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BusinessJournal A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF JOURNAL PUBLISHING AND THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

September 2013

BancorpSouth CEO goes on listening tour

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THE NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI

BUSINESS JOURNAL

SEPTEMBER 2013

Growth hasn’t changed Farmers & Merchants focus BY DENNIS SEID BUSINESS JOURNAL

BALDWYN – Since the start of the year, Farmers & Merchants Bank has quickly expanded its footprint. “We’ve grown from six to 10 branches this year,” said FMB President John Haynes. In February, the bank opened its first location in Tupelo in a former BancorpSouth branch, and last month, FMB announced it was acquiring two SouthBank offices in Corinth and another in Selmer, Tenn. With about $220 million in assets, the 72-year-old financial institution should reach about $280 million by the end of the year, Haynes said. The Tupelo branch on West Main Street already has accumulated about $10 million in deposits. “We have a lot of customers who work in Tupelo,” Haynes said. “And in Corinth, we’re excited about the operations there.” FMB will assume the assets and buildings of the SouthBanks offices in Corinth and Selmer,

THOMAS WELLS | DAILY JOURNAL

Farmers & Merchants Bank President John Haynes said the bank should grow to about $280 million by the end of the year.

along with some $56 million in FMB expects to complete the FMB had grown organically, select deposit accounts. deal in the fourth quarter. building locations in Booneville, Pending regulatory approval, Before the SouthBank move, Marietta, Mantachie and

Mooreville. The SouthBank deal is FMB’s first acquisition of a traditional bank. “It’s been a locally run bank the past 20 years with a good staff and experienced lenders,” Haynes said. “SouthBank, I think, had a few problems in other regions and wasn’t able to focus on smaller communities as much.” FMB’s move followed Jackson-based Trustmark’s acquisition of two SouthBank locations in Oxford. Haynes said a bigger Farmers & Merchants Bank doesn’t mean it has changed the way it’s always conducted business. “We’re still a community-oriented bank that can adjust faster than much larger banks,” he said. “We know our customers and they know us.” And FMB has again received a financial strength rating of “A-” or “Excellent” from Weiss Ratings, an independent provider of ratings and analyses of financial service companies, mutual funds and stocks. Weiss provides quarterly ratings, and FMB has consistently received “Excellent” status.

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Renasant CEO reflects on merger, other issues

upelo-based Renasant Bank has completed its merger of Koscuisko-based Merchants & Farmers Bank. Business Journal Editor Dennis Seid spoke with Renasant Chairman and CEO Robin McGraw about the impact of the merger, as well as other topics related to the financial industry. Q. HOW IS THE INTEGRATION process going? A. IT’S GOING WELL. We’ve actually been working on the process since February. We’ve had orientation sessions with M&F employees across the system and explained the Renasant way, the history of Renasant. ... our HR staff has gone over our policies and procedures. So we’ve been ready to start that process. Conversion itself actually won’t happen until Dec. 9. We have teams set up at Renasant and M&F that speak frequently. By the time actual conversion occurs, we should be in good shape.We don’t see any issues at this time. Q. IN THE MEANTIME, it’s business as usual for M&F customers? A. YES. WE WILL, as of the closing of the merger, which was Sept. 1, had not closed any locations. But within 45 days, there will be

CEO John McGraw of Renasant some locations, both M&F and Renasant, that will be closed. Renasant’s Oxford Square location and M&F’s Starkville location will close within 45 days, as will the Grenada office. While the three M&F offices in Tupelo will close, they’ll stay open until final conversion on Dec. 9. We’ll also have a Renasant location in Alabama that will close near M&F’s Inverness location that we’ll be moving into. That worked out nicely since our lease was run-

ning out at the end of the year. And M&F has a location in Southaven that’ll close around the end of the year. Q. WHAT DO YOU PLAN do with those locations that are closed? A. THOSE WILL BE SOLD. That process is ongoing and there are interested buyers in each locations. Q. ARE SOME OF THE BUYERS other banks? A.YES AND NO. Some are to other banks, some not. There will be a blackout period for the other banks. Q. AS FAR AS EMPLOYEES of M&F, how many will be absorbed by Renasant? A. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH the process with the employees who will not be retained, and they’re aware of that. We’ve given them severance if in fact they’ve left at the date of the merger, or stayed put and severance if they stay through the merger conversion. There will be in excess of 100 employees who will leave after conversion. There have been several who have elected to leave and found other jobs, knowing that they would not be retained after the conversion, so we’re happy they were able to

find jobs early on. Q. SHIFTING AWAY from the merger, how will the new capital requirements for larger banks trickle down? A. IT’LL AFFECT ALL BANKS. The most onerous portions of it do not involve smaller banks, which we’re pleased with. What it will do with all banks is that it will impact some consumer-related products, based on the risk ratings and some of the issues involved with it. Hopefully it won’t reduce the number of products available to consumers, but that could be one of the results of what’s happened here. Q. WHAT DO THINK OF THE IDEA to do away with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac? A. THAT’S SOMETHING you can make an argument both ways, but i think they need to consider it closely ifthey want to do so and have an alternative there. The ability to have something like Fannie and Freddie to be a purchaser of long-term mortgages is extremely important, so there needs to be an alternative because commercial banks won’t be able to have long-term fixed rates to commercial mortgage

customers. Q. WHERE ARE INTEREST RATES headed and what is the impact? A. THE 10-YEAR TREASURY has crept up close to 3 percent, and as a result you’re seeing longterm interest rates move up. If you look historically, rates are still at a great level, but psychologically, when you see a 100basis-point increase in the rate, it has an impact on what people will do. Q. WHAT IS YOUR VIEW of the economy, in Northeast Mississippi and within your footprint? A. WE’RE FORTUNATE at Renasant that in each of the markets we’re in, the economy is in pretty good shape. That includes Atlanta. We’re north of 285 and we have some pretty good locations there where we’re seeing the economy improve significantly. The latest we saw was a four-month supply of home in the markets we serve there, so with that being the case, they’ll be back to building houses there. From a retail and commercial standpoint, they’ve had a pretty good economy there, with only housing dragging a little behind until now. In TURN TO RENASANT, PAGE 5

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

SEPTEMBER 2013

BUSINESS JOURNAL

SEPTEMBER 2013

Rollins pays visit to Bancorp locations

an Rollins was named BancorpSouth’s CEO last November. He, along with other senior executives of the $13.2 billion, Tupelo-based financial institution, recently completed a 20-stop tour of bank locations across the company’s eight-state footprint. Business Journal editor Dennis Seid interviewed Rollins shortly after the tour. Q. WHAT WAS THE MESSAGE of the visits, and what feedback did you receive? A. THE FIRST COUPLE OF MONTHS I was here I got to go out and meet the management team. (BancorpSouth Chairman and former CEO) Aubrey (Patterson) took me to meet a lot of the senior folks within our operating regions, but I really didn’t get to meet a lot of people. I was here in the office a lot figuring out what’s up, what’s down and learning about what’s going on. But we’re in the people business, and I wanted to meet more of our folks. In the past, the company has had a president’s retreat of some kind where all the company’s department heads and managers came in, so we had 150-200 people here for a two-day catchup. That’s

‘I think the team is hungry. We want to be competitive and I think we are.’ Dan Rollins

BancorpSouth CEO nice, but that wasn’t going to work for me. So we took three weeks and i probably met about 1,000 to 1,500 people. All of the lenders, mortgage providers, insurance produces, trust and wealth management teams were invited, plus the operational leaders from across our footprint. So it was a great opportunity to meet people and hear stories. And I heard a lot of great, passionate stories about what our bank means to them and what they mean to the markets we’re in. Q.WAS THIS MORE A LISTENING tour or an opportunity to share your vision for the company? A. CLEARLY, I THINK OUR FOCUS was for me to hear what they were saying. It’s easy for me to say something from the fourth floor in downtown Tupelo and talk out. We’ve got a lot of communication channels for me to get a message out, but it’s a lot harder for us to

sit here and hear what’s going on in the field. Our purpose was to go out and see.We also met with a lot of our customers. ... I got to visit with 15-20 of our largest customers across our footprint, so we go a lot of feedback. For me, it was important to see and hear and listen. But our entire executive team traveled as well, it wasn’t just me. What I wanted to make it clear was that communication runs two ways, and we need to hear what the issues are in the field. Q. DO YOU FEEL LIKE EVERYONE is on board with the message your sending in regards to what you’d like to do? A. WHAT I HEARD REPEATEDLY, and this is football season, is, “Put me in coach, I’m ready to play.” I think the team is hungry. We want to be competitive and I think we are.You saw loan growth in the last quarter and I think we’ll con-

tinue to see loan growth. I’d like to say we’re at an inflection point and you’ll see loan growth from here on out, but we still have some issues to clean up. We could see a quarter where we’re not in positive territory, but I think we’re very close to be positive from here on out. I think we have momentum going for us. And frankly, they’ve all wanted to grow all along. Most of the lenders in our footprint didn’t have many problems to deal with, but the company as a whole had some concentrated problems to deal with in a couple of markets that made us focus on the negatives. But that’s behind us and we’re now able to focus on what’s ahead of us, and that’s growth. Q. THE DIVIDEND INCREASE that was just announced from a penny to 5 cents a share – was that sending a message? A. I HOPE SO. Certainly our directors felt like we needed to raise the dividend, and our directors have a lot of ownership in the company. So they, like everybody else with shares in the company, benefit from the dividend increase. We want to take care of our shareholders because we work for our shareholders.

Our 401(k) plan is the singlelargest shareholder in our bank, so when you have the large number of inside ownership we have, we can talk about taking action as owners. When you have some 3,100 of our 4,000 people with ownership in our company, all of us benefit with a dividend increase, and it sends a powerful message. Q. HOW WILL RISING MORTGAGE rates affect future earnings, given the mortgage-related income BancorpSouth generates? A. WE’RE FLYING INTO A HEADWIND. The tide is moving out, and our job is to make sure we protect what we can protect. When you look at specifics, about 62 percent of our business in the first quarter was refi business; in the second quarter only 48 percent was refi. I haven’t seen the numbers, but I assure you for the third quarter it will be less than that. The issue for us to to continue to develop our relationships with Realtors and the purchase business. The two parts of the mortgage – you’re either going to do purchasemoney loans or you’re going to reTURN TO BANCORP, PAGE 5

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PAGE 4

BancorpSouth FROM PAGE 4

finance existing loans. That refinancing business is going to continue to contract, so it’s the purchase money we need to focus on. We need to make sure we’re attracting originators that can help us fill that purchase business. While our refi business went down from the first to second quarter. overall volume was actually higher, which means we did a much better job attracting that purchase money loan business. Going back to 2008, our mortgage business has outperformed the industry. When the industry was contracting, our business contracted but not as much as

Renasant FROM PAGE 3

Nashville, it’s really a strong market. There was a recession, but it was really shallow. Throughout our system, the economy is returning

the industry as a whole. And when the mortgage industry was expanding, we expanded more than the industry as a whole. So we’ve got a good team on that side. But that doesn’t mean there’s not going to be some contraction on the earnings on that piece of our business just because the business as a whole is going to contract. Q. COMPANY SHARES recently reached a 52-week high, and industry analysts seem to like the direction BancorpSouth is taking. Your thoughts? A.WHEN YOU LOOK at the actual results we’ve posted, we’ve really not posted any numbers that would warrant where we are today. We’ve made some an-

nouncements that will result in numbers that are better, but from a quarterly earnings perspective, the two biggest announcements we’ve had – from the Trust Preferred payment to the early retirement program neither one were in the June numbers at all. The Trust Preferred numbers will really only be half in the September numbers and the early retirement program is still not completed. So they’re seeing the message we’re doing the right things, but we really haven’t published any numbers to warrant where we are today. It puts pressure on us to perform, and clearly the pressure is on us to perform. We’ve got to continue doing what’s right for the company and doing what’s right for our shareholders.

in a very positive way. Q. THE YEAR IS NEARING AN END, and with so much going on this year with the merger, what does 2014 hold? A. 2014 WILL BE THE FIRST YEAR where there won’t be a lot of noise as far as our earnings go. With M&F

we’ll have completed the merger and we should have their total integration into Renasant. We think it’ll be a very good year as far as our company is concerned, and hopefully for the region and country it’ll also continue to improve.

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

SEPTEMBER 2013

BUSINESS JOURNAL

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PAGE 6 SEPTEMBER 2013

ChamberConnection CDF CHAMBER EVENTS RELAUNCHED A publication of Journal Publishing and the CDF Chamber Division â&#x20AC;&#x201C; September 2013

The new school year brings opportunities to unveil new changes. Here at CDF we have been working hard to reformat our Chamber events as well, so that you may utilize each event for your different needs as a member. Below you will find a description of each event modification and/or improvement. Pay special attention to the new name for our TYP Networking Social: Business After Hours!

Business After Hours

The TupeloYoung Professionals have invited the not-soyoung professionals to join in on the fun of networking with no strings attached. The newly named Business After Hours will feature great food and conversation from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Events will be held at hosting member business locations and are free for CDF members. Non-members are also welcome for only $5.

Taste of Tupelo The premier business-networking event for the area has had a makeover! Guests can now enjoy an additional hour of networking at the booths of over 70 exhibitors while sampling delicacies from CDF member restaurants and caterers. The new Taste will be held November 5, from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the BancorpSouth Arena. Mark your calendar today!

Wake Up! Tupelo

Wake Up! Tupelo/Lee County is a fresh new take on an old favorite. The best features of First Friday will be preserved but the event will now be held quarterly. The reformatted networking event will feature a full buffet breakfast, experts, panel discussions, and Q&A sessions addressing issues that impact our communities and our businesses. Breakfast and networking begin at 7:00 a.m. with the program concluding at 8:30 a.m.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WILL TYPS CONTINUE TO MEET? The TYPs are going strong! Our members want to get to know the TYPs, and vice versa. What better way to network than a combined after-hours social? There will no longer be a separate TYP networking social; however, the TYPs will continue to meet for Lunch with Leaders and receive the monthly e-newsletter. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BUSINESS TO BUSINESS CONNECTION? Our members told us they loved the Taste and we listened! There will still be a private networking event for all exhibitors from 4:00-5:00 p.m. The doors will then open for the Taste of Tupelo, where attendees will have the same opportunity to visit exhibitor booths between tasty samples from the best restaurants and caterers in the area. WHY DID YOU CHANGE FIRST FRIDAY? Our members told us the best First Friday speakers were those who discussed issues relative to business in Tupelo/Lee County. So, count on topics relevant to where you live, work, and play. The meeting frequency will change to four times a year in order to provide quality presenters discussing high priority issues. The new format also includes a breakfast buffet and an extra 30 minutes for valuable networking before the program begins.

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A CDF

CHAMBER CONNECTION

Chamber Focus

Community Development Foundation’s

ate last month, my husnificant “product.” band and I enjoyed a rare The article on the Sunday afternoon round preceding page identiof golf together. I’m fairly fies the Chamber’s most certain I enjoyed it more than recent attempts to rehe did because I quit trying to main relevant to our play golf years ago. membership. While he was having stern We have wrestled discussions with his unsympa- Geddie with the details of these thetic golf ball, I drank in the changes for several fresh breeze, warm sun, and months by conducting stunning beauty around us. focus groups and surveys, reI remember thinking how easy it searching what Chambers across would be for me to fall into a the country are doing, and consultlifestyle of peaceful walks and gen- ing our Chamber peers. Why tle breezes, surrounded by miles of change something that works? perfectly landscaped grounds, on a Because our passion is your pasdaily basis. sion. Just like you, we won’t be satInevitably, the round ended and isfied with what has worked in the the obligations of the upcoming past. Our intent is to provide even week began to trickle into our better networking opportunities thoughts. for you at Business After Hours and Most of you share similar routhe Taste of Tupelo. tines. We enjoy brief excursions And we hope you will find Wake away from the daily grind, but we Up! Tupelo/Lee County to be an inmust always return to the fight to valuable source of information you remain relevant. need to grow and prosper in this Whatever our place in our organ- area. Join us. We think you’ll be ization, whether our business is glad you did. large or small, if we are a nonprofit, a service provider, or a man- Karen Geddie ufacturer of some sort, we all must Vice President constantly strive to provide a sigChamber of Commerce

Elite Pro Wash Mr. Scott Medlock 116 Belle Meade Saltillo, MS 38866 (662) 231-6569 www.eliteprowash.com Pressure Washing

Alright Inc. Mr. Danny Kingsley 398 E Main St., Ste. 103 Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 231-4102 Furniture

Fish Lips Wine & Spirits Ms. Sharon Parmer 119A City Market Dr. Saltillo, MS 38866 (662) 869-3646 Liquor & Wine

East Main Family Medical Clinic Mr. Rodney Rogers 1424 E Main St. Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 350-3550 Health Care

2013-2014 Board of Directors CDF’s goals and objectives are accomplished through the efforts of members appointed to committees operating under one of CDF’s three divisions: Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development, and Planning and Property Management.

2013-2014 Executive Committee Mr. Chauncey Godwin, Jr., Chairman Mr. Shane Hooper, First Vice Chairman Ms. Lisa Hawkins, Second Vice Chairman Mr. David Rumbarger, President/Secretary Mr. David Copenhaver, Immediate Past Chairman

Mr. Tillmon Calvert Mr. Scott Cochran Mr. Clay Foster Mr. Bryan Hawkins Ms. Blair Hughes

Integrated Wealth Management Ms. Gail Austin 343 B E Main St. Tupelo, MS 388804 (662) 550-2083 www.iwealthmgmt.com Financial J. Edward Design Company Mr. Jeremy Alison 109 N Spring St. Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 844-7903 Florists

Mr. Guy Mitchell III Mr. Barry Smith Ms. Jane Spain Mr. Buddy Stubbs Dr. Dick White

2013-2014 Board of Directors Mike Armour Bernard Bean Jim Beane Roger Bland David Brevard Mark Burleson Bo Calhoun Tillmon Calvert Gary Carnathan Grace Clark Mike Clayborne V.M. Cleveland Scott Cochran David Copenhaver Nettie Davis

Mike Eaton Doug Formby Clay Foster Chauncey Godwin, Jr. Julianne Goodwin Bryan Hawkins Lisa Hawkins Reed Hillen Frank Hodges Shane Hooper Blair Hughes Trentice Imbler David Irwin Jamie Kennedy Bob Kerley

Jeff King Gearl Loden Neal McCoy Robin McGraw Larry Michael Guy Mitchell Ted Moll Mabel Murphree Mary Pace Jim Pate Aubrey Patterson Jason Shelton Darrell Rankin Harry Rayburn Jack Reed, Jr.

New CDF Members

AdHouse Agency Mr. Dustin Parker 1241 Cliff Gookin Blvd. Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 315-8709 www.adhouseagency.com Creative Services

Brad’s Electronics Mr. Brad White 207 Industrial Dr. Pontotoc, MS 38863 (662) 488-0087 www.bradselectronics.com Electronics

SEPTEMBER 2013

KOK – Kermit’s Outlaw Kitchen Mr. Mitch McCamey 124 W Main St. Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 620-6622 Restaurants & Catering

Neon Pig Mr. Seth Copeland 1203 N Gloster St., Ste. F Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 269-2533 www.neonpig.net Restaurants & Catering

Prime Hospitality Group, LLC Mr. Tom Gilmer 95 Old Runway Rd. Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 269-2892 www.primehospitality group.com Furniture

local MOBILE Mr. Curt McLellan 2567 Wendover Dr. Belden, MS 38826 (615) 337-2660 Restaurants & Catering

New York Life Mr. Darwin Beard 218 S Thomas St., Ste. 105 Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 488-6683 www.newyorklife.com Insurance

Lollipop Boutique Ms. Nikki Abney 2301 W Main St., Ste. F Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 841-8748 www.lollipoptupelo.com Retail & Specialty Shops

Pinnacle Realty, LLC Mr. Nat Grubbs 398 E Main St., Ste. 101 Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 266-2006 www.pinnaclerealty company.com Real Estate, Appraisers, & Property Development

Southern Heat All Star Cheerleading Mr. Brandon Knight 2161 McCullough Blvd. Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 610-7427 www.southernheatallstars.com Dance & Cheer Studios

Mitchell & Cunningham, PC Ms. Kim Bowling 112 N Broadway Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 407-0408 www.nemsbankruptcy.com Attorneys

Plantersville Family Medical Clinic Ms. Debra Hill 2464 Main St. Plantersville, MS 38862 (662) 842-4877 Health Care

Special Occasions by Denise Ms. Denise Kennedy-Brown 126 Rd 133 Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 401-0209 Event Planning State Farm Insurance – Robert Gaines Mr. Robert Gaines 922 S Gloster St. Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 844-2100 www.statefarm.com Insurance

Scott Reed Eddie Richey Drew Robertson Ty Robinson Chris Rogers David Rumbarger Barry Smith Bobby Smith Jane Spain Gary Sparkman Buddy Stubbs Kiyoshi Tsuchiya Jimmy Weeks Dick White Tollie White

Third Union Finance, Inc. Mr. Jonathan Strange 618 N Gloster St. Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 620-6312 www.thirdunion.com Financial Thomas Street Coffee Mr. Greg Sanders 161 S Coley Rd. Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 401-5797 www.thomasstreet coffee.com Restaurants & Catering Weezie’s Deli and Gifts Ms. Vivian Lee 2230 Rabbit Dr., Ste. 1500 Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 841-5115 www.weeziesdeli.com Restaurants & Catering

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TUPELO AVIATION UNLIMITED

Tupelo Aviation Unlimited held a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil its completed renovation. The renovation was completed in five months and includes a new lobby, conference room, and pilot’s lounge. Tupelo Aviation Unlimited is located at 105 Lemons Dr. in Tupelo and on the web at www.flytupelo.com.

EAST MAIN FAMILY MEDICAL CLINIC

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2013-2014 Ambassadors Club Don Arthur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mutual of Omaha Jesse Bandre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exceed Technologies Betty Baxter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bishop's BBQ Grill Belinda Brooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heartland Payment Systems N MS Stephanie Browning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hampton Inn & Suites Tupelo/Barnes Crossing Cindy Childs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mall at Barnes Crossing Matt Conway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gum Tree Mortgage Shirley Curry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crye-Leike, Realtors Sheila Davis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PPI, Inc. Barbara Doles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trustmark National Bank Demetria Donelson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hannahouse ADC Becki Duffie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kelly Services Romanda Fears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hampton Inn & Suites Tupelo/Barnes Crossing M. O. Harris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Water Depot of Tupelo Toby Hedges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shelter Insurance Jim Jolly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Dana Lewis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crye-Leike, Realtors Bea Luckett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TRI, Inc. Realtors Brad McCully. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sportsman Lawn & Landscape Katie McMillan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Key Staff Source Holley Meriweather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Community Bank Leigh Monroe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M'Prints Carolyn Moss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Quality Inn Ricky Orr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M&F Bank Allen Pegues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Premium Productions Mendy Ramey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Renasant Bank Torrie Robertson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scruggs Lawn Care Connie Snell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New Beginnings Mary Sue Tudor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lamar Advertising Lisa Wadley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sylvan Learning Center Ross Weems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BancorpSouth Stephanie West. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Best Western Plus Grady Wigginton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Legal Shield - Grady Wigginton & Associates June Wigginton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Legal Shield - Grady Wigginton & Associates

AMBASSADOR OF THE MONTH

A ribbon cutting was held to celebrate the grand opening of East Main Family Medical Clinic. Located at 1424 E Main St. in Tupelo, East Main Family Medical Clinic provides knowledgeable and reliable services for all of your family’s health care needs. They can be contacted at (662) 350-3550.

November 5, 2013 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. BancorpSouth Center 375 E. Main St. Tupelo Register online by November 1 www.cdfms.org/events

Mary Sue Tudor, senior account executive with Lamar Advertising, was named Ambassador of the Month for July. Mary Sue attended 11 of 13 ribbon cuttings and events, mentored three CDF members, recruited three new members, and donated blood at the Mitchell Distributing Blood Drive. Congratulations, Mary Sue!

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

SEPTEMBER 2013

BUSINESS JOURNAL

SEPTEMBER 2013

SPORTCLIPS

MDN LASER ENGRAVING

In celebration of its grand opening, SportClips held a ribbon cutting ceremony. Located at 3982 N Gloster St. in Tupelo, SportClips specializes in quality haircuts for men and boys from stylists who stay up-to-date on hairstyle trends. They can be contacted at (662) 840-3030 or on the web at www.sportclips.com. Walk-ins welcome.

MDN Laser Engraving held a ribbon cutting ceremony in celebration of their grand opening. MDN Laser Engraving utilizes an advanced, state of the art laser system for custom graphic design and precision laser engraving. MDN Laser Engraving is located at 1223 Nelle St. in Tupelo and can be contacted at (662) 397-5799 or on the web at www.mdnlaserengraving.blogspot.com.

Does your business have exciting news to share? Contact Mallory Rutledge at mrutledge@cdfms.org or (662) 842-4521 to have it published in CDF’s monthly e-newsletter, Chamber Connection 2.0.

“Serving North Mississippi Since 1949”

Residential • Commercial • Industrial

B&B CONCRETE CO., INC. email@bbconcrete.com

130 N. Industrial Rd. • Tupelo, MS 38802 842-6312 • Dispatch: 842-6313 • Fax: 842-6327

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EXPRESS IT! EMBROIDERY

Express it! Embroidery held a ribbon cutting celebration on August 23. Express it! Embroidery is dedicated to providing high quality embroidery at a reasonable price, on time. They can be contacted at (662) 321-5201 and are located at 1908 W Main St. in Tupelo.

Are you interested in promoting your business with a ribbon cutting? Contact Emily Addison at (662) 842-4521 or eaddison@cdfms.org.

IN EDUCATION Will Lewis, AIA, Principal 105 Court Street, Tupelo 662 844 1822 www.jbhm.com

Close the deal at Park Heights.

A business meeting like no other! Private rooms available 335 East Main Street Fairpark District | Historic Downtown Tupelo Lunch: M-F 11am-2pm | Dinner: M-S 5:30-10pm 662-842-5665

www.parkheightsrestaurant.com

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CHAMBER CONNECTION

SEPTEMBER 2013

CHAMBER CONNECTION

SEPTEMBER 2013

GIRL SCOUTS HEART OF THE SOUTH

An employee at Prime Hospitality finishes a chair. Below, another Prime Hospitality employee cuts and sews.

Prime Hospitality Group opens on Air Park Prime Hospitality Group, Tupelo/Lee County’s newest furniture manufacturer, located on Air Park Road, opened its doors for business in late 2012. They specialize in hotel case goods and upholstered furniture. Headquartered in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, Prime Hospitality offers affordable, quality furniture engineered to stand the test of time in any hotel environment. They pride themselves on three foundations - top quality, unmatchable service, and reasonable prices. The Tupelo plant currently employs 17 workers and is managed by Tom Gilmer. Gilmer brings over 25 years of furniture manufacturing experience to Prime Hospitality and was

highly influential in their corporate office’s decision to locate in Tupelo. Stated Gilmer, “Prime Hospitality is excited to be a part of Tupelo. We are close to many of our vendors and the area offers a highly experienced and stable work force with a great work ethic." Prime Hospitality’s clients have included Choice and Hilton Hotel Groups, Best Western, among many others. Although they have not yet supplied any local hotels, Prime Hospitality looks forward to partnering with area hotels in the future. For more information about Prime Hospitality Group visit them on the web at www.prime hospitalitygroup.com.

In celebration of their new location at 1140 W Main St. in Tupelo, Girl Scouts Heart of the South held a ribbon cutting ceremony. Girl Scouts Heart of the South covers 59 counties in North Mississippi and West Tennessee and offers girls and young women the world’s premier personal growth and leadership development experience. Visit them on the web at www.girlscoutshs.org or call (662) 844-7577.

COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS FISH FRY

The Council of Governments (COG) annual fish fry was held at the Lee County Agri-Center. COG, founded in 1969, builds relationships and rapport through communication and cooperation among governmental entities. COG’s governing body includes the mayors from each of the nine municipalities in Lee County.

Business Roundtable Wednesday, September 25 4:00 p.m. 398 E Main St. CDF Center CDF Boardroom For more information or to appear on the agenda, contact Karen Geddie at (662) 842-4521 or kgeddie@cdfms.org.

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CHAMBER CONNECTION

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Thursday, September 19 5:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6:30 p.m. Rooftop at Park Heights Restaurant 335 E. Main St. Sponsored by

In celebration of its new CDF membership, Rebel Auto Sales held a ribbon cutting ceremony. Located at 2484 S Green St. in Tupelo, Rebel Auto Sales specializes in used car sales. They can be contacted at (662) 680-9657.

Free for CDF members, $5 for non-members Register online by November 1 www.cdfms.org/events

New CDF members and new employees of current CDF member businesses are cordially invited to:

New Member Networking Thursday, September 19 4:00 p.m. CDF Boardroom 398 E. Main St. CDF Center CDF Boardroom Come network with other new CDF members and learn how you can get involved with your Chamber of Commerce. Please RSVP by registering at www.cdfms.org/events or call (662) 842-4521. Business After Hours will immediately follow on the rooftop of Park Heights.

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SEPTEMBER 2013

CHAMBER CONNECTION

SEPTEMBER 2013

37th Annual Industry Education Day The 37th Annual Industry Education (I-E) Day event was held Thursday, August 1. The purpose of I-E Day is to bring together area educators and industrialists, to promote cooperation and collaboration, to enhance job opportunities for future employees, and to improve the overall economic climate of the region. I-E Day is considered to be an in-service training for participating teachers and is sponsored by area industries. This year, Lee County Schools and Tupelo Public School District teachers and administrators from grades 6 – 12 attended a program at the Furniture Market Building Five. Speakers included Mr. Mike Eaton, President, Itawamba Community College and Ms. Jackie Hogan, General Manager, Human Resources, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi, Inc. Teachers also received a K – 12 workforce development overview and were awarded various door prizes. Following the program, teachers then had the opportunity to tour various Lee County Industries. Thanks to our sponsors: BlueCross BlueShield of MS; BNSF Railway; Magnolia Business Centre’; Custom Engineered Wheels; NEW – an Asurion Co.; Omega Motion; Style-Line Furniture, Inc.; B&B Concrete; Community Bank; HoneyBaked Ham & Café; Hunter Douglas Metals & Distribution; Jesco, Inc.; Kimes & Stone Construction; MTD Products; Tupelo Small Animal Hospital; Dossett Big 4 Buick

Teachers from Tupelo High School toured North Mississippi Medical Center’s Central Sterile Processing facility in Tupelo. GMC Cadillac; Murphy Engineering, Inc.; Southern Diversified Industries; and State Beauty Supply. Thanks to our industry tour sponsors: Adlam Films, LLC; Advanced Innovations

East; Bauhaus USA Inc; FXI; General Atomics; Hawkeye Industries; Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company; H.M. Richards; Hunter Douglas Metals & Distribution; ICC Workforce Solutions Center;

Your Endangered Business

ICC Health Science Center; Martinrea Automotive Structures; MTD Products; North Mississippi Medical Center- Central Sterile Processing; Philips Lighting; RockTenn; and Tecumseh Products Company.

Have you checked your online membership listing lately? Please visit our online membership directory at www.tupelochamber.com, and check your membership lising for accuracy. Contact us at (662) 842-4521 or zhereford@cdfms.org to update your information.

Top Five Dangerous Threats Facing Business Today Presented by Jack Smalley, Director of HR Learning and Development for Express Employment Professionals Wednesday, September 11 11:45 – 1:00 p.m. 398 E. Main St. CDF Center, CDF Boardroom

$10 - CDF members | $20 - non-members Register online at www.cdfms.org/events