Guest blogger

Birmingham: Waking the resting giant of Vulcan

2 Comments
Mark Naggar
Mark Naggar

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

Today’s guest blogger is Mark Naggar.  We love to hear from young professionals.   If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.

Birmingham will forever have a special place in my heart – it’s my hometown.  My parents, both immigrants, relocated to Birmingham in the 70’s and I have both the pleasure and privilege to say I’m a Magic City native.  My father owned and operated a retail business on 2nd Avenue North just steps away from what is now the McWane Center.  I spent much of my childhood downtown helping (and playing) in that store and exploring downtown.

Continue reading Birmingham: Waking the resting giant of Vulcan →

Government structure, Guest blogger

Jeffrey Bayer sticks his neck out

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Jeffrey Bayer, Bayer Properties
Jeffrey Bayer, President & CEO of Bayer Properties

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

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

On July 30, 2013, I posted a blog proposing we bring the City of Birmingham and Jefferson County together in some configuration to create a better model for governance for our metro area.

Never could I have been prepared for the OVERWHELMING positive response.  I literally can’t leave my house Continue reading Jeffrey Bayer sticks his neck out →

David Sher posts, Government structure, Race relations

Birmingham: No one wants to talk about race

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David SherRecently, I authored an artcle titled, “Surely this article will get me sued.”

It was about the daughter of a friend of mine who while studying abroad was asked by a fellow student why Birmingham had a separate bar association for African-Americans.  (Her friend had discovered on the Internet)

I wrote specifically that I was not knowledgeable about our bar associations and I wasn’t being judgmental, but I was concerned with the perception of Birmingham since historically we have had a poor reputation for race relations.

I was immediately accused by commenters of “race baiting”… Continue reading Birmingham: No one wants to talk about race →

Corporate community, David Sher posts, Government structure

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

1 Comment
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? →

Guest blogger, What's great about Birmingham

Birmingham: Young professional stopped in his tracks

4 Comments

Jonathan Pinnick
Jonathan Pinnick

Comebacktown published by David Sher & Phyllis Neill to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.

Today’s guest blogger is Jonathan Pinnick . (We love when young professionals are guest bloggers)

I saw something during a recent trip to Regions Field that made me stop in my tracks. It was so exciting that I had to tell almost everyone I saw for the next week.

It wasn’t anything about the ballpark itself, though it is beautiful. It wasn’t anything about the game, which was great and ended with one of the many wins earned by the Birmingham Barons this season.

No, what I saw were Continue reading Birmingham: Young professional stopped in his tracks →

Guest blogger

Uprising of young professionals propel Birmingham

4 Comments
Andrew Patterson
Andrew Patterson

ComebackTown published by David Sher & Phyllis Neill to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.

Today’s guest blogger is Andrew Patterson. (We love when young professionals are guest bloggers)

I am a big Birmingham fan and have lived here for the better part of 12 years.  Birmingham truly is a great city and I couldn’t see myself living anywhere else.

However, growing up in Nashville and seeing its growth over the last 30 years, I can’t help but wonder Continue reading Uprising of young professionals propel Birmingham →

David Sher posts, Race relations

This will article will surely get me sued

19 Comments
Anthony Joseph
Anthony Joseph, President of the Alabama State Bar

Writing about something I know little about that might upset attorneys seems like a recipe for disaster.

However, I think it would be fair to say only Birmingham attorneys would be able to explain the following.

The daughter of a friend of mine is studying abroad.  A fellow student discovered on the Internet that Birmingham has a separate bar association for black attorneys…and asked her why. Continue reading This will article will surely get me sued →

Guest blogger, What's great about Birmingham

I really, really, really like living in Birmingham

1 Comment
Glenn Kinstler
Glenn Kinstler

ComebackTown published by David Sher & Phyllis Neill to begin a discussion on better government for our region.

Today’s guest blogger is  Glenn Kinstler. (We love when young professionals are guest bloggers)

Okay, I have two admissions to make.

They are both pretty obvious.

But before I disclose, I want to put them in context.

My name is Glenn Kinstler.  I grew up in Birmingham, attended Altamont School, and received degrees from the University of Alabama and UAB.  So I know a thing or two about living in Birmingham and Alabama.

Now, my disclosures… Continue reading I really, really, really like living in Birmingham →

To begin a conversation about a better Birmingham