MBJ_UNDER40—MAY25-2018

2018

A product of:

Congratulations

Josh Mars General Counsel of

YAK ACCESS, LLC

osh Mars serves as General Counsel for Yak Access,LLC, a division of Jones Companies, based in Columbia, MS. As General Counsel Josh handles an array of legal matters for Yak Access and its subsidiaries, which include corporate, compliance, contract, environmental and human resource law matters.

Josh is a graduate of Belhaven College where he played football and is also a graduate of the Mississippi College School of Law and the University of Florida Law School's Graduate Tax program.

Josh is married to Gini Tabor Mars of New Orleans and they have seven children and are expecting their eighth child in October.

800.927.2059 www.yakaccess.com 2438 Hwy 98 E, Columbia, MS 39429

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

EVENTS

Top 50 Under 40 highlights our best and brightest T his is the 26th year for Top 50 Under 40 in Mississippi, and through the years, we’ve recognized some of Mississippi’s best and brightest up-and-coming business leaders.

This year is no exception, with a record number of nominations. As you may be aware, judging is a cooperative process, shared by our staff Ross Reily and other respected community leaders. The judges had some tough decisions to make this year, as there were so many great nominations.

The 50 individuals we will recognize in the pages that follow are definitely deserving of the honor, as all of these people have already achieved significant success. We have no doubt that many who are recognized will be key leaders in Mississippi business in coming years. We congratulate everyone, along with their families and the companies they represent.

Having said all of that, the MBJ’s Top 50 Under 40 Awards is not all you will be seeing in this edition.

We also have a regular Focus of the MBJ. And then there is the list. One of the things the MBJ is known for

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The 50 individuals we will recognize in the pages that follow are definitely deserving of the honor, as all of these people have already achieved significant success.

is its lists. We print a business list associated with almost every Focus we print in each edition.

You are still getting the best business news from the only fulltime, state-wide business publication in Mississippi, This includes, stories, profiles, newsmakers, lists, ribbon cuttings, columns and more.

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

200 North Congress, Suite 400 Jackson, MS 39201-1902 Main: (601) 364-1000 Faxes: Advertising (601) 364-1007; Circulation (601) 364-1035 E-mails: mbj@msbusiness.com, ads@msbusiness.com, photos@msbusiness.com, research@msbusiness.com, events@msbusiness.com

Website: www.msbusiness.com MAY 25, 2018 Volume 40, Number 21

ALAN TURNER Publisher alan.turner@msbusiness.com • 364-1021 TAMI JONES Associate Publisher tami.jones@msbusiness.com • 364-1011 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-KELLY 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 200 N. Congress St., Suite 400, Jackson, MS 39201. Periodicals postage paid at Jackson, MS. Subscription rates: 1 year $109; 2 years $168; and 3 years $214.

To place orders, temporarily stop service, change your address or inquire about billing: Phone: (601) 364-1000, Fax: (601) 364-1035, Email: charina.rhodes@msbusiness.com, Mail: MS Business Journal Subscription Services, 200 N.Congress Street, Suite 400, Jackson, MS 39201 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mississippi Business Journal, Circulation Manager, 200 North Congress Street, Suite 400, Jackson, MS 39201 To submit subscription payments: Mail: MS Business Journal Subscriptions Services, 200 North Congress Street, Suite 400, Jackson, MS 39201.

No material in this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written consent. Editorial and advertising material contained in this publication is derived from sources considered to be reliable, but the publication cannot guarantee their accuracy. Nothing contained herein should be construed as a solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities.

It is the policy of this newspaper to employ people on the basis of their qualifications and with assurance of equal opportunity and treatment regardless of race, color, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or handicap.

The Mississippi Business Journal, is an affiliate of Journal Publishing Company (JPC), Inc. Entire contents copyrighted © 2018 by Journal Inc. All rights reserved.

Mississippi Business Journal – 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Mississippi Business Journal May 25, 2018 Volume 40, Number 21

2018 CLASS Daniel G. Ball, Human Rights Campain ........................................... 11 Albine Z. Bennett, CREATE Foundation .......................................... 11 Bill Bethany, Community Bank of Mississippi ..................................12 Lauren Castle Black, Raymond James .............................................13 Wayne Black, Garver ......................................................................13 David Blackburn, Blackburn Group LLC .......................................... 14 Lorraine Walters Boykin, Currie Johnson & Myers ...........................15 Jon Bramlett, Jesco, Inc. ................................................................15 Megan H. Burkes, The USM Foundation ........................................ 16 Jennifer Clark, Emerge Events ........................................................17 Mandy Davis, MS Department of Public Safety................................17 Navketan Kaur Desai, Taggart, Rimes & Graham PLLC .................... 18 Christen H. Duhe’, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ......... 19 Wendy Huff Ellard, Baker Donelson ............................................... 19 Willie L. Fairley, Jr., Ingalls Shipbuilding .........................................20 Elliott G. Flaggs, Esq., Cornerstone Government Affairs...................21 Amanda Price Frazier, Plaza Dry Cleaners ........................................21 Warren T. Herring, TrustCare Health .............................................. 22 H. Lee Hill, II, Baker Donelson....................................................... 23 Will Janoush, Barnes Law Firm ...................................................... 23 Brian Johnson, Fisher Brown Bottrell Inc........................................24 Chelsa Ann Jones, Steel Service .................................................... 25 Kia Monique Jones, For Brown Girls, Inc. ....................................... 25 Danielle Joyner, MyJoy, Inc. ......................................................... 6-7 Dustin Koehl, Total Transportation of Mississippi ...........................26 Cory R. Lancaster, Lancaster Law Firm ............................................31 Jenny Levens, City of Long Beach ...................................................31 Jamison Logan, Renasant Bank ..................................................... 32 Brittney L. Luke, The Taylor Group, Inc. ......................................... 33 Joshua A. Mars, Yak Access, LLC ................................................... 33 Cassie Mendrop, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society ...........................34

Suresh Chawla

Shelley Walker

2018 Top CEO recipient & 2018 Top Entrepreneur recipient

2016 50 Leading Business Women recipient & 2018

J. Russell Morrison, Merrill Lynch .................................................. 35 Tiffany R. Paige, Mississippi College School of Law ........................ 35 Bradley Patano, Machado Patano ..................................................36 Peter Ross, Baptist Memorial Hospital North Mississippi ................ 37 Melissa Russo, Coast Electric Power Association ............................ 37 Edgar “Rob” Santos, Ingalls Shipbuilding.......................................38 Courtney B. “Corky” Smith, Sims & Sims, LLC ............................... 39 Erin W. Smith, AARP Foundation .................................................. 39 Tywanna Smith, The Athlete’s Nexus ............................................ 40 Trent Tippey, Caterpillar Inc........................................................... 41 Josh Todd, Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors ....................... 41 Ryan Upshaw, The University of Mississippi ...................................42 Shelley Cresswell Walker, Chawla Hotels ........................................42 Danielle M. Williams, MEC ............................................................43 MarQuaita Williams, Mississippi Office of the State Auditor ...........43 Dana Wilson, Mississippi Interactive LLC .......................................44 Clarke R. Wise, Mississippi Association of REALTORS ....................44 Dr. Antwon Woods, Belhaven University ........................................45 Sara Yates, Peterbilt Truck Centers ................................................45 Past Winners ............................................................................ 8-10 Event Photos .......................................................................... 27-30

FOCUS ON Economic Development » Hundreds of millions being invested at Ingalls Shipbuilding ..................................... 48-49 » Madison County certified as a Qualified Opportunity Zone ......................................... 50-51 » Continental running full force to get up and running by 2020 ................................................52 LIST » Highest Paid Occupations ...............................54

recipient

P.O. Box 1701 | Greenwood, MS 38930

4 – Mississippi Business Journal

www.msbusiness.com

in Mississippi

Business

2018

TOP 10 FINALISTS

David Blackburn Blackburn Group LLC

Jennifer Clark

Mandy Davis

Emerge Events

MS Department of Public Safety

6 – 2018 Top 50 Under 40

Wendy Huff Ellard Baker Donelson

Elliott G. Flaggs Cornerstone Government Affairs

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Person of the Year Danielle Joyner MyJoy, Inc.

D

aniel Joyner is a certified owner/operator with McDonald’s and oversees more than 400 employees. As an owner/operator with MyJoy, Inc. with McDonald’s, she is responsible for meeting and exceeding McDonald’s standards for franchisees in the areas of quality, service, cleanliness and value while growing sales and guest counts.

Joyner is responsible for vision planning, restaurant remodels, managing cash flow and overseeing restaurant operations with her supervisor and general manager teams. In addition, she is expected to build and maintain strong relationships with her community.

She is a member the Tom Joyner Foundation Board of Directors and the First Tee of Central Mississippi Board of Directors as well as being a member the Junior League of Jackson.

Joyner has an MBA from Florida A&M University. In her spare time, Joyner enjoys running, having completed two ING half marathons.

Warren T. Herring TrustCare Health

Brian Johnson

Melissa Russo

Tywanna Smith

Sara Yates

Fisher Brown Bottrell Inc.

Coast Electric Power Association

The Athlete’s Nexus

Peterbilt Truck Centers

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2018 Top 50 Under 40 – 7

PAST WINNERS

2017

2016

Abumere F. Akinwale, M.D. .......................................................................Southern Eye Center

Amanda Green Alexander..............................................................................Alexander Law PA

Jason Bailey........................................................................Summit Management Services. LLC

Anna H. Bell ..............................................................................The Summit Health and Rehab

Carlos Bell ..............................................................Mississippi State Port Authority of Gulfport

Blake E. Bell ...........................................................................................Capitol Resources, LLC

Chase Blankenship ................................................... The First, A National Banking Association

Danny J. Bolaños...........................................................................................................Regions

Kelly A. Boutwell ..........................................................................Mississippi Economic Council

Dewitt Lamar Bolton III ...............................................................................................FNC, Inc.

Christy B. Bridges ...........................................................................American Heart Association

Talamieka Brice .......................................................................................................Brice Media

Jason M. Brown...........................................................................................Ingalls Shipbuilding

Jared Robert Burns...............................................................................Consulate Management

Todd Butler ........................................................................................................ Phelps Dunbar

Hollie Caldwell..............................................................................................ngalls Shipbuilding

Ashley Eley Cannady ...............................................................................Balch & Bingham LLP

Ralph V. Clark, II ........................................................................................................ Trustmark

Amanda Carraway ...................................................................Flowood Chamber of Commerce

Tanny Crawford .......................................................................................... Performance Rehab

Chris Champion.......................................................................Cornerstone Government Affairs

Jennie Bradford Curlee ..................................................Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau

William Lusk Coppage ...................................................Washington County Economic Alliance

Gretchen David............................................................................Gretchen David Design Studio

Kristy M. Daniels ...........................................................................................................Regions

Josh Davis ................................................................................................ Delta Health Alliance

Jerry B. DeFatta Jr...................................................... Southern Mississippi Alumni Association

Doug Davis ..........................................................................................Secretary of State Office

Liz Hogue Densmore .....................................................................................................LEC Inc.

Rodney C. Deese II ................................................................................ United States Air Force

Lindsay Thomas Dowdle ................................................................................Jones Walker LLP

Emanual E. Edmond............................................................................Delta Regional Authority

Greg L. Durrell .................................................................................Durrell Design Group, PLLC

Aaron R. Edwards.................................................................................Strategic M&A Advisors

Dr. Lee Gary............................................................................The Winning Smile Dental Group

Kendall Poole Ellis ...................................................................................Inspiration Mississippi

Christin Grissom.............................................................................................. Phi Theta Kappa

Kathryn L. Fuller...............................................................................................................Cspire

Megan Hall ................................................................................. ERA Real Estate Professionals

Jill Gordon ......................................................................................................Community Bank

Mark F. Hinton ..................................................................Community Bank, North Mississippi

Jennifer Gregory .....................................................Greater Starkville Development Partnership

Ryan A. Holmes ..................................................................................Dungan Engineering P.A.

Jennifer G. Hall ........................................Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC

Aa’Keela L. S. Hudnall.......................................................Mississippi Center for Legal Services

Katie Hoggatt ..........................................................................Haddox Reid Eubank Betts PLLC

Bradley W. Joyner, CMB..............................................................Mississippi Home Corporation

Ryan Kelly ................................................................................... Horizon Professional Services

Jhai’Obes C. Keeton ......................................................................... Imperium Resource Group

Craig D. Kittrell ..................................................................................Mississippi State Hospital

Shenika Kelly-Moore.................................................................................Kelly Family Denistry

Davetta Cooke Lee............................................................................................................ PERS

Dr. Wendy Lewis.....................................................................The Winning Smile Dental Group

Dr. Michael S. Lorence .................................................................................Generational Equity

Justin Javarus Mathis ............................................................................The Mathis Foundation

Megan Sumrall Lott, OD ..............................................................................Lexington Eye Care

Alan P. McCormick ........................................................................ Ballew Wealth Management

Duvalier J. Malone ......................................................................... Duvalier Malone Enterprises

Alison O’Neal McMinn .................................................................Forman Watkins & Krutz LLP

Joel T. May Jr. ...................................................................................................The First, ANBA

Kent Mortimer.............................................................................................. Bank of Kilmichael

Jason C. McNeel ....................................................................................................CraftCroswell

Amy Oliver .......................................................................................................Love AO Jewelry

Mary Clay Morgan ................................................................................................Bradley Arant

John W. Ridgeway Jr. ...................................Ridgeway Homes | J.W. Ridgeway Contractors, LLC

Kaytie M. Pickett ............................................................................................Jones Walker LLP

Scott Rives .................................................................................... Ballew Wealth Management

John B. Pope III .................................................................................... Collins Fire Department

Chris Roberts ..............................................................................................................BankPlus

Robert Ridgway ...................................................................... W.G. Yates & Sons Construction

Carl Sandberg............................................................................................................3S Homes

Clare Rush.....................................................................Maron Marvel Bradley & Anderson LLC

Dr. Mitchell M. Shears ...............................................Hinds Community College, Utica Campus

Randall R. Saxton .......................................................................................... Saxton Law, PLLC

Anne Marie Smith ............................................................................................... 4Top Catering

Benjamin Scott........................................................................... Scott Memorial Funeral Home

Lucien Smith ...........................................................................................Balch & Bingham LLP

Jason L. Shelton ...................................................................................................City of Tupelo

Stephen Daniel Smith ..............................................................................Ellisville State School

Melissa Willrich Siebert ................................................................................ Dow AgroSciences

Angie Stallings ......................................................................................................CraftCroswell

Bridget Confait Smith........................................................................................................Axiall

Selena Lajean Standifer .............................................Mississippi Department of Transportation

Joseph D. Songy .............................................................................................Office of the Gov.

Sara Elizabeth Stockton..........................................................Magnolia Regional Health Center

Matthew A. Summers ..................................................... Spectrum Capital/Yates Construction

Laura Beth Strickland ....................................................Vicksburg Convention & Visitor Bureau

Blakeley Ward..............................................................................South Delta Hunting Club, Inc

Scott Tollison.........................................................................Mississippi University for Women

Steven M. Warren............................................................................................... Warren Paving

Jonathan Varney......................................................................................Security Card Services

Ashley N. Wicks .....................................................................................................Butler Snow

Robert F. Walker................................................................................................Baker Donelson

James Richmon Wier Jr. ................................................. Wier Boerner Allin Architecture, PLLC

Pamela P. Ware ............................................................................................Metropolitan Bank

Sarah Beth Wilson.......................................................................Copeland Cook Taylor & Bush

Bryan Williams .............................................................................Huntington Ingalls Industries

Greg Word ............................................................................................Greater Jackson Alliance

LaFarra Young-Gaylor, M.D. ....................................................King’s Daughters Medical Center

Matt Wyatt................................................................................................................Super Talk

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

8 – 2018 Top 50 Under 40

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PAST WINNERS

2015

2014

Mandi Arinder ............................................................... Rankin County Chamber of Commerce

Joseph B. Babb.........................................................................................Eaton, Babb & Smith

Gwendolyn Ballard ..........................................................................................................CSpire

Jason Wilton Bailey ...............................................................................................Jones Walker

Lilli Evans Bass ....................................................................Currie Johnson Griffin & Myers, PA

Michael Bentley..................................................................Bradley Arant Boult and Cummings

Michael Warren Boerner...................................................................... Wier Boerner Allin PLLC

Elizabeth Mills Boone ....................................................................................Watson and Jones

H. Barber Boone...............................................................................................Forman Watkins

Kylie B. Boring...............................................................Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau

Quentin A. Brewer...............................................................................................BancorpSouth

Katrina S. Brown ....................................................................Currie Johnson Griffin and Myers

Madeleine Brown ..................................................................... Fisher Brown Bottrell Insurance

David B. Burt............................................................................................Newton County Bank

Carter Burns ..............................................................Mississippi Department of Transportation

Chara J. Clancy .........................................................................Huntington Ingalls Shipbuilding

Jennifer M. Childs.........................................................................Huntington Ingalls Industries

Jason Cook ................................................................................................Cook Medical Supply

Brax K. Clark............................................................................................ Rocking C Truck Lines

Steve DeRusso ...............................................................................Ouachita Independent Bank

Beau Cole .........................................................................................................Forman Watkins

Mitchell O. Driskell III..............................................................................................Daniel Coker

Jason S. Condon........................................................................Cooper’s Country Meat Packers

Daniel C. Elliott....................................................................................................BancorpSouth

William B. Dickson Jr. ........................................................ Jackson Municipal Airport Authority

Edgar A. Flores ......................................................................................Baptist Health Systems

Jeremiah Dumas..............................................................................Mississippi State University

Breck R. Hines................................................................................................Duckworth Realty

Marshall J. Eleuterius......................................................................................Community Bank

LaKeysha Greer Isaac....................................................................... Cosmic Simmons & Brown

Brandi Kennedy Garrett ........................................................GI Associates & Endoscopy Center

Alyson Bustamante Jones ......................................................................................Butler Snow

Mason Greene ................................................................................. Hotel & Restaurant Supply

Kenneth L. Jones..........................................................................................................LapCorp

Julie Jarrell Gresham.....................................................................Huntington Ingalls Industries

Robert D. King Jr.....................................................................................The Koerber Company

Stephen Griner ................................................................................................ Raymond James

Kimberla M. Little...................................................................................Regions Financial Corp

Tonyatta T. Hairston ......................................................................................EnVision Eye Care

Josh Mabus ................................................................................................. The Mabus Agency

Jamie Higdon ............................................................................................................TempStaff

Chris Madison ...................................................................................................... HORNE, LLP

Kodi D. Hobbs ............................................................................................... The Hobbs Group

Brandon D. Meeks ...............................................................................................Meeks Agency

Foley Holditch ................................................................................................................ Thyme

Nathan Moore .................................................................................Mississippi State University

Laura P. Johns .................................................................................................Broadband Voice

Austin Morgan .............................................................................T.L. Wallace Construction Co.

Monica Davis Joiner............................................................................................City of Jackson

Anna M. Neel ......................................................................................................Neel-Schaffer

Farrah Graham Kennedy ...........................................................................EastGroup Properties

Jamie D. Osbirn ............................................................................First American National Bank

Aaron Lacey ................................................................................................................BankPlus

Tianna H. Raby.....................................................................................................Forman Perry

Preston H. Lee III, DDS.............................................................................. Lee Family Dentistry

Ryan Revere ................................................................Smith, Phillips, Mitchell, Scott & Nowak

Bridget M. Lowery .......................................................................................................BankPlus

Gerold Smith ..........................................................................................Titan Broadcasting Co.

Jason Manley..................................................................................................Mississippi Power

Ryan P. Steiner .............................................................................................................Terracon

James W. McIngvale ............................................................................The McIngvale CPA Firm

John Stolarski....................................................................................Allred Architectural Group

Mauricka DeVon McKenzie Sr. ......................................................................Neel-Schaffer, Inc.

Micajah P. Sturdivant IV..................................................................................MMI Hotel Group

Shane McLendon ..................................................................................... Home Remedies LLC

Dana C. Terry.........................................................................Mississippi College School of Law

Hosea L. Minnieweather Jr................................................................ Norvartis Pharmaceuticals

Katy Tillman................................................................................................ Southern Ag Credit

Erica Moore ................................................................................................... Pearl River Resort

Jerry L. Toney ....................................................................................... Cadence Financial Corp.

Kimberly Nastasi .................................................................. Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce

James Russell Turley.......................................................................................Community Bank

Marc Petro......................................................................................................Community Bank

Vince Vavrunek..........................................................................................................SERVPRO

Marlena Powell Pickering...................................................................................Baker Donelson

Chad Wallace.............................................................................................. Belhaven University

Alex Purvis ...........................................................................................................Bradley Arant

Sara Harrison White ........................................................................... Trustmark National Bank

Nicki Johnson Reeves .......................................................Mississippi Department of Education

Liz Young .......................................................................................American Heart Association

Matthew Edward Renick ........................................................................... Blacklidge Emulsions Justin Rhodes......................................................................Mississippi Baptist Health Systems Harry Dewitt Ruffin III ............................................................................................... Trustmark Scott Spivey ...............................................................................Mississippi Home Corporation Abby Thompson....................................................................................Camgian Microsystems Bridget Young Townsend ....................................................................................City of Jackson Trent Townsend ............................................................................................... Next Step Group Justin M. Turner ............................................................................................... TurnerCare, LLC Alison Tyler ..........................................................................................................HORNE CPAs Nathan Wells.............................................................................Chief of Staff, Rep. Philip Gunn Johannah B. Williams ........................................................................Hinds Community College

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

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2018 Top 50 Under 40 – 9

PAST WINNERS

2013 Shane Aguire.......................................................................................Montgomery Enterprises

Andrea Jones-Davis ......................................................................................Toot, Teach & Roll

James Armstrong .....................................................................................May & Company, LLP

Justin Martin ..................................................................................................Community Bank

Dr. RoSusan Bartee ..............................................................................University of Mississippi

Lindsay Martin-Nez ............................................................................Sports Center-Vicksburg

Heather Farris Bennett .................................................................................Yates Construction

Chance McDavid..............................................................................Mississippi State University

Christina M. Berry .......................................................................................... City of Columbus

Charles Ford Moore ........................................................................................Community Bank

Roy Brittany Blacklidge......................................................................Blacklidge Emulsions, Inc.

Tonya Moore .................................................................... University of Mississippi Health Care

Rachel Bolanos...............................................................................Hilton Garden Inn, Madison

Ira Murray..................................................................................United Way of the Capital Area

Jennifer Boydston................................................................Law Office of Richard C. Roberts III

Lee Nations ...............................................................................Associated General Contractors

Arnetrieus Branson-Reed ................................................. Jackson Municipal Airport Authority

Nikki Nissen ..............................................................................................St. Dominic Hospital

Adam Breerwood ......................................................................Pearl River Community College

Troy Odom ...........................................................................................Blair & Bondurant, P. A.

Vaiden A. Clark................................................................................. Merchant & Farmers Bank

Scott Pedigo ......................................................................................................Baker Donelson

Nicholas Coughlin.......................................................................................Innovate Mississippi

Ryan Roper .........................................................................................................BancorpSouth

Kyle Curran..........................................................................................................BancorpSouth

Alton Shaw...................................................................................................... Town of Wesson

Scott D. Elliott .................................................................One Life America Insurance Company

Jason Siegfried ..........................................................Southern Power Electric Pine Association

S. Trent Favre ........................................................................................................Jones Walker

Ken Sones ...............................................................................................Oxbow-Ventures, LLC

William R. Flatt ............................................................................................... Oxbow Ventures

Scott Stinson.....................................................................................................Trustmark Bank

Christopher R. Fontan ...................................................... Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes

Michael C. Todaro.................................................................................University of Mississippi

Brandi Granderson .................................................................................Graffti Glan Revolution

Elizabeth Perry Upchurch ............................................................................................Fresh Ink

Tray Hairston ..............................................................................Office of Governor Phil Bryant

Pamela Weaver................................................................Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office

Shawn Hanks .................................................................... Jackson Municipal Airport Authority Corey D. Hinshaw ............................................................................................ Watkins & Eager

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10 – 2018 Top 50 Under 40

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Daniel G. Ball Human Rights Campaign

D

aniel Ball diligently works to execute the Human Rights Campaign’s political and educational organizing activities in Mississippi by maintaining and expanding HRC’s ability to mobilize grassroots advocacy on behalf of federal, state, and municipal protections for marginalized groups specifically pertaining to LGBTQ people.

He also designs and implements grassroots electoral and campaign strategies in support of pro – equality candidates and legislative ballot initiatives. He also help to increase HRC’s visibility and

presence in Mississippi through building strong partnerships with businesses, healthcare facilities, communities of faith, and other community based organizations.

Before transitioning to HRC, Ball was a Human Resources Manager for Nissan North America, Manufacturing Co. in Canton where his job duties included Recruitment, Training, Benefits and employee talent acquisition.

Ball has a Bachelors of Business Administration degree from the University of Mississippi with an emphasis in Organizational Behavior/Business Management

Albine Z. Bennett CREATE Foundation

A

lbine Bennett is Director of Communications for the CREATE Foundation in Northeast Mississippi. She is responsible for overall direction of CREATE’s communications and marketing; coordinate and help support major CREATE regional events such as the Annual Meeting, State of the Region meeting, and Imagine the Possibilities Career Expo; create and organize marketing of the organization through the CREATE Foundation website, social media sites, e-newsletters, advertising, press

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releases, and annual report.

She is also the coordinator of the Imagine the Possibilities Career Expo Coordinator, which hosts 7,500 8th grade students from 17 counties. Bennett is a graduate of Itawamba Community College and a 2011 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Business Administration and Managerial Finance.

Bennett is a 2017 winner of the Mississippi Economic Development Council Community Economic Development award and a winner of the 2017 Governor’s Partnership Award.

2018 Top 50 Under 40 – 11

Bill Bethany Community Bank of Mississippi

A

s a vice president and manager of a Community Bank, his responsibilities include budget review and management, staff management and development and the total daily operations of the bank. He manages a loan portfolio consisting of more than 120 clients which include consumers, small business owners and commercial entities.

As a sales professional with more than 13 years of experience in the financial industry, Bennett says his career revolves around helping people identify ways to

become more efficient with their personal and business finances.

Bethany previously worked at Regions Bank in Meridian and AmSouth and Regions in Greenville from 2004 to 2010.

Bethany has been named a Rising Star Member of the Year from the Home Builders Association of Jackson and was a member of Leadership Lauderdale in 2011.

Bethany is a 2003 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Business Administration and he then received his MBA from Delta State University in 2008.

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12 – 2018 Top 50 Under 40

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Lauren Castle Black Phillips Financial

L

auren Black is a Certified Financial Planner with Phillips Financial in Starkville.

Her duties include meeting with clients and prospects to identify goals and learn the most important aspects of their lives; researching investments, insurance plans, pension plans; developing plans and presenting the team’s recommendations to their clients/ prospects and communicating with the client service associates on how and when to implement the financial plans and investment

recommendations.

Black is a graduate of Mississippi State University after having a double major of Business Marketing and Business Information Systems in 207. She also received her MBA from MSU in 2008.

Black was named to the Forbes 2017 America’s Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors and is a member of many organizations including North Miss. Financial Planning Association as well as the Junior Auxiliary of Starkville.

Black is married with one son, Carter, who was born in October of 2017.

Wayne Black Garver

T

Wayne Black is the project manager on the transportation team for Garver LLC in Jackson.

He is responsible for all roadway design and municipal projects delivered within Mississippi.

Among his department’s recent contributions is an interchange on US 90, and widening Highway 611 from north of US 90 to the Chevron Refinery in Pascagoula, replacing the structurally obsolete Highway 6 bridge over the Tallahatchie River in Panola, allowing farmers to deliver crops to port.

.

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Black received his bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Mississippi State in 2006.

Awards he has been awarded included, Volunteer of the Year from Ducks Unlimited, Area Chairman of the Year from Ducks Unlimited and was a finalist for the Spirit of Garver Award in 2013.

An Eagle Scout, Black says his role model in life is his dad, Mitch Black for his dedication to always growing his business through ethical methods, which taught him the value of hard work while providing for his family.

2018 Top 50 Under 40 – 13

TO P 10 FI

David Blackburn

N

Rob Santos Willie Fairley, Jr.

ST

D

avid Blackburn is President of The Blackburn Group, a commercial and residential real estate development company with active real estate developments in Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas. He also serves as President of R.J. Allen & Associates, a commercial general construction company, and President of Fitness Group, a group of nine fitness centers throughout Texas.

Blackburn currently serves on the Board of Governors for the Ole Miss Athletic Foundation, the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for the Ole Miss Alumni Association, and the Board of Directors for

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Blackburn Group LLC the Fellowship of Christian Athletes North Mississippi. David has served in the past on the Board of Directors for the United Way and Chamber of Commerce in Oxford.

Meanwhile, R.J. Allen has been named to Inc. 5000 ranking of fastest-growing companies in America, awarded Inc. 5000 Hall of Fame Recognition for Making List for Five Consecutive Years with a three-year growth of 58 percent. R.J. Allen has also been recognized by Mississippi Business Journal as part of its Best places to work in 2016 and 2017.

Blackburn and his wife, Karen, are active members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and have two children, Collins and Niles.

Congratulations!

Ingalls Shipbuilding congratulates shipbuilders, Rob and Willie, for being selected as two of the Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 50 Under 40.

14 – 2018 Top 50 Under 40

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Lorraine Walters Boykin Currie Johnson & Myers

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orraine Boykin was born in Laurel. She has had a varied defense practice in Mississippi state courts since joining the firm in 2003. She is serving as a member of the Mississippi State University Communication Advisory Board, and has been an active member of the Junior League of Jackson for 10 years. She is also co-chair of the Distinguished Young Women of Rankin County program.

She is also a travel consultant with WDWGetaways, LLC. WDWGetaways has been desig-

nated as a Gold Level EarMarked Agency by Disney She received a degree in Communications from Mississippi State in 2000 and then her juris doctorate from the University of Mississippi in 2003.

Lorraine and her husband, Smith, also a practicing attorney in Jackson, have three children and are active members of Northminster Baptist Church.

She enjoys traveling and photography, but she says most of her free time these days revolves around following her children on the softball and soccer fields.

Jon Bramlett Jesco, Inc.

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on Bramlett is the Corporate Human Resources Manager for Jesco, Inc., based in Tupelo. In his role, he is responsible for refining and disseminating company policy and working with divisional management on HR issues as they arise.

Bramlett is actively involved in the community, serving on a number of committees and peer groups and with community organizations such as United Way, LeBonher Children’s Hospital

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annual fundraiser, Northeast Mississippi Society for Human Resource Management Association and the Itawamba community College District Workforce Council.

According to Jesco President Jerry Maxcy, Bramlett has proven to be a very conscientious, hardworking and caring administrator for the company. Bramlett’s empathy, not only for our associates, but also for those in the community is evident in his daily activities.

2018 Top 50 Under 40 – 15

Megan H. Burkes The USM Foundation

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egan Burkes is the Associate Director of Public Relations and donor programs at The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.

She is responsible for the strategic execution and management of the comprehensive annual giving, communications and donor relations departments (overseeing four full time staff members). The position is focused on shaping a sustainable tradition of support for all campaigns, stewardship initiatives and fundraising efforts.

Burkes received her B.A. in journalism/public relations from the University of Memphis in 2005 and the a masters in public relations from Southern Mississippi in 2015.

Burkes says her most significant professional accomplishment would, easily, be earning her masters while working fulltime with the USM Foundation.

During this time, Burkes was the manager of annual giving, overseeing multiple fundraising channels. Burkes was able to apply her work to academic theories in real time. Burkes plans to begin the doctoral program in the fall of 2018.

Congratulations to President, Warren Herring

for being selected Top 10 in Top 50 under 40

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Jennifer Clark

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ennifer Clark, along with her husband, is the owner of Emerge Events of Hattiesburg.

Emerge Events is an event management company founded by Jennifer and Steve Clark in 2011 with their first signature event, the Pine Belt Women’s Expo.

Since then they have created several signature events and have also worked with businesses and nonprofit organizations on their event planning needs.

Prior to Emerge Events, Clark was a franchise owner of Marathon Makeover of Hattiesburg

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Emerge Events for three years.

Clark is a 2001 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Anthropology and Foreign Languages.

Clark has been honored as a lifetime member of the Women Business Owners of the Pine Belt, a top Sales and Marketing Professional of the Pine Belt and was named Convention South Magazine’s Meeting Professional to Watch list in 2016. Clark is also a 2010 graduate of Leadership Pine Belt.

Clark and her husband have been married for 10 years and have two children.

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State and the State Treasurer.

She received A B.A. in history Mississippi State in 2001, a masters of public policy and administration from MSU in 2003 and an MBA from Millsaps College in 2008.

Davis is an active member of the Junior League of Jackson, commissioner of the Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women and a member of the Mississippi Museum of Art and Mississippi Children’s Museum.

She says the birth of her son, Oliver Ward, is her most significant personal accomplishment, and in her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, going to museums and interior decorating.

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andy Davis serves as Chief of Staff to the Commissioner of Public Safety; acting as an official representative of the Commissioner in interaction with the Mississippi Legislature and Legislative Budget Office. She also handles constituent requests from members of the legislature, Governor’s Office and congressional offices.

All of this after serving for five years as the policy director for the speaker’s office of the Mississippi House of Representatives. She also has worked for the Secretary of

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Mississippi Department of Public Safety

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Mandy Davis

2018 Top 50 Under 40 – 17

Navketan Kaur Desai Taggart, Rimes & Graham PLLC

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avketan Kaur Desai focuses on Immigration Law, representing clients in areas of family-based immigration, employment-based immigration, naturalization, citizenship, and all types of non-immigrant visas. She also has experience in domestic and family law matters, as well as wills, estates, and probate matters.

Navketan immigrated from India to the United States at the age of 10 with her family. Learning English as a third language, Navketan is also fluent

in Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu. She holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi School of Law. She also received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Psychology from the University of Mississippi.

Prior to establishing her own practice, Navketan worked at a well-known metro-area law firm where she practiced in the areas of civil litigation and family law.

Navketan currently resides in Ridgeland with her husband and German Shepherd, is an avid Ole Miss football fan, and enjoys traveling to new countries whenever time permits.

Brad Patano on being selected as a 2018

Machado | Patano 1641 Popp’s Ferry Rd. Suite A-4 Biloxi, MS 228-388-1950 18 – 2018 Top 50 Under 40

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Christen H. Duhé

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She received her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) in 2015.

Duhé has served on multiple boards of directors and is currently the president of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi Beach Chapter and vice chair of Marketing and Communication for the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce, among many others.

Duhé has received multiple state and regional awards for public relations planning and was named the “Young Careerist of the Year” in 2014, presented by Lighthouse Business and Professional Women; and was inducted in the inaugural Coast Young Professionals’ Hall of Fame in 2015.

Preparedness and served as ViceChair to the Young Lawyers Division Disaster Legal Services Team from 2014-2017. She received the ABA’s Star of the Quarter Award in 2016 and was chosen nationally as one of the top 40 young lawyers in 2017. Wendy has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Women Lawyers’ Association since 2012 and served as President for the 2016-17 year.

A 2007 cum laude graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law, Ellard earned her B.A. summa cum laude at Mississippi State University in 2003. She now lives in Madison with her husband, Ben, and their two children, Brayden and Addyson Claire.

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Baker Donelson

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Wendy Huff Ellard endy is a Shareholder with Baker Donelson where she maintains a national regulatory practice with a focus on Disaster Response and Recovery, Administrative Law, and Public Policy. She advises public and private non-profit entities regarding the complex federal and state regulatory frameworks and frequently represents these entities in the administrative appeal and arbitration processes available to settle disputes regarding awarded federal assistance.

She is a member of the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Disaster Response and

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hristen Hartley Duhé is the associate vice president of Institutional Advancement for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

She began her career with MGCCC in 2012 as the first director of Business Development and Hospitality Resort Management Center at the Jefferson Davis Campus in Biloxi.

Duhé is a two-time graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi, receiving her bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Journalism in 2005, and her master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism in 2011.

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Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

2018 Top 50 Under 40 – 19

Willie L. Fairley, Jr. Ingalls Shipbuilding

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illie Fairly is the superintendent of general manufacturing at Ingalls Shipbuilding.

In the recommendation letter for Top 50 Under 40, the writer said of Fairly, “I watched a hard-working family man enroll in college courses to create an even better life for himself and his family. During this time, he was also dedicated to coaching his son’s little league football team and was actively involved in his church, The Power of Deliverance.

“Recently I had the pleasure to

meet one of Willie’s co-workers named “Mr. Moe”. Mr. Moe spoke so highly of his work ethic on the job, his ability to learn anything they taught him quickly, and how proud he is of his success thus far.

When Fairley started working at Huntington Ingalls Industries, Mr. Moe was overseeing him, and today Willie is his boss.

“Fairley’s diligence, determination, humility, and morals have lead him to climb the professional ladder at an outstanding pace. In closing, if there was one candidate that has absolutely earned the privilege to be among the “Top 50 Under 40” it is Willie Fairley, Jr.”

PROUDLY CONGRATULATES

Lauren Black, MBA, CFP®

2017 Forbes Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Phillips Financial is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent from Raymond James Financial Services. Top 50 Under 40 recognizes the state’s 50 up-and-coming business leaders under the age of 40. In order to qualify for consideration, individuals must have been born after Dec. 1, 1977, and have lived and worked in Mississippi for at least two years. The Top 50 Under 40 program seeks to identify and recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to Mississippi’s overall economic progress, often working at their own local levels. The key to the program’s success is that individuals are nominated by friends or business associates who best know their professional and civic involvement. All of the Top 50 Under 40 recipients have involvement that go well beyond normal working hours. Their days are extended by a large number of civic and community activities. This ranking is not based in anyway on the individual's abilities in regards to providing investment advice or management. This ranking is not indicative of advisor's future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of individual clients' experience. Raymond James is not affiliated with the Mississippi Business Journal.* SHOOK considered advisors born in 1980 or later with a minimum 4 years relevant experience. 2,356 Millennial advisors were considered based on high thresholds from which 500 were chosen. Advisors have: built their own practices and lead their teams; joined teams and are viewed as future leadership; or a combination of both. Ranking algorithm is based on qualitative measures: telephone and in-person interviews, client retention, industry experience, credentials, review on compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, such as: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criteria because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports.

Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC, which does not receive compensation from the advisors or their firms in exchange for placement on a ranking.

20 – 2018 Top 50 Under 40

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Cornerstone Government Affairs lliott Flaggs joined Cornerstone’s Jackson office in October 2015. He most recently served as a special assistant attorney general with the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office in the capacity of legislative liaison for Attorney General Jim Hood and director of the Child Desertion Unit. Flaggs also prosecuted parents for child neglect and abandonment in the Public Integrity Division.

Prior to the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, Elliott attended Mississippi State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial and

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Elliott G. Flaggs, Esq. systems engineering (B.A., 2007).

He earned his juris doctorate from The University of Mississippi School of Law in 2012.

Flaggs is an active member of the Mississippi Bar Association, Jackson Young Lawyers, Magnolia Bar Association, the Charles Clark Inn of Court and Jackson Professional Group.

Flaggs is a board member of The First Tee of Central Mississippi in Jackson and is a graduate of Leadership Greater Jackson and now serves on the board of directors.

Flaggs and his wife, Brittany, reside in Madison with their daughter, Lianne.

Amanda Price Frazier Plaza Dry Cleaners

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hen Amanda Frazier decides to do something, she jumps in with both feet. With no prior knowledge of the dry cleaning business, the Alcorn County native, bought and now owns and operates Plaza Dry Cleaners, a specialty cleaning business in Corinth.

With that said, Frazier was named one of the top business in Corinth in 2017 for the Corinth Junior Auxiliary.

Frazier manages the day-to-day operations including face-to-face customer interaction with walk-in customers, telephone interac-

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tion, processing orders, preparing hand-written tickets and calculating invoice totals, preparing and maintaining daily cash drawer, bidding and presenting large orders to local organizations, among so many other things.

Frazier has also had to learn knowledge of basic mechanical functions of equipment and demonstrates leadership abilities through managing a team of nine employees.

Prior to this, Frazier worked as a sales manager for FedEx in Memphis.

Frazier is a 2001 graduate of the University of Mississippi.

2018 Top 50 Under 40 – 21

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Warren T. Herring

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arren Herring is president and co-founder of TrustCare Health in Mississippi.

In 2012, Herring’s first TrustCare Express Medical Clinics opened in The Township on Highland Colony Parkway. The vision was simple. Quality care and customer service (i.e. treating others how you would want to be treated).

The first clinic opened with 4 full-time employees. TrustCare now has five walk-in/urgent care locations and one heart clinic. It

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TrustCare Health now employs more than 60 fulltime staff members and approximately 110 staff in all.

Herring expects to add another two or three locations in 2018.

Herring believes the continued growth is due to the owners and the staff being fully committed to the values of quality care and customer service.

Herring and his wife of 10 years, Dana, have 3-year-old twins and a daughter, Eleanor.

In his spare time, Herring enjoys fly fishing, sporting clays, bird hunting and golf.

SR 12 over Fannegusha Creek Holmes County, Mississippi AVIATION | CONSTRUCTION | FACILITIES | FEDERAL | TRANSPORTATION | WATER

We’re invested in Mississippi.

Mississippi State student Wayne Black impressed us as an intern back in 2004. His dedication to improving the state’s infrastructure has been impressing us ever since. Congratulations on 50 Under 40, Wayne!

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

22 – 2018 Top 50 Under 40

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H. Lee Hill, II Baker Donelson

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ee Hill concentrates his practice in the development and financing of complex real estate transactions, including affordable housing, public finance transactions and economic development matters.

Hill represents non-profit and for-profit developers utilizing tax credits – including low income housing tax credits, historic tax credits, health care industry zone credits and new markets tax credits – and in connection with commercial real estate matters.

Prior to attending law school, Hill served as assistant to the commissioner at the Mississippi Department of Transportation, worked with local government officials to provide continuing education seminars and technical assistance for municipalities and counties, and served as a legal extern in the Office of the Chief Counsel to the Governor of the state of Mississippi.

Hill earned his B.A. in political science in 2003 and his law degree from the Mississippi College School of Law in 2010.

Will Janoush Barnes Law Firm

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hile he is tackling a career as an attorney, currently with Barnes Law Firm in Flowood, Will Janoush has a since of service and duty, instilled in him at a very early age by his parents in the heart of the Mississippi Delta.

Janoush specializes in estate and trust planning and business planning. However, he loves serving. He’s currently a member of the Executive Board of the Andrew Jackson Council of the Boy Scouts of America and a member of the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi.

And he says he is particularly proud of the work he has done with the Phoenix Club of Jackson, which has raised

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more than $400,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of Central Mississippi since it’s inception in 2011.

Wanting to serve comes honest, as his parents Lucy and Paul Janoush have always been known for their hard work and since of duty in his hometown of Cleveland. Lucy, while having lost her battle with cancer this past fall, was the driving force behind bringing the Grammy Museum to Cleveland and was always thought of as the hardest working woman in Mississippi as well as having the kindest and gentlest heart.

A graduate of the University of Mississippi and the Mississippi College School of Law, Janoush currently resides in Madison with his wife, Andrea, their son, Bradford, and their daughter Mary Alyce.

2018 Top 50 Under 40 – 23

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Brian Johnson

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rian Johnson is a graduate of Alcorn State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

He is also a graduate of Jackson State University, with a Masters of Business Administration degree. He is currently a Senior Vice President of Fisher Brown Bottrell, a subsidiary of Trustmark National Bank with locations in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. Brian is responsible for providing risk management solutions to customers that include but are not limited to risk analysis, claim mitigation, and claims management services. Brian is a graduate of the Leadership Mississippi Class of 2010, the Leadership Greater Jackson Class of 2011-2012 and the

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Fisher Brown Bottrell Inc. National Alliance Producer School, where he finished in the top five in his class. In addition to being an active member of several insurance organizations, Brian is also part of the MS Road Builders Association, the Minority Contractors Association of Mississippi and the National Association of Surety Bond Producers. He is also active in many civic and community-based organizations, including the Mississippi Minority Business Alliance, the 100 Black Men of Jackson, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Brian his wife Christina and daughter Nova reside in the Jackson Metro Area and are members of Redeemer Presbyterian Church located in Jackson.

Congratulations to our own Bill Bethany for being selected as one of Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 50 Under 40.

• Bill has been with Community Bank for 4 years, and has over 13 years of commercial lending experience.

• As Assistant Vice President in our Metro Jackson Division, Bill is dedicated to treating his customer’s needs uniquely and professionally.

• His character is a true reflection of Community Bank values.

• COMMUNITYBANK.NET • MEMBER FDIC

24 – 2018 Top 50 Under 40

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Chelsa Ann Jones Steel Service

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helsa Jones is the marketing and public relations coordinator for Steel Service in Jackson.

In addition to her website and social media duties, Jones completes job pre qualification forms to bid with engineering firms. Jones also travels across the country for trade shows and to meet with engineering firms and general contractors.

A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Jones previously worked as a community account man-

ager for LogoNation in Monroe, Louisiana.

She is also on the board of directors for the Rankin County Chamber of Commerce and she is also the VP of the Events & Marketing Committee.

Jones is a graduate of Leadership Rankin County and has been named the Rankin County Ambassador or the Month and Flowood Chamber Connector of the Month.

Jones has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Healthcare marketing.

Kia Monique Jones For Brown Girls, Inc.

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ia Jones is the Founder/ Chief Executive Officer of For Brown Girls, Inc. in Jackson. It is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and state tax-exempt organization in Mississippi. Its mission is to uplift, motivate, and cultivate the minds of women of color in Jackson and surrounding areas. Empowering them to fulfill their dreams and promote positive change in their communities by displaying leadership to our disadvantaged youth. It also provides philanthropy and community service efforts in the Jackson Metropolitan Area. The main focus is strengthening marginalized communities.

Jones Graduated from Jackson

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State University in pre-med in 2012 and then earned her Master’s of Public Administration from Belhaven University in 2015. Jones is currently working toward a doctorate of public health in epidemiology at Jackson State.

Jones certified in psychological first aid mental health, HIPAA compliance and is a certified Phlebotomist.

Jones is a member Leadership Greater Jackson, Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society, American Public Health Association, Mississippi Public Health Association, Society for Public Health Education and the Golden Key National Honor Society, among many more.

2018 Top 50 Under 40 – 25

Dustin Koehl Total Transportation of Mississippi

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ustin Koehl is the vice president of sales and marketing for Total Transportation and has been since 2007. Koehl is responsible for providing executive leadership to Total’s customer related departments that represent $180M in annual revenue across 3 Divisions. Direct responsibilities include providing oversight and strategic direction for the national sales team, brand development, pricing & reporting functions, network analytics, monthly receivables, customer

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service team, management trainee program, logistics division and the recently formalized dedicated division.

Kohl earned a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee and an MBA from the University of Tennessee.

Koehl and his wife, Melissa and daughter, Charlotte Ann currently live in the Belhaven Neighborhood of Jackson, Mississippi. Melissa serves in the Junior League of Jackson and on the steering committee for Make A Wish Foundation Gala.

MELISSA RUSSO

The Mississippi Economic Council is proud to congratulate Danielle Williams on being named one of the Eakkakkahha :mkaf]kk BgmjfYd k Top 50 Under 40!

Congratulations, Danielle!

Your diligent service and dedication to excellence helps our organization run smoothly – and lays the foundation ^gj E=; lg k]jn] Yk l`] nga[] g^ Eakkakkahha k Zmkaf]kk community for over 10,000 members across the state.

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Congratulations to the Top 50 Under 40!

Top 10 Mississippi Business Journal 2018

Your accomplishments serve as an inspiration to us and the rest of Mississippi. Your leadership helps create a brighter future for our state.

www.mec.ms

P.O. Box 23276 • Jackson, MS 39225-3276 (601) 969-0022 • 1-800-748-7626

26 – 2018 Top 50 Under 40

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THE AWARDS LUNCHEON

More than 350 attended the Top 50 Under 40 luncheon April 26 at the Old Capitol Inn in downtown Jackson.

The Mississippi Business Journal’s annual Top 50 Under 40 luncheon is one of the highlights of the state’s business community. This year, more than 350 business people and their families, friends and co-workers gathered at the Old Capitol Inn in downtown Jackson to celebrate the best and brightest young people and leaders of the state.

Raphel Semmes and his band provided entertainment at the Top 50 Under 40 luncheon.

Photos by Stegall Imagery

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2018 Top 50 Under 40 – 27

THE AWARDS LUNCHEON

Honoree Danielle Williams posing with guests.

Honoree Mandy Davis (seated center) and guests.

28 – 2018 Top 50 Under 40

2017 Business Pers honorees.

Honoree Navketan Kaur Desai (seated, second fro

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on of the Year, Jason Bailey, speaks to

om left) of and her guests

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Honoree Russell Morrison (left).

Honorees Willie Fairley (center) and Rob Santos (right).

2018 Top 50 Under 40 – 29

THE AWARDS LUNCHEON

Brian Johnson, one of the 10 finalists, (left) with Mike Espy.

Levens, Russo, Burkes, Duhe

Honoree Will Janoush (right) with guests.

Honoree Ryan Upshaw (center) with guests.

30 – 2018 Top 50 Under 40

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Cory R. Lancaster Lancaster Law Firm

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ory Lancaster is the founder and managing member of the Lancaster Law Firm, LLC in Tupelo, Mississippi.

He specializes in the areas of estate planning, business planning, elder law and taxation. He has been awarded the peer review rating of AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell and selected as a Mid-South Rising Star by Super Lawyers.

Lancaster frequently lectures

on various legal topics including continuing education courses for attorneys and other professionals. He earned his Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law and Bachelor of Accountancy from Mississippi State University.

Lancaster enjoys spending time with his two sons, CJ and Zack.

Jenny Levens City of Long Beach

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s the Director of Community Affairs for the City of Long Beach on the Gulf Coast, Jenny Levens is responsible for being the official spokesperson for the City of Long Beach.

Levens actively markets the city nationwide and develops and maintains cooperative relationships with other cities, Harrison County Officials, tourism, civic and Chambers, Main Street organizations on the Coast and in Mississippi. Levens is responsible for the overall marketing and

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public relations of the City of Long Beach.

Prior to taking her job with Long Beach, Levens was director of the Long Beach and Pass Christian Chamber of Commerce for 5 years.

Levens is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Business Administration.

Levens says that when she isn’t working, she loves to traveling with her family, reading, interior decorating and chasing a 2-yearold.

2018 Top 50 Under 40 – 31

Jamison Logan Renasant Bank

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amey Logan is the Marketing Content Specialist at Renasant Bank in Tupelo where he is responsible for providing relevant and applicable financial content to consumers.

A day at the office looks like: fulfilling ad requests from the Renasant footprint, organizing and managing Renasant’s social media, email, collateral and website content and assisting the digital team to ensure Renasant’s SEO is fully optimized for organic and paid traffic and growth.

Before assuming his position

at Renasant Bank, Logan was employed at BancorpSouth in their Marketing department as a Digital Content Manager.

Logan is a 2011 graduate of Itawamba Community College and a 2013 graduate of Mississippi State University. Logan currently volunteers with the United Way of Northeast Mississippi as well as the Kiwanis Club of Tupelo.

Logan and he wife Laura Kay have two Siberian Huskies. In his spare time, he likes to cook and play the drums.

Congratulations

CLARKE WISE on being named as a 2018

Mississippi Realtors® 4274 Lakeland Drive • Flowood, Ms 39232

601-932-5241 32 – 2018 Top 50 Under 40

Jackson www.msbusiness.com

Brittney L. Luke The Taylor Group, Inc.

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rittney Luke is the Accounting Manager at The Taylor Group, Inc. in Louisville where she handles all of the general ledger functions for the parent company and six subsidiaries.

Luke began her tenure as a third generation Taylor employee in 2003 after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with concentration in Accounting from Mississippi University for Women.

Luke furthered her education

and received a Master of Science degree in Business Administration in 2008 from Mississippi State University.

Luke is the daughter of Greg and Tina Lee, married to Shawn Luke and has 3 children: Lauren Whitehead, Hunter and Morgan Luke. She resides in Preston and is a member of Coye Assembly of God. Luke enjoys spending time with family and enjoying activities with them, hunting, and working with vinyl projects in her spare time.

Joshua A. Mars Yak Access, LLC

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osh Mars serves as General Counsel for Yak Access, LLC, a division of the Jones Companies, based in Columbia.

As General Counsel Mars handles an array of legal matters for Yak Access and its subsidiaries, which include corporate, compliance, contract, environmental and human resource law matters. Mars also continues to hold an Of Counsel position with Copeland Cook Taylor & Bush, P.A. out of its Hattiesburg office. Mars consults on behalf of the firm with

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select clients and other attorneys in the areas of taxation, corporate law and government contracts.

Mars is a graduate of Belhaven College where he played football and is also a graduate of the Mississippi College School of Law and the University of Florida Law School’s Graduate Tax program.

Mars is married to Gini Tabor Mars of New Orleans and they have seven children and are expecting their eighth child in October.

2018 Top 50 Under 40 – 33

Cassie Mendrop St. Andrew’s Episcopal School

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assie Mendrop is the Director of Human Resources at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. She previously held the same position for the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society in Jackson.

There, she originates and leads all human resources practices with the goal of providing an employee-oriented, high performance culture that emphasizes empowerment, quality, productivity and standards, goal attainment, and recruitment and ongoing development of a superior workforce.

Mendrop, who was born and raised in Long Beach, earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2012 from the University of Mississippi and an MBA from Millsaps College in 2017.

She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, the Capital Area Human Resource Association and the Mississippi Chapter of the Association of Talent Development.

She, her husband, Will, and their Cocker Spaniel, reside in Madison. She loves boating, tennis and watching the Ole Miss Rebels play football in the fall.

Congratulations Brian Johnson on being named as one of the Top 10 Finalist

by

the Mississippi Business Journal

We are very proud of you and all of your accomplishments.

Love, Mom & Dad

34 – 2018 Top 50 Under 40

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J. Russell Morrison Merrill Lynch

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ussell Morrison is a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch. Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. in Ridgeland.

Morrison’s job is to help clients be good stewards of their financial assets.

His responsibility begins with listening and understanding what is most important to each client. From there they create a plan to optimize their financial resources to meet those goals.

Through a disciplined investment approach they build personalized strategies, which are managed under our discretion

and monitored daily.

Morrison has a B.A. in history from the University of Virginia and a MBA with a focus in finance and management from the Else School of Management at Millsaps College Morrison has been honored as Best Dressed in Jackson by the American Cancer Society in 2017 as well as the Jefferson Award for Public Service in 2015.

Morrison is currently engaged and he enjoys reading, live music, hiking, kayaking, sailing and traveling.

Tiffany R. Paige Mississippi College School of Law

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iffany Paige is the Assistant Dean for Student Services at the Mississippi College School of Law. There, Paige leads efforts to enhance the student experience and build professionalism within the legal community by providing various types of counseling, student programming and outreach, guidance and support for students and student organizations and support programs for approximately 400 500 JD students.

Paige earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2002 at Jackson State University and went on to

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get her juris doctorate at Mississippi College School of Law in 2006. Currently, Paige is working toward a Doctorate in Philosophy in Higher Education Administration at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Paige credits her mother has her hero in life, having raised her and her seven siblings in a single-parent home. Paige watched her mother’s hard work and sacrifices which taught the meaning or hard work and now she was a first generation college student.

In her spare time, Paige likes knitting, crafting and attending Zumba classes.

2018 Top 50 Under 40 – 35

Bradley Patano Machado Patano

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rad Patano is partner and CFO at Machado Patano, PLLC in Biloxi.

There, he handles day to day finances for company, develops financial projections and growth plans by directing and overseeing department heads budgets. As Principal Engineer for Machado Patano, PLLC, Patano is responsible for the design, delivery, scheduling and coordination of all MEP & Architectural Projects.

Patano has a B.S. in electrical

engineering from Mississippi State and is a graduate of Leadership Gulf Coast and is in the 2018 class of Leadership Mississippi, sponsored by the Mississippi Economic Council.

Patano says his most significant personal accomplishment is serving as the president of the Ocean Springs Educational Foundation and raising over $50,000 dollars for teach grants.

In his spare time, Patano enjoys fishing, boating, golfing, mixed martial arts and running.

CONGRATULATIONS Christen Duhé and Megan Burkes FOR BEING SELECTED AS A

CONGRATULATIONS TO TOTAL TRANSPORTATION OF MISSISSIPPI’S

Dustin Koehl on being named to the Mississippi Business Journal’s

TOP 50

UNDER 40

Christen Duhé

Megan Burkes 247 Industrial Drive North Madison, MS 39110 601-853-7300 | www.hederman.com

36 – 2018 Top 50 Under 40

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Peter Ross Baptist Memorial Hospital North Mississippi

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eter Ross is a clinical pharmacist specialist at Baptist Memorial Hospital North Mississippi. He also is the owner of Ross Pharmacy Consulting in which he provides consultant pharmacist services to Mississippi nursing homes, surgery centers and independent pharmacies.

In addition, Ross is co-owner of Pharmacy Solutions of Mississippi, a business that helps with temp staffing for pharmacies, and Ross is a clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice and an adult medicine preceptor for pharmacy student rotations.

Ross is on the board of directors

for the University of Mississippi Alumni Association as well as the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy Alumni Association and he is on the Admissions Committee for the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy.

In 2009, he was named as an emerging leader for Baptist Memorial Hospital North Mississippi and he has twice been named Pharmacy Residency Program Preceptor of the year.

Ross earned his bachelor of science in pharmaceutical science from the University of Mississippi in 2002 and his doctor of pharmacy from the University of Mississippi in 2004.

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Business Administration in 2005.

In 2010, Russo was named among the Top 10 Business Leaders Under 40 in South Mississippi. In 2016, Russo was given the Senior Practitioner Award by the Southern Public Relations Federation. Russo is a Leadership Gulf Coast Graduate and a Leadership Mississippi Graduate.

Russo says any of my role models are a part of her peer group. She said, “This group of men and women demonstrate professionalism and leadership at its finest. They are driven and set high expectations for their teams. … They not only talk the talk but walk the walk.”

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elissa Russo is Vice President of Communications, Public Relations and Member Service for Coast Electric Power Association, where she has been for 15 years.

Russo is in an executive level position reporting directly to the CEO. Russo’s job responsibilities include, among other things, providing leadership for strategic planning, media relations for the cooperative and working in legislative affairs.

Russo graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in May 2002. She went on to William Carey College and earned a Master in

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Melissa Russo

2018 Top 50 Under 40 – 37

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E

P

Ingalls Shipbuilding dgar Santos is a financial analyst for Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula.

There, he provides cost and price analysis services to the supply chain management department at Ingalls shipbuilding.

In addition, the native of Guatemala City, Guatemala has spent the latter part of his life being exposed to a variety of endeavors, which has allowed him to be a well-rounded individual in this current role. This includes negotiation support for multi-million dollar acquisitions of major equipment and services.

Santos is a 2003 graduate

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Edgar “Rob” Santos of Mississippi State University with a degree in Business Administration in which he also had a International Internship Focus.

In 2016, Santos was the recipient of the “One Coast Community Leader Award” from the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce. In 2015, Santos was presented the Ingalls President’s Award for Diversity and Inclusion, which was the first and only time the award has ever been given. Santos also was a finalist for the 2014 for the STEM award at the Hispanic Engineering National Achievement Conference.

CONGRATULATIONS

DUSTIN KOEHL

Volunteer Leadership Committee congratulates

Daniel Ball on being selected as a 2018

On behalf of the University of Mississippi,

from your friends at

38 – 2018 Top 50 Under 40

thank you, Ryan, for your commitment to our students and congratulations on your Top 50 Under 40 honor!

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Courtney B. “Corky” Smith Sims & Sims, LLC

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orky Smith is an attorney with Sims and Sims LLC in Columbus, where he represents clients from local board, various political subdivisions, individuals and businesses in a general practice. Smith has had cases heard in all courts, from local justice courts through the United States Supreme Court. Smith regularly counsels businesses and boards for everything from compliance to logistics.

Smith was voted in 2016-17 among the best attorneys in the

Golden Triangle as well as being honored with a Rotary Fundraising/Service Award as president of his local Rotary.

Smith has a history degree from Mississippi State University and then earned his juris doctorate from the Mississippi College School of Law and an LLM from the university of Alabama School of Law of Business Transactions and Taxation.

Smith is married and has a one year old son, which he says has brought the greatest joy and the greatest understandings of his life.

Erin W. Smith AARP Foundation

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rin Smith oversees the AARP’s $6.6 million FINI project, Fresh Savings, in Mississippi. The program spans across the state and has more than 25 locations through 17 counties. As a Licensed Master Social Worker, she says he moral compass reflects a desire to help meet the basic human needs of all people. She chose to work for AARP Foundation because it reflects her mission to help individuals in vulnerable situations.

AARP Foundation, a charitable affiliate of AARP, is working to win back opportunity for strug-

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gling Americans 50-plus years old by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: hunger, housing, income and isolation.

Smith was employed with Copiah-Lincoln Community College for more than 10 years.

While at Co-Lin, she was an Academic Counselor, and wore many hats including the Disability Support Services Coordinator, Phi Theta Kappa Lead Advisor, and Adjunct Instructor.

A member of the Brookhaven Daily Leader’s first ever Top 20 Under 40 in 2016, Smith is married with three children.

2018 Top 50 Under 40 – 39

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Tywanna Smith

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ywanna Smith, President & Founder of The Athlete’s NeXus, has several years of experience working with professional athletes in a financial and business capacity. Smith earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and her Master of Business Administration from The University of Mississippi. She was also a four-year starter for the women’s basketball team, eventually taking her talents to Europe for a 2-year professional career.

Upon retirement, Smith entered the corporate world with Merrill Lynch, as a Financial Advisor

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The Athlete’s Nexus to several professional athletes. In addition to handling her client’s finances, Smith has also managed the business and marketing affairs of several current and retired NBA, NFL, and overseas athletes. Smith has also connected her clients with reputable industry specialists, such as attorneys, accountants, real estate specialists, travel agents, publicists, custom clothiers, and personal trainers.

As a Registered Financial Representative, Entrepreneur, and Best-Selling Author of Surviving the Lights: A Professional Athlete’s Playbook to Avoiding the Curse, Smith takes pride in her business professionalism and integrity.

The Blackburn Group Congratulates David B. Blackburn on being named one of the Top 50 Under 40 in Mississippi for 2018 by the Mississippi Business Journal.

Congratulations

Clarke Wise on being selected as a 2018

Sharon & Jim Rowe

CONGRATULATES

Cory Lancaster, JD, LLM

The Blackburn Group, LLC has ownership interests in a diverse scope of businesses throughout the Southern United States, with a focus on residential and commercial land development.

40 – 2018 Top 50 Under 40

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Phillips Financial is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent from Raymond James Financial Services. Raymond James is not affiliated with Cory Lancaster.

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Trent Tippey Caterpillar Inc.

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rent Tippey is the Managing Director for the Caterpillar remanufacturing business in Mississippi in Corinth, overseeing daily operations and ensuring world-class performance in safety, quality, customer service and delivery on financial commitments. He provides leadership to four plant managers and supporting functions across 1.4 million square feet of manufacturing space with approximately 1,500 hourly employees and 165 management/salary employees in production operations and support functions including Environmental Health & Safety, Manufacturing

Engineering, Quality, Engineering Releasing, New Product Introduction, Facilities Maintenance, and Lean Deployment.

He was given the Helping Hands award from the Mississippi State FFA in 2017 and IBI 40 Leaders Under 40 in 2014 as well as the Caterpillar Chairman’s Award in 2013. Tipped is also a member of the board of directors for the Mississippi Economic Council, The Alliance of Corinth and Alcorn County and the Mississippi Manufacturers Association.

Tippey is a graduate f the University of Illinois and also participated in the PEAD executive program at Cambridge University.

Josh Todd Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors

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ccording to a recommendation letter from Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, “Joshua Todd has fully invested himself into moving Lauderdale County forward.

His position as road foreman for districts 1, 2 and 3 for the county facilitated numerous important projects that improved infrastructure and economic development. Reeves went on to say Todd’s character, ability and professionalism have also led him to serve on the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors.”

Congressman Gregg Harper had this to say: In his two terms as

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Supervisor for Lauderdale County District Three, Josh has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and has played a pivotal role in the growth and success of his community. In addition to serving his district, Josh also served ably as President of the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors, as third Vice President of the Mississippi Association of Supervisors, Chair of the Education Committee of MAS, among many other duties.

Additionally, Todd is a certified volunteer fire fighter and has been active in many other community development clubs.

2018 Top 50 Under 40 – 41

Ryan Upshaw The University of Mississippi

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yan Upshaw is the Assistant Dean of Students for Student Services for the University of Mississippi. He oversees the Student Services area of the School of Engineering Dean’s office. This consists of managing new student recruitment efforts, awarding scholarships, conducting new student orientation, providing academic counseling to students, coordinating student award processes and advising student organizations among other general office duties. He also works to collaborate with community groups like schools

and organizations to help promote STEM education at the K12 level.

Previously, Upshaw served as coordinator of campus visit programs in the Office of Admissions and coordinator of admissions and recruitment for the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College at Ole Miss.

Upshaw earned my Bachelor’s degree in psychology as well as his Master’s in Higher Education from the University of Mississippi. He is currently enrolled in the Doctorate of Education program at the University of Mississippi.

Shelley Cresswell Walker Chawla Hotels

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helley Walker is Director of Emerging Brands & Innovation for Chawla Hotels, headquartered in Greenwood. She is responsible for development of operations for Scion Hotel which in a new $20 million hotel development on 17.5 acres in Cleveland. Walker is also responsible for development and project management of two new American Idea Hotel brands and properties in Clarksdale and Greenville.

Walker oversees all partnerships related to Mississippi Economic Council, Delta Council, Delta Regional Authority, Delta Planning Development Partnerships, Delta

42 – 2018 Top 50 Under 40

Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Offices, Rural Entrepreneurship Development, Mississippi Development Authority, Mississippi Department of Employment Security, Visit Mississippi, Workforce Education, Universities, and Community Colleges Walker is the past executive director for the convention and visitor’s bureau in Greenwood and was the director of manufacturing for the Milwaukee Tool plant in Greenwood.

Walker earned her B.S. in Educational Psychology from Mississippi State in 2000 and her Master’s in Counselor Education in 2002.

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Danielle M. Williams MEC

D

anielle Williams is the manger of finance and administration and coordinator for date and human relations for the Mississippi Economic Council.

Williams handles the day to day finance activity over MEC’s $1.3 million budget, maintains the MEC database of 10,000 contacts and coordinates with data base vendors. Williams develops all billing and financial reports, manages and coordi-

nates the full scale upgrade to MEC database, including organization of training programs for staff. Williams also manages and coordinate registration of more than 1,500 guests at MEC functions and trains support staff to assist as needed.

Williams earned her B.S. in management from Belhaven University in 2017.

In her spare time, Williams loves to travel and spending time with her husband and his car club.

MarQuaita Williams Mississippi Office of the State Auditor

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arquaita Williams is the director of human resources for the Mississippi Office of State Auditor. She supervises the administration of an agency or department’s personnel program in carrying out the regulations and policy under which it operates.

Williams approves agency staffing, training, temporary appointments, salary increases and other personal matters.

Williams handles employees, arbitrates disputes and employee grievances.

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As the director of human resources, Williams says she feels like she is the voice of the employees.

Prior to this, Williams was the director of office payroll for the state auditor’s office.

Williams is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and the Capital Area Human Resource Association as well as the Mississippi Association of Personnel Administrators.

Williams earned a B.A. in economics from Tougaloo College and a MBA from Baker College.

2018 Top 50 Under 40 – 43

Dana Wilson Mississippi Interactive LLC

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ana Wilson is general manager and subsidiary president of Mississippi Interactive LLC in Jackson. She is responsible for providing primary strategic planning and direction that encompasses business development, technology, marketing and outreach, as well as quality, service, and project management and leads sales responsibility for Mississippi eGovernment projects.

Mississippi Interactive, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of NIC, the largest provider of

official web sites, online services and secure payment processing solutions for state and local government entities across the United States. Prior to coming to Mississippi, Wilson served as the Alabama Interactive’s Director of Marketing.

Wilson earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Northwestern State University of Louisiana and earned her MBA from Louisiana Tech University in 2006.

Wilson is a Board Member at Large for the Junior League of Jackson.

Clarke R. Wise Mississippi Association of REALTORS

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larke Wise is vice president of government relations for the Mississippi Association of Realtors.

He serves as the association’s lobbyist, monitors all legislative and regulatory activity that impacts the business of real estate, promotes grassroots political advocacy and is the staff liaison to the association’s Legislative & Regulatory Affairs, MARPAC Trustees and REALTOR® Engagement Task Force, Issues Mobilization Committee.

Wise has worked in lobbying since 2010, having been director of congressional affairs for CNP Action, Inc. in Washington as well as

44 – 2018 Top 50 Under 40

the Mississippi House Republican Caucus.

Wise earned his B.A. in political science from Rhodes College and is working on his Master of Arts from Johns Hopkins University for which he is working on his thesis.

Wise credits his mother, Lisa Wise, his late uncle Alan Nunnelee and his wife, Julia Wise as the role models of his life.

Wise is active in the community, coaching a U-13 Mississippi Lacrosse Association team. He is also on the board of the Mississippi Lacrosse Association as well as the Madison County GOP executive committee. Wise is also a greeter at Madison United Methodist Church.

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Dr. Antwon Woods Belhaven University

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ntwon Woods is a professor of sports administration at Belhaven University and is the chief executive officer of the Antwon and Constance Woods Family Foundation.

The success of this foundation, Woods says, revolves around he and his business partner and wife, Dr. Constance Barnes-Woods. They thrive off their core principles (Education, Health, and Prosperity) to ensure that their mission and vision are beneficial to the community that they serve. The foundation’s

ideal focus is to support physical and mental health and education in children.

At Belhaven University, his responsibilities are to teach both undergraduate/graduate courses and advise students within the program.

Woods, a native of the historic town of Mound Bayou, has a B.A in Business Administration from Jackson State, a master’s in Sport Management from Middle Tennessee State University, an MBA from LSU and a Doctor of Philosophy from Jackson State University.

and Human Resource Partner at University of Mississippi Medical Center before that.

Yates, a native of Florence Mississippi, earned her B.A in Communication from Mississippi State University in 2003.

Yates is also the first person to have graduated from both Youth Leadership Rankin and Adult Rankin Leadership programs.

Yates and her husband, Stephen have an 8-year-old daughter.

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arah Yates is the Director of Human Resources for Peterbilt Truck Centers in Pearl.

In her role at Peterbilt, Yates oversees all human resource functions for Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas and Louisiana. She is responsible for compensation and benefits, risk and compliance, talent acquisition, employee engagement and performance management. Yates is a driver of key strategic initiatives to improve overall business performance.

Previously, Yates was the People First Manager at HORNE LLP

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2018 Top 50 Under 40 – 4,

Tell Us Who

STANDS OUT

Outstanding Mississippi Business Leaders Under 40 Nominees Must Be: • Employed and have lived and worked in Mississippi for at leastũ two years.

• Under 40 years of age as of December 1, ĉćĈđ.

• Involved in more than business activities.

I Nominate: Birthdate: (Must be after December 1, ĈĒĐđ) Company: Position: Business Address: City:

State:

Phone:

Zip: Fax:

Email:

In Business and the Community Nominated by: Company: Address: City:

State:

Phone:

Zip: Fax:

Email: Your relationship to nominee:

We accept Top 50 Under 40 Nominations throughout the year.

You will receive...the entry requirements as soon as your nomination is entered. Final and complete entry packages must be received by MBJ no later than January 8, 2017.

Please return to:

Fax: 601-364-1007 • Online: www.msbusiness.com Mail: Top 50, MBJ, 200 N. Congress St., Suite 400, Jackson, MS 39201 More info: 601-364-1000 or events@msbusiness.com

Civic Involvement will be strongly considered. Nominees who hold political office will not be considered solely on the basis of political achievements.

Nominees do not necessarily have to be business owners. Professionals in the non-profit business sector are eligible. Individuals are also encouraged to nominate themselves.

FOCUS ON: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Courtesy of Ingalls/For the MBJ

Aerial shot of the west bank from January 2018

Hundreds of millions being invested at Ingalls Shipbuilding

By BECKY GILLETTE

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he east bank, which was the original site of Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp., founded in 1938, was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Recently the parent company of Ingalls, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), the state’s largest private employer, announced plans to rebuild the east bank which primarily involves the addition of large, cov-

48 – Mississippi Business Journal

ered manufacturing areas for construction of ship assemblies and components as well as the restoration of an outfitting pier.

“We are excited to be bringing the east bank back to life,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias said. “As we prepare to celebrate our 80th anniversary, what better way to do that than to announce that the original Ingalls facility will become a productive, vibrant part of the Pascagoula landscape once again.”

Freeland

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FOCUS ON: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Work on the east bank project that is expected to take two years began in April. Cuccias said the reactivation will restore the facility’s ability to support Ingalls’ current ship construction and modernization programs as well as help the company better prepare for future work, including next-generation amphibious assault ships and surface combatants.

Ingalls is investing about $100 million in the east bank improvements, which are not receiving state funding support. Work is also continuing on the west bank project known as the “Shipyard of the Future.” The state is expected to provide $200 million with a match from Ingalls of $400 million towards work on the west bank.

Cuccias said work on the west bank will result in improved product flow, and better environmental conditions for shipbuilders.

“We will have more covered areas,” Cuccias said. “The weather in South Mississippi can be very harsh. Rain has a big impact. These facilities help with the rain and with the heat of the sun in the summer.”

Cuccias said they are fortunate to operate in an area that supports shipbuilding and the military at the city, county and state levels.

“Together with the State of Mississippi, we are investing hundreds of millions of dollars to provide our shipbuilders the best tools and equipment and the safest, most efficient work environment possible in which to do the great work they do every single day,” Cuccias said. “Our local leaders support shipbuilding with workforce training programs, economic development incentive policies and by providing good communities in which our employees are able to raise their families—in many cases the follow-on generations of shipbuilders at Ingalls. So, when we determined we need additional facilities for our operations, it made perfect

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sense to do this expansion here in our hometown.”

Ingalls Shipbuilding’s decision to reactivate its facilities on the east bank of the Pascagoula River represents a major economic development success for a number of different reasons -- not the least of which being that it marks another milestone of Katrina recovery, said George Freeland, executive director, Jackson County Economic Development Foundation.

“This vacant and underutilized industrial property will now be redeployed for manufacturing job creation and capital investment,” Freeland said.

“The project is anticipated to result in the return of as many as 1,000 jobs to the east bank facility and will additionally leverage a west bank facility modernization project. The combined projects represent more than $500 million of private investment with $200 million of state bond issue proceeds.

In that regard, the project represents a well-crafted and highly successful public-private partnership.”

Freeland said Jackson County’s manufacturing employment concentrations and wages are already some of the highest in the southeast U.S. “The high economic multiplier of jobs created by the project will also impact and improve every facet of the regional economy,” Freeland said. “In addition, we are convinced that the east bank redevelopment has the potential to resurrect and transform surrounding commercial development in the City of Pascagoula.”

George Jones, Ingalls’ vice president for operations, said they are using proven concepts from their west bank modernization as a guide for their east bank reactivation. He said with the help of employees with innovative ideas, they have improved safety, efficiency and working conditions.

“We have some of the best shipbuilders in the country, and they deserve the

best shipyard in which to work,” Jones said. “From more covered work areas and better environmental controls, to state-of-the-art tools and technology, Ingalls is leading the way in modern military ship design and construction.”

Cuccias said a major goal is keeping the shipbuilders healthy.

“The shipbuilder is the most important part of Ingalls,” he said. “You need a great facility, great equipment and great partnerships with the state, and we have that. That makes us unique in the country. The employees, which we call industrial athletes, work sometimes in not the easiest conditions and do a great job for our company and for our country.”

Ingalls invests a lot in technical training. Its training academy has just under 1,000 students in the apprentice school.

“We have a great relationship with the Gulf Coast Community College which has offices in the shipyard,” Cuccias said. “We are reaching out to the high schools in the area. We have a fantastic health care center two miles from the yard available to shipbuilders and their dependents with only a $15 copay for a visit and under a ten-minute waiting time. We have financial training and a top-notch security system to help keep employees safe when at work. We also spend a lot of time on safety.”

HII, which also has the Newport News shipyard in Virginia, is America’s largest military shipbuilding company. The two shipyards have built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder. The company employees nearly 38,000 operating both domestically and internationally with between 11,000 to 12,000 employees based in Pascagoula. For more information, visit www.huntingtoningalls.com.

Mississippi Business Journal – 49

FOCUS ON: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Courtesy o Madison County Economic Development Authority

The Ridgeland Opportunity Zone is comprised of the area between South Wheatley Street to Old Canton Road (West to East) and Lake Harbour Drive to East County Line Road (North to South). Marked in blue on map above.

50 – Mississippi Business Journal

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FOCUS ON: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Madison County certified as a Qualified Opportunity Zone

By MBJ STAFF/WIRES

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he U.S. Department of Treasury has designated three census tracts in Madison County as Qualified Opportunity Zones to spur economic growth. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act authorized the governor of each U.S. state and territory to nominate a certain number of qualifying census tracts as “Opportunity Zones.”

Mississippi’s designations were officially confirmed Tuesday, April 10th, by the Treasury Department, which administers the program.

The Madison County Economic Development Authority (MCEDA), along with Madison County municipalities within eligible census tracts, nominated tracts for Governor Bryant’s consideration and recommendation to the U.S. Department of Treasury for the Opportunity Zone designation.

Joseph P. Deason, Executive Director of Madison County Economic Development said, “These three tracts, one in Ridgeland and two in Canton, will provide our communities the ability to attract private investment to encourage economic development in the form of jobs and assist neighborhood revitalization. We are all excited and look forward to receiving the next round of information concerning the program.”

The Ridgeland Opportunity Zone is comprised of the area between South Wheatley Street to Old Canton Road (West to East) and Lake Harbour Drive to East County Line Road (North to South).

Mayor Gene McGee of Ridgeland said, “First of all, I would like to thank Governor Bryant for his leadership and designation of the Ridgeland Opportunity Zones. He continued, “We’ve been looking for opportunities for development and redevelopment in this area. We believe this will help the Northpark Mall area and provide opportunities to develop the land around the area that has been vacant. This is a Win-Win for The City of Ridgeland.”

The Canton Opportunity Zones span from Interstate 55 in Canton and end just before Sharon Road (West to East) running along Peace Street and Hwy 16. These tracts are located within the Madison County Healthcare Zone.

Dr. William Truly, Jr., Mayor of Canton said, “The City of Canton is more than ecstatic to be chosen as one of the communities for the Opportunity Zone. This opportunity allows investors to take

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BANKS

Q Regions Bank.................................................................................................................. www.regions.com

HUMAN RESOURCES

a serious look at the City of Canton for economic development.

If there’s a city that needs economic development, it’s the City of Canton. He continued, “We wish to thank MCEDA for serving as a bridge to help us get designated as an Opportunity Zone. The City of Canton is pleased to be chosen by Governor Bryant to receive 2 of the 100 designated Opportunity Zones in Mississippi.”

Qualified Opportunity Zones retain this designation for 10 years. Investors can defer tax on any prior gains until no later than December 31, 2026, so long as the gain is reinvested in a Qualified Opportunity Fund, an investment vehicle organized to make investments in Qualified Opportunity Zones. In addition, if the investor holds the investment in the Opportunity Fund for at least ten years, the investor would be eligible for an increase in its basis equal to the fair market value of the investment on the date that it is sold.

Treasury and the IRS plan to issue additional information on Qualified Opportunity Funds. The additional guidance will address the certification of Opportunity Funds, which are required to have at least 90 percent of fund assets invested in Opportunity Zones.

For additional information on Opportunity Zones, please go to https://www.cdfifund.gov/Pages/Opportunity-Zones.aspx.

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Mississippi Business Journal – 51

FOCUS ON: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Continental running full force to get up and running by 2020 Senior Vice-President of Economic Development at the Greater Jackson Alliance.

“They’ve donated technology to local schools on top of taxes paid to schools.”

In fact, Clinton’s Director of Communications Mark Jones said Continental’s interest in local schools reaches beyond its initial donation of Apple TVs to the Clinton Public School District. Plans include to take students from

By JULIA MILLER

S

ince breaking ground in 2016, Continental Tires has been working diligently to get it’s $1.4 billion plant up and running full force by 2020, but it won’t take that long for the company to start making economic waves.

“Continental has already been a great steward to the community,” said Greg Word,

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take-out •snack • beverage

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Accidental litter from and

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52 – Mississippi Business Journal

all grade levels, from preschool through high school, out to the plant to tour in hopes of creating a culture that shows the opportunities right here at home.

“There will be generations that step into opportunity,” Jones said. “They recently spoke to ROTC students and said ‘You exemplify the type of employees we want.’”

Continental Tires is projected to add 2,500 jobs within nine years of the beginning of production, with an average of $40,000 salaries. According to the Mississippi State Institute for Higher Learning’s economic impact study, more than $47 million is expected to be added to the the Mississippi State revenue through tax receipts.

On a local level, Clinton is already seeing an increase in sales tax revenue from construction crews staying and eating in Clinton. Their tourism collection has increased by 10 percent, with most hotels reporting an 85 to 95 percent occupancy during the week.

“Our hotels are full,” Jones said. “Our restaurants are picking up.”

Although Clinton’s sales tax revenues are the same as this time last year, Jones said it’s important to compare it to the drop in sales tax revenues across the state. He

also added that over the past three years, their collections had been up 10 to 15 percent, and they’ve been able to maintain that.

“If you’re seeing a decrease across the board, that’s a good sign that things are staying here,” he said.

One of the challenges of the anticipated increase in demand for labor has been the tight housing market in Clinton. Jones said right now there are less than 100 houses on the market in the Clinton School District not currently under contract.

Residential construction crews have responded with two or three new residential developments either under constructions or planning to begin soon to be ready for the new employment.

Jones said he believes part of Clinton’s pull is the quality schools as well as its proximity to Hinds Community College, and Continental isn’t the only company seeing that. In addition to announcements of expansions from existing industries, Jones said they’ve had significant inquiries from other companies and a large development is expected to be announced soon.

“We’re seeing developments that are looking at Clinton as a viable market,” he said.

According to the Continental Tires website, recruitment for employees is expected to begin in October. Production on test tires is expected to start at the beginning of 2019. For information about employment opportunities, business-to-business events or the status of the project, visit mississippi.org/continental.

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(',$64,&,$15 (1(4$/ 74*(215 46+2'216,565 1(56+(5,2/2*,565 16(41,565 (1(4$/ 5;&+,$64,565 %56(64,&,$15 $1' ;1(&2/2*,565 $0,/; $1' (1(4$/ 4$&6,6,21(45 +;5,&,$15 $1' 74*(215 // 6+(4 (16,565 (1(4$/ ($/6+ 3(&,$/6,(5 !($&+(45 2565(&21'$4; 745( 1(56+(6,565 3620(64,565 $9 !($&+(45 2565(&21'$4; 4&+,6(&674$/ $1' 1*,1((4,1* $1$*(45 $36$,15 $6(5 $1' ,/265 2) #$6(4 "(55(/5 +$40$&,565 +,() :(&76,8(5 $/(5 $1$*(45 745( 4$&6,6,21(45 +(0,&$/ 1*,1((45 $9;(45 (4253$&( 1*,1((45 200(4&,$/ ,/265 &67$4,(5 ,1$1&,$/ $1$*(45 $674$/ &,(1&(5 $1$*(45 7&/($4 1*,1((45 1*,1((4,1* !($&+(45 2565(&21'$4; (4521$/ ,1$1&,$/ '8,5(45 '0,1,564$6,8( $9 7'*(5 '-7',&$6245 $1' ($4,1* )),&(45 20376(4 $1' 1)240$6,21 ;56(05 $1$*(45 $4.(6,1* $1$*(45 1'7564,$/ 42'7&6,21 $1$*(45 *4,&7/674$/ &,(1&(5 !($&+(45 2565(&21'$4; 1*,1((45 // 6+(4 20376(4 $1' 1)240$6,21 (5($4&+ &,(16,565 75,1(55 !($&+(45 2565(&21'$4; +;5,&,565 /(&64,&$/ 1*,1((45 (&74,6,(5 2002',6,(5 $1' ,1$1&,$/ (48,&(5 $/(5 *(165 (',&$/ $1' ($/6+ (48,&(5 $1$*(45 2)69$4( (8(/23(45 33/,&$6,215 $/(5 1*,1((45 +,4234$&6245 !4$,1,1* $1' (8(/230(16 $1$*(45 $4,1( 1*,1((45 $1' $8$/ 4&+,6(&65 '7&$6,21 '0,1,564$6245 2565(&21'$4; &2120,&5 !($&+(45 2565(&21'$4; (&+$1,&$/ 1*,1((45 (25&,(16,565 (:&(36 +;'42/2*,565 *(2*4$3+(45 ,4/,1( ,/265 23,/265 $1' /,*+6 1*,1((45 74&+$5,1* $1$*(45 $6(4,$/5 1*,1((45

From the 2018 Mississippi Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates report, as created by the Labor Market Information Department for the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. For comments, write Frank Brown at research@msbusiness.com

54 – Mississippi Business Journal

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CLASS of 2018 Back row, from left: Will Janoush, Megan H. Burkes, Danielle M. Williams, Courtney B. “Corky” Smith, H. Lee Hill, II, Joshua A. Mars, Trent Tippey, Bill Bethany, Josh Todd, Daniel G. Ball, Dana Wilson, Erin W. Smith, Albine Z. Bennett, Chelsa Ann Jones and Cory R. Lancaster.

Middle row: Cassie Mendrop, J. Russell Morrison, Dr. Antwon Woods, Ryan Upshaw, Christen H. Duhé, Jenny Levens, Dustin Koehl, Jon Bramlett, Peter Ross, Clarke R. Wise, Lorraine Walters Boykin, Lauren Castle Black, Tiffany R. Paige, Navketan Kaur Desai and Shelley Cresswell Walker.

Front row: Willie L. Fairley, Jr., Edgar “Rob” Santos, MarQuaita Williams, Melissa Russo, Sara Yates, Wendy Huff Ellard, Tywanna Smith, Warren T. Herring, Mandy Davis, Elliott G. Flaggs, Esq., Danielle Joyner, Brian Johnson, Jennifer Clark and David Blackburn.

Not pictured: Wayne Black, Amanda Price Frazier, Kia Monique Jones, Jamison Logan, Brittney L. Luke and Bradley Patano.4´