Beyond Rockets

Episode 270: Changing the Landscape: Jack Fite on 50 Years of Fite Building Company

In this episode of Beyond Rockets, Clark Dunn sits down with Jack Fite, CEO of Fite Building Company, to talk about five decades of construction in North Alabama.Jack shares his journey from growing up in a family lumber business to leading a multi-regional construction firm, celebrating 50 years in business. Along the way, he opens up about the early grind, navigating economic downturns, Huntsville’s explosive growth, and why optimism is essential to building strong teams.They dive into Fite Building’s commitment to being true “builders,” the importance of investing in young talent and the trades, and how the company’s Plus 1 culture focuses on getting better every day.This conversation covers leadership, succession planning, workforce development, and what it really takes to grow a company that lasts.If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, construction, building great teams, or shaping the future of North Alabama, this episode is for you.https://www.fitebuilding.com

Episode 269: Scaling The Vessel and Building Creative Community in Huntsville with Jordyn Brummett

In this episode of Beyond Rockets, Clark Dunn sits down with Jordyn Brummett, co-owner of The Vessel, a community pottery studio in Huntsville, to reflect on how far the journey has come since her first appearance on the podcast more than three years ago.Jordyn shares the story of launching The Vessel as a brand-new concept, testing the idea at Stove House, and quickly realizing the demand for creative space and community in Huntsville. She walks through the lessons learned from outgrowing their original studio, the challenges of balancing classes, memberships, and limited space, and how those experiences shaped the vision for their next chapter.The conversation also dives into the personal side of entrepreneurship including taking calculated risks, growing a business as a family, and knowing when the timing is right for a big leap. Jordyn explains how The Vessel’s move to Lincoln Mill finally allows the studio to fully support memberships, deepen community connections, and create room for long-term growth.This episode is a candid look at building momentum, learning as you go, and taking small steps toward a vision that won’t let you go.Our 1st Podcast in 2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-01L0Qn_0wThe Vesselhttps://www.thevesselstudio.org

Episode 268: How Huntsville Became One of the Hottest Retail Markets in the South with Anusha Davis

In this episode of Beyond Rockets, host Clark Dunn sits down with Anusha Davis, Vice President of Retail at Crunkleton Commercial, for an in-depth look at the evolution of Huntsville’s retail and mixed-use real estate landscape.Born and raised in Huntsville, Anusha shares her unconventional path into commercial real estate, starting with a background in communications and journalism before finding her footing in development and brokerage. She discusses what it’s like to work on both sides of the table as a broker and former small business owner, and how that experience shapes the way she advocates for local entrepreneurs.The conversation dives into Huntsville’s explosive post-2020 growth, major mixed-use projects like Stadium Commons and Front Row, and why national retailers are now prioritizing Huntsville over traditional markets like Birmingham. Anusha also breaks down retail vacancy rates, what major announcements like Mazda Toyota and Eli Lilly mean for the city, and which submarkets to watch heading into 2026.From North Parkway and South Huntsville to Lincoln Mill, Five Points, and beyond, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Huntsville is being thoughtfully planned, brokered, and built for the future.https://www.linkedin.com/in/anushaalapati/https://www.crunkletonassociates.com

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

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.comhttps://www.instagram.com/mazdatoyotamanufacturing/