Huntsville/Madison County Chamber’s Post

As always, I am willinig to roll up my sleeves and help wherever I can. Here is my latest remble: To:        State Officials           County Officials          City Officials           NAVAL SEA SYSTEMS COMMAND I am writing to propose a collaborative effort between our state, county, city officials, and the Naval Sea Systems Command to acquire and repurpose vacant shopping centers near our naval shipyards. Inspired by successful models such as the Air Force's partnership in Oklahoma with the old GM plant, I believe a similar arrangement could benefit our community and naval operations alike. The vacant shopping centers present an opportunity for us to enhance our facilities and improve working conditions for shipyard employees. By acquiring properties collectively and leasing them to the Navy, we can ensure that the space is utilized effectively and optimized for our needs. For example, spaces within the shopping center, such as a former Forever 21 store, could be repurposed into specialized workshops like Shop 51 Electrical Workshop. Additionally, allowing individual shops to name their own storefronts could significantly boost morale and foster a sense of ownership among our workforce. Moreover, it's noteworthy to mention that our government often finds funding for professional sports facilities; therefore, it's only logical and fair to allocate resources towards initiatives that directly benefit our national defense infrastructure and the livelihoods of our citizens. This partnership not only serves our immediate needs but also stands as a testament to our prioritization of essential services over recreational ventures. Moreover, this initiative would contribute to the revitalization of our community. Instead of leaving empty storefronts and parking lots, we would be repurposing these spaces in a way that benefits both the Navy and local businesses. The presence of better facilities and amenities would not only enhance employee satisfaction and productivity but also attract further investment and economic growth to your area. I propose that our state, county, and city officials work together to acquire the vacant shopping centers in their respective areas and lease them to the Navy for a nominal fee, similar to the arrangement made by the Air Force in Oklahoma. This partnership would demonstrate our commitment to supporting our naval operations while also leveraging underutilized assets for the benefit of our community. Additionally, by providing the Navy with improved facilities, we can anticipate an increase in job opportunities within the area, further bolstering economic growth and prosperity for our residents. Thank you for considering this proposal. I am eager to discuss this further and explore how we can collaborate to make this vision a reality. Sincerely, Forging the Future Hon. Nickolas Guertin Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) PMO 555 Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

Team: On the eve of Memorial Day and not much more than a week from the 80th Anniversary of the beginning of Operation Overlord is a good time to reflect on the powerful gift we have been bestowed through the sacrifice of others. Specifically, the opportunity to effectively govern ourselves as free people. With that inheritance comes the compelling obligation to pass it on. Effective self-governance is not entertainment, or sport, or theater, and celebrity is not leadership. Representative democracy is tough work that demands curiosity, the respect for the rule-of-law, and citizens who can disagree agreeably on matters of policy knowing that they share a great many common concerns. Similarly, leaders of character understand their own accountability and the duty to others that comes with authority. As I see it, we owe future generations no less than the opportunity that has been given to us at great cost to so many. Keep pounding…W/r, 🦅🦅

The momentous and impactful work done by those before us must be celebrated in order to fully understand and appreciate what we have today. For Smoot Construction, this means not only remembering the work of enormous figures like Martin Luther King, Jr., but also the generations of perseverance and determination that came together to create a business like ours. As we enter our fourth generation of family ownership and round out our seventh decade of being black-owned, we embrace the immense pride in being able to be here today, to share our opportunities with others, and to continue the work of those before us. From the foothills of West Virginia and our humble beginnings as masonry contractors struggling to win work, to becoming the largest black-owned construction business in the Midwest, the Smoot family has lived its values and honored the work of generations and leaders before us. As shown in MLK Jr.'s powerful words, we must continue to work past our comfort, we must persist when it is convenient not to do so, and we must embrace challenge and controversy. We will continue to soar to new heights, to share our successes with others, and to lift up those other members of our community, so that one day, we will be part of legacy that our successors can look back on and celebrate. #mlkjr #martinlutherkingjr #blackownedbusiness #constructionindustry #mlkjrday

What a fitting first post of 2024. HAPPY NEW YEAR! and Happy MLK Jr. Day 2024! Today we join in celebrating the life and legacy of a great American, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. #HappyMLKJrDay #MLKJrDay #DayofService #MakeAnImpact . . . #PlanAhead #EstatePlanning #Wills #Trusts #AssetProtection #Probate #PowerOfAttorney #Houston #HoustonTX #HoustonLawyer #NOLA #NewOrleans #NOLALawyer #FamilyLaw #PersonalInjury #EmploymentDiscriminationLaw

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A Testament to Teamwork and Brotherhood In the early days of Maritime Security Response Team West (MSRT-West), what truly stood out was not just the missions completed, but the incredible team effort that brought the unit to life. The process of standing up MSRT-West was one of the most challenging periods any of us faced. The long hours, mental and physical exhaustion, and high expectations could have easily overwhelmed any one of us. But what made those days remarkable was the unwavering commitment of every team member. It wasn’t just individuals working toward a goal; it was a cohesive unit, a brotherhood bound by a shared sense of purpose. It wasn’t just about achieving operational readiness—it was about the pride felt in each other's success, the trust placed in one another, and the camaraderie that turned difficult tasks into achievable milestones. Together, challenges were faced head-on, driven by a collective will to succeed. The sense of pride that comes from knowing that everyone played a part in establishing what MSRT-West has become today is immeasurable. But even more rewarding was the camaraderie and brotherhood built along the way. Support for one another through the grueling days forged bonds that will last a lifetime. MSRT-West is more than just a unit; it’s a testament to what can be achieved when a group of dedicated individuals comes together with a common goal. The teamwork, pride, and camaraderie that were at the core of those efforts continue to be the foundation upon which MSRT-West stands today. Thanks For The Memories: Neal Bueno, Brian L., Kevin Leake, Heriberto "Eddie" Arámbula, PhD Gary Banuelos, Andrew Coppa, Matthew R., and to all the ones I was not able to tag. #USCG #MSRTWest #Teamwork #Brotherhood #Camaraderie #Pride #Leadership #DeployableSpecializedForces #Cohesion

"I Have a Dream." Remembering Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy and reflecting on the need for diversity and inclusion in the insurance industry. To hear more from Edward on this topic, check out our past blog post on inclusivity in the insurance industry using the link in our bio! #MLKday #diversity #insuranceindustry #insuranceagents

At Big Rocks Engineering, we stand united in honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. 🇺🇸 His dream continues to inspire us to build a future where equality and innovation go hand in hand. Let's engineer a world as grand as his vision. #MLKDay #DreamBig #InclusiveExcellence . . . . . . . . . . . #manufacturingexcellence #Manufacturing #NPD #newproduction #newproductalert #engineeringlife #engineeringjobs #engineering #productdevelopment #manufacturing #newproduct #engineer #engineers #innovation