21 minute read
By Noah Logan
from HBJ October 2022
Governor Ivey Helps Cut the Ribbon for Wellstone’s New $10 Million Mental Health Facility
By Noah Logan / Photos by Jeff White & Noah Logan
Advertisement
It was a packed house on Monday as seven state legislators, one governor, several news cameras and dozens of citizens from all over north Alabama gathered at the Wellstone campus on Memorial Parkway. Wellstone CEO Jeremy Blair was joined by Gov. Kay Ivey and the state’s Mental Health Commissioner Kim Boswell as they cut the ribbon on Wellstone’s new crisis center and welcomed a new era of mental health treatment across Huntsville, Madison County and the entire state.
The new $10 million facility is a state-of-the-art crisis center that will offer citizens short term and long term care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Equipped with 16 beds, the crisis center provides new possibilities for mental health accommodations as the options before were limited to jails and emergency rooms. The building itself is “more than just bricks and mortar,” according to Blair. The CEO likened it to a symbol of hope and healing for the people it will serve regardless of zip code, gender or any other demographic.
Blair echoed sentiments made by state representative and House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) as they both stressed that mental health is just as important as physical health and should be treated as such.
“As Leader Ledbetter discussed, we can no longer separate mental health care and physical health because they are one and the same,” Blair preached. “When we neglect our mental health, eventually, we’re going to neglect our physical health. We’ve got to do a better job of understanding and realizing that. I think more and more people are realizing that it’s OK to not be OK. And they are seeking that help.”
The center at Wellstone is one of six across the state that is either open or opening in the near future. The crisis centers are a direct result of Ivey’s administration, the Alabama Department of Mental Health and the Alabama legislature appropriating necessary funds for the first major investment in state mental health services since the Wallace administration. In her remarks at the ceremony, Governor Ivey emphasized that it is well past time for Alabama to prioritize mental health care.
“Often called a mental health pioneer in Alabama, my mentor Lurleen Wallace (Alabama’s first female governor) laid the foundation for mental health care which throughout the past three decades has been placed on the back burner for way too long,” she remarked. “But it’s time. It’s been time for Alabama to prioritize mental health services and I’m proud to say we are continuing just that here today.”
Thanks to funding from the state legislature, crisis centers are opening soon in Birmingham, Montgomery, Dothan, Tuscaloosa and Mobile, in addition to the Huntsville location. For the Huntsville location, $5 million of the funding came from state funds with the remaining $5 million being raised through donations and local government funds.
Wellstone is also opening a separate pediatric wing for the crisis center that will contain 24 additional beds. Blair said the company will break ground on the pediatric wing in spring of 2023. w
Shelby Helps Celebrate U.S. Courthouse in Downtown Ceremony
By Mike Easterling / Photos courtesy of Huntsville/Madison County Chamber
It’s been two decades in the making, but the long-awaited new federal courthouse is finally moving forward.
Senator Richard Shelby, who is finishing his sixth term in office before retiring, continued a “victory lap” in Huntsville as the keynote speaker during a groundbreaking ceremony for the U.S. Northern District Courthouse in downtown.
The appearance was his second in the city that day. Earlier, he gave his annual Washington Update during a breakfast at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.
Both events were sponsored by the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber.
“Between Lynwood Smith and (the late Herman) “Buck’’ Watson, for years these two men worried me to death about this courthouse,’’ Shelby said. “And they didn’t give up. When one would call me, the other would be on the phone (later) to see what I promised.’’
For years, all Shelby could say for certain was that the land at the intersection of Gallatin Street and Lowe Avenue would be purchased. The land was bought 20 years ago, and this week a celebration was held after years of lobbying on behalf of the state’s most caseloaded court for a new facility.
Though Monday was the groundbreaking, construction actually began in April. Completion of the project, estimated to cost around $100 million, is scheduled for completion in summer-to-late 2024.
The ceremony was the continuation of a coronation for Shelby that began with the earlier breakfast. Local politicians feted the long-time Washington, D.C. stalwart, who first went to the nation’s capital as a state rep-
resentative in 1978 before eventually moving to the Senate.
He has served as a Congressman for a total of 44 years and is in the final months of his 36th year as Senator.
“When we open in late 2024, the beautiful landmark on the hill above us will stand for many generations as a legacy of Senator Shelby and his foresight and unequal service to our state and nation,’’ said Smith, a Senior District Judge.
Smith also acknowledged Huntsville Mayor Battle and his administration for their role in getting the project off the ground.
“I want to personally thank Mayor Battle and his very competent staff for their focus, commitment and assistance with this project,’’ Smith said.
Battle stressed the importance of adding a modern courthouse.
“This is a need for our downtown area, it’s a need for North Alabama, it’s a need for the nation and that is one of the things Richard Shelby has brought to us time and time again,’’ he said. “If there was a need for the nation, Richard Shelby would step up and Richard Shelby would come in and say, ‘Where in Alabama do you want to put that?’’
“A need for this nation is a federal courthouse. A federal courthouse will give us a chance to make sure we have justice throughout this area, but it also gives us a chance to have a facility that reflects what this city is, what this state is, what this country is.’’
Battle said Smith and District Judge Liles C. Burke were both instrumental in making the dream a reality.
“They’ve been on point all along,’’ Battle said.
Deputy Commissioner Allison Azevedo represented the federal General Services Administration.
“I read about the great plans going on in this community,’’ she said, “but now I get to see it for myself.’’
The courthouse will have five courtrooms, six judges’ chambers and office space for other federal agencies.
Shelby added that Huntsville’s growth made the new courthouse necessary. He recounted a story about a couple from New Jersey in Washington that told him they were moving to Huntsville.
“Huntsville is a great city – it’s going to grow more,’’ Shelby said. “They’re coming from everywhere. You’re going to see more of this. So you needed this courthouse.’’ w
Huntsville Hosts Successful Demo of SAIC’s Counter Unmanned Aerial System
By Gus Wintzell / Photos courtesy of SAIC
The 2022 Space & Missile Defense Symposium brought the best and brightest to Huntsville’s Von Braun Center last month, showcasing the latest Missile and Aerospace Technologies being developed in the United States.
Businesses from the City of Huntsville were also present demonstrating the latest in military and civilian technology. Companies such as SAIC and their Counter Unmanned Aerial System (CUAS) were key highlights of a successful event.
Last week, a team of SAIC from various locations across the nation returned to Huntsville for a series of demonstrations at SCI Technology's headquarterss.
SAIC began with an overview of the CUAS system. SAIC engineers label the Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) as a “drone security that is ready to integrate” itself into mainstream U.S. security systems.
Both for defense and civilian use, the CUAS defense system capabilities stretch from military bases, commercial flights, border protection and detection, and even identification and threat mitigation.
In an interview with the Huntsville Business Journal, SAIC engineers provided a brief overview of the four scenarios that followed:
Scenario 1 (Loitering Drone):
The CUAS system provides detection, tracking and identification for situational awareness. Detecting the UAS requires the use of radio frequency (RF) Sensors, Radars and electronic warfare (EW) sensors. To identify the UAS, the system uses visual camera sensors equipped with slew-tocue technology.
Scenario 2 (Inbound Threat):
The CUAS system provides detection, tracking, identification and mitigation. To detect the UAS, the system uses RF sensors, Radars and EW sensors. To identify the UAS, the system uses visual camera sensors equipped with slew-to-cue technology. The threat is mitigated using a Blue Force Interceptor provided by our partner, SCI.
Scenario 3 (Multiple Threats):
The CUAS system provides detection, tracking, identification and mitigation for multiple simultaneous threats. To detect the UAS, the system uses RF sensors, Radars and EW sensors. To identify the UAS, the system relies visual camera sensors equipped with slew-to-cue technology. The threat as mitigated using EW sensors, which took control of the threat and returned it to point of origin.
Scenario 4 (Long Range Threat):
The CUAS system can detect an inbound threat using RF Sensors, Radars and EW sensors. To identify the UAS, the system relies on visual camera sensors using slew-to-cue technology. To identify the UAS, the system uses visual camera sensors equipped with slew-to-cue technology. The threat as mitigated using EW sensors, which took control of the threat and landed it at a point near the command tent.
With each scenario finalized, and the demo seemingly successful, the attention was turned toward the people behind the project. In this case, according to Greg Fortier, Vice President, Aviation and Missile Defense of SAIC, the budget and number of Huntsville-based employees fluctuated for this project.
“Our Counter Unmanned Aerial System uses the best technology we can find to build the best systems and components needed to detect, track, identify and defeat a threat posed by any unmanned aerial system. Using an open-systems approach means that our scalable (can be built for a small area or big area) and tailorable (the type of systems desired to detect, track, identify and defeat UAS) system-of-systems can be incorporated into a larger network of systems to provide a defense in depth, layered counter to unmanned aerial system threats. This means the system can be mobile mounted on an off-road vehicle, into a large truck or vehicle, on a large storage container or box, or a fixed building site.”
Fortier also pointed out that the demo’s success, and the CUAS system, will benefit North Alabama as a whole in many ways.
“SAIC has been based in Huntsville for decades. Beyond the physical involvement of our SAIC employees -- working alongside our Huntsvillebased partners such as SCI Technology – is that we can build, test, and manage the program near an area approved by the FAA for testing, like we did today,” Fortier stated.
“Additionally, U.S. Army commands based at Redstone Arsenal are invested in emergent technology and solutions that support and defend Soldiers in the field. Our support of those commands over the past several decades and through our current contracts, allow us to understand what solutions are needed now and how we can work to make the system easily operable for any user.” w
By Gus Wintzell & Lynn Lowe Cole / Photos courtesy of The University of Alabama in Huntsvile
The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees has unanimously named Dr. Charles L. “Chuck” Karr president of The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). University of Alabama System Chancellor Finis St. John recommended the appointment to the UA System Board of Trustees at its meeting on September 16, 2022.
“Furthering the success of UAH is a top priority for the University of Alabama System and the Board of Trustees,” Chancellor St. John said. “Dr. Karr’s sustained leadership will bring positive momentum and a strategic, unified vision to UAH as it continues its trajectory as a preeminent doctoral research university in one of America’s fastest-growing and most robust regions.”
Chancellor St. John said Dr. Karr earned countless votes of support from faculty and staff, students, community leaders, elected officials and other constituents during his highly successful tenure as interim president. “The enthusiastic support within the institution and throughout the broader community is a proven testament to Dr. Karr and the success he has already achieved at UAH,” said St. John. One of Karr’s hallmark accomplishments as interim president has been his keen ability to strengthen partnerships with leaders across the Huntsville area. Relationships with Redstone Arsenal, Cummings Research Park, business and the education sector are flourishing under his watch.
“It is my highest honor to lead UAH as we work to fulfill our institutional mission as a premier research-intensive university that is responsive to the needs of the community and beyond,” said President Karr. “I am grateful for this incredible opportunity and look forward to working with all those driving UAH toward unprecedented success, including the Board of Trustees, Chancellor St. John, our faculty and staff, students, and leaders throughout the Huntsville community. There are many exciting things happening on the UAH campus, and I know there is much more to come
Pictured L to R: UA System Chancellor Finis St. John, UAH President Dr. Chuck Karr, UA System Board President Pro Tempore Stan Starnes
in our future.”
Earlier this year, UAH achieved the top level “R1 – Very high research activity” rank in Carnegie research classifications, which is the highest research activity designation among doctoral universities. Research at UAH is a vibrant and expanding function and underscores the University’s valuable position in Alabama as a leading engineering and science research institution.
Under Dr. Karr’s leadership, UAH received one of the most significant appropriations in University history for its engineering building project, which will allow UAH to advance its flagship program, foster innovative and impactful research efforts, and address critical STEM workforce needs. With 73% of alums residing in Alabama, UAH supplies a highly educated workforce to the state and fills the community’s workforce pipeline.
“Dr. Chuck Karr is quite possibly the most dynamic leader that I have ever been associated with, in higher education and beyond,” said Trustee Ron Gray, chair of the UAH Committee of the UA System Board of Trustees. “I am certain that under Dr. Karr’s leadership, UAH will not only reach its full potential but far surpass our expectations.” Other significant accomplishments achieved by Dr. Karr as interim UAH president include recruiting new faculty and strategic leaders as well as securing merit raises for eligible UAH employees in FY 2023. Institutional giving has doubled during his tenure. Before being appointed interim president of UAH in November 2021, Dr. Karr had recently retired from The University of Alabama after 26 years of service.
“Dr. Chuck Karr has exhibited the highest degree of excellence in every stage of his extensive and impressive academic career,” said UA System Board of Trustees President Pro Tempore W. Stancil Starnes. “The appointment of a campus president is one of the most important actions taken by the Board of Trustees. We have the utmost confidence in Dr. Karr and know he will be an invaluable asset to UAH, the University of Alabama System, and the State of Alabama.”
During his 16-year tenure as dean of the University of Alabama College of Engineering, Karr was credited with transforming the college into a research and academic powerhouse that ascended in national rankings. He more than tripled the College’s undergraduate enrollment with the recruitment of high-quality students, grew the faculty, supported the construction of new facilities to enhance academic programs, and expanded research activity by increasing research awards more than $45 million.
He previously chaired UA’s aerospace engineering and mechanics department and was the College’s associate dean for research and graduate studies. He spent seven years as a research engineer with the U.S. Bureau of Mines before joining the UA faculty full time.
Dr. Karr is a three-time UA graduate, earning a B.S. in mechanical engineering and an M.S. and Ph.D. in engineering mechanics. He has received numerous prestigious recognitions for his academic and leadership achievements. A native of Gulf Breeze, Fla., Dr. Karr and his wife, Jodie, live in Huntsville and have two adult children, Nathan and Noah. w
LandrumHR Expands PEO Services to Huntsville
Photo courtesy of LandrumHR
LandrumHR, a professional employer organization (PEO) that supports more than 1,800 businesses and thousands of employees and job seekers across the country, now offers customized PEO services to businesses in Huntsville, Alabama, and its surrounding communities.
Katherine Grace leads LandrumHR services in the greater Huntsville area as a business consultant. With a record of success in sales, account management and marketing, Katherine is poised to help local businesses thrive through LandrumHR’s award-winning HR outsourcing.
“I am excited to join the LandrumHR PEO team in my hometown of Huntsville, Alabama, to help local businesses realign their focus back on the growth and the mission of their business by “Huntsville is a place that is near and dear to my heart as I was born and raised here, along with several members of my extended family. Seeing the Rocket City grow at such a fast pace over the last several years has been exciting.”
offering unique HR solutions,” Katherine said.
“Huntsville is a place that is near and dear to my heart as I was born and raised here, along with several members of my extended family. Seeing the Rocket City grow at such a fast pace over the last several years has been exciting. I believe LandrumHR can facilitate continued growth opportunities for Huntsville area businesses through the expertise and solutions we offer.”
A graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in Business Administration, Katherine has previous PEO experience and joins LandrumHR following three years at Cobbs Allen Insurance Agency in Birmingham, Alabama.
For most small businesses, HR administrative tasks take up an enormous amount of time and resources that should be dedicated to producing revenue. To learn more about LandrumHR’s wide portfolio of services, please visit their website at www.landrumhr.com. w
Three Progress Bank Staff Graduate from Alabama Banking School
A total of 36 students from across the state graduated from the Alabama Banking School on August 26. Held at The Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery, this year’s session was the 47th since the school first began in 1976.
First Community Bank of Central Alabama’s Chairman Tra Cosby served as this year’s commencement speaker. Alabama Banking School Director Kent Howze awarded diplomas to the graduates. Howze is a member of the leadership team at Peoples Bank of Alabama headquartered in Cullman.
Sponsored by the Alabama Bankers Association, the school is administered by a 26-member faculty comprised of bankers and industry professionals. Faculty members are dedicated to teaching the latest trends and best practices to help students become more knowledgeable bank employees.
The school’s staff consists of former graduates who are active bankers in the state of Alabama. Students attended three week-long sessions during a two-year period to complete the program. At the conclusion of each session, students must successfully complete two final exams. While not in session, students are required to complete extensive home study problems.
During the third and final session, students form teams and participate in a bank simulation program called BankExec. This program allows students to make strategic decisions for a virtual bank to offer a complete picture of how these decisions affect bank performance.
The three Progress Bank staff members are Sam Chambliss (Birmingham Credit Officer), Claudia Compton (Decatur Branch Manager) and Jeff Waddail (Huntsville Credit Administrator).
President Biden Appoints Drake State’s Dr. Patricia Sims to National Infrastructure Advisory Council
President Biden announced this week his intent to appoint Dr. Patricia G. Sims, President of Drake State Community & Technical College, to the President’s National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC). The NIAC advises the White House on how to reduce physical and cyber risks and improve the security and resilience of the nation’s critical infrastructure sectors. She joins 26 highly qualified and diverse industry and government leaders selected for this appointment and is the only Alabama representative.
Dr. Sims has been President of Drake State, a Historically Black Community College, since 2018. Under her leadership, Drake State has seen a significant increase in state and federal funding, has increased strategic partnerships, and expanded its program offerings.
The College was recently awarded a $2.4 million grant as part of the U.S. Department of Commerce and National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA), Connecting Minority Communities Pilot (CMCP) program, to help eliminate historical broadband and computer access inequities in and around Madison County, Alabama. Drake State was one of the first five universities and the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to be awarded the grant.
Sims has more than 28 years of progressive experience in the field of Education. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Alabama State Port Authority, the Alabama Partnership for Children, and the Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust.
“It’s an honor to be asked to serve on this much-needed council,” said Sims. “Our work at Drake State is always about improving the lives of individuals for the betterment of our community. We address workforce needs in key areas of technology and healthcare that play a role in cyber security and disaster preparedness.
Community Foundation CEO Earns Prestigious Accreditation
HUNTSVILLE, AL – Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville CEO and President Melissa Thompson recently received the prestigious recognition of Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® designation by The American College of Financial Services.
The Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) designation is a certification ensuring that its recipients share a common body of knowledge to collaborate effectively with clients on all aspects of charitable gift planning. The cross-disciplinary curriculum synthesizes the arts and sciences of philanthropic planning, including taxation, finance, fundraising, purposeful planning, family philanthropy, psychology, and strategic philanthropy.
“We help donors be generous, however that looks for them. The CAP® program provides additional insights into philanthropic planning that will better equip us to guide donors on the path to generosity that is right for them. The sophisticated generosity strategies learned through CAP® will help our donors realize their philanthropic goals for themselves, their family, and their community,” said Thompson.
The rigorous CAP® program requires completion of three 14-week graduate-level courses and culminates in comprehensive exams prior to awarding accreditation.
HUNTSVILLE, AL – The Von Braun Center (VBC) has announced the addition of Lynn Troy as the newest member of the Von Braun Center Board of Control. Ms. Troy was appointed by the Huntsville City Council and began her post on August 28, 2022.
Ms. Troy is the President of Troy7, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yulista Holding, LLC. Troy7 is focused on telemetry, missile design and analysis, guidance and control, intel, range operations, and directed energy.
“I’m truly honored to have been appointed to serve the City as a member of the VBC Board of Control,” remarked Ms. Troy. “I am excited to work with the other board members and the outstanding VBC staff to continue to improve this vital asset to our community! Thank you for this opportunity!”
In addition to Troy7, Ms. Troy was one of the founding owners of Rocket Republic Brewing Company, a local craft brewery from 2013-2020.
Lynn currently serves on several non-profit Boards: Huntsville Chamber Executive Committee (Chair Elect), Habitat for Humanity (Past President), Community Foundation (Treasurer), American Heart Association’s Heart Ball ELT (2021 Chair). She also serves on the Women’s Philanthropy Society’s Advisory Board (Grant Chair), the UAH College of Business Advisory Board, and she is a Hudson Alpha Ambassador.
Ms. Troy was honored by Yellowhammer News as one of 20 Women of Impact for the state of Alabama in 2021. In 2018, Ms. Troy received the Russell G. Brown Executive Leadership award and was recognized as one of Alabama Media Groups Women Who Shape the State. In 2013, she received the Technology Award from WEDC’s Women Honoring Women. Ms. Troy is a graduate of Leadership Alabama – Class XXXI, Leadership Huntsville’s Flagship Class (L29), and the 2019 FBI Citizens Academy.
