COMMUNITY
New Bongo at Montgomery Zoo
The Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum announced the addition of three new Bongos to the African hoof stock herd. A female calf, Juni, born May 16, 2019, another adult female, Heidi, and a juvenile male, Naveen. Heidi and Naveen arrived at the Montgomery Zoo from the Greater Richmond Zoo.
Bongos (Tragelaphus eurycerus) are large, heavy-bodied antelope with short and glossy, orange or chestnut colored coats that are darker on the underside and patterned with vertical white stripes. They are found inhabiting the dense forests of Eastern, Western and Central Africa. They are the largest forest-dwelling antelope species and one of the most distinctive, with horns that spiral as high as 35 inches in males.
TROY Recognized as Green Ribbon School
Troy University is one of only four colleges or universities nationally to be recognized as a Green Ribbon School, Postsecondary Sustainability Awardee by the U.S. Department of Education. TROY was the only institution in Alabama to receive the recognition, which honors innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness and ensure effective sustainability education.
Earlier this year, TROY earned a spot on the Alabama State Department of Education’s list of Green Ribbon Schools, bringing with the honor the nomination to be recognized nationally as a Postsecondary Awardee. “To be recognized nationally by the U.S. Department of Education is a testament to Troy University’s commitment to be good stewards of our natural resources and communities where we are located,” said Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr., Chancellor.
BIG COMMUNITY NEWS
ASU Receives $2.25 Million Grant
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a five-year, $2.25 million grant to Alabama State University to add in continuing its successful efforts to enhance its research capabilities, STEM (science, technology, math and engineering) education and its emerging technology. The NSF funding comes from its Historically Black Colleges and Universities–Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP).
“The project will have a special focus on undergraduate students providing a unique opportunity to gain multidisciplinary research knowledge and skills in bioengineering and nanobiotechnology that will span across the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education at ASU,” said Dr. Komal Vig, Professor of Biology.
She said that the goal of the HBCU-UP program is to provide ASU undergraduates with a straight-forward perspective of advanced graduate research, with a specific emphasis on increasing the number of well-prepared ASU students who seek to obtain a STEM-related doctoral degree and who can successfully compete and be accepted in the nation’s top STEM graduate programs. “The ultimate goal of the program is for Alabama State University to significantly contribute to the pool of underrepresented minority students representing the next generation of scientists in America’s STEM workforce,” Vig said.
The multi-million-dollar grant will also provide stipends for participating students along with travel funds, which will give students the opportunity to present their research at national and international professional scientific meetings and conferences. The grant funds will also provide an excellent opportunity for many high school students and teachers to engage and gain exposure in cutting edge training in bioengineering nanobiotechnology, and STEM education.
Local Store Gets International Attention
Johnny Marvin’s Paint and Furniture in Montgomery was recently recognized on an international scale by chalk paint mogul Annie Sloan. Sloan hand-picked Yancey Hutcheson and his shop to feature in her “Stockist Sunday” showcase on her Instagram and Facebook pages. Johnny Marvin’s is Montgomery’s only Annie Sloan Chalk Paint stockist. Hutcheson has also made Sloan’s products available at Montgomery Antiques and Interiors.
AUM Student Earns Prestigious Scholarship
Teva Stinson, a May Auburn University at Montgomery accounting graduate, recently earned a competitive $10,000 scholarship from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). Stinson will remain enrolled at Auburn University at Montgomery in the fall to begin pursuit of her Master of Accountancy degree. The scholarship is subsidized by funds generated by the collection of monetary penalties paid by companies to the PCAOB, which was created through the congressional passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to oversee audits of public companies and protect investors’ interests.
Troy University Awarded NEA Grant
Troy University received a National Endowment for the Arts grant in the amount of $15,000 to host the NEA Big Read, a program designed to revitalize the role of reading in American culture.
An initiative of the NEA in partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read seeks to broaden understanding of the world, local communities and individuals through the joy of sharing a good book. The grants enable selected organizations to promote and carry out community-based reading programs around a single book, featuring activities such as read-a-thons, book discussions, lectures, movie screenings and performing arts events. Troy University, one of 78 organizations nationally to be awarded an NEA Big Read grant, will organize activities around the book, “Citizen: An American Lyric,” by poet, essayist and playwright Claudia Rankine, a 2016 MacArthur Fellow and the Frederick Iseman Professor of Poetry at Yale University.
The Rosa Parks Library and Museum will hold a kickoff celebration. Other events will include book discussions and film screenings by Troy University faculty members dealing with themes discussed in the book. The events will culminate with a poetry slam and book discussion at the 2020 Alabama Book Festival.
ASU Awarded $2.97 Million NIH Grant
The National Institute of Health (NIH) has awarded Alabama State University a five-year grant worth $2.97 million from its National Research Mentoring Network titled, “Intersection of Social Capital, Mentorship, and Networking on Persistence, Engagement, and Science Identity.” ASU will lead the grant activities, as well as partner institutions Tuskegee University (TU), Savannah State University (SSU), Vanderbilt University (VU), and the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC).
Each year, a minimum of 150 freshmen students from ASU as well as TU and SSU will benefit from this grant. ASU’s Dr. Manoj Mishra, Professor of Biology and founding Director of the University’s Cancer Biology Research and Training (CBRT) organization, will serve as the principal investigator of the grant.
TOP-NOTCH:
Homewood Suites Recognized
Homewood Suites by Hilton Montgomery received an “Excellent” rating from Trip Advisor for the fifth consecutive year, which places the property in the travel website’s “Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame.”
ACHIEVEMENTS
Bradley Attorneys Appointed to Leadership Positions
Five Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP attorneys have been appointed to new leadership roles with the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Litigation for the 2019-2020 bar year. They are: Dylan C. Black, Robert Emmett Poundstone IV, Anne Marie Seibel, Ethan T. Tidmore and Bridget V. Warren. All are members of Bradley’s Litigation Practice Group.
Sweeney Named 2018 AL National Guard Woman of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Ivy Sweeney, a Knowledge Operations Manager with the 187th Communications Flight in Montgomery, received the 2018 Alabama National Guard Woman of the Year award at a ceremony on May 22 at the Alabama National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in Montgomery. Sweeney was nominated for the award by Maj. Joseph Roberson, 187th Communications Flight Commander, due to her leadership style, record of performance and accomplishments outside of the military.
In her current position, Sweeney is directly responsible for base records management, knowledge operations, publications and forms, FOIA/Privacy Act requests, base mail and SharePoint administration for the 187th Fighter Wing and three Geographically Separated Units. She has led several high-impact programs, including training hundreds of personnel on the protection of sensitive information, consolidating Dannelly Field’s network storage drives and digitizing the wing’s paper records.
Sweeney is an active volunteer with several organizations in the community. She serves as the 187th Fighter Wing Chamber Ambassador with the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, she volunteers s a tour guide and digitization aide with the Alabama Department of Archives and History and she leads and mentors Troop 9189 with the Girls Scouts of Southern Alabama.
Hodges Warehouse + Logistics Named Service Provider of The Year
Hodges Warehouse + Logistics was named Service Provider of the Year at the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association (AAMA) third annual Supplier of the Year Awards ceremony. Hodges, which picked up its first automotive client 10-plus years ago and was founded as a family-owned warehouse business, has experienced tremendous growth in the sector. The Montgomery-based company has grown from one truck and three trailers in the last eight years to 45 trucks and 230 trailers. Hodges now services six original equipment manufacturers with its 750,000-plus square feet of space.
Montgomery Vet Named “Veterinarian of the Year”
Dr. William Sternenberg of Goodwin Animal Hospital in Montgomery was awarded “Veterinarian of the Year” by the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association while attending the Emerald Coast Conference. Upon the announcement of the honor, his colleagues at this American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accredited pet hospital, expressed congratulations and pride.
Montgomery Physical Therapist Joins Select Ranks
With aging baby boomers and longer life spans swelling the population, more healthcare providers who understand how to care for older people and their special needs will be a must. One Alabama healthcare professional has joined the select ranks of physical therapists who specialize in treating the older population. Tiffany Brown, DPT, has become certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in geriatric physical therapy.
Brown is a graduate of Alabama State University and is the director of rehabilitation at RehabFirst in Montgomery. Most of her career has been dedicated to treating older adults, and Brown is one of many who believe this age group needs more professionals that understand their needs.
Brown’s certification means she has advanced knowledge and experience to better treat older adult patients. It also means she has an advanced clinical knowledge of the most common diagnoses and conditions that affect the geriatric population.
AWARDS & HONORS
Butler Snow Honored
Butler Snow was named runner-up for Law Firm of the Year – USA in Citywealth Magazine’s 2019 Magic Circle Awards. The awards ceremony was held May 16 in London. The Magic Circle Awards – the premier awards for the private client financial sector – are held annually to select the best advisors, managers and firms in the global private client financial industry.
MDA’s Angie Jordin Named Mother of the Year
In February, Angie Jordin was named the 2019 Mother of the Year for the State of Alabama by American Mothers, Inc. Jordin is the Director of Business Development for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and was nominated by her daughter. American Mothers, Inc. is a nationwide organization committed to valuing mothers through service and education. As the official sponsor of Mother’s Day and the Mother of the Year, American Mothers is the voice of 85 million mothers in America.
Montgomery Nursing Home Wins Second National Award
Capitol Hill Healthcare has been recognized as a 2019 recipient of the Silver–Achievement in Quality Award for its commitment to improving the lives of residents through quality care. The distinction is the second of three progressive award levels through the National Quality Award Program, presented by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), the leading association for long-term and post-acute care. Capitol Hill previously received a Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award before applying at the Silver level.
Local CPA Honored
The Alabama Society of CPAs held its 100th annual members meeting on June 13 at the Wynlakes Golf & Country Club. During the annual awards program, Montgomery CPA and partner in the Carr, Riggs & Ingram, CPAs and Advisors accounting firm (CRI) Phyllis Ingram was honored as a Life Member of the organization with the E. Lamar Reeves Life Member Award.
Ingram has been an active member of the Society since joining in 1989. She has served as Vice Chair of the ASCPA’s Management of an Accounting Practice Committee and currently serves as Chair of the ASCPA Audit Committee. She is currently the partner-in-charge of the Carr, Riggs, & Ingram Montgomery office as well as the Financial Services Industry Line Leader for the firm.
Troy University Designated Tree Campus USA
All four of Troy University’s campuses in Alabama have been awarded the Tree Campus USA® designation by the Arbor Day Foundation. Created in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation, the Tree Campus USA program honors colleges and universities for effective forest management on campus and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals. Troy University achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus USA’s five standards, which include maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and a student service-learning project. Currently there are 364 campuses across the United States with this recognition.
Starke Agency Receives “Max Performer Award”
MarshBerry announced that Starke Agency, Inc., is the winner of the 2019 annual Southeast MAX Performer recognition award. The MAX Performer award is a mark of distinction given to an independent agency that has strong financials in addition to fostering a client-first culture throughout the entirety of the company.
“MarshBerry has fostered a peer exchange environment for the Starke Agency that has allowed us to thrive in the wake of obstacles faced by small businesses. Through leadership development, producer retention, peak performance service standards and perpetuation, they have allowed us to have ‘confidence moving forward’,” said Trey Starke, President & CEO, Starke Agency. “We are proud to be the winner of the Southeast Region MAX Performer award.”
Beasley Allen Attorneys Honored
Ten Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C. attorneys have been selected to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers list. Those named to this list are: Greg Allen, Lead Products Liability Attorney; Andy Birchfield, Mass Torts Section Head; LaBarron Boone, Executive Committee Member; Kendall Dunson; Danielle Mason; Ted Meadows; Tom Methvin, Managing Attorney; Dee Miles, Consumer Fraud Section Head; Leigh O’Dell, Executive Committee Member; and Navan Ward Jr.
Recognition by Lawdragon 500 is an honor, as it stands as one of the most respected groups in the profession. Recipients of this honor are determined by editorial staff research of top verdicts and settlements as well as one-on-one interviews with attorneys across the nation.
Lawdragon also took time to recognize the lawyers it selected in 2015 to its Lawdragon Plaintiff Consumer Hall of Fame, which includes Beasley Allen Founding Attorney Jere Beasley. The Hall of Fame includes only the top 25 members who are touted as “legendary and iconic lawyers” by Lawdragon 500 editorial staff and attorneys nationwide.
