Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce JULY 2015 the FedEx Expands in Mobile County A Decade Later Tate & Lyle to Ramp Up 2005 Emerging Splenda Production Leaders Reflect 2 the business view JULY 2015 the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce JULY 2015 | In this issue ON THE COVER In 2005, the Mobile Area Chamber featured a group of young professionals. Read what they have From the Publisher - Bill Sisson to say about their personal growth and Mobile’s growth over the last decade. Pictured on the cover from left to right are Clif Inge, IPC Capital Partners; Yolanda Richardson-Hunter, Austal USA; Mark Young Professionals Key to Mobile Eiland, Regions Bank; Carlos Gant, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and Clarissa Hamilton, Genesis Without question, we are Since coming back to the Technical Staffing. See story on pages 14-18. embarking on a new era in the Mobile Area Chamber as Photo by Jeff Tesney Mobile region. Although we president in 2013, I’ve enjoyed have more than 300 years of meeting with young emerging 4 News You Can Use proud and exciting history, our leaders to get their valuable 10 Small Business of the Month: great city and our leaders, both feedback and learn about their Small’s Mortuary young and old, are continuing aspirations for our city. The 12 Summer Scrubs: Then and Now to embrace our rich cultural thing that has struck me most 14 A Decade Later – What’s Changed? heritage. We are looking to about these 20-somethings is 21 Nonprofits Impact Every Facet future prosperity with a flair their willingness to grab hold of Mobile unlike any previous time. and take on community projects. 22 Small Business Corner: Trademark With expanding business sectors in Whether it be litter control, adopting Protection: Know the Route Before maritime, aviation/aerospace, healthcare, schools, initiatives like the Fuse Project or You Start chemical, transportation and many others, helping craft strategy for a technology 23 Investor Focus: Armbrecht Jackson LLP our young people no longer hope they will corridor in downtown Mobile, these leaders 24 Chamber@Work be able to capitalize on opportunities close to are making a difference and helping create 25 Pork & Politics home, but are making it a reality. What’s a Mobile they want to live in and raise their most encouraging is they’re doing so by families. 26 Chamber Chase being an active participant in the process. In turn, having them coming back home 28 Business Spotlight of the Month: to Mobile makes it possible for us to show YMCA of South Alabama local entrepreneurs as well as national 28 Ambassador of the Month: companies that Mobile is a place where they Stephanie Bondora will find an educated and highly skilled 29 Board of Advisor Profiles: Tyrone workforce. Fenderson Jr., Al Hutchinson and These new leaders will of course face Brian R. Willman 6 challenges as we head into this exciting 30 Calendar phase in our region’s transformation. But 31 Member News take it from me, we’re in good hands. The 34 Anniversaries encouraging theme that I continually hear 35 New Members from these young professionals is “own it” --- your career, your city, your future. We’re entering an exciting era, indeed. 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 21 Copy Editor Michelle Irvin Additional Writers and Editors Ashley Horn, Susan Rak-Blanchard, Carolyn Wilson Printing Services: Interstate Printing/Direct Mail Graphic Design: Wise Design Inc. Advertising Account Executive: René Eiland 25 251-431-8635 [email protected] the business view JULY 2015 3 NEWS you can use FedEx to Open Distribution Center A major distribution center district. “The development of for FedEx Ground is projected the property will result in in Theodore to bring more than 100 full-time significant opportunities for jobs to the area at peak operation recruitment of commercial and of its new facility, expected to be light manufacturing businesses, complete in early 2016 in the which in turn will bring more southwest end of Mobile County. jobs to our area.” Mobile Industrial Properties “The Chamber worked with LLC will further develop a road the developer and Mobile and associated infrastructure in County, helping facilitate a a commercial park in Theodore, good solution for both parties,” including constructing a roadway said Troy Wayman, the Mobile and enhancing drainage in the Area Chamber’s vice president 158-acre park, located near Exit of economic development. 13 off Interstate 10. Currently FedEx Ground will occupy there is one distribution center at approximately 193,375 square the park. feet of warehouse and “This is a win-win situation distribution space being built for Mobile County,” said Jerry on the property by SAAD Carl, the Mobile County Development Corp. commissioner for the project’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy Turning Students Into CEOs By the end of the coming school year, chances are there will be several new businesses in Mobile, thanks to the Mobile Area Chamber’s inaugural Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA) class of 2016. Fourteen students from the Alabama School of Math and Science were selected to participate in 30 weeks of instruction on starting and running a business for the upcoming school year. Each will pitch his or her concept to a panel of judges for funding. Top student competitors will compete regionally and nationally for scholarships. The YEA is managed locally by the Mobile Area Chamber, with the University of South Alabama Mitchell College of Business providing instructors Pictured, standing, left to right, are: Jon Ross Sanders, Alexander City; Messiah Williams, Camp Hill; Ambria Walker, and class space. Tuskegee; Anasofia Guajardo, Daphne; Wesley Oliver, Aliceville; Sung-Hoon Park, Mobile; and Eric Lee, Dothan. Bottom, left to right: Dominique Williams, Huntsville; Kylie Pandolfi, Enterprise; Isabella Fank, Prattville; Catherine Minor, Aliceville; Amanda Peterson, Daphne; Shannon Regan, Mobile; and Genevieve Tillman, Mobile. 4 the business view JULY 2015 NEWS you can use Sweet: Tate & Lyle Plans to Produce Splenda Locally Tate & Lyle sweetened the Splenda. These actions, according a supportive environment and Splenda at McIntosh improves pot of its investment in its to a company statement, “position infrastructure for doing business.” our competitiveness for future Splenda Sucralose facility in Splenda Sucralose as a more “We’re optimistic that Tate & products,” says Austin Monk, Washington County, with a focused, low-cost and Lyle’s additional investment in economic development director recent announcement about sustainable business.” for the Washington County the company’s restructuring “These efficiencies are Economic Development plans. During the next 12 possible because Initiative. months, the company will close Washington County Earlier this year, the company its Singapore operation, transfer provides advantages launched a low-calorie sugar, the equipment to McIntosh and around energy pricing as Dolcia PrimaTM, Tate & Lyle’s purchase additional equipment, well as a stable and skilled name for allulose. The product increasing its value by $25 workforce,” says Chris is described as being able to million and the local workforce Olsen, vice president of function like sugar but with by 10. community and significantly fewer calories. In 2016, company officials government affairs for expect to locally produce all of Tate & Lyle. “Additionally, You’ll see this symbol with the no-calorie sweetener used the county and the state of stories featuring Chamber initiatives. in food and beverages as well as Alabama have done an marketed under the brand excellent job in establishing BXS_ViewMagazine_Jan2011.pdf 1/26/11 5:00:39 PM 8.5” x 5.375” the business view JULY 2015 5 Austal Could Reach “Lucky 13” LCS Built in Mobile The U.S. Navy modified its program. As the ship systems said Austal USA President Speed Vessels (JHSV), four contract that funds the last two integrator, General Dynamics Craig Perciavalle. of which have already been ships of the Independence- is responsible for the design, Austal’s Independence- delivered. USNS Trenton variant Littoral Combat Ship integration and testing of the variant LCS program has seven (JHSV 5) recently completed (LCS) block buy with Austal combat management, ships under various stages of acceptance trials and is USA. In doing so, the Navy navigation, C4I and aviation construction, including the scheduled to be delivered in established an optional 11th systems. USNS Jackson (LCS 6), which April 2016. Three additional ship that could be awarded “The Navy’s confidence in started sea trials and is JHSVs are also under next year. The option, if Austal’s ability to continue to preparing for delivery this construction at Austal’s exercised, would bring the produce these incredible ships summer, and the USNS shipyard. LCS Austal-built vessels to 13. only serves to increase the level Montgomery (LCS 8), preparing Current contracts secure Austal, as prime contractor, of pride and dedication that for sea trials and scheduled for work through 2022. Austal is teamed with General Austal USA and our employees delivery by year’s end. has more than 4,200 employees Dynamics Mission Systems for exhibit daily while working to The Navy also contracted in Mobile. the Independence-variant LCS meet the needs of our sailors,” with Austal for 10 Joint High 6 the business view JULY 2015 the business view JULY 2015 7 Success depends on LEARNING CONTINUOUSLY. In that area, UA really DELIVERED for me. Cheryl Levy | Chief Human Resouces Officer As an HR professional, Cheryl Levy genuinely cares about her employees. Her goal is to see them grow personally and professionally.