Category Archives: Corporate community

Birmingham’s colonial economy

Daniel Coleman
Daniel Coleman

Today’s guest columnist is Daniel Coleman.

Since returning to Birmingham full time in late 2017, I have made a conscious effort to integrate myself into the day-to-day life of my hometown.

I joined the boards of three companies and four non-profits, worked closely with the finance department at City Hall, joined Birmingham-Southern College as an adjunct professor, and then, a year later became its 16th president. Continue reading Birmingham’s colonial economy

Man wakes from 35-year cryogenic freeze to find a new Birmingham

Daniel Coleman
Daniel Coleman

Today’s guest columnist is Daniel Coleman.

On our first date – January 1995 in Chicago – Brooke and I talked about Birmingham.

Although we had both believed we had to leave our shared hometown to start our lives – Smith and graduate school at the University of Chicago for her, Yale and the MBA program at the University of Chicago for me – we also both knew we would move home someday. Continue reading Man wakes from 35-year cryogenic freeze to find a new Birmingham

Mountain Brook man has epiphany about Birmingham

Maury Gaston
Maury D. Gaston

Today’s guest columnist is Maury D. Gaston.

Having lived all over the country I moved back to Birmingham 24 years ago—first to Homewood and then Mountain Brook.

For much of that time, even though I worked within the city limits of Birmingham and paid the occupational tax, I had very little interest in Birmingham itself.

Then everything changed. Continue reading Mountain Brook man has epiphany about Birmingham

Ouch! Birmingham has no Chamber of Commerce

Frank Young
Frank Young III

Today’s guest columnist is Frank Young.

Yes, you read the title right.

Birmingham has no Chamber of Commerce.

Twelve years ago, a small group of Birmingham business leaders decided to scrap the 122 year old Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce and create a hybrid organization called the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA). Continue reading Ouch! Birmingham has no Chamber of Commerce

An epiphany about Birmingham’s economic future

Lightning
An epiphany about Birmingham’s economic future

A savvy business friend made an observation about Birmingham’s economic future that really got my attention.

But before I disclose what he said, please review a list of Birmingham’s largest companies to determine what you think they all have in common. Continue reading An epiphany about Birmingham’s economic future

Business woman’s brilliant business idea for Birmingham

Britney Summerville
Britney Summerville

Today’s guest blogger is Britney Summerville.

If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.

Shipt is one of Birmingham’s great start-up success stories. The company went from a few employees to a $550 million acquisition in less than five years.

The big question is, ‘How can Birmingham replicate that success?’

Building from within isn’t the only way to grow a region. Continue reading Business woman’s brilliant business idea for Birmingham

Birmingham’s impending turnover is a great opportunity

Matt Hottle
Matt Hottle

Today’s guest blogger is  Matt  Hottle.

 If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.

I was having lunch recently with someone I’ve admired professionally for some time and he candidly shared his unvarnished thoughts about what Birmingham needed to move forward and succeed in exponential terms. Continue reading Birmingham’s impending turnover is a great opportunity