HBJ July 24 Issue

Mayor Finley Highlights Madison’s Importance as a “Suburb” City, Discusses Education and Economic Development

City of Madison Mayor Paul Finley delivered a comprehensive State of the City address at the Von Braun Center’s Saturn Ballroom on Wednesday, June 5th. By Noah Logan - Page 7

GOVERNMENT

What You Need to Know

About the City of Huntsville’s Upcoming Municipal Elections

The City of Huntsville will hold its next Municipal Election on Tuesday, August 27. Voters in Districts 1 and 5 will have the opportunity to vote for their City Council and School Board candidates of choice. The election of the city’s mayor will also take place on August 27. Mayor Tommy Battle is running unopposed. By Sarah Zupko - Page 17

ADDITIONAL STORIES

• 16 Must-See Summer Events Coming to Huntsville in July By Heather Alfonso • Page 16

• Federal Researve Declines to Cut Interest Rates By Marie Johnson • Page 18

• Talking Local Business and Good Brews with Straight to Ale By Heather Price • Page 20

Dear readers,

As this is my first official letter, I wanted to begin by saying thank you to all of our readers and subscribers. Your continued support not only helps us produce high quality news, but shows a concerted effort from our community to support a small business. For this, I cannot thank you enough. I believe that spirit is the true heart and soul of what makes Huntsville one of the best cities in the nation.

As the summertime ramps up, our July issue highlights a variety of important events and developments in the area. From workforce development to government, the following issue includes some of the most important trends affecting our community this summer.

As election year approaches, both locally and nationally, the political atmosphere of the town will begin to heat up just as fast

as those Alabama July summer nights.

During this time, let us not forget that this month is also a celebratory moment for the city and the nation. Independence day approaches us quickly, so I urge all of our readers to take a moment

to reflect on the freedom and independence we enjoy. It’s a time to honor the courage and vision of those who fought for our liberty and to appreciate the values that unite us as a nation.

May your July 4th be filled with joy, laughter, and the company of

loved ones. Enjoy the fireworks, the barbecues, and all the festivities that make this day so special, preferably as safe as possible.

Best, Gus Wintzell

A Conversation with Dr. Sha’Rose Erion of Rose Pelvic Physiotherapy

Sit Down With Success is a feature of the Huntsville Business Journal on entrepreneurs and their keys to success. To read the full story, please visit the Huntsville Business Journal website.

Dr. Sha’Rose Erion, PT, DPT, saw a gap in services provided in pelvic floor therapy and decided to start her own business to fill that gap.

As founder and CEO of Rose Pelvic Physiotherapy, Dr. Erion specializes in pelvic floor physiotherapy, addressing issues related to pregnancy, postpartum, and injuries, with special emphasis on black birthing and transgender communities.

Dr. Erion emphasizes that physiotherapy can benefit all adults and even children, helping with conditions like pelvic pain, incontinence, constipation, and more. Her clinic focuses on pelvic health, assisting women during and after pregnancy, and addressing other often-overlooked pelvic issues. Dr. Erion recently discussed the founding and ser-

vices of her business with the Huntsville Business Journal.

How do you balance your personal and professional life?

Balance comes from what I say yes and no to, whether that’s personal or professional. Tuesday I had a meeting, I came home, took a nap, went to a networking event and came home in time for bedtime and kisses. It comes down to boundaries. I’ve overextended myself so much in the past because I wanted to be the one who read the book at bedtime and the one that ran the meeting at work, and that just isn’t possible.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering starting their own business?

I would say have a solid mental health provider before you start a business. I didn’t realize until later but my therapist was the first person outside of my husband that I talked to about starting a business, the things I was dreaming and the things I was dealing

with. They were able to hear what I was going through and then coach me on how to create something different in my own business. The mental stamina you need to be a business owner is a lot. You need to be able to handle the ups and downs that come with it.

What would you say is the secret to your success?

The community has been a big part of our success. Outside of the community, the biggest secret to my success is being completely honest with myself and everyone else. I learned to be really honest with myself about what I didn’t know. In the beginning, I did not know a lot about business and I’m not afraid to say that…being completely honest with what you do and don’t know will help you find the resources that can help you grow. Once I did that, my home life and my work life improved.

What’s something you wish more people knew about your business?

I wish more people knew and un-

By: Heather Price

derstood what pelvic therapy is and what all goes into it. Everyone who has a pelvic floor would benefit from pelvic floor therapy. It’s not just injury but also prevention. I like to say I specialize in TMI because that’s the number one thing people say to me is, “I know this is TMI but ….” I promise you it’s not. I guarantee I’ve probably heard it before. w

President /Publisher Todd Stephenson

Editor

Wintzell

Alfonso Laura Boehringer Marie Johnson Noah Logan Heather Price Sarah Zupko

Contributing Writers Matt Curtis Alexander Duck, II Carl Holden

Design

Gharib

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 ©2024. 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. Subsidiary

Rethinking Education: The Rise of Vocational Training in the Face of Soaring College Costs

In the 1990’s and early 2000’s, there was a major push for more post-secondary education, particularly college and university degree programs. With the creation of government direct loans and the expansion of federal student financial aid, graduate and undergraduate programs became accessible to more Americans than ever before.

In just a few short decades, however, the cost of education has skyrocketed and many employers are rethinking job requirements, allowing for a renewed interest in vocational training. Some may recall the grainy, late night infomercials for VCR repair, computer skills, and office management, but the world of job-focused education has really come a long way since those days.

The College Dilemma

The explosive cost of higher education is not the only hurdle facing young Americans entering the workforce. In 2020, 16% of Americans held a bachelor’s degree.

By 2020, that figure had increased to 23%. As with economics, the laws of supply and demand also apply within the labor market. The more people who carry a particular degree, the less value it carries to differentiate one from their counterparts. This same trajectory occurred with high school diplomas.

In the 1950’s, only about onethird of Americans had successfully completed secondary education, but now, a diploma is almost universally considered the bare minimum for entry into the workforce. In response to these changes, some employers have begun to reevaluate job requirements and, in some cases, have replaced college degrees with certifications and licenses.

This allows businesses to hire staff who have been trained for specific positions and arrive on day one with particular skills already mastered.

A Wide Selection

Plumbing, electrical, manufac-

turing as well as other industrial training, cosmetology, construction, commercial driver’s license (CDL), and heating, cooling, and air conditioning (HVAC) services are all common examples of vocational programs.

Some career paths, such as medical, dental, or veterinarian assisting, can be entered via a degree program or a vocational training program. Apprenticeships, like those in the carpentry industry, are another example of this type of education.

One does not have to travel far to find these programs either. Huntsville is home to The Salon Professional Academy, Ross Medical Education Center, North Alabama Homebuilding Academy, Hatch, and many other training institutes.

The Huntsville-Madison County Library system offers computer courses and workforce development for the public.

Even the local community colleges, Calhoun and Drake State, offer workforce development courses, often in partnership with local

employers. Larger organizations, such as Alabama Works or AIDT, will also facilitate training programs.

These are usually even more appealing to job seekers as they often feed directly into vacant job positions upon completion.

Many Hidden Benefits

One of the great benefits of these types of training programs is that they are often coordinated in conjunction with or even owned by local industry employers.

This can help to speed up the job search process through formal and informal networking opportunities, professional skills training, like resume writing and interview prep, and direct mentorship from experienced industry workers.

In some cases, the training program itself serves as a sort of probationary hiring period. Trainees or students are observed for their punctuality, attitude, and work ethic while also learning the necessary skills required for their future job role. This aims to streamline the HR process, so that upon completing the training

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course, trainees are able to immediately begin working full-time for their new employer. Certifications and licenses also tend to be less expensive and require less time to obtain than traditional college degrees. One local, private cosmetology program costs about $22,000 and 1500 hours (approximately 14 months) to complete. This is about half the cost and time required to obtain a two-year degree at a public, in-state institution if attending as a full-time student.

Conclusion

While Huntsville is home to many engineers and rocket scientists, the American job market overall is showing signs of shifting away from four-year degrees and graduate programs for several reasons.

As the cost of higher education has steeply increased over the past twenty years, students are becoming more reluctant to take on massive debt in order to complete traditional degree programs.

At the same time, many employers are rethinking their job requirements as a tight labor market makes it increasingly difficult to fill open positions. Vocational, or technical, training programs have seen a resurgence, being presented as a more streamlined and cost-effective approach to post-secondary education.

If this trend continues, one can expect to see even more institutions and academies springing up in the near future. w

Bank Independent’s Huntsville Presence Continues to Grow with Latest South Huntsville Location

Bank Independent, a growing financial institution in North Alabama, celebrated the ribbon cutting of its new South Huntsville sales office on Tuesday, June 11.

The event, which included an open house, was attended by Bank Independent executives, team members, and community leaders from Huntsville and Madison County.

In an opening address to an excited late afternoon crowd, Huntsville City President for the bank, Demarco McClain, explained how the decision to expand into the South Huntsville region was an easy one to make.

McClain focused on the recent growth of industry and the economy in Madison County as a central focus for Bank Independent’s recent series of expansions throughout the county.

“The recent growth of Redstone Arsenal as well as some of the automotive manufacturing growth made expanding a really attractive opportunity,” Murray stated. “When we initially came into Madison County, I think the goal was just to prove to folks that we could be a community oriented, customer service oriented bank and I’m proud to say as well celebrate 10 years later, we now have six locations in Madison County and 60 employees.”

Location was also important for

recent developments in the area, namely the Hays Farm and the Market and Hays Farm developments.

Bank Independent Executive Vice President and other executives commented on the importance of staying close to the burgeoning developments sweeping across south HSV.

“Right behind us is the Hays Farm development and if you compare this development 10 years ago to what it is today, you see exactly what I’m talking about with 1000 newly built apartments that they

have back there the 500 single family properties. It’s just a great example of the development that’s going on in South Huntsville and why we chose South Huntsville for this location,” said one Bank Independent representative.

Coincidentally, the opening of the South Huntsville sales office coincides with Bank Independent’s 10th anniversary of its first Madison County location.

In the decade since then, the bank has experienced significant growth

By: Noah

in the county, opening seven new sales offices and fourth new offices in the past calendar year, including the Downtown Huntsville office in early 2023 and the Hampton Cove office in the summer of 2023.

CEO Rick Wardlaw was the last executive to speak before the official ribbon cutting, echoing the same sentiment as those before him.

“The most important thing that we do is build our culture,” he informed. “We serve our communities, because we were founded to serve the community. 77 years later, we’ve gone from $1 million dollars to $2.7 billion. And now, we have 33 branches throughout North Alabama and we’re awfully proud to be here in Huntsville. We look forward to prosperity for the whole community,“ remarked Wardlaw.

Bank Independent’s newest location can be found at 9040 Memorial Parkway SW off of Haysland Road SW. For more information, please visit www.bibank.com. w

Mayor Finley Highlights Madison’s Importance as a “Suburb” City, Discusses Education and Economic Development

City of Madison Mayor Paul Finley delivered a comprehensive State of the City address at the Von Braun Center’s Saturn Ballroom on Wednesday, June 5th.

“I love being the mayor of our city. I’m so proud of what we accomplish”

In his speech, he provided an update on the city’s growth, achievements, and future plans, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, transparency, and responsible governance.

Mayor Finley began his address by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to represent Madison and its citizens.

“I love being the mayor of our city. I’m so proud of what we accomplish,” Mayor Finley said.

He highlighted the city’s significance within the broader Tennessee Valley community and promised exciting developments ahead.

“Our goal is to give excellent services by taking the revenues and money that you give us stretching as far as we can to make the biggest positive impact on quality of life,” Mayor Finley stated, outlining the city’s mission to prioritize residents’ well-being and enhance their overall living standards.

Acknowledging the upcoming city council elections, Finley explained that elections will take place in August 2025 instead of 2024 as was originally expected.

“There’s a reason for that, the state legislators moved the majority of the municipalities off of the presidential cycle, and Madison was given another year,” Mayor Finley explained.

He underscored the importance of collaborative governance between the city council and the mayor’s office in managing the city’s rapid population growth and expanding budget.

Reflecting on Madison’s evolution as a suburb of Huntsville, Mayor Finley shared personal anecdotes and

“Our goal is to give excellent services by taking the revenues and money that you give us stretching as far as we can to make the biggest positive impact on quality of life”

emphasized the importance of truth and transparency in leadership.

“Madison is a suburb of Huntsville. I know that’s sometimes hard to

say and I know it was when we ran back in 2008. When we ran, we told the truth that Madison’s a suburb and we want to work with the community to regain a community atmosphere,” reflected Mayor Finley.

Turning his attention to education, Mayor Finley praised Madison City Schools as the city’s “number one asset” and highlighted collaborative efforts between the city and the school board to manage growth responsibly.

“We put together a growth impact committee in 2017. It looked at the growth of the city, the needs of

By: Noah Logan /

the schools. One of the things that we needed is managed growth in the city of Madison,” he explained.

In discussing economic development initiatives, Mayor Finley celebrated successes like the Rocket City Trash Pandas and Toyota Field, emphasizing the city’s commitment to publicprivate partnerships.

Towards the end of his speech, Finley presented a video presentation that highlighted various developments including Town Madison, the ongoing interchange of I-565, Sunshine Oaks and the new Madison Community Center. The Madison Community Center, updating the former Three Springs Facility, is a 30,000 square foot facility which will include meeting rooms, arts and craft spaces, a multiuse gym and more than 30 acres of outdoor space.

Mayor Finley concluded his address by expressing gratitude to his family, city employees, regional partners, and community members for their support and dedication

Lieutenant General Mohan Discusses Army Recruiting Numbers, Current Missions to Kick Start Armed Forces Week

The Armed Forces Celebration Luncheon was held on Tuesday, June 11 in the VBC Saturn Ballroom.

The luncheon was the signature event of Huntsville’s 2024 Armed Forces Celebration Week. The week honors the sacrifices made by the men and women of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, and the Reserves. It also recognizes the significant contributions made by the families of service members.

“Young men and women across our country are simply not joining the military in the numbers that they used to”

Elected officials, veterans, active-duty personnel, military spouses, and representatives from government and private industry were in attendance at the event.

Lieutenant General Christopher Mohan, Deputy Commanding General and

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Acting Commander of U.S. Army Materiel Command, delivered the keynote address.

Mohan directly addressed the

current challenge that the nation faces in recruiting young people to military service.

“Young men and women across our country are simply not joining the military in the numbers that they used to,” said Mohan.

Huntsville is unique in that enlistment numbers here are “the highest they’ve been in five years,” reported Mohan.

Recruitment numbers are strong, not only in the city of Huntsville, but across the state of Alabama.

“The battalion

“Today, nearly 2.2 million Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen are standing watch and conducting operations–every day–that keep us safe.”

that covers Alabama has already met its recruiting goal for the year,” stated Mohan. “They are at 103% of their assigned mission for 2024. They have enlisted over 1,300 future soldiers.”

Mohan praised the work of Army Colonel Sed Rankin, 2nd Recruiting Brigade Commander, for his exemplary work in recruitment. Rankin supervises enlistment efforts in the southeastern region of the US, which Mohan described as

“the recruiting backbone of our nation.”

In spite of contemporary recruitment challenges, Mohan points toward the millions of Americans who currently volunteer for service in the nation’s Armed Forces as the reason he remains optimistic about the security of the nation.

“They are very much standing between the homeland and those who would do us harm as a nation,” said Mohan. “Today, nearly 2.2 million Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen are standing watch and conducting operations–every day–that keep us safe.”

Mohan discussed missions that each of the six branches of the military are conducting across the globe in order to advance the peace and prosperity of the US.

“The guided missile carrier USS Carney just recently returned home after being deployed for more than seven months,” said Mohan. “The Carney conducted 51 engagements in six months, and that’s the most direct naval engagements with the foe since the Second World War.”

“It’s cool to see a lot of veterans get together, especially singing the Armed Forces Medley, and everyone stands up. That brought a big smile to my face because all of us sang it for years,”

Mohan said that as long as America has men and women who are willing to volunteer to preserve the security of the nation, that the United States can meet any challenge on the world stage.

As the Armed Forces Medley played at the conclusion of the program, veterans and active-duty personnel stood up to sing as the verses of their branch were played.

Retired Sergeant James Austin, who deployed three times to Afghanistan and once to Iraq, spoke with the Huntsville Business Jour-

MILITARY

nal about what this luncheon meant to him.

“It’s cool to see a lot of veterans get together, especially singing the Armed Forces Medley, and everyone stands up. That brought a big smile to my face because all of us sang it for years,” said Austin.

While Austin works in the private sector these days, he said he would fully support either of his two children if they chose to enlist in the military.

After the luncheon, COL Rankin, who had been singled out for his success in recruitment, took a moment to speak with the Huntsville Business Journal about what he would say to the adults in the lives of young people who may be considering military service.

“I would tell any parent, guidance counselor, or educator to just

remember ‘The Three E’s.’ Kids are either going to enroll in college, enlist in the Army, or gain employment. If young people enlist in the Army they can gain all three opportunities in one,” said Rankin.

Events took place each day as the celebration of Armed Forces Week rolled on.

A Community Softball Game was held on Wednesday, June 12 at Toyota Field, where Team Redstone took on the North Alabama Rockets. Mayors Battle and

Finley, Chairman McCutcheon, Sheriff Turner, and other community leaders comprised the North Alabama Rockets. The game was free and complimentary ballpark hot dogs were served to the first 500 attendees.

Armed Forces Celebration Week was celebrated through Saturday, June 15, when a 249th US Army Birthday Celebration took place at Redstone Gateway. The festivities included a car show, a craft fair, food trucks, and fireworks. w

Navigating CMMC Compliance: Key Budgeting Insights for

Local DoD Contractors

Daniel Akridge and Sam Stiles of Summit 7 conducted a free 50-minute webinar on Wednesday, June 12 entitled “How to Budget for CMMC.”

CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) is a series of regulations, passed by the federal government, that will apply to defense contractors and subcontractors who conduct business with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

Summit 7 provided the webinar to educate DoD contractors and subcontractors on various aspects of the regulations, which Akridge and Stiles acknowledge can be challenging to grasp.

The two questions that guided the webinar were:

1. What percent of revenue should companies allocate towards CMMC?

2. What is the best solution for your company?

Akridge said that the question of cost is top of mind for nearly all of the 3,600 defense contractors that he has encountered through his role as Director of Engagement at Summit 7.

He explained that the DoD estimates that the cost to become compliant will be half a percent (.5%) of a company’s revenue. In addition to these one-time costs, there will also be annual costs associated with maintaining compliance. The annual costs are estimated to be 4% to 8% of annual revenue.

While these numbers are significant, other highly-regulated industries have also faced expensive compliance costs. Finance, healthcare, and telecommunications are three industries that have transitioned to higher compliance costs -- as the defense industrial base is experiencing now.

In the spirit of transparency, and with the blessing of Summit 7 CEO Scott Edwards, Akridge and Stiles shared what Summit 7 spends each year on their own IT costs.

“Ours is 8.2% of annual spend,” said Akridge. “This is a new paradigm shift for the DoD supply chain. It is a cultural change.”

Akridge and Stiles are certain that costs incurred on the way to compliance will be passed on, and that this will drive up the cost of doing business across the defense industrial base.

“Cost equals scope,” said Akridge. “The bigger your boundary, the more assets and systems that you scope in,

By: Sarah Zupko

the more expensive it’s going to be.”

While the costs will be a burden to companies, the new regulations will create opportunities for workers who become experts in understanding the CMMC regulations, and the steps needed to bring companies into compliance.

“Let’s say you hire a killer IT person, they know CMMC. The next competitor over says ‘We’ll triple your salary if you come over here.’ We see it happen all the time,” said Stiles.

Companies will be required to get certified every three years, and selfassess once a year to attest to their compliance.

Akridge and Stiles expect that a final CMMC rule will be released in October 2024, in advance of the U.S. presidential election.

“They want to get it done preelection for a myriad of different reasons,” said Akridge.

The demand for services that help companies become compliant with CMMC regulations is outpacing the number of providers of these services. For this reason, the Summit 7 team advises companies to earnestly begin taking steps toward compliance today.

“You can’t be ‘on-time’ for CMMC. You’re either early or you’ll end up being very late,” said Akridge. If you are interested in viewing a free recording of the webinar, please visit https://www.summit7.us/webinars.

Visit Summit 7’s podcast “Sum IT Up” on YouTube for regular updates on CMMC regulations. w

Historic Space Launch Highlights Rocket

By: Gus Wintzell /

NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams made history by becoming the first individuals to launch into orbit aboard Boeing’s [NYSE: BA] Starliner. The spacecraft lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 10:52 am ET on June 05, beginning a 25-hour journey to the International Space Station (ISS).

This mission marked the start of the NASA-Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test (CFT).

“This crew flight test represents the beginning of a new era of space exploration as we watch astronauts Wilmore and Williams put Boeing’s Starliner through its paces on the way to the International Space Station,” stated Ted Colbert, President and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “This is a great start. We look forward to getting the astronauts safely to the space station and back home.”

“It is both amazing and humbling to join the fleet of commercial spacecraft capable of conducting crewed transportation services to and from the space station for NASA. Our teams have done some great work to get us to this point”

Wilmore and Williams also became the first to launch on an Atlas V rocket.

In addition to the two astronauts, the Starliner transported approximately 760 pounds (345 kilograms) of cargo.

Last month, NASA astronauts Wilmore and Williams successfully docked Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft to the ISS, about 26 hours after launching from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The astronauts monitored Starliner as it autonomously conducted a series of maneuvers to steadily bring the spacecraft closer to the orbiting laboratory before docking.

On the way to the ISS, the crew completed a series of tests including

manually flying Starliner for the first time in space. The two Starliner astronauts, who are joining seven others currently living on the station, will assist with various tests and conduct scientific experiments while in space.

“It is both amazing and humbling to join the fleet of commercial spacecraft capable of conducting crewed transportation services to and from the space station for NASA. Our teams have done some great work to get us to this point,” said Kay Sears, vice president and general manager of Space, Intelligence & Weapon Systems for Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

Huntsville has played a significant role in the development and success of the Boeing Starliner launch. The city is home

to several key facilities and organizations that have contributed to the project, including ULA’s Atlas V rocket.

United Launch Alliance (ULA)

played a crucial role in the Boeing Starliner launch on June 05. Specifically, ULA provided the rocket that propelled the Starliner spacecraft into orbit. The

Rocket City’s Hand in Space Exploration

Photos by NASA/USA

“We congratulate Boeing on the triumphant launch of the Starliner, which is carrying veteran NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station. Space exploration is a key part of Huntsville’s heritage and a testament to our collective spirit of innovation and discovery. Moments like these fill us with pride and inspire all of us to reach for the stars,”

Atlas V is known for its reliability and performance, making it a preferred choice for a variety of missions, including crewed spacecraft launches.

Boeing and ULA have a substantial presence in Huntsville, where engineers and technicians have been involved in various aspects of the Starliner program. This includes systems engineering, software development, and testing critical components to ensure the spacecraft’s reliability and safety.

“We congratulate Boeing on the triumphant launch of the Starliner, which is carrying veteran NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station. Space exploration is a key part of Huntsville’s heritage and a testament to our collective spirit of innovation and discovery. Moments like these fill us with pride and inspire all of us to reach for the stars,” said City of Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle in an online interview.

However, this is not Rocket City’s first foray into the stars.

Its journey began during World War II when the U.S. Army established Redstone Arsenal in 1941. Initially, Redstone served as a chemical weapons manufacturing facility. However, postwar, it transitioned into a center for rocketry research and development.

In 1950, German rocket scientist Wernher von Braun and his team were relocated to Huntsville as part of Operation Paperclip. They played a crucial role in developing the Redstone Rocket, which was used for the first live nuclear ballistic missile tests. Von Braun’s team later designed the Jupiter-C rocket that launched America’s first satellite, Explorer 1, in 1958.

The establishment of NASA in 1958 marked a significant turning point. Huntsville was chosen as the site for the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in 1960. Under von Braun’s leadership, MSFC developed the Saturn V rocket,

reputation as a pivotal player in the space race.

The success of the Apollo program attracted numerous aerospace contractors and high-tech industries to Huntsville. Companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman established a strong presence, contributing to the local economy. The city’s population and infrastructure expanded rapidly, transforming it into a hub for scientific and technological innovation.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Huntsville continued to thrive with the development of the Space Shuttle program. MSFC was responsible for the design and development of the Shuttle’s propulsion systems. The era also saw the rise of U.S. Space Camp, founded in 1982, which further cemented Huntsville’s status in the

public’s imagination as the cradle of American space exploration.

Today, Huntsville is home to Cummings Research Park, the secondlargest research park in the United States, hosting over 300 companies. The city continues to attract aerospace and defense contractors, biotech firms, and IT companies. The presence of the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) also provides a steady stream of engineering and science graduates, ensuring a skilled workforce.

In recent years, Huntsville has embraced the commercialization of space. Blue Origin, a private aerospace manufacturer and sub-orbital spaceflight services company, opened a facility in Huntsville to build its BE-4 engines. Additionally, NASA’s ongoing projects, such as the Space Launch System (SLS), continue to rely on the expertise housed within the city.

At the writing of this article, the return of the astronauts has been delayed to June 26 amid thruster issues. HBJ will update its readership accordingly. For more about Starliner, visit www.boeing.com/starliner. Follow the mission on X @BoeingSpace and www. starlinerupdates.com. w

Will AI Take Our Jobs, Even in Huntsville?

First of all, AI is currently only taking very niche, very specific jobs. Mainstream news and clickbait will tell you that the hundreds of thousands of cut jobs in the last year are due to AI. Actual reporting and research is not confirming this as of yet.

A poll from Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a global outplacement firm, reported 64,789 job cuts in April. A lot of jobs are being cut, that is true in comparison to the last 20,000 or so from last April. However, only 800 (1.2%) were attributed to AI.

Unless AI makes additional and unexpected jumps in cognitive and processing ability, this is a more likely reality - a large redistribution of jobs as certain tasks in the workforce.

“Back in my day”

“Computer” was a job title, often held by women. NASA is widely known for employing dozens of women in an endeavor to calculate the complexities of moon trajectories and rocket propulsion. You likely knew this if you’ve ever seen the movie Hidden Figures. As computers entered the office and home, this workforce had time to move their skills onto the screens.

Our modern grappling with AI is different. Digital computers took decades to develop. You could go to college and exit with very applicable knowledge. Think about the freshmen of 2020 that are graduating now. How many AI skills were schools able to give them?

AI Likely WILL Take Your Tasks, Not Jobs

It may not take your job entirely but it will take your tasks. The “easy work” is on the chopping block -copy/pasting, translating, converting, calculating in a spreadsheet, summarizing a document, and similar tasks. That’s the kind of work that ChatGPT and other enterprise AI are

currently disrupting. If those tasks are the only thing you do, then yes, you should be concerned.

Before 2024, I’d have told you that’s where it ends. Unfortunately, OpenAI announced AI video Sora and AI robots called Figure. It looks like AI is permeating far more than we expected in very visual and physical ways.

Manufacturing and Automation

Robots have been a critical part of manufacturing. Mazda Toyota has dozens of robots working alongside humans. These long arm-like robots are incredibly precise and far faster than a human. They only work because the programming of the machine has largely been based on a complex system of camera and choreography. It all comes to a halt with any major variation and it requires humans to tackle the issue.

Advanced robotics and machine learning algorithms are enhancing productivity and precision in manufacturing processes. There are still a lot of people walking and working in a car factory. With robots who could walk, talk, carry, and follow tasks could lead to a reduction in demand for certain manual and repetitive jobs.

Remember the cute little robot dog from Boston Dynamics? Yeah, it can go read meters and review machines now with Orbit.

Enhancing Healthcare Services

The healthcare sector in Huntsville is set to benefit immensely from AI innovations. AI-powered diagnostic tools, predictive analytics, and personalized medicine COULD transform patient care. Due to the economics and legalities of medical care, you likely won’t have a robot doctor any time soon, nor will most medical professionals lose their whole jobs.

Now if your job is to read charts,

like radiology, maybe you should be a little concerned. The FDA has approved over 500 radiology related algorithms for eventual use on patients. We might go from a shortage of radiologists to a surplus. Again, you’ll likely need a radiologist to confirm a reading but at a much faster and scaled rate.

This is one area for which I’m most hopeful for positive impact. We’ve been suffering from a huge shortage of medical professionals across the U.S. Many in Huntsville will complain of this due to our explosive growth outpacing the medical talents we have pulled in. Better access to healthcare is often cited as a goal for almost any political or nonprofit entity. This kind of technology could democratize what many believe should be a human right.

Boosting the Aerospace and Defense Industries

Huntsville’s aerospace and defense sectors, already tech-intensive, must accept the integration of AI technologies. There’s a 20,000+ word legal document called the “Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence” mandating this reality. The government is directing that we lean in. AI is the new moon and we need to beat China this time. Russia is a bit distracted…

AI will enhance areas such as satellite communications, autonomous drones, and cybersecurity. For example, predictive maintenance systems powered by AI will allow for real-time monitoring of aerospace equipment, reducing downtime and increasing operational efficiency.

Government contractors here will swear up and down that AI is not allowed in their office. Who runs the software on their computers? Who owns a major portion of OpenAI? Yep. Microsoft.

By: Carl Holden

If you know what www.Sam.gov is then you are in government contracting. There are 65 contracts with explicit requirements for AI available for bid. Hundreds more seem to have mentioned it as well. What happens to Huntsville if we don’t have enough AI talent to tackle the increasing percentage of contracts that will require AI skills?

Preparing for the Future of Working in Huntsville

We are doing something about that. Check out my previous articles on the AI Task Force. As AI reshapes the job market in Huntsville, collaboration between industry, academia, and government will be crucial. Investing in education and training programs to reskill the existing workforce and prepare future generations is essential. Initiatives such as workforce reskilling, AI-integrated degrees, venture investment, and partnerships between tech companies and educational institutions will play a pivotal role in this transformation. That way, we can all keep a job, even if it’s not like the one you used to have.

AI has changed my job a lot, but I constantly research and try new things. For every person I meet, I tell them this is the best strategy. Read articles like this. Try new programs. Take free or affordable training courses. I have 150+ hours of training that has cost less than $500 total. You can do it too, feel free to ask me on Linkedin! w

“AI Talks” is a series from the Huntsville Business Journal on Artificial Intelligence and its applicability to the world of business. Each month, HBJ plans on bringing you interesting topics led by our contributing expert writer, Carl Holden. This series also introduced another new “writer” to our journal: Artificial Intelligence itself. Using Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT), we plan on bringing our readers an “article” written directly by AI. While AI cannot currently write a news article with fully original sources, this series hopefully will introduce our readers to the nuances of Artificial Intelligence in the modern age of business.

Are AI Technologies Set to Take Over Jobs?

By: ChatGPT

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing various industries, sparking debates on its potential impact on the job market. While AI promises increased efficiency and innovation, concerns about job displacement are growing. This article explores the nuances of AI’s role in the workforce and examines whether AI will indeed take over jobs or reshape them in unforeseen ways.

The Promise of AI

AI technologies, from machine learning to natural language processing, have demonstrated remarkable capabilities in performing tasks traditionally handled by humans. For instance, AI algorithms can analyze vast datasets more quickly and accurately than human analysts, leading to improved decision-making in fields like finance and healthcare. In manufacturing, AI-driven robots can assemble products with greater precision and speed, reducing errors and increasing productivity.

The Threat to Jobs

Despite these benefits, the potential for AI to displace jobs is a significant concern. A study by the McKinsey Global Institute estimates that by 2030, up to 800 million jobs could be lost worldwide due to automation. Jobs that involve routine, predictable tasks are particularly vulnerable. For example, roles in data entry, telemarketing, and manufacturing are at high risk of being automated.

AI’s impact isn’t confined to bluecollar jobs. White-collar professions, including legal research, accounting, and even journalism, are also susceptible. AI can draft legal documents, perform audits, and generate news articles, often with high efficiency. This raises questions about the future role of professionals in these fields.

The Shift in Job Dynamics

However, the narrative isn’t solely about job loss. AI is also creating new opportunities and transforming existing roles. As routine tasks become automated, the demand for skills in AI development, maintenance, and oversight is increasing. New job categories are emerging, such as AI ethics officers, data scientists, and robot coordinators, which were nonexistent a decade ago.

Moreover, AI can augment human capabilities rather than replace them. In healthcare, AI-powered tools assist doctors in diagnosing diseases, allowing them to provide better patient care. In customer

service, AI chatbots handle basic inquiries, freeing human agents to tackle more complex issues. This symbiotic relationship between humans and AI can lead to more fulfilling and higher-value work.

Adapting to the AI Era

The key to navigating the AI-driven job landscape lies in adaptation and education. Continuous learning and upskilling are crucial for the workforce to remain relevant. Governments, educational institutions, and businesses must collaborate to provide training programs that equip workers with the skills needed for the AI era.

For example, coding bootcamps and online courses can teach workers how to develop and implement AI technologies. Apprenticeship programs can offer hands-on experience in AI-related fields. Furthermore, a focus on soft skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence will be essential, as these are areas where humans continue to outperform AI.

Ethical and Social Considerations

As AI continues to evolve, ethical and social implications must be addressed. Ensuring that AI development and deployment are aligned with societal values is paramount. Issues such as bias in AI algorithms, data privacy, and the potential for increased inequality must be tackled proactively.

Policies that promote responsible AI use and fair distribution of AI benefits are essential. For instance, implementing transparent AI systems that can be audited and regulated will help build trust. Social safety nets, like universal basic income, could mitigate the economic impact on displaced workers.

Conclusion

AI is undeniably transforming the job market, posing both challenges and opportunities. While some jobs are at risk of automation, new roles and enhanced job functions are also emerging. The future of work will likely involve a hybrid approach where humans and AI collaborate, leveraging each other’s strengths. By embracing continuous learning and fostering ethical AI practices, society can navigate this transition and harness AI’s potential to enhance human productivity and well-being. The key is not to fear AI, but to prepare and adapt for the changes it brings. w

16 Must-See Summer Events Coming to Huntsville in July

Markets, concerts, and other fun events abound in and around Huntsville during the warmer months. See what’s coming up in July!

Click on the event title for more information about a particular event.

Events are free and family-friendly unless otherwise noted. Leashed pets are usually welcome.

2024 City of Madison Star Spangled Celebration

July 3 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Dublin Park in Madison.

This free event will include live music, inflatables, food trucks, and of course fireworks!

Parking for the event will be at Bob Jones High School. A free shuttle service will begin at 4:30 p.m.

Live music will be on Dublin Soccer Field #1. Food trucks will be in the lower parking lot. Inflatables will be on Dublin Soccer Field #2.

Independence Day at MidCity District

July 4 from 12:00 noon to 11:00 p.m. at 5909 University Drive in Huntsville.

Have a blast watching the fireworks and enjoying live music provided by the Madison City Orchestra. There will also be food and drink specials throughout the district, and plenty of family-friendly events and activities.

Be sure and bring lawn chairs or blankets.

Madison Sounds of Summer

July 11 and July 25 from 7:00 p.m. at 100 Shorter Street in Madison.

If you are looking for a small familyfriendly event, check out the free Sounds of Summer concert series in Madison’s Home Place Park.

There will be a food truck and the park is also a short walk from Honest Coffee Roasters.

Totally Tubular Festival

July 12 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. at The Orion Amphitheater, 701 Amphitheater Drive in Huntsville.

This festival will be taking Huntsville back to the ‘80s, featuring artists that exploded onto the pop culture stage during that decade.

The lineup includes Thomas Dolby, Wang Chung, Men Without Hats, The Romantics, and more.

Sip & Stroll Night Market

July 16 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at The Orion Amphitheater, 701 Amphitheater Drive in Huntsville.

Soak up the last days of summer at

this evening market featuring local vendors, food trucks, live music, and fun.

This night will include a backto-school supply drive, wine specials, teacher discounts, and a slip & slide for all.

Third Thursdays in Downtown Madison

July 18 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Historic Downtown Madison.

Enjoy a relaxed downtown shopping experience surrounded by live music, food trucks, and pop-up vendors.

Downtown merchants stay open late with extra sales and specials.

805 After Five

July 18 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Campus No. 805, Butler Green Park, 2620 Clinton Ave West in Huntsville.

This free concert series features a touring music act, yard games, vendor booths, craft beer, and food trucks.

This one is for the grown-ups only! Leashed pets are welcome.

Food Truck Rallies

July 19 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Big Spring Park in Huntsville.

In addition to a wide selection of mouth-watering food truck fare, attendees enjoy live music, yard games, and other fun activities.

It is recommended you bring lawn chairs or blankets.

Downtown Huntsville Art Walk

July 26 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Courthouse Square in Huntsville.

Explore downtown Huntsville while shopping for art, jewelry, decor, and more from over 50 local vendors.

This eagerly anticipated event includes live music, yard games, and kidfriendly activities.

Concerts in the Park

Every Monday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Big Spring Park, 200 Church Street in Huntsville.

Enjoy free live music in a beautiful setting. Concert-goers are welcome to bring a picnic, but food trucks and vendors are available on-site as well.

Bring lawn chairs or blankets.

Tuesday Farmers Market

Every Tuesday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Meridianville First Baptist Church, 175 Monroe Road in Meridianville.

The Tuesday Farmers Market is a regular farmers market that features fresh seasonal produce and artisanal products. There are plenty of food trucks and activities for the kids.

Greene Street Market

Every Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 304 Eustis Avenue in Huntsville.

The Greene Street Market is a regular farmers market that features fresh seasonal produce and artisanal products along with live music.

Bailey Cove Farmers Market

Every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 12200 Bailey Cove Road Southeast in Huntsville.

The Bailey Cove Farmers Market offers a wide variety of produce vendors as well as prepared food, artisan-made goods, and food trucks.

The Providence Market

Every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 1 Town Center Drive NW in Huntsville.

The Providence Market provides a regular opportunity for the community to engage with local farmers and artisans and discover a variety of artisan handmade items, homemade treats and

By: Heather Alfonso

homegrown produce.

Lowe Mill Outdoor Market

Every Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment, 2211 Seminole Dr SW in Huntsville.

Vendors from around the Huntsville area bring their best products to this wellloved market. Patrons, pickers, and art lovers will find an abundance of handmade, second-hand, and natural goods.

The event is located throughout the grounds for an open-air shopping experience.

The Market at MidCity

Every Sunday from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. at 5909 University Drive in Huntsville.

The Market at MidCity styles itself as Huntsville’s market for farmers, artisans, makers, growers, musicians and more. It is one of Huntsville’s most eagerly awaited markets, featuring live music, plenty of food, and fun activities.

Rocket City Rescue is there with adoptable pets as well. w

GOVERNMENT

What You Need to Know About the City of Huntsville’s Upcoming Municipal Elections

The City of Huntsville will hold its next Municipal Election on Tuesday, August 27. Voters in Districts 1 and 5 will have the opportunity to vote for their City Council and School Board candidates of choice. The election of the city’s mayor will also take place on August 27. Mayor Tommy Battle is running unopposed.

Elections for Districts 2 (Council President David Little), 3 (Council Member Jennie Robinson), and 4 (Council Member Bill Kling, Jr.) will be held in 2026, due to the staggered nature of the terms.

How Do I Find My District?

Find your district by visiting https://maps.huntsvilleal.gov/ citycouncildistricts/. Enter your residential address on the upper left side of the map to determine your district. The districts are color coded. Voters who live in the blue (D1) and red (D5) regions will be voting in the August 27 election.

Where Do I Vote?

You can verify your voter status and find your polling location at https://myinfo.alabamavotes.gov/ voterview/al-app.html.

What Should I Bring?

According to the website of the Alabama Secretary of State, Alabama voters are required to bring photo ID to the polls. A list of valid ID options can be found at https:// www.sos.alabama.gov/index.php/ alabama-votes/voter/voter-id.

City Council Candidates:

Qualifying for this election ends on June 25, 2024. As of press time, the following candidates are expected to be on the ballot:

District 1:

Council Member Devyn Keith currently represents Huntsville’s District 1. Michelle Watkins is challenging Keith.

District 5:

Council Member John Meredith currently represents Huntsville’s District 5. Kim

Caudle Lewis is challenging Meredith to represent District 5.

School Board Candidates:

District 1:

Michelle Watkins currently serves as the School Board Member of District 1. She is not running for reelection to the School Board, as she is running for City Council.

Claudia Harris, Chaundra Jones, and Pat King are competing to represent District 1 on the School Board.

District 5:

Carlos Mathews represents District 5 on the School Board. At press time, Mathews is unopposed.

In-Person Resources:

Empowering Women’s Causes will hold their monthly meeting July 1 at the North Huntsville Public Library, beginning at 6 p.m. They have invited the City Council and School Board candidates for District 1 to discuss their respective platforms and answer questions. Kim Caudle Lewis, candidate for District 5 City Council, is also expected to be in attendance.

United Women of Color will be hosting a Candidate Forum on August 15, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Downtown Huntsville Library,

in the auditorium. All candidates will be invited to participate in this forum.

Campaign Websites for City Council Candidates:

By: Sarah Zupko

District 1 candidate campaign websites:

• Find the campaign website for Michelle Watkins here: https:// watkins2024.com/.

• Find Devyn Keith’s campaign website here: https://electdevynkeith.com/.

District 5 candidate campaign websites:

• Find John Meredith’s campaign website here: https:// www.votejohnmeredith.com/.

• Find the campaign website for Kim Caudle Lewis here: https:// www.votekimlewis.com/.

Please contact Sarah Zupko, Staff Writer, at szupko@huntsvillebusinessjournal.com if you are leading a public forum in advance of the August 27 election. The online article will be updated accordingly. w

Federal Reserve Declines to Cut Interest Rates

The Federal Reserve has opted to keep the Federal funds rate within the current range of 5.25 to 5.5%.

Inflation has stubbornly remained above the 2% annual rate that the Federal Reserve set as its target level. Interest rates were at 3.3% for the month of May, remaining virtually unchanged from April, when it stood at 3.4%.

At a press conference, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell stated that “We see today’s report as progress and building confidence, but we don’t see ourselves as having the confidence that would warrant beginning to loosen policy at this time.”

Currently, instead of the three reductions that were expected for 2024, there could only be one. The Federal Reserve is scheduled to meet four more times. While a cut in July can be ruled out, it is possible that we may see a cut in September, or, more likely, in November or December.

During Wednesday’s press conference, Powell did not specify the timing for the Fed’s single projected rate cut in 2024. The central bank has four remaining meetings this year in July, September, November, and December. Although a July rate cut is widely dismissed, some economists believe the Fed might lower rates in September, contingent on summer inflation data.

“Overall, there’s nothing ruling out a September rate cut. It all depends on the incoming data,” Capital Economics noted in a research brief.

Powell mentioned that some Federal Reserve members have deferred their rate-cut expectations to 2025. The Fed’s Summary of Economic Projections, also released, indicates four rate cuts for next year, with the benchmark rate anticipated to drop to about 4.1% by the end of 2025.

“Rate cuts expected this year may occur next year instead,” Powell explained. “While there are fewer rate cuts projected for this year, there is one more slated for next year. By the end of 2025 and 2026, the rates will align closely with previous expectations, just on a later timeline.”

Powell reiterated that the central bank prefers to maintain elevated rates until inflation nears its 2% annual target, cautioning that premature rate cuts could trigger another bout of price increases.

However, the Fed’s quarterly projections for future interest rate cuts are not set in stone. Policymakers frequently adjust their plans for rate adjustments based on the evolving economic growth and inflation data, a point Powell emphasized on Wednesday.

“Today’s inflation reading is significantly more positive,” he noted, adding, “But one reading is just one reading ... you don’t want to be overly influenced by a single data point.”

In short: interest rates will continue to remain elevated for the rest of the year, at the very least. According to Bankrate.com, the current average interest rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage stands at 7.09%.

According to the National Association of Realtors, the average American household spent 24.2% of their annual income on mortgage payments in the first three months of the year. Assuming a 20% down payment, the typical monthly mortgage payment on an existing single-family home was $2,037 in the first quarter, an increase of 9.3%, or $173 per

month, compared to the same period a year ago.

These figures could prove politi-

cally-significant on the national stage, as many Americans express frustration with elevated prices and high housing costs.

Here in Alabama, the Huntsville Area Association of Realtors (HAAR), has compiled a report on the Huntsville area market for the first week of June. New listings of single-family units have decreased by 2.9%, though new listings of townhouse/condo units have increased 130%.

Pending sales of townhouse units have increased by 133.3%, but singlefamily units have decreased by 8.6%.

Inventory for both single-family units and townhouse units have increased by 30.4% and 75%, respectively.

The Huntsville Business Journal will continue to monitor developments in the real estate market, both on the national scale and here at home. w

From Car Wash Confessions to Legislative Lessons: The Case for Regulating Wholesaling in Alabama

By: Matt Curtis

Recently, I took my car to get cleaned at a local car wash company in town.

The logo on my car sparked a conversation with a young kid checking me in. He wanted to tell me that he was a real estate investor and wholesaler and told me about his recent “deal.” He said unfortunately that he had to give the deal up because he was not legally old enough to wholesale in the state of Alabama.

I did not have at the time a positive view on wholesaling and that experience made me realize how out of control that “industry” has become. Thankfully, our friends to the east in South Carolina are taking some leadership that Alabama lawmakers should pay attention to.

Before I get into that, let’s define wholesaling.

Wholesaling in general is when an “investor” locks in a contract with a seller that they typically have no intentions or ability to execute on and then flip this contract to a “real investor” for a profit.

I use the quotes “investor” because I believe an investor by definition is someone who puts their capital at risk with plans of an expected return equal to the amount of risk for the investment. Since wholesalers typically have no capital, I don’t believe they are true investors. Many are looking to gain capital from wholesaling to become a true investor or to make a quick buck.

Here’s a couple of the problems I see with the wholesaling industry.

First, it’s a major disclosure and ethical issue. If you can’t or don’t plan to execute on the contract with the seller then they should know that. Oftentimes, the seller is unaware that the buyer has no intentions to close and that they’re only after a quick paycheck.

Second, if the wholesaler is not a true buyer or investor, but rather selling an option on a contract, this is very close to acting as a real estate agent. In the state of Alabama, there are laws gov-

erning real estate agencies.

You have to get a license and be governed by the state. Also, one of the laws for agencies is that you can’t accept a “net listing,” i.e. the agent gets to keep everything above the amount the seller wants to sell it for. For example, if the seller wants $100,000 and the agent sells for $125,000, then the agent would keep $25,000 on a net listing. This is illegal in Alabama. In my opinion, this is very similar to what wholesalers do.

Wholesaling is becoming a bigger issue in our city and state as exhibited by the kid at the local car wash who’s a self proclaimed “wholesaler.” Wholesaling has exploded over the past few years due to the availability of education on podcasts such as Bigger Pockets and our local area has one of the largest real estate investor groups in the US.

It’s also exploding due to technology and AI. I’m personally inundated with spam texts and calls from wholesalers looking to purchase my investment properties.

I’m not a fan of a lot of government regulation, but wholesaling in Alabama is long overdue for regulation. A good place to start is to look at what our friends in South Carolina are doing.

If you don’t have the capital to purchase a home, then you shouldn’t go under contract on it and if you’re going to sell someone’s property then you should be a licensed real estate agent per the laws in Alabama. w

Talking Local Business and Good Brews with Straight to Ale Brewery

The Huntsville craft beer scene wouldn’t be what it is today without Straight to Ale brewery and the group of friends who started it.

As the second oldest craft brewery in Alabama, Straight to Ale’s origins are tied to Free the Hops, a grassroots lobbying organization that led the charge for changing Alabama’s beer laws.

“There was no craft market segment at all in Alabama until 2009,” explained Bruce Weddendorf, one of the founders of Straight to Ale. “Basically you couldn’t have beer with more than five percent alcohol in Alabama, and that effectively eliminated all the great craft beer that was being made everywhere in the United States from coming into Alabama.”

The law changed in 2009, and Straight to Ale was born.

“We wanted to do two things,” Weddendorf said. “We wanted to make the best beer possible right here in Huntsville, Alabama, and we wanted to make Huntsville a more fun place to live.

“We felt like making great beer would make Huntsville a better place to live.”

Today, Straight to Ale is one of the largest production breweries in the state and a popular entertainment space at Campus 805. But it came from humble beginnings in a small space in Lincoln Mill in 2009 and then a slightly larger space previously occupied by Old Town Brewing in 2011.

“Back then, any beer we made, the distributor would just take it and sell it because there was an infinite demand for craft beer at that time in Alabama,” recalled Weddendorf. “It was so new and people could finally have it. It was fantastic.”

Then when Alabama passed a tap room bill in 2011, Straight to Ale opened its first bar.

“We could sell beer directly to our customers, and that was a huge boon for us,” said Weddendorf, who recalled

building the first bar in just two days.

“We went to Lowe’s and bought some countertops and some two-bysixes. I dug a hole and I chiseled out the floor, and we ran the plumbing and did everything we needed to do. We got the health department to come down and approve us so we were able to have a taproom, and that was huge.”

The tap room opened up entertainment possibilities for Straight to Ale, including live music events. At one point they were voted best music venue in Huntsville!

At the same time, distribution was continuing to grow as well, and Straight to Ale needed a larger home.

The owners were presented an opportunity to move into the old Stone Middle School (now Campus 805) and discovered the school’s gymnasium was a perfect space for the brewery, with high ceilings and plenty of room - 45,000 square feet to be exact - for efficient manufacturing and distribution.

The relocation turned Straight to Ale into an entertainment destination, significantly increasing manufacturing

but also leading to the creation of Ale’s Kitchen and unique bar spaces like the Straight to Ale speakeasy.

“We wanted to set this up as a real landmark location for Huntsville, and I think we’ve achieved that,” Weddendorf said. “A lot of people tell me this is the No. 2 place that they take people from out of town, after the Space and Rocket Center. We’re very proud of this project and what it’s done. It’s been great from a beer brewing standpoint but also as an entertainment place where people can gather.”

Straight to Ale and Campus 805 is certainly one of the most exciting entertainment spaces in the area, close to downtown and hosting all kinds of events and festivals. The summer concert series “805 after Five” is happening the third Thursday of each month through October, on the Butler Green. They also recently added the Straight to Ale Lipz Lounge karaoke bar, blending craft cocktails with lively karaoke, Thursday through Saturday.

As part of its growth, Straight to Ale pioneered canned craft beer. Cans are better for the environment - “truly recyclable” Weddendorf said - easier for the consumer to pack and transport to all the places they want to drink beer, and smarter for manufacturing and shipping. Cans take up 50 percent less space in shipping, which can result in significant savings when your

By:

business is shipping out two to three trucks a week, not to mention shipping costs to bring in empty containers.

But the real winner, Weddendorf said, is the beer itself.

“From the beer’s perspective, which is where we beer nerds like to think, the can protects the beer better than a bottle. It protects it from light. It protects it from oxygen better. They seal better, and they are completely opaque. There’s no light coming in.”

Known for innovative flavors like Monkeynaut and Chill Pils, the brewery continues to experiment with new drink flavors. They are triple licensed as a brewery, distillery and winery, which allows them to produce and serve all different kinds of alcohol. They make their own spirits under the brand Shelta Cavern Spirits, including gin, vodka, rum, and even whiskey created by aging Monkeynaut beer.

Weddendorf said he never imagined Straight to Ale would grow into all that it is today, but he’s very proud that it did.

“We were focused on just trying to make some great beer and do what we could to make Huntsville more fun. We were very much open to possibilities, and it’s a good thing because this has not gone how I planned in any way at all, but it’s been way better.”

Straight to Ale at 2610 Clinton Avenue, is open Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Patrons can go behind the scenes on a free guided tour of the brewery every Saturday at 3 p.m. w

Victory Solutions Named NASA’s Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year

Victory Solutions, based in Huntsville, Alabama, has been awarded NASA’s Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year.

This recognition highlights their significant contributions to NASA’s space exploration objectives, particularly through the Marshall Integrated Program Support Services (MIPSS) Configuration Management and Data Management (CM&DM) prime contract.

Victory Solutions distinguished itself through consistent performance excellence, innovative problem-solving, and high customer satisfaction. They developed a pioneering digital transformation and modeling strategy to enhance data and product integration for NASA’s Moon to Mars programs.

“NASA’s recognition energizes our pursuit of further advancements in aerospace and defense-related system modeling,” said Kris McGuire, CEO & Founder of Victory Solutions.

Victory Solutions is a ServiceDisabled Veteran-Owned and Woman-Owned Small Business specializing in developing advanced aerospace systems for defense and commercial customers w

MDA awards $41M extension to Development and Sustainment IDIQ

deciBel Research Inc., a defense contractor based in Huntsville, Alabama, has been awarded a $40,588,656 extension to its existing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-award-fee contract with

BRIEFCASE

the Missile Defense Agency (MDA).

This extension increases the total value of the contract from $172,576,570 to $213,165,226.

The contract, originally competitively awarded, is vital for the continued development and sustainment of the MDA’s modeling and simulation truth and elements representations. These capabilities are crucial for the MDA’s Integrated Master Test Plan, which encompasses ground test events, flight test events, and warfighter training and combatant command exercise events.

The extension, authorized under 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1) and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.3021, ensures uninterrupted support for these critical activities. The ordering period end date has been extended from June 13, 2024, to December 13, 2027. The extension also includes five options: two 12-month options and three six-month options (with the sixmonth option provided under FAR 52.217-8 if necessary).

No new task orders are being issued at this time, and all work will continue to be performed in Huntsville, Alabama. This contract extension underscores the strategic importance of deciBel Research Inc.’s role in supporting the MDA’s mission to advance national defense capabilities.

The Missile Defense Agency, headquartered in Huntsville, remains the contracting activity for this extension, highlighting the region’s central role in the nation’s defense infrastructure. This extension is expected to further bolster deciBel Research Inc.’s contributions to the development and sustainment of crucial defense systems. w

NASA Names New Deputy Director for Marshall Space Flight Center

Rae Ann Meyer has been selected as deputy director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, effective June 2.

In this role, Meyer will assist in leading Marshall’s nearly 7,000 onsite and near-site civil service and contractor employees and an annual budget of approximately $5 billion.

She will also help guide the center as it continues to deliver vital propulsion systems and hardware, flagship launch vehicles, world-class space systems, state-of-the-art engineering technologies and cutting-edge science and research projects and solutions.

“I am thrilled to partner with Rae Ann in leading Marshall into this new era of space exploration,” said Center Director Joseph Pelfrey. “I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside her on Marshall’s executive leadership team for the last couple years, and her dedication, intelligence and care for our teams is unmatched. Marshall has a bright future with Rae Ann in this role.”

Meyer previously served as Marshall’s associate director from 2022-2024, where she led execution and integration of the center’s business operations, mission support enterprise functions, and budget management.

Throughout her NASA career, Meyer has served in multiple leadership positions at Marshall. She was previously deputy manager of Marshall’s Science and Technology Office.

Named to the Senior Executive Service position in May 2019, she assisted in leading the organization responsible for planning, developing, and executing a broad range of science and technology investigations, programs, projects, and activities in support of NASA’s science, technology, and exploration goals.

The office also leads the pursuit of new partnership opportunities with other government agencies and private industry. Meyer helped oversee an annual budget of more than $475 million and managed a diverse, highly technical workforce of approximately 300 civil service and contractor employees.

Among her other roles over the years, she was manager of Marshall’s Science and Technology Partnerships and Formulation Office from 2017-2019, worked a detail as technical advisor in 2016 for the Office of Strategy and Plans at NASA Head-

quarters in Washington, and was chief of key Engineering Directorate structure and flight analysis divisions at Marshall from 2007-2017.

Meyer was manager of the Constellation Support Office in Marshall’s Science and Mission Systems Office from 2006-2007.

She led Marshall’s In-Space Propulsion Technology Office from 2004-2006 and was assistant manager of the Space Transfer Technology Project from 2000-2002, managing in-space technology program funding at NASA centers nationwide.

Meyer’s NASA career began in 1989 as a control mechanisms engineer in Marshall’s Propulsion Laboratory.

A native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Meyer earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 1989. w

Sentar Ranks Among HighestScoring Businesses on Inc.’s Annual List of Best Workplaces for 2024

Sentar, Inc. (Sentar), a womenowned small business specializing in advanced cyber-intelligence solutions and technology, has been named to Inc.’s annual Best Workplaces list.

Featured on Inc.com, the list is the result of a comprehensive measurement of American companies that have excelled in creating exceptional workplaces and company cultures, whether operating in physical or virtual facilities.

“Being recognized as one of Inc.’s Best Workplaces is a testament to the incredible culture we have built at Sentar,” says Bridget McCaleb, Catalyst and CEO at Sentar. “Our commitment to creating an exceptional workplace where our employees can thrive and grow has always been a top priority. This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team. We

are honored to be included on this prestigious list and will continue to prioritize our employees’ well-being and success.”

After collecting data from thousands of submissions, Inc. selected 543 honorees this year.

Each company that was nominated took part in an employee survey, conducted by Quantum Workplace, which included topics such as management effectiveness, perks, fostering employee growth, and overall company culture.

The organization’s benefits were also audited to determine overall score and ranking.

“Each year, Inc.’s Best Workplaces program recognizes the very best in terms of companies that have fostered a truly amazing culture,” says Inc. editor-in-chief Mike Hofman. “We use hard metrics and data as well as qualitative measures for judging in order to find the very best—and we’re proud that the program is highly selective.” w

Secretary of State Wes Allen Discusses Voter Integrity, Registration Rates at Madison County Meeting

Secretary of State Wes Allen spoke to issues of voting integrity, high voting registration rates, and referenced what he called “spiritual warfare” in an address to the Madison County Republican Men’s Club at Trinity United Methodist Church last month.

Allen began by acknowledging the difficulties faced by blue collar workers and stated his commitment to serving them, “We work with taxpayers, we work for the taxpayers. It’s not the other way around, and that’s what was so ingrained in me as a probate judge.”

Allen also spoke passionately of voting integrity, beginning by saying he took initiative in removing Alabama from online voter registration as believes that should not be handled at the federal level but within Alabama. Allen also expressed con-

Huntsville CVB Announces New Social Media Manager

The Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau added a new member to their marketing team last month.

Jordan Bevel is the new Social Media Manager and brings her knowledge and experience in hospitality marketing to the position.

Following graduation from the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in Restaurant & Hospitality Management, Ms. Bevel returned to her hometown of Huntsville where she served in marketing positions with restaurant and healthcare providers.

In her role as Social Media Manager for the Convention & Visitors Bureau, Jordan will oversee the organization’s presence on numerous social media platforms, manage blog posts, interact with influencers and bloggers, and create video and written content.

“We’re thrilled to have Jordan join the Convention & Visitors Bureau team, and we look forward to her sharing the love she has for our community in all facets of our social media outreach,” said Jennifer Moore, President & CEO of the organization.

cern with voter registration forms sent through Medicaid and DHR after the recipients’ deaths.

“That’s a bad problem,” Allen said. “You know why? Because noncitizens come in contact with these two agencies.”

Allen also said that of 3.9M Alabama residents over 18, 3.7M are registered, putting Alabama’s rate of registered voters at 95%. Based on that Statistic, he asserted, “I don’t want to hear any of this talk about voter suppression. It’s all myths and lies. We make things available in Alabama.”

Allen also spoke to the importance of protecting the integrity of absentee ballots as many people rely on them, especially those with disabilities. Allen emphasized that weeding out prefilled absentee ballots is a high priority of his as they are confusing and chaotic to voters.

Allen went on to allege that Voter Participation Centers are a tool of the Left rather than a non-partisan actor as many participants in these

centers are registering Democratic. “Let me tell you the Left is working,” he said with regard to the centers. “We’re getting stacks back in into the secretary’s office. That’s what’s happening, so our party, our side needs to be focused as well on making sure everybody is registered to vote.”

Immediately following his emphasis on the importance of making sure all voters have equal opportunity to be heard, Allen likened politics to religion, calling opposition to the Republican Party evil. “We are in spiritual warfare right now. It’s good versus evil. Every one of us in this room are in that battle. And we need to pray.”

Allen closed by reading “The Dash” by Linda Ellis, a poem about love, legacy, kindness, and respect. w

Bill Roark and Ginger Harper Named Co-Chairs of 2025 Huntsville Heart Ball

The American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives for all, has named Bill Roark and Ginger Harper as co-chairs of the 2025 Huntsville Heart Ball.

Roark, the founder and chief executive officer of Starfish Holdings, and Harper, a senior vice president at First Horizon Bank, will lead the year-long Heart of Huntsville campaign, which culminates at the annual Heart Ball.

“Bill Roark and Ginger Harper exemplify true leadership and commitment as community leaders here in Huntsville,” said Will Irby, 2024 Huntsville Heart Ball chairman. “As a heart survivor, Bill is the ideal person to head our Heart Ball campaign. We welcome Bill and Ginger to the Heart of Huntsville, an initiative that centers around better health for every individual by focusing on critical issues and work to equitably improve and save lives.”

“The American Heart Association has been an organization I have supported for years because I know so many Huntsville leaders who have been affected. Bill and I are eager to work together with our outstanding team of volunteers and the American Heart Association as we all advocate to make a difference in the wellbeing of people in this community,” said Ginger Harper.

The 2025 Huntsville Heart Ball is sponsored by Starfish Holdings and Frank Williams’ Dealerships, and is slated for April 26, 2025, at the VBC Saturn Ballroom. This year’s campaign is specifically focused on tackling health equity to ensure more neighbors have the chance to live a full and healthy life. The event will honor volunteers and patrons, feature stories of survivors, and entertain guests with dinner, dancing and an exciting auction.