COMMUNITY
Montgomery Fire/Rescue Earns Unique Distinction
Montgomery Fire/Rescue received Accredited Agency status by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI)—a distinction attained by only one percent of fire departments in the world. CFAI has recognized only 278 fire departments in the United States and 23 international departments for meeting the stringent criteria established through its accreditation program. Through this process, CFAI assists fire and emergency service agencies in achieving excellence with self-assessment and accreditation to provide continuous quality improvement and the enhancement of service delivery to their communities. For its review, Montgomery Fire/Rescue provided a 416-page self-assessment document, which included 223 pages on standard of coverage, a comprehensive strategic plan and thousands of supporting records, documents and digital data.
Montgomery Fire/Rescue is the first and only metro fire department in Alabama to be accredited while also retaining an Insurance Services Office (ISO) Public Protection Class 1 Rating. Fire Chief Miford Jordan praised the collaborative efforts and skills of employees throughout Montgomery Fire/Rescue, as well as Mayor Reed’s steadfast support of public safety and Montgomery’s firefighters.
Central Restaurant’s Pastry Chef Shares Knowledge at Auburn’s Culinary Science Department
Central’s pastry chef Marie McGarry recently had the honor of sharing her expertise and baking knowledge with Auburn University Culinary Science students studying the fundamentals of baking and pastry. McGarry’s demonstration included building an Opera Cake, which included simple chocolate décor and glazing techniques. Chef demonstrations are part of the hospitality management program at Auburn University, where students will complete 600 hours of work experience to graduate with a hospitality management culinary science major.
Dr. Fred Figliano Selected for AASCU’s Emerging Leaders Program
Dr. Fred Figliano, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Strategic Initiatives in Troy University’s College of Education, has been selected to participate in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ (AASCU) 2022 Emerging Leaders Program. Figliano is among the group of academic and administrative leaders from 32 different AASCU institutions. Designed for early- to mid-career professionals and faculty leaders who have an interest in higher education leadership, the Emerging Leaders Program will enable participants to engage in a national dialogue with experienced leaders and experts in higher education and to develop a network of colleagues from around the country.
TROY Awarded $161K National Science Foundation Grant
Troy University professors continually make advancements in their respective fields, most recently with Dr. Raj Vinnakota’s acceptance of a $161,597 grant from the National Science Foundation to further research building a device that would allow for faster data recording and processing at the photon level. Faster speeds would allow for improvements in optical computing and optical information processing across multiple applications. In addition to the possibility to make groundbreaking technological developments, his research has a strong educational and outreach component, including inspiring and guiding K-12 students to pursue a career path in science and technology, improving undergraduate participation in research and providing training and mentoring for a diverse group of students. The grant could also boost TROY’s Electronics Engineering Technology program, of which Vinnakota serves as Program Coordinator.
Troy University Recognized as a National Model for Affordability
Troy University has been recognized as a national model for providing quality, affordable education in a new report from the Partners for College Affordability and Public Trust. The case study, published in December 2021, is part of a project focusing on affordability strategies employed by the governing boards of five public universities. For TROY, the study examined the leadership of Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr. and the Board of Trustees and the decisions that have made TROY an adaptive and affordable institution focused on meeting the needs of students and the community. TROY’s focus on affordability started in the earliest days of the Hawkins administration; one of his first acts as Chancellor was to commission an institutional audit aimed at identifying the University’s most significant challenges.
Troy’s Dr. Lance Tatum Named to NCAA Committee
Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Troy University Dr. Lance Tatum joined the NCAA Division I Committee on Academics on June 1. The committee manages Division I academic matters, including policy, eligibility standards and the NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program. It is chaired by a university president and consists of university presidents, a provost, faculty athletics representatives, directors of athletics, senior woman administrators, conference administrators and a student-athlete.
Montgomery Grants Department Director Appointed to National League of Cities Committee
City of Montgomery Grants Department Director Kelbrey Porter has been appointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2022 Human Development (HD) Federal Advocacy Committee. Porter was elected to a one-year term and will provide strategic direction and guidance for NLC’s federal advocacy agenda and policy priorities. As a member of NLC’s HD committee, Porter will play a key role among a diverse group of local leaders in shaping NLC’s policy positions and advocating on behalf of America’s municipalities before Congress, with the administration and at home.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Regions Earns Honor for Eighth Consecutive Year
Regions Bank has received the 2022 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award (GEWA), which recognizes the most engaged workplace cultures in the world. This year marks the eighth Regions has won this honor. Gallup research includes studies of millions of employees across all industries and consistently shows the best workplaces share an intentional focus on engagement and their culture. As a winner, Regions differentiates itself by investing in employees and putting people-development at the center of its business strategy.
Beasley Allen Lawyers Named to Lawdragon 500
Fifteen Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C. attorneys have been selected to the 2022 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers list. Recognition by Lawdragon 500 is an honor as it stands as one of the most respected groups in the profession. Those named to this prestigious list are: Jere Beasley, Founding Attorney; Greg Allen, Lead Products Liability Attorney; Tom Methvin, Managing Attorney; Cole Portis, Personal Injury Section Head; Dee Miles, Consumer Fraud Section Head; Chris Glover, Managing Attorney, Atlanta; Andy Birchfield, Mass Torts Section Head; Rhon Jones, Toxic Torts Section Head; LaBarron Boone; Leigh O’Dell; Kendall Dunson; Larry Golston; Ted Meadows; Navan Ward, Jr.; and Graham Esdale.
Faulkner Law Alumnus Jason Isbell Honored
Thomas Goode Jones School of Law and Faulkner University graduate Jason Isbell was again named on Yellowhammer Multimedia’s list of the 50 most powerful and influential political leaders in Alabama. The first 10 names from the 2022 Power and Influence 50 were released in April. Isbell is not only a graduate of Faulkner University and Jones School of Law, he is also an adjunct law faculty member at the school and a member of Faulkner University’s Board of Trustees. Isbell currently serves as the senior vice president of state government affairs and economic development for Regions Bank. In this position, he oversees the bank’s statelevel legislative, political and regulatory strategy in the 16 states where the bank operates.
Alabama Insurance Commissioner to Receive Lifetime Achievement in Resilience Award
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) awarded Alabama Insurance Commissioner Jim Ridling its inaugural Lifetime Achievement in Resilience Award at a celebratory event in Montgomery May 19. Alabama is no stranger to the devastating impacts of severe weather, and the state now leads the nation in resilient construction practices. Commissioner Ridling has been vital to implementing practices identified by IBHS building science researchers to help homes across Alabama better withstand severe weather. Leaders from IBHS, the Alabama EMA Director, Mississippi’s Insurance Commissioner and leaders in the insurance industry were in attendance to celebrate this achievement.
Balch & Bingham Named Among Top Firms
In its newly released Chambers USA 2022 guide, Chambers & Partners has recognized 16 Balch & Bingham practices and 50 firm attorneys as leaders in their specific disciplines and geographic areas. Known for its comprehensive and objective rankings of top law firms and attorneys, Chambers USA is one the most prominent legal guides. The annual list is generated through rigorous research and in-depth client interviews.
Jeremy Dickey, MA, USAF - Ret, Receives CCIS Designation
The Certified Cyber Insurance Specialist (CCIS) designation has been presented to Jeremy Dickey, Operations Manager and Cyber Insurance Specialist for Palomar Insurance Corporation, by the Cyber Insurance Academy. A 2000 graduate of Mississippi State University with a Master of Business Management from Webster University, Dickey is a former U.S. Air Force Major and HC-130J Combat Search and Rescue Pilot. His in-depth knowledge of cyber insurance and data breach response will assist Palomar’s clients in assessing their cyber risk and loss control tools to mitigate exposure.
Brett Cohrs Obtains Certified Risk Manager (CRM)
The Certified Risk Manager (CRM) designation has been conferred on Brett Cohrs, Senior Vice President with Palomar Insurance Corporation, following his completion of a rigorous risk management education program. Cohrs has demonstrated his professional competence by completing CRM examinations that focus on the analysis and control of risk, financing of risk and the practice of risk management.
