Connections9Ribbon 2Cuttings

9Events 4Calendar

9Grow Dothan 5

9Workforce 6Development

9Business Briefs 8-13

9Small Business 14Development

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CONNECTIONSC H A M B E R

WHAT’SINSIDE

November 2015

9 www.dothan.com(334) 792-5138

Quoteo f t h e M o n t h

“Self-trust is the first secret of success.”

—RalphWaldoEmerson

See page 7 for pictures from the event.

“Climbing With Care And Confidence”Chamber Celebrates A Five-Star Year, Gavel Changes Hands

Thecelebrationofafive-staryearfilledwithsomanyachievementsandsuccesseswas definitely in the air during theDothan Area Chamber of Commerce’s96th Annual Meeting held Oct. 8, atWiregrass Church where close to 700membersattendedtheluncheoncateredby The Pepi Companies and featuringtheChick-fil-Acowgreetingguests.Event highlights included Hope

Johnson,FriendBankpresident,officiallypassing the gavel to Forrest Register,RegisterRealtyCo.Inc.Duringheryearofservice,Johnsonfocusedattentionontheorganization’snumberonegoalandstrategicpriority-togrowtheeconomyof theWiregrass.Andwhata successfulyearitwas!Successes included Grow Dothan

raising over $1 million, making theyear one of the most successful capitalcampaignsinrecenthistory.Inaddition,Grow Dothan, in partnership with theCity of Dothan and Houston County,ledarecordeconomicdevelopmentyearwith capital investments of over $200millionand700newjobs.TheChamberalso achieved the highest accreditationpossible,fivestars,bytheU.S.ChamberofCommerce.In accepting the gavel, Register

expressed how honored and humbledhewastobeaskedbyhisbusinesspeerstoserveaschairmanoftheDothanAreaChamber. “Iwasmore thanhonored,”he said.“Iwashumbled, for ina sensethe Chamber had come full circle forme.”Forrest Register’s father, Larry

Register, once served as the economicdeveloper for the Chamber. It was theDothan Area Chamber that offered hisfatheranopportunity tocomehometoDothan and begin ameaningful career,whichledtothemeetingandmarryingofagirlfromHarford,Alabama,SueGillisRegister. The senior Register’s time attheChamberalsohelped launchhiminthefoundingofRegisterRealtyCo.Inc.,whereForrestnowservesaspresident.“So, in some way, the Dothan Area

Chamberhasbeenacrossroadsofbeingin my life,” Forrest Register explained.“Thisorganizationandcommunityhavebeen very good to my family and forthat I am grateful, and I look forwardtoservingyouaschairmanoverthenextyear.”Anall-time recordwas also setwhen

tickets for this year’s Annual Meetingsoldoutinjustonedaywhenmembersdidn’twasteanytimepurchasingticketswhen the announcement was madethat Chick-fil-A’s Chairman, Presidentand CEODan T. Cathy was going tobe the keynote speaker. Another greatachievement!Dan’s career at Chick-fil-A began

at age 9 as he sang songs for customerstable side at the chain’s original “DwarfHouse” restaurant in Hapeville, Georgia.AsCEOofonethenation’slargestfamily-owned businesses, he represents the nextgeneration of leadership for American’slargestchickenchain.Dan’s belief in the customer andbeing

servant were definitely demonstrated byhimandothermembersoftheChick-fil-Afamily as they escorted, seated and servedChamber members after going throughthebuffet line.Membersweregiven suchspecialattentionashepulledtheirchairoutforthemandkindlyunfoldedtheirnapkinbeforeplacingitintheirlap.During his remarks, Dan cited an

inspiring quote of his dad saying, “Nogoal istoohighifweclimbwithcareandconfidence.” Later noting that “We canhave tremendous ambitions. If we arewilling to reinventourselves,we canhavealastinginfluence,andapositiveinfluence(onthosewecomeincontactwith).Stressing those two words “care” and

“confidence”throughouthisaddress,Danconveyed to Chamber members, “Oursociety is depending upon us to take ourbusiness serous. Dothan needs what youhave,needsyou topreserveandbuild theeconomy!”Dan leftguestswith theverseMatthew

5:41,“Ifsomeoneaskyoutogoonemile,go with them the second mile.” Whenlookingatitfromabusinessaspect,thefirstmileisafreerefill,thesecondmileis“MayIrefreshyourbeverage?”Additionalluncheonhighlightsincluded

the long-awaited announcement of theChamber’s 2015 Small Business Personof the Year – Carthel “Dutch” Holland,ownerofHarleyDavidsonofDothan,whowasoneofthreefinalistsannouncedduringSmallBusinessWeekheldinMay.Special recognition was also given to

the Chamber’s 2015 Star of the Year –Rich Merrell, PRemployer Inc.; and theAmbassador and Diplomat Team of theYear –Ready, Set,Grow.CongratulationstoteammembersHayden Camp,DothanEducation Foundation; Amber Fain,OatesEstatesApartments;Rob Gilbreath,MightyAutoParts;Kassie Glover,AvadianCreditUnion;Jo Ann Kirkland,AFLAC;Adam Saucer,MassMutual;Kerry Seay,WDHN-TV18;andJoyce Tyson,Century21JamesGrantRealty.(Seepages4and7forStarandTeampictures.)Aspecialthankyoutoourannualmeeting

sponsors:Platinum–CapSouth Partners,Gold – Friend Bank and SunSouth Bank, and Silver – Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dunbarton Corp, Eagle Eye Outfitters Inc., Qualico Steel Co. Inc. and Southeast Alabama Gas District.

Chick-fil-A Chairman, President and CEO Dan T. Cathy addresses Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce members during the organization’s 96th Annual Meeting.

The Chick-fil-A mascot welcomed guests to the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce’s 96th Annual Meeting.

Chairman Forrest Register, Register Realty Co. Inc., thanks Outgoing Chairman Hope Johnson, Friend Bank, for her dedication and service this past year.

Outgoing Chair Hope Johnson, Friend Bank, congratulates and passes the gavel to Forrest Register, Register Realty Co. Inc.

The 2015 Small Business of The Year Carthel “Dutch” Holland, owner of Harley Davidson of Dothan, introduces his wife seated in the audience.

RIBBONcuttings

Purple Penguin Putt-n-glow

900CommonsDrive,Suite916Dothan,AL36303

RussBrown(850)258-0710

MINIATUREGULFAMUSEMENT

Appogee Marketing, LLc

P.O.Box1462Dothan,AL36302

MichaelWiley(334)333-9947MARKETING

MEDIAADVERTISING

Red Barn in grimes, LLc

2424CountyRoad112Grimes,AL36305

JamieLolley(334)405-7455EVENTVENUE

RELOcAtiOnsArch Business

consulting inc.248N.FosterSt.,Suite2

Dothan,AL36303HarryGrierIII(334)714-3199

CONSULTANTS–BUSINESS

Hughes supply1704ReevesSt.

Dothan,AL36303JasonAngeloff

(334)793-6948HVAC&PLUMBINGSUPPLY

DISTRIBUTOR

Wiregrass Rheumatology, PcSAMCDoctor’sBuilding

1118RossClarkCircle,Suite702Dothan,AL36301

WillOrtiz(334)673-7310

PHYSICIANS&SURGEONS-MD-RHEUMATOLOGY

ADDITIONAl LOcAtiOn

troy Bank & trust3850W.MainSt.,Suite602

Dothan,AL36305MaceKirkland

(334)305-0475BANKS

EXPAnsiOnKelly services inc.3160W.MainSt.,Suite4

Dothan,AL36305AmandaBurkhalter

(334)793-9776EMPLOYMENT

CONTRACTORS–TEMPORARY/FULLTIME

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AreyouanewChambermember?Hasyourbusinessexpandedorrelocated?Areyoubreakinggroundforanewfacility?Ifyouansweredyestoanyofthesequestions,youmaywanttoscheduleaChamberRibbonCuttingorGoundbreakingevent.These events take place weekly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Chamberstaffwillworkwithyoutochoosethedateandtimethatbestfitsyourschedule.Youreventwillbe included in theCalendarofEvents sectionof theChamber Connectionsandyourpicturewillalsobefeaturedinthenewsletteraftertheevent.For more information or to book an event, contact LaRhonda Robinson,

directorofmembership,at(334)792-5138orlrobinson@dothan.com.

Schedule A Ribbon Cutting!

smoothie King1368WestgateParkway

Dothan,AL36303JerryClark

(334)479-0737RESTAURANTS

NEWMeMBeRs

RENEWINGMeMBeRs

Clip and add these to your Membership Directory.

The Bridges, A Counseling PlaceKellyTurner2898HoraceShepardDriveDothan,AL36303Ph:(334)699-1540Fax:(334)699-1543COUNSELING&BEHAVIORALSERVICES

Circle City FloristMelanieHadley1550-7WestgateParkwayDothan,AL36303Ph:(334)792-7686FLORISTS

Cogito Mental Health Services, LLCRobertA.Grier248N.FosterSt.Dothan,AL36303Ph:(844)426-4486Fax:(334)460-9993MENTALHEALTHSERVICES

Dermatology Center SouthMarcieKelly2800RossClarkCircle,Suite2Dothan,AL36301Ph:(334)677-1690Fax:(334)699-7548PHYSICIANS&SURGEONS-MD-DERMATOLOGY

Dittus MachiningFritzDittus1922S.BrannonStandRoadDothan,AL36305Ph:(334)712-4262Fax:(334)712-4227MACHINESHOP

Dothan Mattress Outlet, LLCWaltLoftin1505HartfordHighway(Physical)169S.ParkAve.Dothan,AL36301Ph:(334)726-3864MATTRESSRETAILER

Edward Jones - Greg Wakefield, Financial AdvisorGregWakefield560W.MainSt.,Suite4Dothan,AL36305Ph:(334)792-2970Fax:887297-0103STOCK&BONDBROKERS

Purple Penquin Putt-N-GlowRussBrown900CommonsDrive,Suite916(Dothan)2750KingfishLaneChipley,FL32428Ph:850258-0710MINIATUREGOLFAMUSEMENT

Ravenwood Sporting ClaysTylerPeters10671U.S.Highway431SouthHeadland,AL36345Ph:(334)648-1440OUTDOORSPORTS

Southern Institute of DermatologyMarcieKelly2800RossClarkCircle,Suite2Dothan,AL36301Ph:(334)699-7546Fax:(334)699-7548PHYSICIANS&SURGEONS-MD-DERMATOLOGY

Southern Institute of Plastic SurgeryMarcieKelley2800RossClarkCircle,Suite2Dothan,AL36301Ph:(334)699-7477Fax:(334)699-7548PHYSICIANS&SURGEONS-MD-PLASTIC&RECONSTRUCTIVE

T. T. Fashions and Beauty SupplyTonesiaJackson1047S.OatesSt.Dothan,AL36301Ph:(334)678-6600BEAUTYSUPPLIESWIGBOUTIQUES

Titan Magic ShowsJamesCunningham913RuckerBlvd.,Unit14-15(Physical)2881RockyHeadRoadEnterprise,AL36330Ph:(334)494-5996ENTERTAINMENTPARTYRENTALS

Windy Ridge Farm, LLCKristiSmith640SandersRoadNewton,AL36352Ph:(334)791-2222EVENTVENUEHORSERANCH

40 Or More YearsU.S.MobileHomes

30-39 YearsCovenantUnitedMethodist ChurchInternationalPaperNationalPeanutFestivalSolomonInsurance

25-29 YearsDairyQueenDothanDentalGroupFarmersFurnitureGBWRailcarServices,LLCJimWhaley’sTiresInc.KellyServicesInc.SabelSteelServiceVelmaTribueStateFarm Insurance

20-24 YearsAlabamaPeanutProducers AssociationA-Lock&SafeAmericanRedCrossChild&FamilyServicesof SoutheastAlabamaDothanMini-StorageSouth andWestDothanRescueMissionGirlsInc.ofDothanHollowayCreditSolutions,LLC

KellyCo.,LLCSam’sClub#8192ScenicCableNetwork& ProductionTri-RiversWaterwayDevelopmentAssociation

15-20 YearsAlzheimer’sResourceCenterDavidA.Dauphin,DMDJones,BennyF.PRemployerInc.Tractor&EquipmentCo.Vaughn-BlumbergServicesWiregrassAreaFoodBank

10-14 YearsComfortSystemsUSA SoutheastHamptonInn&Suitesby HiltonLadiesFirstObstetricsand GynecologyofDothanInc.LifeSouthCommunityBlood CentersSoutheasternSheetMetal

5-9 YearsBelk-WiregrassCommons MallBlumbergFamilyJewish CommunityServices ofDothan

CheeburgerCheeburgerDaysInnEngineeringGroupofthe SoutheastHumanaKFHIndustriesInc.LakewoodLandscapeGroup, LLCSave-A-PetAdoption,Rescue &TransportSoutheastInterventionGroup

1-4 YearsAcceptanceLoanCo.Inc.AlabamaKidneyFoundationAllAboutCleaning,LLCAnnointedTouchCaregiver ServicesComfortInn&SuitesDothanChryslerDodgeJeep RamGreaterBeulahBaptistChurchIndia’sTinyTotsChild DevelopmentCenterInterLincMortgageServices, LLCLaurelOaksBehavioralHealth CenternexAir,LLCPlanetFitnessSouthernHomeBuilders,LLCSouthsideAutoandTruck Repair

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Spotlight on Business

25th ANNUAL TRADE SHOW2016

2016

A Night At

The Movies!

This year’s Spotlight on Business will be held Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016, at the Dothan Civic Center from 3-7 p.m. This trade show allows members to showcase their products and services to fellow Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce members, as well as the general public.

This is your opportunity to reach over 1,500 potential customers.

Booths go on sale Nov. 12, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. at the Chamber. A registration table will be in the Chamber lobby for reservations one day only. We will not accept any reservations before then. If you are not able to register that day, please mail or fax your registration to the Chamber on or after the 12th.

The cost for each booth is $350 (+$25 for electricity if desired). Exhibit spaces are available on a first-come basis and payment is required with your reservation. You will be able to choose your booth location at the time of registration.

For more information, contact LaRhonda Robinson at (334) 792-5138 or email lrobinson@dothan.com.

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Events November Calendar

Ambassador and Diplomat Committee Meeting – 9 a.m.Location:102JamestownBlvd.(Chamber)

Youth Leadership Dothan-Houston County Opening Retreat – 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.Location:795RossClarkCircle(WiregrassRehabilitationCenterInc.)

Military Affairs Committee Meeting – 9:30 a.m.Location:102JamestownBlvd.(Chamber)

Ribbon Cutting: Edward Jones - Greg Wakefield, Financial Advisor – 10:30 a.m.Location:560W.MainSt.,Suite4

Ribbon Cutting: SpectraCare Health Systems Inc. (Houston County Adult Program) – 8:30 a.m.Location:1672ColumbiaHighway

Troy University Small Business Counseling – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.Location:102JamestownBlvd.(Chamber)*Pre-registrationrequired(334)792-5138.

Dothan Area Young Professionals’ Business Brews – 5:30 p.m.Location:1481WestgateParkway,Suite1(TheCellar)

Veterans Day – Chamber Closed

Spotlight on Business 2016 Booths Go On Sale – 8:30 a.m.Location:102JamestownBlvd.(Chamber)

Small Business Seminar: Effective Sales Marketing – 8:30 a.m.Location:102JamestownBlvd.(Chamber)*SeePage14formoreinformation.Pre-registrationrequired.(334)792-5138

Board of Directors’ Meeting – 8:15 a.m.Location:102JamestownBlvd.(Chamber)

Leadership Dothan Education Day – 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.Location:TBARibbon Cutting: Home Helpers – 10:30 a.m.Location:102JamestownBlvd.(Chamber)

Thanksgiving – Chamber Closed

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CongratulationstotheAmbassadorandDiplomatTeamoftheMonth“Ready,Set,Grow”forclaimingthismonth’s title.Pictured (seated l-r) areJo Ann Kirkland, AFLAC; Hayden Camp, DothanEducation Foundation;Brooke Crane,DandridgeDental, PC; (standing)Kerry Seay, WDHN TV-18; Adam Saucer, Mass Mutual; Kassie Glover, AvadianCreditUnion;andRob Gilbreath,MightyAuto Parts. Not pictured areAmber Fain, OatesEstatesApartments; andJoyce Tyson,Century21JamesGrantRealty.ThankyoutoallourAmbassadorsandDiplomats

whoserveastheeyesandearsfortheDothanAreaChamber of Commerce. It is their dedication andsupport that assist your localChamber inmeetingitsgoals.

Rich MerrellPRemployer Inc.

Star Of The Year

Ambassadors & DiplomatsTeam Of The Year

Ready, Set, Grow

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GROWDOtHAn

Making It In America!National Manufacturing Day

Friday, Oct. 2, was the fourth annual NationalManufacturing Day, a celebration of modernmanufacturing meant to inspire the next generationof manufactures. U.S. manufacturers are the mostproductive in the world. They come from manydifferent sectors and make the products that enrichourdailylives.

ManufacturersinAlabamacountfor17.77percentofthetotaloutputinthestate,employing13.23percentoftheworkforce.Thetotaloutputfrommanufacturingwas $34.40 billion in 2014. In addition, there were257,800manufacturingemployeesinAlabamain2014,withanannualcompensationof$60,945in2013.

“Dothan and the Wiregrass have a long historyof support to and benefit from our manufacturingeconomy. Each and every day, manufacturers acrossour regionareproducinggoodsandservices thatweuse locally or that are utilized both nationally andinternationally,” stated DeanMitchell, Dothan AreaChamberofCommerceexecutivedirector.“NationalManufacturingDayisagreattimetothankthosewhoproducegoods forusandalso to showcase thegreatcareeropportunitiesthatmanufacturingoffers.”

InrecognitionofMFGDay,CummingsResources,LLC hosted an open house and provided tours forstudents and thepublic to come in and see its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant where they producebranding elements for top Fortune 100 and 500companies.

Cummings Resources is one of the largest andmostsuccessfulsigncompaniesintheU.S.today.

For more information about NationalManufacturingDay,visitwww.mfgday.com.

Jeff Raulston (right), Cummings Resources, LLC plant manager, talks with Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce Chairman Forrest Register, Register Realty Co. Inc., and Houston County District 4 Commissioner Brandon Shoupe during the company’s open house.

Grow Dothan, Area Leaders Discuss

WorkforceTheGrowDothanteamrecentlyheldaworkforce

developmentmeetingwith over 30 area communitybusinessandstate leaders tocontinue thediscussiononthevariousworkforceissuesfacedintheWiregrassregion.

If you would like more information on thesteps being taken to improve the area’s workforcedevelopment, please contact the Dothan AreaChamberofCommerceat(334)792-5138.

It’s Time To End The Bias Against Blue-Collar Jobs

By Sen. Clay Scofield (R-Arab)

ThisLaborDayweekend,we need to have a seriousconversation about jobopportunities.

Work is essential to whateconomistArthurBrookscalls“earnedsuccess.”InAmerica,wedon’tcelebratewhenmoreandmorepeoplerelyonfoodstamps to get by. Temporarygovernmentassistancemaybenecessaryifapersonorfamilyis going through a rough

patch.ButtheAmericandreamisthateverymanorwoman can findmeaningfulwork to support themand their family, something that isn’t possible formanypeopleincountriesallovertheworld.

Forouryoungpeopletohaveachanceatearnedsuccess, they need to knowwhere livable-wage jobsare. Even as our economy slowly recovers from the2008-2009 recession, some parts of the economyare booming. In a recent column for Forbes, SteveMoore noted there are approximately 30,000 jobopenings in the trucking industry, according to theAmerican Transportation Research Institute. Forskilled mechanics, welders, electricians, computertechnicians,andplumbers,jobsaresimilarlyplentiful-andthesetechnicaljobsoftendon’trequireafour-yearcollegedegree.

Ouryoungpeopleneedtoknowthatatechnicaljobcanbea laddertoasuccessfulcareer. Askilledelectricianorweldercanmakeanywherefrom$50,000to$70,000annually.Asmanywhite-collarprofessionsseemassiveoutsourcingtoplaceslikeIndia,therewillalways be a local need for technical craftsmen. Youcan’toutsourceaplumbingorelectricalprojecttoaforeigncountry.

To help our young people develop the skillsnecessarytofillthesetechnicaljobopenings,in2014the Alabama legislature passed the “21st CenturyWorkforce Act.” It authorized the Alabama PublicSchools andCollegeAuthority to issue$50millioninbondsso local schoolscouldpurchasecareerandtechnicaltrainingequipment.

Notonlydoourstudentsneedaccesstotechnicaltrainingequipment,theyalsoneedamentalpictureof the hard and soft skills necessary to succeed inanyjob,whetherinanofficesuiteorataworksite.That iswhyeverypublic school student inAlabamaisnowrequiredtotakea“careerpreparedness”class.Studentsaretaughtthebasicstandardsforworkplacebehavior, the importance of proper grooming,punctuality,andhowtowritearesume.

Our young people also need mentors. Figuringoutthefutureandwhatstepsarenecessarytogetajoborprepareforacertaincareercanbetrickyfora16-or17-yearold.That iswhytheCareerCoachesInitiative is so important. Through the program, a

careerdevelopmentcoachisassignedtoagroupingoffivepublichighschoolstoprovideessentialfeedbackandguidance to studentsconsideringvariouscareerpaths.

Alabama’s two-year colleges additionally needflexibility to experiment with technical careertraining programs. The new, independent AlabamaCommunityCollegeSystemBoardofTrusteesgivesthecommunitycollegesystemauthorityoveritsownschoolsandshouldencourageinnovativeapproachestomatchstudentswithlocaljobopenings.

Technicaljobscangiveouryoungpeopleapathtoearnedsuccess.Butmanywon’ttakethatopportunityif they perceive a bias against so-called blue-collarjobs.Soweneedanewdefinitionofcareersuccess,onethatisn’ttiedtothenumberofuniversitydegreesapersonhas.

I am not denigrating college education – moststudents who have the intellectual and financialabilitytoattendcollege,should.Buttoomanyyoungpeopleburnfouryearsincollege,leavewithadegreeinsociology,andspendthenextfewdecadespayingoff$100,000instudentdebt.Thosesamefouryearscouldhavebeen spent earning awelding certificateoranursingdegree(withminimalstudentdebt)thatwouldleadtoajobmaking$40-50,000eachyearfornearly$100,000earnedbythetimeheorshewouldbefinishingcollege.

More than degrees and credentials, we shouldvaluetheknowledgeandskillsthatgiveyoungpeopleachancetoearnsuccesswithasteadyjob,whetherasadoctororawelder.

Clay Scofield is a third generation farmer and represents District 9 in the Alabama Senate, which is comprised of all or parts of Marshall, Madison, Blount and DeKalb counties. He is chairman of the Confirmations Committee in the Alabama Senate.

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Sen. Clay Scofield, (R-Arab)

There are several avenuesfor employers to obtainassistance in training theircurrent workforce in thisrapidlychangingeconomy.

Incumbent Worker TrainingThe Incumbent Worker

TrainingProgramisdesignedto grant funding assistanceto qualifying Alabama for-

profit businesses to provide skills training to full-time, permanent, company employees, who havebeenemployedatthecompanyforaminimumofsixmonths.Thetrainingshouldprovideneworupgradedworkskills,supplymarketableexpertiseandincreasetheworkers’potentialforincreasedwages.Anincumbentworkerisanemployeeofthebusiness,

employed under the Fair Labor Standards Actrequirements for an employer-employee relationshipandmusthaveanestablishedemploymenthistorywiththeemployerforsixmonthsormore.Trainingmaybeconductedatthebusiness’sownfacility,atapublicorprivatetrainingprovider’sfacility,oratacombinationofsitesthatbestmeettheneedsofthebusiness.Thecompany selects the (outside) trainingprovider thatbestsuitstheirtrainingneeds.Trainersmaybepublicorprivateprofessionaltrainers,equipmentvendors,orsubjectmatterexperts.The program is funded by the U.S. Department

ofLabor through fundsprovidedby theWorkforceInnovation and Opportunity Act and administeredby the Workforce Development Division of theAlabama Department of Commerce. Application ismadethroughthelocalAlabamaCareerCenter,orgoonlinetoviewprogramupdatesandtodownloadthecurrentprogramapplicationatwww.adeca.alabama.gov or www.madeinalabama.com. Businessapplyingforfundsmust:

• Be “for-profit” and have been in operation inAlabamaforaminimumoftwoyearsbeforetheapplicationdate.

• Haveatleastonefull-time,permanentemployee,otherthantheownerofthebusiness.

• Demonstratefinancialviabilityandbecurrentonallstateandfederaltaxobligations.

Reimbursable training expenses (with properdocumentation):

• Primarilynon-company,professionalinstructors’/trainers’fees.

• Tuitioncostsfortrainingcoursesorprograms.

• Textbooks/manualsdirectlyrelatedtotraining.

• Expendablematerialsandsuppliesdirectlyrelatedtotraining.

• Computer software that is used 100 percent fortrainingactivitiesonly.

• Curriculumdevelopmentexpenses.

Existing Industry Training Program The Existing Industry Training Program is a

Department of Postsecondary Education program,in partnership with the Workforce DevelopmentCouncilsofAlabama,designedtoprovideassistanceto Alabama employers for expenses associated withskillsupgradetrainingoftheir full-time,permanentcompanyemployees.Therearetwomethodsinwhichtrainingmayberequested:

1. StandardmethodinwhichaSPECIFICCompanyis requesting training for their employees. Themaximumfundingawardforatrainingprojectforonespecificcompanyis$15,000.

2. Open Enrollment Scholarship method in whichemployeeswithmultiplebusinessesarenominatedtoattendatrainingcourse.

Trainingprojects approved for funding (StandardTraining Method): Each workforce developmentcouncilwillreviewandprioritizetheeligibleStandardgrant applications submitted to request a traininggrant. EITP grant amounts are capped at $15,000percompany.Prior to the start of anopen enrollment training

program,thefiscalagentwillprovideDPEarosterofthenames,classdates,times,placesandtherequiredcompanymatch for each individual thatwill receivea scholarship. Maximum number of employeesapproved to attend training for each company willnotexceed$15,000ofcost.Thetotalcostofanopenenrollment training classmay exceed $15,000, if itinvolvesmultiplecompaniesBusinesses applying for training for theirworkers

must:

• Be “for-profit” and have been in operation inAlabamaforaminimumoftwoyearsbeforetheapplicationdate.

• As an exception, applications for skills upgradetrainingof“nonprofit”hospitalemployeeswillbeaccepted.

• Haveatleastonefull-time,permanentemployee,otherthantheownerofthebusiness.

• Demonstratefinancialviabilityandbecurrentonallstateandfederaltaxobligations.

• Be requesting a training program that providesfor new and/or upgraded job skills that arenecessaryforthecompanytomaintainorincreasecompetitiveness and/or work skills for theparticipatingemployees.

• Demonstrate the benefit that the training willhaveforbusinessoperationsandidentifytheskillsthatwillbeacquiredbytheemployees.

• Include clear and measurable performanceoutcomesintheapplication.

Trainingservices:

• Must be coordinated through an AlabamaCommunity College System entity, whether

training is conducted by the college institutionor by a third party training provider. AlabamaTechnology Network is considered an ACCSentityforthepurposesofthisgrantopportunityand may act as both fiscal agent and trainingprovider.

• Can be conducted at the business’s facility, thetraining provider’s facility, or a combination ofsites.

• Can be occupational skills training designedto meet special requirements of a business orindustry.

• Canbeeducationaltraining,otherthandegreedprograms, such asworkplace literacy, basic skillsand“soft”skills.

Application ismade to the Region 10WorkforceCouncilbythecommunitycollegeservingthearea.Toapply,coordinatethecollegeandtheywillassistintheapplication.

Alabama Community College System Training for Business and IndustryThrough the Training for Business and Industry

Program,two-yearcollegesprovideshort-andlong-termcustomizedtrainingandservicesforbusinessesthroughoutthestate.AfewofthetrainingtopicsthatWallaceCommunity

Collegehasprovidedare:

• Communicationskills;• Computer skills, including Microsoft Office

products(Word,Excel,PowerPoint,Access);• Workplaceethics;• HumanResourcesupdates;• OSHAregulations;• Supervisortraining;• Managementtraining;• Teambuilding;• WorkKeysjobprofilingandtestingservices;and• CustomerService.

Formore information aboutWallaceCommunityCollege’scustomized trainingsolutions forbusinessandindustry,call(334)556-2203.

Alabama Technology NetworkAlabamaTechnologyNetworkprovidesscheduled

trainingprograms,aswellason-demandcustomizedtraining.Ascheduleoftheirprogramsisavailableat:www.atn.org/workshops.php.Asnotedabove,ATNcanprovide trainingunder

theExistingIndustryTrainingProgram.

WORkfORCEDeveLOPMent

Workforce Training Assistance For Incumbent Workers

Steve Turkoski, Project Manager

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2016 Wiregrass WORkSCareer Experiencefeb. 24-25, 2016

National Peanut festival fairgrounds

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Congratulations to the Dothan Area Chamber’s 2015 Small Business person of the Year – Carthel “Dutch” Holland, owner of Harley Davidson of Dothan. Pictured with Holland are Outgoing Chair Hope Johnson, Friend Bank, and Chairman Forrest Register, Register Realty Co. Inc.

Congratulations to the Dothan Area Chamber’s 2015 Star of the Year – Rich Merrell, PRemployer Inc. Pictured with Merrell are Outgoing Chair Hope Johnson, Friend Bank, and Chairman Forrest Register, Register Realty Co. Inc.

Congratulations to the Dothan Area Chamber’s 2015 Team of the Year – Ready, Set, Grow. Pictured (l-r) are Hayden Camp, Dothan Education Foundation; Amber Fain, Oates Estates Apartments; Rob Gilbreath, Mighty Auto Parts; Kassie Glover, Avadian Credit Union; Jo Ann Kirkland, AFLAC; Adam Saucer, Mass Mutual; Joyce Tyson, Century 21 James Grant Realty. Not pictured are Brooke Crane, Dandridge Dental, PC, and Kerry Seay, WDHN TV-18.

BuSINESSBRiefs

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TheSoutheastAlabamaMedicalCenterFoundationinvites you to join them for theorganization’sFirstAnnual Sporting Clay Shoot Saturday, Nov. 21, atRavenwoodSportingClaysinNewville,Alabama.Youwon’twanttomissoutonthisopportunityto

enjoyaroundofshootingwithfriendsandbusinessassociateswhilesupportingagoodcause.

Proceeds from the event will go to meet themost pressing needs across the various services andprogramsprovidedtothepatientsandtheirfamiliesservedatSoutheastAlabamaMedicalCenter.Become a sponsor, sign up a team or get more

informationbycalling(334)673-4150orvisitwww.samcfoundation.org.

Carmike Cinemas’ Weekend “Kidtoon”Every Weekend • Times VaryDothanPavilion.CarmikeCinemaswillplayaspecial“Kidtoon”everyweekendforonly$5.Formoreinformation,contactthelocaltheatre at (334) 836-0813 or visit www.carmike.com forshowtimes.Somelocationswill be able to have a special showing onTuesdaymornings for schoolsanddaycaresto take advantage of Carmike’s StimulusTuesdays.

The Art of YogaNov. 6 • 9-10 a.m.Wiregrass Museum of Art & ConferenceCenter.InpartnershipwithMesuvaStudios,WMA introduces this monthly yoga seriesthattakesplacethefirstFridayofthemonth.Thisclasscombinesthetherapeuticnatureofartwiththehealingpropertiesofyoga.Bringyourownwaterbottle,yogamatandtowel.Toregister,callthemuseumat(334)794-3871orwww.mesuvastudios.org.

72nd National Peanut FestivalNov. 6-15 • Times VaryNational Peanut Festival Fairgrounds. Thenation’s largest peanut festival is held eachfalltohonorpeanutgrowersandtocelebratethe harvest season. For more informationand hours, call (334) 793-4323 or visit www.nationalpeanutfestival.com.

1st Saturday Family DayNov. 7 • 10:30 a.m.Wiregrass Museum of Art & ConferenceCenter. This is a program that providesentertainmentforthewholefamily.Childrenandtheirfamiliescanenjoyadifferentfun-filled activity eachmonth. The program isfree and open to children of all ages whoare accompanied by an adult. For moreinformation, contact theMuseum at (334)794-3871orvisitwww.wiregrassmuseum.org.

Santa’s Magical ArrivalNov. 14 • 6:30 p.m.Wiregrass Commons Mall. Santa MagicalArrivalparadewillproceedtoCenterCourtto his beautiful Christmas tree. For moreinformation,call(334)792-7734

A Christmas CarolNov. 19-21 • 7 p.m.Wallace Community College BenczeTheatre.WCCpresentsthistimelessholidayclassic. Tickets are $5 or $3 students andmaybepurchasedbyvisitingwww.wallace.edu or at the theatre box office one hourprior to each performance. If you requireaccommodations under ADA, contact Dr.ThomasMapleat(334)556-2616.

Upcoming Member Events

SAMC Foundation Invites You To Join ThemFor The First Annual Sporting Clay Shoot

1108 Ross Clark CircleDothan, Alabama 36301334-793-8111 samc.org

SAMC is the region’s first hospitalto earn the prestigious Gold PlusStroke Award from the AmericanHeart Association and AmericanStroke Association.

From the area’s first responders to SAMC’s highly trained stroketeam of physicians, nurses andclinical team members, patients receive the latest stroke care available.

This means a coordinated andquicker response time, which inturn means less damage caused by the stroke.

Top 10% in nation for patient safety

WITH STROKE,TIME LOST IS BRAIN LOST.

SAMC IS THE REGION’S GOLDSTANDARD FOR STROKE CARE.

PROVIDING PATIENTS THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF ADVANCED

STROKE CARE.

Wiregrass Hope Group is excited to announcethatRolandC.Warrenwill be the keynote speakerat theorganization’s upcomingFundraisingDinnerTuesday,Nov.10,atWiregrassChurch.Warrenbecame theCareNetpresidentandCEO

in October 2012. Prior to his tenure at Care Net,he served as president of the National FatherhoodInitiative,wherehewasdedicated to themissionofimproving the well-being of children by increasingthe proportion of children that are raised withinvolved,responsibleandcommittedfathers.WarrenisanalumnusofPrincetonUniversityandtheauthorofthebook,Bad Dads of the Bible.

WiregrassHope is a resource for extending hopeand healing to individuals and families by offeringpractical assistance, addressingemotionalneeds andencouraging spiritual growth. Through faith-basedand secular programs, WHG has been positivelyimpacting families throughout the Wiregrasscommunityforover32years.TheFundraisingDinneriscomplimentaryandan

opportunitytomakeafinancialgiftwillbeextended.Tomake reservations, tomake a donation or to bean underwriter for the evening, contact SharonSizemore at (334) 790.9192 or email ssizemore@wiregrasshopegroup.com.

Wiregrass Hope Announces Fundraising Dinner

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GirlsInc.willpresenttheFourthAnnualMotherDaughterTeaSunday,Dec.6, at2:30p.m. atTheGrandonFoster.Thiseventisdesignedtostimulate,honor and enhance the relationships between girlsand the women (mothers, stepmothers, aunts,grandmothersandgodmothers)intheirlives.Participantswill enjoya tea-style lunchprovided

by Pans & Petals, making a Christmas ornament,visiting with Santa Claus and special guests, a

candybuffetandtakingpicturesinaphotoboothtoremembertheday.Proceeds from this event benefit Girls Inc.’s

after-schoolprogram thatprovidesover70girls ingradesK-eighthwith empowering and educationalprogramsandactivities.Ticketsare$60percouple,$25foreachadditional

guest. To purchase tickets, call Girls Inc. at (334)793-2321.

Tickets Now Available For PurchaseGirls Inc. Mother Daughter Tea

Two Opp college students recently started offas members of the Four Star Freightliner DieselTechnician Training Program, a pilot programdesigned to recruit and hire mechanics for FourStar locations in the southeast. Now, MatthewLeverington andCoryAnderson are full-timeFourStar Freightliner employees, making them the firstgraduatesoftheprogram.Leverington and Anderson graduated with

certificatesindieselandheavyequipmentmechanics.Andersonalsoearnedanassociate’sdegreeinscience.Last year, Four Star Freightliner partnered with

theDieselandHeavyEquipmentMechanicsprogramat LurleenB.WallaceCommunityCollege inOpp,Alabama, as part of Four Star’s plan to securetechnicians, which are in high demand, for thecompany’ssixlocations.Thecollegeinstructor,EddieSpann,recommended

Leverington andAnderson,which allowed them towork in theDothan,Alabama, shopon apart-timebasis while they completed their formal training.The pair became full-time employees of Four StarFreightlinerinAugust2015.“They are coming along well with our in-house

training,” said Cindy Mathews, Dothan servicemanager.“Thehands-onknowledgehelps.I’mreally

proudofthem.Forthemtobesoyoung,theyhavesuchagoodworkethic.”The training and mentoring they have received

whileworkingattheFourStarshopwasinvaluable.“In the training program you have the older guyslookingoveryou,givingyouguidance,butnowthatyou’refull-timeyoustillgetthatbutyouventureoutonyourownalittlebit,”saidAnderson.For more information, visit www.

fourstarfreightliner.com.

Two Graduate Local Diesel Technician Program

Matthew Leverington (left) and Cory Anderson recently graduated from Four Star Freightliner’s Diesel Technician Training Program.

ServisFirst Bancshares Inc., the holding companyforServisFirstBank,isproudtoannounceithasbeennamed to Sandler O’Neill’s Sm-All Stars Class of2015. ServisFirst was one of the 34 publicly-tradedbanks and thrifts selected among 435 depositoryinstitutions across the country with a market capbelow$2.5billion.Also recognized in 2014 for this award, this

designationplacesServisFirstinthetop8percentofbanksnationwideintermsofperformance.“We are honored to be recognized for two

consecutiveyearsasoneofthetopperformingbanks

in the country,” stated TomBroughton, ServisFirstBancsharespresidentandCEO.The Sm-All Stars designation was established to

identify the top performing small-cap banks andthrifts in theUnitedStates.PerformancemetricsofSm-AllStarinstitutionsareexceptional,exceedingtheindustrymetrics.Companieswereselectedbasedonvariousfinancialscreeningcriteria,includinggrowth,profitability,creditqualityandcapitalstrength.FormoreinformationaboutServisFirstBancshares

Inc.,visitwww.servisfirstbank.com.

ServisFirst Recognized As Top-Performer

DermatologySpecialistsofAlabamaispleasedtobeoneofthefirstdermatologypracticesandphysician-supervised medical spas in the area to introduceKybella, a new, FDA-approved, cosmetic injectabletreatmentthatpermanentlyeliminatesfatcellsunderthechin.Recently featured live on NBC’s TODAY Show.

Kybellaisadministeredinaseriesofsmall injectionsthat destroy the fat cells with no down town andlittle discomfort. A 15-20 minute treatment startsthe process, with some patients needing additionaltreatmentsoverjustafewweeks.Board-certifieddermatologist,Dr.JeffreyStricker,

Certified Physician Assistant Amanda Day andMedicalAestheticianChristyTannerworktogethertoprovideacomprehensivearrayofservicesrangingfromprevention,detectionandtreatmentofskincancertocosmetic treatments such as lasers, injectables andaestheticianservices,includingfacials,chemicalpeels,bodysculptingandphototherapy.This team of professionals always go the extra

miletomakesuretheirpatientsreceivethebestcarepossibleinafriendlyandcompassionateenvironment.For additional information or to schedule an

appointment, contact Dermatology Specialists ofAlabamaat(334)699-3376.

Dermatology Specialists Introduces

Kybella

Healthwest DentalAssociates is pleased toannounce that Dr. BayneH.Heersink, DMD has joinedthe dental practice ofDr.H.PaulHufhamIII,DDS.Dr. Heersink is a native of

DothanandholdsBAandDMDdegrees from the Universityof Alabama-Birmingham. Healso completed a residencyin prosthodontics at UAB in2014.

Dr. Heersink will be the sole practicingprosthodontistinDothanandthesurroundingarea.His specialty will include implants, dentures, andesthetictotalmouthrestoration.“Iamsoexcitedaboutreturningtomyhometown

andlookforwardtoprovidingcomprehensivedentalrestorativeservicestoourcommunity.Iamalsoreallypleasedaboutworkinginconjunctionwiththemanywonderful dentists already practicing in our area,”said Dr. Heersink. “Working together we can helppatients achieve optimal oral health and regainedconfidencethroughimprovedsmiles.”Dr.Heersink and hiswife,Dr. JuanitaHeersink,

havetwochildrenandresideinDothan.For more information or to schedule an

appointment,call(334)702-1101orcontactDanaathealthwestdental@healthwestdental.com.

Healthwest Dental Welcomes New Prosthodontist

Dr. Bayne H. Heersink, DMD

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State Farm Agent Gene McGriff would like tointroducetheirnewestteammembertotheWiregrassArea-DemaraBraghelli.A Dothan native, Braghelli later married and

moved to Hamilton, New Jersey. While living inNew Jersey, she attended Dental Tech School atBurlingtonCollege,whereshereceivedherx-rayandsurgicallicense.HernicknameatEasternDentalwas“Alabama”duetohersoutherncharmandaccent.Braghelli enjoyed12 yearsup“North”but felt it

was time to come back home to her roots in “The

heartofDixie”whereanewjourneybeginswithStateFarm.“Wewould like towelcomeDemarabackhome,”

saidMcGriff.The Gene McGriff State Farm Insurance staff

consistsofPattiBallard,marketingandsales,andPatHolmes,officemanager.Braghelliiscurrentlyintheprocessofbeinglicensedforpropertyandcasualty.For more information on all the services offered

through theMcGriff State Farm Insurance agency,calltheofficeat(334)793-7618.

McGriff Insurance Welcomes New Team Member

Jackson Thornton, acertified public accountingandconsultingfirm,ispleasedto announce a new positionand an honor in its centralAlabamafootprint.

Eden Thornton, CPA,recently joined the firm as asenior manager. With morethan 20 years of experience,Thorntonwillfocusprimarilyontaxandassuranceservicesforcloselyheldbusinessesandtheconstructionindustry.SheisagraduateofTroyUniversityandisanactivememberofthePrattvilleRotaryClub.

Additionally, ReneeHubbard, CPA, a JacksonThornton principal, wasinducted into the TroyUniversity School ofAccountancy AccountingHall of Honor. Hubbard

hasmore than30 yearsof experienceproviding taxplanningandcomplianceservicesto individualsandcloselyheldbusinesses.

Founded in 1919, Jackson Thornton is acertifiedpublicaccountingandconsultingfirmwithapproximately200professionalsandassociatesinfiveofficeslocatedinAlabamaandTennessee.Inadditionto accounting services, the firm also offers wealthmanagement,strategicplanning,businessconsultingservices, technology consulting, and specializedindustryservices.

For more information, visit www.jacksonthornton.com.

Jackson Thornton Announces New Hire

And Honor

Eden Thornton, CPA

Renee Hubbard, CPA

Chamber members are invited to join Houseof Flowers for its annual Holiday Open HouseThursday,Nov.12,at5:30p.m.

TheOpenHousewill provide visitorswith theperfectopportunitytobegintheirholidayshoppingearly.

Afull-servicef loralandhome/officedecoratingshop, House of Flowers is more than just youraverage f loristofferingsomeof the finest fresh-cutandsilkarrangementsinthearea,alongwithmanygiftideas.

For more information, contact Houseof Flowers at (334) 699-1800 or visit www.dothanhouseofflowers.com. House of Flowers islocated1728W.MainSt.,Suite2,Dothan.

House Of Flowers To Hold Open House

For more information or to find a physician, visit FlowersHospital.com.

Caring.

Pictured: Ralph Ellenburg and R. Burton Pfeiffer III, M.D., FACSIndependent Member of the Medical Staff at Flowers Hospital and practices at Wiregrass Surgical Associates. Patient results may vary. Before you decide on surgery, discuss

treatment options with your doctor. Understanding the risks and benefits of each treatment can help you make the best decision for your individual situation.

“Everyone, in every department throughout Flowers Hospital, was so caring.”

“When an aneurysm in my leg ruptured, it was something my small, local ER was not able to handle. I needed an experienced vascular surgeon, so I was transferred to Flowers Hospital. Dr. Pfeiffer and a skilled group of nurses were waiting for me in the Emergency Room. I was afraid I was going to lose my leg. But they took me to the operating room immediately, where they restored blood flow and saved my leg. Today, I am back on the farm, driving my tractor and enjoying life. I am so grateful for, what I believe, was the miracle that put us all together. I would recommend Flowers Hospital and Dr. Pfeiffer to my friends and family in a heartbeat.”

– Ralph Ellenburg

86133_FLOW_Pfeiffer2_6_0625x5_1325c.indd 1 8/17/15 11:44 AM

TheSoutheastAlabamaCommunityTheatrewillpresent its annual evening holiday dinner theatrewith It’s a Wonderful Life at TheCulturalArtsCenterDec.8-12.Almost as familiar as Dickens’

A Christmas Carol, the story isa natural for a stage adaptation.The saga of George Bailey, theEverymanfromthesmalltownofBedford Falls, whose dreams ofescape and adventure have beenquashed by family obligation andcivic duty, whose guardian angelhas to descend onChristmas Eveto save him from despair and toremindhim,byshowinghimwhattheworldwould

havebeenlikehadheneverbeenborn,thathishasbeen,afterall,awonderfullife.

This faithful adaptation has allyour favorite characters: GeorgeandMaryHatch,Clarence,UncleBilly, Violet, and, of course, theScrooge-like villain, Mr. Potter.The story not only celebrates thefaith of the season, but also theAmericanphilosophyof life: hardwork,fairplayandthatlovingandsupportingfamilyandcommunitywillberewarded.Ticket and seating information

is available atwww.seact.com orbycalling(334)794-0400.

SEACT Presents Annual Holiday Dinner Theatre“It’s A Wonderful Life”

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Dothan Real Estate Teamis happy to announce theadditionofKellyWoodhamtoits team. Woodham has over12yearsofexperienceworkingin the real estate industrymainly in the real estate titleareaofthebusiness.Avaluableassettoherteam

and to her clients,Woodhamputs her knowledge to workprovidingthebestinformation

andassistancetothosebuyingorsellingahome.Woodham grew up near Cincinnati, Ohio, and

received her degree in management from TheUniversityofAlabama in2001.Shehas lived in theAtlanta,MemphisandBirminghamareas,butsheandher husband Kevin, alongwith their two daughtersBrinleyandDarcy,decidedtomaketheirpermanenthomeinHeadlandthreeyearsagoinordertobeclosertofamily.Woodhaminvitesyoutogiveheracallsoshecan

assistwithallyourrealestateneedsat(334)699-7653.

Woodham Joins Dothan Real Estate Team

Kelly Woodham,Realtor

The Dothan Rotary Club invites the public toattend its annual White Elephant Sale benefittingthe Wiregrass Rehabilitation Center Inc. Monday,Nov. 2, inWRC’s Rotary Hall located at 2461 E.BurdeshawSt.The evening will begin with dinner and silent

auction at6p.m. followedby a live auction at7:15p.m.

DothanRotary’sWhiteElephantSalewasstartedbyMarkS.Cannonin1936.Proceedsfromtheeventare used to provide maintenance improvements forWRC.Wearyourfavoriteteamcolorsandcomewithgivingandfuninmind.Thecost is$10perpersonat thedoor.Formore

information,contactKelliPylantat(334)618-6572orCynthiaGreenat(334)798-288.

White Elephant Sale To Benefit WRC

Professional Lane DentalAssociates welcomes thenewest addition to thepractice - Dr. Emily AnneLattaGrisham.Dr. Grisham earned her

bachelor’s degree withhonorsfromtheUniversityofAlabamaatBirmingham.Shelater received her doctorateof dentalmedicine from theUniversityofAlabamaSchool

ofDentistrywhereshegraduated inthetopofherclass.While at the University of Alabama School

of Dentistry, Dr. Grisham was the recipient ofnumerous scholarship awards andwas an executivecommittee leader with the University of AlabamaAmericanStudentDentalAssociation.

Today,sheremainscommittedtoeducationwithmemberships in professional organizations such astheAmericanDentalAssociation,AlabamaDentalAssociation, University of Alabama School ofDentistryAlumniAssociation,AcademyofGeneralDentistry,AmericanAssociationofWomenDentists,andtheChristianMedicalandDentalAssociation.Dr.Grisham contributes to the community as a

volunteer and supporter of various organizationsincluding the Children’s Miracle Network, Marchof Dimes, American Cancer Society, RonaldMcDonaldHouse,GiveKidsASmile,andherownpersonal organizationTheNoCavityClub,whichshe foundedduringherundergraduate studies as away to educate children in schools on proper oralhygiene.Formore information on the services offered at

ProfessionalLaneDentalAssociates,call theofficeat(334)792-0997.

Dr. Grisham Joins Professional Lane Dental

Dr. Emily Anne Latta Grisham

Are you interested in a fixer upper? BerkshireHathaway HomeServices Showcase Properties canmakethehomerenovationprocesseasywithitsnewSweetHome!RenovationProgram.The SweetHome! Renovation Program involves

qualifyingapropertyforitspotentialforrenovation,puttingbuyersincontactwithlocallenderswhocanprovideconvenientfinancingoptionsforrenovationprojects, andgetting cost estimates for theprojectfromlocal,qualifiedcontractors.The new logo for the programplay’s off “Sweet

HomeAlabama.”The silhouette ofAlabama helpsemphasize that connection, while the heart coverstheDothanandsurroundingareas.Renovating a home after you purchase can be

overwhelming and Berkshire Hathaway wants tohelpyouwithitsSweetHome!RenovationProgram.For more information about the program, call

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices ShowcasePropertiesat(334)792-7474.

Berkshire Hathaway Introduces New

Home Renovation Program

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Ameris Bank will hold their annual CustomerAppreciationDayFriday,Nov.6.Allcustomersareinvitedtostopbythebankbetween11a.m.and2p.m.toenjoylunchandboiledpeanuts.

Formoreinformation,calltheDothanbranchat(334)671-4000.

Join Ameris Bank For Its Customer Appreciation Day

Home Mortgage of America Inc. congratulatesGena Jordanonbeingawarded the2015AffiliateoftheYearbytheDothanAssociationofRealtors.

Jordanhas12yearsofexperienceasaloanoriginatorandhasbeenwithHMOAIforthelastfiveyears.

Home Mortgage of America specializes inresidential mortgages andoffers in-house processing,underwritingandclosing.

For more information,contact Home Mortgage ofAmericaat(334)712-9170.

Jordan Awarded Affiliate Of The Year

Home Mortgage of American’s Gena Jordan was recently awarded the 2015 Affiliate of the Year by the Dothan Association of Realtors.

In appreciation for our military’s service to ourcountry and community, Landmark Park is holdingseveral special offers for retired military during themonthofNovember.

Retiredmilitarywho joinLandmarkParkduringthe month of November will receive $10 off anymembership level. In addition to the Novembermembership discount, retired military and theirfamiliesare invitedtovisitLandmarkParkNov.7-8,andreceivefreeadmission.

Nov.14willfeaturefreeicecreamfromtheMartinDrugstore forretiredmilitaryandtheir families,andfree Digitarium Planetarium Programs on Nov. 21,showtimesareat11a.m.,1p.m.and3p.m.

Must show military ID to receive discount. Formoreinformation,contacttheparkat(334)794-3452.

Retired Military Appreciation Month

Chamber ActivityFY 2015 – Annual

(October 2014 – September 2015)

PhoneCalls/Inquiries 7,679Visitors 4,971IncomingE-mails&U.S.Mail 1,122OutgoingFaxes 10RelocationPackets-Mailed 158RelocationPackets-Walk-Ins 194Southeast Alabama Industrial DirectoriesPurchased 8MembershipApplicationPkts.Distributed 69Small Business ToolkitsPurchased 4Misc.Info(maps,etc.) 351

Mass Mutual Alabama is pleased to announcethe hire of Carrie McBride as a financial servicesrepresentative.McBridecomestoMassMutualwithexperience in banking where she helped her clientscreate and maintain a clear plan for their financialfuture.McBridecurrentlyholdsherlifeandhealthinsurance

license,aswellasherinvestmentlicenses.Hermissionis to serve the Dothan and outlying communitiesby advising her clients about financial growth andsecurity.Sheisabletohelpabroadrangeofindividuals

fromnewlyweds,newparents,smallbusinessowners,retireesandalmostallotherwalksoflife.Originally from Enterprise, Alabama, McBride

has lived in Dothan for the past eight years withherhusband,Patrick,andher twodaughters.She isamemberofWiregrassChurch andalso serves as aDothanAreaChamberofCommerceAmbassador.For more information on the services provided

by Mass Mutual, contact McBride at (334) 648-0337,cmcbride@financialguide.comorvisitwww.massmutual.com.

McBride Joins Mass Mutual

In a continued effort tobroaden their scope of eyecareservices,thephysiciansofEyeCenter South announcesthe addition of eye surgeonsDr. Wendy Huang and Dr.ChristopherFecarottatotheirmedicalstaff.Dr.HuangandDr.Fecarottawillbeginseeingpatients in the ECS DothanlocationNov.2,2015.“While training at Wills

EyeHospital inPhiladelphia,I had the opportunity to

workwithDr. Fecarotta duringhis residency,” saidDr. Sebastian Heersink. “Dr. Huang’s prestigioustrainingat theNewYorkEyeandEar InfirmaryofMt.Sinaiwillbeagreatadditiontoourclinic.Theyare both exceptionally talented and will provide atremendousbenefitforourpatientsandbeanassettoourlocalcommunities.”Dr. Fecarotta is a Board-Certified, Fellowship

Trained Pediatric Ophthalmologist whose primaryclinical interests include thediagnosis,managementandsurgicaltreatmentofallpediatriceyeconditions,

eye muscle and motility disorders, amblyopia andpediatricrefractiveerror.Dr.Huangwillconcentrateherpracticeonanteriorsegment,cornealdiseasesandcataractsurgeryinbothchildrenandadults.Dr.FecarottagraduatedSummaCumLaudefrom

theHonorsCollegeofStonyBrookUniversityinStonyBrook,NewYork.HethenreceivedhisDoctorateofMedicine from SUNY Upstate Medical Universityin Syracuse, where he was inducted into the AlphaOmegaAlphaNationalMedicalHonorSociety.Dr.Fecarotta’sresidencyfollowedatWillsEyeHospitalinPhiladelphia,wherehewasanassociateeditoroftheWillsEyeManual,SixthEdition.Dr. Huang graduated from The University of

Chicago where she received her undergraduatedegree and then was conferred her Doctorate ofMedicine from Rush Medical College in Chicago.HerresidencyfollowedattheNewYorkEyeandEarInfirmary ofMt. Sinai and then she completed herPediatric Fellowship at Doheny Eye Institute andChildren’sHospitalofLosAngeles.FormoreinformationaboutEyeCenterSouth,or

toscheduleanappointment,contactAmyKennedyat(334)671-8301.

Eye Center South Expands Pediatric And Cataract Care With Addition Of New Surgeons

Eye surgeons Dr. Wendy Huang and Dr. Christopher Fecarotta

CrownTrophyofDothan ispleased toannounceexpanded services to include a full line of apparel,laser engraving on curved surfaces and full-colorsublimation.“We are excited aboutournew equipmentwhich

willallowustodocustomengravingonthepopularYeti cups, wine bottles and crystal glasses.Wewillalsobeintroducingourlineofapparelproductswithcustom graphics, logos and designs,” said GeneralManagerJarrodStrickland.Thepossibilitiesareendlessforvariousproductsto

whichCrownTrophycanaddcustomengraving.Inaddition,theirsublimationprocessaddsfullcolortoavarietyofsurfacessuchasplaques,picture frames,phonecases,trophies,apparelandspecialtyitemslikeceramictiles,ceilingtilesandevenlightswitchcovers.

Also,aspecialheatpresshasbeenaddedformakingcustomcoffeemugs.“Wehaveexpandedourshowroomtoincludethese

new product lines,” added Strickland. “Our goal isto be a one-stop-shop from the expected sportingawards and corporate gifts on to apparel, weddinggifts,graduationawards,householddecorandmuch,muchmore.”Crown Trophy has been serving the recognition

andawardsneedsoftheDothanareasinceJuly2000.Dan and Ocie Mercer purchased the business inMarch2005.Currentlythereare155CrownTrophystoresnationwide.For more information, contact Crown Trophy at

(334)677-9200orvisitwww.crowntrophy.com.

Crown Trophy Announces Expansion

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NETWORkINGWhoyouknowdoesmakeadifference!MakeimportantbusinesscontactsatChamberseminars,SpotlightonBusinessTradeShow,quarterlymembershipmeetingsandTheNetworkExchange.

SMAll BuSINESS DEvElOPMENTRepresentativesfromtheSmallBusinessDevelopmentCenterofTroyUniversityareavailablethesecondTuesdayofeachmonthforfreeandconfidentialsmallbusinesscounselingsessionsattheChamber.YoumustmakeappointmentsthroughtheChamber.

PuBlICITyPublicityandheightenednamerecognitionthroughprint,

Internetandeventexposure.

BENEfITS AND DISCOuNTSSavemoneyonsupplies,travel,hotels,landscaping,appliances

andmorethroughtheChamber’sMember-To-MemberDiscountProgram.

INfORMATIONEverythingyouneedtoknowabouttheDothanarea-population,wages,costofliving,taxes,laborforce,economicdevelopment,

recreation,businesstrends,businesslistingsandmuchmorecanbefoundattheChamberandonourwebsitewww.dothan.com

lEARNING OPPORTuNITIESThroughouttheyeartheChamberhostsseminarsofinterest

tosmallbusinessowners,entrepreneursandnonprofitorganizations.Theinformativeprogramsareconducted

foranominalfeeandincludeameal.

REfERRAlSOnadailybasis,theChamberreceivesdozensofrequestsforrecommendationsongoodsandservicestobepurchasedinthe

Dothan-HoustonCountyarea.Wereferthesenewcomers,tourists,arearesidentsandbusinessestoChambermembersonly.

BuSINESS AND TECHNOlOGy EXPOAttendtheChamber’sannualSpotlightonBusinessTradeShow,Dothan’sonlybusiness-to-businesstradeshow.Boothspaceis

availableonlytomembersoftheChamber.

ADvERTISING OPPORTuNITIESNeedadvertisingthatistargeted,effectiveandaffordable?The

Chamber Connections, Membership Directory and Business Guide, Dothan’s Official Welcome GuideandChamberwebsiteoffer

powerfuladvertisingchoicestoreachbusinessesandconsumers.

MAIlING lABElSMembershipmailinglabelsareavailableinseveraldifferent

formatsforanominalfee.

GOvERNMENT ADvOCACyTheDothanAreaChamberofCommerceservesasanadvocateonissuesimportanttolocalbusinessbymonitoringlocal,state

andfederallegislation.

CREDIBIlITyDemonstrateyourcommitmenttothecommunitybybecominga

partofthevisionandstrategiesofthelargest,strongestandmostactivebusinessorganizationintheDothanarea-the

DothanAreaChamberofCommerce.

COMMuNITy IMPROvEMENT PROjECTSBuildingexistingbusiness,recruitingnewjobsandmarketingtheWiregrassareaarethreewaystheChamberworkstostrengthenoureconomy.Withover950+members,theChamberiscommittedto

thesustainedgrowthandprosperityoftheregion.

WEBSITETakeadvantageofthe“MembersOnly”linkontheChamber’swebsitewherememberscanlinktheirwebsitetotheChamber’s,learnaboutmember-to-memberdiscounts,accesssmallbusiness

developmentlinks,areademographicsandmore.

CORE BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP INCLUDE:

The Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce invites area businesses to join and receive valuable benefits for their business.

SMAllBusinessDEvElOPMENT

TheDothanAreaChamberofCommerceandBrickerDaughtry,ashareholderwiththelawfirmCarrAllisonCarrAllison,recentlypresentedasmallbusinessseminartohelpChambermembersbecomeacquaintedwiththenewovertimerules.The one-hour program “Are You Ready for the New Overtime Rules?”

delivered timely information on the Fair Labor Standards Act requirementsandtheproposedDepartmentofLabor regulationchanges impacting today’sbusinessowner.The program also provided participants the excellent opportunity to ask

questionsinthisexchangeofinformation.ThankyoutoBrickerDaughtryfortakingtimeoutofhisbusyscheduledto

presentthiseducationalseminar.

Getting Members Ready For Regulation Changes

Opportunitiesareallaroundus.Makingtherightconnectionsisakeyandits partof growing yourbusiness.Whoyouknow inbusiness is important.Knowingtherightquestionsandconnectingwithpeoplewhocanhelpguideyoutoyournextnewsaleiswhatnetworkingisallabout.Mark your calendar and plan to join the Dothan Area Chamber of

Commerce for an “Effective Sales Marketing” seminar Tuesday, Nov. 17,8:30a.m. PresentedbyDavidBalmer, fromEmeraldCoastDaleCarnegieTraining,you’lllearntheimportanceofbuildingnewrelationshipsandsharingvitalinformationtoclosethatnextsale.Thecosttoattendtheseminaris$5andpre-registrationisrequiredbynoon

Friday,Nov.13.Toreserveyourseat,callSusanat(334)792-5138.

Mark Your Calendar!Small Business Seminar

Effective Sales MarketingDothan Area ChamberNov. 17 • 8:30 a.m.

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SmallBusinessTipsLow-cost online marketing techniques for small businesses Promoting your business online is important even when funds aretight,TamarWeinbergwrites.Shecites14freeorlow-costmarketingtactics, including optimizing your local-search presence, tapping intothe power of Google Analytics and using question-and-answer sitessuchasQuoratoshareexpertise.Readmore:http://smallbiztrends.com/2015/05/guide-to-small-business-marketing-on-a-budget.html.(Source: Small Business Trends, Tamar Weinberg, “Your Massive Guide to Small Business Marketing on a Budget,” May 20, 2015)

Build a lead-generating machine by collecting emails Noteverypotential customer is ready tobuy rightnow, soyouneedstrategies to get their email address, Janet Murray advises. Givecustomersareasonorincentivetooptintoyourcontentmarketing,andoncetheydo,makesureyoukeepthemengagedwithusefulcontent.Readmore:www.theguardian.com/small-business-network/2015/may/20/business-blog-sales-tips-content-marketing. (Source: The Guardian (London), Janet Murray, “Turn Your Business Blog Into A Sales Machine,” May 20, 2015)

Should you get term debt or revolving debt? Taking out the right type of loan for your business needs is critical,writes MultiFunding CEO Ami Kassar. He describes the differencesbetween two types -- term debt and revolving debt -- and explainswhen each should be used. Read more: www.entrepreneur.com/article/249383.(Source: Entrepreneur.com, Ami Kassar, “When to Use the Term Debt vs. Revolving Debt,” Oct. 12, 2015)

Pointers for building better business relationships Building strong partnerships between suppliers and vendors requireshard work, writes Maria Haggerty, founder and CEO of DotcomDistribution. She offers three tips for better business relationships,beginningwith watching for early signs of trouble. “If a supplier orvendorisbadatnegotiationsfromthestart,chancesarethatworkingwitheithermaybedifficultinthefuture,”shenotes.Readmore:www.entrepreneur.com/article/251578.(Source: Entrepreneur.com, Maria Haggerty, “3 Tips To Develop A Balanced Supplier-Vendor Relationship,” Oct. 14, 2015)

Bricker Daughtry, a shareholder with the law firm Carr Allison Carr Allison, talks with Chamber members about the proposed labor regulation changes.

The below are some interesting small business facts taken from the AlabamaSmallBusinessProfileproducedbytheSmallBusinessAdministration,OfficeofAdvocacy:

• Alabama’ssmallbusinessesemployedabouthalfor764,207ofthestate’sprivateworkforcein2012.(Source: Statistics of U.S. Businesses, Census Bureau)

• Almostall firmswithemployeesare small.Theymakeup96.8percentofallemployersinthestate.(Source: Statistics of U.S. Businesses, Census Bureau)

• Firmswithfewerthan100employeeshavethelargestshareofsmallbusinessemployment.

• InAlabama,smallbusinessescreated24,890netnewjobsin2012.Thebiggestgainwasinthesmallestfirmsizecategoryof1-4employees.(Source: Business Dynamics Statistics, Census Bureau)

• Thenumberofpeoplewhowereprimarilyself-employedin2013decreasedby4.7percentrelativetothepreviousyear.

• Thestate’sprivate-sectoremploymentgrowthincreasedby2percentoverthe12-monthperiodendinginOctober2014;thiswasbelowthenationalaveragegrowthrateof2.3percent.(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

• ThenumberofbanksreportedintheCallReportsbetweenJune2013andJune2014declined.(Source: FDIC)

• In 2012, 65,721 loans under $100,000 (and valued at $946.7million)wereissued by Community Reinvestment Act lending institutions in Alabama.(Source: FFIEC)

• The median income for individuals who are self-employed at their ownincorporated businesses for the past 12 months was $48,710 in 2013. Forindividuals self-employed at their own unincorporated firms, this figurewas$20,328.(Source: American Community Survey, Census Bureau)

• In2010,6,484establishmentsopenedinAlabama,and66.4percentsurvivedthrough2012.In2013,7,445establishmentsopened,and79.7percentsurvivedthrough2014.(Source: BLS, BED)

• Inthefirstquarterof2014,3,537establishmentsopenedand3,522closedinthestateofAlabama.(Source: Business Employment Dynamics, Census Bureau)

• Businessbankruptciesdeclined from2010to2014, signalinga stronger stateeconomy.(Source: U.S. Courts)

Alabama Small Business Facts

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yOuRcHAMBeR

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

ForrestRegisterRegister Reality Co. Inc.

Chairman

B.ScottApplefieldWinco, LLC dba Bojangles’.

Chairman-Elect

HopeJohnsonFriend Bank

ImmediatePastChair

MarkSalibaAlfred Saliba Corp.

GrowDothanChairman

BobWoodallBob Woodall Air Care Systems Inc.

GrowDothanImmediatePastChairman

R.CliffMendheimPrim & Mendheim, LLC

Treasurer

BeauBentonLarry Blumberg and Associates (LBA Hospitality)CommunityDevelopmentCouncilChairman

MaryBethReynoldsPersonnel Resources

EducationCouncilChairman

DelvickJ.McKayCity of Dothan

GovernmentalAffairsCouncilChairman

CynthiaGreenWiregrass Rehabilitation Center Inc.

MembershipDevelopmentCouncilChair

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BarbaraAlford,Wiregrass FoundationSusanAnderson,Eagle Eye Outfitters Inc.

KellyColbert,Covenant SteelTamiCulver,Dothan Education Foundation

RonnieDean,Southeast Alabama Medical CenterVinceEdge,Johnston, Hinesley, Flowers, Clenney and Turner, PC

PreciousFreeman,BFC ManagementPeggyJaye,Georgia Pacific

BradKimbro,Wiregrass Electric CooperativeDavid(Mit)Kirkland,Scenic Cable Network and ProductionDr.CraigLenz,Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine

JimboLoftin,Coleman Worldwide MovingDr.RayfordE.Malone,Greater Beulah Baptist Church

W.DavisMaloneIII,MidSouth BankPamelaMiles,Exchange Center for Child Abuse Prevention

DonniePemberton,The Pepi CompaniesTerryRedmile,Michelin North America Inc.BobSteensma,Five Star Credit Union

JansonTidmore,Dothan Downtown Redevelopment AuthorityRussWhitfield,AAA Cooper TransportationLoriWilcoxon,Wiregrass Commons Mall

Dr.AshliWilkins,Wallace Community CollegeDewayneWilliams,SunSouth John Deere

SuzanneWoods,Flowers Hospital

STAFF

MattParker,PresidentDeanMitchell,Executive DirectorSuzanneBarrick,Membership Sales

LindaKelley,Director of Community DevelopmentMeliaMcKean,Director of Communications

JulieMollohan,Director of FinanceLaRhondaRobinson,Director of Membership

JaniceShepard,Vice President of AdministrationSusanTatom,Director of InformationSteveTurkoski,Project Manager

Did You Know That Your Chamber …

Constantly Communicates About You?As a Chamber member and a vital part of the business community, you are represented every day when the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce responds to inquiries about our region and the services it offers.

Voices Your Political Concerns?We ask members what they think about particular taxation and legislation issues, and we make their views known to government officials.

Functions as Your Research Department?There's a wealth of up-to-date statistical information available to you as a Chamber member, information we have compiled to help you have in-depth knowledge of your market and make better business decisions.

Provides Continuing Business Education?The professional workshops and seminars provided through the Chamber include sessions on a wide variety of topics that can be put to immediate and practical use in your business.

Sells Your Potential Customers on Coming Here?Through our marketing programs and responses to inquiries, the Chamber continually promotes the Dothan area as a preferred destination for relocation, tourist activities, sports events, recreation, shopping, health care services, meetings and conventions.

Provides Numerous Networking Opportunities?Regularly scheduled Chamber get-togethers offer the opportunity to meet and get to know other business owners and managers in the community, often resulting in new ideas, new supply sources and new sales leads.

meetingm e e t i n g t h e c h a l l e n g e shapings h a p i n g t h e f u t u r e

ConnectionsCONNECTIONSC H A M B E R

ChamberConnectionsispublishedmonthly(USPS700-660)forthemembersoftheDothanAreaChamberofCommerce,102JamestownBlvd.,Dothan,AL36301.Subscriptionrateis$24annually.Postmaster:SendaddresschangestoDothanAreaChamberofCommerce,P.O.Box638,Dothan,AL36302.PeriodicalspostageispaidatDothan,ALandadditionalmailingoffice.

A Publication of theDothan Area Chamber of CommerceNovember 2015Vol. 43, No. 2 (USPS 700-660)© Copyright 2015

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Editor's Note: Sources for this information vary; call the Chamber for details. Data as of 10/08/15. Visit www.dothan.com for the most current information.

Labor Force for the Dothan MSA for August:62,601in2014;63,886in2015

57,954in2014;58,701in2015Employed

Unemployment for the Dothan MSA for August:7.4%in2013;6.7%in2014

Residential Building Permits for the City of Dothan for August:17issued($4.18million)in2014;16issued($3.88million)in2015

Home Sales in Dothan for August:105soldin2014;123soldin2015

Enplanements for Dothan Regional Airport for August:4,203in2014;4,269in2015

Houston County & Dothan Sales and Use Tax Collections ($) for August:$1,409,087in2014;$1,559,362in2015(County)$4,633,412in2014;$5,172,622in2015(City)

ECONOMICinDicAtORs

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