MBJ_50W—SEPT28-2018 by Journal Inc

www.msbusiness.com • September 28, 2018

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AZINE EDITION: BENEFITS FOCUS SPECIAL MAG ANCE & EMPLOYEE » INCLUDES INSUR NEWSMAKERS » THIS WEEK’S TOP

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2018 CLASS MEREDITH M. ALDRIDGE Maron Marvel Bradley Anderson & Tardy LLC .......................10 NATASHA AVERY Network 8 ..........................................................................10 KELLE J. BARFIELD Lorelei Books ......................................................................11 STEPHANIE GIBSON BARRETT Oxford Urgent Care ............................................................. 12 PAMELA SCOTT BRACEY Mississippi State University................................................. 12 SUZANNAH BRITT Hospice Ministries, Inc. ....................................................... 13 KIMBERLY ROSE CARON The Caron Gallery ............................................................... 14 JENNIFER G. CARTER BrownandBrownInsurance.......................................... 14 KEARN LYNDA CHERRY PRN Home Care ................................................................. 15 SHARON BERRY CLARK Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology............................... 16 PARICIA COLEMAN Navigator Credit Union ....................................................... 16 AMANDA B. COMER Magnolia Regional Health Center......................................... 17 JESSICA COOLEY GranthamPoole CPAs .......................................................... 18 ELISE E. DEANO Law Office of Elise Epperson Deano..................................... 18 KELLI M. DOWELL Entergy .............................................................................. 19 MICHELLE DUGAN Renasant Bank .................................................................. 20 LAMESHIA EDWARDS Community First Real Estate .............................................. 20

INSIDE LOOKING BACK: 2018 Business Woman of the Year – Teresa Hubbard ..................................8 ALUMNI: Past 50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi ............................................. 10-43 PHOTO PAGES: Announcement celebration ....................................................................44-17 FRAN FLOOD Account Services/People Lease ........................................... 21 JAMITA Q. ELMORE GILLEYLEN Law Office of Jamita Elmore Gilleylen ..................................22 LISA MCDANIELE HAWKINS Room to Room ...................................................................22 SHIRLEY D. HENDRIX R & B Specialty Printing ......................................................23 CHRISTEE HOLBROOK Graham Rooﬁng Inc. ...........................................................24 LEKEYSHA GREER ISAAC Cosmich, Simmons & Brown ...............................................24 LATOYA T. JETER Brown Bass & Jeter, PLLC ...................................................25 PHYLLIS POLK JOHNSON Mississippi State Board of Nursing ......................................26 DENISE M. JONES Ingalls Shipbuilding ............................................................26 LESLIE A. KELLEY Community Bank ................................................................27 CINDY LAMB Pickering ............................................................................28 LYNN N. LOFTON M2Media Corp ....................................................................28 ANNIE CHAPMAN MCILWAIN PPM Consultants, Inc..........................................................29 ASHLEY MCLELLAN BancorpSouth ................................................................... 30 PAULA MERRITT Motorola Solutions ............................................................ 30 SANDY MIDDLETON The Center for Violence Prevention ..................................... 31 JANE L. MOSS Viking Range ......................................................................32

TINA O’KEEFE MGM Resorts International .................................................32 LORETTA D. PHILLIPS Madison County Board of Supervisor ...................................33 KAYTIE M. PICKETT Jones Walker LLP ...............................................................34 LANE M. PURVIS Capitol Staffing ..................................................................34 KENYA KEY RACHAL Baker Donelson ..................................................................35 LAUREN NICOLE SINCLAIR Lauren Nicole Designs.........................................................36 MELISSA A. SKAGGS Lamar Advertising ..............................................................36 JENNIFER M. STUDEBAKER Forman Watkins & Krutz ..................................................... 37 LAMONICA DAVIS TAYLOR Smiles on Broadway Dental Care .........................................38 TABATHA TERRELL-BROOKS Jackson State University .....................................................38 MINA THORGESON Ridgeland Tourism ..............................................................39 TONYA HAIRSTON WARE The Success House & The Church Triumphant Global .......... 40 ASHLEY N. WICKS Butler Snow ...................................................................... 40 ROSE WILLIAMSON Barlow & Company PLLC..................................................... 41 BLAKLEY YOUNG WTVA-Heartland Media .....................................................42 LIZ YOUNGBLOOD UMMC ...............................................................................43

FOCUS ON Insurance & Employee Beneﬁts » National Flood Insurance Program needs long-term reauthorization .........................................................................50 » PROFILE: Helping others is Covington goal .............................................................................................................. 52 LIST » Independent Insurance Agencies .............................................................................................................................54 4 – 2018 Fifty Leading Business Women

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2018 FiftyLeading Business Women â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5

6 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2018 Fifty Leading Business Women

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2018 Advisory Board

Jennifer Anderson

Carolyn Boteler

Linda Bynum

Jan Coulter Collins

Executive Director The Chamber of Flowood

President TempStaff Inc.

Executive Director Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce

Executive Director Madison Co. Business League & Foundation

Julie Harrison

Lauren McGraw

Charlotte Reeves

Dr. Gay Saxon

Mississippi Residential Builder Turn Key Real Estate Investment Provider

CEO McGraw’s Gotta Go Portable Toilets LLC

President A-1 Pallets

Director of Workforce Training Hinds Community College

Candie L. Simmons

Becky White

Senior Vice President Regions

Marketing Director Haddox Reid CPAs & Advisors

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2018 FiftyLeading Business Women – 7

2018 Business Woman of the Year

Teresa Hubbard named Woman of the Year

eresa Hubbard, President & CEO of CITE Armored, was named Mississippi’s Business Woman of the Year for 2018 in February by the Mississippi Business Journal. Hubbard was joined by 10 ﬁnalists and 39 other honorees at an event at the Old Capitol Inn in Downtown Jackson. Hubbard has a broad range of experience that continues to enhance the success of the company she opened in 2002 to manufacture cash-in-transit equipment and vehicles in Holly Springs. She is experienced at operating a small business and has the expertise needed to run the organization. She previously was controller at Griffin, Inc., in Byhalia, and was a public and tax accountant in Memphis. Hubbard received her B.B.A in Accounting and B.B.A in Computer Information Systems from Delta State University. Hubbard is a member of Independent Armored Car Operators Association, Marshall County Chamber of Commerce, the Secure Cash and Transport Association, the ATM Industry Association, Kappa Delta Alumni Association, LOU Humane Society, Delta State Alumni Association, U of M Athletic Foundation, and contributes to Compassion Ministries. She lives in Oxford with her two children, Ben and Elizabeth. She enjoys reading, travel, cooking, watching sports and work.

Previous recipients of Business Woman of the Year SISTER MARY DOROTHEA SONDGEROTH St. Dominic - 2000 ROBYN TANNEHILL GodwinGroup - 2001 GAIL PITTMAN Gail Pittman, Inc. - 2002 DR. FRANCES LUCAS Millsaps College – 2003 ELEANOR ROGERS Quality Hospice & Quality Healthcare – 2004 D’AUBY SCHIEL Community Bank Coast – 2005 LINDA C. WATTS Mississippi Power Company – 2006 JANE R. DENNIS Corporate Secretary-Treasurer – 2007 KATHRYN H. HESTER Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis – 2008 JOEY F. GARNER TEC – 2009 JANET SULLIVAN MDOT - 2010 ROSI JOHNSON Mississippi Music - 2011 Photo by Stegall Imagery DANA HARBERS UMC - 2012 MENDE ALFORD Old Capitol Inn - 2013 PAT THOMASSON Thomasson and Company - 2014 ROSEMARY SMITH R & R Rentals and Hotshot, Inc. - 2015 FELICIA GAVIN Mississippi Department of Education - 2016 NANCY CARPENTER Visit Columbus - 2017

8 – 2018 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Congratulations JANE MOSS Chief Financial Officer

for being chosen as one of the 50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi from The Mississippi Business Journal

VIKINGRANGE.COM

Meredith M. Aldridge

Maron Marvel Bradley Anderson & Tardy LLC Meredith Aldridge is a director with the law firm of Maron Marvel Bradley Anderson & Tardy LLC. Meredith is a litigator who defends business clients in state and federal court in Mississippi and Alabama. Since 2017, Meredith has assisted in the development of two new practice areas at the firm. Prior to joining the firm, Meredith spent more than a decade at the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office. Meredith is a graduate of Mississippi State University and the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. Meredith Aldridge is also serving as the President of the Junior League of Jackson for 2018-2019. In that capacity, she manages a staff of four, a membership totaling 2,400, and an annual operating budget of approximately $1.5 million. In her time with the League, Meredith chaired the first Diversity & Inclusion task force and developed a set of cultural competencies to improve communication and service, efforts that were nationally recognized in 2018. Meredith is a native of Marietta, Georgia and is married to Ben Aldridge, a Senior Vice President with Trustmark. They are parents to Ann Carlton (8) and Pate (6), and they are active members of St. James Episcopal Church.

Natasha Avery

D Network 8

Dr. Natasha Avery is the Executive Director of Network 8, Inc., a subsidiary of Alliant Health Solutions. Under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services contract, Network 8 serves end stage renal disease patients in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. Dr. Avery is responsible for the overall strategic and operational oversight for Network 8 contract operations. Dr. Avery is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and a Certiﬁed Health Education Specialist (CHES). She earned a doctorate in public health and master’s in social work from Jackson State University, as well as a bachelor’s from Mississippi State University. She serves on the Board of Trustees for the Mississippi Kidney Foundation, received the 2017 Champions of Change Award- Women Making a Difference in Madison County from the Madison County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and a member of the Junior League of Jackson. She attends Anderson United Methodist Church and enjoys spending time with her husband, Ashley, and children Lance, 6 and Logan, 3.

10 – 2018 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Kelle J. Barﬁeld

Lorelei Books A native of Vicksburg, Kelle Barfield spent more than 32 years at Entergy Corporation in Corporate Communications and for the past 10 years has served as a nuclear power communications advisor to the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna. In 2017, she became owner of Lorelei Books in the heart of Vicksburg’s historic downtown. Barfield serves on the Mississippi Commission on School Accreditation and co-chairs the steering committee for Vicksburg-Warren College and Career Academies. She is a member of the Warren County Economic Development Foundation and Warren County Forestry Association, serves on the board of the Southern Culture Heritage Foundation and is an officer of the Vicksburg Art Association. At First Presbyterian Church, Barfield teaches adult Sunday School and is an ordained deacon. After graduating from Warren Central High School, she earned a bachelor of journalism at the University of Texas and a master of communication management from Syracuse University. The mother of three adult children — Arthur, Allie and William — Barfield enjoys knitting, making stained glass windows, cycling and exploring new places around the world.

Congratulations

Liz Youngblood CEO, UMMC Jackson Adult Hospitals

for being named one of the 50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi.

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2018 Fifty Leading Business Women – 11

Stephanie Gibson Barrett

Oxford Urgent Care Stephanie Barrett currently manages and oversees the daily business and clinical operations of three urgent care clinics in North Mississippi, two of which she owns. She is a consultant for the third. Not only is she the office manager, she is also cross trained to work every position within her clinics. Barrett wears many hats on a daily basis including receptionist, nurse, medical assistant/lab tech, radiology technologist, nurse practitioner, human resources, billing, maintenance and interior decorator. She is primarily in the Oxford office but also goes to Starkville once a week and Southaven once every two weeks. She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing from the Mississippi University for Women.

Pamela Scott Bracey

Mississippi State University Dr. Pamela Bracey is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Instructional Systems and Workforce Development at Mississippi State University where she has taught in the Business Technology Education and Information Technology Services undergraduate programs, and Instructional Technology graduate programs since 2013. In this role, Bracey was awarded Mississippi’s Outstanding University Business Educator of the Year for two consecutive years and the 2018 Mississippi’s Excellence in Higher Education Award by Mississippi Association of Educators. Attributing much of her success to the Gates Millennium Scholars Program and the United Negro College Fund, Dr. Bracey graduated from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas with a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Applied Technology and Performance Improvement, with a minor in Gifted and Talented Education. She also earned a Master of Science degree in Higher Education Administration from Mississippi College, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Technology Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. Bracey is married to Rudy Bracey, and they have two sons, Riley & Joshua.

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Suzannah Britt

Hospice Ministries, Inc. Suzannah Britt is the executive director of Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland. She has been in that position since 2017 but has been with Hospice Ministries since August 2001 serving in such capacities as Patient Care Coordinator and Director of Clinical Services. In her position, Britt, overseeing more than 120 employees that care for more than 1,000 patients, works closely with organizational leadership, including the board of directors, to ensure quality care for all services, operational and administrative functions of the organization. She prepares the $8.8 million annual operating budget and is responsible for the management of the operational ďŹ nancial matters of the organization. She promotes the mission of the organization to the public with successful community outreach and marketing strategies and oversees a broad base fund development program. Britt is a 1998 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and a 1996 graduate of Copiah Lincoln Community College. She also enjoys baking, craft projects, and swimming.

Congratulations Dr. LaMonica Davis Taylor on being chosen as one of 2018s 50 Leading Business Women

5442 WATKINS DR. | JACKSON, MS 39206

601-665-4996 www.msbusiness.com

2018 Fifty Leading Business Women â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 13

Kimberly Rose Caron

The Caron Gallery After owning and operating Caron Gallery for more than seven years, Kimberly Caron has developed a strong understanding of business operations, managing employees and customer service. Her love of art has grown into a thriving business that strives to showcase the artists of Mississippi. She strives to break down barriers between the community and the visual arts by welcoming everyone to the gallery without feeling threatened or inadequate to evaluate the art. Caron encourages all to purchase what moves them without explanation and to gain the conﬁdence of adding art to their home. Caron prays that her faith in God is shown in how she lives her daily life. By the way, she loves and cares for others and not in what she says. She feels blessed to be able to interact and build relationships with the artists she represent, the clients she serves and the staff she works alongside each day. Caron tries to remind herself it’s about the relationships she builds and not the shallow words we can so often fall into saying. She says if she had not started this business, she would have missed out on many lifelong friendships. Caron says she is excited each day for the opportunity to build and grow these relationships.

Jennifer G. Carter

Brown and Brown Insurance

Jennifer Carter joined the Brown & Brown team in July 2018. As an insurance & risk management advisor, Jennifer delivers insurance solutions to business owners and public entities in Mississippi. With 34 years of experience in the industry, Jennifer brings a diverse knowledge of insurance marketing, underwriting, account management, insurance education, and risk management Jennifer spent the ﬁrst 10 years of her professional career with IBM Corporation. Following IBM, Jennifer spent 11 years as the Director of Marketing for AmFed. Prior to joining Brown and Brown, Jennifer was in program development for the Mississippi Municipal Service Company primarily focusing on insurance solutions for governmental entities. She is a licensed Property & Casualty Agent, has served on the Board of Directors for the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Educational Association since 2009, and is an active founding member of the Professional Women’s Association of Jackson. Jennifer received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with honors from Mississippi State University and resides in Madison with her family.

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Kearn Lynda Cherry

PRN Home Care Kearn Cherry is VP of operations/co-owner of PRN Homecare. Raised in Biloxi, Cherry started her career there as well. While working at Keesler Air Force Base Hospital, she completed her ﬁrst degree. After living abroad in Germany, and moving to Sierra Vista, Ariz., Cherry started her ﬁrst business and completed her second degree in occupational therapy. After working a few years in occupational therapy, PRN Staffing and PRN Home Care was created. As a business owner, Cherry believes that you must be a community leader. She has been involved with several Chamber of Commerces on the Gulf Coast. Cherry has served on many boards and committees such as Heart Association, Lighthouse BPW, Mental Health Association, Gulf Coast Symphony and more. Cherry has also created several organizations such as the Success Women’s Conference, Blessed Gyrls Rock!, R.I.P.E. Conference, Senior Prom, and many more. She is now bringing her TV show, “Unwrinkled Heart Caregivers’ Journeys” to homes on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Cherry believes that you need to be an active part of your community while running your business.

Ingalls Shipbuilding congratulates you, Denise, for being selected as one of the 50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi!

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2018 Fifty Leading Business Women – 15

Sharon Berry Clark

Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology In 2017, Sharon Clark was selected as the executive director of Mississippi Board of Cosmetology and cast a vision of reform for the Agency. She is responsible for the administration, leadership and management of the Agency. She is also responsible for the management of the staff, marketing the Agency and implementing new events and programs to better serve Mississippians. In this role, Clark provides statewide leadership in the provision of services that facilitate cost-effective license processing and solutions for the licensees of Mississippi. She has over 29 years of ﬁnancial and marketing experience in both the private sector and the state level of the public sector. Mrs. Clark has worked with state agencies to champion economic development, assistance and education for the most vulnerable people across the State of Mississippi. Clark was crowned Mrs. Mississippi Plus America 2011. She and her husband, Sam, live with their son, Landon Hardwick (18) in Brandon.

Paricia Coleman

Navigator Credit Union Paricia Coleman is the chief administration officer for Navigator Credit Union in Pascagoula. Her current responsibilities at Navigator Credit Union include the management & leadership of the following departments: Marketing, Human Resources, Training, Sales & Service and the Member Contact Center (member service & lending call center). She’s responsible for budgeting, strategic planning, project management, team building, member experience, coaching, mentoring, quality assurance and goal achievement. Prior to joining the Navigator Team, Coleman had an extensive 15-year career at Keesler Federal Credit Union, starting as a ﬁnancial service representative. She is a graduate of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi. Coleman is married to Ralph Coleman and they have two children, Alyssa (16) and Jax (11).

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Amanda B. Comer

Magnolia Regional Health Center Dr. Amanda Comer received her Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree from Augusta University in Georgia following a Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University’s emergency nurse practitioner program. Comer has nearly 20 years of experience in the emergency setting including pulmonary/critical care medicine, emergency, trauma and urgent care. Dr. Comer is the founder and director of the State of Mississippi’s ﬁrst Emergency Nurse Practitioner Fellowship. Comer is a Founding Member and serves on the Executive Board of American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners. She is an active member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Dr. Comer’s research interests are emergency nurse practitioner competencies, organizational on-boarding of ENPs and nurse practitioner fellowship programs. In her spare time, Dr. Comer enjoys traveling, cooking and playing superheroes with her two sons Daniel (4) and Thomas (2). Amanda and her husband Paul live in Corinth.

Congratulations Paula Merritt on being chosen as one of the 2018 Fifty Leading Business Women in Mississippi www.msbusiness.com

2018 Fifty Leading Business Women – 17

Jessica Cooley

GranthamPoole CPAs Jessica Cooley is a member of GranthamPoole PLLC and a leader in the firm’s tax planning and compliance practice. She is focused in the area of estate and trust taxation, having worked with many clients to navigate compliance and planning for trust, gift and estate matters. She also works with many businesses and business owners to handle various planning, structuring and compliance matters. Cooley is a member of the Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants, The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Estate Planning Council of Mississippi. In the community, she is actively involved with the Junior League of Jackson and MadisonRidgeland Rotary Club. She is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi where she earned her Master of Professional Accountancy and Bachelor of Business Administration degrees. Jessica and her husband, Chris, have two children, Avery and Ella Grace. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with family.

Elise E. Deano

Law Office of Elise Epperson Deano Elise Epperson Deano, P.A. started working as a special education teacher in 1989 at Coahoma County Schools in Clarksdale, Mississippi. In the school system, she realized her love for children and wanted to impact their lives in a positive way. In the classroom, she could control a positive and constructive atmosphere, but when her students went home, some were defenseless against abusive parents. So in 1992, she pursued law at the University of Mississippi. Working with many law professionals in the state of Mississippi, Deano started her own ﬁrm in 1998 which she currently operates today in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. In 1999, she was a business law professor at William Carey College. In 2011, Elise began a Youth Court Judge Pro Tem in Hancock County. In 2012, she was appointed Youth Court Judge, where she served until the end of 2017. She still serves as Judge Pro Tem for the Stone County Youth Court. Elise Epperson Deano, P.A. understands both sides of the judge’s bench. She brings an exceptional level of enthusiasm, dedication, and nuanced perspective that makes the ﬁrm the holistic solution for legal matters on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

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Kelli M. Dowell

K Entergy

Kelli Dowell has been a senior manager for environmental strategy and policy for Entergy Mississippi since 2015. In her capacity, Dowell manages cross-company coordination of federal environmental regulatory issues and coordinated compliance efforts; acts as nuclear environmental liaison, supporting nuclear management and nuclear environmental subject matter experts on strategy and policy issues; supports investor relations on environmental matters and develops earnings call brieﬁngs and quarterly point of view documents Previously, Dowell was the assistant General counsel for environmental issues for Entergy, managing regulatory compliance and enforcement including complex litigation involving Entergy’s nuclear ﬂeet. Dowell has a Master of Business Administration in 2017 from Millsaps College, a juris doctorate from Mississippi College School of Law in 1998 and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1995 from the University of West Florida. Dowell has two daughters, one at Southern Miss and one at Madison Ridgeland Academy. She also enjoys numerous outdoor activities, including running, sailing, water skiing, and mountain biking, Having said that, CrossFit is her passion.

Dr. Natasha Avery, a leader and advocate for equitable, high-quality health care Congratulations to Dr. Natasha Avery for being named one of the 50 leading business women in Mississippi. As executive director of Network 8, Inc., Dr. Avery and her team work to ensure patient-centered care and improved quality of life for those living with end stage renal disease. We are grateful for her compassion for others, ability to inspire the best in her employees, and her dedication to the Mississippi community! esrdnetwork8.org

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2018 Fifty Leading Business Women – 19

Michelle Dugan

M Renasant Bank

Michelle Dugan was born and raised in Madison. She is currently senior mortgage banker at Renasant Bank. She is a 2005 graduate of Mississippi College. She began working in real estate in 2001 while in college and transitioned to mortgage lending in 2006. Michelle then went on to spend a few years living in the ski resort town of Mammoth Lakes, California, where her family owned a lodge and general store. In 2013 Michelle and her family returned to Madison where they are raising their three children â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bodie (11), Dylan (4), and Harper (3). Michelle enjoys traveling, volunteer work, and spending time with her family.

Lameshia Edwards

Community First Real Estate Meshia Edwards is the broker/owner of Community First Real Estate, which was established (2012). Meshia is a member of the National Associations of Realtors, Central Mississippi Realtors and Mississippi Association of Realtors. Meshia has passionately served the Real Estate Community Since November 2007, and has held multi million dollar producer status since 2008. Meshia continually seeks and achieve designations to better served her clients. She currently holds the following designations (MRP) Military Relocation Professional, (ABR) Accredited Buyers Representative, (SRS) Sellers Representative Specialist, (RENE) Real Estate Negotiation Expert and (GRI) Graduate of Realtor Institute. Meshia specializes in Residential Home Sales In Hinds, Madison and Rankin Counties.

20 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2018 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Fran Flood

Account Services/People Lease Fran Flood is vice president of Account Services Group Insurance, where she had worked since 2001. She specializes in the administration of health, life and dental insurance plans for individuals and groups. Flood is a native of Georgia but has been a resident of Mississippi since 1967, Prior to her current position with Account Services Group, Flood was the Marketing Director for Group Insurance Company. Flood is an active member of many local organizations including Madison/ Ridgeland Rotary, Professional Woman’s Association, Jackson Association of Health Underwriters, Reservoir Career Women’s Association and Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership. Flood resides in Madison and attends St. Frances of Assisi Catholic Church. She enjoys spending time with her two sons and her four grandchildren.

Congratulates

ASHLEY N. WICKS on being named by Mississippi Business Journal as one of their

50 LEADING BUSINESS WOMEN

AL | CO | DC | GA | LA | MA | MS | NC | NM | NY | PA | TN | TX | VA LONDON

SINGAPORE

HONG KONG

ButlerSnow.com www.msbusiness.com

2018 Fifty Leading Business Women – 21

Jamita Q. Elmore Gilleylen

Law Office of Jamita Elmore Gilleylen Jamita Gilleylen is a native of Vicksburg and is married to Olandress Gilleylen and they have a dog that runs the house. During her spare time, she tutors children in reading and mentors teenage girls. Gilleylen is a member of the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church where she serves as Youth Director. She is a graduate of Jackson State University and Southern University Law Center. Gilleylen practices law in Warren County and neighboring areas in a general practice. However her heart is with the Warren County Youth Court where she routinely serves as a juvenile defender and guardian ad litem. She gives voices to children who often would not be heard. For her, there is nothing more rewarding than helping a child.

Lisa McDaniele Hawkins

Room to Room Lisa Hawkins is president of Room to Room Inc., a family owned and operated retail furniture store founded in 2003. Lisa is a graduate of Tupelo High School and received a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and a Master’s of Science in Nursing from Mississippi University for Women, and was a Nursing Instructor at Itawamba Community College from 1982-1986. From 1986-2002 she was the owner of The Velveteen Rabbit. Lisa is very active in the community serving in the following areas: Past President of Tupelo Junior Auxiliary, National Junior Auxiliary Volunteer of the Year, Past President of Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Miss., United Way Campaign Chairman, Board Member, Executive Board, North Mississippi Medical Center Corporate Board, Past Board Member of Create Foundation, Past Board Chairperson and Founding Board Member of Sanctuary Hospice House, Founding Chairman of Celebration Village, Tupelo Housing Authority Commissioner, Current Board Member of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Memphis, Tenn. Branch She lives in Tupelo with her husband, Jim. They have two children and three grandchildren. She is an active member of Harrisburg Baptist Church where she has taught second and third grade Sunday school for 30 years.

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Shirley D. Hendrix

R & B Specialty Printing Shirley Hendrix has been the owner and operator of R & B Specialty Printing since 2001. I started this business while working at a printing company, Adcom Graphics, as Scheduling Manager. She has always been a hard-working, competent, dependable team player — always passionate about her co-workers. The company allowed her to be part of the Big Brothers/ Big Sisters program, that gave her the opportunity to mentor a young lady at Milam School for 2 years. Her children (R) Reggie & (B) Britney, help run the store, along with other associates. R & B was stationed out at the Mall at Barnes Crossing for 8 years. This was where customers got that one-day service experience. During this time, she got her children involved in community work. Hendrix went to the Renasant Center for Ideas in 2012, after Daybrite went through downsizing. After moving in, She immediately became a member of CDF where she became involved with CDF’s Ambassador Program to become connected to my community, community leaders, and other small business owners. Hendrix was named Ambassador of the Year in 2017 and became a CDF Board member in 2016-2018, CDF Executive Board member 2017-2018 and CDF Governance Board in 2017-2018. She is a graduate of the Jim Ingram CLI 2017 program.

Brown & Brown welcomes

JENNIFER G. CARTER Insurance & Risk Advisor Congratulations Jennifer, on being named one of the

50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi from the Mississippi Business Journal!

bbgulfstates.com www.msbusiness.com

2018 Fifty Leading Business Women – 23

Christee Holbrook

Graham Roofing Inc. Christee Holbrook is majority owner of Graham Roofing in West Point. She has built and maintains important relationships with customers, vendors and community leaders while overseeing the day to day operations of the company. She sets goals for the company, reviews all the financial records and information and routinely visits joists to see that the company’s values and work quality are being upheld on construction projects. Holbrook says her most significant professional accomplishment came when the last original owner of Graham Roofing retired, handed off the reins to the company and professed his faith that she is the one to take the company to greater heights in the future. Holbrook earned a degree in accounting from Mississippi University for Women in 1995 and was named the Mississippi Associated Builders and Contractors Professional of the Year in 2014. She is also a graduate of Leadership Golden Triangle.

LeKeysha Greer Isaac

Cosmich, Simmons & Brown LaKeysha Isaac is a partner with Cosmic Simmons and Brown law firm. Her specialties includes banking and finance, corporate, education, gaming, government/utility, healthcare, non-profit, professional services, retail and small business. She is a member of the executive committee, firm administration committee and finance committee. Isaac is also chair of the professional development and diversity committee and is licensed to practice law in Mississippi, New York and New Jersey. Isaac says her most significant professional accomplishment to date is being promoted from salaried partner to one of four equity partners in my firm. Making equity partner represented the attainment of a long-term personal goal as well as recognition from her partners of her experience, her abilities and her potential for future growth. Isaac earned a political science degree from Millsaps College in 1997 and juris doctorate from Emory School of Law in 2000.

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LaToya T. Jeter

Brown Bass & Jeter, PLLC LaToya Jeter is a co-founding law partner at Brown Bass & Jeter, PLLC. LaToya prides herself on client satisfaction. She understands that the legal process is overwhelming for most clients. LaToya always takes the time to talk to her clients and gives them an honest assessment of where things stand. With over 10 years of legal experience, LaToya has been recognized Lawyers as a “Rising Star” by Super in the 2015 Mississippi Bar Leadership Forum. Jeter grew up in Jackson and graduated from Forest Hill High School and then went on and graduated cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she served as Student Government president. LaToya returned to Mississippi and earned her juris doctorate from the University Of Mississippi School Of Law. Jeter enjoys giving back to her community especially by serving as a mentor to youth. She is currently the chair of the Magnolia Bar Association’s Law Camp. The Magnolia Bar Association sponsors a summer residential camp for at-risk youth.

Congratulations to our own Leslie Kelley for being selected as one of Mississippi Business Journal’s 50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi.

• Leslie has been with Community Bank for 14 years and leads the Business Development team along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. • Her dedication is evident by the way she diligently serves the communities in which she lives and works. • Leslie’s compassion and commitment reﬂect her exceptional character.

• COMMUNITYBANK.NET • MEMBER FDIC

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2018 Fifty Leading Business Women – 25

Phyllis Polk Johnson

Mississippi State Board of Nursing Phyllis Polk Johnson serves as the executive director of the Mississippi Board of Nursing where she is responsible for the oversight of approximately 68,000 nurses (RNs, LPNs, and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses). Prior to this role, Phyllis was the Director of Advanced Practice and Licensure where she was responsible for the regulation of licensure, compliance, and discipline for the more than 5000 Advanced Practice Nurses (Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Midwives, and Certiﬁed Registered Nurse Anesthetists) in the state. She has held numerous clinical and managerial responsibilities in her more than thirty years of nursing. A native of Carthage, Mississippi, Phyllis attended South Leake High School in Walnut Grove, Mississippi where she graduated as Salutatorian of her class. She received her BSN (Cum Laude) and MSN degrees from the Mississippi University for Women. Phyllis is known for her tireless work ethic and attributes her drive and desire to excel to her parents. She deﬁnes her culture for excellence as always striving to do and be the best. Married to Clinton Johnson, Jr., she is the mother of two sons, William and Trey, and the grandmother of seven adoring grandchildren.

Denise M. Jones

Ingalls Shipbuilding As director of Talent Management for Ingalls Shipbuilding, Denise Jones is responsible for strategy and execution of leadership development, organizational development and effectiveness, workforce training and diversity and inclusion. Denise has extensive HR experience in leadership development, organizational development, performance management, succession planning and diversity. After joining Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula in 1979, Denise worked as a line manger of the Graphic Arts group and later transferred to the Management Development and OD function for the organization. Denise holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi. Her Bachelor’s degree is in Business Administration and her Master’s degree is in Systems Management. She is a member of the Workforce Development Committee for both AIA and the Shipbuilding Council of America. She is a certiﬁed Senior Professional in Human Resources. She also holds several certiﬁcations including Instructional Design, Myers Briggs Temperance Inventory, Strengths Deployment Inventory, and Seven Habits for Highly Effective People delivery.

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Leslie A. Kelley

Community Bank Leslie Kelley began her banking career with Community Bank in 2003. Having had the opportunity to work in every area of the Bank, Leslie has the knowledge and understanding needed to effectively assist customers with their ﬁnancial needs, whether personal or business. Currently, she is the vice president of business development. Leslie concentrates on servicing Business and Commercial Banking as well as Personal Banking customers. She is an expert in the Treasury Management ﬁeld and can address customers’ needs to ensure their business runs efficiently while assuring cost effectiveness. Leslie is a 2013 graduate of the Mississippi School of Banking at the University of Mississippi in Oxford and a 2018 graduate of Leadership Gulf Coast. Leslie also volunteers in various community organizations along the Gulf Coast: MS Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, Biloxi Kiwanis Club, Salvation Army Advisory Board, Boys and Girls Club of the Gulf Coast, Ocean Springs Education Foundation and United Way.

Congratulations

STEPHANIE BARRETT on being chosen as a

2018 50 LEADING BUSINESS WOMEN 404 COURT SQUARE NORTH | LEXINGTON, MS 39095 | 662-834-2488 | BARRETTLAWGROUP.COM www.msbusiness.com

2018 Fifty Leading Business Women – 27

Cindy Lamb

Pickering Firm, Inc. Cynthia Lamb is a manager of client relations at Pickering Firm, Inc. in Biloxi. She is responsible for the public relations, community relations and marketing of Pickering’s available services in the Southern three counties of Mississippi and surrounding communities. She represent PFI to clients, attend all public municipal and governing authority meetings, coordinate introductions, seek project funding, represent PFI by supporting community events, non-proﬁt organizations and professional organizations and associations. She sits on boards, committees and provides sponsorships and has built relationships with brand recognition, reputation and commitment. Lamb believes the ﬁrst step in any professional contract is mutual respect; this is sustained through a strong relationship. She has a degree in public/media relations from Tulane University, was a graduate of Leadership Gulf Coast in 2017 and the Gulf Coast Business Council Master’s Class in 2017.

Lynn N. Lofton

M2Media Corp As editor of South Mississippi Living, a monthly lifestyle magazine serving the three Coast counties, Lynn Lofton is responsible for all editorial content, including photography. She develops story ideas and special sections with the SML team, make writing and photo assignments among the staff and freelance writers/photographers, write a large portion of the content each month, write headlines, photo captions and cover teasers. She also coordinates with three graphic designers, proof reads, responds to reader, business and community emails regarding content suggestions, interacts with sales staff and advertisers, has responsibility for monthly writers and photographers budget and interfaces with the community, which includes attending meetings and fundraisers. Additionally, she edits a yearly tourism guide and the official Peter Anderson Festival guide as special projects with the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce. Previously, Lofton has been a freelance writer for three business journals, including the Mississippi Business Journal, a daily newspaper, two lifestyle magazines, a medical magazine and a weekly newspaper. Lofton has a Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in public relations and minor in English from The University of Southern Mississippi. She has three children and four grandchildren. When asked how she would characterize herself in one word, Lofton responded with “spunky.”

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Annie Chapman McIlwain

PPM Consultants, Inc. Annie McIlwain works at PPM Consultants, Inc. as an environmental engineer/consultant. McIlwain has assisted clients in addressing environmental and health and safety compliance and due diligence issues throughout the Southeast. Her projects have included storm water system evaluation, permitting, EHS compliance audits, and EHS compliance plans/programs. She has been instrumental in the design and implementation of large storm water systems for clientele in the petroleum sector and in compliance permitting, plans, and assurance for clientele in the petroleum, retail, and industrial sectors. McIlwain has successfully managed all environmental compliance-related issues for numerous industrial clients, has achieved compliance for non-compliant clients, and has advocated on behalf of non-compliant clients. She has successfully negotiated with regulatory agencies on behalf of clients for extended compliance deadlines, more lenient permit requirements, alternative compliance testing approaches, and notice of violation resolutions. McIlwain resides in Madison with her husband and her two sons (Will, 3 and Garrett, 1) and she is an active member of Madison Heights Presbyterian Church.

Fran Flood

on being chosen one of the

Account Services Group is a full-service insurance agency. We provide insurance services for all your business needs including property, liability, workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; compensation, bonds, health and life insurance.

www.accountservicesgroup.com

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2018 Fifty Leading Business Women â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 29

Ashley McLellan

W BancorpSouth

When Ashley McLellan was approached about a career change to banking, she decided to take a leap of faith on BancorpSouth. Ashley serves as vice president in the Premier Banking division. Although she has only been in the banking industry a little over two years, Ashley has excelled with accolades of top three in portfolio growth for 2017, and tripling her portfolio growth in a year to over $25 million. Prior to her career change, Ashley had more than eight years experience in pharmaceutical sales with Eli Lilly and Company where she was awarded Presidents Council, area leader awards, and was consistently a top producer. Before her work in pharmaceutical sales, she spent four years as the Associate Director of Development for the College of Arts and Science at Vanderbilt University. A Mississippi native and Tupelo resident for the past 10 years, Ashley is passionate about providing the best customer service in the banking industry. When courting new businesses to Tupelo and North Mississippi, Ashley strives to embrace her clients with the “Tupelo Spirit”. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys spending time with her food-trucking husband, Curt, and their two children Mary Parker and Price. Her competitive spirit shines on the tennis courts.

Paula Merritt

Motorola Solutions Paula Merritt currently serves as the Area Sales Manager for Motorola Solutions, Inc. In this executive role, Paula has overall responsibility for leading a team of sales executives, engineers, project managers, customer support managers and system technologists for the States of Mississippi and Alabama. Paula has been an active contributor in the public safety market space for over 10 years. Before her promotion to Area Sales Manager, she served as the Account Executive for the State of Mississippi where she presented a number of solutions to public safety, mission critical ﬁrst responder agencies to help make them better in the critical moments that matter. She still provides customers today with solutions that extend their lifeline in the critical moments that count. Prior to her employment with Motorola Solutions, she worked in non-profit for United Blood Services (UBS) almost a decade. Paula holds a Bachelor of Science in Business with a Concentration in Management Marketing and a Minor in Communications from William Carey University. She resides in Brandon, MS where she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

30 – 2018 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Sandy Middleton

The Center for Violence Prevention Sandy Middleton is executive director of The Center for Violence Prevention. She has served as the legislative director for the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and she works to pass legislation to improve victim safety and to hold offenders accountable. Middleton has served as Chair and Vice-Chair of Mississippi’s Domestic Violence Task Force. Middleton also chaired the Victims Services Committee on Gov. Bryant’s Human Trafficking Task Force. Middleton trains law enforcement and other service providers across the state. Middleton is married to Fred Middleton of Natchez and together, they have four grown children and their spouses, along with 4 dogs, two of which are Service Dogs for The Center for Violence Prevention. Sandy received her B.A. in English Language and Literature from Millsaps College and her Master’s in Public Policy and Administration from Mississippi State University. Her background is political and non-proﬁt development and consulting. Her motivational Bible verse is: Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. — Psalm 82:4

www.msbusiness.com

2018 Fifty Leading Business Women – 31

Jane L. Moss

Viking Range Jane Moss is a native of Greenwood and has worked at Viking Range for the past 24 years. Starting at Viking as accounting manager in 1994, Jane has held many important positions throughout the organization which have led to her current position of Chief Financial Officer which she assumed in 2013. Jane is one of two corporate officers currently serving on the executive team at Viking. Jane attended both Mississippi State and Delta State, where she received her Bachelors of Business Administration degree, and Masters of Professional Accountancy degree from Delta State. Jane passed the CPA examination on her first sitting in 1992. She was the first woman to serve on the Greenwood Country Club’s board of governors and served as their first female president. Jane is the past president of the Rotary Club of Greenwood and served as a member of Mississippi State’s Adkerson School of Accountancy Advisory Council from 2008-2012. She is currently serving on the President’s Circle advisory council for the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce. She has been married to her husband, Randy Moss, for 32 years, and they have two adult children, Jason and Valerie.

Tina O’Keefe

MGM Resorts International Tina O’Keefe is the regional risk manager for MGM Resorts International Mississippi Operations. Tina is a seasoned Risk Manager who has been intimately involved in the insurance industry. She has trained in multiple areas of insurance; this experience spans several different areas of the industry, which includes; workers comp, general liability, property damage, and ADA Compliance. Tina has over 21 years in the insurance industry. Her career began in insurance with State Farm, as a customer service representative attaining her licensing as an agent. After being trained extensively in general liability and property damage claims, she moved to the Gold Strike Casino as Risk Manager in 2002. She manages the day to day activities of the claims operations, which includes administrating and auditing of workers comp compensation claims, monitoring the claims loss statistics, litigation and the compliance of ADA regulations. There she is actively involved in continuing educational courses with the company managerial training. She is also the representative at Gold Strike for their Community Affairs Dept. It was during this time at Gold Strike Casino that she was promoted to her current position as Regional Risk Manager for Mississippi Operations, which includes added responsibilities and oversight for both properties at Gold Strike Casino and Beau Rivage Resorts, Inc.

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Loretta D. Phillips

Madison County Board of Supervisor Loretta Davis Phillips is a director of human resources at Madison County Board of Supervisors. She works with the board to ensure the smooth and proﬁtable operations of the Madison County Human Resources Department by directing the department and providing consultation to management on strategic staffing plans, compensation, beneﬁts, training and development, budget, and labor relations. Loretta fully knows the importance of a properly functioning human resources department and how vital it is to the solid success of any business, particularly in local government. She believes the work that she does is one of the core drivers of the public sector moving into the modern workforce. Loretta has been actively employed with the Madison County Board of Supervisors for 24 years in a variety of capacities: deputy clerk, accounts receivable/payable clerk, human resource generalist, payroll manager/inventory clerk, and human resource director. Loretta holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Management from Belhaven University. She graduated Magna Cum Laude.

We Proudly Congratulate

Jennifer Studebaker

Selected as a

2018 Leading Business Woman

www.formanwatkins.com Detroit | Houston | Jackson | New Jersey | New Orleans

www.msbusiness.com

2018 Fifty Leading Business Women – 33

Kaytie M. Pickett

Jones Walker LLP

Kaytie Pickett is a partner in the ﬁrm’s Business & Commercial Litigation Practice Group and practices from the Jackson office. Ms. Pickett focuses her practice in the areas of commercial litigation, real property litigation, construction law, and appellate law. Before joining the ﬁrm, she served as a law clerk to the Honorable Rhesa H. Barksdale of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Pickett is a 2009 graduate of the Mississippi College School of Law, where she received her juris doctor degree, summa cum laude, served as Articles Editor of the Mississippi College Law Review, and received Best Oralist and Best Brief awards at the ABA Regional Appellate Advocacy Competition. She received numerous academic awards in law school, including the Dean’s Special Achievement Award, as well as American Jurisprudence awards for the highest grade in 17 classes. Ms. Pickett is a 2002 graduate of Tulane University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in English, cum laude. She is also a 2003 alumna of Teach for America. Ms. Pickett has served as a professor of Appellate Advocacy at the Mississippi College School of Law.

Lane M. Purvis

Capitol Staffing Lane Purvis joined the team at Capitol Staffing in 2007. Not quite knowing her life’s direction, Purvis was hired by the company’s president as a staff assistant at the end of a temporary assignment and quickly earned the roles of recruiter and then senior recruiter. She was selected Capitol Staffing’s Top Recruiter in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2014 and ultimately purchased the company in 2015. As President of Capitol Staffi ng, Purvis capably leads a staffofr ecruiters, works with the Mississippi Department of Employment Services on employment veriﬁcations and unemployment claims and oversees the company’s marketing, business development and networking. A hands-on recruiter of upper-level management candidates, Purvis maintains proﬁciency in employment law as a dedicated advocate for her clients and competently manages the company’s operating budget. Purvis earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Mississippi State University. In her spare time, Purvis enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 children.

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Kenya Key Rachal

Baker Donelson Kenya Rachal concentrates her practice in governmental and business relations, civil litigation and investigations. She has extensive experience in civil litigation, including mass tort, employment, child welfare and family law. For more than a decade she has served as counsel for the state of Mississippi. This work included the defense and successful settlement of a complex section 1983 class action alleging constitutional violations of the rights of children in the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s custody. In this capacity she provided legal representation to agency heads as well as division directors and managed large-scale discovery in the matter. Since the remedial settlement of this case, Rachal has continued to serve as advisor to the agency regarding implementation requirements of the settlement agreement, related federal and state laws, and policy. She continues to work with the court-appointed monitor and negotiates the annual plans that provide the implementation steps for reform of the foster care system. Rachal is a member of Baker Donelsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pro Bono Committee and is active in pro bono efforts in the state of Mississippi.

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2018 Fifty Leading Business Women â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 35

Lauren Nicole Sinclair

Lauren Nicole Designs Lauren Nicole Sinclair is a native of Jackson. She is married to Tarrence Sinclair of Rankin County, and a proud mother of two: Tarrence II and Emily Marie. Sinclair graduated from Tougaloo College, majoring in written, radio, and television broadcast. She is also an entrepreneur and designer. Sinclair has established her own business as an image consultant, wardrobe designer, and a fashion expert. In November of 2008, she launched her ﬁrst self-titled clothing line. Sinclair is also an award winning journalist. Lauren worked as a producer/reporter at 16 WAPT News in Jackson for more than 7 years. At WAPT she has had the opportunity to interview top politicians, celebrities, but most importantly to her, people in the community. The mantra of Lauren Nicole Sinclair is “Every Walkway is a Runway,” and she encourages all women to embrace and believe in such a notion.

Melissa A. Skaggs

Lamar Advertising Melissa Skaggs’ career in sales began in 1999 when she took a job as a radio sales associate in Meridian. Her desire for a larger market and greater sales led her to Lamar Billboard Advertising in Jackson in 2005. Realizing the importance of networking coupled with a strong desire to do community service projects, she joined the Pearl Chamber of Commerce, Flowood Chamber of Commerce and Rankin County Chamber of Commerce in 2006. Not satisﬁed to just attend meetings, she became heavily involved in numerous community service projects to beneﬁt children, the homeless, and veterans. As her community involvement increased so too did her sales. As the saying goes, “Working hard for something you don’t care about is called stress. Working hard for something you love is called passion.” Skaggs was born in Meridian and is a wife and mother of three children, and two sons. She is soon to be a new grandmother.

36 – 2018 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Jennifer M. Studebaker

Forman Watkins & Krutz As a partner at Forman Watkins, Jennifer Studebaker is responsible for and oversees a team of attorneys and staff who work on litigation in multiple jurisdictions including Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, and Texas. She personally litigates these cases and works directly with her clients regarding case work-up, strategic planning, and budgets. Studebaker is part of a four-person, national team for a major retailer and works with them on their most serious, high proﬁle premises liability cases including consultation on the retention of expert witnesses, key depositions, settlement discussions, and the trial of those cases. She was previously a Municipal Court Judge for City of Jackson from 2005 to 2013 and worked in the Hinds County District Attorney’s Office, as an Assistant District Attorney from 1997 to 2003. Studebaker earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1993 and then her JD from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1996.

Congratulations We don’t just practice in this community

WE’RE A PART OF IT

Jones Walker LLP proudly salutes our partner Kaytie M. Pickett on being named one of the 2018 Mississippi Business Journal “50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi” recipients, and we congratulate Kaytie and all of the honorees for their achievements and contributions across the state.

Mina Thorgeson from your friends at the City of Ridgeland

Jeffrey R. Barber, Office Head 190 E Capitol St | Suite 800 601.949.4765 Jackson, MS 39201 jbarber@joneswalker.com www.joneswalker.com

www.msbusiness.com

304 Highway 51 | Ridgeland, MS 39157

601- 856-7113 2018 Fifty Leading Business Women – 37

LaMonica Davis Taylor

Smiles on Broadway Dental Care As a child, Dr. LaMonica Davis Taylor always knew that she wanted to work in healthcare, and in adulthood she became certain that working with children was her calling. Now, she owns and operates Smiles on Broadway Dental Care for Kids in Jackson. Taylor is a native of Mound Bayou and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Spelman College and her DMD from the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry. Dr. Taylor completed a one-year general practice residency and a two-year residency specializing in pediatric dentistry at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital in Bronx, New York. Taylor has traveled the country over and has participated in and attended various dental programs at institutions such as The University of Texas at Houston, University of California at San Francisco, University of Connecticut, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, New York University, and The University of Mississippi Medical Center Taylor enjoys teaching and is currently an Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s School of Dentistry.

Tabatha Terrell-Brooks

Jackson State University Tabatha Terrell-Brooks counts it a privilege as well as an honor to have been selected to implement growth and innovation as Jackson State University engages current and prospective alumni. She feels that her role as alumni director provides a tremendous opportunity to serve current alumni as well as recruit students who will become future alumni. Terrell-Brooks attended Jackson State where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling. She is currently working on a Ph.D degree in Education Leadership. Tabatha is a life-long resident of Mississippi and is actively involved in her community. Currently, she is involved with the Terry High School Parent-Teacher Association where she spearheaded several fundraising initiatives to assist the Shelter for Battered Families and the Mississippi Alcohol and Drug Center. She also volunteers with the Rape Crisis Center where she counsels women who are victims of rape and domestic abuse. Additionally, she obediently serves her religious community as a member of Greater Fairview Baptist Church in Jackson. Terrell-Brooks, affectionately known as Tammy, is married to Jerry Brooks and they are the parents of three daughters and grandparents to a grandson and two granddaughters.

38 – 2018 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Mina Thorgeson

Ridgeland Tourism Mina Thorgeson has been the director of sales and event partnership for the Ridgeland Tourism Commission for the past 10 years. Mina has successfully led the tourism efforts in Ridgeland to establish it as a sports and leisure destination. She has secured collegiate, professional and national events that attract attendees from around the country. Private and public sector meetings have sought Mina’s assistance in planning and implementation while in Ridgeland. Group tour companies take advantage of the complimentary services offered by the Ridgeland Tourism Commission and they contact Mina when traveling to the area. When not attracting visitors to the area, Mina enjoys her active lifestyle that includes cycling, Crossﬁt, golf and serving in her community. Mina is currently working with hospitality partners to produce events attractive to both locals and tourists. She graduated from LSU and previously worked as membership director at Colonial Country Club and sales representative at Cingular Wireless.

Congratulations

Ashley McLellan

Congratulations Phyllis Johnson on being selected as a

2018 50 Leading Business Women

BANCORPSOUTH PREMIER LENDER TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI

for being named one of the

2018 Mississippi Business Journal’s 50 Leading Business Women of Mississippi Thank you for your dedication and commitment.

Mississippi Board of Nursing 713 S Pear Orchard Rd #300 | Ridgeland, Ms 39157 | 601-957-6300

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2018 Fifty Leading Business Women – 39

Tonya Hairston Ware

The Success House & The Church Triumphant Global When Tonya Ware collapsed and nearly died with sudden cardiac arrest in 2006, she had no idea that she would deliver her first speech and share her story at the United Nations in New York on June 13, 2018. Tonya is the 2017 heart attack survivor for the American Heart Association — Circle of Red Event and the Creator and Host of the only “Saturday Success Church” nationwide. She is Executive Pastor of The Church Triumphant Global and has been featured on ABC, FOX, BET and more. It is Tonya’s sheer determination that caused her to fight through seven years of disability to reclaim her life. Tonya is Managing Partner with The Success House, a firm that provides success training, master classes, mastermind groups, and one-on-one success coaching. Through her work with The Success House, she empowered over 400 women at her annual R.E.D. Women’s Conference. Her passion for leadership and social change is evident by her work with Leadership Greater Jackson, the Greater Jackson Chamber, Women For Progress, the American Heart Association, E.P.W.A. and more. She is married to Bishop A. D. Ware and mother to daughters, Wisdom and Wealth.

Ashley N. Wicks

Butler Snow As a member of Butler Snow LLP’s Business Services and Public Finance Groups, Ashley Wicks focuses on public finance, general corporate transactions, and tax issues such as: public finance tax, state and local taxation, controversy matters, and tax credits. With over 12 years of experience, Wicks has represented qualified active low-income community businesses, leverage lenders, guarantors, source lenders, state credit investors, and community development entities in $250-plus million federal New Markets Tax Credit transactions. She received a BBA in accounting from Jackson State University, a M.P.A. from Jackson State University, a J.D. from Tulane University, and a LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Alabama. She has served in various leadership positions, including President of the Magnolia Bar Association, and chaired various committees. She was named in the top 10 of Mississippi Business Journal’s 2016 “Top 50 Under 40” and a “Rising Star” in tax by Mid-South Super Lawyers®. When she is not pursuing her volunteer and service-driven efforts, she loves to travel. She hopes to cross Italy, Egypt and Africa off her travel bucket list. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends and listening to music.

40 – 2018 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Rose Williamson

Barlow & Company PLLC Rose is a certified public accountant who works with a diverse clientele, large and small enterprises in medical and dental professions, car dealerships, restaurants, retail, non-for-profits, governmental contractors, real estate and manufacturing and has assisted these clients in a wide range of tax, multistate taxation , contractor’s reviewed financials, audits and business issues including mergers and acquisitions, tax planning, including high wealth individuals and closely held businesses. She has more than 21 years of public tax accounting experience; also have exposure to state and local tax planning opportunities. Also, she is a QuickBooks Pro Advisor and has been training people to utilize software and integration of other software with Point of Sale Systems since 1999. Her technology experiences along with tax experience enable her to formulate a plan of action for startup and growing businesses.

CONGRATULATIONS, TINA O’KEEFE!

CONGRATULATIONS

LANE PURVIS on being chosen as a

You make MGM Resorts International® proud!

460 Briarwood Dr. Suite 110 • Jackson, MS 39206

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2018 Fifty Leading Business Women – 41

Blakley Young

WTVA-Heartland Media Blakley Young is the Digital Sales Manager for WTVA and WLOV in Northeast Mississippi, the ﬁrst female department head for the stations. Young’s job is to help her 11 account executives and their clients grow their businesses through digital media. She has regular meetings with vendors to keep account executives up to date on changes that are coming in the digital world. A native of Tupelo, Young graduated from Tupelo High School, Itawamba Community College and the University of Mississippi. She has previously worked in other sales and marketing roles at Journal Inc., and Tupelo Manufacturing, among others. She is a board member for Sanctuary Hospice for the Junior Auxiliary and is president of The Shepherd’s Hands. She was a Top 40 Under 40 nominee for the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal this year as well as a nominee for Inﬂuential Women of Northeast Mississippi. Young says her greatest personal accomplishment is her son. “He makes me want to be a better a person every day and is the most incredible little guy.”

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42 – 2018 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Liz Youngblood

UMMC Liz Youngblood is CEO of the University of Mississippi Medical Center – Adult Hospitals and Clinics. Youngblood is a veteran senior health care executive, having held leadership roles in for proﬁt, not for proﬁt and academic health care systems. She is a registered nurse, holds a master’s degree in business administration from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business and was recently recognized as a 2017 Distinguished Alumna. Youngblood has co-authored several articles and has spoken locally, regionally and nationally on a variety of health care topics. She is the recipient of the Ona M. Wilcox School of Nursing Leadership Award, the Agnes P. Hayes Leadership Award, the Award for Leadership Excellence from the Quality Texas Foundation and is a graduate of Leadership Dallas. She currently serves on the alumni board of directors for the SMU Cox School of Business, as a member of the Mississippi Hospital Association Legislative Committee and is a member of the Graduate Faculty in the Department of Population Health Science at the John D. Bowers School of Population Health.

PWA

Where healing begins www.mscvp.org

Professional Women’s Association Proudly congratulates our members

Jennifer Carter, Fran Flood and Mina Thorgeson

Sandy Middleton Congratulations

LORETTA D. PHILLIPS on being chosen as one of

(601) 359-2659 2018 Fifty Leading Business Women in Mississippi

Jennifer G. Carter Congratulations from a very proud family that loves and respects you!

Madison County Board of Supervisors 125 W. North Street Canton, MS 39046

www.msbusiness.com

Dr. and Mrs. Harry W. Gilmer 2018 Fifty Leading Business Women – 43

GIRLS NIGHT OUT Governor’s Mansion & Old Capitol Inn

44 – 2018 Fifty Leading Business Women

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Congratulations Tammy Terrell on being chosen as a

Jackson State University 1400 John R. Lynch St. Jackson, MS 39217

LUNCHEON Eagle Ridge Conference Center in Raymond

PHOTOS BY DERYLL STEGALL| STEGALL IMAGERY

46 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2018 Fifty Leading Business Women

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PHOTOS BY DERYLL STEGALL| STEGALL IMAGERY

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2018 Fifty Leading Business Women â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 47

PAST WINNERS

For the list of winners dating back to 50 Women’s inagural year, please visit us online at: http://msbusiness.com/past-event-winners/

2014

2015

Kristie Aylett .............................................................................The KARD Group Rachel Beech.............................................................................................WDAM Julie Polk Breazeale ......................................................Polk’s Meat Products, Inc. Hilary Burroughs ................................................................Sanderson Farms, Inc. Linda Bynum ..................................The City of Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce Emily Chance..........................................................................................BankPlus Karen Jones de Kock.........................................................................Protea Dekor Shane E. Dubois ........................................................................Community Bank Charlotte W. Dupré.......................................... Central Mississippi Medical Center Jennie A. Eichelberger .............................................Southern Poverty Law Center Karen Galyon Flowers .......................................Mississippi College School of Law Trina N. George ..................U.S. Department of Agriculture - Rural Development Monica Gilmore-Love..............................................................................Terracon Mary S. Graham ..................................Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Pam Files Gregory .............................................. Fisher Brown Bottrell Insurance. Lori Harper.............................................................................Ingalls Shipbuilding Donna Harvey ..................................................................................CF Industries Mary Martha Henson ........................Mississippi Economic Development Council Shelia C. Jackson .............................................................................Regions Bank Beth Kellogg...............................................................................Creative Partners Susan Floyd King......................................................................Jones Walker, LLP Lenita Knight.........................Madison County Economic Development Authority Kelly Kyzar................................................................................Comcast Spotlight Keri Herrington Ladner......................Covenant Health & Rehab of Picayune, LLC Cheryl J. Lee ..................................................................................... Haddox Reid Renee Simon Lee ..........................................................................Reeds Jewelers Lanet McCrary .......................................................Magnolia Federal Credit Union Stephanie S. McCrary .............................Southern Bone and Joint Specialist, P.A. Bethany Boone McNease ............................................................ M.G. Dyess, Inc. Tonya Nations ............................................................................. Millsaps College Dr. Ruth R. Nichols........................................................... Alcorn State University Cathy L. Northington...............................................Mississippi Economic Council Sally Williams O’Callaghan ......................University of Mississippi Medical Center Stephanie Patton...................................................................The Leland Progress Melissa Peters .................................................................. Community Trust Bank Elizabeth J. Randall .....................................................Randall Commercial Group Cindy Rich ...............................................................................Neel-Schaffer, Inc. Pat Robertson ....................................................................... PERS of Mississippi Debbie Rubisoff ............................................................ Legislative Budget Office Kassi Rushing....................................................................................HORNE LLP Emily Sanders ....................................................................................Fairview Inn Kelly Scrivner................................................Office of First Lady Deborah Bryant. Rosemary Smith...................................................R&R Rentals and Hotshot, Inc. Amy Tate.................................................................... Tennessee Valley Authority Shirley R. Tucker......................................Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce Anne Ligman Turner...........Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC Chan Brewer Vessell ...................... First American Home Buyers Protection Corp. Evelyn Ricks Walker....................................Office of Health Disparity Elimination Office of Preventive Health Mississippi State Department of Health Marlana Walters ................................................................The Everyday Gourmet Rebecca Lee Wiggs..................................................................Watkins and Eager

Lolly Barnes.................................................................. Mississippi Heritage Trust Jocelyn Chisholm Carter ..........United Healthcare Community Plan of Mississippi Karen Chain...................................................................... Community Trust Bank Lisa Cochran........................................................................................The Studio Pamela Confer............................................................ Nissan North America, Inc. Amanda Rasberry Crawford............................... Veterans Outreach of Mississippi Vanda N. Crowe..............................................................................BancorpSouth Marisa S. Davidson.....................................................Mississippi Health Partners Liz Hogue Densmore ................................................................ LEC, Incorporated Tahya Dobbs...................................................................... Hometown Magazines Lindsay Thomas Dowdle ..................................................................Jones Walker Patty Dunn ......................................................................Alzheimer’s Association Macey Lynd Edmondson ...................The University of Mississippi School of Law Stephanie Edwards........................................................Edison Chouest Offshore Kathy W. Freeman .............................................................................Butler Snow Donna M. Gardner................................................................. Camellia Healthcare Felicia D. Gavin ................................................................... DiamondJacks Casino Alison Ketner Goodman ................................................. Goodman Law Firm,LLC Jennifer G. Hall ...................Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC Kristi Henderson .....................................University of Mississippi Medical Center Jamie Higdon ....................................................................................... Tempstaff Leigh G. Jaunsen .............................................................Dale Partners Architects Kimberla M. Little ...........................................................................Regions Bank Bridget M. Lowery ..................................................................................BankPlus Macie Malone................................................................................ Mostly Macie’s Lori hill Marshall....................................................................... Premier Pain Care Amelia McGowan ......................... The Law Offices of Amelia S. McGowan, PLLC Gaylene m. McHale ................................................................. Huntington Ingalls Kelly McQuaig .............................................................The Yates Companies, Inc. Jan Miller.......................................................Mississippi Main Street Association Melanie S. North .......................................Associated General Contractors (AGC) Kathleen shields O’Beirne .............................Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP Misti Munroe Preziosi......................... Office of the State Treasurer of Mississippi Weatherly Rose .............................................................................. Newk’s Eatery Ryanne Duffie Saucier ..........................................Mississippi Public Broadcasting Charlotte harness Seals .................Madison County Schools/President Jr. League Amy W. Smith ................................................................... Ross & Yerger Ins. Inc. Camille Allen Snyder ...........................................................Allen Financial Group Mandi Stanley ............................................................ Mandi Stanley Consultants Susan K. Steadman ....................... The Law Offices of Susan K. Steadman, PLLC T. McCall Stern ....................................................................... McCall Stern, PLLC Addie L. Johnson-Stover.....................................................Stover Developments Amanda D. Villeret ......................................................Mississippi National Guard Stephanie Sago Vivians ...........................................................Neel-Schaffer, Inc. Christie D. Walters...................................................... Covington County Hospital Pamela P. Ware .......................................................................Metropolitan Bank Carol Warren .........................................................Magnolia Federal Credit Union La’Keylah White ......................................................................City of Hattiesburg Sarah Beth Wilson......................................................Copeland Cook Taylor Bush Jaklyn Wrigley ................................................................... Fisher & Phillips L.L.P.

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PAST WINNERS

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2017

Samantha D. Abell................................................................... City of Gulf Breeze Lilli Evans Bass ............................................................. Brown Bass & Jeter, PLLC Natalie Bement .................................................................................EMI Staffing Hope Blankenship ............................................ To The Rescue Bookkeeping, LLC Natella G. Boulton ............................................................................Merrill Lynch Madeleine Hall Brown ......................................................... Fisher Brown Bottrell Jordan H. Bryan.............................................................................. Ross & Yerger Nancy Luke Carpenter ............................Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau Kim Condon ...............................................Boondocks Firearm Training Academy Shelley Cresswell Walker ...........................Lyric Hotel and Spa, Chawla Point LLC Stephanie Cummins ..................................................................Front Gate Realty Amy Kebert Elder .........................................................................Baker Donelson Tanya D. Ellis ..................................................................Forman Watkins & Krutz Chinelo Bosah Evans ......................Jackson Public School Middle School Division Brandi Kennedy Garrett ................................................................... GI Associates Stephanie Sims .................................................................................. JEA Optical Kelly Graeber ......................................................................Oxford School District Pamela L. Hancock ...................................................................Hancock Law Firm Socorro Harvey..................................................................NVision Solutions, Inc. Erica Grant Hines............................................................................Neel-Schaffer LoRose Hunter .........................................................................................Regions Lindsey-Claire Hutchins .. Lindsey Claire Dance Company & The Purple Reader Project Emily H. Ingram .................................................................E Ingram Inc - AFLAC Laurel Isbister Irby ...................................................Greater Belhaven Foundation Laura P. Johns ..................................................................................... Fuse.Cloud NaTunya Davis Johnson................................Work of Art Salon/ ISH Grill and Bar Jeanhee Kang ......................................................Prudential - Ann Prewitt Realty Tabatha Franklin Kenney ........................................... Career Development Center Dr. DeJonnette Grantham King............. Advance Environmental Consultants, Inc. Natalie Latham..........................................................................Community Bank Martha L. Lewis.......................................................................... Tanks Dive Shop Brittney Luke........................................................................The Taylor Group Inc Deanna Martino ....... Martino Claim Services and Hurricane Creek Mobile Homes Taliah R. Brown-McCoy.................................................................. McCoy Bakery Jessica B. McNeel ...................Bryan, Nelson, Schroeder, Castigliola and Banahan Dixie Newman ...............................................................Biloxi City Councilwoman Sharon G. Plunkett ............................................................................Young Wells Melissa Putnam.............................................................. eSoftware Solutions, Inc Carolyn Rains ............................................ Automation Designs & Solutions, Inc. Sabrina Bosarge Ruffin.....................................................................Jones Walker Connie Siggers-Parker.............................................................................Comcast Shay Smith............................................................................. Harrah’s Gulf Coast Katie Bryant Snell..............................................................................Butler Snow Betty H. Staines ...............................................................................Irby Electrical Selena Lajean Standifer ........................Mississippi Department of Transportation Teresa F. Thornhill .............................................................Citizens National Bank Nicole G. Watkins ......................................................................Priority Insurance Tanya G. Webber ...........Charities Division/Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office Debbie Miller Westbrook .................................................................i Heart Media Allyson Lambert Winter ................................................ Trustmark National Bank

Amanda Green Alexander...................................................... Alexander Law P.A. Mandi Arinder .......................................... Rankin County Chamber of Commerce Annie B. Baker .....................................................................................EQ Health Wendy Barnes ..............................................................Hinds Community College Amy Neel Boteler .....................................................................Neel-Schaffer Inc. Rosario “Rose” Boxx ......................................Mississippi Development Authority Kay H. Brodbeck............................................................Mississippi Safety Service D’Anna Broussard....................................................................Cintas Corporation Kenya L. Collins ..........................................................................City of Greenville Tammy Cotton ........................................................................... Paige Consulting Elizabeth R. Crisler ........................................................................Liquid Creative Patrina R. Dace.............................................................. Kaleidoscope of Learning Lindsey Webb Dancy .................................................................Community Bank Tina Seymour Demoran ................................................Seymour Law Firm, PLLC Marlo M. Dorsey..........................................Hattiesburg Convention Commission Bethany B. Edwards ...............................................................................Trustcare Wendy Huff Ellard ..........................................................................aker Donelson Donna Gardner.......................................................................Ingalls Shipbuilding Susan Easom Garrard ........................................... Mississippi Children’s Museum Mary Margaret Gay ................................Maron Marvel Bradley Anderson & Tardy Kristena Payne Gaylor .............................................................Mississippi College Zetella Gooch ...........Gooch Consulting and Special Event Service, LLC & BNI MS Karen E. Howell................................. Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes, PLLC Teresa A. Hubbard..........................................................................CITE Armored Nashandra T. James .......................................................Madison County Schools Beth Jeffers ..............................................................................The Fitness Factor Tiffany Johnston ...........................................................Fisher Brown Boltrell Ins. Andrea Jones-Davis ...................................................................Tougaloo College Marlo Carter Kirkpatrick ............................................Kirkpatrick & Porch Creative Kristen Ley .....................................................................................Thimble Press Vickie Watters Martin.....................................Mississippi Development Authority Leigha S. McLendon..............................................................................Bank Plus Paula McNair..................................................................................Atmos Energy Betsey Mosby..................................................Betsey Mosby Interior Design, LLC Jonnette B. Moss................................................................................Origin Bank Anna M. Neel ............................................................................The Cirlot Agency Kristin Panetta ...........................................................................Elle James Bridal Michelle Parisi .........................................................................................Camgian Dorothey A. Pernell .......................................................Greenwood Chiropractors Jessica H. Phillips .............................................................................O! How Cute Elizabeth J. Randall .....................................................Randall Commercial Group Lisa A. Reppeto ................................................................................Jones Walker Erin W. Smith ...........................................................................AARP Foundation Jennifer Stanley..................................................................... The Salvation Army Sara Elizabeth Stockton.....................................Magnolia Regional Health Center Zakiya Summers............................................................ Lady Godiva Productions Robin Banck Taylor.....................................................................Ogletree Deakins Karla Steckler Tye ..............................................Children Advocacy Centers of MS Rashida N. Walker..................................................................W Real Estate, LLC. Jennifer Kay Young-Wallace ........................................... Jackson State University

Previous 50 women winners are listed by where they worked at the time of their selection.

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FOCUS: INSURANCE & EMPLOYEE BENEFITS WIND POOL

National Flood Insurance Program needs long-term reauthorization By BECKY GILLETTE

he National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which was established in 1968 making the program 50 years old, has been extended 17 times just between 2008 and 2012. “The program lapsed for more than a month four times in 2010 and 2011,” said Cumbest Realty owner Mark Cumbest, who is the Governor’s Gulf Coast Business Leader Appointment to the Mississippi Windstorm Underwriters Association Board of Directors (the Wind Pool Board). This year the NFIP was renewed on the day it was scheduled to lapse. “On July 31 the President signed legislation which extends the program only through November 30,” Cumbest said. “This fluctuation of a solid flood insurance program obviously creates instability in the real estate market. It is unsettling for prospects wanting to buy or sell real estate in flood areas. The National Association of Realtors estimates that a lapse in flood insurance coverage could impact 40,000 home closings a month nationally.” South Mississippi has a tremendous number of privately-owned properties located in flood zones. In addition to individuals buying flood insurance to protect their real estate investments, flood insurance is required by lenders in order to protect their collateral, Cumbest said. “We need a long-term reauthorization of the NFIP in order to stabilize the real estate market,” Cumbest said. “This is controversial because taxpayers who do not own property in flood prone areas are reluctant to subsidize the cost of people building again and again in high-risk flood areas. We have to have competition. I see that as the future for the NFIP to be actuarially sound. I recently read a Reuters’ article which said

50 – Mississippi Business Journal

that one of the world’s largest re-insurers and a Florida Insurance company have joined forces to offer Florida homeowners water damage insurance. These policies include flood coverage in their homeowners’ policies. If this concept catches on and competition among the providers grow, this could very easily be one of the solutions to the flood insurance dilemma.” Mike Chaney, Mississippi Commissioner of Insurance and State Fire Marshall, also advocates long-term reform of the NFIP that includes more competition. “It’s a situation where the government needs to step out of the way and let free enterprise solve the flood problem, with federal backup,” Chaney said. “Certainly, there could be areas where people would cherry-pick and private flood insurance may not cover someone that’s in a real vulnerable area. That’s why the NFIP existed in the first place, to cover those clearly in harm’s way.” Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi says while the extension through November was not ideal, a lapse in the program would have been completely reckless, leaving millions of Americans uncertain about their flood insurance protections.

“A ﬂood insurance policy is crucial for Americans in coastal or low-lying areas,” Wicker said in a recent weekly column. “As we saw with last year’s devastating hurricane season, major storms can swiftly bring rains and ﬂooding not seen in hundreds of years. With six major hurricanes, last year’s season was the most expensive in our nation’s history, exceeding $200 billion in damages.” It is estimated that more than 20,000 communities along the nation’s coastlines, rivers, and inland waterways participate, including 329 communities in Mississippi. Many of these communities and their residents are major economic powerhouses. “According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), our coastal counties are home to 56 million jobs and generate $8 trillion in goods and services,” Wicker said. “Another economic engine, the Mississippi River, produces $400 billion in revenues. Cultivating a more suitable NFIP over the long-term would ensure that these communities can continue to thrive without being ruined by the next disaster.” See FLOODING, Page 53

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INSURANCE & EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PROFILE

Helping others is Covington goal » Former Auburn gymnast new State Farm agent in Madison By NASH NUNNERY

early three decades ago, Nike ran an award-winning advertising campaign featuring NFL and Major League Baseball legend Bo Jackson. The “Bo Knows” ads showed Bo trying his hand at golf, tennis, guitar and even hockey. Like Bo, fellow Auburn University alumnus Robin Covington knows…balance, literally and figuratively. Wife. Mother. Small business owner. Insurance agent. Soccer mom. Swim mom. The principal at Covington State Farm Insurance Agency, Covington formerly was a standout performer for the Auburn Tigers gymnastics team. The Madison resident wasn’t your typical powerhouse gymnast but Covington relied more on her technical and fitness skills to be successful. Her favorite event was the balance beam, naturally. “My coaches would generally put me up first in a meet because it was important to have a solid, clean start to the event,” she said. “It meant a lot to me to carry that role for the team.” Performing dazzling moves while perched on a 4.5-inch wide swath of suede-covered wood five feet in the air paid for Covington’s college education. She dreamed of becoming an Olympic gymnast and her parents made the ultimate sacrifice to attain those dreams. Covington and her mother moved to Hattiesburg before her ninth grade year to train with a gymnastics coach. The coach left for Brookhaven right before her senior year and she followed him. “I was committed to doing whatever it took to realize my Olympic dreams,” said Covington. “It was scary to change schools and move to another town again but it sure paid off. I met my husband Mike (now an adjuster with State Farm) in high school at Brookhaven.” Injuries ended her Olympic aspirations but Covington still managed to catch the eye of the Auburn coaches and was offered a scholarship. The first year wasn’t easy, according to

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52 – Mississippi Business Journal

Courtesy of Robin Covington

Covington. “Being a college athlete and performing well in the classroom is definitely a balancing act,” she admits. “The first year was tough but we had a great support system at Auburn. I learned quickly how to manage my time and be efficient in my study habits.” A “Career Day” event for Auburn athletes led Covington to the insurance business. She did an internship with a boutique insurance firm that specialized in health and fitness facilities. After graduation, Covington found herself with a full-time position with Sports and Fitness Insurance in Madison. “I was grateful for the experience but I didn’t get much face-to-face interaction with customers,” Covington said. Eventually, she went to work for a State Farm agent in Clinton to gain the know-how to operate her own agency. On Nov. 1, 2003, Covington opened Covington State Farm Insurance Agency. The former college gymnast often draws on her experience in the athletic arena to manage her State Farm team through the highly-volatile world of insurance sales. “Insurance is very competitive and my years as an athlete in the SEC set the stage for how to persevere and handle adversity,” Covington said. “It also taught me the importance of good sportsmanship and team work.” Over the years, Covington has taken a multi-dimensional approach to client prospecting. Although she utilizes branding strategies such as billboards, direct mail and social media, Covington also believes giving back to her community speaks volumes with her customers. “In order to retain clients, you have to serve them in the way they want to be served. That can be challenging in today’s world with the generational gap between baby boomers and See COVINGTON, Page 53

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INSURANCE & EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

COVINGTON

Continued from, Page 50

millennials,” she admits. “It’s extremely important to know your customers. We strive to do this by having quality needs-based conversations with all of them.” “Helping others is the most fulﬁlling aspect of selling insurance.” Though she’s no longer involved in gymnastics, Covington says she still loves the sport and enjoys watching it on television. Her weekends (and some week days) are consumed with following her children’s athletic careers. Both daughter Sarah and son MJ swim competitively for the Mississippi Makos, while MJ also plays for the Madison Rush Boys Elite soccer team. Last spring, Covington reunited with her Tigers gymnastics teammates at Auburn “A” Day festivities. It was a day she won’t soon forget. “Most of us are so spread out (across the country), that it doesn’t happen often,” she said. “Getting to reminisce and meet each other’s spouses and kids was a great time.”

FLOODING

Continued from, Page 50

Wicker said while the past 41 reauthorizations of the NFIP have rarely included reform, reforming the NFIP is key to keeping its solvent. “I have introduced two legislative proposals to help make NFIP work better,” Wicker said. “The first would seek to improve the accuracy of property loss assessments after severe storms like Hurricane Katrina. After Katrina, homeowners were often caught in the middle of disagreements over whether the damage to their property was caused by wind or water. My “COASTAL Implementation Act” would improve NOAA’s ability to understand the dynamics of a storm, helping to pinpoint the strength of wind and water at affected sites and reducing NFIP’s costs.” Wicker’s second proposal deals with gathering better data, specifically when it comes to the creation of comprehensive and accurate flood maps. “These maps are essential to NFIP, which uses them to identify areas with

the greatest flood hazards,” he said. “I call this bill the MEMA Act, which is short for Municipality Empowerment Mapping Achievement. It would update NFIP’s rate maps for the entire United States and make them more accessible to the public. “Try as we might, we cannot prevent floods. We can work to guard against them, but we cannot eliminate them. They are the most frequent natural disaster, and we should do what we can to mitigate the costs and damage. Ensuring Americans can still rely on NFIP for disaster protection is key to this preparation.” Wicker has also introduced legislation that would deliver relief for small business owners and nonprofits by allowing surcharges to be used for mitigation (“Small Business Surcharge Relief Act,” S. 2091); and to provide continuing education for insurance agents to ensure that accurate information about flood policies is being presented to consumers (“Flood Insurance Continuing Education and Training Act,” S. 2092).

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Mississippi Business Journal – 53

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54 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mississippi Business Journal

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