Former Congressman Robert E. “Bud” Cramer chairs the community’s "Second to None Initiative."

The “Second to None Initiative” was recently announced by Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. He challenged the task force to be an advocacy group for a national space policy that includes the Constellation program and to support Congressional leaders who will work to restore the Constellation program in NASA’s proposed budget. Congressman Robert E. “Bud” Cramer will chair the task force. Among the elements of the Constellation program are the Ares 1 and Ares V rockets currently being developed to replace NASA’s Space Shuttle program. The Marshall Space Flight Center is the lead NASA center for Ares Development.

Don Nalley, chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, said that the Chamber will support the task force and its goal of restoring full funding to Constellation and the Ares program.

“As a result of this region’s leadership in space, our nation has become a place where innovation, entrepreneurship and technology have led us to astronomical achievements and continue to forge a brighter future for those who will follow us. We are committed to do everything we can to make sure that funding for this critical program is restored. The Chamber is proud to be a partner in this fight, and make no mistake we understand that it will be a long fight, to restore funding to the Ares program – doing so is a matter of national and international significance,” Nalley said.

Battle explained the purpose of the taskforce and its importance to the U.S. and the world.

Battle said, “I am forming this bi-partisan, community-wide Task Force to help deliver the message that America should be ‘Second to None’ in human space exploration and NASA should lead this nation, as it has for the past 60 years, in developing the rockets and systems to take men and women to space. Without the Constellation program, we take this nation out of the human space flight business, with no clear vision, no proven plan, and no timeline for when America will fly again. I am concerned that it could well be a generation lost, in talent and time before this nation returns to human space flight. This is not the path this country should take and we as a community should support our Congressional delegation to find the right course for a national space policy.”

Cramer said that this community’s strong commitment to cooperation is a major asset that can be leveraged when in the fight to restore funding to Ares.

“The strength that we have is that we are so strong at working together. What we want to do is bring together our strengths and define what is at stake to NASA, the nation and the world. We have at stake human space flight. The Chinese are eager to take over. We can’t let that happen,” he said.

Frank Anderson, President of DAU, and James McCullough, Dean of DAU South, cut the ribbon for the schools new campus in Thornton Research Park.

DAU trains government employees ranging from new hires to high-level project managers in acquisition, technology and logistics.

Charlie Kettle, Chair-elect of the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County Board of Directors, said that DAU plays a key role in the area’s workforce development.

“Having Defense Acquisition University in our community creates an even better trained, more highly qualified workforce to support the critical programs at Redstone. In addition, DAU’s presence is a very powerful workforce recruitment tool. It is nice for workforce candidates to know that if they move to this community they will have access to specific continuous learning and enhanced training programs that will increase their knowledge base as well as create additional career advancement opportunities,” Kettle said.

James McCullough, Dean of DAU South, said that DAU has grown significantly in Huntsville since it first opened in 2002.

“In February 2002, we opened a small office with three classrooms and 20 faculty members. This new building will have 100 faculty and staff and has 12 classrooms. There will be 400 students here every week. That is pretty significant growth,” McCullough said.

Frank Anderson, President of DAU, said that the school’s mission is in line with the Department of Defense’s mission for a well-trained acquisition workforce.

“On April 6, 2009, Department of Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that we were going to increase the amount of the acquisition workforce. Since that announcement we have worked to meet that goal. We will have 40,000 graduates from DAU this year in various acquisition programs,” Anderson said.

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle lauded the growth of DAU in Huntsville and its role of supporting the warfighter, a role that the community takes very seriously, according to Battle.

“This is one of the great things in Huntsville. This growth is a mirror of the Huntsville’s growth. DAU will make sure that our workforce is prepared to support the warfighter,” Battle said.

Click here to see the February 2010 issue. »

The Chamber recently entered into a special agreement with DBH Communications, a business publications company, to provide the Business Intelligence Report to members as a Chamber benefit. The Business Intelligence Report is a nationally distributed, quick-read resource that provides business professionals with the latest strategies, trends, news and tips for running their businesses more effectively.

“One of the challenges facing business leaders today is that they are besieged with information and find it difficult to keep up on business issues,” said Jenni Jeffers, the Chamber’s small business director. “The staff at the Business Intelligence Report analyzes current information from over 150 different sources and summarize that information into a simple, easy-to-read report that will keep members abreast of new ideas and important business information.”

Each issue contains:

• Business strategies and tactics to help run businesses more effectively.
• News and research from today’s top business publications.
• Cutting-edge trends and legislation information to keep leaders aware of the changing business climate.
• Guest authors discussing strategies that can be applied to chamber member- owned businesses.

Normally, the Business Intelligence Report would cost members $89 per year to subscribe. However, through the Chamber's special arrangement, members will receive this publication via email from the Chamber each month as part of chamber membership at no charge.

“We are always looking for ways to improve the services and resources we provide to our small businesses. We know our members will find this product beneficial and we look forward to getting their feedback,” said Jeffers.

Brad Jones left the community in 2007 after becoming an influential leader.

During his tenure at Crestwood, the hospital completed two significant expansion and renovation projects. Jones also contributed to the local community through service to many organizations including the Business Council of Alabama, Calhoun Community College, Early Works Museum Foundation, First American Bank, HEMSI, and the National Children’s Advocacy Center, among others.

In 2007, Jones became the youngest board chair in Chamber history at 38. His involvement and enthusiasm were contagious, according to Chamber President/CEO Brian Hilson.

“Brad was the guiding force in the development of our strategic plan, known as the Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative, that the Chamber operates under to this day,” Hilson said. “He was a great family man, a talented strategic planner and a visionary community leader who was a tremendous asset to this organization and to this community.”

Jones was a graduate of the Leadership Huntsville/Madison County, Class 16 and was the recipient of the William C. Green Leadership Award – for leaders in community less than 10 years who have made significant contributions to Huntsville/Madison County.

He is survived by his wife Deborah and their two children ages 2 and 5.

Since its inception, the program has grown in popularity and prestige and this year more than 180 companies were nominated to participate. The surveying is now taking place to determine which companies will be selected. The top five businesses in the categories of large, medium and small will be announced at an awards luncheon, sponsored by First Commercial Bank, April 20 at the Von Braun Center.

Unlike similar programs that have originated since the inception of the annual Best Places to Work program, finalists are selected based on anonymous surveys from the employees and it costs nothing to participate. Results are tabulated by an independent company with no ties to the local business community.

According to Gary Anglin, president of Anglin Reichmann Snellgrove & Armstrong, his firm has long been committed to providing a work environment that will allow him to attract and retain top level talent. Employee welfare, he said, is among their core values. He said winning the award was a reflection of the quality of his staff making it even more gratifying to win.

Companies are not limited to winning once. Several companies have been honored multiple times which is a true testament to their commitment to providing a positive work environment for their employees. Recognition for local companies is used to help recruit new employees and in competitive contract bidding.

“It was a honor to be selected because the employees elect the winners,” said Kendell Phillip, president and CEO of Willbrook Solutions, Inc. “Plus it a best of the best award since we are already working in the best community in the nation.”

It is not too late to begin the surveying process. Nominated companies should have received a link along with instructions last week. All nominated companies are encouraged to participate.

“Last year was a tough year for many businesses. We know that it’s how employers handle the challenging years that truly separates the good companies from the great. And we know that our community is filled with great companies,” said Cindy Cook, immediate past president of NASHRM.

“I was very happy I attended the New Member Lunch,” said Stephen Grissett, SERCO North America program manager. “It was very informative and I am sure the information given at the meeting will help me get the most out of my Chamber membership.”

The Chamber schedules these luncheons quarterly and they are free and open to new members who have joined in the past 12 months. Because of the success of this program, a similar event was launched for existing members in November 2009 and sponsored by Gleason Research Associates. The Member Appreciation Breakfasts are free to established members and the next one will be held on March 9 and is already filled to capacity.

Judging by the popularity of these events, chamber members want to use the tools provided by the Chamber to grow their networks and their resources and these tools are helping them grow in a challenging economy.

Members are learning how to get the most out of their chamber membership. The next New Member Luncheon will be held May 11.