The Huntsville Regional Economic Growth Initiative (HREGI ...

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS continued from page 13 Innovation Integration Incorporated (i3) recently held a ribbon cutting for the opening of the company’s new office in Cummings Research Park. Since its founding in 2007 with one employee, the company has grown quickly. The company’s first subcontract was to provide services for the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. By the end of 2008, i3 was at 18 employees and generated $1.2 million in revenue. In 2009, the company experienced a huge surge by increasing its workforce to 120 employees and generating $15.25 million in revenue. The company has continued it growth and today has more than 250 employees and has i3 CEO Michael Wicks revenues of more than $50 million. The company’s client base also has grown and diversified to include various programs with the U.S. Army, Navy and the Air Force, among others. “This company has become a huge success story in a community that has become one of our nation’s greatest economic success stories,” said Ron Poteat, secretary/treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County Board of Directors. Michael Wicks, CEO of i3, said that Huntsville is the best place he could have started a business. Officials with Auburn University were in Huntsville recently to formally open Auburn’s Huntsville Research Center. Auburn University’s new Huntsville Research Center is already working closely with area industry and federal agencies, including plans to develop cyber security technologies designed to protect U.S. soldiers and information systems on the battlefield. “Our goal is to work in partnership with the Huntsville community to expand the region’s role in the national research agenda, bring new ideas and products to government, industry and consumers, and help create economic opportunity,” Auburn University President Dr. Jay Gogue said. The Huntsville Research Center is headed by Rodney Robertson, former director of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command’s technical center. It will concentrate on projects in defense, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, biotechnology, information technology and other federal and state Auburn President Dr. Jay Gogue government priorities. “Bringing the best minds and ideas together enables us to tackle the nation’s most difficult problems,” said Robertson. “Auburn researchers are passionate about discovery and innovation. We’re eager to bring our capabilities and resources to the table with our Huntsville colleagues to deliver the best results for Alabama and the nation.” Robertson said Auburn researchers will work closely with scientists at Alabama A&M University and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. “We look forward to building on the Alabama A&M and Auburn partnership with new research initiatives that are vital for the Huntsville community,” said Alabama A&M President Dr. Andrew Hugine. 14 December 2010 Initiatives i3 Grows in Huntsville, Diversifies Customer Base “There really is no better place to start a business than in Huntsville. We get tickled every time we read an article in Forbes featuring Huntsville. All of our growth is because we do the little things right,” Wicks said. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle congratulated the company on it growth and lauded the company as an example of Huntsville growth as a community. “You really have to realize the economic impact companies such as this have. It really contributes to the economic engine of this state,” Battle said. • Auburn University Opens Research Center to Work with Local Industry, Academia and Government “UAHuntsville plays a crucial role in the intellectual development of Huntsville, and these collaborations, particularly with other state institutions, are one of the most effective ways that we can respond to the challenges facing our community, state and nation,” UAHuntsville President Dr. Dave Williams said. Each year, more than $30 billion in federal funding flows though the Huntsville area in government contracts. Collaboration among scientists, whether they work in universities, government or industry, is essential to solve today’s complex research challenges, according to Robertson. Auburn’s work in cyber security and information assurance includes training wounded soldiers. Training that occurred last month in Huntsville prepared them for cyber positions in government and industry. •
~ highlights compiled by John Southerland & Harrison Diamond WaveLink Celebrates Opening New Office in Huntsville Chamber Board Chair Don Nalley with WaveLink President Tamela Gibbs. WaveLink, a small woman-owned defense contractor, initially began providing commercial software development to telecommunications companies. Its products and services have expanded to providing high-end technical services and systems engineering support for government clients, including numerous U.S. Army aviation and missile programs and program management offices. Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County Board Chair Don Nalley praised WaveLink’s success and said the company’s continued growth helps the local economy. “At the Chamber, we often discuss how fortunate we are to have such a diverse industry base that helps our local economy stay stronger than most in these challenging financial times, and WaveLink has proven to be a wonderful example of this community’s economic growth,” Nalley said. Tamela Gibbs, president of WaveLink said of the opening of the new office, “I am so glad to be from Huntsville and so glad to be in the business that we are in.” Joe Vallely, economic development director with the City of Huntsville, said that WaveLink is a prime example of the many “home-grown” companies that are succeeding in Huntsville. “Congratulations to you and for all that you have accomplished. You represent the kind of home-grown growth that we like to see in this community,” Vallely said. • Local Insurance Agency Makes Distinguished List Fountain Parker Harbarger & Associates recently earned the highly-coveted “Best Practices” designation from the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, an honor few insurance companies can claim. Of the more than 37,000 independent insurance agencies in the country, only 260 received the honor of “Best Practices” for 2010. Of those 224 companies that made the list, there were only six from Alabama. • 15 Initiatives December 2010
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