Exploring North Alabama Exploring North Alabama - Huntsville ...

The Chamber of CommerceBoard of Directors andExecutive Committee 2004Executive CommitteeTommy Beason, ChairLTG James Link (Ret.), Chair-ElectHoward Thrailkill, Past ChairJoel Daves, SecretaryGail Wall, TreasurerBrad Jones, Vice Chair Economic DevelopmentJoe Ritch, Vice Chair Governmental AffairsDave Hargrove, Vice Chair Investor RelationsKaren Stanley, Vice Chair Small BusinessScott Seeley, Vice ChairResearch & Information ServicesJoe Austin, Vice Chair Workforce DevelopmentChairman Mike Gillespie, Chair-AppointedBill Gurley, Chair-AppointedMayor Loretta Spencer, Chair-AppointedIrma Tuder, Chair-AppointedBrian Hilson, President/CEOElected BoardTommy Beason, Beason & Nalley, Inc.Joe Alexander, Camber CorporationPete Apple, CSCJoe Austin, Huntsville HospitalScott Averbuch, Averbuch RealtyJohn Cooper, AvocentMarshall England, State FarmDick Fountain,Fountain, Parker, Harbarger & AssociatesDr. Greg Gum, Radiology AssociatesBill Gurley, SAICMichael Hall, DaimlerChrysler CorporationRichard Holloway, Timberlakes Developers, Inc.Tharon Honeycutt, WHNT-TVDr. Eric Janssen, SportsMedDonna Lamb, Lamb Commercial ServicesMillie Marshall, Toyota Motor Manufacturing-ALJerre Penney, Bill Penney ToyotaJoe Ritch, Sirote & PermuttRemigius Shatas, Rymic Systems, Inc.Sandra Steele, Enfinger Development, Inc.Paula Steigerwald, Huntsville Botanical GardenGerald Toland, Redstone Federal Credit UnionIrma Tuder, Analytical Services, Inc.Johnnie Vann, Lanier Ford Shaver & PayneBill Watson, SouthTrust BankJean Wessel-Templeton, Wesfam/Burger KingPeri Widener, The Boeing CompanyKeith Wilson, Wyle LaboratoriesTom Young, Intergraph CorporationA Message from the PresidentDear Chamber of Commerce Investors, Community Leaders and Friends:I had the recent pleasure of a conversation with a gentleman who took a transfer toHuntsville from St. Louis. His praise for the quality of life in the Tennessee Valley waseffusive. The friendliness of our residents – from the checkout person at the grocery storeto fellow workers – delighted him. He joked a bit, asking if the hospitality characteristicof his new home was “something in the water or in the air,” especially since numerousresidents are from different parts of the country and the world.Well, maybe it is. Maybe it’s in the water of the Tennessee River or the eight sportinglakes in North Alabama. Maybe it’s in the cool mountain air of Monte Sano. Or maybegoodwill comes from being able to play golf almost year-round at world-class courses likethose on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, at The Ledges or Cherokee Ridge. Perhapshospitality is born from the ambiance of an antebellum-rich historic district or in adowntown returning to prominence.Then again, could it be a residual effect – the spirit of camaraderie from a communitythat has always prided itself on special achievements, like helping put man on the moon?Could it be that friendliness results from great education opportunities? A vibrant artscommunity with excellent museums? Perhaps it’s the value of living in the Huntsvillearea, where average incomes are among the highest in the Southeast, while the cost ofliving is among the lowest.By whatever means, including the excellent business and career opportunities Huntsville/Madison County is renowned for (we were ranked eighth in the nation by Forbes thisyear), our community is a great place to live and we’re proud to market Huntsville/Madison County to the world. We hope you enjoy this issue of Initiatives as it salutesmany of the amenities we enjoy in North Alabama and the Tennessee Valley.Brian HilsonPresident & CEOChamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison CountyInitiatives October 200405