Tag Archive for: North Alabama

Merit Bank Adds Familiar Faces to Leadership and Commercial Banking Team

Merit Bank has expanded its commercial banking teams with the addition of several experienced professionals. These strategic hires reflect the bank’s deep commitment to local leadership and relationship-based banking that supports the thriving business community across North Alabama. J.E.P. Buchanan joins as Senior Vice President. Entering his 35th year of banking in North Alabama, J.E.P. […]

Bank Independent Promotes Malania Nesbitt to Senior Vice President – Chief Credit Officer

Bank Independent has promoted Malania Nesbitt to Senior Vice President – Chief Credit Officer. In this role, she will continue to lead the Credit Administration Department and report to Preuit Mauldin, Executive Vice President of Credit Administration. Nesbitt joined Bank Independent in 1994 and has held multiple leadership positions within the organization. She serves on […]

Bank Independent Names Stacy Suggs Executive Vice President — Chief Risk Officer

Bank Independent has appointed Stacy Suggs as Executive Vice President — Chief Risk Officer. In this role, she will be responsible for overseeing a range of risk-related functions, including Credit Risk Management, Cybersecurity, Compliance, and Internal and External Audits.  Suggs has been with Bank Independent since 1988 and previously served as Chief Operations Officer. Her […]

Behind Boeing’s Legal Turmoil: What It Means for Huntsville Employees

Boeing, a global leader in the aerospace industry, is currently grappling with several significant legal challenges that cast a shadow over its workforce, including employees in Huntsville, Alabama. These lawsuits—some ongoing and others settled—raise pressing questions about corporate governance, employee treatment, and the company’s financial priorities, particularly as it undergoes a major restructuring that has […]

Sit Down with Success: A Conversation with Mark Hedden

Some say customer service is dead or dying, but for Mark Hedden, serving customers is his passion and at the root of his operations. As founder and owner of Hedden Lawn and Garden, the Huntsville native said he enjoys knowing his customers and their equipment by name, understanding their needs, and standing behind every piece […]

New retail development announced in Jones Valley

A new retail development is planned for the Jones Valley area, with completion expected in spring 2026. Lendon Corner, a shopping center that will feature up to four retail spaces, will be developed by Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate. The new development will be anchored by Sweet Pineapple, a locally-owned gift boutique established in 2013 by […]

Bank Independent names DeMarco McClain Area President for Madison County

Bank Independent has announced the promotion of DeMarco McClain to Area President for Madison County. “DeMarco’s leadership, deep knowledge of the market, and commitment to our mission make him the ideal leader to continue building our presence in Madison County,” said Rick Wardlaw, CEO of Bank Independent. “He has earned the trust of his team, […]

Madison County Parks and Recreation sees increase in facility usage, youth sports enrollment

At the Madison County Commission’s April 9 meeting, Parks and Recreation Director Ryan Yates presented a report highlighting the expansion and growing popularity of rural recreation programs—and made a case for hiring an additional staff member to sustain that growth. Thanks to increased funding in 2024 and 2025, the department now employs two recreation coordinators […]

Alabama’s STAR ID: What business travelers need to know before the deadline

As the federal enforcement deadline for the REAL ID Act approaches, Alabama professionals who travel frequently for work or access secure federal facilities should take note. Beginning May 7, 2025, only REAL ID-compliant identification—known in Alabama as the STAR ID—will be accepted for boarding domestic flights and entering certain federal buildings. Though the deadline was […]

FB Financial and Southern States Announce Merger Agreement

FB Financial Corporation (“FB Financial”) (NYSE: FBK), the parent company of FirstBank, and Southern States Bancshares, Inc. (“Southern States”) (Nasdaq: SSBK), the parent company of Southern States Bank, jointly announced their entry into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which Southern States will be merged with and into FB Financial. Southern States is headquartered in […]