The Entrepreneurial Spirit Lives Within Accurate Machine and Tool Corporation

When President Martin Folgmann founded Accurate Machine and Tool Corp. (AMT) in 1982, he fulfilled his dream of running his own business. Folgmann, a German immigrant who came to the United States with his family in 1967, has lived in the Tennessee Valley since 1969. Now with his wife, Shannon who is the CFO and Vice President at AMT, continues to be successful in an industry that has seen numerous changes. "I founded the business based on my practical knowledge, education, and entrepreneurial spirit," Folgmann recalls. "The time was right and we quickly grew out of our one-man operation."

AMT provides value-added services for fabrication, tooling, machining, welding, and project management to the defense, aerospace, automotive, and commercial industries. The company’s focus is on precision machining of prototype and production tooling, checking and assembly fixtures, special machinery, and hardware and related services. By using a variety of resources, equipment, and cutting-edge technology in precision machining with design and engineering support, AMT supplies clients with top-quality products in a cost-effective manner.

The company holds the ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System certificate and believes in being upfront and truthful to its clients. "We are upfront, honest, and treat our customers how we want to be treated," Folgmann states. "We deliver the job, no matter what, with the best quality at all times. It is our mission statement, ‘to provide products and services to our customers with quality beyond their expectations and to maintain fair business practices at all times’."

With its diverse knowledge, AMT has adapted to change with dedicated team members and resources to ensure customers get the highest quality end product. "Over the years, we have been diverse and able to adapt to the changing market by being flexible and having a broad base of knowledge and experience in our field," Folgmann states. "We have always managed to fill the gap when plants have closed and steady customers were lost. We’ve maintained our staff and use outside resources to stay successful. Our core group of employees, some having been with us for more than 20 years, is very skilled. I may be the company’s founder, but the staff is what makes us click."

To compliment existing services, the Folgmanns acquired Ryco Design & Research Inc. in 2004. Ryco features on-site design and engineering services to support facets of any industry, is located at the AMT facilities in Madison, and has new partners that run the Research division which is involved in satellite-based weather information.

As a member of the community, Folgmann dedicates his time to giving back to the area. He is a graduate of Grissom High School and attended The University of Alabama in Huntsville. He is the father of Katie, 7 and Isabel, 5. His grown son Peter also works in the family business. In addition, he participates in several volunteer organizations, such as the Rotary Club of Madison, Committee of 100, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and its Leadership program, and is a member of the Better Business Bureau.

"I’m living the American dream," he says. "I’m very grateful to the community in which I live and work."

Contact Info:
Accurate Machine and Tool Corp.
226 Celtic Drive
Madison, AL 35758
(256) 461-8063
www.acctool.net

Make the First Impression of your home a Lasting One

First Impression Custom Designs and Interiors offers many services to the homeowner to make the first impression of their home a lasting one. Owners Vilera Mills and Karen Singley work closely with clients to understand their styles and budgets. They can work on one room or an entire home. In new homes, Vilera and Karen are able to work with the homeowner for color coordination of paint and fabrics, furniture and rug selections, shopping for home accessories, and fluffing services.

With more than 25 years of experience in decorator sewing, Vilera creates custom top window treatments, Roman shades, and drapes. Bedding ensembles are custom made for every bedroom from the master suite to the nursery and can include duvets or coverlets, European pillows, shams, bed skirts, and decorative pillows. All pillows and shams are zippered for ease of cleaning. Custom slipcovers are also available for sofas, loveseats, and most chairs, as well as cushions for window seats and benches. Custom ottomans can be made to coordinate with any room of your home.

First Impression Custom Designs and Interiors makes fabric selection easier than ever for clients. With a full line of sample books available, Vilera and Karen can come into your home and work with you on selecting fabrics for any room of your home. "Everything we do in a client’s home is what they want and we want our clients to voice their opinions if they do or do not like something we have selected," Karen says. "It’s not what we want; it’s what the client wants."

In addition to designing and decorating for the inside of your home, First Impression Custom Designs and Interiors can create a masterpiece for the outside that you’ll truly treasure during the warm months of the year. Enjoy your deck, patio, and pool areas with new outdoor fabrics on your cushions and umbrellas. You can reskin your umbrellas and recover your cushions, or have new ones custom made with Sunbrella fabrics. Sunbrella fabrics are fade resistant and mold and mildew resistant, and First Impression Custom Designs and Interiors will bring the fabric samples to you.

Make the First Impression of your home a Lasting One! Call Vilera Mills or Karen Singley for a FREE in-home consultation.

Contact Info:
First Impression Custom Designs and Interiors
Vilera Mills, (256) 417-2456, vilera@knology.net
Karen Singley, (256) 617-0486, ksingley@bellsouth.net

Look How We’ve Grown! Madison Ballroom Dance Studio is One Year Old

It’s been an amazing year for Madison Ballroom Dance Studio and its dancers. Since the dance floor opened in May 2007, Madison Ballroom has had a growth spurt. The Studio schedules private lessons seven days a week, offers five group classes every week and, due to popular demand, hosts dance parties every Saturday (8-10pm). The two in-studio shows, held August and February, boasted 32 dancers in 22 performances. In the February show, Madison Ballroom was proud to present the debut of the Freedom Academy teens (a ministry of the Rocket City Leadership Foundation).

Additionally, Madison Ballroom Dance Studio has grown to a total of six teaching professionals with over 60 years of combined dancing experience. Co-owners and instructors Jennifer Covington and Traci Romine are excited about the instructors’ diversity. Steve Baker has been teaching for Madison Ballroom since it opened, and the Studio welcomes three independent instructors.

Lori Hewlett received a Bachelor of Art in Ballroom Dance from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She was a member of the University’s esteemed Ballroom Dance Company, performed many exhibitions and shows, and participated in numerous competitions.

Michael Steffen has taught at the University of Alabama, Huntsville and University Fitness Center. His teaching emphasizes the fundamentals of ballroom dancing and proper technique in a social dancing context.

Chris Tucker graduated Gold Level Highly Commended at both Fred Astaire and Arthur Murray Dance Studios. He was ranked top teacher in his division worldwide two years consecutively. While competing professionally, he was ranked third place in the Northwest.

Contact the Madison Ballroom Dance Studio today and Let Your Dancing Begin!

Contact Info:
9076 Madison Blvd, Suites C & D
Madison, AL 35758
256-461-1900
www.madisonballroom.com
dance@madisonballroom.com

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Recognizing Madison Residents Who Gave Their Lives in Defense of our Nation

If you’ve gone by downtown Madison in the last few years, you might have noticed three flagpoles surrounded by well-kept shrubbery just to the east of the round house. If you looked closer, you would have noticed a flowerbed with 15 plaques and a stone monolith nearby. This is Madison’s Veteran’s Memorial Park, a project of American Legion Post 229, which was started eight years ago by Post 229 Commander Bill Meiers to recognize Madison residents who gave their lives in defense of our nation.

The park’s official name is in honor of Capt. Jesse Ollie Wikle, the first soldier from Madison who died in air operations during World War II. Others from Madison, Triana, and southwest Madison and southeast Limestone Counties, who died in military operations during the 20th and 21st centuries, have been noted on temporary metal plaques in the flowerbed. Temporary until now, that is.

Before his death last year, Meiers had been working on a permanent memorial. The new Post Commander, Carl Dow, made the memorial a top priority. Post 229 member Bob Bertoldi worked diligently to flesh out requirements, develop the final design, and arrange the fabrication and installation of the memorial. Although funding is still short, the builder has been allowed to proceed with the intent of having the memorial dedicated Memorial Day.

One addition to the memorial is the inclusion of Commander Meiers’ name. Meiers, who retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel, served as Post 229 commander for eight years, helped build the post to its present membership level, and was the driving force behind the park and memorial. While he will not be here for its dedication, it seemed only fitting to the membership that he be recognized for his work.

Donators that would like to contribute to this tax-exempt effort can contact the Madison American Legion.

Contact Info:
Madison American Legion Post 229
P.O. Box 194
Madison, AL 35758
(256) 653-3132

Since 1992, the City of Madison Chamber of Commerce (MCC) has led the Tennessee Valley with its innovative Shop Madison First campaign. This program encourages citizens to shop locally with Madison City businesses. Shopping locally bolsters the economic stability of area businesses and increases the tax-income base. 40% of the City of Madison’s budget is from sales tax dollars.

From its beginning, the MCC has been focused on supporting the Madison community and small businesses. "The Chamber was founded on promotion and keeping up sales tax dollars," says Sallie Wagner, Managing Director. "The dollars spent locally in Madison support infrastructure improvements and create jobs. The MCC’s main goal is to help. No matter if it’s a person or a business, we are here to help."

The MCC, in support of local businesses, focuses on spreading the word that shopping and dining within Madison city limits produces tax dollars that return to the community and help maintain roads, schools, parks, and recreational programs. The Shop Madison First program is advertised throughout the year by billboards, direct mailings, and local business sponsors. And, the MCC has gone into the classrooms to speak to Bob Jones High School seniors to educate them on the benefits of shopping locally.

The MCC Business Development Committee also consults and assists with new and existing businesses. The Chamber has a resource library that covers startups, marketing, business planning and financing, as well as information on government officials, city leaders, and demographics. The MCC is the liaison between City Hall and existing businesses and new businesses moving into Madison.

Within the community, the MCC has supported and initiated many events, including the Christmas Parade, July 4^th Festival, and the Trail of Tears Festival. Sallie is particularly proud of the Shop Madison First Expo and Kids’ Day, held the first Saturday of every August at Bob Jones High School. "This gives our local businesses the opportunity to display their wares," she explains. "We have activities for the kids while the adults can go inside and visit the businesses and see what they have to offer. At the end of the day there’s a drawing for a shopping spree at participating MCC member merchants. All the booths give something away in order to bring people back to their businesses."

Sallie states, "The dollars spent locally in Madison support city infrastructure improvements and create jobs. Therefore, sales tax revenue flow-back to Madison City is very important. If each Madison Family spent $100 per month of their current budget in Madison, this would allow Madison to create nine miles of jogging/bike paths. An expenditure of $200 per month would generate money enough to repair and repave 16 miles of Madison’s streets."

The success of the Shop Madison First program in increasing tax revenue has made Madison the model for communities throughout the Tennessee Valley. "In the last several years, Cullman, Hartselle, Decatur, and Fayetteville, TN have all called us for information on how to start their own programs," Sallie says. "We are very proud of this successful program and we encourage everyone to Shop Madison First!"

Contact Info:
Madison Chamber of Commerce
Sallie Wagner, Managing Director
190 Lime Quarry Rd, Ste. 105
Madison, AL 35758
(256) 325-8317
(256) 325-8340 (FAX)
madisonchamber@aol.com