Keeping you informed and inspired. VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 1
January 2020
SMALL BUSINESS
Leigh Christian: Grantwriting Powerhouse is Catalyst’s New Project Manager
COVER STORY
Leigh Christian recently took the helm as project manager for Tech Rich Program at the Catalyst Center for Business and Entrepreneurship. By Lori J. Connors - Page 3
FOOD / DINING
Mario’s: A New Face in a Familiar Place with Same Attitude
There’s a brand new eatery in an old familiar place with the same eclectic vibe for residents of Five Points in east Huntsville. By Mike Easterling - Page 14
ADDITIONAL STORIES • Treasury Official Stresses Importance of Being ‘Procurement Ready’ By Lori J. Connors • Page 6
• $1.3 Million Grant to Help Renovate Butler Terrace Area By Mike Easterling • Page 8
• Construction on Schedule, Milestones Reached at Mazda Toyota Plan By Mike Easterling • Page 16
• Sheila Cummings Shatters Glass Ceiling One Solution at a Time By Sara Covington • Page 20
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HUNTSVILLE
BUSINESS JOURNAL Vol 3, Issue 1 January 2020 600 Boulevard South Suite 104 Huntsville, AL 35802
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
January 2020
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SMALL BUSINESS
Leigh Christian: Grantwriting Powerhouse is Catalyst’s New Project Manager Leigh Christian recently took the helm as project manager for Tech Rich Program at the Catalyst Center for Business and Entrepreneurship. With a rock-solid work reputation, coupled with awards and a career spanning over 15 years in government contracting and more than 30 years in the Huntsville community, Christian was an ideal fit. Although new to the role, Christian is no stranger to the Catalyst. “I’ve been involved ever since the beginning; for all of the 20 years,” said Christian. At the inception of the formerly named Women’s Business Center of North Alabama, Christian was on the steering committee as one of its founding members. TechRich is an Advanced Defense Technology Regional Innovation Cluster which focuses on meeting the needs of the defense and space technology industries. “I am really excited to work with TechRich Clients,” said Christian. Along with TechRich, Christian is also the project manager.
Photo by Rich Ortiz
It was through Christian’s proposal and grant-writing expertise that the SBA recently awarded The Catalyst a $350,000 grant to administer the 7(j) Management and Technological Assistance (M&TA) Program. The program provides specialized, high-quality assistance to eligible small businesses and encompasses a wide spectrum of business services. “I consider myself a little Photo by Lori J. Connors
different than most business development people,” said Christian. “I have a wide variety of knowledge; I understand every aspect. A small business owner has to do the same thing. I think I can relate to them because I’ve been there and done that.” Along with her work at the Catalyst, Christian is also owner of Plans to Prosper Consulting where she serves as a small business consultant primarily for government contractors. Christian selected her company name based on her favorite Bible verse, Jeremiah 29:11 – “‘For I Know The Plans I Have For You,’ Declares the Lord, ‘Plans to Prosper You and Not
By Lori J. Connors
to Harm You, Plans to Give You Hope and a Future.’” Plans to Prosper specializes in business development, proposal management, strategy, teaming and other aspects of small business startup. “I consider myself a coach and facilitator,” says Christian. “I like to help people and I want to work myself out of a job.” Of all the honors and accolades, there’s one that stands out for Christian. “My most favorite award is the HASBAT Small Business Advocate of the Year,” said Christian. “I treasure that because that’s who I am.” w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
2020 Vision: Things are Looking Great for HuntsvilleMadison County If trends over the last couple years are any indicator, 2020 is going to be a wonderful year for the Huntsville-Madison County area. It’s not hard to notice cranes seemingly sprouting from a sea of red clay. From the Tennessee line in the north to the Tennessee River in the south; from the Limestone County line to the west and Jackson County to the east, things are moving along with most of the projects on schedule, too. Expect work on Cecil Ashburn Drive to eventually wrap up in the coming weeks but there will be some noise on North Memorial Parkway as preparations are made for a new overpass. The widening of Research Park Boulevard will wind down but there will be other roads that will be adorned with orange barrels. For those who seek some respite from the construction, a major attraction is opening its doors. Mars Music Hall at the Von Braun Center debuts Jan. 3 with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. The show sold out in a matter of hours, proving that the city will support this venture. If you missed out on tickets for Jason Isbell, there are others that will be coming, including Black Jacket Symphony, Tig Notaro, Chris Janson, Graham Nash and Jo Dee Messina . A few miles away down University Drive, MidCity District will continue its growth. A new
movie theater will join the workplay area, featuring the largest screen in the state. Hey, as long as the popcorn is fresh, that’s all that matters! The excitement carries on into the spring when Minor League Baseball makes its return. The Rocket City Trash Pandas make their Toyota Field debut on April 15. The team is the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. The ballpark is an anchor in the massive Town Madison development which stretches from Zierdt Road to Wall Triana Highway along I-565. In a few weeks, ground will be broken for Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville hotel – the fourth hotel in Town Madison. The area will also see openings at the Station apartments there as well as some single-family and townhouses. All in all, 2020 looks like a very good year and we here at the Huntsville Business Journal wish a Happy New Year to our readers and subscribers. We are thankful for your time and money to support us and our advertisers. w (Bud McLaughlin is editor of the Huntsville Business Journal. He joins Fred Holland every Wednesday at 6:30 a.m. on WTKI-FM 105.3/1450 AM for their “Boots in the Dirt” business news segment.)
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Publisher/President ................................................................ Todd Stephenson Editor .......................................................................................... Bud McLaughlin Writers.........................................................................................Kimberly Ballard Lori J. Connors Sara Covington Mike Easterling Graphic Design ............................................................................. Justina Simon Website................................................................................................ Jim Gharib Photographers...................................................................................Steve Babin Kimberly Ballard Eric Schultz Justina Simon Director of Sales ................................................................. Carolyn Stephenson Account Executives...............................................................................Lee Nast Amanda Peach Michelle Epling 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.
January 2020
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SMALL BUSINESS
Locally Owned 1818 Farms in National Spotlight with Amazon Award A local icon is now making its presence known through the world’s most famous online business stage. Mooresville-based 1818 Farms was recently named the “2019 Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year” by Amazon. The business was first of six finalists in its category on a vote by customers. “It’s really an honor,” said Natasha McCrary, Owner and Founder of 1818 Farms. “For us to be recognized is just as important as the award. Working with Amazon has allowed us to connect with customers across the United States who might not be familiar with our products.” Here in North Alabama, 1818 Farms enjoys established brand recognition. The company has averaged 60 percent in annual revenue growth since operations began in 2013. Product offerings include the popular shea crème, bath soaks, essential oil roll-ons, face serum, and more. The 1818 Farms line is now available in 490 stores in 45 states, as well as online through the 1818 Farms website (www.1818farms.com) and Amazon Handmade www.amazon. com/handmade/1818-Farms. “We began selling our products on Amazon Handmade in March 2017,” said McCrary. “Working with Amazon has helped us expand our customer base and continue to grow. Being associated with Amazon, not only provides credibility with those who may be out of state or haven’t visited the farm, but it also aligns with our brand and mission, as well as theirs. It is extremely important to us that we maintain our high level of quality.” The Amazon Small Business Spotlight Awards were established to honor and celebrate top entrepreneurs and small businesses
that sell their products on Amazon Handmade. Launched in October 2015, Amazon Handmade has a strict vetting process and sets a high bar for what defines “Handmade.” Each artisan application is carefully evaluated and production methods are audited to establish product quality and authenticity. “If you’re winning the award, you’re doing something right,” said McCrary. “Winning gives us the credibility to be on the Amazon platform, especially Handmade. “We can’t be in every city, so it allows us to reach customers.” One of the drawbacks if any, has been skewed sales forecasts; a good “problem” to have. It indicates the significance of Amazon’s reach in consumer purchasing. “The award influenced our numbers and for the first time, we’re out of stock on some items,” said McCrary. “We met in August to look at projections, but those numbers did not account for winning the Amazon award.” w
Lexus
By Lori J. Connors / Photos by Natasha McCrary
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
SMALL BUSINESS
Treasury Official Stresses Importance of Being ‘Procurement Ready’ There is no better time for local small businesses to do business with the U.S. government. And, according to Donna Ragucci of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization at Department of Treasury, before going after those lucrative contracts, it is important to be procurement ready. At a recent event hosted by The Catalyst, Ragucci, the office’s program director, discussed being procurement ready not just for the Army and the DoD, but recommended tapping into the 23 civilian agencies. With 25 years of contracting experience with AMCON, Ragucci is a seasoned subject-matter expert. “Understand what the government is really buying,” said Ragucci. “Know what the agencies are buying, which is primarily IT modernization. “Cyber security certification is a must. You don’t have to have a footprint in D.C., you can work remotely. What we need is what you’re offering for the Redstone area.” For potential subcontracting opportunities, Ragucci suggested finding who has Treasury contracts and knocking on their doors. “The Treasury is an agency
that’s so conservative,” said Ragucci. “It prefers doing business with the same companies. “Bidding on smaller contracts helps build past performance metrics, people get to know you and your company. Concentrate on the ‘low hanging fruit’ until you can get a GSA contract.” Ragucci discussed Category Management and “Best In Class” designations; making use of prevetted, market-proven contract solutions that deliver savings, value, and efficiency while eliminating contract redundancies. Although they may help the government manage spending, Category Man-
agement and Best in Class can present barriers to entry for emerging small businesses. In addition, the Small Business Administration has been developing policies to strengthen the small business verification process. One area of focus is the Women-Owned Small Business certification. After June, participants in SBA’s Women-Owned Small Business program to will no longer be able self-certify they’re eligible for the program. While the new certification process should help agencies meet SBA’s goal of having 5 percent
By Lori J. Connors / Photos Lori J. Connors
of small business prime contracting come from women-owned small businesses, the transition may be cumbersome. In fact, it will require more verification paperwork for those previously self-certified. But there is no getting around the changes. “WOSBs must have thirdparty certification,” said Ragucci. “As of June 2020, you can’t self-certify ... that third-party certification is critical.” w
January 2020
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SMALL BUSINESS
Yellowhammer Logistics “A Small Niche Carrier With a Huge Umbrella” Logistics is a crucial link in the supply chain. It’s one of those things that people give little thought to unless there’s a stock out. Each day, rain or shine, truckers haul an endless assortment of goods along the nation’s highway system. Moving along by other options such as air, rail, or water; no matter what type of product it is, it’s found its way to your home through logistics. As a 2003 Sparkman graduate, Nick Beaty got his start in retail at Target in the guest experience department. “I wound up helping with the trucks,” said Beaty, president of Yellowhammer Logistics Services. “That’s where I got my first taste of logistics.” In 2007, after graduating from Alabama with a degree in marketing, Beaty knew that the store end of retail was not for him. “I got tired of working retail 80 hours/week,” said Beaty. Marriage and a new baby on the way drove the point home. Retail work centers on preparing
Pictured L to R: Mike Magrone, Brittany Ellingworth, Nick Beaty, Ramona Warden
for one holiday to the next and not much room for family life. In 2016, Beaty started operations from scratch. “We started fresh,” said Beatty. “I got this thing off the ground with a couple of $200 computers at the Containers Plus warehouse, a freezing cold warehouse. I convinced Mike to quit selling insurance,” referring to Agency Manager Mike Magrone. Beaty and Magrone go way back, to high school days. Although they each went to different high schools,
they became acquainted through friends. Yellowhammer Logistics Services specializes in providing freight shipping solutions whenever and wherever you need them. As an independent Landstar agency, Yellowhammer has access to one of the largest networks in the industry. “We are a small niche carrier with a huge umbrella over us,”
By Lori J. Connors / Photos by Steve Babin
said Beaty. “Every single load is important; every customer is important.” Although Huntsville is not recession proof, it does have a measure of insulation, compared to the rest of the country. “Huntsville doesn’t tend to feel the same impact as the rest of the economy,” said Beaty. “We tend to see recessions in our industry first; we haven’t felt the pinch in Huntsville.” There are bold new opportunities coming down the pike. “The push is with all of the new manufacturing, new jobs. GE, Blue Origin, the new Mazda Toyota plant,” said Beaty. “We want to be on the front, a local representative, a local voice. Huntsville has never been known as a manufacturing city before. It’s going to be a game-changer. “Companies either love dealing with logistics or hate it. It’s a necessary cost, and companies are obviously looking for value. Our success is in making it happen. Without logistics, the world stops.” w
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DEVELOPMENT
$1.3 Million Grant to Help Renovate Butler Terrace Area The announcement didn’t come gradually or with the drama that accompanied the rollout of the top four teams participating in the college football playoff, but for the city’s civic leaders the news was just as exciting and filled with suspense for the future. Huntsville was named one of four cities nationwide to receive a Choice Neighborhood Planning grant. The Rocket City joined Rome, Ga.; Trenton, N.J.; and Omaha, Neb.; in receiving the award. The cities were notified in September and Huntsville officials unveiled plans recently on how the $1.3 million grant will be used. “We’ll renovate west of downtown and around Butler Terrace,’’ said Scott Erwin, the city interim director of community development. Plans call for new affordable housing, commercial opportunities and entertainment options.
Erwin said the blueprints are designed to renovate “distressed public housing’’ and improve blight in a one-mile radius around Butler Terrace, which was built in the early 1950s. The area is from Bob Wallace and Memorial Parkway west to Triana Boulevard and I-565. A packed house gathered at First Baptist Church to hear details of the renovations, which are a joint venture between the City of Huntsville and the Housing Authority. Council
President Devyn Keith and Councilmembers Frances Akridge, Will Culver and Jennie Robinson, along with Urban and Long Range Planning Manager Dennis Madsen, Real Estate Development for the Housing Authority Quisha Riche and Camiros Planning Coordinator Bill James attended the meeting. Camiros is a Chicago-based company with experience in planning, zoning, urban design, economic development and landscape architecture. The firm has worked with Choice Neighborhood Planning grant cities, including Mobile. “Today was about introducing Camiros as partners,’’ Erwin said. He said community members and not just city authorities will have a voice in the planning of renovations and upgrades. Residents in areas affected by new construction, he said, won’t be dislocated immediately since the project is only in the planning process. However, residents may have to eventually move for a period of time. If that happens, he added, the city will relocate residents temporarily and those who were moved will have first options on returning to
their community once renovations are complete. The Choice Neighborhood Planning grant lasts for three years. Once planning goals are met, Huntsville can compete for a $30 million U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant to complete construction.
By Mike Easterling
Irwin said residents in areas including Butler Terrace, Lowe Mill and Terry Heights and Campus 805 are welcomed to voice their opinions. “They’re engaged in this,’’ Irwin said. “They will have an input in this.’’ The Choice Neighborhoods Initiative is a program of HUD. Its goal is to transform neighborhoods of extreme poverty into functioning, sustainable mixed-income communities. w
January 2020
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DEVELOPMENT By Kimberly Ballard Launch 2035 Announces Results from Four-County Labor Market Analysis We need more people singing “Sweet Home Alabama!” That is the overarching conclusion from the North Alabama Region Labor Market Analysis commissioned by Huntsville’s Launch 2035, the strategic regional partnership between business and city leaders in Limestone, Madison, and Morgan counties. How many more people? How about some 25,000 new jobs to be filled by 2023? To answer that challenge, Launch 2035 is rethinking and re-imagining North Alabama’s regional economy over the next 20 years. Conducted by Deloitte, the assessment had six objectives: provide a snapshot of the overall supply and demand of the North Alabama labor market; identify and assess talent and potential talent/skills demand and trends; capture insights from regional employers concerning the skill sets they will need; secure guidance concerning growth projections by worker type and skill sets; provide Launch 2035 with an understanding of the perceived quality of the workforce pipeline supplied by the region’s higher education; and provide examples of strategies to address anticipated labor shortages. While North Alabama’s unemployment rate stands at 2.6 percent compared to the national rate of 3.7 percent, the study showed that there won’t be enough workers to fill those jobs that are on the horizon. The region has seen $6.7 billion in capital investment over the past five years and added 14,000 jobs. Huntsville’s Metropolitan Statistical Area has the highest concentration of engineering talent; and the regional GDP increased 4.9 percent versus the national GDP growth of 3.1 per-
cent. North Alabama is a leader in innovation and has the highest concentration of advanced research and development capabilities in the region. The quality of life and booming economy are among the best in the nation and due to the large federal presence and ecosystem of federal contractors in North Alabama, the area can weather a recession more favorably than other communities. The key findings of the report however, come down to basic economic principles - supply and demand. In fact, according to the findings, jobs will outpace the work force in key skill areas, specifically in the areas of cyber, IT, engineering and production. The need for talent is rapidly evolving, however, despite such training programs as Toyota’s Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education program, there are not enough of these types of programs to keep up with the need. The organic job pipeline is slowly improving as graduates from two-year programs are finding alternatives to four-year colleges; but a tight labor market has led to “poaching” the most indemand talent using the allure of higher wages. Workforce demographics find millennials value non-wage related benefits more than past workers, North Alabama has not yet reached its potential in at-
tracting national talent, and must address housing needs in order to support and stimulate the needed increase in inbound migration to North Alabama. According to Claire Aiello, vice president of marketing and communications at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, seeing is believing. “Once people get here, they are sold,” she said. “They see how affordable it is, how beautiful it is, the warm climate, an easy commute in and out of the city, the people are friendly. “Companies admit that even if they get resistance from potential recruits who don’t know anything about Alabama, once they get here - they get it. They understand.” Chip Cherry, president and CEO of the Chamber, said leaders from the three partnership Chip Cherry, President and CEO of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber
counties are working on a longterm strategy to address ways to increase awareness about what a desirable region this is for potential workers from other parts of the country. “There have been myriad things happening for a while,” Cherry said. “When we did the evaluation and economic impact model for Polaris and some others, we pulled down the area by ZIP code for that particular model and that site, and we were within a half a percent of where our projections were for the number of people from Morgan County who will come over and work at that site. “So, we have some pretty good models … and recruitment is an ongoing exercise. In Huntsville, about 60 percent of our portfolio is existing companies considering expansion, so we will continue to work with those companies to help them grow. “The challenge is making sure we secure the labor workforce from other parts of the country, to bring them here so we can continue that growth going forward.” That challenge - to bring the three counties together to create a strategy for long-term success is being spearheaded by Launch 2035. In the coming weeks and months, they will be coordinating among the Chambers of Commerce, business leaders and city officials from the three-county area to develop an economic and image strategy that addresses these problems. “We are them. They are us,” said Cherry about Launch 2035. “At the end of the day, we want to create a perception of what can happen in North Alabama, and to find a way to effectively communicate that to people who don’t know anything about how dynamic our region is.” w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
TECHNOLOGY
Tango Tango: App That Can Save Lives In an emergency, every second counts. Upon arrival, it’s often up to the first responders to size up and accurately report the situation to the other agencies arriving on the scene. Historically, there have been distinct barriers to effective communication between the various emergency and law enforcement agencies due to different systems or radio frequencies. Enter Tango Tango, a public safety communications app. With the use of innovative technology, Tango Tango aims to be the go-to communication service for first responders and businesses nationwide.
The premise of Tango Tango is to effectively bridge the gap between cell phones and radio systems by integrating any handheld radio system to a smartphone without geographic limitations. Tango Tango enhances communications with encrypted
push to talk voice, GPS location services, emergency alerting, and text/multimedia messaging using iOS or Android platform. This allows first responders to achieve remote connectivity across disparate radio channels. Connectivity means faster response times during emergency
By Lori J. Connors / Photo by Steve Babin
situations. It can also mean the difference between life and death. “Tango Tango makes interoperability very realistic between agencies,” said Zach Tannett, director of sales. “We tie two radio systems together and connect the public safety radio system to a
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TECHNOLOGY
cell phone. “The app is low cost - far less costly than traditional radio.” Last March, Tango Tango earned the FirstNet certified designation. This means first responders can now access Tango Tango app through the FirstNet app catalog. FirstNet has high standards for public safety mobile solutions. Before an app can be added to the FirstNet catalog, it must be heavily vetted and pass rigorous tests for security, relevancy and data privacy. In addition to providing radio integration for local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, Tango Tango serves municipal, volunteer and private fire departments; public and private schools, colleges and education facilities; and private
utility facilities. “We try to be very reactive to our customer’s needs,” said Tannett. “There’s a strong presence here in Alabama, a ‘spiderweb effect’ among North Alabama agencies. We are starting to expand into the school systems.” Named for a mariner’s term that served as a small boat’s warning to larger vessels, Tango Tango has been bursting at the seams with expansive growth. 2018 milestones include 490 percent user growth over the past 12
months and service expansion into 16 new states. That growth has precipitated the need for a larger office space. “The industry is starting to
catch up,” said Tannett. And, he said, word-of-mouth has been a catalyst for growth. “Our opportunities, our best sales come from referrals.” w
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
COVER
Singing River Trail a Merger of Native A
By Kimbe
Native Americans called it the “River that Sings” and many tribes were said to use the Tennessee River to “sing” their dead into the afterlife. Two hundred years was not that long ago in the grand scheme of history and, in 1819, Creek and Cherokee tribes lived up and down
the river leaving behind a rich legacy in places where rockets and genomics, missiles and cyber security now dominate. The past and the future are coming together in a historical and high-tech way as the Land Use Committee of Huntsville’s Launch 2035 debuts the first quarter mile of North Alabama’s 70-milelong Singing River Trail along Governors House Drive in Huntsville. In what is one of the most ambitious legacy projects Launch 2035 has undertaken, the Singing River Trail project hit a major milestone last month debuting a $225,000 master plan funded by municipal and county governments, regional businesses, and congressional officers. The plan by Alta Planning + Design lays out a 70-mile bike-hike-walk trail that will physically connect Huntsville to Madison, Athens, and Decatur. Fully embracing the Native American heritage, the plan reveals a route starting at Bob Wallace Avenue in Huntsville. It will follow Madison Boulevard and bear south at Zierdt Road to Triana, crossing over County Line Road to Mooresville. Another leg will bear north off Madison Boulevard toward Belle Mina, and dip south to the river at County Road 6 crossing into Decatur. On the Decatur leg, it will turn north along U.S. 31 toward Athens. Although it is expected to shift in some
places, especially along U.S. 31, the master plan reveals a trail that will offer estimated economic benefits of $10,890,000; transportation benefits of $866,000, and health benefits of $1.4 million. It will also offer $23,631,000 in indirect economic spending; $7,079,000 in earnings from direct economic spending; and provide approximately 900 temporary and 100 permanent jobs per year. “We see the master plan as the first milestone in this legacy project,” said John Allen, CEO of Huntsville’s Committee of 100, the backbone of the Launch 2035 effort to forge a coalition between city and business leaders in Madison, Morgan and Limestone counties. Their purpose is to build an economy that is inclusive of communities across the entire region that benefits the entire region. “Land-use planning is one of the three legs of the stool on which Launch 2035 has its focus. If you look at Huntsville regionally, the Tennessee River passes through all three counties and four major cities.” Joe Campbell, legal counsel
for Huntsville Hospital, is on the Launch 2035 Land Use Committee. He had been working on a connectivity idea for the Huntsville and Decatur campuses of Calhoun Community College. They had discussed a trail or bike system that would connect the two campuses, making him the perfect person to spearhead an expansion of that concept to include the bikehike-walk trail that connects the entire three-county region. “I have been amazed at the response,” said Campbell. “Everyone we talk to says ‘Yes’.” One of those yeses is the Smithsonian Institute. “One of our law partners came to our firm from having worked for the Smithsonian institute,” Campbell said. “Upon talking to her, she put John and I in touch with Kevin Gover, director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. “She mentioned they have a storehouse of American Indian artifacts and said if we were to do a Native American museum along the trail, there was a chance the Smithsonian would be interested in
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STORY
American History and Smart Technology
erly Ballard
loaning us all sorts of exhibits for it. “John and I were stunned to be honest, when we met with him, thinking we needed to convince him that what we wanted to do would be beneficial to the museum. But instead, his response was that this may be the kind of venture the Smithsonian had been looking for. They have been wanting to take the Smithsonian outside of the four walls of their building and take it to the people!” Campbell said Gover brought up possibly incorporating the Trail of Tears into the project. “He suggested we set it up as a smart trail. Pinpoint sites that were part of the Trail of Tears, that were heavily populated villages along the way, or that held historical significance,” Campbell said. “If we do that, the Smithsonian would provide exhibits and facts from those events.” Campbell said he and Allen came away excited about the possibilities, able to envision a technologically advanced digitallyenabled walking and biking trail where people are listening on their headphones to historical recordings that tell the story of the area at different locations, along with signage
and exhibits where they can stop and take in what occurred there. Another consideration is to have sensors and other technology that warns walkers and riders. For example, because of recent rains, a specific route through the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge was too wet. It would then recommend a different route. This would be helpful to people planning out a 20- or 50-mile route. Allen agrees that in terms of funding, nearly everyone they talk to loves the idea and they already have sponsors in all aspects of business from Huntsville Hospital to the TVA and Rotary, banks, colleges, and more. “The trail also has health benefits that are part of our workforce retention programs,” he said. “It’s not just something our community has to have as an amenity to keep workers here, it’s something to do that’s cool, attractive and a magnet for our talent pool.” The city was about to authorize the building of a new car bridge and Campbell said they stepped in and negotiated putting in a bike lane. “They did it and will consider it for any future roads as well,” Campbell said.
“When you look at the economic impact, you realize how it will change the dynamics of communities along the route,” he said. “For instance, I pitched the idea at a quality of life panel at a chamber leadership meeting and afterward, a commercial developer on an economic development panel wanted to talk to me about the restaurants they’re trying to bring in. He wants to discuss where the trail will run because for some clients, it may be more feasible to locate on an offroad location you can access by bike or walking than along a five-lane high traffic area in town. “I did a presentation to the Rotary Club about it and they have taken us on as their five-year project.” Allen said the question became, ‘How are we going to manage that from a municipal perspective?” They started with looking at other successful trails as a baseline for what the Singing River Trail could be. One of those is the 62-mile
Silver Comet Trail that runs from Smyrna, Ga., outside Atlanta, to the Alabama state line where it connects to the Chief Ladiga Trail, winding for 33 miles through the countryside to Anniston. They have also studied the Razorback Regional Greenway, a 38-mile off-road shared-use trail in northwest Arkansas; and the Wolf River Greenway Trail from Memphis to Germantown, Tenn. It is much shorter at only a little over 7 miles. Decisions about the trail’s width, whether to pave it or use crushed gravel, who will maintain it, and providing security are all still in the planning stages. “We’ve had the National Park Service at the table talking about these things,” said Campbell. “But you know different parts of it will be under different jurisdictions so each community will be responsible and will have to step up. “Right now, our target is to get it on the ground.” w
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FOOD / DINING
Mario’s: A New Face in a Familiar Place with Same Attitude There’s a brand new eatery in an old familiar place with the same eclectic vibe for residents of Five Points in east Huntsville. Marios Five Points, which had delivered pizza while sharing space with Galen’s restaurant for a few years, now occupies the entire building at what many city residents knew as Mullins DriveIn for decades. Mullins, famous for its chili dogs and broasted chicken, was long a fixture in the Dallas and Lincoln Mill villages that make up a large part of Five Points. Galen’s, a popular restaurant in New Hope, gave it a go in the city but left to pave the way for Mario’s. Marios, which began with only pizza deliveries, started dine-in service Nov. 8 and is becoming a fast hit in the area. The restaurant still delivers in an area around the store, but Grub Hub also delivers and provides service throughout the city. “We’ve had a lot of good feedback and the reviews have been
positive,’’ said Dan Thompson, manager, military brat and once a Five Points resident. “We’re seeing significant growth week after week. “We’re starting to see a lot of repeat customers.’’ Mario Colorado Sr. and his son Mario Colorado Jr. are the owners and chefs. The elder Mario developed the pizza crust recipe.
“He’s been in the business a long time,’’ Thompson said. “He developed a dough recipe. It’s a special proprietary recipe. I’m
By Mike Easterling / Photos by Mario’s
not allowed to know it. It’s a lot of secrets.’’ The counter in the original part of the building is still there. A large kitchen where most dishes are made from scratch, the Mario Room and the Colorado Room are in the addition Mullins made many years ago. The motif is dedicated to Five Points and Huntsville. Photos of old landmarks such as Star Market, Tip Top Cafe, Dunavants Mall and the Lyric Theater are just some of the venues featured. And there’s much more on the menu than Mario’s Signature pizza. Appetizers, calzones, pasta, salads and sandwiches are available and on Sunday there is a brunch menu. w
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MANUFACTURING
Construction on Schedule, Milestones Reached at Mazda Toyota Plant Construction is on schedule and significant milestones are being reached at the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA facility in the tract of Huntsville that extends in Limestone County off Powell Road. “We are starting to see walls and splotches of paint on the walls,’’ said Toni Eberhart, corporate communications director for the 3.7 million square-foot plant. “A bridge is going to connect the two buildings.’’ Eberhart reports these milestones achieved by the end of the year: • Building structural steel frame – 100 percent complete • Metal roof deck – 100 percent complete • Membrane roofing – 60 percent complete • Concrete floors – 40 percent complete • Fire protection piping – 60 percent complete • Underground utility piping – 75 percent complete Heating and cooling units were placed atop the campus’ two buildings in a most unique way. “Those were placed via helicopter lifts,’’ Eberhart said. “It took 600 helicopter flights.’’ The plant is bringing about 4,000 jobs here and estimates for indirect jobs in the area are around 24,000. Eberhart said the company will begin “mass hiring’’ this month to begin filling production roles. The company plans to add production team members over a long period to reach the 4,000 total. “It will be our last big push,’’ she said of the January hiring process. The company acronym for the plant is YKTA, a joint venture of Y-Tec, Keylex and Toyotetsu (the A in the acronym stands for
Alabama). Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA (MTMUS) facility is not the only plant Toyota has coming to North Alabama. Toyota Boshoku is building a $50 million plant in Athens that will supply MTMUS with seats. DaikoNishikawa US is building a facility at the MTMUS site and will supply resin products. TKTA will produce structural body stampings and assemblies and chassis parts. All of the companies are based in Japan but have North American operations. Toyotas and Mazda SUVs will be assembled at MTMUS, which expects to produce up to 300,000 autos beginning in 2021. Following is a description of jobs to be filled, taken from www.mazdatoyota.com. Tool and Die Maintenance Team Members maintain manufacturing dies and related stamping shop equipment through continuous improvement, predictive maintenance, quick troubleshooting and repair activities. Multi-Skilled Maintenance Team Members ensure that production equipment functions properly and are available when needed through continuous improvement, predictive maintenance, quick troubleshooting and repair activities. Facilities Maintenance Team Members ensure that Powerhouse and other Plant equipment functions properly and efficiently through continuous improvement, predictive maintenance, quick troubleshooting and repair activities (e.g., boilers,
air compressors, chillers, HVAC, wastewater systems, electrical distribution, etc.). Production Team Leaders
By Mike Easterling / Photo by Marty Sellers
coach, train and support Team Leaders to perform their roles within Safety, Quality and Productivity standards. w
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GOVERNMENT
New Techonology and New Response Model Creates Need for New 911 Call Center After 22 years, the 911 Call Center is getting a new home. During the past two decades, not only has the Huntsville-Madison county area outgrown its own infrastructure, the call center has been bursting at the seams. Along with the HuntsvilleMadison County 911 Call Center, there are seven other agencies that house their communication activities within the building. Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Fire Department, Huntsville Police Department, Huntsville Fire and Rescue, City of Madison Police Department, City of Madison Fire Department, and Huntsville Emergency Medical Services all have a presence at the 911 Call Center. A key advantage is seamless efficiency in communication and response. And Huntsville-Madison County 911 was one of the first agencies to embrace this multiagency model. To this end, the new 911 Call Center will be twice the size of the original. Complete with larger conference and training rooms, all with state-of-the-art technology. A dedicated IT lab that has raised tables and lab benches.
There’s a ton of rebar and lots of concrete in the mix, too. The main call center area is built underground with steel reinforced concrete and will be able to withstand an F5 tornado. “It’s been ‘a minute’ since the groundbreaking on that freezing day in December 2017. Sometime in mid-spring the dream will become reality. We’re looking at April or May 2020, May being the latest timeframe,” said Ernie Blair, CEO of Madison 911. “Then, we’ll need three months to move, once we get certificate of occupancy. “We’re using this opportunity to upgrade our technology. Technology is changing so fast; we’re running to catch up. The ways that people communicate has changed – 85 percent of 911 calls are now made by
Pictured Ernie Blair, CEO of Madison 911
cell phone.” The area’s explosive growth and development has impacted the center’s completion timeline. “We’re still under budget and were ahead of schedule until three to four months ago,” said Blair. “All the resources are stretched; general
By Lori J. Connors / Photos by Steve Babin
contractors are having a hard time keeping the subs on the jobs.” As far a deadline for being out of the existing facility, there isn’t one. “We don’t have a deadline,” said Blair. “There are two groups looking to buy the old building: the City of Huntsville and Huntsville Utilities. The latest I’ve heard is that they’re working together.” Blair, though, has confidence in the center and the personnel. “Nobody does 911 better than we do. We are the largest center in the state and one of the few combined centers,” said Blair. “We’re important to the quality of life and public safety, everyone is saving a life every day. “It’s the coolest job anyone could have.” w
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REAL ESTATE
Monroe Manor Offers Luxury Living Outside the City Limits MERIDIANVILLE – A new residential development offers home builders a chance to live just off a golf course of a winding waterway in the northern part of Madison County. Casey Stafford of Stafford Realty is introducing Monroe Manor, a 150-plus acre spread that sits hard against the south end of Colonial Golf Course on one side and Beaverdam Creek on another. There are 48 lots ranging from .75 acre to just under five acres. “It’s less than 10 miles to downtown Huntsville,’’ Stafford said. Several large employers such as the Toyota plant and the Facebook data center are just a few miles away. Stafford Realty bought the land two years ago and broke ground in January. “It’s the first development I’ve ever done,’’ Stafford said. “It’s been a learning experience. But, me and (real estate attorney Ty Stafford) had an idea about what we wanted it to be.’’ The Staffords bill Monroe Manor as a luxury community with lots selling from $75,000 to $150,000. Houses will be a minimum of 3,000 square feet and each buyer can choose the contractor. “They’ll be custom made,’’ Stafford said. “We’re just selling the lots. Each customer can use their own builder.’’ According to a post made by Stafford, the Monroe Manor “community provides some of the most peaceful lots to build on in the area. Monroe Manor offers golf course lots and creek lots up to five acres. This is a community you and your family will be excited to call home.’’ Stafford Realty also includes Casey’s uncles Roger and Stanley Stafford, who many area residents will remember as a former basketball player and coach. He won a
state championship as a player at Hazel Green and a coach at Sparkman and is a member of the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame. Casey also played high school basketball at Hazel Green. The 6-foot-3 Stafford was named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 5A All-State second team as a senior in 2004. After starring for the Trojans, he played for former UAH and current Lipscomb coach Lennie Acuff at UAH from 2005-09. “Those five years were awesome,’’ he said of his time with the Chargers. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. After finishing college, he worked for Science and Engineering Services and entered the family real estate business. Stafford also revealed he’s made a living in another field of work not too many people know about. “It might surprise you,’’ he said, “but I’ve been a Huntsville firefighter for four or five years.’’ w
By Mike Easterling / Photo by Marty Sellers
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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
SIT DOWN WITH SUCCESS
Sheila Cummings Shatters Glass Ceiling One Solution at a Time Dr. Sheila Cummings is shattering the glass ceiling—one aerospace engineering solution at a time. As a Native American aerospace engineer, small business owner, community leader, and family-focused female, Cummings is at the forefront of Huntsville’s path to the future. And although she has encountered many challenges along the way, she maintains that those challenges have been the driving force for her determination. Cummings Aerospace, her grassroots creation, is on the cusp of its eleventh anniversary, and we caught up with Cummings to gain some inside into her entrepreneurial success. What initial challenges did you face? I graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in
aerospace engineering. All throughout college, there were maybe three other girls in my graduating class for aerospace, so I definitely chose a field that was male-dominated. I had to figure out how to operate successfully in that domain. I was a minority but I didn’t allow it to deter me. I used it as fuel for the fire in
my belly. Once you graduated, how did you begin your career? I began my career with the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., as a government civilian. After nine years of working for the Navy, I transitioned to becoming a contractor for the Missile Defense Agency, and that’s where my connection to Huntsville began – this was the early stages of BRAC. Tell us about the origin of Cummings Aerospace and what makes you different as an engineering firm. I decided in 2009 to break out on my own, largely because of the community’s support of small business start-ups. There were lots of advisors in the community who were encouraging me to start my own company.
By Sara Covington / Headshot provided
Our goal at Cummings Aerospace is technical excellence. Being in the engineering domain is very competitive. We can’t do everything all the time, so what we do, we know we have to do very well. Any advice for future entrepreneurs? If you are a minority, don’t look at yourself as a minority. Focus on who you are and what you want to achieve and don’t be distracted by the labels that society puts on you. I think in today’s society people are becoming very accepting of women as engineers. We are still a minority, but we’ve come a long way. But at the end of the day you just have to ask yourself, am I doing the best I can do? For the complete interview with Sheila Cummings, visit huntsvillebusinessjournal.com. w
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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Space & Rocket Center, UNA Sign Workforce, Education Agreement The U.S. Space & Rocket Center and the University of North Alabama signed an agreement to promote learning and workforce development in North Alabama. “This comprehensive learning agreement between the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and UNA benefits both organizations tremendously by providing pathways to degree attainment for Space and Rocket Center employees and unique learning opportunities in a world-renowned facility for current and future UNA students,” said Dr. Ross Alexander, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. “This learning agreement with the U.S. Space & Rocket Center exemplifies UNA’s com-
mitment to STEM education and workforce development.” With the agreement, UNA will assist in training Rocket Center employees in areas including nursing, public history, education, and human resources. Additionally, UNA will also promote its educational opportunities as well as potential campus visits to Space Camp
students. The Rocket Center in return may recruit UNA students for paid internships as well as employment opportunities. The current agreement also lays the foundation for future collaborations with UNA’s public history programs and the Rocket Center, a Smithsonian Affiliate museum.
“This will bring public history and museum studies capabilities to our staff and other museums studies students,” Dr. Deborah Barnhart said. “We look forward to engaging deeply in the history of North Alabama by leveraging the expertise of UNA faculty.” w
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BUSINESS BRIEFCASE
Radiance Partners with Auburn University for Master’s Degree Program Radiance University at Radiance Technologies is partnering with the Auburn University Samuel Ginn College of Engineering’s Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering to offer a Master’s of Engineering Management Cohort Program to full-time employeeowners. The program begins spring 2020. Employee-owners are not required to have a bachelor’s degree in engineering and, if all the requirements of the program are met, they will be fully reimbursed for their tuition per semester. “The collaborative nature of cohort instructional models has a history of success, and we are excited to offer this opportunity for professional development and personal growth,” said Lane Fabby, chancellor of Radiance University. The MEM degree allows employees in an engineering-related field to expand their career potential and earn a degree without having to take a break. The MEM program offers a business management approach to engineering with a technical specialization. There are four specialization options available: (1) Systems Engineering; (2) Manufacturing; (3) Occupational Safety & Ergonomics; and (4) Product Innovation. “From our perspective, offering our employee-owners the chance to earn a master’s degree through Auburn is an easy decision,” Fabby said. “When more Radiance employees hold advanced degrees, thereby enhancing their skills and knowledge, it gives us a competitive advantage as a company and helps us recruit and retain high-quality talent.” Visit www.radiancetech.com w
New MidCity Theater to Have Largest Screen in Alabama There are big things going on in Huntsville’s MidCity District. And the latest is a story right out of Hollywood. Well, maybe not right out of Hollywood, but it is all about movies. Touchstar Cinemas has announced plans for a flagship location at MidCity. A new 50,000 square-foot movie theater will feature the largest screen in Alabama as part of its state-of-theart premium experience featuring 14 wall-to-wall screens, 4k laser projection with 3D viewing, as well as Dolby Atmos and DTX immersive sound. Touchstar currently operates the Touchstar Cinemas Madison Square facility that was originally an outparcel to the former Madison Square Mall. That theater will remain open while the new Touchstar Luxury Cinemas MidCity is being built. The closing of the current movie theater will be planned simultaneously with the opening of the new location. Located adjacent to the hotels and entertainment core at the terminus of MidCity Drive, the theater plans to open by summer 2021. w
South Huntsville Businesses Receive Facade Improvement Grants There will soon be a new look to some South Huntsville businesses. Nearly a dozen small businesses will be able to improve their storefronts, facades and even landscaping thanks to Façade Improvement
Grants, the South Huntsville Main Business Association announced. Business owners applied for the grants, sponsored by Redstone Federal Credit Union. The businesses demonstrated how the improvements to their storefronts would affect the overall appearance, quality, growth and vitality of the South Huntsville district. The grants provide up to two-toone in matching funds for 11 projects ranging from $800 to $4,000. The total economic impact is $184,000 in the South Huntsville community. “The Façade Improvement Grants are contributing to a positive business environment in South Huntsville,” said Bekah Schmidt, executive director for the South Huntsville Main Business Association. “Through the grant, we are encouraging the revitalization of buildings and supporting business improvement. We look forward to seeing these projects completed over the next six months, and greatly appreciate our presenting sponsor, Redstone Federal Credit Union for making this all possible.” The following businesses and or shopping centers will be utilizing the matching grant funds to complete façade renovations, building enhancements, or landscape improvements. • Angel’s Island Coffee Shop • Apollo Animal Hospital • Bubby’s Diner • Das Stahl Bierhaus • Earth Touch Garden Center • Eleanor Murphy Library • 8200 Memorial Parkway • Off the Rack Boutique • Main Street South • Sabghi’s Jewelers • Village Center w
The Catalyst Receives Grant for Small Business Training Program As Huntsville and Madison County continue to grow, there’s been an exponential surge in small
business development over the past several years. Here in North Alabama, small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures have been welcomed with open arms. Economic development is essential for community growth and stability. To that end, the U.S. Small Business Administration recently awarded The Catalyst Center for Business and Entrepreneurship a $350,000 Management & Technical Assistance Program grant. The program’s assistance encompasses a wide spectrum of services to include one-to-one customized coaching, business training, and networking/matchmaking opportunities. A key goal of the program is to help firms compete for federal, state and local contracts as a prime contractor or subcontractor. To participate in the free training program, small businesses must be: • Owned and managed by economically and/or socially disadvantaged individuals • Located in areas of high unemployment or low-income • Certified 8(a) participant or HUBZone small business • Economically disadvantaged and woman-owned For information, visit catalystcenter.org w
Rocket City Trash Pandas, Inline Electric Announce Partnership MADISON -- The Rocket City Trash Pandas and Inline Electric have announced a long- term strategic partnership to include naming rights for the Inline Electric Rock Porch bar. “We are excited to have Inline Lighting and Electrical Supply join the Trash Pandas family,” said Trash Pandas President and CEO Ralph
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BUSINESS BRIEFCASE
Nelson. “Inline Electric is a homegrown business that has been known throughout our region for their quality products and customer service for three decades. Since we designed the Rock Porch, I have always felt it will become everybody’s favorite spot in the ballpark. We are thrilled that Inline Electric, a North Alabama business institution, has elected to sponsor it. “The Inline Electric Rock Porch will be providing our fans with the most unique vantage point in Minor League Baseball.” As part of the agreement, Inline Lighting & Electrical Supply has been named a Founding Partner of the Trash Pandas and Toyota Field. The Inline Electric brand and logo will be prominently featured throughout the stadium, including the Inline Electric Rock Porch bar overlooking right field. “Inline Lighting and Electrical Supply is proud to be a sponsor of the
Rocket City Trash Pandas new venture in North Alabama,” said Bruce Summerville, President of Inline Lighting and Electrical Supply. “Our customers in Huntsville, Athens, Sheffield, Cullman and Albertville are certainly excited to participate with in making this a huge success for all of North Alabama.” w
Vertiv Joins Stovehouse as Newest Office Tenant Vertiv, a global IT infrastructure provider, will join the Stovehouse development on Governors Drive in West Huntsville, according to a re-
lease from Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate and Stovehouse Properties. Recently ranked as the No. 1 supplier of remote IT management devices worldwide by analytics IHS Markit, Vertiv expects to complete its move by the first quarter next year and will remain open at its facility on Corporate Drive during the move. Vertiv brings together hardware, software, analytics and ongoing services for data centers, communications networks and commercial and industrial facilities. Our new site at Stovehouse will help us match the facility to our people and our business,” said Patrick Quirk, vice president and general manager, IT systems at Vertiv. “When we decided to relocate, we prioritized finding a facility that captured the innovative nature of our company. We have roots as a small, Huntsville-based IT management device startup (formerly
Cybex, then Avocent), so having the chance to connect our history with the historic Martin Stove factory was an opportunity we couldn’t miss. It should be able to accommodate our growth for years to come.” The owners of Stovehouse said they are excited to have Vertiv on board. “It’s an honor to have Vertiv join our list of office tenants at the Stovehouse campus,” said Danny Yancey, owner and developer of Stovehouse. “We hope that the development will offer several amenities that are coveted in the modern workplace, like access to local cuisine, fitness studios, leisure activities, and many other things we plan to add in the future. “Vertiv will be able to highlight these features when attracting new talent to its team.” w
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