Dear PEP Members:

I hope this newsletter finds you well and enjoying the first official days of spring! It's been a busy month for PEP and our members, as evidenced by the abundant amount of information in this month's newsletter!

We have several events coming up and I hope you can join us! Our March Membership Breakfast will have great updates on tariffs and regulations, our PEP Networking Social on April 1 will be a great time to hear updates and bring potential new members to PEP, and our 25th Annual Golf Tournament is just over a month away on May 9!

This is an exciting year for PEP, as we celebrate our 25th anniversary. In celebration of this milestone, I am excited to share that we will be awarding not one, but TWO PEP Science and Technology Scholarships this year! The deadline to submit an application is April 30, so please share this information with your PEP members.

We have also opened up the application for our Annual Environmental Stewardship Awards. This is a great way for businesses of all sizes to recognize their positive contributions in three areas: economic growth, environmental health and social responsibility. You can view the previous awards on our website.

Finally, we have included some of the presentations from the Educational Seminar in October. Every presentation on Artificial Intelligence was packed with incredible insights and information. Check out all the videos on the PEP website and let us know what you think!

As always, I am here if you need anything. I look forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Denson, Executive Director

PLAN YOUR ATTENDANCE AT PEP EVENTS

Mark your calendar now to join us for the Golf Tournament, Membership Breakfasts, and more! Be on the lookout for details and more events as we add them to the PEP Events Page.

March Membership Breakfast

March 27 - NEW DATE!

PEP Networking Social

April 1

Bring a potential member and be entered to win a prize!

May Membership Breakfast

May 1

25th Annual PEP Golf Tournament

May 9

July Membership Breakfast

July 17

2024 ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT - OUTOKUMPU

Partners for Environmental Progress awarded Outokumpu a 2024 Environmental Stewardship Award. Outokumpu Stainless, recognized globally for their leadership in sustainability and environmental stewardship, continuously strives to enhance environmental performance across their operations, including here in Alabama. PEP is spotlighting two groundbreaking projects that exemplify Outokumpu’s commitment to a greener future.

Annealing Furnace Energy Efficiency and Natural Gas Reduction

Annealing furnaces are essential in processing stainless steel, but they are also significant consumers of natural gas. Outokumpu saw an opportunity to improve the operating efficiency of these furnaces and reduce natural gas consumption—vital for both cost savings and environmental impact. 

Nitrogen Oxides Reduction Project

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are harmful pollutants that contribute to air quality issues. At their Calvert mill, Outokumpu set out to reduce NOx emissions in their Hot Annealing and Pickling Line, which utilizes nitric and hydrofluoric acid in its processes.

What were the results of these projects? Read more at the link below!

SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT(S) FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARD!

It is time to tell us about your latest project that has made a significant and positive contribution to the Gulf Coast region in three crucial areas: economic growth, environmental health, and social responsibility. Awards will be presented at PEP's 25th Annual Meeting in September. We will highlight your stories with a special video, website articles, newsletter stories, and specific communication to the media, elected officials, and community leaders.

DON'T FORGET - we now have the Small Business Award: In an effort to highlight the sustainability achievements of our small business members, we have added a special category for companies with 75 or fewer local employees. To be considered for this category, please note the number of your employees on the application in the marked spot.

Please nominate your company, or co-nominate a multi-member project for the 2025 PEP Member Environmental Stewardship Awards. The applications are due on June 30, 2025. All the details you need are included in the application at the button below.

NAVIGATING ECONOMIC SHIFTS: TARIFFS, ENERGY, AND REGULATORY CHANGES.

Join us for a NEW date - Thursday, March 27, 2025 - for our March Membership Breakfast. We will be welcoming Michael Berson, partner at Adams & Reese, LLP, on his topic, "Navigating Economic Shifts: Tariffs, Energy, and Regulatory Changes."

What Will Be Covered:

Explore a comprehensive analysis of key economic factors impacting the industry and local economy, from the evolving effects of tariffs to shifting energy policies and EPA regulatory changes. Gain insights into the broader economic outlook, with a focus on understanding how these developments could shape the future of our local economy. We’ll also look ahead to possible outcomes and the potential impact on businesses and growth in the region.

About the Speaker:

Michael A. Berson specializes in securing federal and state funding for economic development projects, working with clients across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and government. He has extensive experience in government relations, having previously led legislative efforts for the National Small Business Association on issues like energy, economic development, and regulation.

PEP IS AWARDING TWO SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2025!

The application is open NOW for the PEP Science & Technology Scholarship!

In celebration of our 25th year, we are proud to announce that we are awarding TWO $2,500 scholarships for employees of PEP member companies and their dependents. The application will be open from now until Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

Learn more about the criteria on the PEP Science & Technology website and follow the link below to apply online!

EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR PRESENTATIONS - CHECK THEM OUT!

Did you catch the content we shared from the 9th Annual PEP Reverse Trade Show Educational Seminar? Each month, we're sharing a few of the presentations again to ensure you get the incredible information our experts shared.

Check out the videos and descriptions below!

AINDUSTRY BY DR. AVIV SEGEV

Dr. Aviv Segev is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of South Alabama. His presentation, “AIndustry,” answers your questions about Artificial Intelligence, including: What are basic terms in AI? Where did all this AI come from and why now? Who are the big players in AI and what are they trying to do? Should I be scared of AI?

REAL WORLD EXAMPLES OF AI IMPROVING DAILY TASKS BY JOHN SHOEMAKER

John Shoemaker is the Asset & Reliability Manager for BASF. In his presentation, “Real World Examples of AI Improving Daily Tasks,” he outlines how BASF is utilizing AI to improve everyday tasks, such as procedural GAP analysis, clear messaging, and configuring tools such as Power BI and other common IT tools.

FREE SCS WEBINAR: ROADMAP FOR MANDATORY CORPORATE CLIMATE REPORTING

PEP Member SCS Engineers is hosting a FREE webinar on Wednesday, April 16 at Noon EST.

If you reply YES to the questions below, you must report your company's Climate Disclosure starting in 2026:

1. The company's gross revenue is over $500M annually (SB 261) or over $1B annually (SB 253)
2. The company's 'doing business in California' under state tax law, for example, meeting the threshold for payroll compensation in California of over $73.5K annually.

Presenters include:

• Steve Stewart, SCS Expert and Director for Sustainability
• Victoria Evans, SCS Climate Change Lead and GHG Expert
• David C. Smith, LLM, Partner at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

H.O. WEAVER ACQUIRED BY APAC-ALABAMA

H.O. Weaver & Sons, Inc. recently announced that the company would be acquired by APAC-Alabama. Michael Weaver will continue in a consulting role with the new owner and most existing employees were retained in the acquisition.

APAC operates in 48 states, with a large footprint in the state of Alabama of 14 asphalt sites including Huntsville, Tuscaloosa and Montgomery, and was eager to serve Mobile. 

The Weaver family was excited to hand over the reins to APAC, as its parent company, CRH of Dublin Ireland, runs a family of dynamic companies. Brett Thornton, Executive Vice President of APAC-Alabama, says that environmental stewardship has long been a strong value of the company and they seek to protect their employees operationally as well as the community. Environmental management is on staff and in many cases they adhere to corporate environmental standards that are above and beyond what is required by regulators in the communities where they operate. 

SAFETY AWARD, CERTIFICATION FOR THOMPSON COMPANIES

Thompson Engineering has earned a National Safety Excellence Award from Associated Builders and Contractors. The award was presented at the 35th annual Excellence in Construction ® Awards during the ABC Convention 2025 in Las Vegas on Feb. 26.

The 2024 National Safety Excellence Award winners were selected from ABC member firms based on 2023 safety performance data. During the selection process, contractors were judged on self-evaluation scores, lost workday case rates, total recordable incident rates, leading indicator use, process and program innovations, and interviews conducted by ABC’s National Health and Safety Committee members.

“There’s nothing more important than the safety of our employees, so as a company, we continually assess risks in our industry and how we can prevent and manage them,” said Kendall Kilpatrick, Thompson Engineering CEO. “It’s an honor to be recognized with firms from across the nation doing the same thing.”

Additionally, Thompson Holdings Safety Director Chris Wiley has earned the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certification. “The CSP certification is considered the gold standard of safety credentials,” said Chad Brown, Thompson Holdings CEO. “The designation is a significant career milestone for Chris, made possible by years of success in the industry and a commitment to continuous learning.” The certification is issued by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) and recognized by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) as meeting international standards.

AUSTAL NAMED LARGE COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Austal USA was recognized by Business Alabama as the 2024 Large Company of the Year.

“Austal USA is honored to receive this prestigious award from Business Alabama,” said President Michelle Kruger. “Having our hard work and commitment to the defense of our great nation recognized in this manner is a great source of pride for our entire Austal USA family.”

Austal, celebrating 25 years in Mobile, has delivered 32 ships to the U.S. Navy since 2009 and is constructing 10 ships from six different programs. The company also has modules in production for both the Virginia- and Columbia-class submarine programs and aircraft elevators for Ford-class aircraft carriers.

In addition to Austal USA’s nearly 1 million square feet of existing enclosed manufacturing space, a new final assembly building to manufacture Navy and U.S. Coast Guard surface ships and a dedicated submarine module production facility are under construction.

AM/NS CALVERT INTERNAL LOGISTICS: CELEBRATING A DECADE OF SAFETY EXCELLENCE

AM/NS Calvert recently celebrated a remarkable milestone: 10 years without a

Lost-Time Injury (LTI) in our Internal Logistics area! This incredible achievement is a testament to their unwavering commitment to safety, the dedication of the team members, and the effectiveness of the site's safety initiatives.

WOMEN WHO SHAPE THE STATE RECOGNIZES CALLIE COX OF NOVELIS

Callie Cox, Communications and Government Affairs at Novelis, was recently recognized in the Women Who Shape The State awards. This is Alabama presents the Women Who Shape the State program, recognizing female professionals from across the state who are making a significant impact in their respective fields.

Congratulations to Callie! Read more about the honorees at the link below.

HARGROVE CELEBRATES 30 YEARS IN OPERATION

2025 marks a significant milestone for Mobile-founded Hargrove Engineers & Constructors, as they celebrate 30 years in operation.

Headquartered in Downtown Mobile, Hargrove has renovated several buildings in the area since 2008, including two of the largest balconies on the Mardi Gras parade route. Hargrove offers a full suite of project execution capabilities, including EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction), controls & automation, life sciences, operations, and technical services.

Over the 30 years, Hargrove has expanded its capabilities to better serve its clients by developing Hargrove Equipment Solutions and Tormod. Hargrove Equipment Solutions specializes in custom equipment design, fabrication, and turnkey solutions, providing industrial clients with pressure vessels, material conveyance, dust mitigation, and fitness-for-service assessments.

Tormod focuses on environmental compliance, health & safety, asset management, turnaround planning, and commissioning & start-up, ensuring clients have the support needed to optimize performance and extend asset life cycles.

The Hargrove family of companies offers comprehensive services to help clients meet their needs and excel. Their businesses attract clients from across the country and the world, driving commerce and tourism in Downtown Mobile. Hargrove has two additional Alabama offices and is ranked as the largest engineering firm in Alabama by Business Alabama.

SHARE YOUR NEWS WITH PEP!

If your organization has recent achievements, upcoming events, or environmental initiatives you'd like to share, send your news to us. PEP is here to help promote your efforts and keep our network informed. Submit your updates today and let’s keep driving progress together!

CITY OF MOBILE'S HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY

The City of Mobile’s Environmental Engineering Department will host another Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event on March 29 at James Seals Community Center.

This free event will allow Mobile residents to safely and responsibly discard items that the city is unable to collect during routine trash and garbage service. This includes things like automotive fluids, aerosols, batteries, fluorescent tubes, paint, cleaners, pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.



Other items, like scrap tires, explosives, firearms, electronics, pharmaceuticals, medical waste, appliances and equipment WILL NOT be accepted. You can find a complete list of accepted and unaccepted items at THE LINK BELOW.

There is no registration requirement to participate, but the event is open to Mobile residents and individuals only. Contractors and businesses will not be allowed to drop off items during the event, and organizers will be verifying zip codes to ensure participants reside within the city limits.

*If you or any others in your company are interested in volunteering for this or any of PEP’s events, please let us know. We have several opportunities for volunteers to come out and help PEP’s cause while also networking and having fun!*

TACO TUESDAY & PEP NETWORKING - A WINNING COMBINATION!

Join the PEP Board of Directors on April 1st for our PEP networking social! Network with fellow PEP members and bring a friend to learn more about all the benefits of PEP membership! We'll also be sharing information about upcoming events and updates for our 25th anniversary.

Join us for a taco bar, beer, and business connections!

Register by emailing Lindsey@pepmobile.org the name(s) of those attending. If you bring a potential PEP member, you will be entered into a special raffle! There is no charge to attend.

Hospitality Sponsorships: Limited Number Available

Promote your brand to PEP members and supporters! Your logo will be prominently displayed on special signage at the event and on all publicity materials, including social media, the website, and emails to members. Help support PEP’s mission with this $200 sponsorship!

REGISTER YOUR TEAMS FOR THE 25TH ANNUAL PEP GOLF TOURNAMENT

Have you gathered your winning team yet? There's still time! Register your team(s) for the 25th Annual PEP Golf Tournament on Friday, May 9, 2025. More than 250 business leaders attend this annual event for course games & prizes, great food and networking.

Check out last year's winners, event photos, and download your registration form on the event page at the link below.

For sponsorship information, email Lindsey at lindsey@pepmobile.org.