Keeping you informed and inspired. VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 5
May 2019
HER-STORY
Urban Engine Discussion Focuses on Unique Challenges Faced by Women in Business
COVER STORY
Founded in fall 2016, Urban Engine is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, small business incubator that governs, nurtures, and sustains. By Lori J. Connors - Page 8
Page 12
SPORTS / RECREATION
Exercise Coach Combines Fitness with Technology
There’s a new way to work out in Madison that blends the one-on-one instruction you get with a personal trainer with technology that personalizes each workout to help avoid injuries and maximize results. By Jonathan Stinson - Page 20
ADDITIONAL STORIES • City’s Magic Number for Downtown Hotel Rooms is 1,000 By Mike Easterling • Page 3 • American Airlines Increases Service at Huntsville International By Bud McLaughlin • Page 5
• A Sweet Idea Leads to Teen’s Business Success and Recognition By Lori J. Connors • Page 18
• Trash Pandas Merchandise Setting Records; Stadium on Schedule
By Mike Easterling • Page 21
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HUNTSVILLE
BUSINESS JOURNAL Vol 2, Issue 5 May 2019 600 Boulevard South Suite 104 Huntsville, AL 35802
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
Cummings Research Park Provides Diversity to Attract Tenants, Visitors The building at the corner of Wynn and Bradford drives, across from Lockheed Martin, is an example of the diversity and “mixed-use” plans for Cummings Research Park. Once a high-tech business, the building became Huntsville’s first Catholic high school. And, the transformation will continue as it will soon become a multi-use facility, as in retail, office space and a hotel. Erin Koshut, executive director of Cummings Research Park, recently hosted a group of news media on a “field trip” to show off the park and plans for its future. Right now, Cummings Research Park – the nation’s second-largest and world’s fourth-largest research park - is home to some 300 companies with more than 26,000
employees. Also, with the University of Alabama-Huntsville and Calhoun Community College inside its boundaries, the 3,800-acre campus includes more than 13,000 students. The companies include such Fortune 500 companies as Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman while local high-tech businesses such as Adtran and Dynetics are players on the world stage. Newcomers include Blue Origin, which is building a facility to manufacture the next generation of rocket engines, while BAE Systems, a longtime tenant, is building a new facility to accommodate its growth. Combine them with HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, UAH and Calhoun and you have the blend of research, business and academia. In a salute to the historic begin-
nings of the park – it was spawned following a brainstorming session in 1962 among Dr. Wernher von Braun and several Huntsville civic and business leaders – the building at the corner of Wynn and Bradford will possibly spawn new ideas from the next generation of the city’s thinkers and doers. The park, which is 91 percent filled, has room to grow and we can hope that new ideas and research will lead to businesses and, one day, fill the park. u (Bud McLaughlin is editor of the Huntsville Business Journal. He joins Fred Holland every Wednesday at 6:30 a.m. on WTKI-FM 105.3 and AM1450)
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Publisher/President ……… Todd Stephenson Editor ………………………… Bud McLaughlin Writers………………………… Kimberly Ballard Lori J. Connors Mike Easterling Jonathan Stinson Contributing Writers…………… Zack Childress Jim Owens Brent Saba Graphic Design ………………… Justina Simon Website……………………………… Jim Gharib Photographers…………………… Steve Babin Kimberly Ballard Marianne Higgins Justina Simon Jeff White Director of Sales ……… Carolyn Stephenson Distribution……………………… Glenda 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.
May 2019
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DEVELOPMENT
City’s Magic Number for Downtown Hotel Rooms is 1,000 The newest edition to Huntsville’s skyline is only one of many new hotels planned for downtown. City planners don’t plan to stop until they reach 1,000. Not the number of hotels, obviously, but the number of hotel rooms available in the center of the city for highly-attended events. The AC Hotel Huntsville Downtown, a Marriott property, is open for business and joins the Embassy Suites as two hotels overlooking Big Spring Park. AC Hotel is on the corner of Williams Avenue and Monroe Street and will anchor the mixed-use City Centre development. The six-story building, which has 120 rooms, will eventually be joined by other hotels as part of the vast growth of business in the downtown area. “It’s been a goal to get to 1,000 rooms,’’ Downtown Huntsville Inc. CEO Chad Emerson said. “It’s not necessarily about the number of hotels but the number of rooms.’’ Construction will begin in the fall for a seven-floor Hampton Inn and Suites at the corner of Clinton Avenue and Monroe Street. The site is next to the garage that serves the Von Braun Center and is used for event parking. One more hotel is in the planning stages and, like the Embassy Suites, AC Hotel and Hampton Inn and Suites, will be within a one-mile radius of the VBC. Curio by Hilton is slated for Jefferson Street near the Courthouse Square, where the site is already being cleared And city planners aren’t stopping with the addition of these hotels. “There have been three new hotels announced,’’ Emerson said, “and there are some that have not been announced.’’ As the makeover of downtown Huntsville continues and expands, two new franchises are getting ready to open. The Poppy is a traditional English pub on the North Side Square.
There will be a ribbon-cutting at the site May 2 with the grand opening set for May 6. The Mercantile, in space formerly occupied by Crossroads Music Hall at 115 Clinton Avenue, is an entertainment and private party venue. The Mercantile will host its first musical acts July 3 with local rockers Rob Aldridge and the Proponents opening. “We’re actively engaged in the booking process,’’ co-owner David Clarke said of The Mercantile. “We’ve got quite a few bands booked.’’ Clarke said he and his partners at PBG Holdings want to provide a unique experience with the two new sites. They’re also bringing Arsenal Coffee food truck to the exploding downtown scene. “We’re paying attention to details and trying to create a destination at The Mercantile,’’ Clarke said. “We want the people of Huntsville to come but also have people coming from Nashville, Birmingham.’’ Emerson is confident the new businesses will attract visitors. “The Mercantile and The Poppy will bring unique new retail options to downtown Huntsville,’’ he said. “Both add another interesting and creative destination to our city center.’’
The AC Hotel by Marriott recently opened as part of the CityCentre development in downtown Huntsville. It’s the first of its kind in Alabama by Marriott and fea-
By Mike Easterling Photography by Justina Simon
tures 120 rooms and six levels. The hotel is one of two planned for CityCentre and another two have been proposed within the vicinity of the Von Braun Center. u Advertorial
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
DINING
Seafood Lover’s Alert: There’s Something Fishy Going on In Huntsville
By Kimberly Ballard / Photography by Pier 88
On a spring day, you can almost hear the halyards slapping the mast of the fishing trawlers in the harbor; a sea gull squawks in the distance and there is the hint
of salt in the air. All Huntsville seafood lovers have been able to do these past few years is daydream about a fresh catch from the coast, but some-
thing certainly smells fishy these days in the vicinity of University Drive between Wynn Drive and Research Park Boulevard. Fish lovers will welcome two Cajun-style seafood restaurants to Huntsville this summer: Pier 88 Boiling Seafood & Bar and Krab Hut Cajun Seafood & Bar. Their opening will fill a void in coastal seafood cuisine. Chattanooga-based Pier 88 Boiling Seafood & Bar is famous in four – soon to be five – states for its low country boil. The restaurant claims to have sold more than 100,000 Low Country Boils consisting of a half-pound of snow crab legs, a half-pound of shrimp, a halfpound of all-meat sausage, a boiled
be near her brother and his family. “Seafood restaurants are missing from Huntsville’s food choices for some reason,” said Chang. “We are opening new restaurants in Virginia, too. “But we chose Huntsville specifically because we wanted to fill that void with fresh Cajun-style seafood.” The Krab Hut story began in China during the 1980s with a boy named Bill, who enjoyed hanging out down at the harbor watching the fishing boats come in. One day the captain of a big fishing boat gave Bill permission to come aboard and see the haul of fish. They ate a meal of freshly caught fish that day and, ever since then, Bill has dreamed of providing
egg, an ear of corn, and a potato. So, there should be little doubt Huntsville diners will be happy to add to those numbers when they open in June at 5850 University Drive, adjacent to Best Buy. Specializing in a Cajun spice boil, the boiling menu also includes shrimp, clams, and mussels; and fried calamari, oysters, and catfish. Huntsville native Helen Chang will be leaving Pier 88’s original restaurant in Chattanooga to manage the Huntsville store. She is looking forward to returning home and to
fresh, unique seafood to everyone, even those who don’t live along the coast. In 2018, “Bill” opened his first Krab Hut in Duluth, Ga., and this summer, will be opening a Krab Hut Cajun Seafood & Bar in the old Chili’s location at 4925 University Drive, just west of Wynn Drive. The menu includes steamed and boiled shrimp, crab legs, crawfish, Manila clams, mussels, Dungeness crab, blue crab (seasonal), lobster tails and boiled, steamed, fried or raw oysters. u
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May 2019
5
TRAVEL / LEISURE
American Airlines Increases Service at Huntsville International By Bud McLaughlin
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Beginning next month, American Airlines will offer more early morning and evening flight options for passengers traveling direct from Huntsville to Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport. Customers in Huntsville will have the opportunity to make one stop in Dallas/Fort Worth to travel to Dublin and Munich, where American is launching seasonal service for the first time in June. “We are very excited that American made the decision to add service to the Huntsville market and we know that our customers will appreciate more options and will utilize this service,” said airport Board Chairman Dr. Carl J. Gessler Jr. While airport officials recognize the benefits of the added service, they are quick to point out that continued growth will require the support of the community. “These additions are another step to provide all of the cit-
izens of the Tennessee Valley more air travel options and phenomenal savings,” said airport Executive Director Rick Tucker. “American sees potential in Huntsville’s market, and we are glad they chose to expand their presence (here). “This is great news and if the business community and our residents support our local airport we will all enjoy more air travel options with guaranteed lower fares.” For more information or to make reservations, visit aa.com. Reservations can also be made at no additional charge using the Huntsville Hot Ticket Hot Line service by calling 256-258-1944, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. u Huntsville International Airport - Photo Credit: Wikipedia
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
AEROSPACE
Huntsville, Sierra Nevada Chasing the Dream of Space-based Startup Business
Since the launch of the International Space Station some 20 years ago, the idea of space, especially lowEarth orbit, has been one big start-up business. With Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser spacecraft jumping into the commercial resupply mission lane, the whole commercialization of space concept got very interesting for Huntsville. If all goes as planned, the busy little Dream Chaser spacecraft will make its maiden landing at the Huntsville International Airport in 2023. It will be the first and only commercial airport licensed by the FAA for a spaceplane landing. The only other designated landing site will be Kennedy Space Center in Florida. “There is a whole new business going on up there and people who create NASA policy like the idea of the commercialization of space,” said Lee Jankowski, senior director of Business Development for Teledyne Brown Engineering in Huntsville. He is also the program manager for the $1 million project to obtain two special FAA licenses so the Dream Chaser spacecraft can land at Huntsville International Airport. If this sounds far-fetched, that’s what Jankowski thought too, five years ago. While known for the business of rocketry and propulsion. Huntsville also contributes to other areas of space
exploration, such as payload science analysis, operations, and integration. Teledyne Brown Engineering in Huntsville has handled all science payload operations for the Space Shuttle missions for nearly 20 years. The company has a Payload Operations Control Center at Marshall Space Flight Center and the contract was renewed to manage resupply efforts and payloads to the International Space Station. “TBE and our subcontractors understand how to plan out the science while it’s onboard; how to train for it; how to execute it; and how to get it back down to Earth to maximize its scientific return,” said Jankowski. “With the shuttle program, Teledyne Brown planned one- or two-week missions that occurred three or four times a year. “With the space station, we are up there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. That’s a lot of science.” Huntsville’s Story Jankowski believes there is a compelling story to be told for why landing the Dream Chaser in Huntsville makes sense. “There are two different mission sets or two different orbits for Huntsville to consider,” he said. “Let’s say we have a mission that goes up from Kennedy, resupplies the space station and, when it comes down, lands in Huntsville.”
This is not an implausible scenario, he said, because the Marshall Space Flight Center has a lot of hardware flying around up there that needs to be returned. The second mission set would be going back to Spacelab-type payload missions. Many Huntsville entities such as Marshall and HudsonAlpha already have payloads. Why not plan a return mission that is more North Alabama-centric? A standalone Huntsville payload mission landing here carrying specimens, hardware, or other science can be immediately offloaded from the space vehicle and delivered pronto to the scientists, universities, and companies in this area. So Many Possibilities Most of the early missions will be unmanned and flown autonomously but the Dream Chaser was originally designed for a crew of at least six. The interior has been modified to better accommodate supply runs to the space station, but Sierra Nevada is still focused on getting a U.S. astronaut back to the space station on a U.S. vehicle. “A Dream Chaser landing capability here opens up so many possibilities,” Jankowski said. “Exposure to cutting-edge concepts and, let’s say we only get one landing. We are looking at job growth. We will need processing facilities and manpower to build, operate and integrate payloads.”
By Kimberly Ballard / Photography by Sierra Nevada Corporation
For the third straight year, the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce has sponsored a European Space Agency competition, seeking applications for the Dream Chaser that would land in Huntsville. “The Space Exploration Masters competition with the European Space Agency and our partner, Astrosat, a Scottish space services company, has given us a world stage for promoting our space, science and technology ecosystem,” said Lucia Cape, the Chamber’s senior vice president for economic development. “The competition has helped us raise the international profile of Huntsville not only as the home of the Saturn V and the space shuttle, but also as the space science operations center for the International Space Station and the ongoing rocket and propulsion capital for SLS and Blue Origin.” Five years ago, Jankowski approached Madison County Commissioner Steve Haraway on how to acquire study money to determine if such a pursuit was feasible and if the airport could handle the unique spacecraft’s landing. Haraway; County Commission Chairman Dale Strong; Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle; then-Madison Mayor Troy Trulock; Cape; and the Port of Huntsville leadership, all pulled together $200,000 in public funds to conduct a six-month feasibility study. “The Chamber’s role in economic development includes working with local leaders and companies to position ourselves for optimal growth,” said Cape. “We’ve identified Huntsville’s space science and payload expertise as a key asset in the emerging space economy. “Landing the Dream Chaser at Huntsville International Airport would create new opportunities for local companies as well as new capabilities for our research and development community.” HSV Runway Testing “In 2015, Huntsville International Airport did a landing site study (to determine) the feasibility and compat-
May 2019
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AEROSPACE
ibility of landing future space vehicles (specifically the Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser),” said Kevin Vandeberg, director of operations at Huntsville International Airport. The main issue was whether the skid plate on the front of Dream Chaser would seriously damage the asphalt runway. Dream Chaser lands on its back two wheels but does not have a front landing tire. Instead, the nose drops down on a skid plate to bring the vehicle to a halt. Using heavy equipment travelling at a high rate of speed, Morell Engineering tests showed a vehicle the size of Dream Chaser would be going so fast, it would do only minimal damage to the runway, never digging into the asphalt or rutting. Sierra Nevada shipped in a real skid plate for the test and it passed with flying colors. They also conducted preliminary environmental assessments to measure the effects of the mild sonic boom the landing will trigger, and whether it will impact nearby explosive materials. “In January 2016, the Airport Authority received the report on the findings of the study from Morell Engineering,” said Vandeberg. “It confirmed that little structural damage is expected to occur during the landing of Dream Chaser on the airport’s asphalt runway. Upon review of this report, Huntsville International Airport determined that we would move forward with the FAA license application process.” The $1 Million Phase II Engineering Analysis There are two applications required by the FAA to be considered a landing designation for Dream Chaser. Huntsville International must apply for a license to operate a re-entry site. Sierra Nevada must submit an application for a license for “Re-entry of a Re-entry Vehicle Other Than a Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV).” “We are currently in the middle of a 2½-year engineering analysis in which we have subcontractors based at Kennedy Space Center doing most of the analyses,” said Jankowski. “Huntsville is taking a backseat to Kennedy because NASA is paying the Kennedy Space Center to do most of the required analyses. If you look at the launch schedule, Kennedy is one to two months ahead of Huntsville. Si-
erra Nevada gave us a heads-up to be patient and let Kennedy go first so a lot of the generic analysis needed is paid for, keeping our $1 million investment intact.” The airport is scheduled to submit the first application to the FAA in December and the second application next January. However, the NASA buzz is that it will likely slip four or five months, and the Chamber has warned about recent proposed changes to space launch and landing permits at the federal level that could impact plans. Altogether, it puts them a year away from final submission. Community Engagement & Legislative Support “We have engaged some amazing people like Congressman Mo Brooks, Senators Richard Shelby and Doug Jones, and Gov. Kay Ivey,” said Jankowski. “NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine; past-NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden; William Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Human Exploration and Operations for NASA; and Kirk Shireman, manager of the ISS Program, are all familiar with Huntsville’s FAA status.” “The Chamber has been actively marketing Huntsville as a landing site through local partner workshops, presentations to local industry groups and the Alabama Space Authority,” said Cape. “We also have the sponsorship of an international competition seeking ideas for using the Dream Chaser to further space exploration and economic development. The United Nations Factor There is an even bigger business storyline in the making - Sierra Nevada is in negotiations with the United Nations. A couple of years ago, the company sent out a Call For Interest among U.N. members, asking if they have any potential payloads or science to fly on a two-week Dream Chaser mission. Expecting 40 or 50 responses, Sierra Nevada received close to 175. The United Nations is working with Sierra Nevada to potentially launch missions that help Third World nations. And Jankowski said everything is on schedule so far. “From the day Huntsville Interna-
tional Airport submits the application, the FAA reserves up to 180 days to approve the license,” he said. “Once they get their license, there will be 1½-year lead-time before NASA says, ‘Huntsville has both of their FAA licenses in hand. They want a mission.’
“After that, the soonest we could get on the manifest is, I think, about 20 months, so we are probably still looking at being about 3½ years out.” But, as everyone knows, in the realm of the business of space, that day will be here before we know it. u
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
HER-STORY By Lori J. Connors / Urban Engine Discussion Focuses on Photography by Steve Babin Unique Challenges Faced by Women in Business
The Rocket City is known for its high-tech, digital-driven businesses and engineering. But, if you’re a woman in those industries, there are challenges that male counterparts don’t have to face. So, Urban Engine Executive Director Toni Eberhart stepped in to help women answer those challenges with a panel discussion called “Her-Story.” “We decided to do a panel discussion for Women’s History Month which featured women who were making waves,” Eberhart said. “The panel was designed to open the discussion of the unique challenges faced by women. It was important to us to find women that were relatable and accessible.” Founded in fall 2016, Urban Engine is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, small business incubator that governs, nurtures, and sustains. “Urban Engine facilitates aspiring entrepreneurs, it’s collaboration,” Eberhart said. “We started a meetup and a place where people work on their side projects. It’s geared toward those interested in startups leveraged around mobile technology and software, the
industry disrupters.” The meetups soon gained momentum, and what began as a group of six to 10 people grew to 100 people and morphed into what is now known as “Coworking Night.” The “Her-Story” event was moderated by Carly Seldon, host of “Let Me Tell You Something.” “I’m really excited about the panel,” Seldon said. “Toni and I have worked on this. We wanted to have an honest conversation about the struggles and to be able to pass along some knowledge.” The panelists were: Jessica Barker, entrepreneur, owner of Affluent Business Services; Joanna Broad White, government affairs liaison, Huntsville Area Association of Realtors; May Chen, computer engineer at Adtran; and Emilie Dover, owner of Rocket City Digital. Seldon started the panel discussion by asking Chen about the challenges faced as an engineer, which, traditionally is considered a male-dominated field. “There are (few) females in research and development or manage-
ment,” Chen said. “It’s hard to have a female voice. I see myself as a capable, confident engineer. “Customers and clients don’t see you has having the answers. Is it because I’m female? Because I’m Chinese? It’s hard not to question. I try to see things objectively and say what I think.” Women also have to face certain “stereotypes” compared to men in the same position. “I’ve never heard a man be referred to as ‘pushy,’” White said. “I think men lack some of the qualities women have. Men are reticent to express passion. If a woman is really jazzed or really angry about something, men are going to get uncomfortable. “Assertiveness is valuable, and paved with passion that men will grow to appreciate. My male mentors were afraid to be assertive, which allowed me to push forward. It’s also important to back everything up with really good work.” Climbing the ladder also brings its own set of challenges for women. Barker brought up the “crab” effect, also known as “Crabology.”
“Something that a lot of black women know what you’re talking about,” she said. “Like a bucket of crabs, as you’re climbing up, trying to get up the ladder (out of the bucket), your friends are pulling you back down. At this point, you start to lose friends, or your friendships change. “The problem is not limited to the black experience. How to circumvent it is to change your own mindset. Keep in mind that they (your friends) might not be in that same mindset. You can’t be talking about travel and new car purchases, you have different conversations with them and don’t bring up certain things.” Did Someone Stifle Your Growth? “It’s a huge reason why Rocket City Digital came into being,” said Dover. “I had several bosses who would give me more work. I would take on more jobs, more responsibilities, all along realizing I could do this for myself. “One day I told my future partner, ‘I’m quitting. So, if we’re going to start this business, we’re going to start it today.’” Seldon posed another question:
May 2019
9
HER-STORY
“How do you make sure you don’t stifle someone else’s growth?” “I’m very self-aware, my partners and I have our own strengths and weaknesses,” Dover said. ‘We strive to provide a safe, healthy, fun workplace for our employees. At Rocket City Digital, we strive to provide a workplace where you want to be there.”
support group, it helps.” “Energy is not created nor destroyed,” said Barker. “Whatever you put out there is what you will get back.” “Take a minute, stop and eat,” said White. “Nothing is as dramatic as you think. There is a time when you need to take time for yourself.”
What are the traits a woman needs? “You really have to know what your passions are. You have to love STEM, or at least like it. You have to have the courage to pursue what you want,” Chen said. “Whatever you wake up in the morning yearning to do,” said Barker. “Put your passion to a purpose. Whatever it is that’s burning inside you. Someone needs what you have the passion to do.”
What about R-E-S-P-E-C-T? “I love confrontation,” said White. “When you live in the present, it’s so important to deal with these things because they will fester. You cannot please everyone, you are not pizza. Not everyone is going to like me, but they will respect me. I just need to make sure that I back it up with good work.” “Show them real value and you’ll be respected,” Chen said.
What lessons are you passing on to your children? “Make sure you find out what they are passionate about,” said Barker, a mother of four - ages 1-14. “Follow what they like to do. Let them be free to live their lives.” White, also a mom with four children, said let the children know what is important. “That the world doesn’t revolve around them, we are not the only things in mom’s life,” she said. “Husband, faith, friends, they are all very important. We celebrate our friend’s successes. They have them ask themselves ‘How can I make a difference? Do I have compassion?’” “I want to make sure that my son knows that life isn’t always fair,” said Dover, mother to a 3-year-old son. “Time and dedication, it will ultimately pay off for the future.” What would be the advice you would give your younger self? “You need to become ‘numb” inside,’” said Dover. “Business is business and business owners see things differently. You can’t take everything personally when it comes to business. Then, it becomes a vicious cycle. Find ways to do your job better and more efficiently.” “I have an amazing group of friends,” said Chen. “I have a lot of good friends, male, female. Find your
What do you do to get motivated? “In the office, we do slow claps,” said Dover. “I listen to local Huntsville music, like Judy and Josh Allison on Spotify,” said White. “I nerd out about Huntsville. Stuff to keep me focused and to remind me why I am here. I also focus on big projects. Huntsville is a small pond. So, if you work hard, you’ll be a big fish really quick. Maybe things are ending for a reason. Be sure there’s a good examination, find a network.” Barker, who listens to New Orleans jazz music to get motivated, said, “When things look bleak, I go back to my network, go to networking events, and make sure I’m staying current.” How does one learn to say ‘No’? “I’ve often weakened my ‘no’ by saying ‘yes,’” said Dover. “If you are doing the hard work, they will respect your ‘no.’” “Make sure you’re personally aligned with your mission,” said White. “Develop your personal mission so you know when to say ‘no.’” “Build relationships and rapport,” said Chen. “When I say no, they know I have a good reason.” “To them, your ‘no’ may look like doom at first,” said Barker. “But it just might be your victory.” For more information on Urban Engine’s Coworking Night and other programs, visit https://www.urbanengine.org/ u
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
HER-STORY
May Chen Answers and Solves Her Challenges By Lori J. Connors / Photography by Steve Babin
“One of my mentors pushed me out of my comfort zone.”
When a teen-age May Chen arrived in the United States from China 20 years ago, she faced numerous challenges. “My parents sent me here at age 18,” said Chen, a computer engineer at Adtran. “Coming to the U.S. at a young age, I was homesick, and I struggled with the language barrier and culture shock.” Her first two years in this country were spent at college while living with her aunt in Birmingham. Chen started as a business major but switched to computer engineering. “At UAH, my college roommate was a computer engineering major and I wanted to sit with someone I knew,” she said to explain her change in majors. After a significant programming event in one of the computer labs,
Chen was certain that computer engineering was the right track for her. “I got the LED to turn out a certain pattern.” Since 2003, Chen has been a computer engineer, the past 10 years at Adtran. A pivotal moment for Chen came six years ago, after being asked to help with organizing Adtran’s annual Hackathon. “I got involved because I felt like I was stagnating,” said Chen. “As a participant, I learned so much. The teamwork, the ‘high’ of creating something in a very short time. “Organizing the Hackathon not only helped me build a network, it gave me an opportunity to see different perspectives.” She also credited her mentors with giving her an extra push.
Jessica Barker an Upbeat, Focused Woman with Purpose By Lori J. Connors / Photography by Steve Babin
Jennifer Barker started in the fast food industry but wasn’t there long before moving on to the banking industry, starting her own business, then putting her toe in the water of local politics. She is an upbeat, energetic, focused woman
with purpose. As a mother of four, ages 1 to 14, there’s a lot of theatre and ballet practice, so managing a hectic schedule is a strategy. She relies on her family: Her mother, her husband, multiple calendars, and frequent email communications. “It’s a blessing and a curse,” said Barker. “But, I was created for this moment and I just have to own it.” On the political magnet track while at J.O. Johnson High School, Barker was initially bit by the politics bug as an intern with then-U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions in Washington, D.C. After seeing the growth of new jobs to North Alabama, Barker decided to run for a seat on the State Board of Education. “I felt our public education needed to be on pace,” she said. “Otherwise, we will produce kids that leave Alabama to find better opportunities and attract people coming to town, with the skills needed to fill the new jobs.
“We need to produce kids that have the skills to do the jobs, so they don’t have to move elsewhere to find work.” Barker said her greatest accomplishments have been becoming financially free through self-education and having a family. “After I had my oldest daughter, and found myself a single parent, we moved into subsidized housing,” she said. “I wrote her a letter, promising her that we’d be out of public housing in a year. A year later, we moved into our home. That’s when I realized that if I wanted to change my circumstances, I needed to create my own opportunities. “I wanted to learn money management while working at the bank, something we aren’t taught in school. My goal was to be out of debt by 2010; by 2016, I was completely debt-free.” Barker later stepped out on her own, leaving the banking industry and becoming her own boss, as CEO of Affluent Business Management and Consulting.
“I have champions and mentors, I get a lot of support from upper management,” Chen said. “One of my mentors pushed me out of my comfort zone. He didn’t micromanage me. He gave me encouraging words along the way. “On the day of the Hackathon, he was there to publicly acknowledge my work. I was moved, motivated, and touched.” And though she has handed over the reins of the Hackathon to others, she still has a desire to make things better. When asked about how she defines personal success, Chen answered, “I want to improve things. I want to think that the world is a better place because I am in it.” u
Barker is involved with promoting the “Lift Our Vote” campaign. The premise behind Lift Our Vote is to connect with marginalized populations, such as women, Muslims, disabled, and the formerly incarcerated. “We are helping to demystify politics and the political issues,” she said. “Politics can be intimidating for the everyday citizen. ‘Lift Our Vote’ is about making politics fun and engaging, making people aware of political issues and the importance of lifting our vote.” Barker credits her mother with much of her success and her positive attitude. “My mom is a great support, she’s always been an encourager, empowering us to live our lives unapologetically,” she said. “I think more opportunities are afforded to my generation. You can be anything you want. “As we work, we create pathways of opportunities for those coming behind us. Success to me is living your dream on purpose with purpose. Education is important but making sure that you’re aligned with a higher power is even more important. I want to make sure that the world that I’ve entered, I leave in a better state.” u
May 2019
11
HER-STORY
Emilie Dover Always Had the Entrepreneurial Bug By Lori J. Connors / Photography by Steve Babin
Five years ago, Rocket City Digital business owner Emilie Dover arrived in Huntsville trying to find that special something missing in her professional career. In college, Dover had internships and freelance work with several social
media firms. After college, she landed a management job for Big Lots in San Diego. “What got me interested in digital media? A stint in broadcast journalism,” said Dover. “In high school, I got an internship at the local TV station. It was a real eye-opener. Once the camera was off, they (the news crew) wouldn’t speak to each other. They were all fighting for the same small story. I don’t like to be on camera, it turned me toward digital media.” Arriving in Huntsville, Dover first worked for Larry’s Pistol and Pawn, managing online sales, then she took a position as marketing director for Cool Springs Eye Care. But with a young son and a long commute, she decided she needed something closer to home. “I’ve always had the entrepreneurial bug,” said Dover. After working in jobs where all guts and no glory seemed to be the go-
ing work culture, there was something missing. She said, “I need to be doing more, I should be doing more. I didn’t know what until I started Rocket City Digital.” Dover and her two business partners, Nick Lasater and Scott Stevens, work well as a team. “We complement each other,” she said. “My weaknesses are their strengths. It’s great having the three of us so we can divide and conquer.” Rocket City Digital has nine employees. “We truly believe in our company culture. We strive to bring the right people on board. Everyone we’ve brought on, we court and get to know them. “If you hate where you work, it will bleed over into the other areas of your life,” she said. “Since the business is small, having a good fit is crucial.” There’s a lot of talk about the “work-life” balance for women in busi-
Joanna White Credits Hard Work, Mentors for Her Success By Lori J. Connors / Photography by Steve Babin
Joanna Broad White has an impressive list of accomplishments she credits to hard work and the guidance of “great mentors.” Her first mentor, of sorts, provided some early inspiration. Joanna and her younger sister Katie participated in theatre at Jackson Way Baptist Church.
Katie, now a New York City-based theatre actor, was a source of inspiration for her shy older sister. At 18, White got “roped into local theatre” with Fantasy Playhouse Theatre, which also brought her out of her shell. White met her husband, Jeff, when playing the part of Princess Jasmine in a production of “Aladdin.” Getting an early start on her career and bypassing the traditional college route, White landed her first job at Sunflower Station as a preschool music and theatre instructor then the director of the afternoon preschool program. After leaving Sunflower Station, White took a job that proved to be pivotal in developing her assertiveness skills. The job was an entry-level sales position at Theatrical Lighting Systems, then to later become a Project Manager in the Rental Department. “At TLS, I started out working the sales floor, then moved to rental, and pretty much learned all aspects of business operations,” said White. “The rental department was very much a ‘stick up for yourself’ environment.”
TLS served as the springboard for her 10-year role with the Arts Huntsville, formerly known as The Arts Council. During her tenure, White was essential to Panoply in various roles within planning and production, marketing, sponsorship and promotion. Her duties spanned the gamut of non-profit administration. One of White’s biggest game-changers came unexpectedly through the tornadoes of April 27, 2011. In preparation for the upcoming Panoply of the Arts, White ordered a generator to provide power for the event. But the vendor didn’t have a smaller one she ordered and sent a larger one in its place. That proved very fortunate. “We were planning something for nine months,” White said. “We planned for one reason and wound up there for a whole ‘nother reason. “My dad, who sets up the Panoply stages and lighting, calls me that Monday (before the storms), asking me why I ordered a 3,000-kilowatt generator. I didn’t order it; I called the vendor. It turns out the vendor didn’t have the smaller one we ordered, so he sent us the larger one
ness, something that has never been viewed as an issue for male executives. “This is just my life,” Dover said. “Wherever I can fit it, that’s how I do it.” Dover is quick to caution aspiring business owners about the “dark side” of entrepreneurship. “Only start a business if you’re willing to not get paid for one year, two years … There are more sacrifices in the beginning than there are perks,” she said. “You have to be willing to accept the fact that you may not make money the first couple of years. In fact, you may not be able to pay yourself.” But, like many things in life, timing is everything. “RCD came at the right place, the right time,” Dover said. “We’re going to be a part of something bigger in Huntsville. And I’m happy if my team is happy, my clients are happy, and my son is happy at the end of the day.” u
instead. Wednesday, the power goes out and Huntsville Utilities needs that 3,000-kilowatt generator.” White, a mother of four, has also served as the campaign coordinator for Mayor Tommy Battle and speaks admirably of him. “Mayor Battle has incredible female department heads, who are also the best people for the job,” she said. “Seeing women in leadership roles like that is very empowering.” White has been governmental affairs liaison for the Huntsville Area Association of Realtors for the past two years as “connective tissue,” the person who keeps government, real estate developers, and the public all connected and informed. For her younger self, White has this information: “Don’t be afraid of your passion. Be passionate. I didn’t know how to communicate it in the beginning. Find great mentors. I’ve had great mentors: Allison Dillon-Jauken, watching her diplomatically advocate art; Judy Link, watching her advocate and be passionate without alienating anyone; Learning from Miss Alma Huston during my Fantasy Playhouse Theatre days.” She said of her own legacy: “I may never see my success. I want my kids to look back 30 to 40 years from now and think, ‘Our mom did her best to make Huntsville an incredible place to live for everyone.’ ” u
12
Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
COVER
While Residents Are Goin’ ‘R Businesses Are Ass
By Kimberly Ballard / Photo
Photo by: EQB View, LLC
Huntsville residents are used to going around things. Most people have skirted around Redstone Arsenal for 65 years to get where they are going. And, after all, when you live in a valley, there are going to be some mountains to traverse, but the priority $18 million Cecil Ashburn Drive road improvement project has been challenging for a lot of people since it was closed in January for a widening project. Cecil Ashburn connects commuters from east Huntsville, Marshall and Jackson counties to downtown Huntsville, Redstone Arsenal, Cummings Research Park and beyond. While the through pass is closed, there are three routes connecting Big Cove/Hampton Cove to Huntsville and destinations to the west and all three require going around Huntsville. U.S. 431 via Governors Drive; South Memorial Parkway via Hobbs Island Road; and U.S. 72 via Eastern Bypass/Rock Cut Road are all viable, if not the shortest, routes. Almost since it opened in 2000, the winding two-lane shortcut through Huntsville Mountain from Jones Valley to Hampton Cove has been overcapacity. More than 17,000 vehicles travel it every day and, in the past 11 years, there have been 782 vehicle wrecks and 11 fatalities recorded along that 3.4-mile stretch of road.
The City of Huntsville knew it was going to be a bitter pill, but officials tried to alleviate as much pain as possible to improve traffic flow, increase capacity, and improve safety. The project will widen the road from two to four lanes between Old Big Cove Road and Four Mile Post Road, and safety improvements include eight-foot shoulders along each side of the roadway. “We changed the scope of the project to save time and money and to minimize the impact on our residents and businesses,” said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. The Effects on Local Business “The closure occurred just after the first of the year and, for us in the health and exercise business, January and February are our busiest months,” said Kim Edmunds, manager of Hot Yoga of Huntsville, at 326 Sutton Road on the east side of the construction. “We were outwardly worried people would have difficulty getting here for their appointments, but we have been surprised it is not any worse than it is.”
She said there has been a falloff in attendance at the popular late-afternoon class, the one that attracts people on their way home from work between 4 and 6 p.m. “We also see what we believe is a hesitation from our short term and trial members to make a longterm commitment while travel is limited,” she said. “We believe this will change when at least a couple of lanes are reopened this fall.” Carl Stanfield, interim store manager for Alabama Outdoors, said during the week foot traffic to his store at 2030 Cecil Ashburn Drive in Jones Valley, seems to have slowed down, but weekends are still very busy. “Checking with our corporate headquarters, we have seen a 25 percent drop in headcounts since the first of the year, so we think there may be some negative effects from the construction,” he said. “But the closure came the second week of January just as the holidays came to an end and school started back.
May 2019
13
STORY
Round Huntsville Mountain, sessing the Fallout
ography by City of Huntsville
That could also account for a natural drop-off after the holidays.” Tropical Smoothie Café manager Tyisha Burt said their new location at 2075 Cecil Ashburn Drive opened in September, so there isn’t any history to compare. “We have been very busy the past few months I think because of the warmer weather,” she said. “But we believe, once the pass is opened again, things will be even better than they are now.” Donna Denson, patient concierge at Austin Physical Therapy, drives in to the Jones Valley location from Scottsboro every day. “The day before the road closed, I decided to try the Green Mountain route using Old Big Cove Road,” she said. “But it was foggy that day and it was too unfamiliar, so I started taking Hobbs Island Road to Bailey Cove. It is an hour drive, but not a bad drive at all. “It takes a little extra time, but they say 17,000 cars travel Cecil Ashburn every day. That means a lot of people are taking some extra time and I see it as only a temporary lapse. Denson said there has been a “significant” falloff in appointments between 4 and 6 p.m. and 7 a.m.. “Lucky for us though, we have another location at the foot of Monte Sano when you come on Governors Drive,” she said. “So, rather than losing patients, they seem to just be booking the other location.” Business seems to be more negatively affected on the Jones Valley side than the Hampton Cove side and the restaurant business seems to be the most negatively affected. Moe’s Barbecue closed its doors due to a lack of business, according to neighboring tenants, but will be opening a location downtown. Ben Patterson, manager of the Jones Valley Mel-
low Mushroom, said there is no escaping the reality that dinner has fallen off since the closing. But his customers are so loyal, they have expressed their commitment to making it in whenever they can. “It was sort of like ripping off the Band-aid,” he said. “We had hoped they would not have to close down Cecil Ashburn completely, but we also know that the improvements will lead to a smoother, safer thoroughfare that will hopefully, when it opens again in October, lead to more traffic coming across from Hampton Cove.” For Anaheim Chili, the lunch crowd still shows up but the dinner crowd has dwindled. “People are certainly not comin’ ‘round the mountain’ as far as we can tell,” said manager Scott Harriman. “We have definitely seen a fall-off in dinner customers, but lunch is pretty steady. “Where we see the biggest drop-off is Monday through Wednesday for dinner. A lot of people stop to eat on their way home or to grab take out, but they are not doing that right now, probably because it takes people off their route and it takes longer to get home.” Tough Decisions While no one likes to hear that the main access from one side of the mountain to the other side of the mountain is closing down for 10 months, the City of Huntsville and the contractor, Carcel & G Construction, have taken steps to ease some of the pain. Originally, the project came in at $25 million with a timeline of nearly three years. The proposal had a caveat – one lane would stay open during peak traffic times, something that sounded good to retailers and businesses in Jones Valley and Hampton Cove. However, city planners said that plan would have been a costly, 32-month ordeal that posed additional safety concerns. City engineers came back with a new
schedule and an adjusted $18 million budget they felt best addressed the needs and concerns of the community. Those adjustments called for a complete shutdown of the roadway for 10 months beginning in January. In order to keep the project on track, the contractor has been offered financial performance bonuses of up to $2 million for each day work is ahead of schedule or meets the abbreviated construction timeline. Alternately, the contractor will be penalized up to $2 million for scheduled delays. They are also incentivized to make sure at least two lanes of traffic will reopen within the first 10-month period, which takes us into October. “We’re saving taxpayers millions of dollars and cutting two years of public pain in the construction process,” said Shane Davis, the city’s director of economic and urban development. Currently… Clearing operations are complete and the highly unpopular blasting operations that have disturbed residents of the area are approximately 80 percent complete. The storm drainage installation is about 60 percent complete. The contractor is coordinating with utility companies to begin relocation efforts. Huntsville Utilities has completed the electrical relocation and others are scheduled to begin their work next month. The contractor will also begin installation of water line next month to complete all utility work. They will begin to construct the roadway subgrade shortly thereafter. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said, “This schedule provides the least disruption course and gets motorists safely back on the road before the 2019 holiday season.” u
14
Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
BUSINESS LAW - ROBERT LOCKWOOD
Déjà Vu All Over Again: DOL Proposes New Overtime Rules Now that baseball season has arrived, it’s a good time to quote Yogi Berra: “It’s déjà vu all over again.” It certainly seems that way at the United States Department of Labor, which enforces federal overtime laws. In particular, the DOL is focusing on the threshold salary that must be paid to “exempt” employees – those who don’t receive overtime. Currently, an employee is ex-
empt from overtime if he or she meets the definition of an Executive, Administrative or Professional employee, and is paid an annual salary of $23,666 or more ($455 per week). Under the Obama administration in 2016, the DOL issued regulations that increased the threshold salary from $23,660 to $47,476. Legal challenges to those regulations stopped their implementation or enforcement.
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Nevertheless, DOL is back at it – “all over again.” On March 7, 2019, the DOL released a new proposal for increasing the threshold salary. It doesn’t go as far as the Obama administration regulations, but still increases the salary to $35,308 ($679 per week). The new regulations contain another important distinction. Under the 2016 rules, the DOL would automatically increase the threshold salary amount every three years. The new overtime rules do not have automatic increases. So, what does this mean for businesses? In short, you need to get ready. Hopefully, you went through this process in preparing for the 2016 regulations. If not, you need to start reviewing your employees and determine which ones are paid $35,308, or more. You also need to determine if they qualify as an executive, administrative or professional employee. Many employers think that they don’t have to pay overtime so long as they pay their employees a salary. That is one of the biggest mistakes that an employer can make. There is a two-part test. First, does the employee meet the salary threshold? Second, does the employee per-
form executive, administrative or professional duties? Those duties are defined by law, and you should proceed carefully if you want to consider an employee exempt from overtime. DOL’s proposed rules are just that – a proposal. DOL is accepting public comments on the proposed rules until May 21, 2019. As a result, there may be additional changes in the future. Because DOL received comments on the 2016 rules, most experts do not expect significant changes. Therefore, in the coming months, many employers can expect an increase in the cost of doing business. u
Robert Lockwood is an attorney with Wilmer & Lee, P.A., a business-oriented law firm. For more information contact Robert Lockwood at 256-533-0202 or by email at rlockwood@wilmerlee.com
May 2019
15
PERSONAL FINANCE - BRENT SABA
Business Exit Planning Creates Value to Boomers Recent studies show that twothirds of the current American business market is owned by Baby Boomers who are set to transition over the next decade. Further studies show that only 20 to 30 percent of businesses that go to market actually sell, leaving a majority of business owners without many options to harvest their wealth and transition their business to the next generation. Consequently, many soon-to-be retirees who have run successful companies for many years end up staying in their business much longer than anticipated. Additionally, they likely net far less than they could have had they sold or properly transitioned the business. These scenarios present a challenge for the retiring Boomers since the vast preponderance of their net worth (and retirement nest egg) is likely wrapped up in the value of their business.profit_wise_may2019.pdf 1 4/23/19 Therefore, it is paramount for
owners to begin thinking about their eventual exit plan well in advance, thereby providing ample time to address and plan for critical planning components. Examples include strategies toward value maximization and tax minimization, choosing the right incentive plan(s) that will properly motivate, retain, and reward key talent, restructuring the balance sheet, and delegating responsibility over to key management. Just the same, many business owners have secondary value-based goals they wish to fulfill such as making sure long-time employees are taken care of or that their business legacy or community involvement remains intact. Moreover, proper exit planning must also consider the owner’s estate planning wishing since the continuity of their business will unquestionably leave an impact on their estate. 3:53 PM Understanding and articulating
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these planning components is equivalent to drafting the blueprint of a new home and then executing the construction based on the chosen design. Ultimately, your exit plan is as unique as you are. By taking proper time to work through this plan, you maintain control and stay in front of the exit process. Just the same, your exit plan must also provide the flexibility and adaptability you need if plans were to change (i.e., having a “Plan B”). As an example, if you found yourself midway through a successful internal transfer to a key employee/new owner but they then suddenly backed out, or if a third party came along offering you top dollar for your business – a well-designed exit plan will be able to adapt. For Boomers considering retirement, these components should be carefully considered today and then systematically integrated into a comprehensive, tailored plan of action. If
you wish to look at an insider transfer (key employees and/or children) it is recommended to begin the process a minimum of six to eight years in advance. If your intent is to sell to a financial or strategic buyer, you should start planning at least two to three years in advance. Intentionally planning for these components today helps pave the way for a successful exit tomorrow, which in turn affords you greater options, and perhaps the greatest gift to yourself and your family – peace of mind. u
Brenton Saba is the Director of Business Services at Apollon, a Charleston, S.C.-based wealth management and business consulting. Saba can be reached at brent.saba@apollonwealth.com or calling 843-277-3495
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16
Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
PEOPLE
Airport’s Rick Tucker Named 2019 Professional of the Year By Kimberly Ballard
Rick Tucker, executive director of the Huntsville/Madison County Airport Authority, has been named the 2019 Airport Professional of the Year by the Southeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives. The award came at the annual SEC-AAAE Conference. The recognition falls on the heels of Tucker’s 40th anniversary in the airport industry, and the airport’s 50th anniversary celebration. The Southeast Chapter is the largest of the AAAE with more than 600 members and includes airports in 12 states, the Virgin Islands and District of Columbia. “Rick Tucker exemplifies every characteristic of the Airport Professional of the Year,” said John
Carrigan of the SEC-AAAE Corporate Committee. “We could see in the nomination that he is both respected and admired by his employees. “Words like ‘visionary leadership’, ‘strategic and creative thinker’ and ‘hands on approach’, alongside his numerous professional merits, left no question for our panel that he was the right selection for this distinguished award.” Tucker directs the administration, operations and development of the Port of Huntsville, which includes Huntsville International Airport, the International Intermodal Center and Jetplex Industrial Park. Tucker served on the Board of Directors for the Huntsville Madison County Chamber of Commerce, and
as president of the Aviation Council of Alabama Board of Directors and the North Alabama International Trade Association. He was reappointed by the Secretary of Transportation to the Airport Cooperative Research Program Oversight Committee and was appointed by the state of Alabama to serve on the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Network Appalachia Study Group. In addition, Tucker has served on the Board of Directors of the Airport Council International and the International Air Cargo Association. Since Tucker became executive director in 1994, the Port of Huntsville’s capital investment reached $264.14 million. He has overseen the growth of international air car-
go flights to Europe, Mexico, Hong Kong, Columbia and Brazil, resulting in growth that ranks the Port of Huntsville as the 18th largest airport in the continental U.S. for international air cargo. He has also guided the development of the Jetplex Industrial Park, which encompasses more than 8,000 acres. u
May 2019
17
BUSINESS STRATEGIES - JIM OWENS
What Makes a Great Leader?
As the late Joan Rivers often asked, “Can we talk?” Specifically, can we talk about what makes a great leader? Among other things, leadership itself is about a willingness to evaluate risk and take action. Simply put, leaders who won’t act frustrate their teams and engage in all kinds of unrecognized risks. For example, one leader we know of had a challenging employee. This employee was irritating co-workers and clients
alike. Our leader had known about the situation for a while, but he had done nothing about it. With time, his employee was gradually alienating just about everyone around him. There may have been plenty of reasons this leader was paralyzed in some sense. Maybe he was busy with other priorities. Maybe he didn’t agree with other’s assessment of the offending employee’s behavior. Or maybe there we some things the employee did that were so valuable the leader feared confronting or coaching him. But delaying some — and failing to communicate why — decision and action left the rest of his team wondering why. Without realizing it, this leader was frustrating his own team. He was losing their respect for his inaction. As you might imagine, the chatter around this
topic was adversely affecting the performance of his entire team. So, what should he have done? First, he should have investigated the concerns he’d heard expressed about the problem months before he chose to do so. Simply put, problems don’t solve themselves. And leaders must take action when a genuine problem exists. Second, his follow-up might have included talking to some of his company’s allegedly offended clients. Getting first-hand information allows us to really understand the damage we need to repair. Perceptions, when it comes to people, vary from different constituencies. So, getting as much data as possible would help this leader make an informed decision. Finally, if during his investigation he had learned what the cause of his team member’s conduct, he might have averted the damage done his team’s productivity. He might have helped them understand something within the employee’s personal life that warranted
understanding rather than condemnation. Obviously, he would need to be cautious to comply with HR rules, but life is difficult for all of us sometimes and this kind of authentic leadership can lead to an increased sense of purpose for everyone on the team. Next time, we’ll discuss a bit about how this leader ended up handling this problem. u
Jim Owens is principal consultant with Performance Strategies Group. For more information email at jim@psghsv.com
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18
Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
A Sweet Idea Leads to Teen’s Business Success and Recognition By Lori J. Connors / Photography by Steve Babin How sweet it is! It’s been four years since Joshua Wortham developed a sweet business solution to raise the funds needed to attend a Peacebuilders Camp in rural South Georgia. In March, Joshua’s business venture Peaceful Pastries and Sweets was the winner of the Catalyst’s Youth Entrepreneur award. The award is presented to a school-aged individual who has started an entrepreneurial venture and is working toward their dream. Peaceful Pastries and Sweets is quickly gaining traction, one taste bud at a time. From the delicate and delightfully iced shortbread cookies to lollypops and special orders, Wortham’s venture delivers in a big way. Joshua and his two younger brothers, Caleb and Benjamin, have developed one smooth business enterprise. Joshua is the baker; Caleb is the number cruncher, the 3D printer guru, and cookie cutter fabricator; and Benjamin is the quality control supervisor and official taste tester.
Their parents, Rebecca and William couldn’t be more proud. When they were going to grad school at the University of Alabama, 4-year-old Joshua found himself inspired by Mary’s Bakery. And thus began his passion for pastries. What prompted him to start his own business? According to his mom, “Joshua wanted to go to Peacebuilders Camp, but we didn’t have the funds to send him. So, he started watching TED Talks, taught himself how to build a Facebook site, and how to bake. “Then, Brian Davis (the former CEO) at Wellstone Behavioral Health needed cookies for a meeting.” Staying organized is key to the process, Joshua said. The dining room has several rows of plastic drawers, all neatly labeled, for Joshua to keep his cookie cutters and decorating supplies. As the company’s number cruncher, Caleb keeps track of bargains and deals. When there’s a sale, it’s not uncommon for the family to be pushing a grocery basket, overloaded with many bags of flour. Last year, the family relocated operations to Madison. Although Peaceful Pastries and Sweets’
A Chance Encounter Helps Serve Up A Valet Service Dream One rainy Thursday night several years ago, Patton Fussell and Jon Powell, Jr., two valet parking attendants with dreams of launching their own valet service, had a chance encounter with “Jimmy,” who just happened to be Chef James Boyce. Fussell recounts the story. “‘Hey, I’m Jimmy, are you looking to start a valet company?’ he asks me,” Fussell said. “‘Yes, Sir,’ I answered. Then, I Googled him later to find out more. I was shocked! At the time, I didn’t know the magnitude of that one conversation.” Then opportunity knocked again. “Our big break came in October 2014,” said Fussell. “That’s when Chef Boyce gave us a threemonth trial to provide services for the Galley and Garden, one of his Birmingham restaurants. “A year and a half after landing that first account, we became the valet service for Cotton Row here in Huntsville; that was a big moment for us.
After Cotton Row, we added The Bottle, and Ruth’s Chris.” In the beginning, there’s no disputing there were lean times. “We started off with a loan from Jon’s dad,” Fussell said. “We ate a lot of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. It was a calculated risk and the persistence paid off.” Boyce once again dished out some advice. “Chef Boyce suggested that we look into the SCORE program for a business mentor,” says Fussell. “We were paired with Tom Owens, who met with us several times; he really believed in us. He taught us everything, we couldn’t have done it without him.” SCORE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. Rewind to six years earlier: Fussell was working his first valet gig in at the Marriott in Nashville
client base is primarily southeast Huntsville, it continues to expand. “We have 450 repeat customers, a solid client base and 4,000 followers on Facebook,” Joshua said. “And now, our Instagram account is up and running!” Joshua said he has been fortunate to have several mentors, including his Godmother Marilyn Lands; family counselor Jim Norris; Chef Stephonie Thomas with Stephan’s Kitchen Cakes; and Chef Michael Girard. “These are the people who have believed in me and supported me throughout,” he said. u
By Lori J. Connors / Photography by Steve Babin
for Music City Valet. During the day, he had an unpaid internship with a pharmaceutical sales company, something he had hoped would morph into a highly lucrative career. Unfortunately, the 2008 recession dashed those plans. It was then Fussell decided to move in with a buddy in Naples, Fla. His stepdad provided him with the $200 to get there; the rest was on him. For two years, he worked two jobs - by day, as a pharmacy technician at Walgreen’s; by night, as a valet at the Naples Grand Beach Resort. Upon moving back to Birmingham, said Fussell, “Jon and I both worked at luxury hotels, at companies across the street from each other. The idea of my own valet parking company was a given, I already had the business plans in the back of my mind. “One day, I brought it up to Jon and he said, ‘Why not?’ ” Getting the new downtown Huntsville AC Marriott Hotel account was a huge win for Magic City Parking. “Srinath Yedla and Rich DeMarco of Doradus Partners called us after visiting one of our other accounts,” Fussell said. “You know you’re in the big leagues when you land a hotel.” u
May 2019
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REAL ESTATE - ZACK CHILDRESS
Is Warehouse Space a Good Investment? There are so many ways to make money in real estate, whether you’re just getting started and you want to use strategies like wholesaling or maybe creative financing; or maybe you want to do the fix and flip model. But, in most cases, people seek real estate investing for the purpose of building wealth and cash flow. So when we take a step back and we look at all the many different ways to make money in real estate, which one is going to best serve you? And if that is moving forward with cash flow, then you’re going to be looking at income producing assets and one of those are warehouse space. To be clear, a warehouse is just a building for storing goods. And warehouses are used in many industries and for many reasons. It could be for importing goods, exporting goods; it could be for manufacturing-type businesses; it could be for transporting and storing goods for businesses. These spaces are usually large plain buildings in an industrial park, on the outskirts of town in most cases. Warehouse space is an essential need for our community. It’s an essential need for businesses in general. If you are looking to lease a building for your business you’ve got to start thinking about what type do you need? Do you need a warehouse space? Do you need a manufacturing space or do you need flex space? Flex space tends to be one of the most popular types of warehouse opportunities either for businesses seeking to lease or for investors seeking to lease them out. Flex space leans more toward the demand and the current market right now. Flex spaces are warehouses with a small portion of them built out into office space. Some things that you do want to think about when you’re looking is: What is your monthly budget? What type of space do you need by square footage? Where’s the location? Is it going to fit the need of your business and transportation? What type of features are needed? Do you need raw warehouse space or are you going to need fiber optics or telecommunications built in there? Also think about the lease terms. A lot of times you’re signing three-, five-, sometimes six-year leases. Some of those leases are going to have what’s called a gradual increase in lease payment over time. What type of inventory is really out there when we’re looking for leased space? In the industrial or flex type warehouse space in Huntsville, there are less than two dozen buildings available for lease. This is a sign that you should really look at as an investor because there’s just not a lot of lease space available. There are only three buildings available for lease in the industrial and flex space market in the Madison area; in Birmingham there are 38.
Now, if we take another look and look at what’s for sale in the industrial warehouse and flex space community in the Huntsville area, there are less than a dozen buildings for sale; Madison, are only two for sale and, in Birmingham, there are only 13. So, what does this mean? Well, this means that there’s not enough space available and what is available is already being consumed, especially for the for sale side. We need more of it because the demand is obviously there. When you look at Madison only having two and Huntsville with 11 that are available on the market right now, there is a huge opportunity for this. From the investing side, I’ve always been a fan of warehouse space. I’ve owned warehouse space for many years for a few reasons. One, there’s low maintenance in warehouse space. The tenants typically are long term, but they are used for business and not personal. And the leases are always in our favor because we can do triple net leases that are very hands off from a landlord’s point of view. You don’t have to deal with the same type of issues that we deal with when we’re renting out apartments or single-family homes. We’re signing agreements with businesses and they tend to stay for long periods of time inside the warehouse. What is a gross lease, this is where a tenant is going to pay typically higher monthly rent. But it’s also because they’re covering the taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, and any other expenses that come with that building. Now the most common least that you’re going to see out there from a either looking to lease a building or as an investor buying a warehouse space and leasing it out is known as a triple net lease and this is where the tenant is going to pay their pro rata share of everything that consists of insurance, taxes, maintenance, and typically any common area upkeep. They will also pay for their own janitorial services and utilities that are associated with them acquiring the space that they’re in. This is probably one of the reasons it’s the most common lease out there, which is known as the triple net lease. What is the cost range on average to lease a warehouse space? Typically, in the flex space area, you’re going to see anywhere from $6 to $9 a square foot for the
year. So, if it’s a 2,000 square-foot building that you’re looking to rent out as an investor, then you’re looking at $7 a square foot, which means your tenant will pay roughly $1,166 a month for that space - making your yearly income $ 14,000 for the year. Now, on the industrial side, you could see anywhere from $7 to $18 a square foot. And typically, when the price gets higher, it’s because the space is newer or there are more features, There’s been a huge demand for new warehouses. When you look at everything from Amazon and Facebook and Google and the creation of cryptocurrency, they’re all looking for new space, new cooling system, new digital input and output, updated electronics, new communication systems, etc. The high demand for new warehouses puts us in a little bit of a disfavor for old warehouses which don’t have the features that new warehouses have. In my experience, I have found that warehouses are among the safest investments.In most cases, it can be easier to develop a new warehouse than it is to buy an older warehouse and bring it up to date. Now, on the other side, if you can find land cheap, building the new spaces will help tremendously in meeting the need and supplying the demand that’s out there right now. Just think again about Madison having just two buildings for sale in the industrial and flex space arena. What it really comes down to is building wealth through real estate. Whether you’re choosing warehouse space, industrial space, flex space, strip centers, apartments or single-family homes, it’s all for the sole purpose of building wealth through cash flow and owning income-producing properties. When people ask what area should they go into, I’m always going to direct them to start where it makes sense for them. Where do you have the most knowledge? Where are you prepared to move into the market? Is that single-family homes? Small apartments? Warehouses? Industrial flex space? Strip centers? It’s really where you feel comfortable getting into the market or where you feel comfortable getting educated on the processes of working this business we refer to as real estate investing. u
Zack Childress is the president of the Madison County Real Estate Investors Association and has been an investor for nearly two decades. The Madison County REIA meets monthly. Visit www.JoinOurNextMeeting.com.
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
SPORTS / RECREATION
Exercise Coach Combines Fitness with Technology By Jonathan Stinson
MADISON -- There’s a new way to work out in Madison that blends the one-on-one instruction you get with a personal trainer with technology that personalizes each workout
to help avoid injuries and maximize results. Tom Palmisano opened the doors to The Exercise Coach on April 1. The parent company started in 2000
and began franchising in 2011. It has more than 50 studios in 14 states including Georgia, Florida and Tennessee. Unlike large gyms, which can house 60 or more workout machines and dozens of people at a time, The Exercise Coach has less than 10 machines and is designed to be used by one patron at a time, or at the most a small few. In all, The Exercise Coach in Madison only occupies about 1,000 square feet of space. “It’s very intimate. It’s very personal,” Palmisano said. He said the overall goal was to provide a place where clients could feel comfortable, work out safely and be guided to achieve their fitness goals whether that’s losing weight, adding distance to drives on the golf course or just feeling better in general. Palmisano mirrors the majority of The Exercise Coach’s clients. He’s 55 and had his fair share of injuries and operations over the years, which include a ruptured disk in his back and a torn meniscus in his knee. “The average age of people who come to The Exercise Coach nationwide is 50plus,” he said. “It’s not that people in their 20s and 30s are not interested, it’s just (the program) really caters to people who have certain restrictions, who are afraid of or just don’t want to go to another big-box gym.” A new client starts with a consultation with one of the on-site trainers. Then, once the clients are on the machines, the trainer will set their range of motion and the computer system will measure the strength a client possesses. The computer system then provides a real-time readout of a person’s effort while they are doing each exercise. The client can use this data to maximize the workout and avoid injury. “The other problem that we have is when we do exercise traditionally, and I’m not knocking traditional ex-
ercising, but we tend to overextend,” Palmisano said. “We go outside of our range of motion, so you’re doing more harm than good when you’re straining your ligaments because your ligaments don’t need the workout, it’s your muscles, is all about muscle quality.” The average workout takes about 20 minutes, and Palmisano suggests clients do it twice a week. “It’ll take you through your range of motion to be able to fatigue your muscles,” he said. “That’s what exercise is, you want to fatigue your muscles to failure, basically. “And, we can do that in such a short period of time and have the same results as going to the gym, you know, five days a week for an hour versus 20 minutes twice a week. And you know, they got all the stats to show it.” Palmisano isn’t going into this venture alone. He’s enlisted the help
of his fiancée, Stacey Cantrell, who is an occupational therapist by trade. “She was probably the most skeptical,” he said. “She was sold as soon as she got on one the first time. She was like, ‘this is amazing. Because it’s more like something you would find in a physical therapy environment.’” The Exercise Coach, at 7169 U.S. 72, Suite E, is open Monday and Tuesday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday from 6 to 11 a.m.; Thursday and Friday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday 7 a.m. to noon. For information, call 256-4642553 or visit http://exercisecoach. com/madison/. u
May 2019
21
SPORTS / RECREATION By Mike Easterling / Rain Delays Opening Huntsville’s Photography by Justina Simon New Multi-Sports Venue dirt being moved
Huntsvillians hoping to check out the new multi-sports complex at the old Becky Peirce Municipal Golf Course before summer turns to fall might need to do a reverse rain dance. Ongoing rain that left the city soaked for much of the fall and spring has delayed progress at the venue. While some contractors have reported they still plan to meet future target dates, the massive amount of
at the old course at the corner of Airport Road and South Memorial Parkway has left a quagmire of sorts that has substantially slowed development. “If we didn’t have any rain, we’d be through,’’ said Steve Ivey, director of the City of Huntsville Parks and Recreation. “As it is, we’re about six weeks behind, and that’s being kind to the contractors. If we got out there with heavy trucks, we’d tear things up and have to start over.’’ Ivey said a target opening date is somewhere in the middle of summer. “If you can promise me it won’t rain, I could give you a date,’’ he said. Plans are for the complex to fea-
ture a cross-country course, paved walking trail, dirt bike trail, disc golf courses, sand volleyball courts, golf driving range and a dog park. For now, William Bell, the facility project coordinator, said the focus is on getting the grass-covered crosscountry course and the walking trail ready for use. Next on his priority list is the dirt bike circuit, which is still in designing stages. He said the cross-country course and walking trails are 75 to 80 percent complete. “The biggest thing right now is getting a retaining wall around pond No. 1, and we’ve got three ponds,’’ he said. “The Lord has taken care of us pretty well up to this point. It could have been worse. We’re doing all we can.’’ The cross-country course sod was placed late last month. The Huntsville Sports Commis-
Trash Pandas Merchandise Setting Records; Stadium on Schedule MADISON -- As apparel flies off the shelves inside the team’s store at Bridge Street, dirt and mud moves for the plain eye to see from the vantage point of I-565 toward the area near Zierdt Road where the Rocket City Trash Pandas’ future home will be. But is the ground moving fast enough to meet deadlines for opening day in 2020 when the current Mobile BayBears, the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, move north to a new home and take on a new name? The answer is a resounding yes, according to Trash Pandas owner Ralph Nelson. These guys are incredible,” he said. “They’re working between raindrops. Somehow, someway they’ve found a way to stay on schedule.” That schedule calls for the Trash Pandas to move into offices in the stadium well before the 2020 season opener. The venue, named Madison
Stadium and part of the ambitious Town Madison project, will have a capacity of 7,000. “It’s coming along extremely well and, I understand, under budget and on schedule to move into the stadium three or four months before we play ball,” Nelson said. Heavy, consistent rains in the Tennessee Valley since last fall have plagued developers and construction sites. And while the weather hasn’t slowed plans for the Trash Pandas to move into their new digs next spring, it has caused some changes in plans as gravel has replaced dirt for backfilling in certain areas. “We’re very pleased where the situation is,” Nelson said. “The only thing that has concerned people is the rain. Some of the dirt is just too wet.” Baseball’s impending return has created a stir. While the Huntsville Stars’ arrival in 1985 was also wellreceived and highly celebrated, the
franchise limped out of town with attendance at all-time lows. The local community, however, apparently missed professional baseball. The Trash Pandas’ apparel store has been doing brisk business for a long time and sales haven’t slowed. A unique team name hasn’t hurt. “Our store never slows down,” Nelson said. “Every day, every weekend we’re selling merchandise. We’re outselling all of baseball online. We’re selling stuff all over the country. “We’re always having to buy merchandise just to keep the stocked.” Minor league baseball has also began sending licensed Trash Pandas merchandise to local stores. The team receives a percentage of those sales. The Angels and Trash Pandas will
sion is charged with bringing events to the city. “We’re going to schedule a lot of things there,’’ said Commission Director Ralph Stone. “Our role will be to identify and recruit events to pay for the thing.’’ A main attraction the sports commission will focus on right away is the cross-country course, which Stone said will be “world class.’’ “There will be opportunities for several sports there once it gets rolling,’’ he said. u
By Mike Easterling
continue their player development contract after the team relocates from Mobile. Los Angeles currently has the 10th best minor league system regarding position players and the ninth best for pitchers as ranked by milb.com. Along with Madison Stadium, Town Madison will feature residential complexes, entertainment venues and shopping and dining options. u
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
BUSINESS BRIEFCASE
Fleming Farms, Redstone Gateway Projects Underway Construction is underway on a pair of BL Harbert projects in Huntsville. Ground was broken this month on Fleming Farms, a senior housing community, and 8800 Redstone Gateway, an office development. Fleming Farms, on Whitesburg Drive, will support the needs of a wide range of seniors from independent living and assisted living to memory care. The facility offers 183 open-concept apartment homes with modern appliances, ample storage and high-end fixtures and finishes. Amenities include paved walking paths, a fitness center, therapy room, aerobic pool, clubroom, salon/barbershop, bistro and full-service dining. It is developed by Dominion Partners. 8800 Redstone Gateway is a 76,000-squarefeet office development in Redstone Gateway, a mixed-use development being built by Corporate Office Properties Trust and Jim Wilson & Associates just north of Redstone Arsenal’s Gate 9. Fuqua Partners is the architect firm for the project At the groundbreaking ceremony, the Georgia Tech Research Institute announced it would be one of the main tenants in the new building. Both projects are scheduled for completion in 2020. u
“Just Love Coffee is a place where people can come together to experience specialty coffee and food in a comfortable, inviting atmosphere,” said owner Travis Duehring. “My wife, Dawn, and I have been a part of the Huntsville/Madison community for 19 years, and we wanted to put a business in place that would make an impact locally while providing unique menu options and the highest level of customer service.” u
Known officially as the Huntsville-Madison County Airport Authority, the Port of Huntsville incorporates Huntsville International Airport, International Intermodal Center and Jetplex Industrial Park. “We are especially pleased to recognize the Port of Huntsville this year,” said Hilda Lockhart, director of the International Trade Office at the Alabama Department of Commerce. “Without this first-class multi-modal transportation operation, many of Alabama’s products would not be shipped from our state. “This facility is certainly a critical part of our state’s international infrastructure.” u
Hyatt Place to Open This Summer at Bridge Street Construction is nearly complete on the Hyatt Place hotel at Bridge Street Town Centre. The 131-room, four-story hotel is projected to open this summer. It is on Governors West across from Belk. The Hyatt Place in Huntsville is part of a major expansion by the Hyatt chain as it expands its brand footprint of select service hotels in the Southeast by 20 percent through 2021. u
What’s Brewing? Just Love Coffee Café in Times Plaza
Port of Huntsville Receives Governor’s Trade Excellence Award
Just Love Coffee Café will open this fall in the Times Plaza development at 2317 South Memorial Parkway, Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate announced. Serving a wide menu of beverages using the brand’s hand-roasted coffees, loose-leaf teas and other non-coffee offerings, the new shop will feature a unique waffle-iron-based breakfast and lunch. The waffle-iron-pressed items include breakfast sliders; sausage, egg and chees biscuits; and the favorite – womelet. The lunch menu features chicken quesadillas, Quinoa-veggie wraps and classic grilled cheese sandwiches all prepared in the same manner. In terms of coffee, the café will serve drip coffee, cold brew, nitro, frappes, teas, espresso-based beverages and signature lattes.
The Port of Huntsville received a 2019 Governor’s Trade Excellence Award, in recognition of its contribution to fuel the state’s export industry. “The Port of Huntsville is honored to be acknowledged by Gov. Kay Ivey and Export Alabama Alliance for trade excellence,” said Richard Tucker, executive director of the Port of Huntsville. “We are grateful to our partners LG Electronics, Toyota, Panalpina and Norfolk Southern for joining us today. “We also thank (Huntsville) Mayor Tommy Battle, (Madison County) Chairman Dale Strong and representatives from NAITA for supporting us not just today at the Capitol as we received this award, but always in our efforts to stimulate the economic growth and development of the Tennessee Valley region.”
Red Sage Hires Ashley Nash as Marketing Coordinator Ashley Nash has been named marketing coordinator for Red Sage Communications. Nash specializes in copyediting, media relations and social media management. “I am excited to expand my knowledge in the field of communications by joining the Red Sage team,” Nash said. “To be able to work for such a well-regarded company is truly an honor.” “We feel Ashley will be a great asset to our team,” said Red Sage President Ellen Didier. “She has a strong commitment to excellent customer service, which is one of our highest priorities as a company – the other being top-notch work. Ashley also has a sharp creative mind and brings fresh insights, having worked on public relations and content marketing projects in Seattle and Nashville. Red Sage is a Decatur-based full-service marketing and website development company. u
Turner Construction Promotes Four to Senior Roles Turner Construction announced an expansion of its Self-Perform Operations division in Huntsville, with four veteran employees being
May 2019
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BUSINESS BRIEFCASE
promoted to senior roles. perform manager, where he will oversee the Turner’s SPO division handles a wide range company’s traditional SPO offerings. He previof specialized construction tasks including con- ously was a project engineer, and originally joined crete foundation and excavation work, drywall Turner in 2008. and carpentry. “As we expand Turner’s Self-Perform OperaShannon Hines has been promoted to nation- tions nationally and prepare to open our new al SPO director, in which he’ll work to maximize fabrication shop in early 2019, we knew we growth and profitability of Turner’s self-perform needed the right people to fill these vital roles,” capabilities on a national level. Hines has been said John Gromos, vice president and general a senior vice president at Turner since 2011 and manager at Turner. “Shannon, Brendan, Dick joined the company in 1992. and Brandon have each distinguished themselves Dick Conway has been promoted to project during their years at Turner, and their knowledge executive. He previously served as a senior proj- and experience will be key to our success as we ect manager. His new responsibilities will include constantly improve our existing self-perform sersupporting project teams in the SPO group, as vices and expand into new ones.” u well as with subcontracted work. He has been with Turner for a combined period of 10 years. Brendan McCormick will retain his current title of industrial project executive but will oversee the development of Turner’s new fabrication shop. He will also support growth in the manufacturing and industrial market as Turner invests HighTower Twickenham’s in resources and increases its capabilities. He has Crosby, Clayton Honored been with Turner since 2000. Brandon TuckerBusiness has been promoted self2019 Huntsville Journal_Colon Cancer to Awareness(2).pdf 1Moss 2/21/19 9:46 AMand Wes Clayton, founding Crosby
partners and managing directors of HighTower Twickenham have been named as top advisors in the state on two nationally ranked lists. In February, Cosby was named No. 1 in Alabama by Forbes on the 2019 “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list. “Our entire team is thrilled that Forbes is recognizing Moss on this prestigious list,” Rob Warren, private wealth advisor, said. “His vision for our team and dedication to our clients inspires all of us at HighTower Twickenham to progress our business and continue to seek new opportunities to add value to our clients’ lives.” In early March, Barron’s recognized Clayton as No. 2 in Alabama on the Barron’s 2019 “Top 1,200 Advisors by State.” “Wes’s tremendous achievement reinforces and exemplifies HighTower Twickenham’s core values,” said financial analyst John Gibson. “As he continues to serve multi-generational families with unwavering commitment, we’re excited to celebrate our team’s success.” u
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
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