MBJ_Aug02_2013

August 2, 2013 • Vol. 35, No. 31 • $1 • 28 pages

DECISION TIME » Journeyman Austin presents Jackson with the latest convention center hotel offer

— Page 12

INSIDE

Back for 2014?

Sanderson Farms still thinking Page 10

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Introducing C Spire Business Solutions. C Spire has greatly expanded our portfolio of communications solutions for business to include Wireless, Phone and Internet. To ensure that you get the most out of this new portfolio of options, we have deployed dedicated teams who live and work near you so they can not only help

All trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners. Š2013 C Spire Business Solutions. All rights reserved.

you quickly, but also understand your business, your market and your challenges.

Save 10% on IP Voice Phone System when you sign up for Wireless.

Get Personalized. Contact your Client Account Executive or Assist for Business.

1-855-CSPIRE2 (277-4732) | cspirebusiness.com | assistforbusiness@cspire.com

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PERSONALIZED SOLUTIONS. PERSONAL SERVICE.

LAW AND ACCOUNTING

Butler Snow selected as Team of the Year finalist

LONDON — Butler Snow UK, LLP (Butler Snow) has been selected as a Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) North American Team of the Year finalist for the second consecutive year.

The winner will be announced at the STEP Private Client Awards on Sept. 18 at the Hilton Park Lane Hotel in London. “We are honored that our Tax Group has been selected as a STEP finalist,� said Donald Clark Jr., chairman, Butler Snow. “This Clark is a very distinguished list, and we appreciate and value this recognition.�

Butler Snow’s international tax practice delivers estate planning and wealth management advice for clients who reside outside of the U.S., but who have U.S. immigration status, U.S. family members, or U.S. investments.

Additionally, Butler Snow’s international tax practice assists non-U.S. and U.S.-based businesses in taxefficient structuring of their cross-border business operations. Among other jurisdictions, the firm has assisted clients with investments in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, Hong Kong, China and Singapore.

The whole process of restoring the building will take 12 to 18 months. He’s basing the timeline on his ongoing restoration of an old school building in New Orleans.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Bryant releases plan for Madison health care zone CANTON — In 2012, Gov. Phil Bryant released a strategic plan titled “Blueprint Mississippi Health Care: An Economic Driver.� This is a state-sponsored strategic plan to “expand the economic asset of healthcare� within the state. In order to effectively implement Blueprint Mississippi legislation was

needed. The Mississippi Health Care Industry Zone Act was signed into law by Bryant in 2012.

The legislation creates a business incentive program, known as the Mississippi Health Care Industry Zone Incentive Program, to encourage health care-related businesses to locate or expand within a qualified Health Care Zone in the state. The program is administered by the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) and is designed to provide incentives to qualified applicants of new healthcare related projects within the State of Mississippi. To qualify for assistance in this program, health care-related businesses must commit to creating at least 25 fulltime jobs and/or invest $10 million. Following the legislation, the Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC), an agency tasked with maintaining and creating

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Mississippi Business Journal

Vicksburg casino hotel sold to Gulf Coast developer

GULF COAST

Developer may turn BSL school into new hotel BAY ST. LOUIS — New Orleans developer Jim MacPhaille says it’s too early to say what the vintage Second Street Elementary School will become when he takes ownership in early August.

Based on conversations with neighbors and city officials, he guesses the property likely will be turned into a hotel. With offices and shops. And maybe a fine dining restaurant and a theater.

But before anything is decided, he’s got to make sure the neighbors and the city are on board with the plans. “Every time I’m in town I’m asking people, what would you like to see? Nobody says apartments. They say condos or a hotel.�

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affordable housing, added at the request of the Governor additional selection points to projects located within a Health Care Industry Zone with an approved master plan. “Health Care Zone Master Plans are financed by capital brought to the table by private developers as a result of criteria set up by the Governor’s Office and the Mississippi Home Corporation. Given that AICP certified planners with experience in Mississippi were required to create them, these plans represent a true public private partnership. Heath Care Zone Master Plans will be a blue print for communities to follow and will be a tool for economic development,� said Tray Hairston, counsel and policy advisor to Bryant. — staff and MBJ wire services

GAMING

VICKSBURG — The former Grand Station Hotel, closed since gambling ceased at Vicksburg’s waterfront when a casino left 16 months ago, has been sold to a Gulf Coast developer.

Vicksburg Hotel, LLC, a Biloxi-based entity led by businessman Charles Lambert, purchased the 117-room hotel this month from Great Southern Investment Group Inc., according to land transaction records.

The Vicksburg Post reports that the deal that includes two parking garages that once accommodated casino patrons.

Lambert says talks will start this week on the new ownership’s choice of a hotel brand for the property.

Built in 1993 by Harrah’s, the hotel has sat vacant and locked until cleanup crews arrived Friday.

The casino was sold three times between 1993 and 2009 before it closed in 2012 amid bankruptcy proceedings. The casino barge was sold earlier this year at auction and is being disassembled.

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August 2, 2013

TECHNOLOGY Q&A

Point of Vu

» Ridgeland-based Vu Digital gives media content, websites a personal touch

By STEPHEN McDILL I STAFF WRITER stephen.mcdill@msbusiness.com

Vu Digital founder Wade Smith grew up in Louise and after college and law school at the University of Mississippi briefly practiced corporate and securities law in Jackson before starting at C Spire Wireless as a consumer technology manager.

With an eye for customer needs and interests as well as trending technology in the rapidly evolving world of tele com munications, Smith rose in the C Spire ranks from director of Smith product development to vice-president of product and innovation.

As a co-founder and vice-president of operations and development for C Spire subsidiary Vu Digital, LLC, Smith is now leading the charge on personalized content, the idea that whether they are using a smartphone or browsing a website, customers should have easy access to all things digital that interest them.

Whether its sports, fashion, Facebook or the top headlines of the day, Vu (pronounced “view”) can personalize a website or organize and drive specific content to the customer’s device where its ready for them the next time they power up.

Q: Where did the idea for Vu Digital come from?

A: (C Spire Wireless) came to a realization that we were in a mature industry, a mature business cycle. Cellular penetration is at 100 percent, which puts us in a position of swapping customers with the other carriers. We’re a very healthy company — still experiencing growth just not at a rate that we were years ago. We decided to embark on somewhat of a startup.

Q: Where did the name Vu come from?

A: It’s a play on “your view of things.”

Vu (pronounced “view”) can personalize a web site or organize and drive specific content to the customer’s device where its ready for them the next time they power up

HOW VU DIGITAL WORKS ON SMARTPHONES Vu Digital is being tested in the mobile market and is available for smartphone users through both the Apple iTunes and Google Play mobile application stores. » New users can create a free account or connect using Facebook or Twitter. » The menu is divided into folder tabs like Recommended Reading, Trending on Vu, Favorites and My Topics. » Users have the option to scroll down and read recently posted articles and blogs or click and read the original posting. » Most importantly, users can rate and share the story including their personal reaction to it (feedback ranges from “Cool” to “Yikes.”)

Q: How does it work?

A: What Vu is, is a cloud-based digital profiling and analytics system. What we can do is take a consumer and distill that consumer’s content consumption history into certain interests or topics. We can use those topics and interests to deliver different kinds of recommendations. We can deliver something that you’re looking for without search from anywhere on the web and we do that using predictive analytics or we can discover things for you’re interested in but maybe weren’t aware were out there. We can take — using comparative analytics — someone similar who has all the same interests that you have but they’re looking at things that maybe you’re not on the Web and we can deliver those to you, as well.

Q: I know you’ve got Google Analytics and Facebook so has this kind of technology been tried before by other companies?

A: If you think of Google and Google Analytics… you tell them what you are looking for and

they do an excellent job of finding it for you.

We attempt to bring things to you without search necessarily.

Q: So it would be similar to a Facebook advertisement? You have certain things on your profile and they know that so they kind of feed you ads based on your tastes and preferences.

A: I think that’s a great example of one manifestation of how we could do it. We actually use Facebook Connect in a lot of our technologies. We can take what Facebook knows about you and what we know and combine that all to make sure you get very personal recommendations.

Q: Security and privacy are two big consumer concerns right now. How does Vu fit into the conversation?

A: Vu is certified by TRUSTe. The TRUSTe Certified Privacy Seal is awarded to certain businesses who successfully complete a privacy assessment and audit and implement the required changes, if any. In addition, Vu promotes transparency of profile data.

Q: Tell me about the app version.

A: It’s a very simple application, more of a test of the technology. It very simply recommends content that we know and understand that you’re interested in. Right now we are at about 130,000 downloads combined. We have projections to hit a million by the end of the year.

We’ll be releasing an iPad and Google tablet version in the coming weeks. We were featured

by Apple as New and Noteworthy App in eight different countries. We were also featured as an Editor’s Choice.

Q: Personalized wireless is kind of the cornerstone of the C Spire brand so how is Vu going to be a part of that?

A: We’re a 100 percent held subsidiary of C Spire so obviously there’s a close relationship, we’re an affiliate company we call ourselves.

We cut our teeth on personalization as a technology and delivery of personalization as a consumer service before it became a big buzzword in the digital space. We felt like we were just a little ahead of the curve. We began to ask ourselves, “What else can we do with personalization?” Our knowledge of analytics and personal profiles and how to deliver a personal experience, that’s where Vu comes into play.

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4 ■ Mississippi Business Journal ■ August 2, 2013

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OLD PHONE COMPANY TECHNOLOGY IS SLOWING YOU DOWN.

200 North Congress, Suite 400 Jackson, MS 39201-1902 Main: (601) 364-1000; Toll Free: 1-800-283-4625 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 August 2, 2013 Volume 35, Number 31

ALAN TURNER Publisher alan.turner@msbusiness.com • 364-1021 ROSS REILY Editor ross.reily@msbusiness.com • 364-1018 WALLY NORTHWAY Senior Writer wally.northway@msbusiness.com • 364-1016 FRANK BROWN Staff Writer/Special Projects frank.brown@msbusiness.com • 364-1022 TED CARTER Staff Writer ted.carter@msbusiness.com • 364-1017 CLAY CHANDLER Staff Writer clay.chandler@msbusiness.com • 364-1015 STEPHEN MCDILL Staff Writer stephen.mcdill@msbusiness.com • 364-1041 TAMI JONES Advertising Director tami.jones@msbusiness.com • 364-1011

MBJPERSPECTIVE

August 2, 2013 • www.msbusiness.com • Page 6

OTHER VIEWS

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THE NEED FOR ANNUAL AUDITS

tacy Pickering has perhaps offered the most clear and effective arguments yet for why they are necessary in protecting the taxpayers against the kind of mismanagement that has been discovered at the state Department of Marine Resources.

Pickering, our state auditor, addressing the Ocean Springs Rotary this week, was asked about the ongoing state and federal investigations of the DMR. ...

It is inconceivable that “a culture of complacency” could grow into “a culture of corruption” if public officials and public employees knew their actions would be scrutinized each and every year.

Pickering says he does not have the budget to audit every public agency every year.

There is a simple solution to that.

The Legislature should require every agency of state government to pay for an annual audit out of its own budget.

Cities and counties now do that.

Why shouldn’t all other public entities?

Pickering’s limited budget could then be spent on reviewing those audits and zeroing in on any suspicious use of public funds, resources or assets.

Not that identifying waste, fraud and abuse is the only purpose of an audit.

Audits can also serve to enhance an

» CHUCK MCINTOSH

— The (Biloxi) Sun Herald

» TRANSPORTATIOMN

MDOT sees good roads as economic engine

MELISSA KILLINGSWORTH Sr. Account Executive melissa.harrison@msbusiness.com • 364-1030

ASHLEY VARNES Account Executive ashley.varnes@msbusiness.com • 364-1013

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VIRGINIA HODGES Account Executive virginia.hodges@msbusiness.com • 364-1012 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.: Clay Foster, president and chief executive officer.

Entire contents copyrighted © 2013 by Journal Inc. All rights reserved.

agency’s accountability and efficiency, thereby better serving taxpayers. That was certainly one of the positive aspects of the U.S. Interior Department’s recent audit of a federal program administered by the DMR. Pickering said he and his staff are now working with DMR “to get their financial house in order, as well as working on the investigation.”

How much better it would have been if the state Auditor’s Office — under both Bryant and Pickering — had shown such interest in the DMR years ago.

» HOW TO WRITE Letters to the editor are one of the most widely read features of the Mississippi Business Journal, and they give everyone a chance to voice their opinions about current affairs. We’re interested in what you think and we welcome Letters to the Editor for publication. Here are the guidelines: >> Letters should not exceed 300 words in length as a general rule. >> All letters must bear the writer’s address and telephone number. Street addresses and telephone numbers will not be published, but may be used for verification purposes. Letters may not appear without the author’s name. >> Form letters, thank you letters and letters to third parties generally are not acceptable. >> Letters must be typed or e-mailed. >> Letters must conform to good taste, not be libelous and not involve personal attacks on other persons.

>> All letters are subject to editing, and become the property of the Mississippi Business Journal. >> Letters can be sent to The Editor, The Mississippi Business Journal, 200 North Congress, Suite 400, Jackson, MS 39201, delivered to the newspaper during regular business hours or e-mailed to editor@msbusiness.com. They may also be faxed to Ross Reily at (601)-364-1007.

» CORRECTIONS The Mississippi Business Journal takes seriously its responsibility to provide accurate information, and will correct or clarify articles produced by the editorial department if we have made an error or published misleading information. The correction will be placed in the perspective section.

If you see inaccuracies in Mississippi Business Journal news stories, please report the mistake via email at editor@msbusiness.com.

he Mississippi Department of Transportation is dealing with its maintenance crisis the only way it can — shifting money away from new construction to the upkeep of more than 27,000 lane-miles.

MDOT leaders said roads improved through its 1987 road program are now as old as 25 years and are breaking down.

The dilemmas facing MDOT and the three-member elected Transportation Commission are that the cost of asphalt has tripled over recent years and fuel taxes haven’t produced enough money for new construction and maintenance needs.

The three transportation commissioners say they have done the only thing they can — shift construction money to maintenance and hope for the best.

A task force of lawmakers, business leaders and others created by the state Senate to look at highway needs. It will hit the road this fall to hear from the public. The task force expects to have a report completed for the 2014 Legislature.

The task force has found that $400 million is needed annually to maintain Mississippi highways, but only $150 million was being spent. Also while the need to maintain roads grows, the development of more efficient vehicles has depressed Mississippi’s consumption driven motor fuel taxes.

“I comment the Senate for creating the task force ... some people over there realized they need to look at the problem. Realistically, I don’t know of anything that will come out of it,” said Central District Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall.

Hall has advocated an increase in the fuel tax to bolster both the construction and maintenance budgSee ROADS, Page 8

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A member of the Mississippi Press Association and the Alliance of Area Business Publications www.mspress.org www.bizpubs.org

August 2, 2013 ■ Mississippi Business Journal

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» RICKY NOBILE » MIND OVER MONEY

Smartest business people know when to call it quits

T

he hardest thing to do in business is give up. When you have breathed life into an idea; when you have poured your heart and soul into it; when you still believe the idea has life, it is gut-wrenching to close the doors and walk away.

Most small businesses never make it. More than three quarters fail the first year. Only about half are still in business after five years. The odds are against anyone trying to start a business. Yet, every day, would-be entrepreneurs step out Nancy Anderson on faith. Why do we do it?

»FINANCIAL TIMES

O

As the taxes turn

ne of the notable changes in 21st century living is the decline of that classic daytime TV staple: The soap opera. While a few still hold on, many such as “As the World Turns” and “The Guiding Light” have gone the way of the dinosaur. These were longtime favorites of viewers and advertisers, but they are no more.

This scenario can be contrasted with the continually intriguing soap opera that is playing out in the nation’s capital.

With its combination of characters and subplots, it is all the rage — and nowhere near dead. Defense of marriage, employer mandate and social welfare — these are the current storylines. The Supreme Court, IRS and Congress — these are the usual actors.

First, the Supreme Court (by a 5-4 majority) struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that defined marriage as between a man and a woman for federal law purposes.

While there are many tax implications to this ruling, they are more easily applied in states that allow same-sex marriage.

Those include California (after another 5-4 Supreme Court decision), Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington, as well as the District of Columbia.

In these states, it is clear that same-sex married couples can now file joint returns. They also get such tax benefits as an unlimited estate tax marital deduction, portability of unused estate and gift tax exemptions to a surviving spouse and gift splitting.

Spouses will be eligible for tax free employer health coverage, survivor and death benefits under retirement plans and favorable withdrawal rules from such plans, among other items.

But, what about states that define marriage in the traditional sense, like Mississippi?

Here’s where the drama comes in: The IRS has announced that they will be issuing broad-based pronouncements on the John Scott DOMA decision soon. Marriage is defined at the state law level, so it would seem logical that state law should be respected in this instance.

Stay tuned.

Our next plot twist revolves around the employer mandate in health care reform. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was passed and signed into law in March 2010. Most of the major provisions were set to be effective January 1, 2014. This allowed more than three-and-a-half years for the IRS and other agencies to write rules implementing the act.

Just recently, the federal government announced a one-year delay until 2015 for some of the provisions. Most significantly, employer shared responsibility payments were deferred. This employer mandate required employers with at least 50 fulltime employees to provide affordable health insurance with minimum essential coverage, as defined. Those who did not were subject to an additional tax of $2,000 or more per year per uncovered employee.

While the explanation was that this delay would help employers, the fact is that many of the rules have still not been written, or have been deemed unworkable and need to be rewritten.

Also, while the employer mandate was deferred, the individual mandate requiring people to have health insurance coverage (or pay a penalty) was not deferred and is still effective for 2014.

This obvious inconsistency, along with the fact that ConSee SCOTT, Page 8

I’ve run my own small business for 20 years. Those first days of business creation are heady. The possibilities seem limitless, even though you recognize your capital is not. The notion of being your own boss is appealing, but most people forget the work and responsibility that come with the undertaking.

And there are no guaranteed paychecks. You eat what you kill, and when times are tough, you go hungry. But when you finally turn the corner, it’s an amazing feeling knowing you can feed yourself through your own efforts. Knowing you can do that for other people in your employ is gratifying.

But the odds are against you. The smartest business people know when to call it quits. They know it’s not personal. They know emotion really has no place in business. It’s all about the numbers, and if they’re not there, rational people walk away. They walk away before they’ve sunk their life savings into a losing proposition. They walk away while they still have the energy to try something else. They walk away with their heads held high.

Success for any small business is a combination of timing, luck and sweat. A shortage in any of these areas can lead to failure.

Recognize when it’s time to hang it up, and you just might retain the ability to try again at another time.

» It’s all about the numbers, and if they’re not there, rational people walk away. They walk away before they’ve sunk their life savings into a losing proposition. They walk away while they still have the energy to try something else. They walk away with their heads held high.

Nancy Lottridge Anderson, Ph.D., CFA, is president of New Perspectives Inc. in Ridgeland — (601) 991-3158. She is also an assistant professor of finance at Mississippi College.

Her e-mail address is nanderson@newper.com, and her website is www.newper.com.

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PERSPECTIVE

PERSPECTIVE

»FROM THE GROUND UP

ROADS

Using options to assemble properties

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ne of the biggest challenges facing economic developers and real estate developers in general is assembling a collection of small parcels of land for the purpose of offering a large site for development. One of the more common ways to accomplish that is the use of options on real estate.

Options are becoming more important as sites needed for projects are becoming larger. The term “megasite” is being heard more and more in economic development circles. For a community to attract a large project such as a manufacturing or distribution center it must be able to offer or have available a parcel of real estate that meets the needs of the project. It is not unusual, for example, for an automotive assembly operation to require hundreds of acres available for development. There is even such a thing as “certified megasites.” McCallum Sweeney Consulting, one of the nation’s premier site selection companies, has a service whereby it certifies megasites that meet certain conditions. Generally, such sites will contain a minimum of 1,000 acres, completed environmental and geotechnical testing; a plentiful labor supply in the area; and an acceptable infrastructure development plan. These megasites will also be in good proximity to interstate highways, railways, and suppliers.

Assembling such a site can be a daunting task for even the most seasoned economic developer. Doing so will involve the outright purchase or using options to gain control of the properties to be ready when the project might materialize. Thus, understanding options is critical to the work of economic developers.

An option on real estate is a contract to purchase the right for a certain time to purchase property at a stated price. Note that an option is the right, but not the obligation, to buy. For example, a party may pay an owner $1,000 for the right to purchase the owner’s property for $250,000 for a period of 60 days.

Options offer the opportunity to hold, or control, a parcel of real estate for a designated period of time. For the economic developer, options are a way to show a prospect that the land for the project is available. A danger for the economic developer is that the option may expire before the project has been landed, so to speak, but that the owner has learned of the project and will increase the price of a new option, or not even consider another option in the hopes of making more money off the sale of the land. Many an economic development entity has paid top dollar for real estate after word of the project leaked out and the owner raised the price to the point of coercion. On the other hand, many an economic development entity has paid for options only to have them expire with no resulting project for the land.

Options are the right to purchase property, not an obligation.

When the option expires, the purchaser does not receive a re-

fund because he purchased a right, not a contingency. That leads to another way to control the real estate — the use of a purchase contract with a contingency clause.

For example, instead of an option, the purchaser makes an offer to purchase the property for a certain price contingent on landing a certain project for the property. If Phil Hardwick the project effort is not successful then the contract expires, or is declared void, because the contingency is not met. The purchaser is not required to purchase the property and will receive a refund of any earnest money deposited.

Speaking of earnest money, it is evidence of a purchaser’s good faith intent to go through with the transaction. It is not the same as an option payment. Also, an option is not a down payment although it is common for the option payment to be applied to the sales price in the event that the property is purchased.

Options also offer advantages and disadvantages for the owner of the property. Up to now it sounds like only the person buying the option has all the cards. Are there advantages for the owner? The first advantage is that the owner receives something of value in return for giving an option to another person even if the property is not purchased.

An option may also aid in the eventual marketing and sale of the property by illustrating that there is interest in the property. The most obvious disadvantage is that the property is off the market.

If another buyer comes along who is will to pay more, the option will need to be dealt with.

While the above items are important to a successful development project, even more important for the developer is the assembling of the necessary projects to gain control of a megasite or even a smaller site. That can be a daunting task when several parcels are needed to create one large site. Issues of all types may arise. Owners may contact each other and cause problems for the developer. Even when options are obtained, there may other issues with the real estate, such as liens, environmental problems, etc. Titles searches may reveal ownership problems. Even with all of the possible issues, options are a useful tool for economic developers and real estate developers to create projects that improve a community.

This column merely highlighted some of the aspects of real estate options. It is not intended to offer legal advice. An attorney familiar with real estate options should be consulted before entering into any real estate option contract.

» An option on real estate is a contract to purchase the right for a certain time to purchase property at a stated price.

SCOTT

Continued from Page 7

gress may need to legislatively approve any change to the 2015 effective date of the employer mandate, could lead to another round of court challenges.

Stay tuned.

Finally, a storyline came to light that the IRS had held up the tax-exempt status of certain “social welfare” organizations. These organizations are defined in the tax code as being exclusively for the promotion of social welfare. How-

Phil Hardwick is coordinator of capacity development at the John C. Stennis Institute of Government. Pease contact Hardwick at phil@philhardwick.com.

ever, IRS regulations have always applied a less stringent test by stating the “primary purpose” of the organization must be social welfare.

It now appears that a less generous interpretation was being used to evaluate a number of conservative-leaning organizations applying for tax-exempt status. The result has been congressional hearings, exploring questionable IRS spending and threatening large reductions to the IRS’ budget. That, in turn, would impact the IRS’ ability to write and enforce rules around DOMA and health care.

Continued from Page 6

ets at MDOT. The proposal has generally fallen on deaf ears.

Hall said the 1987 road program, funded with fuel taxes, made no provision for maintenance.

“We are going to build 1,000 miles of road with not a nickel to take care of it,” he said.

Hall said there are 27,156 lane-miles of highway and 4,630 of those miles are in serious need of rehabilitation. He said MDOT figures show the cost at around $960 million.

Southern District Commissioner Tom King and Hall agree the task force’s best work may be in educating the public about highway needs.

“The ‘87 program was a wonderful thing but you have to maintain what you build,” said King. “It’s a situation of educating everyone about our need for funding and our work to maintain this highway system. I think a lot of people will recognize that we need more money whether it is fuel taxes or some other avenue.

“It’s going to take a lot of working together and a determination to keep our highways safe — that’s our first priority.”

In Mississippi, drivers pay state and federal taxes of 37.2 cents per gallon of gasoline and 43.2 cents per gallon of diesel — among the lowest in the nation.

Mississippi’s excise tax is 18.8 cents per gallon on gasoline and diesel, with 0.4 cents going to an environmental protection fee. In coastal Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties, there is an additional 3-cents-pergallon seawall tax.

The federal tax is 18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline and 24.4 cents for diesel.

Northern District Commissioner Mike Tagert said he hopes the task force recognizes the highway system is one of the state’s economic engines. He said that includes keeping roads and bridges in shape to move raw materials and manufactured products through Mississippi.

“There is a true economic development impact if we have to restrict the movement of goods and services. Our objective is safety and keeping our highways and bridges open.

Not being able to do that restricts the ability of our local communities to recruit industry and jobs,” he said.

— The Associated Press

Are we seeing any pattern in this play? Stay tuned.

John Scott, CPA, is a tax partner at HORNE LLP and has more than 25 years of public accounting experience serving as a tax advisor to corporate, flow-through and individual clients. He has participated in providing valueadded tax services to clients including: tax compliance and planning, state and local tax restructuring, IRS practice, acquisition planning and structuring of transactions. John applies his specific knowledge of banking, manufacturing, agribusiness, retailing, real estate, telecommunications, and insurance to bring solutions to his clients.

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ENVIRONMENT Special to the Mississippi Business Journal

MMC Materials began its CNG project by converting the trucks at its 220 Plant in Jackson, but is already mulling plans to expand it to other facilities.

A green-green situation » MMC Materials fueling trucks with natural gas

BY WALLY NORTHWAY I STAFF WRITER wally.northway@msbusiness.com

The adjective to best describe a recently completed project of MMC Material Inc. is green. Company officials are not only aiming at boosting the environment, but also improving their bottom line while doing its part to reduce dependence on foreign oil.

The Ridgeland-based Ready Mix Concrete and construction materials provider announced last week the successful conversion of a dozen mixer trucks at its 220 Plant location in Jackson to burn natural gas.

“The primary reason we decided to convert the trucks to natural gas was environmental,” said Stanley Mangum, MMC Central Region vice president. “But, we also saw a chance to save on fuel costs, and are expecting to see a financial return on our investment. We knew we could use CNG that’s made right here at home, and given the price difference between natural gas and diesel, it adds up quick.”

Approximately a year-and-a-half ago, the concept of converting mixers to run on natural gas as opposed to diesel was introduced

by David Bosarge, MMC safety and environmental officer. With that, the company started researching, sending personnel to Florida to see an operation running natural gas-fueled garbage trucks. They also visited

a Ready Mix Concrete provider in Chicago that had converted to CNG. Liking what they found, the project got underway, the company partnering with Fontana, Calif.-based TruStar Energy to implement a portable fueling station (PFS).

MMC’s Kenworth fleet at the 220 Plant is now powered by the new CumminsWestport ISX 12-liter CNG engine. To get power comparable to that of a diesel-powered truck, MMC also installed new sixspeed automatic transmissions.

Mangum said the company has been

“We knew we could use CNG that’s made right here at home...”

Stanley Mangum Central Region VP

more than pleased with the conversion.

In addition to lower emissions, the reduced exhaust and noise of the CNG-burning engine compared to diesel, coupled with the new automatic transmission, has been welcomed by drivers, providing a cleaner, safer “workplace.”

And, the reduced fuel costs are expected to offset the cost of the project in approximately five years. With the operational life of a truck at seven to nine years, Mangum said the model is attractive financially.

With nearly two-dozen operations/affiliates and 320 mixer trucks scattered across Mississippi and into Louisiana and Tennessee, MMC has already started looking at converting trucks at other locations, boosted by the flexibility of the portable fuel system.

“We designed and built the PFS for exactly these types of fleets,” said TruStar Energy vice president Scott Edelbach in a statement. “We knew that some fleet owners needed a portable fueling solution that offered compressor redundancy for reliability, but also a system that was appropriately sized for smaller operations.”

Mangum said the project could lead to an entirely new business for MMC. “We are discussing the possibility of opening up the fueling station to the public,” Mangum said. “A Ready Mix operation in Chicago is already doing that.”

Founded back in 1927 with a single plant in Jackson, today MMC serves the commercial, industrial, residential and highway markets.

For more on MMC Materials, visit www.mmcmaterials.com.

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August 2, 2013

AUTOMOTIVE

PGA TOUR

Nissan breaks bond-funded ground on supplier park

By CLAY CHANDLER I STAFF WRITER clay.chandler@msbusiness.com

(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Tim Petrovic takes advantage of the ice water coolers to rest on the No. 8 tee, while waiting for the group ahead of him to play through during the pro-am for the Sanderson Farms Championship golf tournament, at Annandale Golf Club on Wednesday, July 17, 2013, in Madison, Miss.

SANDERSON FARMS STILL CONSIDERING RENEWING GOLF TOURNAMENT SPONSORSHIP Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital at Jackson’s University of Mississippi Medical Center.

“This is a new venture for us,” Cockrell said. “(The board) Deciding whether to pick up the three-year title sponsorship needs to get a feel for how the PR went. It was our first time option for the Sanderson Farms Championship was on the working with a big PR firm. It’s actually been amazing to me agenda for the Laurel poultry producer’s board of directors of how they track how many times we were mentioned meeting last week. whether on a sports or news broadcast, and how much The board didn’t make a decision, company treasurer and mentions like that would have cost in a traditional advertising CFO Mike Cockrell said, but the reviews were good. setting. They tracked all that, and the board will examine that “The reaction was what we anticipated,” he said in an very closely. We’ll report on that. As an aside, we need to interview Monday. “It was very positive and we think there’s a determine whether our customers enjoyed it, and whether lot that can be done.” we got the right bang for our buck. The rest of it is basically a Sanderson and the PGA Tour have a 30-day window to gut feeling. But I can tell you we had a really good experience renew the partnership. Sanderson stepped in last spring as a with all of it.” replacement for Viking Range Corp., which did not renew as Sanderson hired Jackson-based advertising and brand title sponsor after the 2011 tournament. The agreement was management firm The Cirlot Agency to track the number of only for this year’s tournament, which ended July 21. mentions Sanderson got on the various media outlets A consortium of medical providers served as sponsors for connected to the tournament. Quantifying that based on the 2012 True South Classic. Before that, the tournament, return to the company will be part of the decision to exercise played at Madison’s Annandale Golf Club, was known as the the option, Cockrell said. Expanding the tournament’s reach Viking Classic. beyond Metro Jackson is another priority, he added.

The 30-day window closes Aug. 20. Cockrell said “It really doesn’t get a lot of play beyond that area,” extending it would be a possibility, if the board is unable to Cockrell said. decide by then if Sanderson will exercise the three-year Tournament director Kathryn Satcher said officials were sponsorship option. able to do everything they wanted to do in the four Cockrell said discussions with the PGA will continue months they had to plan. “They were a great partner,” she into August. said of Sanderson.

“There may be a few things we want to tweak,” he said.

Satcher said right after the tournament ended the final “But anything we do has to be consistent with what the PGA numbers were still being calculated, but that attendance wants. The board met, everything was positive, they enjoyed exceeded last year’s tournament. She attributed that to the experience, and discussions are going to continue.” most of the hospitality tents and events being located The Sanderson banner draped around the golf tournament around the 18th hole, instead of being spread across represents the company’s first entry into widespread Annandale like years past. marketing, Cockrell said. One of the primary reasons the “That concentrated the energy in one place, and people company signed on as title sponsor was to continue the really responded,” Satcher said. tournament’s Birdies for Charity program, which benefits the

By CLAY CHANDLER I STAFF WRITER clay.chandler@msbusiness.com

Nissan announced Tuesday that it will build a supplier park in Canton.

It was the result of a bond package passed during the last legislative session.

The park is expected to create a total of 800 jobs – 400 each at the park and at the existing manufacturing facility.

The supplier park will be the first of its kind for Nissan in North America.

Construction of a more than 1 million square-foot integrated logistics center off Nissan Parkway and infrastructure improvements to an existing supplier logistics center at the Canton plant will accommodate future supplier operations.

“Today, we begin an exciting new chapter in Mississippi as we continue our localization and investment efforts in the United States,” Nissan vice president for total delivered cost Dan Bednarzyk said in a company press release. “Today’s groundbreaking supports our efforts to bring more Nissan cars and trucks to our plant in Mississippi, and means more Mississippi jobs. Additionally, the supplier park will help make us more globally competitive in our Canton, Miss., plant.”

Lawmakers approved in the session that ended in April a $100 million bond package for the park. The Madison County Economic Development Authority will issue the bonds; debt service will be paid by lease revenue generated by the park’s tenants. Though it was generally known the bond package would benefit Nissan, lawmakers were not told the specifics of a project. That led some to balk at passing the legislation, though it eventually cleared both chambers with only one no vote.

The Mississippi Development Authority provided assistance in support of the integrated logistics center for site preparation and infrastructure. To assist with the renovation of the supplier logistics center, MDA provided assistance for building upgrades, modifications and worker training.

“In the 10 years since it began operations, Nissan has become the cornerstone for Mississippi’s automotive industry and has created a model for manufacturing in our state today,” said MDA executive director Brent Christensen. “It is a big part of our mission to assist great companies such as Nissan as they grow and create job opportunities for Mississippi’s residents, and we thank our partners in Madison County who worked with us to help make this project possible.”

The MCEDA will own the buildings in the 1 million square foot supplier park. MDA officials said while the legislation was making its way through the Capitol that while MCEDA would issue the bonds, Nissan would be on the hook as far as repaying them. Unlike general obligation bonds, taxpayers would not be on the hook. Creditors can seek repayment only from Nissan, MDA chief financial officer Kathy Gelston told lawmakers in March.

Nissan employs more than 5,600 people at the Canton plant. The company first announced plans to construct the manufacturing plant in 2000, and started began production in 2003. The facility has built more than 2.3 million vehicles, with current production of the awardwinning Altima, Sentra compact sedan, Armada full-size SUV, Xterra mid-size SUV, Titan and Frontier pickup trucks and NV full-size commercial cargo and passenger vans.

Nissan’s crossover model, the Murano, will become the ninth vehicle produced at the Canton plant beginning in 2014.

“...an exciting new chapter...“

Dan Bednarzyk

Vice president for total delivered cost

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RESTAURANT

Shopping for Italian

WALLY NORTHWAY / MBJ

Patrons have come to expect two things when they come in Billy’s Italian Restaurant — a tasty dish and Billy Lieberman at the oven.

» Billy’s finds success in outlet mall

BY WALLY NORTHWAY I STAFF WRITER wally.northway@msbusiness.com

Many people discover Billy’s Italian Restaurant not with their eyes, but rather with their nose. After all, who expects to see a fine Italian eatery in an outlet mall anyway?

But, for the last 12 years now Billy’s Italian Restaurant has been filling the air with delicious aromas at the Outlets at Vicksburg, the patrons enjoying the interaction with the indomitable Billy Lieberman, the throwback atmosphere as

well as the cuisine.

“I had doubts that moving to the outlet mall was going to work,” Lieberman admitted. “It has far surpassed any of my expectations.”

One thing Lieberman had when he launched Billy’s Italian Restaurant was experience. A native of Washington, D.C., he had a childhood Italian friend whose father owned a restaurant. Lieberman began working there, loved the work (Billy’s Italian Restaurant’s atmosphere and cuisine is largely based off this D.C. eatery) and eventually opened his own Italian restaurant in Washington called Lebo’s in 1976.

In the mid-1980s after approximately a decade of cook-

ing, Lieberman got out of the restaurant business and entered the casino industry. From 1986-2001, he worked in gaming, first in Las Vegas, then Natchez and Vicksburg.

But, his “restaurant roots” ran deep, and in June 2001 opened Billy’s Italian Restaurant.

While establishing a restaurant in an outlet mall seems at least risky if not foolhardy, Lieberman has enjoyed some advantages. For instance, there is no competition, and a high volume of foot traffic passes by the restaurant’s door every day, augmenting his local, regular patrons with shoppers and out-of-towners who just stumble onto the eatery.

With no signage other than a small Billy’s Italian Restaurant transparency on the door shared by the mall office and the most simple of web sites, Lieberman proudly states that his restaurant today grosses more sales per square foot than any other tenant in the Outlets at Vicksburg.

The restaurant’s menu includes appetizers, salads, pasta creations, poboys, New York style and specialty pizzas. Most entrees are less than $10 except some combos that can easily feed two.

Asked about his key to success of the restaurant that employs eight workers, Lieberman said, “I am here every day.

The people come in might not like me, but they want to see I’m cooking their food.”

Feeding off a seemingly inexhaustible energy, Lieberman is a blur, working the ovens and answering the phone, but he also takes a minute to walk out and interact with his patrons.

“That’s the only way I know to be successful,” Lieberman said. “I have gotten to know people, friends, many of whom now have children and I’m getting to know them, too.”

As far as future plans go, Lieberman said he just plans on continuing to work hard and concentrate on his mallbased restaurant.

“I’ve had people ask me if I am interested in franchising,” he said. “I’m 59 years old. If I was 29, maybe…”

Billy Italian Restaurant’s is located in Suite 112B in Outlets at Vicksburg. Its hours of operations are Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; and, Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

For more information on Billy’s Italian Restaurant, call (601) 661-0707 or visit www. billysitalianrestaurant.com.

TACTICAL RIFLE MAKER TALON TO OPEN OPERATIONS IN RIDGELAND

By TED CARTER I STAFF WRITER ted.carter@msbusiness.com

Mississippi lawmakers aiming to make the state a mecca for production of firearms and firearms accessories notched their first success last Friday with an announcement that startup TALON Ordnance will begin manufacturing an AR-15-style semi-automatic sporting rifle in Ridgeland.

TALON’s startup coincides with a huge upswing in demand for rifles in the AR-15 platform, whose design emulates the fully automatic assault-style rifle used by the military and law enforcement agencies. Nationwide, demand for the AR-15 has outstripped supply, causing many retail buyers to wait extended periods for delivery of the weapons.

TALON says it expects to produce the first of the tactical-style firearms by January. It expects to 220/Highland Colony Business Park at 106 initially employ 10 people at its facility in the Business Park Drive. A workforce of around 50

AP

people is expected in the near future, according to co-founder and CEO Clay Baldwin, a Magee

native and longtime Madison resident.

Baldwin said in a press statement TALON would produce premium, service-grade weapons with “100 percent made-in-the-U.S.A. parts.”

The plant will be the first production-scale weapons manufacturing facility to originate in the state, said Baldwin, an Army reservist with a background in law enforcement.

Promising to produce a rifle that is “superbly durable and consistently functional through even the harshest conditions,” Baldwin said TALON will market the weapon to the military, law enforcement and individuals.

TALON’s decision to begin production in Mississippi follows last spring’s open invitation from Mississippi Speaker of the House Philip Gunn to firearms-related companies to move to See

TALON, Page 13

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August 2, 2013

DUELING HOTELS

» Journeyman Austin presents Jackson with convention center hotel offer

By TED CARTER I STAFF WRITER ted.carter@msbusiness.com

Texas hotel developer Journeyman Austin has submitted what it says is a confidential unsolicited proposal to build a 304-key, eight-floor convention center hotel on Pascagoula Street across from the Jackson Convention Complex, complete with a multi-floor-above-and-below ground parking structure.

Journeyman Austin presented the proposal to Mayor Chokwe Lumumba’s office shortly after 5 p.m. Monday. The Austin, Texas-based developer is awaiting word on whether the city will consider the proposal before releasing details on it.

Lumumba has not responded to repeated queries over the last four weeks from the Mississippi Business Journal regarding consideration of a Journeyman Austin proposal.

The newest proposal follows Tampa hotel developer Robinson Callen’s unsolicited offer to build a $60-million convention center hotel. That proposal has already received an official blessing from the Jackson Redevelopment Authority’s Board of Commissioners, though the JRA has refused to release any details of either the development agreement with Callen or the transfer to Callen of city-owned land across from the convention center on which the hotel would be built.

What is known about the deal comes from a press conference Harvey Johnson held in his final week as mayor. At that time, Johnson said the city would “backstop” $9 million of the project. The money would be loaned to Robinson Callen if hotel revenues fell short during the first few years of the hotel’s operation.

The mayor also said the hotel would be built on the approximately 14 acres the city

Rendering: Texas developer Journeyman Austin envisions an entertainment themed convention center hotel for Jackson.

had retrieved from Transcontinental Realty, a Dallas, Texas, hotel developer that sought for several years to build a hotel in Jackson and had taken possession of the 14 acres through a deal with the late Frank Melton during his time as mayor.

Journeyman Austin’s Jackson representative, Don Hewitt of Advanced Technologies Building Solutions, said it’s difficult to make a side-by-side comparison of the Journeyman proposal and Robinson Callen’s. “To be honest, we don’t even know what Callen’s offer is,” he said.

While Hewitt declined to provide cost specifics on the Journeyman Austin proposal, the developer submitted a proposal in December 2011 that specified a 304room convention center hotel with an at-

tached parking structure. That project carried a construction cost of around $67 million and total project cost of $75.5 million.

Hewitt in Tuesday’s interview insisted the Journeyman Austin offering is cost competitive with that of Robinson Callen.

“The hotel we have designed will far exceed the expectations of the city of Jackson or, for that matter, the state,” he said.

In an email Monday night, Hewitt said Journeyman’s proposal “highlights a music themed hotel designed to showcase the cultural diversity that exists in Jackson and the entire state.

“Similar to Memphis, we wanted to create a heart for Jackson entertainment.

A hotel of this caliber will help to ensure that Jackson will regain its prominence

Courtesy of M3A Architecture

and become a desired arts and entertainment destination.”

The idea is to integrate the hotel with the planned Farish Street entertainment district a couple of blocks away.

Like Robinson Callen, Journeyman would rely on New Market Tax Credits for a significant portion of the hotel’s funding as well as creation of a Tax Increment Financing District, according to Hewitt.

Meanwhile, all Journeyman Austin can do is wait to hear whether its proposal will get an opportunity o compete with that of Robinson Callen.

“We’re trying to make sure the city has an open and fair process for everyone to bid on projects, period,” Hewitt said.

“Similar to Memphis, we wanted to create a heart for Jackson entertainment”

Don Hewitt

Advanced Building Technology Solutions

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INSURANCE

Insurance chief sees summer 2014 opening of state’s business health insurance exchange » Chaney envisions the small business market exchange as a destination for small businesses as well agents and brokers

By TED CARTER I STAFF WRITER ted.carter@msbusiness.com

Gov. Phil Bryant’s blocking of the Mississippi Department of Insurance from working with federal officials on an individual health insurance exchange has not deterred the department from moving straight ahead with creating an exchange for small businesses — the key being the feds have no say in its creation.

The exchange — designed as a marketplace for businesses of fewer than 50 employees — is on track to open by June, or possibly earlier, Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney said.

“We may be able to roll it out in March,” Chaney said of what will officially be known as the Free Market Small Business Health Insurance Option.

The “Free Market” in the name denotes the absence of federal control of the exchange and federal subsidies for buyers on the exchange.

Three health insurance carriers have already committed, according to Chaney, who hopes to more than double number in coming weeks. “I’ll need anywhere from three to seven companies to pull this off,” he said.

As Chaney envisions it, the small business market exchange will be a destination for small businesses as well agents and brokers. Chaney conceded that whether it remains a destination or languishes and ultimately dies will hinge on pricing. “I think they will get lower-priced premiums,” he said in an interview last Friday.

TALON

“The reason would be that they are known risk pools,” he said of the potential small businesses that will buy on the exchange.

Like the individual exchange federal officials are creating for the state, the business exchange won’t succeed without wide participation by Mississippi’s small businesses, Chaney noted.

Unlike their larger counterparts, small businesses are not mandated to cover their employees or pay penalties if their workers buy on the subsidized individual exchange. But labor market pressures could force them to provide coverage as they compete for employees who can obtain coverage from large business employers or through federally subsidized purchases on the individual exchange.

Chaney acknowledged that the rampup to reaching the point of that pricing becomes competitive could take some time. “Since there are no fines on small businesses, they might be a little slower” to shop on the small business health insurance exchange, Chaney said.

Based on efforts elsewhere in the country and a range of regulatory uncertainties, the insurance commissioner may be too optimistic on his timing for opening the exchange, said Amanda Austin, director of federal policy for the National Federation of Independent Business. “It’s just too early too tell how” the small business exchange “is going to play out. I still anticipate there could be significant delays.”

Kathy Taylor, a commercial lines insurance agent and benefits consultant for the

“I got some response from two or three,” Gunn said in a recent interview. “I plan to check into them this summer.”

Mississippi. Some of the gun makers and The Clinton legislator said his law practice and accessory manufactures were feeling unwelcome the special legislative session on Medicaid in their home states, which were seeking to enact diverted his recruitment efforts but he planned to tougher gun restrictions following a series of mass resume them before the end of summer. Among shootings over the last year. his targets: Magpul, an internationally known Continued from Page 11

Jackson-based Nowell Agency, attributed some of the inertia to the magnitude of changes the health insurance sector is up against. “A lot of the carriers are trying to play catch up with all the rule changes,” she said.

Chaney, meanwhile, said he hopes to get federal permission to draw on portions of a $22 million grant the Department of Health and Human Services had granted the state to create the individual health insurance exchange – a project Gov. Bryant quashed by threatening to sue the feds and ordering the state Division of Medicaid not to work with HHS on the the exchange.

The Department of Insurance, Chaney said, “is in the process of re-scoping the grant terms and activities to continue use of the grant funds for other approved activities.”

Mississippi spent about $11 million of the grant funds on preparing the individual exchange before Bryant forced an end to the effort.

It’s unclear whether Bryant would block the use of any federal funds for the business exchange, though his hands-off order in regards to the feds could set up further conflict on the issue between Bryant and Chaney.

The Department of Insurance paid contractors on the individual market exchange up to the point the effort was dropped. Fortunately for the state, agreements with the contractors specified the contracts would terminate if the federal grant funds somehow became unavailable, Chaney said.

maker of magazines, bullet clips and precision gun sights that has pledged to move out of Colorado, which in recent months had put limits on the sale of high-capacity magazines.

In fact, Magpul says it has already moved some of its manufacturing of gun sights out of Colorado but would not disclose where.

“We are actively moving forward with

Mike Chaney.

moving other items out,” the company said in a press statement.

Magpul did not return recent calls for comment.

Although Gov. Phil Bryant and Gunn attended the TALON announcement at the Capitol, no details were provided on whether the Ridgeland arms maker would receive state industrial development incentives.

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August 2, 2013

GAMING

Tunica looking for an ace in the hole

» Falling revenues are not a gaming problem, “it’s a tourism problem,” official says

By FRANK BROWN I STAFF WRITER frank.brown@msbusiness.com

The people of Tunica County have toiled through the worst of economic times, and basked in the bright lights of success.

But their King Midas, better known as the gaming industry, is losing its touch.

Recently released numbers for the first half of this year support the trend that Mississippi is on pace for one of its lowest gaming revenue years since the late 1990s.

In the first six months, gross gaming revenue in Mississippi — the amount wagered in casinos minus any winning payouts and adjustments — is down $65 million, or about 5.5 percent, over 2012. Gross gaming revenue for the first half of 2013 was $1.108 billion. At the same point in 2012, it was $1.173 billion.

While the six-month drop is felt statewide, the largest decline is seen among the river counties, which have seen revenue drop from $610.4 million in 2012 to $566.7 million this year, a drop of 7.2 percent over last year.

“It seems like in the last two to three weeks, people are starting to understand the predicament that Tunica has been in for the last five years,” said Webster Franklin, head of the Tunica County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We started noticing changes about five years ago when economy really went south. We saw a decline in revenue and an increase in competition. Gambling started in Missouri; there was limited Indian gaming in Alabama; and Cherokee gaming in North Carolina

Courtesy of Tunica County CVB

Gross gaming revenue is down 7.2 percent over last year in 18 casinos that dot the Mississippi River from Natchez to Tunica. The biggest fall, however, has been in Tunica.

took part of our national market.

“We’re at a critical point. Our problem today is not a gaming problem; it’s a tourism problem. If we can improve tourism, the side effect will be that the casinos will continue to prosper. We don’t need more casinos; we need more other things to do.”

“This further supports the concept that gaming in this state has got to be amenity driven,” said Alan Godfrey, executive director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission. “The state may need to fall a little more until the state finds a reason to bring people back. We have got to make it more attractive.”

On the Coast, revenues fell 3.7 percent, from $562.2 million to $541.4 million in the first six months of 2013.

Most of the drop along the Mississippi River counties is in the 10 Tunica/Lula casinos. Statistics on individual casinos are not released, but Godfrey said the smaller mid-river markets — Greenville, Natchez and Vicksburg — seem to be steady. “That’s probably because they’re pulling from more the local market,” he said.

“I think it is going to be hard to reverse the trend,” said Clifton Johnson, Tunica County administrator. “The gaming landscape has changed. The economy is rebounding, but the competition has increased.”

The drop in casino revenue has a impact on state revenue, but it has an even larger effect on the local budgets in Tunica County.

“It’s affecting us in different ways,” said Johnson. “We’re still getting about 4 percent, which will be about $28 million this year. That’s about $3 million less than last year. We’re losing about 10 percent in operational revenue a year.”

“We’ve reduced some programs. Last year, we issued a tax to repay our debt services. We saw about a 33 percent increase in the property tax rate. That was money that was previously paid from casino money.

Some services have been reduced, but not essential services. Things like recreation, Courtesy of Tunica County CVB

The Tunica/Lula market is home to 10 casinos, including Gold Strike, along the Mississippi River.

community services, meals on wheel and the housing program.

“We’ve cut a little in advertising,” said Johnson. “But we haven’t had to cut other things yet that draw tourists. We’re trying to offset the employment loss by trying to bring in more industry.”

In 1987, government statistics called Tunica County the poorest county in the nation, prompting The Rev. Jesse Jackson to label it “America’s Ethiopia,” highlighted by a well-publicized open sewer through slum area of “Sugar Ditch.”

By the late 1990s, it was the thirdlargest casino market in the country; even jumping to second in some surveys. By 2007, it had dropped to fifth. In the 2013 survey by the American Gaming Association, the Tunica/Lula market has fallen to 10th, two spots behind the Mississippi Gulf Coast market.

“People from all over come to Tunica and say there’s not a whole lot here,” said Franklin. “But if you’re a Mississippian and live here, the changes are astronomical. We didn’t have a four-lane road in the county in 1994, we had one stop light, and you couldn’t get gas between the Blue and White Restaurant and Memphis.

“One void we’ve been trying to fill is a water park, but we haven’t been successful,” Franklin said. “We’ve had some success in the economic development process, going from an agriculture area to one that now brings in manufacturing. The Schulz USA pipe plant has added a couple hundred See

ACE, Page 15

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SPORTS

Biloxi baseball project still alive, but it may be for 2015

By FRANK BROWN I STAFF WRITER frank.brown@msbusiness.com

When the Southern League baseball season begins next April, there probably will not be a team in Biloxi as was originally proposed. Instead, it probably will be in town by April 2015 – but there’s an outside chance it could be on the coast as early as next summer.

“We’re close to closing the window on the 2014 season,” said Tim Bennett, head of Overtime Sports, which is attempting to build a stadium in Biloxi that will be home to a new Double-A baseball team. “It’s getting to the point where we may have to look at 2015, or try to start the season in another city and move it to Biloxi at mid-season next year.”

But the project remains alive.

“This delay will not jeopardize the project,” he said.

“We’ve still got some lease negotiations to finish. We hope to have all that wrapped up by the middle of August.”

The Southern League breaks its season into two 71game races, essentially starting a new pennant race in late June, which is when a move to the Gulf Coast is being considered. At the end of the year, the two division winners from each half participate in the Southern League playoffs.

The $36-million stadium project is being funded by a $21-million bond issue by the City of Biloxi and Gov. Phil Bryant’s $15-million grant that will come from the BP oil spill settlement. The land for the stadium will be leased from the Beau Rivage Casino for $1 a year. The site is across the street from the casino on U.S. 90, tucked next to Interstate 110.

The city has issued the bonds, and bids have been sought, but the bonds have not yet been sold. Lease negotiations are still under way and must still be approved by the city council.

The general obligation bonds will be paid back from stadium project revenues. The stadium will host at least 70 minor league games a summer and will be available for

ACE

Continued from Page 14

jobs. That’s helping diversify the economy and bring in jobs.”

While the explosion of gambling nationwide in the last 10 years has hurt Tunica, the reduction in gamblers visiting Tunica-area casinos is clearly illustrated in quarterly survey numbers released by the Mississippi Gaming Commission. In 2011, visitors in January, February and March were estimated at 2,008,465. In the first quarter of 2012, that number fell to 1,495,999. In the first quarter of this year, the latest numbers released, visitors slipped slightly to 1,461,138.

Its biggest loss of audience has been from Tennessee – the state 30 minutes to the north that originally was to provide much of the revenue. In 2011, about 726,000 Tennesseans visited Tunica in the first quarter. Then the Mississippi River flooded in May 2011, forcing many Tunica casinos to shut their doors for several weeks. By the

Courtesy of Dale Partners

A computerized model of the view from the northeast of what a minor league baseball stadium may look like in Biloxi, across from the Beau Rivage Casino. The 7,000-seat stadium is expected to be home to a Double-A baseball franchise in the Southern League.

other events such as concerts and college baseball games.

The Gulf Coast Business Council’s research foundation estimates the stadium development will spur an additional $10 million annually in visitor spending on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

The 7,000-seat stadium will include a parking garage and an over-the-highway walkway to the Beau Rivage parking garage. Future developments include a hotel over-

first quarter of 2012, only 476,000 Tennesseans visited, and that number dropped to 462,000 in the first quarter of this year, according the Mississippi Gaming Commission. That’s a 36 percent drop over two years in the first quarter. Neighbors in Arkansas quit visiting at an 18 percent rate over that time.

Much of that drop can be attributed to Arkansas casinos in West Memphis and Hot Springs, which offer horse racing and slot machines that are considered “electronic games of skill” to dodge the antigambling decree in the state constitution.

Gamblers at Southland Greyhound Park in West Memphis wagered $908.25 million on games during the first five months of the year. Arkansas has seen tax revenue from those gamblers increase by 32 percent over last year.

“I don’t think they ever had a $100-million month of waging until the flood,” said Johnson. “The main factor is it’s close; it’s convenient. Before the flood, people didn’t pay Southland much attention. It would close at midnight, then after the flood, peo-

looking the field on the north side, along with various entertainment and food venues.

When the project was announced in the spring, the expectation was that stadium would be built by the start of the 2014 season in April. But as negotiations continued, that April start seemed more and more unlikely. It’s now eight months until the season starts and no work has begun on the site, which is currently a parking lot for Beau Rivage employees. By comparison, it took 11 months to build Trustmark in Pearl, but that project required more prep work.

So what team will be moving to Biloxi? Bennett would not say. “I really can’t answer that question,” he said. “I have to be very careful about what I say about that right now.”

He would not say if the team has been completely secured or if negotiations are still under way. Ken Young, a former minor league executive of the year and owner of four minor league baseball franchises, has been assigned the task of finding an existing minor league team and relocating it to Biloxi.

The Southern League consists of 10 teams: The Mississippi Braves in Pearl; Jacksonville and Pensacola in Florida; Mobile, Montgomery, Birmingham and Huntsville in Alabama; and Jackson, Chattanooga and Knoxville in Tennessee. Of those teams, most consider the Huntsville Stars, a farm team of the Milwaukee Brewers, to be the frontrunner. Jackson, Tenn., is also mentioned as a candidate.

The Southern League schedule for 2014 has been set and sent to the league’s 10 farm directors for approval, the MBJ has learned. A team in Biloxi is not in that schedule.

With the exception of the Atlanta Braves, most Major League teams don’t own the minor league team. They simply work out player development contracts with minor league team owners. Those arrangements can change year by year and usually are settled by late September.

“I think we’ll have something worked out in the next couple of weeks,” said Bennett.

ple wanted some place to go. Southland increased its operational time, and did some renovations. It became more attractive to the locals.”

“I read the other day that Arkansas’s two casinos have increased revenue in each of the last 50 months,” said Franklin.

Amenities are needed – and some are on the way, such as the planned minor league baseball team in Biloxi – but those take time.

Gold Strike in Tunica recently opened its new $8-million Buffet Americana, and Caesars Entertainment is wrapping up its four-month Millionaire Maker promotion, which gave visitors a chance to win $1 million in weekly giveaways.

Tunica is trying to have more events like its Balloon Bash, Aug. 9-11; the Smokin' Aces Festival & BBQ Championship, Sept.

20-22; the Delta River Cruisin' Car Show, Sept 27-29; and, the Delta Country Jam Oct. 4-5, which will be headlined by Tim McGraw and will feature Billy Currington, Thompson Square, Brantley Gilbert, Kellie Pickler.

“These events are designed to bring people here and to try to protect our gaming tax revenue,” said Franklin.

Before the flood, Tunica County hired PricewaterhouseCoopers to do a study on the county and what it needed to do.

“They said Tunica is relatively new as a travel destination. There wasn’t much here 20 years ago, and now we have over 6,000 hotel rooms and a great gaming product and infrastructure. The study impressed on us that we’re still in our infancy and they stressed that we need more amenities. We need to give people a reason to come.”

When the flood hit, casinos were closed and it sidetracked their marketing efforts.

“What we have done collectively as a market is reinforce our marketing efforts within a 150-mile radius,” said Franklin.

“We’ve just completed a campaign in the Memphis area that stresses our dining and events that we have to offer.

“Even now, two years later, people still wonder if we’re open from the flood.”

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August 2, 2013

HEALTHCARE MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER

Bringing research dollars, treatment to cancer fight

By BECKY GILLETTE I CONTRIBUTOR mbj@msbusiness.com

Photo courtesy of University of Mississippi Medical Center

Dr. Michael Ryan, assistant professor of physiology, pipettes — suctions small amounts of liquids for transfer.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center Cancer Institute has long been a Mecca for patients who want access to cutting edge cancer treatments.

And in the four years since prominent cancer researcher Dr. Lucio Miele has been at the helm as director, it is also increasingly becoming a draw for millions of dollars in cancer research funds.

The amount of research dollars attracted by the Cancer Institute, which is ranked among the top can- Miele cer hospitals by U.S. News and World Report for the third year in a row, has gone from very little to close to $5 million per year in direct grants.

“This was done primarily through the recruitment of very successful scientists from all over the country, and some internal recruitment in Mississippi from University of Mississippi scientists who were isolated in pockets of excellence,” Miele said. “These scientists have now been organized in a coherent structure so they can interact with one another.”

Miele sees the direct grants and indirect economic impact of another $1.5 million as only the beginning of the possibilities for the Cancer Institute.

“Every large academic medical center has a tremendous economic impact on the community in terms of health care, jobs, and additional businesses surrounding a medical center from the lodging industry to pharmacies,” Miele said. “Academic cancer centers attract patients because they typically have better outcomes and offer access to clinical trials. As the patient population grows, there is more employment in the area.”

Academic medical centers with vibrant research programs attract economic activity in a number of ways. The most obvious one is employment. For every researcher who brings in federal dollars in grants, staff hired includes technicians, post doctorate

fellows and graduate students. And as the stature of the research center grows, it also enhances the reputation of the university — which is a plus for recruiting students.

The third major economic prong Miele points to is biotechnology. Successful research laboratories spin off discoveries into startup biotechnology companies, and these startups then move on to commercialize the discoveries made at the university.

“This type of private/public partnership has led to tremendous economic impact elsewhere in the county such as at the Research Triangle in North Carolina, the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla., and UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center in Birmingham, Ala.,” Miele said. “Moffitt has an economic impact of nearly $2 billion on the Florida economy, entirely from the Cancer Center. UAB overall has an economic impact of about $1 billion on the Alabama economy, of which nearly half comes from the Cancer Center. Our quality of care is at the level of these institutions. If we grow to an adequate size, our economic impact will be comparable.”

One key to building a cancer research center is showing the ability to collaborate.

Miele said no one entity has the means to find a cure for every cancer, so collaboration is essential to find cancer’s roots and then seek ways to halt it.

“Collaboration is essential for productivity and effectiveness,” he said. “The days of a single laboratory working by itself are over. That is why you need critical mass.

What the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute are looking for are environments that support a highly collaborate, multidisciplinary research atmosphere. That means going from chemistry to surgery, and from basic science to translational science. It means linking together basic and clinical research.

And all these things cannot happen withSee

UMMC, Page 18

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D EEP K N O W LED G E O F YO UR INDUSTRY, B USINESS AND LEGAL MAT TE R S

Photo courtesy of University of Mississippi Medical Center

Photo courtesy of University of Mississippi Medical Center

Dr. Jun Ming Wang works in the science lab at UMMC Cancer Institute in Jackson.

Dr. Srinivasan Vijayakumar, professor of medicine; Dr. Richard Jennelle, associate professor of medicine; and Dr. Madhava Kankakamedala II, fellow work in the radiation oncology area.

UMMC

fect Mississippians. We are trying to address the problem where the problem is.â&#x20AC;?

Other research includes several programs for developing new drugs effective against triple-negative breast cancer. That work is being done in collaboration with industry that is located in other states. In the future, Miele hopes the biotech companies that commercialize the drugs will be based in Mississippi. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The biotech company we are working with for a revolutionary new agent is in California,â&#x20AC;? Miele said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Discoveries are being

Continued from Page 16

out a thriving institute or cancer center.

That is what creates the backbone for these multidisciplinary programs.â&#x20AC;?

One example of that at the Cancer Institute is several groups are working together on discovering new natural compounds that can be turned into new cancer drugs. This is a joint operation with the National Center for Natural Products Research Center, a drug discovery laboratory at the Oxford

campus of UM. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are discovering new compounds in plants which are transferred to here in Jackson to be studied on cancer cells in the lab and then on animals,â&#x20AC;? Miele said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Cancer Institute Drug Discovery Core there is something I am particularly proud of because it is an area where we really have national excellence. We also have groups working on prostate cancer metastasis. Mississippi has the highest mortality for prostate cancer in the U.S., and we want to work on cancers that disproportionally af-

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made here, but they are being commercially developed in California. That is the kind of thing Mississippi could change, but only if we are investing to get the critical mass so that can happen.â&#x20AC;?

Other good news is that the Cancer Institute is expanding its clinical trial operation to include early phase clinical trials of the most exciting new cancer drugs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Next month weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re opening a new study of a drug based on my own research,â&#x20AC;? Miele said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This trial with a major pharmaceutical company represents the first time we have opened an early phase one clinical trial here for adult cancers. We want to expand that so our patient population will have an opportunity to access a whole menu of clinical trials of the agents that may become the cancer treatments of tomorrow.â&#x20AC;?

This particular compound is a second generation Gamma-Secretase Inhibitor for treating some types of lung, breast and colorectal cancer â&#x20AC;&#x201D; some of the leading causes of death in the U.S. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very pleased we are starting a relationship with a major company and hopefully in the future it will be with more than one,â&#x20AC;? Miele said.

Outside of the laboratory, the Cancer Institute is working on health disparities.

Miele said this costs Mississippi not just lives, but billions of dollars in lost productivity, as well as care for advanced disease that is diagnosed late. UMMC has the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only colorectal surgeon, Dr. Christopher Lahr, which is important especially considering the high rates of colorectal cancer among African Americans in Mississippi.

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HEALTHCARE MISSISSIPPI

18 â&#x2013; Mississippi Business Journal â&#x2013; August 2, 2013

August 2, 2013

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Mississippi Business Journal

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19

MISSISSIPPI HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION

Providing care, assistance for 60 years

By LISA MONTI I CONTRIBUTOR mbj@msbusiness.com

The Mississippi Health Care Association, established 60 years ago, is the state’s oldest and largest association of nursing homes, personal care homes and assisted living facilities.

MHCA members care for the frail elderly, mentally disabled, veterans groups and residents who need minimum assistance with daily living.

“We’re really pleased to be celebrating our 60th anniversary this year,” Vanessa Henderson, executive director, said in a statement. “MHCA members include approximately 200 nursing homes and personal care homes who serve more than 22,000 residents all across the state. Our members provide jobs for more than 27,000 dedicated employees who serve Mississippi’s most vulnerable citizens, so it is a very serious and important role that our members provide in every community.”

Among its activities, the MHCA provides educational programs and legislative and government services to its members,

who are all licensed by the Mississippi State Department of Health.

Member nursing homes are regulated by the Washington,D.C.-based Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

“MHCA is a busy place on a daily basis. While our Henderson members are focused on the day-to-day, hands-on care of their residents, our association provides valuable services and resources to our membership including education, regulatory updates, training, public relations outreach and government relations services on their behalf,” said Henderson. “There’s always something happening whether it is preparing for the upcoming legislative session or hosting a conference for nurses and other caregivers.”

In Mississippi, Medicaid is the primary source of funding for patients in nursing homes, which operate under federallymandated Medicaid and Medicare regulations. In addition, laws that apply to employers in the state also apply to nurs-

ing homes and long-term care facilities.

That includes OSHA, workers’ comp and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Spreading the word about MHCA and its mission is a focus of the association’s staff.

“Raising the profile of MHCA and our members will continue to be a top priority going into the future,” said Henderson.

“We will consistently work to ensure that our MHCA members’ and residents’ voices are heard in a way that allows elected officials and policy makers to understand how legislation, funding, and regulatory issues all affect residents in a real, tangible way. It is our goal for all policies to impact our residents in a positive way and to help them achieve a higher quality of life.”

MHCA leaders foresee an increased need for the care their members provide as the population ages.

Said Henderson, “With the growing baby boomer generation, the demand for services will continue to grow. We can look back on our history and see that MHCA, with its strong member commitment, has built a delivery system that greatly values the care we provide to our residents in the midst of

a constantly changing regulatory environment. With perseverance, putting our residents first continues to be our focus.”

Under the association’s umbrella is the MHCA Foundation which was established to help nursing home residents with needs that are not covered by insurance, Medicare, Medicaid or by their families.

Donations to the foundation help purchase medical supplies and personal items and raise awareness about the services that long-term health care facilities provide.

Among its activities, the foundation arranges events like special outings for residents and also awards scholarships to staff members of long-term health care facilities.

“One of the best parts about MHCA is our relationship with the Mississippi Health Care Foundation which continually seeks ways to improve the lives of our residents,” Henderson said. “Every year, the Foundation helps touch the lives of residents through donations that provide free eye glasses, dentures, dream purchases, Make-A-Memory activities and other events for residents who would not otherwise be able to pay for such things.”

2013 UPCOMING EDITORIAL FOCUS DATE

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August 2 . . . . . . . . . . .Healthcare Ms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cancer Care Centers August 9 . . . . . . . . . . .Banking and Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Credit Unions August 16 . . . . . . . . . .Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MTA (Innovate) Hall of Fame Members August 23 . . . . . . . . . .Real Estate/Construction . . . . . . . . . . . .Community Developers August 30 . . . . . . . . . .Economic Development . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mississippi Main Street Association & Highest Paid Occupations Space Reservation 10 days in advance For advertising information please call 601-364-1011

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HEALTHCARE MISSISSIPPI

HEALTH EDUCATION

Kids don’t like sports?

Fight obesity with FIT

By LYNN LOFTON I CONTRIBUTOR mbj@msbusiness.com

Mississippi’s children have been affected by the changing lifestyle of inactivity and proliferation of fattening foods as have adults. There are sports programs for young people, but what about children not involved in sports? Two organizations are getting together to address this challenge.

CarePlus Medical Clinics and Mississippi Sports Medicine are bringing FIT, a 90day health education and weight loss program for kids, to the Jackson area. A pilot FIT program was successful and now the official kick-off program begins Aug. 19 and runs through Nov. 28 at the YMCA in Flowood. The sessions are held after school from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Additional sessions are planned for the spring and summer of 2014.

“We are excited to bring this vision to reality and to partner with Mississippi Sports Medicine,” says Sharee S. Lucius,

director of physician marketing for the Southern Division of CarePlus.

“It’s a one-of-a-kind program for kids and families in our community.”

Evans Allen, program director with Mississippi Sports Medicine and a Allen long time advocate for children’s fitness programs, says there really isn’t anything in the area for kids who don’t play sports. “Times have changed. Now kids don’t play outside until mama yells to come home like we did,” he said. “Everyone wants to fight children’s obesity, and I’ve wanted to put something together for a while.”

Allen has coached children’s sports and has been involved with some training for kids at the YMCA. He also credits JenPhoto courtesy of Mississippi Sports Medicine

See

FIT, Page 26

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HEALTHCARE MISSISSIPPI

20 ■ Mississippi Business Journal ■ August 2, 2013

Center Hospital Affiliation

Address Services

August 2, 2013

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Mississippi Business Journal

Phone

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21

Web site

Anderson Regional Cancer Center Anderson Regional Medical Center

1704 23rd Ave., Meridian, MS 39301 (601) 405-5081 Medical oncology; hematology; radiation oncology; support groups; health screenings

Baptist Cancer Services Mississippi Baptist Medical Center Baptist Medical Center

1225 N. State St., Jackson, MS 39202 (601) 948-1049 Medical oncology; radiation oncology; chemotherapy; stereotactic radio surgery; IMRT; brachytherapy; Cyberknife

Baptist Centers for Cancer Care-DeSoto Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto

7601 Southcrest Pkwy., Southaven, MS 38671 (662) 772-4000 Radiation oncology including IMRT; consultation for all types of cancer evaluation

Baptist Centers for Cancer Care-Golden Triangle Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle

2520 5th St. N., Columbus, MS 39705 Comprehensive cancer center; chemotherapy & radiation center

Baptist Centers for Cancer Care-North Mississippi Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi

504 Azalea Dr., Oxford, MS 38655 (662) 513-9650 www.baptistonline.org/golden-triangle Radiation, medical, and surgical oncology; reconstructive and conservative breast surgery; HDR; IGRT; IMRT

CMMC Cancer Care Center Central Mississippi Medical Center

1850 Chadwick Dr., Jackson, MS 39204 (601) 376-2074 www.centralmississippimedicalcenter.com Robert R. Smith Gamma Knife Center; radiation oncology; chemotherapy; IMRT; diagnostic services

Columbus Hematology and Oncology, P.A. Private

425 Hospital Dr., Columbus, MS 39705 (662) 240-0650 Chemotherapy; immunotherapy; biologic response modifiers; surgery; radiation therapy; pain management

Delta Cancer Center Institute Clarksdale Bethesda Cancer Centers

581 Medical Dr., Clarksdale, MS 38614 Radiation therapy; imaging systems

(662) 624-8731

www.deltacancerinstituteclarksdale.com

Delta Cancer Center Institute Greenville Bethesda Cancer Centers

1514 E. Union St., Greenville, MS 38703 Radiation therapy; imaging systems

(662) 332-6150

www.deltacancerinstitutegreenville.com

Forrest General Cancer Center Forrest General Hospital

301 S. 28th Ave., Hattiesburg, MS 39401 (601) 288-1700 www.forrestgeneral.com Medical oncology; radiation oncology & pain management; radiation therapy including IMRT, partial breast irradiation & prostate brachytherapy, chemotherapy, infusions, injections & blood transfusions; outpatient hospice; Cancer Registry

Memorial Hospital Cancer Center Memorial Hospital at Gulfport

1340 Broad Ave., Gulfport, MS 39501 (228) 575-2950 Outpatient Infusion Clinic; CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery and TrueBeam; surgery; research/trials

Mississippi Children’s Cancer Clinic Batson Children’s Hospital

2500 N. State St., Jackson, MS 39216 (601) 984-2700 umhc.com/childrenscancer Pediatric Hematology; Pediatric Neuro-Oncology; Pediatric Oncology; Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Program; CT/PET Scan; MRI; nuclear medicine & other diagnostic services; radiation oncology; pediatric surgical specialties

North Central Mississippi Regional Cancer Center Private

1401 River Rd., Greenwood, MS 38930 Radiotherapy; chemotherapy; immunotherapy

(662) 459-7133

www.cancernet.com

North Mississippi Medical Center Cancer Center North Mississippi Medical Center

990 S. Madison St., Ste. 1, Tupelo, MS 38801 IMRT; stereotatic radiosurgery; HDR; prostate seed implant

(662) 377-4077

www.nmhs.net

(662) 627-3211

www.northwestregional.com

Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center Cancer Care 1970 Hospital Dr., Clarksdale, MS 38614 Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center Comprehensive cancer care; chemotherapy; radiation; surgery

www.andersonregional.org www.mbhs.org

www.baptistonline.org/desoto

(662) 244-1000

www.baptistonline.org/golden-triangle

www.chopa.org

www.gulfportmemorial.com

River Region Cancer Center River Region Health System

2100 Hwy. 61 N., Vicksburg, MS 39183 (601) 883-5000 Surgery; diagnostic radiology; laboratory; medical oncology; radiation oncology; conferences

SRHS Regional Cancer Center Singing River Health System

2809 Denny Ave., Pascagoula, MS 39581 (228) 809-5000 Radiation oncology; medical oncology; Cancer Registry; IMRT; brachytherapy

St. Dominic Cancer Center St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital

2996 N. Curran Dr., Jackson, MS 39216 (601) 200-3070 www.stdom.com/services/cancer-center Cancer support group,;image-guided radiation therapy; intensity-modulated radiation therapy; BrainLab stereotactic radiosurgery & radio therapy; high dose rate brachytherapy; partial breast irradiation; prostate seed implant; DaVinci robotic surgery; positron emission tomography scanning; external radiation treatment; radiopharmaceutical therapy; on-site lymphedema clinic; palliative care

The Mississippi Cancer Institute Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center

1501 Aston Ave., McComb, MS 39648 (601) 249-5510 www.southwesthealthsystem.org CT simulation; 3-D treatment planning; IMRT; IGRT; Cone Beam CT; portal imaging; prostate brachytherapy; nutritional services; pastoral services; social services; ACS Cancer Resource Center

UMMC Cancer Institute University Hospital

2500 N. State St., Jackson, MS 39216 (601) 815-6801 www.umc.edu Bioinformatics; bone marrow transplantation; breast, cancer genetics & genomics; chemotherapy; clinical trials; diagnostic services; drug discovery & developmental therapeutics; endocrine/pituitary, gastrointestinal, gynecological, head & neck, hematology/oncology; melanoma/skin; molecular cancer therapeutics; MRI; nuclear medicine; oral oncology; PET/CT scan; radiation oncology; soft tissue/bone; specialized multidisciplinary teams; thoracic/lung, tissue banking; tobacco cessation; urological; circulating tumor cells; pediatric oncology

Source: Individual cancer centers and other reliable sources. Please direct comments or questions to Wally Northway at research@msbusiness.com.

www.riverregion.com www.mysrhs.com

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CANCER CARE CENTERS

Profiles of growing young professionals in Mississippi

Age: 37 Owner/Creator, Kevin Spera Fotography

Keeping our eye on... KEVIN SPERA

Photographer Kevin Spera begins each day at 5 a.m. and he says the day doesn’t end until he’s satisfied in his accomplishments.

As the sole proprietor of Kevin Spera Fotography, Spera focuses on portrait, commercial, still life and fine art photography.

“The success of my business has been and will always be due to the collaborative relationship I cultivate with each client,” Spera says.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Spera studied sports medicine and administration at the University of Southern Mississippi and Texas Tech University and spent five years on the sports medicine staff of the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays.

“I never want to stop learning,” Spera says. As a child Spera says he always wanted to do something creative and when he matched that with an independent streak, owning his own business just made sense.

“(The photography business) is always changing,” Spera says.

“Especially now that everyone has a decent camera in his or her pocket at all times. It is not good enough to just be better than everyone else in the industry, you must be different.”

Spera donates both services and pieces of his fine art photography to charity auctions and raises money every year for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.

“It is all about making connections and word of mouth,” Spera advises young professionals. “I submit plenty of proposals that get rejected but I stay focused and persistent. Know who you are and stick to what makes you you and the rest will take care of itself.”

Spera enjoys cooking, running, cycling and spending time with his wife, Michelle.

— By Stephen McDill

Best thing about Mississippi: “It is where I met my wife”

Best Mississippi event: Peter Anderson Festival in Ocean Springs

Favorite Mississippi food: Tamales First job ever: Electronic Design Inc. Favorite TV show: “Chopped” Favorite movie: “The Shawshank Redemption” Favorite music: New Orleans funk Read the full biography at www.msbusiness.com

Patterson earns recertification

Munn made associate dean Hightower, Varner join staff Association elects officers

Dr. Michael Patterson of Southern Bone and Joint Specialists, P.A. was recently recertified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS). Patterson, board certified fellowship trained spine surgeon, completed his fellowship in spinal surgery at the Texas Back Institute in Plano, Texas. He received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. He completed training in orthopaedic surgery at Patterson the University of Kansas. During his residency in orthopedic surgery, Patterson received further advanced training in reconstructive spinal deformity surgery at the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children in St. Louis. Many of the more than seven hundred cases that Patterson performed during his spine fellowship involved cutting edge technology and innovative, minimally invasive techniques such as artificial disc replacement.

He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Mississippi Orthopaedic Society, North American Spine Society and The Spine Arthroplasty Society.

Ian Munn, a forest resource economist and professor at Mississippi State University, is the new associate dean in the College of Forest Resources. Munn has a distinguished career at MSU and has served as a forestry professor for more than 20 years. His course on professional practices is considered the capstone class of the forestry curriculum. Over time he has transformed the course to enable students to Munn work directly with landowners to develop management plans for their properties.

Munn’s research interest includes natural resource economics. He currently serves in an elected position on the Society of American Foresters national Council representing members in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. In 2008, Munn was named a fellow in the Society of American Foresters.

Munn is a native of Kingston, Ontario, Canada. He holds a bachelor’s degree from University of North Carolina, master’s degrees from Syracuse and Louisiana Tech universities, and a doctorate from North Carolina State University.

Firm welcomes Burns

Researchers publish study

Butler, Snow, O’Mara, Stevens & Cannada, PLLC (Butler Snow) has added Shelly Gunn Burns in its Greater Jackson office where she is a member of the firm’s Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Healthcare Group, and will focus her practice on product liability law, mass torts and personal injury law. Burns’ practice has concentrated on the defense of various types of personal injury matters, with primary focus being the defense of physicians, hospitals and other health care providers. She has extensive trial experience in state and federal courts throughout Mississippi, having tried numerous cases to verdict.

Burns earned her undergraduate degree at Mississippi State University and her juris doctorate from Mississippi College School of Law. She is a member of the American Bar Association, Mississippi Bar Association, Capital Area Bar Association, Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association and the Defense Research Institute.

Henry Wan, associate professor at Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and his colleagues recently published a study in mBio, an American Society of Microbiology publication, which outlines a possibly more efficient and cost-effective way to develop flu vaccines. The study “Using Sequencing Data to Infer the Antigenicity of Influenza Virus” outlines the use of a computerized system to provide a visual of the distance between antigens, the substances that cause antibody production in response to different viruses. Wan and his colleagues entered the antigenic characteristics of the virus. The data was translated into mathematical formulas that provided an in-depth look at the virus over time and in populations.

Boney confirmed as chief Joseph Boney has been confirmed as Biloxi’s new fire chief. Boney is a 29-year veteran of the Biloxi Fire Department and has served as senior battalion chief for 20 years. Boney succeeds Mark Dronet, who has served as acting chief since March.

Memorial Cancer Center welcomes medical oncologists Olivia Hightower, MD, and Matt Varner, MD, to Memorial Medical Oncology in Gulfport. Hightower graduated summa cum laude with her undergraduate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. She earned her medical doctorate from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Hightower Mississippi. Hightower completed her residency in Internal Medicine and Oncology Fellowship at Ochsner Clinic New Orleans, Louisiana. She is board certified in internal medicine.

Varner graduated magna cum laude with his undergraduate degree from Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi. He earned his medical doctorate from the University of Mississippi Medical Varner Center in Jackson, Mississippi.

Varner completed his internship in Internal Medicine, residency in Internal Medicine, and fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at Wilford Hall Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas. He is board certified in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology.

Bank promotes Dickey Karen Dickey has been promoted to vice president for Community Bank in Tupelo. Dickey joined Community Bank in 2007, and was most recently an assistant vice president. Active in the community, she is a member of the Advisory Board of the Boys and Girls Club of North Mississippi, a member of the Sanctuary Hospice Junior Auxiliary and the Tupelo Women’s Club. She is also a volunteer for the March of Dickey Dimes and a member of the Calvary Baptist Church.

During its 90th Annual Convention held in Tupelo, W. E. “Sluggo” Davis of DeSoto County was elected president of the Mississippi Chancery Clerks Association. Doug Touchstone of Pike County was elected vice president and Arthur Johnston of Madison County was elected secretary treasurer.

Pearson returning to MAC Hattiesburg native Tom Pearson will return to Mississippi to head the state arts agency after a quarter-century in arts education and leadership in Florida. He starts Aug. 1. The Clarion-Ledger reports the 58-year-old Pearson has been named the executive director of the Mississippi Arts Commission following a six-month search that netted 174 applicants nationwide.

Pearson’s most recent position is arts education administrator for the school district of Palm Beach County, serving arts teachers and students at 187 schools.

The top arts spot has been vacant since Malcolm White left to become Mississippi Development Authority’s tourism director in January.

Jensen gets reassigned Col. Jay Jensen, commander of the 403rd Wing Hurricane Hunters at Keesler Air Force Base, is transferring to the Pentagon. Jensen has been at Keesler for two years and before that from 1999 to 2008. He will become senior Air Force policy administrator to the Reserve Forces Policy Board under the secretary of defense. In that job, he will advocate for the role of reservists in the Air Force and across all military reserve forces.

Maugh has work published Dr. Casey Maugh, assistant professor of communication studies at the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast, recently had her book chapter “Blogging for Peace: Realistic job preview strategies from the 21st century Peace Corps volunteer” published in Volunteering and Communication: Studies from Multiple Contexts. Maugh earned her doctoral degree in communication arts and sciences from Pennsylvania State University and her master’s in speech communication from Colorado State University. She also serves as a faculty member in the Women and Gender Studies Program at Southern Miss Gulf Coast.

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NEWSMAKERS

22 ■ Mississippi Business Journal ■ August 2, 2013

August 2, 2013

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Mississippi Business Journal

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23

Center dedicated to Magham Jones retires from PHI The Pascagoula School District has dedicated the Center for Teaching and Learning to longtime educator Sara Maghan. Maghan began the Center for Teaching and Learning 15 years ago to help teachers improve their elementary and secondary classrooms through curriculum training and classroom management. She began working at Pascagoula Junior High School as a math and world history teacher in 1963.

She then moved on to become a biology and math teacher at Pascagoula High School, before eventually becoming principal. In 1988, Maghan became assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for 18 years. She worked for the school district for 43 year before retiring in 2006.

Maghan works for the Mississippi Department of Education.

Fraternity recognizes Brown Alcorn State University president M. Christopher Brown II is the recipient of the 2013 Image Award for Education from Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. In 2012, Brown was instrumental in welcoming nearly 60 children from surrounding communities to Alcorn‘s inaugural Children Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom School.

Now in its second year, the program continues to benefit kids from nearby communities. Brown has received numerous awards and recognitions for his scholarly works, leadership and service. Recently, he was named HBCU Male President of the Year by the Center for HBCU Advocacy.

Brown has also presented research on six continents and is the author/editor of 19 books and monographs.

Brown attained his B.S. in elementary education from South Carolina State University and his M.S.Ed. in educational policy and evaluation from the University of Kentucky. He earned a Ph.D. in higher education from Pennsylvania State University with a cognate in public administration and political science.

Beckley appointed to commission Dr. Gemma D. Beckley, professor of Social Work and Chair of the Rust College Social Work program, has been appointed to the Commission of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in Washington, D.C. In 2000, Beckley led the Rust College faculty in gaining full accreditation of the Rust College Social Work program. Prior to returning to Rust College in 1991, she was director of the master’s program in Beckley social work at Grambling State University in Louisiana, program director with the Children’s Defense Fund in Washington, D.C., social work faculty member at the University of Mississippi, University of Tennessee and Wiley College. During the 2005-2007 academic years, Beckley served as visiting professor at Fordham University in New York in the School of Public Service.

Beckley holds degrees from Dillard University in New Orleans, Atlanta University in Atlanta, a master’s of social work and the doctorate of social work from Columbia University in New York.

Phosphate Holdings Inc.‘s CEO Robert E. Jones, a veteran of nearly 40 years in the chemical and fertilizer industry, has retired as CEO of Mississippi Phosphates Corporation and Phosphate Holdings Inc. The board of directors named board member James L. Sherbert as interim CEO.

Faculty tapped for program Seventeen Mississippi State faculty members are new selections for the competitive 2013-2014 Hugh Critz Faculty Leadership Program. This year’s participants include: Tom Allen, Extension/research professor, Delta Research and Extension Center; Kari Babski-Reeves, associate professor of industrial and systems engineering; Ron Cossman, research professor, Social Science Research Center; Michael Cox, professor of plant and soil sciences; Jeremiah Davis, associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering; Dipangkar Dutta, associate professor of physics and astronomy; Hans Herrmann, assistant professor of architecture; Mark Hersey, associate professor of history; Brenda Kirkland, associate professor of geosciences; Yaroslav Koshka, professor of electrical and computer engineering; Rebecca Long, associate professor of management; Michele McDonnall, research professor, National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision; Tommy Morris, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering; Zhaohua Peng; professor of biochemistry, molecular biology, entomology and plant pathology; Rani Sullivan, associate professor of aerospace engineering; Kenneth Willeford, professor of biochemistry, molecular biology, entomology and plant pathology; and, Kevin Williams, associate professor of communication.

MSU selects Hamilton After a national search, John A. “Drew” Hamilton Jr. has been named associate vice president for research and professor of computer science and engineering at Mississippi State University, pending formal approval by the board of trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning. Currently, Hamilton is Alumni Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering at Auburn University and director Hamilton of the Auburn Cyber Research Center. He also holds appointments in the Ginn College of Engineering’s Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and the College of Business’ Department of Management at Auburn.

Over the past five years, Hamilton has served as principal investigator on 26 research grants. He has secured more than $7.8 million in external funding during his time at Auburn, and has led several classified funded research projects.

Hamilton holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations from Texas Tech University, a master’s degree in systems management from the University of Southern California, and a master’s degree in computer science from Vanderbilt University.

He earned his Ph.D. in computer science from Texas A&M University.

Dewitt

McAdory

Nicholas

Tyler

Taylor Power announces staff moves Taylor Power Systems (TPS) has promoted Craft Tyler to sales manager for areas served directly by TPS and Reed Nicholas to sales manager of areas served by authorized dealers. Tyler is a 2005 graduate of Mississippi State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He was employed with Ivey Mechanical before beginning his tenure with Taylor Power Systems in 2006 as sales representative.

Tyler enjoys a variety of outdoor sports including hunting, golfing, boating and MSU sports, and resides in Brandon.

Nicholas attended Mississippi State University where he studied general business. He started working for Taylor Power right out of college in 2007. He and his wife, Maris, live in Northeast Jackson, and Nicholas enjoys hunting, fishing, boating and horseback riding.

Also, Clarence M. “Buster” McAdory has joined Taylor Group as manager of financial credit of Taylor Leasing. McAdory was a direct Taylor regional sales manager and also a dealer regional sales manager for Taylor Machine Works in 19761978. He then moved into the banking sector, serving as branch manager and later as vice president of BancorpSouth from 1978-1992. In the 1990s, McAdory continued in the financial arena as vice president of Louisville Inter City Federal Bank and later Renasant Bank in Louisville. In 2005 McAdory was promoted to president of Renasant in Louisville where he served until his retirement in 2012. McAdory is a retired lieutenant colonel from the Mississippi Army National Guard.

He served as commander at the company and battalion level where he received numerous awards and citations. He served his country in Desert Storm in 1990-1991. McAdory has served as president of Louisville Businessmen’s Club, Louisville Kiwanis Club and as a board member of Louisville-Winston County Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the review board for the Golden Triangle Planning District loan committee.

McAdory and his wife, Brenda Pearson McAdory, have one son, Brad, and two grandchildren, Nathan and Victoria. McAdory enjoys horses and horseback riding, is an avid gardener and enjoys sporting events.

Finally, David Dewitt has been promoted to the position of regional sales manager of Mississippi at TPS. Dewitt received a B.S. degree in education from Mississippi State University in 1992.

After college, he worked as quality assurance supervisor and shipping supervisor for McCarty Foods. In 1997, he relocated to North Carolina as general manager of Crestwood Farms. In 1999, he returned to Mississippi in generator sales for Kossen Equipment. Dewitt transitioned into the food industry in as general manager for Old Hickory Pits, and later for Reed Food Technology in 2003 and 2007, respectively. In 2012 Dewitt came to TPS and was in sales in the service department until his recent promotion. Dewitt and his wife, Stacey, reside in Pearl and have two daughters, Tyler and Gabby. He enjoys time with his family, golfing, hunting and fishing.

Foresters honor Grebner

Hospital thanks staff

Donald Grebner, a Mississippi State University forestry professor, was recently honored by the Society of American Foresters, naming a fellow for his contributions to the society and the forestry profession. Grebner is a professor in the university’s Forest and Wildlife Research Center. His areas of research include bioenergy, carbon sequestration, forest protection and international forestry.

Grebner He obtained his bachelor’s in forestry from the University of Maine, a master’s in forestry from Yale University, a master’s in economics from Virginia Tech and a doctorate in forest economics from Virginia Tech.

Grebner is also a member of the Mississippi Forestry Association, Southern Forest Economics Workers and Phi Kappa Phi. He serves as an assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 27 in Starkville.

Mississippi State Hospital (MSH) recently honored employees with July anniversary dates for their years of service to the hospital. Service Awards are given to employees in the month of their date of hire, beginning with one year, followed by every fifth anniversary year. Employees receive a Certificate of Appreciation and a Service Award Pin. July service award recipients include: Maria Scarbrough of Madison, one year; D’marcus Simmons of Jackson, one year; Charlotte Wilks of Jackson, five years; Carolyn Williams of Mendenhall, 15 years; Sharon Brown of Brandon, 25 years; and, Mack Hankins of Flowood, five years.

Brooks heading police force Donna Brooks has been named police chief in Vaiden. The 51-year-old Brooks has served as interim chief since February, when former police chief Allen Vance was suspended after being arrested in Grenada County. Brooks has been on the Vaiden police force for 12 years. She has also served as chief of the volunteer fire department since 2005.

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NEWSMAKERS

» JEFFREY GITOMER

What you listen to can determine your mood and your fate

E

veryone has their own time machine.

The only question is: how are you using it?

The time machine I’m referring to is music. The music you grew up with and the music you listen to every day. I refer to it as the “music transportation department” because the right song can transport you back to an exact place and time in an instant – and create a great feeling.

Hopefully a positive place.

Hopefully a peaceful place.

Hopefully an inspirational place.

And surprisingly a sales place.

In 1983, I went to an “oldies” concert in Philadelphia. A bunch of doo-wop groups reassembled to sing 25-year-old songs. The music I grew up with. The opening group was The Dubs who started the show singing “Could This Be Magic.” Please watch it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNFvZLnUr-M. As I listened and sang along, I started to cry. It was the beginning of my true understanding of music. I’ve been a devout listener of doo-wop since 1955 and considered myself somewhat of an expert. But the memories it brought back were amazing. Overwhelming.

The Dubs provided my first recognized musical time machine, and I have been in the time machine warp ever since.

Fast forward to 2008. I started my subscription to a club here in Charlotte, N.C., called Music with Friends. They put on four concerts a

year in a small venue (750 people) with great acoustics (actually an old converted church).

I’ve got perfect seats (although there is not a bad seat in the house). And every event is TOTAL time machine music. Gladys Knight, Tony Bennett, Smokey Robinson, Hall & Oats, and Diana Ross to name a few.

Yes, I go to large arena music time machine events too. Carole King, Springsteen and the incomparable Leonard Cohen.

And as a true music lover, I also see who and what is new. Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Rhianna.

There’s magic in live music.

IMPORTANT MUSIC LESSON: Repetition is the mother of mastery. If you hear a song once, and you like it, you tap your foot to the music.

After you hear that song five times, you can sing along. After you hear that song ten times, you can sing it on your own.

And if you hear that same song 20 years later, it instantly transports you back to the exact time and place you first heard it.

If I play the right song for you, I can take you back to your first date, first kiss, summer romance, travel, school, riding in a car, first wedding dance, even your first divorce.

In the late ’60s, one of the singer-songwriters I listened to most was Leonard Cohen. Compelling, clear, haunting music. In 1993, I was finishing the writing and editing of my Sales Bible in Hilton Head. Along with my editor, Rod Smith, and my cat Lito, I (we) listened to

Leonard Cohen every day as the book was completed. Twenty years later I had a chance to see him live in Las Vegas.

Sitting in the second row, the floodgates of memories and life opened. An amazing performance.

Jeffrey Gitomer Last month we (my partner, Jessica, and I) flew to New Orleans to watch Leonard Cohen for the second time in two years. I could sing every song. It wasn’t just a concert. It was an emotional remembrance. The ’60s, The Sales Bible, the first concert, and this one. Very emotional. Very inspirational. Very impactful. Very life enhancing.

What’s your music?

What were you dancing to?

What are you dancing to?

What’s making your memories?

What’s keeping your memories alive?

What makes you cry with joy?

What makes you sing along (even if you can’t sing)?

What makes you stop and contemplate life?

SALES MUSIC: Music can also affect and impact your sales. Upbeat music makes the brain think and act upbeat. I prefer to call it “sales music” because it gets you in a positive mood and can provide that extra passionate push.

Don’t you wish your prospect was thinking, “Bob is going to be here soon, I better play some

rock music so I’m in a great mood when he arrives.” IDEA: Why not send a few songs to your prospect and ask him or her to listen to them just prior to your arrival. Okay, that probably won’t happen, but you get the idea.

MUSIC ACTION PLAN: 1. Document your music memory makers and get that music onto your music player or phone.

2. Identify the music that makes you wanna dance and puts you in a great mood. Download it all and put it in a separate “sales music” file on your iPod. 2.5 Listen with the intent to be in a great frame of mind. A sales frame of mind.

I don’t know about you, but sales has always been music to my ears.

TELL ME: Got a favorite tune to set your sales mind on fire? Post it on my facebook page at www.facebook.com/jeffreygitomer.

Jeffrey Gitomer is the author of “The Sales Bible”, “Customer Satisfaction is Worthless” “Customer Loyalty is Priceless”, “The Little Red Book of Selling”, “The Little Red Book of Sales Answers”, “The Little Black Book of Connections”, “The Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude”, “The Little Green Book of Getting Your Way”, “The Little Platinum Book of ChaChing”, “The Little Teal Book of Trust”, “The Little Book of Leadership”, and “Social BOOM!” His website, www.gitomer.com, will lead you to more information about training and seminars, or email him personally at salesman@gitomer.com.

NEWSMAKERS Society recognizes Munn Patricia Munn, an instructor in the School of Accountancy at the University of Southern Mississippi, has been named the 2013 Outstanding Educator by the Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA). Munn was recognized during the business meeting portion of the organization’s annual convention in Destin, Fla., and represents the eighth instructor from Southern Miss to be honored by the MSCPA since the award began in 1988.

Munn has served as an instructor of accounting at Southern Miss since 1986. She taught accounting at Jones County Junior College from 1985-86. She also served as an instructor in the English Language Institute at Southern Miss from 1978 to 1983. She received her bachelor of arts degree in Spanish and English from Mississippi College in 1967 and her master’s degree in Spanish education from the University of South Carolina, Columbus, in 1976. Munn obtained her master of public accounting degree from Southern Miss in 1986. She passed the CPA exam on the first sitting in May of 1985 and earned the Silver Medal.

Eleuterius named city manager Sansing moves to Ole Miss

Former Harrison County Supervisor Bobby Eleuterius has been D’Iberville city manager. Sharron Perkins, the city’s chief financial officer, has served as acting city manager since Michael Janus was fired from the job in March.

Eleuterius annual salary will be $92,173 and he was offered a one-year contract. He resigned his seat on the Mississippi Coast Coliseum Commission.

Tate receives welcome First Federal Savings and Loan in Aberdeen recently held a welcome reception for its new CEO Dale Tate. Tate is taking the place of 35-year veteran Neil Hilliard. Tate has been in the lending business for 30 years. He started his career at Starkville’s National Bank of Commerce in 1978.

Tate was getting out of the bank business, submitting his resignation as president of West Point’s Bank First when he received the call from First Federal Savings.

Perry Sansing, former assistant to the president and university counsel at Mississippi University for Women, is the new associate general counsel at the University of Mississippi. He also will serve as the chancellor’s special assistant for governmental affairs.

David Sansing, UM professor emeritus of history and author of a book chronicling the history of Ole Miss, is Sansing’s father.

Before joining MUW 14 years ago, Sansing, an Oxford native, served as a partner in two law firms — Adams & Reese and Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes, both in Jackson. He was also a law clerk for Chief Judge Charles Clark of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Sansing earned his bachelor’s degree in history and political science and his juris doctorate from UM. His articles have been published in Mississippi Civil Practice and the Mississippi Lawyer.

Sansing is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association, past president of the Council of School Board Attorneys and a former member of the Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association board of directors. Sansing’s civic involvements include the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television board of directors, Mississippi EdNet Institute board of directors and past

president of the Town & Tower Club of Columbus. He and his wife, the former Jeannie Hogan of Clarksdale, have two daughters: Kimberly, a senior at Ole Miss; and Lizzie, a senior in high school.

Haynes design takes award Delta State University faculty member Dr. Jan Haynes recently won Best of Show in the Juried Apparel Design Competition at the 104th Annual Conference and Expo of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences in Houston, Texas. Haynes is chair of the Division of Family of Consumer Sciences and professor of fashion merchandising in the College of Education and Human Sciences (COEHS).

Haynes’ garment, made from upholstery samples, was showcased for more than 700 family and consumer sciences and allied professionals attending the conference. Haynes’ recognition is a reflection of her work in the classroom and for the COEHS.

For announcements in Newsmakers; Contact: Wally Northway (601) 364-1016 • wally.northway@msbusiness.com

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SALES MOVES

24 ■ Mississippi Business Journal ■ August 2, 2013

When David was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, everything changed. He knew choosing the right physicians was crucial to his survival. At University Cancer Care, David relied on a multi-disciplinary cancer team backed by the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only Academic Medical Center. He relied on specialists with access to advanced research and technology. And he chose a place where collaboration and compassion provide hope for those battling cancer every day.

To watch Davidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story, visit ummchealth.com/david.

For more information about University Cancer Care, visit ummchealth.com/cancer or call 888.815.2005.

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My Life is Proof.

Getting Involved Participating schools are purchasing one of the basic AIMS kits to get started. This includes bows, arrows, targets, and a large hanging backdrop that serves as a protective shield behind the targets to protect facilities or background objects. The cost of the “kit” is approximately $2,800. he zing of arrows flying The kit equipment pack is enough to set downrange across up 11 shooting stations that will serve class statewide school districts sizes much larger when using rotational is evidence an archery shooting schemes. Trainers from the program sponsored by Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Foundation the MDWFP is a huge will provide a free one-day training prosuccess. Started in 2005 gram for designated school instructors. with only 10 schools These AIMS instructors will be certified signed up, today the AIMS, or Archery in as a level one archery instructor. Each parMississippi Schools, now has about 384 ticipating school is required to have at least schools in the state participating in the two instructors attend the training seminar. program according to AIMS program diTraining seminars are taught at various lorector, Waldo Cleland of Columbia. cations around the state at various times of That name Waldo is probably familiar the year. with a lot of competition archery shooters Additional information and details on and bow hunters across the state. Waldo is the AIMS program can be found on the a well known archery champion in his own wildlife web site at www.mdwfp.com, or rights having been involved in 3-D, indoor www.nasp.org. At the MDWFP offices target, Olympic style and field archery for contact Randy Newman or call (601) 674FILE / The Mississippi Business Journal many years. His wife, Kim, is also a highly 0777 or (601) 213-8111.

AIMS started small ibut has grown to include 384 schools across the state. respected archery title winner, as well.

For all the good reasons mentioned Cleland went professional in 1992 and above the AIMS program is something We definitely need to grow the partici- that works. It engages young people in a accurately. It also foshad top five finishes in all of the major pation by young people in all of the activi- new and pro-active sport that does not reshoots. He has won five national titles and ters plenty of repeat ties of the great outdoors in Mississippi. practice so shooters set many records in the National Field quire a contact skill like football or other Some of these participants may eventually regular school sports programs. Many stuwith even marginal Archery Association. Waldo also owned become interested in archery hunting or talent can eventually and operated his own archery supply shop dents after getting into the program actuother outdoors based activities. learn to shoot very in Columbia for years. ally discover that archery shooting is fun.

Students participating in the AIMS well and expand their To this end, AIMS’ secondary collateral program should also benefit from the pro- benefits might mean attraction to other competitive base.

The AIMS Program gram in many other ways including build- outdoor archery activities like bow hunting.

The other reason AIMSwas designed to introduce bow John Woods ing self-esteem, teamwork, individual skill Recruiting more hunters is a positive thing students like the and arrow shooting to students in the 4th development, over all enhancement of to 12th grades. The archery shooting course AIMS program is in and of itself. That means more license physical conditioning, and creating a foun- sales, more gear and equipment sales, and is part of the physical education curriculum because it does not dation for a lifelong learning and recrerely on pure athleticism to be successful within the school systems. growing appreciation for the outdoors and ational activity. like traditional team sports.

To date there are over 32,000 students lifelong participation. All of that spells a Implementation of AIMS has been a co- positive for Mississippi. involved in the 384 schools signed up for operative effort by the MDWFP, the The Role of the MDWFP AIMS. Nationally the program has grown The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Foundation, the Mississippi Department of John J. Woods, Ph.D.,isvicepresidentinchargeofecoto over 4.2 million students. According to Fisheries, and Parks Foundation is making Education and the Mississippi Private Cleland the AIMS program is one of the nomicdevelopmentandtraining,EagleRidgeConference School Association. AIMS is active in both andTrainingCenter,theWorkforceDevelopmentCenter fastest expanding sports in Mississippi and the program available to local Mississippi public and private elementary, middle school districts. The Foundation and the all across the country. andcontracttrainingservicesatHindsCommunityCollege schools, junior highs and senior high MDWFP is putting forth the effort with Students like to participate in the proinRaymond. schools across the state. gram because it focuses on concentration as this program to hopefully attract more Mississippi youth into the out-of-doors. in steadying the bow and arrow to shoot

OUTDOORS WITH DR. JOHN WOODS

AIMS Program right on target

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FIT

Continued from Page 20

nifer Mooneyham of the Family Health Center for being a promoter of fitness programs for children.

He finds that many times parents aren’t educated about nutrition and exercise for children. “Parents want their children to be fit and many children get pushed into sports for that reason,” he said. “I’ve watched kids get out of cars for sports with fast food bags.”

The FIT program is a combination of diet, exercise, fun and games. The goal is to show parents and kids that by becoming

WANT MORE? For more information and an enrollment form, visit www.mscareplus.com. more physically active and improving some basic eating habits they can improve the overall health of the whole family. There are 12 classes and parents must attend at least nine. Such things as meal planning and making smarter choices will be addressed.

“We use positive reinforcement and make it fun. At the end of 90 days, families can continue on with it,” Allen said. “We hope they will have family time at parks and

not eat fast food.”

With that positive attitude, Allen says instructors will work with each child on his or her level and in different age groups. There will be no yelling; kids will get fit and leave with smiles on their faces. At the first session health care professionals will be available for individual screenings and measuring. Allen says that’s to provide some numbers for comparison at the beginning and end of the program. In the past few years, childhood obesity increased from seven to 18 percent in the six-to-11-yearold age group, and from five percent to 18 percent in the 12-to-19-year-old age group.

“Getting FIT is so important for the

whole family,” Lucius said. “FIT includes fitness and nutrition education to improve the overall health of the whole family by showing the kids ways they can become more physically active and how to improve some basic eating habits. Our goal is healthier kids and parents.”

Allen is directing the FIT program, working with experienced performance coaches R.J. Barrett, Dan Burnham and Leslie Dukes. Allen began his career in Louisiana working with adults and has worked with velocity sports training. He enjoys working with fitness for children and is pleased with Mississippi Sports Medicine’s community involvement.

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26 ■ Mississippi Business Journal ■ August 2, 2013

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Mississippi Business Journal

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» MISSISSIPPI LEADERS by Martin Willoughby

Great by choice Burt leading Roadmap

Up Close With ... Beneta Burt

ask each of my interviewees their favorite business/leadership book. By far, the most frequent book referenced is Jim Collins’ Good to Great. Collins has a follow-up book out, which is also very impactful titled Great By Choice. In the book he states, “Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline.”

While he is primarily referring to organizations, I believe his statement is equally true for individuals. There are many things we can’t control in life, but we can control our attitude and our personal integrity. I enjoy studying the lives of leaders who CHOOSE to pursue greatness regardless of their circumstance. Interestingly, this choice is usually not about personal gain, but instead in pursuit of greatness in the service of others.

Beneta Burt is one of those leaders who have made a choice. Burt serves as executive director of Mississippi Roadmap to Health Equity Inc. (Roadmap). The organization is supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and has a primary focus of “raising awareness leading to community action where health and social disparities exist.” Founded in 2003, Roadmap has made significant strides in eradicating and/or minimizing the structural or social barriers relevant to disparities in health in Jackson including the creation of a local farmer’s market and fitness center.

Burt grew up on a rural farm outside of Oxford. After high school, she earned her degree from Jackson State University on full scholarship as a part of a prestigious academic program called the “13 College Curriculum” (aptly named because there were 13 colleges across the country participating in the program – and sharing the same curriculum).In this program, there was a tremendous emphasis on cultural growth as well as academic. She shared, “It served as the basis for the person and professional I have become today.” For example, her English instructor routinely required students to do presentations on any subject just to be more comfortable presenting in a persuasive

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Title: Executive director, Mississippi Roadmap to Health Equity Inc. First Job: ”My first job out of college was as a night shift directory assistance operator for South Central Bell.”

Favorite Books: On Leadership by Frances Hesselbein; The 360 Degree Leader

by John Maxwell Proudest Moment as a Leader: When, unbeknownst to my daughter, Twanda, I attended a session that she led with great compassion and competence. It was a very proud moment for me, in that her leadership style was very much reflective of the values that I also share.

Hobbies/Interests: Jazz, reading and travel

manner before an audience. She subsequently earned a MPPA degree (masters, public policy and administration) from Jackson State University.

Her mother and father had a significant influence on her leadership style. Burt said, “Very early on they taught me that the only thing you have and can control is yourself and your own integrity.” Her father once told Burt and her siblings, “You’re getting to go to school because I own this land. Understand the importance of ownership – as a means of controlling how you live your life.” He also taught them their word is their bond – and many other lessons around the kitchen table every evening. I believe there

“Don’t just make opportunity for yourself.

Make it for others as well. If one prospers — so do others.”

New book tells how to beat the sugar habit

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» Beating Sugar Addiction for Dummies

By Dan DeFigio Published by Wiley $19.99 softcover

new title in the popular Dummies series was released last month and it really rings a lot of bells.

As all of us of all ages — especially families with young children ±— are wrestling with making healthy food choices, we must face our bad eating habits. Surely our love of sugar is at the top of the list.

If you don't think of a love and devotion for sugar as an addiction, think again. When you think of addictions, various illegal and harmful substances probably spring to mind. However, sugar is highly addictive and acts on the pleasure center of the brain like alcohol and heroin. In other words, the more you eat, the more you want.

"Today, the average American consumes more than 130 pounds of sugar each year, which your body isn't designed to handle, says the book's author Dan DeFigio. "As a result, our country is plagued with high rates of obesity, diabetes, chronic fatigue, high cholesterol, metabolic syndrome, and much more — a very high price to pay for the sake of habit, preference and convenience."

“Today, the average American consumes more than 130 pounds of sugar each year, which your body isn't designed to handle” Dan DeFigio

is much wisdom that has been handed down over the generations around the dinner table. I fear we are losing that in our “onthe-go” culture.

Burt encourages people to lead from Martin Willoughby wherever you are within the organization. Leadership expert John Maxwell calls this 360-degree leadership. She noted, “You don’t have to be CEO. Lead from the middle or the bottom.” She encourages leaders to lead with integrity, strength and most importantly – heart. Burt emphasized that leading with heart does not mean you are ‘soft.’ It ensures your employees will be happy – and as a result, productive.” She went on to address the issue of money. Burt noted, “Money is important – but it’s not the only thing. Lead in a manner that enables you to contribute to your family, your society and even the world.” She believes it is important to make a difference – “beyond the almighty dollar.” Burt encourages young leaders to be grounded in faith beyond their understanding, and to be an “opener of doors.” She emphasized, “Don’t just make opportunity for yourself. Make it for others as well. If one prospers – so do others.”

Leaders like Burt make a choice every day to choose the path of pursuing greatness.

They know that their life has a higher purpose and seek to fulfill their mission. She has certainly been an “opener of doors” in her life and has a made a significant contribution to our state in the process.

Martin Willoughby is a business consultant and regular contributing columnist for the Mississippi Business Journal. He serves as Chief Operating Officer of Butler Snow Advisory Services, LLC and can be reached at martin.willoughby@ butlersnow.com.

In the book, DeFigio explains the science behind sugar addiction and why it's so harmful for us. He also helps readers identify whether or not they might be sugar addicts and gives the tools to create a sustainable and more nutritious diet that includes exercise recommendations and healthy recipes. One of the first steps in decreasing reliance on sugar, he says, is making smarter choices regarding the food we buy and eat.

I must say that DeFigio's list of harmful foods makes me want to wire my mouth shut. There just seems to be sugar and harmful chemicals in everything. Diet soda? Not good.

Microwave popcorn? Not good. Canned soups? Not good.

Frozen low-calorie entrees? Not good. Bacon? Well, yeah, I DID know that was bad.

See what I mean? But, there is good information and food for thought (pardon the pun) in this book that will at the very least make us stop and think before reaching for items on the grocery store shelf.

DeFigio is an old pro in the fitness and nutrition industry. His articles have appeared in numerous professional publications, including SELF Magazine, MD News, and Personal Fitness Professional.

— Lynn Lofton, mbj@msbusiness.com

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August 2, 2013

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