Category Archives: Corporate community

Judge Scott Vowell tells it like it is

Judge Scott Vowell

Birmingham’s always been called the “city of potential promise,” but our metro area continues to struggle.

Our children are leaving.  Our largest companies are abandoning us.   And we’re experiencing little or no growth.

Birmingham is beautiful; we have smart and generous people; and we’re located in the heart of the South.

How can we fail? Continue reading Judge Scott Vowell tells it like it is

A challenge for the Birmingham Business Alliance

Johnny Johns, Immediate past Chairman of BBA

Let’s take one incredibly hard issue and prove we can solve it

Giant headline front page,–The Birmingham News February 28, 2012,  “Let’s take one incredibly hard issue and prove we can solve it.”

The article then quotes Johnny Johns, the then  Chairman of the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA)…

 “Johnny Johns, the Protective Life Corp. Chairman, president and CEO, gave a call of arms of sorts when he said this to 28 political, business and civic leaders who had gathered at The Birmingham News to discuss how to tackle metro Birmingham’s most pressing problems.”

“…So we all stand off and we talk, talk, talk… Continue reading A challenge for the Birmingham Business Alliance

Birmingham has done it again!

It’s one of those things we take for granted living in our Birmingham region.

It’s an important quality of life issue—one we seem to take for granted.

We may be at the bottom of many lists, but this one—we excel.

The idea for this piece came in the form of an e-mail…

“David, todays bham news….Mayor in shootout , Katapodis appeal denied, and Malzahn new auburn coach…that’s our front page headlines….buried on page 8 or so….the REALLY GOOD NEWS Continue reading Birmingham has done it again!

Why many are criticizing David Sher

Ever since I began posting blogs with the intent to begin a community conversation on better government, I’ve received my share of criticism.

I was probably a little bit naive, but it came as a surprise.

I have a passion for our Birmingham region and I thought I was doing a good deed.

I’m not running for office and as best I can tell, I’m not benefiting financially. If anyone has any money making ideas, please let me know.  🙂 Continue reading Why many are criticizing David Sher

A community leader gives Rotarian types hell

Our goal:  Better government for our region.

Birmingham’s an amazing community in many ways.

It’s difficult to explain, but we have the largest and most successful civic clubs on earth.

Our Birmingham Kiwanis Club, our Birmingham Rotary Club and our Birmingham Rotaract Club are the largest in the world.  You wouldn’t think that it could be mathematically possible. Continue reading A community leader gives Rotarian types hell

No Bill Gates, but George Barber and Don Logan

Don Logan

Where do communities get money?

Often from successful business people.

So what Birmingham needs is more successful businesses so there will be more successful business people. Continue reading No Bill Gates, but George Barber and Don Logan

Clueless community leaders cheer Birmingham School seizure

Ed Richardson
Dr. Ed Richardson

I grew up in Mt. Brook.

My children went to Mt. Brook schools.

I now live in Vestavia Hills.

I belong to the Rotary Club of Birmingham.

Dr. Ed Richardson spoke recently to our Rotary Club.  There was a huge corporate crowd cheering Dr. Richardson as he explained how our State Department of Education is going to fix Birmingham’s dysfunction school system. Continue reading Clueless community leaders cheer Birmingham School seizure

Birmingham is best in the world

Rotary sealUsually when someone makes a brash statement that something is the best in the world, its considered hype or exaggeration.

However, we can say with complete confidence that Birmingham has the biggest and best civic clubs on earth.

Our Birmingham Kiwanis Club is the largest in the world.

Our Birmingham Rotary Club is the largest in the world.

Our Birmingham Rotaract Club is the largest in the world. Continue reading Birmingham is best in the world

Will the last big company left in Birmingham please turn out the lights

Regions Bank--Birmingham's last remaining Fortune 500 Company

 

With Vulcan Materials facing a hostile takeover bid from a North Carolina-based competitor, Birmingham is on the verge of losing another public company headquarters.  Even if Vulcan survives, the trend is ominous.

According to a Birmingham Business Journal article from December 16, 2011, titled “A troubling trend for Birmingham,” a little more than a decade ago, Birmingham was home to at least 30 publicly traded companies and now we’re down to 15. Continue reading Will the last big company left in Birmingham please turn out the lights