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| Announcements |
Navistar Celebrates 75th Anniversary and Dedication of New Facility in Jetplex Industrial Park
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Jack Allen, President, Navistar Engine Group |
Navistar Engine Group celebrated the 75th anniversary of its first production diesel engine, the D-40, with the dedication of the company’s new $42 million facility in Jetplex Industrial Park that will manufacture Navistar’s newest diesel engine family, MaxxForce Big Bore.
Navistar Chairman, President and CEO Dan Ustian, and Engine Group President Jack Allen, spoke to an audience of global OEM customers and prospects, elected officials, Navistar employees and local and trade press, delivering a retrospective look at the company’s 75 years of diesel engine production and a look forward at where the diesel technology manufacturer is heading.
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Navistar’s second building in Jetplex Industrial Park will produce the company’s newest diesel engine family, MaxxForce Big Bore.
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“This milestone is about much more than an anniversary,” said Ustian. “This is about our scientists, designers, engineers and manufacturing personnel around the world, who for decades have been responsible for the performance and quality that made reaching this point possible.” Continue » |
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19 Madison County Companies Make the Inc. 5,000
Madison County’s economy has managed to stay strong during these tumultuous economic times. This is evident by the fact that Madison County had 19 companies make the Inc. 5,000 list of the fastest growing private companies.
“We appreciate any and all recognition we as a community receive, but none is more indicative of the spirit of our drive and goal orientation than the number and quality of companies from our area that are recognized as the fastest growing in the United States. In attempting to gauge the future, there are leading indicators and trailing indicators. This is a leading indicator,” Don Nalley, Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County vice chair for economic development said. “And this list certainly supports the hope that our pipeline is staying full.”
Companies making the list were:
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689
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Alatec |
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1,088
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Wolde Flooring |
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1,294
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Qualis |
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1,501
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Freedom Information Systems |
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1,506
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MaxVision |
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1,531
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Brown Precision |
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1,703
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Torch Technologies |
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1,737
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Gray Research, Inc. |
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2,221
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Inline Electric Supply |
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2,254
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Future Research Corp. |
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2,758
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DeciBel Research |
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3,186
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Intuitive Research and Technology |
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3,712
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Optical Sciences Corporation |
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3,971
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Advanced Federal Services |
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4,066
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Radiance Technologies |
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4,310
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U.S. Diagnostics |
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4,392
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Bevilacqua Research |
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4,230
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ERC |
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4,817
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Southern Construction & Design |
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Annual Outing Well Attended at Ditto Landing
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More than 350 people attended the 2008 Annual Outing at Ditto Landing.
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General Jim Myles talking to the band members of Madison Mountaintop Band.
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Patti Holmes (left) and Dreama Russell of CapitalSouth Bank.
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The Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County recently hosted its 2008 Annual Outing at the Ditto Landing Pavilion overlooking the Tennessee River. The Annual Outing brings together the key business, military, NASA and elected leaders in a casual setting to celebrate the community’s relationship with critical federal partners. A brief program featured remarks from Redstone/AMCOM Commander, Major General Jim Myles and Deputy Marshall Space Flight Center Director Robert Lightfoot. Larry Capps, chair of the Chamber’s military affairs committee, was the master of ceremonies. NASA’s 50th “birthday” was also marked with a birthday cake bearing the NASA logo.
The weather for this Outing was perfect and the sunset spectacular as everyone dined on fresh Gulf seafood. The crowd also enjoyed great bluegrass music from the Madison Mountaintop Band, featuring Alabama State Rep. Mike Ball. More 350 Chamber members and guests mingled on the crisp autumn night.
“The Annual Outing has been a favorite Chamber event for many years and we look forward to celebrating the contributions of our NASA and Military communities for many years to come,” said Mike Ward, Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County vice president of governmental affairs.
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Tony Jones of Boeing Elected to Chamber Board of Directors
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Tony Jones
Boeing Site Executive
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The Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County Board of Directors recently voted Tony Jones, Boeing Site Executive, onto the Board. Jones replaces Gina DeSimone who is relocating to Washington, D.C.
Jones joined Boeing in 2006 after a distinguished career in the U.S. Army, where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant General. Jones was named vice president and senior site executive for Boeing Huntsville in July 2008, responsible for overall operation of the Boeing Huntsville site.
Prior to joining Boeing, Jones served as Deputy Commanding General and Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, Va. There he was a senior leader responsible for ensuring the Army’s success in accessing and training soldiers, developing leaders at all echelons and developing capabilities for the future force.
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Chamber Board of Directors Adds Two Young Professionals
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Tracy Doughty
Huntsville Hospital
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Elizabeth Dotts
Public FA
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The Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County Board of Directors recently approved the addition of two young professionals to serve on the Board. The two young professional board members are Tracy Doughty of Huntsville Hospital and Elizabeth Dotts of Public FA.
Doughty works in administration at Huntsville Hospital in strategic planning. His professional career has included roles as a nurse and allied health professional recruiter while serving as Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Doughty is heavily involved with community service and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Community Free Clinic and serves on the EmYrge Council and the Committee of 100. He also volunteers with Junior Achievement of North Alabama.
Dotts is an associate at Public FA. She works directly with Public Housing Authorities in assistance with assessment management, HUD submission, closing and post closing requirements. She was previously employed by the YWCA of Central Alabama as Director of Public Policy and Grants.
Dotts is currently serving on two state boards – the Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform Foundation and the Alabama Poverty Project. Locally, Elizabeth is involved with the Committee of 100, The Forty Seven and the Board of the Arts Council.
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E-Billing is E-here
The Chamber of Commerce has gone cyber with its new, automated e-billing process. This online service is free to all members and makes it easier and faster to view account information, pay invoices and make changes to company information. The Chamber implemented this process due to requests from members to receive this information in a timely manner and to have the ability to make real time updates to company information. This new process is simple and easy to use. If you do not have a user ID and password or have lost that information, contact Donna McCrary at (256) 535-2027. |
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BRAC to the Future
With more than 4,700 jobs moving to the Huntsville/Madison Community through the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) law, every local business needs to know what to expect and when to expect it from this process. In order to meet that need, the Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 2nd Annual BRAC to the Future update on Nov. 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the North Hall of the VBC. Registration opens at 10:30 that morning.Sponsored by System Studies and Simulation, Inc. (S3), speakers will address a variety of topics to include workforce issues, move timelines, agency missions, construction updates and what these moves mean for the community. Confirmed speakers include: Col. Robert Pastorelli, Redstone Arsenal Garrison Commander; U.S. Army Material Command representatives; Adm. David Altwegg from the Missile Defense Agency; and BG (retired) Bruce Scott, former USASAC Commander, who will be explaining, in clear detail and with funny anecdotes, some of the issues that we as a community and a military base will be facing with the arrival of U.S. Army Security Assistance Command. The cost of admission is $30 and lunch is provided. For more information, contact Harrison Diamond at (256) 535-2049 or to register online go to www.huntsvillealabamausa.com/chamber/calendar.html.
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Intergraph Garden of Hope Honorees Share Their Fight against Cancer — Chamber Employee Honored
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Doris Riccelli, a chamber employee and honoree at the Intergraph Garden of Hope, stands with Intergraph Executive Vice President/COO Reid French in front of her garden.
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Intergraph recently sponsored the fall dedication of the Intergraph Garden of Hope at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens. Among this year’s honorees was Doris Riccelli, OEA grant director at the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County.
Intergraph and the Huntsville Botanical Garden have worked together on the Garden of Hope since 2006 when Intergraph approached the Garden with the idea to create a sanctuary where cancer survivors could express their hopes, fears, dreams and experiences in a meaningful way. Since then, the Garden of Hope has served not only as a positive outlet for those affected by cancer, but also as a means to boost awareness for the disease in the Huntsville community. Continue »
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Social Media Utilized to Reach Future Workforce
The Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County has moved into the social media world of Facebook to reach out to the workforce. The Chamber has created a page for its web-based job board ASmartPlace.com and has created a Facebook group for its Bridges class. The page created for ASmartPlace.com is a form of free advertising for the site. The Facebook group for the Bridges class is designed to not only gain feedback for future Bridges classes, but it also serves as a networking tool for participants that extends beyond the program.
“Facebook offers us a free and easy way to engage our Bridges participants, young professionals and job seekers in a medium they enjoy. It builds a virtual community around our programs and resources to help us meet our real-world goals,” said Lucia Cape, Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County vice president for workforce
Social media web sites such as Facebook are revolutionizing the way companies do business and how they market themselves to the next generation of buyers. Millions of people across the globe have a Facebook or similar account. The reach of social media sites such as Facebook has even changed the way political campaigns operate. Both candidates for president have Facebook profiles and have used social media to organize volunteers and raise money.
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Chamber Receives Accolades for Going Green
The Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County recently received a citation for its efforts of going green from Green Seal, Inc.
Green Seal is a non-profit organization that strives to achieve healthy living and working environments by establishing environmental standards and certification for products and services that cause less toxic pollution and waste, conserve resources and habitats and minimize global warming and ozone depletion.
Some of the ways the Chamber has gone green include the use of recycled paper products as well as more efficient paper towel dispensers and environmentally friendly soap.
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Taylor Joins Chamber Team
The Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County recently welcomed its newest team member – Brittany Taylor. The recent Oakwood University graduate is the Chamber’s new events coordinator and will support the Chamber’s investor relations and membership services efforts.
In her new position, Taylor will be working closely with the vice president of investor relations and the director of small business/membership services planning events such as ribbon cuttings, groundbreaking ceremonies and member programming.
The Denver, Colorado native came to Huntsville to attend Oakwood University and decided to make Huntsville her new home.
Taylor has held internships with magazines such as Upscale and Vibe and with radio stations WEUP in Huntsville and Clear Channel Communications in Denver. Between work and school, Taylor found the time to be elected class president her senior year.
“I’ve really enjoyed my position as events coordinator. Huntsville is a great area and it’s just where I want to be. Every day on the job is different and demanding and that’s what I love about it. I am grateful to have this opportunity to work at the Chamber with such a great staff. I look forward to our many upcoming events and meeting all of our members there,” Taylor said.
"Brittany has been a great addition to our team. She is energetic and eager to help us provide exemplary customer service," said Loren Traylor, vice president of investor relations for the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County.
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