Keeping you informed and inspired. VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 1
July 2018
COVER STORY
Growth vs. Infrastructure
The Huntsville-Madison County area is growing by leaps and bounds. With the likes of Toyota-Mazda, Facebook, and Remington bringing thousands of jobs, can our infrastructure handle this? TECHNOLOGY
SOCIAL MEDIA
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>Redstone Square
New shopping center was 10 years in the making. by Kimberly Ballard • P6
>Goodbye Grissom,
hello library
Former Virgil I. Grissom High School to house South Huntsville Library.
Facebook takes a liking to Huntsville with plans to build data center here. Page 5 Fast Facts Nuclear technology company BWXT launches Huntsville office. Page 3
· 340 acres in North Huntsville Industrial Park · $750 million investment · 100 high-paying jobs
by Kimberly Ballard • P7
>Take me out to the ballgame Madison steps up to the plate with $46 million baseball/multi-use facility. by Bud McLughlin • P11
Online
HUNTSVILLE BUSINESS JOURNAL
Vol 1, Issue 1 July 2018
600 Boulevard South Suite 104 Huntsville, AL 35801
Huntsvillebusinessjournal.com @HsvBizJournal https://www.facebook.com/huntsvillebusinessjournal
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From the Publisher
Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
Todd Stephenson
Welcome to the inaugural issue of the Huntsville Business Journal. For the record, this project has been in the making for the last five years. I know my family, close friends, and everyone I work with was sick of me talking about "the business journal" and not seeing things happen. However, the planets lined up and Huntsville is even more poised to receive what we now have to offer. Business in Madison County today is a much more rounded commerce. The effects of this growth can be felt by all who reside here. This business environment, coupled with Redstone Arsenal and the various government entities that have flocked to our area, only help to solidify the recent growth. We envision this publication to help provide necessary information for entrepreneurs, CEOs, and business management to navigate and make sound decisions for their organizations. We will be reporting on the news that is affecting business right here at home and provide informative editorials that help the creation of small businesses. This publication will be available in print and digitally, with constant presence via social media. Bud McLaughlin has joined our team to lead the charge as editor. Bud brings with him years of experience in journalism in the Huntsville-Madison County area. He has been business editor at The Huntsville Times, managing editor at the Athens News-Courier, and was news and sports editor at the former Huntsville News. We are delighted he is at the helm of this new publication. I encourage all to visit www.huntsvillebusinessjournal.com and let us know what you think and what you think needs to be covered.
Subsidiary of EVENT Publishing
Publisher/President Todd Stephenson Editor Bud McLaughlin Writers Kimberly Ballard, Bud McLaughlin Graphic Design Denny Cannon Website Scott Seeley Photographers Kimberly Ballard, Jeff White, Marianne Higgins Director of Sales Carolyn Stephenson Distribution Victor Mace
Huntsville Business Journal is published monthly by EVENT Publishing, PO Box 14219, Huntsville, AL 35815. For advertising information call 256.533.8078, e-mail todd@eventhuntsville.com, or visit us on the web at www.huntsvillebusinessjournal.com. For editorial information contact editor@huntsvillebusinessjournal.com ALL CONTENTS ©2018. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION OR USE IN WHOLE OR IN PART OF THE CONTENTS WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER IS PROHIBITED. HUNTSVILLE BUSINESS JOURNAL IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF EVENT PUBLISHING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. UNSOLICITED PHOTOGRAPHS OR ARTICLES ARE SUBMITTED AT THE RISK OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER OR AUTHOR. EVENT PUBLISHING ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR THE RETURN OF ANY UNSOLICITED MATERIALS AND MAY USE THEM AT ITS DISCRETION.
July 2018
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TECHNOLOGY
BWXT is Huntsville’s nuclear option by Bud McLaughlin | Photo: Jeff White
Huntsville has undergone several identities over the past century: From cotton capital to the Rocket City to the Silicon Valley of the South. Now, there’s a new addition to the city’s monikers – The New Wave of Nuclear. And leading that wave is BWX Technologies, a leading supplier of nuclear components and fuel to the U.S. government as well as commercial customers. The Virginia-based company held a ribbon-cutting Thursday for its office in Cummings Research Park. “We are the nuclear manufacturing company that people never heard of,” said company President/CEO Rex Geveden. Geveden, who spent 17 years at NASA, joined BWXT in 2015 as chief operating officer, responsible for all operating business units. Previously, he was executive vice president at Teledyne Technologies, leading two of the four Teledyne operating segments – including Teledyne Brown in Huntsville. “I joined the company because I thought it had promise,” he said. “We manufacture all the fuel, nuclear core and systems for every carrier and sub in the Navy’s fleet.” The company is also setting
its sights on helping space travel – BWXT was awarded a contract by NASA to initiate conceptual designs for a nuclear thermal propulsion reactor in support of a possible future manned mission to Mars. “That’s an exciting thing about having BWXT here,” said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. “They do really cool things when you think of thermo-nuclear propulsion. “This brings a new market to our area … makes us stronger, makes Huntsville a better place.” Geveden said BWXT will eventually hire about 75 to 150 people in the Huntsville area. “We’re going to do a big chunk of our work here,” he said. “Some of our most important customers are here.” BWXT has a vision for the future in Huntsville. “This is a city that leans forward,” Geveden said. “We’re not here for market share. We’re here for market creation.” Before BWX Technologies was
Rex Geveden, (right) president of BWX Technologies, is joined by Gary Bolton, chair of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber board at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
in the area, the company was known for its giving. Each year, BWXT commits significant financial support to help make a difference in people’s lives. And, our employees embody a genuine spirit of teamwork and philanthropy by volunteering in numerous local goodwill programs. BWXT’s corporate giving and community engagement initiatives are diverse and include: Promoting educational excellence at the primary, secondary and college/university levels through more than 35 outreach, mentoring
FBI’s Abbate says cyber threats ‘more complex’ than ever The associate deputy director of the FBI had an ominous warning at the 2018 National Cyber Summit. “When will a cyber 9/11 occur?” he asked the audience. “… it’s already begun.” Associate Deputy Director Paul Abbate was the keynote speaker to open the 10th annual summit at the Von Braun Center in downtown Huntsville. It is the pre-eminent event for cyber training, education and workforce development aimed at protecting the nation from the ever-evolving cyber threat. The summit attracts government and commercial participants. “The (cyber) threats we face today are more complex and change more rapidly than we’ve ever seen,” Abbate said. “We have a whole variety of bad guys” who use the Internet to carry out their crimes. Abbate said the main threat is from nation-states that employ individuals to do their bidding. “It’s a blended or hybrid threat where nation-states use mercenaries to
and scholarship activities. Programs include the BWXT Scholarship Program, the BWXT Internship/Co-Op Program and the Engineering Mentoring Program.
“BWXT has a history of investing in the communities where we have (facilities),” said BWXT Vice President Gene Goldman. “Today’s recipient (for $5,000) is the Alabama School of Cyber and Engineering. “We hope to have a long presence in the community and support these causes.”
by Bud McLaughlin
hack and carry out their (the nation-states’) crimes,” he said. “And we’re committed to bringing cyber criminals to justice no matter where they hide.” To add a little discomfort to the crowd of private industry and government people, he said some patches can lead to systems being hacked. “Eighty percent of the hacking is through known and weak patches,” Abbate said. “I’m also talking about legacy systems, if you’re afraid to patch them for fear of the system going down. “Don’t forget the third-party vendors who touch your system everyday.” He urged the audience to train the employees from “interns and supply clerks up to the executive suite.” Abbate said the FBI is constantly sending its personnel through cyber training, including “boot camp-type” classes and he said the agency wants “to know your perceived risks that keep you up at night.” “The stakes are higher than ever and require all of us to up our game.”
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
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July 2018
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook likes Huntsville to the tune of a $750 million data center by Kimberly Ballard
It’s the perfect connection: A digital giant and a hightech capital.
So, when Facebook announced it was building a large-scale data center, it was no surprise. The company will invest $750 million in the center that will bring an estimated 100 high-paying jobs to the area. “This is indeed an exciting day for this company, for this area of the state, and indeed for the entire state of Alabama,” said Gov. Kay Ivey at the HuntsvilleMadison County Chamber of Commerce. “Announcements like this require positive visions and an environment where companies can grow and expand their businesses. Economic development happens because of the collaborative efforts between state and local leaders, and businesses that are attracted by all that Alabama has to offer.” The announcement has been kept a secret since May 24 when the Huntsville City Council gave unanimous approval to Facebook’s project entity, Starbelt LLC, to purchase 340 acres in the North Huntsville Industrial Park for $8.5 million. Surrounded by Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Madison County Commission Chairman Dale Strong, and other civic leaders and representatives, Matt VanderZanden, director of site selection at Facebook, said the technology giant selected Huntsville for several reasons. “This location gives us great access to renewable energy and infrastructures, a strong talent pool and, very importantly, a tremendous set of community partners,” VanderZanden said. “Facebook data centers are terrific tools and real economic engines. Facebook is in it for the long game and we look forward to having a long, fruitful partnership with the Huntsville community.” Battle cited the city’s innovation and high-tech reputation as a link with the digital giant. “Facebook has built its business on connecting friends to family, businesses to customers, and people to the world,” Battle said. “This is one of the most innovative companies in the world and we’re proud to have them in one of the world’s most innovative cities. “Huntsville is a city that constantly redefines what is possible. Facebook constantly redefines life online.” The governor used a Facebook reference in her remarks. “Every day, millions of people get on Facebook to connect with family and friends,” Ivey said. “I sure am glad that when Facebook was looking to grow their connections, they sent out a friend request to Alabama!”
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
HUNTSVILLE BEAT
Ten Years In the Making: The Shoppes at Redstone Square Story and photo by Kimberly Ballard
Timing. Luck. Vision.
Nearly a decade ago, two visionaries - Jim Gendreau, owner of Tailwinds Development in Lake Mary, Fla., and Colliers International Director David Garnett - stood on a desolate corner at Huntsville’s westernmost point outside Redstone Arsenal Gate 7. Perhaps Redstone’s most discreet entry/exit point, Gate 7 sits at the corner of a narrow, winding two-lane street known as Zierdt Road; and Martin Road, which disappears for most drivers for eight miles across Redstone Arsenal, then reappears three miles from the Huntsville International Airport and the Jetplex Industrial Park. Make no mistake, 10 years ago there was nothing for nearly two miles south, north, or west of that corner in either direction except a Mapco Mart on the south side, frequented primarily by boaters headed five more miles south to a bend in the Tennessee River to launch their boats. Where most people see nothingness, real estate developers see potential, and Gendreau and Garnett plotted to build something big there one day. Something Big This Way Comes Jump ahead seven years and numerous residential developments had grown up south of that corner including the Willows at River Landing, Legacy Cove, Riverwoods,
and The Preserve at Wheeler to name a few. All along Zierdt Road north, are upscale apartments and homes along Lady Ann Lake at Edgewater and along Martin Road west at Natures Walk and Lake Forest. Three years ago, Gendreau and Garnett, working closely with the City of Huntsville, purchased that same plot of land on which they stood 10 years ago, and built a 101,000 square-foot Publixanchored shopping center called the Shoppes at Redstone Square. It is expected to open July 11. “Shane Davis, director of urban development and engineering for the City of Huntsville, was instrumental in helping us get this done,” said Gendreau. “We build in cities all across this country and we have never worked with a city more competent and organized than the people and city leaders in Huntsville – and I’ll tell you something else – Publix loves Huntsville!” According to Tricor, the leasing agency for Tailwinds Development, the new 45,000 square-foot Publix grocery store at Redstone Square will serve a much-underserved residential area and provide a convenient shopping stop for employees exiting Redstone Arsenal heading home at the end of the day. “Previously, people leaving the Arsenal have to cross over the busy intersection on Madison Boulevard to stop at the Publix there,” said a
corporate spokesperson for Publix. “It is an awkward and out-of-the way route for people living in the Zierdt Road/Martin Road area, or people headed back into Huntsville or Madison.” In fact, the Publix in the Shoppes at Redstone Square is one of two new, and one existing, Publix stores within five miles of each other in Huntsville and Madison. The company is renovating space for an even larger, 54,000 square-foot Publix behind Applebee’s at 302 Hughes Road in Madison, scheduled to open in late October. The store at 8000 Madison Boulevard across the intersection of Madison Boulevard and Zierdt Road will remain open as well. “Publix believes in serving customers wherever they are,” the spokesperson said. “If it takes three stores in a 10-mile area to serve the residents, that is what Publix is willing to build!” Currently, Tricor has leased space to a yet unnamed nail salon, hair salon, and dentist’s office; however, John Ashby, owner of Madison’s Mangia Italian Restaurant on Hughes Road and U.S. 72, will open a second Mangia location in the north end of the Shoppes at Redstone Square. Known for its pasta, salads, pizza and calzone, the new restaurant is a good 10 miles from their first location. “We are excited because the Shoppes at Redstone Square should
bring in an entirely different clientele for us,” Ashby said. “Located right outside Gate 7 of the Arsenal, we hope to draw a large lunch clientele, as well as new families and customers who love Italian cuisine, but have not had a convenient place to sit down and enjoy a delicious Italian meal in that part of town.” “Tailwinds owns six parcels of undeveloped land in front of and surrounding the Publix shopping center,” said Gendreau. “Anyone interested in those parcels or in leasing space in the shopping center can contact Deidre at Tricor (deirdre@tricor.net) for more information. “I’m sure the residents of Huntsville already know this, But the people of North Alabama have a gem when it comes to Huntsville! Everyone we dealt with at the City of Huntsville really knows what they are doing!” Zierdt Road Construction Updates One can’t appreciate the extraordinary growth of this part of town without acknowledging the Zierdt Road Improvements. Until two years ago, the 3.5-mile stretch of road between Madison Boulevard and Martin Road was one of the curviest two-lane backroads in Huntsville, sneaking underneath I-565 along Huntsville’s razor’s edge boundary with Madison. The $26 million Zierdt Road improvement project is in Phase IV of four. The two northbound lanes are complete with a non-working red light installed at Nature’s Way. The southbound lanes are 90 percent complete; however, the city is looking at another 30 months of construction to create a 12-foot multiuse path on the west side; seven lanes at the intersection of Martin and Zierdt Road; and six lanes at the intersection of Madison Boulevard and Zierdt Road, which will give access to the new Town Madison project and the new yet-to-be-named baseball stadium at that corner. Construction begins this fall, but due to traffic issues, is not expected to reach completion until 2021.
July 2018
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HUNTSVILLE BEAT
Nostalgic Goodbye to Old Grissom High & Exciting Hello to New South Huntsville Library by Kimberly Ballard
Parents and alumni of Virgil I. Grissom High School gathered at the campus on Bailey Cove Road for a farewell to the building and fundraiser for the new South Huntsville Library. The “Goodbye Grissom, Hello Library!” community gathering was nostalgic for many guests such as Jim Hillenbrand, a member of the school’s first graduating class in 1971; and U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, who played baseball for Grissom,
graduating in 1972. Madison County Commissioner Phil Riddick; former Grissom principal and retired Huntsville City Schools administrator Tom Drake and Brooks unveiled the architectural renderings of the new South Huntsville Library, which is part of the Sandra Moon Community Complex to be built on the former high school campus. Hosted by the Huntsville Library Foundation, the South Huntsville
Hale and farewell: The repurposing of downtown Huntsville buildings continues with the recent announcement of a hotel replacing a furniture store. The former Hale Brothers Furniture store is being redeveloped to house 106 Jefferson Street, a Curio hotel by Hilton. Construction of the full-service boutique hotel is slated for late this fall. “Expanding the Curio collection to Huntsville will not only fill a void for upscale accommodations, but also offer a venue for corporate events and conferences, elegant dining and social gatherings,” said Wesley Crunkleton, principal at Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate and co-developer of 106 Jefferson. “Its strategic location makes it the ideal destination for travelers who are looking for an authentic Huntsville experience with easy access to downtown hot spots.
“We look forward to bringing new life to this historic property and creating an exceptional getaway.” Just a block off the square, 106 Jefferson will be in the center heart of the downtown business, retail, and entertainment districts. It is the third Curio hotel in Alabama, joining those in Birmingham and Mobile. The hotel will feature 117 guest rooms, a full-service restaurant, meeting rooms and, to top it off, a rooftop bar on the seventh floor. “106 Jefferson will introduce an unmatched level of service, quality, and luxury to the market while delivering a one-of-a-kind experience for visitors,” said McLean Wilson, principal at Kemmons Wilson Cos. and co-developer of 106 Jefferson. “We are very thrilled to offer our many skills and hospitality experience to Huntsville for this exciting project.”
Library is projected to cost $8.4 million. The City of Huntsville and Madison County Commission District 5 have each pledged $2 million, leaving the community fundraising goal at $4.4 million. The proceeds from the event’s prom-style dinner and dance, along with proceeds from selling school locker doors and brick pavers go directly toward that goal. An alum in Florida sent his parents to the event just to purchase his former school
locker door. The Sandra Moon Community Complex, named for the former city councilwoman who represented the district, will include the library, a reading garden, tennis courts, pickleball courts, a playground, walking and exercise space, and an outdoor performance space. Construction is expected to be completed by March 2020. The new Grissom High School opened off Haysland Road last July.
Boutique hotel 106 Jefferson replacing downtown icon
by Bud McLaughlin
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
COVER
Growth vs. in
Huntsville-Madison County
W
e’ve seen the announcements of big-time companies opening here over the past couple of years. Toyota-Mazda. Remington. Polaris. Facebook. Blue Origin. GE Aviation. Along with these companies and many others come thousands of jobs. And those thousands of people will be getting back and forth to those thousands of jobs on existing highways that weren’t built to handle the extra capacity. And our elected officials know that, as well. After all, several of them know what it’s like to be on Memorial Parkway or I-565 or Hughes Road or U.S. 72 now, let alone in the coming months. So, when can we expect some relief? Unfortunately, there’s no immediate relief in sight. Officials say some work is in the 10-year plan, so that makes it 10 years down the road or maybe, if we’re lucky, it will be in year five of the plan. In fact, one study cited that an I-565 widening project, if it had the necessary money today, wouldn’t be ready for us until about 10 years from now. In fact, a major issue – around
here anyway – in the recent gubernatorial campaign was Gov. Kay Ivey’s declaration that widening I-565 was a priority of her administration as well as the Alabama Department of Transportation. More than 60,000 cars a day travel the freeway between I-65 and Huntsville (although sometimes it seems more like 600,000 cars on our version of Talladega) and this is before Toyota-Mazda ramps up with its 4,000-plus jobs and several thousand more spinoff jobs at its Huntsville-
Limestone County plant. Though ALDOT and the governor say I-565 is on a front-burner, they didn’t say how many burners were on the stove. And, there was this caveat from an ALDOT spokesman: “We are actively looking at options for I-565 within the scope of budget limitations and other projects across the entire state.” Hughes Road Until recently, Hughes Road was the primary north-south artery
for Madison. Fortunately for the fastest-growing city in the state, County Line Road was widened to four lanes and connects U.S. 72 with I-565. So far, it is effectively handling the traffic flow on the western edge of Madison County. Unfortunately, Hughes Road, on the city’s eastern side, is still two lanes from U.S. 72 to Brownsferry Road/Old Madison Pike. And, unfortunately again, it doesn’t connect with the interstate.
July 2018
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STORY
nfrastructure
y growing too big, too fast?
by Bud McLaughlin | Photos: Todd Stephenson
on the south side of Monte Sano and those motorists coming into the city to work, it didn’t take long for the two-lane road to be at capacity. In fact, nearly 18,000 motorists travel the winding road between U.S. 431 and Bailey Cove Road daily. So, now it’s time for the road to be widened to four lanes – though some have said that city leaders should have anticipated the growth on the eastern side of town and the
But, there are plans – according to the city’s 2013-19 Capital Improvement Plan – to widen Hughes Road to five lanes. Memorial Parkway Needless to say, it seems that work on Memorial Parkway – basically Huntsville’s lone north-south artery – is never ending. From the overpass work on North Parkway a few years ago to the current overpass work on South Parkway, it seems Huntsville is the orange barrel capital of the world.
Well, good news. There is an end in sight. The South Parkway overpasses should be finished in the next few weeks thus bringing an end to what Mayor Tommy Battle called “disruptive construction.” Cecil Ashburn Drive The road – a much-needed relief thoroughfare for commuters to bypass Governors Drive and more easily reach south Huntsville – opened in 2002. However, with homes opening
road should have been four lanes from the outset. Construction was set for May but it was pushed back due to budget and bidding problems. So, sometime later this year or next, Cecil Ashburn Road could possibly be closed for more than a year while the widening takes place. And those 18,000 motorists? Oh, they’ll join the nearly 30,000 motorists who currently drive U.S. 431/Governors Drive.
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
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July 2018
11
MADISON BEAT
Ballpark groundbreaking: They haven’t built it yet, but people did come by Bud McLaughlin
If the line of cars on Zierdt Road and the hundreds of people who showed up for a groundbreaking ceremony were any indication, baseball has returned to North Alabama. Close to 1,000 future fans of the yet-to-benamed minor league baseball team turned out recently as BallCorps Inc. and the city of Madison broke ground for a $46 million baseball/multi-use facility. Fans received commemorative baseballs as well as free hot dogs and soft drinks. The groundbreaking event took place at the site of the facility – a “barren field,” as Madison Mayor Paul Finley put it – along I-565 and Zierdt Road. It is expected to be completed in the fall of 2019 and the complex will include a Hotel Margaritaville. Plans are for the facility to hold other events, outside the 70 regular season baseball games. “There will be movies in the park, car shows, Scouting events; companies can hold events at the facility,” Finley said. “This venue will make a difference in the quality of life” in Madison. Ralph Nelson, the managing partner and CEO of BallCorps – the team’s owner, was emotional as he spoke. “I have just two words: thank you,” he said. “Thank you for inviting us into your community and thank you for welcoming us into your community.” Then, Nelson, who has been involved in professional baseball for a quarter of a century, paused. “This is the best day in my baseball career,” he said. “In 675 days (June 19, 2020), we’re going to be playing ball in Madison.”
Lightfoot named president of Huntsville-based LSINC Former NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot has been named president of LSINC, the company announced. Lightfoot served as the space agency’s acting administrator for the last 15 months. His permanent position at NASA Headquarters was associate administrator, the agency’s highest-ranking civil service position. He previously was director of the Marshall Space Flight Center. Lightfoot spent much of his NASA career in rocket propulsion testing and space shuttle program propulsion offices. He spent two years at NASA Headquarters focused on strategies for the shuttle return to flight following the Columbia tragedy. “We look forward to his contributions as we enhance our ability to provide strategic services to our customers,” said LSINC CEO Alicia Ryan. “His forward-thinking and consensus-building leadership style brings a new dimension to how we can work with those we serve.” “I’m extremely excited to join the LSINC
team and appreciate the confidence placed in me to further elevate the company’s growth,” said Lightfoot. “My experience in leading NASA and LSINC’s proven track record is the solid foundation our clients will leverage to achieve mission success.” Lightfoot received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Alabama where he is a Distinguished Departmental Fellow for the Department of Mechanical Engineering, a College of Engineering fellow, and served on the Mechanical Engineering Advisory Board. He is a native of Alabama and married to the former Caroline Smith of Huntsville. “I’m also excited about coming home to the community that has supported me throughout my career,” Lightfoot said. “I will build on Alicia’s impressive legacy of community service and look forward to re-engaging with the Huntsville-Madison County team to expand what we can do here in North Alabama.”
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
FINANCE & REAL ESTATE
Redstone named Credit Union of the Year by NAFC
Amanda Howard Real Estate Joins Sotheby’s International Realty
Redstone Federal Credit Union has been named Credit Union of the Year by the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU). The award was presented to RFCU President/CEO Joe Newberry during at the annual NAFCU Conference and Solutions Expo in Seattle, WA. “To be recognized by NAFCU as the Credit Union of the Year is such an honor,” said Newberry. “Each day we strive to be a model credit union by enthusiastically serving our members and offering the products and services that meet their needs.’’ Redstone, the largest member-owned financial institution in Alabama, was recognized by NAFCU for its successes in community giveback efforts; serving underbanked or low-to-modest income members; providing financial education to youth; and devising and implementing a cultural transformation process to better serve its members.
A local real estate firm is going international. Huntsville’s Amanda Howard Real Estate has joined Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates and will operate as Amanda Howard Sotheby’s International Realty. Owned and operated by Amanda Howard, the firm was established in 2009 and serves the residential real estate markets in North Alabama, including Huntsville-Madison County. “In today’s fast-moving world of real estate and technology, it is crucial we proactively consider every opportunity to better serve our clients while remaining true to our values and mission as an independently owned and operated company,” Howard said. “By listening to our clients’ needs and wants as well as anticipating the growth of our community, our team decided this affiliation would be the next best step.” Amanda Howard Sotheby’s International Realty is the second Sotheby’s International Realty
Longtime member Minnie Wheeler of Decatur said Redstone helped her to handle her business affairs after her husband died. “I didn’t have any credit in my name,” she said. “I had to build my credit over time. I have learned so much and they helped me get to the point where I can take care of my business on my own.” In addition to receiving the Credit Union of the Year, Redstone also recently won two Business Transformation & Operational Excellence Awards. Redstone Federal Credit Union received the Best Achievement of OperationalExcellence in Banking, Capital Markets & Insurance, as well as the highest honor in the award program, the Platinum Award for Best Achievement in Organizational Operational Excellence. In October, Money magazine named Redstone Federal Credit Union the “best bank” in Alabama. Web: www.redfcu.org
affiliate in Alabama, joining Kaiser Sotheby's International Realty on the Gulf Coast. “As I did my research of other Sotheby’s International Realty locations across the U.S., I found the home values went up surrounding the offices they set as their new locations on average nine months after opening,” said Howard. “This was astounding to me. Not only was their brand a benefit to the professional agents and the clients they serve, but the surrounding homes in the marketplace increased with it. “I am confident this affiliation will be a benefit to our community in an impactful way.” Amanda Howard Sotheby’s International Realty will remain independently owned and operated. The Sotheby’s International Realty network has more than 22,000 affiliated independent sales associates in 950 offices in 70 countries and territories worldwide.
July 2018
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INDUSTRY
EOS selects Huntsville for flagship manufacturing facility by Bud McLaughlin
Electro Optic Systems (EOS), a leading Australian technology company operating in the aerospace and defense markets, has selected Huntsville for its flagship U.S. manufacturing facility. “EOS is very happy to have the opportunity to formally join the Huntsville community,” said Phil Coker, the company’s U.S. president. “North Alabama is an area of incredible people, outstanding institutions and immense potential, and we are thrilled to have the chance to establish a business in this area. “We look forward to working with the Defense Department, federal, state, and local government leaders, and local businesses to improve the community and serve our country and its citizens.”
Within the first year of operation, EOS will hire up to 100 full-time employees. A state-of-the-art production facility on Wall-Triana Highway has been scaled to grow to at least 250 employees if contract awards continue on the current trajectory. “EOS is a natural fit for the Huntsville community, and we’re pleased our new Australian partners chose Huntsville as their preferred place to invest and do business,” said Mayor Tommy Battle. “This addition continues our momentum to add more manufacturing in support of Huntsville’s excellent research and development capabilities.” EOS is a leader in the development and production of robotic or remotely controlled weapons systems (“RCWS” or “RWS”) where
it has built a strong reputation as a major provider for more than 25 years to the U.S., NATO and ANZUS markets. EOS products currently dominate the global market for next-generation lightweight weapon systems with unprecedented accuracy and firepower. “EOS’ decision to locate its new manufacturing center in Alabama is a reflection of the state’s attractive business climate and its skilled workers, who prove their capabilities each and every day,” Gov. Kay Ivey said. “Huntsville will make a great home for the company because Alabama’s ‘Rocket City’ offers every advantage a business needs to succeed.” EOS, which is based in Hume, ACT, operates in military space, missile defense, and surface warfare
sectors. Its products incorporate advanced electro-optic applications based on EOS core technologies in software, lasers, electronics, optronics, gimbals, telescopes, beam directors, stabilization and precision mechanisms. “Huntsville serves as a critical hub for high-tech defense work, and that makes the city a smart choice for EOS as it develops a flagship U.S. manufacturing facility,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “We look forward to building a strong partnership with the company and seeing it grow both its business and its workforce in coming years.” For more information visit www.eos-aus.com/
Travel industry sets record in Madison County by Bud McLaughlin
“Travel and tourism to Madison County is big business.” CVB President/CEO Judy Ryals
Visitors to Madison County provided a nearly $1.3 billion economic impact in 2016, according to figures from the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Alabama Tourism Department. It was the highest level ever for the county as travel and tourism provided more than 16,400 jobs. It was a 9.2 percent increase in spending on hotels, restaurants, shopping and transportation, according to the figures provided by the state. “Travel and tourism to Madison County is big business,” CVB President/CEO Judy Ryals said. “It directly impacts the pocketbooks of local residents, and we’re excited to
release this information, especially since 2017 was yet another recordbreaking year for economic impact. “We are proud of how the travel and tourism industry supports local jobs, and we are honored to serve the roughly 3.1 million visitors that traveled to Huntsville/Madison County over the past year.” Statewide, the travel industry grew by $1 billion in 2017 to a record of $14.3 billion in expenditures, and increased jobs by 7,399 to some 186,906 employees, Gov. Kay Ivey announced. She said that the industry grew by 7 percent and attracted an additional 810,000 visitors to top 26 million guests for the first time.
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INDUSTRY DAY
Planes, drones, special missions aircraft on display at Sierra Nevada Industry Day Story and photos by Kimberly Ballard
A cost-effective solution for retrofitting old Black Hawk helicopters with the most technologically advanced electronics and equipment was unveiled recently by Sierra Nevada. The event was held during Sierra Nevada’s Industry Day at the company’s facility at the Huntsville Executive Airport. SNC acquired the older model Air Force UH-60L Black Hawk through Huntsville’s Black Hawk Exchange & Sales Team (BEST) program. They removed the outdated analog gauges and Marconi strip radar system and replaced it with an all glass cockpit, a fully certified stateof-the-art digital avionics suite, and mission-specific equipment including an external mounted camera, rescue hoists, and a 200-gallon auxiliary fuel tank. Now known as the Sierra Force Rotary-Wing Aircraft, the newly retrofitted helicopter is valued at an estimated $19 million. “At the end of the day, each Sierra Force aircraft returns a significant portion of the production cost to the U.S. government,” said Bill Morris, vice president of business development for Sierra Nevada. “We make it possible for the U.S. Air Force to acquire the most cost-effective replacement aircraft available.” Also, on exhibit was a King Air 350ER Mission Enhancement Kit. “We bought the standard King Air as a green aircraft,” he said. “… using the Independent Research and Development (IR&D) program to determine what modifications were needed, we created a Mission Enhancement Kit that involves installing a new engine, an electronic braking system, and a lightweight battery that removes 20 pounds from the aircraft, while increasing the
ability to fly at airspeeds up to 340 knots.” Morris said Sierra Nevada replaced the four-blade propeller with five blades, which enables the plane to climb to 30,000 feet in 17 minutes instead of 40 minutes. It mitigates a lot of the noise from the engine so passengers can have a reasonable conversation without headsets. “On an ordinary 90-degree day
at 7,000 feet, you would have only about 30 minutes of fuel available,” said Morris. “With our newly designed kit, you can fly for eight hours under the same conditions – a significant increase for our Army forces who fly very long distances on manned surveillance and intelligence missions.” The King Air and the SNC Scorpion Aircraft are fully-integrated multi-role special mission aircraft whose configurations include a lightweight interior, LED lighting, an extended nose to accommodate camera and sensors that surveil targets on the ocean up to 200 nautical miles; and a Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) satellite communications system on top that transmits data in real time to
a ground station. Also on display during Industry Day was a battery-operated surveillance drone. The aircraft is housed in a case with a Unified Ground Control Station, a hand-held controller and manned and unmanned teaming functions. Powered by software designed by Kutta Technologies, the unmanned aircraft system can be dropped from an aircraft and deployed remotely from ground or air and has autonomous landing capabilities. It has a payload bay and a powerful camera that can see around corners. The drone can be programmed with waypoints or set to loiter and wait for updates from the controller.
King Air 350ER Mission Enhancement Kit with five-blade propellers that enable the aircraft to climb to 30,000 feet in 17 minutes
July 2018
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“MAIN STREET”
‘Main Street Alabama’ designation to make South Huntsville a ‘special place’ by Bud McLaughlin
There may be no specified downtown nor an entertainment district per se. In fact, South Huntsville’s “main street” is a four-lane divided highway that carries a U.S. route designation. But, the area that stretches from roughly south of Governors Drive to the Tennessee River is a Main Street Alabama community. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to
work with you guys,” Mary Helmer, Main Street Alabama president and state coordinator, said at a news conference Tuesday at the Doubletree Suites. “You’ll know when you arrive, you’re in a special place.” Helmer said the work will start in early August when a resource team visits to develop a transformation strategy. The team includes Helmer and a group of national experts and
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the entire process will take place “over the next two or three years,” she said. Mayor Tommy Battle said a key to the transformation is the completion of the Parkway overpasses at Byrd Spring Road and Logan Drive/ Lily Flagg Road – which he called “disruptive construction.” “When the Parkway is opened, it brings the market to here,” he said.
“All of a sudden, within a 10-minute drive, you have 200,000 people.” Jerry Cargile, president of the South Huntsville Business Association, is looking forward to the economic growth the “Main Street Alabama” label will bring to the community. “The journey begins today,” he said. “From a surviving district to one that is thriving.”
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