Beyond Rockets

Clark Dunn
  • 5.0 (29)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

As Huntsville AL is primarily known for being the Rocket City because of its close association with the US Space Missions but Huntsville is so much more than that Huntsville is home to many high-tech companies, entrepreneurs involved in interesting startups, talented creatives, and much much more. My goal is to introduce you to some of these individuals that are taking Huntsville Beyond the Rocket.

  1. 2D AGO

    Episode 267: Downtown Huntsville’s Scratch-Made Trio: Inside The Standard, Del Chuco, and The Local

    In this episode of Beyond Rockets, Clark Dunn sits down with Chef James Brown (The Standard), Ben Brennan (Del Chuco), and Luke Hawk (The Local)—three key leaders behind Huntsville’s Mercado Group. They share how their paths first crossed in Huntsville kitchens years ago, what it’s been like building three distinct downtown concepts in rapid succession, and why making nearly everything from scratch is non-negotiable. You’ll hear stories from opening weekend chaos, how the teams collaborate across restaurants, and what goes into evolving menus when the crowd doesn’t “get it” right away. Plus, they unpack Del Chuco’s Underground vibe, the catering arm of the group, and tease what might be coming next in 2026. https://themercadogrouphsv.com

    37 min

  2. 12/16/2025

    Episode 266: How Mazda Toyota Is Growing People, Cars, and Community in North Alabama with David Fernandes

    In this episode of Beyond Rockets, Clark sits down with David Fernandes, Senior Vice President at Mazda Toyota Manufacturing and Group Vice President for Toyota, to go inside one of North Alabama’s most transformative projects. David shares his journey from growing up near the Indy 500 and working at GM and Rolls-Royce to leading multiple Toyota plants across the U.S., South Africa, and now the joint Mazda Toyota facility in Huntsville. He explains how the $2.3B plant was built during the pandemic, how it now produces Corolla Cross and Mazda CX-50 models at incredible volume, and why they’ve grown to a 4,000-person workforce pulled from a 60-mile radius. David also talks about culture, career paths that don’t require a four-year degree, local partnerships with schools and nonprofits, and why he believes “nothing’s impossible” when a team is aligned. If you’ve ever driven past the massive facility near Greenbriar and wondered what happens inside, this conversation pulls back the curtain. https://mazdatoyota.com https://www.instagram.com/mazdatoyotamanufacturing/

    40 min

  3. 12/02/2025

    Episode 265: How Make It Matter Collective is Rewriting the Future for Huntsville’s Foster Youth with Erica Hardesty

    In this episode of Beyond Rockets, Clark sits down with Erica Hardesty, Founder & Executive Director of Make It Matter Collective and Owner of Noella’s Flowers, to explore how one idea, one flower truck, and one leap of faith turned into a movement changing the lives of young people aging out of foster care. Erica shares her journey from social work to launching a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring teens ages 13–19, providing stability, life skills, and real pathways to adulthood. She also opens up about building Noella’s Flowers—from a vintage truck to a thriving storefront—and how it fuels job opportunities and funding for Make It Matter. The conversation dives into: What it really looks like for teens aging out of foster care in Alabama How Make It Matter is partnering with Huntsville City Schools The vision behind the 614 Initiative, a $7.5M housing project designed to provide safe, supportive transitional living The role of mentorship, community, and faith in building long-term change What anyone with a dream or idea should do next Whether you're interested in social impact, entrepreneurship, community building, or Huntsville’s growing nonprofit landscape, this episode will absolutely inspire you. https://www.makeitmattercollective.com Sponsored by Yellowhammer Brewing — learn more at yellowhammerbrewery.com.

    25 min

  4. 11/18/2025

    Episode 264: Mobilizing Generosity: Inside the Community Foundation with Melissa Thompson

    In this episode, we sit down with Melissa Thompson, CEO & President of the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville, for a powerful conversation about generosity, growth, and what makes Huntsville unlike anywhere else. Melissa shares her journey from growing up across multiple states to eventually landing in Huntsville, where she found a city defined by innovation, collaboration, and open arms. She walks through the early days of the Community Foundation, its explosive growth since 2011, and the pivotal moment in 2020 that shaped the Foundation’s identity and mission: mobilizing generosity. From the impact of early ESOP partnerships with Dynetics and Torch Technologies, to navigating COVID-19 relief, to equipping the next generation of philanthropists through programs like Give256, Melissa offers a transparent and inspiring look at how generosity fuels community transformation across North Alabama. Whether you’re a young professional wanting to get involved, a nonprofit leader seeking insight, or simply someone who loves Huntsville, this episode is full of wisdom on leadership, relationships, philanthropy, and the future of giving in the Rocket City. https://givehsv.org Sponsored by Yellowhammer Brewing. http://yellowhammerbrewery.com

    34 min

  5. 11/04/2025

    Episode 263: How Lee Marshall Built Kids to Love into a Lifeline for Foster Youth

    Former TV anchor turned “socialpreneur” Lee Marshall shares the 20-year story behind Kids to Love—one of Alabama’s most impactful nonprofits serving children in foster care. Lee opens up about her adoption roots, the flight that sparked the nonprofit’s founding in 2004, and how Kids to Love grew from a garage project into a statewide ecosystem: K-TECH workforce training, college scholarships, a child-placing agency, Davidson Farms and cottages for girls aging out of care, and the new Smith Family Wellness Center—home to one of the nation’s most comprehensive trauma therapy programs. We also dig into Alabama’s new Safe Haven baby boxes (and how Lee helped make them a reality), scaling best practices to Tennessee, winning “Best Place to Work,” building a leadership team, and why education—not band-aids—is the path out of poverty.Holiday help: Kids to Love provides full wish lists (toys + clothes) for 2,000+ kids each year. Grab an ornament at partner locations or learn how to get involved at Kids2Love.org.Sponsored by:NexGen Crane & Rigging — nexgencrane.comYellowhammer Brewing — yellowhammerbrewery.com

    51 min

  6. 10/24/2025

    Episode 262: Huntsville’s CIO Dr. Larry Lowe on Using Tech to Serve a Growing City

    On this episode of Beyond Rockets, we sit down with Larry Lowe, Chief Innovation Officer for the City of Huntsville. Larry shares his path from radar engineering and startup life to Fractal Brewing and data/AI, then into City Hall, where he’s helping the City of Huntsville, Huntsville Utilities, and the Solid Waste Disposal Authority use technology responsibly and transparently. We talk about: What a municipal CIO actually does—and why Huntsville created the role How departments are adopting AI (policy, training, Microsoft Copilot) Balancing innovation with public trust (including a project that was paused to listen) Education and workforce efforts from K-12 to college What progress looks like through 2026 as Huntsville keeps growing Sponsors NexGen Crane & Rigging: Full-service crane, rigging & transport across the Southeast. Learn more at nexgencrane.com Yellowhammer Brewing: Craft beer, spirits, seltzers, and NA options at Campus 805. Visit yellowhammerbrewery.com

    42 min

  7. 10/07/2025

    Episode 261: Inside The Golf Lab: 24/7 Golf, Smart Data, and 1,700+ Courses

    We take Beyond Rockets on the road—straight into a golf bay. Co-owners Kerry and Jassen Garner share how their “fun factory” idea became The Golf Lab, South Huntsville’s new indoor golf hub offering public bookings and 24/7 member access. We dig into why they chose UNEEKOR launch monitors with multi-camera capture, an AI swing trainer, session logging, and exportable shot data—plus how GS Pro unlocks 1,700+ courses (from The Ledges and Gunters Landing to Pebble Beach, Augusta, and TPC Sawgrass). You’ll hear the origin story, the build-out behind Whitesburg & Airport (near First Watch), and everything planned: PGA-pro lessons, leagues and tournaments, corporate and birthday events, and a grand opening on October 20, complete with a $10,000 hole-in-one challenge (they’re open now, with free demos). We also walk through on-course practice, putting on sim vs. the in-house green, BYO food & drink, and how the system learns your game to suggest clubs and even build a handicap. Stick around for a live range session and a par-3 at The Ledges—mulligan included. https://www.thegolflab.club https://www.instagram.com/golflabhuntsville/ SponsorYellowhammer is a local craft brewery serving Huntsville for the past 14 years. They are known for their premium craft beers like T-Minus and Rebellion, but what you might not know is they also offer spirits, wine, seltzers, and non-alcoholic drinks. Next time you stop by their location try one of their seasonal cocktails made with Gemini Bourbon or Yellowhammer Vodka. Or try this year's big hit, Pineapple Punch seltzer. You can find out more information about Yellowhammer Brewing by visiting their website ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.yellowhammerbrewery.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visiting their taproom located at Campus 805.MusicAny Day by Them Damn Dogs⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/3HrncTSw4a7J9YiyMIxHdu?si=qw6Df7J6SwKm6-WOEc7U7w

    31 min

  8. 09/23/2025

    Episode 260: Apartments, Space Command, and What’s Next for Huntsville Real Estate with Matt Curtis

    In this episode of Beyond Rockets, Clark Dunn sits down with Matt Curtis, founder of Matt Curtis Real Estate and leader of Alabama’s #1 real estate team for the past six years. From his beginnings as a computer engineering graduate in Knoxville to becoming one of Huntsville’s most recognized real estate leaders, Matt shares his journey of faith, family, and entrepreneurship. He talks about the pivotal career changes that brought him from engineering into real estate, the lessons learned during the Great Recession, and how he scaled his brokerage from a one-man operation to one of the fastest-growing companies in the country. Matt also reflects on Huntsville’s rapid growth, the impact of Space Command, the future of the housing market, and why homeownership remains the key to long-term wealth. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a real estate professional, or simply curious about Huntsville’s explosive growth, this episode offers insight, inspiration, and a glimpse into the future of the Rocket City. https://www.mattcurtisrealestate.com https://www.instagram.com/mattcurtisrealestate/?hl=en SponsorYellowhammer is a local craft brewery serving Huntsville for the past 14 years. They are known for their premium craft beers like T-Minus and Rebellion, but what you might not know is they also offer spirits, wine, seltzers, and non-alcoholic drinks. Next time you stop by their location try one of their seasonal cocktails made with Gemini Bourbon or Yellowhammer Vodka. Or try this year's big hit, Pineapple Punch seltzer. You can find out more information about Yellowhammer Brewing by visiting their website ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.yellowhammerbrewery.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visiting their taproom located at Campus 805. Music Any Day by Them Damn Dogs ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/3HrncTSw4a7J9YiyMIxHdu?si=qw6Df7J6SwKm6-WOEc7U7w

    35 min
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5
out of 5
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About

As Huntsville AL is primarily known for being the Rocket City because of its close association with the US Space Missions but Huntsville is so much more than that Huntsville is home to many high-tech companies, entrepreneurs involved in interesting startups, talented creatives, and much much more. My goal is to introduce you to some of these individuals that are taking Huntsville Beyond the Rocket.

Information

  • Creator
    Clark Dunn
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    267
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Clark Dunn
  • Show Website
    Beyond Rockets