COMMUNITY
Huntingdon Named Among Top 5 Colleges in Region
Huntingdon College has been named among the best colleges and universities in the South by College Consensus, a college aggregator that uses student satisfaction as its benchmark. Huntingdon President J. Cameron West was pleased with the notification.
“In addition to our ranking at number three in the region, Huntingdon’s student satisfaction numbers placed the college at number two in Alabama and among the top 50 small colleges in the country,” said West. “What better measure of success could there be than the voices of those who sit in our classes and live the Huntingdon experience?”
According to College Consensus, “College Consensus is comprehensive. It’s not just one voice stating an opinion—it’s many, many voices, computed objectively and equally. The College Consensus method allows every institution, from the richest and best-known university to the smallest and hardest-working regional college, to demonstrate what they do best.”
Montgomery Named 2018 Tree City USA
Alabama’s capital city was named a Tree City USA for the second year in a row by the Arbor Day Foundation and also earned the Foundation’s Tree City USA Growth Award for its environmental progress and stewardship. “We are honored to earn this distinction and accept the Foundation’s Growth Award in recognition of our investments to build a greener and cleaner community,” Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange said. “This is yet another achievement indicative of our success in enhancing quality of life throughout our community, while embracing a program that promotes a happy, healthy and sustainable city. It is also another program made possible by partnerships with the state and local volunteers.”
Montgomery achieved Tree City USA status by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. Montgomery’s more than 60,000 trees – not counting those on private property or in public parks – equate to about one tree for every 30 feet of right of way along Montgomery’s roads, each protected by municipal ordinance.
“Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community firsthand,” Arbor Day Foundation President Dan Lambe said. “Additionally, recognition brings residents together and creates a sense of community pride.”
TROY Board of Trustees Taps Officers
The Troy University Board of Trustees has elected C. Gibson Vance as the board’s President pro tempore and Lamar P. Higgins as Vice President pro tempore. The new officers will succeed President pro tempore Gerald O. Dial and Vice President pro tempore John D. Harrison, who have completed their eight-year terms as officers. Both Dial and Harrison will remain members of the board.
“I want to thank both Sen. Gerald Dial and Mr. John Harrison for their years of service and the inspirational leadership they have provided to the board and Troy University,” said Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor. “Gibson Vance and Lamar Higgins are both great Trojans and able leaders who care deeply about the future of Troy University. I’m grateful for their willingness to serve and look forward to working with them both.”
ACHIEVEMENTS
MAX Ranked No. 1 in Alabama
There are currently more than 5,000 credit unions with 117 million members across the United States. To find out whose customers have the highest opinion of them, Forbes recently partnered with market research firm Statista to produce its second annual look at the Best Credit Unions in Each State.
More than 25,000 customers in the country were surveyed for their opinions on their current and former banking relationships, and financial institutions were scored on overall recommendations and satisfaction, as well as five subdimensions (trust, terms and conditions, branch services, digital services and financial advice). Based on these criteria, MAX took the No. 1 spot for credit unions in Alabama.
Nursing Home Named “Best of the Best” in Montgomery
The Montgomery Advertiser’s 2019 Readers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards named Capitol Hill as the Best Retirement Facility and the Best Respite Care. Rehab First was honored as the Best Rehabilitation Facility. The Best of the Best Awards are chosen by an annual online poll of the publication’s readers who vote for their favorite businesses.
“We are so pleased to be honored by members of the local community for the care we provide. It really shows us that we’re making a difference,” said Shannon Randolph, Admissions Director at Capitol Hill and Rehab First. Located in the heart of downtown Montgomery, Capitol Hill Healthcare has provided long-term care for the elderly and disabled for more than 30 years.
MAX Named Among Best Companies to Work For
MAX was recently named as one of the Best Companies to Work for in Alabama for the sixth year in a row. The survey and awards program created by Business Alabama and Best Companies Group was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best employers in Alabama, benefiting the economy, workforce and businesses.
“MAX strives to hire talented individuals who understand the importance of relationships and service,” said Sandra Stenger, MAX’s Chief Talent Officer. “Our core values of integrity, simplicity and hospitality are our guiding principles in all we do. We take pride in actively participating in our community and working together as a family. We are thrilled to be recognized for the sixth year in a row as a Best Company to Work for in Alabama and will continue to listen to our employees and do our best to remain an Employer of Choice.”
Troy University Honored as Top University Multiple Times
Troy University has been named among the best colleges and universities in the southeastern United States by The Princeton Review for the 15th straight year. TROY was one of only 142 colleges and universities to receive the designation in the 12-state southeastern region.
“Great universities stir great emotions,” said Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor. “At Troy University, our faculty and staff are committed to helping our students become globally aware and globally competitive. I believe it is that commitment to serving students that has led to the consistency with which we have been recognized by The Princeton Review over the last 15 years.”
In addition, U.S. News and World Report named TROY one of the top 30 public universities in the nation. The rankings in USNWR’s “Best Colleges” listings also put TROY on the Best Regional Universities in the South list, the Top Performers on Social Mobility list, and the university was ranked in the top 15 of the Most Innovative Schools list.
Mayor Todd Strange Presented Honorary Doctorate
This year’s annual Faulkner University Convocation ceremony was not only a spirit-filled celebration of the start of a new school year by students and faculty, but it was a special way to recognize outgoing Mayor Todd Strange for his ten years of service to the City.
Following a processional and introduction of the university’s faculty, performances by the University Chorus and remarks from President Mike Williams, Williams along with Chancellor Billy Hilyer and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dave Rampersad, bestowed the university’s highest honor, an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters on Mayor Strange.
“There are very few times I have chill bumps when I lose my train of thought and this was one of those times,” Strange said. “I’ve said before that is has been the greatest honor of my life to be able to serve this community for 10 years and for Faulkner, who is just a beacon of light in this community, who does so much great work in particular with education, to recognize my years in office and to honor me in this way, I’m grateful, and I’m just honored.”
BIG NEWS
Harmon Dennis Bradshaw, Inc Announced As a “Top Insurance Workplace”
Harmon Dennis Bradshaw, Inc. (HDB) has been named one of the Top Insurance Workplaces with fewer than 99 employees for 2019. Insurance Business magazine named 50 insurance companies across America as Top Workplaces. These companies were divided and arranged into three categories based on number of employees. Less than 35 companies were chosen to represent the “fewer than 99 employees” size.
This recognition is awarded to companies that achieve an average satisfaction rating of 80 percent or greater from their employees. HDB earned a score of 89.5 percent. The satisfaction rating is based on four unique qualities within workplaces. These criteria include compensation, diversity, employee development and overall company culture.
“We are so honored to be a recipient of this prestigious award,” said Jennifer Hill. “Harmon Dennis Bradshaw, Inc. has always been an ideal workplace in my eyes but being recognized by a national business magazine further verifies my opinion. We hope to continue to strengthen our employee satisfaction as the years continue.”
HDB has been providing comprehensive business and personal insurance options to businesses and individuals throughout the United States since 1977.
Local Agency Included in IIABA’s Best Practices Study
Starke Agency, Inc. is part of an elite group of independent insurance agencies around the United States participating in the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) “Best Practices” Study Group.
Each year since 1993, IIABA and Reagan Consulting, an Atlanta-based management consulting firm, join forces to study the country’s leading agencies in six revenue categories. The agencies comprising the study groups are selected every third year through a comprehensive nomination and qualifying process and awarded a “Best Practices Agency” designation. The selected “Best Practices” agencies retain their status during the three-year cycle by submitting extensive financial and operational data for review each year.
“This award, which has been bestowed upon us over 19 times, with 14 consecutive years, demonstrates our commitment to being relevant in the River Region and beyond for many years to come,” says Trey Starke, Starke Agency president and CEO. “When you are a peak performer in the largest distribution channel of insurance this makes a statement. Insureds are craving real, honest, professional local service. And that is exactly what we provide—a seamless hub for all of their insurance needs.”
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP Named Firm to Watch
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that LMG Life Sciences Awards 2019 has named Bradley as the “Firm to Watch” in the nationwide Litigation & Enforcement category. The LMG Life Sciences Awards recognize the year’s top firms and legal professionals in the life sciences sector. The award winners were announced September 18 at an event in New York City.
The LMG Life Sciences Awards, which last year named Bradley the “Product Liability Firm of the Year,” are based on research conducted for the annual LMG Life Sciences referral guide to leading North American law firms and lawyers that focus in the life sciences industry. LMG determines honorees through case evidence, peer feedback surveys, interviews with law firm partners who are active in the relevant research categories and client feedback from corporate and in-house contacts.
Butler Snow Attorney Chair of American Bar Association Committee
Butler Snow attorney Randall D. McClanahan has been appointed chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) Business Law Section’s Audit Responses Committee. McClanahan will serve a three-year term. The mission of the Audit Responses Committee is to serve as a resource for lawyers’ responses to audit inquiries and related financial reports and disclosure issues, focusing on implementation of the “treaty” reached with accountants in the ABA statement of policy regarding audit responses.
Bradley Attorneys Honored
Six Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP Montgomery attorneys are included in the 2020 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, one of the most highly regarded attorney referral publications, which is now in its 26th year. Best Lawyers also named Charles Stewart as the Bet-the-Company Litigation “Lawyer of the Year” for 2020. In each metropolitan area, only a single attorney in each legal practice area is designated as the “Lawyer of the Year.” Firmwide, 252 attorneys at Bradley were listed by Best Lawyers.
The other Montgomery attorneys listed as 2020 Best Lawyers are W. Stanley Gregory, William C. McGowin, George R. Parker, Robert Emmett Poundstone IV and Davis H. Smith.
AWARDS & HONORS
Alabama Technology Foundation Awards Scholarship
Faulkner University senior and computer science major Zilin “Ian” Chen was awarded a $500 ATF Student Member Scholarship for his work in the computer science field and for joining ATF’s innovative professional database. ATF director and members of the ATF Board of Directors extended a personal invitation to other Faulkner computer science students to take part in ATF and join their database as well.
“It was very much a surprise, but what a blessing this is!” said Chen, who was joined by Faulkner College of Arts and Sciences Dean Dr. Jeff Arrington, Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Dave Rampersad and Faulkner President Mike Williams.
The Alabama Technology Foundation is a non-profit outreach organization that is supporting the Alabama business industry by developing engineers and IT professionals through academia and workforce development. ATF is helping provide students an opportunity to be seen by all of Alabama’s businesses. The organization is designed to help both the students in higher education and the Alabama businesses looking for them.
AUM Chancellor Earns Great American Hero Award
Auburn University at Montgomery Chancellor Dr. Carl A. Stockton earned the highest honor presented by the Greater Alabama Council of the Boy Scouts of America’s Youth Leadership Development Program (YLDP). The Youth Leadership Development Program presented Stockton with its “Great American Hero” Award in September at its opening ceremony for the 2019-2020 YLDP. Stockton has been active as a board member for the YLDP, which offers a nine-month leadership development program for high school juniors and seniors from 20 counties in North and Central Alabama.
Bradley Partner Appointed to Executive Committee of ASB President
George R. Parker, a partner in Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP’s Montgomery office, was appointed at the 2019 Alabama State Bar (ASB) Annual Meeting to serve on President Christy Crow’s Executive Committee for 2019-2020.
Earlier this year Parker was re-elected to serve his third term as Bar Commissioner, representing Alabama’s 15th Judicial District. Also with the ASB, Parker serves on the Bar Disciplinary Panels and chairs a panel on the Character and Fitness Committee.
VT Miltope Secures Victory at APEX Awards
VT Miltope was honored with the award for Best Inflight Connectivity Innovation at the APEX Expo held in Los Angeles, California. APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association), is a network of the world’s leading airlines, suppliers and related companies committed to elevating the level of the airline passenger experience.
VT Miltope achieved this award by merging technologies from RazorSecure and Galgus and developed wireless cabin networks that keep up with ever-evolving cyber threats. Using machine learning, the software-based solution detects anomalies in network behavior patterns and becomes smarter with every iteration.
VT Miltope’s President and CEO, Jack Haley, said this about the team’s achievement, “This is a fantastic achievement by the entire team and demonstrates the tremendous capabilities and capacity of Miltope’s Wireless Access Point. It also demonstrates that APEX and the industry recognize the pressing need for cybersecurity.”
Jones School of Law Graduate Receives Award
One of Thomas Goode Jones School of Law’s most recent graduates, Lauren James, was recently awarded the Alabama State Bar Pro Bono Award for her extensive public service work. The award for the Law Student Category was presented to James (Faulkner Law class of 2019) at the Alabama State Bar Meeting in July. James is also an alumna of Faulkner University.
James finds that service to others and her community is one of the highest callings of being a lawyer. Pro bono service provides free legal aid to low-income people needing assistance with basic necessities. “The legal profession is one that calls upon lawyers to render service,” James said.
“Serving others is the essence of being a lawyer. When I serve, I get the privilege of walking alongside someone and helping them during their time of need.”
Bradley Receives Alabama State Bar Pro Bono Award
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP received the 2019 Alabama State Bar Pro Bono Award in the Law Firm category. The firm was honored at the Alabama State Bar Annual Meeting. “We are tremendously honored to be recognized by the Alabama State Bar for our attorneys’ and staff members’ work and ongoing commitment to pro bono service in the communities where we live and service our clients,” said Bradley Pro Bono Counsel Tiffany Graves. “Helping to ensure that everyone has equal access to justice is vitally important to everyone at Bradley.” Bradley was selected to receive the award by the Alabama State Bar Committee on Volunteer Lawyer Programs.
Horace Horn Honored with Power of Service Award
Yellowhammer Multimedia presented the 2019 Power of Service Award to Horace Horn of PowerSouth Energy Cooperative at its annual Power of Service event in October. Horn currently serves as Vice President for External Affairs at PowerSouth.
“Horace Horn has an incredible record of economic development success stories, and he has been a champion for rural Alabama throughout his entire career,” said Tim Howe, owner of Yellowhammer Multimedia.
Horn began his career in poultry farming and commercial construction before his service at USDA Rural Development. He joined PowerSouth in 2000. Among the organizations on which Horn has served are the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority, Alabama World Trade Association, Coosa Alabama River Improvement Association, Alabama Rural Rehabilitation Corporation, the Southeastern Federal Power Customers, Alabama Wildlife Federation, Business Council of Alabama, Alabama World Affairs Council and the Alabama Department of Archives and History. He served as the fourth chairman of the Alabama State Port Authority and has testified in front of the Board of Governors for the Federal Reserve System regarding the effect of Fed policy on production agriculture.
