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	I grew up in the rural community of Leadmine, West Virginia. I graduated from West Virginia University then earned my master’s degree and PhD from MIT. I am CEO/President and co-founder with my wife, Lisa, of Watring Technologies, Inc. We design and fabricate custom one-off pieces of equipment. Therefore, every job we do, by definition, is unique. We relocated from Kennedy Space Center in the late 80s. Lisa and I fell in love with the friendliness of Huntsville, but it was also a great choice for us professionally. One of the many reasons Huntsville is a smart choice for our business is that this is a city of knowledge, innovation and development that is conducive to growth. It’s important for us to be in a location with a skilled and highly productive workforce. An important source of our success is our workforce. Huntsville’s investments in education and training help yield talented employees, and its environment attracts knowledgeable workers from other regions who are increasingly relocating to Huntsville. Within our community, there are sound working relationships between the city, schools, business and Government sectors. Huntsville is, indeed, business friendly. This innovation of connectivity contributes to Huntsville’s vibrant business growth. The current physical renewal – building of industrial parks, increased retail centers, downtown revitalization and other changes in the physical environment – attract attention national and international. We view the physical renewal as a sign of a healthy economy to continue the expansion of our business. Furthermore the strategic location of Huntsville is ideal. Businesses in Huntsville are linked to the global economy. Huntsville offers the unique atmosphere of larger city offerings in a small town. Huntsville’s culture and ethnic diversity generate the creativity that makes Huntsville attractive to visitors, inhabitants and others. As Huntsville continues to grow, the growth rate enhances the economic well being and overall structure of the community. The residents of Huntsville take great pride in being a part of the community. The overall best benefit of living in Huntsville is the quality of life. This is a safe place to raise children, and we’re blessed to have state of the art medical care.

	I was born in Knoxville, Tennessee and grew up in Washington, DC. While working for Bechtel Power, I was asked to transfer to Huntsville to assist Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant in getting cost and schedule success for restart. Since then I have founded WILL Technology, Inc. (WTI) and am the President / CEO. WTI is a professional services company providing support to both Government clients and selected commercial market sectors. One distinction that makes working in Huntsville/Madison County unique is that I have the opportunity to collaborate with industry pacesetters. Continual collaboration with industry leaders to offer 21st century technology solutions is the distinctive insignia of my work. What I love about Huntsville are the people. They are, hands down, the most accommodating of any place I have ever been (although I am a die-hard University of Tennessee fan). They understand the importance of globalization and how it impacts the local economy. I am able to intuitively transact my business endeavors with knowledgeable commercial customers and governmental suppliers who are abreast of current trends in the world-wide market economy, technology solutions both domestic and foreign, and issues of diversity that impact the workforce. Huntsville exudes cosmopolitan flair wrapped in “down home decency.” It is place where strangers still say, “Hello” and neighbors still “keep an eye on things.” The community is smart because it simply makes life enjoyable whether at work or play. Big Spring Park, a picturesque jewel in downtown Huntsville, has afforded my family many hours of amusement and lasting memories with events like Panoply of the Arts, Big Spring Jam, and Movie Night on The Lawn. I have attended Broadway Productions like Stomp and been amazed at the trapeze artistry of renowned circus companies at The Von Braun Center. Local art galleries, like AveragetoArt, have presented occasion for artistic appreciation by taking in the fusion of traditional and modern art. The “Rocket City” scores an A+ because of forward thinking locked arm-in-arm with neighborly kindness.

	Alabama is a changing place! Huntsville and Madison County are leading the way! Different from a lot of our current residents, I grew up in Madison County. Both of my parents graduated from Alabama A&M University in the 1950s. For 40 some odd years, I have had a front-row seat to witness the explosive growth and opportunities that have taken place here. As an engineer from Georgia Tech, I have obviously found fertile ground here, where innovation and problem solving are held in high esteem. A surprising and most refreshing thing is that, by and large, not only the companies that call Huntsville home but the people and the community reflect and cherish those characteristics as well. As a business owner, it is a distinct advantage to be a part of a community that celebrates entrepreneurial spirit and achievement. It has been essential to our viability, which has extended from my father and his partners starting Triana Industries, Inc. in 1972 to today. Triana Metal Fabrication is the business we currently have locally. We have 30 associates working here in Madison County. We design and manufacture custom racking and logistics products as well as perform tool-sharpening services primarily targeting the automotive and industrial markets. We are actively pursuing opportunities with the military and aerospace industries in the aforementioned areas as well as assembly and engineering services. To see the area transform from a sleepy town to a city with an eclectic edge has been quite a ride. We enjoy all the enhancements that add to the quality of life – museums, chic retail spots, great dining options, outdoor activities, etc. The most remarkable thing is not that the landscape has so drastically changed but in the midst of that change how more paths of opportunity have opened for all. All of that said, to think we have truly just begun really creates anticipation of what is yet to come. It is very exciting to be here on the cusp of a community coming into full bloom! Moreover to be a part of the fabric that is ushering in that transformation is very fulfilling in its own right. I am proud to call Huntsville home. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Malone

	I am a geneticist who recently moved from Atlanta to Huntsville. In Atlanta I was a faculty member at Emory, taught in the medical school and ran a DNA research lab. Atlanta was a nice place to live, but I often spent up to two hours each day sitting in traffic between home and work. Many mornings I was up and out of the house before my children awoke, and often I’d get home with only enough time to eat dinner and put them to bed. When I was given the opportunity to work for a biotech company in Huntsville, I looked at it pretty critically and was surprised with what I discovered – a thriving, highly educated place to live with all the amenities of a metropolis, tucked into a mid-sized city. Fast forward 18 months – my family and I love being in Huntsville. We’re very happy with the schools, our kids are engaged in soccer and cheerleading, and they enjoy playing with friends outside in the neighborhood. We can walk to a brand-new grocery store, pizzeria and ice-cream shop (temptation abounds!) and have begun to forge strong friendships with both co-workers and our neighbors. And the icing on the cake is my 15- to 20-minute commute to a job that engages my mind and helps me improve the lives of those around me. I’ve found Huntsville to be a friendly, innovative and energetic community that values life-long education and strikes a balance between work and play. Moving here was a smart decision and our family has no regrets.

	I moved to Huntsville six years ago after getting my MBA from Webster University in South Carolina. My husband and I were expecting our first child, and he was offered a coaching position with Alabama A&M University. My first thought was, “No way!” But after doing some research on education, crime, housing, churches – the things of most concern to parents – I found that Huntsville was far more than I had envisioned. I am a native Alabamian, but Huntsville was unlike any other place in the state. In addition to allowing me to thrive in my career and offering a quality Christian education for my daughter, Huntsville has provided multiple opportunities for civic involvement. Despite being a newcomer, I serve on boards for the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, Girls, Inc., the American Heart Association, and the Chamber of Commerce. I am active with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the Committee of 100 Young Professionals, and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. I am most proud of the fact that Huntsville is a community where “young professionals” have a voice and can make a difference. Because of this, I discovered my passion for issues that impact education and economic development. Even with these commitments, living in Huntsville still allows me plenty of leisure time to have fun with family and friends. I enjoy the picnics in the parks, fabulous shopping, fine dining, and the Broadway Theater League – top quality performances without the hassle and expense of NYC. I have found that Huntsville is truly a great place to live, work, and play, and I am glad I chose Huntsville as my home.

	'Bama or Bust! I am a Department of the Army civilian with 21 years of service. I periodically monitored the civilian personnel website for other jobs, though never seriously considered leaving the Fort Monroe, VA area. Leaving an installation that is right on the Chesapeake Bay, with all the benefits of living by the beach? Well it would take a great job in a great location to motivate me to move. Browsing through the personnel website, I noticed numerous jobs at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. Alabama? Why would I move there? I had never even driven through the state. Why would I leave this great area of Virginia for Alabama? Well, curiosity got the best of me. I started asking around at work about Huntsville. Military, retired military and other civilians told me great and wonderful things about Huntsville. I “Googled” Huntsville and found the Chamber of Commerce website containing the community information packet for government personnel moving to Huntsville. What a great source of information! Imagine my surprise as I read through the packet: one out of three employed persons residing in Huntsville work in professional, scientific or technical services; 21 percent of the population over the age of 25 has a bachelor’s degree, with impressive statistics on residents possessing masters and doctorate degrees. Reading further on the cost of living and the price of homes made Huntsville even more appealing. I could actually afford to buy a nice home, especially considering the low property tax rate. Even though I do not have school age children, the statistics on the schools were very impressive. The large population of educated residents demands the best of schools for their children. As I continued to read through the packet, my mind was made up. I applied for and accepted a position with U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command at Redstone Arsenal. After my first house hunting trip in Huntsville, I was even more certain of my decision. What a great city! Everyone I met was very friendly and enthusiastic about living in Huntsville. While eating lunch alone one afternoon, a lady approached me and asked me to join her and her sister, so I wouldn’t have to eat alone. What a fun lunch! I learned even more about the area. I found it easy to find my way around, thinking “YES, no more traffic!” I toured the city and found numerous cultural activities – the symphony, museums, botanical gardens, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, theaters, etc. I knew I had made the right decision. I have made the move to Huntsville, and have convinced several of my friends in Virginia to consider Redstone Arsenal when looking for another position. To them and others in the DC area, I say, ’Bama or Bust!.

	Expectation versus Reality When I decided to relocate with my position from Virginia to Alabama, I got a lot of reactions: “You’re going where?” “Can they make you do that?” The reality is a vibrant, urban city with quality of life to spare. In Virginia, I faced declining home value, increasing commute headaches, and shrinking time with my family. In Huntsville, I have a commute time of 20 minutes (25 in rush hour), lower taxes (and no tax on military retirement), and more accessible activities than in the NCR. I also spend more time with my family than I do in my carpool, and I have twice the house for less than what I sold my home in Virginia. Sure, there were some glitches with the move and some hiccups at work, but MDA-South is working very hard to correct problems, and the people in Huntsville are very friendly. Huntsville is preparing now with road improvements and other infrastructure upgrades, not waiting until the BRAC folks arrive. Would I do it again, knowing what I know now? Yes, indeed.