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SouthWest Mobile County Chamber of Commerce Serving All of South Mobile CountyServing All of South Mobile County

The Corner

Michelle Hurdle

“In Step With Progress”

Jeff L. Schmitz

Board of Directors

Kay Peace (Past President) - Individual

Ruth Robinson (Past President) -

Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery Stephanie Chestnut - Dick Russell’s BBQ

Bryan Dewberry - Midtown Mortgage

Tiffany Ginn - Uniti Fiber

Russanne Howell - Farmers Insurance

Cindy Imsand - A-Cool Storage

Tammy Lyons - Family Security Credit Union

Delores McLaney - McLaney Senior Dance

Joe Summersgill - Mobile Co. Water, Sewer & FPA

Teresa Taylor - AIM Mail Center Della Wade - Individual

Chamber MissionChamber MissionChamber Mission

Our Chamber’s mission is to foster, promote, advance, and improve the civic, Our Chamber’s mission is to foster, promote, advance, and improve the civic, Our Chamber’s mission is to foster, promote, advance, and improve the civic, commercial and general business interests of the surrounding areas and to commercial and general business interests of the surrounding areas and to commercial and general business interests of the surrounding areas and to

cooperate with other communities promoting objectives for the improvement of cooperate with other communities promoting objectives for the improvement of cooperate with other communities promoting objectives for the improvement of our business and the welfare of our community.our business and the welfare of our community.our business and the welfare of our community.

2018 Officers President Theresa Orrell Polysurveying of Mobile 1st Vice President Pete Riehm NAI Mobile 2nd Vice President Chris Benton Alabama Power Secretary Cadie Gaut Payroll Vault Treasurer Chris Black Integrity IT Services

Community Center Staff

Executive Director Tina Poiroux tpoiroux@swmcchamber.com

Rental Specialist Ashley Rester arester@swmcchamber.com

Building Supervisor Susan Williams

Office number: 251.666.2488

Our August business luncheon was well attended and our speaker, County Commissioner Jerry Carl, did not disappoint in his message on the growth happening in south west Mobile County. We celebrated this month with the Grand Opening of the new Walmart Distribution Center. Mr. Carl reported that the Amazon Sortation Center is also up and running and Airbus continues to increase its production.

Our September 5th Business Luncheon guest speaker will be Michelle Hurdle from Airbus. Be sure to make your luncheon reservation (251-666-2488) as soon as possible so you can hear

details of the progress at Mobile’s first airplane assembly center. And, come find out when the next “Mobile-Built” plane will take off for a test flight. We look forward to learning more information from Ms. Hurdle and expect a great attendance.

This year, I was very fortunate to attend the 2018 Summer Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama Annual Meeting with our Executive Director, Tina Poiroux. I enjoyed meeting Moore Hallmark of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Executive Directors from other chambers throughout Alabama, including, Jim Page of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, who was recognized as the “2018 Professional of the Year”, Bill Sisson from the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, our neighboring Chamber Leaders from Baldwin County and many, many more. The conference included two and a half days of sessions with instructional information to help us become a better chamber and provide more value for our members.

Our BUSINESS EXPO is set for September 11th from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. Looking for information about ways to help you move towards achieving your ambitions and goals for business? This year, we are offering Mastermind Sessions which consist of three one-hour sessions beginning at noon, also on September 11th. To reserve your spot, call the Chamber office at 251-666-2488 or email info@swmcchamber.com for reservations and for any questions you may have. Expo spaces are limited to only 50 vendors, so please sign up now.

MARKET AT THE CORNER is a great way to kick off the holiday season. On Saturday, October 20th the Tillman’s Corner Community Center will host our 2nd Annual Market event with proceeds benefiting our TALL Scholarship Program. Stop by and shop for unique, fashionable boutique items, jewelry, home de cor, holiday items, make up and many other arts and crafts. For Artists, Craftsmen and Boutique owners, this is a great opportunity to display and sell your goods. To reserve your space, please contact the office at 251-666-2488. Doors will open at 9 am and you can shop and enjoy lunch while preparing for the holiday season. Make plans to grab your friends and enjoy this fun event!

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of the passing of our dear friend and mentor, Larry Kent who passed away on August 19th from a long battle with cancer. Larry has been a part of this Chamber for many years, serving as President, Executive Director, Honorary Board Member and Past Chairman Committee. Our prayers are with his family during their loss. We are looking forward to seeing you at our luncheon on September 5th!

Theresa Orrell President

Message from the President

SEPTEMBER CALENDAR

11

Coffee with the Chamber

When: Sept 18th 7:30 am

Where: Tillman’s Corner Community Center

Contact: 251-666-2488

Cost: Free to attend

Coffee & Refreshments Served

Sponsor: Polysurveying of Mobile

3

SWMCC Business Luncheon

When: Sept 5th 12:00 - 1:00 pm Speaker: Michelle Hurdle Director, Economic &

Community Development Airbus Americas, Inc.

Where: Tillman’s Corner Community Center

Contact: Chamber Office 251-666-2488

Cost: $9 for members and $11 for nonmembers

Sponsor: Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery

5

Birthday Graduation

Engagement Wedding New Baby

Anniversary Open House

Grand Opening School Event Sports Event

Holidays Homecoming

Good Luck Thank You

Sign Gypsies Mobile Owners: Kenny & Ginger Lehman

Labor Day

18

SWMCC Business Expo

When: Sept 11th 3:00 - 6:00 pm

Mastermind Breakout Sessions start at Noon

Where: Tillman’s Corner Community Center

Contact: Chamber Office 251-666-2488

Cost: $5 for Expo or $10 for Expo & Mastermind

27 Business After Hours at Legal Shield When: Sept 27th 5:30 - 7:30 pm

Where: 4431 Government Blvd | Mobile, AL

Contact: 251-666-2488

Cost: Free to attend

Refreshments Served

Contact the Chamber office to purchase your Expo tickets

$5 Expo ticket or $10 Expo & Mastermind

251-666-2488 or info@swmcchamber.com

SouthWest Mobile County Chamber of Commerce

September 5, 2018 12:00 - 1:00 pm

MONTHLY BUSINESS LUNCHEON

Caterer: Menu:

Please RSVP to info@swmcchamber.com $9 for Members & $11 for Potential Members

Sponsor:

Michelle Hurdle

Director, Economic and Community Development

Airbus Americas, Inc. Michelle Hurdle worked for 15 years in economic development before joining Airbus Group North

America in June 2008. Michelle was involved in economic development on the local, state, and

regional levels in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi. In 2012, she joined Airbus Americas in the same

role to help coordinate the establishment of the A320 Final Assembly Line in Mobile, Alabama.

Immediately prior to joining Airbus, Michelle was the economic development representative for

PowerSouth Energy, an electric utility that serves south Alabama and northwest Florida. Michelle

was a member of the Alabama economic development team that recruited Airbus and Northrop Grumman to Mobile.

Michelle is a member of the Mobile Airport Authority Foundation Board, the Coastal Alabama Partnership Board, and

the Alabama School of Math and Science Board. Michelle also serves on the Governor’s Workforce Council, The

University of Alabama Productivity Center Advisory Council, and Troy University’s School of Science and Technology

Advisory Council.

Michelle graduated from Troy State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geography and Social Science. In

1993, she graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi with a Master of Science Degree in Economic

Development. She attended the BASIC Economic Development Course at USM, the Economic Development Short

Course at Georgia Tech, and the Economic Development Institute at The University of Oklahoma.

The Wilton Caterer 5328 Gunn Road Mobile, AL 36619 251-220-7375

Chicken and Sausage Penne Pasta with Cream Sauce Italian Green Beans Mix Vegetables

Salad Rolls

Sweet & Unsweet Tea Strawberry Shortcake

The SWMCC 2018 Business Expo is an ideal way for exhibitors to promote their products and services, create brand awareness, establish business to business networking, and increase customer database.

We anticipate a successful event. SPACE IS LIMITED - reserve your booth TODAY!

If you would like to join this exciting event to be a vendor and Mastermind, please call the Chamber office at 251.666.2488 or email info@swmcchamber.com for any questions.

Mastermind Breakout Session will begin at noon and we will have three, one-hour

sessions. Each session will give insight on how to discover ways to help move you towards achieving your ambitions and goals for business. The session outlines everything to know about business, but are

too afraid to ask. As well as, the skills needed to acquire the framework of growing a brand. Local business leaders will attend to facilitate the mastermind sessions and answer any questions.

Booth Registration Deadline is Tuesday, September 4th

Art Class - Carolyn Greene

When: June 26th 10am and 12:30pm

Where: Tillman’s Corner Community Center

What: Free Art Class

RSVP: 251-666-2488

McLaney’s Senior Dance

September 22, 2018

Registration Begins at 8:30AM

9:30AM Shotgun Start

4 - Man Scramble

Entry Fee: $90.00 Per Player

Spring Hill Golf Course

400 Dauphin Street

Mobile, AL 36608

Online registration is open!! Www.svsschool.org/tournament/

Contact Mindy Maghupoy with questions - mmaghupoy@svsschool.org M-T 251.661.3908

Officers of the Month

Mobile Police Department Precinct 2 awarded David Marston (L) and Nathaniel McCarty (R) as Officers of the Month for August. Captain Jonathan Lee congratulated the two officers at the SWMCC monthly Business Luncheon held on August 1st at the Tillman's Corner Community Center. They both were honored for providing outstanding police services to the citizens of Mobile with the highest order of integrity and dependability in a manner that exemplifies the goals of the Mobile Police Department. Officer Marston and Officer McCarty are both gratefully acknowledged and appreciated.

Robert “Larry” Kent, age 69, Mr. Robert L. Kent, aged 69, passed away on August 19, 2018. His job on earth complete, he returned to his heavenly home after a valiant battle with Multiple Myeloma. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 48 years, Gloria Sheehy Kent, (his high school sweetheart); his four children: Derek (Andi) Kent, Kevin (Christy) Kent, Beth (Casey) Prine, and Mindy (Jason) Downey; his nine grandchildren: Andrew and Mary Elizabeth Kent, Lauren, John

and Megan Kent, Cooper and Addison Prine, and Caroline and Olivia Downey; his brothers: Billy (Marilyn) Kent and David (Faye) Kent; and his sister Madge Kent. He is preceded in death by his parents John and Margaret Kent, along with his brother John Clifford Kent Jr.

In 1975 he was employed by the Mobile Fire Department while he attended Faulkner State to further his career. As co-owner of his business, Kent’s Karpets, he often worked on his off days to keep a prosperous business going for 27 years. After retiring from the Fire Department he worked as a Director of the Boys and Girls Club for 10 years.

He was an active member of the Tillman’s Corner Chamber of Commerce for many years, where Larry served as president for 3 years from January 2001 until December 2003. His heart was in the community and enjoyed helping others. As Director of the Tillman’s Corner Community Center from January 2006 until September 2012, he met with city officials for support to help keep our community strong. He enjoyed serving on the SouthWest Mobile County Chamber of Commerce as Honorary Board member and most recently served on the Board of Directors. Larry has been a strong tower for this community and it is our honor to reflect on his great accomplishments.

September 18, 2018 7:30 am

Drop by SWMCC on your way to work! Start your day off right with a hot cup of coffee and networking!

No cost to attend!

Attendees are asked to give a short introduction about their business. Don’t forget your business cards!

Sponsored by: Polysurveying of Mobile

RSVP at 251.666.2488 or info@swmcchamber.com 8 or info@swmcchamber.com

Career Notes

Alastair Stevenson is the new assistant principal at W.C. Griggs Elementary School. Mr. Stevenson is coming to Griggs after spending the past three years as an assistant principal at Pearl Haskew Elementary and John Will Elementary School. This is his nineteenth year with the Mobile

County Public School System. He is excited to see what the new school year has in store.

Christmas Parade Applications

Applications are available at the

Chamber office and on our website.

Visit

WWW.SWMCCHAMBER.COM

to download the application. Parade

sponsorship is also available.

CORPORATE SPONSORS

Platinum

DELTA DISASTER SERVICES

LEGAL SHIELD

BUSINESS SOLUTIONS-

L.A.W. ENTERPRISE

Gold

INTEGRITY IT SERVICES

PAYROLL VAULT

BAYER

Silver

ALABAMA POWER COMPANY

Bronze

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF SO. ALA.

HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER

TOUCHING HEARTS SENIOR CARE

FAMILY SECURITY CREDIT UNION

MOBILE MEMORIAL GARDENS

CEMETERY

POLYSURVEYING OF MOBILE

MOBILE MEMORIAL GARDENS

FUNERAL HOME

JOHNSTONE ADAMS, LLC

Friends of the Chamber

KAREN C. SIMMONS, P.C. ( KCS )

Membership Renewals:

New Members:

Business of the Month:

Greer’s

Lighthouse Baptist Academy The Wilton Caterer

Trinkets & Treasures 5956 Three Notch Road

Mobile, AL 36619 251-308-3403

Women’s Resource Center 718 Downtowner Loop W

Mobile, AL 36609 251-344-4357