The Business View - April 2012

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDMobile, AL

Permit #346

The Evolution of A Small Business:

Calagaz

Partners for Growth Aims for $10 Million

VIEW

Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce theA

PRIL

201

2

MEMBEr Appreciation DaySee You There!

2 APrIL 2012 | ThE BuSInESS VIEW

Member Appreciation Day!

For more information, call 251-431-8622.

Live Music * Free Food * Giveaways

Friday, April 13 - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - 451 Government St.

Join us for our 4th Membership Appreciation Day and Open House. Meet the Chamber staff and learn how we are working for your business.

Sponsored By:

you believeyou belongand for thatwe say thanks!

Participating Members:Blue Bell Creameries; Chiropractic Life Center: A Creating Wellness Center; Elements Therapeutic Massage; Flowers Baking Co.; Friends of Mobile Animal Shelter; Mobile Gas; Music 4 U, The Tommy Morse Band; Office Depot Business Solutions Division; Port City Rentals; and Sam’s Club.

ThE BuSInESS VIEW | APrIL 2012 3

April 2012 4-9 NewsYouCanUse–Positiveupdates forareaandstatebusinesses

10-11 Newleadersnamedfornextphase ofPartnersforGrowth

12 Localleadersenvisionfuture ofGulfCoast

13 TheChamberplansaonce-in-a-lifetime triptoCuba

15 SmallBusinessoftheMonth: WESCOGas&Welding

17-19 MadeinMobile:HowMobile-based Calagazhasevolvedsinceits foundingin1955

20 CEOProfile:AlanH.TurnerII, UnitedWayofSouthwestAlabama

21 SCOREColumn:Whysmallbusiness willleadintheneweconomy

22-23 Makeplanstoattendthefun-filled MemberAppreciationDay 25 InvestorFocus:BayBank

23 MeettheChamber’snewcustodian: HopeBush-Collins

26-27 Chamber@Work

28 BoardofAdvisors:KennethJ.Borowski, GaryJ.GradyandPatrickJ.Wilson

29 BusinessSpotlightoftheMonth: PerfectingThatCleaningLLC

29 AmbassadoroftheMonth: MarciaWasham

29 EconomicIndicators

30-31 Calendar

32-34 MemberNews

35 Anniversaries

35 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 EditorsShaylaJonesBeaco,SamCovert,AshleyHorn,

LeighPerry-Herndon,SusanRak-Blanchard,CarolynWilson

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

[email protected]

Cover TherecentlyformedCalagazgroupwascreatedtooverseethecompany’snewestacquisitions.PicturedarethethreeCalagazfamilymemberschargedwithrunningthebusiness.LeoCalagaz(secondfromright),JoeCalagaz(secondfromleft)andPaulineCalagaz(center).AlsopicturedareStevenMcNider(left),whosoldMcNiderCreationstoCalagazandjoinedthecompany,andDonnieWebb(right),whoisintheprocessofsellingSuperiorPrintingtoCalagazandwillalsojointhecompany.Seestoryonpages17-19.Cover photo by Susan Rak-Blanchard.

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VIEW

Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce the

Vol. XLIII, No. 3

4

13

6

Member Appreciation Day!

For more information, call 251-431-8622.

Live Music * Free Food * Giveaways

Friday, April 13 - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - 451 Government St.

Join us for our 4th Membership Appreciation Day and Open House. Meet the Chamber staff and learn how we are working for your business.

Sponsored By:

you believeyou belongand for thatwe say thanks!

Participating Members:Blue Bell Creameries; Chiropractic Life Center: A Creating Wellness Center; Elements Therapeutic Massage; Flowers Baking Co.; Friends of Mobile Animal Shelter; Mobile Gas; Music 4 U, The Tommy Morse Band; Office Depot Business Solutions Division; Port City Rentals; and Sam’s Club.


CLIENTmobcou

JOB NO.004069

DESCRIPTIONBusineess View

MATERIAL DUE DATE09/16/11

PUB(S)The Business View

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LINE SCREENMagazine

LASER PRINTED AT100%

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SPECIAL NOTES Information

QUESTIONS CALLCourtneyHaupt251.476.2507

004069-Business View.indd 1 9/26/11 4:49 PM

Alorica Expands to Second Location in Mobile County Company Adds 200 Jobs in West Mobile, Plans to Add Hundreds More in North Mobile County

Nearlytwoyearsago,telecommunicationscompanyRylaannounceditsintentionstoopenanin-boundcallcenterinSaraland,andputhundredsofpeopletowork.ByJanuary2012,Ryla,nowknownasAlorica,wasintheprocessofcappingoutaworkforceof650attheSaralandsite,andopenedasecondfacilityinwestMobileonHillcrestRoadwithaworkforceof200.

“Mobilewasfortunatetohaveanadditional‘plug-and-play’facilityinwestMobiletoimmediatelyhandleAlorica’sincreasedcapacity,”saidHermanTinsley,seniorprojectmanagerfortheMobileAreaChamber.

Plug-and-playisacallcenterindustrytermtodescribehowquicklyanemptybuilding’sinfrastructurecanbeturnedaroundtoopenthedoors.TinsleysaidtheHillcrestRoadsiteislocatedintheformerFRFinancialbuilding,whichwasoriginallybuiltforTeleVox,avoiceanddatamessagingcompany.Thefacilityhasahigh-speed

cablenetworkandabackupdieselgenerator,allcriticaltocallcenteroperations.

“We’vebeenextremelypleasedwiththeavailableworkforce,andtheamazingattitudesfrompeopleinMobile,”saidDanelKuhlmann,Alorica’smarketingandcommunicationsdirector.“Idon’tthinkwe’redone.We’reonafasttrackformore.”

TinsleybelievesAlorica’sfuturesuccessintheMobilemarketwillbesealedbythecompany’scontinuedcommitmenttotrainingitsworkers.EmployeeswhoworkateitherAloricafacilityaretrainedtoprovidecustomerservicetoonespecificcompany’sneeds.

Alorica,withmorethan20,000employeesand40callcenters,purchasedRylainApril2010.ThecompanyisalsorampingupemploymentattheSaralandsiteandplanstohaveatotalof850employeesbyMay.

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

PicturedaboveisthenewestAloricalocationonHillcrestRoadinwestMobile.


Locatednearthepark’swatertower,thepavilionwillbehometostageproductions,concerts,moviesandothercommunityevents,andwillhavestagelightingandasoundsystem.

“ThiswillprovideawholenewexperienceforourcommunitythatwillservenotonlyourwestMobileresidents,butwilldrawpeoplefromallpartsbecauseofthecaliberofperformancethepavilioncanaccommodate,”saidMobileCountyCommissionPresidentConnieHudson.

Countyofficialsdesigned,engineeredandconstructedthepavilion,andthecityofMobilewilloperateandmaintainthefacility.

The$300,000projectisbeingpaidbycityandcountydollarsaswellasa$5,000donationfromBlacksherWhite-Spunnerand$10,000fromTheJ.L.BedsoleFoundation.

Justaspeoplearetrainedtorecognizethewarningsignsofheartattacksorstrokes,AltaPointeisnowtrainingthepublictorecognizewarningsignsofmentalhealthissues.

Althoughtheterm“firstaid”typicallyreferstophysicalhealth,itcanbeappliedtomentalhealthaswell.WhenAltaPointeHealthSystemsbeganofferingmentalhealthfirst-aidtraininginlate2011,theresponsewasstrong,accordingtocompanyofficials.

Gearedtowardbusinessownersandmanagers,thistypeoftraininghelpsidentify,understandandrespondtosignsofmentalillnessamongemployees,suchaspanicattacks,paranoiaandpsychoticepisodes.

“Thisimportanteducationaleffortgoesalotfurtherthanemergencyintervention;itreallyhelpspeopleunderstandtheshroudoffearandmisjudgmentfacingindividualsandfamilieswhoexperiencementalillnessandaddiction,”saidDr.SandraParker,AltaPointe’smedicaldirector.

Participantsinthefirst-aidtrainingclasseslearnhowtoaddressemployeeproblemsthroughtechniquessuchasusingnon-threateningbodylanguage,speakingsoftly,askingtheperson’snameandlisteningclosely.Theyalsolearnhowtoassesswhethersomeoneissuicidalandwheretodirectpeopleforservices.

Tolearnmoreaboutthisprogram,ortoscheduleamentalhealthfirst-aidtrainingcourse,[email protected].

Local Agency Offers

Mental health First-Aid Training

MentalHealthFirstAidinstructorEmilyHead,standing,reviewsnewprogrammaterialswithotherstaffmembersatAltaPointe’sAdultOutpatientServicesonGordonSmithDriveinMobile.

Open-Air Pavilion Under Construction at Medal of Honor Park

A partnership between the city of Mobile and Mobile County will soon benefit park-goers at Medal of Honor

Park (formerly known as Cottage Hill Park). Construction is underway on the Mobile County Bicentennial Pavilion, a 2,500-square-foot open-air pavilion to be named in honor of Mobile County’s 200th anniversary.


I f the trash and debris littering our beautiful

city make you feel helpless, now is the time to pitch in and make a difference by volunteering for Mobile’s 2012 Great American Cleanup. InterestedindividualsandgroupscanparticipateatanytimeandatanylocationduringthemonthofApril,butareespeciallyencouragedtoorganizeactivitiesduringMobileGACweek,kickingoffonApril21andculminatingonApril28.

TheGreatAmericanCleanupisacity-wideeventsponsoredlocallybyKeepMobileBeautifulinpartnershipwithEnvisionCoastalAlabama.Thisevent,thenation’slargestcommunityimprovementprogram,involvesanestimated2.8millionvolunteersnationwideeachyear.

TheMobileGACsteeringcommittee’sgoalistorecruit100volunteerteamsandis

urgingallcommunityandcivicassociations,schools,neighborhoodgroupsandbusinessesintheMobileareatoplantheirowncleanupprojects.

DuringtheGreatAmericanCleanupweek,registeredteamswillreceivefreecleanupsupplies,suchasbags,glovesandvests,donatedbyKeepMobileBeautiful.

Volunteers Sought for

Great American Cleanup in Mobile

InJanuary,AustalUSAchristenedtheCoronado,thesecondLittoralCombatShipbuiltinMobilefortheU.S.Navy.The127-meterall-aluminumvesselhasamaximumspeedofmorethan45knots.

Austal Christens the

COROnADO

TheorganizationwillhaveacentralsupplydistributioncenterstationedattheMobileAreaChamber,451GovernmentSt.,beginningFriday,April20,atnoon.

Supplydropoffarrangementscanbemadeinadvanceforregisteredteams.Inaddition,KeepMobileBeautifulcanhelpidentifyareahotspotstocleanup,andhelp

organizeyourspecificproject.Allgroupsinterestedinorganizinga

cleanupactivityshouldcontactDeniseByrdwithKeepMobileBeautifulat208-6029ordenise.byrd@cityofmobile.org.Toregisteronline,visitwww.handsonal.organdclickon“FindanOpportunity.”

Chamber Participates in SArPC Job Fair and Encourages

Employers to Hire VeteransNomatterifyou’reactivelylookingfor

ajoborareanemployerseekingqualifiedapplicantstofillopenpositions,theSouthAlabamaRegionalPlanningCommission’sannualbusinessexpo/jobsfairhassomethingforyou.TheannualeventwillbeheldonThursday,April19,from9a.m.to2p.m.attheMobileCivicCenter’sExpoHall.

Lastyear’seventdrewmorethan3,500jobseekersfromsixstates.Employeesseekingworkerswillbeabletomeetpotentialemployers,conducton-siteinterviewsandprovidegeneralemploymentinformation.

ThisyeartheMobileAreaChamberisparticipatinginthejobfairthroughaU.S.ChamberofCommerceinitiativecalled“HiringOurHeroes.”LocalcompaniescanreceivefederaltaxcreditsforhiringU.S.militarymenandwomen.

Theworkopportunitycredithasbeenexpandedtoprovideemployerswithnewincentivestohirecertainunemployedveterans.InNovember2011,PresidentBarackObamasignedintolawthe“VowtoHireHeroesActof2011.”Thisnewlaw

providesanexpandedworkopportunitytaxcredittobusinessesthathireeligibleunemployedveteransandforthefirsttimealsomakespartofthecreditavailabletotax-exemptorganizations.Businessesclaimthecreditaspartofthegeneralbusinesscreditandtax-exemptorganizationsclaimitagainsttheirpayrolltaxliability.ThecreditisavailableforeligibleunemployedveteranswhobeginworkonorafterNov.22,2011andbeforeJan.1,2013.

“WegotinvolvedbecausethereareunprecedentednumbersofpeoplecomingbacktotheU.S.thefirstfewmonthsofthisyear,”saidLeidaJavier-Ferrell,theMobileAreaChamber’sdirectorofworkforcedevelopment.“Thisisanationaleffortalsotargetingthehighnumberofunemployedveteransandveteranswithdisabilities.”

Tolearnmoreabout“HiringOurHeroes,”contactFerrellat251-431-8631orljavier@mobilechamber.com.Tolearnmoreaboutthebusinessexpoandjobsfair,gotowww.sarpc.org.


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Formedin2010,thisconsortiumoflocalarchitects,engineers,Realtorsandcontractorsinitiatedacollaborativeefforttobringcitydepartmentheadsandmembersofthedevelopmentcommunitytogethertofocusjointlyonidentifyingstepstoenhancethecurrentpermittingprocess.

Insupportofthisprocess,MayorSamJonesnamedBillHarkins,coordinatoroftheMobileCitiSmartprogram,asthepointpersonforthisimportantwork.Alongwiththewebsitedeveloper,JohnStropeofDogwoodProductions,HarkinsandmembersofthetaskforceparticipatedintheDecemberunveilingofthenewBuildingandLandDevelopmentCenter.Manyrepresentativesfromtheprofessionaldevelopmentcommunitywereinattendance,andtheeffortreceivedhighmarks.

ThenewonlinetoolhasbeendesignedtohelpanyonewishingtobuildinthecityofMobilefindthenecessaryanswersandformstocompleteprojectswithinregulationandprofessionalstandards.Thepermittingportalbringstogetherpertinentinformationfromthecity’smanywebpagesinanattempttocreateaone-stopserviceforindividualcitizensaswellasdevelopmentprofessionals.

Amongthecomponentsfoundonthesitearelistsofpermitsrequired,distinctionsbetweenresidentialandcommercialprojects,usefulformsandapplications,adirectoryofcitystaffinvolvedintheplanningandpermittingprocessandasectiononfrequentlyaskedquestions.

Membersofthetaskforcerecognizethatrecentwebsiteenhancementsdonotconstituteaone-timefix,butrepresentaprocessthatwillrequirecontinuousupdatingandenhancement.ThecityofMobileiscommittedtothislong-termeffortandencouragesongoingfeedbackandinput.

Recently,theMobileAreaAssociationofRealtorshostedmembersoftheMobile

CountyRoadBuildersAssociation,AssociatedGeneralContractors,HomeBuildersAssociationandtheAmericanInstituteofArchitectstopresentthenewdevelopmentportal.Thecityiscommittedtoprovidingonsitedemonstrationstoallinterestedtradegroups.Formoreinformation,visittheBuildingandLandDevelopmentCenteratwww.cityofmobile.org/dev_center.php.

Tosetupanonsitedemonstrationforyourorganizationorassociation,[email protected].

City of Mobile LaunchesOnline Development Center

Sam W. Covert is past president of Downtown Mobile Alliance and a

member of the City/Developer Task Force. To contact Covert, e-mail

[email protected].

The new online tool has been designed

to help anyone wishing to build in the city of Mobile find the necessary answers and forms

to complete projects within regulation and professional

standards.

ThepermittingsubmissionprocessinthecityofMobilejustbecamealittleeasier.

Duringaperiodofunstableeconomictimes,mostconstructionprojectshanginthebalanceofrisingconstructioncosts,complexfinancingagreementsanddemandingprojecttimelines.Recognizingtheconstraintstheseobstaclescanplaceonproposeddevelopments,thecityofMobilerecentlyrevampeditscurrentonlinepermittingapplication.

Initscommitmenttoprovidingastreamlineddevelopmentprocess,fromconcepttocertificateofoccupancy,thecityofMobilelaunchedthenewonlineBuildingandDevelopmentCenter.Whetherit’szoning,planreview,buildingpermits,constructionorinspectionforallresidentialandcommercialprojects,thisnewonlinedevelopmentportalcontainsallthenecessaryformsandapplicationsneededtocompleteanyprojectinthecityofMobile.

Priortothedevelopmentofthenewpermittingportal,onlinedevelopment

procedureswerenoteasytonavigate,resultinginanover-relianceontelephonecommunicationswithcodeofficialsand,insomeinstances,numeroustripstoMobileGovernmentPlazafromcontractorsseekingclarityoncoderequirements.Fortheaveragearchitect,engineerordeveloperworkingtogetaconstructionprojectofftheground,timeisacriticalelementinmovingprojectsforward.Consequently,theabilitytositatone’scomputerortabletwhilecompletingmanyaspectsofthepermittingprocessoffersapricelesstoolthatcansaveneededtime,moneyandresources.

Manygovernmentalentitiesacrossthenationnowofferelectronicoronlinemethodstoautomateandaddefficiencyandconveniencetoprocesseswithincityandregulatorydepartments.FortheMobiledevelopmentcommunity,thismajorstepinrealizingastreamlineddevelopmentprocesswasthenumberonepriorityidentifiedbytheCity/DeveloperTaskForce.

Program Sponsors: Aker Solutions, Alabama Power Co., Austal USA, Commonwealth National Bank, First Community Bank, International Shipholding Corp., Mitsubishi Polysilicon, Mobile Airport Authority,

Mobile Gas, Pilot Catastrophe Services Inc., PNC Bank, Regions Bank, SSAB and ThyssenKrupp Steel USA Printer Sponsor: MH3 Printing & Ad Specialties - Floral Sponsor: All-A-Bloom Florist

June 2012Date to be Announced

15th Annual

State of the City & County Lunch

Join City of Mobile Mayor Sam Jones and Mobile County Commission President Connie Hudson as they discuss the state of the city and county at this

annual Chamber luncheon.

Reservations and advanced payment are required. Call 431-8621 or email [email protected]

Tickets are $20 per person or $190 for a table of 10 (Chamber members only)

or $30 per person for nonmembers.

Coming Soon!

2012SOCC_TBV_ad_newdate.indd 1 3/8/2012 4:18:04 PM


TheMobileAreaChamberofCommerceFoundationreceiveda$75,000grantfromTheCommunityFoundationofSouthAlabamatohelptheMBDABusinessCenterMobile,operatedbytheChamber,expandservicestobusinessesaffectedbytheDeepwaterHorizonoilspill.

TheChamberandtheMBDAbothhaveestablishedservicestohelpentrepreneursstart,manageandgrowtheirbusinesses.Thenewgrantmonieswillfundrecruiting,trainingandthecoordinatingoflocalconsultantstocoachbusinessesonsustainabilitypractices.

“Sustainabilityisasurgingtrendforthebusinesscommunityasexecutivesworktoreducecosts,usetheirworkforcemoreeffectivelyandbalancetheirdistributionofresources,”saidWinHallett,presidentoftheMobileAreaChamberofCommerce.“Thiswillfacilitatethesepracticestoareabusinessesthatarelookingforwaystoensuretheirfuture.”

BestorWard,MobileAreaChamberofCommerceFoundationboardchairman,added,“Thisgrantwillbenefitbusinessesaffectedbythe2010GulfCoastoilspillforyearstocome.”

TheGulfFundCommunitieswascreatedthroughananonymousdonationtoRockefellerPhilanthropyAdvisorstoenhancetheresiliencyofdiversecommunitiesalongtheGulfCoast.Inthethirdandfinaldisbursement,theMobileAreaChamberofCommerceFoundationwasoneof13organizationsreceivingfunds.

TheCommunityFoundationhasawardedmorethan$3.6millionto28MobileandBaldwinCountyorganizationssinceJuly2011,focusingonfinancialstability,mentalhealthandwellness,socialserviceandyouthresiliency,accordingtoAlverthaPenny,thefoundation’spresidentandchiefexecutiveofficer.

MobileCountybusinessesinterestedinsustainabilitytrainingshouldcontactMBDAat433-2250.

Mobile Area Chamber’s Minority Program Receives Grant to Expand Service

TheCommunityFoundationawarded$1.5millioningrantstolocalagenciesintheMobileareainJanuary.TheMobileAreaChamberofCommerceFoundationreceiveda$75,000granttosupporttheMBDABusinessCenterMobile,operatedbytheMobileAreaChamber.

By advertising in The Business View, you can reach the decision-makers at more than 22,200 area

businesses every month plus another 9,000 business professionals who receive it electronically.

The Business View – an easy and economical way to get your company in front of the

Mobile area business community.

Contact René Eiland to discover how advertising in The Business View can complete your

marketing plan at 251.431.8635 or e-mail [email protected].

www.mobilechamber.com/view/media_kit.pdf


A program of work as dynamic as Partners for Growth needed two of

this community’s champions to spearhead a $10 million fundraising goal, according to Mobile Area Chamber President Win hallett. That’s why it was natural to tap Joel Daves with regions Bank and Mike Saxon with Alabama Power Co., as co-chairs for the five-year campaign, spanning 2013-2017.

“ForallofoursuccessesbringingnewcompaniestoMobile,andworkingwithexistingbusinessesonexpansionprojects,wearenotslowingdown,andinfactarebetterprimedthanwewerefiveyearsagoforadditionalinvestment,”saidHallett.“Toimplementthisaggressiveprogram,however,weneedthefundingmechanisminplace.”

Daves,whohaslivedinMobileonthreeoccasionssince1979,saysthetransformationthat’stakenplaceherein30-plusyearsislikenoother,butadmitsit’seasierforhimtoseethechangesthanpeoplewhohaveneverleft.

“Sometimesyoudon’tseechangesuntilyougoawayandcomeback,”hesaid.DavesreturnedasRegions’SouthAlabamapresidentin2009,andseescreatingnewjobsandacapableworkforceasthechangeagentsthatcontinuetotransformthefaceofMobile.

WhenmeetingwithbusinessownersandmanagersaboutinvestinginPartnersforGrowth,Davessays,“Eachbusiness’investmentistiedtotheeconomicgrowthofthiscommunity.IbelievethatifMobileisgrowing,thenyourbusinesswillgrowwithit.”

SaxonisarelativenewcomertoMobile,butinhisshorttenureatthehelmofAlabamaPowerCo.’sMobiledivision,he’sseenfirst-handtheimportanceofhavingastrongeconomicdevelopmentprogramhere.Inadditiontoco-chairingPartnersforGrowth,heisalsochair-electfortheChamber.

“Oftentimestheword‘investment’istossedaroundfreelywhentryingtoraisemoney.InthecaseofPartnersforGrowth,itistrulyaninvestmentbecausethereareclearandmeasurableoutcomesprimarilyintheformofjobcreationandcapitalinvestment.Theseoutcomescanbeeasilytranslatedintothereturnoninvestmentwhichisthefirstmeasureofatrueinvestment.”BothSaxonandDavesagreethekeytoMobileandtheChamber’ssuccessesinindustryrecruitingandexpansioneffortslieinthestrongprivate-publicpartnershipassembled.

“Thatdoesnothappenoften,”DavessaidinexplainingMobile’suniquerecruitingpartnership.“ForasstrongastheChamberis,werealizetheChambercannotdoitalone.”

Overthenextfewmonths,DavesandSaxon,alongwithaleadershipcouncilcurrentlyindevelopment,willbemeetingwithelectedofficialsandcompanyleaderstoraisethe$10millionneededoverfiveyearstocontinuePartnersforGrowth.InupcomingissuesofThe Business View,readerswillbeshowntheplan’sdetailsandhowthefundsraisedwillbeusedtoinvestinMobile’seconomicfuture.

Partners for Growth III

2013-2017Goal:$10millionoverfiveyearsJobs Goal:4,000overfiveyearsAverage Annual Wages Goal:$40,000Capital Investment Goal: $1.5billionoverfiveyears

Partners for Growth II

2008-2012Goal:$10millionoverfiveyearsAmount Raised:$10.4millionJobs Goal:3,750overfiveyearsActual Jobs:6,176overfiveyears*Average Annual Wages Goal:$38,500Actual Average Annual Wages:$52,552*Capital Investment Goal:$1billionoverfiveyearsActual Capital Investment: $1.4billionoverfiveyears** Partners for Growth II is on-going, and the final number will increase based on 2012 announcements.

Partners for Growth I

2003-2007Goal:$7millionoverfiveyearsAmount Raised:$8millionJobs Goal:1,100annuallyActual Jobs:1,840annuallyAverage Annual Wages Goal: $32,500Actual Average Annual Wages:$47,711Capital Investment Goal:$1.75billionoverfiveyearsActual Capital Investment: $5.18billionoverfiveyears

Co-Chairs Named to Lead Partners for Growth

Formorethan25years,theMobileAreaChamberhasledMobile’seconomicgrowthwithmeasurableandimpressiveresults.Operatingasapublic-privatepartnershipwiththecityofMobile,MobileCountyandmorethan160privatecompanies,thisuniqueapproachtoeconomicdevelopmenthasastrategicdirection,completewithgovernance.

TheprogramofworkiscommonlyreferredtoasPartnersforGrowth–orPFG–anditssuccesseshavedeliveredasignificantreturnonpublic-privateinvestmentbycreatingandretainingjobs,elevatingsalaries,increasingcapitalinvestedhereanddiversifyingtheMobilearea’seconomicbase.

What is Partners for Growth?

SaxonDaves

Partners for Growth Believe in the Future


InaseriesofrecentMobileAreaChambermeetings,anoptimistictrendhasemerged.

ChamberBoardChairmanMichaelPierce,alsoboardchairofCommonwealthNationalBank,sayshe’sseeingitinhismeetingswithareabusinesses.AndtheChamber’sVicePresidentofEconomicDevelopment,TroyWayman,cansubstantiatethatwitharecordnumberofinquiriesfrombusinessesinvestigatingopportunitiesinMobile.

AstheleadeconomicdeveloperfortheChamber,cityofMobileandMobileCounty,Waymansayshisteamisthebusiestithasbeeninthreeyears,withlegitimateprojectsrepresentingindustriesacrosstheboard,fromchemicalstoaerospace.

Thenatureofrecruiting,whetheritisexpansionsatlocalcompaniesornewbusinesses,requiresextremeconfidentiality,soWaymancan’trevealanydetails,excepttosaytherearedozensofcompaniesreadytoinvestinprojects.Theyaredoingtheirhomework,andMobile’sonthelist.

InastudybytheCenterforBusinessandEconomicResearchatTheUniversityofAlabama,Mobile’sbusinessconfidenceindexisup3.6pointsto49.6percent,justbelowthethresholdof50thatthecenterusesforexpansion.

Accordingtothereport,transportation,informationandutilitysectorsintheMobileareaareanticipatingincreasedsalesandcapitalspending.

InformationTransportSolutionsInc.(ITS),basedinWetumpka,Ala.,hasasignificantpresenceinMobile.Two-and-a-halfyearsago,PresidentTomiSelbysawanopportunitytoexpandthecompany’sservicestoincludetechnologytrainingandsupportinK-12schools.Duringthe

economicdownturn,theneweducationaldivisionhasexperiencedgrowthaswellasthecompany’sbankingandhealthcaresectors.

LastOctober,ITSheldagrandopeningonanew15,000-square-footfacilitynearSchillingerRoadforitsoffices,centerofnetworkoperationsandwarehouseneeds.TheMobileofficehas20full-timeemployees,withoccasionalinfluxof10to15additionalstafffromthehomeoffice,andservicestwoofthecompany’slargestcustomersthathappentobebasedinMobile.ItalsoassistscustomersthroughoutAlabama,Mississippi,LouisianaandtheFlorida

panhandle.ITShasatotalof140employees.“Inthiseconomy,peoplearenot

willingtoinvestinjustabetterwaytodothings.Ithastosavethemmoneyinashortperiodoftime,”saidDaveStone,thecompany’svicepresidentforprojectmanagement.

Lastyear,theChamberwasinvolvedwith11economicdevelopmentprojectsannouncedatsevenlocalfacilitiesandfournewonesatAeroStar,AkerSubsea,AustalUSA,GulfCoastAsphalt,HorizonShipBuilding,Huntsman,KrispyMixes,SerimaxNorthAmerica,SteelWarehouse,Tate&LyleandVailRubber.Morethan600jobswillbecreatedatthesecompanies,andtheirinvestmentsexceed$130million.

“PositiveoutlooksofMobileexecutives,particularlyforsales,aretemperedbyconcernsregardingtheU.S.economyasawhole,whichisstillseenastoofragiletoleadsignificantgrowth.Whilemostrespondentsseemtobelievethedeclinesinactivityarelargelyover,areabusinesseswilllikelyremaincautiousaskeynationalandglobaleconomicissuescontinuetoplayout,”thereport’sauthorswrote.

Mobile’sperformanceinjobandwagegrowthearnedthePortCitythe34thspotinMilkenInstitute’sannuallistof2011Best-PerformingCitiesofthenation’stop200metroareas.TheSantaMonica,Calif.-basedorganizationisanonprofit,nonpartisanthinktankthatanalyzestheissuesandchoicesfacingpolicymakers.

TheMobilemetropolitanstatisticalareascoredhighestinthecategoryof‘5-YearHigh-TechGDPgrowth’from2005through2010,followedbythe‘5-YearWages&SalariesGrowth’from2004through2009category.

Duringthattimeframe,Mobilesawexpansionsandnewprojectsathigh-techcompaniessuchastheUSAMitchellCancerInstitute,SouthernLightandTeleVox.

OverallwagesandsalarieswerelikelyaffectedbyhiringsandexpansionsatAustalUSA,AkerSolutions,AirbusAmericasEngineering,SSABandThyssenKrupp.

Accordingtothereport,the‘Best-PerformingCities’indexisdesignedtomeasureU.S.metropolitanareasexperiencingthebestoveralleconomicperformancebasedonjobcreationandretention,thequalityofjobsbeingproducedandoveralleconomicoutcomes.Specifically,theindexpinpointswherejobsarebeingcreatedandmaintained,wherewagesandsalariesareincreasing,andwhereeconomiesandbusinessesaregrowingandthriving.

Light at End of Tunnel for Mobile’s Economy

Last year, the

Chamber was involved with 11 economic

development projects announced at seven local facilities and

four new ones. More than 600 jobs will

be created at these companies, and their investments exceed

$130 million.

Mobile Ranks

Among Best-Performing

Cities

InformationTransportSolutionsInc.,expandeditsoperationstoanew15,000-square-footfacilityinwestMobilelastyeartomeetthecompany’sgrowingbusiness.TheMobileofficehas20full-timeemployees.


StakeholdersandresiliencyexpertsalongtheGulfCoastweregivenaseriesofstatementsregardingspecificresilienceelementstoevaluate.Ratingsweregivenonascaleof1-5with5representing“doeswell”and1representing“doespoorly.”Participantsalsoevaluatedtheseelementsqualitativelythroughopen-endedquestions.America’sWETLANDFoundationresearch,gleanedfromtelephoneinterviewsandfocusgroupsincoastalcities,includingMobile,abouthowlocalleadersfeelabouttheMobilearea’sresiliencyinthefaceofrisingsealevels,increasinglystrongerstormsanddisasters.Thischartisasummaryofaverageresponses.Noteontheindex,picturedbelow,showsMobileataboveaverageinthreeoutofeightresilienceelements.Theregionrateshighestonwarningandevacuation;disasterrecoveryandemergencyresponseplanning;societyandtheeconomy,butlowestontransparency,publiceducationandawareness,landuseandstructuraldesign;riskknowledge;coastalrestorationandprotectionandsocietyandeconomy.Long-termresiliencyistiedtotheabilityofMobiletoaddressvulnerabilitiesonaregionalscalewithstrongleadershipthatcanbringconsensustodiversestakeholdersandinterests.

Blue Ribbon Resilient Communities

Anticipate Future Threats to the Gulf CoastToaddresstheseandothercoastal

issues,America’sEnergyCoast(AEC),aninitiativeoftheAmerica’sWETLANDFoundation(AWF),helditsseventhLeadershipForumonJan.25attheFiveRiversResearchCenterinSpanishFort.InpartnershipwithAEC,StateSen.VivianDavis-FiguresandRep.RandyDavisco-chairedtheday-longsymposiumfocusingonenvironmental,socialandeconomicissuesimpactingtheGulfCoast’sregionalsustainability,coastalresiliency,energyproduction,andnaturalandmanmadevulnerabilitiesprevalentincoastalAlabamawaters.

AspartofitsBlueRibbonResilientCommunitiesinitiative,AECconvenedkeylocalstakeholdersrepresentingregionalenvironmentalorganizations,industry,academiaandcommunityleadersto

closelyexaminetheimpactofnaturalandsocioeconomicthreatstoAlabama’scoast.While45percentofthestate’seconomyisgeneratedalongthecoast,thereisagrowingconcernthatcoastalAlabamaisnotrecognizedforitsimportanceasacontributortothestateandtheregion.Byengaginglocalandregionalstakeholders,thegoalofthisinitiativeistonotonlyfostercoastalcollaborationandcooperation,butalsotoemphasizethevalueofAlabama’scoastalassetstotheentireGulfCoastregion.

ThestatesofAlabama,Louisiana,MississippiandTexasareworkinginpartnershipwithAECtocreateapositive,balancednationaldialogueonAmerica’senergyfutureandtheeconomicandecologicalsustainabilityoftheGulf’senergy-producingstates.Workingtogetherinsupportofsmartlanduseplanning

methods,publiceducationopportunitiesfocusedonstormplanninganddisasterprotection,andenhancedfederalguidelinesthataddresswaterresourcemanagementensuresthatinthelongtermtheGulfCoastregionwillbebetterequippedtoweathertheimpactsofunforeseencatastrophesandenvironmentalthreats.

America’sEnergyCoasthasplannedadditionalforumsalongtheGulfCoast,whereitwillconveneotherstakeholdergroupstoensurelocalinputoncoastalplanningdecisionsthatwilllikelydecidethefutureoftheentireregion.FormoreinformationontheAWF’sBlueRibbonResilientCommunitiesinitiative,visitwww.futureofthegulfcoast.orgorwww.americaswetland.com.

S everal major hurricanes and a catastrophic oil spill have

taken a tremendous toll on the Gulf Coast region, with the impact affecting the coastal environment, tourism industry, fisheries, overall quality of life and economic well-being. While many lessons have been learned as a result of these devastating events, area leaders recognize the importance of ongoing planning efforts to assist local communities in anticipation of future disasters and threats to the region’s most critical assets.

The Gulf Coast’s resilence Index


Chamber to Host Group in

T hough Mobile has a sister city relationship with its capital, and the

Mobile Area Chamber has a partnership with its largest Chamber, hopping on an airplane and traveling to Cuba is not something most people are able to do. Now you can.

TheMobileAreaChamberwilltakeasmallgroupof32peopletoHavanaandTrinidad,Cuba,bywayofachartertourapprovedbythefederalgovernment,Oct.6-14.Thecostforthetripis$3,399perpersonbasedondoubleoccupancy,andanadditional$600forasingleroomsupplement.Includedinthispriceis:

• Round-tripairfarefromMiami• Airdeparturetaxes• Cubantravelvisa• Cubanhealthinsurance (requiredbytheCubangovernment)• Eightnightsoffirst-classhotelaccommodations

(oneinMiami,seveninCuba)• 19meals• Interactionsandadmissionsperitinerary• ProfessionalCubanbilingualhost/guide• Hotelandairporttransfersandbaggagehandling• TransportationinCubaTomakereservationsforthistrip,adepositof$500per

personmustbesecured,andacopyofyourpassporttohaveyourvisaprocessed.Seatsforthistripareextremelylimitedandcannotbeguaranteedwithoutapaiddeposit.Thetrip’sbalancewillbedue75daysbeforedeparture.Toreserveyourspot,[email protected].

Laterthismonth,theChamberisleadingagroupof33peopleonanidenticaltrip.ItsoldoutseveralweeksafteritwasofferedtotravelersonpreviousChambertours.

highlights of the Tour

Oct. 6: MiamiArriveinMiami,andtransfertoyourMiamiairport-

areahotel.

Oct. 7: Miami - havana DepartMiamionyourshortflighttoCuba,foran

orientationtoCuba’scapitalcity.ExploretheCathedraldelaHavana,builtinbaroquestylein1748,andlearnaboutitspreservationandcontinuousrestoration.SeetheGreekOrthodoxChurchandthescalemodelofthecityofHavana.Fromthere,visittheMuseoFineArtsandthebeautifulMuseodelaRevelucionthatdisplaysdocumentsandartifactstellingthecountry’shistory.Later,visitLaMarketadeHavanainOldHavana,aUNESCO(UnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization)WorldHeritageSite.

Oct. 8: havana - Terrazas Region of Vinales

ThewesternprovinceofPinardelRioisknownforitsstunningscenery,alandscapeofprehistoriclookingflat-topmountainsor“mogotes,”tobaccoplantations,cavesandrivers.VisitLasTerrazas,asmallcooperativevillageestablishedinthe1960stobeself-sufficient.AtRanchoCurujey,learnabouttheself-sustainingsuccessesinreforestation,historicpreservation,environmentalbalanceandagoodlife.Next,meetwithlocalartistsandcraftworkersintheirhomesandstudiosandwalktheruinsofaFrenchCoffeePlantationbuiltin1801.ThentakeaboatridetoseetheIndiancaves.EnjoylunchatalocalrestaurantbeforeseeinglocaltobaccofieldsandtheCathedralChurchinVinales.Later,visittheSanLazaroChurchinElRincon,namedafterSanLazaro,thesaintofthepoor.Oct. 9: havana - Cienfuegos - Trinidad

ArriveinCienfuegos,foundedin1819byFrenchsettlersandcurrentlyoneofCuba’snewestcities,offeringharmoniousarchitectureandurbanplanning.BeginwithapanoramicoverviewofitsOldTown,aUNESCOWorldHeritageSite,followedbyavisittothebotanicalgarden.

Next,visittheJaguaCastle,thefortressofNuestraSeñoradeLosAngelesdeJagua,completedin1745andafineexampleofthemilitaryarchitectureof18thcenturyCuba.

Oct. 10: Trinidad

GoonawalkingtourofTrinidaddeCuba,oneofthecountry’soldestcities,foundedbytheSpaniardsin1514.AUNESCOWorldHeritageSite,itwasestablishedonordersoftheconquistadorDiegoVelázquezdeCuéllar,whotraveledtoCubawithColumbusin1493.VisitthePlazaMayor,MuseumofArchitecture,MuseumoftheRomanticEra,andotheramazingsitesincludingasugarplantationandthemiradorlookoutovertheSugarMillValley,alsoaUNESCOWorldHeritageSite.

Oct. 11: Trindad - Playa Giron - havanaOnthedrivebacktoHavana,stopatthetownofPlaya

GironandtourtheBayofPigsMuseumthattellsthestoryoftheinvasionandtheinfamousbattle.Seemanyhistoricalartifacts,includingaSeaFuryfighteraircraft,photosandmapsoutliningeachstepofthefailedplan.

Oct. 12: havana - hemingway Farm - havana

EntertheworldofErnestHemingwaywithavisittoHemingway’sFarm,FincaLaVigia.ThisbeautifulpropertyhoststhehousewheretheNobelPrizewinnerlivedwithhiswifeMarthafor21years.Next,visitthepicturesqueCojimarFishingVillagemadefamousbyHemingway’snovelTheOldManandtheSea.Fromhere,ventureintotheGuanabacoaRegion,richwithreligiousdiversity.VisittheMuseodeGuanabacoaofSanteriaOrishasandseeexhibitsonthefascinatingAfro-CubancultureandthePartagasCigarFactory,establishedinHavanain1845.

Oct. 13: havana

VisittheCallejondeHamel,astreetincentralHavanawhereculturalrescueandexpansionhasbeenexpressedthroughtheartistSalvadorGonzalez.Next,seetheColonCemetery,foundedin1876andfamousforitselaboratesculptures.ThenexploretheMorroCastle,builtin1589,andseetheCubanLiteracyMuseum.

Oct. 14: havana - uSA

TransfertotheairportforareturnflighttoMiami.

October 6-14



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].

WESCO Strives to Provide ‘Extra-Value Service’ to Customers

WESCO Gas & Welding Supply Inc., located in Prichard was named Small Business of the Month by the Mobile Area Chamber. Pictured here is WESCO Chairman Ronald C. Pierce, PE and company President Jenny McCall.

ForWESCOGas&WeldingSupply,thesecrettoasuccessfulbusinessispeople–hiringtherightemployeesandprovidingsuperiorservicetocustomers.WESCOistheMobileAreaChamber’sSmallBusinessoftheMonth.

AsoneofthelargestindependentgasandweldingdistributorshipsonthecentralGulfCoast,WESCOofferswelding,industrialandsafetysupplies,aswellasmedical,industrialandspecialtygases.

“Wesupplyfabricationshops,shipbuildingcompanies–reallyanythingtodowithwelding,”saidJenny McCall,thecompany’spresidentandchiefoperatingofficer.

“Wesupplytotheenduser,fromhobbyiststomechanicstoshipbuildingtoconstruction–younameit.”

Whatstartedin1963asathree-employee,family-ownedshopinPrichardhasgrowntoabusinesswitheightlocationsemploying96people.McCall’sfather,whostartedasamanufacturingrepresentative,boughtintothebusinessandtookoverownershipin1976.

Today,“extra-valueservice”iswhatsetsthecompanyapart,saysMcCall.WESCOcountsamongitsemployeesaprofessionalengineerandacertifiedweldinginspectorwhocan,whenneeded,certifycustomersortheiremployees.

WESCOstaysinvolvedinthecommunitybyparticipatinginfoodpantrydrivesandtheholidaydrivefortheLightoftheVillage,helpingwiththerestorationoftheflagpoleatClarkMiddleSchool,anddonatingmaterialsfortheMagnoliaSpringsBaptistChurchyouthpaintballgamesandothercharityevents.

AsWESCOlookstowardthefuture,McCallsaiditsgreatestchallengeisonefacingtheentireindustry–maintainingaworkforce.

“Wedonothaveenoughwelders,”shesaid.“Thejobopportunityforawelderisunbelievable.We’vegottoattractpeopletoourindustry.”

small business of the month


Litigation has unfortunately become a part of doing business.With over 70 lawyers, we are one of the largest law firms in the state of Alabama. More than half of the firm’s lawyers engage in full-time litigation and trial work. We give our clients decades of experience in all types of litigation matters. Our trial lawyers stand ready to save you time, money, and possibly your business.

In a perfect world, you would never need us.Unfortunately, this isn’t a perfect world.

www.handarendall.com

No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

Contact: J. Burruss Riis, RSA Tower, Suite 30200, 11 North Water Street, Mobile, AL 36602.

birmingham • mobile • athens • fairhope • jackson, ms(205)324.4400 (251)432.5511 (256)232.0202 (251)990.0079 (601)605.6551


T he Calagaz family has taken another step to keep the Mobile-based family

business relevant in today’s changing times. Started in 1955 as a photo supply business, Calagaz has evolved over the years to include cameras, computer software, classes and commercial printing.

Recentlythecompany’sprintingdivisioncombinedforceswithlocallyownedSuperiorPrintingandacquiredMcNiderCreations,alocalgraphicdesignfirmandscreenprintingcompany.

WhilethepurchaseofMcNiderCreationsiscomplete,TheCalagazGrouphasamanagementagreementwithSuperiorPrintingasitfinalizesnegotiationstosatisfyleasingequipmentcompanies.Thedealshouldbemadethismonth,accordingtoJoeCalagaz,thecompany’sprintingvicepresident.

Calagazfirstenteredtheprintingmarketinthemid-1990s,usingdigitaltechnologytoreproducefavoritecustomerphotoswhentheylosttheirnegatives.“That’swhatstartedusdowntheroadofdigitalprinting,”saysCalagaz.

WithabusinessdegreefromTulaneUniversityandfouryearsintheU.S.Army,in1991CalagazwasreadytosettlebackinMobile.Heremembershisuncle,LeoCalagaz,presidentofTheCalagazGroup,saying,“It’sgreatyouwanttojointhefamilybusiness,butwhatareyougoingtodotomakemoney?”

Atthetime,photography,computersoftwaresuchasAdobePhotoshop,scannersandcolorprinterswerestartingtooverlap.AfatefulcallfromPolaroidtohosta

seminarbroughtCalagazandtheculinarydirectorfromRubyTuesday’stogether.Aftertheseminar,hespenttimeatrestaurantheadquarters,thenbasedinMobile,and

developedapartnership.Withitsdigitalprinters,Calagazshavedoffweeksofleadtimeonnew

menus,streamlinedcheftrainingdocumentsandofferedunprecedentedflexibilitytorespondquicklytodiettrends,likelow-carboptions.“Traditionalprintersdidn’tembracedigitaltechnologyrightaway.Wesaw

thetrend,”saysJoeCalagaz.Morethan20yearslater,saysLeoCalagaz,“It’sstill

aboutputtingimagesonpaper.”

Continued on page 18

Merger is on the Menu for

The Calagaz Group

Made in Mobile

The new Calagaz Printing team was formed as Calagaz bought McNider Creations and is in the processing of acquiring Superior Printing. Pictured is Joe Calagaz (left), Donnie Webb and Steven McNider.


Merger is on the Menu for The Calagaz Group Continued from page 17

ThatinitialprojectwithRubyTuesday’scontinuedforseveralyearsafterthecompanymoveditsheadquarterstoTennessee.Today,printingin-houseandtakeoutmenus,tabletents,flyers,andmoreforrestaurantsrepresents70percentofCalagaz’sprintingrevenue.“Ournicheiswithgeographicallydiverserestaurantswith10to250locations,”saysJoeCalagaz.

Overtheyears,Calagazexpandeditsequipmenttoincludeatraditionalprintingpress,optimalformedium-sizedprojectsthatneedthousandsofcopies.Theremaining35percentofthecompany’sprintingcomesfromlocalorganizations.

Calagaz and Superior PrintingAfewyearsago,Calagazbeganoutsourcinglarger

projectsthatneededhundredsofthousandsofcopiestoDonnieWebb,ownerofSuperiorPrinting,andWebbreciprocatedbyoutsourcingafewofhisownprojectstoCalagaz.

WebbfirststartedworkingwithSuperioraftergraduatingfromhighschoolin1984andboughtthebusinessin1995.Untilhelosthiswifefrompancreaticcancerin2009,thecoupleranSuperiortogether.“Itwasahardtime,andthencametheeconomicdownturn,”Webbsays.“Itjustwasn’tasfunasitusedtobe.”

Aconversationoveraworkinglunchhatchedtheideaofmergingthetwocompanies.Oncefinalized,CalagazwillmovehisprintingequipmenttoSuperior’sMillStreetlocation.“TheyhavecapabilitiesIdon’t,andIhavecapabilitiestheydon’t,”saysWebb.“Puttingustogetherwillstrengthenusboth.”

CalagazisalsobuyingWebb’sreceiptbookprintingbusiness,RushReceiptsBooks,alittle-knownventurethatservicesnationalprinters.

“Donnieisextremelyknowledgeableandisaverycapablepressman.Fewknowmoreaboutthemechanicsofthepressthanhedoes,”saysCalagaz.Oncethemergeriscomplete,

Webbwillcontinuemanagingthepresses,andSuperioremployeeswillbecomeCalagazemployees.

Thereissomeoverlapinservices,explainsCalagaz.Forexample,bothcompaniescurrentlyhavemailhouseoperations,butheexpectstokeepthemajorityofemployees.

TheCalagazprintoperationsareexpectedtomoveintoSuperiorPrinting’scurrentlocationonMillStreet.JoeCalagaz(right)duringtheprocessofacquiringSuperiorPrintinghasservedasanadvisortocurrentownerDonnieWebb,picturedwithCalagaz.

BECOME A FAN OF THE FAN.

By Jamie SandfordAlabama Power Company

MONEY-SAVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP No. 20

©2012 Alabama Power Company

Ceiling fans do more than just move air around. They help your air conditioner or heating system work more effectively, keeping you comfortable in both summer and winter, while reducing your energy bills.

If you ask me, ceiling fans are one of the most

underrated, underutilized energy efficiency

devices. And yet they can make a room feel 3

to 4 degrees cooler than the setting on the air

conditioner. Now, we recommend keeping your

thermostat set on 78 in the summer. Some

people fi nd 78 to be a little too warm. But with

a ceiling fan, you can keep that thermostat on

78 and the room will feel like it’s on 74 or 75.

And, let me tell you, those 3 or 4 degrees

will make a big difference on your power bill.

In fact, each degree above that can decrease

your power bill significantly. Wow. Now you

know why I’m such a fan of the fan.

In which direction should your fan blow?

If your fan has a reversible switch, make sure you’ve got it on the right setting. Now, there is a lot of debate about what the “right setting” is, but here is my take on things.

In the summer, your blades should be rotating counter-clockwise, so that you can feel cool air being pushed down on you.

In the winter, you want those blades rotating in a clockwise direction, which causes the hot air up near the ceiling to be redistributed to lower parts of the room.

Don’t touch that dial. Just two degrees above 78 (in the summer) can reduce your air conditioning energy use by up to 10%. For more tips on ceiling fans, visit AlabamaPower.com/tips.

POWI-2662 Fan.indd 1 2/3/12 2:29 PM


Mcnider Creations is now CalagazWiththepurchaseofMcNiderCreationscomesome

excitingplansforTheCalagazGroup.AfterworkingfortheUniversityofSouthAlabama’s

publicationsdivision,StevenMcNiderstartedhisownendeavorin2004.CalagazwasoneofMcNider’sclients,handlinglayoutanddesignformanyCalagazprintingcustomers.

Athiswife’surging,McNidertookadvantageofsomedowntimein2010tolaunchhispopularT-shirtbrand,PhinsApparel,reflectinghisloveoftheoutdoorsandfeaturinghisownartwork.ManufacturedinMobile,theT-shirtsaresoldatsmallboutiquesandspecialtyshopsinAlabama,MississippiandFlorida,includingatleasthalfofMobile-basedShoeStation’s20-plusstores.

TheentrepreneurialspiritwasfirstignitedinMcNiderwhenhewasdesigningT-shirtsforhisownhighschoolinMonroeville,Ala.Therewasn’talocalcompanywhocouldproducetheshirts,sohetalkedwithhisparents,whoatthetimeownedahardwarestore.Theyboughtascreen-printingpressandtwomonthslaterhadtobuyabiggerone,saysMcNider.

Hetookahiatusfromshirtproductiontoearnhisfineartsdegreeandstartacareer.By2005,McNiderCreationsincludedscreen-printingcustomizingpolosandT-shirtsforlocalhighschools,universities,sportsteams,churchesandbusinesses,includingCalagaz.

“Mybackgroundiscreativeanddesign.ThewayPhinswastakingoff,Calagazwastherightfit.Theyhadtherightcontactsandtherightstructure,”saysMcNider.

“Stevenisatalentedgraphicdesignerandartist,”saysCalagaz,whoseesahugebusinessopportunitywith

thispartofthebusiness.“Restaurantsusealotofapparelandsellapparelintheirstores.Throughourcurrentrelationships,wealreadyhaveafewsalescommitments,andIexpectthatwillgrow.”

McNiderwillcontinuetohandleCalagaz’sgraphicdesignandmanagethemanufacturingbusinessathisHallsMillRoadlocation.

Asitstandsnow,Calagazisweeksawayfrommergingthreelong-timeMobileAreaChambermembersandsolidifyingitsplanforfuturegrowth.Withthecompanychanges,Calagazwillincreaseitsstafftomorethan40.

“It’sbeenabusythreeorfourmonths,”saysCalagaz,“butwe’reexcitedaboutnewcompetitionpositionandreadyforgrowth.”

ThePhinsapparellineisbarelytwoyearsold.ThelinewascreatedbyStevenMcNider,formerownerofMcNiderCreationsandoneofthenewestteamCalagazmembers.HereMcNiderreviewstheworkonthecompany’sT-shirtscreenprintercustomizingshirtsfortheShrimpBasket.

banktrustonline.com107 St. Francis Street (251) 431-7800Member FDIC

(seated l to r) Bruce Finley, Mike Johnson, Bibb Lamar, Henry O’Connor, Mike Fitzhugh, Rob Diehl. (standing l to r) Lyn Peterson, James Alexander, Patrick Ladd, Dottie Quackenbush, Karen Sullivan, Mark Thompson, Pam Watson, Bronte’ Dixon, David Sutley, Becky Minto, Beth Cazalas, Terry Harbin, Dianne Hollingsworth.

25 Years andCounting

MOBILE COMMITTED. MOBILE STRONG.

Since opening in 1986, BankTrust has remained committed to the city that launched our success. Mobile is our heart and soul. Our new St. Francis Street offi ce symbolizes the many local relationships we have forged. BankTrust employees embrace our role as community bankers — and our responsibility to help Mobile and Baldwin county citizens BankSmartSM.


Company: UnitedWayofSouthwestAlabama

Title: Presidentandchiefexecutiveofficer

hometown:Albany,N.Y.

Education:Turnerearnedabachelor’sdegreeinbusinessadministrationfromDaemenCollegeinBuffalo,N.Y.,andcompletedexecutiveeducationprogramsatHarvardBusinessSchool,HarvardKennedySchoolandKelloggSchoolofManagement.Heiscurrentlycompletingamaster’sinbusinessadministrationatUnionUniversityinJackson,Tenn.

First job: PharmacyspecialistwiththeU.S.ArmyReservesinthe338thGeneralHospitalMobileReserveUnitinNiagaraFalls,N.Y.

Previous experience:PresidentandchiefexecutiveofficeroftheUnitedWayofWestTennessee;executivedirectoroftheassociationofNewYorkStateYouthBureaus;seniorregionalcoordinatorwiththeNewYorkStateAssembly;anddistrictexecutivewiththeBoyScoutsofAmericainVermontandFlorida.

Accomplishments:Throughouthiscareer,Turnerhasraisedmorethan$100millionthathasbeeninvestedinvarioushealthandhumanserviceprogramsandorganizations,directlyimpactingmorethan3millionlives.

Secret to success:“Neverstoplearning,remainhumble,praiseGod,surroundyourselfwithpositivepeopleandalwaysbethankful.”

Brief company description: UnitedWayofSouthwestAlabamaisoneof1,800UnitedWaysworldwide.ItservesMobile,ClarkeandWashingtoncountiesbyraisingnearly$5millionayear,mostlythroughworkplacecampaignsandmajorgifts.

Alan Turner IICEO profile


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

SmallbusinessesareconsideredthebackboneoftheAmericaneconomy.Withnationalleaderssayingtheeconomicrevivalbeginswithsmallfirms,awell-executedbusinessstrategyhasneverbeenmoreimportant,saysRichardSanford,anentrepreneurandbusinesscoachwhohaslaunched11successfulsmallercompanieshimself.

Inpastrecessions,independentsmallerbusinesseshelpedfueleconomicrecoveries.Buttightenedcredit,governmentregulatoryimpedimentsandalackoffederalsupportforcommunitybanks–theprincipalsourceofcapitalandfinancialsupportforsmallbusiness–hasmanymodern-dayentrepreneursfearfulofwhatthefuturemayhold.

Properplanningandawell-executedbusinessstrategy,though,canclearthewayforasmallerenterprisetoexpandandtakereasonablerisksthatwillleadtoanimprovedbottomline,whichusuallyrequiresanincreaseinitsworkforce,Sanfordsays.

MostpeoplearenotawarethattheAmericanSmallBusinesssuccessrateof20percentis,andhasbeen,unchanged,decadeafterdecade,accordingtotheU.S.SmallBusinessAdministration.ThechallengefacingAmericanentrepreneursistoincreasethissuccessrate.

Sanford,alsoauthorofastrategyguideforsmallerbusinessescalledSuccess By Design(www.ssbp.biz),believestheheartandsoulofanysmallbusinessisitsstrategicplan,andaformalstrategicplanincreasesanentrepreneur’soddsforsuccess.

“Theplanistheframeworkandfoundationthatoutlineshowtothink,howtoplanandhowtotakeactiontosucceed,”hesays.“TheAmericanSmallBusinesssectorcreatesmorethan70percentofallnewjobsannually.Smallbusinessisthejob-creatingenginethatexpandsemploymentandcreatesthemajorityofallnewjobsinourcountry.”

Sanfordbelieveseverysmallbusinessfailureisadirectresultofinsufficient

Small Businesses Will Lead in the New Economy

planning,butitdoesn’thavetobethatway.Hisstrategytipsforsmallbusinesses

andentrepreneursinclude:• have a strategy.An

entrepreneur’sdreamsforasuccessfulbusinessventurerequirestrategicplanningtoturnthemintoreality.Ifyoudon’thaveastrategicplan,createonebeforeyoumakeanothermission-criticaldecision.

• Become what you think about all day long. Ifyoucanvisualizesuccess,chancesareyou’llachieveit.Ifallyoudoisfretaboutfailure,itcanbecometheself-fulfillingprophecy.Thinksuccessandencourageyourteamtodothesame.

• Focus on customer service. Everybusinesscontrolshowtheyservetheircustomers.Theoneswhocan’tgetahandleonthatsimplefactwillfail,plainandsimple.

“Theironyofsmallbusinessisthat,asabusinesssector,itshouldbeconsidered‘toobigtofail,’”Sanfordsays.“The

problemis,smallbusinessdoesnothavetheluxuryofagovernmentbailout.Itneedstohealitselffromtheinside,usingonlyavailableresourcesandthewitsinitsleaders’heads.Withallthingsbeingequalinthemarketplace,nomattertheeconomicconditions,strategicplanningmakesthedifferencebetweensuccessandfailureeverytime.”

Richard Sanford is an entrepreneur, author and owner of Simplified Strategic Business Planning LLC, a consulting, training, and publishing company serving the world of small business. E-mail him at [email protected].

To learn more about strategic planning for your small business, 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.score.org.


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.

Growinginpopularity,theMobileAreaChamber’sMemberAppreciationDayisafun-filledeventwithafreelunchandsnacks,giveawaysandlivemusic.Thisyear’sevent,presentedbyAT&TAdvertisingSolutions,issetforFriday,April13,from10a.m.to2p.m.attheMobileAreaChamberoffice,451GovernmentSt.ChamberstaffwillbeonhandtorecognizeandthankChambermembersaswellasitsboardofadvisors,boardofdirectors,PartnersforGrowthinvestors,volunteersandclients.

AteammemberfromeachoftheChamber’sdepartments–administration,communicationsandmarketing,communityandgovernmentalaffairs,economicdevelopment,internationaltrade,membership,smallbusinessandworkforcedevelopment–willbeavailableattheeventtoanswerChamber-relatedquestions,providedetailsaboutupcomingeventsandshareinformationonhowtogainthemostfromChambermembership.

Here’swhatseveralmembershavetosayaboutit:“OurChambermembershiphasallowedustointeract

withourexistingnetworkofbusinesscustomersandexpandtonewbusinesses.MemberAppreciationDayisalsoagreatwaytovisitwithyourcustomersinafriendly,relaxedenvironment,andtogetherlearnaboutnewbusinessopportunities,”saidGeorgeKushner,generalmanager-salesofAT&TAdvertisingSolutions.

“IattendbecauseitgivesmetheopportunitytomeetalltheChamberstaffandbecomefamiliarwiththemanydepartmentsandcommitteesthatareworkingtomakeMobileabetterplacetoliveandwork,”saidSheilaMurphyofWindstreamCommunications,whoisalsochairmanoftheChamber’sambassadors.

Membersarealsowelcometoparticipateintheday’sactivitiesbyofferingcouponsandgivingawayspecialtyitemsorotherproductsandservices.“It’sagreatnetworkingevent,”saidMikePayne,presidentofGwin’sCommercialPrinting.“Ihaveattendedeveryyearandhavemadetonsofbusinessconnectionsandnewcontacts.”

“AsanewbusinessownerandanewmemberoftheMobilecommunity,I’vefoundmyChambermembershiptobemybestinvestment,”saidTadBristow,ownerofBatteriesPlus.“Fromprofessionalrelationshipstoaccesstobusinessresourcestogeneral‘howdoIgetthisdone?’questions,theChamberismygo-toresource.TosayIcouldnothavenotdoneitwithoutthemisreallynotfarfromthetruth!”

Lastyearmorethan200membersparticipatedintheevent.Nowinitsfourthyear,MemberAppreciationDaypromisestodrawanothergoodcrowd,saidCarolynGolson,theChamber’svicepresidentofmembership.

Formoreinformationabouttheevent,[email protected].

Member Appreciation Day: Because It’s All About YOU!

Fast FactsWhat: MemberAppreciationDay,featuringlivemusic,freefoodandgiveaways

When: Friday,April13

Time: 10a.m.to2p.m.

Where:MobileAreaChamber,451GovernmentSt.

Cost: Free

Info: [email protected]


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Let the Mobile Area Chamber thank you for your valuable membership.

Find out more about what the Chamber can do for your business.

Learn about the many networking events, member discounts, professional development seminars, business advocacy initiatives and awards programs.

Tour the updated and affordable rental meeting room space available to Chamber members. Sign up for free Chamber discount programs including Office Depot and Sam’s Club.

Get pampered by several Chamber members. (See the list of participating members in the ad on this page.)

Enjoy live music on the Chamber lawn with Music 4 U, The Tommy Morse Band.

FREE lunch – hot dogs, snacks, ice cream and drinks will be served.

Why Should You Attend

Member Appreciation Day?

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...


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investor focus

Company Officials:Dr.LouieWilson,chairman;GregFaison,presidentandchiefexecutiveofficer

Years in Business: 12

Brief Company Description: BayBankisacommunitybankheadquarteredinMobile.Formedin1999,BayBankopenedwithtwobranchesat10861DauphinIslandPkwy.(Bayley’sCorner)and640LeMoyne(DauphinIsland).Themainofficeandcorporateheadquartersisnowlocatedat6140AirportBlvd.,inMobile.

Why are you located in Mobile?“TheoriginalfoundersofthebankwantedtoestablishacommunitybanktoservetheneedsoftheMobilecommunity,”saidFaison.

Why do you support the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce’s Partners for Growth initiative? “TheMobileChamberdoesthebestjobofanythatIhavebeenassociatedwithin33yearsofbanking,”saidFaison.“InmypreviouspositionaschiefexecutiveofficerofapublicholdingcompanywithlocationsinseveralAlabamaandFloridacities,weinteractedwithchambersinthosecities.TheMobileChamber’spartnershipwiththebusinesscommunityisunique.”

What do you see as Mobile’s greatest potential?“ThepotentialindustrialdevelopmentandthePortofMobileholdingtremendouspromiseasthePanamaCanalisdeveloped,”saidFaison.“TheGulfCoastwillreboundatsomepoint.Severallarge,out-of-areabanksaremovingintothesoutheasterncoastareabecausetheyrealizethatbothdevelopmentandpopulationshiftwilleventuallyreturn.”

Length of Continuous Chamber Membership:Since2000

Bay Bank

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].

Established in Mobile in 1999, the bank’s headquarters is at 6140 Airport Blvd., in Mobile. From left to right are LaTease Roberts; Cassandra Logwood; Jessica Hall; branch manager; Nikki Wallace; Kelli Dixon; and Arnetta McDaniel.


Work Continues to Pass Metal Theft Legislation

TheChamberstaffcontinuestoworkwiththeMobileCountySheriff’sOffice,MobilePoliceDepartment,areaindustryandmembersoftheAlabamastateLegislaturetopassastatewidebilltodetermetaltheftsinAlabama.Thisandotherbusiness-impactinglegislationwillbecloselytrackedandadvocatedbytheChamber.

new Coalition Formed to Support I-10 Bridge

TheChamberformalizedacoalitionof20-plusorganizationsinsupportoftheI-10MobileRiverbridgeandI-10Baywaywideningproject.TheBuildtheBridgeCoalitionmetinearlyJanuarywithAlabamaDepartmentofTransportation(ALDOT)DirectorJohnCooperandALDOTDistrictEngineerVinceCalamettitoidentifyactionstepstoexpandthecoalitionandadvocatefortheproposedproject.MikeLeewithPage&JonesInc.,ischairingthegroup.

MDBA Business Center – Mobile Exceeds Federal Goals

TheMBDABusinessCenter,aprogramoftheU.S.DepartmentofCommerceoperatedandsupportedbytheChamber,exceededits2011goalofassistingminoritybusinessestosecuremorethan$350millioninfederalprocurementcontractsagainstagoalof$42million.Inaddition,thecenteriscreditedwithcreatingand/orretainingmorethan165jobsin2011.

Federal Governmental Affairs Committee Meets

TheChamber’sGovernmentalAffairsfederalsub-committeemetinearlyJanuarytohearreportsfromthecongressionalstaffsofSen.JeffSessionsandSen.RichardShelby,aswellasfromthedeputychief-of-staffforRep.JoBonner.AmongtheissuesreportedonweretheRESTOREAct(whichwillbethemechanismforGulfCoaststatestouseCleanWaterActfinescollectedasaresultofthe2010BPoilspill),surfacetransportationreauthorization,domesticenergyexplorationandproduction,theU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersandharbordredgingfunds,environmentalregulationsandvariousbudgetchallenges.

Chamber Partners with State for China Trade Mission

InJune,theChamber’stradedivisionwillpartnerwiththeAlabamaDevelopmentOfficeonatrademissiontoShanghaiandGuangzhou,China.TheChamberhostedatradebriefingprovidingusefulinsightsintodoingbusinessinChinawithAndrewGatelyoftheU.S.DepartmentofCommerce.

Sen. Shelby Speaks to Members

TheChamberhostedmorethan200peopleforabreakfastmeetingwithU.S.Sen.RichardShelbyinJanuary.SponsoredbytheAlabamaStatePortAuthority,Shelbyspoketoattendeesonavarietyoftopics,including:thepoliticalclimateinWashingtonD.C.,jobsandtaxes,howinternationaleventsareaffectingtheU.S.economyandsecurity;andtheRESTOREAct,bipartisanlegislationheco-authoredwithLouisianaSen.MaryLandrieuandotherstodirectoilspillfinemoneytotheGulfCoast.

Trade Mission held in Poland and hungary

InMarch,theChamber’stradedivisionledadelegationof10peopleonaninternationaltrademissiontoPolandandHungary.Whilethere,thegroupvisitedWarsaw,Poland,andBudapest,Hungary,promotingAlabamaproductsforexport.

Guide to Mobile now Available

ReplacingthetraditionalChamberMembership Directory and Buyers Guide,theChamberlaunchedanewannualnichepublicationcalledGuide to Mobile.Thispublicationwillbegiventonewmembers,newcomerstoMobileandeconomicdevelopmentprospects,andreplacestheprintedversionofthemembershipdirectory.Today,acurrentlistingofmembersisavailableontheChamber’swebsitefromtheonlinemembershipdirectory,andissearchablebykeyword.ThatpageofthewebsitewillalsoincludealistofChambermembersalphabeticallyandbybusinesscategory.Gotowww.mobilechamber.comandclickon“MembershipDirectory”togetstarted.

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Workforce Development Team Travels to new Orleans

AteamfromMobilerepresentingbusiness,governmentandeducationparticipatedinaregionalworkforcemeetinginNewOrleanslastfall.ThemeetingwassponsoredbytheU.S.ChamberInstituteforCompetitiveWorkforce,wasfundedbytheBillandMelindaGatesFoundationandwasthecontinuationofatwo-yearLEADsprojectinwhichtheChamberhadpreviouslyparticipated.LocalorganizationsrepresentedinthemeetingweretheChamber,SouthwestAlabamaWorkforceDevelopmentCouncil,MobileCountyCommission,MobileCountyPublicSchoolSystemandMobileAreaEducationFoundation.

Speed networking Kicks Off for 2012

InitssecondyearattheChamber,SpeedNetworking,sponsoredbyABSSolutions,providesattendeestheopportunitytomakeamaximumamountofconnectionsinaminimalamountoftime.Thefirsteventfor2012washeldinFebruaryandwasattendedbymorethan40people.

OffshoreAlabama.com Presents at hearing

SteveRussell,directorofbusinessretentionandexpansionfortheChamber,madeapresentationtotheBureauofOceanEnergyManagementatahearingheldinDecemberinMobile.SpeakingonbehalfoftheChamber’soilandgasinitiative,OffshoreAlabama.com,RusselladvocatedforthecontinuationoftheprocessofoffshoreleasingintheGulfofMexicotoboosteconomicgrowthandhighlightedtheeconomicimpactofthisindustryintheMobilearea.

Chamber names new Ambassadors

KarenBlackwell,CLKMulti-FamilyManagement;JulyeClark,RegionsBank;andHeatherTomberlin,AmericanCancerSociety,werenamednewChamberAmbassadors.AmbassadorsareagroupofvolunteermemberswhoassisttheChamberwithavarietyofprojects,includingeventregistration,membervisitsandattendingribboncuttings.Tolearnmoreaboutthisgroup,[email protected].

Chamber Participates in Member Grand Openings and Ribbon Cuttings

ChamberstaffandAmbassadorshelpedcutribbonsandcelebrategrandopeningsatVerizonWireless,EdwardJones,PapaJohn’sPizza,TheVillageatMidtown,SingingRiverFederalCreditUnion,N-TronCorp.andOninStaffing.Ifyourbusinessisamemberandyouwouldlikeassistancewithplanningagrandopeningorribbon-cuttingevent,[email protected].

Coffee Table Book on the Chamber’s 175 Years Available

ToclosetheChamber’s175th

anniversary,TomMasonCommunicationsandGwin’sPrintingpartneredwiththeChamber’scommunicationsandmarketingdepartmenttoproduceacommemorativecoffeetablebook.Thebookisadetailedretrospectiveofthehighlightsoftheorganizationsince1836andfeaturesstunningphotographsandpaintingsneverseenbefore.Copiesofthebookareavailablefor$25each,anddeepdiscountsareofferedformultiplecopies.E-mailcwilson@mobilechamber.comtopurchaseacopybeforeitsellsout.

Beaco named one of Mobile’s ‘40 under 40’

ShaylaJonesBeaco,theChamber’sdirectorforlocalaffairs,wasselectedasoneofMobile’soutstanding“40under40”byMobile Bay

magazine.Beacoandtheotherawardrecipientswerehonoredataluncheon.

Perry-herndon named State President of PRCA

LeighPerry-Herndon,vicepresidentofcommunicationsandmarketingfortheChamber,wasnamedpresidentofthePublicRelations

CouncilofAlabama.Thestateassociationrepresentstheinterestsofmorethan400publicrelationspractitionersfromsixlocalchapters.

Beaco

Perry-herndon

AfamiliarfacehasjoinedtheMobileAreaChamberstaff.Since2007,HopeBush-CollinshasworkedattheChamberoccasionally,assistingwithmeetingsetupsandtheoverallupkeepofthefacility.ShewasrecentlynamedtheChamber’snewbuildingcustodian.

“It’snicetohavesomeoneeverybody’salreadycomfortablewith,”saidJoeMareno,theChamber’schieffinancialofficer.“HopehasassistedtheChamberoffandonforthelastfouryears.We’repleasedtohaveherfinallyjoinusfull-time.”

BeforemakingtheChamberherpermanenthome,Bush-Collins,aMobilenative,workedaseventspecialist

forCrossmark,asalesandmarketingservicescompany.

Athome,sheprovidesfostercareforchildrenuntiltheyarereunitedwiththeirbiologicalfamilyoraplanismadeforthemtobeadopted.Inthepast13years,shehascaredformorethan40

childreninadditiontoherownfourchildren.

ThestaffandpeopleshemeetsattheChambermakeworkingattheChamber“trulyapleasure,”shesays.“AndI’vealwayslovedithere.”

[email protected].

Chamber Welcomes new Building Custodian

Bush-Collins

Chamber@work


Patrick J. Wilson ispresidentofMobileBarPilotsLLCandhasbeenamemberofitsboardsince1998.HeisagraduateofTheUniversityofAlabamawithdegreesincommunicationsandbusiness.WilsonisamemberoftheChamber’s

GovernmentalAffairsCommitteeandpresidentofthePropellerClubofMobile,andheservesontheboardsofDauphinIslandSeaLab,GulfQuest,theSeamen’sFoundationandtheAmericanPilots’Association.MobileBarPilotsisaPartnersforGrowthInvestor.

Call today to learn more 251.650.2231

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Board of Advisors

Kenneth J. Borowski,associatedirectorofoperations-SouthernAlabamaforPraxairInc.,recentlyrelocatedtoMobilefromLancaster,N.Y.Heearnedabachelor’sdegreeinchemicalengineeringanda

master’sdegreeinmechanicalengineeringfromtheStateUniversityofNewYorkatBuffalo.HebeganworkingforPraxairaftercompletinghisbachelor’sdegreeandhasbeenwiththecompanyfor22years.Borowski’sprincipalroleswithPraxairhavebeeninoperationsengineeringandoperationsmanagement.PraxairisaPartnersforGrowthInvestor.

Borowski

Gary J. GradyisapartnerinCypressEmploymentServices,locatedindowntownMobile.HeearneddegreesinmarketingandpublicrelationsfromTheUniversityofAlabama.Untilrecently,Gradyandhistwobrotherswereco-ownersofGrady

AutomotiveGroup,whichheoperatedandco-managedfor25years.GradyhasservedaspresidentoftheAmericanHeartAssociationMobileChapterandaspresidentoftheCoastalConservationAssociation.HehasservedonboardsofnumerouscharitableorganizationsintheMobilearea.

Grady

FormoreinformationabouttheChamber’sboardofadvisors,[email protected].

Wilson


Business Spotlight of the Month: Perfecting That Cleaning Service LLC

The Business Spotlight of the Month is selected

at random from a business card drawing at the Chamber’s monthly

Business After Hours event.

KeaneachaDockery,president/ownerofPerfectingThatCleaningServiceLLC,offersprofessionalcleaningservicesforcommercialandresidentialclients.Withmorethan15yearsofexperience,thecompanyhandlesanyjobsize.ThestaffworksalongtheGulfCoast,fromMississippitoPensacola.

Marcia WashamWhenMarciaWashamjoinedthe

MobileAreaChamber’sambassadorprograminJuly2011,sheimmediatelybecameinvolvedwithwelcomingnewmembersandmaking“popcorn”visitstoveteranmemberswhilenetworkingwithfellowprofessionalsinthebusinesscommunity.Asaresultofherefforts,WashamistheChamber’sAmbassadoroftheMonth.

WashamisthevicepresidentofcorporatehousingandsaleswithInteriorsNow,whereshehelpsclientsfurnishtheirtemporarylivingaccommodations.SheisalsoaRealtorwithRobertsBrothersInc.

“BeinganambassadorprovidesaperfectopportunitytopromotetheChamberandprovidesnetworkingopportunitiestopromoteInteriorsNowandmyrealestatecareer,”saidWasham.

Phot

o by

Hav

ard

J. Ph

otog

raph

er

Washam

Ambassador of the Month

Comparative

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

January 2012 vs January 2011

EmployedMobile/Baldwin counties

249,7742012

244,8162011

Business LicensesCity of Mobile

2102012

1682011

$121,9482012

$123,4702011

Average Selling Price Mobile County

unemployment Rates

8.1%2012

10.1%2011

homes Sold⌦Mobile County

2552012

10220111782012

1892011

Building PermitsCity of Mobile

24,2502012

21,2132011

Air Passengers From Mobile Area

Value of Building Permits

$4,642,9622012

$10,190,1922011


April Calendar of Events

4 Coffee with the Chamber

EnjoycoffeewithChambermembersatthisearly-morningnetworkingeventonWednesday,April4,from7:30to9a.m.atPaneraBread,750SchillingerRd.S.Alightbreakfastandbeverageswillbeprovidedwhileyounetworkwithotherbusinessprofessionals.Reservationsarenotnecessary,andthereisnochargetoattend.Besuretobringbusinesscards.

Formoreinformation,[email protected].

10

5 Checking Your Company’s Financial health

Youknowwhatyourfinancialstatementssay,butdoyoureallyknowwhatthey’retellingyou?JimBurton,chieffinancialofficerofNortonLillyInternational,willprovideafreshperspectiveonutilizingfinancialsforbetterdecisionmaking.CheckingYourCompany’sFinancialHealthissetforThursday,April5,from1to5p.m.attheMobileAreaChamber.

Thecostis$49formembers/$69forpotentialmembers.Paymentmustbereceivedattimeofregistration.DeadlinetoregisterisMonday,April2.

Toregister,gotowww.mobilechamber.com,[email protected].

12 Getting Started with Social Media

Socialmediaisanimportantavenuetoconsiderwhendecidinghowtopromoteyourcompanyinanefficientandeffectiveway.Butyouneedtomakesurewhatyou’redoingmakessenseforyourbusiness.Findoutwhysocialmediamarketingmattersandlearnhowtobegincreatingastrategythatmakessenseforyourorganization.

PresentedbyMaryWhitewithMobileTechnicalInstitute,GettingStartedwithSocialMediaMarketingwillbeheldThursday,April12,from11a.m.to12:30p.m.,followedbyabestpracticesdiscussion,attheMobileAreaChamber.

Thecosttoattendis$20formembers/$25forguestsandincludeslunch.Paymentmustbereceivedattimeofreservation.ReservationsnotcancelledbyApril10mustbehonoredtocoverthecostofthelunch.Formoreinformation,[email protected].

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

Women’s Roundtable*Members Only

AtApril’sWomen’sRoundtable,BeckyGinn,vicepresident,fieldservices,andChristinaQuick,regionaldirectoroftheAlabamaGulfCoastAmericanHeartAssociation,willsharestartlingfactsandrivetingstoriesoflocalwomenandtheirexperienceswithheartdisease,thenumberonekillerofwomen.Thebi-monthlyforumexclusivelyforChambermemberwomenbusinessownersandmanagerswillmeetTuesday,April10,from8to9a.m.attheChamber.

Thereisnochargetoattend,butseatingislimited.ForreservationscontactCarolynGolsonat431-8622ore-mailcgolson@mobilechamber.com.


17 Executive Roundtable*Members Only

FredRendfrey,directorofdowntowneconomicdevelopmentwiththeDowntownMobileAlliance(DMA),willoutlinenewinitiativesdirectedatrecruitingsmallbusinesses,includingtheretailincubatorandlegislationimpactingdowntownMobilebusinesses.April’sExecutiveRoundtable,amonthlyforumexclusivelyforChambermembersmallbusinessownersandmanagers,willbeheldTuesday,April17,from8to9a.m.intheMobileAreaChamber’sBoardRoom.

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

GCTC Luncheon

Thebi-monthlyluncheonwillbeonWednesday,April18,from11:30a.m.to1p.m.attheOriginalOysterHouse.Thecosttoattendtheluncheonis$15forChambermembers,$20forpotentialmembersand$5forstudents.

Reservationsarerequired,andcancellationsafterApril16willnotbereimbursedtocoverthecostoflunch.Formoreinformation,[email protected].

18 Contacts and Contracts

BillSabin,chieflendingofficeratthenonprofitmicro-lenderACCIONTexasInc.,willdiscussloanprogramsavailabletominorityandsmallbusinesseslookingforaccesstocapitaltostart,groworsustainabusinessatContactsandContracts.TheChamber-ledquarterlybusinessdevelopmenteventforsmallandminoritybusinessownersandentrepreneursissetforThursday,April19,from5:30to7p.m.atCommonwealthNationalBank,5DauphinSt.

Thereisnochargetoattend.Formoreinformation,[email protected].

19 26 Business After hours

LifeSouthCommunityBloodCenters,967HillcrestRd.,willhostBusinessAfterHoursonThursday,April26,from5:30to7p.m.ThisisoneoftheChamber’smostpopularnetworkingevents,offeringavenuetointroduceyourcompany,networkwithexistingclientsandmakenewcontacts.

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

13 Member Appreciation Day

Seepage22fordetails.

CONNECTwith the Chamber

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facebook.com/MobileChamber

twitter.com/MobileChamber

youtube.com/MobileChamber

Join us.

Like us.

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HarborFinancialServicesLLCnamedMatthewLursenchieffinancialofficer.Lursenearnedbachelor’sandmaster’sdegreesinbusiness

fromSpringHillCollege.HeisacertifiedpublicaccountantandholdsaSeries28financiallicense.

X

Gardberg&Clausenaddedtwonewassociates.SeanHamptonjoinedthefirm’ssocialsecuritydisabilitypracticegroup,andDerekSiebertjoinedthepersonalinjurypracticegroup.

Century21MeyerRealEstatehiredRichCaldwellasasalesassociate.Caldwellearnedabachelor’sdegreeinbusinessadministrationfromtheUniversityofSouthAlabama.

XMobileSportsAuthoritynamed

DannyCorteexecutivedirector.Corteearnedbachelor’sandmaster’sdegreesinfinancefromTheUniversityofAlabama.Forthepast15years,Cortehashostedtheweekly“InsidetheSaints”radioprogramonWNSP-FMinMobile.

XCrowShields

BaileyPCpromotedHopeHickmantosenioraccountantintheauditdivision.

TheMobileBayConvention&VisitorsBureau(MBCVB)appointedDavidRandelpresident.Aveteranofthetourismindustry,RandelworkedforMarriottInternationalformorethan33yearsandwastheinterimpresidentofMBCVBforayear.HegraduatedfromtheUniversityofNevadaLasVegas,whereheearnedadegreeinhospitalitymanagement.

X

PrudentialCooper&Co.Inc.REALTORShiredtwonewassociates,UrsulaBurchandEdnaBeesley.

Member NewsWho’s New

ParrishAremia

Brinson

Randel

BeesleyBurch

CaldwellLursen

SiebertHampton

Hickman

CertifiedpublicaccountantsShellyAremia,RossParrishandCharlesBrinsonjoinedRussellThompsonButler&HoustonLLP.Aremia

graduatedfromtheUniversityofNorthCarolinainWilmingtonwithbachelor’sandmaster’sdegreesinaccounting.Parrishearnedbachelor’sandmaster’sdegreesinaccountingfromtheUniversityofSouthAlabama.BrinsongraduatedfromTheUniversityofAlabamawithbachelor’sandmaster’sdegreesinaccounting.

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Smith,Dukes&BuckalewLLPpromotedLeahLadnertomanager,LaurieLightcaptosupervisorandRyanZoghbytosenioraccountant.

Ladnerreceivedabachelor’sdegreefromLouisianaStateUniversity.Lightcapearnedabachelor’sdegreefromtheUniversityofSouthAlabama.Zoghbyreceivedbachelor’sandmaster’sdegreesintaxationfromTheUniversityofAlabama.

XColdwellBanker

UnitedREALTORSwelcomednewagentAntoneGreentotheMobileoffice.

TheUniversityofSouthAlabamaArmyROTCdepartmentdevelopedaCadetoftheQuarterandCadetoftheYearprogramtorecognizecadetsforexceptionalpersonalperformance,leadership,physicalfitnessandcommunityservice.Theprogramcurrentlyhas140cadetsenrolled.

BetterHomesandGardensRealEstateGenerationsrecognizedthefollowingtopRealtorsatitsannualawards

events:BeckyRay,LindsayGrandquest,MarcileSims,AmandaWilliams,TimMills,JohnMcNichol,GingerHolt,SheilaClark,WesThornbury,AmberHarrisonandSarahStockton.

SignatureFlightSupportlaunchedtwonewproducts:SignatureTailWins,aloyaltyprogramforpilots,crew,schedulersanddispatchers,corporateflightandtraveldepartments;andanaviationcardthatofferscustomersasinglepaymentmethodforpurchasessuchasfuel,handling,cateringandmaintenance.

XTheMitchellCollegeofBusiness

CenterforRealEstateStudiesrecentlyredesigneditswebsiteatwww.southalabama.edu/mcob/realestate.Thesiteprovidesaccesstoreports,eventinformationandmore.

XDr.RocioHilpert

andherhusband,BenjaminHilpert,openedMobileHearingClinicinwestMobile.Hilpert,whoreceivedadoctoratefromtheUniversityofSouthAlabama,specializesinadulthearingevaluationsandhearingaids.BenjaminHilpertearnedabusinessmanagementdegreefromSpringHillCollegeandhas10yearsofexperience.

Hilpert

Green

LightcapLadner

Zoghby

Business Endeavors

Well DoneMillsWilliams

HoltMcNichol

ThornburyClark

Harrison

GrandquestRay

Sims

Stockton


TAG/ArchitectsrecentlycompleteddesignworkforimprovementstoCitronelle’sDavisPark,includinganewplaygroundandrestroomfacilitiesfundedbyagrantfromtheU.S.DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment.Theprojectisexpectedtobecompletedbysummer.

Inothernews,thefirmalsoreceivedtheTopBlockAwardfromtheAlabamaConcreteIndustriesAssociationfortheSpringHillCollegeStudentCenter.Theawardrecognizestheuseofcreativemasonrydesign,highlightsandproducts.

XCPABill

Kleinschrodt,asenioraccountantwithWilkinsMillerHieronymus,earnedthedesignationofCertifiedValuationAnalystfromtheNationalAssociationofCertifiedValuationAnalysts.

XThreelocalfinancialservice

professionalsqualifiedtoattendtheFirstProtectiveEliteProducersBusinessConferenceinNaples,Fla.JonathanCharest,MichaelCowartandRichardOttswillbeamongthetop-performinginsuranceandinvestmentsprofessionalsfromaroundthecountryinattendance.

XZebraMarketing

promotedKimbleWalchofMobiletosenioraccountexecutive.

LollyHolk,directorofhumanresourcesatSHEnterprises,earnedcertificationasaseniorprofessionalinhumanresources.Thecertificationsignifiestheoreticalknowledgeandpracticalexperienceinhumanresourcemanagement.

TheMobileCountyCommissionwontheNormanJ.WaltonSr.RegionalAwardforinnovativeproblem-solvinginrecognitionofthecounty-widedisasternotificationsystemstartedlastyear.Theawardisgiventoagovernmentagencythatusescollaborationandinnovationtosolveproblemsandaddressneedsofitscitizens.

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].

Community News

SeveralPrudentialCooper&Co.Inc.REALTORS’agentsreceivedPrudential’sNational2011AnnualAwardsforoutstandingworkanddedication.AwardwinnersincludedShereeDees,TimPope,AngelaMcArthur,LouiseManwaring,CharleneWiley,DavidCooper,DonFoster,AngelaLocklier,DevinWatson,ChuckGuy,JeffDees,DougAdams,CherylRussellandDonBekurs.

PopeDees

ManwaringMcArthur

GuyWatson

AdamsDees

LocklierFoster

BekursRussell

Holk

Kleinschrodt

CooperWiley

Walch

ADVErTISErS’ INDEX

AlabamaOrthopaedicClinicPC.............30

AlabamaPowerCo....................................18

BankTrust..................................................19

Boteler,Finley&Wolfe..............................33

CommunityBank.....................................23

FLCLiving..................................................24

FusionPointMedia....................................26

Gwin’sCommercialPrinting...................26

HandArendallLLC................................... 16

InfinityGlobal...........................................18

InterstatePrinting&GraphicsInc.........32

Lagniappe..................................................33

LogicalComputerSolutions.....................14

Mamun/ReMaxPartners........................30

MCGBusinessSolutions...........................28

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

MyStockShotz.com....................................34

PadgettBusinessServicesofMobile........22

PremierMedicalManagement................ 21

Ron’sCatering........................................... 31

TheUniversityofAlabama........................ 7

WonderlandExpress................................. 27


AAA ParkingStanardBradley26N.RoyalSt.Mobile,AL36602-3802251-338-5385Parking

Adams Drain & Sewer Inc. d/b/a Adams Plumbing &Drain Co.JanetMramorP.O.Box70045Mobile,AL36670-1045251-473-1279www.adamsplumbinganddrainco.comPlumbing Drains/Sewer Cleaning

AFLAC-Ann HartwellAnnHartwell70N.JoachimSt.,Ste.CMobile,AL36602251-694-1054Insurance

Alabama Coastal OutdoorsTreyToifel26619PerdidoBeachBlvd.OrangeBeach,AL36561251-554-0090www.alabamacoastaloutdoors.comFishing Charters

Apache Corp.ObieO’Brien2000S.PostOakBlvd.,Ste.100Houston,TX77056-4400713-296-6000www.apachecorp.comEnergy Management

Assured Accounting & Tax Service A Prepaid Acct. Co.HeatherDavis5319U.S.Hwy.90Ste.102PMB197Mobile,AL36619-4247800-756-8215www.assuredaccountingtaxservices.comAccounting Service

Byrd Brothers Emergency Services LLCJamesByrd5164LammRd.Wilson,NC27893-9652252-293-4488www.byrdbrothers.comConstruction

Checkers RestaurantDianePhibbs4300W.CypressSt.,Ste.600Tampa,FL33607-4157770-367-3134www.checkers.comRestaurants-Fast Food

ConnectToCatering.com MobileContressaAdamson6669LibertySt.Navarre,FL32566850-736-3011www.ConnectToCatering.comCaterers

Fortitude Business SolutionsMarioCastanedaOneTimberWay,Ste.200Daphne,AL36527-5634251-621-0669www.fortitudebusiness.comCollection Agency

Fresenius Medical CareDavidF.Sweet6601WallSt.,Ste.BMobile,AL36695-4555251-634-8798www.fmc-na.comMedical Facilities

Genesis The Awareness Co.GregoryBanks618SouthernWaySpanishFort,AL36527251-510-0104www.genesisawareness.comSpeaker

Hartmann, Blackmon & Kilgore PC CPAsJasonJohnson806N.SectionSt.Fairhope,AL36532-3311251-928-2443www.hbkcpas.comAccountants

IV Seasons StudioJenniferBallard7921TannerWilliamsRd.,Ste.GMobile,AL36608-8303251-634-2233www.ivseasonsstudio.comBeauty Salon & Day Spa

Moon Sky Media LLCSamsonColborn6845U.S.Hwy.90E.Ste.105-307Daphne,AL36526201-406-4157www.moonskymedia.comGraphic Designers

Moore Law Firm PCStephenMoore301St.LouisSt.Mobile,AL36602251-445-7602www.moorelawfirm-al.comLegal

Papa John’s PizzaBlairLangford1065SchillingerRd.,Ste.GMobile,AL36695-8985251-607-7979www.papajohns.comRestaurants

Papa John’s PizzaBlairLangford7930MoffettRd.,Ste.CSemmes,AL36575-5491251-645-7272www.papajohns.comRestaurants

Very VintageAbbyStimpson4513OldShellRd.,Ste.204Mobile,AL36608-1955251-340-6610Jewelers & Gifts

As of 1/31/12

New MembersIf you know of a company interested in benefitting

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

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

Members Are Our Greatest Asset! Please show your support through the patronage of these businesses.

50YEArSBenM.RadcliffContractorInc.

40YEArSThomasIndustriesInc.

30YEArSLeavellInvestmentManagementInc.MobileArtsCouncilInc.

25YEArSAdams&AssociatesInc.GulfCoastExploreumScienceCenter

20YEArSPostmarkInkInc

15YEArSLaborFindersMobileCommunityCorrectionsCenterRemingtonCollegeSouthernTele-CommunicationsInc.

10YEArSArlingtonParkApartmentsBBBIndustriesLLCC&GBoatWorksInc.OriginalOysterHouseRonaldMcDonaldHouseCharitiesofMobileInc.Sonny’sRealPitBar-B-QStateFarmInsurance-MakedaNichols

5YEArSGulfCoastAsphaltCo.InternationalShipholdingCorp.ProjectionPresentationTechnologyRobertsBrothersCommercial&PropertyManagementRolyPolyStarnesDavisFlorieLLPTESContractingCo.Inc.

1-4YEArSAllAmericanSelfStorageArmyAviationCenterFederalCreditUnionAutismAvenueInc.BarnesInsurance&FinancialServicesBlueHavenPoolsandSpasChillYogurtCafeTheCooper-LyonGroupLLCCraneWorksInc.TheCreelCo.CityChurchofMobileEmcorServicesAircondGenesisCareerCollegeGrandviewPointeApartmentsGulfProfessionalServicesLLCHansenHeating&CoolingHansonPipeandPrecastIrbyStrategicServicesJennyCraigLawOfficeofMattGreenLBPInterpretingInc.McGill-ToolenCatholicHighSchoolMr.ElectricOmegaPropertiesInc.RichwayTransportationServicesServerCorpsSouthernTurfLandscapeLLCSprintTechnigraphicsInc.TrueRestaurantGroupd/b/aTrueTurnerInsurance&BondingTyIrbyRealty&DevelopmentCo.-MaryCarpenter,BrokerURSCorp.VirginiaStationLLCW.B.Shedd&Co.Wal-MartSupercenter-DawesRd.WaterandWasteSpecialtiesLLCZieman,Speegle,Jackson&HoffmanLLC

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.

www.JoinMobileChamber.com

connect … succeed … growAt the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, our goal is simple – to help your business grow. Membership links you with resources and contacts for success during challenging times. Join us. Get involved in the Gulf Coast’s most dynamic business community. Connect to our more than 2,200 members – network, ask questions, learn, share insights and form important business relationships. 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

Documents

The Business View - April 2012