June 2010 The Business View

n How the Healthcare Bill Affects Your Business

n USA’s Economic Impact Tops $2 Billion

n Mobile’s Economic Progress – Partnership with Chamber, City, County

THE

BUSINESS VIEW

THE

Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce June 2010 Vol. XXXXI, No. 5

How to...

...be a good listener

...present your business card

...exercise at your desk

...have a productive lunch hour

...text like a professional

2 JUNE 2010 | The Business View | MoBIlE ArEA CHAMBEr of CoMMErCE

Reach 22,200 Decision MakeRs each Monthadvertise in the Business View

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

content s

8-11 With construction projects topping $400 million, the University of South Alabama is influencing both education and Mobile’s economy.

13-14 Find out what healthcare reform means for small businesses and what employers need to know about new regulations.

23-24 Learn what Mobile Mayor Sam Jones and Mobile County Commission President Merceria Ludgood had to say about Mobile’s future at the 13th annual State of the City and County. And read about the successful collaboration between the city, the county and the Mobile Area Chamber.

BUSINESS VIEW

THE

Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

on the cover: How to – The Business View’s most extensive section on how to do everything from having a productive lunch hour to texting like a professional. See story on pages 17-21.

Cover design by Wise Design Inc.

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.

a D V e R t i s e R s

THE BUSINESS VIEW is published monthly, except for the combined issue of December/January,

by the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce451 Government Street, Mobile, AL 36602 (251) 433-6951

www.mobilechamber.com ©2010

Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Winthrop M. Hallett III Executive Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leigh Perry-Herndon Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . Susan Rak-Blanchard Copy Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cori Yonge

Additional Writers and EditorsAshley Horn, Michelle Roberts Matthews, Carolyn Wilson

Printing Services . . . . . . . . Interstate Printing/Direct Mail Graphic Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wise Design Inc. Advertising Account Executive . . . . . . . . . .René Eiland

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M o n t h LY F o c U s

F e a t U R e s

3-4 News You Can Use – Positive update for businesses in the area and around the state – Aker Solutions adds high-paying jobs, money allocated to retrain area workers, Alabama- based Fortune 500 company boosts economy and Mobile attracts media attention.

5 ETC – Organizational updates and business briefs, including a USA College of Medicine grant helping primary care doctors transition to electronic records, the latest Gulf Coast Exploreum exhibits and a new director for workforce development. 17-21 How to... business tips from texting, e-mail, productivity and more.

7 Small Business of the Month: Artcraft Press

26 SCORE: Cover Up – Choosing Small Business Insurance to Meet Your Needs 27 Business Spotlight of the Month: Dr. Chris Corsentino & Associates, Chiropractors

27 Diplomat of the Month: Lee Teague, Bay Bank

27 CEO Profile: R. Michael Saxon, Alabama Power 28 Investor Focus: Cardiology Associates of Mobile Inc.

29 Board of Advisors

29 Who’s in Town?

30 Chamber@Work

30 Economic Indicators

31 Calendar

32-33 Member News

33 Anniversaries

34 New Members

o n t h e c o V e R

19

Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic ..................................... 26Alabama Power .......................................................... 22Bit-Wizards ................................................................... 8Bug Master Exterminators Inc. ................................ 26CH fulfillment services .............................................. 30 Community Bank .........................................................7Gwin’s Commercial Printing .................................... 29Gary Adams, Principal Financial Group .................. 32Interstate Printing...................................................... 12Jubliee Landscape Management ............................... 16Lagniappe ................................................................... 29Mensura Capital LLC & Mensura Securities LLC .... 28Mobile Regional Airport ............................................ 35 Online Payroll Services Inc. .......................................27Premier Medical Management ................................. 25RBC Bank ..................................................................... 8Safe Archives .............................................................. 25Server Corps................................................................ 13Springdale Travel ......................................................... 6Spring Hill College ..................................................... 13Sunbelt Business Sales & Acquisitions ..................... 13WAVENet Technologies ............................................... 15Whitney Bank ............................................................. 22Windmill Market ........................................................ 14

Positive Business News When You Need It • Positive Business News When You Need It • Positive Business News When You Need It •

How to...

...be a good listener

...present your business card

...exercise at your desk

...have a productive lunch hour

...text like a professional

MoBIlE ArEA CHAMBEr of CoMMErCE | The Business View | JUNE 2010 3

didn’t exist even when the last award was made – when we won the first time in 2008. Today, it’s a different case.”

Troy Wayman, vice president of economic develop-ment for the Mobile Area Chamber, added, “We have every confidence in their abilities and their decision that they can not only be competitive, but actually win this program. We are prepared to once again stand shoulder to shoulder with EADS through the process and see tankers built in Mobile. We know EADS did not make this decision lightly and would not allocate the resources it will take to bid this program if they did not fully believe they have a fighting chance at a win.”

neWs You can UsePositive Business News When You Need It • Positive Business News When You Need It • Positive Business News When You Need It •

Regions impact adds UpA recent study conducted by the Center for Business and

Economic Research (CBER) at The University of Alabama credits Regions Financial Corp. with an economic impact of $1.5 billion, 23,810 direct and indirect Alabama jobs and $11.2 billion in lending to state businesses and consumers. The statistics are based on 2008 figures, prior to the worsen-ing of the financial crisis.

Regions Financial is the parent company of Regions Bank and Morgan Keegan & Co. Statewide, the organization employs more than 11,500, with 675 in the Mobile-Baldwin area. The remaining jobs are related to the company’s activi-ties across diverse industries.

“While we had a good idea of the direct spending and employment impacts we had in the state, we were less

certain of the ancillary impacts and multiplier effect,” said spokeswoman Evelyn Mitchell with Regions Financial, who explained this is the first time the company has com-missioned a study of this sort.

“Regions is the only Fortune 500 company headquar-tered in Alabama. The Mobile-Baldwin market is important because we see long-term potential,” said Joel Daves, the bank’s area president. Locally, Regions built nine new branches in the last 15 months. “We’re not doing that in any other market,” Daves added.

According to the study, in Mobile, Baldwin and Washington counties, Regions had the following economic and lending impacts in 2008: more than $2.4 billion in new loans to businesses and consumers; $36.5 million-plus

in payroll expenditures; $18.6 million in non-payroll expenditures, including purchases, employee benefits, taxes and other charges; and 2,057 direct and indirect jobs.

The report’s findings were based on Regions’ employ-ment, output, value-added and income, utilized the Regional Input Output Modeling System (RIMS II), a tool developed and maintained by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis. The study also documents the bank’s loan originations, which facilitated additional economic activity throughout Alabama.

• Positive Business News When You Need It • Positive Business News When You Need It • Positive Business News When You Need It •

ambiguous that we have the world’s best tanker,” said Crosby. “Every time we have competed with our counter-part, we have won – five different times, with essentially the same aircraft.”

Mobile Area Chamber President Win Hallett said EADS North America’s decision to bid on the tanker is the right one. “We’ve spent more than five years working to get this plane built and flown in Mobile,” he said. “It’s been an emotional roller-coaster. If I wasn’t 100 percent convinced this was the best plane for the U.S. military, we wouldn’t still be in the game.”

O’Keefe, CEO of EADS North America, said a significant amount has changed since the company entered its previ-ous teaming agreement for the Air Force’s competition five years ago. “Time is the best analyst. Over the course of the past five-plus years, we have developed more than a concept or artist rendering – we have an aircraft being tested, doing all the things it’s designed to do,” said O’Keefe. “That

Stay up-to-date on the latest news and information about EADS North America’s bid in the aerial refueling tanker competition. Go to: www.kc45now.com.

Just six weeks after its partner decided not to bid in the aerial refueling tanker competition, EADS North America announced it would be a sole-source bidder, offering up the KC-45, an Airbus A330. If successful, the tankers will be built in Mobile, according to EADS North America executives Ralph Crosby and Sean O’Keefe.EADS North America as prime contractor opens “a new chapter” in the company’s quest to provide the world’s most capable aerial refueling platform to American war fighters. Previously, Northrop Grumman (NGC) had been in partnership with EADS North America to bid on the U.S. Air Force contract. NGC decided in March not to re-bid the competition, which has seen its fair share of difficulties. According to Crosby, chairman of EADS North America, the company’s decision to enter the competition is guided by a number of key principles, including the proven quality of its KC-45 and the aircraft’s international success. “It’s not

eaDs north america is in company Will be sole-source Bidder in tanker competition


State, national and international journalists are featuring businesses in the Mobile area.

In March, the Mobile Area Chamber hosted a reporter from French TV working on a segment about Northrop Grumman’s decision to pull out of the aerial refueling tanker competition. In late April, the Chamber also welcomed four international journalists: writers represented China’s People’s Daily, reaching 3 million Chinese professionals; Economic Daily, also based in China with a circulation of 2 million, covers interna-tional finance as well as general business news; Information, one of the leading newspapers in Denmark with a circulation of 103,000; and Handelsblatt, a German national daily newspaper focused on economic and political news, reaching 149,000. The groups toured Airbus Engineering Center, Brookley Complex, Evonik Degussa, Mobile Container Terminal, the Port of Alabama and ThyssenKrupp’s facilities. They also attended the Chamber’s State of the City and County luncheon and met with executives from Downtown Mobile Alliance, Mobile Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau and ST Aerospace Mobile.

The latest issue of Alabama Construction News focused on the area’s construction activity. The article highlighted local projects by Bay Gas, Brookley Complex, Performance Contractors, ThyssenKrupp and the University of South Alabama. The publication is published by the Alabama Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors and reaches 8,500 architects, engineers, constructionexecutives and economic development officers.

Of course, EADS North America’s decision to pursue the U.S. Air Force contract brought dozens of mentions of Mobile as the production site if EADS is again successful in the competition.

“Let us be part of your solution.” That’s the message to area industries and dislocated workers from Cindy Nelms, vice president of planning for Mobile Works. The organiza-tion got word in April that it would help manage a $1.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Awarded to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, this grant will be operated by the Alabama Workforce Investment Area and Mobile Works Inc. It is intended to assist workers affected by documented and projected layoffs from companies in southwest Alabama, including Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington counties.

A key focus of the grant will be to retrain and transition affected workers to growing sectors of the regional economy, such as aerospace, construction, healthcare, industrial maintenance, maritime and steel manufacturing. Any industry looking for a workforce can potentially tap into this opportunity, Nelms said.

Approximately $200,000 is expected to go to the South Alabama Workforce Development Council to fund planning

efforts for handling the region’s dislocated workers in the future.

“In the short-term it is about getting people back to work. In the long-term, we will identify where we really need to put our efforts to find secure, career-oriented jobs,” said Nelms. “For example, 10 years ago, steel manufactur-ing was not even on our radar and now ThyssenKrupp is hiring dozens of employees a week.”

Employers can also take advantage of subsidized hiring through on-the-job training, emphasized Dr. Leida Javier-Ferrell, the Mobile Area Chamber’s director of workforce development.

“Over a million dollars will come back to employers and training providers to produce the region’s needed workforce and that’s an incredible incentive that will help the bottom line of businesses,” said Javier-Ferrell.

Of the $1.7 million announced, $867,015 will be released initially. Additional funding up to the amount approved will be made available as the state demonstrates a continued need for assistance.

Mobile still Drawing column inches

Back to Work – Money allocated to Retrain the Unemployed

International reporters toured several sites of foreign-based investors in late April. Pictured here on a tour of ThyssenKrupp Steel USA and ThyssenKrupp Stainless USA are (from left to right): Louise With, Information (Denmark); Dr. Uli Albrecht-Frueh, ThyssenKrupp Stainless USA; Yanchun Yang, Economic Daily (China); Yun Wu, People’s Daily (China); and Matthias Eberle, Handelsblatt (Germany).

New contracts and prospects for additional growth in the energy sector are driving a $6 million expansion at Aker Solution’s Mobile Middle Bay Port operations, according to Marc Quenneville, the company’s vice president.

This expansion was planned before President Barack Obama’s announcement to open Florida waters for oil drill-ing, according to Quenneville, and is already under way. The project’s completion date is set for this October. It is expected to generate an additional 20 high-paying positions. Currently the company employs 155 local workers.

“We are increasing our output and expanding our man-ufacturing portfolio,” said Quenneville. “Previous successes in Mobile make it the obvious choice to increase output and expand our manufacturing product base.”

This is the third expansion since the facility located in the area in 2002, then as Kvaerner Oilfield Products. Following a restructuring in 2004, the company became Aker Kvaerner in 2004, and changed its name to Aker Solutions in 2008. Late last summer, the company announced it would add 30 jobs and make a $2.3 million investment.

The Norway-based company is a leading provider of engineering and construction services, manufacturing umbilicals, flexible steel tubes carrying bundled lines of communications and fluids from oil and gas platforms, and other sub-sea equipment used to extract oil and gas beneath the ocean floor.

aker solutions Prepares for Growth



eTC

Workforce council hires new

executive

(sea) Lions, Lizards and Robots, oh My!Just in time for summer vacations, the Gulf Coast

Exploreum Science Center announced three exhibits for 2010, including a state-of-the-art engineering and technol-ogy center, exotic reptiles from around the world and a live sea lion exploration and adventure.

On May 1, a new permanent exhibit called Explore TEC (technology & engineering careers) opened. Through a $500,000 NASA grant, exploreum staff will have the equipment and expertise to offer instruction in robotics, engineering design, 3D design, architecture and more. No other science center in the country offers this level of engineering and technology programming, according to Hela Sheth, the exploreum’s director of marketing and public relations.

The exploreum also announced “Reptile Planet,” a traveling exhibit opening Monday, July 5, and running

through Oct. 24. The exhibit showcases live reptiles from 20 different countries, including Burmese pythons, snake-necked turtles, veiled chameleons and American alligators. An interactive zoological experience, Sheth believes the exhibit will leave families with a newfound appreciation for these often misunderstood creatures. Tickets for “Reptile Planet” go on sale Tuesday, June 1, at www.exploreum.com.

Lastly, from Nov. 10 - 21, “Sea Lion Splash,” a new exhibit, will be housed at the Mobile County Annex lot on Royal Street. The exhibit features live shows that entertain audiences as sea lions balance balls, shoot hoops and dance, as well as educate guests about the habits of these fascinating creatures.

For tickets visit www.exploreum.com.

South Alabama Workforce Development Council Region 9 (SAWDC) announced Laura Davis Chandler is its new executive director.

“Chandler’s experience and leadership ability will add tremendously to our organization’s efforts to meet

the workforce needs of our area,” said Bob Higgins, SAWDC’s board chairman and vice president of the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance.

In her previous position, Chandler was president and chief executive officer of the Gulf Coast Renaissance Corp., a nonprofit, public-private partnership formed following Hurricane Katrina. In that capacity, she directed efforts to remove obstacles to the rebuilding effort and to stimulate private real estate development and investment in the three coastal counties of Mississippi.

SAWDC is a local partnership charged with planning and coordinating workforce development efforts and funding in eight counties, including Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington. The industry-led and industry-driven council’s board includes business leaders who comprise 75 percent of the council, with the remaining positions held by elected and community leaders and workforce training providers. The Mobile Area Chamber is a key investor and partner with the group.

Chandler holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Auburn University and a master’s degree in city and regional planning from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Local Public Relations Professional association Plans toolkit for Business Professionals

Research and planning are key elements to any suc-cessful business model. They’re also critical in helping a business and its employees communicate a message, sell products and promote themselves.

On Thursday, June 24, the Public Relations Council of Alabama (PRCA) Mobile Chapter is hosting a half-day seminar to help business owners, marketing and public relations professionals and area students gain valuable insight on how to develop a successful communications plan and build a strong team to implement it. The event will be held at the Junior League of Mobile, 57 N. Sage Ave. from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $55 for PRCA members or $65 for guests, and includes lunch.

The day begins with an interactive presentation using a case study to reveal how to create a communications plan. John Walker, senior vice president of telecommu-nications and technology with Edelman Public Relations. Walker’s clients include Motorola, QualComm, Samsung and SouthernLinc, where he works with them to create brand value and community relations.

Carolyn Akers of the Mobile Area Education Foundation will speak about how she has successfully used the book “Now, Discover your Strengths” by Marcus Buckingham to identify the foundation staff’s strengths and utilize them to create an effective organization. The book is based on information from the Gallup organiza-tion, which interviewed over 1 million business executives to form a test to discover workers’ strengths.

The day will end after lunch presentations from two local experts, Judy Marston who will speak on under-standing and working with multiple generations and Hayley Hill, a local image and style consultant who will help attendees learn what creates a professional image, especially when seeking career advancement and being the “face” of your organization.

To learn more about this event, or to register, contact Susan Carothers with Wilkins Miller Hieronymus LLC at: [email protected].

Fast Facts:

Who: Any business owner, marketing or public relations professional in the Mobile Bay region

What: Public Relations Council of Alabama Mobile Chapter “ToolKit”

When: Thursday, June 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Junior League of Mobile, 57 N. Sage Ave.

cost: $55 for PRCA members; $65 for guests; and $25 for students, and includes lunch



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Though computers have changed the business, Artcraft kept its original name dating back to the early days of printing when it was considered a type of art and craft to set the words and apply the right

amount of pressure behind each letter to print. “Also, Leon wanted to be the first name in the phone book with the letter A,” explained Todd.

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artcraft PressA family business, Artcraft Press has

operated in Mobile since the early 1900s . Artcraft Press is the Mobile Area Chamber’s Small Business of the Month.

As a pressman for the Mobile Press Register, company founder Leon Nicholas knew he would need additional income to support his wife Laura and their five chil-dren (the couple would go on to have nine). In 1929, he began a small print operation out of the family garage in Toulminville and with the help of his wife and kids, the venture quickly turned into a full-time printing business.

Through the years, Artcraft expanded with additional equipment, outgrew the garage, moved into a second location and recruited family members such as Leon’s son Claude Nicholas and nephew John Nicholas to join the company.

After 35 years, Leon retired in 1964, turning the business over to Laura, Claude and John. In the early 1970s, Artcraft relo-cated to its present location at 12 Tacon St. and is now run by Leon’s daughter Joan McInnis, as well as John Nicholas and his children Todd, Kip, Angela and Candy.

The business currently has 20 employees.Decade by decade, the Nicholas family

has seen the printing business transform from handset type and letterpress to print-ing offset and digital, and Artcraft has kept up with the changing times. “We can still do a little letterpress work, but now almost everything prepress is digital and there is no longer a two-week timeframe to print most jobs,” said John Nicholas.

The company prides itself as a small family business providing quality work for its clients. “We offer personal customer service and when clients deal with our company, they are dealing with our family and that makes it personal to us,” said Todd Nicholas.

From black and white to four-color process printing, the owners of Artcraft say they can tackle any size job and offer print services including business cards, wedding invitations, booklets, copies, foil stamping, embossing and more. And with its history deeply rooted in Mobile, John believes it is more important than ever to print locally. “When people print in Mobile, it means tax dollars stay in Mobile,” said John.

Go to mobilechamber.com/awards to submit a Small Business of the Month nomination, or contact Danette richards at 431-8652

or [email protected]. mall Business of the Month s

Located on Tacon Street since the 1970s, Artcraft owners are (from left) Todd Nicholas, Christopher “Kip” Nicholas, Joan McInnis and John Nicholas.


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Beyond education, Usa’s impact is shaping the community

I t is widely understood that the greatest impact of any college or university is in shaping the future of

its students. However, recent changes at the University of South Alabama (USA) are also shaping the community’s economic landscape. over the last decade, USA has created a technology and research park, the first academic cancer research institute on the Central Gulf Coast and construction projects have topped $400 million.

“All the changes we’re making are designed to play on the strengths of the university and address the needs of the community,” said university president Gordon Moulton.

The Technology and Research Park is home to 21 tenants and academic programs. Since 2002, park-based companies have created more than 600 local, private-sector jobs in computer science, information technology and biomedicine. By design, it fosters a unique partnership between entrepreneurs and university professors, researchers and students said Ker Ferguson, the park’s director.

Swift Biotechnology, a spin-off of the Mitchell Cancer Institute, was the first park tenant to place in the state’s business plan competition, Alabama Launchpad.

Less than two years ago, the Mitchell Cancer Institute (MCI) opened its doors as a world-class comprehensive research and treatment facility developed by USA and Mobile Infirmary. With a $135 million-plus investment, MCI is the single largest research endeavor in the university’s history. Currently, the facility employs 250 physicians, researchers and staff.

Moulton is grateful for the business community’s support of this initiative. “MCI was named the Chamber’s top legislative priority and was later awarded the Innovator of the Year by the Chamber. I’m not sure if that’s been done anywhere else,” he said.

Fiscal responsibility and conservative spending is what has allowed the university to proceed with its building program according to Moulton. Two of the buildings

expanded the Colleges of Nursing and Allied Health Professions and

the College of Engineering and School of Computer Sciences. The other four are aimed at enhancing student life – “the things students are looking for when they choose a school, like a recreation center,” said Moulton.

As the area’s economic development base has expanded and diversified, so has that of the university. “And I would give a great deal of that credit to President Gordon Moulton and the university’s governing board. Gordon has the mind of an entrepreneur. He has vision. And when a good idea comes across his desk, he acts quickly,” said Win Hallett, the Mobile Area Chamber’s president.

Established in 1963 with the first classes taught in 1964, USA is today an entity that has grown from 928 students to 14,757. According to Moulton, its annual impact tops $2 billion. There are 5,500 employees drawing an annual payroll of $289 million. For the 2009-10 school year, its revenues are reported at $757 million. Gross licensing revenue for USA patents and developments for 2009 were $2.6 million, enough to rank the university 68th among U.S. universities in licensing proceeds, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Mouton initially came to Mobile to “test the waters of university teaching” as a business professor 44 years ago. He was offered an administrative position and he continued to advance, becoming the second president in the university’s history in 1998. Fred Whiddon founded the university in 1963 and served as its president until he retired in 1998.

Among the school’s alumni are one-third of the area’s doctors and 85 percent of local teachers, along with entrepre-neurs, U.S. military generals, accountants, engineers, nurses and more.

But in the end, Moulton is an educator at heart, saying, “The most important thing about this university is that parents hold their head up high because they know the quality and the strength of the education their child is getting.”

Usa By the numbers:

USA’s board of trustees named its bell tower the Moulton Tower and Alumni Plaza in honor of the “exceptional service” of President Gordon Moulton and his wife, Geri.

65,000 - Degrees awarded 14,757 - Total enrollment 2,824 - Graduate student enrollment250,000 - Patients treated annually5,500 - Employees $2 billion - Annual economic impact$289 million - Annual payroll$93.5 million - Amount raised in the first Capital CampaignSource: University of South Alabama


Usa campus construction tops $400 MillionIn the last few years, the University of South Alabama

(USA) has built or has under construction eight buildings to expand learning facilities or enhance student life. The value of these endeavors top $400 million.

University President Gordon Moulton says he has a “Warren Buffett strategy” when it comes to capital invest-ment in a tough economy. Buffett is known for his value-investing philosophy. Moulton says he has stayed conserva-tive and built the university’s reserves. In addition he had bond money and dollars set aside. “If we would have

waited for the economy to recover, we would have a missed this construction market. Right now construction costs are down. What better time to build what you know the campus is going to need?” queried Moulton.

The USA’s board of trustees in April approved plans to construct a new residence hall on campus by fall 2011. While it is too soon to have a rendering or costs, the board committed to a 300-bed dorm to help keep with the growing student population.

rendering of USA Student Dining Hall

rendering of Shelby Hall Engineering and Computing Science

Health Sciences Building

USA Student recreation Center

Projects underway or recently completed include:

football field House

Shelby Hall Engineering and Computing Sciences, to be completed fall 2011, College of Engineering and School of Computer SciencesSize: 155,000 square feetCost: more than $40 million Architect: Bargainer, Davis, Sims (Montgomery)Contractor: Elkins Constructors Inc. (Jacksonville, Fla.)

Student Dining Facility, to be completed summer 2010Size: 20,000 square feetCost: $8.8 millionArchitect: Walcott, Adams, Verneuille (Fairhope)Contractor: Trademark Construction (Mobile)

Student Recreation Center, to be completed summer 2010Size: 116,000 square feet, plus outdoor recreation areas including indoor and outdoor pools.Cost: $30 million Architect: Washer, Hill, Lipscomb, Cabaniss (Baton Rouge, Fairhope)Contractor: White-Spunner Construction Inc. (Mobile)

Moulton Tower and Alumni Plaza, completed spring 2010Size: bell tower base is 1,600 square feet with seating for 140 people in an open-sided multi-activity space Cost: $6 millionArchitect: Bargainer, Davis, Sims (Montgomery)Contractor: White-Spunner Construction Inc. (Mobile)

Football Field House, completed August 2009Size: 40,000 square feetCost: $4.7 million Architect: Coast Architects (Mobile)Contractor: Trademark Construction (Mobile)

Health Sciences Building, completed May 2009Colleges of Nursing and Allied Health ProfessionsSize: 186,000 square feetCost: $45 millionArchitect: Bargainer, Davis, Sims (Montgomery)Contractor: White-Spunner Construction Inc. (Mobile)


Usa has educated:• 17,000 teachers and school administrators, including 85 percent of Mobile’s public school teachers• 10,400 business and accounting professionals• 7,600 nurses• 6,000 engineering and computer science professionals• 2,100 physicians, one-third of the area’s doctorsSource: University of South Alabama

Distinguished alumni, a Few key accomplishments

This sculpture was created by USA alum Tina Allen, world renowned sculptor of African-American art. She is famous for her works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Sojourner Truth and Alex Haley.

From the region’s only Level 1 trauma center and only neonatal intensive care unit to educating one-third of area doctors to the Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama (USA) has an integral role in the community’s healthcare.

USA’s medical technology and expertise is a tremendous asset when recruiting companies to do business in Mobile, according to Troy Wayman, the Chamber’s vice president of economic development. “While our companies are committed to meeting OSHA’s stringent rules, there is still a possibility for accidents. USA’s Level 1 trauma center is vital to getting the best possible care as quickly as possible.”

For example, when the site selection committee for ThyssenKrupp was comparing potential communities for its U.S. steel and stainless steel operations underway in north Mobile County, they wanted details on what Mobile’s trauma, burn and emergency room services could handle, said Gordon Moulton, USA president.

Nearly two years after opening, Mitchell Cancer Institute (MCI) officials expect its patient visits to reach 45,000 by year’s end – nearly double the number estimated for the first year. Patients come from the Mississippi Coast, Southwest Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, with the majority living in Mobile and Baldwin counties.

MCI is the first academic cancer research institute center on the Central Gulf Coast and brings cancer research

and treatment under one roof, including 250 physicians, researchers and staff.

On the heels of winning the university’s largest compet-itive grant, $14.5 million to support infectious diseases and bioterrorism agents research, USA’s College of Medicine was awarded a $7.5 million to help state primary care providers transition to electronic health record systems.

USA’s College of Medicine has a mission is to increase the number of doctors practicing in the state. There contin-ues to be both a nationwide and state shortage, particularly of primary physicians. Since it was founded in 1973, the college has graduated 2,100 doctors. Counted among its

alumni are one-third of the area’s doctors. It is the only academic medical center along the central

Gulf Coast region. And, while it is relatively small in size, about 75 students per class, it is noted for its exceptional educational programs and success in the training of physicians and scientists. “Small class sizes are conducive to more hands on experience for students as well as closer relationships with faculty and patients. That’s fairly uncommon,” said Paul Taylor, public relations director with USA’s College of Medicine.

Usa healthcare helps economic Development efforts

• Only neonatal intensive care unit• Only Level 1 trauma center• Mitchell Cancer Institute

Usa college of Medicine has:• 2,100 alumni• 28 clinics and doctors offices• USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital• USA Medical Center • 250,000 patients treated annually• 3,000 babies delivered annuallySource: University of South Alabama

Usa healthcare:

No story would be complete with at least some coverage of USA sports. Last fall the university’s newly added football team and marching band performed in front of 126,000 fans in Ladd Peebles stadium. When you add basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, track and field, and volleyball – fan support climbs to 182,000 people at USA sporting events.

Three star generals, noted PhDs and MDs, entrepreneurs, chief executive officers, major league baseball players, authors, a rising country music star, a world-renowned sculptor, a child protégé, even the cofounder of “Take Our Daughters to Work Day” all have the University of South Alabama as the source of their education on their resume. Over the university’s 46-year history of educating students, it has granted 65,000 degrees.

Local readers may be most familiar with USA alumni like former Mayor Mike Dow, AT&T’s Regional Director Gigi Armbrecht, co-founder and former general manager of the embedded systems division of Mentor Graphics, known as Accelerated Technology Neil Henderson, founder of the world-wide Christian music company Integrity Media Michael Coleman, retired U.S. congressman Sonny Callahan or author and former editor of Working Mother magazine Judsen Culbreth, who now serves as executive editor of Mobile Bay Monthly – a minute few.

Here a few that may not be so familiar with key roles:• Dr. Terrence M. Tumpey – researcher with the Center

for Disease Control• Tina Allen – world renowned sculptor of African-

American art• Health Slocum – played in the 2010 Master’s Tournament• Jon Lieber – major league baseball pitcher for the

Philadelphia Phillies • Laurie Beth Owen – nationally renowned cancer

researcher, now with the Mitchell Cancer Institute• Michael Kearney – the world’s youngest college

graduate at 10 years old• Mark Hoffman – president and CEO of North

American operations for Corporate Express • Allison Moore – Grammy nominated country music

artist and Shelby Lynne’s sister


One phone call and one executive committee meeting back in 2002 led to the creation of USA’s Technology and Research Park. The committee approved Mentor Graphics as the first tenant, following the company’s deal to acquire Mobile-based Accelerated Technology. Neil Henderson, a USA graduate and founder of Accelerated Technology, thought the park was essential in securing a commitment from the Oregon-based company to keep operations and employees in Mobile.

The park was an economic development initiative the university contemplated for several years. It gained momentum following the Chamber’s Leadership Trip to Richmond, Va., in 2000. Gordon Moulton, USA’s president, says his conversation with Henderson was the inspiration the university leadership needed to move forward.

Today the park that sits on 160 acres just north of the main campus has three buildings totaling 285,000 square feet, 19 tenants, plus two academic programs and more than 550 employees.

The greatest advantages for companies are their access to university resources and faculty expertise as well as trained students who intern or turn into full-time employ-ees, said Ker Ferguson, the park’s director. He is quick to point out the university benefits as well, as a number of these companies collaborate on research, provide classroom content and lectures, and provide internships and jobs for students.

“The park has helped create economic diversity and high-paying jobs,” said Ferguson. He estimates wages are close to twice the area’s average. “Within the park we have

highly innovative and entrepreneurial-minded business owners who are spinning off separate entities.”

Currently the park is in negotiations with two national companies but with the economy plans are on hold, said Ferguson. Since the park is 98 percent occupied, the new deals would mean additional buildings.

a center for high-tech entrepreneurs

Usa Research & outreach

$37 million - contracts and grants for fiscal year 2009 $159 million - federal direct appropriations since 1998

Usa research and outreach touch a wide range of important issues, including: • Healthcare• K-12 Education• Coastal weather, environment and seafood industries• Economic issues – polling and real estate• Gulf Coast history and culture• Energy and alternative fuels• Technology• Art, cultural and athletic activitiesSource: University of South Alabama

Reliability - for 174 years, the Mobile Area Chamber has worked to make our area the best place to start, manage and grow your business.

Quality - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce consistently awarded the Mobile Area Chamber its highest five-star accreditation.

Value - for as little as 83 cents a day, your Chamber membership yields a return in: • Business assistance; • Professional development seminars and counseling; • Networking opportunities; • Advocacy aimed at protecting your business interests, and more.

– a significant return on Your Investmentwww.mobilechamber.com

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

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Spring Hill College announces a new interdisciplinary degree designed especially for the Mobile business community:

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how healthcare Reform Will affect small Businesses

On the one hand, Karen G. Mills, administrator of the Small Business Administration said, “Healthcare has been the biggest concern for small business owners for decades. As a result of this legis-lation, about four million small businesses will get tax credits this year, which, along with the new health insurance exchanges, will make it easier for small business own-ers to provide affordable insurance for their employees.”

On the other hand, despite the tax credits, Thomas J. Donohue, president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said the 2,800-page bill will “drive up premiums, requiring small businesses to provide insurance that they cannot afford – or else pay steep fines,” a move Donohue believes will eliminate jobs.

That’s also the sentiment of Congressman Jo Bonner of Mobile, who voted against the legislation. Bonner wrote in his March 29 column, “This Week in Washington,” that he “opposed its job-killing tax increas-es on small businesses.”

While some small businesses currently provide health insurance for workers, Danette Richards, the Mobile Area

Chamber’s director of small business development, said she is

concerned if small busi-nesses are not already

offering healthcare to their employees, “there’s a reason. It’s going to be tough. They have to

find that money somewhere, either by

bringing in more money or cutting expenses.”

Though there are many opinions about healthcare legislation, there’s no disagree-ment that the new law is a complicated one, and most local business owners seem uncertain how it will affect their bottom line. Accountant Keith Graham of Graham, Brown and Dutton in Mobile heard so much buzz about healthcare reform from his clients, he decided to read the legislation (posted online at the Library of Congress web site, www.loc.gov). Noting that there was an opening for a speaker at his Kiwanis Club meeting at the end of March, he prepared a presentation to address the issue.

Mark Allen, who owns Instant Photo Corporation of America (IPCA), a special events photography company headquar-tered in Mobile, was at that Kiwanis Club meeting and described Graham’s Power Point presentation as “very enlightening” and “pretty scary.” “In general, I’m adamantly opposed to (the new law).

Healthcare costs are going to go up a lot,” he said.

Allen’s business has already been dramatically affected by the economy, he said. Two years ago, IPCA had five full-time employees and hired some 500 seasonal, part-time employees. Now there are two full-time employees and some 100 part-timers. He said his company is as lean as it can possibly get.

However, Allen believes the impact of the law on his business might be minimized by the fact that so many employees work part-time. “I think you have to work a certain number of hours to qualify, but I’m not sure,” he said. “Who knows what all is in the bill?”

Graham has made a point to understand the complicated bill, which he said may eventually have a “potentially negative” effect on small businesses. Until 2013, the law will “possibly have a positive impact on some of my clients, with some nice tax credits,” he said. For the next couple of years, “Employers who qualify can get tax credits to reward them for providing healthcare coverage,” he said.

Graham’s concern is once the state exchanges come into play, the tax credits will only apply to those using the exchange for healthcare, not to those who are already providing health insurance through a provider such as Blue Cross Blue Shield or United Health Care. If an employer loses participants in an existing plan because employees choose the exchange, then the employer loses the ability to receive dis-counts for larger numbers of participants, as well as any negotiating power.

“It seems driven to move employers and employees to a state-run plan,” Graham said, adding that he’s curious to see what private insurance companies will do to compete with the state exchanges.

Graham also noted the “potential burden” employers will face “in terms of payroll compliance through the IRS. There are a lot of reporting requirements.” Overall, the healthcare reform legislation has “a lot of potential pitfalls,” in his opinion.

For more information about health insurance reform, go to www.healthreform.gov.

Courtesy Michael Thomas

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President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordability Act (H.R. 3590) into law March 23. Highlights of the bill that will be of interest to employ-ers are detailed below. The effective dates of the various provisions are also included.

• Employer “play or pay” man-date: Employers with more than 50 employees who do not offer group health coverage and have at least one full-time employee who receives a premium tax credit would be assessed a penalty of $750 per full-time employee if the employer fails to offer qualifying health coverage. Employers with more than 50 employees who offer group health coverage but have at least one full-time employee receiving a premium tax credit will pay the lesser of $3,000 for each employee receiving a pre-mium credit or $750 for each full-time employee. These provisions are effective beginning in 2014. • Waiting period restrictions: Any employer who imposes a waiting period before employees can enroll in a group health plan would be required to pay $400

for any full-time employee in a 30 - 60 day waiting period and $600 for any full-time employee in a 60-plus day waiting period. These provisions are effective beginning in 2014. • Insurance exchanges: The bill creates state-based American Health Benefit exchanges and Small Business Health Options Program (“SHOP”) exchanges. The goal is for state-based insurance exchanges to provide a more organized and competitive marketplace for consumers and small employers to purchase health insur-ance. The insurance exchanges must be in place beginning in 2014. • Individual mandate: The bill requires individuals to purchase qualifying health coverage. Those without coverage would be required to pay a penalty tax of the greater of $750 per year up to a maxi-mum of three times that amount ($2,250) per family or 2 percent of household income. These penalties become effective in 2014. • Medicaid expansion: The bill expands Medicaid to all individuals under age

65 with incomes of up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level based on modified adjusted gross income. This change is effective in 2014.• Changes to healthcare spending accounts: The bill contains a change in the definition of “qualified medical expense” that affects reimbursements and withdrawals under all types of healthcare accounts, such as flexible spending accounts, health reimbursement arrangements, health savings accounts and Archer medical savings accounts. Over-the-counter medications will no longer be a “qualified medical expense.” Additionally, the amount employees could contribute to healthcare flexible spending accounts will be capped at $2,500. The effec-tive dates of these provisions are likely to be modified by the House reconciliation bill. • Elimination of lifetime caps: The bill eliminates lifetime caps on essential benefits provided under group health plans. This prohibition on lifetime caps is effective six months after enactment of the bill (Sept. 23, 2010). • Pre-existing condition exclusions: Group health plans may not impose

pre-existing condition exclusions begin-ning in 2014. Group health plans may not impose pre-existing condition exclusions for children under the age of 19 for plan years beginning on or after September 23, 2010. These requirements will make sub-stantial changes to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) portability requirements affecting group health plans. • Dependent coverage: Effective immediately, group health plans that offer dependent coverage must allow dependent coverage to continue up to age 26. • Subsidies for small employers: The bill provides for small employers (fewer than 25 employees) to receive tax credits for purchasing group health insur-ance for their employees. The subsidies shrink as an employer’s size and average pay increase. The subsidy is phased in beginning this year.Jay Turner is an employee benefits lawyer practicing in the Birmingham office of Constangy, Brooks & Smith LLP. He can be reached at [email protected].

What employers need to knowBy Jay Turner, Birmingham office of Constangy Brooks & Smith


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Sometimes in our professional lives, the fast-paced business world catches up with us. We stress out and push ourselves – often becoming bogged down with problems that are too large for us to manage. Rather than drowning in this, why not turn to the basics?

There are a lot of simple things that you can do to improve your mentality and find that balance between your work and personal lives. Knowing how to execute everyday tasks seamlessly, save time or develop a fresh outlook on an old habit can help. Here, we gathered tips on how to make you more productive, healthier, greener and more professional.

While some items in this listing may be familiar to you, it doesn’t hurt to remind yourself of them or try a new way of doing things. And, hey, you might learn something.

– Amy JacquesAssociate Editor, STRATEGIST

How to...

Present your business cardWhen meeting someone for the first time, whether a planned event or coincidental, wait until you know the person before you offer your card. The person may not be someone you want to have your number.

take your cards with you, even on social events. You never know when you might strike up a conversation with someone who is looking for help in your field.

Wait to present your card to an executive until you are asked. On the other hand, if you are talking with a potential client, it is acceptable to offer them your card so they can contact you.

Present your card in private to show your interest in the individual. You should not give your card to everyone you meet at an event, nor should you place stacks of your cards around the room.

When you present your card to someone, hold the card horizontally, with the wording so the recipient can read it. Hold the card with your palm up and your thumb only slightly over the card and preferably in a white area

of the card.Source: Ehow

Get out – Enjoy the gorgeous weather, take your lunch to a park, visit alocal museum, window shop or try a new café. This change of scenery canclear your head for a more productive afternoon.

Work out – Many people claim they don’t have time to exercise but investin yourself and your health by spending your lunch break taking a walk or try anew class at a gym close to your office. Watch your afternoon energy soar.

clean out – If you stay in your office during your lunch break, clean up yourcomputer and sort your electronic files, delete old unnecessary e-mails, clearoff your desk and wipe down all surfaces. You will feel lighter and more organizedfor the rest of the day – and week.

Source: Productivity – Getting More Done blog

Be productiveon your lunch hour

these tips can help you enjoy your lunch break,feel empowered and contribute to your

well-being and productivity.

Read regularly and followwhat’s going on in the news.Also, pay attention to yourindustry news. Try installing

an RSS reader.

shake handsFirst impressions. Your handshake will do much to establish a first impression of yourself. Even if your hand is greasy, sweaty or otherwise less-than-presentable, give it a quick swipe and extend it anyway.

Firmness. Your handshake should be firm but notuncomfortable. Adjust your grip according to the recipient ... for example, if you are shaking the hand of an elderly person, ease up. Alternatively, you don’t want to be a “limp fish” either.

angle. Think perpendicular. The palm of your handshould be parallel to the hand you are shaking andperpendicular to the floor. This sends a message ofequality and neutrality.

eye contact. Always look in the eyes of the personwhose hand you are shaking. Otherwise, you negatethe point of shaking hands and instead send a signalof insincerity or even sneakiness.

cultural appropriateness. If you’re traveling in a foreign country, do your homework on whether or not a handshake is an appropriate form of greeting. Insome countries, shaking hands is seen as far too intimateto initiate with a stranger.Source: HowToDoThings.com

This special section originally ran in the March 2010 issue of the PRSA’s magazine, Tactics. Reprinted with permission by the Public Relations

Society of America (PRSA) (www.prsa.org). © 2010 PR Tactics.


How to...

exercise at your desktry the neck stretch: Touch your ear to your shoulder and hold it there.

For a chest opener, stretch your arms back as if you were trying to grab a pencil between your shoulder blades. Stand in a doorway, hold the door frame on each side and walk forward until you feel a stretch in your chest.

try supported back extensions. Hold your hips and gently extend your back by bending backward.

to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, do the following each day: Stand at your desk, andarms straight, place your palms on the desk with your fingers pointed toward you. Lower your body slowly until you feel the stretch. Hold for 15 seconds. Repeat as needed through the day.

For lower-body strength, try the “Wooden Leg.” Sit in your chair. Extend one leg straight out in front of you. Hold for two seconds. Then raise it up as high as you can, and hold it again for two seconds. Repeat with each leg 15 times.

other things you can do: Take the stairs (two at a time!), not the elevator. Get up from your desk and go talk to your co-workers instead of e-mailing them. Park in the farthest part of the lot, or walk or bike to work.Source: Forbes

type really fastnever ever use the “home” position. If you type with the home position, it’s hard to see the keys under your hands and behind your hands.

keep at least one thumb on the space bar at all times. You should never have

to take both hands off of the space bar, but you should be able to keep both on it.

never look down at the keyboard. I know its hard not to, but if you do, you will slowly gain

a bad habit. Only look down at the keyboard once you first start typing a sentence, so you know where your hands are.

Source: wikiHow

Protect yourself/defend your reputation onlineFind out what people are saying about you. Search for yourself on search engines weekly and set up Google alerts and Twilert (for Twitter tweets) on your name. sign up for free Web sites that allow you to create a brand for yourself, such as LinkedIn, Ziggs or Naymz.

Don’t respond to anyone who has said something negative about you on the Internet. This will only feed the fire.

if someone has defamed you, check out the code of conduct regulations for the site where the comments were posted,and report the comments if they are a violation of the site’s abusive language policy. Copy the relevant regulation in your complaint.

create a blog and keep it updated. The goal is to make sure this new, accurate content rises to the top of a search of your name. Source: The Wall Street Journal

text like a professionalUse proper capitalization. When you use capitalization for proper nouns such as “American” or “Canadian” you will show your grammar skills.

Use proper punctuation. Even though it may seem easier to not include question marks or periods, it can make all the difference.

text in complete sentences. No one likes to try to decipher fragments, so try to always make your text in complete sentences.

avoid capitalizing all letters. When you use capital letters, it often indicates yelling at the recipient, therefore this is considered rude.

avoid multiple exclamation and question marks. Doing this can make the message harder to read and (often) seem immature. Source: wikiHow


Go green at workMore work, less energy: Optimizing the energy settings for computers and other devices can be more than a modest energy saver. Set computers to energy-saving settings and make sure to shut them down when you leave for the day (standby settings will continue to draw power even when not in use). Printers, scanners and other peripherals that are only used occasionally can be unplugged until they’re needed.

Digitize: The greenest paper is no paper at all, so keep things digital whenever possible. The more you do online, the less you need paper. Keep files on computers instead of in file cabinets (this also makes it easier to make offsite backup copies or take them with you when you move to a new office). Review documents onscreen rather than printing them out.

Don’t be a paperpusher: When buying printer paper, look for recycled paper with a high percentage of post-consumer content and the minimum of chlorine bleaching. When using the real stuff, print on both sides of the page when appropriate and use misprints as notepaper. Try to choose printers and photocopiers that do double-sided printing.

Use green materials: Some paper use can’t be avoided, so use recycled paper and envelopes that have been processed and colored using eco-friendly methods. Pens and pencils can also be made of recycled materials, and refillable pens and markers are preferable to disposable ones. Use biodegradable soaps and recycled paper or cloth towels in the bathroom and kitchen. Source: Planet Green

How to...train people on day one. Give them the materials and training that they need to jump right in. Too many companies give new employees brochures to read for a few hours to familiarize themselves with the company. Not only is this a waste of the employee’s time, but it sends a terrible message about the company culture. The message you want to send from day one is that you’re organized, efficient, running a tight ship and care about using employees’ time effectively.

create training outlines for each new employee. The training outline explains what will be covered during the first week. In addition to job specific information, training outlines include:• An overview of the department the person is in (what the department does, how they do it and who does what)

• Any recent history of the department they should be aware of• The specifics of each component of their job• Tips they should know about working with other departments• How to locate important files• What kind of communication is expected and how often• What they do and don’t have the authority to do on their own• Types of e-mails and phone calls they’re likely to receive and how to handle them• Common problems they’ll encounter and how to handle them• What to do if deadlines can’t be met• What to do if they need help• Expenditure authority and approvalSource: Ask a Manager blog

train a new employee

Be task-oriented and not personality-orientedAn ideal boss defines the work to be done, specifies the boundaries

of freedom to act, indicates the areas where the subordinates should consult him, explains the goals and targets to be met and offers

his help and support in attaining the goals.

Display a fair degree of humane qualitiesBeing task-oriented need not mean that the boss should be heartless.

Bad bosses frequently forget that those who work under them have a family to take care of, have physical bodies that can get sick, can have interests and passions to

pursue after office hours and are given holidays to relax and rejuvenate.

Give freedom in proportion to the responsibility givenWhen a boss wants his subordinates to use their knowledge, skills and authority to produce results, he should naturally allow them to make

decisions within their limits without consulting him on every minor issue. He should give them the financial freedom

appropriate to their levels. Source: Suite 101

Be a good boss

also use: • cloth napkins • stainless-steel forks and spoons • reusable drink containers • reusable lunchboxes

carry sandwiches and other main dishes, fruit and vegetables in a reusable lunch container.

Pack a waste-free lunch

With this type of lunch, lunch food items can be bought in larger quantities. The packaging can be left at home for reuse or recycling. Waste-free lunches are not only a wise environmental choice, but they are less expensive as well. Source: WasteFreeLunches.org

Clarify your message. Reporters do not want to receive e-mails that are carbon

copies of press releases, or calls from people who don’t know

what they are pitching or the news they are announcing.


Be followed on twitterhave a username that is similar to your name or a nickname you use elsewhere, so people recognize it.

have actual content on your page! Don’t add people until you have several dozen messages sent through the service.

Make sure you already have as many people as possible following you. We know this shouldn’t matter, but it does, sorry. People like following important people.

Never let your following/followed-by ratio reach more than 1 (i.e., follow less than 100 people if you’re being followed by 101). This is a common rule of thumb people use to detect spammers.

@ people often, and respond to other users’ comments. Participation encourages inclusion.

When you follow others, send them an @ message at the same time (i.e., @chrisbrogran or @julien when messaging us), so they’ll see a message to keep them at the top of your page if they look at it.Source: “Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation and Earn Trust,” by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith. Published by John Wiley & Sons Inc., © Chris Brogan and Julien Smith, 2009.

acknowledge. Start any apology by telling the person that you acceptthat something happened. “I didn’t meet my deadline.”

apologize. Make sure you clearly and simply say that you’re sorry,with no excuses tacked on. “I’m sorry, Ellie.”

act. Explain what you’ll do to improve or rectify the situation. “I’ve finishedthe work now and will better scope my time next time.”

Source: “Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation and EarnTrust,” by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith. Published by John Wiley & Sons Inc., ©Chris Brogan and Julien Smith, 2009.

Be a good listenerMake solid eye contact. This shows your audience you are listening to them and helps you focus on what is being communicated.

Pause before answering. A pause

often encourages others to provide you with additional information.

Listen for changes in tone of voice, inflection or projection.

Be patient and avoid interrupting, even though you may believe what someone is saying is wrong or irrelevant. Indicate simple acceptance, not necessarily agreement, by nodding or perhaps injecting an

occasional “I see.”

encourage others to provide additional information with a phrase such as, “Tell me more.”

take notes to capture key points and ideas.

Source: “Yes You Can! Everything You Need From A to Z to Influence Others to Take Action,” by Stacey Hanke & Mary Steinberg. Published by Author House, © Stacey Hanke & Mary Steinberg, 2008.

appearance counts. When you look good, you feel good. Make sure you look groomed and neat.

Your clothes and accessories should be conservative and neutral. Your clothes are your packaging and should not take attention away from the product.

nonverbal communication sometimes conveys a stronger message than words. When you slouch, whether sitting or standing, you’re saying volumes about yourself and your confidence level. Sit up straight – like your mother always told you to. When you stand, make yourself as tall as possible: shoulders back and head held high.

eye contact and smiles can indicate a confident and upbeat attitude. You will notice that many job postings ask for enthusiasm and energy. This is a good opportunity to demonstrate your social and interpersonal skills as well as your excitement about the opportunity for which you’re interviewing.

the handshake sends a strong tactile message. Whether your hands are hot and sweaty or cold and clammy, you can try some tricks to control the temperature. To cool your hands, try running cold water on the insides of your wrists. Use hot water if your hands are cool. If you have particularly sweaty hands, try using a deodorant gel as a lotion.

Your voice and the volume of your speech convey a strong impression. Whether the interview is over the phone or face-to-face, you should speak with enthusiasm and use a firm voice.Source: Monster.com

survive the first two minutes of an interview

How to...

To extend the life of your cell phone, let its battery fully drain at least once a week, which actually makes it work more efficiently.


Get your written messages across coherentlyEffective communication is as important in these days of e-mail and Twitter as it’s ever been. Use these guidelines to ensure that your written messages come across clearly:

step 1: Define your goal. Do this in one sentence. You should be able to define the purpose of your communication as a positive, constructive action.

step 2: identify your central emotion. Keep your emotions positive. You may be writing to express disappointment, but center the writing on your hopes for change.

step 3: Determine who your audience is. This will help you determine your readers’ expectations and perspectives and guide you in your writing.

step 4: Gather supporting information. Include statistics, anecdotes and other data that support the point of your communication.

step 5: Draft. Write freely without thought of length or mistakes. Don’t stop to edit yourself until you’ve finished writing. Then …

step 6: Rewrite. In rewriting, you’ll be able to trim your message and rearrange the elements into their most effective structure. Source: FirstDraft, Ragan

How to...

turn a volunteer jobinto a full-time position

Be patient. A company may want to hire you but it may not have available money in the budget and is

waiting for it to open up.

Make yourself invaluable to the company.Take on enough responsibility for higher-ups to notice.

Give your unpaid job the same level ofrespect that you would give a paying job.

help out with everything you can and, overtime, bosses will likely give you more

responsibility without you asking.

Source: Monster.com

Be human• Remember to ask about other people – first. How are you? What are you doing?

• Understand the culture: Digg users are not Twitter fans. Figure out how they’re different through lurking (watching) first.

• Promote others 12 times as much as you promote yourself or your company.

• Use your picture (a good one) as your avatar on your profiles on all these social sites (never your logo).

• If you mess up, remember the three as: acknowledge, apologize, act.

• share a bit of your personal life in your professional. Turns out we all like that. Source: Successful blog

always leave a space here.Remember, there’s a lot of space in outer space.

Alot is not a word.

You don’t writealittle, abunch, acantaloupe, aporkchop

So don’t write alot.

At least once during the workday, get out of the office. Studies show that spending

time outdoors provide a boost by reducing stress hormones

and lowering blood pressure.

Make a positive impression at workJob security depends on doing your job well, but it’s also about being the kind of employee people want to work with. Little things go a long way in making a good impression on your boss and co-workers. Cultivate these habits to show you’re good to have around:

• keep your desk neat. Cut back on the clutter. Tidiness conveys that you’re organized and have things under control.

• set a good example. Find out what kind of behavior your managers and colleagues expect, and do your best to practice it.

• Be sincere and generous with compliments. People like to be told you appreciate them – bosses and friends alike.

• Do your homework before meetings. Know what’s on the agenda, and bone up on the information that may be covered.

• Return phone calls and e-mails promptly. It makes co-workers and customers feel valued.

• Be on time. Don’t make other people wait for you. It makes them suspect that you feel your time is more important than theirs. Source: FirstDraft, Ragan


Member FDIC. *Transactions are: checks, deposits (including items deposited), ACH, plus other debits and credits posted to the account. Monthly transaction limit is 250, with a fee of 30¢ per transaction thereafter.

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W10-03_MCBV_8.5x5.375.v1.indd 1 3/8/10 2:19 PM

You’ve heard all the talk about compact fl uorescents. The good news is, most of it’s true. They’re easy on the budget. And easy on the planet.

For more tips on compact flourescent bulbs, visit AlabamaPower.com/tips.

Regular old incandescent

bulbs have served us well.

Or have they? Guess they

were better than nothing,

but consider that only 10%

of energy used by incandescent bulbs is turned into

light. The other 90% is converted into heat.

I’m sorry but in these days of rising energy costs,

10% efficiency just doesn’t cut it.

Take a look at some of those facts we’ve got

printed on the right. You’ll see that compact

fluorescents (or CFLs) make a lot of sense.

And if you tried them a couple years back and

found them to be too dark or too flickery, give

them another shot. Manufacturers worked out

most of the kinks in the past year or so.

Compact fl uorescent facts

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) use up to 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs.

Converting incandescent to compact fl uorescent

60 watts

75 watts

90 watts

100 watts

Compact Fluorescent*Incandescent

15 watts

20 watts

23 watts

28 watts

* This comparison is an approximation. The actual lumens or light output may vary from bulb to bulb.

CFLs can last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

The two facts mentioned above come to life when you consider that lighting makes up an average of 6% on your electric bill.

©2010 Alabama Power Company

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPACT OF A COMPACT.

MONEY-SAVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP No. 21

By LaClaire CarterAlabama Power Engineer

POWI-2148 CFL.indd 1 3/31/10 12:06 PM


For more than a quarter century, the Mobile Area Chamber has operated under contract to coordinate and staff economic development efforts for the city of Mobile and Mobile County. Many successes since the contract began have earned the area regional, national and international recog-nition.

Just a few of the new companies build-ing Mobile’s economic landscape over the last 25 years include: Airbus, Aker Subsea, Austal USA, Ineos Phenol, Mobile Container Terminal, Ryla, ST Aerospace Mobile, SSAB, Technip, ThyssenKrupp Stainless USA and ThyssenKrupp Steel USA. Each of these companies has successfully integrated themselves in the Mobile market, and together brought tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in capital investment.

Yet none might be here if not for the unique partnership.

“Through our contract we work to expand economic opportunity in Mobile and to enhance the quality of life for all resi-dents,” said Troy Wayman, the Chamber’s vice president of economic development. “We are stronger, more efficient and pres-ent a united front as a team greeting and wooing prospective new businesses.”

Some recent Chamber highlights as a result of the contract include:

• Over the last two and a half years, the Chamber has helped create more than 3,200 jobs.

• This does not include revenue from the Chamber’s economic development efforts prior to 2008. For example as of February 2010, ThyssenKrupp paid more

From contract to commitmentBoth city and county Participate with chamber to Woo Business here

than $1 million in sales and use taxes, and the carbon steel plant is not yet operational. This tax impact is expected to dramatically increase.

• In the first three months of 2010, more than $293 million in capital projects and 247 jobs were announced. During 2009, the Chamber recruited 1,230 jobs against a goal of 750 with average annual wages of $54,377.

• During 2009, the Chamber’s small business development department assisted more than 1,650 entrepreneurs with busi-ness issues, against a goal of 1,500.

• Minority-owned businesses in the Mobile area have secured more than $60 million in contracts, more than $8.6 mil-lion in financial assistance, increased their business sales by $1 million, and created

51 jobs through the Chamber-operated Alabama Minority Business Enterprise Center.

“All you have to do is look around the state and the Southeast, and Mobile remains the envy of every economic devel-oper,” said Wayman. “Cities and counties around the county are finally beginning to catch on that the old model of every government entity operating its own economic development department is dated and a waste of taxpayer dollars and Mobile stands out as a community that gets it.”

Pictured here at the Mobile Area Chamber’s annual State of the City and County address are (left to right)Mobile Mayor Sam Jones; Merceria Ludgood, Mobile County Commission president; and Dave Trent with Airbus Engineering, the Chamber’s board chairman.


on the way to somewhere else. All that changed when we learned

to turn to each other.”When Jones took the

microphone at the luncheon, he recog-nized the current

problems within the city and that

“in this world of uncer-tainties it does not matter that you

are in a fight, but you know that there are others in the arena with you,” he said.

“We could go on and on, pointing to our city’s greatness and to the cause of our current economic crisis. We could point fingers, dissect the city’s operational fibers and argue over when the downturn hit. The fact remains, the downturn has hit Mobile. And now what are WE going to do about it and how do we see our city in the midst of this crisis?”

In response to his own question, the mayor reassured the audience that city leaders have started the process of solving

the problems and plan to expand it by involving the business community and experts in the field.

“The urgency now is that the house is on fire and we can’t stop and paint the porch. We must first extinguish the fire,” he said. “The city of Mobile has some of the best, most talented and dedicated employees. They, not the critics of fatness in government, have dug deep and cut over $22 million from their respective budgets.”

“We have seen economic challenges in the past, but we have never allowed a chal-lenge to deter our goal of being a great community that provides an excellent quality of life for all of its citizens. “On many occasions we have had to make tough decisions that were not our desire; they were unpopular and difficult but nec-essary at the time. There is no painless way to address a crisis. There is no adequate ceremonial patch that will sustain a great city. There is no room for procrastination, political posturing or just plain inaction.”

The economy was the main topic of discussion at the Mobile Area Chamber’s 13th annual State of the City and County luncheon featuring Mobile Mayor Sam Jones and Mobile County Commission President Merceria Ludgood.

In speaking to the more than 900 attendees, both leaders talked about the importance of working together through hard times and not working against each other, and putting aside political party lines and aspirations. “Mobile has been through storms before, and we have managed to keep our eyes focused on what is important to our city’s future growth,” said Jones.

“The economy has made us all conser-vatives,” said Ludgood.

In her first time attending the event as president of the commission, Ludgood’s speech featured an interplay with a video spotlighting how Mobile County is powered by people. Several times through her speech, she stopped to let the video show Mobile County employees hard at work on roads and bridges, grant writing, building libraries, senior centers and maintaining parks in an effort to improve Mobile

County citizen’s quality of life.

“We are 1,700 strong and we are everywhere –building bet-ter communities from Calvert to Bayou La Batre to the Mississippi state line,” she said.

As part of the county’s efforts, Ludgood highlighted the county’s pay-as-you-go road program that over the next four years will result in $136 million in road projects. “Last year we launched our own local stim-ulus program by pushing out road projects at a much faster clip,” said Ludgood. “I am happy to report that we almost doubled the pace of work on infrastructure projects – most of them roadways – putting more dollars to work in the community now.”

“We endured decades of references to our ‘potential’ for economic growth, our ‘potential’ for high performing schools, our ‘potential’ to become a destination rather than a stop

Connie HudsonDistrict 6

Gina GregoryDistrict 7

reggie CopelandDistrict 5

William CarrollDistrict 2

Mayor Sam Jones Jermaine BurrellDistrict 3

John WilliamsDistrict 4

fred richardsonDistrict 1

Stephen NodineDistrict 2

Merceria ludgoodDistrict 1

Mike DeanDistrict 3

city of Mobile officials – Mayor and city council

Mobile county commission

the economic crisis tops the state of the city and county Luncheon


Premier Medical Physicians

ENT PhysiciansRONNIE E. SWAIN, MDW. CARTER BRYARS, JR., MDBARRY L. BROWN, MDWILEY H. JUSTICE, MD, FACSJAMES 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, 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, MD


Investing in small business insurance protects everything you have done to make your business successful. However, the policy originally purchased when the com-pany opened might not be sufficient for current needs or the future.

Like all policies and practices, insurance coverage should be reviewed periodically to ensure the company is prepared for all valid risks.

Start with a full assessment of the company’s insurance needs. Business insurance safe-guards property against the consequences of fire, theft, liability and other common risks. As the business grows, however, you may have added new services and special-ized equipment requiring policy endorse-ments or modifications.

For companies along the Gulf Coast, disaster and business interruption insurance is becoming a must for owners concerned about damage or a prolonged shutdown resulting from natural disasters (hurricane season starts this month), toxic spills, transportation disruption or acts of terror-ism. Though such events are rare, even a relatively minor event could disrupt operations and the surrounding economy for several weeks.

Before purchasing a policy or increasing coverage, consider all the possible ways of holding down the costs. Cover the most risky and largest perils first, then work down your list of priorities. Don’t purchase

coverage you don’t need, but also don’t overlook seemingly minor risks simply for the sake of saving money. If the probability is small, the premium will be too. Use a deductible as high as your cash flow and

savings will allow.Making wise

insurance decisions is easier when work-ing with a reputable and qualified broker agent or consultant. Conducting research on your own is also helpful, but a quali-fied professional can make an informed evaluation of your small business insurance needs,

and match them with available coverage options. Qualified professionals with exper-tise in small business insurance needs can be found in the Mobile Area Chamber’s online member directory.

Note that many small business policies offer the option of adding riders as opposed to buying separate policies. That’s why pur-chasing all of your coverage from a single agency or broker can help reduce costs. If multiple policies are necessary, make sure they cover separate risks. Otherwise, you’ll be making unnecessary payments for what is essentially the same coverage.

For additional guidance on business insurance matters or to schedule a confidential one-on-one coun-seling session at no charge, contact the Mobile SCORE chapter at 431-8614.

WE’VE BROKEN SOMETHING,, BIG NEWS!

CAN WE HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE:

Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic is proud to announce the opening of our new clinic at the Infirmary Medical Center. From diagnosis to rehabilitation, our committed physicians and staff provide the most comprehensive and technologically advanced orthopaedic care available. Now with two convenient locations in Mobile, you could say we offer orthopaedic care that is as close as it gets to a house call.

New Mobile Infirmary Office1720 Springhill Avenue • Suite 301Mobile, AL 36607251.410.3600 • alortho.com

New location will open June 2010.

AOC-10-16.ifirm.busview.indd 1 4/5/10 4:51:45 PM

cover Up – choosing small Business insurance

to Meet Your needs

sCOReThe Mobile Chapter of SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) is a part of the national nonprofit organization of more than 10,500 volunteer business counselors who provide free, confidential business

counseling and training workshops to small business owners.

Before purchasing a policy or increasing coverage, consider all the possible ways of holding down

the costs. Cover the most risky and largest perils first, then work down your list of priorities.


Pictured here is Dr. Chris Corsentino, who owns his chiropractor business with his wife Dena.

Lee teague

Diplomat of the Month

Owners: Dr. Chris and Dena Corsentino Location: 3501 Montlimar Plaza Dr. Member since: 2007 Brief description of business: Dr. Chris Corsentino & Associates, Chiropractors, provides pain treatment for biomechanical disorders of the back and neck as well as extremities such as the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and feet. Treatments include therapeutic ultrasound, laser therapy, traction and electric muscle stimulation. What is unique or innovative about your business? According to Dena Corsentino, the chiropractors not only work to alleviate a patient’s pain, but also help them get back to doing the things they enjoy most in life. The company’s chiropractors strive to stay up-to-date on the latest techniques and therapies available to create a good experience for patients. Most significant challenge: Educating the public and other healthcare providers about the many services chiropractors provide. “We can often help patients who may not have responded well to traditional methods of care,” said Dena Corsentino. Phone number: 445-2295 Web site: www.chirochris.com

usiness spotlight of the MonthB

The Business Spotlight of the Month is selected at random from a business card drawing at the Mobile Area Chamber’s Business After Hours event.

Dr. chris corsentino & associates, chiropractors

Phot

os b

y Je

ff Te

sney

R. Michael saxonCompany: Alabama Power Co.

Title: Vice President, Mobile Division

Hometown: Pensacola

Education: Saxon received his bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of West Florida and a master’s of business administration from Troy University.

First job: Like many young men, Saxon’s first paying job was cutting grass. He later washed cars at Gulf Power Co.

Previous experience: Since 1974, Saxon has held several positions with Southern Co., including marketing, human resources, corporate and financial planning, and division operations for Gulf Power. He was regional manager for Georgia Power in Atlanta before moving to Alabama where he was Alabama Power’s Southeast division vice president in Eufaula. Career-changing moment: Saxon said, “A decision to continue my college education at a time when I would rather have been a lineman at Gulf Power.”

Accomplishments: Saxon counts family as his first priority and noted his greatest accomplishment was “being smart enough to marry Phyllis,” his wife of 29 years, and raise a family together.

Secret to success: “Surrounding myself with the most talented people in the business combined with a heavy dose of the old Golden Rule.”

Family: Saxon and his wife have two daughters.

Which historical figure would you like to invite to dinner and why? “Col. Joshua Chamberlain,” said Saxon. “Col. Chamberlain’s incredible courage and that of his troops at the Battle of Gettysburg might have arguably been the turning point of the Civil War, ultimately leading to the formation of the United States we enjoy today.”

Brief company description: Alabama Power, the second largest subsidiary of Southern Co., provides electricity supply and services to millions of homes, businesses and industries in the southern two-thirds of Alabama.

CeO Profile

As a mortgage loan officer for Bay Bank, Lee Teague can be a prospective homebuyer’s best friend. He takes on that same mentoring role as a Chamber diplomat and is the Mobile Area Chamber’s Diplomat of the Month.

For 18 years, Teague has assisted potential homebuyers with preparing required documents for mortgage loan processing. His daily interaction with clients at Bay Bank, a locally owned and operated full-service community bank, makes him a natural at Chamber networking events and Teague can be found at most Business After Hours, Networking@Noon and Business@Breakfast events. “These functions are a great way to put names with faces and then connect them to a business,” he said. Teague encourages fellow Chamber members to get more involved and non-members to join the organization.


Cardiology Associates physicians (from left) Wail Hashimi MD and Gerry M. Phillips MD with Vance Chunn, CEO/administrator.

i nvestor Focus

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].

cardiology associates of Mobile inc.

Why do you support the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce’s Partners for Growth initiative? “It is important to the practice that it keep pace with the positive changes and growth of the area,” said Chunn. “The Partners for Growth initiative contin-ues to positively impact our region, it is our duty to play our part in maintaining and exceeding the standards of living for individuals who have resided here for a lifetime or have just moved here to call Mobile or the Eastern Shore home.”

What do you see as Mobile’s greatest potential? “Mobile is in a convenient and strategic location for many industries as well as individuals and families searching for a place with an exceptional quality of life,” said Chunn.

Length of Chamber membership: Since 1991

Company officials: Gerry M. Phillips MD, president/chairman of the board, and Vance M. Chunn, chief executive officer/administrator

Physicians: Gerry M. Phillips MD, Kenneth E. Francez Jr. MD, J. Andrew Morrow Jr. MD, Frank T. Bunch MD, M. Wail Hashimi MD,

Stephanie D. Grosz MD, Richard J. Chernick MD, Brian D. Dearing MD, Erik A. Eways MD, Charles W. Parrott MD, Kenneth M. Burnham MD, David T. Trice MD, D. Scott Kirby MD, James R. Stinebaugh MD, Michael W. Monson MD, Karl V. Hakmiller MD, Ralph S. Buckley MD, Jason H. Cole MD, Glenn A. Cochran MD, James A. Storey MD, L. Daven Cave MD, J. McLean Trotter MD, Robert A. VerNooy MD, Arthur G. Grant III MD, John M. Galla MD, David C. Mayer MD, Lynn Arnold Batten MD, and Mary H. Honkanen MD

Years in business: 25

Brief company description: Cardiology Associates of Mobile Inc. is a comprehensive cardiology practice providing a complete program for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in adults and children. The practice offers some of the most advanced treatment modalities in the detection of cardiac and peripheral vascular disease. In addition to traditional adult and pediatric clinical, invasive and interventional cardiology, the practice has fellowship-trained sub-specialists in the areas of electrophysiology (treatment of arrhythmias), heart failure, preventative cardiology and cholesterol and lipid management.

Why are you located in Mobile? Phillips, a Mobile native, began the practice of cardiology with the goal to serve Mobile and its surrounding areas with a complete source of diagnosis and treatment for cardiovascular conditions. Over the last two decades, Cardiology Associates has expanded and diversified in Mobile and Baldwin counties, as well as a number of other outreach areas within a 60-mile radius of Mobile.

We . . .

◄ Listen – We learn from you.

◄ Analyze – We deepen the understanding.

◄ Communicate – We provide clarity.

◄ Coordinate – We manage the entire transaction.

◄ Close – We close.

We are your partners, adding value from beginning to end

(Member FINRA and SIPC)

Whether you seek to raise capital,

sell your company, or buy or merge

with another company, we bring

the partner approach to investment

banking, one that is founded on

developing a valued relationship

first . . . and building from there.

Giving Form to Substance

Please contact Alex Graham (404) 870-3122 Founder and CEO

Randy Maner (404) 446-2855 Managing Director of Investment Banking

Visit us on the web at www.mensuracapital.com

mensura Capital, llC and

mensura seCurities, llC

Securities are offered through Mensura Securities, LLC, a commonly controlled affiliate of Mensura Capital, LLC, a transactional and operational advisory firm.


James H. McDonald Jr. is managing partner of the law firm Alford, Clausen & McDonald LLC. He graduated magna cum laude from Spring Hill College in 1975, and earned his law degree at J.D. Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 1978. McDonald has practiced law in Mobile since 1978, and served as vice chair and general counsel for a publicly traded, billion-dollar regional retailer from 1984 until 1995. He is a certified mediator and has a general business and corporate practice. He also represents local businesses in the defense of employment matters, and defends professional liability claims against architects, accountants, lawyers, realtors and appraisers. McDonald is a member of the Alabama Bar, the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, the Defense Research Council and the Mobile Bar Association.

James F. Watkins is a shareholder in the Mobile office of the law firm Maynard Cooper & Gale PC. He is a member of the firm’s general corporate, commer-cial lending, real estate and estate planning practice groups. Watkins earned a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University in 1989 and a juris doctorate from The University of Alabama School of Law in 1992. He is admitted to practice in Alabama and is a member of the Mobile Bar and the American Bar Associations. Watkins currently serves on the city of Mobile Planning Commission and has extensive experience with planning and zoning matters before various planning commissions and boards of adjustment in Mobile and Baldwin counties. Maynard Cooper & Gale is a full-service law firm with more than 180 lawyers and offices in Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery and Mobile.

McDonald Watkins

The Mobile Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau (MBCVB) provides a list of the current month’s conventions coming to the bay area.

for more information contact the MBCVB at 208-2000.

who’s in town?June 2010

June 3-5Alabama Elks AssociationDelegates: 275Phone: 251-928-1584Hotel/Location: Holiday Inn Downtown Historic District June 4-5Theodore High School Reunion Delegates: 175Phone: 251-208-7632 Hotel/Location: Radisson Admiral Semmes Hotel

June 11-12The Production Co.Delegates: 2,500Phone: 317-236-6515Hotels/Location: Citywide/Downtown Mobile

June 12-18USET Inc. Delegates: 1,250Phone: 251-253-5963Hotels/Location: Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel/The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa

June 19-23Council for Leaders in Alabama SchoolsDelegates: 750Phone: 334-265-3610Hotels/Locations: Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel/The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa/Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center

June 25-July 4Christian Methodist EpiscopalDelegates: 5,000Phone: 323-233-5050 Hotels/Locations: Hampton Inn & Suites Mobile/Downtown, Holiday Inn Downtown Historic District, Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel/The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa/Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center

AdvisorsFeatured Profiles

The Mobile Area Chamber is proud to salute members of the board of advisors.

These business leaders represent companies whose significant dues

investment lead the way in funding the Chamber’s programs and initiatives.

for more information contact Katrina Dewrell at 431-8611 or [email protected].


hamber@WorkCC Comparative economic

indicators

MaRch 2010 vs MaRch 2009

19,483 2010

20,971 2009

air Passengers From Mobile area

Value of Building Permits

$17,121,724 2010

$14,291,493 2009

The Mobile Area Chamber’s research division collects a variety

of statistics each month.

EmployedMobile/Baldwin counties

230,071 2010

244,974 2009

425 2010

239 2009

Building PermitsCity of Mobile

Business LicensesCity of Mobile

328 2010

320 2009

$128,112 2010

$139,401 2009

Average Selling Price Mobile County

homes sold⌦Mobile County

309 2010

286 2009

11.3% 2010

8.9% 2009

Unemployment RatesMobile/Baldwin counties

Chamber Assists MediaThe Chamber assisted several regional

and national media organizations on a variety of projects to promote the area. The communications department assisted www.cnn.com and Chicago Public Radio with a “Fact or Fiction” project on whether Mardi Gras originated in Mobile or New Orleans (the American celebration). The story appeared on cnn.com – the international site and it was again confirmed, Mobile is the birthplace of U.S. Mardi Gras. In addition, the department worked on a special section highlighting Mobile County in Business Alabama.

Executive roundtable Gaining Popularity

Attendance is up at the Chamber’s monthly Executive Roundtable meetings, held the third Tuesday each month (see page 31 for more details on this month’s speaker). Recent presenters include Brent McMahan with the Small Business Administration, updating attendees on new and existing SBA programs to help small businesses during the economic downturn, and Bill Sisson with the Mobile Airport Authority, who discussed improvements

being made at the airport, as well as the new marketing strategy. To learn more about Executive Roundtable, contact Danette Richards at [email protected] or 431-8652.

future Goals for GrowthOffshore Alabama, the Chamber’s oil

and gas task force, gathered recently to hear a presentation from Aker Solutions on the needs of the oil and gas drillers and pro-ducers with respect to the service and sup-port for current operations and for future devel-opments in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The committee identified potential and realistic targeted companies involved in oil and gas development in the central and eastern Gulf of Mexico as well as companies comple-menting services now offered in the Mobile Bay area. This will give the committee a target market to promote Offshore Alabama.

Career fair The Bay Area Healthcare Coalition and

the Chamber’s Center for Workforce Development participated in a three-day career fair at Faulkner Technical School. Ninth-grade students from area schools attended the event to explore careers in the many technical areas offered, such as welding, shipbuilding and masonry.

Chamber Participates in Member Celebrations

Chamber staff and diplomats helped cut ribbons and celebrate grand openings at Alacare Home Health & Hospice, Meggie B’s and Regent Technology Services.

Meeting Site Selection Consultants in Chicago

Chamber Vice President of Economic Development Troy Wayman visited Chicago in March, participating in the Southern Economic Development Council’s annual “Meet the Consultants” event. Aside from the traditional panel discussions from international consultants addressing trends and issues affecting many business sectors and their location decisions, Wayman had several one-on-one appointments to discuss Mobile’s economy and its position for growth. While there, he met with internationally recognized site selection consultants from Jones Lang & LaSalle, as well as another group from Szatan & Associates, and introduced them to this region’s strengths. Development Counsellors International, the international economic development public relations firm the Chamber works with in partnership with the Alabama Development Office and the Huntsville Chamber, arranged these meetings.

Education Tax renewal Vote Coming in 2011

The Chamber is working with the Mobile County Public School System, Saraland City Schools, the city of Mobile, Mobile County and the Mobile Area Education Foundation in advance of three renewal taxes for K-12 public schools coming up for a vote in 2011. It’s important to note these are not new taxes, or a renewal of the tax passed in 2001, rather this is a renewal of three countywide taxes, each last renewed in 1991, and originally enacted in 1915, 1942 and 1945, respectively. The Chamber will be supporting this renewal. Read more about this topic in upcoming issues of The Business View.

Chamber Pushes for Expedited real Estate legislation

The Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Committee actively supported passage of local legislation for expedited quiet title and foreclosure action in circuit court. Sponsored by Rep. Jamie Ison, this legislation is important to the revitalization of neighbor-hoods suffering from a concentration of tax-foreclosed and abandoned properties, and it will serve as an economic catalyst for area communities. Passage of this legisla-tion will return properties to the city of Mobile’s tax rolls and enable the city’s land bank, along with local developers and non-profits, to access federal stimulus and other grant monies for the property’s redevelopment.


BUsiness @BReakFast *Members Only

Time: 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Place: Mobile Area ChamberCost: $10, includes breakfastContact: Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or [email protected]

aLaBaMa BiD LaWs – DoinG BUsiness With the state oF aLaBaMaTime: 8:30 -10:30 A.m.Place: Chamber McGowin Room, 451 Government St.Cost: $20 for members/ $25 for potential membersContact: Brenda Rembert at 431-8607 or [email protected]

eXecUtiVe RoUnDtaBLe* *Members Only

Time: 8 - 9 a.m.Place: Chamber Board Room, 451 Government St.Cost: FreeContact: Brenda Rembert at 431-8607 or [email protected]

Gctc LUncheon

Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.Place: Harbor Communications Center at Hank Aaron StadiumCost: $15 for members/$20 for potential members/$5 for studentsContact: Christina Stimpson at 431-8636 or [email protected] iten WiReD sUMMit

Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.Place: Space 301, 301 Conti St.Cost: $75, includes lunchContact: Christina Stimpson at 431-8636 or [email protected]

BUsiness aFteR hoURs

Time: 5:30 - 7 p.m.Place: Café Royal, 101 Dauphin St.Cost: $5 for members/$10 for potential membersContact: Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or [email protected]

alendarCJUne

9

10

15

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

18

alabama Bid Laws – Doing Business with the

state of alabama Business after hours

Gctc Luncheon

Business@Breakfast*Join other Chamber members and

diplomats from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for Business After Hours on Thursday, June 24, and enjoy a casual evening of networking with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverages at Café Royal, 101 Dauphin St. This is one of the Chamber’s best opportunities to introduce yourself and your business to other members and make new business contacts. Reservations are not necessary. The cost to attend is $5 for members and $10 for potential members. For more information contact Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or [email protected].

Business@Breakfast will be held on Wednesday, June 9, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. B@B offers members 45 seconds to introduce themselves and their business. Following a brief presentation, introduc-tions and breakfast, attendees are invited to continue networking. The cost is $10, includes breakfast and is open to only one representative per company.

Reservations and payment are required by June 7 for this event. No cancellations will be reimbursed after this date to cover the cost of breakfast. For reservations contact Missy Hartley at 431-8638 or [email protected]. *Members only

Alabama Bid Laws – Doing Business with the State of Alabama will be Thursday, June 10, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Mobile Area Chamber’s McGowin Room, 451 Government St. Representatives from the state’s division of purchasing will cover topics including Alabama’s bid process, vendor registration and bid preparation and submission. They will also discuss bid laws – the dollar limits, minority set aside, general contractor license and bonds, and the importance of building rapport with the state of Alabama.

The cost is $20 for members and $25 for potential members and payment must be made with reservation by Wednesday, June 9. For reservations, contact Brenda Rembert at 431-8607 or [email protected].

The Gulf Coast Technology Council will host its bi-monthly luncheon on Wednesday, June 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Harbor Communications Center at Hank Aaron Stadium. Cyber crime expert, Jim Hlavin, Special Agent, FBI - Mobile, will present “The Dark Side of Internet and Social Media.” The cost to attend is $15 for Chamber members, $20 for potential members, and $5 for students, and includes lunch. Reservations and payment are necessary by June 14. For more information, contact Christina Stimpson at 431-8636 or [email protected].

24

iten Wired summit

iTen Wired Summit will be held June 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Space 301, 301 Conti St. iTen Wired Summits promote technological advancements and technology-based entrepreneurship.

The focus of this summit will be “Fostering Growth Through Innovation in Targeted Industries.” This effort is led by the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce with the Mobile Area Chamber, Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, TEAM Santa Rosa, and the Okaloosa County EDC.

The cost is $75 and includes lunch. Registrations must be received by June 11. For more information visit www.itenwired.com/summit/ or contact Christina Stimpson at 431-8636 or [email protected].

executive Roundtable*Executive Roundtable, a monthly

forum providing practical business infor-mation exclusively for Chamber member small business owners and managers, will meet Tuesday, June 15, from 8 to 9 a.m. in the Mobile Area Chamber’s Board Room, 451 Government St. Dr. Bert Eichold, health officer for the Mobile

County Health Department, will discuss how businesses can reduce their health-care costs. There is no charge to attend, but seating is limited. For reservations, contact Brenda Rembert at 431-8607 or [email protected]. * Members Only


The Senior Citizens Services (SCS) board of directors appointed Audrey Goldberg to its board. The SCS promotes a healthy, active, independent lifestyle among adults and operates Via! programs.

XAllison Miller received

the first University of Mobile (UM) history department Graduate Teacher of the Year award. Miller is a social studies and language arts teacher at Mary G. Montgomery High School and a UM graduate. Miller was chosen by a vote of the university’s history department faculty.

X

Mobile’s Society of Human Resource Management (MSHRM)recognized newly certified members. Jennifer Busby, Melanie Cotton and Leilani Reed-Logan earned Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification. Therena Smith and Randy Smith obtained certification as Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). Elizabeth Ripp acquired a Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) certification and Peter Villarreal passed the PHR exam as a student. The certifica-tion, awarded by the HR Certification Institute, signifies theoretical knowledge and practical experience in human resource management.

XCustom Closets by Kenney-Moise

Inc. earned the ORG Solutions President’s Club award for excellence in 2009. ORG Solutions is a leading manufacturer of quality organization systems that recognizes its top dealers for exceptional accomplish-ments, dedication and outstanding perfor-mance. Custom Closets by Kenney-Moise Inc. is one of 15 ORG Solutions dealers to earn the honor.

Clark Personnel Service launched “Career Portal,” a free online resource guide at www.clarkcareer.com. The site is designed to help participants with job search, career advancement and career transition.

XGulf Coast Drug Testing LLC, a

Mobile-based drug and DNA testing company providing products, services and comprehen-sive background checks, opened at 312-T Schillinger Rd. S. For more information, call 654-5985 or visit www.gulfcoastdrugtesting.com.

XLifeSouth Community Blood Centers

invested nearly $3 million to purchase the 18,000-square-foot facility at 967 Hillcrest Rd. that serves as the company’s coastal Alabama district headquarters. It is home base for two LifeSouth bloodmobiles and is the hub where blood donations are processed and distributed to area hospitals. The center employs 48 people.

XWhite-Spunner Construction expects

to complete the $22 million Gulfport Municipal Complex in Mississippi by October. The 78,690-square-foot three-story public safety building is designed to meet stringent 200-mph wind requirements, compliance with FEMA 361 requirements and serve as a first responder’s shelter in the event of a hurricane. The structure is self-supporting and able to function indepen-dently for up to 36 hours.

XIn a partnership with Mobile’s Clear

Channel Radio, the Mobile BayBears will broadcast all 140 regular-season games. The radio agreement will place every inning of all regular-season contests plus postseason on ESPN Radio HD 107.32 FM, the station’s HD channel. The broadcasts will also be available online at www.baybears radio.com and on television with audio only on Comcast Digital Cable Channel 103.

XCartridge World, a recycling and

re-manufacturer of ink jet and laser printer cartridges, opened at 3664-A Airport Blvd. For more information call 725-6380.

XCam Marston, president of

Generational Insight, was one of six speakers from across the country selected to present at the Million Dollar Roundtable. He was selected from a pool of more than 8,000 applicants. The presentation was held in Canada and attended by more than 8,000 of the industry’s top producers.

Beau Fleming joined Fleming Rehab and Sports Medicine as a licensed physical therapist. Fleming graduated from The University of Alabama and holds a doctorate of physical therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in St. Augustine, Fla.

X

Prudential Cooper & Co. Inc. REALTORS added five new agents. Peggy Bolton, Clinton Cochran, Ted Musial and Arta Musial will work in the Cottage Hill office. Ricky Dean is located in the Hillcrest office.

XNew Horizons Credit Union announced

several promotions and relocations. Branch manager Ellen Dunn is the new indirect lending manager. Sarah Gatson was pro-moted to branch manager and Thomasine Shelly was promoted to head teller at the Daphne office. Shaune Williams moved to the Midtown branch and Linda Brown relocated to the Saraland branch.

XShelby D. Helton joined Russell

Thompson Butler & Houston LLP accounting and consulting firm as a staff accountant specializing in financial audit-ing and taxation. Helton holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting from the University of South Alabama.

XSpringdale Travel American

Express promoted Sam Corsentino to leisure travel manager and Mendy Tanner to manager of cruise sales and cruise quarters. Corsentino has more than 10 years of experience in the travel industry and Tanner has more than eight years experi-ence as a cruise agent.

XJeremy Knight

is a new agent in Roberts Brothers West office.

Clark Personnel hired Melissa Weeks. Her responsibilities include staffing support, management of new employees, and mar-keting and promotion of the company’s online career portal, www.clarkcareer.com.

XCoastal Bank and

Trust welcomed John L. “Jackie” Godwin III as a senior risk manager. Godwin earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Auburn University. He has more than 15 years banking experience in south Alabama.

XRE/MAX Partners welcomed Jennifer

Ryan to the Casey Team. She will assist clients from the Grelot Road office.

Meagan Coughlin joined The CPI

Group LLC as marketing and public rela-tions coordinator. Coughlin received her bachelor’s degree in communication with an emphasis in public relations from Mississippi State University.

ember newsM

Godwin T. MusialCochranBolton

Miller

Goldberg

A. Musial

Knight

Reed-LoganBusby

R. Smith

T. Smith

Ripp Villarreal

Fleming


Homewood Suites by Hilton Mobile-East Bay-Daphne received two Southeast region awards, for “Best for Food and Beverage” and “Best in Engineering,” determined by satisfaction and loyalty racking scores on each of the 300 Homewood Suites by Hilton properties.

XMike Loncono,

president of Bay Benefits Group, a Mobile-based employee benefits brokerage and consulting firm, acquired his CEBS (Certified Employee Benefits Specialist) designation.

The Mission of Hope Ministries of Mobile earned accreditation from the National Financial Accountability Organization (ECFA) based on the ECFA seven standards of responsible stewardship, including financial accountability, transpar-ency, sound board governance and ethical fund-raising. The Mission of Hope ministers to men and women with addictions.

Member news

Loncono

50 YEARSInternational Business MachinesJ.C. Penney Co.Larson & McGowin Inc.Merrill LynchWKRG-TV

45 YEARSInterstate Printing & GraphicsWachovia BankWALA FOX 10/The CW WFNA TV

35 YEARSSGS Minerals Services Mobile

30 YEARSCrescent Towing Co. of Mobile

25 YEARSInfirmary Health System Inc.Mercy MedicalShell Exploration & Production Co.

15 YEARSAuto Xtras Inc.Clear Channel Radiocnc reSOURCEColonial Village at Huntleigh WoodsThe Museum of MobileOlin Corp.The Pelican Group Inc.SM Transportation & Warehouse

10 YEARS100 Black Men of Greater Mobile Inc.Adams Homes LLCBASF The Chemical Co.Benchmark Homes Inc.First Federal MortgageGirl Scouts of Southern Alabama Inc.GMAC BowlReliable Staffing Inc.Royal Management Co. Inc.

5 YEARSBlankenship’s Universal SupplyCarnival Cruise LinesDorsey & Dorsey EngineeringFoshee Realty Co. Inc.Hadder Accounting Inc.Marshall A. McLeod PLS LLCOffice DepotSmartWorkEthics.comSomerby of MobileYWCA of Mobile Inc.

1-4 YEARSAdvanced DisposalAirbus North America EngineeringAir In Motion Inc.Alabama Credit UnionLucy Barr Designs

Please show your support through the patronage of these businesses.

Bit-Wizards Custom Software Solutions Inc.Branch, Bell, Zoghby & AssociatesBurton DesignCampus Book StoreCatfish JunctionCG Railway Inc.Cimco Refrigeration Inc.Commercial & Marine Insurance Brokers Inc.CORT Furnituredp Home Health Care Associates Inc.Drama Camp Productions at Sunny Side TheaterEastern Shore CentreElof Hansson Inc. Timber DivisionEnterprise Telephony Group Inc.Exclusive Limousine Service LLCEXIT Realty AlabamaF & S Equipment and Supplies Inc.FedExHill Marine Refrigeration IncJedson Engineering Inc.KescoLandscape WorkshopMcFadden EngineeringAndrew Meyers State Farm AgencyMicrotel Inn and Suites North MobileMississippi-Alabama Sea Grant ConsortiumMobile County Personnel BoardThe Mobile Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsMr. Electric National Multiple Sclerosis Society - Alabama ChapterNoJaNorthwestern Mutual Financial Network-MobileNudraulix Inc.Olde Oak Apartment HomesPenske Truck Leasing Co. LPPond EleganceAndre Reid & AssociatesRE/MAX Realty ProfessionalsSlaton Moving & WarehouseStar AviationStarnes & Atchison LLPPoint Logistics LLCPolka ToT Designs Inc.Richardson Stevedoring & LogisticsShumock & Anderson LLC CPAsStafford & Associates Inc.The Story GroupWal-Mart Supercenter - Dawes Rd.Warbama Industrial Services Inc.Sam Winter - Roberts Brothers Real EstateZieman, Speegle, Jackson & Hoffman LLCZoes Kitchen

As of 3/31/10

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

your marketing plan at 251.431.8635 or [email protected].

www.mobilechamber.com/view/media_kit.pdf

Reach 22,200 Decision MakeRs each Monthadvertise in the Business View

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

than 22,200 area businesses every month plus another 7,500 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.

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].

AnniversariesMembers are our Greatest asset!


there is strength in numbers...A recent study showed that consumers

are 63 percent more likely to purchase goods or services from a small business that is a Chamber member. For as little as 83 cents a day your membership will yield a return in:

• Business assistance;• Professional development seminars and counseling; • Networking opportunities; • Advocacy aimed at protecting your business interests; and much more.The Mobile Area Chamber, through a

contract with the city of Mobile and Mobile

County, is the lead economic recruiter and collaborates with various entities to secure projects for the Mobile Bay area. More jobs increase your potential client base! In addition, the Chamber focuses on quality of life. One small fee allows you to be involved in improving education, the economy, business and many other critical issues.

For more information about becoming a member, contact Carolyn Golson at 431-8622 or [email protected] or visit www.mobilechamber.com.

The Business of Mobile is Our Business.

360cleanDennis Null3750-A Airport Blvd.Mobile, AL 36608-1618251-243-9760www.360cleanmobile.comJanitorial Service

Autism Solutions Inc.Ray H. Miller III164 St. Francis St., Ste. 205Mobile, AL 36602-3517251-432-0757Learning Center

Bank of America Home LoansKimberly Brooks6337 Cottage Hill Rd.Mobile, AL 36609-3112251-602-0552Mortgages

The Blake at MalbisNatoshia Gallant11626 US Hwy. 90Daphne, AL 36526251-366-9063www.blakeliving.comRetirement & Assisted Living

Bruce Office Supply & FurnitureMick Crawford3855 Trumbull Ct.Mobile, AL 36619251-802-0597www.bruceoffice.comOffice Products & Furniture

Camellia Trophy and SpecialtiesJohn W. Nonnenmacher1276 West I-65 Service Rd. S.Mobile, AL 36609-1307251-342-9638www.camelliatrophy.comTrophies & Awards

Continental Safety Compliance LLCDalton Barnhill110 Travis St., Ste. 97Lafayette, LA 70503-2452337-257-4441www.continentalsafetycompliance.comSafety Consultants

Cornerstone Hard Surface RestorationDavid Blackburn Jr.4004 Littledale Ct.Mobile, AL 36609-5912251-232-2195www.conerstonehsr.comCleaning-Pressure

DFA Consulting LLCDana A. Foster-Allen CPA6831 Ching Lynch Rd.Mobile, AL 36618-4454251-295-2136www.dfaconsultingllc.comAccountants-Certified Public

The Forum for Family BusinessTommy Fulton1261 Heron Lakes Cir.Mobile, AL 36693-4368251-422-8556www.theforumforfamilybusiness.comSpeaker

Global Tax ServiceCharles Harris3700-B Government Blvd.Mobile, AL 36693-4306251-662-5990www.globaltaxservice.usTaxes-Consultants/Representative

The Grapevine Advertising Co. LLCJeri Centric5265 Providence Rd., Ste. 504Virginia Beach, VA 23464-4210888-340-2090www.hittgrapevineonline.comAdvertising

new MembersClip and add to your

Membership Directory.

If you know of a company that may be interested in learning more about Chamber benefits, contact Rebecca Milam at 431-8647. View the complete membership directory at www.mobilechamber.com.

Whether you want to sign up yourself,

a co-worker or an employee – or want

to “go green” – its free to get The

Business View online.

E-mail Judy Winfield at

[email protected] and

ask for the link to the online issue.

Be sure to include your signature in

the body of the e-mail.

Get Positive Business News

on Your Desktop Each Month

Gulf Coast Drug Testing LLCNeil E. Stuckas312-T Schillinger Rd. S., #121Mobile, AL 36608-5000251-654-5985www.gulfcoastdrugtesting.comDrug Screening-Detection Services

HSICHenry Schwarzberg JD CIMA AIF6501 Sugar Pointe Ct.Mobile, AL 36695-2741310-989-5693Investment Advisory Service

Kairos Communication ArchitectsDr. Moira Amado-McGittigan4304 Marquette Dr.Mobile, AL 36608251-643-5767www.kairoscommunication architects.comTraining & Development

National Tax Credit of MobileTim BowmanP.O. Box 978Gadsen, AL 35902-0978800-467-1180, ext #2www.ntc-mobile.comPayroll Preparation Service

PrimeLendingRon Bolton7221 Grelot Rd., Ste. FMobile, AL 36695-4367251-509-0027www.primelending.comMortgage Loans

Rodan & Fields DermatologistsKariene Fortner1156 Sturbridge Lp.Daphne, AL 36526-6646251-214-5183www.kfortner.myrandf.comSkin Care

S.S. Nesbitt & Co.Danny O. Meadows3500 Blue Lake Dr.Birmingham, AL 35243-1907205-262-2700www.ssnesbitt.comInsurance

The Scrub ShopRoss Vandenberg3077 Dauphin St.Mobile, AL 36606-4040251-450-1150www.thescrubshoponline.comUniform-Retail

Ben Stewart BuildersBenjamin Stewart440 Azalea Rd.Mobile, AL 36693-1652251-776-2888Home Builders

Sustainable Ecosystem Restoration LLCDr. Don BlancherUSA Technology & Research Park 775 N. University Blvd., Ste. 2604Mobile, AL 36608-3307251-243-0376www.restoreecosystems.comEnvironmental/Ecological Service

United America Security Services Inc.Tina Dionne13080 Larry Ln. W.Grand Bay, AL 36541-6602251-865-2600Security Consultants

Windmill MarketGina Walcott85 N. Bancroft St. Fairhope, AL 36532-2139251-517-5444www.windmillmarket.orgMarket-Retail

As of 3/31/10

Building for lease

location: 456 Civic Center Drive

size: Approx. 5,000 square feet

features: • Vaulted ceilings• Five private offices• Custom cubicles• Large conference room• Storage area• Kitchen/breakroom• Fenced parking

availaBility: Immediately

Contact Joe MarenoFor More Information at (251) 431-8624 [email protected]

S T R E N G T HIN NUMBERS

...keeps businesses rolling right along.

The Business of Mobile is our Business.

joinmobilechamber.com251.433.6951

Chip and Chris FausakFausak Tires & Service

42 EmployeesMember Since 1985

You might say the Fausak brothers have their eye on the road, especially when it comes to seeing the “business point-of-view on political matters.” They steer their Chamber activities toward advocacy, networking, marketing our city and being good community stewards. As one of 2,400 Chamber members, Chip and his brother Chris have access to resources, exposure and networking to grow their business and make it thrive – and that helps them track success.

June 2010 The Business View

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