MBJ_Aug18_2017 by Journal Inc

INSIDE — House sales in central Mississippi down 4.5 percent — Page 7 AGRIBUSINESS

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August 18, 2017 • Vo. 39. No. 33 • 20 pages

MBJ EXCLUSIVE

Stink bug poses major threat to soybean crop — Page 7

MBJ FOCUS

Banking & Finance {Section begins P9}

» Banks, customers feel the changing tech environment » 2 Mississippians offering ways to help those in bank deserts

{The List P13-15} » Credit Unions

Special to the MBJ

Agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency arrested 55 illegal foreign nationals in a Feb. 22 raid at eight Asian restaurants in the Jackson area and in Meridian.

11 held in restaurant raids plead guilty By JACK WEATHERLY jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com

{P2}

» Silver Slipper Casino on a roll with new amenities

Eleven foreign nationals arrested Feb. 22 in raids at Jackson and Meridian area restaurants by agents of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency have pleaded guilty, or in one case await a plea hearing, to violating the federal Re-entry of Deported or Removed Alien act. They are among 55 foreign nationals who

were arrested by ICE agents at eight Asian restaurants. The others were sent to the ICE Detention Facility in Jena, La.,and were not prosecuted but simply deported because they had not previously been formally ordered to leave the United States, said Jackson lawyer Carlos Tanner. Tanner is the court-appointed attorney for Marcelino Gregorio-Hernandez, who pleaded guilty. Calls to Dennis Joiner, federal public de-

fender for South Mississippi, were not returned. Gregorio-Hernandez and other detainees have been kept at the Madison County Detention Center, as there is no there is no federal pretrial facility in the court’s district, Tanner said in a telephone interview Tuesday. “It looks like Ichiban is still alive and well,” Tanner said of one of the eight restaurants See RAIDS, Page 4

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2 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q August 18, 2017 GAMING

Silver Slipper Casino on a roll with new amenities By LISA MONTI mbj@msbusiness.com

A casual new seafood venue and a Caribbean-inspired pool area are the newest amenities at Silver Slipper Casino Hotel in Hancock County. The Bayou Caddy Oyster Bar and the Beach Club are the latest investments that casino owner Full House Resorts has made in Silver Slipper in the last couple of years. The $20 million hotel opened in phases in 2015. Silver Slipper’s $100,000 Beach Bar and Smokehouse Cafe opened over Memorial Day weekend, the $250,000 oyster bar had a ribbon cutting this month and the $1 million Beach Club with an inﬁnity pool, hot tub and bar opened Aug. 1 but it’s still a work in progress, casino officials say. “When the idea to create a fourth food venue at the Silver Slipper came about, the concept of an oyster bar really made sense, because of both our beach location and because our guests have always enjoyed the seafood options we’ve become so well known for,” said John Ferrucci, Silver Slipper’s general manager. The oyster bar, named for the bayou the casino overlooks, started attracting customers as soon as it opened. The menu features locally sourced oysters served on the half shell and chargrilled, alongside whole grilled lobsters and seafood pan roasts. The fresh Gulf oysters delivered daily are processed by Pass Christian-based Crystal Seas Seafood, which irradiates the live, in-shell oysters to kill bacteria. “It doesn’t impact the ﬂavor or texture at all,”

said Ferrucci. “We pay a little extra to have a safe product.” Lobster rolls, another top selling item, are served New England-style with butter in a Brioche roll baked in France and warmed on the oyster bar’s grill. The 18-seat curved bar is just inside the parking garage entrance to the casi-

Courtesy of Silver Slipper/Special to the MBJ

Top: The Beach Club with inﬁnity pool, hot tub and bar opened Aug. 1, followed by the Bayou Caddy Oyster Bar.

no. Chefs prepare the dishes in an exhibition-style kitchen in full view of diners. “The chefs in our restaurants have been working tirelessly to perfect the menu for this unique food venue,” Ferrucci said. “We wanted to create something that you could not find anywhere else along the Gulf Coast.” The oyster bar, which is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., gives seafood fans a quicker, more casual option than the fine-dining dinner-only Blue Bayou restaurant. “At the oyster bar, they can be in and out in 30 minutes,” Ferrucci said. The idea for the Caribbean themed pool area came from Full House Resorts CEO Dan Lee who wanted to model it after beach clubs he’s seen on St. Barth’s, where he vacations. He dispatched Ferrucci and a construction consultant to the island so they could see exactly what he envisioned for the property. Lee flew to Palm Springs, Calif., and personally selected 23 Zahidi palms valued at more than $120,000 for the pool area which has decking made of South American hardwood. A canopy that resembles a sail is being custom-made and will be in place over the bar area by the end of the month. “We didn’t skimp on anything,” Ferrucci said of the new pool area and furnishings. He said he tells employees that the recent additions and improvements at Silver Slipper “show the confidence our parent company has in our ability to take those investments and make them work.”

AGRIBUSINESS

CUTTING CREWS SOUGHT IN EFFORT TO STOP SPREAD OF PINE BEETLES By JACK WEATHERLY jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com The U.S. Forest Service announced Tuesday that it is seeking to contract saw crews to fell trees as part of the efforts to control or stop Southern pine beetle infestations that threaten tens of thousands of acres of pine forests in four national forests in Mississippi. Meantime, the Mississippi Forestry Commission said that nearly 250 infestations of the pest have been detected during ﬂyovers on private land in 15 counties that comprise and border national forests. The Forest Service crews include about 50 hand sawyers, who cut the beetle-infested trees with chainsaws to slow or stop the spread of the pests. The Forest Service is looking for both mechanical and hand-cutting crews. Mechanical crews use heavy equipment and are able to cut more timber in a safer manner. Information regarding this contracting notice can be found at the Federal Business Opportunities website: https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USDA/

FS/447U/AG-447U-S-17-0039/listing.html The beetle outbreak, characterized as “unprecedented” by Forest Service scientists, includes nearly 4,000 spots of infestation on the Homochitto, Bienville, Tombigbee and Holly Springs national forests. To date, the Forest Service has cut 375 spots that make up about 1,374 acres. The preferred method is to cut and remove the diseased trees, but “because of the markets and weather, cut and remove has not been available as an option,” the release stated. Mario Rossilli, spokesman for the Forest Service headquarters in Jackson, said in an interview that the agency is looking for markets so it can “move this stuff out.” As things stand now, that “inventory” is more than 50,000 truckloads, Rossilli said The Southern pine beetle is the most destructive forest pest in the region, both in economic and ecological impacts.

The commission’s Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Program provides cost-share funds to help landowners to thin their dense pine stand before the next Southern pine beetle outbreak,” said Todd Matthews, Urban Forestry and Forest Health Coordinator for the Mississippi Forestry Commission. “Healthy stands of timber that have been properly thinned and managed are less susceptible to southern pine beetle damage,” Matthews said in a release. Markets in recent years have discouraged landowners from thinning – usually two before a clearcut followed by replanting. The interactive map linked below represents suspected Southern pine beetle spots identified on privately owned forestland as of last month. Not all data have been verified from the ground at this time. To view the interactive map visit: http://bit.ly/SPBActivityMapMS Private forest landowners who are concerned about possible Southern pine beetle activity on their property are encouraged to contact their MFC area forester. To find the area forester for each county, visit the “Local Contacts” drop-down list on the MFC’s homepage: www.mfc.ms.gov

4 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q August 18, 2017 ARTS

Cartoonist Nobile creates his ﬁrst book By MBJ STAFF mbj@msbusiness.com

After 20 years as the Mississippi Business Journal’s political cartoonist, Ricky Nobile has created his first book — Homegrown, Home Drawn! 45 Years of Mississippi Editorial Cartoons. Nobile will be part of this year’s 2017 Mississippi Book Festival to be held on Aug. 19 on the grounds of the Mississippi Capitol beginning at 9 a.m. where his book will be available under the tent in Authors Alley. The book: Home Grown, Home Drawn! 45 Years of Mississippi Editorial Cartoons. It is comprised of 129 cartoons chosen from more than 4500 cartoons Nobile has drawn since 1971. The cartoons cover Govs. Waller, Finch, Winter, Allain, Mabus, Fordice, Musgrove, Barbour and Bryant, as well as Senators Stennis, Eastland, Lott, Cochran, Wicker, and Representatives Montgomery and Whitten, plus other characters that changed Mississippi. The book takes from the 1970s all the way through 2016 in Mississippi’s daily life. The book also contains several sports cartoons covering Brett Favre and the Manning family that were xxx/MBJ penned for Athlon Sports. It can be purchased at Lemuria Book xxx jflsfjklsfj Store in Jackson, Main Street Books in Hattiesburg, and Cotton Row Bookstore in Cleveland. Nobile grew up in the Mississippi Delta on a cotton farm in Moorhead. At an early age, he discovered his talent for drawing editorial cartoonist for The Mississippi Business Journal and the and drew everywhere he could. He turned that love of drawing to- Hattiesburg Post. ward cartooning when he took a correspondence course in high “Former editor, the late Buddy Bynum, hired me in 1997 to proschool and knew that was where he wanted to go with his art. Nob- vide cartoons for the Mississippi Business Journal and Joe Jones was the ile went on to attend Mississippi Delta Junior College and won the publisher at that time. I have really enjoyed being part of a stateMississippi Jr. College Press Association Best Cartoons Award. He wide newspaper based out of our capital, Jackson! Working with then attended the University of Southern Mississippi and drew the present editor, Ross Reily, has been great. We are both from cartoons for the Student Printz while there. He began work at the Delta and longtime newspaper guys. I appreciate the opporThe Bolivar Commercial in 1971 in Advertising, and that year also tunity the Mississippi Business Journal has given me, as Mississippi polbegan syndicating his cartoons to Mississippi newspapers, The itics has given me plenty of material to use over these past twenty Enterprise Tocsin being the first to subscribe. In the beginning, years with them,” said Nobile. Nobile drew one cartoon per week for his Mississippi syndicate, Nobile resides in Purvis, with his wife, Mary, and has a daughbut soon began drawing two cartoons per week for the over 40 ter, Emily, who lives in Edwards with husband Boyd Germany, and newspapers in Mississippi. Today, Nobile draws four cartoons per their two sons, Nobile and Hayes. Ricky Nobile can be contacted week, two for his Mississippi newspaper syndicate and one each as at nobilericky@aol.com.

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RAIDS Continued from, Page 1

from which ICE agents took employees into custody. “Looks to me like nobody is willing to go after somebody who is really benefiting from this,” Tanner said. The restaurants in the metro area are: three Ichiban Chinese restaurants, two in Flowood and one in Pearl; China Buffet in Pearl; Red Samurai in Madison, and Hibachi Express in Clinton. In Meridian, the restaurants are Sake Sushi and China II. The case comes at a time when a number of cities in the U.S. are declaring themselves to be “sanctuaries” vowing not to cooperate with the federal government, which, the cities contend, is overreaching the Constitution. The Mississippi Legislature passed a bill, signed by Gov. Phil Bryant in March, that states that cities, state agencies and public colleges cannot be prevented from asking about someone’s immigration status. California and San Francisco officials are suing the Trump administration, alleging federal threats to withhold funding from “sanctuary cities” are unconstitutional and violate the rights of residents, according to The Los Angeles Times. The Trump administration has warned that cities that resist federal enforcement of immigration laws will have some federal funding withheld. Those pleading guilty in Mississippi stand to serve up to two years in prison and pay a fine of up to $250,000, according to U.S. Code 8 1326 (a)(1). The 11 detainees were indicted in federal court on March 21. The office of acting U.S. Attorney for South Mississippi Harold Brittain released the names of those who pleaded guilty. Their countries of origin were not released by the court. Those who have already pleaded guilty are as follows. Juan Silvestre-Lopez, Marcelino Gregorio-Hernandez, Gabriel Gomez-Hernandez, Romelio Chilel-Vicente, Oscar Aguilar-Santis, Andres Diego-Santizo, Daniel Lopez-Vicente, Gaspar Pablo-Santizo, Fransisco Miguel Mateo and Jose Carmelo-Pablo. The plea hearing for Avimael Garcia-Calvo is scheduled for this week. Sentencing for all will begin this month and continue into October.

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MBJPERSPECTIVE August 18, 2017 • www.msbusiness.com • Page 5

MISSISSIPPI POLITICS: DAVID BARIA

» THE OUTSIDE WORLD

Remove Confederate battle ﬂag from all official symbols of Mississippi

Website: www.msbusiness.com August 18, 2017 Volume 39, Number 33

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» INSIDE MISSISSIPPI

Will tax cuts ease economic distress and health disparities?

he 13-state Appalachian Regional Commission just released its latest county economic status rankings. Mississippi has 24 ARC counties with 12 ranked “distressed,” nine “at-risk,” three “transitional,” and none “competitive” or “attainment.” Rankings did not change from last year. What do these rankings mean? ARC calculates the economic status of counties based on unemployment rates, per capita market income, and poverty rates. It then ranks its counties against all counties in America. According to ARC, “distressed” counties rank in the worst 10 percent of all counties nationwide, “at-risk” counties in the worst 25 percent, “transitional” counties between the worst 25 percent and the best 25 percent, “competitive” counties in the best 25 percent, and “attainment” counties in the top 10 percent. The eight-state Delta Regional Authority rates its counties’ economic status too. Mississippi has 47 counties in DRA. Using a slightly different methodology based on unemployment rates and per capita income, DRA rates 45 of these counties as distressed. (Note: seven DRA counties

Bill Crawford

overlap with ARC; DRA rates them all distressed while ARC rates four distressed and three at-risk.) Altogether, 64 of Mississippi’s 82 counties are served by the two regional commissions with 61 rated as having significant economic distress. Not a pretty picture. It gets worse. A just released health study shows worsening infant mortality and shorter lifespans for people living in the ARC region. Two decades ago, the study reported, Appalachian rates were similar to national averages. But in recent years, the study found Appalachian infant deaths to be 16 percent higher and life expectancies to be 2.4 years shorter. Another study released a year ago that reviewed 34 health measures showed Delta counties were “16 percent worse than those in non-Delta counties and 22 percent worse than those in the rest of the United States.” In both studies, economic distress was cited as a major factor affecting health outcomes along with factors such as obesity, nutrition, smoking, and teen pregnancies. Both ARC and DRA exist to relieve economic distress in their regions and See CRAWFORD, Page 6

he events in Charlottesville evade simple description. The tragic loss of life and violent imagery are now part of our collective consciousness and already compare as one of the darkest chapters in modern American history. For many of us who were not adults during segregation, these images seem ripped from a time we hoped was in the past. Sadly, hatred and racism remain alive and well in America today. There can be no question that the American form of government protects the rights of those who espouse hurtful and even hateful viewpoints. No less authority than the U.S. Constitution allows those Nazis, White Nationalists and members of the KKK who we watched march on Charlottesville make their David Baria protests openly and with a government permit. These hate groups enjoy the same rights as churches and synagogues in America. As U.S. Citizens we tolerate it, because if they are free to believe as they wish, then we all are free to think what we want and express our beliefs without fear of prosecution. This type of free expression is a part of the fabric of our country and helps make us who we are. While we should celebrate the freedom that protects speech and expression, we should be wary of leadership that refuses to call out hate by name and reflective about ways our governmental institutions might actually encourage division. I couldn’t help but notice among the videos and photographs from Charlottesville, the Confederate flag featured prominently in the hands of angry White Nationalists. The symbol has a prominent history in our state. The stars and bars of the Confederate Battle Flag are emblazoned in the upper left corner of our state flag as a remembrance to the valiant confederate soldiers who fell at Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Corinth, Edwards and many other places around the south. Brave as these men were, they were fighting as a part of a rebellion against our country. No one can seriously argue that their cause was not, at least in part, the continuation of the enterprise of slavery; an enterprise that presumes that one man is justified in owning as chattel another man. The institution of American slavery presumed that brown skinned people, primarily of African descent, were inherently inferior to European descended whites. This paradigm persists through the ideas promulgated by modern-day groups such as White Nationalists, Nazis and the KKK. The ideals behind American slavery of the 18th and 19th centuries and today’s hate groups, like those who marched in Charlottesville, are inseparable. The use of the confederate battle flag by these hate groups has a direct linear connection to the cause of the American Civil War– the belief that whites are superior to the “other”. It is undeniable that despite mountains of proof to the contrary, these racist beliefs continue to persist in some whites even today. Today, cynical politicians assent to hate groups with a wink and a nod, their refusal to condemn hateful behavior making them complicit. Similarly, by continuing the use of the confederate battle flag in our state flag, Mississippi provides tacit support for hate groups See BARIA, Page 6

PERSPECTIVE

6 I Mississippi Business Journal I August 18, 2017 » RICKY NOBILE

CRAWFORD

Continued from Page 5

both have initiatives to improve health and health care. (Both agencies are also targeted for elimination in the Trump budget). Other entities have health initiatives too. For example, a partnership between Pew Charitable Trusts and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation seeks to help counties address economic and other factors causing health disparities. Their “Health Impact Project: Advancing Smarter Policies for Healthier Communities” targets distressed counties in 14 states, including 34 counties in Mississippi. The State of Mississippi, on the other hand, has chosen to slash budgets for agencies providing health care. In particular, cuts eliminating Department of Health services and cuts to Medicaid will negatively impact health in distressed counties. These budget cuts result in large part because of corporate and business tax cuts that reduced state revenues. State leaders argue the tax cuts will result in business expansion, grow jobs, and improve economic status across Mississippi. As economic status improves, health should too. But, while there is mounting evidence that health disparities are on the rise, there is no evidence that state tax cuts are improving the economic status of our many distressed and at-risk counties. Bill Crawford (crawfolk@gmail.com) is a syndicated columnist from Meridian.

»UNDER THE CAPITOL DOME

Questions for charter finalists

ecision time is drawing near for Mississippi’s Charter School Advisory Board. While a proposed school in Clarksdale has an impressive list of supporters, those who want to open schools in Canton and Drew may face ques-

tions. The board decides once a year on new applications to open the alternative form of public schools, which are run by private nonprofits. Board members have been purposefully picky, approving only four schools from 23 applications so far. None were approved last year. All four schools that have been authorized are in Jackson, raising questions about how much promise charters have for a state as rural as Mississippi. This time, though, all three finalists want to serve areas outside Jackson. Of those, Clarksdale Collegiate Public Charter School has attracted the strongest outside support. That’s in part because the school’s proposed leader, Amanda Johnson, was the founding principal of a charter school in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, that leaders have hoped will be a model for the Mississippi Delta region. Current Mississippi charter school operator RePublic Schools, says it would provide back-office support and the Charter School Growth Fund has granted $250,000 to pay for startup expenses. Supporters include Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves and state Senate Education Committee Chairman Gray Tollison, both Republicans, as well as University of Mississippi Education Dean David Rock. After-school enrichment group SR1, which proposes to open SR1 College Preparatory and STEM Academy in Canton, has a long track record, collecting $2.5 million in grants in the last five years. Tamu Green, the group’s president and CEO, says the group aims to improve college access and success in Mississippi, and that community members in Canton asked SR1 for a K-12 school. SR1’s advantages include federally financed AmeriCorps volunteers that it plans to use as teaching assistants and after-school tutors. Financial projections for the school, which plans call to reach 975 students by 2029, appear aggressive, though. SR1 proj-

ects it will collect $15 million in the first five years of operation, but only spend about $6 million, leaving $9 million in reserve. Green said he felt other charter schools’ Jeff Amy experiences showed the need for strong reserves, and said SR1 tried to make plans that were “as bareboned as possible.” It’s unclear, though, whether the organization can operate on less than half as much as what the local public school spends. Similar questions surround plans for the Truth Academy STEAM Charter School in Drew, which projects it will spend less than half as much per student as the Sunflower County school district in its first year. Truth Academy plans to grow to 360 students in grades K-8 by 2023 and could capture almost all public school students in Drew — only 375 students attended regular K-8 public schools there last year. The state consolidated the Drew district into Sunflower County in 2012. “Families and other community members of Drew are very much interested in restoring the sense of pride in their schools that existed prior to the consolidation,” Truth Academy’s application states. The school’s sponsoring organization, Shades of Elegance, appears to have largely focused on girls and mothers, sponsoring a scholarship pageant and female empowerment programs. T.J. Graham, the school’s proposed executive director, couldn’t be reached for comment. The three finalists had interviews with outside experts hired by the authorizer board on Aug. 3, and will get those results later this week. The board votes Sept. 11 Krystal Cormack, board chairwoman, says members look for strength in academic, operational and financial plans. She says it’s important not to underestimate money. “The majority of charter schools that have been closed around the country have had problems with finances,” she said. Jeff Amy has covered politics and government for The Associated Press in Mississippi since 2011. Follow him at: http://twitter.com/jeffamy . Read his work at https://www.apnews.com/search/Jeff_Amy .

BARIA

Continued from Page 5

like those who marched in Charlottesville. These groups can point to Mississippi and say “at least they get us in Mississippi.” Hate groups and hateful people are emboldened by the silence of leaders and the condoning of hateful symbols. It is long past time to remove the battle flag of a rebellion against our country, a rebellion based on the belief that white men should be allowed to own dark skinned people, from all official state symbols in Mississippi, including the state flag. For the State of Mississippi to continue to endorse the Confederate Battle Flag as a part of our official state flag is to tacitly agree with the premise that all men are not created equal and that some are, in fact, inferior to others simply because of the amount of melanin in their skin. It is time now to retire the current state flag and adopt a new, more inclusive emblem for all Mississippians. Those who wish to continue to celebrate the Confederate rebellion are free to do so by flying the flag of their choice on their homes, cars and boats, but the State of Mississippi should set it aside. If Mississippi can do so, the message to all the world will be clear: hate will be neither sanctioned nor condoned in Mississippi. The very state once considered to be the most hateful place in America will loudly and clearly proclaim that all men are truly created equal and that hate has no place here. Imagine the power in the simple act of taking down the Confederate Battle Flag in Mississippi. We can show the world that in Mississippi we believe in the inherent equality of all people. We can be leaders on the world stage by setting aside our hateful past and embracing the power of the human spirit that can be unleashed by working in unison towards a common future. I am inspired to work for a new flag for a new day in Mississippi. I hope thoughtful Mississippians of all shades of skin will join me. » David Baria, an attorney and former contractor, is a Democratic member of the Mississippi House of Representatives representing the 122nd district.

August 18, 2017

Mississippi Business Journal

AGRIBUSINESS

Stink bug poses major threat to soybean crop By JACK WEATHERLY jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com

Mississippi’s largest and most valuable row crop, soybeans, is under attack by a pest that can signiﬁcantly reduce production. And so an emergency forum on the redbanded stink bug will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Capps Center of the Mississippi State University Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville. Data will be provided by academicians and consultants from Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. For more information, contact Angus Catchot, Mississippi State University Extension entomologist, at (662) 325-2085 or (662) 418-8163. The crop in Mississippi was valued at $1 billion in 2016. It constitutes two-thirds of all row-crop acreage in the state this year. “We have had well over 150 calls [last] week alone on insecticide efficacy, thresholds, and insecticide termination,” Cachot wrote in a blog post Saturday, according to Delta Farm Press. “With any new pest that has such high damage potential and changes traditional management considerations,

Special to the MBJ

The redbanded stink bug ‘overwintered well north of Highway 82 this year,’ entomologist Angus Catchot said

naturally there are lots of questions being asked from areas of Mississippi and Arkansas where this pest has not commonly

REAL ESTATE

House sales in central Mississippi down 4.5 percent

occurred.” Cachot said in another report that “redbanded stinkbugs are a lot more difficult

to control and more damaging than our traditional stinkbugs. Particularly south of Highway 82, we have a lot of redbanded stinkbugs in our system that are being treated.” When the early-planted soybeans mature and begin to dry, late-planted soybeans are among the only green plants left on cropland, Catchot said. “I’m anticipating we’ll have a lot more pressure from redbanded stinkbugs then,” Catchot said. “We need to make sure we’re on top of scouting for these pests in the coming weeks.” He said in yet another report that “cold winters typically kill them back to the coastal areas of [Louisiana]. Unfortunately, [they] have overwintered well north of Hwy 82 this year.” “The situation is pretty serious in Mississippi right now,” the Farm Press quoted Gus Lorenz, Extension entomologist with the University of Arkansas as saying. “They have thousands and thousands of acres that are being treated for redband and they’re having trouble getting them all treated with all the rain showers.”

GOOD NEWS IS WORTH REPEATING!

By JACK WEATHERLY jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com

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House sales in the 10-county Central Mississippi Multiple Listing System were down 4.5 percent in June from the previous year, primarily because of tight inventory, according to Central Mississippi Realtors. Consequently, the average sales price increased 2.1 percent, creating a market that slightly favors sellers. “Inventory remains extremely tight, but patience may pay off in coming months for those looking to buy,” said William E. Brown, president of the Central Mississippi Multiple Listing Service. The year-over-year inventory for the 10-county area fell 6.3 percent. Total inventory for the core counties of Hinds, Madison and Rankin was 2,894 as of June, down 5.9 percent from a year earlier. Still, pending sales in June, according to the service, were up 5.7 percent for Central Mississippi from a year earlier. Nationwide, the inventory is at its lowest point in 20 years, according to a Realtor.com study. Fifty-nine percent of owners are not planning to sell in the next 12 months, the study states. Thirty-ﬁve percent expect to sell and 6 percent are unsure, the study says. Millenials, those in young adulthood, are the most likely to sell. Sixty percent of those looking to sell are millenials, either to buy a larger home or one with nicer features. Eighty-ﬁve percent of baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, are not planning to sell within the next 12 months. About 90 percent of the house market is composed of previously owned residences. Rankin County has led Central Mississippi in closed sales for three consecutive months, reaching 1,087 in June, up 7.1 percent from a year earlier. Hinds, the state’s most populous county, trailed with 898 sales, up 3.9 percent and Madison at 779, down 1.3 percent. Madison led the three counties in terms of median sales price, $223,250, followed by Rankin, $171.900, and Hinds $127,000.

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Newsmakers

8 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q Ausut 18, 2017

Barry leads Mississippi Bar Meridian attorney, Rick Barry has assumed the position of President of The Mississippi Bar. The Bar is composed of over 11,000 attorneys who are licensed to practice law in Mississippi. Barry is the 112th President of the association. Barry Active in the legal profession, Barry has served as President of the Lauderdale County Bar Association, President of the Young Lawyers Division of The Mississippi Bar, President of the Fellows of the Young Lawyers of The Mississippi Bar, and Chair of the Bar’s Health Law Section. Barry was inducted as a Mississippi Bar Foundation Fellow. Barry has been the Board Attorney for the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors for more than 20 years and is General Counsel of the Board of Directors of Rush Health Systems, Inc. He is currently General Counsel for the Meridian Housing Authority and for Greater Meridian Health Clinic, Inc. He was inducted as a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and is a member of the Lamar Order. Barry practices with the ﬁrm Barry, Palmer, Thaggard, May & Bailey, LLP, where he has practiced law for 38 years.

Adkerson earns PGA honor

Jeff Adkerson, director of Mississippi State University’s PGA Golf Management program, is the 2017 recipient of the Professional Golfers’ Association National Horton Smith Award. The honor recognizes golf professionals for outstanding and continuing contributions to professional education. Adkerson The two-time MSU alumnus has received the Gulf States PGA’s Horton Smith Award four times. Earlier this year, Adkerson became one of approximately 350 people since 1969 to earn the PGA’s Master Professional in Golf Operations distinction, given to PGA Professionals that demonstrate the highest degree of excellence. Adkerson joined the MSU College of Business’ PGA Golf Management program in 2003 and became the program’s director in 2007. He is president of the Gulf States PGA and was named Mississippi Golf Professional of the Year in 2009 and 2011.

Clay to lead MSU office

Jerry Clay, a Mississippi State alumnus, has been named director of MSU’s Office of Technology Management — the campus unit charged with capturing, protecting, managing and accelerating the commercialization of university-owned and generated Clay intellectual property. A graduate of the Mississippi College School of Law and member of the Mississippi Bar, Clay has extensive experience in patent law and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and all federal and state courts of Mississippi. Additionally, he has owned a small business and worked for the Army Corps of Engineers, among other career highlights. In 2015, he joined OTM as a licensing associate. Most recently, he served as interim director of the

Taylor

Herrin

Pridgen

Goolsby

Adams

MSCPA names new officers Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants recently announced its new officers for 2017-2018. The officers are: » Bill Taylor, Chairman President, Benefit Solutions, Ltd. in Water Valley. » Annette Herrin, Vice Chairman/Chairman-Elect Consulting Services Partner, Topp McWhorter Harvey, PLLC in Hattiesburg. » Annette Pridgen, Secretary, Assistant Professor, Jackson State University » Jerry Goolsby, Treasurer, Assurance Partner, BKD, LLP in Jackson. » Lee Adams, At-Large Board Member, Vice President of Internal Audit, Ergon, Inc. in Flowood. Officers were elected during the MSCPA annual Business Meeting at in Destin, Fla. With more than 2,600 members, the Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants is the largest professional organization serving Mississippi CPAs and aspiring CPAs. MSCPA represents the majority of Mississippi CPAs in public practice, business and industry, government and education. We support our members through a variety of education, advocacy, networking, leadership, and volunteer initiatives. office during a leadership transition. Clay graduated magna cum laude from MSU in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in wildlife science. As a student, he was president of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, a member of Xi Sigma Pi Natural Resources Honor Society, and served as secretary of the College of Forest Resources Student Council.

Addison new shareholder Ross & Yerger insurance agency has named Michael Addison as its newest company shareholder. Addison is a producer who joined the company in 2014. He provides risk management, insurance and bonding services, with a focus in construction and manufacturing industries. Addison graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor in Business Administration. Additionally, he is an Accredited Adviser in Insurance, a designation that displays a commitment to professional excellence. Addison is an active member of several business organizations, including Associated Builders and Contractors, Mississippi Manufacturing Association, Community Development Foundation and Tupelo Young Professionals. He is a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow, a graduate of the Jim Ingram Community Leadership Institute, and has volunteered for multiple causes. Addison attends First United Methodist Church, and he and his wife, Emily, reside in Tupelo, with their daughter Milly.

Ashby joins Tennessee ﬁrm Ron Ashby of Ashby & Associates PLLC in Tupelo has merged his company and become a new principal at Tennessee-based Alexander Thompson Arnold PLLC. With the addition of Tupelo, ATA will now have 14 office locations in West and Middle Tennessee, Western Kentucky and Ashby Mississippi. ATA is a regional accounting ﬁrm who provides a wide array of accounting, auditing, tax and consulting services for clients ranging from small family-owned businesses to pub-

licly traded companies, and international corporations. ATA is also an alliance member of BDO USA LLP, which allows it to utilize the resources and expertise for its clients of a top ﬁve global accounting ﬁrm.

KPMG promotes 2 KPMG LLP of Jackson recently made two promotions. Angela Pesnell has been promoted to Audit Manager. She received Masters of Accountancy and Bachelors of Business Administration degrees from Millsaps College. Pesnell joined KPMG in 2011. Lakyn Rainer has been promoted to Audit Manager. She received Masters of Accountancy and Bachelors of Science and Business Administration degrees from University of Southern Mississippi. Rainer joined KPMG in 2011.

Pesnell

Rainer

Agents name new leaders Cecil Vaughan of Galloway Chandler McKinney Insurance Agency in Columbus was recently elected Chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents of Mississippi at its 119th annual Convention in Destin, Fla. Vaughan has previously been Vice-Chairman, Chairman-Elect, and a Board Vaughan and Executive Committee member for the association. Vaughan is a partner/producer for Galloway Chandler McKinney Insurance where he has worked for 33 years. He has a Bachelor’s Degree from Mississippi State University and holds the Certiﬁed Insurance Counselor designation. Other officers include: Ray Robertson of Marchetti Robertson & Brickell Insurance and Bond

Agency in Ridgeland as Chairman-Elect; Josh Smith of Insurance & Risk Managers in Brookhaven as Vice Chairman; Ray Collins of Collins Insurance Agency in New Albany as Treasurer; and Shaw Johnson III of SouthGroup Insurance Services in Clarksdale as National Director In addition to the association officers, Vaughan named the following agents to serve on the IIAM Executive Committee for 2017-2018: Durr Boyles of Boyles Moak Insurance Services in Ridgeland; Tatum Brown of R.L. Brown Insurance Agency in Oxford; Roman Galey of SouthGroup Insurance Services in Hattiesburg; Gwen Jolly of West Central & Company in Aberdeen; Brad Kent of SouthGroup Insurance Services in Laurel; John Morgan Mims of The Insurance Center of Meridian in Meridian; Pam Wilson of Lemon-Mohler Insurance Agency in Ocean Springs; and Scott Woods of Fisher Brown Bottrell Insurance in Jackson. The following agents were also elected to threeyear terms on the IIAM Board of Directors: Thomas Elfert of Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services in Jackson; David Huggins of Fiser Insurance Agency in Clarksdale; Terry Pendley of Old South Insurance Group in Hazlehurst; and Brent Tyler of HUB International Gulf South in Ridgeland.

Wilson joins Jackson ﬁrm

Malissa Wilson has joined Forman Watkins & Krutz LLP as a partner in the Jackson office. She has over 15 years of diverse litigation experience. Wilson previously was a Senior Assistant City Attorney for Houston, Tex., and in-house counsel for a national insurance company overseeing cases in Texas, Oklahoma and Mississippi. She was also a senior associate with an area defense ﬁrm and a Special Assistant Attorney General for the Office of the Mississippi Attorney General. Malissa graduated magna cum laude from Texas Southern University in Houston, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, and went on to obtain a Master of Science in Journalism from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York City. She worked as a journalist and public relations practitioner before attending the University of Mississippi School of Law where she graduated cum laude in 2002. In law school, she was an executive board member of the Moot Court Board, vice president of the Law Association for Women; and, member of the National Security Law Journal. She was a ﬁnalist in the Moot Court Oral Competition, and she received the Outstanding Student Award for achieving the highest GPA. in legal research. Wilson is a member of the public service organization Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She has participated in the in-school mentorship program for Big Brothers & Big Sisters organization. She also does pro bono work on a variety of family law matters for local legal services agencies. Wilson has served in leadership capacities on a number committees, including as board member of the Jackson Young Lawyers; chair of the Mississippi Bar Young Lawyer’s Division Diversity in the Law Committee; member of the Public Information Committee’s Media in the Law Subcommittee of the Mississippi Bar; member of the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Strategic Communications; member of the Ole Miss Central Mississippi Alumni Board; and, member of the NROUTE Transportation Commission of Vicksburg, Mississippi. She is also a 2004 graduate of Leadership Jackson.

August 18, 2017 • MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS JOURNAL • www.msbusiness.com

MBJ FOCUS: BANKING & FINANCE

A TIME to TEACH Banks, customers feel the changing tech environment By BECKY GILLETTE mbj@msbusiness.com

he ﬁnancial services industry as a whole is facing an extraordinarily complex and ever changing technological environment, said Mississippi Bankers Association Chairman Gerard R. “Jerry” Host, who is president and chief executive officer of Trustmark Corporation and Trustmark National Bank. “One challenge I believe is common, not only to the MBA, but to our colleagues in other states, as well, is simply how to remain relevant,”

said Host, who is also is a member of the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and a past director of the New Orleans Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank. “We must continually ﬁnd ways to help member banks as they work to meet Host the needs of today’s consumer. Frequently changing customer needs and demands, combined with all the latest technology, requires banks to regularly review and remain current through a broad range of delivery channels, from debit cards to online

banking, to advanced ATM and ITM technologies.” At the same time, he said banks must effectively conduct business while communicating across a wide range of social media platforms, and while maintaining the still present need of the traditional brick and mortar retail locations staffed with bankers who know and understand their customer base. “It’s a balancing act for any customer service focused industry, including banking,” Host said. “Another challenge is insuring the organization See MBA, Page 12

Banking & Finance

10 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q August 18, 2017

Providing help for state’s unbanked

» 2 Mississippians offering ways to help those in bank deserts

“When I came back home, I would still see people cashing their checks at grocery stores or check cashing places, and I really took notice for the ﬁrst time … This sparked my interest to use technology to make a change.” —Sheena Allen, CEO, CapWay

By CALLIE DANIELS BRYANT mbj@msbusiness.com

early 10 percent of Mississippians do not have a bank account. Close to a quarter of Mississippians are under-banked, meaning they have limited access to retail banks and credit unions, instead preferring to cash paychecks immediately with a nontraditional ﬁnancial service. With these statistics biennially reported by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, banking branches and Mississippians

have responded by working to provide ﬁnancial literacy to the unbanked and under-banked. Two native Mississippians Sheena Allen and Tim Lampkin co-founded CapWay, which is a mobile app for iPhones that provides an education in ﬁnancial literacy so the users can cope with challenging

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financial situations such as living in a bank desert. “The FDIC has reported on this issue for years,” said Lampkin. “Several banks are moving away from physical branches, and more predatory lenders are moving into communities. Banking deserts are real, especially in the rural South. This creates a difficult situation for those who are trying to improve their financial situation.” The CEO of CapWay, Sheena Allen was influenced by her childhood in Terry when she created the app. “I would see family members and parents of my friends cash their checks at places other than the bank,” Allen said. “I never really thought much about it as a child.” After starting her first tech company in college, Allen left Mississippi for Silicon Valley in California, and worked in Austin, Tex. “When I came back home, I would still see people cashing their checks at grocery stores or check cashing places, and I really took notice for the first time the amount

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of payday lenders and title loan places that were in Jackson,” Allen said, “Unlike when I was a child, I was now an entrepreneur, and this sparked my interest to use technology to make a change. Once again, I have family members that are a part of this population.” While researching the unbanked and under-banked issue in Mississippi, Allen noticed this trend is a global issue. “However, with Tim and I both being from Mississippi — and Mississippi having the highest population of unbanked and under-banked residents — we started in Mississippi first,” Allen said. “It’s an opportunity to help and improve home first.” “The wealth disparities in our state are outrageous, and it is because there is a lack of financial services to improve the lives of underserved residents,” Lampkin added. “We are trying to help one person, one family, and one community at a time become financially healthy.” Allen and Lampkin are working to finalize partnerships in Mississippi as well as partnerships in works as they plan to expand CapWay to other states to provide financial literacy first and foremost. “We started with financial literacy because it is the core of everything that CapWay does and stands for. You must use knowledge to impact mindset and behavior. It is impossible to choose the better option when you don’t know the better option exists,” said Allen. As CapWay expands across the states, Allen plans to offer more financial tools such as mobile banking in the future. Also supporting the cause of financial literacy education is Will Lofton, consumer banking executive for Regions in Mississippi. He said: “Our long-time partnership with Operation HOPE has helped thousands of consumers in Mississippi understand and use credit wisely, strengthen their overall financial management skills and become better prepared to achieve homeownership, avoid foreclosure or meet other financial goals. We also participate in a number of ‘financial literacy’ seminars and workshops for students and other audiences throughout the state each year. “Education, however, is just one need when it comes to borrowing money, building credit and managing finances.” Regions offers several banking tools, such as reloadable debit cards, credit cards that help customers rebuild their credit, and mobile banking with multiple options. “I can tell you that in terms of a solution to this problem, Regions is committed to continuing to provide to unbanked or under-banked people with the tools they need to achieve financial confidence and improve their quality of life,” Lofton said.

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Banking & Finance

12 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q August 18, 2017

MBA Continued from Page 9

ďŹ nds common ground on issues important to our industry. Recent regulatory changes have created differences between banks of different sizes so we must stay focused on those common themes that help to promote our economy and businesses. Our community banks help to provide needed liquidity and support for many small businesses operating in Mississippiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more rural areas.â&#x20AC;? Host said MBA works year around with legislators, alongside other state and local leaders, to promote a business-friendly environment in Mississippi that helps create jobs and improve the overall economic health of the state and the communities served. Education is a primary focus of the MBA for both member banks and consumers. The MBA offers a long list of educational seminars and tools designed to help community banks with information on topics ranging from technology and cybersecurity to regulation. Along with its member banks, the MBA also provides a broad range of ďŹ nancial education for all ages including â&#x20AC;&#x153;a banker in every classroom,â&#x20AC;? online ďŹ nancial literacy for students, housing affordability and money management programs. The role of being chairman of the MBA carries a relatively short, one-year tenure.

Host said a major goal for his tenure is to create greater continuity and ensure a clear vision through a multi-year strategic plan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The plan, which can be reďŹ ned and reprioritized as appropriate, will contain speciďŹ c and measurable goals with a focus on advocacy and education that is expressly designed to beneďŹ t our member banks,â&#x20AC;? said Host, who is 2017-2018 chairman for MBA. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To maintain consistency of focus and direction, the composition of officers serving on the MBA Board of Directors follows a customary path. A board member is ďŹ rst elected to serve as the associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s treasurer. This is followed by a year served as vice-chair, culminating with the one-year role as chair. Following the completion of the chairâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s official term, he or she remains as an ex-officio member of the board for at least two years. The MBA president, the treasurer, the vice-chair and the chair, along with two non-officer directors, combine to make up the MBAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s executive committee. It is my goal to ensure that this established board structure, along with a focused and measured strategic plan, will provide continuity in the ďŹ&#x201A;ow of fresh ideas and representation for all of our member banks.â&#x20AC;? One of the things Host is most excited about is that MBA is in line to see its ďŹ rst female chair in its 128-year history. Mary Childs is expected to succeed him in May 2018.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It will be a true honor to turn the gavel over to Mary,â&#x20AC;? Host said. While the board guides decision making, Host said the MBA is fortunate to have a great team of staffers that has been led by President Mac Deaver for more than 25 years. From a legislative perspective, Host said MBA works to be pro-business in its approach so it allows promotion of business and economic expansion throughout the state. He said the banks provide a critical role to provide funding and liquidity to businesses, and to many of the state and municipal entities either through issuing bonds or buying bonds of various state entities. Host said his role as a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Atlanta allows him to bring the perspective of various businesses to the table. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For each meeting, I will meet with a cross section of businesses in our footprint throughout the Southeast and ďŹ nd out what is going on in their business in terms of hiring practices, wage pressures, cost of materials, and all other kinds of things that help play into the primary role of the Fed, which is to manage inďŹ&#x201A;ation expectations and unemployment,â&#x20AC;? said Host, who is chairman of the Audit and Risk Management Committee of the Federal Reserve of Atlanta. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The views I express are my own and not necessarily those of the Federal Reserve.â&#x20AC;?

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Host said the positives being seen currently include unemployment nationally dropping to 4.3 percent, a 16-year low. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The challenge is that we have not seen the level of economic growth that we are accustomed to seeing during a recovery,â&#x20AC;? Host said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The good news is inďŹ&#x201A;ation still remains low, but overall GDP growth has been relatively ďŹ&#x201A;at. In the best of times, we would see the economy begin to pick up some speed in terms of overall growth, inďŹ&#x201A;ation remain intact, and unemployment remain around these levels. Businesses need to be able to ďŹ nd new employees and maintain existing employees without having a lot of wage pressure put on them.â&#x20AC;? Host has been with Trustmark since 1984. Trustmark is a $13.2 billion ďŹ nancial services company with locations in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and Texas. Host serves on the executive committee for Governor Bryantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mississippi Works Initiative, is past chairman of the Board of Governors of the Mississippi Economic Council and currently serves on its executive committee. He is a director and member of the executive committee of the Greater Jackson Chamber board, serves as chairman of the American Cancer Societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hope Lodge Mississippi Campaign and is past chairman of board of the Mississippi Museum of Art.

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Banking & Finance

August 18, 2017

Mississippi Business Journal

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Banking & Finance

14 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q August 18, 2017

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Banking & Finance

August 18, 2017

Mississippi Business Journal

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16 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q August 18, 2017 THE SPIN CYCLE

Social media users vault past 3 billion

he latest Global Digital Statshot from We Are Social and Hootsuite reveals that the number of people using social media around the world has just passed the momentous 3 billion mark. With he world population at 7.5 billion and counting, that’s quite a milestone. Here are top trends: » 3.8 billion Internet users – with a 51 percent penetration rate. » 3.02 billion social media users with a 40 percent penetration rate. » 5.05 billion unique mobile users – a 67 percent penetration rate. » 2.78 billion mobile social media users – a 37 percent penetration rate. Growth trends show no signs of slowing either, with the number of active social media users growing at a rate of one million new users per day over the past quarter: » Internet users have grown .2 percent since April, adding 8 million. » Social media users have increased 4 percent, up 121 million. » Mobile users have increased 2 percent, up 92 million. » Mobile social users have ticked up 3 percent, up 82 million. The increase in social media user numbers suggests that Internet use continues to grow at an equally impressive rate. You’ll find our full Statshot report in the SlideShare embed [right] (and you can download it for free by clicking here), but read on for additional context and some deeper insights. Social media: The world’s favorite online pastime? Facebook delivered a significant portion of social media growth over the past four months, with the platform surging past the 2 billion monthly active users mark to reach 2.046 billion monthly active users: » 87 percent of Facebook users access the platform via mobile devices. » 59 percent use Facebook every day. » 56 percent of Facebook profiles declared as male. » 44 percent declared as female. Other key social platforms posted solid growth in the past few months too, notably YouTube, whose recent updates to global user figures put the platform in second place in the global MAU (monthly active user) rankings, with 1.5 billion active users. » WHATSAPP has 1.2 billion active users. » Facebook Messenger boasts 1.2 billion active users » Instagram has 700 million users » Twitter has 328 million users » Snapchat has 255 million users » Pinterest has 175 million users » LinkedIn has 106 million users Upwardly mobile Mobile adoption continues to grow steadily around the world, with GSMA In-

telligence reporting growth of more than 650,000 new users each day since the last report. Meanwhile, the latest data from Ericsson show that our love affair with mobile connectivity continues to strengthen too, with the average smartphone user now consuming more than 2.3GB of mobile data every month via their mobile devices. CBS aims to reinvent itself in a digital 24/7 world CBS News is building a digital upstart that has been trying to do something new within the conﬁnes of a decades-old news institution: build an 24/7 news brand that doesn’t fall into the rut of endless cable news shout-a-thons on one end and cheap, forgettable social news clips on the other. In the fall of 2014, CBS launched

CBSN, a 24-hour streaming news channel available for free online and across all manner of smartphones, tablets and connected TV screens. Described by a CBS source to DigiDay as a “child” under the joint custody of CBS Interactive and CBS News, CBSN programs 15 hours or more of live-streaming news every day, including episodes of major CBS News programs such as “CBS This Morning,” “Face the Nation,” “60 Minutes” and “CBS Evening News.” CBSN is no small operation, with as many as 250 people from across CBS News Digital and CBS Interactive working on CBSN news insight. This includes dedicated staffers within editorial, engineering and other departments, as well as those with “central roles” from CBS Interactive in departments spanning product, marketing and sales. Nearly three years in, CBSN is proﬁtable. Going forward, the plan is to “take some of the success and reinvest it” into the business, according to Christy Tanner, senior vice president and general manager of CBS News Digital for CBS Interactive. This includes putting money and resources toward new content, distribution partnerships and editorial products, which will

often involve working in tandem with other departments in the broader CBS portfolio — a testament to how much CBS higher-ups value CBSN. While CBSN’s editorial and social teams Todd Smith produce short, social videos for Facebook and other platforms, it’s not at the expense of the ﬂagship streaming channel. If, for instance, a video does well on Facebook, then the plan is to cover that topic at some point on the streaming channel, Lane said. CBSN is also an opportunity for CBS News to go deeper on topics broadcast and cable news outlets underreport. In the past

year, CBSN has launched a “CBSN Originals” program to produce documentaries that cover topics such as Latino Trump supporters and the drive to end child marriage in Nepal and the U.S. Getting Younger By producing a streaming news channel that’s available across different streaming platforms and devices, CBSN is helping CBS News reach a younger audience. This is especially important in a time when traditional broadcast and cable news viewers are aging, said Jason Maltby, president and co-executive director of national broadcast for Mindshare North America. The median age for a Fox News and MSNBC TV viewer is 65 years old; for CNN’s prime-time viewership, the median age is 59 years old, according to Nielsen. Last week, CBS News premiered “CBSN: On Assignment,” a new summer TV series airing on TV and simulcast on CBSN and the CBS All Access subscription streaming service. Each hour-long episode will feature multiple documentary-style reports CBSN produces. CBS All Access, which reportedly had 1.5 million paying subscribers as of February, will carry CBSN’s live feed starting on

Aug. 3.

Rhinestone Mic | Glen Campbell was a Mount Rushmore country artist The Rhinestone Cowboy is a Mount Rushmore country music artist, as Brad Paisley so aptly coined the iconic music legend following his death at age 81 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. During the meteoric ascent of the genre, Campbell brought country music to new audiences. He found success as a session musician before embarking on a solo career that included smashes “Gentle On My Mind,” “Galveston,” “Wichita Lineman” and “Rhinestone Cowboy” eventually landing in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Campbell’s death brought a flood of emotional tributes from across the globe to Nashville, where he had lived, worked and inspired a generation of artists. He was a natural for TV and the big screen, and in the 1960’s hosted The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour” that featured much more than country. He performed Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” with Stevie Wonder and “Squares Make the World Go ‘Round” with the Smothers Brothers and Nancy Sinatra. His megawatt success – dotted with drug addiction, debauchery and divorce – continued into the 21st Century, as he brightened the spotlight on country music. In 2011, he announced he was suffering from Alzheimer’s and became perhaps one of the greatest champions of the debilitating disease – shining an equally as bright light on the memory-robbing malady. Later that year, he launched a “Goodbye Tour” to put an exclamation point on his career while bringing much needed attention to the disease. Campbell played his final Nashville show in early January 2012, performing at the Ryman Auditorium with a band that included three of his children. He opened with “Gentle On My Mind,” played many of his hits and thrilled an audience that included Tanya Tucker, Grand Ole Opry stars Jeannie Seely and Ricky Skaggs and fellow Country Music Hall of Famer Ralph Emery. His last album was aptly titled “Adios,” a fitting goodbye from a gifted country music legend. The Spin Cycle has always loved the music of Glen Campbell, and will always be a big fan of the legend. Now the Pearly Gates are radiating an electric rhinestone hue, and the angels are swaying to the heavenly music.

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.

New Businesses

August 18, 2017

Mississippi Business Journal

Courtesy of Chamber of Flowood

THE VAULT VENUE: The Chamber of Flowood recently held a ribbon-cutting for The Vault Venue, 202 N. College St. in Brandon.

Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce

McANGUS GOUDELOCK & COURIE: The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon-cutting for the new law offices of McAngus Goudelock & Courie in Oxford.

Courtesy of The Chamber of Flowood

BANK TEC SOUTH: The Chamber of Flowood recently held a ribbon-cutting for Bank Tec South.

THE POP PORIUM: The Greater Starkville Development Partnership recently held a ribbon-cutting to welcome Rosa Dalomba and her staff at The Pop Porium to 119 E. Main St. in downtown Starkville. ,

Courtesy of Greater Starkville Development Partnership

New Businesses

18 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q August 18, 2017

BACK PORCH REALTY: The Rankin County Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon-cutting for Back Porch Realty, 5719 U.S. 25, Suite 6, in Flowood ,

Courtesy of Rankin County Chamber of Commerce

Courtesy of The Alliance

POLISH SALON: The Alliance recently held a ribbon-cutting for Polish Salon, 1812 E. Shiloh Road in Corinth. Owner/Stylist Taylor McDonald cut the ribbon, along with associate/cosmetologist, Ashley Reid. Mayor Tommy Irwin assisted, along with family, friends, and other city and county officials. Also on hand to celebrate the ribbon cutting were Pam McDonald, Rob Bailey and Shirley McDonald.

Courtesy of The Chamber of Flowood

CHICK-FIL-A TRAINING FACILITY: The Chamber of Flowood recently held a ribbon-cutting for the Chick-ﬁl-A Training Facility, 262 Market St. in Flowood.

Courtesy of Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership/Jackson Chamber of Commerce Courtesy of Rankin County Chamber of Commerce

THE WELLNESS SPA: The Rankin County Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon-cutting for The Wellness Spa, 5419 U.S. 25, Suite R, in Flowood.

POLINATOR’S PLAYGROUND: The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership and Jackson Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon-cutting for the Mississippi Children’s Museum Exhibit “The Pollinator’s Playground.”

New Businesses

August 18, 2017

Mississippi Business Journal

TARA YOGA: The Chamber of Flowood recently held a ribbon-cutting for Tara Yoga, 200 Park Circle Drive, Suite 4, in Flowood.

Courtesy of Chamber of Flowood

Courtesy of Rankin County Chamber of Commerce

CULTURE CONCEPTS: The Rankin County Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon-cutting for Culture Concepts in Brandon.

Courtesy of Chamber of Flowood

OXFORD OPTIONS: The Chamber of Flowood recently held a ribbon-cutting for Oxford Options, 1088 Flynt Drive in Flowood

Courtesy of Robinson & Associates, Inc.

FIRST CHOICE INSURANCE: First Choice Insurance, a newly formed subsidiary of First Choice Bank, recently purchased NorthBridge Insurance Co. in Pontotoc. Pictured are, from left, Buddy Montgomery, president, First Choice Insurance; Larry Russell, secretary, First Choice Insurance; Julie Henry, CFO, First Choice Insurance; Stephanie Paul, agent, NorthBridge Insurance Co.; Ramona Hood, receptionist, NorthBridge Insurance Co.; Rhonda Sellers, owner, NorthBridge Insurance Co.; and Shane Clayton, executive vice president, First Choice Insurance.

Courtesy of The Alliance

CROSSROADS AUTOMOTIVE: The Alliance recently held a ribbon-cutting for the Grand Re-Opening of Crossroads Automotive, 1701 U.S. 72 W. Owner Jeff Smith cut the ribbon along with his wife, Brenda and granddaughters, Jossilyn and Lydia Stevens. Mayor Tommy Irwin assisted, along with other officials, family and friends.

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