Category Archives: Corporate community

Corporate community, Guest blogger, What's great about Birmingham

Young professional: How to make it in Birmingham

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Taylor Peake Wyatt
Taylor Peake Wyatt, co-founder of MotionMobs and President of Kiosk Evolution

ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.

Today’s guest blogger is Taylor Peake Wyatt .  If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.

When I recently read the guest blog on ComebackTown, A 4 letter word: Why young professionals leave Birmingham, I had to respond.

I’m eager to give Birmingham’s business community the credit it deserves and to explain why I enjoy growing my career here.

I would like to answer the question how a small but vibrant city is keeping talented young professionals inspired and growing.

Being a young professional has a lot of challenges and being a young female entrepreneur has even more. There’s a lot of pressure in being independent and starting your career – especially if you’re dealing with student loans, a lack of available jobs, and wanting to support a family of your own.  It takes balance, passion, and perseverance. Continue reading Young professional: How to make it in Birmingham →

Corporate community, Guest blogger, What's great about Birmingham

Birmingham’s real image

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Jake McKenzie
Jake McKenzie – CEO Intermark Group

ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.

Today’s guest blogger is Jake McKenzie.  If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.

A little over a decade ago, the head of Nissan North America, Carlos Ghosn, made an announcement that shocked nearly everyone – Nissan was moving their headquarters from southern California to Nashville, Tennessee. When publicly questioned why, he cited savings in operational costs and large tax incentives.

But in private discussions, Ghosn began his answer rather differently. He shared how Nashville is simply Continue reading Birmingham’s real image →

Corporate community, David Sher posts, Government structure, Race relations

Is Steven Hoyt evil?

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Councilor Steven Hoyt
Councilor Steven Hoyt

When you read some of the remarks by (I assume) white commenters on al.com, you almost have to come to the conclusion that Steven Hoyt is the devil—some kind of black racist.  Councilor Hoyt is the City Council representative from Birmingham’s District 8.

Councilor Hoyt regularly seems to be in the headlines standing up for African-American inclusion when there are economic opportunities for individuals or businesses created by the City of Birmingham.

Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Continue reading Is Steven Hoyt evil? →

Corporate community, Guest blogger, UAB

UAB the biggest and best hope for Birmingham

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Mike Warren
Mike Warren, CEO Children’s of Alabama

ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.

Today’s guest blogger is Mike Warren.  If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.

My name is Mike Warren.

I grew up in Auburn, attended schools there, and graduated from Auburn University.  I received my law degree from Duke and I’ve joyfully lived in Birmingham ever since.

My first Birmingham job was with a major law firm and then I joined one of its largest clients, Alabama Gas.  I eventually became Chairman and CEO of Energen, Alabama Gas’ parent company.

When I retired from Energen at the end of 2007, I became the CEO of Children’s of Alabama.

I tell you this to give you a sense of how long I’ve worked in our business community.   I’ve witnessed first-hand Birmingham’s wins and some of our biggest disappointments.  And though I love Birmingham, I join many others who feel Birmingham has never reached its full potential. Continue reading UAB the biggest and best hope for Birmingham →

Corporate community, David Sher posts, Government structure

Why should one Birmingham CEO have to chair four major non-profits?

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Fred McCallum
Fred McCallum, President AT&T Alabama

If you were to ask my five year old Birmingham grandson what he wants to be when he grows up, he’ll tell you he wants to be a super hero.

It’s such an innocent response and kind of sad that one day he’ll find out there are no super heroes—well maybe there’s one Continue reading Why should one Birmingham CEO have to chair four major non-profits? →

Corporate community, David Sher posts, Government structure

Birmingham’s 50 most influential execs—maybe not?

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David SherOn August 30, 2013, The Birmingham Business Journal (BBJ) published a list of Birmingham’s 50 most influential executives.  (Click here to see BBJ list of 50 most influential executives)

The BBJ tried to answer the question, “Who holds the power in the Birmingham business community?”

The list includes the absolute top corporate and political leaders including Birmingham Mayor William Bell and Jefferson County Commission President, David Carrington;  Jay Grinney, President and CEO of HealthSouth, and Grayson Hall, Chairman, President, and CEO of Regions Financial Corporation.  Continue reading Birmingham’s 50 most influential execs—maybe not? →

Corporate community, David Sher posts, Government structure

Birmingham powerless again

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View of I-20/59 built at ground level
View of I-20/59 built at ground level

Let’s talk about the Alabama Department of Transportation’s controversial plan for expanding and reconfiguring Interstate 20/59 through downtown Birmingham.

My understanding is the plan calls for limited access to our downtown and for the continuation of 20/59 to cut through the heart of our city.

This controversy is a case study on why our metro area is powerless
Continue reading Birmingham powerless again →

Corporate community, David Sher posts, What's great about Birmingham

New York is jealous of Birmingham

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Birmingham makes the top of many city lists—some of which make us cringe.  However, most are not significant—and the methodology’s questionable.

But on lists that really matter, Birmingham often excels.

In fact, I could have titled this piece, “Atlanta is jealous of Birmingham” or “Chicago is jealous of Birmingham.”

Cities all over the U.S. want to be like us.

If you don’t believe me, Continue reading New York is jealous of Birmingham →

Alabama Constitution, Corporate community, David Sher posts, Government structure, Guest blogger

Why Birmingham’s government is so screwed up

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Mark Kelly, Publisher of Weld for Birmingham

The primary objective of ComebackTown is to create a conversation on a “better Birmingham.”

We often talk about what’s great about our metro, but we also want to identify our shortcomings so we can begin to propose solutions.

Many are quick to blame our politicians or corporate leadership, but the root cause of our frailties is poor government structure. Continue reading Why Birmingham’s government is so screwed up →