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NEWS & UPDATES: YOUR CHAMBER AT WORK CHAMBER NAMES NEW SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, MILITARY AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT In mid-November, the Chamber named
opportunities,” said Buckalew.
retired Brig. Gen. Trent H. Edwards as Senior Vice President, Military and
The general comes to the Chamber with a
Community Development. Edwards
distinguished career in the Air Force, most
will focus on the viability and growth of
recently as the Air Force Director, Budget
Montgomery’s military missions while
Operations and Personnel, responsible
leading new community-wide initiatives
for an $80 billion budget. Prior to that
that fuel the regional economy and quality
assignment, he was the Comptroller
of life for all.
TRC HIT ITS TARGET What an amazing year! The 2019 Total Resource Campaign wrapped up in late December and featured strategic and aggressive sponsorship opportunities for Chamber members. The Chamber would like to personally thank the team of volunteers and thank each of our members for making it another successful campaign year. The Chamber is extremely excited about being part of your marketing and branding strategies in 2020.
and Programmer for Air
Trey Hayes, Alabama Power Company
Force Space Command in
Ann Osten, Sadie’s Global Travel
“Trent is an incredibly skilled
Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Liz Sutton, Alabama World Travel/Sutton & Associates
and experienced leader, and
He has commanded two Air
Brad Armagost, ServisFirst Bank
we are so fortunate to have
Force Wings, including the
Judy Jones, Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, Inc.
recruited him and his family
largest Training Wing in the
Kelly Pate, Balch & Bingham LLP
back to Montgomery,” said
Air Force at Lackland Air
Arlinda Knight, Trenholm State Community College
Anna Buckalew, Chamber
Force Base and the 42nd
Chris Carver, River Bank & Trust
President and CEO. In
Air Base Wing at Maxwell
Carol Gunter, Camellia Bowl
addition to protecting and
Air Force Base from 2012-
Brenda Hellums, Warren Averett, LLC
leveraging the River Region’s
2014. He has extensive
Brian Key, Copperwing Design
extensive military footprint, Edwards
congressional experience, serving as the
Jason Gardner, BBVA
will be building new strategies to fuel
Air Force Chief of Congressional Affairs.
Josh Vick, Spire
economic and entrepreneurial growth
Chase Chambliss, River Bank & Trust
around Montgomery’s thriving Air Force
“I have spent 30 years serving my country
Tony Graydon, MAX Credit Union
innovation hubs. “We want Montgomery
and am proud to return to Montgomery
Crystal Smith, Jackson Thornton
to be recognized as a destination where
and serve the community we adopted as
Jason Goodson, W. K. Upchurch Construction
military families want to locate, where
home,” said Edwards. “One of my primary
Adam Warnke,
public/private partnerships fuel innovation
goals will be changing the perception of
Brent Slay, Regions Bank
and where small businesses and start-
Montgomery and spreading the word that
Guy Davis, BB&T
ups find fertile ground. Trent Edwards is
Montgomery really is the best hometown
Travis Jordan, Alabama Ag Credit
the perfect leader to capitalize on these
in the Air Force.”
*in order by campaign standings
THE BUSINESS CASE FOR DIVERSITY: A NEW LOOK AT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The Chamber’s second Diversity Dialogue event featured local business leaders who led a conversation on how diversity helped them expand their markets and how it positively impacts their bottom line. The event included moderator Joyce Vaughn, MGMWERX, and panelists Vladimir Averett, Owner, Heritage Complex; Jordan Franklin, CEO, Stratice, LLC; Brit’tney Powell, Owner, Kay Couture Clothing & Cosmetics; and Anwar Shahid, President & CEO, Propelled Technologies. They discussed a wide range of topics covering how increased diversity can lead to increased profits success, including how businesses can widen their market and scope of work, better harness the power of female and minority ownership, gain an advantage by serving a wider variety of people and widening their net when recruiting and more. 64 MONTGOMERY BUSINESS JOURNAL