense and NASA world and has entailed performing software and systems development for vehicles as diverse as THAAD, PLV, GBI, Constellation (Ares I/Ares V), and the Space Launch System. This has been primarily in the areas of avionics, data acquisition, telemetry, and related disciplines. The addition of this particular additive manufacturing capability will give Quadrus capabilities in propulsion and propulsion manufacturing that will increase the breadth of products and services the company can offer its existing customers, as well as bringing new customers to the table.

“We also already have plans to expand that capability, which we will call Advanced Manufacturing Division, from propulsion focused to extend our IR&D efforts and move into new domains such as medical devices, new materials (plastics, bamboo fiber, concrete, etc.) and produce a wider variety of goods than the additive manufacturing A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

division is involved with at this time,” said Quadrus President and CEO Jan Eiras. “Part of that IR&D will be focused on the capability to 3D print affordable housing once we have the IR&D funds to pursue those goals.”

This expansion to Quadrus Corporation is not just in capabilities, but also in location and people. The 7,000 sq. ft. Advanced Engineering Manufacturing Center (AEMC) houses two unique large Concept Laser M2 Cusing machines, a smaller MLab Cusing machine, and extensive support equipment. The 12 new team members specialize in additive manufacturing techniques and will continue to work in the AEMC location.

Quadrus’ headquarters will remain in the Regions Center in downtown Huntsville. ■

Freedom Real Estate, Torch Technologies, and Invariant’s commitment to South Huntsville Freedom Real Estate & Capital, Torch Technologies, and Invariant Corporation have announced they will be breaking ground on a new mixed-use facility in south Huntsville, with a targeted completion date in the summer of 2021. The groundbreaking ceremony, cancelled due to COVID-19, was set to take place at the end of April. This new development follows the 2019 completion of Torch’s Technology Integration and Prototyping Center.

Freedom, a real estate investment company, will develop the new facility at 4040 Chris Drive, and has leased the first two spaces to Torch and Invariant, with opportunity for an additional tenant. The multi-tenant building will house up to 92,000 square feet and will feature a mix of office, research and development labs, light manufacturing, assembly and integration space along with a high bay.

Torch, a 100 percent employee-owned services and solutions defense contractor founded in 2002 in Huntsville, has shown its continued commitment to the redevelopment of and investment in south Huntsville through the rapid growth of its Huntsville headquarters. Torch’s campus consisted of two buildings in 2015, and just five years later Torch is breaking ground on its sixth building. “We are proud to work alongside the city and state in our continued efforts to improve the standard of living in our south Huntsville community,” said Torch President and CEO John Watson.

WE ARE YULISTA Providing Aerospace and Defense Solutions to our Warfighters

ANY TIME...ANYWHERE Integrated Logistics & Product Support Engineering & Manufacturing Maintenance & Modifications Training Systems & Solutions Base & Range Operations

Invariant, an engineering services and software development company founded in 2001, is expanding into the facility to support its continued growth. “We are excited to grow and expand into this new facility that will provide our employees the resources needed to ensure quality services and products are delivered to our customers, and we are proud to be a part of Huntsville’s continuing success,” said Invariant President David Anderson.

The project is part of a continued effort to redevelop south Huntsville. The city of Huntsville has been working to reclaim, modernize, and upgrade the area along South

YULISTA.COM

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Memorial Parkway to encourage investment and redevelopment in the area, and is seeing tremendous progress with many announcements of new projects, including Hays Farm. “Torch has been a catalyst for south Huntsville’s revitalization since the very beginning,” said Bekah Schmidt, CEO of South Huntsville Main Business Association. “The new facility at 4040 Chris Drive is a mixed-use facility with a state-of-the-art laboratory and premier manufacturing space. We look forward to seeing this project completed next year and appreciate Torch’s continued investment in south Huntsville!” ■

Air University partners with UAH College of Professional Studies The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) announced a partnership with the Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative (AU-ABC). Approved online programs include the UAH Bachelor of Arts or Science in Professional Studies (BPS) with concentrations in Organizational Studies or Leadership Strategies and Dynamics.

The AU-ABC was created to help enlisted Airmen pursue advanced education beyond the associate degrees they earn through the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF).

Active duty Air Force, Air Reserve, or Air National Guard may transfer up to 60 hours of credit from the CCAF to accredited partnership institutions with approved online bachelor’s degrees. If students are unable to complete the degree requirements before retirement or separation from the Air Force, they may continue in the program until completion.

“The College of Professional Studies recognizes the importance of graduating skilled professionals beyond the traditional age student,” said Dean Karen Clanton, College of Professional Studies. “The AU-ABC partnership is a natural fit, reinforcing UAH’s dedication to supporting our military. The Bachelor of Professional Studies is an interdisciplinary degree program designed to support non-traditional students in completing their education and expanding their employment capabilities.”

The BPS accepts transfer credits for up to 75 percent of the degree, offers four concentrations, each with an emphasis on critical thinking and communication, and is available completely online or in blended formats. Other available concentrations in blended formats include Engineering Technology and Technology, Science, and Society.

The degree also accepts up to 34 hours of technical credit, including American Council on Education (ACE) recommended credit from military training, which is applied to the student’s general electives. Maximizing prior military training and college coursework, students can earn a bachelor’s degree at a faster rate.

Huntsville is a vibrant community with a strong economy and a growing demand for highly trained military personnel. This collaboration will continue to strengthen UAH’s partnership with federal agencies across a local, regional, and national scale. ■ 14

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OLLI never stops learning during Pandemic The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is not letting the COVID-19 pandemic deter its objective of encouraging adults 50+ to “Never Stop Learning.”

In mid-March, OLLI at UAH made the difficult decision to cancel its Spring 2020 course term for the first time in 25 years. UAH staff and OLLI volunteers quickly started thinking outside the box. “Although older adults are often not considered tech savvy, this is the Rocket City!” said Dean Karen Clanton, College of Professional Studies. “We know our members believe in the importance of staying intellectually and socially active, so our goal is to continue providing them the opportunity.”

OLLI members are often in the age or health group that necessitates them to be vigilant in following social distancing guidelines. Because of this, OLLI at UAH has implemented a number of creative ways to keep members engaged. As step one of this plan, the educational series Great Decisions from the Foreign Policy Association was made available to members. This series covers different topics affecting the world and members started meeting through Zoom videoconferencing to discuss the lectures as a group. Members could also participate in online tours of different museums, attractions around the world, national parks, and the MET opera live streaming.

For step two, OLLI initiated Coffee Chats with the Program Manager and Coordinator to provide an opportunity for members to interact with the UAH staff and fellow OLLI members. This social time provided participants with a similar environment to their lounge where they meet and socialize in between classes. Topics discussed varied from local and world events to personal accomplishments, or activities, such as Bingo and Trivia, and hobbies to do while staying safe at home.

In step three, OLLI moved online with one of their most popular member benefits, OLLI Bonuses. Topics included: How Genomics Corresponds with Coffee and Chocolate, presented by a member of the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology team; a veteran’s view of returning to Vietnam; and OLLI member’s travelogue on cruising around the world and the Death Valley National Park.

Jane McBride, an OLLI member for 10+ years, mentioned that “Seeing old friends and meeting new members engaged in typical OLLI exchanges was truly encouraging amidst the torrents of bad news.” Another member, Sue Farbman, shared how OLLI’s online resources have helped her during this time. “As a participant in the weekly lecture series, I was able to consider some current issues and discuss them, just as we would have in a classroom.”

OLLI at UAH has offered courses, social and cultural events, and travel opportunities for over 25 years to the north Alabama community. Even during this complex time, the community can still participate in OLLI at UAH’s online activities, with more courses and opportunities being made available this summer with OLLI Online LIVE. Registration is currently open at Osher.uah.edu/OLLIRegistration. An OLLI membership is required to register and is only $25 per year.

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To learn more about OLLI and future online course offerings, visit Osher.uah.edu.

You may also contact Program Manager Ale Pacheco at OLLI.info@uah.edu or 256.824.6183. ■

Simple Helix & LiftOff partner to provide customers with GCC High Licenses & Support Simple Helix is excited to announce a partnership with Maryland-based LiftOff to provide complete Microsoft Office 365 GCC High packages to its government contractor customer base in north Alabama and beyond. LiftOff is one of only 8 Microsoft AOS-G partners authorized to sell Office 365 GCC High licenses in quantities under 500. Huntsville-based Simple Helix is a full service, IT solutions provider and Microsoft Gold partner that services customers across all industry verticals including the vast contractor base in north Alabama. Simple Helix and LiftOff will partner to provide full, turnkey solutions to the vast government contractor community in Huntsville and the surrounding area.

LiftOff brings extensive knowledge and experience around Office 365 GCC High licensing options and will provide licenses for contractor customers requiring 1-500 users. Simple Helix’s managed services organization operates out of its Tier III colocation data center in Huntsville. It provides implementation services for customers as well as options for ongoing support via flexible managed services.

The DoD’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is driving the need for government contractors to update their approach to cybersecurity. Microsoft’s Office 365 GCC High solution is well suited to help government contractors meet the CMMC

requirements going forward as the DoD rolls the program out.

Simple Helix CEO Tracy Collins commented, “Simple Helix is very focused on providing flexible solutions to contractor customers of all sizes in a cost effective and timely manner. Microsoft has a very limited distribution model for Office 365 GCC licenses at a time where a growing number of contractors are migrating to it every day. By partnering with LiftOff, we can provide customers with everything they need including the licenses, flexible implementation offerings for contractors of all sizes, and ongoing support of the customer’s environment. Ron Braatz and his team at LiftOff are very experienced, and together we will help provide customers the solutions they need, when they need them, and in a cost-effective manner.” ■ Want to share some of your company’s economic development news?

Send us the details: comms@hsvchamber.org

Stay Connected with the Chamber MAKE SURE YOU’RE FOLLOWING THE CHAMBER ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

@HuntsvilleAlabama @CRPHSV @ASmartPlace

Huntsville Madison County Chamber

Huntsville/ Madison County Chamber

Huntsville/Madison County Chamber ASmartPlace

@huntsvillealcoc @CRPHSV @asmartplace

@hsvchamber @CRPHSV

Encourage your coworkers to sign up for our e-news HERE. A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

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Recent Events SPECIAL CEREMONIES AND AWARD CELEBRATIONS

Huntsville Toyota employee honored in White House ceremony for graduates Jeffrey Neill, a Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama skilled maintenance team member, was honored in a ceremony at the White House in Washington, DC on Friday, May 22.

Neill is one of 20 people in a group of graduates who was recognized, ranging from kindergarten through adult education programs. The event is symbolic for all those who missed graduation ceremonies across the country due to COVID-19. Neill (shown right) is a resident of Cornersville, TN. Neill, 46, recently completed the Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) program offered through Toyota and Calhoun Community College. Even though he has worked at Toyota’s engine manufacturing facility in Huntsville since 2006, he decided at age 44 to further his education, and career, in the high-demand field of skilled maintenance. The graduation ceremony in early May was cancelled, and in the ceremony at the White House, Neill represented graduates working in the trades.

“In two short years, I have been able to continue working while earning an Industrial Maintenance degree that will put me on a path forward for growth at Toyota and set an

example for my daughter that it’s never too late to follow your dreams,” said Neill. “As an adult learner, I encourage anyone who has the desire to pursue education or career advancement to believe in yourself and take the step forward. I am living proof that it is possible, and grateful that Toyota gave me, and many others, this opportunity.”

Ivanka Trump visited Alabama Robotics Technology Park in Decatur in 2019 to learn about the ways Alabama is finding solutions to the nation’s shortage of skilled workers. She met several students during her tour, including Neill, who talked with her about his experience in the Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education collaborative (FAME). Toyota is one of more than a dozen area companies that participate in the FAME collaborative, launching the AMT program under its umbrella alongside Calhoun in 2014.

“We are extremely proud of our AMT program graduates and excited for Jeffrey to have this once in a lifetime opportunity,” said David Finch, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama. “He is a perfect example to others that it is never too late to pursue education and career advancement.”

“The quality of the program and what Calhoun delivers is remarkable -- we have such high-quality students,” said John Holley, Dean for Technologies at Calhoun Community College. “It’s not surprising that we’ve had one of our students to be invited and honored in this way. There are opportunities every day in collaborative, work-based programs such as AMT for any students who might be interested.”

Alabama’s workforce development agency, AIDT, houses the AMT program at its Robotics Technology Park near Calhoun’s Decatur campus and oversees workforce and training opportunities throughout Alabama. ■

2020 Best Places to Work® Winners The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber is pleased to announce this year’s winners for our annual Best Places To Work® Awards! We usually celebrate with companies in person, but we held the awards virtually this year due to COVID-19. On June 17, we hosted the event at the Chamber and brought companies in live via Zoom, streaming the event online.

Companies win based on employee surveys, and results are tabulated by Quantum Workplace and kept confidential prior to the event. We surprised the winning companies and brought them up on screen to make their acceptance speeches, and it was great to see several celebrate with their teams, some using streamers and confetti.

It’s a serious matter of pride to win – congratulations! We’ll feature photos of the winning companies in our August issue of Initiatives magazine.

Micro Category (10-24 employees) GOLD: Phased n Research | SILVER: Cortina Solutions | BRONZE: River Tree Insurance Services Small Category (25-50 employees) GOLD: KODA Technologies | SILVER: Matt Curtis Real Estate | BRONZE: Crossflow Technologies Medium Category (51-100 employees) GOLD: Thompson Gray | SILVER: Hill Technical Solutions | BRONZE: Brockwell Technologies Large Category (101-250 employees) GOLD: Avion Solutions | SILVER: IronMountain Solutions | BRONZE: Simulation Technologies XLarge Category (251+ employees) GOLD: INTUITIVE | SILVER: Modern Technology Solutions (MTSI) | BRONZE: PeopleTec ■ 16

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A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

What you see is a happy, healthy team.

But what you don’t see is how Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama helps businesses and their employees by providing one-to-one assistance and answers. Or how easily members can access their medical information anytime, from anywhere. Or how we make finding a doctor simple, even when out-of-state.

Blue Cross works hard behind the scenes.

AlabamaBlue.com/BehindTheScenes

COVID-19 HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY STEPPING UP TO HELP

As the Chamber continues to keep you updated on the latest developments with COVID-19 and our community’s response, we appreciate sharing some of the stories that make this community ASmartPlace to live, work, and one day... play again.

Food Banks in north Alabama see significant need increase in community

Donors unite to raise over $700,000 in response to COVID-19 crisis

COVID-19 has had a lasting impact on multiple facets of day-to-day life. For some people who have lost work and income during these last few months, finding ways to care for and feed their family has been the most stressful part. This is where the Food Bank of North Alabama comes into play. Supplying 11 counties and more than 250 local food banks, the Food Bank of North Alabama is making great strides to try and help reduce the stress on families during this time.

The need in North Alabama has increased greatly, according to Executive Director Shirley Schofield, who says the Food Bank is handing out double or even quadruple the number of meals they typically would in some places.

Since March 15, Schofield says the Food Bank has distributed over 1.9 million meals to those in need, including through partner food pantries. This averages out to about 29,000 meals a day. While this is an incredible feat, Schofield says the Food Bank needs your help to keep going.

The Food Bank typically gets a good of amount of donated food from partner grocery stores. The stores will donate the food they are unable to sell, but with supplies at grocery stores being low, the amount the grocery stores are donating is smaller than normal. While they are still accepting donated foods, Schofield says the best way for people to help is to give monetarily through their website. Every $1 that is donated funds seven meals going out to those in need.

We also spoke with Manna House, a local food bank that has seen first-hand the impact COVID-19 has had on the people of Huntsville/Madison County. Manna House supplies local families with items ranging from groceries to hygiene products such as deodorant, toothpaste, and bath soap. The line at Manna House has doubled and sometimes tripled with people seeking to get supplies for their families.

Fran Fluhler, who is the director of Manna House, says some of the main items they need include hygiene products and kid-friendly foods such as PopTarts, cereal, macaroni and cheese, and packaged snacks, etc. Fluhler says the outpouring of support has been tremendous. “Manna House is very grateful for a generous community that came together and provided food for families in need in their time of crisis,” Fluhler said.

Manna House has also slightly increased the hours they are open. The hours now are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Learn more HERE. ■ Sam Smythe, Chamber intern

The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville is proud to share the results of the collaborative efforts of our incredibly generous community. When the COVID crisis hit in March, the Community Foundation reactivated the Emergency Relief Fund, originally created following the tornado outbreak of April 27, 2011, to accept donations for COVID-19 relief efforts. Melissa Thompson, CEO and president of the Community Foundation, comments, “In times of crisis, as always, it takes a community of caring and committed members who will rise up to meet the challenges at hand. We live in such a community, and, together, we took decisive action to channel resources to meet needs.”

Community Foundation donors catalyzed the fundraising effort. Subsequent donations included a $50,000 matching donation from Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Alabama who wished to challenge donors and other local companies to raise $500,000 by May 5 with a Giving Tuesday Now campaign. So, in partnership with WAAY-TV and the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, the Take 5 to Give $5 giving campaign was launched and our community exceeded the goal and raised over $667,000 to support COVID relief efforts by the May 5 deadline.

Donations continued pouring in – from $5 to $100,000 – and the Emergency Relief Fund raised a total of $708,211.34 which was distributed through grants to 48 local nonprofit organizations providing basic needs and/or health and wellness relief efforts related to the COVID-19 situation. Over half of the grants distributed supported basic needs, which included programs like food distribution, childcare for essential workers, programs to support the homeless, support for vulnerable populations, and Personal Protective Equipment. To maximize the funds available to support local nonprofits, the Community Foundation waived all fees for managing the Emergency Relief Fund.

Donations to the Community Foundation’s Emergency Relief Fund will continue to support dozens of local nonprofit organizations providing basic needs and health and wellness resources throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. ■

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Click and print your own Chamber sign:

A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

Emerging Stronger is a Choice

Barge Design Solutions contributes to COVID-19 relief efforts The Barge Design Solutions Community Fund recently awarded a total of $35,000 in grants to organizations contributing to COVID-19 relief efforts.

As our nation slowly opens following stay-at-home orders and other restrictions, many in our communities are left reeling from the effects of this pandemic. Much of our population finds themselves in need of various forms of assistance. Office leads, employees designated to manage daily operations in the firm’s 15 locations, nominated non-profits in each locale for these employee-funded grants.

The majority of selected organizations are food banks, religious institutions, or farmers markets providing food to community members.

One organization sews and distributes nonmedical grade masks, and another provides financial assistance to alleviate the stress of living expenses for those unable to make payments. Huntsville’s North Alabama Agriplex Foundation received a $2,500 grant to support their efforts in distributing food from local farmers to community members in need.

Cendy Dodd, Barge CFO and Chair of the Community Fund Committee, shares, “Never in any of our lifetimes have so many people been impacted than are currently being impacted

by COVID-19. Barge wanted to assist relief efforts by supporting charitable organizations helping those in dire economic straits.”

Barge is committed to caring for the communities they live, work, and serve in. The Community Fund was established to support these efforts and intentionally foster the inherent spirit of generosity across the company and employees. The firm combines skill and dedication to impact local communities for everyday life with a multidiscipline team including engineers, architects, landscape architects, interior designers, planners, biologists, geologists, scientists, and surveyors. Barge Design Solutions has offices in five states, is ranked No. 161 on Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) 2020 Top 500 Design Firms list, and is a certified Great Place to Work®. ■ A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

What does it mean to survive in the face of nearly 15 percent unemployment, when a global pandemic has millions sheltering inside fearing contact from anyone not already on the inside? How do businesses balance the health and wellbeing of people against profit? How do organizations prepare for the next normal and lean into what’s around the corner?

Now is the time to lead and manage with corporate core values as the roadmap. Dust them off, read them out loud, and remind everyone from the CEO to the latest new hire. The corporate vision is what drives the organization, its mission is how the organization sees itself in the world, but its values are what give the organization purpose.

At Transcend that began with people first. We made sure the team stayed connected, and stayed focused. We communicated often and with transparency. At the same time, we made sure to check in with customers, and focus on continued delivery of services. We embraced going virtual quickly, using technology already in place for daily check-ins, and track team tasks. Within two weeks of the stay-athome order, we researched online platforms, developed virtual content, and began a schedule for delivery. And by April 1, we went back to work ... virtually. Like many organizations, Zoom became our office.

Leaning into our corporate vision of contributing to economic and social prosperity, our mission to embrace change to create lasting value, and our core values of impact through innovation, get s*** done, and walk the talk, we next shifted to supporting the community. Our Change Resilience webinar series launched April 8 and ran eight weeks. Our aim was to provide support to anyone who wanted a little structure and community while dealing with the COVID crisis.

We believe that helping every person helps their family, their work, our whole community. Just as our elected officials, civic leaders and businesses pulled together to tackle the crisis at hand with whatever tools they could, we all walked the talk.

Even now, as we face the challenges of addressing systemic racism, and the conflict this creates in our communities, we fall back on core values and the desire to build a more inclusive and regenerative community. Transcend is facilitating dialogue on race, training in micro-inequities, and listening intently to our customers, employees and community stakeholders to be part of the solution that will make us all stronger.

As communities prepare for the next normal, and businesses begin the long road back, what are the lessons to hold fast, what tools and processes should be carried forward, where should investments be made to not only survive but thrive? The success of any organization is rooted in the talents of its people.

So, whether it is hiring new talent, retaining the best you have, or developing the skills you need for the future, now is the best time to double down on your efforts.

Build on your change resilience skills and practices, including the lessons and best practices you’ve learned in dealing with the pandemic social unrest, and plan for “where the puck is going to be, not where it has been”. Emerging Stronger is a choice that starts with embracing discomfort and using this moment as a catalyst for positive change.

■ Laura Huckabee-Jennings President and Founder, Transcend

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

Systems Products and Solutions awarded $13M for AMC logistical support services Systems Products and Solutions Inc., Huntsville, Ala., was awarded a $13,475,295 modification (000103) to blanket purchase agreement W31P4Q-18-A-0094 for logistical support services for U.S. Army Material Command.

Work will be performed in Huntsville with an estimated completion date of May 20, 2021. Fiscal 2020 Army working capital and operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $13,475,295 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity. ■

QuantiTech awarded $17M modification for Army helicopter support QuantiTech Inc., Huntsville, Ala., was awarded a $17,686,572 modification (000237) to contract W31P4Q-16-A-0010 for programmatic support for the Utility Helicopters Project Manager’s Office. Work will be performed in Huntsville with an estimated completion date of May 14, 2021. Fiscal 2020 Foreign Military Sales (Australia); other procurement (Army); and research, development, test and evaluation (Army) funds in the amount of $17,686,572 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity. ■

Canvas & QuantiTech joint venture announce OASIS SB contract win Canvas & QuantiTech joint venture (CQ JV) is pleased to announce the award as a prime vendor on the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services (OASIS) Small Business (SB) contract vehicle for Pool 3 under NACIS 541330. As a Best-in-Class preferred government-wide solution, the OASIS SB vehicle is a multiple-award, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract that provides flexible and innovative solutions for federal agencies seeking complex professional services. CQ JV, a Woman-Owned Small Business joint venture, combines over 40 years of experience from JV members Canvas, Inc. (Protégé and Managing Partner) and QuantiTech (Mentor) to provide integrated and innovative solutions to Department of Defense (DoD) and Federal customers. ■

Boeing awarded $128M Ground-based Midcourse Defense contract modification The Boeing Co., Huntsville, Ala., is being awarded a $128,481,291 contract modification (P00542/P00051) to previously awarded HQ0147-12-C-0004/19-C-0004 on the 20

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Ground-based Midcourse Defense development and sustainment contract. The value of this contract, including options, is increased from $11,208,915,599 to $11,337,396,890.

The definitized scope of work requires continued support to Ground-based Midcourse Defense by manufacturing C2 boost vehicles, booster spare parts and associated avionics to maintain fleet and flight test programs. The period of performance is from Jan. 31, 2018, to Sept., 30, 2022. This acquisition was executed on a sole-source basis. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $52,890,819 have been obligated. To definitize the contract action, fiscal 2019 and 2020 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $65,070,681 were obligated at the time of award. The Missile Defense Agency in Huntsville is the contracting activity. ■

Kord Technologies awarded $50M contract Kord Technologies LLC, Huntsville, Ala., was awarded a $50,965,000 modification (P00004) to contract W31P4Q-17-D-0044 for target system hardware support. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 13, 2022. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity. ■

DISA awards Virginia network support project to All Points The U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency has awarded Florida-based All Points a 5-year contract task order for network and asset management support to the Joint Service Provider (JSP) organization in Hampton Roads, Va. JSP operates the U.S. military cyber environment and provides information technology (IT) services to the Pentagon and other personnel in the national capital region. The task order was awarded on the General Services Administration’s designated “best in class” Veteran’s Technology Services, or VETS 2, contract. VETS 2 is the only government-wide acquisition contract set aside exclusively for service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses.

The five-year Hampton Roads Network and Asset Management effort will support 2,000 users and 4,000 workstations, including dozens of senior officers and support staff. All Points will provide network operations and expert IT support, ensure that JSP networks are secure and compliant with federal cyber protection requirements, and deliver network engineering services to design and implement expansions, new technology, and secure connections to other JSP networks. All Points personnel will also be responsible for cable plant and other IT asset management.

All Points will perform this work in partnership with subcontractors Advanced Systems Development, Inc., who has provided network support services to the Pentagon’s Joint Staff CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

When you need a bank you can trust,

we’re here for you.

IBERIABANK is pledging $500,000 to local food banks across the Company’s footprint. The COVID-19 health care crisis has created hardships for many individuals and families across the country. The loss of jobs, reduction in compensation, and inability to send children to school or daycare have created a growing need to provide access to food in our communities. To help address this pressing issue, we are pleased to support food banks in our communities.

In Huntsville, Manna House will be the recipient of IBERIABANK’s local gift. “Manna House has seen a tremendous increase in the number of families needing help with groceries and baby care items during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Fran Fluhler, Executive Director. “Many were employed in the hospitality industry or in service related jobs such as hair salons and barber shops. We also have dental hygienists and medical office support that are temporarily needing help too. We are grateful for a generous community that is willing to help us provide for these families during this time!”

PROUDLY SUP PO RTI N G THE C O M M U N I TY www.iberiabank.com

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20

since 2013, and ASJ IT Services, LLC, a woman and service-disabled veteran owned small business based in Chesapeake, Va. All Points provides a full range of technology and mission-critical services within the firm’s core competencies including Systems Engineering and Technical Services; Information Technology and Cyber Security; Program Management Support; Software Development, Test, and Verification; Life-Cycle Logistics; Intelligence Services; Warfighter and Mission Support; and Hardware and Software Integration and Solutions. ■

Raytheon to continue work on Navy’s Rolling Airframe Missile System Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Az., is awarded a $19,061,000 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-19-C-5404 to exercise options for fiscal 2020 Navy Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Mod 5 Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS) requirements. Work will be performed in St. Petersburg, Fla. (36%); Louisville, Ky. (21%); Tucson, Az. (15%); Huntsville, Ala. (10%); Ottobrunn, Germany (8%); San Diego, Calif. (4%); Tulsa, Okla. (3%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (3%). The RAM Guided Missile Weapon System is co-developed and co-produced under an international cooperative program between the U.S. and Federal Republic of Germany governments. RAM is a missile system designed to provide anti-ship missile defense for multiple ship platforms. This contract is to procure material, fabricate parts, assemble and test, and deliver RAM MK 49 Mod 5 GMLS and GMLS ordnance alteration kits. Work is expected to be complete by December 2022. Federal Republic of Germany funds in the amount of $19,061,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured under the exception 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(4), international agreement. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. ■

i3 awarded $8.3M modification for International Apache Technical Lifecycle Support task order Integration Innovation Inc., Huntsville, Ala., was awarded an $8,310,128 modification (000117) to contract W31P4Q18-A-0089 for the International Apache Technical Lifecycle Support task order. Work will be performed in Huntsville with an estimated completion date of June 4, 2021. Fiscal 2020 Foreign Military Sales (Egypt, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Netherlands, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom) funds in the amount of $8,310,128 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity. ■

Davidson Technologies awarded $20.7M increase to MDA prime contract Davidson Technologies, Huntsville, Ala., is being awarded a modification in the amount of $20,696,405 to previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) contract HQ0147-19-D-0004. The contract value is increased from $2,437,491 to $23,133,896.

Under this contract the contractor will continue to develop a cyber-secure information 22

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technology infrastructure that allows users to access data via a virtual desktop infrastructure.

The work will be performed in Huntsville. The ordering period of the ID/IQ is May 23, 2019, to May 22, 2024. A second task order award in the amount of $12,200,000 is being issued at this time. Fiscal 2020 research and development funds in the amount of $12,200,000 are being obligated on the task order award. The original award was made under Special Topic Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) number HQ0147-17-S-0002 that was posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website to solicit white papers related to advanced research technology and development in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.102(d)(2)(i) to meet full and open competition requirements. This original award results from one of seven proposals received.

The Missile Defense Agency, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity. ■

Yorktown Systems Group awarded $20.4M modification to contract for operations support Yorktown Systems Group Inc., Huntsville, Ala., was awarded a $20,383,541 modification (P00038) to contract W911S0-17-C-0007 for operations support services including conducting and providing predictive modeling and trend analyses concerning global asymmetric threats. Work will be performed at Fort Meade, Md., with an estimated completion date of May 14, 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $20,383,541 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Field Directorate Office, Fort Eustis, Va., is the contracting activity. ■

General Dynamics awarded $16.2M modification to contract for engineering services & contractors General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc., Huntsville, Ala., was awarded a $16,211,164 modification (P00068) to contract W58RGZ-18-C-0043 for engineering services and contractors on the battlefield. Work will be performed in Huntsville with an estimated completion date of Sept. 17, 2023. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $16,211,164 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity. ■

Teledyne Brown Engineering awarded $1.8M contract to assemble ECP Lite sensors for USAF Teledyne Brown Engineering (TBE), Huntsville, Ala., in partnership with its sister companies Teledyne Advanced Electronic Solutions and Teledyne e2v HiRel, was recently awarded a $1.8 million contract to assemble Energetic Charged Particle (ECP) – Lite sensors for the U.S. Air Force (USAF). These sensors will be flown on National Security Space assets and possibly other International Missions.

An ECP-Lite sensor contains miniature space weather sensors that provide data for assessing anomalies regarding the four space environment hazards consisting of total A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

COMPILED BY AMBERLY KIMBROUGH & SAM SMYTHE

radiation dose, surface charging, deep-dielectric charging, and single-event-effects.

As part of the scope of this contract, TBE will build, test, calibrate, and integrate ECP-Lite sensors for future assets.

“We are proud to help the United States Air Force improve space weather monitoring to increase their capabilities in an extreme environment,” said TBE President Jan Hess. “We have made countless contributions to enable technologies and further our understanding of space and are grateful to be supporting this effort.”

The ECP-Lite sensor was developed by the USAF and the Aerospace Corporation in response to a signed policy memorandum issued in 2015, mandating the requirement that all USAF satellite program offices incorporate ECP sensors on all new satellite acquisitions in a certain acquisition phase. ■

Dynetics awarded $10.4M IDIQ contract for LIVE LVC production and sustainment Dynetics Inc., Huntsville, Ala., has been awarded a $10,452,506 indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract for the Laboratory Intelligence Validated Emulator (LIVE) Virtual Constructive (LVC) production and sustainment. The work involved with this effort includes production, test and delivery of LIVE LVC test systems and sustainment of those systems for the Electronic Warfare and Avionics Integration Support Facility, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, and other Department of Defense (DoD) agencies. Work will be performed in Huntsville and is expected to be

completed by May 27, 2030. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $824,186; and fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $3,191,926 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins AFB, Ga., is the contracting activity. ■

CSSA awarded contract award for Engineering Support for NASA’s MSFC Cepeda Systems & Software Analysis, Inc. (CSSA), Huntsville, Ala., recently announced a new contract award for Engineering Support for Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Engineering Directorate’s Space Systems Department and other MSFC Departments, Directorates and Offices (ESMSFC). The contract has a five-year period of performance with a maximum value of $24.5 million and covers multiple aspects of engineering services for the Center.

Established in 2001, CSSA supports customers in the DoD, NASA, and the commercial sector through software engineering, systems engineering, and process improvement services. The Huntsville-based company adheres strictly to its core values of offering only the highest standards of service, resulting in 100% customer satisfaction ratings for more than 15 years.

“CSSA is so honored to receive this new engineering services contract from MSFC,” said CSSA President and CEO Sandra Cepeda. “God has blessed our company once again, and we look forward to supporting the NASA mission and to providing our NASA customers with continued excellence at every level.” ■

“We at Bryant Bank value our customers. They’re not just a number to us, they’re our family. It is important that every customer’s financial need is taken care of because our vision to see every Alabamian experience a financially stable future and live in a thriving community.”

- Kristie Ray, AVP, Private Banking Officer Bryant Bankers take pride in their community and look forward to serving you!

TO LEARN MORE, VISIT BRYANTBANK.COM.

A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

Member FDIC

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

Melissa Morrison-Ellis has been named program

director for Northrop Grumman and Raytheon Missiles and Defense’s Next-Generation Interceptors (NGI) program. Currently in the pursuit phase, the NGI program is a multi-billion, multiphased upgrade of flight test articles for the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) ground-based midcourse defense system.

Morrison-Ellis moved to Huntsville from Massachusetts in 2018 to manage the Radar Test Contract (RTC) program, which grew exponentially under her leadership. Because of her demonstrated success, she was selected for the NGI role aligned with her leadership expertise and career interests.

Since 2006, Morrison-Ellis has held multiple roles with increasing responsibility. She managed the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) program and has earned many internal and external awards, including a Gold Quill Award from the International Association of Business Communicators and the Professional Achievement Award in Industry at the 2016 Women of Color STEM Conference.

In 2019, she was published in an anthology, Women in Leadership Living Beyond Challenges: 11 Stories of Courage and Triumph [Goodson and Rice, 2019].

Morrison-Ellis additionally uses her leadership and interpersonal skills to empower the next generation of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) professionals through education initiatives in Huntsville. She has volunteered as a keynote speaker at the Boys and Girls Club for its Girls Day event and also spoke at the Girl Scouts of America Cyber Challenge. In addition, she has partnered with the AUM Foundation’s Pathways 2 Success program to kick off its fourth year and will serve as a mentor to under-resourced high school girls. Holding a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Northeastern University and a master’s in engineering management from Tufts University, she helps youth know the value of hard work, education, networking, and serving others. ■

Lisa Davis Mays, JD, CFRE, was named CEO of The

Catalyst in Spring 2020, successor to founding president & CEO, Joanne Randolph, upon Randolph’s retirement. Mays brings a unique combination of experience in the areas of fund development, grant writing, capital campaigns, law, public speaking, strategic planning, marketing, public relations, business transactions, and relationship building. After practicing law for several years, she transitioned into the nonprofit sector to fulfill her passion for helping others. In years prior to coming to The Catalyst, she impacted numerous lives, raised millions of dollars for a local nonprofit, and successfully led a $7.1 million capital campaign to build a 30,000-sq.-ft. facility for homeless women and children. She was selected as “Fundraising Professional of the Year” in 2017 by the North Alabama Association of Nonprofits and has previously been listed among 256 Magazine’s “40 Under 40.” Mays received her bachelor’s degree from Samford University and her Juris Doctor from The University of Alabama School of Law. ■ 24

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Tom Williams, retired SES and NASA subject matter ex-

pert, has joined Canvas as the new director of NASA Programs.

Williams brings a vast amount of development, manufacturing and operational experience associated with the NASA, DoD, and commercial launch systems to Canvas. He has held various positions within a multitude of government and private organizations. Most notably, Williams was the director of the propulsion systems department at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. ■

Tracy Cook has been promoted to director of plant conser-

vation and curation at the Huntsville Botanical Garden (HBG).

At the forefront of HBG’s research and plant collections management, she stewards the collection of plant species on site and represents the Garden in regional, national, and international collaborations to advance initiatives for plant science and conservation.

Cook has served on the horticulture team since 2011. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, she holds a master’s degree in plant and soil science from Alabama A&M University and a bachelor’s degree in horticulture from Auburn University.

“Tracy embodies the Garden’s commitment to environmental stewardship through collaborative efforts,” said Sue Wagner, HBG CEO. “Her passion for plant science and conservation will not only lead to diverse and unique living collections at the Garden, but it will also enable our organization to become a key contributor to plant conservation initiatives on the global stage.” ■

Ashley Engles-Ross has been promoted to director

for institutional giving at the Huntsville Botanical Garden (HBG).

In this role, she leads HBG’s fundraising and community engagement efforts to cultivate institutional support for operations and mission-based programs.

Engles-Ross first joined the Garden as a development officer in 2017. She has more than 10 years of experience in community affairs and program management in the public and private sectors, and she holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Texas at El Paso.

“As a strategic thinker who cares deeply about both the Garden and the Greater Huntsville community, Ashley is an asset to our organization,” said Sue Wagner, HBG CEO. “We are excited for her to bring her boundless enthusiasm to this role as she continues to engage our community in new, exciting ways.” ■

Adam Dubé, described as an energetic, thoughtful, and effective school leader, brings his strategic vision, commitment to excellence, and impeccable integrity into his role as Randolph’s head of school. Located in Jones Valley, Randolph is the region’s only K-12 independent college preparatory school.

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Dubé holds a B.A. from The University of Missouri and an M.A. in Education Leadership from the highly regarded Klingenstein Center at Columbia University.

He has extensive experience as a teacher and administrator, both domestically and abroad. Prior to his career as an educator, Dubé served for four years in the United States Marine Corps.

“My family and I are looking forward to joining Randolph School and the wider Huntsville community,” shares Dubé. “For more than 60 years, Randolph has shaped the lives of young people to make a difference. With a program that encourages critical thinking and character education, as well as its merger with Greengate, Randolph is an education leader.”

As the institution evolves to meet the needs of students amid the COVID-19 pandemic and fulfill its commitment to building a more diverse, equitable and inclusive community, Dubé is approaching the coming months with confidence.

“Now that we have even more time to plan, put the technology pieces in place, and provide additional support and training for teachers and students, I’m really optimistic about how successfully we can make that transition back to school in the fall,” he explains. “Knowing that Randolph School is really built on connection, planning is underway to make sure that we can provide a safe experience on campus for students and if necessary, move back into a virtual learning model or hybrid model. In schools, you’re always working at a crossroad of cultures.

You’re working in this realm of intellectual and creative possibility and it’s always there. That’s what I love about working in schools. It’s just the most inspiring thing to do.” ■

Susie Vaughn, director of security, is proudly recognized

by PeopleTec on her recent NCMS Society (Society of Industrial Security Professionals) Award. In recognition of the outstanding accomplishments over the course of her many years as a security professional, Vaughn was presented the prestigious NCMS Society Award for 2020. The award is based on an individual’s exceptional contributions made to the NCMS Society and Industrial Security overall.

Vaughn has served her local NCMS Mid-South Chapter as an essential member of the Annual Seminar Committee, contributing to the success of this training event. At the national level, she freely gives her time as mentor to other security professionals in various aspects of industrial security. Vaughn also mentors other facility security officers in their journey to become certified as Industrial Security Professionals. ■

Clayton Hinchman has joined Ignite, a service-disabled

veteran-owned small business located in Huntsville, as its new CEO. Hinchman is succeeding Jason Shelton, who will remain as Board Chair. Ignite President Rich McAdams notes, “I’m excited for an accomplished leader like Clayton Hinchman to rejoin Ignite in such a significant role. Having worked with him previously, I know we’ll be a dynamic team that can take Ignite to all new heights and add significant value for our customers and employee-owners.”

Hinchman is the former founder, president and CEO of USi, which was acquired continued on page 26 A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

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by Ignite in 2016. After working for Ignite as Chief Marketing Officer for three years, Hinchman took over as president and COO of SPS, a global aviation and ground systems logistics company primarily supporting Department of Defense readiness efforts.

Hinchman served in the U.S. Army as an infantry officer. He medically retired as a captain due to wounds sustained during an improvised explosive attack while conducting a night raid to kill or capture Al Qaeda in Iraq.

After serving in the military, he worked for the Joint IED Defeat Organization and with various nonprofit organizations in Washington, DC. Hinchman is an ambassador to the Vail Veterans Program and a past board member to the Elizabeth Dole Foundation.

During his Army career, he was assigned to 10th Mountain Division and Special Operations Task Force 17. Hinchman earned his Airborne and Air Assault wings, and also graduated as the honor graduate from the U.S. Army Ranger School. His military decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Meritorious Service Medal.

Hinchman earned his undergraduate degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Masters from Georgetown University, continuing executive education at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management, and is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program at Babson College.

He was born in San Benito, Texas and graduated high school from Angleton.

Hinchman is married and has two daughters. ■

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Mariah Sargent currently serves as the business opera-

tions manager for the Training and Sustainment Division of the MAG Aerospace, Integration and Sustainment Solutions Business Unit in Huntsville. In this role, she serves as the business operations liaison between the three business units and corporate headquarters in Fairfax, Va. MAG Aerospace’s mission is to provide and enable real-time situational awareness to help our customers make the world smaller and safer. Specifically, for the Training and Sustainment Division, MAG provides all aspects of technical management, training, sustainment, and logistics support to the full spectrum of manned and unmanned aircraft systems worldwide.

Sargent has more than 19 years of professional business experience and over 14 years in business development and contracts management. She is a 2006 graduate from The University of Alabama in Huntsville where she obtained a B.S. in Business Administration with a major in marketing. Sargent also serves on the Board of Directors for the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), Huntsville Post as the awards director.

Sargent’s passion is serving our military, our community, and our great nation which gives us the ability to thrive in business. She also enjoys meeting new people and establishing long-lasting business relationships. She is known throughout her community as a people-person who enjoys networking, building and sustaining relationships with existing customers, potential customers, and teaming partners. ■

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Michelle Abroms Levin has been named managing

partner of Sirote’s Huntsville office.

“We are honored to add Michelle to our leadership team as our first female managing partner in our Huntsville office,” said Todd Carlisle, president of Sirote. “We are excited about the unique experience and fresh perspective she brings to this position.”

Before joining Sirote in 2013, Levin served as the Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, on detail from the Tax Division of the United States Department of Justice. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, she earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law, where she served as an editor for the Texas International Law Journal, and her BSBA in accounting magna cum laude from Washington University’s Olin Business School.

“I’m thrilled and honored to take on this role,” said Levin. “Sirote has been a wonderful home for me over the past seven years, and I look forward to the opportunity to grow the firm as I continue to grow my practice.”

Sirote’s attorneys represent their clients’ interests in matters large and small, from the relatively simple to the deeply complex. As a full-service law firm with five offices throughout Alabama, Sirote’s attorneys have significant experience in a broad array of practice areas for clients in numerous industries. Sirote’s Huntsville office serves a wide range of clients in the Huntsville area, offering business planning and legal advisory services, estate and tax planning services, and corporate and residential real estate services, in addition to representing clients in a wide array of business litigation. ■

Matt Kroschel has joined Red Sage Communications, an

award-winning full-service marketing and website development agency, as its newest marketing coordinator.

Kroschel worked most recently for CBS News in Denver, Colo., and earned a reputation for visually and emotionally compelling storytelling, as well as effective investigative work. At Red Sage, he will be supporting initiatives across a variety of industries. He brings a unique eye for multimedia content development and social media engagement to the Red Sage team.

“Matt brings some very strong writing and messaging skills to Red Sage,” President & Founder Ellen Didier said. “He also has strong insights which can be applied to our national and local media relations efforts. We’re thrilled to add someone of his caliber to our growing agency.”

Kroschel, a native of Salida, Colo., earned a B.A. in Communications at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colo. Prior to his arrival at Red Sage, he worked as a television journalist for more than a decade in newsrooms across the country, including in the Rocket City.

“Being back in Huntsville, closer to my extended family again, is a dream come true,” Kroschel said. “Joining the Red Sage family and taking this new step in my career is a welcomed change and I am grateful to be joining such a well-respected organization.” ■

Kristin Milam is the property manager for Watermark at

Bridge Street. She began in her role in late 2018 while the 244unit luxury apartment community was still under construction.

Her primary role has been to promote the Watermark brand by introducing their first community to the Huntsville market.

Milam has over 10 years of experience in the Property Management industry and was previously a regional manager in Florida before moving to Alabama.

She graduated from The University of West Florida with a B.S. in Advertising & Communications with a minor in marketing.

Milam’s awards include: 2019 Property Manager of the Year and 2019 Community Volunteer of the Year by the Apartment Association of North Alabama; and The Power of One Award in February 2020, which is a community service award that is handpicked by the owners of Watermark Residential.

She serves as an Ambassador for the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber and serves as the secretary for the Apartment Association of North Alabama.

Milam is also the CEO of her recently established art company, Humane Hearts, where she does photography and paints to bring awareness to animal rescues all over the north Alabama and Tennessee region. ■

Kristina Goodwin, MSN, BSN, FNP-BC, CRNP, has been recently promoted to assistant chief nursing officer at Crestwood Medical Center. In her new role, she assists the chief nursing officer in executive-level management of resources, strategic planning, and development of policies and procedures that align with the mission and vision of Crestwood. Goodwin provides leadership to multiple units across the organization and collaborates with the CNO to promote positive patient experience outcomes.

“Kris is a highly-respected leader who is focused on improving patient outcomes,” said Pam Hudson, CEO of Crestwood Medical Center. “During her time at Crestwood, Kris has been a valuable asset to our team and has played a critical role in our success, particularly in the critical care and cardiovascular service lines.”

Goodwin, a certified Registered Nurse Practitioner, has been with Crestwood for six years, most recently serving as senior director of Nursing Services. Prior to that, she served as director of Critical Care and Cardiovascular Services and oversaw initiatives that resulted in positive patient outcomes and quality of care.

Goodwin also served as a clinical educator for Cardiovascular Services, where she created and implemented several hospital-wide programs, such as a sepsis program and a MEWS (Modified Early Warning System) program, designed to identify patients who are at risk and who may require a higher level of care.

Goodwin shared, “I am very excited for this opportunity. Crestwood Medical Center plays such a vital role for our area, providing quality healthcare option in the Tennessee Valley. I look forward to the honor of serving our patients, staff, and community in this capacity.”

Goodwin received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Nursing from The University of Alabama in Huntsville. She is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, and she lives in Madison with her husband and her two children. ■ continued on page 28

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Dennis Crumley is back at Leonardo DRS as vice presi-

dent of programs for the Land Electronics business unit.

Crumley’s tenure at Leonardo DRS totals over nine years and three months of service. After joining the team in August 2010, he took a short departure in May of 2019 and returned to the organization in January of 2020.

As vice president of programs, he leads the program management function for the seven Land Electronics campaigns across the Huntsville, Ala., and Melbourne, Fla., sites. Crumley provides a single point of accountability to deliver the business unit’s projects (Platform Electronics, Network Computing, and Test and Diagnostics) in accordance with project commitments, has full project authority, within the limits of the established budget and company operating policies, to manage and direct assigned project resources and make decisions regarding the project directions. He also establishes project resource assignments and ensures that projects are properly managed and staffed, participates in Steering Committee meetings and decisions.

Before joining Leonardo DRS, Crumley served as a U.S. Army officer with over 21 years of experience in leading, operational/strategic planning, and execution.

He has a breadth of experience in building high performing, goal-oriented and diverse teams. A certified member of the Army’s Acquisition Corps, with over 11 years of Army/Federal acquisition experience as an operational test planner, requirements developer, Department of the Army Systems Coordinator (Bradley

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and Future Combat Systems), and culminating as Program Manager Abrams Tanks, and over six years in the military defense industry.

Crumley graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a B.S. in Mathematics and an M.S. in Operations Research. ■

Christoph Wollersheim

has been named division director of Advanced Analytics and Digital Services for Noblis’ Federal Civilian Solutions mission area. Noblis is a leading provider of science, technology and strategy services to the federal government.

Wollersheim will be responsible for driving the strategy and execution of Noblis’ innovative analytics and digital solutions to exploit, enable and protect data and infrastructure across federal civilian missions. Wollersheim’s diverse client portfolio encompasses the IRS, CMS, U.S. Postal, and Census missions where Noblis is deploying advanced capabilities in fraud, cyber analytics, data science, machine learning, robotic process automation, agile software development and cloud computing.

“We are excited to have Christoph join our growing team and look forward to his contributions that will accelerate our ability to deliver the latest technologies and solutions in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced analytics to enhance our government customer’s missions and transform their operations,” said Mile Corrigan, vice president, Noblis Federal Civilian Solutions. “He has sig-

A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

nificant experience in delivering customer-centric digital products and services and helping government organizations use data analytics to improve decision-making and better serve the public.”

Prior to joining Noblis, Wollersheim was the global director of data analytics and insights at Arcadis; an advanced analytics expert in travel, transport and logistics at McKinsey & Co.; and a senior lead data scientist at Booz Allen Hamilton. ■

Douglas Helton has been named director of Business Development for Noblis’ Federal Civilian Solutions mission area focusing on the growth of Noblis’ Transportation Systems portfolio.

“Doug brings a wealth of experience to Noblis having worked with the FAA, NASA and industry in a broad spectrum of aviation areas across the National Airspace System including air traffic management, unmanned aircraft systems, automation platforms, navigation, surveillance and decision support systems,” said Matt Salter, vice president of Business Development, Noblis Federal Civilian Solutions. “We look forward to his contributions to help our clients solve their mission critical challenges and to the growth Doug will bring to Noblis’ Transportation Systems portfolio.”

Prior to joining Noblis, Helton was an advanced aviation consultant for government and industry and manager of business development for UPS Aviation Technologies. He served in a variety of executive roles at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association leading air traffic services and technology, regulatory policy, and air traffic operations and requirements.

Helton earned a bachelor’s degree in air commerce/flight technology from Florida Institute of Technology and is a licensed commercial pilot. ■ Matt Salter has been named vice president of Business

Development for the Noblis Federal Civilian Solutions (FCS) mission area.

“As the business development director for our FCS mission area Matt has contributed to business growth and successfully launched an FCS emerging business development leader program which helped foster employee growth,” said Amr ElSawy, president and CEO, Noblis. “We look forward to his continued contributions to our growth in FCS and his collaboration across Noblis to help us meet our government clients’ current and future needs.”

“Matt has contributed significantly to Noblis’ growth and high bid performance standards in our federal civilian mission area,” said Mile Corrigan, vice president, Noblis Federal Civilian Solutions. “He has applied discipline and rigor across Noblis’ business development lifecycle while mentoring account leaders and capture managers across the enterprise.”

Salter also has served as a senior manager leading technical teams in the healthcare and transportation domains to advance IT modernization efforts including cloud, high performance computing, enterprise information management and risk-based decision making. Salter also served as program manager for Noblis’ Risk and Safety Management Alert System, where he led cross functional teams

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in product development, system implementation and training, and subscription sales to healthcare providers across the U.S. and Canada.

Salter earned a bachelor’s degree from George Mason University and holds numerous management and business development certifications. ■

Lily Grace Couvillon has joined ServisFirst Bank as

a credit analyst. She will assist the Commercial Banking and Private Banking teams in determining the creditworthiness of existing and prospective clients based on their financial statements, borrowing history and market conditions.

During her collegiate years, Couvillon worked as an intern for ServisFirst while earning her B.S. in Commerce and Business Administration with a major in finance and a minor in economics from The University of Alabama. She also studied International Business abroad at John Cabot University Arts (JCU) in Rome, Italy.

While at Alabama, Couvillon was named to the Dean’s List and inducted into the Golden Key International Honor Society. She also served in many leadership roles including the Education Abroad Alumni Program, a Peer Tutor for mathematics, statistics and computer science, the International Recruitment Committee for Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority and various committees for the Student Government Association (SGA). Couvillon’s community outreach includes volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and West Alabama Food Bank. ■

Caleb Beilstein served two years at ServisFirst Bank within the credit department and commercial banking division prior to being promoted to his current role, assistant relationship manager and bank officer.

During his collegiate years, Beilstein joined ServisFirst Bank as an intern while earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration majoring in Finance from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Upon graduation he started with the bank in a credit analyst position. He will take over the agriculture and farm portfolio that he has assisted former officers with for over two years and will be a generalist for handling commercial and industrial relationships.

Beilstein has been a mentor for the ‘Faith and Finances’ and ‘Jobs for Life’ programs through the Cornerstone Initiative with a focus on the Community Reinvestment Act. ■ Emily Frazier started with ServisFirst Bank Huntsville in

2006 as an executive assistant – one of the first four team members. She has held multiple roles within ServisFirst Bank, including lending assistant, cash management officer, and credit analyst, prior to being promoted to her current role, assistant relationship manager and credit officer.

Frazier earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Virginia

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College and has over 23 years of banking experience. She volunteers with the HudsonAlpha Professional Advisors, Madison County Officer Managers Roundtable, and Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild. ■

Heather Adair is the new regional sales manager for

Sirius Technical Services’ Alabama and Mississippi markets.

She joins Sirius with over 20 years of sales and relationship management experience. Adair resides in Huntsville where she is an active volunteer and fundraiser in her community. She is a Foundation Board Member at the Huntsville Museum of Art, an Advisory Board member at the Huntsville Botanical Garden, and a Professional Advisors Council member at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology.

Adair also serves on the Executive Leadership team for the North AlabamaAmerican Heart Association, the Human Resources and Workforce Development Committee and the Safety & Security Committee for Manufacture Alabama, and is a member of Women in Manufacturing. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce and Business Administration from The University of Alabama. ■

Kaitlin McConnell has joined the Davidson Homes team as their new

Content Marketing Specialist. Her new responsibilities will include creating and scheduling engaging social media content, email marketing, company newsletter

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A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

content, and research on industry trends. Kaitlin graduated Cum Laude from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in Public Relations/Marketing in May 2018. She is also a member of the Huntsville Young Professionals’ Board of Directors, North Alabama Public Relations Council, and volunteers as an usher for the Broadway Theatre League and Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. With her additional love of hockey, she has previously covered the Nashville Predators and UAH’s men’s hockey team for publications such as MTSU’s Sidelines and Penalty Box Radio. ■

TTL, Inc. is excited to announce the recent addition of staff to the Transpor-

tation Services Group in Alabama. Joe Pennington; Jeff Strickland, PE; Mack Taylor, PE; and Joel Wampol, PE have joined TTL bringing added project management capability and extensive transportation design experience.

“We are very excited about such experienced professionals joining our team at TTL” said Dean McClure, CEO. “They collectively add more than 100 years of combined DOT experience and allow us to provide greater support to our transportation clients.”

TTL, Inc. is a civil engineering firm with offices in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas. The firm serves clients across the country in the energy, transportation, government, industrial, institutional/municipal, commercial, and water/ wastewater markets. ■

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Arts Huntsville to receive $100,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts

Drake State issues friendly challenge to encourage 2020 Census participation

National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Mary Anne Carter has approved more than $84 million in grants as part of the Arts Endowment’s second major funding announcement for fiscal year 2020. Included in this announcement is an Art Works award of $100,000 to Arts Huntsville for the North Alabama Arts Education Collaborative’s planning process for rural schools in its six school district service area. The two-year collective impact project will support the development of a plan for arts-based instruction in area schools. This is one of 1,015 grants nationwide that the agency has approved in this category.

“These awards demonstrate the resilience of the arts in America, showcasing not only the creativity of their arts projects but the organizations’ agility in the face of a national health crisis,” said Carter. “We celebrate organizations like Arts Huntsville and the North Alabama Arts Education Collaborative for providing opportunities for learning and engagement through the arts in these times.”

“Since its creation in 2018, the North Alabama Arts Education Collaborative has partnered with teachers and administrators in Madison County, Limestone County, Huntsville City and Athens City Schools to expand arts-based learning for area students,” said Karen Anderson, director of the North Alabama Arts Education Collaborative. “To date, this program has been supported by the Alabama State Council on the Arts through support from the Alabama State Legislature. With new support from the National Endowment for the Arts, we will expand this work in our rural schools while continuing our programs and services across all six school districts in our service area.”

The North Alabama Arts Education Collaborative is based at Arts Huntsville and is one of three pilot initiatives in the state partnering with both the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the Alabama State Department of Education to advance the Alabama Plan for Arts Education. Through the National Endowment for the Arts grant, Arts Huntsville will work collectively with school and community partners to develop a common agenda and plan that will be supported by professional development programs for teachers and artists and tracked through shared evaluation and assessment.

“I was honored to help announce the launch of the North Alabama Arts Education Collaborative in 2018 and believe that arts instruction is key in a child’s overall development,” said Alabama Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon. “The arts strengthen our students’ social and emotional learning and also teach the creativity necessary to conceive solutions for a better tomorrow. We are proud of the National Endowment for the Arts’ investment in the good work happening in our state.”

The North Alabama Arts Education Collaborative’s work with area students and school partners continues this summer through virtual lessons available via Arts Huntsville’s social media channels. The Collaborative is also working with school and community partners to provide additional arts education opportunities, planning and professional development in July 2020 as educators plan for the 2020-21 academic year. ■

Drake State Community & Technical College President Dr. Patricia Sims issued a friendly Census 2020 challenge to other organizations in Madison County. The challenge comes after the College achieved 100 percent participation among its full-time employees including faculty in May.

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Workforce Development director Bob Grissim served as Drake State’s local coordinator of the Alabama Community College Census 2020 awareness campaign.

“We’re really proud and appreciate that our employees understand how important this is for our community,” said Dr. Sims. “We want to extend a friendly challenge to other organizations to strive for the same results. Imagine the impact we could have if we came together as a community of businesses to encourage more participation.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, data from Census 2020 will be used to make decisions on funding for many programs and services including several directly related to higher education and workforce programs like tuition grant programs, adult education programs and employment training. A low response rate in Alabama could impact funding for these and many other programs that serve the North Alabama community.

The deadline for people to self-respond to the Census is July 31. It takes about 10 minutes – visit 2020census.gov and type in your address to begin. In August, Census workers will begin to knock on doors. ■

Teledyne Brown Engineering selected for major NASA mission study for ISS Teledyne Brown Engineering is on a team selected as one of two awardees of a NASA Astrophysics Explorer Mission of Opportunity Phase A study. NASA Headquarters Science Mission Directorate (SMD) selected a team consisting of The University of New Hampshire, A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

COMPILED BY CLAIRE AIELLO

Southwest Research Institute, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Teledyne Brown Engineering, and University of Alabama in Huntsville as one of two awardees for an upcoming Astrophysics Explorers Mission of Opportunity. The selected teams are to perform work over the next year to prepare for a final down-select determined by NASA Headquarters SMD. The team’s proposed LargE Area burst Polarimeter (LEAP), would be mounted on the International Space Station (ISS) to study the energetic jets launched in gamma-ray

A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

bursts, explosive events that are thought to represent the death of a massive star, or the merger of compact objects such as neutron stars. LEAP’s measurements of polarization in gamma-ray bursts could distinguish between competing theories for the nature of the jets, which move at close to the speed of light. LEAP’s goals and objectives are consistent with NASA’s 2018 Strategic Plan including the expansion of human knowledge through new scientific discoveries, and understanding the Sun, Earth, Solar System and Universe.

Teledyne Brown Engineering will work as a contractor to the Science and Technology Office at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville during the Phase A effort. The company will provide systems engineering support and hardware development for the mission. The major responsibilities include integration of the science instrument on the launch vehicle and ISS, systems safety analysis, interface verification, and structural hardware design, analysis, and fabrication.

“Teledyne Brown Engineering is honored to be selected as part of a team for a major astrophysics science mission,” stated the company’s president Jan Hess. “Our experience developing, integrating and operating our Multiple User System for Earth Sensing (MUSES) platform for the ISS along with multiple other NASA mission support programs has afforded us the chance to perform this work on a new instrument package to further our understanding of the universe.”

Work for this study is already underway. The program scope will increase if the mission is selected post Phase A which is planned for mid-2021. ■ Chamber Members: Send your company news to comms@hsvchamber.org

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Huntsville/Madison County Chamber

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Chip Cherry, CCE, president & CEO Meghan Chambliss, executive assistant

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A HUNTSVILLE/MADISON COUNTY CHAMBER PUBLICATION

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