Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce AUGUST 2014 the FREE Business Expo, Aug. 27 5th Generation of Meet the Chamber’s Greers Invest Board of Advisors in Local Grocery Chain ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY IS: Fiber optic data that doesn’t slow you down C SPIRE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS CONNECTS YOUR BUSINESS. • Guaranteed speeds up to 100x faster than your current connection. • Synchronous transfer rates for sending and receiving data. • Reliable connections even during major weather events. CLOUD SERVICES Get Advanced Technology Now. Advanced Technology. Personal Service. 1.855.212.7271 | cspirebusiness.com 2 the business view AUGUST 2014 the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce AUGUST 2014 | In this issue ON THE COVER The G-5s – the fifth generation to help run From the Publisher - Bill Sisson Autry Greer & Sons, Mobile’s only locally owned grocery store chain, are pictured here at a store on Cottage Hill Road. They are, from left to right, Stephen Thomas, Jackson Business Expo is Your Chance to Network Thomas, Gray Fobes, Les Buerger and Lucy Networking means something This year’s exhibitors Greer Cheriogotis. See pages 12-13 to learn different to just about everyone. represent an even more varied more about the company. Photo by Jeff Tesney. Doing it is an exercise that gets easier cross-section of businesses from over time, with lots of practice. throughout our region. We’re This month, challenge yourself particularly proud of this event, 4 News You Can Use to attend the Mobile Area billed as Mobile’s largest one-day Chamber’s Business Expo on networking event. Spanning five 7 Small Business of the Month: Wednesday, Aug. 27, and make hours, you should pencil in at Precision Tool & Grinding Inc. some great business contacts. least a couple of hours and map 8 Everything You Need to Know More than 220 exhibitors will out in advance which of our local About Business Expo be showcasing their products and exhibitors you need to meet. services to the 2,100-plus expo Often one quick conversation 10 Growth in Groceries attendees at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile can turn into a new lead. Convention Center from 1 to 6 p.m. I cannot tell See pages 8-9 to learn more about the day’s 12 Made in Mobile: Autry Greer & Sons you how much I enjoy walking the expo floor events and, as Expo draws closer, turn to the 14 Board of Advisors talking to Chamber members about what’s Chamber’s website, www.mobilechamber.com, working well, and how to overcome barriers to for the latest updates on sponsors and a complete 30 Investor Focus: Zieman Speegle LLC growth. That’s why I’ll be there with a stack of list of exhibitors. business cards in my pocket in hopes of meeting 31 Chamber@Work as many of you as possible. 33 Business Spotlight: Jos. A Bank 33 Ambassador of the Month: Thao Nguyen 34 How to Get in The Business View 35 Calendar 36 Member News 38 Anniversaries 39 New Members the business view is published monthly, except for the combined issue of December/January, 12 by the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce 10 451 Government St., Mobile, AL 36602 251-433-6951 www.mobilechamber.com ©2014 Publisher William B. Sisson Executive Editor Leigh Perry-Herndon Managing Editor Jennifer Jenkins Copy Editor Michelle Matthews Additional Writers and Editors Casandra Andrews, Ashley Horn, Susan Rak-Blanchard, Danette Richards, Carolyn Wilson Printing Services Interstate Printing/Direct Mail Graphic Design Wise Design Inc. Advertising Account Executive René Eiland 251-431-8635 30 [email protected] the business view AUGUST 2014 3 NEWS you can use Southwest Alabama Earns Exclusive Manufacturing Community Designation Southwest Alabama was Chronister said. “The Manufacturing of the awarded the designation of Community designation allows us to shipbuilding industry and the demand for Manufacturing Community receive coordinated support from nearly by the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the a dozen federal agencies with $1.3 billion University of South Alabama (USA) will coordinate available in economic development assistance.” a consortium of partners competing for federal “To be designated one of 12 manufacturing money to enhance workforce development in the communities is a huge win for Mobile as we workforce training. Seventy communities applied. region. continue to work on recruiting in several industry Along with USA and the Chamber, local agencies Lynne Chronister, USA vice president for clusters, including advanced manufacturing and participating include: Mobile County, the city of research and economic development, submitted shipbuilding,” said Bill Sisson, president and chief Mobile, Southwest Alabama Workforce the application on behalf of the Mobile Area executive officer of the Chamber. “We have a Development Council, Mobile Works, AIDT Chamber’s Partners for Growth investors. significant number of manufacturing industries Maritime Training Center, Gulf State Shipbuilding “This puts focus on our region, recognizing creating jobs in this region. Our ability to develop Consortium, Bishop State Community College, an alignment of efforts that has created a and train our workforce will be key to ensure Alabama Technology Network and the Alabama manufacturing hub in coastal Alabama and continued growth here.” State Port Authority. laying the groundwork for future growth,” The area’s application emphasized the growth You’ll see this symbol with Business Briefs stories featuring Chamber initiatives. To keep you in the know, here are several business announcements and encouraging nuggets of news. Silver Shovel & 2013 District 1 Has New Education Mergers and Acquisitions Business Growth Board Representative Chicago-based Hub International Limited Area Development bestowed a Silver Shovel Gov. Robert (Hub), a global insurance brokerage, risk advisory award on Alabama for its high-value investment Bentley named and employee benefits firm, announced its Gulf recruitment in 2013. Marine Well Containment’s long-time public South division acquired the assets of Fox/Everett $1.4 billion shore base operation investment in servant and Inc., one of the largest independently owned Mobile earned the first spot on a list of 10 businessman insurance agencies in Mississippi. companies recognized. Al Thompson The move adds four Fox/Everett Mississippi The Alabama Department of Commerce as District 1’s and Louisiana locations to Hub Gulf South’s nine reported 17,000 jobs and more than representative to locations throughout Mississippi, Louisiana and $4.4 billion in capital investments were the Alabama State Alabama that specialize in many of the same announced last year. The results came Board of Education. industries, as well as marine and energy. from 445 projects in sectors such as District 1 is The Fox/Everett transaction represents Hub’s th automotive, aerospace, chemicals, comprised of Mobile, 12 completed acquisition in 2014, and makes Hub metals and technology. Baldwin and Escambia counties. The Bay Minette one of the largest brokerage firms in the three- Of the total projects, 62 were resident replaces Tracy Roberts, who resigned, state region. new company announcements, citing personal reasons in an article published by and 383 came from existing the Press-Register. Sweet Home Mobile companies planning to expand Thompson is owner of Thompson Properties Mobile was named the 10th most affordable in Alabama. in Bay Minette. He currently serves as a member medium-sized metro for buying a home, Mobile County led the of the Baldwin County Judicial Commission and according to a study of 173 U.S. metro areas state in capital investment the Bay Minette Planning Commission, and conducted by NerdWallet, a financial website. with Marine Well previously served four terms on the Baldwin Research included recent home prices and Containment. County Board of Equalization. household income to formulate a home-price-to- Jefferson County In his newest role, Thompson will help the income ratio for 30 most affordable places landed the top education board implement Plan 20/20 to prepare nationwide. Mobile was the only city in the spot for new all students to be successful in college and/or a Southeast to make the list. job creation career when they graduate from high school. In Toledo, Ohio, took No. 1 spot in the category, with 1,755 addition, the board oversees the programs and with a median price of $81,700. Mobile’s median positions. initiatives for 135 school systems. price was $108,400. Continued on page 6 4 the business view AUGUST 2014 6edlZg[jaXdaaVWdgVi^dc" From the moment you walk through our doors, you know that you’re in exceptional hands. We’re the regional leader in cancer care, in collaboration with MD Anderson Cancer Network®, a program of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. MD Anderson is the nation’s No. 1 cancer hospital according to U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Hospitals” survey. With that comes evidence-based guidelines and advanced treatment supported by proven studies. But 6hVXZgi^ÄZYbZbWZgd[B96cYZghdc8VcXZgCZildg`! there’s more. We understand that you’re not merely a patient, but I]Z8VcXZg8ZciZgViEgdk^YZcXZ^hWg^c\^c\]deZid a person. Accordingly, we’re committed to treating body, mind and adXVaXVcXZgeVi^Zcih# spirit, surrounding you with compassion close to home — yours. the business view JUNE 2014 5 Business Briefs Continued from page 4. American Society of Civil Engineers Two Chamber estimates that deficient, unreliable Initiatives You Want surface transportation infrastructure to Know About will cost the average American family The Mobile Area Chamber was more than $1,000 a year through one of 50 metropolitan regional 2020 as they earn less and pay more chambers of commerce and economic for transportation and repairs.” development organizations urging ★ ★ ★ Congress to address the impending insolvency of the federal Highway The Mobile Area Chamber and Trust Fund. Google are joining forces to promote “We need your support to ensure local businesses with Google “Street the viability of this critical component View” photography that also goes of the nation’s economy, including inside local businesses, attractions, its ability to accelerate the all-too- venues, parks, trails and colleges.