Industry has wooed a cache of high-level smart people, from near and far, to lead booming businesses. What will an infusion of genius do for the Port City? BRIAN CLARK Mobile Container Terminal, LLC REVIVING PORT TRAFFIC Three years ago this fall, APM Terminals North America - a subsidiary of Maersk Inc. Terminal Link, a division of CMA CGM - and the Alabama Port Authority broke ground on the $200 million Mobile Container Terminal (MCT). That same year, Brian Clark, a New Jersey native, moved his family from Baltimore, to Mobile to accept the project director position of MCT. The terminal provides customers access to global networks covering all possible trade routes to and from the Port of Mobile, including Interstate 10, U.S. Highway 98 and Interstate 65. "From September 2006 until opening, I was responsible for the overall project in Mobile," says Clark, who has a B.S. in marine transportation from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. "Working with our engineering group, we oversaw the design, contractor selection and construction of the terminal. During that time, I hired my staff, and together we developed our operations plan for the facility." Last September, when the terminal officially opened, Clark became responsible for its day-to-day operations. He oversees a staff of 13 people, all but three of whom relocated to Mobile after accepting positions with MCT. The Terminal also employs about 45 full-time union employees and approximately 50 casual union employees. "The development of Mobile Container Terminal has assisted in spreading the word about Mobile," continues Clark. "In our industry, most shippers and steamship lines are familiar with the traditional ports. Mobile is now an alternative, which will, we hope, reduce their costs." MOTOYASU WATANABE Mitsubishi BOOSTING INTERNATIONAL TRADE When Motoyasu Watanabe moved with his family from Japan to Mobile to work in Mitsubishi's polysilicon plant, he wasn't familiar with the English vocabulary, especially with a southern twist enhancement. It took him about three years to decipher the meanings of regional terms, such as "redneck." "Mobile has been a great opportunity to improve my language and people skills," he acknowledges. Polysilicon, the product Watanabe sells, is used to produce semiconductor wafers that are eventually made into semiconductor chips to power a variety of electronic devices. Mitsubishi Mobile ships polysilicon throughout the United States, Asia and Europe. For the past three years and six months, sales manager Watanabe has been on the road in China, Japan, Europe and throughout America to boost revenues. The success of Mitsubishi's Mobile operation fuels good-paying local jobs and builds the Port City's reputation in the chemical products industry, which in 2006 was the second largest exporter in the state. Since his move to the area, Watanabe and his wife, Ami, have expanded their family. Twin girls Julie and Anley joined older sister Rise, now four, in Sept. 2007. "I believe that my family helps those around us to understand more about Japanese culture and people," says Watanabe. "My wife often brings Japanese dishes to gatherings because our friends seem to enjoy them." Watanabe and his family may have to return to Japan when his VISA expires in 2010. But until then, he plans to continue to enjoy the American lifestyle, particularly the Interstate system, casinos and affordable golf courses. MARGO GILBERT The Battle House Renaissance Hotel and Spa DEVELOPING WORLD CLASS TOURISM Originally from New Harbor, Maine, Margo Gilbert, general manager of The Battle House Renaissance Hotel and Spa, spent 15 years working throughout California, before settling in Mobile five years ago. "I booked a flight and never looked back," says Gilbert, who left a position with Embassy Suites of Hilton Head Corporation to accept a job with PCH Hotels and Resorts, which owns The Battle House Hotel and Tower. "I had been on the West Coast for so long and it was so built up and compact," she continues. "Here there were wide-open spaces and I felt free." A graduate of the University of Denver's hotel and restaurant management degree program, Gilbert has used her education and experience to help one of Mobile's signature buildings achieve international recognition. Since she took over as general manager, The Battle House has been named the number one Renaissance Hotel in the world for guest satisfaction. But Gilbert is modest. She credits her "amazing group of managers" for being able to "execute the mission" of the hotel in order to achieve the high rating. "The Battle House is a kind of symbol of growth for Mobile," she says. Mobile and the cities of Baldwin County "are really beginning to come into their own." HARALD VAN BRACHT ThyssenKrupp Steel and Stainless USA, LLC MAKING A MULTIBILLION DOLLAR MILL Two years ago, Harald van Bracht of Dortmund, Germany, decided to accept a new challenge in business and in lifestyle. He moved across the world to Mobile to continue working for ThyssenKrupp. He is now the director of the Cold Rolling Mill, where he oversees preparation for production, staffing and the erection of the mill. ThyssenKrupp Steel and Stainless USA, LLC, which is located on the border of Mobile and Washington counties, is the single largest nongovernmental project in the history of the United States. It is estimated to cost $4.65 billion. When it begins operation in 2010 and is fully operational, it will create 2,700 jobs. The facility, which will serve the automotive, packaging, construction, electrical and utility industries, will manufacture and process carbon steel and stainless steel for high-value applications by manufacturers. "The main focus for me is to build a great team, which will be able to reach all future goals," he says, adding that by the fall the mill plans to hire about 300 new employees. Van Bracht says that he particularly enjoys "integrating and mentoring" young engineers to help them reach their full professional potentials. "Professional engineers from across the country and young engineers are attracted to this job opportunity. It will stimulate not only the local employment workforce, but also help boost the local and surrounding housing market, stores and retail business," he adds. Since he and his wife, Marion, moved in Nov. 2007, van Brecht has become a regular at the Mobile Symphony, which he describes as "impressive." He has also discovered that playing golf on the area courses is a good way to meet some of the locals. "Building up this mill from square one has thus far presented a great opportunity to share German culture and engineering with our American colleagues and contractors to combine the best from both backgrounds and strive for excellence," he says. "It has truly been a great experience from my perspective, which I hope to continue and pass on." In the short time that they've been here, the German transplants have added a new member to their family: an American Dachshund. Image information: Main: Brian Clark. Left: Motoyasu Watanabe Center: Margo Gilbert Right: Harald van Bracht, left, director of the Cold Running Mill, and Scott Posey, director of Communications for Thyssen Krupp Steel USA. Photos by Elise Poche