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 2300 Bryant has been announced for Downtown Tuscaloosa by the Builders Group of West Alabama. This exciting new mixed-use development will be situated in the 2300 block of Paul W. Bryant Drive, at the intersection of Greensboro Avenue. The development includes 57 luxury condominiums situated on three floors over parking facilities, with approximately 21,000 square feet of new retail shops. 2300 Bryant has been designed with downtown living in mind and within easy access to all of the amenities of Downtown Tuscaloosa, the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk, the historic district and Downtown's growing entertainment and cultural district. The 57 one, two and three bedroom luxury condominiums will include highly sought after amenities found in today's top homes, with private balconies overlooking Downtown Tuscaloosa and The University of Alabama skyline. In addition, plans call for unique, upscale retail and dining experiences. "We congratulate Lynn and Brock Corder of the Builders Group for their vision and new investment in a vibrant central business district," said Chamber President Johnnie Aycock. "This is evidence that the private sector believes in a revitalized 'city center' and that the marketplace is active and growing in Downtown Tuscaloosa. There is no doubt that our community is on the grow." |
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 The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama and the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority joined together recently to honor Linda Paulmeno Sewell, who recently retired as Director of Communications at Mercedes-Benz U. S. International, with a community appreciation reception on August 28 th.
"To most of us, Linda was the face of MBUSI," said Chamber President Johnnie Aycock. She was the first employee of Mercedes-Benz U. S. International and was an key influence in the site selection team's decision to pick Tuscaloosa County as the home of MBUSI. Linda retires from Mercedes-Benz after 25 years of service.  "Linda had a great heart for Tuscaloosa and she will be missed," emphasized Aycock, "but we wish her only the best as she enters a new chapter in her life as a mother, although we expect to see her having impact on our region and state for years to come through civic and business leadership." |
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Five current members of The Chamber's Board of Directors were recently re-elected for a second three-year term, and 11 new business people will join the Board in January.
Returning for another stint on the 36-member Board, the governing body for The Chamber's 1,100 members, are: Keith Andrews, RaCon, Inc.; Howard Garrison, Peoples Bank and Trust; Carolyn Dahl, College of Continuing Studies at the University of Alabama; Lin Moore of Pritchett-Moore Insurance, and Jeff Whittington, Cadence Bank.
Joining the Board as new directors are: Claude Edwards, Bryant Bank; Brandon Farmer, NHS Management; Melody Davis Gayle, Melody and Co. Realty; Phillip Hall, Turner & Schoel; Leon Kemp, Northwest Supply Co.; Bill Lloyd, Wilhagan's; Tim Parker III, Parker Towing Co.; Shane Spiller, Spiller Associated Furniture Stores; Mark Sullivan, Bank of Tuscaloosa; Fitzgerald Washington, Buffalo Rock-Pepsi, and Terry Waters, Alabama Power Co.
The directors take office January 1, 2007, and will be presented at The Chamber's Annual Meeting later in the month. |
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 Research shows that only 10% of managers are truly focused on what matters most to their organization. The other-90%--are typically either distracted or disengaged from key organizational objectives.
Information workers typically devote only about 40% of their time to organizational priorities or tasks directly related to the organization's mission-critical objectives.
A recent estimate of the cost of low productivity of "actively disengaged workers" is $300 billion.
So, it should come as no surprise to Chamber members that The Chamber has a fall lineup of workshops that will help managers in these areas.
The first "Lunch and Learn" workshop is set for September 27 at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel, 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Over lunch, attendees will get a two-hour overview of the methodology of the four basic disciplines for leaders, managers, and front line workers in order to translate their high level goals into action-oriented steps. This helps insure that the entire team is aligned and executing the team's most important goals.
Sound a little familiar? Sound like Franklin Covey? It is. The workshop carries a title of "Franklin Covey's Four Disciplines of Execution Individual Addition" and will be led by Mark Josie.
Cost to Chamber members is only $35; others pay $65. If you'd like to go ahead and sign up for all three fall workshops, you get a deal. Three for $90. Call Tracy Crumpton at 391-0554 for information or registration, email her at tracy@tuscaloosachamber.com, or go to The Chamber's website, www.tuscaloosachamber.com.
The other workshops are October 17, and it's entitled "Combating The Stresses Of Life and Work." Professionals from DCH Health System's Employee Assistance Program will present the program, and November 7 which will be "Franklin Covey's Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People," an overview led by Paul Hasney. |
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 The Chamber Staff and Ambassadors have been busy recently, helping member businesses and organizations with ribbon-cutting ceremonies. In fact, two of those ceremonies took place on the same day, August 24.
At 2 p.m., Johnna Hold and Bama Bean, located on Fourth Street behind The Chamber offices, celebrated their first year in business with refreshments for visitors and a cutting of the ribbon by Mayor Walt Maddox. Left to right in the photo are Angie Askew of Morgan Keegan, Chamber Ambassador; Mike Elmore, Johnna's father; Johnna; Mayor Maddox; Chamber President Johnnie Aycock; Karen Thompson of Temporary Emergency Services, a Chamber Ambassador, and Lachelle Koon of Sheila's Gift Baskets and Gifts, also an Ambassador.
 At 5:30 later in the day, Habitat for Humanity held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for two homes that volunteers recently completely remodeled. At this event, it was the mayor's wife, Robin Maddox, who cut the ribbon, again with the help of Chamber Ambassadors.
In the photo, left to right, are: Shannon McBride of the Tuscaloosa Association of Realtors, a Chamber Ambassador; Mrs. Maddox; Dee Gaitor; Geraldine Crutchfield; Lynne Jarreau, executive director of Habitat for Humanity, and Lachelle Koon of Sheila's Gift Baskets and Gifts, a Chamber Ambassador.
A large crowd attended this dedication service, which was sponsored by Mercedes-Benz US International, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Publix Supermarket Charities, and the Wal Mart Foundation. The remodeling was a project of Women Build 2006.
 Several weeks earlier a ceremony was held at Omni Source, a staffing company at 3816 Palisades Drive. Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox cut the ribbon, while Chamber President Johnnie Aycock and Chairman-Elect Jim Harrison III, were on hand. Others in the photo are Nellene Beedle, Mark Hampton, vice president of sales and marketing, and Misti Moultrie, account coordinator.
 Most recently, a large crowd gathered for the grand opening of Med Center North at 3909 McFarland Blvd. in Northport. The ceremony took place August 29, and Mayor Harvey Fretwell cut the ribbon. Also in attendance was Councilman John Myers. Loo Whitfield of The Chamber staff, left, helped with the event, as did former Chamber Chair Verta Barr-Meherg (not pictured). The three physicians at the center are, left to right, Dr. Perry Lovely, Dr. Chris McGee, and Dr. Robert Posey.
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One of the newer and busier groups of The Chamber this year is the Women in Business Council, and they've got an imaginative roundtable discussion coming up on September 14 that should appeal to many women in the Tuscaloosa County workplace.
"Relationship Building: Finding The Tools For Success" is the name of the session, which will be held at the University Church of Christ, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Cost for Chamber members is only $20, and that includes lunch. Others pay $30.
How about this for a star-studded lineup: Dr. Cathy Randall will facilitate discussion among a group of panelists that includes Renea Jones of Regions Bank, Kim Ingram of Tanner & Guin LLC, Paula Quarles of Banks-Quarles Plumbing and Heating, and Alice Maxwell of Advantage Realty.
The gist of the discussion centers is practical advice for building relationships for business and personal success.
Here's a neat twist. The Women in Business Council supports Turning Point. If you'll bring one of the following donated items for Turning Point, that item will serve as your "ticket" to the luncheon: toothpaste, paper goods (forks, spoons, cups, plates), dishwashing liquid, foil or sandwich bags.
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To anyone out there who thinks The Chamber is NOT a diverse organization and is run by large businesses, take note of the nature of some of The Chamber's newest members.
Since the beginning of 2006, 111 businesses, organizations and individuals have recognized the advantages of a Chamber membership and have become a member of The Chamber Team.
Among those are:
 The Tuscaloosa Quarterback Club, which is kicking off what promises to be an exciting year of supporting the Crimson Tide. Long-time secretary of that club, Harry Lee (pictured outside Bryant-Denny Stadium) says this year's lineup of speakers and projects is probably the best ever.
- Gillis Jewelers of Northport, which makes custom jewelry. John Gillis, owner, (pictured in his shop) is a new Chamber supporter and a relatively new member of the Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa.
- Hicks' Taxidermy on Main Avenue in Northport, which is also a hunting and fishing outfitter. Richard Hicks, owner, has also become involved in the Alabama Hunting and Fishing Trail, which is a The Chamber economic development initiative.
- Traveln Alabama of Centreville, which sells advertising for the welcome video channel on television sets in motels and hotels. Steve Gilbert is the main contact.
- And Skip Henry and his company, Sticky City Painting Service, joined the Team on August 25.
The Chamber wishes these new member-businesses well and urges them to take advantage of the networking and training opportunities that come along this fall. |
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Perhaps no Chamber group or committee has a more important role than The Chamber Ambassadors.
The Ambassadors are the official hosts and hostesses for The Chamber, helping out with ribbon-cutting ceremonies, registering guests at Chamber events, planning networking events, and much more.
Most important, though, is the responsibility each Ambassador undertakes to stay in touch with a number of Chamber members to insure that those members know what's going on at The Chamber and to serve as a link between the members and The Chamber leadership.
The 31 members of the 2006 Ambassadors team have been assigned a total of 322 members.
This year's Ambassadors are led by Carla Bailey of the Children's Hands-On Museum. Her vice chair is Beth Whinery of Chic-Fil-A.
The Ambassadors meet monthly; their next scheduled meeting is September 20, which will also be a session to plan for the rest of 2006 and preliminary plans for 2007.
In addition to Carla and Beth, the other 2006 Ambassadors are:
Angie Askew, Morgan Keegan & Co.; Alicia Barrineau of Express Personnel Service; Rachel Brooks of Spell & Associates; Katie Butler of Best Western Park Plaza; Tyson Chism of Verizon Wireless; Lynley Cooper of Pine Valley Retirement Community; Alan Hood of Tuscaloosa Chevrolet; Ella Hood of Home-Towne Suites; Brad Johnson of Warren Tires and Auto Center; Lance Johnson of Regions Bank; Ginger Johnston of Southern LINC; Stacy Jones of the University of Alabama; Stephaine Royster of Melody & Company Realty; Skye Kent of WAR Construction; Lachelle Koon of Sheila's Gift Baskets and Gifts; Candy Lowery of Wachovia Bank; Jennifer Maricle of Verizon Wireless; Shannon McBride of the Tuscaloosa Assn. of Realtors; Scott McClanahan of Merrill Lynch; Michael McComb of Allstate Insurance; Kim Meyer of the University of Alabama; Amy Peck of AmSouth Bank; Andy Polizzi of Cook's Pest Control; Julie Smitherman of Coca-Cola Enterprises; Kendrik Speight of Wachovia Bank; Jon Stephenson of Shelton State; Karen Thompson of Temporary Emergency Services; Jason Ward of Alabama Central Credit Union, and Jay Welborn of Piggly Wiggly Stores. |
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More than 100 businesses and individuals have become a part of The Chamber Team since the beginning of 2006, and the growth continues almost daily.
The Chamber is committed to helping new members-and all members get the maximum benefit from their investment in the organization.
One of the ways to help members is to make sure they understand the organization and operation of The Chamber, how to take advantage of the many programs and activities The Chamber provides, and underscore for the members the value of Chamber benefits.
In late September, The Chamber is planning three sessions primarily to orient new members, but all members are invited. The sessions are: September 27, 7:30 a.m.; September 28, 5:00 p.m., and September 29, 7:30 a.m. Members can select which of the three sessions best fits their schedule. All of the meetings, which should last a little over an hour, will be held in the Morrow Conference Room at The Chamber offices.
To help us plan those sessions so they're most effective, we'd like to know who's coming to which orientation session. So, call The Chamber at 758-7588 and talk to Lowanda McLaughlin-James or 391-0561 and talk to Dick Johnson. Or you can simply e-mail either staff member: lowanda@tuscaloosachamber.com or dick@tuscaloosachamber.com.
We urge our members, especially those new members, to take advantage of this opportunity to learn what a great bargain membership in The Chamber is.
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