MBJ_50W-2017

SPONSORS

Special event of the

The Mississippi Economic Council is proud to congratulate the “Top 50 Women in Business!”

Special Congratulations to All of the “Top 50 Women in Business” for 2017!

Thank you for being an inspiration to us and the rest of Mississippi.

The contributions made by women who are leaders within the business community throughout Mississippi have brought about positive change in our state’s economic competitiveness, educational achievement and quality of life.

Your involvement helps ensure a brighter future for Mississippi.

www.mec.ms

MEC … a proud sponsor of “Top 50 Women in Business” for nearly two decades.

P.O. Box 23276 ࠮ Jackson, MS 39225-3276 (601) 969-0022 ࠮ 1-800-748-7626 ࠮ Fax: (601) 353-0247 or 1-888-717-2809

INSIDE LOOKING BACK: 2017 Business Woman of the Year – Nancy Carpenter .................................7 PHOTO PAGES: Announcement celebration ...................................................................... 8-11 ALUMNI: Past 50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi .............................................49-53

CONTENTS

ON THE COVER 2017 Class of Business Woman

2017 CLASS

SPONSORS

Special event of the

Imagery Photo by Stegall

MBJ Staff ALAN TURNER Publisher alan.turner@msbusiness.com • 601-364-1021 TAMI JONES Associate Publisher tami.jones@msbusiness.com • 601-364-1011 ROSS REILY Editor ross.reily@msbusiness.com • 601-364-1018 FRANK BROWN Staff Writer/Special Projects frank.brown@msbusiness.com • 601-364-1022 JACK WEATHERLY Staff Writer jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com • 601-364-1016 VIRGINIA HODGES Account Executive virginia.hodges@msbusiness.com • 601-364-1012 TACY RAYBURN Production Manager tacy.rayburn@msbusiness.com • 601-364-1019 CHARINA RHODES Circulation Manager charina.rhodes@msbusiness.com • 601-364-1045 MARCIA THOMPSON-KELLY Business Assistant marcia.kelly@msbusiness.com • 601-364-1044 Subscription Services 601-364-1000 charina.rhodes@msbusiness.com

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AMANDA GREEN ALEXANDER Alexander Law P.A. ............................................................ 12 MANDI ARINDER Rankin County Chamber of Commerce ................................. 12 ANNIE B. BAKER EQ Health .......................................................................... 13 WENDY BARNES Hinds Community College ................................................... 14 AMY NEEL BOTELER Neel-Schaffer Inc. .............................................................. 14 ROSARIO “ROSE” BOXX Mississippi Development Authority ..................................... 15 KAY H. BRODBECK Mississippi Safety Service ................................................... 16 D’ANNA BROUSSARD Cintas Corporation.............................................................. 16 KENYA L. COLLINS City of Greenville ................................................................ 17 TAMMY COTTON Paige Consulting ................................................................. 18 ELIZABETH R. CRISLER Liquid Creative ................................................................... 18 PATRINA R. DACE Kaleidoscope of Learning .................................................... 19 LINDSEY WEBB DANCY Community Bank ............................................................... 20 TINA SEYMOUR DEMORAN Seymour Law Firm, PLLC ................................................... 20 MARLO M. DORSEY Hattiesburg Convention Commission ................................... 21 BETHANY B. EDWARDS Trustcare ............................................................................22 WENDY HUFF ELLARD Baker Donelson ..................................................................22 DONNA GARDNER Ingalls Shipbuilding ............................................................23 SUSAN EASOM GARRARD Mississippi Children’s Museum ............................................24 MARY MARGARET GAY Maron Marvel Bradley Anderson & Tardy .............................24 KRISTENA PAYNE GAYLOR Mississippi College..............................................................25 ZETELLA GOOCH Gooch Consulting and Special Event Service, LLC & BNI MS ....... 26

KAREN E. HOWELL Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes, PLLC ..........................26 TERESA A. HUBBARD CITE Armored ....................................................................27 NASHANDRA T. JAMES Madison County Schools .....................................................28

BETH JEFFERS The Fitness Factor ..............................................................28 TIFFANY JOHNSTON Fisher Brown Boltrell Ins. ....................................................29 ANDREA JONES-DAVIS Tougaloo College ............................................................... 30 MARLO CARTER KIRKPATRICK Kirkpatrick & Porch Creative ............................................... 30 KRISTEN LEY Thimble Press .................................................................... 31 VICKIE WATTERS MARTIN Mississippi Development Authority .....................................32 LEIGHA S. MCLENDON Bank Plus ...........................................................................32 PAULA MCNAIR Atmos Energy.....................................................................33 BETSEY MOSBY Betsey Mosby Interior Design, LLC ......................................34 JONNETTE B. MOSS Origin Bank ........................................................................34 ANNA M. NEEL The Cirlot Agency ...............................................................35 KRISTIN PANETTA Elle James Bridal ................................................................36 MICHELLE PARISI Camgian.............................................................................36 DOROTHEY A. PERNELL Greenwood Chiropractors .................................................... 37 JESSICA H. PHILLIPS O! How Cute ......................................................................38 ELIZABETH J. RANDALL Randall Commercial Group ..................................................38 LISA A. REPPETO Jones Walker ......................................................................39 ERIN W. SMITH AARP Foundation .............................................................. 40 JENNIFER STANLEY The Salvation Army ............................................................ 41 SARA ELIZABETH STOCKTON Magnolia Regional Health Center.........................................42 ZAKIYA SUMMERS Lady Godiva Productions.....................................................43 ROBIN BANCK TAYLOR Ogletree Deakins ............................................................... 44 KARLA STECKLER TYE Children Advocacy Centers of MS ........................................45 RASHIDA N. WALKER W Real Estate, LLC. ........................................................... 46 JENNIFER KAY YOUNG-WALLACE Jackson State University .....................................................47

2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 3

Sponsor Letter 4 – 2017 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Sponsor Letter www.msbusiness.com

2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 5

From the Editor

50 Women continue to make their mark on Mississippi

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ince its first class was unveiled in 1997, the Mississippi 50 Leading Business Women program has proven a runaway success. A special offering of the Mississippi Business Journal, 50 Leading Business Women is back again and accepting nominations.

“I personally get such a boost from the 50 Leading Business Women program,” says Tami Jones, associate publisher for the Mississippi Business Journal. “It is so uplifting to be in the same room with women who are leaders in their industry and their community.”

The alumnae of the program are impressive. Sister Mary Dorothea Sondergroth of St. Dominic Health Services of Jackson, Beth Henry Paxton of Tempo in Jackson, Sandy Holifield of the Economic Development Authority of Jones County in Laurel and the late Melia Peavey of Peavey Electronics in Meridian are just a sampling of the hundreds of businesswomen that have been honored over the years.

6 – 2017 Fifty Leading Business Women

This year’s 50 Mississippi 50 Leading Business Women class were recently announced and were honored in August with a Girl’s Night Out, a fun event that takes in some of the sights and sounds of the greater Jackson area, along with an overnight retreat at the Hinds Community College’s Eagle Ridge Conference Center in Raymond, with a program.

In this issue, we profile each of the leading businesswomen as well as provide a list all of the program’s past winners.

The top vote-getter of the class will be named Business Woman of the Year as part of a program in 2018where the Top 10 women will also be announced.

The MBJ is also currently taking nominations for this 2018 class.

(Self-nominations are welcome). Go to www.msbusiness.com for more information.

» Contact Mississippi Business Journal editor Ross Reily at ross.reily@ msbusiness.com or (601) 364-1018.

www.msbusiness.com

2017 Business Woman of the Year

Nancy Carpenter named Woman of the Year

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ancy Luke Carpenter, CEO of Visit Columbus, was named Mississippi’s Business Woman of the Year for 2017 by the Mississippi Business Journal.

Carpenter was joined by 10 finalists and 39 other honorees at an event on February 16 at the Old Capitol Inn in Downtown Jackson. In 1971 Carpenter began her banking career with Unifirst Bank as Vice President. She served as Grant Chairman of the Junior League of Jackson and represented Mississippi State University on the Inter-Alumni Council. In 1990 she began her Columbus, Mississippi banking career serving as Vice President of First Columbus, Deposit Guaranty and AmSouth. In 2006 Carpenter was named Practitioner of the Year by the Public Relations Association of Mississippi. She served on the executive committee for the United States Military Academy’s West Point Parents’ Club. Carpenter is CEO of Visit Columbus and a Wingman at Columbus Air Force Base. She serves on the Executive Board of the Mississippi Tourism Association. In 2011 Governor Haley Barbour appointed Nancy to the Civil Rights Museum Commission. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, receiving confirmation from the State of Mississippi.

Previous recipients of Business Woman of the Year SISTER MARY DOROTHEA SONDGEROTH St. Dominic - 2000 ROBYN TANNEHILL GodwinGroup - 2001 GAIL PITTMAN Gail Pittman, Inc. - 2002 DR. FRANCES LUCAS Millsaps College – 2003 ELEANOR ROGERS Quality Hospice & Quality Healthcare – 2004 D’AUBY SCHIEL Community Bank Coast – 2005 LINDA C. WATTS Mississippi Power Company – 2006 JANE R. DENNIS Corporate Secretary-Treasurer – 2007 KATHRYN H. HESTER Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis – 2008 JOEY F. GARNER TEC – 2009 JANET SULLIVAN MDOT - 2010 ROSI JOHNSON Mississippi Music - 2011

Photo by Stegall Imagery

DANA HARBERS UMC - 2012 MENDE ALFORD Old Capitol Inn - 2013 PAT THOMASSON Thomasson and Company - 2014 ROSEMARY SMITH R & R Rentals and Hotshot, Inc. - 2015 FELICIA GAVIN Mississippi Department of Education - 2016

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2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 7

GIRLS NIGHT OUT Governor’s Mansion & Old Capitol Inn

8 – 2016 Fifty Leading Business Women

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LUNCHEON Eagle Ridge Conference Center in Raymond

PHOTOS BY DERYLL STEGALL| STEGALL IMAGERY

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2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 9

PHOTOS BY DERYLL STEGALL| STEGALL IMAGERY

10 – 2017 Fifty Leading Business Women

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PHOTOS BY DERYLL STEGALL| STEGALL IMAGERY

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2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 11

Amanda Green Alexander

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Alexander Law P.A. Amanda Green Alexander, a native of Kokomo, represents both self-insured employers and insurance companies in the areas of workers’ compensation, labor and employment law. She also practices in the areas of family law.

She attended Tougaloo College and Jackson State, before earning her J.D. at Mississippi College School of Law Alexander is Adjunct Professor at Jackson State University in the Department of Health Policy and Management. She has served as Deputy City Attorney for the City of Jackson.

She has received numerous recognition and accolades, including “Top 50 Women Lawyers in the Mid-South” by Super Lawyers; “Top Ten Leaders in Law for 2012” by the Mississippi Business Journal; “2012 Top Attorneys in Mississippi Rising Stars” by the Memphis Magazine; “2011 Distinguished Service Award by the Mississippi Bar; “2010 Young Lawyer of the Year” by Mississippi College School of Law, “People to Watch 2009” by the Mississippi Business Journal; “2009 Young Alumni of the Year” by the R. Jess Brown Chapter of Black Law Student Association and one of Jackson’s Young Influential for 2006.

She is the recipient of Champions of Women Business Owners Award by the U.S. Small Business Association, and Woman Trailblazer Award presented by the Mississippi Bar Women in the Profession Committee.

Alexander has co-authored a book on behalf of the ABA Commission on Women entitled The Road to Independence: 101 Women’s Journeys to Starting Their Own Law Firms.

Mandi Arinder

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Rankin County Chamber of Commerce

In 2010, Mandi Arinder began her career at the Rankin County Chamber of Commerce as the Events Coordinator, and quickly took the helm as Executive Director in 2011. Arinder joined the Rankin Chamber after serving four years as Director of the Forest Area Chamber of Commerce.

She is responsible for management of the organization and staff, marketing the Chamber to the community, growing membership, and implementing new events and programs to better serve its members.

Before joining the Chamber profession, Mandi gained valuable marketing experience as an advertising consultant for The Scott County Times and as the co-owner of Builder’s Hardware and Paint in Forest with her husband, Deckie.

She thinks that this first hand knowledge makes her more relatable to Chamber members, specifically small businesses, which make up the majority of the more than 1,000 members in the Rankin Chamber.

Mandi is a 2016 graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute of Organization Management in Athens, GA. She serves as the Vice President of Chamber Development for Mississippi Economic Development Council, a current Board Member Merit Health Rankin Hospital where she served as chairman in 2015 and vice chairman in 2014, Flowood YMCA Board Member, and Hinds Community College Rankin Campus Advisory Board. She is also an active member of the advisory board for the Rankin County Juvenile Detention Center, where she has helped spearhead Project Impact, a Leadership Program for at risk youth.

She and her husband, along with their sons, Haze (14) and Haden (12), reside near the town of Pelahatchie. They attend Crossroads Baptist Church and enjoy being involved with the East Rankin Academy Booster Club.

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Annie B. Baker

D EQ Health

Dr. Annie R. Baker serves as Assistant Project Director for eQHealth Solutions, the utilization management and quality improvement organization for the Mississippi Division of Medicaid.

A graduate of Jackson State University, Dr. Baker holds a certiďŹ cation as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA). She has developed over 15 years of leadership experience in the healthcare industry.

Passionate about community service, she is an active member of the Jackson Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and currently serves as a co-chair for Delta Academy and Delta Gems, mentoring programs for females 11-18 years of age.

She is married to Christopher Baker and is the mother of one daughter, Taylor.

In her spare time, Dr. Baker enjoys spending time with her family and friends and attending sporting events.

Congratulations to our own

Bethany Edwards, DNP, FNP-BC

for being selected as one of the

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2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 13

Wendy Barnes

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Hinds Community College Wendy Barnes is Workforce Project Manager at Hinds Community College, the largest community college in Mississippi with 12,000 students. Barnes has been with Hinds since 2009, and has been the office manager for Institutional Advancement, housing clerk and assistant to the academic/technical dean.

She previously was a staffing supervisor for Kelly Services Employment Agency in Flowood, where she was responsible for hiring, screening and assessing candidates, administering evaluations, conducting interviews, checking references, making hiring decisions, and conducting temporary employee orientations.

Barnes spent four years at L-3 Vertex Aerospace in Madison as a Human Resourcess Specialist, Recruiter; an Organizational Department and Wellness coordinator; and an HR Associate.

She and her husband Mike live in Raymond with their children, Hannah, 15, and Dalton, 11.

Amy Neel Boteler

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Neel-Schaffer Inc. Amy Boteler never expected to be working for the company her father co-founded. A graduate of Belhaven College with a Psychology degree and a Mississippi Real Estate Brokers License with over a decade of real estate experience, what could she possibly do for one of the South’s largest civil engineering firms?

As it has turned out, plenty.

After the real estate crash of 2008, Boteler joined Jackson-based Neel-Schaffer, Inc., in 2012, working the company’s accounts receivable collections.

She was later promoted to Executive Director of Real Estate Development, and she now manages development for Sweetbriar Plantation, a Madison County residential development owned by Neel-Schaffer. She is president and treasurer of the homeowner association, and she is managing phase II development that will double the size of the subdivision to more than 100 lots. Boteler is also a co-broker with her husband, Ben, for Boteler Real Estate, LLC, and BRE Construction, LLC. Boteler is a member of the Junior League of Jackson, Executive Women International, and the National Association of Realtors. She is married to her best friend, Ben, and says her greatest role is being mom to Jackson, 8, Neel, 7, and Adele, 3.

She feels she owes her success to her parents, Susan and Hibbett Neel, who taught her that family is the ultimate gift.

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Rosario “Rose” Boxx

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Mississippi Development Authority Rose Boxx is the director of the Mississippi Development Authority’s International Trade Office. Her primary responsibility is the development and implementation of the agency’s international business programs and services and supervision of the senior international trade specialists, foreign trade representatives, STEP Grant, and protocol office.

Previously, Boxx served as a bureau manager in the Trade Office and as a senior international trade specialist for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Prior to her position in international trade, Boxx was a community assistance specialist in the Community Services Division of MDA. A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and an MBA from Belhaven University.

Boxx is a native from Peru, South America. She grew up in several countries in South America including, Venezuela, Colombia, and Chile.

She came to the U.S. in 1990 and has lived in Mississippi ever since.

Rose lives in Madison with her husband, Tommy, and their son, Alex.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

LEIGHA MCLENDON ON BEING NAMED TO

LEADING BUSINESS WOMEN As a Vice President and Director of Guaranteed Lending at BankPlus, Leigha is one of our finest. So we’re proud, but not surprised, that she has been chosen for this honor. Leigha’s service to the community has been recognized by many. We take our hats off to Leigha.

BankPlus.net © Copyright 2017 BankPlus.

Member FDIC.

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2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 15

Kay H. Brodbeck

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Mississippi Safety Service Since 1986, Kay H. Brodbeck has been co-owner and executive director of Mississippi Safety Services, which is associated with the National Safety Council. She manages daily operations of providing defensive driving courses statewide in 42 locations. She maintain relations with over 200 courts, making referrals to her courses. She also manages brain injury prevention programs for schools and pre-schools, and presents the Train-the-Trainer programs for national certification with the National Safety Council She is President of National Association of Women Highway Safety Leaders, an organization she was appointed to by Gov. Fordice in 1993.

She has also held postions in the Mississippi Association of Highway Safety Leaders.

Recent honors includes the 2017 Governor’s Highway Safety Association’s Peter K. O’Rourke Special Achievement Award for our Teen Driver Impact Program.

Brodbeck graduated in 1971 with high honors from the University of Illinois, with a B.S. in Human Resources and Family Studies. Emphasis in adult education. She is married and has three grown children.

Brodbeck is active in the League of Women Voters, and was a former co-president of League of Women Voters of Mississippi. She has been a Sunday School teacher for 14 years at Northside Baptist Church in Clinton, and is a former officer of her neighborhood association.

D’Anna Broussard

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Cintas Corporation D’Anna Broussard is the Market Sales Manager at G & K Services, a division of Cintas, for the Mississippi Area. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communications and Marketing from The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.

She began her career in Baton Rouge, La., as a Territory Sales Representative in 2003. In four years she had received two promotions and found a passion for leading and training Sales Professionals. Excited to further her career, she took another promotion as a Field Sales Manager and returned to Mississippi.

Broussard has lead her team to all-time highs and broken company records, earning her additional promotions and honors within G&K Services. Her areas of responsibility include delivering sales performance expectations, coaching and developing sales professional, and creating a winning sales culture.

Broussard enjoys spending time with her family, painting abstract mixed media art, traveling, and serving with many nonprofit groups.

She and her family live in Madison.

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Kenya L. Collins

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City of Greenville Kenya L. Collins is chief of staff and executive assistant to Mayor Errick D. Simmons of Greenville, as well as the Engagement Manager for P3 Strategies, LLC, of Jackson.

With over 10 years of management experience with political and nonprofit organizations, Collins is an often-sought political strategist. She was selected as state director for Obama for America-Mississippi in April 2012 after volunteering as a community organizer for President Obama’s 2008 campaign. She went on to serve as the State Director for the 2013 Presidential Inauguration Committee.

Collins has also served as field director, senior advisor, or campaign manager in numerous other federal, state and local elections. She has also served as a consultant for the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute in Jackson, and as an ambassador and advocate for the American Cancer Society’s Mid-South Division.

A fiercely proud native of Jackson, Collins was a member of New Hope Baptist Church throughout her childhood and is a current member of St. Richard Catholic Church. She identifies her faith as pivotal to her becoming the woman she is today. She is also a proud product of the Jackson Public School District before completing a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Elementary Education at Jackson State University.

TO OUR OWN

TERESA HUBBARD FOR BEING SELECTED AS ONE OF

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2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 17

Tammy Cotton

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Paige Consulting

Tammy Cotton learned from her parents at an early age the importance of being responsible, caring for others, and hard work. After graduating from Mt. Olive High School, she continued her education at Tougaloo College in Jackson, then transferred to Jones Community College and finished her studies at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Cotton relishes in helping communities identify and incorporate effective change and strongly supports relevant not-for-profit organizations. She has made lasting impacts on her workplaces, including the Mississippi Regional Housing Authority, 21st Century Learning Grant, the American Red Cross and the Mississippi Association for Justice.

Cotton worked for the American Red Cross to insure that victims received immediate help after Hurricane Katrina. While at 21st Century, she coordinated Jeff Davis County’s After School Programs so children had a safe place to learn, play and be productive. As a lobbyist, she was an advocate for bills that were beneficial to all Mississippians.

Cotton is a member of the New Jerusalem Church, and is affiliated with the Downtown Neighborhood Association, and Leadership Mississippi.

Cotton is married to Attorney Ramel Cotton. They have a daughter Madison, son Cody, daughter-in-law Sarah, and granddaughter, Szoey.

Elizabeth R. Crisler

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Liquid Creative In 1999, Elizabeth opened a branch of the Dallas agency Squires & Co., but purchased the branch in 2003 and changed the name to Liquid Creative. She is president of the agency.

Elizabeth’s marketing and advertising experience includes telecommunications, finance, national exhibitions, land development, law, retail, medical, and non-profits. She directs all aspects of account service, from budget planning through strategic planning and implementation.

Previously, she held several positions in Jackson, including CommuniGroup marketing director, The Ramey Agency account executive, Maris West & Baker account executive, ConstructionGroup marketing director, and Butler Snow legal assistant.

Elizabeth was recognized earlier this year by Mississippi Business Journal as a Top Mississippi CEO. She earned her AA degree at Hinds Community College and her BS in business from Belhaven University.

Elizabeth is an artist, interior decorator, seamstress, and avid collector of glassware, vintage jewelry and purses, furniture, and 60s pop culture items.

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Patrina R. Dace

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Kaleidoscope of Learning Patrina Robinson Dace is an advocate for childcare in Mississippi, and feels that every community should have affordable full-time childcare service for any social or ethnic group. After transporting her own children from the suburb to the city every day, she opened Kaleidoscope of Learning Preschool and After School in Byram in 2003, with a mission of providing a loving, caring, and Christian environment to children.

Before going fulltime at Kaleidoscope in 2008, Dace was Director of Environmental Microbiology for the Mississippi State Department of Public Health Laboratory. On Dec. 31, 2013, after 25 years in Public Employee Retirement System, she retired at 46, to be full time owner, operator, and director at Kaleidoscope.

Dace is a native of Georgetown and graduated with honors from Crystal Springs High School in 1984. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree magna cum laude from Jackson State University in 1991. She completed a Master of Science in Teaching from JSU in 1994 in General Science Education. In 2008, she received her CDA from the Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program with endorsements in Infants and Toddlers and Preschool Education.

Patrina is married to Dr. Glen W. Dace II of Meridian. They live in Terry and have three children and two grandchildren. They attend New Horizon International Church in Jackson, where Patrina has been a deaconess for 15 years. She also is a member of Jackson Chambers of Commerce, Minority Business Owner, Byram Business Association, Mississippi Early Childhood Association and Southern Early Childhood.

Ingalls Shipbuilding CONGRATULATES OUR FELLOW SHIPBUILDER DIRECTOR, MATERIAL COST ANALYSIS & CONTROL

Donna Gardner 2017 Mississippi Business Journal’s 50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi

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2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 19

Lindsey Webb Dancy

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Community Bank Lindsey Dancy is Assistant Vice President/Corporate Training Officer for Community Bank, where she manages the bank’s online training LMS, maintains the Workforce Development program and works with offices and departments throughout the bank’s four-state footprint to create, coordinate and facilitate training.

She earned a Ph.D. in Communication from The University of Southern Mississippi, and a M.S. degree in Communication from Mississippi College, as well as a B.S. degree in Psychology from MC. Lindsey is the Executive Treasurer/Secretary for the Mississippi Communication Association, and is the Vice President of Communications for the Mississippi Chapter of the Association for Talent Development, where she will serve as the President-elect in 2018.

When she is not working, Lindsey can be found with her husband, Nathan, renovating their home or traveling. She and Nathan live in Brandon with their dog, Bentley, and are members of Pinelake Church.

Tina Seymour Demoran

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Seymour Law Firm, PLLC Tina Seymour Demoran, JD, RRT is the founder and managing attorney of Seymour Law Firm, PLLC, a boutique law firm in Biloxi specializing in estate planning, family law, criminal law, regulatory compliance, probate, real estate and business law. Demoran is also the founder of Professional Expert Consulting, LLC, a full-service business consultation, expert witness, and training agency for legal and medical professionals in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi.

Prior to opening her own firm, Demoran was the Director of Corporate Compliance for a critical access hospital, nursing homes, pharmacy, durable medical equipment company and an aviation repair company; the statewide Director of Corporate Compliance with a behavioral health company; a Cardiopulmonary Specialist; a Director at MC Law, and a member of a criminal defense team in The Hague, Holland.

Demoran is a published author, guest radio host and guest lecturer in Texas and Mississippi and was named a 2016 Mississippi Leading Attorney, the 2009 Young Lawyer of the Year for MC Law, a 2011 Top 40 Under 40, a 2015 Healthcare Hero and a Lighthouse Business Woman of the Year for 2015.

Demoran is also being honored for her pro bono work in September of 2017 by the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers’ Project of Mississippi.

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Marlo M. Dorsey

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Hattiesburg Convention Commission

Marlo Dorsey is the Director of Marketing and Communications for VisitHattiesburg and the Hattiesburg Convention Commission. She leads Hattiesburg’s destination marketing, sales and public relations for the commission’s six facilities — The Hattiesburg Zoo, African American Military History Museum, Historic Saenger Theater, Lake Terrace Convention Center, Eureka School and the Visitors Center.

Dorsey previously was the chief marketing officer for the Mississippi Development Authority and led the state’s global marketing and communications efforts for business investment and tourism. Prior to MDA, Dorsey was the vice president of marketing for Jones County Junior College for seven years. At age 24, Dorsey began a 10-year stint as a founding member of Cybergate Internet Services, which was sold to a national firm in 2008. Dorsey was the first chairwoman of the Economic Development Authority of Jones County, and helped Ellisville land GE Aviation’s second Mississippi jet-engine manufacturing facility.

She earned a broadcast journalism degree from Louisiana State University and later received an MBA in executive management. She is a graduate of Leadership Mississippi and has served on its advisory board. She is a member of the American Marketing Association and participates in several local boards and organizations.

She is married to Christopher Dorsey, and they have two children, Peyton and Carson.

AARP Foundation Salutes

Erin Smith on being named one of the 2017 • 50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi Erin means business.

She has put her entrepreneurial skills to work as the Mississippi program manager for AARP Foundation’s Fresh Savings.

The result? Thousands of Mississippians have taken steps to improve their health by using their SNAP benefits to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.

We’re proud to have her on our team.

Congratulations, Erin!

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2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 21

Bethany B. Edwards

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Trustcare Bethany Edwards is a Family Nurse Practitioner with TrustCare Express Medical Clinics in Jackson.

She graduated in 2002 from Hinds Community College with an Associate Degree in Nursing. She furthered her education at Delta State University, completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2005, Master of Science in Nursing in 2008 and Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2014.

Bethany is a Certified Volunteer Fire Fighter with the Raymond Fire Department and a member Raymond United Methodist Church.

She was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges in 2001 and received Delta State University’s Award for Most Outstanding RN-BSN Student in 2005.

She is also a member of Sigma Theta Tau. Bethany is a native of Jackson and currently resides in Raymond. Married to Gabe Edwards, she has 3 sons and enjoys spending time with family and enjoying outdoor activities.

Wendy Huff Ellard

W Baker Donelson

Wendy Ellard is a shareholder in the Baker Donelson’s Jackson office and primarily practices in the areas of disaster recovery and state public policy. She has experience with legal and regulatory compliance issues and regularly represents public and not-for-profit entities, contractors and industry associations to support grant eligibility and federal procurement compliance.

Ellard has strong knowledge of previous policy applications and interpretations of FEMA’s Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Programs, and she provides clients with support and guidance regarding eligibility criteria and regulatory requirements.

A 2007 cum laude graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law, Ellard earned her B.A. summa cum laude at Mississippi State University in 2003.

Ellard is a member of the Capital Area, Mississippi and American Bar Associations. She is also active Mississippi Bar Association, American Bar Association, Capital Area Bar Association, Mississippi Women Lawyers Association, and National Emergency Management Association.

She is AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, and has been named a Mid-South Rising Star by Mid-South Super Lawyers (2015 – 2016). She received the Lewis Donelson Public Service Award from Baker Donelson in 2016. She is also on the Advisory Board of the Mississippi Center for Violence Prevention.

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Donna Gardner

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Ingalls Shipbuilding

Donna Gardner, Director of Material Cost Analysis, is responsible for directing the material cost control, cost price analysis, and new business support functions within the Supply Chain Management organization at Ingalls Shipbuilding, a military shipbuilding based in Pascagoula.

In this role, she is accountable for ensuring the integration of procurement specifications and budgets with the program schedules to manage, control, and report program performance for $1.1 billion in material. Her other responsibilities include providing the material cost and price analysis necessary for submitting and negotiating multi-billion dollar new proposals.

Donna has more than 35 years of experience at Ingalls Shipbuilding, which includes positions with increasing responsibility in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, and Program Management. Her prior experience included DDG 1000 Program Integration Manager, LPD 24 Cost Manager as well as Material Cost Specialist in Supply chain Management.

Donna holds a MBA from William Carey University and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.

CONGRATULATIONS S TO

Robin Banck Taylor

Office Managing Shareholder holder for being chosen as one of the 2017 Mississippi Business Journal’s Leading Business Women.

JACKSON OFFICE 207 West Jackson Street Suite 200 Ridgeland, MS 39157 601.360.8444 WWW.OGLETREE.COM

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2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 23

Susan Easom Garrard

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Mississippi Children’s Museum

Susan Garrard has been President of the Mississippi Children’s Museum since 2008. Before becoming President, she was a member and then chairman of the museum’s Board of Directors. She was also the first president of the museum’s support group, MCM Partners, which has over 300 members statewide.

Since 1984, she has served on the boards of the Belhaven Neighborhood Foundation, Jackson Prep and the Junior League of Jackson, where she was president in 2002-2003. Garrard is a graduate of Mississippi State University and the Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York in New York City.

Garrard was responsible for the $26.6 million capital campaign that realized the dream of a 40,000-square-foot children’s museum in Jackson. She was primarily responsible for the project management of the museum’s permanent exhibits from 2008-2010. Under her leadership, the museum received the KidsCount Program of Promise award which recognizes organizations that improve the well-being of children and families in Mississippi communities as well as the Mississippi Tourism Association’s Attraction of the Year in 2011. She is on the international Association of Children’s Museums’ board of directors. She was awarded a Goodwill Community Volunteer of the Year in 2009, and received the Youth Villages Tribute of Excellence in 2013.

She is a native of Sebastopol, is married to John Walter Garrard II, and has two sons, Jack and William.

Mary Margaret Gay

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Maron Marvel Bradley Anderson & Tardy Mary Margaret Gay is a Director in the Jackson office of Maron Marvel Bradley Anderson & Tardy LLC. She is a native of Arkansas where she attended Hendrix College. Following an internship in Washington D.C., she moved to Jackson to attend Mississippi College School of Law and was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 2002 and the Arkansas Bar in 2016.

Gay clerked for former Gov. Bill Waller and was named as partner in the firm of Forman Perry Watkins Krutz & Tardy before joining Maron Marvel in 2015. Gay has experience in creating cost-efficient, unified defense strategies to manage special issues arising in litigation. She works closely with clients to develop proactive strategies for companies of all sizes. A number of national insurers and defendants have retained Gay to serve as their National Trust Transparency Counsel as a result of her work and database development.

She has written multiple articles on various litigation issues related to mass torts, product liability, Title IX compliance and agribusiness and she is frequently presents at seminars and workshops. She was also instrumental in the passing of Mississippi House Bill 1426 this year.

Gay received an AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell and was named among the 2015 Leaders in Law by the Mississippi Business Journal. She is recognized as both a Mid-South Super Lawyer and Best Lawyer for Product Liability Litigation-Defendants.

But her most cherished titles are wife to Kevin and mother to Drew, 8, and Owen, 4.

24 – 2017 Fifty Leading Business Women

www.msbusiness.com

Kristena Payne Gaylor

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Mississippi College Dr. Kristena Payne Gaylor is an Assistant Professor of Management and Economics at Mississippi College in Clinton. Before joining MC in 2011, she taught for 10 years at Belhaven University, Alcorn State University and Jackson State University. In 2011, Gaylor started KPG Consulting, LLC which is a management consulting firm.

She graduated cum laude with a degree in Business Administration from Mississippi State in 1995. She was a manager and marketing coordinator before pursuing an MBA from Millsaps College. In 2004, she was one of the first women at JSU to earn a Ph.D. in Business with a Major in Management and a Minor in Economics.

Gaylor often does research in the field of organizational behavior, and has been published in the Journal of Academy of Business and Economics, the Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, Journal of Behavioral and Applied Management, SAM Advanced Management Journal, and the Academy of Educational Leadership Journal.

Gaylor has served on the Board of Directors for Operation Shoestring and Parents for Public Schools Greater Jackson. She is a life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is a member of the Junior League of Jackson, where she received the “2014 Provisional Member of the Year.”

Gaylor serves on her children’s PTA Board, and teaches Sunday School at Anderson United Methodist Church. She enjoys spending time with her family including her mother, husband, Tony, and sons Samuel and Kristopher.

MEMBER FDIC

Congratulations, Jonnette Moss On the outstanding achievement of being among the 50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi by the Mississippi Business Journal.

www.Origin.bank

Bank Original

www.msbusiness.com

601.856.3380

2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 25

Zetella Gooch

Z

Gooch Consulting and Special Event Service, LLC & BNI MS Zetella Gooch is the owner of Gooch Consulting and Event Services, LLC, which provides complete consulting for special events and celebrations.

Its consultation is backed by many years of event-planning experience. From weddings, reunions, parties, promotional affairs, organizations or corporate conferences, it can strategically plan, design, organize and supervise your event from start to finish.

She started as a member of Business Network International, a business and professional referral organization, several years ago as a Strategic Event Planner. As a member of BNI, she has served in various areas of leadership including: President, Events Coordinator, GrowthCoordinator, Education Coordinator, and Ambassador.

She has also served as Director Consultant for several chapters in the Central and Southern Mississippi Region.

She is now the Area Director Consultant for the State of Mississippi and is responsible for the coordination of BNI Director Consultants and Ambassadors. She maintains 13 chapters covering the Jackson area, Hattiesburg, Starkville, Columbus and Laurel.

Karen E. Howell

K

Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes, PLLC Karen Howell joined Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes PLLC in 2006, focusing on litigation. Her practiace areas are Appellate; Commercial Litigation; Government Contracts; Health Care; Intellectual Property; Intellectual Property Litigation; Personal Injury, Mass Torts, and Product Liability.

She received her Bachelor’s degree cum laude in Business Administration from Mississippi College in 2003. Howell received her Juris Doctor magna cum laude from the Mississippi College School of Law in 2006, where she served as a Senior Editor of the Mississippi College Law Review and earned American Jurisprudence Awards for best paper in Administrative Law, Constitutional Law, Employment Discrimination, Health Care Law, and Labor Law. She has been admitted to practice in Mississippi, the U.S. District Courts of Mississippi and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

She has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for commercial litigation, and was a 2016 Mid-South Super Lawyer.

Howell is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association, American Bar Association, Jackson Young Lawyers Association and Jackson Junior League.

26 – 2017 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Teresa A. Hubbard

T

CITE Armored Teresa Hubbard, President & CEO of CITE Armored, has a broad range of experience that continues to enhance the success of the company she opened in 2002 to manufacture cash-in-transit equipment and vehicles in Holly Springs.

She is experienced at operating a small business and has the expertise need to run the organization. She previously was controller at Griffin, Inc., in Byhalia, and was a public and tax accountant in Memphis.

Hubbard received her B.B.A in Accounting and B.B.A in Computer Information Systems from Delta State University.

Hubbard is a member of Independent Armored Car Operators Association, Marshall County Chamber of Commerce, the Secure Cash and Transport Association, the ATM Industry Association, Kappa Delta Alumni Association, LOU Humane Society, Delta State Alumni Association, U of M Athletic Foundation, and contributes to Compassion Ministries.

She lives in Oxford with her two children, Ben and Elizabeth.

She enjoys reading, travel, cooking, watching sports and work.

Congratulations to our own Lindsey Dancy, Ph.D. for being selected as one of Mississippi’s 50 Leading Business Women.

• Lindsey has been a member of the Community Bank family since 2014.

• Serving as an Assistant Vice President and Corporate Training Officer, she oversees all aspects of training and is a primary resource for product knowledge.

• Her commitment is a true reflection of Community Bank’s core values.

• COMMUNITYBANK.NET • MEMBER FDIC

www.msbusiness.com

2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 27

Nashandra T. James

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Madison County Schools Born and raised in Jefferson County, Nashandra James is a mother, wife, educator, and life-long learner. She’s been married to her wonderful husband, Steven James for 11 years. They have one son, Steven C. James, II. Nashandra is an outgoing person, although she has been known to be very direct when working. The things she loves most about life are enjoying time with my family, helping others and her relationship with God. Nashandra is a graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi and Mississippi State University. Currently, she serves as the Instructional Technology Coordinator for Madison County Schools. She is also a former High School Technology instructor. She is a member of several professional organizations which includes, the Junior League of Jackson and Leadership Madison County.

Each and every day, Nashandra has the pleasure to share her passion of technology with students and teachers throughout Madison County Schools District. She believes that the new 21st century learners are highly interconnected and demand quick access to new knowledge.

Beth Jeffers

F

The Fitness Factor For the past three decades, Beth Jeffers has been a leader in the fitness industry. From her start as the Aerobics Director of the YMCA in Columbus, to building a successful business from the ground up, she has dedicated much of her life to helping Mississippians become healthier. Beth has owned The Fitness Factor for the past 23 years and has been awarded ‘Best Gym in The Golden Triangle’ on multiple occasions. Along with her success in the private sector, Beth has served her community in a multitude of ways. She has served as a member of Junior Auxiliary of Columbus and has served on the boards of the Father’s Child Ministry and the Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce.

Beth has also served on several mission teams and continues to integrate her charity work into her business. Beth was awarded one of the highest accolades in the fitness industry, being named Club Industry’s Female Entrepreneur of the Year. In addition to being a business owner and community leader, Beth is also a wife, mother to two children, and grandmother to two girls. In her spare time, Beth enjoys exercising, volunteering, traveling, and spending time with her family.

28 – 2017 Fifty Leading Business Women

www.msbusiness.com

Tiffany Johnston

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Fisher Brown Boltrell Ins. Tiffany Johnston is a graduate of Mississippi State University with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Insurance, Risk Management, and Financial Planning. She joined Fisher Brown Bottrell in 2007 as an Insurance Development Associate.

In 2009, Tiffany was promoted to the Agency Workflow and Automation Administrator position, where she actively promoted the use of technology to save time for our clients and associates. She also managed the Agency’s Insurance Development and Internship Program. During this period, Tiffany hired, trained and managed a number of new associates that still remain in the Agency today.

Fisher Brown Bottrell management team promoted Tiffany to Technology Channel and Innovation Manager in 2015. In this role, Tiffany takes a broader approach to technology needs of the Agency and gives recommendations to the executive team in order to improve overall Agency operations.

Tiffany, her husband and son reside in Brandon, Mississippi.

We don’t just practice in this community

WE’RE A PART OF IT Jones Walker LLP proudly salutes our partner Lisa A. Reppeto on being named one of the 2017 Mississippi Business Journal “50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi” recipients, and we congratulate Lisa and all of the honorees for their achievements and contributions across the state.

Proudly Congratulates Our Valued Board Treasurer, Paula McNair www.mscee.org @mseconeducation

www.msbusiness.com

Jeffrey R. Barber 190 E Capitol St | Suite 800 601.949.4765 Jackson, MS 39201 jbarber@joneswalker.com www.joneswalker.com

ALABAMA | ARIZONA | DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA | FLORIDA GEORGIA | LOUISIANA | MISSISSIPPI | NEW YORK | TEXAS Attorney Advertising. No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other attorneys.

2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 29

Andrea Jones-Davis

A

Tougaloo College

As the Director of eLearning at Tougaloo College, Jones-Davis is responsible for the development and coordination of professional certificate curricula and courses, recruitment of professional certification faculty, development of online and ground professional certification courses, management of professional certification program and digital teaching and learning program serving a network of students, alumni and career network partners.

Jones-Davis is also instructional leader for Toot, Teach & Roll, LLC, which serves children and adults in a capacity that would expand their cultural, academic and social growth and development. She says Toot, Teach & Roll has allowed her to extract the potential success of youth and adults from varied backgrounds and motivate them to reach heights previously unimaginable.

She previously was Executive Director of JSUOnline and Assistant Director of Admissions and Recruiting at Jackson State University.

Before JSU, she was an Educational Technology Consultant with The Kirkland Group in Jackson, a facilitator in Instructional Technology for six years in the Jackson Public School District, a fourth-grade teacher in JPS, and worked in Marketing at BellSouth Mobility.

Jones-Davis earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Jackson State in 1997. She then went to Mississippi College in Clinton where she earned her Masters of Art in Teaching Business Education and her Business Education Teacher Certification, and completed her Educational Leadership Specialist Program.

Marlo Carter Kirkpatrick

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Kirkpatrick & Porch Creative Marlo Kirkpatrick is a storyteller whose work evokes emotions from humor to sorrow, excitement to frustration, and uses those emotions to move audiences to action.

A partner in the advertising agency Kirkpatrick & Porch Creative, Kirkpatrick brings extensive experience in brand development and advertising that generate bottom line results. Her client list includes travel destinations, healthcare providers, home design firms, private schools and universities, financial institutions, and nonprofits serving at-risk children.

Kirkpatrick’s work has taken her to destinations around the world, from the coral reefs of the Caribbean to the sands of the Middle East, from the streets of Europe to the plains of Africa.

She has won more than 250 local, regional, and national awards for creative excellence, including recognition as the Jackson Advertising Federation’s Writer of the Year five times.

Kirkpatrick and her husband, wildlife photographer Stephen Kirkpatrick, fell in love on an expedition to the Peruvian Amazon, and returned to Peru for their wedding ceremony at Machu Picchu. On a recent trip back to the rainforest, Marlo complained of snakes under her bed and roaches on her toothbrush. Stephen told her she was “just too high maintenance.”

30 – 2017 Fifty Leading Business Women

www.msbusiness.com

Kristen Ley

D

Thimble Press Dressing up as an artist at her kindergarten career day was the first step Kristen took in the direction of being an artist as a profession. She knew at an early age what creating art and beautiful things meant. Both her grandmothers were avid seamstresses and craft gurus. She grew up loving hands-on projects and anything that involved paint.

Kristen went on to Mississippi State where she did not even hesitate to choose her major. She went into college knowing she was going to be an art major with an emphasis in graphic design.

After graduation in 2007, Kristen opened up Cultigraphic Creative with fellow MSU classmate Catherine Yerger. Both of them had a passion for art and design which translated nicely into design work for their long list of clients.

In 2011, Kristen and she purchased a 1925 10 x 15 Chandler + Price press and hauled it back to Mississippi. With the press acquired she decided to open up Thimblepress.

Kristen has made Thimblepress a reflection of her life, love of her family, and her favorite places in the world; one of them being Mississippi.

ATMOS Energy Proudly

CONGRATULATES

CONGRATULATIONS

KARLA TYE

on being chosen as one of the

PAULA MCNAIR for being chosen as one of Mississippi’s 50 Leading Business Women

www.msbusiness.com

2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 31

Vickie Watters Martin

V

Mississippi Development Authority Vickie Watters Martin has more than 20 years of international business experience in the private and government sectors. She is currently a member of Mississippi’s International Trade Team as the Canada and Senior Trade Manager at the Mississippi Development Authority. Her previous professional experience includes a professor at the University of Phoenix and the Export Supervisor at Skytel/MCI WorldCom headquarters.

Described by others as encouraging, empowering, loving, anointed, authentic, a leader and mentor, Vickie easily develops new connections and nurtures existing relationships. Frequently addressing issues common to women from all walks of life at women conferences, she is a sought after public speaker. Vickie also volunteers in local women shelters.

Vickie serves on several boards and holds both a MBA and a B.S. degree in Business Administration. She is married and is a member of the Jackson Revival Center.

Leigha S. McLendon

L

Bank Plus Leigha McLendon is the assistant vice president and coordinator of guaranteed lending for Bank Plus in the bank’s administration office. McLendon was previously employed

by Community Bank as assistant vice president in the Small Business Administration Department for five years.

At the young age of 27, she interviewed with BankPlus executives and was hired to create and develop the Guaranteed Lending Department. Just a short five years later, they surpassed their initial goal of $50 million in guaranteed lending credits. Being able to use her knowledge and abilities to help others with their financial needs in life is an amazing and rewarding accomplishment, she says.

A native of Brandon, McLendon is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi. In the community, she actively volunteers for The Salvation Army. McLendon and her husband, Nick, have one daughter, Shaleigh.

32 – 2017 Fifty Leading Business Women

www.msbusiness.com

Paula McNair

P

Atmos Energy Paula McNair is the Vice President of Atmos Energy, where she supervises development and manages annual capital and expenses with a budget of more than $100 million.

Having been there since 2009, she performs quarterly forecasts and reconciles variances between budget and actual results, manages the ďŹ nance department that operates the customer information system. McNair is responsible for the daily operation of Mississippi division ďŹ nancial activities.

Prior to her arrival at Atmos, McNair with the operations manager and controller for Kalalou (formerly Country Originals). And since 2014 she has been on the board of directors at the Mississippi Council of Economic Education. She also has worked with Deposit Guaranty and Trustmark National Bank.

McNair is a 1993 graduate of Belhaven University.

D’Anna Broussard

Congratulations

20 17

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We are extremely proud of you for this well deserved achievement!

Love, Kasey, Jude, Liam, Elita, Turner & Broussard Families

www.msbusiness.com

2017 Fifty Leading Business Women â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 33

Betsey Mosby

B

Betsey Mosby Interior Design, LLC Betsey Mosby is an interior designer in Jackson, who specializes in high-end residential interior design. She graduated Cum Laude with a Masters of Taxation from the University of Mississippi before obtaining her CPA and working for several years for a big four accounting firm. A lifelong interest in interior design led her to seek training in that field, and after several years of working as an associate in a design firm she opened the doors to her own boutique firm in 2014. Today her firm operates out of a studio location in Highland Village and she has a second office location in Oxford. The team works on over 100 projects each year spanning from New York to Florida, but mostly in Mississippi.

In addition to being involved in her church, Betsey is on the board of several location organizations, is chairing the Discovery night at the Children’s Museum of Mississippi in the Fall of 2017 and is an active member of the Junior League of Jackson. Betsey and her husband have a 2 year old daughter, Pryor.

Jonnette B. Moss

M Origin Bank

Mortgage Loan Officers throughout the Southeast Mortgage Division for Origin Bank throughout Mississippi and Louisiana along with maintaining her personal production goals.

She has 30 plus years of experience in the mortgage industry ranging from originating, processing, customer service and underwriting. Originating is the aspect of this business that her heart belongs to. She loves the reward of seeing the first time homebuyer’s face as they purchase their first home and the satisfaction in helping that client for the third or fourth time as they are able to achieve their goal of buying their dream home.

Jonnette is an active member of the Mortgage Bankers Association of Mississippi.

She is a devoted wife and mother of two, and attends Broadmoor Baptist Church where she is an active member and volunteer.

34 – 2017 Fifty Leading Business Women

www.msbusiness.com

Anna M. Neel

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The Cirlot Agency Neel joined The Cirlot Agency in 2015, as Director of Public Relations. Neel works with clients to develop and execute integrated communications plans.

Currently, Neel oversees all account executives and client communications and marketing activities for The Cirlot Agency, providing oversight and guidance where necessary. Given her experience in reputation management and crisis communications, Neel is often sought to provide guidance to clients who are caught in the middle of a crisis situation or who are planning for a potential crisis.

Before moving to Mississippi in 2010, to join Mississippiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NRDA team on the BP Oil Spill, Neel worked as publicist for Yamaha Marine Group. Before joining Yamaha, Neel had a distinguished career with Habitat for Humanity International as Celebrity Relations Coordinator and Publicist. Neel began her career in communications at CNN, after graduating from the University of West Georgia in 2003. While at CNN, she played a pivotal role in the reporting and production of many news stories.

CONGRATULATIONS

RASHIDA WALKER

CONGRATULATES

on being recognized as one of the

PATRINA DACE for being selected one of the 50 Leading Business Women of 2017 in Mississippi

SHARON PLUNKETT AND BROCK MAPLES

www.msbusiness.com

2017 Fifty Leading Business Women â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 35

Kristin Panetta

K

Elle James Bridal Kristin Panetta of Ridgeland envisioned a boutique where a bride and her entourage could sip champagne while the boutique owner offered the bride her complete attention to find the perfect dress.

That’s the business model Panetta adopted when she opened Elle James Bridal, an intimate boutique that specializes in handpicked, couture wedding gowns.

Panetta, 26, a 2008 graduate of Madison Central High School and a 2012 graduate of Mississippi State University, said the business allows her to be her own boss and to incorporate the skills she learned from an internship in New York City with the Veronica Beard brand.

She said she saw a niche for a local wedding boutique after many of her friends chose to travel out of state to boutiques that specialize in wedding gowns and offer one-on-one service and the ultimate in experience.

Many people ask ‘Who is Elle James?’ Panetta said, noting Elle (the last e is silent) is the name of her grandmother and James is the name of her father.

Michelle Parisi

M Camgian

Michelle Parisi is the Director of Finance and Contracts at Camgian. She manages financial planning and reporting and is responsible for contract administration. She also oversees recruiting and employee onboarding.

Prior to joining Camgian, Michelle was the Corporate Controller for SemiSouth Laboratories, a high-tech start-up formed to develop and manufacture silicon carbide electrical components While there, the company grew from less than 50 employees to over 120 and raised more than $60 million from investors. Prior to SemiSouth, Michelle worked as a Plant Controller for Holcim Cement, one of the world’s largest cement manufacturers.

Michelle began her career in accounting departments at various businesses ranging from medical supply distributing, to toy manufacturing, to telecommunications and gained a wealth of experience from the diversity. Michelle is a CPA with a Bachelors Degree in Economics from Mississippi State University and an MBA from Mississippi College.

36 – 2017 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Dorothey A. Pernell

H

Greenwood Chiropractors Her parents chose chiropractic care when she was a child and it became our primary source of healthcare. At the age of 18, Dorothey Pernell began working in her first chiropractic office and concluded that if this man could do this, then so could she. The opportunity to assist others in returning to health has been a pleasure for her over the last 26 years and she still loves it.

Pernell attended Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dr. Pernell has two children and six grandchildren. Pernell says “they are truly the apple of her eye and add joy and happiness to her life.”

Another of her pleasures is serving as the team chiropractor for University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. “It is indeed rewarding to see an athlete who has sustained an injury return to his full potential. Being around these young men and women keep you young as well!” she says.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

KAY BRODBECK

Safe Kids Mississippi would like to thank Kay Brodbeck and Mississippi Safety Services for her years of service to Mississippi teens & children. We are honored to have you as a partner.

www.msbusiness.com

2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 37

Jessica H. Phillips

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O! How Cute Jessica Phillips is the owner of O! How Cute, a gift shop with five locations.

Phillips, according to a letter of recommendation is one of the hardest working people there is and deserves any honor she receives.

And Phillips’ advice to others is simple. When it comes to making a difference, identify the result or goal you want to achieve, stay focused, and be patient as it may take time. Nothing happens overnight. Making a difference requires sacrifice and facing difficult decisions.

She is a member of the Ranking County Chamber of Commerce, the Pearl Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Flowood and the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce.

Jessica says her husband Andy is a major role model in her life as are her father and father in law.

When not working, Jessica says it is all about family time with her husband and two children as they do many activities, including trying to make it to Orlando for Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal once a year.

Elizabeth J. Randall

E

Randall Commercial Group Elizabeth Randall is the Owner and President of Randall Commercial Group, a commercial real estate investment and advisory firm. In this role, she supervises the Randall Commercial Group team members, advising on all deals in which the firm is engaged. She also facilitate the growth of the client base and advises on strategies and opportunities for commercial investment real estate. Randall directs property and economic research, which is used to determine viable opportunities for investment properties and development opportunities within markets. Overall, she mentors the team to ensure that their clients have the best experience and that their team is preserving and building our clients’ wealth one property at a time.

Randall graduate from Ole Miss in 2003 with a double major of banking and finance and managerial finance. She also received her MBA from Ole Miss un 2005.

38 – 2017 Fifty Leading Business Women

www.msbusiness.com

Lisa A. Reppeto

L

Jones Walker Lisa Reppeto is a partner in the firm’s Business & Commercial Litigation Practice Group and practices from the firm’s Jackson office. A U.S. Green Building Council LEED Accredited Professional (LEED-AP), her practice ranges from real estate litigation, zoning and land use, eminent domain, to commercial litigation, appellate advocacy, and product liability defense. She is a frequent speaker on various topics related to real estate litigation including eminent domain, zoning and land use regulations, and adverse possession issues, as well as on ethics rules.

Reppeto is a member of The Mississippi Bar, the Capital Area Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute, the International Conference of Shopping Centers, and the Outdoor Advertising Association of America. She is a graduate of Millsaps College, where she completed her Bachelor of Business Administration. She graduated from The University of Mississippi School of Law, where she received a juris doctor degree, magna cum laude.

Congratulations To KRISTENA GAYLOR The Mississippi College School of Business is proud to announce that faculty member Dr. Kristena Gaylor is one of the

Mayor Robyn Tannehill and the citizens of Oxford proudly offer our congratulations to

Teresa Hubbard One of the 2017 Mississippi Business Journal’s 50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi.

Such an honor is well deserved for Dr. Gaylor

www.msbusiness.com

2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 39

Erin W. Smith

C

AARP Foundation Currently employed with AARP Foundation, Erin W. Smith oversees the company’s FINI project, Fresh Savings, in Mississippi. The program spans across the state and has over 25 locations throughout 17 counties. In addition to her career at AARP Foundation, she is part-owner to Particular Poultry, Inc., an eight house broiler poultry operation which produces around eight million pounds of meat per year. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the Brookhaven School District, chairing as board president in 2016-2017, and serves on the board of the University of Southern Mississippi’s International Alumni Association.

Philanthropic endeavors are essential to Erin’s life philosophy of giving back. She is a member Heucks Retreat Baptist Church, the Eagle Club, and life memberships include: Junior Auxiliary of Brookhaven, Kappa Delta, Beta Sigma Chapter, University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Association, and Copiah-Lincoln Community College Alumni Association. Having recently lost over 130 pounds, Erin is passionate about encouraging others to reach their wellness goals. She is the proud wife to Brett and mother of Bryce, Hampton, and Ashlynn.

We are so proud of you!

Your leadership inspires us daily!

Love your O! How Cute family

40 – 2017 Fifty Leading Business Women

www.msbusiness.com

Jennifer Stanley

J

The Salvation Army Jennifer Stanley has been a Development Director the last 5 years. Growing up in Jackson she had the opportunity to build on relationships through a group of different networking opportunities. This has allowed her to be a strong leader in the development industry with non-profit organizations, companies and corporations.

In her position, I work closely with Chief Financial Officers, Chief Executive Officers and many other business partners in the community. She is responsible for bringing in financial streams to a non-profit through development in the community and building brand strategies.

As the Development Director Stanley gets to work closely with the board of directors and development committee who assist with decision making and annual campaigns. Stanley has an outreach role in the organization and often fulfills a public affairs role while completing office-based work. Her position at The Salvation Army allows our programs to continue functioning on a basis of being able to give back to the community.

YOU’RE TRULY A

LEADER OF THE PACK.

BETSEY MOSBY INTERIOR DESIGN Studio Location Suite 239 in Higland Village 4500 I-55 North |Jackson, MS 39211

betseymosby.com

Congratulations to Marlo Kirkpatrick and a big thank you to our clients who made this recognition possible. k i r k pat r i c k & p o r c h c r e at i ve www.kirkpatrickporch.com

email: Betsey@betseymosby.com

www.msbusiness.com

2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 41

Sara Elizabeth Stockton

S

Magnolia Regional Health Center Sara Beth Stockton is the Physician Recruiter for Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth and has served as Board President for Main Street Corinth over the past three years. She also serves on the Corinth Alliance Board of Directors, Magnolia Foundation Special Gifts Committee and former President of the Alcorn County Chapter of the Mississippi State Alumni Association. Sara Beth is a Corinth Junior Auxiliary Life Member and was recently selected in the 2017 Top 50 under 40 class. She received the first Citizenship Award, by her employer, in recognition for her service and dedication in the community. She says that building relationships is the key to any success, especially hers. Ms. Stockton is a graduate of Mississippi State University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and has recently received her Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Columbia Southern University. In her spare time, Sara Beth enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, cheering for her Bulldogs and occupying her favorite role as mother to her 3-year old son, Harrison, who is her daily encourager and motivator.

MARON MARVEL BRADLEY ANDERSON & TARDY LLC

C ON G RAT U LATE S

M ARY M ARGARET G AY Proudly Congratulates

ONE OF

MISSISSIPPI’S 50 LEADING BUSINESS WOMEN

Mandi Arinder

on being chosen one of Mississippi’s 50 Leading Business Women

Z Z Z PD U R Q PD U Y H O F R P

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Zakiya Summers

Z

Lady Godiva Productions Zakiya Summers is the Director of Communications and Advocacy for the ACLU of Mississippi. Prior to ACLU, she served as Events and Communications Director for One Voice, a policy advocacy organization. Zakiya also represented Mississippi’s back yard jewel – the Jackson Medical Mall Thad Cochran Center – as Public Relations Manager after working as the morning news producer at WLBT. After serving as the appointed Hinds County District 3 Election Commissioner in 2015, Zakiya ran and won the seat for the full four-year term in November 2016.

An entrepreneur, Zakiya owns her own corporate event planning and public relations consulting company, Lady Godiva Productions. She is a board member for the Mississippi Sickle Cell Foundation and the University Mississippi Medical Center Community Advisory Board, among many more.

Zakiya is a Broadcast Journalism graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia. She is married to Andra Harlee, and they have three sons – Marvin, Mason, and Mathis.

Congratulations,

Dr. Dorothey Pernell, D.C. A great medical professional and a faithful servant of God!

We love you!

The Abrahams

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Congratulations

Wendy Barnes Wee are W re p proud roud d off you ffor being b named d 50 Leading Business Women

In compliance with the following: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972 of the Higher Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other applicable Federal and State Acts, Hinds Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability or veteran status in its educational programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Dr. Tyrone Jackson, Vice President for Utica Campus and Administrative Services and District Dean of Student Services & Title IX Coordinator Box 1003, Utica, MS 39175 . Phone: 601.885.7002 or Email: titleIX@hindscc.edu

2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 43

Robin Banck Taylor

R

Ogletree Deakins Robin Taylor’s practice focuses on defending employers and management in employment-related disputes, including disputes involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful discharge, failure-to-accommodate, FMLA interference, non-competition and non-solicitation covenants, trade secret, and other related state and common-law claims. Robin also represents employers in labor arbitrations, union elections, and proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board.

Robin graduated cum laude from Tulane Law School, where she was a member of Phi Delta Phi. Robin attended college at Belhaven College and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

Prior to joining the firm, Robin served as law clerk to Judge James D. Maxwell of the Mississippi Court of Appeals. Robin ’s practice areas have included employment law, business and commercial litigation, insurance defense, products liability law, municipal litigation and medical negligence law.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations Mandi Arinder from the Rankin County Chamber Board of Directors DQG 6WDႇ for being named one of Mississippi Business Journal’s

50 Leading Business Women www.rankinchamber.com

Patrina Dace

We are so proud of you! ~ Your Family

SARA BETH STOCKTON

We are so proud of you!

Harper Square

44 – 2017 Fifty Leading Business Women

Corinth, MS

www.msbusiness.com

Karla Steckler Tye

K

Children Advocacy Centers of MS Karla Steckler Tye serves as the Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi. She has over 18 years of experience as a clinician and child advocate. In her current role she oversees all operations of the organization including leadership and support on a statewide level to promote the advancement of children’s advocacy centers to provide better services to children who have been victims of child abuse and children who have witnessed a violent crime. Karla has received state and national recognition for her work. Karla has taken a leadership role in the training of future child protection professionals by improving education at the undergraduate and graduate level. As a result of Karla’s leadership, four Mississippi higher education institutions have implemented additional child protection coursework and, within a year, ten universities, law schools, and a medical school will have implemented these reforms. Across the nation, other states are learning about Karla’s success and seeking to replicate her work. Karla graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) in 1999 with a Masters of Science in Art Therapy and received the program’s highest award for clinical, academic and research excellence.

Jessica,

CONG GRAT TULA ATIO ONS TO

We are so proud of you.

You absolutely deserve this great honor.

We are so proud to call you our daughter.

Jessica Phillips

We love you so much, Mom & Dad

Congratulations Sara Beth Stockton We are so very proud of you and your accomplishments!

Rick Stockton

Executive Director of Real Estate Development

engineers | planners | environmental scientists | landscape architects | structural designers www.neel-schaffer.com

www.msbusiness.com

2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 45

Rashida N. Walker

R

W Real Estate, LLC. Rashida Walker is a Real Estate professional, a prayer warrior and mentor to many in her profession. A graduate of Jackson State University, she worked 10 years as a marketing rep for a telecommunications firm, SkyTel, a division of WorldCom. In 2007, Rashida was licensed as a Real Estate agent were her real estate career began. A native of Jackson, Rashida and her husband Felix Walker are known the local market as Team Walker. She primarily specializes in residential sales and listings.

Rashida and Felix most recently took a leap of faith and opened their very own full-service Real Estate brokerage in March of 2016 – W Real Estate, LLC. Year after year Rashida has consistently been recognized as a multi-million dollar top producer.

From 2013-2016 Team Walker has sold over 200 Homes with excess of $30 million sales.

Rashida and Felix have been married for 21 years. They have three beautiful daughters Jessica (26) Jaeda (20) and Brooklyn (12), one granddaughter Kalani Grace and one grandson Legend. They reside in Madison.

CONGRATULATIONS

KARLA TYE YOU ROCK!

YOUR EMPLOYEES WANT IT. NOW YOU CAN OFFER IT. cintas.com/hivisworkshirt 800.CINTAS1

46 – 2017 Fifty Leading Business Women

Nashandra James 7

CARHARTT FR ANSI 3 WORK SHIRT ®

201

EXCLUSIVELY FROM CINTAS

We are happy that you were one of the top 50 business women!

Love, Steven and C.J.

www.msbusiness.com

Jennifer Kay Young-Wallace

D

Jackson State University

Dr. Jennifer Young Wallace is the CAEP/Assessment Coordinator, Coordinator of Specialist Program, and Assistant Professor of Education for the College of Education and Human Development at Jackson State University.

Wallace travels abroad, speaking at numerous spiritual and professional engagements; conducting educational and professional workshops; and consulting with administrators on educational issues. She has received numerous certifications and accolades for her services.

Dr. Wallace received a Bachelor’s Degree from Alcorn State University in English Journalism; Master’s Degree from Jackson State in Counseling Psychology; Master’s Degree in English from Mississippi College; and Doctorate of Philosophy Degree in Educational Administration from Jackson State. She completed a two-year bible training class from Word of Life Ministries.

She is a member of Word and Worship Church where she serves as minister. She is married to Michael A. Wallace.

Congratulations

As many ways to work as there are lights in the skyline.

That’s why TEC’s experts take time to know your business and create a communications solution tailored for you.

And you can work confidently with the assurance of dedicated local service.

Annie Baker, PhD, RHIA for being selected as one of Mississippi’s 50 Leading Business Women. www.eqhs.org

TEC.COM 800.832.2515

©2017 eQHealth Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks designated herein are proprietary to eQHealth Solutions, its affiliates and/or licensors. DSL#17-00029

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2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 47

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Our name says it all.

INSIDE — Clar ksdale compan y shifts emphas is to

STATE GOVERNM ENT

INSIDE — If Raytheon gets jet

meet manufac

Page 9 contract, Meridian gets assembly plant —

turing needs — Page 3

GOLF www.msbusiness.com

October 28, 2016 • Vol. 38, No. 44 • $1 • 32 pages

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

2016

Sanderson tourney is run like a business ‘with a heart’

MISSISSIPPI

— Page 8

MISSISSIPPI DELTA

» The Lofts at 517 giving people reasons to come to downtown Greenville {P 2} BANKING

» BancorpSouth net income for third quarter up {P 2} HEALTH CARE

» ER nurse gets patent for product {P 3}

100 THE STATE’S TOP PRIVATELY OWNED COMPANIES

better yield, 16 » FEATURE: Staplcotn benefits from more acreage, in life, casualty insurance, 18 » FEATURE: Southern Farm Bureau a powerhouse 18 » FEATURE: KLLM is growing while investing in Mississippi, State economists lower growth forecast for rest of year

» The complete Mississippi 100 list, 21-25

Cuba opportunities, pitfalls dominate MDA trade summit

Revenue report follows declining direction — Page 10

September 2, 2016 • Vol.

38, No. 36 • $1 •

INSIDE — Train to New

Lost Rabbit: Fi nding its way

BY JACK WEATHERLY jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com

ECONOMIC DEVEL The Republic of Cuba was depicted OPMENT as a land of opportunity for Mississippi {Section begin s P 11} businesses, though with a heightened » Foreign Trade sense of risk.

Zones allow the s to About 150 people attended busines compete in the on “Doing Business in Cuba Summit”global economy in Warehouse South » Bernie Reed’s Oct. 20 at the mettle lifts Jackson.

Reed’s Metals to new heights Speakers at the Mississippi Development Authority event told of a countryThe struggling to emerge from more than a List {P 14-15} and » Trade half-century of the U.S. embargo Associations communist rule. informaget to attended who Those tion on the Cuban economy, and sociin ety, too, will get an opportunity February to visit the island nation, one in the MDA’s continuing program of trade missions.

And the pitch that was made is that there is potentially a lot of money to be made in the country of 11 million people COLUMN 90 miles from Key West, Fla. President Barack Obama reopened{P 21} and eased the U.S. Embassy in Havana » MABUS : But it was on sale travel restrictions in that nation.

“We are calling on Cuba to unleash the potential of 11 million Cubans by ending unnecessary restrictions on their political, social, and economic activities,” Obama said in a speech on Dec. 17, 2014. “In that spirit, we should not allow U.S. sanctions to add to the burden of Cuban citizens that we seek to

May 27, 2015 • Vol. 38, No.

— Page 4

town center of

the Madison County

development overlook s Ross

DINING

Char restauran t to

TACY RAYBURN

/ MBJ

expand by 50 pe rcent

Sometimes, a business solutio door. n is right out the back The owners of Char restaurant, tality Group, the 4-Top Hospiseized square feet behind the opportunity of leasing 3,000 The expansion, it in Highland Village. which brings the total space under

the Char roof to cial events space. 9,300 square feet, will provid e spe“We look forwar d to hosting parties big and small, and meetings from ing area,” co-own 10 to 100, in this expand ed diner David Conn Char has the said in a release good problem of overflow crowds . , esSee

Banking & Finance

{Section begins P 14} with » Banking on the future technology » FinTech revolution fueling changes in traditional banking

nt of Labor’s new rule The U.S. Departme pay threshold that doubled the over-timethe pockets of into puts more money workers but forces busi40,000 Mississippi work arrangements nesses to rethink their supervisors. with managers and the new threshold below paid Managers must be paid overof $47,476 ($913 a week) hours in a work many time regardless of how managerial, or whiteweek they devote to collar, duties.

See

to see while N.O., Gulfport wait Chiquita mulls decision

remains under considera“At this time the matter and no external statement tion internally at Chiquita the email sent by conor information is available,” Barbara H. Hines said. Jonathan Daniels has email on sultant Director nal confirmed in an Gulfport Executive notice from Chiquita Internatio gotten any official in fact consideris not has he importer that this week were unsucTuesday that the banana at the Port of New Orleans. said Efforts to reach him ing whether it will remain rampant in recent weeks, Chiquita.

Speculation has been on, about the matter, rais- cessful.

Orleans port chief executive Gary LaGrange, New return to without previous confirmati the company might 4 one-half ing the possibility that See CHIQUITA, Page which it left two and the Port of Gulfport,

Y

BY JACK WEATHERL ess.com jack.weatherly@msbusin

MABUS COLUMN {P 13} http://msbusines s.com/events/ceo -awards-of-miss issippi/

Siler

OVERTIME, Page 10

MANUFACTURING

CHAR, Page 2

See CUBA, Page 4

{P 4}

22 • $1 • 20 pages

mean New overtime rulesrke rs, wo r fo y more mone ployers more challenges for em

By TED CARTER m ted.carter@msbusiness.co

MBJ FOCUS Barnett Reservoi r.

Courtesy of LostRabbit.c om

BY JACK WEATH ERLY jack.weatherly@m sbusiness.com

3

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Cybersecurity experts hunting cyber threats from home in Mississippi The pool in the

with a bit of news, Page

TECHNOLOGY

Page 4

MBJ FOCUS

Orleans: a travelogue

24 pages

» Never on time — the business decisions

perils of

years ago.

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Grammy and more museums, 4-6

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INSIDE

PLUS MAGAZINES & SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS:

» Insight and information for high school students on life before and during college » Information on the public, private and junior colleges across the state

2007

2008

DeAnna Adams .......................Mississippi Technology Alliance Innovation Center Kate Barron ....................................................................................A Bash Events Natasha Breakfield Baughman ................................Quality Manufacturing Group Gemma Douglas Beckley ...................................................................Rust College Sheryl Bey .........................Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz, PLLC Jan Botts ............................................................North Mississippi State Hospital Lisa Bradley ....................................................... Gulfport Main Street Association Vicky Bratton.............................................Home Builders Association of Jackson Sharon F. Bridges ................................ Brunini Grantham Grower & Hewes, PLLC Donna W. Bruce ..................................................... Johnson, Bruce & Host, PLLC Angela Cain .....................................................Mississippi Association of Realtors Ruth J. Cook............................................Molpus Timberlands Management, LLC Penny Danford ...............................................................................TempStaff Inc. Ameder W. Danzy.............................................. Integrated Management Services Kim Davis ....................................................Mississippi Delta Community College Deborah F. Dent, Ph.D.....U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center Cynthia Lane Dishongh...................................................... Rankin Medical Center Andrea La’Verne Edney ....................... Brunini Grantham Grower & Hewes, PLLC Tommye Dale Favre ...................Mississippi Department of Employment Security Beth C. Fleming...............U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center Angela M. Gambino.........................................................Hancock Medical Center Vicki L. Gilliam...........................................................................The Cochran Firm Cheri D. Green ..................................... Brunini Grantham Grower & Hewes, PLLC Sandra H. Harpole, Ph.D. ...........................................Mississippi State University Kathryn H. Hester ...................................Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis, P.A. Olivia Brown Host .................................................. Johnson, Bruce & Host, PLLC Steffani Jenkins ............................................................. Trustmark National Bank Pat Connor Joachim ......................University of Southern Mississippi-Gulf Coast Julie Johnson.................................................................The Columbian-Progress Melissa Jones ..........................................................Quality Manufacturing Group Kay Johnson Kell ......................................................................City of Pascagoula Susan Lindsay ............................................................Jackson Preparatory School Karen Livingston-Wilson............. Butler Snow O’Mara Stevens & Cannada, PLLC Robyn M. McCrory......................................................................City of Lexington Aileen S. McNeill .....................................Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis, P.A. Tay Cossar Morgan ................................................................Tay Morgan Designs Kimberly J. Nastasi ........................ Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce Barbara Russ Ousby ............................................................. C&B Enterprises Inc. Tammy Phillips.................................................... Community Bank of Mississippi Whitney Pickering ........................................................Southern Living at HOME Rhea Hudson Sheldon...................................................Abbott Simses & Kuchler Cheryl E. Sparkman ........................... Mississippi Department of Human Services Meredith M. Travelstead ........................................................ The Women’s Clinic Angelyn Scardino Treutel .........................................Treutel Insurance Agency Inc. Brigetta K. Turner ...................................................Brigetta K. Turner, DDS, PLLC Amy E. West ......................................................................... Cadence Bank, N.A. Amy D. Whitten .............................................................The Whitten Group, P.A. Laurie Rosenbaum Williams .................................... Travelers Insurance Company Annie Peters Wimbish......................................Hattiesburg Public School District LouAnn Heath Woodward .......................University of Mississippi Medical Center

Cindy Baird ............................................................................... Community Bank Deborah Bermond .................................................... Roy Anderson Construction Nancy Anne Branton ..................................................UBS Financial Services, Inc. Angela Bridges, PHD ........................................................Grenada School District Debra Brown ................................................................................. Phelps Dunbar Rosemary Cargin ............................................................................BancorpSouth Virginia Carter .............................................................Huffman & Company, CPA Wynelia Cherry ............................................. East Mississippi Community College Maria Cobb....................................................................... Rushing & Guice, PLLC Keri Cole.......................................................................Hinds Community College Patti Corder ........................................................................ Cutting Edge Medical Loranne Paige Curry .............................................................Magnolia State Bank Melissa Dent ............................................................................................Bomgar Cecelia Derrington ................................Pontotoc County Chamber of Commerce Shelia Dickard ...........................................................Region 6 - Life Help Mental Morgan Dunn .........................................................................Pioneer Health, Inc. Sherribeth Farmer ..................................................................................BankPlus Lynn Fitch .................................Mississippi Department of Employment Security Amanda Fontaine ..............................MS Firefighters Memorial Burn Association Joey Garner ....................................................................................................TEC Kathryn Gilchrist...................................................................Adams & Reese, LLP Vicki Helfrich ........................................................Mississippi Public Utilities Staff Kelly Hogue ................................................................................Blue Sky Auction Claire Ketner................................................ Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes Christina Lakey ....................................................................... CenterPoint Energy Lynda Lesley .............................................................................The Cirlot Agency Linda Mann .............................................. Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau Jessica Merrill .................................................................................Regions Bank Sharon Meyers ..........................................................................USM Foundation Angel Misenhelter ............................................................... Southern Eye Center Development Director ........................................................................Hattiesburg Melanie Morgan ............................................................Trustmark National Bank Angela Davis Morris ................................................. Davis-Morris Law Firm, P.A. Janette Nolan ......................................................Pioneer Aerospace Corporation Mary Jean Padgett, PH.D., RN.................... Mississippi College School of Nursing Regina Ramazani ...........................................................Garden Park Community Jennifer Hammill Rebich ............................................................................ Geiger Shelia Reed ................................................................. Windsor Health Plan, Inc. Teresa Renkenberger ..............................................................Merck Team Realty Stephanie Rippee .................... Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz Andrea Saffle ............................................................................Turtle Creek Mall Angel Sanford ..................................................................McAlister’s Corporation Cindy Shackleford............................................................................. Merrill Lynch Dr. Kathy Shropshire .............................................Mississippi Wildlife Federation Suzanne Smith .............................................................................Renasant Bank Joye Steen, PH.D. ..............................................North Mississippi State Hospital Sonia Travis ........................................... Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Jaci Turner ...............................................................................City of Pascagoula Ellen Waits ........................................................North Mississippi State Hospital Tammy Wood .......................................................Eagle Ridge Conference Center Gwendolyn Woodson ..................................................Grenada County Chamber

PAST WINNERS

For the list of winners dating back to 50 Women’s inagural year, please visit us online at: http://msbusiness.com/past-event-winners/

Previous 50 women winners are listed by where they worked at the time of their selection.

www.msbusiness.com

2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 49

PAST WINNERS

For the list of winners dating back to 50 Women’s inagural year, please visit us online at: http://msbusiness.com/past-event-winners/

2009

2010

Paula K. April ............................Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center Paula Graves Ardelean ...............Butler, Snow, O’Mara, Stevens & Cannada, PLLC Crisler Moffat Boone ..................................................Jackson Preparatory School Teresa Boutwell ..............................................................American Healthtech Inc Sheri Pierce Bryan ..................................................................Cyre-Leike Realtors Sandra Massey Buckley .................................Mississippi Technology Alliance/CIT Lindsay Buford .................... ChamberPlus/Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership Lesley L. Carter......................................................Business Communications Inc. Cindi Clark .....................................................Super Limo Inc. & LegalTEMPS Inc. Jennifer D’Aquilla ...................................Roy Anderson Construction Corporation Anne Michelle Daniel.................................................................Community Place Beth Farris.........................................Eagle Ridge Conference and Training Center Rita Dennis Floyd .......................................................... Trustmark National Bank Julie Jarrell Gresham............................ Brunini Grantham Grower & Hewes, PLLC C. Joyce Hall ......................................................................Watkins & Eager, PLLC Margo Hemphill ............................................Oneway Promotional Products, Inc. Tricia Herlihy .........................................Watkins, Ludlam, Winter & Stennis, P.A. Janet Herman...............................................................Mississippi Blood Services Josie Mayfield Hudson ....................................... Attorney Josie Mayfield Hudson Charmain Kanosky ..................................... Mississippi State Medical Association Judy Jones Lindsay ..............................................Beyond Therapy Pediatric Clinic Joanna Fulton Lousteau ........................................................Canton Family Clinic Manisha Sethi Malhotra Internal Med. & Pediatric Associates of Ridgeland, PLLC Dorothy Roberts McEwen................................ South Mississippi Regional Center Melissa Medley...............................................Mississippi Development Authority Becky Huston Montgomery .......................................Mississippi Power Company Carol Moore .......................U.S. Depart. of Com. - Mississippi Export Assist. Ctr. Debbie C. Norris ......................................................................Mississippi College Anna Oberhousen ....................................................WillStaff Worldwide Staffing Lisa Palazzo...........................................................................Palazzo & Co., PLLC Lauren H. Parry ...................................................................The Overby Company Gee Gee Patridge....................................................................................BankPlus Shirley Reed ..........................................U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg Jennifer Riley...............................................................................SA Technologies Kathy Scarbrough............................................................. Navigator Credit Union Tina Ross-Seamans ......................................... Biloxi Bay Chamber of Commerce Martha Segars .........................................................First American National Bank Tricia Stevens-Smith ......... Baker Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C. Deborah Steverson .............................................Magnolia Garden Assisted Living Janet Sullivan ...................Miss. Department of Transportation, Southern District Anne Sullivan .................................................................Magnolia Speech School Melanie Sylvester ...............................................................................Grayson Blu Ann Coleman Thames .......................... Mississippi Department of Mental Health Tawana Thompson ....................................................... Viking Range Corporation Amy Tuck ...................................................................Mississippi State University Lee Ann Turner.........................................................Perry, Winfield & Wolfe, P.A. Fran Weeks .............................................................................................. Turkoyz Nancy Carolyn Williams...................................................Bladder Health Network Christy Ellison Willis .................................. Coldwell Banker Graham & Associates René Woodward........................................... Jackson Municipal Airport Authority

Clare Agostinelli ......................................................................Mississippi College Rosemary R. Aldridge ..............................................................Neel-Schaffer Inc. Abby Barber Brann ......................................................Hinds Community College Nancy New Boyll ................................................................. New Summit School Pamela Joy Britt .........................................Mississippi Children’s Home Services Christine A. Bunting .....................................................Mississippi Blood Services Virginia C. Carlton ................................................... Mississippi Court of Appeals Serena Rasberry Clark .............................................................. Wise Carter Child Ann R. Cleland .................................................................................HORNE LLP Deborah Walley Coleman ...........................................Mississippi National Guard Karen L. Cummins ......................................................Atmos Energy Corporation Margaret Oertling Cupples ...........................Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP Jill I. Dent ......................................... Mississippi Department of Human Services Cynthia Dobbs ..........................................Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce Kaye M. Dreifuerst ...................................................Security Credit Services, LLC Justice O’Keefe Duhon .................................... Stewart, Sneed, Hewes Insurance Evelyn Edwards ..............................................................................BancorpSouth Julie Ferguson ..............................................................Women’s Specialty Center Sherri M. Flowers-Billups ........................................ Law Office of Sherri Flowers Sherry Lewis Franklin ...................................................Hinds Community College Sharon Gray Garrison ..............................................Mississippi Center for Justice Natalie J. Gideon .......................................................... NetLink Cabling Systems Bridget P. Hallett ..................................................................... The Hallett Group Shun Hatten ............................................. Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau Patricia R. Hemphill .....................................................USACE, Vicksburg District Lurlene Blakley Irvin, Ph.D. ............................................ Jackson State University Judy L. Johnson ..................................................................................Eaton Corp Rosi K. Johnson ..................................................................Mississippi Music, Inc Christi R. Kilroy ..................................Vicksburg-Warren Chamber of Commence Kathryn Lewis ........................................................................Telling Trees Project Konstantina Matheos ............................................................. Bridge to Recovery L. Michele McCain ................................................................... Adams and Reese Linda McCarthy ......................................................Jackson Convention Complex Annie McMillan ................................................... Area Development Partnership Edith Mitchell .............................................................................Madison Central Michele Monk ..........................................................................Health Integration Emily Montgomery .........................................................................New York Life Joyce M. Plunkett .................................................. Southern Farm Life Insurance Kendall Poole ................................................................. River Hills Country Club Mildred Ridgway, M.D. ................................................. Womens Specialty Center Elizabeth Robinson ................................Blues Candy, LLC / Professional Staffing Linda K. Simmons .................................Watkins, Ludlam Winter & Stennis, P.A. Romy Simpson ........................................................................ Negrotto’s Gallery Julie Skipper ......................................Community Foundation of Greater Jackson Natalie Moses Smith .............................................................................16 WAPT Dr. Bridgette S. Stasher-Booker ........................ University of MS Medical Center Lori Jackson Stewart .......................................................Jackson State University Cheli Strumila ...............................................................................Coast Observer Toni Walker Terrett ...........................................Law Office of Toni Walker Terrett Ginger Turner ..............................................................Hinds Community College

Previous 50 women winners are listed by where they worked at the time of their selection.

50 – 2017 Fifty Leading Business Women

www.msbusiness.com

2011

2012

Heather M. Aby .........................................Biggs, Ingram, Solop & Carlson, PLLC Ivye L. Allen ....................................................The Foundation for the Mid South Jennifer Wages Anderson ...................................Flowood Chamber of Commerce Nuria Arias ............................................................ Digital Opportunity Trust USA Celia Barrett ...................................................................Celia Barrett Design, LLC Tamika R. Bradley............................................................................Jackson State Haley Necaise Broom ................................. Dukes, Dukes, Keating & Faneca, P.A. Jill Conner Browne.........................................Sweet Potato Queens Website, LLC Amy Lewis Champagne ................Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Jackson Stacy L. Cobbins..................................................... The Source of Mississippi Inc. Jan Coulter Collins ............................................Madison County Business League Gretchen W. Cook...........................................................Parents & Kids Magazine Pamela Cotton ......................................................................... Saks Fifth Avenue Renee R. Cotton ...................................................... Madison River Oaks Hospital Lane Lawson Craft.....................................................................WHOA Ministries Sherri Davis-Garner ....................................................................................AARP Cecilia Dobbs.....................................................................................City of Biloxi Ginger Mott Edwards...........................................Gingersnaps of Highland Village Jan Farve .................................................................................. Elmwood Staffing Eula Rodgers Forte ...............................................................................WAPT-TV Laura Limerick Gibbes ...........................Watkins, Ludlam, Winter & Stennis, P.A. Teresa B. Gillespie ....................................................... Batson Children’s Hospital Pamela E. Gunter ....................................................Anderson, Crawley and Burke Bethany Reed Hairston.....................................................The Dermatology Clinic Dana E. Harbers ...................................................................University Physicians Janna Hughes.........................................................................Hughes Advertising Karen Lindsey-Lloyd ...............................................................Mississippi College Marlynn K. Martin .............................................................................Power APAC Dodie McElmurray...................................University of Mississippi Medical Center Wendy R. Mullins ..................................................... Arant Boult Cummings, LLP Gail W. Muse .............................................................Holmes Community College Kim Griffing Porter ........................................................... Griffing and Associates Katja Russell................................................................................... Youth Villages Amy Griffin Schrock ...............................................................................Latitudes Kathleen Shaughnessy ................................................................................AT&T Paula Shelton ................................................. Genesis Training and Development Sheramie Shore......................................................New York Southern Style, LLC Elaine Stevens ...............................................................IP Casino Resort and Spa Mary McDaniel Swoope.............................................................. Watkins & Eager Helen Rose Taylor ........................................................................Brickfire Project Becky Traweek ...................................................Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi Liza Vaughn........................................................................ Delta State University Lisa Wade .................................................... Southern Thunder Harley-Davidson Linda Wagner ...............................................................Mississippi Blood Services Christina Nelson Walls .................................................Hinds Community College Kathryn Walsh..........................................................Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Patti Ware ................................................................. Intentional Friends Ministry Rhea Williams-Bishop ........................................Center for Education Innovation Sharen Willis ..........................................................Department of Transportation Janet Zito ............................................................................. Maris, West & Baker

Amy Ainsworth .............................................................Terracon Consultants Inc. Mende Malouf Alford ...........................................Old Capitol Inn Boutique Hotel Penny Bowen .................................... Bella Interiors & Penny Bowen Designs Inc. Scotta Brady...................................................................................Butterfly Yoga Cindy Brinson .................................................................................Hilton Jackson Gwendolyn Caples .......................................................... Jackson State University Tammra Cascio................................................... Gulf Guaranty Life Insurance Co. Sherry Chance .............................................. Tulane University-Madison Campus Wilma Clopton ...................The Negro in Mississippi Historical Society Unlimited Bethany Cooper.................................... University of Mississippi Business School Deirdre Danahar ......................................In Motion Consulting and Coaching LLC Monica Daniels .....................................................United Way of the Capital Area Danielle Davis.................................Mangia Bene Restaurant Management Group Carolyn DuPre’ ................................................................. Alcorn State University Lise Foy .............................. Canton Chamber of Commerce & Main Street Assoc.

Wendi Garrison ............................................................................ A Fluent Vision Cheri Gatlin ...........................................................................Burr & Forman, LLP Susan Graves...................................................................................GodwinGroup Tonyatta Hairston.....................................................................EnVision Eye Care Janet Young Harris .......................................University of Mississippi Health Care Gina Haug .......................................................Mississippi Association of Realtors Kourtney Hollingsworth ...................................... Governor’s Broadband Initiative Debbie Hudson ..........................Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce Nicole Kemp.............................................................................Levi Strauss & Co. Janice Knight ...............................................St. Dominic Hospital Health Services Angela Ladner ........................................................Changing History Promotions Mary Ellen Landry ..................................................................Ethos Staffing, LLC Samantha Lofton ................................................................. Barnett’s Body Shop Stephanie Mayfield ...................................................................Jones Companies Melinda McGrath..................................Mississippi Department of Transportation LaToya Merritt ....................................................................... Phelps Dunbar, LLP Sharon Moulder ..................................................Lighthouse / Sanders CPA Firm Yuki Northington.......................................... Social Chair and Yuki Art & Interiors Bonnie Nowell ............................................................................B&B Distributors Jocelyn Pritchett ................................................Pritchett Engineering & Planning Carolyn Redd..........................................................................................16 WAPT Martha Saunders ............................................University of Southern Mississippi Bonnie Smith ........................................................Bridgers Smith Law Firm PLLC Cathy Smith .................................................University of Mississippi Health Care Meredith Stringfellow ................................................................The Blue Rooster Cindy Tauchar.............................................................................................. Ricoh Cynthia Thompson ........................................................ Trustmark National Bank Penny Walker ............................................................................UnitedHealthcare Wendy Walker ..................................................................Stuart C. Irby Company Christi Webb ............................. Family Resource Center of Northeast Mississippi Lydia Weisser ...................................................Mississippi Department of Health Cathy Wesson ..................................................................Metlife Financial Group Donna Williams.......................................................................Haynes Electric Co. Karma Williams......................................................................................BankPlus Bonnie Wilson.............................................. Jackson Municipal Airport Authority

PAST WINNERS

For the list of winners dating back to 50 Women’s inagural year, please visit us online at: http://msbusiness.com/past-event-winners/

Previous 50 women winners are listed by where they worked at the time of their selection.

www.msbusiness.com

2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 51

PAST WINNERS

For the list of winners dating back to 50 Women’s inagural year, please visit us online at: http://msbusiness.com/past-event-winners/

2013

2014

Chief Phyliss Anderson.................................Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Debbie Bailey ................................................................. Jimmy Portable Building Sabrena Bartley ............................................................................City of Natchez Deidra Bell.................................................................St. Dominic Health Services Lisa Bell..........................................................................BancorpSouth Mortgage Mary Allen Bennett ...............................................................................Table 100 Tasha Bibb ............................................................................Innovate Mississippi Barbara Bluntson........................................................................... City of Jackson Krista Bower........................................................ Yazoo City School of Dance LLC Stephanie J. Boyette..........................Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy Talamieka Brice ..................................................................................Brice Media Liz Brister ..............................................................................Entergy Corporation Cynthia Buchanan......................................Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership Chrissy Cullinane ...............................................BancorpSouth Insurance Services C. Rochelle Culp .................................The Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi / Ro-on-the-Go Health & Wellness Consultants Tracy Die Mississippi World Trade Center & MDA Michele Escudé ............................................................Circa Urban Artisan Living Portia Ballard Espy ..........................................................Children’s Defense Fund Katie Feibelman...................................................................May & Company, LLP Keri Haralson..................................................................... Keri T. Haralson, PLLC Julia Ann Harrison ..........................................................................Homestar LLC Sandy Havard .....................................Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum Rosalyn Smith Howard ..........................................Mississippi Nurses Foundation Paige Hunt ............................................Greenwood Convention & Visitor Bureau Mary M. Jackson...........................................................Comcast Cable - Madison Nicole Johns .............................................................. A Community Bank - Coast Willie Jones .............................................Dependable Source Corp. of Mississippi Mary Kelly ............................................................................Mint The Restaurant Kiffany Lee ...................................................................Mississippi Blood Services Mary Morgan........................................................Bradley Arant Boult Cummings Kamesha Mumford.........................................................................USAssets, LLC Katrina Myricks ........................................................ Holmes Community College Kimberly Walker Nailor................................Law Office of Kimberly Walker Nailor Mindi Phillips ....................................................Corporate Apparel & Promotions Lauren Rutland....................Hardy Wilson Hospital / Mississippi Dance Company Candie L. Simmons ..................................................................................Regions Allison Carter Simpson...................................Copeland Cook Taylor & Bush, P.A. Becky Smith ...............................................................Mississippi State University Lisa Stutzman ..........................................................................Comcast Spotlight Selena Swartzfager ............................ Mississippi Council on Economic Education Pat Thomasson .................................................................. Thomasson Company Alexe van Beuren.................................................The BTC Old Fashioned Grocery Edie Varnado........................................................Cap Topisaw & Rose Gate Farm Amy Lampton Walker ................................................Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions Suzanne Walters ....................................................................Performance Rehab Jane Sanders Waugh ..........................................Professional Staffing Group, LLC Virginia Todd Weaver..........Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC Becky White ..........................................................Eubank Betts Hirn Wood PLLC Mary Wolverton.............................................................................................. DIG Jenny Woodruff..........................................Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership

Kristie Aylett .............................................................................The KARD Group Rachel Beech.............................................................................................WDAM Julie Polk Breazeale ......................................................Polk’s Meat Products, Inc. Hilary Burroughs ................................................................Sanderson Farms, Inc. Linda Bynum ..................................The City of Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce Emily Chance..........................................................................................BankPlus Karen Jones de Kock.........................................................................Protea Dekor Shane E. Dubois ........................................................................Community Bank Charlotte W. Dupré.......................................... Central Mississippi Medical Center Jennie A. Eichelberger .............................................Southern Poverty Law Center Karen Galyon Flowers .......................................Mississippi College School of Law Trina N. George ..................U.S. Department of Agriculture - Rural Development Monica Gilmore-Love..............................................................................Terracon Mary S. Graham ..................................Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Pam Files Gregory .............................................. Fisher Brown Bottrell Insurance.

Lori Harper.............................................................................Ingalls Shipbuilding Donna Harvey ..................................................................................CF Industries Mary Martha Henson ........................Mississippi Economic Development Council Shelia C. Jackson .............................................................................Regions Bank Beth Kellogg...............................................................................Creative Partners Susan Floyd King......................................................................Jones Walker, LLP Lenita Knight.........................Madison County Economic Development Authority Kelly Kyzar................................................................................Comcast Spotlight Keri Herrington Ladner......................Covenant Health & Rehab of Picayune, LLC Cheryl J. Lee ..................................................................................... Haddox Reid Renee Simon Lee ..........................................................................Reeds Jewelers Lanet McCrary .......................................................Magnolia Federal Credit Union Stephanie S. McCrary .............................Southern Bone and Joint Specialist, P.A. Bethany Boone McNease ............................................................ M.G. Dyess, Inc. Tonya Nations ............................................................................. Millsaps College Dr. Ruth R. Nichols........................................................... Alcorn State University Cathy L. Northington...............................................Mississippi Economic Council Sally Williams O’Callaghan ......................University of Mississippi Medical Center Stephanie Patton...................................................................The Leland Progress Melissa Peters .................................................................. Community Trust Bank Elizabeth J. Randall .....................................................Randall Commercial Group Cindy Rich ...............................................................................Neel-Schaffer, Inc. Pat Robertson ....................................................................... PERS of Mississippi Debbie Rubisoff ............................................................ Legislative Budget Office Kassi Rushing....................................................................................HORNE LLP Emily Sanders ....................................................................................Fairview Inn Kelly Scrivner................................................Office of First Lady Deborah Bryant.

Rosemary Smith...................................................R&R Rentals and Hotshot, Inc. Amy Tate.................................................................... Tennessee Valley Authority Shirley R. Tucker......................................Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce Anne Ligman Turner...........Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC Chan Brewer Vessell ...................... First American Home Buyers Protection Corp.

Evelyn Ricks Walker....................................Office of Health Disparity Elimination Office of Preventive Health Mississippi State Department of Health Marlana Walters ................................................................The Everyday Gourmet Rebecca Lee Wiggs..................................................................Watkins and Eager Previous 50 women winners are listed by where they worked at the time of their selection.

52 – 2017 Fifty Leading Business Women

www.msbusiness.com

2015

2016

Lolly Barnes.................................................................. Mississippi Heritage Trust Jocelyn Chisholm Carter ..........United Healthcare Community Plan of Mississippi Karen Chain...................................................................... Community Trust Bank Lisa Cochran........................................................................................The Studio Pamela Confer............................................................ Nissan North America, Inc. Amanda Rasberry Crawford............................... Veterans Outreach of Mississippi Vanda N. Crowe..............................................................................BancorpSouth Marisa S. Davidson.....................................................Mississippi Health Partners Liz Hogue Densmore ................................................................ LEC, Incorporated Tahya Dobbs...................................................................... Hometown Magazines Lindsay Thomas Dowdle ..................................................................Jones Walker Patty Dunn ......................................................................Alzheimer’s Association Macey Lynd Edmondson ...................The University of Mississippi School of Law Stephanie Edwards........................................................Edison Chouest Offshore Kathy W. Freeman .............................................................................Butler Snow Donna M. Gardner................................................................. Camellia Healthcare Felicia D. Gavin ................................................................... DiamondJacks Casino Alison Ketner Goodman ................................................. Goodman Law Firm,LLC Jennifer G. Hall ...................Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC Kristi Henderson .....................................University of Mississippi Medical Center Jamie Higdon ....................................................................................... Tempstaff Leigh G. Jaunsen .............................................................Dale Partners Architects Kimberla M. Little ...........................................................................Regions Bank Bridget M. Lowery ..................................................................................BankPlus Macie Malone................................................................................ Mostly Macie’s Lori hill Marshall....................................................................... Premier Pain Care Amelia McGowan ......................... The Law Offices of Amelia S. McGowan, PLLC Gaylene m. McHale ................................................................. Huntington Ingalls Kelly McQuaig .............................................................The Yates Companies, Inc. Jan Miller.......................................................Mississippi Main Street Association Melanie S. North .......................................Associated General Contractors (AGC) Kathleen shields O’Beirne .............................Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP Misti Munroe Preziosi......................... Office of the State Treasurer of Mississippi Weatherly Rose .............................................................................. Newk’s Eatery Ryanne Duffie Saucier ..........................................Mississippi Public Broadcasting Charlotte harness Seals .................Madison County Schools/President Jr. League Amy W. Smith ................................................................... Ross & Yerger Ins. Inc. Camille Allen Snyder ...........................................................Allen Financial Group Mandi Stanley ............................................................ Mandi Stanley Consultants Susan K. Steadman ....................... The Law Offices of Susan K. Steadman, PLLC T. McCall Stern ....................................................................... McCall Stern, PLLC Addie L. Johnson-Stover.....................................................Stover Developments Amanda D. Villeret ......................................................Mississippi National Guard Stephanie Sago Vivians ...........................................................Neel-Schaffer, Inc. Christie D. Walters...................................................... Covington County Hospital Pamela P. Ware ....................................................................... Metropolitan Bank Carol Warren .........................................................Magnolia Federal Credit Union La’Keylah White ......................................................................City of Hattiesburg Sarah Beth Wilson......................................................Copeland Cook Taylor Bush Jaklyn Wrigley ................................................................... Fisher & Phillips L.L.P.

Samantha D. Abell................................................................... City of Gulf Breeze Lilli Evans Bass ............................................................. Brown Bass & Jeter, PLLC Natalie Bement .................................................................................EMI Staffing Hope Blankenship ............................................ To The Rescue Bookkeeping, LLC Natella G. Boulton ............................................................................Merrill Lynch Madeleine Hall Brown ......................................................... Fisher Brown Bottrell Jordan H. Bryan.............................................................................. Ross & Yerger Nancy Luke Carpenter ............................Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau Kim Condon ...............................................Boondocks Firearm Training Academy Shelley Cresswell Walker ...........................Lyric Hotel and Spa, Chawla Point LLC Stephanie Cummins ..................................................................Front Gate Realty Amy Kebert Elder .........................................................................Baker Donelson Tanya D. Ellis ..................................................................Forman Watkins & Krutz Chinelo Bosah Evans ......................Jackson Public School Middle School Division Brandi Kennedy Garrett ................................................................... GI Associates Stephanie Sims .................................................................................. JEA Optical Kelly Graeber ......................................................................Oxford School District Pamela L. Hancock ...................................................................Hancock Law Firm Socorro Harvey..................................................................NVision Solutions, Inc. Erica Grant Hines............................................................................Neel-Schaffer LoRose Hunter .........................................................................................Regions Lindsey-Claire Hutchins .. Lindsey Claire Dance Company & The Purple Reader Project Emily H. Ingram .................................................................E Ingram Inc - AFLAC Laurel Isbister Irby ...................................................Greater Belhaven Foundation Laura P. Johns ..................................................................................... Fuse.Cloud NaTunya Davis Johnson................................Work of Art Salon/ ISH Grill and Bar Jeanhee Kang ......................................................Prudential - Ann Prewitt Realty Tabatha Franklin Kenney ........................................... Career Development Center Dr. DeJonnette Grantham King............. Advance Environmental Consultants, Inc. Natalie Latham..........................................................................Community Bank Martha L. Lewis.......................................................................... Tanks Dive Shop Brittney Luke........................................................................The Taylor Group Inc Deanna Martino ....... Martino Claim Services and Hurricane Creek Mobile Homes Taliah R. Brown-McCoy.................................................................. McCoy Bakery Jessica B. McNeel ...................Bryan, Nelson, Schroeder, Castigliola and Banahan Dixie Newman ...............................................................Biloxi City Councilwoman Sharon G. Plunkett ............................................................................Young Wells Melissa Putnam.............................................................. eSoftware Solutions, Inc Carolyn Rains ............................................ Automation Designs & Solutions, Inc. Sabrina Bosarge Ruffin.....................................................................Jones Walker Connie Siggers-Parker.............................................................................Comcast Shay Smith............................................................................. Harrah’s Gulf Coast Katie Bryant Snell..............................................................................Butler Snow Betty H. Staines ...............................................................................Irby Electrical Selena Lajean Standifer ........................Mississippi Department of Transportation Teresa F. Thornhill .............................................................Citizens National Bank Nicole G. Watkins ......................................................................Priority Insurance Tanya G. Webber ...........Charities Division/Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office Debbie Miller Westbrook .................................................................i Heart Media Allyson Lambert Winter ................................................ Trustmark National Bank

PAST WINNERS

For the list of winners dating back to 50 Women’s inagural year, please visit us online at: http://msbusiness.com/past-event-winners/

Previous 50 women winners are listed by where they worked at the time of their selection.

www.msbusiness.com

2017 Fifty Leading Business Women – 53

NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY!

Please nominate women from our state who need to be recognized...

Your mother, your daughter, your co-worker, your neighbor, your friend, your sister,…or just someone whom you admire.

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NOMINATION FORM I nominate as one of Mississippi’s 50 Leading Business Women. She is currently employed with

Business address: City: Work phone:

State:

Zip: Fax:

Email*: Nominated by:

Phone:

Email: *valid email address is very important, as this is our primary method of communication.

All information is confidential. Once all nominations are received, a follow up packet will be sent to each nominee.

Email: events@msbusiness.com MAIL TO MBJ, 200 N. CONGRESS ST., SUITE 400, JACKSON, MS 39201 OR FAX (601) 364-1007 Rules: Nominee must be a resident or employed in Mississippi; self-nominated or by someone else; an owner, partner, president, CEO, CFO, COO, board chair, senior executive manager, or a woman with significant authority for the decision making in either a for-profit or non-profit organization. Nominees who hold political office will not be considered solely on the basis of political achievements. Age is not an issue. Nominee may not be an employee or company member of MBJ. Women who have been previous recipients of this award are not eligible. Judges recuse themselves from evaluating associates in their own companies.

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56.2% of women surveyed said working with a financial advisor made them feel more confident about their financial decisions.* Women are controlling more wealth than ever before. And they’re doing it on their own terms. That’s why Regions offers tools, insights and guidance to help you feel confident you’re making informed decisions about your unique financial situation. It’s also why your Regions Wealth Advisor is with you every step of the way, offering straight talk and complete transparency, from a single point of contact, on everything from investing to retirement planning and beyond. We asked more than 1,000 women what financial advice they’d give their younger selves, and 69% said they’d start sooner and save more. Don’t let another day pass before you set up a personal consultation with a Regions Wealth Advisor. Visit us online at regions.com/womenandwealth.

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© 2017 Regions Bank. Loans are subject to credit approval. *Regions Bank designed the Women and Wealth Survey in conjunction with faculty at Vanderbilt University. The study, based on 1,157 total responses, measured opinions of customers with estimated household investable personal assets of $2 million or greater. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of customers surveyed in June 2015. I Regions and the Regions logo are registered trademarks of Regions Bank. The LifeGreen color is a trademark of Regions Bank.