SEPTEMBER 2013
CHAMBER CONNECTION THE JACKSON CHAMBER'S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
INSIDE: Chamber Announces
2013 Leadership Jackson Class pg. 2
Chamber Announces 2013 Leadership Jackson Class The Jackson Chamber is pleased to announce the nominees who were selected for its 2013 Leadership Jackson class. Leadership Jackson is a leadership development program for those in our community who demonstrate leadership potential. Sponsored by the Jackson Chamber, the program is an opportunity for local professionals to learn more about the community and the challenges it faces. The class participated in a full day information session in early September to get acquainted and learn more about what their Leadership Jackson experience will entail. The session was led by Leadership Jackson 2013 Chair Landon Preston, Director of Donor Relations, Union University, and the program’s Vice Chair Josh Clarke, Director of Alumni Relations, Union University. The following week, Leadership Jackson class members participated in a two-day opening retreat. “I am so excited about this year’s 2013 Leadership Jackson class,” Preston said. “We have professionals from almost every major sector of Jackson-Madison County who will bring enthusiasm, creativity and diversity to address the needs of our community. It will be a wonderful year as we learn to collectively put the needs of our neighbors above our own.” Class members will meet weekly for sessions on various topics. A leadership skill building component is incorporated into each session. Leaders in key areas, such as health care, criminal justice, economic development, quality of life, education and government will share an overview of the present state, challenges and future vision. This information provides the class with a broad understanding of the inter-workings of Jackson-Madison County and a big picture view. It also engages them in a self-analysis of where they can best make a positive impact by getting involved or by being a resource for their company or sphere of influence. “We are excited about Leadership Jackson 2013,” Clarke said. “We know that there is a wonderful cross section of our community making up this year’s class. Not only will they have the opportunity to learn from those in the community as we visit leaders and locations from local businesses to places of education, they will also be able to learn valuable lessons from one another.”
2013 Leadership Jackson Class Participants:
Amanda Bevis TN College of Applied Technology
Aby Bingham Kingdom Care Solutions
Sam Chhim Regions Bank
Jason Compton Jackson Generals
Gayra Hall Byrd & Byrd, Attorneys at Law
Mike Holt Jackson Police Department
Angie Lowery Merrill Lynch
George Megelsh University of Memphis
Chelsea Brewer ElementAL Holdings, LLC
Carrie Brown Campbell USJ
Angie Counce Lindsay Dawkins Portfolio Recovery RIFA Associates
Aven Humphreys Union University
Kara Nicodemus First State Bank
Matt Huskey Gerdau
Sandie Neal Cowart, Reese, Sargent CPA’s PC
Eric Buchner Jay Bush FMY Orthodontics Waldrop and Hall
Chad Bynum A+ Insurance
Daryl Chansuthus WRAP
Chris Doyle King Technologies
John Fisher Fisher Construction Company
Michael French Pinnacle Foods, Inc.
Bernie Grappe West Tennessee Healthcare
Eric Kellum Jackson Energy Authority
Andy Kirby Stanley Black & Decker
Hermes Lee Smith Seckman Reid
Andrew Long BancorpSouth
Ryan Porter Jerry Woods Jackson Chamber 100 Black Men of West Tennessee
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Want to learn more about Leadership Jackson? Visit its website at leadershipjackson.com!
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Leadership Jackson Alumni Association Spotlight Dr. Beverly Absher, 2013 Vice Chair of the Marketing and Recruitment Committee Company: Union University Job Title: Associate Vice President for Auxiliary Operations and Chair of the Department of Continuing Studies Q: Why did you choose to help with the Leadership Jackson Alumni Association? A: I am absolutely in love with my community, and after moving here in 2004, I knew that I wanted to plug in somewhere that would give me an opportunity to serve this area. I had been involved with the chamber and leadership programs in Alabama before moving here, so I naturally turned to the Jackson Chamber to see if any of its activities would be a good fit for me. Leadership Jackson was the perfect solution! Participating in this program allowed me to learn more about my community and its unique challenges, broadened my perspectives and understanding of public issues and community dynamics, and prepared me to join with other leaders as we served to make our community and its citizens even better. I was so blessed to serve, first as Vice Chair and then Chair, during the two years after I graduated from the Leadership Jackson program. After having such a positive experience in Leadership Jackson, I was delighted to then be asked to join the Board of Directors of the Leadership Jackson Alumni Association. Our Alumni Board is committed to training and equipping committed and passionate leaders who will work with others to ensure the Jackson area continues to experience economic growth, educational and developmental opportunities, positive cultural interactions and experiences, and the highest possible quality of life. Q: What are you looking forward to this year with the new class? A: I always look forward to getting to know the new class members during the early get-acquainted sessions. My favorite time with the new class, though, is during their last session when I facilitate a section on “Business and Dining Etiquette.” We have a lot of fun together as we learn and practice etiquette behaviors that are most becoming of a leader! Often participants do not realize that even the way we make introductions during a first meeting speak volumes about our professionalism and leadership skill. At the end of the session, we enjoy a five-course meal and get to practice all the things we have learned about dining etiquette, including: how to be seated, the proper use of the napkin, how to pass food, which utensil to use, and so on.
Q: What was the most important piece of information that you learned during your Leadership Jackson experience? A: I learned where some of the greatest needs were in the community and how that I could be a part of meeting those needs. Q: What advice would you give the upcoming class? A: The best advice that I can give to the new class is to encourage them to make the most of the time they will have between now and December. You only get this one opportunity to be a Leadership Jackson participant and the time will fly by. Make sure that you jump in with both feet, fully committing yourself to every moment of this wonderful and life-changing experience. The worst thing that can happen is for the program to end and then you realize that you didn’t fully immerse yourself in every session and every activity offered. Don’t leave anything on the table! Q: What was your favorite memory from Leadership Jackson? A: It was definitely the two-day COPE experience. I was somewhat afraid of heights, and also the oldest participant in my Leadership Class. I didn’t think I would be able to take even one step across a high wire, much less some of the other challenging team-building experiences. My greatest fear was that I would let my team members down by my poor performance. However, with the combination of highly skilled COPE leaders and my encouraging team members, I surpassed my wildest expectations. I was able to successfully complete every obstacle all the way from start to finish! I left that experience with confidence and enthusiasm, desiring to apply the problem-solving, team-building, and motivation skills I had learned in entirely new ways in my workplace, with my family, and in my community.
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For more information on Leadership Jackson, visit its website at www.leadershipjackson.com. PG. 3
MEMBER NEWS Jackson Energy Authority Moves Downtown Customer Center The Jackson Energy Authority has relocated its Customer Service Center located at the JEA Administrative Offices on 119 E. College Street. The building was closed due to water damage and the Customer Service facilities was reopened on Thursday, July 18. For more informationa about JEA’s new Customer Service Center, visit www.jaxenergy.com.
OVC Baseball Championship to Return to The Ballpark at Jackson For Three More Years The Ohio Valley Conference announced in August a three-year deal to continue to hold its annual baseball championship at The Ballpark at Jackson in Jackson, Tenn. The deal ensures the 2014, 2015 and 2016 championships will be held at The Ballpark at Jackson. The 2014 Championship will be held May 21-25. The OVC has held its baseball championship at the venue for the past four years (2010-13). The Ballpark at Jackson serves as the home of the Jackson Generals, the AA affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. “We value the relationship with the Jackson Generals and are grateful for the support of the city leaders of Jackson,” said OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche. “We look forward to returning to a first-class venue which is a fitting place for our championship which features first-class competition.” Following the completion of the Generals 2013 season in September, The Ballpark at Jackson will undergo an extensive renovation to its draining system along with the installation a new playing surface. The cost of the renovations is estimated to be around $200,000 and was unanimously approved by the Jackson City Council in August. “We are thrilled to have the privilege of hosting the OVC Baseball Championship for another three years,” said Jason Compton, General Manager of the Jackson Generals. “It is great baseball and great way to use the park outside of our 70 Jackson Generals home games. Anything that brings in people from other parts of Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, and Alabama to Jackson and to our Park is a no-brainer for us. We hope the next three years are as great as the first four have been.” The Ballpark at Jackson (formerly known as Pringles Park) opened in 1998 and has a seating capacity of 6,000. The venue hosted the 1999 and 2011 Southern League All-Star Games. The Ballpark at Jackson also has luxury suites, a video board and merchandise shop that is used for the championship. Jackson, Tenn. is located 130 miles from Nashville and 77.2 miles from Memphis on Interstate 40.
The Dream Center of Jackson Receives $30,000 Grant from the W.H.O. Foundation The W.H.O. (Women Helping Others®) Foundation, BeautiControl’s non-profit organization, has awarded a $30,000 Volunteer Service Grant to the Dream Center of Jackson. A check presentation took place on Saturday, September 7, at the Dream Center located at 49 Old Hickory Boulevard in East Jackson. BeautiControl’s President, Daisy Chin-Lor, and approximately 60 BeautiControl® Consultants and guests were in attendance. Dawn Phipps, a Senior Director with BeautiControl and volunteer at the Dream Center, submitted the grant proposal this past spring on behalf of the local nonprofit. Grant recipients were announced at BeautiControl’s annual “Celebration” event in July. “When I heard my name announced, I was overwhelmed with joy,” Phipps said. “I called Ms. Gail, the Director of the Dream Center, and shared the good news with her and we both screamed and cried!” Phipps says that the funds will be used to purchase clothing, and to help provide medical services and job-skills training for Center residents. The Dream Center of Jackson is an emergency shelter and transitional housing facility for women and their children. It offers housing to families and individuals who have experienced crisis in their lives, such as job loss, loss of housing, or other life-controlling problems that have rendered them homeless. The center began in May 2003, after a devastating tornado left many residents homeless.
Seaton Attends AICPA Tax Planning Conference Stacy Seaton of Sipes & Seaton in Jackson recently attended a three-day national tax conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. AICPA Tax Planning, Compliance and Controversy Conference served as a guide for the latest tax law updates to help save client’s valuable tax dollars and enhance the status of the advisor. Small businesses are constantly faced with new tax laws that are uniquely different from those of larger businesses or corporations. Seaton is a 1999 graduate of Union University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She joined Sipes & Associates in December 1998, as an intern and transitioned to full-time in May 1999. Seaton has served as COO and Partner of the firm since 2001 and is currently Co-Owner as well. “I liked how the conference specifically focused on small business tax and financial issues, providing the up-todate information needed to help clients succeed during these challenging economic times,” Seaton said. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and its predecessors have been the voice of the accounting profession since ABOVE: Stacy Seaton, 1887. AICPA members work in all sectors of the business and financial services profession, including Public Accounting, Financial Planning, Tax, Sipes & Seaton Business & Industry, Law, Consulting, Education and Government.
Have news you want to share with us?... Send us your member news & photos to mseals@jacksontn.com.
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Get Connected With: Express Employment Professionals Company name: Express Employment Professionals Address: 319 Vann Drive Phone Number: 731-660-0061 Website: www.expresspros.com About The Company: Express Employment is the largest privately held staffing company in the US. it specializes in Industrial, Administrative/Professional and Medical staffing on a temporary and full time basis Chamber Connection: What’s new with your organization? EEP: There is always something new going on in the staffing industry and in Express in particular. We have some fantastic (and timely) training materials that we provide and present to our client teams’ in order to help them be more effective and efficient. Things like Developing Your Company Culture, Managing Turnover, Managing Generations in the workplace and the unique differences between them. Our mission is to be much more than a staffing partner with our clients – we strive for real forward thinking business partnership. We are also excited about our upcoming “Pay it Forward” Hiring campaign for the holidays. We will be making an extra effort to put as many people to work as possible to help those in need for the holidays.
ABOVE: Co-owners of Express Employment Professionals, Ronnie and Susan Morris.
Chamber Connection: What’s helped your organization become successful in our community? EEP: Professionalism and a frantic sense of urgency in taking care of our clients with quality staffing services. We are much more that a “Temp Agency,” we are a business partner. We also place a high priority on being involved in our community through the chamber, The Exchange Club, The Jackson Rotary Club and the American Cancer Society Chamber Connection: What does your organization do that most people don’t know about? EEP: We have sponsored and executed an “Angel Tree” event at Isaac Lane Elementary School for the last two years. We take 25 of the “most needy” elementary kids and partner with clients and friends to shower them with, what is most likely, the only Christmas gifts many of them will get over the holidays. It is our favorite event of the year! Chamber Connection: What are some recent successes your organization has experienced? EEP: Our Jackson office is a Top 100 office across the Express Employment worldwide system. We have received many performance awards over the last three years, which we are forever grateful. We are most proud of Susan’s “Meritorious Award” in 2012. This is a very unique award given to only one franchisee across the entire Express Employment worldwide system for community involvement and Express Brand Development. Chamber Connection: What are some of the future goals of your organization? EEP: We are always wanting to grow and take care of more Jackson/Lexington area clients. Chamber Connection: What’s the biggest community project you’re working on right now? EEP: My wife (Susan) and I (Ronnie) are Co-Chairs of The American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” (MSABC) for 2012/2013. It’s a 5K walk event coming up on Saturday, October 26 at The Ballpark at Jackson. Last year we had over 70 teams from across West Tennessee and 1100 walkers. We are hoping for 2000 walkers for 2013! I (Ronnie) am also Chair of the Leadership Jackson “Impact Run” coming up on Thursday, November 7th benefitting the Rein-Bow Riding Academy of Jackson. This year it’s a night run starting at 7 p.m. from the Lift Wellness Center in Downtown Jackson
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NEW MEMBERS: AUGUST 2013 Anchor Tours Bud Hale 1650 Hwy. 412 W. Lexington, TN 38351 (731) 968-8525 www.anchortours.com Category: Charter Bus &/or Tour Company
Separate Winds, Inc. Sandra K. Ellis 4442 Blue Goose Rd. Huron, TN 38345 (731) 616-3738 www.sepwinds.com Category: Safety Supplies
Bill’s Transmission Specialists Bill Gann 1062 Hwy. 45 Bypass Jackson, TN 38301 (731) 661-0728 Category: Automobile & Repairs Service
Wingstop Tawanda R. Roberts 5 Stonebridge Blvd., #C Jackson, TN 38305 (731) 300-0245 www.wingstop.com Category: Restaurants
Blurton Capital, LLC Christopher Phillips 6 N. Washington Brownsville, TN 38012 (731) 772-4998 www.blurtoncapital.com Category: Real Estate Developers &/or Investors Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio, Inc. Mark Carter 2846 Old Medina Rd. Jackson, TN 38305 (731) 424-2206 www.cartercountry.com Category: Landscape - Contractors
Wise Staffing Teresa McDonald 2762 N. Highland Ave. Jackson, TN 38305 (731) 661-0007 www.wisestaffinggroup.com Category: Employment & Recruiting Service
DID YOU KNOW?...
Clayton-Little, PLLC Wes Clayton 325 A N. Parkway Jackson, TN 38305 (731) 300-6362 www.clayton-little.com Category: Attorneys
+ 97 percent of your chamber
dues are tax deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense.
The Cumberland House Kathi Landon Leatherwood 428 N. Cumberland St. Jackson, TN 38301 (731) 394-0087 www.thecumberlandhouse.info Category: Wedding &/or Event Venue
+ 6,865 Number of direct manufacturing, distribution, and call center jobs created in Madison County by chamber economic development initiatives in the last ten years.
The Man Cave Brian Mitchell 111 S. Church St. Jackson, TN 38301 (731) 616-5654 Category: Barber Shop
+ More than One Billion
Number of dollars invested by new and expanding industries in Madison County in the last ten years as a resultof efforts by the chamber’s economic development department and its affiliation with Team Madison County.
Patricia Huff 552 Fire Tower Rd. Cedar Grove, TN 38321 (731) 968-9728 Category: Individuals
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RENEWING MEMBERS: AUGUST 2013 1st Class Flooring 4D Sneak Peek A+ Care Solutions, Inc. Alexander Thompson Arnold PLLC All Star Realty/Property Management Co. Allergy & Asthma Care Ameritas Group AseraCare Hospice Audette’s Academy for Early Learning Avalon Hospice-Regency Healthcare Group Back Pain Relief Clinic Benefit Consulting Services, Inc. Best One Tire & Service of Jackson CareAll Home Care Services Carlisle Transportation Products Central West TN Association of Realtors Charter Business Charter Media Chris Mayer Roofing, LLC Cintas Coldwell Banker Real Estate Now-Peggy Graves Comfort Inn Counter Solutions, LLC Country Inn & Suites Cumberland Heights Cyber Vision Technology Group DCA/DCPR Delta Electrical Inc. Dermatology Clinic of Jackson Divorce Incorporated Doing His Work First, Inc. Eagle Warehouse & Distribution Center Edward Jones Investments Edward Jones Investments Empire Education Group-The Hair Design School Entrepreneur Development Center, Southwest TN Evergreen Recyclers, Inc. Express Printing, Signs & Shipping Family Check Advance First Baptist Church Child Development Center First State Bank Five Star Real Estate Services FSB Insurance GCA Services Group General Cable Corporation Golden Circle Graphics Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc. Grace United Methodist Church Green Metals Hands Up! Handy Home Center Hollywood Vacuum Center Hub Express Intrepid USA Jabezco Industrial Group, Inc. Jackson Service League Jackson Trailer Service, Inc. Jackson-Madison County School System
JS Promotions Karnes Legal Services Konica Minolta Business Solutions Kyrus Print Solutions Lakeland Spring Water Co. Laurelwood Health Care Center Lillibridge Healthcare Services Inc. McAlister’s Deli McCowat Mercer Packaging, Inc. McNeely Pigott & Fox Public Relations, LLC Mid-South Machine & Welding Minuteman Press Moss, Benton & Wallis, PLLC Motel 6 NAPA Auto Parts Northbrooke Health Care Center Old Medina Market Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) Parker’s Flooring Pavement Restorations, Inc. Pepsi Beverages Company Regional Hospital of Jackson Robinson Toyota - Scion Sacred Heart of Jesus High School Sayle Oil Company ScorePlus Academics Something to Read Bookstore Sonoco Sowell’s Diesel Repair STAR Center, Inc. STAR Center, Inc. State Farm Insurance-Wes Harris Tastefully Simple Tennessee Career Center-Jackson The Bank of Jackson The Children’s Clinic, PA The City of Three Way The Hamilton-Ryker Group, Inc. The HillHelen Group The Pig House, Inc. The Salvation Army The Zion Church Touching Hearts at Home Tyler’s Locksmith United Saw & Supply Co. University of Tennessee/Tennessee State University ExtensionMadison County Vaughan Associates Architects, Inc. Volunteer Pallets, Inc. Walgreens Pharmacy West Tennessee Center for Oral & Facial Surgery, P.C. West Tennessee Examiner West Tennessee Society for Human Resource Management (WTSHRM) Wolfchase Limb & Brace Woodstock Bake Shop, LLC XMC of West Tennessee, Inc. Zaxby’s
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RIBBON CUTTINGS: AUGUST 2013 Ambassadors with Perfect Attendance, August 2013: Kathy Canovan, Rodan & Fields Joyce Corley, FirstBank
Anytime Fitness 133 University Parkway Jackson, TN 38305 731-300-4400 www.anytimefitness.com Category: Fitness Clubs
Leap Energy Investment 1085 Highway 45 Bypass, #5 Jackson, TN 38301 731-300-0511 www.leapenergyusa.com Category: Renewable Energy Systems
ScorePlus Academics 1032-J Vann Drive Jackson, TN 38305 731-256-0201 www.scoreplusacademics.com Category: Education Services
The Villages of Campbell Oaks 1000 Willow Oak Lane Jackson, TN 38305 731-300-4700 www.villagesofcampbelloaks.com Category: Apartments
Amanda Davenport, Complete Restoration, Inc. Judy Leforgee, Union University Heath Williams, George A. Smith & Sons
Welcome to our newest Partners-in-Education: Alan Vines Automotive of Jackson and Arlington Elementary School
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ECONOMIC INDICATORS: AUGUST 2013 Total Labor Force
July ’13
July ‘12
Madison County
50,310
49,930
0.8%
50,350
49,870
1.0%
Jackson MSA (Madison & Chester Counties)
58,820
58,430
0.7%
58,950
58,330
1.1%
3,141,500
0.4%
3,143,300
3,152,900
-0.3%
0.4%
157,089,000
156,385,000
0.5%
Tennessee
3,153,600
Rate Change
United States 157,196,000 156,526,000 Unemployment
July ’13
July ‘12
Madison County 8.9% 8.9% Jackson MSA 8.9% 9.1% (Madison & Chester Counties) Tennessee 8.5% 8.8%
Rate Change
United States 7.7% 8.6%
Sales Tax Collected
August ‘13
August ‘12
City of Jackson
$4,015,788
$3,902,824
Madison County $4,396,696
$4,245,807
June ’13
June ’12
Residential
Number Issued Permit Value
June ’12
0.0%
9.0%
9.0%
0.0%
-0.2%
9.2%
9.2%
0.0%
-0.3%
8.8%
8.7%
0.1%
-0.9%
7.8%
8.4%
-0.6%
Rate Change
July ’13
July ‘12
2.9%
$3,753,996
$3,746,352
0.2%
3.6%
$4,037,775
$4,006,231
0.8%
August ‘13
August ‘12
July '13
July '12
26 $3,755,000
17 $4,284,400
11 $2,565,404
21 $3,015,450
9 $827,925
37 $3,705,945
11 $2,704,299
33 $1,530,540
Commercial
Number Issued Permit Value
JACKSON CHAMBER
Rate Change
June ’13
Building Permits
Rate Change
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Rate Change
Jackson Chamber Staff Directory
Kyle Spurgeon, President/CEO kspurgeon@jacksontn.com
Russell Cook, Manager of Accounting rcook@jacksontn.com
Lisa Cothran, Manager, Membership Development, lcothran@jacksontn.com
Kristy Dew, Receptionist kdorris@jacksontn.com
Shirley Jones, Vice President, Public Affairs, sajones@jacksontn.com
Lori Nunnery, Executive Director, Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau lnunnery@jacksontn.com
Beth Parnell, Manager of Events, bparnell@jacksontn.com
Ryan Porter, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & General Counsel, rporter@jacksontn.com
Megan Seals, Communications Coordinator, mseals@jacksontn.com
Brandy Stutsman, Administrative Assistant, Business Services & West Tennessee Business Resource Center, bstutsman@jacksontn.com
Judy Renshaw, Sr. Vice President, Business & Community Services, jrenshaw@jacksontn.com
Carolyn Vaughan, Membership Development Coordinator, cvaughan@jacksontn.com
CONNECT WITH US!
Joyce Welch, Executive Assistant, jwelch@jacksontn.com
Mandy White, Vice President, Economic Development, mwhite@jacksontn.com
JACKSON CHAMBER
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www.jacksontn.com
For decades, Jackson has connected businesses to success. Today, we are connected by more than roads, rail and runways – we connect people at the speed of light. Jackson is looking ahead as a sustainable city with a growing focus on wellness. Our hundreds of doctors, specialty centers and pioneering robotics have captured national attention. The surprising variety of arts, sports and music is kept vibrant by a growing number of students and professionals. The Jackson Chamber invites you to Connect Here.
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