MBJ_50W—Sept20-2019

www.msbusiness.com • September 20, 2019

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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 201 !

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.

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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

FROM THE EDITOR A member of the Mississippi Press Association www.mspress.org

EVENTS

These leaders set an example for all

132 Riverview Drive, Suite E Flowood, MS 39232 Main: (601) 364-1000 Faxes: Advertising (601) 364-1007 E-mails: mbj@msbusiness.com, ads@msbusiness.com, photos@msbusiness.com, research@msbusiness.com, events@msbusiness.com

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 Ross Reily 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.

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

TAMI JONES Associate Publisher tami.jones@msbusiness.com • 364-1011

S

www.msbusiness.com

It is so uplifting to be in the same room with women who are leaders in their industry and their community.

Tami Jones MBJ Associate Publisher

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 2019where the Top 10 women will also be announced.

The MBJ is also currently taking nominations for the 2019 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.

Website: www.msbusiness.com September 20, 2019 Volume 41, Number 32

ALAN TURNER Publisher alan.turner@msbusiness.com • 364-1021

ROSS REILY Editor ross.reily@msbusiness.com • 364-1018 FRANK BROWN List Researcher frank.brown@msbusiness.com • 364-1022 JACK WEATHERLY Staff Writer jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com • 364-1016 TACY RAYBURN Production Manager tacy.rayburn@msbusiness.com • 364-1019 CHARINA RHODES Circulation Manager charina.rhodes@msbusiness.com • 364-1045 MARCIA THOMPSON Business Assistant marcia.kelly@msbusiness.com • 364-1044 Subscription Services (601) 364-1000 subscriptions@msbusiness.com Mississippi Business Journal (USPS 000-222) is published weekly with one annual issue by MSBJ 132 Riverview Drive, Suite E, Flowood, MS 39232. Periodicals postage paid at Jackson, MS. Subscription rates: 1 year $109; 2 years $168; and 3 years $214.

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2019 FiftyLeading Business Women – 3

TABLE

of CONTENTS m • September 20,

2019

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ON THE COVER 2019 Class of Business Women

INSIDE SPONSOR LETTERS: MEC, Regions .................................................................................. 6-7 SPONSORS

ZINE EDITION: SPECIAL MAGA TRUCKING & & ACCOUNTING,

» INCLUDES LAW UTILITIES FOCUSES , ENERGY, GAS & TRANSPORTATION

Imagery Photo by Stegall

BARBARA C. AKON Sunflower County Cosolidated School District ...................... 12 CINDY S. ANDERSON Haddox Reid Eubanks Betts, PLLC ....................................... 12 VERONICA BELL Bell & Associates Consulting Firm ....................................... 13 CHRISTY B. BRIDGES New Summit School ........................................................... 14 JESSICA BROOME Keesler Federal Credit Union ............................................... 14 NAKEITRA L. BURSE Six Dimensions, LLC ........................................................... 15 DAMITA CALDWELL Ingalls Shipbuilding ............................................................ 16 KIMBERLY COMPTON City of D’Iberville ................................................................ 16 LAURIE CUTRER SignMark ........................................................................... 17 LISA DAVIS CPA Realty ......................................................................... 18 PATRICE L. DONALD UMMC ............................................................................... 18 CHRISTEN H. DUHÈ Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ........................... 19 STACIA MARIE DUNSON Harmony House Calls & Medical Services, LLC .................... 20 GEORGIA EVERETT Everett Electric .................................................................. 20 BECKY FARRELL Law Office of Becky Farrell, PLLC ........................................ 21 TANYA J. FITTS Lafayette Pediatric Clinic .....................................................22 JANA L. FUSS Merit Health .......................................................................22

Law & Accounting

LOOKING BACK: 2019 Business Woman of the Year – Phyllis Polk Johnson ...........................8 PHOTO PAGES: Announcement celebration .................................................................. 46-48 ALUMNI: Past 50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi ...................................................49 TANISHA GATES Dorsey & Gates, PLLC .........................................................23 TIFFANY M. GRAVES Bradley ..............................................................................24 CHRISTIN GRISSOM Phi Theta Kappa .................................................................24 ELIZABETH M. HAMM BancorpSouth ....................................................................25 ASHLEY MURPHY HORNE Hinds Community College ...................................................26 ANGELA R. JUZANG Garden Park Medical Center ................................................26 EMILY K. LAUDER Toyota................................................................................27 AMANDA B. LEE Fisher Brown Bottrell Insurance ...........................................28 JENNY LEVENS City of Long Beach..............................................................28 WENDY LEWIS The Winning Smile .............................................................29 LIZ L. MCINTYRE Renasant Bank .................................................................. 30 JESSICA B. MILAM Planters Bank and Trust Company ...................................... 30 SUZANNE MONK William Carey University ..................................................... 31 MARY ANN MYERS Mississippi Development Authority .....................................32 FELECIA M. NAVE Alcorn State University .......................................................32 PORTIA PEARSON Lab Test Depot ...................................................................33 CHRISTY PENDER Northpark Mall ...................................................................34

MELISSA SELLERS PITMAN Trustmark ..........................................................................34 SARA ANNA POWERS The Congruent Life, LLC .....................................................35 TANYA RANKIN C Spire ...............................................................................36 AMBER RAYMOND Willow Blu..........................................................................36 ALICECLAIRE SCOTT Mississippi Pharmacy Board ................................................ 37 SALLY PAULINE SHEFFIELD Sheffield Rentals Inc ...........................................................38 SUSANNAH SILVIA Beyond Therapy for Kids .....................................................38 CAREY SNYDER Snyder and Company ..........................................................39 EMILY R. SUBER Parents of Ole Miss ........................................................... 40 BETH EDWARDS TACKETT Viking Range ..................................................................... 40 JENNIFER B. THOMPSON Mississippi Depa41rtment of Agriculture.............................. 41 REBECCA RIEVES WATERER Magnolia Health Plan..........................................................42 DAVITA L. WEARY Mississippi Community College Board..................................42 DEMETRICE WILLIAMS WELLS Williams Wells Law Firm .....................................................43 MAKEBA WHITE B1 Nursing Care, LLC...........................................................43 MALISSA WILSON Forman Watkins & Krutz LLP ............................................. 44

Honorary: VIRGINIA HODGES Retired MBJ Account Executive........................................... 44

Trucking & Transportation

Energy, Gas & Utlities

» Watkins & Eager’s proven stability has it poised for the future ..................................... 51

» Driverless vehicles could have a huge impact someday ................................................54-56

» Savings from solar powered chicken houses are ‘like giving the farmer a raise’ ........... 58-59

LIST » Largest Tax Preparers ................................52

LIST » Largest Trucking Companies ......................57

LIST » Electric Power Associations ......................60

Other news » Colonial Highlands rebrands, starts with apartment complex ................................................................................................................................62

4 – 2019 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Congratulations to our very own Jessica Broome Advertising Manager

Bravo for being honored as one of the 50 Leading Business Women of 2019 in Mississippi. We are proud to have you on our team.

kfcu.org | 1-888-KEESLER

6 – 2019 Fifty Leading Business Women

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2019 FiftyLeading Business Women – 7

2019 Advisory Board

Jennifer Anderson

Carolyn Boteler

Linda Bynum

Jan Coulter Collins

Executive Director The Chamber of Flowood

President TempStaff Inc.

Executive Director Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce

Executive Director Madison Co. Business League & Foundation

Julie Harrison

Lauren McGraw

Charlotte Reeves

Dr. Gay Saxon

Mississippi Residential Builder Turn Key Real Estate Investment Provider

CEO McGraw’s Gotta Go Portable Toilets LLC

President A-1 Pallets

Director of Workforce Training Hinds Community College

Candie L. Simmons

Becky White

Virginia Hodges

Senior Vice President Regions

Marketing Director Haddox Reid CPAs & Advisors

Retired MBJ Account Executive

8 – 2019 Fifty Leading Business Women

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CONGRATULATIONS

Portia Y. Pearson

on being selected as one of the

from Martha Griffith, Theddis Pearson & Valencia McCrimmon

2019 Business Woman of the Year

Phyllis Polk Johnson named Woman of the Year

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hyllis Polk Johnson, executive director of the Mississippi Board of Nursing, was named Mississippi’s Business Woman of the Year for 2018 Thursday by the Mississippi Business Journal.

Johnson was joined by 10 finalists and 39 other honorees at an event at the Old Capitol Inn in Downtown Jackson.

At the Mississippi Board of Nursing, Johnson is responsible for the oversight of approximately 68,000 nurses (RNs, LPNs, and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses). Prior to this role, Phyllis was the Director of Advanced Practice and Licensure where she was responsible for the regulation of licensure, compliance, and discipline for the more than 5,000 Advanced Practice Nurses (Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Midwives, and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists) in the state. She has held numerous clinical and managerial responsibilities in her more than 30 years of nursing.

A native of Carthage, Johnson attended South Leake High School in Walnut Grove, where she graduated as salutatorian of her class. She received her BSN (Cum Laude) and MSN degrees from the Mississippi University for Women.

Johnson is known for her tireless work ethic and attributes her drive and desire to excel to her parents. She defines her culture for excellence as always striving to do and be the best. Married to Clinton Johnson, Jr., she is the mother of two sons, William and Trey, and the grandmother of seven adoring grandchildren.

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 NANCY CARPENTER Visit Columbus - 2017 TERESA HUBBARD CITE Armored - 2018

10 – 2010 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Barbara C. Akon

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Sunflower County Consolidated School District Barbara C. Akon is the youngest daughter of the Late Percy Lee Carter, Sr. and Late Christine Bunch Carter. She was born in Mound Bayou. Barbara C. Akon is the principal of A.W. James Elementary School located in Drew with Sunflower County Consolidated Schools. This is her fourth year leading this educational institute with a faculty and staff of 35 members. A.W. James operates under the mission of “…to provide a clean, safe and orderly environment conducive to student achievement and growth.”

Akon holds a Bachelor and a Master of Science degree in Special Education and a certification in Educational Leadership and Supervision from Delta State University She has also done postgraduate work at Argosy and North Central University.

Akon was selected as a participant of Mississippi School Board Association’s Superintendent Leadership Academy for the 2018-19 school year. This Academy is opened to only 30 participants throughout the state.

Despite coming from a large family and parents who were not educated – her mom had an eighth grade education while her father had a second grade education — Akon and her siblings obtained a college degree and most are educators.

Cindy S. Anderson

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Haddox Reid Eubanks Betts, PLLC

Cindy Anderson is a tax member with more than 29 years of experience in public accounting. She manages tax and tax planning, payroll and bookkeeping, and advisory services for clients in the health-care and related industries.

As a member of the Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants, Anderson has served on the Board of Governors and is a member of the Central Chapter. She is also is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Anderson is a graduate of Mississippi State University with a bachelor of Professional Accountancy degree.

She is an active member of First Baptist Church Brandon. She volunteers at Stewpot Community Services, at the Mississippi Burn Foundation’s Shop with the Docs event, and attends the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership Women’s Information Network meetings.

12 – 2019 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Veronica Bell

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Bell & Associates Consulting Firm Veronica Bell, along with her husband, Kenneth Bell, is the co-owner of Bell & Associates Consulting Firm, LLC, a multi-million dollar producing insurance and financial brokerage firm. Veronica has been in the financial industry for more than 12 years. A two time graduate from the School of Accountancy and School of Business with a concentration in Human Resource Management at the University of Mississippi, budget and financial counseling has always been her passion.

Veronica fell into the insurance industry during an “experimental” phase, while college years and found that the industry went hand in hand with her passions.

From there, she was able to start her own business, counseling seniors for Medicare, legacy planning, retirement planning, and insurance.

When she married in 2014, Bell & Associates was born. Pairing their skills catapulted Bell & Associates which today employs 14 people and is growing, contracting 20 brokers, with two offices and satellite offices and servicing thousands of clients in Mississippi and eight other states.

Veronica is a mother of five with two in college. She is also a praise and worship leader at her local church and also the International Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith.

Congratulat

io n s!

MS Egg Marketing thinks that

Jennifer Thompson is an “Eggcellent” Choice as one of the

Top 50 Business Women!

Member FDIC

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2019 Fifty Leading Business Women – 13

Christy B. Bridges

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New Summit School Christy Bridges is the Development Officer for the New Summit School. This is a new position in the school district, and she is establishing an annual fundraising plan assisting in establishment of a board of directors for the Spectrum Academy.

Previously, she was the Go Red for Women Director for the American Heart Association, Marketing and Development for the Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi, Marketing Manager for The Clarion-Ledger and Finance Manager at MCI WorldCom. Community involvement includes Andrew Jackson Council Executive Board of Directors - Girls in Scouting Task Force, Florence Fest Board of Directors, Inaugural Dragon Boat Regatta Board for the Ridgeland City Chamber, Juliette Gordon Low Society Member, BSA Troop 85 Eagle Scout Committee Event Chair, Congressional Award Advisor, BSA Troop 85G Scout Master, Crew 85 Adult Advisor, American Heart Association Passion Committee.

Honors include 2017 Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 50 under 40, The President’s Volunteer Service Award for excellence in volunteerism, American Heart Association’s Heart and Torch Award 2016, 2017, and 2018.

Bridges is married to her husband, Todd Bridges, and has a daughter Meagan and a son Josh. She enjoys traveling with her family anywhere outdoors. Her hobbies include hiking, backpacking, camping and photography. In 2020 she looks forward to backpacking Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico with her first group of girls in scouting.

Jessica Broome

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Keesler Federal Credit Union Jessica Broome is the advertising manager for Keesler Federal Credit Union in Gulfport, where she has worked for more than eight years. She previously served as the advertising coordinator for Your Community Credit Union in Dallas, Texas, giving her more than 12 years of credit union experience. She specializes in advertising campaign creation, collateral material design, project management, brand management and community engagement activities.

Broome currently lends her time to the Mississippi Gulf Coast American Advertising Federation as the Vice President of Membership, focusing her efforts on membership engagement. As an impassioned veteran’s wife, she serves on the Veteran’s Support Committee at Keesler Federal, helping to fund raise and give back to veterans in the community.

Broome graduated summa cum laude from Mississippi State University, with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Marketing.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Joey, and son, Sam, and advocates for the awareness of CRPS/RSD, a rare disease that has affected her family.

14 – 2019 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Nakeitra L. Burse

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Six Dimensions, LLC

Dr. Nakeitra L. Burse created Six Dimensions, LLC in an effort to strategically respond to the health needs of disparate communities. As a native Mississippian, she is well aware of the impact of poor health on the environment, the economy, and the overall quality of life of individuals and communities. She is also acutely aware of the impact that systems have on individual and community health. Dr. Burse has been entrenched in public health for more than 10 years, earning a BS in Biological Sciences and an MS in Health Education/Health Promotion, both from Mississippi State University. She also holds a Doctorate in Public Health from Jackson State University. Dr. Burse holds several certifications including Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), personal trainer, and group exercise instructor.

Burse’s previous work in public health includes experience in the nonprofit sector, state agencies, and academia. These positions have allowed her the opportunity to view public health from various angles, understand the public health landscape, acknowledge the importance of policy in health, and develop solutions to respond to the immediate and critical health needs of our communities. As a result, Six Dimensions, LLC was birthed to create strategic, sustainable, and innovative solutions to public health with a focus on health equity and social justice.

Jana Fuss on being selected as one of the

MyMeritHealth.com www.msbusiness.com

2019 Fifty Leading Business Women – 15

Damita Caldwell

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Ingalls Shipbuilding Damita Caldwell is the Operations Special Projects Director at Ingalls Shipbuilding. She is responsible for technical training, development, and compliance within Operations. Damita is a 20-year employee who began her career at Ingalls as a Senior Clerk in the Hull Department. She has served in various positions over the course of her career, primarily in project management of Navy Programs (DDG51, LHD8, and LPD class ships), as well as technical training and development in Supply Chain Management.

Caldwell is a graduate of Moss Point High School, Class of 1985, where she was an honor roll student, in academically talented classes. She graduated, from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in 1991. She received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from William Carey University in 2007.

Caldwell is also active within her community. She is a member of the Moss Point chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated which is a private, non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world.

Caldwell is the daughter of Alderman Robert and Lorraine Byrd of Moss Point and is the mother of one daughter, Mikayla, who is a senior at the University of South Alabama in Mobile.

Kimberly Compton

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City of D’Iberville Kim Compton is a Certified Economic Developer with more than 25 years of experience in public sector economic development.

Prior to serving as the Economic Development Director for the City of D’Iberville, Compton was an economist with the Army Corps of Engineers. Also she has served as Economic Development Director for the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission, Economic Development Director for the City of Gulfport, Research Director for Louisiana’s Department of Economic Development, and Deputy Director of the Harrison County Development Commission.

She served two terms as President of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Alliance for Economic Development. Highlights of Compton career include the development of a quantitative return-on-investment model to evaluate ad valorem tax exemption applications and discounts for industrial park property.

Compton was project leader on the development of the Biloxi Commerce Park, a light industrial center, as well as the local project manager on the successful Rolls Royce North America expansion project at NASA’s Stennis Space Center.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in economics from Millsaps College and a Master’s Degree in Economic Development from the University of Southern Mississippi, where she was awarded the Munro Petroleum Award for Excellence.

Continuing her studies, Compton was awarded a fellowship from the USDA’s Economic Research Service while pursuing her PhD in economics at Clemson University. Kim is currently working toward a second Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Columbia Southern University.

16 – 2019 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Laurie Cutrer

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SignMark Laurie Cutrer is an account and sales manager and partner with SignMark.

She is responsible for outside sales, marketing, public relations, community service. She manages and supervises employees, oversees daily operations of accounts receivable, accounts payable and payroll and is responsible for making day-to-day decisions with her business partner.

She previously worked for the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Information Systems.

Cutrer is also a graduate of the University of Mississippi.

She is President-Elect Rankin Chamber of Commerce, Board member of Rankin Chamber of Commerce 3 years, Diplomat Chairman Flowood Chamber of Commerce 2015-16, Ambassador of the Year Pearl Chamber of Commerce 2015, diplomat of the year Flowood Chamber of Commerce 2015, ambassador of the year 2016 Rankin Chamber of commerce , Board Member of Keep the Rez Beautiful, Junior League of Jackson member, Keep the Rez Beautiful Volunteer of the Year 2016, graduate Leadership Rankin 2016, Trustee of Leadership Rankin, Rankin County Chamber Connector of the Year 2016-2117

Congratulations, Tanya Rankin One of 2019’s Leading Business Women in Mississippi From your community public relations work to your generosity through the C Spire Foundation, your dedication to serving others has helped make our customer inspired mission a reality for over 20 years.

©2019 C Spire. All rights reserved.

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2019 Fifty Leading Business Women – 17

Lisa Davis

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CPA Realty For more than thirty years, Batesville native and Jackson State University alum, Lisa McGhee Davis has been a revered bastion of knowledge and service to the state of Mississippi, its numerous political leaders, initially as a member of then Gov. Ray Mabus’ executive staff before transitioning to the Mississippi House of Representatives as Deputy Clerk in 1992.

Drawing upon the spirit of excellence embedded deep in her Panola County roots, Davis immersed herself in the task of becoming familiar with the systems and process of operating for the Mississippi Legislature and has excelled in every capacity of service for twenty-seven plus years.

In addition to her extensive record of public service, Davis possesses quite a prolific entrepreneurial transcript as well, a successful REALTOR with CPA Realty, LLC, where she is the Associate Broker and has been named “Agent of the Year” or “Star Agent of the Year for five consecutive years since 2013. A five-time Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Producer, Davis prides herself in making every homebuyer’s experience the perfect chapter of achieving the American Dream, by “turning Houses into homes.”

Davis and her husband, Ted, reside in Madison and are the proud parents of three sons, Montrel, Branson, and Bradley. The family attends Priestly Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.

Patrice L. Donald

P UMMC

Patrice Donald is the Magnet Program Manager at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Her responsibilities include strategic planning for recruitment and employee engagement. In addition, she has oversight with special programs to include – Healthy Nurse Healthy Nation, DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses and Student Nurse Externship program initiatives to name a few. Before entering the health-care profession, Donald cemented leadership foundations while working under the direct supervision for two attorneys as a Compliance Complaint Analyst II (Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company) and worked as an Administrative Support Clerk for the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN 16-VA Hospital).

She is a member of the Mississippi Nurses Association, Hinds Community College Alumni Association, UMMC-Nurse Retention Council, UMMC-Advance Directives Task Force, UMMC-Accreditation Compliance Team, UMMC-Nurses Week and Hospital Week committees. She also continues to serve as a nurse preceptor as she feels it is important that very early in a nurses career - they understand the power of giving. Donald also formerly held a NASD Series 6 and 63 license during her tenure in the insurance industry.

Donald has a passion for equipping people with the tools they need to succeed and loves team-building. In her spare time she enjoys – shopping and traveling. Her personal motto is “Treat people the way you want to be treated”.

Donald earned a BS (Health Care Administration) from Jackson State University in 2000, an ADN in Applied Science (Nursing) from Hinds Community College in 2011, a BSN (Nursing) from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2013, and will be a candidate for the MSN degree (Nursing – Nursing and Health Care Administration) in 2019.

18 – 2019 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Christen H. Duhè

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Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Christen Duhé is the Associate Vice President of Institutional Relations at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. She began working at MGCCC in 2012 as the first Director of the Hospitality Resort Management Center. She began her career at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce as the first Director of Coast Young Professionals (CYP). She then worked at the PGA TOUR Champions Tour golf tournament, Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic, as the Director of Volunteers.

Duhé is a Mississippi Gulf Coast native, growing up in Bay St. Louis and now living in Gulfport. She is a two-time graduate from The University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations and a Master’s Degree in Mass Communication. She is a graduate of the Coast Chamber’s Leadership Gulf Coast program, the Business Council’s Masters’ Class, MEC’s Leadership Mississippi and the Mississippi Community College Leadership Academy. She received her APR: Accreditation in Public Relations, in October, 2015. She plans to attend The University of Southern Mississippi in Fall 2019 to begin her doctoral program in higher education administration.

She married her husband, David, in March, 2012, in Cancun, Mexico. They love to travel and have two cats, Calvin and Chief, and a border collie named Scout.

Congratulations BETH TACKETT Director, Human Resources

for being chosen as one of the 50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi from The Mississippi Business Journal

VIKINGRANGE.COM

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2019 Fifty Leading Business Women – 19

Stacia Marie Dunson

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Harmony House Calls & Medical Services, LLC Stacia Dunson is the CEO and Clinical Director of Harmony House-calls & Medical Services LLC. Her responsibilities are managing day to day operations and clinical practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner and CEO, training students in medical assistant, phlebotomy, and nursing programs and serving as lead delegate in community service projects including heath fairs, blood drives and monthly medical chats at assisted living facilities to educate residents and staff on acute and chronic illnesses.

Dunson holds degrees from Holmes Community College, University of Southern MS, and Alcorn State University.

Dunson’s previous employer prior to starting Harmony House Calls & Medical Services was Jackson Hinds Comprehensive.

She is a member of the Junior League of Jackson, Jack and Jill of America and the Greater Mississippi Girl Scouts.

In her spare time, Dunson enjoys singing, spending time with family and friends and watching movies with her husband and children as well as participating in high intensity training exercise classes.

Georgia Everett

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Everett Electric Georgia Everett is a master electrician and co-owner of Everett Electric LLC in Madison. Georgia acquired her Electrical Technology degree from Hinds Community College Vicksburg Campus in 2003 as the only woman in her class, and then obtained her Master Electrician license in August of 2007. While new customers are often surprised to see her arrive for a service call, once she gets started, all doubt is removed.

Everett started working in the electrical field after a suggestion from her brother-in-law, and she eventually went on to get her degree and then license.

She encourages women to enter the construction field, and she enjoys being a living and breathing example to show girls that you can do anything you want to do. Since Georgia is majority owner of Everett Electric LLC, the company earned it’s Woman-Owned Business certification from the Mississippi Development Authority in 2019.

Georgia currently resides in Madison with her husband, Ryan, two chihuahuas, one wandering cat, and her mother, Faye, who moved from Vicksburg to Madison to enjoy her golden years with her daughter.

20 – 2019 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Becky Farrell

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Law Office of Becky Farrell, PLLC The Law Office of Becky Farrell was founded in Bay St. Louis by Becky Farrell, who has practiced law on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for 15 years. Her local roots run deep. She is from New Orleans and spent her weekends, summers and holidays at her family’s vacation home in Pearlington where she moved in 1996. She is a mother and grandmother and loves New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Farrell has been practicing law since 2001, and opened her firm in 2003.

This has proven to be a valuable advantage to firms seeking Farrell for local counsel or co-counsel.

Farrell practices regularly in Mississippi Circuit, Chancery, and County Courts.

She is active in the community and in professional organizations, including the Mississippi Bar Association, Hancock County Bar Association, The Trial Lawyers Association, and LHB and Professional Women. Her philanthropic endeavors include being a member of the Disabled American Veterans Commanders Club, the Lions Club, the Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence, and the Women’s Resource Center.

Congratulations Sally Sheffield on being chosen

601-636-0088 www.sheffieldrents.com www.msbusiness.com

2019 Fifty Leading Business Women – 21

Tanya J. Fitts

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Lafayette Pediatric Clinic Dr. Tanya Fitts is a Mississippi native, born in Pontotoc County. Her primary education began at South Pontotoc Attendance Center and during her sophomore year, she was accepted into the second class at Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science.

Fitts graduated from Vanderbilt and began medical school at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. Between her first and second years of medical school, she participated in an internship with the department of pediatrics. The joy of working with families to maximize their children’s health drew her to pursue pediatrics as a resident.

Over many months of late nights and weekends, Fitts studied business plans, poured over financial projections, and completed continuing education for laboratory directorship; yielding the confidence she needed to seek a loan from her contacts at Mechanics Bank of Mississippi. Loan officer Tami Tacke was instrumental in the process.

The doors of Lafayette Pediatric Clinic opened on November 1, 2007. The clinic has moved three times, while remaining conveniently located to serve Lafayette County and the surrounding area. The practice has since expanded, adding two more providers and 11 other support personnel.

Jana L. Fuss

J

Merit Health Jana Fuss has over 25 years of experience in health-care marketing and has served the last eight years as a director of marketing for Merit Health, one of the largest health-care networks of hospitals and clinics in Mississippi.

Her passion for marketing and PR has earned her designation as “Manager of the Year” at two different hospitals within Merit Health; she is a past Mississippi Business Journal “Top 40 Under 40” honoree and some of her work has been recognized by the Mississippi Hospital Association for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations “Maggie” awards.

Quite the entrepreneur, she and her husband bought the Vintage Market Days (VMD) franchise for Mississippi last year to keep the event in Jackson, with plans to expand around the state. VMD is an upscale vintage-inspired indoor/ outdoor open air market featuring original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, handmade treasures, home décor, outdoor furnishings, consumable yummies, seasonal plantings and a little more. Vintage Market Days events are so much more than a flea market. Each Vintage Market Days event is a unique opportunity for vendors to display their talents and passions in creative venues. Previously, the couple owned a restaurant in Flowood.

The Starkville native and Mississippi State University graduate has been married to Chris Fuss for 28 years and they have two sons, Matthew, age 23, and Jonathan, age 21. The couple resides in Brandon and are members of Pinelake Church.

22 – 2019 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Tanisha Gates

T

Dorsey & Gates, PLLC Tanisha M. Gates is a native of Belzoni is a 1998 graduate of Humphreys County High School. She furthered her studies at Tougaloo College and received her B.A. in Political Science with a focus in pre-law and later received her J.D. from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge.

She was admitted to practice law in both state and federal courts of Mississippi in 2006. She is a partner and one-half of the law offices of Dorsey & Gates, PLLC since 2013. Prior to this endeavor, she was the solo practitioner of Gates Law Office, PLLC located in Belzoni, which she opened in 2007. She is a member of various legal organizations: Mississippi Bar Association, Magnolia Bar Association (Past President May 2015-May 2016), Mississippi Public Defender’s Association and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Since November 2008, she has served as one of two public defenders for Humphreys County. Beyond the legal profession, she is a member of and currently serves on the board of various civic/community organizations such as the Belzoni-Humphreys Development Foundation, The City of Belzoni Catfish Festival Committee, Friends of Children of Mississippi, Inc. and Ken’s Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Belzoni and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. - Yazoo City Alumnae Chapter.

She enjoys water sports, experiencing nature and other outside recreational activities. She loves to read, travel and fellowship with friends and family. She is also the ecstatic parent of one son, Ace Bradley Reddics.

Ingalls Shipbuilding

Congratulates You, Damita!

Damita Caldwell Director, Project Management Ingalls Shipbuilding www.msbusiness.com

For your selection as one of Mississippi Business Journal’s 50 leading business women

2019 Fifty Leading Business Women – 23

Tiffany M. Graves

T Bradley

Tiffany Graves is an attorney with more than 20 years of experience advocating for marginalized children, individuals and families. Her fight for equity and justice for the under served began while she was in law school at the University of Virginia School of Law, where she was honored with the law school’s Pro Bono Award. She received the law school’s distinguished Powell Fellowship in Legal Services.

Graves used her Powell Fellowship to work at the Mississippi Center for Justice, a public interest law firm focused on advancing racial and economic justice. After completing her fellowship year at MCJ, Tiffany spent four years in private practice. In her transition back to public interest, Tiffany led the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to providing pro bono legal services to low-income Mississippians. She now serves as the first-ever, national pro bono counsel for Bradley Arant Boult & Cummings LLP, a law firm with 10 offices in seven states throughout the Southeast.

Christin Grissom

C

Phi Theta Kappa Christin Grissom is the Associate Vice President of Scholarships at Phi Theta Kappa, where she has worked for the past 11 years to support students internationally in the pursuit of scholarships and finds great joy in fostering leadership amongst her team and with her peers.

She oversees an operating and scholarship disbursement budget of $2.5 million and partnerships with colleges to provide scholarships for Phi Theta Kappa members valued at $42 million. She earned an MBA from Mississippi College in 2012 and holds a BA with an emphasis in marketing from the University of Mississippi.

Grissom has held a number of different roles in higher education, including transfer recruitment consulting, scholarship development and administration and strategic operations. She is committed to serving her community through volunteerism, where she is an active Junior League of Jackson member, volunteers with professional organizations in her career field and regularly devotes personal time to the development of her team both inside and outside of the workplace to inspire leadership by serving others.

24 – 2019 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Elizabeth M. Hamm

E

BancorpSouth Elizabeth Hamm joined BancorpSouth Tupelo in 1999. She is a Senior Vice President with BancorpSouth Wealth Management, and is an investment adviser representative of Infinex Investments, Inc. She is a seasoned financial adviser with 36 years of experience. Under her leadership, BancorpSouth Wealth Management Tupelo was named Best Investment Firm in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal’s Best of the Best issue for the past two years.

Hamm considers building relationships with clients her greatest professional reward. In particular, she enjoys assisting them in reaching milestones such as educating their children or celebrating retirement.

Hamm volunteers as an educational speaker for the local Chamber of Commerce and Habitat for Humanity, serves with Tree of Life Medical Ministry, and assists with Salvation Army Empty Bowls Luncheon. While her favorite hobbies include traveling, floral design, and attending Ole Miss events, her ultimate joy is spending time with her husband, Jeff, and their three adult children and spouses.

Congratulationss

Elizabeth h Hamm BANCORPSOUTH WE ALTH MANAGEMENTT TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI

for being named one of the

2019 Mississippi Business Journal’s 50 Leading Business Women of Mississippi Thank you for your dedication and commitment. nt.

Investment and insurance products and services are offered through INFINEX INVESTMENTS, INC. Member FINRA/SIPC. BancorpSouth Wealth Management is a trade name of the bank. Infinex and the bank are not affiliated. Products and services made available through Infinex are not insured by the FDIC or any other agency of the United States and are not deposits or obligations of nor guaranteed or insured by any bank or bank affiliate. These products are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of value.

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2019 Fifty Leading Business Women – 25

Ashley Murphy Horne

A

Hinds Community College Ashley Horne is serving in her seventh year as the Hinds Community head cheerleading coach.

Horne, who is an instructor in the Health and Physical Education Department at Hinds, serves as Football Advisor, and Athletics Eligibility Advisor. She graduated with a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology from Mississippi College.

She earned her master’s degree in sports administration/management from the University of Southern Mississippi in May 2013. She attended Copiah-Lincoln Community College, where as a standout basketball player she was selected to the All-State and All-Region tournament teams, and was chosen as a Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) All-Star. She is a graduate of Central Hinds Academy, where she was an All-Star in basketball and cheerleading.

Horne and her husband, Taylor, have a daughter, Hallie, and a son, Jase. The family resides in Raymond.

Angela R. Juzang

B

Garden Park Medical Center Born and raised in Gulfport, Angie Juzang’s professional career has included retail sales for a national company, advertising sales for a television broadcast affiliate and marketing director at a facility that is part of the largest hospital corporation network in America.

Her extensive business development experience has helped her create marketing solutions for small to large businesses, in addition to helping individuals build their personal and professional brand by connecting them through establishment of various platforms, such The Legacy Group and through hosting networking events, to share relevant information and resources.

Juzang received her Political Science and Women’s Studies Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. She has received multiple community awards and accolades for being a thought-leader and changeagent, working with organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs, Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Gulf Coast, Goodwill and many more.

She has one son, Tai.

26 – 2019 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Emily K. Lauder

E

Toyota Emily K. Lauder was named Vice President of Administration at Toyota Mississippi in June 2018. The manufacturing facility, located in Blue Springs, produces the Corolla, Toyota’s highest volume selling vehicle globally. In this role, Lauder is responsible for all areas of Administration including Human Resources, General Affairs, Safety and Environmental, Facilities, Accounting and Finance, and Production Control.

Prior to joining Toyota Mississippi, Lauder was the General Manager for Human Resources Strategic Partnering-Manufacturing for all of Toyota’s North American plants and was located at Toyota Motor North America in Plano, Texas.

Lauder currently serves on the board of the Community Development Foundation in Tupelo, on the board of the Mississippi Automotive Manufacturing Association and the 2020 Southern Automotive Conference Planning Committee. During her time at Toyota Alabama she served on the Huntsville/Madison Co. Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee and as the Chamber’s Vice Chair for the Workforce Development and Education, and on the Board of Directors for Huntsville/Madison Schools Foundation. She is a past President of the Southern Automotive Women’s Forum and remains an active member of the SAWF Board.

Lauder received a BBA in Finance from Ohio University and an MBA in Decision Sciences from Miami University of Ohio. She and her family live in Tupelo.

Congratulations

Patrice Donald Magnet Program Manager, UMMC

for being named one of the 50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi.

www.msbusiness.com

2019 Fifty Leading Business Women – 27

Amanda B. Lee

A

Fisher Brown Bottrell Insurance Amanda Lee is a double graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi, holding both a Bachelors of Business Administration and Masters of Business Administration.

She has more than 10 years of experience in various roles within the agency and carrier side of the insurance industry. Lee returned to Fisher Brown Bottrell in 2016 as a Commercial Marketing Executive where she handles new business negotiations for multiple producers throughout the state. She received her Certified Insurance Counselor designation from the National Alliance of Insurance Education & Research in 2014 and holds a Property & Casualty Insurance License. Amanda is a 2012 graduate of the Area Development Partnership’s Leadership Pinebelt program and was awarded the 2014 Dr. Milam Cotton New Rotarian of the Year Award by the Rotary Club of Hattiesburg.

She is Past President of the South Mississippi Phi Mu Alumnae Association; an active member of Junior Auxiliary of Hattiesburg serving on the Board of Directors and is serving a three-year term on The University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Association Board of Directors. Amanda and her husband, Robert, reside in Oak Grove with their two children, Layla and Tripp. They are members of Parkway Heights United Methodist Church where Amanda serves on the Board of Directors for Early Encounters Preschool.

Jenny Levens

J

City of Long Beach

Jenny Levens is a lifelong resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in business. Levens is the first Community Affairs Director for the City of Long Beach.

She has graduated from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s, Institute for Organization Management, graduate of Leadership Gulf Coast Class of 2014, Leadership Mississippi Class of 2017 and in the current Gulf Coast Business Council’s Masters Class.

Levens was recognized in 2016 for the Top 10 Under 40 One Coast Awards, Mississippi Business Journals Top 50 Under 40 for 2018, 2018 Success Conference as a Top Influencer and One to Watch.

She is a member St Thomas Catholic Church in Long Beach, Gulfport Junior Auxiliary, Lynn Meadows Boogie Nights Committee Member, Beach Day at the Wheel Way Chair, Boys and Girls Club, Carnival Association of Long Beach, Coast Young Professionals, Keesler Air Force Base Honorary Commander and Make- A – Wish.

28 – 2019 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Wendy Lewis

A

The Winning Smile A native of Puckett, Dr. Wendy Lewis is a cum laude graduate of Mississippi College and the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry. As a member of the General, American and Mississippi Dental Associations, and the Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Lewis provides high-quality, advanced care and a patient experience. Her practice, The Winning Smile Dental Group, along with her business partner, she owns three locations serving the central Mississippi area in Jackson, Flowood, and Brandon.

She has received many awards and recognitions some of which include: 2019 “Top Dentist”, 2018 “Top Dental Influencer” by Kleer, 2015, and a 2012 “Healthcare Hero” and a 2017 “Top 10 Under 50” by the Mississippi Business Journal.

In her free time, she enjoys being a wife. She is mother to three beautiful daughters. She loves reading, traveling, and serving as room mom at her children’s school. She also enjoys volunteering as a member of the Junior League of Jackson. She and her family attend Pinelake Church.

We Proudly Congratulate

Malissa Wilson

Selected as a

2019 Leading Business Woman

www.formanwatkins.com Detroit | Houston | Jackson | New Jersey | New Orleans

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2019 Fifty Leading Business Women – 29

Liz L. McIntyre

L

Renasant Bank

Liz McIntyre attended Millsaps College and graduated with a BA in Communications. After graduating, she worked in Jackson for 5 years as Marketing Manager for Mangia Bene Restaurant Management Group. During her time in Jackson, she was very involved with the community acting as Marketing Director for Friends of the USA International Ballet Competition, Treasurer for the American Advertising Federation - Jackson Chapter, member of the Millsaps Young Alumni Board, and member of the Jackson Choral Society.

McIntyre now resides in Oxford with her husband, Andrew, who is the Ceramics Technician and Instructor in the Art Department at The University of Mississippi. She started in Oxford as Marketing Manager at The Inn at Ole Miss where she initiated and completed a full re-branding of the hotel including new logo, new website, and new state-of-the-art hotel and hospitality technology.

McIntyre began at Renasant Bank as Social Media Manager in 2018. She is now Director of Social Media and PR and works remotely in Oxford.

A fun fact about McIntyre is that she is a Disney fanatic. She took a class in college called ‘Disney and the American Way of Life’ where she studied how the Disney Corporation has influenced and shaped American culture.

She and her husband also have two ‘Doodles’ – Olive, a labradoodle, and Riese, a goldendoodle.

Jessica B. Milam

J

Planters Bank and Trust Company Jessica Milam began her career in HR with Planters Bank & Trust Company in 2008. She is currently the First Vice President of Human Resources at their operations headquarter in Indianola.

In her HR role, she finds joy in developing and administering programs tailored to meet the needs of their employees. She is a 2006 graduate of the University of Mississippi. She is also the co-owner, with her husband, of Fountains Green Grow-Cery, a plant nursery and garden center in Greenville.

Milam is a native of Alabama but has called Greenville home since 2007.

She currently serves as Treasurer for the Junior Greenville Garden Club, Secretary for the Board of Directors of Washington School, Director of Conference planning for the MS SHRM Council and is a life member of the Junior Auxiliary.

Milam finds the most satisfaction in spending time with her husband John, and their two children, Walt (7) and Kate (5). She is a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. When she can find some free time, she enjoys participating in her local theatre, Delta Center Stage.

30 – 2019 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Suzanne Monk

S

William Carey University Suzanne Monk is the former managing editor of two daily newspapers, The Laurel Leader-Call and The Meridian Star. She was the director of public information at East Mississippi Community College. She is currently the coordinator of media relations and marketing at William Carey University.

William Carey is a private Christian liberal arts college in Hattiesburg, affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and the Mississippi Baptist Convention. The main campus is in Hattiesburg and a second campus is in the Tradition community near Gulfport and Biloxi.

The university offers baccalaureate degrees sub arts and letters, education, natural and behavioral sciences, business, religion, music and nursing.

CONGRATULATIONS

K IMBERLY C OMPTON for being chosen as one of

50 LEADING BUSINESS WOMEN IN MISSISSIPPI FOR 2019 from your friends at

SEYMOUR ENGINEERING CIVIL ENGINEERS AND PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYORS 925 TOMMY MUNRO DRIVE, SUITE G, BILOXI, MS 39532

www.msbusiness.com

2019 Fifty Leading Business Women – 31

Mary Ann Myers

M

Mississippi Development Authority Mary Ann Myers serves as a Workforce Specialist with the Mississippi Development Authority. In this role, Myers oversees the Mississippi Works Fund.

This fund provides for the additional training resources needed for new jobs that are created by the economic development projects in Mississippi. This requires her to maintain a close relationship with the Mississippi community colleges and Local Workforce Development areas.

Myers has served several positions at MDA. In those prior roles she mastered all the many facets related to the organization and planning of the Mississippi Market Wholesale Show. This Market provided manufacturers, wholesalers, artisans, craftsmen and service providers an arena to showcase and promote their “made in Mississippi” products and services. Participants in this market often described her as detail-oriented, proactive and so fun to be around.

Myers earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Mississippi State University. She is an avid Bulldog fan. Her extreme year-round passion for MSU is always represented, by the color maroon somewhere on her person.

Myers currently resides in Byram. Summer belongs to her yard. She loves God, family and the Bulldogs — and in that order. On her calendar — August through November (aka Football season) belongs to her.

She has been known to respectfully send her regrets to a family reunion planned during football season.

Felecia M. Nave

D

Alcorn State University Dr. Felecia M. Nave is the 20th President of Alcorn State University, where she serves as the chief executive officer of the nation’s oldest public land-grant HBCU in Lorman. Dr. Nave has administrative oversight for Alcorn’s 1,700-acre Lorman campus and branch locations in Natchez and Vicksburg, MS. Prior to her appointment as Alcorn’s president, as Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at North Carolina Central University, she served as the university’s chief academic officer, developing, managing and providing oversight for all academic degree programs at the university.

Prior to joining North Carolina Central University, Dr. Nave served in various academic and administrative roles at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas from 2003 until 2018.

Some of Dr. Nave’s awards include University of Toledo Department of Chemical Engineering Outstanding Alumna Award, 2019 and Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Award, 2015, among many others.

Dr. Nave graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Alcorn State University in 1996. She holds a master’s degree in chemical and environmental engineering and a doctorate in engineering, both from the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio.

She is married to Mr. Tracie Nave and they have four children, Jaylon, Justin, Kennedy, and Jonathan.

32 – 2019 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Portia Pearson

P

Lab Test Depot Portia Pearson is the Chief Executive Officer of Lab Test Depot, LLC. Lab Test Depot is a collection draw site that provides accurate, affordable medical-laboratory testing for employers and consumers seeking expedited answers to their health concerns. Lab Test Depot, LLC thrives primarily on the following services: routine blood work, DNA testing services, drug and alcohol testing services including random drug screen programs, pre-employment drug screens, Federal DOT drug screens, Non-DOT drug screens, and post-accident drug screens.

As the CEO of LTD, Ms. Pearson provides day-to-day oversight and ensures the company maintains its reputation for quality care and excellent customer service at a fair price. Under her leadership, the company has become one of the growing minority and woman-owned medical-laboratory testing companies in Mississippi.

Congratulations to Tiffany Graves for being named among Mississippi’s 50 Leading Businesswomen for 2019

At Bradley, our attorneys understand that legal matters are more than contests of critical thought; they have real-world implications, which is why we prioritize integrity. It is this integrity that inspires us to go above and beyond our clients’ expectations by providing innovative solutions, dependable responsiveness and a deep commitment to success.

bradley.com No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. Contact: Margaret Oertling Cupples, Esq., 601.592.9914, mcupples@bradley.com, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, 188 E. Capitol Street, Suite 1000, Jackson, MS 39201. © 2019

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2019 Fifty Leading Business Women – 33

Christy Pender

C

Northpark Mall Christy Pender is the Marketing and Business Development Manager at Northpark Mall in Ridgeland.

Pender points out that most people are unaware of Northpark’s vital economic contribution to the city of Ridgeland, Madison County, and the state of Mississippi. She says Northpark alone provides nearly 40 percent of the tax revenue for the city of Ridgeland. It is her responsibility to position Northpark as a retail and entertainment destination, ensuring that our 10-acre property remains relevant in a local market that is predisposed to misconceptions.

Previously, she served as the Business Development Coordinator for Fleet Feet in Ridgeland, responsible for building market position by locating, developing, defining, negotiating, and closing business relationships, primarily with community, corporate, and medical relationships. While there, she also organized road races in the community through sponsorships, development, city permits, and participation. Head of race timing crew responsible for timing and managing road races through community partners. This includes securing new events and expanding participation through grassroots campaigns.

She is a graduate of Belhaven University. She is a Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce Diplomat, Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce Ambassador and Rankin County Chamber of Commerce Connector.

Pender is also a mom and a published cookbook author. She currently has 7 books in print, The Eat & Explore State Cookbook Series. In addition, she has completed half-marathons, a full-marathon, and a 31-mile trail ultra-marathon.

Melissa Sellers Pitman

M Trustmark

Melissa Pitman is Vice President and Branch Manager/Team Leader for Trustmark Bank. Assisting clients with their financial needs is a top priority for her, as well as managing the day to day operations for the Trustmark Crossgates Branch. As a Team Leader, she assists with daily operations of seven additional branches as well.

Melissa attended the University of Southern Mississippi where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communications. She is also a graduate of The Mississippi School of Banking. She has been with Trustmark for 24 years.

During her time with Trustmark, she has served the community by volunteering with the American Heart Association, Rankin County Chamber of Commerce, and Adopt a School programs. She is currently serving on the Board for the he Pearl Chamber of Commerce and Treasurer for Pearl Educational Foundation for Excellence.

Melissa is a life-long resident of Pearl, Mississippi and a 1990 graduate of Pearl High School. She has been married to her childhood sweetheart, Byron Pitman, for 24 years. They have two children, Anna Katherine and Preslee.

34 – 2019 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Sara Anna Powers

S

The Congruent Life, LLC Sara Anna Powers is an online business mentor, certified coach and expert copywriter who helps entrepreneurs attract quality leads and make consistent sales through magnetic messaging. Powers has helped her seven-and eight-figure copywriting clients create six-figure launches, and she now serves five-, sixand multi-six figure business owners in her Magnetic Messaging online program and through her Magnify Mastermind and Magnify Group Coaching programs for faith-centered entrepreneurs.

Powers has a passion for helping her clients pursue their powerful purpose, and she supports them in taking their ideal clients from connection to conversion via her Signature 7-C Framework. She founded her business while still practicing law and she loves helping clients build a bridge to transition from employee to entrepreneur. She has received endorsements from industry leaders like James Wedmore, Dan Miller, Ray Edwards, Emily Williams, and John Meese.

Powers also hosts the popular Faith Forward Online Business podcast and is a sought-after speaker for events like Ray Edwards’ Copywriting Academy Live, the Gandy Lecture Series for female attorneys, and the Free the Dream Conference in Franklin, Tennessee. Visit www.saraannapowers.com to learn more and connect with Powers.

on being selected as a 2019

50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi

5698 Highway 61 South * Vicksburg, MS 39180 601-634-6866

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2019 Fifty Leading Business Women – 35

Tanya Rankin

T C Spire

Tanya Rankin is the PR Operations Manager for the C Spire Foundation, a private foundation that provides grants for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs that supports digital literacy, technology education, professional skills and workforce development. She has worked with C Spire since January 1997 and has served in various public relations, advertising and internal brand management positions prior to joining the C Spire Foundation. Her current role includes managing the company’s scholarship program and educational outreach to Mississippi’s young people through robotics demos, coding events and speaking to student groups to inspire careers in technology.

Rankin graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and an emphasis in Advertising. She attended the London School of Economics through USM’s British Studies Program. She has worked in marketing and public relations at high tech companies including SunRiver Corporation, a startup technology company specializing in fiber optic graphics hardware, and ACS/Dataplex, an information and data management company.

Rankin is an active member of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi and the Southern Public Relations Foundation. She has been recognized as the PRAM Outstanding Professional of the Year as well as other miscellaneous PRAM awards.

Amber Raymond

A

Willow Blu Amber Raymond is the owner of Willow Blu in Richland.

She lives in Florence with her husband Edward and their two girls, Rylee and Taylor, along with a multitude of stray cats.

Raymond also owns Dee’s Flower Shop in Clinton. She is the lead floral designer at both locations and she handles the day to day operations.

She has an associate’s degree in Interior Design and a life degree that has been earned through a very colorful life lived. Raymond challenges herself every day to make a difference in someone’s life. She is a wife, mother, business owner, daughter, sister and friend to many. The goal is to live the life God has planned for her even though sometimes she’s too ADD and gets off track.

He always reels her in, she says.

Raymond says she is a wildflower with a servant’s heart.

36 – 2019 Fifty Leading Business Women

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AliceClaire Scott

A

Mississippi Pharmacy Board

AliceClaire Scott was born and raised in Hazlehurst. After graduating from Copiah Academy, she began her college career at Mississippi College as a psychology major in 2003. After a semester spent volunteering for the campus paper and learning to develop photographs in a darkroom, her passion for communicating through words and pictures grew and a vivid picture was painted of what her next steps would be. She quickly changed her major to communications with an emphasis in journalism and took every photography class offered on campus.

Scott graduated in May 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in communications with a journalism emphasis and a minor in English.

In August of 2007, Scott began her career with the state of Mississippi joining the team at the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services.

Initially hired to work on a newly developed help desk, Scott was tasked with communicating with government employees statewide who had issues with email, phone systems, network, etc.

She is the main contact for Drug Wholesalers wishing to become permitted within the state of Mississippi and helps enforce new federal requirements for Drug Wholesalers in the state of Mississippi. Scott also serves as the point person to reissue compliant licenses to over 1,200 facilities nationwide.

Scott was a member of the Junior League of Jackson where she was a member of the Communications and Community Councils.

Scott is an active member of Christ United Methodist Church where she has been a D-Group Leader for six years. She resides in Jackson with her husband, Jason, and their 3-year-old identical twin sons, Thompson and Jack Willingham.

Congratulations

Laurie Cutrer

on being selected as

Signmark, Inc. www.signmark.us 228 N. Pearson Road | Pearl, MS 39208 Phn: 601-932-6699 | Fax: 601-932-6441

Congratulations Lisa Davis!

on being selected as a

2019 50 Leading Business Women

From 5HY 'U $XUHOLD -RQHV 6PLWK www.msbusiness.com

2019 Fifty Leading Business Women – 37

Sally Pauline Sheffield

S

Sheffield Rentals Inc Sally Sheffield is an Accountant and the Controller at Sheffield Rentals, Inc., a Rental Business in located in Vicksburg.

Sheffield graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration emphasis in Accounting.

She returned to the family business in 2008 after 13 years as an auditor with the Mississippi Department of Revenue. Along with being the Controller at Sheffield Rentals she is part owner in Sheffield Carriage Company, LLC, where she handles the accounting and marketing for the Horse and Carriages, Limousine and Levee Street Warehouse Event Venue Rentals. As with all small family businesses, she says you must wear many different hats to get the job done.

Susannah Silvia

A

Beyond Therapy for Kids As the Clinical Director of a large outpatient pediatric facility, Susannah Silvia leads 25 therapists specializing in physical, occupational and speech therapy. Her management responsibilities change day to change but mostly involve hiring, parent- therapist discussions, establishment of trainings and programs, management of changing caseloads, and community and social media marketing.

She is directly involved with the everyday tasks of overseeing both clerical and clinical staff along with the beneďŹ ts coordinators for insurance billing. Silvia also assists with the establishment of satellite pediatric clinics inside Elite PT clinics and stand alone in Tupelo.

As a speech language pathologist, Silvia also maintains a regular caseload and performs individual treatment sessions involving a variety of diagnoses, ages, and demographics- specializing in oral motor, apraxia of speech, sensory motor feeding, and early intervention.

Slivia is a member of the Junior League of Jackson and a Board Member of the march of Dimes.

38 – 2019 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Carey Snyder

C

Snyder and Company

Carey Snyder owns Snyder & Company — a marketing and consulting firm that delivers unique strategies to small- and medium-sized businesses by combining strong networking, negotiation, and training services with traditional and non-traditional marketing techniques. Carey’s business has flourished since its start in 2009.

Snyder also sees it as a life’s mission to give back to her community through philanthropic initiatives. She enjoys working with CDF, numerous charities, nonprofits, and other civic- minded organizations to further their mission to create a better world for all. She and her husband Jeff founded the non-profit organization, Snuggle Buddy, which provides safe, warm sleeping environments for local children.

She is a 2017 graduate of the Jim Ingram Leadership Institute as well as a Certified Speaker and Leadership Coach through the John Maxwell Team. She is also a graduate of both the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Signature Seminar and the Success Skills program through New Expectations for Women in Mississippi.

Carey has earned such accolades as being named Top 20 Under 40 and Top 40 Under 40 in Tupelo, and she has been named CDF Ambassador of the Year. Carey was also selected to serve as a board member for First American National Bank at age 38 – making her one of the youngest female bank board members in the United States. Carey is certified in DISC personality training by two distinguished companies and is a marketer and master negotiator by trade.

A lifelong Mississippian, Carey was born and raised in Tremont and now lives in Lee County with her husband, Jeff, and daughter, Alonna. She is a tri-athlete and avid reader.

MEDICARE • HEALTHCARE • RETIREMENT • LIFE

Congratulations

Lisa Davis on being selected as one of the

2019 50 Leading Business Women Love, Your Big Sister Sandra

Congratulations Georgia Everett

on being selected as a

2019 50 Leading Business Women

EE EVERETT ELECTRIC LLC 139 Stonegate Drive Madison, MS 39110

Office: 601-218-7915

www.msbusiness.com

“Your Money,Your Life,Your Legacy” 2019 Fifty Leading Business Women – 39

Emily R. Suber

A

Parents of Ole Miss After graduating from Ole Miss in 2005, Emily Suber took a position with a promotional products company in Mobile, Alabama as a product design coordinator. She led the design and development of dozens of products, which meant traveling to China to approve the final versions.

Suber returned to Oxford in 2008, where she began a career to help north Mississippi businesses market their products and services. She has continued to do this, but in two very different roles.

For 10 years, Suber worked as a graphic designer, then Director of Production for Invitation Oxford magazine. She joined 662 Marketing in June 2018 where she currently serves as the Director of Sales and Marketing for the sub brands under the 662 Marketing umbrella: Parents of Ole Miss, Parents of Mississippi State, Parents of Auburn and Parents of Georgia. Though not directly affiliated with the schools, the premise of these brands is to connect parents who are sending their kids to one of these schools to the local town’s resources and businesses.

Suber lives in Oxford with her husband and two small children.

Beth Edwards Tackett

B

Viking Range Beth Tackett serves as Director of Human Resources for Viking Range, the originator of ultra-premium cooking products for the home. In this key role, Tackett oversees all aspects of human resources while spearheading the development and strategic direction of the company’s human resource best practices and human capital initiatives. For the past 22 years at Viking, her mission has been to ensure that people remain the company’s greatest asset.

She holds a BBA in human resource management from The University of Mississippi, and a Master of Business Administration from Mississippi State University. Tackett attained the HRCI Senior Professional in Human Resources and SHRM-Senior Certified Professional designations.

Tackett was named Mississippi Human Resource Professional of the Year in 2017 by the Mississippi State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management. She has also been recognized by The Greenwood Commonwealth “Top 30 under 40”. She is past president of the Delta Human Resource Management Association, past director of the Greenwood-Leflore Chamber of Commerce, and Life Member of the Junior Auxiliary of Greenwood.

She is a member of First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood, where she serves as Elder. She and her husband, Randy, have two sons - John Hollis (18) and Sumner (14). She is a devoted animal lover, and alongside her son, dedicates numerous hours each week to the rescue of homeless dogs in the Mississippi Delta.

40 – 2019 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Jennifer B. Thompson

J

Mississippi Department of Agriculture Jennifer Thompson is the Director of the Petroleum Products Inspection Division at the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, where she has served as director since 2009 and has been with the department in several capacities since 1992.

In addition to her duties as Petroleum Director, Thompson works with the Mississippi Egg Marketing Board coordinating advertising and promotional events both legislative and social, most notably the largest Easter Egg Hunt in the state at the Mississippi Ag & Forestry Museum. Thompson has also worked with The Mustard Seed to make several Easter egg presentations to First Lady Deborah Bryant, who has invited the delegation to the mansion for the presentation.

Thompson is coordinator of the Dixie National Parade, which runs in conjunction with the Dixie National Livestock Show & Rodeo each February. The parade consists of thousands of horses, car groups, floats and marching groups. Most notably is the wagon train which follows the parade each year.

A native of New Iberia, Louisiana, Thompson has been a resident of Morton since 1987 where she is a member of New Liberty Baptist Church. Jennifer has one son and three daughters and one grandson.

Laurie Cutrer on being selected as a 2019 50 Leading Business Woman Rankin County Chamber 101 Service Drive • Brandon www.rankinchamber.com For more information about the Chamber call (601)825•1977

Congratulations Amanda Lee on your selection as a

2019 50 Leading Business Women

Post Office Box 1071 | Hattiesburg, MS 39401 | O: 601.583.5397 | F: 601.208.3077

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2019 Fifty Leading Business Women – 41

Rebecca Rieves Waterer

B

Magnolia Health Plan Becky Waterer is the vice president of medical affairs for the Magnolia Health Plan.

She works in the clinical area to make sure approximately 280,000 covered members receive high quality medically necessary services. These are some of the most vulnerable Mississippians, with roughly half of its membership being children under 19 years of age. Waterer also works extensively with their external partners, Division of Medicaid, Department of Insurance, Mississippi State Department of Health, the Mississippi Legislature, doctors and nurse practitioners throughout the state, and support organizations such as March of Dimes, American Cancer Society and Mississippi Diabetes Association.

Previously, she worked for 19 years as a general internal medicine physician, director of the student/employee health department and associate professor of Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Prior to that, Waterer worked at the Jackson VA Medical Center and the Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield.

Waterer has a BS in biological sciences from Mississippi State University and she earned her medical degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 1985.

She says she is the wife to her “wonderful husband”, who has been an interventional cardiologist for 34 years. She is the mother to two outstanding young people, her daughter being a nurse in the Batson Children’s Hospital and her son being an Assistant Vice President at Trustmark Bank in Jackson. She is also a grandmother of three.

Davita L. Weary

D

Mississippi Community College Board Davita Weary is the director of monitoring for the Mississippi Community College Board.

In that role, she assists the assistant executive director for research and effectiveness, as needed, with data collection and primary data validation processes to ensure the timeliness of data collection and integrity of data. Weary also serves as a resource for registrars, admissions and information systems contacts in the resolution of data integrity and validation issues.

She was an accountant at the University of Mississippi Medical Center from 2012-14 and has worked in that industry in various capacities since 2001.

Weary earned a BBA in finance from Jackson State University in 1998 and an MBA from Capella University in 2009.

42 – 2019 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Demetrice Williams Wells

D

Williams Wells Law Firm Demetrice Williams Wells is a native of Flora and currently resides in Raymond with her husband, Marlon, and two children, a daughter Markinziae Samoane and a son, Mason McKinley.

She is a proud 2002 Summa Cum Laude Graduate of Tougaloo College where she earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in English.

After graduating from Tougaloo, she attended the University of Mississippi School of Law where she earned her Juris Doctorate in 2006. Wells was admitted to the practice of law in the State of Mississippi the same year and has been practicing law for over ten years. She is the owner of The Williams Wells Law Firm, PLLC located in her hometown of Flora. She currently serves as a Board Member and Attorney for the Flora Chamber of Commerce. Wells and her family are also members of Fearn’s Chapel Freewill Baptist Church in Flora.

Demetrice has dedicated her legal career to being a public servant and is a fierce advocate for those who are most often overlooked in our society. She has served as public defender for Sunflower County for 10 years and is the Immediate Past President of the Mississippi Public Defender’s Association and Vice Chair of the Mississippi Public Defender’s Task Force. She is also member of the Magnolia Bar Association; The American Bar Association, and the National Association of Public Defenders. Demetrice has dedicated her legal career to improving her community and being a fierce advocate to her clients throughout the State of Mississippi.

Makeba White

M

B1 Nursing Care, LLC Makeba White is goal-oriented professional who possessed an honorable dream.

Because of her deep-seated passion for elderly and disabled, White began a quest to fulfill her dream to become a community resource and contributor to the care and empowerment of those in need as well as those who have similar aspirations.

White is now the CEO of B1 Nursing Care (Homecare Agency) and B1 Nursing Training Center. Her business holds Minority Business Enterprise and Women Business Enterprise certifications. She oversees day to day operations and training for the organization’s internal staff and contractors. White is co-author of the international book “Your Personal GPS,” which references how to overcome life’s challenges.

She has a Nursing Degree from Hinds Community College and many certifications she obtained throughout her professional career. She’s a certified leadership coach and a certified professional speaker through The Professional Woman Network. White is a member of the Pearl Chamber of Commerce, the Capital Club of Jackson, and MS Women in Network.

White is the mother of three (Makilya, Myasia, and Justin) and the “glam”mother of 1 (Madison).

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2019 Fifty Leading Business Women – 43

Malissa Wilson

B

Forman Watkins & Krutz LLP

Before joining Forman Watkins, Malissa Wilson worked as a journalist, a public relations practitioner in crisis communications, a defense attorney, a government attorney, and in-house counsel.

Wilson’s diverse background and vast array of knowledge make her a key asset to the creative, efficient work ethic of Forman Watkins. Though she is not a working journalist covering stories anymore, as an attorney, she offers clients her ability to lay out and present the storyline of their cases clearly and efficiently to a judge or juror.

A firm believer in the golden rule, Wilson handles every case how she would want an attorney to handle a case for her, always going the extra mile and never backing down from a challenge as she works in the areas of Labor Employment, Premises Liability, Civil Rights, and Media Law. Wilson received her BA in Journalism in 1995 from Texas Southern before getting her Master’s in Journalism from Columbia University in 1997. She earned her JD from the University of Mississippi in 2002.

Virginia Hodges

V

Retired MBJ Account Executive

Virginia Hodges is a retired account executive, who worked at the Mississippi Business Journal from 2008 to 2018.

She worked at WTYX-Arrow 94 and Rock 93.9 in the same capacity for 7 years and then at Clear Channel Radio for five years.

Hodges attended Holmes Community College, The University of Mississippi and Millsaps College. She is past president of MIX Networking Group, past president of Dixie Divers Scuba Club and past member of Professional Women’s Group. Hodges is also a member of Women’s Information Network and an Ambassador of Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership and was selected into Chamber’s Council.

She has been on the advisory board of the Mississippi Business Journal’s 50 Leading Business Women and is vice president of the Jackson Yacht Club Women’s Fleet and belongs to the JYC Book Club. Hodges also walks dogs for neighbors and friends.

She is married to Randy Hodges and they reside in Ridgeland with 2 cats, Juju and Scarlett. They have four grown children, Boyd, Colin, Claire and Carmen and daughter in law Coby and four Grandchildren, Cole, Carter, Molly and Jayda.

Hodges enjoys spending time with family and friends, exercising, walking and traveling every chance she gets and scuba diving in the Caribbean, Maui and Fiji.

44 – 2019 Fifty Leading Business Women

Honorary www.msbusiness.com

ALCORN PROUD !

“It is truly a proud moment for me, my family, and countless others who have supported and encouraged me throughout my career. I am very humble and aware of the huge responsibility that comes with being entrusted to lead my alma mater – Alcorn State University. My vision is to continue strengthening Alcorn’s 148-year history of exemplifying excellence, building character, and cultivating the greatness of our students to become transformative leaders in the world.”

DR. FELECIA M. NAVE 20TH PRESIDENT OF ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY

www.alcorn.edu

LUNCHEON Eagle Ridge Conference Center in Raymond

PHOTOS BY DERYLL STEGALL| STEGALL IMAGERY

46 – 2019 Fifty Leading Business Women

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PHOTOS BY DERYLL STEGALL| STEGALL IMAGERY

Congratulations Christy Bridges

on being selected as a

2019 50 Leading Business Woman From Tina Lakey www.msbusiness.com

2019 Fifty Leading Business Women – 47

GIRLS NIGHT OUT Old Capitol Inn

48 – 2019 Fifty Leading Business Women

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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/

2018

2017

Meredith M. Aldridge ..................... Maron Marvel Bradley Anderson & Tardy LLC Natasha Avery ......................................................................................Network 8 Kelle J. Barfield................................................................................ Lorelei Books Stephanie Gibson Barrett .......................................................Oxford Urgent Care Pamela Scott Bracey...................................................Mississippi State University Suzannah Britt .................................................................Hospice Ministries, Inc. Kimberly Rose Caron ................................................................ The Caron Gallery Jennifer G. Carter ............................................... Mississippi Municipal Service Co Kearn Lynda Cherry .....................................................................PRN Home Care Sharon Berry Clark ..................................Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology Paricia Coleman................................................................ Navigator Credit Union Amanda B. Comer ............................................Magnolia Regional Health Center Jessica Cooley......................................................................GranthamPoole CPAs Elise E. Deano ...............................................Law Office of Elise Epperson Deano Kelli M. Dowell ......................................................................................... Entergy Michelle Dugan..............................................................................Renasant Bank Lameshia Edwards ...................................................Community First Real Estate Fran Flood ............................................................Account Services/People Lease Jamita Q. Elmore Gilleylen..........................Law Office of Jamita Elmore Gilleylen Lisa McDaniele Hawkins ...............................................................Room to Room Shirley D. Hendrix............................................................R & B Specialty Printing Christee Holbrook ................................................................Graham Roofing Inc. LeKeysha Greer Isaac............................................... Cosmich, Simmons & Brown LaToya T. Jeter.............................................................. Brown Bass & Jeter, PLLC Phyllis Polk Johnson........................................Mississippi State Board of Nursing Denise M. Jones .....................................................................Ingalls Shipbuilding Leslie A. Kelley ..........................................................................Community Bank Cindy Lamb ............................................................................................Pickering Lynn N. Lofton ..............................................................................M2Media Corp Annie Chapman McIlwain...................................................PPM Consultants, Inc. Ashley McLellan .............................................................................BancorpSouth Paula Merritt .......................................................................... Motorola Solutions Sandy Middleton ............................................The Center for Violence Prevention Jane L. Moss ....................................................................................Viking Range Tina O’Keefe ..............................................................MGM Resorts International Loretta D. Phillips ........................................Madison County Board of Supervisor Kaytie M. Pickett .......................................................................Jones Walker LLP Lane M. Purvis .............................................................................Capitol Staffing Kenya Key Rachal .........................................................................Baker Donelson Lauren Nicole Sinclair .........................................................Lauren Nicole Designs Melissa A. Skaggs.....................................................................Lamar Advertising Jennifer M. Studebaker...................................................Forman Watkins & Krutz LaMonica Davis Taylor........................................Smiles on Broadway Dental Care Tabatha Terrell-Brooks ................................................... Jackson State University Mina Thorgeson ......................................................................Ridgeland Tourism Tonya Hairston Ware ..........The Success House & The Church Triumphant Global Ashley N. Wicks ................................................................................Butler Snow Rose Williamson ...........................................................Barlow & Company PLLC Blakley Young.................................................................WTVA-Heartland Media Liz Youngblood..........................................................................................UMMC

Amanda Green Alexander...................................................... Alexander Law P.A. Mandi Arinder .......................................... Rankin County Chamber of Commerce Annie B. Baker .....................................................................................EQ Health Wendy Barnes ..............................................................Hinds Community College Amy Neel Boteler .....................................................................Neel-Schaffer Inc. Rosario “Rose” Boxx ......................................Mississippi Development Authority Kay H. Brodbeck............................................................Mississippi Safety Service D’Anna Broussard....................................................................Cintas Corporation Kenya L. Collins ..........................................................................City of Greenville Tammy Cotton ........................................................................... Paige Consulting Elizabeth R. Crisler ........................................................................Liquid Creative Patrina R. Dace.............................................................. Kaleidoscope of Learning Lindsey Webb Dancy .................................................................Community Bank Tina Seymour Demoran ................................................Seymour Law Firm, PLLC Marlo M. Dorsey..........................................Hattiesburg Convention Commission Bethany B. Edwards ...............................................................................Trustcare Wendy Huff Ellard ..........................................................................aker Donelson Donna Gardner.......................................................................Ingalls Shipbuilding Susan Easom Garrard ........................................... Mississippi Children’s Museum Mary Margaret Gay ................................Maron Marvel Bradley Anderson & Tardy Kristena Payne Gaylor .............................................................Mississippi College Zetella Gooch ...........Gooch Consulting and Special Event Service, LLC & BNI MS Karen E. Howell................................. Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes, PLLC Teresa A. Hubbard..........................................................................CITE Armored Nashandra T. James .......................................................Madison County Schools Beth Jeffers ..............................................................................The Fitness Factor Tiffany Johnston ...........................................................Fisher Brown Boltrell Ins. Andrea Jones-Davis ...................................................................Tougaloo College Marlo Carter Kirkpatrick ............................................Kirkpatrick & Porch Creative Kristen Ley .....................................................................................Thimble Press Vickie Watters Martin.....................................Mississippi Development Authority Leigha S. McLendon..............................................................................Bank Plus Paula McNair..................................................................................Atmos Energy Betsey Mosby..................................................Betsey Mosby Interior Design, LLC Jonnette B. Moss................................................................................Origin Bank Anna M. Neel ............................................................................The Cirlot Agency Kristin Panetta ...........................................................................Elle James Bridal Michelle Parisi .........................................................................................Camgian Dorothey A. Pernell .......................................................Greenwood Chiropractors Jessica H. Phillips .............................................................................O! How Cute Elizabeth J. Randall .....................................................Randall Commercial Group Lisa A. Reppeto ................................................................................Jones Walker Erin W. Smith ...........................................................................AARP Foundation Jennifer Stanley..................................................................... The Salvation Army Sara Elizabeth Stockton.....................................Magnolia Regional Health Center Zakiya Summers............................................................ Lady Godiva Productions Robin Banck Taylor.....................................................................Ogletree Deakins Karla Steckler Tye ..............................................Children Advocacy Centers of MS Rashida N. Walker..................................................................W Real Estate, LLC. Jennifer Kay Young-Wallace ........................................... Jackson State University

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

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2019 Fifty Leading Business Women – 49

CONGRATULATIONS

Dr. Becky Waterer on being chosen as one of the

Love, Your

adoring family!

FOCUS: LAW & ACCOUNTING PROFILE

Watkins & Eager’s proven stability has it poised for the future

By NASH NUNNERY

J

ackson law firm Watkins & Eager is a full-service, diversified practice with its roots historically entrenched in the Capital.

Founded by William Hamilton Watkins in 1895, the firm maintains its headquarters in the old Emporium Building across North Congress Street from the Governor’s Mansion in downtown Jackson. Watkins argued over 20 cases before the Supreme Court of the United States and was later joined in 1916

by Pat H. Eager, Jr., a trial attorney who later became Mississippi’s first invitee into the American College of Trial Lawyers, and served as president of Stephenson the International Association of Defense Counsel.

Watkins’ son, Tom took over the firm from his father in the early 1930s.

Bill Goodman, William’s grandson and Tom’s nephew, grasped the leadership mantle in the mid-1970s. Grant Sellers now serves as CEO of Watkins & Eager.

Paul Stephenson, chairman of the firm’s executive committee, joined Watkins & Eager in 1977 near the beginning of Goodman’s tenure.

“Bill Goodman provided stability and really established the firm’s culture,” he said. “He left a legacy of shared aspirations.”

With a focus on mass tort and commercial litigation, Watkins & Eager has made a name for itself over the years defending large companies beyond Mississippi’s borders, including Exxon, Chevron, General Motors and Ford Motor Co., to name a few.

“The Power of WE – Experience, Collaboration, Results” is the firm’s

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slogan, a rallying cry that embraces the idea of cooperation and partnership instead of a strategy of win-at-all-costs.

“Our commitment is to use all resources and expertise available in a collaborative approach with our clients but in a cost-effective manner,” Stephenson said. “We have a ‘deep bench’ in business and transactional law and strive to achieve the desired results for our clients.”

Stephenson, whose practice experience includes complex class actions, oil and gas controversies and business practice challenges under the RICO Act, said Watkins & Eager is committed to staying anchored in downtown Jackson in spite of numerous other legal and CPA firms exiting the city for the suburbs.

“There have been multiple opportunities to relocate over the years but we’ve made a firm commitment to stay in downtown Jackson,” he said. “A healthy and hearty downtown Jackson is important to Watkins & Eager.”

The firm, which boasts 71 lawyers and 55 staff personnel, also maintains offices in Hattiesburg and Birmingham.

Most law firms rank talent recruitment as their biggest challenge.

According to global human resources consortium Robert Half Legal, more than three in 10 lawyers recently surveyed said recruiting highly skilled legal professionals is the greatest practice management challenge facing their firm.

Watkins & Eager is committed to diversity and seeks academic excellence as well as superb oral and writing communication skills in recruiting new talent, according to Stephenson.

“During the interview process, we look for young people that are articulate and those of good character, in addition to their academic record,” he said. “We also search for highly motivated individuals who recognize the value of our law firm and the team concept. Also, our firm embraces individual autonomy and encourage them to be their own men and women.

“At Watkins & Eager, we value that name and our relationships with each other. It’s worked for us.”

Mississippi Business Journal – 51

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52 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mississippi Business Journal

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DELAWARE

NORTH CAROLINA

TENNESSEE

SOUTH CAROLINA

MISSISSIPPI

GEORGIA ALABAMA

FLORIDA

FOCUS: TRUCKING & TRANSPORTATION

Courtesy of Nissan USA / Special to the MBJ

ProPILOT Assist reduces the hassle of stop-and-go driving by helping control acceleration, braking and steering during single-lane highway driving.

Driverless vehicles could have a huge impact someday » Probably not anytime soon

By BECKY GILLETTE

D

riverless vehicles could be the next really big business disruption in the U.S. There are some futuristic projections that by 2030, more people will use driverless taxis rather than owning their own cars, which could be less expensive while making finding a parking space no longer a big hassle. It could also cut

54 – Mississippi Business Journal

the number of vehicles on the road, and hence reduce commute times and the need for highway expansions.

There are also predictions that driverless vehicles could put many truck drivers out of business. The Long Beach Press-Telegram has reported that many believe automation can make the business safer, cut operator costs and address intermittent shortages of truck drivers.

“This is not the far future,” said Xiao Yun Lu, a research engineer at Partners for Advanced Transportation Technol-

ogy (PATH) at University of California Berkeley. “This is the near future.”

The driver shortage is a very real issue, said Hal Miller, president of the Mississippi Trucking Association.

“We are currently looking at a need of about 65,000 more drivers to fill current job vacancies and, if things don’t change, we could see a 175,000-driver shortage in 10 years,” Miller said. “As far as driverless trucks, the majority of the industry just See DRIVERLESS, Page 55

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TRUCKING & TRANSPORTATION

DRIVERLESS Continued from, Page 54

doesn’t see that anywhere in the foreseeable future.

“When you hear of autonomous trucks, what that is mainly describing is a driver assist event, meaning that the truck has technology on board that creates a safer and more efficient operating environment.

Examples of that would be collision avoidance, lane departure, stability Doude control or the onboard cameras that monitor the surrounding traffic and help coach the driver as well as record any critical events such as accidents or near misses.”

Miller said many of the trucks you see on the road today have these systems and you will see this technolMiller ogy become standard equipment in the near future. But none of this is being used to replace the driver.

“What is seen as more realistic is the use of technology in the future to relieve the driver of some control of the vehicle while he is still in it.” Miller said. “What was originally a big push by a number of companies to develop a driverless truck now seems to be more about developing better technology to assist drivers.”

Miller said there are still companies working on developing all the technology for a driverless truck as there will

Courtesy of Nissan USA / Special to the MBJ

Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist technology is available on the Rogue compact SUV. be some limited applications in certain environments but, ironically, the autonomous technology will most likely allow for growth in the driver population as it will help create a more attractive environment for those considering the occupation.

“You have already seen a significant movement in increasing driver pay, benefits and work conditions so this technology will only enhance the career path of drivers,” Miller said.

Trucking could be impacted more by automated vehicle technology than any other industry, said Matthew Doude, associate director, Center for Advanced Vehicle Systems (CAVS), Mississippi State University. A lot of trucking is done on interstate highways and long stretches of road better suited to automating some driving tasks. But

for the foreseeable future, automated vehicle technology is not expected to cost truckers their jobs. Doude said it is more likely that automation might help make up for the shortfall in drivers.

CAVS does all kinds of self-driving car research. Its focus is on unstructured environments. This includes in the woods or desert-type environments where there are no roads. The primary applications are for the military, which is funding a lot of this kind of research.

Doude frequently attends technical conferences on automated vehicle technology and has seen a trend in recent years to recognize that this is a harder problem than initially realized.

“The base picture [of] fully self-driving cars [is] a lot harder than many See AUTONOMOUS, Page 56

“When you hear of autonomous trucks, what that is mainly describing is a driver assist event, meaning that the truck has technology on board that creates a safer and more efficient operating environment.”

Hal Miller, president of the Mississippi Trucking Association

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Mississippi Business Journal – 55

TRUCKING & TRANSPORTATION

AUTONOMOUS Continued from, Page 55

people realize,” Doude said. “I think most of the engineers working on it probably were not the ones telling the newspapers self-driving cars would be out next year. The challenges are the variety of things that happen in the real world. No matter how many things we train autonomous cars on, bizarre things can happen on the road. As humans we have ability to deal with those kinds of thing. The type of artificial intelligence we have today is not capable of doing things it was not trained on and has never seen before.”

While there might not be widespread use of self-driving vehicles in the near future, Doude said it is conceivable to take a few blocks or part of a city and control that environment well enough that a given car could operate full autonomously in a postcard-size part of world.

“What is farther away is a onesize-fits-all self-driving car that does everything that we do with our cars today, but without human intervention,” Doude said. “That technology is

decades away.”

Another issue is how self-driving cars in the future might impact auto sales. Now most cars are parked 90 percent of the time. Self-driving cars would have much higher utilization and would wear out faster. Overall, it might not result if fewer overall car sales, Doude said, because vehicles would have to be replaced much sooner.

It is possible that one day driverless cars will be manufactured by Nissan in Mississippi. Lloryn Love-Carter, who works in corporate communications for the Nissan Group of North America, said Nissan is working on autonomous driving (AD) technology development at various research and development centers around the world in conjunction with their Alliance partners.

“These AD technologies are being positioned and developed as a core component of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, Nissan’s roadmap for the technology and business evolution of the automotive industry,” Love-Carter said.

As part of Nissan’s program M.O.V.E. to 2022, the company intends equip 20 models in 20 markets with autonomous driving technology that can enhance

safety while still having a driver in control. Love said they do not have a timeline for market introduction of fully autonomous vehicles.

“Nissan is proud to manufacture in Mississippi and Tennessee,” Love-Carter said. “We already manufacture vehicles with the semi-autonomous ProPILOT Assist feature at those plants (Nissan Rogue, Rogue Sport, Altima, and LEAF).”

ProPILOT Assist is a hands-on driving assistant designed to help drivers during long highway trips and the stopand-go traffic of a daily commute. Use of a front radar sensor and a front-facing camera located behind the rear-view mirror, it can maintain a gap with the car in front of you at a preset distance and help to keep the vehicle centered during single-lane driving, even on slight curves.

The ProPILOT Assist system combines Nissan’s Intelligent Cruise Control and Steering Assist technologies and includes a stop and hold function that can bring the vehicle to a full stop, hold it in place and bring you back up to speed when traffic starts moving again.

CELEBRATING ONE HUNDRED YEARS

1919 to 2019

We’re invested in Mississippi.

Whether working on a project for a local municipality or utilizing his vast hydrology and hydraulics expertise for statewide transportation projects, Senior Project Manager Keith Quick is committed to improving the infrastructure of Mississippi. He’s invested his entire career in the Magnolia State because he doesn’t just work here, he lives here.

For more information, contact: 6360 I-55 North, Suite 340 Jackson, MS 39211 601.825.3633 GarverUSA.com

56 – Mississippi Business Journal

www.msbusiness.com

TRUCKING & TRANSPORTATION LARGEST TRUCKING COMPANIES )!

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Mississippi Business Journal â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 57

FOCUS: ENERGY, GAS & UTILITIES

Savings from solar powered chicken houses are ‘like giving the farmer a raise’

By BECKY GILLETTE

E

ven small poultry farms with only four chicken houses can have power bills ranging from $20,000 to $25,000 per year. A game changer that can help chicken growers greatly reduce that annual electricity bill is solar panels that can cut those bills by $7,000 to $8,000 per year, said Ryan Ladner, president of Solar South LLC in Hattiesburg.

“USDA has a grant that covers 25 percent of the cost,” Ladner said. “Then there is a 30 percent federal tax credit.

So, you will get 55 percent of your costs

back in the first year.”

Ag applications in Mississippi have primarily been on chicken farms. Ladner said it is a great fit because most chicken farms use 60 to 70 percent of electricity in the day while the sun is shining to produce electricity from solar panels that is used to run fans to keep the chickens cool.

“Typical savings on a small size system we install are 50 percent,” Ladner said. “Large systems can take 70 percent off the electric bill. It is just like giving the farmer a raise. We track most of the numbers so we know how we are doing and make sure we are doing right

by them. Chicken farms are our steady market. We keep up with data points on a lot of our farms as best as we can just to make sure our calculations are matching real life applications.”

Jimmy Parkman, who has a poultry farm in Raleigh in central Mississippi, said solar has been a perfect fit for him.

More than two years after installation, the solar system has done everything Solar South promised.

“I love the solar panels,” Parkman said. “I’ve been well pleased. I think it is just awesome. Our original bills were $18,000 per year. Last year was my first complete full year that everything was up to par. Our bill was $9,000. We get our power with Cooperative Energy that serves 11 rural power associations. They pay us 4 cents per kilowatt hour for the electricity I send back. When the flock is gone, I send a lot back of electricity back to Cooperative Energy.”

However, Cooperative Energy charges Southern Pine Electric 7 cents per kw, and customers of Southern Pine are charged 11 cents per kw hour.

“We don’t get much return by sending the power back,” he said. “Now I run See SOLAR, Page 59

From solarsouth.org

Example of solar panels from Solar South project gallery.

58 – Mississippi Business Journal

www.msbusiness.com

ENERGY, GAS & UTILITIES

SOLAR Continued from, Page 58

more fans because I didn’t get much from sending it back.”

He likes that the system has no moving parts and is easy to maintain. And Parkman expects to save even more in the future after the panels are paid for.

“If I shut down the farm and still have panels, it should make me something in the neighborhood of $5,000 to $6,000 per year,” Parkman said. “I will grow several more years, but the solar system will still be under warranty for longer than that. Everything I’ve read said panels are guaranteed for 25 years, but there is no reason they shouldn’t work well beyond 25 years. It has been an interesting thing for me. We have really loved it.”

Ladner said for the farms they do, solar is a no brainer. Some customers might initially question having one more thing to take care of. But Solar South provides a ten-year warranty on inverters and a 25-year warranty on panels.

“When looking at electricity as being one of their biggest expenditures and being able to cut biggest expenditure by 60 percent, it doesn’t take long for those number to start looking really good,” Ladner said. “ What happens if extreme weather hits the solar panels? The panels themselves are rated for a quite a bit of hail.

Lander said it would take a very big storm to destroy the panels.

“If a tornado wipes out four chicken houses, obviously panels would go with them,” Ladner said. “They are engineered to carry a certain wind load, but nothing is going to hold up when it is directly hit by a tornado.”

In addition to fans, Ladner said all

where we would do the most good in the Delta. Replacing diesel generators with solar for pumping groundwater, the payback is going to be really quick.

Groundwater irrigation solar systems are going to have a lot of advantages in the future.”

Ladner said it takes about five years to pay for a system. “Then for the next 20 to 25 years, you have electricity at no cost,” he said. “If you look at the cost over a 25-year period, it is about 3.5 cents per kw.”

Ladner said the Mississippi Public Service Commission has done a great job with making a really fair net metering system.

“Brandon Presley has really been pushing for a net metering standard for some time now,” Ladner said. “Mississippi has structed a very fair standard. There are aspects we would like changed but, all in all, it is not nearly as bad as most people from out of state think it is.”

Ladner said his company is currently working with several school systems interested in installing solar systems at the schools.

“I love the solar panels. I’ve been well pleased. I think it is just awesome. Our original bills were $18,000 per year. Last year was my first complete full year that everything was up to par.

Our bill was $9,000.”

Jimmy Parkman, poultry farmer in Raleigh

of the poultry houses have water wells that can also be powered by solar. That can be significant when thousands of gallons of water are used for the chickens every day.

For ag in Mississippi, he puts poultry at the top of the list of operations that benefit the most from solar.

“There are also some hog farms popping up throughout Mississippi and those could work Digital Reprint very well,” Ladner Article or list will be reformatted with Mississippi Business Journal said. “There is also masthead on the top of the page and be provided in PDF format. the potential for it to be used for Plaque - 9”x12” irrigation in the or 8”x10” - $199 Delta. I’m trying to Framed Article educate myself about

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ENERGY, GAS & UTILITIES ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATIONS

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60 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mississippi Business Journal

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REAL ESTATE/CONSTRUCTION

Colonial Highlands rebrands, starts with apartment complex

By JACK WEATHERLY The owner of what had been called Colonial Highlands has rebranded the mixed-use development as NorthRidge to “position the property for future growth,” and has sold a parcel of land to Birmingham-based Arlington Properties to build a luxury apartment community as a cornerstone in the 152-acre development in northeast Jackson.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed in a release issued Tuesday.

Tapestry NorthRidge will feature 220 luxury apartment homes with a clubhouse, pool and full amenity package. The community will boast an outdoor dining and gaming lawn, cyber cafe, fitness center, yoga room, outdoor pavilion with big screen TVs and fireplace, cabanas, a grilling station, urban garden, outdoor seating lounge, grand lawn, pet spa and dog park.

Units will feature top-of-the-market stainless-steel appliances, granite countertops, tile backsplashes, nine-foot ceilings, washers and dryers and walk-in closets.

Arlington Properties – which created The District Lofts at The District at Eastover – has built major real estate properties nationwide, including luxury developments in Birmingham, Tampa, Cincinnati and Chattanooga. Civil engineering services will be provided by the Pickering Firm.

Nearly three years ago, the city of Jackson approved a plan to redevelop the former Colonial Country Club.

The apartments will be part of a 660-unit plan approved by the city — primarily free-standing residences — with a retail center, including a grocery store and fitness center. The overall project’s price tag was put at $250 million.

“This is an iconic area of Jackson in need of more luxury apartment homes that appeal to professionals who desire upscale suburban living,” Dave Ellis, executive vice president of development for Arlington Properties, said in the release.

“With that in mind, we are creating a resort-style experience minutes from downtown and near the thriving Ridgeland area, emphasizing outdoor gathering and entertaining spaces, fire pits and grilling stations, an urban garden, and dining terraces with comfortable seating.”

This is the first construction project for NorthRidge, and the owner is looking for other projects that will help rejuvenate the community – and enhance the area. Additional phases are in the works, and will be announced as plans are finalized. Dirt work was recently begun on the property.

Luke Guarisco, managing partner of NorthRidge, said in the release: “We are thrilled to launch our NorthRidge brand, and to

62 – Mississippi Business Journal

JACK WEATHERLY/MBJ

offer a high-end luxury apartment development to help revitalize this historic part of Jackson, “Arlington Properties has done the same thing with The District Lofts in northeast Jackson, and this will be a cornerstone to our vision for the area.”

Arlington is making its presence felt in Jackson. It built and owned the 261-unit District Lofts at the District at Eastover, which opened in mid-2017. In September 2018, the Birmingham developer sold the complex to Passco Cos. LLC, an Irvine, Calif., private commercial real estate investor. Arlington is still managing the Lofts.

NorthRidge is on the former Colonial Country Club property and will represent the best of mixed-use urban revitalization in the heart of Mississippi’s capital city, the release said.

The overall project got city Planning Board approval in February 2016 and the City Council stamp of approval two months later as a traditional neighborhood, a change from from special use, which is reserved for golf course, parks, churches and other community assets.

The initial effort by the developers in early 2015 to move forward with a plan was a cause for bad blood and suspicion.

The developers sought to have the city change its zoning code to allow mixed-use development on land zoned for special use, such as parks, hospitals, churches and golf courses. That would have allowed commercial development in those lands without public hearings.

But at a showdown at City Hall with an angry standing-room-only crowd of residents convinced the council members that was not a good idea to pursue. The developers dropped that approach.

The developers had several public meetings later in the year with residents and met with then-Mayor Tony Yarber and other city officials in developing a plan.

The group, Colonial Jackson LLC, enlisted Steven Oubre’ of Lafayette, La., a noted new urbanism architect, to oversee the design.

www.msbusiness.com

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