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Mississippi Economic Council MEC Snapshot
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Lumumba Remembered as Visionary,
Driven Leader
Dear ,
There is a lot of geography that separates us in Mississippi, but we are a small state with strong bonds to our capital city. When Jackson suffers a loss, like the recent passing of its new Mayor Chokwe Lumumba, we all feel it.
Mayor Lumumba was not yet a full year into his first term, but in that short time he demonstrated his desire, will and vision for a better capital city. He worked hard to move forward programs like a sales tax initiative to fund much needed infrastructure improvements that had been talked about for years, without action. He helped get it to the voters...and get it done. And he demonstrated a commitment to the people of Jackson that was unwavering.
Our MEC Leadership - Chair Haley Fisackerly, incoming Chair Alveno Castilla and second incoming Chair David Gates - and the entire leadership of MEC extend our thoughts and prayers to the Mayor's family and to the community in this time of sadness and grief. We join the leadership of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership in celebrating Mayor Lumumba's achievements and in recognizing that the foundation he established provides an opportunity for continued progress for our capital city.
Keep the faith,
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MEC Legislative Scrambler Focusing on Economic Development Set for March 5
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Fillingane
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Bell
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The Mississippi Economic Council will host its Legislative Scrambler focusing on Economic Development on Wednesday, March 5, at the Mississippi Museum of Art. The breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m., and attendees will hear from Senator Joey Fillingane, Chair, Senate Finance Committee and Representative Donnie Bell, Chair, House Workforce Development Committee.
MEC's Legislative Scrambler focusing on Economic Development is sponsored by TVA.
You can attend in person or dial in by calling 800-771-7943.
MEC's Legislative Scramblers are a great way to have a voice at the Capitol without ever leaving your desk.
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Legislative Scrambler Focusing
on Transportation Held Feb. 26
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In attendance at MEC's Legislative Scrambler focusing on Transportation were Mike Pepper, Executive Director of the Mississippi Road Builders' Association; Representative Robert Johnson and Senator Willie Simmons.
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Over 80 business leaders attended MEC's Legislative Scrambler focusing on Transportation on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Mississippi Museum of Art. Attendees heard from Senator Willie Simmons, Chair, Senate Transportation Committee and Representative Robert Johnson, Chair, House Transportation Committee.
The event was sponsored by the Mississippi Road Builders' Association.
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MEC Holds Legislative Scrambler
Focusing on Education on Feb. 19
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Attending the MEC Legislative Scrambler focusing on Education were Kelly Riley, Executive Director, Mississippi Professional Educators; Rep. John Moore; Sen. Gray Tollison and Rep. Toby Barker.
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The Mississippi Economic Council hosted its second Legislative Scrambler of 2014 focusing on Education on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the Mississippi Museum of Art. The event was sponsored by Mississippi Professional Educators.
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MEC's Blueprint Mississippi Pathway To Progress Tour Concludes in Laurel March 4
After initially being cancelled due to inclement weather, MEC's Blueprint Mississippi Pathway to Progress Tour will make its final stop in Laurel on Tuesday, March 4.
The tour will stop in Laurel at the Laurel Country Club, located at 2011 U.S. Hwy 84, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in conjunction with Rotary. The 90-minute session will include lunch. This meeting is a great opportunity to gain valuable insight on Blueprint Mississippi.
The MEC Pathway to Progress Tour will visit 19 cities across Mississippi and focus on ways Mississippi can sharpen its competitive edge by implementing the goals and recommendations of Blueprint Mississippi. The sessions will be 90 minutes long and include lunch. There is no cost to attend thanks to a generous sponsorship from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi. The event is open to the public; however, pre-registration is required.
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Boutwell Added as Director; Word Receives MEC Promotion
The Mississippi Economic Council has announced the promotion of Jason Word to and the addition of Kelly Boutwell to new leadership positions.
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Kelly Boutwell is the Director of Member Involvement at the Mississippi Economic Council, joining MEC from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where she served as Senior Marketing Specialist. At UMMC, she coordinated major projects and developed marketing strategies, concepts and materials for each of its three missions - education, research and patient care. She began her professional career as Service Manager at BRAVO! Italian Restaurant, where she became the state's youngest Certified Sommelier at age 23. Kelly is a native of Forest. She attended Millsaps College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and Master of Business Degree from the Else School of Management.
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Jason Word is now the Manager of Programs, Administration & Policy for MEC, after working exclusively in sales. Word joined MEC in 2007 as a membership sales representative, primarily focused on new membership sales, member retention, as well as sponsorship sales. He has forged key relationships with current member companies in an effort to promote MEC's work on behalf of economic development, education, technology and work force training. Prior to joining MEC, Word worked primarily in banking and the pharmaceutical sales industry. A native of Jackson, MS, he graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in Business Administration. He currently resides in Ridgeland with his wife, Melissa, daughter, Madison and son, Justin.
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Thomasson Selected as 2014
Business Woman of the Year
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Thomasson
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Thomasson Company CEO Pat Thomasson has been named the Mississippi Business Journal's 2014 Business Woman of the Year. The announcement was made during a ceremony Thursday at the Hilton of Jackson.
Thomasson is a member of the Leadership Mississippi Class of 2007.
The Thomasson Company provides pressure treated utility poles of varying lengths and specifications for use by utility companies of all types. Depending on specific climate, Thomasson provides varying degrees of treatment designed to delay the decaying process and ensure pole longevity.
Other Leadership Mississippi Alumni that were honored as members of the Fifty Leading Business Women Class of 2013 are Liz Brister (Class of 2012) and Portia Ballard Espy (Class of 2010).
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Higgins Receives Top Honor from Site Selectors Guild
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Joe Max Higgins, Jr. (second from right), CEO of the Golden Triangle Development LINK, receives the Excellence in Economic Development Award from Site Selectors Guild Representatives.
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Joe Max Higgins, Jr., CEO of the Golden Triangle Development LINK, received the Excellence in Economic Development Award from the Site Selectors Guild (SSG) today, at the organization's annual conference in Denver, Colorado. Higgins was nominated by Matt Highfield of Deloitte Consulting LLP, the site selector used by Yokohama Tire Corporation.
According to the official press release, Higgins worked thoughtfully and methodically to position and prepare his community to successfully respond to the needs of major investors including, among others, Yokohama Tire Corporation.
"Being recognized by the site selection guild is the biggest honor a local practitioner can receive," said Higgins. "Most recognition is from peers. This was from a group that represents the world's best companies."
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Anderson Awarded Tougaloo College
Chairman's Award
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Former MEC Chair Reuben Anderson (left) stands with Tougaloo College President Beverly Hogan, Chairman of EastGroup Properties Leland R. Speed and Tougaloo College Board of Trustees Chairman Wesley F. Prater.
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Former MEC Chairman Reuben Anderson recently received the 2013 Tougaloo College Chairman's Award at an awards ceremony in Jackson. The Tougaloo College Chairman's Award was established in 2008 as a way to honor individuals who have exemplified extraordinary leadership in a project or cause to advance the strategic goals of Tougaloo College.
Anderson, a native of Jackson, graduated from Tougaloo in 1964. He later went on to become the first African American graduate of the University of Mississippi in 1967. He has served as Municipal Court Judge in Jackson, Hinds County Court Judge, Circuit Court Judge serving Hinds and Yazoo Counties and Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court. He has been a partner of Phelps Dunbar for 23 years.
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Positioned for Progress Conference Set for April 29-30 in Jackson
Strengthening Mississippi's Charitable and Creative Economies
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SAVE THE DATE!
April 29-30, 2014
Jackson Convention Center
Jackson, Mississippi
Positioned for Progress is a statewide conference focused on aligning the work of the volunteer, nonprofit, corporate, and government sectors to maximize the social, health, and economic well-being of all Mississippians. The conference is focused on identifying, promoting, and recognizing collaborative efforts that better the lives of Mississippi citizens.
Through plenary sessions, interactive workshops, exhibits, networking, and more, you will learn about and participate in efforts to leverage Mississippi's POWER FOR GOOD, and strengthen your ability to be part of Mississippi's Charitable and Creative Economies. By attending the Positioned for Progress Conference, you will learn how to leverage multiple resources - financial, personal and intellectual - to build a better, stronger Mississippi TOGETHER!
Click Here for More Information
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You are receiving this newsletter because of your past involvement with the Mississippi Economic Council. For more information about MEC, please visit our website at www.msmec.com.
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ABOUT US
The Mississippi Economic Council has been the voice of Mississippi business since 1949. MEC deals with broad issues that relate to businesses through advocacy, research, resources and leadership. MEC has 8,600 members from 1,100 member firms in 2,400 locations throughout Mississippi.
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Mississippi Economic Council - The State Chamber of Commerce
248 E. Capitol Street, Suite 940 - Jackson, Mississippi 39201
P.O. Box 23276 - Jackson, Mississippi 39225-3276
Phone: 601-969-0022 - 1-800-748-7626
Fax: 601-353-0247 - 1-888-717-2809
Click Here for MEC Web Site
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