Misplaced Pages

#544455

62-696: Cummings Research Park was voted as the Most Outstanding Science Park in the World in 1997 by the Association of University Research Parks. In 2017, it was presented with the Developing Communities of Innovation award. In 1961, Milton K. Cummings , then president of Brown Engineering Company , and Joseph C. Moquin, his later successor, selected a tract of undeveloped land on the western edge of Huntsville for building

124-458: A handicap of only a few strokes. Throughout his career, Cummings was a “people” person. While fully at ease with persons on all social strata, he especially identified himself with the working class. At BECO, he frequently visited the manufacturing facilities, where he knew many of the workers by name. He often expressed the belief, “We are our brother's keeper,” and so conducted his personal life as well as his business activities. For Cummings,

186-438: A center of new weapon and rocket development. In 1950, a group of exiled German rocket scientists , led by Wernher von Braun , came to Redstone Arsenal from Fort Bliss , Texas in order to conduct research and development of new types of rockets. By the 1960s, research expanded to rockets for space exploration. The Redstone rocket was modified to launch the first two Americans into space. The US began to emphasize investment in

248-579: A college education, both were “people” oriented, and both had highly successful early careers. BECO's Research Laboratories performed highly classified intelligence studies, and Cummings received the first Top Secret security clearance granted to a Huntsville business executive. Although Duckett left AMC in the mid-1960s for a leading position with the Central Intelligence Agency , their relationship continued until Cummings' death. By 1966, Brown Engineering Company had matured to become

310-544: A deacon for 23 years and then an elder in the Presbyterian Church . Madison County, Alabama Madison County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama . As of the 2020 Census , the population was 388,153, and according to a 2023 population estimate the county has become the second-most populous county in Alabama. Its county seat is Huntsville . Since

372-487: A female householder with no husband present, and 31.50% were non-families. Nearly 27.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45, and the average family size was 3.00. In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.60% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 31.50% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 10.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

434-697: A friend of Wernher von Braun , who at that time was leading the space program development for the Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA) at Redstone Arsenal . Convinced that the space field was where Huntsville business was headed, Cummings immediately made a major investment in BECO stock. Sputnik I , the first artificial satellite of the Earth, was launched by the Soviet Union on 4 October 1957, energizing America to do likewise. After

496-440: A lifelong Democrat , political acumen played an important part in his success. He was a neighbor and close friend of John Sparkman , long-time member of the U.S. Senate and very influential in programs at Redstone Arsenal. Bob Jones of Scottsboro, Alabama , a member of the U.S. House of Representatives , was another of Cummings' Washington friends. At an even higher level, Cummings was a frequent visitor of Lyndon Johnson in

558-469: A movie theater and a 240-apartment development. In 2015 and 2016, CRP underwent a comprehensive master planning process. Milton K. Cummings Milton Kyser Cummings (August 12, 1911 – March 7, 1973) had a noteworthy career in two highly diverse fields: cotton broker and space-defense industry executive. Sometimes called the "Number One Citizen of Huntsville" and a "Symbol of the New South," he

620-532: A new headquarters. Located adjacent to land that had recently been acquired by the University of Alabama for developing a Huntsville Branch and within a few miles of major Army and NASA development centers on Redstone Arsenal , the area was a promising location for a high-technology research park. Cummings and Moquin, with the support of rocket pioneer Wernher von Braun , proposed that the City of Huntsville zone

682-594: A ninth grade school, and a career/technical center. High schools in the Madison County School System are: There are a number of private schools serving Madison County. These include Randolph School, Madison Academy, Westminster Christian Academy, Faith Christian Academy, and several others. Madison City and the vast majority of Huntsville both have their own separate school systems ( Madison City School District and Huntsville City School District ). The Madison City School District also includes

SECTION 10

#1732765163545

744-458: A number of newly organized local enterprises. In parallel with the growth of industry occupants, the adjacent academic campus also matured; in 1970, this became the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). The UAH Foundation owned a large portion of land in the research park district, and served as a major promoter of development. When Milton Cummings died in 1973, the district was renamed

806-485: A second-generation native of Huntsville, Alabama , and soon moved his family back to that city. Afflicted with osteomyelitis , Milton lost a lower leg when he was four years old. He attended school in Huntsville and, coping well with an artificial leg, became an excellent tennis player. While still in school, he worked as an errand runner in the office of a cotton broker where his father was employed. Impressed with Milton's determination, intelligence, and handicap adjustment,

868-488: A viable player in the space and defense industry. The quiet influence and leadership of Cummings and the operational and technical expertise of his top staff positioned the Company to obtain vital roles with NASA MSFC; be in on the ground floor of emerging intelligence and missile defense efforts of the U.S. Army; and become recognized for its research activities. Offices and subsidiaries had been opened in several locations in

930-498: Is also responsible for the county jail as well as the sheriff's department. The County Commission is composed of seven members. A Chairman is elected at-large by the county while each of the other six members is elected by their districts. Each commissioner serves a four-year term. In 2020, Violet Edwards made history becoming the first black woman to be elected to the Madison County Commission. Madison County

992-762: The Alabama Legislature for funds to establish in Huntsville the University of Alabama in Huntsville Research Institute. The approved Institute initially occupied space in BECO facilities before construction started on the university's campus in December 1962. Today, that building on The University of Alabama in Huntsville campus is named Von Braun Research Hall in honor of the rocket pioneer. Cummings set an example for Southern firms in equal opportunity employment , long before it

1054-678: The Space Race , in order to compete with the Soviet Union during the Cold War years and to increase scientific gains. This work in the defense and space industries has generated tens of thousands of jobs in the area, most of them private contractors working in these fields. The population of Madison County has risen from 72,903 in 1950 to an estimated 403,565 in 2022. According to the United States Census Bureau ,

1116-468: The White House . As a result, a number of BECO employees received invitations to Johnson's presidential inauguration in 1963. He was continually involved with fund-raising drives and campaigns for improving health, education, and employment opportunities in the region. In 1949, Milton founded a nonprofit, Christmas Charities Year Round to help local families after a boll weevil infestation devastated

1178-414: The poverty line , including 14.10% of those under age 18 and 9.60% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2000 census , there were 276,700 people, 109,955 households, and 75,319 families residing in the county. The population density was 344 people per square mile (133 people/km ). There were 120,288 housing units at an average density of 149 units per square mile (58 units/km ). The racial makeup of

1240-626: The Arizona Senator ’s privatization plans for the Tennessee Valley Authority . However, since that time, the county has become solidly Republican, with the only national Democratic nominee to carry the county since 1960 being Deep South native Jimmy Carter in 1976. In the 2016 election, Gary Johnson had his best showing in the state, carrying 4.05 percent of the vote. The county is trending less Republican recently, 58.9% in 2004, 56.9% in 2008, 54.8% in 2016, and in 2020

1302-558: The BECO Board asked Cummings, then the Board Chairman and largest investor in its stock, to serve 90 days as President. He accepted, but actually remained in that position for eight years. In Cummings' words, "Once I had the opportunity to more closely examine Brown Engineering, I became convinced of its great potential and accepted a permanent position." In a short time, he placed the firm on a sound financial footing. The stock

SECTION 20

#1732765163545

1364-474: The Cummings Research Park (CRP). By the end of the 1970s, the development of what is now known as CRP East was nearing completion. In 1982, the second major phase of CRP was launched with the planned development of CRP West. A substantial new parcel of land, exceeding 800 acres (320 ha), was purchased and a master plan was established by the City of Huntsville. This new phase strengthened

1426-637: The Huntsville Research Park. BECO became the first occupant in the new park, opening a large complex in early 1962, and was soon followed by Lockheed, Northrop, Boeing, TRW, IBM, and other national firms. In 1973, shortly after Cummings' death, this was renamed the Cummings Research Park ; it has now grown to become the second largest research park in America and one of the largest in the world. Cummings' vision for BECO

1488-555: The NASA Public Service Award for his leadership. The citation reads as follows: "For his outstanding contributions as a key leader of the government-industry team that made possible the exceptional success of the Apollo Program." While a large part of the former ABMA went to form MSFC, there were still major U.S. Army activities on Redstone Arsenal, and BECO had work in some of these. In May 1962, most of

1550-506: The Nation watched via live television, Huntsville had an unequaled celebration. This previously unknown community in Alabama was suddenly at the center of the free-world's space race with the Soviet Union. The government laboratories on Redstone Arsenal, together with Huntsville's emerging industries, immediately acquired recognition as a center for high-technology. Cummings then knew that he was right in his business projection. On 6 May 1958,

1612-459: The Republican margin of victory was the lowest since 1980. For Alabama counties supporting Donald Trump in 2016, it was the fourth narrowest margin, and in 2020 the third-narrowest after Conecuh and Barbour . The governing body of the county is a commission. The commission is responsible for levying the county tax, establish, maintain, and discontinue county roads and bridges. The commission

1674-618: The South and Northeast. To ensure continuing vitality, BECO needed to enter new, more widespread markets. Cummings and his close staff made plans for a major change, gaining a national presence by acquiring, merging, or being acquired. After eight years as CEO, Cummings stepped down and, as Board Chairman, concentrated on BECO's future. In April 1966, the BECO Board elected Joseph C. Moquin, the existing Executive Vice President, to be President. Late in 1966, Cummings initiated negotiations between BECO and Teledyne, Inc. , of Los Angeles concerning

1736-438: The activities were consolidated to become the U.S. Army Missile Command (AMC). Although Cummings was mainly involved with increasing BECO's work for MSFC, he recognized the potential of business with AMC and established close relationships with many of the leaders. One of these was Colonel (later Brigadier General) Ivy O. Drewry, Manager of the new Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) program. In 1967, BECO's Research Laboratories became

1798-584: The area as a research park district. In 1962, the City established this zoning, with 3,000 acres (1,200 ha) of land officially designated Huntsville Research Park. Brown Engineering (later Teledyne Brown Engineering ) was the first to build in the park, opening its campus the inaugural year. As the United States focused on the Space Race , other companies followed. These included large national firms such as Lockheed , Northrop , and IBM , smaller outside firms wanting to open Huntsville operations, and

1860-508: The area cotton crop. Since then, CCYR has been providing for children and their families with basic necessities, to help improve the quality of life throughout our shared community. The Milton K. Cummings Humanitarian Award was established in his name by the Community Action Partnership-Huntsville/Madison and Limestone Counties, Inc. In 1961, Cummings and Wernher von Braun successfully lobbied

1922-489: The broker offered him a full scholarship to attend college as he finished high school at age 16. Feeling obliged to help support his family, he declined the offer of college but asked for employment in the brokerage firm. His father died a few years later, leaving Milton responsible for the family while still a teenager. In his early 20s, Cummings worked in the Shelby Fletcher Brokerage firm and learned

Cummings Research Park - Misplaced Pages Continue

1984-424: The city of Huntsville. Madison County has a master plan to develop a 70-mile bicycle and walking trail. Madison County was formerly an overwhelmingly Democratic county as with most of the rest of Alabama, with only a narrow loss by Al Smith in 1928 due to Prohibitionist anti-Catholicism disrupting this trend until the 1960s. Even in 1964, the county nearly voted against Barry Goldwater due to its opposition to

2046-449: The company's newsletter describes the contributions being made by 25 physically handicapped employees. Well before any Federal requirements, Cummings had BECO provide full accommodations for these "special resources." Cummings received recognitions and honors. These included the following: The United States House of Representatives recognized him through a Memorial Tribute being read into its minutes in 1973. Auburn University conferred

2108-476: The cotton brokering business during the Great Depression. In 1936, Fletcher suddenly died and left $ 5,000 for Cummings in his will. Using this inheritance, at age 25 he opened a brokerage. Madison and Limestone Counties in northern Alabama were (and still are) two of the largest cotton producers in the state. Cummings soon became well known to the farmers, buying their bailed cotton and selling it to

2170-455: The county are flatter. As of the 2020 census , there were 388,153 people, 157,770 households, and 101,684 families residing in the county. The population density was 484.2 inhabitants per square mile (187.0/km ) There were 169,820 housing units. As of the 2010 census , there were 334,811 people, 109,955 households, out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 53.40% were married couples living together, 11.80% had

2232-478: The county has a total area of 813 square miles (2,110 km ), of which 802 square miles (2,080 km ) is land and 11 square miles (28 km ) (1.4%) is water. The topography in the southern and eastern portions of the county is dominated by the dissected remnants of the Cumberland Plateau , such as Keel Mountain , Monte Sano Mountain and Green Mountain . The northern and western portions of

2294-589: The county was 72.06% White , 22.78% Black or African American , 0.77% Native American , 1.86% Asian , 0.06% Pacific Islander , 0.59% from other races , and 1.89% from two or more races. Nearly 1.91% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. According to the 2000 census , the largest ancestry groups in Madison County were English 50.2%, African 22.78%, Scots-Irish 8.71%, Irish 4.3%, Scottish 4.12%, and Welsh 2.9%. The Madison County School System runs public schools throughout

2356-516: The county; they were restricted to white workers by the Jim Crow practices of racial segregation. During the early 20th century, the economy continued to be largely agricultural, although textile mills expanded their production. During World War II, the Army established Redstone Arsenal here as a chemical weapon manufacturing site, and the county attracted related industries. After the war, it became

2418-473: The day. Their policy showed they favored lower farm prices and uncontrolled production, inviting disaster for cotton, and for farmers in general.” His projection was verified by declining cotton profitability. Convinced that he should change from brokering to investing, Cummings, starting in 1953, devoted his financial expertise to managing personal investments in the stock market . For the next several years, with his own stock ticker and constant attention to

2480-525: The degree Doctor of Laws , Honoris Causa , on Cummings in August 1962. Previously noted was Cummings' recognition in 1969 by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as an industrial leader in the Apollo Program. Cummings married Nanny Vastus Ivy in 1936. They had three daughters, Jean, Carol Ann, and Nancy, and William Brooks Wilkinson was his step-son. A Christian , Cummings was

2542-431: The development restrictions on the park, rivaling, and in many instances exceeding, the quality of planned research and development parks anywhere in the world. The City of Huntsville has continued to acquire land for future growth of CRP, and it is now 3,843 acres (1,555 ha). In 2007, a retail and hospitality destination was added to the park. Bridge Street Towne Center is home to many restaurants, shops, three hotels,

Cummings Research Park - Misplaced Pages Continue

2604-408: The failure of their Viking rocket in its first satellite launch attempt , this mission was taken away from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and given to the von Braun team at ABMA. On 31 January 1958, America's first satellite, Explorer I , was placed into orbit. BECO had an involvement in this historic effort, providing support in the design and testing of both the vehicle and the payload. As

2666-566: The governor of the Mississippi Territory . It is recognized as the "birthplace" of the state of Alabama , which was admitted to the Union on December 14, 1819. Huntsville was designated as the first capital of the new state. For much of the county's history, its economy was based on agriculture, particularly cotton plantations, which were established across the uplands. These plantations and their owners' profits were dependent on

2728-476: The huge spinning and weaving cotton mills in Huntsville. Respected by all of the people involved as an 'honest broker,' Cummings was soon the most successful cotton merchant in the region. In 1953, Cummings became dissatisfied with cotton brokering. In his words, “I didn't feel that President Eisenhower , Agriculture Secretary Benson , or even the American farmer really understood the agricultural problems of

2790-492: The labor of enslaved African Americans before the Civil War. Madison County was one of the largest cotton -producing counties in the state. Madison County was the largest county in Alabama in population from 1810 to 1840. In the 1810 census alone, Madison County made up nearly half of the population in what would become Alabama, though this did not include Native American tribes and their people. By 1850 however it would lose

2852-439: The market, he exhibited a genius for buying and selling at just the right time. In this, Cummings was highly successful and soon amassed a considerable fortune. In 1957, Cummings was invited to invest in a new stock issue for Brown Engineering Company (BECO), a small industrial firm in Huntsville. Although BECO was almost bankrupt, Cummings recognized its potential of gaining a foothold in the emerging space market. He had become

2914-573: The merger of the two companies. This led to BECO's being acquired in April 1967 to become Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. (TBE), a wholly owned subsidiary of Teledyne, Inc. A TBE board was maintained, with Cummings remaining Chairman until his death in 1973. Despite his physical disability, as a young man Cummings was a champion tennis player, regularly winning open competitions. During and after World War II, he gave demonstrations to amputees at Army hospitals. He also became an avid golfer , maintaining

2976-436: The mid-20th century it has become an area of defense and space research and industry. The county is named in honor of James Madison , fourth President of the United States and the first President to visit the state of Alabama. Madison County covers parts of the former Decatur County . Madison County is included in the Huntsville, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area . Madison County was established on December 13, 1808, by

3038-760: The most sought-after efforts, those for the Propulsion & Vehicle Engineering Laboratory and for the Research Projects Laboratory. BECO was also a major subcontractor for two other laboratories. From the beginning of the Apollo Program in early 1961 through the first manned landing on the Moon by Apollo 11 on 20 July 1969, BECO (becoming Teledyne Brown Engineering in 1967) played a major, highly diverse role, providing approximately 20,000,000 man-hours of engineering, scientific, manufacturing, and administrative support. In 1969, Cummings received

3100-572: The support contractor for the emerging Nike-X ABM system. (Starting in the 1970s, the Safeguard Program , descendant of Nike-X, would become one of the company's largest contracted activities.) Another AMC leader was Carl E. Duckett , at that time Director of the Missile Intelligence Directorate. Duckett and Cummings immediately had a mutual respect; both were from relatively modest backgrounds, neither had

3162-417: The title and be the 7th due to its population growth having slowed down. The likely reason was due to Madison County having mainly relied on cotton with little to no other industries. Cotton remained important after the war. Most labor for cultivation was still provided by African Americans, but they worked as sharecroppers and tenant farmers. By the late 19th century, textile mills had been established around

SECTION 50

#1732765163545

3224-521: The town of Triana . The Port of Huntsville provides both passenger air service, via Huntsville International Airport which allows access to most of the rest of the United States, and shipping air service, via the International Intermodal Center. There are also three smaller public airports in the county: Hazel Green Airport , Madison County Executive Airport , and Moontown Airport . There are several bicycle routes in

3286-402: The unincorporated areas of the county and the incorporated and unincorporated communities of: Gurley , Harvest , Hazel Green , Meridianville , Moores Mill , New Hope , Owens Cross Roads , New Market , Redstone Arsenal . It also includes a few parcels of Huntsville. The system also includes Toney and Monrovia . The system runs 14 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 5 high schools and

3348-415: Was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 44,704, and the median income for a family was $ 54,360. Males had a median income of $ 40,779 versus $ 26,534 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 23,091. About 8.10% of families and 10.50% of the population were below

3410-429: Was federally mandated. In 1963, he was a principal founder and first President of the Association of Area Companies (AHAC), a Huntsville organization devoted to ensuring equal opportunity of minorities in employment, education, housing, and community affairs. Huntsville led Alabama in all aspects of race relations. Cummings was also in the forefront of providing employment opportunities for the handicapped. An article in

3472-509: Was formed on 1 July 1960, with a staff of about 4,000 former employees of ABMA and Wernher von Braun as Director. Cummings quickly secured a role for BECO in the development of the Saturn family of booster rockets . In May 1961, President John F. Kennedy proposed the national goal of "landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth by the end of the 1960s,” and the Apollo program

3534-524: Was found on the western edge of Huntsville, adjacent to the developing campus of the University of Alabama Huntsville Graduate Center (later to become the University of Alabama in Huntsville ) and near to Redstone Arsenal. Through purchases and options, rights to hundreds of acres of this land was secured by Cummings (primarily to forestall speculators), and the Huntsville City Council was persuaded to designate 3,000 acres (1,200 ha) as

3596-540: Was initially traded as over-the-counter , then, underwritten by Goodbody & Company , 110,000 shares became publicly traded under the symbol "BCO" on the American Stock Exchange in April 1964. At that time, there were about 1,400 stockholders, including almost 500 BECO employees. Wernher von Braun had suggested to Cummings that Huntsville needed a central research park for the emerging space and defense industries. A large section of former farmland

3658-454: Was recognized as a humanitarian, leader in opportunities for minorities and the handicapped, and advisor to government officials and congressmen. The Cummings Research Park , the second largest park of this type in America, was named to honor him. Cummings was born in Gadsden, Alabama , where his father, Charles Wesley Cummings, was the superintendent of a cotton gin . The elder Cummings was

3720-586: Was that it would be involved in the full spectrum of space and defense activities, from initial research, through engineering development, to final manufacturing and testing. As the new BECO campus in the Research Park was developed, areas devoted to all of these activities were established. Engineering centered on a capability for space vehicle design, but there were also general capabilities in electronics, mechanical, civil, and other engineering disciplines. Manufacturing soon had digital-controlled machines, and

3782-707: Was the largest local source for precision parts, printed circuits, and full system fabrication. In-house research was a newcomer to BECO capabilities; the Brown Engineering Research Laboratories had a two-story building devoted to analytical and experimental activities, including optics, propulsion, radar, computers, aerodynamics, and other high-technology areas. Through adding well-qualified and experienced technical and administrative personnel, Cummings led BECO's growth from about 215 employees when he took over to over 3,700 when he retired in 1966. The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)

SECTION 60

#1732765163545

3844-399: Was underway. During the first half of the 1960s, there was tremendous growth in the number of contractor firms and their activities at MSFC. In 1965, NASA directed MSFC to simplify the administration and obtain a single prime-support contractor for each of its laboratories. Cummings obtained permission from von Braun for BECO to propose on support to two of these major efforts. The company won

#544455