I told you last month that the windsof change were blowing. While Ilove a nice breeze, it seems latelywe are having wind gusts of up to100mph! Life is moving at thespeed of light. In fact, I read a fewmonths ago that a team at NASAhas begun work on the developmentof a faster-than-light warp drive!I’m amazed at how drasticallytechnology has changed in mylifetime. (Good grief, it has changedwhile I’ve been writing this article)We have progressed from cordedphones to cordless phones to cellphones. Not only can I make a callfrom any location, but I can playPac-Man, watch videos, downloadmusic or email customers with onepush of a button. Now that’s

From the Chamber President

Will you help me build a windmill?

change! I really do love it, but it’sa scary prospect for some.Whether you embrace it or runfrom it, technology is anunavoidable and critical element ofdaily life. If you want to competein today’s business world, it’simportant to keep up withtechnology.One of the easiest ways to competein today’s market, is by having awebsite. A website visit is often thefirst interaction a consumer haswith a business. Without one - orby having an ineffective one - smallbusinesses are at a significantcompetitive disadvantage. The CoChas taken a huge step to provideour members with the most up-to-date web advantages on the

market today. We have not onlylaunched a brand new website, butwe are going to be able to provideall of our members the opportunityto have their own “mini web page”.Many of you have asked us toprovide assistance with yourwebsite. We took that seriously.This is a fantastic resource thatwill allow you to have a presenceon the World Wide Web or toamplify your own existingwebsite. Here are a few otheradditions you will notice atwww.cullmanchamber.org: ·Advertise Hot Deals and other promotions ·Post current job openings ·Register for chamber events online and pay with a credit card ·Access lead lists tailored to your business category ·Post eventsThere are so many newopportunies for our members to

If you want to compete in today’s business world,it’s important to keep up with technology.

Leah Bolin

Cullman Area

Chamber of Commerce

PO Box 1104 | Cullman, AL 35056-1104 info@cullmanchamber.org

Tel: 256-734-0454 | Fax 256-737-7443www.cullmanchamber.org

www.visitcullman.org

VOLUME 44 | MAY 2013 | ISSUE 5

take advantageof. Let’s talkmore aboutthese winds ofchange nextmonth. Andr e m e m b e r ,when the windsof change blow,it’s tempting tobuild walls, butit would be a lotmore productiveto build awindmill.

Like Us on Facebook!facebook.com/cullmanareachamber

Location: CRMC- Col Cullman RoomDate: May 20th

Time: 11:30-1:00Tickets: $15.00Register online: www.CullmanChamber.org

9th Annual Student& Teacher of theYear Luncheon

Page 2 Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce - Eyes of Progress May 2013

MEMBER SPOTLIGHTBe sure to visit these Chambermembers for your lawn care needs

A-1 Landscaping & Lawn Care2720 County Road 703Cullman, AL 35055Phone : (256) 734-6953

The students visited the Capital

Cold Springs High School - Casey Isbell, Alexis DuncanCullman High School - Amanda Bell, Hollie BennettCullman Christian School - Holly Gray, Carolina HolbrookFairview High School - Katie Noriega, Sadie BoydGood Hope High School - Kalitta Kauffman, Daniel MossHanceville High School - Caleb Hurst, Katie OwensHolly Pond High School - Natasha Holcombe, Colby AdamsSaint Bernard Preparatory School - Sadie Pudles, Zoie WilsonVinemont High School - Riley Foust, Kyle DyerWest Point High School - Olivia Privett, Gracee White

Congratulations to the 2012-13Youth Leadership Graduates

View our full Member Directory at www.CullmanChamber.org

Thank you to these businesses forhelping to grow the Cullman area|RIBBON CUTTINGS AND GROUND BREAKINGS|

SHOP CULLMAN FIRST!

Clarke’s Lawn Care875 County Road 1177Cullman, AL 35057Phone: (256) 739-1705

Vinemont Sports Complex | 266 Park Drive, Cullman, AL 35058 | (256) 737-5411

Legacy Salon1640 Town Square SW, Cullman, AL 35055 | (256) 775-0121

Hopper’s Family Market – Pharmacy7467 Hwy 69 N, Cullman, AL 35058 | (256) 796-6500

Options2201 2nd Avenue NW, Cullman, AL 35055 | (256) 347-5993

The Chamber’s Retail Committee willhost the "Fourth Friday" Luncheonon Friday, May 24, in the All SteakRestaurant Banquet Room (323 3rdAve. S.E.) .The event is sponsored by HancevilleNursing & Rehab Center.

May 2013 Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce - Eyes of Progress Page 3

Chamber to host monthly “Fourth Friday”Doors open at 11:30 am to allownetworking opportunities before theprogram begins at 11:50 am. Lunchis $10 per person for Chambermembers and $20 for "Future"members. Reservations in advanceare required. Please register onlineat www.cullmanchamber.org or bycontacting the Chamber via e-mail atinfo@cullmanchamber.org or bycalling 256-734-0454.

Andy Marshall is no stranger to goodSouthern food and hospitality.

BackgroundHe was born in Memphis, Tennessee, andat 13 years old moved to Franklin. It wasthen that he began learning the innerworkings of the grocery business with hisfather, Clifton H. Marshall, Sr. Hegraduated from Franklin High School andthen Middle Tennessee State Universitywith a degree in business and marketing.At the age of 26, Marshall purchased hisfirst grocery store: a Piggly Wiggly, inHopkinsville, Kentucky.Over the next several years, Marshallpurchased two additional grocery stores inNashville, including his father’s store afterhe passed away in 1991. After becomingthe owner of two more Nashville PigglyWiggly stores, Marshall was namedPresident of the Tennessee GrocersAssociation and the Piggly WigglyAssociation.

In the mid-1990’s, Marshall’s love of food,music and community began to steer himin a different direction. His desire was toserve one small town with just one store,where he could also offer home-cookedfamily recipes to the community he wasserving. So, in 1998, he decided to sell allof his stores and purchase a little gem inthe heart of Leiper’s Fork, TN. That gemwas Puckett’s Grocery.When Marshall first bought Puckett’s, ittook some time to figure out just what hehad. “It was the coolest little countrymarket I’d ever seen. We were servingeveryone from country folk, tosongwriters and business moguls,” he says.“Before long, I realized what I had herewas a restaurant pretending to be a grocerystore. More and more customers werewanting the home-cooked meals and

Special guest speaker Andy Marshall, Businessman/Entrepreneur

Getting to know Andy Marshallcherry wood smoked meats - all withinthe atmosphere that you can only get at aplace like Puckett’s.”In 2002, Marshall branched out to start aformal dinner and music program at thelocal hot spot. “With all of the talentedwriters in and around town, our Friday nightwriters’ show quickly grew with folkscoming from all over to hear some of theindustry’s finest in a cool and eclecticenvironment,” he says.In 2004, another opportunity waspresented to Marshall: to expandPuckett’s to his hometown and belovedcommunity of Historic DowntownFranklin. With bustling, historic, small-town charm, Marshall tailored the newspace to be more of a restaurant and livemusic venue. “It is real joy to have createdmy first design for Puckett’s in Franklin.”It is an honor to be a part of such a terrificcommunity,” said Marshall.In 2010, Marshall took a risk and decidedto expand the Puckett’s brand todowntown Nashville even though manyother local eateries were closing their doorsdue to the struggling economy.Significantly larger than the Franklinrestaurant, Puckett’s Downtown Nashvillehas a bigger stage, seating for 150 guests.In March 2013, Marshall opened the thirdPuckett’s Gro. & Restaurant in downtownColumbia, Tenn. The concept for aPuckett’s on the city’s Main Street as aproject several years in the making, andthe three-story interior offers the samehome-cooked meals and liveentertainment that it’s built its name on.The former factory and warehouse buildingmeasures more than 26,000 square feet,and includes a second-floor event spacethat exceeds 8,000 square feet. In additionto a first-floor dining room with twoprivate areas, Puckett’s will launch acreamery later this year that will servehomemade chocolate and vanilla ice creamin fresh-baked waffle cones.

Puckett’s Boat HouseIn 2012, Marshall landed on an amazingopportunity to open a second restaurantin Franklin, and developed the family’sfirst seafood concept in the Puckett’s BoatHouse. The grill and oyster bar menuoffers by-the-shore dishes reminiscent ofthe Gulf coast and the Big Easy, plusSouthern staples that draw from theMarshall family’s Mississippi Delta andMemphis roots. The Boat House offersthe Puckett’s trademark Southern flareand reputation for a live music venue—both with a Boat House twist.

Gray’s On MainMost recently, Marshall has partnered withJoni and Michael Cole to open Gray’s onMain in late Spring 2013. Set in a ca. 1876,three-story building, Gray’s on Main iscurrently in the final stages ofconstruction. Above the expansive diningroom, the second-floor bar and music hallwill feature hand-crafted cocktails thatcelebrate the brandy culture of the late19th century, along with live performancesfrom the best the region has to offer. Thethird floor will include a members-onlyclub that overlooks the performance stage.

AwardsIn just over a year, the Nashville restauranthas quickly become a favorite amongstthe locals as well as those visiting MusicCity. In 2011 alone, the NashvillePuckett’s has earned many accoladesincluding: the Best BBQ in Nashville atthe People’s Choice Annual BBQcompetition; and the Nashville DowntownPartnership’s Outstanding BusinessDevelopment award, presented by theHonorable Mayor Karl Dean.Puckett’s in Franklin has receivednumerous awards including manyWilliamson County’s Sizzle Awards for BestBurger, Best Meat and Three, Best Value,Best Service, Best Caterer, Best Live

Entertainment, and Best Value. It has alsobeen voted “Best Restaurant Worth theDrive,” and “Top 100 Restaurants,” inthe critics’ publication-Where The LocalsEat. Rand McNally awarded Puckett’s the“Must Visit Restaurants While TravelingAward,” in its Top 100 Restaurantspublication.

Community InvolvementIn addition to keeping up with hisrestaurants, Marshall finds time to beinvolved with his community. He was thePresident of the Downtown MerchantsAssociation in Franklin for four years, anExecutive Board Member of the HeritageFoundation in Franklin, and a BoardMember of the Williamson CountyChamber of Commerce. He is the VicePresident of the Franklin Theatre and ison the board of One Williamson OneChamber. He is also involved in theFranklin High Culinary Arts Program asthe Culinary Advisor. The Puckett’s familyof restaurants are all members of the state-wide Tennessee Hospitality Association,and Marshall sits on its board and is amember of its Education ScholarshipCommittee.He has also won several professionalawards including Small Business of the Yearin Hopkinsville for two years in a row andthe National Spirit of America Award forEntrepreneurship.

Personal LifeAndy and his wife Jan have been marriedfor 26 years, and reside in Franklin, Tenn.They have 3 children: Claire, Director ofOperations for the Puckett’s family ofrestaurants, who is married to TylerCrowell; Emily, a nurse in Texas, marriedto Aaron Barker; and Cliff, currently astudent at Samford University.

The Beginning of Puckett’s Gro. &Restaurant

Page 4 Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce - Eyes of Progress May 2013

SEMINAR:The Advantages ofNatural Gas as aTransportation Fuel

Cynergy Fuels, an affiliated company of CDGEngineers & Associates, along with the City ofCullman Economic Development Agency and TheCullman Chamber of Commerce are pleased to presenta free breakfast seminar entitled Natural gas canprovide significant advantages over petroleum use forAmerica’s transportation needs; namely a domesticallyabundant, cleaner burning fuel that can save fleets upto 40% in fuel costs. While the number is increasing,the U.S. only has approximately 140,000 natural gasvehicles (NGVs) compared to the worldwide total of15.2 million. Unfortunately, our country spendsapproximately $1B dollars each day to purchase oilfrom many of the countries that are converting theirown vehicles to run on natural gas, and a number ofthese countries are not friendly to the U.S. Othercountries use their own energy sources, while weimport oil from them instead of using our own naturalgas to fuel our vehicles.

May 15Cullman Civic Center510 5th Street SW Cullman, AL 35055

7:30-9:00

This seminar will provide your company the necessarybackground on the following:

· Why natural gas as a transportation fuel?· Basic understanding of available NGV options· Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure requirements· Typical cost analyses on conversion to natural gas fuel· Questions to consider in your evaluation of natural gas a fuel for your fleet

Cynergy Fuels exists to build, own, and operate natural gas filling stationsin the southeastern U.S., and to help fleet owners in the area determine ifCNG is the right fit for their fleets.For more information, please visit our website at www.cynergyfuels.com.Also, please feel free to contact us with any questions at (256) 894-0098.Dan Johnson, CEOdjohnson@corridorcleanfuels.comRandy Spence, COOrspence@corridorcleanfuels.comBob Strickland, Director of Marketingbstrickland@corridorcleanfuels.com

Industry Tourheld April 23:Cullman AreaCareer Center

The 2013 Beautification Awards, hosted by the Chamber’s CommunityImprovement committee and sponsored by Verizon Wireless, celebratesand recognizes those businesses in the Cullman area that help ensurethe community is a more beautiful place to live and do business.Nominations are still being accepted and the Lunchon will be held onJune 19. Individual tickets are available for $15.00 per person and a limitednumber of corporate tables (seating for eight) are available for $150.Register online at www.cullmanchamber.org or for additional informationon the 2013 Beautification Awards program please contact Jackie Moorevia e-mail at jmoore@cullmanchamber.org or call 256-255-0723.