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Mazda Toyota Manufacturing and Team ONE partners host job fair

On April 1, 2023, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) and its Team ONE partners will hold a joint Team ONE Job Fair at the Huntsville Marriott at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, from 7:30 until 11:30 am. This event will be a great opportunity for attendees to learn more about MTM and the suppliers and service-providers who help build the all-new Toyota Corolla Cross and the all-new Mazda CX-50.  Currently, there are still positions available at Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, and approximately 700 positions among their partner companies. There are positions available for all skill levels, including those with no manufacturing experience. Wages, benefits, and shift offerings will vary by company. There will be opportunities for anyone looking for a new career in manufacturing. Most applicants will be able to apply on-the-spot at multiple companies, and network with representatives from MTM and up to 15 of their supplier partners.  “Every position at every Team ONE company plays a role in the production of the Corolla Cross and CX-50,” said Katherine Evans, OSP Assistant Manager at MTM. “There are roughly 700 open positions within Team ONE, all of which provide the opportunity to be part of the exciting future of manufacturing.”  MTM offers a starting hourly wage of $20 an hour and top rates to $26.20 an hour for production team members. For multi-skilled maintenance, facilities, and tool-and-die team members, starting wages begin at $27.60 an hour and top wages to $38.50 an hour.   For those interested in applying at MTM today, visit www.mazdatoyota.com.  Read the full article

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Mazda Toyota Manufacturing and Team ONE partners host job fair

On April 1, 2023, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) and its Team ONE partners will hold a joint Team ONE Job Fair at the Huntsville Marriott at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, from 7:30 until 11:30 am. This event will be a great opportunity for attendees to learn more about MTM and the suppliers and service-providers who help build the all-new Toyota Corolla Cross and the all-new Mazda CX-50.  Currently, there are still positions available at Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, and approximately 700 positions among their partner companies. There are positions available for all skill levels, including those with no manufacturing experience. Wages, benefits, and shift offerings will vary by company. There will be opportunities for anyone looking for a new career in manufacturing. Most applicants will be able to apply on-the-spot at multiple companies, and network with representatives from MTM and up to 15 of their supplier partners.  “Every position at every Team ONE company plays a role in the production of the Corolla Cross and CX-50,” said Katherine Evans, OSP Assistant Manager at MTM. “There are roughly 700 open positions within Team ONE, all of which provide the opportunity to be part of the exciting future of manufacturing.”  MTM offers a starting hourly wage of $20 an hour and top rates to $26.20 an hour for production team members. For multi-skilled maintenance, facilities, and tool-and-die team members, starting wages begin at $27.60 an hour and top wages to $38.50 an hour.   For those interested in applying at MTM today, visit www.mazdatoyota.com.  Read the full article

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JS Solutions Cuts the Ribbon on New Corporate HQ

In a city full of firsts, the grand opening of JS Solutions’ new corporate headquarters at 150 West Park Loop, Suite 320 marked yet another chapter: a joint ribbon cutting for both the Madison and Huntsville Chambers of Commerce symbolizing a new collaborative energy fueling North Alabama’s small business ecosystem. The community spirit was also evident with the presence of Rocket City Trash Pandas mascot Sprocket, who provided photo opportunities as he mingled with the guests at the event. Led by President and CEO Jason Swafford, the service disabled veteran-owned company quickly outgrew its original home at the Invention to Innovation Center (I²C) at UAH, expanding from a one-person consulting operation to a company with 15 employees in just three years of operation. Swafford, a U.S. Army veteran who served in multiple overseas deployments, continues to support national defense through JS Solutions, which now focuses on logistics, program management support, strategic consulting, and technical, engineering, and cybersecurity services. “Jason clearly understood and embraced the Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. He lives these values every day and has infused these core values into the founding principles and operations of JS Solutions, and that’s what I admire about this company and about you, sir,” said Joe Fitzgerald, D.Sc., Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) for North Alabama. Swafford addressed the sizable audience, thanking the attendees for their support: “what a testament to see how much this community shows up for each other,” he said. “When we began this journey four years ago, we had an immense opportunity ahead of us, which required an innovative approach to problem solving, an agile team that could adapt to the changing needs of the nation’s military and contract requirements, and a collaborative mindset that was woven throughout everything we did.” Swafford noted the surprising level of community support for his venture, stating that each step they took to build the foundation for the company was “met with acceptance, curiosity, encouragement, and strength.” “Whether it was through the resources we were fortunate to receive at the I²C, our local area Chambers of Commerce, or our initial squad that helped shape what JSS is today, we had a team rooting for our success at every milestone we achieved,” Swafford continued. Prior to the ribbon cutting, Executive Director of the Madison Chamber of Commerce Michelle Epling expressed her excitement at this partnership between the two chambers brought about by a business begun in Swafford’s Madison home and now headquartered in Huntsville. “We’re so grateful for your partnership in both the Madison Chamber and the Huntsville Chamber, and we’ll continue to cheer you on for years to come. Congratulations!”

[hsvbizjournal]

JS Solutions Cuts the Ribbon on New Corporate HQ

In a city full of firsts, the grand opening of JS Solutions’ new corporate headquarters at 150 West Park Loop, Suite 320 marked yet another chapter: a joint ribbon cutting for both the Madison and Huntsville Chambers of Commerce symbolizing a new collaborative energy fueling North Alabama’s small business ecosystem. The community spirit was also evident with the presence of Rocket City Trash Pandas mascot Sprocket, who provided photo opportunities as he mingled with the guests at the event. Led by President and CEO Jason Swafford, the service disabled veteran-owned company quickly outgrew its original home at the Invention to Innovation Center (I²C) at UAH, expanding from a one-person consulting operation to a company with 15 employees in just three years of operation. Swafford, a U.S. Army veteran who served in multiple overseas deployments, continues to support national defense through JS Solutions, which now focuses on logistics, program management support, strategic consulting, and technical, engineering, and cybersecurity services. “Jason clearly understood and embraced the Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. He lives these values every day and has infused these core values into the founding principles and operations of JS Solutions, and that’s what I admire about this company and about you, sir,” said Joe Fitzgerald, D.Sc., Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) for North Alabama. Swafford addressed the sizable audience, thanking the attendees for their support: “what a testament to see how much this community shows up for each other,” he said. “When we began this journey four years ago, we had an immense opportunity ahead of us, which required an innovative approach to problem solving, an agile team that could adapt to the changing needs of the nation’s military and contract requirements, and a collaborative mindset that was woven throughout everything we did.” Swafford noted the surprising level of community support for his venture, stating that each step they took to build the foundation for the company was “met with acceptance, curiosity, encouragement, and strength.” “Whether it was through the resources we were fortunate to receive at the I²C, our local area Chambers of Commerce, or our initial squad that helped shape what JSS is today, we had a team rooting for our success at every milestone we achieved,” Swafford continued. Prior to the ribbon cutting, Executive Director of the Madison Chamber of Commerce Michelle Epling expressed her excitement at this partnership between the two chambers brought about by a business begun in Swafford’s Madison home and now headquartered in Huntsville. “We’re so grateful for your partnership in both the Madison Chamber and the Huntsville Chamber, and we’ll continue to cheer you on for years to come. Congratulations!”

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United Community Bank Acquires Huntsville’s Progress Bank

After 14 successful years of banking within and around the Huntsville community, Progress Financial Corporation announced this morning that the company was officially acquired by United Community Bank. This merger agreement, where United will acquire Progress, was executed in an all-stock transaction with an aggregate value of approximately $271.5 million, or $23.52 per share of Progress common stock, based on United’s closing stock price of $30.55 as of May 3, 2022.Progress Bank, founded and headquartered in Huntsville, has a total of 14 locations spread across both Alabama and Florida, including Birmingham, Daphne, and Tuscaloosa in Alabama and Destin, Panama City, and Santa Rosa Beach along the Florida Panhandle. Each location is strategically focused on a high-growth market located in the southeast. As of late March of this year, Progress Bank had total assets of around $1.9 billion, total loans of $1.3 billion, and total deposits of $1.7 billion. Apart from traditional banking services, Progress Bank also offers expert wealth management and private banking through Progress Financial Services, a division of Progress Bank, which holds around $1.2 billion in assets. Currently, United's total assets are around $24.4 billion with 189 offices in five states. With the merger, United's overall assets will increase to $26.3 billion, with around 200 offices in seven states.Led by President and CEO Steve Nast, Progress Bank has been an active member within the community of Huntsville and a major part of Huntsville’s growing economy over the past few years. In an interview with the Huntsville Business Journal, Nash confirmed that Progress Bank leadership will be easily integrated throughout the merger process. “We are very positive about United’s approach about integrating all of our people. The majority of the senior management team will stay on board, and continue to run important markets for the bank. What this does is creates opportunities more than anything,” said Nash.United brings a geographic model of leadership to their markets, meaning that Nast will shift to acting as a State President of Alabama, including the Florida panhandle locations. In the same interview with the Huntsville Business Journal, United Community Bank CEO Lynn Harton urged Huntsville customers to understand that little responsibility will change with this geographic model. “It’s just how we do things here at United. It has worked for us in the past, and will benefit both Progress bank customers and employees greatly,” Harton added. In a statement issued earlier today, both United Community Bank and Progress Bank urged customers to continue banking as normal. “The merger represents a market expansion play; there will be little to no overlap with employees and Progress will be able to retain the same faces that have served the Huntsville community for more than a decade,” stated Harton. According to both Harton and Nash, business will be as usual for customers in Huntsville. Progress will be able to maintain all branches, including the two under construction in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and in Panama City, Florida. “There will be no impact on customers being served,” added Nash. When asked about the reason for choosing Progress Bank, Harton stated that Huntsville’s customers and the city’s market were the key factors in United’s decision. “If you look at United’s expansion, we are trying to build a great bank, and our measures of success are being a great place for great people to work and having the best customer services in any market we are active within,” said Lynn. “What we have tried to do is put our banks within high-growth markets. To put it frankly, it’s easier to swim downstream than it is to swim upstream. And so, we looked first at the markets in Huntsville, Birmingham, and the Panhandle. Second, it was the culture. United simply shares a lot of the same banking culture as Progress.” Nast agreed, stating that because the culture and goals of the two banks aligned so well, the transition would be easy from both of the banks’ point of view, as well as for the customers in Huntsville. “The Banks’ cultures are very similar,” said Nast. “None of our lines of business will go away. And, what’s most important is that the transition will be easy on our employees. We believe that, to take care of our customers, we need to take care of the employees. These are the faces that are working with Huntsville customers and Huntsville businesses.” “Simply put, customers bank with people, and we want Huntsville customer banking with familiar faces,” Harton agreed. The merger also provides added benefits for Huntsville customers. According to Harton, one of the best added bonuses comes from their partnership model used during consultation on the commercial side of banking. Apart from Huntsville customers utilizing the same employees and bank representatives that they have used for years, United offers the ability to add a subject-matter-expert on whatever line of business is being covered. In this way, Progress Bank will offer Huntsville customers the same bankers, and the same experience, with the added bonus to more integrated expertise. The merger agreement was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both Progress and United, with the merger expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2022. For more information, or to contact your local Progress team with any questions regarding the merger announcement, please visit https://www.myprogressbank.com/

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Comcast Announces Multi-Million Dollar Expansion in Madison

Comcast has announced the expansion of its fiber-rich network to Madison, Alabama. The multi-million dollar expansion and investment in the Madison community will bring speeds up to 3 gigabits per second to homes and personal residences, and business speeds up to 100 Gbps. With this expansion comes some exciting advantages for Madison businesses to take advantage of, including the fastest gig-speed Wifi, xFi Advanced Security that helps to prevent billions of cyberthreats per year, and a variety of other perks. “As the Madison community grows, we are excited to welcome Comcast as another Internet option for residents,” said Mayor Paul Finley. “The City of Madison looks forward to working with Comcast as it brings fresh competition to the market and provides additional resources to our community.”Other services and products that will extend to Madison residents include access to Xfinity Mobile, built for customers on the go; Flex, a free 4K platform for internet-only customers that delivers streaming content; and Comcast Business, which offers a suite of connectivity, communications, networking, cybersecurity, wireless, and managed solutions to help organizations of different sizes prepare for what’s next.Currently, the expansion has reached around 4,000 homes and businesses in the area, with the goal of extended services by another 6,000 locations by the end of the year. “Today’s announcement is a true technology milestone for North Alabama residents and businesses,” said Jason Gumbs, Regional SVP at Comcast. “We are thrilled to offer the City of Madison some of the region’s fastest Internet speeds and most advanced technology available in the marketplace.”The expansion also attests to Comcast’s commitment to digital equity. Comcast is a participant in the new Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which offers up to a $30/month subsidy to qualifying low-income households to apply towards their Internet service. Families with access to Comcast’s network can sign-up for Internet Essentials, the nation’s largest and most successful broadband adoption initiative for low-income families, offering low-cost broadband packages for $9.95 or $29.95 a month, along with digital literacy training and discounted computers. Eligible customers can receive their Internet Essentials service for free after the government’s ACP credit is applied. For more information, please visit here.

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The Great Resignation's impact on Huntsville's Workforce

While economists have called the recent trend of employees leaving their jobs “The Great Resignation,” questions have come into play about renaming the movement a migration. While there is little question job openings, which have reached record levels, are unfilled there is evidence it is because workers are leaving former positions for more lucrative ones. This can also be evidenced behind the number of unemployment claims being at the lowest point since 1969. “This Great Resignation story is really more about lower-wage workers finding new opportunities in a reopening labor market and seizing them,” Nick Bunker, director of economic research at the Indeed Hiring Lab, told the New York Times. “Much of the discussion about the increase in quitting has focused on white-collar workers re-evaluating their priorities in the pandemic,’’ reported The Times. “But job turnover has been concentrated in hospitality and other low-wage sectors, where intense competition for employees has given workers the leverage to seek better pay.’’ There is no doubt a hole in the lower-wage workforce. “Workers Wanted” signs dot landscapes, including the Tennessee Valley. Lucia Cape, senior vice president of economic development and workforce at the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce, said trepidation surrounding the coronavirus COVID-19 and its variants is as much problematic in finding employees, along with the search for better opportunities. “I think we're still in a lot of limbo with people feeling comfortable in some service jobs, feeling like environments are safe with the Delta variant and now the Omicron surge,’’ she said. This is the atmosphere as some 40 new restaurants have either recently opened or are preparing to in the city. “A lot of the jobs that are having trouble finding people are struggling because either people don't feel comfortable going back to work yet, or it's that companies are not paying competitive wages,’’ Cape said. “They’re having difficulty because of the number of people that are or are not available because of concerns about safety. Those factors are all working together to create a lot of uncertainty.’’ While food service jobs are plentiful, Cape said there are other options. “We do see people looking for work,’’ she said. “It may not be the same work they did two years ago. So we’re working to make sure that the awareness of opportunities is out there and that people understand what training is available to them if they do want to change what they’re doing. They want to move from one type of job to another either because of their safety concerns, or because of wage issues.’’ The Chamber of Commerce offers job search tools on its website www.hsvchamber.org. On the site, click the link “jobs’’ to access the workforce aimed “asmartplace.”  Read the full article

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Huntsville, Madison County Reacts to SCOTUS Ruling on OSHA Mandates

First the coronavirus vaccine mandates were back in, then the nation’s Supreme Court said “nope.’’ At least part ways. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently, through a court ruling, put back into play a White House mandate for any large business with at least 100 employees to require a vaccine or testing for said employees. Thursday, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) shot that down with a ruling of 6-3 along right-to-left lines. However, that same SCOTUS left in place an ordinance requiring healthcare workers to follow the OSHA rules. The yo-yoing of guidelines relating to the COVID-19 pandemic has left businesses and workers wondering what’s coming next. “Everyone's doing their best to keep up,’’ said Lucia Cape, senior vice president of economic development and workforce for the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce. “They want to be compliant. Not only is it changing, but every time it changes it's a different set of rules to follow and it’s just a lot of time spent on compliance versus what compliance is supposed to do, which is increase productivity. “People want to do the right thing, but it’s hard when it keeps changing.’’ This much seems to be certain: No one in the business community can be sure the goalposts won’t move again. But Cape said the feedback the Chamber has received is that businesses are willing to do what’s necessary to stay in compliance. “We haven't really convened any groups to discuss it for a few months,’’ she said. “The contracting community and federal contractors were one of the early groups that were identified as needing to be compliant. So when we did talk with them early on their feeling was they were going to do everything they can to stay in compliance because there were repercussions. “But again, it is a challenge when things keep shifting and (businesses) get to a deadline and then the deadline slips and they’ve been working for that deadline. It creates a very challenging environment.’’ In December, online reports stated the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals dissolved the stay previously placed on OSHA’s so-called “vaccinate or test” Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). Consequently, covered employers with 100 or more employees would be required to comply with the ETS under the newly announced deadlines of January 10, 2022 for all non-testing requirements and February 9, 2022 for testing requirements. But Thursday, SCOTUS blocked the mandate except for healthcare workers. “Although Congress has indisputably given OSHA the power to regulate occupational dangers, it has not given that agency the power to regulate public health more broadly,’’ the court’s opinion said. “Requiring the vaccination of 84 million Americans, selected simply because they work for employers with more than 100 employees certainly falls in the latter category.’’ Read the full article

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The Covery: A New Concept in Restoration and Wellness

In a high-paced world fraught with seemingly endless to-do lists, assorted personal challenges, and topped off a global pandemic, attaining inner peace and serenity might seem far out of reach for many. If one thing is certain, COVID-19 has made many people better attuned to their health. The last two years have strongly emphasized the importance of boosting one’s immunity, not only our own individual well-being but for the health of those around us. 

To help those on the path of health and wellness is The Covery, a new concept focused on total wellbeing that is coming to the Times Plaza. After the established success of Regymen Fitness, Jason and Anu Haynes have expanded on their business model with the spring rollout of The Covery Huntsville.  The concept behind The Covery is to bring overall wellness, athletic recovery and injury prevention, and aesthetic services together, all under one roof. In this way, guests can focus on their individual needs, using a holistic approach. “You only have one life and one body,” said Anu Haynes, co-owner of The Covery. “There’s nothing more important than taking care of it.” The Covery offers personal restorative therapies within an environment where guests can recharge their body and mind. Guests will leave feeling and looking better, thanks to proven therapeutics that address various aspects of wellness. Featuring a wide assortment of popular cutting-edge therapies, The Covery features Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, NormaTec Compression, IV Infusions, Whole Body Cryotherapy, Ballancer Pro Lymphatic Drainage, Hydrafacials, medical-grade skincare products, and much more. What’s more, all services are medically supervised by licensed professionals. “Huntsville is a high-achieving, fast-growing, and high-tech city, which makes it the ideal location for a wellness facility,” said Haynes. “We’re making many forms of therapeutic treatments more accessible and affordable to those who need it. There are therapies that combat vitamin deficiencies, aid in muscle recovery, target cellulite, improve mental clarity, and enhance the skin’s overall health and glow.”

The Covery opened its first location in Baton Rouge this past March; the concept came into fruition at an ideal time.  “The Covery is something we have been working on in the background for the past few years,” said EK Navan, co-founder of The Covery and Regymen Fitness. “When the pandemic hit, I had the opportunity to research the science behind the services we offer and the amazing benefits that these treatments contribute to increasing an individual's overall well-being. Self-care isn’t selfish; rather, it is essential to get the maximum benefit out of the life you live and lift the others up around you. To accomplish this, we all need to unplug to recharge; to take a little time for yourself.” “People can take better charge of their health, and The Covery is here to make it easier and more effective,” added Jason Haynes, co-owner. “After you put in the sweat equity of a workout, it’s time for recovery. The body is a complex mechanism. Physical and mental health are closely connected. We hope to make the journey toward better health a little easier and more enjoyable.” Read the full article

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Slim Chickens Opens Newest Location at Town Madison

Slimthusiasts Unite! For those of you who are already familiar with Slim Chickens at Clift Farms, a second location has opened at Town Madison at 130 Outfield Drive.  For the uninitiated, gear your tastebuds up for a delicious meal made with all-natural chicken and the freshest ingredients available. Owners Alan Renfroe and Dana Price are excited to be bringing Slim’s to the Zierdt Road/Toyota Stadium corridor. 

The story of Slim’s in North Alabama began when Renfroe and Price were looking for that “better chicken” concept. Renfroe and Price are the co-founders of Legends Development, LLC, a Guntersville-based restaurant development company. “We are multi-concept operators,” said Renfroe. “We were looking for a great ‘hot’ chicken concept for our portfolio.”  With a tasty and diversified portfolio, the pair sought after a fantastic chicken-based idea to add to their existing lineup of restaurants. They wanted to bring to North Alabama a chicken dining option that was fresh, new, and different. By coincidence, one of Price’s friends happens to have a daughter that lives in Arkansas. “My friend’s daughter took a job after college in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where Slim’s is based,” said Price. “I was telling him that we were looking for a chicken concept. He said, ‘When we visit Amber out in Arkansas, there’s this restaurant out there called Slim Chickens, and you really ought to take a look at that. It’s the craziest thing, every day when they open, they have people lined up at the door.'” Renfroe and Price had already been looking at another chicken concept, but when Covid hit, they realized that they wanted to get into the drive-thru restaurant business.  “The other concept didn’t have a drive-thru, it was in a strip mall,” said Renfroe. “60% of your revenue comes from the driv-thru. Without that, you’re obviously not hitting your potential.  They met with Slim’s leadership, as well as spending a few days in Arkansas, visiting some of store locations in Fayetteville. What impressed the pair was that not only are Slim’s ownership franchisors, but they also operate the restaurants. “That was important to us because they understand the challenges that a franchisee could go up against,” said Renfroe. “It was remarkable that leadership managed several stores as well; they were franchise owners that also understood the challenges of being a franchisee.”

Slim Chickens at Town Madison owners Alan Renfroe and Dana Price Slim Chickens’ “better chicken” concept got its start in 2003. It all began with a focus on fresh chicken tenders and wings cooked to order, served with 17 dipping sauces, most made in-house. Almost 20 years later, guests are still enjoying the fresh, southern-inspired menu items served in a crisp, clean fast-casual setting. With 120 restaurants, Slim Chickens has a slimthusiastic following in 23 states, as well as international locations in Kuwait and London.  Slim’s menu begins with chicken, such as the tenders, wings, and sandwiches. There’s even a monster-sized chicken and waffles entree that features a big fluffy Belgium waffle, topped with butter, syrup, and chicken tenders. But it doesn’t end there. Along with a wide variety of side items, there’s the decadent jar desserts that are served up in a Slim Chickens signature mason jar.  Renfroe and Price knew they were already in love with the food, becoming slimthusiasts with their first very first bite. “We knew we wanted to be part of the brand,” said Renfroe. “We really looked at their marketing initiatives and their technology pieces. They were doing some things similar to brands that have been around decades. Slim’s technology piece was far advanced to some of those.”  “We signed a 9-store deal with them, with enough territory to do two and a half times that many, if we want to,” said Renfroe. “Our territory is multiple counties, including Madison and Marshall, all the way down to Mobile County. We knew we wanted to be in Clift farm and town Madison, initially, because of the massive amount of development that the Breland companies were bringing to the table. We knew right out of the gate those were the two places where we wanted to launch.” Plans are in the works for a third Slim Chickens; the newest store will be in South Huntsville. Located on the old Ruby Tuesday property on South Parkway, construction for location number 3 will begin in early March. It will be conveniently located near Redstone Arsenal Gate 3, and directly across from the new Starbucks and Whataburger. For more information, go to: slimchickens.com. Read the full article

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Huntsville Educational and Community Leader Appointed to APC Board of Directors

Last week, Drake State President Dr. Patricia Sims was appointed by the Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives, Mac McCutcheon, to the Alabama Partnership for Children (APC) Board of Directors.  Dr. Sims’ career in education paints an image that perfectly qualifies her for the newest post.  Since 2018, Dr. Sims served as the fourth President of Huntsville’s Drake State Community and Technical College. At this position, she focused on serving and enhancing the lives of her students, including extensive curriculum development and expanding the College’s resources.  Because of her leadership and goals that catered toward the education and the advancement of opportunities for students on all levels of their educational pathways, Dr. Sims was awarded the first Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) ever granted to a historically black community college by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center

. Prior to serving as the President of Drake State, Dr. Sims served as the Dean for the College of Education at Athens State University, where she oversaw significant technology enhancements, the creation of local innovative partnerships, and an expansion of curriculum by developing and launching the College’s first graduate program. “Dr. Sims has such a broad and deep career in education,” said APC Executive Director Gail Piggott. “She is recognized as a community leader, exemplary administrative head, and  someone who promotes building the workforce so that families can thrive.”  Besides her career in education, Dr. Sims is also involved in a variety of local and state organizations, including a board position for the Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust and the first African American woman to serve on the Board of Directors for the Alabama State Port Authority.  Dr. Sims is also involved directly in the Huntsville community as a member of the Burritt Memorial Committee, the WEDC Foundation, the AUM Foundation and is a member of the board for Downtown Huntsville, Inc. APC Board Chairperson Trippy McGuire argued that the combination of her educational career and community service makes her perfect for the new appointment. 

“Dr. Sims’ involvement with young people and her interest in their success dovetails perfectly  with the vision statement of the Alabama Partnership for Children that ‘every Alabama child will  have the opportunity to succeed in life’,” said McGuire. “We  welcome Dr. Sims as a new member of our board and look forward to her lending her expertise  and enthusiasm to our organization.”  When asked about her educational career, Dr. Sims summarized why the appointment to the Alabama Partnership for Children Board of Directors fits well with her personal goals.  “Education is my life’s work and I am honored to serve an organization that is committed to  serving Alabama’s families,” said Dr. Sims. “The Alabama Community College System provides a  unified system of institutions dedicated to delivering academic education, adult education, and  workforce development. By providing an impact at an earlier stage, students in pre-kindergarten to high school will be able to gain the support and training needed to enter the workforce.”  Among Dr. Sims’ responsibilities with her newest appointment, she will represent all 24 schools within the Alabama Community College System.  For more information, please visit https://alabamapartnershipforchildren.org/  Read the full article

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Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Board reappoints Huntsville’s David Nast

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta announced the reappointment of David Nast to a three-year term on the organization's Birmingham Branch board, which will be Nast’s second consecutive appointment. 

As a founding member of Huntsville-based Progress Bank, David Nast has served as President and CEO of the bank since 2008. Between 1982 until 2006, he also worked a variety of roles for AmSouth Bank in both Huntsville and Birmingham. Besides banking and finance, David Nast has been involved in the community in a variety of capacities. Nast has served various community and state organizations over the past few years, such as the Chair of the Alabama Bankers Association Board and the Chair of the Huntsville Sports Commission. Currently, he serves as a board member of Leadership Alabama and served as a past Chairman for the Huntsville Museum of Art.  David Nast is a member of the board of directors of the Birmingham Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and will continue this role and his responsibilities with his most recent reappointment. Prior to his career, Nast received his BS and MBA degrees from Jacksonville State University. Nast also received various banking certificates through Louisiana State University's Graduate School of Banking, as well as Georgia State University's Leadership Institute. For more information, please visit here. Read the full article

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And the Winner Is: The 25th Annual HMCHA Pineapple Awards

The pineapple took the world by storm at the beginning of the 16th century. They were exotic, unique, expensive, and represented wealth. Europe’s royal houses paid thousands in today’s money for just one pineapple to display as the centerpiece at their tables. Because of their scarcity and price, pineapples were originally served only to the most-honored guests. In Colonial America, pineapples were often used as the "crowning" piece in large food presentations. Since the 18th and 19th centuries, the pineapple symbol has been used to decorate household items and represented warmth and friendliness. Towns, inns, and individual households would display pictures or carvings of the fruit to welcome their guests. Fast forward to the 21st century and it’s no surprise that the pineapple is still the universal symbol of hospitality. In fact, it is presented as the hospitality industry’s highest honor. For over two decades, the Huntsville/Madison County Hospitality Association (HMCHA) has given the coveted Pineapple Award to individuals that have distinguished themselves through their outstanding professional accomplishments within the industry. This year’s Pineapple Awards will be presented on February 23rd at the Jackson Center. Pineapples are precious, as are the contributions of those working in hospitality. In lieu of the past two years and its overarching impact on the service industry, the award carries more meaning than ever before. Every year, HMCHA bestows one Pineapple Award and five Red Ribbon Awards. Awards are from each HMCHA membership category: Food/Beverage, Lodging/Conference Center, Attraction, Allied Partners, and Community Service. Other award categories include the Rising Star, Outstanding Team, and People’s Choice.  The Rising Star award is given to an individual who has been in the industry for less than 5 years, but demonstrates the potential to become a pivotal figure in the hospitality community and exhibits excellence in his/her professional work endeavors. They excel in their role and are excited to learn more and grow within the hospitality industry. The Outstanding Team award is given to an organization’s team and is a means to display the strength of an organization’s team and their collective achievement.  The People’s Choice Awards are given in recognition of the outstanding individuals and teams in the hospitality industry and are presented by the people in the hospitality industry. Nominations will take place through January 21st. Once the nominations are collected, members may cast their votes from January 24th - January 31st. The HMCHA Board of Directors proudly awards both Academic and Professional Scholarships to recognize and honor industry professionals who have served throughout the year. The three scholarship categories are: General Scholarship for those employed by a Member Property or a dependent of a Member Property employee, STS Marketing College Scholarship, and the B'Lisa King Professional Development Scholarship. All nominations must be received no later than Monday, January 31, 2022.  Awards will be presented at the HMCHA 25th Annual Pineapple Awards ceremony on February 23rd.  For more information go to: https://huntsvillehospitality.org/ Read the full article

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Huntsville Educational and Community Leader Appointed to APC Board of Directors

Last week, Drake State President Dr. Patricia Sims was appointed by the Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives, Mac McCutcheon, to the Alabama Partnership for Children (APC) Board of Directors.  Dr. Sims’ career in education paints an image that perfectly qualifies her for the newest post.  Since 2018, Dr. Sims served as the fourth President of Huntsville’s Drake State Community and Technical College. At this position, she focused on serving and enhancing the lives of her students, including extensive curriculum development and expanding the College’s resources.  Because of her leadership and goals that catered toward the education and the advancement of opportunities for students on all levels of their educational pathways, Dr. Sims was awarded the first Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) ever granted to a historically black community college by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center

. Prior to serving as the President of Drake State, Dr. Sims served as the Dean for the College of Education at Athens State University, where she oversaw significant technology enhancements, the creation of local innovative partnerships, and an expansion of curriculum by developing and launching the College’s first graduate program. “Dr. Sims has such a broad and deep career in education,” said APC Executive Director Gail Piggott. “She is recognized as a community leader, exemplary administrative head, and  someone who promotes building the workforce so that families can thrive.”  Besides her career in education, Dr. Sims is also involved in a variety of local and state organizations, including a board position for the Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust and the first African American woman to serve on the Board of Directors for the Alabama State Port Authority.  Dr. Sims is also involved directly in the Huntsville community as a member of the Burritt Memorial Committee, the WEDC Foundation, the AUM Foundation and is a member of the board for Downtown Huntsville, Inc. APC Board Chairperson Trippy McGuire argued that the combination of her educational career and community service makes her perfect for the new appointment. 

“Dr. Sims’ involvement with young people and her interest in their success dovetails perfectly  with the vision statement of the Alabama Partnership for Children that ‘every Alabama child will  have the opportunity to succeed in life’,” said McGuire. “We  welcome Dr. Sims as a new member of our board and look forward to her lending her expertise  and enthusiasm to our organization.”  When asked about her educational career, Dr. Sims summarized why the appointment to the Alabama Partnership for Children Board of Directors fits well with her personal goals.  “Education is my life’s work and I am honored to serve an organization that is committed to  serving Alabama’s families,” said Dr. Sims. “The Alabama Community College System provides a  unified system of institutions dedicated to delivering academic education, adult education, and  workforce development. By providing an impact at an earlier stage, students in pre-kindergarten to high school will be able to gain the support and training needed to enter the workforce.”  Among Dr. Sims’ responsibilities with her newest appointment, she will represent all 24 schools within the Alabama Community College System.  For more information, please visit https://alabamapartnershipforchildren.org/  Read the full article

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New Mixed-Use Development Coming Soon to Cummings Research Park

Bobo Development Group and Retail Specialists have announced that Arcadia, the first mixed-use development in Cummings Research Park, will break ground in the Spring. Demolition on the property began in early January.

Located at 4810 Bradford Dr. at the corner of Wynn Drive and Bradford Drive, Arcadia will be positioned on one of the busiest corners in Research Park, sitting directly across the street from the new Alabama School of Cyber Technology.  Upon completion of the project, the development will total over 19,000 square feet, including 12,000 square feet of office space, 7,000 feet of retail and restaurant space, and 251 residential units. “With the current and projected growth in the Huntsville market, the timing is perfect to introduce the newest project in the community,” stated James Bobo, chief executive officer of Bobo Development Group. The groundbreaking is planned for either March or April. “We are excited to begin work on such a significant development in Huntsville,” said Robert Jolly, chief executive officer of Retail Specialists. “Our team looks forward to bringing new restaurant and retail options for the growing area.” For more information on Arcadia visit https://properties.retailspecialists.com/?propertyId=974050-lease. Read the full article

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Let’s Play: Main Event Makes its way to the Rocket City

Main Event, the Texas-based family-friendly entertainment center, is making its way to Bridge Street Town Centre in late February.  Taking over what was once Toys R Us, the Main Event entertainment space is a sizable 49,330 square feet. There’s plenty of room for hosting events of all sizes, from groups of 10 up to 1,000.  From baby’s first birthday party to the annual corporate Christmas party, Main Event encourages fun play over competition, social over solo, and accessible to everyone. They endeavor to stir children’s imaginations and inspire adults to play like kids again. Twenty-four years ago, the Main Event concept was unique and the first of its kind. Back in 1998, the founders thought that the league-driven, dusty bowling centers of the time were limited in providing a full-range of family-oriented entertainment and activity space.  They wanted to go beyond bowling and thus created a haven for families to share in a variety of activities all under one roof.  Main Event Huntsville will feature a broad assortment of enticing entertainment options, such as 22 lanes of state-of-the-art bowling, multi-level laser tag, gravity ropes, a zipline, virtual reality, billiards, and over 120 arcade games.  Main Event will also serve as an ideal venue for special events, such as birthday parties, holiday festivities, and team building activities. It will feature full-service catering with private party rooms, free Wi-Fi, big screen TVs, and the latest in audiovisual technology. Main Event also can help with event details, send out the invites, and tackle the clean-up afterwards. There’s also dedicated meeting room space, perfect for workshops, mini retreats, and training sessions.  This will be Main Event’s very first location in Alabama, and it will feature a full-service dining menu and a bar well-stocked with craft beers and cocktails. “We couldn’t be more excited about becoming part of the Huntsville community and bringing our unique family entertainment experience to the area,” said Chris Morris, Main Event’s CEO. “Our brand promise is to provide guests an opportunity to make memories together while enjoying the best activities and games imaginable all in the comforts of one fun-filled location. We are committed to doing that every single day. The team at Bayer Properties was instrumental in making this a reality and we are thankful to be working with a top-notch group on our first-ever location in Alabama.”  For one-of-a-kind experiences and real fun, the party is always on at Main Event. For career opportunities, go to: https://careers.mainevent.com/ Read the full article

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Trash Pandas Announce 2022 Promo Schedule

MADISON – The Rocket City Trash Pandas released their promotional schedule for the 2022 season and also announced a late February date to begin selling single-game tickets. Among the highlights the Pandas plan in their second season as the Double-A South affiliate for the Los Angeles Angels are theme nights, giveaways and 26 fireworks displays. “For the first time we had a lot of new thoughts and new ideas,’’ said Lindsey Knupp, the team’s vice president of marketing, promotions and entertainment. “We’ve got a lot of great promotions.’’ Also, single-game tickets will go on sale at Toyota Fields’ Wicks Family Foundation Ticket Office on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 9 a.m., before going on sale online at 1 p.m. the same day at www.trashpandasbaseball.com. Season tickets, 20-game mini plans and single-game vouchers are available for purchase now. Private group hospitality spaces are also available. To learn more call [phone] or visit trashpandasbaseball.com/groups. “We have our hospitality spaces open,’’ Knupp said. “You can try to get a concourse suite, a single suite or even just a group of 20 people wanting to come out you can secure your tickets for that game in that capacity.’’   Returning promotions from the team’s inaugural season include Reeds Jewelers Ladies Night on Tuesdays, Dog Day Wednesdays, Pregame Happy Hour on Thursdays, post-game Fireworks Spectaculars on all Fridays and Saturdays and Kids Run the Bases after each Sunday game.   The club, whose 2022 theme is Have A Blast, opens at home April 12 at 6:35 p.m. against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. The opening six-game homestand features a Magnet Schedule giveaway, Have A Blast Commemorative Glass giveaway on April 14, Space Night on April 16 and three postgame fireworks shows during the week.  There are six bobbleheads giveaway scheduled. The first is May 24 with the 2,000 adults ages 18 and older receiving a bobblehead commemorating Izzy Wilson’s 20 home run/20 stolen base 2021 season. On June 7, a Sprocket bobblehead/toothbrush holder will be given to 1,000 kids ages 17 and under. Mini bobbleheads of astronaut racers Neil (June 15), Buzz (Aug. 2), and Sally (Aug. 30) will also be available exclusively for 1,000 kids ages 17 and under. Additionally, 2,000 adults will receive a Military Vintage Bobblehead (Aug. 17). Rocket City will wear six specialty jerseys for theme nights throughout the season, with the proceeds going to a chosen non-profit organization. Space Night (April 16) and Armed Forces Night (May 26) return. There will be Star Wars Night (May 4) and Independence Day (July 4) for the first time this season. As part of a new partnership with Marvel, the Pandas will wear Superhero Thor jerseys for Defenders of the Diamond Night (Aug. 4) and Huntsville Stars throwback jerseys (Sept. 15). Among many new giveaway items in 2022 will be a Golf Towel (April 26), Tote Bag (May 1), Duffle Bag (May 3), Beach Towel (June 8), Military Style T-Shirts (June 12, Aug. 21, Sept. 4), and a Cowboy Hat (Aug. 16).   Home game promotions during the holidays include:  Easter: A helicopter will drop candy on the field for children to collect. Mother’s Day: 1,500 women ages 18 and up will receive a Stemless Wine Glass. Memorial Day weekend: A Digital Camo Cap giveaway. Father’s Day: 1,500 men ages 18 and up will receive a fedora cap. Independence Day: Patriotic Jersey auction and postgame fireworks. Labor Day: Military style t-shirt giveaway. The Pandas' planned inaugural season of 2020 was wiped out by the pandemic. The 2021 season was shortened and the team’s schedule wasn’t in place until right before games started. Rocket City will play a full season in 2022. Minor league teams received their schedules months ago, which Knupp said allowed the Pandas to “step it up a notch’’ in promotions. The full promotional schedule can be found at www.trashpandasbaseball.com. Read the full article