Rising Tide - Spring 2015

3 THE BUSINESS JOURNAL OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF WEST ALABAMA

SPRING 2015

Published in partnership with

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The Tuscaloosa News

Adopt-A-School CONNECTING BUSINESS & EDUCATION

30 YEARS OF ADOPT-A-SCHOOL

Watch Rita’s story of comfort at AlabamaPowerRealTalk.com.

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Contents

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14

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A Word from Our Leadership

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Adopt-A-School Celebrates 30 Years

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Chamber@Work

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Top Volunteers of 2014 Honored

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Here We Grow Again: Ribbon Cuttings & Groundbreakings

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What our Members are Saying

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Working as One Investors / Comparative Economic Indicators

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New Members

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Board of Directors

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Calendar of Events

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WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT TUSCALOOSA WITH BUFFALO ROCK'S 20 PLUS YEAR EMPLOYEES. WE WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND SERVICE.

Caring Days Adult Day Care

THE MAL & CHARLOTTE MOORE CENTER Caring for Adults with Memory Disorders

943 31st Street East, Tuscaloosa 35405 For information call Vicki Kerr at 752-6840 www.caringdays.org

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK

Emilee Scheeff Joins Sydney Cook & Associates

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ydney Cook & Associates is proud to announce the addition of Emilee Schee to its law rm. Ms Schee ’s practice is concentrated in the areas of corporate law; estate planning; trusts, wills and probate; and tax planning and litigation.

Emilee has a B.S. in accounting from The University of Alabama (summa cum laude) and also a J.D. and an L.L.M from The University of Alabama School of Law.

Kevin Davis

Business 4

Sydney Cook Emilee Scheeff Steve Wyatt

Estates

WWW.TUSCALOOSACHAMBER.COM

Tax

Real Estate

Litigation

535 Jack Warner Parkway Northeast, Suite F Tuscaloosa, AL 35404 (205) 561-5400 www.scookassociates.com (No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services to be performed by other lawyers.)

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“We are very proud to have such an outstanding legal professional join our rm. Emilee has an exceptional academic and legal background and will be an excellent addition to our legal community,” states Sydney Cook.

PUBLISHED BY

A Word from Our Leadership

2201 Jack Warner Parkway Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (205) 758-7588 www.tuscaloosachamber.com

EDITOR

Robin Jenkins

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Morgan Nicodemus

BOARD OF ADVISORS Ashley Gill Jheovanny Gomez Molly Ingram Jordan Plaster Terri Williams

DESIGN

LaShonda Robinson

PREPRESS MANAGER Chuck Jones

NORMAN CROW A positive relationship between our business community and our schools is so important in order to have a thriving community. Thirty years ago, the Chamber started our Adopt-A-School program. It has been a model collaboration that has had a tremendously positive impact on our children. Our members are meeting needs in our school systems on a daily basis. Please join me in celebrating this great achievement in this month’s Rising Tide.

I am very excited to be the Chairman of the Chamber’s Board of Directors this year. We have a lot of positive momentum in this community because of what your Chamber is doing. Please get involved with us and help us make this another great year for West Alabama.

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Lynnie Guzman (205) 722-0148

ON THE COVER

Job Shadow Day at Chick-fil-A Northport Druid City Garden Project at University Place

Norman Crow President D.T. & Freight Company, Inc. Chairman of the Board of Directors The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama

Woodland Forrest Elementary adoption in 1985

AAS NEEDS YOU

Read Across America Day at Northington Elementary

Have you ever wondered about involving your organization as a partner with a public school? Now is the perfect time to find out more about that possibility!

Arcadia Elementary Celebrates AAS Week

For something so important and so big, AAS partnerships can be made of acts that cost so little.

We need you! Why not consider taking an active role as an AAS partner? While all schools currently have one partner, several schools have requested additional partners. Whether you prefer an elementary, middle or high school, there is a place

for you. Call Loo Whitfield today at 391-0563 or email loo@tuscaloosachamber.com for more information. There’s no obligation and it could be the beginning of a very rewarding experience for you as well as providing much-needed assistance for a public school in Tuscaloosa.

Call Loo Whitfield today at 391-0563 or email loo@tuscaloosachamber.com for more information.

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Contact Us JIM PAGE, CCE President & CEO (205) 391-0562 jim@tuscaloosachamber.com DONNY JONES, IOM Chief Operating Officer (205) 391-0552 donny@tuscaloosachamber.com

Small Business Financing

AL SPENCER Vice President, Economic Development and Public Policy (205) 391-0329 al@tuscaloosachamber.com

• Commercial Real Estate - Term & Construction • Inventory Receivables • Buildings Contractor Residential Construction • Land Purchases/Refinace

KIMBERLY ADAMS Director of Membership and Investor Relations (205) 391-0327 kimberly@tuscaloosachamber.com TRACY CRUMPTON Director of Finance and Operations (205) 391-0554 tracy@tuscaloosachamber.com STACEY GANN Director of Leadership Development and Events (205) 391-0559 stacey@tuscaloosachamber.com

Richard Key Vice President

LOWANDA JAMES Director of Information Services (205) 758-7588 lowanda@tuscaloosachamber.com

Jimmy D. Collins CEO

Reach a new audience in your promotional puzzle.

ROBIN JENKINS Director of Communications and Marketing (205) 391-0561 robin@tuscaloosachamber.com

Target business leaders and individuals who take a strong interest our community.

JILL MCDONALD Executive Assistant (205) 391-0555 jill@tuscaloosachamber.com

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LENA` POWE Director of Workforce Development (205) 391-0331 lena@tuscaloosachamber.com CAROLYN TUBBS Assistant Director of Education and Events (205) 391-0556 carolyn@tuscaloosachamber.com

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THE BUSINESS JOURNAL

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Advertise in Rising Tide, a favorite publication among local business leaders, Chamber members and entrepreneurs.

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CONTACT

New Developments Bring sa New Life to Tuscaloo Launche to New Campaiggnn Launched wards Tomorrow orrow Loc Local Towards oppingMoving Promote Shopping Work, @Work, Plus Chamber@

& More!

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Plus Chamber@Work, ber@Work, New Members rs & More!

Trade or Grade?

Programs Boost Local

Workforce

Plus Chamber@Work , New Members & More!

The Tuscaloosa News

JEANNE WADE Membership Development Specialist (205) 454-1169 jeanne@tuscaloosachamber.com

Connect with the Chamber Join us on Facebook Facebook/chambertusc

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WWW.TUSCALOOSACHAMBER.COM

Follow us on Twitter twitter.com/chambertusc

Call 205.345.0505

advertising@tuscaloosanews.com

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LOO WHITFIELD Director of Education (205) 391-0563 loo@tuscaloosachamber.com

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Adopt-A-School Celebrates 30 Years

Brookwood Middle School students learn about the automotive industry at Mercedes - Benz USI

Adopt-A-School (AAS) is a term that has become totally integrated into our local educational process and an expected component of every public school in the Tuscaloosa City and County school systems. The end of the 2014-2015 school year marks the completion of thirty years of the program, a partnership between education and the business and private sectors of Tuscaloosa County.

Managed and directed by The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, organizations of all sizes, often singly, sometimes in pairs or trios, work with all 58 schools in the County System and the City System. These partners include retail businesses, manufacturers, civic organizations, utility companies, small businesses, restaurants, real estate companies and financial institutions. The partners initiate activities that encourage students, enrich their educational experiences and connect the world of work to the educational arena.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN In the fall of 1983, President Reagan launched the National Partners in Education Program by naming that school year National Year of Partnerships in Education to recognize the efforts of the private sector and to encourage the creation of new partnerships in education throughout the nation. This sparked the American business community’s interest in partnerships. It realized that education can improve our country’s stature in productivity and technology innovation and that tomorrow’s workforce is in today’s classroom.

the first local pairings in a county-wide project to link schools and businesses took place. The organizational committee for the program was led by Chamber head Johnnie Aycock, making the program a Chamber-driven initiative. The Chamber and two local school boards of education paired specific schools with businesses in the community.

Four charter partnerships were created: Phifer Wire, Inc. / Westlawn Middle; First National Bank of Tuscaloosa / Woodland Forrest Elementary; BFGoodrich Tire Manufacturing / Cottondale Elementary; and Northport Medical Center / Crestmont Elementary.

Within a few weeks, two additional partnerships were formed: Alabama Power Company with Oak Hill School, and Shelton State Community College with Vestavia Elementary.

From that point on, Adopt-A-School sustained continuous and steady growth. By 1989, all schools were adopted. June Hollingsworth was hired to oversee the program as its first director, a role she held for seven years before Deloris McMullen took the job. Deloris is wellknown for her dedication to the program, which she nurtured for 13 years. Today, the program is steered by Loo Whitfield, who brought a great positive energy to the position of director in 2005, and Carolyn Tubbs, the steadfast assistant director since 2002.

Currently 99 organizations serve as partners and all 58 public schools have at least one partner. Three of the six partnerships that were formed in the fall of 1985 are still partners today: Phifer, Inc. / Westlawn Middle; BFGoodrich Tire Manufacturing / Cottondale Elementary; Alabama Power Company with Oak Hill School. Fourteen partnerships been Our state immediately selected a committee to study public education together 21 years or more and 33 partnerships have remained partners and that committee recommended Adopt-A-School. In the fall of 1985, ten years or more.

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WHAT PARTNERS DO Contrary to the perception of many, “Adopt-A-School is not a checkwriting program but is instead a process in which relationships are formed through personal interaction and the use of an adopter’s resources to meet the needs of a school,” said Loo Whitfield.

Each partnership is uniquely designed to bring about positive outcomes for all those involved. Because all adopters are different and therefore have different resources, each partnership develops its own plan of action. There are similarities in most partnerships, although each scenario is carried out in its own unique manner.

Hosting students for job shadow experiences; describing career options and correlating school and workforce preparation; granting “wishes” to classroom teachers; providing cultural and art activities; mentoring atrisk students; recognizing students who improve their grades; working to enhance technology in school classrooms; improving the school environment; demonstrating the importance of community service through joint projects…these are just a few examples of the many activities through which the adopters positively impact our public schools through the AAS program.

“Adopt-A-School is not a check-writing program but is instead a process in which relationships are formed through personal interaction and the use of an adopter’s resources to meet the needs of a school.”

Loo Whitfield, Director FEATURED PARTNERS & ACTIVITIES For more than 20 years, BFGoodrich has kept the library open one day a week during summer months for six weeks following the May closing of its adopted school, Cottondale Elementary. Students reading a dozen books or more over the summer get a special T-shirt designed by a student before summer vacation. The adopter judges a design contest and provides the shirts. This is just one of the many great projects this partnership produces.

Phifer, Inc. has renewed its commitment to Westlawn Middle School with Re-Adoption Ceremonies over the years.

Pictured in 1993 (L to R) are: Tuscaloosa City Councilman Charles Steele, Principal Robert Coats, AAS Director Deloris McMullen, Karen Brooks of Phifer, Inc., and Tuscaloosa City Schools Superintendent Bob Winter.

2014 Cottondale Readathon winners in their T shirts, along with Cindy Montgomery (principal), Linda Rosen (counselor) and Concetta Odongo, Will Myers and Chad Payne from BF Goodrich.

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Around 300 business and school representatives attend the annual Adopt-A-School Breakfast and Workshop that kicks off each school year.

The 2014 event was held at University Church of Christ in late July.

For more than 13 years, Thompson Tractor Company has recognized a student from each class of its adopted school, Woodland Forrest Elementary School, for leadership qualities each month. Awards are presented in front of families at a school assembly then students get a pizza party with the principal. Thompson Tractor also participates in Earth Day festivities by showcasing company procedures for protecting the environment and a job shadowing event is presented each year. “The AAS program is a wonderful way for Thompson Tractor Company to give back to the community that we live and work in. For me personally, it’s been very rewarding working with the staff and students of Woodland Forrest Elementary for 13 plus years,” said Buddy Fordham, coordinator for the business.

WHAT COORDINATORS DO

OTHER LEVELS OF PARTICIPATION: PALS & SUSTAINERS Many organizations make contributions to area schools but are unable to maintain the ongoing relationship of AAS partners. A Partner At Large (PAL) may choose an ongoing or annual commitment or a onetime contribution of personal or material resources to one school, several schools or to a district-wide effort.

Many businesses elect to support the program through the Sustainer Program. These partners provide significant financial support for the coordination and administration of AAS, making resources available for recruiting and training new adopters and for sustaining existing partnerships.

An AAS coordinator is the main contact for one part of the partnership and does the following: • Serves as “captain” of the team.

• Establishes the relationship.

• Facilitates communication between the school and adopter • Keeps principal/CEO informed of activities • Maintains communications with AAS office • Organizes meetings, activities and volunteers • Recruits volunteers & delegate responsibilities • Promotes and ensures visibility of partnership activities • Maintains records & data

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Krista Poole and Gene Poole assist Westwood Elementary

REAL IMPACT Since 1992, when records were first reported, over 26,600 volunteers have reported spending over 210,000 hours in local schools through the AAS program. The combined total of financial support, in-kind contributions and volunteer hours has resulted in over 6.5 million dollars of additional support for public schools.

LOOKING AHEAD We know Adopt-A-School is here to stay! As we work together to grow our community, our future depends on investing in our children today, preparing them for changes and challenges in their future and empowering them to become productive citizens. It is difficult to measure, but not impossible to see, the positive changes which occur when someone cares enough to become personally involved in the educational process of the future generation.

2015 Adopt-A-School Sustainers Thanks to the following business & organizations who provide financial support for the program.

CORPORATE SPONSOR THE WESTERVELT COMPANY BOARD LEVEL SPONSORS Advantage Realty Company Amason & Associates, Inc. Buddy’s Food Mart Ellis Architects, Inc. Harrison Construction Company, Inc. Learning Experiences, Inc. McAbee Construction, Inc. McGiffert & Associates, LLC

Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. Northport Medical Center Planit Solutions, Inc. Reese Phifer, Jr. Memorial Foundation Walker Associates, Inc. Ward Scott Architecture, Inc.

SUPERINTENDENT SPONSORS For many years, the annual AAS Week celebration concluded with a parade in McFarland Mall.

Pictured in 1998 (left to right) are: John Merrill with Tuscaloosa County Schools, Chamber Chairman Terry Waters and Tuscaloosa Mayor Al DuPont.

Alabama Central Credit Union Neel-Schaffer & Almon Associates

PRINCIPAL SPONSORS Nick’s Kids Patterson & Comer Sam’s Club #6435 The Tuscaloosa News

Tuscaloosa Title Company Wal-Mart Supercenter #715 Walter Energy, Inc.

TEACHER SPONSORS

Woodland Forrest students on Job Shadow Day 2014 at Thompson Tractor

Allison Appraisal Service, Inc. Bank First Comcast TTL, Inc. Riverfall Credit Union Women’s Division of Chamber of Commerce

MENTOR SPONSORS

AAS Director Loo Whitfield (right) with her former student, Kristi Dyer, who dropped by the Chamber office recently to say, “I fondly remember my experience with the Adopt-ASchool program as an 8th grader at Eastwood Middle School during the 87-88 academic year. As part of the program, Hunt Refining hosted an awards ceremony for Honor Roll students after every 6 weeks grading period. I distinctly remember the pride and excitement that I felt when handed that award certificate. What meant even more was realizing that there were adults in my community, other than my parents and teachers, that truly cared about my academic success.”

AFFLINK The Builders Group of West Alabama, LLC Charter Media C&S Fabrication, Inc. Duckworth Morris Insurance & Real Estate Martin Family Eye Care

Northport Auto Supply Company, Inc. Parker Towing Company, Inc. Richard Building Company, LLC Robertson Banking Company Southside Davis Tire StressCrete, Inc. Wal-Mart Northport

ADOPT-A-SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT SPONSORS “Great Day Tuscaloosa” - WJRD 1150 AM/102.1 FM - WVUA TV Contributor: Sealy Management Company, Inc.

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2014-15 Adopt-A-School Adopters Thanks to each business and organization below for serving as an Adopt-A-School partner with one or more public schools in the Tuscaloosa City and County School Systems Alabama Credit Union Alabama One Credit Union Alabama Power Company Almon Associates, Inc. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Ameriprise Financial ARD Logistics-Alabama, LLC (2 schools) Arts & Humanities Council of Tuscaloosa Bailey’s Tiger-Rock Martial Arts (3 schools) Bailey’s Tiger-Rock Martial Arts - Northport Bank of Tuscaloosa BBVA Compass BFGoodrich Tire Manufacturing Black Warrior Methane Bryant Bank Cadence Bank, N.A Capstone Bank Centerstone Inn Chick-fil-A, Midtown Chick-fil-A, Northport Chick-fil-A, Tuscaloosa South (2 schools) DCH Credit Union DCH Regional Medical Center Discovering Alabama, UA Museum of Natural History Dickey’s Barbecue Northport Downtown Northport Merchants Association Embassy Suites First Federal Bank FIS Global FNB of Central Alabama General Aviation Center Geological Survey of Alabama (2 schools) Harbin & Stough Hilton Garden Inn of Tuscaloosa

Hudson-Poole Fine Jewelers Hunt Refining Company JamisonMoneyFarmer PC Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ Jim Walter Resources Jones Heating & Cooling Junior League of Tuscaloosa Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Tusc. Alumni Chapter Kyle Office Solutions Leadership Tuscaloosa Alumni Association The Legacy Connection McAbee Construction, Inc. (2 schools) McAlister’s Deli – 15th Street McAlister’s Deli - McCalla McKinney Orthodontics (2 schools) Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. (2 schools) Merrill Lynch Moody Radio South Northport Medical Center NorthRidge Fitness Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa, Inc. Office Depot #270 Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. P.E. LaMoreaux & Associates, Inc. Patton Realty PGP Operating, LLC Phifer Incorporated PNC Bank Premier Service Company The Radiology Clinic (2 schools) Randall-Reilly Publishing Company Raymond James Regency Retirement Village Regions Bank

Rhodes & Rhodes Family Dentistry Rite Aid Customer Support Center Riverview Orthodontics Robertson’s BBQ & Catering Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa Sam’s Club #6435 Sarrell Dental Center (3 schools) Shelton State Community College (3 schools) Southland International Trucks, Inc. Spiller Furniture & Mattress SSAB Wear Solutions, LLC Stillman College Taziki’s Mediterranean Café Thompson Tractor Company, Inc. Tracey Sova State Farm TTL, Inc. Tuscaloosa By-Pass, LLC Tuscaloosa County Medical Society & Alliance Tuscaloosa Music Club Tuscaloosa Public Library University of Alabama College of Community Health Services University of Alabama College of Continuing Studies Vulcan Materials Company Wal-Mart Supercenter #715 Walker Associates, Inc. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Wilson’s Pest Control Woodforest National Bank Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority- Tuscaloosa ZF Chassis Systems, LLC

✭ STARS in our HEARTS

✭

6th Annual Family

5K Run/Walk Grand Prix Event

Participate in memory/honor of the STAR in your HEART Saturday March 28th • 7am: Registration - 8am: Race Starts $20 Registration Fee • First 150 Registrants get a FREE T-Shirt Visit www.hospiceofwestalabama.com or call 205-523-0101 for more info

All proceeds benefiting Hospice of West Alabama

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Live Music by Debbie Bond and the True Dats

Chamber@Work Hiring Fair Held for Former Cinram Employees

A hiring fair was held at PARA’s Belk Center for 100 former employees of Cinram (formerly JVC) on Jan. 20. Eighteen companies were present to hire and/or provide services and others have requested to look at the database of attendees to possibly hire from it. Special thanks to Shelton State Community College for providing Workforce Development staff, which not only provided Ready to Work and adult education info but also helped with overall event production. The fair was presented by West Alabama Works.

West Alabama Works is a 501(c ) 3 organization formed by the Chamber and the Region 3 Workforce Development Council . The Chamber serves as the managing and fiscal agent and administrative support.

We Go The Extra Mile

School Counselors Visit Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa

Area school counselors attended the 8th Annual Adopt-A-School Counselor Industry Tour hosted by Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa in December.

The tour and forum, sponsored and organized by Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa and the Adopt-A-School program, allowed over 60 counselors to learn first-hand about skills needed for our future workforce. Counselors received info on current workforce data, trends and projected needs for the West Alabama area from LeNa Powe, Director of Workforce Development for the Chamber. Counselors then learned about the history of Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa and about the work that takes place in the facility. Also, counselors learned of career opportunities at Nucor and about the new Nucor Steel Technical Academy. Following lunch, a tour offered a view of the processes involved in changing scrap metal to steel coil and plates. The AAS program recognizes the importance of keeping local school counselors and career tech teachers informed and armed with the info necessary to educate our future work force and to guide the students as they develop the skills needed to succeed in an ever-growing and ever-changing technical workplace. We will highlight a different local industry each school year. For more info about how your business can participate in future tours, contact Loo Whitfield at 205391-0563 or loo@tuscaloosachamber.com.

Leadership Tuscaloosa Seeks Applicants

MANPOWER MEET DEADLINES DESIGN/BUILD CRAFTSMANSHIP COORDINATION

Our Craftsmen focus entirely on the work at hand, one detail at a time. This attention results in construction that is rendered to perfection, yet accomplished in a minimum time bracket. And that’s a fact worth considering when deadlines are pending.

Whatever your requirements, F. L. Crane & Sons has experienced hands and “know how to give you a beautiful and lasting finish.

SERVING WEST ALABAMA FOR OVER 18 YEARS

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Leadership Tuscaloosa accepts requests for applications all throughout the year. In May, the program will begin sending the applications out for the 2015-2016 class. If you are interested in the program, please contact Stacey Gann at 205-391-0559 or send a request for the application or additional information to stacey@tuscaloosachamber.com. Leadership Tuscaloosa is a nine month program designed to provide a foundation of knowledge of Tuscaloosa’s County’s economic, social, historical and political issues and needs while challenging community leaders to use such information to aid their involvement and success in moving our community forward. Our objective is to meet the community’s need for informed, responsible and effective leadership. The program has proven to be a unique, meaningful experience for the over 1100 graduates spanning 30+ years.

1120 35th Street • Tuscaloosa, AL • 205.759.5040 FACEBOOK.COM/CHAMBERTUSC | TWITTER.COM/CHAMBERTUSC

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Top Volunteers of 2014 Honored Our Annual Meeting and Awards celebration was presented by The University of Alabama on Jan. 22 at the Bryant Conference Center.

Larry Taylor, owner of Moundville Telephone Company, was honored as the 2014 Charles H. Land Member of the Year, which is our highest honor to an individual member. He was honored for his workforce development efforts on behalf of the Chamber.

2015 Chamber Chairman Norman Crow of D.T. & Freight Co. receives the gavel from our 2014 Chairman Jordan Plaster of Merrill Lynch

Ambassador of the Year Wade Langer of Capstone United Methodist Church

Minority Business Council Trailblazer Award recipients were Hazel B. Upchurch, founder of the The Legacy Connection (nephew Tom Bailey accepted), and Chief Steve Anderson of the Tuscaloosa Police Department

Chairman’s Leadership Award winner Harrison Taylor, President of the Tuscaloosa City Council

Joel Lake and Bobby Bragg accepted the Robert C. Tanner Corporate Service Award on behalf of JamisonMoneyFarmer PC

Distinguished Service Award winners Dr. Judy Bonner of UA, Shane Spiller of Spiller Furniture & Mattress, Kimberly McMurray of Ward Scott Architecture, Charles Nash of UA System, Phil Johnston of Mercedes - Benz USI, and Gary Nichols of McAbee Construction

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Peggy and Fitzgerald Washington (center) with Jheovanny and Johana Gomez

2015 Chamber Chairman Norman Crow of DT & Freight Co. with Chamber President Jim Page and 2014 Chairman Jordan Plaster of Merrill Lynch

Joseph Brown and Gary Nichols

Lou Drummond, Robert Kuhn and Amy Echols

Alice Maxwell, Mike Reilly, Jimmy Warren and Cathy Tubbs

Al Spencer and Jordan Plaster

Kimberly McMurray and Casey and Tom Scroggins

Sammy Watson with Verdelle and Harrison Taylor

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Here We Grow Again RIBBON CUTTINGS & GROUNDBREAKINGS

OCTOBER 24 - FEBRUARY 24

TACO MAMA

2104 A University Blvd. • Tuscaloosa, AL 35406 (205) 266-6108 • www.tacomamaonline.com Robert Rodriguez

SHOPPES AT LEGACY PARK

McFarland Blvd and 13th St. 205) 755-1112 Keith Owens

NEEL-SCHAFFER & ALMON ASSOCIATES, INC.

2008 12th St. • Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (205) 349-2100 • www.neel.schaffer.com Jim Kyzer

GENTLEMAN’S GROOMING

2104 University Blvd. • Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (205) 764-5969 Mary Margaret Philen

MASSAGED LIFE & WELLNESS ACADEMY

3518 Loop Rd. • Tuscaloosa, AL 35404 (205) 248-7416 Rahe McCandless

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THE TRUNK

1217 University Blvd. • Tuscaloosa , AL 35401 (205) 345-0407 • www.heybama.com Ginny Sain

WTI TRANSPORT

7300 Commerce Dr. • Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (205) 752-1608 Rendy Taylor

DRUID CITY VITAL CARE

1030 Fairfax Park Suite C • Tuscaloosa , AL 35406 (205) 523-4863 • www.druidcityvitalcare.com Ryan McFerrin

HOME FIT CONSULTING, LLC

1919 Oxmoor Rd., #391 • Birmingham, AL 35409 (205) 675-7412 • www.HomeFitConsulting.com Cody Robinson

MCCRACKEN FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC

6521 Hwy 69 South, Ste. N. • Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 (205) 345-5035 • www.mccrackenfamilychiropractic.com Rachel Steiner

PRESIDENTIAL TERRACE (BAMA DINING SERVICE/ARAMARK CORP.)

654 Abercrombie Lane • Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (205) 348-6816 • www.bamadining.com AJ DeFalco

RYAN POWELL ALLSTATE

2415 12th St. • Tuscaloosa , AL 35401 • (205) 530-1981 www.agents.allstate.com/ryan-powell-tuscaloosa-al.html Ryan Powell

NEW ORLEANS STEAK & SEAFOOD HOUSE

824 McFarland Blvd. • Northport, AL 35473 (205) 248-7668 Mo Ezez

MERCEDES BENZ USI VISITOR CENTER

6 Mercedes Dr. • Vance, AL 35490 205-507-2252 • www.mbusi.com/visitor-center Contact

RIVERFALL CREDIT UNION-NORTHPORT

1615 McFarland Blvd. • Northport, AL 35476 (205) 759-1505 • www.riverfallcu.com Kay Lackey

RIVERFALL CREDIT UNION-TUSCALOOSA

5461 Kauloosa Ave. • Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 (205) 759-1505 • www.riverfallcu.com Jeff Cole

What Our Members Are Saying

“Matt and I can’t believe that we didn’t take advantage of the membership sooner. Over the last 16 years, we have continued to grow in the community with sound and video installations, productions, retail sales and birthday parties. It has been with the help of the Chamber that we continue to thrive in our small business with their monthly mixers, education and opportunities like the Annual Meeting to provide lighting and video. Matt and I look forward to many years of value that the Chamber provides.”

- Nikki and Matt Ray, EatMyBeats, Inc. 755 Jug Factory Road • www.EatMyBeats.com www.facebook.com/EatMyBeats

Answering every caller with TLC...Since 1955 We are not just an answering service, but an extension of your business-a responsibility we take very seriously.

Some of our most common services includes: Outsourced Receptionist Service-answering calls and relaying Dispatch ☎ messages ☎ Overflow 24/7-you choose the hours and days calls (when your lines are all busy or your staff is too busy) ☎ Order taking calls ☎ Emergency ☎ answering service (when your phones Vacation/temporary coverage, including extended absences ☎ Disaster-preparedness ☎ are unexpectedly down due to service or disaster issues, such coverage ☎ Holiday as hurricanes or tornadoes) ☎ Appointment scheduling 2810 7th Street • Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401 (205) 349-2702 Tuscaloosa • (205) 241-5082 Birmingham • (800) 250-5160 Toll Free • (205) 349-4766 Fax info@callerconnection.com wwww.CallerConnection.com

FACEBOOK.COM/CHAMBERTUSC | TWITTER.COM/CHAMBERTUSC 17

Working as ONE Investors The following will invest annually, over five years, funding the new economic and community development plan for our region! THANK YOU! GAMECHANGERS - $25,000+ ANNUALLY

Comparative

ECONOMIC INDICATORS DECEMBER 2013 vs DECEMBER 2014 BUSINESS LICENSES City of Tuscaloosa 2013 81 2014 56 City of Northport 2013 17 2014 12

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE - $15,000+ ANNUALLY

VALUE OF BUILDING PERMITS CEO COUNCIL - $10,000+ ANNUALLY

Aramark; AT&T; The Bank of Tuscaloosa; Bryant Bank; Charter Media; Expo Displays; Harrison Galleries/HFS Holdings; JamisonMoneyFarmer PC; Knight Sign Industries, Inc.; Merrill Lynch; Rumsey Properties; Shelton State Community College; UA College of Arts & Sciences; Yellow Book USA

PRESIDENT’S FORUM - $7,500+ ANNUALLY UA Culverhouse College of Commerce

INVESTOR LEADERS - $5,000+ ANNUALLY

A&B Electric Co.; Advantage Realty Group, Inc.; Afflink; Alabama Gas Corporation; Alabama Power Co.; BB&T; Cintas; College Station Properties; Ellis Architects, Inc.; Harrison Construction, Inc.; McGiffert & Associates, LLC; Pritchett-Moore Inc.; Sealy Furniture Co.; Thompson Tractor Co., Inc.; TotalCom, Inc.; WAR Construction, Inc.; Ward Scott Architecture; The WHMZ Group at Morgan Stanley

GROWTH PARTNERS - $2,500+ ANNUALLY

Advance Disposal; Alabama Credit Union; Alabama One Credit Union; Almon Associates, Inc.; BBVA Compass Bank; Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama; Boone Newspapers, Inc.; Buffalo Rock Co./Pepsi Cola; Community Service Programs of West Alabama; D.T. & Freight Co.; Eberspaecher North America, Inc.; Fitts Agency; Green Beverage Co.; Harbin & Stough, PC; Jalapenos Mexican Grill; Moody Radio South; Parker Towing Co., Inc.; Robertson Banking Co.; Spiller Furniture & Mattress; Southland Benefit Solutions, LLC; TTL, Inc.; Tuscaloosa Credit Union; Tuscaloosa Teachers Credit Union; Way, Ray, Shelton & Co., PC; Walker Associates, Inc.; Walter Energy, Inc.; Which Wich Superior Sandwiches

City of Tuscaloosa 2013 $24,755,427 2014 $15,907,250

EMPLOYED Tuscaloosa County 2013 87,626 2014 88,915

UNEMPLOYMENT RATES Tuscaloosa County 2013 5.1% 2014 4.6%

HOMES SOLD Tuscaloosa County 2013 2014

COMMUNITY COLLEAGUES - $1,500+ ANNUALLY

Barry Fikes Photography; The Builders Group of West Alabama, LLC; Capstone Bank; Chick-fil-A of Northport; Duckworth-Morris Real Estate; First National Bank of Central Alabama; First South Farm Credit; Friday Oil Co., Inc.; Hampton Inns of Tuscaloosa; Hudson-Poole Fine Jewelers; Kyle Office Solutions; Lewis, Smyth, Winter & Ford, LLC; The Locker Room; Metalsa; Morrison & Smith, LLP; Renasant Bank; Rex Veron Design, LLC; Sentell Engineering, Inc.; Tuscaloosa Chevrolet, Inc.; Willcutt Block

OTHER ANNUAL COMMITMENTS

Gilmore, Poole & Rowley; StressCrete, Inc.; Yeager & Christian, PC

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144 156

AVERAGE SELLING PRICE Tuscaloosa County 2013 2014

$173, 671 $190,293

Cabiness Paint & Flooring

C A B IN E S S EST. 1975

PAINT AND DECORATING

The Name You’ve Trusted for Over 35 Years Now Sells Flooring!

701 21st Ave. Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

(205) 345-6080

No matter what business you’re in, keeping your employees healthy means a healthy bottom line. The DCH Center for Occupational Health gives you access to the area’s most comprehensive range of occupational health services from prevention to treatments and follow-up.

Our physicians have the most occupational health experience in West Alabama, and our main goal is getting your employees ready to return to work, letting you focus on the business at hand.

The DCH Center for Occupational Health takes care of your employees so you can take care of your bottom line.

Learn more about what we can do for you at dchsystem.com/occmed

FACEBOOK.COM/CHAMBERTUSC | TWITTER.COM/CHAMBERTUSC

19

New Members

NOVEMBER 7, 2014 - FEBRUARY 24, 2015 Alfa Insurance 1211 Lurleen B. Wallace Boulevard Northport, AL 35476 (205) 758-3595 Joseph McCurnin Insurance (Main) Bolta US, Inc. P.O. Box 719 Northport, AL 35476 www.bolta.com (205) 764-5766 Russell Martin Automobile Parts / Supplies / Automotive Services C - Mart Chervon 2800 McFarland Blvd.

Tuscaloosa, AL 35476 (205) 331-4737 Roshan Patel Convenience Stores / Gas Stations Campus Properties, LLC 1410 University Blvd., Ste. 1 Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 www.uacampusproperties.com (205) 345-8861 Kelly Kilgore Rental Properties Centaur Building Services, Inc. 240 Oxmoor Rd. Homewood, AL 35209 www.centaurservices.com (334) 538-1088 Lisa McCain Janitorial / Cleaning / Water - Fire Restoration CivilWorx Construction, LLC 5950 University Blvd., E. Cottondale, AL 35453 (205) 792-9479 Matt Caddis Construction - Utility / Excavation / Heavy Civil Crimson Village 1718 Veteran’s Memorial Pkwy Tuscaloosa, AL 35404 (205) 507-1211 LeAnn Crisp Health Care Facilities D R Horton 9467 Creek Circle Tuscaloosa, AL 35406 (952) 484-444 Michelle Murphy Real Estate / Realty / Realtors Event Operations Group 535 Jack Warner Pkwy NE Ste. E-2 Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (800) 925-7549 Mike Jones Events Management

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Ezell’s Express Tuscaloosa 1, LLC 220 15th St., East Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 www.ezells-express.com (205) 568-5033 Agnew Hall Restaurants Fayette Fabrications, LLP 904 2nd Ave., SE Fayette, AL 35555 www.fayettefabrication.com (205) 442-7011 Mark McClanahan Steel Erector/Fabrication FDRC, INC. (Federal Disaster Recovery Corp) 423 Skyland Blvd., Ste. A-4 Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 www.fdrc.us (855) 573-0007 Shannon Keith Construction - Site Preparation / Erosion Control Glory Bound Gyro Co. 2325 University Blvd.

Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 gloryboundgyroco.com (205) 349-0505 Nick Chichester Restaurants Gradescape, Inc. 12837 Martin Rd., Spur Northport, AL 35402 (205) 349-3992 Thomas Lightsey Landscape / Lawn Care / Maintenance H & R Block 305 21st St. Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 www.hrblock.com (205) 758-3296 Lacey Weber Tax Preparation Handyman Connection of Tuscaloosa 2123 9th St., Ste. 204 Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 www.tuscaloosa.handyman connection.com (205) 650-3100 Home Improvements / Repairs / Installation HomeTown Lenders 2918 7th St. Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 www.2059899799.com (205) 999-8217 Scott Moulton Mortgage Companies

J. Marland Hayes, LLC 505 Energy Center Blvd., Ste. 604 Northport, AL 35473 (205) 764-9179 Denise Hayes Attorneys - Lawyers / Law Jac Mac Tire Co., Inc. P.O. Box 2432 Tuscaloosa, AL 35403 (205) 752-3501 Mackie Deason Tire Dealers / Repair (Main) Jennaration Boutique 9730 Hwy 69 South Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 www.jennarationboutique.com (205) 657-8232 Jenna Powell Retail - Boutique Joanne M. Jannik, P.C. P.O. Box 20086 Tuscaloosa, AL 35402 (205) 247-4848 Joanne Jannik Attorneys - Lawyers / Law Koll Kay and Company 2020 Hackberry Lane Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 www.kollkayandcompany.com (205) 765-4164 Ashley Quarles Events Management Matt Clinton Designs 730 21st. Ave. Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 www.mattclintondesigns.com (205) 464-0488 Matthew Clinton Retail - Events / Weddings/ Interiors Matt Hood 500 Snows Mill Ave., Apt. 107 Tuscaloosa, AL 35406 (205) 861-7070 Matt Hood Individuals McCracken Family Chiropractic 6521 Hwy 69 South, Ste. N. Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 www.mccrackenfamilychiropractic.com (205) 345-5035 Rachel Steiner Physicians - Chiropractic New Orleans Steak & Seafood House 824 McFarland Blvd.

Northport, AL 35473 (205) 248-7668 Mo Ezez Restaurants

Our Town America 1501 Dearing Place Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 www.ourtownamerica.com (205) 469-7822 Robin Wells Advertising - Direct Mail Premier National Benefits / LifeLock Benefit Solutions 5401 College Blvd., Ste. 214 Leawood, KS 66211 (800) 365 8208 Craig Gordon Insurance Roly Poly Rolled Sandwiches 2310 4th Street Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (205) 366-1222 John Long Restaurants (Main) Ryan Powell Allstate Agency 2415 12th St. Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 www.agents.allstate.com/ryan-powell-tuscaloosa-al.html (205) 530-1981 Ryan Powell Insurance S. Scott Hickman, Attorney at Law, LLC 2600 7th St. Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (205) 248-2616 Scott Hickman Attorneys - Lawyers / Law Salon Mia Bella 232-B McFarland Blvd. N. Northport, AL 35476 www.salonmiabellasmb.com (205) 345-0222 Mindy Hammond Beauty Salons / Barbers Nails Massage Tan Spas The Church of Tuscaloosa 6120 Watermelon Rd. Tuscaloosa, AL 35473 www.churchattuscaloosa.com (205) 759-8050 Tina Miller Churches The Reserve At NorthRiver 1761 Commons North Loop Tuscaloosa, AL 35406 www.reserveatnorthriver.com (205) 247-9800 Carolyn Wright Real Estate / Apartments / Condo The Scotts Company 10638 Mount Moriah Rd. Vance, AL 35490 (205) 556-9771 John Bickett Lawn & Garden Soil & Fertilizer Products

The Tower / Arlington Properties 2330 University Blvd.

Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 www.liveatthetower.net (205) 720-0070 Kara Harton Glover Real Estate / Apartments / Condo

UA Marketing Department 361 Stadium Drive 105 Alston Hall Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 (205) 348-2826 David Mothersbaugh Marketing Consultants

The True Vine Foundation 280 Vineyard Lane Eutaw, AL 35462 Facility Rental (Main), www.truevinefoundation.com (205) 372-3230 Colin McRae Non-profit / Facility Rental

Vance Tire & Alignment, LLC 17270 Hwy 11 N. Vance, AL 35490 (205) 553-0755 Kitty Waldrop Tire Dealers / Repair

Tuscaloosa Human Resource Professionals P.O. Box 20297 Tuscaloosa, AL 35402 www.thrp.shrm.org (205) 750-5143 Lori Royer Associations / Professional Organizations (Main) UA - Office of Student Employment 173 Rose Admin. Bldg.

Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 www.financialaffairs.ua.edu/hr/ student-employment (205) 348-4354 Austin Fann (205) 348-8850 Employment Opportunities for UA Students UA Intercollegiate Athletics

Waste Management - Tuscaloosa 3150 35th Street Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 www.wm.com (205) 345-0112 Timothy Stepter Waste Reduction / Disposal (Main) William Blakeney Building Company, Inc. 3519 Greensboro Ave. Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (205) 345-8880 William Blakeney Contractors - Building Wilson’s Pest Control 11605 Elbert Taylor Loop Coker, AL 35452 www.wilsonspestcontrol.net (205) 339-3175 Wilson Gammill Pest Control Services / Supplies

2015 Board of Directors Dan Blakley Regions Bank

Dr. Peter Millet Stillman College

Dr. Judy Bonner The University of Alabama

Wilson Moore Pritchett –Moore, Inc.

Bobby Bragg JamisonMoneyFarmer PC Cynthia Burton Community Service Programs of West Alabama Brock Corder The Builders Group of West Alabama, LLC Norman Crow D. T. & Freight Company, Inc. Mike Ellis Ellis Architects, Inc. Jay Evans ROAR, LLC/ College Station Properties Ashley Gill Chick-fil-A of Northport Jheovanny Gomez Jalapenos Mexican Grill Lee Henderson Which Wich Jason Hoff Mercedes-Benz USI

Serving West Alabama For Over 20 years 3200 Greensboro Ave. 345-9811 www.townsendbmw.com

Gary Phillips Premier Service Co., Inc. Jordan Plaster Merrill Lynch Gene Poole Hudson-Poole Fine Jewelers Dr. Samory Pruitt The University of Alabama Mike Reilly Randall-Reilly Tim Rosson BBVA Compass Bank Ralph Ruggs Tuscaloosa Housing Authority Tom Scroggins Rosen Harwood, PA

Cal Holt Knight Sign Industries, Inc.

Randy Skagen Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa, Inc.

Jonathan Hood FNB of Central Alabama

Chuck Turner Jackson Security Company

Molly Ingram DCH Health System

Rex Veron Rex Veron Design, LLC

Blake Madison Rosen Harwood, PA

SALES • SERVICE • PARTS

Jim Page Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama

Dr. Andrea Mayfield Shelton State Community College

Jason Walker Walker Associates, Inc. Terry Waters

Dean McClure TTL, Inc.

Terri Williams AT&T

Kim McMurray Ward Scott Architecture

Bryan Winter Lewis, Smyth, Winter & Ford, LLC

FACEBOOK.COM/CHAMBERTUSC | TWITTER.COM/CHAMBERTUSC

21

2015 Calendar of Events March 31 Washington Update with US Senator Richard Shelby, presented by Crimson Village at Embassy Suites, 7:30am April 7 Microsoft Intermediate Excel, 9am Business After Hours Mixer at Spiller Furniture & Mattress, 5pm Military and Veterans Appreciation Event presented by Warrior Ranch at UA Ferguson Center, 7pm April 9 Microsoft Outlook: Time Saving Features 11am, $50/person, lunch included April 14 & 15 Montgomery Drive-In presented by Shelton State April 28 Breakfast & Biz, Chick-fil-A Northport

May 6 Unleash the Power of Your iPad 11am, $50/person, lunch included May 12 Business After Hours Mixer at NorthRiver Yacht Club, 5pm May 14 Leadership Tuscaloosa Graduation presented by UA System

June 9 Business After Hours Mixer at Tuscaloosa Orthopedic & Joint Institute, 5pm June 16 Chamber in Session: Education Summit presented by Ellis Architects, Inc., Hotel Capstone, 9am

There’s something different about the way everyone interacts with and cares for one another in our community, and you’ll find that same way of doing things at The Bank of Tuscaloosa. Turn to us today for all of the products and services you need to meet your financial goals. You need a bank for life. That’s The Bank of Tuscaloosa.

The Bank of Tuscaloosa is a division of Synovus Bank. Synovus Bank, Member FDIC, is chartered in the state of Georgia and operates under multiple trade names across the Southeast. Divisions of Synovus are not separately FDIC-insured banks. The FDIC coverage extended to deposit customers is that of one insured bank.

22 WWW.TUSCALOOSACHAMBER.COM

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ARE YOU CONNECTED? The Tuscaloosa News keeps the community connected with news and information about West Alabama. We have also been helping local businesses connect with their clients when, where, and how they want to be connected to for more than 100 years.

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