Vestavia Voice February 2026

New blood at city hall

By JON ANDERSON

The city of Vestavia Hills recently said goodbye to two key city officials with the retirements of Finance Director Melvin Turner and City Clerk Rebecca Leavings. But the city didn’t have to go far to find their replacements — choosing to stay in house with people who essentially have been in training to follow in the footsteps of the two longtime leaders. Zach Clifton, who has been Vestavia’s deputy finance director for the past four years, was selected to follow Turner, and Umang Patel, the city’s court director, has been tapped to take on city clerk responsibilities with a new title of director of administration and innovation.

By JON ANDERSON

Vestavia Hills officials are moving forward with plans for new capital projects in Liberty Park, but there still is some debate about whether the city needs a $9 million library facility there.

The previous city council had preliminary plans for a 12,000-square-foot library facility at the Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex. The projected cost is $9 million, with at least $2 million of that coming through outside fundraising. But new Councilwoman Ali Pilcher has questioned whether that’s the most important need in the city right now.

“When we campaigned, you heard a lot of people talking about stormwater drainage. You heard a lot of people talking about girls sports facilities,” Pilcher said.

People have touted a Liberty Park library as something that people in Cahaba Heights would use, too, but the current Library in the Forest actually is closer to Cahaba Heights than the proposed site for a new library facility at Sicard Hollow, Pilcher said. She questioned spending that much money on a library facility that will only benefit one community.

The skilled professionals at Advanced Turf Care in Birmingham – a full-service lawn care company that is celebrating its 15th anniversary – deliver expert service to homeowners with a friendly, personal touch.

“We give individualized attention to our customers the big companies can’t,” owner Grant Gardner says.

Advanced Turf Care is a division of Gardner Landscaping, which has provided top-quality service to the Birmingham area for 20 years.

Grant created Advanced Turf Care because he saw the need to offer a specialized service focused on fertilization, weed control and turf and shrub health.

“Not only that, but the expert technicians we use are assigned only to these specialized services,” Grant said. “That’s all they do.”

The Advanced Turf Care employees are “some of the best in the business,” Grant says, with

knowledge, experience, attention to detail and a passion for customer service.

Homeowners shouldn’t settle for second best with a lawn service that offers “a cheap price but not a lawn you’re proud of,” Grant says.

For example, some providers “use cheap fertilizer that gives your lawn an initial green but doesn’t properly nourish it,” he says.

Advanced Turf Care uses premium products, such as high-

quality, time-release granular fertilizers that keep grass healthy all season and require no water after application.

Advanced Turf Care also attacks your weed problem with liquid pre-emergents that also don’t require watering after treatments.

The company also takes care of your shrubs and trees, which need fertilization and pest protection. Losing a tree or shrub can be a big loss and change the whole look of your landscaping, so let us protect

your investment.

Homeowners spend lots of money to create luscious green lawns that increase the value and curb appeal of their homes. Grant and his team want homeowners to maximize these investments and get the beautiful yards they deserve.

The spring is a great time to have the Advanced Turf Care experts begin caring for your lawn, and there’s plenty they can do to nourish and maintain it.

Grant and his experts can aerate compacted soil, test soil pH, fertilize, overseed bare spots and begin mowing and watering to promote a green, healthy lawn.

Advanced Turf Care is also there for its customers over the long haul.

“Give us time to make your lawn truly healthy,” Grant says.

Call 205-305-7949 or go to www.advancedturfcarellc.com to learn more.

Safe communities. Strong schools. A future worth fighting for.

Strong schools and safe neighborhoods are the foundation of a thriving community. My wife, Candi, and I have been married for more than 23 years, and we raised our two children right here in Vestavia. We know what makes this community special — and how to make it even better.

As a federal prosecutor for nearly 20 years, public safety isn’t a slogan for me. I’ve worked side by side with law enforcement to protect victims, hold criminals accountable, and build safer communities. In Montgomery, I’ll fight for laws that keep families safe and give officers the tools they need to do their jobs.

As a parent and youth sports coach, I’ve seen firsthand what makes our schools great: dedicated teachers, coaches, and staff who invest in our kids every day. I’ll work to ensure our schools have the support they need so students can learn, teachers are respected, and excellence remains the standard.

I’ve also worked in the private sector, so I understand what businesses face. We need a state government that strengthens our infrastructure, invites employers to bring new opportunities to our communities, and helps our existing businesses grow and expand.

I’ll fight for a future where families feel safe in their neighborhoods, our schools stay strong, and our kids can build their lives and careers right here.

To learn more about Lloyd’s campaign, please scan the QR code or visit

lloydforalabama.com

Editor’s Note By Jon Anderson

Vestavia Hills is losing a wealth of experience with the retirement of City Clerk Rebecca Leavings and Finance Director Melvin Turner, both of whom have served the city for decades.

But city officials have been preparing for this day by training people to pick up where Leavings and Turner leave off. Umang Patel has learned the ropes as a backup city clerk for Leavings, and Zach Clifton, who has been deputy finance director for four years, has been picking up tricks of the trade from Turner.

positions to help guide the city in the next phase of its journey.

Also in this edition, we tell you about new Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce Chairman

Taylor Burton, Cahaba Heights Crossfit enthusiast Jacki Rodgers, Karen’s Hallmark Shop owner Karen Burgess and Vestavia Hills High School student Kaidyn Rogers. Happy reading!

I hope you enjoy reading our cover story about these two individuals who are stepping into new leadership

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City to pay $1.5 million for road paving in 2026

By JON ANDERSON

The city of Vestavia Hills plans to spend $1.5 million to pave about 8 miles of roads in the city in 2026.

Dunn Construction Co. was the low bidder for the paving project for this year and the next two years. The $1.5 million bid is also good for 2027 and 2028, City Engineer Ethan Fisher said.

Most of the roads paved in 2025 were in the Tyler Road and Cahaba Heights areas. This year, most of the roads to be paved are in the areas around U.S. 31, Vestavia Country Club, Rocky Ridge Road and Dolly Ridge Road.

Specifically, the roads are:

► Green Glen Road (.19 miles)

► Vesthaven Way (.34 miles)

► Vesthaven Circle (.05 miles)

► Forest View Lane (.23 miles)

► Vesclub Drive (.86 miles)

► Vesclub Lane (.12 miles)

► Vesclub Circle (.65 miles)

► Beaumont Drive (.55 miles)

By STAFF

Old Looney Mill Road, near Patchwork Farms, will be closed for several months, which began on Jan. 12, for a Jefferson County bridge replacement project.

► Beaumont Circle (.55 miles)

► Cherry Tree Lane (.2 miles)

► Yelton Lane (.05 miles)

► Countrywood Lane (.48 miles)

► Old Oak Circle (.07 miles)

► Old Oak Lane (.29 miles)

► Timberline Way (.43 miles)

► Canterbury Circle (.08 miles)

► Wren Road (.18 miles)

► River Ridge Road (.21 miles)

► Gresham Drive (.25 miles)

► Magnolia Ridge (.45 miles)

► Countrybrook Lane (.39 miles)

► Vestavia Forest Place (.48 miles)

► Lincoya Drive (.26 miles)

► Montclaire Lane (.21 miles)

► Weldon Lane (.04 miles)

► Liberty Parkway (.86 miles from Overton Road to Urban Center Drive)

A third-party consultant was brought in to evaluate the current state of roads to help determine the greatest need for repaving, Fisher said. However, priority was also given to roads with

higher amounts of traffic, he said. The roads will be divided into groups, with the first group likely being paved in the spring,

Drivers should follow posted detour routes along Five Oaks Lane and Caldwell Mill Road to get around the area. Additionally, the Altadena Park Trail will be temporarily closed at the Old Looney Mill Road crossing near the construction site. Jefferson County recently reopened a portion of Caldwell Mill Road that had been closed since September for a similar bridge replacement on Caldwell Mill.

I hope that everyone had a happy New Year, and I wish you a healthy and prosperous 2026.

Mayor’s Minute

By Ashley Curry

There is much to be excited about this coming year. Construction is continuing on several projects that we should complete this year. First, the widening and sidewalk addition of Massey Road should be finished by the summer of this year. My recent inspection revealed that the “high wall” addition on the east side is coming along. This project, which has taken longer than we anticipated, is coming to fruition.

The pedestrian bridge connecting the library and Wald Park should be completed this spring.

We are awaiting the elevator installation in order to complete this project.

I look forward to the construction of our Veterans Memorial at Altadena Valley Park. The city council recently approved the construction contract for this project, and we should see that project get underway in the next few months. Infrastructure issues such as road paving will continue this year. In fact, at the Jan. 6 meeting, the Vestavia Hills City Council approved an increase in spending to pave about eight miles of roads in the city in 2026.

I would also like to share some “state-of-thecity” topics with you. First and foremost, our city

is in good financial standing. Sales tax revenue for 2025 showed an increase of 6.7% — well ahead of what was projected for the year. Our ad valorem tax revenues were also ahead of projections. Our city has been rated AAA by both Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings.

We are one of a few cities in Alabama that have an AAA by these rating services.

Our public safety departments are operating exceptionally well. Our police department is doing well, as evidenced by the low crime rate within our city. Our fire department has an Insurance Services Office 1 rating, which places us in the top 4% nationwide. Both of these departments receive high marks from the annual citizen survey.

The Exceptional Foundation’s Chili CookOff, a long-time Birmingham tradition, is relocating to The Urban Center at Liberty Park in Vestavia Hills for its 22nd year. The event, scheduled for March 7, could be one of the most-attended events in our city with a projected 15,000 attendees. Come out and enjoy all-you-can-eat chili, live music and friendly competition, all in support of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

All in all, Vestavia Hills has a promising year ahead.

Vestavia students celebrate character, philanthropy, service

By APRIL COFFEY

Throughout the fall, students and staff across Vestavia Hills City Schools have lived out “The Vestavia Way” by focusing on character, service and philanthropy.

Here are examples of community service by students:

► Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights: Students collected shoes and partnered with the Grace Klein nonprofit to host canned food drives, and fifth graders had weekly lunches with senior citizens at the New Merkel House.

► Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge: The Peer Helpers educated peers about cystic fibrosis, explained plans to support students experiencing extended hospital stays by creating hospital kits and planned for roses to be distributed at a cystic fibrosis walk in May.

Students also assembled snack bags for students at Center Point Elementary School.

► Vestavia Hills Elementary East: The school raised money through its annual Color Run, donating $3,000 to Neighbor9, a nonprofit founded by school alumni, and collected Christmas gifts for children and senior citizens in Birmingham’s Smithfield neighborhood, as well as books, blankets and food. Several classes also bought Christmas gifts for children through a Christmas Angel program.

► Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park: Students collected warm clothing items for people in need, held a canned food drive, volunteered with FeedBHM, visited the humane society to support animal welfare and sang Christmas carols at the Kirkwood by the River retirement community.

► Vestavia Hills Elementary West: Students donated 2,463 items during a canned

TAX CREDIT

food drive and delivered vegetables from the school garden to a local food bank.

► Liberty Park Middle School: Students raised more than $8,700 for Make-A-Wish Alabama.

► Pizitz Middle School: Students participated in philanthropy efforts with Libby’s Friends, the Miracle League, Post Place, Unless U, Urban Ministries, Love in Action, Bundles of Hope Diaper Bank, Grace Klein, Glenwood Farms, Alabama Wildlife Center and Morningside retirement community.

► Vestavia Hills High School Freshman Campus: Students held a canned food drive and collected socks for senior citizens.

► Vestavia Hills High School: Students hosted fundraisers for the Lovelady Center, collected more than 15,000 cans of food for Vestavia Hills Methodist Church and Love In Action, collected stuffed animals for the

Amelia Center at Children’s Hospital, volunteered at Fiesta Birmingham for Hispanic Heritage Month, packed healthy food boxes for families in need in partnership with Mercy Deliverance Ministries, created holiday cards for Amedisys Hospice Care patients, decorated cookies and played carpet golf with seniors at the Morningside retirement community, raked yards for elderly people, volunteered with the Special Olympics, ran the Vestavia Hills Parks and Leisure Services basketball league for kindergarten through second grade, volunteered at baseball camps for underprivileged inner-city youth, supported the Miracle League, helped set up 1,300 holiday distribution boxes for the Salvation Army through YouthServe, played bingo with Veterans Administration Hospital patients, and decorated Christmas trees, sang Christmas carols, and created Christmas and encouragement cards for the Hope Lodge.

GET TO KNOW

Vestavia Hills High School sophomore Kaidyn Rodgers

By APRIL COFFEY

Q: Please tell our readers about yourself.

A: I am 16 years old. I play club volleyball at United. I’ve been playing for six years and absolutely love it. I love hanging out with my friends and going shopping.

Q: What extracurricular activities do you participate in at VHHS?

A: At VHHS, I’m in a club called Rebel Up outreach. It is such a fun club where we hang out with kids with disabilities; everyone is so sweet and loving that they all become our best friends. We always have fun little parties to go to for holidays. … It’s such a fun time to hang out with everyone and get to know each and every one of them.

Kaidyn Rodgers

Q: Who is your role model and why?

A: My role model is my dad. He shows what it means to be dedicated and a hard worker. He’s always there for me and my siblings and shows up no matter what. I look up to him for everything.

Q: What is something that most people do not know about you?

A: I would say most people don’t know that I’m a Michigan fan, which is pretty odd to be down here in the South. The majority of my family is from Michigan, so I have always grown up being one.

Q: What advice would you give students

who are new to VHHS?

A: Be kind to everyone. You truly never know what anyone’s going through, and you don’t want to be the person to make their day worse. I would also say to get involved with the school by doing a club, sport, choir, band — literally anything. Everyone is so welcoming, so you wouldn’t regret it.

Q: What are your plans for after high school?

A: After high school, I want to attend college at Auburn University. I want to either be a special education teacher or an event planner like my dad.

Business Buzz

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

NOW OPEN

Sam Dinka, the owner of the Napoli Italian Restaurant & Pizza in the Rocky Ridge community, on Dec. 3 opened a second Italian restaurant in Vestavia Hills called Caffe Di Roma in The Bray at Liberty Park. Caffe Di Roma is in a 1,200-square-foot space formerly occupied by Papa Murphy’s Pizza. The restaurant serves pizza, 12-15 pasta dishes, chicken dishes and salads. 205-238-5230

NEW OWNERSHIP

Jackson Thornton, a Montgomery-based certified public accounting and consulting firm, recently acquired the Jackson, Howard & Whatley CPA firm in Vestavia Hills at 729 Chestnut St., Suite 100. The acquisition will offer JHW’s clients an expanded depth of services. JHW was founded in 1978 by Mike Jackson, Judy Howard and Tim Whatley and serves clients throughout the Birmingham area. Jackson Thornton was founded in 1919, has consistently appeared on Accounting Today’s “Beyond the Top 100” list, was named a Top 200 Firm by Inside Public Accounting and was named one of USA Today’s 2025 Best Tax & Accounting Firms. The firm ranked fifth on Business Alabama’s 2025 Top Rank listing of Alabama’s largest accounting firms and was named a “Best Company to Work For” by Business Alabama in 2023. Jackson Thornton now has six offices with more than 200 professionals and associates. Others are in Montgomery, Auburn, Dothan, Prattville and Wetumpka. In addition to accounting services, the firm offers wealth management, strategic planning, outsourced CFO and business consulting services, technology consulting and specialized industry services. jacksonthornton.com, 205-822-2352

NEWS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

AmFirst was named the 2025 Wells Fargo Outstanding Corporate Citizen by the Alabama chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. The credit union was nominated by United Way of Central Alabama. In 2025, AmFirst and its employees contributed nearly $388,000 to United Way agencies across five Alabama regions, supporting services in central Alabama, Cullman County, north Talladega County, east central Alabama and southwest Alabama. Beyond financial contributions, AmFirst employees dedicated more than 1,800 volunteer hours to local nonprofits, participated in more than 1,000 community events and led several initiatives in 2025, including collecting more than 1,500 books for children, providing more than 55,000 meals to people in need, donating $1,000 to combat food insecurity in Mobile, awarding six $5,000 scholarships for

students and raising $40,000 for each of four nonprofits (The WellHouse, Garrett’s Place, United Way Priority Veteran and Better Basics). amfirst.org, 205-823-3985 or 205-995-0001

Fifth Third Bank, based in Cincinnati, applied on Dec. 11 with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to establish a bank branch at 3010 Healthy Way near the Patchwork Farms development. Fifth Third Bank also has plans for a 1,900-square-foot bank branch on an outparcel of the Publix shopping center in Liberty Park at 3178 Rush St., with a target opening date of the second half of this year, a spokeswoman for the bank said. On Jan. 5, the bank also received approval for a branch at 6602 Tattersall Lane in Hoover off Alabama 119 near Greystone. 53.com/Alabama

Napoli Italian Restaurant & Pizza at 2516 Rocky Ridge Road is planning to reopen in the first week of February after being closed during January due to staffing shortages, owner Sam Rinka said. napoliitalianrestaurantpizza.com, 205-326-7478

Do you have news to share about a business in Vestavia Hills or the greater Birmingham area? Let us know at starnesmedia.com/business-happenings

Vestavia Voice is spotlighting local businesses in print and online. Submit your business for consideration here: go.starnesmedia.com/business-spotlight

currently chairwoman of AmFirst’s supervisory committee and has served on the committee since 2023. In addition, she previously served as an associate member of the board of directors. Credit union members will vote on appointments to the board of directors at AmFirst’s annual meeting on April 21.

PERSONNEL

Royal Automotive recently celebrated the career of longtime employee Bill Bradshaw, who retired at age 86 after serving for decades at the dealership at the corner of Interstate 65, U.S. 31 and Columbiana Road.

AmFirst, which has a branch in Vestavia Hills at 1112 Montgomery Highway, has two people nominated to serve on the board of directors for the next three years. Ross Mitchell, the current chairman of the board, is up for reappointment. Mitchell is the senior director of government affairs and public policy for Baptist Health. He served on AmFirst’s board from 2015 to 2021 and has served again since 2023. Mitchell previously served with Tenet Healthcare as vice president of external and governmental affairs for Brookwood Baptist Health in Alabama and as director of governmental relations in Tennessee. Prior to joining Brookwood Baptist in 2004, he led UAB’s marketing group and worked for several local advertising and public relations agencies after spending five years in Chicago at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Also, Diana Knight has been nominated to fill a board seat currently occupied by Katie Voss, whose term is expiring after two consecutive three-year terms. Knight is a founding and managing member of Sovereign CPA Group in Hoover. Prior to the founding of Sovereign, she was a partner at a Birmingham public accounting firm, which she joined in 1986 after four years with the examination division of the Internal Revenue Service. She is

The Dermatology and Skin Care Center of Birmingham at 2470 Rocky Ridge Road recently welcomed Dr. Elizabeth Chase and certified registered nurse practitioner Hannah George to the practice. Chase, a Jackson, Mississippi, native, earned her undergraduate degree in art and biology from the University of Mississippi, graduated with Phi Beta Kappa honors and was inducted into the Ole Miss Hall of Fame. She completed medical school at the University of Mississippi with honors, followed by a dermatology residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center, where she served as chief surgical resident. She then completed a Mohs micrographic surgery and dermatologic oncology fellowship at Geisinger Medical Center — one of the largest Mohs training programs in the country. Since 2016, Chase has performed thousands of Mohs surgeries and provides comprehensive procedural dermatology care. Board certified in both dermatology and Mohs surgery, she is also a fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery, representing the highest level of training in the field. Previously clinical faculty at the University of Texas San Antonio, Chase has authored numerous publications, presented at national meetings, and mentored medical students and residents. George is a board-certified nurse practitioner with extensive experience in medical dermatology. She earned her master’s degree in nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2017 and has been caring for patients with a wide range of skin conditions ever since. After completing her graduate studies, George moved to Houston, Texas, where she practiced in a dermatology clinic for five years. During this time, she developed a strong passion for treating acne, psoriasis and other chronic skin conditions, as well as performing thorough full-body skin examinations to promote early detection and prevention of skin cancers. bhamdermatology.com, 205-978-3336

ANNIVERSARIES

Karen’s Hallmark Shop owner Karen Burgess

By JORDYN DAVIS

Q: How long have you owned Karen’s Hallmark Shop in Vestavia?

A: I have been the owner of Karen’s Hallmark in Vestavia Hills since 1996. I have been a Hallmark retailer since 1989.

Q: What is the most rewarding part about owning this Hallmark shop in Vestavia Hills?

A: The most rewarding part about owning this shop has been the friendships I have made through the years.

Q: What is something customers particularly enjoy at your shop? Why do you think

they love this item so much?

A: People love to come to the Hallmark shop … to look and shop for the Hallmark keepsake ornaments. Families have family traditions and memories attached to them, and it is nice to be a small part of helping them each year. I hear every day that “people don’t send cards anymore.” That is the main thing we sell! People still want to make a personal connection to loved ones.

Q: What makes you proud to own this shop?

A: I’m proud to have been a part of the Vestavia community. It’s a great place to be!

SPOTLIGHT

Longtime Vestavia staple The Ridge Eat & Drink offers comfort, community

By JORDYN DAVIS

Back in 2011, Dave Horn had a vision. Opening Mudtown Eat & Drink in Cahaba Heights in 2005 had proven to be successful, so Horn purchased a space in Rocky Ridge, looking for another opportunity to bring families together in Vestavia Hills.

In August of 2011, he opened The Ridge Eat & Drink.

Known for its variety of hot dogs and burgers, The Ridge offers everything from flank steak salads to junkyard hotdogs — a combination of sauerkraut, relish, grilled onion, pimento cheese, jalepeño bacon and mustard. It also serves a variety of pasta dishes, meats and sides.

According to General Manager Saeed Algahtany, people don’t just come for the food; they come to build connections and enjoy a welcoming environment that hits close to home.

“We think what makes The Ridge unique to Vestavia is the neighborhood/family atmosphere of the place,” Algahtany said. “It’s the kind of spot you go to relax and unwind after a day’s work and where there really aren’t a whole lot of strangers.”

“The Vestavia community is a very strong and close group of people, and so we are very honored they have accepted us into the neighborhood the way that they have,” Algahtany said. “The goal is to always make The Ridge be ‘your’ restaurant and home away from home.”

The Ridge Eat & Drink is at 3325 Rocky Ridge Plaza, open Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

BUSINESS

Home builder Taylor Burton takes lead for Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce

By JON ANDERSON

The Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce has a home builder as its chairman of the board for 2026.

Taylor Burton, who has been in the home building business for more than 40 years, was inducted to lead the Vestavia chamber during the group’s monthly luncheon in January. He took the baton from Keri Bates, owner of Rocky Ridge Drug Company.

“I’m truly honored to stand before you as your new chairman of the Vestavia Chamber of Commerce,” Burton told chamber members. “Serving in this role is both humbling and exciting, and I’m thankful for the trust that you’ve placed in me.”

Burton said his involvement with home building organizations has taught him the value of advocacy, leadership and showing up for your industry. He’s thankful that fellow chamber members Scott Perry and Roger Steur asked him to get involved in the chamber, he said.

“Saying ‘Yes’ to the chamber turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made,” Burton said. “Once I became involved, I saw how powerful this organization is — not just for one industry but for the entire business community.

“I’ve seen how our chamber connects people, supports growth and creates opportunities that simply don’t happen on their own,” he said. “The impact is so significant that it helped lead me to move my business from another city to Vestavia Hills.”

His goal as the new chairman of the board is simple, he said.

“It’s to build on the success of supporting our businesses, strengthening our community and ensuring that Vestavia Hills remains a place where businesses can grow,” Burton said. “In today’s marketplace where companies like Amazon are here to stay, small businesses face

new challenges, and I’m excited to further the chamber’s efforts to help them compete and succeed.”

In the past, Burton has served as president of the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders and Home Builders Association of Alabama and been on many committees with the National Association of Home Builders.

He also grew up in Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, has been a deacon in his church, has been involved in Leadership Vestavia Hills and has coached youth baseball in the city. He is currently relocating his company from Lorna Road in Hoover to property on Rocky Ridge Road in Vestavia Hills.

Here is the full 2026 board of directors for the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce:

► Chairman: Taylor Burton, Taylor Burton Company

► Chairwoman Elect: Christina Babineaux, IRA Innovations

► Vice Chairwoman, Membership Development: Kelly Atchison, Two Men and a Truck

► Vice Chairwoman, Business Development: Katherine McRee, The Lili Pad and Gigi’s

► Vice Chairman, Community Affairs: Bob Barker, Big Color

► Vice Chairman, Programming: Andrew Burke, The BOSS Company

► Vice Chairwoman, Public Education: Ashley Moss, Village Dermatology

► Treasurer: Roger Jackson, Jackson Thornton

► Secretary/Legal Counsel: Mark Macoy, Mark W. Macoy, LLC

► Past Chairwoman: Keri Bates, Rocky Ridge Drug Company

► President/CEO: Michelle Hawkins, Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce

Directors include:

► Jamie Black, McDonald’s and Black Family Restaurants

► Avery Brown, The Law Office of Avery W. Brown

► Brian Fisher, Community Bank

► Elizabeth McDonald, Avadian Credit Union

► Suzanne Scott-Trammell, Vestavia Hills Methodist Church

► Kim Smith, Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital

► Grant Thomas, Alfa Insurance — Thomas and Associates Agency

► Kevin Wade, ITAC Solutions

The next chamber luncheon is scheduled for Feb. 10 at Vestavia Hills Methodist Church.

Vestavia chamber honors top businesses, volunteers for 2025

By JON ANDERSON

The Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 13 gave out multiple awards for its top businesses, members and volunteers of 2025.

The awards were presented at the chamber’s monthly luncheon, which in January was held at the Vestavia Hills Civic Center.

Here’s a rundown:

► Retail Business of the Year: Troup’s Pizza, noted for being a gathering spot that brings people together and reflects the heart of the community, participating in Cahaba Heights events, and supporting local artists and school projects with sponsorships and charitable support

► Service Business of the Year: Two Men and a Truck, noted for partnering with nonprofits throughout the Birmingham area and donating moving services, volunteers and logistical support to meet needs in the community

► Nonprofit Organization of the Year: Megan Montgomery Foundation, noted for bringing awareness to the community about relationship violence and helping young people and others understand how to have healthy relationships

► Member of the Year: Vestavia Voice, noted for making exceptional contributions to the growth of Vestavia Hills, partnering with the chamber and city on events, and being a trusted and reliable source for news that keeps the community informed and connected

► Board Member of the Year: Kevin Wade, ITAC Solutions, noted for his extraordinary service in advancing the goals and

objectives of the chamber, consistent attendance at chamber events and commitment to the board

► Volunteer of the Year: Elizabeth McDonald, Avadian Credit Union, noted for consistently showing up to help with events, luncheons, and ribbon cuttings and supporting staff with event production, as well as bringing great energy, positive attitude and genuine enthusiasm for chamber activities

► Dr. Charles A. “Scotty” McCallum Leadership Award: George Pierce, former Vestavia Hills councilman, noted for showing

leadership with courage, never hesitating to stand up for what he believes is right, speaking up for residents, showing up consistently, listening carefully, working to move the city forward in an organized fashion, and being a servant leader and encourager

► Chair’s Choice Award: Taylor Burton, Taylor Burton Company, noted for nine years of service on the chamber’s board of directors and for his energy, humor, dynamic personality and willingness to step in whenever there is a need

► President’s Choice Award: Bob Barker, Big Color, noted for being a tremendous

supporter of the chamber, city, and Vestavia Hills schools system and for consistently bringing an honest perspective, generous heart, thoughtfulness, creativity, wit and genuine desire to see the chamber flourish

► Chairman’s Award: Keri Bates, Rocky Ridge Drug Company, noted for establishing the Rocky Ridge Business District and South Vestavia Business District and for demonstrating courage, boldness, humility, selfless service, wisdom and patience, as well as providing deliberate, systematic leadership for the chamber

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Discover local health and wellness services that can help you feel your best

Elite Skin combines advanced dermatology with compassion and expertise

Elite Skin was founded to deliver exceptional dermatological care rooted in expertise, empathy, and trust.

Led by Dr. Daniel Bergman, a board-certified dermatologist, Elite Skin specializes in skin cancer treatments with a focus on Mohs surgery, as well as a wide range of medical and cosmetic dermatological services.

Dr. Bergman has a passion for Mohs surgery — even using it to treat his own mother. It allows for the precise removal of skin cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible — often curing patients in a single visit.

Dr. Daniel Bergman Founder of Elite Skin

“For patients, that means the ability to leave the office with peace of mind, knowing their cancer has been cured,” Dr. Bergman says.

Dr. Bergman’s team at Elite Skin includes Dr. Jo Herzog, Angela Spears, CRNP, and Payton Patel, PA-C.

Dr. Herzog, a cosmetic dermatologist who provides treatments such as neurotoxins, dermal fillers, laser procedures, microneedling, chemical peels, and PRP therapy.

Angela Spears, CRNP, and Payton Patel, PA-C, focus on general dermatology, including skin checks and treatments for acne, psoriasis, eczema, hair loss, cysts, and more.

What truly sets Elite Skin apart is its culture.

ELITE SKIN ► eliteskin.health

VESTAVIA HILLS: ► 1360 Montgomery Highway, Suite 114 ► 205-379-0900

MONTGOMERY: ► 7201 Copperfield Drive ► 334-954-6034

“We put patients first, and we treat them like family,” Dr. Bergman says. “From the moment a patient walks through our doors, we want them to feel known, cared for, and confident they’re in the right place.”

TherapySouth providing ‘Hands On Care, Close to Home — and Work!’

Q: What makes TherapySouth stand out in the physical therapy industry?

A: TherapySouth is a private, physical therapist-owned practice that has been serving the greater Birmingham communities for over 15 years. Our numerous convenient locations across the metro area allows us to live out our message of providing “Hands On Care, Close to Home — and Work!” Our staff develop relationships with each patient and truly make the clinic environment feel like a family. With access to quality physical therapy care, we believe we can help our community live better, healthier lives!

Q: Why should someone see a physical therapist?

A: Most often, patients are referred to one of our clinics by their orthopedic surgeon or primary care physician to assist with recovery from an injury or procedure. But physical therapy is beneficial to anyone seeking pain relief and improved function. The physical therapy approach is to evaluate the neuromuscular and musculoskeletal systems and address movement limitations or malalignments that are affecting mobility and causing pain. When patients come to physical therapy first, they can often avoid unnecessary surgery and medication. Through intentional exercises and hands-on treatment, patients can get back to their hobbies, everyday tasks and more.

Q: Do I need a doctor’s referral to schedule an appointment at TherapySouth?

A: Patients are able to schedule an appointment without a physician’s referral. Your therapist will perform an initial evaluation to determine if therapy is appropriate for you. They will work with your primary care physician or physician specialist to create your best care plan. To schedule an appointment, patients can call the clinic directly or visit our website to check appointment availability and set up an initial visit.

Q: What would you like potential patients to know about your practice?

A: We take our core values very seriously. We are a company based on faith that believes in family, integrity, service, compassion, fitness, perseverance, and giving. We try to instill these values in all our employees and encourage them to live them out not only at work as professionals, but also in their personal lives.

Catalyst empowers Alabamians to help prevent and manage chronic disease with free genetic testing

Catalyst, a research program created by Southern Research, a Birmingham-based nonprofit, is on a mission to provide free genetic testing — and the invaluable health insights it provides — to communities across Alabama.

Catalyst offers genetic testing that individuals can access by registering online and ordering a free athome test kit. Participants complete a simple cheek swab at home and return it by mail. Test results can then be shared with healthcare providers and used to support informed medical decisions.

Catalyst helps families “catch it early,” said Dr. Khalilah Brown, the Chief Medical Officer at Southern Research, meaning that participants can better understand their family health histories and gain insights into their genetic risks for conditions such as diabetes, cancer, stroke, heart disease and high blood pressure.

For Birmingham resident Sam Cargo, participating in Catalyst was an exciting opportunity to learn more about his own health and future risks.

“I was excited to take part in the program and see what I can learn,” Cargo said.

Participants in Catalyst can also learn more about how their bodies may respond to certain medications — something Cargo found especially valuable.

“I was able to see how different medications work or don’t work as well with me,” Cargo said. “And then also, the risk percentages on inherited diseases that I would not be aware of.”

With their results, participants can take proactive steps in consultation with their doctors before a condition develops or worsens. Cargo says the information he received helped him think more intentionally about his personal health plan.

“It just allowed me to learn more about what works best for me and helps you set up an individual plan for your health,” he said.

By participating, Alabamians also contribute to a research effort that could change how chronic diseases are managed in the state and improve health outcomes for decades to come.

“For decades, much of our work in drug discovery benefited people outside our state before it ever reached Alabama,” Dr. Brown said. “Catalyst flips that script. This program was designed to give Alabamians access first, and to make sure patients and their providers can actually use the results in real healthcare decisions.”

Catalyst is particularly critical in Alabama, where chronic conditions like heart disease are widespread. In addition, half the state is rural, where access to specialized care can often be limited.

Participants receive genetic insights into health

risk, pharmacogenomic results that show which medications may work best for them or should be avoided, and information that they can share with their healthcare providers. Participants also have access to a genetic counselor at no cost.

“This program guarantees patients results that are clinically actionable — meaning you can actually use the information in your healthcare,” Dr. Brown said.

For many Alabamians, another major benefit is how easy — and accessible — the entire process is.

“It was extremely easy to work with the people there,” Cargo said. “It was really cool to do the cheek swab instead of giving blood. That was very quick and painless.”

He also said the follow-up process was simple: “Setting up an account and being able to get emails was very easy.”

Importantly, only de-identified data — with no personal information attached — is used in research.

“I don’t see why you wouldn’t want to do this. It can help you learn more about yourself and then help Alabama as a whole.”

Sam Cargo Catalyst participant

Participants may share test results directly with their healthcare provider, just like any other lab test.

Cargo said Catalyst is especially appealing because it provides real value at no cost to the participants.

“The fact that it’s free and then also just the fact that everybody wants to know what they’re putting in their body… it can help you,” he said.

He also appreciates that the program helps the larger community.

“Being from Birmingham, I love Birmingham,” Cargo said. “I just think it’s a cool opportunity that anybody can do because of the fact that it’s free. They can learn a lot about themselves, but they can also help people in Birmingham learn more about what’s going on.”

Cargo encourages others to look into the program for themselves.

“I don’t see why you wouldn’t want to do this,” he said. “It can help you learn more about yourself and then help Alabama as a whole.”

Sleep better when you breathe: Total Sleep detects and treats sleep apnea

Untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a dangerous condition that extends far beyond simple snoring or feeling a little tired in the morning. At its core, sleep apnea involves repeated pauses in breathing throughout the night, which deprives the body and brain of essential oxygen and constantly jolts the nervous system into fight-or-flight mode. This chronic stress and oxygen depletion can increase significant risk factors for a host of severe health complications.

TOTAL SLEEP ► 100 Centerview Dr. Suite 240 ► 205-878-3360 ► totalsleep.me

The heart is particularly vulnerable. Untreated sleep apnea is strongly linked to high blood pressure, and significantly elevates the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. OSA interferes with the body’s ability to process glucose efficiently, making individuals highly susceptible to developing Type 2 diabetes. Cognitive function suffers leading to memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and dementia later in life. And, mentally, depression and anxiety are frequently observed in those with untreated OSA. Ignoring these symptoms means accepting a

reduced quality of life and a shorter life expectancy.

Total Sleep specializes in Sleep Medicine, Sleep Testing and Sleep Therapy. An overnight diagnostic sleep study can determine if you have sleep apnea and its severity. With adherence to the recommended treatment therapy, sleep apnea is correctable and often improves the quality of your life immediately. For more information about OSA and sleep studies, go to totalsleep.me or call 205-878-3360.

Email dan@starnesmedia.com for your Medical Guide Strategy Session

EVENTS

Save the Date

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LUNCHEON

► Where: Vestavia Hills Methodist Church, 2061 Kentucky Ave.

► When: Tuesday, Feb. 10, networking at 11:30 a.m.; program at noon

► Details: The guest speaker is Heidi Elnora, an entrepreneur and fashion designer who was a contestant on the second season of “Project Runway” and later started in her own TLC reality show, “Bride By Design.” For nearly two decades, she ran her Heidi Elnora Atelier bridal boutique in Birmingham. Her bridal collections were sold in more than 30 stores internationally. In 2024, she launched a lifestyle brand called Pep Gally.

► Cost: $25 through 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5 ($30 after that time)

► More info: business.vestaviahills.org/ events

ELEVATE AND EMPOWER TECH CONFERENCE

► Where: Vestavia Hills Civic Center

► When: Thursday, Feb. 19, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

► Details: This technology conference focuses on career development, software development, product management, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science and analytics. The keynote speaker is Lynn Dohm, executive director of Women in CyberSecurity. She leads initiatives to recruit, retain and advance women in cybersecurity. She has more than two decades of experience as a strategist and works to align businesses, nonprofits and grant-funded programs with workforce goals. She has won two SANS Difference Maker awards and has been recognized as one of CS Hub’s top 25 cybersecurity leaders.

► Cost: $30 ($15 for students)

► More info: elevate-empower-bhm.org

Valentine’s Day in Vestavia Hills: Dining spots and couple-friendly activities

By JORDYN DAVIS

There’s nothing like grabbing a bite to eat with a new potential match or a longtime lover during February, the unofficial month of love. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Vestavia Hills is packed with cozy restaurants, meet-cutes straight out of a movie and other unique ways to celebrate your loved one this season.

DATE-NIGHT DINING

► Bistro V: Bistro V’s friendly atmosphere, iconic seafood eats and classy ambience makes for a great date night for that special someone. The restaurant also features an open kitchen where guests can talk to the chefs preparing their meals and get a chance to know the staff. The menu includes seafood staples such as shrimp and grits, seafood bisque, fresh pea succotash with grouper and much more.

► Baumhower’s Victory Grille: The Alabama roots run deep at Baumhower’s, with their first location opening in 1981 in Tuscaloosa. They believe in fresh, high-quality local ingredients and a growing menu aimed to keep guests happy and fulfilled. With menu items such as havana chicken, grilled mahi-mahi and shrimp platters, Baumhower’s makes a great place for a simple yet classy date night.

► Cajun Seafood House: If you’re looking for a place to let loose with your date and dig into some flavorful seafood dishes, try the Cajun Seafood House at 2531 Rocky Ridge Road, Suite 107. The menu features dishes such as cajun alfredo and gator platters and desserts such as banana pudding and pecan pie. Cajun Seafood House also offers discounts to military personnel, first responders and teachers.

► FoodBar: This farm-to-table concept hand-selects local ingredients to prepare unique dishes. The chef and owner of Foodbar, George

McMillian, says, “The restaurant business is like throwing a party every night.” Couples who choose to dine at FoodBar on their special night can select from options such as roasted muscovy duck breast, halibut, iron steak and more.

► Satterfield’s: Owner and chef Becky Satterfield was named the best female chef in Alabama in 2005. Since then, she has worked to cultivate the ultimate fine-dining experience. Guests can expect unique flavor combinations such as chicken scallopini, crab cakes and grilled beef filet.

THINGS TO DO TOGETHER

► Vestavia Bowl: For a lighthearted way to spend Valentine’s Day, check out Vestavia Bowl for some competitive fun. Located at 1429 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Bowl is open Monday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m, Tuesday from noon to 10 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m, Friday and Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m.

► Activate Games: If you’re looking for something more than bowling, Activate Games has virtual reality experiences, arcade games and other mind games to keep you and your date on your toes. Activate Games is at 1425 Montgomery Highway, Suite 173, and is open Monday-Thursday from noon to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

► Take a walk in the park: The Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex, located at 4851 Sicard Hollow Road, has a scenic 1.3-mile outdoor trail that is well suited for those who love quiet time in nature. It makes for the perfect stroll or picnic spot and creates some ambience for those who want time alone with a loved one. The Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to sunset.

► For more events news, connect with the Vestavia Voice online by scanning the QR code.

► Have an upcoming event to share? Email Jon Anderson at janderson@starnesmedia.com.

BIG TOP GLENWOOD

► Where: The Fennec, 1630 Second Ave. S., Birmingham

► When: Friday, Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m. to midnight

► Details: The Glenwood Junior Board, a nonprofit that provides behavioral health care and educational services for people with autism spectrum disorder or behavioral health needs, is having a fundraiser that will include circus-themed entertainment, live music, a silent disco, casino games, silent auction, food, beer, wine and more. Glenwood touches the lives of 10,000 families each year with services that include diagnosis, full-time care, outpatient services, in-home services, educational services, training and more.

► Cost: $100 for general admission tickets; Friends of Glenwood VIP tickets (with exclusive perks) available

► More info: glenwood.org/ bigtop2026/

CALLED WOMEN’S RETREAT

► Where: Tyson Hall, Vestavia Hills Methodist Church, 2061 Kentucky Ave.

► When: Feb. 20-21 (6-9 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday)

► Details: Speakers are Lisa Stamps, an educational consultant and mentor who previously served as superintendent of Daleville City Schools and director of leadership development for the Alabama Association of School Boards, and Alexa James, the founder of a human trafficking advocacy group called Blanket Fort Hope. Stamps served almost 30 years. James founded Blanket Fort Hope in 2015 and has dedicated her life to helping human trafficking victims find safety and education and raising awareness.

► Cost: $50 (includes dinner Friday night and breakfast and lunch Saturday)

► More info: vhmc.tpsdb.com// OnlineReg/1173

Metro South middle school football players of the year announced

By KYLE PARMLEY

The Metro South has announced its all-metro team to recognize the top players from the league in the 2025 season. Players from each team in seventh and eighth grades were honored with selection to the team.

Players include:

► Reid Brower, Liberty Park, 7th grade

► Ja’Miir McKanney, Liberty Park, 7th grade

► Graham Hunt, Liberty Park, 7th grade

► Charlie Miller, Liberty Park, 7th grade

► Zeke Zarzour, Liberty Park, 8th grade

► Wilkes Henderson, Liberty Park, 8th grade

► Cole Brunson, Liberty Park, 8th grade

► Cash Glover, Liberty Park, 8th grade

► Jackson Stanley, Pizitz, 7th grade

► Kody Floyd, Pizitz, 7th grade

► Bryson Stoker, Pizitz, 7th grade

► Paul Dennis, Pizitz, 7th grade

► Michael Mizerany, Pizitz, 8th grade

► Evan Wilbanks, Pizitz, 8th grade

► Jones Meadow, Pizitz, 8th grade

► William Richardson, Pizitz, 8th grade

For the full team roster, visit us onlline at vestaviavoice.com.

– Jason Watson and Barry Stephenson contributed to this report.

Rebels soccer teams preview season at media day

By JOSHUA GLEASON

The Vestavia Hills High School boys and girls soccer teams took part in a preseason media day event at Carver High School in early January, with both head coaches and select players from each team sharing their thoughts about the upcoming campaign.

A new era begins for the boys program as David Di Piazza takes over the Rebels.

Di Piazza arrives from Oak Mountain, where he guided the Eagles to a runner-up finish in the Class 7A state playoffs last season. That 2-1 loss to Montgomery Academy snapped Oak Mountain’s 60-match unbeaten streak and ended a remarkable stretch of 49 consecutive wins that included the 2024 state championship, Di Piazza’s third title at the school.

Across his career, Di Piazza has amassed 547 victories, including four Class 5A state championships during a previous stint at John Carroll, before moving to Oak Mountain.

Vestavia’s boys program has its own winning tradition, claiming four state championships, though none since 2014 or at the 7A level.

“There has been some disappointment, but they know they are capable of playing better,” Di Piazza said. “We have a lot of new coaches and players in the program, so it is going to be exciting.”

The Rebels are expected to be anchored defensively by senior fullback Will Davis and center back Mason McDaniel, who sees the leadership change as a catalyst for growth.

“The culture has been a big change,” McDaniel said. “It has bonded the team together and

made us a strong group overall.”

Vestavia also adds midfielders Halden Honeycutt and Jack Hugunine, both products of the Hoover-Vestavia Soccer MLS Next program, who are expected to contribute immediately.

The girls team enters the season as defending state champions, but it also does so under new leadership following a historic coaching transition.

Longtime head coach Brigid Meadow retired after 407 career victories and six state championships, closing one of the most successful tenures in state history. Taking over is Alex Carroll, a Vestavia alum who played under Meadow and spent the past seven seasons on

her staff.

“I wore the same jersey that these girls wear,” Carroll said. “Continuing to build the legacy that [Meadow] built is a huge thing that I am focused on. She taught me a lot, and I am taking those lessons and building our own identity from that.”

The Rebels captured their seventh state title last season, and first since 2019, and return a roster built to defend it.

Junior goalkeeper Brianna Tortorici is back after earning first-team all-state honors, delivering standout performances late in the postseason, including 11 saves in a penalty-kick semifinal win over James Clemens and four

more saves in the championship match against Auburn.

Senior defender Katie Llewellyn also returns after earning most valuable defensive player honors and first-team all-state recognition. An Auburn University commit, she remains a cornerstone of the Rebels’ back line.

Senior Kelsey Redden, who scored in last season’s title match, returns to the midfield alongside fellow senior Kendall Roberts.

“They work hard and take everything seriously,” Carroll said. “They place a lot of importance on strength and conditioning in addition to on the field. They are selfless.”

COMMUNITY

NS Dance Co. shapes dancers, people in Cahaba Heights

By APRIL COFFEY

On any given afternoon in Cahaba Heights, music spills softly from the doors of NS Dance Studio as students of all ages lace up shoes, stretch at the barre or nervously rehearse a new combination.

Inside, it’s not just about perfecting a turn or mastering a rhythm. It’s about belonging. For the past 15 years, NS Dance Company has quietly built a reputation as a place where high-level dance training and genuine care for students go hand in hand.

In a region rich with dance studios, husband-and-wife team Natalie Virciglio Simpson and Shad Simpson set out to do something distinct: provide elite instruction in a warm, welcoming environment where every dancer — whether recreational or competitive — is treated with equal importance.

“NS Dance wants to be both a dance company and provide students with dance instruction who are just dancing for fun,” Shad Simpson said. “There is no difference in the quality of instruction that the different groups receive.”

NS Dance welcomes students of all ages and experience levels, from preschoolers discovering movement for the first time to advanced dancers training with the competitive NS Company. Located at 3242 Cahaba Heights Road, the facility is designed to support dancers at every stage of their journey.

Natalie Simpson, who is both owner and artistic director, brings a lifetime of experience to the studio. She began dancing at just 18 months old and went on to train extensively in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip-hop. A former captain of the John Carroll Cavalettes

dance team and a member of Auburn University’s Tiger Paws dance team, Natalie has performed, choreographed and judged at the highest levels of the dance world. Her students have earned regional and national titles, a testament to both her technical expertise and her commitment to nurturing young talent.

Shad Simpson’s dance story is equally rooted in passion and performance. Having grown up in his mother’s dance studio, Shad began dancing at age 2 and later earned prestigious titles through Dance Masters of America. His career took him from Disney productions and cruise lines to Broadway Dance Center and the iconic “Radio City Christmas Spectacular.” Today, he channels those experiences

into teaching tap and clogging, inspiring students with both discipline and heart.

Beyond technique, NS Dance emphasizes personal growth — something Shad believes is more important than ever in a post-COVID world.

“Dance instruction also provides socialization for students, especially over the last five years after COVID,” he said. “Our dance instruction provides students with the opportunity to emerge from their shell and become more comfortable with both who they are as dancers, as well as who they are as individuals.”

That sense of confidence building and community extends to the studio’s faculty, which

includes accomplished professionals such as Madison Ryan, a former Alabama Ballet Corps de Ballet member who now teaches ballet and jazz. With a background that includes Youth American Grand Prix finals and scholarships to elite ballet programs, Ryan brings a professional perspective that elevates the studio’s classical training.

As NS Dance continues to grow, its mission remains the same: to share the love and joy of dance while building confident, compassionate individuals. For families across Vestavia Hills and beyond, NS Dance isn’t just a studio. It’s a second home and a legacy of movement, creativity and heart that continues to shape the next generation, one step at a time.

GET TO KNOW

Cahaba Heights Crossfit enthusiast Jacki Rodgers

By APRIL COFFEY

Q: Please tell our readers about yourself.

A: I am originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Go Steelers), and my husband is from Minnesota. I attended college in Pittsburgh and taught special education, kindergarten, [and] first and second grade. My husband was working for Bruno Event Team, and we met while he was running the 2010 Women’s Open at Oakmont Country Club.

Q: How long have you lived in Cahaba Heights? What is the best thing about living in this community?

A: We moved to Hoover in 2014 so my husband could be closer to the Bruno headquarters. A few years later, my husband opened Framework Events, and we moved to Cahaba Heights. Cahaba Heights is straight out of a fairy tale. This small community had big love, and everyone knows everyone. From the Heights Hangout, Deck the Heights, small businesses and top-notch elementary school, this town has it all. My kids can ride their bikes with friends; they know everyone who works at every gas station, Starbucks or anywhere in the Heights Village. It’s a small-town feel within Vestavia Hills.

Q: How did you become interested in becoming a gym owner?

A: I have been doing Crossfit for over 20 years. I started out coaching at my gym in Pittsburgh and always dreamed of owning my own gym.

Q: What made you interested in Crossfit in particular? How long have you owned a Crossfit gym?

A: I have competed in the sport and loved watching people do great things. We opened Crossfit Mudtown located in Cahaba Heights in 2015 and recently sold to our good friend, Casey Stergil, in September. We are still members, and I still coach there.

We look forward to

CITY OFFICIALS

CONTINUED from page 1

ZACH CLIFTON

Clifton grew up in the Greystone community in Hoover and was a 2005 graduate of Spain Park High School. He spent two years at Auburn University and then finished his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He went on to earn a master’s degree in accounting and become a certified public accountant as well.

Professionally, he worked as a teller for Regions Bank while in college and then as a staff accountant for Moses, Phillips, Young, Brannon and Henninger from November 2011 to January 2015. He then shifted to Barfield, Murphy, Shank and Smith, where he ended up running the municipal audit arm of the company.

Then in September 2021, he was recruited to work for the city of Vestavia Hills, with the idea that he would be trained to replace the former deputy finance director, George Sawaya, and later Turner when he retired.

Vestavia Hills City Manager Jeff Downes said Clifton is the first certified public accountant the city has ever had on staff and brings a set of skills that has been very advantageous for the city.

“He has big shoes to fill in Melvin,” Downes said. “Melvin has a stature about him that is second to none, but Zach is very capable. We’re excited about Melvin’s retirement, but we’re also excited about Zach carrying that vision forward.”

Clifton said he enjoyed his work in the private sector and was on track to become a partner at Barfield, Murphy, Shank and Smith but has thoroughly enjoyed shifting to a more family-friendly schedule in the public sector.

He also likes that he has gotten to focus on one organization’s finances instead of jumping around from one municipality to another all the time. He has enjoyed being able to make some changes and see positive results from those changes, he said.

Since he joined Vestavia Hills, they started an online transparency portal to let residents see more details about city finances, including the full budget and capital plan. Vestavia Hills has won an award from the Government Financial Officers Association two years in a row for having an outstanding budget and a certificate of achievement for financial excellence in producing the city’s first annual comprehensive financial report in fiscal 2024, he said. The latter is a more involved report than a standard audited financial statement.

The city also has enhanced its budgeting process, making it easier for department heads to develop budgets, and shifted to a software program that allows city employees to access the city’s financial information from anywhere, he said.

They’ve also made changes to allow businesses to get their business licenses online and implemented a new expense management program to more easily handle reimbursements for travel and other expenses, he said.

“I’ve enjoyed being a part of that,” Clifton said. “It’s really been amazing so far.”

More changes will be coming as they continue to focus on innovation and look for ways to do things better, he said.

Turner has helped prepare him for the finance director role, he said. “He’s been a great mentor and leader for the finance department and the city. I feel as prepared as I can be,” he said.

Downes also has been a great mentor, Clifton said. “They’ve both empowered me to be able to make this my own as I step into this role,” he said.

“I’m excited to see what comes next,” Clifton said. “I’m excited for the positive changes that we’re going to continue to make. I’m looking forward to the growth that we’re planning on the east side of town, and I’m looking forward to making sure the city stays as stable as possible while we do that.”

Jennifer Gray, a woman who was a mentor for him, came on board as the city’s new principal accountant right before Thanksgiving, and the city is close to hiring a new deputy finance director, Clifton said. Both of

them live in Vestavia Hills, he said.

Personally, Clifton and his wife, Whitney, live in Greystone and have two sons, ages 7 and almost 2. Clifton said he loves spending time with his wife and boys, hiking, camping, and exploring new places and restaurants around the Birmingham area. He also loves playing video games with his son, building computers and playing golf, though he doesn’t get to golf as much since he has young kids.

UMANG PATEL

Patel was born in Troy, Alabama, but his family moved around a lot when he was young, including stops in Detroit, Atlanta and Canada. His parents bought a motel in Selma and settled there when he was in the first grade. He spent most of his childhood there and graduated from Morgan Academy in 2007. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama in 2011 with a major in accounting and minor in computer science. He then obtained a law degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 2014. Initially, he thought he wanted to do mergers and acquisitions or corporate tax law, but life sent him in a different direction.

While he was in law school, he worked as an intern for his contract law professor, Brad Bishop, who serves as Hoover’s municipal judge. That turned into an externship, then a part-time job and a full-time job in 2014.

While working for Hoover Municipal Court, he served as a court analyst. He helped work kinks out of a new software system the court had and helped find ways to improve efficiency in the court, pretty much creating a niche for himself, taking on new roles and responsibilities as needed, he said.

In 2018, he was hired as the court director for Vestavia Hills. “I’ve loved it,” he said. “I really got to use all those skill sets I built up

at Hoover and bring it here.”

One of the first things he did at Vestavia Hills was switch to a new credit card processing company that allowed more integration with various aspects of the court. For example, online driving school is now fully integrated with the credit card software.

He found that many municipal court systems are cumbersome for the public, he said.

“My goal was — how do we make it more efficient and a better experience but still hold on to the aspects of justice?” he said. “There are some things that are court required, but how do we make it not as painful for people to just take a driving school — to just make a payment online, do a payment plan — to be able to communicate with the court?”

Under his leadership, Vestavia’s municipal court has gone from paper-intensive processes to a paperless system. Court scheduling is done online; people can communicate with the court via text message and the phone tree recordings that people get can more easily be modified due to artificial intelligence, he said.

Downes said Patel has shown the ability to lead people very well and to be innovative in finding ways to make the court more efficient.

“Bringing that great personality — that great charisma, coupled with his ability to be very process oriented — I think will lend itself well to the city clerk position,” Downes said.

Downes and the City Council decided to expand the city clerk role to make it more interactive with the various city departments and gave Patel the title of director of administration and innovation. He will be responsible for finding innovative strategies for all city departments to make city government more efficient across the board, Downes said.

Patel already has shown a knack for that,

with multiple city departments coming to him to learn how their departments can utilize some of the same methods he has been using in municipal court, such as interview scheduling and phone tree adaptation.

Patel said he’s always been someone who shuffled around to different jobs to help the team. Even in youth baseball, he didn’t just play one position but was a utility player who moved around as needed, he said.

“I like being able to just help wherever I can, however I can,” he said.

When Leavings lost her assistant city clerk, Patel helped fill the void by serving as backup city clerk when Leavings had to be out for vacation or outside city business.

“One of the things I’ve always wanted to do is just learn as much as I can from every department, so when I had the opportunity to learn from Becky, I took it,” he said. “She’s considered one of the best city clerks in the state. It was a cool opportunity not just to learn the processes and procedures but to learn the history of the city and how we got to where we are — why we do the things we do. I was just trying to be helpful, and it just kind of grew from there.”

Patel said he’s excited for the challenge ahead and the opportunity to work with other departments in an official capacity. He looks forward to talking with department heads and learning about what processes work for them and which ones don’t.

“My goal is to make the city operate better all around, not necessarily just with the use of technology and software,” he said.

Personally, Patel and his wife, Roshni, live in Hoover with their two daughters, ages 4 and 2. He loves to spend time with his family and to play golf, he said. They also love to travel; his children have been on more than 50 flights, and he has traveled to 15-20 countries, he said.

Preliminary plans call for a police operations center, maintenance facility and library/ community meeting space at the Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex, but city officials are re-evaluating whether a library is needed after Councilwoman Ali Pilcher raised concerns. Map courtesy of city of Vestavia Hills.

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She also said there’s a lot of unleased commercial space in Liberty Park and asked if it would be better to lease some of that space than build a new facility.

She thinks it’s worth asking people more directly where their priorities are, she said.

Taneisha Tucker, director of the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest, said a library is about so much more than books. Libraries offer a wide array of programs for people of all ages, she said. People in Liberty Park, in particular, have been asking for space where their children can come to study, for programs and for access to technology that a library could provide, Tucker said.

People on the western side of Vestavia Hills have that in the Library in the Forest, and Tucker believes the people in Liberty Park and Cahaba Heights deserve the same opportunities, she said. She has heard from people in Cahaba Heights who said they would use a library at Sicard Hollow instead of the Library in the Forest, she said.

Matt Foley of the Williams Blackstock Architects firm that has been working with the city on potential library plans said the facility under discussion may better be described as a community resource center than a quiet place to read or check out a book. A modern library could include a lab for science, technology, engineering, arts and math programs, meeting spaces, small study spaces, or an auditorium for speakers and programs, Foley said.

Mayor Ashley Curry said he believes everyone agrees that there is a need for community meeting spaces for people on the east side of town, and he believes a little further study could better determine the proper types of spaces to include in whatever building is built in that part of town.

Councilwoman Kimberly Cook said the city made a commitment when it changed the plan for Liberty Park to include apartments and higher-density commercial space to provide the proper infrastructure to handle the increased population. That meant not just paving and stormwater but library services and ball fields, Cook said.

“This is where the residential growth is happening,” she said. “It’s not because [fellow Councilman] Rusty [Weaver] and I live there. It’s because that’s where the growth is happening. … We have to provide them services to keep the quality of life what it should be for every resident of our city. We want that throughout our city.”

Residents of Liberty Park have complained that the current library is too far, and they are looking for more options than just digital books, Cook said.

“I do see this as a really important priority,” she said.

When the Starbucks closed in Liberty Park, you would have thought it was a tragedy not just because of the loss of a coffee shop but because so many people used the Starbucks as a meeting space for various clubs and groups, Cook said. People need community spaces, she said.

Curry, who lives on the far western side of the city, said surveys have clearly shown a need for library services and community meeting spaces in eastern Vestavia, and he thinks a new facility could serve both purposes.

The 1,200 new single-family homes coming to Liberty Park could generate 4,000 to 5,000

more residents, and if there’s a remote chance that another community building and event space will be needed, that’s the logical place to put it, he said. Also, he’s not aware of any park and recreation programs or projects that would not take place if a library/community resource center is built, he said.

“We have the beauty in our city of being financially sound,” Curry said. “We can do both.”

City Manager Jeff Downes said that a previous financial review determined that the city could handle $34.5 million worth of debt for projects in the Sicard Hollow area and stay within the city’s financial policy guidelines regarding debt. That included $14.7 million for a police operations building, $9.9 million for Liberty Park ballfield upgrades and contingencies, $7 million in city money for a library, $1.75 million for a maintenance facility and $1.17 million for the realignment of the entrance to the Liberty Park baseball/ softball complex on Sicard Hollow Road.

Borrowing $34.5 million likely would add $1.5 million to the city’s annual debt service, Downes said.

And because the city’s commitment to provide $1.2 million a year to the school system for capital projects ends this August, most of that extra money for debt service could come from money that had been dedicated to the schools for three years, making the $1.5 million in extra debt service much more palatable, Downes said.

The Fitch rating agency also took the potential increased debt into account when it recently affirmed the city’s AAA bond rating, he said.

On Jan. 21, the city council agreed to hire the Williams Blackstock Architects firm for the first phase of a three-phase study regarding the need for a library/community resource center at Sicard Hollow.

The first phase, which is a feasibility study, will cost up to $7,500. Next the council can determine whether to proceed with the second phase that would include a review of potential programming and a conceptual design at a cost of about $50,000. Then, if the council still agrees to move forward, it could consider doing a third phase for about $7,500 that would include a campaign document spelling out the plan for fundraising purposes.

The City Council can stop the process at any time if it so chooses, Downes said.

Downes also noted that previous surveys done by the city determined that 90% of residents citywide had a positive feeling about the quality of library services in the city, but only 60 to 70% of residents in Liberty Park and Cahaba Heights felt positive about library services.

Sixty to 70% of the residents surveyed in Liberty Park and 70 to 90% of residents in Cahaba Heights rated the expansion of library services as a priority, Downes said.

OTHER PROJECTS

The City Council also agreed to pay CMH Architects $873,845 to design a new 25,000-square-foot police operations building at the Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex and $111,896 to design a 4,800-square-foot maintenance building at the complex.

Plans also are being drawn up for an addition and renovation of Fire Station No. 4 in Liberty Park. Depending on whether the council chooses to add another vehicle bay, the expansion would boost square footage from 7,500 square feet to either 13,990 square feet or 15,047, according to preliminary drawings. The projected cost is $5.7 million, and construction is expected to start in April and take about a year to complete.

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