COMMUNITY
The City of Montgomery Earns Recognition for Financial Strength and Excellence
International bond rating agency Fitch Ratings affirmed Montgomery’s “AA” rating, citing the City’s outlook as “stable,” which speaks to the City’s pristine financial stability. This is the City’s second year in a row to earn the “AA” rating from Fitch Ratings. Both occurred under the leadership of Mayor Steven L. Reed and Chief Financial Officer Betty Beville. And Montgomery received the highest possible score, a triple “A” rating, for operational performance. It signifies the City’s immaculate stewardship of taxpayer dollars and dedication to sustainable spending.
In addition, The City received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for Fiscal Year 2021. This marks the City’s 33rd consecutive year to be recognized by GFOA. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.
Troy University’s Dr. Lance Tatum Named to AASCU’s Student Success Institute for Provosts
Troy University’s Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Lance Tatum is among 22 chief academic officers from universities throughout the country to participate in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ (AASCU) Student Success Institute. Launched in 2020, the Student Success Institute (SSI) is a leadership development program aimed at supporting provosts to more effectively lead and implement the type of transformational change necessary to meet the evolving needs of today’s increasingly diverse student body.
Michelle Browder is One of USA TODAY’s Women of the Year
Michelle Browder, founder of More Than Tours and the new More Up campus and nonprofit headquarters, is one of USA TODAY’s Women of the Year, a recognition of women across the country who have made a significant impact. The annual program is a continuation of Women of the Century, a 2020 project that commemorated the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote.
Bryan Stevenson and John Lewis Named Alabama Humanities Fellows of 2022
The Alabama Humanities Alliance honored two new Alabama Humanities Fellows: Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), and John Lewis, the late civil rights leader and American statesman. The Alabama Colloquium—presented by Regions Bank and the Montgomery County Commission—featured a conversation between Stevenson and NPR’s Michel Martin, plus a tribute to the life and legacy of Rep. Lewis. Alabama’s new poet laureate, Ashley M. Jones, shared an original poem written in honor of both new Fellows.
Montgomery Zoo Honors Education Volunteers
On January 25, the Montgomery Zoo and Montgomery Area Zoological Society (MAZS) celebrated and honored its Education Docents and Zooteens at its annual appreciation and awards banquet. These volunteers give countless hours representing the Montgomery Zoo each year. Education Docents and Zooteens are a group of highly trained and valued volunteers that aid the Education Department in caring for and learning about select animals. One of the docent’s biggest roles is helping to educate guests and visitors by presenting these animals at Zoo and community events, schools, churches, senior centers, private parties and civic groups while communicating a wildlife conservation and preservation message.
Pate Landscape Company Marks 40 Years
Pate Landscape Company, a service-disabled-veteran-owned small business located on Montgomery’s west side, has been in business since 1982. During its 40 years in business, Pate has worked with numerous commercial clients, including Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Retirement Systems of Alabama, United States Department of the Air Force, Wind Creek Casino & Hotel and Auburn University. Pate Landscape is an industry leader providing commercial landscape and irrigation installation and is the only landscape contractor in Central Alabama that can install projects in excess of $1 million.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Bradley Earns High Score on Corporate Equality Index
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP scored a 90 out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. The firm’s Inclusion and Diversity Committee is tasked with identifying and implementing inclusion and diversity initiatives across all the firm’s offices and is focused on improving recruitment, retention and advancement of diverse attorneys and supporting the firm’s resource groups in their activities.
Eight Hill Hill Carter Lawyers Recognized
Eight Hill Hill Carter lawyers have been included in the 2022 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America: Jesse K. Anderson, Elizabeth B. Carter, Shawn J. Cole, Michael M. Eley, David W. Henderson, Felicia A. Long, Randall C. Morgan and James R. Seale. Additionally, Elizabeth B. Carter was voted the 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” for Labor & Employment Litigation in Montgomery, and Jordan Jenkins and Matthew Parten were named Best Lawyers 2022: “Ones to Watch.”
Lawdragon Recognizes Beasley Allen’s Principals
Beasley Allen principals LaBarron Boone and Kendall Dunson were named among the 2022 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America. The annual Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers listing is among the most elite distinctions in the profession, covering the “best of the best” in all practice areas. Both LaBarron and Kendall were recognized for their work in plaintiff litigation. Kendall was also recognized for his workers’ compensation work.
Stamp Idea Group Wins Multiple National Service Industry Advertising Awards
Stamp Idea Group took home 17 awards from the 19th Annual Service Industry Advertising Awards (SIAA). The firm received a Best in Show Award in the Total Advertising Campaign category for an Anti-Stigma Campaign developed for the Alabama Department of Public Health. Stamp also won nine Gold Awards, three Silver Awards, three Bronze Awards and a Merit Award.
Local Employee Honored with Hilton CEO Light Warmth Award
Serenthia Williams at Homewood Suites Montgomery earned Hilton’s Light Warmth Award, and was one of only 17 award winners selected worldwide by Chris Nassetta, CEO Hilton Worldwide. This award recognizes Williams’ accomplishments in spreading warmth and hospitality throughout the Homewood Suites Montgomery property.
Synergy HomeCare of East and Central Alabama Recognized
Synergy HomeCare of East and Central Alabama has received the 2022 Best of Home Care Provider of Choice Award from Home Care Pulse. Based on client satisfaction scores gathered by Home Care Pulse, an independent satisfaction research firm for home care, the nation’s top-ranked home care providers are compiled and granted the Provider of Choice Award. Synergy HomeCare continues to be ranked among these select few that have proven to provide the highest quality of care in the country. Synergy HomeCare of East and Central Alabama was also recognized by Caring.com as 2022 Caring Super Star.
C Spire Named One of the Best Mid-Sized Employers
C Spire has been named one of the top mid-sized employers in the U.S. for the second year by Forbes, and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. C Spire, a privately owned, diversified telecommunications and technology services company, was the fourth highest-rated firm in its industry category.
