Airbus Opens U.S
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Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce OCTOBER 2015 the Airbus Opens U.S. Manufacturing Facility Susan L. Taylor Coming to Mobile Oct. 8 Signature Academies Now in All MCPSS High Schools WITH YOU ON THE FRONT LINES The battle in every market is unique. Ally yourself to a technology leader that knows a truly e ective solution comes from keeping people at the center of technology. Our dedicated Client Account Executives provide an unmatched level of agility and responsiveness as they work in person to fi ne-tune our powerful arsenal of communication solutions for your specifi c business. Four solutions. One goal. A proven way to get there— Personal service. We’re here to help you win. cspire.com/business | 855.277.4732 | [email protected] 2 the business view OCTOBER 2015 10623 CSpire CSBS PersonalService 9.25x12.indd 1 6/25/15 1:08 PM the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce OCTOBER 2015 | In this issue ON THE COVER On Sept. 14, Airbus opened its only manufacturing facility in the U.S. From the Publisher - Bill Sisson here in Mobile. Pictured on the cover are Airbus employees: Christopher Kantz, Linda Taylor-Bethea, Randy Simentel, Ramona Trade Critical for Mobile’s Continued Growth Fikru-Johannes and Daniel Clipper standing in front of the first aircraft in assembly. As the old saying goes, suppliers and service See story on pgs. 18-19. Photo courtesy “Good things come to those providers that have recently of: Airbus/Tad Denson, Airwind Creative. who wait.” And nothing could announced Mobile locations: be more true as it relates to the AAA Aerospace USA Inc., official opening of the Airbus AMRO-Aeromark, AKKA, U.S. Manufacturing Center on Assystem, ATT Metrology 4 News You Can Use Sept. 14 at Mobile Aeroplex at Services, AUSY North 9 RESTORE Act Settled – How it Brookley. More than a decade America, BE Aerospace/KLX Impacts Mobile of perseverance has become a Aerospace Solutions, Comau, 11 Small Business of the Month: reality, making the Mobile Bay Hutchinson, Integrated Airline ASF Intermodal region truly one of the world’s Services, Inter-Informatics 13 Small Business Column: Small newest and fastest-growing aviation/ US, MAAS Aviation, Reel USA Corp., Safran Business Sustainability Matters aerospace clusters in the world. Engineering Services, Safran Messier- It’s often pointed out there are very few Bugatti- Dowty USA, Sonovision USA, 14 Minority Businesses Conference Oct. 8 places in the world where large aircraft are UTAS and Vartan Aviation Group. 18 Airbus Focused on Growth assembled. This year, Mobile enters that I believe the best is yet to come, not only 20 CEO Profile: Chris L. Golden, rarefied arena that puts us on the aviation in aviation but also in our other business ExxonMobil sector’s global stage – one that includes sectors. Mobile’s economy continues to evolve, many other prominent aviation companies and is growing to provide new opportunities 21 Chamber@Work such as FedEx, VT MAE, Continental that will serve generations to come. 22 Ambassador of the Month: Motors, Southern Avionics and their parent So yes, “Good things come to those who Lane Elmore company AVIC, Airbus Defense and Space, wait,” and I’m convinced our most important 22 Business Spotlight of the Month: Segers Aerospace and Signature Flight work is ahead of us. Congratulations, Mobile, iHeart MEDIA Support; homegrown companies including and welcome to your new home, Airbus. Star Aviation, Aerostar; and all of the new 25 Board of Advisors: Celia Mann Baehr, Doug McDonald, Timothy G. Morris 26 Investor Focus: Willis of Alabama 28 Calendar 30 Member News 4 7 34 Anniversaries 35 New Members the business view is published monthly, except for the combined issue of December/January, by the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce 451 Government St., Mobile, AL 36602 251-433-6951 www.mobilechamber.com ©2015 Publisher William B. Sisson Executive Editor Leigh Perry-Herndon Managing Editor Jennifer Jenkins Copy Editor Michelle Irvin Additional Writers and Editors Ashley Horn, Susan Rak-Blanchard, Carolyn Wilson 18-19 Printing Services: Interstate Printing/Direct Mail Graphic Design: Wise Design Inc. Advertising Account Executive: René Eiland 251-431-8635 [email protected] the business view OCTOBER 2015 3 NEWS you can use BayFest Returning to its Roots After 20 years of trying to “To me, a festival is Parliament Funkadelic, and If You’re Going: one-up each previous year’s experiencing music and going Travis Tritt. Newcomers include lineup, BayFest has a new strategy to hear something new,” says St. Paul & the Broken Bones, ➤ Bring a chair, rain jacket for 2015: Mobile’s hometown Shana Jordan, the organization’s Justin Moore and Chrisette and sunscreen. music festival is returning to executive director. Michele. ➤ Keep your tickets in its roots. In true BayFest format, there BayFest takes place in one piece. How? The organization will be three main stages downtown Mobile on Oct. 2-4. ➤ Check www.bayfest.com lowered its three-day ticket featuring national acts: Urban/ There are 50,000 weekend for what’s not allowed price to $45; is working on a list R&B, Country Rock and Rock, passes available and a limited into the festival area. of musicians to appeal to and three stages highlighting number of day passes for $30 everyone; and is offering VIP local talent. each available at the gate. ➤ Use the #lovebayfest pricing for those who want a Among the acts booked are Check www.bayfest.com for hashtag in social media more unique experience that longtime favorites including tickets and the latest schedule. posts. includes sitting closer to the Shinedown, Johnny Gill, Weekend passes are also stage. Seether, George Clinton and available at Circle K outlets. MCPSS Signature Academies Now in Session Four new signature academies in the Mobile County Public School System, focused on preparing students for various careers as well as college, began operating at the start of the new school year in August. Students in grades 10 - 12 can participate in the academies aimed at giving students real- world, hands-on experiences that are a part of a specific career theme. The academies are designed to give students college- and career-ready opportunities such as paid and Davidson High School (DHS) students participate in the JubileeBest robotics competition. DHS has an academy focused on unpaid internships, job engineering pathways. shadowing, workplace tours, worksite training, business mentors and more. All 12 Davidson High School LeFlore Magnet High The Academy of Health MCPSS high schools are now – The Engineering Pathways School – The Academy of Law, Science will provide students operating with signature Integrated Curriculum (EPIC) Arts and Health Sciences is with the skills necessary for a academy programs. is a specialized math and science designed to enable students to career in Health Sciences. program geared to prepare develop skills in communication Vigor High School – The new academies are: students for engineering, as well as critical thinking. Information Technology is medicine, geological, physical, The Academy of Law gives Baker High School – The designed to develop IT meteorological, information students the skills needed for Academies of Advanced technicians via three pathways. technology and environmental careers in criminal and civil Careers will provide students in • Programming and fields. Students can choose one law and legal research/writing. Advanced Placement (AP) software development of four pathways: The Academy of Arts Capstone an opportunity to • Networking • Biomedical engineering exposes performing and engage in scholarly practice of • Interactive media core academic skills. Baker is • Computer science visual arts and technical skills one of only three schools in • Engineering in graphic arts, television To learn more about the Alabama offering this program, • Global and environmental production and commercial academies, go to www.mcpss.com. studies photography. and offers two dozen AP classes. You’ll see this symbol with stories featuring Chamber initiatives. 4 the business view OCTOBER 2015 the business view OCTOBER 2015 5 Eight to 10 years from now a new I-10 Mobile River Design Team Bridge will stand behind the team pictured here FAST facts responsible for its design. From left to right are: Kendall Kilpatrick, Hatch Mott Primary Team Partners: MacDonald; Pat Hickox, • Thompson Engineering HDR; and Jimmy Shumock with Thompson Engineering. • HDR • Hatch Mott McDonald Additional Partners: • Neel-Schaffer • Corven Engineering Meet the Bridge-Design • Dan Brown & Associates • Armeni Consulting Services • Hand Arendall LLC • Engineering & Planning Dream Team Resources On July 23, Jimmy Shumock, The news that the Thompson- West, referring to the Mobile side of • MIG CEO of Thompson Engineering, led team won the project came by the bridge, as well as geotechnical • Touchstone Architecture Pat Hickox , bridge and structures text during the post-presentation and environmental services. • Illumination Arts director of HDR, and Kendall lunch. The final selection was HDR Engineering is the • RWDI Consulting Kilpatrick, vice president of made by a panel of Mobile-area design lead on the main span Engineers Hatch Mott MacDonald, finished elected officials and community and high-level bridge. Founded their presentation for the design leaders who listened to the in 1917 in Omaha, Neb., the firm • Hinman Consulting contract on the I-10 Mobile River three finalists. has two local offices – in Mobile Engineers Bridge and Bayway Project to “Thompson Engineering was and Daphne. the Alabama Department of chosen because the selection Hatch Mott MacDonald has Project Area as Currently Transportation and went to panel liked their ideas and felt the design lead on Project East, Stated in Environmental lunch together. they were the best fit to design referring to the Baldwin County Impact Study: Exit 24 “We decided since we were this project,” said ALDOT’s side, as well as surge and wave (Broad Street) to East of SR-16 going to find out who won, we Mobile Region Engineer Vince analysis.