Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce OCTOBER 2019 the mb greene Designs Simple + Functional + Style NASA Lands in Mobile Oct. 30 Eagle Award Winners Announced A voice solution that speaks to your business’ needs. At C Spire, we know finding the right voice solution is about more than phones. You need a crystal-clear connection to your customers. That’s why we deliver IP Voice inspired by you. With pristine voice quality, premium features, and dedicated local support and user training, you can focus on what matters most – your customers. Discover the difference with customer inspired IT. cspire.com/voip 2 the business view OCTOBER 2019 ©2019 C Spire. All rights reserved. A voice solution that speaks to your business’ needs. At C Spire, we know finding the right voice solution is about more than phones. You need a crystal-clear connection to your customers. That’s why we deliver IP Voice inspired by you. With pristine voice quality, premium features, and dedicated local support and user training, you can focus on what matters most – your customers. BUILDING THE USS MOBILE (LCS 26) Discover the difference with customer inspired IT. cspire.com/voip Join the Build www.AustalJobs.com the business view OCTOBER 2019 3 ©2019 C Spire. All rights reserved. the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce OCTOBER 2019 | In this issue ON THE COVER: Mary Beth Greene was inspired to start her business based on customer feedback when she was a wholesale sales rep. In five years, From the Publisher - Bill Sisson mb greene has developed an inventory of 75 different styles of travel ware. The latest addition is a laptop bag. Read more about her journey on Healthcare Is an Asset We Should Never Take for Granted pages 13-15. Photo by LA Fotographee. Mobile is a regional center for markets our region to medical care, research and prospective businesses and 5 NASA Returns to Mobile education. Not only is world- industries. 6 Small Business of the Month: class healthcare a quality of life It also gives Mobile a key Bigler Broadcasting asset for citizens across the Gulf advantage over many of our Coast region, but also a key competitor communities 9 Eagle Awards Luncheon on Oct. 23 driver of the local economy and through the southeast and 11 Meet Mobile’s Eagle Award Winners ensures we remain successful in ensures our business 13 Made in Mobile: mb greene the recruitment of new community will receive the businesses. In fact, nearly 13% of best health care services 18 Guest Column: Going Green Mobile’s workforce is employed should an accident occur. We 22 Investor Focus: NAI Mobile in the healthcare sector. should never take these services for Without quality healthcare, Mobile granted; rather, we should consider it a 25 CEO Profile: Olli-Matti Saksi, cannot compete for large scale privilege and necessity to our businesses Outokumpu manufacturing projects. University and our citizenry. Let’s all continue to work 27 Board of Advisors: Jennie Campbell, Hospital is home to the region’s only together with our healthcare community to Wes Coody and Robert Guthans Jr. accredited level one trauma center and burn help them expand and strengthen these center. This asset is vital as the U.S. Chamber critical services. 28 Chamber Names Christopher Mayfield as Director of Existing Industry 28 Chamber Hires Brooke McIngvale as Events Manager 5 9 33 Ambassador of the Month: Ron Sivak 33 Business Spotlight of the Month: Blues Angel Music 34 Calendar 36 Member News 38 Anniversaries 39 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 mobilechamber.com ©2019 13 Publisher William B. Sisson Executive Editor Leigh Perry-Herndon Managing Editor Jennifer Jenkins Copy Editor Michelle Irvin Additional Writers and Editors Mike Herndon, Ashley Horn, Susan Rak-Blanchard and Carolyn Wilson Printing Services: Interstate Printing/Direct Mail Graphic Design: Wise Design Inc. Advertising Account Executive: René Eiland 25 251-431-8635 [email protected] 4 the business view OCTOBER 2019 NEWS you can use Mobile, the Moon and Mars Learn how you can do business with NASA With an estimated $21.5 billion to spend on contracts in 2020, NASA is returning to Mobile this month to help local companies do business with them. The Mobile Area Chamber will host a forum on Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel. The event will include panel presentations and networking sessions with various NASA specialists, their prime contractors and other business opportunities. In addition to the presentations and networking there will be breakout sessions addressing the NASA Mentor/Protégé program and the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. aeronautics research, including companies to take this module to establish human The federal agency, with research and development, opportunity to meet, form and presence on the moon and nearby operations in New manufacturing, supply, equipment, strengthen relationships.” serve as a “rest stop” for Orleans, along the Mississippi construction and engineering. In addition to the continuing human expeditions to Mars. Gulf Coast and Huntsville, According to Danette Space Launch System (SLS) Advance registration is announced new opportunities Richards, director of small acquisition needs, she says the required, and the cost is $50 for small businesses to increase business development with the forum will provide an per person (includes lunch). the competitive base of Chamber, “The new programs opportunity for small businesses Go to page 30 for additional contractors that pioneer the are going to increase and to learn about NASA’s future details on how to register. future of space exploration, expand their acquisition needs plans for space that include new and this is the perfect time for programs such as a habituation You’ll see this symbol with scientific discovery, and stories featuring Chamber initiatives. the business view OCTOBER 2019 5 SMALL BUSINESS of the month Pictured above is Sean Sullivan who owns and operates Bigler Broadcasting. Sullivan can be heard daily on FMTalk 106.5 news/talk radio. Bigler Broadcasting Provides Local Listeners with a Variety of Coverage Providing compelling talk Outdoors. His team includes and every conference and SEC/ promote many others on a radio might rightly be news anchor Kelly Finley, NCAA tournament basketball weekly basis. It’s also a yearly considered an art form, but sports reporter Dalton Orwig, game, and the Tiger Talk show participant in the Chamber’s Bigler Broadcasting has it down traffic reporter Derek “Kane” hosted each week by the Voice Business Expo. to a science. Long, meteorologist Dr. Bill of the Auburn Tigers, Andy With its blend of news, Owned and run by Sean Williams and a staff of Burcham. sports, weather and special Sullivan, Bigler Broadcasting producers and salespeople. And it features several topics from local and nationally is the parent company of Other locally produced nationally syndicated programs syndicated hosts, FMTalk 106.5 FMTalk 106.5, a locally owned shows include the Prep Sports in its lineup, like the Paul has something for everyone. and operated news/talk radio Report, Sip and Chew with Mike Finebaum Show, This Morning station producing over 40 hours and Stu, Personal Edge Fitness, with Gordon Deal, the Mike a week of original content. What’s Working With Cam Gallagher Show, the Joe Pags Show Bigler Broadcasting is the Marston, and Plain Gardening on and Today’s Homeowner with Want to be featured here? Mobile Area Chamber’s Small the Gulf Coast with Bill Finch. Danny Lipford. Go to mobilechamber.com Business of the Month. The station is also the local The station and its 12 to submit an application, or contact Sullivan hosts the station’s radio home for Auburn Tigers employees are involved in Danette Richards at 251-431-8652 local staples Mobile Mornings, football, with live coverage of many local charity and or [email protected]. Midday Mobile and FMTalk 106.5 every Auburn football game community events, and 6 the business view OCTOBER 2019 the business view OCTOBER 2019 7 Discover the bank with a heart for Mobile! Todd Henderson, Market President Preston Reeder, VP, Commercial Lender John Erwin, VP, Commercial Lender Sam Jeffcoat, VP, Commercial Lender Parrish Tatum, VP, Commercial Lender Sam Davis, SVP, Senior Lender Hometown decision makers, extraordinary personal service, big enough to meet your financial needs yet small enough to know you by name. That’s why The First is now one of the Gulf South’s fastest growing community banks. 8 the business view OCTOBER 2019 TheFirstBank.com 2019 EAGLE AWARDS //////////// Eagle Speaker A Beacon of Hope for Business Owners John Hope Bryant, poverty and empower low and entrepreneur, author, moderate-income youth and FAST FACTS philanthropist and prominent adults. Date: thought-leader on financial Named American Banker Wednesday, Oct. 23 inclusion, economic magazine’s 2016 Innovator of Time: 9:30 to 11 a.m. - Business Exhibitor Forum empowerment and financial the Year, Bryant has received 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Annual Eagle Awards Luncheon dignity, will be the keynote many accolades. According to speaker at the Mobile Area Bryant’s biography, the last five Location: Battle House Hotel Chamber’s 2019 Eagle Awards U.S. presidents have recognized lunch. The event honors his work; and he has served as Cost: $50 per person/$500 Table of 10/$60 potential member/ minority-owned businesses an advisor to the last three $600 table of 10 potential members, includes both the forum and and will be held Wednesday, sitting U.S.