Opportunity 2024: Day 2

OPPORTUNITY: DAY 2

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 Section G

Future in focus

Entrepreneurs and members of Generation Next like Erin Tidwell (below) give local communities a dynamic outlook

G2 Wednesday, February 21, 2024

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The Decatur Daily

OPPORTUNITY 2024 GENERATION NEXT: ERIN TIDWELL

Athens city planner wants to serve public

By Erica Smith Staff Writer

ATHENS — Erin Tidwell knew her calling was in planning and has found her niche in Athens as the city planner. She said living in the city is a plus because there is so much for a young resident to do.

“I knew where I wanted to be, which is in planning,” Tidwell said. “I had interned while I was in college with the city of Huntsville, and I had also interned with the city of Tuscaloosa with both of their planning departments. So, I knew where I really wanted to be.”

Tidwell, 30, from Athens, said she grew up in a family involved in public service.

“My dad’s a teacher, my mom’s a nurse, my grandfather worked for the state park system,” she said. “So, I never really saw myself doing anything other than public service and so it just felt natural.”

Tidwell has been the city planner for just over a year, but this is the second time she has worked for Athens.

She worked for Athens for three and a half years starting in 2017, first as the technical coordinator and then as planner I, both in the Planning Department.

Tidwell left Athens’ Planning Department for over two years to be the principal planner for the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments but came back to work in Athens in 2022.

Tidwell graduated from the University of Alabama in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in geography with a concentration in urban regional and environmental planning and a minor in geographic information systems. She graduated

Athens Planner I Paige Parker has worked with Tidwell since she became the city planner.

“She has completely transformed the Planning Department in every best way possible; she is an asset to us here in the city of Athens,” Parker said. “She’s given us a lot of direction and organization and a sense of security that now we have someone to look to.”

Parker said Tidwell has been a role model, not just to her, but to the entire department.

“She’s an expert in the field of planning, in my opinion,” Parker said.

“We’re very lucky to have her and to have someone with her knowledge and her experience to turn to when we have questions.”

Tidwell grew up in Rogersville and said because of its close location, she Athens City Planner Erin Tidwell works in her office. She says the city offers plenty to do with dining, shopping and entertainment was familiar with the options. [PHOTOS BY JERONIMO NISA/DECATUR DAILY] Limestone County area.

To work in Huntsville, she moved to Huntsville-annexed Limestone County a few years ago and to Athens nine months ago.

Tidwell said she moved to Athens because, “essentially, I was closer to work, ended up I was closer to my family in Rogersville. It was a natural progression and it made sense.”

Tidwell said she plans on continuing to live in Athens.

“Athens is great. We’re growing. There’s so much Paige Parker, left, and City Planner Erin Tidwell discuss issues An interest in geography led Athens City Planner Erin Tidwell into to do,” she said. “You’ve related to subdivisions at the city planning office in Athens. her profession. got restaurants, you’ve got entertainment, shopping; from Alabama A&M Uni- ‘Erin, I think you’re going able to work in an office she wanted to go beyond it’s great. It’s been a great versity in 2020 with a to have an interest in geog- and figure out how you just geography and into transition, so I don’t see master’s degree in urban raphy.’ I kind of gravitated help people and how you planning. myself moving anywhere regional planning with a that way in college, based interact with your com“You took that theory else anytime soon.” concentration in housing on that advice, and she munity; that’s really where that you learned and saw community development. was very much correct,” I saw myself.” it in practice, and I could —erica.smith@deca“One of my teachers in Tidwell said. “Once I got Tidwell said her intern- imagine myself doing that turdaily.com or high school really told me, my internships and was ships made her realize for a living,” she said.

256-340-2460.

GENERATION NEXT: WALKER JONES

Good times growing up bring 24-year-old back Jones already coaching, mentoring kids

By Bruce McLellan For The Decatur Daily

Walker Jones started on his career path early.

He got his real estate license at age 19 “to kind of test and see if that’s what I wanted to do.”

Jones had watched his father, Jeremy, sell real estate part time while working full time as an education administrator. He had also gotten to know Jeff Parker, owner and broker at Parker Real Estate.

At age 20, following his sophomore year at Auburn University, Jones received his first listing, for a tract of land in Muscle Shoals owned by a Decatur businessman.

“It was kind of crazy,” Jones said. “I was home that summer. Dad and I went and met with (the owner). I went back to school. I came back and showed it a couple of times.”

During Jones’ junior year at Auburn, his father completed a sale of the property.

“After that was when I really … knew this was what I wanted to do — after that summer of getting to

Walker Jones lines up his players for the start of a game earlier this month in a league at Decatur Heritage Christian Academy. Jones, 24, coaches kids in his hometown and mentors an elementary school student. [TRISTAN HOLMES/FOR THE DECATUR DAILY]

work here (at Parker Real Estate), with the encouragement from Jeff and my dad.”

By the time he graduated from Auburn in the spring of 2022, he had no doubts he would begin a career in real estate. He also had no doubt he’d return to his hometown where he attended Eastwood Elementary and Decatur Heritage Christian Academy.

“My dad did a very good job of putting godly businessmen in my life that just poured into me during high school (and) during college would check on me,“ Jones said. That made him want “to be back here to be that next generation of working hard and filling those shoes of the ones that were already here.”

Jones, 24 and an associate broker at Parker Real Estate, has strong family

ties to Morgan County. His dad Jeremy, now retired from education and a fulltime real estate agent, grew up in the county and attended Brewer High.

Walker Jones’ mother, Rosellen, was born in Decatur, Georgia, but moved here when her parents, James and Billie Walker, started Walker Dental Lab. Walker Jones’ younger brother Will is working at the lab while

their sister Katie is a student at Samford.

Raised in Decatur Walker Jones grew up in the Point Mallard neighborhood and said he and friends were always walking to the nearby water park or to the basketball court at the now-demolished T.C. Almon Recreation Center.

At other times, they played sports closer to home.

“Growing up, all of us

would get together. It was in our parents’ front yard or we would go behind Point Mallard clubhouse. A lot of times it was football or it would be whiffle ball or something like that.

“We did it all growing up. We did the whole scene. I think that’s why I fell so in love with Decatur and just wanted to be back so quickly. Just the traditions, the Mardi Gras parades, everything really.”

He’s stayed busy in the two years since he returned to Decatur. He is coaching kids, participating in a Bible study, serving in the Lunch Buddies program at Frances Nungester Elementary and is a member of the Decatur Kiwanis Club.

This winter he coached for the second year a team of third and fourth graders who played in a basketball league at Decatur Heritage.

“I truly have a heart for kids,” he said. “I grew up playing basketball and I can connect with those kids. Just being not their parent, but their coach and a friend at the same time.”

Maegan Schwindling said she’s glad her son Beckham, a third grader, was on Jones’ basketball team.

“It means everything to the little guys to have SEE JONES, G7

ABOUT THIS SECTION

T

he Future in Focus sections that continue today as part of Opportunity 2024 tell the stories of entrepreneurs and young

residents. Those two groups keep our communities vibrant and poised for a promising future.

The sections explore

entrepreneurs’ motivations communities and what attracted and the methods they used to them to live here. build their businesses locally.

On the cover Other stories show the impact Athens City Planner Erin of Generation Next on local Tidwell grew up knowing she

wanted to serve the public. She has found a home in Athens, site of the historic Limestone County Courthouse. Photo by Jeronimo Nisa.

The Decatur Daily

| Wednesday, February 21, 2024

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OPPORTUNITY 2024 ENTREPRENEUR: YVETTE RICE

Decatur woman has history of breaking barriers “Now I have a clear

Former engineer sight and a different scope of how a business is supnow coaches posed to be run,” Bruno business owners said. “She’s helped me do

By Wes Tomlinson Staff Writer

Decatur resident Yvette Rice has been a pioneer in north Alabama.

She became the first Black cheerleader at Austin High School and one of the first black women to obtain an engineering degree from the University of Alabama. Now, she teaches new business owners how to make their enterprises flourish.

In 2015, Rice started her own company in Decatur called LLVE LLC., where she offers advice to young entrepreneurs. Although she does have male clients, most of the entrepreneurs she assists are women.

“I didn’t know, but until 1988 if a woman wanted to start a business, she had to have a male co-sign on her business loan,” Rice said. “So I started to see biases and disadvantages that women faced in the marketplace.”

Rice has provided countless small business owners with in-house leadership training and development.

Huntsville resident Jasmine Bruno is the owner of P&J Logistics Solutions, a business she began in January 2022. She is training with Rice this year, working on managing contracts and proposals.

“Just different things in regard to capability statements and business plans,” Bruno said.

Bruno, 35, said Rice has made a “tremendous” impact on her business by helping her manage employees and services efficiently.

bids before with the United States Postal Service. After speaking and working with (Rice), I have a clearer vision on business going forward and how to obtain contracts.”

Bruno said she would recommend Rice to any individual interested in starting their own business.

“When it comes to financial statements or getting loans from banks, she helps in that whole process,” Bruno said. “Even down to helping with filing taxes.”

At home in Decatur Rice could have worked anywhere she wanted with her qualifications, but said she felt God called her back home to Decatur to impact her local community.

Rice, 64, was born in Decatur in 1959 and grew up on Monroe Drive Northwest. Her mother, Annie Ruth Harris, was an educator for Decatur City Schools, obtaining her undergraduate degrees from Calhoun Community College and Athens State and receiving her master’s degree from Alabama A&M University. Getting her start as a physical education teacher at Westlawn Elementary, Harris then taught at the former Lakeview Elementary for four years, and after desegregation, taught at Walter Jackson Elementary for 25 years before retiring.

“The ties are great; both of my grandmothers also grew up in Decatur as well,” Rice said. “My maternal grandmother helped start the first Black Girl Scout troop here.”

Leadership evidently

Yvette Rice signs one of her books for Deedee Berry in Decatur at the E-Center, or Decatur-Morgan County Entrepreneurial Center.

[PHOTOS BY JERONIMO NISA/DECATUR DAILY]

runs in Rice’s family, and on both sides.

Her paternal great-aunt was Carrie Matthews, the namesake of the recreation center on Sixth Street Northwest which is currently closed. Matthews was an active civic leader in Decatur as well as the founder and director of Sterrs Day Care Center.

After her death in April 1967, the city opened its first recreation center on the northwest side of town the following year and named it after Matthews.

“She died of leukemia when I was young, but she was very active in the community and also helped out with the Girl Scouts as SEE RICE, G8

Much of the coaching Yvette Rice provides to business owners is online. Her business, LLVE LLC., is an acronym for Ladies Living in Victory and Excellence. [JERONIMO NISA/DECATUR DAILY]

87 YEARS 5

NORRIS GHOLSTON Salesman of the Year 2023

GENERATIONS

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G4 Wednesday, February 21, 2024

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The Decatur Daily

OPPORTUNITY 2024

Participants in Young Professionals of Decatur’s bowling night get on a roll.

Youth movement Y

oung Professionals of Decatur is a grass-roots group that holds events about once a month. Earlier this year, members got together for a night of bowling at AMF River City Lanes. Find out more about the group’s activities at facebook.com/YPDecatur orypdecatur.com. Email the group at ypdecatur256@gmail.com.

Photos by Jeronimo Nisa

Haylie Weaver bowls as she holds her daughter, Brooklyn, during Young Professionals of Decatur’s bowling night at the AMF River City Lanes.

Jonte Swoope takes instant print photos of participants at the Young Professionals of Decatur’s bowling event earlier this year.

Patrick Wallace shows his son, Zayden, a bowling approach.

Keaton Jones is all business as he bowls.

The Young Professionals of Decatur’s bowling night attracted a large number of participants, some who brought along their children.

The Decatur Daily

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G6 Wednesday, February 21, 2024

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The Decatur Daily

OPPORTUNITY 2024 ENTREPRENEUR: MICHELE HENDRY

Decatur fashionable for boutique owner

By Deborah Storey For The Decatur Daily

Michele Hendry had just a passing familiarity with Decatur when she decided not only to open a small business downtown but move here, too.

Surely she had family here? Friends?

“Literally zero,” said Hendry, who left an area where she lived for decades to open Hailos boutique on historic Bank Street.

The move turned out to be one of those leaps of faith that worked out beautifully.

“There are times in your life when everything is falling into place and you’re like, ‘Holy cow, this is what I’m supposed to be doing’,” she said.

Hendry said she’s always had an “entrepreneurial spirit.”

“When I was a little girl I started babysitting at 9 years old. I look back at that, and I’m like, ‘Who leaves their baby with a 9-year-old?’” she said with a laugh. (She was the oldest of five children and her mother ran a day care, so she probably picked up some child care skills along the way.)

At age 27, Hendry started a company making custom children’s birthday party hats.

“Those were sold in about 250 stores across the (country),” she said.

“Kind of my claim to fame is that I also had them at Bloomingdale’s,” a landmark New York City store.

As a stay-at-home

mom to two kids, she tried several other business ventures, including sewing custom draperies.

About five or six years ago she learned that women’s clothing sells wholesale in packs of six sizes — two small, two medium, two large.

“When I learned this, I thought, you know, I could get together with my friends — my small, medium and large friends could fill a pack — and you wouldn’t have such a big markup.”

She started a Facebook page to see if her friends would like to order.

“The next thing you know, that turned into a group of over 2,000 women.”

With some clothing left over, she rented space in a Franklin, Tennessee, marketplace called Painted Tree.

“I opened a booth there with the intention literally of just selling my extras,” she said.

It went so well that she started buying clothes just for the booth market. Soon she was selling clothing in similar spaces in Memphis, Knoxville and Murfreesboro in Tennessee, and St. Louis.

A year or so ago, she told her husband she wanted to try running her own store.

Retail space in Franklin was too expensive, though, so they started looking to move.

“We have a house on Smith Lake. We’re empty nesters now. I was like, ‘What if we relocate to a different town?’ ” Her husband looked into market research.

“They came back with their analysis and said there’s this little town

Michele Hendry relocated to Decatur to open Hailos boutique. [PHOTOS BY JERONIMO NISA/DECATUR DAILY]

called Decatur. I laughed.

I said, ‘I know where you’re talking about because I would stop at the Publix on the way to Smith Lake.’”

She visited Bank Street and thought it was the perfect location for her boutique.

“I loved the feel of Decatur. I love the old downtown. Downtown Decatur very much reminds me of downtown Franklin. It was like the pilgrims of old,” she recalled. “I was like, ‘This is the place.’ This is where I wanted to be.”

the Jamie Hood jewelry store and opened Hailos — derived from their children’s names — in October.

She planned to sell women’s items exclusively but men kept asking for golftype and business casual clothing.

“It has been very well received,” she said of the addition of men’s items.

“I had no idea that being a shop owner and shopping for men’s was going to be so easy. Men are definitely about the fabrics.

They want performance fabrics and the pants to be comfortable.

Shop finds a niche “If it fits and feels good, T h e c o u p l e b o u g h t they really don’t care what it costs.”

Decatur attorney Douglas Bachuss likes the store’s growing selection of jackets, sports shirts and shoes. He thinks supporting small businesses in town is important.

“I’ve actually purchased a sports coat from Hailos,” he said. “It was a different pattern than what was available from other stores in town.”

The female customers at Hailos range from young moms in their 30s to women in their 60s.

“My thing has always been to find the quality of boutique clothes without huge boutique prices,” Hendry said. “I go to the marts and the different apparel shows — just to find great quality things that don’t break the bank.”

As a buyer, “buy what you like,” she advises.

Growing organically with smaller shops helped her understand what people like to buy.

“It’s almost things that I like to wear. I’m not trying to buy for a young 22-yearold because that’s not who I am. Even though I’m 51, I don’t want to look like I’m a grandmother. I want to be kind of hip but I want to be age appropriate at the same time.”

Shoppers at Hailos don’t “have to spend 200 dollars on a dress because I don’t want to do that.”

Decatur resident Kristen Propst has shopped there for her family and likes the store’s “good-quality things at a reasonable price.”

“Part of her business model is that friendly, personal service,” Propst said.

“You just feel like you’re shopping with another person from the community that you know well.”

Propst found that Hendry is enthusiastic about getting involved in the community, too.

Excellent Care. Close to Home.

“Any time that we can bring a business to DecaClose to You. tur and people who invest

CONTINUING THE LEGACY

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Market research leads to shop opening in city

Michele Hendry works in the men’s section of her clothing store.

She said she opened the shop locally because she “loved the feel of Decatur. I love the old downtown.”

Michele Hendry works in her clothing store, Hailos.

Michele Hendry, right, shares a laugh with a customer at Hailos.

themselves in Decatur we are so fortunate,” she said.

“That’s exactly what she’s done.”

Friends are telling friends about the shop.

“I hear it every day,” said Hendry. “People tell me ‘I was talking to my sister last night, and she said I had to come.’ ‘I was talking to a co-worker and he said I had to come.’ ‘I was talking to a man yesterday and he said his wife said I had to come check you out.’”

No second thoughts Hendry told friends back in Franklin that the Decatur venture was a good decision.

“I was like, ‘They’re so great there. Everyone really wants me to be successful. I feel it and it’s really something quite special.

“I love the people of Decatur. I have never been so welcomed.”

Originally from Kentucky and raised outside Atlanta, Hendry lived with her husband Chris, who leads operations for a national mental health

company, in the Brentwood area of Nashville for about 20 years.

When they decided to make the move to Decatur, their farm sold quickly for cash. Jamie Hood wasn’t planning to sell his downtown space but did.

The Hendrys are visiting a church and have been invited to join a supper club. Chris Hendry has joined Burningtree Country Club. They live on Red Bank Road and still have the home on Smith Lake.

“I didn’t know it until I got down here but there’s a lot of people from Nashville investing in here. One of them said, ‘I’ve seen the future and we know what is happening’” in the Athens, Decatur and Huntsville area.

“It’s booming and such an opportunity,” she said.

Other entrepreneurs considering Decatur should “come be part of it.”

Hailos is located at 722 Bank St. in downtown Decatur, and in the Painted Tree shopping complex at 1113 Murfreesboro Road in Franklin, Tennessee.

The Decatur Daily

| Wednesday, February 21, 2024

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OPPORTUNITY 2024 GENERATION NEXT: DELANDRION WOODS

‘Raised in a village’

Walker Jones prays with his players before the start of a recent game. [PHOTOS BY TRISTAN HOLMES/FOR THE DECATUR DAILY]

Delandrion Woods shares a laugh with Lawrence County High coach K.C. Orr. Woods likes to serve the community and nation, whether it’s as a basketball official, school board member or working in the defense industry. [DEANGELO MCDANIEL/FOR THE DECATUR DAILY]

Grandfather’s example is reason for service on school board, basketball court and in job

By Deangelo McDaniel For The Decatur Daily

Regardless of what he’s doing, Delandrion Woods’ focus is service.

He represents District 1 on the Lawrence County Board of Education, is a high school basketball official and works as a defense subcontractor for Northrop Grumman in Huntsville.

“I was raised in a village and it still takes a village to raise a child,” the 2011 East Lawrence High graduate said.

Woods, 30, has had plenty of opportunities to leave north Alabama, but didn’t “because of the family environment in the area and the example my grandfather set for me.”

He said his grandfather, Connie Woods of Courtland, taught him to be a servant and did things to help people in the community.

“This is how I became a product of a village,” said Woods, who has bachelor’s degree in business and finance from the University of Alabama Huntsville and a master’s degree from the Florida Institute of Technology.

“My grandfather was about helping your neighbor,” he continued, adding that Connie Woods always saw the positive side of life.

Scottie Bolden is a longtime friend who said Woods has a lot of his grandfather’s traits.

“His service to the community is about making things better, especially for the young people,” Bolden said.

Woods stepped into the public arena when he ran for and was elected to the Hillsboro Town Council.

After serving six years as a council member, he decided to run for the District 1 BOE seat “because there was a lot of things happening in the school system.”

At the time, the school system had received court approval to close majorityBlack R.A. Hubbard, which is in the district Woods represents.

“People in the community were concerned about the treatment of some schools and I thought being on the school board was a better place for me to serve the community,” he said.

Woods won his 2022 school board race, but the vote to close R.A. Hubbard had already taken place.

During his time as an

Walker Jones points to tell his players where to run a play.

JONES

Delandrion Woods (right) consults with official Octavius Hamilton during a recent high school game at West Morgan. [PHOTOS BY DEANGELO MCDANIEL/FOR THE DECATUR DAILY]

Delandrion Woods reports a foul during a high school game at Lawrence County High this past season.

elected official, Woods has also served the area on the basketball court as an official.

“He’s funny on the floor, but I like how he calls,” Lawrence County senior guard Jaala Hawkins said.

Woods is in his ninth season and is following in the footsteps of his mother, Catrina Woods, who has been officiating 11 years.

“My mother is a lot better than me,” he chuckled.

Woods said he treats officiating like he does his decisions on the school board.

“I try not to take anything from the kids by putting myself into the game,” he said. “On the school board, I don’t want to jeopardize the learning environment, and on the court, I don’t want to affect the outcome of a game.

Delandrion Woods has been a high school official for nine years.

unknowns in the homebuying process,” he said.

From Page G2 “And being able to be there and help them and somebody they can look reconnect with people up to that’s not a dad but coming back to town or is a young professional getting to be the first that’s involved in their connection with people lives.” coming into town is She is a facilitator something I really enjoy.” with the Morgan County CEO program that men- Looking ahead tors high school juniors Jones said he’s optimisand seniors interested in tic that Decatur will be becoming entrepreneurs. attractive for other young She said that makes her residents like himself. even more appreciative “Downtown is headed that Jones returned to in the right way,” he said.

Decatur to make it his “Opportunity down there home.. with live music and stuff Schwindling, who grew is continuing to increase up in Decatur, said her and is already becomgoal working with CEO ing more attractive. (The is for students to want planned development) to “have a business here City Harbor is a huge and grow here and have a attraction to the young home here … and to love crowds.” where they’re from and be He said his girlfriend, proud of that.

Brittan Davis, an Auburn “And I think Walker is. graduate, works in mediHe has chosen to be here.” cal sales in Birmingham, Jones said working but he has no plans to with the basketball team leave Decatur. has rewards such as “get“I knew I was coming ting to see kids that I have back here, and that’s been coached in the past come the one thing I’ve been up and (I) ask how they’re completely headstrong doing and check on them.” on. Again, I am so blessed In the Lunch Buddies to be from here. And to program, he eats lunch get to be around all the on Wednesdays with a men in this city, it’s just kindergarten student at truly a blessing.”

Frances Nungester. The He said Davis grew up program is designed for in Madison but never had the adult buddy to part- spent much time in Decaner with the same student tur before they began year after year. their relationship.

“You basically are just “She’s come up here a kind of their friend all the year now and has really way through elementary fallen in love with it as school and get to grow up well,” he said. “We went with them,” he said. “Just to (December’s Decatur hang out with them, eat Morgan Hospital Founwith them, and ask them dation) Gala. Just getting how their week’s going. to see everybody and Just really getting to know meet everybody that’s them.” not in our social circle …

He said his real estate of younger people, but she business gives him flex- got to meet a lot of older ibility to get involved people that I’m around. in the community. He She really fell in love with has a house in Southeast it even more.”

Decatur and says he also Jones said he already is making connections in was sold on Decatur. the community through “I love this city. I love his job. the opportunities it pro“ I r e a l l y d o e n j o y vides and then getting to getting to work with raise a family how I grew first-time home buyers up. I feel like I had the best because there are so many childhood ever.”

G8 Wednesday, February 21, 2024

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The Decatur Daily

OPPORTUNITY 2024 GENERATION NEXT: MICHAEL GRIFFIN

City engineer says Athens friendly like Mayberry

is that we have to drive to see a movie every once in a while,” he said. “There’s not a whole heck of a lot; I’d like some entertainment venues, but we’re working on that. … Other than that, now we’ve got some nice, new restaurants and things are starting to get more modern here in Athens.”

Griffin said he believes new entertainment venues will be coming soon.

“We’re getting more and more desirable every day with the amount of people moving here; it’s bound to occur,” he said. “Those usually occur when you have enough rooftops to support them.”

Griffin has been the Athens city engineer for five years and said he had reasons for choosing that career path.

“I like being outside and I didn’t want to sit at a desk all the time and this was a 50/50. I can go in the field and get away from my desk, so it was the best mix,” he said. “Any engineering would have done, I just knew it had to be engineering; I like solving problems.”

James Rich, Athens Public Works director, said he has worked with Griffin for the past five years.

“Michael brings a lot of resources (to Athens),” Rich said. “He’s very energetic. He’s willing to always listen and learn and so he’s been a real asset to our Public Works Department and the city of Athens.”

Rich said Griffin has good character.

“Michael has a willingness to help and is concerned about others’ issues,” Rich said.

School quality, safe environment also seen as pluses

By Erica Smith Staff Writer

Athens City Engineer Michael Griffin did not grow up in Athens but plans to continue to raise his family there because, despite its growth, he said it still has a small-town feel.

“It’s kind of like Mayberry,” Griffin said.

“Everybody kind of knows everybody, everybody looks out for each other’s kids. … It’s a pretty good little town.”

Griffin, 35, said even with the county’s and city’s growth, he believes Athens will stay like Mayberry with good planning, preparation and public involvement.

It’ll happen by “making sure that our services are adequately funded and that we have enough people to handle the people that come in,” he said. “We have an open-door policy here in Athens. … We’re here to talk to people on a face-to-face basis. That’s how we solve problems.”

Griffin grew up in Baldwin County, where Bay Minette is the county seat, but he moved to Athens in 2015 with his wife, Megan, to be closer to her family in Florence. They now have one daughter. Griffin said Athens is a good place to raise a family.

“Very safe, good schools,” he said. “What it offers is peace of mind.

You’re not worried about, is there crime here, is my family going to be subject to things you would nor- Athens City Engineer Michael Griffin says his job gives him a mix of indoor and outdoor work. [JERONIMO NISA/DECATUR DAILY] mally see in a big city. You don’t have to witness those Griffin said he plans “slow pace of life. I can Convenience.” entertainment, Griffin —erica.smith@decatypes of things; no, I don’t on continuing to live in get to and from my house Athens has its pluses said. turdaily.com or see that here in Athens.”

Athens because it has a e v e r y d a y f o r l u n c h . and negatives as far as “The only gripe we have 256-340-2460.

RICE

From Page G3

well,” Rice said of her aunt.

“She did a lot for Northwest Decatur.”

Rice attended the former Westlawn Elementary, which is now Benjamin Davis Elementary School.

“Westlawn was where all the minority children went because, back then, it wasn’t desegregated yet,” Rice said. “When desegregation finally happened, I asked my mother if I could go to West Decatur Elementary.”

Rice said West Decatur Elementary, whose current minority enrollment is at 92%, was an all-white school back in the 1960s and 1970s. She said after carpooling with several white students and spending time with them during after-school events, she found her first white friends and they remained friends throughout high school.

“After West Decatur, I went to Brookhaven Middle School and I tried out for the cheerleading team in seventh grade and didn’t make it, but the next year I did,” Rice said. “When I went to Austin, you had to try out but the students voted for you. You have to remember, the percentage of Black students coming into Austin back then was 10-to-15% and the rest were mostly white students. I was still voted to be a cheerleader.”

Lessons from mom Rice said her mother was instrumental in teaching her children never to judge anyone by their race or ethnicity.

“My mom never taught us to look at a person’s skin color but taught us to love people,” Rice said. “As cheerleaders, we learned

to work together and we learned to love each other.

There were racial overtones back then, but we knitted together. I became a cheerleading captain my sophomore year, and that year we got our second Black cheerleader.”

Rice graduated from Austin High in 1977 and enrolled in the University of Alabama that fall. She majored in engineering and desired to become a petroleum engineer because of the significant boost in natural gas production in Alabama during that time.

“At the time, the University of Alabama was trying to increase their female enrollment in engineering,” Rice said. “Including me, my grandmother had four granddaughters and we all majored in engineering.

Me and my sister went to the University of Alabama and my two cousins went to Tuskegee University.”

Yvette Rice’s vlog “Five Minutes to Victory” streams live once a week. [JERONIMO NISA/DECATUR DAILY]

Changing course After graduation, she discovered the gas and oil industry was entering a slump.

“In 1982 when I graduated, I found the oil industry had plummeted,” Rice said. “For a solid year, I job hunted and could not find a job.”

After speaking with a former college classmate, Rice decided to enroll at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and pursue mechanical engineering courses.

“I heard the Department of Defense at Redstone Arsenal was looking for engineers,” Rice said. “I had been looking for a job for a whole year and went to the arsenal for one day and spoke with the human resources manager and she said, ‘When you leave here, you will have a job.’ That’s how I know God was looking

out for me this whole time.”

Rice got a job at the arsenal designing missile systems for the military during the latter phase of the Cold War. After working there for 10 years, she felt a yearning to return to Decatur.

After coming back home, she married Sam Rice, a minister, and the two have two children: Sharne Rice, 35, and Samuel Christopher Rice, 30.

“Both of my children are engineers and my daughter graduated from Auburn University,” Rice said.

A published author, Rice has earned master’s and doctoral degrees in theology from the North Carolina College of Theology satellite extension program.

In addition to her business and her weekly podcast, Rice and her husband serve as co-pastors at New Genesis Community

Yvette Rice, fourth from left on back row, was known as Clotile Yvette Harris when she became the first Black cheerleader on Austin High’s varsity squad as a junior in 1975-76. [AUSTIN HIGH 1976 BRUIN YEARBOOK]

Church in Tanner in what used to be an old Methodist church.

“My great-grandfather — wes.tomlinson@ was once the pastor there,” decaturdaily.com or Rice said.

256-340-2442.

The Decatur Daily

| Wednesday, February 21, 2024 G9

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