Modern Manufacturing Program takes shape

Honda steps up with SUV for workforce development program at Eden Tech

Story and photos
by Graham Hadley

Once again, St. Clair County is leading the way for the rest of Alabama when it comes to workforce development programs in public education – and Honda Manufacturing is already stepping in to help.

The John Pope Eden Career Technical Center in Ashville, working with the St. Clair Economic Development Council, is taking a lead role in the Modern Manufacturing Program, a partnership between the Alabama Works initiative and local school systems, as the state continues its efforts to boost the number of qualified manufacturing professionals.

The program at is already well on its way to being another workforce development success story for the region. Now, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama has joined those efforts, donating a Honda Pilot SUV and more to MMP at Eden in late October.

“At the Honda Alabama Auto Plant we are excited about the opportunity that the Modern Manufacturing Program can provide for students and industry alike,” said Michael Gaines, division leader at Honda Alabama.

Handing over the keys

“Modern Manufacturing will provide the necessary skills for entry level manufacturing positions in our company, as well as other manufacturing companies in our region. Almost all industries in our area are experiencing manpower shortages, and this program will give students the basic skills they need before entering the workforce, helping to increase their career options, and hiring potential, while also helping local employers to fill open positions with individuals already advanced in work-based skills.”

Bob Johnson, who helms the program at Eden and a former HMA employee, expressed his gratitude to his former employer for its generosity. “The MMP program at Eden Career Technical Center is very thankful to Honda. This donation will contribute to ensuring that every student is prepared to meet future opportunities beyond high school.”

Students and guests attend the MMP presentation at Eden

And that generosity goes beyond just the Pilot. “Honda has contributed parts, materials and money and worked with the St. Clair County Board of Education to make this happen,” he said.

Jason Roberts, director of Industry and Workforce Development at St. Clair EDC, was credited with playing a key role in bringing everyone together. He said the partnership is essential to the success of the MMP program and was quick to point out that across the state, all of the major manufacturers, especially the big automotive companies – Honda, Mercedes, Toyota-Mazda and Hyundai – are stepping in to make sure the skillsets they need are being taught.

The donation is a first for Eden and for schools in the region, said Kristen Holder, executive director for Central Six AlabamaWorks. She, along with other officials, like Alabama School Board Member Marie Manning, EDC Director Don Smith and St. Clair Superintendent Justin Burns, attended the event.

“This is such an opportunity for our students,” Burns said. “I knew it would be a good opportunity when you partner with companies like Honda or Unipres, and Eden Career Tech is the perfect next step in the workforce development process. … I know this is just the beginning. Thank you for giving us the opportunity.”

Mariott TownePlace groundbreaking

Visitors staying in Pell City for so many different reasons will have another quality lodging option. Shivaay Hospitality LLC owners, Darshen Patel and Vishal Patel, broke ground on their newest Marriott TownePlace Suites at 265 Vaughan Lane today in front of a crowd of supporters Wednesday morning.

“We have been looking at the growing Pell City market for the right location and believe this is the perfect fit for our guests,” said co-owner Darshen Patel.

“Our 89-room hotel will be the first Marriott brand in St. Clair County and is located within view of Premiere Cinema’s movie theater, national brand eateries, and numerous retailers. Our guests can choose to visit those businesses or enjoy their entire stay without leaving our hotel,” added co-owner Vishal Patel.

All the rooms will have kitchenettes, and the hotel will have a bar in the lobby, free Wi-Fi, complimentary hot breakfast and a firepit and pool outside. 

“Pell City is always supportive of new investment, but this new hotel will give more people a chance to see and visit all the great things we are accomplishing here. It will also help support the numerous manufacturers we have by providing another place for their executives and team members from out of state a comfortable stay while on business in town,” said Bill Pruitt, mayor of Pell City.

“Planning, constructing and opening a new $12 million hotel is not an easy task. I want to thank Mayor Bill Pruitt, the City Council and City Manager Brian Muenger for being so supportive during this process. I believe they will be very happy with the location,” explained Darshen Patel.

Stan Batemon, chairman of the St. Clair County Commission, echoed his support, “As our county continues to market tourism events in and around our community it is important to have a variety of well-known hotel brands to offer. I believe the word is getting out on what our community offers, and these gentlemen have made a great decision in investing in St. Clair County. We look forward to continuing to support them.” 

The new hotel is expected to open in the beginning of 2025 and is expected to have 20 employees.

Union State Bank celebrates 120 years

A legacy stretching
back more than a century

Story and photos
by Carol Pappas
Submitted photos

When Emily Norris heads to work each day, it’s like returning to a home she never left. She grew up coming to Union State Bank, where her mother worked as a teller.  She held her first job there at age 15. In college, she worked there around her class schedule.

As Union State celebrates its 120th anniversary, Norris is now a vice president and represents a new generation at Union State, continuing the legacy of St. Clair County’s oldest community bank.

“It’s like family,” she said. “My great-great grandparents banked with Union State Bank as far back as the early 1920s, and my mother has worked here for the bank for 40 years, so it means a great deal to carry on the legacy here at Union State Bank.

“Union State hired me when I was in high school. I was able to come to work after I finished my classes for the day.”

After high school at Gadsden State Community College, she continued her work at the bank until graduation magna cum laude with a Business Marketing Degree. She went on to graduate from Alabama Banking School located at the University of South Alabama. “I feel as though I gained so much insight about the banking industry during those years,” she said. After working in the banking field at another institution in Birmingham for a few years, she returned ‘home’ – to Pell City and Union State Bank.

“I have so many fond memories of growing up and coming to this bank as a kid. I have enjoyed learning from and working for Mr. Reed,” she said, referring to Reed Alexander, the bank’s CEO. “I am thankful for the potential he saw in me as a teenager, investing in that potential and allowing me to grow as a banker through the years.

“It has just always been like a family here,” she added, citing a group of encouraging mentors over the years – Wayne Adams, David Jackson, Dorothy Golden and Chuck Truitt. But she credits her mother as her most valued teacher. “She has always instilled a good work ethic and to always have a passion to do my best at whatever I’m doing.”

She has apparently learned her mother’s lessons well, now serving in leadership at the bank she worked in as a teen.

And the bank’s deeply rooted history in the community makes her role even more special, she said. “It is an honor to work for a bank that has such a long history here in Pell City. I love working, living and serving in the community where I was raised. Knowing that you are investing back into your community makes you feel good about what you are doing and the lives you touch through it.”

Union State: A storied History

The year was 1903 when a group of businessmen, led by J. Fall Roberson Sr., joined forces to form a bank to serve future businesses and citizens of Pell City and St. Clair County. It formed under the name of Bank of St. Clair County and today, it is the county’s oldest successful bank – Union State Bank..

Sumter Cogswell, credited with founding Pell City, served as president with directors McLane Tilton, E.J. Mintz, Arthur Draper, J. Fall Roberson of Cropwell, J.H. Moore of Coal City, Frank Lothrop of Riverside, and Lafayette Cooke, the entrepreneur who built the Cook Springs Hotel and for whom Cook Springs is named.

In 1910, the bank received a charter to establish itself as a national bank and changed its name to First National Bank of Pell City.

The original bank was located on the corner of Cogswell Avenue and 20th Street and was built at a cost of $20,000. It was later demolished. The name changed again in 1918 to Union State Bank, and it operates under that name today.

A driving force in the bank’s success was Gloria V. Roberson, who served as chairman and CEO of the bank from 1964 until her death in 1999.

The family would continue in her footsteps. Her nephews, Reed and Rex Alexander, have been at the helm continuing the leadership. Reed Alexander is CEO and board chairman; Rex Alexander is president; Reed Alexander Jr., vice president, lender; David Alexander, vice president, lender; Chris Alexander, vice president, brokerage manager and Drew Alexander, president, Union State Insurance.

A dedicated corporate citizen, Union State has been involved in a number of civic endeavors, most notably providing “seed money” to help create the Pell City Schools Educational Foundation in 1992 and endowing the first “Chair of the Foundation,” which represented a gift of $10,000. The chair was dedicated in 1994.

St. Clair officials attend summit in Japan

Economic development officials from St. Clair County joined others from Southeastern states for the 45th annual SEUS (South East United States)-Japan Conference in Tokyo in October.

St. Clair Economic Development Council Executive Director Don Smith, Director of Industry and Work Force Jason Roberts and Commission Chairman Stan Batemon were part of the Alabama delegation led by Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield.

While there, they met met with the new president of Unipres and discussed ways to assist their expansion of the plant in Steele while networking with the Alabama Department of Commerce and Japanese business owners.  Topics of trade and investment between the two companies were also discussed.

Unipres is preparing for a $10 million expansion with 20-25 jobs.  With over 300 employees, Unipres is one of the county’s largest employers and has invested over $100 million in St. Clair County over the past 10 years.  

Unipres is a leader in metal stamping technology for the automotive sector.  They have dozens of plants worldwide with three of those locations in the Southeast.  They include facilities in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Steele, Alabama.   Founded in 1998, they are celebrating their 25th anniversary.  

“The SEUS-Japan summit is a valuable event for us,” said Smith. “It provides incredible data and networking opportunities as well as creating a base camp for us to visit the top leadership positions making decisions regarding our local Alabama companies.”

Secretary Canfield said the annual SEUS Japan gathering allows members of the Alabama delegation to reinforce bonds that have been established over decades and to explore pathways to future collaborations.

“The long-standing partnership between Japan and Alabama continues to spark economic growth, create opportunity and foster deep friendships,” he said. “That’s why I am looking forward to seeing this relationship blossom for decades to come.”

Today, an estimated 90 Japanese companies have established operations in Alabama, according to data from the Alabama Department of Commerce. The roster of Japanese companies includes global names such as Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Daikin, Rheem and Dai-Ichi Life.

“The impact of Japanese investment in Alabama has been massive,” Canfield said. “Back in 1999, Honda announced plans to open an auto assembly plant in Alabama, and since that milestone, nearly $10 billion in Japanese investment has flowed into the state.”

Christina Stimpson, who serves as director of Commerce’s Office of International Trade, said the commercial ties with Japan have become an increasingly important economic driver for Alabama.

“The Japanese-Alabama relationship is stronger than ever. Not only do we have significant foreign direct investment from Japan, but for the first time ever Alabama exports to Japan last year reached over $1 billion,” Stimpson said.

“This is a 42% increase from 2021 and represents the largest percentage increase among our top trading partners.”

Besides Alabama, the states represented at SEUS-Japan are Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi and Florida.

Lakeside Hospice

Mike Aiello Day, ribbon cutting
mark hospice celebration

Volunteers traditionally are at the heart of nonprofit works, often going about their business to little fanfare or notice.

But Lakeside Hospice and a group of supporting partners turned one occasion for celebration into one that lauded one of its most dedicated volunteers – Mike Aiello.

In a surprise recognition at the ribbon cutting ceremony of Lakeside Hospice’s new renovations, representatives of the hospice and other groups honored Aiello for his selfless acts of offering a helping hand. It was proclaimed, appropriately, “Mike Aiello Day.”

Honoring Mike Aiello

Aiello has been volunteering at Lakeside Hospice for at least 15 years, said Executive Director Paul Garing. He is a person that sees a need and always shows up to fill it. Whether it’s making sure the pump in the fountain is working properly, tree limbs are cleared or checking doors to ensure they’re locked, “he just shows up and does it,” Garing said. “He does everything for us.”

As others attested, Lakeside Hospice is not the only recipient of his good works. He volunteers with ASPCI, volunteered with and served as director of the Love Pantry food bank, works with buildings and grounds at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and is known for good deeds in his community of Pine Harbor.

Municipal Judge Brandi Hufford read a proclamation declaring it Mike Aiello Day and noted she will be presenting it to the City of Pell City for official designation.

“They all came together in a surprise party to honor him,” Garing said. Photos and newspaper clippings were hung in a display to pay tribute, and representatives of ASPCI, Habitat for Humanity, Our Lady of the Lake, Love Pantry, Pine Harbor Association and of course, Lakeside Hospice spoke about him and his good works..

As part of the day’s festivities, Lakeside Hospice did cut the ribbon on renovations to its building, including new paint, cosmetic additions and landscaping to create an inviting and welcoming environment for staff and patients.

Lakeside Hospice was founded in 1991 as a nonprofit hospice, not only serving patients with Medicare or insurance, but also patients regardless of their ability to pay.

A cornerstone of Lakeside Hospice is its volunteers, who provide direct care, respite care, comfort care programs, general maintenance, accounting and office services.

Aiello would certainly be tops on that list, Garing said. “I’ve never seen anyone as dedicated a volunteer as he is.”

Metro’s Jason Dorough honored

Jason Dorough, president of Metro Bank, was awarded the 2023 Chairman’s Award from the St. Clair County Economic Development Council for his work and support of economic development efforts in St. Clair County.

EDC presented it at its annual event, held this year at The Grill at The Farm near Logan Martin Dam.

Dorough joins a prestigious group of honorees for this award that is given once a year to honor a non-elected person who has shown exemplary support for the organization’s mission to create wealth, increase job growth, and improve the quality of life for St. Clair County citizens.

Past honorees include St. Clair County Commissioner Tommy Bowers, St. Clair County Commission Chairman Stan Batemon, Judge Bill Weathington, Spencer Weitman, Lyman Lovejoy, Ed Gardner, Sr., Carol Pappas, Bill Ellison and former St. Clair County Commission Chairman Paul Manning.

“The St. Clair County EDC has been very fortunate to have the partnership and support of Metro Bank from its inception. As a local banking partner, they have been a supportive part of our team of resources for the entirety of the EDC’s existence,” said Joe Kelly, chairman of St. Clair EDC Board of Directors.

“Jason Dorough has been a tremendous and integral part of that partnership, offering assistance and support when necessary. Knowing our organization and Metro Bank have common goals, to bring new wealth and jobs to the local economy, Jason has always made things happen in a way that is welcoming to local industry and investors.”

“We are always excited to welcome new investment into St. Clair County, and we want to be the bank that our local businesses can rely on,” said Dorough. “Our partnership with the St. Clair County Economic Development Council has been very fruitful through the years, and we have a great working relationship. It was a real surprise and tremendous compliment to receive this honor and appreciation for our work in economic development in St. Clair County.”

The EDC is the economic development organization for St. Clair County and its municipalities, facilitating industrial, institutional, commercial and leadership development throughout St. Clair County.

The EDC team, in partnership with state and local partners, focuses on helping existing businesses grow and compete, diversifying the economy through attraction of new businesses, and supporting newly formed high-growth enterprises.