Rising Tide - Fall 2020

CHAMPIONS FOR YOUR HEALTH

We are DCH. We were built to protect and persevere. To help and to heal. To provide care that’s as strong as this community. With steadfast dedication and hearts of gold, no matter what life throws at us, we’ve got you covered. And we’ll do whatever it takes to get you back to what matters most your life.

During an ever-changing environment where innovation is key and doing what you did last year just might not work, it is becoming increasingly difficult to determine how you can set yourself apart from your competitor. Well, I have a secret. It is a wild idea and honestly, I cannot believe I am sharing this with you. If you really want to drive growth in your company do what no one else is doing. Are you ready? CUSTOMER SERVICE.

My good friends, I know we talk often about the level of service our customers are receiving and how we can better serve them but are we truly increasing our level of customer service?

Let me give you an example. One of my favorite TV shows is the Carbonaro Effect. The Carbonaro Effect is a hidden camera/practical joke reality television series hosted by magician and prankster Michael Carbonaro, who performs tricks on people caught on hidden camera. He will go into retail stores and act like he is one of the employees at the store all while performing magic practical jokes on customers. It’s hilarious! After a few seasons the popularity of the show grew. This caused an issue because the customers started recognizing Michael even after they tried to put him in some convincing disguises. The gag was up before he could even start the prank. The producers started doing some research. They started asking these customers a series of questions like “What was the suspicious act that made you question the scenario?” and “How could they better disguise Michael?” You are not going to believe the results. Most of the customers said he was too good at his job! “If you want people to believe that he actually works at these locations then he needs to weaken his appearance and stop being engaged with the customer. He needs to act like he hates his job and have an attitude that he would rather be anywhere else. This might trick these customers into believing that he was an actual employee of the store.” They made the changes immediately. You will notice in season 3 and 4 that Michael now acts a little aloof and agitated. This was the change that the customers could believe. He is now able to trick these customers every week without anyone knowing. The show just completed its 5th successful season.

It is hard to think that this is the type of service that we are used to receiving. According to this, if we as customers start to receive good service, we think it must be a scam. Let us change this, West Alabama. Let us be better teachers; let us be better trainers. Now more than ever, let us just be nice to each other and remember the fundamentals of our business: salesmanship and customer service. It is time to remember those cheesy one liners like “Personal Relationships are the Key,” “The Customer is Always right,” and “Your customer doesn’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

If you really want to see this philosophy in action, I encourage you to take some time and speak with one of our Chambers 4th Quarter Drive volunteers. These guys and gals have it down. While you are at it, choose a sponsorship that's a great fit for you! I cannot thank each Chamber Member enough for all you do for our community and our Chamber. I want you to know we are here for you if you ever need anything. May God bless you, your family, and your

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2020 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Chair

Bobby Bragg

JamisonMoneyFarmer PC

Chair-Elect

Elizabeth Winter

Regions Bank

Immediate Past Chair

Kimberly McMurray

Behavioral Health Facility Consulting, LLC

Vice Chair, Airport and Transportation

David Pass

The Sealy Companies

Vice Chair, Communications and Marketing

Chris Gunter

Buffalo Rock Company/Pepsi

Vice Chair, Economic Development

Carl Jamison

JamisonMoneyFarmer PC

Vice Chair, Education and Workforce Development

Brad Newman

ZF Chassis Systems, LLC

Vice Chair, Leadership and Community Engagement

Dr. Jacqueline Morgan

The University of Alabama

Vice Chair, Membership and Investor Relations

Michele Coley

AllState Coley Agency

Vice Chair, Public Policy and Advocacy

Matt Feller

BFGoodrich Tire Manufacturing

Treasurer

Reed Norris

Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa

Legal Counsel

Kim Ingram

Hayes Ingram, LLC

President and CEO

Jim Page, CCE, IOM Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama

2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Paul Betz, Bobby Bragg, Rick Clementz, Michele Coley, Thomas Dedrick, Heather Dill, Russell DuBose, Amy Echols, Mike Ellis, Matt Fajack, Matt Feller, Jheovanny Gomez, Chris Gunter, Angela Hamiter, Tim Harrison, Carl Jamison, James Leitner, Angela Martin, Scott McClanahan, Gary McGee, Kim McMurray, Dr. Jacqueline Morgan, Jordan Morris, Brad Newman, Gary Nichols, Reed Norris, Whitney Oswalt, Jim Page, Tim Parker III, David Pass, Gary Phillips, Tripp Powell, Jasmine Rainey, David Rains, Nikki Ray, Steven Rumsey, Kelsey Rush, Sontonia Stephens, Elizabeth Winter, Sandra Wolfe, Bill Wright

Professional staff

JIM PAGE, CCE, IOM PRESIDENT AND CEO (205) 391-0562

jim@tuscaloosachamber.com

DONNY JONES, IOM

ChIEf OPERATING OffICER (205) 391-0552

donny@tuscaloosachamber.com

BARKLEY GARRETT, CEcD

VICE PRESIDENT, ECONOmIC DEVELOPmENT (205) 391-0329

barkley@tuscaloosachamber.com

KIMBERLY ADAMS

VICE PRESIDENT, mEmbERShIP AND INVESTOR RELATIONS (205) 391-0327

kimberly@tuscaloosachamber.com

NATA’ShA BLACK

PROGRAm mANAGER, WORKfORCE DEVELOPmENT (205) 391-0331

natasha@tuscaloosachamber.com

TARA BULLOCK

COmmUNICATIONS & mARKETING COORDINATOR, WORKfORCE DEVELOPmENT (205) 391-0559

tara@tuscaloosachamber.com

BRITTANI COLBURN

SENIOR PROGRAm mANAGER, WORKfORCE DEVELOPmENT (205) 391-0334

brittani@tuscaloosachamber.com

LAUREN COLLIER

PROGRAm mANAGER, WORKfORCE DEVELOPmENT (205) 391-0566

lauren@tuscaloosachamber.com

TRACY CRUMPTON

DIRECTOR Of fINANCE AND OPERATIONS (205) 391-0554

tracy@tuscaloosachamber.com

ALICIA GREGORY

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO ThE PRESIDENT AND CEO (205) 391-0561

alicia@tuscaloosachamber.com

TAMMI hOLLEY

WORKfORCE COORDINATOR (334) 310-9511

tammi@tuscaloosachamber.com

LOWANDA JAMES

DIRECTOR Of INfORmATION SERVICES (205) 758-7588

lowanda@tuscaloosachamber.com

AMY MATERSON

DIRECTOR Of COmmUNICATIONS AND mARKETING (205) 391-0563

amy@tuscaloosachamber.com

JILL MCDONALD

DIRECTOR Of LEADERShIP AND COmmUNITY ENGAGEmENT (205) 391-0555

jill@tuscaloosachamber.com

CAROLYN TUBBS

DIRECTOR Of EDUCATION PROGRAmS (205) 391-0556

carolyn@tuscaloosachamber.com

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

As you know, your Chamber has worked hard to deliver resources and assistance to you throughout this difficult time. Fellow Chambers took notice of the materials we developed to guide you through your recovery process and emulated those efforts with their own members. We heard from Chambers from California to Virginia, and now the resources you’ve used in your own businesses have been used by businesses across the nation.

Here’s some unsolicited feedback from other Chambers around the country.

Your playbook is a tremendous resource and we would sincerely appreciate being able to use it for our community as well.

ANDY BRETZ BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

FUSEDSM, YOUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (FORMERLY DES MOINES EAST SOUTH CHAMBER) IOWA

,, Our staff has a total website crush on your Chamber and love what you are doing.

You and your team are providing tremendous service to the Tuscaloosa region.I asked my team to develop some industry specific resources related to reopening, and you’re probably not surprised but they came back to me with your reopening playbook. What a terrific resource! My team is using it as a template to create something similar for our region.

PAUL RUMLER PRESIDENT & CEO QUAD CITIES CHAMBER ILLINOIS

AARON M. NELSON, IOM PRESIDENT AND CEO THE CHAMBER FOR A GREATER CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO NORTH CAROLINA

We are working on putting together a resources guide for our members and community as we work toward reopening PA. We came across your "Work Hard. Work Smart. Work Safe." playbook. It is a really great document. I was wondering if the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce would be able to use this document as a guide to help put ours together?

SAMANTHA M. CHIVINSKI MEMBER RELATIONS DIRECTOR PENNSYLVANIA

I wanted to reach out to first congratulate you on the impressive "Work Hard. Work Smart. Work Safe." document you and West Alabamaworks put together for reopening after COVID-19. It is as comprehensive, compelling and well developed piece as I’ve seen from anyone.

TIMOTHY J. MAGNER, ED.D., PRESIDENT

SHREVEPORT

LOUISIANA

I want you to know how impressed I am with your West Alabama Reopening Guide. You have done an excellent job . Would you mind if I used it to model our reopening?

SHARON G. SCOTT, PH.D. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VIRGINIA

CHAMBER

,,

We came across your Playbook for Reopening and it's wonderful! We are in the process of putting one together ourselves, and wanted to reach out to see if you would be ok with us taking inspiration from yours?

CHAMBER AT WORK

The Tuscaloosa Chamber guide for reopening is beyond amazing. I haven’t seen anything this fabulous from any other organization. If we credit that it came from your Chamber, would we be able to use this guide? I haven’t seen anything this comprehensive and I was starting to work on something for our area and it is a daunting task.

NANCY PELTONEN

PRESIDENT/CEO

We really like your reopening guide. You did a great job of combining so much information. Would you mind if we used yours as a starting point/template for ours if we gave you credit?

DARCY PHILLIPS

DIRECTOR

OF MARKETING & EVENTS

TULARE

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CALIFORNIA

THE

GREATER

PALM BAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FLORIDA

I wanted to THANK YOU again for the wonderful resources. I was hoping to request the other product you and your team have created. Could you or would you send me those? I would really appreciate it.

AMY MCGUFFIN

CHIEF

EXECUTIVE OFFICER

KITTITAS

COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON

I received a copy of your playbook through the US Chamber. I appreciate all of the work that went into it and as a small island we just don't have the resources to pull something this comprehensive together.

JACKI LISZAK, PRESIDENT FORT MYERS BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FLORIDA

I have been on a number of the industry calls/webinars with ACCE and one of the resource links they sent us included your Playbook for Reopening. We like it! and would like to know if you could send us an editable version that we could use here at our chamber.

ROSALIND VAUGHN, CTA DIRECTOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & MEMBERSHIP ANN ARBOR/YPSILANTI REGIONAL CHAMBER MICHIGAN

I have seen your reopening playbook and it’s the best out there! Nice work.

I am wondering if you would be willing to share the document.

MITZI T. MCCORMICK, MBA, IOM PRESIDENT AND CEO HALIFAX COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VIRGINIA

I

so

appreciated the information you shared on the "Work

Hard. Work Smart. Work Safe." Playbook you developed. What a great source of information and easy to navigate.

CELESTE HELMINSKI DIRECTOR GUNNISON COUNTRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COLORADO

,,

I work with the Temple Texas Chamber of Commerce and recently saw an article from 6WBRC about your small business relief fund. We love seeing the support you are providing to your community. We are interested in the details of your program if you would be willing to share some knowledge with us please.

JOSIAS CARY DIRECTOR OF RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT TEMPLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TEXAS

Chamber’s DBC Spearheads Unity Efforts

BRIDGING THE GAP SERIES LEADS TO COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS ON RACE AND IMPORTANT TOPICS

A T

The Chamber’s Diverse Business Council (DBC), a vital subcommittee that focuses on economic development through the growth of diverse businesses, recently launched a new series designed to make a significant impact in the community.

Following the death of George Floyd, the decision was made to host a series of honest conversations in the “public square” about socioeconomic issues that are connected to the mission of the DBC.

In partnership with the City of Tuscaloosa, the DBC of the Chamber

launched an online talk series, ‘Bridging the Gap: A Series of Intentional Conversations,’ with state and city officials and local business leaders. To date, the series has hosted sessions on Community Policing, Economic Opportunities, A Forward Look at Education, and Voting in Alabama. With hundreds of residents participating in the series, they have set a tone for the significant opportunity we have to improve race relations, community engagement, the socioeconomic divide, and police relations. Bridging the Gap also

helped to set the tone for Project Unity, an initiative announced by City of Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox in August. The project proposes to enhance our educational, economic, housing, and recreational opportunities while thriving to reduce the impairments to our communities, and incorporates the key takeaways from Bridging the Gap.

—Mildred Black Hooks

Founder, People Optimum Consulting, and Chair, Diverse Business Council, Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama

Industry Partnership Launches Grassroots Campaign

“LET’S KEEP WEST ALABAMA WORKING” AIMS TO KEEP WORKERS SAFE BEYOND THE WORKPLACE

A

As business and industry leaders across West Alabama were presented with the challenges of COVID-19, they quickly realized one of their immediate concerns was outside the workplace. Although manufacturers like BFGoodrich Tire Manufacturing, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Phifer Inc., ZF Industries, McAbee Construction, Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa, and healthcare providers such as the DCH system had invested considerable time and resources in new training, sanitization procedures, PPE, and safety protocols, they knew they were only mitigating risk for their employees and their families inside their own doors.

So, they partnered through the Chamber on Let’s Keep West Alabama Working, a grassroots campaign designed to encourage safety beyond the workplace.

“As a manufacturer with strong roots in West Alabama for 70+ years, we have firsthand knowledge how much our employees, and more broadly our communities, have suffered from COVID-19’s impact," said Phil Tucker, Plant Manager, BFGoodrich Tire Manufacturing. "We understand the importance of keeping our businesses and our communities moving forward. However, moving forward doesn’t always mean moving fast. In this season, we need to focus on moving with purpose. Specifically, this means being vigilant away from work just as we are, while at work. It’s a concept and message that we felt

needed to be shared with all of the citizens in our community.

We reached out to Jim Page, Chamber President, to explore how we could involve other employers to use our collective power to prevent a second wave of the disease from crashing over our economy. We felt that without steps like these, it is likely the region’s manufacturers and other businesses will once again be forced to react by shutting down. A second shut-down would have dramatically negative consequences on our economy, not to mention the lives and livelihoods of our employees, neighbors, colleagues and families. While we can’t prevent everyone from contracting COVID-19, we can work together to halt and reverse the disturbing trend of rising new cases. We think it is important to implore our friends, neighbors and coworkers to take seriously the recommended precautions for protecting themselves and others against this unprecedented disease.”

The campaign, which encourages everyone in the community to protect their health, the health of their families, and the health of their coworkers through the use of face masks, social distancing, and hygiene precautions, provides a business toolkit for companies to download materials for use. Including campaign graphics, social media assets, videos, and more, the kit is useful for both internal and external communications, and businesses are encouraged to help market the campaign using provided social media hashtags.

For more on the campaign, or to download resources, visit tuscaloosachamber.com/

keepwalworking

Swift Solutions

WEST ALABAMA WORKS DELIVERS ANSWERS FOR CHILDCARE PROVIDER PROBLEMS

As West Alabama industries pivoted during the pandemic, a new problem arose as summer drew to an end: childcare. Employees who previously didn’t need childcare now had a difficult choice to make. Should they stay home with their children during virtual learning, or find a way to continue working? Industries such as Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Lear Corporation and ZF Chassis Systems, LLC, approached approached the Chamber and West Alabama Works for help.

A“Our industries have been through enough this year, and we didn’t want them to experience another shutdown when school began. Our team worked diligently to create a quick and comprehensive solution to keep our workforce thriving and economy running,” said Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama COO and West Alabama Works Executive Director Donny Jones

West Alabama Works created the West Alabama Childcare Database to assist those looking for childcare and virtual learning solutions. The

regional database features a variety of providers and can be found at westalabamaworks.com/childcare

“We were concerned if we would be able to keep running when school started back. West Alabama Works was already ahead of the game. The database was a huge help to our team members. Making that information available made a significant impact,” said Mercedes-Benz U.S. International VP of Human Resources Rolf Wrona.

—Tara Bullock Communications and Marketing Coordinator, Workforce Development, The Chamber

From a Perk to a Profit

HOW ONE MEMBER TURNED SHIPPING PERKS INTO A MAJOR ASSET FOR HIS BUSINESS

Chris Freeman knows a thing or two about metal. Growing up in the family business, Freeman Sheet Metal, he worked for the company until he made junior partner. Wanting to branch out on his own, he formed Metal and Lights in 2012, and his creativity took off.

Things changed for Freeman in 2019 when he formed Alpha-Lit, a company that rents the lighted marquee letters Metal and Lights makes. To date, there are approximately 40 Alpha-Lit franchises, including in Kansas City and Dallas.

“A lady approached me about wanting the marquee letters for a wedding, so I got online and figured out how to make them,” Freeman said. “I made one, put it online, and the next week I had 20 orders.”

While Metal and Lights makes orders for companies and Freeman enjoys custom orders, he says much of their time is consumed with producing sets of letters for the Alpha-Lit franchises, including painted and rusted versions, as well as shapes.

Each boxed letter is 36 by 26 by 8 inches thick, and weighs between 18 and 24 pounds, so Freeman’s shipping costs from the beginning have been substantial, even shipping freight with a discount. Each Alpha-Lit territory purchases two sets of letters, which Freeman then ships to them. The franchise then rents the letters out to their customers for a variety of events including birthday parties, corporate events, weddings, sororities, and, since COVID-19, drivethrough and virtual events. The franchises also place custom orders; for example, Alpha-Lit Kansas City ordered a custom Kansas City Chiefs logo to be displayed in their stadium for Super Bowl LIV. He’s also produced a palm tree for Alpha-Lit Miami, and a “G” for a franchise in Georgia.

With such a heavy shipping load, Freeman was happy to take advantage of the the Chamber member benefit in which he was most

“

I was already getting a little bit of a discount, but the UPS Chamber Perk is now giving me a discount of 33 percent.

—Chris Freeman, Alpha-Lit Tuscaloosa

“

interested – Shipping Perks. “I was already getting a little bit of a discount, but the UPS Chamber perk is now giving me a discount of 33 percent,” Freeman said. That adds up to thousands of dollars each year.

The program is such a benefit that often shipping costs Freeman nothing, or returns a slight profit to his business. It’s an added value for his company, which employs seven workers in Brent. Freeman sees no sign of things slowing down, as the demand for the marquee letters remains constant. He does enjoy his occasional custom orders, which have included a steel wall for Madonna’s Rebel Heart tour. “I like to do a couple of custom projects a week to remain creative,” he says.

Freeman's projects can be seen on stage and screen, and in venues ranging from stadiums to the Disney Store.

For more information, visit metalandlights.com, or on social media at https://www.facebook.com/metalandlights/ and https://www.facebook.com/alphalittuscaloosa/.

4th Quarter Drive

THE MAGIC OF MEMBER-TO-MEMBER MARKETING

With event sponsorships, you strategically market your business to the audience you select.

Marketing: mar·ket·ing | \ mär-kә-tin the process or technique of promoting, selling, and distributing a product or service.

SSometimes a definition can be simple, but the execution can be complex. Such as is the case with marketing, a field so intricate entire university departments are devoted to its study.

That’s why it never hurts to have a little help when developing your marketing plan, and when you find creative and unique ways to market your company – especially those that don’t break the bank – you should take a second look.

A LITTLE HELP FROM YOUR FRIENDS

Each fall a small group of your favorite people – your fellow Chamber members – volunteer for a special initiative. This program, the 4th Quarter Drive, is what makes the magic happen all throughout the year.

If you’re unfamiliar with the 4th Quarter Drive, it’s the program that allows members to sponsor everything from signature events to a single table, providing the unique opportunity to put your name, your logo – your message – in front of the group you choose. “Our knowledgeable volunteers align businesses’ interest – and budget – to ensure the greatest impact for their marketing dollars,” says Kimberly Adams, the Chamber's Vice President of Membership and Investor Relations. Their desire to serve the Chamber and the business community is the reason this campaign is successful!”

Is it advertising? Yes. Is it throwing spaghetti at the wall? No. Your 4th Quarter Drive volunteer is knowledgeable about every single sponsorship opportunity available to you and can make the perfect match for not only your budget, but your target audience and desired event.

According to Adams, the program is custom-designed for members, and is a perfect addition to your marketing plan. “It’s a great idea to add 4th Quarter Drive sponsorships to your marketing mix because it puts your name in front of the business community,” Adams says. “It’s the best way to offer targeted business-to-business marketing that fits your agenda.”

Michele Coley, Agency Owner, Allstate Coley Agency, currently serves as the Vice Chair for Membership and Investor Relations on the Chamber’s Board of Directors and is herself a 4th Quarter Drive sponsor.

Michele Coley

She says participating in the program as a sponsor gave her the opportunity to see the inventory the Chamber had to offer and made her aware of events she was not familiar with.

“It gave me an opportunity to get in front of people I wanted to get in front of from a business perspective,” Coley said. “I had a chance to target my sponsorship dollars to interests I had.”

These volunteers believe in their mission, and in the mission of the Chamber, says Robert Lanoux, Principal, Ward Scott Architecture. Lanoux is a longtime volunteer with the 4th Quarter Drive.

“I’ve seen firsthand the positive effects the Chamber has on our community,” he said of his reason for being involved in the Chamber as a volunteer. “Businesses and individuals in our community are more aware of each other and the connections we share. It’s a good thing for all of us.”

BIG SPONSORSHIPS ≠ BIG MONEY

With the great events the Chamber holds each year, it’s easy to see why one might believe sponsorships are out of reach for all but the largest investors. However, that’s simply not

the case. More than 90 percent of Chamber members are small businesses and the 4th Quarter Drive is designed to accommodate any member who would like to participate. As a result, sponsorships begin as low at $150.

“The way the Chamber does events looks extravagant – they are extravagant, but they are not as expensive as you think they are,” Coley said. “I feel like being able to see that I can do a table sponsorship can have a great impact, and your marketing dollars can go further for small businesses.”

Also, it’s not all about the events. If your business requires you to be on hand at your business and you simply can’t get away, but you’d still like to participate, the 4th Quarter Drive has lots of affordable options that enable you to show your support for the Chamber while promoting your business. Whether you’d like to sponsor our great Chamber Ambassadors, display your logo on our website or weekly newsletter, or get on board with Adopt-A-School, we’ll find a fit for both your marketing plan and your budget.

“Participating in the 4th Quarter Drive helps you plan your dollars better,” Coley said. You can budget for it for when the times comes, and it’s often a year in advance. You can make plans and create campaigns around it.”

A BENEFIT OF MEMBERSHIP

The 4th Quarter Drive is a fantastic benefit many Chamber members take advantage of every year. Our friends at Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa have elected to become the title sponsor of the Adopt-A-School Golf Tournament; not only making it a signature event under their name, but also creating a significant financial benefit for

the schools in West Alabama who benefit from the Adopt-A-School program. Longtime members TTL, Inc. – who you’ll hear from in this issue – sponsors at a range of levels a variety of events that include the annual Transportation Summit and the Benchmarking Trip each year. As an engineering consulting firm, they’ve found this event is a perfect fit for their firm to sponsor.

“Chamber members represent a relatively small number of all the folks who live and work in the Tuscaloosa area,” Lanoux said. “So, it’s important for all of us to contribute and to be involved as much as we can. Also, there are enough event options offered that there will definitely be something that directly benefits your business.”

The 4th Quarter Drive offers more opportunity for more businesses to participate in the Chamber and get the benefit of being members,” Coley said. “It gives you a chance to strategically market your business, and if you have an idea for a new sponsorship, it can be added to the 4th Quarter Drive. There is always room for different things and the Chamber is open to those ideas.”

Member-to-member marketing is a cost-effective way to get your message in front of people who already know and trust you – your fellow Chamber members. If you’re looking for the perfect 4th Quarter Drive opportunity, reach out and let one of our volunteers assist you. In addition to securing sponsorships for the coming year, the 4th Quarter Drive is also a membership drive, during which the processing fee is waived. It’s a great time to join!

“Whether your business and your budget is large or small, the 4th Quarter Drive has cost-effective advertising options that generates results,” Adams says.

Robert Lanoux

A CONVERSATION WITH DEAN MCCLURE, CEO, TTL, INC.

TTL, Inc. is a longtime Chamber member, Next Level Initiative investor, and participates in the Chamber’s 4th Quarter Drive, sponsoring events that include signature programs such as the annual Transportation Summit.

Q: Why is it important for your company to be a Chamber member, and to remain active within the Chamber?

MCCLURE: We all desire to improve our organizations and building peer networking groups is an essential element to help you incorporate relationships, share ideas, and connect with others who are facing similar challenges. You do this by joining the Chamber and becoming active in the programs they offer to expand your network. By being involved in the Chamber you have the opportunity to build friendships with others who are genuinely interested to know about your organization and share ideas. I have often shared a challenge we are facing as an organization with friends I have met through the Chamber and it is exciting to get feedback on how they worked to find a solution to similar challenges. Our organizations will only thrive if we have strong and healthy communities and the Chamber is the collective hub where organizations and businesses have the opportunity to come together to work toward common goals on improving our community.

Q: You are not only a Chamber member, you’re an investor in the Next Level Initiative, the five-year strategic plan that leads efforts including everything from workforce readiness and education, to public policy and advocacy, to quality of life issues. Why do you find it important to invest in and be impactful in these areas?

MCCLURE: The success and viability of the workforce readiness and

education, public policy/advocacy and quality of life engagement areas occurs when each are aligned along common goals to ensure a thriving and diverse community for the citizens of West Alabama. The Chamber has demonstrated its effectiveness at leveraging and engaging the depth of talents and skills within its membership to actively drive programs that work together along those three engagement areas. These programs require time commitment from its members and to put them into action requires investment of monetary resources. We are seeing the significant returns within our community on those investments and TTL is proud to play a role in supporting efforts to create an environment where West Alabama is the desired place to live, work and raise your family.

It is really exciting to see how the business community, the nonprofits, our political leaders and our institutional community continue to work together to coordinate programming and goals that align with workforce readiness and education, public policy and quality of life issues. The challenge of creating an atmosphere where businesses grow, the workforce has growth opportunities and entrepreneurial efforts thrive is not easy and those involved know you never arrive at your destination. You

must keep working to implement programs and policy that leverage the strengths of our community that will ensure that West Alabama and its citizens are well prepared for the needs in today’s and tomorrow’s completive work environments. The value of TTL’s investment within the Next Level Initiative certainly cannot be measured in dollars and cents. Not much changes a person’s life or that of their family like having good job. It’s tough to put a value on that!

Q: You also participate in the Chamber’s 4th Quarter Drive program, which allows you to market directly to fellow Chamber members. Why do you feel business-tobusiness marketing works for small business, and specifically for you? What would you say to companies on the fence about sponsorships as a marketing tool?

MCCLURE: There are so many ways to leverage your Chamber membership. The return on TTL’s investment within the Chamber including the Next Level Initiative and the sponsorship opportunities have been immeasurable. Frankly, sponsorships are one of the best tools to validate your business in the community. Let me share an example. One of our critical vendors began a relationship with TTL following their sponsorship and networking at a Chamber event. We had never met them before and would probably would not have crossed paths without their involvement in the Chamber.

Sponsorships offer firms one of the best entry points to showcase your business. The clients you most likely want to reach or be familiar with your company are already involved with the Chamber. Why would you not leverage such an easy tool as a sponsorship?

—Lauren Collier Program Manager, Workforce Development The Chamber Dean McClure

“ “

One of our critical vendors began a relationship with TTL following their sponsorship and networking at a Chamber event. We had never met them before and would probably would not have crossed paths without their involvement in the Chamber.

—Dean McClure, TTL, Inc.

Investing in Our Home

SPILLER FURNITURE AND A LEGACY OF CHAMBER INVOLVEMENT

Spiller Furniture and Mattresses co-founder James E. Spiller, Jr. found a love of retail in his postWWII factory job. He began selling furniture in downtown Tuscaloosa in 1948, and for over 70 years this family-owned business has grown and worked in Alabama and East Mississippi. The Spiller name has expanded its name to include mattresses and has 14 locations with 115 employees. Caring for their customers and serving the West Alabama community is second nature to this family. With long a history of Chamber involvement, and under the helm of James' grandson Shane Spiller today, they have no intention of slowing down any time soon.

Spiller Furniture joined the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama in 1980. Shane’s father, Mike Spiller, served on the Chamber Board for many years. “He instilled in me the importance of being an advocate for local business,” says Shane. It came as no surprise that Shane became a leader in the Chamber community as well. In addition to being Chamber

members, they are part of the Next Level Initiative (NLI), a five-year strategic plan that leads efforts including everything from workforce readiness and education, public policy, and advocacy, to quality of life issues. NLI investors have a significant voice in the Chamber’s path forward—Shane knew it was imperative for Spiller Furniture to seize the opportunity to make an impact in these areas. “I was on the Chamber board when this plan was developed and was very involved in how all of that came together,” says Shane. “I knew we needed a strategic plan that required dollars and investment in the community.” Extending beyond West Alabama, Shane mentions the role the Chamber plays in shaping the business community and its residents. “The Chamber has done a great job putting trips together to see how other cities make their town better and how they engage in education. Education is one of the most important issues facing our community right now. One place does not have all the answers. It really helps us to see how we can improve our local town.”

In addition to the NLI, Spiller also participates in the 4th Quarter Drive program, which he says is a great marketing tool. “Reaching out to other Chamber members through sponsorships is so important. When someone asks for advice on where to shop for furniture, it is the Chamber members that will speak up and make that recommendation. They know what kind of people we are and what kind of staff we have.”

Participation in the 4th Quarter Drive also allows them to see not only how important local businesses are to the community, but how significant they are to each other.

Much like their business with the community, The Chamber’s relationship with Spiller has only grown. “Our motto is to enrich our customer’s homes. West Alabama is our home, and we love being a part of this community.” When it comes to investing in our homes and community, Spiller Furniture and Mattress practices what they preach.

-Lauren Collier Program Manager, Workforce Development The Chamber

Spiller

Shane

COVER FEATURE

Operational Shift

HOW AWARD COMPANY OF AMERICA PIVOTED PRODUCTION TO SURVIVE COVID-19

When your business drops off 95 percent, what do you do? If you’re Chris Adamczyk of the Award Company of America, you shift gears – immediately.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Adamczyk was already having sleepless nights. As president of a company that makes plaques, promotional items, trophies, and awards, he knew demand for those items would be non-existent as long as the virus was present.

“At the time, PPE wasn’t even a thought – it wasn’t even on the radar for the government,” he said. “I just tried to think what product, from a PPE standpoint, we could unveil.”

Adamczyk decided that because of their plaque manufacturing, they could use the clear plexi shield used with the plaques, cut it with their laser, and produce face shields. “Ours would be unique, because it would be totally USA-made,” he said.

With a little trial and error, a bit of sponge and elastic, and a few prototypes, the Award Company of America had a product by the first week of March. To date, the company has produced 175,000 face shields.

“It was just about understanding the product I had, and the equipment I had, and then training our 20 employees,” he said.

Adamczyk said the company took advantage of a Paycheck Protection Program loan to keep them afloat while they pursued various industries to purchase the shields. In addition to the industries that come immediately to mind he says they’re also pursuing second and third tier purchasers.

“We knew we had to go after hospitals and the government, but now we’re figuring out the next market,” he said. “We have a large market in nursing homes, hospices. Elections are coming up throughout

the year, and a lot of elderly folks are poll workers, for example. We sell in probably 40 states now.”

Once they were selling face shields, they quickly moved on to hand sanitizer and face masks. Because they personalize products already, personalizing mask orders was a no-brainer. “We buy blank three-layer masks and decorate with the company’s logo,” he says.

Their newest product, a barrier product, just launched, with an emphasis on schools and reception counters.

Adamczyk notes the importance of exploring existing relationships. “Anyone we used to sell a plaque, award, or trophy or crystal piece to, we call them up and say, ‘this is what we’re doing to try to keep our doors open’.”

For more information, visit awardcompany.com

Chris Adamczyk

10-4 Corporation

15th Street Pharmacy

1st Franklin Financial Corp

216 Auto Sales

22nd Recruiting & Retention BN

2700 Capitol Park

301 LLC

320RV, LLC

3D Dance

9Round Fitness - Tuscaloosa

9Round Fitness-Northport

A & B Electric Co., Inc.

A & G Testing

A & M Oil Company, LLC

A Better Service Co., LLC

A Cutting Edge Caterers

A You-nique Touch

A.S.A.P. Bail Bonding Agency, LLC

A+ Trash Bin Cleaning Service, LLC

AAA Alabama

ABC Fire Equipment, Inc.

ABH Enterprises

Ability Alliance of West Alabama

ABZ Rent All, Inc.

Access2day Health

AccountingRx

ACE Hardware

Acker Appliance, Inc.

Acro Electrical Contractors, Inc.

Adams Beverages

Adcox Associates, LLC

Adecco Employment Service

ADS - Tuscaloosa

Advanced Mini Storage

Advantage Realty Group, Inc.

AES Precast Co., Inc.

AFFLINK

Agee Chiropractic and Wellness Center

Ajian Sushi LLC

al.com

Alabama Ag Credit

Alabama Airport Parking

Alabama Army National Guard

Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association

Alabama Blues Project

Alabama Brick

Alabama Central Credit Union

Alabama Chiropractic and Spine Care

Alabama Choir School

Alabama Court Reporting, Inc.

Alabama Credit Union

Alabama Department of Labor

Alabama Education Association

Alabama Family Medical Center, LLC

Alabama Fire College

Alabama Heart & Vascular Medicine

Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind

Tuscaloosa Regional Center

Alabama ONE

Alabama One Insurance

Alabama Public Radio

Alabama Public Television

Alabama Restoration & Remediation, LLC (ARR)

Alabama SBDC Network, the University of Alabama

Alabama Self-Insured Worker's Comp Fund

Alabama Technology Network

Alan Smith Agency LLC

Alco Electric, LLC

All Pro Inc.

All-American Self Storage

Allegra Family Clinic

Allen, Gerald

Alliance Publishing, LLC

Allied Realty & Development, Inc.

Allison Appraisal Service

Allstate Coley Agency

Allums Welsch, PC

Alpha Lit

Always There In-Home Care

Alzheimer's Association

Amason & Associates, Inc.

Ambassador Inn & Suites

Ambassador Personnel, Inc.

AMC Transport, Inc.

American Christian Academy

American Esoteric Laboratories

American Family Care

American Family Care Midtown

American Osment (division of Imperial Dade)

American Red Cross, West Alabama

Chapter

Americas Best Value Inn

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

Ameritek Document Solutions

Amy Corbin - State Farm Insurance

Anchored Chiropractic Inc.

Anders Hardware

Andrew Kniphfer Agency

Angels Advertising, LLC

Another Broken Egg Cafe' Appliance Parts, Inc.

Applico, LLC

Apptoo Inc.

Arcadia Elementary School

ARCH - Tuscaloosa

Archibald and Woodrow's BBQ

ARD Logistics - Alabama, LLC

Art Garage

Arts Council of Tuscaloosa

Arts 'n Autism, Inc.

Asphalt Restoration Company, LLC

AT&T

Atlas Welding Supply Co., Inc.

Automation Personnel Services, Inc.

Avail Management Services, LLC

Avigilon

Award Company of America

B.A.M.A. Mill Services, Inc.

B.W. Hobson Construction Co., Inc.

Babe's Doughnut & Coffee

Bail Bonds Express Agency Inc.

Bailey's Tiger Rock Martial Arts

Baldo-Downs Insurance

Ballard Contractors, Inc.

Bama Bed & Breakfast

Bama Concrete Products Co., Inc.

Bama Dining Service/Aramark Corp.

Bama Exterminating Company, Inc.

Bama Stuff

BancorpSouth Bank of Moundville

BankFirst

Banks Quarles Plumbing, Heating, Cooling

Barge Design Solutions, Inc.

Barkley Buick-Cadillac-GMC, Inc.

Barnett Jones Wilson, LLC

Barry Fikes Photography

Barton's Landscape Inc.

BAT Services LLC

Baumhower's Victory Grille

Baumhower's Victory Grille

Baymont Inn & Suites

BBVA

Beacon Cleaning Services

Beacon Place - Tuscaloosa

BelFlex Staffing Network

Belk

Belle Chambre

Belt & Bruner, P.C.

Benjamin Barnes YMCA

Better Business Bureau, Inc. of Central Alabama

Beulah Missionary Baptist Church

Bevill State Community College

Beyond Southern Furnishings

BFGoodrich Tire Manufacturing

BHFC Design

Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Alabama

Big Sandy Elementary School

Big Sistas w/ Purpose LLC

Bill Lunsford Construction, Inc.

Billy Boyd Realty & Construction

Billy's Sports Grill

Birmingham Airport Authority

Birmingham Barons Baseball Club

Black Warrior Brewing Company

Black Warrior Council, Boy Scouts of America

Black Warrior Methane Corp.

BLG Logistics, Inc.

BloGo Blow Dry Bar & Salon

Bloom Flower Truck

Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama

Blue Water Marketing & Promo.

Blue Water Vinyl

BMW of Tuscaloosa

Bobby Park Truck & Equipment Inc.

Body Works

Tanning Salon

Bolta US, Inc.

Bonner Body Shop, Inc.

Boostr Digital Displays

Borden Dairy Company of Alabama, LLC

Borgers USA Corporation

Bowlero

Boys & Girls Clubs of West Alabama

Bradford Health Services

Bradley's Market

Brandon Schaub - Alice Maxwell RE Team

Braxsim Technologies

Brick & Spoon

Bright Star Catering

Brion Hardin Construction Company, Inc.

Broadway Pizzeria, LLC

Brookwood Elementary School

Brookwood High School

Brookwood Middle School

Brose Tuscaloosa Inc.

Bryant Bank

Bryant Conference Center

Bryant Drive Animal Hospital

Bryce Hospital

Buddy's Rib & Steak

Budget Blinds

Buffalo Rock Company/Pepsi-Cola

Buhl Elementary School

Building & Earth Sciences, Inc.

BurgerFi

Burk-Kleinpeter, Inc.

Burnum-Hahn Exterminators

Business Council of Alabama

C Spire Business

Cabaniss Engineering, Inc.

Cabaniss Media

Cadence Bank, N.A.

Cahaba Dermatology & Skin Health Center

Cahaba Truck and Equipment, Inc.

Cakeffect

Calvary Baptist Church

Camgian Microsystems Corporation

Campus Collection

Campus Properties, LLC

Candlewood Suites

Canteen Vending Services

Capital Growth Buchalter

Capital Real Estate

Capitol Park Antiques, Interiors & Gardens

Capitol Park Title LLC

Capstone Insurance Group

Capstone Kids Pediatric Dentistry

Capstone Ventures

Capstone Veterinary Hospital

Captain D's

Cardiology Consultants, P.C.

Caring Days/Caring Congregations

Carlock CDJR of Tuscaloosa, LLC

Carole & Terry Waters

Carolina Handling

Carrie Fitts Real Estate, LLC

Cartography Consulting

CARVER DeWITT and PALM CPAs LLC

Casual Class Bar Services

Catch A Taste

CDR & Mrs. Lee Allen Hallman, USN (Ret)

Center for Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry

P.C.

Centerstone Inn & Suites

Central Elementary School

Central High School

Central Mesa

Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama

Champion Sports Medicine

Chance Partners

Charles A. Brown Insurance

Chase Bank

Checkers (LAD Foods Inc.)

Checker's Northport

Chesapeake Consulting, Inc.

Chick-fil-A @ Tuscaloosa South

Chick-fil-A at Midtown Village

Chick-fil-A of Northport

Child Abuse Prevention Services of Tuscaloosa, Inc.

Children and Teen Dental

Childrens Hands-On Museum

Choices Pregnancy Clinic

Christy's Ladies' Apparel and Gift Boutique

Chuck's Fish

Cintas

City of Northport

City of Tuscaloosa

Civil Axe Throwing

CivilWorx Construction, LLC

Clarks Elegance

Closets Plus, Inc.

Coleman American Moving

College Station Properties

Collins-Riverside Middle School

Colvin Auto Sales & Service, LLC

Comfort Care Home Health & Hospice

Committed Personnel

Community Foundation of West Alabama

Community Service Programs of West

Alabama, Inc.

Community Works Tuscaloosa

Complete Nursing Service, Inc.

Complete Pipeline Services & Supply, LLC

Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP

Consumer First Mortgage Control Climate Heating & Cooling

Cook's Pest Control

Cool Crate Storage

Cooper Shattuck, LLC

Coral Industries, Inc.

Corder Real Estate

Core Focus Personnel, LLC

Core Spaces

Cornerstone Baptist Church

Cornerstone Civil Contractors, LLC.

Cornerstone Ministries, Inc

Cottondale Elementary School

Country Inn & Suites

Courtyard by Marriott

Covenant Consulting Group, LLC

Cowan, Glen, D.M.D., MS

Cowin Equipment Co., Inc.

Cracker Barrel

Crawford Nixon Construction, Inc.

Crestmont Elementary School

Crimson Care, LLC

Crimson Cover, Inc.

Crimson Realty LLC

Crimson Restoration Services LLC

Crimson Urgent Care & Weight Loss Center

Crimson Village

Crimson White

Crown Limousine Service

Crunch Fitness

CSD, LLC

Cumberland Dental of Tuscaloosa

Curtis Creations

Cushman & Wakefield/EGS Commercial

Real Estate

Cynthia Lee Almond, LLC

Cypress Supply, LLC

David Cureington, State Farm

Davis Dental of Tuscaloosa

Davis-Emerson Middle School

Daystar Family Church

DCH Health System

Deason, Inc.

Debrick, Inc.

Deja Vu / Deja Vu Kids Consignment

Delta Utility Services, Inc. and Land Management Divison

Delview Properties, LLC

Derek Daniel State Farm

Dermatology Care of Alabama

DeWitt LLC

Dickey's Barbecue Pit

Direct Auto Insurance

Disabled American Veterans, Tuscaloosa

Chapter #1

District Attorney's Office

Dixie Mechanical, Inc.

Domino's Pizza (Store #5840)

Domino's Pizza Alberta City

Dorroh & Mills, PC

Double Diamond Construction Co., Inc.

Doug Hollyhand Realty, Inc.

Down Syndrome Alabama

Drake Printers

Druid Capital Partners

Druid City Brewing Company

Druid City Media

Druid City Pride

Druid City School of Ballet

Druid City Vital Care

Druid Glass Construction, Inc.

DSL Electric, Inc.

DSW, Inc.

DT Freight, LLC

Duckworth-Morris Real Estate

Dukes Clothier

Duncanville Middle School

E&A Team, Inc

Eagles' Wings, Inc.

Easterseals West Alabama

Eastwood Middle School

Eatmybeats, Inc.

Echols Middle School

Echols, Taylor & Associates, PC

Eddins Estates

Edgar's Bakery

Edmund M. ''Ted'' Sexton

Edward Jones & Company

Edward Jones Investments - John Gordon

Effie's

El Gran Patron Mexican Grill

Ellis Architects, Inc.

Embassy Suites Downtown Tuscaloosa

Embellished, LLC

Emergi-Care Clinic, P.C.

EMPACT West Alabama, Inc.

Employment Screening Services

Empowering Brands

Energy Technical Services, LLC

Engineering Plus, Inc.

Englewood Elementary School

Englewood Village, LLC

ERC Construction, LLC

Ernest & Hadley Booksellers

Escape Tuscaloosa

Everlasting

Evolve Tuscaloosa

EW Motion Therapy

Excelsior Staffing

EXIT Capstone Realty

Expeditions

Express Employment Professionals

Express Oil Change

Eye Care Associates

Eye Care Associates of Northport

F.L. Crane & Sons, Inc.

Fairfield Inn by Marriott

Family Counseling Service

Farmers Insurance

FASTSIGNS of Tuscaloosa

Fat Headz Barber Shop

Faucett-Vestavia Elementary School

Fayette Fabrications LLLP

Fields Companies Inc.

Fifth and Handle

Fincher & Ozment Jewelers

First Federal Bank

First South Farm Credit

First State Bank of the South

First United Methodist Church

First US Bank - Downtown

First US Bank - Taylorville

Fitts Agency

Fitts Industries, Inc.

Five Bar

Five Horizons Health Services

FIVE JAVA

Flatwoods Elementary School

Flavaz Seafood & Soul Food Restaurant

Fletcher Supply Company

Flowers Baking Co. of Tuscaloosa

FOCUS on Senior Citizens of Tuscaloosa

County, Inc.

Forest Manor Nursing Home

Foster Farms

Fowler's Heating and Cooling

Framed by the Square

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Fresh Coat Painters of Tuscaloosa

Frigid Appliance

Frontier Enterprises, LLC

FRSTeam

Frutta Bowls

Full Moon BBQ

Fun Factory Bouncing Parties

Funding Solutions, Inc.

GAF

Gallettes

Gampy's Inc.

Gatewood Retail Real Estate

Gene T. Moore, Attorney at Law, P.C.

General Safety Consulting LLC

Generations Primary Care, LLC

Gilda's Salon & Day Spa

Good Samaritan Clinic

Gourmade Kitchen, LLC

Gracefully Done

Grading Above Landscaping

Granger, Thagard & Associates

Greasy Hands Barbershop

Great American Cookie

Greek Resource Services, LLC

Green Acres Landscape Service, LLC

Greyhound Bus Lines Inc.

Greystone Inn & Suites

Grifols Plasma

GRO Marketing

Gulf Supreme of Central Alabama

H&R Block

H. A. Edwards, Inc.

Habitat for Humanity of Tuscaloosa

Half Shell Oyster House

Hall-Taylor Construction, Inc.

Hamner Real Estate, Inc.

Hampton Inn East Tuscaloosa / I 59-20

Hampton Inn University

Harbin & Stough

Harrison Construction Company, Inc

Harrison Galleries, LLC

Harry's Bar

Hart Insurance Group, Inc.

Harvest Select

Hawthorne Global Aviation Services

Hayes Ingram LLC

Healing Communities Foundation, Inc.

Healing The World With The Word Ministries

Hearing Construction, LLC

Heat Pizza Bar, LLC

Heritage Chapel Funeral Home

Heritage House Coffee & Tea

Hero BX Alabama LLC

HFS Holdings LLC

HI Title, LLC

Hicks Taxidermy

High Socks For Hope, Inc.

Hillcrest High School

Hillcrest Middle School

Hilton Garden Inn

Holiday Inn Express - University

Holman Land Company, L.L.C.

Holt Elementary School

Holt High School

Holy Spirit Catholic School

Home Builders Association of Tuscaloosa

Home Depot - Store 0877

Home Instead Senior Care

Home2 Suites - Tuscaloosa

HomeVestors

Honey Baked Ham

Horton Outdoor

Horton's Garage & Body Shop Recker Service, Inc.

Hospice of West Alabama

Hotel & Restaurant Supply

Hotel Capstone

Hotel Indigo Tuscaloosa Downtown

Hotworx Tuscaloosa

Houndstooth Sports Bar

Houston Hydra-Steam

Houston Pearce

Hua Agency LLC; Farmers Insurance

Hub On Campus Tuscaloosa

Hubbard, McIlwain & Brakefield, P.C.

Hudson - Poole Fine Jewelers

Hull, R. F. & Associates, Inc.

Hulsey & Associates. Insurance & Financial Services,Inc.

Humphries Heating and Cooling, LLC

Hunt Refining Company

Huntington Place Elementary

Hydralive Therapy

Hyperion Inc

I Cell Mobile

ICS-(Industrial Coatings & Services, LLC)

iHeartMedia Tuscaloosa - 98TXT, 941ZBQ, Talk Radio 105.9 WRTR, 969MYfm

IK Hofmann USA

IKAROS, LLC

Indian Hills Country Club

Indian Rivers Behavioral Health

Industrial Warehouse Services Inc.

Ingram Farms Fruit & Vegetable Market

Inline Electric Supply Co.

Innisfree Irish Pub

Inventure Renewables, Inc.

THANK YOU, MEMBERS!

Iron Tribe

Ivory Dynasty by Collodge

Ivy House Boutique

J & J Flooring

J & J Telephone, Inc.

J & S Bartending LLC

J. Jill

Jackie of All Trades

Jackson Lawn Service

Jackson Security Services, Inc.

Jalapenos Mexican Grill

JamisonMoneyFarmer PC

Jason Griffin Allstate

JCG Apparel

Jemison Van de Graaff Mansion Foundation, Inc.

Jim 'N Nick's BBQ

Jim Zeigler

Jimmy Hall Plumbing Co., Inc.

Jimmy John's

JNJ Apparel, LLC

Joe Hudson's Collison Center

Joel Goldstein - Merrill Lynch

John Merrill

John Plott Company, Inc.

John Wayne Plumbing

Johnson's Gardens, Gifts & Interiors

Jolly Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

Jones Accounting Services

Jones Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing

Jones Properties, LLC

Jones, Donny

Joshua J. Swords Attorney at Law

JPMorgan Chase

Juice Bar of Tuscaloosa, LLC

Julio Jones Kia

Junior Achievement

Junior League of Tuscaloosa

Just Chillin' Frozen Treats

Kay Ivey

KDM Service

Kelly Services, Inc.

Kelly Wilkin Floral Creative

Kentuck Museum

Kinematic Sports, LLC

Knapp Law Firm

Knight Sign Industries, Inc.

Krispy Kreme Doughnut Co.

Kristen Amerson Youth Foundation, Inc.

Kyle Fine Stationery

Kyle Office Solutions

L. Donnie Smith & Associates, PC

LA Bikini

La Quinta Inn & Suites

Labor Finders

Lady In Lace

Lake Lurleen State Park

Lake View Elementary

Lamar Advertising Company

Lampadas

Lance Holloway Productions, LLC

Landscape Solutions, Inc.

Landscape Workshop

Lanford, Bill

Lanier Automotive

Latasha Thomas - Powerhouse Realty

Laura K. Gregory PC

Lavender, Inc.

Law Office of Jason C. Neff

Lear Corporation

LeCroy Richardson, PC

Lee & Knowles PC

Left Hand Soap Co.

Legacy Country Club Apartments

Legacy Equipment Rentals

Legacy Risk Advisors

Leigh M. Snodsmith, LLC

Liberty Learning Foundation

Liberty National Life Odell Agency

LifeSouth Community Blood Centers

Lighting Plus

Lloyd Wood Education Center

Local Roots

Lodestar Technology, Inc.

Logo Station

Loosa Brews

Lou and Company

LP Services, LLC

LynCar Events and Designs

M&L Window Cleaning and Floors, LLC

Magnolia Chapel South

Mallory Burkhalter Paving, Inc.

Malone & Nelson, LLC

Manna Grocery & Deli

Marco's Pizza

Mariner Finance, LLC

Marks Mart Tuscaloosa, LLC

Martin & L'Etang, L.L.C.

Martin Eye Care

Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary

School

Martinrea formerly Metalsa Tuscaloosa, Inc.

Mathnasium of Tuscaloosa

Matt Clinton Designs

Matthews Elementary School

Maxwell Elementary School

Maxx Mailing Service

McAbee Construction, Inc.

McDill Photography

McDonald's

McDowell Security Services

McGiffert and Associates, LLC

McKelvey Mechanical, Inc.

McLeod Truck Parts, Inc.

MedCenter Demopolis

MedCenter North

MedCenter NorthRiver

MedCenter South

Mellow Mushroom

Mercedes-Benz of Tuscaloosa

Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc.

Merchant e-Solutions

Merichem Company

Merrill Lynch

Metro Animal Shelter, Inc.

Metro Diner

Michael J. Upton, Attorney at Law

Michael McGuire-State Farm Insurance

Co.

Microtel Inn Cottondale

Miller, Reginald M.

Mills Electric Co., Inc.

Milos Hamburgers

Mobile Communications of America

Mobile Fixture & Equipment Co.

Mobley and Sons

Moe's 69S

Moe's Original BBQ

Monfore Group, Inc.

Moody Radio South

Moore Eye Clinic

Morning Pointe of Tuscaloosa

Morrison & Smith, LLP

Morrow Companies

Moseley Vocational Consulting, LLC

MOSTraining, Incorporated

Moundville Telephone Company

Mountain & Mountain

Mountain High Outfitters

Murphy USA

Murphy USA - Northport

Myerco Holding Co., LLC (Myerco Properties)

MyEyeDr.

Myrtlewood Elementary School

Nancy Taylor Day Spa & Salon

Nece Floral Designs

Neel-Schaffer, Inc.

NHS Management, LLC

No Limits Fitness Center

Nocturnal Tavern

Norris Limb and Brace

North American On-Site

North River Church

North River Technology

North River Therapy

North River Village

Northport Alumni Chapter of Kappa

Alpha Psi, Inc.

Northport Auto Supply Co., Inc.

Northport Community Finance

Northport Electrical Supply Co., Inc.

Northport Elementary School

Northport Funeral & Cremation Service

Northport Gazette

Northport Lions Club

Northport Medical Center

Northport Nutrition, LLC

Northport Power Equipment

Northport Urgent Care & Laser Skin

Center

Northport Vision Center, LLC

NorthRidge Fitness

Northridge High School

Northridge Middle School

NorthRiver Yacht Club

Northside High School

Northside Middle School

Northstar Paramedic Services

Northwest Supply Co., Inc.

Northwestern Mutual

Nothing Bundt Cakes

Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa, Inc.

Nu-FloorsToGo

Oakdale Elementary School

Office Depot (Northport)

Office Depot (Tuscaloosa)

On Time Fashions

One Source Office Products

ONIN Staffing

Orange Theory Fitness Tuscaloosa

Overflow Express Wash

OZ Music

P&C Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc

Palmer Clothing

Panamerican Consultants, Inc.

Pants Store

Paragon HM Wealth Management at

Morgan Stanley

Parents Resource Institute for Drug Education (PRIDE) of Tuscaloosa (non-profit)

Park Moving and Storage

Park Supply Company, Inc.

Parker Towing Company

Parrish & Associates, Inc.

Party On

Pathway Financial Resources

Pat's Florist & Gourmet Baskets, Inc.

Paul Adams Allstate Agency

Paul R. Jones Museum

Paul W. Bryant High School

Pause; Boutique

Payscape

Peach Outdoor

Peach Pit Bar & Grill

Pearson, Charles

Peco Foods, Inc.

PELA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.

Penny Profit Cleaners

People Optimum Consulting, LLC

Perfect Shine, Inc.

Perkins Cabinet Shop & Building Supply, Inc.

Personnel Staffing, Inc.

Peterbrooke Chocolatier

Phelps, Jenkins, Gibson & Fowler, L.L.P.

Phelps, Mary Ann

Phifer Incorporated

PhroPro Art and Design

Piggly Wiggly

Pilot Club of Tuscaloosa

Pine Valley Retirement Community

Pinnacle Construction

Pinnacle Physician Group

Pioneer Auto Sales

Pitts Automotive Repair

Planet Fitness Midtown

Planet Fitness Skyland

Plaster, Scarvey and Shumaker of Ameriprise Financial

PNC

Poly, Inc.

Pool & Patio Center

Porter-Higginbotham Engineering, Inc.

Powell Insurance Group

Powell Petroleum

Power & Rubber Supply, Inc.

PRE Event Resources | Tailgate Guys

Precision RES, LLC

Preferred Precision Group LLC

Premier Service Company, Inc.

Premier Springwater Distributing, Inc.

Premium Source Consultants Inc

Prestige Alarm

Prestige Pools, Inc.

Price Civil Services, Inc.

Price Construction Company, Inc.

Pride Court Apartments Tuscaloosa

PrideStaff

Prime Lifestyle Magazine

PrintWorks on Main

Pritchett-Moore Insurance, Inc.

Pritchett-Moore Real Estate

Progressive Properties, PLLC

ProMedia, LLC

Pure Barre Tuscaloosa

Purify U Pwrgoose

Qualified

Quinney's Heating & Cooling LLC

R & R Cigars

R&R Tax and Business Solutions, LLC

R. Davidson Chop House

R.L. Delivery Solutions Corporation

Raised On Country Burgers & Grill

Rama Jama's

Ramada Inn

Randall - Reilly

Rare Transportation

Raymond James & Associates

RE/MAX Premiere Group

RE101

Realty South Recess 4 Rover

Red Lobster Restaurant

Red Oak Credit Union

Redpoint Audio

RedShift

Regency Retirement Village

Reggae Flava Regions Bank

Remmert & Company

Renasant Bank

Renea Henson - Keller Williams Tuscaloosa

Residence Inn - Tuscaloosa

Restoration 1 of Tuscaloosa

Retriever Merchant Solutions

Rex Veron Design, LLC

Reynolds, Reynolds & Little, LLC

Rhodes & Rhodes Family Dentistry

Rhubarb's Real Living

Richard Building Company LLC

Richard Shelby

Richlyn Farms

Rick's Quality Transmissions Inc.

Right Track Medical Group

River

River Oaks Health, LLC

River Road Terrace Homeowners Association, Inc.

RiverFall Credit Union

Riverside Family Medicine

Riverview Dental Designs

Riverview Farms, LLC

Riverview Orthodontics

RJ Young

Robert Aderholt

Robert Romaine Concrete Co., Inc.

Robertson Banking

Robertson Banking Company

Robertson BBQ & Catering

Rock Quarry Elementary School

Roebuck Landing Grill & Grocery

Roger Sayers

Rosemarie Caillier, DPM, PC

Rosen Harwood, P.A.

Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

Royal Fine Cleaners

Royal Furniture

RSB Percussion

Rumsey Environmental

Rush Hour Transit, Inc.

Russell S. Lee Flooring America

RWC Construction LLC

Ryan Law, LLC

S & T XpressMart

S T Bunn Construction Co., Inc.

Sabel Steel Service, Inc.

Saddles Blazin, LLC dba Blaze Pizza

Sage Juice Bar & Speakeasy

Salvation Army

Sam Phillips Allstate Agency

Sam's Club

Sanford Restaurant Equipment

Sanico

Sarrell Dental

Schoolyard Roots

Sealy Furniture Company

Sealy Realty

Security Finance

Seed Creative

Sentell Engineering, Inc.

Service Loan & Tax

ServisFirst Bank

Servpro

Session Bar

SHECO

Shelton State Community College

Sherwin Williams

SheSpeaks, Inc.

Shindig, Inc.

Shrimp Basket

ShutterLuxe

Sign Pro of Tuscaloosa, LLC

Simplified Medical Management, LLC

Simply Gwen Day Spa

Sipsey Valley High School

Sipsey Valley Middle School

Sirote & Permutt, P.C.

Skyland Elementary School

Sleep Number

SmartBank

Smile Doctors of Tuscaloosa

Smoke It Up Tabacco

SMP Automotive Alabama

Snap Decisions Catering LLC

Sokol Park Chiropractic

Southeast Design and Build, LLC

Southern Ale House, LLC

Southern Development Council

Southern Dining Resources / A Tavola

Southern Foodservice Management, Inc.

Southern Ionics Incorporated

Southern Shirt Company

Southern Sign Solutions

SouthernCare Inc.

SouthFresh Aquaculture, LLC

Southland Benefit Solutions LLC

Southland Transportation Group

SouthMark Design

South's Finest Meats (Tuscaloosa / Cottondale / Northport)

Southview Elementary School

Spaces Management

Speedy Oil Change, Inc.

Spiffy's Car Wash

Spiller Furniture & Mattress

Spire

Spirits, Inc.

SpringHill Suites Tuscaloosa

Sprint by Absolute Wireless

Sprint Mart

Sprint Mart - Northport

SSAB Wear Solutions, LLC

State Farm Insurance - Ryan Whitson

Agency

State Farm Insurance / Bo Quinnie

State Farm, Tracey Sova

State On Campus Tuscaloosa

Stephanie's Flowers

Steve Richardson & Co., CPA's

Steven Fikes Agency

Stillman College

Storage Sense

StressCrete, Inc.

Stretch Zone Tuscaloosa

Stripes

Sullivan Contracting, Inc.

Summit Cleaning & Restoration, Inc.

Sumter County Alabama Chamber of Commerce

Sunland Logistics Solutions

Sunrise Community of Alabama, Inc.

Sunset Funeral Home

Super Sports Sporting Goods

Swag, LLC

SwimKids, Inc.

SWJ Technology

Sydney Cook & Associates, LLC

Synovus

Synovus Mortgage

SynTerra Corporation

T & T Fine Homes LLC

T Town Crab

T.E. Lott & Co., CPA

T.S. Police Support League, Inc.

Taco Casa, Inc.

Taco Mama

TALA Professional Services

Tall Pines Golf Club @ Woodland Forrest

Talladega National Forest

Tamko Building Products, Inc.

Tankr

Tanner & Guin

Taylor Electrical Contractors

Taylorville Primary School

Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe

TCC Acquisition Partners, LLC

TCU Agency

Temporary Emergency Services

Terri Sewell

Texas Roadhouse

The Alberta School of Performing Arts

The American Cancer Society

The Arc of Tuscaloosa

The Avenue Pub

The Baked Bear

The Bear Trap

The Boozer Agency

The Builders Group

The Capitol School

The Charm District

The Copper Top

The Core

The District Room

The Eaton Clinic

The Frazer Lanier Company, Inc.

The Fresh Market

The Grand Event Design and Decor

The Greens at Tuscaloosa

The Grodner Group

The Housing Authority of the City of Northport

The Insurance Center of Tuscaloosa

THE JACK WARNER at North River

The Krystal Company

The Lance Hocutt Financial Group

The Legacy Connection (TLC)

The Lilly Company

The Links at Tuscaloosa

The Literacy Council of West Alabama Foundation

The Locker Room

The Lofts at City Center

The Miracle League of Tuscaloosa

The Mortgage Team

The Next Best Thing

The Nine Agency

The Nook

The Paint Technician, LLC

The Pottery Grill

The Radiology Clinic

The Recovery Room

The Reserve At North River

The Retreat at Lake Tamaha

The Rustic Rehab

The Scotts Company

The Shirt Shop

The Side by Side

The Smile Design Center

The Tower / Arlington Properties

The Trunk

The Tuscaloosa News

The University Club

The University of Alabama

The University of West Alabama, Office of

Career Services

The UPS Store

The UPS Store #2777

The Warr Group Morgan Stanley

The Westervelt Company

The Whimsy Cookie Company

Theatre Tuscaloosa

TherapySouth

Thompson Tractor Company, Inc.

Thornton Welding and Machine, Inc.

Thurman Wellness

Tiger-Rock Martial Arts-Northport

Tim Killian Construction, Inc.

Timber & Hew Home Restoration, LLC

Tingle X-Ray, LLC

Title Services of Tuscaloosa, Inc.

TMS Counseling LLC

Tom Joiner & Associates

Tommy Beasley Construction

Tools of the Trade Consultant

Top Shelf Tavern

Total Health of Tuscaloosa

TotalCom, Inc.

Toulmin Cabinetry Inc.

Town of Brookwood

Town of Lake View

Town of Vance

Town Square Media WBEI WFFN WTSK

WTUG WDGM

TownePlace Suites by Marriott Tuscaloosa

University

Townsend Group

Traditions Law Group

Transamerica Premier Life Insurance

Transcendent Cleaning Solutions

Travel Creates Memories

Trick Construction LLC

Trinity Cleaning and Restoration, LLC

Truck Supply & Outfitters (TSO Investments, Inc.)

True40 Fitness Studio

Trustmark National Bank & Trustmark Mortgage

TTL, Inc.

TTown Cafe

T-Town Harley-Davidson

T-Town Tickets

Tucker - Massey Marketing

Tuesday Morning

Turner & Schoel, Inc.

Turner Law Group

Turning Point Domestic Violence/Sexual

Assault Services

Tuscaloosa Angels

Tuscaloosa Area Career Center

Tuscaloosa Association of Realtors

Tuscaloosa Barnyard

Tuscaloosa Blueprinting & Reprographics, Inc.

Tuscaloosa By-Pass, LLC

Tuscaloosa Career & Technology Academy

Tuscaloosa Chapter of Credit Unions

Tuscaloosa Charter Bus Company

Tuscaloosa Charter Service LLC

Tuscaloosa Chevrolet, Inc.

Tuscaloosa Children's Theatre

Tuscaloosa City Board of Education

Tuscaloosa Civil Air Patrol

Tuscaloosa Coca-Cola Bottling Company

Tuscaloosa County Board of Education

Tuscaloosa County Commission

Tuscaloosa County Dept. of Human Resources

Tuscaloosa County Farmers Federation

Tuscaloosa County High School

Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority

Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority

Tuscaloosa County Road Improvement Commission (TCRIC)

Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office

Tuscaloosa Drug Company

Tuscaloosa Ear Nose and Throat Center

Tuscaloosa EyeCare

Tuscaloosa Family Dental

Tuscaloosa Farmer's Coop.

Tuscaloosa Flower Shoppe

Tuscaloosa Gynecology

Tuscaloosa Housing Authority

Tuscaloosa Hyundai, Inc.

Tuscaloosa Iron & Metals Co.

Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools - Elementary

Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools - Middle

Tuscaloosa MedSpa, LLC

Tuscaloosa Memorial Park & Chapel

Tuscaloosa Ministerial Alliance

Tuscaloosa Museum of Art

Tuscaloosa Music Hall Management, LLC

dba Druid City Music Hall

Tuscaloosa Office Products

Tuscaloosa Orthopedic & Joint Institute

Tuscaloosa Pediatric Dentistry

Tuscaloosa Police Department

Tuscaloosa Public Library

Tuscaloosa Radio WJRD -WMHZ-92.1 The Possum-96.1 The Blessing

Tuscaloosa Rehabilitation and Hand Center

Tuscaloosa SAFE Center, Inc.

Tuscaloosa Scale Company

Tuscaloosa Surgical Center

Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra

Tuscaloosa Tax Pro & Credit Restoration / Cash Now Loans LLC

Tuscaloosa Tennis Association

Tuscaloosa Title Co., Inc.

Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports

Tuscaloosa Tractor, Inc.

Tuscaloosa Tumblebus

Tuscaloosa's One Place, Inc.

TUSCOM / Tuscaloosa Computer Systems

Tuskaloosa Forestry Services, LLC

Tuskaloosa Internal Medicine, L.L.C.

Twelve25

Two Men and a Truck

U.S. Lawns of Tuscaloosa

UCP - United Cerebral Palsy of West Alabama, Inc.

Ugo Convenience Delivery

UniFirst Corporation

United Way of West Alabama

University Church of Christ

University General Dentistry

University of Alabama System

University Mall

University Place Elementary School

UPerk

Urban Cookhouse

Urgent Care for Children

US Army Corps of Engineers

USI Insurance Services

Utility Management Services, Inc.

Vance Elementary School

VandalsSmile

Vandervoort Family Dentistry, P.C.

Vapors Smoke Shop

Varnon Engineering, LLC

Verizon

Verner Elementary School

Vero Software

Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Vintage Cotton VisualEyes

Vital - School of Social Work - University of Alabama

Vitola Fine Cigars

Volkert, Inc.

Vowell's Cash Saver #28

Vowell's Fresh Market #29

Vowell's Fresh Market #30

Vulcan Materials

Wagner's

Wagner's Run/Walk

Waitr, Inc.

Walker Elementary School

Wal-Mart #0715

WAR Construction, Inc.

Ward Scott Architecture

Warren Tire & Auto Center

Warrior & Associates, Inc.

Warrior Met Coal

Warrior Precision

Warrior Restoration, LLC

Warrior Roofing Manufacturing, Inc.

Warrior Tombigbee Waterway Association

Waste Management - Tuscaloosa

Waste Recycling, Inc.

Watchdog Document Services

Water Works Pool & Spa

Watkins Construction Co., Inc.

Watson & Poole, Attorneys at Law, LLC

Way, Ray, Shelton & Company, P.C. - CPA

Weaver Rentals L.L.C.

Wells Fargo Bank

West Alabama Bank

West Alabama Food Bank, Inc.

West Alabama Pediatrics

West Alabama Regional Commission

West Alabama Wholesale

West Alabama Women's Center

Westlawn Middle School

Westwood Elementary School

Whataburger

Whataburger #2

Whatley Health Services, Inc.

Wheat's Carpet One Flooring & Home

Wheelhouse Sports Pub

Whitaker Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

Whitesky Communications, LLC

Whitworth Real Estate, LLC

WIAT-TV / CBS-42

William Blakeney Building Company, Inc.

Williamson Realty Group

Wing Zone

Wingate by Wyndham

Winter McFarland, LLC

Woodforest National Bank

Woodland Forrest Elementary School

Woods & Water, Inc.

WorkSouth

World of Beer - Tuscaloosa

Worldwide Travel and Tours

WTI TRANSPORT

WVTM Channel 13 Birmingham

WVUA 23

WYCOMP Technology, Inc.

Wyn Fortenberry - Blue Creek Realty

Xerox Business Solutions Southeast

Y M C A's of Tuscaloosa County, Inc.

Yeager & Christian, P.C.

Yellowhammer Fund

Yellowhammer Roofing, Inc.

YNOT Images

Yorktown Commons Apartments

Your CBD Store

Your Way Furniture, Inc.

Youth For Christ

Zee's Doner Kebab

Zeta Phi Beta / Pi Tau Zeta Chapter

ZF Chassis Systems, LLC

LEADING THE WAY

NEXT LEVEL INITIATIVE INVESTORS

GAME CHANGERS

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE

CEO COUNCIL BFGoodrich Tire Manufacturing | Cardiology Consultants, P.C. | Harrison Construction Company, Inc. | Hunt Refining Company | JamisonMoneyFarmer PC | Knight Sign Industries, Inc. | Miers Pass Philanthropy | Shelton State Community College | Synovus | The University of Alabama College of Arts and Sciences

INVESTOR LEADERS Adams Beverages | Alabama Credit Union | AT&T | Barge Design Solutions, Inc. | Cintas | Industrial Warehous Service Inc. | John Plott Company Inc. | McGiffert and Associates, LLC | Paragon HM Wealth Management | Parker Towing Company | Pritchett-Moore, Inc. | Spire, Inc. | The Onin Group | The Westervelt Company | Thompson Tractor Company, Inc. | TTL, Inc. | Tuscaloosa Coca-Cola Bottling Company | ZF Chassis Systems, LLC

GROWTH PARTNERS BelFlex Staffing Network | Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama | Buffalo Rock Company/Pepsi-Cola | Burk-Kleinpeter, Inc. | Community Service Programs of West Alabama, Inc. | DT Freight, LLC | Ellis Architects, Inc. | Fitts Agency | Harrison Galleries, LLC | Hotel Indigo| Jalapenos Mexican Grill | Lear Corporation | Northport Auto Supply Co., Inc. | Plaster, Scarvey & Shumaker of Ameriprise Financial | The Radiology Clinic | Robertson Banking Company | The Builders Group of West Alabama, LLC | The Lance Hocutt Financial Group | The Legacy Connection (TLC) | University of Alabama System | Ward Scott Architecture | Way, Ray, Shelton & Company, PC-CPA

COMMUNITY COLLEAGUES ARD Logistics-Alabama, LLC | Bama Concrete Products Co., Inc. | BankFirst | BBVA | Cadence Bank, N.A. | Chick-fil-A of Northport | Echols, Taylor & Associates, P.C. | Hampton Inn University | Kyle Office Solutions | The Locker Room | Metalsa Tuscaloosa, Inc. | Raymond James | Remmert Company | Renasant Bank | SmartBank | Spiller Furniture & Mattress | TotalCom, Inc. | Winter McFarland

Join the friendly neighbors whose priority is to help you reach your goals.

Digital, anywhere convenience and friendly in-person service at 31 area branches including 10 locations

Federally Insured by NCUA.

in Tuscaloosa.