the business view - may 2012

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Small Business Special Feature

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Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce theM

AY 2

012

Chamber Chase 2012

Kicks Off

2 MAY 2012 | ThE BusInEss VIEW

April 2012 3-7 NewsYouCanUse–Positiveupdates forareaandstatebusinesses

8 SmallBusinessoftheMonth: Weinacker’sMontessoriSchool

10-13 Localsmallbusinessownersoffer adviceforpotentialentrepreneurs

14-15 Authorandbusinessexpertoffers 10tipstokeepbusinessesviable 16 SCOREColumn:Whysmallbusiness willleadintheneweconomy

17 PartnersforGrowth

18-19 ChamberChaseKicksOff 20 MobilianoftheYear:ReggieCopeland

20 MeettheChamber’sneweconomic developmentprojectcoordinator: CesnySoffronoff

21 InvestorFocus:BurrFormanLLP

22 CEOProfile:GretchenJaspering,Gulf CoastExploreumandScienceCenter

23-24 Chamber@Work

24 BoardofAdvisors:MelissaMorrissette, DavidRandelandBonnieTully 25 AmbassadoroftheMonth: ClaireBolton 25 BusinessSpotlightoftheMonth: GroundSwellWebDesigns

26 EconomicIndicators

27 Calendar

28-29 MemberNews

30 Anniversaries

30 NewMembers

the business VIEWispublishedmonthly,exceptforthecombinedissueofDecember/January,

bytheMobileAreaChamberofCommerce451GovernmentStreet,Mobile,AL36602(251)433-6951

www.mobilechamber.com©2012

Publisher....................................WinthropM.HallettIII ExecutiveEditor...............................LeighPerry-Herndon ManagingEditor...................................... JenniferJenkins CopyEditor...........................................MichelleMatthews

Additional Writers and EditorsCarolynGolson,AshleyHorn,CarolynHunt,CarolHunter,

LeighPerry-Herndon,SusanRak-Blanchard,CarolynWilson

PrintingServices. . . . . . . . . . . InterstatePrinting/DirectMail GraphicDesign. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WiseDesignInc. AdvertisingAccountExecutive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RenéEiland

[email protected]

Cover JoelDaves,recentlyretiredSouthAlabamapresidentofRegionsBank,isservingas2012ChamberChasechairman.Seestoryonpages18-19.Cover photo by Ashley Horn

VIEW

Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce the

Vol. XLIII, No. 4

17

10

7

ThE BusInEss VIEW | MAY 2012 3

When Richard Whitehurst describes the connectors and switches

manufactured at N-Tron, he says the company’s industrial-hardened Ethernet switches are designed to be the “last man standing” under any environment. N-Tron products keep windmill farms running, traffic control systems operating and automotive plants churning out new cars.

Andwiththecompanydoublingitssalesnearlyeveryyearsince2004,WhitehurstsaidtheMobileheadquarters,wherenearly55peoplework,wasbustingattheseams.

InFebruary,N-Tronmovedfroman8,800-square-footbuildingonUniversityBoulevardtomorethan19,700squarefeetofofficeandwarehousespaceattheformerEADSlocationat3101InternationalDr.,nearBelAirMall.

“Nowwehaveroomtogrow,andthelocationissetuptoaccommodateourfuturegrowth,”saidWhitehurst.

N-Tronproductsareprimarilyusedinareaswithaharshenvironment–beitextremecoldorheat,andeventoxicareasthatcouldeasilydamageswitchesthatkeepcomputersystemsoperational.

FoundedbyWarrenNicholson,N-TronwaspurchasedbyRedLionControlsinOctober2010.NicholsonfoundedthecompanyinresponsetoaneedforthehardenedEthernetswitchesfornuclearapplications.Today,N-Tronhas500productresellersaroundtheworldwithsalesofficesacrosstheU.S.,China,IndiaandEurope.

n-Tron Expands into 19,700-Square-Foot Headquarters in Mobile

Partnership Between Shipbuilders Proves a success

ApartnershipbetweenAustalUSAandBAESystemsSoutheastShipyardsAlabamaprovidedrepairworkontheSea Fighter(FSF-1),basedoutofPanamaCity,Fla.TheSea Fighter isanaluminumcatamaranoperatedbytheOfficeofNavalResearchusedtotesttechnologiesfortheLittoralCombatShip(LCS)andJointHighSpeedVessel(JHSV)programs.

“ItwasrewardingtoseebothshipyardsworktogetherinMobileexploitingthesynergiesofourtwoside-by-sidefacilities.”saidJoeRella,AustalUSA’spresidentandchiefoperatingofficer.

Underaveryaggressiveschedule,workersinstalledanewcountermeasurewashdownsystemtohelpkeepfutureNavalcombatantsoperationalinanuclear,biologicalorchemicalbattle-space.Otherworkitemsincludedmodifyingballasttanksandinstallingwaterjetskirtsonbothhulls;installingafuelcentrifugepipingsystemintotheshiptoallowthecrewtoremovefuelcontaminant,aswellasaluminumladdersandworkplatformsforthewaterjets;andrepairingthealuminumhull.

“Oneofthewaystoobtaingrowthintougheconomictimesisthroughteamingandpartnerships,”saidVicRhoades,directorandgeneralmanagerofBAESystemsSoutheastShipyardsAlabama.

Thevesselspentatotalof91daysatBAESystems’facility,including72daysindrydock.


CLIENTmobcou

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E arlier this year, Signature Flight Support Corp. purchased the

assets of Azalea Aviation Inc., expanding Signature’s footprint in the Southeast.

BrothersTaylorMorrissetteandHarrisMorrissettewereco-ownersofMobileAirCenteratMobileRegionalAirportandDowntownAirCenteratMobileDowntownAirport,andTaylorjoinedSignaturetooverseethetwofacilities.

“TheMobile,Alabama,facilitiesbringtwoimportantlocationstoourSoutheastregionandthegreaterSignaturenetwork,”saidS.MichaelScheeringa,presidentofSignatureFlightSupport.BothfacilitieswererebrandedasSignatureFlightSupportandbecamepartofthecompany’sglobalnetworkof111locations.

MobileAirCenterbeganprovidingfuelservicesinthe1950sandconstructeditsfirstexecutiveterminalandhangarsinthelate1960s.Today,thefacilityfeatures60,000squarefeetofhangars,anexecutiveterminalandcustomeroffices.Itofferslinemaintenanceservicesforturbine-andpiston-poweredaircraftonitsleasehold,andhasoperateditsown“fuelfarm”since2002.

DowntownAirCenterhasmorethan45,000squarefeetofhangarspace,includinganewlyconstructed,state-of-the-art,16,800-square-foothangar,tenantofficesandanexecutiveterminal.ItprovidesfuelingoperationsforcompaniessuchasFedExandSTAerospaceMobile.

“Wehaveenjoyedour20-plusyearsofoperationsattheMobileairportsandlookforwardtothegreatgrowthopportunitiesprovidedbytheSignaturenetwork,”Taylorsaid.

Downtown Air Center and Mobile Air Center

Purchased by Signature Flight

TaylorMorrissette(pictured)andhisbrotherHarrisrecentlysoldtheiraircenteroperationstoSignatureFlightSupportCorp.


InternationaloilservicegroupAkerSolutionsisplanningtoinvest$6millioninadditionalmanufacturingcapacityatitsMobileplant,creating25newfull-timejobs.

“Newoilandgasfieldsarefoundatgreaterwaterdepthsandfartherfromshore,”saidMarcQuenneville,headofAkerSolutions’Mobilefacility.“Theresultisthatthedistancebetweenthesubseawellsandtheproductionfacilityiscontinuouslyincreasing.Thisisgoodnewsforus,becauseourproductsaretailor-madefordeepwaterapplicationsandlong-distancestep-outs.”

HermanTinsley,theMobileAreaChamber’sseniorprojectmanagerforeconomicdevelopment,estimatestheChamber’seconomicdevelopmentteamhasworkedonatleastfiveexpansionprojectswithAkersincetheyopenedin2003.

“AkerhasproventobeacontributortothelocaleconomyandavaluedandsupportedmemberoftheChamber,”saidTinsley.

Toughermarketdemands,combinedwithseveralnewprojectwins,meanthecompanyneedstomakeanotherexpansiontohandlethefutureanticipatedworkloadcomingtoitsMobilefacility,Quennevilleexplained.Theadditionalinvestmentwillincreasecapacityby15percentoverthenextthreeyears.

Locally,Akerengineersandmanufacturessubseaumbilicals,cablesthatrunfromeitheranonshoreorafloatingproductionfacilitydowntooilandgaswellsontheseabed.AkerSolutionsistheglobalmarketleaderforsteeltubeumbilicals.

“Mobileisabusiness-friendlyenvironment,whichisanotherreasonwhywecontinuetoinvestinfacilitiesandmanpowerhere,”saidQuenneville.

You’ll see this symbol with stories featuring Chamber initiatives.

Aker Solutions Expansion Will Create 25 Jobs

ArmedForcesDayisatimetoreflectandgiverespect.Theinauguralcelebrationwasheldin1950,andthemed“TeamedforDefense.”Beforethen,therehadneverbeenaunifiedcelebrationofallthemilitarybranches.

TheU.S.DepartmentofDefensedeclaredthisyear’stheme“UnitedinStrength.”JoiningtheChamberinhonoringarmedforcesareeventsponsorsAirbusMilitary,AustalUSA,Budweiser-BuschDistributingCo.,KBR,ShellChemicals,ThompsonEngineeringInc.andVolkertInc.

Theevent’sfeaturedspeakerwillbeMajorGeneralJohnW.Peabody.Thehighlydecoratedveteranalsoservesasthepresident-designeeoftheMississippiRiverCommissionandisresponsiblefor$7.5billionincivilworksprojectsintheMississippiRiverValleyfromCanadatotheGulfofMexico.

Ticketsare$23perperson,andregistrationisopenuntilThursday,May3.ContactCarolynHuntat431-8621orchunt@mobilechamber.comformoreinformation.Ticketscanalsobepurchasedonlineatevents.mobilechamber.com.

Honoring Those Who Serve

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Alabama 4 $5.6 M $1.4 M 40

Georgia 16 $33.5 M $2.1 M 24

Mississippi 23 $41.8 M $1.8 M 20

Louisiana 29 $85.7 M $2.9 M 14

A labama’s economic development officials

have long used financial incentives to attract industrial investment in the state. ThyssenKrupp is one of the largest and most recent examples of such incentives. The projects are designed to pay off in terms of jobs (both construction and permanent employment) and eventual increases in the tax base to fund basic government services. The tools are important – many would argue critical – to Alabama’s ability to compete with other states when it comes to landing major industrial projects.

AsofthetimeThe Business Viewwenttopress,thestateLegislaturewasconsideringapackageofbillsthatwouldleverageinvestmentintheurbancoresofthestate’slargercitiesthroughtheuseofsimilarincentives.TheDowntownMobileAlliance,alongwithMobileMayorSamJonesandrepresentativesfromBirminghamandMontgomery,helpeddraftthreebillsusedtogreatadvantageinneighboringstates.Thebillswouldauthorizehistorictaxcredits,newmarketstaxcreditsandthecreationofculturaldistricts.SincemostofAlabama’sneighborsoffersuchincentives,thestateisatadistinctdisadvantagewhenitcomestoattractinginvestmentinitscitycenters.

Statelevelhistorictaxcreditsmirrorthefederalhistorictaxcreditprogramandwouldofferataxbreakfordeveloperswhorenovatehistoricproperties.Manyqualifyingpropertiesareindesperateneedofrestoration,andbecauseofregulationsgoverningtherehabilitationofsuchbuildings,thecostsofdoingsocanbeprohibitive,accordingtoresearchbyDr.

RussHardin,professorofaccountingattheUniversityofSouthAlabama.“Historicpreservationtaxcreditsenabledevelopersandhomeownerstoleveragetheirinvestmentsinhistoricalresidential,rentalandcommercialproperties.Historicpreservationprovidesmorebenefitsthanjust‘fixing’deterioratingbuildings.”

Thestate-levelnewmarketstaxcreditsalsomirrorthefederalprogramandprovideinvestorswithataxcreditforinvestingincommunitiesthatareeconomicallydistressedorconsistoflow-incomepopulations.Thestatebenefitsfromjobcreation,urbanrenewalandblightremoval,anincreaseinwageearningtaxpayers,anexpandedpropertytaxbasefrompropertyimprovements,moreefficientuseofexistinginfrastructure,areductionofurbansprawlandimprovementofliving/workingconditionsinpreviouslydistressedcommunities.

InMarch,Rep.JamieIsonofMobilesponsoredthenewmarketstaxcreditbillintheHouse,whereitpassed.Rep.James

BuskeyofMobilealsospokeinfavorofthisimportanteconomicdevelopmentincentive.ItmuststillbeapprovedbytheSenateandsignedbyGov.RobertBentley.Thehistorictaxcreditsbill,sponsoredbyRep.VictorGastonofMobile,isstillincommittee.

ThisisaprioritylegislativeissueandvitaltoeconomicdevelopmentforthecityofMobile,DowntownMobileAllianceandtheMobileAreaChamber.

CulturaldistrictshavebeenusedwithimpressiveresultsinNewOrleans,acitytakingaveryproactiveapproachtoattractcreativeentrepreneurs.Theprogramisdesignedtospurdevelopmentinneighborhoodsexperiencinghighlevelsofvacantandneglectedproperty.Insuchdistricts,originalworksofartcreatedandsoldinthedistrictareexemptfromsalestax.

“Culturecreatesjobs,”saidScottHutcheson,culturaleconomydirectorofNewOrleans.“Whenyougiveincentivesforpeopletocreateandsellart,theculturebecomesricherandpeoplestarttotakenotice.”

Tax Incentives Could Spur Downtown Development

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how Alabama Compares with its neighborsComparing Historic Tax Credit Projects by State

All Projects Places in Service in 2011

state # of Projects Certified Average national Expense Expense Rank

Lastyear,developersinAlabamaandneighboringstatesutilizedthefederaltaxcreditsavailableforhistoricproperties.Georgia,MississippiandLouisianahavestatehistorictaxcredits,andstudiesshowstateswiththeirowntaxcreditscreatefourto10timesmoreactivityasdemonstratedbytheabovechart.Asanexample,Louisiana,inthefirsteightyearsofitsprogram,issued$140millionintaxcreditsandnetted$1.92millioninadditionaltaxes.Thosemoniesalsospurred$650millioninnewconstruction.AndaccordingtoaneconomicimpactstudyofLouisiana’sprogram,forevery

$1intaxcreditsissued,morethan$3innewstatetaxcollectionshasorwillbegenerated.

TheDowntownMobileAlliance,cityofMobileandtheMobileAreaChamberareadvocatingintheAlabamaLegislatureforapackageofbillsthatwillleverageinvestmentinMobile.Thesetaxcreditsonlyapplytocostsdirectlyassociatedwiththerehabilitationofapropertyasacertifiedexpense.

*SinceFloridadoesn’thaveanincometax,itdoesnotoffertaxcreditsonprojects.


Historically strong. Historically committed.

For more than 150 years, Regions Bank has been proudly serving South Alabama. You don’t stay in the

banking business for more than a century and a half without doing things the right way. Things like

offering simple, reliable financial solutions along with friendly customer service. That approach is why

Regions has remained strong and stable through the good times and the bad. And it’s how we are

continuing to serve our community.

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© 2012 Regions Bank. Deposit accounts subject to the terms and conditions of the Regions Deposit Agreement. All fi nancing subject to credit approval. *Insurance products are sold through Regions Insurance, Inc., an affi liate of Regions Bank, and are not FDIC-insured, not deposits, not guaranteed by Regions Bank or its affi liates, not insured by any federal government agency, and may go down in value.

AL-SW120084 TheBusView.indd 1 3/8/12 1:32 PM

M itternight Inc., a Satsuma-headquartered

manufacturer of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)-code vessels, was recently recognized with the Manufacturing Success in Rural America award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington D.C.

Onlyonecompanyperstateispresentedtheaward,honoringleadersintheirtrade.InMitternight’scase,thesizeandcomplexityofthevesselsmadeattheASMEindustrystandardearnedtherecognition.

The85-yearoldmanufacturerservicesFortune500clientsaroundtheworld,fromits18-acre,700,000-square-footfacilities.Thevesselsitproducessupportprocessequipmentinindustriessuchaspetro-chemical,refining,energy,fertilizer,bio-fuels,renewableenergyandnuclear

industries.Oftenwhatthecompanycreatesisthefirstofitskind.

AccordingtoHermanTinsley,theMobileAreaChamber’sseniorprojectmanagerforeconomicdevelopment,Mitternightisknownforfabricatinguniqueandinnovativesolutionsfromthedesignphasetoworkingproductsforhighlycomplexvessels.

“Thebulkoftheirbusinessisrepeatcustomers,whichshowstheyhaveproventhemselvesoverandoveragain,”saidTinsley.

Thecompanyhasnearly100employees,accordingtoLanceCovan,chairmanofMitternightInc.“Inour85yearsofbusiness,wehavecreatedsomeofthemostcomplexandintricateASME-codedvesselsontheplanet,”hesaid.“BeingrecognizedforourcommitmenttoexcellencebytheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureandtheWhiteHouseistrulyanhonorforafamily-orientedcompanylikeMitternight.”

Mitternight Inc. Receives national Award for Manufacturing Success

MitternightInc.,amanufacturerofAmericanSocietyofMechanicalEngineers(ASME)-codevessels,wasrecognizedwiththeManufacturingSuccessinRuralAmericaawardfromtheWhiteHouseandtheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureinWashingtonD.C.PicturedintheSatsuma-basedcompany’sfacilityisLanceCovan,Mitternight’schairman.


Go to mobilechamber.com/award.asp to submit a Small Business of the Month nomination, or contact Danette Richards at 431-8652 or [email protected].

Weinacker’s Montessori School Makes Learning Fun

Amanda McCarthy, at right on back row, is site director at Weinacker’s Montessori School’s Hillcrest location. She visited three years ago and fell in love with the school. Within a week, her three children were enrolled, and she was working there. With Amanda, from left, are teacher Caroline Wagner and John Weinacker, the school’s president; and students, center row, Braxton Evans, Drew McCarthy and Ella McCarthy; and front row, Bella Cannon and Sophia Tombrello.

John Weinacker’stwodaughtersarestudentsatthewestMobilelocationofWeinacker’sMontessoriSchool–thesameschoolheattendedfromtheageofthree,asoneofthefirst15studentsintheprogramhismother,Marcia Weinacker,startedin1969.

Today,aspresidentoftheMontessorischoolthatbearshisfamilyname,WeinackeroverseesfivesitesinMobileandBaldwincounties,with65teachersworkingwithnearly350students.Weinacker’sMontessoriSchoolistheMobileAreaChamber’sSmallBusinessoftheMonth.

DevelopedbyDr.MariaMontessoriinItalyin1907,Montessoriisahands-on,sensory-basedphilosophyoflearningthatencouragesindividualdevelopmentateachchild’sown

paceinacalm,engagingenvironment.Educationalactivitiesandmusicalinstrumentsarekeptatachild’slevel,andeachstudentchooseshisorherownwork.Eveninthebabyroom,linedwithcribsunderblack-and-whitemobiles,therearenohighchairs.Babieslearntositinchairsaroundtablesandareencouragedtomoveandcrawlaroundontheirown.

AsanexampleofhowMontessorischoolsaredifferent,Weinackerdescribesoneofhisfavoritetechniquesforlearninginwhichchildrencanuseablindfoldtodoanactivitythey’vealreadylearned.“It’sgoodbecausetheyconcentrateonaskillthey’vedevelopedinadifferentway,”hesays–andbyblockingoneoftheirsenses,theystrengthentherest.

TheconcepthasworkedsowellforWeinacker’sMontessoriSchoolthatWeinackernowseessecondandthirdgenerationsenrolling.Theprogramacceptschildrenfromagesthreemonthstonineyearsold,andthey’regroupedbymultipleagestocreateafamilyatmosphere.“Ideally,we’llhaveanAmericanMontessoriSociety-certifiedteacherforeachagegrouping,”Weinackersays.Teachersundergoapproximately320hoursofclassroominstruction,plus540hoursteachingintheclassroomintheintensiveMontessoritrainingprogram.

Themeasureoftheschool’ssuccess,hesays,is“howwelltheydowhentheyleavehereandgoontootherprivateorpublicschools.Theyhaveagoodskillbasewhentheycomeout.”

small business of the month

ThE BusInEss VIEW | MAY 2012 9��

Whether you’re earning an undergraduate or graduate business degree, The University of Alabama is

committed to helping you achieve your goals through online learning. Business degrees available include:

Online degree programs from a name you know.

To learn more visit

BamaByDistance.ua.edu/mobilebiz

or call toll-free at 1-800-467-0227.

Advance Your Career


Get Real! Practical Tips for Starting and Running a Small Business from Area Small Business Owners

BnI Business Resource Center Janice Malone, executive director

“In1996,Istartedapersonalizedgiftandproductbusiness,butaftersixmonthsIdecidedtoexploreothermarketingavenuestogrowmyclientbase.Aboutthesametime,BNIwaslookingtoexpandintothesouthAlabamaarea,andIacceptedthechallengetospearheadtheirexpansion.BNIistheworld’slargestbusinessandnetworkingorganizationwith138,000membersworldwide.Now,I’mthefranchiseownerofboththesouthAlabamaandnorthwestFloridaregions.In2008,IexpandedmyBNIbusinesstoincludeabusinessresourcecenterandacopyshopindowntownMobile.I’malsoareferralmarketingfacilitatorforthecertifiednetworkerprogram,alicensedemployeebenefitsconsultantandanaccomplishedspeakerandauthor.”

Malone’s tips for success:• First,youmusthaveaheartstringconnectiontothebusinessyouseekto start,becauseyouhavetotakethetentouteverydayandhitthestreets sellingyourwares.• Doyourresearchonyourbusinessidea,anddevelopabusinessplan.• Talktootherentrepreneurstoseewhatkindofdeterminationit takestobeinbusiness.• Getyourfinancesinorderforgettingthebusinessofftheground.• Tobecomeasuccess,youmustnetworkeverywhereandbuildthe rightrelationships.• Developetoughskinbecauseeverydayisnotgoingtobeagoodday. Planfortherainydays.

I wish I had known…“IwishIhadknownthatIneededtoworkharderonmyselfthanon

thebusiness.IalsowishIhadknownthatIneededtoworkmoreonthebusinessthaninthebusinesstogetthingsmovingforward.”

What does it take to start a small business? What advice would be

most valuable to someone considering starting a business? These are some of the questions The Business View posed to several local small business owners in honor of Small Business Month, designated in May.


heritage homes of Mobile Frank Lott III, president

“HeritageHomeswasstartedbymyDadin1983.Thebusinessevolvedandgrew.Healwaystalksabout,intheinfantstagesofthebusiness,howimportantitwastohaveastrategicplanthatwaselastic.Youhavetobeabletoevolveasyoulearnmoreaboutthemarket.Hebuiltthebusinessbasedonrelationships.Manyofoursupplierandsubcontractorpartnershavebeenwithusfornearlytheentire30years.Istartedworkingwithmyfatherin1999.WehaveopenedofficesinPensacola,GulfportandTuscaloosaoverthelast10years.”

Lott’s tips for success:• Donottrytoreinventthewheel.• Establishrelationshipswithpartnersthatwillbuyintoyourproductand processandbecomepartoftheteam.• Initialhiresaremoreimportantthananyonewouldrealize.Having ateamthatwillfocusontheessentialgoalsofsuccessisparamountin thelong-termsuccessofthebusiness.Onepooremployeecansetyou backnomatterhowgoodyourbusinessplanis.

I wish I had known…

“Inspeakingofstartingmoresatelliteofficesfroma‘headquarters,’thechallengesandproblemsyouwillfaceincreaseexponentiallythemorelocationsareadded.Agoodmanagementteamisthemostimportanttooltohelpkeepthesuccessfulprocessinplace.”

nelco Commercial Maintenance Doug nelson, president

“IstartedNelcoCommercialMaintenanceinJulyof2001asapart-timepressure-washingcompany.Iwasaone-manshow,doingestimatesandmeetingcustomersduringthedayandcleaningshoppingcentersatnight.InJulyof2002,Iincorporatedandstartedtoexpandandgrow.MysonKennethjoinedthecompanyin2006,andthat’swhenthingsreallytookoff.Wenowemploybetweennineand12peopleandperformawidevarietyofexteriormaintenanceworksuchasparkinglotsweeping,stripingandsealcoating,aswellaspressurewashingandlawnmaintenanceinMobileandBaldwincounties.”

nelson’s tips for success:• Itisessentialtohavesomecashinthebankwhenyouarestartingout. Therearegoingtobeleantimesinthefirstcoupleofyears,cashflowisgoing tobetight,andyouneedtobepreparedforuncertaintimes.• Getinvolvedinyourchurch,theChamber,civicgroupsandother organizations.It’simportanttogetoutandmeetpeopleinyourcommunity. Peopleprefertodobusinesswithsomeonetheyknow.

I wish I had known…“IwishIhadknownearlierhowimportantitistosurroundyourselfwiththe

rightpeople.Weareextremelyfortunatetohavetheemployeeswehaverightnow.Ittookmeawhiletounderstandthatyouarenotgoingtogrowyourbusinessbyyourself.Ittakesateamefforttoreachyourgoals,andallofouremployeeshaveplayedavitalroleinthesuccessofourcompany.”


The Egg and I Maternity sutton Tremayne, owner

“Mymom,KatherineMarch,andIstartedTheEggandIMaternitybecausewefeltMobileneededamaternityshopforfunandaffordableclothing.Wemakeeveryefforttokeepourpricepointsreasonablewhilemeetingtheneedsofourcustomers.WecarryclothingandaccessoriesfortheMomToBe,alongwithdiaperbags,TeethingBling,nursingaccessories,theBabyBanditforafterthebabyandsomuchmore!”

Tremayne’s tips for success:• Youhavetospendmoneytomakemoney.• Youalsohavetokeepthings“slowandsteady”andworkwiththeeconomy

andasateam.

I wish I had known…“Ifyou’regoingtoopenasmallbusinesswithsomeone,makesureit’ssomeone

withwhomyoucanhavefunwhilemakingthosebigbusinessdecisionsasateam.Beabletolaughatyourmistakesandlearnfromthem,andmoveforwardwithapositiveattitude!”

Boteler, Finley & Wolfe, Attorneys at Law – Karlos Finley

“Fromthepointofviewofanattorneywhosebusinesswouldfallintotheclassificationofaservice-relatedbusiness,startingisnotthatdifficult.Asanattorney,youfindoutratherquicklythatlawschooldoesnotteachyouthisaspectofthepracticeoflaw.Fortunately,myundergraduatedegreeisinbusiness,withaconcentrationinmanagement.”

Finley’s tips for success:• Themostsignificantpartofmaintainingyourservice-relatedbusinessis obtainingclients.• Serveonboardsofdirectorsinorganizationsthatprovidecommunityservices andgetinvolvedincharitableeventsandphilanthropiccommunityaffairs.• Onceyouhaveattainedaclient,youmustthenmaintainthem.Lawyersneed todosomethingtokeepthemselvesincontactwithformerclients:newsletters, refrigeratormagnets,calendars,holidayorbirthdaygreetingcards,andthe mostrecognizable–butalsothemostexpensive–televisioncommercials.• Butmostofall,youmustconveytopeoplethatyouwillzealouslyadvocatetheir positionandyouareknowledgeableinyourareaofpractice.Ofcourse theymustknowyougenuinelycareabouttheissuestheyareexperiencing difficultiesin.

I wish I had known…

“ThethingIdidnotexpectwhenstartingmybusinesswashowquicklyIwouldhavetoassessthetotalityofthecircumstancesthatpotentialclientswouldbefacedwithandtobeabletoassessthecharacterandpersonalityoftheclient.Iwasamazedathowmanywalksoflifepeoplewillcometoyoufrom.AsaformerprosecutorintheMobileCountyDistrictAttorney’sOffice,Ireceivedacrashcourseonreadingindividualsandtakingintoaccountnotonlywhattheyweretellingmeverbally,butwhattheirbodylanguagewasrevealing.Therearemanybooksoninterpretingcertainsignals,buttheyarenosubstituteforactuallyinteractingwithpeople.Mostimportantly,ifyoudon’thaveagenuinepassionforbeingaservantofpeople,youwillnotbehappypracticinginmyareaofthelaw.”


The Chamber’s RoleTheMobileAreaChamber’ssmall

businessdevelopmentdepartmenthelpslocalentrepreneurswhoarestarting,managingorgrowingtheirbusinessesandfostersandstimulatesanentrepreneurialcultureintheMobilearea.

“Startingabusinessishard,”saidDanetteRichards,directorofsmallbusinessdevelopmentfortheMobileAreaChamber.“Stayinginbusinessisevenharder.Businessownersarebusyrunningtheirbusinesses.Whentheyhavequestionsandneedanswerstheydon’thavetimetoresearchwhatwillfixtheirproblem.That’s

whatwedointhesmallbusinessdepartment–wetrytoserveasadvisorsandproblemsolvers.”

Thedepartment’sinitiativesincludedevelopingandmaintainingpartnershipswithareasmallbusinessesbyprovidingdirectionandguidance.Usingavarietyoftoolsandcollaboratingwithotherresources,thedepartmentoffersworkshops,educationalmaterials,awardsandrecognitionprograms,referralsandone-on-onecounselingservices.TocontactRichards,[email protected].

B & C Trucking Michael Banks, president

“B&CTruckingLLCwasformedin2006.Wehaulnon-hazardoustankerfreightthroughouttheU.S.Thefleetiscomposedofseventrucks,andweexpecttoaddthreemoreinthecomingmonths.”

Banks’ tip for success• Trytofindanichémarketintheparticularindustrythatyou’reinand ensurethatyoupreserveyourcapitalforsetbacks.

I wish I had known…“Startwithinyourmeansandaddtoyourbusinessasitgrows.”


totheextentthatcost-cuttingwouldlowerthelevelofservicetheyneededtoprovide.

Theyaddressedorganizationalstrengthsandweaknesses,andidentifiedcriticalactionstepsalongthewaytoachievingtheirgoals.Theydevisedandimplementedrelationshipstrategiesaimedathelpingtheirsalesteamswinovertheircompetitors’customers.Theyfocusedonpositioningtheirsalesstaffastheircustomers’indispensablebusinesspartners.Mostimportantly,theymadeagroupcommitmenttomeettheirchallengeshead-on.Theyvowednottogetstuckinthepast,andtohelpallemployeesbecomepositiveaboutthefuture.Toensureregularcommitmenttothemissionathand,theyheldperiodicmeetingstoevaluateprogress.

Complacency was their enemy.Thesuccessfulcompanies

challengedthestatusquoandtookrisks–notfrivolously,butsupportedbyrationaldecision-making.

Theyconductedresearchonwhattop-performingbusinessesweredoing,andencouragedidea-sharingamongemployees.Manyworkedwithanoutsideconsultant.Theyadoptedevenboldermarketingandadvertisingstrategies,brandedtheircustomerserviceandcompetitivelyfundedtheircommunicationscampaigns.

Theyreinventedtheirentirebusinesstobecomemorenimble,moreflexibleandmorecustomer-focused.

WhileotherorganizationsfailedtoaddtheGreenMovementtotheir“must-doASAPlist,”thewinnersrecognizedthegreenmomentumwasnotabouttosubside.Theycreatedagreenprogram,appointedsomeonetoleadit,promoteditintheir

marketingandpublicrelationscampaigns,andgavetheirsalespeoplesomethingmoretotalkabout.Mostimportantly,theydidtherightthingfortheiremployees,communityandtheplanet.

They consistently sought and implemented new

ways to add value for their customers. Theyrealizedandexploitedthefactthatmuchofthevaluetheyprovidedtocustomerswasthesuperiorknowledgetheyhadtooffer.Theybecamevalue-addedorganizations,knowinghowimportanttheirexpertisewastotheirbottomline.Theyhelpedtheircustomersfarmorethananycompetitor,knowingthatintoughtimes,customersappreciateit.Theyaskedcustomers:“Howcanweprovidemorevalue?”Theyreachedagreementonpriorities,actionsandoutcomes.TheyestablishedaVIPprogramforloyalcustomersthatemphasizedincreasedvalueandmadetheseselectcustomersfeelspecial.

They got serious about customer service.Everysingle

aspectofthecustomerexperiencewasanalyzed.Serviceflawswereidentifiedandeliminated.Systemsandprocedureswerestreamlinedtomakeiteasyforcustomerstodobusinesswiththem.Productsupportstaffknewtheirperformancewascriticaltothesuccessandprofitabilityoftheirorganizations.

Managementmadesuretheyunderstoodtheircustomers’businessesinordertoanticipatetheirneeds.Theyconsistentlybrainstormedandimplementedwaysto

improvetheircustomers’experienceand“up”thewowfactor,keepinginmindthatnodetailwastoosmall.

Teamswereputintoplacetoassistintheseareasandintheestablishmentofa“Sales-ServiceExcellenceCulture”–oneinwhicheverypersonisdedicatedtohelpingsalesthroughserviceexcellenceandgivingtheirfullsupporttosales.

Sales,marketingandcustomerservicedepartmentsworkedhand-in-hand.Allemployeeswerealignedwiththecompany’scompetitivestrategy.Together,thecompanyanditspeopledevelopedanobsessiontodelivertheirbestperformance–witheverycustomer,everyday.Theydevelopedareputationforconsistently

exceptionalservice.Customerconfidenceincreased,businessincreased,andcustomersbecameloyaladvocateswhohelpedspreadtheword.

Technology helped them become faster than their competitors

and closer to customers. Socialmediawasnotignoredasapassingfad.Whilemanycompaniesweretoofocusedonthebottomlineanddidn’twanttothinkaboutsocialmedia,forward-thinkingcompanieswereearlyadoptersandconsistentlyusedittosell,marketandadvertisetheirorganization.

They realized and exploited the fact that much of

the value they provided their customers was

the superior knowledge they

had to offer.

They slowed down in order to speed up.Theystoppedwhattheywere

doingandconductedstrategicplanningsessions.Thesmartestpeopleintheircompanyparticipatedinthesesessions,regardlessoftitleorrank.Theylookedattheircompany’sbusinessoperationsasiftheywereunbiasedoutsideconsultants.

Together,theyacknowledgedtheharshrealitiestheircompanieswerefacing,andidentifiedactionsthatwouldhelpdrivebusinessgrowthandensurelong-termprofitability.Theyrejected“businessasusual,”fullyrealizingtheywouldlikelyhavetoshiftgearsalongtheway.Theyidentifiedwaystocutcosts,butnot

In the Long Run, Who Will Come Out a Winner?

Christine Corelli is a business speaker, workshop facilitator and author of five business books, including her newest book Capture Your Competitors’ Customers and KEEP Them. She can be reached at www.christinespeaks.com, or by calling 847-581-9968.

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Considering today’s challenging business

climate, volatile economic conditions, more cost-conscious customers and ferocious competition, you can’t help but wonder: “In the long run, who will come out as a winner?” When the dust settles, 10 characteristics will identify businesses that stood the test of time. These companies employed sound business practices that created and sustained success and ensured business development even in the most challenging business climate. Several years from now, the following will be said of them:

Businesses that stood the test

of time rejected ‘business as usual,’ fully

realizing they would likely have

to shift gears along the way.


Executives and managers treated their people the

same way they treat their best customers. Settingagoodexampleasaservantleaderwasastrongkeytotheirsuccess.Theyfullyrealizedthatbusinessesdon’tdobusiness;peopledobusiness.Itisthepeopleinacompanywhowillorwillnotcarryanorganizationintoasuccessfulfuture.

Dynamicleadership,teamworkandemployeeinvolvementbecameorganizationalcornerstones.Rewardandrecognition(includingunexpectedsmallmonetaryrewards)becamepartoftheculture.Thesecompanieshadzerotoleranceforbadbosses.Theyknewthathavinggreatbossesandcreatingagreatplacetocometoworkeachdaywasthebestwaytokeeppeoplemotivatedandperformingattheirbest.

Tomakesuretheirpeoplewerehappy,theyconductedperiodic,simple,yeteffectiveemployeesatisfactionsurveys.Afteranalyzingthesurveyresults,thewinningfirmsidentifiedareasforimprovementandmadeacommitmenttotheirworkforcetomaketheimprovementsneeded.Lipservicewasneverallowed.Actionconsistentlyoccurred.

Execution was a strong part of their competitive strategy.

Thestrongcompaniesrecognizedthat

knowingwhatshouldbedoneandactuallydoingitaretwoverydifferentthings.Theymasteredtheartofexecutionandestablishedspecificcriteriaformeasuringexcellenceandensuringaccountability.Managersandemployeeswereheldtoestablishedservicestandardsineveryaspectofeveryrole.

They kept their eye on the prize. Theyhadonlyonegoal–toemergefrom

thefrayasthewinner,withtheirbusinessstronger,morevibrantandmoreprosperousthanbefore,andwithsolidprospectsforcontinuedfuturegrowthandsuccess.Successfulcompaniestookallofthesestepsandmany,manymore.

You’veseenthefuture–sowhatwillyoudo?

Thequestionyoushouldasknowis,“Inthelongrun,willmybusinesscomeoutasawinner–gainingmarketshare,growingandprospering?AmI,asabusinessownerormanager,doingthethingsthatwilltranslateintopersonalandbusinesssuccess?”

Ifyou’renotsureoftheanswer,getmovingonthese10importantstrategiestohelpensureyoursuccessforthelongrun.Businesssuccessdoesn’tjusthappenbyitself.Ittakesthecreativityandwillpowerofanentireorganizationtosucceed,andthatstartsatthetop.

CreativitywasappliedwitheachandeveryTweet,blog,FacebookpostandYou-Tubevideo.Theirwebsiteswerefarsuperiortotheircompetitors’andoptimizedforsearchengineplacement.Videoclipswereontheirmainpageandthroughouttheirsite.Nostonewasleftunturned.

They became “learning” organizations and

learned faster than their competitors. Theywereconstantlystrivingtoimprovetheirskillsandmastertheircraft.Theirsalesteamsstudiedandmasteredeverysingleaspectof“Sales101”andwereprovidedwithadvancedsalestrainingonnegotiation,salescommunicationandpresentationskills.Theyweremastersatbuildingrelationshipswithpotentialandexistingcustomers.Leadershiptrainingwasprovidedtoensureeveryonewouldleadinthesameway.Salesmanagerslearnedhowtomanageandmotivatetheirteams.Thecompaniesdidnottakeforgrantedthatfront-lineemployees

knewhowtoservecustomers;theytrainedtheminallcriticalareas.Role-playingwasconductedduringslowhours,andbymakingit“fun,”employeesinthesesuccessfulbusinessesactuallylookedforwardtoit.

Every person in the company lived and breathed its core

values. Allleadersandemployeesconsistentlydemonstratedandoperatedfromthecorevaluesofhonesty,integrity,teamwork,respect,excellence,accountability,socialandenvironmentalconsciousness,health,safety,familyandothervaluesintrinsictothecompany’sculture.Leadersrecognizedthatemployeesobservedtheir

actionsandbehaviorsduringchallengingtimes.Theyledbyexample,spokewithconfidenceandsetthetonefortheiremployeestofollow.Salespeopleweretrainedinretailsalesexcellence.They

knewtheexactwordsandphrasestoinfluenceshopperstobuy.

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The strong companies recognized that

knowing what should be done and actually doing it are two very

different things.


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Boost Your Business Knowledge with an Advisory Board

Everyoneneedsgoodadviceonstartingandrunningasmallbusiness–eventhosewhohavedoneitbefore.Andithasnothingtodowiththenumberofemployeesacompanyhas.Executivemanagersoflargecompaniesroutinelyconsulthighlyexperiencedandrespectedadvisorsforunbiasedfeedbackbeforemakingkeydecisionsorimplementingmajorchanges.

Smallbusinessescangetthesamekindofexperienceandinsights,withoutthehighfeesofprofessionalconsultants,simplybyforminganadvisoryboard.

Unlikeaboardofdirectors,anadvisoryboardisaninformalgroupthathasnofinancialinterestinthebusiness.Theyarementorswhocanprovideknowledge,skillsandexperiencetohelpyoubecomemorecompetitiveandthinkstrategically,andtheycanadviseaboutspecificissues.Anadvisoryboardcanalsoprovidefeedbackon

ideas,assistwithproblemsorsimplyofferthoughtsaboutwhat’shappeningintheworldandhowitmightaffectthebusiness.

Anyonecanbeanadvisor,thoughit’sbesttohaveadiverserangeofperspectivesandbackgrounds.Itmaybeanindividualwho’smentoredyouinotherareasofyourlife,someoneyou’vegottentoknowthroughnetworkingorapersonyoualreadyhaveabusinessrelationshipwith,suchasanattorneyoraccountant.Lookforqualitiessuchashonesty,objectivity,specificknowledgeoutsideyourskillsetandagoodreputationinhis/herfieldand/orcommunity.Advisorsshouldalsobewell-connectedwithnetworksthatcanbeleveragedtoassistyou.

• Be careful about using family members as advisors. Theirjudgmentmaybecloudedbythe

naturaldesiretoseeyousucceed.Also,limittheadvisoryboardtothreetofivememberstoeliminatetoomuchconflictingadvice.

• Don’t assume your prospective advisory board candidates want to be “on call” whenever they’re needed. Invitethemtoparticipateinwriting,andexplainhowyouhopetobenefitfromtheirknowledge.Beexplicitastowhetheranykindofhonorariumisinvolved.Mostadvisorsfreelygivetheirtime,butdon’tassumethat’sthecase.

• Ask advisors to sign a non-disclosure and/or non-competition agreement. Thismaysoundexcessive,butsuchdocumentsarenecessarytoensuretheconfidentialityofyourdiscussions.

• Consulting with advisors individually is fine on occasion, but the real benefits derive from meeting with them as a group. Arrangeamutuallyconvenienttimeandlocation,andprepareanagendathataddressesprioritieswithoutbeingexcessive.Besuretoincludeplentyoftimeforquestions–bothtoandfromyouradvisors.Theymayraiseissuesthathadn’toccurredtoyouandposescenariosthegroupcancollaborateon.

To learn more about starting an advisory board, or for a free and confidential one-on-one counseling session, contact the Mobile SCORE chapter, housed at the Mobile Area Chamber, at 431-8614, or visit online at www.mobilescorechapter.org.


TheMobileAreaChamberremainsoneoftheleadingandmostrespectedeconomicdevelopmentorganizationsintheSoutheasternU.S.,accordingtositeselectors,privateindustryexecutivesandnationalpublications.Incoordinationwithitsmanypartners,theChamberhaseffectivelyandefficientlyidentifieditsstrengthsandopportunitiesinordertohelpcontinuetobuildadiversifiedeconomy.

“PartnersforGrowth–BelieveintheFuture”willenabletheChamber,throughastrongpublic-privatepartnership,tosustainandaccelerateMobile’seconomicgrowththrough2017.Theprogramofworkhasbeenlaunched,andagroupofdedicatedvolunteers,ledbyJoelDavesrecentlyretiredfromRegionsBankandMikeSaxonwithAlabamaPowerCo.,seta$10milliongoaltoimplementan

aggressiveprogramfocusingonfourkeyareas–ExistingBusinessRetentionandExpansion,NewBusinessDevelopment/Attraction,WorkforceDevelopmentandInfrastructureandBusinessClimateImprovement.

Tolearnmoreaboutthisprogramandhowitcanbenefityourcompany,contactShellyMattingly,coordinatorofinvestorrelations,[email protected].

Partners for Growth – Believe in the Future

ThE GOALs Partners for Growth – Believe in the Future campaign will produce the following attainable and measurable improvements for the Mobile Bay area over the five-year (2013-2017) period:

• Create 4,000 new jobs with an average annual wage of $40,000;

• Attract new and expansion project capital investment of $1.5 billion; and

• Conduct 750 calls on existing industry for job retention and expansion opportunities.

Initiative One:EXIsTInG BusInEss RETEnTIOn AnD EXPAnsIOnGoal:PromotetheretentionandexpansionofexistingindustriesinMobileCounty.

strategic Objectives:•Partnerwithlocalindustrytorecruit upstreamanddownstreamcompanies toMobile;•ExpandtheForeignTradeZoneand markettheadvantagesandbenefits oftheEnterpriseZoneswithinthearea;•Formalizeabusinesscallingprogram toidentifygrowthandexpansion opportunities;•Establishnewprogramstoassist businesseswithinnovation,production andresearch;•Providecustomizedbusinessservices;•Developandmarketnewprogramsthat helpsmallbusinessesaddressrevenue growthandprofitability,andaccessto newmarkets;and•Establishlinkswithnewventurecapital investorsoutsidetheregionandsolicit theirentryintotheMobileareamarket.

Resource Allocation:$3.5million(35percent)

Initiative Two: nEW BusInEss DEVELOPMEnT/ ATTRACTIOn Goal:AttractnewjobsandinvestmentinMobileCounty.

strategic Objectives:•Strategictargetingofbestfit/target industries: Aviation/Aerospace BiomedicalandInformationTechnology AdvancedManufacturing Maritime/Shipbuilding Energy Logistics/Distribution

•Organizeandexecuteforeigntrade missions;•Supporttrade-relatededucationalevents forlocalindustry;•Participateinkeyindustrytradeshows;•Conductdomesticandinternational seminarsondoingbusinessinMobile;• Enhancemarketingefforts(travel, materials,website,etc.);• Developrobustresearchcapabilitiesto providecurrent,customizeddataand information;•Increasepublicrelationsefforts, targetingnationalmedia;and•Organizeandhost“redcarpet”and familiarizationtoursforsiteselectors, allies,andotherdecisionmakersand influencers.

Resource Allocation: $3.5million(35percent)

Initiative Three: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMEnT Goal:Improveworkforcedevelopmentforallsegmentsofthepopulation.

strategic Objectives:•PartnerwithSouthwestAlabama WorkforceDevelopmentCouncil (SAWDC)toincreasecommunication andmutualunderstandingbetween employersandalltrainingand educationalinstitutions;•PartnerwithSAWDCtoexpandand coordinatetheWorldsofOpportunity program;• Enhanceresearchcapabilitiesneededto maintainadatabaseofcomprehensive labormarketinformation;•Coordinateandleverageallworkforce resourceagenciestoassistinnew businessrecruitment;•PartnerwithSAWDCtomarketcritical occupationsintheMobileBayregion;•ExpandtheBayAreaHealthcare

Coalition’sHealthOccupationsCareer FairandSummerScrubs;and• Activelysupportandpromotethe MobileAreaEducationFoundation’s 80/20initiative.

Resource Allocation: $1.5million(15percent)

Initiative Four: InFRAsTRuCTuRE AnD BusInEss CLIMATE IMPROVEMEnTGoal:MakeMobileCountyanevenbetterplacetodobusinessandthemostviablelocationtoinvestinphysicalandhumanassets.Paramounttotheseareanimprovedtransportationinfrastructure,(roads,bridges,airservice)andtheregulatory/taxclimate.

strategic Objectives:•Deliveraneffectivelegislative,advocacy andlobbyingeffortthatbuildsthe necessaryprivate/publicpartnershipsto secureneededinfrastructure;•Advocateforabusiness-friendly environmentatthelocal,stateand federallevels;•LeadbusinesssupportfortheCoastal AlabamaLeadershipCouncil’seffortsto buildamoresustainable,resilientregion thatbalancesjobgrowthandourquality oflife;•FormalizeandbroadenanI-10bridge coalitiontodeepencommunity involvementandsecurefederalapproval oftheproject;•Dedicateresourcesandexpertiseand leverageairportusersinaneffortto securemorecompetitiveairservice;and•Provideleadershiponregional,long- rangeplanningefforts.

Resource Allocation:$1.5million(15percent)

2013-2017 Economic Development Program Initiatives


E ach year, the Mobile Area Chamber holds its annual

total resource campaign with volunteers and staff recruiting memberships, sponsorships and more to help the Chamber continue its mission of being a progressive business advocate. As part of the campaign, volunteers are overseen by a leader in the community. Joel Daves, recently retired president of Regions Bank and member of the Regions Bank South Alabama Advisory Board, has agreed to serve as chairman for 2012. He is also helping raise pledges for the Chamber’s economic development campaign, Partners for Growth.

Thisyear’seffortkicksoffThursday,May3,withagoalof$1.5million.Buthewon’tbeworkingalone–nearly80volunteersfrommorethan30membercompanieswillbejoiningDaves.

“WeareatacriticaljunctureinsouthwestAlabama,anditisgoingtobeimportanttobuildontheeconomicdevelopmentsuccessofthelast10to15years,”saidDaves.“Therearealotofexcitingopportunities,andthecontinuedabilityofourChambertoengageactivelyisimportantforthesuccessofbusinessesinourregionandourqualityoflife.”

ThroughhisworkwithChamberChase,andseparatelyontheChamber’sPartnersforGrowthcampaign,Daveshasabird’s-eyeviewoftheworktakingplaceatthestaffandvolunteerlevel,andknowstheorganization’ssuccesscomesfromthestrongpoolofdedicatedvolunteersinplace.

“Volunteersareabletointeractwiththebusinesscommunitybycontactingtheirclientsandcustomers,”saidCarolyn

Regions Bank Executive to Lead Chamber Chase Campaign

Premier Medical PhysiciansENT PhysiciansRONNIE E. SWAIN, MDW. CARTER BRYARS, JR., MDBARRY L. BROWN, MDJAMES R. SPIRES, JR., MDJOHN S. WILSON, MD, FACSJAMES K. PITCOCK, MDP. VAN. CROCKER, MDMARK R. GACEK, MDALFRED M. NEUMANN, JR., MDRONNIE E. SWAIN, JR., MDJ. MARK HARRISON, MDKIMBERLY ELLIOTT, MDMICHAEL LEE, MDRICHARD L. PALESANO, MD

AudiologyJIM MCDILL, PHDJENNIFER TAYLOR-GUY, AUD

Eye PhysiciansJAMES M. HARRISON, JR., MDCLAUDE M. WARREN, III, MDROLLINS L. TINDELL, JR., MDCHARLES R. SALISBURY, MDMATTHEW W. MOSTELLER, MDCHARLES S. MOSTELLER, MDRICHARD J. DUFFEY, MDH. CHRISTOPHER SEMPLE, MDANDREW P. TERRY, MDSTUART F. BALL, MDWILLIAM F. MURRAH, III, MDMARK J. DOUGLAS, MDCURTIS M. GRAF, JR., MDBEN F. KING, ODGREGORY R. JACKSON, ODROBERT E. EDGE, ODVALERIE L. VICK, MDJAY A. BROWN, MDCHARLES F. JONES, M.D.JEFFERY A. MORROW, O.D.CHRIS WALTON, MDERIN E. LICHTENSTEIN, MD


Specialists in Small Business Accounting, Tax Preparation, Payroll and IRS Representation

SATy PuTchACell: 251-604-3802

Email: [email protected] Website: www.putchallc.com

1521 Dawes Rd. Mobile, Alabama 36695 Phone: 251-666-6624

Saty Putcha

Saty was selected as the 2011 Diplomat of the Year

by the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce.

Saty was selected as the 2011 Diplomat of the Year

by the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce.

Golson,theChamber’svicepresidentofmembership.“Notonlydoteamsbenefitfromtheexposureandnetworkingwithothervolunteers,it’salinktodevelopingstrongerrelationshipswithcustomers.VolunteerscaninformtheircustomersaboutopportunitiesavailableattheChamberandcanalsousetheirinvolvementwiththecampaigntoopendoorswithpotentialcustomers.”

“ChamberChaseisanoutstandingopportunitynotonlytoparticipateinthegrowthofthecommunitybutalsoforindividualstoparticipateandearngreatincentivesalongtheway,”addedDaves.“Foremployers,it’sanexcellentopportunityfortheirparticipatingteammemberstoexpandrelationshipswiththeirexistingclientsaswellasdevelopnewones.”

Tovolunteer,sponsorateam,donateadoorprizeforthevolunteersorgetinvolved,contactGolsonat431-8622orcgolson@mobilechamber.comorvisitwww.chamberchase.com.

Visit the campaign website, www.chamberchase.com, for ideas.

Join the Chamber.

Raise your visibility by joining the Chamber’s board of advisors.

Gain exposure for your company by sponsoring an event.

Promote your business with an advertisement in a Chamber publication.

Contact Carolyn Golson at 431-8622 for details.

how to Get Involvedhow can the business community be a part of the Mobile Area Chamber’s annual Total Resource Development campaign, Chamber Chase?

Alabama Power Co.

Arkema

BankTrust

BB&T

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama

Commonwealth National Bank

Community Bank

Evonik-Degussa

Hancock Bank

iBERIABANK

International Shipholding Corp.

Jeff Tesney Photography

LLB&B Inc. Real Estate

Lewis Communications

Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors

Mobile Gas

PNC Bank

Regions Bank

Thompson Engineering

Wells Fargo

Teams Participating as of April 2012:


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CitinghiscontinuousserviceformorethanaquartercenturyandassistanceinunifyingtheMobileCityCouncil,theCottageHillCivitanClubnamedMobileCityCouncilmanandPresidentReggieCopelandasits2011MobilianoftheYear.

CopelandwaselectedtotheMobileCityCouncilforconsecutivefour-yeartermsbeginningin1985.Hehasservedasthecouncil’spresidentthreetimesandiscurrentlyservinginthatcapacity.

Inadditiontohispoliticalcareer,Copelandhasservedthecommunityinavarietyofotherways,includingasaboardmemberoftheMobileAreaChamberofCommerceandtheSouthAlabamaRegionalPlanningCommission,andwithleadershiprolesindevelopingtheDistinguishedYoungWomenprogram,Copeland-CoxMobileTennisCenter,

MobileBayBears,RiverfrontPark,Omnimax,ConventionCenter,museums,parksandlibraries.

“Mr.CopelandhasrepresentedthecityofMobilewellovertheyearsandhelpedpromoteourcitytoothersacrossthestate,regionandcountry,”saidRandyEckhoff,MobilianoftheYearchairmanforthe

CottageHillCivitanClub.AgraduateofMurphyHighSchool,

CopelandattendedbothSpringHillCollegeandtheUniversityofAlabama–MobileCenter.AfterservingtwoyearsintheKoreanWar,CopelandreturnedtoMobileandbeganhisinvolvementinavarietyofcivicgroups.

Theawardisgivenannuallytoindividualswhohave“madeanextraordinary,positiveimpactontheMobilecommunity.”CopelandreceivedtheawardinApril.

Reggie Copeland Named Mobilian of the Year

Copeland

Chamber hires new Economic Development Project Coordinator

CesnySoffronoffisthenewprojectcoordinatorfortheMobileAreaChamber’seconomicdevelopmentdepartment.

Theyoungestofthreechildren,SoffronoffwasbornandraisedinPittsburgh.AftergraduatingfromGenevaCollegeinwesternPennsylvaniawithabachelor’sdegreeinhumanservices,herdesiretoadvancehereducationinthehealthcareindustrybroughthertoMobile,wheresheearnedamaster’sdegreeinpublicadministrationfromtheUniversityofSouthAlabama.

Aftergraduation,SoffronoffworkedwithTouchingHeartsSeniorCare,anin-homecareserviceforseniors,astheassociatedirectorofadministration,wheresheperformedin-home

assessmentswithclients,coordinatedmeetings,processedpayrollandscheduledcaregivers.

TroyWayman,theChamber’svicepresidentofeconomicdevelopment,says,“Cesnyisdefinitelyagreatassettoourdepartment.Hertalentandinitiativehavealreadyhadapositive

impactonourprojects.”Asprojectcoordinator,Soffronoffwill

directprojectsandprogramsinsupportofrecruitment,workforcedevelopment,andbusinessretentionandexpansion.Shewillalsoberesponsibleforcoordinatingandadministeringthedepartment’seconomicdevelopmentandcommunityprojectsandvariousadministrativeduties.

[email protected].

soffronoff


investor focus

Company officials:LeeThuston,firmmanagingpartner;EdwardG.IsaacsBowron,managingpartner,Mobile;JamesW.LowreyJr.,chiefoperatingofficer;andDebBecker,legaladministrator,Mobile

Years in business: 103

Brief company description: Burr&FormanLLPisacentury-old,full-servicelawfirmwithnearly250attorneysandofficesinAlabama,Florida,Georgia,MississippiandTennessee.Burr&Formanoffersawiderangeofbusinessandlitigationservicestodiverseclientswithlocal,nationalandinternationalinterests.

Why are you located in Mobile?“EconomicdevelopmentisthedriverforMobile,”saidBowron.“Burr&Formanisaleaderinthefield,representingseveral

automotivemanufacturersandactivelyworkingwithThyssenKruppfromthestartofconstructiontoopeningandbeyond.ThefirmneededandwantedapresenceinMobileaswesawtherecentindustrydevelopmentsandbusinessgrowthinthearea.Mobileisashiningstarandhasuniquefeaturesforevenmoregrowthinthefuture.”

Why do you support the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce’s Partners for Growth initiative? “Economicdevelopmentopportunitiesaregoingtocontinuetooccur,”saidBowron.“PeoplewilllookatMobile’sinfrastructure,waterwaysandrailsandseethepotential.WithBurr&Forman’spresenceinthecommunity,wefeelitisavoteofconfidenceinthecommunityanditsgreatpotentialtocontinuetogrow.”

What do you see as Mobile’s greatest potential?“MobilehasBrookley,thewaterfront,andveryuniquefeatures,”saidBowron.“WeknowthereareandwillcontinuetobeopportunitiestoexpandourscopeoflegalservicesinMobile,andwearelookingtowardthefuture.Wewanttohaveapresencehereandbereadywithexceptionaltalenttomeettheneedsofthebusinesscommunity.”

Length of continuous Chamber membership:17years

Burr & Forman LLP

Partners for Growth (PFG) is the Mobile Area Chamber’s

long-term economic and community development

program. For more information, contact Shelly Mattingly, the Chamber’s investor relations coordinator,

at 431-8655 or [email protected].

The Mobile office of Burr & Forman LLP is located in the RSA Tower and consists of more than 40 attorneys, legal assistants, paralegals, secretaries and administrative staff.


Company: GulfCoastExploreumScienceCenter

Title: ExecutiveDirector

hometown:St.Louis,Mo.

Education:Jasperingearnedabachelor’sdegreeinEnglishliteraturefromtheUniversityofMissouri.

First job: LifeguardatStouffer’sRiverfrontHotel

Previous experience:JasperingservedaspresidentofGiantScreenCinemaAssociation(GSCA),vicepresidentofsalesandmarketingattheSaintLouisScienceCenter(SLSC),andcommunicationsdirectorforMosbyPublishing.

Accomplishments:Jasperingcreatedamajorindustryorganization,GSCA,bymergingtwogiant-screentheaterassociationstogether.SheexpandedtheassociationintotheemergingChinamarketbyinitiatingthefirstevermulti-theatermarketingworkshopandcreatedtheGSCAAsianFilmExpo.

What changes can we expect at the Exploreum? “Wewilldevelopsmallplacesofdiscoveryeverywhereinthesciencecenter,”saidJaspering.“Evenwhenyou’resittingonabench,therewillbesomethingtodo,readorwatchthatstimulatescuriosity.Everynookwillholdasurprisingopportunitytolearn.Youwon’tbeabletodoeverythinginonevisit.”SheplanstoemphasizeprogrammingforallagesintheIMAXDomeTheater,hostcasualconversationsaboutscienceattheScienceCafés,holdexclusivespecialeventsformembersandmore.

secret to success:“Takeontheprojectsnooneelsewantstodoandmakethemsuccessful.”

Brief company description: TheExploreumoffershands-on,informallearningexperiencesforallageswithmorethan100hands-onexhibitsintwopermanentgalleries,aspecialexhibitionhall,classroomsandIMAXDomeTheater.

Gretchen JasperingCEO profile


International Trade Partners with sBA

TheChamber’stradedivisionandsmallbusinessdevelopmentdepartmentarepartneringwiththeSmallBusinessAdministrationtoorganizeandhost“Beginner’sGuidetoExporting.”Thishalf-dayseminar,scheduledforJuly10,willofferadviceforcompaniesandindividualslookingtobreakintotheglobalmarket.Speakerswillfocusonlogistics,internationalbanking,governmentassistance,andinternationalizingacompany’swebsite.Tolearnmoreaboutthisseminar,[email protected].

BRE Outlines 2012 GoalsTheBusinessRetentionandExpansion

(BRE)committee,chairedbyJoeRellaofAustalUSA,outlinedits2012goalstoincludeatargetedfocusonthemanufacturingindustrysector.Usingatargetsectorapproachleadstoabetterunderstandingoftheopportunitiesandchallengesfacingtheindustrysector,enablingtheBREcommitteetoprovideassistancethathasabroaderreachandimpact.

Chamber Co-sponsors sBA Matchmaker Event

TheChamber’ssmallbusinessdevelopmentdepartment,inpartnershipwiththeUniversityofSouthAlabama’sSmallBusinessDevelopmentCenter,co-sponsoredamatchmakingeventfortheU.S.SmallBusinessAdministration.Morethan100smallbusinessownersmetone-on-onewithvariousfederal,stateandlocalgovernmentagenciesandotherlargecorporationstomakebusinessmatchestohelpgrowtheirbusinesses.Morethan385appointmentsweresetduringtheevent.

Transportation CoalitionMoving Forward

TheChamber’stransportationcoalition,heardapresentationfromtheU.S.ChamberofCommerce’sJanetKavinoky,vice-presidentofAmericansforTransportationMobility,ontheproposedfederalsurfacetransportationreauthorizationlegislation.Ifabipartisanagreementisn’treached,a40percentcutinallfederaltransportationfundingisanticipated.KavinokyalsospokewiththeChamber’sBusinessRetentionandExpansionCommitteeonthisissue.

Chamber Contracts with sAWDC on Worlds of Opportunity

TheSouthwestAlabamaWorkforceDevelopmentCouncil(SAWDC)contractedwiththeChambertomanagethe2012WorldsofOpportunity(WoO).Aregionalmeetingwillbeheldthismonthforcommunityleadersandelectedofficialsintheeight-countyregionsupportedbySAWDCtore-engagetheschoolsystems,governmentofficialsandtheeconomicdevelopmentandchamberrepresentativeswithSAWDCandWoO.WoOwillbeheldSept.26-27attheMobileCivicCenter.Typicallythistwo-dayeventdrawsmorethan9,500eighth-gradestudentswheretheycaninvestigatecareeroptions.

sCORE Meets Budding Entrepreneurs

SCORE’sMobileChapter,housedattheChamber,counseledmorethan15smallbusinessownersinFebruary.SCOREprovidesconfidentialone-on-onebusinessconsultingforentrepreneursonavarietyoftopicsincludingbusinessplans,marketing,fundingandgrowth.Toscheduleanappointment,call431-8614.

Chamber@work

Work Out + Nutritional Counseling =

Guaranteed Results

One membership…three locations:*ProHealth Fitness Center, Mobile, 251-435-2010*North Baldwin Fitness Center, Bay Minette, 251-937-9099 Thomas Fitness Center, Fairhope, 251-279-1684 * Free childcare available at these facilities.

InfIrmary HealtH fItness Centers

More, devoted to your care.

Ask About

Our Corporate

Rates!

G u A R A N t e e d Results PRogRam

Find us on Facebook

“I lost 13 pounds in one month.” –Stacy L.

Chamber helping ACCIOn Expand Locally

TheSmallBusinessCouncil,facilitatedbytheChamber,metwithlenderACCIONTexasInc.,whichisexpandingitsorganizationintoAlabama.Morethan20peopleattendedthissession,representingprivateindustryandbanking,nonprofitsandcitygovernment.ACCIONisamicrolenderprovidingloanstosmallbusinesses.questionsfromthecommitteeregardingissueslocalmanufacturersface.

Providing Access to CapitalTheChamber-operatedMBDABusiness

Centerandsmallbusinessdevelopmentdepartmentheldan“AccesstoCapitalMatchmaking”eventforasmallgroupofsmallandminority-ownedbusinesses.Thesessionprovidedsmallbusinessownersanopportunitytospeakone-on-onewithbankinginstitutionsandotherlendersincluding:RegionsBank,CommunityBank,CommunityEnterpriseInvestmentsInc.,SouthAlabamaRegionalPlanningCommissionandWallaceCapitalFunding.Tensmallbusinessownersattendedthisevent.


Board of AdvisorsMelissa Morrissette isco-ownerandvice

presidentofLLB&BInc.RealEstate.Sheearnedabachelor’sdegreefromSweetBriarCollege.SheisatrusteeforSt.Paul’sEpiscopalSchool,servesontheboardoftheMobileAreaEducationFoundationandchairstheMobileRealtorsCharitableFoundation.MorrissettehasheldleadershippositionswiththeJuniorLeagueofMobile,theMobileAreaChamberandtheMobileAreaAssociationofRealtors.SheisagraduateofLeadershipMobileandLeadershipAlabama.LLB&BisaPartnersforGrowthInvestor.

David Randel ispresidentoftheMobileBayConvention&VisitorsBureau(MBCVB).Randelisaveteranofthetourismindustry,havingserved33yearswithMarriottInternational.RandelisamemberoftheDistinguishedSpeakersSeriesattheUniversityofCentralFloridahospitalityschool.HeisagraduateoftheUniversityofNevada,LasVegas,withadegreeinhospitalitymanagement.Priortohisappointmentaspresident,RandelservedasMBCVB’svicepresidentofconventionsalesforthreeyearsandasinterimpresidentforoneyear.

Bonnie Tully isvicepresidentandsitemanagerfortheMobileoperationsofEvonikDegussaCorp.Tullyearnedabachelor’sdegreeinmechanicalengineeringfromTexasA&MUniversity.ShebeganhercareerasaprojectengineerwithRohm&HaasinHouston,andhasworkedinawiderangeofengineeringandmanufacturingassignments.RecentlysheservedasplantmanagerforEvonik’slubricantadditivesfacilityinSingapore.

Morrissette

Randel

TullyFormoreinformationabouttheChamber’sboardofadvisors,

[email protected].

Women’s Roundtable Gaining in Popularity

Everyothermonth,theChamberhoststheWomen’sRoundtable,aforumforwomenbusinessownersandmanagerstonetwork,shareideasandlearnmoreaboutMobile.InFebruary,MakedaNicholswithStateFarmInsurancespokeaboutexitplansforbusinessownersandmanagers,andmorethan20peopleattended.InApril,BeckyGinn,vicepresidentoffieldservices,andChristinaQuick,regionaldirectorfortheAlabamaGulfCoastAmericanHeartAssociation,talkedabouttheno.1killerofwomen,heartdisease.Morethan25peopleattendedthisevent.

PR Think Tank MeetsInFebruary,theChamber’sPRThink

TankmetwithrepresentedattendeesfromthecityofMobile,AlabamaStatePortAuthority,MobileAirportAuthority,UniversityofSouthAlabama,DowntownMobileAllianceandtheMobileBayCVBtoshareinformationanddevelopstrategiesforpublicizingMobileheadlineslocally,nationallyandinternationally.

Chamber@work

Can Your Business Survive A Disaster?

20% of all companies will suffer fire,

theft, flood or storm damage, power

failures, sabotage, hardware failure or

software/data corruption.

Of those without a Business Continuity Plan:

• 43% never re-open

• 80% fail within 13 months

• 53% never fully recoup their losses

Call today to learn more251.650.2231

www.mcgnow.net

Chair of Gulf Coast Technology Council named

MikeHickswithHixardtTechnologiesInc.wasnamed2012chairoftheGulfCoastTechnologyCouncil(GCTC),andJohnStropeofDogwoodProductionswasnamedvicechairofGCTCandwillserveaschairofthescholarshipsubcommittee.Morethan40peopleattendedaFebruaryGCTCmeetingthatfeaturedTonyZodrow,executivedirectorofGulfQuestMaritimeMuseum.Zodrowtalkedaboutthetechnologyandautomationdesignedintothenewmaritimemuseum,settoopeninthespringof2013. Member Grand Openings and Ribbon Cuttings

Greer’sGrandBayMarket,KitchenDesignandCabinetry,MercyLIFE,OninStaffingandSunriseDermatologyrecentlyheldgrandopeningsandribboncuttings.IfyourbusinessisamemberandyouwouldlikeassistancewithplanningagrandopeningorribboncuttingeventcontactDawnRencherat431-8649ordrencher@mobilechamber.com.

Pork & Politics still a“Pork-tacular” Event

Pork&PoliticsintheParkwasheldatBattleshipMemorialParkinFebruary,withmorethan400inattendance.ThisyearattendeesparticipatedinastrawpolltoshowsupportforcandidatesontheMarchprimaryballot.

Air service Task Force MeetsTheChamber’sAirServicetaskforce

low-costcarriersubcommitteeheardapresentationfromconsultantJerryRayonnecessarystepstorecruitalow-costcarriertoMobile.RaychargedtheMobileAirportAuthorityandmembersofthesubcommitteewithactionitemsintherecruitmentprocess.

Chamber Works with ADOon Trade Awards

TheinternationaltradedivisionworkedwiththeAlabamaDevelopmentOfficeandExportAlabamatofinalizenominationsfortheGovernor’s2012TradeExcellenceAward.Mobile-headquarteredCentraLiteisoneofthisyear’srecipients.

Engaging the next GenerationTheChamberagainsupportedMobile

United’sEngagingtheNextGenerationeventattheMobileMuseumofArtinFebruarybystaffingaboothandprovidinginformationaboutopportunitiesforinvolvementwiththeChamber.TheeventisdesignedtoidentifybuddingleadersintheMobileareaandencouragethemtofindorganizationstosupport.


Phot

o by

Jeff

Tesn

ey P

hoto

grap

hy

Bolton

Ambassador of the Month

Claire BoltonInAugust,ClaireBoltonjoinedthe

MobileAreaChamber’sambassadorprogram,welcomingnewcomerstothebusinesscommunity.“Mobileisagreatplacetolive,”shesaid,addingthatsheenjoysmakingpeoplefeelwelcomedheretoo.BoltonistheChamber’sAmbassadoroftheMonth.

BoltonismarketingdirectorforExpressEmploymentProfessionals,afull-serviceemploymentagencyprovidinghumanresourcesolutionstobusinessclientsseekingstaffingassistance.Sheisresponsibleformarketing,media,networkingandeventplanningforthestaffingcompany.

Down Home Cooking • New Entrees DailyShort Orders and Salads

$6.00 Lunch - Entree, 3 Sides, Bread & Tea

Located inside Mobile Regional Senior Center3201 Hillcrest Road • 251-661-0219

HOURS 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Visit us for lunch.Open to the public.

$6.00 lunch DAILY

HOME COOKING • SHORT ORDERS

Find us on Facebook

OwnersCharlieThompson(left)andChrisSholler(right)foundedGroundSwellWebDesignstohelpcompaniesmarkettheirbusinessontheInternet.Thecompanyofferswebsitedesign,e-commerceandInternetmarketingservices.BasedinMobile,itservesclientsacrossthecountry.Formoreinformation,visitwww.groundswellwd.com.

Business spotlight of the Month: Groundswell Web Designs

The Business Spotlight of the Month is selected at random from a business

card drawing at the Chamber’s monthly

Business After Hours event.


Comparative

Economic IndicatorsThe Mobile Area Chamber’s research division collects a variety of statistics each month.

February 2012 vs February 2011

EmployedMobile/Baldwin counties

247,3192012

238,8232011

Business LicensesCity of Mobile

2502012

2332011

$114,6762012

$123,4532011

Average selling Price Mobile County

unemployment Rates

8.8%2012

10.1%2011

homes sold⌦Mobile County

2362012

23020111902012

2022011

Building PermitsCity of Mobile

20,6922012

19,4292011

Air Passengers From Mobile Area

Value of Building Permits

$6,707,4082012

$13,459,9712011


May Calendar of Events

1 Lunch Matters - Franchising: What’s in it For You

DianePhibbsofCalabrandMarketingwilldiscusstheprosandconsoffranchisingandwhattolookforinasuccessfulfranchiseonTuesday,May1,atLunchMatters–Franchising–What’sinitForYou.BasedinAtlanta,PhibbsisaconsultantforChecker’sRestaurants.Theeventwillbeheldfrom11a.m.to1p.m.intheChamber’sTricentennialRoom,451GovernmentSt.

Thecosttoattendis$20formembersand$25forpotentialmembers,andincludeslunch.ReservationsarerequiredandcanbemadebycontactingBrendaRembertat431-8607orbrembert@mobilechamber.com.

For information on Chamber events, visit events.mobilechamber.com.

15 Executive Roundtable*Members Only

KeithGraham,anaccountantwithGraham,BrownandDuttonwillprovideanupdateonthehealthcarereformactduringExecutiveRoundtable,amonthlyforumexclusivelyforChamber-membersmallbusinessownersandmanagers.ThemeetingwillbeheldonTuesday,May15,from8to9a.m.intheMobileAreaChamber’sBoardRoom,451GovernmentSt.

Thereisnochargetoattend,butseatingislimited.ForreservationscontactBrendaRembertat431-8607orbrembert@mobilechamber.com.

23 networking on steroids

Areyouwonderingwhythehoursyouspendnetworkingresultinverylittlenewbusiness?Youmaynothaveanetworkingstrategy.OnWednesday,May23,theMobileAreaChamberwillpresentNetworkingonSteroidswithJaniceMalone,executivedirectorofBNIBusinessResourceCenter.Theeventwillbeheldfrom1:30to5p.m.intheChamber’sTricentennialRoom,451GovernmentSt.Attendeeswillbegindevelopingtheirownstrategicnetworkingplan.

Thecosttoattendis$39formembersand$49forpotentialmembers.ReservationscanbemadebycontactingBrendaRembertat431-8607orbrembert@mobilechamber.com.

Armed Forces Day

Seestoryonpage5formoreinformation.

8

24 Business After hours

JoinChambermembersonThursday,May24,from5:30to7p.m.forBusinessAfterHours,sponsoredbyArmyAviationCenterFederalCreditUnion,andheldattheChamber,451GovernmentSt.ThispopularChambereventisagreatvenuetointroduceyourcompanyandmakenewcontacts.

Thecosttoattendis$5formembersand$10forpotentialmembers.Reservationsarenotnecessary.Formoreinformation,[email protected].

28 Chamber Closed Memorial Day

CONNECTwith the Chamber

linkedin.comGroup-MobileAreaChamberofCommerce

Join us.

facebook.com/MobileChamber

Like us.

twitter.com/MobileChamber

Follow us.

youtube.com/MobileChamberWatch us.

networking@noon*Members Only

WhereelsebutatNetworking@Nooncanyoumeet40businesspeopleandhave45secondstointroduceyourcompanytoothers?SponsoredbyC-SpireWireless,thisbi-monthlyeventwillbeheldWednesday,May9,atBuffaloWildWings,6341AirportBlvd.,fromnoonto1:30p.m.

Networking@NoonisforMobileAreaChambermembersonlyandlimitedtoonerepresentativepercompany.

Thecostis$10andincludeslunch.ReservationsarerequirednolaterthanMay7,andcanbemadebycontactingMissyHartleyat431-8638ormhartley@mobilechamber.com.Paymentisrequiredatthetimeofreservation.

9

21 state of the City and County

June Save the Date

Are you connected...to the latest business news

in the Mobile area on a weekly basis?

If not, then subscribe now for FREE by sending an e-mail to Ashley horn at [email protected].

The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

E-newsletter...


Gleason&AssociatesisnowGleason&RoberdsCommercialRealEstateServicesandInvestments.Thenewaddressis6159OmniParkDr.,Ste.B.Thephonenumberis342-1636.

XProvidenceHospitalisnowoffering

thedaVinci®SurgicalSystem,asophisticatedroboticsurgicaltechnologyofferingaminimallyinvasiveoptionforcardiothoracic,general,gynecologicalandurologicalsurgeryproceduresforpatients.

XTheGulfCoastExploreumScience

Centerwillofferhomeschoolprogramstosupplementhomeschooledstudents’sciencecurricula.Formoreinformation,visitwww.expoloreum.com.

XMobileBayTransportationInc.

relocateditsheadquartersto3024AirportBlvd.,nearBelAirMall.Formoreinformation,call476-7711.

iBERIABANKnamedScottHallCoopertotheMobileAdvisoryBoard.CooperispresidentofCrescentTowingandSalvageinNewOrleansandexecutivevicepresidentofCooper/T.Smith.

XFryeGaillard,a

UniversityofSouthAlabamawriter-in-residence,receivedthe2012ClarenceCasonAwardinnonfictionwritingfromTheUniversityofAlabama.Gaillard,agraduateofVanderbiltUniversity,wasrecognizedforhiswritingabouttheCivilRightsMovementasitunfoldedacrosstheSouth.TheawardisnamedforClarenceCason,whofoundedTheUniversityofAlabamajournalismdepartmentin1928.

XTheGrandHotelMarriottResort

GolfClubandSpawasrecognizedinTennismagazine’sMarchissueasoneofthe“Top50TennisResortsintheCountryfor2012.”

WilkinsMillerHieronymusannouncedtheadditionofBrooksHieronymustothefirm.Hereceivedamaster’sdegreeintaxaccountingfromTheUniversityofAlabamaandabachelor’sdegreeinaccountingfromtheUniversityofMississippi.

X

KristenTaylorAshworthandRicardoO.WoodswerenamednewpartnersintheMobileofficeofBurr&FormanLLP.Ashworth’spracticeisgenerallitigation,withaconcentrationinemploymentlaw.Woodspracticesinthefirm’slitigationdivisionwithanemphasisonbusinesslitigation,productliability,insurancelitigationandmedialaw.

X

ProvidenceHospitalannouncedthreeappointments.ToddS.Kennedywasnamedsystemexecutivevicepresidentandchiefoperatingofficer.

Hereceivedmaster’sdegreesinhealthadministrationandbusinessadministrationfromUniversityofAlabamaatBirminghamandearnedabachelor’sdegreeinhealthadministrationfromAuburnUniversity.GordonHessie,directorofradiologyandoutpatientdiagnostics,holdsamaster’sdegreeinbusinessadministration.LaurenThompson,clinicalnutritionmanager,earnedabachelor’sdegreeinfoodandnutritionsciencesfromAuburnUniversity.

XMaryVollmerKendrickjoinedVERGE

AdvertisingAgencyasdirectorofoperations.ShepreviouslyservedaschiefexecutiveofficerofCompleteMedicalEquipment.

HargroveEngineers+ConstructorshiredDoyleR.JohnsonasitsNewEnglandoperationsleader.Johnsonearnedabachelor’sdegreeinchemicalengineeringfromCornellUniversityinNewYork,amaster’sdegreeinorganicchemistryfromNortheasternUniversityandamaster’sinbusinessadministrationdegreefromBabsonCollegeofWellesley,Mass.

XHarborFinancial

ServicesnamedMatthewLursenchieffinancialofficer.Lursenhasbachelor’sandmaster’sdegreesinbusinessfromSpring

HillCollege.HeisalsoacertifiedpublicaccountantandholdsaSeries28financiallicense.Hehasmorethan10yearsexperienceinpublicaccounting.

X

ColdwellBankerUnited,REALTORSMobileOfficewelcomednewagentsJeanneMcKayandLilyBlock.

XTheMedical

SocietyofMobileCounty,theprofessionalorganizationofphysiciansinMobile,hiredWendyL.Bedsoleasexecutivedirector.Bedsolehasmorethan13yearsexperienceworkinginorganizedmedicinethroughsocietymanagement.

XVerizon

WirelessnamedKristaBournepresidentoftheHouston/GulfCoastregion.Shewilloverseedirectsales,marketing,

operationsandfinancialperformancefromsoutheasternTexasalongtheGulfCoasttotheFloridaPanhandle.

Member NewsWho’s New

HessieKennedy

Thompson

Lursen

BlockMcKay

Bedsole

Business Endeavors

Well Done

NewHorizonsCreditUnionpromotedJanetKuhnBelltoseniorvicepresidentoflending;CoreyBlaketodirectorofmarketingandbusinessdevelopment;andCourtneyRookstoheadtellerofthePrichardbranch.Bellhasabachelor’sdegreefromSpringHillCollegeandhasworkedforNewHorizonssince1977.Blakereceivedabachelor’sdegreewithaconcentrationingraphicartsfromtheUniversityofSouthAlabamaandjoinedNewHorizonsin2011.RookshasworkedatNewHorizonssince2007andattendsWaldenUniversity.

XJonesWalkerhiredChristopherH.

Ezellasanassociateinthefirm’sbusinessandcommerciallitigationpracticegroup.Heearnedabachelor’sdegreeinfinancefromTheUniversityofAlabama,andajurisdoctoratedegreefromTheUniversityofAlabamaSchoolofLaw.

XTheRadcliff

SchatzmanGroupatMorganStanleySmithBarneyLLCpromotedChristopherC.Schatzmantovicepresident. X

WilsonDismukesInc.hiredGarrettSmithasoperationsmanagerandpromotedEarlMcRaetopartsandservicemanager.SmithpreviouslyworkedasstoremanagerforAlabamaOutdoors.McRaehas14yearsexperienceintheoutdoorpowerequipmentindustry.

XHomePlace

FurniturepromotedDarryShoemoretomanagerfortheMobilestore.

Schatzman

Bourne

Smith McRae

Hieronymus

Ashworth Woods

Cooper

Shoemore

Gaillard

Blake Rooks


PalmerG.WhitingofMerrillLynch/TheWhitingGroupwasnamedamong“America’sTop1,000FinancialAdvisors”byBarron’s, The Dow Jones

Business and Financial Weekly.Therankingsarebasedonassetsundermanagement,revenuegeneratedforadvisors’firms,qualityofpracticesandotherfactors.

The$300millionAPMTerminals(MobileContainerTerminalsLLC)wasinductedintothe2012AlabamaEngineeringHallofFame.Theworld-classprojectisapartnershipbetweentheAlabamaStatePortAuthorityandAPMTerminals,anindependentdivisionoftheA.P.Moller-MaerskGroup.Mobile-basedVolkertInc.wastheprimeconsultantfortheproject.

XHomeInstead

SeniorCare’sfranchiseofficeforMobileandBaldwincountiesnamedIreneMoorethe2011CAREGiveroftheYearfordemonstratingoutstandingdedicationandservicetoclients.HomeInsteadSeniorCareistheworld’slargestproviderofnon-medicalin-homecareservicesforseniors.

X

SydneyRaine,presidentofMobileWorksInc.andCherylWilliams,ownerofSpherionStaffingwerenamedtotheAlabamaWorkforceInvestmentBoard.RaineandWilliamsarechargedwithassistingtheGovernor’sofficecarryouttheWorkforceInvestmentAct(WIA),whichincludestheAlabamaCareerCenterSystem,AdultEducationandRehabilitationServices.

InothernewstheSoutheasternTrainingandEmploymentAssociation(SETA)awardedRainethe2012BobCraigPresident’sAwardforhisguidance,supportanddedicationtoSETA,andexcellenceinworkforcedevelopment.

XCoastalBankandTrust,adivisionof

SynovusBank,received11nationalawardsfromthe2011GreenwichAssociatesExcellenceinMiddleMarketandSmallBusinessBankingprogramforoverallsatisfaction,relationshipmanagerperformance,customerservice,creditpolicy,treasurymanagementandbranchsatisfaction.GreenwichAssociatesisaleadingfinancialservicesfirmthatprovidescomprehensiveconsultingandresearchcapabilitiesininstitutionalfinancialservices.

SteveGoren,directorofcardiacrehabilitation/pulmonarytherapy/mitralvalveprolapseatSpringhillMedicalCenter,washonoredasastatewide“HospitalHero”ataluncheoninBirminghamhostedbytheAlabamaHospitalAssociation.

XJohnG.Walton,president/owner

ofJohnG.WaltonConstructionCo.Inc.,aheavy,highwayandasphaltpavingcompanyinMobilewasnamed2012presidentoftheAlabamaAssociatedGeneralContractors(AGC).MikeTew,vicepresidentofSJ&LInc.inMobile,waselectedsecondvicepresident.

Inaddition,theMobileSection,AlabamaAGC,thelargestnon-residentialconstructionassociationinAlabamaandFlorida,recognizedmemberswhomaintainedanexcellentsafetyrecordthroughout2011.ThefollowingChambermemberswerecommendedinthebuildingdivision:White-SpunnerConstructionInc.,BenM.RadcliffContractorInc.,J.C.Duke&AssociatesInc.,CaseConstructionCo.andJ.F.Pate&AssociatesContractorsInc.

XMobileAreaWater&SewerSystem

(MAWSS)inductedeightretireesintoitsEmployeeHallofFame:JohnM.ConnellySr.,RobertA.Hannah,MichaelJohnson,MarkLowery,BeverlyLucas,MelvinJ.PittJr.,thelateClaudiaRandandCharlesWestoverJr.Theprogramrecognizesandhonorspastemployeesfortheirdedicatedservice.Thisyear’sinducteesrepresentatotalof234yearsofpublicservice.

XLewisCommunicationstookhome

14ADDYawardsattheAmericanAdvertisingFederation(AAF)MobileBay’s44thannualADDYs.FiveoftheawardsweregoldADDYsandnineweresilver.LewisCommunicationsalsowon21ADDYsattheBirminghamAAFawardsceremonyinFebruary,foratotalof35ADDYsinthe2011localADDYseason.

XSpringdaleTravelAmerican

ExpressCruiseQuartersisoneofAmericanExpressTravel’s25agencymembersinitsU.S.RepresentativeTravelNetworktoearntheprestigiousRepresentativeExcellenceAwardfor2011.Theawardhonorstheachievementsofexceptionalpreferredsuppliersalesgrowthandcompliancewithspecificoperationalresponsibilitiesofmembership,establishedbyAmericanExpressinsupportofthebrand.

Goren

WilliamsRaine

Moore

Submission deadline for Member News is two months prior

to publication. News releases should be one or two brief paragraphs.

Photos must be professional headshots, labeled with the person’s last name,

and must be 300 dpi at full size and saved in an eps, tif or jpg format.

Send your information to [email protected].

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The Mobile Area Chamber was awarded a five-star rating by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the highest designation given. Of the 6,936 chambers in the U.S., only 301 are accredited, and of those only 43 have achieved five-star distinction.

The Mobile Area Chamber has been accredited by the U.S. Chamber since the designation’s inception more than 40 years ago.

TheFamilyCenterreceivedagrantforvoluntarycasemanagementservices,eveningparentingclasses,angermanagementclassesandco-parentingclasses.

XApacheCorp.teamedupwithKeep

MobileBeautifulandPraxair,donating1,000baldcypress,blackgum,sugarberryandwhiteoakseedlingstobeplantedinpotsbyyouthgroupsandindividualsandstoreduntiltheyarebigenoughtosurviveontheirown.Thetreeswillthenbedistributedaroundthecommunity.

AdvisorsMDAshleighMcKenzie700CedarAve.Fairhope,AL36532251-929-7088www.AdvisorsMD.comBusiness Consultants

AloricaDebraRansburg727U.S.Hwy.43Saraland,AL36571678-922-5789www.alorica.comCall Center Outsourcing

AloricaLisaJohnson-Gill1210HillcrestRd.Mobile,AL36695251-370-1772www.alorica.comCall Center Outsourcing

Bonafide Tax ServiceCoraEatmon1906DuvalSt.Mobile,AL36606251-450-1007Accountants-Public

Dreamland BBQMargoWallace3314OldShellRd.Mobile,AL36607251-479-9898www.dreamlandbbq.comRestaurants

Earley Air Control Inc.KeithEarley8042WardsLaneSemmes,AL36575251-649-1026www.earleyaircontrol.comAir Conditioning & Heating Contractors

Eggplant Systems & DesignJasonStewart406ThorntonPlaceMobile,AL36609251-366-6428www.eggplantsd.comComputers-Service & Repair

GroundSwell Web DesignsChrisSholler312-TSchillingerRd.S.#101Mobile,AL36608251-272-9369www.groundswellwd.comInternet Marketing

Kitchen Design & CabinetryJimWolfe1300SchillingerRd.S.SuiteW-5Mobile,AL36695251-367-7454www.KitchenDesignAndCabinetry.comCabinets

L.A. FotographeeLeMarisAlstonP.O.Box801Theodore,AL36590251-366-2426www.lafotographee.comPhotographer

Mercy Home CareKarelDoggette3280DauphinSt.,BuildingBMobile,AL3660851-621-4431www.mercymedical.comHome Health Service

Mercy LIFE of AlabamaGemmaCampbell2900SpringhillAve.Mobile,AL36607251-287-8420www.mercylifeal.comSenior Citizen Services

Mobile Hearing ClinicRocioHilpert6414GrelotRd.Ste.CMobile,AL36695504-296-3143www.mobilehearingclinic.comAudiologists

Security Finance Corporation of AlabamaSabrinaLewis8010AirportBlvd.,Ste.105Mobile,AL36608251-633-6461www.security-finance.comFinancing Company

Allie Tucker, Mary Kay Independent Beauty ConsultantAllieTucker5905AirportBlvd.,Ste.AMobile,AL36608251-622-3168www.marykay.com/atucker09Sales

U.S. Army Recruiting Co.ElizabethK.Merwin3103AirportBlvd.,Ste.555Mobile,AL36606-3659251-478-7382www.goarmy.comRecruiting Service

VMR LLCVanessaM.Reyner104SummitCir.Daphne,AL36526251-802-1263Marketing

Woodside Apartment HomesAshleighMason5089GovernmentBlvd.Mobile,AL36693251-660-6674www.liveatwoodside.netApartments

As of 2/29/12

30 APRIL 2012 | ThE BusInEss VIEW

New MembersIf you know of a company interested in benefitting

from Chamber membership, contact Tricia Bradley at 431-8642 or Rebecca Milam at 431-8647.

View the complete membership directory at www.mobilechamber.com.

AnniversariesMembers Are Our Greatest Asset!

Please show your support through the patronage of these businesses.

45YEARSWescoGas&WeldingSupplyInc.

35YEARSGulfDistributingCo.ofMobileLLC

30YEARSBB&TMcConnellAutomotiveCorp..

25YEARSMobileCountyDepartmentofHumanResources

20YEARSFortisCollegeMagnoliaMortgageCo.LLC.NicholasInsulationServicesInc.

15YEARSEightMileNursing&RehabilitationCenterAndrewC.Jackson,Artist/IllustratorM.W.RogersConstructionCo.LLCU-HaulCo.ofSouthernAlabama

10YEARSEmploymentScreeningServicesNamitaInc.d/b/aPortCityInn

5YEARSAseraCareBenderRealEstateGroupGulfStatesAutomationMcFaddenEngineeringSlatonMoving&WarehouseSplashDuo-CoolrayzBandSynergyYoga&Pilates

1-4YEARSABCDestinationsACordFinancialServicesAdamsProduceAlabama&GulfCoastRailwayAndrewMeyersStateFarmAgencyAngelsOnTheEarthBakerCorpBarnhartCrane&RiggingBatteriesPlusBragg-MitchellMansionCampusBookStoreCimarronRidgeApartmentsCityofJacksonTheForumforFamilyBusinessGulfCoastDrugTestingLLCHarrisBusinessMachinesHKAEnterprisesInc.HurleyCrewsInfinityGlobalTechnologiesInc.(IGT)JimWalterResourcesJedsonEngineeringInc.JoeLewisMusicStudioKonicaMinoltaBusinessSolutions-MobileKrispyMixesInc.LawTax&BusinessServicesInc.Maynard,Cooper&GalePCMillardInc.NorthwesternMutualFinancialNetwork-MobileOccupationalHealthCenterOfficeDepot,Store#2749OldeOakApartmentHomesPNCBusinessCreditPolkaToTDesignsInc.RelocationSupportServicesInternationalLLCShumock&AndersonLLCCPAsSourcePointeHRSouthPointBankMortgageLendingWaite’sCleanersInc.WarbamaIndustrialServicesInc.WindmillMarket

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX

AlabamaOrthopaedicClinicPC.............13

BankTrust.................................................... 5

Boteler,Finley&Wolfe.............................. 25

CommunityBank.....................................20

FLCLiving.................................................. 31

Gwin’sPrinting.........................................13

HancockBank........................................... 16

InfirmaryHealthSystem.........................23

InterstatePrinting&GraphicsInc.........29

Lagniappe..................................................26

Mamun/ReMaxPartners........................26

MCGBusinessSolutions...........................24

Mercedes-BenzofMobile......................... 15

MobileCountyHealthDepartment...........4

PadgettBusinessServicesofMobile........19

PremierMedicalManagement................18

RegionsBank.............................................. 7

Ron’sCatering........................................... 25

TheUniversityofAlabama........................9

WonderlandExpress...................................6

Furniture RentalHousehold FurnishingsLinens & Housewares

Washer/DryerMicrowaves,

Cable-ready TV’s & DVD’sOffice Furnishings

Package Specials Available

Standard AmenitiesUtilities & Local Phone Service

Housewares & LinensWashers, Cable TV & DVD’s

Housekeeping ServiceHigh Speed Internet

Corporate ApartmentsWe offer completely furnished and

appointed one, two and three bedroomapartments in unique communities throughout

the Gulf Coast and many locations across the United States.

Fine Living...Temporarily

Get More

Short Term Leases Available

Corporate Apartments/Furniture Leasing & Sales

Model Home/Staging Services

602 Azalea Road • Mobile, Alabama 36609Phone: 251-661-9100 • Fax: 251-661-9102 • 1-800-350-7942

www.flcliving.com • [email protected]

www.JoinMobileChamber.com

grow mobile …grow your business Your business thrives when you operate in a strong economy. That’s why the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce has one of the best economic development programs in the country. Working with city, county and state officials, we’ve landed some of the most sought-after industrial projects and helped dozens of companies expand – bringing new jobs and customers to the area. When you join the Chamber, you’re taking an active role in making Mobile fertile ground where your business can flourish. Believe in a strong future for Mobile. Belong to the Chamber – because it’s good for business and good for Mobile.

believe in mobile belong to the chamber

the business view - may 2012

Documents

chamber chase

business viewapril

ntron products

windmill farms

isse photo

traffic control systems

kicks off2

automotive plants