Hoover’s Pat Lynch remembered, “Integrity beyond reproach”
Friends and family of Pat Lynch will gather on Tuesday, August 13, for a memorial to honor his life and the many contributions he made to his community. Lynch and his wife Tynette, Hoover residents, have been active throughout the Birmingham area and have contributed personally and professionally to the City of Hoover for decades. Lynch passed away on Tuesday, August 6, due to complications from an ongoing respiratory infection after defeating cancer. “Pat took great delight in his family. He always said ‘this crazy amazing family’ was his greatest achievement in life,” his obituary read in part. He and his wife’s Facebook pages show images of a close-knit, loving family with posts of their children and grandchildren throughout the years. In January of 2023, Lynch was diagnosed with cancer which required his right kidney to be removed. Nearly a year after his diagnosis, he was honored by ROAR, the Radiation Oncology Accelerated Research, at their annual gala. According to an interview Lynch gave to the Over the Mountain Journal, “Due to his family history and long-held belief that cancer research is critical, Lynch has been a supporter of ROAR for several years.” His family noted that his wishes were that, in lieu of flowers, upon his passing donations be made to RoarTheCure.org in his name. In an interview with Senator Jabo Waggoner he highlighted their friendship saying that he’s known Lynch, “40 maybe 50 years”. Both Lynch and Waggoner’s wife were honored by ROAR for their work in cancer research which Waggoner described as making them closer over the last several years. Waggoner described the “mutual respect and friendship” among their families saying, “he was a great citizen and good friend to so many people. “He was a guy of character and we go way back and he’s always had a great personal reputation. You don’t hear anybody in this community criticizing Pat Lynch. He’s a class guy. He has a great wonderful and loving family. He will be missed in this community.” In 2009, Lynch retired from a long career as vice president and managing partner of Birmingham Budweiser, but he wasn’t ready for full retirement yet. In an interview with 280 Magazine in 2018, Lynch spoke about his “unretirement,” saying, “I didn’t know exactly what direction I was going to go after that. I had built, through my years at Budweiser, strong relationships. We were heavily involved in legislation in Montgomery that had to do with alcohol, and I knew a lot of people, a lot of local politicians. “So the natural progression for me would be to use those relationships to build a business. “I was really too young to stop and play golf, which is a really big hobby of mine, and I enjoyed making deals and getting involved in business,” Lynch said. “I’m having fun doing what I’m doing, even though it does take a lot of my time, but that’s OK.” The Hoover Sun reported that following Lynch’s departure from Budwiser, “Lynch started a business development and lobbying firm called Pat Lynch & Associates and another company called AlphaGov Consulting. His clients included beverage distributors, educational and health providers, nonprofit associations and large and small businesss. In Hoover, he has represented developers such as Will Kadish of Broad Metro, which is developing Stadium Trace Village.” Civic and community leaders have joined hundreds of friends and family in honoring the memory of Lynch with messages of support for his family. Alabama Today spoke with Jefferson County Commissioner Jimmie Stephens who said, “Pat Lynch, an honored friend and staple of the Hoover community, will be missed by all. He always exhibited class and character in all of his actions; his integrity was always beyond reproach. I will miss Pat dearly, as will the entire Hoover community.” Hoover City Councilman Steve McClinton echoed those sentiments saying, “Pat Lynch was a true pillar of Hoover, exemplifying the qualities of a Southern gentleman while serving the city and its community with distinction. Pat was a devoted family man who adored his wife Tynette and cherished every moment with his chilren and grandchildren, always doting on them. He never missed an opportunity to lend a helping hand to others. Pat was a rare soul, and the world feels a little less joyful without him.” Read his full obituary and service details below: James “Pat” Lynch of Hoover Alabama beloved Husband, Dad and Papa and caring friend to many passed away Tuesday, August 6, 2024 surrounded by his wife and best friend Tynette Lynch and his family. Pat took great delight in his family. He always said “this crazy amazing family” was his greatest achievement in life. Retired in 2009 from a long career as vice president and managing partner of Birmingham Budweiser where his title the Budman followed him for his entire life. After retirement he started a very successful business development firm, Pat Lynch & Associates, using his passion of helping people succeed. A respected leader in the Birmingham business world Pat was also very involved in the Birmingham community through his kind giving and support of many charities that were close to his heart. Pat loved golf and drinking fine wine. Pat and Tynette enjoyed a Blessed life traveling and enjoying the beach with family and friends. He said often that he had lived his bucket list. Pat was born on January 10, 1948, in Tazewell Virginia. He was preceded in death by his mother Sadie Johnson Lynch and his father William P Lynch. He is survived by wife Tynette Gustin Lynch, brother William Paul Lynch of Clermont Florida, daughters Tracy Lynch Hays (Jason), Amy Lynch Goss, Stepsons Christopher Cerniglia, Jason Cerniglia (Angie) Grandchildren Alex Hays, Abby Hays, Gage Hays, Kalib McCoy, Kyleigh McCoy, Palmer Cerniglia, Peyton Cerniglia, Parson Cerniglia and Presley Cerniglia, and his nieces and nephews. Visitation is at 11 am and Funeral Mass following at 12 noon at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Hoover on Tuesday, August 13 with lunch served after Mass. In lieu of flowers
Tech company Stella Source plans to add 50 jobs at Birmingham HQ
Stella Source, a software development company whose products help those in the metal distribution and fabrication industry operate more efficiently, announced plans to expand its presence in Birmingham with 50 new full-time employees, more than double its current headcount in the Magic City. To accommodate growth, Stella Source plans to relocate from Birmingham’s Innovation Depot, where it has 21 workers, to space in the nearby Nextec Building. The company plans to expand its software, research, design, finance, and sales staff at the location. As part of the project, Stella Source will establish its headquarters in Birmingham. “We are incredibly proud to build Stella Source here in Alabama and are excited to make Birmingham our official headquarters,” said Sean Hughes, company president. “The collision of the metals and technology industries unique to this area create the acceleration, commitment, and like-minded company that we need to succeed,” Hughes said. Stella Source is revolutionizing the way metal distributors and fabricators do business by providing a digital extension of its current relationships. The platform unites buyers and sellers of materials and services for accurate estimating and sourcing. Moreover, customers can gain additional efficiencies through capabilities like instant pricing for materials and configurable calculators that automate the quoting of fabrication services. “Stella Source represents the kind of innovative technology company that we want to grow and thrive in Alabama,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “Stella Source and other companies are finding all the ingredients they need for success in Birmingham’s emerging tech ecosystem, which is growing more dynamic by the day.” Stella Source’s growth plans in Birmingham call for the creation of 50 net new jobs over a three-year period, with an average annual salary of $90,000, according to the Alabama Department of Commerce. Catalyst for growth Stella Source, established in 2023, selected Birmingham for the expansion project over Cincinnati, Ohio, where it has another corporate office. “The successful implementation and adoption of technology is the next critical horizon for the metals industry,” said Wes Spencer, vice president of product and sales. “We are excited about Stella Source’s commitment to deliver innovative and valuable capabilities that will enhance the health of the metals industry overall, while also serving those looking for a low-risk, easy way to start small on their technology journey,” Spencer said. The Birmingham Business Alliance, which was heavily involved in all aspects of the project, estimates the economic impact of Stella Source’s growth plans at $8.5 million over 20 years. Other partners supporting the project include the city of Birmingham, the Jefferson County Commission, Alabama Power, and AIDT, Alabama’s primary workforce development agency, which will provide services to Stella Source. “It is great to see innovative technology companies not only expanding, but deciding to call our community home,” said Jefferson County Commission President Jimmie Stephens. “The technology sector in our community is growing at a rapid pace and provides the type of jobs that the next generation is looking for. The county is proud to support this expansion and new corporate headquarters,” Stephens said. Stella Source will join Tquila Automation in the Nextec Building, the former Edwards Motor Co. building at 1531 Third Ave. N., which has been rehabilitated as a centerpiece of the city’s innovation district, called The Switch. Tquila, an automation consultancy, announced plans in May to locate a regional delivery hub with 200 jobs in Birmingham. Cornell Wesley, director of the Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity at the city of Birmingham, said Stella Source’s growth plans represent “a momentous milestone in our city’s journey to becoming a prominent center for groundbreaking technology enterprises. “With our robust pool of talented professionals and a thriving culture of collaboration, Stella Source’s choice to establish roots in Birmingham is a testament to the dynamic and flourishing tech ecosystem we have cultivated,” Wesley said. “We eagerly anticipate the endless possibilities and progress that this expansion will bestow upon our community, propelling us even further into a prosperous future.” This story originally appeared on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website. Republished with the permission of The Alabama NewsCenter.
Protected or Prisoners Part 7: 3 steps to exploitation
The 7th of our series examining the process used to gain control of elders and their estates and the ways in which they’re exploited afterwards.
Jefferson County GOP demands answers from Kay Ivey on the appointment of a democrat to critical probate seat
Kay Ivey has made a new appointment to replace former Jefferson County Probate Judge Alan King, Jim Naftel. The Jefferson County Republican Party is not happy about it, and they are demanding answers on how she came to her decision. As Alabama Today reported on June 22, Paul DeMarco, chairman of that same Jefferson County Republican Party, drafted a letter to Ivey saying that, “it is imperative that you appoint a strong, qualified Republican with knowledge of the election process to this position.” In the most recent letter, DeMarco, with the likes of Jefferson County Republican leaders such as State Senator Jabo Waggoner, State Representative Jim Carns, and County Commissioner Jimmie Stephens, takes issue with Ivey’s appointing of Jim Naftel. The letter’s first complaint is that Naftel has voted in several Democratic primaries in recent years. A review of James (Jim) Naftel’s voter history by Alabama Today confirms this point. He voted in the 2018 Democratic primary and the 2020 Democratic Primary. He voted in the 2017 Special Republican Primary for U.S. Senate. According to Yellowhammer News, “Naftel advised that he has not made a decision on whether he will seek election to this office after the appointment term expires, however Naftel added that he would run as a Republican if he did run.” Alabama Today asked party leaders what the process is for someone with an inconsistent voting record and was advised that upon filing, if a complaint is made against a candidate with the party, then a board would consider the facts of the case, including the candidates voting history. Jim Naftel’s Voting History* Election Party 2020 Primary Democrat 2018 Primary Democrat 2017 Primary Republican *Data Source: AL Secretary of State’s Office, Elections Division The second complaint by Jefferson County leaders is a question on Naftel’s experience in election administration. This point is particularly noteworthy because the Probate Judge Place 1 has jurisdiction over elections in the county. The letter quotes Secretary of State John Merrill, who said in a previous Alabama Today story, “The probate judge has a significant level of influence. I cannot emphasize how important it is that this person is involved, interested, and informed on all things related to elections.” Their third complaint is that Ivey did not go with the County GOP’s recommendation for who that new Probate Judge should be. The letter states of their recommendation, “This Republican had been recommended and mentored by a former ALGOP General Counsel who you personally hired to be your legal counsel during your last campaign. This choice was clearly experienced in the elections area of the Probate position and was best prepared to serve as our chief elections officer.” The letter does not say who that person is. You may read the letter in its entirety below.
Fairfield files bankruptcy citing millions in debt
The pandemic only worsened the city’s already tenuous condition because several businesses have closed.
