MBJ_Apr21_2017

INSIDE — Mercedes-Benz Dealership ‘Best of the Best’ — Page 9 PINE BELT ECONOMY

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April 21, 2017 • Vo. 39. No. 16 • 24 pages

TECHNOLOGY

MANUFACTURING

Camp Shelby at 100 still packs a wallop — Page 2

VIKING OWNER AGREES TO PAY $4.65 MILLION CIVIL PENALTY OVER FAULTY STOVES

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Public Companies {Section begins P12}

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By JACK WEATHERLY jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com

Graphene fabric, the strongest and thinnest material in the world, is only one-atom thick.

Oxford-based company starts graphene association

By JACK WEATHERLY jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com Graphene is the strongest and thinnest material in the world, and an Oxford-based company, New Media Lab LLC, aims to promote its commercial applications by forming the National Graphene Association (NGA).

Graphene will eventually find its way into almost every field and will affect many facets of human life, including energy storage, electronics, smart textiles, sensors, medical devices, bio interfaces, water purification, composites and many more, according to a release from New Media.

“While Europe and China have been heavily

and rapidly investing in the future of graphene, the U.S. lags behind in taking advantage of this game-changing material,” said Dr. Ed Meek, founder of New Media and the association.

Dr. Zina Jarrahi Cinker, a graphene scientist from Vanderbilt University and a consultant and entrepreneur in the field of graphene, will serve as executive director of the association, which has offices in Oxford, Nashville and Washington, D.C. Nature, a peer-reviewed publication, published a review of graphene in October 2012.

The preface to the reviews states: “This one-atom-thick fabric uniquely com-

Viking Range LLC and Middleby Corp. have agreed to pay a $4.65 million civil penalty in connection with faulty gas cook stoves made by Viking between 2008 and 2014.

Elgin, Ill.-based Middleby bought Greenwood-based Viking Range Corp. in 2013 for $380 million.

In that period, the manufacturer received 170 reports of stoves starting on their own and could not be turned off by using the controls. Fifty-two thousand stoves were produced during that period, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a release on Thursday.

In another matter, Viking Range Corp. agreed in 2011 with the See VIKING, Page 3

See GRAPHENE, Page 4

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2 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q April 21, 2017 PINE BELT ECONOMY

Camp Shelby at 100 still packs a wallop for defense and the economy

By BECKY GILLETTE Hattiesburg Business Today

Each year more than twice the number of members of the military train at Camp Shelby than there are residents of Hattiesburg, population 47,566. About 125,000 people train annually there, with about 60 percent coming from the National Guard, and the remainder from the active military services including the Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard.

That pumps a lot of economic activity into the local economy, so much so that Camp Shelby is frequently referred to as the third leg of the three-legged stool of economic development in the Pine Belt area that also includes education and health care.

Chad Newell, president of the Area Development Partnership, said Camp Shelby is a tremendous asset for the region and state.

“Camp Shelby has served as a mobilization/demobilization center since World War I and is the largest state-owned National Guard Training Facility in the United States,” Newell said. “All branches of the military conduct training missions at Camp Shelby. With more than 1,600 employees and thousands of soldiers coming here to train, Camp Shelby’s economic impact is far reaching and it is certainly a strategic asset for our nation. We are so proud to be a military community and pleased to be celebrating Camp Shelby’s Centennial.”

On July 18, Camp Shelby will turn 100 years old. Major events are planned July 13 and 15 to mark the milestone.

“The centennial is a good time to celebrate our past,” said Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center Commander Col. Gregory S. Michel. “A key point is that Camp Shelby has been used to mobilize, train and deploy soldiers, airmen and Ma-

Courtesy of Camp Shelby/MBJ

Courtesy of Camp Shelby/MBJ

Top image The Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Miss., housed a detachment of WACs, Women’s Army Corps, during World War II who were assigned to installation support details. Above U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Benjamin Oehlke, Aerial Maintance, 621st Contingency Response Wing, monitors a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III as it performs touch and goes during exercise Crisis Response 2017, Camp Shelby, March 6.

rines in every one of our nation’s conflicts with the exception of the Korean War.”

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Employees at the camp working for different entities. A portion of those serve to maintain the training facility and maintain it.

“We also have a large Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site (MATES) here that services all of the combat equipment stations here at Camp Shelby,” Michel said.

“It is the second largest MATES facility in the U.S.” Michel said Camp Shelby takes its role in the Pine Belt very seriously. It is estimated that the camp has a $75 million to $100 million annual impact to the local economy and about a $400- million statewide economic impact.

“We value our role in the community and are very proud to be a part of this community,” Michel said. “Camp Shelby’s growth has to a lot to do with being uniquely and strategically postured given the proximity to Port of Gulfport and the accessibility

with the Kansas City Southern Railway. We also have the unique capability of a C-17 assault strip. A typical commercial air strip is about 10,000 feet in length while an assault strip is approximately 3,500 feet in length.

It has the capability and proximity to the deployment processing center to receive and deploy soldiers directly into theater.”

Michel attributes the robust training package at Camp Shelby as the primarily driver of their growth.

“We have been able to bring back a lot of the business that was lost during the mobilization due to the war on terror,” he said.

“Since we came off-line as a mobilization center, we’ve gotten a lot of business from the National Guard and other service components to train. Camp Shelby has a positive reputation among all service components of the Department of Defense.”

About 500 people work at the active duty 177th Armored Brigade which is responsible for training selected U.S Army Reserve and the National Guard outfits. There is also an Observer\Controller Trainer Academy at Camp Shelby.

“In addition, we have a large footprint of soldiers who work at the Regional Training Institute,” Michel said. “That is a military campus that trains a number of military skill sets that will go on from here and serve in military units in other states.”

The major centennial event schedule include a black-tie-optional gala open to the general public that will be held Thursday night, July 13, at the Hattiesburg Convention Center.

“We will have speakers, dinner entertainment, and an opportunity for military and civilian in the community to celebrate this significant milestone of Camp Shelby,” Michel said. “Saturday, July 15, there will be an open house at Camp Shelby with period displays from the respective nation’s conflicts. Period reenactors will be working here around the equipment talking about those conflicts. It will be a living tribute to these periods in our history. We will have entertainment, foods and activities for kids.

The Camp Shelby Museum will be open.”

Camp Shelby’s mission is designed around preparing the nation’s military for its operation both on American soil and abroad.

“I certainly see Camp Shelby continuing to play a large role in preparing our units to deploy,” Michel said. “In the event of a conflict abroad, Camp Shelby would undoubtedly have a role in that. Camp Shelby will also service components with training. We have seen continued growth in our training population over the past few years and everything I have seen indicates it will continue to grow. We are certainly not immune to budget cuts. We have to figure out how to be more resourceful with the assets we have. We are ready and willing to take on the roles passed down by the governor and the president of the U.S.” Camp Shelby covers 134,820 acres in Forrest and Perry counties.

VIKING Continued from, Page 1

CPSC to pay a $450,000 penalty for failing to immediately report defects in its refrigerators.

The latest agreement, released last week, states that it “does not constitute an admission by Viking, or a determination by the Commission, that Viking violated the CPSC’s reporting requirements.� The agreement was reached to “avoid the cost, distraction, delay, uncertainty, and inconvenience of protracted litigation or other proceedings.�

Two consumers “who were unable to turn off one of the ranges [by] using the controls were then burned while attempting to disconnect the power source. Viking also received ďŹ ve reports that the Ranges had spontaneously turned on and caused property damage to the surrounding areas, such as the backsplash.â€? “After receiving a number of reports related to ranges, Viking collected and tested ranges, and developed a repair for the ranges. Viking also issued numerous engineering change orders and technical bulletins identifying the defect and providing instructions on how to conduct the repair.â€?

The manufacturer discovered that the ranges could self-start “if a signiďŹ cant amount of liquid from boil-overs, spills or cleaning ‌ pooled near the ranges’ electronic thermostats.â€?

In May 2015, Viking voluntarily announced a recall of all models of the ranges that contained the design defect, the agreement states.

Viking President Kevin Brown was quoted as telling the Greenwood Commonwealth last week in a prepared statement that “since the Middleby acquisition of Viking, the top priority has been on making the appliances top quality and bringing the latest innovation to all Viking products.

We are conďŹ dent our product quality is the best it’s ever been.â€?

Middleby sued Viking founder Fred Carl Jr. and other officers in 2015 in the Superior Court of Delaware in New Castle County.

The settlement reached last week with CPSC, which goes to the U.S. Treasury, pales in comparison with what Middleby and the succeeding Viking Range LLC are seeking — $100 million — for alleged fraud and breach of contract.

That suit is scheduled for trial in April 2018, according to the Associated Press.

Also included in the suit is W.R. Stephens Jr., a major investor in the company and a member of the Stephens family ďŹ nancial empire based in Little Rock, Ark. Trusts for other members of the family are also defendants.

Middleby bought the company in January 2013, when the employment level stood at about 700, down from about 1,200 during the housing boom.

Two consumers “who were unable to turn off one of the ranges [by] using the controls were then burned while attempting to disconnect

April 21, 2017

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Soon after the acquisition, the new owners cut the work force to about 560, and Carl, who had agreed to stay on board, quit.

By June of 2013, employment dropped to about 400.

Yet the company reported for the Mississippi Business Journal Book of Lists that the work force had rebounded to approximately 600 as of Dec. 31, 2016.

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4 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q April 21, 2017 BANKING

REGIONS PLANS $23M HATTIESBURG FACILITY, 90 MORE JOBS

By JACK WEATHERLY jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com Regions Bank announced Monday that it will build a 75,000-square-foot operations center in Hattiesburg at a cost of $23 million and add 90 jobs.

The facility will accommodate employees now working in three locations in downtown Hattiesburg, the bank said in a news release.

Birmingham-based Regions Financial Corp. is by far the largest bank operating in Mississippi, with $125 billion in assets as of Dec. 31. It has 1,700 locations in 16 states, including 137 branches in Mississippi.

Regions employs more than 320 in the Hattiesburg area. The new facility, to be built at the intersection of Lamar Boulevard and Lincoln Road in west Hattiesburg, will accommodate 420.

“I commend the Area Development Partnership,

Regions and the city of Hattiesburg for the work they have put forth to ensure this expansion,” Fourth District U.S. Rep. Steve Palazzo said in the release.

The state of Mississippi is providing $1 million for site preparation, and in sewer and water improvements in conjunction with the city. Hattiesburg will repair and repave a road leading to the site and contribute $167,000 for water and sewer improvements.

The city and Lamar County are providing property tax

abatements for 10 years, according to the Area Development Partnership.

The three downtown buildings – the Kress Building, one on Front Street and Forrest Towers – have been sold but will be leased by Regions until the facility is built, construction of which may start as soon as the fourth quarter, the bank said.

The new location will house operations of Regions Mortgage unit, which services residential mortgages across the Southeast, Texas, the Midwest and elsewhere, according to the bank.

GRAPHENE

Continued from, Page 4

The 2017 class of the Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 50 Under 40 honorees.

Abumere F. Akinwale, M.D. Jason Bailey Carlos Bell Chase Blankenship Kelly A. Boutwell Christy B. Bridges Jason M. Brown Todd Butler Ashley eley Cannady Amanda Carraway Chris Champion William Lusk Coppage Kristy M. Daniels Jerry B. DeFatta Jr. Liz Hogue Densmore Lindsay Thomas Dowdle Greg L. Durrell Dr. Lee Gary Sara Elizabeth Stockton Christin Grissom Megan Hall Mark F. Hinton Ryan A. Holmes Aa’Keela L. S. Hudnall Bradley W. Joyner, CMB

Jhai’Obes C. Keeton Dr. Wendy Lewis Justin Javarus Mathis Alan P. McCormick Alison O’Neal McMinn Shenika Kelly- Moore Kent Mortimer Amy Oliver John W. Ridgeway Jr. Scott Rives Chris Roberts Carl Sandberg Dr. Mitchell M. Shears Anne Marie Smith Stephen Daniel Smith Lucien Smith Angie Stallings Selena Lajean Standifer Laura Beth Strickland Scott Tollison Jonathan Varney Robert F. Walker Pamela P. Ware Bryan Williams LaFarra Young-Gaylor, M.D.

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bines extreme mechanical strength, exceptionally high electronic and thermal conductivities, impermiability to gases as well as many other supreme properties, all of which make it highly attractive for numerous applications.”

Two researchers at University of Manchester in England published a paper in 2004 that stood the scientific world on its head, according an article in The New Yorker.

In 2010, the researchers were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their work.

But from discovery to patent to application can take a long time; hence the association’s goal to bridge those gaps.

Cinker said that in addition to being grounded in graphene research as a scientist, she also has experience in the business world. She launched her own company and found that there was little support in the new field.

For that reason, she is now devoting 100 percent of her time to help others, she said.

Since the discovery of graphene, there have been “tens of thousands” of patents awarded. South Korea, through Samsung, was the corporate leader with about 1,100 patents applied for as of 2015, while U.S.based IBM had about 400 as of that year, according to Cinker.

NGA has launched a website, GrapheneEntrepreneur.com.

The association has a broad range of membership categories and programs designed to bring together all facets of the graphene industry, including researchers, government agencies and graphene companies, as well as entrepreneurs, investors and venture capitalists.

The association will have its first industry event, a Graphene Innovation Roundtable, in early October in Nashville at the Music City Center.

“The October event is the first in a series,” Meek said. “These roundtable events will bring together the best of the best and will put people in the same room to have real, productive conversations across industry segments.”

Meek is a former longtime professor of journalism at the University of Mississippi.

He and his wife donated $5.3 million for the formation of the Meek School of Journalism and New Media at the University.

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MBJPERSPECTIVE April 21, 2017 • www.msbusiness.com • Page 6

OTHER VIEWS

» THE OUTSIDE WORLD

Job growth in the South

Website: www.msbusiness.com April 21, 2017 Volume 39, Number 16

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» INSIDE MISSISSIPPI

Public contract reforms unsung but are epic

A

s the dismal saga of bribery and extortion swirling around former Commissioner Chris Epps and Mississippi Department of Corrections contracts continues to make headlines, epic reforms to the public contracting process slipped through the Legislature with scant media attention.

Longtime champion of contract reform Representative Jerry Turner passed legislation that completely revamps the public contract review board and tightens up its procedures. Gov. Phil Bryant, another champion of contract reform, signed his bill into March 29.

A similar bill authored by Sen. John Polk died but a companion bill passed that further tightened definitions related to public purchasing. His bill was signedby Bryant on March 20.

These changes build and improve on earlier reforms Turner pushed through during the 2015 legislative session with help from Bryant’s special Task Force on Contracting and Procurement in the Mississippi Department of Corrections co-chaired by Judge Robert Gibbs and Andy Taggart.

Bill Crawford

Taggart described these latest changes as “significant.”

Back in January, Turner and Polk, chairmen, respectively, of the House and Senate Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency Committees, issued a joint press release on their proposed changes.

“For too long Mississippi has had a less than adequate contract and personal services contract approval system,” said Polk. “A good attempt was made in 2015 to improve the system by enacting HB825. But we have found that some state agencies have found ways around the intended controls, and have interfered with the full intent of the law.”

“Today I am pleased to announce the introduction of new legislation which will greatly enhance standards for procurements by the solicitation of ‘Requests For Proposals,'” said Turner.

“Also, the Department of Finance and Administration ‘Public Procurement Review Board’ (PPRB) will be reconstituted to include the powers and duties of the Public Service Contract Review Board (PSCRB).”

See CRAWFORD, Page 7

n insightful story from the Reuters news service makes the very valid point that the Rust Belt of the Midwest faces job competition from more than one place.

President Donald Trump got elected on the strength of his ability to convince Rust Belt voters that he could bring back manufacturing jobs that have gone overseas. But the Reuters story, along with some revealing charts, makes it obvious that the Rust Belt also faces competition for these jobs from Southern states.

Using several measuring sticks, Reuters concludes that the South and the Rust Belt have traded places over the last few decades. The South clearly is trending upward; the Rust Belt is struggling.

The nine Southern states in the Reuters' comparison stretch from the Carolinas to Texas but exclude Florida. The nine Rust Belt states run from West Virginia to Minnesota, and include the key Trump victory states of Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Perhaps the most surprising statistic is each region's share of gross domestic product. Southern GDP, as a percentage of the national economy, has increased from 19 percent in 1990 to 22 percent in 2015. Over the same period, the Rust Belt's share has fallen from 21 percent to 19.

Both regions have lost about 28 percent of their manufacturing jobs since 2000. But the South leads the country in the growth of all private jobs from 2000-2015 — up 12 percent. The country as a whole has increased its number of jobs by 8 percent over that period. But jobs in the Rust Belt have declined by 1 percent.

The statistic that applies most directly to people is income. In 1960, Southern per capita income was 74 percent of the national average. In 2015 it was 88 percent. In the Rust Belt, 1960 per capita income was 101 percent of the national average, but in 2015 it had fallen to 94 percent.

This evolution involves more than the automobile industry, and more than the idea that labor costs in Southern states are lower because workers are less receptive to unions.

Economists say that the South's skilled work force continues to grow as college graduates move to the region. Many are coming from places such as the Rust Belt.

State taxes tend to be lower down South, and there is still plenty of low-cost land available for large industrial projects.

The Reuters story focuses on states such as North Carolina and Alabama. North Carolina is doing a good job of attracting skilled, educated workers. Alabama has done well with automakers and its port at Mobile, where the goal is to triple the number of containers that move through each year.

All this leads to the obvious question: Why isn't Mississippi sharing in more of the South's good fortune? The big-picture answer is that we still have a ways to go to catch up with our neighbors on work-force skills. Our smaller and less-educated population is also a factor.

Even so, Mississippi should be patient and persistent. We are in the right part of the country. It's a matter of time before good things happen.

— The Greenwood Commonwealth

PERSPECTIVE » RICKY NOBILE

April 21, 2017 I Mississippi Business Journal

CRAWFORD

I

7

Continued from Page 6

That “also” was a pretty big deal. The Public Procurement Review Board is under the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) while the Public Service Contract Review Board (PSCRB) is under the State Personnel Board. The chairperson of the PSCRB by statute is the State Personnel Board Executive Director. The chairperson of the revamped PPRB will be elected by its appointed members and the Executive Director of DFA relegated to an ex officio and non-voting member of the panel.

Turner’s bill gives the reconstituted Public Procurement Review Board broad oversight and policy control over the public contracting process.

Other changes establish detailed guidelines regarding RFP solicitations and evaluations, require the PPRB to pre-approve RFP evaluation weightings for each contract, require price to be at least 35 percent of the evaluation weightings, spell out requirements for sole source contracts, and clarify limited activities over which the board will not have oversight.

Polk’s bill creates new, specific definitions for public funds, commodities, equipment, furniture, emergencies, and construction along with guidelines for Certified Purchasing Offices, Agents, and Procurement Managers.

The bills were highlighted by columnists Geoff Pender and Wyatt Emmerich early in the process, but they seemed to go invisible after that.

They won’t go unnoticed by state agencies when they take full effect on January 1, 2018.

Bill Crawford (crawfolk@gmail.com) is a syndicated columnist from Meridian.

»UNDER THE CAPITOL DOME

Leaders say reducing state budget meets goal

T

here has been plenty of hand-wringing about the Mississippi budget the past several months, with Republican Gov. Phil Bryant making multiple rounds of cuts because tax collections fell short of expectations.

Many programs face further reductions for the year that begins July 1 under a spending plan set by legislators. Some agency directors are certain to develop heartburn while figuring out how many jobs to leave unfilled and how many services to trim.

Don’t expect woe-is-me rhetoric from Republican leaders of the House and Senate.

After the legislative session ended in late March, House Speaker Philip Gunn of Clinton said the budget is tight, and said: “I don’t apologize for that.”

“We Republicans have campaigned for many, many years that we are for living within our means, we are for controlling spending, we are for reducing the size of government,” Gunn told reporters. “We don’t have a revenue problem; we have a spending problem. We are for reducing the tax burden.”

Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves also said it’s good that Mississippi is moving to a smaller state budget.

“That’s what voters elected us to do. They elected us to live within our means,” Reeves said near the session’s end. “They believe they ought to send less money to the government.

They believe that they are already overtaxed and overburdened.”

The overall state budget for the coming year is just over $6 billion. It will be about 2 percent smaller than the budget for the current year, after all of the current year’s cuts.

The upcoming budget is still an unfinished product.

Bryant will have to call lawmakers back into special session before July 1 to set spending levels for the attorney general’s office and the Mississippi Department of Transportation be-

cause disputes between the House and Senate torpedoed those budget proposals in the final days of the regular session.

Gunn’s line — “We don’t have a revenue problem. We have a spending problem” — is a variation on something Republican Haley Barbour said often during his two terms as governor, from 2004 to 2012.

“We don’t have this financial crisis in Mississippi because we tax too little. It’s because we spend too much,” Barbour said, starting his campaign in 2003.

Republicans have controlled both chambers of the Mississippi Legislature since 2012, and cutting taxes has long been a campaign theme.

A 2016 package that was passed with bipartisan support of lawmakers will phase out Mississippi’s $260-million-a-year corporate franchise tax and cut $145 million in income taxes, raising the threshold for paying state income taxes to $10,000. Those reductions begin in 2018. The package will also lower self-employment taxes, cutting $10.2 million over three years beginning this year.

During an end-of-session debate, Democratic Sen. David Blount of Jackson sharply criticized budget cuts that have affected the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

“This is not Hurricane Katrina. This is deliberate wreckage we have brought on ourselves,” Blount said.

Aiming at Republican colleagues, Blount said: “You ran on cutting government. Why aren’t you jumping up and Emily W. Pettus down to cut the government? Why aren’t you out there telling people, ‘I just cut UMMC, and I hope I can cut it more next year’?”

In a post-session interview, Gunn said voters had sent Republicans to the Capitol “in record numbers.”

“It is time for us to deliver on those campaign promises,” Gunn said. “The mere fact that we had

to reduce spending within the budget, the bare fact that we had to cut down the size of government, is not something that is bad. It’s actually something we campaigned on.”

Emily Wagster Pettus covers Capitol matters for the Mississippi Associated Press in Jackson.

8 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q April 21, 2017 THE SPIN CYCLE

Tesla stock races past GM, Ford as most valuable

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esla Inc. – the sleek, high-end electric carp company – has surpassed General Motors Co. to become America’s most valuable car brand, eclipsing a company whose well being was once viewed as interdependent with the nation’s.

A week after topping Ford Motor Co., Tesla climbed 3.3 percent last week, lifting its market capitalization to $50.9 billion. Tesla ended last Monday valued at about $64 million more than GM. The company is now within $1 billion of Honda Motor Co. and cracking the top-five automakers worldwide.

The turnabout shows the extent to which investors have bought into CEO Elon Musk’s vision that electric vehicles will eventually rule the road. While GM beat Tesla to market with a plug-in Chevrolet Bolt with a price and range similar to what Musk has promised for his Model 3 sedan coming later this year, the more than century-old company has failed to match the enthusiasm drummed up by its much smaller and rarely profitable U.S. peer.

Tesla’s usurping of GM and Ford will undoubtedly spur debate over the relative value of Musk’s company compared with some of the world’s top-selling automakers.

GM expects to earn more than $9 billion this year and analysts predict Ford will generate adjusted profit of about $6.3 billion. On that basis, Tesla is expected to lose more than $950 million.

For now, Tesla ranks the sixth-biggest carmaker by market cap, behind Toyota Motor Corp., Daimler AG, Volkswagen AG, BMW AG and Honda. Although Musk has a long way to go to match Toyota’s $172 billion market cap, Honda is barely ahead at about $52 billion.

Tesla has long been treated like a technology stock with investors betting on its ability to dominate a market for electric cars and energy storage. To those same investors, GM and Ford are headed for a slowdown in car sales that will erode profits. It should be an interesting race in the constantly evolving auto industry.

Amazon’s Day 1 Mantra Resonates with Audiences Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has made the idea that it’s always “Day 1” at the company a sort of mantra meant to convey that the company will never stop being a start-up.

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It’s a message that the CEO not only reinforced in his recent annual letter to shareholders, but it’s the basis of the entire communication. Bezos started broadly, noting that he works in an Amazon building named Day 1, before he hammered his overall message home.

“Day 2 is stasis. Followed by irrelevance. Followed by excruciating, painful decline. Followed by death,” he said.

“And that is why it is always Day 1.”

Just saying it’s Day 1, however, does not make it so. After opening with those remarks, and introducing the concept to any shareholders who may not have heard him talk about it before, Bezos then broke down some of the key ways the company keeps it Day 1, even as it has gone from a tiny online bookseller to one of the biggest companies and most-recognizable brands in the world.

Bezos wrote that a company can be centered on many things, including products, technology, business model, and more, but that the best way to protect what he called “Day 1 Vitality,” is to be obsessively focused on customers.

He explained that customers can keep you on track because “customers are always beautifully, wonderfully dissatisfied, even when they report being happy and business is great.”

The customer, he added, always wants something better, and focusing on not just keeping people happy, but delighting them, drives innovation. “No customer ever asked Amazon to create the Prime membership program, but it sure turns out they wanted it, and I could give you many such examples,” he wrote.

While Amazon is no longer a start-up working in a garage or a basement pursuing an impossible dream, its CEO has worked to pursue as much of that mentality as possible.

What Bezos is doing is guarding against the contentment that success can bring. He’s creating a culture where past results do not guarantee future success so it’s always important to strive, innovate, and be open to change – focusing on delighting the customer.

Google’s ‘Fact Check’ Aims to Thwart Fake News With Internet firms and media organizations doubling down on efforts to combat “fake news,” Google has revealed that it’s now opening its “Fact Check” tag to publishers globally and is expanding the feature beyond Google news and into search.

First announced last October, “Fact Check” represented the latest in a long line of tags Google has offered to highlight specific kinds of articles, including “In-Depth” (for in-depth news pieces) and “Opinion.”

Using third-party fact-checking services such as Snopes, publishers can add a Schema.org ClaimReview markup on each page they’ve fact-checked, or they can also use the Share the Facts widget. This resulting label identifies articles that contain “facts” that have been checked by news publishers and third-party fact-checking organizations.

At launch, the “Fact Check” feature was only available in Google Search in the U.S. and the U.K., but now is available everywhere Google is available, across all languages, and will also now be visible in Google Search.

“For the first time, when you conduct a search on Google that returns an authoritative result containing fact checks for one or more public claims, you will see that information clearly on the search results page,” according to the company in a blog post. “The snippet will display information on the claim, who made the claim, and the fact check of that particular claim.”

Though fake news is far from a new phenomenon, the problem has received renewed attention in the wake of two key political events in the past year — Brexit and the

U.S. presidency. While the extent to which hoaxes influenced the outcome of those political campaigns is up for debate, the ease with which false news can spread through social media and the Internet is a major cause for concern.

This move was announced shortly Todd Smith after Facebook announced it was offering its users tips on how to spot fake news. And back in February, Google and Facebook teamed up to help French newsrooms combat fake news ahead of the presidential election.

Grounded Mic | United PR Blunder Nosedives Brand The United Airlines fiasco could be the worst PR nightmare in the digital age – after a video of a bloodied passenger being dragged kicking and screaming from a flight went viral around the globe.

Turns out the passenger – David Dao, a 69-yearold physician – suffered a concussion, broken nose and knocked out front teeth that will require reconstructive surgery. So the damage goes much further than reputation.

It will most certainly result in a serious lawsuit, and should transform the way the industry treats passengers.

To say the brand is landing in disaster is a colossal understatement. The public relations fallout will continue for days – if not years – and the ripple effect could sink the brand for the foreseeable future.

What’s worse, United CEO Oscar Munoz’ added fuel to the fire by describing the passenger as “disruptive and belligerent” instead of simply issuing an immediately apology, admitting the mistake, how they were going to take care of the victim, embarking on a thorough investigation and the steps the company would take to ensure that something like this never happens again.

Munoz eventually apologized, but it took far too long – and it was really a non-apology, for their overbooking policy and not for the violence and humiliation Dao suffered, or the emotional distress it caused the passengers witnessing this unnecessary event – and the world that saw the video in the aftermath.

The most jaw-dropping irony in this ill-fated fiasco is that Munoz was named communicator of the year at the PR Week Awards just a month ago. I know they wish they had that back!

It’s the latest instance where consumers banded together online to amplify the grievances against a company.

Target saw similar backlash regarding its bathroom policy, while Pepsi pulled an ad hours after it was posted and met a barrage of criticism.

For this abhorrent act of violence, United – and its tone-deaf CEO – get a Grounded Mic! Each week, The Spin Cycle will bestow a Golden Mic Award to the person, group or company in the court of public opinion that best exemplifies the tenets of solid PR, marketing and advertising – and those who don’t.

Stay tuned – and step-up to the mic! And remember …

Amplify Your Brand!

Todd Smith is president and chief communications officer of Deane, Smith & Partners, a full-service branding, PR, marketing and advertising firm with offices in Jackson. The firm — based in Nashville, Tenn. — is also affiliated with Mad Genius. Contact him at todd@deanesmithpartners.com, and follow him @spinsurgeon.

Newsmakers

Holton joins Columbia clinic

Nikki C. Holton, CNP, recently joined Hattiesburg Clinic Columbia Family Clinic.

Holton received her Master of Science in Nursing and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain College of Nursing in Addison, Ill. She is board certified Holton by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Holton is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society, the Nurse Practitioner Convenient Care Specialty Practice Group and the Emergency Nurses Association. She has worked in health care since 1996 and has served in the United States Air Force as a disease management nurse and as an officer in charge (OIC) of family practice.

Milstead elected to board Marty Milstead, President of the Mississippi Automobile Dealers Association, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Automobile Trade Association Executives.

The ATAE is a national organization offering an extensive menu of programs and services in the areas of professional development and automotive related issues.

Cushing

Massey

Carpenter

Gay

Bass

Olander

Saxton

Graves

Faulkner

Paul

Armstrong

Tabor

Waggoner

Allen

Pepper

Rowe

a healthcare simulation operations role; obtain three professional references, and pass a grueling national exam.

Agee works with students who participate in clinical simulation experiences using the College of Nursing’s high fidelity human patient simulator manikins. The state-of-the-art simulation lab is a glistening feature of Asbury Hall, which houses the College of Nursing. The $31-million facility opened for classes in January at the beginning of the 2017 spring semester.

Rogers directs MSU center Milstead

Nursing specialist certified

Xavier L. Agee, simulation & IT specialist in The University of Southern Mississippi’s College of Nursing, has earned distinction as the state’s only Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist.

Agee, a Bay Springs, native, Agee has been a member of the Southern Miss nursing staff since 2012. He acquired the CHSOS title recently following an extensive national certification process which requires applicants to hold two years’ experience in

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HORNE promotes 19 at Ridgeland office

Merit Rankin taps Blaylock Dwayne Blaylock, Chief Executive Officer of Merit Health River Oaks, will now also lead Merit Health Rankin as CEO in addition to his current duties.

Blaylock has nearly 20 years of hospital administration experience. He was a member of Blaylock the leadership team that helped create the Merit Health network.

Previously, Blaylock was CEO at Merit Health Gilmore Memorial in Amory, Tennova Healthcare – Harton in Tullahoma, Tenn. and Tennova Healthcare – Jamestown in Jamestown, Tenn. He also served Merit Health River Oaks from 2002-2004 as chief operating officer and vice-president of clinical and support services.

Blaylock holds a master’s degree in Health Administration from Saint Louis (Mo.) University and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from The University of Mississippi. He supports of the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi and is a member of the Mississippi Hospital Association Board of Governors and Sunnybrook Children’s Home Board of Directors.

April 21, 2017

Marty W. Rogers, a nationally recognized aerospace authority, is now the new director of the Mississippi State-led Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence, which is the Federal Aviation Administration’s Center of Excellence for Rogers Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

In addition to leading ASSURE as interim director, Rogers was the business director for the Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration and the Pacific UAS Test Range Complex, both of which are part of the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

In addition to advancing ASSURE’s international status, he will continue to pursue his passion for UAS operations in the Arctic in conjunction with his UAF colleagues.

A Mississippi native, Rogers also has an extensive

HORNE, an accounting and business advisory firm, recently announced the promotion of 19 Ridgeland team members.

Haley Cushing (Construction), Supervisor Stephen Massey (Construction), Senior Associate Emily Carpenter (Construction), Senior Associate Brent Gay (Financial Institutions), Supervisor Cory Bass (Financial Institutions), Senior Associate Sarah Olander (Financial Institutions), Senior Associate Marla Saxton (People Growth and Engagement), Supervisor Peter Graves (Technology), Supervisor Turner Brandie Turner (Finance), Associate Stephen Faulkner (Government Services), Manager Daniel Paul (Government Services), Supervisor Shelia Armstrong (Government Services), Senior Associate Carly Tabor (Healthcare), Senior Associate Morgan Lamb (Healthcare), Senior Associate Blair Waggoner (HORNE Wealth Strategies), Senior Manager Lamb Mary Kathryn Allen (Public & Middle Market), Senior Manager Brielle Pepper (Public & Middle Market), Supervisor Jessica Rowe (Public & Middle Market), Senior Associate Taylour Blair (Public & Middle Market), Senior Associate Blair

corporate background, serving in several roles in industry — including vice president of the international division of a large research and development corporation. He served in the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 2000 as a member of the Headquarters Staff at Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.

Sutherland a top writer Kari L. Sutherland of Butler Snow has been named a 2017 Law360 Distinguished Legal Writing Award winner by the Burton Awards The honor is awarded to only 25 writers from entries submitted by the nation’s 1,000 largest law firms. Sutherland received the Sutherland Burton Award based on her articled titled “Funding Litigation and Treatment: Leveling the Playing Field or Exploiting the Little Guy,” which appeared in Pro Te: Solutio, Butler Snow’s quarterly pharmaceutical and healthcare publication.

The Burton Awards are a partnership with the Library of Congress, presented by lead sponsor Law360 and co-sponsored by the American Bar Association.

AGJ named to Tech Elite list CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named AGJ Systems and Networks Inc. to its 2017 Tech Elite 250 list. This annual list honors a group of North American IT solution providers who have earned the highest number of advanced technical certifications

from leading technology vendors, scaled to their company size.

To compile the annual list, The Channel Company’s research group and CRN editors work together to identify the most customer-beneficial technical certifications in the North American IT channel.

Solution providers who have obtained these elite designations—which enable them to deliver premium products, services and customer support—are then selected from a pool of online applicants.

Dealership ‘Best of the Best’ Mercedes-Benz of Jackson has been recognized by the luxury automobile brand as a Best of the Best for 2016, placing it among the upper echelon of Mercedes-Benz dealerships nationally.

The Best of the Best Program recognizes dealers based on exemplary performance in sales, HigginbothamMoody service and parts as well as excellence in operations and customer experience.

The top 15 percent of dealers nationally earned Best of the Best honors. Higginbotham Automobiles – which owns Mercedes-Benz of Jackson – achieved a trifecta as its Mercedes-Benz of Collierville, Tenn., and Mercedes-Benz of Myrtle Beach, S.C. Trudy Higginbotham-Moody is co-owner and president of Mercedes-Benz of Jackson, which is building a new location at the corner of Steed Road and I-55 in Ridgeland.

Newsmakers

10 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q April 21, 2017

Forbes elevated to post

Ra’Sheda Forbes, Mississippi State University’s interim multicultural affairs assistant vice president, has had the interim tag removed and officially holds the job title. She has been named director of the university’s Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, where she previously served for two Forbes years as the center’s associate director.

Originally from Meridian, Forbes holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and Master of Public Policy and Administration from MSU. Becoming a university staff member in 2008, she used the community engagement experience from her work as outreach director and youth camp administrator for the World of Faith Christian Center in Starkville.

Forbes has worked her way up the HCDC ranks, serving as administrative assistant, assistant director and associate director. Honors include the Zacharias Distinguished Staff Award she received in 2016. Her other recognitions include Day One Leadership Program Mentor, Outstanding African American Female in the Workplace by the campus chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Legend of Mississippi State University.

Forbes will maintain her role as adviser for the Black Student Association, Black Voices Gospel Choir, as well as the Peers Assisting with Students, or PAWS Program. Forbes also will continue lending her leadership vision as adviser for the business-oriented campus organization, Intelligent Dignified Elegant Ambitious Leaders (I.D.E.A.L. Woman).

Optometrists honor Reed Dr. Steven T. Reed, OD, of Magee, has been named the 2017 Optometrist of the South by the Southeastern College of Optometrists (SECO), its highest honor.

The award recognizes significant contributions to the profession of optometry.

Reed He is a past president of the Mississippi Optometric Association, the Southwest Optometric Society, the Magee Chamber of Commerce, and the Magee Lion’s Club.

He is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the American Optometric Association, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Southern College of Optometry, a former Mississippi Trustee to the SECO International Board, and is a board member of the Simpson County Economic Development Foundation.

In 2016 and 2010, he was awarded MOA’s James Brownlee Optometrist of the Year award.

For nearly 20 years, Reed has helped organize eye screenings at Magee Elementary and Magee Middle School. He also helped coordinate the first annual Glaucoma Awareness Day in Magee and the first annual Mac McCarty Lions Club Golf Tournament to raise funds for glasses and eye care services for the underserved of Simpson County.

Reed graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Magna Cum Laude from the Southern College of Optometry as a Doctor of Optometry.

He and his wife Kendra are active members of Goodwater Baptist Church where he serves as deacon.

Reed has two children, Calder and Emily.

MSU honors Diversity winners

Courtesy of Megan Bean/Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum (left) congratulates 2017 MSU Diversity Award winners, from left, Roy Jafari, a doctoral student in industrial and systems engineering; Deborah Jackson, assistant professor in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Foundations; Bailey McDaniel, a senior sociology student; and Scott Willard, associate dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Gore receives top award Dr. Jeff Gore, a Delta Research and Extension Center researcher recently won the year’s top award at the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station Faculty and Staff Spring meeting held in Starkville, Gore received the Faculty Gore Excellence in Research Award.

Gore is an Associate Research/ Extension Professor at MSU and started at DREC in 2007. He received his Master of Science degree in Entomology from the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center in 1999 and three years later received his Doctorate of Philosophy in Entomology from LSU. Dr. Gore is also a prolific researcher and writer. During his time at DREC, he has produced more than 400 articles, book chapters, presentations, and national and international invited papers. In addition to his research and writing, Gore is also an academic mentor currently serving as a major or co-major advisor to five Ph.D. and six Masters students. Additionally, he has successfully graduated three Ph.D. and eight M.S. students in the last five years.

Jordan retiring at So. Pine After 30 years as Southern Pine Electric’s General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, Don Jordan will retire from those duties effective May 1.

Jordan was instrumental in attracting new businesses to Southern Pine’s service area by Jordan obtaining zero-interest loans through government programs, and also promoted existing businesses’ expansion and growth.

Under Jordan’s leadership total miles of line grew from 8,467 to 10,320. Total utility plant went from $65 million to $401 million. While basically maintaining the same number of employees at 245, margin and equities grew from $25 million to $257 million and total consumers from 42,391 to 66,515. Total kilowatt hours sold climbed from 855 million to 2 billion.

Southern Pine opened four district offices, a branch location, and will soon complete construction of a new campus that will include a warehouse, general services building, district office and a new headquarters building.

Mickle named to DMR post Paul F. Mickle, Ph.D., has been named the chief scientific officer for the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources in Biloxi Mickle was deputy director of the Finfish Bureau in the Office of Marine Fisheries.

Mickle received his bachelor’s degree in environmental science Mickle from the University of Florida.

He earned his master’s degree in biology and his doctoral degree in biology with an emphasis in fish ecology from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Mickle was a post-doctoral fellow at USM’s Gulf Coast Research Lab. He began working at DMR in September 2014. He teaches at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and serves on graduate committees at Southern Miss.

Mickle lives in Gulfport with his wife, Lindsey, and their 5-year-old son Tanner.

Summit’s Crawford to post The Summit Rehab’s CEO, Kelly Crawford, has been selected as Chairperson-elect of the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Administration & Management Special Interest Section. Her term will last three years and starts July 1.

Crawford Crawford is an occupational therapist with over 16 years’ experience in therapy services. She joined The Summit Rehab in 2001 and worked as a staff therapist and advanced to Director of Rehab. From there she was promoted to Regional Director and most recently has serviced as Chief Operations Officer for The Summit.

She was promoted to Chief Executive Officer in 2015.

The Summit Rehab is based in Summit.

USM honors Rayburn Mortgage industry expert Dr. Bill Rayburn has been honored by The University of Southern Mississippi’s College of Business as its 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year.

Rayburn, USM class of 1981, is the chairman and CEO of Mortgage Trade (mTrade.com), which focuses on improving the way organizations buy, sell, and analyze whole loans.

Rayburn was responsible for the conception of Mortgage Trade’s strategy, vision and culture.

Mortgage Trade Holding Company, LLC is the parent company of mTrade.com.

Prior to Mortgage Trade, Rayburn co-founded FNC Inc., and served as chairman and CEO from inception until the sale of the company in 2016. FNC’s innovative approach to appraisal evaluation led to its achieving a dominant market position in the U.S. FinTech market prior to its sale.

A former finance professor at USM and the University of Mississippi, Rayburn holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an MBA in finance (both from USM) and a doctorate in finance from the University of Memphis.

Leslie joins Clinic specialists Samantha M. Leslie, PA-C, recently joined Hattiesburg Clinic Vascular Specialists.

She received a Master of Science in Medicine with an emphasis on Physician Assistant Studies from Mississippi College in Clinton and a Bachelor of Science Leslie from The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.

Leslie is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Mississippi Academy of Physician Assistants.

Neel-Schaffer adds manager Doug Wimberly, PE, PS, has joined Neel-Schaffer as a Senior Project Manager in the Hattiesburg office.

Wimberly has over 30 years of experience in a wide variety of civil engineering design disciplines, including civil-site, roadway, drainage, water, and sewer. He is a Wimberly Registered Professional Engineer in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Texas and a Registered Professional Surveyor in Mississippi and Louisiana.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Mississippi State University, and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering – Environmental Emphasis, from Louisiana State University.

Sanderson recognized Sanderson Farms, Inc. has been named a 2020 Women on Boards Winning ‘W’ Company for the sixth consecutive year. Since the organization began tracking board diversity in 2011, Sanderson Farms has been recognized each year for the notable number of women who sit on its board.

Currently, women comprise 33 percent of those who have a seat on the Sanderson Farms, Inc. Board.

Newsmakers

April 21, 2017

Education breakfast Holley

Ward

Roy

Visit Gulf Coast adds 3 Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast has hired three new team members.

Kaylie Bacon Holley joins as the national sales manager. Holley will be assisting the Sales Team by coordinating programs that will showcase the area as a desirable and valued meeting location to a variety of meeting and event planners.

Tori Ward serves as digital content marketing manager, and her main role includes growing the organization’s digital presence, from engaging and retaining social media followers, converting them into visitors, active fans and promoters of the area.

Anna Roy joins as administrative assistant and serves as the front line for visitor and client requests and assists each team member with current projects.

First Bank makes 2 changes First Bank recently made two changes at its Woodstone office in Hattiesburg.

Jamal Porter was hired as Branch Manager and Hailey Stewart was promoted to retail lender.

Porter joins First Bank from Citizens National Bank of Meridian where he was Assistant Manager and a Personal Banker.

Porter and his wife, Romesha, Porter founded the Hattiesburg Park and Recreation Youth Track & Field program, open to children 4-15. The program has thrived and now almost a dozen local coaches assist in allowing kids to experience all types of track and field events.

Porter graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management. He and the former Romesha Anderson have two young children, JuDawn and Jayden.

Stewart will oversee a portfolio of custom lending options for consumers.

Stewart has been with First Bank for six years, having served as a teller, loan processor, lending Stewart assisting and in the accounts payable and human resource departments. A graduate of Southwest Mississippi Community College, she has also attended the Mississippi State University.

Stewart moved to Hattiesburg where she lives with her husband, Travis Stewart, and son Caleb.

Bryant appoints Cummins

The Mississippi Senate has confirmed Gov. Phil Bryant’s appointment of Stephanie Cummins to the Mississippi State Personnel Board as an at-large member to fill an unexpired term through June 30, and as an at-large member for a five-year term beginning July 1.

Cummins is the co-owner and associate broker

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the American Board of Toxicology and Fellow of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences.

At MSU, Chambers directs the Center for Environmental Health Sciences, an interdisciplinary research unit within the College of Veterinary Medicine. Understanding and combatting the toxic effects of potent nervous system poisons, such as some chemical warfare agents and pesticides is her group’s primary focus area.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of San Francisco, the California native moved to MSU for a doctorate in animal physiology.

Chambers has been principal investigator of about $30 million in federally funded competitive grants.

AGA reappoints Gregory

Courtesy of Madison County Business League & Foundation

The Madison County Business League & Foundation recently hosted an Education Breakfast at the Madison County Schools district office. State Sen. Gary Tollison, Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, was the keynote speaker. Eighty MCBL&F members, elected officials and special guests attended the event. Pictured are, from left: Jan Collins, MCBL&F Executive Director; Trey Dellinger, MCBL&F Government Relations Committee Chairman; Sam Kelly, MCBL&F Chairman, Sen. Gray Tollison; Dr. Ronnie McGehee, Superintendent of Madison County Schools; and Dr. Don Burnham, MCBL&F Education Committee Vice Chairman. at Front Gate Realty. She serves on the board of directors for the Home Builders Association of Jackson and the Home Builders Association of Mississippi. She is also a member of the Mississippi Association of Realtors and Central Mississippi Association of Cummins Realtors.

She was named one of the Mississippi Business Journal’s 50 Leading Business Women in 2016 and has received the Mississippi Association of Realtors Under 40 Award and the National Association of Realtors 30 Under 30 Award.

Cummins earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Mississippi State University where she majored in construction management and land development. In the community, Cummins is involved with the Relay for Life State Advisory Board, Women of the Moose Lodge, Phi Mu Alumni Association, and the Junior League of Jackson. She previously served as chairman of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event in Flowood.

She and her husband, Wally, live in Brandon.

Fisher Phillips site honored Fisher Phillips’ website, www.fisherphillips.com, has won multiple awards for its layout, design, interface and overall functionality.

The awards include: best in class in the legal category from Interactive Media Awards (IMA), the Web Marketing Association’s 2016 WebAward for outstanding achievement in web development; the 2016 MarCom award for website design and development in the category of professional services; the 2016 W3 award for law and legal services websites; and the 2016 Summit International Award’s emerging media award (EMA) leader award for website design and development in the B2B service category. Last year, Fisher Phillips rebranded from Fisher & Phillips.

Lloyd take bank position Turner Lloyd has joined the staff of Guaranty Bank in Cleveland as a relationship banker.

The move comes after Lloyd’s successful completion of Guaranty Bank’s Management Training Program.

Lloyd is a 2011 graduate Lloyd of Humphreys Academy, and earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Delta State University in 2016. He joined the bank in 2015 as a Credit Analyst on a part-time basis, prior to joining the bank full-time after his graduation.

MSU’s Chambers honored Janice E. Chambers of Mississippi State is among winners of the 2017 Southeastern Conference Faculty Achievement Award.

A William L. Giles Distinguished Professor of Veterinary Medicine, Chambers is one of 14 university professionals announced recently Chambers

by SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.

Honoring excellence in teaching, research and scholarship, the awards program was launched six years ago to spotlight an individual at each SEC-member institution representing more than 14,000 fulltime, tenured professors.

In addition to receiving a $5,000 honorarium, Chambers and other winners become nominees for the top SEC Professor of the Year Award. That person will receive an additional $15,000.

Chambers is a longtime member of the College of Veterinary Medicine faculty who already holds major international commendations as a Diplomate of

The American Gaming Association has selected Larry Gregory to serve a second term on its board.

Gregory, executive director of the Mississippi Gaming and Hospitality Association and is the former executive director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission, was first appointed to the position in 2016.

As a board member, Gregory has a voice on all gaming issues affecting the country and meets with top gaming executives, law enforcement officials, and regulators to discuss the issues of the ever changing gaming market, such as illegal gambling and fantasy sports, among others.

In his position at the MGHA, Gregory supports the robust $6.3 billion casino and tourism industry in Mississippi by advocating for policies that allow Mississippi’s commercial casino operators to stay strong.

Neel-Schaffer makes hire Steve Underwood has joined the Neel-Schaffer as Coastal Program Manager.

Underwood has more than 30 years of scientific, managerial and planning experience working in partnership to administer coastal initiatives for state government, Underwood the USACE, and private companies.

He will be based in the firm’s Baton Rouge office and lead efforts to grow and expand the firm’s coastal science and engineering discipline.

Underwood holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, and a Master of Science in Oceanography and Coastal Sciences from Louisiana State University.

Groom joins Butler Snow Steve Groom - former chief legal officer of CoreCivic, formerly Corrections Corporation of America, and long time executive - has joined the Butler Snow’s Nashville office. He will serve in a dual capacity as a principal in the firm’s business advisory subsidiary, Groom Butler Snow Advisory Services (BSAS), and practice in the law firm, Butler Snow, in an of counsel role.

Groom has extensive business, financial services and dispute resolution experience, and most recently was executive vice president, general counsel and secretary to CoreCivic, where he will continue to serve as special counsel.

AN MBJ FOCUS: PUBLIC COMPANIES

HOW ACC

Spreading fake news can resu

By BECKY GILLETTE mbj@msbusiness.com

O

N APRIL 10 the Securities Exchange Commission issued warnings for investors to be aware of fake news designed to drive up a company’s stock price.

“When you read an article on an investment research website, be aware that the article may not be objective and independent,” the SEC said in an alert to investors. “For example, the writer may have been paid directly or indirectly by a company to promote that company’s stock. In some cases, the writer may not disclose compensation received or may go so far as to claim falsely that compensation was not received.

Keep in mind that fraudsters may generate articles

promoting a company’s stock to drive up the stock price and to profit at your expense.”

The SEC charged 27 parties including public companies, firms, and writers with fraud for generating articles that promoted certain stocks when some or all of the writers allegedly Kelly failed to disclose they had received payment, used different pseudonyms to publish multiple articles that promoted the same stock and/or used fake credentials.

Mercer Bullard, a Butler Snow Lecturer and professor of law, University of Mississippi School of Law, said spreading false information about publicly traded stocks is not a novel practice.

“Given the expanding role of fake news in politics

and markets, we probably should not be surprised,” Mercer said. “As a general matter, investors should not be buying individual stocks. They should be investing in mutual funds. It is highly unlikely an individual investor will do a better job than expert professionals who are studying the market 24\7.”

Fake news can be used drive a stock down as well as up.

“There have been instances in which negative fake news has been posted to allow an investor to make money shorting a stock,” Mercer said.

Dr. G.W. Kelly, chairman of University of Southern Mississippi Finance Department, said this is referred to as “a pump and dump scheme” that works by buying shares in advance at low prices and selling them after the “pump up,” or by sell the shares short (i.e. without owning them) when you’re pretty sure the price is

APRIL 21, 2017 • MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS JOURNAL • www.msbusiness.com

CURATE ... ... IS YOUR STOCK SOURCE?

ult in fraud charges, SEC says about to drop.

“They pump up expectations, make their profit, and then the price goes back to where it belongs, probably in the gutter,” Kelly said. “That is one of the reasons we have the SEC. We have the experience of this that goes back from before the 1930s prior to when the SEC was put in place. The SEC’s principal job is to level the field for the investing public. The SEC’s job is to standardize the information given to the public like the 10K and 10Q reports. The idea is the investing public should have the same information in our hands that would be valuable to anyone else like professional investors and mutual fund managers. Then you can establish, for example, if there has been fraudulent information put out that is contradicted by what been made publicly available by legal requirements.”

The SEC says it is important to check sources and

be suspicious when you receive emails or text messages promoting a stock from someone you do not know, even if the sender appears to be connected to someone you know.

“Don’t believe anything you hear and half of what you see,” Kelly said.

“That is from a lyric by a fabulous Ragland singer\songwriter from Tupelo, Paul Thorn. Go by the old adage, ‘If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is’.”

The SEC has warned that microcap stocks such as penny stocks may be particularly susceptible to fake news.

“Microcap stocks have always been more of a risk for fraud,” Kelly said. “They are very small firms, so they tend not to be covered by analysts. There is not a lot

of news you can go to and verify with a parallel source of information.”

Kelly said fake news isn’t anything new, just the technology of its dissemination.

“We always called it lying, misrepresentation, etc.,” Kelly said. “The Internet just gave it another outlet.”

Kelly also agrees savings shouldn’t be invested in one stock, even if that is stock in the company you work for.

“If you hold all your savings in one company’s shares, that money is subject to all of the risks of that asset,” Kelly said. “With the stock market, prices go up and down. Whatever happens to that company happens to your savings. There is no diversification. For long term savings, you need diversification. There is no See FAKE, Page 14

Public Companies

14 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q Apr9il 21, 2017

State bankers say Trump effect is positive

By CALLIE DANIELS BRYANT mbj@msbusiness.com

Some Mississippi bankers are confident the Trump administration will have a much-needed impact on public banks.

Several have already witnessed a rise in stocks since election day.

“The effect (of the new presidential administration) has been extremely positive,” said Hoppy Cole, president and CEO of The First, a national banking association. “We are a publicly-traded company, and our stock along with most publicly traded bank stocks has increased in value since the election. We believe some of this increase in value is due to the new administration’s pro-business outlook and that banks in general are a significant economic driver that help foster growth.”

On Nov. 8, its stock was $21.85 per share and, steadily increased to $27.70 during Easter week.

But investors’ faith in the Trump administration is not the only reason.

“There is great hope and enthusiasm amongst the financial services industry that the current administration and Congress will address the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act in the near future and offer some regulatory relief, especially for

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community and regional banks,” said John Oxford, director of corporate communication for Renasant Bank .

“A specific relief item which we believe needs to be addressed is raising the $10 billion in asset size threshold for certain regulations and requirements – which include interchange fee rules, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau oversight and enhanced stress testing – to $50 billion in asset size.”

Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, banks crossing the $10 billion mark are no longer considered community banks, thus leading to increased federal surveillance. This regulation is considered as burdensome for these public bank leaders in Mississippi.

Cole adds: “The president has pledged to help reduce the regulatory burden , particularly for smaller community banks, which has been a significant headwind to growth and profitability in our industry over the last 8 years. Specifically the president has instructed the regulatory agencies to review and recommend specific regulations to change or eliminate which reduce compliance costs , improve efficiency. And to take a risk-adjusted approach to the regulatory process. Financial institutions with complex business models should get

a greater degree of scrutiny and should be required to hold more capital than those that have a simple business model.”

Hancock Bank President and CEO John M. Hairston attributes his positive outlook on his bank to the current administration’s attitude toward economical growth and possible bipartisanship.

“The general theme we bankers hear from the new administration is a call for ideas which generate more American jobs, expand the economy and give families and businesses a chance to dream big after a decade of doldrums,” he said. “It’s refreshing to hear a tone of optimism and creativity after seven years of political stiff-arm. The open-mindedness isn’t

only from the White House. Democrat senators now seem willing to listen if a change is good for America. Some won’t, stubbornly declaring the infallibility of Dodd-Frank. But, some will.

“Our hope is that reasonable people will come together for the good of all citizens versus clinging to political ideology and one-upsmanship.”

As President Trump approaches 100 days in office, Cole said: “I am not aware of any regulations that have been changed yet but we as an industry are hopeful that the president will follow through with his pledge to provide regulatory relief and it appears that the process has started.”

FAKE

proactive and address the issues with key stakeholders. If you don’t address it, will be taken as the truth.”

False allegations about companies are nothing novel. But Ragland said social media have really escalated the potential for damage.

“Once it is posted, somebody is going to believe it,” Ragland said. “A lot of times the writer will use a pseudonym, or fake credentials, to build credibility that doesn’t exist. There are a lot of people just trying to drive agendas.”

Ragland said a company’s reputation is critical.

“All it takes is one or two bad stories getting posted and reported on social media, and it is like a wildfire,” he said.

“You just have to be diligent. Companies work decades to build a reputation and then gets someone on a keyboard can try to tear it down, for whatever reason. Some of it is for financial gain. They are paid to write fake stories. With social media and online now, everyone is a ‘journalist’ and lots of time you don’t know which reports are legitimate and which are not. Online, you don’t know who these people are or even if it is their real name. There are sites built just to drive agendas, personal or political. It just confuses the public.”

Continued from Page 13

reason to take on all of the risks of a single firm. This is the problem of 401(k) plans where the 401(k) is invested heavily in the stock of the company for whom you work.

It overexposes the savings of the folks in those accounts to the risks of that one company.”

Lee Ragland, director of public relations and vice president GodwinGroup, said it is important for companies to keep up with both good and bad “fake news” about their company.

“We have not seen a problem with that yet in our area, but sooner or later it is going to pop up,” he said. “As a former journalist, I find it deplorable when there is no journalistic integrity. From a PR standpoint, you have to keep monitoring what is being said and published about your clients. If fake news does come up as an issue, you have to be proactive and address the issues with key stakeholders.

If you don’t address it, will be taken as the truth.

“From a PR standpoint, you have to keep monitoring what is being said and published about your clients. If fake news does come up as an issue, you have to be

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Public Companies

16 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q April 21, 2017

PUBLIC COMPANIES

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March 2017 sales tax receipts/year to date, July 1 MISSISSIPPI STATE TAX COMMISSION Here are cities’ earnings through sales tax collections. Sales tax has a three-month cycle.

Month 1 — Tax is collected by the retailer. Month 2 — Tax is reported/paid to the Tax Commission by the retailer. Month 3 — Sales tax diversion is paid by the Tax Commission to the cities.

This report is based on the month the tax is collected at the Tax Commission (Month 2).

March March Year to date YTD CITY 2017 2016 2017 2016 ABBEVILLE $4,851.16 $5,064.13 $44,235.56 $44,495.63 ABERDEEN 76,674.43 65,580.26 622,464.87 588,403.91 ACKERMAN 22,017.82 22,552.31 212,095.48 206,906.94 ALCORN STATE U 295.80 580.44 3,584.14 13,883.48 ALGOMA 2,477.77 2,621.20 22,751.25 22,809.99 ALLIGATOR 368.10 379.32 3,954.85 4,439.39 AMORY 163,599.21 161,346.07 1,464,109.23 1,441,218.84 ANGUILLA 4,965.12 2,435.34 25,619.79 24,347.86 ARCOLA 1,349.25 1,426.95 12,144.05 13,008.64 ARTESIA 689.08 703.69 7,343.89 7,787.52 ASHLAND 12,515.96 12,322.73 118,702.00 119,077.03 BALDWYN 43,888.33 49,032.03 406,403.17 386,867.85 BASSFIELD 12,119.67 10,809.35 108,338.73 103,136.86 BATESVILLE 368,205.93 384,550.18 3,329,636.11 3,294,603.13 BAY SPRINGS 55,203.49 59,177.87 495,864.04 498,703.67 BAY ST LOUIS 133,149.53 122,075.00 1,109,900.52 1,088,669.68 BEAUMONT 7,436.79 6,004.19 74,018.78 51,437.99 BEAUREGARD 228.02 280.03 2,086.57 2,350.63 BELMONT 24,128.08 22,255.99 234,114.31 246,514.29 BELZONI 45,260.15 41,427.22 360,494.89 363,827.67 BENOIT 2,021.39 5,281.09 24,069.50 53,408.44 BENTONIA 12,111.16 16,616.20 105,627.09 143,900.48 BEULAH 292.93 174.39 2,842.22 2,895.81 BIG CREEK 307.50 152.36 2,561.30 4,060.93 BILOXI 933,519.44 1,039,987.74 9,244,576.07 8,642,573.45 BLUE MOUNTAIN 9,573.94 10,584.45 100,515.27 96,828.20 BLUE SPRINGS 2,331.35 1,489.20 22,602.92 20,478.15 BOLTON 11,570.20 8,664.21 111,002.09 93,351.79 BOONEVILLE 167,291.28 160,803.73 1,428,674.33 1,387,154.76 BOYLE 13,571.52 13,360.52 145,475.06 112,339.04 BRANDON 470,350.09 492,996.08 4,228,575.98 4,016,088.56 BRAXTON 1,543.72 430.13 14,284.39 10,400.33 BROOKHAVEN 466,558.75 458,430.97 4,294,254.10 4,188,472.62 BROOKSVILLE 9,357.10 9,673.12 91,654.08 93,881.64 BRUCE 39,986.41 40,514.34 380,133.12 386,300.47 BUDE 11,255.24 10,529.67 102,850.20 100,586.76 BURNSVILLE 12,920.38 13,867.13 127,197.23 130,924.82 BYHALIA 64,462.90 50,703.85 544,181.92 565,928.59 BYRAM 204,292.88 243,942.38 1,969,215.57 1,613,826.95 CALEDONIA 13,973.65 11,849.28 127,318.01 124,506.46 CALHOUN CITY 24,395.81 28,646.98 225,896.54 236,045.23 CANTON 233,570.59 240,162.05 2,186,648.66 2,125,089.84 CARROLLTON 6,598.82 5,535.20 60,993.54 59,635.60 CARTHAGE 144,935.75 153,376.66 1,313,019.43 1,279,994.21 CARY 908.62 881.47 9,351.92 9,964.10 CENTREVILLE 17,976.72 17,662.44 174,782.99 174,531.98 CHARLESTON 25,254.69 28,185.17 252,023.89 254,545.24 CHUNKY 606.22 564.54 6,004.21 5,640.48 CLARKSDALE 237,719.06 242,619.10 2,071,596.21 1,970,831.62 CLEVELAND 326,271.12 326,868.65 2,775,288.99 2,766,608.09 CLINTON 382,648.61 412,601.65 3,444,843.56 3,558,334.71 COAHOMA 597.68 441.48 5,387.53 5,743.11 COAHOMA COLLEGE 234.42 239.12 2,598.20 3,312.00 COFFEEVILLE 9,856.57 9,838.58 94,899.35 95,368.07 COLDWATER 17,424.46 16,329.70 194,698.02 165,233.52 COLLINS 113,692.89 125,886.67 1,119,094.91 1,140,264.31 COLUMBIA 301,918.20 275,318.24 2,384,445.13 2,341,748.69 COLUMBUS 809,955.06 1,156,866.77 7,301,370.49 7,598,838.29 COMO 12,815.43 10,799.89 140,462.59 112,684.97 CORINTH 489,219.03 513,133.27 4,618,485.13 4,691,608.60 COURTLAND 1,494.71 810.90 14,553.71 13,872.94 CRAWFORD 1,368.21 970.31 13,817.04 12,159.64 CRENSHAW 4,783.30 5,636.68 45,586.12 52,160.01 CROSBY 480.09 251.54 6,558.54 7,993.54 CROWDER 1,855.50 1,836.84 18,776.44 17,053.60 CRUGER 325.00 388.61 3,526.27 3,766.53 CRYSTAL SPRINGS 64,118.04 55,712.72 551,895.88 540,740.90 D LO 1,934.08 2,514.97 19,981.57 24,449.17 D’IBERVILLE 575,195.04 635,548.22 5,417,016.92 5,469,891.16 DECATUR 11,564.60 13,294.20 110,557.68 112,224.50 DEKALB 15,541.53 19,369.48 156,969.56 164,185.16 DERMA 8,288.23 2,686.00 74,439.53 87,618.28 DIAMONDHEAD 43,270.42 42,154.95 415,197.84 404,443.40 DODDSVILLE 357.35 563.13 6,042.13 6,818.32 DREW 6,859.12 9,322.49 68,437.16 90,708.70 DUCK HILL 4,082.34 3,020.88 35,568.17 35,162.33 DUMAS 1,406.57 1,138.22 11,269.61 13,335.10 DUNCAN 486.75 3,413.90 4,474.44 7,973.07 DURANT 35,959.26 36,136.34 375,155.69 264,109.71 EAST MS COLLEGE 140.04 54.78 2,442.69 1,700.91 ECRU 11,279.08 22,284.56 121,153.71 222,841.38 EDEN 85.43 59.40 657.34 634.12 EDWARDS 5,449.26 4,574.43 49,133.62 53,898.84 ELLISVILLE 70,136.36 79,280.39 715,891.21 666,808.63 ENTERPRISE 5,631.76 6,073.47 54,505.25 54,358.10 ETHEL 2,391.10 1,072.77 20,973.75 11,445.67 EUPORA 33,032.01 34,828.92 322,987.75 321,842.43 FALCON 115.19 94.37 1,137.19 986.30 FALKNER 5,341.73 5,359.47 54,840.39 47,976.54 FARMINGTON 2,264.34 2,585.16 24,924.81 37,571.27 FAYETTE 16,682.88 15,825.21 159,712.90 154,835.92 FLORA 28,106.13 26,836.17 266,098.45 241,588.52 FLORENCE 70,362.99 71,346.69 642,245.89 642,678.06 FLOWOOD 875,968.94 942,622.91 8,625,874.36 8,748,044.87 FOREST 219,118.99 218,431.36 1,748,867.77 1,720,434.60 FRENCH CAMP 831.67 1,026.38 12,683.10 11,610.91 FRIARS POINT 3,892.52 1,612.70 29,199.85 17,272.51

FULTON GATTMAN GAUTIER GEORGETOWN GLEN GLENDORA GLOSTER GOLDEN GOODMAN GREENVILLE GREENWOOD GRENADA GULFPORT GUNNISON GUNTOWN HATLEY HATTIESBURG HAZLEHURST HEIDELBERG HERNANDO HICKORY HICKORY FLAT HINDS COMMUNITY HOLLANDALE HOLLY SPRINGS HORN LAKE HOULKA HOUSTON INDIANOLA INVERNESS ISOLA ITTA BENA IUKA JACKSON JONESTOWN JUMPERTOWN KILMICHAEL KOSCIUSKO KOSSUTH LAKE LAMBERT LAUREL LEAKESVILLE LEARNED LELAND LENA LEXINGTON LIBERTY LONG BEACH LOUIN LOUISE LOUISVILLE LUCEDALE LULA LUMBERTON LYON MABEN MACON MADISON MAGEE MAGNOLIA MANTACHIE MANTEE MARIETTA MARION MARKS MATHISTON MAYERSVILLE MCCOMB MCCOOL MCLAIN MEADVILLE MENDENHALL MERIDIAN MERIGOLD METCALFE MIZE MONTICELLO MONTROSE MOORHEAD MORGAN CITY MORTON MOSS POINT MOUND BAYOU MS GULFCOAST MS STATE UNIV MS VALLEY ST MT OLIVE MYRTLE NATCHEZ NETTLETON NEW ALBANY NEW AUGUSTA NEW HEBRON NEWTON NO. CARROLLTON NOXAPATER OAKLAND OCEAN SPRINGS OKOLONA OLIVE BRANCH OSYKA OXFORD PACE PACHUTA PADEN

135,268.07 118.24 183,277.83 3,057.68 1,776.68 464.91 11,131.34 4,274.64 3,352.93 530,887.18 383,604.47 353,338.09 1,611,291.22 752.27 16,343.75 340.29 1,820,062.70 123,936.60 18,837.28 272,247.16 5,166.51 5,517.08 878.64 13,334.93 118,301.78 366,231.94 8,743.94 83,251.77 179,008.09 5,561.74 2,160.70 11,159.80 61,481.35 2,453,411.12 1,754.40 338.96 5,238.86 167,926.91 3,157.25 11,595.02 2,403.95 714,324.60 24,279.67 662.61 34,980.93 1,694.49 33,356.52 20,480.47 110,381.97 2,208.39 1,104.93 160,708.71 170,470.06 2,958.01 13,616.46 2,229.07 6,942.35 44,465.39 607,166.52 166,601.81 31,971.02 18,012.40 2,125.41 4,596.20 20,012.98 15,792.01 13,901.12 768.87 487,588.71 660.41 3,814.35 11,191.40 45,443.02 1,115,513.43 6,828.79 826.07 6,513.66 39,803.57 141.41 10,145.92 408.00 39,753.04 155,425.35 3,609.75 308.70 46,019.88 647.87 10,004.93 4,511.21 448,087.34 25,989.74 271,619.63 11,631.99 6,324.63 78,496.05 2,267.78 7,688.66 5,890.29 394,665.32 22,385.78 777,295.83 4,877.26 718,579.58 432.60 1,653.16 66.55

130,493.56 146.28 172,645.72 3,170.19 1,494.13 398.78 10,137.41 4,192.79 3,126.09 586,187.28 401,335.73 372,911.99 2,014,448.65 651.64 16,495.14 343.63 2,011,343.84 108,534.81 19,110.71 243,257.25 6,088.16 5,873.12 673.62 13,785.90 108,865.20 376,222.04 7,719.78 85,902.04 181,367.79 5,773.45 2,042.05 11,491.23 86,450.29 3,454,354.88 2,580.28 368.58 4,687.69 179,441.51 3,797.63 5,937.51 1,116.39 800,425.19 27,349.42 317.88 32,348.59 1,106.67 33,162.87 18,963.79 119,216.76 2,345.29 1,081.94 156,259.54 177,589.31 2,712.76 13,157.34 1,858.91 7,149.67 53,014.53 608,394.39 172,880.88 34,459.00 16,807.02 3,148.72 4,038.47 20,472.61 18,941.16 13,063.77 811.00 469,295.86 2,312.54 5,088.39 10,752.77 46,616.36 1,400,916.16 6,417.43 895.13 6,736.65 43,371.43 326.37 11,641.42 464.97 39,388.47 155,492.79 3,045.56 245.38 45,785.17 757.02 9,397.75 3,859.85 466,990.46 26,775.10 264,394.89 14,649.44 8,321.36 86,369.45 2,837.71 7,201.62 5,341.02 430,624.14 23,949.09 727,194.02 4,407.61 741,183.10 473.30 2,335.21 115.14

1,189,754.24 1,036.74 1,635,423.06 29,737.32 18,099.08 2,860.16 113,661.39 44,588.04 34,538.16 4,700,004.22 3,431,595.06 3,294,406.87 15,421,541.42 7,540.59 159,552.38 2,789.26 16,500,978.91 978,986.48 168,262.99 2,548,690.21 55,000.79 53,226.33 6,279.31 134,650.73 1,014,753.32 3,471,487.33 76,940.66 809,649.05 1,478,935.46 45,084.78 20,271.43 106,687.83 656,258.93 22,121,803.69 25,252.50 3,155.46 50,337.55 1,568,202.09 29,435.09 93,077.74 23,086.12 5,987,449.65 225,808.53 6,197.21 381,072.74 16,186.88 305,792.29 197,669.97 1,038,830.60 21,951.42 11,028.51 1,407,853.46 1,626,138.73 25,927.30 126,246.38 20,371.34 70,515.31 446,565.34 6,033,023.20 1,537,215.40 312,776.87 166,040.48 23,157.43 42,893.82 175,568.15 152,145.70 136,578.69 7,868.89 4,365,204.56 10,512.90 40,103.33 107,301.90 459,583.96 10,471,158.87 63,566.61 8,228.28 66,984.82 372,072.38 1,440.78 75,010.50 4,512.37 377,538.92 1,367,822.04 34,753.04 4,980.68 282,766.75 7,183.50 92,639.03 43,619.93 4,018,614.46 258,941.76 2,427,705.52 107,718.25 62,212.33 757,092.98 26,542.50 76,543.70 56,867.23 3,704,716.71 210,870.51 7,344,948.61 46,946.72 7,066,955.09 4,664.18 15,918.24 568.37

1,141,756.50 1,184.72 1,638,109.16 31,785.80 18,193.48 4,345.49 107,533.12 43,901.39 29,741.34 4,850,390.56 3,295,270.82 3,189,117.28 15,385,683.91 7,699.91 152,176.38 3,238.75 16,764,615.65 1,002,604.18 178,983.93 2,400,577.77 47,242.32 49,116.56 5,820.00 126,324.42 1,016,119.80 3,168,697.02 68,902.93 787,959.69 1,478,484.81 45,776.59 25,158.73 104,879.45 619,182.97 24,033,632.97 25,617.22 5,072.90 54,615.11 1,539,012.11 32,129.96 54,918.13 14,876.33 6,497,900.36 226,463.37 5,097.89 374,361.75 14,116.80 311,140.75 191,382.85 1,001,988.81 21,350.28 11,651.91 1,442,391.48 1,591,561.78 25,781.23 119,943.49 19,098.61 70,049.89 452,079.59 5,476,118.28 1,570,822.21 295,465.84 182,839.32 24,074.71 39,354.23 167,087.93 176,648.85 130,095.51 8,654.66 4,254,471.95 15,406.45 47,855.57 107,858.83 465,006.42 10,961,767.66 61,495.71 9,816.74 78,167.60 378,182.83 3,650.15 78,328.83 4,967.90 370,020.69 1,343,454.88 37,101.31 4,702.75 284,783.79 7,044.04 86,113.48 41,616.23 4,086,095.51 276,745.28 2,396,672.07 121,972.57 65,911.57 743,362.77 29,813.33 71,813.24 56,334.84 3,683,213.31 214,580.21 7,051,495.21 45,965.40 6,524,938.34 4,959.24 16,691.22 1,808.16

April 21, 2017

PASCAGOULA PASS CHRISTIAN PAULDING PEARL PELAHATCHIE PETAL PHILADELPHIA PICAYUNE PICKENS PITTSBORO PLANTERSVILLE POLKVILLE PONTOTOC POPE POPLARVILLE PORT GIBSON POTTS CAMP PRENTISS PUCKETT PURVIS QUITMAN RALEIGH RAYMOND RENOVA RICHLAND RICHTON RIDGELAND RIENZI RIPLEY ROLLING FORK ROSEDALE ROXIE RULEVILLE SALLIS SALTILLO SANDERSVILLE SARDIS SATARTIA SCHLATER SCOOBA SEBASTOPOL SEMINARY SENATOBIA SHANNON SHAW SHELBY SHERMAN SHUBUTA SHUQUALAK SIDON SILVER CITY SILVER CREEK SLATE SPRINGS SLEDGE SMITHVILLE SNOWLAKESHORES SOSO SOUTHAVEN SOUTHWEST COMM STARKVILLE STATE LINE STONEWALL STURGIS SUMMIT SUMNER SUMRALL SUNFLOWER SYLVARENA TAYLOR TAYLORSVILLE TCHULA TERRY THAXTON TISHOMINGO TOCCOPOLA TOWN OF WALLS TREMONT TUNICA TUPELO TUTWILER TYLERTOWN UNION UNIV OF MISS UTICA VAIDEN VARDAMAN VERONA VICKSBURG WALNUT WALNUT GROVE WALTHALL WATER VALLEY WAVELAND WAYNESBORO WEBB WEIR WESSON WEST WEST POINT WIGGINS WINONA WINSTONVILLE WOODLAND WOODVILLE YAZOO CITY TOTAL

Q

Mississippi Business Journal

432,733.88 478,225.17 102,566.29 113,292.84 155.81 99.06 764,639.92 814,180.89 27,774.23 24,806.72 217,510.62 198,738.73 331,375.45 402,331.92 382,741.24 407,108.51 5,300.03 7,168.06 1,956.92 1,466.81 3,521.68 4,648.10 971.25 72.39 206,272.66 200,416.77 2,978.34 2,127.42 46,444.50 61,843.82 28,628.74 18,968.00 8,277.47 6,351.58 31,212.80 33,914.85 7,538.88 8,024.62 86,346.30 72,000.22 48,119.37 47,319.08 14,670.18 15,594.19 18,435.33 16,790.28 1,930.15 2,219.91 416,918.47 439,276.88 26,515.02 29,531.96 1,019,472.33 1,081,088.70 4,310.11 3,620.35 105,702.04 111,429.51 29,211.08 29,526.69 10,189.65 9,316.77 1,552.60 855.91 18,418.82 18,850.49 1,614.72 1,533.17 64,261.56 225,768.06 29,662.42 10,725.59 27,954.84 24,535.42 277.09 428.60 956.30 759.79 7,242.91 6,989.70 13,996.49 18,087.20 13,086.42 12,109.48 184,003.53 197,926.86 19,263.39 10,802.02 6,570.80 5,755.79 9,325.86 8,718.28 33,326.35 68,941.43 4,033.20 3,522.77 2,756.76 2,006.46 463.81 413.76 426.77 484.48 2,401.43 1,821.08 133.46 133.34 1,357.62 1,309.42 5,556.76 5,470.31 125.55 112.47 10,329.25 15,558.23 1,091,498.65 1,219,987.40 79.92 73.57 577,765.65 596,750.98 10,534.40 9,348.11 5,718.38 6,584.42 2,164.56 2,087.99 34,510.14 31,059.56 3,803.89 2,622.62 46,619.20 10,246.21 2,759.82 1,940.68 210.01 204.90 2,062.39 1,209.29 24,888.61 27,190.40 5,801.30 6,230.68 30,009.57 21,456.67 3,486.29 2,652.13 12,609.69 9,750.39 272.80 230.89 7,338.68 6,116.13 1,142.63 969.54 28,759.06 40,545.29 1,631,119.28 1,713,435.15 4,255.41 3,966.24 54,520.72 49,308.76 24,621.12 32,342.58 7,562.47 16,747.57 9,052.41 8,088.97 7,306.47 7,810.31 11,202.02 9,397.20 12,841.67 21,204.53 659,929.46 711,965.36 17,214.43 16,915.30 4,820.00 5,338.43 986.45 1,598.19 39,241.08 39,747.17 185,266.76 189,761.82 187,421.24 198,777.51 6,661.21 6,558.65 3,333.50 1,153.15 12,497.90 10,929.00 827.13 977.67 166,334.42 196,352.63 154,604.59 161,512.63 77,547.66 135,532.43 212.31 252.40 4,538.09 5,740.75 26,733.29 26,221.35 152,448.44 144,415.39 $34,886,083.15 $38,455,814.56

Q

17

3,868,624.73 3,949,537.96 1,023,994.83 939,940.91 1,741.11 1,581.14 7,412,333.11 7,452,524.12 282,227.68 269,358.89 1,893,978.48 1,850,010.05 3,074,235.27 3,221,433.03 3,542,426.20 3,433,677.42 56,833.45 61,782.66 15,421.22 11,151.93 41,085.57 41,385.65 10,344.88 3,126.76 1,801,628.29 1,801,676.32 29,027.54 26,950.21 557,483.46 550,077.31 257,371.40 175,977.94 69,096.08 62,680.04 306,915.34 333,573.04 72,648.94 83,468.38 783,305.44 626,856.57 410,118.87 403,260.89 142,230.04 146,274.77 177,780.65 174,750.66 17,825.79 20,339.90 4,143,234.85 4,198,840.55 262,312.37 254,760.91 10,041,979.78 11,862,358.71 40,919.46 40,861.38 998,519.47 962,655.56 301,233.04 282,278.78 93,544.01 91,813.20 14,956.32 12,936.29 172,724.66 167,716.90 15,531.91 15,203.24 591,438.23 813,429.34 304,740.92 119,359.52 228,749.30 252,177.66 3,396.18 3,100.97 8,593.21 7,871.07 70,057.95 63,788.35 139,740.43 149,672.03 120,245.10 116,933.31 1,664,287.71 1,670,135.00 117,030.17 103,855.51 62,772.54 76,222.15 85,265.14 82,935.94 266,172.52 262,547.96 35,740.99 33,709.29 25,099.60 17,725.10 4,847.61 5,519.49 3,901.37 4,187.77 22,876.43 24,335.26 1,507.07 2,400.74 13,722.44 14,710.31 52,379.23 55,546.16 1,080.08 3,500.03 96,522.14 120,111.74 10,766,242.80 10,817,270.82 724.55 811.18 5,215,397.12 5,068,535.35 105,798.40 95,665.84 53,757.82 52,732.13 24,606.92 25,085.06 328,049.70 313,272.56 34,557.13 31,528.15 412,163.44 351,506.85 29,207.87 24,003.44 2,367.29 2,596.41 20,673.86 14,374.98 242,753.10 242,017.97 61,785.00 67,570.73 269,447.65 243,933.35 32,640.67 31,081.78 106,765.19 89,464.32 2,706.52 2,415.86 67,657.31 67,687.05 12,392.58 11,899.18 244,943.57 350,510.73 15,389,488.37 14,632,983.31 39,028.41 38,078.30 512,911.66 484,941.30 244,090.96 303,148.07 375,022.60 137,633.08 79,635.06 79,654.91 78,851.17 92,122.01 106,742.09 91,471.55 144,301.88 169,429.75 5,863,889.08 5,953,169.05 167,069.04 206,774.02 51,427.71 49,515.17 11,545.04 15,835.66 384,627.34 389,225.36 1,808,220.92 1,740,167.49 1,583,860.23 1,549,585.96 64,655.63 64,929.68 28,173.10 16,292.37 116,297.60 114,683.59 9,541.45 12,980.20 1,547,216.66 1,812,618.95 1,435,183.84 1,382,633.37 778,260.41 769,854.81 2,401.76 2,405.69 44,029.71 44,071.59 273,551.15 276,328.95 1,282,662.64 1,279,645.23 $323,696,952.27 $324,372,516.10

New Businesses

18 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q April 21, 2017

Courtesy of Red Roof Inns

RED ROOF: Red Roof has opened a newly renovated property in Biloxi, a location that also is its 500th property in the U.S. The milestone was celebrated with an Open House ribbon cutting led by the property owner Pete Patel.

Courtesy of The Alliance

1ST FRANKLIN FINANCIAL: The Alliance recently held a ribbon cutting for 1st Franklin Financial, 798 South Cass St. in Corinth. Marty Miskelly, Regional Operations Director, and Jessica PorterďŹ eld, Manager, are cutting the ribbon along with Corinth Mayor Tommy Irwin.

Courtesy of Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce

POPEYES: The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber recently held a ribbon cutting for Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, 2324 W. Jackson Ave.

SMILE CENTER: The East Mississippi Business Development Corporation recently held a ribbon-cutting for Smile Center of Meridian, 4610 29th Ave. Dr. Adam Weathers is the new owner.

Courtesy of EMBDC

New Businesses

April 21, 2017

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Mississippi Business Journal

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19

WIER BOERNER ALLEN: The staff of Wier Boerner Allin Architecture recently celebrated the opening of their newly renovated office building located at 2727 Old Canton Road in Jackson.

At the ceremony, remarks were made by Jason Duran, Chairman of Greater Jackson Chamber Ambassadors, Robert Green, Pastor of Fondren Church, Marshand Crisler, Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Jackson, and Jack Allin, one of the three Principal Architects of Wier Boerner Allin.

Courtesy of Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership

Courtesy of EMBDC

Courtesy of The Alliance

GINGER’S: The Alliance recently held a ribbon cutting for the grand re-opening of Ginger’s, 1801 S. Harper Road in Corinth. Ginger Stockton and grandson, Harrison, are cutting the ribbon assisted by Corinth Mayor Tommy Irwin. ,

COMFORT INN: The East Mississippi Business Development Corporation recently held a ribbon cutting for owner Abdul Lala’s Comfort Inn, 701 Bonita Lakes Dr. in Meridian

FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER: The Family Resource Center of North Mississippi and Families First for Mississippi celebrated their new location, 104 Skyline Drive with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house hosted by the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber. Family Resource Center & Families First specializes in providing educational support services in a family-based and child-friendly environment.

Courtesy of Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce

New Businesses

20 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q April 21, 2017

PINNACLE PRINTING AND COPYING: The Rankin County Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting for Pinnacle Printing and Copying, 2300 Lakeland Dr. in Flowood.

Courtesy of Rankin County Chamber of Commerce

Courtesy of The Chamber of Flowood

ALAHNA NORTON, MCKEE REALTY: The Chamber of Flowood recently held a ribbon-cutting for Alahna Norton, McKee Realty at 300 Belle Meade Pt., Suite B, in Flowood.

Courtesy of Rankin County Chamber of Commerce

MEDICOMP PHYSICAL THERAPY: The Rankin County Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon-cutting for Medicomp Physical Therapy, 1392 W. Government St. Suite C, in Brandon.

SLEEPY STEVE’S: Sleepy Steve’s Mattress Club celebrated its new business at 1912B University Ave. in Oxford with a grand opening and ribbon cutting hosted by the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber.

Courtesy of Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce

New Businesses

April 21, 2017

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Mississippi Business Journal

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21

CHICKEN SALAD CHICK: Chicken Salad Chick celebrated its grand opening at 1305 Merchants Drive in Oxford with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber.

Courtesy of Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce

Courtesy of Rankin County Chamber of Commerce

FRESENIUS KIDNEY CARE: The Rankin County Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon-cutting for Fresenius Kidney Care Dialysis Center, 209 Mar-Lyn Dr. in Brandon.

Courtesy of The Chamber of Flowood

BUFFALO WILD WINGS: The Chamber of Flowood recently held a ribbon cutting for Buffalo Wild Wings, 766 MacKenzie Lane in Flowood.

MOSQUITO MARSHALS: Mosquito Marshals of Oxford and Jordan Carter celebrated the new business with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber.

Mosquito Marshals targets pests for both commercial and residental properties.

Courtesy of Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce

New Businesses

22 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q April 21, 2017

LUCKNEY ANIMAL HOSPITAL: The Rankin County Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting for Luckney Animal Hospital, 280 Belle Meade Pointe in Flowood.

Rankin County Chamber of Commerce

Joey Brent / Courtesy of Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce

THE MUSTARD SEED: The Mustard Seed celebrated its new location at 1901 A Jackson Ave. W. in Oxford with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber. The Mustard Seed is an antique, emporium shop.

Courtesy of Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce

Barnes & Noble: Barnes and Noble celebrated its new business at 1111 West Jackson Ave. in Oxford with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber.

ROSIEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GARDEN: The Rankin County Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting for Rosieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Garden, 161 Fannin Landing Circle in Brandon. Its mission is to grow fresh produce through the help of volunteers to give to food banks, shelters or individuals in need.

Courtesy of Rankin County Chamber of Commerce

New Businesses

April 21, 2017

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Mississippi Business Journal

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23

WALMART TRAINING CENTER: The Rankin County Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting for the Walmart Pearl Training Center at 5520 U.S. 80 E.

Courtesy of Rankin County Chamber of Commerce

Courtesy of Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce

Courtesy of Rankin County Chamber of Commerce

THE SPAW: the Spaw by Homeward Bound, at pet spa business at 426 S. Lamar Blvd.

No. 6 in Oxford celebrated its new business with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony hosted by the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber.

CAFE 570: The Rankin County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting at Cafe 570, 200 Bass Pro Drive, Ste 570 in Pearl.

KARE-IN-HOME HOSPICE: The Alliance recently held a ribbon cutting for Kare-InHome Hospice, located at 909 South Fulton Drive in Corinth. The ribbon cutting was held on Tuesday, April 4th. Brad Blalack, Chief Operating Officer, and Tiffany McDowell, Administrator, are cutting the ribbon along with Mayor Tommy Irwin, representing the City of Corinth.

Courtesy of The Alliance